Channing hill - Benicia

• Wind directionWSW (250°) → WNW (300°)
• Ideal speed7–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

Channing West (Benicia), primarily a WEST-facing training/soaring hill. Club guides give an explicit flyable arc of 242-349 deg (WSW-NNW) with ideal straight-in WEST at 7-12 mph; best/ideal core is roughly W (250-300). The hill also has a secondary EAST face that works on winter east winds (matching the E/W orientation hint), but it is far less documented and treated as marginal/seasonal. PRIMARY HAZARD: blowback - the site is well known for it, so launch low until you know conditions; strong wind can drag you or blow you over the top/south side. Max base wind kept conservative (~15 mph, gusts ~18) because of blowback and the need for strong kiting skills above 12 mph; the windspeeds quoted by clubs are likely lower-altitude/launch readings, so treat aloft forecasts cautiously. Other hazards: barbed-wire fence running up the middle of the slope, rocks and bushes, concrete drainage and fences in the LZ; walk the LZ first (north end of park, not flat). Spring/summer warm thermic days can be very active/punchy. Access: public county land (since 2002), park at 800 Channing Circle. Rating: P1/P2 with instruction present, solo P2 after a site intro, P3 strongly encouraged; P1 students land here routinely in mellow conditions. Best time tends to be when a clean steady west sea-breeze fills in (afternoon) rather than mid-day thermic peaks.