Tips on how to find that next great flying site or world record DS site.
This has become almost a second hobby for me. I am in constant search for the perfect hill.
Here is a collection of hints and tips to get you started.
Study the wind and local patterns.
Finding a cool looking hill that faces the wrong direction doesn't help the cause and only frustates and wastes valuable flying time. You need to know the weather in your local area. Find out all you can. Get to know your local weather stations. You can find alot of them on www.weatherunderground.com and other sites. Talk with the local paraglider pilots, hang glider pilots, sailboaters, etc. Check out their favorite spots.
Get access to a good topo Map
There's lots of software available that provide highly detailed maps state or country wide. Also check out Google Earth and Virtual Earth, two great free tools that I find of great use. Scope out hills facing the right direction with road access or short hikes.
Don't trespass!
Make sure the great hill you just found is on public land or you have land owner permission. Good places to find property info is your local state government website. You can find out all kinds of cool info on that cool hill you just found, including if someone owns it, and their address. For public land, find out which government dept. is managing the land such as Forest service, BLM, National Parks, County or City Open Space, etc. Make sure flying gliders is legal and accepted. If you are unsure, find a ranger and ask first. Don't need to be getting a ticket.
Visit the hill with a glider and test the lift
Nothing beats throwing a glider off into virgin lift. Make sure you scope out landing spots both on top and down the slope incase that lift aint so great. It might take some trial and error to find the best spots to fly in certain wind conditions. If it is a big hill, it may take several trips to figure the lift out.
Invite the crew to test the new awsome spot.
A few experienced pilots on the hill will be able to evaluate the lift faster, find the sweet landing spots, the best thermal generators, etc.
Add your site to Google Earth Project
Let the slope community know of your great new hill.
What to look for in a good slope Hill
1. Easy access (drive up) during the flying season.
2. Consistant wind and or thermals.
3. Flyable in multiple wind directions!
4. Safe landing zones (no people, rocks, cars, etc.)
5. Dynamic Soaring spots.
7. Short distance from home.
8. Most Important: EPIC LIFT!!
Let's all keep looking for that next Parker, Eagle Butte, or Glacier Ridge.
