Windsports International Incorporated

One of America's prominent hang gliding beginner training slopes exists less than 1 mile south of LAX on Dockweiler State Beach. Launch and landing training and ground skimming flights are taught here daily under a permit granted by the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors. These operations are limited to 60 ft. agl under both contract obligations with the county and the flight park rules and regulations. Operations at the Dockweiler State Beach Hang Gliding area currently exist in Class G airspace and the facility has been approved by the FAA as part of the County's land use planning processes in the late 1990's. There have been no general aviation or commercial aviation related conflicts reported here since training operations were formally established here in 1999. This training slope has been cited as one of the first historic places where modern hang gliding was practiced, and training flights here date back to the 1940's with foot launched sailplanes and the 1960's with modern hang gliders (unpowered FAR part 103 vehicles). This facility is considered one of the safest places in the world to learn the basics of hang gliding flight. This is the only licensed and insured hang gliding training site within the city and county of Los Angeles and it plays a critical role in the safety and growth of the sport of hang gliding. The loss of this facility would lead to the attrition of several major hang gliding clubs across souther California. It is extremely important that any future airspace regulations regarding this area be designed to allow the current level of training and practice operations to continue.