A day at Kite Hill

Dave Testa gets ready to launch his Messerschmitt Me 163, which can easily reach speeds of 100 mph.

Dave Testa gets ready to launch his Messerschmitt Me 163, which can easily reach speeds of 100 mph.  (David Hansen / Daily Pilot)

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U.S. Marine Matt Pagano checks the status of his foam glider after it took a hard landing.  (David Hansen / Daily Pilot)

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Lifelong flier Jeff Niven of Laguna Hills controls his plane from the comfort of his chair atop Kite Hill in Laguna Niguel.  (David Hansen / Daily Pilot)

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The Boeing-Stearman Model 75.  (David Hansen / Daily Pilot)

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Scott Magner launches his aerodynamic glider off Kite Hill in Laguna Niguel. High-tech gliders like this one can reach speeds over 500 mph under the right wind conditions.  (David Hansen / Daily Pilot)