Potential new ESE 200ft training hill

[jyoder111]

39.001310, -77.953064 (coordinates are from where I took the picture. Hill is WNW from this location)

I took this shot from the Gap Run Rd. The address on the private lane is 750 Gap Run Rd. The place is called Ovoka Farm, according to the sign. Looks like they have horses south of the private lane. I couldn't be certain from the road, but it looked like there were no fences or power lines at the bottom of the hill, just uncultivated land. Anyone interested in pursuing this? How have we contacted land owners in the past? Initial impressions?

Jesse

[PTerry]

I would be interested in being involve in exploring this further. I would like to learn how this type of thing is done and managed successfully.

Pat
Chevy Chase, MD

[hang_pilot]

Hi, Jesse-

Looks great! We don't have a SE t-hill, so this would be an important asset to the local free flying community.

I was hoping someone who has actually opened a site would post. Since that hasn't happened, I'll chime in with the approach I would take.

Suggest you head out on a flyable ESE weekend day with your wing. Knock on the land owner's door and introduce yourself. Tell them you are a grad student in the area (good to sound like a local) and that they have some beautiful land that looks absolutely perfect for hang gliding and paragliding. Ask if they would enjoy seeing you do a few low level flights off of their hill today or another more convenient time and that you would carry the glider up the hill on foot so there won't be any impact to the property. I wouldn't mention bringing other pilots to the site until you've flown there a few times or they've expressed a high degree of comfort with the idea of people flying there.

Here's a link to the Virginia recreational land use statute if liability comes up http://leg1.state.va.us/000/cod/29.1-509.HTM. I'd bring a copy of that and as you know the third party liability policy details are on the back of your USHPA card.

Good luck and maybe some day I'll practice launches and landings at Jesse's Hill!

~Daniel

[silverwings]

I drove by there on my way to Woodstock Saturday and it looks like a good hill. I think Daniel's approach is an excellent way to attempt to get access.

[jyoder111]

Thanks for the advice. I feel a bit more prepared and will venture out there when I get a chance on a good day.

Jesse

[brianvh]

Most wuffos don't realize how much training goes into our flying, so at some point mentioning that you've done over a hundred flights like this with your instructor over the last few years but rarely on such a nice hill may make them more comfortable.

then offer them a drag on your joint...

[deveil]

having a bad day Brian?

personally do i get your point though, pessimistic and cynical as it may be

'how 'bout this as a counter - as a cynic/idealist (one tends to be the flip side of the other (heavy right?)) i know where you're coming from - maybe ask other land owners if you could use them as references.
also, initially ask only for permission for yourself and maybe a friend and see how that plays out.

that plus the accompaniment of someone with that all american girl look (doing anything Amy?) and a sweet looking little old lady (my mother-in-law has that down pat, though i've seen through it from the get-go) and a man of god (don't personally know one of those).

i'd offer to help myself except that i'm the type who has never gone through an airport without being pulled out of line for an extra look-see.

you owe me one Brian ( i'm waiting for the pasta to cook) otherwise everyone is sitting there saying "Where the fuh did that come from, man?"

[davidtheamazing1]

It looks very promising, and I would consider this a close-in site. You might want to drag a friend along with you... Maybe John M, who could throw in some candy like free lessons to a friendly landowner?

On Google Maps, it looks like the tops of the hill are located in "Sky Meadow State Park". Perhaps we can help it get a bit closer to the sky.