Blue Springs Site Guide

Revision: 2023-02-23

DESCRIPTION

YOU MUST BE A USHPA AND SSA MEMBER TO FLY THIS SITE.

Blue Springs is a remote hike and fly site. Launch (34.43807, -106.50029) is accessed through hiking only. The site is mostly used for ridge soaring flights, but can also be very thermic during the day. 

The site does not feature unusual flying risks. The launch is nicely angled and clear of obstacles. The landing area is large spaces between bushes. Pilots should pay attention to low-level turbulence from terrain and bushes on landing. As for all New Mexico sites, thermal conditions can get very active during the spring and summer. Pilots flying the site should make sure they understand that aspect of New Mexico weather. 

Blue Springs is a USHPA-insured site. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Season: year-round, summer is often too active in day, so flights are morning and evening.

• Rating Required: P2/H2/M1

• Best Wind Directions:  WNW - WSW

• Best Wind Strengths (mph):

• H2:  Range:  0-25, Ideal: 17, Gusts: 7 max

• P2:  Range:  0-18,  Ideal: 10, Gusts: 5 max

• M1:  Range:  0-25, Ideal: 15, Gusts: 7 max

• Site Type: Thermic, Ridge Soaring

• Site Approach: Hike n' Fly

• Access: Private land, accessed by dirt road and pipeline right-of-way.

• Launch: 6200ft (1,890 m), West-facing, rocky grass slope on rim. 400ft above LZ

• LZ: 5800ft (1,768 m), Preferred near the Parking/access, but anywhere directly in front of Launch can work -- see green area in photo. (too far west and ground is undulating, and not clean --see pink area in photo)

• Instruction: Allowed but instructors must comply with USHPA rules for instruction at USHPA- insured sites and notify SSA officers of their activities annually.

• Radio info: 151.925

• Hazards: No special hazards, some venturi effect on north side, and south side, depending on speed.

Tandem Flights

• Must comply with with the Federal Aviation Administration Tandem exemption #4721 and the additional requirements specified in the USHPA SOP 12-12 Tandem program (Full USHPA SOP).  

  • Tandem pilot and passengers must posses current SSA and USHPA memberships.

  • T1 rated pilot must have a P2 or higher rated passenger

  • T3 rated pilot (Instructor) can fly with P0 (student) or higher rated pilot passenger.

• Commercial Tandems must apply for and hold a separate permits with the site stakeholders.

  • • Landing and Launch Areas:  NEW MEXICO LAND COMPANY, L.L.C.

Location

About one hour south of Albuquerque, NM or 10 miles SE of Belen, NM.

Driving Directions:  Take an unnamed road off US-60. There is a dirt two-track going up towards the gas canalizations and the ridge at (34.44002, -106.51913). At this point a high clearance 4WD vehicle is required. Landing and parking area is at (34.43353, -106.50708). Easy hike to launch (475 ft vertical, 1.4 mi) is up the gas canalization path, then across the ridge. 

Google Map below:  Red Pin is Primary Parking and LZ