USHGA Hang Gliding December 1998

74470 77855

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www.hanglide.com ® fly@hanglide.com 800.688. LM FP

(USPS 01 7-970-20 - ISSN 089'i-433X)

16 ~l~~g !'.!t.,eaedalus T he World Hang Glidi ng Series (WHGS) meets in Greece.

20 Better Launches and Landings: Step by Step progmm by Rn Denevan, flrticle and illustrations by Greg Shaw T he Launch - Part Ill: The Hook-In Check

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22 Sun Peak Meets © 1998 by Dennis f>ftgm SpeeJ gliding and X-C WHGS competition along with the Canadian Nationals.

24 The 1998 Morningside Glide Angle Contest

by Rob Kells, sidebar by Keishy11 Salko, photos by Mark Vaughn Srevc Pearson of Wills Wing mkes top honors this year on a Fusion.

31 October's Best Fly-In rt1'ticle flnd photos by Doug Rice T his year's fly-in is spiced up with aerotowing.

38 Get In, Get Up (and hopefully) Get The Bug!

by Dan .folmso11 Robert Combs' wacer glid ing operation couJJ bring hang gliding to tourist resorts worldwide.

46 The Woody Valley Nailer Harness © 1998 by Dem1is Pagen A look ac an inceresring harness design from lrnly.

Columns

Departments

USHGA Reports ............................ ...... l3 Incident Reports, by Bill Bryden ....... .. 28

Airmail ...................................................4

Product Lines, by Dan Jolrnson ...... ...63

Calendar of Events ............................... )4

Update .................................................... 8 Ratings ........... .. ................. .. ................ .50 Classified Advertising ......................... .53 Lldex to Advertisers ......... .. ............ ...... 62

Gil Dodgen, Dave Pounds, John Heiney, Gen·y Ch,1rlcbois, Bellina Gray, Leroy Grannis, Mark Vaughn, lloh towc Plwto,waphe,:s Harry Martin, 11/u.,tm/or Dennis Pagen, Mark Stucky, Geoff Mumford, G.W. Meadows, Jim Palmieri, S!a(f\fi!rilors

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Phil Jeff Elg,1r!, Arhrertir,i11g, jjcl:gm1@u1;bg;i1.org

Joallhc Pelerson, M,,mf10rs,,,·,,1ir·r><, rjpe1,:et'S(lfl@)usl1ga.org Elaine Elgart, Web Administrator1 , 1 mdgnrtrtvw,hg:a.01rg

Natalie Hinsley, Merch:mdiso Services, njh,insl'ey!Ptrshga.org John Halloran, Adrninistra(iw Dir,r:ctrw i2:hallornrn@ush,ga.,:Jrg

Dear Editor, The article by Tiki Mashy about Mike "Hollywood" Champlin was very well written and a pleasure to read. The flight's risks had my bean pumping, and the accompanying photos had my wife drooling. Hollywood has been active on the hang gliding digest for several years and always helps us understand lots of derails relating to cross-country flying.

His 1G7.3-mile flight is a grear achievement:. 1-lowcver, it is nor, as seated in the article, the second-longest flight cast of the Mississippi River. l .arry Bunner held the record for the longest flight since Seprernbcr of' 1988 with a flight of 175 miles. Pere Lehmann handily beat that with the First crossing of the Appalachians. T'his gives Hollywood third place.

Peter Hirrcn Elk Crove Tl,

INSPIRED COn1f:':,

,rnd illustratirn1s oonc:cm,ing the rniltcrial is to be

return \mvdope must made of subn1ission 10 olhrrr hang HANG GLIDING nwgazinc reserves contributions where necess;1rv. The 1\si,ocii11i(m publicalion do not assul11E' resi;onsibility for materi .. :11 opinions of mnlributors. HANG GLIDING cxlitori ..

3 144"1 Santa

are $3S Changes of address Ix· sent six weeks advance, including nam(', USHGi\ numb(ir, previous and new iHldress, m1d m,1ili11g label from a recen1 issue.

HANG GLIDING Oil9!i,4 Bxl is putilisl1ed the StJtes !'ikes l'eak i\ve., Colorado fl0903..'.3657

l'ERIOD!Ci\L is Colorado Sprin1,s, CO and at addith)nal mailing POSTMASTER: SEND Clli\NC;[ OF ADDRESS TO: HANG CLlfllNC, l'D. BOX '1330, Color;,do Springs,

co eogo 1- 1:no.

Dl:GM[lER 199B VotUMI 2B, ISSUE No. 12

Dear Editor, l recently read Jim Palmicri's article in the October issue of Hang Gliding maga zinc about Denise Lindquist. 1 received my Novice rating at Lookout Mountain in July; in file\, my name appears in that issue of the magazine. At tbat time I flew twice from Lookout, and it was the most amazing thing I have ever done. I folt so good about rnyself after making those two flights.

Two days later l went back up the mounrnin to fly again. l set up and did my hang check and hook-in check. As I was standing there, eyes Fixed on my target with someone on my keel, l began to feel hesitant and uncomfortable about flying because there was more wind rhan the first day l had flown. J received lots of encouragement and a foll wire crew from several well-meaning pilots, but I began to feel pressured. As I sLOod dicre, psyching myself for something I really

didn't want to do, l began ro shake and finally p11t the glider down. I 1hanked everyone, bm I just didn't feel comfortable with the conditions. This episode gave me a bad feeling about being on launch.

However, after reading rhc article about Denise, lam inspired to get back down there this weekend and go for it again.

Debbi Walters

NO Dear Editor, T noticed that none of the 1999 calendar photos shows a glider with wheels.

What made me pay particular attcnlion to this is rbar l'm personally acquaimed with one of the pilots shown launching frorn a site l'vc flown often. Until J saw the calendar, T'd never noticed any of my acquaintances flying wi1hout wheels. At least two of my pilot friends arc Hang S's who have been flying since the Jurassic period. ff they need wheels, then l (a low-airtime H3) sure do.

Call me uncool, but I don't think the USHCA should be discouraging wheel use, implicitly or otherwise.

Bill Buffam West Chester PA

REBUTTAL Dear Fditor r would like to comment on Ben Davidson's "The Death on-fang Gliding" letter in the October issue.

When referring to the Exxtacy and other gliders like it, Ben states, "lt rakes two people to get the thing on or off your car and over a half-hour ro set up, and it really doesn't thermal any better."

Pirst, it is nice to have help with an Exxtacy when car loading or unloading, however, almost every Exxracy pilot l know can lifr and load the glider by himHi\NC CUDINC

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ICARO 2000

www.icmo2000.com

E-mail: staff@icaro2000.com

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Air Mail self. I've timed my setup many times, and I can set np the Exxtacy in 16 minutes including preflight when in a hurry minutes when taking my time). The fact is that the Exxtacy is very compara-ble to a typical flex wing when it comes to serup time; it is not over ha!C an hour.

'The Exxtacy and Exxtacy--like gliders do thermal better. The sink rates arc well under 190 feet per rninute, and due to excellent roll authority, the airfoil, and effortless handling, all owners will agree that they arc climbing better on their new wmgs.

Ben states, "'fhe next time rhey fly, there is a little residual feeling of negative anticipation about what they're going to encounter in the air. Little by lirtlc the joy of flight is eroded." I'rn not sure ifhc is referring to Exxtacy-typc wings or not, bur they arc more forgiving than the latest ,tdvaneed flex wings in rough air.

Lowered flaps which enhance handling, the dihedral which makes for better tracking, increased roll authority provided by control smfoces, and rhe extrawide cord at the tiphcAcx area all provide more sccmity. The glider is nearly impossible to spin. Out of 500 Exxtacics sold worldwide, f'rn 1101 aware of any tumbling incidents.

Owners of the latest rigid wings experience renewed excitement when it comes to Aying. They rnrionalize new excuses when it comes ro getting time off to go flying, 'They are too busy flying to spend time with rheir kids. 'Their jobs take too much of their flying rime. Their wiveslh usbands/hoyfri ends/ gi rlfricnds/ m others/dogs don't llndcrstand why rhcy are spending more rime flying 1han with them.

The simple fact is that rhc JOY lS BACK. I do believe there is sornc merit 10 the second half of Ben's letter. Sec h ttp://www.angcl fl rc,com/ ct/instructor/ p ie.htmL David Shnrp Edgewood, NM

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Dear Editor, After 25 years of hang gliding the original exhilaration of free fligbt bad faded to a minor degree. However, rhis season I experienced that original fun, rhrill and excitement like never before.

Yes, I'm talking ahoul the Fxxracy by Plight Design of West Germany, So powerful was the euphoria that f said words [ never thought I'd say, 'T!I never fly a rag again." My hang glider has been om of the hag once duri11g the whole season and is for sale.

The glider is bcaurifolly finished <lml sets up as fast as any rag. It breaks down even faster, Spoilers actuate rhemsclvcs, eliminating the need for wire men and the danger of being turned on bunch.

The 14 feet of flaps bring the glider in at 6 to 1 wirh the fattest llarc window imaginable, and pop-ups parachute straight down.

The glider handles t:urbulenc:c beami-fully and pitch is self seeking, especially on launch. Roll is instanr:mcons with complete aurhority. You cnn launch in no wind easily and fly really slow with rhc flaps at l 5 or fly really fast with no flaps.

Virtually anything can be repaired with a kit in a matter of hours. 'fowing is a cinch. New s;iils are relatively incxpcn-· sive and arc now being made in the U.S. by a major manufacturer, so rhis makes the glider a Bob Lowe Gunnison, CO

Dear Editor, Three weeks before the 1998 "Wings Over Long Beach" airshow in Long Beach, California (sponsored by TtJyota, Boeing :md Truck Air 'fransfcr), organizcn; invited us back to participa1e. Ir was very short notice, but we signed up with rhe idea of representing the sports of soaring, hang gliding and paragliding

making folks aware of who we arc and whar we do, We were not representing any single constituency, Rob Kells at Wills Wing committed to a ] 40 Falcon (our choice) and I confirmed with Linda Meier for pickup the day prior to the show. We contacted the USHGA and every school/shop in Southern California with an offer to distribute their handouts if they'd ship them to us. Others had contacted ASC as well.

All the shipments arrived on time inclnding buttons for kids frorn USI-lGA. We confirmed receipt of the shipments with each supplier.

I took J;riday off, picked up rhc 40pound Falcon and stuffed it into the 20foot PVC "glider hanger" we recently installed on our T<.iyota 'facoma chase truck. Priday afternoon was spent asscm-· hling 150 PR kits in the USITGA bags.

The truck was packed and we were ready to go early the next morning.

Based on our experience from two years ago, we arrived at l ,ong Beach Airport at '7:10 AM. It turned out that our display area was right where we set up last rime, adjacent to the CI 21, Jr's a good spot since the Connie has great crowd appeal.

We were setting up gliders when we were joined by John Ivey, Marc Whisman, Dave Madden, JdTWilliams and a guy named Tim. John's a hang glider pilot, Marc now flies sailplanes, and Dave, Jeff and Tim operate paraglider schools in rhc area, 'T'hc display consisted of the Falcon, a Spectrum and SX5 hang gliders. Dave and Jeff used a pipe frame to suspend paraglider harnesses.

'The grass area behind the display was large enough for demonstrations witb the paragliders, As soon as we set up we started receiving visitors. Demos of getting into the hang glider harness, going prone, zipping up, weight shifting and getting 1he gear down drew audiences of 20 to 30 every time. People wanrcd their tures taken with the hang gliders or in the paraglider harnesses, We'd pick the Falcon up and at least 80 kids had their pictures taken holding it on their shoul-

I iANC CUD!Nc;

ders. Dave, Jeff and Tim really got people's attention hy inflating the paraglidcrs. They were even able ro do shon tows, pilots 30 or so focr in the air. The crowd loved ir It was non-stop questions, clcmonstrntions and handours from 8::H) AM until 3:00 PM. /\II us bd packed drinks to drink, lawn chairs to sit on a11d books ro read, bm no one h;:id a chance to drink, sit or read! Sunday was the sarnc, beginning half" a11 hom earlier. The crowds arrived at 9:00 1\M and we worked steadily through 3::30 PM. We distribmcd over 300 complete PR kits and, after ru11ni11g om of some another 200 pani;1Js. Each complete kit had both hang gliding and paragliding materials in it, including rhc 11a1ional m,11gazn1.es, ads for hang gliders and paragliders, and fliers from several arc;:i schools.

Herc's what we've learned From our combined in the two shows, 19% and 1998.

The rest of" the aviation community considers "us" one of "diem." This is good, and we in tl1c hang gliding and 1'~,Mnlu{,no C()llllJllJllity sliould capitalize Oil ir. The public is ;1warc of the sports hang and paragliding and have plenty of inrclligc11t quescions to as!, about it. Everyone had to touch rhc gliders. lnvariably they'd walk up and caress the leading then a couple or fingers across the sail. They love dcmonslrarions: I) of horh the h,mg gliding ;md paragliding 2) of hang glider ground handling variable geometry, 3) and towing paraglidcrs. ft worked best to have all the handoms prepackaged together so the whole batch could be en to the spectator. Having the chase vehicle at the back of Lhc setup area was critical. I .ogistically, it's a warehouse, work bench and secure storage focili1y.

Also, folks have ques1ions abom how big is when disassembled, how you a CllT}' it to lmmcli, and how you gcr home afrcr flying cross-country. !\ glider in the hag or tube 011 rop of"tlw rack makes these questions easy.

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DFCIMllFR I 99/l

The following were the most frcqucmly asked qucstious (1:/\Qs): Where arc the local sites? How do you rnkeoffand land? Where can I gcr what do cost, and how long docs ir rake ro learn? What docs a glider cost? Arc rherc places to Jly in Mexico?

There arc several rhings that would or could ha vc made the cl isplay better, easier and more effective. We could have used twice the number of hang gliding and paragliding buttons (the kids loved them), and 400 or 'SOO complete PR kits would have been aliout righr. !\ hang gliding simulator would have been a particularly wirli the great bit, kids. The paraglider harnesses on the rack were very popular. A map of SoC:~il showing the major flying clubs and schools would have been very hclpfol. J\ handout for the kids, consisting of a line (!r,1w111e of ;1 hang glider and a paraglider for them to color with crayons at home would probably have been wonh the effort. A scanned or drawn image could be generated and printed for nothing more that the cost of" the paper and a hit of rime. Even with adclirional help this year, we could n'r keep up. ldcrdly, each participant should he spelled periodically.

Conclusions: We continue ro believe th;n there arc lots oF opportunities to "spread the word" about hang gliding.

Even if everyone doesn't run out and take lessons, if" they have a chance to sec our cquiprncm, ask questions and 1alk LO us, it help the public's perception of the sport. "Planting the seeds" with kids could resuli i11 gains for the sport in the foture. /\11 of us want to express special 1hanks 10 the folks at Wills Wing, Rob and Linda, for 1hc great-looking Palcon, Jeff Elgart ar the USHG/\ for all the lmr rnns, bags, rrn1ga,,incs and handours, and the folks at AS(: for the promo materials and wind sock. Tl!/\NI<S EVERYONE! Corel and Bev Moog S;rn Pedro, ( :A

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Update NEW BRAUNIGER BASIS IQ2 FUNCTION rauniger announces a new "wearher station" function for the Basis IQ2.

When activated, the instrument aurnmacically swi tches on every hour and measures air pressure, men switches off. Measurements are srnred for 48 hours, after which the oldest values are overwritten with new ones. The Basis IQ2 displays these values for the previous 48 hours along wich rime and dace. Display is both digital and analog with a precision 1/10 mbar. W im chis informa rion one can predict local weather phenomena.

Co ntact: Brauniger U.S.A. Inc., 1355 N.W 93rd Cc. Unit A-105, Miami, Florida 33172 (305) 639-3330, fax (305) 639-3055, brauniger@aerolighc.com, www.aero lighc. com.

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SOARING DREAMS CATALOG oaring Dreams Company of Boise, Idaho announces the publication of their new, full-color catalog featuring hang gliding- and paragliding-related gifts. T he catalog features a great variety of items available nowhere else, including tree ornaments, dinnerware, beer mugs, mobiles, and piccure frames, just to name a few.

Catalogs are free and available by contacting: Soaring Dreams/Lisa Tate, 11 716 Fairview Ave. , Boise, ID 837 13 (208) 3 76-79 14, Zoolisa@aol.com.

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ELLENVILLE FUN MEET RESULTS

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he 10th an nual Ellenville Labor Day Fun Meet was a great success, as usual. Eighty-six pilots registered in coral, with 12 four-man (and woman) reams entered in che ream contest and 38 pilots flying in che individual compecicion.

The highest-scoring pilot in me individual compecicion was Adam Bobkowski (a Hang III!). The highest scoring team pilot was Mark Vaughn from Massachusetts. T he first-place ream, caking

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me $400 first prize, was "Team Fly High Hang Gliding." Second place and $300 went to rhe "Flying Chameleons" from New England. In third place was cean1 "H ey, Is Thar A Dog In The Air, " who won $200.

The ream song contest was che best ever, and resul red in a con croversial reversal of rhe song judge's decision (as a result of spectator booing) wim me nee result being a five-way tie between five reams who all had excellent songs. This portion of che meet has escalated co in clude choreography, props, cosmmes, and lengthy medleys based around themes.

Next year we may have co impose rime limits!

Lastly, one mystery of the meet concerns che whereabouts of a pair of 70's vintage New York license plates with plate "number" "FLY HIGH, " used in one of me skits. Somehow chese places never resurfaced after che keg party, and are of significant sentimencal val ue co their owner, Paul Voight. Whoever found chem is asked co return mem co me following address: Fly High Hang G Ii ding, 5163 Searsville Road, Pine Bush, NY 12566.

P.S. VHS capes of either "che greatest hies in ream songs" or of chis year's contest in full are available for $15 each, also from Fly High H ang Gliding, Paul Voight, (914) 744-331 7.

RENEWAL NOTICE PROBLEMS e have had several members recently contact che office about nor having received their membership renewal notice. Several were grouped in one or two zip codes wh ich raised a suspicion. The USHGA office sends our four standard renewal-related mailings: 1) tl1e renewal notice itself, 2) a onemonth expired notice, 3) a six-month

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expired notice, and 4) a one-year expired notice. \'lie maintain a monthly log of all mailings sent our. We reviewed tl1e logs and fo und an abnormali ty for the month of September. Our mailing in October, for rhe month of September one-month expireds was 340 more noti ces than we have averaged per month for che entire year. Obviously, something big happened co our September renewal mailing.

The standard office procedure is that renewals are sent out two months al1ead of che member's expiration month. This process is performed around the 15th of every che month. We do it on the 15th co al low for as much renewal processing as possible so char che computer-generated renewal list is as accurate as we can make ic while still getting our notices to che members in a timely fashion. T hese renewal notices, about 800+ per month on the average, are sent out bulk mail through a mail house. We have always used the bulk mail postage race for all four of these mailings in order co save considerab le postage expense.

However, one of che members, Ched Hudson, sent in a very thought-provoking e-mail that caused us to reexamine our policy. He pointed our mac the membership renewal notice is probably che single most important piece of communication chat a member receives from che USHGA office. This prompted us co review our coses, facrnring in lose income from non-renewals, ere. We made the decision rn go with first-class postage on me renewal notice. In an effo rt co help prevent membership from expiring, we are adding someming else. Our renewal notice envelopes, beginning with me ovember mailing, will have large red type on rhe outside of the envelope which says, "Renewal Notice, Open Immediately." We appreciate the input from members which help us do a better job. Thanks.

- Phil H. Bachman, USHGA Executive Director

NEWROGALLO FOUNDATION BOD MEMBERS.

N

AGS HEAD , NC - The Rogall o Foundation is happy co ann ounce H ANG G LIDING

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two new members of its Board of Directo rs. The new members are G.W. Meadows, USHGA Director and owner of Just Fly in Nags Head, NC and Bruce Weaver, Recreation Manager at Kirry Hawk Kites, Nags Head, NC. The Foundation, which is always searching for new perspeccives for promoting and suppo rting aerodonetics and aerodynamics through education and D ECEMBER 1998

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NEW ARBORCOMM WEB SITE

A r N ARBOR, Ml - ArborComm, .li..Inc., a growing online and print documentation developer, has announced char its brand-new, completely overhauled Web sire is up and run-

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ning. A key fea ture of the Web site is its Xtreme Spores Pages which highlight a different extreme sporting activity each season while demonstrating emerging help technologies for the Web. This season's sport is hang gliding, and the site fea tu res probably one of the first exam ples of real video hang gliding footage on the Web today. T he 30-second clip is an excerp t from the Speed

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u Gliding video produced by Paul Hamilton of Adv¢:nture Productions in

NV. ArborComm, Inc. is a technical com-

munications firm delivering online belp, intra.nets, usds guides and tutorials for products and processes in any industry. 'fhe site can be seen at: http://www.arbor-comm.com.

OSCEOLA PLANET"

"ANIMAL

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he·stoty of Osceoh1, the hang .gliding eagle, continues to plenty of airtitne, evi:;n though it has two years since the story first aired on the Disney Channel. Most recently it was featured on the Anima] Planet cable channel. It appeared on an episode of "Wild Rescues" on Dec. 6 and 9 at 8:30 pm eastern time.

The story has offe.red much positive publicity for the sport of hang gliding, and John Stokes, Osc;eoh~s trainer, has

received many inquiries about hang gliding, especially after his shows at Dollywood which foature Osceola as the finale.

The Web address for Osceola's site is: www.geoddes.com/Pipe1ine/3l55. lt can also be reached by going to the USHGA site and on the links sectio11. It is lisred there as: The }:'.fang Gliding Eagle, Osceola, John will be doing a bird show .with Osceo.la at the upcoming US.HGA membership meeting in Knoxville, TN in Fehmary; 1999.

AEROTOWING AIRPARK

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AUSTIN

ustin Air Sports is pleased to announce the addition of tandem aetotowing to their facilities at Austin Air Park They have designed an .innovative sec of "steerable castering wheds" rhat allow them to operate from their paved ninway. With the use of High Energy's over/under harness (developed

by Campbell Bowen) and the Wills Wing Falcon people of all ages can experience the tl1rlll of flying a hang glider to 2,000 feet. Tandem acrorow instruction can greatly accelerate the learning process if you decide to cominue your tmin.ing.

Austin Air Sports is one of the only schools in the country to offer instrm;tion in all three launch methods: foot launch, tow launch, and aerotow. T11efr combination packages allow pilots to obtain certification in all three launch methods. 'fhey also offer hang gliding· camps. Por rates and information con-· tact: (:Houston) Fred Burns, Austin Air Sports, 3810 Bonita Lane, La Porte, TX (281) 471,,1488, austinair(a)aol.com (Aust:in) Steve Burns, Austin Air Park, .Route 2, Box 491, Spicewood,TX 78669 (830) 693·· 5805, sburns@tstar.net.

s A Look a1 11·1e or I lc1rxJ Tr1e Winq ancJ wr1y 11 Wml<<:o Skills 10 1hc Level Skills to Lr1c I.eve!

I lyimJ Co:1cJirim1) GicJincJ [quiprncnl Mme dtxiu11r1c F'rinciplcs of 1-11(Jrrl for I liql1 Alliludc Flici1t S1r111cc1 1n S0,mr1q Tc1r1cJcrn ;.md low JJilol SlmulcJ Know GicJ1nq Terms tr1c l)ro I lies"

Plus

USHGA, PO Box J 330, Colorado Springs, CO 8090 J 1-800-6 J 6-6888 fax /719) 632-6417 www.ushga.org 10

HANC GUDINC

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NEW

*

SEX

**************************************************************************************************************** . u . i . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ '"'§,"""'" (HG Division) or 6 Division), liability insurance, ratings, and other benefits.

of PARAGLIDING

$54.00 U.S. ($65.00 Non-U.S.*) ............................... .

D ($96.00 Non-U.S. *)

FAMILY,,,..,,,,,,,,.,..., ......

$27.00 (Family Member(.Yj must sign separate release from Full Member) ....

, ..... ,~~,•• all benefits except mu~.~1111,. MUST reside with full member Qh11nui

Please check one: D D (Family Member{.v) must sign separate release from Full Member) Divisions

U.S. ($46.00

U.S. ($32.00 Non-U.S.*) ··········••i•••••••••••••••••********************************************************************************** 1ST CLASS MAIL SERVICE· HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE: ($24.00-U.S., Canada, & Mexico only) ......... .

MAIL SERVICE· HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE: ($30,00-Wcstcm Hemisphere, $40.00-Europc, $50.00-All Others) 1ST CLASS MAIL SERVICE· PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE: ($12.00-U.S,, Canada, & Mexico only) .......... .

AIR MAIL SERVICE· PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE: ($15.00-Westcrn Hemisphere, $20,00-Europc, $25.00-All Others), NAA MEMBERSHIP: ($10.00 annual dues) ... , ...

FAI SPORTING LICENCE:

($18.00 annual foe)

Date

**************************************************************************************************************** CHARGE MY:

Credit

**************************************************************************************************************** must be in U.S.

drawn on a U.S. bank.

TOTAL

(03/97)

In consideration of the benefits to be derived from membership in the USHGA, and the parent or legal guardian of Pilotif Pllotis a minor, for themselves, their personal representatives, heirs, executors, next of kin, spouses, minor children and assigns, do agree as follows: A. DEFINITIONS - The following definitions apply to terms used in this Agreement: I. "PARTICIPATION IN means launching (and/or assisting another in launching), flying (whether as pilot in command or otherwise) and/or landing (including, but not limited to, crashing) a hang glider or paraglider.

2. "SPORTS INJURIES' means personal injury, bodily and/or or fimmcial injury sustained by Pllotas a result of PAJ'11J'Cl}~J;fOJ10N THE SPORTand/or as a result of the administration of any USHGA programs (for example: the Pilot Proficiency System). If under 18 years of age, the term "SPORTS INJURIES"means personal injury, bodily injury, death, and/or sustained by Pilot as well as personal injury, bodily injury, death, 11u·,,n.,.rtv aarna1!ie or fimmcial injury sustained by Pilot's parents or legal guardians, as a result of PAi'ITJ:Clf'ATJfOAf/N THE SPORTand/or as a result of the administration of any USHGA programs.

3. 11,:;;,r.c,-,,.1,:;;v P.'IIR,r/E.f' means the following, including their owners, officers, directors, agents, spouses, employees, officials (elected or otherwise), members, independent contractors, sub-contractors, lessors and lessees: a) The United States Hang Gliding Association, a California Non-profit Corporation (USHGA); b) Each of the person(s) sponsoring and/or participating in the administration of Pilot's proficiency rating(s); c) Each of the hang gliding and/or paragliding organizations which are chapters of the USHGA; d) The United States Of America and each of the city(ies), town(s), county(ies), State(s) and/or other political subdivisions or governmental agencies within whose jurisdictions Pi/otlaunches, flies and/or lands; Each of the property owners on or over whose property Pilotmay launch, fly and/or land; e) All persons involved, in any manner, in the sports of hang gliding and/or paragliding at the site(s) where D "All persons involved" include, but are not limited to, spectators, hang glider and/or paraglider pilots, assistants, drivers, instructors, observers, and owners of hang gliding and/or paragliding equipment; and All other persons lawfully present at the site( s) during g) B. I FOFl!EVl=R mr;;a.i;;,""~u;; AND DISCHARGE the PARTIESfrom any and all liabilities, claims, demands, or causes of action that I may hereafter have for IN!URJrES. however caused, even if caused by the negligence (whether active or passive) of any of the n.,;;;,,_,:;;,s~,:;;v PAJ,7TII:.~ to the fullest extent allowed by law.

I A against any of the loss or damage on account of If I violate this agreement by filing such a suit or making such a claim, I will pay all attorneys' fees and costs of the n,1::ar.a;;,,,~,:;;,v PJ4R11ES. I THAT this shall be and rnin,c:1-v,,1.,.r1 All disputes and matters whatsoever arising under, in connection with or incident to this Agreement Court located in of California, U.S.A. to the exclusion of the Courts of any other State or Country.

E. If any part, article, paragraph, sentence or clause of this Agreement is not enforceable, the affected provision shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring it within the requirements of the law, and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

F. I THAT PIiot is at least 18 years of age, or, that I am the parent or legal guardian of PIiot and am making this agreement on behalf of myself and If Iam the parent or legal guardian of I the for their defense and indemnity from any claim or liability in the event that Pilot suffers SP4"JRJ~f IJVJIJ'Rli.~ SPORT, even if caused in whole or in part by the negligence (whether active or passive) of any of the nu;;Jr.a..,.,1o1s;;.«J P.IIR,rlES.

LAW. I have Ar/11/t fllot's Signat11re

Date

Signatl!re ofPilot's Parent or Legal 611ardia11 tf Pilot 1111der 18yeatJ ofage.

Date

MMR 12-97

Ii I Safety and Training Committee new, simplified and streamlined I nstrucrnr ( :ertification Progr:m1 1as been put in place by rhc USHCA Board at the recommendation 01 the and 'fraining Committee. The primary components of the new US! IC ;A Instructor Certification Program arc m.11-· lined in this article. Por all the specific derails we suggest that you visit rhe USHCA Web site :it www.ushga,org or contact the USHCJ\ office to get a copy of the new program. The most significallt change ro the program is that the training of instructor candidates has been separat· ed from the of'instructor candimaking it much simpler for qualified instructors to obtain certifkarion or ro The new prog,rc11n will include a three day Instructor 'fraining Seminar (ITS), followed by one day testing, including practical and written exams. Qualified insrrucrors will he able to :utcnd just the testing portion the program to ohrain certification. 'rl1c f<irmer instructor ccnificat ion program required, for new instructor call· didatcs, l O days of apprenticeship with a ccrriiicd instmctor, and attendance ;it an lnstTuctor ( :cni/Jcation Progr:1111 (JCP).

The IC:P included training in instructional techniques and culminated in a test co establish competence as an instrucror. Recertifying instructors were required to au end the full JC!( including both the training and parts.

The new program strongly recom .. mends the l O of a1)prenriceship and ancndance at an !nsrrucror 'fraining Seminar (ITS) for new instructor cmdidates. The ITS program includes a com·

or

or

D1u MlllR 199B

prehcnsive check list of subject matter to making it easier for instructor candidates to understand what they need to know to become ccrrified. J:or already qualified i11s1rucrors, however, it is now possible to skip the training components of the program and go directly to the testing phase to ob,ain certification. Please rake note, however, that as a part of rhis new program, the testing phase will be consider-· ably more rigorous than ir has been, in most cases, in the past. In many cases even practicing instructors will benefit from attendance at the lnstrucror 'fraining Seminar preceding the resting day, and /cw new instructor candidates would be expected ro be able ro pass the testing without having both apprenticed and attended the ITS pro .. gram.

A new requirement in the testing phase of the program is to pass rhc J;AA Ft1mlarncnrnls Ofinstruction (FOi) wrirrcn exam, Candidates must also pass a wrincn exam based on die US! !CA lnstrnctor Manual. The FAA hmdamcnrals Of! nstruction Manual I Study Cuidc, on which rhat test is hascd, as well as the USHGA Instructor Manual, arc available from the USHCA. Ot may also be possible for candidates to take the FAA writ ten exam from an l :AA test facil . . though the policy on giving the exam without an FAA rnghr instructor endorse . rncnt may vary from one testing facility 10 another.)

A mtmbcr lnstructor Administrators have been appointed to conduct rhc new instructor training and programs. l n rhe former certi fiea-

or

tion program any Advanced Instructor could conduct an JC:!'. For more consistency and higher quality we decided to have a smaller number of people conduct the training and testing programs under rhc new system. There arc currently I Ii Hang Cliding lnsnuctor Administrators, and l O Paragliding Instructor Administrators, They a1'C: disrributcd around the country, and all of them ;ire willing to travel to accommodate the membership. ff you have experience in training instructors and wish to become an Instructor Administrator please con .. tact and 'fraining chair person Bill Bryden ,ll (8 l 2) hbrydcn(i1'mail.hsonlinc.ncr. lfyou want ro bccon1c certified as an instrucror, please contact the USHCA oflicc at (719) 6:32-8300 to fo,d the Instructor Administrator nearest you.

Overall the test to pass the instrnctor program will be tougher, but all the arbitrary "hoops" candidates had to jump through have been removed. Ir is hoped rhat the consistency lmmghr by the smaller number of presenters, coupled with the fairness of a more objective testing system will make this new program more acccssi hie to rhc membership, and improve the quality of instruction for both hang glid .. ing and paragliding, These changes were unanimously approved hy the and Ti-aining Cornminee. This C:ommince was comprised of a wide spectrrnn of pilors ;rnd instruelors involved in both hang gliding and paragliding. The USHCJ\ welcomes your comments. ml

Il

r Calencbr of evcnrs items WlLL NOT be lis1ed 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 frir regional and national meets.

open wheat country, similar to Forbes.

Entry $250 (Aus.), or $220 before Dec. l. Contact: Gordon Marshal at navi@iinet.net.au, or the competition director at zupy@ozemail.com.au.

Rico 007/i l, Tel. (787) 850-0508.

DEC. 11-20: Chile '.98 Tour, by Worldwide Adventure Tours, in the Atacama desert. Additional excursion to Patagonia. Contact: 1--800-727-235/i, WWW. ft I n2 fly. CO 111.

CLINICS/MEETINGS/TOURS UNTIL MAY 1999: Mosquito Clinics, UNTIJ, DEC. 3 l: Second Falcon XC Contest. Wills Wing Falcons only. Four sections: West Coast, West, Central, East. Prizes in all sections and classes.

I-fang 2 and up. Three classes: Pro (IIang 4), Amateur (Hang 3), Recreational (Hang 2). ·n)wing allowed with 1rn1xirnum release altitude of 2,000'. No entry fee, send SASE. Contact: Tck Flight Products, Colebrook Stage, Winsted, CT 06098 (860) 379-1668, fax (860) 738-3630, rek@snet.net.

presented by Bill Fifer throughout North America. Call (616) 922-2844 for scheduling information in your area.

DEC. 5-6: Aerotow Clinic presented by Quest Air Soaring Center, the innovarors of aerotowi ng in the U.S. Utilizing the most advanced training methods and equiprncnt known to hang gliding roday. $245 includes flights, accommodations, equipment and seminar. Call for availability on other dates. for reservations contact: Quest Air 4290213, fax 429-4846, QuestAir@lsundial.net.

FEB. 14-20, 1999: W!HlS Speed Gliding

and X-C: contests, Governador Valadares, Brazil. Prize rnoney. Contact: Adventure Sports (702) 883-7070, advspts«!'pyra111id.ne1, www.pyram id. nct/advspts.

DEC. 29, '98-JAN. 5, '99: Forbes

Flatlrmds J999. J\ll pilots welcome. Fly the famous forbes Flatlands, site of' the 1998 World Championships. Entry fee $200 (Aus.), includes first film and pro-cessing, presentation dinner. l'Jc·1·,,,;~:111·v requirements: HCFA membership, tow endorscmc111, databack camera, CPS recommended. Four entries to secure a strip, or if you don't h;ivc a row team there will be competition rugs available at $15 per tow. 'lhiphies for Open, Women's, Racer (kingpostcd) and Floater Classes. Excellent range of accommodations available. Registration closes 011 Novernber 20. Contact: Vicki Cain BH 011--61 -2-93 I 6-1-(J14 or, moyes@moyes.com.au. Send entries to: Forbes Flatlands 1999, 1146 Bowny Road, Botany NSW 2019, Australia.

JAN. 22-29, 1999: Australian Hang

National, in west Australia near Wyalkatchern. Tow meet, over flat, 14

DEC. Tandem 1, 2 Clinic. 'fandem Administrator Bob Hastings offers a tandem clinic at 'foam Spirit Hang Gliding of Puerto Rico.

Housing is available. Call or write for rnore info: Team Spirit Jfang Gliding, PO. Box 978, Puma Santiago, Puerto

DEC. 18-20: 7andem I lJ Clinic, with Ron Kenney. Truck and acrotow format. Contact: Austin Air Sports, Steve Burns (830) 693-5805, austinair@aol.com.

DEC. '98-MARCH '99: Valle de Bravo, Mexico tours. HG and PG. Consistent weather for great flying. Daily rates, rental gear. Contact: l-800-861-7198, www.flymexico.com, jeff@flymexico.com.

DEC. '98-APRIL '99: Winter Flying Mecca in Mexico. You've heard of Valle de Bravo. Packages by rhe day. Corne for a day, a week or a month. Contact:: I -800-861 -7198, www.flyrnexico.com, jcff@flymexico.com

FEB. 1999: New Zealcmtl 'lour by Worldwide Adventure 'fours. Three types of trips from rugged to ritzy.

Contact: 1 www.fun2fly.com.

Harry and the Hang Glider is for children of all ages whe want to learn more about how man's ancient dream of flying like a bird has come true. This is your invitation to a parent/child reading adventure that answers some of the commonly asked questions about the remarkable sport of l1ang gliding.

HARrW AND THE HANG GL!Dl:Fl IS HAFWBOUND (11.5" X TO mlDEF!: SEND $2~.95 CHECK 011 MONEY Of1DEFl L!-_'"".-""L"'''2"""'':'"'--w_u,,-., SKYHIGH f'UBL\SHINCl, 201 N. TYNDALL, F'OR MOFIE INFOFlMATION CALL: (521))62'8-8165 EM.ll.lL'.skyl1ipub@'llasl1.no\ or visit our wobsite at 11ttp://w1Nw.llasl1.neti-s,kyhlpub

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Flying With

THE WHGS MEETS IN GREECE © 1998 by Dennis Pagen

Gerard Thevenotin mid-launch at Kitheron.

16

H ANG GLIDING

.

T

he general flying area for che compecicion is che plain souch of Thebes char excends boch east and norchwesc from che Kicheron launch.

This plain is bordered by some high mouncains, and usually abundam chermals provide some interesting aerial tours. Mr. Kirheron icself has a nice norch launch and lesser-used sou ch and wesc launches. Ic sics approximately 2,500 feec (800 m) above the plains and offers a magnificenc view of the sea to the soucheast and che sculpced terrain co the norch.

The cypical norcherly winds hold back che sea breeze until late in che day when convergence zones set up in the conflicting air masses. Many meets have caken place at Kitheron during the last 10 years, bur foreign pilots are only now discovering the site and the flying possibilicies in Greece in general.

Pare of the charm of flying in Greece is the always-present beach scene and evenings spent in che taverns discussing the day's adventures over mountains of the delicious indigenous Greek food. One of the attractions of the Kitheron area is che village of Plateas which sits ac the fooc of the mountain. The mayor, Panagiocis Defingos works tirelessly to promoce hang gliding and paragliding. He has been inscrumental in carving our a lower launch wich a paved road and a rescaurant, and has promised a camping area and lift (!) to be built in the future .

This year's WHGS meets (and lase year's) were organized by the Greek Hang Gliding Federacion under the auspices of Dimitri Ganotis. Dimicri and his group are decermined to puc Greece on the flying map and have been awarded the Women's World Meer to be held at Kitheron in che year 2000. I highly recommend chis place to all female pilots for its relaxed, yec challenging flying and ics fun ambiance. Plans are in place for improved launches in all direccions to be ready for next year's Pre-World meet.

In addicion to che Women's World Meer, Greece will hose che fosc Speed Gliding World Championships (see below) to be held the same year, and chey are looking forward to che 2004 Olympics. There is official support from the government for hang gliding to be featured at chat evenc, if possible.

THE WHGS CROSS-COUNTRY Despite the promise and normally perfecc DECEMBER 1998

During the first week in June, 1998 a host ofpilots from 10 countries converged upon sunny Greece to attend the World Hang Gliding Series meet which included the Greek Nationals. Cross-country and speed gliding events were featured from M t. Kitheron situated about an hour and a ha{!northwest ofAthens.

flying weather on Mr. Kicheron, chis year we were plagued by strong winds on several days and rare thunderscorms on cwo days . In face , cwo pilocs failed co leave the life under a chunderscorm and were carried high imo ir. They boch exited unconscious and were killed when they hie the ground, apparently scill unconscious (see the accidenc report for more derails) . This accidem occurred during che second round of competicion and naturally put a damper on everyone's spirits, especially since mosc of che Greek

pil ocs were close friends of the deceased fliers.

Due co weather and days off for the funerals , only three ro unds were fl own .

But chey were hotly contested by the 48 pilocs since che coral X-C prize money was $6,000 (U.S.) . The first-round cask was a 60-km crian gle which was wo n by Gerolf H einrichs (AUT) with a lead of2 min. 50 sec. over Manfred Ruhmer (AUT ) followed by G uido Gehrman (GER), then Betinho Schmitz of Brazil.

This ro und se c che pan ern of che to p fo r17

eign pilots launching and leaving in a group, then battling it out along co urse for rhe lead.

The second round involved a 60+ km rectangle, again won by Gerolf. He was pursued by Guido Gehrman 26 seco nds behind, followed by Betinho Schmitz, Ruppert Plattner (AUT), M anfred Ruhmer, ChristofKratzner (GER), Josef Zeck.mayr (AUT) and Gerard Thevenot (LUX). By now, Gerolf could see dollar signs, but the rest of the field was ardently hoping for good weather in order to catch up.

Unfortunately, rhe last flying day did not show much promise, so the task committee called a short 42-km triangle in order to get more Greek pilots into goal.

The top pilots apparently made rhe entire circuit with two thermals once they were on course! Manfred won this round with Guido, Gerolf, Josef and Ruppert only minutes behi11d. The meet was over and all that was left was to pay tribute to our fallen comrades and to hand out rhe awards. Gerolf had won the $3,000 first prize with Guido taking second ($2,000) and Manfred third ($1,000). Most pilots ended up feeling gratified and wellrewarded, considering that the foreign pilots received free housing as well as transportanon.

A view from the primary launch on M t. Kitheron.

RESULTS Place

Pilot

Country

Glider

Total Time

1) Manfred Ruhmer AUT learn Laminar ST 7:59 ··········································································································································································· 2) Guido Gehrman GER La Mouette Topless 8:53 ··········································································································································································· 3) Gerard Thevenot LUX La Mouette Topless 9: 10 ...........................................................................................................................................................................

4) Rob Kells USA Will W ing Fusion 9:28

5)

Gerolf Heinrichs

AUT

learn Lami nar ST

9:35

6) Josef Zweckmayr AUT Icaro Laminar ST 9:38 ··········································································································································································· 7) Betinho Schmitz BRA La Mouette Topless 9:40 8)

Giannis Ioannou

GRE

learo Laminar (kingpost)

10:01

···························· ·· ······················································· ·····················································································•

9)

Rupert Plattner

AUT

Icaro Laminar ST

11:54

10)

Panagiotis Efthimiades GRE

Wills Wing Fusion

12:57

SPEED GLID ING The speed gliding event from Mt. K.itheron was equally affected by the weather and loss of our friends. But we did manage to fly two rounds with 21 pilots which is normal for this d iscipline.

The course from K.itheron consists of 12 pylons including a height control gate that must be passed below six meters (20 feet), a 360° sector, a series of quick turns, and a long, careful glide to the finish gate. This course was essentially the same as we ran last year, and it was clear that the pilots who had practiced earlier had an edge. Some pilots felt that the co urse demanded too much speed and suggested we add a requirement for more finesse. Others liked the adrenalinepumping, high-speed run. For the Pre-Worlds of Speed Gliding (see below), we'll probably have more of a finesse course.

The fastest pilot by far was Manfred Ruh mer. He won both days by zooming low through the course from start to finish. In fact, his ground-skimm ing finishes

,1·~1·1,no From 70 meters before the gate became legendary. J\n average course time was minmcs with the foster pilots compbing the nm in about Ii minures 30 seconds. Manfred's fastest round was 3 rninutcs 57 seconds. In rhc end, Manfred took home the $3,000 first prize with Cuido Cchrrnan second ($2,000) and Cera rd Th,1vcnor rhird ($1,000).

Greece has been a major supporter of the WHGS and we hope 10 be back in fi1rurc years to race down rhe slopes or over the countryside.

MOUNT OLYMPUS AND WORLD SPEED GLIDING At the end of the WHGS meets, a group of' 28 pilots journeyed to Mt. Olympus to play in the thcnnal·infosred skies and check out rhc speed gliding course for the World Meet. Our meals and hotel were covered by the local villages and the prefecture of Laris··· sa, so they deserve our grat irudc.

The flying is great at Olympus, with an easily accessible X,C launch 550 meters (1,800 above the landing field and a speed gliding launch ar 805 meters fret) AGL. Both launches acccpl multiple wind directions and we can promise some very interesting and

~y Dennis Pagen n June 9, 1998 a double fatal aoc1l1cnt occ:ur:rcc1 near 'T'hebes, 'fhe pilots, Michalis hc,od1ar1s and Alexis were cornp(:t1r1g in a World Hang GlidScrics .tncet which also included the i

1

:Nationals. T'hcy both a thunderstnr.m cloud and were seen some time later apparently unconscious below t:hc cloud, flying out of contro.l until they hit the ground. They both di,:d impact I was placed on the accident committee which was overseen by the government. Also present at the invcstiMike's glider and area of contact with the ground was Rob (co•owner of Wills Wing) and Heinrichs (physicist and empto,yec following C[CiiCrJl)CS dent as best we can deterrnine.

A slowly developing, cloud had been for near the rurnpoint of a rectangular course over the flat plain just south of Thebes. This area regularly builds up large cumulus clouds due to a converairflows from both of the Peninsula. However, thunclerstor.ms rare.ly occur in this area which has used fr>r competitions for many years. 'fhc weather report as annotmced at rhc pilots' brid'ing did call for a of thunderstorms. 'l'he doud built cominuou,ly while

pilots were on course, then spread out D1TIM13I R 199B

in lower levels to conceal the height and size of its buildup. Pilots who launched lare were mostly shut down by the cloud's shadow, About 10 pilots group rounded the second pylon continued on under the cloud.

One by one they dropped out in the weak conditions until about five rcniair1cd. 'fhesc pilots finally found lift under the building cloud toward its west extremity. The lift was weak at first, but as climbed higher it became stronger and more organized. At some point, per· haps 500 (150 111) below the base, three of the pilots recognized cloud suck conditions and quickly dove toward tbe of the cloud. One of these three had an extra turn and had to punch through the drooping of che doud.

All of them reported even stronger lift (1,000 fpm or 5 m/s) outside the cloud, which is characteristic of convergence in this area. Beneath the cloud they reported various lift strengths (300 to 600 fJ)tn or 1. 5 to 3 mis), but all that it got stronger as they the base.

Mike was .last seen severnl hundred (I 00+ m) below this group of three and Alex was somewhere in t:hc arcn as well. One of' the pilots who escaped radioed that he barely got away from the cloud and he saw two pilots back there wbo hadn't appeared out of the cloud. is no doubt that Mike and Alex entered the cloud soon after the other three left the area. Alex radioed to his

enjoyable flying. For rhc World the speed gliding course will prnvidc many options, since variom long moun · rain fingers stretch om from rhc launch area to surround the landing field. In a future article we will provide more derails and an ofthc course.

The hospitality in Greece is legendary.

We urge all pilors interested in speed gliding to join us next year for the Pre-World meet, rhcn come during the new millennium 2000 to the premier Speed (;Jiding World Meet. We'll have a great course /cir you, lots of quality X-(: flying and many fim events. lt will be a flying vacation you won't f<irgct.

tea111.mates that he was in the cloud climbing at five mis (JOO fpm) and that his basetubc was covered with .ice.

Mike's radio had not been working that day.

The tim.e of entry into the cloud was approximately 3:32 PM. Mike was next seen about 1,000 feet (300 m) off the ground by a and mc>1w~ntan11y later at 300 foct (l 00 m) by an experienced pilot. Botb individuals saw Mike fast, spiral dive. T'he pilot in a said it appeared as if he was intentionally diving as fast as he could toward the ground, but there was no apparent pilot control and no apparent glider da.inage.

'There was no change in the glider tucle or until he hit the ground.

The glider was a Wills Wing Fusion.

In a similar manner, Alex was seen hy farm workers unfamiliar with hang gliding. They described a wafting, div· ing, stalling flight, obviously under no pilot control. Alex was a Solar Wings Rurnor.

Both pilots were flying with older instruments, but one of the cscap1mg pilots had a Bal.I Comp instru·· mcnt with a recording barogrnph. this barograph trace we were able to reconstruct th,: time line. As the pilots entered the cloud at 3:32 or soon Mike was observed hitting the or within a minute or ground at two (the pilot called filr rescue at 4:00 PM after running to the scene, then a farmhouse). '.f'his left about .18 .minutes for the ascent into danger and r10,·rr,111· to ground. It is at this point that we

Continued on page 19

BETTER LAUNCJ-TES AND LANDTNGS: STEP BY STEP

lines, and you unhook to straighten them.

Yes, there actually h,1vc been cases of Ian .. dem pilors bunching unhooked!

FEATURES or, A GOOD HOOK-IN CHECK

a prognun by Pat Denevtm, article 1md illustrations ~)I Greg Shaw n order to understand, and teach, the complex skill oflaunchin~ a ha1:g glider, Pac Dcnevan has reduced Jt to e1ght key steps or clements, all essential for proper transition imo the air:

I

l) Balance the wing 2) Set angle of anack 3) IIOOK,.JN CB ECK 4) Push the glider with the shoulders 5) Maintain angle of attack wi1h the hands 6) Use ,1 light touch 7) Run with long s1ridcs 8) Adjust your angle of attack for liftoff when ready

In this installment we'll detour to consider an aspect of launching that only indirccrly affects the process of getting a glider in the air. Its purpose is to ensure that a pilor in command will be present. We consider this important enough ro make the hook-in check as much a pan of the launch progression as lifring the glider or taking a step.

Many pilots do not consider the hook-in check to be an inrcgral part of the launch process. It is considered a pre-launch step

like the hang check or preflight. By scparat· ing it from the act of launching, they open a door of opportunity, the chance to launch unhooked.

Civen an opportunity, any of us arc capable of making mistakes, of overlooking things. lt is human nature to do so. ft is c;isy to do, especially when we arc in a sirua· rion frill of distractious. Who hasn't lcfr ,1 coat or lying on the roof' of the car after being distracted by hiccps or bikinis or children or the coke you just spilled on your shoe. We regiment procedures like our preflight to make it harder to overlook steps.

Murphy guara11tces that the day you stop your preflight co help your huddy find a new vario battery, you will have a luff line clllght under a rib tip. You quickly learn to make the preflight an unintcrruptablc set of rcgu lar steps.

Distractions arc at a definite peak as you step up to the launch. You arc busy check· flags or looking for other gliders in the air. "Shoor, the vario is still tmned off!" I\ hundred disrrac1ions. "Rars, do I still have the truck You unhook, so rhat you Call dig them out a pocket. Or your passenger seems to be tangled in his harness

or

We need an aid 1ha1 reduces the thinking bmdcn on launch and ensures that we arc hooked in as we start rhc launch run. It needs ro work in all cases, no matter what the circumstances or whose glider we arc borrowing. There must be no chance that we will cncoull1tT a situation in which we can't use rhe check. Our mcrlwd must he something we can do just before we start the nm, something easy enough to do several times if we hesitate on launch, waiting for a better moment. I\ weird day may require any rrnmber of hook-in checks. Each of them must be done at the very last moment before the anticipated run. ff there is time 10 unhook between the check and the nm, some day, for some reason, you will unhook!

And you may launch nnhookcd.

Many popular methods fail when i1 comes to one or more of these essentials.

"I ypically, they require tl1at the check be done some time before starting the launch run. Pilots have done their hook--in check, then proceeded to launch unhooked.

METHODS THAT DON'T WORK The hang check is often used as a hook-in check. But it is nor. It is a harness preflight!

It allows you to check for tangled lines, functional zippers, and har clearance. lt foils om hook--in needs on several counts. Many launches arc too restricted or rnrbulem to allow a hang check. ft must he done back in the setup area. It also requires help. If others

Over 500 pages Artides, Illustrations, and much more ...

Editors: Jim (Sky Dog} Palmfo,ri & Maggie Palmieri Illustrator/Cartoonist: Mike Vorhis

20

Hi\NC GLJDlt'\C

arc busy, you will be rc:mprcd to skip it. The hang check also fails to check the function of the leg loops. If your legs arc not secured in their straps, you have only your armpits between you and frecfoll. Or if they have loosened, it may be very difficult to get in the hoor.

The Austrabns favor the approach of clipping the harness to the glider as soon as it is set up, arguing rhat a failure to hook in cannot occur if the harness is always attached to the glider. Foolproof as th is sounds, they have still had accidems. Some compelling reason can lead a pilot to unhook. Ami wirhom a method to ensure that he hooks hack in, he launches unhooked. 'J'herc is always going to be some need to unhook. You arc not going to dis-connect radio, oxygen, etc., so that you can climb out of the harness again, just to get the glider around that bush, or to check for other gliders, or to tic your shoe. This method also foils to address the leg loop !SSUC.

METHODS THAT DO WORK 'fow pilots tend to have it easy. J .auuching from a dolly, or platfrirm, you arc doing a continuous hook in check! We need a hook-in check as au1om:nic and imegratcd into the launch process as that. Our check must assure us as we stan 10 run that we arc hooked into the glider, that onr loops arc on, and that rhcy arc set properly.

We recomrnend using one of two alter· natives. The best method is to lifr the glider until the harness straps go tight enough to tug on the leg loops. Use that rug as a signal to start your run. Not only will you launch hooked in, but you will have the benefit of

F

Figure 2. Drop Hang Check

Feel Tug of Leg Loops

tight straps earlier in your run. The harness takes on glider towing duties faster, letting your arms concentrate 011 conrrol.

If the control bar is too big, you are shon: or weak, or the conditions are just too wild to lift the glider, you can use the kneeling check. With the basetube 011 the ground, sink to one knee, low enough to rnakc the harness straps go tight.· f'hc act of standing up activates the launch. In one motion, stand, lift the glider, balance, and begin to run. The kneeling check is not as good as the li/r fiJr resting the leg loops.

In both cases, develop a memal rominc that the hook-in check inro your launch nm. lmagine rhat lifting the glider "pulls a pin that unlocks your feet," or use some similar mental trick thar makes the check a necessary precursor to taking rhat first launch step. Make lhc hook-in check the last thing you do before the run. Redo

f l

the book-in check every time, even if you put the glider down for only a few seconds.

Make d1c hook-in check second nature, as obvious as the need to move your leg forward ro nm.

Our goal is to design a launch rominc that makes it impossible to launch unhooked to leave no room for mistakes.

We insen a positive hook-in check at the very momcJH we arc cornmitred ro srnn ing our run down the hill. Any delay between check and run creates an oppon unity for mistakes. You rnay have a preferred alternative to our suggestions. Be sure ir meets the requirements o/'an effective Hook-In Check. ls yours up to the task?

I look-in check complete, balanced, angle of attack set, we arc ready ro nm. /\nd that will be the topic of our next installmem. B

E p

s

RA

E.R

A

THE FREEDOM MACHINE: .. Compatible with most gliders " Short I 00 foot take off and landing • Lightweight and easy Many happy owners

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DFCEMB!lx l 99B

The whiskyjaclesflew across the balcony and snatched chips from the handr; rf unsuspecting diners. We were hewing a pilot's meeting at the restaurcmt near the top of Sun Peaks in the wilderness necir Kamloops, British Colurnbia. The comic C't1nad11 Jays, 11Lm

<.;eoff Dossctor (New Zealand) flying an Airborne Shark in first; G.W. Meadows (USA) flying an Acros Stealth in second; and Darrel Boscrtt (Canada) flying a Wills Wing XC in third. Geoff walked away with

G.W.

known tis carnp robbers or jories, were the only bright spots on that day, for u;c were blown out and disappointed. he we in question were 3.3 pilots from six countries (Canada, England, France, New Zealand and Japan) who h:1d come to f1y in the World Hang Gliding Series speed gliding and cross··C:Ountry meets which iucludcd the Canadian \rationals.

Sun Peaks is a new ski resort whose commercial establishments put up the fonds to organize the mecr. Their gcueroS·· ity paid the FAT sanction foe and other costs, so the entry fee was a whopping if you were h1tc! Nexr year it will probably he a bit more, hut there will be more working personnel. This year the whole meet was nm and organized by indefatiga·· blc. Ian McArthur and his assistant Rick l lunr who also flew in the meet.

22

SPEED GLIDING The speed gliding had one of the most fon courses I have ever flown. It started with a control gate and a series oF pylons in the oprn meadows at rhe top of the rnoumain. This portion was followed by a traverse ro the lower section of the mountain and a zig"zag course over the ski nms to end with an ;iltitudc control finish gate on an open run and a landing in the nearby parking lot.

Unfortunately, high winds (blame it on poor beleaguered El Nifio) shut us down on ;ill but the last morning. So we bad one great round, and when rhc hLi,," ing wings cooled off the winners were:

CROSSCOUNTRY Flying from Sun Peaks provides plcmy of views of' God's cmmtry, and he keeps it in trees. But it also offers some nice routes up foirly narrow valleys with plenty of"landing pastures. We had some high winds but also some light days which allowed out···and-back tasks.

On one mcmorahle task we headed 60 km north ro a beautiful lake enclosed in a valley with steep fir-covered sides. Fields ar the bottom provided safe escape routes while we glided out to the lake and came hack low to scratch hack up. Once we

Crmthn1crl rm prige .36.

HANC CIIDINC

The 1998

INGSIDE

Glide Angle Contest

by Rob Kells, photos by Mark Vaughn

JeffNicolay and his team did it again! They put on this contest year after year and still seem to enjoy getting out

T

his year it was Wills W ing des igner Steve Pearson who won both days in the flex wing class to become the 1998 glide champion .

Geo rge Ferris flew his Exxtacy in a class by himsel f and was the glide monster of the meet, winning the rigid wing class. George cleaned up his harness from last year, and has clearly learned to fly his wing better. H e actually almost landed in the road on several flights, out past 17 to l!

It was Steve Pearson's first year in the comp. I coach ed him on the speed to fly and the proper way to crash at the end of his flights. Steve had a p ulled hanm ring that was res tricting his run, but he was still able co out-glide Ke n Brown and m e for first place. (The first-place prize was his choice of a Moyes hat or a W ills W ing hat. H e took the Moyes.)

D uring p ractice on Friday Steve was flying a bit too slow and landing on his fee t!

I suggested to him that he could go an other glide point if he would land (crash) o n his basecube. Morningside builds a bridge every year to span the creek at the 13.5 to

24

ofbed at five in the morning to see who can glide the farthest through thefog.

Ken Brown crossing the bridge in his CSX

THE To P

co1'. tend~rs arrive early to stake out their cl aims to the setup area, prepai·ing their ships fo r the competition . Each pilot is toting his own special bag of tricks, and modifies his wing fo r maxim um glide. Some of these tricks are still listed as "classified" to this day.

Just a few things we know abouc: lowered sprogs, tightened sai ls, runed battens, faired speed bars, steel downcubes, ral<ed- back control frames, smaller stripped flying wires, spiked track shoes, skintight clo thi ng, faired helmets, no seco rrda1y hai1g strap , plastic shims on sp ring batten ends, quick links instead of biners. T hese are some of the tricks of the trade for distance-driven pilots. These guys are serious about goirrg lorrg.

Dawn starts to break. Tug drivers stand ready to transport pilots and gliders to the top for their firs t flights in the still morning air.

T he 1998 Tench Annual G lide Angle C ontest is abo ut to begi n.

- Mark Vaughn

l mark on the co urse. O n Saturday Steve missed the bridge an d did a face plant right into the creek, yelling back to me, "H ey Rob, can I flare now?"

The conditi ons were more variable than last year.

O n Saturday we had a one to three mile per hour headwind during all fo ur ro unds.

O n Sunday there was lift and sink on course after the seco nd ro und, along with a light tailwind. So, as yo u would expect, the glides were short at around 13 to 1 on Saturday, and longer o n Sw1day with some flights over 15 to 1. W ith fo ur flights Sarurday, each pilot's low score was thrown out.

O n Sunday we had six fl ights, so each pilot's high and low were thrown out and the remaining fo ur averaged.

EQUIPMENT Steve and I both fl ew with chrom e-molly faired co ntrol bars we builr 10 yeai·s ago fo r a World M eet in Austria. We also used smaller-diameter stripped cables. We turned dow n Steve's sprogs two inches. Steve and I both used fo otball cleats to make fo r H ANG GLI DING

D ECEMBER 1998

25

REFLECTIONS ON THE CONTEST

by Keishya Safko The first pilot yells "clear" and takes to the air. Small wisps of morning fog rise from parts of the valley. One by one each pilot follows the other, striving to obtain maximum glide along the groomed, grassy course. Spectators shout out words of encouragement as pilots dive into ground effect in a effort to maximize their distance.

The Tenth Annual Glide Angle Contest was held at Morningside Flight Park on Saturday and Sunday August 29 and 30 at the crack of dawn. Still air is crucial for this competition, which is why the participants are willing to rise before dawn and set up gliders before the sun has crested. The objective is to measure the glide ratio of varying glider types.

Each pilot launches off the slope and follows a course across the field that has glide-ratio markers laid out every 50 feet indicating the pure glide ratio that has been achieved. Following this course, which has been measured by laser, provides immediate information about the

26

actual maximum glide capabilities of each type of glider.

It is a beautiful event, enjoyed not only by the participating pilots but also by the coordinators and spectators who attend.

And, yes, there is a fair amount of coffee available to wake up with. The meet is cocoordinated by Jeff N icolay and Tim Donovan who are assisted by many enthusiastic volunteers. This dynamic duo has it down! When the fog begins to lifr in the early morning they radio back and forth to ascertain that conditions are indeed valid for the first glider ro launch.

On their call, the competitors begin to line up in preparation for launch.

This was the second year that topless gliders participated, and the rigid wing class was represented by the Exxtacy once again. Many veteran Glide Angle Contest pilots have this thing down to a science.

They sport soccer cleats, faired helmets and skin tight clothes (oh baby!). Some even joked abom shaving and oiling their arms! Newcomer pilots listened intently

for tips and watched as the experts did some fantastic gliding.

Launch conditions were good on Saturday allowing a full four rounds. Sunday proved to be superior, allowing a full six rounds to be completed. Averaging was done and the lowest score from Day 1 was tossed. On Day 2 the lowest and highest were tossed. Each day's total was then divided by the number of flights counted, and then this was divided by 195 which correlates to the glide course.

The final standings were determined by adding the daily glide ratios and then dividing by two.

This year's entries included a variety of Wills Wing gliders, and Moyes was represented by both its topless and kingposted models. The Saturn by Altair also competed, as did Airborne's Blade.

Wills Wing designer Steve Pearson finished first on his Fusion, last year's winner Rob Kells was second on a Fusion, and Ken Brown who won in 1996 was third on a Moyes CSX. Hopefully even more manufacturers will turn out at next year's contest to demonstrate the glide capabilities they have to offer. • H ANG GLIDING

(August 29 &. 30)

sure-footed launches, and Steve also had his faired Lambie Lid helmet that I had 11scd to win two glide conresrs.

Krn Brown and I both flew without our sprogs. The air is (Jllitc s111oou1, so tumbles were not a conc(:ITL Ken flew a sail on day one, rhcn rebuilt his wid1 a dacron sail for two. I not iced rhat !<en was also without washout s1ru1s on Sunday i11 an dforr to catch Steve. a cornn,cruivc pilot so you have to watch him every mim11c.) I disconnected my washom tuhcs for a /light. It didn't seem to help my glide al all but the glider did accelerate and try ahead me on l:nmd1 so / put 'cm in afrcr that. All oC us removed our pa1·aclinllcs. J:\ying with only 50%1 h,11·rn''"''" unzipped, and wid1 an 80° turn in rhc course, it seems that rhe glide nurnbcrs we: arc on this measured course arc conservative.

Place

Pilot

l st

Steve Pearson

Fusion 150

2nd

Rob Kells

Fusion 150

3rd

Ken Brown

CSX5 153

13.790

4th

Clcbcr Oliveria

Pusion J 50

12.538

Bob !lastings

Fusion 141

11

I 1.842

11.86

I·lascnfus

Pusion 150

1 l .852

J 1.938

Jl.'72

Scott Leonard

153

If .7'73

135

11.41

8th

Keith Murry

Saturn J 66

10.456

9th

Kami Hcclayat

Blade 1.3

10.407

10.864

9.95

10th

T,Jm

Ultra Sport 1

]0.078

10.086

IO.ff!

Ultra

135

9.864

9.987

Fred Carter

Super Spon 153

8.995

9.04

8.95

Stan Pclky

Falcon 195

8.263

8.045

8.48

6rh

Salko

l] th

12th

Ferris

1st

I It ..129

13.669

II RIGID WING WINNER 160 16.04

Pilot

Glider

.Final

Rob Kells

Fusion 150

15.07

Plt/CI'

1st

I-fowe

J!i

13.225 12.050

10.37

16.651

Laminar

John Szarek

Fusio11 150

14.38

Bob Bolukas

Fusion 150

12.75

Massi11i La Mouettc

I 1.32

r:usion 150

9.75

THE PARTY The: Brazilian from Boston took up a collection Brazilian barbecue! night was filled with flying barbecued meats, salJds and lots of beer. Clebcr Oliv(pronounced kept us all in stitches with his Olltr;igcous sense of' humor. He trained li;1rd and improved his score from last year ;J great deal. The victo ry d.mccs and scrc:ims delight v,;hen he made ir acmss the bridge were fun ro watch. A bonlirc at one of 1v1,)rn,,t11)sidc:'s campsites finished out rhc party in ilnc

and got soarablc. flights were conducted and a pilots g:1incd thousands oF feet above the It 50foor hill. It was a nice ending to a very el\11·r1c111f\111«, weekend.

THE FREE FLYING

THE VOLUNTEERS

4th 6th

Oliveria

] st

Ferris

CLASS IT RIGID WING WINNER

:-iaturclay afrc:moon

160

number of local pilots score, drive /\TV's to

got ot11 the trike and did multiple acmtows until

come out ro

dark. Ken demoed some pilots on and Steve and l demoed the new gliders.

Sunday afternoon rhc hill turned on

shunlc 1hc ro launch, towel down t1e N-c:overcd leading run and score the mccr, and help ch:mgc an occasional dow111 ub,>. We all appreciate rhcir

DICJMl31R I 99B

1

1

or

or

Pinal

1

1

help, since without them there would he no comest. Come on out next year. The contest is fru1 ro fly in or watch. Morningside hopes that more: manufacturers will participate: next year. The glide angle contest has traditionally been held in late August or early September. Check out Dave Baxter's cxccllcm Morningside Web sire at http://www.cybcrportal.ncr/morningsidc/ morn i 11gside.hr111 for 11cxt dates.

In Meer Director Tim Donovan's words, "Well, 1It to l is finally here."

by U.SliGA Accident Review Chairrn11n Bill Bryden ccidcm and incident reports arc extremely important to the USHGA for understanding trends and potential causes of accidents.

Unfortunately, the report submission rate is lower than what we need to make rea-· sonahle statistical inferences. I cannot plead strongly enough {<)r the submission of these reports.

Pilots arc not submitting reports for various reasons, and the Accident Review Comrnittee will be fcmnulating several means of addressing some of those concerns in the future. We suspect that some of the reasons include embarrassment and fear of public knowledge of a pilot's mistakes, fear oflegal repercussions, and concern that the report will be used to the pilot's dctrirnem with respect ro revocation or obtaining of ratings. Perhaps [ can ease a fow of those concerns here.

Accidcm reporrs do not go inro a pilot's file in the office. They arc routed to several peopk who review the reports for statistical an,1lysis, and for the purpose of at1thoring inlcirmative articles in hopes of furthering the edt1cation of the membership and reducing the probability of oth-ers repeating the accident. If yot1 review past articles you will sec that, with the exception of fatal accidents, the identity of the pilot is not disclosed. 1\Jrthennore, various specifics, such as dates and locations, arc now omitted in order to mini-mizc the likelihood of someone remotely familiar with the accident identifying the accident victim. 'T'here arc inst;mccs in which a pilot's accident hisrory has influenced rhe granting or revocation of a rat-· ing, b11t the source of that information has not been accident reports. Bad acci-clcms arc seldom unknown to the flying cornmt1nity, so thar information comes from other sou recs.

'There also seems to be some confi.1sion over what is worth reporting and what is not. The event need not result in serious injury ro be considered important.

Reports will be referred to as fNCJDENT REPOR'J'S in the forurc to help clarify

2B

this distinction. Please, report any event that is in any way unusual. Por example, a pilot could not free bis focr from his liar· ncss in order to land bec1use the drawstring in the cuff of his military camouflage pants bccarne entangled in d1e har-ness zipper. ] le slid in, avoiding injury or glider damage, but the incident was clearly worth rcporring.

Please, let us know about incidents as well as injury accidems.

nfcirtunately, we suffered :1 fot:1' towing accident earlier th is year bm only recently received some details about it. Richard Graham, an advanced pilot witl1 2/i years of experience, was fatally injured in a towing accident on May I 1998 near Crover, Colorado.

Rich was platform-launch towing in strong (25-30 mph) winds crossing 3SAO degrees ro the tow road. Thermal activity was also reported as moderately strong.

The launch sequence commenced wirh the "go to crnisc" command, and t:he glider cleared the tow vehicle. Approximately 300-400 fccr ol line unspoolcd, and according to the data memory in rhe vario rhc glider reached about 80-90 feet AGL. The pilot then radioed ro the vehicle driver to stop, and a few seconds larcr the VOX on his radio tr;rnsmirted the words, "Oh no." The glider impacted in a steep nose-down anirude and then inverted. fr is suspccrcd thar no attempt was made hy Rich ro release since the towline w,1s srill attached after impact, and the release and winch were determined to be fonctioni11g properly before and after the accident. 'fhe cvem was not witnessed directly so it is unknown precisely what happened. lr is suspected that the very strong and crossing conditions were a pri-· mary factor in this accidcm.

COMMENTARY Afrer this accident and other similar towing accidents and incidents, a common

reaction by many pilots is to question why the weak link did not break. 'foo often the discussion evolves into questioning the breaking strength of the weak link and suggesting that weak links with lower breaking thresholds be used.

J was rcccndy told about a platformlaunch towing incident a dose friend experienced of which I was not aware. 1:--lc lannchccl and was quickly turned away from the towline. T'his progressed to a loclwut, crashing the glider into sofr ground which spared the pilot serious injury. When asked why he hadn't released, the pilot commented, "I thought the weak link would hreak!" For those unaware, a weak link is very simply a device, typically a loop of string, added to the tow system that is intended to break in the event that towline tensions exceed a safe or desired tb rcshold, thus freeing the glider from the towline.

I've heard pilots comment that they believed the weak link would break, saleguarding them from the evils of lockouts, high angles of ::1rrnck and banking rnrns away from the tow. This belief is prcdicar· ed on the notion that these maneuvers cause increases in tow force and thus break the weak linl<, freeing the pilot of the towline. The validity of'this is entirely dependent upon the kind of towing being performed. From a physics perspective, there are two general categories of towing: speed-controlled towing and tension-controlled towing.

Specd--controlled towing involves maintaining the speed of the device doing the towing at a reasonably constant value.

Controls, such as a throttle, are used to keep the 10w vehicle or tow winch operating at a constant speed. 'fowlinc tension can vary clramatic11ly in response to wind, thermals, sink, pilot corrections, etc.

Aerotowing is basically in this category, as the tug needs to maintain a minimum speed to prevent stalling. Many of the car-ly towing efforts in the 1970's in which the vehicle drove at a fixed speed would also fall into this category. Weak links may provide protection from excessive angles of attack, high-bank turns and the like, for this form of towing. These maneuvers tend to reduce the glider's component of speed in the direction of the towline. If the t:ow vehicle doesn't HANG GLIDINC

In

nt

slow to compensate, the line will be stretched due to the speed difference and increased tension can result which may break the weak link. But we have seen incidents over the years which clearly indicate that this weak link protection is not 100%i.

Tcnsion-comrolled rowing has become the norm for most forms of surfocc--bascd towing. Modern static-line systems utilize a tension-monitoring device for the tow vehicle, and the driver then modulates vehicle speed to maintain a constallt. ten· sion. Payout winches arc in this category, with braking systems that allow the drum to spool line with a controlled torque.

Many stationary winches, especially those using hydraulically driven drums, reel in the line with controlled tension. Tensioncontrolled systems keep the line tension reasonably constant, and d1c vehicle speed or drum speed varies widely in response to thermals, gusts, pilot action, etc.

For rcnsion-controllcd towing, A WEAK I.JNKCANNOT BECOUN'J' ED UPON TO BREAK DUR.INC A "LOCKOUC" HIGH BANK ANGLE, HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK, ETC. They might break, but more regularly will nor. The reason should he obvious, but for some reason often is not for rnany pilots. A good control system will an:empt to maintain constant tension and nor allow it to climb, breaking the weak link. a payout winch, for example, we know it spools line out more quickly ifa thermal is encountered. ft does the same thing for a lockout; the winch docs not know the difference. l n the most fundamental sense, a weak link will break in a tension-controlled system for only three reasons: l) It is defective (i.e., it bre::1ks at a tension lower than expected or desired). This can be caused by wear, incorrect assembly, defective string, or whatever.

2) 'fhc tension-control system mal· fimctions. [t might nor he adjusted cor· reedy (operator failure), perhaps a hearing seizes, the rope jams on the spool, the driver doesn't slow down properly (staricAine towing), or in some other way the system fails to control the line tension at the desired level.

3) The pilot, weather, or some other

30

factor introduces a perturbation in the rem ion, a sudden increase that occurs faster rhan the control systcrn can respond and compensate.

Sometimes a lockout, high angle of attack, or other maneuver may be per· formed rapidly, producing a tension increase more quickly tban the system can correct. [n these cases the weak link will break if the momentary tension increase exceeds the weak link breaking point.

However, many rimes, if not most, lockouts and similar situations arc emcrcd gradually, and produce no sudden change in line tension. In I hcse situations rhc weak link will not break hecause the con· trol system will compensate, keeping the tow tension in check. Over the last 10 years I've been familiar with two serious lockout accidents that occurred with sur· focc-bascd rowing, one resulting in a fatality and the other a serious injury. In both of these incidents the line tension was hcing monitored directly and it never exceeded J 20 .. J 30 pounds, substantially below the breaking point for most weak links!

Over the years, some pilots have advo .. cared emergency procedures for release failure or other events to break the weak link. However, with tension-controlled towing, the control system will attempt to compensate, and while you might succeed in breaking a weak link, you very well might not. It is not wise to attempt an emergency procedure that has a good probably of not working; opt for some-· thing more certain.

The two events mentioned above illustrate the value of having an observer in

the vehicle, visually monitoring platform .. launched tows. The moments just after launch, while the glider is low and the towline is short, arc the most critical dur· ing a platform tow. Bad things, though rare, can transpire quite rapidly. This observer can generally drop line tension or sever the towline, freeing the glider and often mitigating the consequences.

Pilots should avoid weather conditions that significantly increase the potential for problems, both launching and landing.

(See "High Wind Safety" by Joe Grchlo and "Accident Reports" in June, 1998 I fang Gliding.) Strong wind conditions (over 20 mph) arc increasingly associated with bad accidents, both landing and launching. (Sec July l 998 "Accident Reports.") Modern gliders arc increasingly able to penetrate higher winds, hm that docs not imply those conditions arc now acceptable for flight.

Please, do not become complacent and assume you are immune to danger because you are using a weak link. A weak link can provide a measure of additional safety, but problems may occur which do nor generate high tow forces. The physics of towing do not support the notion that a weak link will provide sweeping protection. I·listory docs not support this notion either.

Our best defense against problems relics upon the use of good equipment, sound general procedures, and sound emergency procedures that must be reviewed and pracriced periodically for pilots to remain familiar with them. With these, towing can be performed History does support this notion.

HANC CUDINC

i

I

erocowing made a triumphant debut as part of 1998's annual fly-in at North Carolina's Sauracown Mountain. After accepting the limited north and sourh runway headings for the Marshall Denny airstrip, Brad Gryder of Foothills Flight Park provided excellem tows throughout both Friday and Saturday.

Bubba Goodman gave tandem instruction to first-rime aerotow pilots while others released for our-and-returns or dog-legs through the Sauracown Mountain chain.

After blowing over the back early Friday, Sauratown turned on in the afternoon and pilots who had towed or foot-launched shared the air for a couple of hours . The mountain's lift glassed off at the end of rhe day, rewarding patient pilots with an hour of serenity. More pilots than ever arrived early for this practice day and enjoyed a catered buffer dinner in the LZ along with a keg of beer provided by the SMHGC. Saturday saw most of the activity at the mountain with soarable south winds kicking in. Pilots started launching at 11 :48 AM and sharing the thermal-induced lift for almost two hours before the wind turned cross and got coo rowdy. During this round, Jeny Brown scored the fly-in's best duration wi th an hour and 48 minures.

A

DECEMBER 1998

Bubba Goodman gives Jeff Reynolds a tandem flight on tow ftom the Marshall Denny Airstrip during Sauratown Mountain's October's Best Fly-In. The wind had come back around at a steady 15 to 18 mph when Mike Nester launched ar 4:30 PM flying a Aeros Stealth for the first rime. Five other pilots were able co enjoy what rurned our co be a very smooth thermal-induced glass-off, copping out at 1,500' over launch. To qualify a spot landing it was necessary tO land before the

6:00 PM window closed. Mike Nester had nothing bur good things co say about the Stealth when he put it down 6'3" from the bull's-eye and scored the fly-in's only landing inside the SO-foot diameter circle.

During the weekend the only time the LZ's outdoor cafeteria closed was for Sarurday night's barbecued chicken dinner, served up as always by Master ChefJune Bug Covington at his home. Returning co the campground in the LZ, everyone had one reason or another co be happy. Free hot showers were provided by neighboring YMCA Camp Hanes, and rhe cool autumn air that had replaced the late summer heat wave on Thursday made the community campfire pits the place to be. By midnight a light drizzle had settled in and the keg beganrofloat.

With two excellent days behind us, it didn't seem to bother anyone that Sunday was socked in and unflyable. Even though the X-C minimum distance of five miles wasn't achieved during the competition, all the awards were handed out for the great flying that was had. Plans for next year are already in the works and will include paragliding for the first time from a new launch being cur on the mountain's rop!

Hope co see you there. •

31

Continued from page 19. run into problems.

Autopsies declared chat both pilots died upon impact with the ground. Yee both were unconscious as they descended out of the cloud as indicated by eyewitnesses and the face chat neither parachute was disturbed, which would be the case if either one had had a glider problem. We saw no evidence of hail, lightning or a midair on Mike's glider. Its damage all appeared in keeping with a high-speed impact in a right spiral dive. (Alex's glider was wrapped up and impounded by the police, so most of the information we might have gleaned from it was lose.)

Cloudbase was at about 6,000 feet (2,000 m) MSL with a freezing level between 12,000 and 14,000 feet (4,000 m) . Alex was surely above chis level. His variomecer pegged at five mis, so, in face, he may have been climbing two or more times faster than he reported. Incidentally, his instrument was smashed with the needle stuck at 4.8 mis (960 fpm) which was probably his vertical velociry when he hie the ground. Bue even if the pilots ascended at a high rate of speed it is difficult to imagine chem going high enough to freeze or suffer hypoxia and still come back to the ground in 18 minutes. Pilots regularly ascend to 18,000 feet (6,000 m) or more without oxygen, and certainly 10 to 15 minutes in sub-zero temperatures would nor bring on unconsciousness. Even if the pilots went extremely high, there wasn't enough time to descend. I have subsequencly flown a Fusion trimmed exaccly like Mike's and could only sustain 1,100 fpm ( 5.5 mis) on my averager in a serious continuous sp iral

34

dive. No downdraft or virga were detected at che time of the accidents.

All the above leads me to conclude cl1at both pilots succumbed to several factors . No doubt they were hypoxic (effects can be detected above 9,000 feet [3,000 m] or lower) and no doubt they were very cold. Boch of these factors add to the debilitating effect of high-G disorientation. When a glider in a cloud begins gyrating due to turbulence, the pilot loses all sense of orientation and control. G forces can build up rapidly and change wildly. The result can be unconsciousness in a surprisingly shore time. This loss of consciousness requires high G 's when it occurs in a steady manner, but much lower G 's when it is changing.

The tendency for a pilot to fly faster once he or she has been in a cloud for some time makes the problem worse, since control is lost more readily and G forces are greater. I and ochers have experienced chis effect.

The above conclusion is my own, and not the committee's; the exact cause of the pilots' loss of consciousness is unknown.

We do know, however, chat the direct cause of the fatal accident was entering a thunderstorm cloud. The pilots who lost their lives may not have known, and ochers may not know, the dangers and methods of escaping thunderstorms, so we'll oucline chem here. These guidelines are discussed more elaborately in our weather, paragliding and hang gliding books, and come from many hours of flying around and escaping thunderstorms by ocher pilots and me.

First, if you see a large, dark cloud with a massive buildup, go the ocher way. The darker, caller and more widespread it is, the more potentially dangerous it is. If it is dropping rain it is even more dangerous since it may be producing a gust front chat extends tens of miles or kilometers from the storm. If you are high in a hang glider, you may choose to escape downwind. Bue better is a crosswind escape, which is the choice for a paraglider (gust fronts rypically reach furthest downwind). In the accident in question, no rain or gust fronts were apparent until some time after the accident.

When flying a hang glider, if you find yourself under a large cloud with a dark base (darkness indicates massive buildup which blocks the light) , move to one edge (preferably a crosswind edge) of the cloud. Whenever life becomes widespread, smooch, or greater than 500 fpm (2.5 mis) expect cloud suck which you may not be able to escape if you gee close to the cloud. Leave for the edge of the cloud with a healthy margin of clearance below it (remember, it may be hard to judge by looking straight up, so look to the sides). Dive as fast as you can for the nearest edge.

If you get sucked into the cloud despite all your efforts to stay out, immediately slow down (on a hang glider) to trim speed and cry to stay still in the middle of the bar. This gives you the best chance of remaining level and flying out the side of the clouds. On a paraglider, pulling big ears or a B-line stall is your best escape option.

Remember, thunderstorms are extremely dangerous and should be understood by all pilots. It is my sincere hope chat we can prevent accidents like these through education. Mike and Alex were both longtime friends of mine, and I greacly regret chat they lost their lives pursuing their passion. Yee, I believe that each time I return to Greece I will again be joining chem in the air. • H ANG GLIDING

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Continued from page 22. gained height we could beat into the slight headwind and battle our way toward goal. The lifr got weaker and weaker, bur eight pilots managed to eke across the line for 121.2 km total distance. J landed a hit short of goal and had the worse out-Lrnding of my cireer. I had ro carry my glider at least a mile ro a road. J had ro ford a river with all my equipment and ended up crossing a bullpatrolled field. One huge bull saw me and started pawing rhe ground sol quickly exited stage left. Then a second bull bigger than the first started toward me, so l had to abandon my glider. He kept coming as I jumped the fence. Barry Bateman and I distracted the bull by yelling insults about his mother while Mike Stephens snuck in and res· cued the glider. On a subsequem flight I pointedly avoided that field even though it beckoned readily.

One of the nicest things about flying in the Sun Peaks area is the abundant wildlife. Bren lfazlett landed in a moun-tain meadow and heard a couple of loud woofo! llc wasn't happy to find he had disturbed two black bears from their evening meal. Actually, many of us saw a number of bears while driving up to launch. We also saw plcmy of ground squirrels, mule deer, eagles, a moose and a coyote. l n sum, the Sun Peaks event was a fun extravaganza at a great site with many good pilots. The ski area itself is very hos .. pitablc and we wish to thank Masa's Tav-ern for hosting us and Nancy Green's

Cahilty Inn for providing free accommodations. I plan to be hack next year and would recommend the meet to any pilot

looking for a low-cost, laid-back event with spectacular medium-stress flying. II

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(

by Dan Johnson

Yrnt may h11ve seen it before, back when USJ-TGA Director Jim Zeiset

was associ11ted with an earry developmentfor tm intriguing new flight training ~ystem. Now some years later, the pr~ject has reached a much higher state ofthe art and is readyfrJr sales and operation.

PART II he subject is Water Gliders, the brainchild of entrepreneur Robert Combs. l fr has created, built and refined ;i purpose--built and self-contained watercraft that can tow a hang glider up with two ;iboard. Intended for training flights at tourist destinations, the Water Gliders system is ;i sophisticated conglomeration of commercial equipment tfou is the best l have seen in 25 years of observ· ing such developments.

Ir works like this: Take a specially conGgured boat, add a modern bang glider with a qualified instructor, plus trained boat operator, and you have a package that may compete nicely against those ubiquitous parasailing operations one can sec at virt11ally any beachside tourist dest ination in the world. ·rhree Water Gliders boats arc currently in operation (one in Caho San Lucas, Mexico; one al Outer Banks, North Carolina going ro Key West for winter '98; one going to rhe Somh

Seas Plantation at Captiva Island, Florida) and the reviews a!tcr a year's activity are very positive.

DEDICATED DEVELOPER Combs has dedicated himself to this project with a zeal and enthusiasm that is positively infocrious. Within minutes of conversation with him, would-be pilots arc ready to strap themselves to the glider.

Even more amazing is how quickly he can convert: hotel operators who ask l'O sec nit-· ty-griny deLails of the potential for rcvcrmc generation.

J11 both cases, substantial resistance must be overcome, and with no surprise.

T<iurists or cmrcnt pilots arc typically at first reluctant to go alofr in an air-· era fr that seems foreign to their prior experience. Many initially think they must go Hi\N(, Cl IDINC

J\

/

Age doesn't matter as Combs demonstrates while taking a young boy up for a flight he'll long remember.

DECEMBER 1998

39

Water Gliders can take up to six paying customers at once. One student is flown at a time (with instructor) while the rest observe.

A sturdy and efficient tow system with all hydraulic operation hides below the hydraulically raised flight deck.

~ter Gliders, Inc. now offers this highly refined boat, tow rig and hang glider setup as a turnkey purchase far resort operators. solo. Combs is quick co reassure chem char they'll go dual. Funher, wirh his comforcingly professional demeanor, Combs explains chat he will be their instructor.

T his, in addition co the impressive construction of the boar and cow mechanisms, sways many tourists into going aloft.

Hotel operators are another breed.

While a surprising number of them have

40

Tourist destinations at beaches around the wodd could be interested in this professionally developed system to offer their guests a new thrill.

been convinced co take a flight as part of their evaluation , they are usually hardheaded businessmen looking co malce a profit while limiting their liabili ty.

Liability in most forms of aviation is presumed, and yet Combs has fow1d ways co address this concern. He has secured insurance which is not always available co aviation enterprises. He has the credentials

co do what he does. But it is just as often the competent execution of the boat rig itself char closes the deal.

You probably know Robert Combs, although you may not recognize his name.

Nearly 20 years ago the W rigley's chewing gwn com pany selected Rob, from a large group of candidates, co star in a series of commercials (one national and two interH ANG GLIDING

This sophisticated and professionally-built "Water Gliders boat and hang glider rig inspires confidence in both pilots and the resort owners who operate it.

narional). In each clip he flies his hang glider from scenic precipices afrer firsr enjoying a srick of gum. The commercial aired for rhree years in rhe single longestrwming promotion ever for the company.

IMPRESSIVE POTENTIAL Jusr as Disney spends millions on new rides or anracrions each year, resort operaDECEMBER 1998

tors also seek new ways to enrerrain rheir guests. They've added water slides, golf courses and in-pool bar to provide a new spark for rheir businesses. Along comes Combs wirh his Water Gliders operarion and you can almost see rhe wheels turning in rheir brains.

He successfully penerrated the very upscale reson of the South Seas Planrarion

on Florida's Captiva Island (near Sani bel and Fr. Myers) . Here guesrs could sign up via rhe acrivicies booth, pay by chargin g ro their rooms, and go for the thrill of a lifetime over the calm, clear, blue warer surrounding rhe island. Business was brisk until rhe huge resort was sold to a new owner who wan red to evaluare al l the co ncessions including the Warer Gliders oper41

acion. While chis transition went on, Combs and his rig traveled north to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

This popular East Coast tourist destination has hosted two Water Gliders boats all summer, and Combs reports very satisfying business during the summer of 1998. One boat was operated by Combs; the ocher is owned and operated by Doug Yanda of Adrenaline Water Gliding. The two rigs picked this particular destination thanks to an arrangement with Kitty Hawk Kites.

As all Hang Gliding readers know, Kitty Hawk Kites is one of the largest hang gliding schools in the world , and the company operates eight retai l stores aro und the Nags Head area where the Wright Brothers first flew. After 25 years in the business, owner John Harris knows what works to satisfy tourists, and he quickly jumped on the Water Gliders bandwagon.

SPECIF! CATIONS Boat Length . .... ...... ............ ...... 36 fr. (overall, with flight deck) Boat Width . ..... ... ............. . .............. 13 ft. (see note below) Boat Capacity ..... . ........ .. .... . ... .. ...... 6 persons+ crew of three* Engine ... . .... . . ... ............... . . .... .... 4 15 hp, Mercruiser brand Winch Li ne Capacity . . .. . ..... ........ ... .... 6,000 ft . (1/8-inch spectra) Hang Glider .. .... .. . ...... ... .. . . . ..... . . . .... . ... Wills W ing Falcon Hang G lider Float Size .... . ......................... . ...... 12 ft. long Note: The inflatable collar can be deflated for transportation by trailer, making the width 9.5 ft. which is considered road legal. *Captain, pilot, winch operator or "mace" as assist with life vests.

launch speeds of 30+ mph and in waters that aren't particularly smooth.

The large boat (see specifications) has a 502 cubic inch, mulciport, fuel-injected VB marine engine chat pushes the beast THE WATER GLIDERS BOAT through the water with great enthusiasm, A large V-hulled craft with a flat floor like partly thanks to dual coLmter-rotating a deckboat is me heart of che impressive props. Her captain is stationed at midWater Gliders rig. It is ringed wim a large ships along with a winch operator who and extremely durable inflatable collar that doubles as a "mate," as she helps student assures a very stable environment even at pilots don their life vests and gees chem in their flight harnesses. Impressive as the boat is, the more custom development may be the TRIKE WING MFG. winch system.

Combs' first boat was more a high-powered houseboat than the capable machine shown in the accompanying photos. And the winch system on chat prorotype - though very sleekly mountRND Spare parts ! ! ed under the deck RIGGING AND HARDWARE below a heavy plexi* SAFE EDGE* FRAME PARTS viewporc glass GLIDER BAGS AND X-C BAGS was no match for HARNESSES (TRAINING AND KNEE HANGERS) cl1e sophisticated SAIL REPAIR! ! U.L. & Hang Gliders final version . Now, an all-hydraulic sys* PAC-AIR - Replacement sail tem smoochly pays *PAC-AIR - Leading edge replacement out me line at a * 24 years - sail making experience pre-set tension. This * Fast Turn around. me system allows P.O. Box 128 I 761 Neeson Rd. #4 Marina, Ca. 93933 boat to authorita08-384-4807/fax 408-384-8416 MC/Visa/Arnex tively tow aloft cl1e

NOff'TH WING

Design

PACIF/C-AIRWAVE nream

42

glider and its two occupants wim no line jerking or vibration imparted.

Since the instructor and student can easily attain altitudes of 2,000 to 3,000 feet befo re release to start a gliding free flight, a lengthy towline is suddenly left high in me sky. To prevent che line from merely falling into me water - perhaps atop oilier watercraft scurrying abo ut underneath - me winch hydraulically rows me line back ro che boat at a dizzyingly fast pace. le is held totally out of the water by a parachute strung on the line near me link wim me glider. Under cow the parachute is being pulled backwards so it remains collapsed, opening only as me pilot releases cl1e line and the winch operator hauls it back co the boat.

WINGS OVER THE WATER The hang glider is ordinary enough: the popular Wills Wing Falcon 225. However, it is fitted with a set of inflatable floats based on me san1e welded-seam construction as the boat co llar, all secured by a sturdy dual-strut system. The floats and struts were designed and tested extensively by Combs over che last few years. Despite cl1e large size of the floats, the Falcon can regularly sustain a 10-minuce flight before returning co the surface. Though limited duration is what most new flyers prefer, much longer flights are possible in convective life conditions. Landings are easy and smoom, as though landing 011 giant airbags.

Anomer improvement from the earlier craft is the rear "flight deck." Once instructor and pilot have safely landed commonly co loud expressions of delight from the student passenger - cl1ey float in H ANG GLIDING

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the water without disconnecting thcrnsclves. The Water Gliders boat quickly approaches the pair and throws a V-bridlc to the hang glider. After lining up boat and glider, the boat captain lowers the rear deck and pulls the glider and its occupants up on board. Powerful hydraulic pistons raise the deck and the student is free to exit his harness.

As the recently-landed student joins the other customers for soft drinks and snacks aboard the cornfortable Water Gliders deck, another student is prepared for a flight and the process starts all over again.

Boat captain, winch operator, and instructor work as a team in delivering safe flying enjoyment that has never foiled to excite, says Combs.

Passengers arc always students of course. As an approved instructor through UST-fGA, Combs is very careful to sign up each student as a member. This accomplishes several goals.

Centers, 1nc. form tandem training. llis equipment is topnotch and his attitude is serious, l 000 McCulloch Blvd. although he never loses sight of the fact l ,akc Havasu City, AZ 86403 that this is about fun. Nonetheless, fun 'Tel: (520) 453-6212 includes no alcohol or drugs aboard his Fax: (520) 453-1230 tightly-run ship.

OTHER REFERI~NCE Unless adverse forces prevail, Combs' work over the last decade could produce a l nternct:www.Hattcrasf.anding.com (This is the sumrner '98 operational loca-fleet of Water Gliders, with operations tion for Water Gliders. J ,ook for the springing up in many popular tourist destinations like the Caribbean or Mexico, "Water Gliders" button on the Home plus spots all over the U.S. lfso, and if Page.) II tourists enjoy the thrill of flight, they can check out an operation near a vacation destination. Resort operators are inquirThe Hall ing regularly and it Airspeed IndicatorTM A precision instrument l'or the serious pilot. may not be long Rugged, dependahlc and easy to read. before you'll see a \Xlarcr Gliders opera-· J\irspeccl lndicalOr ... S23.50 NEW! SMALL HALL tion many places you Long Bracket ............. $7.00 Great for hand--hcld wind Shorl Bracket .... $6.50 mcasurcmcm or paragl idcr sec parasailing.

Airspeed Indicator using

CONTACT SAFE AND PROPER Through USHGA's FAA-sanctioned program, Combs can legally deliver flight training as part of an exemption to FAR Part l 03 despite the for-profit environrnem. T'hough certainly drawing students for the thrill and entertainment value, the Water Gliders program is entirely legal and perfectly legitimate as training. 1n foct, Combs refers all students to hang gliding schools in their home area so those who desire can continue their instruction, perhaps ending up as solo hang glider pilots.

As with any proper training school, Combs is l:-1stidious about safety. He uses helmets and a ballistic parachute, teaches according to an accredited syllabus, carefolly follows well-established safety procedures, uses highly trained assistants, and has the proper USHGA credentials to per-

Robert Combs & Jim Hoover, Water Gliders, Inc./Water Sports

Bracket.

Small Ila II ................ $23.50 Paraglider Bracket ..... $(,.50 Now available: Small Hall for hang gliders, 0 to 70 mph

Hall Brothers P.O. Box 1010-11, Morgan. UT 84050, USA Mastercard I VISA I C.O.D Phone (80 I) 829,3232 Fax (80 I) 829-6349

www.ushga.org www.us-::;to 0

0

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6JO'Dflqsn'MMM

6JO'DfllJSrYMMM

REGION 5 Frank Gillette (R 99) r~t 1 Watercyn 8 Declo ID 83323 (208) 654-2615 Watercyn@cyberhig hway. net Tracie Fifer-Welch (H PO Box 8225 Jackson WY 83001 (307) 733-6823

99)

REGION 6 Jeff Sinason (I~ 99) 12954 Ballantine Ct Saint Louis MO 63146 (314) 1542-2473 jsinason@itdcornrn.com

USHGA

BOARD DIRECTORS REGION 1 Bill Bolosky (f"'< .

24622 SE Mirrormont Dr Issaquah WA 98027 (425) 557•7tl81 bolosky@microsoft.com Steve r~oti R 99) 3024 NE 18 i, Ave Portland OR 9721 (503) 284-0995

1

paraglidin~J@cornpuserve.com

Bob Hannah (H 98) 9920 51'' Ave S Seattle WA 98118 (206) 328,. 1104 paraskr@aoLcom Klemond (H - 99) Accident Chair) I\IE 43rc1 Seattle WA 05 (206) 525-5765 paul@kurious.org Gene Matthews (H 98) 15308 11 "1 °1 Ave NE Bothell WA 98011 (206) 488-1443 skydog@gte.net REGION Leonard (r~ r~esearch Wy City NV 89706 88~3-7070 advspts@pyrarnid.net l?uss Locke (R 99) B(38 S Mary Ave Sunnyvale CA 940B7 (408) 737-B745 rsslok@aoLcom Scott Gasparian c/o LWHS 755 San Francisco (415) Ed Pitman (L 98) PO Box 1B8 Shasta CA 9G087 (91G) 359,2392 Ken Brown (H 99) 1795 40°1 Ave San Francisco CA 94122 (415) 753.-9534 kennyb2u@aol.com

Sandy King (H 1425 Dunbar Ln Carson City NV 89704 (702) 849-3851 slark@worldnet. att net REGION 3 Ken Baier (r~ 253 Rodney Ave Encinitas CA 92024 (760) 7532664 airJunkies@worldnet alt net Tammy ([~ 99) PO Box Santa Barbara CA 93130 (805) 692-9908 tburcar@juno.com Gregg Lawless (R 99) ~l127 Bittercreek Ln San Diego Cl\ 92129 (61 484·2056 Mike Meier (H 500 Blueridge Ave Orange CA 92665 (714) 998-6359 mike@willswing.com l?ob Kells (H 98) 500 Blueridge Ave Orange Cl\ 92665 (714) fl98·6359 rob@willswing.corn Alan Chuculate (H - 99) 6709 Salizar St CA 92111 552 Gil Dodgen (Editor) 31441 Santa Pkwy Ste Reho Sta Marg CA 926B8 (714) B88·7363 SJildodgen@aol.com REGION 4 Mark Ferguson (1~ 98) '1173 Ridgeview Cir Broomfield CO 80020 (303) 931-8075 rnark@ballvarios.com ,Jim Zeise! (F~ 99) 13154 County f~d 140 Salida CO 81201 (719) [539 .. 3335 jimzgreen@aol.com

REGION 7 Bill Bryden (I? 98) (FIG Accident C/Joir) 6608 North 100 East Rd Seymour IN 47274 (812) 497·2327 hrn bbryden@hsonline.net Dan Johnson (L 98) 8 Dorset St St f::>aul MN 55118 (651) 450-0930 CurnulusMan@aol.com REGION 8 Randy /\dams (R 98) PO Box 369 Claremont NH 03743 (603) 543-'1760 randyadarns@cyberportal.net REGION 9 Pete L.ehmann (I~ 99) 5811 Elgin St Pittsbmgh PA 15206 (412) 661-3474 LPLehrnann@aol.com Geoffrey Mumford (f~ 98) APA/PPO 750 F'irst St NE Washington DC 20002 (202) 336-6067 g km. apa@email. apa. org Dennis Pagen (I.. 98) RD 3 Box 254·13 Spring Mills PA 16875 (814) 422-0589 pagenbks@lazerlink.com Chris DuPaul (H 98) PO Box 801 Gloucester Pt V !\ 23062 (B04) 693-6742 skigolfnut@aol.com /\rt Greenfield (X) 1815 N Ft Meyer Dr Ste 700 Arlington VA 22209 (703) 527-0226 NAA@ids2.idsonline.com REGIClN '10 Meadows (R 98) 1125 Harbor View Dr Kill Devil Hills NC 27948 (919) 480-3552 justfly@interpath.com

Matt (R 99) 7201 Hwy 189 Rising Fawn GA 30738 (706) 393.3433 airwave@voy.net David Glover (H 99) 1696 Creek Rd Wildwood GA 30757 (706) 6"75-8485 airwave@voy.net GretJ9 McNamee (H 98) 1414'1 SE 51st Ave Summerfield FL 34491 (352) 245-8263 graybird@praxis.net C,re~1 De Wolf (H 99) PO Box 607 Corolla NC 27927 (919) 453-4800 DeWolf7@aol.com

REGION 11 Dave Broyles (R - 99) 211 Ellis Dr Allen TX 75002 (972) 727-3588 broyles@psuedospace.com REGION 12 Paul Voight (R 98) 5163 Searsville Rd Pine Bush NY 12566 (914) 744-3317 ryanv1 OO@aol.com Jan Johnson (L 98) PO Box 282 Bullville NY 10951 (914) 361-1083 ryanv1 OO@aol.com Paul Rikert (L 101 N Broadway Wr1ite Plains NY 10603 (914) 946-93B6 hm Lars Linde (H - 98) 954 W Front St Red Bank NJ 07701 (732) 747-7845 larslinde@compuserve.com

REGION 13 (lnt'I) ,Jan Johnson (L - 9B) See Reg 12 Michael Robertson (H , D8) RI~ [i 865 Con 7 Claremont Ontario Canada L1Y 1A2 (905) 294-2536 flyhigh@inforamp.net USHGA Executive Director Philip Bachman PO Box 1 Colo Springs CO 80901 (719) 632-8300 wk (719) 632-6417 fax phbachrnan@ushga.org usl1ga@ushga.org

:no

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President-G.W Meadows Vice President-Bill Bryden ~eo,rreot;:ir11-1-<t 1ss l.ocke Treasmer··Geoff Mumford KEY:

(10121/n8)

(R)-Regional (L)-At Large (H)-Honorary (X)-Ex Officio

Your second-most important piece rfflying equipment is your harness. ft mal:es sense to get it right

comf<Jrtable, convenient; functional

and slippery to the air. Recently I have been flying a harness which sati{fies the above list r/properties and thus sati{fies those pilots who have

The fin;il point to make about all this assembly is rha1 it ends up being ;i fairly light package. Jn facr, the Woody Valley Nailer is one of the lightest pod harnesses I have tested.

the chance to fly it ThtU harneH is the Woody Vall~y Nailer.

THI•: INS AND OUT Pod harnesses now;idays are quite e;isy ro climb into compared to e;irlier pods

y harness was supplied by Greg Black of Eastcoast Paragliding Center, the U.S. distributor. Ir is manufactured by Woody Valley in Italy and possesses a certain Italian styling, Italian pil,znzz. Don't ask me where the com-pany got its name. As far as l can figure from my recent trip to Italy to compete in the Pre-Worlds, there arc no wooded valleys left in Italy. Bm the harness is racy, so its popularity is booming in Fu rope and

which had pilots simulating the gyrntions of an opera diva pulling on her girdle.

With the Nailer, you slip into the leg loops, put the shoulder straps on like a vest, and then close tbc harness in front.

The closure consists of zipping up the main zipper from your clavicle to below your navel, then covering this with a Velcro flap. Then you fasten two seat belttype safety cfasps and cover rhc whole thing with another stretchable Velcro flap for a smooth appearance.

The leg loops themselves arc

This plate is made from fiberglass and contoured for maximum comfort and minimum drag. 'Threaded through this plate is a rope big enough to moor the Titanic which hangs on a roller attached to rhe harness main support strap. T'he roller cm move forward and back on this rope. This action changes the harness center of gravity position relative to the main support so you can easily rock up and remain up for landing. Of course, no

copyright picking up here. Let's sec how the other h;i]f bangs.

APPEARANCE AND FUNCTION The Woody Valley Nailer is low-proftle, sleek with very few protrusions, and has a somewhat pointed wil to minimize drng.

Tbe parachute is side-mounted wirh an internal bag which lets you pack the chute ro conform to the low-drag pocket (one version of the harness comes with a front-mounted chute). The stock harness is available in black cordura with a contour swatch of primary color at the chest and back diet:Jtcd by your choice. Eight colors and some special prints arc also available.

The form-fitting material body of' the h;irncss is held rigid in hack by a plate that supports your thighs and mid--span.

46

l 998 by Dennis Pagen

pod h;irncss yet made holds you perfectly upright since the mains usually are rom-ed ro your hack or side. Bm this Woody Valley modd is one of the easier pods to rock up in rhar Thave tried. In addition, the Nailer hs a single limiter line that comes from the mains, goes into the back of the harness, then comes out the side to a jam cleat. By pulling on this line and locking it in the cleat you can bold yourself up. You can use this feature to adjust your head-down position in normal flight.

It should be mentioned that the plate/support rope assembly is backed up hy continuous webbing that comes down from the mains and routes into the harness and ;iround the pilot's body for safety. The leg and shoulder straps ;ire part of this integral "harness-within-a-harness."

adjustable in length and actually h;ivc the same type of scat belt clasps as on the chest, so you don't have to step into them but can clip them around your leg instc;id. Personally, I find it easier to step into the leg loops and pull the harness over my shoulders, bur I have seen pilots me either procedure. There is more chance of forgetting your leg loops if you start with them opened, Tbe! ieve. For rne, l would choose to save weight and get rid of the clasps and length adjust· mcnt since l will never change it.

Concerning the entire arrangement as described, l h:1ve two questions. First, I don't know why the first chest flap is necessary, and second, l think the chest clasps could cause some hard bruises in a hard hclly flop (they arc just to the right of your sternurn). This factor is a charac:HJ\NC CUDINC

shouldn't have to look. T he leg zipper is sewn co the harness (not attached with Velcro as in some designs), so if a zipper gets stuck you are landing like a beached whale. (This practi ce can be performed safely. See the book Performance Flying.)

In general, I find the harness easy to take off and land in, and I rare it highly in this respect.

reristic of most front-entry harnesses without a chest-mounted chute. I may be a voice in rhe wilderness, bur I would like to make a clear call for harness manufacturers to incorporate a very light (carbon) chest protector plate and move all buckles toward the side of

The author

the pilo t's chest. This design change wouldn't be very difficult and I believe ir would greatly enhance safety.

Once you have landed, stepping our of the harness is simply the reverse of the above entry proced ure, and is indeed quick and easy. On a hot day I often find myself opening the harness before unhooking to walk with my glider (it's easier to walk this way) or co crawl out of the harness . The ease of ingress and egress may in fact enhance safety if you keep the harness hooked co the glider at all times on launch, even if you have co leave the glider for some reason.

A final practical matter is takeoff and closure in rhe Nai ler. The light weight and long boo r zipper of the harness make is easy co run in, although my legs are not quite as free as with rhe High Energy harness since rhe Woody Valley has a continuous zipper from chest to me while the High Energy has flaps that fold back from your thighs. I have performed numerous flat, no-wind launches in rhe Woody Valley with no problem.

Proning our and stepping into the harness is very natural. The closure zipper is easy co pull and I do it with a continuous morion ending with my hand over my head. I always have to reach down and close the last six inches by pulling the zipper tab, bur this procedure is fairly normal with pods.

Incidenrally, the last closure is ideally positioned for in-air relief on those marathon X-C flights .

Opening the zipper is quite easy, although the opening tab is a bir far down on yo ur leg and hard to see. Of course, once you learn its position, you

DETAILS, DETAILS In my view, it is the many well-rhoughrour derails that render the Woody Valley Nailer a cut above the rest. I will describe some here and you can see some in the photos, bur try to check our a harness in person if yo u want co be truly impressed.

T he firs t poim to note is the effort made to keep the harness clean (as in streamlined). Look at the main support.

The parachute bridle is held with Velcro co rhe side of rhe harness, then it is routed into the Spandex covering closed with Velcro fo r a very clean arrack on the wind. T he bo ttom of th e main has a Velcro-attached cover to fair in the rope and roller system. The foo trest is a comfo rtable plate, bur a rear fai ring helps reduce the squared-off drag fo und on some harnesses. Finally, the shoulders have a Spandex shro ud that fits rightly against yo ur shoulders (and is adjustabl e) to eliminate that all-too-common performance-robbing, back-chill ing air scoop that is characteristic of pods.

The shoulder straps themselves are extremely well padded fo r co mfo rt and are adj ustable. To make this adjustment

The harness is front-entry with a zipper, clasps and flaps.

47

you un-Velcro the shoulder shroud to access the buckle and adjust the webbing to your needs. Since harnesses shrink over time, this adjustment capability is very desirable.

One of the sleekest features on the harness is the integrated radio/ camera/drag chute pocket. This pocket is on rhe left side of rhe harness and contains a hole with a Velcro tab to hold your radio and two holes for a pair of cameras. The holes are closed with Spandex to hold the cameras in, and very long bungee cords !er you attach the camera lanyards and pull the camera up for your favorite curnpoint or panoramic shots.

The drag chute comes as an integral pan of the harness and is stowed at the rear of chis pocket. You pull the red handle and toss it behind you for a 5/ 1 or less final glide. I have used this chute on occasion enough to know I have an extra weapon in the eternal conflict between shrinking landing fields and enhanced glide ratios (in a fucure article we'll review those drag chutes).

The full-size parachute is on the right side of the harness. Ir is clean and compact and readily accessible with both hands. In conversations with a deployment veteran it was conveyed to me that this position is ideal for a quick, continuous throw, faster than a chest-moum.

There have been several recent problems with parachute mounting positions or arrangements, and I urge all pilots to carefully think about and rry their parachute systems.

The next detail to note is the Nailer's stowage capacity. A full- length back bag nesdes ins ide the harness for all those

48

The side pockets with openings for radio (top) and cameras, or even a cold can. The model is grasping the drag chute handle.

necessary glider accouterments: glider bag, harness bag, pads, drink, map, credit card fold-out, sandals, retrieval-wait reading material, etc. Up top is another long bag for a Camelback bladder and a short bag for valuables or your emergency mountain money stash. Velcro attachments back here allow access to the builtin back plate. The pointed boot also has a zipper to allow stowage of a couple of cool ones or the vice of your choice.

Some final derails round out the oeuvre. There is a pair of foam knee pads velcroed into rhe front of the boot. In my estimation they were inspired by Torquemada so I promptly threw them out for more comfort. Tow loops are provided at the shoulders and they velcro out of the way nicely when not in use. A large swatch of female Velcro (female has the fuzz) is placed below each shoulder, which is great for sticking cameras and Camel back or oxygen rubes for ready access.

The harness cover bag is smrdy and well made wirh very comfortable, contoured, padded shoulder straps and a side handle. It has a useful outside pocket but the bag itself could be larger to accept coats and orher extra clothing.

Finally, we should mention the steel carabiner provided with its figure-8 0-ring to keep the bridle and main straps in their proper place. Very nice.

Very nice is an apt description of the Woody Valley harness. This company has made harnesses and adjunct flying products for years, and they seem to have reached the apex of refinement with this harness. If you can find one, rry it. If nor, contact Mountain Wings for a brochure, order form and unique sizing chart. The

The parachute is compact and easily accessible. Note the Line to the angle adjustment above the chute. harnesses come in six widths and six lengths, so a weal of 36 combinations sho uld suit every pilot's anatomical peculiarities. If you don't fly better in this harness, it's because you are smiling too much ro realize its drag benefits.

The Woody Valley Nailer harness coses $950 retail. Ocher harnesses in the Woody Valley line include the Smoking Race 2, which is like a Nailer with a squared-off boo t, no shoulder shroud, and a less aerodynamic side parachute mount. The Speed is next with the same setup as the Smoking Race 2 except there are some external suppon lines. Boch of these harnesses retail for $850. Finally, we have the Smoking 2 harness which is a conventional pod with external support lines (no internal frame) and a fronrmounred parachute. This harness rerails for $599 .

For more information conract Eastcoast Paragliding Center at 150 Canal St., Ellenville, NY 12428 (9 14) 647-3377 (tel./fax), mtnwings@aol.com, www.flightschool.net. •

Carrying the harness is comfortable by virtue ofthe back plate and the padded straps.

DECEMB ER 1998

The ample luggage container is foll length.

49

n SILVER SAFE PILOT AWARDS RODGER HOYT

1ST DIAMOND SAFE PILOT AWARDS JON TT IOMPSON

BEGINNER-TANDEM RATINGS Region 1 LATTA, JARED: Anchorage, Al<; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Region 7 PEOPLES, CHRIS: Olivet, MT; T. Tillman/Cloud 9 Sports Region IO BER.ETTA JR, CARLOS: Orlando, FI.; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch ROBISON, MIKE: Orlando, FL; R. Brown/Quest Air SUAREZ, FRANCISCO: Caincsvillc, FL; C. McNamcc/C;rayhird Airsports Region 13 ARCOS, RAFAEL: Ecuador; D. Glover/Wallaby Ranch SLOAN, ANTONY: England; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch SLOAN, SlMON: England; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch

BEGINNER RATINGS Region l I.ATTA, JARED: Anchorage, AK; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Region 2 BEGET, ALEXANDRIA: Riverbank, CA; D. Prather/Dream Weaver I IC CARLEY, JOHN: San Jose, CA; P. Harlow/Mission Soaring ENDTER, VINCENT: San Jose, CA; l'. Dcnevan/lV!ission EVANS, KEITH: Sacramento, CA; C. Hamilton/Sacramento HG EVANS, MICHAEL: Sacramcnro, CA; C. I Tamilton/Sacrarnenro HG HAYS, JIM: Reno, NV; J. Woodward/Natural Flying LEVIN, YAKOV: Sunnyvale, CA; J. Woodward/Natural Region 3 CASTANEDA, DAVID: Bellflower, CA; R. McKenzie/High Advcntme TRUDELL, MICHAEL: Westlake Villgc, CA; A. llccm/Windsports Im'!

Region 4 FLEMMING, ALAN: Durango, CO; M. Francis/Mo1mtnin West TIC; Region 6 WIECZOREK, MARK: St Louis, MO; M. Taber/Lookout Mtn FP Region 7 FRERKING, ANDY: Nashotah, WI; B. Kushner/Raven Sky Sports HARALDSON, JANICE: Fon Atkinson, WI; R. Cizauskas/Ravcn Sports LYMAN, JASON: Inkster, Ml; C. Thorcson/1.ookont Mm Fl' 0 BRIEN, JEFF: Batavia, Tl.; B. Kushner/Raven Sky Sports ROSNER, WOLFGANG: Burnsville, MN; B. Kushner/Raven Sports Region 8 GOMER, TEODORO: Watcrnry, CT; K. Salko/Momingsidc FP HOYT, CHRIS: Derby, CT; D. Baxter/Morningside Fl' STEVENSON, JOHN: Clarlestown, Nl-J; R. I lastings/lV!orningsidc FP Region 9 HAAN, JAMES: Baltimore, IV!D; R. Haycs/Maiyland School TIC HAYES, DANIEL: Baltimore, MD; K. Adams/Kiny Hawk Kites HOOPER, T SCOTT: Norrhwalcs, PA; C. Black/Mountain Wings

so

MARUSICT J, DAWN: Fdgcwatcr, MD; R. Immordino/Kitty Hawk Kites MERTENS, AYISHA: North Wales, PA;J. Ifarper/Vallcy Porge HG NALLS, KENNETH: Falls1011, IV!D; R. I lays/Maryland School HC SPENCE, BERNARD: Baltimore, IV!D; A. Torrington/Kitty Hawk Kites TUTOR, GEORGE: Westminster, MD; R. Hays/Maryland School of HG UZMAN, BURAK: L1irfox, VA; J. Middleton/Silver Wings VANCURA, DAVID: Silver Spgs, MD; D. I labcr/Kiny Hawk Kites WI! .I .!AMS, CHRISTIAN: Alexandria, VA; J. Middlcron/Silver Wings Region JO BAUER, MARIE-ANN: Arlama, GA; C:. Thoreson/Lookom Mm FP BER.ETTA.JR, CART.OS: Orlando, FL; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch CASEY, EVAN: Roswell, CA; M. Tabcr/l.ook0111 Mtn FP CLARK, JR, PORREST: Batesville, MS; C. 'l 'horcson/1.oolwut IV! tn FP CRUM, ROBERT: I lollywood, Fl.; T. Quinlan/Miami HG GOMEZ, .JUAN: Miami, Fl.; J. Tindle/Miami I IC GORGONE, JOE: Decd1cld Beach, i:I.; J. Tindle/Miami l IC HOFFMAN, MICHAFI.: Largo, FL; J. Tindle/Miami l-IG LUNN, JAMIE: Miami, Fl.; J. Tindlc/lV!iarni HG OTT, I IETDI: Arlanra, GA; J. Richardson/Lookout Mm Fl' PIRIE, ERIC: Miami, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HC PIRIE, LOCKWOOD: Miami, FL; .J. TindldlV!iami I JC; ROBISON, MIKE: Orlando, FI.; R. Brnwn/Q11cs1 Air SMITH, MICHAEL: Decatur, GA; D. I Iahcr/Kirry I Jawk Kircs SPANGLER, MICHAEL: Oakridge, NC; A. Torringron/Kirty Hawk Kites WEI:T'ZIEN, POI.KO: Miami, Fl.; J. Tindle/Miami Tl(; Region 12 Bl.ACK, REBECCA: Short llills, D.S. Jewell/Fly High HC 1-IUSIATYNSKI, RYSZARD: Brooldyn, NY; P. Voighr/Fly I ligh HC KROLL, MARC: Riverside, NJ; A. Torrington/Kitty I lawk Kites NIELSEN, JAMES: West I lcrnpsrcad, NY; E. Royal/Fllenville Fl' VARBLE, DANIEL: l-lcnrictta, NY; A. Torringron/f<irry Hawk Kites Region 13 ARCOS, RAFAEL: Ernador; D. Glover/Wallaby Rauch CUNARRO, DIEGO Argentina 128/i; l..

SLOAN, ANTONY: England; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch SLOAN, SIMON: England; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch

NOVICE RATINGS Region l LATTA, JARED: Anchorage, AK; IV!. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Region 2 CRlJTCHLOW, ERIC: Santa Clara, C:A; D. Youm/Mission Soaring ENDTER, VINCENT: San Jose, CA; J. Woodward/Natural Flying ERWIN, MIKE: Auburn, CA; G. I lamilton/Sacramcmo JIG GODWIN, ADAM: Marina, C/\; P. Godwin/Western HC; I IAYS, JIM: l<.cno, NV; J. Woodward/Namral Flying MCKEON, CHRISTOPHER: Brentwood, CA; C Prathcr/Dn~im Weaver HG PIUNCEAU, GARY: San Jose, CA; P. Dcnevan/lV!ission Soaring WILSON, DAVID: Iowa I !ill, C:A; C. J-lamilton/Sacramcnro I-IC Region 3 CASTANEDA, DAVID: Bellflower, CA; R. Mcl<rnzic/l ligh Aclvenrurc ERIKSON, HOWEY: I.ake Elsinore, CA; S. Donalrnc/Advenmrcs Unlimited GRAHAM, WADE: Los Angeles, CA; IV!. Tahcr/l.ookour IV!rn FP OSTERFELD, BRETT: Newporr !leach, C:A; S. Donalme/Adventurcs Unlimited PENDLETON, CHUCK: Joshua Tree, CA; P. Phillips/Lake Elsinore Sports lJ REN, JTM: Sama Monica, C:A; A. Bcem/Windsports Im']

HANc; GLJDINC

Region Ii BROWN, MATTHEW: Cunnison, CO; C. I Iewin/Wcsrcrn Slope Aviation DOOLITTLE, JIM: Liukron, CO; M. Windshcimcr/Airrimc Above HC KRAMER M.D., RICHARD: Wimcrpark, CO; 7.. I\A.,;,".,.,w;.,.""•·1, NELSON, SCOTT: Hobbs, NM; C l,raharn/Crosi;roads

6 PENER, BARRY: Leawood, KS; M. Wirnlshcimcr/Ainimc Above HG 7 DEWEY, WILLIAM: Columbus, Ml; N. FRElU<JNG, ANDY: Nashotah, WI; B. Kushner/Raven HARAIDSON,JANJCE: fort Arkinson, Wl; H.. Cizauskas/Ravcn MENSING, STEVEN: 0 Fallon, IL; M. l.abado/Lookour Mtn 1:p 0 BRIEN, JEJ:F: Baravia, IL; B. Kuslmcr/R:wcn Sky PADGETT, TIM: Belleville, 11.; M. Labado/Lookour Mtn Fl' ROSNER, WOLFGANG: Burnsville, MN; ll. Kushner/Raven 8 IIARDIE, D FOSTER: Somerville, MA; D. llaim:r/.V1ornmgs1dc FP KOEHLER, STEPTIAN: MA; D. Fl' MULi.ER, ROB: Manchester, NH; J. N1,col:w/Mc,rn1ng:s1dc FP

Region 9 Bl LSKY, JOf IN: U11iomblc, PA; E. Roy:il/FJlenvillc FP I IOOPER, T SCOTT: Norrhwales, PA; J. I Forge I IG SJ !RACK, DOUG: Columbia, MD; C:. Thorcso11/Lookom Mm 1:p SPARPAGl.lONE, EDDIE: Dagsboro, DF; J. Thompson/l(irry Hawk Kircs Region 10 BAUER, MARIE-ANN: Arlant:t, CA; C Thoreson/1.ookour Mm Fl' BERFTTA JR, CARLOS: Orlando, i:J .; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch CLARK, JR, J!<)RREST: B:ncsvillc, MS; C:. Thorcson/l.ookom Mtn Fl' CRUM, ROBERT: Hollywood, FL; T. Quinlan/Miami J Jc; FLESCHNER, DEREK: Head, NC; C Elchin/Kiny Hawk l<ircs GOMEZ, JUAN: Miami, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HC; GORGONE, JOE: l)ecrfteld Beach, Ff.; J. Tindle/Miami HC JOLLY, JOE: l .akc l lamilton, FL; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch UJNN,.JAM!F.: Miami, J:L;J. Ti11dlc/Miami HC MACKLIN, SCOTT: Kill Devil I lill, NC; C Hawk J<ircs MURDOCK, SUSAN: TN; C:. Thoreson/Lookout Mm Fl' PIRIF, FRIC: Mi:1111i, FL; J. Tindle/Miami I IC ROBISON, MIKE: Orlando, FL; R. Brown/Quest Air WEI.TZIFN, FOLKO: Miami, Fl.;J. Tindle/Miami I IC Region 11 SIVA RAMAN, RAMESH: llousron, TX; C. Thoreson/Lookout Mm Fl' WEJSER, KEVIN: Austin, TX; J. I lunt/Co .. I Jang Clicling Region 12 BLACK, REBECCA: Short I lills, NJ; D.S. Jewell/Fly High HC HUSIATYNSKI, RYSZARD: Brooklyn, NY; I'. Voight/Fly I ligh l !G NEWELL, DA YID: Quccnsbrny, NY; J. Atwood/Eanh & VOIGHT, RYAN: Pinc Bush, '.'.IV; I'. Voight/Fly lligh HG Region 13 ARCOS, RAFAEL: Ecuador; I). Glover/Wallaby Ranch CUNARRO, DIEGO JESUS: 128/i; I..

FERREIRA, NF.LSON: Canada; M. Rohcrrson/l ligh J'cr·spe·c1111c SLOAN, ANTONY: England; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch SLOAN, SIMON: England; M. Jo11cs/Wallahy Randi

DICIM!lll, 199/l

INTERMEDIATE RATINGS Region l CASEY, KEVIN: I ,ynnwood, WA; J. Reynolds/Far Up HG TAYLOR, ROBERT: Sumner, WA; L. Jorgensen/NW Air Adventures Region 2 CONNORS, PAUL: CA; P. Dcncvan/Mission Soaring DREWES, RICHARD: Incline Village, NV; P. Dencvan/Mission GlJUCK, DAVID: Kensington, CA; W. fkrzd/Bcrkeley HC Club KOIIIJ, GAURAV: San Jose, C:A; I', Ga~.is/Mission Soaring Region 3 HARRLOE, DAVID: Van CA; J. Crchlo/Windsports Jm'I POTTER, DAVID: Ewa Beach, HI; J. Forbus/Clond Base STEVES, VINCE: Haiku, Hf; A. Engert/He; Maui WAUGH, FRFD: Agua Dulce, C:A; A. Bccrn/Windsports lnr'l Region Ii ANTHONY, MICHAEL: l akcwood, C:O; M. Windsheimer/Airtime Above I IG LONGSHORE III, GEORGE: Srcamboar CO; C Baughman/Utah Mm I JG Region 9 KIRKPATRICK, TOM: Prairie, Oll; L Wright VA; M. Chcvaleir SHELTON, DOUGLAS: VANT-HULL, BRIAN: Baltimore, MD; F. Permcmcr/Maryland School HG Region JO Al.LEN, W KEN: Orange Fl.; M. Jo11cs/Wallahy Ranch MENDOZA, JOSE: Kissimmee, FL; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch MIRANDA, MICHAEL: I,akc Worth, Fl.; M. Ranch WEISMAN, MD, PAUL: Delray Beach, FL; F. Foti/Miami I JG Region] KACMARJK, JOSEPH:

NJ; C. Black/Mounrain

Region 13 ARCOS, RAFAEL: Frnador; D. Glover/Wallaby Ranch BUTT, BRIAN: Canada; M. Robcrrson/l ligh Perspective DEMPSEY, FRANK: Canada; M. Robenson/High l'crsnccri•vc FULH)RD, NICHOLAS: Canada; M. Robenson/High l'erspecrivc

ADVANCED RATINGS Region 7 COLLETTI, LISA: Wcbhcrville, MI; T. Tillman/Cloud 9 THEEKE, MICHAEi.: Manitou Beach, Ml; T. Tillman/Cloud 9 Region 10 TOBEY Tl, RICHARD: l\oynron Beach, FL; J. Tindle/Miami I I<; Region 12 ATKINS, THOMAS: Brooklyn, NY; M. I .assachcr/ Acromax Region 13 ARCOS, RAFAEL: Ecuador; D. Glover/Wallaby Ranch

TANDEM ONE RATINGS ERIC RAYMOND JOHN LANE llI

51

HANG GLIDII\IG ACCESSORIES BAR.MITTS 1998 TOP 30 SCHOOL/cum LEADERS IN BEGINNER (HANG l) RATINGS ISSUED

RANK SCHOOL .................................................... BEGINNER l Lookout .Mouutain Plight Park ................................. 1 15 2 Wallaby Ranch ............................................................ 70 3 Kitty Hawk ....................................................... .38 4 Mission Soaring 5 Morningside Flight ............................................. 34 6 Miami llting Gliding .................................................. 23 7 Raven Sky Sports 5 8 Fly .High Hang l.:,11u1ng ................................................. 1 .~

0 ~l7~~~t:~.~i.1.~~.~:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::0 9 Wasatch Wings ............................................................. 9 10 10

10 10 11 11 12 12

Adventures Unlimitcd ................................................... 8 Fly Away Ilang Gliding ................................................ 8 High Adventure ............................................................ 8 Windsports International .............................................. 8 Lake Elsinore Sports ..................................................... .?

Team Spirit f"fang Gliding ............................................... , Arizona Hang Gliding Cemcr .........................................."

Berkeley ]fang Gliding .................................................. 6

:§ ti~ti~~ :xir1~:;~;~::: : :: : : : : : : : :::::: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : ~

I3 1;3 13 13 13

14 14 14 14

Mountain West Hang Gliding ...................................... 5 NWIC .............................................................................,, Sacramento Hang u11wug .............................................. J Silver Wings .................................................................. 5 Western Hang Gliding .................................................. 5 Boringucn Airtime ........................................................ 4 M. arylancl School of Hang Gliding ................................ 4 Rochester Arca Flyers ...................................................... , The Eagle's Wings Hang"·""'""!'.·.................................... ,

lleclan(Julrn <l21l Pock clolh shouldrn silops StKJds 1-1?0 Slrong mK1 comfortoblc-i Rod or t,luc.

EXPLORl:R· N/\VIGAlrn· COMPETITOR

$<l0.0ll $GO.IJO $61J.OO

1-ll'AWDIJIY-

$1.00 Prn ID ll"CIIES WING fll' BAGS-$(,,00 EA $G.OO Pl<

MAST/\DON DESIGNS ro BOX 1,65h S. L/\KIT/\I IOt, CA 9615 7

MISC. P/\llS $C/\LL (530) 542··3853 (KM.JD7(iulHEGRID.NET) Rl,PAlllS AND CIJSIOM WORK $CNI PlllCES DO NOT INCi LJl)f SHll'PINO

1998 TOP 30 SCHOOL/CLUB LEADERS IN NOVICE (HANG 2) RATINGS ISSUED

RANI( SCHOOL ......................................................... NOVICE 1 Lookout Plight Park ................................... 96 Wallaby 1<.a11cn ............................................................... ,.; Miami Hang .................................................. 30 3 Ii Mission Soaring Quest Air .................................................................... 17 5 Raven Sky Sports ....................................................... ..

5 6 Kitty !Jawk Kites ........................................................ ..

Flying Adventures ....................................................... I 2 Morningside Flight Park ............................................. l 2 7 Team Spirir Hang Gliding .......................................... J 2 7 Windsport:s lntcrnational ............................................ 12 7 8 Airtime Above Hang Gliding ...................................... 10 Go ... Hang \.:r1m1,1R ........................................................ , 9 High Advcnrurc ............................................................ 9 9 Lake Elsinore .Sports ................. ,.................................... 8 10 Western lfang Gliders ................................................... 8 JO .11 Arizona Hang Cliding Ccmer ..... ,................................. 6 11 Austin Air Sports ........................................................... 6 Fly Away Hang Gliding ................................................ 6 11 12 Adventures Unlimited ................................................... 5 12 Berkeley Hang Gl.iding ................................................. 5 12 1 1 ~.~.::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~ 12 12 Ellenville Flight Park ..................................................... 5 12 Rocket City Airsports .................................................... 5 12 Sacramenrn Hang lc,1rn1ng .................................... .......... ) 12 1 1 1 12 :1.1:~~. '.? ............................ ,., ..... •.. • ••.. •• •5 13 Earrb and Sky Advcmurcs ............................................. 4 Far llp Hang Gliding ........... ,....................................... .4 13 .Silver Wings ................................................................... 4 u 13 Valley Forge Hang Gliding .......................................... .4

r)~·~: :fi w:~~~~j.1.

~'.~r~;:f~

101111?1110,

~i: ~ .~~

,ire compiled Ji'om r11tir1,~'S published in tht·]a·nut11)'"/)'ecernc>er

1998 issues o/Hang Gliding mttyazine.

52

USHGA Books PO Box u:m Colrnwlo pRiNqs CO 80901 l,800,616,6888 usl1qil@usl1qi1.otu-i fAx(719) 6n,6417 MC & VisA Hi\NC CLIDINC

111\NC CLl!)JNC ADVISORY Used h,111g gliders should always ll<' clisasscmlilnl hc·forc flying 1,,r 1hc fas1 rime and inspl'ctcd f,,r fa1ig11cd, brnt or dclll· ed down111hes, ntincd bclll bolts (especially tl,c bean boli), rc·11scd Nyloc 11:ns, loose thimhks, frayed or ntstcd c:c1lilcs, 1a11g1 with non-cirrnlar holes, and on flex V1,'i11gs, sails had!y torn or torn loose from their anchor 11oinrs f'ronl alld back 011 dw keel and lc:1di11g edges. If in do11lll, cs will be happy to give an opinion on the condition of c'q11iprnc111 you hring 1hcm to inspcn.

Buyers should select equiprm,111 thal is appropriate for their skill level or raring. New pilots should seek pro lessional instruction from a USJ JG;\ CFRTI FIED INSTRUCTOR. FLFXWINCS i\IRBORNF

SI li\RK, BI.ADF Ri\CF, STINC,

BFN NETT lvJYSTIC: I(,(, V<; Very good con di 1io11, low hours, flies great, lx1ttcn pattern, ow11tTS man11al $800 01\0. ('JO'>i RC,12.llU. w/ ge,,r & training matlttal, all in excel C:OlvJFT 7. lent condition, $650. (lil5) Ci:,'j.'jf<'JO WW/XC:, great condition, i11cll!dcs vvinglcts. A tot<1l of ')7 homs, 1,(,:)), XC: miles. Very good 1ie1for rna11ce with conlidcncc l,uildin1; h:rndling !'or only

l)RE!\M I Ii 'i I .\!i/-K')')'j,

New, I.Lil one made .$8'i0. (:,O'.))

F\JSJON I 'ill (JI(,) 697 2ti25.

50 hmm, magenta & Leal, $:l,500.

l)l{F;\IV! I (,5 I 'J'),l, <25 hours, rainbow sail, w/har lll'S,s, stored indoors, $WJO 01\(l. (5,lO) 28:,.50?.7.

FUSION li2/i,0070

FXXTA( :y 1998, yellow wired Oaps, as sc·c11 011 Nov'<Jg 11(; ,,,nrcrspread $8,000. Bob (')70) 6/i I ')5)0 ollicc, (9/0) M 1-'J),0/ home.

Cl.lllFRS C:all/cmail lcrr rnrrrnl lisl.

0070 l'lcnitb, glidcrsv1lwallaby.co1u

A1 DJSCO\JNT PRICES. i\lso F.XXTACY BRi\lJNICFR varios, Pi\RAClllJTIZS, CLOUDBASF lli\RNESSFS, UI.TRi\MlTTS handfoirings.

Flight Desigll PARAGLIDERS. i\11 at DISCOUNT PRICFS, Sin,c I 'YI J, Cl .OlJDBi\SE I Chris Smith (/ill) 82l'S'Wi

One each in good condition. Both 111'/\T 1/i'i, I 'i8 have new leading edge cloth and rcccnl s11pcrpre/light, $1,liOO each.(li I ii) lil:l-8800, hrndv11hangglidi11g.com

EXXTACY NEW & USED IN STOCK, DEMO Di\llY. Wi\LIABY Ri\NCII (9/il) li2ii0070. !'Al.CONS lliO, 170, 195, 225 new ,rnd used, Wi\lli\BY RAN(:! I (9/i 1) li2/i-00'10, l;i\LCON 170 -· - <.lO homs, cocoon harness, para· ch111e, lidl lace helmet, radio $3,000. (:lO'j) 770 11,11, l'i\LC:ON I 'J'i llra11d new ( I fligh1), clip.on wheels $).,/iOO, Plus full equipment pack:igc available. (818) T//i.9,l 1/i, l'ricdtn:1m(11]name.com l'i\LCClN l')S Includes training wheels & cheap h:nness $ I ,700, (,JO 1) 7/i 5-(, I 12 lvlaryLllld.

Demo dailv. W ;\LI .ABY RANCH (9/i I)

l lPAT 158 I 'J'Jii, 111in1 co11di1ion, blue/flrn1re,1ccnl green, 13 harness (,'.(,'Ii"$ I ,250. (607) 26:l 526'.\,

INVENTORY CLEi\Ri\NCE SALE ~·· New & nscd gliders in .stock prices. hdco11s) unraspo1·1, prices. C:tll Rob (252) Ill Lm1inar. Call Bruce (252) !iii l Ii 12/i exL I<iny I lawk !(ires, Inc. 1

l<Li\SSIC: 13.'l Fxccllrn1 condition, (,0 hours $2,000, (80 I) l'ili-61/i 1 l<Li\SSJC 1/ili whips $::>,:lOO. Pulse I Om $7-,000, Vision M 1(/i $/'50. ('iii 1) 5(,9 . )J')j, l<Li\SSIC: I/iii -·- Yellow/white, :ihsolu1e mint concli tion, hrnns use and then stored indoors for $7.,800. Kl:tssic I 80 ho11rs, clean $2, I 00. l Ii) /i'/}8800, hud(1lhangglidi11g.rnm

I 00, (702) 8H, 1108.

l JOUl\l .F SlJR1'1\( :F TANI JEIV! lvloyes X2, good shape $1.,'iO(I or trade, lnadv"hanggliding,rnm (!1 l Ii) li7l·8HOO, DOUBLE VISIONS & FLY2 New and 11,mL Wi\UABY RANCll (9/i I) 12/i-0070

l'i\LCONS ( :I .Fi\Ri\NCF Si\LF School use, one sea so 11. All si,es $1,500 ,}).,500, (Ii I Ii) /iT3.8800, l,radv11J1a11ggli,li11g.co111 !'LY Tandem glidns, three Lo choose from, 100 and up. (lilli) -iTl-8800, \J radGt!J1:1 nggl id i 11g.co111

USHGA CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ORDER FORM

LAMINAR ST, Iii, U in stock. WALl.i\BY Ri\NCII (9ft I) li2/i.()070.

IV!lLLENNHJlvl 0070.

W i\LLi\BY Ri\NCII ('!It I) li2ii-

Number of months:

minimum word. not include first few words which are layouts or tabs: $25 1 word, E-rnail or Web line art $15,00 (U5" rnax:imu111) uc:MtJc.11,r.:. 20th of the month, six weeks before the cover date of the issue in which you want your ad to appear (i.e., June 20 for the August

SECTION Flex Wings IJ Emergency F)arachutes

IJ Parts & Acrnssories lJ Business & Employment IJ Miscellaneous CJ Paragliders J Videos

Prepayrnr"nt required unless account established. No cancellations or refunds allowed on advertising after deadline, Ad insertions FAXod or made by be charged to a credit card, Plciase entm my classified ad as follows:

J Towing J Schools & Dealers IJ Ultralights lJ Rigid Wings .J Publications & Organizations J Wanted IJ Harnesses

consecutive issue(s). My iJ check, iJ money order is enclosed in the amount of$ NAME: ADDRESS: CITY:

PHONE: Number of words: Number of

, , v , v v , · - - · - - · - ..· · - - · - " " " '

P.O Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901 (719) 632-8300 • fax (719) 632-6417

MOYES CSX SX, XTL, XS3, XT, etc. New and nearly new. Available immediately. Nation's largest Moyes dealer. WALLABY RANCH (941) 424,0070.

MOYES SX/i

Creal condition, clean, 50 hours

Very clean, <50 homs, purple/blue, MOYES SXS holoµ;r,aphic LE $2.,300 will trade for Falcon. (805)

TRX l 60 C:ood condition $ J ,000 OllO, 2. :wail· able. l ·888 9'i7·5liYJ. UI.TRASPORT lli7, 16(, Rental gliders at low hours, clean, priced to sell. (Ii I Ii) li?:J-8800,

VISIONS & PULSES

wwxc lli2

asymrnetnc:tl, new w/winglets

MOYES SX5 Excellent condition $2,850 priced to sell. (801) 25/i .. (,]/il.

.3197, very good condition, never $,, l 00 OBO. (:JO]) 729-071:l.

MOYES XS 1 Fxcellcnt condition, clean, wheels $ J ,600. (31 O) .'301 ·99?.6, J< ussi(i1\tol.co111

WWXC 142, 1 I.ow hours, clean and nice condi tion $:l, 100 each OBO. (Ii 11) Ii?\ 8800, bradv1'h:1 nggl idi ng.corn

MOYES xr PRO 165 Novicc/imermcdiarc double surfocc, hours, great shape $2,700. (4 J!i) IJTJ.8800, brad@l1a11gglidinp,.com

EMERGFNCY PARACIHJTFS DEPLOYMENT BAGS New, and new 20ft bri· dies, $25ca. (.,03) :Jli789'!5.

PULSF.S & VfSlONS

l!JC!l ENERGY POD HARNESSES Sizes & styles monrhly, $300,400. CG 1OOO's $250.

Cocoons e:ich. LMFP pod, 5'9" $100.

Kned1angers &. stirrnps also avaiLiblc. (Ii 14) liTl-8800, brad(a'h:rngglidi,rg.corn

RO( :KET RESERVES

Tm.ED <W TOWINC> Tired of to sites? Create your own~ power up the way SWEDISH AFROSPORTS MOSQUITO HAR· NESS. powerf'nl, affordable and most 1m11ortan1ty-t·un! Call BILL of T.C. l lANG GLJD. FRS, your U.S. SUPPLIER at 616-922,28/ili. PS: SEFJNG IS BEUEVING, new video made hy l'.ast Coast video now rvailablc $1.3 inclndes shipping. tchangglider~iljuno.com

Two, used I.ARA and BRS

PAR/\GI .IDERS

$1i7'iea. (:103) \it? -899'i.

RAMAfR 146 New home time for a great glider in great condition. Includes winglets, extra downtulie, Best o/frr over $500. Cm ship. (760) T7l extra xc Ii 518, Scc>tlicks~1lm,m.com

USED 20&22' hag and bridle $2'i0c:1.

C:REA'l' l'AC:KAGF. Profile excclknr condition, ev<Tytlllll)' included: hdlllet, reserve, (,07) 7"39·9582..

RAMAlR I S'S l;rcat condition, flies great, flown ::0 seasons and stored indoors l:m Moriv:ued seller $1,000 OBO. ((i 19) "/')2 2936. da,,c~11:mlcllgroup.ccm

2ND Cl IANTZ POCKET ROCKE Never $'JOO Canadian, Roger Saskatchew,111.

PRO DFSJ(;N COMPACT 33 ti hours, never m:1gcut:1/p1Hplc, w/rescrvc, helmet, Ball vario, $1,57'i OBO. fan (lii/i) '\li7-

SST, ALl'A 215, all in good condi·

?.O c;ORE 20ft PDA, brand new $390, 1 only.

(303) 3/i7,89'J5.

RIGID WINGS

SF.NSOR (i I OF -· Excellent condition, most topless gliders, no crashes, no

22 CORF Pl )A wiswivcl $1i7.0. 20 gore $I')'). more availahlc. Raven Sky Sports (Ii I Ii) ii Tl

EXXTACY l 9')8, yellow wired flaps, as seen on Sepl '98 11(; cover 18,000. Bob (')70) (,ii 1-95:lO office, (970) (,ii l ')'i30 home.

!!ARN ESSES

rn:rnAI.IGIJ'J s

whacks, spare downtubcs $:l,200 ( lllO. Buy nmv-lic ready for spring flying. Martin (:315) Tl l 8/iV, (.$ I 'i) 98(,,29:l 1.

SPECTRUM 165 PACKACF. Wills Wing 5'8'' harness, 2.0 PD/\, l'lytcc liOO'i vario/altimctcr. h,crything excellent condition for $2,."350 /Jrm. (."lGO) ."387,9725, eds(riltonccommender.com SPECTRUM CLl'.ARANCE SALE Spcctrnms in near new condition, w/:1\l options $7.,/iOO,.ruoo. Raven Sky Sports (Ii l Ii) liTl 8800, brad~illJ:111ggliding.corn

ALL DISCOUNT PRICES CUSTOM I !AR NESSES, Flight Design PARAGLIDERS, F.XXT/\CY gliders, BRAUNIGER varios, PARACHUTES, GLIDER BACS, ULTRAMITTS: wannest h:mdfair· ings available. For 2.(, years, CLOUDBASF llAR· NESSES/( :lnis Smith (li2:,) 8? .5'Jli5.

J

199/i)

con-to !OW

$18,000.

Brnce at Kit1y I lawk l<ites, Inc.

68 (50 I) 85] .lj()<Jlj sa!lw1n,gs~1>J10,1m11J.,:om

FLYTRIKE

SABRt,: 16 SAIL Antares nikc, rorax 503, U.I .0. wing, x 1ras $8,000. (5/i I) 569 2:l'J:l

SlJPl:RSPORT lti:l C1"C:ll condition, 60 hours, h l n c I fu sch i a I grey $ J ,300. (706) :)')8,9168 hgpilotvilaol.com

SCI IOOI.S & DF.ALERS ALABAMA

SUPERSPORT 15.'3 Mint condition, stored in a mhc indoors, only ONE FI.IGHT Also Ball M·22 vario (minimal use) and l'lvtec 302(1 vario (never med) w/h:rng glider nwunt and hard stor:1ge case. BEST OFFER. ( :li:1rlcs (71J:?) 12.\,8001 bronco I:w11:1iinc.corn

U)OKOUT MOUNTAIN l'LICI l'J' PARK

ROCI<FT Cl'l'Y AIRSl'OJUS - The lim, s:1lc place you learn quickly and safely

custom .saiL very $},I 00. (Ii Iii) li7.l 8800,

bradQilh:mggl idi ng.co1 n TIU 5 fliglrts $2,000. lloh (970) 6/i 1·9'i:l0 offac, (970) (iii I ·')207 home.

54

Sec

ad under Ccorgia.

1nofL·sslon;1\ instn.1e1ors. { ~rear

NEW, USED /\nd REFURBISI !FD han1<·sscs.

Buy, sell, trade, consignment. ( ;nnnison Cliders, 1'ili'J Conniy Road 17, (;unnison CO 812.lO. (')70) 611 'J:\l'i.

place for firs, cross cmm1ry flights. Three a Moyes-Bailey acrorug for those "orhcr"

sites and Learn to

acrotow and earn your J\T rating. Mcnrion this ;l(l,

bring a friend and nu·ive one lesson ' price. Call (256) 88() .. 8512 or (2'5G) T7(,'J')'J5.

HANC GtlDINC

COLORADO

ARIZONA

31401 Riverside Dr. ADVENTURE SPORTS TOURS Lessons nearby Phocnix/Tncson ;1reas. Ma11-m,1dc rraincr hill faces all wi11d dircctio11s. Cnara1nccd ten per day 1 Tempe, AZ (602) 8')7-712 l.

CA

92530 909-·6 74-2453

AllffJMF ABOVE HANC Cl.J[)!NG -- Full rime lessons, sales, service. Coloraclo's mosr Energy, Ball, learn Wills Wing, Moyes Altair, and more. (:H)}) 67/i, 2151, Fvcrgreen, Colorado Airtimel [(;~1\10!.corn CONNECTICUT MOUNTJ\lN WINC:S

J'lJI.l. SFRVJCF SHOP,~, Located on l lwy 7/i ,n rhe base of' the Sama Ana mountain range. Proudly reprc, sent ing ALL major brands. Rentals available to quali lied pilots. Open ii days a week 9am-5prn, closed on Mondays. Visa/Mastercard/ American Express.

Look under New York.

Fl,OllTDA CLOUDBASE HARNESSES & EXXTACIFS ad tmdcr "J-farncsscs".

Sec

MAGIC AIR ,___ Located in Northern Calif'ornia.

I .essons, sales, service. ('10'7) 9(,j-.1155.

FULL SERVJCE SHOP S,ilcs, rcn1als, towing, repairs, guide service. Free brochure. (520) (,:32-li I l Ii, (25G) Tl/, 'l')'Vi. ARKANSAS 0/'.ARK MOUNTAIN I lANC CIJDERS -- Sales, service ,md instrucrion. \GO Jolrnsron Rd, Searcy AR 121H (501) 2?'J21iBO. CAUFORNlA

( lur comprehensive insrrncrion program, located at rhc San Fr,mcisco Bay /\rca's premier training site, features grnrly sloped "b,rnny hills," snpcrlire gliders and comfonablc harnesses! "FJRST J:l.lCl l'J'," a video presentation our hcginncr lesson program, is avail,1hlc for only $20 shipping (m11y bl' r1pplied to your lnson p11rcht1s/'s). Onr dclnxe retail shop showc1sc.s the latTSl in

IWFAM WEAVER HANC CJ.llllNG Sales, scr vice, insrrnction. Area's 111osr INEXPENSIVE Ideal training hill, new and used equipment. for Wills Wing, Altair, lligh Fncrgy Sports and more.

Tandem insuuction. USI IGA Advanced instructor Doug Prather. (209) 556-M69 Modesto Ci\.

gliding innov;1tions. We

stock new and used \Xlills, Airwave and Moyes gliders, PLUS all rhe ho/lest new harnesses. Trade-ins arc wclcornc. Take a flight oil our amazing new VIRTlJAJ, REALITY hang gliding /light simulator! I 116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas (ne111· .\'11n Jose) CA 9503'i. (lt08) 2621055, Ltx (li08) 2(12- 1388, MSC! !C:~1laol.co111 www,h;1ng-·gliding.co1n

FLY AWAY I li\NC GL!DINC/l'ARACLlll!NC Sama Barham. Tammy Bmcar (805) 692-9908.

TIIF l !ANG GLIDING CENTFR l.ocared in hea111ifol San l )iego. I lang gliding and paragliding insrrnction, sales and service, conducted at TORREY !'INES and Ioctl mountains. Spend your winter vaca tion /lying with LIS. Demo ot1r line of' gliders ,111d cqnip, rnrnt ,u the convenient and world famous TORREY PINES. We proudly olfrr !CARO (LAMINAR ST), MOYES (SX), WILLS WING (XC) and all kinds of' srnff. Makers oft he DROGUE CIIUTF. 2181 Cl,arles W,1y, Fl Cajon ( :A 92020, (Ii 19) li6 l -1 li/i I. I !!Cl I Al lVFNTURF I lang gliding, paragliding school. Equipment sales, service, rc1H;1]...., .it Southern California's mile high site, Crestline. USJ !CA lnstrnnor Rob McKenzie. By appointment year ronnd. (')()')) 8Wl-8li8B, www.cce.org/lms/high _adventnrc·

1.00l<OUT MOUNTAIN FLICHJ' PARK-~ Sec ;1d 1111dL'.r Ccorgia. Nearest mountain uaining center to Orlando (only 8 homs).

NO

BUNNY...

TlIE HILL WITH IT! ·rorrey Pines San Diego CA Since 1928 lli\NC C:LIDINC: AND PARAC:f.lDTNC: USI JC;\ ccrti/Jed illslruction, tandem flight insrrncfion, sales, service, repairs, parachute rqx1cks, and site tours. San l)iL'go's world class soaring cctHcr. Vis;1 and Mastercard accepted. Call ((,I')) li52-')858 or check us

J ,;\'s W!NDSPORTS since 19'7/i. hftecn minutes Crom I.AX. Central to Sylmar, Crestline, Elsinore and training sites. Vacation training, flying and glider sales including lodging and rentals. The most popular gliders and cqL1ipt11c111', new and used in stock. Trade in yorrr old cquipmem. 325 sunny days each year. Come fly with us! IG lli5 Victory lllvd., Van Nuys Ci\ '! HOG. (8 l il) 98il-O I I l, Fax (818) 98il- I 8G2..

DICIMlllR I 99B

lJSJ !CA ORT!FIFD TANDEM INSTRUCTION

By Crcgg McNamcc. Acrotow !raining & ratings. l )calcr for all major flight and ,1,·rotow cqnipmcnt, l. ·j homs fi'Oln Disncyworld. Call Cl52) 21i5,826J. gray bi re IG"praxis. net

WE I !AVE The most advanced trainillg program known ro hang teaching yon in lial( the time it takes on the training· BUNNY HILL, and wirh more inflight air tinre. YES, WE CAN TLACH YOU FASTER AND SAFER. For ye,1r-ronnd training /,m in the stm, call or write Miami I Lrng ( ;liding (305) 2.85,89'78. 2550 S llayshorc Drive, Coconut Crc,vc, l'lorida :n 13:l.

us

st\\\ onl'I

.NEW Grl~1rcAPPAREL

~

"ov 100% pre runk cotton glacier blue natural

$35.00 #HSS

21bs.

Apparel sizes LARGE & XL

HENLEY FLE LONG SLEEVE "scenic" embroidered oversized extra heavyweight l 00% pre-shrunk cotton natural navy

$35.00 #HHEN 2tbs.

WRAP-AROUND T

screened wrap-around design gliders on front & back 100% pre-shrunk cotton glacier blue sage navy mocha

$18.00 #HWR

embroidered low profile "scenic" khaki "oval" forest green

$15.00 #HCAP lib.

lib.

pique "scenic" embroidered extra heavyweight 100% cotton glacier blue black ash juniper

$26.0

#HP ltb.

~

NG SLEEVE T

"oval" embroidered mock neck extra heavyweight 100% pre-shrunk cotton glacier blue juniper oxford

$24.00 #HLS

lib.

EAGLE SWEATSHIRT

EAGLET

front design l 00% pre-shrunk cotton natural glacier blue $32.00 #HESS 2lbs.

front design l 00% pre-shrunk cotton black sage glacier blue $15.00 #HET lib.

USA SHIPPING l lb add !4.00 21bs add 4. 75 3-4lbs add 5.50 5-61bs add 6.00 More than 6/bs, or an

Inn order, call/fax/email.

Visa & rwc Accepted

SUNT

back design USHGA logo on left front

100% pre-shrunk cotton oatmeal glacier blue ash

$15.00 #HSUN

lib.

USHGA PO Box 1330 Colorado Springs CO 80901 1-800-616-6888 www.ushga.org fax (719) 632-6417

IIAWAll BlRDS I~ PARADISE I fang gliding & ultralight nying 011 Kauai. Certified tandem instruction. (808) 8?.2· 5:309 or (808) 639- 1067, birdip(crlaloha.nct www.birdsi1,paradisc.c.om

!LLlNOIS IIANC; Cl.lDINC SERVICES Acrotowing thrn Prairie Soaring at I.eland Airport, I hom west of Chicago. 'I 'andcm instrnnion. Airport (81 5) 495-282.1, home (815) 7/i I -2?.50,

FLOf~IDA The Acrotow Flight Park Satisfaction Cuaranrccd

QUF.ST /\JR SO/\RIN(; CENTER Yom vacation hang gliding location. (.'l52.) 4?.9-07. n. E1x (357.) IJ29 · 081(). Visit our website at: www.qucstairf(:>rcc.com or

JUST 8 MlLFS FROM DISNEY WORLD • YEAR ROUND SOARING • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEFK • POUR TUGS, NO WAITING • EVERY DlRECTION

email us: qucst:1ir~i's1111dial.11c1 GEORGIA Cl.OUDBASE HARNESSES & F.XXTAC!FS ad under"[ larnesscs".

Sec

RAVEN SKY SPORTS

01?.) 360-0700 or (IJH) 90 minutes from best instrnctors, the Elgin, Palatine or best equipment, the results in the midwesr.

Training program for combincd/imcgratcd foot launch and aerotow ccrri!Jc:1tion. Apply I 00 10, of' your intro lc.sson costs to ccrtil!Cation progra1n upgrade! Please sec our ad under WISCONSIN. INDIANA

50+ NfCF demos to fly: Topless to Trainer Clidcrs: Laminar, Moyes, Wills, Airborne, Airwave, Fxxracy, Millennium Supcrfloarcr :111d more;

R1\ VEN SKY SPORTS - · (Ii I Ii) li73-8800. Please sec our ad nnder Wisconsin. hrad<rllh:rnggliding.corn KANSAS

aLi.o harnesses, varios, etc.

l'RAIRI F I !ANG GI.lDERS ~ - Full service school & dealer. Great tandem insnuction, towing & X(: packages. Cl 16) J7S-7.99'i, kcnncyv1>pid.com

Ages 13 To 73 have learned to fly here. ~o one comes close to om level of"cxpcrience aml success with tandem acrorow insm1c1io11.

A GREAT SCENE H)R Pi\Mll.Y AND FRIENDS ...

Ml'.XlCO

10 motels & restamants wirl1in 5 mins., c:1111ping, hot showers, shade tTccs, sales, storage\ ratings) XC retrievals, great weather, climbing wall, tr:unpoline, DSS TV, ping pong, liungcc swing, picnic rnblcs, .swimming pool, etc.

Flights of over l 67 miles and more than 7 homs.

Articles in H1m7. G!idin7., Kitplmu:s, Skywing1, Cross Counlry and others. Feat med on numerous TV shows, . including FSPN?..

Visit us on the Web: http://www.wallahy.com Please call rn for rcfrrcnccs and video.

1805 Dean Still Road, Disney Arca, i:I. 33837 (941) 4?.4-0070 phone & fox

I -800-803-'77B8

FULi. 110( )J(... lJ]'S Laundry, propane, recreation room. 1 -8()().803-'7788.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN Pl.fCl IT !'ARK Sec om display ad. Discover why FOUR TIMES as many pilots cam their wings at l.ookour than at :my other school! We wrote lJSHCA's Official Trnining Manual.

Our specialty-customer s:Hisfact ion and fitn with rhc BEST FACILITIES, largest inventory, campillf\, swimming, volleyball, more! For a flying trip, intro flight or lesson pack:1ges, J.ookont Mo111J1ain, omside ( :ha11:111ooga, your COMPLETE cen· tcr. Info? (800) 688,LMPP.

Conservative• Reliable• Srme of rite /\rt F.H.C. JNC:./Fl.YINC FLORIDA SfNC:I' 1974 Malcolm Jones, Ryan Clover, Carlos llcssa Jeff Schmick, [ .auric Croft, Frie Curr Tom lbmseur, Roger Sherrod

HANG GLIDING

I

f

•

PAf<AGLIDING

BFAUTIFUI. VAi.LE DF

MICHIGAN CI.OUD 9 SPORT AVIATION Aerotow specialists. Clidcrs, equipment and la1111cl1 can kits available.

Call for foll/wimcr tandem lessons :rnd flying appoint· ments with the Draachcnl'licgcn Soaring Club at Cloud 9 field. 11088 Coon Lake Road West, Webberville Ml /i88')2.

(517) 223-8683. ( :loud9sa<rrlaol .rnm h 11 p:// mcm bers.,101.com/ clo11d 9sa

new equipment here.

BUNKHOUSE

bargains in our classified

W/\RM & COMH)RTABI.E 32 b11nks, hot show·· crs, open all year, 24 hour self registration. 1-800-80:l· 77881

HANC Gui )INC

NEW YORK

NORM LESNOW'S FLYTN(; ADVENTl:RFS Since 1')78. Experience & '1rc 111. Presenting the turbo dragonfly. lntrodm:tory """ fi,11 range of lesson prngr;rnis for hcginncr to advanced. J\cro\O\V clinics & lJSIIC:1\ "PPropriate ratings available. l1Sfl(;1\ ccrtii°icd school. !'lease· cont:1C1 Norm Lesnow Masicr Pilo1, Examiner, Advanced Tandem ln:.,tructor, Tow /\dllliniqr;uor. (2/i8) _){J<J.9,i_)j,

FULI.-TIME school. www.Scrio11sSports.com nlfo(jilj LI no.cot n TRI\ VERSF CITY l JANC CUDFRS/PARAGUD ERS FlJLLTIME shop. Cerrilicd instruction, foo1 laullch ,rnd tow. S:dcs 1 service, accessories for ALL

m:1jor hrands. VISi\/MASTERCARD. Come soar our 1i'SO' dunes! 150') L Kth, Traverse Ml /i')(,8/;.

Olfcring powen:d paragliding lessons <'>I f,,,. new & used units, i11d11di11g the \'1./hisper ,rnd il,c Fly. ( :all Bill al ((i IG) 922.281ili, 1changglider&iljuno.con1. Visit our p:tragliding school in Jackson, \Xlyoming. Call Tracie :11 (:lO'!) 7.\'J .. 8(,:W.

;\;\;\ FI.IClfl SCI lOOL MOUNTAIN WINGS, [NC.-22 years cxperienc,·, lirll time/year round. Full service shop, Ii training :ircas and a li,'iOO' tow licld. \)(/inch and aero 1mvlng, t;mdcms and 1wo-placc training. We sell: .'vfillcnni11111, Fxxlacy, Airwavc, 1\l1air, Moyes, J\cms, trikes. Woody Valley harness in stock. Save us aho111 flying the rnou1Hai11 ,11 a discrnrnt. We do it all and we won't be undersold. ('JI Ii) <,,;7.3377 WWW.fl,[Gl/TSCJ 1001..NET, rnr:1il MTNWINGS«1lAOL.COM or visit us at 1'iO ( :a,r:d Street, Fllc11ville NY I 21i2S. Sulcs, st:rvicc, EJ.I.ENVllLF FUGHT PARK US! Jc;t\ cenil,c:d i11s1n1c1io11. Dc:1lcr !or i\lRBORNF, I.A MOlJFTTE TOPLESS, APCO, UK DISCOV FRY, i11stru111cnts, accessories. 80 Hang ( ;Jidcr Road, l·:Jknvillc NY 12128. C:,Jl Tony Covelli or J:rne, phone/fox ('J 1Ii) <Ar- I 008.

ILY I !IC!! l lANC CLIDINC, INC:.

Serving S. New York C:onncc1irn1, Jersey :1rcas (Fllcnvillc 1\11111.) /\rea's EXCI.USJVE Wills Wing ,lc:ikr/spccialist. i\lso :ill oth('f ni;ijor hr,1nd..,, ,1ccvssorics, CcnifiL·d scliool/ins1niciio11. Teaching since !9/lJ. J\rca\ mos!

INEXl'FNSlVF prices. Excellc111 secondary ins1rt1< tintt. .. if' you've fl11islwd il program ;mt\ wi.-,h lo CO!Hin 11c. Fly 1hc 111011otai11' Al\)!

T:111dc111 llightsl

I C,.l

C:on1:1c1 Paul NY 12'i(,C,, ('Jl!i)

USI ICA UJMBl:R Rl\lFR I //\NC CI.IDINC cerrificd instruction, winch towing, ctuthorizcd Will:.

Wing dealer. I,11nrbeno11, N(: (910) (i 18 9700.

PENNSYJ .VANJA 1\ FROTOWINC Pl I I LA DEi.Pl I II\ DR/\ CON· l'l.I l'.RS 1 T:111dem, foo1 l:rnnch II: paragliding in.s1rne1ion ((,JO) 5)71(187.

1

MOUNTAIN TOP l,J:C:Rl'J\l!ON Certilicd instrucrirnr, l'itt.shurgh. (li12) /C,7fi8iP.. C'MON OUT AND Pl.I\ Y! MOUNTAIN WINC:S

Look under New York.

PUERTO RICO

FLY PUFRTO RTCO !'cam Spirit I lang l lC cl.1.s.sc.s d:1ily, 1:1ndcm insrruction availahk.

Wing dealer. ( ;[idn rentals for qua lilied pilots. PO Box 978, l'unta S:1111iago, l'ueno Rico 007ii 1. (lB/) SSO O'i08.

TF.NNFSSFF CIOUDBASE I li\RNFSSl'S & EXXTAC!ES

Sec

;1d undvr ''l lanws:.vs",

Rd, !'inc Busl,,

MINNESOTA RA VI N SKY SPOlffS (612) .lliO 1800 or (Ii 1/i) !i?.l-8800. !'lease sec our ad under WISCONSIN. NEVi\DJ\ i\DVFNTURF SPORTS

Sierra so:1ring !Ours and

S\JSC)\JFI IJ\NN1\ FLIC:I IT !'ARI< . C:oopcrs1own, NY. ( :vriified I mt ruction, Sales and Service for all major m:11J11i,1cturcrs. ,i() acre park, training hills, jeep rides. bunk house, hor showers, (,()O' NW rid1•,e. \Ve have the best in N. New York state to teach yn11 how to Cly. c/o Dan Cuido, !\ox '),').J Shocm.ikn lZd, Mohawk NY 1:liiO/, (:31 'i) 8MA, 15.l.

1Lrng 1'.l1,din1,/1>:1ra1,l1dinr: US! IC/\ insrrucrion. Sales li,11 service shop f,rr Altair, i\irwavc, 1\loyes, US i\cros, Wills .l(,'50-22 Fcscarclr Way, Carson City, NV (7();)) il8:l-/070 J)IHmellax, crn:1il: a<111s1,,1s~''pyranll<i.nct web site: http:/ /www.pyramid.net/advspts

NOR.Tl f Ci\ROUNA

111\WI< J\IRSPORTS INC I' 0. Box 'J05G, I<nonilk, TN 37<),i().(J())(,, (/il..l) 71 )./i')')ii. I l:1Jtg ( ;Jiding and world L11nons Wind.sob. l.OOl(OUT MO\JNTi\lN l'IICl lT l'i\RK

Sec

;1d tmtkr ( ;corgia.

Fl~r;;htPark

TFXJ\S AUSTIN J\IR SPORTS lNC. C:enilied foot bunch, i-ow & tandem training. Sales/service, .Steve & Ired Blllns WlNDFMERl' (B:30) (i'>:J 'i805. I lOlJS· TON (7,81) li/1-1188. 1\11sti11i\irv1>aol.com

l.J\S VFCAS AlRBORN W1\TERSPOlffS I Jang & paragliding tours, lessons, sales, service. (702) WW\V. vi rt t1all1tJsts. n<·t/ sl<ysa ii/ 111;1 i 11. !1 t 111 NEW JERSEY MOUNTAIN WINCS

CO ... l li\NC Cl.lll!NC'!!

Jeff l I11nt, /i8 I I Red Hivcr S1., Austill Texas 787'i I. Ph/fox (512) !i(,7 257,') jcfl(ltlflyrcxas.com

Look under New York.

NFWMFX!CO MOlJNTJ\IN WLST fli\NC CI.IJJINC i'arn1ing1on's only li,11 service school :11Jd \'(!ills Wi11g de,1kr. O(]cring tow and tandem /tights. ('i05) G.l2· 8/ili.l.

UI' OVFR NFW MEXICO

lnstruction, sail's, sn· vic-c. S,111di,1 1\1louniai11 guides. \Xlills, /\irwavc. i\lb11q11crqnc, NM ('i05) 82 J -8'i/i/i.

TANDFM INSTRUCTION

i\FROTOWINC l'i\Ri\CIIUJNC MOUNTi\lN C:l.JNICS • l'OOT Li\lJNCI I , Ol'EN YEAI/. ROUND BEJ\C:I J RFSOlff • EQ\JIPMENT SJ\IES i\ND SFl,VICI'.

• BU;\ I TOWINC

(800) l111cnw11\ddrcs,: lr1rp://www.ki11yhawi<.com

r Mail Address: lia111,i:l1,.lcv1 'rn1tcr·l);11]J(S.(·onr DICIMBIR 199B

1111.1. COUNTRY l'i\Ri\Cl!DINC INC I.cam complete pilot skilk Personalized USHC;\ certified training, ridg,: soaring, f(H>t & tow in ccnrr;1l Texas. MOTORIZFD Pi\RJ\GUDINC TlON & FQlJlPMFNT AVJ\11.ABLF. ('JI'>) l!'l· 1185. Rt I, !\ox I<,I', Tow TX 7B(,/7-.

KITE ENTERPRISES

Foot hunch, platrorlll

lau11ch and acrotow instnictlon too. Training, sales,

rentals and repair. J\irwaw & Wills llall:is, hnt Won Ii and nort Ir Texas ,rrea. I I i\llrn TX ;'5002. (9;2) :J')() 90')0 nights, weekends, www.kltc···ct1tl'rt)riscs.C<)Jl1

59

ifi TOTAi. AIR Sl'ORTS - Area's OLDEST Wills \)(ling dealer. Ccnificd instrnction av,tilahlc. "l only DEAi. with WJLLS". 635/i l.imesronc, I !ouston TX 77092. (71 l) 9566 Iii?

PARTS & ACCESSORIES AEROTOWING ACCESSORIES - Sec TOWIN(;, TIIE Wi\Ll.i\BY RANCH (94 I) li21i-0070.

UTAH UTAI-l'S ONLY FULL SERVICE Paragliding "nd bang gliding shop and scl,ool. We offer AM and PM lessons seven days a week. We arc dealers for all manufacturers. Creal new and used equipment. We teach at the famous "Point o( the Mountain." Free camping where yon learn. Great discoum bargain lodging or

IIEAVYDlJTY, WATERPROOF PVC --- Full 1/10 zipper, $ I0/ ppd. XC:-C:a1110 or white. 115 ,.i1iper $(,5 ppd. C1tn11ison Clidcrs, l 5/i') Connty Road 17, Cnnnison CO 81230. (970) Gli l-')315.

accommodations. Cuidc services, rnmmtain

tours, site ini,wrnmion. Affordable classes. For a free inl,mnation package, ctll roll free l ,8g8-9/i4-'H3.3, email l-!BC3ti'\1ol.eom, fax (801) 576 6182, 12G55 S Minuteman Dr., Draper UT 84020.

WASATCH WINGS Utah's only foll service hang gliding school, Point of the Mountain, monnrain sites, rowing. Dealer for i\cros, Wills Moyes, Airwavc and mnch more. Call Zac (BO I 57(i .. () J 12, wingstii'wasarch.com

BEST 12" Wl!Fl'l.S AVA!LABI.F Super tough, lightweight, a must for tandem llying. llui\1.. i11 bushi11gs. 011ly l1SJ\-·b11il1 wheel. $12.')5, qtt'1Illity discoums. Immediate delivery. l ,ookom Mottntai11, (800) G88-l.MFP.

www.w,1satcl1.co1n/ ,,,,wi11gs

VIRCINTA

HlC! l PF.RSPECTIVF Wl ll'.H.S Real lifr savers!

12", light, tough. !'its all Send $11.95 + $/i.50 shipping per pair to Sport Aviation, PO \\ox 101, Mingovillc PA l 6856. Ask ,1bmtt om dealer prices.

High qu.1lity instrnction, equipment supplies, Clider Savers. C:all Steve cell ('5/iO) li80-Yi38.

KITTY 11/\WK KITES

~ Sec North Carolina.

Cerri/Jed instruction and SlLVFR WINCS, INC. equipment sales. (7(l:l) 533 1965 Arlington VA.

BRAND NFW /\IRMIC $65. By NAS (the one th'1t works.) Nor for [(enwooc!. Talk and hear thru car, PTT switch. (:l03) 34T8')95.

WISCONSIN RAVEN SKY SPORTS lli\NC; CLID!NG AND Pi\Ri\GLlDlNG The midwest's Premier aerorow flight park, founded in 1992. Featuring INTEGRAT ED !NSTRUCTJON of foot-launch and acrotow tandem skills, at package prices to beat Seven beamiful, grassy training hills directions. !'our Dragonfly row planes, no Three tandem gliders on wheeled undercarriages.

Falcons for rraining from rhc very first lessons. USU/\ ultralight and tug instmction. Paragliding tows. Free camping. Sales/service/accessories fr,r all brands. Open 7 days a week. Contact Brad Kushner, PO Hox l O I, Whitewater WI 53190 (Ii H) li?.l-8800 phone, (Ii IIi) li73-8801 fax, www.hanggliding.com, brad<iz)hanggliding.cotn

Sell your unused equipment here.

MIN[ VARJO World's s1mllcst, simplest variot Clips to helmet or chinstrap. 200 ho11rs on batteries,().

18,000 Ii., fasr response and 2 year warnrnty. Crear for paraglicli11g too. ONLY $ l 69. Mal!ellec, 1'0 Box 15756, Sa11rn Ana Ci\, 927:35. ('li/i) <J(,(, .. J2/i0, MC/Visa accepted, www.rnallettec.co111 al pnll ri11g or (electric ignition $(i diameter cmistcrs $21 each ($/i3 ii purchased retail.)

This is the smoke Dan Buchanan nses in his 85 yearly exhibition Ir can he seen in use at lmp://users.ap.net/.-danh. Contact Dan (707) 887 <Jli l J danb«vap.ncl C[l'TS & TROPHIF.S Unique, n1111s11al & creative hanp, gliding related gifts and trophies. l'rcc catalog!

Soaring Dreams, 1171(, Fairview, l~oisc i<l:i\10 83713.

classifieds

20

(208) l76-7914.

60

HANC GIIDINC

BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT

VIDEOS & Fil.MS

!'OR SAi.i·: Arizona hang gliding business. Yea, rrnrnd lcssn1Js/s:1lcs serving Phoenix/T1tcso11. J\11 willd directions ma11-m:1dc trainer hill 011 rcn acres, plus access to mot1111ain sites) gianr shop & srock. First Y)K or best ofkr, (602) 8')/71}1.

l'IRST PI.[(;J-JT h,llows the action 0L1 new pilot's first lessons. · l'hi., vidl:o is an way to show your li-icnds and family how you le:1111 10 lly.

VI IS I minutes. $20 includes shipping (m11y h,, apptird 10 /rsson p11rrl111sr 1). MISSION SOARINC Cl•:NTER, 111 C, Wrigley Way, Milpitas C/1 ')50:l'i. (ii Oil) 2(,2 · I 055.

WANTED - C:cnif'icd hallg gliding instructor. l.11111her Rivel I fang C:liding, L11111berton, NC (') I 0) 618-')700.

The world-class XCR 180 operates ttp to 3 hours (jil/8,000 Ir. and only /ill,. Complete kit with cannula and rcmolt' on/oH

SMALL l lFLMlcTS lktler overstock on s1mll/xs kevlar lid! focc helmets. 2'i'Yi, oi/l Raven Sky Spons (Ii I Ii) liTi-8800. l,raM11lt:mggliding.com

TEK FIJ(;JJT PRODUCTS

WANTED I Ling Cliding/Paragliding instructors.

Irnrnediatc hi!! tilllc openings avai!ablc. Live the C:,lif'ornia dre:,m .. instrnct stndcnts 111 rhe San I :r;:rncisco Itiy ;1JT;1 's prcn1i,T site. Service shop for Pat Dc1H'van employment is al~o av:1ibhlc. (li08) H,l I O'i'i. MSC! IC:(1\10Lco111 www.lu11g·-gliding.com l'llllUCATIONS & ORGJ\Nl!.ATIONS CAI.I. US! IC:1\ !'or a l,11111, horn Ihe early //i111,~ c;/idi11g (71 ')) (,52.-8:JOO.

CRFFN l'OINT FIYEll.S - NEW !'ROM FAST COAST VIDEO! lwst vidt:o 10 date. Shot Michigan coast , fi·om eight :,long the '.\00 111ilc JI) anitn:itions and some different sites. great morphing you h,1vc to ~cc. ) l minn1cs of hang gliding, p;1ragtiding, motorized t11g ('v..' st,1ti( lowinf~, motorized mosquito, , and Buckeye's powered parachute. ! Iumorous training

mmmis

shot~, great air to ;1i1

and much more.

Video $.,2.00 high qu:,lity, alld stereo. Anybody interested in lite aircraft, tlii:-; video is a musr! Send check or money order, +$3 shipping 10: East Coa-;t Vicl,·o, 80 F. I i11coln, M11.skcgon Jv11 ii')iili!i. ((,1(,) Tl'J-Sl(1i. other Point of' the Mountain, is :,!so for $2').)

wheds Ctmcr:i mount $/i8.'-i0. C1mcr,t remote {:tsk aho1tt 6" wheels $)9.7'i, rebate) $,j'j_ Vario mo1<llt $1 S&J I i11cll1dcd. TEK Fl .IC! IT Products, C:olchrook Stage, Winsted C:T O(,()')iL 01 call (B60) j;<J-1668.

F111ail: tck(iilsnct.tH'l or our page: h It p://1ncrn\,c-rs. t ri\J<Hl .rnni/ -·teldligh1/i11dcx.h1 ml

BAC IT! rr VOii don't have your copy or Dennis l',1gcn's PERl'ORMANCE fl.YIN<; yet, available tlrnmgli US! IC:A I kadqu:,nns $2').')'i (1$'5.50 s&h /,". l/PS/l'riori1y /Vlail delivery). lJSI ICA, Jl() Box 1.l.lO, ( :olorado Springs ( :c) 80')0 I. I- 800-(, I(1-6888 WW\V,tL'ihga.org

SOARINC Montlil)' 111agazinc of The So:iring Society o( Allwrica, Inc. Covers :,I/ aspects nC soarini; lliglit. ht!l rnunbcrship $'i5. !11!,1. kit with s:,mplc copy $',. SSA, P.O. Box F, Hohhs, NM 882/i I. ('i05) 392 I IT/ TOWING

llON'T CET C:AUCIJT LI\Nll!NC DOWN WIND! oz. ripwip nyloll. LJV trc:,tcd, 5',j" w/11" 1hro:,1. Availahlc colors lfoorescc111 ptr1k/•vellow or lluorescrnt pi11k/whitc. $3').9'i (,M.7'i S/11) ..\rnd to lJSI fCA Windrnk, P.O. Box l.l \0, Colorado Springs, C:() BO')() I- I :J:\0, (/I'!) G.l:? 8100, fox (71 ')) (di. <,Ii I ushg:,v11t1shga.org VISA/MC ;icccplcd. Check our web site vvww.11s'.1ga.org

DICTMBII< 199/l

AFROTOWfN(; AU :FSSORIES I lcadquartcrs /,,,-: The l111es1 r,·le:,scs, secondary rclc:,scs, Spectra "V" bridles, weak links, r,rndcm wheels, hunch cart kits, clc.

Tl!F WJ\Ll.ABY RANC!l (9/i I) /i24--0070.

CLOUD 9 SPORT AVIATION l lang gliding cq11iprncnt and :icrornwing acccssorie.'>. Lnmcl1 carts $'i00, kit.s t.150. (7/i8) 887 Ii I(, ( :1011d'J~At!oa,1l.c,0111

'NEW' AFRONAUTS l!ANC (;L!])JNC MASTERS, hy Photographic Expeditions. ;\ don1me111ary of hang gliding today. Suped1 Coot:,ge, graphics & interviews. Thi'i i~ the video you slio\v your family and fi·icnds liJ 111in $2'J.')'i.

CREEN POlN J' PIYFRS by East C:o:,st Video. fly :,nything in Michig:,n. Entertaining, great SOmi11, $32.00 PARTY AT CLOlJDBASF A hang gliding music video hy Adventure Productions $1 l).9S. llJ\NG Gl.!DlNG EXTREME & BORN TO FLY hy Adventure Productions, great hg auio11 $J/i.()) ea cl 1.

IJAWAIIAN Fl.YIN liy Sp,icc 9, so:,rin1\ in paradise, ;\mazing b11ncl1e~ $.).).00 C:tll USJJC;A (71')) (,:\28.lOO, C1x (71')) Ci3261i17, em:,il: usll1g,11!"11sl1J,;1.01-p,, or order off our web page add ,$Ii domestic s/h (1 $5 f," two or more videos). ( ;real to impress your friends or 1,,r those socked-in days. Pcric'ct gii't f,,r the l:nmch 1

potato !urned couch pou10. /\)so, nsk 11s ahom our p;1raglidi11g videos!

SPEED GUDlNG: TEAR UP THE SKJES By Adventure Prod11ctions $2/i.95 Covers rhe speed gliding contest in KC1mloo1,s, British Columbia and then onto Telluride, Colorado. SupcriN graphic animation, great carncra angles. 21J mim11c.s TELLURIDE SPEED GLJDING: By Tatum Productions $19.95. Complete coverage of this cvcrn.

The sound of the gliders passing through the control is totally awesome. 33 minures US HCA (71 ')) 6:l?. 8300, fax (71 632-G/i 17, order from 011r web site www.llshga.org. add I $fi s/h in the US/\.

From the first Telluride Festival in 1')81, to the modern day freestyle of rhis GJ2

-I !ANG GLIDING CHRlSTMAS CARDS Old black :tnd white $IO per dozc11, $18 for 2 dozen, $.'l3 f,,r 50, or for I 00. (Plus 1O'Yr, for ship· 011 the 11ct: lnup:/ 1'1rn.:rnl1cr,,.l!'ipod.con,c/.-;\Ct\:.ati·onl' 111ekx. I11111l or send scll-a,1drcss,xl su1mped for an assortment sclec· tion sheet ro: TEK FUGHT Colebrook Stage, Wi11stcd c1· 060')8. Call i11 y011rordcr (860) 379.. 1668.

Cl./\SSU'lED ADVERTISING RATES The rate /or classi/kd advertising is $.50 word (or of characters) and $ l.00 per word bold or caps. M INlMlJ MAD CHARGE $5.00. /\ !,·c of $15.00 is chmged for eacl1 line art logo and $25.00 for each photo. LINFART & Pl JOTO SIZE NO LARGER THAN 1.75" X 2.25". Please underline wmds ro be in hold print. of tabs $25.00 column inch. Phone rn1m,,n ..,L words. Frn:1il or ,iddress-3words. /\D DEADl.INES: All ad copy, instructions, changes, addirions a11d cancellations mmt he received in writing 1• months preceding the cnvcr date, i.e. Dcccmhcr 20th for the issue. Please make checks payable to USI !CA, Box 1.'l:lO, Colorndo CO 80')0 I 13.'lO, (71 ')) 6.'32 8300. !':ix (719) 17 m email: cLissi!ied wid1 your Visa or ADVERT!SlN(; ON OUR WEB PAGE. WWW.OSHG/\.ORG

site

MTSCELTANEOUS

Adventure Productions ...................... 36 of Attack ................................. 62

Arai Design ......................................... 7 Ball Varios, ............... ,........................ 3/i Braunigcr .......................................... 15 Flytcc ................................................ 23

Hall Bros ........................................... 4/i High Encrb'Y ,)pun., ............................ u lcaro .................................................... 5

Full color 23"x 31" ing John Heiney what Ire docs best-LO(WJN( ;! /\v'1ilable through HQ for s/h). Fill that void on your wall! ro Acrobatics Poster, PO Box I:lOO, Colorado Springs CO 80933. (USA &. Canada only. Sorry, posters arc NOT /\ V/\JL/\Bl.F on intcrn:1tional orders.) SPECIJ\J,. /\crobatics & Vric Raymond postcr-1\0TH H)R $10

VIDEOS BOOKS & POSTERS Call USl·IC/\ fo1 your Merchandise order form (719) n.,L·o.,u•,;, 11shgaQlushga.org, or check our wch DON'T LEAVE YOlJR GROUND-HOUND EQUIPMENT SITTING IN THE GARAGE. SFl.L TT IN THE HANG GI.IDING Cl ASSIFll-'.DS.

62

Just rt\• ................................................. ,., Lookour Mtn. Flight Park .............. 2,21 Masradon Mojo's Gear ...................................... 35 Moyes .............................................. A3 Ncilsen .. Kellerrnan ............................ 43 North Wing ...................................... 42 Personal Flight .................................... 9 Sccdwings ....... ,.................................... 9 Sky Dog Publications ....................... .20 Skyhigh Publishing ........................... IIi Sporr Aviation Publications ............... 35 U.S. Acros .................................... 15,29 USI-JGA ..... I0, 11,£..,J,,.JIJ,.J/ , ..,.,,.....,, JL.. , J\J,.J 1 Wills Wing .................... .4/i,B:ick Cover l lANC CUDINC

~y Dan Johnson PAUL, MINN. to Lookout Mountain Flight in (~arly '130,;, r cJ ;;hop and ~;chool cal.lEc,d Crys1:iJ.l /\.ir Sports. or when came: l.o Fle l:ook over already--we] J -known and quickJy proved l:o be a wor1·hy competi Kightec.,n l:c0r hi show,; U1e 0

propor Li on.s. ancl

Lookout· operation

Look

emp] oyment

from

anywhere ou l: wes r_, or anyplace Europe. If a more dove.loped fl_ iqh l: , l 'm not aware it. l\ "Good ducc, to 'I'abcJr, C;1over, their ta WJ1j Jc: Robert Combs and hi~-; Waterg1idE;rs operat.Jon 9ets up anothc-)r hanq T'bankc, t.o American A.irl:ine,,;' on-board maqa :d nc J Brock Meadow:; (no on to Yoo-,31tqa Gli'J). Brock runs Splash Water Spo:r:ts on St, Thooas, USVI c"mp1oyLng an Italian

with Mal coJm

(brand)

On my I:, Cl Logqc,d a coupk, in norl:h becoming qui tc, comforta_h] with and CJiJVe me U·ie; royal tour of the pl.ace, al thouqh t:lwy cou 1dn ' :rLqrit ,;ome of Uie park' l:oo much mountain J_aunch manufac t:nrinrJ, of and tow operci\- Lon, manufacturinq hang q I .i dc;r and Machine capped o if wl tl.i tru.l.y impressive lodg:i.ng cleverly "We, 've qoL '50 workinq bat.hrooms in Landlng Jlc doesn' mean L,1rc1e: bal:hhouse available, with generous

n,

powered ultJaUqht. rubbeY

Splash a l'i-mLnuL:e flight ca1 Caribbean i_,_;Jand:; St:. 'I'bomas and St: CJ ohn. can take contro] bar wi L:h his rrnp0c·rvisio11. ·rrue, many IIG purists d.on't th:i nk powered tri_ke flyinq hang qlidinq... and 't. Bul: it' than mo,;t aircraft, and l·ourists qoL a qood taste the we f:eel. Headed ~;outh for the, winter? Info: 31\Cl TL'J-3] 7.2.

Of course, you ::,ky Gods proba.bly don't want l:o go f:lyinq. Maybe you ' LJ want soar:i.nq soutb of border'? I time mentioned Jeff Hunt's GO ...

Jiang CJ Ldinq.

Flymexico group has put togel:.her i:l LJ line of W:i 1:ls Winq hang gliders your 1--0 j Valle de Bravo, tha I: pre.mi er :c,itc frequc nl:ed by north of the border r,ongti mer Ole Olson 1-_our group,:; for February and March. But you ~;hould check qood time s1oU_; wc,re aJready fi IJinq up "We secinq of .inl:ere.sl: from the:· l/K, " nC?ports Hun!:.. Variom; ava.ilablc.

U00-861-7198 or check W\/1\/1. f Jymexico. com. year wiLh qood news from Winq. qianl. l1as reduced pr.ices on ne Fus.ion topless model. You mu.st ordE"r from :inventory, whicJ-1 no custom colors but loU, of choice Tf you go for soon - thEC, deal December 15th you can buy a Fufd.on for under Live $4,975 be exact.

Custom colors add $300 and a foldLng ,_,peedbar (a non--fo1dinq standard).

0 ,

and

I ,ookorn

planned to grow t:o more l:han ahead.

On ot..her end of Glover' (no

Behind

overnight. :c;upply but 1:he

hand! clubroom, clubhouse, riqhl: at~ ::;bow 1he landj_ng z.one Lhe j nvc:s 1-_ment to brinq Park t:o enjoy dwelling rc2aJ

trike ts

0

st,::i 1.:emenl:.,

production.

'J'h(",Y

also

reminded

when Pearson won annua ·1 angle competition at Morningside Flight Park, t.hey 'd

foot wide. c:ondi U on s ti.mes, condi l:.i ons common llawk,

DICJMBFR l 99[l

of U1e 4 glide of 14 to 1. \tilow!

So, crot ncews or opinions'? Send 'em to il Dor.set:, 5:;i:. ['aul MN ':i'Sl1U. Vmail & to !l'i0-09:JO. ,Send e--maiJ to Cumu1usMan@ao1.com. ':J:'rjA_~J

6)

WHY ARE YOU WAITING TO MOVE UP TO THE HIGHER PERFORMANCE OF "TOPLESS" TECHNOLOGY?

f 11 5 Model

s

an Asp ect Rat i o Gl i d e r W ei ght P i lot Hook-i n W e ight Rang e Optimum Pilot Body W e ight

~

LLS~

•

I 141 33' 7.7 741bs 135- 220 140- 175

150 34 .1 ' 7.7 761bs 150-270 180- 225

Nti

Guality a i r c r a f t for e x c e p t i o n a l people.