Lifestyle
Fly Texas, Sharing the joy of non-motorized and open cockpit flying in the Highland Lakes
By Judith Shabram
If you could soar like an eagle, catching the updrafts as you view the majesty of the five stunning bodies of water that make up our Highland Lakes area, would you do it? In 1903, the Wright brothers defied existing aeronautical norms and flew the first motorized airplane from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Man has always had a fascination with flight, including Leonardo Da Vinci, who sketched several flying machines, convinced that one day a man would ascend into the clouds on wings of some type. In 1961, an American engineer developed and launched the first hang glider utilizing the Rogallo wing, invented by a NASA engineer in 1948. This same wing concept is used in the typical toy kite.
Hang gliding, paragliding, and powered trikes are the result of years of trial-and-error research affording man the opportunity to take wing and glide into the heavens, much like DaVinci dreamed was possible. For some, the open-air experience is described as the ultimate adrenaline rush or thrilling. In contrast, others find the solitude peaceful and calming as you leave the fast-paced world below behind. Jeff Hunt, the owner of Fly Texas, has a mission to share the joy of flight in a special light sport aircraft. Jeff has spent over forty years gliding the skies over Texas and Mexico. His interest in aviation and flight began when he was a kid flying radio-controlled models, leading to a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas. He worked with Tracor Aerospace for a time, but his desire was strong to dedicate himself to becoming a full-time hang gliding instructor. Jeff is based out of Granite Shoals at the Bob Sylvester Airpark in Burnet County. Still, he spends winters in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, a world-famous destination for hang gliding enthusiasts.
With any sport, but especially flight, it is crucial to be aware of the safety guidelines and learn from a qualified instructor. Jeff is a certified flight instructor in weight-shift control, the technique used in hang gliders and the delta-wing trike. Additionally, he served for six years as a Regional Director of the national United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. This nonprofit group offers programs such as Instructor Certification and Pilot Proficiency Programs. During his tenure, he organized competitions and opened new sites. Additionally, Jeff has competed in national and international cross-country and speed gliding events. Based on his years of experience and dedication to the sport, he believes it has led to a healthy flying community in Central Texas.
Fly Texas offers two different experiences. Introduction to Power Trikes, motorcycles with wings, gets you in the air as an open cockpit pilot. A two-seater Power Trike aircraft can carry the weight of two people. The Mile High Glide Down with the trike is just that. Power up for a breathtaking glide down and an indescribable view. Fly Texas will also train you to solo in these aircraft. A hang glider is a foot-launched non-motorized aircraft traditionally launched from enough height to get air moving across the wing to generate lift. Since Packsaddle Mountain is no longer accessible for air sports, these trikes enable takeoffs from public and private airports, as well as smooth open fields.
Whether for sport or recreation, non-motorized flight and open cockpit piloting continue to attract enthusiasts worldwide. These people dream of mounting on wings and climbing to the clouds to view the world from a different perspective. Jeff Hunt and Fly Texas can be reached at 512-467-2529 and would love to answer your questions or schedule a flight. Additional information and testimonials are available at www.flytexas.com. Granite Shoals Airport 512-467-2529
