Paragliding Lakeview _Black Cap, OR

Lakeview, Oregon, often referred to as "The Hang Gliding Capitol of the West," offers a variety of world-class flying sites such as Black Cap, Sugar Hill, Hadley Butte, and Doherty Slide. The area is renowned for its cross-country potential, with flights often exceeding 100 miles. The flying season is relatively short, but the experience is well worth the wait. All sites in Lakeview are unregulated, though USHPA membership is recommended. Black Cap Peak, located at 42°12'18" N, 120°19'42" W, about 1.5 miles northeast of Lakeview, is a popular site. It offers ridge and thermal soaring, requiring S-SW winds, which are typical for the area. The site has excellent cross-country potential to the N-NE with S-SW winds. Afternoon flights can reach altitudes of over 11,000 feet MSL, but pilots should be cautious of strong lift and rapid darkness after sunset. Access to Black Cap Peak is via a 3.5-mile dirt road from Center Street and North D Street. The route involves several forks and passes under power lines before reaching the launch sites. The lower launch is at approximately 6,240 feet MSL, while the upper launch is at about 6,370 feet MSL. Both launches face S to W-SW and feature moderate to shallow sloped dirt ramps. Landing options include several private fields north of town, about 1.5 miles W-NW of the launches. The closer landing zone (LZ) is a field between U.S. 395 and the hills, east across 395 from two churches. Hunter's Hot Springs Resort has also created a large LZ west of U.S. 395, with a windsock for wind direction. The site is unregulated, but pilots should have USGHGA H2 certification with altitude experience and good FSL Special Skill for zero to light winds. H1 pilots can fly with USGHA instructor supervision for their first altitudes. For more information, visit: - [Southern Oregon Air Riders](https://www.soair.net/SOAR_Sites.htm) - [Oregon's Outback](http://www.oregonsoutback.com/todo/hanglide/blackcap.html) - [Black Cap Peak Information](http://www.bhgc.org/sites/#site_black-cap-or)