| Location: | 45 minutes south of Tucson, in the west side of the Santa Rita Mountains |
| Season: | Year-round, gets hot during the summer (it is Arizona, after all). |
| Conditions: | West through northwest winds. An afternoon site with great evening glass-offs. |
| Hazards: |
- Desert flying is hazardous in hot weather. Inexperienced pilots should limit flights to evenings and MUST fly under the guidance of a local pilot. Regardless of your experience level DO NOT attempt to fly this site for the first time without a local guide!
- A southwest wind aloft will feel straight in on launch, but will produce a fierce rotor blowing over the ridge along the flight path to the LZ.
- Rain or virga in the desert produces gust fronts and microbursts. Watch for overdevelopment or lines of moving dust.
- Desert vegetation has teeth and eats the wings of the unwary or careless.
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| Ratings/Requirements: | H3, H2 with instructor or local guide. USHGA site insurance, membership required. |
| Radio: | SAHGA club frequency is 151.925 (USHGA Ch. 2) |
| Launch: | About 1.5 miles east of front LZ in the back of the canyon. About 5700 MSL, or 1300 above LZ. |
| Launch directions: | Visitors please see the listed site contacts below for information. Club members see http://www.sahga.com/members/sites.html |
| Launch access: | Rough 4wd forest road. |
| Launch parking: | Very limited, must park in the narrow road so it's essential to coordinate. |
| LZ: | The Meadows LZ, the usual HG rally point and the "over-the-back" destination. Huge fenced flat field with gate access next to paved Forest Road 62, about 4900 MSL. BLM land. |
| LZ directions: | Visitors please see the listed site contacts below for information. Club members see http://www.sahga.com/members/sites.html |
| LZ access: | Paved two-lane road. |
| LZ parking: | In the LZ or along paved F.R. 62. Plenty of room. Please close the gate after passing through! |
| Bailout: | Fairly large field about 4400 MSL. Slight downhill slope to the northwest, the preferred landing direction. Arizona State Trust land under SAHGA group activity permit. |
| Bailout directions: | Visitors please see the listed site contacts below for information. Club members see http://www.sahga.com/members/sites.html |
| Bailout access: | Rough but usable 2wd dirt road on State Trust land. |
| Bailout parking: | Along road near LZ. |
| Facilities: | None. |
| Contacts: |
Eric Smith, Arizona Airfoils, HG Instructor, Tucson (520) 790-3507
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| Emergency: | 911 Pima County Sheriff's Department; St. Mary's hospital, 10 miles north Rt 19 to Rt 10, take Congress St. Exit, west on Congress until it turns north into Silverbell, 0.5 mi. north. |
