Saruba Yama

Here is some information about Saruba-yama, a great established flying area located in Nagasaki Prefecture about 35km directly north of Hondo, where we live...which sounds close, but one needs to ride a ferry to get there. Anyway, it is a beautiful place on the coast where one can enjoy great ridge soaring and a unique flight above the sea before landing on the beach in Chijiwa town.



These pictures show the default glide routes from Mt. Saruba. There are two variations; the pilot needs to choose a suitable route depending on particular circumstances. Note that the landing is generally downwind of the takeoff, as this area is used primarily during the summer season when southerly winds prevail. (South is to the right in the first picture, and more or less downward in the second.) The landing area is not visible initially so careful navigation is required along the way. The decision which route to take needs to be made based on available altitude and also wind, because attention must be paid to the rotors and sinks in the lee of the mountain. The routes shown are generally safe for winds between south and west; note how the inland route avoids the east (left) facing lee slope of the ridge on the north side of the mountain and how the outside route stays altogether clear of the mountain's lee side. The outside route is longer but often offers a better glide ratio over the sea in following wind and away from the lee downdrafts.



Finally, here is a video we shot during our first visit to Saruba a few weeks ago, under more or less calm conditions.