Hansen: From Kite Hill, their eyes are on the skies

There is a round, bald hill in Laguna Niguel that would make a good toboggan run if it ever got snow. Instead, it’s good for one thing: flying.

Kite Hill is aptly named, with the wind coming off the ocean to the west and ripping through Aliso Creek Canyon. On any given day, aviation buffs are flying all sorts of planes: a Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet, a BoeingStearman Model 75, a Kinetic 130DP glider.

And in case you’re wondering which one goes faster, the glider — by a long shot.

With its long wingspan and perfect aerodynamics, a Kinetic glider recently set the world record in its class at 505 mph in Weldon, Calif.

At those speeds, you can barely see the gliders swooping by, lap after lap, like an aerial NASCAR.

But at Kite Hill, marked by a sturdy American-flag pole built by an Eagle Scout, it’s not all about speed and technology.

“Up here, it’s mellow, nice and tranquil,” said Jeff Niven of Laguna Hills, who has been flying model planes most of his life and coming to Kite Hill for 30 years. “Plus, with the breeze, it’s nice and cool.”

In the old days before the subdivisions took over most of the open spaces, Niven said, only the aviation buffs would shinny up the steep dirt road. In rain or even heavy fog, you couldn’t make it up the hill without fourwheel drive.

Over the years, the site was slowly improved, including the introduction of paved access. But for this still fairly small group of enthusiasts, the allure is the same as it always was.

“You can soar around, riding the wind,” Niven said. “I guess it’s kind of like surfing. It takes your mind off of things.”

Matt Pagano is fairly new to the sport — only a year — but he agrees it’s a nice distraction. Pagano, of Laguna Niguel, is a Marine based at Camp Pendleton. He spends hours flying a popular, inexpensive foam glider that can take a beating if it crashes.

As if on cue, his glider took a hard dive into a wooden post while he was trying to land it. He straightened the wings and checked the gear, and off it went again.

Pagano said he’s seen hawks dive down on smaller gliders, thinking they might be easy food. A nearby bird sanctuary sometimes makes for a busy airspace.

But the fliers know to avoid going past the tree lines, and they have a good working relationship with the local park service.

In fact, veteran flier Scott Magner works closely with the Laguna Niguel Parks and Recreation Department to make sure the rules are followed. While Kite Hill is free and open to the public, nearby Lilly Shapell Park requires a permit and certification to fly gliders.

Orange County is home to several flying groups. Most require annual dues to cover insurance in case one of the planes, gliders, helicopters or drones crashes into someone’s home or causes injury. Some fliers have complained that the dues have increased because of the introduction of drones.

Nonetheless, membership has remained steady over the years, partly because the members tend to become lifelong friends. The Academy of Model Aeronautics, the national organization, was founded in 1936 and boasts about 150,000 members.

As an example of the groups’ activities, Aug. 15 is National Model Aviation Day, and the Trabuco Flyers club will be having its seventh annual overnight campout in Trabuco Canyon, with night flying and other activities in support of the Wounded Warrior Project. For more information, visit trabucoflyers.com.

Dave Testa, another longtime flier at Kite Hill, said the sport offers something for everyone.

“It goes from a simple balsa glider to an 18channel, camera-carrying 10pound machine,” he said. “The sky’s the limit.”

With the participants sitting on Kite Hill in folding chairs, their truck beds open and coolers kept in the shade, the hobby has the feel of a tailgating party where the breaks between flights get longer as the day progresses.

“We have a brotherhood up here with the guys for sure,” Magner said.

Any women?

“There’s one drone girl,” Magner said, trying to remember her name. “We call her drone girl.”

The other guys nod, giving her props for her skill with the drone.

Wives and girlfriends allow the activity, knowing it keeps the men out of trouble.

The consensus among the group is that flying is just wholesome, harmless fun, though perhaps not so kind to the budget.

“You could spend a hundred dollars building one,” Niven said.

“And a few seconds crashing it,” said Testa, finishing the thought.

The fliers all smiled and nodded again. They often finish each other’s sentences.

Flying model planes and gliders produces an undeniable camaraderie.

It’s an experience probably not unlike the big planes, where pilots combine technical knowhow, skill and instinct.

Doubtless, when you reach the level of expertise where the radio controls fade away and it’s just you and the plane, that’s the real experience.

Even if your feet are planted, your heart is flying.

DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at [email protected].