Improvements to Casa del Piloto 2008

All the partners have been spending extend time into the improvements of Casa del Piloto.
*Water system has been fixed through the house
*House computer with Spanish lessons
*Fixed washing machine
*Repaired outside water fountain

Jobs to be completed before 2008 Flying season
*Remove all carpet and replace with tiles
*New tile for kitchen counter tops
*Tile front and rear stairs
*Wax all the cedar furniture

Delicious Local Treat

A local delicious treat in Tenancingo is Trucha (trout). The climate is cool and the water in the area is very clean. The trout farm is located about 2 kilometers from Casa del Piloto house. The business is called Monte Cristo with is a water purification company. The trout is 60 pesos ($6us) per kilo.

Good Friday Flying

Flew late yesterday evening at 5:30 pm cumulus clouds where still present and of course so was Daniel P working on launch. Alfred Carsolio joined us (also local pilot). We both flew the ridge to the south west for 5 K and topped 2700 meters. The sky was clear and and lift was glassy with soft 1- 2 meter thermals. We flew over San Desierto Monastery an pleasant evening Xcross triangle. Landed in the dark shade and this time I did not make it to Insurgentes.

Christine, Daniel and I went the local good friday parade in Tenancingo called the "Precicion of Silence", silent march to mark the death of Jesus. They dressed in purple and white suites that look like Klu Klux clan.

Bob Vickars and his wife have joined us. With another Canadian pilot and we are off to Malinalco today..

Tenancingo Flying Mid March

Even though the rainy season is just around the corner, the flying in Tenancingo is still great. Two days ago Daniel Miller flew two tandems from La Malinche one at 11:30 am and the other at 2:30 pm, he gained heights to 3200 meters and 2800 meters respectively . Christine and I were in Valle De Bravo two days ago and the commercial side of paragliding is definitely winding down as they did not have enough pilots to drive the truck to El Pinion or Torre. As it turns out I got Montezuma's revenge in Valle de Bravo, first time ever for me and did not fly anyway. So Christine went horse riding with some friends at a world class ranch, the equestrian business is bigger than paragliding in Valle ! It is still flyable in Valle de Bravo except between 12- 3pm (this is when the freight train winds start, perfect for Al the Hammer!)

There is a lot of work being done at the La Malinche, I have been working with Daniel Pedreza, sloping the hill so that it is linear to the prevailing wind, taking out trees and advising the best I can. The launch also has been extended to the left if you are looking south. All the trees for 75 meters to the left except one have been cleared to facilitate a top landing and to accommodate one more paraglider. There is alot of dirt, it is very dusty and what they need is grass. Work is slow as groups of pilots keep showing up, a group of French Pilots are showing up this week.

I flew yesterday late at 5:10 pm, Is was light and soft and was just landing at San Antonio and I hit a glass off. I easily to lifted to 2800 meters for about an hour and boated around Crystal Rey and the town and landed at Insurgentes. Pretty nice I must say.

Kev and Al Theilmann Adventure

The Hammer and Kevin had a fantastic three days here in Tenancingo. We did an xc north 19 km on our first flight with altitude gains over over 4000 metres and Al had some moments where he got to almost 5200 m! Unheard of. On our second flight we flew across to the big statue of Christ and back to launch. Day 2 saw some more big elevation gains as we were joined by Brad and Christine. Brad skied out to over 4000 metres and quickly got a headache as his body was not used to the high altitude life yet. Kevin had a great flight in the late afternoon of day 2 after sinking like a rock off launch on La Malinche and found a bunny fart as he was on final and worked it eventually getting back to 3200 metres and flying almost to the town of Malinalco in sweet air. On day three we went out to El picacho launch near Malinalco where it was very strong. Al decided to give it a try and after pulling off a dynamic cobra launch he flew around for over a half hour in pretty rowdy air which was getting very rowdy on the ground. Eventually he landed in one of the top fields and had to jump on his wing to prevent it from relaunching! We took a four hour break and toured some magnificent Aztec ruins returning to launch at about 5 pm for what they call a restitution flight. Kevin hit the big one right off launch and went up to 3000m in smooth lift bobbing around for about a half hour while Al had to work with the rapidly calming air eventually flying out to fight a big headwind down into a field beside an orchard. Kevin top landed and the day was over as well our time in Tenancingo. Tomorrow we move over to meet our wives in Yelapa to sample some coastal air. One more note: On day one our friend and host, Daniel Miller landed after a big air flight in the regular LZ. Just as he dropped his wing he saw a huge dust devil approaching. Daniel grabbed his C-risers but the dusty lifted his wing up ripping it and then dragging him into a barb wire fence finishing off his wing! So if anyone has a line on a good used DHV 1-2 wing, Daniel would love to hear from you.
Finally huge thanks to Daniel Miller and Daniel Pedraza who drove us to and from launch four times and showed us muchos mexican culture. Wonderful gentlemen who we will look forward to seeing again! Thanks also to Brad, Bernie and Bob and Gerry for putting together a fantastic paradise place for pilots to bunk down after a big day in the air.

Web site released

We are pleased to announce the release of our web page www.CasadelPiloto.com. Please email us for feedback. Thanks !