Flynns (Bishop - Owens Valley)
📍 California , Inyo County · Nearest city: Bishop (9 km)
55 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1701 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
37.38840, -118.29500Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:25 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Not recommended for flying, cloud base ~2393 m, strong wind (47 km/h).
base ~2393m · wind 47 km/hMarginal conditions, cloud base ~3162 m, wind 13 km/h.
base ~3162m · wind 13 km/hMarginal conditions, cloud base ~3055 m, wind 10 km/h.
base ~3055m · wind 10 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-21❌ Not recommended · peak 80 at 15h
- Cloud cover >85% — no radiation to trigger thermals
- High cloud suck (100/100) — base below freezing with CU
⏰ Useful window: 13:00 – 18:00
| 08 30 ☁️⚠️ | 09 30 ☁️⚠️ | 10 18 ☁️⚠️ | 11 31 ☁️⚠️ | 12 33 ☁️⚠️ | 13 60 ☁️⚠️ | 14 70 ☁️⚠️ | 15 80 ☁️⚠️ | 16 63 ☁️⚠️ | 17 43 ☁️⚠️ | 18 63 ☁️⚠️ | 19 73 ☁️⚠️ | 20 55 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 15h: CAPE 130 J/kg · LI -2.1 · BL top 2880 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 3876 m · 0°C at 3120 m · Pro score 71/100 · sun 36° over slope
Hourly flyability (0–100). ⛈️ = storm risk · ☁️⚠️ = cloud suck · 🏔️ = active ridge lift. CAPE = convective energy, LI = stability, BL top = thermal ceiling, w* = estimated dry thermal velocity. Source: Open-Meteo (ECMWF/GFS/ICON blend model).
Estimated vertical profile (Sounding)
Reference time: 15:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 14.4°C · Td: -3.0°C
LCL (cloud base): 2175 m
BL top: 2880 m
0°C level: 3120 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 7 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.76 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.39 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
large, space for several gliders; toplanding possible; windsocks (visible from LZ).
Pilot comments
This is a great site for beginning through advanced pilots. The easy 4x4 road is a short turn around for multiple flights. It's great for students in the morning with great XC potential the rest of the day. Evening glass-offs can happen - enjoy a great sunset flight when they do! Things to watch out for: North winds can be tricky here -be careful! This site differs from all the rest of the sites in the White Mountains in that it is best to launch at the beginning of the cycle to insure getting up! Don't play close to the hill!
Nearby sites
Gunter (Bishop - Owens Valley) (58) · Paiute West Launch (5) · Paiute South Launch (5) · Paiute North Launch (5) · Paiute (Bishop- Owens Valley) (66) · Chalk Bluffs (10)