Saturday, August 03, 2024- Unforgettable Day of the Cross Fly in Honor to Alberto Sabah!!!

And as planned several weeks ago, we managed to carry out the “cross” flight in commemoration of our pilot brother Alberto Sabah. The meeting point for the Take Off was the flight area of the “Paratrevidos” school run by Milton Santiago and Jonathan Torres. Days before this event, several pilots took on the task of cleaning and cut the grass in the place, so, all pilots should have good conditions for their takeoffs. Among the pilots with the task were Milton Santiago, Edgardo Rivera and Ariel Rodríguez among others. Thank You!!!

Now, the expected day arrived, and the entire community of Paramotor pilots on the island gathered for the activity.

Here we list the entire community of Paramotor pilots who were present and to whom we are eternally grateful for their support…

Mercedes Sabah and her daughter Jessica
Rafy and his wife Carmencita, friends of Mercedes
Mario Muniz and his wife Ivonne
Edgardo Rivera and his wife Wilnelia
Pedro “La Guinea” Agostini and his cousin Tata
Pablo Cruz and his wife Millie
Wilkins Torres, his wife Brenda and son Wilkins Jr.
Ricardo González and his wife Ermelinda
José “Chelo” Meléndez, his son Marcos and family
Albert Cardona and his girlfriend Karol
Noel Vale and his wife Tata
Edwin Villanueva and family
Robert Rodríguez and his wife Elba
Neisha Rosario and her daughter Katelyn
José Luis Hernández and his wife Francheska
Samuel Travis and his girlfriend Michelle
José “Chey” Sánchez, his wife Arlene and family
Luis Ruiz, his wife Jessica and sons Ian Darrell (with his girlfriend Paola) and Noah Enrique
Jose Santini and his girlfriend Damaris
David Laboy
Milton Santiago
Jonathan Torres
John Baez
Jesus Rivera
David Silva
Fio Lopez
Carlos Candido Rodríguez
Juan Carlos Correa
Sammy Badillo
Dimas Ruiz
Alex Fuentes
Joshua Cardona
Gilbert Avila
Raul Rivera
John Mushnick
Jomar Crespo
Gregory Santiago
Berto Garcia
Wilkins “Chino” Morales
Luis Serrano

Windy and challenge morning, not everyone Take Off…

The wind came in strong from early in the morning. We estimated it was at about 15 – 18 mph with gusts of 22 mph+. Due to the geography of the place, this caused considerable turbulence when taking off, which was challenging for many of the pilots. In fact, not every pilot that coordinate to make the cross fly was success in their attempt. Some of the pilots had incidents with the wind when taking off, some pilots decided not to attempt their takeoffs in those conditions and others take off just to land minutes later. And everything is fine, always putting emphasis on safety in our sport.

The pilots who went out and made the cross flight from Hatillo to Isabela encountered that the flight was relatively short. Every pilot flying downwind easily flights at over 48 mph+, with some pilots clock even 60 mph!!!. The entire group of pilots completed the route between 25 to 35 minutes, although several pilots were flying for much longer waiting for the rest of the pilots in the Take Off.

(16) pilots completed the Paramotor “Cross” Fly …

Jesús Rivera, John Baez, Mario Muñiz, Carlos Cándido Rodríguez, Juan Carlos Correa, José Santini, Marcos Vélez, Edgardo Rivera, Fio López, Wilkins “Chino” Morales, Pedro “La Guinea” Agostini, Samuel Travis, John Mushnick, Gregory Santiago , Ian Darrell González, Luis Ruiz (Carrying Alberto’s paraglider and the flag of Uruguay).

It is worth noting that Edgardo Rivera took on the task of making white flags, and most of the pilots carried them on their paragliders in commemoration of Alberto. In addition, we must indicate that the pilots Edwin Villanueva, Jomar Crespo and Chelo Meléndez, had defects in their Paramotors on the journey to Isabela and decided to land safely. Sammy Badillo, Take Off from Isabela to meet with the pilots at Hatillo, but, bad weather changed his plans and he need to fly back to Isabela and wait for the rest of pilots there. Additionally, Wilkins Torres unfortunately had breaks in his equipment during a failed takeoff attempt.

In Isabela…

Mercedes Sabah, widow of Alberto, was waiting with other pilots and families for the arrival of the pilots. That was a very emotive moment when the pilots started to arrive flying. Later, Mercedes had great words for the pilots that made the Cross. Also in the place, there’s were food prepared by Ivonne Valdez, and others who make contribution in order that everyone present take a good lunch at place.

David Laboy was in Isabela with his drones. He took on the task of recording with his drones a bit of all the pilots who completed the route. Others, as our friend and student from Team Kamikazes school, José Luis Hernández, were taking videos and photos of the activity, some of which we share below.

Thank you to all the people who took a little of their time to share with us, like the big family that we are. God Bless!!!