[groundeffect]

Bill,
I'm sure I could find such a road for static tow, not sure who I would trust to do the driving though.
I've considered FLPHG but it's a little pricey. I have started aerotow training but still nothing closer for even that. Hey, I don't mind the drive to get to fly.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Hello Richard!!

Welcome to the US Hawks Hang Gliding Association!!!

Bill,
I'm sure I could find such a road for static tow, not sure who I would trust to do the driving though.
I've considered FLPHG but it's a little pricey. I have started aerotow training but still nothing closer for even that. Hey, I don't mind the drive to get to fly.

FYI, Bill is one of the early water tow pilots, and I'd trust his judgement in anything related to towing.  

Also, check out the Tennessee TreeToppers club (http://www.tennesseetreetoppers.org) as another flying site about the same distance as Lookout Mountain. They're a great club and their membership fees are very reasonable. I think they're both great sites, so if you want a little variety, you might alternate between them.

Mostly, thanks for signing up to the US Hawks. We're trying to build a national hang gliding association that's really run by the pilots (all of us). Every post helps grow our site ... so thanks for posting!!

Bob Kuczewski

[SamKellner]

Consider closer-to-home mimi-mini slope that just lets the take-off and the landing to occur.

Yep! Something like this will keep the skills active.

Scootertow is another method.

We have world record conditions much of the time, but getting aloft is the problem.

No aerotug and no footlaunch at this time.

I'm looking at some property that has plenty of room for a turf strip and the perfect place to build a bunny hill.

What you said about the driver/operator.......... spot on.

I plan to use a scooter tow to stay in shape, then when the chance does come along to fly in some good conditions, it will be much safer.

Best of luck.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Consider closer-to-home mimi-mini slope that just lets the take-off and the landing to occur.

Yep! Something like this will keep the skills active.

There's another benefit to mini-sloping that's often overlooked - exposure!!

Most of our flying sites are in fairly remote places where the public generally doesn't see us. If we can find "mini slopes" in local parks and urban areas, we can greatly increase our visibility to the public. I don't know what the numbers are, but I suspect that at least 1 in every 1000 healthy young people would be interested in hang gliding. But we haven't reached anywhere near that number of people. I believe that's because we're out of sight and out of mind.

Joe's ideas for closer-to-home mini sloping are perfect for exposing more people to the sport. And if you can't find a suitable slope, just go set up your hang glider in a public area and watch how many people come up to talk about it. It's really a great way to reach the public. Just be sure that you do it in a safe and responsible manner. We want good publicity and not headlines about a runaway hang glider cartwheeling through pedestrians and parking lots!!

Thanks Joe and Sam for all your contributions to the forum!!

[groundeffect]

Thanks all,

If I make it to retirement I'm going to move somewhere close to hang gliding.

[Bob Kuczewski]

If I make it to retirement I'm going to move somewhere close to hang gliding.

I hope you make it to retirement, and I sure hope you move to California!!  

Here are a dozen of my (most recent) reasons for that suggestion:

July 2012

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August 2012

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September 2012

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October 2012

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November 2012

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December 2012

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January 2013

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February 2013

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March 2013

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April 2013

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May 2013

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June 2013

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Any questions?     
 
 

[groundeffect]

Bob, some great pic's. That's what I'm talking about.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Bob, some great pic's. That's what I'm talking about.

Then ... come on down!!!

Our club (Torrey Hawks) hosts a "fly-in" on the Second Sunday of every month, and I usually make my glider (Falcon 3 / 195) available for any club members who want to fly (H4 rating required to fly Torrey Pines). It's always great when we have visiting pilots!!

Thanks again for joining the US Hawks!!!

[Birren]

Thanks all,

If I make it to retirement I'm going to move somewhere close to hang gliding.

It's been a fair amount of time since I've posted here due to family and health issues. My note to you, GE, is that you can bring HG close to you with static line or payout winch towing. Check out www.birrendesign.com/rhgpa_home.html for some info. Done right -- and driving isn't that difficult -- static towing can be safer than mountain/cliff/ramp launching.

- Peter Birren

PS: Great year in photos, Bob.

[Bob Kuczewski]

It's been a fair amount of time since I've posted here due to family and health issues.

Thanks all the more for taking the time to stop by and post.

My note to you, GE, is that you can bring HG close to you with static line or payout winch towing. Check out http://www.birrendesign.com/rhgpa_home.html for some info. Done right -- and driving isn't that difficult -- static towing can be safer than mountain/cliff/ramp launching.

We've got a fair number of towing enthusiasts on the site. Any input is always welcome and helpful!!

PS: Great year in photos, Bob.

Thanks!! It's a great sport, and I am so glad to be alive at a time when man has wings.     

I checked out your site, and you've also got a link to:

    http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/rhgpa/info

Is that a club of any sort? If so, we're always happy to welcome hang gliding clubs into the US Hawks family. Thanks to Bill's help, the RGSA is testing the waters here. Please let me know if the RHGPA is interested.

Mostly, thanks for taking the time to answer the call and stop by for a post. Best wishes to you, Peter, and please don't be a stranger.