"Lumby is a must-fly area for paragliding and hang gliding enthusiasts. The dry climate, numerous safe launch sites, abundant flat landing sites and constantly excellent thermals make for a great experience." - Destination BC Corp.
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Whether you're an experienced pilot or an eager learner, you will be welcomed at the Freedom Flight Park & Schools. An outdoor covered deck known as the "pilots' lounge" provides a comfortable area for pilots, students to watch the flying fun. Our two launch sites, Cooper's and Saddle, are visible from the landing zone and you can even see the windsocks at both launches with our telescope or binoculars.
An outdoor barbecue, microwave, kettle, espresso machine, toaster and stocked fridge (food & drink by donation to Lumby Air Force Flying Club) as well as a designated pilots fridge is also available on the deck. There is also Wi-Fi, an electronic charging station and a desktop computer for use by flyer visitors. Alternative entertainment can also be found at the Flight Park including games (darts, frisbee, chess, koob), a nearby golf and frisbee golf course, campfires and even the odd guitar music jam so bring your instrument! Are you a pilot or a student pilot and you want to stay overnight with a tent or RV? Dry camping and use of facilities at the flight park is available for registered pilots and student pilots only. There are washroom facilities including a hot shower. This is an adult flight park / school so please leave your children and pets at home so you can concentrate on the flying. There are also many activities and accommodations a few minutes away in downtown Lumby or... in Vernon, a larger 45000 person city just a 25 minute drive away. Multiple lakes with campgrounds abound in all directions 15-30 minutes away. Many hot springs are about 2.5 hours to the east near Nakusp. |
The Pilot's Lounge
The view out to the landing zone
Chillin' in the pilot's lounge
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Lumby, BC is a "Hang Gliding and Paragliding Capital" in Canada. The area offers the dedicated Freedom Flight Park, at the base of the famous Cooper's Launch, has the most number of mountain launches in one area in the country and has one of the longest good flying seasons in Canada.
Maintained by the Lumby Air Force, Cooper's Launch, northwest of Lumby, is ranked among the most secure flying sites in Canada with a recent renewal of a 30 year tenure. Open to visiting pilots who sign the required waiver at the flight park and possess HPAC insurance (also available at the flight park), conditions for taking off at Cooper's are best in the morning and early afternoon from May to September. Across the valley at Saddle Mountain, flying starts in the afternoon but this launch is restricted to experienced, current flyers accompanied by a local pilot from the Lumby Air Force.
Maintained by the Lumby Air Force, Cooper's Launch, northwest of Lumby, is ranked among the most secure flying sites in Canada with a recent renewal of a 30 year tenure. Open to visiting pilots who sign the required waiver at the flight park and possess HPAC insurance (also available at the flight park), conditions for taking off at Cooper's are best in the morning and early afternoon from May to September. Across the valley at Saddle Mountain, flying starts in the afternoon but this launch is restricted to experienced, current flyers accompanied by a local pilot from the Lumby Air Force.
Cooper's Launch
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Saddle Mountain
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West of Lumby towards Vernon, the King Eddy & Baldy site provide a west facing launch but due to a change in the aircraft approaches to Kelowna International Airport, there is a hard ceiling at 6200' ASL that pilots must adhere to. Across the valley is south facing Vernon Mountain which offers a grassy take-off slope and plenty of open landing zones.
For more information, visit the Okanagan Soaring Society's website.
If you do go flying on your own in the area, please be aware of these Policies & Procedures.
For more information, visit the Okanagan Soaring Society's website.
If you do go flying on your own in the area, please be aware of these Policies & Procedures.
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Canadian Hang Gliding Championships - We have hosted this event numerous times with the last one being in 2015. Some top pilots from around the world attended this event.
Lumby Air Races - The second weekend in June, the skies above Lumby usually host a rainbow spectacle of colorful paragliders and hang gliders before and leading up to the town's annual fair, Lumby Days. Pilots attempt to fly a closed circuit triangular course using GPS instruments for scoring to earn top honors and prize money. Thanksgiving FlyIn - This season finale event takes place on October's Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate the close-out of the flying season. Pilots launch off the mountain and attempt to land on a target in the landing field. Pilots are invited to participate and share a Thanksgiving potluck dinner of good fun and flying. Community - Check the Lumby Community board for what's new in the area or stop by the Lumby Visitor center at 1882 Vernon St for brochures and ask the staff about details on paragliding and hang gliding in the Lumby area. |
Mara Lake Launch, 2015 Canadian Hang Gliding
2016 Lumby Air Races Winners
Some of the competitors from the 2015 Hang Gliding Nationals
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What else can you do besides flying?! Possibly your non-flying significant other needs to stay occupied so you can fly, fly, fly... Well luckily the surrounding area is chock full of outdoor activities in stunning natural settings. Mabel Lake, Kalamalka Lake and Echo Lake all offer great opportunities in swimming, fishing, and boating, while the Shuswap River offers adventurous tubing and cliff jumping. The scenic valley offers great hiking, biking, ATVing, golfing, horse back riding and local attractions like Vernon's Magnetic Hill are a fun day trip. In the evening catch a couple of movies at one of Canada's last drive-in movie theatres near Enderby.
"With a huge provincial park filled with hiking trails and six lakes all easily accessible within half a day, your desires for a fun and exciting outdoor experience can easily be fulfilled." - Lumby Outdoor Adventures
"With a huge provincial park filled with hiking trails and six lakes all easily accessible within half a day, your desires for a fun and exciting outdoor experience can easily be fulfilled." - Lumby Outdoor Adventures
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The Saturday Public Market is a great way to buy locally grown produced or crafted pieces. The Freedom Flight Park would love to see its own gardens grow and invites anyone with a green thumb to grow their own mini garden. Vernon itself is a small city with great taste in food and great styles! Map out a bargain in Vernon's many thrift shops or walk downtown and visit the myriad of shops and admire the local murals. |
The owner of the Freedom Flight Park, Randy Rauck, wrote this song and it is commonly played around the campfire after a fun day of flying. Come to the flight park and see it live...or better yet, bring your instrument and join along in the jam!
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The Top Ten Rules by Randy Rauck Rule #10: Remember your true friends cause they’re worth more than money in the bank Rule #9: Learn to wait for the signs as you go merrily down the stream Rule #8: Never hesitate to plan your work and keep working on you plan Rule #7: Expect to find your way to heaven when you are ready to head it on home (Chorus) Cause...The Top 10 Rules are some might fine tools They’ll keep you smilin’ all the time, Let your love light shine and you’ll make a real great time, And dancin’ will help you feel free, And if you like this song just decide to sing along, And you’ll be living happily, Cause the Top 10 Rules are some mighty fine tools, Make a habit to sing ’em daily Rule #6: Don’t take yourself to darn seriously Rule #5: Always come alive when needed by friends and family Rule #4: Never close a door you might regret down the road Rule #3: Always strive to be free and remember who you really are (Repeat Chorus) Rule #2: Don’t sweat the small stuff cause it’s all just real small stuff Rule #1: Is ya gotta have fun! Cause life can be over any day So when you get outta bed, get outta your head, And open your heart with a smile & sing the Top 10 Rules, Cause they’re mighty fine tools, They’ll get you going in style… Make you smile, Take you the whole last mile. |
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