Paragliding and hang gliding are expressions of freedom, including our freedom to choose our own life and take our own risks. At the same time, to sustain a flying club in the US we have to stay aware of the context in which we fly. Here at Brace our launch is on N.Y. Taconic State Park land, and our privilege to launch there is revocable. Lawsuits of many kinds are always possible. We also have the usual potential for issues with the local landowners who are our neighbors.

Please, then, be respectful of the rules, of the environment, of the Park staff, and of all the people that you meet, in order that we may all be able to fly here for many years to come. You are an ambassador of our sport and of our Club! Thanks, and see you in the air.

To come out and fly you need the following:

1. Current USHPA membership *
2. Current Mt. Brace Outdoor Club membership, with a current signed waiver*
3. USHPA P3/H3 rating or higher. P2/H2s can fly too but for safety reasons it’s a little more complicated – Click here for more info
4. A helmet and protective footwear
5. A radio that can receive and transmit on the USHPA frequencies. Regularly used frequencies include 151.505 and 144.440 MHz
6. Check in for the day. The earlier in the day you do this, the easier it will be for other pilots to co-ordinate driving and retrieval with you.  
7. Call the ranger if you are the first pilot checking in or if you have any doubt whether the ranger has been called. It’s easy. Call (518) 329-3993 and say, “I’m calling from the Brace Club. I just wanted to let you know we will be flying today.”

If you are new here, you are welcome! Please read all of the rules and tips before you come and arrange for a site intro before you fly for the first time. To make an assessment about weather conditions, check forecasts for Millerton, NY 12546. Check winds at altitude, launch is at 2300' MSL.

Your membership dues to Mt. Brace Outdoor Club go towards paying the LZ rent, maintenance, insurance, cutting the grass, garbage disposal, utilities, parking, and donations to area volunteer fire department/SAR. 

1. You must be a current member of the Mt. Brace Outdoor Club to fly from Brace Mountain. Please carry your proof of membership with you, as well as your USHPA card.
2. While the N.Y. Taconic State Park is public land, their policy limits flying activity to Mt. Brace Outdoor Club members only. This means that if you fly without joining first, a ranger can issue you an expensive citation. You also risk losing your future flying privileges if you ignore the site rules.
3. All pilots must sign a Club waiver once per calendar year. Please take responsibility for getting this done. It can all be done online.
4. Waivers are so important that we have to say this: In the event that you launch without having signed a waiver, be aware that: Regardless of anything else, your act of launching your aircraft signifies your full and complete acceptance of the waivers of both the Mt. Brace Outdoor Club and the US Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA). If you don’t accept the waivers, don’t fly.
5. Brace launch requires a USHPA intermediate rating P3/H3 or higher to fly unobserved. The risk factors are outlined below and detailed in the Survival Guide.
6. The time required to get to launch, the launch altitude, and altitude difference to the LZ require understanding of weather events and attention to weather changes as the day develops. Correct judgement about launchability, wind speed limits, and turbulence avoidance is required.
7. Mt. Brace is a rocky, mountain summit with uneven terrain. Launch is a narrow, shallow-sloped slot with bushes and small trees on both sides and below launch. Cross wind launches can be affected by possible rotors and turbulence from surrounding trees. While the bushes can present problems for lesser skilled pilots, they also tend to limit the potential damage of failed launches. Even some very good pilots have been in the bushes. Good ground handling skills are essential to launching safely. 
8. In the air, please be attentive to pilots on launch and keep clear when someone is set up and ready to take off.
9. In the afternoon, the west-facing site is typically thermal. For pilots wishing to fly during the thermally most active time (11am-4pm) a previously completed SIV course as well as an intermediate rating is highly recommended.
10. Strong crosswinds can lead to turbulence along the ridge.
11. In the summertime, thunderstorms can develop, and there is no shelter at launch.
12. There is an invasive species (wild turnips) growing in the north overrun approach to the landing zone whose plant juices can cause second degree burns if not washed off and if exposed to sunlight. Wear long pants.
13. To practice in the Mt Brace LZ you must be a member of USHPA and be a Mt Brace Outdoor Club member with a signed waiver. To leave the ground on the small hills you must have a P1 rating or be under instructor supervision.
14. No motorized flying.*
15. No acrobatics or stunt maneuvers in flight.*
16. No flying when winds exceed 26 MPH. No radical speed wings, or intentional proximity flying.*
17. No flying alone.*
18. Camping is permitted in N.Y. Taconic State Park only at Rudd Pond and Copake Falls.
19. Dogs are permitted if they are controlled. If there is a chance that your dog will chase pilots who are landing (or who are launching, if you hike your dog to launch) please keep your dog on a leash. Dogs are distracting and have caused crashes.
20. Please know that you are financially liable for any damage that you, your guests, your children, or your pets cause to the Club, landowner property, or the N.Y. Taconic State Park. Even the USHPA insurance comes with a deductible, for which the involved pilot is responsible.
21. Arrive early on flying days and organize your carpooling ahead of time.
22. Rides to launch • Basic etiquette: If another pilot (or their partner!) gives you a ride, or picks you up from where you land, consider pitching in for gas money. And never ever start drinking beer or leave to go home while your buddy’s car still needs to be retrieved.
    • Backside trailhead: Please organize rides to the backside trailhead to minimize the number of vehicles parked there.
    • Front side trailhead: If you leave your car at the front side trailhead, it’s important not to land there. Land in the main LZ and catch a ride or walk to your car. Note that the front side trail is steeper and longer than the backside, covering about 1500 vertical feet.
23. Always pack out your trash.