Ground Launching Speed Flying Sports: FAQ

WHERE IS THE GROUND LAUNCH CENTER?

The Ground Launch Center® is located in the Sequoia National Forest at Lake Isabella, California. It is the gateway to the giant Redwood trees, Red Rock Canyon, King Canyon and Yosemite National Park.

WHAT IS THE CLOSEST AIRPORT TO THE GLC?

Bakersfield Municipal Airport (BFL)-Most major airlines fly into Bakersfield and its only a 30 minute drive through the giant canyon to the Ground Launch Center®.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

1st day you will learn how to forward launch and make short flights from the training hill (300ft). Day two you will move up to the next launch point (600ft) and work on reverse launching and kiting. On the third and fourth day you will move up to 800ft & 1000ft launch points and learn all your remaining tasks. On the final day everyone will take our written exam to see how much you learned.

WHAT KIND OF GEAR WILL I NEED?

Speedflyers and swoopers should bring their gliders if they have one. SpeedFlyers can bring wings like the nano, hellracer, airwave, Bullet, fluid, etc.

Skydivers learning to ground launch can bring their normal skydiving parachute if they want to practice with it. You will need a canopy that you can fly at about 1.5 wing loading or less. Skydivers can bring canopies like the Safire, Sabre, Spectra, Katana, etc. Swoopers should start out with canopies like a Crossfire, Stiletto, Kantana or Rage.

The size of parachute and speedgliders most used at the center range between 104-140sqf (7-14m). You will need a hard helmet and good tennis shoes or hiking boots. Recommended but not required is a digital altimeter, wind meter, sunglasses, camelback (or similar hydration system), and small two way radio (wal-mart brand O.K.).

WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE?

The weather is almost perfect 365 days a year at the GLC. The average high temperature in November is 70° F and the low at night can reach 38° F. The annual rainfall in Lake Isabella, Ca is less than eight inches! Nestled in the mountains at only 2,600 feet above sea level, Lake Isabella has very mild winters for a mountainous area. There is rarely snow in the valley. Dry, clear and invigorating, Lake Isabella combines the cool breezes of the mountains with the no-humidity environment of the high desert.

WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

We will organize a special package rate with a local hotel during your visit to the GLC or if we have enough people we may rent out a bunk house. Contact us for details!

HOW DO I SCHEDULE MY TRAINING?

Just drop us an E-mail or call us. Let us know if you want to join a camp, session or schedule your own class. Present us with the dates you would like for your training and we will schedule your training.