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Ed Levin

Milpitas, CA – Santa Clara County Parks

Last Updated on Dec. 19, 2025

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Quick Overview:

Ed Levin is open to pilots of all levels (students through H5/P5) in accordance with the rating and experience requirements outlined below. Each launch has specific minimum ratings. All pilots must review site procedures, complete required waivers, and meet all experience requirements before flying.

Radio Frequency: 147.405 MHz

Site Committee Chairs: Mike Briganti & Anthony Tagliaferro

[email protected]

Hang gliding: Student – H5
(see Launch Rating Requirements below)
Paragliding: Student – P5
(see Launch Rating Requirements below)
Mini-wings: M1 special skill recommended

Park Information

Site Requirements

  • Current USHPA and WOR (full or visiting) membership required
  • Everyone, including spectators and drivers, must sign the SCCP Ed Levin Waiver (put ‘Wings of Rogallo’ under ‘Name of Instructor or Organization’)
  • Hiking into the park before the park opens is allowed; flying hours are 8:00 am → 1 hour before sunset (includes packing, loading, retrieving vehicles)
  • Visiting pilots must be accompanied by a full WOR member
  • Must fly under instructor supervision OR meet all site rating requirements
  • Land only in the designated LZ unless top landing or emergency landing. Be especially mindful if flying north as the next available LZ is the Mission Peak LZ
  • Do not fly in north wind
  • Do not fly when the Emergency X is displayed in the LZ
  • No proximity flying near terrain
  • No acro without sufficient altitude
  • No packing up in the LZ
  • No Commercial activity without a SCCP commercial use permit

Airspace

  • Maximum altitude over Ed Levin: 6000′ MSL
  • The site lies beneath SFO Class B (floor 6000′; 7000′ south of the golf course)
  • Nearby airways have minimum altitudes of 5000′
  • Significant general aviation and helicopter traffic; pilots must see-and-avoid and follow FAR 103 yielding rules

Launches

Launch elevations are expressed AGL relative to the LZ, which is ~540 ft MSL.

Lower Launches (40′,50′,60′)

Rating Requirements: P2/H2, or P0/H0 students with instructor

Winds: SE-W, Min 0mph, Ideal 5mph, Max 10mph

  • Several small training hills bordering the LZ
  • Foot access directly from the LZ

150’ Launch

Rating Requirements: P2/H2, or P1/H1 with instructor

Winds: SSE-WSW, Min 0mph, Ideal 5mph, Max 10mph

  • SSW-facing training slope
  • Access via LZ trail and southeast pedestrian gate

300’ Launch

Rating Requirements: P2/H2, or P1/H1 with instructor

Winds: SE-W, Min 0mph, Ideal 5mph(PG) 10mph(HG), Max 12mph, 3:0 Glide ratio

  • Large, SSW-facing slope; obstacle-free
  • Access: hike from LZ or drive via locked gate
  • Large windsock on site
  • Vehicles park in flat area behind launch
  • Set up gliders behind launch to keep slope clear

600’ Launches (North, West, South)

Rating Requirements: P3/H3, or P2/H2 with instructor, or P2/H2 with:

  • 3 flights ≥300′ AGL (any site), and
  • Site intro + first site flight observed by a qualified P4/H4

Winds: SE-W, Min 0mph, Ideal 8mph(PG) 10mph(HG), Max 15mph, 3.5:1 Glide ratio

  • Three slopes for west, southwest, and south wind directions
  • The “North” launch faces west, the “West” launch faces southwest, and the “South” launch faces south
  • Access by hiking from 300’ or via locked gate and 600′ access road
  • Large windsock present
  • Technical launches—rocks behind/below North & West launches
  • South launch may be in rotor in west wind
  • In wind with any north component, the wind comes up the canyon containing the launch site road, and produces sink/turbulence on the other side of the ridge

1750’ Launches (North & South)

Rating Requirements: P3/H3, or P2/H2 with instructor, or P2/H2 with:

  • 4 flights ≥500′ AGL (any site), and
  • Site intro + first site flight observed by qualified P4/H4

Winds: SE-W, Min 0mph, Ideal 5mph(PG) 10mph(HG), Max 15mph, 3.8:1 Glide ratio

  • SW-facing and S-facing slopes separated by antenna installation
  • Access via Agua Caliente + Monument Peak Trails or vehicle via Monument Peak Road
  • Windsock and webcam at launch area

1750’ Backside Launch

Rating Requirements: P3/H4, or P2/H3 with instructor, or P2/H3 with:

  • 4 flights ≥500′ AGL (any site) ,and
  • Site intro + first site flight observed by qualified P4/H4

Winds: NE-SE, Min 0mph, Ideal 3mph(PG) 5mph(HG), Max 10mph, 3.8:1 Glide ratio

  • After launching, turn right immediately to avoid rotor

Bi-Wingual Pilots

Pilots holding both HG and PG ratings (P2/H2+) may follow the requirements of the higher rating.
Example: A H4/P2 may paraglide from the 600’ launch without formal site intro.

Landing Zone (LZ)

  • Large, flat, obstacle-free; usable for all launches
  • Wind varies—common direction is light S in the morning, strengthening and clocking around to WNW by early afternoon
  • Be cautious of rotor behind trees when wind is S-SE
  • Clear the LZ immediately after landing—no packing in LZ

Spot Landings

  • There are two spot landing targets with cones –  make sure to reset cones after landing
  • Maintain awareness and walk to packing area if other pilots are coming to land

Top Landing

  • Allowed at all launches if the launch area is clear

Kiting Practice

  • P2 pilots may kite in the W sector of the LZ (west of windsock)
  • All other areas must remain open for landing traffic

Requirements to Give Site Intros

  • Full WOR member
  • P4 or H4 rating
  • At least 2 years flying at Ed Levin
  • Must have flown from all launches in varied conditions
  • At least 5 Ed Levin flights in past year
  • No WOR suspensions in past 2 years
  • No USHPA suspensions in past 2 years
  • No compensation for mentorship
  • Must be familiar with all Ed Levin procedures
  • Not instructors; no in-flight radio coaching except for safety intervention

Privileges may be revoked for failure to meet responsibilities.

Introductory Flight Checklist

  • Assess weather; choose appropriate launch
  • Review landing patterns
  • Point out emergency lock box
  • Explain meaning of the Emergency X
  • Discuss decision-making (wind consistency, strength, forecast)
  • Observe launch technique and assess pilot readiness
  • Observe landing and approach choice
  • Debrief and discuss issues or safety concerns
  • Ensure all activity ends 1 hour before sunset
  • Report major issues to the Site Committee and optionally to the pilot’s instructor

Weather

  • Typical pattern:
    • Morning: light upslope winds; strong inversion common
    • Afternoon: increasing NW winds (Bay Breeze), often making flying unsafe
    • Wind shift timing: approx. 11am summer / 2pm winter (varies)
  • Typically not soarable in winter due to lack of heat, outside of pre-frontal conditions. In other seasons, soarable conditions are frequent when the wind direction is S.
  • Post-frontal: road to top often closed to vehicles due to moisture
  • Summer soaring limited by inversion, though skilled pilots occasionally break through

WindSlammer

Mt. Allison WX Station (closest but not always representative)

Oakland Sounding

Windy Airgram

Vehicle Access

Gate Locks

  • Access roads are locked; gates must be left exactly as found.
  • Locks must be closed immediately after passing.
  • Gate codes listed on member page; updated annually Feb 1.

Vehicle Rules

  • Drivers & passengers must have completed liability waivers
  • Valid driver’s license + CA-compliant insurance required
  • Carpool when possible
  • Speed limits: 15 mph on hill roads, 5 mph near buildings
  • Only high-clearance 4WD/AWD allowed on 600’ and 1750’ access roads
  • No parking beyond 1750’ launch rocks; no blocking roads; no parking on horse trails; no parking around the LZ unless in an official parking lot
  • Loading on paved road inside LZ is allowed but vehicle must remain attended

Road Conditions

  • 600’ and 1750’ roads close after rain – a“CLOSED” sign will be posted at the bottom entrance gate
  • 300’ paved road usually remains open
  • Check SCCP website or call park office (408) 262-6980 for road status

Instruction

If you would like to instruct at Ed Levin, either non-commercially or commercially, contact the Ed Levin Site Chair for additional information about the process and requirements. Approved instructor list



Documents