Site Info
Revision Date: Sept 15, 2024
Sites Membership in BMF General site info Pilot requirements
A magic day at Panorama
Warren Puckett at Middle Cliff launch, Buffalo Mountain
A. Membership
Pilots using sites maintained by the Buffalo Mountain Flyers should also be members of BMF. Your membership fees help support the maintenance and gear necessary for us to keep these sites open, acquire and develop new sites, and purchase the specialized equipment needed for tree rescue.
B. General site info
- All of our sites are (or can be) technical and challenging for the average pilot and why we require a Site Guide to help pilots new to our sites. Tall trees affect setup for landing, especially midday and when winds are high. Our region is known for severe weather, such as large hail, tornadoes, mountain wave rotor, and high winds. Weather conditions may change suddenly. It is important that all pilots have the ability to check the weather before launching. We recommend: National Weather Service forecasts, XCSkies, and RadarScope as some primary tools for doing this. Flying in windy conditions or mid-day could necessitate greater skills than the minimum rating required by the site. When winds aloft (2,000 MSL+) are greater than 15 mph it is possible to experience wave rotor and unexplained turbulence of non-thermic origin. Paraglider pilots may experience collapses. All pilots should land right away.
- Wildlife hazards – we have them!
- For safety, always visit the landing field before going to launch
- Do NOT land in fields with tall vegetation! There may be hidden holes, rocks, or stakes that could cause a serious accident. Note hang glider pilots: tall vegetation can pull you down into a hard nose-in.
- Similarly, launching in tall vegetation can be hazardous for both hang gliders and paragliders. Aborting a flight just as you reach the edge of launch can have interesting results...
- Helmet, reserve, radio, cell phone, and a safety strap (HG) are required.
- Tune your 2m FM transceiver to 151.925. For help with radio setup, go here. A functioning radio could save your life. If you land in the trees, a radio and cell phone become very important.
- During the evening hours, it is not uncommon for wind speeds to blow at 10 mph but then increase to velocities as high as 30 mph near dark.
- Please comply with specific landowner requirements, as posted
- Stay on existing vehicle roads
- Please do not cut trees without permission from the landowner
- If you open a gate, please close it
- Help keep our sites sparkling by picking up any trash you see. This is a volunteer organization and your help is important.
- Be considerate of others at all times. Think about how you can help preserve our sport in this region.
C. Pilot requirements for flying BMF sites
Oklahoma
Arkansas
A visiting American pilot setting up at launch, Valle de Bravo, Mexico. Valle is the new home of Wills Wing and is my favorite place to fly. It has the most consistent thermalling conditions of any place I know of. Jeff Hunt hosts visiting pilots so they do not have to think - just fly.
