Description

Location: Metropolitan Phoenix
Usage: HPRF
Season: All year. Reduced use during summer due to heat and turbulence.
Requirements: Hang 3. Key to gate. Arizona Public Service safety course. Visitors will need AHGA membership after three flights. Sign in at steel lock-box at launch. USHGA membership required for all pilots.
Records: XC: Hans Heydrich, 153 miles.
Affiliation: Arizona Hang Glider Association
Radio info: Standard USHGA business band frequencies. 2M Amateur on 146.440 and 146.550 with 162.2 Hz squelch tone. CTCSS squelch. Local weather info on 162.550 MHz.
Land ownership: Road to launch is maintained by Arizona Public Service. Site and LZ are in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve.
Other use: Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding.
Emergency: Several nearby hospitals.
Maintenance: Arizona Hang Glider Association

Launching

Launches: Three at 2,100' ASL.
Winds: SW (2) and SE (1).
Driving directions: Meet with other pilots at LZ (see below). Drive up or down only during daylight hours. 5 MPH speed limit.
Road conditions: 4WD only, locked gate at main entrance.
Parking: Space for about 10 vehicles along road and at top.
Facilities: None.
Setup area: 15 gliders max.
Hazards: 20 KV marked power lines. Several 150' tall radio towers. Dangerous boulders below all launches. Unsafe for winds below 5 MPH or above 20 MPH.

Flying

Type of flying: Ridge soaring and thermaling. Usual house thermal over pad to South of launch. XC routes typically in NE direction.
Restrictions: Heavily-used airspace with three nearby airports, including Sky Harbor. 4,000' ASL limit over the butte.
Hazards: Same as launch hazards. Keep eyes open for low-flying airplanes, helicopters, hot-air balloons, and blimps.

Landing

Landing zones: Large, sloped retention basin along foot of mountain in N-S direction. Avoid landing down slope (towards SW). Alternate, smaller 100' by 150' pad on West side of ravine (North Pad) to be used with West or no winds only. Break-down area next to parking lot fence.
Driving directions: From Black Cayon Freeway (I-17) take Peoria exit East. Follow to end at 7th Ave., take left and follow to trailhead parking area.
Road conditions: Paved road and parking area.
Parking: 30-49 vehicles shared with other park users.
Facilities: None, but many shops nearby.
Hazards: Power lines next to homes, ravine between both LZs, several Palo Verde trees. Very turbulent between May and August. Some sharp rocks and a few solid trail markers that won't bend.
Restrictions: Don't land on golf course just North of Thunderbird Road.

Contacts

Contact Dave Smith or Jerry Dalen or any AHGA official for more info.