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Mount Ascutney Northwest PG Launch

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Mount Ascutney Northwest PG Launch

Spot Info

Spot Details

PPG friendly
Not marked
Authorization
Not marked
Club / contract
Required
Launch faces
NW
Forecast point
Ready
Access notes
VHPA uses this former ski-trail launch through a standing agreement with Ascutney Outdoors. Current USHPA/VHPA membership and annual waiver are required. Check the member WhatsApp channel for events or landing restrictions, park at the Ascutney Outdoors main lot, sign the current log at the Visitor Center, and hike the signed maintenance road about 45-60 minutes. P4 may fly independently after the required introduction; P3 requires the current mentor/observation and sign-off path. Restricted Landing skill is required.
Site rules
  • Check current Ascutney Outdoors events and landing restrictions in the VHPA member channel before every flight, then park and sign in using the current Visitor Center procedure.
  • Maintain current USHPA/VHPA membership and annual waiver. P3 pilots use the current site-introduction, mentor-observation, and sign-off process; P4 pilots follow the first-site introduction rule. RL skill is required.
  • Use Mile Long Field at 43.454687,-72.477127 as the primary PG LZ. The AO bailout at 43.470458,-72.465915 is conditional and prohibited when the tow is running or an event occupies it.
  • Do not land on the circular horse track or tubing hill, do not overfly crowds or Ascutney Outdoors buildings, and maintain at least 500 feet over the T-Bar lift and buildings.
  • No tree trimming, no camping, leave no trace, and use a functioning live tracker and communication plan.
  • Do not infer PPG permission. This row documents foot-launched PG only.
Launch directions
NW
Direction notes
Official operating sector is approximately 280-350 degrees, but west and north cross-components generate rotor and must be judged much more narrowly than the geometric sector suggests.
Safety notes
  • The northwest bowl is intolerant of crosswind. West or north components pass over the bowl's arms and create rotor; pilots have experienced large collapses after misjudging direction and strength.
  • The official range is roughly 2 mph minimum, 7 mph ideal, and 12 mph maximum, but the guide warns that even straight-in flow above about 10 mph is generally poor.
  • Communications towers, hard-to-see guy wires, and radio-frequency interference lie near the summit and over-back path.
  • The AO bailout is tight and can have valley flow different from launch; it may be unavailable because of a race, event, or operating tow. Mile Long may contain tall grass, hay bales, mountain bikes, horses, hikers, and a thermal trigger.
  • Spring instability, active midday lift/sink, rotor, venturi, forested terrain, and weak cell coverage require current local briefing and conservative glide margins.
Additional notes
Current exact PG launch omitted by the automated source manifest. It is a distinct Ascutney operation from the South and T-Bar launches, with its own coordinate, aspect, hike, ratings, and primary LZ.
Map pin (exact launch)
Exact Northwest PG Launch coordinate published in the current VHPA Mount Ascutney guide.
Official website
https://vhga.aero/flying-sites/mount-ascutney/

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