New Zealand

[jimrooney]

I think I've been here for something like two months now. If you're really really interested in all the fine details, head over to jimrooney.com

After finding out that my "employer" is quite the scam artist (and has been screwing people over for at least three years), I bailed out and got work with one of the other hang gliding companies in town. In fact, a couple of them offered me work. We're heading into prime summer vacation season here, so that's no shock.

The flying here is just stunning. That doesn't say much because everything here is stunning. The main flying site here is Mt Coronet... a beautiful, manicured nub launch that takes anything from west-south-east. Even on North days, the valley tends to pump winds up the mountain face anyway, so in general, if it's sunny, it's flyable. The "lake breeze" kicks in nearly every night and extends the soaring day till around sunset... which around here is 10pm. Most pilots pack up around 6pm though.

Airspace restricts XC flying at Coronet. Those wishing to do XC head over to nearby Wanaka... about 45 minutes down the road. Wanaka is get-high-go-far country and the startpoint of most NZ flight records from what I hear. Wanaka IMHO is a far nicer town... it's less touristy and prettier than Queenstown. Lots of Lord of the Rings footage is Wanaka. For fans, the scene where they float on past the giant figures carved in the mountainsides is lake Wanaka.

The downside of flying in NZ is the lack of wings. It's bring your own or make arangements before you leave. Don't expect to be able to rent hang gliders. Paragliders are far easier to rent (but then, why not bring your own?).

Queenstown also offers a unique flying opportunity. There is a gondola in town. You can take your wing up the gondola and fly over town. You land in the rugby field in town. I have to say it's by far the most beautiful view I've seen in New Zealand. Adding to the fun... a season pass for the gondola is $50nzd ($35usd). Ye Haw!

I hear there is also a special gondola car that will take HG. I hear it's a major pain in the butt and is rarely, if ever, used.

An other fun place to fly is the park near the airport. It is the most perfectly soarable "training hill" I've ever seen. I thought the flight park hill was good till I saw this thing. It's right on the lake and kicks the hell out of any dunes I've seen. Haven't tried HG there, but PG is a riot.

Anyway, that's the view from across the pond.
Merry Christmass guys
Jim

[Spark]

...
Anyway, that's the view from across the pond.
Merry Christmass guys
Jim

Thanks!

... I'm gonna try to dream-soar there tonight ...

[Lauren Tjaden]

Merry Christmas, Jim! We miss you here.
Lauren

jimrooney <jimrooney@gmail.com> wrote:

I think I've been here for something like two months now. If you're really really interested in all the fine details, head over to jimrooney.com

After finding out that my "employer" is quite the scam artist (and has been screwing people over for at least three years), I bailed out and got work with one of the other hang gliding companies in town. In fact, a couple of them offered me work. We're heading into prime summer vacation season here, so that's no shock.

The flying here is just stunning. That doesn't say much because everything here is stunning. The main flying site here is Mt Coronet... a beautiful, manicured nub launch that takes anything from west-south-east. Even on North days, the valley tends to pump winds up the mountain face anyway, so in general, if it's sunny, it's flyable. The "lake breeze" kicks in nearly every night and extends the soaring day till around sunset... which around here is 10pm. Most pilots pack up around 6pm though.

Airspace restricts XC flying at Coronet. Those wishing to do XC head over to nearby Wanaka... about 45 minutes down the road. Wanaka is get-high-go-far country and the startpoint of most NZ flight records from what I hear. Wanaka IMHO is a far nicer town... it's less touristy and prettier than Queenstown. Lots of Lord of the Rings footage is Wanaka. For fans, the scene where they float on past the giant figures carved in the mountainsides is lake Wanaka.

The downside of flying in NZ is the lack of wings. It's bring your own or make arangements before you leave. Don't expect to be able to rent hang gliders. Paragliders are far easier to rent (but then, why not bring your own?).

Queenstown also offers a unique flying opportunity. There is a gondola in town. You can take your wing up the gondola and fly over town. You land in the rugby field in town. I have to say it's by far the most beautiful view I've seen in New Zealand. Adding to the fun... a season pass for the gondola is $50nzd ($35usd). Ye Haw!

I hear there is also a special gondola car that will take HG. I hear it's a major pain in the butt and is rarely, if ever, used.

An other fun place to fly is the park near the airport. It is the most perfectly soarable "training hill" I've ever seen. I thought the flight park hill was good till I saw this thing. It's right on the lake and kicks the hell out of any dunes I've seen. Haven't tried HG there, but PG is a riot.

Anyway, that's the view from across the pond.
Merry Christmass guys
Jim

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