Virginia Beach, Virginia – Mt Trashmore
Mt Trashmore is a recreation area located on the south side of I-264 in Virginia Beach. The hill is a wide V-shaped hill oriented with the bottom of the V pointed roughly Northeast. It is approximately 60 ‘ high with about a 45 degree slope to the North, a 20-30 degree slope to the South and Southwest, and a 25 degree slope to the East. The recreation management allows, within reason, small electric R/C aircraft and gliders (no gas). Best days to fly are when the wind is from the South or Southwest as they come in over the “lake” run right into the top of the V and are the least disturbed by trees etc. The flying area is also much larger to the S-SW as you can work most of the inside of the V and out toward the lake and don’t have to worry about the parking lot (or the highway) which are to the North of the hill. East winds are ok there but the slope of the hill to the East isn’t as steep.
Wind ranges from null to 35 mph on the hill depending on the day. Thermaling is possible. A good place to check approximate local conditions is :
http://www.weatherunderground.com/US/VA/Norfolk/KNTU.html
Mt Trashmore is a favorite flying spot for kite flyers young and old so it’s better to fly when attendance is low and foamies like flying wings etc are a safer bet there than full house ships that need a lot of flat room with long glide approaches. Also, RC car drivers and an RC Boat club operate there so be sure to do your range checks for interference before you toss your favorite plane to the skies. They’re pretty good about not running on Air channels but there have been limited incidents of interference.
To get to Mt Trashmore from Norfolk get to the intersection of I-64 and I-264 and take I-264 East toward Virginia Beach. Take the Independence Boulevard exit South and drive to Edwin Drive (Trashmore lake is at this intersection) Turn left (North) onto Edwin drive and drive approx 1/2 mile to North Parking lot.
300 Edwin Drive, Virginia Beach, VA (searchable address on MapQuest)
Semper Fi, Aldo
