Tanner-Hiller

I packed my gear Saturday night in preparation for a day of flying at Mount Ascutney the next day.  However, the sky was totally socked in across all New England early Sunday morning.  After 2 hours of phone conversations I decided to skip flying for the day.  Peter stopped by and said he was going to check out Rhett's new gig at Hangglide New England at the Tanner-Hiller Airport in central Massachusetts.  The airport, about an hour drive away, is the closest I've ever lived to a launch.

Amy and I went for a "Sunday drive" with the airport as one destination.  We arrived around 2pm and parked among a gaggle of rigged gliders.  Brooks, Kip, Matt, Peter, and Randy were ready to go.  We signed the ever-present liability waivers and then moved to the southwest end of the airfield.

Randy & Rhett

Matt was the first to launch.

Matt

Rhett

Matt had a short flight under a mostly over-developed sky, but things were improving.  Peter was next and he stuck.  Meanwhile, we moved the tow operations to the other end of the field before Kip, Randy, and Brooks launched and soared overhead.  Peter landed, but he and Matt decided to go again after Brooks embarrassed everyone with a low save over our heads.

Peter and Louie

Eventually the sky dried up and everyone landed after soaring flights.

Brooks

Amy and I later enjoyed ice cream in the scenic town common at Barre, Massachusetts before making the pleasantly short drive home.

It is great having a place to fly so close.  I'll definitely be back to fly soon.

Randy posted about his experiences on his blog "Iron Man Hang-Gliding" and a video on YouTube.