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LES MAKES

Situation : Saint-Louis region (West coast). Cirque des Makes

Point GPS :

Altitude : 1 400 et 2 000 metres ASL
Conditions are often mild, but quickly cloudy. Crossings are possible Northwards as Southwards, it is rather easy to join St-Leu west coast by following crests.

Access : Take Fenêtre des Makes road up to the Make Observatory, then turn left on the forest road up to 1 400 or 2 000 take off as you want. (according to the cloud cover)

Aerology : Pay attention, especially if you want to take off from the 2 000, clouds appears very fast. As for all Reunion sites, cloud cover become established before the end of the morning at about 1 000 metres ASL, so plan to arrive early on the site, but wait for rizing breeze before taking off.
1 400 takeoff ground is often practicable because usually to leeward, on the other hand, by strong East wind, beware on the 2 000 takeoff ground, you will be in rollers. Sometimes, you may be sucked up by the thermic activity of Cilaos cirque (just behind) when reaching "La Fenêtre" point of view. It already happend... and is is quite unhealthy !
You may have good thermic and thermodynamic conditions if you stay playing along crests.

Flight plan : As you wish, there is fun for everybody. One can play in the cirque, others can try to cross Northward as Southward according to cloud cover height. Watch out while coming out of the cirque towards the sea, some private planes or helicopters fly at a low level and you are on their way !

Landing : The official landing ground is visible from 1 400 takeoff at the foot of the cirque cliff. It is situated near a pond in Les Platanes locality, on the right-hand side of the village when looking at the sea, along the "Grande Ravine". Choose an approach towards the pond and a PTL over the trees. Flying over the ravine which lines the landing ground in the North can be often turbulent.
As for every landing, please, go to and check the place before flying.

Les Platanes landing ground