Here is a list of useful PPG sites and maps. Be sure to suggest a site if one is not listed.
   
Description:
This is a fantastic site for both beginners to advanced pilots. A large LZ with lots of rockless and vegetation free surface area. Great site for practicing takeoff and landings. Cross country trips to the N and NE provide natural desert terrain and mountains to soar or eye from the sky. This LZ is right next to an active runway, use extreme caution when climbing high, crossing over the runway or crossing the extended centerline of the runway. Fast moving GA and ultralight aircraft frequently use this airport for recreational and training purposes.
Directions:
Approach from the N (Phoenix):
- Take I-10 East to Tucson.
- Exit at Queen Creek Rd., turn right (West)
- Go 16 miles on Queen Creek Rd. which becomes Maricopa Rd. Arrive in town of Maricopa. Keep going past the sign for Hwy 238 North/Smith Enkie Road and keep driving for about a mile.
- At Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy 238, turn left (SE). There is a small sign here, but also take notice of the blue NAPA AutoParts building and the silver train car on both corners. (N33-03.410 W112-02.876)
- Go about 8 miles on Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy 238 past all the cows farms.
- At Anderson Rd., turn left (look for three, large, beige water towers on the corner) (N32-59.022 W111-55.749)
- After abut 200 feet, Anderson Road becomes a dirt road. Continue straight for about 1/2 mile.
- At Copperstate Road, turn right.
- Go about 1/2 mile down this road to the grass field.
Approach from the S (Casa Grande, Tucson):
- I-10 West to Phoenix
- Exit at I-8, turn left (West). Go about 4 to 5 miles on I-8.
- Exit at Thornton Rd, turn right (North). For about 4 to 6 miles.
- At Cottonwood Lane, turn left (West) at the interchange light.
- Go about 8 to 10 miles. Cottonwood will turn into Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy 238 heading NorthWest. You will pass a FritoLay plant on the right.
- At Anderson Rd., turn right (look for three, large, beige water towers on the corner) (N32-59.022 W111-55.749)
- After abut 200 feet, Anderson Road becomes a dirt road. Continue straight for about 1/2 mile.
- At Copperstate Road, turn right.
- Go about 1/2 mile down this road to the grass field.
GPS Coordinates, Map, & Web sites:
Latitude: 32° 59.30'
Longitude: -111.919 or -111°55.14'
 
AirNav Flight Planning
Airport web site |
      
Description:
This is one of the most popular flying sites in the NW valley, the LZ is peppered with small to medium sized rocks, so not an ideal foot launch training or kiting. The LZ is quite large with room for takeoff and landing in any direction. Development is creeping in on this site so use common sense to preserve the use for as long as possible. The CAP canal runs E and W just to the north of the LZ. Power lines run along the N and W side of the LZ. Flight is possible in almost all directions, to the W is the Agua Fria River, it offers some great scenery and some wildlife viewing opportunites. Wild Burros, Javelina, Coyotes, and Deer have been spotted along the river and surrounding areas. Deer Valley airport has a Class E surface area that extends to about 99th Ave and just to the SE of the LZ. Class E surface areas are a no-fly zone for PPGs. The winds can be tricky at this site due to the mountainous terrain to the W and N and the low lying river bottom. As always, if you want more information, have questions or want to fly with those who frequent this site, just post on the bulletin bord.
CAUTION: DVT Class E Surface Area to the East See Airspace Diagram Here
Directions:
Approach from the S:
North on I-17 to Carefree Hwy exit (Hwy 74)
Take Carefree Hwy to Lake Pleasant Rd (99th Ave)
Turn Left or S
Continue down Lake Pleasant Rd for about 1.7 miles
Turn right on the dirt road/trail just past the CAP cannal (on top of the crest/hill)
Follow the dirt road along side the CAP cannal to the W
Then make a left just past the teporary water pipe and head to the LZ
NOTE: A temporary water line is running N and S at the E edge of the LZ, procede N almost up to the cannal to go around the water line to the LZ
GPS Coordinates, Map, & Websites:
Latitude: 32° 55' 73.88" N
Longitude: 111° 42' 54.06" W
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Description:
This is a well known and VERY ACTIVE sailport, there is glider and glider towing activity everyday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. There are also some popular and VERY ACTIVE aerobatic boxes, one just to the NE of the airport and one further E just N of Carefree Hwy. USE CAUTION! Please do not loiter around the airport near normal operation times. USE CAUTION when flying abeam approach ends of runways, faster GA traffic may not see you or even be looking for you.
Please park and launch on the north side of the airport in the area bordered by blue in the picture above. You can get to this area by driving across all runways from the entrance on the south side of the airport or by going in the access road north of the airport that connects to HWY 74. Either way, USE CAUTION crossing runways and be respectful of the runway surfaces.
It a privilage to be able to utilize this site for paragliding, the owners and managment have been very receptive and open to our use of this property, DONT SCREW IT UP!
CAUTION: DVT Class E Surface Area to the East See Airspace Diagram Here
Directions:
Just to the SW of the HWY 74 and 99th Ave intersection. Enter on HWY 74 or use the entrance to the south and cross all runways to the launch area.
GPS Coordinates, Map, & Websites:
Latitude: 33° 48' 03.87" N
Longitude: 112° 14' 56.54" W
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Description:
This site is not ideal for training or student flight, established flyers will enjoy what this site has to offer. Skunk Creek is just to the W and you can get down in it and follow it to the N up to Carefree Hwy. There is often wildlife in the dry creek, Javelina, Coyotes and Cows. Head off to the E to the 14th Street site and see if anyone is flying over there. The hills to the E and NE offer some great exploration opportunites as well as soaring if the winds are right. Caution: Deer Valley Class D airspace is just to the S of the large transfer station located just to the S of the LZ. Review your sectional or PHX TAC.
Directions:
I-17 or Cave Creek Rd N to Carefree Hwy
E to 27th Ave (W to 27th Ave if using Cave Creek)
South on 27th Ave
Turn R on North Valley Parkway
Go about 1.4 miles, follow a dirt trail W to clearing
GPS Coordinates, Map, & Websites:
Latitude: 33° 45' 57.77" N
Longitude: 112° 06' 52.45" W
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Description:
This is a fantastic site for both beginners to advanced pilots. Giant, open area to launch and land. This is an ideal spot in the NW for training and sight seeing. This spot was cleared by a group who fly R/C aircraft, although no R/C flying has yet been observed. Please do not tear up this site with ATVs etc, lets keep it as it is so we may fly here for a long time. There is much to discover from this site, head W or NW to the Hassyampa River for georgous views of the canyon walls, endless streches of sandy river bed and the wildlife. As you venture up to the NW down the river, there is a rusty train bridge that is really cool to view from above, as it is right in a bend to the left in the canyon. Use caution once past the train bridge and heading NW down the river, there are a few sets of powerlines streching across the river. Most are not marked and some are a single wire, very hard to see. Just pay attention and keep your scan up, may be a good idea to stay 200' to 500' your first time. A railroad track runs along the river on the SW side after you've passed the train bridge, it's really cool if you get to see a train winding through the canyon and in and out of the tall Cottonwood trees. Further down, you better be thinking of "outs" due to the long stretch of nothing but very tall Cottonwood trees that fill the entire width of the river bottom for a few miles. Stay high and keep a landing spot in mind as you progress just incase. Pilots have flown from Ogden past Wickenburg via the Hassyampa on many occasions. It's about a 15 mile one way trip, just be aware of the weather and fuel consumption. If you head S or SE from the LZ, you will run into an abandon axuilry airforce base called Luke AUX 4. It's about 6-7 miles S-SE of the LZ, it's triangular runways can still be made out as long as you are a few hundred feet above.
Directions:
I-17 to Carefree Hwy or (Hwy 74)
Left on Hwy 60
Go 1/4 of a mile or so and turn right on Gates Rd
Cross the railroad tracks and make a left on Ogden
Follow Ogden for about 1.7 miles, a dirt trail on the left will take you to the LZ
You can also get here by taking Grand Ave which turns into Hwy 60 and make a left at Gates Rd.
GPS Coordinates, Map, & Websites:
Latitude: 33° 49' 50.63" N
Longitude: 112° 37' 47.56" W
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Description:
This is a fantastic site for both beginners to advanced pilots. Giant, open area to launch and land. This is an ideal spot in the NW for training. Balloon pilots often launch and land from this spot so chances are, you may be sharing the air with some colorful and fun to play with friends. Takeoffs and landings can be made in most any direction, the LZ is very large. Caution: Deer Valley class D airspace is just to the south, the foothills to the south are about where the class D starts. Watch out for helicopters as they have a training area just to the south of the LZ. Do not overfly any residential areas.
NOTE: The old bag (that's being too nice) that lives just to the left of the entrance gate frequently hassles anyone accessing the land. This includes trying to block you or your vehicle, threatening to call the cops etc. If you have an AZ State Land Trust Use Permit, you are legally allowed to access this land and use this entrance. If the old goat threatens to call the fuzz, tell her not to bother and that you will gladly call them for her. Just drive respectfully without kicking up much dust or making excessive noise and we will hopefully keep this area on the sites list.
Directions:
I-17 or Cave Creek Road north to Carefree Hwy
From I-17 go E on Carefree Hwy to 14th Street (From Cave Creek Road, go W to 14th)
Turn S on 14th Street and follow it to the end
Open the cattle gate and follow the dirt trail to the left, it will meander to the south
The LZ is between the two foothills and just to the south.
This road is a bit rough and best handled with a pickup or other somewhat high clearance vehicles.
GPS Coordinates, Map, & Web sites:
Latitude: 33° 46' 01.39" N
Longitude: 112° 03' 06.67" W
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Description:
Mo Sheldons private airstrip, contact Mo for permission before attempting to fly to or from this location.
Motown is an amazing haven for flying. You can either fly in or drive in. We have a huge PPG launch area and 2 hard packed silky smooth dirt runways. The EW runway is 2700’ long and 65’ wide! Surrounded by pristine desert mountains and incredible wildlife, this 80 acre haven is ideal for Ultralight, LSA, and GA flying. Located just 30 miles to the South East of Phoenix, this site can be difficult to find and drive to. But the rewards of finding and flying here far out weigh the adventure of getting there.
Photos and Slide Show of MoTown Fly-In November 2007
Directions:
GPS Coordinates:
- 32 55' 30.00"N
- 112 15' 34.00"W
Runway Details
There are 2 hard packed dirt runways and a taxiway to park aircraft. Buckets of sand are available as tie-downs. Park your aircraft in the taxiway on the NW side of the EW runway. Aircraft patterns are to the South or West. Please avoid flying over the NE area as there will be people shooting guns towards the NE hill.
- The E-W runway is 2700' long by 65' wide.
- The N-S Runway is 2000' long by 40' wide.
For more info please call Mo Sheldon at 602-692-7995.
Driving Directions to Motown Approaching from the N (Phoenix):
1. Take I-10 East to Tucson.
2. Exit at Queen Creek Rd., turn right (West)
3. Go 16 miles on Queen Creek Rd. which becomes Maricopa Rd. Arrive in town of Maricopa.
4. Turn Right (North) on Hwy 238/Smith Enkie Road towards the town of Mobile.
5. Drive 11.5 miles and after mile marker 33, turn left (South) on 83rd Ave.
6. At this point, you are exactly 11.8 miles driving from the site. Cross the railroad tracks. The road becomes a gravel road for about 1.4 miles and then becomes a dirt road.
7. Drive about 3.4 miles and turn right (West) on Schumacher Lane, also a dirt road.
8. Drive about 2.0 miles. Immediately after crossing the cow guard, follow the main road turning left (South) which is 99th Ave, also a dirt road.
9. Drive about 2.0 miles until you see a one room, old, dilapidated, stone structure of a small rock house on your right. Turn left (south) on 99th Ave which is down the small, thin dirt road.
10. You are now 4.4 miles from the site. This remaining section of thin dirt road is very desolate and remote. You will pass two gates and get close to a mountain on your left (East) during the drive. Leave the gates as you found them (open or closed). Do not stop in the sandy areas, as you may get stuck.
11. The site is a fenced area on your left (East) with a large structure on it. Enter the site from the main gate on the south side and head towards the building. Please park your vehicle in the parking area. The wide dirt stretches are active runways. Please tread lightly and drive only on designated roads.
We do have a few basic safety and courtesy rules that we ask you to follow at Motown:
1. Mind the active runways. I guarantee you won't like it too much to get hit by a plane.
2. Cars allowed only in designated driveway and parking areas.
3. No quads or dirt bikes. We have taken great pains to preserve the runways and roads from needless abuse. And we cherish the pristine quality of the landscape. Unfortunately, an afternoon of fun on a quad or a dirt bike leaves an open wound on the landscape that can last for years. As pilots, we see this damage from the air and for me, it is very unpleasant.
4. If you want to bring a gun to shoot, be respectful of your trajectory and pick up your brass.
GPS Coordinates, Map, & Web sites:
Latitude: 32° 55' 36.60 " N
Longitude: 112° 15' 32.72 " W
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Description:
This is the site where the Arizona Flying Circus Fly-In happens each year in February. There is no other fly-in like it in the U.S. Where else could you lay around in the grass in the shade provided by the many trees and talk about PPG? Where else could you get out of your sweet hotel room, grab some grub, strap it on and get some? Wait a minute, we're going to be flying from a resort? Yep, way cool, if you haven't attended this incredible fly-in, you must do so. It's a time you won't forget and will probably return year after year.
Anyway, here is the basic info and some pix etc.
Directions:
I-17 or Cave Creek Road north to Carefree Hwy
From I-17 go E on Carefree Hwy to 14th Street (From Cave Creek Road, go W to 14th)
Turn S on 14th Street and follow it to the end
Open the cattle gate and follow the dirt trail to the left, it will meander to the south
The LZ is between the two foothills and just to the south.
This road is a bit rough and best handled with a pickup or other somewhat high clearance vehicles.
GPS Coordinates, Map, & Web sites:
Latitude: 33° 46' 01.39" N
Longitude: 112° 03' 06.67" W
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