General Info
  •  Pilots have been flying almost daily at Blue Rock, since April 1, 2009.
  • Flying is awesome during the springtime.
  • The conditions are rowdy during the summer season, between noon and 4:00 PM, but summer evenings are typically OK.
  • You can fly in smooth lift until sunset, during the fall.
  • Please fly with caution and follow these instructions to insure that we can continue to fly at this newly opened site.

Regulations and Requirements
  • Current USHPA membership and a site intro are required.
  •  Recommended for P3+ rated pilots.
  •  HGs are not permitted at this time.
  •  The land owners are insured by USHPA site insurance (provided by BAPA).
  •  Please be courteous, remove trash from the trail, follow the access rules and make sure that others do so, as well.

Local Contacts for Site Intros
  • Joel McMinn - 707-you-soar or 707.968.7628  Joel's Site Guide
  • Rob Black - 707.853.6912
  • Joe Cruz - 707.688.5483
  • Ron Lee - 707.333.8308
  • Klaus Schlueter - 415.425.7391

Launch
The upper north launch offers smooth launches in all conditions.  This launch provides the best options to avoid sinking out, since the long southern traverse presents an opportunity to rise to the ridge-top.

This launch typically has a slight crosswind.  Pease note:  Pulling your wing up at the top of this launch puts you at risk of being dragged into a nasty rock formation, so you should lift your wing up lower on the slope.

 This launch also works for top-landings. However do not attempt to top-land at the upper north launch unless you have strong strong side-hill landing skills.  You should make several passes before attempting to top-land and, if in doubt, fly to the bottom to land.  Deep-flair landings on the top can result in stalling your wing, even in light/moderately smooth evening air.

LZ
There are many LZ options, with minimal turbulence or rotors.  Be aware of large rocks hidden in the brush.  As of April 2011, landing is not permitted on Solano College property or parking areas.

Flights
  • Long flights are typical.
  • Land-out options are plentiful, between the primary ridge and Columbus Parkway.  There are few top and side-hill landing options.
  • "Active piloting" is required.
  • This site works best in W or WNW winds.
  • Launch low on the slope in strong winds.  Stay low and in front of the ridge and watch out for mechanical turbulence.
  • Use the upper launch only in light to moderate winds.  Pilots have experienced asymmetric collapses, even in mild/light conditions, due to thermals mixing with wind.
  • The blowback risk is less than at the Channing Hill site, in all wind conditions, but there is more turbulence at Blue Rock.
  • "Whacks" are most common when weather changes are underway (for example, when sea breezes overtake the mid-day thermals).
  • Hike to the upper launch when the wind is calm at the bottom and use the lower launch if you feel a good breeze while hiking up.  Either way, you'll rise quickly after launch.
  • It is recommended that only four pilots fly the ridge at one time in light conditions, as ridge space is limited.  Please be considerate -- don't monopolize the ridge -- land and let others fly.

Directions
Take I-80 to the "Napa-37/Columbus Drive" exit in Vallejo.  Proceed East on Columbus Drive for a little over a mile.  The ridge will be on your left.

Weather
There is a wind meter on top of the Benicia-Martinez Rail Road bridge, 7miles southeast of Blue Rock.  Look for W or WNW, averaging 8-15 mph and gusting less than +4 mph.  Pilots have had excellent flying when the wind meter reads 20-25 mph, as well as when it reads 6-10 mph, especially in early evening glass-off conditions.

AccuWeather

WeatherBug

Wunderground Forecast

Wunderground Wind History

Photo Video & Track Links
April 2011  7 wings in fat air      
09/17/2009 Ron Lee's video (Joel circling after glass-off and landing into the sunset)
09/16/2009 Steve Maher's photos (from upper launch, at sunset)
09/09/2009 Steve Maher's video
09/03/2009 Joel McMinn and Chris Robbins (landing)
09/02/2009 Ron Lee (flying into the sunset)
08/30/2009 Joel McMinn (flying low in the afternoon)
08/30/2009 WHACK
07/21/2009 Joel McMinn (flying tandem with Shane McAffee, Ron and Rob)
07/21/2009 Video (Joel McMinn and Mike flying)
05/17/2009 Sati Shaw's video (light breeze, with wings clinging to the ridge)
05/10/2009 Joe Cruz's video (Joe Cruz and Chris Robbins' flights)
05/10/2009 Chris Robbins' flight track
05/10/2009 Joy Black's photos
05/06/2009 Ron Lee's photos (as the moon rose over the ridge)
05/06/2009 Chris Robbins' first flight track
04/26/2009 Joe Cruz's photos and videos (and a photo of his XC at Cronnin Ridge, near Placerville, on 04/25/2009)