It all started when I was looking for a place to camp for one night before getting into our next state park campground. As I looked on the IOverlander app, I casually mentioned to Doug that there was a flight park that allowed people to camp overnight near their landing field. Doug immediately began his research and before I knew it, he was scheming to make one of his ''bucket list'' items a reality. Come with us as he soars ...
Up, Up and Away
during an introductory hang-gliding experience at Lookout Mountain Flight Park in Rising Fawn, Georgia!
This hang-gliding and paragliding training center is located fifteen miles south of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Situated on a ridge of Lookout Mountain and descending into the adjacent valley, this flight park is the largest and most popular hang-gliding school in the United States. Local weather and wind patterns produce nearly optimal soaring conditions for gliding enthusiasts year round.
We arrived on a Sunday afternoon, and from our cliff-side parking spot we watched gliding enthusiasts of all ages take advantage of favorable evening winds. Hang-gliders and paragliders launched into flight by running off the ramp over the cliff, caught the wind, and soared gracefully until they decided to touch down in the landing field below us.
As we watched these experienced pilots gracefully glide through the air, I thought that this could be a lot of fun ...
... except for the part about the running
off the side of a mountain!
From our parking spot we could hear the constant buzz of plane engines and saw another way that the hang-gliders get airborne that appeared a bit less intimidating.
A small aircraft with a tow rope was lifting the flyers and their kites up in the air and then releasing them to soar above the valley for as long as the favorable winds and the pilot's skills allowed them.
Sunset brought an array of beautiful colors over the mountain valley as the flying enthusiasts got in their last soar for the weekend. We had found a wide parking area on the side of the road close to where Doug was to report for his class at ''O' too early'' Monday morning.
Excited or Nervous ...
or just the normal quiet and contemplative Doug?
At the top of the hill, Doug was instructed to run fast down the hill with the fifty pound glider balanced on his shoulders. He needed to keep running until he felt himself being lifted up off the ground.
First try ... not so good, but he was able to achieve a successful lift-off during his next four attempts. Those following four ''flights'' were the best part of his day.
''I really liked those little glides on the bunny hill. It really felt like I was flying under my own power for a little while.''
The video proof ...
After that it was time to head back to the main field for a taste of the ''real deal''. Doug suited up and met the experienced pilot who would accompany him on his tandem flight.
Securely strapped in and ready for a once in a life-time opportunity!
Afterwards, my ''man of few words'' did have this to say about his hang-gliding experience ...
''When we took off behind the tow-plane, the speed was higher than I had expected. My glasses got jostled a bit, but I couldn't release my hands to readjust them. Going up and gaining altitude was very peaceful. When we achieved 1800 feet, the hang-glider was released and things got quiet. The instructor maneuvered the hang-glider for a bit and showed me how to dive and turn. Then I was able to take control and perform some dives and turns under the direction of the instructor. Very soon, it was time to land and the instructor took over the controls. We seemed to come in very fast, but the landing was smooth. All-in-all it was very exciting.''
I just watched in amazement as they gracefully soared high above the airfield ...
... and after about ten minutes, came back down with a smooth, safe landing.
Afterwards we settled into our camping spot next to the landing zone. It was close enough to be able to watch the enthusiastic pilots of this flying community catch the ''ridge lifts'' and ride the ''thermals'' that is area is so famous for. Doug was happy to take it easy as he was feeling the pain from the most difficult part of his day ... this non-runner had to run fast during his five running launches off the ''bunny hill'' resulting in sore leg muscles. Would he want to stick around here for a few weeks and pursue more advanced hang-gliding lessons? ''Nope, been there, done it, and enjoyed it immensely.''
So what's his next extreme sport ''bucket list'' item?
''A hot-air balloon ride!''
.
Hummm ... I just might be talked into joining him for that type of
Up, Up and Away RVenture!
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