Training hills close to DC

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peeetaaar
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 8:51 pm
Location: Washington, Dc

Training hills close to DC

Post by peeetaaar »

Hi all,

Does anyone know of a decent training hill nearby DC? It looks like I'm finally going to have a chance to bring my glider out of storage and see how it fared on the cross-country trip, so I'd like to make sure everything is in order before any big flights.

Thanks,
Peter
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CraginS
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Location: Franconia
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Re: Training hills close to DC

Post by CraginS »

Pete, check out the club site guide
Taylor Farm in King George County, east of Fredericksburg VA (SW winds); Smithsburg MD (NW winds).

Watch the listserve for announcements here of folks going to either.
ThEre are site protocols to know and follow. Waiver needed at Taylor. Important parking information at Smithsburg.

Hope to see you out!
sailin
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Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 4:21 pm

Re: Training hills close to DC

Post by sailin »

Peter,
Should be several of us out flying this weekend and maybe even some heading to the training hill in Smithsburg. Are you around for flying this weekend?

Jon
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peeetaaar
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Re: Training hills close to DC

Post by peeetaaar »

Thanks guys. I ended up not making it out since a few things came up this weekend, but next weekend is looking good. Perhaps making it out to Taylor Farm or Smithsburg on Saturday and assuming all is well with the glider and weather permits, some higher flying on Sunday. I went through the site and found the site guide for all the nearby sites, but didn't see anything about a waiver for either of those. I'm guessing that this is something I can sign onsite?
dbodner
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Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: Arlington

Re: Training hills close to DC

Post by dbodner »

High Rock has a waiver and certain protocols. Raise your hand as a newbie on the next High Rock day, and someone will walk you through it. There used to be a Pulpit waiver, but that went away.
David Bodner
mikethemerciless
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Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:11 pm
Location: Mike from North Carolina

Re: Training hills close to DC - Visiting Pilot

Post by mikethemerciless »

I've been following this bulletin board for some years now, and finally find myself in a position to ask this:

I'll be in the DC Metro area for a few weeks, will have my paragliding gear with me, and am seeking an opportunity to fly with y'all on the weekend of Mar 16-17.

Would it be possible to meet up with one or more of you at a flyable site that weekend? Will be happy to sign waivers and make arrangements to pay any association fees.

Mike
dbodner
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Re: Training hills close to DC

Post by dbodner »

Mike,

Hopefully one of the PGers will contact you. They tend to make their plans off-line.

If you find yourself heading to one of our sites, we do request you become at least a visiting member by sending for $15. The easiest way to do this is via http://www.chgpa.org/ClubInfo/chgpa.memb_form.html.
David Bodner
thermalup
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Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:25 pm
Location: Jim Gibson, currently located in NW Michigan but slowly moving to VA during the next couple of years
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Re: Training hills close to DC

Post by thermalup »

I am a visiting HG pilot from a long Michigan winter and would like to spend a 1/2 day practicing running launches from a small hill somewhere close to the Crozet/Waynesboro area. I will be living near Crozet for March and April with hopes of moving here next fall. Is the Taylor Farm site the closest location to my area for a small public hill to practice launches? I am a current H4 and have been flying a long time but our sites in Michigan usually only require a couple of steps to get flying. Since Woodstock will probably be my primary site I would like some refreshment runs. I'll sign up to be a CHGPA member tomorrow and I assume instructions for waivers are here on the website but I would also like to find more information about directions to the Taylor Farm hill as well as proper protocol for flying there. I have visited the Woodstock launch before (without my glider) but I would like directions to the primary LZ and protocol for there as well. Any helpful information will be greatly appreciated. Hope to be flying with all of you soon! ..::JG
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mingram
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Re: Training hills close to DC

Post by mingram »

I contacted Mike to help coordinate PG next weekend.

Jim, welcome! Sign up for CHGPA and we'll give you access to our site guide which will explain the details. I've heard of Long Hill closer to Massanutten. Keep your eye open for new ones when you're driving around. We can always use more.

Matt
Matt Ingram
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804.399.5155
mingram@vt.edu
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