Every summer paraglider pilots fly right here at Park Newport.  There is some argument as to the legality of flying paragliders here, since it's technically class B controlled airspace (being so close to John Wayne Airport).  I'm not tempted to try flying paragliders here.  However... this has turned out to be an amazing "secret spot" where I can fly my RC sailplane almost any afternoon.  The best part is I don't have to contend with the crowded skies over dog beach.

So most days I have a combination ridge and thermal lift.  I usually take off and fly the ridge lift until I can scratch about 50 feet of altitude.  From there the thermals are typically abundant.  The "house thermal" is actually triggered from the hot roof tiles on our club house!  The "house" is usually good for about 100 to 150 feet of lift.  From there I can head further down the ridge toward the point seen in the picture below.  There is usually abundant thermal lift there that takes me several hundred feet above take off.

There is a down side.  The landings can be a bit sketchy (there have been the occasional roof or tree landing).  But most of the time landing is easy, and the Zagi can be thrashed pretty hard on landing without really breaking anything.

What the heck is a Zagi?... you say.

It's essentially a sailplane, but it is a flying wing type of plan form.  Most of us have seen traditional sailplanes.  They are elegant, slender, white fiberglass craft with long thin wings, and a tiny bulbous cockpit.  Many model aircraft pilots fly scale sailplanes that look like the real thing.  They look amazing in the sky, but there is a huge downside.  Model aircraft landings are often less than perfect, and the slender sailplanes are easily damaged.  If you crash a balsa model, you are basically left with a pile of matchsticks and three weeks of repair.  If you crash a larger scale fiberglass sailplane the repair can be quite costly.

The Zagi on the other hand is made from a high density foam, so it is virtually crash proof.  So much so that pilots actually have combat competitions.  You can auger in, grab your plane and just throw it back into the sky.  To further increase its durability, it is a flying wing.  Which means there is no rudder or tail to break off.

So... OK it doesn't look like a "real" sailplane.  It kinda looks like a stealth bomber.  But who cares, its an amazing aircraft that is really fun to fly.  Believe me... it's a real sailplane.