Dune soaring

[andybalkphysics]

Does anyone know of a place nearby where one could go dune soaring in the early spring (April or May)? I've always wanted to and figure now's as good of a time as any.

-Andy

[brianvh]

If any place on the Eastern Shore was good for it, the Ridgely folks would be all over it. Don't recall hearing anything from them.

Kitty Hawk is probably the best bet. Cape Cod lost it's west facing site last year when Big Chuck sold his motel, now you have to wait for a storm to come up the coast to soar the east side: a fall event. The cape is too narrow to build up good seabreeze, which is why Kitty Hawk wins out for eastern winds.

[markc]

There's been mention of Cape Henlopen on several occasions out at Highland Aerosports, but to be honest, I can't remember if anyone has had much success. Might be worth a quick email to the Highland gang, asking about their experiences.

[wuffos]

What about Calvert Cliffs, near Long Beach, MD ?

[FlyingFelix]

Calvert Cliffs is an awesome site but I wouldn't call it a dune gooning site.
I was interested in the same thing a while back and I think Kittyhawk in NC is the one place you can really fly the dunes on the East Coast. I have yet to make to down there. Hopefully this year.

[andybalkphysics]

Hmmm OK.. Yeah, I guess my options are limited for the dunes. Calvert cliffs sounds nice, though. Is kitty hawk often soarable?

[Lostgriz]

Not often.

Matt

[brianvh]

Most likely Kitty Hawk would be soarable under one of two conditions:

1. Strong sea breeze. You'll get this in the summers, clear skies and light prevailing winds: high pressure system.
2. Low pressure/storm system travelling up the coast. You catch the top of the Low when it's blowing winds into the coast, then either skedaddle or hunker down in a hotel when the nasty stuff behind it hits.

In other words, living 5 or 6 hours away, you either have to watch the weather and boogie if it looks good, or get lucky. This is why the west coast (or the west side of Cape Cod) is better for dune soaring, faces the prevailing winds.

[wuffos]

The best East Coast dune soaring - bar none - is at the ENE facing dunes at Wellfleet, Cape Cod. Dunes are like 150 feet high, steep, and are soarable for 20 miles or so. The beach is very wide for landings - unlike the SW facing side of the cape at Truro/Seascape Motel. These ENE dunes are only open to gliding from October 15th to April 15th every year. This info is to the best of my knowledge, having been there a couple years ago. Goggle search: Cape Cod gliding

[brianvh]

Yes it's quite wonderful, but....you have to wait for the winds to blow that direction, and close to 20 mph for it to be soarable. This typically only happens when a storm is coming up the coast. See above.

[Dunegoon]

Jockeys Ridge has changed significantly over the last 30 years. It is no flying paradise now, being soarable only a few days a year. There was a very soarable S bowl. S or SW is the dominate wind during the summertime, so the bowl was frequently flyable. This is where Jim J. thermaled out (flying a Moyes Mega) and flew to the Wright Brothers Memorial circa 80-81! I was never so lucky or skillful to emulate such a flight, despite hundreds of flights on the dunes.

The dune has moved a few hundred feet W to the sound and filled the S bowl in sometime during the early 80'S. The NE face (the big dune) was also better defined and higher. It requires a strong Low to be soarable (as others have noted). Onshore breezes usually do not produce enough wind to be soarable but can make nice flying conditions. Trees, shrubbery and buildings now create additional turbulence/wind gradient on the main dune making it more difficult to soar. I have flown there the past three summers while on vacation without much luck.

The Hang Gliding Spectacular in May is a good way to get acquainted with the dunes (and maybe flying). Dune flying requires a different skill set than mountain flying. You must be good at high wind 15+ ground handling and be comfortable flying close to the hill.

The South Bowl: The first Harrier, forerunner to the Falcon.

Me Flying a Super Lancer on the NE face.


CF

[Ward Odenwald]

Charley, thanks for sharing the photos! and the fact that the NC dunes are not fixed. I never thought the larger ones would change significantly, at least not fast enough for us to appreciate it. Ward

[jimrooney]

We've explored flying Henlopen a few times.
Not much really came of it. There were a few too many challenges to make it worthwhile. Every now and then we revisit the idea, but again, it rarely gains any traction.

KittyHawk and Cape Cod are the only places I know of off hand that offer any sort of real dune soaring. (FL too, but that's pretty stinkin far)
KittyHawk's a very fickle beast though... pretty much soarable a bit before the arrival of hurricanes. (I'm not kidding)

I'd love to hear of any other spots as I do love dune soaring.
There's a spot in mid-Jersey that I flew once but you get run off by cops pretty handily (as I did) and there's probably some houses there now as well.
There's a spot down on the very tip of the Delmarva (which I've heard a rumor that it's been at least attempted), but it's just so damn far to go on the off chance hope that the winds might possibly be suitable.

Jim

[brianvh]

KittyHawk and Cape Cod are the only places I know of off hand that offer any sort of real dune soaring. (FL too, but that's pretty stinkin far)
KittyHawk's a very fickle beast though... pretty much soarable a bit before the arrival of hurricanes. (I'm not kidding)

Yep, soared Cape Cod before the Snowmaggedon and before Sandy. Gotta keep your eyes peeled for the big honkin' storms.

[wuffos]

@ Jim Rooney,

Can you elaborate where you flew in New Jersey - just in case it hasn't been built-up yet ? Also, there're a few spots on Long Island, NY that have been soared, but haven't heard anything from there in the last few years.

Nice to hear from you Jim,

Bill Umstattd, Phila., PA

[brianvh]

There's a dune/ridge/cliff along the North Shore of Long Island at Wildwood State Park that looks eminently soarable, but there's also signs posted about not disturbing the vegetation that holds it in place. Haven't hiked along it to see if there's good launch spots off park property. Might be worth it: I know it's at least a mile long if not many more.

[jimrooney]

The North Shore in Atlantic Highlands.
There were a few interesting spots.

[Richard Hays]

I was the first ever to soar Cape Henelopen in the 90's. Soared the hell out of it. Launched from the Great Dune. Got about 200 over and stayed up for about an hour until the winds switched to the North and ruined the narrow lift band. I was flying a Sensor 510B. When I landed the Ranger read me the riot act. Shortly thereafter...arriving back at the campgrounds....I was met by campers cheering and clapping. Apparently they all could see my flight from the camp. Danny Brotto showed up shortly thereafter. Have some pics.

So....uh...its been done. Actually twice. I did it again about 10 years later too. Not as good a flight but.....it can be soarable as hell. I told the boys at Ridgely about it when they first showed up in town.

Richard Hays
Maryland School of Hanggliding

[Richard Hays]

Cape Cod turns on every September in the middle of the month. I have soared there several times. Beachcomber bar; Surfers beach are the launch points on the National Seashore. Epic dune soaring can be found there.

Camp at Nickerson State Park. Nice place.

Richard Hays
Pres. MHGA

[Ward Odenwald]

The amazing Sensor 510, Trampenau’s glider(s) ruled the sky for nearly a decade. Off topic Rich, when’s the next MHGA meeting? I believe the turnout will surprise.

Ward

[Richard Hays]

Shooting for late march. would love a good turnout! we average about 15~20 and have alot of fun.

richard