Flying in Argentina
 

Hi,

I'm a danish private pilot staying in Buenos Aires, Argentina for the next two month. I was thinking about taking an instructor flight in a single engine airplane. Can anyone please recommend a good flying club or school in the vicinity of Buenos Aires.

Also, if anybody can recommend any other flying related experience in Argentina (sail plane, hot air ballooning etc.) I would appreciate it very much.

Thanks, Troels

Hi Troels,

Happy New Year!

Right I'd better put you out of your misery with so many replies coming forward:ok:

I'll PM you the name of the instructor I would suggest you call at http://www.hangaruno.com.ar/in_hangaruno.html

It's a 30 odd min easy direct train ride from Retiro (Bs.As) and 5 min taxi ride the other end to Aeropuerto de San Fernando (SADF).

Hiring a PA28 Archer is relatively cheap vs European prices... there are no landing fees at most Argentine airports... and Spanish is really the only RT language applicable except at Ezeiza and possibly J. Newbery (intl. IFR traffic). (You'll need a Twin for J. Newbery - but Ezeiza is accessible if you like moderately big airports...

One recommendation would be to fly to Isla Martin Garcia (easy to find on google maps NNW of Buenos Aires at the converging tributary of the river Plate between Argentina and Uruguay).
It's the equivalent of the Isle of Wight but with vast sub tropical botanical gardens, small villas and settlements... and a great place to eat and fly back. Historically it was where Peron lived and kicked off his dictatorship.

Alternatively, a flight to resort "Carmelo" with its own grass strip intl. airport on the opposing side of the River Plate in Uruguay. It's also the base of the Four seasons beach hotel... and very picturesque.

Finally, you've the Iguazu falls further north if you fancy more of a trek!

Standby until this evening and I'll PM you those details.

Flying in Argentina is a joy... you're never far from a good parrilla (BBQ) and Mendoza wine when you land!

Happy Landings!

MG:ok:

mountain - goat; know anything about Tucuman province? Been invited to stay there with friends.

Argentina is a great place to fly. If heading for the winelands from Bs As, maintain heading 280 for 5.5 hours. You can stop enroute in San Luis for fuel if necessary. Scenery along the route is pretty dull, save for the Andes which you can see from miles away. There's an airfield in Mendoza (apart from SAME) near to Luján / Chacras de Coría that is better placed for visiting vinyards (which are at that end of the town). SAME has ILS if necessary. Mendoza is prone to a local wind known as "zonda", a hot wind which turns the sky orange with dirt and stones. Can't imagine it would be great for flying in so take local advice if you plan to fly around there.

Chevvron

Google "Aeroclub de Tucuman" and "Tucuman Province".

It is a long time since I left Argentina, but a trip through the Valles Calchaquies in Tucuman in a Fiat 600 remains a very pleasant memory. Accept the invitation.

Im thinking of building 50h or more
to chile and back, and inside argentina,
probably also to a very uruguay summer city / resort :E

Someone told me that you will need the Argentine CAA to validate the hours after flying, and you can only have them has PIC if you are able to speak and write spanish

Anyone has info on this

Thank you

For Gliders
 

Google club planeadores

Check whatever ends in .ar

There's lots -- how's your Spanish?

Winguru,

I'm going to PM the same contact details as per my earlier post. The "CAA" in Argentina is really run by the air force or specifically the Ministry of Defence. In my honest opinion going down that route will prove slow and frustrating despite sympathetic ears. :ugh:

Best speak to an instructor/examiner that can validate your hours etc.:ok:

Good luck,

MG:ok:

Chevvron,

Do you have a sweet tooth? Sugar cane, sugar cane and sugar cane.

Firstly, I haven't actually been there myself but it is the province associated in the main production of sugar cane in Argentina. Historically, you'll find the original Quilmes settlements... before the Spanish drove them out to Bs.As. (now at Quilmes... which coincidently used to be the biggest brewery in the world)... with Tucuman topography varying dramatically from mountains to the west and flatlands to the east. Friends say it is worth visiting.

To be honest wikipedia will certainly give you further flavour beyond just sugar! Tucumán Province - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hope that helps.

Good luck.

MG:ok:

That brings back memories. Spent 3 years working in Quilmes. The biggest brewery in the world had what must have been the biggest beer garden in the world. Happy days.

AFAIK, Hangar Uno is pretty overpriced for Argentinean terms and from the feedback of some 'natives' not as great customer service. They do helicopters as well.

When talking about San Fernando, I'd probably go for Flight Center, C152, PA-28 which should be cheaper. FC also have some choppers.
There's also Aerodot that should be cheaper than Hangar Uno. Rudder Corp think is tad pricey, Delta Charlie changed ownership or doesn't have aircraft for the minute, something of that kind.

If you want even cheaper rates for various taildraggers, Cessnas, etc, go for Aeroclub Dalale, Miguel Angel Mozzone (4282-6163/ cel: 1561891827, one or two planes, haven't found MM's website), or Rafael Lupetti - that one's good. Also 'Alas del Sur'. All based at San Justo, 45min train ride from BsAs downtown. You can stay overnight at their basic housing, if you plan flying weekend.

SanFer is towered tarmac, but most places are grass. Moron is bit further, tarmac, can't tell schools off the top of my head.

Without speaking Spanish and doing 'convalidacion' I'm not sure about renting/hiring for solo. Flight Center should let you know more. Not a problem with instructor as safety pilot.
FC have interactive map for some smaller and bigger XC flights around Argentina. Plenty of place to fly to from BsAs.

As for gliders, you can hitch a trial lesson - 'bautismo', but don't expect renting it yourself just like that, even with some gliding experience (not sure you have). BTW it's gliding comp season over there now so not all instructors may be available. Gliding is very club environment.
Also be aware of the limitations of grass runways after heavier rain.

There are some vids, def. from Flight Center and bunch of other clubs on YouTube, to get an idea abou the airport.
If you speak Spanish, check out http://www.aeroforo.com for some aviation talk, Arg centered.

As mentioned, Argentinean CAA is called 'Fuerza Aerea Argentina' and the civvy side is dealt with by CRA department. Yes, not too fast dealing with them I was told.

That should speed up your research. Have fun in Baires. I'll try to get over for couple months flying out in July.

Thank you everybody for your time and effort.

Six years ago (so may no longer be possible) I rented a PA38 from the flight school at Don Torcuato airport in Buenos Aires. An enjoyable 90 minutes flight with an instructor called Paravicini, landing at a couple of smaller airstrips ... Lujan and Mercedes.

Not that it will make much difference to efficiency levels, but the Argentine air force is no longer in charge of civil aviation.

ANAC - Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil