Ultralites on Sandy Beach

I am not sure if I spelled it correctly (Ultralites) but I was wondring if I am the only one that thinks they need to go away. The constant buzzing sound (roar of the engines) and the fear that they will hit someone or something the way they fly is driving me crazy and takes away the pleasure of being at the beach. Does anyone know what steps one would take to get them to fly further away from the beach and the condos and stop the feeling that one is at an airport? I have already tried more cerveza and tequila but it does not help.

Maybe you should go and fly with them! I've gone a couple of times and we have a tradition of ftying one of our friends when we go. It is very exhilerating!! We have buzzed the dolphins and flown over the Malecon a couple of times, truly a special trip everyone should take. I do agree that they could fly away from the beach though.

I'll stay on the water...

Birds and Bees are in the sky... this isn't the way I want to fly...
I might try this one day, but on one that doesn't smoke so much...
I know I can swim, I'll stay on the water...

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=383182173362

Shows you how two people can see the same thing totally different. I love the Ultralites flying over Sandy Beach. They are fun to watch fly back and forth, buzzing the ocean. Have never flown in one, probably just need a little Cerveza courage!

Now I do think someone needs to do something about the Jetskis near the resorts. I have seen a few near misses with swimmers and this seems to be a disaster in the making. At the very least, areas should be cordoned off in front of the major resorts.

I agree they ar fun to watch but they are sooooo loud. Have you had them fly over you? After the 10th time during an afternoon it gets annoying. The one in the picture seems to make the most noise. If anyone knows who owns it or any of them can you ask them if they can be muffled?

AZrockpoint said:

Shows you how two people can see the same thing totally different. I love the Ultralites flying over Sandy Beach. They are fun to watch fly back and forth, buzzing the ocean. Have never flown in one, probably just need a little Cerveza courage!

Now I do think someone needs to do something about the Jetskis near the resorts. I have seen a few near misses with swimmers and this seems to be a disaster in the making. At the very least, areas should be cordoned off in front of the major resorts.

The matter of jetskis has been "discussed" in another thread....and I think most of the "problems" are a result of rental skis.....people are allowed to take them out with minimal knowledge and treat them like most of us do with rental cars.....or anything else we may rent (quads/atv's). I recall one of the resorts tried to cordone off the beach in front a couple of years ago....I doubt that was legal. I haven't seen that the past year or so.

Hey Jerry....how would you like to have that "eggbeater" flying over your area...spewing all of that pollution? you think he was burning a bit of oil??? :stir: That was one of the legitimate complaints years ago about the 2 stroke jetskis....the pollution...most of that has been cleaned up with 2 strokes that went fuel injected, and going to 4 stroke.....

garyd said:

I agree they ar fun to watch but they are sooooo loud. Have you had them fly over you? After the 10th time during an afternoon it gets annoying. The one in the picture seems to make the most noise. If anyone knows who owns it or any of them can you ask them if they can be muffled?

How about one of those big rubber band water balloon slingshots???:stir::stir::stir:

The first time that I saw one of these, the pilot landed on the beach. Some ladies gathered are were looking at it. The pilot strapped her in, and flew off with her. I want one. By the way; how come the people that were here first always have to go away so that condo people are happy?

When I first noticed this ultralight I thought he was trying to do some "Sky-Writing", then I noticed it was just burning oil... I'm sure it must have been an incorrect oil to gas ratio causing it, but something that smokes that much shouldn't be allowed in the sky...

I may have to take a ride soon... I would love to get some video from above...

X-Coastie said:

The first time that I saw one of these, the pilot landed on the beach. Some ladies gathered are were looking at it. The pilot strapped her in, and flew off with her. I want one. By the way; how come the people that were here first always have to go away so that condo people are happy?

I can remember when they were here the first time they used to take off from and land on the beach... and for a short time there was even one that would take off and land on the water...

AZrockpoint said:

Have never flown in one, probably just need a little Cerveza courage!

That's called purchasing your "Flight Assurance Policy"

While I was having my lunch I got to thinking about these guys who are the pilots. Are they licensed to take up passangers. Looking at the pic with the smoke I have to question either the proper maintenance or the pilots competency to mix the fuel if it is 2 cycle. Even though they have a great glide ratio a little incompetency on the pilots part, the eng quits, they go into a stall and tera gets very firma on impact. I love to fly but I don't think I would go up in one of those down there.

Wood Spinner said:

While I was having my lunch I got to thinking about these guys who are the pilots. Are they licensed to take up passangers. Looking at the pic with the smoke I have to question either the proper maintenance or the pilots competency to mix the fuel if it is 2 cycle. Even though they have a great glide ratio a little incompetency on the pilots part, the eng quits, they go into a stall and tera gets very firma on impact. I love to fly but I don't think I would go up in one of those down there.

Hmm...wonder if they have insurance?

GaryD....The ultralights are a blast. Everytime we go down to Rocky Point we take a flight w/ those guys. Many of my friends say the highlight of their trip was their ultrlight flight.

Remember that one of the reasons many people love the Mexican beaches is because you CAN do things like walk your dog on any beach, jet ski off any beach, etc etc... The people that want total quiet can find that on many beaches around Rocky Point. But as with any area if one chooses to stay in the crowded popular area of any destination it's going to be more noisy. Me personally, i love seeing boats, jet skis and even ultralights go by w/ tourists on board having a blast. Myself & many others go to Rocky Point to have fun & play hard. I sleep at night and I know those ultralights etc dont operate at night..

Ive asked the ultralight pilot and the reason they fly close to the beach is for safety reasons vs flying way out over the water. Also the air off the ocean is a smoother flight vs flying out over the desert & guess where all the tourists ask him to fly...you got it the Sandy Beach resort area.

Eric said:

Remember that one of the reasons many people love the Mexican beaches is because you CAN do things like walk your dog on any beach, jet ski off any beach, etc etc...

Uh-huh. I was thinking this earlier when I first saw the post. We have many discussions along these lines. When you start restricting everything (heck, you can't even smoke a cigarette on CA beaches now), you might as well be in the US of A!

Viva Mexico! :mexico:

So if I understand you correctly if they flew at night and disturbed your sleep then you would be upset? Oh well, I love everything else about the beach except the unmuffled noisey ultralites so I guess I can just live with it. I guess that is why some people live next to the airport, they don'tmind the noise. I would never move there. Thanks for the input.

Well Gary, I really do not like them much either but I just take it as a part of the atmosphere of Sandy Beach. They were pretty much non-existent last week. If you want a quiet time on the beach, I would recommend las Conchas or one of the other beaches down south. It is quite peaceful down there and the night sky is incredible.

Eric said:

Remember that one of the reasons many people love the Mexican beaches is because you CAN do things like walk your dog on any beach, jet ski off any beach, etc etc... The people that want total quiet can find that on many beaches around Rocky Point. But as with any area if one chooses to stay in the crowded popular area of any destination it's going to be more noisy. Me personally, i love seeing boats, jet skis and even ultralights go by w/ tourists on board having a blast. Myself & many others go to Rocky Point to have fun & play hard. I sleep at night and I know those ultralights etc dont operate at night..

X-coastie said:

By the way; how come the people that were here first always have to go away so that condo people are happy?

EXACTLY This is exactly the same problem I have with ****ing Californians and others moving to Arizona and screwing up our State with the same rules and regulations they screwed up their state with. We don't need any help! Arizona used to be a place that you could, for example, go back your 4x4 into the Salt River to play music while people tubed nearby. Then you could hop on your ATC and blast through just about anywhere. When that got boring, you found a decent backstop and shot bottles and stuff dumped in the desert. Now you have to park in a parking lot and walk to a ramada near the river, get a sticker for your ATV and ride on designated trails, and shooting isn't allowed in most of the easily accessible areas of the Tonto NFS.
Now you wanna restrict the Ultralites? How about we do that plus ban jetskis and pangas from the surf line; ban aircraft from buzzing the beach; ban glass containers at the beach; restrict alcohol sales to those 21 and over; ban smoking in all restaurants, bars, and occupied structures plus the beaches; require licensing and registration for all cars domestic and foreign; establish Scottsdale style DUI checkpoints; have health inspectors along with an "A, B C" rating system for restaurants; ban taco stands because they don't have 3 sinks; rip up all the mismatched sidewalks so they are handicapped accessible (and while we're at it add proper curbs, drainage, and better seal the sewer system); how about real building codes and elevator inspections; establish a Mexican Dept of Agriculture to stamp and inspect all meat products; require everything to be printed in English too; have real railroad crossing barriers and flashing lights; crosswalks and crosswalk signs; painted lines you can actually see; ban all fireworks...
ah to hell with it, I'll just go to San Diego or Hawaii.
:gay::gay::gay::gay:

Them Ulta Lites are the reason I sold my condo at Las Palmas, gosh darn them noisy SOB's. I'm now gone so no more dynamite in the parking lots Gary, you can sleep easy!!

I myself love the noise of fireworks, police sirens the fire department band playing music at 3:00a.m.. It's the noise of life in Mexico and it for me is peaceful. Sounds odd but if it is without these sounds, it,s creepy. Submarine; you said your peace with perfection. I am in full agreement. Let the good times roll.

Submarine said:

EXACTLY ...ah to hell with it, I'll just go to San Diego or Hawaii. ....

you said it yourself!!

Viva Mexico, Carajo!!

X-Coastie said:

I myself love the noise of fireworks, police sirens the fire department band playing music at 3:00a.m.. It's the noise of life in Mexico and it for me is peaceful. Sounds odd but if it is without these sounds, it,s creepy.

I agree Caostie... it's 7:30am and I can here the "Drive By Tamale Car" with their loud speaker selling tamales in the barrio... we had the Cinco de Mayo band playing until 2am the night before last and the night before that was a 15th birthday party for the girl across the street that went on until 3am... I wouldn't be able to sleep without the sounds of mi barrio...

Wow, all this over a muffler!!! What an easy pot to stir. Just for clarification I love being on Sandy Beach. I loved it in my trailer, my 5th wheel and now my condo. I am not losing sleep nor do I want to get anything banned. I just personally felt that the ultralites flying over the beach and very low I might add were very loud and was it something that could be muffled not banned. I can tell by the input that my thought was a minority thought and should have been spoken with my inside voice. Again thanks for the input.

garyd said:

Wow, all this over a muffler!!! What an easy pot to stir. Just for clarification I love being on Sandy Beach. I loved it in my trailer, my 5th wheel and now my condo. I am not losing sleep nor do I want to get anything banned. I just personally felt that the ultralites flying over the beach and very low I might add were very loud and was it something that could be muffled not banned. I can tell by the input that my thought was a minority thought and should have been spoken with my inside voice. Again thanks for the input.

garyd if I were you I wouldn't let it bother me, unless you see the ultralites flocking together and circling above your head like vultures... then you may need one of those giant sling-shots Joe was talking about...

Thanks Mark you are pretty funny. A giant water baloon fight from ground to air. Hmm interesting

Actually, if you look at those motors they probably do have mufflers. All of the ones I've looked at, and maybe most ultralites in general, run Rotax motors because, well, they're light which is in keeping with the whole concept. However, these are most likely running at 8000-9000 RPM's which is going to make a lot of noise. 2 stroke motors produce their peak horsepower at higher RPM's so it's a necessary evil and the muffler isn't going to be all that effective. Some types are full of fiberglass packing which needs to be replaced periodically as it burns up but in my experience none of those types of mufflers worked very well and the ones that do are highly restrictive.

The Rotax is the same motor in Seadoo jetskis which muffle the noise by having the exhaust outlet under the waterline and a 'muffler' we call a waterbox that is basically a chamber with two outlets that forces the exhaust through water before exiting the PWC. Other than that Seadoo has a propietary De-sea-bel system that, as I understand it, muffles noise from the engine compartment. All of this is, of course, impossible on an Ultralite aircraft.

~~~ i like men and wish i had my own condo. ~~~

Please don't feed the animals. (see above) It makes them come around humans more often, and then they might have to be "relocated".

What is the obsession with trying to alienate condo owners?? I know you think you are funny but there is an underlying hostility.

Perhaps you weren't around then but let me tell you of a time when there was only Las Gaviotas (then known as Penasco Beach Club) and a little old trailer park called Playa Bonita. From there all the way down Sandy Beach there wasn't anything to spoil the playa hermosa until you got to the camping area. There wasn't even the Reef Bar there so for years you had to drive into Town or across the desert to Cholla Bay and JJ's Cantina where the party never stopped. The Devil looked up at this sleepy little fishing village and thought "I see opportunity". Man was weak and so in came the Developers and the fences went up. Then the concrete and rebar started sprouting like weeds and soon pigeon coops were erected everywhere along Sandy Beach. Soon the four horses of the Apocalypse brought in Californians flush with cash to the Valley of the Sun where they bought cheap McMansions for a pittance and had plenty of gold left over to buy a Condo along Sandy Beach. Like a malestrom of locusts they descended, driving their Hummers and Cadillac Escalades towing trailers filled with Rhino's and Ranger's, demanding sacrifice from the lamb known as Puerto Penasco. And so many fortunes were made but the Devil is also suceptible to the deadly sins and greed soon became his downfall. The Devil had seen opportunity in the Land of the Free also but didn't realize so many would be easily swayed to give in to the enticement of greed. Now Puerto Penasco hangs on by a thread, trying to keep the Condos from truly turning into oversized pigeon coops. We, humble men, must learn from the sins of many and work tirelessly to right the wrongs of our past.

+1 Submarine

Well, I tread into this thread with trepidation, (how's that for alliteration?) and will say; I could not sleep at Playa Miramar if there was not very loud music coming from the Tropics until 4 A.M., the Mexican Navy with their trumpets at daybreak, the 2:30 A.M. train coming thru from Mexicali to Hermosillo blowing the horn and Lupe, the burrito lady, walking thru the park at 8 A.M. saying, "burritos, tortillas, churros" and the errant 360 blown up and knocking me out of bed at all hours. The Palapa fires were spectacular. So were the transformer fires. The Brisa would touch them off. I wouldn't trade that for anything. Mi Barrio, the Mirador. Oh, the memories.....

+2 Submarine

Submarine said:

Perhaps you weren't around then but let me tell you of a time when there was only Las Gaviotas (then known as Penasco Beach Club) and a little old trailer park called Playa Bonita. From there all the way down Sandy Beach there wasn't anything to spoil the playa hermosa until you got to the camping area. There wasn't even the Reef Bar there so for years you had to drive into Town or across the desert to Cholla Bay and JJ's Cantina where the party never stopped. The Devil looked up at this sleepy little fishing village and thought "I see opportunity". Man was weak and so in came the Developers and the fences went up. Then the concrete and rebar started sprouting like weeds and soon pigeon coops were erected everywhere along Sandy Beach. Soon the four horses of the Apocalypse brought in Californians flush with cash to the Valley of the Sun where they bought cheap McMansions for a pittance and had plenty of gold left over to buy a Condo along Sandy Beach. Like a malestrom of locusts they descended, driving their Hummers and Cadillac Escalades towing trailers filled with Rhino's and Ranger's, demanding sacrifice from the lamb known as Puerto Penasco. And so many fortunes were made but the Devil is also suceptible to the deadly sins and greed soon became his downfall. The Devil had seen opportunity in the Land of the Free also but didn't realize so many would be easily swayed to give in to the enticement of greed. Now Puerto Penasco hangs on by a thread, trying to keep the Condos from truly turning into oversized pigeon coops. We, humble men, must learn from the sins of many and work tirelessly to right the wrongs of our past.

Very nice, I remember when we used to ride the 3 wheelere into the depository and load up with cases of beer and ride them back to camp on Sandy beach. There were no stinkin condos in the way !!

John

Yep used to drive my 66 Bronco from the area around the reef back to the Corona store on main street and load up on beer water cola and ice and head back down the beach, who needs roads? Then we would sit out in front of our 1947 Spartan trailer and nobody was around but our family and friends....good times. By the way I am scared of ultralights

Why does it seem that these days the majority have to bow down to the wants and needs of the minority? Seriously if you dont like the Mexico experience for what it is dont try and change it with a bunch of rules and regs (Americanize) I happen to love the buz of the ultralites, just find another place to spend your time rather than try and change it please.

These are the reasons we stay in the Mirador area, rather than the sandy beach area--there's not as much "action". And I too could not sleep at night if it weren't for all the goings on around me. It's all part of Rocky Point................just take it or leave it, don't try to change it.

Right on. Sounds like you are rolling with the inevitable change. Some of the others need to get over it.Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but there is nothing beautiful about a trailer park.

ernesto said:

Right on. Sounds like you are rolling with the inevitable change. Some of the others need to get over it.Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but there is nothing beautiful about a trailer park.

Ermesto....I think you're mixing apples and oranges....or is it limes and guacamole....no one is talking about "beauty"....what has been discussed is some of the "noises" that are part of the "ambiance" of Penasco, and some noises that are not....like the ultralight.

And by the way, the rv parks were there way before the "beauty" of the condos!!:stir: To each his own..... Some people find beauty in the HUMMER (or H2/H3), while others think they're ugly as sin! To some a vehilce is just a piece of transportation, and to some an rv is a means to an end....a way to enjoy the pleasures of Penasco.....

The ultralight, when it arrived to Penasco, used to fly right off the beach down between Playa Bonita and what used to be Plazas Glorias. It flew a bit out past Playa Bonita down sandy beach and usually somewhat over the water, or along the beach. It usually flew in the late afternoon up to about sunset....and when it was low tide, so it could land/takeoff down on the beach. I don't recall it flying for more than a couple of hours. Back then, there was only the Princessa out past Playa Bonita. Now I believe it flys out from the Reef. I also don't recall it spewing smoke in those days.

Back in the days when I was staying at Playa Bonita, the quads could be a pain in the a$$. Occasionally there were some families that "got rid of their kids" so that mommy and daddy could start partying in the early afternoon, by sending them off to ride right in front of Playa Bonita. The kids would be doing figure eights for hours without supervision, riding all the way up to the park beachfront wall and kicking up sand and spewing fumes on to the rv's parking along the beachfront spaces. They did not ride in front of the area where their parents were camping. The fumes were sometimes so bad, I felt like I was in rush hour traffic with the windows open! That had absolutely nothing to do with the "sights and sounds of Mexico"...or of quads in general(this is NOT an anti-quad/atv commentary!!)....it was just a bunch of inconsiderate a$$holes. The quad traffic in front of Playa Bonita could be so bad, trying to walk down to the beach was like trying to cross a main street with no light.

So I should have just "rolled with the inevitable change?" I was overjoyed when the local police would crack down on some of the a$$holes riding the quads (although it was usually cracking down on the gringos and not the locals)! And you'd be surprised what one of those stunt kites doing a little dive bombing would do to alter the track of an a$$hole riding a quad (not that I would ever intentionally hit a rider :stir::evil:)!

Just maybe the people commenting negatively about the ultralight feel the same way, especially with the fumes and if it's continually flying and "buzzing" in front of the condos????? It has nothing to do with "Americanizing" Penasco, or imposing rules and regulations. It has to do with "consideration" for the "majority" over the "I'm going to do whatever the hell I please" by the "minority"!

I agree with the Jetski issue. At least here in the states there are boyoued ( dont know if i spelled that right and dont care ) no wake zones and serious sanctions can be imposed upon the operator of the watercraft. There needs to be a 50 to 100 yard no wake zone off of the beach on Sandy Beach. In the busier months its crazy to think that something hasnt happened yet. The banana boats are guilty here as well. Then again, thats Mexico and with nobody to educate safety this will continue to be a problem. Its the same reason why the locals dont stop at stop signs/ drive on the wrong side of the road. Setting aside laws, my parents would have smacked me upside the head...

When I had a boat, I followed the same rules in Rocky Point that I did here. Yes, there were no bouys in Mexico but I eyeballed the distance to the beach and imposed my own no wake zone. This is the same thing that happens with every other bad behavior; people will do things in Mexico they would never do here......:bunny: (Stuart, we need the aagh smilie. It's the one that rolls around in a circle, waving it's arms)

50 to 100 yards is ridiculously far. No Wake zones are typically 100-200 FEET.
Oregon has no restrictions where I ride (Pacific City), neither does Pismo Beach CA.
If you want to have some swimming zones I'd support that as long as the swimmers swim at their own risk anywhere else (and the zones are properly marked). But part of Mexico, IMO, is the ubiquitous lack of regulation.
Again, you want no watercraft in the surf line, go to California where most of the coastline is that way.

Aaaaaah!! the beauty of paradise, I suggest leave Mexico as Mexico and it will change/progress at its own pace, the americanisation of Mexico accelerates the process and makes places like Cancun, San Carlos, etc. feel like California, it is just horrible to think that Mexico is USA, it is not and it will never be!!
And if noises, loud music, people laughing and enjoying live is to much for some of you to take then obviously Mexico is not for you!! just go home and find somewhere quite to go and enjoy YOUR life YOUR way!! :eek3:

Hats off to you Inks:gradea: And Ernesto, I agree that there is nothing particularly "beautiful" about a trailer park. But to me, there is nothing "beautiful" about a bunch of highrise condos either. I'm simple, love Rocky Point for being that also, and will stay peacefully in my "beautiful" trailer trash rv park.............away from all the "action" on Sandy Beach. And, BTW, will sleep like a baby even with all the partying going on around me................gotta love Mexico:thumbsup: