Local Flying :: St Andre Les Alpes
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Flying towards St Andre (Top of Lake), Cheval Blanc Top Right Photo © Charlie Hedges
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:: Introduction
St Andre is a well-known flying site, having been used for international paragliding and hang gliding events for years. It is renowned for its strong thermals and good cross country potential, with routes to the north to Dormillouse, Briancon, Allos etc, and south to Col de Bleyne. The main (SW) launch tends to blow out for paragliders when conditions get really thermic and the valley breezes get strong, so cross country-seekers need to aim to be on launch for 11:30 to 12:00, ready for the sun to begin pulling thermals up the SW face. For those seeking gentler conditions, there are E and SE-facing launches for morning flights, and evening flying until sunset from the SW launch can be very rewarding. There is a good road to top, but it is often snowed in during the winter (Dec to Mar).
Note: St Andre is not an FFVL flying site. Aerogliss administer the site, and ask that all visiting pilots contact them before flying. (Their base is in next to the lakeside landing field. Contact details given below).
:: Access
St Andre is about 2 hours drive NW of Nice along the Route Napoleon. There is a good road (The C30) up to Le Chalvet take-off from the NW side of the town, but this is often snowed in from December to March. For parking, there is a lay-by close to the S take-off, and places for several cars at the end of the road beneath the South-West launch.
The Lakeside landing area / Aerogliss HQ is reached by taking the road to Nice out of St Andre, and turning left by the supermarket.
Moriez Campsite: Moriez is about 3km outside of St Andre on the N202, in the direction of Digne. .
:: Maps
- IGN Serie Vert 1:100 000 map 61, “Nice Barcelonnette”
- Michelin Carte Routière et Touristique, 1 :200 000 map 245, ” Provence Cote d’Azur “.
- IGN ” Top 25 ” (1 :25 000) map 3541OT.
:: Take-offs and Landings
Take-offs
| Name / Orientation |
GPS co-ordinates |
Altitude (m AMSL) |
Notes |
| SE launch |
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1530m |
Used for morning flights and on easterly days. The takeoff is steep but clear, and overlooks the town of St André. Land by the lake. Launch can be very turbulent in a N or NW meteo wind (even if the thermic breeze appears to be coming up slope). In E meteo winds, be wary of turbulence caused by the Crête de Serres. |
| S launch |
|
1530m |
A large, well-cleared gently sloping take-off, and very user-friendly. The south face of Chalvet can be slope-soared in a reasonable breeze. Official landing areas are either by the lake, or the campsite at Moriez. |
| SW |
43°58′40″N - 06°28′50″E |
1540m |
The usual take-off after 11am. It is relatively steep, and thermic from around midday. The wind on take-off can be strong, particularly later on when the valley winds become established. When the thermic activity dies down again, very pleasant evening soaring is often available until it gets dark. Can be very turbulent in a N or NW meteo wind (Mistral). Official landing areas are either by the lake, or the campsite at Moriez. |
Landings
| Name |
GPS co-ordinates |
Altitude (m AMSL) |
Notes |
| Northern flank of the Lac de Castillon |
43°57′31″N - 06°30′39″E |
890m |
The wind in the landing area is affected by 3 separate valleys, and has a habit of switching. It is advisable to land either as close to the lake (and hence bar) as possible, or as close to the north end of the field, to avoid the worst of the converging air. The school does not recommend the lake landing field between the hours of 13h and 17h on thermic days. |
| Moriez campsite |
|
900m |
Smaller than the lakeside landing, but nearer the SW takeoff and without the complications of converging valley winds. Beware of an electric line running the length of the field. |
:: Useful Numbers
:: XC Routes
The following are a list of suggested cross-country routes from Aerogliss’ website:
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Les Antennes / Pic de Chamatte / Return
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The speed loop (Lambruisse, Grand Cordeil, Maurel, le lac)
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The infamous St Andre les Alpes / Fort de Dormillouse and return
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Straight to Allos
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La barre de Coupe - Pic de Couard, return
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To Briançon
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To the sea, by Gourdon
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To Moustiers Ste Marie
Local pilot Laurence Viard flew 165km from here to Vallouise in July 2002.
:: Other Activities
- St Andre is not very far from the Verdon Gorge, opening up many possible alternative activities, such as climbing, rafting, kayaking, canyoning etc. You can book guides for all of these activities (and more) from a number of specialist shops in Castellane. (Castellane is the town at the eastern edge of the gorge, which lies about 15km south of St Andre). There is also a shop in St Andre itself: Natur’ Elements, Grand rue, St André les Alpes. Tel +33 (0)4 92 89 13 26 E-mail : naturelements@club-internet.fr.
- Quad-Biking. Contact Quad Evasion, ” Le Colombier “, Grand Rue, 04170, St Andre-les-Alpes. Telephone / Fax 04 92 89 11 92. Email marie.di@club-internet.fr. Cost is 60 Euros for 2 hours.
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There is a site on a hill (Pimandon) at the south west end of the lake, near the Barrage de Castillon, that is home to members of different sects and religions who have elected to live together in harmony with each other. Its ornate buildings and monuments catch the sun, making it visible from the road and the air. Although this is a community of people living and working their day-to-day lives there, it is possible to visit the site at defined times. Get in touch with the tourist office for more details.
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