The flying site of St André les Alpes is called after its mountain Le Chalvet. It offers pilots various flying conditions and a number of XC routes. The classic direction is an ascend from St André to the North, for example to Briacon, to the valley of the Verdon or as far as Allos. Another North route which is worth mentioning is there-and-back from St André to Fort Dormillouse. This route is 115 km long. Most popular South route is there-and-back to Col de Bleyne. The speed ring route includes Déco, Lambruisse, Grand Cordeuil, Pic de Chamatte and Atterro Lac. The Cup route - a triangle about 41 km - goes through Le Chastelle, across the valley of Clumanc, to the south of Sommet du Cousson and back to St Andre. More information about routes can be found here: http://www.saint-andre-parapente.com/generalites/

Please pay special attention that it is not a free-flying site (FFVL). The flying site of St André is managed jointly by the Association St Andréeenne Free Flight, and paragliding school Aérogliss. All the land is rented and landing is a subject to a special usage agreement. The school administer the site, and ask all visiting pilots to contact them before flying. Their base is in next to the lakeside landing field.
Aerogliss contact details - Tel: 04 92 89 11 30, Email divers@aerogliss.com.

There are three take offs within a radius of 1 km. S and SE take offs are located together and SW/W at a short distance from them.
A narrow tarmac road leads to the take offs. Though the distance is 7 km it takes about 20-25 minutes to drive there. There is enough place to park. Car parking lot capacity is 90 vehicles. You can also get to take off by the Fly St Andre shuttle bus, or a local taxi. Shuttle bus operates in July-Sept, its stop is near the school. The local taxi takes minimum 5 people to go to takes off.
To get to S and SE take offs you can park at the first carpark on top of Le Chalvet. S and SE launch grounds are at 3 min walking distance from the carpark, on the same part of the mountain overlooking St Andre les Alpes. There is a large windsock on the site. You can get more information about this place at http://flystandre.com/flying-services/chalvet-site-intro/.

Take offs

Take off # 1 - S - 1540 m ASL, height above valley 650 m (43.976294, 6.490259)
South take off is characterized by a gentle slope. It usually has the S wind from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. The launch ground is very wide and open. This take off, facing Lake Castillon, is suitable both for XC flights and thermal soaring. With one of the South winds that slope of Le Chalvet is friendly for slope soaring. Just move to the right a little bit.
No special precautions.
Please, land on the official landings (Aerogliss - Lakeside and Moriez), and beware of the late morning, when the breeze changes from S to SW. In this case, it is wise to move quickly on the west side, in order not to get to little turbulence.


Take off # 2 - SE - 1540 m ASL, height above valley 650 m (43.976294, 6.490259)
This launch is used mainly during the morning S breeze, or with the East wind. Its slope is steep, but it is clear of obstacles and allows long runs. This take off, facing the village of St André les Alpes, is suitable for all levels.
In summer the wind is usually calm in the morning. This is the perfect time for beginners to fly to the landing field from the S or SE take off using a forward/alpine launch.
Thermals on Le Chalvet usually start appearing in front of the S take off around 10.30 a.m. Early starts are also possible here but the thermals are weak initially and it is a good time for inexperienced pilots to get some soaring practice.
As the sun moves around Le Chalvet so does the upslope wind and the SW and W slope surface begin to work from about 11.30 a.m. Often this makes the S take off being the lee side and the wind blows from behind. So if you came here at this time but cannot launch you are advised to move to the SW-W take off.

Special precautions. With N wind there is an illusion of launch possibility. But this is a trap. It will be very turbulent. Its better to wait till the North or Northwest wind ceases and go to SW take off.
The East wind during morning and evening hours often produce local air waves phenomenon originating from the landscape - the ridge of Serres is just in front. Do not trust this wind as it can turn into turbulence.
In the morning this take off is often occupied by the paragliding school students. And they have a priority to start.

Take off # 3 - SW-W - 1540 m ASL, height above valley 650 m (43°58'39" (43.9777)N; 6°28'44" (6.4789)E)
It’s the main take off of St Andre les Alpes. To get there continue driving to the very end of the tarmac road. Then a 5 minutes walk passing by a forestry house will lead you to the top. Hang gliding launch ground is usually to the left (SW take off), paragliding launch ground is to the right (W take off). Ground size about 80 x 50 m and there is a helicopter landing spot. This is an official 12 FAI World Championship take off.

From this take off the main route goes to the North - to Dormillouse, Briancon and Allos.
From 11.30 a.m. thermals appear in front of the SW and W take off and pilots can use their dynamic lift and top up as they develop. Soon the thermal strength and frequency increases and the upslope wind on take off becomes stronger. So paragliders have to make a well-timed reverse launch then.
At about 1 p.m., the SW-W take off becomes too difficult or dangerous for paraglider pilots to launch due to wind speed.
In the end of summer thermals as well as strong inversions begin later so the start window may be open till 2 p.m. for paraglider pilots.
The dilemma that pilots usually come across here is that if you start too early you may not get the lift, lose height and have an early landing. If you start late the wind on take off becomes too strong for a launch.
A general recommendation for paraglider pilots is to launch from the W take off as soon as the signs tell you that the thermals are working - breezes coming through, the giffon vultures (birds of prey, a kind of eagle) are thermalling and pilots getting up above the hill.
Hang glider pilots usually use the SW take off and for them a later start between 2 - 4 p.m. is recommended.
Of course if you miss the launch window do not be distressed and do not launch when you know it's unwise to do so. Go for another activity in the afternoon and then come back later when flying conditions improve. XC fights are also possible in more gentle thermals after 5 p.m. and you may get a perfect glimpse of the sunset. Evening flights can be made here till 9 p.m. in summer and 7 p.m. in autumn and spring.
Special precautions:
Please pay attention to the NW wind (Mistral). It is delicate but turbulent. W wind often produces a ripple effect from the decline of thermal activity at night.

Landings
There are 3 official landing areas.
St-Andre-les-Alpes - Aerogliss school landing - 885 m ASL (43.958287,6.51046)
This is the main landing field and it is suitable for paragliders and hang gliders in most cases. It's a large open area at the northern end of Lake de Castillon. There are two large windsocks clearly visible from the air.

Moriez - Camping Le Pastaire - 940 m ASL (43.961314,6.477814)
This landing is situated 3 km to the West of St-Andre-les-Alpes. A paragliding landing site only. This is a small field to the East of the camping alongside the road N202. There is a small windsock. It is usually used by pilots who have lost too much height starting from SW/W take off and cannot reach the main landing field or if there is turbulence in the main landing site.

La Mure - Emergency glider landing - ca 900 m ASL (43.983382,6.532356)
Located between the river Verdon and the railway just east of La Mure. It is 2.5 km NE of St Andre les Alpes. This is a large field reserved for gliders landing but is often used by other pilots (particularly hang gliders) when conditions at the main landing field are bad or unstable.
There is often a nil wind at ground level. To find one must follow the river away from the lake. You will see a railway bridge across the river. The huge grassy field with a windsock is the landing.

Other possible landings.
Farmers are friendly in the area and tolerant to pilots if you respect their fields. If you do not make it back to St Andre choose fields free from cattle and where you will not damage any crop. Prefer cut grass fields, ploughed fields, rough grazing. Make your decision to land while you are still high so you can use the wind and choose the best location. Pay attention to the presence of poles and pylons and be sure you know your landing site is clear of power lines and cables.