Dream trip: Fly 10 Slope Soaring sites in the East
by Dave Garwood
dave.garwood.518@gmail.com
Here is an itinerary for a two-week trip to fly at 10 Slope Soaring sites between the Atlantic Ocean and the geographic center of the contiguous US. I have flown at nine of them, and I’d love to go to any of them again. Let’s start at the ocean.
White Crest Beach, Wellfleet, Massachusetts
It’s located on the ocean side of Cape Cod, with east winds between 5 and 40 mph that produce dream Slope Soaring conditions. You might have to yield to hang gliders. It features a paved road, parking at the top, and plenty of places to eat seafood.
Deer Island, Boston, Massachusetts
Located in Boston Harbor and flyable in north and southwest wind, Deer Island is a delightful location that presents modest hills with views of Boston and Winthrop. Once an island but now a peninsula, you can drive there, but go early in the day because the parking lot is small.
Mount Greylock, North Adams, Massachusetts
With a southeast wind, the view doesn’t get much better than this. Lift is basically unlimited at the top of Massachusetts’ highest peak when the wind direction is right. Mount Greylock has a state park with a paved road to the top and a restaurant that is open seasonally. Take a side trip and hike on the Appalachian Trail.
Petersburg Pass, Petersburg, New York
Located within spitting distance of the Massachusetts and New York border on Route 2, the northwest-facing bowl, at 1,000 feet above the valley floor, generates epic lift. Bring long-wing sailplanes for visibility because this site encourages flying high and far out.
Sterling Bluffs, Lake Ontario, Sterling, New York
Pilots like flying with water out in front of them because smooth, undisturbed air blows up the slope. This site has a huge grassy landing area and is suitable for maiden flights of new sailplanes. A northwest wind at 10 to 30 mph works great here. There is a park at the end of McIntyre Road. Walk approximately a quarter mile to get to the bluffs.
arrive in late May and join in the fun and excitement of the Midwest Slope Challenge.
At Lucas Park you’re 70 miles from Lebanon, Kansas, the geographic center of the US. Additional sites close to this Massachusetts-to-Kansas itinerary are Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan.
One of my Slope-flying friends counted 40 flyable launch points at Shenandoah National Park along the 103-mile Skyline Drive. Landings are tough, so bring bounceable EPP sailplanes. I’ve flown there five times, and try to go each year.
At Sleeping Bear Dunes you can obtain a free pass to fly gliders at four sites in three wind directions over Lake Michigan. It is the site of many LSF eight-hour flights. I have not been to this one yet, but I sure want to try it before too long.
In these days of uncertainty and impending regulations regarding multirotors, it’s wise to check with park operators for current information regarding permission to fly.
(Editor’s note: Make sure to check with proper authorities to ensure you have permission to fly within parks or other public areas.)
SOURCES:
Ten Best Slope Soaring Sites
Outer Cape Cod
www.charlesriverrc.org/fields_capecodslope.htm
Deer Island
www.charlesriverrc.org
Mount Greylock State Reservation
www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks
Petersburg Pass
Sterling Bluffs on Lake Ontario
www.slopeflyer.com/soaring/new-york
Perry Township Park
http://coastal.ohiodnr.gov/lake/perrytwp
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm
Brookville Lake
www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2961.htm
Coronado Heights Park
www.kansastravel.org/coronadoheights.htm
Lucas Park
www.recreation.gov
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
www.nps.gov/SLBE/planyourvisit/index.htm
Shenandoah National Park
www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm
Lebanon, Kansas
www.kansastravel.org/geographicalcenter.htm
