Edith’s Gap Site Guide (EG)

If questions contact flight_director@chgpa.org

Last Updated: May 11, 2025

Not flown by HG due to LZ size

Site Direction: SE

Flyable Directions: E to SSE

Wind Speed

Glide Slope to LZ: about 4:1

Vertical: 835’

Type of Launch: Grassy steep slope in narrow slot

Type of LZ: Gently sloping grass field (Mason’s property)

Soarable: Ridge and thermal

Location: Kennedy Peak Trailhead, Luray, VA

Miles from: DC: 100 (2 hrs.)

Turnaround: Time: 20 Min drive

Launch Coordinates: 38° 43' 31.1"N, 78° 30'28.3"W

Parking: 15 Cars

Owner Launch: USFS - George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, Lee Ranger District

Owner LZ: Bill W. Mason, 989 Serenity Ridge Rd, Luray VA 22835. Ph: 540 743 4774

Setup/Breakdown: 4-6 gliders /LZ unlimited

Road Conditions: gravel/asphalt

WARNING: The descriptions of typical flying conditions listed in this site guide reflect the experience of the authors of the guide. The conditions that you encounter at the site may differ, sometimes substantially, from those encountered by the authors. The descriptions of their experiences may not be relevant to the likely experience of any other pilot, particularly one who is relatively inexperienced or new to the site.

A decision to launch is always that of the individual pilot. When deciding whether or not to fly, a pilot may wish to take into account the descriptions in this site guide but must also consider numerous other factors including the pilot's training and experience, familiarity with the site, equipment, physical and mental condition and the specific weather conditions in existence at the time of the decision along with what the conditions may change to.

IMPORTANT!

1. USHPA membership required.
2. Edith Gap is a P3 site except for P2’s meeting the below parameters.

1. Pilots utilizing Edith Gap with a P2 rating must be under Radio Guidance at all times by Club Mentors that are located both at launch and in the landing zone for a minimum of five flights and until a Club Mentor signs off on the P2 pilot operating without

1. Radio Guidance.  Radio Guidance requires both the observed P2 pilot and both Club Mentors to have working and active radios permitting two-way communication for the duration of any flight.
2. A Club Mentor is a member of the club with a minimum P4 rating and minimum ten launches at the site being utilized.

2. P2 pilots are restricted from flying between 10:00AM – 4:00 PM at Edith’s Gap during active thermal season from March through September. It is not recommended for pilots with a P2 rating to fly at Edith’s Gap between 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM outside of the active thermal season.  

3. There have been several tree landings in the LZ due to misjudgement of distance to the LZ, thermic conditions, or improper landing approach.

1. If you’re below launch, go to the LZ. Many pilots get caught below launch and have been unable to reach the LZ due to sinky air.
2. Avoid landing in the LZ during midday thermic conditions. If you have the altitude you can land in the many fields by the river.

4. Very restricted parking at LZ, see further.

Emergency Help: Luray (Page County EMS) 911 or 540-743-4142, Valley Health Page Memorial Hospital; (540) 743-4561 125 Memorial Dr, Luray, VA 22835

Directions to Site: Google Kennedy Peak Trailhead

• From Washington DC: 100 miles, 2:00 hours
• From Strassburg, VA: 32 miles, 0:45 hours

General Description

The Edith’s Gap launch near Kennedy Peak Trail Head, Luray, VA is owned by the USFS and managed by the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, Lee Ranger District. The launch has been resloped and resurfaced with help from the CHGPA and USHPA’s Foundation for Freeflight contributions to have a nice grass slope at top, smoother launching surface. The whole slot has been widened and cleared as well allowing for safer launches. Launch is entirely surrounded by high trees except at the top where there is a power line.

First Flight Preparation

Before the first flight, new or visiting pilots must get an in person site briefing and walk the LZ to identify various potential issues and obtain an explanation of the landing approach.

Acceptable Flying Conditions

Edith’s gap Launch faces SE and is flyable from E to SSE wind direction. Thermal activity can be present starting mid morning (11 AM). This site is acceptable for pilots with a P2 rating and have sufficient experience with thermic conditions and have RLF (Restricted Landing Field) signoff . .The normal wind speeds for flyable days are between 4 to 15 mph. The site allows for both ridge soaring and thermalling and is known for good glass off conditions. Weak gusts of up to 14 mph may exist as mild thermals pass through. Flying is not recommended if gusts are higher than 10 mph differential.

Pilots should gain sufficient altitude to fly XC to consider flying further into the valley so that larger alternate landing zones may be utilized

The launch shape is in general forgiving with straight in winds from the flyable directions (E to SSE) with optimal between E and SE.

The landing zone is a nicely mowed slightly sloping grass field surrounded by tall trees on all sides and power lines on the S and SE sides of the LZ. The site allows for an S-pattern landing path into the prevailing wind direction and when with enough altitude a standard airport approach landing is recommended. The site is within glide of launch, however pilots often misjudge the distance to the LZ with potential sink along the way. This has caused many pilots to land short and in the trees. If you’re below launch you should be landing.

Obstacles

The launch is surrounded by tall trees and is considered a typical East Coast slot launch. The LZ is surrounded by tall trees on all sides and a power to the S and S East side.

Vehicular Parking

Take Off

The only allowed place to park is in front of launch all the other areas are off limits indicated with no parking signs. Never park on pavement. On nice days, with many hikers showing up, this might mean we have no parking so shuttles from the LZ are mandatory.

Revision of Landing Approach

1. Flights occurring at Edith Gap, where a landing may occur during thermic periods, specifically between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, are recommended to use the Chicken Coop Landing Zone across the bridge if it is withinglide. (See Image)

1. The Mason’s Landing Zone should only be used as a backup landing zone if the Chicken Coop Landing Zone is not within glide during the thermic time period. Pilots attaining sufficient altitude to glide to other LZ’s are encouraged to continue flights in a manner that will allow usage of alternative LZ’s during the thermic period.

Chicken Coop LZ

Site Images

Overview of Edith’s Gap Launch (Top) and glide line towards Mason’s LZ (blue dots)

Recommended Landing Approach

Recommended landing approach into the LZ (in blue/purple solid lines). From launch straight to white house at top of LZ. The dark green is flatter part of the LZ, the light green is the sloping part of the LZ. The yellow is your bail out part. The figure’s 8 or S-ing is depending upon altitude. The higher the more and the steeper your turns can be. When low you should make your turns more mellow. Red lines are the power lines. The red dot is the tree that is still standing. The red rectangle is the vegetable garden that is fenced with high poles! Note that this imagery is not updated so the trees within the green shaded areas are gone now!

Mason LZ

Hiking Up info

The easiest and fastest hike up we have no doubt, relaxed in 35 minutes (without gider I walked up) through the woods. One passes private properties but up till today we had no trespassing issues as no one lives on the route up.

• take the powerline cut and when it opens up or earlier dive into the woods and jump over the little stream
• there is a mountain road you can follow straight up, easy hiking not steep yet
• next gets a bit steeper but still ok,
• you will hit a cross road and best follow it a bit to the right and go straight up next
• you will see a rock pile just underneath launch
• if all is going well you arrive to the right of launch looking up
• going straight up is clear cut terrain and difficult, avoid

The other option is following the road but this has no precedent as it is very long.

Spectators

The site can have a lot of spectators that are required to stay behind launch (behind the small dirt ridge).

Glider Control

Pilots are advised to have their wings either folded or balled up with their harness on top of it when not in use. Ample space to spread out several wings at the launch site.

At the LZ the pilots should take their wing to the side and pack it up.

Prohibited XC Landing Areas

Do not land in the areas outlined below as Landowners have explicitly expressed gliders are not to land on their property. The Cullers’ property looks very inviting to those running out of ridge lift north of Edith’s Gap.  Avoid their property by landing on the land parcels inside of the river.

Coming from Woodstock and trying to cross the SNP, do not land in this field (view on SNP at height Hogback) => Best to land West of 3

  Video Links

2020 Summer Virginia Paragliding - Ediths Gap Instructional landing video https://youtu.be/hjzhsWDAJJY

Playlist all videos EG

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjRquM9TSWxEAF-enIjOLmhRSm6VwFvlF

Educational Video : Flying XC from EG https://youtu.be/h-L49tJFXUc

Incident History

2024 Incidents:

2024/04/16 Incident

2024/07/28 Incident

2021/06/06 Incident: Forward launch into trees at the bottom of the EG launch slot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjghOQxKtJ4

No injuries, hurt ego.

Conditions: Around 4pm EG, dead nil wind with no cycles.

Assessment:

Not enough glide scope to clear the trees at EG on a nil launch. Account for distance needed for forward launching. Wait for (even a small) headwind to assist inflation.

I see a minor technical and major judgement issues here

1. Technical - Wing comes symmetrically but fills out on the outer thirds first then center. Normally not an issue but today on nil wind even a half second here counts. Will experiment with different hand postures for the forward (touchdown vs spread eagle etc).

IMO the bigger issue:

2. Judgement - Desire to fly. Re-evaluating why I push to fly and why I'm wired to go even in marginal conditions. I can recall instances in the last few months where in retrospect my choices were questionable (Two WS launches into strong conditions , scratching very low near ponds). This needs some reflection on my part since I want to fly for the next 20 years and it takes just one incident to change my life and those I love.

Was able to get the wing out after an hour, luckily no damage after full workup.

2021/08 Incident: Launching and ending up in the trees in the launch slot at the right looking down.

No injuries, hurt ego.

Conditions: Cycles cross

Assessment: Pilot pulled up the glider and the glider was not oriented open to the SE to exit slot but rather oriented and open facing the trees to the right in the slot. The pilot (P2) decided to launch and ended up in those trees. He should have not launched and pulled the glider down.

Only launch if the glider is open, in control and facing the exit line of the slot.

Maintenance Info

Point of contact Forest Service (contact via Felix Figuerao)

Grooming protocol

We have permission to trim and cut any trees that will improve safety of the launch site. But only on Forest Service land.

The Yellow part has no owner in GIS the part East is Private. The bottom of the launch slot, not yellow, is private property.

Grooming History/Info

2021 04 info via FB contacting FS

They are aware of the parking situation, would like to improve it, but do not have the budget for it.

• They suggested that we contact the community association that owns and manages the space inside the curve to see if they will be amenable to allow for parking in exchange for maintenance of the lot. Anyone can help with this?
• I pitched the idea of an improvement project, similar to that one in WS a few years back, so we manage the project of adding parking space and widen the slot size, and they are up for it.

• Perhaps we should have a Club or Board vote on the interest of pursuing this?
• This will require tree removal and leveling of the area.
• The FS would like to meet at EG in the next few weeks to discuss ideas.
• The parking space will go on the NE side of the curve. The suggestion was 10-12 spaces, since they still want to limit the amount of traffic to Kennedy Peak. I suggested having a few of those "reserved" for club members.
• We will need to write a proposal to present to the Foundation for Free Flight in order to get funds (matching funds?).
• They would like to place boulders at the edge of the road, so no cars park or have access to the area directly above launch. This could potentially add the space so that we can launch higher if the power line is removed (more on this below). Expansion of the slot could also allow us to launch higher even without removal of the power line.
• Expansion of the slot will require talking and getting permission from the land owner at the bottom of the slot, as that part is private property.

• For the power line, we need to talk directly to the power company. The FS does not control that, but support our idea. I don't recall exactly, but I think she mentioned Dominion Energy as the power company. It would be great if someone could volunteer to research and contact the appropriate company to propose ending the power line one post earlier!

2021 05 Trimming the grass on launch by Joe Shad

2021 06 Notices erosion on launch, needs to be addressed

2021 08 Removing growing scrub on launch pad, trimming brushed and growing plants at the end of the trimmed launch pad

Status: very good

2021 06 12 Deep clean by Joe, Randy, Ben, Felix, George and Syrus, a lot of trees have been cut in front.