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Location:

East of Sonoita on the southern face of the Whetstone Mountains.

Season:

Year-round.

Conditions:

With a shallow, flat-slope launch, this HG site requires strong SW winds.

Hazards:

  • Launch and LZ are dotted with natural hazards in the form of cactus and desert vegetation, and should be flown only by very experienced local pilots.
  • Dehydration and heat exhaustion are a real hazard during hot weather. Bring plenty of water.
  • Desert flying is hazardous in hot weather. Inexperienced pilots should limit flights to evenings under the guidance of a local pilot. DO NOT attempt to fly this site for the first time without a local guide!
  • Rain or virga in the desert produces gust fronts and microbursts. Watch for overdevelopment or lines of moving dust.
  • Desert vegetation has teeth and eats the wings of the unwary or careless.
  • Rattlesnakes may be present during spring, summer, and early fall.

Ratings / Requirements:

H4.  SAHGA and USHPA membership required.

Radio:

SAHGA club frequency is 151.925 (USHGA Ch. 2)

Launch:

A short hike up from the parking area.

Launch Direction:

Visitors please see the listed site contacts for information.

Launch Access:

Very rough 4WD dirt road that passes through several gates.

LZ:

Small, constrained field with desert vegetation.

LZ Directions:

Visitors please see the listed site contacts for information.

LZ Access:

Very rough 4WD dirt road.

LZ Parking:

Along road near LZ.

Facilities:

None.

Emergency:

All pilots planning to fly this site must access and review the Whetstone Mountains Emergency Action Plan.  They must make a copy of the plan so that it can be easily consulted in the event of an emergency.  They must also execute the pre-expedition and on-site-arrival checklists contained in the EAP.  
When calling 911 in the event of an emergency, be prepared to give the operator the lat/long coordinates of the emergency scene and also expect to be asked what county the emergency scene is in.  Quite often it will be the county sheriff who will direct rescue operations.
911.  County Sheriff's Department.