If you have not already, start by reviewing Requirements to Fly.

Any pilot (visiting or local) who is not approved to self-guide for a particular launch or landing zone (for more info read intro on our Guide Pilots page) must be accompanied in person at launch by a Guide Pilot who has the authority to approve or deny the guided pilot’s launch and landing zone plans based on skills determination and current conditions. 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.

• All flights should be with 2M FM radio with receive and transit capability tuned to frequency: 151.925.
• Access to Telluride Ski Resort (TelSki) launches are subject to Seasonal Access rules.
• High desert conditions.  Thermals can be very strong (2000fpm mid-day mid-summer).
• High alpine mountain launch sites – dry air can mean small turbulent thermals.  The high altitude means takeoffs and landings are at much higher speeds than they would be at sea level.
• Hazards of a ski area flying site – buildings, lift towers, lift cables.
• Weather can rapidly change, especially mid-late morning with changes from blue sky to serious over-development in under an hour.
• Mini-wing use notes: recommend to only fly early morning and late evening.  Not recommended in thermic conditions.
• Landings within the TelSki 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 10am in the valley or by experienced XC pilots looking to fly XC.
• Landings in the valley are not recommended 12 pm-5 pm May-August.
• Access to TelSki launches only by hiking, gondola, ski lift, or TAF-owned vehicles.  See Seasonal Access details below.
• No commercial flights unless pilots show to a member of the TAF board proof of commercial insurance and proof of permission from Telluride Ski and Golf for commercial flights (currently only Telluride Paragliding meets these requirements).
• 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 listed Town of Telluride-owned LZs require TAF membership and adherence to all Requirements to Fly irrespective of whether the launch is being made from a TelSki launch site or not (e.g. hike and fly from USFS/BLM land).
• Federal Aviation Administration regulations state it is illegal to fly above 17,999 feet ASL.

• Milk Run launch 37.932409°N latitude, -107.831924°W longitude

• P3/H3 with Guide Pilot or approval of 3 Guide Pilots to self-guide.

• P2/H2 with an instructor on the radio (not under TAF but under PASA-certified school Telluride Paragliding), or only if full-time local known to Guide Pilots or visitor with extensive experience flying with approving TAF Guide Pilot at another site.

• Morning launch, suitable for HG, PG or MW.

• Mini-Wings may be flown provided the pilot holds a minimum M1 Rating, in addition to P3 rating.
  • Mini-Wing use notes: Recommend to only fly early morning and late evening.  Not recommended in thermic conditions.

• Danger of TURBULENT LEE SIDE CONDITIONS (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 10am and 11am.

• Required Glide to Designated LZ: 2.5

• Beware of hazards of a ski area flying site – buildings, lift towers, lift cables.

• High altitude launch (10,500ft) requires much faster launch speeds, very important when considering a low wind launch.

• High alpine mountain launch site with high desert conditions:
  • Dry air can mean small turbulent thermals.
  • Thermals can be very strong (2000fpm mid-day, mid-summer).
  • The high altitude means takeoffs and landings are at much higher speeds than they would be at sea level.
  • Weather can rapidly change, especially mid-late morning with changes from blue sky to serious OD in under an hour.

• Recommended Use Parameters:

• • Wind Direction 75-105 degrees (thermal cycles)

• • Wind Strength (MPH)

• • • HG 0 min, 8 ideal, 10 max, 10 gust factor

• • • PG/MW 0 min, 5 ideal, 10 max, 5 gust factor

• Lookout launch 37.925673°N latitude, -107.828703°W longitude

• P3/H3 with Guide Pilot or approval of 3 Guide Pilots to self-guide.

• P2/H2 with an instructor on the radio (not under TAF but under PASA-certified school Telluride Paragliding), or only if full-time local known to Guide Pilots or visitor with extensive experience flying with approving TAF Guide Pilot at another site.

• Morning launch, suitable for HG, PG, or MW.

• Mini-Wings may be flown provided the pilot holds a minimum M1 Rating, in addition to P3 rating.
  • Mini-Wing use notes: Recommend to only fly early morning and late evening.  Not recommended in thermic conditions.

• Danger of TURBULENT LEE SIDE CONDITIONS (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 10:00am and 11:00am.

• Required Glide to Designated LZ: 2.5

• Beware of hazards of a ski area flying site – buildings, lift towers, lift cables.

• High altitude launch (11,000ft) requires much faster launch speeds, very important when considering a low wind launch.

• High alpine mountain launch site with high desert conditions:
  • Dry air can mean small turbulent thermals.
  • Thermals can be very strong (2000fpm mid-day, mid-summer).
  • The high altitude means takeoffs and landings are at much higher speeds than they would be at sea level.
  • Weather can rapidly change, especially mid-late morning with changes from blue sky to serious OD in under an hour.

• Recommended Use Parameters:

• • Wind Direction 75-105 degrees (thermal cycles)

• • Wind Strength (MPH)