02/11/12

It is only soarable with ENE to ESE winds.  Velocity needs to be from 8-14 mph.  Wind speed at the El Paso Airport should be a little more than half because the pass (of El Paso) amplifies the wind at the mesa.  Located near the US-Mexican border, it is perfect for new pilots as it has few hazards, especially if flown near the south end.  The LZ is huge and flat.  The site is almost all soft sand and is forgiving of hard landings and other mistakes.  The ridge itself is a calcified escarpment that is sharp and will cut glider lines if they are dragged across it.

The south half of Anapra Mesa.  Launch is just behind where this photo was taken.  Skilled pilots can "park" above the mesa.  View here is south.

If winds are too strong at launch, wait until later in the day or launch early in the AM.  The winds at launch are almost always slightly cross to the south because of the pass and all of the geography out front.

The best launch is very close to the middle of the mesa where a deep notch comes through the rock edge of the mesa.  The notch causes the air to flow more smoothly over this part of the rim so there is less turbulence and rotor at launch.  It is possible to kite here.

View below is looking north.  The barb wire fence behind the launch area is visible.

In the photo below, pilots can be seen preparing to launch. The far pilot is setting up just below the center launch area (a red bag is just visible).  Spreading out below the rim is ALWAYS the safest because if you have a mishap inflating, you will NOT be blown into the barb wire fence that goes along the east edge of the dirt road.  These pilots had never flown the site which is why the site guide asked them to launch below the rim.  The downside of launching below the rim is that there is more plant debris that can get caught in your glider lines.  Skilled desert pilots will know what to do!

The south end tends to have more turbulence because of the high border fence.  Launching from the south area of the mesa is fine but you will find there is a lot of rotor because of the sharp cliff.  This just makes getting your glider up more difficult.  If you move away from the edge about 15 yards it is usually possible to get out of the rotor enough to inflate.  Once your glider is up, there is no rotor and you can move towards the edge easily.

Pilots can easily top land anywhere. The south end is safer because the barb wire fence is farther away.  If you want to work on your side-hill landing skills, this is the place to do it -- it's all soft sand and is very forgiving of major errors.  If your wing goes into a bush, be prepared to spend some time getting it out!

When launching from the middle launch area, turn north (though downwind) and fly to near the north end of the mesa. The best lift is between the middle and the north end of the mesa. If you launch and can't keep level with the mesa, you are probably going to sink out. Turn south and side-hill land anywhere on the hill in the soft sand.

The Second Wave

Skilled pilots can catch the "Second Wave" and park hundreds of feet over launch. The bench area is about half way between launch and the north end of the mesa.  The challenge:  Positioning yourself in just the right spot in the ridge lift above the Mesa where the standing wave mixes with the ridge lift. You will feel a slight tug and you have to turn in it at just the right moment.  Only a handful of pilots have done it.

Below, Arizona visiting pilot, Gingher Leyendecker, is parked at the bottom of the "Second Wave".  She is the first non-local to get up in it.  Remember this is a mere 200' hill -- how do pilots get up there???  See if you can do it!

 

The site has a benign LZ out in front. NEVER park your vehicle near the border (keep away at least 50 yd.) -- it can be rocked by vandals from Mexico.  Do NOT land in Mexico. It's against Mexican law to land there and you will be jailed and/or fined if you get caught plus your glider and gear may be confiscated.  Crossing the border while soaring is up to you -- be careful! If the wind dies, can you glide back to US airspace?

The border fence is visible in the photo below and the broad open area in front that is convenient for enhancing your top landing skills.  It is the safest spot in the region to practice this.  View here is to the south.

For directions to the site contact us or the RGSA.  You have to go through guarded private property to reach launch unless you come from the east side and then it's a 200' vertical climb through soft sand to reach launch.  We have the kind permission of the Camino Real Landfill people to trespass.  If you want to bring the guards a 6-pack of cold beer/soft-drinks, it would not hurt....