Avenue S

Avenue S is a Southern California site west of Palmdale, sitting right at the mouth of a mountain pass between the Mojave Desert and the coastal valleys. That geography puts it in a natural venturi — the site is known primarily as a windy hang-glider destination. The 1,377 m launch works on N–NE flow, and the reference wisdom from Windsports' Joe Greblo is that it is generally too windy for paragliders during the Santa Ana cycles that hang-gliders fly here. Talented local paraglider pilots have flown it once or twice and been blown out too many times to return often. The site does have glass-off windows a few hours before sunset that can set up nicely. This is not a first-timer's site; if you're a paraglider pilot considering it, coordinate carefully with local hang-glider pilots first.

Launch & conditions

Several potential take-off options exist; the main launch is up top with plenty of room to lay out and hook in — a bit rocky but generally clear of plants and debris. Because it sits behind a lower hill, the standard flight plan is to fly straight out and climb up in front. Other options include a small flat hill out front and the east side of the road at launch. Landing must ONLY be at the marked LZ on Farina Drive (currently a dirt road) northwest of launch. Do not overfly the housing subdivision or the site is at risk.

Getting there & local rules

Travelling west along Avenue S from Highway 14, drive about a mile past the last houses until you reach the open area with several dirt roads to the south. A road divider means you'll need to continue a few hundred yards before turning around and coming back eastbound. Watch for Farina Drive (Google Earth's label) — the most obvious of the dirt roads and the one closest to the houses to the east. About 100 yards up Farina you will see a small pull-out on the west side; this is where hang-gliders typically land. Paragliders may not make it that far — the intersection about another 100 yards is the fallback.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Avenue S, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Avenue S with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.