1r REGION I: Gene Matthews, G,'orge St;1rteva"i'1t: f Jin1Xeiset REGl{)N 6: Ron Kennv) is publish(!d n19nlh· the Ur.tiled States.Mang Glidlng Assocbti()n, Inc., Pikes Peak Av10., Suite TO!., ()iloradQ Springs, Colorado 80903 632,1!300. FAX (719) 632,6417. Second..dass Colorado Spring.,, CO and «l additi()nal rnaiili111.1otfici••s: POSTMASl'ER: SEND CHANGf: OF ADDRESS TO: HANG GLlOlNC,, P:O. llOX 8300,,Cokir;ido Springs,.CO 1!093'.l,BJOO. Th0 USHl:,A is a member,controlled .spoi:t oi·ganlzation diidicated to the explqration and. prornotio/1 of all facC!lS of tmp(jwemd ultrnlightflight; arid t() thl! ,iducation, train, and safoly of its rrnimberhfp. Ac{,m1f,i())rship is opim to inton:str!d in thb; rtialm of.flight, Dues for full rnenib,m,lhip ar1'1 $S4,00 per year (of which $1S goes to pliiY!ic,atfo,11 al N,lligCl/dlnli), ($6D Cw1da & Mexico, subscriptio/1 rntes only are $35.00 ($40 •· ,,M,M, $SO fqrei111.1l, Chnngos 6f ;1ddre,,s six weeks)~ adw1ice1 including name; prevki\Js and new address, and a mail-, ing lab,)ifrorn a recent issue. MARCH 1995 Dc:ir Editor, Your readers should know about the fine product and after-sale service provided by Mallcttec, manufacturer of the Mini-Vario. l bought one nearly two years ago. It performed as advertised through two soaring seasons. I abused it, however, by leaving it in my sailboat where ir gor damp, if not wet, and then l left it in damp conditions for a week or more until [ found it. Expecting to be told that it was trashed, l was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was probably repairable, and for a small charge. Ten days afrcr it was returned to Mallettec for repair I received a new vario with "No charge, under warranty," and "Thank you!" written on the slip. This sensitive instrument had quite obviously been abused by me. No other manufacturer would have honored a warranty under these circumstances, but Mallcttec did. I am very happy to heartily endorse this fine product. ·rhis letter to you was not solicited by Mallettcc. David MacVcigh York, PA iI Dear Editor, I would like to add my two-cents worth concerning John Heiney's suggestion of a '\Io's and don'ts" feature for this m,1gazine. 1) When flying near trees without foliage leave extra room. You cannot sec the tip of a branch sticking om beyond the bulk of the tree, especially if ir points in your direction. 2) When landing on an uninterrupted, snow-covered surface or a frozen lake there is nothing the eye can focus on, and your estimate of height above the ground may be olf considerably. I have had personal experience with both these hazards. Incidentally, l have been using a drogue chute (home-made) since 1977. I wrote an article about it then which was published in Hang Gliding; Also, I still own and fly a Kestrel A. To the best of my knowledge it was the flrsr double· surface wing, and probably also the flrst "ram-air" type, since then: is only one central upper batten and the air pushing imo an opening at the nose inflates the double surface. The Kestrel A was manufactured in 1976 if memory serves. I love your magazine and always read ''Accident R.cports" first. As you know, there arc 110 old, bold pilots. Henry Bocssl Pittsford, NY Henry is 66. Ed. MANUAL Dear Editor, J want to congratulate Brad Calcagni and Dr. Jim Palmieri for his great article about first aid. I think there should be a permanent column dedicated to this topic. Sure, we can get that information from a hospital or a Red Cross office, hut I'd rather have it in the only magazine I always read. I would invite all the doctors, paramedics, nurses and health care workers in the sport to share their knowledge