Weather Considerations

• Pilots need to keep a careful watch on weather conditions, both on launch and in the air.

  Ideal winds are from light from the West .  Winds can be about 15 degrees to either side of that direction, or you can move to a different area to launch that faces more into the wind.

• This site works best when the prevailing wind is light and out of the west.

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. 

For winter flying, P3 is the recommended pilot level, and it may not be suitable for P2 pilots, as you can land at the frozen lake in Stuckagain Heights. 

During the summer, this is recommended to be treated as a P4 site due to the lack of Landing Zones.

This site is not managed by the Arctic Air Walkers and there are no specific requirements to fly here aside from strong launching skills and good judgment.  Pilots should have P3 or P4 skills, but because it is a remote site, with greater consequences for messing up, pilots should follow the USHPA recommended operating limitations for P2 pilots, which are:

• Maximum base wind of 12 mph. 
• Maximum peak gusts to 15 mph.
• Maximum gust rate of 5 mph in 5 seconds
• Should not fly in thermal lift where peak climb rates exceed 200 fpm.
• Launch from slopes steeper than 4:1 with the wind within 25 degrees of being straight up the slope.

• This is a P4 site due to the limited landing options in the Summer, and can be considered a P3 site when you can land on the frozen lake.

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. 

There may be no cell phone reception in many backcountry areas.  Pilots are expected to be prepared for self-rescue and by carrying Spot, InReach or other non-cell based communication equipment.

• There's no good landing zone for this site.  The safest options are to land in an open area above treeline or make the long and shallow glide out to one of the swamps north of lower Basher Drive.
• Pilots sometimes land in the neighborhood near the trailhead but that's not recommended due to the turbulent conditions you'll encounter, limited space, and sloping roads.

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.