| Site Description:
Declo-Albion actually is a compilation of several launch
and flying sites overseen by PG/HG "legend" Frank Gillette, a long
time pilot, competitor, instructor, and equipment dealer in the sport.
Frank's house backs up to "Test Hill", a good training and soaring hill
for beginner pilots. Nearby is the "Big D" hill, Connor Ridge, and
Mount Harrison, which offer soaring and X-C potential. Frank holds
an annual fly-in at his place the first weekend in August. It is
great fun and good for new pilots-- it's a fun fly-in, not a comp.
This is a great place to learn to fly for new students and a great place
to visit for high altitude XC and Ridge Soaring for advanced pilots.
You will find it all in the Declo-Albion area! See my link to
Frank Gillette under "instructors" for more information...
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Wind Requirements: There are launches for virtually every wind direction in this area. Mt. Harrison favors SW to NW; Connor Ridge SE to West, Test Hill North wind, etc.. Once you get familiar with the area, you will find a hill to fly for any given day... | Preferred Rating: P-1 under instruction; P-2 with site checkout or under instruction; or P-3 and above. Mt. Harrison and Connor Ridge should only be flown in early or late conditions unless you are a solid P-3 or above. Talk to Frank! | Hazards: Varies by launch. All sites will be thermic mid-day and consequent hazards from rotor, strong lift and sink, etc. For Mt. Harrison and Connor Ridge especially, FLY WITH AN EXPERIENCED PILOT unless you are a P-4 or above!!! | Restrictions: Most of these launch sites are on public land but many LZ's may be private. Again, talk to Frank before flying here. |
| Driving Directions: From Iinterstate 84, take the Declo-Albion exit. Go South on Highway 77 about 7 miles to "500 South" road. Turn left, go about 1/4 mile to Frank Gillette's house on the right. You will see "Test Hill" behind his house. From here, there are 4-5 launches within a 3 mile radius that Frank uses for training. Further South on Highway 77 are the Connor Ridge and Mount Harrison sites-- see separate web pages for those. | Access: In order to visit or fly this area, it is strongly recommended that you contact Frank or another pilot familiar with the launches, LZ's, and hazards. There is big air here, especially from the Mt. Harrison and Connor ridge launches. The East Hills to the Northeast of Frank's place are where the Big D, Cougar, and other launches are found. | Vehicle requirements:
Most of the East Hills sites require 4x4. Connor Ridge and Mt.
Harrison launches CAN be accessed by 2WD vehicle with good ground
clearance, but 4x4 definitely recommended.
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Takeoff & Landing: varies with site. Most launches are gently sloping hilltops and most LZ's are flat and generous. Some have streamers up already; Frank's main site, Test hill, has a windsock top and bottom. | Vertical: varies from
approx 200' to 4500' depending on site. Launch Elev: from 5500' at Test Hill, to 9,000' at Mt. Harrison... |
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| John Barsness launching from Test Hill, Declo ID | Mike Marks and Frank Gillette share a laugh in the Connor LZ |
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| This is the "west" launch at Connor | Mike Marks takes to the air at the "South" Connor launch. |
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| Brad Bloxham and Chris prepare to launch from Mt. Harrison, August 2005 | John Barsness launches a trainer wing under Frank's watchful eye. This launch, just East of Frank's house, lets a student get airborne for a short flight with a minimum of altitude or danger. |
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| John Barsness prepares to launch from Test Hill. Photo by Bill Albano... | Frank's front yard = Bunny Hill. Awesome place to learn. |