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Visiting Pilots

Aloha Visiting Pilots

Polipoli Flight Park is the main paragliding site on Maui and is managed by Paraglide Maui. Located on the lee side of Mt. Haleakalā, it is protected from the trade winds and is flyable around 330 days a year. This unique geography allows pilots to fly for about two to three hours in the morning until the clouds form.

Our flight park is located on private property and we are very grateful to the landowner to allow us access. WE ARE ALSO EXTREMELY PROTECTIVE OF OUR SITE. ALL VISITING PILOTS  MUST CONTACT PARAGLIDE MAUI, SIGN WAIVERS, AND RECEIVE A SITE ORIENTATION BEFORE FLYING AT THIS SITE.  Please read the below rules & regulations and then call us at 808-874-5433 and we will be happy to help you get signed up and arrange a site orientation.

Flight Park Fees are $10 per day or $100 per year.  All visiting pilots MUST have an orientation BEFORE flying. The orientation fee is $50. All visiting P-2 pilots MUST have at least a one hour instructional lesson with a Paraglide Maui instructor BEFORE flying. Instruction and guide service is $150 per hour.

Our landing zone is on the side of a mountain so we land side wind.  At 3500 feet elevation you can expect a faster landing than at sea level.

ECHOS LAUNCH

P2 visiting pilots may fly from our 1000 foot launch, Echos. If you are a P-2 pilot and want to fly our 3000 foot launch, Ferns, you may be able to under the supervision of an instructor.  Private Lessons are $150 an hour.

FERNS LAUNCH

Ferns is a P3 launch site.  We take off in light wind. It is important to pick a good cycle, and take the correct heading to make it over the trees in front of launch.

P3 visiting pilots must do at least 1 flight from our Echos launch before going up to our 3000 foot Ferns launch. P4 visiting pilots that are current with flying and comfortable doing light wind forward launches can go right up, but we do recommend a warm up from the lower launch if you haven’t done a forward launch in a while.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

All visiting pilots MUST be current USHPA members.  Please bring your USHPA card or know your USHPA number.
All visiting pilots MUST sign site waivers before flying.
All visiting pilots MUST complete a site orientation.
All visiting pilots MUST fly with a reserve parachute and a helmet.
All visiting pilots MUST follow the general flying rules set forth by USHPA.
All visiting pilots MUST land in our designated landing zones.
All visiting pilots MUST avoid the Radio Controlled Airplane area – this will be covered in the orientation.
All visiting pilots MUST drive slowly and with respect for our neighbors on Waipoli Road – the road up to our LZ.
All paragliders MUST be C/EN certified.  All wings over five years old must show latest annual certification.
NO Speed Wing flying. The USHPA definition of a Speed Wing is any wing with a Wing Loading equal to or greater than 6.8. Wing Loading is defined as your All Up Weight (Kgs) divided by the size of your wing (square meters). Here’s the math.
If your wing is 17 meters than your All Up Weight can be no more than 255 lbs.
If your wing is 16 meters than your All Up Weight can be no more than 240 lbs.
If your wing is 15 meters than your All Up Weight can be no more than 225 lbs.
If your wing is 14 meters than your All Up Weight can be no more than 210 lbs.
If your wing is 13 meters than your All Up Weight can be no more than 195 lbs.
If your wing is 12 meters than your All Up Weight can be no more than 180 lbs.
If your wing is 11 meters than your All Up Weight can be no more than 165 lbs.
If your wing is 10 meters than your All Up Weight can be no more than 150 lbs.

No aerobatics, no stalls. Keep your wing over your head.
No tandem flying unless affiliated with Paraglide Maui.
Visiting P2 pilots should be done flying by 10:00 am in the summer and 11 am in the winter.
Visiting P3/P4 pilots should be done flying by 11 am in the summer, and 12 pm in the winter.

All visiting pilots MUST keep the LZ within a 45 degree glide when over the trees on either side of the LZ.  Do not get fooled into thinking you can make it back to the LZ and be surprised by running into a head wind.  If you land in the trees be aware that you are on your own!

Paraglide Maui operates a shuttle van from the LZ to launch that is primarily for bringing tandem pilots and their students up to launch.  If there is room, solo pilots may ride in the van on a first come basis.  Rides to Ferns launch are $10 cash.  Rides to Echos are $5 cash.  You can buy a “Ticket to Ride” for $50 cash that gives you 6 rides to Ferns or 12 rides to Echos.  All wings must go in the back of the van.  No wings in the seating area of the van.  No more than 12 people total in the van.

a view of a mountain

Launch Sites

This is the main paragliding site on Maui and is managed by Paraglide Maui. Located on the lee side of Mt. Haleakalā, it is protected from the trade winds and is flyable around 330 days a year. The unique geography allows pilots to fly for about two to three hours in the morning until the clouds form.

a large empty field

LANDING ZONE

3500 ft MSL

We have a very friendly landing zone with nicely cut grass and a lot of space to safely land. The normal approach is from north to south as the arrow indicates. Please do not cross the road since there are regularly cars moving along the LZ.

a large empty field

ECHOS LAUNCH

4500 ft MSL  |   1000 ft descent

Echoes is simply the top of our training hill. With a thousand feet of grass, and numerous top-landing spots, it is the perfect place to hone your skills. Cloud base is usually above the launch, so it’s possible to get multiple flights in one morning!

a sign on a grassy hill

FERNS LAUNCH

6500 ft MSL  |   3000 ft descent

On good days you will be able to launch two or three times from Ferns before the clouds shut down the launch. On these flights you can expect to get lift at 300 fpm to 600 fpm.

Special Note about Flying from Haleakala Crater

At this time Haleakala Crater is closed to all flying.

Pilots who attempt to launch from the crater risk being arrested. They also complicate the local club’s effort to establish an official flying site. Mahalo for your cooperation.

 

As soon as flying is allowed on the crater again we will note the change here.

Other Maui Flying Sites

There are other flying sites on Maui that are maintained by local hang gliding and paragliding pilots not affiliated with Paraglide Maui.

Please visit their site to inquire about other flying sites.