Cliffside
Columbia Gorge Aluminum is pleased to extend usage of Cliffside Point and associated landing areas for paragliding and hang gliding purposes to the Cascade Paragliding Club and their USHPA member guests provided the following requirements are met.
Prior to flying:
Each flying day all pilots must sign the login sheet at plant security and present their current USHPA membership card. Login sheet is located at the security guard station located at the main plant entrance.
Minimum requirements to fly this site:
P2 or H2 USHPA rating (or P1 rating with instructor) with current USHPA and Cascade Paragliding membership and completed site orientation.
Or
P2 or H2 USHPA rated pilots with a current USPA membership pilots flying as guests under the guidance of Cascade Paragliding Club members.
Or
Foreign pilots holding the equivalent of P2/H2 ratings after completing a USHPA 30-day affiliate membership application and signing the liability release waiver flying as guests under the guidance of Cascade Paragliding Club members.
Other notes:
Tandem passengers must be temporary USHPA members and have signed USHPA release and waver.
The may be occasions where the gate is closed at the plant entrance. In such cases, use the radio call box at the gate to contact plant security or phone them at 509-773-5811.
All Cascade Paragliding Club pilots must complete the Cliffside tutorial and add their name and USHPA member number on the approved pilot list.
 Cliffside Approval
Site Protocol for foot-launched aviation at Cliffside Point
1. Park in pullouts in an orderly fashion so as not to disturb traffic, park on gravel, off pavement.
2. Access launch through the gate above lower pullout and hike the trail to the main launch. Access paragliding LZ over fence crossing stairs. Please do not climb on fences.
3. Access hang gliding LZ (between the railroad tracks and the big power lines) from John Day Dam Road. Some pilots have keys to the main road entrance gate or security will loan you a key on a per entry basis.
4. Do not fly or land anywhere near the Aluminum facility. Please land within the areas specified on the site map posted on the launch gates.
5. All pilots must be USHPA members and must have signed the USHPA Release, Waiver and Assumption of Risk Agreement. NO EXCEPTIONS.
5. Be cautious with loose material while above SR-14. Do not let anything roll down onto roadway.
7. Be aware that this environment has loose rock, hidden obstacles, rattlesnakes, and an extreme fire hazard during fire season.
8. Do not land on SR-14 or pullouts; doing so would be an extreme hazard and would jeopardize the site.
9. X-C pilots, please be courteous of property owners and cross fences at gates or go under fence.
10. In the case of a mishap and you end up in the no fly zone and need access to Aluminum facility, please contact the Security Department at 509-773-5811.
11. While soaring at Cliffside the standard ridge rules and thermal etiquette are in effect.
12. During fire season always carry fire suppression equipment (fire extinguisher, shovel and five gallons of water) while driving off paved roads on plant property.
13. Cascade Paragliding Club pilots using this site are asked to question pilots they suspect may not be flying at the site under the conditions agreed with Columbia Gorge Aluminum. Those pilots should be asked to leave. If they refuse, they should be reported to Plant Security 509-773-5811. Plant Security will handle the situation from that point on.
Launch and Landing Areas:
Main launch, hike up about 15 minutes from the lower pullout through the gate to the paragliding launch and top landing area on the open grass fields above the fence line. South launch, drive up the farmhouse gate area, do not block entrance to farmhouse. Hike up the fence line to the stile and up the trail to launch area. The standard paragliding LZ is the large field southeast of the lower pullout, below the road. From the LZ it is a slight up-slope walk to SR-14, use stile to cross the fence just east of the pullout. Alternate LZ is almost anywhere towards the river or the riverbank for a short cross-country flight.
Some general cautions:
Be very careful to avoid the power lines that run from the hang launch down to the aluminum plant. They are sometimes difficult to see.
Use caution when ridge soaring west of the hang launch or top landing at the west launch. There is a venturi area between the hang launch and the farmhouse. Penetration back can be difficult if you fly too far west of the hang launch.
The normal LZ has large rocks and undulating terrain. The air over the landing zone can also be “funky” when the winds are light and it is thermic. The lower LZ across the railroad tracks or landing at the riverbank near the red and white tower and the Native American boat launch, nice flat graveled LZ may be safer options depending on your altitude.
Hang Glider Landing Zone Vehicle Access for Retrieval
1. Park as to not block any gates or roadway, the gates have a wider area for parking.
2. Please park next to roadways and not drive out into fields.
3. Please land in the area specified and walk your glider to vehicle. Stay away from power lines.
Local Contacts:
Stan Harryman (site liaison)
Robert "CB" Schmaltz (alternate site liaison)
EPIC FLIGHT REPORTS
Submitted by: Jay Carroll
Last revision date: 12/29/08 by John Wenning
Cliffside Approval
Approved Pilots List
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