02/11/12

View east (below) of the summit/launch of N. Mt. Franklin.  The launch is relatively free from rotor.  The only obstacle that pilots should be careful of is an amateur radio tower (visible below) that extends about 15' above the flat (graded) peak.  The road visible on the ground to the east is the Patriot Freeway and is the west boundary of the Class C airspace of El Paso International Airport.  Always stay east of this boundary.  The airspace in the Park is all Class E which is good for us up to 18,000'.  Pilots should always keep a lookout for other aircraft.

Flyable with winds from the west counterclockwise to the east, according to hang glider pilots.  It is probably flyable with winds from any direction as the summit is unobstructed.  Best conditions are with a SW to NW wind.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Launching from the steep slopes and cliffs in the desert mountains requires expert kiting skills.  It is dangerous to inflate and then immediately turn before stabilizing your glider overhead for a few seconds or more.  Many pilots have damaged their equipment and been banged up attempting to launch in the often turbulent air that characterizes the jagged mountains we fly in the desert southwest.  You must have the skills to kite your glider overhead under complete control before attempting a launch, especially in strong air.  In addition, all pilots must master inflating their gliders with the A's in one hand and the C's or D's in the other.  You may have to de-power your glider at any moment and this is the only way you can safely do it while attempting a launch.  Pulling deep on the brakes does NOT de-power your glider!  In addition, you will not have time to go searching for the correct risers if things start to go wrong and you do not have the correct ones in your hands.  Jamming the brakes will only make things worse.  If you need training on how to do this, we can help.

It requires a vigorous 2 hour hike from Tom Mays Park. The requirements to launch from N. Mt. Franklin are the same as for Agave Hill.  (For detailed instructions on registering with the Park, go to the Agave Hill Information site here and read the section on Pilot Registration.)

Launch is possible when winds aloft are calm (6k'-9K') because of anabatic flow up the peak which creates a good updraft at launch (about 7 mph measured when winds aloft were calm). Winds at Mundy Gap (the high mountain pass one mile north of the summit) proved to be about the same as at the peak -- both are very exposed and Mundy will experience some increase in wind velocity because of a vortex through the gap.

Winds aloft at 9K is about the same as at launch if the winds are in the same direction at both 6K' and 9K'. This means that the maximum winds aloft at 9K should be 12-16 mph for a safe launch for paragliding.

There may be slight turbulence at launch in calm conditions because of thermal activity. Ideal launch conditions for PG would be when wind is 10 mph at 240° at 9K.

Benching to the top of the Franklins from Agave Hill is often a challenge but it is an easy 15 minute hike to the Agave Hill launch.  However, if conditions are too mild or the wind direction is wrong, you will not be able to bench and will have to do the hike.

Launch looking east

Looking north just in front of launch