Ellenville Practice Hill Information – Hudson Valley Free Flyers
Updated:
General Site Information
Note that the adjacent mountain site and LZ are managed by Tony Covelli, not HVFF. Site guides for the mountain sites are presented HERE.
| Min Rating: H2/P2 if cleared to fly the mountains | Location: Ellenville, New York |
| Site Direction: SW – WNW | Launch Vertical: 30′ |
| Flyable Directions: 230-300 | Glide to LZ: NA |
| Wind Range(mph): NW 0-12 mph, SW 0-7 mph | Launch Type: Training Hill |
| Coordinates: 41.68737, -74.40454 |
Specific Site Information
The practice hill is a semicircle 30 feet high with launch directions ranging from WNW to SW. It was created by Greg Black for the Mountain Wings school, and though he and the school are now retired he still lives on site. The practice hill is managed jointly by Greg Black and HVFF.
Practice Hill Map
Directions to the hill: From route 209 you will find Hang Glider road 1.5 miles south of Ellenville. Follow this across a small bridge, when the road changes to gravel there is a Y intersection; veer left and proceed to the parking area next to the hanger.
Contact: Greg Black, gregablack55@gmail.com, 845-532-5525
Wayne Neckles, wayneneckles@yahoo.com, 845-590-3241
Emergencies: Cell phone service is available on all carriers both at launch and in the LZ. The nearest hospital is in Ellenville: follow 209 north through Ellenville and the hospital is the same turn you take for the Shoprite.
Site Protocols
- Pilots must be members of both USHPA and HVFF (annual and monthly memberships available for both.) The Hudson Valley Free Flyers Club can be joined online.
- The site waiver must be signed annually before flying, available from Greg Black.
- Pilots must be H2/P2 AND cleared to fly the mountains in order to fly the practice hill without an instructor present.
- Be aware of the dog tied up on the property.
- If other pilots are present, upon landing a glider must be immediately moved either back up the hill or to the setup area.
- People accompanying pilots must confine themselves to the setup area during flying activities. Spectators not affiliated with pilots are not allowed on site during flying activities.
Flight Guidance
There is a line of trees along Hang Glider Road that will produce turbulence once winds with a south component reach 5 mph. The W to WNW sections though less turbulent should not be flown in winds above 12 mph. Pilots may want to place their own streamers at a suitable distance from the hill.