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Mt. Bachelor is a 9,065 ft
msl peak in the Central Oregon Cascades, located approximately
20 miles west of the city of Bend. It is a popular ski
area with lift service from 6,300 ft msl to the summit.
The Desert Air Riders (DAR) Central Oregon paragliding
club and the Cascade Paragliding Club have made arrangements
with the ski area to allow lift-assisted paragliding from
the time the lifts open in the fall until the lifts close
the following Fourth of July -- seven or eight months
in a typical year. Because Mt. Bachelor is an insured
flying site, pilots are required to purchase a paragliding
pass from the DAR to help offset the cost of the insurance.
The pilot qualifications for flying at Mt. Bachelor are
listed below. If you want to purchase a pass or have any
questions about Mt. Bachelor, contact one of the DAR Mt.
Bachelor guides listed below.
Pilot Qualifications for Paragliding at Mt. Bachelor:
1. Pilots must be members of the U.S. Hang Gliding Association.
2. Pilots must have an Intermediate (Para III) USHGA
rating, or a Novice (Para II) USHGA rating with 20 hours
of logged air time and 90 logged flights, or a foreign
rating equivalent to an Intermediate rating. Novice
pilots must show logbook.
3. Pilots must have either a high altitude special skill
sign off or a logbook showing flights launched above
6,000 ft msl.
4. Pilots must have a two-way radio tuned to 151.625,
a reserve parachute, a helmet, and boots appropriate
for walking/launching on snow.
5. Pilots must be 18 year of age or older.
6. Pilots must purchase a Mt. Bachelor Paragliding pass
from the DAR (cost $10 for seven days or $30 per year).
7. Pilots must purchase lift tickets (cost per ride
to the summit is approximately $14 for pilots who purchase
a flexride ticket).
8. All flying must be done under the supervision of
a guide approved by the DAR and Mt. Bachelor.
9. Any pilot who has caused problems at any other site
will not be permitted to fly.
10. All USHGA rules and guidelines apply.
11. All FAA rules and guidelines apply.
Pumice grape fern (click for photo):
Mt. Bachelor is home to the pumice grape fern, a plant
that is listed by the Deschutes National Forest under
"Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Plant Species."
Paraglider pilots are required to avoid disturbing the
pumice grape fern when launching on Mt. Bachelor. In
practice this means launching on snow whenever possible.
Directions to Site: Before flying at Mt. Bachelor you
must contact a paragliding guide and arrange a time
to meet at the ski area. From the town of Bend, drive
22 miles west on Century Drive until you reach Mt. Bachelor
ski area. Meet the guide at either the Sunrise lodge
or the West Village lodge, depending on which lifts
are in use. Sign a waiver at the Information Booth in
the lodge (or at the ticket window if the Information
Booth is closed). The LZ is located in the flat area
NW of the base of the Skyliner chairlift -- if it's
your first time flying at Bachelor be sure to walk the
LZ with a guide and discuss the approaches. All launch
sites are at or near the summit. Ride the chairlift
to the summit with a guide, who will choose an appropriate
launch based on the conditions each day.
Notable paraglider flights: During the months of April,
May and June, thermal flights are common at Mt. Bachelor.
Tumalo Mountain has proven to be a good thermal source
as well as a good starting point for the flight to Bend.
A number of paraglider pilots have flown from Bachelor to
Bend, and Jeff Huey has flown from Bachelor to Pine Mountain.
Hang gliders launched from Mt. Bachelor have flown triangles
in the Cascades and have also flown to Bend.
Submitted by: Steve Roti
Last Revision Date: 11/20/2007
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