ARIZONA HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION
OATMAN
Overview
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Oatman offers a remote desert flying site within striking distance of Phoenix and Tucson without the congestion and crowds of the metropolitan areas. It is both ridge soarable and a thermal trigger offering excellent XC potential along with moderate, local flying conditions depending on conditions. Camping is readily available at the nearby, newly renovated Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground as well as wild camping around the mountain on BLM land. Special consideration must be given to the extensive artifact and petroglyph locations in the area due to Oatman’s proximity to the Gila River corridor that has been used for millennia to support human exploration and life. Oatman Mountain is not a USHPA/RRRG insured site.
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Membership & Waivers: AZHPA membership/AZHPA liability waivers
Rating: H2/P2 with stipulation that midday thermic conditions are to be avoided.
Location:
> WNW of Gila Bend, due west of Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground
> HG/PG launch: 33.043553°, -113.139616°
> Aggregate Mine LZ: 33.033138°, -113.133268°.
Wind Speeds: HG/PG: Min = 0 mph, Ideal = 8 mph, Max = 25 mph
Gust Differential: 5 mph in 5 seconds
Flyable Wind Direction: Ok = SSW-WSW, Ideal = SW
Special Instructions:
> Read "Know Before You Go" on below.
> Currently this site is hike and fly only until we gain gate access to the 4WD road.
Hazards:
> Power lines run down the ridge to east of launch. Lines are marked with orange balls.
> Proficiency in high-wind-with-gusts kiting, no-wind forwards, and light-wind dynamic reverse launches crucial.
> Hot desert thermal activity.
> Aggregate Mine LZ is not huge and has rocks and desert scrub surrounding it.
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Latest REV: 2.19.21
Additional Info
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Site Frequency: 151.505 Mhz, DCS code 25: Please note you must turn your DCS on, set the code to 25, and make sure it is turned on for both transmit and receive prior to arrival. Programming instructions for most popular 2 meter radios can be found here.
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Emergencies: Follow the AZPHA General Emergency Action Plan
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1. All pilots must be current members of the Arizona Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (AZHPA). Membership info here.
2. All pilots must be current members of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) and have ratings listed below.
3. All pilots must have a current H2/P2 or higher USHPA rating while launching and flying.
4. For all pilots, on-site briefings from a local, qualified pilot are a requirement. This sponsor shall be a qualified H3/P3 or higher pilot that has experience flying this individual site. 5. Visiting pilots can obtain a visiting pilot pass here and show the registration confirmation as proof.
1. Do not launch anywhere except the designated launch area (See image below).
2. Follow standard ridge-soaring rules when flying with other pilots.
3. Do not disturb, deface, or remove any of the extensive artifacts or petroglyphs found in the area.
4. If camping on BLM land adhere to BLM rules and regulations for wilderness camping.
Weather. This is a remote desert site that requires crossing a dry river (Gila) bed to access. This river has the 2nd largest drainage area of any river in Arizona and conditions can change rapidly depending on rainfall upstream. Similarly, strong thermic conditions can occur rapidly. Landing out of range of water can have life-threatening ramifications. This is the desert, and it is remote. Plan accordingly.​
No airspace restrictions over launch. Review airspace map if going XC.​
Location: Oatman Mountain south side of the southern mountain, which is where the “Oatman Mountain Radio Site” is.
Launch: 33.043553°, -113.139616°
LZ: 33.033138°, -113.133268°.
Usage: Hang Gliding and Paragliding. Season: Allowed usage year-round, but extreme heat will likely prohibit use during the summer.
Affiliation: Arizona Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. Not a USHPA RRRG insured site. Land ownership: US Bureau of Land Management. Other use: Open to the public for sightseeing, hunting, camping, hiking, ATVs and more.
Type: Desert thermal conditions. Dust devils are year round. Typical blue thermals, high pressure, sharp edged. It is a rare treat to have consistent ridge soaring conditions at South Mountain. When we do it is usually early morning or at the end of the day and usually in Winter. Stay clear of terrain and avoid "scratching" at all times.
Restrictions: Class B airspace starts at 5,000' ASL. Please refer to the "Know Before You Go" section and Phoenix SkyHarbor airspace chart provided on this page.
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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.