This forum is dedicated to discussions on how to grow the sport of hang gliding. We will take a methodical approach to collect data and come up with implementable ideas on how to increase our numbers. This includes effective marketing, lead generation, site access issues, improving regulations, lack of instructors, lack of sites, etc

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User avatar
By ChattaroyMan
#298669
Wondering ..... Those of you who have acquired, or hope to acquire, flying sites located in Idaho - has this state statute been of use?
http://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Tit ... 6-1604.htm

Also, does anyone in Idaho fly from Potlach lands using their permit process?
http://recreation.potlatchcorp.com/id/default.asp

I'm eager to nail down some new flying sites in Idaho not far from Spokane, WA on both private and public lands. Any work done in Idaho with the state, BLM, USFS, etc. land managers that could be shared with our group would help in that regard. You can PM me or reply to this post. Thanks! - Steve
User avatar
By Fred Wilson
#336960
Boat towing at Hayden Lake, Idaho

"This is our first flight using our old 1990 Ski Nautique with a recently installed hydrolic winch system.
Dale Saunders of Spokane built and installed the winch, and is the instructor. Joe Bowen is the main pilot."

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sgDUyQKJtw[/youtube]
User avatar
By Fred Wilson
#336962
Hang Gliding Squaw Butte Idaho - Cinco de Mayo 2013

"Blaine P. launches east side of Squaw Butte Idaho 5-5-2013 in a WW Falcon hang glider.
Conditions are light and variable on launch but mostly east at 2 to 3 mph.
Landing wind is 2 to 10 mph south. Blaine works two thermals and gets 300'
above launch at one point but eventually sinks to landing area and nails a nice landing."

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIYHrwhZv9Q[/youtube]
User avatar
By Fred Wilson
#336967
Hang Gliding at Hammett Rim 4-21-2013

"An XC flight of 16 miles originating at Hammett Rim Idaho, a 425' vertical slope in Idaho.
Conditions were light (8 - 21 mph estimated) at launch time but strong before and after.
The landing conditions were moderately strong and gusty (12 to 28 mph estimated)."

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND3Y98StGCM[/youtube]
User avatar
By Fred Wilson
#336968
Crow Hang Gliding Site near Boise Idaho.

Opening Day at Crow 5-1-2013
- Site Guide info here: http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... ight=idaho

Pilot is Blaine from Boise and he is first to launch at a hang gliding site that had been closed for years.
The launch conditions were 15 -25 mph wind crossing slightly from the right.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfm6OYopq-c[/youtube]
Last edited by Fred Wilson on Sun Oct 27, 2013 12:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
By davisstraub
#336997
Hammer Flats (Crow) is only accessible by foot. Road is not open.
By Tom
#338416
Are there any sites close to Sun Valley? / Ketchum?
There is an excellent site right above Ketchum that has produced many 100+ mile PG flights including a 240 miler this summer. However I don't know if HG is common or would even be feasible there, since the only access to launch is by ski lift or ski resort service road, as in Aspen or Telluride. The guy to contact about this would be Chuck Smith of Fly Sun Valley.

The closest commonly-flown HG site to Ketchum would probably be King Mountain.
User avatar
By BRP
#338424
Ah..... The GOOD old days!
There were several sites, I (we) flew in the wood river valley years ago.
Greenhorn, Mindbender, Bell Mt., Carbonite, Sky ridge K-SKI ridge, and a desert site, Timberman ridge farther out...
Around the time King Mt. area was pioneered we migrated there due to better flying and, because we just kept loosing landing zones to developers.
Also about when Hailey airport got a control tower it got tougher to fly up the valley.
The pg crowd gets to ride the lifts and land in the ski area parking lots and generally flys away from the airport.
Greenhorn, my favorite, was like that, just 5 miles south of Baldy. I miss flying the area, but for the short drive King is way better!
I only know of two former HG pilots that live in the valley now. :(
Last edited by BRP on Mon Nov 18, 2013 2:04 pm, edited 2 times in total.