North America – USA – California

Ant Hill is a hang gliding site located in Bakersfield, California. It is a small hill with a grassy slope facing northwest. It is suitable for beginners and intermediate pilots who want to practice their skills and enjoy the views of the city and the mountains. The site is closed for paragliding.

The site is managed by the Kern County Hang Gliding Association (KCHGA). Pilots must be members of the USHPA and have a H2 rating or higher. Pilots must also follow the site rules and regulations posted on the KCHGA website: https://www.kchga.org/ant-hill.html

Launch Sites

There are two launch sites on Ant Hill: the main launch and the south launch.

Main Launch

The main launch is located at the top of the hill, near a dirt road. It has a wooden ramp and a windsock. The launch altitude is about 278 m (912 ft) above sea level.

The main launch faces northwest and requires a steady wind of 8 to 15 mph from that direction. The launch angle is about 20 degrees. Pilots should avoid launching in crosswinds or gusty conditions.

South Launch

The south launch is located on the south side of the hill, about 100 m (328 ft) below the main launch. It has a grassy slope and a windsock. The launch altitude is about 230 m (755 ft) above sea level.

The south launch faces southwest and requires a steady wind of 8 to 15 mph from that direction. The launch angle is about 15 degrees. Pilots should avoid launching in crosswinds or gusty conditions.

Landing Areas

There are two landing areas on Ant Hill: the main landing and the south landing.

Main Landing

The main landing is located at the base of the hill, near a parking lot and a picnic area. It has a large grassy field with some trees and power lines on the edges. The landing altitude is about 140 m (459 ft) above sea level. The landing coordinates are 35.4214° N, 119.0593° W.

The main landing is suitable for all pilots and can accommodate multiple gliders at once. Pilots should land into the wind and avoid flying over or near the power lines, trees, cars, people, or animals.

South Landing

The south landing is located on the south side of the hill, near a dirt road and a fence. It has a smaller grassy field with some bushes and rocks on the edges. The landing altitude is about 150 m (492 ft) above sea level. The landing coordinates are 35.4200° N, 119.0601° W.

The south landing is suitable for intermediate and advanced pilots who can perform accurate spot landings. Pilots should land into the wind and avoid flying over or near the fence, bushes, rocks, cars, people, or animals.

Flying Conditions and Restrictions

Ant Hill is a hang gliding site that offers smooth and consistent flights for most of the year. The best flying season is from October to May, when the winds are more favorable and the temperatures are mild. The site is closed for flying during the summer months, when the winds are too strong and the risk of fire is high.

The site is also closed for paragliding, due to safety and liability issues. Paragliders are not allowed to launch or land on Ant Hill or fly over it at any altitude. Paragliders who violate this rule may face legal consequences and fines.

Hang gliding pilots who fly at Ant Hill must follow the rules and regulations set by the USHPA, the FAA, and the KCHGA. Some of the main rules are:

• Pilots must be members of the USHPA and have a H2 rating or higher.
• Pilots must sign a waiver and pay a yearly fee to the KCHGA before flying at Ant Hill.
• Pilots must wear a helmet, a harness, and a reserve parachute at all times.
• Pilots must carry a radio and communicate with other pilots and observers on the designated frequency.
• Pilots must check the wind direction and speed before launching and landing, and use the appropriate launch and landing sites.
• Pilots must fly clear of the launch sites after launching and avoid flying over the no-fly zone at any altitude.
• Pilots must respect the airspace rules and avoid flying near or over restricted areas, such as airports, military bases, or wildlife reserves.
• Pilots must follow the right-of-way rules and avoid collisions with other gliders or aircraft.
• Pilots must report any accidents or incidents to the KCHGA and the USHPA.

For more information on the flying conditions and restrictions at Ant Hill, please visit the following websites:

• https://www.kchga.org/ant-hill.html
• https://www.faa.gov/faq/what-are-restrictions-operating-hang-glider
• https://outuro.com/where-to-hang-glide/

Best Times to Fly and Visit

Ant Hill is a hang gliding site that can be flown all year round, but some seasons are better than others. The best time to fly and visit Ant Hill is from October to May, when the winds are more favorable and the temperatures are mild. The site is closed for flying during the summer months, when the winds are too strong and the risk of fire is high.

The best time of day to fly at Ant Hill is in the morning or afternoon, when the wind is steady and smooth. The wind direction and speed can vary throughout the day, so pilots should check the weather forecast and the windsocks before launching and landing. The site can also be flown in the evening, when the wind becomes light and calm, but pilots should avoid flying after sunset or in low visibility conditions.

The best time to visit Ant Hill is on weekdays, when the site is less crowded and more peaceful. On weekends, the site can get busy with other pilots, spectators, and visitors, so pilots should be more careful and respectful of others. The site also hosts occasional events and competitions, such as the Ant Hill Classic, which can attract more pilots and spectators from around the region.

For more information on the best times to fly and visit Ant Hill, please visit the following websites:

• https://www.kchga.org/ant-hill.html
• https://www.paraglidingmap.com/launches/bakersfield-ant-hill-closed
• https://www.flytorrey.com/

More Information

Ant Hill is a hang gliding site that has a long history and a vibrant community of pilots and enthusiasts. If you want to learn more about the site, its history, its events, its people, or its rules, you can visit the following websites:

• https://www.kchga.org/ant-hill.html – The official website of the Kern County Hang Gliding Association, the site manager and the local club of hang gliding pilots. Here you can find the site rules and regulations, the membership information, the event calendar, the contact details, and more.
• https://www.paraglidingmap.com/launches/bakersfield-ant-hill-closed – A paragliding map website that shows the location, the altitude, the wind direction, and the weather conditions of Ant Hill. Here you can also find a note that the site is closed for paragliding and a link to the original data source from Paragliding Earth.
• https://www.californiahg.com/ – The website of California Hang Gliding, a hang gliding school and shop based in Los Angeles. Here you can find information on how to learn to fly, how to buy or rent equipment, how to join trips and tours, and how to contact the instructors. The website also has a blog that features news and stories about hang gliding in California.