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South Florida Slope Site

Update 08/05/03:

Regarding the “South Florida Slope Site” post from Charles Lillo, the park he referred to is called Vista View Park and is now open to the public. However, radio-controlled model aircraft are not and never were permitted there.

Along with a growing group of interested local glider flyers and AMA Flying Site Assistance Coordinator Joe Beshar, I am currently in the process of attempting to obtain the permission of Broward County park management to use the hill there for slope soaring. If successful, we intend to form an AMA chartered club called the Vista View Slope Soaring Society.
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Slope Soaring Without Mountains

Check out this site at:

http://www.ov-10bronco.net/users/merlin/flight/slopesoar.htm

Here is a brief excerpt.

“Believe it or not, slope soaring is entirely possible here in sunny Florida, despite the fact that within 30 miles of the coast the ground rarely gets more than fifty feet above sea level. While our thermals in the summertime have been known to lift small houses off their foundations, the cooling seabreezes that form much of the year are a convenient source of lift along our beaches. Slope soaring is not difficult for anyone who is capable of flying a model sailplane safely. It also offers some unique qualities and opportunities not found in thermal flying. This section will cover a beach environment like we have in Florida, but applies also to any slope with a bit of flat area in front… hills, mountains, large flat-sided buildings, highway overpasses, etc.”

Mild Slope Site Near Orlando

Chris Wells sent in this story.

Site: Carlos Canyon

Description: a pit with 25-30′ of slope, soarable in 270′ of wind direction. (South winds are no good) Probably needs a 20 mph wind to be soarable for most gliders, a Zagi THL is fine on 10-15mph.

Location: off of route 27, maybe a mile north of I4 & 27.

Directions: Go north on 27 off of interstate 4. After about a mile, there is an intersection with a Walgreen’s. Continue north on 27 and take the next right. Go straight onto the dirt road, and if you don’t have 4WD you want to take a right at the fork, since there is deep sand going straight. Watch out for sharp objects. The road on the right ends at the NW corner of the pit. You can also drive down the main road to the NE corner, don’t drive around the pit itself unless you have 4WD: the sand is incredibly soft.

Ted Sent In Info on Slope Flying at Lake Okeechobee in Florida

Hello Greg, I have been soaring the only site I knew of near Lake Okeechobee until I saw your links. I put together a web page describing it for anyone interested in it.

Just wanted to let you know of a new site for Florida flyers. I found your website a week ago, and saw your “Flying site” section for Florida, and clicked on it to find a site right down the street from me! WOW!….In flat Florida!

I have been soaring the only site I knew of near Lake Okeechobee until I saw your links. I put together a web page describing it for anyone interested in it. I have been flying R/C for 25 yrs, Hang gliding for 10yrs and slope flying for about a year. I am now an R/C slope junkie, bigtime.

Please link my site to your flying site section to benefit any other FL flyers that are looking for somewhere to fly.

Thanks for the great site.

Ted J Conowal

http://www.geocities.com/mod_gotha1/SB_ZAGI.html?1108273934213

Thanks, Ted!

The Dynamic’s First Flight in Florida

Mirko sent in this report on slope soaring in Florida the 30 foot dunes at Merrit Island located about 10 miles north of Cape Canaveral. If you look closely at the photos you will see the gantries in the background for shuttle launches!

We drove from Orlando to this area (Titusville) in a little over an hour. Merritt Island is a viable slope. It is situated just 10 miles or so north of Cape Canaveral with a series of continuous dunes of about 30 feet high. Facing ENE, these bluffs are completely covered with vegetation, where walking is forbidden. Every several hundred yards there are raised, wooden decks that transverse the dunes. These walkways are the only access to the beach area.

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Slopes in the Clearmont, Florida Area

Greg from Florida sent in several slopes in and around the Clearmont area. Nice to know that there is sloping going on in Florida!

1 – There is a slope behind the Bob Evans restaurant on SR 27 off of Johns Lake Rd 2 minutes south of were SR 50 & SR 27 cross which is good for a south wind only. It is approx. 250 ft wide by 30 ft high and a good 45% angle all short grass with a large plateau to land on behind the top, But there are power lines at each end followed by two busy roads, Accurate flying is a must.

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