Kincaid Bluffs

61.143365, -150.023571
Updated April 25, 2024

Description

Pilot Requirements

P2 - No special skills

MUST BE A CURRENT AAW and USHPA MEMBER

Pilots must contact Site Coordinator to 

open and close the window with ANC Tower

All pilots must have an in-person site intro before flying

 

Weather Conditions

Wind Direction: 190° w/ 10° variance to either side

Min: 8mph / Ideal: 12mph / Max: 18mph / Gust: 5mph

Glide Ratio to the L/Z: 2.3

Hazards

Be aware of aircraft flight patterns!

This site is within the Class C controlled airspace of

Anchorage International Airport.

Blowbacks are NOT AN OPTION due to airport proximity

Beware of SE wind out of Turnigan Arm,

it can ramp up quickly and will create rotor

Restrictions

Pilots MUST NOT fly above 600ft MSL

Pilots MUST NOT fly beyond Pt. Campbell (~2mi) to the West and Sand Lake Road (~1.3mi) to the East

Pilots MUST NOT venture more than 1/4 mile from shore or 1/8 mile inland from the ridge

 

This is a sensitive site!  DO NOT FLY here unless the "Flying Window" has been opened through the Site Monitors with the Anchorage International Airport Control Tower!  See details below! The Kincaid Bluffs (AKA "The Dumps") is a ridge soaring site located within the Class C airspace that surrounds the Anchorage International Airport.  The launch is located just west of the motorcycle track in Kincaid park.  Both top landing and and landing on the mud flats below are LZ options

The Arctic Air Walkers have a special permit with the Municipality of Anchorage to be able to fly here. 

Current USHPA and Arctic Airwalker membership is required.

You may verify your AAW membership at this link.

Pilots can caution spectators to stay near the low fence, and to stay out of the launch/top-landing area.

DO NOT FLY here unless the "Flying Window" has been opened through the Site Monitors from the Anchorage International Airport Control Tower! 

 

Launch

Kincaid Launch Image

 

The launch is located at the Southwest corner of the Jodhpur Motocross Track. A public gravel road passes two parking lots and dead-ends at “loading zone” next to launch if all gates are open.  Launch is about a 5 minute walk from second parking lot if the gate is closed. Please do not park cars in the "Loading Zone", this is only for gear drop off. If you are planning to fly past the gate closure time (posted at the entrance off Jodhpur St.) park along Jodhpur St. to avoid getting locked in.

The setup/launch area consists of a weed/sand area approximately 300 ft wide x 150 feet long. There are no major obstacles in the area, but there is a 3' tall fence located on the eastern edge that separates the Motocross track.

There is no permanent wind indicator installed at launch, and pilots are encouraged to bring their own.

Landing Zones

Mudflats

61.142215, -150.024974

Mudflats LZ Image

Most people flying the Kincaid Bluffs try to top land. The Upper landing zone is located on a sand dune that is approximately 500 X 500 feet and is clear of obstacles.

If you sink out, land on the flats at the base of the bluff. The Lower landing zone encompasses the entire length of the bluff along the shoreline.  There is a 100 X 100 foot grassy area directly below launch which has less obstacles and is less muddy. Washed up logs and water are obstacles that could create a trip hazard in the LZ. Pilots should be aware of the tide cycle and should keep an eye on water levels during flight.

 

 

Weather Considerations

The Bluffs are a fickle site and require very specific wind and weather conditions to be flyable. Thankfully the Bluff are flyable year round and can be very good in the winter months. Use the weather stations located along the Kenai to check incoming wind strength. These stations will generally show strong winds before they arrive at the Bluffs.

  • Ideal wind direction is SSW (190º). A 10º variance to either side is acceptable, but more than that is unworkable.
  • For soaring, minimum winds are 5-8mph, ideal winds are 8-10mph and max is 15mph, with gusts of 5mph 
  • DO NOT fly in typical "Turnagain Arm Winds" from the southeast. They can rapidly gain strength and can go from calm to gusting 40mph+ 
  • Keep an eye on wind indications from the southeast (i.e. water texture, ground speed to the south, etc.)
  • Pilots need to keep a careful watch on weather conditions, both on launch and in the air.

Requirements

Flying here is a special privilege and requires that we follow specific protocols established between the Arctic Air Walkers and Anchorage Air Traffic Control.  Deviation from these rules will not be tolerated by the FAA or the Arctic Air Walkers. You may be banned from flying here if you break any of these rules or knowingly fail to intervene when someone else breaks the rules.

  • Pilots must be a current member of both the AAW and USHPA
  • A minimum of a P2 rating is required for this site.
  • All pilots must have a site introduction before flying this site.
  • Pilots that wish to fly must contact a site monitor via Slack and have them open a flying window with the Anchorage Control Tower.
  • Pilots must verify with the site monitor that the request has been granted.
  • Pilots must have a site monitor contact the Anchorage Control Tower upon completion of flying activities.
  • Pilots must make sure that the tower is only contacted once and that multiple people aren't making the same call.  This means that you must be at the site ready to fly before you make the call.
  • Maximum altitude is 600ft MSL.  Launch is at 250ft to set your altimeter.  The highest point on the ridge is 370ft MSL, so stay well below twice ridge height.  (The control tower will know if you exceed it and we will hear about it.  If you don't know your altitude then don't fly.)
  • Pilots must not fly beyond Pt. Campbell to the west and Sand Lake Road to the east.
  • Pilots must not venture more than 1/4 mile from shore or 1/8 mile inland from the ridge.
  • Non-motorized flight only.
  • Mini Wings and Speed Wings need to follow USHPA recommended operating limitations.  Speed wing soaring at Kincaid Bluffs is not endorsed or encouraged by the AAW, especially due to the increased rotor and turbulence with higher wind speeds.
  • Pilots are required to intervene if these rules are being broken. 

 

Hazards

  • You will be flying directly below the flight path of large jets.
  • General aviation aircraft taking off to the west from Campbell Lake can stray towards the Bluff.  Pilots shall stay to the west of Sand Lake Road, 1.5 miles east of launch, (where Dimond Blvd is no longer a straight road).  
  • Winds can increase rapidly.  Keep an eye on the water and look for wind lines which can indicate the approach of higher winds.
  • Flying or getting blown over the back at this site is not an option.  Along with the obvious danger to the pilot, a possible conflict with a heavy jet (or any aircraft) is not acceptable.  Any over the back incident would end flying at this site instantly and forever.  Conservative decisions must be made when conditions are strong or increasing in strength.
  • Paragliders are known to have dangerous flight characteristics when sand has accumulated in the cells.  Check your wing frequently!  Link to DHV Report Regarding Sand Accumulation in Wings
  • Landing in the mud-flats is preferable to landing in a tree.  Watch out for high tides, and land near the bottom of the bluff, which is also where there are driftwood logs and more brush.  The grassy area directly below launch is the preferred place to land as it has less obstacles and is less muddy.
  • Pilots are expected to evaluate the launch, the possible landing areas, the weather, and other conditions.  Flights are at the Pilot's own risk.
 


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.