Hang Glider Launch

Orientation: East

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Type: Poured concrete.

GPS Coordinates: 34.7024°, -112.1162° Google Maps

Winds: 5-20 mph with peak gust differential of 4 mph in three seconds.

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Paraglider Launch

Orientation: East

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Type: Cleared grassy area.
 

GPS Coordinates: 34.7029°, -112.1159°  Google Maps
 

Winds: 5-15 mph with peak gust differential of 4 mph in 3 seconds.
 

Set-up Areas: HG set up area is area West of HG Launch. PG set up area is area West of PG Launch and South of PG launch.

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Hazards: Paraglider launch is large and grassy but has shallow slope and can have rotor in back area of launch as well as stronger winds above pilot at wing level. Stay well within your limitations. A strong launch with sufficient skills is required. When flying, give ample distance from radio towers far behind launch. Sufficient altitude is needed when flying behind launch/mountain ridge due to strong conditions and unexpected sink. No ridge soaring or flying close to terrain is permitted.

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Expect strong high-altitude, high desert conditions that change rapidly. Go on glide early to ensure reaching LZ with sufficient altitude due to strong sink/conditions. Dump LZ can be bushy certain times of year with trip hazards and has potential for lift and sink when on landing approach. Get directly above LZ with sufficient altitude for best final approach pattern. Clear LZ and break gliders down immediately.

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PG Launch:With the wing lying in the wind shadow on launch, an aggressive move is required to inflate it.  When it bites into the cycle, you have very little time to determine whether to run under the wing to depower it or turn and drive it off.  So, it’s a good idea to mentally prepare for both situations.  In any case, once you turn, you must drive it off with authority and speed.  

With a flat-slope launch terminating in a cliff, the air at wing level is often rather turbulent and switchy, even during a good launch cycle.  A slow, hesitant launch is a dangerous move here and can easily result in being pushed left or right into the trees.  And, if you are not flying when you are ten yards from the edge, it’s best to kill the wing and sit down.  There is nothing good on the other side of that cliff, and many nasty injuries have been incurred by pilots who were not flying when they reached the cliff but chose to continue with the launch attempt.

There are many wind indicators below the cliff.  You can’t see any of them from launch.  It’s best to position someone (conscript and train a bystander if necessary) at the edge of the cliff to relay the state of the indicators to you.  Launch into a cycle that is solid from the bottom indicator all the way to the edge, while ensuring that the windsocks in the trees above launch show favorable winds.  It is not uncommon to have great cycles rolling up the face while the wind above launch is blowing over the back, and this is not a recipe for a safe, successful launch.​
 

Note: Pilots must familiarize themselves with this information before arriving, and this information does not replace the need for an in-person site briefing from a qualified, local pilot or instructor familiar with the area and experienced in flying the site.

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Flying

Type: High Desert High Altitude Thermal type flying conditions. It is a rare treat to have consistent ridge soaring conditions at Mingus. When we do it is always at the end of the day when rare end of day East winds prevail. Stay clear of terrain and avoid "scratching" at all times. Conditions can change rapidly in the desert. Please be an active pilot. Clear LZ immediately. Dust devils are common here in the high desert and they show up with no notice or invitation. Pack up immediately.

Desert terrain and weather are extremely unforgiving on unprepared pilots, outdated equipment and pilots not giving extra margin of safety within their operating limitations. Adequate preparation, a sufficient understanding of high mountain, high desert weather forecasting and local on-site briefing is required. Desert heat is oppressive May through September. Dehydration is a real possibility, and those not used to hiking in these conditions can succumb to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. High desert terrain and weather are extremely unforgiving. Give yourself an extra margin for error due to the terrain and weather conditions. Oxygen is required when thermal flying when forecast exceeds 10,500 ASL.

All pilots must read the General Site Guidelines prior to arrival.
 

Restrictions: All Forest Service rules must be adhered to. Stay on designated trails. Park in designated parking areas only. Adhere to Cottonwood airport airspace requirements.

Special Note on Thermal Flying:

Thermal conditions create a demand for pilots to not only have solid ground handling skills with a connected feel to their glider, but also a thorough understanding of how the local weather conditions play into the forecast models in order to be sufficiently prepared for a short launch window that demands certain launch techniques. Proficiency in high-wind-with-gusts kiting, no-wind forwards and light-wind dynamic reverse launches on shallow slopes are crucial for many of our sites and conditions.

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Please be aware that strength of conditions will determine if it is better to a.) launch between the thermal cycle, when speeds are zero or light, to then fly away into the next thermal approaching the hill with ample clearance from the terrain, or b.) pull glider up and launch glider directly into the thermal cycle blowing into launch.

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Many times launching during a zero- or light-wind cycle between the stronger thermals is not only a safer window, but a better plan to capitalize on the launch cycles as well as the flight plan.

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It was common to see many pilots "waiting for the wind" (which is the thermal) to cycle through launch because they are not comfortable and/or proficient with forward and light wind launch techniques, only to experience a stronger cycle than anticipated once their glider was overhead.

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Pilots most accustomed to launching in prevailing winds, onshore winds and lighter thermal ridge lift need local, and perhaps local professional, expertise and guidance to gain the needed insight to fly our sites safely.

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Designated Landing Zones