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Starting point is below the mountain station. Large flat meadow.
In the afternoon, one should orientate oneself to the Maggia and not fly too strongly towards Locarno, as otherwise, due to the partly strong valley wind, one hardly reaches the landing place. Note TMA Locarno!
TAKE OFF
The take-off is located in Cimetta (100 meters below the chair lift arrival) and is clearly marked with a windsock. During the winter season the take-off slope is separated from the ski slope and pilots are kindly asked to respect this separation. The Wind normally blows from South and it's considered an "easy take off". Please pay attention to the obstacles: chair lift cable on theleft and the house and tree on the right.
LANDINGS
Around Locarno there are 3 official landings all with a windsock. The first one is "Ex aeroporto in Ascona", can be easily spotted and is on the right side of the Maggia River.
The second one, is the "Delta della Maggia in Locarno". You can spot it once you are where the Maggia River meets the lake. It's considered an easy landing site but beware to the lake level if it is above 194 m.a.s. the landing site is underwater. To come back to Orselina, if you don't have a car, you can walk (about 20 minutes) to the cable car close to the station.
The 3rd landing site is in the lower side of the Valle Maggia, in "Ronchini di Aurigeno". Wind normally blows from South. Please consider that the wind in Valle Maggia during summer (especially in the atternoon can be pretty strong. Just close to the landing site there is a bus stop where you can take a bus that brings you back to Locarno.
FLIGHTS
The mountain of Cimetta has a wonderful view above the Lake Maggiore. This flying site is considered great for any kind of pilot from beginner (also schools fly here) to pilots that love XC flights. During spring time (February to June) it's possible to head North to make great XC flights. You can follow the mountain ridge that goes from Pizzo Trosa - Valle Maggia - Valle Verzasca into Valle Leventina, or head East by crossing the Valle Verzasca - Sassariente - Mornera - Mesolcina up to Valle Bregaglia.
During summer time its also possible to make some great soaring flights (for hours till the evening above Monte Bre. Finally in fall and winter time nice panoramic flight above Locarno can be done in calm wind conditions.
DANGERS
The North wind is not always remarkable in Cimetta, because sometimes a rotor may occur just in from of the take off, forming a breeze from South. Please never trust this condition! In case of doubt always ask local pilots, local flying schools or the meteorological services of the area. During summer the wind above Locarno can be pretty strong, we recommend to follow the trajectory Cimetta - Cardada - Monte Bre. Leave Monte Bre at least with 1000 m altitude heading to the landing spot by following the Maggia River.
Altitude 1570m
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