About Hang Glide Texas
Hang Glide Texas, USHPA chapter 186, was a hang glider aerotow club that operated out of Columbus, TX. Though initially formed by members of the Houston hang gliding community, it drew pilots from the Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas areas as well.
Unlike most aerotow operations, which are either commercial or privately owned, Hang Glide Texas members owned equal shares in all club assets, which included a Rotax 582-equipped tow trike, a hangar at Robert R Wells Junior Airport where the club operated, a customized Cushman utility vehicle, and multiple launch dollies. Members shared responsibilities across all club activities, including flight operations, equipment maintenance, and administration.
After several years of informal operation at Hempstead and Eagle Lake, Hang Glide Texas was formally created in 2006 as a Texas unincorporated nonprofit association. During its peak, it operated most weekends weather permitted, year round, with a record distance flight of 186 miles. In addition to its usual operations, HGT provided aerotow demonstrations for the annual Ballunar Liftoff Festival at Johnson Space Center.
In 2013, Cowboy Up Hang Gliding, a commercial flight park, moved to the Houston area, providing a level of support for both new and experienced pilots unattainable by a part time, volunteer-run operation. Though hang gliding in south Texas was better than ever, its aerotow nexus shifted to Wharton, and HGT conducted its last aerotow on September 6, 2014. Members and donors supported the club financially to maintain its presence in Columbus as a backup flying option until 2022, when the club was formally dissolved, its assets sold, and remaining share values returned to members.
Aerotowing offers tremendous advantages over other forms of towing, but its considerable costs put it out of reach of most clubs. Drawing on the time, talents, expertise, and determination of the sixty-two members that have been a part of the organization, Hang Glide Texas proved that an aerotow club is indeed viable and provided one of the key flying options for south Texas pilots during its years of operation.
Unlike most aerotow operations, which are either commercial or privately owned, Hang Glide Texas members owned equal shares in all club assets, which included a Rotax 582-equipped tow trike, a hangar at Robert R Wells Junior Airport where the club operated, a customized Cushman utility vehicle, and multiple launch dollies. Members shared responsibilities across all club activities, including flight operations, equipment maintenance, and administration.
After several years of informal operation at Hempstead and Eagle Lake, Hang Glide Texas was formally created in 2006 as a Texas unincorporated nonprofit association. During its peak, it operated most weekends weather permitted, year round, with a record distance flight of 186 miles. In addition to its usual operations, HGT provided aerotow demonstrations for the annual Ballunar Liftoff Festival at Johnson Space Center.
In 2013, Cowboy Up Hang Gliding, a commercial flight park, moved to the Houston area, providing a level of support for both new and experienced pilots unattainable by a part time, volunteer-run operation. Though hang gliding in south Texas was better than ever, its aerotow nexus shifted to Wharton, and HGT conducted its last aerotow on September 6, 2014. Members and donors supported the club financially to maintain its presence in Columbus as a backup flying option until 2022, when the club was formally dissolved, its assets sold, and remaining share values returned to members.
Aerotowing offers tremendous advantages over other forms of towing, but its considerable costs put it out of reach of most clubs. Drawing on the time, talents, expertise, and determination of the sixty-two members that have been a part of the organization, Hang Glide Texas proved that an aerotow club is indeed viable and provided one of the key flying options for south Texas pilots during its years of operation.
