Good news for the small businesses, gas stations, restaurants and hotels of Wurtsboro. After continued resistance by the Ellenville town board to allow access to Resnick Airport for the towing of hang gliders by the Northeastern Air Sports Association for the FAA-approved operation of their hydraulic winch, NeASA has moved to the friendlier Wurtsboro Airport.

The towing operation and hang gliding in general brings hundreds of pilots, their families and spectators to Ellenville, all whom buy gas, shop in the small stores, eat at local restaurants and stay at local hotels. All these consumers will now be spending their money in the village of Wurtsboro.

The Wurtsboro Airport has welcomed the Ellenville hang gliding community and tow operation with open arms and big smiles to their beautiful airport.

Why is this important to the Ellenville community?

Hang gliders have been taking flight here in Ellenville since 1970. There are now four hang gliding schools and two major flying clubs operating here. When the winds blow from the northwest, no matter the day of the week, hang gliders can be seen flying high above the mountain. (northwest winds are best because of the direction the launch ramps face.) One school alone brings in close to one thousand students a year for instruction and guidance for the mountain flights once the pilots are rated. Again, these pilots and their families spend a lot of money when they are here. Ninety-five percent come from New York City and the surrounding boroughs.

The problem and the issue is when the wind is not from the northwest, these pilots would normally travel to other flying sites to fly or they just don't fly at all. Towing at the airport when the wind direction is other than northwest brought these pilots to Ellenville even when the winds were wrong for mountain flying. Towing offers more opportunities to fly... However, the Ellenville town board with their obstructionist and exclusionary policies has made it impossible for hang glider pilots to tow there, even though the Federal Aviation Administration has stated that towing must be allowed at Resnick Airport.

No towing equals no pilots driving here to fly equals no money spent in Ellenville.

Not to mention the revenue the hang gliding schools lose when the winds are wrong, towing could keep that cash flow happening and keep the pilots coming to Ellenville year round.

What is a loss for Ellenville will be a gift to Wurtsboro's economy.

Come on down and watch the gliders and the hang gliders fly at the friendly and inclusive Wurtsboro Airport on Rt. 209. For more info call 647-3377.