Kitty Hawk Kites Re-Opens Morningside Flight Park

CHARLESTOWN, NH-After being closed for nearly a year, the Morningside Flight Park in Charlestown, NH was recently purchased by North Carolina-based Kitty Hawk Kites. The park re-opened on July 16 and held a grand opening on July 23. Originally opened in 1974 by Jeff Nicolay, the landmark hand gliding park will continue to operate under the Morningside name and no major changes are expected under the new ownership.

Located on several acres along scenic Route 12 in the Connecticut River Valley, Morningside Flight Park has been very unique in the hand gliding and paragliding community for almost 40 years. Morningside's sloping mountainside creates an ideal situation to teach both hand gliding and paragliding lessons. As a student advances in skill, they can increase the height in which they launch from.

"We've known about the greatthings Morningside has been doing for years," Marc Maready said in a recent interview. Maready is the Marketing Director for Kitty Hawk Kites. "It's a tremendous spot for hang gliding and paragliding-arguably one of the most complete in the country in that it can accommodate beginner instruction, foot-launching for experienced pilots, as well as tandem and aero-tow hang gliding. It is truly a one-stop-shop for all things flight."

Founded by hand gliding pioneer John Harris and based in North Carolina, Kitty Hawk Kites has 13 locations and has grown to become the world's largest hand gliding school, teaching nearly 300,000 students over the years. The school had always been aware of the Morningside facility, and was concerned about its future.

"We were saddened to hear of Jeff Nicolay's passing and wondered what that would mean for Morningside and the future of hang gliding and paragliding in New England," Maready added. "Ultimately, we decided that purchasing the park would help us accomplish multiple goals at once. Namely to bring together two flight parks with a long heritage of flight, while also preserving the park as a place forhang gliding and paragliding for generations to come."

Morningstar's professional flight instructors are experienced, hand gliding and paragliding pilots operating in a safe setting and under the standards of the United States Hand Gliding and Paragliding Association. There is also onsite camping available, complete with rest room and shower facilities for all visitors.

Morningside Flight Park is locatedat 357 Morningside Lane in Charlestown, NH. Visit them online at http://flymorningside.kittyhawk.com or call 603-542-4416.