HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING

Nestled on a Playground Drive overlook west of Top Town is one of the top five hang gliding and paragliding spots in the world – the Crestline launch site. On any given clear-weather day, spectators can watch from a safe distance as hang glider pilots and paragliders launch off the side of the mountain. From this takeoff, pilots expertly guide their crafts 2,800 vertical feet down to the landing zone at Andy Jackson Airpark on the valley floor.
Along with its sister launch stations at Marshall Peak, Regionals, the 750 and the Airpark, Crestline Launch is operated by the nonprofit Crestline Soaring Society. At roughly 5,262’ elevation, Crestline Launch is the highest and offers the longest flights of all the launch sites.

One of the features that makes the Crestline area such a vibrant scene on the hang gliding and paragliding circuit is the onshore winds that come from the ocean and mingle with the cooler air at the top of the San Bernardino range. This weather pattern forms massive thermals.

Experienced fliers can rise high above the mountains and soar for extended periods of time. Spectators are both welcome and common at the Crestline Launch. There is a special, level area set aside where visitors may set up chairs and watch. Children are welcome, as are pets
on a leash.

Weekends are a great time to watch gliders lift off from the launch point. From Top Town Crestline, take Crest Forest east and veer left onto Playground Dr. Head down a ways until you see the launch parking area on the left.

For those ready to make the leap, book a tandem flight!

Before you fly, you must join the Crestline Soaring Society and have a valid USHPA membership and rating. All of our launches are H3/P3 – H2/P2 pilots must be either signed off by or under the direct supervision of an authorized CSS instructor before using any of the launches. If you are a H2/P2, please do not plan on arriving at AJX in the morning and flying unsupervised by afternoon. All P2 pilots are PROHIBITED from launching at Crestline unless under the direct supervision of a CSS instructor.