Updated 1/29/22
Site guide
Poverty Launch
Recommended Winds: North launch
• HG: min 6, ideal 12, Max 20, gust 5
• PG: min 1, ideal 6, max 12 gust 3
• M1: min 3, Ideal 10, max 15, gust 3
• Ideal direction 330-30 degrees, Acceptable 315-45 degrees
• Min GR: 2.6
Recommended Ratings
• North Launch H2, P1, M1
Site guide and risk recommendations for Poverty Launch
Launch 6900ft/2103 GPS 31'30.74"N 112 10'23.61"W LZ: 6290ft/1917m GPS 3831'52.91"N 112 10';8.59";W
Poverty is a 600 foot vertical, ridge soaring site located in the south end of the Sevier Valley, South of Monroe City. High clearance is a 2wd and 4wd road to launch from main the dirt road between Monroe and Marysvale Utah. Landing zone is east of the large mountain across the road from Poverty launch and can be the dirt road below launch to the east running north and south, or the irrigated field north of launch, east of the obvious rotor. (farmer has given permission, please be respectful of fencing and gates).
P2 site for morning and evening as conditions allow, P4’s only for top landing.
Site Features and Weather
Poverty takes advantage of a north valley flow. The south part of the Sevier Valley has a natural constriction creating a venturi effect similar to the North Side of Point of the Mountain, Utah. Morning north flows are possible although more consistently an evening site. Mid day thermals mixed with the venturi in the area can create significant turbulence and strong headwinds. Weather stations at the Richfield airport, Venice, Aurora and I-70 give a good idea of the Poverty launch situation. Poverty Launch is about 1500 feet higher than the valley floor in Monroe City as well as the valley venturi make the conditions on launch stronger than observed in the valley floor.
Over development over any of the mountains and ranges surrounding the Sevier Valley can affect Poverty. Any gust fronts in the area will be magnified by the features and location of Poverty.
Known Accidents at Poverty:
Occurred mid day, late Spring. Visiting pilots were para-waiting for conditions to mellow. they felt a few lull cycles and thought launching was safe. An older pilot inflated his wing and wing and pilot was plucked vertically and began to be blown back. Pilot was unable to get into his pod harness because of bad knees and his position in the harness and unable to use speed bar. Instead of flying east to a non rotor option, pilot ended up west behind launch and entered a rotor zone which caused a series of collapses and a landing without reserve deployment, possibly because of his position in the harness. Significant injuries to the pelvis, ribs and spine were experienced. Helicopter evacuation was needed. Lesson: strong thermals can come through Poverty launch mid day and being blown over the back is not what flying for fun is about.
Years ago, a pilot was flying in the evening and as the sun set, a katabatic wind from the east and south east developed, mixing with the valley flow over Poverty launch, Pilot may have over-reacted to a wing collapse and ended up landing hard breaking his femur. Lesson: Be aware of katabatibc influence at sunset and after. Stay calm and get the wing flying again if possible, if not, throw reserve.
Land owner situation and insurance:
Poverty launch and landing zones are on public and private land and is NOT insured or managed by the Central Utah Air Sports Association. CUASA. The information about using Poverty launch and landing is provided as a free public service in order to help you fly safely and not upset the land owners and cause permission to use this site to be revoked. If you fly here you do so at your own risk and judgement. Just remember that everything you do reflects and effects all of us in the sport of free flight. If you would like advice on safely using the Poverty site you may contact stacy@cuasa.com - jef@cuasa.com jonathan@cuasa.com
Poverty site cautions:
1) P2 skills for morning and evening. Launch is possible in NNE, N, NNW conditions.
2) P3 skills needed for NW conditions.
3) P4 and very advanced skills are required to attempt top landing,
4) Helmets are recommended and should be worn any time you are attached to the glider.
5) Spectators should remain 50 feet away from laid out paragliders, and be aware of launching and flying pilots.
6) Mini wings may use the Poverty launch, but extreme caution should be used because all of the preceding cautions are magnified when using mini wings.
7) Please keep vehicles on the road, do not drive into the meadows or pastures, not only because you would be a hazard to landing pilots but also to maintain good relations with the kind farmers who have given us permission to land on their property.
8) Stay well clear of the power lines and barb wire fencing.
9) Do not fly in rotor zones behind the ridge or to the North and East of launch near the road.
10) Katabatic wind influence is possible late evening and would come from the east and south east. It is recommended that you are on the ground 15 minutes before sunset and head towards the landing zone at the first signs of turbulence as the sun gets low.
11) Be aware of Virga or clouds dropping out in any of the mountain ranges surrounding Poverty as any downdraft or gust front will be magnified by the venturi.
