HomeHensonGap-Burnside Launch

Henson Gap - Burnside Launch
Rev. 12/14/2025

Kiting on Burnside Launch

The Burnside paragliding / hang gliding launch was developed on land purchased in 2018 from the Burnside family, north of the hang-gliding launch ramp.

The Tennessee Tree Toppers owe a debt of gratitude to the Foundation for Free Flight for their financial support of this project.

BASIC INFO
PG Rating/skills	P2 Novice after full briefing & approval from FRP designated pilot or BOD approved instructor. Cliff Launch (CL) and/or Assisted Windy Cliff Launch (AWCL) skills
HG Rating/skills	H2 Novice full briefing and approval from FRP designated pilot or BOD approved instructor. Cliff Launch (CL) and/or Assisted Windy Cliff Launch (AWCL) skills
Wind Direction	Preferred 320°, OK in light winds - 280°-350°
Wind Velocity	Light winds ok, Ideal 5-10mph, Maximum 20mph
Coordinates	35.349455, -85.331651
Elevation MSL	2,280 feet
Elevation AGL	1,460 feet
Glide to TTT LZ	4.4:1

Site Specific Skill Requirements - Henson Gap - Burnside Launch

Hang Gliders - Minimum rating of TTT H3 Intermediate.
Hang Gliders - Minimum rating of TTT H2 Novice after receiving a full briefing and approval from FRP designated pilot or BOD approved instructor.
Paragliders - Minimum rating of TTT P3 Intermediate.
Paragliders - Minimum rating of TTT P2 Novice after receiving a full briefing and approval from FRP designated pilot or BOD approved instructor.
P2 first mountain flights permitted under supervision of a TTT BOD approved and USHPA rated instructor or observer at launch and on radio with pilot during flight.
This launch requires solid kiting skills. If you are not current, we recommend you spend time kiting in the LZ before coming to launch.
Top landing should only be attempted by experienced pilots. This is not recommended for P2s.

Flight Requirements

You must read and understand our Flight Regulatory Program (FRP) requirements before flying club sites. The FRP is available at the Henson Gap clubhouse and on this web site. Pilots attempting to fly at Henson Gap who violate these requirements are subject to censure.
You must be a current Tennessee Tree Topper Member in good standing with a current USHPA membership and rating to fly our sites.
You must have an USHPA Paragliding rating of Novice (P2) or higher.
Novice pilots should have mountain flight experience at a different site before first flights at Henson Gap.
If you are a Novice pilot, you must be briefed and vetted by a Director prior to your first flight. See the Site Briefings menu for information.
First mountain flights are permitted only under supervision of a club-authorized observer at launch and radio contact with the pilot throughout the duration of the flight.
Tandem flights and student solo first mountain flights are permitted only when supervised by a USHPA certified instructor authorized by the club.
Solo student flights require instructor radio contact with the student throughout the duration of the flight.

Clearance

All pilots intending to fly shall have a current Tennessee Tree Toppers and USHPA membership prior to setting up on either launch.This includes kiting on launch. You may join the TTT at Join Now on https://tennesseetreetoppers.org
All pilots intending to fly must have a current signed waiver on file.This can be done while signing up online for your membership.There are paper forms in the clubhouse or from a local launch official.
Please take time to read our Flight Regulatory Program if you haven’t already.
There is TTT Emergency Card with 911 information for each site and pickup information on our website under Member Documents.

Setup

Paragliders should unpack and gear up along the tree line separating the radial ramp and the Burnside launch.DO NOT unpack your paraglider in the middle of the launch / top-landing area.
Both glider types should be geared up and ready to launch before approaching the launch / top-landing area.
Hang gliders should setup in the back by the trees staying clear of top-landing area.

Hi-res image

Launching a Paraglider

Before launching take note of the location of our LZ.There are two sections: Main LZ parallels the road to the south.The lower LZ (good for HGs) parallels Henson Gap Rd to the north.There is a pull-off into the lower LZ from Henson Gap Road.

Hi-Res of 3D image

Be aware of traffic on the ridge and launches from south of launch, they can appear rather quickly on the ridge.
Top landings have the right-of-way although pilots should not practice touch and goes on a busy launching day.If launching, be aware of anyone attempting to top land and drop your wing and/or move out of the way.
This launch requires solid kiting skills and if you are not current, we recommend you spend time kiting in the LZ before coming to launch.
Launches can be in directions from the West to the Northeast.You may need to feather your glider depending on the wind direction and launch into that direction. If it feathers downwind, make corrections and increase your speed.
In light conditions a forward launch from further back is recommended.Light wind or no wind launches make up most of our incidents.
Newer pilots should be aware that there is a transition zone at the rolloff where the angle of attack changes and the air pressure changes in the glider.You may experience minor tip collapses and may need to correct by adding more pressure to the wing.Give yourself room to abort if necessary.
Once your glider is flying above you, kite towards the launch slope keeping your glider into the wind. If there is much wind, be prepared that you will probably lift off well before the end of the flat.
Keep your feet under you and knees bent because you likely touch down again before getting away from the launch.
Flying on crosswind days with any velocity can be problematic. Often the winds in the valley, away from launch typically have more velocity than what is seen on launch. There will be more sink and possibly more turbulence.

Launching a Hang Glider from the Burnside Launch

The Burnside launch has been used by hang glider pilots. In light winds, the ramp affords better clearance from terrain. Any qualified pilot considering launching from Burnside is encouraged to consult with an experienced local hang-gliding pilot.
If little or no wind, start at the top of the roll off in order to run down the slope and off.If a pilot attempts to launch from too far back, they will suddenly enter the vertical airflow and his may cause the nose to pop up, a lifted wing tip, or a stall resulting in a crash on launch. This is especially a problem when winds are stronger.
Pilots should use side wire assistants in winds over 8 mph. A keel assistant is recommended in winds over 12 mph. In such winds it is especially important to maintain the proper angle of attack.Be sure to give clear instructions to your wire crew.

Flying

When flying along the ridge, always use the rules of the ridge. To print separately Rules of the Air on our website.

As winds increase, a venturi can form in the gap north of the ramp, resulting in less lift and more headwind. Stay well in front of the ridge to avoid being trapped.

Consult the weather forecast for the day and maintain awareness of any predicted severe weather and changing conditions.
When soaring, don’t scratch too low or get too far behind launch. Pilots have landed in trees behind launch, please don't repeat their mistakes.
Conditions can often be extremely thermic between the hours of noon and 4 pm in the spring and summertime and are often unsafe for Novice and inexperienced mountain pilots.
Keep the LZ in site during your flight in case conditions change.There are many other landable fields nearby should you not be able to make our LZ.
Flying on crosswind days with any velocity can be problematic. Often the winds in the valley, away from launch typically have more velocity than what is seen on launch. There will be more sink and possibly more turbulence.

Landing

The Henson Gap 40+ acre landing field (LZ) is located north of Davis Loop and south of Henson Gap Road.
The large windsock is in the upper LZ closest to Davis Loop and shows the main airflow.There are many streamers throughout the field and they may disagree.Check them while circling the field.When touching down use the streamers closest to your selected landing area as your reference.
The upper runway is located at the southern end of the field and runs west to east.It is a gentle slope downhill and then levels off.From here the field slopes down to the north, to a big flat bottom comprising the majority of area.There is a North/South runway and plenty of flat area for either hang gliders or paragliders.
The runways are kept mowed most of the time, but the entire field is landable.Be aware that sometimes the grass may be a little higher at times when off the runways.
Landing to the SW can be uphill and sinky; you may come down sooner than you think.It is better to undershoot than overshoot.Land towards the open gap in the SW tree line.
Upper strip breakdown is along the Davis Loop. Lower strip breakdown – there is a path to the breakdown area which is in the NE corner of the field.Do not breakdown in the landing strip and do not drive out to pick up your glider.
Remember that this is a landing field and all landing aircraft have priority.
When landing along with hang gliders understand that they may come down more quickly and need more room for landing.Try not to make any unnecessary corrections while circling the LZ with hang gliders
Maintain awareness of any other pilots approaching the LZ and move quickly from the LZ to one of the breakdown areas after landing.
Do not pack your glider in the open areas where other pilots might land.
Pilots kiting their paragliders should stay well clear of landing areas when hang gliders are flying and should be prepared to lower their wings well before other pilots begin a final approach.
Top landing should only be attempted by experienced pilots. This is not recommended for P2s.

Henson Gap Primary LZ

Although the upper strip will be used by many pilots in a strong north cross, the wide flat bottom area may be easier to negotiate in these conditions. Our neighbor Mr. Woerner allows use of his 'bowl field' on the south side of Davis Loop, offering another good option.

The Henson Gap landing zone (LZ) is located in the field north of Davis Loop and south of Henson Gap Road. View in Google Earth

If you should get stuck just south of the primary LZ, there are some options for an emergency landing. We hope you will never need to use them, but here is some useful information regarding those fields.
Note the launch pin in the lower right-hand corner of the first photo and fields circled in red

Austin Fields

The field closest to launch is long and narrow with power lines on the south side and on the west side. Best to land closer to the road.

The field below shows the power line and poles in the field by the house.

The field below is further out from launch and has power lines and poles on the south and west ends. The left side of the field slopes up to the west and is very rutty. Again landing closer to the road is the best option.

Woerner Fields

These fields are directly across Davis Loop from our primary LZ. We do not encourage you to land in these fields unless it’s an emergency. We have a long-standing relationship with the Woerner family and they understand that things happen, but we do not want to wear out that relationship.

The areas in purple are bowl shaped fields and slope uphill.

If landing in these fields be aware of the gradient with any wind or better yet, land on top of the hill.

All fields are surrounded by fences, please DO NOT climb over any fences, you will have to go under.

Other Important Notes