Mt. St. Helena

Park Information

• Mt. St. Helena is located inside Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, which is operated by The Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District

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 designed 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

• Leave message to inform park rangers at (707)942-4575 at least 24 hours before going up the mountain
• Request gate code from site chair AFTER having informed rangers
• Use is limited to four vehicles and 12 pilots at a time
• All streamers, windsocks etc. must be removed at the end of each day
• There are few safe places to land on the way out to the LZ, so don’t get low on the mountain
• Speed wings are not allowed

Launch

Middle Spine Launch is at 3,800′

Winds: NW-SW

HG & PG: 0-14mph, ideal 6mph, gust 5 mph

Glide ratio: 6:1

Landing Zone (LZ)

• Large field in Knights Valley, privately owned
• We are VERY lucky to be able to use this field – everywhere else is vineyards
• Gate is usually locked – do NOT climb OVER gates or fences
• Conditions are usually light winds out of the W or NW
• Spring winds can sometimes be strong and turbulent, especially on the ground
• Watch out for wires and turbulence from trees.

Weather Information

• In summer the marine airmass from the south  usually dominates, so soaring conditions are poor
• Best times are spring and sometimes in the fall
• 5,000 – 6,000 ft MSL is typical over the mountain, 7000’+ is good
• Thermals can be rough over the big rocks at the North Peak
• Early in the year, the valley and LZ can be very good and smoother than the top

Vehicle Access

• There is a locked gate on the road to launch – request code from site chairs after informing rangers of planned flight
• Drivers must exercise extreme caution while driving on park roads due to hikers. Do not exceed 15 mph and go slow when passing hikers. Drive so as to create a minimum of dust. We want no complaints about this
• Vehicles must stay on designated roads. They are not allowed on the road to the North Peak
• Drivers must ensure that the gate is locked when leaving the park