Hang gliders flying the ridge at Mt. Ascutney, VT

[sgtspackler]

I haven't seen any hang gliders at Mt. Ascutney for years. What's the deal?

[sgtspackler]

My parents live up in Brownsville and I used to see hang gliders all the time around Mt Ascutney, but I haven't seen any in years. What's the deal? I had heard rumors that the state banned them from using the launch pad.

[Opethfan79]

I am wondering where do you land when jumping from Ascutney?

[triggeron]

Well there is a bailout LZ (landing zone) right in front of the launch incase you cant make a longer flight. Opposite the launch there is Morningside flight park, which is a great LZ. And for the truly skilled pilot (with good weather) there are the beaches of Main.

[Opethfan79]

How long does it take to get a licence that allowes you to launch from Ascutney? I plan on learning at morningside this spring and I am just wondering how long it takes to get to this level. And maybe how much I can expect to pay assuming I like it enough. But I have a feeling I will.

[twinsox13]

how would u be able to make it from ascuteny mountain to the maine coast

u'd have to cross the whole state of new hampshire?

i saw the hanggliding pad when i climbed the mountain, but we drove most of the way up until we had to hike about 3/4 of a mile up the mountain. on the way back down we took the hanggliding trail across to cut over to the parking lot for the summit

i went to the observation tower

the hanggliders were waiting for the wind to slow down

PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTION!

[triggeron]

Yes, HG pilots fly across the state of NH to get to the cost of Main, it's amazing. This is accomplished, technically speaking, by flying down wind caching lots of thermals and avoiding sink. How do they mange to consistently do that while flying such long distances? because the pilots who can do it are some of the best in the world. Its sort of like asking how a major league hitter can hit a home run.

[twinsox13]

Cool

sounds pretty unbelievable, but i believe u cuz i don't anything about hanggliding!

thanks

[triggeron]

No problem bud. You should try GH sometime, its awesome

[twinsox13]

haha

i don't know, but it seems pretty fun to hangglide

[jwm239]

....neat....! a gaggle of gliders!