Hang Gliding & Paragliding Vol48-Iss1 Jan-Feb 2018 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 Volume 48 Issue 1 $6.95

For change of address or other USHPA business:

+1 (719) 632-8300 info@ushpa.aero

Martin Palmaz, Executive Director executivedirector@ushpa.aero Beth Van Eaton, Operations Manager office@ushpa.aero Galen Anderson, Membership Coordinator membership@ushpa.aero Julie Spiegler, Program Manager programs@ushpa.aero

USHPA OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Paul Murdoch, President president@ushpa.aero Alan Crouse, Vice President vicepresident@ushpa.aero Steve Rodrigues, Secretary secretary@ushpa.aero Mark Forbes, Treasurer treasurer@ushpa.aero

REGION 1: Rich Hass, Mark Forbes. REGION 2: Jugdeep Aggarwal, Josh Cohn, Jon James. REGION 3: Ken Andrews, Dan DeWeese, Alan Crouse. REGION 4: Bill Belcourt, Ken Grubbs. REGION 5: Josh Pierce. REGION 6: Tiki Mashy. REGION 7: Paul Olson. REGION 8: Calef Letorney. REGION 9: Dan Lukaszewicz, Larry Dennis. REGION 10: Bruce Weaver, Steve Kroop, Matt Taber. REGION 11: Tiki Mashy. REGION 12: Paul Voight. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Paul Murdoch, Steve Rodrigues, Greg Kelley, Jamie Shelden, Mitch Shipley. EX-OFFICIO DIRECTOR: Art Greenfield (NAA). The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association Inc. (USHPA) is an air sports organization affiliated with the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), which is the official representative of the Fédération Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), of the world governing body for sport aviation. The NAA, which represents the United States at FAI meetings, has delegated to the USHPA supervision of FAI-related hang gliding and paragliding activities such as record attempts and competition sanctions. The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, a division of the National Aeronautic Association, is a representative of the Fédération Aeronautique Internationale in the United States.

COVER SHOT BY

MIGUEL LUSTRE Kelly Myrkle flying in Yosemite, CA.

WARNING

Hang gliding and paragliding are INHERENTLY DANGEROUS activities. USHPA recommends pilots complete a pilot training program under the direct supervision of a USHPA-certified instructor, using safe equipment suitable for your level of experience. Many of the articles and photographs in the magazine depict advanced maneuvers being performed by experienced, or expert, pilots. These maneuvers should not be attempted without the prerequisite instruction and experience.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY

5 LIVE WELL 5 GO FAR

20 YEARLING NOTES CALEF LETORNEY

Midwestern Dream Flights STEVE MARKUSEN

Rolling Thunder JEFF SHAPIRO

28 40

CHASING GHOSTS

EASY FLYER

FROM TOYS TO WINGS In the Forever Bonds of Free Flight C.J. STURTEVANT with DONNITA HALL

46 52

MACEDONIA Balkan Flying at its Best JON ROBINSON

USHPA'S NEW WEBSITE

AVIAN PUMA 148

MIND YOUR MANNERS

SPEED FLYING

Be ready for the changeover.

JULIE SPIEGLER

A new option in the USA

STEVE TEDSTONE

Etiquette Primer for Busy Launch Sites

ANNETTE O'NEIL

A Guide to Ski Launching

BEN WHITE

8 8 58 62 62 64

BRIEFINGS AIRMAIL FINAL CALENDAR CLASSIFIED RATINGS

his has been one heck of a year for USHPA and free flight in the USA, with both US teams having competed at World Events, a Red Bull X-Alps, and PASA.

We’ve continued to ensure that our instructors move forward and, most importantly, many active USHPA pilots have taken countless incredible flights. We faced growing pains when instructors began to feel the effects of a new system instituted in 2017. But those who signed on early received nearly 20 percent off their previous premiums the next year, due to the organization’s success in raising the bar for instruction and promoting a deeper focus on safety. Although we have a long way to go before the program fully serves all of our members, we’ve made a strong start in a pioneering program that effectively lowered our claims and eventually will help us reach our goal of lowering everyone’s premiums. The team that put together the program and continues

insurance for everything from competing, to opening and

to keep it on track should never have to buy a beer or soda

maintaining a flying site. USHPA has historically done its

again at any public event they attend. If you know one of

very best to provide this insurance as cheaply as possible,

them, listed in the Presidential Citation award article in

even losing money on events at times, in order to ensure

the May/June 2017 issue, please take a moment to give him

success of the events.

or her a handshake and thanks.

For those of you who desire a more tangible benefit to

One person left off that list is Paul Murdoch, who had

your bottom line, look no farther than the Experticity deal

the unfortunate luck of taking over the ship in rough seas.

on the last page of this publication. Advanced- and Master-

I personally spent hours on calls with Paul for months,

rated pilots, as well as instructors, are eligible for industry

reviewing ever-evolving aspects of the entire plan that the

discounts that give up to 60 percent off approximately 100

team helped guide to its current successful position. And

brands that make products for the outdoor industry. One

that was just one of the many calls Paul had every week.

purchase on this site can save you the cost of your year-

We’re lucky to have his service.

long membership to the organization. And we all know

Folks often ask what USHPA does for them, and the answer can vary by user. With dues increases and this

how much we love new gear! The New Year is a time to be thankful. I’m thankful

insurance program necessitating deeper financial obliga-

that we have an incredibly dedicated staff, consisting of

tions from all members, it is a fair question. It is also dif-

Beth Van Eaton, Julie Spiegler, and Galen Anderson, led

ficult to see the national scale when we are all incredibly

by Martin Palmaz. I’m also thankful for the extremely tal-

consumed with our local flying. After sitting in on nearly

ented, passionate, and engaged group of volunteers from

20 board meetings over the last 10 years, I can attest that

around the country who steer the organization through-

we are continually evolving in response to the needs of the

out the year, at great personal sacrifice, with very little in

day and our members. The current members of the volun-

return. And for the crew at the USHPA magazine: thank

teer board are educated, responsible and passionate. And,

you, Greg Gillam, C.J. Sturtevant, Beth Van Eaton, and all of

a few are even pillars of the instructing community who

you who have sent something in to our communal firepit.

year after year donate significant time towards making

Most importantly, I’m thankful for each and every

free flight viable for the next 100 years. They do this for

member who is a part of this wacky group. Look around.

the love of the sport and, often, even at great financial cost

We are an incredible hodgepodge of passionate people

to themselves.

driven by a desire to recreate outside the box. ‘Tis the

Following are a few noteworthy benefits that I see: USHPA continues to update and manage the rating

season. If you feel thankful for someone in your community who makes your flying experience better, let them

system that, while evolving, serves to create a solid base

know—tell them in person, or nominate them for a USHPA

of instruction. They manage and regulate this system to

award!

the best degree possible for a self-regulating body. USHPA enables sites, instructors, pilots, and landowners to obtain

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

BRIEFINGS

NEWS + EQUIPMENT + ANNOUNCEMENTS

FLYMASTER BUDDIES

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AIRMAIL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR During the past year, my dream has

To fly like a bird has always been

aches or pain at the end of the day or

one of humanity’s oldest dreams, and

need for concern about safety. In my

hang gliding probably comes closer to

flights of fancy, I enjoy the same great

I am happy to announce a new product called “The Fenison FlyBar,”

become a reality.

birdlike flight than any other activity.

speed range and roll control allowed

Although hang gliding recently has

in the prone position, minus the achy

but you can call it anything you want.

bumped up against a few obstacles,

shoulders or need for a chiroprac-

Sometimes I call it my “magic wand,”

the dream survives. The dream is here

tor visit at the end of each flight. In

because it has magically transformed

to stay, in many forms.

my dream, I cannot swing head first

my hang gliding experience. I have

through the control frame and break

also, once or twice, called it my “sky

as I have had: I dream that I fly in total

my neck if I crash, because I am not

Harley,” because it feels as if I am

comfort, like a bird, effortless, with no

flying head first.

riding a motorcycle through the sky.

Perhaps you’ve had the same dream

2018 SPRING Board Meeting in GOLDEN, COLORADO March 8-10, 2018 at the AMERICAN MOUNTAINEERING CENTER Awards Ceremony Evening of March 10 at the Table Mountain Inn

https://www.ushpa.org/page/ushpa-board-meeting

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

HANG GLIDING

PARAGLIDING &

Martin Palmaz, Publisher executivedirector@ushpa.aero Nick Greece, Editor editor@ushpa.aero advertising@ushpa.aero Greg Gillam, Art Director art.director@ushpa.aero C.J. Sturtevant, Copy Editor copy@ushpa.aero Staff Writers

Photographers

Annette O'Neil

John Heiney

Dennis Pagen

Jeff Shapiro

deformation of the down tubes to take

Jeff Shapiro

simply “the bar,” if you like. But one

place, even under extreme conditions.

C.J. Sturtevant

thing is certain: This simple control

We hope to move this idea beyond the

device has made flying our Rogallo

R&D stage and into production later

wings in the suprone position truly

this year, making it available in time

practical.

for the 2018 flying season.

Call it “Suprone Bar,” “SkyHog,” or

Follow the developments online

With this control device, shown in the accompanying photos, a hang

@ FenisonFlyBar.com, or find us

glider can now be flown in the su-

on YouTube by looking up videos

prone (feet forward) position, with the

titled “Suprone Revisited,” “Suprone

same speed range and roll control we

Seduction,” “Suprone Solutions,” or

enjoy in the head-first position—in

“Something Worth Howling About.” Next season, you might find yourself

comfort. And I am talking totally outrageous, all-day comfort. No modifications to the glider are required, except perhaps a modified

in the air with a pilot who’s flying feet first using the FlyBar. If I am that pilot I will be easy to spot. I will be the

basetube. The device attaches to any

pilot with no neck or shoulder pain,

A-frame in about one minute. It also

drinking a Red Bull, eating a sandwich,

requires a paragliding-style har-

and holding speed between thermals,

ness with a spreader bar. Put all of

while sending text messages. But don’t

that together, and Voila! You’ll have a

worry: I still clear my turns. An aerotowable version of the

completely different flying experience, designed for weight-shifted Rogallo

FlyBar is in the works. I will be posting

wings, although it might also work

online videos this winter as that proj-

well with some rigid wings, such as

ect progresses. Some paraglider pilots who have

the Atos. Fenison FlyBar has been working hand-in-hand with some of our

toyed with the idea of hang gliding might want to check out the FlyBar as

sports’ top designers and engineering

well. Flight-testing this past year has

minds to ensure the airworthiness

exceeded my expectations. Suprone hang gliding is looking

and safety of this product. This device, properly constructed and properly

good. Very good indeed!

mounted to the glider, makes the

A-frame so strong you might never break another down tube. The invention does not allow any twisting or

- Sunny Jim Fenison, FenisonFlyBar, patent pending www.FenisonFlyBar.com

SUBMISSIONS HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING welcomes editorial submissions from our members and readers. All submissions of articles, artwork, photographs and or ideas for articles, artwork and photographs are made pursuant to and are subject to the USHPA Contributor's Agreement, a copy of which can be obtained from the USHPA by emailing the editor at editor@ushpa.aero or online at www.ushpa.aero. HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING reserves the right to edit all contributions. We are always looking for well written articles and quality artwork. Feature stories generally run anywhere from 1500 to 3000 words. News releases are welcomed, but please do not send brochures, dealer newsletters or other extremely lengthy items. Please edit news releases with our readership in mind, and keep them reasonably short without excessive sales hype. Calendar of events items may be sent via email to editor@ushpa.aero, as may letters to the editor. Please be concise and try to address a single topic in your letter. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. If you have an idea for an article you may discuss your topic with the editor either by email or telephone. Contact: Editor, Hang Gliding & Paragliding magazine, editor@ushpa.aero, (516) 816-1333. ADVERTISING ALL ADVERTISING AND ADVERTISING INQUIRIES MUST BE SENT TO USHPA HEADQUARTERS IN COLORADO SPRINGS. All advertising is subject to the USHPA Advertising Policy, a copy of which may be obtained from the USHPA by emailing advertising@ushpa.aero.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING (ISSN 1543-5989) (USPS 17970) is published monthly by the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Inc., 1685 W. Uintah St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, (719) 632-8300, FAX (719) 6326417. Periodical postage is paid at Colorado Springs, CO and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER Send change of address to: USPA, P.O. BOX 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330. Canadian Post Publications Mail Agreement #40065056. Canadian Return Address: DP Global Mail, 4960-2 Walker Road, Windsor, ON N9A 6J3 COPYRIGHT ©2016 United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Inc., All Rights Reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Inc.

ASSOCIATION New Year, New Gear! by the USHPA STAFF

s pilots, we love the opportunity to upgrade our gear and look forward to the better performance, safety, and fun that new equipment typically provides. Holiday gifts may also include the latest tech from Apple, exotic vacations, or even colorful, cozy socks.

At USHPA headquarters we've been asking Santa for new technology for a few years, and it looks as if we're finally get-

ting our wish. We are now on-track to cut over to our new association management system (AMS) by early February 2018.

What does this mean? 1. Some systems will be offline for a few days. In order to get all of the information from the old system onto the new system, we will have to stop making changes. This means: No new memberships can be created, no online or paper renewals can be made, and no ratings can be processed. Staff will be available to answer questions, but changes will not be made until the new system is online.

2. Chapter renewals will remain online, using the existing system during the transition. In order to provide ample time for chapters to complete the renewal process and for Recreation RRG to underwrite and issue Certificates of Insurances (COIs), chapter renewals began in mid-December using the same system as last year. Chapter officers should have already received the Chapter Renewal Packets that include current officer listings, links to online renewal forms, a spreadsheet for updating sites and additional insureds, and other reference materials. If you have not received the renewal packet, please contact the office. After collecting the necessary information, chapter officers will be able to update their chapter's information directly onto spreadsheets and use the online forms to complete the annual renewal process. Information for currently insured sites will have already been filled in, saving most officers a considerable amount of time. Keep in mind that accurate and complete renewal applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Start early to provide sufficient time for submitting a complete and accurate renewal—no later thanFebruary 1st. Unfortunately, renewals received after February 1st may not be processed before the policy expires on February 28th.

3. All members will be required to reset their USHPA passwords. To improve system security, all members will be required to reset their USHPA passwords. If you do not have an email associated with your membership, you may need to contact the office to complete this process.

How will the new system be different from the old system? In addition to supporting our public website, managing memberships, and processing ratings, the new system will greatly improve staff efficiency, be more reliable, and provide better information about our organization. It will also ensure PCIcompliance and support better integration with Recreation RRG systems, including acting as a Single Sign-On federated identity provider and OAUTH2-authenticated API producing JSON. The biggest improvements, however, will be found in the features available to our members. New features include:

•

Chapter self-service (online access to all chapter information, including sites and additional insureds).

•

Online communities for committees, instructors, and eventually chapters and regions.

•

Community functions that may include forums, document libraries, blogs, wikis, and member lists.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

•

Extensive online site information.

•

Ease in use as well as increased security for member self-service features (such as profile updates, online renew-

al, and members-only documents). •

Support in adding new capabilities in the future, such as:

Online rating forms

Online rating tests

•

Additional online instructional support for instructors and students.

•

Tools for helping chapters manage their members.

•

Online communities for chapters, which can be used for chapter websites.

•

Online new-member processing.

Our first goal in implementing this new system is making sure that we have all of the capabilities we had in the old system are working. Then we can take advantage of the new features that are built in to the new system. The new system, called iMIS 20 from ASI (http://www.advsol.com/), is one of the leading AMS products in the industry that is specifically designed for managing and supporting nonprofit organizations.

What do I need to do? 1. Plan ahead If your membership is up for renewal or you have ratings to submit, get those in to the office as soon as possible. Be prepared for delays if they arrive in the office during the system transition.

2. Update Chapter API calls If your chapter uses the USHPA API (either with a key or via the public call) you will NOT need to update the URL used to access the information. We are making sure that the URL and output are exactly the same as before. If you need more information, please contact the office.

3. Give yourself extra time The first time you access the new Members Only component, you may need extra time to accomplish your task. (a) You will need to set a new password the first time you try to access the system. (b) The look and organization will be slightly differently than in the old system. We think the new system will be easier to use, but there is always a challenge and increased time may be needed to navigate the new look.

For more information about the transition process and the latest updates on status, refer to the “New Website Technology” article on the USHPA website: https://www.ushpa.org/page/new-website-technology

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

GEAR Avian Puma 148 by STEVE TEDSTONE

he Avian Puma is a very

years, managed by owner and de-

modify their topless model to a

high-performance kingposted

signer Steve Elkins/Tim Swait. They

kingposted model? Well, in the UK

glider with excellent handling

currently build four hang gliders:

many sites are “hike in” or “hike up”

characteristics and boasting to

the EVO (topless model); the Puma

sites, so several pilots wanted the

be the lightest weight glider in its

(basically an EVO with an added

performance of a topless glider, but

class—a true 63 lbs.

kingpost); the Rio (beginner double-

the lighter weight of a kingposted

surface) and the Fly (single-surface).

glider—thus Steve Elkins developed

Avian (located in the UK) has been in business for approximately 25

So why would Avian want to

the Puma.

ABOVE Avian

Puma, Glassy LZ, South Carolina. OPPOSITE Batten tips (one in place, one shown adjacent with swivel end tip).

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

HANDLING The Puma handles extremely well— roll response and roll reversal are fairly easy and very quick in comparison to other high-performance wings, no high siding is required and the Puma feels very neutral and predictable in the air. As with all hang gliders there is somewhat of a trade-off with handling (roll and yaw ability) and tracking ability (with easier handling, tracking ability suffers a little; with better tracking ability, then handling suffers a little). Avian’s focus favors excellent handling characteristics—light and quick roll reversal for tight ridge soaring—so the Puma excels in the handling department, but does get knocked off course a little in bumpy air. However, if you pull in the VG, the tracking ability greatly improves. The Puma has a lot of VG travel and is very easy to pull; most pilots like to fly with 1/4 to 1/3 VG. The Puma has ZERO pitch pressure—none whatsoever; this takes a few hours to get used to. Initially you may be flying along and find the base bar at your chest and realize you are flying too fast; for example, if you pull the base bar in due to turbulence and increase your flying speed, you have to think and remember to push the base bar back out to slow back down to trim speed. After flying the Puma a few times and gaining airtime on this glider, one becomes used to the lack of pitch pressure and you will find yourself placing the base bar in the correct position in relation to your desired flying speed, just as you would with any other glider. CAUTION: Only experienced pilots should be flying the Puma! It would be very easy for an intermediate pilot to get into trouble due to the ZERO pitch pressure. The Puma has a very good glide ratio and sink rate;

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

PUMA 148 SPECS Sail Area 148 SF I weigh 200 lbs. and this glider per-

wands to wrestle with, and it has a

forms very well in light conditions.

unique batten tip fastening system

(I would expect the optimum pilot

(see pictures). The tip swivels and

Span 32.8 FT Nose Angle 130˚

the top tab pops into the grommet

weight to be around 175-180 lbs.)

hole located on the sail, then you

LAUNCHING

Aspect Ratio 7.4:1

pivot the tip to lock in place to the

The Puma has excellent static bal-

batten shaft; this system works very

ance, is very neutral feeling and

well. Carbon airfoil tips are avail-

is very easy to launch. As you will

able as an option and are similar in

notice in the photos, the kingpost is

shape to those found on the Aeros

raked forward at an extreme angle.

Combat. As you will notice in the

However, the side wires do have

photos, the sail remains very wide

some slop and most pilots like to

towards the end of the leading

launch with VG about 1/8 to 1/4 on.

edge—having additional sail area

LANDING

helps to improve sink rate or allows

Landing characteristics are very

a heavier pilot to fly a smaller glider.

similar to other very high-perfor-

If you are in the market for a new

Length 17.7 FT Glider Wt 63 LBS Battens 21 + 4 Airframe 70751

(wide chord) near the glider tips

Hook-in Wt 175 to 245 LBS Pilot Wt 150 to 220 LBS

high-performance kingposted glider,

mance kingposted hang gliders.

Price $7800 to $98002

then you owe it to yourself to test fly

OTHER

an Avian Puma.

Glider quality, fit and finish are all excellent, sail quality is excellent. The sail is laser cut, thus no fraying along the sail edges. The Puma does

Steve Tedstone (Avian Dealer) 864-303-7955 (South Carolina) Please call between 6-9p.m. Eastern time

Carbon aft LE and sprogs available 2 Depending on options and exchange rate

NOT have radial tips, thus no tip

GEAR new graphic

TEES HEADGEAR

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UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION

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books + videos + calendars + cards HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

Mind Your Manners An Etiquette Primer for Busy Launch Sites by ANNETTE O'NEIL

n general, the art of etiquette pins

make launch more dangerous, and

in places like in Santa Barbara or the

itself on maintaining the social

flight less enjoyable, so we all need

Point, where you’re really excited to get

mores that set aside selfish inter-

to take steps to reduce the likelihood

to launch. Remember that your desire

ests for the big picture. For pilots, the

thereof.

bigger, so it’s time for a little more

1. Add etiquette to your checklist.

borhoods and be careless. That can

focus to be placed on this ever-more-

Perennial U.S. Hang Gliding Champion

cause a problem for local communities.

essential but ever-less-emphasized

Zac Majors insists that etiquette

When you’re the visiting pilot and race

skill set.

begins long before you even arrive at

through the neighborhood once, you

As free flight becomes more popular, and the numbers and size of our

the launch. “First, do your online research on the

think nothing of it, but the community will see those bumper stickers and say,

launch sites decline, we can expect to

site and see what rules are already set

‘There goes another pilot. I thought

face ever-more-crowded hills before

down,” Zac says. “Find out where you

these guys said they were going to be

we even get into the ever-more-crowd-

need to go, who you’ll need to talk to

better about that!’ I know you’ve been

ed sky. Add to that the fact that a lot

in order to sign specific site waivers,

driving fast for the last hour and a half,

of schools don’t treat site etiquette as

and what you need to do to join a site-

but remember to slow down as you get

part of the curriculum, and you have

specific club.

close to the neighborhood that adjoins

a flurry of frustrating interactions

“Even as you’re on the way to the

just waiting to happen. The stress of

site,” he continues, “you need to think

a verbal scuffle before launching will

about site etiquette. This is important

BELOW Launching Marshall

to take off does not mean that you have the right to speed through neigh-

“big picture” just keeps getting—well—

| photo by Jonathan Dietch.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

the takeoff and landing zones.” The moment you arrive, look for clear indicators of the rules of the

road, like posted signage, and take a

people will be happy to give it freely,

moment to read it. At that point, look

but there will be others who won’t.

for an area to prepare your equipment where you won’t be blocking or

“Especially if the signage is unclear,”

3. Make “how the other half lives” your business. It’s a rare pilot indeed who regularly

he continues, “your goal is to make

flies both a hang glider and a paraglider, but it’s an everyday occurrence that

inhibiting other pilots in their process.

sure you won’t jeopardize the site by

In order to determine this, you’ll be

doing something that would seem OK

the two free-flight disciplines share a

discovering who is out there and what

anywhere else but isn’t acceptable

single launch.

they’re doing—which is the first step

here. To do that, ask about the par-

towards proper launch etiquette.

ticulars of good or bad conditions that

USHPA director-at-large Jamie Shelden wants to make that neigh-

might not be obvious, such as where

borly relationship more educated and,

magazine editor and US Team Pilot,

you are and are not allowed to land

well, friendlier. In the course of her

Nick Greece. “Whenever I go to a new

and whether there are any ‘hot’ LZs

uniquely extensive travel, she and her

site I find a local and ask them what

with unfriendly landowners.”

“Don’t be afraid to ask,” says USHPA

hang glider have seen more than their

the normal setup, break down, and

If the launch is demanding and

launch and landing patterns of the

you’re the least-experienced pilot,

could benefit from a little more cross-

site are. I then confirm that with what

you’ll want to know about the charac-

disciplinary knowledge.

I am seeing, or ask another local if my

teristics of the launch, before you’re

mental image of the site makes sense.”

stuck in the middle of the hill like

but I only started going to paragliding

a deer in the proverbial headlights,

comps the summer before last,” Jamie

pare your equipment where you won’t

while the pilots around you get more

explains. “It frankly amazed me how

be blocking or inhibiting other pilots

and more irritated as useful-for-them

differently paragliders launch versus

in their process. In order to determine

cycles come and go.

At that point, look for an area to pre-

this, you’ll be discovering who is out

share of chaotic sites, most of which

“I learned to fly hang gliders in 1991,

how we launch. You can have 30 paraglider pilots spread out across a hill

there and what they’re doing—which is the first step towards proper launch etiquette.

2. Get ready to be friendly. Especially for those introverts among us, the social aspect of a crowded launch can be daunting. The prospect of meeting new people can be even more nail-biting than a tricky launch, but you’ll need to put on your best social-butterfly face when you meet other pilots. On a busy hill, it’s a necessary evil. If this is a site you haven’t visited before, the onus is on you to introduce yourself to more experienced pilots in order to learn about peculiarities of the launch. “Start by reading the website and the signage,” Zac insists, “and try to limit your questions to items that aren’t already set out there. You have to be keenly aware that the pilot you approach at the site is likely not being paid to be your site-instruction person. You are asking for their time. Plenty of

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

who just start popping up and running

just hapless PG pilots who get in the

off at the same time. They’re so close

way; it’s fellow HG pilots, too.

together— not even one meter apart.

by Jonathan Dietch.

“Be very careful about where you place your glider to set it up,” Jamie

5. Ready to go? Let ‘em know.

cautions. “If 10 guys are there who

If you’re a paragliding pilot, and

look as if their gliders are mostly as-

you’ve done your gear checks and are

scene can fall into, hang gliding is

sembled and ready to go, they are obvi-

confident you’ll be able to launch on

noticeably more disciplined. Hang

ously going to launch earlier than you.

your first or second attempt, congratu-

gliders have lanes. If there’s more than

Don’t set up in front of them and force

lations! You’re clear to proceed to the

one, you can expect the launch lanes

them to have to try to get around you

launch. Bundle up your attached wing

to sit side-by-side but separated, and

to launch. You should set up farther

and proceed to the border of the stag-

you’ll never see both lanes launch at

back.”

That never happens with hang gliders!” As opposed to the catch-as-catchcan chaos that the paragliding launch

the same time. “Even if everyone is lined up in two different lanes,” Jamie explains, “the guy on the right-hand lane will pick up

ing area to signal that you’re ready to go. (Bonus: Bundling prevents an ac-

4. Have everything ready for a long flight and ready to go. “I have all of my instruments on and set

cidental inflation.) Don’t actually leave staging, however, until you spot an open space for you to take off.

and go, and then the guy on the left. It’s

up, cameras on and rolling if I’m flying

very orderly.”

with them, gloves on, and all my pre-

pared and fully focused on having a

6. Enjoy the freedom of being pre-

Because paragliding pilots are not

flight checks completed before I unfurl

fun and successful launch! Launching

constrained by those strict character-

my wing on launch. That way I can lay

is one of the most exciting parts of

istic conventions, the responsibility is

out, focus, pull up and launch without

flying as you get to leave the ground

theirs to take note of the hang gliding

any delays,” says Nick Greece. He con-

behind. Enjoy every launch and if

infrastructure when arriving at a new

tinues, “When I go to a new site and am

you’re not, that is a good thing to focus

site. To do so: Find the HG setup area

stuck behind someone on launch who

on in terms of your training moving

and determine the launch lanes. And

is still fine-tuning their equipment,

forward.

don’t set up in the way. Instead, stay

turning on instruments, or asking if

clear of the launch, until you’re confi-

the red dot is flashing on their GoPro, I

process. It’s helpful for paragliding

dent you’ll be able to launch on your

am usually concerned for their safety.

pilots to recognize when a hang gliding

first or second attempt.

This is very often the first sign that a

pilot is moving toward an imminent

blown launch is on the menu.”

launch (and is going to be carving a

It’s important to note that it’s not

ABOVE Photo

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

HG pilots, of course, have a different

fast-moving path directly through the launch area). “We generally set up on launch with

ness is the best way forward. “Just be up-front,” Zac suggests. “Tell your neighbors, ‘I’m new to this site so

the tail of the glider leading toward

I might take a little longer.’ That might

the launch,” Jamie Sheldon explains.

give someone else the opportunity

“When it’s time to go, a hang glider pilot will pick up his glider and turn it 180

they’re looking for to play through.” No matter what: Polite, respectful,

degrees into the wind. At that point,

proactive interactions get the best

you can be fairly certain he’s going to

results.

launch.” Watch for the signs and don’t bumble into that pointy path.

8. Don’t make defeat a big deal. After all: For paraglider pilots, on

6. Think before you kite.

launch defeat is temporary. Don’t hog

If you’re keen to kite, keep your head

the hill as you make a drawn-out last

on a swivel.

stand against the conditions, getting

“If you want to pull up and kite for a

dragged willy-nilly through the crowd.

bit before flying—or you want to kite

If you’re unsuccessful in your first

after landing—just make sure it’s not

two launch attempts, gather up your

causing a problem,” Zac suggests. “Lots

wing in a ball and head back to the

of times it’s totally OK and encouraged,

staging area to think about the errors

but sometimes, it’s not. I’m thinking in

that kept you down. This has two

particular about situations when PG

benefits. First, other pilots will have

pilots kite on launch without realizing

a chance to step in and launch, while

that launch is also top-landable, and

you break down your attempts and

people would be top-landing if others

examine the techniques they demon-

weren’t kiting. Also, kiting in active

strate. Secondly, it gives you time to

bi-wingual landing zones can have

get a little mentorship: You can ask the

huge potential for non-polite, and even

more experienced locals in the staging

dangerous, behavior as the paraglider

area for their best advice. “ If I’m in this

pilot often cannot see hang gliders

position I take a seat, have some water,

who have to land.”

maybe some food and practice a little meditation to do a full reset. Then I

7. Don’t be too polite. “Every once in awhile,” Jamie says,

imagine I’m going to launch for the first time again and nail it,” says Nick.

“you’ll come across a pilot on launch who’s nervous, or uncomfortable with

9. Let it be simple.

conditions, and freezing up. They’ll

At the end of the day, we don’t really

just stand there, picking up the glider

need an article to talk about launch

and putting it back down again, while

etiquette. There’s only a handful of

you’re thinking, ‘This is perfect! What

people in the world that understand

are you waiting for?!’ If you find your-

what you’re going through on launch

self in that situation, you can be direct

and they are the best support network

about it in a friendly way. Just say ‘If

out there. Just like driving a car, if ev-

you don’t mind, I’d like to go around

eryone chips in and is nice and works

you and go ahead. I liked that last cycle.

together, all traffic woes and troubles

Then I’ll be out of your way, so you can

are negated. Think of the folks on the

take your time and get the cycle that

hill as the teammates they are, and

you really want.’”

treat them as you wish to be treated. In

If you are that newer (or less-confident) pilot, the same straightforward-

Former USHGA member Mark Woodhams tells the inside story of how the sport started and spread across the world. He shows how crosscountry ﬂight developed both in the US and the UK, and how glider performance changed so dramatically. This new type of eBook contains text, photos and original video. Download it to your iPad or Kindle tablet for about $11.40.

the end, everyone will have more fun, and enjoy safer times ahead.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

Easy Flyer by Jeff Shapiro

asy flying: Is there such a thing? I mean...unde-

flight. Prone, supine, seated, or a mix of all—it’s all flying,

niably, the genre of hang gliders designed for

and in the end, that freedom and choice makes whichever

introduction into our sport has been slowly and

path gets us into the sky valid. It’s true that the innovation

incrementally improved over the years, resulting in a

and development of equipment we use has been directly

modern single-surface hang glider that’s both easier to fly

proportional to safety and accessibility but, the pure joy of

and much, much more forgiving of the errors a beginner

flight—the dream that has us looking to share time with

is bound to make. However, learning to hang glide can

birds in the wide open sky—is also driven by our imagina-

still be an intimidating process for some. Terms like “head

tion and personal expression.

first” and “high speed” are often spoken during discussions I’ve had with people who were reluctant to get involved. During the last quarter of a century, I’ve had the privi-

So, being a passionate pilot who is empathetic to those who are uninitiated yet interested, when I first saw photos of Wills Wing’s new “Easy Flyer,” I was intrigued. I had questions. Flying prone, or what might be referred to

lege to see our sport practiced in many ways. Both glider

as “conventional” hang gliding, was my first love of sorts. I

and harness design have not only evolved for gains in

naturally gravitated toward the “why” relative to this con-

performance and handling, but also to express the indi-

figuration and wanted to learn more about the experience

viduality that’s such a common trait in all forms of free

in this new and interesting frame. Was it actually easier?

LEFT Mike Meier coming in for a landing in San Bernadino where Wills Wing does their testing. ABOVE Wolfgang Seiss

flashing a little new school style after thermaling up over Marshall's top launch.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

ABOVE Zac Majors

taking on fluids while keeping two feet on the controls.

For years, I’ve been a proponent of wheel landings while doing commercial tandems as a way to virtually remove

In the air, soaring performance is excellent, and control

all dangers associated with getting a non-pilot or new

requires less effort, and is more intuitive than when flying

student to the ground without incident so, the landing

prone; control forces are lighter and, unlike when flying

made perfect sense. But what about launching? What, if

prone, there is no need to control any tendency of the pilot’s

anything, would be changed while in the air?

body to yaw. The flying position is very comfortable, with no

First, I read Wills Wing’s press release about their new product:

strain on the neck or back. After seeing the photos and reading the above descrip-

Under development at Wills Wing (USA) since January

tion, I still had questions. So, I decided to ask the designer

of this year, the EASY FLYER is a light-weight tricycle gear

of the Easy Flyer, Steve Pearson, and one of his partners at

frame mated to a hang glider, with the pilot suspended from

Wills Wing, Mike Meier, to tell me more about their new

the glider in a seated/supine harness. Unlike a conventional “trike” configuration, the Easy Flyer carriage is fixed to the glider, and the pilot swings fore and

product. But, I also wanted further perspective from pilots of varying skill sets and levels of experience. I wanted to learn more about what it’s like to pilot the Easy Flyer from

aft, and side to side above the carriage for pitch and roll

the “everyday pilot” point of view. For that, I was lucky

control.

enough to interview Dave Aldrich. I know Dave to be an

As a result of this configuration, launching is greatly

avid hang glider pilot whose passion about sharing the

simplified, as the wings level attitude of the glider, and the

experience of free flight through epic photography and

proper pitch attitude and angle of attack for launch and

his own beautifully shot films has turned into working

landing, are fixed by the attachment of the glider to the car-

full time at Wills Wing as Director of Marketing. I also

riage. Rolling launches from a slope, or from level ground with

wheels.

interviewed Kelsey Pearson. Kelsey is the smart and talented daughter of Steve and Lisa Pearson. Although she’s

an aerotow assist, are almost trivially easy, with no need to

been around hang gliding her whole life and did tandems

lift and balance the glider, and no need to run. Landings are

with Steve at age eight, she started flying solo when she

equally easy—just round out after approach, let the glider

was 17. Now 22, she has recently had the opportunity to

go to trim, and allow it to touch down and roll out on the

try the Easy Flyer both at the training hill and in the skies

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

above Andy Jackson Airpark. Lastly, I spoke with aviation

ing gear mounted on the control bar would have been sim-

legend, Mark “Forger” Stucky, who has flown everything

pler to develop but it’s inherently directionally unstable,

from F-16s to the famed SR71. Forger left the Marine Corps

and would require active steering to follow the tug until

in 1993 to accept a job as a NASA research pilot with NASA

takeoff. The Quicksilver-type structure is just too compli-

Johnson Space Center. At JSC, he served as an aerospace

cated, high-drag and hard to adapt to different wings.

research pilot with primary duties as an instructor pilot

I didn’t anticipate the potential of the EasyFlyer for con-

for NASA Space Shuttle astronauts in the T-38 and the

ventional slope-launched hang gliding until we took it to

highly modified Gulfstream-II Shuttle Training Aircraft

the training hill just before Wallaby demo days. Learning

(STA). Needless to say, his perspective was one I was inter-

to hang glide is difficult because you have to learn so

ested in.

many things at the same time. The most difficult skill

JS: Steve, can you give me a brief synopsis of the Easy Flyer concept?

Steve Pearson: The origin of the EasyFlyer was

is coordinating pitch and roll simultaneously (with yaw interaction). In most other activities like paragliding, you are only challenged with one-axis control. Learning “left-

Malcolm Jones asking me to adapt a “Quicksilver-type”

right” is so much easier than “left-right-in-out,” especially

carriage to a hang glider. “EasyFlyer” was also one of

when the aircraft response is so sensitive, non-uniform

Malcolm’s suggestions for a name. Malcolm was op-

and varies with airspeed. If that isn’t challenging enough,

posed to both trike-type configurations and suprone

you have to balance an awkward 60-pound structure

adaptations of the conventional tandem-aerotow gear.

on your shoulders at precisely the right pitch-roll-yaw

Unpowered versions of trikes have been around for a long

attitude and commit to charging head-first down a steep

time (and been aerotowed at WW demo days) and while

slope on the command of your instructor.

they work for experienced pilots, they have limitations

The EasyFlyer changes all of that! You start seated with

associated with a gimballed wing mounted high off the

a familiar attitude and sight-picture. You don’t have to

ground. A suprone adaptation of aerotow-tandem caster-

pick anything up, set the attitude for take-off or worry

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

ABOVE David Aldrich flying in

very smooth air.

about running fast enough, tripping or dropping the bar.

to an all-round fun configuration for recreational soaring.

The static pendulum position of the pilot is perfect for

We still have to develop a quick-breakdown configura-

take-off, trim and landing. It seems like fewer control

tion of the carriage structure to make that last applica-

inputs are required because your center of mass is more

tion more practical but it seems like the potential for the

localized and closely coupled to your arms in the seated

EasyFlyer configuration is much broader than any of us

position so there’s no tendency of your body to swing

anticipated.

around or twist when applying roll control. The pitch authority is comparable to prone but the natural position of your arms on the control bar limits the tendency to make

independently and relative to the standard prone flight

inadvertent control inputs. Altogether the experience is

configuration for hang glider pilots, old and new?

super easy and fun—like a zip line with roll control. With all of those advantages, my initial thoughts were

JS: Mike, can you tell me how you think the Easy Flyer will contribute to the “hang gliding experience,” both

Mike Meier: The Easy Flyer is still relatively early in the development and testing phase, so it’s hard to anticipate

how helpful the EasyFlyer would be for transitioning to

precisely how the final product will contribute to the

conventional hang gliding. When we took the EasyFlyer

hang gliding experience. A few things are immediately ap-

to Wallaby right after that initial training-hill flight, I in-

parent, however. Launching becomes much, much easier

tended to have Oliver tow me to low altitude behind a golf

due to the fact that there is no need to lift and balance the

cart but everything seemed so comfortable and familiar

glider, no need to set and hold the wings-level attitude, no

that we proceeded straight to aerotow. That experience

need to set the pitch attitude, and no need to run. Landing

was about as easy and uneventful as I could have hoped

becomes much easier because there is no need to flare, (or

for. On my next flight, I had the opportunity to soar the

time the flare) no need to run, and no chance of nosing

EasyFlyer in light scrappy thermals and was just having a

over. (You do need a relatively smooth landing surface).

ball. Back home, we all started soaring the EasyFlyer with

In flight, roll control is easier and more intuitive because

both Falcon and Alpha wings and we’ve been surprised

you don’t have to deal with the tendency for the body to

that the performance seems comparable to prone. To date,

rotate in yaw that a prone pilot experiences. And, the

these experiences have evolved our expectations from a

seated position offers increased comfort, especially for

specialized aerotow carriage to an effective training tool

pilots who may have neck or back problems.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

“The goal of the Easy Flyer project is to expand the scope of the demographic for which hang gliding is feasible, and to which hang gliding might be attractive.” JS: Is there a specific wing or type of flying the Easy

if the wind goes tail on short final, you’re just going to float and roll a little farther.

Flyer is designed for?

MM: The goal of the Easy Flyer project is to expand the

The Easy Flyer will be available initially as a complete

scope of the demographic for which hang gliding is fea-

system, with a carriage mated to either a Falcon 4 or an

sible, and to which hang gliding might be attractive. There

Alpha, and including both the glider and the harness.

are two limitations to the Easy Flyer: You need a relatively

The possibility exists to adapt the concept to other glider

smooth launch area and a relatively smooth landing area.

models, but that is not within the immediate scope of the

Some foot-launchable or foot-landable sites will not be

project as it stands at this time.

suitable. But if those two conditions are met, then any-

JS: Dave, being that you’re a technically savvy dude, tell

thing you would do in a hang glider you can do in an Easy

me about the configuration and some of the technical as-

Flyer. It’s hard to exaggerate how much of a difference it

pects of the frame, suspension and wheels. In other words,

makes in the flying experience to know that you’re going

give me the “lowdown” on the Easy Flyer: how it’s made,

to be launching and landing on wheels. Especially land-

what it’s made from, how it sets up.

ing—when you think about coming in to a landing area

Dave Aldrich: No problem! The Easy Flyer is construct-

on a hot, still day, where there is no predominant ambient

ed in house of aluminum with steel gear legs. All parts are

wind, and the wind speed and direction can be expected

CNC machined at Wills Wing. The Easy Flyer attaches to

to change from moment to moment as the thermals break

the downtube corner brackets and to the rear keel of the

off and move through, the idea of executing a foot landing

glider. These attachments fix the glider to the ideal angle

can be very intimidating even for the most skilled and ex-

of attack for flight, so all the pilot has to do to take off is

perienced pilots. Landing on wheels, it just doesn’t matter;

sit there. It’s a tricycle landing-gear configuration with an

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“I have unusually long legs for my height and it was a bit awkward to decide where to put my feet and how to properly use them.” eight-inch, steerable nose wheel and 10-inch main wheels.

initially flew seated but quickly transitioned to prone. I

The pre-production model weighs 29 lbs (in addition to

have only flown a few hang glider flights over the last few

the weight of the glider.) You set it up by first attaching the

years and they have all been prone but I’ve been wanting

basetube truss/beam assembly like you normally would

to try suprone because I thought it would be more com-

with a basetube. Then, flip the glider over and spread the

fortable, more enjoyable, and afford better crash protec-

wings and tension. Then attach the main gear/mast as-

tion. The Easy Flyer has a castering nose wheel that is

sembly. The current version requires a few tools to assem-

foot steerable and is a simple setup similar to a sled (push

ble and thus isn’t ideal (setup-breakdown) for mountain

forward with your right foot and the nose wheel steers

flying, but eventually it will be a quick affair anywhere

left). This is opposite to how conventional aircraft are

you might be flying. Currently, it’s more intended for flight

mechanized, where a right-rudder pedal input steers the

schools that will leave them assembled in hangars. Future

nose wheel to the right. Since I have thousands of hours in

versions will, for sure, be “tool-less” to assemble.

conventional aircraft I was worried that a sudden need for

JS: Do you need a ramp to launch the Easy Flyer and if so, what specs are required?

DA: Most slopes that are used to foot launch should work with the Easy Flyer, with the only caveat that the

so I made a special effort to mentally chair-fly the corrections immediately before launching. (I do the same thing before reverse launching my paraglider when I haven’t

slope should be relatively smooth and free of long grass,

been flying regularly.) I launched from the long wooden

bushes and rocks. You just need the Easy Flyer to roll

ramp atop the Marshall site, which is relatively narrow

smoothly down the hill. Pretty much any launch ramp

and plenty steep. I put enough thought into this that it

designed for foot launching should work well as long as

went quite well and was not an issue but if I was going

the ramp is wide enough to accommodate the main gear

to fly the Easy Flyer regularly I would either want some

span of 60 inches.

way to lock the rear wheels to prevent the glider from

JS: Hey Kelsey! I heard that you’ve had your first few flights on the Easy Flyer at the training hill and AJX! That’s

rolling or else install some kind of hold back and release mechanism in the wooden ramp. Thus I could commence

awesome! Can you tell me about your experience and your

the launch roll with my feet on the steering bar and the

first impressions of the flying position and control frame?

nose-wheel centered. The steering during the takeoff

Kelsey Pearson: I’ve never flow seated before and it was definitely different, but it wasn’t as disorienting as I expected it to be. It was very fun, comfortable, and easy to fly.

roll was not difficult and the rotation and lift-off were straightforward. I have unusually long legs for my height and it was a bit

It was easy to control the direction of the takeoff, even on

awkward to decide where to put my feet and how to prop-

uneven ground. I wish the Easy Flyer had been out when

erly use them. Initially I thought that I should be resting

I had my hip surgeries because I would have been able to

my feet on the nose-wheel steering bar and using my legs

keep flying!

for most of the pitch and roll control. In the end, just let-

JS: Tell me about launching the Easy Flyer and about landing it, relative to safety and accessibility.

KP: The Easy Flyer definitely took away a lot of the

ting my legs lie over the struts and using mainly my arms for control seemed to work best. One of the nice things about the suprone configura-

anxiety of having a perfect takeoff and landing. It’s pretty

tion is there was no tendency for my body to yaw about.

hard to screw it up. Even though we were flying in some-

I see a lot of YouTube videos of prone pilots straining to

what gusty conditions, or when I accidentally pushed out

turn without realizing they are cross controlling with

because I’m used to flaring, I definitely felt more secure

their torso going in the intended direction but their legs

than foot landing because the worst outcome is bouncing

and feet going opposite. Roll control in the Easy Flyer

a little.

was straightforward, although sometimes in steep turns

JS: Mark, you’ve flown all kinds of aircraft from para-

I found myself using my feet a bit to augment the pitch

gliders to space ships. Tell me about what it’s like to fly the

control. I’m sure that I’d learn even better techniques with

Easy Flyer.

a bit more flight time.

Mark “Forger” Stucky: I began hang gliding in ‘74 and

a steering input might initially be in the wrong direction,

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

JS: How do you think this way to fly a hang glider makes

it more accessible, fun, safe, etc. for pilots interested in

teo and how it affects us is the same. The way we interact

flying their hang gliders in this “new” configuration?

with lift, map thermals and make decisions as pilots to

MS: The Easy Flyer is a unique configuration that I feel

navigate the sky all derive from the exact same principles.

will have a niche application for flight parks and similar

The only difference between a hang glider and a para-

locations where you do not have to assemble your glider

glider is the vehicle, how we operate that vehicle and the

prior to flight and disassemble it for transport home at

vehicle’s limitations. As one example, a hang glider and a

the end of the day. Even if the production model has quick

paraglider might have to be safely piloted with different

setup and breakdown provisions, it will still mostly be

considerations relative to wind speed, but the consider-

particularly attractive to those that truly long to fly in a

ation of wind speed relative to the aircraft we’re flying is

relaxing manner and either do not want to foot launch or

the same. Make sense?

have a site that gives them the luxury of not having to foot launch or land.

How does this apply to the Easy Flyer? Well, along with making learning to hang glide less complicated in some ways and more accessible and arguably safer in other

fter all this discussion about the new Easy Flyer,

ways, this is just another way for those of us called to the

I’m left with a few very solidified impressions.

sky to learn more, experience more, to break the chains of

These impressions are also influenced by the

limitations and to escape into another world that is “free

fact that in the last few years, I’ve also become an avid

flight.” If the Easy Flyer is a way for us to roll into the sky,

and passionate paraglider pilot. One of the first things I

laugh our guts out in a comfortable and safe configura-

realized after becoming “bi-wingual” is that 75% of flying

tion that’s accessible to people of all abilities, and then roll

hang gliders and paragliders is, actually, exactly the same.

safely back to Earth, given the question: Would you have

The airmass and how we interact with it is the same. The

any interest in trying and flying Wills Wing’s Easy Flyer?

hazards and where they lie are the same. The micro-me-

the answer is, for me, indeed a huge, Yes, please!!

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

Yearling Notes by CALEF LETORNEY

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

or the last eight seasons I’ve been helping novice

You don’t know what you don’t know: In psychology,

pilots fly in the mountains of Vermont. Along the

the “Dunning- Kruger effect” describes the dual burden

way I have picked up a few concepts that I think

presented by a lack of expertise. The first burden is

most yearlings could benefit from thinking about. While

simple: You don’t know what you’re doing, so you’re

some of these ideas are my own, I largely offer an amal-

bound to have huge “areas of improvement.” This is

gamation of prior information for the current audience.

true of nearly every task and especially when emulating

From attitude adjustments to technical advice, here are a

avians. The second burden is an insidious one: The lack-

few things I like to share with yearlings: Play the long game: Let’s agree up front having a long,

ing expertise is precisely what is required to evaluate performance. This explains why not infrequently I wit-

fun, safe flying career is all that matters. Nobody cares

ness a terrifying launch/landing/flight plan/whatever

how long you soar. You can impress your flying buddies

and the pilot later tells me how good they thought it was.

by not doing anything scary. The rest of the world thinks

If you’re not an expert, you’re not qualified to judge per-

we are nut jobs with a death wish; let’s prove them

formance. In Slide: The Avalanche Podcast, Doug Krause

wrong.

describes this as the “too stupid to know how stupid you

Make friends: Paragliding instructors are invaluable

are” phenomenon. He points out “if you have poor gram-

and should not be skimped on for P-0s through P-2s,

mar, you can’t really recognize that it is poor without an

maneuvers training, and when flying in new and chal-

understanding of what correct grammar is. Knowing

lenging environments… but it’s the yearling’s job to wean

how good you are requires the same skills as being good.”

off instruction. Nothing helps ease the transition like

The best way to combat this dangerous knowledge gap is

getting in with an awesome crew. Your flock will help

to seek feedback from experts. Good feedback should be

you pick flying days and decide when it’s appropriate

constructive, but it’s got to be critical. Doug explains this

to launch. Be a good team member by doing your own

comically and eloquently in Slide: The Avalanche Podcast,

forecasting, showing up on time, and always make your own decisions. Feed and hydrate your flock and they may share some secrets. Ask questions. Don’t argue or be defensive when receiving criticism. As long as you are justifying yourself, you’re not learning. Nobody likes playing “rescue the rookie” (especially not the rookie), so be extra conservative when flying with your new friends. Never lose focus on landing: Landing is literally inevitable. Nobody will look down on you for sinking out, but the opposite holds true if you soar your way into the trees. “Dirting” first is the plight of the yearling; do it with humility and grace. Pay your dues and you’ll get yours, I promise. Conditions are everything: When it comes to flying bag-wings, fun is largely a function of the weather. Never forget that conditions change dramatically throughout the day, based on solar heating. For much of the USA, you should not fly in the middle of the day until you’re a rock star. In New England, I try to launch P-2s before 11:15 and again after 4:30. Every place and every day are different, so don’t be surprised to see nuclear conditions at 10:00 a.m. in the desert. P-3s can work the margins a bit more, but some of the meanest air can be found on the transition from the morning preheat to midday.

ABOVE Calef Letorney showing off the view at Mont Yamaska, Quebec, one of the sites where he teaches soaring and XC flying. OPPOSITE The author, Calef, playing around in front of launch at Burke Mt., Vermont. Photos by Ryan Dunn.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

LEFT Paul Somerset flying tandem at W. Rutland, Vermont | photo by Ryan Dunn. OPPOSITE TOP The author on glide in New England. BOTTOM Launching. The most critical part of every flight as it is the first time one leave the ground.

prioritizing other tasks ahead of piloting. We must learn to carve smooth, efficient turns in the sky, obeying what Kelly Farina describes as “the Golden Rule” in his book, Mastering Paragliding, by not needlessly turning our height into speed. Dial in your control in calm air, because turbulent air is more challenging and mistakes have bigger consequences. You can’t fake “active piloting”: Turbulent air requires active piloting to keep the glider flying smoothly and efficiently. I think of active piloting as two tasks: pressure management and pitch control. Pressure management is all about catching and preventing collapses. You simply maintain a gentle pressure. I prefer the weight of hanging my hands in a ½ wrap. When you passively hang the weight of your arms, your hands will float up and down like shock absorbers. You can prevent collapses by recognizing a sharp decrease in pressure, stabbing your hand down until you feel it again, and letting up equally fast. In general, pressure management is intuitive, but pitch control takes a lot more practice. I think of pitch control as a four-step cycle. 1) Recognize what the glider is doing. This is best observed with peripheral vision on the risers and swing set sensation in your harness. 2) Decide what the glider needs. If the risers go back and you feel yourself getting pushed forward on the swing set, then go hands up. When the risers dive forward, and you are going back on the swing set, then you need to catch the surge with brakes. 3) Give the appropriate input. Bigger and faster glider movements will require a bigger and faster response. 4) Evaluate effectiveness. And repeat. Run those four steps over and over as fast as you can. The faster you respond, the smaller your movements can be, the smoother your piloting. Don’t get too hung up on where the glider is; it’s where the glider is going that matters. Even if it’s a little which is a masters class in our brain’s capacity to make

behind you, if the momentum is rocketing forward, you

bad decisions and tools to fight back.

need to start catching the surge well before it reaches

Spook early and often: Most bad situation can be

does the need for active piloting. The goal is to make

avoid. This includes the decision to not launch. Be “quick

the conditions look smooth by keeping your glider right

on the uptake” to changes in conditions and developing

where you want it. Most expert pilots can judge active

situations. Dial your wing control: If you’re anything like me, your first flights were herky-jerky, aided by erroneously

the ideal stopping point. As the conditions get bigger, so

avoided if you spot them early enough and choose to

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

piloting skills from a half-mile away, so ask your friends how you are doing. The party is out front: We need to end the dangerous

fallacy that scratching at the hill is the best way to catch

In addition to being productive, pushing out front is

a thermal. If you launch into a thermal or find lift on the

always the safe choice, as it gives more ground clear-

first pass across the hill, of course, you should work it.

ance and puts you closer to the LZ, so unforeseen sink

But if you are sinking, take your search upwind (towards

and headwind wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t interfere with your ability to make

the thermal sources) instead of wasting altitude looking

it home for dinner. For all these reasons, my XC adven-

in the same places for a second or third time. Imagine a

tures typically start with finding a thermal out front and

3D line that connects the thermal source (field, often LZ)

coring it continuously to 501â&#x20AC;&#x2122; below cloudbase.

to the top of the mountain or the obvious thermal trigger.

Make decisions based on yourself: Experienced pilots

When you get below that line, you are not likely to find the thermal again, until you push upwind and connect with the line closer to the source. Keep in mind that sink on the mountain is often the result of a thermal cracking off upwind. Many P-2s are hesitant to look for thermals upwind of the LZ, because it resembles going out to land. Forget that thinking; flying out front is not giving up on soaring. In fact, the strongest thermals are often a little bit out front, because they drift downwind less often than weak thermals. When you push away from the hill, you gain ground altitude, so the thermals have more height to coalesce, which is another reason that thermals found out front are often better. An added benefit of snagging a thermal out front is that you can stick with it for much, much longer before you need to worry about your drift behind the mountain.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

will make the nastiest air look smooth, so somebody

way to improve your piloting. And kiting is fun, so make

you. Constantly judge your decisions and required safety

a habit of kiting as much as possible.

margin based on your own skills and equipment. Age, aptitude, and other experiences matter, so make your own decisions. Just because it worked does not make it a good idea: We face so many low-probability, high-consequence

Frequency matters, so protect your flying days: It’s no secret that pilots who fly frequently progress in fewer flights/hours than pilots who fly infrequently. New England gets so much rain and wind that it’s a relatively difficult place to progress. If your home is similarly

events that most bad decisions result in… nothing. Don’t

afflicted, your best option is to travel. Place a strong

let the absence of negative outcomes trick you into think-

emphasis on consistency (how often it is flyable) when

ing a risky decision is worth repeating. Normalizing

picking travel destinations. You can increase your local

risky decisions, even something with a 99% success rate,

flying by consciously guarding all potential flying days.

will eventually catch up with you. Novice and master

Get your chores done when it’s blown out. Be non-com-

pilots alike, we all need to remain honest with ourselves

mittal to non-essential social events. When I get invited

and engage in self-reflection. Remember that a lot of bad

to a BBQ on a Saturday afternoon, I don’t miss a beat in

decisions result in great flying, but that doesn’t make the

saying: “Thanks so much for the invite! I have tentative

bad decision a good one. Everybody wants to fly, but nobody wants to put in the

plans to go paragliding that day... but the weather probably won’t cooperate, so I’ll likely be there!” Tighten up

work: The best coaches recommend five kiting days to

your chore game and BBQ dodging skills and you could

each flying day. What’s your ratio? If you want to fly in

easily rack up another 20 hours per year without quit-

thermic conditions, you first need to be able to launch.

ting your day job to live in a Sprinter van.

If you find yourself aborting or having scary launches, BELOW Calef

you’re trying to fly above your skills. Kiting is the best

else flying does not necessarily make it a good idea for

Letorney, leaf peeping at Burke Mt., Vermont.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

Only launch into thermals if you intend to go up: Over

LEFT Calef Letorney showing off launch at W. Rutland, Vermont. BELOW Calef Letorney flying at Mont Yamaska, Quebec | photo by Ryan Dunn.

lence, it’s good to keep extra ground clearance. Remember, it’s not just the “turbulence” that can get you. You also need to watch out for soul-crushing sink and headwind. Peak climb rates are typically mirrored by peak sink rates, so don’t play near the terrain on days with strong lift. I will end this pontification by asking EVERYBODY to help make smart, conservative decisions. If you see your buddies pushing too hard, pump the brakes for them... because when somebody gets hurt, it affects us all. I humbly include myself in this request. So if you see me getting too wild or demonstrating areas that need improvement, I invite that feedback. the years, I have seen more than a few novice pilots launch between thermal cycles and then fly through lift, hoping for a “short, safe flight.” This move is all sorts of dangerous. If the air is too strong for you to comfortably soar, then the air is too strong for you. Don’t force yourself into a hot LZ: If you’ve launched and decide you don’t like the air, unless it is getting worse (before the peak of the day, clouds are overdeveloping, or there’s other new hazards coming into play), it’s generally not a great idea to force yourself into

Paul Somerset, Calef Letorney, and Ryan Dunn founded Paraglide New England in 2017. The three Vermont pilots have 45 years of combined paragliding experience. PGNE’s mission is to improve piloting skills across the northeastern USA by offering advanced mountain flying and soaring instruction, over-the-water maneuvers training via boat tow, and guided flying trips to some of the best flying destinations in the world. Visit www.PGNE. aero for more info.

a hot LZ. In this situation, it’s often best to try to relax, get as high as you can, and stay as far away from the ground as possible, until things mellow out. This is a great time to go XC towards better LZs. If you really want to get down, don’t force yourself into a hot LZ just because it is where you normally land. Instead, get high, fly somewhere with calm, sinking air, and core the sink into a new LZ. Adjust your ground clearance for the conditions. If you are at a new site and using unfamiliar equipment while experiencing strong thermals, big sink, wind, strong lift, and turbu-

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

34 HANG GLIDING &&PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE HANG GLIDING PARAGLIDING Magazine

HANG GLIDING 35 Ari Delashmutt in Iquique, Chile& PARAGLIDING | photo by MAGAZINE Chris Hoyte

SPEED FLYING A Primer to Ski Launching by BEN WHITE

inter is coming, meaning an onset of short days,

But to scratch that flying itch in

fly within bounds. This leaves the backcountry open, which requires

winter, some people take a sled ride or

knowledge of the tricky game of snow

Some of us have a lifestyle that allows

speed flight and launch on skis. The

travel and avalanche education. Ski-

us to migrate to warmer launches and

benefits of ski-launching are numer-

launching also necessitates an entirely

landings, chasing long days and lift

ous; it is a multi-faceted discipline with

different set of gear. Skis, boots, poles,

year-round. But most pilots stay put,

as much depth as any other discipline

avalanche gear, extra layers, gloves,

since many regions in the U.S. condu-

of flight. A newcomer can be easily

and everything else must be carefully

cive to flying are also great for skiing.

overwhelmed or simply not know what

selected, since you must consider

The Wasatch, Sawtooths, Tetons,

they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know.

how these interact with flying gear. In

cold weather, and snow.

Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and many

In order to fly down, one must start

terms of terrain, dealing with snow

areas of Colorado offer both great

up high. In the U.S., most ski resorts

rather than rocks, dirt, and shrubs is

paragliding and an abundance of snow

do not allow users to ride the lifts and

a beautiful double-edged sword. The

ABOVE Ben White

in the winter.

experiencing the magic moment between skiing powder and flying.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

ABOVE Zach

Carbo makes a smooth touchdown back to ski mode.

pros and cons of it can be discussed endlessly amongst enthusiasts, de-

with many more doors open. Skiing out the gate, taking a snow-

dynamic equationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;so dynamic that Montana State University offers gradu-

pending on the day and the weather.

mobile, or putting one foot in front of

ate degrees in snow science, and World

Snow can be just as dynamic as air, but

the other all expose us to unpatrolled

War II artillery is used to mitigate

it changes within hours, rather than

and uncontrolled territory. One of

avalanche risk along roads.

minutes.

the biggest cruxes to backcountry

An American Institute for Avalanche

skiing is travel in avalanche terrain.

Research and Education (AIARE) Level

Park City Mountain offer lift access to

Launching and landing can potentially

1 avalanche class could be considered

backcountry gates with great flights,

trigger a slide, but the journey up is

comparable to a P-2, in that it provides

but all of these involve backcountry

also hazardous. Just as in when one is

the user with enough knowledge to

travel skills. Vail Pass in Colorado is

in the air, being on one side of a ridge

begin to venture out into the world,

known to be a reasonable place to

can produce different consequences

but the intricacies of weather and

practice ski launching with the use of

than being on the other side. Gullies,

snow take a lifetime to learn, just like

a snowmobile for repeated laps, but

rollovers, cliff bands and other terrain

paragliding. According to the Colorado

requires a friend with a sled to spend

features all come with their own set

Avalanche Information Center, the U.S.

the day shuttling you up the hill. Very

of problems. The combination of the

has averaged 29 avalanche deaths per

limited options for mechanized trans-

weather of the day and the way the

year in the past 10 years. It is highly

port to the top of the hill leave earning

snow has accumulated in layers over

recommended that somebody seeking

airtime by foot a much easier pursuit,

time during the season results in a

their first ski-launching adventures

Jackson Hole, Aspen Highlands, and

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

les can snag lines during setup or inflation if not managed properly, causing frustration at best, or a botched launch and injury at worst. Using the buddy system to double check where lines are on launch and make sure that everything is as clean as possible is incredibly valuable. In flight, the added weight of skis can produce an unwanted pendulum effect, especially during highly banked turns and barrel rolls. ABOVE Brian Clark

executes a perfect forward launch on skis.

Having the sleekest, most compact, easy-to-use gear in the world doesn’t

take nothing less than an avalanche

for avalanche survival.

matter if the user does not know how

The added gear for winter travel

to use it proficiently. Some of the un-

the interpretation of information

also adds a huge amount of complex-

initiated have been heard saying, “I

about snow, and terrain choices.

ity. Many hike-and-fly harnesses are

only need to ski for a hundred feet;

Information on where to take these

self-contained enough for summer

then I’ll be in the air and just fine,”

classes can be found by looking up

travel, but adding a shovel, probe, ski

much to the chagrin of more experi-

your local avalanche information cen-

poles, a wing and everything else often

enced pilots. They’re not wrong, and

ter’s website. The perils of avalanches

exceeds the capacity of a reversible

they might even get away with it a few

are intimidating enough, but flying

hike-and fly-harness. Ski poles and/or

times, before they realize that being

adds an additional factor: In the event

an ice axe strapped to the back of a bag

an expert skier first has many advan-

of a slide, a wing and set of lines can

can potentially interfere with inflation

tages. The most obvious benefit is that

potentially act as an anchor or inhibit

and the wing’s coming overhead. Ski

if flying is not an option, the best and

some of the best-practice techniques

tips and tails, bindings and boot buck-

most efficient way back to the car is to

course that covers decision-making,

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

show them the subtleties in exchange for burritos at the end of the day is the most viable option. Those who have the skills are the only ones who can give them away, and seeking mentorship can be daunting, when comparatively so few people ski launch, and very few of those who do want to exclusively teach. Regularly foot launching with people who ski launch, being enthusiastic about learning, and making it easy for them to impart their knowledge will pay itself back in spades. Nobody knows everything, and ski. Much of the terrain that is prime for flying over is un-groomed, black-diamond terrain. Even the most benign

bringing something to the table, even just a good attitude, will make invitation to a ski launch much more likely. Ski launching is a blast. While

launches and landings have flight

winter air doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t provide the same

paths over these areas of the moun-

opportunities to thermal, flying down

tain. Also, taking a half-step to the

a mountain is still fun. Boulder fields

side while getting the wing overhead

in the summer become smoothed-over

is much more difficult with skis on,

launches and landing zones when

sliding downhill. It is far easier and

covered with snow. Winter air is often

safer to think about flying the wing,

smooth and still. Skis make running

while your body takes care of the

on launch and landing a non-issue,

skiing part. It is better to have both

and small, very fast wings become

skill sets feel automatic before combin-

easy to launch and land, even with a

ing them. In the event of a botched

slight tailwind. Flying over friends as

launch that ends up in injury, a highly

they ski below, and the magic moment

proficient skier is much more capable

between skiing and flying is a feeling

of self-rescue. Even the sunniest, most

that can only be experienced. There

bluebird days of winter are a harsh en-

is a huge number of factors a curious

vironment in which to have an injury.

pilot and skier must take into account

Immobility due to an injury can lead

before combining the two, but the

to hypothermia, as friends or SAR can

rewards can be greater than the sum

take hours to reach an injured skier or

of the parts.

pilot. Flying with a friend or instructor on launch is always a good idea, and travelling in avalanche terrain necessitates a partner for rescue purposes. The intersection of backcountry skiers and pilots is very small. Formal instruction in the U.S. seems incredibly limited, as the number of people doing it is far fewer than those who foot launch. Going to Europe and seeking instruction there is an option for some, but for others, asking a friend to help

LEFT Ben White flies out the gate into the backcountry off the 9990 lift at Park City, Utah. TOP RIGHT Avalanches can break out above a skier, making for a very tricky situation. MIDDLE Avalanches race down mountains at 60-100 mph and reach those speeds seconds after a release. BOTTOM A very lucky partially buried avalanche victim. A wing can potentially complicate things in a burial situation.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

From

Toys to Wings

in the Forever Bonds of Flight by C.J. STURTEVANT with DONNITA HALL

nce upon a time—a time so

what wild, perhaps; definitely adven-

upon a time” days right up to today.

long ago that many of you

turous; often “think outside the box”

Dennis Pagen, one of the young male

had not yet made your ap-

creative types. A miniscule propor-

pioneers who’s been flying these big

tion of those hang gliding pioneers

into existence a brand-new sport.

were women. I’d like to introduce you

Those first flying contraptions were

to one of those women, the only one

and development of modern hang gliding for us all. The amazing thing

“Donnita Hall represents the birth

aptly referred to simply as “kites” but

who fell so in love with hang gliding

eventually those who hung under

that she made it a focus of her life

is she has continued her involve-

them named them “hang gliders.” In

for almost 50 years, from those “once

ment all along to today. Perhaps no

the beginning, almost all of those participants were young men: some-

kites almost as long as anybody, says,

pearance on this Earth—there came

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

ABOVE Lake

Tahoe, 1970

other pilot has been involved with

foot launch the 1960s version of his

had inherited Bennett’s 15’ “clown”

hang gliding for so long, and perhaps

foot-launch hang glider in June of

kite sail and Dave built a frame for

no other person has contributed so

1970. We had travelled to Yosemite

it, and for the next couple of years

much to our sport.”

with the plan to auto-tow off Glacier

she and Dave would foot-launch or

Point. However, the parking area

tow up “anywhere we could get away

back in 1969, when she first learned

was too far from the edge for a tow

with it,” she states, listing Coyote

about kites that could carry humans

launch,” and that plan was scrapped.

Hills, Livermore motorcycle park,

aloft. She and her boyfriend back

Disappointed, they headed home, but

Mission Ridge, Guadalupe Dunes, Los

then, Dave Kilbourne, were immedi-

unwilling to accept defeat, when they

Banos, Alviso, and Mountain View

ately intrigued, and before long Dave

spotted some bluffs on the San Luis

among their early flying sites, and

Donnita Arnold was 21 years old

“With only the wind and their own strong legs for power, they ran off the bluffs for a few short foot-launch flights. In those brief minutes, the flight-path for this new sport was altered.” Dave Cronk, Dick Eipper and Taras

had designed and built his own “flat

Obispo reservoir, they pulled off the

kite” to be towed aloft on Lake Tahoe,

highway, set up their kites and with

Kiceniuk as their best flying buddies

behind his waterski boat. (Donnita

only the wind and their own strong

at the time.

defines flat kites as “five-sided kites

legs for power, they ran off the bluffs

She and Dave went on to pioneer

just like the ones kids fly on a string,

for a few short foot-launch flights. In

other hang gliding firsts: in 1970-71

but bigger. They were flown over

those brief minutes, the flight-path

they both enjoyed successful hot-air

water, towed up by boats, with a

for this new sport was altered.

balloon drops at Lake Success near

fairly short tether, and with very

A month later, the pair found them-

Porterville, California. (Bill Bennett

little turn control.”) In the beginning,

selves frustrated by their inability to

had done an earlier drop, but his was

the flyers were all waterskiers, many

get airborne from a small hill in nil-

a bit more dramatic, although in the

of them also skilled designers and

to-light wind. It was back to the draw-

end uneventful).

inveterate tinkerers. “Once Dave

ing board, to come up with a kite

One of their favorite sites was

successfully built and flew a copy of

that would let them take advantage

Mission Ridge, where a landowner al-

Bennett’s Australian water ski kite,

of low hills and light winds. Donnita

lowed access onto his private proper-

several of our water-ski buddies built theirs, and off we went,” recalls Donnita. Working with Bill Bennett, the Australian who introduced boattowed delta kites to the U.S., Dave and Donnita and friends soon abandoned their flat kites and built copies of the delta/Rogallo wing, more structurally robust and with better turn control. Flat kites quickly faded into history. In 1970 this adventurous group took the new sport of flying from the lake to the land, towing their home-built kites behind their autos wherever they could find a suitable strip of roadway. The next step, of course, was to get airborne without the need for a boat or a car. As Donnita remembers it, “Dave Kilbourne was the first to

ABOVE Pigtails,

1972

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

“As the lone female in the group, I needed to be as professional as possible, and I absolutely did not want to make any mistakes” ty for this small group of pilots to get

set up his glider. I knew that I had to

sport, enjoying it and not failing it. For some, that was a good role model

airborne. Dave and Donnita were the

stay focused and not be distracted.

only two there when, in September

As the lone female in the group, I

because I was not a jockette, and I

of 1971, Dave launched into a “solid

needed to be as professional as pos-

showed women that it doesn’t take

20+mph wind and remained aloft

sible, and I absolutely did not want to

an extraordinary athlete to enjoy our

for 66 minutes,” Donnita reports.

make any mistakes.”

sport.”

Her photo of Dave soaring made the

As a result of that deliberate choice,

Donnita remained an active hang

she insists that she “did not contrib-

glider pilot for 40 years. “Had I not

article about this flight was first pub-

ute to our sport in any leadership

had the convenient access to Torrey

lished. Not long after, she enjoyed her

or even performance. I am proud to

Pines, I wouldn’t have lasted that

own first-ever soaring altitude gain,

have successfully participated in the

long,” she muses. “During that time

cover of Time magazine when the

flying a borrowed glider at Mission. Donnita doesn’t recall herself as being a leader or a pioneer in those early days. For her, the big attraction of flying a hang glider was simply getting airborne at spectacularly scenic sites such as Yosemite, Big Sur and Telluride. “We had some fun flying in Mexico and South Carolina, but it’s hard to beat the West Coast,” she says, and elaborates: “We all know of those PERFECT flying days when you get that smooth elevator ride up to the clouds and your only concern is ‘how should I try to get down…oh, well, never mind…’” There were some significant challenges to being the only woman in a male-dominated sport. Most men were very supportive and showed respect, she recalls. Some even commented that they wished their wives would join them in the sport, but many of them had children. Donnita, well aware of the risks attached to flying, could empathize with moms not wanting to take those risks. “I can count the number of women I met flying in those days on one hand,” she states, adding, “I very deliberately stayed in the background, trying not to be noticed, and it worked. I didn’t want the attention of ‘Oh, it’s a girl! Are you gonna fly this all by yourself?’ . . . etc., etc. I often let them assume I was helping my husband

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

TOP Donnita

on her Fledge. BOTTOM Big Sur.

Fly far

Fly Moyes

Let us take you there. 1979

Steve Moyes completes a 100 mile flight near Death Valley, USA. He is greeted by his mother, Molly, and father, Bill.

2018 What’s your dream?

2017

Corinna Schwiegershausen completes a 255 mile World Record flight in Brazil and is greeted by her ecstatic retrieve crew!

Moyes Delta Gliders Pty Ltd Unit 4/5 Clerke Place Kurnell NSW 2231 Australia +61 (0)2 9668 8686 moyes@moyes.com.au www.moyes.com.au

I did take lessons and earned my private pilot’s license. It was fun to

awarded their use of the sites.” Eventually, though, Donnita began

who were her closest friends. “I am forever grateful to the USHPA, all of

fly an airplane (Piper Warrior and

to dial back on her airtime. “Flying

the clubs and the flying community

VariEze), and take friends and family

at Torrey Pines, often on my way

for enabling our beautiful, exciting,

for a ride, but it wasn’t as enjoyable

home from work, had been so easy

incredible sport. I owe the sport my

as hang gliding and I eventually al-

and convenient—that was one of the

gratitude and assistance,” she insists

lowed the license to expire.”

main reasons I moved to San Diego,”

and adds, reminiscing, “When I

Looking back on those years, Donnita recalls some of the chal-

she says. After her husband Brad had

started in this sport, we were almost

to quit hang gliding due to his bad

considered outlaws. We didn’t have

lenges the entire community faced as

back, she flew less often, and when

the USHPA yet, and the aviation

the hang gliding scene continued to

she retired, they moved to the Bay

community didn’t accept us. So, we

expand, and pilots searched out new

Area to live near family. At that point

snuck around with our homemade

sites to fly, or gathered in ever-in-

she realized that “flying without Brad,

kites on our cars, telling park rang-

creasing numbers at the old ones. “At

traveling to flying sites, and accept-

ers they were tents. It was the hard

the coastal sites, both Fort Funston

ing that my flying skills after years of

work of the pilots, the manufactur-

and Torrey Pines,” she points out,

‘boating around’ at Torrey Pines were

ers, the schools, and the USHPA over

not up to par, it was time to quit. I’ve

the years that gave hang gliding the

“there was a challenge of acceptance by the local community and the park

known of numerous pilots who have

respect and appreciation it needed to

rangers. Complaints to the rangers

seriously injured themselves flying,

be accepted.”

by the locals were concerns about

not recognizing their aging body and

their safety if a hang glider might

its limitations.”

crash on the beach. Over time, the

But after four decades of a life cen-

And then, in 2012, she was approached by the trustees of the Foundation for Free Flight. “I was

flying community was able to dem-

tered on hang gliding, Donnita was

shanghaied!” she says, adding with

onstrate their safety-consciousness

not willing to just step away from

an appropriate eye roll, “Those

and situational awareness, and were

the sport she loved and the people

sneaky devils!” In truth, it didn’t

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

LEFT Donnita

kite herself.

designed and built this

take much convincing to draw her back into the thick of the hang gliding scene. As a trustee of the Foundation, she was for six years directly involved in helping pilots to realize their dreams, both personal and community-based, with the assistance of the Foundation for Free Flight, awarding grants and providing support as needed. The Foundation for Free Flight provided Donnita the opportunity to, in a small way, pay back the incredible gift of independent, free flight. For 40 years, she says, she was free to “selfishly enjoy the thrill, adventure and freedom of traveling to extraordinary flying sites, experi-

Donnita and the Foundation for Free Flight by Jayne DePanfilis As the Foundation for Free Flight’s new volunteer executive director, I hope to

many extraordinary pilots, men and

continue to integrate the Foundation into the pilot community. Over 17 years,

women.” This experience, she in-

the Foundation has awarded more than 70 grants to preserve and improve

sists, “certainly impacted my life and

flying sites, support safety and education, assist instructors, and promote U.S.

my being in a unique, special and

pilots in competitions at home and abroad where they serve as ambassadors for

fulfilling way,” and she expresses her

free flight.

forever gratitude.

Donnita’s official volunteer responsibilities included executive director and trustee for the Foundation. She also served as secretary, and as chair for the Operations committee. As though that’s not enough, she also answered your calls, replied to your emails, authored your gift acknowledgement letters and quite simply, served as the consummate volunteer working days and nights, to benefit the pilot community. She fulfilled her roles with such grace! She served us humbly. I will miss her wisdom, her experience, and the elegant way she communicated with everyone. Fortunately, Donnita will continue to be supportive even as the official transition comes to an end and I take over where she left off. I’m teaming up with FFF president Doug Sharpe, and Rudder Pearce, a H-2 and CPA from Jupiter, Florida, and the newest FFF volunteer, to take advantage of new nonprofit fundraising technologies, upgrade the ushgf.org website, and extend our reach through social media and the USHPA chapter network. We’re

menting with new versions of hang gliders and meeting and flying with

Now, after six years with the FFF, she’s “ramping down” her contribution to the FFF, and will be leaving the foundation at the close of 2017. “It is time for me to engage in the activities of a 70-year-old. Currently I’m the ‘Dog Lady’ of my neighborhood, taking care of my dogs and my parrot, my neighbors’ pets, and keeping fit with the many dog walks.” As for the future of free flight, this woman who’s been part of the hang gliding scene since Day 1, is optimistic. “I believe our sport will always

automating office processes and enlisting volunteers to expand our fundraising

draw new pilots. I know there is con-

capabilities, both inside and outside of the pilot community. We’re doing it all, in

cern about the shrinking flying com-

an effort to better serve you, the pilots who make it possible. And, for you, we

munity. However, I see that all forms

are very grateful. We owe you a debt of gratitude and we look forward to work-

of aviation continue to survive over

ing with you to preserve, protect and perpetuate free flight. For information

the decades. Humans are attracted

about volunteer opportunities or ways in which you can support the Foundation

to flying and will continue to fly long

please email info@foundationforfreeflight.org.

after we’re gone.”

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

HANG GLIDING HEROINE by Dennis Pagen

have. Dave didn’t have all this figuring in his head, but he did

I have had a number of heroes in hang gliding. Mostly they

realize that with a bigger glider he could fly slower, which

were inspired pioneers, like Otto Lilienthal, Francis Rogallo,

would enhance his water-ski show. (By then, pilot/skiers

Dave Kilbourne, Richard Miller, Taras Kiceniuk and Bill Moyes.

were releasing from the boat-tow rope and gliding down, to

I didn’t know Otto, but I was friends with the rest. And while

the utter delight and amazement of the spectators).

I have been friends with many of the early prime-mover women in our sport—the likes of Tina Trefethen, Jan Case,

One day in the beginning of the ’70s Dave, Donnita and another friend were driving back from the Tahoe area to their

Judy Leden, Linda Tracy and Kari Castle—I have had only

home in the San Francisco Bay area when they drove along

one heroine: Donnita Hall. For Donnita was the first female to

a perfect slope with a wind blowing right up it. The whim to

pilot a hang glider, one of the first humans to foot-launch a

try to foot launch grabbed them and they went for it. Dave

hang glider and indeed one of the pioneers who showed the

tried it first with a couple successes. Then it was Donnita’s

rest of the world how to follow their dreams.

turn. She too was successful, perhaps partially helped by her

I first heard the story of the first free-flying experiences

lighter weight. Some traffic stopped, some thrills were had,

from Dave Kilbourne—Donnita’s boyfriend at the time, and

and without realizing it, they started a new sport for all us

the first human to foot-launch a modern Rogallo-wing hang

pent-up air junkies.

glider. I met Dave at a fly-in near Frankfort, Michigan in

Ever since I began flying I knew the above story in vague

1975. We were sitting around a campfire one evening when

detail. But I didn’t meet Donnita until a few years ago when

he fascinated us all with the “origin” story. To summarize,

I joined the board of the Foundation for Free Flight and she

the first true hang gliders were Rogallo-wing designs that

was on the board. One night after a day of discussion and

evolved from the flat kites used by water skiers in the late

decisions, we plied Donnita with a drink or two and asked

‘60s. These first practical wings were made the same size as

her to recount the tale of her “first time.” It was as I remem-

the flat kites, so they had surface areas about 40% smaller

bered it from Dave, but she added more details. The upshot

than the gliders eventually determined to be proper for the

of that remembrance is that she reconfirmed what a great

average male pilot. The result is the earliest gliders the water

adventure it was, what a wonderful contribution to mankind

skiers used had a stall speed (and thus takeoff speed) about

it was and what a legitimate reason there is for her to be a

5.5mph faster than the proper-sized gliders would eventually

heroine to us all.

LEFT Donnita

with the rest of the FFF BOD and trustees, May 2017. RIGHT Donnita & Brad.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

Chasing Ghosts I

by STEVE MARKUSEN

t is June 26th, 2017, six days after

minute flight covered 179 miles/288

the summer solstice. Days are

km, a new Minnesota paragliding

still as long as the horizon in

distance record. June is prime time for Minnesota

the Midwest, and Thad Spencer and I are chasing ghosts across southern

cross-country flying, so I had been

Minnesota. The ghosts are thermals,

watching the forecast all week. Launch

stepping-stones for cross-country

Code forecast a low dew point, moder-

pilots travelling down a river of air.

ate winds of 13 to 20 mph up to 10,000

Thad, who has been flying paragliders

feet, and a monster lapse rate of 6.5

since 2002, is my mentor, but more im-

degrees per 1000 feet. XC Skies, Chris

portantly, he is an excellent cross-country pilot who holds

Galle’s outstanding forecasting tool, predicted an after-

the Minnesota State Distance Record of 116 miles/186 km,

noon with a 6000-foot cloudbase, strong lift up to 800 feet/

set the previous summer.

second, and “Likely Good XC” conditions from 11 a.m. to 7

It was late afternoon as Thad crossed the Minnesota/

p.m. The National Weather Service in Minneapolis forecast

Iowa border, approximately 110 miles/177 km south of

excellent soaring conditions. The post-frontal Canadian air

launch, and the character of the day had changed. As the

mass driving south would act as a dry sponge across a wet

clouds disappeared, the ghosts became more elusive.

table, pulling the moisture out of rich farmland into dry

Patience became the key to finding lift. After several more

air aloft. The moderate upper-level winds would make for

climbs and another low save, Thad was again on glide,

high groundspeed on glide, but not so strong that it would

heading toward a small town.

rip apart the thermals. The conditions were perfect for a

At this point, Thad knew he had broken his own state

big XC day.

distance record set the year before, so it would have been

That morning, Thad and I traveled to launch together, a

easy to head for the town and call it quits. But determined

90-minute drive west from Minneapolis to the small town

to leave nothing on the table, Thad continued south. Two

of Cosmos. There we met up with Steve Sirrine and his

more times, he found ghosts that lifted him up and swept

brother Neil. Steve, who owns SDI Paragliding Academy,

him downwind for another 30 miles. Shortly after 7 p.m.,

has been flying hang gliders since 1982 and paragliders

with the sun low in the sky, Thad touched down next to a

since 2002. He also manufactures some of the best tow

grain elevator in Lytton, Iowa. His seven-hour-forty-five-

winches in the country, through his company Airtime

ABOVE Happy pilot and author Steve Markusen at St. James Municipal Airport. Photo courtesy Steve Markusen Collection.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

Solutions. Neil is an outstanding tow operator who spends

Point of the Mountain, Utah, where I earned my P-2 from

most of his summers towing pilots in Minnesota and his

Super Fly instructor Chris Grantham.

winters towing in Florida. We are a close-knit group that

Thad launched his Ozone LM6 at 11:15 a.m. and climbed

always welcomes new or visiting pilots. I am continually

to base at 3000 feet. The lift was only 400fpm, with strong

impressed with the camaraderie in this sport. No matter

winds blowing the thermals sideways. It took all of his

where I flyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;from Santa Barbara to Jackson, to Point of the

skill to stay in the air during those first three hours of his

Mountain, or Mt. Braceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;I am welcomed with open arms by

flight, but he stayed aloft. And by midafternoon, the day

local pilots.

changed. The wind speed dropped to 15mph, lift increased

I came to the sport in 2011, literally by accident. In

the autobahn, leaving lift early, pushing out on glide at 40-

around my right tool. I swung outward, pulling my second

plus mph, and chasing the next ghost.

tool, and fell down 30 feet, on to my left ankle. I walked the

We are blessed with great flying in Minnesota. The cross-

mile back to my car and drove myself to the hospital. I was

country season runs from April to October and offers up

diagnosed with a fracture across the neck of the talus bone

20 to 100-plus-mile days. The flat landscape is crisscrossed

and spent the next three months in a cast, not knowing if I

with paved and gravel roads, affording easy access and op-

would ever walk again.

portunities to tow. From the air you can see 10 miles in any

I had a lot of time to think. My climbing career had

direction, a checkerboard of deep green and brown fields,

spanned 45 years and included expeditions to Alaska, big

dark forests, lakes, and small towns. The scenery is beauti-

walls in Yosemite, frozen waterfalls in Colorado, desert

ful, with sunlight reflecting off the many lakes and rivers,

towers in Utah, and alpine climbs in Wyoming. At age 57, I

shooting forth bright spots of light from the water. You can

came to the conclusion the risk was no longer acceptable; it

land anywhere: roads, hayfields, school playgrounds, town

was time to retire from difficult technical routes.

and state parks, even graveyards. There are no box can-

Something new called. After having spent countless

yons or steep hillsides of scrub oak and no getting blown

hours on ledges 1000 feet off the ground watching cliff

over the back into the lee. You can focus all your attention

swallows dive, ravens barrel roll, and eagles soar, I wanted

on flying. It is a wonderfully safe place to hone your cross-

to fly. So six months after my accident, I headed out to the

country flying skills.

ABOVE Thad Spencer

to 800fpm, and cloudbase rose to over 6000 feet. He was on

January of that year, the ice I was solo climbing shattered

going up on tow | photo by Phil Russman.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

LEFT Steve

Markusen climbing above launch | photo by Phil Russman. RIGHT TOP Climbing to cloudbase to cross the Minnesota River Valley | photo by Steve Markusen. BOTTOM Visiting SoCal pilot Phil Russman above Cosmos, Minnesota | photo by Steve Markusen. It is now 2:30 p.m., and I am in the air on my fourth at-

my glider as it yaws, pitches, and rolls. Up and up we go,

tempt to follow Thad south. By this time, Thad is already

making asymmetric turns as strong winds push the ther-

past the Minnesota River, 70 miles from launch. I am

mal south. It takes less than a minute to climb up 1000 feet.

chasing his ghost. Having lost 3000 feet of altitude during

Still angry, the ghost does not give up trying to get rid of its

my first climb, my ears are filled with the annoying sound

unwanted rider. Finally, at 5000 feet, the ghost mellows.

of a sink alarm. Ahead and below, tractors are cutting hay.

Strong, but more consistent lift carries me another 1000

Hoping to catch a trigger, I head for that field. Nothing.

feet to cloudbase. I turn south, push out my bar, slip out the

Beyond frustrated, I see my altimeter reads 300 feet, as

downwind side of the thermal, and, with one final kick, get

I near the end of the field and a paved road. Finally, my

sent on my way by the ghost.

glider stiffens, sensing the presence of a ghost. The sound

Most of the people we meet flying are Minnesota born

of the wind in my lines changes pitch, and my nose fills

and bred. Some come from families who have worked the

with the pungent smell of freshly mown hay. The vario

land for generations. They take care of their neighbors,

screams as my Advance Epsilon 7 catches a strong thermal,

and that is the way they treat us. When I once landed on a

triggered by the surface windâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pushing the warm air of

grass strip between a power line and a highway, a man in a

the field against the road embankment.

pickup truck watched me land and came over to talk with

It is a young ghost, strong and violent, like a rodeo

me. Not only did he end up giving me a ride back to launch,

bronco kicking and twisting to throw me off. Cranking

but he also wrote a story for his local newspaper about our

tight turns and hanging my body to one side of my har-

sport. Another time, Thad Spencer and Andy Dahl landed

ness, I grit my teeth, while keeping myself centered under

at the Hector Minnesota Airport. The owner of the airport

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

was a hang glider pilot from the ‘70s. He befriended Thad

shared a common bond—the love of flying. Before they left,

and Andy and gave them a ride back to launch in a four-

they gave me the door code to the pilots’ briefing room,

seat Robinson helicopter—arguably, the best retrieve ever!

where I spent the next three hours waiting for retrieve in

I remember a story in this magazine about some pilots

air-conditioned comfort, sitting in an overstuffed recliner

who landed in Wyoming and spent hours walking while trying to hitch a ride, as a stream of pickup trucks passed

reading Aviation Week and Popular Science. Life is good. Steve Sirrine was in his car chasing Thad, following his

them by. That would never happen here. People stop when

“breadcrumbs”—location updates sent from his Garmin

they see us on the side of the road just to make sure we are

inReach Explorer. After picking up Thad around 8:30 p.m.,

OK. We call it Minnesota Nice.

they headed back north and retrieved me at the St. James

It was 5 p.m. and 40 miles from launch as I approached

Airport at 10:30 p.m. I slipped in to the back seat next to

the Minnesota River valley: a two-mile-wide sinkhole of

Steve’s sleeping grandson, Tyler. I softly pried a bag of

forest, swamp, and river that in past flights has been a

cheese puffs from his fingers and grabbed an ice-cold Coke

physical and psychological barrier. It was late in the day and, once again, I faced my nemesis. Patiently searching for lift on the north side of the valley, I flew right into the arms of a strong, gentle ghost that lifted me up to base, which was now over 8000 feet. I pushed bar and crossed the valley. The late-afternoon buoyant air and persistent north wind carried me another 30 miles south. Shortly before 7 p.m., I landed at the St. James Municipal Airport. My flight lasted four hours and 15 minutes and covered 74 miles/119 km, a personal best. I saw several pilots at the St. James Airport when I landed. After packing my gear, I talked with them. We

ABOVE Thad Spencer

in Lytton, Iowa after his record breaking 179 mile/288 Km flight. Photo courtesy Thad Spencer Collection. RIGHT Thad Spencer on glide above the fields of Western Minnesota. Photo by Phil Russman.

from the cooler. We laughed and joked as we shared stories

to improve my skills, and be able to fly with competence

of the day on the 90-minute drive back to our car at launch,

when I am 80 years old. I read Mike Meier’s outstanding

basking in the afterglow that comes with putting oneself at

article Safety: Why Can’t We Get a Handle On It? in the

risk and achieving something special.

September/October issue of this magazine. During my

The flying season in Minnesota is coming to a close.

climbing career, I made a number of bad decisions with

It has been a great year, a breakthrough year. One-hour

good outcomes. The good outcomes ended with my ice-

flights have become three-hour flights and 40 miles flown,

climbing accident and a near-death experience soloing the

now 70 miles flown. Beyond the numbers, something even

Grand Teton in Wyoming. You can read that story, if inter-

more important has changed: my attitude. I have become

ested, in the November 2017 issue of Rock and Ice Magazine.

better at accepting what I have been given and happy for

I intend to enjoy flying and hope to make good decisions.

what I have. I am learning to be more patient.

I don’t need to be scared. I have done scared. I want my

My goals as a pilot are simple: Don’t get hurt, continue

flying career to end with a whimper, not a bang.

TRAVEL Macedonia by JOHN ROBINSON

he fields I’m approaching from the air are on fire. The ideal, direct XC route to the city of

turbulence in that smoke. Heads

incendiary haze to clear air beyond, but once in the smoke, I get thrown around a bit, which seems to disrupt

Prelip crosses straight over them,

up!” Just prior to entering the fire

the stay-in-the-air mojo I’ve been

through the smoke that lazily drifts

zone, I hook a moderate thermal and

rocking for the last few hours. Twenty

skyward and to the southwest. Harry,

hang with it, until it peters out at an

minutes later, I’m on the deck in a

aboard the bronze and yellow Iota, is

altitude of 2000 meters. I’m confident

fallow wheat field by a lonely road—

a speck up ahead of me —I’ll never

I’m high enough to glide through the

out of the game, but happy as a clam

ABOVE

catch him— and gets me on the radio. “John, I came across some violent

Launch at Tater hill is on a well groomed hill that Bubba Goodman owns and operates.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

for making it this far in totally engag-

concentrating on my thermal tech-

set a task every day, waypoints and

ing and remarkable flying conditions.

nique. Focus! Get as high as possible.

all, for those in the group who wish

“Macedonia? Hmm. Where the heck is that?” friends ask. And with an increasingly practiced air, I recite: “It’s bordered by Greece to the south,

Patience! Perseverance! Even though our visit to Macedonia

to partake. Typically, the distance is 45-50 km; most of us jump at the

is for recreational XC flying, Toby and

challenge. And today we’re headed to

his business partner, Mike Agnew,

the Greek border, or just shy of it, that

Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, and Albania to the west.” The response to this explanation is typically, “So, where the heck is it, anyway?” If I feel like it, I’ll expound further about Macedonia’s having had a crazily complex history—being, among other things, a part of the former Yugoslavia, the stomping grounds of Alexander the Great, a lightly populated, agrarian country that’s not a member of the EU. But by then, I’ve probably lost them. Through the free-flight grapevine, I heard good things about paragliding in Macedonia—about pilots from all over the world visiting and getting great XC flights in reliable conditions and comps of countries from throughout Europe being held there. I was told it provides a mixture of mountain flying and flatland thermal flying. And beyond that, I heard how kind and welcoming are the people, and how interesting is the culture and history of the place. My friend Toby Colombe, who runs Passion Paragliding, had started guiding trips to the small Balkan state a year previous. So it didn’t take much coercion— OK, none—for me to reserve a spot on the next trip, in the middle of the period of consistent and sweet flying conditions of summer. In the air again, I realize that if I don’t find an up elevator soon, I’m in for a stout hike instead of a lovely XC flight. At least I’m familiar with the mountain terrain below, having run through it on my early morning ex-

Phil Givens soaring above village on Lake Ohrid shoreline. Over the back at Krusevo; facing west. The Paragliding World Cup held an event here last year. BOTTOM Our merry group getting ready to fly from Galicica launch above Lake Ohrid.

ploratory jogs, and I can find my way

OPPOSITE

back to our headquarters in Krusevo,

ABOVE, TOP

if necessary. My Flytec Element stirs to life, though, and away I go,

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

city of Bitola in the distance, I know

is: Crossing borders from this non-EU

friend Simon and I get high over the

country to another by paraglider can

Krusevo launch and head out to the

that the last waypoint—goal—is a

make the authorities edgy.

first turnpoint together, hooting and

small, but readily identifiable, lake

I’m heading south over the foot-

hollering in the gorgeous mid-day

just beyond it. I wish I could say that

hills, with the flats of the Pelaginian

conditions. When I spot the gypsy

I make it there, along with a few of

Plain stretching out to the east. My

settlements on the outskirts of the

the other guys in our group, but I have, instead, an interesting “cultural experience” of an out-landing and retrieve. Helpfully, our guides had outfitted us with GPS trackers, which makes keeping up with us easier and provides another layer of safety, in combination with our two-meter radios and cell phones. Besides our guides, Toby and Mike, our group consists of 14 pilots and two Macedonian drivers for our two mini buses. All of the pilots are from the UK, where Passion Paragliding is based, except for my friend Phil and me, the token Americans. We’re staying in the Montana Hotel, high on the upper edge of the genuine-in-every-way town of Krusevo, at an elevation of 1400m. This modest village sits in a bowl in the mountains, a few thousand feet above the plains that lie to the east. Conveniently, the takeoff on the east-facing ridge is just a few kilometers away from the hotel. The launch, at an elevation of 1470m, is huge by most any standards, with room to spread out dozens of gliders. This comp-friendly site even sports an expansive patch of AstroTurf to speed launches, especially helpful when 100 or more gliders take off in a relatively brief launch window. Each day of my trip starts at dawn with a jog on the trails in the mountains above the town. I go out for an hour or so, usually accompanied by a loping, silent stray dog I name Alexander. He and I often head to the huge cross on a peak north of town, a monument to Macedonian independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.

There are great landing and plenty of features to fly in the Macedonian backcountry. BOTTOM Town of Krusevo at dawn. TOP

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

Returning energized from my tour of the peaceful, silent forests and

Retired retrieve vehicle. TOP RIGHT Good eats! Phil and Rob enjoy a huge french-fry burger. The Passion Paragliding crew at the Lake Ohrid LZ.

TOP LEFT BOTTOM

fields, I grab breakfast with the rest

I marvel in watching the pop of the

maturely. Our drivers, Valentin and

of the crew and gather with them for

colorful “blossoms” of our paragliders

Dragon, with translation assistance

the morning briefing. Toby and Mike

as they launch off the mountain into

by Valentin’s 15-year-old son Dimitar,

review the previous day’s flying, and

the blue Macedonian sky.

are always queued up to retrieve us wayward pilots.

then project on the computer screen

Normal summer conditions at

our individual tracklogs, which I find

Krusevo include light easterly wind

especially helpful and interesting.

and soarable mornings by 10:30 or so.

Perhaps I am easily entertained, but I

The breeze is usually light enough to

its orientation to the predominantly

find the animation of our flights to be

encourage XC flights in almost any

easterly breeze, another spectacular

extremely cool. Our morning meeting

direction; we seldom find into-the-

site is Lake Ohrid, where we went to

also includes a discussion of the day’s

wind tasks an unreasonable proposi-

fly when a westerly set in for a few days. Its magnificent launch, high

Although Krusevo gets the most free-flight traffic in the area due to

weather conditions, any concerns,

tion. Typically, other gliders are in the

and cross-country flight possibilities.

air—wind dummies—by the time we

in the mountains bordering the east

Then it’s, “Let’s go!”

launch, enabling us to better “see” the

side of the lake in Galicica National

flight conditions and state of thermal

Park, faces across into Albania,

our way to launch. After assessing

development. Additionally, the spa-

whose international border with

conditions on the hill for a while,

cious normal landing field, out front

Macedonia is a north-south line up

we prep our gear and make final

and 805 meters below, makes for an

the middle of the thirty-kilometer-

XC flight plans. It’s time to fly, and

easy retrieve if one bombs out pre-

long body of water. The Greek border

Soon we’re in minibuses, weaving

an ancient Greek amphitheater, an 11th-century monastery, and an early

task (thanks, Toby), and I’m just east

located at an elevation of 1580m. The

Christian basilica. All that and some

of “Storktown,” nicknamed after the

flying here is spectacular, and we

killer ice cream as well.

storks that nest there in the summer.

revel in it. Lake Ohrid has been a desirable destination for visitors in this part of

Back at Krusevo: There might be

The town’s real name defies proper

stifling heat on the plains below,

pronunciation by us visitors. By the

but it’s comfortable and strikingly

way, the storks I’m talking about

the world for at least 3000 years, and

beautiful where I am—1000 meters

build the most spectacularly huge

by the way, the lake itself is known

above the expansive tapestry of the

nests of any bird I’ve ever seen.

as Europe’s oldest lake, having been

Pelaginian landscape. It’s five days

around for over one million years.

into the trip, and we have another XC

distance at the base of the mountains

The lakeside town of Ohrid boasts

day. I’m three-and-a-half hours into

across the flatlands, but today I’m

BELOW

navigating a zigzagging, challenging

touches the southern tip of the lake. The launch is spacious, grassy and

Simon Kirsh skirting weather to the north, Lake Ohrid.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

The city of Prelip shimmers in the

interested in flying to Treskavec, a

encourage me to catch up with them,

out across the valley chasing others

12th-century monastery. This amaz-

I tell them I’m coming. I score a low

still airborne.

ing edifice is situated on a craggy

save near the “white circle” village

peak covered with boulders, a few

en route, but the next time I get low,

We eat well on our Macedonian flying holiday. Local specialties

kilometers north of Prelip. Will I

I just keep getting lower. I’m finding

include finely prepared lamb and

make it there? Can I make it there?

abundant sink instead of sniffing out

potatoes, spicy salami sausage,

The flying gets more technical, as

lift. Twenty minutes later I’ve flut-

freshly baked bread and honey, and

I scratch upwind across the valley

tered to a soft landing. I take my time

all the summer bounty from the

into the late afternoon. I’m in radio

packing up, enjoying the ritual. Not

fertile fields of the valley: succulent

contact with two friends ahead of me

long after, Valentin and the retrieve

tomatoes, juicy watermelons, crisp

who seem to be better situated in the

van track me down, and I join a few

cucumbers. In the evenings after full

air—higher— than I am. When they

pilots already onboard, as we head

days of flying or hiking or exploring ancient sites, our group splits into several parties to try different cafes in town, a 10-minute walk from our lodging on the outskirts of the village. Never disappointed in the fare, the walk back home sometimes take a while longer, because we are full of Spaghetti Milanese or some other delight. On one of our last evenings of the trip, our hosts fete us on the rustic terrace of a log home in the high meadows above Krusevo. Under spectacular starlight, we celebrate our adventure by dining on succulent roast lamb, bedded in onions and potatoes, amid numerous other traditional dishes. Eerie, traditional music enhances the exotic feel of the setting. Local libations flow, friendships are sealed, a fine appreciation for our Macedonian friends is underscored, and fondness for travel affirmed. Soon we’ll find ourselves headed home on the big bird out of Skopje, swept up from this tiny spot on the globe where we’ve experienced yet more free-flight magic, as well as touching and rewarding interaction among very different characters brought together by a common love of foot-launched flight. Before I completely re-enter my “normal” existence, I’ll carefully shelve the memories of the trip into mental volumes to be revisited often, with a chuckle and a gleam in my eye, for the rest of my life.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

FINAL Turtles and Their Spaghetti & Blankets by SEKAI LOKAHI

like to watch my Dada fly and do crazy stuff. Other people call him Nova, but I call him Dada.

One minute he’s standing right

next to me and the next, he’s float-

keeps in a big bag. I like spaghetti and turtles, so

Makapu’u in Hawai’i, where I was born. We go back home every year

maybe that’s why I like to watch

to be with our ‘ohana. I love it more

Dada fly.

than Mussel Rock, one of Dada’s

I’ve seen him fly at Mussel

favorite places to fly even though he doesn’t get much height.

ing away. But he looks funny. He

Rock next to the ocean near San

looks like a big turtle with a bunch

Francisco. I’ve seen him fly in

of spaghetti attached to a really big

Boulder next to mountains. But my

higher. He says it’s the best place in

blanket that he folds neatly and

favorite sight is seeing him fly at

the world to be, because if you can’t

ABOVE

photos by STANISLAV MAYER

Twisted wingover at Kapikaya Festival, Samsun, Turkey.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

Dada loves Makapu’u because it’s

fly, you’re still in Hawai’i. He also likes places where he can get refills.

A pilot landing at the Oludeniz Air Games. BELOW Aerobatics competitions are about friends and fun.Jack Pimblett lands here after a run.

ABOVE

Dada doesn’t fly like most people, who look like turtles sitting under

the Aerobatic Paragliding World

happy to represent the U.S.A. I got

the spaghetti and blanket moving

Championships, only the second

see a lot of turtles do crazy stuff all

slowly and making little progress

one they’ve had since 2006. He was

day, one at a time. Sometimes there

through the sky. Sometimes they fall to the ground or hit the mountain, which is bad. Dada said he hit the mountain once doing his crazy stuff, when the spaghetti twisted, causing the turtle shell to go one way, while the blanket went another. He hit the mountain really hard. He was in the hospital for almost two months, because they put in metal sticks to help his bones grow back, which was a very painful experience. Last summer, we took a long ride in an airplane to France so Dada could fly with many of his turtle friends over Annecy Lake in

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

Launching is about style and techniques are usually top-notch. BELOW At this aerobatic comp in Turkey, the smoke bombs that the pilots fly with were helpfully removed from the pilots' release systems after they landed. OPPOSITE Every landing is usually performed with a spin so that a run can be finished with as much style as possible. ABOVE

were turtle couples doing the same

Dada says they run off a launch

blanket stays open and smooth.

thing together like when I see that

called Forclaz and fly straight over

It must not be exciting for them,

kid who looks exactly like me and

the lake, so people called judges

because they don’t cheer the turtles

does everything I do whenever I look

can see them. These judges sit in

like the many other people who are

behind the bathroom door. All of the

the same place all day watching

watching. Maybe they’re sad be-

couples were two guys, but it would

the turtles up in the sky make their

cause they have to look up at the sun

be cool if they could be couples like

blankets move all around them.

all the time. Mama says I shouldn’t

Mama and Dada, doing this turtle-

Dada says they give the turtles

do that because it’s bad for my eyes,

couple dance in the sky

points depending on how much the

so I guess I can’t be a judge. I’m glad we were at a lake, because I got to play in it every day and watch turtle after turtle try to land on a big floating yellow square. Dada said the landing has become one of the most important parts of the turtle sky dance, because the public who are watching can see how close the pilots can get to the water and touch the tips of their blankets. He said they can’t really see or understand what’s going on high in the sky with all that complicated crazy stuff, but they really like it when the turtles almost skip on the water. I saw Dada look like a skipping rock one time; another time he landed on the yellow square, and then he landed

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

not far away, where he could’ve

turtles for the whole summer, he

swum to me and Mama on the

could do really well in these dances,

beach. He was never happy when

too. Dada says he wishes he could,

that happened, even though Mama

but he has a corporate blah-blah-

and I were smiling and waving at

blah job that pays really well so he

him.

can pay for things—things we need

The turtle who won the one-turtle-

at home and things that make me

flying competition was François

happy. And, he always says he’s

Ragolski from France. He’s a friend

working hard for my future.

of Dada’s and his girlfriend, Loraine,

I don’t know what my future is. It

is my Aunty Lolo, who’s been staying

sounds scary, but maybe he can get

with us recently so she can learn

one on Amazon?

English. She takes me to swim class

It’s getting late now and Mama

and daycare every week where other

wants to read to me so I’m going to

kids like me also come to play. Then

stop writing now. Thank you for

she goes to fly in Boulder. Aunty Lolo

reading my essay on my summer in

and Dada speak French sometimes,

Europe. And thank you to those who

too. François is Dada’s favorite pilot,

helped our family get there, espe-

because he’s really good at making

cially the people at the Foundation

his spaghetti and blanket look nice

for Free Flight.

in the sky and is always smiling and

I hope you like my story of our

has a great attitude. François told

summer trip to France. It was fun to

Dada once that if he could just live in

remember this trip and see Dada in

Organya, Spain, (Dada said he’s been

the sky, because I like to watch him

there twice) and train with other

fly and do crazy stuff. The End

Pick up these hot titles by

DENNIS PAGEN

www.DENNISPAGEN.com Sport Aviation Publications PO Box 43, Spring Mills, PA 16875 pagenbks@lazerlink.com | 814-404-9446

HOW TO USE

CALENDAR &CLASSIFIED

CALENDAR, CLINIC & TOUR LISTINGS can

be submitted online at https://www.ushpa. org/page/calendar. A minimum 3-MONTH LEAD TIME is required on all submissions and tentative events will not be published. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES - Rates

start at $10.00 for 200 characters. MINIMUM AD CHARGE $10.00. ALL CLASSIFIEDS ARE PREPAID. No refunds will be given on ads cancelled that are scheduled to run multiple months. For more info, visit www.ushpa. org/page/magazine-classified-advertising HANG GLIDING ADVISORY: Used hang gliders

should always be disassembled before flying for the first time and inspected carefully for fatigued, bent or dented downtubes, ruined bushings, bent bolts (especially the heart bolt), re-used Nyloc nuts, loose thimbles, frayed or rusted cables, tangs with non-circular holes, and on flex wings, sails badly torn or torn loose from their anchor points front and back on the keel and leading edges. PARAGLIDING ADVISORY: Used paragliders should

always be thoroughly inspected before flying for the first time. Annual inspections on paragliders should include sailcloth strength tests. Simply performing a porosity check isn’t sufficient. Some gliders pass porosity yet have very weak sailcloth. BUYER BEWARE - If in doubt, many hang gliding

and paragliding businesses will be happy to give an objective opinion on the condition of equipment you bring them to inspect. BUYERS SHOULD SELECT EQUIPMENT THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR SKILL LEVEL OR RATING. NEW PILOTS SHOULD SEEK PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION FROM A USHPA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR.

CALENDAR MAR 8-10 > Golden, Colorado - USHPA Spring Board Meeting and awards banquet. Be sure to RSVP if you plan to attend the banquet.

JUN 9-16 > Ruch/Woodrat Mountain, OR. Applegate Open. National Series. Rogue Valley Hang Gliding and Paragliding is sponsoring this paragliding race to goal event at Woodrat Mountain near Ruch, Oregon. Similar in format to previous years’ Rat Race events the Applegate Open will feature a sanctioned race competition and a fun sprint competition along with a training clinic. For more information go to www.wingsoverapplegate.org, or Dane Wells at pdx.dbw@gmail.com, or 503-804-1077.

clinics & tours

JUL 8-14 > Chelan, WA. US Open of Paragliding

MEETINGS

JAN 26 - FEB 3, FEB 3-11 & FEB 11-19 > Rolda-

nillo Colombia - Eagle Paragliding Colombia Tours Eagle Paragliding guarantees unforgettable flying on their 3 tours near Roldanillo Colombia. Pilots of all levels are offered coaching on thermaling, XC Flying, Tandem XC, and race to goal tasks. We have been offering tours for over two decades all over the world. The number of high caliber staff members supporting pilots at Eagle clinics and tours is unprecedented. Let Mitch Riley, Marty DeVietti, Brian Howell, Dave Turner ,and Rob Sporrer support you in achieving your goals for the week. More info: Phone 805-968-0980, rob@paraglide.com, www. eagleparagliding.com

JAN 28 - FEB 4 > Tapalpa, Mexico - Winter fly-

ing in Warm Mexico Parasoft continues its trips to Tapalpa, Mexico for a 16 year! Join us for 6 days of guided flying, airport pack up & delivery, private hotel room and breakfast each morning where we talk about each days objectives---$1,800. P2 week Jan 28--Feb 4 or P3 Feb 4--11th. More info: http:// parasoftparagliding.com/mexico-flying/

Chelan. US OPEN of Paragliding Chelan 2018" will be a Pre-PWC event will the goal, pending approval of running PWC in July 2019 the week after the Nationals. Volunteers, competitors and spectators welcome. Registration open March 1st 2018. More information at www.300peaks.com, mattysenior@ yahoo.com, or 206-420-9101.

AUG 5-11 > Big Spring, Texas. 2018 Big Spring Nationals Series. 2018 Big Spring Nationals Series site of the 2007 World Hang Gliding Championship, the finest cross country hang gliding competition site in the US. Big Tasks (world records), smooth thermals, unrestricted landing areas, easy retrieval on multiple roads, consistent cumulus development at 1 PM, air conditioned head quarters, hanger for setup, free water and ice cream, welcome and awards dinner, live tracking, many drivers available, strong safety record, highest pilot satisfaction rating. More information at www.ozreport.com, davis@davisstraub. com, or 863-207-2634.

FLY-INS

SEP 2-8 > Whitwell and Henson’s Gap, Dunlap, TN. East Coast National Paragliding Competition. Eastern US Cup. FAI Cat 2. Race to Goal format. More info: www.flying.camp.

DEC 28-30 > Cove Mountain, Richfield Utah - Win-

SEP 16-22 > Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Re-

ter Festival Fly In Come try some snow flying with us, maybe some ski or snow shoe launching, Bring your snow toys and dress warm. Winter is a great time to fly, with smooth air and soft landings. More Info: www.cuasa.com, Stacy Whitmore 435-9790225 stacy@cuasa.com Jef Anderson 435-8967999 jef@cuasa.com

SANCTIONED EVENTS APR 15-21 > Quest Air, Groveland, Florida - 2018 Quest Air Nationals Series. Flatland national-level competition in Florida where the weather is so good so early. Open, Sport, and Rigid wing classes. Pilots from Europe and South America join in the fun. Light winds mean that we can often return to Quest Air. Powerful tugs for quick tows to release altitude. You can find out more about Quest Air, the site of this competition here: http://questairhanggliding. com, and more info about registration and event at www.ozreport.com, davis@davisstraub.com, or 863-207-2634.

sort, Casa Grande, Arizona. 11th annual aerotow competition with both desert flatland and mountain flying. Primarily triangle and out and return tasks with goal at the Francisco Grande Golf Resort. More information at www.santacruzflatsrace.blogspot. com, or contact Jamie Sheldon at naughtylawyer@ gmail.com.

CLASSIFIED CLINICS & TOURS BAJA MEXICO: La Salina Baja's BEST BEACHFRONT

Airsport Venue: PG, HG, PPG: FlyLaSalina.com. by BajaBrent.com, He’ll hook you up! Site intros, tours, & rooms. bajabrent@bajabrent.com, 760-203-2658

Dec - April: Paragliding in Costa Rica with

Alex. Performance flying @ Alex's Rivas Launch, beach landings @ Dominical and easy flying @ Jaco. Cabana accommodations with home cooked breakfast.

FLYMEXICO - VALLE DE BRAVO for Winter and year round flying tours and support. Hang Gliding, Paragliding. Guiding, gear, instruction, transportation, lodging. www. flymexico.com +1 512-467-2529 Paragliding Tours 2018 with USHPA Advanced

Instructor and veteran guide Nick Crane. Jan/Feb/Mar - Costa Rica; Jun/Sep/Oct - Europe; Mar/Dec - Brazil. www.costaricaparagliding.com; nick@paracrane.com

PARTS & ACCESSORIES GUNNISON GLIDERS - X-C, Factory, heavy PVC HG gliderbags $149 Harness packs & zippers. New/used parts, equipment, tubes. 1549 CR 17 Gunnison, CO 81230 970-641-9315

INJURED? HAD A CLOSE CALL?

Report it on AIRS! airs.ushpa.aero

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AIRS IS STANDING BY - FILE A REPORT TODAY! All AIRS reports are completely confidential

FLORIDA LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK - Nearest moun-

tain training center to Orlando. Two training hills, novice mountain launch, aerotowing, great accommodations. hanglide.com, 877-hanglide, (877) 426-4543.

NORTH CAROLINA WINGS & HARNESSES Fly Center of Gravity: The CG-1000 is the original

custom fit, single line suspension harness. Built to last from your H1 through your H4. Choose from our list of options to suit your needs and select your colors and special designs to make the harness your own. www. flycenterofgravity.com; flycenterofgravity@gmail.com

SCHOOLS & INSTRUCTORS ALABAMA LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK - The best facilities, largest inventory, camping, swimming, volleyball, more. Wide range of accommodations. hanglide.com, 877-hanglide, (877) 426-4543, hanglide.com.

COLORADO GUNNISON GLIDERS - X-C to heavy waterproof HG gliderbags. Accessories, parts, service, sewing. Instruction ratings, site-info. Rusty Whitley 1549 CR 17, Gunnison CO 81230. 970-641-9315.

GEORGIA LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK - Discover why

5 times as many pilots earn their wings at LMFP. Enjoy our 110 acre mountain resort. www.hanglide.com, 877-hanglide, (877) 426-4543.

HAWAII PROFLYGHT PARAGLIDING Call Dexter for friendly

information about flying on Maui. Full service school offering beginner to advanced instruction, year round. 808-874-5433 paraglidemaui.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE MORNINGSIDE - A Kitty Hawk Kites flight park. The

Northeast's premier hang gliding and paragliding training center, teaching since 1974. Hang gliding foot launch and tandem aerowtow training. Paragliding foot launch and tandem training. Powered Paragliding instruction. Dealer for all major manufacturers. Located in Charlestown, NH. Also visit our North Carolina location, Kitty Hawk Kites Flight School. 603-542-4416, www.flymorningside.com

KITTY HAWK KITES - The largest hang gliding school in the world, teaching since 1974. Learn to hang glide and paraglide on the East Coast's largest sand dune. Yearround instruction, foot launch and tandem aerotow. 1902 Wright Glider Experience available. Dealer for all major manufacturers. Learn to fly where the Wright Brothers flew, located at the beach on NC's historic Outer Banks. Also visit our NH location, Morningside Flight Park. 252441-2426, 1-877-FLY-THIS, www.kittyhawk.com

TENNESSEE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK - Just outside Chattanooga. Become a complete pilot -foot launch, aerotow, mountain launch, ridge soar, thermal soar. hanglide.com, 877-hanglide, (877) 426-4543.

VIRGINIA BLUE SKY located near Richmond , year round instruction,

all forms of towing, repairs, sewing. Representing Wills Wing, Moyes, Icaro, Aeros PG, Mosquito, Flylight,Woody Valley, HES , www.blueskyhg.com

Fly beyond! with the Oudie

• Touchscreen • Color moving map • Highly customizable • Thermal assistant Flytec.com • 800.662.2449

RATINGS ISSUED SEPTEMBER 2017 RTG RGN NAME

H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-4 H-4 H-4 H-4 H-4 H-4 H-4 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2

2 2 2 2 3 3 8 9 2 2 3 3 7 9 10 10 10 10 10 12 2 3 3 4 4 8 10 10 10 12 2 2 3 4 4 9 10 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 8 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

Attila Kabai CA Terry Garnier CA Mike Kolupaev CA Samuel Zlibut CA Alex Kitay CA Jay Dimter CA Harrison Sylvan MA Fraser Marlow PA Mike Kolupaev CA Darin Bue NV Ed Wiggins CA Gabriele Di Francesco CA Andrew Nygren WI Megan Turner VA Mike Effinger AL Duncan Wierman SC Brooke Quinley TN Paul Kent Colangelo GA Lemuel Stevens Iv TN Peter Biggers NY Toben Green CA Trac Ngo CA Eduardo Sallada CA Jeff Bennett CO Gabriel Gavidia-garcia UT Michael Asel NH M Carolina Orphee AL Juan Orphee AL Daniel Gutierrez Hoyos FL Zachary Hill NY Alex Psomopoulos CA Soham Mehta CA Walter (terry) Heatlie CA Rick Maddy CO Shawn Scott NM Billy Vaughn VA Sebastian Domingo AL Kevin Doyle WA Helen Wheat WA Roger Auble OR Alain Plattner CA Christopher Doiron CA Aaron Mednick CA Crespin Romero CA Baoxuan Yin CA Kyle Barnedt CA Jason Himmelmann CA Charles Bether CA Jason Hernandez CA Amber Carney CA Michael Mccaffrey CA Eli Chevalier VT Bruce Turner MA Adrianne Decotes OR Jonathan Evans OR John Meyer WA Barry Crist WA Brian Cawthorn WA William Joe Dunlap WA Michael Eppers WA Will Adams WA Leighton Evans WA Katrina Lefrancois-hanson WA Claire Grover WA Aura Spann OR Brian Hibberd OR Michal Jastrzebski OR Kim Zollinger OR Roger Auble OR

Robert Booth Robert Booth Robert Booth Robert Booth Greg Dewolf Andrew Beem Robert Stewart-ii Nolan Hollingshead Arturo Melean Robert Booth Timothy Ward Dan Deweese Rik Bouwmeester Hunter Hollingshead Scott Schneider Scott Schneider Alan Friday Alan Friday Billy Vaughn Daniel Guido Patrick Denevan Rob Mckenzie Rob Mckenzie John Heiney Tiki Mashy Eric Meibos Matthew Taber Matthew Taber Eric Hinrichs Matthew Hickerson Patrick Denevan Robert Booth Andrew Beem Dean Miller Mel Glantz Scott Schneider Matthew Taber Maren Ludwig Owen Shoemaker Samuel Crocker Wallace Anderson Jeffrey Greenbaum Wallace Anderson Jeffrey Greenbaum Jeffrey Greenbaum Mitchell Neary Mitchell Neary Jerome Daoust Max Marien Max Marien Jc Perren Calef Letorney John Dunn Maren Ludwig Maren Ludwig Steven Wilson Marc Chirico Andy Macrae Denise Reed Denise Reed Denise Reed Denise Reed Denise Reed Marc Chirico Jon Malmberg Samuel Crocker Brad Hill Christopher Hunlow Samuel Crocker

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

RTG RGN NAME

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

RTG RGN NAME

P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3

CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA NV CA CA CA HI CA CA CA CA CA CA CA HI CA CO CO CO CO UT CO UT UT UT UT CO CO UT UT CO UT MT ID WY MO

P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-5

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 12 1 1 1 1

Karl Allmendinger Jan Safranek David Skilton Katherine Sarasas Gregory Schlomoff Nichole Brown Meni Hillel Glenn Foster James Cooper Carl Olsson Arindam Ashim Bose Kiel Edson Arthur Boessenkool Srdjan Pantic Kiran Reddy Andrew Salisbury Robb Derringer Margot Taylor Bikash Pandey Mark Cromer Buddy Parker Cody Smart George Laperle Sam Nikou Michael Cimo Luigi Bella Jarom Renfeldt David Brecheisen Walter Chapman Tyler Beattie Daniel Schobel Lyndsey Zaccaro Christopher Chelales Hillary Dorsey Glenn Goodman Mallory Millington Paul Keith Phelps Rodney Cyr Ian Cyr Adam Sotkin Dustin Goodman Daniel West Curtis Pons Mike England Craig Fournier Josh Anderson Nathan Thobaben Li Ka Fai Nelson Philip Ilten Mark Vosmek David Anderson Lucie Low Evangeline Wolford Christopher Cheyne Bernd Opitz Kaden Wolford Jan Wortham Mark Wortham Shaina Meitl Matthew Hawksworth Joshua Mallory Thomas Mallory Amanda Marrot Jimmy Lee Brewer Israel Ernani Beneti Marc Shepard Mark Geuss Mike Haase Evan Garcia

WI MN VA DC TN NC GA TN FL FL TN NC TX TX TX TX NY WA AK WA WA

Wallace Anderson Cynthia Currie Jeffrey Greenbaum Jesse Meyer Jesse Meyer Jesse Meyer Jesse Meyer Jesse Meyer Jesse Meyer Jesse Meyer Jesse Meyer Cynthia Currie Denise Reed Stacy Whitmore Jonathan Jefferies Juan Silva Jerome Daoust Jesse Meyer Rob Sporrer Christopher Grantham Rob Sporrer Brad Gunnuscio Rob Sporrer Allen Thoe Rob Sporrer David Binder Stephen Nowak Jason White Kay Tauscher Gregory Kelley Kay Tauscher Chris Santacroce Patrick Johnson Gary Begley Jason White Chris Santacroce Jonathan Jefferies Rob Sporrer Rob Sporrer Jonathan Jefferies Jason White Nathan Taylor Jonathan Jefferies Andy Macrae Stephen Mayer Jonathan Jefferies Kay Tauscher Ma-chiu Kit Heath Woods Steve Sirrine Marc Chirico Nathan Taylor David Hanning Andy Macrae David Hanning David Hanning Denise Reed Denise Reed David Hanning Jonathan Jefferies Chris Santacroce Chris Santacroce Chris Santacroce Stephen Mayer Marcus Santos Marc Chirico Jake Schlapfer Jon Malmberg Matt Henzi

1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 6 7 8 9 9 10 10 11 12 1 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 8 8 8 12 8

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

James Byrd WA Alex Leone WA Blake Fowles WA David Conger CA Martin Canabal CA Gregory Giacovelli Jr. CA Plamen Yanakiev CA Andrew Zoechbauer HI Polina Smirnova CA Miok Lee CA Cesar Lopez De Castro CA Scott Braddock AZ Steven Grezlak AZ John Kear NM Christina Rudy CO Wong Ka Lam Joseph Houle MI Jean Machado MA Gabriel Bass DC Andria Gragg KY Marc Angelo FL Hector Rivera S FL Leslie Graham TX Zoe Sheehan Saldana NY Trevor Larson WA David Fischbach CA Andrew Zoechbauer HI Ricardo Gomes Barbosa CA Scott Horton AZ Ivo Salomon UT Jd Cutler UT Justin Spain NM Matthew Hanson UT William Pardis UT Michael Marino MA Bruno Azevedo CT Tim Coleman NH Jeames Reis NY John Gallagher MA

Matt Henzi Marc Chirico Matt Henzi Mitchell Neary Rob Sporrer Gabriel Jebb Stanley-kyon Ki-hong Pete Michelmore Jerome Daoust Max Marien Jerome Daoust Aaron Cromer Chandler Papas David Prentice Max Marien Peter Humes Blake Pelton Uziel De Souza David Hanning David Hanning Rebecca Bredehoft Luis Ameglio Hadley Robinson Joachim Roesler Denise Reed Max Marien Pete Michelmore Gabriel Jebb Aaron Cromer Patrick Johnson Jason White Charles Woods Jonathan Jefferies Chris Santacroce Peter Humes Uziel De Souza Calef Letorney Marcus Santos Calef Letorney

Take your ratings and expiration date everywhere you fly. Download from the Members Only section of the USHPA website. Print, trim, and store in your wallet. Great for areas without cell coverage.Always available at www.USHPA.aero Save the PDF on your mobile device for easy reference.

RATINGS ISSUED OCTOBER 2017 RTG RGN NAME

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

RTG RGN NAME

H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1

2 2 2 2 4 4 6 10

Mark Drury Plaridel Caparas Mark Hannum Mark Holsonbake Carter Harrison Iv Neil Diamente Darren Frey Dylan Cruse

CA CA CA CA NM AZ

H-1 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-4 H-4 H-4 H-4 H-4 H-4 H-4 H-4 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1

11 2 3 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 10 10 2 2 4 5 5 7 9 10 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 6

Aaron Scott TX Mark Holsonbake CA Sam Holmes CA Ray Neisewanaer Iii IL Kris Brantley IL Jay Whitehair Iii VT Kevin Fluth MA Eric Masterson NH C. Logan Poisson MA Johnathan Herndon MD Donnie Hogue VA Tycho Jaquish NC Ellis Mcmillan SC Mike Downs FL Karen Bergamaschi FL Jesse Meyer CA Richard Xu CA Eliezar Vigdorchik CA Gustavo Eidji Camarinha Fujiwara CA Noel Dilks CA Iraj Shahmohammadi CA Daniel Zehr CO Todd Byers UT Adam Smith TN Marcelo Brosig FL Dmitry Lepikhin CA Guilherme Issao Fujiwara CA Ann Dunlap CO John Lang Chris Florkow Terry Eads IL Jonathan Irlbeck PA Philipp Neumann GA Bryan Becker OR Daniel Morris WA Chris Chomycia OR Ray Williams OR Trevor Wichmann OR Mason Wichmann OR Elliot Ericson WA Robert Onstott OR Donald Wray AK Cary Cleverley NV Anatoly Georgiyvich Pavlov CA Joseph Phillips CA Jeff Fisher CA Heather Maslowski CA Celeste Swatling CA Paul Morgan CA Dzmitry Vadalazhski CA David Flannery CA Michael Gaetke CA Ka Lung Wong Wang Xiao Xing Chan Siu Ning Kong Yau Chau Ma Po Shing Lau Ming Kuen Jensen

P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2

Eric Hinrichs Eric Hinrichs Eric Hinrichs Lyndon Thomas Mel Glantz Eric Smith Wolf Gaidis Nolan Hollingshead Bart Weghorst Lyndon Thomas Dan Deweese Jordan Stratton Alan Friday Tanyel Yildirok Thor Froh Thor Froh Thor Froh Steve Wendt Johnathon Bland Hunter Hollingshead Billy Vaughn Malcolm Jones Malcolm Jones John Simpson Patrick Denevan Glenn Zapien Patrick Denevan Andrew Beem Dan Deweese Andrew Beem Calvin Hadley Matthew Taber Malcolm Jones Eric Hinrichs Patrick Denevan Mark Windsheimer Bill Soderquist Bill Soderquist Michael Van-kuiken Jack Eckert Scott Schneider Kelly Kellar Denise Reed Kelly Kellar Samuel Crocker Maren Ludwig Maren Ludwig Kelly Kellar Kelly Kellar Ken Hudonjorgensen Arthur Neil Jesse Meyer Jeffrey Greenbaum Jesse Meyer Jeffrey Greenbaum Jeffrey Greenbaum Jesse Meyer Jesse Meyer Marcello Debarros Jc Perren Yuen Wai-kit Ma-chiu Kit Ma-chiu Kit Ma-chiu Kit Ma-chiu Kit Ma-chiu Kit

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 8 8 8 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Li Kam Tong Kuok Hong Lou Lam Kok Man Ip Tin Lung Wing Sze Hung Tang Cheuk Kwan Szeto Koon Kau Mun-juen Jeffrey Choi Hui Siu Man Lam Kin Wah Fung Long Yi Yuen Chun Ying Samuel Choy Wai Violet Stephen Wright-eaton Anan Eisenstein-bond Andrea Kirmaier Lucio De Souza Ben Myles Farzad Keshvadian Robert Gebert Mariah Scott Kevin Doyle Dave Wark Chris Brehmer Michael Smith Garrett Ownbey Michael Driesen Christopher Doiron Sean Speer Martin Bialy Kyle Daniels Stefan Bolka Crespin Romero Kyle Barnedt Heather Maslowski Jason Himmelmann Amy Pruss Nicolas Troncoso Tomas Kucera John Langham Dennis Johnson David Flannery Gene Nagata Taylor Rathbun Anton Bauhofer Banning Burt Wilfried Wiebe Ali Kalanaki Noel Famatiga Mark Patterson Michael Moore Lauren Swihart Danelle Herra Andrew Fox Loren Lemcke Charles Bauer Matthew Smith Austin Adesso Tim Carlson Michael Ricci Michael Ortiz Andy Nichols Alec Brokaw Jonathan Grimes Jessica Bohn Peter Kretowski

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

ME MA MA NH OR WA WA OR WA AK AK OR OR WA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA NV CA NV HI CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CO CO CO AZ CO CO CO CO CO AZ UT CO CO NM AZ

Ma-chiu Kit Yuen Wai-kit Ma-chiu Kit Ma-chiu Kit Yuen Wai-kit Ma-chiu Kit Ma-chiu Kit Ma-chiu Kit Ma-chiu Kit Ma-chiu Kit Ma-chiu Kit Ma-chiu Kit Ma-chiu Kit John Dunn John Dunn John Dunn John Dunn David Hebert Steven Wilson Steven Wilson Brad Hill Maren Ludwig Chris Reynolds Jonathan Jefferies Samuel Crocker Jonathan Jefferies Jonathan Jefferies Jeffrey Greenbaum Jeffrey Greenbaum Joseph Seitz Robert Black Jeffrey Greenbaum Jeffrey Greenbaum Arthur Neil Jeffrey Greenbaum Mitchell Neary Christopher Grantham David Hebert Jonathan Jefferies Stephen Mayer Hadi Golian Marcello Debarros Marcello Debarros Denise Reed Stephen Nowak David Hebert Ma-chiu Kit Hadi Golian Hadi Golian Rob Sporrer Rob Sporrer Kay Tauscher Kay Tauscher Mark Rich Aaron Cromer Gregory Kelley Paul Gurrieri Kay Tauscher Granger Banks Jonathan Jefferies Gary Begley Nathan Taylor Granger Banks Granger Banks Andy Macrae Jonathan Jefferies

RTG RGN NAME

4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

Nick Schrand CO Will Jarvis CO Marieta Nicolls CO Clinton Christensen UT Abbey Turnau CO Keith Warren Peter Tapley MT Daniel Thiessen ID Eric Nelson MT Daniel Judy MT Bryce Tokmakian MT Roy Taylor MT Tamara Williams MT Cullan Lester ID Fong Chun Hong Shi Po Lo Shum Kwan Yu Guillermo Enrique Martinez Prieto Yimer Jesus Sterling Sanchez Man Kin Sum Kelvin Lok Kei Tong Zetske Colyn Thomas Scholtz Lam Chi Keung Chan Kin Kwan Darren Kennedy Ong Tze Boon Chui Wa Wong Chun Li Lyle Wilson MI Bruce Prince NH Erik Davitt CT Jason Wallace MA Pascal Liddane NH Marlo Studley MA Gregg Squeglia MA Jerry Gumbita PA Lisa Davis VA Arfas Sait NC Rebecca Graeber NC Alfred Crabtree TN John Rogers FL Jason Moledzki FL Marcus Bacattui NC Nils Simonsen GA Francisco Neri FL Selwyn Facey NC Chris Chaney TX Chris Walker TX Paulo Trevisan NY Emilio Keyrouz NJ Julio Chicaiza NY William Phillips NY Anton Volkov NY Tim Harris WA William Palmer AK Brian Oneill WA Greg Stewart WA Greg Aiello CA Ian Kirk CA Byron Amerson CA Gordon Dollar CA Jan Pauck CA Jason Folker CA Tal Wolf CA Olga Pustovalova CA

William Purden-jr William Purden-jr William Purden-jr William Purden-jr Ted Smith Zion Susanno-loddby Dale Covington Andy Macrae Andy Macrae Patrick Johnson Andy Macrae Andy Macrae Andy Macrae Jonathan Jefferies Tung Ng Tung Ng Ma-chiu Kit Miguel Gutierrez Miguel Gutierrez Yuen Wai-kit Tung Ng Zion Susanno-loddby Zion Susanno-loddby Tung Ng Tung Ng Jonathan Jefferies Rob Sporrer Tung Ng Tung Ng Calef Letorney John Dunn John Dunn John Dunn John Dunn John Dunn John Dunn Heath Woods David Hanning David Hanning Andy Macrae David Hanning Gary Begley Jonathan Jefferies Jonathan Jefferies Jonathan Jefferies Jonathan Jefferies Jonathan Jefferies Hadley Robinson David Hebert Sebastien Kayrouz Sebastien Kayrouz Sebastien Kayrouz William Purden-jr Joachim Roesler Roger Brock Ken Hudonjorgensen Steven Wilson Denise Reed Max Marien Mitchell Neary Andy Macrae Jesse Meyer Jerome Daoust Jerome Daoust Steven Wilson Gabriel Jebb

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

RATINGS ISSUED OCTOBER 2017 (continued) P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3

3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6

David Flannery Robert Michiels Andrew Owen Kerry Smeester Jeffrey Parrot June Garcia Timothy Hasselmann Dylan Gray Bryce Tokmakian Roy Taylor Tamara Williams Wong Wan Sang Juan Pablo Ochoa Garcia De Quevedo

CA CA CA CO CO UT CO CO MT MT MT

Marcello Debarros Philip Russman Marcello Debarros Granger Banks Granger Banks Stephen Mayer Jonathan Jefferies Granger Banks Andy Macrae Andy Macrae Andy Macrae Yuen Wai-kit Miguel Gutierrez

P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-4 P-4 P-4

6 6 6 8 8 10 10 10 11 12 1 2 2

Guillermo Enrique Martinez Prieto Yimer Jesus Sterling Sanchez Li Chi Yan Stephen Verbeek MA Richard Ackerman NH Jan-philipp Stourac GA Aaron Stocum FL John Nolan NC Kurt Leithe TX Jeff Adamiak NJ Aaron Spitz OR Patrick Joyce NV Jarred Bonaparte CA

Miguel Gutierrez Miguel Gutierrez Yuen Wai-kit Peter Williams Calef Letorney David Hanning Jerome Daoust Jonathan Jefferies Jerome Daoust Rolan Yang Steve Roti Jerome Daoust Mike Fifield

P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-5

2 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 6 8 8

Arthur Korn CA Daniel Zaslavsky CA Morten Kals CA James Shelby CA Mike Lester CA Matt Hotchkiss UT David Cox CO Randall Shane ID Michael Yeung Guillermo Enrique Martinez Prieto Yimer Jesus Sterling Sanchez Tom Lanning MA Calef Letorney VT

Jesse Meyer Jesse Meyer Harry Sandoval Gabriel Jebb Jerome Daoust Chris Santacroce Blake Pelton Justin Boer Yuen Wai-kit Miguel Gutierrez Miguel Gutierrez John Gallagher Paul Voight

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