‘Like a video game’ Hang gliding an experience like no other BY MOSS BRENNAN
S PHOTO BY MOSS BRENNAN From left, Natalie Heavner, Craig Pearson and his dog, and Larry Falls in front of one of the tandem hang glider.
oaring thousands of feet in the sky with cars and humans that look no bigger than an ant is an amazing feeling. Add that feeling, but with no motor, a strap holding you in place and the wind blowing all around and in comes hang gliding — an activity where people can fly in the sky with birds on a triangular shaped glider
with 360 degree views. “The biggest thing I get when I tell people that I hang glide is ‘We’re afraid of heights,’” said Craig Pearson, owner and operator of Thermal Valley Hang Gliding at the Foothills Regional Airport in Lenoir. Pearson has owned and operated Thermal Valley for 10 years and has flown more than 3,700 people. He hasn’t just flown middle-aged adventure seekers; Pear-
THERMAL VALLEY SERVICES 1,500 foot hang gliding tandem aero-tow $159 500-foot altitude upgrade (maximum of 3) $40 Mile high hang gliding tandem discovery flight $385 Advanced tandem AT HG training (Rated Pilots) $115 Solo HG aero towing (Rated Pilots -3000’) $45 HG foot launch training session $215 Daily training hill and facility use (Butte Mountain Site) $35 Butte Mountain launch guide ride $10 son said he has flown 8-year-olds to those 89 years old. Thermal Valley is family owned as Person’s wife
helps with reservations and assists the ground crew. Person’s son, Liam, SEE GLIDING ON PAGE 96
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