Description
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Pilot Recommendations
P2/M2 - Cliff Launch skill recommended for North Launch
P3 skills recommended for XC flights
In person site intro recommended, especially for pilots flying XC |
Weather Conditions North Launch: Wind Direction: 10°-330° Min: 0mph / Ideal: 5mph / Max: 10mph / Gust: 5mph Glide Ratio to L/Z: 4.3 West Launch: Wind Direction: 200°-300° Min: 0mph / Ideal: 5mph / Max: 10mph / Gust: 5mph Glide Ratio to L/Z: 4.4 South Launch: Wind Direction: 160°-230° Min: 0mph / Ideal: 5mph / Max: 10mph / Gust: 5mph Glide Ratio to L/Z: 4.8 |
Hazards Beware of days with strong SE in surrounding areas! This can quickly push through and cause severe turbulence and sink There are converging, diverging, and mixing valley flows. Stay alert. This is an unmaintained mountain site. All launch locations require special attention to detail, there are limited setup sites with rock hazards to both your lines and footing. The north launch is a cliff launch, and requires strong skills to use This is a very popular hiking area. There will be spectators for your launch. Please make sure that they are a safe distance away. The trail is quite steep at the top, and can be very icy in the winter. Traction spikes are reccommended. |
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Restrictions Do not land within 50' of other recreaters Do not land at either the upper or lower parking lots - The lower lot can be used when it is closed in the winter |
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This site is not managed or maintained by the Arctic Air Walkers, and this Site Guide is provided to assist pilots in making good decisions about flying at this site. Always seek out pilots with site experience to get a site orientation.
Year round, Flattop is perhaps the most frequently flown site in the Anchorage area due to easy access and its close proximity . It offers launch options in all directions except easterly. All launches from Flattop require exceptional launch skills.
While Flattop has not historically been a good XC departure site due to the challenging terrain nearby, more and more people have had success flying the front range heading north in recent years.
Do not land in the parking areas.
Maintain an appropriate distance between launch and landing activities and the public.
Launch
The summit of Flattop is an ideal location to launch a paraglider from. With a flat top and open areas that face north, west and south there are many possible setup locations. The main detractor of the area is the sharp, rocky ground and the finicky and variable weather conditions. Being at the junction of the Turnigan Arm and 3 major valley systems., conditions can change very quickly. It is not uncommon to have the wind switch 180° in the time it takes you to setup. Because of this, it is imperative to check the weather forcasts, local weather station and, most importantly, always be ready to hike back down. Even with these restrictions, Flattop is one of of the most commonly flown sites, and for good reason. The views of the Arm to one side, the Chugach mountains behind you, and the Alaska range in the distance cannot be beat.
There are 3 main launch areas at Flattop, the North Launch, West Launch and South Launch. Each of these have their own intracacies, but all share smilar ideal winds and common hazards. All launches are natural, unmaintained mountain locations. Maintainence or "grooming" of any kind if forbidden by the Park Service, and could jeprodize our future access.
North Launch
The North launch is a true cliff launch and the cliff launch special skill sign off is highly recommended. However, it does have the best setup location, a large flat area facing the direction of launch. All can provide both ridge lift or thermal soaring and sometimes both at the same time.
Landing Zones
Flattop - Trailside
61.101959, -149.680872
The Flattop Trailside LZ is in the obvious windblown clearing near the trail to the south of the Glenn Alps parking lot. You'll hike past it on your way to launch.
Flattop Overlook
61.104752, -149.682711
The Flattop - Overlook LZ is the obvious east-west ridge-top clearing to the north of the Glenn Alps parking lot.
Weather Considerations
Pilots need to keep a careful watch on weather conditions, both on launch and in the air.
- Works best when the winds aloft are light. Southwest/West winds up to 10mph
- DO NOT launch if the winds are from North East/East/South East; expect strong gust and rotor from Peak 2 or from the east side cliffs. If the winds are strong in Turnagain Arm the wind direction will generally be from the East, you will be hiking down.
- Parks and Rec recently added a Glenn Alps Parking Lot Web Cam.
- Some Hillside area weather stations are in sheltered areas, and DO NOT provide accurate wind data.
- Winds can shift quickly at launch and in the LZ's due to convergence, divergence, and mising valley flows.
Requirements
Pilots are expected to evaluate the launch, the possible landing areas, the weather, and other conditions. Flights are at the Pilot's own risk.
P2 is the recommended pilot level, but conditions outside of P2 limits may exist. Pilots thinking to fly XC should have P3 skills. Beginner Speed wing pilots should be accompanied by an experience speed wing pilot until they can gain the experience and skills to safely fly the site.
West Launch Recommended Use Parameters:
Glide Ratio to LZ, 4.4: Ideal wind, 5 MPH, directions from 200 to 300 degrees. Max wind 10 MPH with 5 MPH gusts
North Launch Recommended Use Parameters:
Glide Ratio to LZ, 4.3: Ideal wind, 5 MPH, directions from 330 to 10 degrees. Max wind 10 MPH with 5 MPH gusts
SouthLaunch Recommended Use Parameters:
Glide Ratio to LZ, 4.8 to 5.5, you need to cross around a NW ridge to reach the LZ: Ideal wind, 5 MPH, directions from 160 to 230 degrees. Max wind 10 MPH with 5 MPH gusts
Hazards
Other hikers/spectators/berry pickers may occasionally visit this site and the potential for a conflict exists. Pilots are cautioned to ensure an appropriate distance is maintained between launch and landing activities and the public. Pilots are expected communicate to the public as needed to maintain clearances.
This is a natural mountain site and there are many natural hazards that are common to many natural mountain sites in Alaska that could be a hazard for pilots.
- Hike all the way to the top, winds from the surrounding peaks can create false wind indicators.
- DO NOT launch if the winds are from North East/East/South East.
- DO NOT land in the main Glen Alps Parking Lot, even if there are few cars. Winter landing at the lower parking lot is acceptable, but NOT any time that the lower lot is open for parking.
- There are converging, diverging, and mixing valley flows. Stay alert.
- Winds can shift quickly on top it is not uncommon to have winds shift 180 degrees while you are preparing to setup.
- Pilots often try to fly around from the South launch to land at Glen Alps. If you choose to do this be aware of mechanical turbulence as you fly around the West face, this a one way trip and you may need to land on Blueberry Hill.
- Be cautious when cloud deck is close to launch level.
WARNING: The descriptions of typical flying conditions listed in this Site Guide reflect the experience of the authors of the guide. The conditions that you encounter at the site may differ, sometimes substantially, from those described. These descriptions may not be relevant to the possible experience of any other pilot, particularly one who is relatively inexperienced or new to the Site.