ARIZONA HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION
MINGUS
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Overview
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​Mingus Mountain is located in the Prescott National Forest between Prescott Valley and Jerome and is the AZHPA's premier free flying site. We have (USHPA members only) camping at launch, a poured cement hang glider launch ramp and a paragliding launch area sitting at 7,818 ASL with approximately 4,300 feet vertical on top of an incredible high desert mountain range. After your friends and family watch you launch and head out for an amazing cross-country flight, potential in all directions, they can relax in the shade of the pine trees in the campground and/or visit the flat out, bad ass and amazing, historic town of Jerome and/or Sedona.
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Membership & Waivers: AZHPA membership/AZHPA &Phoenix Parks & Recreation liability waivers
Rating: H3/P3
Wind Speeds:
HG: Min = 6 mph, Ideal = 10 - 12 mph, Max = 20 mph
PG: Min = 5 mph, Ideal = 8-10 mph, Max = 15 mph
Gust Differential: 5 mph in 3 seconds
Flyable Wind Direction: Ok = SE, SW, Ideal = E
Location:
> Prescott National Forest between Prescott Valley and Jerome
> HG launch: 34.7024°, -112.1162°
> PG launch: 34.7029°, -112.1159°
> Designated LZ: 34.7217°, -112.0555°
Hazards
> Paraglider launch large & grassy but shallow slope and can have rotor in back area of launch as well as stronger winds above at wing level
> Give ample distance from radio towers far behind launch
> No ridge soaring or flying close to terrain permitted
> Go on glide early to ensure reaching LZ with sufficient altitude due to strong sink/conditions
> Dump LZ can be bushy certain times of year
Special Instructions
> See full "Know Before you Go" description on AZHPA website for airport info
> Cottonwood Airport (P52) sits below launch in the valley at 3,560 ft., and is a Class E, uncontrolled airport
> Pattern altitudes: HELICOPTER 4,050 MSL/500 AGL; SINGLE 4,350 MSL/800 AGL; MULTI 4,550 MSL/1,000 AGL; TURBINE 5050 MSL/1500 AGL
> Patterns for both runways keep traffic on the far (east) side of the runways (14 is left pattern and 32 is right pattern)
> If flying cross country to the east, please cross abeam of runway at no less than 6,550 MSL/3,000 AGL
> Cottonwood Airport, Prescott Regional, Love Field, Sedona Airport nearby
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Additional Info
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Site Frequency: 151.505 Mhz, DCS code 25: Please note you must turn your DCS on, set the code to 25, and make sure it is turned on for both transmit and receive prior to arrival. Programming instructions for most popular 2 meter radios can be found here.
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Emergencies: Follow the AZPHA General Emergency Action Plan and Mingus Emergency Action Plan.
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Latest REV: 2.8.23
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All pilots must be current members of the Arizona Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (AZHPA). Membership info here.
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All pilots must read and indicate consent to AZHPA/USHPA liability waiver (part of membership page).
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Mingus is considered a H3/P3 site, but in the right conditions and with proper guidance it is reasonable to fly as a competent H2/P2 pilot. However, all H2 and P2 pilots must have an H3/P3 or higher USHPA rated site sponsor, or local instructor, present while launching and flying. This sponsor shall be a qualified pilot that has experience flying that individual site. On-site briefings from a local, qualified pilot are a requirement.
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On-site briefing from a local, qualified pilot is a requirement.
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"HA" (High Altitude), "TUR" (Turbulence), and "CL" (cliff launch) special skills endorsements and familiarity are strongly recommended.
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Visiting pilots can obtain a visiting pilot pass here and show the registration confirmation as proof.
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All Mingus Mountain Forest Service and campground guidelines must be adhered to.
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Do not launch anywhere except for in the designated launching areas. (See images below.)
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Park only in designated parking areas.
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Do not hike or venture off designated trails..
NOTE: WE NOW HAVE PERMISSION AND A WARM WELCOME TO LAND AT THE COTTONWOOD AIRPORT. The recommended landing areas is the grassy strip on the west side of the runways, close to the north end of the airport so you can quickly get out of the way. Note that small aircraft are likely to be taking off and landing on the asphalt strips to the east. Be wary. The windsock for the airport is located towards the south, about in the middle of the runways.
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A current airspace map and understanding of it is critical for flying at Mingus Mountain. Cottonwood Airport (P52) sits below launch in the valley at 3,560 ft., and is a Class E, uncontrolled airport with pattern altitudes as follows: HELICOPTER 4,050 MSL/500 AGL; SINGLE 4,350 MSL/800 AGL; MULTI 4,550 MSL/1,000 AGL; TURBINE 5050 MSL/1500 AGL. Patterns for both runways keep traffic on the far (east) side of the runways (14 is left pattern and 32 is right pattern). If flying cross country to the east, please cross abeam of runway at no less than 6,550 MSL/3,000 AGL, see and avoid. If you have an airband radio, traffic is called on the CTAF, 122.7 MHz. WX at 119.925 MHz. Current airport weather conditions, (including wind) here.
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If planning on flying away from Park terrain to areas other than designated LZ’s, previous XC experience and a current airspace map is required.
Cottonwood Airport (P52) Airspace Chart (SkyVector.com)
Prescott Regional (PRC), Love Field (SkyVector. com)
Sedona Airport (SEZ) (SkyVector.com)
High altitude, high desert thermal site flying. Light surface winds are favorable. Must be flown as a thermal site. No ridge soaring or flying close to terrain is permitted. Launching early is common as launch window can close without much notice. Overdevelopment is common and frequently happens very quickly. A thorough understanding of weather forecasting for high mountain flying is required. Occasional lee-side site. Strong thermals, deep boundary layers and cooling aloft often produces good flying conditions that can quickly turn to overdevelopment and unsafe conditions. There are also periods of dry, high pressure desert conditions within the same day in general and surrounding flying areas. Cross country potential abounds. Oxygen is required when flying in thermal conditions when TOL is forecasted above 10,500 ASL.
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Location: Sitting just above the historic town of Jerome in the Prescott National Forest.
Usage: Hang Gliding and Paragliding.
Season: May through October. Subject to Forest Service Closure early Spring to late Fall (In the high desert). Contact AZHPA to ensure gate is open off season.
Affiliation: Arizona Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. USHPA RRRG insured site.
Land ownership: Launch: Prescott Nation Forest. LZ: Private.
Other use: Open to the public for sightseeing, horseback riding, hiking, bicycling and more. Can be considerably crowded during special events.
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Driving directions: Take state route 89A either north from Prescott Valley or south from Jerome to top of mountain. Follow exit to Mingus Recreational Area where a packed-dirt road begins. Follow dirt road past meadow, small lake, church camp and campground. Take a left at the campground to go to launch.
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Road conditions: Dirt road off 89A is two wheel drive friendly when 20 mph speed limit is respected. Current forest service alerts and notices can be found here.
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Parking: Designated parking for up to 15 vehicles, with more at campground.
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Facilities: AZHPA-maintained restroom.​​
Hang Glider Launch
Orientation: East
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Type: Poured concrete.
GPS Coordinates: 34.7024°, -112.1162° Google Maps
Winds: 5-20 mph with peak gust differential of 4 mph in three seconds.
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Paraglider Launch
Orientation: East
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Type: Cleared grassy area.
GPS Coordinates: 34.7029°, -112.1159° Google Maps
Winds: 5-15 mph with peak gust differential of 4 mph in 3 seconds.
Set-up Areas: HG set up area is area West of HG Launch. PG set up area is area West of PG Launch and South of PG launch.
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Hazards: Paraglider launch is large and grassy but has shallow slope and can have rotor in back area of launch as well as stronger winds above pilot at wing level. Stay well within your limitations. A strong launch with sufficient skills is required. When flying, give ample distance from radio towers far behind launch. Sufficient altitude is needed when flying behind launch/mountain ridge due to strong conditions and unexpected sink. No ridge soaring or flying close to terrain is permitted.
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Expect strong high-altitude, high desert conditions that change rapidly. Go on glide early to ensure reaching LZ with sufficient altitude due to strong sink/conditions. Dump LZ can be bushy certain times of year with trip hazards and has potential for lift and sink when on landing approach. Get directly above LZ with sufficient altitude for best final approach pattern. Clear LZ and break gliders down immediately.
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PG Launch:With the wing lying in the wind shadow on launch, an aggressive move is required to inflate it. When it bites into the cycle, you have very little time to determine whether to run under the wing to depower it or turn and drive it off. So, it’s a good idea to mentally prepare for both situations. In any case, once you turn, you must drive it off with authority and speed.
With a flat-slope launch terminating in a cliff, the air at wing level is often rather turbulent and switchy, even during a good launch cycle. A slow, hesitant launch is a dangerous move here and can easily result in being pushed left or right into the trees. And, if you are not flying when you are ten yards from the edge, it’s best to kill the wing and sit down. There is nothing good on the other side of that cliff, and many nasty injuries have been incurred by pilots who were not flying when they reached the cliff but chose to continue with the launch attempt.
There are many wind indicators below the cliff. You can’t see any of them from launch. It’s best to position someone (conscript and train a bystander if necessary) at the edge of the cliff to relay the state of the indicators to you. Launch into a cycle that is solid from the bottom indicator all the way to the edge, while ensuring that the windsocks in the trees above launch show favorable winds. It is not uncommon to have great cycles rolling up the face while the wind above launch is blowing over the back, and this is not a recipe for a safe, successful launch.​
Type: High Desert High Altitude Thermal type flying conditions. It is a rare treat to have consistent ridge soaring conditions at Mingus. When we do it is always at the end of the day when rare end of day East winds prevail. Stay clear of terrain and avoid "scratching" at all times. Conditions can change rapidly in the desert. Please be an active pilot. Clear LZ immediately. Dust devils are common here in the high desert and they show up with no notice or invitation. Pack up immediately.​
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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 high mountain, high desert weather forecasting and local on-site briefing is required. Desert heat is oppressive 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. High desert terrain and weather are extremely unforgiving. Give yourself an extra margin for error due to the terrain and weather conditions. Oxygen is required when thermal flying when forecast exceeds 10,500 ASL.
All pilots must read the General Site Guidelines prior to arrival.
Restrictions: All Forest Service rules must be adhered to. Stay on designated trails. Park in designated parking areas only. Adhere to Cottonwood airport airspace requirements.
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.
NOTE: WE NOW HAVE PERMISSION AND A WARM WELCOME TO LAND AT THE COTTONWOOD AIRPORT. The recommended landing areas is the grassy strip on the west side of the runways, close to the north end of the airport so you can quickly get out of the way. Note that small aircraft are likely to be taking off and landing on the asphalt strips to the east. Be wary. The windsock for the airport is located towards the south, about in the middle of the runways.
If you are not going to make the airport to land, then we have a Bailout, or Dump LZ.
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GPS Coordinates: 34.7217°, -112.0555° Google Maps
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Elevation: 3,800', 1,158m
Dump LZ: Straight in front of launch, just before the houses, visible from launch as an obvious small, circular, bare clearing in desert.
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Directions: Drive to Cottonwood airport, stay on pavement past airport, go past cattle guard where road turns to dirt. Continue another two-thirds of a mile to LZ entrance on right.
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Wind Sock: A white vinyl wind ribbon on a metal pole is located on the eastern edge of the LZ.
Conditions: Paved roads in residential area leading to 2WD dirt road to 20 yards from LZ area.
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Hazards: Bushes are trip hazards certain times of year. Appropriate approach pattern is required.
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Restrictions: Stay on designated trails. Clear LZ and break down gliders immediately.
​Note: Pilots must familiarize themselves with this information before arriving, and this information does not replace the need for an in-person site briefing from a qualified, local pilot or instructor familiar with the area and experienced in flying the site​