Tandem Paragliding — São Bernardo do Campo

Tandem paragliding from the Rampa do Cruzeiro launch point above São Bernardo do Campo lets passengers fly the Serra do Mar escarpment about 35km southeast of central São Paulo without any flying experience of their own. A certified pilot from Voo Livre ABC, the local paragliding club, carries a passenger in a shared harness and handles takeoff running, in-flight steering, and landing; the passenger simply runs a few steps at launch and again on touchdown. There is no meaningful fitness barrier — most operators accept participants from around age 6-8 through their 70s, subject to a maximum combined weight limit and a basic health check ruling out heart conditions or recent injuries. All flying equipment, including the wing, harness, and helmet, is supplied by the pilot; passengers need only wear closed shoes and clothing suited to the temperature at altitude, which runs cooler than at ground level. Voo Livre ABC pilots hold certification from Brazil's hang gliding and paragliding federation and log regular flights from this same escarpment launch, giving them close familiarity with the site's thermal and wind patterns. Every flight opens with a short briefing on launch running technique, in-air body position, and the landing approach, and pilots carry radio contact with ground crew and reserve parachutes as standard safety equipment in case of an unexpected canopy collapse. Flying is possible year-round, but May through September brings the most stable thermal conditions and clearest views over the escarpment and the ABC Paulista region below; conditions are checked pilot-side before each flight, and launches are grounded or delayed in rain or excessive wind rather than flown in marginal conditions.