Flynns (Bishop - Owens Valley)

• Wind directionSSW (200°) → W (270°)
• Ideal speed5–15 mph
• Upper limits≤ 18 mph base · gusts ≤ 22

West-facing launch in the White Mountains just east of Bishop Airport; works S/SW/W per paraglidingEarth. Most accessible of the three main White Mtn launches (4x4 required to reach takeoff). Best in the afternoon for thermals and the classic Owens Valley glass-off; Paiute and Gunter ~800 m higher start working earlier. This is "Big Air" / "the Owens" — powerful, bone-jarring thermal turbulence and rotor are the defining hazard; midsummer midday heat makes conditions dangerous. Safest months are May/early June and Sept/mid-Oct. Watch west wind aloft (check FAT/Fresno as a proxy for Sierra-side west flow) — overly strong west can mean turbulence/venturi over the launch. Wind-speed numbers below are inferred (no club guide gives explicit figures): keep base wind light-to-moderate; thermal cycles, not wind strength, drive flying here. Rating: USHPA H3 (H2 with instructor recommended) per BHGC; experienced mountain/XC pilots only.