Just a heads up, that I've been informed by the DuPage Forest Preserve that due to Illinois EPA maintenance and construction activities, the hill might be closed on any given day without advanced notice. So, it might be open one weekend or even weekend day and closed the next and open the next after that, etc.

They did tell me that if they are notified by Waste Management of specific dates/periods when the hill will be closed, they'll publicize the information - presumably on the preserve's web site.

In the mean time, one just needs to head to the hill to find out.
That said, it would probably nice if folks can post to this thread when arriving at the hill and indicate if it is open or closed that day so that those who live far away can avoid an unnecessary drive.

Thanks,


Mitch

Well whether the hill is open or not doesn't seem to matter. I was just out there. According to the guys at the top of the hill, no one is allowed to leave the road or the trail. Essentially no going into the tall grass. Also if you are going to fly a glider you are only allowed to fly it from the designated glider area. Where is that?? As you enter the parking lot there is a sign, "Glider fliers check in with staff." That is the area you can stand.

So essentially there is no flying gliders at the hill this year.
-Gohst

Hank,

I have not been out there this year; but in years past, flying was supposed to be done from the special use area. This is at the west end of the hill. There is a dirt road that leads to it from the parking lot at the top of the hill.

I just took a look at the Greene Valley website. One thing I noticed is that there is only mention made of non-powered gliders. In the past, electric powered gliders/sailplanes were allowed.

Lew

Lew,
I tried to fly from over there. I was told the special use area was for things like geocaching and stuff. That was when he pointed me to the glider sign. The 2 guys they have posted up there seem very new. They also make mention of calling their supervisor a lot.
-Hank

I stopped by the hill briefly this afternoon and talked with one of the new rangers at the top. He told me that there had been discussions with his supervisor and with his supervisor's supervisor about where gliders can be flown. He also mentioned that there was some confusion about this last weekend. He said that gliders can be flown from the special use area and also from the mowed perimeter around the fence. They would also open the back gate to allow people to fly from the southeast side of the hill. They do not want anyone flying from the side of the hill, but it's O.K. to walk down the hill to retrieve a glider.

Lew

NOAA says the wind might be flyable this weekend.

Personally, I may try Sunday if the 'crops' get in on Saturday.

There is a notam in effect this weekend. It starts after 7pm on Sat. and goes through Mon. So there will be no flying on Sunday.

Wow.....this spot really sounds like a bummer.
With all this mess/confusion associated with the site....are you guys flying somewhere else?

There was no mess or confusion last weekend. Everything was the same as in previous seasons (years). The wind was blowing from the south, we were flying from the other side of the fence (opposite to the parking lot) and were walking down the hill to retrieve our planes. The rangers were courteous and friendly.

Ivan

well that sounds great!

New glider pilots at Greene Valley, don't forget you are suppose to have a DuPage County model aircraft permit, which you can download from here:

http://www.dupageforest.com/Recreati...aft_Areas.html

The permit PDF form has special instructions for Greene Valley, which indicate that "battery powered assist engines may be used" at this glider/sailplane only field.

Looking forward to another great year of sloping at Greene Valley!
--Ken

I think today is the day! Bring sun screen!
-Gohst

FYI there is a notam all weekend
So no flying this weekend


Mitch

Is it time to start charging batteries?