about flying in Texas

[SamKellner]

Posted By: lbunner lbunner
Tue Aug 6, 2013 10:05 pm |

I come to Texas every year to fly because it has the best conditions in the world. Three days at Big Spring, 12 hours of airtime and 200+ miles.

Life is good.

Larry Bunner

[Bob Kuczewski]

You're in the right spot Sam!!!

   ... deep in the heart of Texas!

[Bill Cummings]

Sam,
On my last trip through Texas I followed Interstate 10 on my way to visit my nieces family in Florida. From Interstate 10 I could see several expansive wind farms. (Power generating windmills.) Some study must have done at these locations before constructing these towers as to wind conditions.
I know at the mining company where I used to work in Minnesota dust abatement at certain times of the year required a greater effort by the company to stay within EPA and MSHA standards.
The company had their own weather station and recorded wind speed and direction among many other things. At the end of the year they printed out what they called a “Wind Rose.” It was a circular graph that would show average direction of the wind and also the average speed of the wind all throughout the year. Coincidently the lines on the graph had the appearance of a Rose if you held it at arms length and squinted both eyes.
I was able to look at several years of wind Roses which helped me keep track of where I should locate myself for my best option for towing and soaring mine dumps or open pits. Some of the open mine pits (that were closed --if that makes sense--) were a mile across from rim to rim. The pits gave up much airtime to enter in our log books.
So back to the Wind Farms in Texas. These locations must have roads to them and some appear to be located on ridges. I wish I had the time on these trips to go check them out.
It seemed as though my van wanted to turn off to go check them out and I was afraid that I would break the steering column off just to keep it on Interstate 10.
Are there any wind farms near you that you have checked out?

[SamKellner]

Bill,

The wind farms are North and West of us. They are up on the Escarpment placed along the edges of the smaller mesa edges.

IMO we will probably suffer in the search for footlaunch sites to provide a flying for the future. Until the installations there were fewer roads to these locations, true enough.

There are existing FL sites elsewhere, that are in the near proximity of wind mills, but I don't like the idea of flying so close.

One old time FL was at Buffalo Gap, near Abilene, Tx. It is in the big middle of windmill country but as of last year was still undeveloped.

At this time, towing seems to provide the best possibilities here.

I'm located 65mi south of I-10 on Hyw83.

[SamKellner]

Rather than start a new topic.............More news about flying in Texas.........

While reading the Houston, HHPA, yahoo groups forum it was disappointing to learn that

CowboyUp Hang Gliding has been.. ? evicted ?.. from the new winter facilities at Gloster Aerodrome, at Sealy, Tx.

Bart and Tiki and the CU crew are quality instructors and a much needed plus for Reg11.

I haven't been to visit them at the winter HQ yet so the cause is unclear.

No details much, just that it was not going to work out at Gloster.........................

Charlie, do you know what's up?

[cascpa]

Hi Sam,
That is what I heard. Apparently, they were asked to vacate as of Feb. 1. I understand they are looking for another site in the Houston area. This is a real bummer as they were the only real full service seven day a week flight park in Texas. Everyone is loosing in this deal right now.
Chas S.

[Bob Kuczewski]

[begin shameless plug for US Hawks]

Isn't it cool how you guys can communicate with each other seamlessly in each other's club forums?

[end shameless plug for US Hawks]

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

All kidding aside, this is what USHPA should have been doing all these years ... providing a way to bring our pilots and clubs together so we can benefit from each other's experience and easily share information to help grow our sports.

You guys are making it happen!!          THANKS!!   

[cascpa]

Hey Sam,
Do you know who owns the old Buffalo Gap Site? The old owner was quite a fellow. Do you think it is worth pursuing reopening it?

Are you planning on going out to the Guadalupe's for the Presidents' Day Fly-In in February?

Charlie

[SamKellner]

Charlie,

Last year I was in Buffalo Gap. We stopped in the Bar-b-que joint there and had lunch. I got into a conversation with the restaurant/bar owner . He grew up with the flying site owner' son.

This guy said they used to go up and sit on launch and er....uh.... watch the gliders. I never flew there back when. Like Pack, I was already living in San Diego, Ca.

From the hwy, it looks like a super FL site. I did see exotic wildlife/livestock including buffalo, in what looked to be the LZ.

The spot is right in World Record Alley.

I won't make it to Guadalupes. Too much going on here. I am working on getting the doors on our hangar, etc.