AHGA's Flying Sites

Description

Location: Gila Bend, Painted Rock Dam.
Usage: Hang, Para, Rigid; Foot-launch
Season: All year, but very hot during Summer.
Requirements: Hang 2.
Records: TBD.
Affiliation: Arizona Hang Glider Association.
Radio info: USHGA standard business band frequencies, 2M Ham with proper license.
Land ownership:
Other use: Sightseers and campers near launch, military jet training on weekdays.
Emergency: Gila Bend.
Maintenance: Arizona Hang Glider Association.

Launching

South Launch: Great for ridge soaring and a good thermal collector.Winds: SE to S from 0 to 25 MPH. SW is not good.
Driving directions: Take Painted Rock Road off I-8 (about ten miles West of Gila Bend) and go North. Where the road veers right and a dirt road continues West, follow the dirt road to the South LZ. The road to launch is by the riverbed on the East side.
Road conditions: 4WD dirt road in fair condition after turnoff to South launch.
Parking: 6 vehicles max.
Facilities: None.
Setup area: Max. 10 gliders.
Hazards: Power lines going up south face of mountain from LZ. High speed jets on weekdays. Crosswinds on launch from right (SW) are generally turbulent and produce little lift.

North Launch: Faces small valley crosscutting the mountain.
Winds: N from 0 to 25 MPH.
Driving directions: Same as for South launch but continue on paved road to top of mountain.
Road conditions: 2WD paved road in fair condition.
Parking: 6 vehicles max.
Facilities: None.
Setup area: Max. 10 gliders.
Hazards: Several large telecummunications antennas, some with cables. High speed jets on weekdays. Crosswinds on launch should be avoided.

Flying

Type of flying: Ridge soaring and thermaling.
Restrictions: No special flying restrictions.
Hazards: Power lines on south side going up face of mountain and East of LZ. High speed jets on weekdays.

Landing

South Landing Zone: Large, flat areas with room to overshoot and undershoot.
Driving directions: See directions to South launch.
Road conditions: Gravel, 2WD.
Parking: Next to vegetation.
Facilities: Gila Bend.
Hazards: Power lines to East of LZ. Several ravines about 15 to 25 feet deep should be avoided.
Restrictions:

North Landing Zone: Large, flat areas surrounded by tall vegetation and barbed-wire fence along dirt road.
Driving directions: Same as directions to South launch but continue on dirt road where paved road to launch begins.
Road conditions: Gravel, 2WD, 4WD after erosion by rains.
Parking: Ends of LZ.
Facilities: Gila Bend.
Hazards: Barbed-wire fence, tall trees.
Restrictions:

Contacts

Contact Al Torrisi or Jerry Dalen or any AHGA official for more info.