Important to know first: La Palma is not recommended for pilots with little experience.

The conditions may change rapidly and you should be able to handle this in order to have fun.

Weather Landing Emergency More Detailinformation

1. Weather Conditions

It is highly recommendet to control the weather and its developments in detail before any decision for take off. The micro climata on the canarien islands is at one side very fascinating, but at the other side also dangerous, specially for pilots with minior experience. Please take into consideration the usual weather rules for the alps do often not work on La Palma. Most of the time on La Palma pilots are flying in Lee conditions. This is very unusual, but the rule on this island. Therefore conditions may change rapidly. You need to know your glider 100% including spiral and other rapid landing techniques and of course starting techniques for strong winds. Only then, you will have a lot of fun in the air. While in the air, always control the surface of the sea. If the sea is developing foam waves, this is a sign of stronger wind. If not already airborne, do not start. If already in the air, land immediately. I recommend to ask the local pilots for more information.

Remember: One week experience on La Palma does not qualify to be an expert. The island is too different.

2. Landing Outside Normal Landing Spots

If you do have to land in unknown territory, you should plan to do so on a street. Lava fields look very nice in the air but when you are closer, the rocks are getting bigger and bigger. They are also very sharp and big holes are quite frequent. Some pilots did break a leg while trying to land in the lava fields. Often, there are a lot of electrical cables. Usually, they are not a big problem because they are easy to identify. Nevertheless, keep an eye on it. Take you the time while driving around to discover some new emergency landing possibilities. If you have to land in unknown territory, give the responsibles of Palmaclub a call in order to avoid emergency alarmings. Details refer to the backside of the landing card.

3. Emergency (Second Chance)

Many times you can read in newspapers and journals of accidents where pilots died just because they did not use the emergency parachute. At the 25 of december 99, on la Palma was also a deadly accident. The first ever. After a collaps of the paraglider in thermic conditions, the pilot has not anymore being able to bring his glider under control and did hit the cliff. He did not use his emergency but tried too long to stabilize the glider. I think the only way against such reactions is actively work with the emergency. Put the existence of your emergency parachute into your mind while exercising to find it at least every hour in the air. Did you ever used the emergency? Even while being at the ground you can train it. Unfortunately I often recognized that emergencies did not open just because it was not serviced or not good constructed. During a training with pilots on la Palma after the described accident, 3 out of 5 emergency parachutes did not open correctly but did so after some minior modifications or new packing!

If you have any question in regard of your emergency while staying on la Palma you shall contact me (Roger). I am Paragliding Instructor and also owner of a maintenance licence from the Swiss Paragliding association. I will also fold your emergency if requested. While on la Palma call 0034 638 809 917 for assistance.