Oliver Gregory ()
writes:

In old Region Six )(which is now part of Region Eleven) there are
hang gliding clubs trying to purchase their training hill. It is on Bellville
Ridge and is where all the new pilots in the region have learned to foot launch.
I know it is a rushed deal, but they are pursuing matching funds from the USHPA
foundation and are soliciting pledges to help with the purchase. I have donated
$100.


These people are class acts. Let me rephrase that! They are all honest and
earnest hang gliding enthusiasts with many flying for thirty or more years. Any
funds that head their way is money well spent. They will be responsible with
donations. I know there are scams out there, but this isn't one of them. Steve
Prater was the one to discover that the land was up for sale at auction with
very little notice.

Roy Mahoney writes:

The Belleville, Arkansas training hill has been the key site in
maintaining a viable population of foot launched hang glider pilots in the
Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma region (Ouachita Mountain Range). We have very
little time to have a chance at saving this site. See Steve Prater's message
below. Steve is a new H2 pilot and knows how vital this training site is to the
health of hang gliding in this area. Please send your pledge of whatever you can
give, ASAP, to Steve at .
An account will be set up in the next couple of days for sending in the actual $
if we get enough pledges. Currently we are less than halfway there to get just
the minimum $5K. Thanks for whatever you can do.

Steve Prater writes:

Some of you in Region 6/11 may know that our Belleville training
hill is on the auction block and scheduled for the gavel to drop on the 22nd of
this month. An effort to save this for future pilots and us is being made by
Chris Price and myself. This 165-acre area has been divided into ten sections.
The one we have used for 20+ years is #5 and about 16. 69 or so acres. Both
Chris and I have had eMail and phone conversation with people at the foundation,
but there is not enough time for funding request paperwork to go through.


Some folks there are looking for other contributors but with so little time left
I don't want to wait or rely solely on them. Chris is planning on being at the
auction and we are asking those who can to email a contribution.


NO MONEY. I DON'T WANT MONEY SENT TO ME.


Someone will set up a bank account for real money transactions. For now just
send a promissory note. This way we can get an idea of what Chris has to work
with.


Don't think we will get enough from our group so I plan to send out a general
request. What's mine? Just $200. But with a worldwide request it wouldn't take
but 150 like that. Yes that is thirty thousand.


You don't go to an auction expecting to win, raise hand to up your bid one more
time but find there is nothing left in your pocket, but your other hand. I am
being very optimistic and do not intend to loose.


From here we need to gain $5000 CASH for a certified check for deposit and a
letter of credit from the bank. These two are required when we win. Who's name
will it be in? One of our two local clubs or USHGA. Le'ts not worry with that
just yet. We’ve got thirty days after we win to close. All this trouble for a
training hill? Yep. But it is not for us but for those to come.


Send your promissory note to .