training hill sensitivity

[Richard Hays]

Positive note: 3 successful weekends in a row training. Nice.

Negative note: "somebody" almost caused me to lose a coveted training hill that I have been using for decades. They came roaring into it with their SUV at a relatively high speed and passed between the landowners RV and campfire pit ( approx. 20 yards from RV ). Their canopy was up and extended...small dog running around and small children. Really? Yeah......really.

Caught holy hell. Site in jeapordy. Tim Bowen and I did damage control and I think we're ok but we lost some privileges in the meatime.

This person did this when I was not there. Nobody has permission to fly their without me being there to monitor the site ( agreement by landowner years ago ) but this pilot sees it otherwise. And almost cost me the site.

What people fail to realize is that these training hills owned by others are instructors means to exist aka livelyhood. Without them we don't exist. Training hills are far, few and scarce.

I do know who it is and will try and approach them diplomatically. This person is a rogue unrated pilot and ex-student of mine who broke ranks after hooking up with a bad influence/pilot years ago. This is how he knew about the site. Not cool. And if he continues to disregard the rules and landowners....then this site will be shut down.

The point I'm trying to make is that this site ( remains to be unnamed for security reasons ) is just like all the others. Whether its Taylor Hill or Oregon Ridge...we cannot be selfish jackasses when visiting them. Fly safe. Be polite. pickup trash. And on and on. This applies to the commercial flight parks somewhat too. You are guests. Act appropriately.

Richard Hays
Maryland School of Hanggliding
Pres. MHGA