Hangliding over the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is not allowed if you are on a tandem flight. In other words, unless you are a licensed pilot on a solo flight, you can’t fly around Christ the Redeemer or even near it.
The take offs are from Pedra Bonita (meaning ‘beautiful stone’ in Brazilian Portuguese) in São Conrado District and the landings are on São Conrado Beach (also called ‘Pepino Beach’).
There are two main reasons why tourists can’t go hangliding on a tandem flight around Christ the Redeemer statue:
- 1. From the take off ramp in São Conrado to Christ the Redeemer statue is a long distance — a few kilometers (or miles) in a straight line separate both locations. That said, it would be very risky to take a passenger this far. In fact, it is already risky for the pilot himself on a solo flight. If the wind gets bad, the pilot is in trouble.
- 2. Since Christ statue is surrounded by the Tijuca National Park mountainous forest, there is no landing area close by. The closer landing area is a private Jockey Club, roughly half way between São Conrado Beach and Christ the Redeemer. Occasionally, a solo hangliding pilot doesn’t make back to São Conrado Beach (the official landing area where he should land) and end up landing on the club (a fine is applicable).
The bottom line is, you can’t go hangliding over the statue, but you can over São Conrado District and São Conrado Beach, and that is already quite an experience. It is unlikely that you will regret hangliging in Rio de Janeiro.
Interested in hangliding when visiting Rio de Janeiro? Get the contact information of legitimate, professional and experienced hangliding flight instructor in My Rio Travel Guide – The Essential How-To Visitor’s Guide to Rio de Janeiro.
Read other related articles about Christ the Redeemer:
- ► Interesting and fun facts about Christ statue
- ► Is it safe to visit Chris the Redeemer?
- ► Opening hours of Christ the Redeemer
