USHGA Hang Gliding June 1993

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MOYES CALIFORNIA 2202 l Covello St. Canoga Park, CA 91303 Tel: (818) 887 3361 Fax: (818) 702 0612


(USPS 017-970-20 ~ ISSN 0895-433X)

15 Global Positioning Systems article, photos and illustration by Mark Stucky An excellent product review and comparison.

20 Sky Gods Speak- Tony Barton by Davis Straub An interview with one of the nation's top pilots.

27 What Goes Up, Must It Come Down? article and photo by Michael]. Boyle A humorous recounting of Michael's return to Lookout Mountain Flight Park.

36 Pilot Report: The High Energy Racer Harness © 1993 by Dennis Pagen A look at High Energy's new super harness.

40 Site Report: Mount Nebo, Arkansas © 1993 by Rob Richardson A great place for flying with very friendly locals.

43 My Greek Friend article and photos by Angelo Mantas The story of making a hang gliding friend in a foreign country.

Columns

Departments

Accident Reports .................................... 24

Airmail ....................................................... 5

Competition Corner ............................... .48

Update ........................................................ 9

by Dan Johnson ......... 63

Calendar of Events ................................... 12

Product Lines -

Classified Advertising .............................. 55 Index to Advertisers ................................. 62 Ratings ..................................................... 52

)UNE 1993

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1994 REGIONAL DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS SOLICITED USHGA is issuing its 18th annual call for nominations to the national Board of Directors. Eleven positions are open for election in October, 1993 for a two-year term beginning January, 1994. USHGA members seeking a position on the ballot should send to headquarters for receipt no later than August 20, 1993 the following information: name and USHGA number, photo and resume (one page containing the candidate's hang gliding activities and viewpoints, written consent to be nominated and that they will serve if elected). Candidates must be nominated by at least three USHGA members residing in the candidate's region. Nominations are needed in the following regions. The current Directors are listed and their terms expire December 31, 1993. Notethateffective 1/1/94 Region 5 will be eliminated and its states moved to Regions 1, 7 and 6. Ballots will be distributed with the October issue of Hang Gliding magazine. USHGA needs the very best volunteers to help guide the safe development and growth of the sport. Forward candidate material for receipt no later than August 20 to: USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933.

Reapportioned USHGA regions; changed at spring '93 Board of Directors meeting

Reg. #

CURRENT DIRECTOR STATES WITHIN REGION

1 2

Mike King (was Reg. 5) Russ Locke Open Joe Greblo Gregg Lawless Glen Nicolet Ron Kenney Pete Lehmann Matt Taber Jeff Hunt Paul Voight

3 4 6

9 10 11

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Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming Northern California, Nevada Southern California, Hawaii Arizona, Colorado, El Paso, New Mexico, Utah Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska Washington, D.C., Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, W. Virginia Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, N. & S. Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands Texas, Louisiana New Jersey, New York

The following form is for your convenience.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR ELECTION, NOMINATION FORM

I hereby nominate ____________________________________ as a candidate for Regional Director for Region# . I understand that his/her name will be placed on the Official Ballot for the 1993 Regional Director Election, if three nominations are received by August 20, 1993.

I have notified the above person and he/she has accepted the nomination.


Gil Dodgen, Editor/Art Director John Heiney, Leroy Grannis Photographers Harry Martin, Illustrator Dennis Pagen, G.W. Meadows Staff Writers Tim Rinker, Design Consultant Office Staff

Jerry Bruning, Executive Director Greg Huller, Ratings & ICP's Cindy Evans, Member Services PJ More, Special Projects & Competitions Stu Clark, Insurance & Member Services Jeff Elgart, Marketing & Advertising D. Dean leyerle, Merchandise Services USl-fGA Officers and Executive Committee:

Gregg Lawless, President Paul Voight, Vice President Russ Locke, Secretary Dan Johnson, Treasurer REGION 1: Gene Matthews. REGION 2: Lynda Nelson, Russ Locke, Ray Leonard. REGION 3: Joe Greblo, Sandy King, Gregg Lawless. REGION 4: Rod Hauser, Glen Nicolet. REGION 5: Mike King. REGION 6: Ron Kenney. REGION 7: Bill Bryden. REGION 8: Randy Adams. REGION 9: Pete Lehmann, William Bennett. REGION 10: Matt Taber, Rick Jacob. REGION11: Jeff Hunt. REGION 12: Paul Voight, Paul Rikert. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Dan Johnson, Jerry Forburger, Jan Johnson, Dennis Pagen. HONORARY DIRECTORS: Ken Brown, Jim Zeiset, Doug Hildreth, G.W. Meadows, Tom Kreyche, Mike Meier, Rob Kells, Fred Stockwell, Gregg McNamee, Michael Robe11son, Dave Broyles. EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS: Art Greenfield (NAA), Ken Baier (Paragliding). The United States Hang Gliding Association Inc. is an air sports organization affiliated with the National Aeronautic Association (NM) which is the official representative of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FA!), of the world governing body for sport aviation. The NAA, which represents the U.S. at FA! meetings, has delegated to the USHGA supervision of FAl-related hang gliding activities such as record attempts and competition sanctions. HANG GLIDING magazine is published for hang gliding sport enthusiasts to create further interest in the sport, and to provide an educational forum to advance hang gliding methods and safety. Contributions are welcome. Anyone is invited to contribute a11icles, photos, and illustrations concerning hang gliding activities. If the material is to be returned, a stamped, selfaddressed return envelope must be enclosed. Notification must be made of submission to other hang gliding publications. HANG GLIDING magazine reserves the right to edit contributions where necessary. The Association and publication do not assume responsibility for the material or opinions of contributors. HANG GLIDING editorial offices: 6950 Aragon Circle, Suite 6, Buena Park, CA 90620 (714) 994-3050. HANG GLIDING (ISSN 0895-433x) is published monthly by the United States Hang Gliding Association, Inc., 559 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Suite 101, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 (719) 632-8300. FAX (719) 632-6417. Second-class postage is paid at Colorado Springs, CO and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO: HANG GLIDING, P.O. BOX 8300, Colorado Springs, co 80933-8300. The USHGA is a member-controlled sprn1 and educational organization dedicated to exploring all facets of unpowered ultralight flight. Membership is open to anyone interested in this realm of flight. Dues for full membership are $49.00 per year (of which $15 goes to the publication of I-fang Gliding), ($55 Canada & Mexico, $60 foreign); subscription rates only are $35.00 ($40 Canada & Mexico, $50 foreign). Changes of address should be sent six weeks in advance, including name, USHGA number, previous and new address, and a mailing label from a recent issue.

JUNE 1993

VOLUME 23, ISSUE No. 6

Air Mail~ TUDOR COMMENTS Dear Editor, In the April issue of Hang Gliding magazine Russ Locke explained my lack of consistency as a factor for not qualifying for the 1993 World Team and goes on mistakenly to state that there are eight-man reams for the Owen's Valley World Championships. The 1993 World Championships will have six-man teams. Yes, I was certainly inconsistent in the Owen's Valley Pre-World Championships when I blundered away fourth place and dropped to 13th place in the final round. During the 1991-1992 period I only placed first in three competitions, third in two others, one fourth place and a fifth. I should have placed first in every meet to be consistent. Third place in the 1992 U.S. Nationals is not consistent. Mr. Locke states that my participation in foreign meets has not hurt my ranking. In this he is correct. My two first place finishes in Argentina (when I established the current distance record for South America, 227 kilometers) did not detract any points from my ranking, bur was still not worth as much as my mediocre performance in the PreWorld Championships. In the 1992 PreWorlds our U.S. Team placed first in International Competition for the first time since the 1980 America's Cup. In the past I was more consistent when I placed first in three Owen's Valley Championships and second in two others. I hate to say it, bur I must be over the hill. I have recently been informed the reason John Pendty argued so adamantly for sixman reams at the San Francisco CIVL meeting is chat Germany and Britain could not afford the extra two pilots per country. It is a well-known fact the economy in Grear Britain is in a shambles. It would almost appear that last year's Pre-'l)?orld Championship - which had two full British Teams, two full German Teams, two full Australian teams and two full American reams - might be a more difficult competition to win. My condolences go out to all the highly skilled pilots who will not have a chance to fly in the Owen's Valley World Championships because of the CIVL decis10n. Lany Tudor Orange, CA

MORE WOMEN IN HANG GLIDING Dear Editor, I was very glad to read the Viewpoint article by Cindy Gall and Russ Locke in the April issue, and would like to comment on the number (or lack thereof) of women in the hang gliding community. Cindy felt she hadn't been asked: How do we get more women to fly? Being a brand new Hang I and female myself, I chink I have a fairly good perspective on the subject. My main concerns going in were how much technical study was required, how much physical strength was needed (I'm your basic marshmallow in the muscle department), and how hard are landings. Luckily for me, the Chicago Hang Gliding Club has open meetings every month, which are advertised in the local paper. Also, they're held in a well-known public building with easy access to everyone. There were four instructors as well as several veteran pilots at that first meeting, and I left with my questions answered and a determination to get some air under my feet. I started taking lessons in lace June '92, and had a very frustrating summer class which was cancelled nine days out of 10 because of weather. On the one good day I ended up spraining my ankle when I slipped on a loose rock. But, on chose days that were too windy for the bunny hill, I would go hang around the tow park and watch the big kids play. It 'Was what I saw at the tow park that kept me coming back. The camaraderie at the tow park, and at the Chicago Club meetings, was completely genuine. Veteran pilots were always willing to help the newer guys with practical advice and support. Everyone pitched in with the scut work with only a minimum of goodnatured grumbling. Most of all, everyone vvas very encouraging to this fledgling flyer and all the would-be Hang I's. There was a true enthusiasm from the vets as they told us their own hard luck weather stories to keep us from getting discouraged. \Xlhar came across was that they really wanted us to learn to fly, to be able to share the wonder of the sport, and a concern that we learn correctly and safely. Attitude is evetything. What has all this to do with getting more women to fly? Probably nothing, but it is the basis for these suggestions: Make information easily available. Hold open meetings at locations that are easy to get to, and are located where a woman alone

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~ Air Mail will not be afraid of getting out of her car. Advertise the time, date and location of meetings in public forums like the newspaper (though nor necessarily in the sports section) or community bulletin boards. Be enthusiastic, supportive and honest. Obviously there is risk involved, but don't overplay it, or underplay it. There is the frustration factor, especially for the beginner. Make sure she realizes that bad weather and off days happen to evetyone, even veteran pilots. If there is one Neanderthal in the local community who feels that women should not be flying, make sure there are plenty of other guys around to drown out his ravings with the truth - anyone can fly if they have the heart for it. A suggestion for the publishers of Hang Gliding magazine and the calendar: Let's see more pictures of women flying. And I don't mean as tandem students. Offhand I can think of four pictures I have seen published (in the very limited number of issues I have) of Kari Castle, and in only one of them is she actually flying. Seeing pictures of women flying makes it much easier for a prospective woman pilot to visualize herself at the control bar. And once you get that visualization, motivation is right behind. Finally, when trying to talk up the sport to a woman, absolutely, positively do NOT mention how many great guys they'll meet. Tal<e my word for it, any woman who is seriously considering hang gliding is doing so for herself, not to meet men. And the suggestion that that's the reason behind her interest is insulting. Remember, your attitude can make or break it for a beginner. Darcy E. Horan Chicago, IL

CINDY GALL COMMENT Dear Editor, Cindy Gall is right, it is wrong to box in women as people who lack the drive to compete. Eve1ybody is different, and that applies to men as well. We're not all competitors and I think that trying to use competitive events to motivate the current stock of pilots, male or female, is misspent energy. We have two choices: either we find ways to draw in and hold more of my type (i.e., the non-competition pilot), or we need to draw in and hold more competitive types. I argue for the latter, because competition is vital to

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advancing the safety, knowledge, technology and public awareness of our sport, all of which have been advanced primarily by hang gliding's vanguard competitors. Barry Morse Glenwood Landing, NY

I'M RADIO ACTIVE Dear Editor, Not too long ago I purchased a new Kenwood two-meter radio. I got it primarily because I witnessed Lany Huffman talking to Pete Lehmann while Pete was some 60 to 70 miles away on a record-breaking flight. Larry also had a special antenna that increased his range. I bought the same radio and am now vety pleased with it. I had it altered to carry the three USHGA channels and used those three at first. Pete Lehmann made a plea to all of us with two-meter radios to make the effort to get our "tickets" so we could legally use our radios and get full benefit from them. He was right. I knew it, but all that studying seemed too hard and time consuming. In November I went to Argentina to fly and one day landed in the desert 60 miles from anywhere. I was with three other pilots but the 1954 jeep we had for retrieval had broken down and a storm was just about to blow us to Chile. Fortunately, I had my super Kenwood two-meter radio with hotrod antenna. I hooked it up, tuned it to the frequency of the German pilots, and wished I new German. As luck would have it, two of the other pilots with me were German. I handed the radio over and help was on the way. I'm sure you can see the reasons to own such a fine radio, but just as important is the license. In South America I could get away without one, but if you're caught using a two-meter without a license in the U.S. it's two years in the big house with Jeffrey Dahmer for a roommate. To make a long sto1y short, I passed the test. There are two parts, and each has 25 questions. So, if you're thinking about buying one of those great two-meter radios, or if you already have one, don't be afraid of the test. It's meant mostly to keep out the riffraff that clogs up CB. David B. Lytle Cabot, PA

DANGEROUS WINDSOCKS Dear Editor, After reading about an accident in which a pilot clipped a windsock pole at 20 feet AGL I wondered whether any wind indicator needs to be that high. Why make a safety hazard out of a safety aid? Does a windsock need to be any higher off the ground than a glider is when it's flared for landing (about six feet)? If an indicator has to be high, it should ideally be mounted just above an existing tree or building, not blocking an otherwise useable approach path. After seeing and hearing about many such accidents over the years, I make wind indicator poles no more than six feet high, in addition to making them out of either 1/4inch flexible fiberglass rod ($3 at any bicycle shop), or a car antenna coil spring base ($3 at any auto store), or both. After all, aren't there enough existing hazards without adding to them? Bill Umstattd Villanova, PA

MISCELLANY Dear Editor, I agree wholeheartedly with Eric Raymond's boycott of American Airlines. In fact, I suggest that every USHGA member write a personal letter to AA telling them just why you have chosen to avoid their airline until they change their attitude, even if it means a few extra dollars or longer routing to get to where you want to go. I think we should begin to stand up for ourselves as hang glider pilots (with clout) rather than slinking around like some fringe anarchists. (You can reach the Customer Relations Dept. at P.O. Box 619612, Mail Drop 2400, Dallas, TX 75261 (817) 967-2000, fax (817) 967-4162 attn: Ms. J.L. Ferguson.) Second, I also agree with William Swanson that the new format of Hang Gliding is nor as comfortable as the previous version. I'm no editing expert, but I think the whole "feeling" of this revision is outdated and a little amateurish. Next, I want to put in an open call to all pilots who have graced their vehicles with personalized license plates relating to our beloved sport. Please send me a picture (and HANG GLIDING


Air Mail the negative) of your plate as I would like to make a collage to submit for a cover photo. In support of the U.S. ream I have sent in my $20 ($10 each for the women's ream and rhe world ream). What about che rest of you our there? Surely you can afford a measly ten bucks, bur if you can't, call me. Convince me of your undue hardship and I'll make the donation in your name. Anything you win though, in the sweepstakes, is mine. Mike Badley 5919 Laguna Vale Way Elk Grove, CA 95758 (916) 684-4955

PLATFORM LAUNCH SPEEDS Dear Editor, I want to thank Dave Broyles for his articles on towing. I agree with most of his ideas, but chink he is wrong about two matters. The first is his idea of bringing the launch vehicle to a stable speed before the pilot launches. This technique requires a higher launch speed and puts more responsibility on che driver co know exactly when and how much to accelerate. Ir's much simpler just to train the driver to scare rolling when the pilot gives a thumbs up signal and keep accelerating through the launch speed to the desired towing speed. This cakes a lot of responsibility off the driver, and makes for a smoother, safer launch. There's no glider that can overshoot an accelerating vehicle. The acceleration can be slower for smdents and they can be coached or released by an instructor who is right beside the student. The second matter is launch speed. We have launched from a boar with the basetube six inches off the water, from the trunk of a 1964 Galaxy, from a five-foot-high trailer and a three-foot-high trailer and have used the same launch speed for all of them. Some gliders like to launch at 28 mph and I've never seen a glider or situation which required more than a 34 mph launch speed. Below 25 and above 35 are definitely not fun. We use two airspeed indicators next to each other on the front of the ,,chicle that both the driver and pilot can see dearly. David Kincheloe Mount Rope Flight School Graham, NC 27253 JUNE 1993

NORTH CAROLINA SITE INFO Dear Editor, April has offered a very good start for our flying season here on Sauratown Mountain, North Carolina. At our Alligator Rock launch, Michael Calveard of Zuni, Virginia became the first person to launch a paraglider from this site. On April 3 he flew twice to glide his white Excaliber 33 950 feet to the LZ below. Ir looks like this is the area's only place to paraglide since it has a slope takeoff. Just one week later, I launched my WW 153 Super Sport into a 15 mph southeast wind to set a new site soaring record of seven hours. Rising to an alrimde of 3,000' above the valley, I soared with black vultures, red rail hawks, a pair of ospreys and a bald eagle. Low pressure coming in from the west brought about rain showers which terminated my flight early. Area neighbors commented the next day about how high I was and how long I had stayed up. I guess the big deal about the whole flight was the fact that I had just recovered from major back surgery just six months earlier! My progress even surprised me, but it's amazing what intense exercise, determination, and love for the sport can overcome. Paraglider pilots may contact me at the address below for more site derails. Tommy Thompson Rt. 1 Box 274-Cl Sauratown Mtn. Rd. Westfield, NC 27053 (919) 983-9064

AIRSPEED INDICATOR COPY Dear Editor, Since 1976, Hall Brothers has manufactured the Hall Airspeed Indicator/Wind Merer, which is commonly used and easily recognized by hang glider pilots. I am writing this letter to let your readers know of a recent development they may wish co be aware of. There has been a Hong Kong copy made of the Hall Wind Meter. Besides che obvious lack of originality, its extreme similarity has caused confusion, some pilots actually chinking chis is a Hall Wind Meter, which it definitely is not. \Y/e have always accepted competition as a challenge and felt that pilots are the ones who benefit, bur in this case we fed that

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they should be aware of this copy so that they can make an informed choice. We would like your readers to knmv that we are still producing the Hall Wind Meter right here in Morgan, Utah, U.S.A. to the same high standards that we always have since 1976. Lany D. Hall Hall Brothers Manufacturing Morgan, UT

CROSSWIND LANDING OBSERVATIONS Dear Editor, Dennis Pagen's article on crosswind landings (March '93) was excellent in explaining the yawing reaction of the glider as it traverses the wind gradient on a crosswind landing. Another yawing phenomenon which Dennis neglected to mention, bur which is just as significant, is caused by the bleeding off of airspeed while in ground effect, and is quite the opposite of that due to wind gradient. Normally one will travel through the gradient with plenty of extra airspeed. Once in ground effect, this extra airspeed must be bled off before one can flare and stall the wing to land. Slowing down with your glider in a crabbed position means that you are also now flying more slowly toward the wind, and the glider must yaw more toward the wind to make up chis difference in maintaining a straight ground track. Think about flying in a steady wind along a ridge at high speed. You will be flying at a certain crab angle to maintain your direction along the ridge. If you slow dmvn you will have to turn the glider more toward the wind (increase your crab angle) in order to maintain your path along the ridge. This is similar to slowing down in a crosswind when landing if you maintain a straight ground track. This strange yawing effect baffled me many times in my training days while doing crosswind landings (though usually accidental) before sitting down one day and drawing some simple vector diagrams to explain this phenomenon. Gene Groves Huntsville, AL

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ONLY THE BEST Its one of those gorgeous spring days. The air is like crystal and the temperature is petfect. And best of all, you are free today to go fly. Launch is not crowded, and everyones mood is a match for the weather. Your launch is great and you fall into the petfect thermal within ninety seconds. Four minutes later you are nine hundred feet above launch, still climbing. And then you're tumbling with the wing folded. It crosses your mind that the man was right when he said that at times like this, only the best will do. At RC/ we are committed to providing the best system on the market today. We offer two models: LIFELINE for retrofitting to your existing emergency parachute, and SIDEKICK, a complete parachute and deployment system in a compact package. Both models feature: --proven design, proven technology --remote mounted activation handle --built with the best materials and workmanship --enclosed cables and bridles for snag protection We offer a complete line of emergency parachutes designed and built to the same exacting standards, and service to match the quality of our products. Call or write for further information. Dealer inquiries are invited.

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HANG GLIDING ~

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THe~m1K - THE ART oF FLYING EUROPEAN VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS ALL ASPECTS OF HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING FLIGHT: FROM THE FIRST STEP TO PROFESSIONAL COMPETITION FLYING, AND FROM SAFElY ASPECTS TO METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FOR PILOTS AND NON-PILOTS. VHS - 40 MINS.Ad f V"d SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ven. ure I CLOUOBA.SE 3 _ EXTREME ... 34_9 5 SIERRA CLOUDBASE 11 ..... 29.95 THERMIK . ... . .. 49.95 POSTAGE & HANDLING . . . 4.00

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CALL DR WRITE FDR OTHER ACTION VIDEOS


Update WILLS WING Z-3 HARNESS ROCKET ADVISORY A Bay Area pilot had an unsuccessful rocket deployment following a mid-air collision at Fort Funston in March. The physical evidence indicates that the rocket motor functioned properly, but the rocket was stopped by the side-mounted pocket on his Wills Wing Z-3 harness. Fortunately the pilot was uninjured. WARNING! It is imperative that all pilots flying with a side-mounted rocket remove the side pocket from their Z-3's. All pilots who are flying with a sidemounted rocket on a Wills Wing Z-3 are urged to contact their Wills dealer or Wills Wing directly for more information.

HIGHWAYS - FLYING IN USA VIDEO This new video release is a documentary-style "Highway" tour in the USA, from a German point of view with a Western USA flavor. The professional quality video comes from Henry Hauck Productions, which was responsible for the videos Thermik - The Art ofFlying and Parasol - Paragliding World

Championships. Sites in "Highways" include Point of the Mountain, Utah which is portrayed as "the site to be seen at," but which can be dangerous if you get caught in the wrong place. The "Highway" then leads to Dead Horse Point, with the most dangerous launch site in the world. We see many dead-air dives off the cliff. The next stop is Monument Valley, where launching is not permitted, so they get into the air with a tow rig. This must be how they do it in Germany. Monument Valley is one of the most phorographed areas for movies, and you'll understand why when you see this segment of the video. Next, paragliding on a sand dune in desolate Death Valley provokes feelings of exploring a new area for the first time. The next stop is the Pre-World Championships in the legendary Owens

June 1993

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Valley. Here we meet international pilots and hear what they think of the Owens. We also see the results of a bad accident and the rescue, and are given the impression that these types of accidents are typical in the Owens. Next we see some scenes from Yosemite Valley, accompanied by an interview with "Chief' (Eves Tall Chief), the launch director. We then travel to Big Sur, where we hear John Heiney discuss how he got involved in aerobatics. He comments that aerobatics is a fringe aspect of hang gliding, and is not for everyone. A number of loops and spins are shown during this segment. The filming is professional and the scenery beautiful, and the video is composed of about 70% hang gliding and 30% paragliding. It keeps moving, and includes some history of the sites. Highways is in VHS format, lasts 50 minutes and is available from: Adventure Video/Paul Hamilton, 4750 Townsite Road, Reno, NV 89511. Price $49.95 plus $4 shipping. UP International was a sponsor of the video and may also distribute it.

season) covers our USHGA insurance, facilitates good relations with the local authorities who can shut us down, and provides current information about the region to pilots, so they can fly safely and keep our sites open. The informal club meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM, at the Christmas Tree on Mt. Rose Highway (431). At these meetings members vote on current issues and policies. Current information for the 1993 season: Slide Mm. is a Hang IV cross-counny site. The landing area is over the back in the Mount Rose meadow. There are many other high altitude sites available for Hang II's and Ill's. The Sierra Skysurfers have been operating and flying here for about 15 years, and have been charged by the local authorities with the responsibility of selfregulating the area to keep it safe for pilots and the general public. Help us keep the Reno/Tahoe/Carson sites open so we can all keep flying. For a regional pass and current information send $20 to: Sierra Skysurfers, 3650 Research Way #25, Carson City, NV 89706.

RENO/TAHOE/CARSON FLYING SITE INFO

DUAL MEMBERSHIP PRICE INCREASE

We are looking forward to a great flying season, and all USHGA pilots are welcome here. We have one of the greatest varieties of flying sites in the U.S. within a 20-mile radius, as well as the beauty of Lake Tahoe, awesome thermals that scare seasoned pilots, and high altitude opportunities for experienced and newer pilots. However, as is the case to the west of us in California, our sites are in grave danger. The days of free flying are rapidly coming to an end because of liability, unhappy landowners or government agencies which just do not like flying. Some of the local authorities are just waiting for an excuse to shut down our popular sites, and we therefore work hard every year to preserve our sites. The Sierra Skysurfers flying club's mission is to keep the sites we now have open. The small amount we ask ($20 per

Effective July 1, 1993, dual (hang gliding and paragliding) full and family membership prices will increase. A full membership ofUSHGA's hang gliding and paragliding division will now cost $74.00 ($92.00 Canada/Mexico, $97.00 international). The cost of a Family Membership for both divisions is now $37.00. Family membership includes all benefits except a magazine. The family member must reside with a full USHGA member of the same division. The USHGA Board of Director's approved the dual membership increase at the spring 1993 BOD meeting. If you should have questions, please call USHGA at (719) 632-8300. Thank you for supporting USHGA.

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Ill Update SITE PROBLEMS? Do you need the USHGA Site Procurement Manual? After several years of d-emand, the Site Procurement Manual can now be yours, thanks to the efforts of Sandy King, Chai1woman of the USHGA Site Management Committee and the USHGA office. Not sure? Contact your regional director. Directors have copies ready for your inspection. You'll find copies and examples oflease agreements and correspondence with state and federal agencies, the BLM, Forest Service, etc. Site acquisitions, legal interpretations, insurance waivers, support letters and much, much more will help guide you through the muddled waters. All we ask is $50 for this massive sixpound compilation, beautifully presented in a foil-embossed burgundy binder. That may sound like a lot, but $50 about covers the production cost (price includes shipping). This is a non-profit item designed to help our members retain flying sites. This manual should be in every USHGA Chapter library. There's nothing like it! For your copy, send $50 to: USHGA Site Procurement Manual, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs CO 80933-8300. Questions? Call USHGA at (719) 6328:\00, fax (719) 632-6417. Your money is totally refundable if you're not satisfied.

lVlARILYN HAMILTON NAMED AS A 1993 VICTORY HONOREE BY THE NATIONAL REHABILITATION HOSPITAL WASHINGTON, DC - Marilyn Hamilton, of Fresno, California, has been chosen as a 1993 Victory Awards recipient by the National Rehabilitation Hospital for exemplifying inner strength, tenacity of purpose, integrity of effort, and courage in confronting the many challenges of a paralyzing spinal cord injury. She was honored at the seventh annual Victory Awards gala salute held April 27 at the \X'arner Theater in Washington, DC. When Hamilton lost the use of her legs in a 1978 hang gliding accident she was highly frustrated by the lack of freedom and mobility caused by the "stainless steel 10

dinosaur," her term for the traditional wheelchairs of the industry. She enlisted the help of two friends who designed hang gliders, and together they came up with a new type of wheelchair that was to revolutionize an industry that had been stagnant for 50 years. Borrowing technology and materials from the hang glider industry, a high-performance chair was developed that would be distinguished by its agility and total customization. In 1980, Hamilton and her two friends began manufacturing their aptly named "Quickie" wheelchairs in a garage in Fresno, California, and Motion Designs was born. Over the next six years, Motion Designs became renowned for progressive excellence and its commitment to social responsibility. Recognition from the business world included being named the 1984 Small Business of the Western United States by the Small Business Administration. In 1986, Motion Designs was acquired by Sunrise Medical, Inc., a world leader in medical equipment. Marilyn Hamilton was named Senior Vice President of Marketing for Quickie Designs. Hamilton has gained world-wide respect as a business person. Her business honors include the 1985 California Business Woman of the Year award. Simultaneously with her business pursuits, she chalked up many athletic awards. As a two-time Paralympic Ski Champion, a five-time Disabled Ski Champion, and a two-time National Wheelchair Tennis Champion in both single and doubles competition, Hamilton demonstrates a commitment to a "no limit" philosophy that is an inspiration to others. That philosophy spawned the latest of Hamilton's projects, "Winners on Wheels" (WOW), a co-ed scouring program structured around a racing theme, for children in wheelchairs. The National Victory Awards are conferred annually on individuals who have faced significant adversity. Since its inception in 1986, the awards program has honored Congressman Tony Coelho, actresses Ann Jillian and Marlee Matlin, entertainers Sammy Davis, Jr., Teddy

Pendergrass, Gloria Estefan, and athletes Jim Abbott and Bill Demby.

OXYGEN AVAILABLE NEAR HORSESHOE MEADOWS IN OWENS VALLEY A convenient source of aviation oxygen is available to hang glider pilots flying from the Walt's Point launch at Horseshoe Meadows near Lone Pine, CA. Woodward Aviation Services, managing the Lone Pine Airport on the south side of town, is offering aviation oxygen at low rates and with pressures up to 2,500 psi. No longer is a trip to Bishop required to get a fill. Bill and Jane Woodward's operation is open during normal business hours, and they can be reached at the phone number below to arrange fills at other times. For more information contact: Woodward Aviation Services, 1452 South Main Street, Lone Pine, CA 93545 (619) 876-4700

ENTERPRISE WINGS RELEASES NEW GLIDER Enterprise Wings announces a new glider which, according to the company, is in keeping with their motto: "high performance you can handle." They also claim that the "Desire" exhibits the same stability and handling characteristics as the forerunning Foil series, but with improved low-speed thermaling capabilities and high-speed glide. The new design uses fewer battens which reduces weight and decreases set-up time. The luff line compensator is now a one-step system in connection with the cross bar pullback. Also featured is an internal deflexor system which stops excessive flexing of the leading edge at higher speeds for improved glide performance. The glider has slightly more span, higher aspect ratio, and a nose angle of

130°. Contact: Nelson Howe, PO. Box 378, Franconia, NH 03580 (603) 823-8195.

HANG GLIDING



If!! Calendar of Events Calendar of events items WILL NOT be listed if only tentative. Please include exact information (event, date, contact name and phone number). Items should be received no later than six weeks prior to the event. We request two months lead time for regional and national meets. Until September: Montana Cross Count1y Challenge. For entry info and forms contact: Roger Lockwood, P.O. Box 234, Fort Benton, MT 59442 (406) 622-5677. Until Dec. 1: Mountain Wings 3rd Annual "up the valley run" X-C challenge. $100 to the pilot with the longest flight north and $200 to the first to land at Rhinebeck Airport. First place gets name on perpetual trophy. $15 entry. Oct. 2-3: 2nd Annual Vision Classic and pig roast. Low key fun fly-in, tuning and maintenance seminar with Ken Brown of Pac Air. Contact: Mountain Wings, 150 Canal St., Ellenville, NY 12428 (914) 647-3377. Until Dec. 1: 1993 Region 9 Yearlong X-C Contest. Recognizes the longest flights flown in Region 9 between Feb. 1 and Dec. 1. $5 entry fee. Contact: Pete Lehmann (412) 661-3474 (before 9:00 PM), fax 3436. Until Dec. 1: Tennessee Ti-ee Toppers Yearlong X-C contest. Flights must be flown from TTT sites. T-shirts, jackets, trophies. Submit entries to: TIT. P. 0. Box 1286, Dunlap, TN 37327. June 3-6: Second Annual Texas X-C Championships, Region 11 Regionals, Big Spring, TX. Everyone invited with minimum Hang II and towing signoff. Try to break the site record of 270+ miles or demo gliders. Open X-C, out-and-return and race-to-goal format. Contact: Tim Doogs (817) 921-6957. June 12-13: Hobbs Tow jam, Hobbs, NM. X-C racing. $25 enny. Bring your tow rigs. Contact: Curt Graham (505) 392-3638 or Hobbs Chamber of Commerce 1-800-658-6291. June 12-13: Montana Cup Team Challenge, Missoula, MT. Individuals welcome. Triangle races 25-30 miles.

12

Fun and competitive. Hang III, X-C, TURB. Bring 35mm camera. $30 includes film, T-shirt, prizes. Contact: Peter Swanson (406) 721-6056. June 18-20: Wild West Regionals for Region II. Contact: Ray Leonard, Atlventure Sports, 3650 Research Way #25, Carson City, NV 89706 (702) 883-7070. June 18-20: Region 2 Regionals. Contact: Ray Leonard (702) 883-7070. June 18-20: USHGA-Sanctioned Region 5

Regionals, 1993 King Mtn. X-C Meet, near Arco, ID, site of the Idaho state record. Format is open-distance X-C along designated routes with goal bonuses. Entry $20 for IHGA membership. Contact: Albert Whitesell, 1065 Terry Dr., Idaho Falls, ID 83404 (208) 522-2423, or Ken Schreck (208) 785-0196 for rules and site info. June 19-20: Vulture Hang Gliders, Riverton, UT (801) 254-6141. July 27-29: Lakeview, OR at the Nationals. Sept. 4-6: Morningside Flight Park, Claremont, NH (603) 542-4416. Ente1prise Wings Demos. Contact: Nelson Howe, Enterprise Wings (603) 823-8195. June 19-20: 21st Annual Cochrane Meet, Cochrane Hill, Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. Hang gliding and paragliding, flight to goal. Free camping at the site. Contact: Vincene Muller, Muller HG & PG Ltd., RR #2, Cochrane, Alberta, Canada TOL OWO, (403) 932-6760 phone & fax. June 19-21: Region 1 Regionals, Chelan Butte, Washington. This has been a very successful and popular meet and all the pilots like our new format triangle tasks with an aerial start gate. $40 ($35 pre-register by June 12). Oregon and Canadian pilots especially invited to attend. contact: Davis Straub, 747 16th Ave. East, Seattle, WA 98112 (206) 322-1184. June 23-27: Whiskey Peak X-C Classic, 60 miles southwest of Casper, WY. Fly the world's greatest foot-launch X-C site. Low-key, geared for all skill levels with unintimidating X-C flying over unlim-

ired, unobstructed landing zones. $50 entry includes membership in WPPA, T-shirt, daily prizes and custom trophies. Contact: Kevin Christopherson (307) 235-3367 days (307) 473-8655 nights. June 25-27, Sept. 24-26: Advanced & Basic JCPs, UP Soaring Center, Draper, UT. Contact: Joe Bill Henry (801) 576-6460. June 25-July 11: 1993 World Hang Gliding Championships, Owens Valley, CA. Contact: James Zeiser, 93 Worlds, Inc., 13154 CR 140, Salida, CO 81201 USA. Phone/fax (719) 5393900. June 26-27: Eagle Summit Challenge, Central Alaska, northeast of Fairbanks. Vision Classic, ridge race, out-andreturn triangle, distance race and more. $20 entty. Contact: Lyndon Thomas (907) 479-5538. July 2-4: 10th Annual Bachelor Mtn. FlyJn, Grant, Montana, 12 miles west of I-15 on Hwy. 324. Barbecue, awards and fireworks on July 4. Contact: Dan Gravage (406) 222-7240 or Monte Elliott (406) 683-4535. July 3-8: Chelan Cross Countiy Classic, Chelan Butte, Washington. Site of the 1985 and 1986 U.S. Nationals. Eve1yone really enjoys themselves at this competition. The format is pilotcalled (or recalled on course) triangles, out-and-return, and open distance combined format. Last year's longest flight was over 150 miles. $70 ($65 pre-register by June 26). Contact: Davis Straub, 747 16th Ave. East, Seattle, WA 98112, (206) 322-1184. July 10-11: Hawaiian Hang Gliding Championships. $20 entty. Visiting pilots welcome. Contact: Duff King (808) 396-6900. July 10-18: Ultraflight '93. Fun and friendly ultralight and light plane gathering. Forums and seminars. Contact: Ultraflight, 183 Wygant Rd., Horseheads, NY 14845 (607) 7390178.

HANG GLIDING


Calendar of Events July 17: Wright Kite Festival. Aug. 15:

45th Anniversmy ofRogallo wing invention. Honors F.M. Rogallo, inventor of the flexible wing and "father of hang gliding." Sept. 19: 4th Annual Fl)'ing Wheel Rollerblade Spectaculm: Oct. 1617: 6th Annual Outer Banks Stunt Kite Competition. Oct. 23-24: 2ndAnnual Vision Classic. Pac Air brings the latest gliders for fun competition on the sand dunes. Contact: Kitty Hawk Kites, 3933 S. Croatan Hwy., Nags Head, NC (919) 441-4124. July 18-24: Manufacturers League Meet, Dinosaur, CO. Third of this year's 450-point meets. All individuals and teams welcome. Great flying, trophies and prizes. Also includes US. Womens Championships. For pilot information package send SASE co: Nick Kennedy, P.O. Box 1026, Telluride, CO 81435 (303) 728-9602. July 26-30: Fly West Hang Gliding Ltcl. 7th Annual X-C Camp, Golden, BC. Retrieval $100 for the week (if required register early). $25 entry, competition format. Contact: Rod Porteous, 199 Marlyn Place NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2A 3K9 (403) 235-2440, fax (403) 272-0450. July 31-Aug. 2: Western Canadian Championships, Golden, BC. Hosted by the Rocky Mtn. Hang Gliding League. Limited to 35 pilots. Entry $30 Canadian. Register in advance to reserve place. Send entries to: 1111 Memorial Dr. Nw; Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 3£4, or call Ken Shackleton at (403) 295-1575. July 31-Aug. 6: Oshkosh airshow, USHGA will be represented. John Heiney and other USHGA members will demo hang gliding cowing. Contact: USHGA headquarters (719) 632-8300. July 31-Aug. 7: US. Nationals, Lakeview, OR. Contact: Russ Locke (408) 7378745. Aug. 14-15: XC Thermal Clinic with Burch Peachy, Carson City NV $125. Ray Leonard, Adventure Sports, 3650 Research Way #25, Carson City, NV 89706 (702) 883-7070.

JUNE 1993

Aug. 14-22: Canadian National Hang Gliding Competition (Canadian Nationals). Vernon, British Columbia. Limited entry. $75 to July 1, $85 after. X-C to 50 miles, triangle races, air starts. Contact: Chris Florkow, 2203 43rd Ave., Vernon, BC Vl T 3K7, (604) 542-5961. Aug. 16-20: Oregon Od)'SSe)' andXC Clinic. Beginning in the north, we will fly cross-country 200 miles south in five stages, launching a different site each day. If you're not already an expert X-C pilot, by the end of this tour you will be! $125 includes transportation, retrieval, site fees, camping fees, X-C instruction and guide. USHGA Intermediate with FM radios. Contact Rodger Hoyt (503) 664-3055. August 19-22: Region 4 Championships, Paradox Valley, CO. The popular seminars on all aspects of hang gliding continue! 25-mile long ridge with a 2,000' vertical at launch provides for a spectacular and reliable site. Hang II rating required. Easy 2WD graded road to launch. Trophies and prizes for both individuals and teams. Camping right at launch. For pilot information package send SASE co: Colorado Cross Country Pilots Assn., P.O. Box 1026, Telluride, CO 81435 (303) 728-9602. Aug. 27-29: 2nd Annual Mt. Nebo EndofSummer Hy-In, Mt. Nebo State Park, Dardanelle, Arkansas. Camp sites, swimming pool, cabins on top available. USHGA Intermediate and Advanced only. Contact: Dave Dunning (501) 229-3655, (501) 9678813. Sept. 4-6: X-C Clinic, Reno, NV area. Butch Peachy will host this seminar designed to build X-C skills for Hang III+ pilots. Contact: Airtime of San Francisco, 3620 Wawona, San Francisco, CA 94116 (415) 759-1177, fax (415) 759-1182. Sept. 4-6: Magazine Mtn. Reunion F61-ln. Come celebrate 18 years of great flying, camping and camaraderie. There will be a potluck picnic on Sept. 5 in the Albright's landing field, Waveland, AR. Contact: Charrie or Mark Stump (501) 636-7944.

ID

Sept. 4-6: Sailplane Homebuilders Assn.

western division workshop and vintage sailplane show, Tehachapi, CA at Mountain View Airport. Contact: Bruce Carmichael (714) 496-5191. Sept. 4-12: National Paragliding Championships, Aspen, CO. Contact: Jan Stenstadvold (303) 925-7625. Sept. 11-12: Skagit River Festival Blanchard Meet. Fun fly-in and spot landing contest. Prize money. Camping available in LZ. Three categories: singles, couples and tandem. Contact: Jeff Bowman (206) 2933282. Sept. 12: Old glider rendezvous. Sept. 1317: International hang gliding and paragliding club competition. Sept. 13-15: Film festival. Best hang gliding films of the last 10 years. Sept. 16-18: The famous French international Hang Gliding Film Festival. Sept. 1719: 1st international rigid wing gathering. Sept. 19: 20th Coupe Icare. Contact: Coupe Icare, 38720 SaintHilaire du Touvet, France - tel. 7608-33-99. Oct. 1-3: Octobers Best F61-ln, 1993, sponsored by the Sauratown Mountain Hang Gliding Club in North Carolina. Great Autumn flying with cash prizes and "June Bug's Famous Barbecue Chicken Dinner." The flying site features three different launches that face SE, SW and NW and handles everything in between. Free camping in the LZ. Contact: Mike Nester (919) 983-0875 or Doug Rice (919) 994-4377. Oct. 1-3: 3rd Annual Reunion ofKingman Army Ailfield. Looking for former military and civilian personnel and families. Public welcome. Displays, air show and much more. Contact: Kingman Army Airfield, 6000 Flightline Dr., Box 3, Kingman, AZ 86401 (602) 757-1892. Oct. 8-10: USHGA fall board ofdirectors meeting, Manchester, NH. Contact: USHGA headquarters (719) 6328300.

13


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Product Review

The Tl'imb!e F!ightmate, Gam1in GPS-75 and Sony Pixis.

Global Positioning Systems A Product Comparison article) photos and illustration by Mark Stucky

A

s a long-time hang glider pilot I've seen the use of flight instruments go from nothing but wind in the hair to flying with variomecers, altimeters, airspeed indicators, thermal detectors, communication transceivers, barographs and more! Have we reached the limit? Aside from infrared goggles to enable us to see thermals, what more could we possibly want in hightech avionics? We have all heard stories of top-notch competition and cross-country pilots who JUNE 1993

have gotten lost and wasted precious daylight literally flying miles in the wrong direction. Some pilots have unintentionally flown through restricted airspace or control zones, risking the wrath of the FAA or worse. And some pilots have felt fatigued and landed, only co subsequently learn that they were just a few miles short of their goal distance. Recently, I had the opportunity to evaluate an instrument which can put an end to all this, and has the potential to revolution-

ize cross-country soaring flight. That instrument is a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Dave Chapman's recent article touched on GPS use and, in particular, the Trimble Flightmate hand-held model. In this article we'll cover GPS in more depth as well as compare several competing models. Before I get too far, a bit of background information is in order. The Global Positioning System consists of a network of satellites which orbit the earth 11,000 miles up in space. These satellites transmit posi-

15


keep the "had guys" from being tion and timing information ahie 10 bomb "good guys," 1he which can be received regardless Department of Defense has of locale, ti me of or weather. invoked an error·making from a minimum of process called "Selective three satellites must be received J\vailabiliry" or SJ\. This means in order LO define ;1 two-dimenthe satellites reporr slight posi· sional position on the earth (Laition and velocity errors to all nidc and longitude). With recepwho do not possess rhc secret tion of four satellites you get alti· U.S. military code. SJ\ has been rnde information in addition. rnrned on in most of the CPS Years in the making, the CPS satellites since November 1991 constellation is noUJ completr, Position errors arc now typically and consists of 21 active satellites less than a couple or hundred ensuring ;1 mrn1mum of four· which is no big deal unless satellite on the planet, hours ;1 you arc trying to bomli some· one or use CPS to judge an Manufacturers commonly use LID contest on a small hill. The two methods to receive signals SJ\ cffccr is easily noted by a from multiple sa1cllircs. J\ scpa· one or two-knot speed display rare ch mm cl ca 11 be used flJ r each (on a good receiver) when you sa1cllitc or a specific channel can arc stationary. The Fligl11ni;11e rapidly scan bct·wccn multiple has an and Save" lime· sarcllitcs. The flrst method is the tion which can be used to most accmatc bm adds expense increase 1he accuracy of a sta-· and The second method, rionary point. It averages a called nrnhiplexing, saves cost selected number of ohscrva-and pans bm is i11hcrcntly less tions, thereby nulling out rhc accurate due to the dead tirnc random errors over rime. This between signal rcccprions. The function is uscfid for informal number of channels, how quicksurveying of launch and landing ly it can mulri and how sites. Neither the Carmin or rhe "smart" the sofrwarc is define the real capability of a specific !Vfltw,,urtpa,<tlf!.itd,~r record ho/do; 1l:d !Joyse, preprtres to tow launch with Sony units have a comparable h1nction. receiver. The uni ts determine There arc many CPS receivers velocity from successive position readings. available on the market. Although rhey arc Although the Carmin can also track eight This was most noticeable when using the similar in concept and often in ;1ppcarancc, satellites, it docs so using a one-channel multiplexing receiver 11:iving only one low data rate or battery saving modes. difCcrcnt models can have very different chmrnel means it is comi1111ously sampling When changing velocity it would take sever· capabilit-ies. All commercial CPS receivers ;ii seconds for rl1e C;ps velocity 10 catch up. will define a stationary position, but aviators cich satellite, never continuously tracking a [1 would he txact if constant was have unique requirements not addressed in one. The is a four-channel maintained for approximately five seconds many models. Speciflcally, we need CPS rccv1v·cr. however, ir only tracks up to four receivers that can h:mdlc rapid thrcc-··dimensatellites. Although four satellites is suffi .. (ever wonder how fast you can ski?). The sional velocity ckmgcs, work under r and cicnt to determine position and altitude, rhc low data rate was good enough for hang greater the number of satellites, the greater gliding applications and both the i:lighunatc in angles of' bank. Our receiver should he rhc 31) precision. In ;1ddition, one or tnorc and 55-J\VD would automarically select the ligl11wcigln, battery powered, rugged, simple of the fciur satellites the receiver "thinks" arc high data rate during dynamic conditions. to operate while flying, and handle an occa-sional rain drop. 'fo complete om wish list ir the best may be blocked by the pilot, a ought to be aerodynamically sh:iped, low mountain, or whatever. During my cvalua· tion it was nor uncommon to h;1vc line of' cost, and have aeronautical foaturcs tha1 can enhance our day·to·day flying. J\fi:cr a hit of' sight to six or rnorc satellites. In my view, a How quickly a CPS can determine initial research l chose to evaluate the Trimble receiver rliat actively tracks several satellites position alter turn-on is especially important Flightmatc, Carmin 5 and Sony while using an additional channel to sample if you don't w;rnr to have it turned on for others is a smarter way of doing business. the entire flighr. All the units were quick to Both the Flighnnarc and 55-J\VD make determine a position, normally displaying great accuracy claims, d1coretically de/Jning position after approximately two minutes, position and velocity rn within 50 fret and regardless of whether I was standing still or 0.1 knot. The Pyxis advertises errors nearly The Flightm:11e uses three channels 10 Unfrlrrunatcly, we currently twice as doing 500 knots in a jer. track up ro satellites simultaneously. never sec errors that small. In an effort to

16

HANC CIIDINC


Destination

307° Tk 0:38

I

I

Course Deviation Indicator

Distance Off Course

Figure I. Flightrnate top-level navigation dijp!ay

SIZE All three units are small (see photograph), the Flightmate being the smallest, lightest (14 ounces with batteries) and most streamlined. Ir is palm-sized, comparable to a Flytec or Brauniger variometer.

RUGGEDNESS All three models are housed in tough, sealed, plastic, water-resistant cases that can handle being doused with water. I rated the Flightmate best, mainly because of its lack of moving parts or external antenna. I felt the Garmin antenna was especially vulnerable to landing and handling damage and feel its raised buttons could be knocked off under shear impact loads. Both the Garmin and Sony units have moveable antennas which can be detached and mounted away from the unit. Although GPS signals can not go through obstacles like buildings and people, they can go through dacron, so a remote antenna is not required for hang gliding. All the units also worked well under aircraft canopy or on an automobile dashboard.

BUTTONOLOGY Initially I thought I would want a GPS that had an alpha-numeric keyboard, thinking that those relying on arrow keys and scrolling functions would be cumbersome to use. In reality, the Garmin receiver with letter keys was not significantly easier to use since each button could enter multiple alpha-numerics. The only way to get really quick data entry is to use a full-size com putJUNE 1993

er style keyboard - something that is obviously incompatible with hand-held instruments. The Flightmate makes selecting a point easy. You scroll to the first letter and it will display the point closest to it alphabetically. If it is not the desired point you scroll to the second letter, change it, and repeat the process as required. I evaluated the units using padded flight gloves and found the Flightmate the easiest and the Pyxis the hardest to use. The Flighnnate has larger buttons, more space between them, and a more positive feel; each depression is reinforced with a click that can be felt through the padding.

DISPLAY All three use liquid crystal displays with a selectable backlight for reading the display in the dark The Flightmate and Pyxis both use dot matrix displays (like a Nintendo Gameboy), and the 55-AVD uses a fixed character LCD. I rated the Flightmate best since it has the largest display and contains 11 different bits of information on the toplevel navigation display, as compared to five for the Garmin and four for the Sony. Having more information displayed at a glance means less pilot action required to see the various pieces of information desired. The Flightmate navigation display is depicted in Figure 1. Note that actual ground track is displayed on line nvo, not heading as reported in the last article. This is great for figuring out if you have the proper crab angle set; you simply turn until the track matches the bearing on line one.

BATTERY LIFE All three models run on four-M batteries, however the Sony will deplete them in only a couple of hours. The Garmin and Trimble will run for five to eight hours depending on type of use. Only the Sony has a simple DC input jack for extra batteries (you'll need it!). Although both of the others will accept external power, they require either additional cabling (the Garmin) and/or parts which substitute for the original battery pack (Trimble). Again, I favored the Flightmate; it consistently provided me with six hours of continuous use with alkaline batteries. Since it determined position so quickly after startup, I did not need to have it on continuously. The Flightmate also retained the selected data screen, destination, and last known position between power cycles, something the others did not. Two other handy features of the Flightmate are its automatic shut-off and its battery timer. The former will shut the unit off after a preselected time without keypad use. The latter shows how long the unit has run since the batteries were last changed. Neither of the other receivers had either of these features.

AVIATION SPECIFIC FEATURES Only the Flightmate and 55-AVD had true aviation features. Both have databases of airports and VORs, however, the Garmin's is $175 extra. Some dealers may include the database as part of the purchase price so check before you order one. The Flightmate's built-in database contains over 12,100 airports and 3,100 VO Rs worldwide. The 55-AVD has multiple databases which

17


must be purchased separately. This could be a bummer on your next overseas flying trip. Only the Flightmate has a vertical navigation display. This has specific soaring applications. Now you can immediately know the glide angle required to make your landing area. It would also be great for final glide to goal. Instead of drawing rings on your chart at various distances you can know that a 12/1 glide equates to a 4.8° slope and simply leave your thermal when you achieve that angle. With the groundspeed readout you can mentally compute your true glide angle and update your final glide parameters on the fly. It is important to point out that the 55-AVD does NOT include airport elevation in its database. Another useful feature only the Flightmate has is the "Offset From" feature. With a push of a button you can copy airport, VOR, or waypoint (a point the user defines) data into a new waypoint. You can then input an offset bearing and distance. This is nice for general aviation but could also be used to identify a nearby corner of an airport traffic area or ARSA. Both the Flightmate and 55-AVD have a "Nearest" option that can display the range and bearing of the nearest waypoints, airports, or VORs, referenced to either the current position or any waypoint, airport, or VOR. For waypoints, I programmed in mountains along my planned route of flight. I also highlighted these mountains on my driver's map. When asked my location I could quickly report: 'Tm 12 miles north of Whitney at 12,800 feet." I often flew with the nearest option selected. It helped me !mow exactly where I was without overemphasizing the distance from launch or goal. For me, counting each mile flown can be like watching a minute hand on a clock; it moves faster if you don't fixate on it! Like many of the features, what you can use it for is up to your imagination. You could program in three different landing areas, and if you get low the Flightmate could tell you which one is closest. Pushing the "Direct To" button would then immediately display steering to that spot. To top it off, the vertical navigation display will tell you the required glide angle to make it! Your driver can also use the "Nearest" function to find the closest waypoints and towns, making his or her job easier and more enjoyable. The 55-AVD and Pyxis allow inputting sequenced routes of waypoints which could be used to predefine an entire flight. The Flightmate does not have such a feature, but you can define "From," "To," and "Next"

18

steer points. Although not as easy a sequenced route, it works well for triangular cross-countty tasks. Both the Flightmate and 55-AVD have trip computers that will read out great circle distance flown, time, min/ max and average groundspeed. They both will show straightline distance "made good" as well as total distance. Ever wonder how far you flew just hanging out at the local site? Now you can know. The 55-AVD and Flightmate have a calculate function. Both will display sunrise and sunset times for anywhere on any date, but the Flightmate can additionally compute distance between two points, density altitude, flight-level winds, and true airspeed. Most of these features will not be used in the air except by truly hard-core cross-country pilots, or Dennis Pagen wanna be's.

AUDIO The 55-AVD and Pyxis have audio beepers that can be preset to sound an alarm at a certain distance from a point. The main uses I see for this would be to warn of nearing a fix (aviation) or a reef (boating).

INTERFACE Only the 55-AVD has an interface which allows it to be programmed or to download information into a PC or another Garmin GPS. This is a nice feature and would allow you to have differing waypoints and sequenced routes in software which could be easily uploaded on the day of the flight. You could also download your flight after landing and have a hard copy of your route (as long as you made mark points en route).

ACCESSORIES Again, the Flightmate takes the cake, coming complete with a pilot operating manual, batteries, leather canying case, safety strap and a yoke mount which works handily on any hang glider control bar. The mounting bracket is also easily adapted to a strap for thigh-mounted paragliding (see· photograph) or forearm-mounted hang gliding use. Additional options include a remote antenna and coupler, battery eliminator and power cord, and additional aircraft installation hardware. The Garmin

comes with an owner's manual, cloth carrying case, nicad batteries, fixed mounting bracket, remote antenna cable, power/data cable and, depending upon which dealer you talk to, an Americas database. The Sony Pyxis comes complete with an owner's manual, hard plastic carrying case, fixed mounting bracket and cigarette lighter adapter.

FEATURES I WISH THEY HAD I was able to toy around with a Garmin GPS-75, and although it is not designed for aviation, it does have a plotting feature that was interesting. It gave a God's-eye view of the ground course over time, had multiple scales, and allowed for a sequenced route of waypoints. \'v'ith such a system you could program in your entire planned flight and then see how close you adhered to the plan (it was also fun to watch as I drove around town!). I would like to see aviation models build upon this idea, and provide not only a top view but a side view of the flight using a barograph-sryle readout of altitude versus either time or distance. Such features would be especially nice for post-flight reconstruction. Like all instruments, it would be nice if they came with a specifically designed mounting bracket. I really favor the bracket that comes with a Flytec variometer. It would allow for proper orientation of the GPS receiver on any part of the control bar. Perhaps the ultimate soaring instrument would be an integrated GPS I variometer /altimeter I airspeed indicator. Unless improved, GPS is not accurate enough to function as a variometer, but it can be used to correct for changes in pressure and temperature that can cause errors in the pressure transducers of the altimeters and variometers. Similarly, the GPS could use pitot/static and temperature readouts to automatically display calibrated and true airspeeds, and groundspeed! The single instrument could synergistically combine the best features of GPS and conventional pitot/static instruments. Hopefully manufacturers will realize the market potential for such an instrument.

COST The Garmin 55-AVD retails for $1,295, the Sony Pyxis for $1,195, and the Trimble Flightmate was recently lowered to $895. The Garmin and Trimble can be purchased from mail order aviation supply stores at HANG GLIDING


approximately $100 below suggested retail prices; the Sony can be found with even greater discounting.

RECOMMENDATION I expect both the Garmin 55-AVD and Trimble Flightmate to have strong general aviation proponents, but if you want a GPS system that seems tailored to the various needs of hang glider pilots, I would get the Flightmate. The fact that it is also considerably less expensive than the 55-AVD is icing on the cake. In fairness to Garmin and Sony, I had significantly less time to evaluate their products than the Trimble, although I feel I gave them all a fair shake. The Pyxis may have been the first hand-held GPS available to the general public but it lacks in aviation functions and its overall utility is below par.

BOTTOM LINE What I had initially envisioned as a toy of the idle rich turned out to be an extremely versatile utility. It is useful in all flight phases

11

What I had initially envisioned as a toy of the idle rich turned out to be an extremely versatile utility. It is useful in all flight phases whether it be pref/ight; in-flight or post-flight. .. CPS is an aid; it mcreases your situational awareness and makes your decision making easier; smarter and SAFER. 11

whether it be preflight, in-flight, or postflight. There are some who argue that GPS should be banned from competition, feeling it gives those who have it an unfair advantage over those who do not. I feel this is a misguided view and such a rule would be

ELECTRONIC 02

hard to enforce. A GPS receiver is not beyond the financial means of most hang glider pilots. GPS is an aid; it increases your situational awareness and makes your decision making easier, smarter and SAFER. You'll find that a GPS receiver can be used for many other outdoor activities. Whether you're hiking, biking, camping, boating or driving, you won't want to leave home without it! Mark Stuck)' started hang gliding in Kansas in 1974 as a 98-pound 15 -)'ear-old on an 18Joot Pliable Moose standaid. He graduated from Kansas State in 1979 and entered the Marine Cmps for flight training. He flew the F-4 Phantom initiallji, and eventuallj, transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet. Mark is a graduate of the Navy Top Gun and Air Force Test Pilot schools, and flew Hornets in Desert Storm. He still flies his UP Comet 1 and whatever else he can get his hands on. He did an independent evaluation of the HP AT 145 for Wills Wing and the Societ)' of Experimental Test Pilots last fall. Mark left the militaiy at the end ofMarch to fiJ' for NASAJohnson Space Center as an aerospace ~ research pilotlenginee1: - Ed ~

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19


J 99 I US. National I frmg Gliding Champion. In 1992 he won the Smzdirt Cross He is mnhed third on the U.S. World Il:am. lie is 30 years old and in J his ft11n/1,,1r11 in Noise, !d11ho. 1n 198 J he moved to '7 ltcsrm, where he had the good frJr· tune to join a well·estahlished hang gliding

ony R,trton UJas

club, whose mcmhers tmtght him a great deal about This intcrvinu tooJc place m J 992 at the {!. S. National Championships in Colorado. DS: When did you (hst· become a serious competitor? TB: In 1984, when l wenr to my first regionals at Mingus Mountain, Arizona, l started meeting all the pilots I'd read ahout. lt was cxci for me lo show up at this cornpetition and fo1d our these pilots were nice guys and willing to me a lor of pointers about competition. /\t the end of the tl1ree··day meet I was ahoul in the mid· die of the pack. DS: ls it your narure to be competitive? TB: I grew up cmnpeting in many

20

sports and enjoy the challenge of irnproving my skills through hard training. Competing with someone berter always pushes me to try harder I pick role models and srncly whar they do well, rhcn rry to be better at it. DS: Who arc your role models now? TB: I still have many, bur a few of the better known pilots arc Jim Lee, Larry 'fodor and Chris /\r:1i. I don't think we ever learn it all; it's a constant learning experience and we're still learning from each other. DS: Wh:n arc your strengths as a comp<> tirion pilot? TB: My biggest strength is desire. l really want ro succeed. Second, l love the cl1al·· lcnge of' a clifficulL task that may seem impossible at the time. Third, I never give up. IfJ nrnst go down, I'll go down fighting!

jeopardizes a pilot's TB: Whenever a pilot rrnshes himself beyond his skill level, there is risk of injury to himself or damage to his glider. However, mastering a skill minimizes that risk. My margin of is smaller than most. /\s for as cross-country flying goes, landing is the number one skill you have to learn. You should know you can land safely anywhere you want. It's hard to conccmrate on flying skills if you're worried about your landing spor. DS: Did you acquire that skill right away or did it rake you a while? TB: It took me a while. Although I had gliders that were very responsive and easy to control, in Arizona onr landing spots arc pretty small. If you happen to live in an area that has hig landing areas, it helps to focus on trying to hit a spot as though it were the only spot to land. Ir takes a lor ;1irrirne before you reach that experience level. J\s soon as I started getting away from my comfclrtablc landing zones I was landing out in places I'd never seen or landed in before. I learned to watch out for obstructions, how to tell if an LZ is uphill or downhill, and

or

fl

is well /mown fiJr his ahility to pull off' in the smal!r·st ofjzcld,. DS: Do you think pushing one's skill level

Hi\NC CLIDINC;


how to do downwind landings. DS: Do you practice downwind landings a ]or? 'TB: Just for rhc challenge of it, whenever l have a chance and a choice I'll come in downwind to keep brushed 11p on the skill. At the Point o/' the Mounrain and 'I Pines, I'd sec pilots doing sliders, coming in downwind. Developing that skill has saved me a few times; it's another option. Whenever yo11 have more choices open ro you, it's safer.

DS: \Vhat arc some characteristics of' your competition TB: Lc;i rn ing to fly i 11 Arizona, I flew a lot by myself and was very ofren the ilrst one to leave the hill. l learned to pick my own thermals and re,id conditions as opposed 10 following another pilot. Now when l get in a comperition, if I ge1 in the lead, I don't have to stop and wait for any· Then again, the hardest thing I had co bm1 lo do was to wait, slow down and sray with people, a pilot's chances ng up arc helter with otlier pilots around him. DS: You h,1vc a reputation of a rac· er. Is that an accurate description or is it just your to go out 011 your own? 'fB: It's the fact that I go our and lead instead of' following, hut I've hern burned plenty of times hy racing out ahead and hirthc ground. If you walll to lie in first got to be ahlc and willing to place, take a chance. You might win a frw meets by holding back with other pilots, but ro jLJNI 199>{

wm yon'vc at least gm ro know how ro lead. DS: Do you find many other pilots will ing to he out there in the lead? TB: There arc more and more pilots now;id:1ys starting to take the chance of hcing in the lead. I think the pilots arc of a higher caliber and they arc more confident in their decision making. Many of the pilots in the top 20 arc bt"Caking away and raking the lead, and the whole lead gaggle pace has really increased. DS: ! low much of a factor is watching other pilots in reading conditions? 'fB: f tend to watch conditions more tl1an l do oilier pilots. I'm looking out ahead and watching the ff I sec something in the I don't quite understand, I look to the ground for secondary information. On clear, hluc days I mmc with the ground, look· for in the air: birds, bugs, dirt. I trust Mother Nature more than other pilots, and if I can't sec a pilot shooring up inro the at 1,000 /j)m, I'll stick to my course line. DS: When do you deviate from your course line? TB: I whether co11ditions look bet· tcr to either side of' my course line, and csti· male how much faster I think I can progress than re1naining on course. IC I'm undecided, either ['11 go with the dcci· sio11 of other pilots ahead of me, or stick with my course line ifTm leading.

DS: l low do you know when to leave and where your best probability of catching a thermal m:1y be?

TB: Usually afrcr the flrst three or four 1hcrmals in a flight l know where the best lifi is going to be and how for I have to go to get the next thermal. With rime and experi-· cnce it becomes more natural. When I'm out free·Hying I'm always to optimize my glide. I practice by choosing a place off in the distance and making it my goal. Then I try to get ro that spot, dolphin-flying, with the fewest turns. [f I get lower, !'II do a turn or two in lift and leave. If I've gotten ro my spot 100 low or didn't make it, l mcnrally note: "Jf I'd done two more turns in that last lifr, I would have made it." Continually fly ing around doing this has made ic easier to look ar a spot and know what it will take to get there. Then it's a matter of refining and ci1ning down on wasted rime. DS: Wliar arc you thinking ahout when you're in a thermal? TB: My attention is on climbing as fast as I possibly cm. That's where the true race hang gliding is. When you pull the bar in, every glider is going lo fly at preny much the same speed; your racing is in the climb. I concentrate on centering and finding the strongest lilt, trying to gel my glider's maxi· mizcd climb rate in that core. DS: Do you do this mostly hy feel or by your vario? TB: Us11;1lly I Feel it in the har, bur rhc vario is a reinforcement of what l foci. The use of' an avcragcr has helped q11itc a lot; it's really irnporrnnt to know your average climb rate. l found that [ used to glance at the nee·· die on rny vario only when I heard lone clianges. This made it seem like l was climbing foster than l actually was. After I started using my avcrager it was easier 10 make the decision w stay with or leave a thermal. Once the thermal st ans dropping in

or

21


strength I waste no time wandering around and go right to the next source.

GLIDING DS: What do you think is important in efficient gliding? TB: I'm always working on refining equipment and tuning, reducing any excess drag. Body position is really critical. I noticed within a few degrees of angle there can be a 15 mph speed difference with the bar pulled in. If I kick myself head down and get almost to where I'm standing on my head, I can get up to 75 mph. The sink rate doesn't seem to increase, but the speed does. I also try to keep my arms in close when I'm flying. DS: You've been flying a TRX 140. What's the difference between that and the TRX 160 for you? TB: On the TRX 140, because I'm loading it heavy, I can handle turbulence more easily and crank it around better; it handles like a sports car. The TRX 160 has the extra squares I need to hang out in light conditions and it gives me a little better sink rate on the long, slow glides. Late in the day when the air is calm the TRX 160 will walk away from just about anything. As far as climb rates, though, they seem to be about the same. OS: How do you try to make yourself a better pilot?

1

1/t's amazing, but sometimes over a whole week's time you cross the goal line and you're within seconds of the other pilots ... In the end it comes down to the one pilot who made just one more right decision than everyone else. 11

TB: I create new challenges. Each flight must be a learning experience consisting of trial and error. Keeping a written record of each flight and what I've learned has helped me not to repeat many of my past mistakes. DS: In strong competition, how close is it in the end? TB: It's amazing, but sometimes over a whole week's time covering hundreds of miles, you cross the goal line and you're within seconds of the other pilots. The pilots in the top gaggle fly close to the same pace and make most of the same calls, but in the end it comes down to the one pilot who made just one more right deci- ~ sion than everyone else. ~

"C--

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HANG GLIDING


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JUNE 1 • DECEMBER 31 1993

Signed, witnessed landing form w· . . ' to: Enterprise Wings, Dow~hJ~t~/~;aO~~rla~o\and landing locat_ions plus long.ilat . ' . . ox 378, Franconia, NH 03580


[I Accident Reports by Doug Hildreth Pilot: Age: Rating: Experience: Glider: Date: Location: Injuries:

Richard FERRIS 40 Novice Beach soaring and couple of mountain flights Pacific Airwave Vision Eclipse 17

3/21/93 Mt Tamalpais/Stinson Beach, CA Head, face, chest FATAL, the first in 1993

vent: Novice pilot who had coastal soaring experience and three mountain flights was on an instructor-sponsored training flight. The beach landing zone had been visited and a preflight ground school with emphasis on approach altitudes had been conducted. The first two students had smooth flights in sled-run conditions. Ferris had a good launch and flew out toward the LZ. The pilot in front of him had flown into a bit of lift, so both gliders were near the same altitude as they were setting up. The other pilot continued north on his final to a good landing. Although the beach was wide enough for two gliders, Ferris continued south, downwind, for nearly 500 yards and did not initiate his turn back into the wind until he was at an altitude of about 40 feet. He banked more than 45 degrees and either slipped or stalled his turn and crashed onto the beach. Rescue personnel were on the scene within minutes, but he died at the hospital, presumably of head injuries.

E

Comments: "Ferris was well prepared for a flight of this nature and was given very solid guidelines for landing approach altitudes to begin downwind, base and final turns. One possibility is that he became uncomfortable landing with another glider, or was just nying to be courteous. "Prior to his accident he had flown several more demanding mountain sites. He had also soared extensively at Marina Beach. This accident is quite a shock to 24

me, since I remember him as a gifted and responsible pilot." Radios were being used. Two experienced pilots had launched and landed prior to the students' flights, and radioed to launch that conditions were ideal. "The only suggestion is perhaps that a pilot or second instructor in the LZ could have seen the low altitude of the downwind leg (we couldn't really tell his altitude from launch), and via radio could have communicated to him to turn onto final sooner. Ferris' skill and experience did not dictate that this should have been necessa1y." Event:

Landed in surf

Comment: This happens eve1y year. The season's getting underway so we want to reemphasize the danger of water landings. This applies to fresh water lake landings too, but the major danger is the surf, which has incredible power under any circumstances, and when given a large surface area (a hang glider sea anchor) becomes merciless. Always leave an option other than landing in the water. Rehearse exactly what you would do. Realize the power of the surf Recognize how little time you have to extricate yourself if you are to survive. Know the pros and cons of hook knives and sheath knives. Consider both if you have much exposure to water. This pilot survived only because others

came immediately to his aid. (See the article below.) Event: Pilot made a few passes in front of the viewing area. Then he noticed someone filming him and came by very fast and very low, right over the cliff edge. Probably one wing was behind the ridge in the rotor. Crashed just behind the cliff edge. Moderate injuries. Event: Pilot was dune soaring and flew out to buzz his friend on the beach. His friend held up a dollar bill and the pilot turned back toward the dune, going downwind, and reached down in front of the control bar basetube. His friend's upstretched arm was hit by a basetube going 40 mph, and the glider nosed into the sand. Miraculously only minor injuries to both people. Comment: As has been said before, hang gliding involves enough risks without adding (or multiplying) them by showing off and doing stupid things, even if they seem to be fun at the time. If you get away with it, it's cool. If you blow it, it's a really stupid move that there is no excuse for. My point is that if you get away with it, it is still a really stupid move. There are the obvious issues of safety, but these macho, showoff activities place your site in much greater danger than mature, responsible flying. ..:

I)

Water Landings ftom the OHGA's Oregon Hang Glider newsletter riggs Christie, whom many of you know personally or by reputation, is an old clog pilot with much experience from around the country. We have both spent many hours flying at Marina Beach, California (near Monterey), home of the ultimate in close-to-the-ground and close-to-the-ocean flying. Standard rules at this coastal dune site include:

B

1) Use only the primary hang loop and do not lock the carabiner. 2) Pilots are required to cany a sheath knife, preferably with a lanyard. Using only one hang loop and not locking the 'biner will make it easier to unhook should you land in shallow water and are able to quickly unhook. Ordinarily, as a result of wave action, that opportunity is not likely to present itself.

HANG GLIDING


Accident Reports That's why a SHEATH KNIFE IS REQUIRED. Wave action, even in shallow water, turns a hang glider (and probably paragliders too) into excellent sea anchors. Also, even a small amount of water on top of a glider weighs a tremendous amount (maybe some of you math monsters can compute exact numbers). Because of this, a straight blade rather than a hook knife is recommended. It is easier to cut through the sail with the straight blade. Be sure it is shaij1, with a sharp point. Dacron sailcloth is tough. You will be totally submerged and holding your breath, and sawing through the double sailcloth will be impeded by the water's resistance to all your movements. A quality double-edged survival type knife, such as the Telma ($50) and Gerber River Knife, double-edged version ($55), should be seriously considered.* The recommended lanyard can help in recovering a dropped blade. A good friend of mine landed in the surf early in his career. The only things that saved his life were his adrenaline-aided, bear-like strength and his knife. He cut his hang loop to disengage from the glider, and was only able to accomplish this after being slammed to the bottom several times by the force of the waves on his glider. He estimates he was about 10 seconds from death. Interestingly enough, his hang loop was

JUNE 1993

below him when he cut it, even though he was still under the glider. I mention this to give you an idea of how mangled his glider was after just three waves. The glider was never seen again. How do you prepare for this type of incident? Leave lots of margin for error. Someone mentioned climbing into the control frame and unhooking, etc. From my perspective, if you are that far from shore and that low, you have not left yourself near enough room to screw up. Mixing hang gliders and water is dangerous.

WATER LANDING COMMENTS

by Briggs Christie Some comments from a former beachtype test pilot, instructor and all-around vocal fool: 1) Landing in the water is a crash. You are not prepared for the landing like a tree landing. You are (a) confused as to why you're hitting H20, (b) probably out of control, to a certain extent, and (c) most definitely on the verge of panic. 2) If you land in surf (not calm water, mind you, but seriously motion-filled brine), in water deeper than six inches,

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you have an absolute maximum of 30 seconds to save your life. I cha[]enge any pilot to remove his harness in 30 seconds. Here's another, more realistic cha[]enge: Have a friend hold a hang loop behind you and try to cut it with your knife of choice. Oh yeah, don't forget to hold your breath while you do it. If you breathe before you cut through, you lose. A final thought: I've done some pretty stupid things in hang gliders in my day, and am not proud of any of them, but the first, foremost and final lesson in any aviation pursuit must come ahead of showmanship, fun, being macho or anything else. You can die if you don't respect the clements: the sky, the ground and (sometimes) the water. Never, never, never leave yourself with only one safe option. It's really chat simple. Look at pilots of the caliber of Mitch McAleer, Ken Brown, John Pendry and Larry Tudor. They push the "reasonable" envelope, but always leave an emergency exit.

* One source for either ofthe two doubleedged survival knives I mentioned above is: Wi!dwater Designs, 230 Penllyn Pike, Penllyn, PA 19422 (800) 426-2027 They also cany the ACR single D-cel[ MiniStrobe, 51,yb!azerAerial Flare Kit, and Wilderness Signal Kit with smoke, signal mirro1; aerial flares, matches and fire ~ starte1: ~

25


WIN A GLIDER Our Best Chance Ever For The Gold! Win a glider of your choice from Pacific Airwave , UP, or Wills Wing The 1993 Women 's World meet will be held in Japan April 19th to May 1st. The 1993 Men 's World meet will be held in the Owens Valley June 26th to July 10th. Our U.S. Men's team won the gold medal in the 1992 Pre-Worlds ! This is our chance to win the team gold for the USA ! It will be very expensive to fi eld these teams and we need your help. To encourage your participation, the USHGA is holding a SWEEPSTAKES .

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PHONE NUMBER

Only one entry per person.

Mail form to: USHGA, P.O. Box 8300 , Colorado Springs, CO 80933 The 1993 World team S_weepstakes is open to all USHGA Members excluding USHGA employees and their immediate families . Only one entry per person, with or without a donation. All entries must be postmarked By June 30th 1993 in order to be eligible. Drawing for the sweepstakes will be held at the USHGA office on July 15th 1993. The winners need not be present to win. The winners will be notified by mail no later than August 1st 1993. Winning entries are not redeemable for cash. Sweepstakes winners must be qualified to use the prize safely in order to be eligible to take delivery of the prize. Grand prize winner will have his/her choice of one hang glider from Pacific Airwave , UP International, or Wills Wing. The glider will be delivered by the manufacturers nearest dealer. The USHGA shall not in any way be held responsible for the airworthiness of the glider chosen by the grand prize winner. The grand prize winner will be responsible for the cost of transporting the glider from the factory to the dealer and any taxes incurred as a result of winning this prize. All other prizes w ill be given in the order drawn in descending order based on value. This offer void where prohibited by law.


UTFT JI father and child sit tttop l,ookouL Mountflin wrztching (wrnetirnes)

In the yeru since /Jang Gliding premiered his article "li'sc11/H From Winter And Ne111-High Adventure," Michael htts traveled tmd worked in Michigcm, Washington, Alaskrt and much of Crmada. This year, The Cool Traveler magazine will publish two ofhif trrwe{rdtited artides. Michael is currcnt-/:y living in the vicinity ofNorth Arnerica. Author's disclaimer: This article has nothing everything to do with hang gliding. Tn ll1arch I returned to !JJo/wut Mountrtinfor second hang gliding trip and earned my USHGA Novice rating. '/ 'he 1trtide detttih my somewhat roundabout route had: to Loolwut and htmggliding.

JuNr ·1993

hat's that on my face?" I ask the woman next to me, my body rigid. "I .ct me look ... oh, it's a heart on your check," she says nonchalamly, turning back ro her work. I foci the cold, purple, slimy little mus-de begin to slink down my focc like a wet slug. But I can't wipe it away my hands arc covered with blood and bits of intcsrine and spleen and other guts. Afier 2.1 homs straight my legs arc weak and my braiu is turning strange. l wonder about this heart still sitting sruck to my foce. I wonder what the heart's owner's last thoughts were. Did he promise a loved one he would be home soon? Was he lonely? Or, rnore likely, be was just hungry, wondering where to get what would be his last meal. ls he a he? Some people take all manner of drugs ro attain this state of mind, though you can get a similar eHcct from working long hours in a fish-processing plant. l peel my right glove off and scrape the fish heart off my focc, a purplish trail lefr on my pale skin. J look at the ceiling and sigh. "What the hell does this have to do with hang gliding?" I wonder. lt isn't the last tin1e I will ask that question over the next nine months. lt all started out innocently e11ough. I wamed to go hang gliding again. l went one time before and earned my begi11ner's rating, but that was almost a year and a half ago. Three flying days in a year and a half: Ar that rare l might earn an advanced rating sometime in the twenty-first century. Sometime when 10-year-olds would be out cruising in 'Jriyota-sizcd air machines, roaming in packs, looking to divc--bomb one of those "stupid-lookin' old geezers with a kite on his hack." So it was with a certain sense of' haste that l planned another 1rip south to the land of Dixie: a land of peanut farms, pecan groves, honey-cured ham and hang gliding. Lookout Mountain Flight Park in Rising Pawn, Ceorgia. That was my destination, a mountain abom 1,000 miles south of my

27


home in Toronto, Canada. About an 18hour drive if I took the interstate. Of course, I might be in the mood for a scenic detour, or maybe veer off and follow a few tourist interest signs - a visit to Daniel Boone's birthplace, or witness yet another town that Sherman marched over. But mainly I would concentrate on getting to Lookout. Who knows, maybe I'd even get to launch off the mountain this time. Like I said, it all seemed so simple. The only hitch was that I needed some cash for the trip. I had a little saved and I was ve1y ready to quit my job as a printer in a one-hour photo lab printing endless snapshots of Japanese tourists standing shoulder to shoulder, smiling ear to ear in front of the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls or Freddy Flintstone's RV Park. In fact, standing in front of anything foreign to them, which, of course, was everything. You get the feeling that if a news photographer was about to take their picture at the scene of an auto accident that they would struggle free of the wreckage, dust themselves off, and do their best to stand shoulder to shoulder, smiling painfully from ear to ear. But I digress. Which is partially what this article is about. I planned a short, triumphant return south and ended up on a 6,000-mile odyssey that involved many, many things that have nothing to do with hang gliding. These things included: a three-day bus ride to the Pacific Ocean; dish washing in a Seattle sushi restaurant; a disastrous quarrel with an ex-girlfriend and a present girlfriend who quickly joined the other in mutual disgust and ex-status; a night spent sleeping in a Seattle city park after being kicked out by one of the above ex's; a sleepless night spent in the apartment of a naked 75-year-old man claiming to be my uncle; two months on a remote Alaskan island working 80-hour weeks scooping the guts out of salmon, surrounded by drunken fishermen and uncouth loggers who crank up chain saws in the bar, or slug other people over the pool table in the bat~ who basically do whatever the hell they want in the bar; standing shivering on the Alaska Highway outside of Whitehorse in the Yukon, waiting for one and a half days to hitch a ride south; 29 rides and one month later pulling back into Toronto with a few thousand dollars saved and the same simple idea of heading south for a short hang gliding trip. Some people do things an easier way. Some people call their travel agent, buy medical insurance, install alarms in their

28

cars, floss regularly. I even know some of these people, though not intimately. I vow to be a little more like those people. (Four months later... ) March 1 - Five minutes out of Toronto, the train still building speed, I spot a kite flying lazily, beautifully, then crazily, spinning downward out of control, down and down, landing hard, nose-first. Attached by a thin string to the other end is a small child, his mouth frozen open in a silent scream, a cloud of steam trailing out. Then he is out of view and I'm once again aware of the rapid, mnemonic clacking of the train riding the rails. If I were looking for a positive omen for the beginning of a hang gliding trip this image of the kite-andchild would not be one of them. I understand that what goes up must come down. I !mow that whether flying a kite, climbing a tree, going skiing, or hang gliding, the up is never the problem. It's always the down that can ruin your day, your vacation, or your life. March 3 - After a couple of days visiting friends and family in Michigan, I'm back on the road, Georgia-bound. The guy at the Hertz rental outlet was visibly nervous about giving an unshaven, disheveled foreigner a 1992 Thunderbird for an undetermined number of days. "What happened to the Festiva?" I asked. "I thought that was your cheapest deal." "Yes, but it's being repaired, so we had no choice but to upgrade you to the Thunderbird." I enjoyed his anxiety, adding to it by saying, "Gee, it's been such a looong time since I drove a car! I hope the engine isn't too powerful." His pen jerked a little on the rental form, a bead of sweat forming on his bald forehead. I could see him watching me pull out of the lot so I role-played the student driver, accelerating and braking in short bursts, gripping the steering wheel like hanging on to the gunwale of an overturned boat in a storm, a terrorized look in my eyes. Then I squealed into traffic almost making it through the light before it turned red. In front of me, in the southern sky, four Canadian geese flying in the opposite direction, reacting to natural instincts. I'm one Canadian human, heading south, reacting to unnatural instincts. March 4 - Triple Crown Restaurant, Kentucky. I'm finally going hang gliding again. I want to write about the process. For me, hang gliding is about more than the fractional amount of time I might spend in the air. It is about driving south to greet spring, which always feels like a tricky thing

to do. It is about driving along faintly sensing that something is strange, but not lmowing what, until you yawn or gulp a swig of Coke and your ears pop and you can suddenly hear again, and you realize that you're rising up (this midwestern boy's excitement growing in proportion to the elevation), coming into the foothills of the oldest mountain range in North America. Back in Toronto, a few friends ask me why I don't just take a plane down to Atlanta and rent a car there. What? And miss a double-swirl cone at the Tastee Freeze in Grant's Lick, Kentucky, the late-night, ice-cream-eating crowd looking like a disheveled version of a Norman Rockwell painting? Or miss the wide, slow, moonlit shine of the Ohio River as seen from the old iron bridge spanning between Aberdeen, Ohio and Maysville, Kentucky? Or miss the $2.69 southern-style breakfast here at the Triple Crown, with its baby blue interior, Hank Williams or Randy Travis or, for all I know, Boxcar Willie drifting in from the kitchen. And on the wall, a couple of studio shots of the owner and his family, right next to the 3-D Last Supper clock. No, unless absolutely necessaty, I try to avoid airports. Too fast and impersonal for me. In the time it takes to watch a movie you step off a plane to find yourself four states, one mountain range, and 40 degrees plus from your home. That's a vacation? The interstates are no better. Lifeless, drab corridors of discontent. More like tunnels than open road. Cities come and go, though you never actually see them, only the three or four or five exit signs that promise to deliver you to them. The landscape, no matter how magnificent, slips by as if just out of reach, the car windows beginning to look like just so many TV screens. But break the spell by turning on to one of the old state highways OL~ better yet, a county highway, and suddenly everything comes to life. A trio of small, grimy kids on a Honda ATV, one kid per wheel; a midevening softball game, loud music blasting from a shiny Camaro, teenagers gathered around, partially obscured in blue cigarette smoke; an old woman in bright lime-green stretch pants, one hand on a hip, the other hand shading her eyes, her head tilted way back, looking at what? Ed's County-Line Last Stop Liquor Store, Til and Dean's Big Gal Fashions, The Old Moose Tavern ... March 4 - Route 27, Tennessee. Near a particularly sharp turn in the road a threefoot white cross nailed to a tree reads, HANG GLIDING


"Remembering Hank." Along the road other signs declare: "Mechanic on ut" "Bert's Hardwar" "Sheila's B uty Shop" If I didn't know better I'd suppose that a letter thief was on a statewide crime spree, stockpiling his odd assortment of the alphabet ro create his own subversive sign. Maybe a retort to all the religious-theme signs. Maybe give his message bit by bit, something like: "If there really is a merciful God" (a mile further) "then why in the hell" (another mile) "did He let the IRS take my mobile home?!" In Sunbright, a young man with long hair steps out of a motel room and drops a bag of ice on the pavement, picks it up, and goes back inside. I remember: I need ice for my cooler. March 5 - Lookout Mountain, Georgia. I've set up camp in the LZ again, directly behind B.].'s mobile home. B.J. is the resident caretal<.er of the landing field and its various amenities. I park and knock on B.J.'s door. "Come on in!" I haven't heard that in a long time. He is sitting at a table in semi-darkness, busy stringing together a complex design comprised of a large square piece of wood and a hexagonal arrangement of steel pins sitting up, around which he winds various colored threads. I notice a finished produce mounted on a wall in another room, the star pattern glowing under a black light. He keeps working as he fills me in on the procedures: camping is $2 per night, which includes one shower, each additional shower costing $2; can camp pretty much wherever I like (other than in the middle of the landing field). "You can pay up top or pay me down here. Whatever. If you need anything feel free to give me a shout." About as bureaucratic as things get around here, although some things have changed in the two years since I last visited. The bathroom and shmver are new to me. They've added a swimming pool, lights for the sand volleyball court, taken out a fence and a row of hedge to nearly double the LZ size. A big, new shiny metal building will soon house a tiny airplane made exclusively co cow hang gliders. Thus, even when conditions are bad at launch, a pilot can be cowed up a couple of thousand feet above launch and at the release of a tmv line, voila, he's soaring at over 3,000 feet. Meamvhilc, back on the ground, I'm sitting in my tent listening to the rain spatter and the wind swoosh through a row of Scotch pines behind me. My tent shakes and JUNE 1993

"That night in the LZ I ask Rex - one of the schoofs instructors who spent more than five hours in the air that day - what mountain flying and soaring in particular; is like. He gives me a wistful smile and says Well; i(s hard to put into words. But I can tell you this: Ws even better than you ve imagined. 1

1

1

1 11

wobbles, but holds firm. I'm learning about the finer details of camping. In my tent, I'm sitting comfortably in a 10-dollar folding chair (product #2958, Acapulco Blue). I've lit a candle because I read somewhere that even one candle gives off enough heat to get a stranded driver through a cold winter night. (It is warming up in here too!) I'm sipping wine from a bottle I bought somewhere in mid-Ohio. I nearly screeched to a halt when I saw the sign: "Amish Wine." Certainly an oxymoron right up there with "military intelligence." Tastes pretty good though. Kind of like grape Nehi with a sinful kick. Scattered around me I have a thermos full of hot tea, pot and pan, small propane stove, even smaller propane lantern, a gallon of spring water, and a Coleman mini-cooler. Tonight I'm going to sautee onions and broccoli in an olive oil, garlic and teriyaki sauce served over multi-colored fusilli pasta. To drink? Breitenbach Blackberry Wine from the esteemed cellars of the Amish Country Winery, located on Route 39 between Dover and Sugarcreek, Ohio. For entertainment I intend to tal<e an after-dinner stroll listening to the sounds of nightlife here (hooting, ribbiting, croaking, screeching, hmvling, droning, gurgling and creaking). Later I'll drink a mug of hot tea and write in my journal or read a book. The best part of all this is that in less than 10 hours I ,vill be hang gliding again. Do you doubt that I'll drift off to sleep with a smile on my face? lvfarr:h 6 - Lookout. Seven flights from the bunny hill and I've passed to the "big hill" - the intermediate hill. Even though it's been two years since I last came down here, today was much easier. Why? Because I

didn't think, I flew. I didn't strain to make sure the wings were level and that the nose was slightly above level and that, once running, I should feel the harness strap tighten and then I should shove my chest forward and run hard yet maintain a light grip on the downtubes and ... I mean, I must have thought about those things, but more subconsciously than consciously. Some things you have to do and feel, to learn. Once you're acquainted with the basic procedures and maneuvers and you've pondered wing design and the dynamics of lift production, it's time to get checked into a harness, pick a distant target, and run off the edge of something. March 7 - Lookout. Flew several good flights from the big hill this morning. The wind was tailing slightly, but I still managed some accurate turns and only missed a proper flare on a couple oflandings. Around 11 :00 AM the sky broke up into big puff ball clouds and the mercury climbed and stayed around 72 degrees. I changed into shorts and drove up "on top," to the school's mountain launch. A fluctuating crowd of 30 to 40 lingered all afternoon to watch the more experienced pilots launch into strong, gusty wind, requiring five extra pilots co assist on each launch. It added drama co the whole scene, the pilot creeping co the edge of the ramp, decked out in full-face helmet, airspeed indicator beeping, prone harness making the pilot look like a butterfly still only half out of its cocoon. All the while the assistants on the wires and keel are monitoring the wind, yelling "heavy up, light up, light up, neutral... heavy up! heavy up!" the crowd suddenly quiet and tense - until a second or ten later the pilot yells "clear!" and launches as the others let go of the wires. Often the glider would shoot upward, like a Harrier jet lifting off The crowd would let out a collective cheer and then immediately have something co say about this incredible thing they had just witnessed. A man says to his wife: "Holy cow, Edna, did you see the way she just shot up there!? Look, honey, she's flying just like an eagle!" Wife, to her husband: "That gal's crazy! Camon, Vern, get in the car. These people are nuts!" And always present, like bat boys at a major league baseball game, the fledgling Hang I and II pilots nonchalantly scroll through the crowd of spectators, crying to soak up some of that irresistible attention from their higher-rated, higher-flying brethren, quick to pick up on a stray ques29


tion from one or more of the crowd who are just there to gawk. Gawker: "What's he doin' up thar?" (To no one in particular.) Hang I pilot, appearing out of nowhere: "Oh, he's feeling for some of that ridge lift, just hanging up there at minimum sink speed, catching a little lift ... now he's trimmed out. .. if he can find a thermal he can get up a few thousand feet and then, if he wants, he could fly over the top and across the back of the mountain, do an 'X-C' - cross-country, that is - and go for 20 or more miles. There have been flights of more than 100 miles off this very mountain." The gawker asked one simple, rhetorical question to no one in particular and now he's at the mercy of this hang gliding zealot who's total flight time might amount to roughly three minutes from the bunny hill. The crazy thing is that not only does the gawker not mind, he's genuinely grateful. For the student pilot still only dreaming of a first mountain flight the role of hang gliding authority is difficult to resist. Near the launch I'm chatting with a friend of a pilot preparing to launch. He tells me in an aside, hushed fashion why the pilot seems extra-anxious: "He's never soared before." It's as if he just revealed a secret about his friend's sex life. Indeed, if a first mountain flight can be compared to losing one's virginity, then soaring is multiple orgasm. The advanced pilots scroll around the LZ with big, self-satisfied grins on their faces, a giddy exhaustion after one or more hours in the throes of soaring. That night in the LZ I ask Rex - one of the school's instructors who spent more than five hours in the air that day - what mountain flying, and soaring in particular, is like. He gives me a wistful smile and says, "Well, it's hard to put into words. But I can tell you this: it's even better than you've imagined." The other advanced pilots concur with that same wistful, knowing look, followed by a long swig of their beer. I suddenly feel like a preteen again, hanging out at one of my older sister's parties, everything taboo and exciting. Oh well. My time will come. March 8 - Made some more good flights today, but I'm sunburnt and tired. My quads and hamstrings feel like someone took a bat to them. I don't know how many more flights I can make tomorrow (i.e., how many times I can climb that hill). Tomorrow will have to wait until tomorrow. March 9 - I'm cleared for the mountain today! The more tests I passed on the 30

big hill the more I felt like I could jog back up, glider and all. Unfortunately, up top the wind was railing and gusty so I couldn't launch off the mountain. The forecast is for rain to move in tonight. If it moves through overnight, and if the wind isn't too strong, I will launch first thing in the morning. Tomorrow is the last day I can wait before heading back north. It's twilight and I'm sitting in the LZ. The long arc of Lookout is a dark silhouette against a new evening sky. I've built a small fire and I plan to drain the last half of a bottle of burgundy. I feel calm. I'm only a little nervous about tomorrow and my possible first mountain flight. I'm surprised at how much I want to wake up to a clear sky and no wind. I guess my confidence is in large part due to the excellent instruction here at Lookout. That's not an advertisement; it's simply true. I hope I can launch tomorrow. I'm ready now and I don't know how long it will be before I get back here, although I'm certain it will be a lot less than two years. I can feel it happening and I know that once I launch off the mountain there will no turning back: I'll be hooked. If you had to get hooked on something, you could do a lot worse. Then again, you couldn't do much better. March 10 - Somewhere in Tennessee, Hwy. 27 North. I didn't get off the mountain. A wicked tail wind and sporadic rain. My debut on the mountain (or rather, off the mountain) will have to wait. I don't want to go home. I want to fly. What goes up doesn't always want to come down. I know more than ever that I will fly this mountain some day. If not today, then tomorrow or next month, or this summer. "Don't worry. It will happen," my heart says. And once my heart has made up its mind, there's no use arguing with it. My head can only nod in agreement. ...,..

m

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FOR THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT A History of the Aero Club of America and the National Aeronautic Association Bill Robie Foreword by Chuck Yeager

For the Greatest Achievement chronicles the history of the Aero Club of America and the National Aeronautic Association-and thus the history of aviation in America - from the first balloon flights, the initial controversy over what transpired at Kitty Hawk, and the barnstorming of the "Gypsy" stunt fliers, to the buildup of America's air forces through the two world wars, the race into space, and the explosion of new aviation technologies on the eve of the 21st century. Includes almost I0,000 names of early pilots never before published. Chuck Yeager writes, "This is a story that deserves to be told because it is the story of the development of American aviation."

As a member of

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12-13 FlightSystems 19-20 Hang Gliding Center 26-7/10 Owens Valley Soaring

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Golden Wings Bolder Flight Sport Soaring Raven Sky Sports

August 7-8 13-18 14-15 20-22 21-22

Mourningside .Cascade Soaring Distance Vol Libre George Borradaile High Perspective

Other Dates and Locations To Be Announced

... If you missed us, please see the dealer in your area about a demo flight on the model of your choice.


~

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h1t111111,u - ·: ' '

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bout a year ago l sat down and made out a wish lisr. I wasn't asking for mounds of money (I hate to shop), beamifol babes (I married one), or a long lifr (I'm sure l won't be able to fly much afrer I'm I 00). My wishes concerned the ideal harness. I sent my though ts off Lo Rich Pfciflcr and Betty Moyer at High Sports, and before long a prototype appeared. Rich flew this harness lasr sum· mer in the Owens and conrinucd the devcl · opmcnt until he had a finished product. The harness of my dreams is now available to everyone and is called the Racer. I( you dream as r do a comfonablc, convcn icn t, low-d high-performance pod, then this for you. Why, you may ask with justification, do we need another harness design? The glib answer is to achieve pcr/'cction. A more complete answer can only be given if we understand the challenges a harness foccs. Then we can better j11dgc the Racer's edge.

or

A harness should suspend you like a

cloud. A harness should comfort you with security. A harness should slip the fluid flow like a trout and by all means it should focilitate yom landing. Early harnesses wo11ld your loins and hang you in the breeze, but they were short 011 comfort. Later ;1ddcd stirrups or knee hut only when cocoons ;1ppcared did hour-long !lights cease to be a frmn ofsclf~ahusc. Cocoon harnesses arc not the pinnacle of creation f;x in the winter they simulate riding in a convertible with the top down h1rthcrmorc, launching with a hag hanging in front of your is not co11 ducivc to runs. Erner rhe pod harness is warm, co1nfonablc This style ;md easy to launch (when properly and land si 11cc ir frees the The earliest pod, rhc Keller, had a fln on the back which spread the suspension from front to rear The problem with rhis design is that when you stand up Lo Lmd the suspension is quite a hit hchind yom body's

center oFgravity causing a he;id-down rotation force as shown in Figure 1. With such ;1 downward force it is necessary to hold yo11rsclC up with the downtubes so your sensitivity to flare timing is dimin-ishcd. The above problem was solved hy adding main and front···to-rear lines rhat allow the pilot to rock up and stay up. However, these added lines added drag. The C(; harness was invented to overcome the and reduce the downward rotational as shown in Figure 2. With this design a back frame incorporating a sliding mccha nism lets die main suspension move forrhus holding you partially vertical. However, rhe back frame adds weight and It is with these problems in mind that the Racer was

this reason ]( you take your hag and ,1dd longitudinal (fore

and afr) battens along with cross struts (spreader bars) you can get by with very fow suspension lines. In fact, only one riser from carabincr to harness is needed if it is placed strategically above your bod CC. I Towcvcr, rotation problems aren't solved. The compron1ise the Racer makes is to suspension webbing down Io use a si about six inches above the back. This riser then splits into two straps th,H spread out to either side tl1c pilot's body. l<"inally, the main risers connect to two wide V-straps that let the main risers slip forward when you sit up, thus reducing the downward rornLional force. Figure 3 should make this clear. One other derail shown in the figure is the short line from the main riser ro the shoulders. This line produces little drag and serves two purposes. Vi rst, it keeps your head from ro1at down below a cert ai 11 point so the main risers can be behind the body's cc;. This results in :1 downward rota· tional fi.Hcc which makes the placement of the main risers less critical and prevents rocking up when you sruff the bm.

or

HANC GI ll)IN('


--5 V.5F'L'=.NS !ON

WEIGHT ;,J-

FRO/vT OF' 5U'SPE=N:5/0JJ

R.oTAT= BODY oow)).

HAtN :57RAP

MOVe.S

FoR.WAR.D

Second, the short shoulder line rocks you upward in case of a severe nose-in so your head doesn't end up under the nose plate with your nose plowing a furrow. This is a safety device that shouldn't be underestimated. The above arrangement answers two of the design questions. We have a minimal amount of drag with a maximum amount of rotational freedom. Before we go on to other design factors, however, let us mention that the Racer is tailored to fit your body like a fine Saville Row suit. There are no performance pilfering gaps and no air scoop exists behind your neck as is present on some designs.

THE FINE POINTS It is attention to details that distinguishes a premium product from a mediocre one. The Racer has an abundance of fine details that you should know about.

The Boot You can choose a squared-off boot for low ground drag or a tapered boot for low air drag. The former is nice because it doesn't touch the ground when you walk around, it has position adjustment pads and allows your feet enough freedom to dance a buck and wing. The latter is finely formed to reduce drag and the boot serves as a quick receptacle for the harness bag, pads or an X-C cover. An adjustable boot strap also allows you to shift your body forward and JUNE 1993

back. Serious racers will want the Racer's bullet boot while more leisurely types should opt for the flat back.

The Doors A pod harness must have some method of letting your landing gear deploy. This is normally accomplished with a zippered slit similar to that on the front of your blue jeans, or a pair of flaps that open like the bomb bay doors of an aircraft. There is no doubt that the door system allows greater running freedom than the slit system. However, the open doors produce serious drag until they are zipped closed. This is an important consideration when you are too busy scratching right after launch to close them, or you are gliding into goal in a contest. Here the Racer again makes the best compromise. The harness uses doors for safety in launch and landing operations, but adds velcro patches to the upper corners so that these doors remain closed at the top when the harness is again unzipped. You can pop the doors open all the way once your efficient gliding is completed. While we're on the subject of closure systems, we should mention the easy-to-find, no-look zipper control lines. You can even grab them with mittens, a boon to snowbirds. Also, the closing line routes through a tab near the zipper so if you lose it you don't have to be a contortionist to retrieve it.

Getting In And Out The Racer shares with its relative the Tracer what I consider to be the easiest

arrangement for donning and doffing. A zipper beside the parachute opens the top of the harness and one of the leg straps. To get in all you have to do is step in one leg loop, duck under a shoulder strap and zip up. I like this because I can put the harness on without laying it in the dirt. Also, the parachute is integral with the harness so no gap exists at the chest, and a convenient pocket can be placed above the parachute. It should be noted that High Energy mounts parachutes on the chest only, for the protection this arrangement provides.

Other Thcks Granted, you don't often have to hassle with your parachute safety pins (every few months after repacking, at the most), but those pesky little bungees can be a real test of human patience. Betty has provided an elegant solution to this age-old problem. The parachute flap extends over the top pocket a bit so the bungees protrude from inside the pocket rather than inside the parachute pouch, thus providing easy access. There are optional ballast and oxygen pouches that conveniently tuck away to nothing when not in use. The oxygen pouch opens up to expose a drawstring bag and a webbing lattice that securely holds a bottle of any given dimension. This is mounted on the side in your arm's slipstream so no extra drag occurs. Inside the harness boot you'll find a generous storage bag that runs from the ankles to the lower back. You can store your glider cover, water, lunch, a change of clothes, a

37


for dif. offers several other harness frrem pilot proficiency levels. f must report rhat l flnd rl1t' Racer ;1s easy ro use as any rccrea rional harness, bm you can't easily sit down in it because of the battens (in other words, don't wear it on a dinner date), and you can\ bring yom knees frirward in the air for the same reason. But if you wam performance combined with convenience in a customi'1.cd body glove, the Racer.

Side-mounted h1d!t1st container

The OXJXen holder midy to fly.

baby water buffalo, an inflatable doll or any other thing yom heart desires. Convenient velcro tics inside keep the load from shifring in flight. Finally, a maner oF convenience inherent in the design is how easy it is to hook in and hang check. As long as your hincr's locked and rhc main suspension isn't twisted you arc secure. There arc no extra lines to tangle and you can't get into rhc harness without being in at least one leg loop.

including rust, turquoise ;me! salmon, so you can let your sense of color run rampant. Any manner of design from a foll harlequin suit ro a portrait of your fovoritc signHicant other may be applied to your Racer. Naturally, some of these options come at additional cost. High energy Sports can be contacted at: 2236 W. 2nd Santa Ana, CA 9270:3 (71 Ii) <)72-818(1, fax (714) 972-14:rn. But don't bother writing them if you have a shop in your area, since almost all dealers handle the High Energy line and you can ofrcn try a Racer on before you buy.

You can get yourseff a Racer from High Energy Sports for $595 A plethora of options is available so yo11 can deck yourself out with all the gongs and trumpets you choose. Also, you have ;1 choice of 2() colors,

38

'The Racer is nearly a dream come true if your dreams include floating in great com· fort with minimal disturbance in an open No1c that this harness is intended for the serious competi rion pilot. High Energy

To order, send $69.95 + $3.00 S&H, or $134.95 + $3.00 S&H (indicate HG or PG) to: Paraglider Pipeline, Inc. 3530 Bagley Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103

Dealer Inquiries Welcome.

HANC CUDINC


INTERNATIONAL

UP is proud to introduce its 1993 line of state-of-the-art hang gliding equipment. All of this year's models feature a revolutionary quick setup and breakdown system utilizing a rear crossbartensioning configuration.

XTCss 170/150 - The single-surface trainer I advanced fun glider, from first flight to Master rating! The XTCss has an aluminum airframe and control frame.

XTCds 170/150 - This double-surface cross-country trainer for the Beginning to Intermediate pilot is built with an aluminum airframe, an aluminum control frame and aluminum airfoil kingpost and downtubes. A folding speedbar is standard equipment. Options include Safedge airfoil downtubes, wingtip fairings or, new for 1993, wingtip fairings with vertical winglets for added yaw stability at high speeds. XTC 205 - The new "Double UP" single-surface glider offers traditional UP performance and handling while accommodating higher wing loadings. It features a carbon-fiber airframe and aluminum control frame. XTR 145 - This high-performance cross-country racer is well suited for Intermediate to Master pilots. It features an aluminum airframe, aluminum airfoil downtubes, carbon-fiber kingpost and folding speedbar. The XTR is available with or without Variable Geometry and is available with optional Safedge or carbon-fiber airfoil downtubes and tip fairings with vertical winglets. TRX 160/140 Race - The ultimate in performance, light handling, light pitch pressure and easy landing characteristics, "the TRX Race is perfect for Intermediate to Master pilots. It is comprised of a lightweight carbon-fiber airframe which provides superior strength and flexibility. ~tandard features are aluminum airfoil downtubes, wingtip fairings and folding speedbar. Other new improvements include all-aluminum, lowflex ribs and the elimination of the VG compensator. Optional equipment includes Safedge airfoil downtubes, carbon-fiber airfoil downtubes, tip fairings with vertical winglets, and a large control frame for the TRX 140. Flightmate GPS - UP International has become an authorized distributor of Trimble Navigation's Flightmate, a compact navigation receiver and global positioning system. Ideal for the cross-country enthusiast, the Flightmate attaches easily to a glider control frame and utilizes a sophisticated onboard satellite-tracking computer to provide precise position and altitude data. It also reports ground speed, bearing, ET A and distance from launch

,,___ 0 0

00

'-"


I

by ount Nebo is an extremely rare site in that ir's located in a State Park, and the Rangers seem very happy to have us there. The Visitor ( :enter (or Ranger Station) has photos of gliders on the walls and a pLiquc listing the record· breaking cross-country fligh1s. The Central Arkansas Mountain Pilots should be commended for thci r excellent relations wi rh their stare govemmenr! In order i-<l continue such good relations, it is flbsolutely rmmd1tto-ry tha1 all pilo1s follow the rules, which are straightforward anyway. EVERY pilot musl check in at the Visitor Center (the Ranger Station) before nying each dtiy, even if' you've flown tlierc before and have already signed a waiver. They'll want ro copy your currem Hang lll rnem-bership card, so be sure to have it wirh you (along with some other ID). There is NO ;1[cohol allowed (even in the LZ), and you must be flying with proven, safe equipment (l lGMA--ccrtificd glider, helmcr and parachute). Paraglidcrs arc nor allowed at this time. (It's an aw(idly long glide to rhc LZ for a paraglider, anyway.) Ir wouldn't hurt ro express your appreciation for them letting you fly there, too. J\ few smiles and d1ankcan go a long I ,ooking our from launch it's an ocean or trees until you reach the I Z's. Please let the trees inrimidatc you a little bit, and don't screw around near launch if you're sinking. I,anding in the alternate I .'/.'s is no fon, and 1101 making it even that for means landing in the trees. Play this one conservarively; you can alw,1ys get 11p over the LZ (or take a scc-ond flight). T would recommend that pilots flying single--surfacc gliders fly other sites in the area instc:1d of Ncho. Don't worry, rherc are at least ftvc other sites nearby. Definitely check out all of' the LZ's with a local before heading up the hill here. They're

40

A/30VE The Mt. Neho east lr:tunch 11s sccnfrom the flii: Photo by Roh Richrmlson. BE!DW- 'The nn,mm,·,1 J,X Photo by Jim Steele.

all foirly easy as long as you have experience wirh crosswill d landings, hut it's awfolly nice to know where they arc and what sort of an approach you'd want to 1nake in each one. Speaking of locals, you really should try ro meet David Dunning. He's extremely helpful, and an excellent tom guide, host and pilot. Actually, that goes for all of the Arkansas pilots we mer (and 99%i of all of the pilots we've run into across the country)! If you're going to be anyplace even rcmorely nearby, plan on stopping by Central Arkansas for some cxccllcm flying and friendly people. The local X-C record

hasn't been broken since 1988, so you have a pretty good chance of getting your name on the record plaque! Even if you don't, a

splendid time is guaranteed for all. Even the non--pilots should have a great time, since this is a very nice park. HANC Ci IDINC


Site Info

Mt. Nebo, Arkansas

SITE NAME

Mount Nebo State Park

CHAPTER

Central Arkansas Mountain Pilots 1300 E. Russell #30 Russellville, AR 72801

LOCATION

Seven miles west of Dardanelle, Arkansas on State Route 155. Take Highway 27 south from I-40 through Russellville and Dardanelle, and turn right onro highway 155. Follow 155 toward the State Park, and rhe primary LZ will be on your left near the base of the mountain. Look for wind streamers. Park outside of the gate, and make sure that you close the gate before leaving!

ALTITUDE

1,800' MSL, 1,200' AGL

RATING

Intermediate (Hang III), paraglider pilots not allowed. Cliff launch skills are also required, even though it's not really a cliff launch here!

PROTOCOL

Every pilot must check in at the Park Visitor Center to sign in (even the locals!). Your current USHGA card will be copied and kept on file along with your signed waiver, so obviously only current USHGA members may fly here. A helmet and parachute are required, and only HGMA-certified gliders may be flown. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all times (you'll have to head to a nearby pub for any apres-flight brew). The gate to the LZ must remain closed (you are allowed to open and pass through it, just close it again!).

RESTRICTIONS

There is a nuclear power plant about five miles north of the mountain, and flight over or near it is prohibited. (I don't think you'd want to fly in the steam anyway.) Landing near the facility would probably result in your arrest by plant security.

FEES

Full membership -

LAUNCH

There are two launches at the southeast corner of the mountain, facing east and south (both launches are visible in the photo). Both are fairly easy, grassy, 20°-30° slopes rounding off to cliff edges, and the south launch has a rock outcropping on the left to avoid. Both launches appear to be fairly unforgiving of a blown launch. There are no other launches available. Plan on having lots of spectators around while you're setting up and launching.

LZ

The prima1y LZ is next to Highway 155, the only road that heads up the hill. It's a fairly long glide our, so don't spend too much time near launch if you're not going up. The LZ is fairly large (40 acres) and flat, but the long dimension is 90° cross to the hill and there are 30' -40' trees on all sides. Practice your crosswind landings before coming here! There are power lines above the trees on the north edge, and the grass gets waist-high in the summertime before being mowed for hay. Observe all of the LZ rules, which are posted on the gate (in particular, no alcohol allowed and the gate must remain closed). Note: Additional LZ's are available (for emergency landings only) that are closer to launch. Ask a local to point them out.

DIRECTION

There are two launches, one facing east and the other south. The east launch is usually launchable in NE-SE winds, and the south launch in SE-SW winds, depending on wind velocity.

SETUP AREA

Room for 30+ gliders within 50' of launch.

ROAD

Paved the whole way, an easy 2WD road with a 10-15 minute turnaround time. OBSERVE THE POSTED SPEED LIMITS!

CAMPING

Camping is available in the State Park, and cabins are also available by rese1vation. The Park also has a swimming pool, shower house, playgrounds and tennis courts, as well as hiking trails and bicycle rentals! Call (501) 229-3655 for information/ reservations.

X-C

Good potential, and roads and LZ's are abundant. The record X-C flights arc on a plaque at rhe Visitor Center. Come break the current record of 61 miles and have your name be the next on rhe list! Mark Stump set the current record in 1988 by heading west and landing near his home in Greenwood (near Ft. Smith).

EVENTS

End-ofSummer Fly-In: Held the weekend before L.bor Day (in late August), including X-C events if conditions permit.

BEST11ME

Mt. Nebo is flyable year-round, with favorable soaring conditions from spring to fall. Conditions are best in the summer Qune through August), when cloudbase varies from 5,000'-8,000' and "wonder winds" are fairly regular.

FREQUENCY

151. 925 and other USH GA frequencies. Some pilots also use two-meter radios, but not on any specific frequency.

CONTACT

David Dunning (501) 967-8813 Ray Cline (501) 968-8287 Phil Morgan (501) 968-5014 Mark Poustinchian (501) 967-5057 Chris Price (501) 279-2480 (yes, the Chris Price, but not the one you're probably thinking of).

MISC

There are three novice sites and two other intermediate sites within an hour's drive of Nebo. There are many lakes in the area for water sports, and chiggers abound in the summertime!

$20/year. Temporary membership -

$5/week (visiting pilots only)

Many thanks to David D111mingfor his help in preparing this site report (in addition to being a great host}!

]UNE 1993

41


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PILOT OEVICE·NUMBER BARO STARTTIMF TIMEATPRINTOUT

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ng hang gliders ten yc:us h:1s ftdfillcd a childhood dream and me great satisfac1ion. Bur one thing I never expected was ;1ll the grea1 people and friends I've mcl through Stan ing with my instructor, hang glid Frie l·Lmson, there's hcen a steady stream of good people and good t irncs. The names of friends in my flying area arc too 1111mc:ro11s to list, and every rime I hit rhc road, from Tennessee to Tcllmidc, I meet other folks whose love flying bonds us together. This is the srory of how one of rhcsc friendships saved a disnd trip and turned it imo memories I'll keep for a long time. In 198() I got a chance to go to Crcece. I h:1d been there in I and it w:1s famasric. now.

or

]UNI '199]

l had just turned 18, and being turned loose from my oppressive high school into the freedom of counter·culturc Europe was incredible. I mer tons of people, slept on rhc beaches at and danced rill dawn at the Mermaid Cafe (the same one Joni Mitchell sang :1bout). I had wanted to go back for years, but my career as a chronically student, followed my career as a chronic;1lly poveranisr, made ir an impossible dream. Now rhat [ was finally going back, I planned on bringing my glider. Dennis Pagen wrote a great article on the trip John I leiney ;rnd he had made, and since I'd met I gave him a call. He

gave me a fr:w phone numbers oF people to coma er. After rhis, things didn't go too well. The morning or my flight, afrcr breaking my glider down to 13 leer, I was informed by the airline (/\litalia) rhar it would cost l0 ro ship my glider, ettch way. My protests that I was previously told it would cost fdl on deaf cars. l decided to bring my harness and vario, with the hope of borrowing or renting a glider there. Afrcr arriving, I had ;1 hard time making comacrs. My Creek isn't too good anymore, and it was even harder making mysclr understood over the phone. J finally frrnnd om rhat my contact, Michael Thcocaris, was our of town for a few weeks. Discouraged, I finally decided ro do some

43


traveling. Let me tell you, if you want to visit Greece, don't do it in August. The temperature hovers in the 90's, and the combination of a week-long religious festival, along with the Italian factories closing, means hordes of vacationers descending on the islands, causing massive crowding with no place to stay. More importantly, things had changed since my last trip. The openness of the counter-culture was long gone, replaced by travelers who were a lot more cliquish and a lot less friendly. Also, my girlfriend, the lovely and talented Nancy Nelson, wasn't able to come with me, and I was getting pretty lonely. One day I didn't even go out, and ended up alone, watching a German television 20th anniversary showing of "Woodstock," complete with two smiling German yuppies, explaining Woodstock's significance. The next day I realized it had been a few weeks since I had tried to reach Michael Theocaris. Maybe he was back in town. I called, and finally made my first hang gliding contact. He seemed busy, but gave me another instructor's number. And that's how I came to meet Stavros Avramoglou (Stahv-ros Ahv-rah-mah-glue). I called him up, and he seemed ve1y friendly and interested in flying. We made plans to meet at his shop the next day. I picked the right bus in Athens' confusing transit system and soon found myself at the Icarus Hang Gliding Center. Inside I met a stocky man with short, dark hair and an easy-going smile. Stavros introduced himself and we talked about hang gliding as some of his students and other pilots wandered in. I showed him some photos of flying sites in Tennessee, Utah and Indiana. Soon we loaded up a four-wheel-drive Renault van, and were off to Kitheron, a huge mountain overlooking the Aegean Sea. This mountain is really impressive. One side is part of a huge box canyon opening out onto the sea, the other sloping down to a massive plain, checkered with farm plots. The total drop is about 3,900 feet, with a 45° slope. The landing zone is about five miles away. When we reached the top it was totally blown out, with winds howling out of the north 25 to 30 mph. Stavros decided we should head to another site (the name of which escapes me) which was lower and might not have as much wind. Sure enough, the winds were calmer as we pulled up to the new launch. However, it was getting

44

late, with only a half hour of sunlight left. Everyone started throwing their wings together, and soon the twilight was filled with gliders. I rushed my glider together, did a quick pref1ight, and headed to launch. Unfortunately, the pilot in front of me munched his launch, and rather then moving off to the side, stayed there straightening downtubes and checking his glider. By the time he launched, the sun was going down. I added up diminishing light, strange landing field and glider, and decided to bag it. Believe me, this wasn't an easy decision. There are few feelings worse than sitting on the ground while others are soaring. The ride down was pretty amusing, though. In the dusk, it was hard to figure out the roads, and everyone was arguing about where to turn. I kept saying in my broken Greek, "Turn here! Turn Here!" The girl who was driving finally turned to me and said, "Are you sure this is where we turn?" I said "No. Turn here!" This got a big laugh out of everyone. The next day we tried again. This time it was just Stavros, a student of his, Spyros (Spe-ros) and me. We loaded up the Renault and headed off to Kitheron. As we wei·e driving up the mountain we came upon a forest. Stavros said,"Look at this! A forest they haven't managed to burn down yet! What an ugly people we are, we can't leave things like this alone." While driving around the U.S. I've often despaired at the careless way we've "managed" land in this country, and I sympathized with Stavros' frustration. Once again, it was blown out, but not nearly as bad as the day before. We decided to set up, hoping the winds would slacken off toward sunset. Setting up wasn't easy. The setup area was out of the direct wind, but rotors constantly swirled through it. I set up the HP Stavros lent me laying down, and I needed some help when it was time to tension it. As we were waiting for the winds to die down, a pilot came up to me and asked my opinion on the conditions. I said that I thought the winds would eventually mellow toward sunset, but that it was definitely too strong now. "Yes," he said, "I think it is too windy. I am not going to fly." I later found out he was a member of the Greek National Team! It was getting late. The winds had slackened a bit, but it was still honkin'. Other pilots started to pack up, leaving Stavros and me. Finally, Stavros decided to go for it. I still wasn't sure about the wind velocity. I'd

soared winds this strong before, but that was at a coastal site with laminar air over small dunes. Stavros was flying a Zephyr. The Zephyr is a bowsprit design, with more side wires than a Curtiss Jenny. If he can penetrate in that, I thought, I should be fine in the HP. Stavros shot up and away from launch. It didn't look too turbulent. I called him up on the radio. "How is the air?" "It is good, very good." "Is it turbulent?" "No, it is smooth, very smooth." That was enough for me. With the help of Spyros and others, I stood the HP up and headed for launch. Before my hang check, I very carefully explained my launch instructions; they don't do a lot of windy launches and I wanted to make sure they understood me. After a very tense moment or two, waiting for rhe wings to load evenly, I shouted "CLEAR!" Man, I came off launch like I was shot out of a cannon! The mountain dropped away as I rocketed skyward. I pulled in as far as I could on the downtubes, but the vario was still pegged at 1,000+ fpm. The glider suffered minor roll oscillations, but these went away as I let the bar out and transitioned to the basetube. Before I knew it, I was a thousand over, cruising in the smooth evening glass-off Looking around, I couldn't find launch - until I looked straight down. Despite the 1,000-foot gain, I was still directly over launch! Then I looked over my left shoulder, and saw a sight I won't soon forget. The mountains of the box canyon behind launch stretched out into the Aegean Sea, forming purple islands that reached to the horizon. The sky was streaked red, blue and orange, the sea deep blue, with a huge orange sun above it. After a moment of quiet reverie, it occurred to me that I was watching a sun about 15 minutes from setting. The LZ was a long way out, with a strong headwind to cut through. I pulled the bar in to my chest - no apparent movement. As I slowly pulled the basetube to my waist, the glider finally started moving away from the ridge. I'm sure glad the air was smooth. Even though I was cruising in the 40 to 50 mph range, I had no problem keeping the HP on course and level. And the lift was so strong I wasn't losing any altitude! I started to look for Stavros, finding him about a mile to my right, and a little lower. The last of the sunlight was hitting him, making his glider a bright blue spot as he bobbed over the shadowed mountain face. I tried to talk to him HANG GLIDING


the but the wind noise made this impossible. is a small About half~vay ou1 to the town called PLHccs (Plal . Since I w:1s11't in the U.S. (no FA it. Approaching it, lights started 10 blink on in the dt1sk. the time I was over! ldf thc rown was lit up. Onw:1rd to the I Pinally our of rhc lift hand, l only needed ro lose /i,000 reel or so. I st;ined wingovcrs, runs and tight spirals, lo get down while I could still sec. Wi I h about 2,000 I watched as Stavros made his approach. 'J'h,1t's hmny, he's heading towttrd the mountain. Looks like ;1 good landing, though. Now I was low cnou ro start my approach. I looked for t windsock hut couldn't sec it; it was too dark. Selling up in the same direction as rhe glider was so l turned it 90°, hack toward nal wind direction Down into , I was still rocketing along, "I srn-and a little voice in my head pid! 1he grou ndspccd! \Xlhar\ your airspeed?" I /lared, a little too Lac. I got my fret down, bur dropped the glider 011 its nose, an ignoble end ro a glorious flight. "Arc yo11 alright?" Stavros yelled over. I'm fine," I yelled back. We hrnkc down the gliders in the dark, thcn sat and talked while drove clown the 111oun1ai11. There was no moon, and soon the Milky Way appeared, spread across the sky. Once the gliders were loaded up we drove into PL1tccs to get some food. We stopped at an outdoor cafr (Ill! restaurants in Crccce a re outdoor) and arc souvlaki, of pork, pepper and onions 011 a skcwcl'. The owner kept hringing om other food for 11s to sample: chicken, pastries and, if I remember , some wine. It was grcar. Most of the like the "Ugly Arncricrn," now trip I'd here I was wirh new friends, having a great time. We tried w go our ag:1in the next day, hm it was ohvious even at the shop rliar ir was blown out ag:1in. This was my last day, and we both felt bad we wouldn't be ahle 10 fly more. On rl1c other hand, we were still pretty pumped about our flights oft lic previous Despite the challenging conditions, we managed some intense bm fon flying. Soon, it w:1s time ro go. r picked up my equipment bag and said goodbye to my new fricnd. Afrcr returning to the U.S. I talked to Stavros a few times on the phone. I lc's always asking when I'm coming back. U11fonuna1cly, I'm still living a lifestyle rhat 011

]UNI 1993

airfare to Europe, even though

he's generously offered to pur me up while

a

I'm there. I .ong dist;mcc to Crccce is also

II

It

and it's been a while now since

we've talked. The ( have a word, "xenophilia." It literally means "friendship to strangers." Dcspit 1101 kuowi ng me from Adam, Stavros accepted me as a friend, and by flytogether that day we shared an experience I'll never It's rhc spirit or people like Stavros thar makes hang gliding more rhan a si mplc physical experience or sport, h11t a brotherhood that crosses personal and political difforcnccs, even differences of culture and language. It's good to know there arc people I ike Stavros out there.

11 friendship not knowing me Adam1 L,., .,,1, ,,,u me as a and by flying that

11

II

Harness and parad1ute systems designed and built for you. Custom sizing, colors and over 35 options from which to choose. is our top priority. We use milspec skydiving hardware, easy-to-inspect "real" continuous webbing structures, the latf)St materials and construction techniques as required by the US parachute industry. For more information contact your local High Energy dealer or write or call: Santa

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CA 92703


1993 USHGA MERCHANDISE ORDER FORM PRICE QIY. OTHER USHGA CALENDARS SPECIFY YEAR: 1991 1990 1989 1988 Excellent Photography- collect them all! ...................... @ $1.50 USHGA "TAOS" T-SHIRTS 100% cotton, oversized, line-lined weathered look. COLORS: Ash Wine Blue SIZES: Med. Large XL ...........................................................................................................................$17.95 USHGA "OATMEAL" LONG SLEEVE 100% cotton. Natural color with fine-lined navy stripes and 3" screened logo. Available in MOCK NECK or HOODED SIZES: Med. Large XL ............................................................................................................$19.95 COLLEGIATE SWEATSHIRT Super heavyweight 11 oz. fleece - 95% cotton, cross-weave w/ side gusset, 3 colors on ash. SPECIFY SIZE: MEDIUM LARGE XL reg. $39.95 ..........................................................................................$34.95 COLLEGIATE SWEATPANTS Side pockets, 50/50, elastic waistband w/ drawstring. Sizes: Med. Large XL.. ...................................... $29.95 COLLEGIATE T-SHIRT ASH, 100% cotton, puffed lettering. Sizes: Med. Large XL.. .............................................................................$13.95 COLLEGIATE SHORTS ASH, side pockets. Sizes: Small Med. Large XL ...........................................................................................$18.95 "FREESTYLE" SWEATSHIRT 9 oz. set-in fleece - 50/50 heavyweight, beautiful multi-color design on white SPECIFY SIZE: MEDIUM LARGE EXTRA-LARGE ..............................................................................................................................$24.95 ALSO FREESTYLE T-SHIRT 100% preshrunk cotton Med. Large XL ...............................................................................................$14.95 "LOOP" SWEATSHIRT 9 oz. set-in fleece - 50/50 heavyweight, red and white on navy SPECIFY SIZE: MEDIUM LARGE EXTRA-LARGE .............................................................................................................................$19.95 USHGA Golf Shirt 100% combed cotton. Colorfully embroidered. Colors: White Red Navy Yellow Jade Black SIZES: Medium Large X-Large XXL (in white, navy & jade only) ............................................................................................................$22.95 USHGA LONG SLEEVE TSHIRT 100% Cotton "Simplistic" Design SPECIFY COLOR: WHITE or GRAY & SIZE S M L XL ................ $18.95 USHGA MTN. GLIDER TS HIRT 100% cotton. Our most popular shirt. SPECIFY SIZE: M L XL COLOR white ash ............... $12.95 USHGA YOUTH MTN. GLIDER TSHIRT For those up and coming pilots. SPECIFY SIZE: 8(6-8) M (10-12) t.(14-16) ...................... $9.95 USHGA MTN. GLIDER CAP Embroidered SPECIFY COLOR: NAVY WHITE PURPLE RED ........................................................$9.95

TOTAL $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

Hang Gliding magazine "SPECIAL NEW PILOT EDITION" launching, landing, buying a used glider, etc................................................. $4.50 Higher Than Eagles by Maralys & Chris Wills. The story of early hang gliding and Bob Wills. Hardcover....................................................$19.95 UNDERSTANDING THE SKY by Dennis Pagen Micromeleorology for pilots. Almost 300 pages, 260 photos & illustrations ...................... $19.95 THE ART OF SKYSAILING by Michael Robertson. Covers material used in ICPs, including Charts of Reliability ........................................$9.95 PARAGLIDING· A PILOT'S TRAINING MANUAL Produced by Wills Wing. Everything you wanted to know about paragliding ................. $19.95 HANG GLIDING FOR BEGINNER PILOTS by Pete Cheney The Official USHGA Training Manual. Over 200 pages ............................... $29.95 PARAGLIDING FLIGHT -Walking on Air by Dennis Pagen Covering all aspects of Paragliding. Over 140 illustrations .......................... $19.95 HANG GLIDING FL YING SKILLS by Dennis Pagen Our most popular book. For the beginner to intermediate pilot ...............................$9.95 RIGHT STUFF FOR NEW HANG GLIDER PILOTS by Erik Fair Overview, humor, techniques and personalities ......................................$8.95 FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS Federal Regulations covering ALL types of aviation .......................................................................$8.95 USHGA DELUXE LOG BOOK 72 pages. Covering pilot ID, ratings, rules, maintenance, inspection, terminology ... and more ...................$4.95 USHGA XC LOG BOOK 64 pages. Very clean! For those who like to document 1heir flight.. ........................ .. .............................$3.95 USHGA FLIGHT LOG BOOK 40 pages. The official USHGA flight log book ................................................................................................$2.95

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

"NEW" USHGA STADIUM CUSHION Comforlably protects your assets .................................................................................................$5.95 OFFICIAL USHGA WINDSOKrn Pink/yellow or pink/white ..........................................................................................................................$39.95 USHGA DELUXE LOG BOOK COVER Gray colored and debossed with the Min. Glider design. Show off your flights .............................$4.95 USHGA LAPEL PIN Beautiful multicolored Min. Glider design. Custom shaped pin w/ military clutch and epoxy dome ............................ $4.95 USHGA MTN. GLIDER SEWON EMBLEM The most beautiful patch you'll ever own. 12 different colors used ..........................................$4.95 USHGA MTN. GLIDER DECAL Full color 6" diameter vinyl decal. Guaranteed to last! ...............................................................................$1.50 USHGA KEY CHAIN "Soft Feel" Plastic. Custom Min. Glider shaped. Screened white on red ..................................................................$1.50 USHGA SEWON EMBLEM Our original logo, in its original colors on this 3" circular emblem .....................................................................$1.50 USHGA EMBLEM DECAL Our original logo, in its original colors on this 3" circular slicker. ........................................................................$ .50 USHGA LICENSE PLATE FRAME "I'd Rather Be Hang Gliding" PLASTICwhite with blue lettering .............................................. $5.50 METAL(zinc) wilh white on blue lettering ..................................$6.50 " NEW" FLAMENCO DUNE - Special Version Extreme paragliding in Namibia. Superb editing, original sound track. (20 min.) ........... $19.95 DAREDEVIL FLYERS 111 • THE PARAGLIDING VIDEO The Wills Wing gang paraglides at Telluride, CO (50 min.) ..................................$24.95 HAWAIIAN FLYIN' video. Hang gliding and paragliding in paradise! Awesome scenery! (46 min.) ...............................................................$33.00 HANG GLIDING EXTREME video. Let's you see some of the most spectacular sites and introduces you to some famous pilots! (50 min.) ......................................................................................................................................$34.95 MAGAZINE COLLECTOR BINDER Brown vinyl binder w/ gold lettering. Wire inserts to hold 12 issues of HG .........................................$9.00 *USHGA ERIC RAYMOND POSTER 24" X 37" Eric doing oxygen at 17,000 MSL over Jhe Sierra Nevada Range ..................................... $5.95 *USHGA HANG GLIDING POSTER 22" X 28" Colorful nostalgic slandard Rogallo flying into the golden sunset. (Circa 1977) .................. $3.95 'Posters are NOT AVAILABLE on International OrdersSORRY!

$ $

$ $ $

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

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PAYMENT must be included with your order. FOREIGN orders must be in U.S. FUNDS drawn on a U.S. BANK!

CHARGE MY CREDIT CARD VISA or MASTERCARD (circle one) acct#________ exp. ____ Signature ____________

SHIPPING .01 - 9.99 ADD $3.50 10.00 - 19.99 ADD $4.00 20. - 34.99 ADD $5.00 35. - 49.99 ADD $6.00 50. + ADD $7.50 Canada & Mexico add $1.50 extra lnt'I surface add $5.00 extra lnt'l air add $15.00 extra

SUBTOTAL

$_ _ _ __

COLORADO RESIDENTS add 3% TAX

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TOTAL ENCLOSED

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SHIP TO: (Street address if possible) NAME._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ USHGA#_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~ CITY/STATE/ZIP _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSN. P.O. BOX 8300 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80933-8300

(719) 632-8300

FAX (719) 632-6417


MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

ZIP _ _ _ _PHONE(_) _ __ _

NEW MEMBER

_ _RENEW/USHGA# _ _ _ _ _SEX (MJF) _ _ _ _ BIRTHDATE_ ___. _ _ _. _ __

*************************************************•······························································ ANNUAL DUES:

Includes 12 issues of HANG GL1D1NGmagaµne.(HG.Division) or 6

issues of PARAGLIDING.

THE MAGAZINE (PG ·Division),liability·insura.nce, ratings, and other benefits.

FULL MEMBER:

0 1 Division - $49.00 U.S. ($55.00 canadaJMexico*)($ 60.00 Int'l*) ...... , .. $_______~ Please che<:k one: 0 Hang Gliding O Paragliding D Both Divisions - $64,00 U.S. ($82.C)O Canada/Mexico*)($87.00 Int'l*) . . . . . $_ _ _ __

FAMILYMEMBER:

0 1 Division - $24.50 ............................. , .............. $-~--"-c.......Please check one: 0 Hang Gliding D Paragliding O Both Divisions - $32.00 .....................•. ·• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $________

(lncludes all benefits except magazine. Must reside with full member ofsame division.)

SUBSCRIPTION ONLY:

$---~-

D 1 Year $35.00 U.S.($ 40.00 Canada/Mexico*)($ 50.00 Int'l*) . . • . . . . . . . . 0 2 Years $65.00 U.S. ($ 75.00 Canada/Mexito*)($95.00 Int'l*) . . . . . . . . . . . $ ~ - - - 0 3 Years $95.00 U.S. ($110.00 Can:ada/Mexico*)($140.00 Int'l*') . . . . . . . . . . $ - - ~ - -

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INSURANCE INFORMATION The cost of the insurance is included in the full membership fees with the member as additional insured. USHGA provides a Combined Single Limit Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Master Policy in the amount of $1,000,000 per claim which covers all recreational flying. USHGA's insurance is valid ONLY while flying in the U.S., U.S. Properties, Canada, and overseas while on USHGA approved business.

*Foreign payments must be in U.S. FUNDS drawn on a U.S. BANK USHGA, PO BOX 8300, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80933 (719) 632-8300 FAX (719) 632-6417

(11/92)


Ii

s

Winners were finally picked from the long.. awaitcd Women's 'Jc.:am Raffle. The majority of the winners came from back East; they must be able to affrml to buy more tickets! 'fhanks to everyone who bought tickets we really appreciate it. Herc is the list of sponsors that donated rhc prizes.

er. Adventure Sj1orts 2 T·shirts. Mission Soaring-.. I launch/landing clinic, 1 bat, I shirt. !lirwave 2 harness bags, 8 hats, 3 duHd hags, 2 wind socks. Lookout Mtn. Night Park I polo shin, 1 hat. Roger B11/eer-.. Air'] 'hug plaque. Paul Vo~~hter t:rndcm lesson & $30 donation. Hf 77X>-·- l pair of boots. Paul Hamilton 5 Hang Gliding Extreme videos. Lori Filzgemld-- I pair of sunglasses. Willr Wing-..- I large gear bag, 2 shirts, 5 hats. Kitty Hmule Kites· 2 wind socks, 2 'f'.. shins. Sequatchie Valley 2 nights at the bunk house, I tandem Jes.. son, 2 sling wings. [)ennis Prigen 2 Understanding the Sky books, 2 Perfimnance Flying (new book). Bruff Hawle 5 Windsoks. Robin Conners--custom silver trophy. Pucchettis Restaumnt Gift certificate (Bishop).

l flight suit. Mallettec I Mt1rl.: I mini vario. Therrmil I Robert !llember -..... I quick release carabin-

BEIDW: The girll', from upper lefi;-Jormna Arny, Kriri Castle, Joie /oellick, Sue Christie, Rose ·1rimmy Burcrtr, Niki Drive,:

II

t by

· Castle and 'Jammy Burc'ar photo by . Castle

cmiculars, waves and cumies /Jlled the sky in the ( )wens Valley two days before the weekend or our fly· in. Gibho and l were concerned about wha1 type of weather morher 11a1 ure would deliver on the first day or spring. The wind gods must like us because the flying conditions were preny dose to per.. feet. We had a friendly competition, hang gliding and paragliding camaraderie, and all ..;mmnd fun. There were registered pilots and many more free fliers. Most pilots rolled in Priday night from as far away as Utah and Washington, ready for the hig air on Saturday. Some pilots claimed to get over 16,000' and cruised the valley dTonlessly, while others learned why we call the flying site "Dirty Hynns"! We had pilots up and down the hill until dark! John (the devil) Reilly impressed us all by al mos I n;iiling the bull's .. eye in his Pie sailplane:. Nice landing boss! The day ended with an awesome party put on by the awesome party master himself, AlllO (Gibbo's dad). Tkmks Dad! We enjoyed a barbecue and a kcg-o .. bccr donated by the Brass Bell RcstaurmH in Bishop. 'T'hanks Bruce Bell! Aw:mls were fin:1lly given out f<.H the compelition. Cibbo made these cool rro-· ph ies that everyone wanted. They wcllt to h:mg glider ancl paraglidcr pilots :1likc, and were ;iwarded for everything from duration to best rookie. Best of all was The ( ;olden Ifa nun er Award. Doug, I know you really wamed it again, but you h:1vc ro admit that when JdFflew right in '"''·rn,,,,n all those gliders to land in 1hc A·-framc of Dan's glider (almo51 taking om 1wo down .. tubes) in a paraglidcr, that he really took the cake! Now you know "we" call them "dopc-dmrcs."

48

HAN(; CIIIJINC


Competition Corner Thank you all for the donations! Special thanks to Robert Alember, Jamie Alexander and Perry (Como, Mason, or Motors) for the cash donations. ' \"'Ve can't forget to thank "The Pink Thing" for hanging out in the hot stinkin' desert, making sure all the girls ,vere well taken care of - I mean, judging the spot landing contest. Perry Mason I Como I Motors was ready to assist in any emergency, acring as the safety doctor! Thanks you guys! There were rumors of some hard-core partiers bobbin' for apples in the icy water of rhe empty keg barrel into the wee hours of the morning. Congratulations Hugh, you won that contest hands down. Sunday brought another perfect day for flying. It was too good to be true. The week that followed the fly-in was blown out completely, so I must say thank you to those "wind gods" who gave us such perfect conditions for fim! Thanks everyone for showing up and supporting your

f41

PRIZES DONATED TO THE WORLD TEAM SWEEPSTAKES

1

teams.

SOUTH CAROLINA X-C RECORD SMASHED DURING THE 1993 MOUNT ROPE CHALLENGE The 1993 Mount Rope Challenge was held at the Darlington County Airport in South Carolina. After a long siege of unfavorable weather, mother nature smiled on the flatlands during the three days of the late April contest with classic cloud streets and near perfect temperatures. Seven pilots from as far away as Hawaii participated in what some of them called the most fun contest they had ever been a part of. North Carolina pilot Steve Bland flew 82 miles on the first flight of the contest. He finished in first place with the most points in X-C, spot landing and duration. Glen Hockett jumped into second place on the last day by reaching his declared goal. Brent Harsh had three X-C flights in two days for third place. There were a total of 96 flights and five out of the seven contestants won prize money. David and Pat Kincheloe ran the meet

QUANTITY - ITEM - DONOR -

VALUE

1 5

The ARC Helmet - Jim Lee - $300 Cloudbase Video 3, Hang Gliding Extreme -Adventure Video/Paul Hamilton - $35 ea. Aerodyne Helmet - Sail Wings Hang/Paragliding- $85 UP Gear/Harness/Backpack- Desert Hang Gliders - $75 3,000' 3/16" roll Ulrraline- Cajun Hang Gliding Club - $105 2 "Smoothie" Towing Releases - Reel Altitude/Brad Lindsay- $45 ea. Davis Turbometer- North America Paragliding- $155 1 2-sided silk screened Sweat Shire - North America Paragliding- $29.95 5 2-sided silk screened T-Shircs - North America Paragliding - .S 15 ea. Full Face Integral Helmer - Sequatchie Valley Soaring- $185 CG 2000 Pod Harness - Center of Gravity, Inc. - $525 Med. Trainer Harness w/bag- McNett Harness Co. - $125 Motel accommodations for 2/Chaccanooga - Crystal Air Sport Motel - $66 30% off Purchase of Blackhawk Harness thru 12/93 - Silver Wings Inc. - 30% off 12 Hang GlidingT-Shirrs-Kicry Hawk Kires-$14-$19 ea. Two-Day Instructor Lesson for HG or PG- HG & PG School of Oregon - $180 Free Entry into 1993 National Championships@ Lakeview, OR- Northern Calif. X-C Country Pilots Assn. - $175 2 Hall Airspeed Indicator & Long Bracket - Hall Brothers - $30.50 ea. l Wills Wing Harness Bag, one sec Lg. Wheels 1-1/8" - Top Flice Hang Gliding- $88 3 Video "HELICOPTER HANG GLIDING AT LAKE BERRYESSA" -Sacramento Hang Gliding- $29.95 ea. l Altimeter/Vario - Roberts Glider Instruments - $275 2 Takeoff and Landing Clinic - Mission Soaring Center - $95 Camelbak Drinking System - Wright Brothers Wings (Kevin Wright) - $40 The Whack Video-Fly High HG -$30 Hang Gliding T-Shirc - Raven Sky Sports HG & PG - $19.95 Tow Release Bridle Sec - LID Enterprises - $43 Map Sleeve - LID Enterprises - $11. 1 Tow Launch Check Lisr - LID Enterprises - $2 1 Mini Vario - Mallettec Mini Vario -$169 5 "Far Gone Flying" cartoon books - Bob Lafay Cartoons - $9.95 ea. Wills Wing Z-type harness gear bag- Spectrum Hang Gliding - $48 $30 cash - Pilot supply/Bree Hilliker - $30 2 T-Shircs from 1992 Telluride H.G. Festival- Telluride Airforce- $12.50 ea. 1 Windshields Polarized Sunglasses - Windsporcs Soaring Center - $32 Camelback Sports H20 Delivery System - Windsporcs Soaring Center- $35 Bell Helmet - Flight Systems/Dan Skadal - $125 l Two Single Paragliding Lessons - Hang Gliding & Paragliding Emporium - $100 ea. 2 One Day Hang Gliding Tour - Colorado Cloudbase - $150 ea. Wills Wing Gear Bag - Wills Wing - $80 Quick Release - Thermal-$49.95 2 30% off Wills Wing Glider or Harness or Parachute - Pilot Supply- 30% off Sec of Control Bar Wheels - TEK Flight Produces - $28 Set of Christmas Cards (20) - TEK Flight Products - $15 Set of Sracionaty Cards (12) - TEK Flight Produces - $6.60 Gift Certificate for 2-1/2 days of Paragliding- Traverse City HG/PG - $225 2 "Performance Flying" (autographed) - Dennis Pagen - $30 5 Hitch Hiking Signs - High Energy Spores - $15 ea.

continues ... JUNE 1993

49


&1 Competition Corner and helped pilots launch from two mountains on wheels, which could be pointed in any of four directions. Thanks to everyone who drove many miles to come and make this a real Challenge.

1993 CANADIAN NATIONAL HANG GLIDING CHAMPIONSHIPS - VERNON, BC AUGUST 14-22, 1993 This competition will be held in Vernon in the North Okanagan Valley of Southern British Columbia. Sites near Sicamous, BC and/or Bolleen in Faulkland will be used. Both areas have a long-standing histoty of high quality meets. Meet fees will be $75 to July 1, $85 after. Tasks will be Race-to-Goal via turn points, with a declared goal near the Squires Four Pub on the north side of Vernon. Air start gate will be used unless conditions dictate otherwise. Camera turnpoint photos will be required. A very experienced group has committed to administer the competition. All accommodations, including those at the Silver Star Trailer Court Campground on Swan Lake (where most pilots will be), can be booked by calling the Vernon Tourism Bureau toll free at (800) 6650795. The North Okanagan is a recreational paradise, with lakes and flying sites galore. Pilots, particularly from the Pacific Northwest, are invited to experience true Northern Hospitality and experience an outstanding, scenic and proven hang gliding and paragliding region. The Sicamous site is a 3,000' launch with abundant LZ's heading south down the Okanagan Valley and has an excellent, all-vehicle 2WD road. This is a new site which has proven to have very mellow air and excellent altitude potential. Launch conditions are usually less unstable than at Bolleen and big, buoyant thermals are found a long way out in front of launch. As such, it is great for intermediates, and we are making a point of welcoming Hang III pilots (25 hours minimum airtime) who are interested in getting into competition and cross-country flying to attend.

If we exceed the maximum number of pilots, or if pilots without the prerequisite hours wish to come to the Okanagan to fly, there are many sites available which are suitable for all skill levels. Please note that there will be a strict limit on the number of wind dummies, and these spots will be allocated at the morning pilots' meeting. Fred Wilson will be Launch Director and will provide Industrial First Aid coverage. Communications will be established with the EHS Ambulance Service. Chris Florkow, Meet Director, can be contacted at 2203 43rd Ave., Vernon, BC Canada VlT 3K7 (604) 542-5961. All foreign pilots are advised that under the terms of our new insurance policy, non-residents will be required to purchase short-term (three-month) Canadian ~ insurance at a cost of $15. ~

Lots of hot air rocketing around

..

#1

,~

ROCKETS ARE: + More Powerful ... ask around; those who've seen all brands will agree that solid fuel is hard to beat • Less Maintenance Intensive ... a BRS rocket is certified for SIX long years. You'll rarely deal with reloading (or servicing) this rocket • Leak Proof ... the solid fuel is good for six years and can't leak out even if the temperature or altitude varies widely + Smaller ... physical size is less (because in aviation, where bulk is concerned, "less is more") • Highly Reliable ... these rocket motors have been in service for years with an excellent track record • Reasonably Priced ... BRS has not raised the price since 1988

~

Our Trike Wings are not simply / reinforced hang gliders. They've been specially I designed to carry heavier two-seater trikes. I Our Wings feature a very wide speed range for shmt landings and long voyages. They are especially well vibration dampened.

..

~

Rockets Are Easier On You

1

Equipment maintenance is an absolute in aviation. Few of us do as well as we know we should. BRS believes the less attention a safety device demands, the better. BRS rockets aren't foolproof but they're very good. Our record proves it.

1

I GHOST 12 30 to 90 mph GHOST 14 28 to 78 mph GHOST 16 25 to 70 mph I

Load tested to 4,600 lbs positive, 2,300 lbs negative

La Mouette 1, rue de la Petite Fin 1121 Fontaine-Les-Dijon• France

I 1

BRS ha<; documen1ed 65 saves in all aircraft types through 12/92.

from the USA, dial: I Tel: 011-33-80-56-66-47 ~ Fax: 011-33-80-55-42-01 Designing & i\fmrnfactming Trike Gliders Since 1982 \

la mauelh, 1

I ~

HEARD ENOUGH? SEE YOUR DEALER TODAY!

J

I

,I

I

In the USA, contact. .. J cffcrson Aerosports 15120 Skelton Rd• Jefferson, OR 97352 Tel: 503/327-1730 • Fax: 5031364-4116 Dealer /11q11iries hi\'ited

I [ [

BR S • 1845-HG Henry Avenue South St. Paul, MN 55075 • USA 612/457-7491 • FAX: 612/457-8651

IIIViill9HiilllHYHAilli!iiM\11Uiiti151tii

50

HANG GLIDING


A

I

R

C O

T

E C

the

DROGUE CHUTE

PICCOLO $420

• Significantly reduces glide path • Increases ability to land in tight LZs • Allows straight-flight glide control • Eli minates low altitude maneuvering • Perfect gift for that special someone

- Altl1tltrs: 3 adj. modts 0·25,080 Fl. - YarlOlltltr: Adj. slnk/1111 sttpoint and audio font - UOI 1pm dlgllal/LCD nttdlt Indicator - IF shitldtd; Auto POHi SGHI - ltlps 1 oz. Incl. lattery - Optional spttd probe (8-75 mph)

The HANG GLIDING CENTER P. O. Box 1049 Lakeside, CA 92040 (619) 561-1009

NEWS FLASH ... - - A-L--+ 8-1 - 2- --f> t lt

Is hang gliding a hot nevv's item in your loca l paper? Please se nd clippings of stories, photos or articles to the Pub lic Re lations Comm ittee through the USH GA office. We want to see your name, your club or your site mentioned in print!

USHGA -

$575

ALL FEATURES OF PICCOLO ABOVE PLUS: - Flight counter/Total flight-time - Stop watch - Maximum Alt., highest climb rate storage - Peak value memory - 200 hrs. battery lite - Weighs 6.3 oz. incl. Battery

Public Relations

P.O. Box 8300 • Co lorado Spri ngs, CO • 80933

KENTUCKIANA SOARING PRIMUS

" Specializing In Communication"

All FEATURES OF

425 Taggart Ave. , Clarksville, IN 47129 (812) 288-7111

ALIBI AND PICCOLO ABOVE PLUS:

- laromeltr - Spttd probe - Clock (realtlme, stopwatch) . - Temperature - Aulo battery swilch over - larograph (connects dlrecl lo printer) - Weighs 16.1 oz. incl. baller Ies - Too many olher lealures to list

Tie Straps-$15.95 Tow Rope, 1/4" Poly - $30/1,000 3/16" Poly - $25/1,000 Hook Knives - $14.95 1/4 Wave Rubber Duck- $14.95 5/8 Wave Telescopic-$14.95 5/8 Wave Mag Mount- $37.85 Bar Mitts - $32.00 Ham Band Yaesu FT411E -$299.00 Alinco DJF1T - $295.00 Kenwood T28A - $334.95 lcom P2AT - $349.95 Standard C168- $349.95 Mobiles - $339.95

I

I

Swiss made. Swiss acc urate. lite. simple. rugged and meeting NAS Distributing criteria. All AIRCOTEC Instruments are backed by factory trained U.S. ec nicians and a 1yea warranty. H.G. or P.G. mounting system. accessory bag. safely ro P.e and batteriesare standard.

Business Band Maxon SP2000 10 Ch. - $339.00 Yaesu 15 Ch. - $429.95 Yaesu 6 Ch. - $329.00 ProCom 2 Ch. - $195.00 Motorola 2 Ch. - $195.00

~~~

BAROGRAPH $1,075

t

All Instruments read in feet and meters.

AIR COTEC I

For a free brochure or your nearest dealer contact: Atrcotec USA Limited. tel. (303) 278-9566 or fax (303) 750-3226 Aircotec USA Limited ts a division of NAS Distributing, Inc.


lj Ratings SAFE PILOT AWARDS BRONZE DAVE LITTLE FRED MILLER CHRIS PERKINS

BEGINNER RATINGS PILOT: City, State; Instructor/School Region 1 GILBERT, MICHAEL: Portland, OR; J. Asher/Endless Thermal Region 2 KOCH, TODD: San Francisco, CA; R. Frey/Airtime of San Francisco KREISEL, RAYMOND: Portola Valley, CA; R. Frey/Airtime of SF O'SHAUGHNESSY, DOUG: Campbell, CA; R. Chin/Wings ofRogallo Region3 COUITT, CHARLES: Oceanside, CA; R. Mitchell/Eagles Wings DENTON, CRAIG: Honolulu, HI; B. Swigart/Hale Manu HG EL-MUBAID, HUSSAM: Los Angeles, CA; A. Beem/Windsports KEEFER, AUGUSTIN: Anaheim, CA; A. Beem/Windsports PERKINSON, POLLY: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; R. Patterson/Berkeley HG PINEDO, JESUS: Riverside, CA; K. Lamb SEBAG, DANIEL: Los Angeles, CA; A. Beem/Windsports THEROUX, GREG: Sylmar, CA; J. Mercadante/True Flight Concepts Region4 MCNAMARA, CHRIS: Placitas, NM; C. Woods/Up Over NM Region 6 FRAZIER, DAVID: Battlefield, MD; S. Comer/Kitty Hawk Kites MCCLENNAHAN, GARY: Van Buren, AR; T. Middleton/Soaring Wings Region 7 AMER, AYMEN: Walled Lake, MI; B. Weaver/Kitty Hawk Kites ASPNES, GREGG: Mpls, MN; B. Weaver/Kitty Hawk Kites GOOLSBY, STEVEN: Garden City, MI; B. Chalmers/Lookout Mtn FP HORAN, DARCY: Chicago, IL; B. Kushner/Raven Sky Sports ODLE, LARRY: Indianapolis, IN; W. Thornton/Kitty Hawk Kites RIST, MARK: Detroit, MI; N. Lesnow/Pro Hang Gliders Region 9 ASPNES, ERIC: Bethlehem, PA; B. Weaver/Kitty Hawk Kites BEVERLEY, DONNA: Richmond, VA; W. Thornton/Kitty Hawk Kites BROWN, MICHAEL: Manchester, MA; S. Comer DUPAUL, CHRISTOPHER: Charlottesville, VA; W. Thornton/Kitty Hawk HOHENLOHE, PAUL: Williamstown, MA; S. Comer/Kitty Hawk Kites HOOTEN, ART: Riverton, WV; C. Thoreson/Lookout Mm FP MC CORD, JEFFREY: Grove City, OH; M. Manzo/Skyward Enterprises MC COY, STEPHANIE: Columbus, OH; M. DelSignore/Norch Coast HG SCHMUCK!, ROBERT: Severna Park, MD; W. Thornton/Kitty Hawk Kites

52

Region 10 ACEVEDO, RICARDO: St. Petersburg, FL; G. McNarnee/Graybird Airsport BARRANCO, ORLANDO: Miami, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HG BARRY, THOMAS: Homestead, FL; R. Cizauskas/Kitty Hawk Kites BELL, BOBBY: Winter Haven, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HG BURNS, JIM: Newark, DE; F. Foti/Miami HG DEL PRETE, VICTOR: Pembroke Pines, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HG EASTMAN, ROGER: Huntsville, AL; C. Thoreson/Lookout Mtn FP HANSKNECHT, RICHARD: Jacksonville, FL; G. McNamee/Draggin Flyers HERGET, CLAY: Raleigh, NC; B. Weaver/Kitty Hawk Kites MASSEY, PEYTON: Macon, GA; B. Chalmers/Lookout Mtn FP RARICK, RONALD: Clearwater, FL; G. McNamee/Graybird Airsporc WETMORE, EDDIE: Hickory, NC; R. Cizaukas/Kitty Hawk Kites WIKNER, DIXON: Orlando, FL; G. McNamee/Graybird Airsporc Inc.

NOVICE RATINGS PILOT: City, State; Instructor/School Region 1 MCLAREN, JAMES: West Richland, WA; B. Morgan/Rattlesnal<e HG Region 2 ANDERSON, WILLIAM: Truckee, CA; R. Leonard/Adventure Sports BOATWRIGHT, DAVID: Antioch, CA; R. Palmon/Sky's The Limit HG GRIFFIOEN, PETER: Mountain View, CA; D. Yount/Mission Soaring HETZEL, WILLIAM: Oakland, CA; B. Karlak/Berkeley HG & Hedonism Club HINRICHS, ERIC: Los Gatos, CA; J. Woodward/Natural Flying KREISEL, RAYMOND: Portola Valley, CA; C. Bolfing/Aircime of SF MOORE, ROBERT: Carmel, CA; P. Godwin/Western Hang Gliders NUGENT, STEVE: Atwater, CA; W. Brown/Top Flite HG RATKOVICH, PETER: Orangevale, CA; G. Hamilton/Sacramento HG Region 3 EL-MUBAID, HUSSAM: Los Angeles, CA; A. Beem/Windsports PITTS, SHANNON: Northridge, CA; M. Spinelli/True Flight REENTS, ROBERT: La Jolla, CA; R. Mitchell/Eagles Wings SEBAG, DANIEL: Los Angeles, CA; A. Beem/Windsports Region4 KIRBY, L.J.: Scottsdale, AZ; J. Ryan/HG Center of SD MCNAMARA, CHRIS: Placitas, NM; C. Woods/Up Over NM PERTEET, TODD: Ruidoso, NM; D. Sharp/NM Soaring Academy Region 6 DIXON, BOB: Havana, AR; T. Middleton/Soaring Wings HASTING, LARRY: Augusta, KS; M. Hair/Sport Wing of OK Region 7 GOOLSBY, STEVEN: Garden City, MI; B. Chalmers/Lookout Mtn FP MCDONALD, RAY: Carol Stream, IL; B. Kushner/Raven Sky Sports MENTIER, FRANK: Washington, MI; C. Thoreson/Lookout Mtn FP RINKE, JOSEPH: Ray TWP, MI; J. Hooks/Lookout Mtn FP Region 9 DODGE, MICHAEL: Cleveland, OH; M. DelSignore/North Coast HG LAYE, NATHAN: APO, AE; R. Cizauskas MACDUFF, SHAWN: Auburn, PA; D. Gearhart/Windwalker HG TARTISEL, GREG: Ft. Wash, MD; W. \hormon/Kitty Hawk Kites HANG GLIDING


Ratings Region 10 BARRANCO, ORIANDO: lv!iami, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HG BELL, BOBBY: Winter Haven, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HG BURNS, JIM: Newark, DE; F. Foti/lvliami HG COLOMB, HENRY: Creston, NC; B. Goodman/Blue Ridge HG MASSEY, PEYTON: Macon, GA; B. Chalmers/Lookout Mm FP RAUHE, TIMOTHY: Cary, NC; C. Thoreson/Lookout Mm FP REINHART, DAVID: Delray Beach, FL; J. Tindle/Miami Hang Gliding Region 11 ELLEY, DAYID: Victoria, TX; B. Chalmers/Lookout Mm FP MEHTA, SHREEFAL: Dallas, TX; D. Broyles/Kite Enterprises Region 12 NILSSON, PETER: New York, NY; P. Voight/Fly High HG

INTERMEDIATE RATINGS PILOT: City, State; Instructor/School Region 2 GIBBONS, JEFF: Hayward, CA; R. Reed/Wings of Rogallo MORIARTY, ANN: Pinole, CA; S. Seabass/Berkeley HG Club SNYDR-MICHAL, JAN: Walnut Creek, CA; P. Denevan/Mission Soaring Region 3 ANDERSON, ROBERT: Santa Barbara, CA; K. DeRussy/HG Emporium BRIDGES, DAYID: Lake Arrowhead, CA; R. McKenzie/High Advemure DEVORAK, JAY: Sylmar, CA; M. Spinelli/True Flight Concepts LEMPEREUR, YVES: Westlake Village, CA; G. Reeves/Windsports OWENS, STEVE: San Diego, CA; R. Mitchell/Eagles Wings HG SEQUERRA, FERNANDO: Summerland, CA; Hagemann/Santa Barbara HG Region 4 BRESNAHAN, WALTER: Sandy, UT; D. Lane HODGSON, LINDA: Phoenix, AZ; B. Lindsay LEVITT, MARK: Salt Lake City, UT; D. Lane THOMPSON, RICK: Albuquerque, NM; G. Nicolet Region 7 LLOYD, KERRY: Indianapolis, IN; D. Lewton TAYLOR, CLIFF: Indianapolis, IN; B. B1yden/Williams Flight School Region 9 OWENS, MARK: Laurel, MD; J. Tindle/Miami HG PIERCE, SUSAN: Vienna, VA; J. Middleton/Silver Wings

Ill

ADVANCED RATINGS PILOT: City, State; Instructor/School Region 1 CHAFFIN, RANDY: Seattle, WA; R. Brown/Airplay'n HOAG, ROBERT: Seattle, WA; R. Brown/Airplay'n LAUTEREN, FRED: Klamath Falls, OR; W. Roberts/S. Oregon HG ROBINSON, GARY: Kennewick, WA; B. Morgan ROGERS, PETE: Oak Harbor, WA; J. Bowman/AirZone WILLIAMS, KATHY: Tacoma, WA; L. Space/Cloudbase Country Club Region 2 BLACET, JOHN: Guerneville, CA; J. James/Sonoma Wings ROBERTS, LARRY: Rohnert Park, CA; J. James/Sonoma Wings Region 3 CHAMPLIN, MICHAEL: Culver City, CA; M. Spinelli/True Flight Region4 CARBONETTI, DAVID: Almont, CO; G. Hewitt/Western Slope Aviation Region 10 BROSS!, MOZART: Miami, FL; J. Tindle/Miami Hang Gliding HOLLAND, ROBERT: Orlando, FL; F. Gillette STIRIZ, HENRY: Pembroke Pines, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HG Region 12 LASSACHER, MAX: Middle Village, NY; S. Makrinos/lkaros Hellas

MASTER RATINGS BUBBA GOODMAN DAVE LITTLE KEN SELIGivIAN

FOREIGN RATINGS BEGG INNER VANDENBROEK, BOB: Winnipeg, Manitoba; S. Wise/SVS NOVICE VANDENBROEK, BOB: Winnipeg, Manitoba; S. Wise/SVS ADVANCED ROUSSIN, RICHARD: St. Pie, Quebec; G. Black

Region 10 HALL, MATT: Eclectic, AL; D. Murdoch/Alabama HG Assn TANDEM ONE RATINGS Region 12 POND, RUSH: Baldwinsville, NY; M. Holl/Lookout Men FP VERZELLA, LISA: East Rochester, NY; G. Black/Mountain Wings

DOOGS, TIM: Fort Worth, TX; D. Sharp/New Mexico Soaring Academy VEER, THOM: Fairbanks, AK; B. Swigart/Hale Manu HG

TANDEM TWO RATINGS FLYNN, STEVE: Orlando, FL; R. Jacob/SVS

JUNE 1993

53


Towing Systems for Hang Gliders and Paragliders "The most effective cross country tool since the variometer" "The best system we have seen. It is definitely the concept that makes the most sense." Roger Coxon, Kitty Hawk Kites

"Your rig is the smoothest... Simply the best rig I've seen." Larry Haney, Soi/wings

The Highest Quality... at Down to Earth Prices! • The finest rewind motor available. Actual reversible winch motor with sealed roller bearings. Engineered to run continuously. • With TBT's innovative line guide for automatic leveling, you get a perfect hands-off rewind everytime. • Steel braided hydraulic hoses filled with silicone and sealed with brass fittings for long life without leaks. • Belt drive for clean quiet rewind, no rust or grease spatter. Perfect for boat towing. • Driver controlled hydraulics with quick pressure-release for ram-air chute line recovery system. • Strong automobile brake system with ventilated rotor, precision machined for perfect rotation. Just right for tandem towing.

Call Now for a Video and a Free Brochure!

73T Visa and MasterCard accepted Dealer inquiries welcomed

TBT • 1627 Kenwood• Olathe, Kansas• 66062 •

(913} 764-2991


Classifieds ~~ HANG GLIDING ADVISORY Used hang gliders should always be disassembled before flying for rhe first rime and inspecred carefully for fatigued, bent or dented downrubes, 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 Rogallos, sails badly torn or corn loose from their anchor points front and back on the keel and leading edges. If in doubr, many hang gliding businesses will be happy ro give an objecri,·c opinion on the condition of equipmenr you bring rhem co inspect. Buyers should select equipment that is appropriate for their skill level or rating. New pilots should seek professional instruction from a USH GAcertified school.

HPAT 158 449-0513.

DOUBLE VISION ~'€J.w-,~~ld. $2,600. (414)

HPJ\T 158 - Excellent condition, clean, moderate hours, threads needles. $2,000. Dana (505) 2945295.

473-2003.

~v'-'--

./'~

DREAMS IN STOCK.,-- All f,zcs, including 145's. Many other used gliders . \ .fule, including Visions & Spcctrurns. Raven Skv Sp ~73-2003.

w,·

FOlL COiv!BAT 139 - Great shape, 60 hours S 1,500. Joe Szalai (8 l 8) 362-9978 evenings.

ROGALLOS

FORMULA 154 - 8 hours, 205 LL TE. Crisp, like new 52,400. BRS 4, 4 years life $275. Maxon 6 channel $210. (505) 899-9575.

ATTACK DUCK 160 - /\,[int, excellent condirion, low low hours, <30 hours, only $600. (803) 383-4318 Rob.

FORMULA 154 - Excellent condi,ion S 1,700. Heavy 4.4 clorh throughout. Southern California (909) 787-3500 weekdays.

A,\::JS 15 - V cry nice condition, 15 hours. All white, two red panels, heavy keel for cowing $800. (602) 72.3-9286.

GENESIS - Good stare er for small pilor $1,400 includes shipping. (818) 364-9859.

1

AXIS 15 - 1990 model. Great condition, low hours, recent airframe inspection S 1,200 OBO. (818) 3676050. AXIS 15 - Custom "Batman" sail, custom harness, parachuce, vario $1,500. (6 l 9) 490-1292. COMET C-1 135 - Spectrum clorh, great condition, low time S550. (602) 893-2523. COivlPLETE BEGINNERS PACKAGE - Vision MK lV 17, speedbar, wheels, Avsac harness, chu,e, helmet, vario. A.JI less rhan two hours $3,200. (2 J 5) 779-8882. COVER PHOTO AXIS l5 i\,[ay issue. Yellow/red, good condition Sl,000. Bob Lowe (301) 654-1763.

Great shape, low hours $2,100. (:30.3)

DOUBLE VISION - Beautiful colors, low hours, top condition, good price. (209) 532-1302.

GLIDER BAGS ~·Cu /om camo. XC $70., standard $80., other colors. Sa;'° ~s (501) 663-3166. HARRIER I 147 - Low hours $475. Litek vario S185. Altirnaster $75. High Energv cocoon & chute 5150. (510) 655-8041. HARRIER 147 - \I ery good condition, wheels S450. H(415) 948-4959, \V(4l5) 858-6103. HP I! - Tight, fosc, spanked all four HPAT's 1991 Grear Race. Whire, pink LE $900. (8031 666-2494. HP J\ T 14 5 - Lace '91, 20 hours, extras. Proven enhancements for XC and high speed performance. Grear handling $2,950. H(4 l 5) 948-4959, \'11(415) 858-6 I 03.

IQ 145 - 1991, great handling for lighr pilot $1,800 OBO. Call Claire Pagen (814) 383-2569. K2 I 55 - Excellent condition, low hours, custom sail. Proven I 00 mile performer $2,300 OBO. (505) 293-5165. KISS - All mylar faccory racer. Excellenr handling and performance. J\bsolurely superb condition $1,800. (619) 575-4939. KISS l 54 - w/K2 upgrades-I 989. Royal blue u/surfoce, excellenr condirion $1,200. (619) 697-4530. LA MOUETTE PROFILE 14 C:OJvlP- 145 square foot, good condition and rece11t annual $800 will ship. (818) 767-4851. LITE DREAM 165 - Excellent condition, with training wheels, cocoon harness, helmet S 1,000. (909) 867-2195. LITE DREAM 165 - Less chan 1 hour airtime $1,980. Pod harness $450. Parachure $200. All mint condition! Cathie (714) 536-0497, (714) 673-4963. MAGIC Ill l 77 - Like new, inscrnmenrs, harness, chute, plus many extras, asking $1,050. Call Mike in Michigan (3U) 397-1351. /vlAGlC: IV - I.ow hours, cocoon harness, parachure S995. (406) 622- 5677. MAGIC JV 177 (714) 675-2199.

Full faired, VG, spectra $900.

HPAT 158 - Like new, moving-sacrifice @$2,300. UIOJ 479-7771.

r.--------------------------------------, USHGA CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ORDER FORM

I 50 cents per word, $5.00 minimum. I Boldface or caps $1.00 per word. (Does not include first few words I which are automatically caps.) Special layouts or tabs $25 per column inch. I (phone numbers-2 words, P.O. Box-1 word) I photos-$25.00 line art logos-$15.00 Deadline-20th of the month, six weeks before the cover date of I the issue in which you want your ad to appear (i.e., June 20 for 1

the August issue). Prepayment required unless account established. No cancellations and no refunds will be allowed on any advertising after deadline. Ad insertions FAXed or made by telephone must be charged to a credit card.

I II I Please enter my classified ad as follows: I I Number of words: I Number of words:

Number of Months: Section (please circle) Rogallos Emergency Chutes Parts & Accessories Business & Employment Miscellaneous

Towing Wanted Schools and Dealers Videos Ultralights Rigid Wings Publications & Organizations Paragliders

Begin with 19 issue and run for conseculive issue(s). My check -l, money order -l, is enclosed in the amount of $ NAME:

-----------------

ADDRESS: PHONE:

@ .50 = @

1.00 =

I I I I I I I

I I I I I II

USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933 (719) 632-8300

L--------------------------------------~ JUNE 1993

55


E~ Classifieds MAGIC IV 177 - Great condition, VG, very well maintained $1,500. (201) 839-1050. MARK IV 17 - Raymond pod, great colors, total time 3-1/2 hours. $1,700 for both, (602) 482-3352. MOYES XS 155 - Looks good, sweet flyin' $2,000 OBO. (303) 728-9602. MOYES XS 169 -

SENSOR 510C - All mylar World Team glider. Unsurpassed sink rate, excellent condition $500. (619) 575-4939. SENSOR 510C - Low hours, beautiful wing, extra parrs. Sacrifice $900/BO. (510) 370-0929. SENSOR 510E - 159 full race. TOP condition, LOW hours, immaculate Bob Schutte sail, plus extras $3,000 OBO. (209) 523-6089.

SPECTRUMS & VIS Raven Sky Sports (414 SPORT 167 EURO (707) 443-2018.

Good condition $900. Leon

SPORT 167 USA - A steal @$700. Split-leg spaghetti harness, w/chute, fits 5'11" to 6'2", strong, comfortable, easy to launch $200. (303) 824-2454, leave message. SPORT 180 AMERICAN - Excellent condition, only 3 hours. Magenta, white, pacific blue, with extra downtubes and pod harness $1,600. (703) 255-1297. SPORT 180 - Full race, perfect condition $1,450 OBO. (713) 688- 7653. SPORT 180 - Full race, low airtime, white with red LE. $1,000 OBO, (619) 792-0291. SUNBURST HPAT 145 - Brand new, never flown. Paid $4000, asking $3,000. Call Brant Swigart (808) 941-8420 SUPER SPORT 143 - Excellent condition, 30 hours, great colors $2,500. (406) 245-5563. TRX 140 - Purple and white beauty. Extra carbon downtube, Hall wheels, XC bag $2,950. WW Z3 medium harness wirh chute $450. PZ vario $100. New composite oxygen system $400. Package $3.5 l 0. (909) 797-5515. TRX 160 - Pristine ship. Feb. '93 centerspread picture. Lots of extras, 1. 5 seasons old. Sacrifice $2,400. Call Jersey, (619) 944- 3462 Southern California.

VISION ECLIPSE 19 - Extremely clean. STORED PAST FIVE YEARS. Fared downrubes, speedbar $750. (602) 634-7411. VISION MK IV 19 - 3 DCG, trilam LE, rainbow sail, excellent condition $1,700. (704) 542-9733. WILLS WING DUCK 180 - Good condition $1,000. Harness and parachute $250. San Diego 1800-356-5686. COLORADO HANG GLIDING "Celebrating Our 20th Year of Sales and S;,pport!" REGION IV'S OLDEST, LAR fST FULL-TIME STO RESER E CHUTES, neve cleployed, inspected, repacked, 1ew bridle .......... $265 (PDA's $300) VARIOS/AL ............. ( ed,AII Brands) .. $125+ USED HARN SES ................................. $75+ LIDERS .................. $500+ NEW, USED PA NEW HELMETS ..... (All Brands, Styles) .. $50+ PARASAILS ............... $1,175

!) . . . . . . . . .

NEW SPOR EURO 167 .. ~OURS ..... $2,350 LT OREA 20 .............. <2 OURS ....... $2,100 145 .............. <2 URS ....... $1,800 LT DRE VISION K lV 17 ......... <30 H URS ..... $1,400 DUCK 1 0 ...................... <35 HO\lRS ..... $575 VISION ...................... <100 HQ,URS ... $550 PRODA . "EROSTAR .. <25 HOURS .... $475 EA. PHOENIX6D 185 .......... <45 HOURS ..... $400 Equipment 100% Guaranteed, inspected. All Major Credit Cards Accepted. (303) 278-9566. FAX (303) 750-3226. 18301 W Colfax Ave., #S-101, Golden co 80401. NGS 1103 Washington Aven e, Golden, CO 80401 TOLL FREE ORDER ONE 1-800-677-4449 ~ (303 278-7181

~

7

795+. Instruction, tandems. 9) ~559. "L.Jw}

WILLS - Medium harness $150. Second Chanez 275PG $450. Combo $540. (909) 797-5515. COLORADO PARAGLIDING - SINCE 1986 Region's Oldest, Largest Store NEW 20 fc. PDA RESERVES ................... $385 VARIO'S ... (Used, Demo's All Brands) ....... $95+ USED HARNESSES ...... $100+ NEW HELMETS ... (AII Brands, Styles) ..... $50+ NEW D!Ai5S ......... 3 yr, Guarantee ... $2,950 Ea. NEW APO L .................................... $2,150 Ea. NEW MAL BU 2 . ~ ..... 6.4 glide ............. $1,600 NEW MITSUR 2 .. 6.2 ...................... $1,500 '92CORVETT S .......... •MO'S6.6 ...... $1,600 BIRDY 29 ..................... <2 hrs 6.6 ......... $1,400 JAGUAR 27 .................. <2 hr 5.8 .......... $1,400 MUSTANG 'J7 .............. <40 hr 6.5 ......... $1,375 SPOUTNIK 26 .............. <30 hrs 4 ......... $1,300 NEW PARASAILS ......... LARGE ............. $1,175 Equipment 100% Guaranteed, insp cted. All Major Credit Cards Accepted. (303) 278-9 66. FAX (303) 750-3226. 18301 W Colfax Ave., # -101, Golden co 80401. REAL ESTATE FOR RENT-LAKEFRONT CABIN - With private sandy beach, located in airsport/watersport paradise catering to pilots. Write James Swansburg, Box 122, Wasa Lake, British Columbia, Canada YOB 2KO. LAKEVIEW OREGON - Land for sale, 6 miles north of town on county road. Ten acres, beautiful views $12,500. Twenty acres, 360 degree beautiful view, w/possible hg training hill $24,500. (503) 9472261 or (503) 947-5089.

xc. cond .... $ J,300 Mystic 177 VG ...... Vision 19 (used).......... . cond .... $1,800 Several Sport 167 ........................... $1800 - $2,200 HP AL.Demo ............. :......... , ...... $2,800 Many other good used liders .....'.'>'\$450-$1000

DUSTER SAILPLANE - 30: I, w/covered trailer. All instruments, licensed and flying $4,500. (916) 542-3833.

EMERGENCY P RACH0 ES

ULTRALIGHTS

RIGID WINGS

5, never deployed, 1 w bridle, Inspected and repacked, all sizes. lorado Hang Gliding (303) 278-

FLIGHT DESIGNS TRIKE - Demon Wing. Kawasaki 440, Hager reduction 3 blade ultra prop, slight damage $1,500 or best offer. H(415) 9484959, W(415) 858-6103.

ALL BRANDS - Boug Zo1d, and repacked. 5.00 - Parachutes, bridles, Inspection and re ck inspected and replac . AIRTIME OF SAN FRANwo a, San Francisco, CA 94116. CISCO, 3620 (415) SKY- 117 .

TRIKES TRIKES TRIKES - And accessories. $5.00 info' pack, Jefferson Aero Sports, 15120 Skelton Rd, Jefferson OR 97352, (503) 327-1730.

ROCKET CHUTE - $600. 18 Gore PDA, right side mount. Never been installed. (808) 638-5543.

ULTRALIGHT AVIATION - American and european trikes and wings. 1117 Cold Harbor Dr., N. Las Vegas NV 89030, (702) 399-4044. WANTED

PARAGLIDERS EDEL AERO 27 - Excellent condition $1,200. $1,300 with harness. (619) 575-4939.

56

UP, \VILLS, EDEL Southern California

GLIDERS/HARNESSES/CHUTES WANTED In ve1y good condition, all types. (602) 897-7121.

HANG GLIDING


Classifieds ~~ HARNESS - Cocoon or pod, for 5' 1O" pilot. Tom (904) 481-3322.

g

\'I/ANTED - Used hai\~ glid. equipment. Gliders, instruments, harnesses ana rachutes. Airtime of San Francisco, 3620 \\:rawona, Francisco, CA 94116. (415) Sh'Y-1177.

TOP FLITE HAN~GL,JffNG - USHGA certified instruction. Hang)~rs & supplies. Servicing Merced, Modesto &jfockroq areas. (209) 874- 17,,)•5.

-

1J;/'-diJ.

TRUE FLIGH~ONCE~TS - USHGA Certified lnsrruction, Sales Service. ecome a better pilot in less time with our sma . sonalized classes & tandem ll inds of accessories. I understand the existing pilo need to get a sweet deal! I need trade-ins. Cal n e last. ''I'll eat a bug." DAN SKADAL@ F IG SYSTEMS, 1915B E. Karella, new)639-7777.

s ALABAMA

LOOKOUT MCThJNTAfNFLIGHT PARK ad under Georgi:)2~688- LMFP.

1974. Fifteen

See

ROCKET CITY AIRSPORTS - Instruction, sales & service at Keel ]Vlm., Gurley, AL. For information send SASE and $1 ro 106 South Side Square, Huntsville AL 35801 or call (205) 776-9995 or (205) 880- 8512. ARKANSAS

COMPACT ~NGS ARAGLIDING - Tandem, Class III certified"i9s tructor. All major brands. Yearround flying. BeJf &1~1ern California site. (909) 654-8559. I ~

---------

SAIL WINGS HA~l1b!NG/PARAGLID1NG - Instruction, sal<;j, service. Pacific Airwave. P.O. Box 5593, Lierle Mck, R 72215. (501) 663- 3166.

beautiful n Di go. USHGA instruction, equipment rentals, loca Jf ng tours. Spend your winter vacation flying with us. We proudly offer Wills Wing, Pacific Airwave, Higl nergy, Ball and we need your used equipment. P B x 1049, Lakeside CA 92040, (619) 561-1009.

WRIGHT BROTHER~'/ftics - UP, Wills Wing, ~all, BRS, ~ ~gy. USHGA Certified lnstrucnon. (209) ~:06012 on':\a CA. COLORADO

ARIZONA UD / ASE - Guided tours, driCOLORADO CL, ~ vers, videos, accesso · . (719) 630-7042, FAX (719) 630-8126. PO B/' ~34, Colorado S~rings CO

ADVENTURE SPORTS TOURS,,L. Certified instruction utilizing the \\•orld's firs fuan-made training hill plus other sites~ "\1icl II face every wind direction. Dealer for Pacific vave, Wills Wing, Ball and High Energy, 1327 · ell e Mar Dr., Tempe, AZ 85283 (602) 897-712'1. DESERT HANG GLIDERSJ--- USHGA Certified School. Supine speciali;;~-~-19 W. L.arkspur, Glendale, AZ 85304. (602) J38-~5~. lJ

u1=

CALIFORNIA ACTION SOARING CFN Stockton. Personalized USHGA ified instruction, sales and service. Emphasis o s ecial skills, tech·. Ask about tow niques, launching & landing., clinic. (209) 368-9665. ' AIRTIME OF SAN FRANCISCO - HANG GLIDING & RAGLID.JNG. Complete, safe & fun, USHGA & PA~rtified training program. ]\fountain clinics ' gr und schools. ALL MAJOR BRANDS. Quality 'rframe and sewing by factory trained repair tcchr rc rns. Parachute services. Large selection of 2nd h· nd ge r (buy & sell). Renrals available. Next to Fo t Funst01 The only full ser\'ice shop in San Francis o! 3620 \Xia vona, San Francisco CA 94116. (415) '59-1177.

so935_

:Z.v wi-~.

\

COLORADO ~ANG Gl.J.DIN- /PARAGLIDING - Celebrating 20 years ofle~ and sales. 1st USHGA certified school in the U.S. . egion's largest and oldest. Operating full time si ce ~72. (303) 278"-. 9566.

i~~:ja HIGH ADVENTURE ~ Hang lfaing, paragliding school. Equipment sales, s} i , rentals at Southern California's mile high sj Crestline. USHGA lnscrucror Rob McKeryre. , appointment year round. (909) 883-8488. ' LAKE ELSINORE HANG GLIDING SCHOOL Wills Wing dealer, Flytec. (909) 678-2482.

JNG/PARAGU, N

- USHGA & APA certified il<l..~rvice. P.O. Box 25985, 0 8093()'(-719) 594-04£}10

Sal s, service. USHGA certified instruction. Dealers · r Wills Wing, PacAir. 1103 Washington Avenue, G CO 80401. (303) 2787181.

11\

/

LAKE ELSJNOR1'_,~H~l'5~PSY - Airwavc, Moyes, ASL Call ~f}i5e information. (909) 6798994.

LID ENTERPRISES --f Sai~ and harness repair -

MISSION SOARING CENTER - Serving the flying community since 1973. omplete pilot training program with special attenti n to take-off and landing skills: Cus~r superlite tr ming gliders. Comfortab.le tra111111g harries5.1cs! Delu e retail shop. \Xldls, PacA1r, UP, demos, new gl:der ,itL_fil_Clc_l<! Best _trade-in prices. Try all the new har esses in o~~;-imulator. Large selection of specia 'zed equipment, beginner to XC. 1116 Wrigley,' ay, Milpitas (near San Jose) CA 95035. (408) 2 2-1os5.

CONNECTICUT

Equipment manufac'tyb_i{1g - Towing supplies - 5000 ~O 1 (303) 440- 3579. Butte #183, Boulder,

"'

'2JtL/ I

SIERRA SAILS - PacAir sales and service. Serving Sierra foothills and Lake McClure area since 1988. (209) 532-1302.

JUNE 1993

I

MOUNTAIN WINGS"'

Look under New York.

FLORIDA LOOKOUT \>IOJJNTAIN FLIGHT PARK Nearest hang g~1~:nountain training center to Florida. Sec adl \orgia.

\

57


~~ Classifieds PRO HANq_ GLID R$ - USHGA instruction since 1978. A~·aJJCe Instructor, Examiner, Observer. Safety is #1. \)( e'v been towing for a decade. Come on SE Michiga1 let's wake up! \Y/e'vc got a soaring site now. Give 1 a call at (313) 399-9433, ask for Norm. 569 W nnabelle, Hazel Park MI 48030 ..

7

C. has the most advanced training prograr 10wn to hang gliding today. USJ-IGA certified sci, l specializing in personalized flight training. l'y!f se ice shop handling all makes and models of (ders. For more info call (305) 285-8978.

TRAVERSE CI Y HANG GLIDERS/PARAGLIDERS - FULL-TIME shop. Certified instruction, foot launch and tow. Sales, service, accessories for ALL major brands. VISA/MASTERCARD. Come soar our 450' dunes! 1509 E 8th, Traverse City MI 49684. Call Bill at (619) 922-2844.

GM! PARAGLIDING SCHOOL - In New York. Certified Instruction. Free color brochure. (516) 6767599. PARK SUSQUEHANNA FLIGHT Cooperstown, NY. Certified Instruction, Sales and Service for all major man facturers. 40 acre park, 5 training hills, jeep rides, ll 1k ,mlse, camping, hot showers, 600' NW ridge. We ave the best facilities in N. New York state ro tea )OU how to fly. RD 2, Box 348A, Cooperstow 13326, l315) 8666153.

y~,

NORTH CAROLINA MINNESOTA

GEORGIA LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK America's #1 hang gliding center, flying site. find out why three rimes as many pilots earn their j ) l ~ n wings at Lookout Complete certified tr, ·rtfi,g-"bunny hill" to mounta soaring. \Y/e ore USJ-IGA's Official Flight Trai ing Manual! ur specialties: footlaunch, tandem an aeroto ing instruction, first rnountain flights cus 1

n1

service and satisfaction.

Lesson packages, ratings, lider rentals. Largest invenrory new/used hang rd s, equipment. Complete sail/airframe repairs. ampin ($2/person), swimming pool. Send $2 for · ,formation acket. Route 2, Box 215-H, Rising F wn GA 30738 20 minutes from Chattanooga, ennessee) (800) 688-LMFP, (706) 398- 3541.

ER/MINNEAPOLIS Pacific Airwave,

MISSOURI KITTY HAWK KITES, IN . - P.O. Box 1839, Nags Head, NC 27959 (2 9) 441-4124. Learn to hang glide'on'j~key's Ri9 e, the largest sand dune on the east coast,)' 1st J6uth of where the Wright Brothers' first fli {c took place. Beginner and advanced lesson a kages and camps offered. Advanced tanden tow 1srruction, 1500 ft. plus up. Dealer for all m or bran gliders, complet:fsi· nveptory of new and used lide , accessories and p'iir ..$61{~

SAIL WINGS -~~nsas. NEVADA

Enterprise Wings. shop. 3650 Resea (702) 883-7070.

arson City, NV :i1f706

QJJ~\)

NEW JERSEY

SEQUATCHIE VALLEY See our ad under Tennesse

MOUNTAIN IDAHO

wiM5-

Look under New York.

f'

SAURATOWN MOUNTAIN - Paragliding resident pilot site guide. Tommy Thompson (919) 9839064. OHIO

NEW MEXICO TREASURE VALLE~~HAG GLIDING Airwave, Moyes, UP. Den.1 ' , ratings, tours, service.

(208) 376-7914.

'Li~

ILLINOIS RAVEN SKY SPORT3\7(f12) 360-0700 or (708) 360-0700. Please see o},l~Lunder WISCONSIN. INDIANA

MICHIGAN GREAT LAKE~A,NG GLIDING, INC. - USHGA certified ins I.tors. Dealers for Moyes gliders, new & used equi nent. Located near \Y/arren dunes (616) 465-5859.

UP OVER NEW ~1EXI 0 - Instruction, sales, service. Sandia Moun ·1 guides. Wills, Seedwings, Pacific Airwave, Del , ayes. Albuquerque, NM (505) 821-8544.

Basic instructor. F c & sail repair. Seedwings, CG1000. Dayt011/ 11li...~he. (513) 256-3888 weekday evenings.

_ '\

NEW YORK AAA MOUNTAIN \Y/INGS HANG GLIDING CENTER AND PLIGHT PARK - Now offering PARAGLIDIN, instructi ~ and sales. Base of ELLENVILLE M . Fou exclusive training hills. Area's only dealer for acific Airwave, UP, Seedwings mos in stock. \Y/c arc the and Delta Wing wirH largest, most complete G. accessory and repair shop of its kind in the coun 1y. Many new and used gliders in stock. RIC supplie and ·ts, Ultra Pod camera systems. VISA and M STERC RD accepted. Stop in and get your flight pass and ga e combo. 150 Canal St., Ellenville, NY 12428 (914) 647-3377. In N.E. 1800-525- 7850.

1!)·~

FLY HIGH HANG GLIDING, I,!>lt. - Serving S. New York, Connccticur:, Jer areas (Ellenville Mtn.). Area's LUSI !ills Wing dealer/specialist. Also all o er 1 ajar brands, accessories. Certified school/inst ction. Teaching since 1979. Area's most INEXPJt IVE prices/repairs. Excellent

ey

secondary insrrucq6n ... i you've finished a program

OREGON AIRTIME OREGON - USHGA certified instructor. Emphasizing safety=progress. Dealer for ASI, Moyes, PacAir, UP, Wills Wing and most of the harness manufacturers. (503) 998-1220. MOUNTAIN SPORTS & HOBBY - Lakeview, Oregon. Pacific Airwave dealer, Giant bicycle dealer, bicycle rentals, full line sporting goods store. Excellent mountain bike trails, excellent fishing. \Y/e are hang glider pilots and USHGA members. (503) 947-2261, (503) 947- 5089. Mountain Sports & Hobby, Lakeview Oregon. SOUTHERN\Q,Rfu;ON HANG GLIDING Certified i:s_xt6:r?J~~TV retrieval. Pacific Airwavc, Wills Winr ~P. (50:l) 479-5823. L--

and wish to contin/tc. Fly the mountain! ATOL towing! Tandem flights! Contact Paul Voight, RD 2, Box 561,PineBush,NY12566,(914)744-3317. ',) '('.)

58

HANG GLIDING


Classifieds PENNSYLVANIA

TC~t

rv!OUNTAIN Rf,f':REATION - Certified instruction, Pimb,1)g~ (412) 697-4477. C'MON OUT AND PLAYP

E~

SILVER \X1 INGS, INC - Certified instruction and equipment sales. Proudly representing Pacific Airwave, Wills Wing, Seedwings & UP. (703) 533l 965 Arli ngcon \I A. (706) 398- 3541 WISCONSIN

lv!OUNTAIN ~~ -

Look under New York.

WINDWALKER HANG GLIDING - Cerrified instruction. Pacific Airwave Dealer/Glider Accessories. VISC/i'v! C accepted. RR #2 Box 2223, Schickshinny PA 18655, (717) 864-3448.

RA VEN SKY SI} PARAGLIDING Larges aml most popular in the J'v!idwest. Tradition I 1rriculum, ridge soaring, nfly acrotowing & tandems ·/service/accessories for all 1, \\;thitewater WI 53190

TENNESSEE 1~ ' P.O. Box 9056, HAWK AIRSPOR\s~ Kno~ville, T~. 379~?J 6, (G l 5) 933-9296. Hang G!tdrng and \V,ndsoks:

PARTS & ACCESSORIES

\

LIVE "BET\Vt·N" LA;6NCHES- Lookout Men., Henson's Gap, · rr, Air Sport Motel. Private rooms, bunkhouse Jh~zzi, pool. (615) 82[- 2546 Chattanooga.

fat

0'~'IJ\IN FLIGHT PARK - See

TEXAS A.A.S. AUSTIN A~SPORTS.,L Certified instruction, sales and servi for n Zr'major manufacturers. Tande1n instruction av·· le. Tow- launched training

y

programs for Hang an IV pilots. Mountain flying in iv!exico year. rJ."_ofod. Wrt \ to Steve Burns at 1712 Waterson, Austyi _TX 78703.br call Austin (512) 4741669, Housron1713) 471- 1488, or San An onio (210) 824-1803. ,ELJJ1.,t;,

_..--?

and smallest availal;)l-e $499.~+S/H. Major credit cards. Other m~ds and. i,_, - rmation available. Moumain High E~'-Go,,._516 12rh Avenue, Salt Lake City UT 84103 USA. 1-800-468-8185.

LOOKOUT our ad under ~ (

SEQUATCHIB,VALLi· SOARING SUPPLY Certified, two pl;;;~igl t instruction and first mountain flights are our sp alties. Rentals, storage and ratings available. Dealer fi ,all major brands. Located in the "Hang Glidino/ apita1'-Q.f the East". For personal, professional servir you ca. n ~t, call SVS, RT 2 Box 80, Dunlap, TN 37327. (615) 'J\2-2301.

/--

_\ COMPOSITE FIBE~~\SYSTEMS - Lightest

Proven Pilots Say That ...

"... WIND ADVISORY ALL NEW ULTRA-LIGHT LAMBIE LID - The lightest, most comfortable hang glider helmet. Aerodynamic, low turbulence, low drag shape. Hightech look. Finish is clear resin over the gold/black weave of the super-~trong c~dion/kevlar outer shell. Extra thick, safe, po~s;;yrcnc shock liner. Conform foam and cushio~c inner liner. Open face, only 12 oz., price $175 Iner· ducrory new product encouragement pric'.' ~'.1ly .$1 ,0. Integral full-face version, only 17 oz. ~l(i.95),ftroductory pncc only $185. From the designer:-Jack Lambie, 8160 \Voodsboro, Anaheim CA 92807. Phone and fax (714) 779- 1877.

AIR/WIND SPEED INDICATORS © HELP You LAUNCH & FLY SAFE!"

DEPENDABL \Xlindrnnnel tested & calibrated. BUILT TO/ AST, 'mpact & corrosion resistant. Easy to~c Satisfactio~Guaranteed. Send check or M/0 fo $15 (+$2 S/H), orergn orders add $2. To Pacific esources U.S.A., P ~ x 9064, San Diego - -CA 92 '69"

l

KITE ENTERPRJS~ - lnyucl,on, sales, repairs, cowing and foot launc\ J)rtllas & North Texas area. 21 l Ellis, Allen TX (214) 390-9090 anytime. Dealer, Pacific Air~~ve, \'(lf~s Wing.

pooi

RED RIVER AI~CRA!J - Hang gliding special~,(service. Towing sup.plies. ists. Instruction,'sa~. MC/VISA. AUSTIN- '8..J.J Red River, Austin TX 78751. (512) 467-25 9, f:>(~2) 467-82. 60. FT. WORTH (817) 921- 957. ~.YLY.,,, UTAH WASATCH WIN~S - U~HGA certified hang glidin_g school, dealers fi'l(:~~rlfs Win_g, lv!oyes and Pacific A11wave. Flight oper;,HQi.lS at Potnt of the Mounta111. Call Gordon (801),477-1042. VIRGINIA KITTY HAWK"~s -

ALTIMETER/VARIOMETER ghl8000 - Ultraquick response rate, accurate, small and lightweighr, 100-hour battery life, 2-year warranty $349. Cloudbase Instruments, 2464 El Camino Real, Suire 220, Santa Clara CA 95051. (408) 243-6021. BALL M50 - Brand new, does eve11•thing, 2 clamps and brackets $GOO or best offer. H(415) 948-4959, W(415) 858-610:3.

FLYING CARROT PROVEN BEST' Six foot long, bright orange with green top. Easily spotted from high above. Send $30 + $3 s/h to: Brian Fry, 4717 130th Ave SE, Bellevue \Y/A 98006. (206) 865-0257.

See North Carolina.

10, JUNE 1993

59


E~ Classifieds Silva Compass with b etube mount ............... $119 M~xon 5 W, 3 USHG channel-hi/lo . .$359 Al111co DJ180T Transce er .........._.. ............ $300 7 S~U'rnodels ..... $80 Compatible VOX/PTT2nd Chanez Cool Thrust P et Rocket ......... $550 Aramid Full-Face Helt'}P ............................... $300 6-WE- Y-XC 800-933-5 719-539-3900 Pendulum Sport~ tc.,--B 54 County Rd 140, Salida co 81201

7

TS standard. \'ifarmest hand fairings in t wor ~ Send $47 to Wyo. Aerolites, PO Box 80, C a s ~ 82602. (307) 235- 3367, add 15 for X--large. Cnstom orders accepted. HIGH ENERGY 20 GORE PDA CHUTE Excellent condition, swivel, bag, bridle, never deployed $300. Roberts Bread Pan vario, new condition, works great $200. Jim (415) 573-1332 or (415) 358-9012.

HIGH PERSPECTIVE WHEELS-REAL LIFE SAVERS! - 12", light, tough. Fits all gliders. Send $37 + $2.95 shipping per pair to Sport Aviation, PO Box 101, Mingoville PA 16856. Ask about our dealer prices.

FAX your classified ad, membership renewal or merchandise order:

(719) 632-6417. We gladly accept VISA and MasterCard.

60

' '__J' '~ ,,

2550 - 5 watt two-wa r io with charger. Three USHGA, three weather, o · programmable frequencies. Durable, rugged, , sy to l ~ N!cad battery (rypi-cal 10 hour). Pi ts #1 cho~"( Special $349. Additional op9i'ns available. Loo out Mountain Flight Park, (800) 688-LMFP, (706) 3 8-3541.

'

MINI VARIO - World's smallest, simplest vario! Clips to helmet or chinsttap. 200 hours on batteries, 0-18,000 ft., fast response and 2 year warranty. Great for paragliding too. ONLY $169. Mallettec, PO Box 15756, Santa Ana CA, 92705. (714) 541-2625. 02 FOR LESS - Composite fiber systems. 480 & 240 liter sizes, $395 & $415. Also aluminum systems, 419 & 249 liter sizes $225. Systems are complete, with on/off value, adjuster regulator, oximizcr cannula and tubing (add $15 S/H). Call for information or to order. High Altitude Oxygen Supply (406) 728-2409.

SYSTEK II VARIOMETER- Ideal for new pilots. Single most important insttumenc for thermal flying. Quick response, adjustable set-- point, mount fits faired and/or round tubes. Economically priced $250. Systems Technology Inc., PO Box 7203, Knoxville TN 37921, (615) 531-8045.

"OL' EAGLE EYES" FLIGHT GLASSES - UV and blue blackout with wrap- around frames. Plain AU$105., your prescription single-vision AU$145., bi-focal AU$165. Lenses only also available. ELECTRONIC TOW TENSION METERS - For fixed length line towing, AU$185. Info sheets and dealers welcome. Denis Cummings, PO Box 741, Bryon Bay 2481, Australia. Fax/phone 6166856 287.

Our advertising has a two-month lead timeplan ahead.

TEK 6" WHEELS - $25 per pair, plus $3 S/H. Tck Flight Products, Colebrook Stage, Winsted CT 06098. (203) 379-1668.

HANG GLIDING


Classifieds TRIMBLE FLIGHTMATE GPS - Sec March '93 issue for description. $795 plus shipping, includes control bar mount. Credit cards accepted. Call ATC, (703) 369-2124.

BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FULL AND l'ART\[IM ' - USHGA certified instructors. Innovative ~~ ment, the latest training methods. Soaring Safari :"S~cl resume Mission Soaring Center, 1116 rigley a', Milpitas CA 95035. (408) 262-1055 '\

I

HELP WANTED - Experillnced f{ame and metal shop worker, with rninimu1n ~ y.lars experience in hang glider manufacturing. ~Ji:'nd resume to: Air Sports International, 3101 Jnd'a St., San Diego CA 0-0882. 92103. (619) 220-0880, fax ( 9)

UVEX HE=\1~5'- UJ ca lightweight (one pound), most popular hang )kding helmet, full-face protection, using world's y(on'gtt fiber. $299. quantity discounts. (800) 6~tlrvfFP, ( 6) 398-3541.

E~

PUBLICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS

HANG GLIDING FOR BEGINNER PILOTS by Pete Cheney. The Official USHGA Training Manual, NOW IN ITS SECOND EDITION Over 260 page.I, with more than 160 easy-to-understand illustrations and photos. Your librar)' starts with this book! $29.95 (plus $4.00 s/h) Colorado residents add 3% tax. SEND/FAX/PHONE TO: USHGA BOOKS, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933-8300, fA}C (719) 632-6417, PHONE (719) 632-8300. VISA/MC accepted.

Cross Country ltitmwtio11a[ ~"\

1 YEAR Sails.

i11e of 9/nng (j{ufi11g & Tamg(Ufi11g

6 issues $ l 'crk, p,)ohle "' S,hm<e

DOINIIND DON'T GET CAUGHT LANDING DO\XINWIND! 1.5 oz. ripstop nylon, UV treated, 5'4" long w/ 11" throat. Available colors: fluorescent pink/yellow or fluorescent pink/white. $39.95 (+$4.00 S/H). Send co USHGA Windsok, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933-8300, (719) 632-8300, FAX (719) 632-6417. VISNlv!C accepted.

HIGHER THAN EAGLES - by Maralys & Chris Wills. The life & times of BOBBY WILLS, hang gliding legend. Experience the triumphs and tragedies of the \)?ills family and the evolution of Wills \'{ling. $19.95 hardcover (+$4.00 S/H), see preceding classified for USHGA BOOKS ordering info.

WINDTALKER Ill * A True Hong Gilding Story bl,,

..........

·• --

!

E

,-.,-,, .._-_

··~•ci

J\

THE WINDTALkER - is remote controlled by telephone, and can k~"f 200 access c~les,-with preset numbers of calls that G1.~au59,dcci·ement. Also will call you if condit(o/_exce cf threshol_d. Price is only $895 complete. h~e_e 1nror11at1on. Luck (503) 4796633.

JUNE 1993

LARRY FLEMING DOWNWIND - SPECIAL OFFER, SAVE $2 S/H! If you like to fly, you have to read this book! Readers start out on the training slopes of 197 4 and slowly advance to 200+ mile flights downwind in the Owens Valley. A true story, well told. Available from Chris Gregor Publishing, Dept. G, PO Box 26595, Fresno CA 93729-6595. $10.95 plus !;8 $1 shipping and handling. (California residents add 85¢ sales tax.)

PARAGLIDE USA - Subscribe to North America's most widely read paragliding magazine. 12 issues just $25. Send check or money order to 1520 Main St., Ramona CA 92065 or call (619) 789-9492 or [AX (619) 789-8563 with your credit card information. SOARING - Monthly magazine of The Soaring Society of America, Inc. Covers all aspects of soaring flight. Full membership $45. Info. kit with sample copy $3. SSA, P.O. Box E, Hobbs, NM 88241. (505) 392-1177. TO\XIING .

/'

AIRCRAfT - From R\f,;£ver. Towing supplies, bridles, releases, plat7fil{.,and more. MC/VISA. (512) 467-2529.

£

\

C

LINE CHUTES SAVE MONEY - Patterns, pre-cut kits, or complete. Three sizes, low as $29.95. Call evenings (303) 371-8873.

61


E~ Classifieds TBT TRAILER MOUNTED TOW SYSTEM Used for tow clinic only. Custom heavy-duty trailer $2,600. For information call: Tom Johns (206) 7471647 or Jeff Bowman (206) 293-3282. ULTRALINE IN STOCK - 3000' and 4000' continuous lengths. Volume discounts. The original Ultraline Source-Cajun Hang Gliding Club, 110 Kenc Circle, Lafayette LA 70508, (318) 981-8372. VIDEOS & FILMS

EAST COAST VIDEOS presents

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES The rate for classified advertising is $.50 per word (or group of characters) and $1.00 per word for bold or all caps. MINIMUM AD CHARGE, $5.00. A fee of $15.00 is charged for each line art logo and $25.00 for each photo. Please underline words ro be in bold print. Special layouts of tabs $25.00 per column inch. AD DEADLINES All ad copy, insrructions, changes, additions and cancellations must be received in writing l 1/2 months preceding the cover date, i.e. October 20 for the December issue. Please make checks payable ro USHGA Classified Advertising Dept. HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933 (719) 632-8300 or FAX (719) 632-6417. STOLEN WINGS

NEW YORK FINGER LAKES REGION - Hang gliding and paragliding. Hammondsport, Dansville, Italy Valley, Indian Cliffs, Mossy Banks. Guide to sites, air shots up to 6500', XC, towing. $29 + $3 S/H (54 minutes). \Xlayne Bergman, 80 E. Lincoln, Muskegon MI 49444. SOARING YOSEMITE - From sign in and set up, co launch and landing, chis video provides a pilots eye view of hang gliding in Yosemite Valley. Each tape is $22 plus $3 shipping/handling. CA residents add $1.87 tax. Aden Brothers Studio, 350 Turkshead Lane, Redwood City CA 94065. ULTRALIGHT FLYING VIDEO - By United States Ultralight Association, hosted by industry expert John Ballantyne. Flying scenes, interviews with pilors, FAA, manufacturers. Satisfaction guaranteed. Visa, MasterCard, check. $19.95 plus $3 shipping. 1800-598-8344.

WW SPORT 167 -

From GOLDEN, CO (Golden Wings Hang Gliding Shop), in mid-October 1992. Green LE, black comfort grips on each downtube and two on speedbar. Extra-big pocket sewn on glider bag for speedbar. Cable through speedbar. Two 1/8" shims on each wingtip. Contact Jonarhan Miller, 6880 W 91st Ct. 16-306, Westminster CO 80021. Call collect (303) 423-9978 or Ball Varios. DINGER SUPER 90 - From a barn in AUBURN, CA on Nov. 29th, 1992,. Very light blue with a red/orange yellow center. Contact Bob Lynch (916) 823-5890.

TRUCK AND PARAGLIDER/EQUIPMENT From SLIDE MOUNTAIN, CA by the volunteer driver at . in mid november. Karana 22 paraglider ()'ellow w/black wingtips), Pocket Rocker recovery parachute, Sitting Bull harness (purple/black), Ball vario. Contact Steve Bickford (707) 963-3455.

MISCELLANEOUS ASSET PROTECTION - With a NEW USHGA Stadium Cushion, $5.99 +$3 s/h. A great gift for your driver! Available from USHGA, PO Box 8300, Colorado Springs CO 80933. GLIDER MARKING INTERNATIONAL CORP. - For any artwork on your hang glider. Free color brochures. Phone (516) 676-7599, fax (516) 6760106.

WW HARRIER II 177 From a barn Ill AUBURN, CA on Nov. 20th, 1992, \ Serial # 7056. Black with red/orange/yellow center and white TE. Contact Bob Lynch (916) 823-5890.

BLACK TRAVEL BAG - From PARADOX, CO launch on Sept. 14th, 1992. Bag contcnrs !COM radio serial# 37257, HS 51 headset w/charger, Canon 35mm Sureshor, Marine compass w/ball clamp, Sport 167 manual, extra ball clamp, logbook, misc. tools. RE\XIARD! Contact Mike Tepper (619) 429-5685. MOYES XS - From ASPEN, CO LZ (Marolt) on Sept. 12, 1992. Custom glider, sky blue, white & lavender. Moyes decal on kingpost, with no other advertisement on glider. Contact Jeff Mallin (303) 920- 4326. STOLEN WINGS are listed as a service ro USHGA members. Newest entries are in bold. There is no charge for this service and lost and found wings or equipment may be called in to (719) 632-8300 for inclusion in Hang Gliding magazine. Please call to cancel the listing when gliders are recovered. Periodically, this listing will be purged.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS ·-Adventure Video .................................. 8 -~=A.i=teGms-'1 ....................................... Cs:I)

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·La 1',4ouetfc ...................................... . - ~ MK IV 19 - From LAURINBURG/MAXTON AIRBASE, NC (glider raken approx. 1 mile away from base) on Nov. 15th, 1992. Red LE, It. blue/purple undersurface, 1/2 ribs. Contact Brent Harsh (919) 387- 7116.

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LAMBIE LID - Full face helmet, large, brand new $85. Aircraft altimeter $25. (702) 345-0612. VIDEOS BOOKS POSTERS APPAREL - Call USHGA for your Merchandise order form (719) 6328300. DON'T LEAVE YOUR GROUND-BOUND EQUIPMENT SITTING IN THE GARAGE. SELL IT IN THE HANG GLIDING CLASSIFIEDS.

Sell your unused equipment here.

62

UP XTR 145 - From SANDIA PEAK, NM area on ="sP.aeific-Ai1Wave~ .................... ~ Oct. 11th, 1992. Pink LE, black nose panel, pin~ . . _ _ . _ -~- __, - ,"',07.'\ lower surface, black UP lettering. Serial #XTR\., -~-%t'ftgttdmg-1'hehl,rgazme ................ ~ ; 1459203123. Contact George Boyden (505) 299- ;:, RaragllikrJ?ipelttte"~-~ ................

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SENSOR B STANDARD - From TRABUCO -.v"-<;\ CANYON: C.A area on Sq'.t; 28, 1992. Red L~,;.»5-ec~rnnt.z-, ...........: ..................... ~~ orange, wh1rc fE, red tail, vG. Call Bob Harstrom ~<'~teh1.e--¥alky-.£00Rng .................Q§,) (619) 274-4824. Sptirt-:A.vrmiorrPublications .......................& YAESU FT-23R 2 tv!ETER HANDHELD RADIO - From PARADOX, CO launch on Sept. 14, 1992. REWARD! Conract Rusty Whitley, 1549 CR 17, Gunnison CO 81230, (303) 641-9315.

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In 1111 product Lin es

© 1993 by Dan Johnson

ST. PAUL, MINN. Having just returned from the scene of the East Coast Championships (ECC), I feel safe in declaring the cross country season "Open." The ECC, hosted each year by Sequatchie Valley Soaring Supply in Dunlap, Tennessee, was a success with four solid rounds. The 450-point meet was won by Butch Peachy in his UP-TRX. Behind Peachy were #2 Brad Koji (\0Jills Wing); #3 Ken Brown (Pac Air); #4 Zoar Dog (AKA Jerry Braswell on a Wills); and #5 Eric Kaye (Wills Wing) In addition to the main contest another grueling match earned keen competitor interest. Yep, the Fat Boys Glide Off brought new meaning to the phrase, Leisure Class. Tim Donovan won the FBGO in his Sensor. The event was popular enough to bring plans for the '94 event, though you' 11 have to fit a Lifestyle Formula to see if you can qualify. Good humor from organizers Rick Jacob and Cliff Whitney, co-proprietors of SVS. This was an unusual meet, communication-wise. Computer hacker, Cliff Whitney ground out the "Daily News" each morning including real news of the previous day as well as fun comments. Almost every day, Elvis sitings were reported. Whitney had also produced a color meet program on his Macintosh ·•· No doubt a good thing for some competitors, Paul "Mr. Whack" Voight was not present. He might have gotten some prime footage for Whack, Too. In actuality, Voight' s Whack Tape is no doubt sufficiently exciting already. Paul says, "After three years of procrastinating, I decided to update and make publicly available my 'whack tape' which is simply a collage of embarrassing moments culled from about 70 private and commercial videos." Voight added some music to smoothen transitions. It's definitely fun, a hang gliding "insiders" delight. Is it valid for training? "Well," says Paul, "it offers, coincidentally, an interesting study in landing technique." Kind of a hownot-to video ... gotta see it? Call 914/7443317. You saw Just Fly' s second ad in HG magazine. You didn't? Well, you might want to find it in this issue. Kind of a different idea for pilots proud of our magnificent sport. Just Fly from GW Meadows offers you numerous ways to tell the world of your hang gliding interest. Says GeeDub, "We' re just putting an aviator's touch on fun items, all high quality stuff with an unconditional money back guarantee." Yep, he's not trying to compete with catalogs JUNE 1993

like those mailed earlier this year by Sequatchie Valley Soaring or Golden Wings. Just Fly sells no hang gliding equipment and they aren't aimed at becoming a shop. The operation is run full-time by HG writer GW Meadows who entered the biz in January 1993 after establishing a partnership with Windsports shop owner, Joe Greb lo. Using their own screen printing equipment, Just Fly boasts a wide line of clothing emblazoned with HG and PG graphics; auto shades, plate frames, and tire covers for your vehicle; wallets, hats, and gloves for your body; plus ... (huh?) , a toilet seat. Well, I guess you' 11 just have to be sure you get your free catalog, due out as I write this in early May. Call 919/480-3552. After mentioning the above gear catalogs back in the 2/93 issue of HG, Kentuckiana Soaring faxed to remind me they, too, have been mail order selling HG stuff since 1990. Jim Kelley's focus is decidedly electronic (though doesn't include the new wave of electronic vario/altimeters/etc). Kentuckiana specializes in radios, representing a half dozen brands including ham radio gear. Kelley recently added GPS navigation gear. Prices look quite aggressive: an ICOM A-21 air band transceiver is sale priced at $485; a Trimble FlightMate GPS is priced at $800. Both figures are less than I've seen in ads for big mail order houses in general aviation magazines. Call 812/288-7111. Concluding, I'm personally pleased to report USHGA' s representation at Sun 'n Fun. The Lakeland, Florida airshow has become one of the aviation world's true heavyweights. Attendance will approach 400,000 for '93! USHGA wasn't just present... the organization looked good. Housed in their own blue and yellow striped tent (thanks to bargaining by Rod Hauser), USHGA staffers and local club members presented our sport in its best light ever at one of these mainstream aviation events. In addition, hard work by Hauser and Bill Bryden regularly kept hang gliders in the air in front of crowds. Help for this time consuming effort came from too many names to mention here. Hopefully a short article will provide additional details. I've done a bit of investigation to find certain indications that new HG pilots enter the sport because of these promotional efforts. That's all, diver fans. Got news or opinions? Send 'em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or msg: 612/450-0930. THANKS!

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K4- the difference is AIRWAVE

Airwave K Series K4 - the Airwave team again set the standards. Sporty but friendly handling, powerful performance . 155 sq ft of efficiency for the mid-weight pilot. High performance hang glid ing means fast efficient climbs followed by long extended glides . It means leisurely thermalling , ground skimming d ives or exhilarating wingovers . W ith the K4 it ' s all pure enjoyment.

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News Flash from the Great Race!

The K4 is a state of the art hang glider which today means not only a high top speed but also an amazingly low stall speed . It means light precise handling combined with co-ordination so good that thermalling becomes a pure delight. It means having an efficient trimmer system which transforms the glider from being docile and easy handling into an out and out racer which will convert that precious altitude into cross country distance fast and efficiently. It means a glider that is light weight for general easy use and for easy transportation .

K4 155 - 1st KS 148-3rd Four out of the top six places!

It means a glider that has been thoroughly tested both for extremes of load and pitch stability plus being comprehensively flight tested. It means a glider built with quality and integrity using the best available materials . It means K4 .

K4 - the essential wing. ~

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Pacific Airwave , 1083 M a dison Lane , Salinas , California 93907. Phone (408) 422-2299 Fax (408) 758 3270


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