top banner
top banner

Eagle Rock History

The beginning - 2002

Eagle Rock was opened by Joe Bartnick and the NW side first flown in January, 2002. This first NW site was to the NE of the current NW site, and privately owned, with Joe managing permissions and access. Potential for a SE site was also recognized. The site was cleared and first flown the same day (January 25) as the 2002 Skywacker meeting. Here are photos and descriptions of the first day, from Kermon Carter's FlyRoanoke site.

In late 2002 Joe bought some property to develop a SE site, which was also being flown by early 2003, if not before.

NW 2003
The first NW launch, November 2003 FlyIn
NW 2003
NW launch, November 2003
NW 2003
Launching NW side, November 2003
SE 2003
Launching the first SE site, November 2003

New Management

In 2003 Joe sold the property with the first SE launch and bought adjacent property. Joe sold this property to Larry Dennis in 2004. The first site continued to be flown for some time until Larry's site was developed. It is still owned by Larry in 2024, and is the current SE facing site.

The Skywacker Club also took over management of the NW site, which was not owned by a pilot.

In April 2007 the SE site was improved with the use of heavy equipment, to lengthen and widen the launch area. This was partially paid by Club funds and the rest by donations.

dozer
SE launch grading, April 2007
workers
Following up on the dozer work
This is the second and current SE launch, a month after the site had been improved using heavy equipment, May 2007.
May 2007 Fly In, flying from the newly improved SE launch. The launch has been widened and lengthened.
May 2008 Fly In, SE launch
May 2008 Fly In, 6 gliders above SE launch
NW launch
The original NW launch in 2007 (facing to the left)
NW launch
Launching the original NW site, 2007
NW launch
Phil Givens launching from the original NW site, 2009
Crawford Mountain
Crawford Mountain, home of the Eagle Rock flying sites. SE launch is visible, NW launch is behind the ridge, to the right of the tower (2008)

Site Improvements

Larry Dennis, with assistance (labor and financial) from the Skywackers Club, has made a number of substantial improvements. In 2009, a small field directly below the SE launch was enlarged and smoothed. It has been known as both the "Bailout" and Alternate LZ. Only a few hundred feet below takeoff, it allows for fast turn around.

In 2011 Larry Dennis bought property for a new NW launch. This is located to the SW of the previous NW launch, almost at the base of the communications tower. Once again, much labor and heavy equipment was needed to develop this site. It is the current (2024) NW site.

Bailout LZ
Improving the SE side "Bailout LZ", 2009
NW clearing
Gliders are on the original NW site, at top, with the freshly cleared opening for the new NW site in the foreground. June, 2011
bulldozer
Clearing the new NW launch, May 2011
Spreading hay on the freshly graded NW launch, 2011
sign
Sign at the 2013 Eagle Rock Fly In
NW launch
The new NW launch at the 2013 Fly In
The SE launch is directly below the pilot, Richard Cobb. To the right of that is the Bailout LZ. The new NW LZ is just past the base of the communications tower, and the original NW LZ in the bowl just above that.
NW launch
Launching from the new NW launch, 2013 Fly In
Paragliding Duet at the 2013 Fly In (NW launch)
Award
At the 2014 Meeting Larry Dennis was presented with the Club's Boo Waa Award for his many contributions.
2016
SE launch at 2016 Fly In, grass fully established
2018 SE
2018 Fly In, SE launch visible behind the hang glider
Ma Paw
Ma and Paw's diner in Eagle Rock was a 20-year site tradition for breakfast at a Fly In. The owners retired and closed in September 2023, but it is open again with new owners.
Bailout
SE launch - 2019

Eagle Rock is waiting for you to fly - see the Eagle Rock Site Guide page for all you need to know.

(updated February 25, 2024)

Valid CSS!