Orientation: Faces 225 degrees at 2,132' MSL. (650m)

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Type: Natural landscape. Cleared area.

GPS Coordinates: 33.5940°, -112.0869°, Google Maps

Winds: This is not a light wind flying site. It is primarily flown later in the day for ridge soaring and glass-off flying. If planning to thermal fly at Shaw Butte, a comprehensive understanding and sufficient experience launching and flying thermal sites in demanding environments and a current airspace map is required. SW, WSW 7-15 mph. Unsafe with winds below 7 mph or above 15 mph. Gust differential should be less than 3 mph in 3 seconds.

Driving Directions: Meet with other pilots at LZ (see below). From Black Canyon Freeway (I-17), take Peoria exit East. Follow to end at 7th Ave., take left and follow to trail head parking area.

 

Hiking Directions: From the LZ parking lot, take trail 306 to Shaw Butte Trail to the top. From Central Avenue Shaw Butte Trailhead Parking lot: Take Shaw Butte Trail to the top. Hike will take 25-45 minutes depending on your physical condition.

Road Conditions: High clearnace, 4WD only; steep, winding and very rough in spots. Vehicles must give right-of-way to hikers and drive extrememly slow so not to kick up dust and or rocks. Hiking is strongly encouraged.

Parking: Parking area on top. Parking lots at trailheads.

Facilities: None.

Set-up Area: Adjacent to fenced comm tower is a flat, clear area for set up. Paragliders should do their set up and line checks here rather than on the very small launch.

Hazards: Having strong ground handling skills and feel for glider are required to launch Shaw Butte. Caution as lines laid out over existing rocks can cause line snags and breakage. Radio towers and power lines behind launch. Cliff type launch. Rocky areas are predominant. Power lines to the south of launch have orange ball markers and must be flown over to make LZ. Desert type environment and conditions.

Due to the common occurrence of thermals joining as they ascend, sink can be minimal on many days so it is best practice to exit thermals at 5,300 ASL to make sure you have sufficient time to implement proper descent techniques and stay out of restricted airspace. Conditions can change rapidly in the desert. Please be an active pilot. Always have extra altitude for final glide/approach to landing zone. Clear LZ immediately. Dust devils are year-round here and they show up with no notice or invitation. Pack up immediately.

Desert terrain and weather are extremely unforgiving on unprepared pilots, outdated equipment and pilots not giving extra margin of safety within their operating limitations. Adequate preparation, a sufficient understanding of desert weather forecasting and a local on-site briefing is required. Desert heat is oppressive (100°-115° F) May through September. Dehydration is a real possibility, and those not used to hiking in these conditions can succumb to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Give yourself an extra margin for error due to the terrain and weather conditions.

All pilots must read the General Site Guidelines prior to arrival.

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Flying

Type: Desert ridge soaring and thermal conditions. Dust devils are year round. Typical high pressure days feature blue (sharp edged) thermals. Stay clear of terrain and avoid "scratching"/flying close to terrain at all time.

 

Restrictions: Heavily-used airspace with three nearby airports, including Sky Harbor. 6,000' MSL limit over the Butte. KDVT and KSDL controlled Class D airports to the North and NE. Please refer to the “Know Before You Go” section and airspace graphic and chart links provided on this page.

 

Special Note on Thermal Flying:

Thermal conditions create a demand for pilots to not only have solid ground handling skills with a connected feel to their glider, but also a thorough understanding of how the local weather conditions play into the forecast models in order to be sufficiently prepared for a short launch window that demands certain launch techniques. Proficiency in high-wind-with-gusts kiting, no-wind forwards and light-wind dynamic reverse launches on shallow slopes are crucial for many of our sites and conditions.

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Please be aware that strength of conditions will determine if it is better to a.) launch between the thermal cycle, when speeds are zero or light, to then fly away into the next thermal approaching the hill with ample clearance from the terrain, or b.) pull glider up and launch glider directly into the thermal cycle blowing into launch.

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Many times launching during a zero- or light-wind cycle between the stronger thermals is not only a safer window, but a better plan to capitalize on the launch cycles as well as the flight plan.

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It was common to see many pilots "waiting for the wind" (which is the thermal) to cycle through launch because they are not comfortable and/or proficient with forward and light wind launch techniques, only to experience a stronger cycle than anticipated once their glider was overhead.

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Pilots most accustomed to launching in prevailing winds, onshore winds and lighter thermal ridge lift need local, and perhaps local professional, expertise and guidance to gain the needed insight to fly our sites safely.

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Designated Landing Zones