By Norm Bloom, April 2025

Located in southern NM, Alamogordo is situated in the Tularosa Basin at the base of the Sacramento Mountains. We have just over 2,000’ vertical feet with flyable aspects facing South, West, and North. This launch, Dry Canyon Launch, is accessed by climbing the ridge from the backside up Dry Canyon. Looking down into Indian Wells Canyon our current LZ is the 20-acre green square on the north side of town. Founded in 1898, this was the location of Alamogordo’s original reservoir. We would call this a floodplain today.

The arid climate is perfect for growing ocotillo, mesquite, and creosote bush. Everything else struggles and exists solely to shred a misplaced wing.

Left to right: Dave Church, Paul Carnes, George Woodcock, Riker Davis, Bryan Kurowski (BK)

The Rio Grande Soaring Association (RGSA) was founded by these guys, and others in 1978. They organized the first fly-ins in 1980 that grew to the point of outgrowing the small dirt lots and public street landing zones.

One of the early hang glider pilots was a local contractor, Parker Hobson. With a bulldozer and ability, he maintained the Dry Canyon Rd. This task has since been taken over by the US Forest Service. Sometime in the mid 1990’s, and still privately owned, he cleared and leveled this section of desert. This is the largest dedicated free flight LZ in the Southwest. Ownership was eventually transferred to the City of Alamogordo (COA). COA ran the effluent irrigation system, planted and maintained the grass, and blocked access to the field with a ditch. RGSA would secure the required permits and pilots would camp around the entire perimeter during the Memorial and Columbus Day fly-ins.


2021-2022:

Alamogordo Public Schools (APS) gained ownership of the pristine LZ through a land swap deal with COA. The plan was to build a new middle school. The cost of building a school in a floodplain, and the headaches of diverting this water elsewhere, led to APS transferring the property back to the COA. In a very short time, the weeds came back, the grass went away, and little line eating mesquites over-ran the field.

The annual monsoons buried the ditches which now allowed vehicle access onto the field. Upon landing, vehicle traffic was a constant hazard.

During the 2024 Memorial Weekend Fun-fly, we had a guy drive his Wrangler onto the field and park. After explaining we had pilots in the air landing where he was parked, he kindly left. Unbeknownst to all, a traveling pilot had just lost a line set on his Zeno. Unable to press the radio mic, he focused on heading control and considered throwing his reserve over the field. Flying a straight line he then opted to try a landing. The Jeep had barely exited, when this pilot was noticed on final with the right tip collapsed. He returned to earth exactly where the Jeep had sat 5 minutes earlier.

Vehicle traffic had destroyed sprinkler heads, irrigation components needed repair, and mesquites were spreading.



Air Methods is a local air ambulance service with a helicopter stationed at the neighboring hospital, Christus Healthcare. Alamogordo Fire Department also has a technical rescue team capable of retrieving pilots back to civilization when the rare need arrives. We maintain a positive relationship with these groups and ensure they are familiar with the hazards in responding to HG and PG incidents. The convenient location has allowed the helicopter to use this field for emergencies in the past.


From flying kites to walking dogs, there are numerous user groups who use this field.

The current City of Alamogordo Parks Director, Belinda Bass, has been instrumental in facilitating open communication between the City and other stakeholders. Her hard work and dedication have greatly improved the quality of life for all residents. Besides only free-flight pilots, this 20-acre park allows room for all users.

When COA regained possession of the LZ, RGSA immediately contacted Belinda to see how we could help make the world a better place. The very first concession was we are to refer to the field as Hang Glider Park. This both clarifies communication and describes exactly what this field’s intent is. With a little brainstorming, and estimating rough numbers, RGSA. Steve Crye suggested contacting the Foundation for Free Flight (FFF). This led to the RGSA applying for a matching funds grant for the betterment of Hang Glider Park. The long-term goal is to grow free flight in Alamogordo to what once was. In the 90's. pilots would come from as far as Europe to experience the world-class conditions of southern NM.


April 27, 2025, RGSA president Norman Bloom presented acting City Manager Stephanie Hernandez with an $8,000 check.

The Foundation For Free Flight provided $4,000, the RGSA provided $2,000 and numerous pilots immediately pitched in the remaining $2,000 to fulfill the grant.

As of April 2025, work completed by the City of Alamogordo includes:
Leveling and graveling the main parking area; the ditch and pipe access gates have been installed around the entire perimeter thus restricting vehicle traffic onto the landing zone; signage has been installed to keep vehicles off the field and to caution people to watch for landing pilots; some sprinklers have been repaired and portions of the feild are being irrigated; regular mowing has resumed.

COA Parks Supervisor Erik Marion provided the following plan:
Hanglider Park
Field Renovation Plan

Materials:
Rainbird Controller:           $2400
Seed 20-25# Buckets:      $4900
Replacement Sprinklers:    $700

                                       
Future long term RGSA goals include installation of pipe fencing to permanently restrict vehicle traffic, access to potable water, and access to electricity.

We must grow how many pilots use this LZ. While spring winds are very troublesome, Alamogordo, NM offers consistent flying opportunities from summer through winter. Reach out to any RGSA club member for a proper site intro https://www.rgsa.info/.

The City of Alamogordo Parks and Recreation track how much use Hang Glider Park gets through public interaction. Please message them the good, bad, and ugly. They can be reached at 575-439-4269 or  https://www.facebook.com/alamogordoparksandrec/. Or, at a minimum, please leave a review here Hang Glider Park.

The road to Dry Canyon Launch requires heavy equipment owned by the US Forest Service. The Forest Supervisor appreciates public input on access. They can be reached at 575-434-7200 or email at SM.FS.LincolnNF@usda.gov.

Regardless of the wing, we have been blessed with the resources, conditions, and skills to participate in free flight. However, success is dependent on the coordinated effort of good stewards within a community. That community is more than just pilots. The efforts and self-sacrifice of the early pioneers opened the door to what we enjoy today. Maintenance of that gift requires we now take responsibility and aim higher in making the world just a little better. The residents enjoy watching the colorful wings and having the room to share in their preferred activities. None of this would be possible without the Foundation for Free Flight supporting a flying community working with local leaders and clearly communicating goals with each stake holder.

Thank you one and all who are involved in this legacy.