Revised 2/29/2024
Whitwell Launch
This is a H3 / P4 site. It is a cliff launch. First mountain flights are absolutely prohibited.
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BASIC INFO
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PG Rating/skills
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P4, or P3 with prior approval and authorized observer present
Cliff Launch (CL) and/or Assisted Windy Cliff Launch (AWCL) skills
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HG Rating/skills
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Minimum Rating of H4 or H3 with full briefing
Cliff Launch (CL) and/or Assisted Windy Cliff Launch (AWCL) skills
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Wind Direction
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Ideal-150° OK in light winds - 120°-180°
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Wind Velocity
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HG Min 0, Ideal 5-10, Max 20mph
PG Min 5, Ideal 5-15, Max 20mph
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Coordinates
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35.207422 -85.539632
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Elevation MSL
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2,300 feet
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Elevation AGL
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1,450 feet
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Glide to Castle's LZ
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4.4:1
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Glide to Church LZ
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6.3:1
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Site Specific Skill Requirements
- Hang Gliding Minimum Rating and Skills
- Minimum rating of Hang Gliding Intermediate (H3)
- Cliff Launch (CL) and/or Assisted Windy Cliff Launch (AWCL) skills.
- Paragliders - Recommend full briefing from FRP designated pilot prior to flight
- Minimum rating of TTT P4 Advanced. Recommend full briefing.
- Minimum rating of TTT P3 Intermediate. Requires full briefing.
- Minimum rating of TTT P2 Novice at request of FRP committee for launch evaluation. Requires full briefing.
- Cliff Launch (CL) and/or Assisted Windy Cliff Launch (AWCL) skills.
- First mountain flights strictly prohibited.
Flight Requirements and Restrictions
- 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 Whitwell 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 required rating and skills.
- Tandem flights and first mountain flights are prohibited at Whitwell
- Hang Gliding Pilots should use side wire assistants in winds exceeded 8mph and a keel assistant in winds exceeding 12mph.
Safety Considerations
- If you do not climb above launch immediately, head to the landing zone. Often there are thermals out front and lift may be found on the way out.
- Caution should always be exercised regarding glide to closest available LZ.
- DO NOT LAND DURING SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES at the Whitwell 1st Baptist Church LZ (between 9:45am to 12:00pm CT. Land elsewhere during this period. Because the LZ is a church's back yard, please refrain from the use of alcoholic beverages, profanity, and other questionable activity. Exhibit respect for the landowners who choose to be so generously hospitable to us.
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.
- Pilots should card with them the TTT Emergency Card with 911 information for each site and pickup information on our website under Members Documents.
- Minimum rating of Hang Gliding Intermediate (H3)
- Minimum rating of Paragliding Intermediate (P3) with authorized safety observer present during each launch, and approval prior to flight activities by Board of Director or Flight Regulatory Program (FRP) committee.
- Cliff Launch (CL) and/or Assisted Windy Cliff Launch (AWCL) skills.
- There is TTT Emergency Card with 911 information for each site and pickup information on our website under Members Documents.
Setup
- HG should setup back from the launch keeping a path clear through the center of launch for other gliders.
- PG should unpack and stage your gear along the back treeline.
Whitwell Launch Hi-Res
Launching a Paraglider
- Before launching take note of the LZ locations.
- All pilots will need to clear their launches. Be aware that there is a commercial PG launch to the south of launch.
- Be aware of traffic on the ridge and launches from south of launch, they can appear rather quickly on the ridge.
- 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.
- 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.
Launching a hang glider
- If a HG pilot attempts to launch from too far back, they will suddenly enter the vertical airflow at the edge of the bluff and this 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 launch out at the edge of the bluff and understand how 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.
- 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.
Landing
- Castles LZ is our main LZ. The field is huge, however there is a small pond in the center right and much of the field can be damp or wet.The best place to land is at the east end close to the road (and parking). Best for Novice and pilots new to the site
- Hudson LZ is another option just south of Castles.Again, the longest part of the field tends to be wet and the best area is on the eastern end of the LZ, closest to the road. Alternate LZ for pilots.
- Church LZ – This LZ is for more advanced pilots.It is a longer glide out to this field and is smaller than the others.Use the length of the field for landing but keep in mind there are fences along the eastern and southern ends of the LZ.
Whitwell Landing Zones - Potential Obstacles and Hazards
Castle LZ
Fence on the East side of the field.
Pond in center of the field.
May be damp after heavy rains.
Castle LZ - Hi res
Hudson LZ
Treeline on the north side of the field
Crops typically planted on the south side of the field.
Powerlines and fence on the east end of the field.
Church LZ – for more advanced pilots. It is a 6.3:1 glide out to this field and is smaller than the others. Use the length of the field for landing but keep in mind there are fences along the eastern and southern ends of the LZ.
Other Important Notes
- It is a good idea to talk to other pilots about arranging a shuttle to and from the LZ.
- While there are few or no spectators, please advice them to stand by the tree line for viewing whenever pilots are flying.
- Please take your trash with you and keep your speed down to 15 mph when driving past the surrounding homes at both launch and LZ sites.
- Respect the surrounding landowners.