Mt Herman
📍 Colorado , El Paso County · Nearest city: Palmer Lake (4 km)
14 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2693 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
39.08200, -104.92500Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 0 | Low |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.00 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.28 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Steep grassy meadow ending to point of no return cliff. Room for 2 gliders.
Rules and notes
Prior to flight, advise USAFA Flight Operations at 719-333-2526. Call again to advise when all flight activities are completed. Even though it is not normally staffed on the weekend, please try calling the tower anyway to let them know your flight plans and remember we are not supposed to be in the air during fly overs. Recommended P3 minimum due to relatively committed cliff launch, relatively small launch area, and active mountain air.
Pilot comments
NOTES from USAF communication: We've had an important update to our flyover ops here. The FAA approved higher speeds for our fighters (450 KIAS) and B-1s (with swept wings to .9Mach) if we implement a TFR for their operations. This means that we will be requesting TFRs anytime we plan flyovers above 300 KIAS. Our TFR box will stop short of Mt Herman and we will still encourage our pilot to head toward Monument Lake after leaving their flyover target, however, these aircraft will most likely attempt climb to 10,000 MSL so that they are in compliance with FARs at those airspeeds. I remember seeing some of your pilots operating up to 13,500 when I went out to watch you on Mt Herman so this could still be an issue for your pilots especially at higher altitudes. Also, all of your pilots must check the FAA TFRs before they fly. It’s a safety thing regarding our flyover operations but it might be a serious fine for busting a Presidential TFR which is pretty huge (a 30NM outer ring). Mt Herman falls well within a COS Presidential TFR and might also fall within a Denver visit depending on what area the President is staying or giving a speech at.
Nearby sites
Hell Creek (5) · bald Mountain (5) · Monkey Face (31) · Lincoln mtn (15) · Section 16 (12) · Bergen Rock (24)