Dimensions of field comfortable to land hang glider?

[jmcclave]

We need to start looking at landing options for Woodstock and other locations where our current landings are at risk. Do any of the hang gliders have rules of thumb for the dimensions for a comfortable landing field? Are there any written references?

Thanks,
Jim

[Dave Gills]

300' x 300' is a RLF
Easy to do if there are no trees or other obstructions.

80' trees all around would require 1000' if it is a slot.
300' x 600' if not a slot.

Just a guess and something to start the discussion.

[silverwings]

High Rock's LZ is approximately 110 yds x 435 yds which is approx .893 acres and has trees around most of it. It would work OK being 90 yds x 350 yds which is approx .65 acres but no smaller in my opinion. Assuming I did the acre conversion correctly I was very surprised because I though it was a lot more!

[jmcclave]

Hello John,

Your decimal point is off. There are 4840 square yards in an acre. Highrock at 110 * 435 is 47,850 square yards or 9.886 acres. Based on using Highrock as a model we would need between a 7 acre and a 10 acre rectangle.

Thanks for this input!

Also, per Matt's question the other day, are there any lawyers or insurance agents/experts in the club?

Thanks,
Jim

[silverwings]

Absolutely right that the calculations were off. Existing High Rock field is about 9.886 acres

[dbodner]

Randy once told me the High Rock field was 13 or 15 acres. Landing in the final 1/3rd of it probably counts as a screw-up (which I've done).

I would think the Pulpit secondary (PG) field would be adequate--if it were flat.

[Lucky_Chevy]

I vote for a 200 meter square, That would be approximately eight acres. That would allow ample landing field for any direction. If we wish to land only in the prevailing ridge soaring winds that amount of land may be halved.

Is there land for sale within an easy glide?



Dan L

[mcelrah]

Those fields off to the right (on the same side of the river because of the meander) are "yuuuuuge". Landed there (on PG) yesterday. Nobody around to talk to... - Hugh

[silverwings]

Regarding the field off to the right. When I first started flying Woodstock in the early 80's that was our landing field and we were launching from the old launch which is 1/4 - 1/3 mile north on the trail. The field has a little pond far out to the west and it also had a telephone or power line that crossed the field about midway. Last I knew we could land there in an emergency. It might be possible to get that field open again.