Thrill-A-Minute Sports can provide you
with an exhilarating mountain launch tandem hang
gliding flight. Discovery flights for the adventure seeker and expert
instruction for the advancing pilot. I have been hang gliding for 31
years. Come and enjoy the thrill of hang gliding with me, an incredible
adventure that you will never forget. Give me a call at 423-949-3396
or
Email Me
What is hang gliding like?
Watch our video.
Pricing
FREE Mountain
Launch with each Flight. That's what makes flying with
us Unique!
Pricing: 1 Flight - $149.00
1 Hour + Hang Gliding Odyssey (Conditions permitting)
$249
Photos and Video: I will gladly shoot an entire
roll of film from the glider mounted still camera for $20.00. I
put the roll right in your hand at the conclusion of your
flight.
I can also create a personal DVD of your flight shot from a wing
tip mounted video camera for $30.00. In a few short
weeks you will receive a DVD of your flight in the mail. You can
watch our short video of me flying solo and in tandem with
others just like you.
How long does the
hang gliding flight last?
Two main things affect flight duration. Altitude between the
launch ramp and the landing field and the available lift.
Henson's Gap is 1450 feet above the valley floor, this allows
for a 5 - 7 minute flight with no lift present. With lift I have
had flights of over 4 hours above the Sequatchie Valley. The
length of your flight depends on the weather conditions during
the flight and how long you want to fly.
What is lift?
Simply put, lift is air going up fast enough to take the hang
glider up with it. There are two kinds of lift hang gliders use
in the
Sequatchie Valley - ridge lift and thermal lift. Ridge
lift is formed when wind is blowing up slope. If it is blowing
strong enough it will take the hang glider up. Thermal lift is
when the Sun shines on the ground and the surrounding air is
warmed. The warm air starts to rise like a hot air balloon. Most
people have seen birds circling and rising without flapping.
This is thermaling. For you lift savvy readers the valley does
produce Wave Lift, but it is typically too windy for hang
gliders to fly in wave conditions.
Do I get to fly the hang glider?
Yes! I let everybody fly, usually in the middle of the flight
when we are well clear of any obstacles. Don't worry, I will be
right there to keep you out of trouble.
How small or large a person can you fly with?
I have flown with 65 pound passengers and with 260 pounders as
well. The hang glider I use for tandem flying is rated for 500
pounds.
How do I need to dress to go hang gliding?
Apparel appropriate for the temperature and a 20 mph wind chill.
Also I request passengers to wear long pants and shoes they can
run in.
Do I need any special equipment?
No! I have all the gear needed.
I still fly the old-fashioned way, foot launching from
high mountain bluffs. Lots of places tow from the ground
up these days. That's great if you're in the flat lands,
but if you're in the mountains and you don't want to
miss the whole hang gliding experience then be sure to
ask if you are flying from the top of the mountain. It
takes longer but the effort is worth it. There is
nothing like the feeling of picking up your hang glider
and flying off effortlessly into the wind.
Foot launched flight is the best thrill in hang gliding.
Need another reason? Club atmosphere, The Henson's Gap
flying site is like a park. Nice grassy set up area with
lots of shade trees. There is a club house, pavilion,
picnic tables, hiking and mountain bike trails, camping
and of course an incredible view of the gorgeous
Sequatchie Valley. All this is owned by
Tennessee Tree Toppers Hang Gliding Club. This
is not a big commercial operation where you are just one
of scores of tandem passengers in a day. The club has
quiet (no tow planes) friendly feel to it. You will have
the opportunity to meet some of the other pilots, have a
nice picnic lunch, relax and enjoy a great view and of
course, go hang gliding! I am one of a few tandem hang
gliding instructors that fly from Tree Topper owned
sites.
Directions - How to get to the
launch ramp.
Directions - How to get to the
launch ramp.
From Chattanooga:
Take highway 27 north to state highway 111 north. Go 11 miles to
Lewis Chapel road. Take the exit ramp and turn left across the
overpass.
Go 4/10 of a mile and turn right on Picnic Road
Go 2/10 of a mile to Henson Gap Road and turn left.
Go another 2/10 of a mile and turn right on Window Rock Road.
G0 1.5 miles to the site. Marked by a huge rock with The
Tennesssee Tree Topper logo on it.
From Knoxville: Take I-75 south toward Chattanooga
Just before the I-24 split turn right onto Hwy 153 north
Go 15 miles to Hwy 27 north
Go 11 miles to Hwy 111 north
Go 11 miles to Lewis Chapel Road, exit and turn left
Go 4/10 of a mile and turn right on Picnic Road
Go 2/10 of a mile to Henson Gap Road and turn left.
Go another 2/10 of a mile and turn right on Window Rock Road.
G0 1.5 miles to the site. Marked by a huge rock with The
Tennessee Tree Topper logo on it.
From Nashville:
The easiest way is to take I-40 to Cookville
Get on state highway 111 south. Once you are in the valley at
Dunlap you are 10 minutes away.
Stay on 111 go up the mountain past Dunlap to the Lewis Chapel
Road exit.
Exit right and go 3/10 of a mile to Picnic Road.
Go 2/10 of a mile to Henson Gap Road and turn left.
Go another 2/10 of a mile and turn right on Window Rock Road.
G0 1.5 miles to the site. Marked by a huge rock with The
Tennessee Tree Topper logo on it.
From Atlanta:
Take I-75 north to Chattanooga
Stay on I-75, just after the I-24 split, exit onto Highway 153
north
Go 15 miles to Hwy 27 north
Go 11 miles to Hwy 111 north
Go 11 miles to Lewis Chapel Road, exit and turn left
Go 4/10 of a mile and turn right on Picnic Road
Go 2/10 of a mile to Henson Gap Road and turn left.
Go another 2/10 of a mile and turn right on Window Rock Road.
G0 1.5 miles to the site. Marked by a huge rock with The
Tennessee Tree Topper logo on it.
Weather
Conditions / Forecast for Dunlap, TN Best
soaring conditions are usually when days are sunny and warm and
the nights are cool. Conditions are often good after a storm or
rain front moves through the area on a Southeast heading out of
the Northwest. Best wind conditions are from the Northwest 10
- 15 mph. Call Me for details about the weather.
Ph. 423-949-3396
