Alto Hospicio
📍 Tarapaca , Provincia de Iquique · Nearest city: Iquique (7 km)
52 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 542 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
-20.27360, -70.11030Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:32 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Marginal conditions, cloud base ~220 m, wind 16 km/h.
base ~220m · wind 16 km/hMarginal conditions, cloud base ~272 m, wind 12 km/h.
base ~272m · wind 12 km/hMarginal conditions, cloud base ~281 m, wind 11 km/h.
base ~281m · wind 11 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 6 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.80 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.38 | Slope faces north in southern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 541 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 15.5° |
| Slope aspect | 271° (W) |
| Hemisphere | south — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
Large enough for at least 10 wings; partly covered by 'carpet', rest is sandy.
Pilot comments
can be become crowded on weekends
Nearby sites
Iquique - Alto Hospicio (52) · Iquique - Clavijo (41) · Iquique - Palo Buque (37) · Los Verdes (45) · Alto Caleta Buena North (1) · Patillos (34)