Padgham Hill

Updated 3/21/2023

Pilots must be current USHPA members as well as current RAF Chapter members.
Students must fly under immediate oversight of USHPA Instructors in winds no greater than 15 mph with gust factors no greater than 7. H2/P2 and above may fly unsupervised based on pilot judgement regarding conditions.
Any pilot flying this site, regardless of rating, is required to have at least one other person on site, capable of summoning help if needed. Mini-wings are permitted for pilots with minimum M1 rating, or P2 rating and under supervision of M1 Pilot.
Student pilots are advised that students who fail to follow instructor guidance or who demonstrate willful disregard of safe flight principles and practice will not advance to H2 and could have their RAF membership terminated.
Glider tie-downs are not required. Student pilots shall follow instructor guidance on proper ground handling and positioning of gliders.
Tandem flight is not permitted at this site.

Student pilots shall follow guidance from instructors about launch technique and about avoidance of surrounding scrub vegetation.
Rotor can develop along the tree lines on the launch hill.

Rotor can develop in the W and E LZs.
The LZ surrounding the hill is a farmed field with plow ruts and stones turned out of the earth by plows; pilots are encouraged to observe the condition of the landing area before launching.

Access to this site is seasonal and is solely at the resident property owner’s discretion. Pilots shall not fly this site during “blackout periods” set by the owner and communicated to the membership through the BoD.
Site access is via the driveway entrance from Bowerman Road. Student pilots park on the road. H2 and higher may park along the drive as space permits.
The hill is accessed across a farmed field; pilots and guests shall traverse the field along the worn footpath between the storage area near the drive and the setup/breakdown area at the foot of the hill.
There are no accommodations for spectators at this site. The Club does not encourage non-members to frequent this site. Student pilots are specifically asked not to bring any spectators to the site. Occasionally, a passer-by curious about free flight will approach the hill to ask about HG/PG. Such persons are to be directed to the instructor on scene, who will answer questions and provide escort for the visitor.
Dogs must be on a leash and are not permitted during launch and landing operations.
Club members are not to enter this site property unless participating in a training session, brushing up flight skills (H2+/P2+), or attending to Club property at the storage area. There are no general aviation activities at this site.

In an emergency, call 911, describe the situation, and give the dispatcher the site address – 455 Bowerman Road, Farmington.

For more information and site introductions contact -

Padgham Training Hill - click for directions on Google Maps