most flights take off from pedra bonita, which towers above the tijuca national park, standing at over 2,200 feet tall. the views are second to none from this point and the west side of the city can be seen sprawling out like a beautiful blanket, along with a large majority of zona sul, pão de açúcar (sugar loaf mountain), and cristo redentor (christ the redeemer).

novemeber 1975 witnessed the first hang gliding competition in brazil. the event took place in são conrado and was judged on precision flying.