[wingspan33]

This last Wednesday Bob K showed up at my home in South Central NY. In fact, this was a well planned event. One of the possibilities included visiting a not yet flown small (training?) hill - just to see what potential it may have. For some reason we also took my OLD UP 165 Comet with us.

When we got there a number of documentary photos and videos were taken. This was to give evidence that for the fist time ever this small hill was used for recreational hang gliding (i.e. old time ground skimming).

Here are a few of the screen captures from the vids -

Bob K b4 Flying at the Hill1 6-28-17sm.jpg (58.27 KiB) Viewed 10803 times

Being safety minded Bob Launched from half way up the 40' hill.

Bok K almost flying 6-28-17 sm.jpg (86.77 KiB) Viewed 10803 times

Bok K almost flying2 6-28-17sm.jpg (86.04 KiB) Viewed 10803 times

On Bob's second try (higher on the hill) things went a bit better!

Bob K Flying at Scotts Hill1a 6-28-17sm.jpg (57.89 KiB) Viewed 10803 times

Bob K Flying at Scotts Hill1 6-28-17sm.jpg (62.59 KiB) Viewed 10803 times

Bob flies for the first time in NYS

Happy Bob K at Scotts Hill4 6-28-17sm.jpg (78.75 KiB) Viewed 10803 times

Elated with his historical ground skimming flight, Bob shouts "Look Ma, No USHPA!"

Bok K says Look Ma - No Ushpa sm.jpg (61.89 KiB) Viewed 10803 times

As small as this hill is - about the same height as Dockweiler Beach - it's always great to fly a new site for the first time!

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[wingspan33]

I also got a couple flights in at the new flying site. I had a slight advantage in that I weigh less than Bob. That allowed the Comet to lift off quicker.

I'm also not as safety conscious and went to the top of the hill quicker than Bob. Here are some pictures of my efforts -

About to launch -

Max and me 6-28-17sm.jpg (93.21 KiB) Viewed 10794 times

Launch at Erwin Hill 6-28-17sm.jpg (87.27 KiB) Viewed 10794 times

Scotts Flight1 6-28-17sm.jpg (96.68 KiB) Viewed 10794 times

Scotts Flight2 6-28-17sm.jpg (55.33 KiB) Viewed 10794 times

A little air time!

Scotts Flight3 6-28-17sm.jpg (83.36 KiB) Viewed 10794 times

[Bill Cummings]

Just remembered I need to have my weed whacker motor worked over.
Way to go guys
I've been so brain washed I almost feel as though I should make a donation to an insurance company on behalf of you two

[wingspan33]

Just remembered I need to have my weed whacker motor worked over.

Way to go guys

I've been so brain washed I almost feel as though I should make a donation to an insurance company on behalf of you two

Yea, the grass in some places was 4 feet high. But the site is actually mowed every so often. Three weeks ago the grass at the top was not much longer than a freshly mowed lawn. But the bottom, . . . well, that was probably mowed 6 weeks ago. It was high enough to lose my dog if he wandered off!

Interestingly, I brought an old fashioned "weed wacker" in case we needed it. Otherwise known as a scythe. Its motor (me) could also use a few parts replaced. But that's unlikely to happen - any time soon, at least.


This hill seems to have been an old landfill site in that it is clearly rectangular in shape with the two best slopes facing SW and NW. There's even a path right up to the top that any car could drive up.


Speaking of the top, it's flat as a board and very spacious - great for top landings! That's very useful since under the right wind conditions I think the hill is soarable.


As far as the "Insurance Company" goes, Bob's "Look Ma no USHPA!" says it all.


I would add that since quitting the USHPA in 2013, I haven't flown in NYS once - - until this last Wednesday!

[Bob Kuczewski]

For the record, Scott made the first flight, so I've been pushing him to name it after himself!!

It was very kind of Scott to put my pictures first, but Scott found the site and was the first to fly it ... Scott's hill!!

[SamKellner]

Back in the air That's great news

Stop by SWTHG on your return. Fly Mt. Buz.

USHPA? What's that?

[Bob Kuczewski]

Happy Independence Day weekend to you Sam!!!!  

Stop by SWTHG on your return. Fly Mt. Buz.

I was on a business trip (airline travel) or I'd have stopped by to see you and Bill and every other Hawk (maybe even Free?) between San Diego and New York.

I was in Pennsylvania for a week but was able to take one day off to visit Scott. It was a long drive (4.5 hours each way), but it was worth it.

Thanks for your kind hospitality Scott. I've now personally visited every member of our original Board of Directors. You're a great group of pilots and I'm honored to be among you.

USHPA? What's that?

[Frank Colver]

WAY TO GO BOB & SCOTT!

Too bad you guys didn't have a Wills Condor for that hill & get more air time.

Why the reluctance to start at the top right away, on such a small hill? Were you concerned about the length of the LZ?

Reminds me of Little Norco but with greenery.

Frank

[Bob Kuczewski]

WAY TO GO BOB & SCOTT!

Thanks Frank!!   

Too bad you guys didn't have a Wills Condor for that hill & get more air time.

That's what I was thinking!!!   

Why the reluctance to start at the top right away, on such a small hill? Were you concerned about the length of the LZ?

You guessed it. As Bill noticed, the grass on the slope and near the bottom was already pretty tall (a foot or so). But if you look at the right side of the photos (and one of my landings), you'll notice that it's more like 3 feet where they stopped mowing!!!        The Comet was also double-surfaced, a new glider for me, small for my weight, and being flown at an unflown site. So for all those reasons we were very cautious.

Reminds me of Little Norco but with greenery.

I'd like to visit little Norco one of these days. Maybe during my next Board of Supervisors meeting ... which might be soon!!

[wingspan33]

Just remembered I need to have my weed whacker motor worked over.
Way to go guys . . .

Bill,

Yesterday, 7/6/17, I stopped by my small local hill and somebody mowed the whole LZ!

Here's a picture -

Local Hill mowed 7-6-17sm.jpg (84.67 KiB) Viewed 10714 times

Actually this is public land so the local municipality mows it every so often. But the LZ is more landing-friendly now.

Since I think the site could be soarable, the next time I fly there I may have to land in the (now) taller grass on the top!

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