Nags Head, NC, July 8, 2011 – Kitty Hawk Kites announced today that, in partnership with wind energy entrepreneur David Blittersdorf, it has reached an agreement to purchase Morningside Flight Park in Charlestown, NH. Founded in 1974, Morningside has been an important part of the hang gliding and paragliding communities for nearly 40 years. The park will continue to operate under the Morningside name, and no major changes in park operations are expected. Closed in October 2010 after the death of long-time operator Jeff Nicolay, the park is expected to reopen on or around July 16.
For Kitty Hawk Kites, the acquisition serves multiple purposes, including the preservation of Morningside Flight Park as a center for hang gliding and paragliding in the Northeastern United States. Kitty Hawk Kites has also announced its intention to work with The Foundation for Free Flight to place a conservation easement on the Morningside property to ensure its long-term use as a site for hang gliding and paragliding. The acquisition also provides an opportunity for Kitty Hawk Kites, which operates the world’s largest hang gliding school on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, to further expand its mission to “teach the world to fly.”
Situated on several hundred acres in the Connecticut River Valley, Morningside’s sloping topography makes it an ideal place to teach hang gliding and paragliding lessons. As students advance in skill, they can increase the altitude from which they launch without ever leaving the park’s training facility and be fully prepared for mountain flying.
“We know that Morningside is a very special place, and we’re grateful we can play a part in preserving it as a flight park,” said John Harris, Kitty Hawk Kites’ founder and president. “We look forward to building on what Jeff Nicolay and Phil Haynes built.”
Morningside will continue to offer beginner through advanced instruction in foot-launch and aero-tow/tandem hang gliding, as well as paragliding. Kitty Hawk Kites will also hold a community social to celebrate the park’s reopening. Details are being finalized and will be posted on Morningside Flight Park’s website: www.flymorningside.com.
a few question’s: will punch cards used to get up the hill be honored?Will you be aero towing during the week[single tow’s]Who will do the towing,what will be used to tow?Will you still have a place for camper’s/RV type campers?Will you have yearly membership and if so will the cost be prorated this year? Thanks,Wayne Ripley
Hey, Wayne-
You will have to get a new punch card (same price as last year $35). Rhett will be towing with his Dragonfly any day the weather is good. Yes, campers/RVs are still welcome and the rates will stay the same ($10/person per night). Yearly memberships will be available at a discounted rate of $100 for the remainder of the 2011 season. The daily rate is $10. Come back and fly anytime! We look forward to meeting you. Although we opened last weekend, we will have our official Grand Re-opening celebration next weekend 7/23. Hope to see you there.
Bruce
Welcome to the Kitty Hawk group.Your purchase of Morningside flight park has ensured the continued growth of our sport.This park offers so much to the flying and local community. It would have been a tremendous loss to region 8 without your great efforts.I know there are countless pilots who are very pleased.
Looking forward flying with some of the Kitty Hawk pilots
Thank you John Musto #39118