Labor Day Weekend Hang Gliding at Sand Turn

Sand Turn was packed on Labor Day weekend, as hang gliders flew over the Big Horn Mountains. Sand Turn is renowned for being an excellent hang-gliding launch point off the mountain and has been relevant in the gliding community since the mid to late 1970s. Johann Nield, an avid and experienced hang glider pilot, told the comedic and intriguing story of how the Sand Turn gravel launch point came to be back in 1986.

It is important to note that hang gliding takes an immense amount of patience due to the fact that the sport revolves around the weather being relatively generous. The best weather for gliding is a sunny, clear day as the sun plays a monumental role when it comes to keeping the glider afloat over the mountains through a process referred to as ‘catching thermals’.

One of the pilots who participated on the weekend was Dan Gravage. He explained his love for Sand Turn due to the convenience of its location and how simple it is for friends and family to come up and watch the launch of each participant whereas other launch points are typically more remote and less traveled.

Training and equipment are two vital aspects to have when it comes to hang gliding. Gravage explained the importance of a pilot’s equipment and all the necessities he believes are essential for a proper flight.

Hang gliding has become less of a desired outdoor activity over the years due to the amount of training and equipment needed to fly on a regular basis. Nield explained that paragliding has become the new wave for the upcoming generation of gliders due to the relative ease it takes to pilot and less upkeep it requires.

Nield emphasized that the hardest and most tedious part of learning how to pilot a hang glider is the launch and land which is where most of the training takes place.

Sand Turn is a historical launch point for hang gliding and one of the most gorgeous views that is readily available to the public on the Ranchester and Dayton side of the mountain. Nield is eager to teach more people to become certified pilots, share his experience with as many individuals as he can, and help expand this activity to members of the upcoming generations. Johann Nield can be contacted via email at wyomingwings@wyoming.com or his phone number at 307-751-1138.