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Why Haven’t You Flown to Ellenville Yet?

The appeal of Ellenville, New York, begins with its airport and extends to its vibrant downtown and hang-gliding community.

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Paul Voight, a modern hang gliding pioneer, soars above scenic Route 52 in Ellenville, NY. [Credit: Paul Voight]
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Key Takeaways:

  • A private pilot certificate grants unique access to explore destinations, exemplified by Ellenville, NY, which serves as both an airport gateway and a hub for hang gliding.
  • Ellenville, NY, is recognized as one of the best hang-gliding sites on the East Coast, where the sport is experiencing a resurgence due to improved safety and professional instruction.
  • The town of Ellenville has a layered history of transitions, from a canal and railroad hub to a resort destination, experiencing a past decline, and now enjoying a vibrant comeback with new businesses and cultural attractions.
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Holding a private pilot certificate has brought a great deal of pride, joy, freedom, and of course, responsibility to my life over the years. But what that document provides more than anything else, arguably, is access.

The real miracle of general aviation, beyond thrust and lift getting us off the ground, is the ease with which it allows us to explore and enjoy places we might never have found while traveling on land. Airports are the gateways to these destinations and by visiting them, we can learn about a town’s relationship with the surrounding region.

Jonathan Welsh

Jonathan Welsh is Lead Editor of Aviation Consumer and a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

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