Site Info
General Site Info:
Glassy Mountain is a Hang 3 site.
Visiting Hang 2 can fly Glassy if they demonstrate sufficient mountain flying experience to one of our site guides, but they need to be accompanied by a Hang 3 pilot at launch.
Other requirements prior to taking flight are listed as below:
- have a working reserve parachute
- be a current member of USHPA
- Please print the Waiver, fill it out, sign it, and bring it with you to the site and any member can accept it.
- You will need an escort or site guide to go through the entrance gate.
* Normally we don't charge a fee but if you want to donate money/labor, we'll happily accept that to defray some of our costs for maintaining the site.
* The launch site is in a quiet gated residential community. No loud music, yelling, or objectionable behavior please. If you fly over the golf course don't yell at the golfers.
* Paragliders are NOT allowed to fly Glassy.
Launch:
The launch is on a south facing cliff.
The site is flyable in wind from SE to S that don't exceed about 12 mph. Above that and there is considerable turbulence and variability.
- Leave a plenty of altitude from the terrain after taking off. The cliffs are not reliable for ridge soaring.
- If the forecast calls for SW wind, it is generally more West at the mountain than is called for which means it's way crossed and usually rowdy white knuckle air if it's above 8 mph.
- Easterly wind may be hard to detect at launch due to trees blocking the wind.
- Take-off is on a cliff. Be cognizant of your nose angle during launch.
Please see the Landing Field Map for a general information about the LZ.
Google Street View of the landing area (looking NNW from Route 11).
Address to the Glassy LZ: 2126 Highway 11, Landrum, SC 29356
* It is strongly recommended that a pilot new to Glassy receive a briefing from an experienced pilot regarding landing options.
* If you are landing later in the day, be mindful of catabatic wind when the foothills to the west of the LZ cast shadow on the east face. Cooled air over the foothills may descend towards the LZ causing the wind to blow from the W/NW on the ground and require landing from E/SE, over the power line along Route 11. Catabatic wind can be stronger near the ground than a few hundred feet over the ground. Pay close attention to streamers for wind direction/strength. Do not assume that the wind aloft corresponds with the wind on the ground.
* LZ may kick off thermals which may cause the wind to rapidly change direction/speed.
* Be aware of rotors and turbulence from the foothills, especially if the wind is from W or SW.
* Arrive at the LZ with extra altitude to allow for time to assess the condition.
* Do not try to land close to the road to save walking.
Pilots comments on Landing at Glassy
General Flying Condition:
- During the summer months, it is typical to see thunderstorms in the area that rapidly develop. The launch area does not provide good view of the sky to the north where thunderstorms tend to develop over higher elevation. Check the local radar and satellite (select GeoColor 2400 x 2400 px) prior to launch if there's any potential of thunderstorm.
- Leave a plenty of altitude from the terrain after taking off. The cliffs are not reliable for ridge soaring.
* The best soaring conditions are typically during the spring (March/April/May) and fall (September/October). The summer months typically see thunderstorms. The winter months are typically associated with lower ceiling (less than 4000 ft MSL).
* Optimal soaring condition at Glassy is typically light and variable wind with sunny (cloud cover less than 50%). Exceptions are the norm, however...
Typical hazardous organisms in the area:
Fire ants are abundant in the LZ. Watch for mounds.
