Mission Peak

Park Information

• Mission Peak Regional Preserve is open year-round from 6am-10pm
• The Stanford Avenue Staging Area parking lot is small and is frequently full, even on weekdays; carpooling is encouraged.
• Limited street parking is available on Vineyard Ave on weekends and holidays. Observe the posted No Parking signs and hours/days of enforcement.
• Plan to arrive at Mission early in order to account for time to find a parking spot
• The hike to launch can take about 45 minutes to an hour and a half, pace depending
• The drive to launch takes about 25 minutes
• Cattle may be present in the site—do not approach and give them space

Club Rules

• Current USHPA and WOR (full or visiting) membership
• Follow all park rules and regulations
• Follow all FAR part 103 operating requirements
• Fly with a helmet and an emergency parachute
• Meet all rating requirements
• Launch only from a designated launch
• Land only in a designated LZ unless top landing
• Call 911 in case of an emergency
• No commercial activity
• Report any accidents, incidents or concerns using this form
• It is recommended to fly with a cell phone, radio and satellite tracker

Site Requirements

• Pilots must sign the Mission Peak Waiver
• Pilots must sign-in before flying
• H3/P3s must fly under sponsorship supervision
• H4/P4s must receive a site intro from a pilot who has significant experience flying at Mission
• A maximum of 25 gliders are allowed at the launch area at any time
• A maximum of 45 gliders are allowed on site (within the launch area, landing area, or in process of travel between the launch area and landing area) at any one time

Airspace

• Maximum altitude over Mission is 6000′
• Nearby airways have minimum altitudes of 4000′ & 8000′
• Significant general aviation and helicopter traffic—pilots must see-and-avoid and follow FAR 103 yielding rules
• It is recommended to fly with an instrument that displays airspace info

Launch

Winds: NW-SW

HG: 0-25mph, ideal 15mph

PG:0-20mph, ideal 8mph

Glide ratio: 4:1

• Paragliders are encouraged to launch lower down the hill in strong winds

Landing Zone

• Large, flat, obstacle-free; usable for all launches
• Frequent hikers in the vicinity of the LZ
• Wind varies—common direction is NW
• Be cautious of rotor behind trees when wind is south
• Uneven terrain in the LZ which slopes down toward the parking lot past the LZ
• Obstacles (trees) on the approach end of the LZ
• LZ is a thermal trigger and dust devils along the trail are common, especially in summer

Top Landing

• Allowed at launch if the launch area is clear

Packing

• Clear the “preferred” LZ area immediately after landing to make room for other pilots
• Paragliders usual pack up area is between the hiking trails to avoid foxtails and star thistles
• Hang gliders normally carry their assembled gliders to the gate and break down near the gate, before loading gliders to cars in the parking lot

Sponsored Site Intros for P3/H3 Pilots

In addition to meeting the requirements outlined in the Site Procedures, H3/P3 pilots must meet the following requirements to fly at Mission:

• Pilots must possess basic thermal and mountain flying skills, be proficient in flying in active conditions, and be able to land in restricted areas before being sponsored to fly at Mission
• Pilots must describe their thermal and mountain flying experience to their sponsor before flying at Mission
• As a guideline, pilots should have flown a minimum of 4 mountain flights from launches over 2800′ MSL, each over 20 minutes duration in thermal lift per flight, before flying at Mission
• Pilots must complete at least three flights under the supervision of a member of the Mission Peak Site Introduction Team on the same wing type. At least one flight must be sustained under thermic conditions.
• The sponsored flight only counts when conducted safely and in compliance with site procedures, including a safe controlled launch and landing in the designated landing zone.
• The sponsor determines whether a flight meets these requirements and may require fewer or additional supervised flights based on the pilot’s skill and experience.
• H3 pilots must have completed their H4 spot landing requirements.

Pilots can request an introduction from approved sponsors by:

• Joining the Mission site introduction Telegram group (best way)
• PG: email missionpgintro@wingsofrogallo.org
• HG: email missionhgintro@wingsofrogallo.org

When requesting sponsorship:

• Try to request an introduction at least 24h before flying so sponsors can coordinate plans. Last-minute requests are at the sponsor’s discretion.
• Sponsored pilots must be fully prepared with knowledge of the site procedures and may be asked questions about them.

Site Intro Team for H3s/P3s

You must be on the Mission Site Intro Team to sponsor H3/P3 pilots

• Before sponsoring pilots, shadow at least one intro by another team member of the same wing type
• Brief pilots on all topics from this site procedures page
• Sponsors are limited to sponsoring up to four pilots at a time
• When a pilot completes their final sponsored flight, post to the Mission Site Intro Committee Telegram group so an admin can update their electronic membership card
• Report concerns to missionchair@wingsofrogallo.org

Privileges may be revoked for failure to meet responsibilities.

Weather Information

• Mission is often flyable from March to mid-September
• The typical daily weather pattern under benign conditions is light and variable in the morning, thermic mid-day, and a stable sea breeze by mid-to-late afternoon, producing a mixture of ridge and thermal lift
• During Summer there is typically an inversion providing limited top of lift and creating turbulence at the top of the boundary layer

Vehicle Access

Gate Locks

• You must be a key holder to unlock the gate and use the back road to launch. The application is available here
• Locks must be closed immediately after passing

Vehicle Rules

• A key holder may use the road only in their approved and registered vehicle
• Gate keys must be signed out on the electronic sign-in page
• 4×4 or AWD
• Carry fire abatement equipment (shovel and fire extinguisher)
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance
• Carpool when possible
• Obey posted speed limits and yield to hikers
• No overnight parking
• No more than 20 Licensee vehicles in the Stanford Avenue Staging Area at one time
• No more than 19 vehicle round trips to launch per day
• No more than 10 Licensee vehicles inside the park at one time

Road Conditions

• The back road to launch will close for five days after a heavy rain and three days after a light rain.