Sandia Site Guide

Sandia is the premier flying site in New Mexico. It is a high altitude, Tram, hike and road-accessed site that is home to numerous 100 mile flights and has been the site of the HG World Championships. Evening glass offs while surfing the massive granite walls is a truly amazing experience. The ridges and pinnacles of the mountain’s west side create technical airflows that require forethought of meteo winds, escape routes, and awareness of details like cables, venturi, ground speed, etc.

Based on the complexity and difficulty of the launches, combined with the dry, booming, desert thermals this is not a casual flying site. Our 10,600 ft mountain is a rock that sticks up 5,000 ft in the middle of high desert. Wind, changing weather conditions, massive overdevelopment, and eye popping climbs are not out of the ordinary.

Located atop a giant rugged bowl of cliffs, new pilots can appreciate the importance of working the ridge then going out front as soon as nothing is found. This site, exemplifies New Mexican Flying, with evening glass offs, morning glides, and mid-day 'big air' flying for inland experts, occurring year round here. Many west side short XC options exist. Fast and rough climbs are common, and high altitude winds create some solid hang gliding only days. Thermals and currents directly above the mountain can be extra rough, visitors often find better and cleaner conditions off the front of the range. XC pilots get high and get off the mountain quickly because of this.

No need to fly the deep line here to find thermals.

The New Mexico foot-launch HG and PG records were flown from this site.

SITE LAYOUT

Sandia Overview

Sandia Mountain View from NW

Sandia View from South

Sandia Mountain View of Tram System near Peak Launch

GENERAL INFORMATION

Current USHPA AND SSA Membership required (Annual or Visiting).

Location

- Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque, NM
- There are two launches (Peak & Crest) detailed in the LAUNCHING section below.
  - Sandia Peak (35.196576, -106.434662, 10275 ft)
  - Sandia Crest (35.21342, -106.45026, 10600 ft)
- There is one primary LZ (Big Sky), one secondary LZ (Balloon Fiesta Park) and one bailout LZ (Ellena Gallegos) detailed in the LANDINGS section below.
  - Big Sky (35.18265, -106.51897, 5800 ft)
  - Balloon Fiesta Park (35.19650, -106.59695, 5055 ft)
  - Ellena Gallegos (35.166542, -106.473862, 6400 ft)

Visiting Pilots

- must have a valid SSA Visiting Membership (which requires a USHPA membership)
  - *** INTERNATIONAL PILOTS: See the SSA Membership page with info for international pilots.

If you do not have an annual USHPA Pilot membership with rating/Special Skills of P4/CL, FL, TUR, HA or H4/CL, FL, TUR, HA, RLF, then you will need the following to fly the peak:

- - - USHPA Student/Affiliate 10-day Membership obtained from a USHPA Instructor (SSA can not issue these).
    - Home country rating card plus your IPPI card
    - IPPI Rating of: SafePro Para 5 (PG) or Delta 5 (HG)
    - 100 logged mountain hours
- must have a site briefing and orientation flight with a "SSA Peak Pilot" (Full SSA Member with a P4/H4 rating on the Green List here: Peak Pilot List). First time pilots will be given a site introduction to include Tram protocols (if taking the tram up), launch, landing and flying hazards. This is not a guided flight and the pilot must make their own decisions to launch, land and where and when to fly.
- if accessing the Peak launch via the tram for the first time, you need to already be on the Yellow List here: Peak Pilot List. To be on this list you must already have purchased your SSA Visiting Membership, signed our chapter waiver and had your USHPA rating/required special skills verified by the club and set up an orientation flight with an SSA Peak Pilot prior to arriving at the tram. The Tram ticket counter does NOT help or participate in this process. They only interact with arriving SSA Peak Pilots that are orienting you. They ensure that you are on the yellow list, ask that you show proof of a current USHPA P4/H4 membership, have purchased a Tram Flight from the Sandia Peak Tramway and that pilots sign the SSA flight log book and that the Tram's own waiver is on file (which you do at that time).
  - *** PLEASE NOTE: Filling out the Tram's waiver takes some time. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled meet up with your orienting pilot so you can take care of this before they get there. Go to the guest services counter upstairs and explain that you need to fill out their waiver. You must get two people to witness you signing their waiver. If you don't have two buddies with you, there are generally plenty of willing tourists in the tram station that will sign if you ask nicely :o)

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.
- - Sandia Peak and Crest Launches: Forest Service (Sandia Ranger District) and the Sandia Peak Tramway (if utilizing the Tram to get to the peak launch).
  - Big Sky LZ: Albuquerque Metro Arroyo & Flood Control
  - Baloon Park LZ: City of Albuquerque, Parks and Recreation Department, and send copy to Risk Manager's office (PO Box 470)
  - Ellana Geigos Bailout LZ: Albuquerque Open Space Division, Parks and Rec Dept.
Minimum Ratings: H4 / P4 and the CL, FL, TUR and HA special skills. HGs also need RLF. See Sandia Peak Required Ratings and Special Skills.pdf
Mountain Flying Experience: A must have.
Mini Wings: Currently not allowed but being evaluated for this site.
USHPA recommended operating limitations: Always fly within them for your rating as specified in the USHPA Pilot Proficiency System.
Best conditions: 5-10 mph SSW, SW, W
Best time(s) of day to fly: Afternoon through evening glass off. Mid Day Flying can be turbulent and requires advanced piloting skills.
Most flyable season(s): Fall is the classically good season. Winter can be flyable but snow and ice may prevent safe launching and most days are northerly in Winter. The Biggest XC days come in Spring and Early Summer but flying can be very strong, turbulent and windy. Summer is prone to OD because of the Monsoon Season. Very few days are flyable July- Mid August.
Radios: All pilots are required to fly with a functioning radio tuned to 151.505 MHz in order to monitor for any need to clear airspace.
Flight schools or instructors: May not have a physical business presence or set-up a concession operation on site. Site access has been granted for casual recreational use only.
Other use: Sightseers, hikers
Maintenance: Completed through SSA, While on launch, if something appears amiss, please contact the SSA at sandiasoaring@gmail.com or +1-505-750-0474.
Land ownership: Launches are owned by U.S. Forest Service. LZs are City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County and Albuquerque Metro Arroyo & Flood Control.
Emergency: 911, Albuquerque services are many, SAR has active response system here. Personal Emergency Locator (InReach, Spot, etc) recommended.

LAUNCHING

Visiting Pilots: See Visiting Pilots info in the GENERAL INFORMATION section above.

Sandia Peak Launch

Sandia Peak launch was recently renovated and is one of the best sites in the state. The surface of the launch is smooth and free of snags. There is room for multiple gliders to set up and prepare in the back but launching one at a time is recommended.

All normal launch techniques will work, but pilots should be aware that the launch is at 10,300 ft in the desert. Our launch is just above a cliff face and it is possible that the wind you feel standing on launch is considerably lighter than the wind 10-15ft over your head. Use the tall trees to your north as guide for winds overhead.

Access: Sandia Peak Launch (35.196576, -106.434662, 10275 ft) is accessed via the Sandia Peak Tramway or hiking in from the Ellis Trailhead (35.209017, -106.441065) on Highway 536. Pilots must purchase a Tram ticket, sign in, show proof of a current USHPA P4/H4 membership, and be on the current SSA roster for full or temporary membership.

PG backpacks on Tram: A single backpack for everything can be taken on the tram with the pilot and other passengers in the main tramcar. No rosette bags are permitted - keep bags clean, compact, and out of the way of other passengers.

HGs on Tram: should plan more time at the Tram base, since they need to get put on top of the tram car prior to boarding. SSA and the Tram ask pilots to be courteous and helpful with the glider loading/unloading process. Expect it to take extra time for HGs, and be there over an hour prior to your desired launch time.

Best Wind Direction: SW - W. West winds can make for great flying but be aware of rotor coming off the Tower 2 ridge. In NW and North expect SEVERE turbulence and rotor.

Best Wind Strengths (mph):

H4: Range: 0-25, Ideal: 10, Gusts: 7 max
P4: Range: 5-15, Ideal: 8, Gusts: 5 max

To Primary LZ (Big Sky):

Distance: 3.1 Miles
Minimum Glide: 4.2

CAUTION: Do not turn left into the tram cables when launching and never get closer than 300' above or to the sides!

Sandia Crest Launch

Sandia Crest is mostly used by HG pilots.

The crest launch is situated in a west facing bowl where NW and SW winds may 'wrap' in.

In stronger winds, significant rotor may be present in the launch bowl, primarily from the South Pinnacle, which is a prominent feature WSW of launch.

Sandia Crest Launch

Access: Sandia Crest Launch (35.21342, -106.45026, 10600 ft) is accessed via Highway 536. Googling Sandia Crest will get you to the Sandia Crest parking area outside of the radio tower area. Pilots must gain access to the radio tower entry gate with an authorized SSA member. The gate requires a combo that your SSA Orientation Mentor will have. You cannot go into this gated radio antennae area without a local knowledgeable member, so these instructions are given from the SSA Orienting member.

Best Wind Direction: SW - W. W or slight NW are preferred for the Crest Launch.

Best Wind Strengths (mph):

H4: Range: 0-25, Ideal: 10, Gusts: 7 max
P4: Range: 5-15, Ideal: 7, Gusts: 5 max

To Primary LZ (Big Sky):

Distance: 3.5 Miles
Minimum Glide: 4.4

LANDINGS

Big Sky (Primary LZ)

Sen. Harrison H. Schmitt Big Sky Hang Glider Park (35.18265, -106.51897, 5800 ft), known simply as “Big Sky” or "BSLZ") is dedicated to the activity. Many hang gliders consider it a bit small.

Big Sky LZ

When leaving the mountain you will have to over fly a few miles of residential housing before arriving at the LZ. It is recommended that you leave the base of the mountain with at least 8500ft of altitude in light to medium wind conditions. Strong West winds require much higher departure altitude to make the LZ. The Elena Bailout LZ is noted above. There are also many residential lots on the way to the LZ that do not have structures on them. CAUTION: Many of these empty lots are bordered by power lines and contain large amounts of cactus.

On approach to the Big Sky be aware of Airspace. The portion located at the LZs has a floor of 6900ft and a ceiling of 9400ft

Peak Crest BSLZ With Airspace

The LZ has a large windsock located in the south west corner of the field. It is surrounded by an asphalt walking path and a low fence. To the immediate east of the LZ is a ditch and additional open space. Be aware of a slight east to west downhill slope in the LZ.

Most of the time you will be landing towards the south or west as those are the dominate flyable wind directions. Be aware of late evening east katabatic flows coming off the mountain.

For paragliders, a standard figure 8 landing approach setting up over the houses to the north on a south wind landing or a figure 8 approach setting up in the open space east of the field tends to work the best.

For HG It is highly recommended to walk the Big Sky LZ prior to landing there. The most common HG approach is due South. You set up your approach on the North side of the landing field, lose altitude and land to the South. North approaches are also recommended however there’s a power-line running E-W on the far North side of the LZ. East approaches are simple and straightforward. West approaches can be difficult for high performance HG due to the slope of the field.

Balloon Fiesta Park (Secondary LZ)

This is a very large and grassy area available at the Balloon Fiesta park (35.19650, -106.59695, 5055 ft). Check for closures with the city before going there (like during the Balloon Festival SEP-OCT) and watch for pedestrian uses of the fields. Access to the park is through the "Balloon Fiesta Northeast Gate" (35.198874, -106.592448).

Elena Gallegos (Bailout LZ)

Should pilots be over the base of the tram without the required altitude to make the Big Sky or desire to do so, landing is possible at the Elena Gallegos “bailout” LZ (35.183076, -106.479549, 6400 ft). This landing is in rolling desert terrain with many small bushes, cacti and trees and is not maintained. Only land there if you are comfortable out-landing in rough terrain and in potentially turbulent conditions. The Elena Gallegos covers a fairly large area with an extensive trail network. To access the area by car, you enter at the Elena Gallegos Open Space gate (35.161777, -106.473772).

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS & GENERAL RISKS

As a P4/H4 pilot with mountain experience you are expected to make sound decisions within your experience and comfort level. Cliffs at the bottom of the launches require quick clearing and loading of the wing. Close proximity to Tram cables, complicated cliff rotors, intricate rock formations create tricky to read flows. NW wind is hard to read on launch. ABQ Class C airspace above the LZ makes studying the site guide essential and planning final glides important. Always check for Forest Fire and emergency air operations, as well as military and civilian air traffic. This can be a congested area.

Here are some site specific considerations to take into account:

High Altitude: Acclimatized pilots fly better. Begin monitoring yourself for the effects of Altitude Sickness even on launch. It is at 10, 380 feet. Descend toward the front and/or LZ when you feel bad. Consider flying with oxygen. See Page 6 of this FAA Document.
Tram cables: Maintain a minimum of 300ft above and to the sides of the tram cables. Going under the cables should not be considered! There are communications wires above the tram cables that pilots cannot see, so do NOT assume you can skirt above them. Watch the video in the banner of the Tram website to see the cables up close: Sandia Tram.
Winds
- The mountain in most cases shouldn't be flown in N-E-S.
- NW - NNW & S winds produce bad rotor. Meteo winds always interact with the complex blades and buttresses of rock to create rotors, so know where your windward terrain lies. Pilots should be able to look at ground speeds to understand where meteo winds will produce rotors.
- 10k (700mb) and 12k winds are essential layers to look at while searching forecasts. And experts say that 13.5 can be a good jumping off point to consider for XC.
- Shear layers can separate launch from the valley (LZ) so pilots need to look at all levels in the column.
- European model can help find ground gusting potential. Rarely are conditions on the mountain the same as the valley. A 25-min glide to the LZ requires pilots to plan ahead for gust fronts from thunder cells. Like Owens or Idaho, we have large areas of flatland fetch that build quickly.
- Wind stations on the Windy app, and many data points must be used to predict the Mountain's weather.
Mid Day Flying in Spring, Summer and early Fall can be quite strong with climbs 1900fpm (10m/s) common during mid day.
Rotor: The West side of the Sandias are composed of large granite cliffs that have many ridges and peaks. When flying near terrain and in these ridges and peaks you should be very aware of meteo wind direction and the potential to fly into rotor.
Wonderful XC potential exists when flying from Sandia Peak. The classic routes involve flying East towards Santa Rosa or North towards Santa Fe. If flying XC you will likely need to make the move to fly “over the back” and head east. 3000ft AGL over the top of the mountain (13,500ft) is recommended to avoid the flush and potential rotor when crossing over the back.
AIRSPACE: As seen below, Albuquerque is nearly entirely covered by Class C Airspace. On approach to the Big Sky and Balloon Fiesta Park LZs be aware of Airspace. The portion located at the LZs has a floor of 6900ft and a ceiling of 9400ft.

Airspace Considerations

WARNING: The descriptions of typical flying conditions listed in this site guide reflect the experience of the authors of the guide. The conditions that you encounter at the site may differ, sometimes substantially, from those encountered by the authors. The descriptions of their experiences may not be relevant to the likely experience of any other pilot, particularly one who is relatively inexperienced or new to the site. A decision to launch is always that of the individual pilot. When deciding whether or not to fly, a pilot may wish to take into account the descriptions in this site guide but must also consider numerous other factors including the pilot's training and experience, familiarity with the site, equipment, physical and mental condition and the specific conditions in existence at the time of the decision.

Always fly within the USHPA recommended operating limitations for your rating as specified in the USHPA Pilot Proficiency System. Pilots of relatively little experience or who are new to the site are urged to consult with other local pilots at the site in order to obtain their assessment of the conditions. Always get a site briefing from a local pilot. Do not fly sites alone or without a local pilot present. If locals are not flying, there is likely a reason.

ALL PILOTS SHOULD FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH USHPA’S SAFETY PROCEDURES BEFORE FLIGHT

Also be sure to read the general information in the SSA's overview of the SITE GUIDES

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