How to Fly the Beach
in
Puerto Penasco, Mexico

Click here to see a video shot from the hotel in the background

Until recently, everyone that's tried to fly this beach has been turned away by the local authorities insisting that, "It is not legal to fly ultra-lights in Mexico, Senor!"  Some of my fellow flyers that live in the Phoenix area were nearly thrown in jail and sent packing by the authorities.

Since I'd flown in La Salina, Constitution, Mulege and other Mexican areas, I decided to find out why PPG pilots were being turned away.  I visited the Rocky Point Airport the first time down and introduced myself and my brother, Seth.  We asked if we could fly and were told we needed a license, numbers and insurance to fly.  We didn't argue, just agreed and stayed around to visit and watch American fixed wing pilots check in.  After about an hour, the same official (I found out later he is the second in command) called us over and asked how long we intended to stay.  We told him only a day or two.  After visiting for about another half hour, he decided we could fly next door to the La Jolla de Cortez RV site.  We were elated and thanked him profusely.  We had a great time and when we left we made sure we stopped to thank him again.

I returned a couple of weeks later and was able to meet the Comandante De Aeropuerto himself.  A very professional, pleasant, middle aged official.  I came prepared with a box full of our Pikes Peak Powered Paragliding shirts.  I told him I wanted to personally thank him for allowing us to fly the last time and wanted to show our appreciation with gift shirts for him, his employees and family.  Everyone wanted a shirt.  They especially liked the buttoned Henley short sleeves.  I ran out of larges and gave away most of the mediums, too.  It was like a party.

Then we settled down to real business.  I came prepared with a suggestion by Richard Stephenson of Casa Grande.  His suggestion was that I use my ASC (Aero Sports Connection) A-number as a license and wing number.  He let me create the license on his copier and I laminated it before starting our trip.  The Comandante agreed that PPG pilots could fly if they could produce the same credentials.

Here are the rules:

You MUST check in at the airport.  (It's on your right just before you reach town.  You can't miss it if you look for airplanes.)

PPG only.  No powered parachutes or other larger powered ultralights.

No flying over 300 ft AGL.

No flying over people or buildings.

NO CAMERAS!  (He was very firm about this.  If he sees a camera on a PPG, you WILL go to jail!)

Your A-number must be in 3" white letters on the seat of your harness.  (Black on a light harness.)

You must produce the ASC credentials I mentioned earlier.  Click here to view and print the certificate.

He was still a little hesitant about no insurance.   I pointed out that we only go 25 mph and are more likely to damage our equipment than anything else.  He agreed for now, so let's all be especially careful not to give him reason to change his mind.

Be friendly and humble.  Don't get cocky!  These people are really nice but hate to be intimidated.  Show lots of respect and they will reciprocate in a big way.  Wouldn't you?

I've flown beaches in Florida, California and Baja and this is my favorite beach.  The RV park, as you can see in the picture above, is right on the beach.  Full hookups (electric, sewer, water). Right next door to the RV parks is a 1/2 mile empty stretch of beach perfect for launching and landing.  The beach is wide and free of seaweed and trash.  Very clean.  The wind turns onto the beach at 9am every morning and stays a steady 7-9 knots all day.  This makes for great beach flying, BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

Directly behind the beach is a small range of hills and sand dunes with dozens of tourists tearing around on rented four-wheelers.  I had a great time chasing them around the desert.  There are several smaller communities within a few miles that you can fly to, have lunch and fly back!  Awesome!

Here's a map of the area: