Santa Barbara Info

Waypoints

WPT - Official Santa Barbara waypoint file XC tasks
JPG - Quick snapshot of waypoint locations
KML - Google Earth list of all waypoints
KMZ - Santa Barbara XC Guide courtesy of Eagle Paragliding & Aaron Laplante

Launches

VOR: West most launch, doesn't work well with West components in wind.
Alternator: More wind shadowed then VOR but deeper in the terrain
EJ Bowl: Higher and easier launch than Skyport but deep in the terrain
Skyport: East most launch, very small and can be a tricky glide out
Maps

Main LZs

The T: Common meeting place for VOR and Alternator launch. Huge LZ but a long glide out to it.
Parma: Common meeting place for Skyport and EJ Bowl. Quite small with rocks and trees but has a few bailouts
Many other bailout options but not all very good, often times landing on a fire road on the mountain is the best bet. Landing in the valleys is not ideal as the bushes are upwards of 12' in places and can make for an epic adventure out.

Weather

Weather predictions are notoriously difficult for Santa Barbara. Best flying times are late fall to early Spring. Often times Santa Barbara works when the Santa Anas are blowing due to high mountains blocking the wind, strong temperature gradients generating South flow and eddies in the winds aloft that cause different wind patterns to setup here than the rest of SoCal. It's hard to get a reliable forecast more than a day out and the best bet is to always look the day of flying to get the most accurate picture. Often times if the forecast is showing winds in the 5-10 mph range from the North, there is a good chance the South wind will setup and allow for flying. Cloud flying is quite common here with low ceilings but ample lift and thermal triggers allow for some great XC potential even if the thermal tops are low.

Local Tip On Lapse Rate: General rule for SB is 19-22 degree spread or better for a scratch & sniff day, 22-25 degree spread for a good day, and 25 degree+ for a great day. The spread formula is forecasted ground temp high in SB vs. 6k winds aloft temp.

Rules

$10/day or $30/year membership contribution for USHPA insurance of sites: http://sbsa.info/join-the-sbsa/
Contact and arrange to meet with a local guide for site introductions. Like many flying sites these days there are a lot of sensitive areas that must be observed. It is important to know the rules in advance and observe them to not jeopardize these sites and the instructors that depend on them for their living.
Must be P4 to fly to East Beach. Must be BELOW 1000' when crossing the 101 or you are in restricted airspace
Round House: The Roundhouse is located on the SW point of the front ridge on your way from Eliminator/Skyport to Parma LZ. Stay 500 feet horizontally and 200 feet vertically clear of the Round House, no exceptions. The owner has been known to chase pilots down to the LZ and pick fights with those he thinks are getting to close!

Community Pages

Lodging in Santa Barbara
Pilots' Forum
Facebook Pilots Group
Soaring Club Main Site - Lots more information about Santa Barbara
Eagle Twitter
Fly Above All Twitter
Soaring Association Twitter

Contacts

Chris Grantham - Fly Above All - (805) 965-3733
Rob Sporrer - Eagle Paragliding - (805) 968-0980