Ellenville Flight Park | |
|---|---|
| MSL | 1380 |
| AGL | 1040 |
| Glide to LZ | 4:1 |
| Rating/Skills | H3/P4 FL
H2 w/Instructor |
| Wind Directions | W,WNW,NW,NNW,N |
| Season | Year round |
| Restrictions | Top Landing forbidden. |
| Site Type | Commercial |
| Fees | Day Pass $10 US
Yearly $150 US |
| Contact | Tony Covelli |
| Links | http://www.ellenvilleflightpark.com/ |
North Knob | |
| MSL | 1180 |
| AGL | 960 |
| Glide to LZ | 3:1 |
| Rating/Skills | H3/P3 FL
H2/P2 w/Instructor |
| Wind Directions | WNW,NW |
| Season | Year round |
| Restrictions | Top Landing forbidden. |
| Site Type | Commercial |
| Fees | Day Pass $10 US
Yearly $60 US |
| Contact | Greg Black |
| Links | http://www.evilleoutfitters.com/hg/index.html |
Route 52 Launch | |
| MSL | 1110 |
| AGL | 890 |
| Glide to LZ | 4:1 |
| Rating | H3 |
| Wind Directions | WNW,NW |
| Season | Year round |
| Restrictions | Top Landing forbidden. |
| Site Type | Public |
| Fees | ? |
| Contact | Tony Covelli (landing zone owner) |
| Links | http://www.ellenvilleflightpark.com |
Overview
Ellenville, NY is one of the oldest and largest hang gliding communities in the world. There are several launches on the ridge, and in the valley there are two airports, a flight park and a hang gliding school.
History
Pilots have been flying here since the early 1970s. A unique film The Silent Wings of Freedom from 1978 shows area pilots flying the ridge, and includes an interview(5:01) with Jean Michel Bernasconi who went on to run Pacific Airwave and design many gliders including the Vision and Pulse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8-Eo6jiPP4
Geography/Meteorology
The Shawangunk mountains provides ridge lift for miles and the roundout valley below generates thermals. Wave lift is somtimes found at this site, but usually is out of phase with the ridge, so pilots generally will have to venture out over the valley to find it. Note: The Sunset Mountain West launch is a slot launch, and there is a hike in SW Cliff Launch for H4 pilots.
Clubs
The Southern New York Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (SNYHGPA) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/snyhgpa-web/ is the local club that coordinates the FLY-Ins, Fun Meets and the Holiday Party. The individual launches are managed by their owners.
Site Records
Rigid wing Distance - 156 miles set by Dave Hopkins on July 13th, 2007. This is also the New York State record. A full accounting of the flight can be found at http://www.stanjroberts.com/Dave%20Hopkins%20Log.htm