La Silla (The Chair)
📍 Manabi · Nearest city: Sucre (3 km)
40 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 464 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
-1.25360, -80.43520Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 1 | Low |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.82 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.41 | Slope faces north in southern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 486 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 15.4° |
| Slope aspect | 85° (E) |
| Hemisphere | south — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
It is a broad flat mountain top, and it is a point of convergence of thermals from different directions. It is better to place a few windsocks in different points of the take-off and at the centre and only take off when a consistent cycle comes in. The cycles are short and come every 15 or 20 minutes. [ES] Se debe alquilar camioneta o motocicleta para acercarse al despegue de ahi se camina 25 minutos hasta llegar al despegue, esta es una explanada amplia pero con 3 puntos de convergencias de termicas por lo que se coloca mangas de viento al filo del despegue y en el centro y cuando las dos apuntan al mismo lado se puede despegar, los ciclos suelen ser cortos y separados entre si con 15 o 20 minutos.
Rules and notes
Let the people at the official landing know that you are going up to fly, as the dirt road goes through private property. [ES] Avisar en el aterrizaje que van a subir a volar pues se atraviesa propiedad privada
Pilot comments
La Silla ('The chair') is a thermal area so you can travel from valley to valley taking advantage of small ridges that release thermals. Because it can be difficult to retrieve pilots, it is often better to try to land close to main roads clearly visible from the air. Bear in mind that in the afternoon the wind from the Pacific Ocean sets it, so travelling in the direction of Portoviejo is difficult from 14.00. [ES] La Silla es una zona térmica por lo que se puede viajar de valle a valle aprovechando las pequeñas cordilleras que liberan termas, por la dificultad del rescate de los pilotos es mejor tratar de aterrizar cerca a las vias principales claramente visibles desde el aire, tomar en cuent tambien que en la tarde entra el viento del oceano pacifico por lo que viajar en dirección a Portoviejo es dificil a partir de las 14h00
Nearby sites
Crucita (10) · Canoa - El Nido (37) · Canoa - Loma chica (37) · San Pedro II (4) · Antenas Chone (35) · San Pedro I (4)