Four of us met at Dunn's last weekend. Bonko brought a paraglider and a HG. Ed Brashier (one of the founders of our new site and AHGA oldtimer) and new pilot David Howard both did sleds. I showed up just to work on launch thinking it wouldn't be soarable..........which it was the whole time I was making launch safe to launch. (It had grown up too much right in front.) The minute I had it clear to launch the wind subsided to about 4-8 and stayed there. The launch has improved recently due to more work and is very launchable right now in 5-15 mph winds. Remember this is the same ridge we've been flying since 1981...........just a new launch instead of Walkers Gap. The ridge is about 10 miles long and from 550-650 agl. Longest flight to date is about 105 miles to Tennessee. Let's go flying soon ......prefered winds from 160-185 degrees at about 10 + mph. Philip Dabney

Miller Stroud doesn't know he's going to land 105.5 miles from here. This was the longest flight to date from Blount Mountain.

Recent Flights from King/Dunn site

Jeff Wilson on Saturday(Click on photos to enlarge)
Miller Stroud on Saturday
Last weekend was soarable as was yesterday and apparently today. Sunday was the big day with Memphis pilot Miller Stroud flying 105.5 miles to somewhere in Tennessee. James Anderson, Buddy Cutts, Marshall Nichols, Kevin Gross,Jeff Wilson ,Ed Brashier, Keith Nunnally, Philip Dabney, John Furman, Mark Fink and the Memphis gang were all here. Yesterday was great as well although the gains were in the 1200' range compared with 4000'+ on Sunday. Miller reportedly gained 7 grand during his flight to Tennessee in his Atos. Soon we will have two launches.........the present one which faces 170 degrees and a new one which should be about 140-150 degrees.

Marshall Nichols flies after a 20 year hiatus.

/See flight on youtubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKDs0My18FY

Jeff Wilson heading south from the new Dunn/King site, Alabama at sunset

AHGA News

Alabama Hang Gliding Association has a new site located near Walker's gap. Same ridge but new wide open launch area. This launch faces about 165-170 degrees. Only a few flights have been made so far and it seems to have great potential. Our club had it's first meeting in ages recently at La Cocina restaurant just like many years ago. We had about sixteen pilots there along with families. Dan Shell even came down from Henson's with the family to attend along with Dick Heckman, former President of the USHGA from Huntsville. This meeting was called by Jeff Wilson, an old timer who has resurfaced and is responsible along with Eddie Brashier for our new site. They dealt with the landowners and cleared the site to a flyable state by themselves and a friend. Since then we have done more clearing and there is more to go. James Anderson came up last weekend along with a pilot from Memphis named Jeff(forgot last name) and a pilot from Louisiana named Rickert. Mark Fink flew his PG from there and top landed one day. Jeff Wilson has had the best flight so far..........but that won't last long.Hopefuly Jeff will post pics of his flight soon. Philip

Walkers Gap hang gliding site closed after 27 years. For sale

The Walkers Gap hang gliding site in central Alabama is closed and up for sale. The asking price is $50,000 for 5 acres on top of Blount Mountain. This site has been the heart of Alabama hang gliding since 1981. Our club can't afford this wonderful site. It faces SSE and is 600' agl. There have been several flights over 50 miles from this top landable grassy hill hang 2 launch. However there is still good news.......we have been given permission to build a new site next door in the near future. The new site looks to be good for para and hang pilots with more than ample top landing . This will require bull dozer work to sculpt a new slope launch and many volunteers with chain saws. Meanwhile we still have Jenkins to fly. We still need volunteers to help launch us at Jenkins on good days. Anyone interested in helping launch gliders and watching our beautiful sport atop Chandler Mountain near Horse Pens 40 please contact me at 1-205-467-2905 or email at moyesman@alltel.net. Philip Dabney

New site possibly opening on Blount Mountain

Hey Guys/Gal, I talked to the landowner next to Walkers Gap and he seems positive about us creating a new site there sometime in the near future. Due to a family situation it won't happen for probably about 5 months. I'm sure most of you know which place I'm talking about.........the huge field with no obstructions with the killer view next to a pond and small cabin/house . There is about 1000' of cliff frontage and we can put a launch anywhere we want. There is a possibility that we could create a nicely sloped launch which would be good for paragliders as well. The glide would be easier to reach the chicken house LZ and Washington LZ for PG. (4:1 maybe) Also top landings are a probability. It is a 600' agl SSE facing site. Walkers Gap is still in question and the court date is this month some time. Anyway check out the website and please send pics/posts suggestions to me. I'm using mainly old photos plus some Ray's girlfriend took. We are listed on the ozreport.com now and should be getting some good PR. We are also coming up on a google search now thanks to Ray Helman. See you in the air. Philip Dabney http://alabamahangglidingassociation.blogspot.com/

Looking over the back of Walkers Gap

August may bring news about Walkers Gap

The court date is sometime this month to decide access issues due to Walkers Gap. There are several possibilities: Either Bobby (launch owner) prevails and we get a right of way access........or Eddy lets us put a new launch in on his land......or the next door neighbor lets us put in a new launch........or none of the above. Keep your fingers crossed. I'm posting some old pics of Wakers and Jenkins . Philip Dabney

Flying Walkers in a Comet 2/ 2 grand over Jenkins on a L&V day

Walkers Gap pics

Walkers Gap site cleared today.

Today, Friday , April 20th, Keith Nunnally and I cleared Walkers Gap for the first time in a year. It is very launchable now however the access issue won't be solved until the court date at the end of May. We are keeping our fingers crossed and hope that we can all buy the place to preserve hang gliding and paragliding in central Alabama..........Walkers Gap is a 600' launch that faces SE and is top landable with a gentle slope launch. Pics to follow soon........... Philip Dabney