Yaquina South

NOTE 1: There is at least one closure (restriction) in force at all times here.

NOTE 2: You can experience two positive wind gradients here which I've estimated to be up to 130% of the wind speed at launch; a vertical one just off launch, and a horizontal one in the neighborhood of the gate across Communications Hill Road-the gravel road up the hill to launch.

Description of Site: Postfrontal situations are usually best for this south-facing, grass and cow parsnip covered hill which overlooks Newport and some of the most beautiful coastline in Oregon. A few small shore pines dot the hill in front of launch just to make side-hill landing challenging. Ridge soaring is possible in S-SW winds from 11 mph and you will find that the wind is somewhat weaker on launch than away from the slope. Relative to the wind at launch, there is a horizontal positive wind gradient in the area over LZ1 next to the road where the gate is. That is, the wind at launch when soaring conditions prevail is 20-30% weaker than the wind strength at launch altitude above this gap. So, even though you have positive ground speed when soaring east of here, you may have negative ground speed when landing here.

Directions to launch: At the north end of town, take Lighthouse Drive west about half a mile to the gravel road on the right. There is $5 entrance fee. You will see a locked gate. Park so as not to block access. Just inside the gate is a sign describing the flying regulations. A few steps beyond the sign, turn left, climb the 8' height and you will be on LZ1. Memorize the wind strength near the south edge; you may choose to land on this small plateau. Now go back to the gravel road and walk up the hill. It's a ten minute walk (somewhat less if it's "on").

Landing Zones: Landing in the area marked "AMBER" is for emergencies only. Land on the beach or north of Lighthouse Drive if possible. You may be ticketed if you fly out of bounds; it's a federal offense and the fine is $1000. Believe it! A pilot was cited.

Site Protocol: You have automatic year-round permission to fly here in accordance with the following: 1) Hang/paragliding activity is permitted only on historically used places. If you don't know where these are, contact a BLM park ranger on duty or a local pilot. 2) Hang/paragliding activity is prohibited west of the red-topped monuments on the ridgetop that forms the west wall of the upper quarry (marked as "RED" on the map that is at the site). 3) Between March 1 and August 31, Hang/paragliding activity is prohibited south of Lighthouse Drive, except in the area of the upper quarry where the southern boundary is defined by 4X4 monuments with amber reflectors which are visible from the air (the area marked as Amber) 4) Exception to the March 1 - August 31 closure: a once-per-flight crossing of Lighthouse Drive southward towards the beach. You must cross the road east of the Lighthouse Drive and Quarry Cove Road junction.

Pilots living in the area:  Joel Ortega

Link to close-up view of south side launch.

Submitted by: Jim Donaldson on 3/15/95, last revised 12/3/01