The club guide, current officers, and landowner rules control.
Open official site guide ↗ROCHESTER AREA FLYERS / FLIGHT DECK
BRISTOL MOUNTAIN
South Bristol, New York
Mountain soaring site · about 900 ft AGL
PERMANENT SITE QR / NO PILOT DATALIVE FLIGHT DECK
VERIFY STATUS BEFORE FLYING
No Rochester Area Flyers status message has been posted. Use the controlling club’s official channels and complete the required briefing.
Awaiting today’s controlling-club updateFLIGHT WATCH · VOLUNTARY REGIONAL PLANNING
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Flight Intent is planning information only. It is not physical check-in, eligibility, access permission, site opening, flight authorization, or a safety decision.
TODAY'S ENTRY POINT
Check before you fly.
A gentle-slope west-facing slot with ridge and thermal soaring across from Bristol Mountain Ski Area.
Good direction rangeSW–WNW (225–290°)
Best directionSW–W (225–270°)
Controlled guidanceStatic outage fallback
Pilot requirementH3/P3; H2/P2 only under direct supervision by a site-familiar H3/P3+
LaunchTrees border the slot. Access is at 5580 Stid Hill Road, followed by a rocky/muddy quarter-mile trail; carpool and leave emergency access clear.
LandingPrimary LZ is the ski-area outer parking lot/adjacent field, about 0.5 mile away with a published 2.9:1 minimum glide.
STRUCTURED SITE BRIEFING
Know the whole site.
Occasional November–December hunting-season closure; verify the RAF calendar and current club status.
Weather + terrain
- Published ideal wind about 6 mph; maximum 12 mph; published gust allowance 6 mph.
- Narrow-valley rotor can develop from airflow over the ski-area ridge.
- Launch may turn katabatic in late summer afternoons; the valley LZ can be turbulent and switch direction quickly.
Access + stewardship
- Current RAF and USHPA membership required.
- New-to-site pilots require a site briefing.
- Replace the access rope as found, drive slowly, carpool, and keep the road clear for responders.
- No mini-wings; dogs must be leashed and kept clear of flight operations.
Hazards
- Trees beside and below the launch slot.
- Major road and powerlines along the east side of the LZ.
- Trees/rotor west of the LZ, wooden posts, a large oak, and a hard-to-see electric horse fence south of the field.
Pilot requirements
- Use USHPA operating limitations for rating and wing.
- Move toward the LZ side of the valley soon after sinking below launch.
- Confirm current site opening and seasonal status before traveling.
Landing facts
- LZ about 1000 ft MSL; launch about 1900–1920 ft MSL.
- Emergency responders may need to approach launch by foot or ATV.
- Set up approaches with changing valley wind and leave generous obstacle clearance.
Source control
This summary supports planning. The current controlling-club guide, officers, landowner permission, site briefing and conditions in the field remain authoritative. Do not fly in rain or thunderstorms.
Read the complete official guide ↗DRIVE / MEET / RETRIEVE
Directions for Bristol Mountain.
Directions do not grant access. Verify current RAF status, permission, briefing, parking and vehicle procedures before traveling. Occasional November–December hunting-season closure; verify the RAF calendar and current club status.
Stid Hill launch access
5580 Stid Hill Road, South Bristol, NY
Bristol Mountain primary LZ
Bristol Mountain Ski Resort, 5662 Route 64, Canandaigua, NY 14424
EMERGENCY
Call 911 with the Bristol/Stid Hill location. Launch access may be limited to foot or ATV; send someone to meet responders.
Give the site name, exact location, access route, number of patients and known hazards. Emergency details must also remain printed at the physical site for use without cellular service.