Bucaramanga / Ruitoque - Las Aguilas
📍 Santander · Nearest city: Floridablanca (2 km)
46 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1143 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
7.04330, -73.09100Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:29 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~668 m, viento 10 km/h.
base ~668m · wind 10 km/hNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~508 m, viento 9 km/h, precipitación 3.4 mm.
base ~508m · wind 9 km/h · precip 3.4mmDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~579 m, viento 9 km/h, precipitación 1.1 mm.
base ~579m · wind 9 km/h · precip 1.1mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 6 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.76 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.17 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 1139 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 16.4° |
| Slope aspect | 226° (SW) |
| Hemisphere | north — Slope facing the daytime sun (favorable for thermals) |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
A long windward mesa overlooking Bucaramanga with 2 launches that are top landing too. A large main LZ serves both sites below, with several alternative bailout landing areas. It's an excellent training site, featuring early morning and late afternoon sled rides for the novice pilot, mid morning thermic and XC flights, and afternoon dynamic ridge lift that transforms into glass-off conditions into sunset. Incredibly consistent conditions where you can practice kiting, top landing, and playing all day every day.
Pilot comments
Here you can enjoy our rustic cabana, 20 steps from launch. Rooms are basic but comfortable, there is a kitchen, warm shower, office with wi-fi internet access, and the living areas are outdoors. The weather is perfect, and the views of Bucaramanga are incredible. You can have thermic flights in the morning, ridge soaring all afternoon between Las Aguilas and Vuelo Libre launches, top land at your house, and then relax in the hammocks or beside a fire at night overlooking the city. Enjoy the camaraderie of many local pilots and visitors at this special site. Enjoy your adventure trip for less by staying in our fly-site hostal in Ruitoque, right next to Las Aguilas launch. Transporation can be included, side trips arranged to other flying sites, or simply stay here and fly every day. The city is close at hand for shopping and night time fun. We can arrange a per-diem price depending on the options you want, and this works best for individuals or small groups from 2-6 people who want to do their own thing with no set plan.
Nearby sites
Bucaramanga / Ruitoque - Vuelo Libre (Parque Parapente Interanti (43) · Chicamocha Canyon - Roso (54) · Chicamocha Canyon - Dos Ventanas (51) · Las Vueltas (33) · Jhonny Cadena (2) · CERINZA (7)