Overview
Name West Rutland, Rutland, Jake's
Location West Rutland, Vermont
General Description Very popular mountain site.  Most pilots in this area have their first mountain flight at this site.  Good sled rides, ridge soaring, thermal flying, and wonder-wind conditions.
Requirements Pilot must have a USHGA H3 or P3 rating,  a H2 or P2 rating with an observer or advanced instructor.  Tandem pilots must meet all USHGA tandem requirements.

A H2 or P2 pilot should use an official USHGA observer if at all possible.  However, a H2 or P2 pilot may use a corresponding H4 or P4 pilot as a substitute observer if certain restrictions are met.  The H2 or P2 pilot must already have flown at this site at least once under the direction of an official USHGA observer.  The H4 or P4 pilot must help launch and therefore launch after the H2 or P2 pilot.  It is the responsibility of the H2 or P2 pilot to find a substitute observer that understands the needs and limitations of a new mountain pilot before heading to launch.

Pilot must be Vermont Hang Gliding Association Member and has signed the site waiver.

Tandem passengers must sign the VHGA site waiver.

Launching
Launches Covered metal ramp facing SW.  Most hang gliding pilots find the launch very comfortable.  Paragliding pilots need to layout and pull up behind the ramp and carefully launch without running off the side of the ramp.  Large setup area in a grove of shade trees accommodates up to 30 hang gliders.
Wind Launch works best in calm to moderate SW winds, but is soarable with light S through W winds.
Driving Directions A high-level map is available.

Exit Route 4 into West Rutland.  Turn left at the traffic light at the end of the extended off ramp.  Proceed through town.  Turn right just before the road passes back under Route 4.  The drive to launch is protected with a locked gate.  Have a local show you the driveway and unlock the gate for you. The drive to launch is best done with a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle.  Keep the parking area at the top open for the wire crews that are arriving after you.
Hazards Like most ridge sites, unless the wind is blowing straight in, thermals move across the ridge.  If it is windy, or the thermals are strong, pay attention to possible thermal turbulence moving across launch.

Flying
Type of Flying Good ridge soaring and frequent wonder-wind conditions.  Southwest days are usually not the best thermal days in this part of the world, but the local terrain produces thermals if conditions are at all favorable.
Restrictions
Hazards The launch is near a natural gap along a long ridge line.  Air flows through the valley in front of launch and speeds up as it flows through the more narrow gap.  Pilots have measured wind speed above the ridge at 10mph, while in the gap, the wind speed was measured at 30mph.  Don't get caught in the gap with a glider that can not penetrate stronger winds.  Avoiding the gap is easy to do.

Light south wind days are fine, however, as the wind speed increases turbulence increases as air flows over a point (Birds Eye) on the other side of the valley.  There are exciting stories that start with pilots launching on strong south days.
Cross Country Records In 1999, John Sillero flew 98 miles into New York on a northeast day.

Landing
Landing Zones (LZs) Standing at launch at West RutlandThere are 3 LZs.

The main LZ is a large hayfield 1/4 mile west of Jake's old house.  A small driveway leads down to a bridge, that crosses a stream, and into the field.  Do not park along the driveway.  Park only in the designated area near the MANURE PILE.

THE FORMER LZ KNOWN AS "The DOME Field" IS NOW CLOSED - DO NOT LAND THERE Under any circumstances! There is a new LZ just west of the dome field for bail-outs.

Some pilots land behind Jake's old house.  Only experience pilots should land in this field since it involves avoiding trees and power lines on approach and requires uphill landing techniques.  Since Jake sold his house, pilots must break down in the hayfield and load vehicles along the road and not in the driveway or yard.
Driving Directions A high-level map is available.

Exit Route 4 into West Rutland.  Turn left at the traffic light at the end of the extended off ramp.  Proceed through town and back under Route 4.  Jake's old house is on the left side of the road and has a wind sock on top.
Restrictions Do not breakdown on or park at Jake's old house.  Jake does not own it anymore!

Do not park along the driveway leading to the main LZ.  Pull across the bridge and park in the field.

Do not breakdown on, or cross the lawn, opposite Jake's old house.
Hazards Just as you decide it is time to start your approach pattern, you will likely encounter a layer of turbulence that can range from very mild to moderate.  Fly with adequate speed and fear not, the layer is shallow and doesn't extend to the ground.

As with most mountain sites, keep a close watch on the wind direction late in the evening.  The catabatic flows that make for spectacular wonder wind flights can also cause the wind in the valley to change direction 180 degrees from the direction you just soared in all day.

If you are asked to help unload hay or pick corn, lend a hand to our friendly landowners.  If you get too hot, ask the local pilots about the swimming hole nearby.