JP's Standard Routes
These routes are optimized for thermal flights. Points with a * in the name have coordinates from the GNIS data base, http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisform.html. Not all points are "photogenic" so these tasks are suitable only for use with a GPS Flight Recorder. If you fly one of these tasks, I would appreciate an e-mail report. Suggestions are welcome. Send to JetPilot@Skypark.org.
Download Cambridge GPS Database Turnpoints #01 through #60 in this file, npexport.dat, are the Cal City contest turnpoints.
Before entering or over-flying any restricted or controlled airspace call the controlling agency to be sure the airspace is open for joint use.
Frequencies for Joshua Approach include:
124.55 Palmdale area
134.05 Rosamond area
133.65 Cal City/Inyokern area
126.55 Owens area
127.50 Bishop area
123.95 Saline Valley area
120.25 Panamint/Trona area
124.55 Apple Valley area
World's Easiest Thermal 300 km Out-and-Return-- This route uses the Inyo/Whites twice. Unfortunately Lone Pine does not have regular towing service. If flying from Bishop, start at Boundary Peak.
Start #75 *Cerro Gordo Peak, CA 36° 32.267 117° 47.133 9,184 ft Turn #71 *Boundary Peak, NV 37° 50.767 118° 21.000 13,143 ft Finish #75 *Cerro Gordo Peak, CA 36° 32.267 117° 47.133 Task Distance 307.66 km 191.17 sm
Thermal 500 km Out-and-Return-- This route uses the Inyo/Whites twice. Skinner Peak is on the south edge of Walker Plateau so this route is usable from Inyokern, Cal City, and Mountain Valley. Cross over at Lone Pine. If flying from Bishop, start at Boundary Peak.
Start #73 *Skinner Peak, CA 35° 34.000 118° 07.567 7,120 ft Turn #71 *Boundary Peak, NV 37° 50.767 118° 21.000 13,143 ft Finish #73 *Skinner Peak, CA 35° 34.000 118° 07.567 Task Distance 508.49km 315.96 sm
SIMULATED RACING TASKS -- The following are routes for practicing contest flying using a GPS start/finish and GPS turn points from the latest Region 12 Turn Point list.
The start cylinder has a 5-sm radius. The start occurs (i.e. the clock starts) when the sailplane exits the top or the side of the cylinder.
Each turnpoint cylinder is 1/4 sm in radius.
The finish cylinder has 1-sm radius. The finish occurs (i.e. the clock stops) when the sailplane enters the cylinder above the minimum altitude. It looks like most Competition Director's will be setting the minimum finish altitude 500 feet AGL. Since the elapsed time clock stops upon entering the finish cylinder, a finisher has no good reason to buzz the airport after a GPS finish. At finish, the pilot should zoom off any extra airspeed and maneuver to enter downwind or base as applicable. Use local procedures including radio calls on the appropriate frequency to reduce the chance of a mishap and to keep the airport management happy.
Racing Task Alpha--This is a good task for practicing along the Sierra. For this task the top of the start cylinder is 10,000 feet MSL and the bottom of the finish cylinder is 7,000 feet MSL so the pilot has plenty of altitude to recover to Cal City. The GPS Mountain Start Point is in the Tehachapi Mtns west of Cal City.
Start #60 GPS Mountain Start, CA 35° 09.000 118° 16.000 5,000 ft Turn #52 Whitney Portal 36° 35.350 118° 13.967 8,036 ft Finish #74 *Cross Mountain, CA 35° 16.733 118° 08.150 5,203 ft Task Distance 184.15 sm
Racing Task Bravo--This is a good task for a "medium" day. For this task the top of the start cylinder is 10,000 feet MSL and the bottom of the finish cylinder is 7,000 feet MSL so the pilot has plenty of altitude to recover to Cal City. The GPS Mountain Start Point is in the Tehachapi Mtns west of Cal City.
Start #60 GPS Mountain Start, CA 35° 09.000 118° 16.000 5,000 ft Turn #50 Westguard Ranch Turn #48 Cottonwood Power Plant Finish #74 *Cross Mountain, CA 35° 16.733 118° 08.150 5,203 ft Task Distance 264.34 sm
Racing Task Charlie--This is a challenging task for those wanting to fly the Sierra and the desert. It takes the pilot on a tour around the outside of China Lake's restricted airspace. Be careful to stay out of restricted areas. For this task the top of the start cylinder is 10,000 feet MSL and the bottom of the finish cylinder is 3,000 feet MSL. (Do not buzz the airport. Use caution for other traffic.)
Start #60 GPS Mountain Start, CA 35° 09.000 118° 16.000 5,000 ft Turn #48 Cottonwood Power Plant Turn #53 Wildrose (Intersection N of Telescope Peak) Turn #54 Searles Lake SW Corner Finish #56 Cal City Finish Gate Task Distance 226.62 sm
Racing Task Delta--This task is good for practicing flying the southern Sierra. For this task the top of the start cylinder is 10,000 feet MSL and the bottom of the finish cylinder is 7,000 feet MSL so the pilot has plenty of altitude to recover to Cal City. The GPS Mountain Start Point is in the Tehachapi Mtns west of Cal City.
Start #60 GPS Mountain Start, CA 35° 09.000 118° 16.000 5,000 ft Turn #01 Oso Pumping Station Turn #40 Kern Valley Airport Finish #74 *Cross Mountain, CA 35° 16.733 118° 08.150 5,203 ft Task Distance 129.03 sm
Racing Task Echo--This task is good for practice flying the El Mirage shear line. For this task the top of the start cylinder is 10,000 feet MSL and the bottom of the finish cylinder is 3,000 feet MSL. (Use caution for the SE parachute drop zone. Do not buzz the airport. Use caution for other traffic.) Make sure the "Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles" are not flying at El Mirage. (Joshua Approach 124.55 will know.)
Start #58 GPS Start SE Turn #16 Barstow Dagget Airport Turnoff Turn #19 El Mirage Airport Finish #56 Cal City Finish Gate Task Distance 151.14 sm
Racing Task Foxtrot--This task is suitable for a good day where the pilots wants to run up and down the White's. For this task the top of the start cylinder is 10,000 feet MSL and the bottom of the finish cylinder is 7,000 feet MSL so the pilot has plenty of altitude to recover to Cal City.
Start #60 GPS Mountain Start 35° 09.000 118° 16.000 5,000 ft Turn #71 *Boundary Peak, NV 37° 50.767 118° 21.000 13,143 ft Turn #48 Cottonwood Power Plant Finish #74 *Cross Mountain 35° 16.733 118° 08.150 5,203 ft Task Distance 359.16 sm
--End of File--