East Coast dune flying?

[KirkLewis]

Is there anywhere local that you can dune goon? I guess there is kitty hawk but that is a bit of a drive.

[KirkLewis]

Guess not

[Spark]

Not quite dune-gooning ... but close ... Calvert Cliffs.

[KirkLewis]

http://www.fossilguy.com/trips/Bay_Area ... s_pic1.jpg

Those rocks don't look quite as comfortable to land on as sand :/

I guess if it were low tide it would be OK, but I wouldn't imagine conditions would line up to be good very often. I think I remember hearing the highland guys talking about flying here last year. It sounded like a pretty challenging site.

[dbodner]

I've never been, but Cape Henlopen state park north of Rehoboth has dunes 80 feet high.

[Danny Brotto]

Richard Hays soared the dunes at Henlopen years ago. Upon landing, the park ranger told him that he wasn't sure which law, but he was sure there was a law against soaring the dunes and asked Richard to stop.

I happened upon Richard on the dunes just as he was packing up. I had ventured out hoping to nab a flight on his glider. I found him to be stoked to have had the experience.

Danny Brotto

[pink_albatross]

Re: picture.... that looks like where I flew once. On the bay? Thanks, Gary! It was a sled day (and accordingly short flights). And yes, the tide was out, leaving about 10 feet of "beach" to land on.
Lotsa fun
There's a video somewhere... Gary?

-- ellis
p.s. i was on my PG, but i heard that it has been done on HG, too. Cape Henlopen sounds better... maybe time to try (with PG) again. People have become accustomed to seeing kite surfing in the area. PG's don't look all that different...

[garys]

The launch is at my folks (Larry and Connie Smith).place on top of the cliffs at Matoaka beach cabins. 410-586-0269. I will be there all day Easter Sun with glider in tow. Low tide is at 12:00.

Come on down. Serious H3 H4 site, cliff launch sign off. Need wire crew. NE facing. 110 ft vertical. Crosswind Beach landing requires a low tide. Lots of trees to avoid so be careful.

Took me 5 sleds to soar the the place but Bruce, Joe and Steve soared the first time. Those rascals. Ellis was first on PG.

Directions Route 4 south past prince Frederick. Left at the town of St. Leonard. Go around traffic circle and head east on Calvert beach/ Longbeach road. Stay straight on Calvert beach road. Turn left at sign "Matoaka beach cabins" Go to the end of the dirt road and pay the day use fee of $5.00 to my folks. They will give you directions to launch. PGs can launch from front yard in front of my folks house and HGs can launch from a spot Bruce and I bushwhacked out of the green briars on the cliff out the lane about 1/3 mi.

Gary Smith
H 540-955-3956
w 540-955-3174 x 490
C 540-686-0351

[jimrooney]

Hey Gary.
Your folks place was super fun to fly!.... thanks so much for having us. I know that made everyone's day

I'm back in the States at the end of the month... I'd be keen to help with that post removal, if that's still an option.

Cheers
Jim

[garys]

Hi Jim;

The post was placed there for to support an osprey platform. I can still see my brother inlaw shimmying up to the top to set the platform in place. I would not do it, i'm afraid of heights No ospreys for the 3 years the platform has been there so I think we can take it down. Timber !!!!! Hope to see you when you get back.

Gary

[jimrooney]

i'm afraid of heights

That makes two of us

Cool. That'll make a really nice PG takeoff now!
See ya in a bit.
Jim

[garys]

Probably not flying the cliffs on Sunday but I will have the glider in tow because if I don't bring it conditions will be perfect. Usairnet Patuxent Naval air station is showing too north now. Looked fine earlier today. I will check and post tomorrow. Still looks good for WS tomorrow.

Gary