Minakami ('Grand-Volee')
📍 Gunma · Nearest city: Numata (6 km)
54 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 520 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
36.68320, 139.01800Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:15 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1158 m, viento 10 km/h.
base ~1158m · wind 10 km/hCondiciones marginales, base de cúmulos ~1905 m, viento 17 km/h.
base ~1905m · wind 17 km/hCondiciones marginales, base de cúmulos ~2005 m, viento 12 km/h.
base ~2005m · wind 12 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20✅ Flyable · peak 68 at 10h
| 08 50 | 09 55 | 10 68 | 11 63 | 12 58 | 13 55 | 14 55 | 15 55 | 16 35 | 17 30 | 18 35 | 19 35 | 20 40 |
Peak 10h: CAPE 10 J/kg · LI -0.6 · BL top 430 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 1307 m · 0°C at 3340 m · Pro score 62/100 · sun 43° over slope
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 40 at 20h
- Día muy estable (CAPE<50, LI>2) — sin térmicas
| 08 8 | 09 15 | 10 19 | 11 25 | 12 25 | 13 25 | 14 25 ☁️⚠️ | 15 30 ☁️⚠️ | 16 30 ☁️⚠️ | 17 30 ☁️⚠️ | 18 30 ☁️⚠️ | 19 30 ☁️⚠️ | 20 40 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 20h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 14.8 · BL top 65 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 2270 m · 0°C at 2220 m · Pro score 52/100
Hourly flyability (0–100). ⛈️ = storm risk · ☁️⚠️ = cloud suck · 🏔️ = active ridge lift. CAPE = convective energy, LI = stability, BL top = thermal ceiling, w* = estimated dry thermal velocity. Source: Open-Meteo (ECMWF/GFS/ICON blend model).
Estimated vertical profile (Sounding)
Reference time: 10:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 15.1°C · Td: 8.8°C
LCL (cloud base): 787 m
BL top: 430 m
0°C level: 3340 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 6 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.82 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.45 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Very nicely maintained TO with minibus and railway to right to takeoff. You can also hike to the top in 45-60 mins . Very nice shrine just below takeoff and nice views of the valley. TO only for southerly or SW/SE. Cannot fly in N/W/E conditions.
Rules and notes
You need to pay a takeoff and landing fee to the club
Pilot comments
Very friendly club and members. A few non Japanese flying in the club. Staff and instructors speak some English. Club has food, drink and beer! Also a simple but comfortable bunkhouse to stay overnight. No showers but can use one of the local hot springs. Flying site is a few KM from the station. 2000 yen taxi ride or the club will pick up.
Nearby sites
Sky park Utsunomiya (49) · Dodaira W (29) · Dodaira S (32) · Ohira Sky Club (55) · Okamidake (Ogami) (54) · Hakuba -Happo One (20)