French Alps · Paragliding site
Live seven-day Alpine flying weather with launch direction, altitude and local site information for Plaine Joux (Passy).
Site briefing
Plaine Joux (Passy) is a paragliding launch in the French Alps. Its recorded elevation is 1,353 m and its mapped launch aspects are N, NE, E, SE, NW. Compare the live forecast at launch with winds aloft, gusts, cloud base, rain and daylight before checking current local access and airspace information.
Chedde landing site is usually more crowded, higher chances of getting shuttles from there.
At Plaine Joux. Wide take off, nicely prepared. Can be windy the afternoon (valley brise)
Two landing sites exist: Chedde and Batistock, both just 1km apart. Batistock site is much bigger and suitable for hang gliders. Chedde is smaller, more technical but still suitable for beginners. Batistock site is on the way from Passy to Le Fayet (big field on the right, access from other side): 45°54'57''N - 06°42'21''E Site identified on the map is the Chedde site.
Getting to launch site: 1) by car, approx 15min drive up. If you are alone, try to ask around, possibly there may be other pilot(s) willing to go up, so one car you can keep at landing. 2) by shuttle. On the weekend days you can find some vans offering shuttle service, or if you are kind you can join the vans of tandem flights or school. 2020: Public bus (SAT) L85 is available to go to the take off: the bus stop is on Chedde market place. 3,5 € until Guébriant and 6 € until Plaine-Joux (about 950m walk after Guébriant stop) link to the L85 timetable: http://www.sat-montblanc.com/horaire-timetables/ligne-85-sallanches-plateau-d-assy-pleine-joux.aspx 3) Walking. It is approximately 1,5hr walk from the landing site of Chedde. Walk up to the road which goes to Servoz, then walk towards Servoz (1km) until find footpath with indicator to Plaine Joux. Then walk up.
Avoid flying with strong west, south west wind. With west wind coming, the landing is hard to reach, and conditions can be really turbulent. Very well protected from north wind. It is still flyable even with insane north wind. Usually west wind is related to foehn. ALWAYS check Foehn before flying: VERY turbulent conditions if Foehn is NOT between -4 hPa and +4 hPa. Check foehn forecast on http://www.meteocentrale.ch/fr/meteo/foehn-et-bise/foehn.html
The cliff behind the takeoff is part of the national park - it is not allowed to fly closer than 300m from it. The cliff more to the to the west is OK to fly close. At both landing sites the approach should be the standard 'C' approach, please respect this rule as the sky over the landing fields, especially Chedde, is often very crowded. At landing sites the kiting should be interrupted when pilots are on the approach. At the Marlioz landing site the hang gliders have got the prioriity on the approach. ATTN: if flying towards Chamonix/ Mont Blanc: observe flight restrictions: no TO, landing and overflight! (>> see pix) > France - LF R30B: July-August - LF R30A: permanent > Italy: 4.8. - 15.9.2016
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Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.
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