March 20, 2023

Facts & Waiver

All Visiting Pilots must be accompanied to launch by a TAF Guide Pilot.

The Telluride Air Force (TAF) is the local hang gliding, paragliding, and speed flying club in Telluride, Colorado. The primary launch is Gold Hill, this is a high-altitude launch 3735m ASL, (12,250ft), located on Telluride Ski Resort property.

Landing zones managed by the TAF and Town of Telluride Ordinance No. 1491 are the Pearl Wetland, the Valley Floor, and the Telluride Town Park. View the document here.

Visiting pilots must contact and coordinate flights with a TAF Guide Pilot.

Gold Hill Meet-Up Location

Approaching town on Hwy 145 enters the traffic circle, take the first exit onto Mahoney Drive, continue straight 1/4 mile over the river then turn into the “Shandoka Parking Area“. Pilots meet at the NE corner.

SITE RULES AND SITE GUIDE

The Telluride Air Force (TAF) is the local hang gliding, paragliding, and speed flying club in Telluride, Colorado. The primary launch is Gold Hill, this is a high-altitude launch 3735m ASL, (12,250ft), located on Telluride Ski Resort property.

Landing zones managed by the TAF under Town of Telluride Ordinance No. 1491 are the Pearl Wetland, the Valley Floor, and the Telluride Town Park.  You must be a TAF member to land here.

Visiting pilots must contact and coordinate flights with a TAF Guide Pilot.

A TAF “Guide Pilot” is not an instructor or guide.  It is a rating given to a full-time club member that is qualified to give site briefings to visiting pilots as determined by the club.  Each pilot is responsible for their own decisions and flight if permitted to fly!  TAF Guide Pilots are able to ground pilots from flying if they deem such action appropriate.

Flying Requirements for Telluride

  • TAF Membership paid and waiver completed
  • Pilots use the TAF club vehicles to access Gold Hill. No private vehicles are allowed.
  • Telluride is a high-altitude alpine mountain site, encounters with strong turbulence are common and to be expected.
  • Light and variable westerly winds are optimal for foot-launched aviation from Gold Hill.
  • USHPA membership minimum rating P4 or H4 with Restricted Landing Field, High Altitude, and Turbulence check-offs.
  • P3 and H3 flyers with multiple launches, landings, and soaring experience may be permitted to fly from TAF sites in stable or mild soaring conditions only with a daily, on-site briefing from a TAF guide pilot familiar with the pilot’s ability.
  • Join the Club:
    • Local pilots, Full Voting Membership $50/year
    • Visiting pilots, Non-Voting Membership $25/month
  • Print, and sign the flight waiver:  DOWNLOAD WAIVER HERE.
  • TAF guide pilot physical present for guest pilot flight activity required unless the pilot has had a club vote of approval for that pilot to perform solo flights.
  • Reserve parachute.
  • Radio that transmits 151.925 & cell phone.
  • Colorado Search and Rescue card. Purchase online or in town at Paragon Sports, Telluride Outside, Telluride Sports, and Jagged Edge Sports.
  • All Pilots must have a radio, cell phone, CO search and rescue card, valid TAF/Telski waiver, TAF/USHPA membership, and reserve parachute. InReach or Spot is recommended.
  • Landings within the ski resort boundary are STRICTLY PROHIBITED and incur an automatic suspension from the club.
  • When upper-level winds are out of the North (300o through 60o), even when light, landing in the valley can be extremely turbulent and treacherous, especially with evening flights.  These days should only be flown if planning to land before 10 am in the valley or by experienced XC pilots looking to fly XC.
  • Landings in the valley not recommended 12 pm-5 pm May-August
  • Only Gondola or TAF-owned vehicles to Ski area based Launches
  • No Commercial Flights unless pilots show proof of insurance and proof of site owner permission for Commercial flights to TAF (currently only Telluride Paragliding).
  • Speed and mini-wing (MW) flights have the same requirements as paragliders and hang gliders and the pilot must have a minimum M-1 rating.
  • All landings made at the below detailed LZs require TAF membership and adherence to TAF rules irrespective of whether the Launch is being made from a designated launch site or not (USFS).
  • International Pilots Special Information.

 

No-Fly Zones

All Ski Lifts, Ski resort structures, and the Gondola Line have a No Fly Zone that extends 175ft horizontally and 300ft above any such structure.  Under no circumstances shall a pilot fly into this no-fly zone.  In the event that a pilot needs to fly over any such structure or line and is able to do so with at least 300ft clearance, they must take the shortest route across this zone without turning/thermal circling until they are clear of the zone. The penalty for violating the Lifts No Fly Zone is a 3-month suspension of flying privileges for local pilots or one year for visiting pilots.

Milk Run Launch, Telluride Ski Area

  • P3/H3 with Guide Pilot or TAF Vote for Solo Launch
  • P2/H2 with an instructor on the radio (not under TAF but under PASA certified school Telluride Paragliding)
  • Morning Launch, suitable for HG, PG, or MW
  • Mini-Wings May be flown provided the pilot holds a minimum M1 Rating, in addition to a P3 rating
  • The danger of EXTREMELY TURBULENT (NOT LAUNCHABLE) west wind rotor mid-morning through the remainder of the day. The time that this comes in changes throughout the season but generally between 10 am and 11 am.
  • Required Glide to Designated LZ: 2.5.
  • Recommended Use Parameters:
    • Wind Direction 75-105 degrees (thermal cycles)
    • Wind Strength (MPH)
      • HG          0 min, 10 max gust, 8 ideal
      • PG/MW  0 min, 10 max gust, 5 ideal

Gold Hill East (morning) Launch, Telluride Ski Area

  • P3/H3 with Guide Pilot or TAF Vote for Solo Launch.
  • P2/H2 with an instructor on the radio (not under TAF but under PASA certified school Telluride Paragliding).
  • Morning Launch is suitable for HG, PG, or MW.
  • Mini-Wings May be flown provided the pilot holds a minimum M1 Rating, in addition to a P3 rating.
  • Steep, intimidating launch. Cycles are usually light and require a forward launch or aggressive reverse launch.
  • As the morning progresses the wind can switch between E and W cycles and see dust come down the ridge.
  • Required Glide to Designated LZ: 3.5.
  • Recommended Use Parameters:
    • Wind Direction 45-90 degrees
    • Upper-level winds: Below 15 at 12000ft Below 20 at 18,000ft
    • Wind Strength (MPH)
      • HG           0 min, 15 max gust, 10 ideal
      • PG/MW   0 min, 12 max gust, 5 ideal

Gold Hill West Launch, Telluride Ski Area 

  • P3/H3 with Guide Pilot or TAF Vote for Solo Launch.
  • Typically afternoon/evening Launch, suitable for HG, PG or MW. Occasionally flown as a midday/morning site by experienced (P4) XC pilots.
  • No Mini-Wings due to glide required to permit LZ.
  • Unable to see designated LZ’s from launch, basic soaring and or thermally skills required to clear ridge separating launch and LZ.
  • Friendly/smooth grassy launch.
  • Evening cycles are usually quite strong until almost dusk, strong reverse launch skills are usually required.
  • Required Glide to Designated LZ: 7.5 (to clear gondola station).
  • Recommended Use Parameters:
    • Wind Direction 45-90 degrees
    • Upper-level winds: Below 15 at 12000ft Below 20 at 18,000ft
    • Wind Strength (MPH)
      • HG            5 min, 25 max gust, 15 ideal
      • PG             5 min, 18 max gust, 10 ideal

Pearl Landing, Town of Telluride

  • Primary LZ for PG pilots.
  • North wind may create landing site rotors, avoid landing in the Pearl on N days.
  • Can be turbulent over condos/homes, best to set up upwind (west) over the valley in the afternoon and do aircraft approach.
  • Wet areas may be hidden by tall grass shown in orange.
  • Old fencing may be present along the western boundary.
  • Recommended Use Parameters:
    • 0-15 mph, typically 0-10 mph variable morning wind and 0 -15 mph west evening wind.

 Valley Floor Landing, Town of Telluride

  • Primary LZ for HG pilots.
  • North wind may create landing site rotors, avoid landing in the Valley on N days.
  • If forced to land in the valley and it is turbulent, the Valley Floor is by far the safest option with wide-open spaces. The further west (Eider Creek) the less turbulent it should be.
  • Old fencing may be present
  • Multiple powerlines, and poles present
  • Careful of prairie dog holes near the shell station
  • Valley Floor Landing areas are large with possible rotors from trees and power line hazards
  • Recommended Use Parameters:
    • 0-20 mph, typically 0-10 mph can be variable and very switchy mid-day.
    • 0 -15 mph west evening wind.

Town Park Landing, Town of Telluride

 

  • Primary LZ for Tandem PG.
  • Restricted LZ.
  • Multiple fixed and changing hazards of pedestrians, events, fencing, equipment, trees and buildings, and pond.
  • Check park the same day before landing in case of a festival or other sports – All other activities have right of way.
  • Wind can be variable and very switchy after 10 am with strong turbulence from trees and buildings.
  • North wind may create landing site rotors.
  • North wind may create landing site rotors, avoid landing in the Valley on N days.
  • Until 10 am-11 am typically landing into katabatic valley flow out of Bear Creek
  • Usually, very light-nill wind landing at high altitude. Only recommended for competent spot landing pilots.
  • Recommended Use Parameters:
    • 0-7 mph before westerly valley flow turns on.
    • If westerly valley flow has turned on best to avoid town park and land at the Pearl or Valley floor LZ’s.

TAF site rules and USHPA Risk Assessment of TAF site (2Mb): HERE.

TAF wishes you a happy landing.

Telluride Air Force  P.O. Box 3781,  Telluride, CO 81435 : info@tellurideairforce.org

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