Overview

The topological map shows how the mountain stands alone.

Pilot is a Vermont Hang Gliding Association Member and has signed the site waiver.  Pilot must follow state rules.

All access to the park during the off-season must be made through an Ascutney Apostle.

Launching

The launch is a manmade rock mound toped with soil.  A large setup area accommodates up to 15 hang gliders.  Please keep a path open from the setup area to the launch.

The pilot must file a signed site waiver with the state.  This is usually done by the Vermont Hang Gliding Association when the pilot becomes a member.

The pilot must sign in with the park rangers at the park entrance before flying on any given day.  The formal purpose of the sign-in procedure is to insure only authorized pilots launch from the mountain and the daily roster could be used to account for all pilots launching on any given day.  Informally, the sign in is a fun part of any flying day.  Pilots usually meet at the entrance to carpool up the mountain and spend too much time socializing with the friendly park rangers!

A wire crew is required on all but calm days.

The toll road up the mountain closes at dusk and the rangers don't want any vehicles left on the mountain overnight.  If you plan to fly to far away places, you should also plan to have someone drive your vehicle down the mountain and park it across the road from the entrance.  Remember, it takes time to travel up and down the road, so allow plenty of time to retrieve your vehicle.

Drive to the park entrance.  Pay a small toll at the park entrance, sign in, and then drive up the mountain until the road terminates in the upper parking lot.  Walk back down the road a short distance and take the first trail to the right (south).  Continue along the trail until you come to a clearing.

The launch is at the top center of a bowl that naturally funnels the wind and thermals into launch.  Thermal turbulence can be unexpectedly strong at times.  Since the launch is at the top of the bowl, any crossing wind will likely blown thermals across launch.  This can cause uneven forces on the glider during launch.

Many hikers also visit the scenic spot we call a launch.  Be courteous and watch out for spectators that might not know to duck at the appropriate time.  Ask spectators to clear the rock mound and the area immediately below launch before approaching with your glider.  Be prepared to answer many questions!

The hike in is not for the weak or faint-hearted.  The trail is mostly level, but does has several mild descents and climbs, rocks scrambles, and clustered trees.  It is any easy hike ... without gear.  Most pilots hike in once with all their gear, other pilots make two trips, once with the glider and then again with their harness, and yet other pilots pair up and make two trips with a person on both ends of the glider.  The hike is not bad after a little "conditioning", but the first few hikes of the season can be long!  Some of the more experienced pilots view the hike as a way of putting the world behind them, a pathway  to "flying mode".

Porcupines like to chew on tires.  If you leave your vehicle on the mountain overnight, you might have chunks of rubber (and air) missing from your tires when you return the next morning.

Flying

The south side of Ascutney Mountain forms a bowl that collects the wind and thermals.  The sides of the bowl, the arms, provide good collection points on days when the wind is either southeast or southwest.  On calm days the mountain forms a natural convergence zone at its peak.  Therefore, the mountain is truly soarable in a wide range of conditions.

The sides of the bowl, the arms, can greatly disturb the airflow on crossing southeast or southwest days.

Landing

Stay out of the blueberry patch at the southeast corner of the field.  (The stakes and wire are uninviting anyway!)