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Bristol Mountain Stid Hill Paragliding Launch

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Bristol Mountain Stid Hill Paragliding Launch

Spot Info

Spot Details

PPG friendly
Not marked
Authorization
Not marked
Club / contract
Required
Launch faces
SW, W, NW
Forecast point
Ready
Access notes
Bristol is a current Rochester Area Flyers site. Pilots need current USHPA and RAF memberships; a visiting non-local pilot must purchase full or temporary membership, be accompanied by a local RAF member, and receive a site briefing before flying. P3 is required, with P2 allowed only under direct supervision by a site-familiar P3 or higher pilot. The access road is at 5580 Stid Hill Road; replace the rope as found, drive slowly, carpool, and walk the final quarter mile.
Site rules
  • Hold current USHPA and RAF memberships. Visiting non-local pilots must use the current RAF permission/accompaniment process and receive a site briefing.
  • P3 is required for independent flight. A P2 may fly only under direct supervision by a P3 or higher pilot familiar with Bristol.
  • No mini-wings are allowed. Stay within the current USHPA operating limits for the pilot rating and wing.
  • Check the RAF calendar and site coordinator before travel because the site can close during November/December hunting periods.
  • Replace the access rope, drive slowly, carpool to reduce congestion, keep guests and leashed pets clear of launch/LZ operations, and do not assume emergency vehicles can reach the launch road.
Launch directions
SW, W, NW
Direction notes
The official guide describes SW-WNW as usable and 225-270 degrees as ideal. Its detailed limit extends only to about 290 degrees; the NW discovery label is not permission for 315-degree flow.
Safety notes
  • Use SW-WNW flow, with WSW-W ideal. Do not fly above 12 mph or with more than 6 mph gust spread.
  • The opposite ski-area ridge and narrow valley can create strong rotor and turbulence. Monitor overdevelopment, changing Northeast weather, and late-day katabatic flow.
  • Cross to the LZ side soon after sinking below launch level; the published minimum glide is 2.9:1 over about half a mile.
  • The LZ can be turbulent and switch direction quickly. Hazards include west-side tree rotor, Route 64 and full-length power lines on the east, 4x4 posts, an oak tree, and a difficult-to-see electric fence at the horse pasture.
  • The launch is a west-facing gentle slot with trees on both sides and below; the final trail can be rocky and muddy and limits emergency access.
Additional notes
The automated coordinate was stale and imprecise. The approved point uses the exact current RAF coordinate N42 44'47.9 W77 24'08.2. RAF establishes current foot-launched PG access but no powered use; ppgFriendly is false. This remains a club-contract row rather than a red private-field row because the current guide does not explicitly identify the launch or primary LZ as private property.
Map pin (exact launch)
Exact current RAF launch coordinate converted from N42 44'47.9 W77 24'08.2.
Official website
https://www.rochesterareaflyers.com/sites/bristol

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Airspace status