new / old site in Virginia

[ripcrdat700]

I am looking for a tandem pilot to help open an new site in Roanoke VA. My family has 330 acres and it had an old launch on it that I found a couple months ago. It was closed down about 15 years ago due to so much activity. Since then my family bought the land and I have access to it. There appears to be an old wooden ramp that was 8'x24' there before but there are only stubs of the wooden posts left. The rest has rotten away. I would probably have to clean it up and clear some trees to make it better. I would like to exchange private access to the site for a ride in order to base jump from the glider. If anyone can help with this please let me know.

[George]

I've sent you a PM with my number.

[bowen.tim]

FYI: per USHPA

ALL Tandem Pilots & Instructors (T-1, T-2 & T-3)
1. Participants in a tandem flight occurring at a USHPA insured site must remain in the glider for the entirety of the flight. Bungee jumping, parachuting, wing suiting, base jumping, or any other activities where a participant disconnects from the glider are not permitted.

This may not be an insured site, but you may be risking your rating and legal ramifications should anything happen to the base jumper.

[markc]

Legalities aside (seems unlikely that this is an insured site; and I know for sure that this sort of adventure is possible), one challenge is being able to soar after a foot-launch tandem, and climbing to a deployable altitude. Not that it isn't possible... Just that it might take quite a bit of patience, and multiple tries. So you would need someone who's able to invest that sort of time and effort.

MarkC

[Dan T]

I wouldn't assume this is illegal. Just because it's out of the norm and is contrary to standing USHPA policy doesn't necessarily make it illegal. Perhaps the proper set of waivers could make everybody happy. It sounds like a good candidate for a youtube documentary to me.

[ripcrdat700]

The waiver thing sound reasonable. I sign waivers every year at all the dropzones i go to skydive. I hate the way base jumping is associated with being illeagal. What is illeagal is getting to and leaving exit points. Glad there is still some good American spirit out there though. Someone who tells you that you can't do something really means they can't or won't out of fear. Gonna go ahead and do some clearing at the launch in the next few weeks. Thanks for the posts. Will research the waiver thing with my uncle who is an attorney.

[Danny Brotto]

I witnessed a parachutist drop from a hang glider at Hyner. Buddy Johns was the parachutist (he was also a HG pilot) and Steve Krichten was the HG pilot.

They launched tandem from Hyner (1300 AGL) in evening, nonsoarable conditions, floated out between the LZ and launch, and Buddy cut away. Steve held Buddy's pilot chute in his hand for a fast main deploy. Everything worked out fine.

I believe that Buddy had set a minimum altitude to deploy of 1,000 ft AGL. They were under that but decided to go with it anyway.

Danny Brotto

[jimrooney]

BASE from tandem is easier to accomplish on PG.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54DkLicvEbE

Minimum altitudes depend on the jumper and how they pack. Remember, these guys jump off of towers and bridges. One of the biggest concerns for them is an off heading opening. Jumping from PG/HG eliminates this problem.

Jumping from HG is more complex in general. You have to rig up a way to be connected, then unconnected. It's not impossible. I've had guys climb into the control frame for their exit... goofy, but possible. With PG, they just stand up in the seat. Far simpler.

I'm a bit sad that I don't have the time to help this guy out.

[markc]

Yeah, I have to admit that I had forgotten how low the BASErs like it!

I guess my thinking is somewhat skewed by the few mtn HG tandems that I've seen.... Ie, pretty much sinking-out from launch all the way out to the LZ. But with even a bit of zero-ish sink, I guess a tandem could get far enough away from launch to make deployment a non-issue. Sounds cool, would be fun to be there to see it!