Harry McDonald Center LZ

61.343098, -149.549626
Updated April 23, 2024

Description

HMAC LZ image

The Harry Mac LZ was established by Eagle River Parks and Recreation in 2008 as a multi-use field / Landing Zone.  Anyone that has struggled to secure a landing zone for their local site knows how amazing it is to have the city designate a permanent LZ.  Please help us keep this as a permanent LZ by strictly following the rules.  The Arctic Air Walkers have been tasked with enforcing the rules and be aware that there will be ZERO tolerance for pilots who don't comply. 

The typical approach is from the SE through a large gap in the trees.  This approach allows you to turn left into a West wind or right into a North wind.  There's a large wind sock on one of the lamp posts and there's often a secondary wind sock closer to the ground on the edge of the field.

The field is approximately 400' x 250' on a N to S axis. The field is ringed by trees ~50' tall on the north through southeast aspects and bordered by a parking lot containing lamp posts on the northeast through southeast. This is a multi-use field, please announce your arrival from above if there are people in the field. If landing during midday, the LZ can be thermally active and the wind can be switchy.  Be prepared prepared for pockets of lift and sink on approach and leave yourself options as you make your final.

There is a chain link fence around a drainage retention pond located along the “slot” between the trees at the SSE corner adjacent to the LZ.  Because the fence is located part way down slope between the LZ and the pond, the height of the fence is only about 4 feet above the ground level of the LZ.

The field is the only area permitted to land. Landing in the parking lot is forbidden and will result in a complaint to the AAW.

The LZ can be muddy in the spring so many pilots kite their glider to a small hill that drys out early on the NW end of the field.

The parking lot often closes around 4:00 so most pilots park outside the gate to avoid getting locked in. Parking also allowed at the nearby Firelake Elementary school outside of school hours.

Large events are occasionally held at the Harry Mac Center and landing will not be allowed during these events. These events will be communicated to the membership well in advance.

Current USHPA and full AAW membership is required to land here. You may verify your AAW membership at this link.

 

Requirements

Your must comply with the following requirements to land here.  These rules are actively enforced by all of the AAW members and there will be no exceptions.

  • You must have current USHPA Membership with a P2, H3 with Restricted Field Special Skills, or higher rating.
  • You must be a current AAW member to land here.  Please visit our membership page to sign up and pay your membership dues.
  • Your AAW membership fees help pay for both the insurance and our Permit fees to the Municipality of Anchorage for both the Baldy Towers Launch and the Harry Mac LZ. 
  • Large events are ocassionally held at the Harry Mac Center.  Landing may not be allowed during these events.  If an event is underway, contact one of the site contacts listed below before flying.
  • You must fly safely and act professionally.
  • AAW does not permit mini-wings to launch from the Baldy Towers due to the shallow slope of launch and the long glide out.  Some higher performance mini-wings could safely make it to the Harry Mac LZ from the summit of Baldy and for that reason, mini-wings are permitted to land at Harry Mac.

Hazards

The landing zone is large but there are a few hazards to be aware of.

  • Watch out for the lamp posts.  Most pilots avoid setting up their approach over the lamp posts but in southerly winds it's difficult to avoid that approach.
  • The LZ is ringed by trees.  Be ready for mechanical turbulence in strong winds.
  • This is a multi-use field.  Announce your arrival from above if there are people in the field.
  • Do not land in the parking lot near cars or people.
  • The LZ can be thermally active and the wind can be switchy.  Be prepared to get bumped or drilled on approach.  Leave yourself options as you make your approach.


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.