Massachusetts Hang Gliding

 

Notice:

Aviation is a dangerous activity where injury as well as loss of life may occur. Safety always depends primarily on the skill, judgement, and preparation of the pilot, and nothing contained herein should suggest that any aviation activities are safe, nor grant permission to trespass anywhere. Free flight includes the pilot taking full responsibility for their safety and the safety of crew and onlookers. 

“Launch is optional. Landing is not.”

“It’s better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than in the air wishing you were on the ground.”

“Airspeed. Altitude. Brains. You need two out of three.”

 

Our mission:

• Represent local and regional pilots in meetings with local, state, and national entities that may regulate the sport or sites at which it is practiced.
• Educate the general public about the sport of Hang Gliding
• Enforce safe flying procedures.

North Adams, Massachusetts

 

Latest News	The site is open.
Rating	HG Intermediate with Cliff signoff. PG Intermediate/Advanced with exceptional ground handling skills.
Launch Type	Slight slope to cliff
Wind Direction	NW WSW to NNW possible
Launch	42°42'00.9"N 73°03'53.4"W or 42.700238, -73.064830
Launch MSL	2170ft
Primary LZ	42°39'35.4"N 73°06'08.3"W or 42.659842, -73.102316
Vertical to LZ	1400ft, or a 13:1 glide
Bailout	With the passing of Brooks Ellison, technically no one has permission to trespass (land or stash cars) in the field below launch, AKA Cirrus Field. Your patience is appreciated while title passes through probate.
Access Winter	Short 2WD dirt road to towers. Winter access possible if not drifted in
Fees	None
Driving Directions	Rt2 in North Adams, access road to radio towers is on north side of Rt2 on ridge on top of hairpin turn section.
Contacts	City Liaison - Gary Trudeau (413) 822-4860 Matt Carr 413-477-0199 Mark Droy 413-221-2053
Restrictions	Launch is on city property - No camping, fires, littering, or tree/bush cutting.
Notes	Mohawk Trail is located just north of Rt.2 about five miles east of North Adams, Massachusetts near the Western Summit. Do not block access to towers or gates. Park across Rt 2 from tower access road if needed. Launch is about 400 yards north, a grass and rock slope. Primary LZ is "Amy's Field" behind McCann High School.

 

Adams, Massachusetts

Latest News	The road to launch will close for the season on 30October. We're working with the State to trim launch.
Rating	HG Advanced PG Advanced HG and PG Intermediates may fly under direct supervision of a qualified USHPA Observer, Examiner, or Advanced Instructor
Launch Type	Slope
Wind Direction	East NE to SSE possible
Launch	42°38'12.3"N 73°09'54.9"W or 42.636757, -73.16525
Launch MSL	3480ft
HG LZ- Amy's	42°39'35.4"N 73°06'08.3"W or 42.659842, -73.102316
Vertical to Amy's	2760ft or 6.8/1 glide
PG LZ - Greylock Glen	42°37'41.6"N 73°08'20.0"W or 42.628215, -73.138899
Vertical to the Glen	2300ft or 3.4/1 glide
Access Winter	2WD paved access road to top, open dawn to dusk. Park closed late Oct to mid-May.
Fees	There is usually a parking fee. Season Pass available, as well as lifetime pass for 60+.
Driving Directions	Take Rt 8 up from Pittsfield, or Rt2 over from Boston.
Contacts	State Liaison - Gary Trudeau (413) 822-4860
Restrictions	Must sign in at Parking hut each flying day and sign permit/waiver once per calendar year. NO TOP LANDINGS. No commercial tandem.
Notes	Mount Greylock is in the Mount Greylock State Reservation, Adams, Massachusetts. A paved road leads to within 100 yards of launch Primary LZ is "Amy's Field" behind the McCann trade school. Greylock Glen LZ is directly below launch. Do NOT use the old "Gould's Farm" Field south of the Glen.

Hadley, Massachusetts

Latest News	Skinner has not been flown by HG for a while. PG fly there occasionally. The trees below launch still present a significant hazard if you don't launch and fly away. The book is still by the maintenance shed as of Spring2023. There are some years when all area landing fields are planted with corn, making the site difficult to use in the Summer and early Fall. Don't damage crops.
Rating	HG / PG Intermediate. HG Novice allowed under direct supervision of USHGA Observer, Examiner, or Adv Instructor.
Launch Type	Level to cliff launch in treed slot. Trees below launch make this a risky launch site.
Wind Direction	NW WSW-N possible
Launch	42°17'52.0"N 72°35'33.7"W or 42.297789, -72.592680
Launch MSL	984ft
LZ	42°17'51.0"N 72°36'10.9"W or 42.297510, -72.603039
Vertical to LZ	732ft or 3.8/1 glide
Access Winter	2WD paved road to Hotel area, 500yd walk on ridge trail to launch. Closed early Nov to mid-May. Typical summer hours are 9am-8pm
Fees	There is usually a parking fee, and mobileapp/kiosks are being installed. Season Pass available, as well as a lifetime pass for 60+.
Driving Directions	Take Rt47 south off of Rt. 9 in Hadley
Contacts	State Liaison - Mark Droy 413-221-2053
Restrictions	Must sign in each flying day and sign waiver once per calendar year. Use Lockbox by the side entrance of the Maintenance Barn at the Half-Way Area.
Notes	Skinner State Park encompasses much of the mountain known as Mt. Holyoke or Mitch's Mountain. Very shallow launch in treed slot requires a good breeze to get up and away. Very soarable, but cross-country difficult due to multiple airports nearby. Watch for air traffic and don't violate restricted air space. Have your vehicle outside the gate 1/2 hour before closing. Don't buzz Hotel area.

Schools and towing:

http://www.HANGGLIDENEWENGLAND.COM   Towing and Training operation at Tanner-Hiller Airport, New Braintree, Massachusetts

http://www.NEPHC.ORG   For Mt Tom and sites in eastern Massachusetts

http://www.VHGA.aero   For Vermont and New Hampshire sites

http://flymorningside.kittyhawk.com/ School and flight park in New Hampshire

http://www.CT-HANGGLIDING.ORG   Connecticut Hang Gliding Club

http://www.MTNWINGS.com/ and https://ELLENVILLEFLIGHTPARK.com/    Ellenville, NY