[JoeF]

A private launch: Hammondsport
History? Challenges? Good, bad, ugly, hopeful ....?
Who, what, when? Comprehensive quotient?
The launch has a future; estimate its future, its possible futures, ...
Who found it? Who made first agreements with land owner? Then what happened?
How did insurance tail begin to wag the whole dog?
How it could have been using simple waiver and states' keeping owner out of reach for liability?
Etc.

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2019 July: a challenge has arisen. Squeeze occurring.
2019 June: Multiple users.
2019 May: http://www.rochesterareaflyers.com/sites/hammondsport

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The Mt Washington/Hammondsport launch is located about equal distance north of Bath, NY and south of Hammondsport, NY. The valley LZ lies at about 1,100 ft ASL and launch is about 700 ft above. There are also top landable fields to the east of and behind launch. The site faces NNW and favors NW - NNW winds. The launch is a steep slope. The site is controled by RAF (Rochester Area Fliers HG club) and which club is (amazingly) based in Rochester, NY. You must be a member of RAF to fly this site, although short term passes can be arranged.

The Glen H.'Curtiss Museum' (Curtiss aircraft) is located nearby in the village of Hammondsport. The area is also known for its numerous vineyards and wineries as well as its natural beauty and proximity to the Finger Lakes. The closest being Keuka. Close to the museum was the site of a Curtiss team hang gliding experiment.

Note: "Curtiss team hang gliding experiment":: That team did not have to join some private club to be in US airspace. Details of their launch place and launching rights are not noted here yet; anyone? Note: their site was not this topic's site.

2014HammondsportLAUNCH.JPG (15.5 KiB) Viewed 2538 times

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2007 circa:

"Yes, we can top land here, but not recommended unless you get 500 over, and land in the next field back. The field you see behind launch slopes down towards launch."

2007circaHammondsportLAUNCH.JPG (14.33 KiB) Viewed 2538 times

[JoeF]

Video: 2013: Paragliding And Hang Gliding Hammondsport NY 2013


Clip:

2013HammondsportLAUNCH.JPG (25.09 KiB) Viewed 2538 times

[wingspan33]

Hey Joe, I first flew from Mt Washington (its geographical name) back in 1980, 39 years ago. The current owner's father dropped by to say hello during a Denis Pagen XC clinic that was going on. Rick Paruski was 20 years old at the time. Three years my junior. Since his father's passing he now owns the farm.

Yesterday he told me I was no longer welcome on his property. This will be the case until Rochester Area Flyers (RAF) convinces him that there need not be any conflict between myself and this U$hPa chapter. Since I didn't start the "conflict" it is up to RAF to resolve the issue. Rick Parulski has, at this point in time, kicked me out because of RAF's criminal behavior. How do I become the "bad guy" in this scenario?

This is like Bob K being banned from flying at Torrey Pines Glider Port because the Jebbs don't want him on a City owned (public) park! In my case, it is private property. But I've flown there, with permission, since 1980, a year less than 40 years ago! Nobody who's in RAF now was a member back then. I am at least 99% sure of that. Back then the "club" was called the Finger Lakes Association of Pilots (FLAP for short). RAF claims they're the same "club" but their non profit status (which anyone can look up) does not show that they simply changed their name from FLAP to RAF. A sign still posted at the entry point to the site still says Finger lakes Association of Pilots. That sign is at least 40 years old and RAF hasn't made any effort to replace it with a new sign. They also fail to replace wind socks and tell tales until 3 months after the beginning of the flying season in March. This kind of negligence can threaten a pilot's safety.

And what do you know, this last Sunday (7/21/19) a less experienced (I think HG) pilot broke his arm in a crash in the valley LZ. RAF had not replaced the wind sock that was otherwise in tatters since last fall. So RAF's negligence is injuring less experienced pilots. And I need to be banned from the site due to U$hPa insurance issues?

[Bob Kuczewski]

There is a special place in hell for anyone who takes the gift of flight from anyone else.

This is yet another example of the mess that's been made of our sport under USHPA's corrupt control. USHPA refused to renew the Torrey Hawks Chapter status with no reason ever given, but they will renew chapters like the RAF that act like street thugs.