Paiute (Bishop- Owens Valley)
📍 California , Inyo County · Nearest city: Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek (20 km)
66 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2919 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
37.53140, -118.27900Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-20 13:18 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
No recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~3522 m, viento fuerte (42 km/h).
base ~3522m · wind 42 km/hCondiciones marginales, base de cúmulos ~1141 m, viento fuerte (48 km/h).
base ~1141m · wind 48 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~2412 m, viento 12 km/h.
base ~2412m · wind 12 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~2566 m, viento 8 km/h.
base ~2566m · wind 8 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Wind chart — altitude × time
Color: green < 20 km/h · yellow 20-30 · red >40. Arrows point to where the wind is blowing. Each column = 1 hour. 4 altitudes: 10m surface, 80m first thermal, 1500m (850 hPa) thermal cruise, 3000m (700 hPa) top.
Wind next days (Open-Meteo model)
Wind rose 10m — 2026-04-20
| Date | Morning 08-12h | Midday 12-16h | Evening 16-20h | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-20 | 30 km/h S | gust 43 | 39 km/h SW | gust 52 | 25 km/h S | gust 41 |
| 2026-04-21 | 27 km/h SE | gust 53 | 32 km/h SW | gust 62 | 18 km/h SW | gust 50 |
Colors: green < 15 km/h (optimal) · orange 15-25 · red >25 (flying not recommended). ⚠️ = shear >25 km/h between 10m and 850 hPa (potentially broken thermals).
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 12 | High |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.80 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.50 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Big area with dirt and small rocks. Also lots of tiny bushes to snag lines. Launch is at 8000ft/msl, 4000ft above the LZ. The air is thin. Occasional dusties through launch, especially late in the day.
Pilot comments
This is a huge site with big mountains and deep canyons. The terrain is harsh desert with rocky spines. The launch is 4K above the valley; you can climb a thousand feet higher and still be only half-way up the mountain. 30-mile flights are common, but further distances must be out-and-backs. Use other launches for long open-distance XCs. Maintain good ground clearance. There is little benefit to 'scratching' the Whites, and the potential for dust devils and/or violent thermals is high. This is a great high altitude launch - once you make it up the gnarly road! The advantage is the LZ always feels like it is within gliding distance. Great for confidence of the students. Wait for a lull to launch!!
Nearby sites
Gunter (Bishop - Owens Valley) (58) · Flynns (Bishop - Owens Valley) (55) · Chalk Bluffs (10) · Bria Dog Ridge (Mammoth Lake) (13) · McGee (Owens Valley) (47) · Mazourka (6)