| Site Description:
The site of the 2009 US Hang Gliding Championship, this is it, sports fans!!... Hi launches with great XC potential, record-setting flights. King Mountain is frequented by by hang glider
pilots and has a fair number of paraglider pilots flying here also.
As an aside, there are many campsites nearby, and the area is
great for camping, hiking-exploring, or just relaxing. Great
hang gliding/ paragliding destination with Sun Valley, Connor Ridge, Mount Harrison, and Frank
Gillette's East Hills all within easy reach. Driving Directions:
From the town of Moore, go North one mile to 3300 North road, then East
to the LZ and roads to launch. |
Wind Requirements: Much
of the time, we launch into thermal conditions and simply wait for a
cycle to come up the hill to launch. Coyote launch is a good ridge
soaring site with a NW wind, King launch is soarable W to SW. |
Preferred Rating: Recommended
rating to fly solo here is P4/H4. Lesser ratings have flown here
and with oversight from an instructor or a higher rated pilot
familiar with the area, this site can be flown by P-2's & P-3's
morning and evening.. But it is NOT a site for novice pilots to
come and try to fly on their own.
There are many hazards here in strong
conditions. |
Hazards: High density altitude, dust
devils, strong thermals, very strong lift. Magic Air in the PM
hours can give you a wonderful glass-off and can also make it difficult
to get down. ALWAYS wear a jacket and long pants and gloves when
flying here... you never know how long you will be aloft or how high you
will go. 9000' MSL+ is common. Both hang and paragliders
here have gotten up into the 18,000' range. |
Restrictions:
This site is overseen by the Idaho Hang Gliding Association, with a
special use permit paid for by it's members. The land is BLM
ground. You MUST be a USHPA member to fly here! This is an insured
site. If you
go XC you will likely land "off airport"...
the INEL is nearby
and is OFF LIMITS.
It is a good idea to get a site checkout before flying at
King Mountain. |
Special Note:
See: www.kingmountaingliders.com
for more information on access and great site information.
Alan Paylor lives at the base of the mountain and teaches hang gliding. He is
very familiar with both HG and PG requirements for flying King. He
has a great little shop where he sells T-shirts, Hang Gliders, paragliders, etc. Don't go to King without stopping by Alan's
place! Also, very soon John Kangas will have his airpark up and
running... see King
Mountain Glider Park for details! This new gliderpark will be a
great asset to King Mountain! Also, you can get your wings worked
on while at King by Bill Anderson...
Rising Air Professional Glider Repair |
Access: Unlimited, only by
time of year ( base elevation in the LZ around 5500', lower launch about
7200', so this site sits
in snow in the winter months.) However, again, we fly here as USHPA members by the courtesy of the Idaho Hang Gliding Association. |
Vehicle requirements: 2wd vehicle
with high clearance and low gears have been known to get up to launch,
but I ALWAYS put my 4WD in when driving to launch. I do not
recommend 2WD vehicles.. Once you leave the pavement, the road
is pretty rough in places and a few fairly steep sections which your 2wd
may or may not make it up!!!
|
Landing: Generous LZ;
the upper LZ is used mostly by paragliders and the lower LZ by Hang
Gliders. A powerline runs between the two... make sure you know
where it is! Do not try top landing anywhere on King Mountain
except perhaps on Coyote launch. I am sure it has been done, but I
have not seen it done so cannot recommend it. |
GPS Launch coordinates:
Vertical: 4,000' +/-
Launch Elev: 9000' +/- |
