| Name |
Burke Mountain, Darling State Park |
| Location |
Darling State Park, East
Burke, Vermont |
| General Description |
The topological
map shows the mountain and the surrounding mountains. |
| Requirements |
 H3
with flat slope launch and altitude flying skills. P3.
Pilot is a Vermont Hang Gliding Association Member and has signed the
site waiver. Pilot must follow state
rules.
|
|
Launching |
| Launches |
Ski trail called Upper Warren's Way.
The launch is between the two upper-mountain ski lifts. |
| Wind |
Launch works best with N-NE wind. It is flyable with
lighter NW winds, but gets turbulent with stronger winds with any
westerly component. |
| Restrictions |
Pilot must be a Vermont Hang Gliding Association Member.
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. |
| Driving Directions |
Take Exit 23 off I-91. Follow U.S. Route 5 North through Lyndonville
to VT Route 114 North. In East Burke village, turn right at the Burke
Mountain sign, this is Mountain Road. Follow Mountain Road to the
next Burke Mountain sign. It should read Base Lodge.
Take the left fork of the road up the mountain. The launch is on
the trail known as Upper Warren's Way, before you reach the
top of the mountain.
|
| Hazards |
Classic New England tree-lined, tall grass, slot
launch. Unless the wind is blowing straight up the hill, expect
rotor turbulence from the tree lines on both sides. Also watch out
for the ski lift along the north side of the slot. |
| Cross Country Records |
Randy Adams flew 23 miles in 2 hours on an Wills Wing
HP-AT. Someone else has probably flown much further than this, was
it you? |
|
Flying |
| Type of Flying |
|
| Restrictions |
The glide to the soccer field LZ does not leave much room
to play at the mountain. Either commit to landing on the ski
slope, or the downsloping field, or leave for the soccer field soon
after launching. |
| Hazards |
There are few, if any, landing areas downwind of the
mountain. Do not get caught behind the mountain. |
|
Landing |
| Landing Zones (LZs) |
The landing zones at this site are difficult for hang
glider pilots. A large, downhill-sloping field is available behind
(uphill) of the mid-station lodge. This field is file for
paraglider pilots, but most hang glider pilots find the slope just about
matches their glide ratio. The slope to too steep for a
"upwind, downhill" approach, but too shallow for a
"downwind, uphill" approach.
We are allowed to land in the soccer field at the Burke Mountain Ski
Academy. Only hang glider pilots with a restricted landing field
signoff should attempt to land here.
Some pilots choose a "downwind, uphill" landing on the ski
trails, while others fly a short distance away from the mountain and
land in one of the many large fields in the area.
Do not land at Kirby Kennels. Kirby Kennels is the first big
field west of the mountain. It has a small pond behind the house, a
large flag pole in the front of the house next to the field, and the dog
kennels. |
| Driving Directions |
|
| Restrictions |
Do not land at Kirby Kennels. |
| Hazards |
As with most mountain sites, catabatic flows at the end of
the day can cause the wind direction in the LZs to change from the
prominent soaring direction. |
