Lookout Mountain Flight Park was our destination this week. An introductory hang gliding course and an afternoon tandem flight was the plan for 3 in our group. When one person dropped out, I jumped at the chance to tag along to see how it's done.Trenton, GA, a short drive from Chattanooga, TN, is the location of the largest hang gliding school in the country. We arrived atop the mountain early in the morning so that the students could register. Then it was back down the mountain to the bucolic valley below to begin training. Upon arrival at the "bunny hills," they suited up in pads, harnesses and helmets and were transported out to a 65 ft. gently sloping hill for 4 or 5 practice runs.
After a some instruction, each student was able to surf down the slope about 5 feet off the ground. Some even got a little higher. While they were learning the mechanics, I got some info from a retiree from Canada. She and her husband were there for about 3 weeks. In that time, her husband's goal was to go through the entire course, which includes exhaustive reading and tests on air currents, weather, etc., multiple successful mini flights and landings on both the 65 ft. and the 120 ft. bunny hills and to end his stay there with at least 10 solo flights from atop the mountain.
My friends returned from their training session hot, wringing with sweat and tired, but with big smiles on their faces. After showers and a leisurely lunch, they felt refreshed and ready for the afternoon session....a tandem flight with a certified instructor. The hang glider was towed 2000 ft. into the sky and released, about 500 ft higher than the mountain. Each flight lasted about 10-12 minutes.
As my friend Nancy's glider swooped down to land, we could all hear her yell.....WOOOOOHOOOOO!
You can see hang gliders taking off from the concrete launch pad on the side of the mountain any weekend when the weather is right. If you are in the area, be sure to check out Lookout Mountain Flight School. You can't miss it. Drive south along the crest and there it is.
Stevie, did I miss something? Did you hang-glide too? If you did I think you were very brave! - Dave
ReplyDeleteIt looks so extremely enticing, but I simply would be to scare to try.;)) Do you have shots of you gliding? What did it feel like? Hope all is well and that your weekend is great so far.;)
ReplyDeletexo
That scared the pants off me just READING about it. Brave souls.
ReplyDeleteV
WOW... must show my husband! This looks like a ton of fun... a bit scary but in a thrilling sort of way. Bet it's kind of pricey for an entire week but LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteDI
I would have taken the tandem flight in a heartbeat, but I was over the weight limit....I told my friend, if I ever lose enough weight we are jumping in the car and driving straight up there so I can fly before I gain it back. I would never want to hang glide on my own, but going up with a certified instructor wouldn't scare me a bit.
ReplyDeleteThey said they had taken people up from ages 4 to 92. There is no training required for tandem flying, just a video to watch.
I see hang gliders almost daily less than five miles from my home. People soar like birds over the Pacific from the hills next to the ocean. I, personally, am terrified of open heights. However, once on a trip to Puerto Vallarta, after imbibing considerable margaritas at La Jolla de Mismaloya, I went up parasailing. My sons couldn't believe the photos and, frankly, neither could I.
ReplyDeleteHoly Smokin' Rockets! That cement ramp is giving me chills of excitement! ha ha
ReplyDeleteholy moley, are you nuts??? what a way to have fun (not)!
ReplyDeleteholy moley, are you nuts??? what a way to have fun (not)!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so thrilling ... but i think I'd prefer going up in a hot air balloon ride more, as I'd keep my eyses open for that ride...lol!
ReplyDeleteWe took my father there once. It's just amazing to watch those brave souls simply jump off the mountain, isn't it? I remember Daddy wouldn't even get close to the edge!
ReplyDeletevery cool!!!! my ex-husband did a school like this in north carolina.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would do it. It looks like fun but... can you hear me clucking?? I would be chicken.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! They do something called kite boardind I want to do here-- a surf board hooked to your feet and a big hang kite roped up above. It's beautiful. They jump up catching air currents then hit the ocean waves.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun adventure!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love, love, love that part of the country! I miss it!
This is something I'm pretty sure I would never do in a million years:) Nice photo ops though:)
ReplyDeleteI would enjoy the beautiful view with my two feet firmly placed on the ground. I hope you get to try it someday!
ReplyDeletedenise
This was a good pictorial documentary of how it is done. I hope you have an opportunity one day to take a tandem flight. I will be happy to keep both feet on the ground!
ReplyDeleteI am with Virginia .. but you did a super job of chronicling it
ReplyDeleteThis does look fun! Glad you had a great time! :) The Bach
ReplyDeleteOh that looks like fun. I'd try that far sooner than jumping out of a plane.. which just isn't going to happen. Great photos.. nicely done.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine myself doing this, but it looks like a ton of fun!
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