USHGA Paragliding May/June 1999

PARAGLIDING • MAY!JUNE 1999

AIR MAIL

RATINGS

INCIDENT REPORTS

CLASSIFIEDS

USHGA DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

UNOFFICIAL STATE X-C D ISTA!\ICE RECORDS

by Ste-ue Roti

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

FLYING SITE.5:TORREY PINES, CALIFORNIA

by Richard Thompson, photos by Carl "Tank" Sb ire man

UPDATE RECREATIONAL GLIDER R.Evmv:THE NovA X-Acr ©1999 by Alan Chuculate, photos by Ma1J' Hobson

USHGA IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

by Cragin Shelton. sidebars by Phil Bacbman COVER: Soaring Torrey Pines, California in the late afternoon. Photo by Carl "Tank" Shireman.

See story on pa.ge 24.

T.EUUJUDE, COLORADO: A PARAGLIDING PARADJSE

by Scott MacLowry

DISClAJMER OF

WARRANTIES IN PUBUCATTONS: The maleriaJ presented here is published as part of an iaformatioo dissemination service for USllGA memben,. TI1e USHGA makes 110 warranties or rcpresencarion:. and assumes no liabilit)' cc,nccrning the validity of any :1dvicc, opinion or rccommendat i()n expressed i.n cite material. All individuals relying upon the material do so al their own risk.

Copyright © 1999 United Stntc::s Haug Glicling Assn .,

Inc. All rights reserved to Para,~lidfng and individual conlributors.

MAY/JUNE

1999

3

Gil Dodgen, Managing Editor/Editor-in-Chief Steve Roli, Contributing Editors Dave Pounds, Art Director Will Gadd, Dennis l'agen Staff Writers Office Staff

Phil Bachman, Executive Director, phbachman@ushga.org Jeff Elgart, Advertising, jjelgart@ushga.org Joanne Peterson, Member Services, rjpcterson@ushga.org Elaine Elgart, Web Administrator, emelgart@ushga.org Natalie Hinsley, Merchandise Services, njhinsley@ushga.org John Halloran, Administrative Direcior jghalloran@ushga.org USHCA Officers and Executive Committee: Gregg lawless, President Chris DuPaul, Vice President Russ Locke, Secreta,y Geoff Mumford, Treasurer

REGION 1: Bill Bolosky, Steve Roti. REGION 2: Russ Locke, Ray Leonard, Scott Casparian. REGION 3: Ken Baier, Tammy Burcar, Gregg Lawless. REGION 4: Mark Ferguson, Jim Zeiset. REGION 5: Frank Gillette.

REGION 6: Jeff Sinason. REGION 7: Bill Bryden.

REGION 8: Randy Adams. REGION 9: Pete Lehmann, Geoff Mumford. REGION 10: G.W. Meadows, Matt Taber. REGION 11: Dave Broyles. REGION 12: Paul Voight. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Paul Klemond, Paul Rikert, D,1n Johnson, Jan Johnson, Dennis Pagen. HONORARY DIRECTORS: Bob Hannah, John Harris, Steve Kroop, Larry Sanderson (SSA), Ed l'itman, Chris Dupaul, Gene Matthews, Lars Linde, Alan Chuculate, , Ken Brown, Rob Kells, David Glover, Michael Robertson, Greg DeWolf, Tracie Fifer-Welch. EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS: Art Greenfield (NAA).

The United States Hang Gliding Association Inc. is an air sports organization affiliated with the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) which is the official representative of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), of the world governing body for sport aviation. The NAA. which represents the U.S. at FAI meetings, has delegated to the USHGA supervision of FAl-related paragliding activities such as record attempts and competition sanctions.

PARAGLIDING magazine is published for paragliding sport enthusiasts to create further interest in the sport, and to provide an educational forum to advance paragliding methods and safety. Contributions are welcome. Anyone is invited to contribute articles, photos and illustrations concerning paragliding activities. If the material is to be returned, a stamped, self-addressed return envelope must be enclosed. Notification must be made of submission to other paragliding publications.

PARAGLIDING magazine reserves the right to edit contributions where necessary. The Association and publication do not assume responsibility for the material or opinions of contributors. PARAGLIDING editorial offices: 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Suite A-256, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, phone (949) 8887363, fax (949) 888-7464, e-mail: GilDodgen@aol.com.

The USHGA is a member-controlled sport organization dedicated to the exploration and promotion of all facets of unpowered ultralight flight, and to the education, training and safety of its membership. Membership is open to anyone interested in this realm of flight. Dues for full membership are $54.00 per year (of which $15 goes to the publication of Paragliding), ($65 non-U.S.); subscription rates only are $26.00 ($32 non-U.S.). Changes of address should be sent six weeks in advance, including name, USHGA number, previous and new address, and a mailing label from a recent issue.

PARAGLIDING (ISSN 1089-1846) is published bimonthly Uan./feb., March/April, May/June, July/Aug., Sept./Oc1., Nov./Dec.) by the United States Hang Gliding Association, Inc., 559 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Suite 101, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903-3657 (719) 632-8300. FAX (719) 632-6417. PERIODICAL POSTAGE is paid at Colorado Springs, CO and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO: PARAGLIDING, P.O. BOX 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330.

MAY/JUNE

1999

VOLUME

POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN UPDATE Dear Editor, Thank you very much for all the support the flying community has given us at Point of the Mountain. We asked for letters from folks concerned about our site being in jeopardy, and received over 220 letters by e-mail and 80 sent by mail! This is fantastic and shows real concern.

The letters made the difference! Our site is not "saved" yet, by we are well underway in resolving the land issues and everything looks like it will happen soon for the South Side. Now we are working to obtain more land for the landing area on the North Side, which will be developed in the next two or three years.

Anyone with a spare 1.2 million can speed up the resolution of our land problems ... Anyone?

Again, thank you from the entire Utah Hang Gliding Association. Anyone with questions about our progress or ideas or bucks can contact me at (801) 553-1834 or e-mail me at info@paragliders.com.

Steve Mayer President, UHGA MORE ON STANDARD CHUTEPACKING PRACTICES Dear Editor, In response to the letter about standard chute-packing practices from Bob Reich in the March/April issue of Paragliding, and with experience as an FAA parachute rigger, I'd like to make the following comments.

An emergency parachute is a necessary and important safety device. As such we hope not to use it, but when required it had better function properly. This is true for the acrobatic powered airplane pilot, sport parachutists (they have a "second" emergency chute), and hang glider or paraglider pilots. The repack procedures cannot be left to chance or an individual's whims. When a FAA rigger repacks a chute he or she is required to repack per the parachute container's and parachute

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ISSUE

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manufacturer's instructions. These requirements are, of course, mandatory per FAA regulations (the FAR's), and are applicable to licensed parachute riggers, FAA certified (TSO'ed) parachute containers and parachutes, and pilots using such equipment coming under FAA regulations such as aerobatics-certified airplanes or FAR Part 105 sport skydivers.

Paragliding enjoys a less regulated environment, but I would submit that the repacking and care of your emergency parachute is just as important if you must utilize it. The repack procedure is as published by the equipment manufacturer.

When I purchased my chute, I made sure to get these important instructions so I could either follow them myself or have them available for anyone repacking it.

I'm suggesting you do the same and record the repack date on the data card provided.

How often should you repack your chute? I think annually is reasonable, provided it hasn't gotten wet and has been stored under reasonable conditions when not in use. Wet chutes mildew, and chutes stored for long periods of time in hot car trunks tend to have disintegrated rubber bands, for example. The FAA requires certified chutes be repacked every 120 days (four months). However, now pending is a proposed FAA rule change to make it 180 days (six months) which is a common repack time around the world.

Furthermore, past studies by the Parachute Association International (PIA) indicate that frequent four- or six-month repack cycles may cause more wear and tear damage to the chute than a one-year repack cycle. The "if" in this debate is that the repack also involves an airing out and inspection of the chute and assembly, so how the container and chute are cared for or stored is a factor. For me, a oneyear repack cycle is reasonable, and it's done per the manufacturer's instructions.

Let's try not to have to use those emergency parachutes!

Paul Geddes FAA Senior Rigger Middleville, MI

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Fli ht Plan Errors

by USHGA Paragliding Accident Review Chairman Peter Reagan "There has been an alarming increase in the number ofthings I know nothing about. " -Anonymous everal years ago, when I was just a beginner, I hiked to the top of Dog Mountain in the Columbia Gorge with two friends. I had actually been up there on five prior occasions but the wind had always been much too strong. That day was a little better. The launch faces southwest, and the wind wasn't wiggling the trees too much. The waves on the river, 3,000 feet below, were from the east, and just big enough to cap. The wind in the trees behind us was backwards too, but we were in a gentle rotor. "Yee-ha!" we thought.

Finally we would get to launch at this site.

All three of us got into the air. The launch was tricky and we all sank fast for a few hundred feet, but after that it was fun.

We flew out, taking pictures, having a good time.

Dalton; in front, realized he was in trouble first. The east wind was going to keep him from penetrating to the LZ. He was smart enough to fly out to a very skinny beach on the river, and had no radio to warn us. I didn't catch on until I flew out over the river at 1,000 feet AGL and noticed I was stationary. Stuffing the bar didn't help enough and I settled toward the forest canopy just short of the LZ. Transfixed by this prospect, it didn't even occur to me to follow Dalton. Stomping on my accelerator, I drew near the forest, but a couple of hundred feet above the treetops the wind slowed in the gradient and I cleared the last line of tall trees and power lines by a few feet.

The third pilot wasn't so lucky.

Distracted by photography, he was a little farther downwind when he noticed the problem, but managed to find a tiny slot in the trees. As soon as he got into it, the wind gradient stalled the wing, perching him 40 feet up in a tall deciduous tree.

6

No one was hurt and the glider only cost $300 to fix. I'd like to say we learned a lot, but we went on to commit many more flight plan errors and somehow avoid injury.

Luck sometimes works.

Since air is invisible, it is relatively easy to imagine that it's doing just what we want it to do. Our failure to recognize the consequences of launching into a rotor and then trying to penetrate back through a strong headwind to the LZ seems monumentally dumb from my current point of view, but back then I just hoped I was right. That time, the guardian angel was successful. Our safety depends on critical assessment of conditions as they are, not as we want them to be. We must plan for all contingencies, since we don't always interpret the situation correctly. This is as important as the rest of the preflight.

Here's a great example of a flight plan error. The outcome was good and the pilot, Mark Forbes (name released with permission), has critiqued the situation extremely well.

*** My second flight went pretty well at first. It wasn't too crowded, and the southeasterly wind provided good lift along the cliffface. I was able to fly along the east side ofthe hill, looking straight down onto the rocky cliffi, gorgeous blue water and big waves breaking against the rocks. Penetration wasn't a problem in the southeast wind. I couldpull brakes down about two-thirds, and just hover motionless, going up vertically. Offthe brakes, and I was making about eight mph along the ground.

This was fun!

Fifteen minutes passed, and the nice conditiom tempted more pilots into the air. It began to get a little crowded (for me) with hang gliders and paragliders all flying along the ridge. I was trying to remember all the ridge rules and apply them appropriately (what do you do when you're looking at three pilots all converging on your location?), and trying to keep out ofeveryone's way The crowd seemed thickest

right in font oflaunch, and over to the south side ofthe hill I decided to slide over to the east a bit to stay out oftheir way.

As I turned left and headed downwind toward the east face, a tandem pilot was pointing vehemently toward the gaggle. I figured I'd probably violated somebody's right-of way, and continued to scoot out ofthe way. That east face had worked nicely before, and I'd just stay over there and keep out ofthe crowd. Another pilot pointed to the gaggle, and I smiled and nodded As I got a little way down the face, I noticed I was lower than I had been before, and I was moving pretty fast. I turned back into the wind, and stopped. Well, not quite - I was going down a little, but I wasn't movingforward with about halfbrake applied. A foggy clue began to form in my mind,· maybe it wasn't the gaggle they'd been warning me about? I let ojfthe brakes all the way, and watched the rock out in font ofme.

It was moving up in my field ofview. Not good.

In font ofme, an outcrop ofthe cliffended in wave-churnedfoam. Behind me, the same.

Directly below were flat rocks fall oftide pools.

Waves were splashing agaimt them, and little rivulets ofwater ran across to keep the tide pools fall. It was mostly dry on top though, and it was my only makeable LZ. I did some fast thinking: "Youve screwed up big time. You can't make the primary LZ and most ofwhat's below will be imtantly fatal. Ifyou continue on this course, you'll be closer to the beach, and you might make it, IF it's just around the corner ofthat big rock. Ifit's not, you'll ditch in the ocean. Behind you, there's supposed to be a field near sea level, but it's also behind a rock and you don't know exactly how far or whether you'd make it. If you're wrong, it's the ocean again. The rocks below are landable ifyou do a good approach and stick the landing, and don't drop the wing in the ocean. " I committed to landing on the tide pool rocks below me. I turned back downwind, turned away fom the ridge again to set up into the wind, andflew the wingfast down to the suiface. A vigorous two-wrap flare and I put my feet down exactly where I wanted to, about 50 feet fom the downwind edge ofthe rocks. I took a few steps forward and toward the cliff and collapsed the wing to the landPARAGLIDING

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ward side. As the wing dropped into a tide pool I immediately unlocked my carabiners and detached myselffrom the wing As I was unhooking, I looked over to the sea as a big wave broke against the rocks and sent a gush of saltwater in my direction.

I got free ofthe wing and immediate61 ran for the cliffside. Over there, I unhookedfrom the harness and got my helmet oft then cautiously returned to the wing.

*** Decision-making, good and bad: My first bad decision was to fly without a radio.

The second bad decision was relaxing and watching the scenery. I wasn't keeping one eye on the windsock at all times. Mark Mitsos had talked to me before I flew, and warned me that the wind could shift around from east to south pretty fast. I'd acknowledged that, but didn't truly grasp the consequences.

The third bad decision was to stay along the cliff face and go to the east side to avoid traffic.

The fourth bad decision was not to have a safe LZ within easy glide at all times. I'd seen the rocks below, but I didn't consider that to be a safe LZ. The fact that I did land there safely doesn't change its suitability.

The first good decision was to fly. I had a great time, met a bunch of nice people, learned a lot about soaring my wing, and really enjoyed the whole experience.

The second good decision was to take the LZ I had, rather than try for something "better." I was very tempted to just keep flying upwind toward the beach, hoping it would get all better somehow. That may work in the movies, but this was real life. I knew that if I kept on trying to reach the primary LZ, I'd most likely land short in the surf, and probably die. Mark Mitsos told me later that he was flying tandem with his son, who said, "Daddy, is that man gonna die?" (Meaning me!) You'd think if a five-

year-old recognized that I was in trouble, I might have had a clue.

The third good decision was to have a plan for the landing and collapse of the wing. I knew that I wanted to get it away from the sea as much as I could, and that I couldn't afford to blow the landing and injure myself. I also was thinking about the fatalities we've had in which a pilot fails to unhook and gets dragged out to sea and drowned. I'd checked my hook knife location, and was prepared to use it if a wave got hold of the wing. As soon as it hit the ground, I was unhooking.

Editorial Note: There followed a short saga about finding a way back up the cliffwith a wet wing: This was a serious error and could easily have cost Mark his life. He was saved by that curious mixture ofluck, perseverance, ingenuity, and good training that makes for great stories for grandchildren yet unborn.

Please report your accidents! You too can be famous in the eyes ofyour grandchildren. 1111

-~I I

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Choose between United Sl1tes llang Gliding Association Platinum Plus"' Visa® or the Preferred Visa Each time you make a purchase with your lJSlIGA Visa, you arc helping to support USl!GA's efforts in preserving our flying sites

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PARAGLIDING

2000 USHGA Regional Director Nominations Solicited USHGA is issuing its annual call for nominations to the national Board of Directors. Eleven positions are open for election in November 1999 for a two-year term beginning January 2000.

USHGA members seeking position on the ballot should send to headquarters for receipt no later than August 20, 1999 the following information: name and USHGA number, photo and resume (one page containing the candidate's hang/paragliding activities and viewpoints, written consent to be nominated and that they will serve if elected). Candidates must be nominated by at least three USHGA members residing in the candidate's region.

Nominations are needed in the following regions. The current Directors, whose terms are up for reelection in 2000, are listed below.

Ballots will be distributed with the November issue of HANG GLIDING and the November/December issue of PARAGLIDING magazines. USHGA needs the very best volunteers to help guide the safe development and growth of the sport. Forward candidate material for receipt no later than August 20 to: USHGA, PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901-1330.

Reg# 1 2

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Current Director Steve Roti Russ Locke Scott Gasparian John Greynald Gregg Lawless Jim Zeiset Frank Gillette Jeff Sinason Pete Lehmann

10

Matt Taber

11

Dave Broyles

3

4 5 6

States within region Alaska, Oregon, Washington Northern California, Nevada Southern California, Hawaii Arizona, Colorado, El Paso TX, New Mexico, Utah Idaho, Montana, Wyoming Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas Washington DC, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico Texas (excluding El Paso), Louisiana

The following form is for your convenience.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR ELECTION NOMINATION FORM I hereby nominate

as a candidate for Regional

Director for Region #______ . I understand that his/her name will be placed on the Official Ballot for the 2000 Regional Director Election if three nominations are received by August 20, 1999.

NAME

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APCO RELEASES THE ALLEGRA

t\ pco announces the release of their new J"\.standard Class paraglider, the Allegra, which replaces the popular Futura. The Allegra was designed for the weekend pilot who has accumulated some experience and sharpened his flying skills on his first glider.

The company comments that the Allegra outperforms the Futura in all categories. It is fully certified in the Standard Class in accordance with AFNOR/ACPUL/CEN standards.

According to the manufacturer, the Allegra is highly stable and predictable with quick, dynamic handling and a superior sink rate and glide. It incorporates super-aramid lines, double-coated siliconized cloth, and stainless steel metal parts. It is backed by a three-year, 250hour warranty. Throughout 1999 customers will also receive a ticket entering them in APCO's "Millennium Tombola" which includes a first prize of $20,000.

Contact: Aerolight USA, 1355 NW 93 Ct., Unit A-105 , Miami, FL 33172 (305) 639-33 30, fax (305) 639-2055, paragliding@aerolight.com, www.aerolight.com.

NEW PRODUCTS FROM SOL

S

ol announces the Impulse, designed with che new pilot in mind, or recreational pilots seeking a glider with 1 secure flying charac_, teristics while learning to thermal and fly cross-country. It is also suitable for experienced pilots. The Impulse is certified AFNOR/CEN Standard in three sizes: small, medium and

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large.

Sol also announces che new high-performance Vello, designed with not only performance in mind, but good handling, launch and landing characteristics. It is intended for advanced and competition pilots. The Vello is certified AFNOR/CEN Performance in two sizes: medium and large.

Also offered is the new Novum Pro deluxe harness, Unitika fabrics, the Cygnus airbag, and a new tandem airbag.

Contact: (801 ) 553-1834, fax (801) 523-1854, info@paragliders.com, www.paragliders.com.

ibracable temperature and windspeed; water resistant, rugged, ergonomic case; two-year battery life (user replaceable); low baccery indication; two-year warranty.

For more information on the AltiWindwatch contact Flytec USA at 1800-662-2449 or (352) 332-8675, fax (352) 3328676, info@flytec.com.

FLYTEC'S NEW ALTIMETERWINDWATCH lytec USA is pleased to introduce the new Flytec Alti-Windwatch. Flytec, manufacturer of state-of-the-arr aviation electronics, has improved the very popular Windwatch by adding substantially increased functionality to the precision handheld weather station. The AltiWindwatch, in addition to displaying current, peak and average wind speed, current temperature and wind-chill values, also indicates altitude in three-foot increments, current barometric pressure, 16-hour barograph, and current time.

The Windwacch also features a configuration mode in which the user can program the instrument to suit individual requirements.

Because it samples in one-second intervals, the Alti-Windwacch is at lease 10 rimes faster chan wristwatch-type altimeters, making it better suited for aviation use. In addition, the Alci-Windwacch indicates altitude in chree-fooc increments, is temperature compensated, and displays all functions accurately regardless of baccery condition.

Other noteworthy features include: windspeed, temperature and wind-chill display; temperature-compensated altimeter to 30,000'; barometric pressure, current and 16-hour trend; real-time clock; programmable units of measurement; variable windspeed averaging interval; cal-

F

ous fantasy story which examines the power of magic and dreams in the search for personal freedom. Fear is central to the theme, and it proves to be a worthy foe in the battle for self-mastery. Beyond The Invisible accempcs to capture the breathless wonder of free flight and the joy of the wilderness in one flowing tale. le is intended to challenge your beliefs and comfort zones and shift your perception to a place high in the

sky.

Richard Grant, pilot and physics lecturer at Rhodes University, South Africa, comments: "I laughed and cried as I read Beyond The Invisible. I wish I'd wriccen it. I wish I'd written some of it. I ,vish I'd ,vritten any of it. So much of what is expressed struck powerful chords with my own memories and thoughts about my paragliding experiences. I didn't realize Greg could write poetry like that, and so much of it, and so appropriately in context. " Beyond The Invisible is available direct from the author by mail. The price is SA Rand 110.00 for international orders, including postage and handling. The current exchange rate makes this $17.50.

Send a check made out to Greg Hamerton to 1 Brounger Road, Constantia, 7806, South Africa, with your return address included, or e-mail illusion@netactive.co.za, www.paragliding.co.za/hammer.

PARAGLIDING

NEW FUGHT LOG

E

ric Muss is offering a new, highly detailed flight log he designed. It is available on his Web site as a PDI; file at http://members.aol.com/ericmuss. He is offering it to the gliding community for free, and only askE that it not be altered or changed. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the PDF file, but, the cool thing is, you can print it out on your printer exactly as Eric designed it using Acrobat.

Go to http://www.adobe.com and download the free Acrobat Reader program if you don't have it.

NAAUPDATE AA has recently changed Internet service providers and has new e-mail addresses as well. Contact: Art Greenfield, Director, Contests and Records, National Aeronautic Association, 1815 N. Ft. Myer Dr., Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22209-1805 (703) 527-0226, fax (703) 527-0229, awgreenfield@naa-usa.org.

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CLOUD 9 PARAGLIDING SPRING UPDATE

C

loud 9 is now up and running seven days a week at Point of the Mountain, Utah. They offer both morning and afternoon lessons to maximize flying time, and all of the training includes use of Cygnuslicensed Airbag Harnesses produced by Sol to promote safety. Airbag attachments are a fantastic addition to any harness, and Sol or Cloud 9 may be contacted for more information about both half and full airbags.

For more information on Cloud 9 Paragliding School please visit their Web site at www.paragliders.com or call Steve

Mayer at (801) 553-1834 for an information packet.

CAGE VIDEO

V

arl Stice notifies us that you may down.f'\...load a cool, professionally produced video about flying the Cage wing at http://www.ff-vl.org/bib/JLD-Cage.mpg.

ADVENTURE PRODUCTBONS RELEASES FREE PARAGUDDNG STREAMING VH)EOS WEB

A:

venture Productions has just released treaming videos on the Web. Using the newest and most advanced software from Real Video, video clips can now be viewed over the Web without waiting for a long download. With the Real Video Player, the size of the clips is about 10% the size of the typical AVI computer video clips with only a slight degradation in quality. To run the videos you must download the newest version of the Real Video player software which is free. Once Real Video G2 Version 6 is loaded, there are 10 spectacular video clips lasting about 30 seconds each that can be viewed.

Go to the Adventure Productions home page and follow the links to "Video on the Web." Adventure Productions has a direct link to download the free copy of Real Video software with instructions.

The Adventure Productions home page is www.adventurep.com.

EPHC PARAGILH.)MNG OFFERS TOP-QUALITY T-SHIRTS

E

pic Paragliding announces the introduction of its 1999 line of T-shirt designs.

The company currently offers 12 silkscreened designs rangj, SERIES ing from mild to hard NEW RELEASES! CLOUIDBASIE SERIES· Hang Gliding CROSS COUNTRY 8000 - CBS ............. $34.95 CROSS COUNTRY 8000 - CBS ....... $34.95 core. When Othar STARTING PARAGLIDING - CB100A .... $29.95 SPEED GLIDING - CB? ................. $24.95 Lawrence, U.S. AERONAUTS - Hang Gliding Masters ... $29.95 PARTY AT CLOUDBASE - CB6 ....... $19.95 DUST DEVILS - CB5 . .... . .. $19.95 CLOUIDIBASE SERIES· Paragliding Paragliding Team .. $34.95 STARTING PARAGLIDING - CB100A ..... $29.95 BORN TO FLY - CB4 HANG GLIDING EXTREME CB3 .... $34.95 member, was asked CLOUDBASE PARAGLIDING - CB102 ... $34.95 MASTERS AT CLOUDBASE - CB100 .... $19.95 IEUROPEAIII IMlf'ORTS what he thought of ... $39.95 ·,,, /fr/t ALL VIDEOS GUARANTEED! SSKYFOOLS ............ . ... $34.95 the Epic T's, he t•w PALS Available ,,.,,,t I.I LE TRIANGLE ... . · -~ ~on•~ fof' ORDER via Web Site, Email, 1,, f Paul Hamilton replied, "Cool Phone/FAX or Mail with Credit t:: cateJfO!/· b site: to Adventure Productions Card, Check, or Money Order. f~f;i;; . it our we:. vide:Ol 6553 Stone Valley Drive T-shirts." $4 Shipping USN Canada/ Mexico.

V1S tre:ariling . Reno, NV 89523 USA Epic is current($1 o per video All Other Countries) see: S ham1lton@adventure.reno.nv.us ly running a special

/::;'_~,_,_ VIDEOS y ~

12

in which the purchase of your second shirt is only $15 U.S. The company also offers a dealership program for those ordering 10 or more of a certain design.

Epic proudly cosponsored the Wings Over Aspen event and is also a proud sponsor of the United States Paragliding Team.

The Epic Web site was launched in 1997 with a mission to provide the paragliding community with top-quality T-shirt designs through a user-friendly online shopping environment. Epic can be reached on the Web at http:/ !fly. to/team.epic. For more information, contact Epic by e-mail at epic@thevortex.com.

TELLURIDE EVENTS AUGUST 23m28

T

he Telluride Air Force and Paraglide Telluride will host the second Class A sanctioned competition of the 1999 season, August 23-28. Telluride is an excellent location for paragliding taskE. Triangle courses across and cat's cradles around the valley offer scenic 18- to 25-mile taskE, while raceto-goal taskE to neighboring towns are about the same and offer hot springs to relax in after a nice flight. It's a perfect opportunity to get some really high-altitude flying before the Nationals in Aspen. Included will be Serial and Sports Classes. While we cannot guarantee good weather, we will not ask you to fly in excessive wind or overdevelopment.

This event coincides with the 26th Annual Telluride Airmen's Rendezvous, and the $275 entry includes all the festival events.

The Airmen's Rendezvous is one of the oldest foot-launch free-flying festivals in the country, and welcomes pilots of all foot-launch persuasions to come and join us for a week of flying, parties, special events, spot-landing and other contests with prizes, and more. Bring a costume for a masquerade fly-in. It's the best time to fly Telluride, with regular convoys to launch, launch crew with EMT's, ceiling extended to 25,000', and, as always, the World Hang Gliding Aerobatics Championships.

This year's Championships will feature a Sport Class (no loops) as well as the Serial Class. Call Paraglide Telluride after May 17 for more information at (970) 3694696.

PARAGLIDING

USHGA MERCHANDISE ORDER FORM

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7oz UNDERSTANDING THE SKY·by D. Pagen. THE most complete book on micrometerology ... 21b PARAGLIDING-A PILOT'S TRAINING MANUAL by M.Meier/Wills Wing. Covers all aspects .. 21b SKY ADVENTURES 36 hg stories by 32 hg authors. Informative & entertaining. 240 pgs 11b ACCESS & THE GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT by B. Moorman ........ 21b DOWNWIND by Larry Fleming. Share the experience of over 20 years of hg flight. .. 11b A RISK MGMT MANUAL by Michael Robertson. Used in ICP's, withe Charts of Reliability .... 11b RECORD ATTEMPT KIT Includes all forms needed for national & world record attempts .. _.. 21b FLIGHT LOG BOOK The Official USHGA flight log book. 40 pages. Log those flights! . . . . 2oz CERTIFICATION BOOKLETS Document your skill level sign-offs. Specify PG or HG. . . . . 2oz

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$29.95 $26.95 $ 4.95 $19.95 $19.95 $14.95 $19.95 $10.95 $ 9.95 $15.00 $ 2.95 $ 1.95

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VIDEOS i\-GREEN POINT FLYERS HG, PG, Powered PG, towing, animation, all in Michigan. (50min) 11b MASTERS AT CLOUDBASE./1 A paragliding music video, set to hard hitting music. (20 min) 11b FLY HARD Rob Whittal & C. Santacroce paraglide the westcoast. Rock soundtrack. (36 min) .. 11b POINT OF THE MTN (Utah) HG & PG action at one of America's favorite sites. (52 min) 11b PG: THE MOVIE Owen's Valley world competition. Hot action, rockin' soundtrack. (40 min) 11b CLOUDBASE PARAGLIDING Great intro. video. Meet the hot pilots, fly the hot sites. (36 min) 1/b HAWAIIAN FL YIN' HG & PG in Paradise. Amazing launches & awesome scenery! (46 min) .. 1/b All our videos are in USA/VHS NTSC format only.

MISC. USHGA PHONE CARD 25¢ per minute long distance rate, specify hg or pg card, includes 30 min. __o_{§_ $10.00 $ WINDSOK™ 1.5 oz. ripstop nylon, 5'4" long w/11" throat. Pink/yellow or pink/white (circle one). 21b $39.95 $ WINDSEEKER Hang glider flying model. It loops & soars. Lots of fun to fly, you'll want two .. 15oz $ 3.00 $ USHGA EMBLEM DECAL Our original logo, in its original colors, on a 3" circular sticker ... . 1oz $ .50 $ USHGA SEW-ON EMBLEM Our original logo, in its original colors, on a 3" circular patch. .1oz $ 1.50 $ LICENSE PLATE FRAME Chrome plated. I'd Rather Be Paragliding. . .......... 11b $ 6.50 $ PAYMENT must be included with your order.

NON-USA orders must be in U.S. FUNDS drawn on a U.S. BANK! SUBTOTAL WEIGHT (for shipping} _ _

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Under 16oz ADD $1.50 1 LB ........... ADD $4.00 Acct# 2 LB ........... ADD $4.75 expires 3-4 LB ....... ADD $5.50 5-6 LB .. .. .. . ADD $6.00 signature_ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 7-8 LB ....... ADD $6.50 9-10 LB ..... ADD $7.50 Over 10 LB .. Call/fax/email NON-USA SHIPPJNG-Ca/J!fax!email

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Name_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~USHGA#_ _ _ _ _ Phone_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~ Street Address (if possible) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

United States Hang Gliding Assn., PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901-1330 (719) 632-8300 1-800-616-6888 www.ushga.org fax (719) 632-6417 email: ushga@ushga.org

BE SURE TO CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR AWESOME USHGA APPAREL!

med

Area

m2

Span A/R

m

22.3 10 4.44

24.2 10.4 4.44

26.2 10.8 4.44

Canopy material

Toray nylon66,44g/m 2

Lines

Technora-aramide

Pilot Weight Flight Speed (approx.)'

Trim Max

Sink Rate (approx)'

Area Span A/R

kg

50- 70

60-80 75-100

km/h km/h

35- 38 47-51

35-38 35- 38 47-51 47-51

m/s

1.05

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m2 m

23.83 10.81 4.90

kg

73 - 88

km/h km/h

40 60

25.77 11.24 4.90

40 60

m/s

1.05

DHV/ACPUL

"speeds to be confirmed

small Area Span A/R

min

m2 m kg km/h km/h m/s

med

large

22.92 24.36 26.35 9.62 9.92 10.32 4.04 4.04 4.04 50- 70 60-80 70- 90 20 20 20 47 47 47 1.1 1.1 1.1 DHV 2/Performance

XL 28.41 10.71 4.04 80- 105 20 47 1.1

Area

m2

Span

m

A/R Root Tip

Pilot Weight Flight Speed

min max

m m kg km/h km/h

small

med

large

XL

23.43 9.49 3.85 2.9 0.58 50-65 21

25.43 9.89 3.95 3.02 0.61 60-80 21

27.5 1 10.29 3.85 3.14

29.66 10.68 3.85 3.26 0.66

o,63 75-95 21

Projected

Area

m2

Span

m

A/R Chord

Root Tip

Total Height Pilot Weight Flight Speed (approx.) '

Min Max

m m m

39.45 12.28 3.82 3.686 0.593 9.0

kg

l 10- 180

km/h km/h

20 40

www.nolimitsparagliding.com

EDEL AMERICAS No Limit Paragliding, Inc. Bill Anderson 3620 Wawona Street San Fransisco, Ca 94116 415.759.9011 fax415.750.1182 edelsky@c-zone.net USHGA regions 1,2,4,5,7

•

Southwest Service Center Mitch McAleer 29120 Melby Orive Lake Elsinore, Ca 92523 909.674.8844 mmcaleer@ez2.net USHGA regions 3,4,6

•

••

•

Ill

""""""

Torrey Pines Glider Port Dave Jebb 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive San Diego, CA 92037 619.452.9858 www.flytorrey.com USHGA regions 3,8,9,10,11,12

•

•• "'

41

• •• •

his is the third incarnation of the paragliding state distance record list, and I'm pleased to report that there has been quite a bit of crosscountry activity in the year since the last list was published. Five states have seen new records set: New Mexico, Utah, New York, New Jersey and Hawaii.

The New Mexico record has been widely reported because it was longer than the official world record at the time. Will Gadd flew 179.9 miles from a tow launch at Hobbs, New Mexico east into Texas. For a complete report of his exploits read the article "Tex Mex '98" in the September/October 1998 issue of this magazine.

Utah saw two pilots break the state distance record in mid-September. Todd Bibler and Bill Belcourt both flew 90 miles from Snowbird, Utah to Lyman, Wyoming (just past Fort Bridger).

Bibler reports that two days earlier he also flew 90 miles from Snowbird north past Tremonton, Utah.

In New York, Charles Warren flew 54.1 miles from Hammondsport in mid-May, and in New Jersey Jim Maze (who is also the state distance record holder in Pennsylvania) flew 43.6 miles from Delaware Water Gap. Both of these are outstanding flights in areas not well known for paragliding cross-country flying.

Finally, in Hawaii, Marc Hill (Nalu) flew 34 miles from the Makapuu Lighthouse to the North Shore of Oahu. Nalu reports, "Cloudbase was at 5,000', really high since it's normally around 3,000'."

Although there haven't been any recent state record flights reported from Chelan, Washington, there have been flights in excess of 60 miles by Brandt May (66 miles out-and-return to Leahy), Josef de Beer (straight line), and Mark Telep (triangle).

There are now three states in which paraglider pilots have flown more than 100 miles (Owens Valley, California; Chelan Butte, Washington; and Hobbs, New Mexico), but I suspect the list will grow longer this year as a result of the competition activity planned for Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.

If your flight should be listed here and it's not, it's only because I wasn't aware of it. Send me information about

16

Unofficial State CrossCountry Distance Records

by Steve Roti UNOFFICIAL STATE CROSS-COUNTRY DISTANCE RECORDS -

Pilot Mi. Jeff Bennett 31 Dixon White 62.1 Will Gadd 138 Peter Kloepfer 85 Marc Hill 34 Jeff Ames* 69.1 Bernard Winkelman* 69.1 Othar Lawrence* 69.1 Paul Lundquist/T 53 Peter Swanson 34 Jim Maze 43.6 Will Gadd/T 179.9 Honza Rejmonek 48 Charles Warren 54.1 Rick Higgins 75.4 26 Jim Maze Todd Bibler** 90 Bill Belcourt** 90 Mark Telep 120 Jon Patterson 68

Km.

so

100 222.2 136.9 54.7 111.3 111.3 111.3 85.3 54.7 70.2 289.6 77.3 87.1 121.6 41.9 144.9 144.9 193.S 110

Duration 2:35 3:00 7:00 4:00 3:15 4:02 4:08 4:15 3:35 3:30 3:16 6:00 6:18 3:24 4:35 2:00 4:00 4:00 6:15 5:00

Takeoff Site Cobb Mountain, AK Sheba Crater, AZ Owens Valley, CA Lookout Men, CO Makapuu Light., HI King Men, ID KingMtn, ID King Men, ID Spring Hill, MN Morrell Lookout, MT Del. Water Gap, NJ Hobbs, NM SlideMtn, NV Hammondsport, NY Black Cap, OR Kirk Ridge, PA Snowbird, UT Snowbird, UT Chelan Butte, WA Grand Targhee, WY

STRAIGHT DISTANCE

Date 5129196 6/16/96 6/24/97 8/05/95 1/11/99 8/22/97 8/22/97 8/22/97 6/15/97 8/12/97 4111/98 5/30/98 7/16/95 5/17/98 7104197 4/06/96 9/15/98 9/15/98 8/02/97 8/10/96

Wing UP Vision Edel Saber Edel Sector Nova Xenon Swing Vencus Freex Spark Apco Zen II Firebird Cult Edel Saber Edel Sector Edel Saber Firebird Cult Edel Rainbow Edel Saber Apco Futura ITV Merak Nova Vertex Edel Sector TX Swing Vencus Edel Rainbow

IT indicates a tow-launchedflight * Three-way tie during the fourth task ofthe 1991 U.S. Paragliding Nationals, from King Mountain to the Challis airport.

** Bibler and Belcourt flew together from Snowbird, UT to Lyman, WY (just past Fort Bridger) and landed in the same place. flights that should be included in the list and I'll update it periodically. You can email cross-country flight reports to me at paragliding@compuserve.com, or send them by U.S. mail to P.O. Box

8989, Portland, OR 97207, or phone them in to (503) 284-0998. Be sure to include your name, miles flown, duration, takeoff site, flight date, and make/ model of glider. Ill

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Tracie Fifer-Welch (H - 99) PO Box 8225 Jackson WY 83001 (307) 733-6823 REGION 6 Jeff Sinason (R - 99) 12954 Ballantine Ct Saint Louis MO 63146 (314) 542-2473 jsinason@itdcomm.com

'~~- - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - · · · ·

USHGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGION 1 Bill Bolosky (R - 00) 24622 SE Mirrormont Dr Issaquah WA 98027 (425) 557-7981 bolosky@microsoft.com Steve Roti ~R - 99) 3024 NE 18 Ave Portland OR 97212 (503) 284-0995 paragliding@compuserve.com Paul Klemond (L - 99) (PG Accident Chair) 3612 NE 43rd St Seattle WA 98105 (206) 525-5765 paul@kurious.org Gene Matthews (H - 00) 15308111 1hAve NE Bothell WA 98011 (206) 488-1443 skyd og@gte.net Bob Hannah (H - 00) 9920 51 st Ave S Seattle WA 98118 (206) 328-1104 paraskr@aol.com REGION 2 Ray Leonard (R - 00) 3650 Research Way #22 Carson City NV 89706 (775) 883-7070 advspts@pyramid.net Russ Locke (R - 99) 868 S Mary Ave Sunnyvale CA 94087 (408) 737-8745 rsslok@aol.com Scott Gasparian (R- 99) clo LWHS 755 Ocean Ave San Francisco CA 94112 (650) 738-8376 gaspo@igi.org Ed Pitman (H - 00) PO Box 188 Shasta CA 96087 (916) 359-2392 epitman@c-zone.net Ken Brown (H - 99) 1795 40 1h Ave San Francisco CA 94122 (415) 753-9534 kennyb2u@aol.com

REGION 3 Ken Baier (R - 00) 253 Rodney Ave Encinitas CA 92024 (760) 753-2664 airjunkies@worldnet.att.net John Greynald (R - 99) 2774 Puesta Del Sol Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 682-3483 throgrog@aol.com Gregg Lawless (R - 99) 9127 Bittercreek Ln San Diego CA 92129 (619) 484-2056 glawless@sempra-slns.com Rob Kells (H - 00) 500 Blueridge Ave Orange CA 92665 (714) 998-6359 rob@willswing.com Alan Chuculate (H - 99) 6709 Salizar St San Diego CA 92111 (619) 292-1552 g_achucu@qualcomm.com Gil Dodgen (Editor) 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy Ste A-256 Reho Sta Marg CA 92688 (949) 888-7363 gildodgen@aol.com REGION 4 Mark Ferguson (R - 00) 1173 Ridgeview Cir Broomfield CO 80020 (303) 931-8075 mark@ballvarios.com Jim Zeiset (R - 99) 13154 County Rd 140 Salida CO 81201 (719) 539-3335 jimzgreen@aol.com Larry Sanderson (H - 00) Soaring Society of America PO Box 2100 Hobbs NM 88241 (505) 392-1177 Larryssa@aol .com REGION 5 Frank Gillette (R - 99) 903 East 500 South Declo ID 83323 (208) 654-2615 Watercyn@cyberh ighway. net

(02/16199)

REGION 7 Bill Bryden (R - 00) (HG Accident Chair) 6608 North 100 East Rd Seymour IN 47274 (812) 497-2327 hm bbryden@hsonline.net Dan Johnson (L - 99) 8 Dorset St St Paul MN 55118 (651) 450-0930 CumulusMan@aol.com REGION 8 Douglas Sharpe (R - 00) 401 Silver Hill Rd Concord MA 01742 (978) 318-9714 dsharpe@tiac.net Randy Adams (H - 00) PO Box 369 Claremont NH 03743 (603) 543-1760 randyadams@cyberportal.net REGION 9 Pete Lehmann (R - 99) 5811 Elgin St Pittsburgh PA 15206 (412) 661-3474 L.Plehmann@aol.com Geoffrey Mumford (R - 00) APA/PPO 750 First St NE Washington DC 20002 (202) 336-6067 gmumford@apa.org Dennis Pagen (L - 99) RD 3 Box 254B Spring Mills PA 16875 (814) 422-0589 hm pagenbks@lazerlink.com Chris DuPaul (H-00) PO Box 801 Gloucester Point VA 23062 (804) 325-1051 Krisdupaul@aol.com Art Greenfield (X) 1815 N Ft Meyer Dr Ste 700 Arlington VA 22209 (703) 527-0226 NAA@ids2.idsonline.com REGION 10 G.W. Meadows (R - 00) 1125 Harbor View Dr Kill Devil Hills NC 27948 (252) 480-3552 justfly@interpath.com Matt Taber (R - 99) 7201 Scenic Hwy 189 Rising Fawn GA 30738 (706) 398-3433 airwave@voy.net

David Glover (H - 99) 1696 Creek Rd Wildwood GA 30757 (706) 675-8485 dave@hanglide.com Greg De Wolf (H - 99) PO Box 1268 Stanardsville VA 22973 (804) 990-9071 DeWolf7@aol.com John Harris (H - 00) PO Box 1839 Nags Head NC 27959 (252) 441-4124 ucanfly@outer-banks.com Steve Kroop (H - 00) 14018 NW 23rd Ave Gainesville FL 32606 (352) 332-8675 usaflytec@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 - 00) 5163 Searsville Rd Pine Bush NY 12566 (914) 744-3317 ryanv1 OO@aol.com Jan Johnson (L - 99) PO Box 282 Bullville NY 10951 (914) 747-7845 ryanv1 OO@aol.com Paul Rikert (L - 99) 101 N Broadway# 28-3 White Plains NY 10603 (914) 946-9386 hm Lars Linde (H - 00) 954 W Front St Red Bank NJ 07701 (732) 747-7845 larslinde@compuserve.com REGION 13 (lnt'I) Jan Johnson (L - 99) See Reg 12 Michael Robertson (H - 00) RR 5 865 Con 7 Claremont Ontario Canada L1Y 1A2 (905) 294-2536 flyhigh@inforamp.net USHGA Executive Director Philip Bachman PO Box 1330 Colo Springs CO 80901 (719) 632-8300 wk (719) 632-6417 fax phbachman@ushga.org ushga@ushga.org EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President-Gregg Lawless Vice Pres.-Chris DuPaul Secretary-Russ Locke Treasurer-Geoff Mumford KEY: (R)-Regional (L)-At Large (H)-Honorary (X)-E~ Officio

ory • Sturdy/Durable construdion • Made (and serviced} in USA I 800/729-2602

FEATURES NO-WIND REVERSE LAUNCHB &OTHER GROUND HANDLING TIPS IMPORTANT CLASSROOM BASln BRILLIANT ON-BOARD TANDEM VIDEO AT CHELAN Bum APPEALIN6 INTRODUCTORY VIDEO FOR PROSPECTIVE PILOTS

DNLY $29.95 Plus S4 I/H Send $33.95 check or money order to:

~lay, PO Box 2626, Flagstaff AZ 86003 ffi20)~79 d~on

Calendar of events items WILL NOT be listed if only tentative. Please include exact information (event, date, contact name and phone number). Items should be received no later than six weeks prior to the event. We request two months lead time for regional and national meets.

COMPETITION UNTIL DEC. 31: 1999 Yearlong World Soaring Challenge, for paragliding, hang gliding, sailplanes. No entry fee or registration, $600 first prize. Pilots are scored by how far they fly relative to a site's distance record (750 points for flying 75 miles at a site with a 100-mile record, 1,100 points for breaking the record). Flights submitted on the honor system. For more details contact: John Scott (310) 447-6234, fax (310) 447-6237, brettonwoods@email.msn.com, www.keyinc.com/wsc/ JULY 11-18: 1999 Gorge Games Fly-In, during the Gorge Games Outdoor Championships. Fly-In competition held on the best day of flying during the week-long festival of outdoor sport competition and concerts. The GG's have been a great success in the past two years with a bounty of awards for spot-landing, duration aloft and combined, as well as week-long accumulated and farthest X-C miles. Entry includes grab bag, T-shirt and dinner. $30 pre-registration, $35 in the LZ. Contact: GorgeAir, Box 323, Bingen, WA 98605 (509) 493-2070, jamon@gorge.net,www.gorgegames.com/ AUG. 7-14: Jackson Hole Paragliding Extravaganza, in beautiful and historic Teton Village, Wyoming, Jackson Hole Ski area. USHGA-sanctioned event. Multiple events and classes. Site requires P3 rating, absolutely no tandem flying allowed.

USHGA-sanctioned X-C event registration: $200 before July 4, $250 after. Includes Jackson Hole Paragliding Club temporary membership, unlimited rides on aerial tram (4,000'+ vertical), T-shirt, daily raffles, parties, trophies and awards, USHGA points.

Jackson Hole Paragliding Air Games entry fee: $100 before July 4, $150 after. Includes everything except USHGA points. Events include spot landing, bomb drop, best glide, hike and fly, open X-C and more. Make reservations early Q. H. Visitor Council 1800-782-0011, J.H. Central Reservations 1800-443-6931 or see Jan./Feb. Paragliding magazine). Contact: J. H. Paragliding MAY/JUNE

1999

Extravaganza, Dan Olsen, P.O. Box 12653, Jackson, WY 83002 or Critter Mountain Wear, Richard Kocurek, P.O. Box 975, Crested Butte, CO 81224-0975 (970) 3499326, critter@crestedbutte.net.

AUG. 20-22: Second Annual New England Paragliding Competition, West Rutland, Vermont, hosted by the New England Paragliding Club. Competition includes cross-country, soaring, defined tasks, spot landings. Open to all New England and New York State P2 or higher-rated pilots. $25 fee prior to weekend/$45 during weekend. Proceeds go to improving sites throughout New England. Come for the flying, raffle, rodeo, equipment manufacturers, or just plain fun. Contact: Scott Berk (617) 8253188, sberk@animationtech.com.

AUG. 23-28: Telluride Paragliding Cross Country Open. Class A sanctioned competition. Serial Class - DHV 2-3 maximum (manufacturer's factory skinny lines okay).

Sport Class - DHV 2 (no modifications), GPS scoring with phoro backup. $275 includes entry into the 26th Annual Telluride Airmen's Rendezvous. Reasonable tasks. Safety top priority. Oxygen provided and recommended. Call Paraglide Telluride at (970) 369-4696 after May 17 for information.

SEPT. 2-8: Red Bull Wings Over Aspen, Aspen, CO. U.S. National Paragliding Championships and hang gliding aerobatics competition. Open Class and DHV 2-3/Afnor Performance Class for paragliding. $25,000 in prize money awarded down to 10th place in both hang gliding and paragliding. Nightly parties, live music, big fun. Register early to ensure a position.

Contact: Red Bull Wings Over Aspen, P.O. Box 10835, Aspen, CO 81612 (970) 6183038, fax (970) 544-6522, redbullwoa@aspen.com, Aspen.com/redbullwoa.

Hudonjorgensen, Two-can Fly Paragliding, 474 E. Tonya Dr., Sandy UT 84070 (801)572-3414, khudonj@uswest.net.

SEPT. 15-19: North American Powered Ultralight Competition, Shasta, CA. Powered paragliders, paraplanes, trikes. Pylon racing, timed course, metered fuel events, designated course. Cash prizes and trophies in numerous categories. To benefir charity.

Entry$50 before July 15, $75 after.

Contact: Ed Pitman, P.O. Box 188, Shasta, CA 96087 (530) 359-2392, fax (530) 3592397, epitman@c-zone.net.

FUN FLYING MAY 29-31: 23rd Annual Starthistle Fly-In. HG and PG, Woodrat Mtn. in southern Oregon. Barbecue, prizes, excellent flying and lots of fun. Contact: (541) 899-7327, chriswic@shared.net.

JUNE 26-27: Lake Tahoe Challenge. Fun competition and events, $20 entrance fee ($15 before 6/1) gets you free T-shirt, official entry to comp and a chance for cool prizes. Free tandems for retrieval drivers. If you don't want to enter just bring your toys for a great introduction to flying the Lake Tahoe area. Demos available from various manufacturers. Camping available. Contact: Phill Hirst (775) 772-2877, or John Van Meter (530) 426 0823, www.parasport.com.

JULY 1-5: Lake County, Oregon, Festival of Foot-Launched Flight. Registration July 1, fly July 2-4, awards July 5. Beautiful country, lots of launches, great flying conditions, fun competition events for both hang gliders and paragliders with cash prizes and trophies.

Giant free party July 4 for registered pilots.

La Nifia should bring excellent flying here this year! Questions? Call Lake County Chamber of Commerce (541) 947-6040, or Jules Gilpatrick, Chairman (541) 947-3330, fax (541) 947-5581, freeflite@criax.com.

SEPT. 11-18: Sanctioned paragliding compe-

tition at Snowbird Ski Resort near Salt Lake City, Utah. Practice dates: Sept. 3-10. Fee: $250 before Aug. 10, $280 after. 40 competitors max. P-4 Advanced USHGA rating or equivalent. Required equipment: GPS, camera, radio, gliders must be serial class, DHV 2-3, Afnor Performance or less and in the tested configuration. Skinny lines and comp harnesses this year only. Launch at 11,000', cloud base at 13,000' to 16,500'.

Valley floors at 4,500'. Contact: Ken

AUG. 7-8: Regional 11 Tow Contest, municipal airport at Hearne, TX. Fun competition and taxi-way party. Hang gliding and paragliding. Awards for spot-landing, X-C, duration, etc. Camping at airport. Contact: Len Smith (281) 693-7311, leonard.smith@stoneweb.com.

AUG. 23-28: 26th Annual Telluride Airmen '.r Rendezvous. Six days of foot-launch free flying fun, with 25,000' ceiling, full

19

launch staff with EMT's, regular convoys to launch, T-shirt, parties (free beer), contests with prizes, film night, banquet, World Hang Gliding Aerobatics Championships, special guests and much more! Entry $95.

Contact Paraglide Telluride afrer May 17 at (970) 369-4696 for information.

SEPT. 18-19: 9th Annual Pine Mt. Fly-In, Pine Mtn., OR. Contact: Raven Young (541) 317-8300.

OCT. 1-3: October's Best Fly-In, at Sauratown Mountain near Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The event's eighth edition welcomes paragliding for the first time at a new slope launch on the mountain's top.

Still featuring the East Coast's finest cliff launch, "flow-through" ramps, a variety of usable wind directions. Aerotowing returns for a second year as does a full-time cafeteria in the LZ. Events start Friday morning with judging Saturday and Sunday. For skill level and other info contact: Doug Rice (336) 994-4377, AppaPhoto@aol.com (hang gliding), or Ben Thomas (336) 723-0824, k4zep@bellsouth.net (paragliding). Web site linked to USHGA.

CLINICS/MEETINGS/TOURS THROUGH NOV. 1999: "Owens Valley at its Best" Cross-Country. Thermal guide to the Owens Valley with Kari Castle. One- to nine-day adventures. Private one-on-one flying, guide service and instruction also available. Hike 'n' fly the peaks of the Sierras and White Mrs. Contact Kari for more information: karicastle@telis.org (760) 872-2087.

MAY 22: US. Paragliding Team party/slide show/raffle fond-raiser, Chelan, WA ($10 admission). MAY 21-24: Beginner Thermal through Advanced Cross-Country Courses ($40 per day). Improve your thermal and crosscountry flying with lessons from the U.S. Paragliding T earn. Paragliding T earn T-shirts are available for $25 and stickers for $5. Sponsors and raffle donors needed.

Contact: chris@firebirdusa.com. Stay tuned to www.kurious.org/usteam99 for updates.

MAY 15-16: Tandem Clinic. MAY 21-23: Thermal Clinic. JUNE 26: Olympus to the Point, beginning XC. JULY 23-25: Thermal Clinic. AUG. 2-4, 5-7: 2 Maneuvers Clinics with Chris Santacroce. AUG. 14-21: X-C Clinic. SEPT. 11-18: USHGA-sanctioned

20

competition and record distance attempt at Snowbird. SEPT. 24-26: Thermal Clinic.

OCT. 2-3: Mtn. Flying Clinic. OCT. 16-17: Tandem Clinic. OCT. 29-31, NOV. 1: Instructor Training Seminar. NOV. 6-7: Instructor Reevaluation Clinic. By Ken Hudonjorgensen and Two-can Fly Paragliding at Point of the Mountain, and Utah mountain sites. Ken Hudonjorgensen is the senior paragliding instructor in Utah at the Point of the Mountain, held the Utah cross-country record for two years and the Utah cup for three. He is one of the first Master-rated pilots, one of a handful of Tandem and ICP administrators in the U.S., and holds the best official safety record in the entire U.S. Contact: Ken Hudonjorgensen, Two-can Fly Paragliding, 474 E. Tonya Dr., Sandy UT 84070 (801)572-3414, khudonj@uswest.net.

MAY 27-31: Fifth Annual Demo Days and Safety Seminars, Point of the Mountain, UT. Informative seminars from industry experts.

Try out new products: paragliders, motorized paragliders, harnesses, flight suits, tandem gliders, oxygen systems, helmets, etc.

Every make and size glider available in the U.S. Nonprofit event. $50 pre-registration before May 1, $60 afrer. $25 goes to Utah HGA for your membership dues and to aid in their efforts to save the Point. Sponsored

by The Soaring Center. Contact: 12665 S. Minuteman Dr. #1, Draper, UT 84020 (801) 576-6460, fax (801) 576-6482, HBC3@aol.com,www.soaringcenter.com.

JUNE-SEPT.: Paragliding adventure tours in Turkey. Two to three weeks long, seven sites. Includes travel (in Turkey), retrieval, accommodations, food, national park fees, etc. Custom tours available. Contact: Wild Turkey Adventures, Hakim Menees, 425 High St., KEW 3101 Australia, tel. (w) 01161-3-9853 8921, (mobile) 011-61-412 617 216, hmentes@ozemail.com.au, www.ozemail.com .au/~ hmen res/ WildTurkey.htm.

JUNE 4-5: Powered Paragliding Clinic by USHGA Certified Advanced Instructor Hugh Murphy, California Central Coast.

Syllabus covers smooth transition from nonpowered to powered paragliding with a safe, easy learning curve. Bring your equipment or demo ours. JUNE 11-12: California Coast Ridge Soaring Clinic by Hugh Murphy. Soar the Golden State's beautiful coastal sites from Big Sur to Santa Barbara in smooth

ocean breezes. JUNE 18-19: Powered Paragliding Clinic If JUNE 25-26:

California Coast Ridge Soaring Clinic II. Contact: Surf The Sky Paragliding (805) 544-8190, hmurphy@rcsn.net.

JUNE 11-13: Advanced Maneuvers Clinic at Eagle Lake, CA. Sponsored by Edel Sky Sports and administered by Phil! Hirst (ParaSport). Contact Sonny at (415) 759 1177.

JUNE 18-20: Tandem Level 3 Clinic in San Francisco. $275, administered by Phill Hirst. For more information contact Phil!

Hirst (775) 772-2877, www.parasport.com.

JUNE 23-27: Third Annual Super Clinic, Aspen, Colorado. Hosted by Aspen Paragliding. Variety of instructional seminars by some of the top instructors in North America including Dave Bridges, Chris Santacroce, Dick Jackson, Dixon White, Othar Lawrence and others. Seminars and clinics cover beginning to advanced skills, launch techniques, thermal flying, X-C and competition preparation, maneuvers, ground handling, active flying, reserve packing and deployment, glider maintenance, tandem flying, etc. A variety of glider manufacturers will also be on hand to provide glider and equipment demos. Contact: Aspen Paragliding (970) 925-7625, fax (970) 9257710, dimbfly@rof.net.

JULY 10-20: Paraglide Turkey, with Phill Hirst (ParaSpott). Designed by pilots for pilots. Includes all accommodations and transport needs. Professional instruction and clinics. See advert in May/June issue or contact Phill (775) 772-2877, www.parasport.com.

JULY 21-23, 23-25: Safety clinics at Lake McConaughy, NE For the sixth year Parasofr will be conducting maneuvers clinics to practice descent with big ears, B-line stalls, and spiral dives, and recovery from stalls, spins, asymmetries and frontals.

Minimum P2 + 50 flights required. Towing will be taught. Contact: Parasoft Paragliding School (303) 494-2820, parasoft@csd.net.

SEPT. 10-12: Advanced Maneuvers Clinic at Lake Shasta, CA. Sponsored by Edel Sky Sports and administered by Phill Hirst (ParaSport). Contact Sonny at (415) 759 1177.

PARAGLIDING

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(01/99)

RELEASE, WAIVER AND ASSUMPTION Of RISK AGREEMENT In consideration of the benefits to be derived from membership in the USHGA, (PilotJ and the parent or legal guardian of Pilotif Pilotis a minor, for themselves, their personal representatives, heirs, executors, next of kin, spouses, mmor children and assigns, do agree as follows: A. DEFINITIONS - The following definitions apply to terms used in this Agreement I. "PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORT' 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 injury, death, property damage and/or any other personal or finarm::iai injury sustained by Pilotas a result of Pilot's PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORTand/or as a result of the administration of any USHGA programs (for example: the Pilot Proficiency System). If Pilotis under 18 years of age, the term" SPORTS INJURIES"means personal injury, bodily injury, death, property damage and/or any other personal or financial injury sustained by Pilot as well as personal injury, bodily injury, death, property damage and/or any other personal or financial injury sustained by Pilot's parents or legal guardians, as a result of Pilot's PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORTand/or as a result of the administration of any USHGA programs.

3. "RELEASED PARTIES' 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~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; e) Each of the property owners on or over whose property Pilot may launch, fly and/or land; D All persons involved, in any manner, in the sports of hang gliding and/or paragliding at the site(s) where Pilot PARTICIPATES IN THE SPORl "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 g) All other persons lawfully present at the site(s) during Pilot,s PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORT. B. I FOREVER RELEASE AND DISCHARGE the RELEASED PARTIESfrom any and all liabilities, claims, demands, or causes of action that I may hereafter have for SPORTS INJURIES, however caused, even if caused by the negligence (whether active or passive) of any of the RELEASED PARTIES, to the fullest extent allowed by law.

C. I Will NOT SUE OR MAKE A CILAIM against any of the RELEASED PARTIESfor loss or damage on account of SPORTS INJURIES. If Iviolate this agreement by filing such a suit or making such a claim, Iwill pay all attorneys' fees and costs of the RELEASED PARTIES. D. I AGREE THAT this AGREEMENT shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

All disputes and matters whatsoever arising under, in connection with or incident to this Agreement shall be litigated, of at all, in and before a Court located in the State of California, U.S.A. to the exclusion of the Courts of any other State or Country.

E. SIEVERABUUTY. 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. ! RIEIPIRESIENT THAT Pilotis at least 18 years of age, or, that I am the parent or legal guardian of Pilot and am making this agreement on behalf of myself and Pilot. If I am the parent or legal guardian of Pilot, I AGREE TO INDEMNIFY ANID REIMBURSE the RELEASED PARTIES for their defense and indemnity from any claim or liability in the event that Pilot suffers SPORTS INJURIES as a result of Pilot's PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORT, even if caused in whole or in part by the negligence (whether active or passive) of any of the RELEASED PARTIES.

G. I VOlUNTARllYASSUME All RISKS, KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, OF SPORTS INJURIES, HOWEVER CAUSED, EVEN If CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE ACTION, INACTION, OR NEGUGENCE Of THE RELEASED PARTIES, TO THE FULLEST !EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW. I have read, understand, and agree to the above RELIEASIE, WAIVER AND ASSUMPTION Of RUSK AGREEMENT. Adult Pilot's f1inature

Date

flinature ofPilot's Parent or Leta! Guardian iiPilot under 18yearr ola1e.

Date

MMR 12-97

ANew Glider Company From one of the foremost designers in the world.

- Gin Seok Song

Ava ilable Colo rs

Exclusive North American Distributor '

Super Fly, Inc.• Phone: {801) 255-9595 • Fax: {801) 256-9898

576 West 8360 South • Sandy, UT 84070 • E-mail: info@super-fly.com

FLYING SITES

Torrey Pines

by Richard Thompson, photos by Carl "Tank" Shireman

Octave Chanute has been dead for a long time now. However, before he died he wrote a book titled Progress In Flying Machines. One of the cool things about books is that they often act as record keepers, the kind that history buffs go nuts over. For example, in Octave's book, published in 1894, he makes reference to a flying site that is still, to this day, near and dear to our hearts. It is none other than our very own Torrey Pines, California. owever, this record-keeping thing gets even better. Octave knew about Torrey because of another guy, John F. Montgomery, who actually flew the Torrey Pines area 11 years before Octave's book was published. To put it in perspective, this means chat Montgomery flew the Torrey Pines area just 17 years after the Civil War ended. It is believed that the reasons these early flying pioneers were drawn to Torrey Pines are the very same reasons Torrey is still a Mecca for both hang gliding and paragliding pilots who come here from all over the world today.

I don't know if Chanute went to heaven, but I do know John Montgomery did.

David Jebb cold me so. It has to do with this Mecca thing. Over a quarter of the world's population believe you can't get co heaven if you haven't been to Mecca.

Well, David Jebb believes chat this same principle applies to hang and bag pilots, only it's about Torrey Pines, California.

It goes without saying that Torrey holds a very special place in David's heart.

The specialness of the relationship between David and Torrey goes way beyond the fact that he has been the manager and overseer of Torrey Pines for more than two years now. Those who are close to David will be quick to tell you char chis relationship is no less than a match made in heaven.

H

24

That Torrey is special is more than obvious. For one thing, it's a registered historic flight park (the only ocher one in the country is Kitry Hawk) . What is less well known is the specialness of the man in charge of this flying sire. When I set out to write chis piece about Torrey Pines I had to do some research, but I didn't have to research David Jebb. I've known him for some years now; we were police officers together during the 1970's and 1980's. I could tell a lot of Jebb stories, but there are a few chat I chink define him. The most obvious is how he received his agency's most distinguished award, the Medal of Valor, for saving a drowning man's life. It was cold, the surf was heavy, and he charged into the water and fought off this hysterical man so he could swim back to shore, dragging him every inch of the way. That is the kind of person I wane in charge of anything chat's really special to me.

David has done and seen a lot of unusual things, from riots to mass carnage when an airliner crashed in downtown San Diego. Those kinds of things change a person, and in David's case the changes have always been the result of overwhelming thoughtfulness. With chis in mind, we can feel good about his stewardship over a national asset, a place with footprints left by the likes of Charles Lindbergh (who set

Continued on page 46

RECREATIONAL PARAGLIDER REVIEWS © 1999 by Alan Chuculate

photos by Mary Hobson

T

his review of the Nova X-Act is the fourth article in a series of recreational paraglider reviews.

The first portion of the lead review, which appeared in the Nov./Dec. '98 issue of this publication, provides a preview to this series and is recommended reading if you missed the first installment.

Nova is an Austrian company chat has been manufacturing paragliders since 1989.

Hannes Papesh is their innovative and prolific designer who is continually introducing new gliders to the market with progressive improvements. Nova is best known for their advanced-level wings, but they also produce a full and diverse product line.

THE NOVA PRODUCT LINE The X-ACT is Nova's DHV 1-2 recreational glider in a product line consisting of seven wmgs.

1) The Philou Classic (DHV 1 or 1-2 and AFNOR Standard), soon to be replaced with the Phelix (anticipated to be DHV

Size Scale Factor

19 x-small 0.87

21 small 0.91

23 medium 0.96

25 large 1.0

27 extra large 1.035

22.6 19.2

24.7 21.0

27.5 23.4

29.9 25.3

32.0 27.1

65-85 143-187

75-95 165-209

85-110 187-242

100-130 220-286

Area (m2) Flat Projected

Weight R.ange Kg. 55-75 Lbs.

Photo 2 - Boating brakes on, no accelerator.

Note the rounded leading edge and that the cell openings are on the bottom.

26

121-165

1 and AFNOR Standard).

2) TheX-Acc (DHV 1-2 &AFNOR Standard).

3) TheX-Large (DHV 1-2 andAFNOR Bi-place), an oversized X-Act intended for heavier payloads such as a powered paraglider with a tricycle undercarriage.* 4) The X-Ray (DHV 2 and AFNOR Standard), uses X-Act airfoil with V-ribs 5) The Vertex (DHV 2-3 and AFNOR Performance in the larger sizes and Competition in the smallest size) .

6) The X-Pert (AFNOR Competition) .

7) The Taxy (DHV 2 and AFNOR Bi-place), a full-size tandem glider. *Note - The X-Large is available in two sizes, a 31 m2 with a scale factor of 1.105 and a 37 m 2 with a scale factor of 1.21.

THE WING Sizing The X-Acc is available in five sizes. I flew the X-Act 25, which could be considered the large size. At my hook-in weight, it put me at the bottom quarter of the weight

PARAGLIDING

Lines and Retainers Nova uses two different line materials on the X-Act. The lower and middle lines are brown Cousin Technora Qapanese superaramid). The upper lines are white Edelrid Dyneema (polyethylene). The specifications for the lines are shown below.

Location

Material

Lower

superaramid

Middle

superaramid

Upper

polyethylene

Diameter (mm) 2.15 1.70 1.10

Tensile strength (kg/lb) 178/392 122/268 75/165

All lines are sheathed with polyester. There are three pink A-lines, wruch contrast with the three yellow B-lines and three yellow C-lines. The stabilizer line that attaches to the B quick link is also pink, as are the upper brake lines, wrule the lower brake lines are blue. Use of different colors for the B-lines and C-lines would make them easier to distinguish.

Nova uses simple and clean rubber 0-rings twisted into a figure-8 on the quick links as line retainers.

Risers

range. This relatively light wing loadjng should produce a lower sink rare, a lower top speed, reduced brake line tension, and make collapses more likely bur more benign.

Canopy Nova uses two different types of ripstop nylon cloth in the construction of the X-Act canopy, specialized for the different technical demands of the surface. The top and bottom surfaces are made of English Carrington 1080N at a weight of 45 g/m2.

This cloth was chosen for its very low air permeability and high durability. The ribs are made of Carrington Pararib 1088 at a weight of 48 g/m 2 for high strength and very low stretch to retain the airfoil profile.

The ribs are stiffened at the leading edge with a ply of Dacron (polyester) and a single strip of stitch tape. This fluorescent yellow tape adds both rigidity and visual accent.

Nova uses internal "flares" at the canopy/line attachment points for strengthening and load distribution. These internal flares produce less drag than the external flares used on some older paraglider designs. The same

MAY/JUNE

1999

stretch-resistant Dacron at the learung edge is used for the internal flares , which are integrated with a pair of thin webbing rapes extending diagonally up into the rib from the suspension points. Like most recreational gliders, the X-Acr does nor have V-ribs (diagonal ribs).

The planform of the X-Act appears in Photo 1 as a semi-elliptical wing with a slightly swept-back leading edge and a straight trailing edge. Each size has the same 31 cells sandwiched by four cell stabilizers per side and presents a closed leading edge to the airflow (see Photo 2). This uniformity of design, varying only the scale factor, should produce consistent performance, handling and safety characteristics throughout the range of sizes.

The X-Acr top surface is available in five colors: pink, red, blue, white and purple. Ir comes with a white bottom surface, inlaid with their graphic on the left wing (in a color matching the top surface) and the Nova name on the right wing. The center cell is marked with the small, red Nova circle logo.

The X-Act is fitted with split A-risers and an accelerator, bur no trimmers. Photo 3 shows that there are three yellow risers per side, bur all four A-risers are wrapped with pink tape for visual distinction. The inside A-riser has two lines while the outside A-riser has one. These two risers attach with a snap so they're either opened or closed. I prefer a connection method such as Velcro that provides for automatic opening upon inflation when starting with the A-risers in

27

Photo 4 - Full accelerator. Note the indented cupping ofthe Leading edge as contrasted with the rounded leading edge without accelerator in photo 2. the closed position.

Accelerator The X-Act speed system uses a 3: 1 pulley linkage and applies equal travel to both the A-riser and the B-riser up to a maximum of 10 cm (four inches), shortening the normal flight riser length from 53.5 cm (21 inches) by 19%. The top surface cups in noticeably with full accelerator applied as visible in Photo 4, but showed no instability in the form of flutter. The owner's manual cautions, "If a loss of back-pressure from the stirrup on your legs is noticed, this is a warning that the canopy is probably about to collapse. Release the stirrup to deactivate the speed system immediately." This warning is applicable to all paragliders and is not limited to the X-Act. A bowline or other non-slip knot is recommended by the owner's manual for attachment of the foot stirrup line to the connecting hardware, which in turn is fastened to the speed system. The manual shows use of a spring clip or suggests use of a quick-link with a screw gate for connecting and disconnecting the accelerator. The latter connector is safer than the former because it prevents inadvertent entanglement. The manual goes on to advise that use of a two-step ladder stirrup can enable full range of motion for short-legged pilots.

Before flying in windy conditions, when you may need to use the speed system, make a check-flight with any unfamiliar

28

paraglider to be sure you can extend the stirrup far enough to draw the two pulleys together so you can achieve top speed.

The owner's manual further cautions, "Be careful when using the speed system.

The angle of attack is lowered, thus, airspeed increases, and the canopy is destabilized. Therefore, do not use the speed system in turbulent conditions, close to the ground, or near other airspace users!" The term "destabilized" refers to the rearward movement of the center of pressure (meaning center of lift) which creates a nose-down force (a negative pitching moment). As a result, the leading edge has an increased propensity to tuck. While the canopy is in this vulnerable state, any additional destabilizing force, such as sharp sinking air on the edge of a thermal, could actually cause the leading edge to collapse. This is a characteristic of all paragliders and is not limited to the X-Act. The manual also states, "Don't apply brake when fully accelerated." The reasoning is that, with the rearward shift in the center of pressure, bralcing may actually decrease stability instead of increasing stability as one might anticipate. I didn't notice any such instability with the X-Act, probably due to the offsetting and stabilizing increase in angle of attack. On more advanced canopies, tucking tendencies are more likely to dominate and manifest themselves.

Harness/Glider Combination All five sizes of the X-Act are certified by DHV for use with both a GH-type harness (a harness without cross-straps), and a GX harness (cross-braced harness). However, the owner's manual states, "Too tight crossstraps can drastically affect handling, and thus may not contribute to greater active safety! Have them tightened the correct amount." Cross-straps have become passe because they defeat the pilot's sensitivity to the feedback or feel of the wing. They were originally intended to prevent pilot-inadvertent weight-shift in turbulent conditions.

However, when collapses occur, overly tight cross-straps restrict the pilot's ability to apply opposite weight-shift for more timely recovery. Therefore, modern harness designs use diagonal bracing connected to the waist strap. This configuration simultarn:;ously provides both stabilization and controllability so it has effectively made cross-strap harnesses obsolete.

In this author's opinion, "active piloting," using weight-shift steering, is fundamental for a paraglider pilot's safety, and should be introduced in the earliest stages of student training. This opinion is reinforced by Nova designer Hannes Papesh who expanded on a second manual warning regarding tight crossstraps, which states, "Too tight cross-bracing increases the probability of a spin with most paragliders." Hannes' explanation of this was that, when you use weight-shifting as an active component in turning, you're less likely to induce a spin. When you remain sitting upright with very tight cross-straps, the possibility of a spin increases because the glider is turned only by bralcing which brings the wing closer to stalling.

GROUND HANDLING Inflation, Kiting and Deflation The X-Act inflates easily at all wind speeds, either forward or reverse, without undershooting or overshooting. Even lightly loaded on the glider, I could perform no-hands forward and reverse inflations in "kite-able" winds with my eyes closed.

On days when the wind is crossing from the south at Torrey Pines, a rotor sets up in the inflation area. This trashy air can be aggravated by the gusty prefrontal conditions that are usually associated with the south crosswind. While kiting in these conditions I did get lifted off the ground and bounced around a bit. I attribute this to my light wing loading. Be cautious when kiting or launching in strong winds with the X-Act if you're wing loading is light; excessive brakes will quickly leave you heading upward and downwind.

The owner's manual cautions that the brake setting should not be altered. When set at the factory mark, "This positioning allows sufficient brake to be applied during extreme flying situations and landing, while it ensures that the canopy is not excessively braked, especially when accelerated."

Using the rear risers for deflation after landing in windy conditions worked well with the X-Act to avoid "drag-back," which can happen when using the bral(es. The owner's manual concurs with the use of C-risers for deflation.

IN-FLIGHT HANDLING Flight Familiarization The X-Act is easy to fly, well behaved, and reassuring. The range of brake travel is long, which will prevent inadvertent stalls and

PARAGLIDING

spins. The brake tension is moderate which provides reassurance to the beginner pilot with a solid feel. When performing pitch oscillations, roll reversals, and spiral dives, the canopy handled well with predictable behavior.

Rear-Riser Turns Rear-riser turns were completely safe and predictable with the X-Act. They were so responsive and effective that I was easily able to perform 45° banked roll reversals.

Big Ears Big ears are used to achieve an increased descent rate and to reduce the possibility of turbulence-induced collapses such as when landing in a thermally active area. The owner's manual states that, to induce big ears, "Pull the outside A-riser approximately 40 cm (16 inches)." When the split A-risers are released after doing big ears, the tips slowly but progressively reinflate without pilot input. Recovery can be accelerated by a rapid and firm application of the brakes.

Full accelerator with big ears was very effective for descending, and felt very stable without any tendency of the leading edge to collapse, although noticeable "cupping" of the leading edge was visible and can be seen upon close inspection of Photo 5. When using accelerator with big ears, the manual says to "apply the speed system after big ears are induced." I didn't find that it made any difference whether accelerator or "ears" was used first.

Search For Deep Stall I was unable to induce deep stall while using the brakes. The brake travel was long with progressively increasing tension. The glider quicldy recovered with a subtle but definite surge when the brakes were quickly released.

A slow release also restored the glider uneventfully to normal flight. I would be surprised if there is a modern certified paraglider in production today that will deep stall using the brakes, especially a recreational glider. The owner's manual states, "Porous canopies or canopies out of trim (stretched lines or lines shortened due to sheath shrinkage) are more susceptible to a parachutal stall."

wing in varying wind speeds, that it behaved with fore and aft oscillations as most gliders do when the winds would rise and diminish. Once airborne, I was able to work the thermals effectively and experienced no collapses while transiting the rough edges of the "punchy," high-pressure thermals. The X-Act performed admirably in terms of sink rate compared with the other three gliders with which I was sharing the ridge. One of the other paragliders was a lightly loaded DHV-2 wing, yet it had no discernible advantage in sink rate. The other paraglider, while also a DHV 1-2, was of higher aspect ratio yet wasn't consistently higher. All the gliders present, including a hang glider, bobbled about between being "on top of the stack" and being "at the bottom." The sink rate of the X-Act allowed me to stay high after the others had already sunk out and landed.

PERFORMANCE While the owner's manual does not specifically indicate that the X-Act is trimmed to fly at the airspeed for maximum glide ratio in calm air, this would be a safe assumption.

The DHV data indicate that trim airspeed occurs between 33 km/hr (20.5 mi/hr) and 36 km/hr (22.4 mi/hr), depending upon the size and weight at which it's flown. The maximum speed is between 43 Ian/hr (26.7 mi/hr) and 44 lan/hr (27.3 mi/hr). No other performance data is presented in the manual and none was measured. Since the X-Act does not have V-ribs it probably has a performance disadvantage relative to wings that incorporate this technology. V-ribs maintain the airfoil using fewer lines so this reduction in drag translates to a lower minimum sink rate, a higher maximum glide ratio, and a higher top speed.

SAFETY

Symmetric and Asymmetric Collapse When inducing a full frontal collapse, the glider immediately recovered without the need for pilot input and with negligible altitude loss. Likewise, recoveries from 50% asymmetric collapses were prompt and predictable, with less than 45° of rotation, and did not require any pilot input.

B-Stall Thermaling I did have the opportunity to make one mountain flight in mixed ridge and thermal lift with the X-Act. I found, while kiting the MAY/JUNE

1999

Inducing B-stalls was easy with the X-Act. The owner's manual states that it requires a pull of 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches), and that "further pulling of the B-risers reduces

Photo 5 - Full accelerator with big ears.

Again, note the indented cupping ofthe leading edge between the ribs. the surface area more and increases the sink rate (up to 10 mis or 33 ft./sec. or 1,969 ft./min.). It continues with, "Pulling too far may cause a frontal rosette (horseshoe) to form." To recover from a front horseshoe, simply release the B-risers quicldy and apply both brakes.

Recove1y from the B-stall was immediate, with minimal surging and no tendency to enter parachutage when released quicldy.

The manual states that if recovery is not dynamic enough, and a parachutal stall occurs, "Gently pull down both A-risers a small amount to reduce the angle of attack and reattach airflow to the canopy."

Excessive force on the front risers can induce a frontal collapse. If this occurs, immediately release them and apply brakes if needed. I have never attempted applying A-riser tension to exit from a constant stall while exiting a B-stall. Instead, I have always reinduced a B-stall and released more quickly than the first time. It is important to recognize that a low wing loading increases the likelihood of entering deep stall on any glider, so a rapid release of the B-risers is especially warranted in this case.

The owner's manual states that the X-Act generally flies backwards during full stall and forms a front rosette. This may be true, since the more advanced gliders in the Nova line are prone to this behavior, but this

Continued on page 41.

29

John Duncan, U.S. Congressman from the 2nd District, Tennessee, and House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman, addressed attendees.

USHGA Executive Director Phil Bachman

Soaring Society of America President Larry Sanderson.

The U.S. Ultralight Association's John Bal!dntine

Paul Rikert received the Exceptional Service Award for his 21 years on the USHGA Board.

Rob Kells received USHGA's highest award, the Presidential Citation.

USHGA President Gregg Lawless.

Chris Wills received a Special Recognition Award for his pioneering days in hang gliding.

John Stoke's famous onewinged eagle, Osceo!d.

Air-show performer Dan Buchanan was presented with a Special Proc!dmation Award.

32

PARAGLIDING

Danny Brotto She sent a special greeting to Janet. enjoyed the joint associations of the Over at Aeros' Stealth and Target gliders I gathering, as a memby Cragjn Shelton ran into Sunny, who ber of both SSA and looked at me and USHGA. He told me said, "Don't I know that his primary regisyou?" I recalled we tration was with had met at Fisher USHGA, since he has Road launch when he been a member of delivered John our group longer.

Dullahan's new Rich Donahue gave Stealth. Sunny said he special attention to will be back flying the Site Development again with us in Committee meeting and discussed promoPennsylvania this tion of hang gliding spnng. with USHGA One of the Administrative most popular activities Director John in the hall was Pat Halloran. Fred Carter Denevan's hang glider simulator. My 14was visible in the year-old nephew seminars and at vendeclined the chance to dor displays in the fly it, but my brotherexhibition hall, askin-law took a fiveing questions of the experts. I felt like I Several local pilots braved the Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee to minute flight suspended in a cocoon was the new kid on the JV squad, sneak- attend AirExpo '99, the joint Soaring Society of America annual under a glider. Tom's initial instruction ing into the varsity locker room in hopes convention and USHGA national membership meeting. Greg consisted of watching Fred Carter in the of learning how the starting lineup playDe Wolf, an Honorary Director was there, in the midst of many fly- sim. Facing the 25inch television screen, ers got there. he was able to fly the As is found at ing.friends.from across the country. cartoon glider along many conventions, the coast on a specially configured there was a mix of the vendors' exhibition hang gliding area, and Kitty Hawk Kites hall, educational seminars and business Nintendo Flight64 game. The motion and was also a very visible participant. Seeing meetings. I missed the USHGA Board response are very realistic. I just wish thergliders, harnesses, books and videos was meetings, but did browse the exhibitors' mals really were wispy gray columns in the impressive, but the truly fun part was seedisplays, make several of the seminars, and sky as they are in the game. We need one ing the people. attend the general membership meeting on of these for our meetings and fly-in disAt one booth I met a most delightful Saturday morning. woman with a slight accent, sitting behind plays! stacks and stacks of books, selling her husEXHIBITION HALL SEMINARS band's tomes. I introduced myself to Claire I attended several of the seminars. An The exhibit area was a lot of fun. It was Pagen, and told her that I still have her dominated by the many sailplanes set up advantage of the joint meeting with SSA Hyner launch photo from the 1998 - all beautiful, gleaming, white, silent was being able to choose among their USHGA Calendar on display above my wind-rockets. The hang gliders were clusspeaker list as well as USHGA's. At one desk. She encouraged me to come fly tered at the far end, adding color and SSA session, I watched Bernd Scheffel Hyner at the next opportunity. I returned dimension to the huge room, set up on the demonstrate his THEMI, Thermal the next day to buy two of those books. At floor and suspended from the ceiling. All Maneuvering Indicator. This rather ingethe Lookout Mountain glider display I visaround the sides were booth displays by nious gadget combines the data from a digited with Jayne Depanfilis, whom I had manufacturers, retail businesses, clubs and ital vario and a GPS to continuously plot met at Kitty Hawk several years ago. Since the apparent location of the center of a theteams. Most hang glider manufacturers then she has worked at Wallaby, and is now were there, but no instrument companies. with Matt Taber's LMFP. When she learned oretically defined circular thermal. It then Lookout Mountain Flight Park, the nearest where I was from, she asked if I knew Janet signals with two small lights whether to continue turning, level wings, or turn more major dealer, was a dominant player in the and Joe Gregor, and how they were doing.

SHG

MAY/JUNE

1999

1n

nox:ville

33

USHGA Board Of Directors Meeting Synopsis February 26-28, 1999- Knoxville, Tennessee

by Phil Bachman, USHGA Executive Director

B

y design, this Board meeting had an abbreviated meeting schedule to accommodate Air Expo '99 activities. This allowed the Directors to participate in the many seminars and meetings as well as experience the Air Expo concept. Two general sessions were held, the opening one on Friday morning and a Sunday morning session for committee reports. Due to the curtailed schedule, several committees did not meet.

The following summary addresses, very briefly, the discussions and actions of those committees which met in Knoxville. Complete meeting minutes will be available from the office by the time you read this.

SAFETY AND TRAINING COMMITTEE -

BILL BRYDEN, CHAIRMAN

A

draft will be prepared for approval at the next BOD meeting for a platform launch (PL) special skill. IP Administrator appointments were discussed and appointments made. Discussion was opened on the idea of developing a new special skill for auxiliary power. No action was recommended.

WORLDWIDE COMPETITION COMMITTEE- RUSS WCKE, CHAIRMAN

T

here was much discussion regarding various meet sanctions with approvals.

Methodology is being created for selecting speed-gliding team members. This is to be completed in time to apply for this summer's speed-gliding contests. Dennis Pagen was instructed to communicate with CIVL regarding USHGXs position on minimal glider structural standards at CIVL sanctioned meets, and continuing frustration with the GAP scoring system. The committee recommended that G.W Meadows approach CIVL about holding the 2003 World Hang Gliding Championships in the U.S. as part of the 100-year celebration of the Wright Brothers' flight.

MEMBERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - DAVID GWVER, CHAIRMAN

T

he discussion concentrated on identifying ways in which communication with members could be improved, with recommendations such as adding spaces for fax numbers and e-mail addresses to the membership form, implementing an autorenewal process using credit cards on file, discount coupons for merchandise, and others. A second area of discussion was directed at identifying ways to reduce the nonrenewal rate ofUSHGA members. Historically, USHGA has experienced a 21 % nonrenewal average per year.

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE -

DAN JOHNSON, CHAIRMAN

A

motion was passed recommending that the USHGA strive to achieve parity in the amount of "creative content" delivered to both hang glider and paraglider members in the magazines. Work is continuing on the subject of a possible combined magazine. A motion was approved which recommends that the financial model be completed, parameters for a membership vote on the decision be developed, and an explanatory article and member vote card appear in a summer issue of the magazines.

The committee also unanimously recommended that an editor contract be drafted and executed with Gil Dodgen.

TANDEM COMMITTEE - PAUL VOIGHT, CHAIRMAN

T

he lists for hang gliding and paragliding Tandem Administrators were reviewed, discussed and approved.

ORGANIZATION AND BY LAWS COMMIITEE CHAIRMAN

R

PAUL R.IKERT,

ecommendations from this committee included documenting the procedure for reporting Executive Committee meeting minutes to the BOD, and inclusion of a revised SOP 12-6, Foreign Ratings, in the next release of the USHGA Policy Manual.

sharply to seek that center with the glider.

Gary Osoba told us of his vision for

Future Glider Designs for Maximum Airtime.

He believes this will be an ultralight sailplane. He is working on the Carbon Dragon, a rigid wing that weighs 148 pounds and is foot-launchable. Dennis Pagen reviewed the past, present and future of hang glider design. He predicted a major impact from two emerging technologies.

The first is the molded, shaped Mylar sail with impregnated carbon threads. This is being made on computer-controlled contour floors for sailboats today. The next will be nano-tubes, crystalline carbon fibers, related at the molecular level to BuckeyBalls. Dennis said that parts made from nano-tubes will be stronger and lighter than current carbon fiber parts, comparable to the difference between aluminum and carbon fiber.

Rob Kells from Wills Wing spoke on Emergency Parachute Use and Care. During his hour he presented the key information from his full parachute safety seminar. This was very similar to what many of us have learned at Betty Pfeiffer's seminars, which he mentioned. (He has not attended hers, but said he wants to.) Rob addressed the issue of aluminum carabiners. He told of a pilot who made a 40-mile cross-country flight on Saturday. As he was hooking in on Sunday, his aluminum 'biner broke in two in his hand. Rob was able to inspect the carabiner, and discovered that hidden internal cracks had weakened the aluminum and then it failed, luckily while still on the ground. Rob reiterated: Hang glider pilots should use only steel carabiners. Pilots flying in salt water areas should use stainless steel, not aluminum.

Dan Johnson, VP ofBRS, looked at progress in the area of Powered Hang Gliders. Bill Bryden, co-author (with Dennis Pagen) of TowingAloft, spoke on Hang Gliding Towing Myths. Bill spoke about many items he calls "conventional wisdom that isn't." Myth: Weak links protect you from lockouts and high nose angles. Fact: With tension-control systems, weak links only break if defective, if there is a control system malfunction, or if there is a change in tension faster than the response rate of the tension system. Myth: Lockouts occur only at high tension. Fact: Accidents have occurred when a line snagged on a control bar, producing only 120 pounds in

Continued on page 42.

34

PARAGLIDING

by Scott Maclowry

eople used to curse the long, hard road to Telluride and the grueling work one did while staying there. Long unknown, and now characterized as an eccentric, expensive, end-ofthe-road small town with a lot of attitude, Telluride was a dusty ghost town only 45 years ago. Compared with many megaresorts, Telluride has so far remained relatively small and undeveloped.

Telluride is at 8,750' MSL, nestled in a steep canyon on the west flank of the southwestern San Juan Mountains of the Colorado Rockies. The San Juans have the largest wilderness areas in Colorado, and have the highest concentration of 14,000' + peaks in the state (and the continental U.S.). Four of these fourteeners are within 15 miles of town and are visible from launch.

Foot-launched flying started here at the dawn of the hang gliding era in 1972.

The Telluride Air Force, our local flying club and USHGA Chapter, was formed by the early hang glider pilots to coordinate with the public and private entities that own or control our launch and LZ's.

Aviation in Telluride flourishes in a friendly atmosphere among pilots of all persuasions. We live, work, fly and party together. We paraglider pilots are the newcomers here and owe a debt of gratitude to the divers who pioneered this site and kept it open for almost 20 years before we came along.

Our launch and LZ's are on private property, accessed across private property, or controlled by local government.

Permission to use and/ or cross this private and public land has been generously granted by several entities. Our regulations may seem cumbersome to some, but it would be very easy for an inconsiderate pilot to jeopardize flying here for everyone. We require a P2 and 10 hours for morning flying, a P3 (or P2 with 25 hours) for late-afternoon flights, and a P4

36

The San Juan Mountains, from another view.

Photo by Sandra Wei/,and.

37

(or P3 with local sponsor) for midday flying. We require a Guide Pilot for all visiting pilots. Finding a GP shouldn't be difficult since none of us work (just kidding) and we go up the hill almost every flyable morning and afternoon. Please contact Paraglide Telluride to sign the necessary paperwork and get ride and GP info before flying.

Gold Hill, our launch atop the Telluride Ski Resort, is the highest USHGA site at 12,250' MSL. To the north, east and south the San Juans stretch as far as the eye can see. To the west, the mesas roll gradually down 7,000 feet in shallow waves to the canyon lands of Utah. Gold Hill offers beautiful launches to the east and west. Grassy alpine slopes in broad, open-book terrain allow room for many pilots to set up at once. Launch is a 25-minute 4x4 ride in the summer and 20 minutes on lifts with a 20-minute hike in the winter.

During the summer and fall flying season we launch east off Gold Hill in the morning over beautiful Bear Creek Canyon. There are three main launch areas with many launch spots at each.

Tempter is steep and faces northeast into the rising sun. Aero faces east, is equally steep, and drops away in a breathtaking fashion thereafter. Revelation Bowl faces southeast and is much less steep before it drops off. The morning sun heats up the cliffs in the canyon and thermals begin to rise early. It is often soarable at 9:00 AM. For less experienced pilots, smooth sledders can be had before conditions are soarable. Launching off the east side can be intimidating, so solid forward and light-wind reverse skills are important.

The west side is for more advanced pilots. The launch there is a dream.

There's a gentle slope in an open book on the north launch and a steeper rounded knoll on the south launch. Advanced pilots can launch in midday booming conditions or wait to join the rest of us when things smooth out. We really don't mind if you want to experience the To-hell-u-ride conditions, we just want to be sure that you and the conditions are compatible.

During the summer, after a morning flight, we often don't even go back up until 5:00 PM. After launching at 5:30 PM you can still fly until sunset (three hours).

With beautiful morning sledders, boomMAY/JUNE

1999

ing midday thermals, and unbelievable evening glass-offs, Gold Hill is truly a special place that all should experience.

Oop's Field, named after the late Alley Oop who used to run cows in this field, is our LZ on the valley floor outside of town. You can't miss it on your way into town; it's big, beautiful and decorated with windsocks. This LZ is owned by the San Miguel Valley Corporation. The SMVC has generously leased this field to the Telluride Air Force for many years for landing hang gliders and paragliders.

Though the valley floor is slated for

development, the SMVC continues to view the incorporation of an LZ into their future open-space plans as possible.

Thanks for not littering, and please, no dogs or vehicles in this field.

Our LZ in Telluride Town Park is a rare jewel. It is a Telluride tradition supported by the citizens and the Town Council. We share it with soccer, softball, skating, X-C skiing, skateboarding and many more local enthusiasts. The landing is not difficult but there are many obstacles, so please visit the park before landing there. The divers call Oop's Field the

39

Leisure Zone but refer to Town Park as the Seizure Zone, so if you ever have questions about conditions in the valley, land at Oop's.

Our annual flying festival, the Telluride Airmen's Rendezvous, is a great time to fly Telluride. We have regular convoys to launch, launch crews with EMT's, launch conveniences, parties (free beer), a film night, spot landing with prizes and other contests, hang gliding aerobatics, and an FM-granted 25,000' ceiling. Altitudes of over 23,000' have been achieved. The Rendezvous is one of the oldest footlaunched flying festivals in the U.S. This year we are celebrating the 26th Annual Rendezvous, August 23-28. Please come

f II.. Perfect Demo A5s-30

join us for this fun flying festival!

This year the Telluride Paragliding Cross Country Open will coincide with the festival. We cordially invite comp pilots and aspiring recreational pilots to come and enjoy six days of mountain X-C tasks. We hope to set moderate-length courses around the valley for spectator appreciation and safety, as well as a long task or two. Our number one goal is a safe comp, and you may come assured that we will not ask pilots to launch into excessive conditions.

As you may have surmised, there are innumerable things to do in addition to flying: hiking, climbing, peak bagging, biking, fly-fishing, kayalcing, horseback riding, ski-

purple only S 1-26 yellow only G Demo H Brand New S1-26 only blue T only Brand New S1-26 orange S2vt-30 yellow only ~ Demo orange only s Demo S2vt-23 Shape!

S2vt-23 only range ~ Perfect N Mike's Personal S2vt-30 w/trimmers only H

40

$1399 $1799 $1999 $1999 $2299 AFNOR Standard. ..........,..~ $2199 l' NOW! . $ 2399 S09~925a5565.,@e $2199 ~.............

c,m

ing and ice climbing (in the winter of course), and hot springs, to name but a few.

For more information on the Airmen's Rendezvous, Paragliding Cross Country Open, or general site info, call Paraglide Telluride after May 17 at (970) 369-4696.

For lodging, call Telluride Resort Accommodations at (800) 852-0015.

ACCOMMODATIIONS Least expensive lodging • Camping outside of town, no facilities, free • Camping in Town Park Campground, showers, bathrooms, $12 (reservations) • Oak St. Inn • Victorian Inn • Viking Lodge • Mountainside Inn • Tomboy Inn Least expensive meals • La Cocina de Luz Big portions, authentic, organic when possible, Lucas rules • The Magic Market Big, organic, tasty, deli and mini-market • The Deli Downstairs Sammies, soups and stews, try a nutburger • Sofios Excellent Mexican fare • Honga's Lotus Petal A little more expensive but worth it 1111 PARAGLIDING

Continued from page 29. tends to be a characteristic of high-aspectratio (AR) gliders (long slender wings). (AR = span squared divided by the area.)

Spiral Dives The owner's manual states, "The spiral dive is the fastest way to reduce altitude with a loss of height at more than 20 mis (or 66 ft./sec. or 3,937 fc./min.). When spiraling the X-Act, it is recommended to apply some outside brake to help stabilize the wing and enable an easier and safer exit." For spirals at moderate bank angles (60° or less), I agree with the DHV test report, which indicates that recovery was "spontaneous" upon release of the inside brake, although this wing may exhibit different behavior at steeper bank angles.

Special Certification Note There is a special certification note issued by the DHV for the rwo largest-size X-Acts (25 and 27), at the high end of the weight range, which states: "Spiral dive: sink rates> 12 mis increased turn continue."

I interpret chis to mean that when these rwo biggest sizes of the X-Act are spiraled at the high end of their weight ranges, it creates an extra-fast descent rate and will roll more steeply into the spiral. Because of this special certification note caution should be exercised whe n doing spirals on the X-Act at any wing loading, and especially when "heavy. " This means, start high above the terrain, recover both gradually and early, and make sure you're well clear of any air traffic below yo u.

OTHER FLIGHT MODES Towing I didn't row-launch the X-Acc. According ro the owner's manual it has no special towing characteristics and it is approved by the DHV for towing.

Motoring I flew the same X-Act 25 as a glider and for motoring, which put me at least 50 lbs. (23 kg) over the maximum weight using my "heavy" motor. Flying at a high wing loading increases the stall speed and usually makes launching and landing more difficult. I only morored in a windy condition (approximately 10 miles/hr. or 16 km/hr.) , performing a reverse inflation and lifting off in one step.

The X-Act worked well with auxiliary power, including climbing left turns at the

MAY/JUNE

1999

high wing loading. The heavy wing loading increased my sink rate and didn't allow me ro thermal very effectively, but this would have been the case on any glider that was overloaded. Big ears were easy ro accomplish with the split A-risers, although rear-riser turns required a lot of tension. Again, I amibute this ro the excess wing loading and not a detriment specific ro the X-Act.

MAINTENANCE The owner's manual states, "Clean the paraglider with mildly warm water and a soft sponge. Do not use any chemicals or spirits for cleaning. Stubborn stains or animal droppings should be immediately removed with methylated spirits, rinsed with water and then thoroughly dried. Clean the paraglider with fresh water after contact with salt water. Salt crystals can weaken line strength even after rinsing in fresh water.

Replace lines immediately after contact with salt water. Always remove gliders from the water by holding only the trailing edge."

SUMMARY The X-Act is an excellent glider. It's safe, predictable, forgiving, launches very easily, is well constructed, and with a light wing loading it shines in sink-rate performance. It won't fatigue yo ur arm muscles as quickly as some entry-level gliders can, yet it retains a firm feel. I would categorize the X-Act as a "floater" rather than as a "racer." If you often experience windy co nditions in your area, you should fly this glider in the top half of the weight range ro improve penetration, rather than being light on it. If you want a glider that launches well, is reassuring in the air, and you're more interested in getting high and staying up than in going far fast, the X-Act can safely deliver you ro altitude.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Altm Chucufate began teaching hang gliding in 1975, and has been teaching paragliding since 1990. He is a tandem instructor for both types ofgliders and is authorized by the USHGA to train and certify instructors in both disciplines. He is also a certified instructor for powered paragliding, and teaches powered hang gliding using the Mosquito powered harness. He resides in San Diego, California. For comments or questions you're invited to contact him directly via e-mail at g_achucu@qualcomm.com or by telephone at (619) 292-1552. •

41

Air Expo '99

WE'RE ON TO SOMETHIN'

by Phil Bachman, USHGA Executive Director ur editor asked me to provide some information about some of the behind-the-scenes work in which I was involved while organizing Air Expo '99. At one of the early planning meetings, it dawned on me that we were creating something which had a great deal of public interest potential. As the work continued, I volunteered to develop the public relations presentation for use with local media. I made a trip to Knoxville with the media kits and prearranged appointments with the media. Just as I anticipated, they ate it up.

Universally, they commented, "We've never had anything like this before!" When I speak of the media I'm referring to newspaper, radio and TV Our objective was to get media exposure in order to attract the public to the Air Expo to learn about our various air sports.

To make a long story as short as I can, a 14-inch-square color photo appeared on the front page of the Sunday Knoxville paper (along with a two-page accompanying article) of their reporter airborne, taking a tandem lesson at Lookout Mountain Flight Park. After a visit with a broadcasting company char owns six radio stations in the Knoxville market, we secured an "official sponsorship" for rhe Air Expo, which meant half-hour taped interviews running on their talk shows and a week's worth of radio advertising on their largest station.

The television interest really took our breath away. All three of the national affiliates covered the Air Expo. Channel 6 (ABC) aired five morning show excerp ts about the Expo in keeping with their "Flying High Week" theme. These included a hang glider in the studio with David Glover from Lookout providing excellent commentary with the morning show host (I was the dummy hanging in the harness) , an interview with SSA President and USHGA Board member Larry Sanderson, an eight-minute story by co-host Rachaelle Kennedy about a sailplane flight she had taken, and continued reminders throughout the hour-long shows about Air Expo '99 at the convention center that weekend. Channels 8 (CBS) and 10 (NBC) both aired their "Live at Five" shows from the convention floor on Friday evening, both of them presenting their 6:00 pm weather reports live, one reporter standing in front of a hang a glider and the other sitting in an ultralight. Channel 8 had also aired a live morning show segment that morning.

The result? At the Soaring Society banquet on Saturday night, their committee chairman for the Knoxville event, David H abercrom, announced that we had attracted more than 2,000 public attendees who paid $5 each to see the Air Expo.

Like I said in the subtitle, I think we are on to something. •

0

Continued from page 34. the lockout; when a glider was turned 90°, with the pilot's body swung into frame and only 130 pounds of tension; when a glider overflew the tow truck, but with the bridle over the control bar, pulling the glider nose down at only 30 to 40 pounds of tension. Myth: If a release fails, you can simply overfly the truck to break the weak link. Fact: See above! Emergency procedure suggestion: If you are doing 30 mph at 300 feet on tow and experience a release malfunction, you have only seven

42

seconds to act. No way a hook knife is the answer - throw your parachute!

MEMBERSHIP MEETING The general membership meeting included special presentations and recognitions. It was not a meeting to conduct USHGA business; the Board and USHGA committees took care of Association business. The first presentation was especially impressive.

The agenda had announced a visit from Osceola, the hang gliding bald eagle, but it turned out to be much more than that.

John Stokes, Osceola's caregiver and pilot, brought four birds from the protected bird sanctuary at Dollywood, and treated the crowd to his full educational presentation.

We experienced overfl ights by a vulture, Satch the red-tailed hawk, and Cherokee the golden eagle. I have now had a golden eagle with a six-foot wingspan swoosh over my head with about three inches of clearance! The story of Osceola is amazing. He has now had eight flights with John. Disney may be making a film about him!

Chris Wills brought us some rather special old home movies. Back in 1967, as a sophomore in high school, Chris and his brothers snuck out with their dad's eightmm movie camera to record their earliest experiments in do-it-yourself unpowered flight. They graduated from broomsticks to bamboo, but used a steady supply of plastic sheeting and duct tape. Major repairs took all of 20 minutes. The 400-foot hill outside San Clemente, California became a playground in the air as the Wills brothers got their friends to carry the glider back up three carries earned one flight! Chris told us about our common status as Type 1 people, those who need to fly, who will do anything to be in the air, compared to Type 2, who will fly, and Type 3, who will do anything not to fly. Rob Kells presented a special recognition award to Chris for his pioneering days in hang gliding.

USHGA President Gregg Lawless presented a special proclamation to air-show performer and hang glider pilot Dan Buchanan. We saw film of parts of Dan's spectacular show, complete with smoke and fireworks setting off from his glider. Paul Rikert received the Exceptional Service Award, noting his 21 years as a USHGA Board member. The 1998 Presidential Citation went to Wills Wing president Rob Kells, who emphasized flight safety in his acceptance remarks. Congratulations are in order for Mike Chevalier as the editor and the other contributors to the Mountaineer's club newsletter, the USHGA 1998 Newsletter of the Year. Other local award recipients were Dottie Harrison and Ken Harrison for their efforts and contributions at Hyner. Mr. John Fishburn, owner of the Woodstock LZ, was presented with a USHGA award for long-term promotion of our sport.

My trip to Knoxville was great. It was a no-fly weekend, but one of the most memorable of my hang gliding weekends! •

PARAGLIDING

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BEGINNER RATINGS Region I BEEBEE, ADRIAN: Anchorage, AK; B. Hamler/Golden Eagle PG NELSON, DAMON: Bremerton, WA; M. Heckler/PG Washington RUDBACK,ALEX: Bellingham, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay SEIFERT, MARKUS: Kirkland, WA; C. Mullack/Tiger Mm PG TARTISEL, GREGORY: Anchorage, AK; M. Devietti/Dixon's Airplay PG VANVEELEN,JOHANN: Port Townsend, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG WILSON, TIM: Port Townsend, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG Region2 CIROME, JONATHAN: San Francisco, CA; J. Lucas/Glidell CURRAN, WILLIAM: San Carlos, CA; L Szafaryn DEBORD, CURTIS: Sparks, NV; B. Hannah/PG Washington FILER, CHRIS: Paradise, CA; R. Leonard/Adventure Sports SCHMICK, MARK: San Francisco, CA; W. Anderson/Merlin Flight School SCHMIDT, TYSON: Esparto, CA; C. Bastian/Fly Above All SIMMONS, GEORGE: Atascadero, CA; H. Murphy/Surf the Sky STARBUCK, E ORCA: San Francisco, CA; J. Laos/Glidell Region3 ALLERS, WILLIAM: Rialto, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport AYALA, MANUEL: Paramount, CA; M. DeBarros/Atmosphere PG BEIDLER, TOM: Santa Barbara, CA; C. Bastian/Fly Above All BLINDELL, WILLIAM: Aliso Viego, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport CASTILLO, NORMA: Downey, CA; K Wong/Big Air PG DELHAYE, JEAN-PIERRE: Del Mar, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport DENNY, WAYNE: Campo, CA; J. Ryan/HG C DEPAUW, CHRISTOPHE: Delmar, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport DUMAlN, KEVIN: Santa Barbara, CA; C. Bastian/Fly Above All EYAL, AMSILY: San Diego, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport GREGUS, MILAN: San Diego, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Glidetport GVILI, SAUL: Irvine, CA; M. DeBarros/Annosphere PG HAGEN, EMND: Huntington Bch, CA; M. DeBarros/Atmosphere PG HALL, JIMMY: Haleiwa, HI; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport KRANZ, MARK: Irvine, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure KRAWEZ, MAX: San Diego, CA;]. Meyers/Airrek 1A RUE, R ERIC: Lomita, CA; C. Bastian/Fly Above All 1AWRENCE LO, WAI HON: San Diego, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport LEAHY, MARK: Los Angeles, CA; T. Nelson/Thermal Dynamics LEITCH, STEVEN: Westlake Vig, CA; C. Bastian/Fly Above All LORTON, ROBERT: Sunland, CA; R. Richard/Windsports LUDERER, ANDREAS: San Diego, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport MACKLOW, JIM: Camarillo, CA; R. Richard/Windsports MALL, RODNEY: Riverside, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure MCCLUSKEY, BRIAN: Encinitas, CA; F. Lawley/Accelerated Flight Systems PEDEN, ERIC: Los Angeles, CA; R. Richard/Windsports REHR, BILL: Lalce Elsinore, CA; M. Bell/Discover Flight

44

RICHARDSON, CHRISTOPHER: Aiea, HI; P. Michelmore/Paradise PG RYZHY, AMY: San Diego, CA; K. Baier/Air Junkies PG SERVETTER, MIRIAM: San Diego, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport STEIN, ERIK: Lahaina, HI; S. Amy/Proflyghr Hawaii PG VULTEE, FORREST: San Diego, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderporr Region4 BINGHAM, JOHN: Pleasant Grove, UT; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG COOPER, RYAN: Sandy, UT; S. Marion/Point of the Mm PG DIXON, DAYID: Bluffdale, UT; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG ERVIN, LUCUS: Riverdale, UT; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG KOFKA, MICHAEL: Tempe, AZ; D. Jebb/Torrey Pines Gliderport LIGHT, ALLEN: Albuquerque, NM; S. Amy/ProFlyghr Hawaii MCCRORY, SEAN: Golden, CO; G. Banks/Parasofr PG NEUMAN, CHRISTOPHER: Aspen, CO; A. Palmaz/Aspen PG ORZEL, DANA: Ridgeway, CO; S. MacLowry/Paraglide Telluride PAINTER, JAMES: Durango, CO; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG REDMAN, TIM: Phoenix, AZ; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG REED, BRITT: Salt Lake City, UT; H. Comfort/The Soaring Center TICE, JOHN: Salt Lake City, UT; H. Comfort/The Soaring Center Region5 KEEFE, MATT: Hailey, IO; G. Callaghan/Sun Valley PG KERRICK, JASON: Hailey, ID; G. Callaghan/Sun Valley PG Region6 CIERPIOT, CM: Independence, MO; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG DUYALL, JEFFREY: California, MO; C. Bowles/Southern Skies PG Region 7 HAGL, RICHARD: Madison, WI; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG I IEMMINGER, DINA: Madison, WI; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG PETERSON, ALEX: Long Lake, MN; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG SPERKWICH, RAY: Wilmington, IL; A. Chuculate/Air Apparent TANAKA, MIYOKO: Evanston, IL; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG TORVIK, BRIAN: Madison, WI; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG Region8 ZIERING, CHARLES: Concord, MA; R. Sharp/Parafly PG Region 9 HIMMIGHOEFER, WALTER: Bairo, MD; A. Chuculate/Air Apparent KRISELER, DANNY: Olney, MD; A. Chuculare/Air Apparent MARZEWSKI, ERIC: Severn, MD; A. Chuculare/Air Apparent MAY, JORDAN: Baltimore, MD; A. Chuculate/Air Apparent Region 10 ENGEL, ROBERTO: Miami, FL; G. Banks/Parasofr PG VOGEL, JURGEN: Miami, FL; G. Banks/Parasofr PG Region 11 AUSTIN, ANDREW: Dallas, TX; D. Broyles/Kite Enterprises COBB, KENNETH: Hearne, TX; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG Region 12 GHERARDI, DOUGIAS: New York, NY; J. Meyers/Airrek KUPEC, IVETA: Brooklyn, NY; P.SchallerFranco/New York PG MICHAELS, IRA: Great Neck, NY; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport

PARAGLIDING

Region 13 BONIN, VERONIKA: Germany 78351; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport PAVAN, MARK: Canada; G. Callaghan/Sun Valley PG TUSTAIN, RICHARD: Canada; K. Biernacki/Upper Limits

NOVICE RATINGS Region 1 BEEBEE, ADRIAN: Anchorage, AK; B. Hamler/Golden Eagle PG RASPONE, PAUL: Clarkston, WA; S. Johnson/US Airborne RUDBACK, ALEX: Bellingham, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay SEIFERT, MARKUS: Kirkland, WA; C. Mullack/Tiger Men PG TARTISEL, GREGORY: Anchorage, AK; M. Devietti/Dixon's Airplay PG VANVEELEN,JOHANN: Port Townsend, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG Region2 CIRO ME, JONATHAN: San Francisco, CA;]. Lucas/Glidell CURRAN, WILLIAM: San Carlos, CA; L. Szafatyn FILER, CHRIS: Paradise, CA; R. Leonard/Adventure Sports SCHMICK, MARK: San Francisco, CA; W. Anderson/Merlin Flight School SCHMIDT, TYSON: Esparto, CA; C. Bastian/Fly Above All SIMMONS, GEORGE: Atascadero, CA; H. Murphy/Surf the Sky Region 3 AYALA, MANUEL: Paramount, CA; M. DeBarros/Atmosphere PG BEIDLER, TOM: Santa Barbara, CA; C. Bastian/Fly Above All BELLINI, ALLEN: San Diego, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport DELHAYE, JEAN-PIERRE: Del Mar, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport DENNY, WAYNE: Campo, CA;]. Ryan/HG C DUMAIN, KEVIN: Santa Barbara, CA; C. Bastian/Fly Above All GREGUS, MILAN: San Diego, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport GVILI, SAUL: Irvine, CA; M. DeBarros/Acmosphere PG HALL, JIMMY: Haleiwa, HI; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport KLOKKE, ALEX: Palos Verdes, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport KRANZ, MARK: Irvine, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure KRAWEZ, MAX: San Diego, CA;]. Meyers/Airtek LA RUE, R ERIC: Lomira, CA; C. Bastian/Fly Above All LEAHY, MARK: Los Angeles, CA; T. Nelson/Thermal Dynamics LEITCH, STEVEN: Westlake Vig, CA; C. Bastian/Fly Above All LORTON, ROBERT: Sunland, CA; R. Richard/Windsports MACKLOW, JIM: Camarillo, CA; R. Richard/Windsporcs MALL, RODNEY: Riverside, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure PEDEN, ERIC: Los Angeles, CA; R. Richard/Windsports REHR, BILL: Lake Elsinore, CA; M. Bell/Discover Flight RICHARDSON, CHRISTOPHER: Aiea, HI; P. Michelmore/Paradise PG RVZHY, AMY: San Diego, CA; K. Baier/Air Junkies PG SERVETTER, MIRIAM: San Diego, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport STEIN, ERIK: Lahaina, HI; S. Amy/Proflyght Hawaii PG Region4 BINGHAM, JOHN: Pleasant Grove, UT; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG BURNETT, RICHARD: Farmington, UT; K.Hudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly COOPER, RYAN: Sandy, UT; S. Marion/Point of rhe Mm. PG DIXON, DAVID: Bluffdale, UT; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG ERRETT, MARGARET: Tijeras, NM; K. Mayforth/Paradox ERVIN, LUCUS: Riverdale, UT; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG KOFKA, MICHAEL: Tempe, AZ; D. Jebb/Torrey Pines Gliderport MCCRORY, SEAN: Golden, CO; G. Banks/Parasoft PG MCOMBER, DAN: Louisville, CO; G. Banks/Parasoft PG

MAY /JUNE

1999

MITCHELL, HARLAN: Tempe, AZ; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG NEUMAN, CHRISTOPHER: Aspen, CO; A Palmaz/Aspen PG OLMER, HEINRICH: Basalt, CO; A Marx/Ajax PG ORZEL, DANA: Ridgeway, CO; S. MacLowiy/Paraglide Telluride REDMAN, TIM: Phoenix, AZ; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG REED, BRITT: Salt Lake City, UT; H. Comfort/The Soaring Center SOUSA, MICHAEL: Avon, CO; K. HustedNail Valley PG TICE, JOHN: Salt Lake City, UT; H. Comfort/The Soaring Center Region 5 HOLLAND, ROBERT: Hailey, ID; F. Gillette/Magic Valley Gliders KEEFE, MATT: Hailey, ID; G. Callaghan/Sun Valley PG KERRICK, JASON: Hailey, ID; G. Callaghan/Sun Valley PG MALARKEY, HUNTINGTON: Hailey, ID; G. Callaghan/Sun Valley PG Region6 CIERPIOT, CM: Independence, MO; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG DUVALL, JEFFREY: California, MO; C. Bowles/Southern Skies PG Region 7 HAGL, RICHARD: Madison, WI; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG HEMMINGER, DINA: Madison, WI; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG PETERSON, ALEX: Long Lake, MN; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG TANAKA, MIYOKO: Evanston, IL; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG TORVIK, BRIAN: Madison, WI; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG Region 8 MACLEOD, ED: Chelmsford, MA; S. Berk ZIERING, CHARLES: Concord, MA; R. Sharp/Parafly PG Region 10 ENGEL, ROBERTO: Miami, FL; G. Banks/Parasofi: PG VOGEL,JURGEN: Miami, FL; G. Banks/Parasofi: PG Region 11 AUSTIN, ANDREW: Dallas, TX; D. Broyles/Kite Enterprises COBB, KENNETH: Hearne, TX; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG Region 13 lWANAGA, SUSUMU: Japan; H. Comfort/The Soaring Center PAVAN, MARK: Canada; G. Callaghan/Sun Valley PG TUSTAIN, RICHARD: Canada; K. Biernacki/Upper Limits

INTERMEDIATE RATINGS Region l DAMORE, FRANK: Port Townsend, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG DAMORE, GINNA: Port Townsend, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG DE VILLIERS, JACQUES: Hillsboro, OR; D. Bridges/Aspen PG HJELLEN, ANDREW: Searrle, WA; M. Chirico/Chirico's Fright School HUDSON, KENT: Girdwood, AK; D. Jebb/Torrey Pines Gliderport MOFFITT, JR, HARRY: Vancouver, WA; C. Santacroce/Super Fly Boyz STIPAK, BRIAN: Portland, OR; S. Rori/Mt Bachelor PG WILSON,JAMES: Maple Valley, WA; L.D. Chirico/Chirico's Fright School YOUNG, FORREST: Bend, OR; G. Young/LZ PG Region2 BAKKE, DAVE: San Jose, CA; H. Rejmanek!Airtime of SF BISHOP, ROSS: Sunnyvale, CA; J. Lucas/Glidell

45

TORREY PINES - Continued from page 24.

a long-distance soaring record from Torrey in 1930), Orville Wright, Bill Bennett, and too many other famous flying pioneers to mention.

The last time I flew Torrey Pines was December 10, 1998, and Torrey was not supposed to be my destination. The morning I left Portland, Oregon, on one of the big birds, the sky was gray, the ground was white, and the air had winter written all over it. My final destination was supposed to be Marshall Peak in San Bernardino, California. The launch at Marshall is less than 45 minutes from Ontario airport, so I had booked myself in and out of Ontario, hoping the wind gods would be smiling on me. They weren't. As soon as I landed, I called Diane McKenzie for a Marshall report and what she said wasn't good. The winds were wrong and strong. Santa Anas they're called - east off the desert, blowing over 20 and building. Plan B was Lake Elsinore, which does work in an east wind.

At Elsinore I ran into an old friend .

After agreeing that a steady 25 with gusts

46

over 35 were enough to curl the hair of the dead, I asked my friend, "Speaking of the dead, do you want to go to heaven?" Of course he said yes, so we headed south to San Diego with a one-hour detour to Big Black on the way, just to check. Big Black is in Ramona, California, about halfway between Elsinore and Torrey. Big Black was blown out too, but the winds weren't quite so easterly and they did seem to be backing off. Suddenly, Torrey seemed more realistic. It is located in a different weather pattern than is the greater Los Angeles basin and it is reported that Torrey is flyable between 330 and 340 days a year.

I just can't imagine how heaven could be any better than this. I had left the Pacific Northwest just eight hours earlier in what felt like an impending snowstorm, had landed three hours later in a windstorm, and four hours later I was pulling up to lush green grass, a sweet blue ocean, and 72-degree winds coming in at an almost perfect north-northwest at eight to ten .

Our timing was perfect. Members of the Edel test-pilot crew were launching their super-crypto-elite blade-wings and acting as the most fantastic wind technicians any bag pilot could ask for. They were also putting on an air show complete with loops and death-spirals. It was all I could do not to just stand there, mesmerized by these masterful performers, but I managed to lay out my wing and launch.

The air was so warm that shorts and light shirrs were all the flight suit you really needed. Gloves were optional too, and although chis kind of thing drives the safery-conscious crazy, there were some pilots in the air wearing open-toed thongs rather than heavy boots. The one thought that kept creeping into my head as I made pass after pass along the north-so uth ridge

was, "It's December, and the dew isn't just on the pumpkin, the pumpkin is at the bottom of an icy lake frozen over for months to come." I wasn't getting much above launch, but I was flying, and it was a wonderfully pleasant day in December!

Torrey Pines has an incredibly rich aviation history. One example of this special history can be found in historical documents which discuss the late, great Hawley Bowlus (Bowlus supervised the building of the Spirit of Saint Louis), and Anne and Charles Lindbergh learning the fine art of soaring in 1928 over the same ridge we fly today. (One of Bowlus's friends was a flight instructor named Bud Pearl. Pearl's Class A license was signed off

by Orville Wright himself) There is no other soaring site in America with such a long, well-documented history. In preparing this article I perused more than 136 articles, books and news stories that discussed everything from the above-mentioned big names to things that, to some pilots, might seem insignificant, like the first-ever top-landing at Torrey performed by Woody Brown in 1936. In 1937 Woody established another record by staying up for more than nine hours. There is one account, given by Woody himself, of an aborted takeoff. Woody put it, "While my wife was cowing me off with the car, the day after a big rain, the tires spun in the mud, not giving me enough power for takeoff coming near the edge. I put the wing tip in the ground, gave full rudder, and ground-looped to a stop with the tail sticking out over the edge of the cliff."

The year that happened to Woody was the first year Torrey Pines became an official gliderport with the land being leased from the ciry of San Diego for the whopping sum of one dollar per year.

I don't know what the rent is now, but whatever it is, it's cheap. I mean, the streets are paved with gold! And, we have David Jebb standing tall at those pearly gates taking care of business for us. So, if you're a bag or a hang pilot, and you want to go to heaven, you'd better head out to Torrey first. The weather is next to perfect, the flying is better than good, and if you set yourself down right after one of those guaranteed gorgeous sunsets, and listen very carefully, you might hear some angel wings flying overhead. • PARAGLIDING

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CADWELL, JOHN: Alameda, CA; D. Jebb/Torrey Pines Gliderport FARNSWORTH, VIRGINIA: San Anselmo, CA; W. Anderson/Merlin Flight School LINSCOTT, DARREN: San Jose, CA; H. Rejmanek/Airtime of SF LINSCOTT, ELBA: San Jose, CA; H. Rejmanek/Airtime of SF MAJOURAU, GARY: San Francisco, CA; H. Rejmanek!Airtime of SF NARAYANASWAMY, SHANKAR: Sunnyvale, CA; J. Lucas/Glidell PARKS, JEFF: Santa Clara, CA; I-I. Rejmanek/Airtime of SF REISING, JOHN: Alameda, CA; H. Rejmanek/Airtime of SF SANCHEZ, ARNEL: Daly City, CA; H. Rejmanek!Airtime of SF SMITH, DANNY: Burlingame, CA; H. Rejmanek/ Airtime of SF Region3 DELHAYE, JEAN-PIERRE: Del Mar, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderporr DENNY, WAYNE: Campo, CA; J. Ryan/HG C FREEMAN, GARY: San Diego, CA; F. Lawley/Accelerated Flight Systems GREGUS, MUAN: San Diego, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport HALL, JIMMY: Haleiwa, HI; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport REHR, BILL: Lake Elsinore, CA; M. Bell/Discover Flight ROBERTS, JAMES: Honolulu, HI; P. Michelmore/Paradise PG ROHRBAUGH, STEVE: Carlsbad, CA; F. Lawley/Accelerated Flight Systems SLATTERY, BRIAN: Encinitas, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderporr THIELE, DEREK: Santa Barbara, CA; C. Bastian/Fly Above All Region4 BOHANNON, DALE: Draper, UT; K.Hudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly CHAMPAIGN, DAVID: Avon, CO; D. Jebb/Torrey Pines Gliderporr CHRISTENSON, ABRAHAM: Draper, UT; I-I. Comforr/The Soaring Center DAVENPORT, CHRIS: Aspen, CO; D. Bridges/Aspen PG Region 5 STATEN, GARY: Hazelton, ID; F. Gillette/Magic Valley Gliders VITALE, NICK: Pocatello, ID; F. Gillette/Magic Valley Gliders Regions ACTON, ED: Sudbury, MA; D. Bridges/Aspen PG IZADI, AMIR: Boston, MA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport MASSONI, DONALD: Wallingford, CT; D. Bridges/Aspen PG

PERHAM, ARMIN: Cupertino, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport ZVLKA, SANDRA: San Mateo, CA; H. Rejmanek/Airtime of SF Region3 ANCTIL, CLARK: San Diego, CA; D. Jebb/Torrey Pines Gliderport HALL, JIMMY: Haleiwa, HI; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport HOFFMAN, DOUGLAS: Kailua, HI; J.Goldberghiller Region4 CARR, MICHAEL: Lal,ewood, CO; M. Smith GACKENBACH, RONALD: Golden, CO; M. Smith KESLER, ERIC: Englewood, CO; L. Self/RMHGA SHARP, TERRY: Longmont, CO; L. Self ZITKALAWIN, WAKINYAN: Arvada, CO; L. Self Region 5 BURKE, SOLOMON: Kooskia, ID; S. Amy/ProFlyght Hawaii PG SCHULTZ, CHRISTOPHER: Ketchum, ID; C. Santacroce/Super Fly Boyz Region 7 IAQUINTA, PETER: Madison, WI; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport Regions GALLAGHER, JOHN: Ashland, MA; S. Berk PFAMMATTER, STEPHAN: Cransron, RI; S. Berk Region 11 RASMUSSEN, ERIC: Port Isabel, TX; P. Voight/Fly High HG

MASTER RATINGS Region3 NELSON, TIM: Torrance, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure

TANDEM ONE RATINGS

Region 10 OLSON, DAVID: Sarasota, FL; C. Santacroce/Super Fly Boyz

Region2 REED, ERIC: San Francisco, CA; M. Guiterrez/Alas Del Hombre

Region 11 AUSTIN, ANDREW: Dallas, TX; D. Broyles/Kite Enterprises ROSS, HUGH: Arlingron, TX; D. Broyles/Kite Enterprises

Region3 HILL, MARC: Honolulu, HI; P. Michelmore/Paradise PG PERHAM, ARMIN: La Jolla, CA; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport

Region 13 BLANCARTE, FABIO: Mexico; K. Hong/Torrey Pines Gliderport

Region 5 BURKE, SOLOMON: Kooskia, ID; S. Amy/Proflyght Hawaii PG

ADVANCED RATINGS Region l CLARKE, ANDREW: Redmond, WA; L.D. Chirico/Chirico's Fright School Region2 GINZBURG, ILAN: Santa Clara, CA; J. Lucas/Glide!!

MASSOUDI, ARASH: San Mateo, CA; H. Rejmanek/Airrime of SF NERI, PHIL: S San Francisco, CA; R. Ost/Black Wing PG OBF..STER, PAUL: Pescadero, CA; R. Ost/Black Wing PG

48

11\NDEM lWO RATINGS Region4 LAWREN CE, OTHAR: Carbondale, CO; C. Santacroce/Super Fly Boyz

TANDEM INSTRUCTOR RATINGS Region l YOUNG, GEORGE: Bend, OR; K.Hudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly

PARAGLIDING

HAND-HELD WIND METER Monitor changing wind conditions. Responsive to slightest variation In wind velocijy.

AIRSPEED INDICATOR use with optional Region3 DUREE, TOBY: Hollywood, CA; K.Hudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly JACOBSON, DANE: Goleta, CA; C. Santacroce/Super Fly Boyz KAMOCSAY, IAJOS: N Hollywood, CA; K. Baier/Air Junkies PG SPORRER, ROB: Santa Barbara, CA; C. Santacroce/Super Fly Boyz Region 4 KIRSTEN, CHARLES: Aspen, CO; K.Hudonjorgenscn/Two Can Fly

PATENTED paraglider mounting bracket.

Maximize your performance and skill.

RUGGED & ACCURATE: Molded of super tough l£XMI ® resin. stainless steel rod. Cal/brat/on traceable to National Institute of standards and Technology.

Specify: o- Omp or 0-50km/h Airspeed lndlcotor $23.50 Para llder Bracket $6.50 Hall Brothers, P.O. Box 1010-P, Morgan. UT 84050, USA Maslcrcarcl/VISA/C.O.D. Phone (801) 829-3232 Pax (80 I) 829-6349, hallbros0'carthlink.net

Region 10 DUC, CHRIS: Palm Bch Gdns, FL; K.Hudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly Region 11 YOUNG, TERRY: Livingston, TX; C. Santacroce/Super Fly Boyz

1999 TOP 10 SCHOOL/CLUB LEADERS IN BEGINNER (PARA 1) RATINGS ISSUED

RANK 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 7

SCHOOL .............................................. BEGINNER

Dixon's Airplay Paragliding .......................................... 25 Torrey Pines Gliderporr. ............................................... 20 Cloud 9 Paragliding ...................................................... 17 Southern Skies Paragliding ........................................... 15 Paraglide Washington ..................................................... 8 Air Apparent ................................................................... 6 Thermal Tracker ............................................................. 6 Adventure Sports ............................................................ 5 Airtime of San Francisco ................................................. 5 Fly Above All .................................................................. 5

This "one size fits all" radio harness instantly adjusts to hold any radio snugly to your chest without the use of multiple velcro straps or buckles found on lesser quality harnesses.

The vertical orientation of the radio improves reception and extends antenna life. Our unique suspension system virtually guarantees thot your harness will not bounce or swing.

The Adjusta Pro radio harness features all Cordura construction, large bellow cargo pocket, pen pouch and twin elastic antenna keepers.

Phone I Fax (541 »866=2529 Thermal Tracker Aero-Sports

P.O. Box 292 Wolf Creek, on 97497

Paraglide Turkey 99 July 10th - 20th

1999 TOP 10 SCHOOL/CLUB LEADERS IN NOVICE (PARA2) RATINGS ISSUED

RANK 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 7

SCHOOL ................................................... NOVICE

Southern Skies Paragliding ........................................... 19 Cloud 9 Paragliding ...................................................... 17 Dixon's Airplay Paragliding .......................................... 17 Torrey Pines Gliderport ................................................ 11 Parasoft Paragliding ...................................................... 10 The Soaring Center ........................................................ 7 Thermal Tracker Paragliding .......................................... ?

Chirico's Fright School... ................................................ 6 Adventure Sports ............................................................ 5 Fly Above All .................................................................. 5 Sun Valley Paragliding .................................................... 5

Rankings were compiledfrom ratings published in the January/February through May/June 1999 issues ojParagliding magazine.

MAY

UNE

1999

Join ParaSport for your most memorable paragliding holiday ever, designed by pilots for pilots.

Ideal locations for flying and the family.

Six days in OluDeniz, the most spectacular flying site in the world, 6000ft mountain overlooking the sea.

Four days in Kas, for the most amazing XC available, I 00km of 6000ft to 8000ft ridge, highest point 12000ft.

Holiday includes *Accommodation inc. breakfasts *Airport transfers *Site intros and expert guidance *Transport and fees to all flying sites *XC trips and retrievals Featuring IP'rofessional Instruction & Clinics *Reserve & equipment familiarization *Flight safety inc emergency descent methods *Thermal & X-C Clinics Price $120 I day (based on ten days.)

For more info go to www.parasport.com Or call Phil! at (775) 772 2877

49

The

dependable inter,nediate

DHV- Gii t esiegel K l.

'1-2 GH

US Distribution West Coast Paragliding 3620 Wawo na St. San Francisco CA 9411 6 Phone (415) 759-9011 Fax [4 1 5) 759-1 1 82 www. air-time.com/freeX

•

AFNOR standard

Development , Manufacturing International Distribution freeX air sports Gmb H 82544 Egling Germany www.freex.com

•

INith

'FreeX handling

DHV-Giitesiegel Kl .

Northwest Distributor Alpine Marine Phone (425) 432-8900 FAX (425) 432-2876 Email: alpmar@compuserve.com

'1-2 GH

•

AFNOR standard

PARAGLIDING ADVISORY: Used paragliders should always be thoroughly inspected before flying for the first time. If in doubt, many paragliding businesses will be happy to give an objective opinion on the condition of equipment you bring them to inspect. BUYERS SHOULD SELECT EQUIPMENT THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR SKILL LEVEL OR RATING. NEW PILOTS SHOULD SEEK PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION FROM A USHGA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR.

PLY N RELAX 38 - Pro Design, very good condition, with trimmers & move. Used packages from $900. Call (541) 387-31 06.

NOVA XYON 26 - Good shape, Evolution harness $1,200. (760) 753-7499.

PARAGUDERS EDEL ATLAS - Medium & RS2 RESERVE-brand new! Srill in package. Injury forces sale. Frank (917) 863-9756 NYC. Credit card accepted. Paid $3,900, will sell for $2,100. Will ship anywhere.

EDEL ENERGY XL Pete (435) 658-1892.

Good condition $800. Call

EDEL QUANTUM $900. (509) 326-4937.

Medium, good condition

EDEL SUPERSPACE 22 - Small, inspected 7/98, <20 hours, Edel Hero harness, Secura Max 30 reserve $2,000 or best offer. (307) /33-5754.

EDEL ZX - And Wills harness $400. Apco Supra $900. (619) 225-8720.

FIREBIRD FLAME XL - 1998, 6 hours, small surface, tree tear repaired by Firebird, flies great-went to Ignition $1,800. (978) 851-8226, fax (978) 851-4030, email fanmannonh@webtv.net

PRELUDE l 999 - Promo priced, limited quantity, XL only $1,650. (303) 347-8995.

PRO DESIGN PRO-FEEL 37 - Large, 120 hours, Vertex harness, X-S 400 reserve. Fresh inspection and repack by Pro Design USA $1,800 OllO. Bob (925) 825-4979 late evening.

UP CAB - Tandem wing, looks new, 75 flights, bomber stability and above average performance and handling, yellow $2,150 OBO. (808) 874-5433, tdm@paraglidehawaii.com WILLS WING 12 l - Like new, pink/green, 45 hours, w/harness & reserve $1,300. (805) 298-1222, arkow@jps.net Edel M Saber ................. 5 hours ....................... $1,600 Edel L Saber .................. New ........................... $1,700 Hero Harness ................ New .............................. $275 Balance Harness ............ New .............................. $375 UP Past Harness .................................................. $400 Pirebird Plame L ........... Sweet .......................... $1,500 Tandem Monster .............................................. $2,350 Flame L ......................... New ........................... $2,650 Flame XL ...................... New ........................... $2,650 Ignition ! ....................... New ........................... $2,350 Ignition XL ................... Nearly new ................. $2,250 Quantum small ............. Very Good ................. $1,250 Quantum medium ........ New, still in plastic ..... $1,550 Quantum large .............. Almost New ............... $1,450 New Vitrorazi powered PG: elec start, water cooler $3,600 1-888-932-6709 POWERED PARAGLIDERS

SABER L - Like new, 1997, w/Hero harness, Edel L reserve, 40 hours $1,950 US. Eddy (604) 463-5741 schuetz@direct.ca

ADVENTURE F2 - Good condition, low hours, 4prop, Pro Design Compact 33 $4,500 OBO. (732) 2978242.

SWING MISTRAL 29 - Purple, excellent condition, 50 hours $1,500. Older SupAir w/Pro Design steerable reserve $500. (805) 884-4907.

DK WHISPER - w/large Symphony canopy, <20 hours, like new, must sell. (561) 278--8420.

r------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, USHGA CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ORDER FORM 50 cents per word, $5.00 minimum Boldface or caps: $1.00 per word. (Does not include first few words which are automatically caps.) Special layouts or tabs: $25 per column inch. (phone numbers: 2 words, P.O. Box: 1 word, E-mail or Web address: 3 words) photos: $25.00, line art logos: $15.00 (1.75" maximum) DEADLINE: 20th of the month, six weeks before the cover date of the issue in which you want your ad to appear (i.e., September 20 for the NovJDec. issue).

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

Please enter my classified ad as follows:

Number of months: ___________ _ SECTION O Paragliders 0 Emergency Parachutes O Parts & Accessories CJ Business & Employment 0 Miscellaneous O Powered Paragliders O Videos

0 Towing 0 Schools & Dealers IJ Ultralights O Publications & Organizations OWanted 0 Harnesses

19

issue and run for _ _ _ __

Begin with

consecutive issue(s). My u check, IJ money order is enclosed in the amount of$ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ADDRESS:-------------·--CITY: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ STATE: _ _ __ Number of words: _______ @$.50 =____ _ Number of words· _______ @$1.00 =____ _

52

PHONE: USHGA, P.0 Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901 (719) 632-8300 fax (719) 632-6417

PARAGLIDING

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

STEAL THESE - Low hours, excellent condition, DK Beat $2,500. LaMouette 250 wltrike $4,000. Or $6,000 for both. (888) 247-4887.

EMERGENCY PARACHUTES

BRAND NEW $495 - 38sq/m & 42sq/m. Used $300 meets milita1y specs. (303) 347-8995.

HARNESSES

US!iGA certified paragliding & hang gliding instrnction. Courses arc expertly run on a friendly, informative basis. We have been introdttcing people to the world of foot launched flight since 1976. New and used gliders and accessories. Ball, Comet, Edel, Nova, SupAir, Pro Design, Firebird, Ai,wave, Wills Wing/Swing and others. All skill levels welcome. PO Box 1226, Del Mar CA 92014. (619) 481-7400 Southern California.

AIRJUNKIES PARAGLIDING - Join KEN BAIER for yolll' "Pursuit of Paragliding Excellence" in the land of year-round, excellent paragliding: Southern California and the Baja. Courses for Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Instructor ratings. Powered paragliding, soaring and maneuvers clinics, guided tours, tandc1n and towin!', instruction and special events. USHGA certified.

Handling the latest equipment. Call (760) 753-2664 for information.

NAS: THE BEST - - Large, military specifications, back protector $450. (303) 347-8995.

A!RTEK !'ARACLIDINC - - In sunny San Diego.

Year-round thermal & ridge soaring, beginner thru advanced instruction, all major brands, l-888-2SKYICO, phone/fax (619) 450-66%.

WOODY VALLEY MODEL - Is now introducing its full line of unique Italian paragliding and hang gliding harnesses in the United States. For info call Eastcoast Paragliding at (914) 647-.,.377. Dealer inquires welcome.

sis on micrometeorolobry· Great new and used inventory.

Specialized clinics incltrding the CAGE, towing and BACKPACK MOTORS. Enjoy the Grand Canyon and other spectacular sccne1y. Great lodging bargains or luxu,y accommodations. Dave Bridges, US National Champion says, "Dixon's students arc extremely well-trained and competent pilots." Dixon's Paragliding in ARIZONA and WASHINGTON (appointments reco,nrnended), PO Box 2626, Flagsraff AZ 86004. (520) 526-4579. www.paraglidc.com

AIR TIME OF SAN FRANCISCO WEST COAST PARAGLIDING TIIIS PREMIER PARAGLIDING FACILITY - Is now under the management of LARS LINDE of East Coast Paragliding and GREG SMITH of Edel USA. We arc qualified to issue all possible paragliding licenses pursuant to USHCA standards. THE BEST SHOP IN THE WEST! We offer a fi_dl "spectrum of instruction, tarnlem, repairs and porosity tests. We stock all major brands of paragliding equipment available on the market. Fnroll in our demo day-everyday program. SHOP (415) 759-1177, OFFICE (732) 747-7845.

---------

MAY/JUNE

1999

ParaS ort

!le.

Clinics, Adventures &More For all your clinic needs.

7,0NA

DIXON'S AIRPLAY PARAGUD!NC - #1 School for 1997 & 1998. The perfect beginner training areas! Year round tempeiouc climate. DRIVE UP to 360 degree treeless ,md rocklcss launches. ! .1nd in wide open fields. Master rate~! t,mdcm instructor Dixon \X,'hite has supe1viscd over 17,000 student flights to date, teaching new pilots is his profession.

Individualized training with statc-of:thc-art equipment, 2way radios, comprehensive ground schooling with an empha-

HIGH ADVENTURE - Paragliding, hang gliding school. Equipment, sales, service at world famous Mar.shal Peale USHGA tandem instructor: Rob McKenzie. By appointment year round (909) 883-8488, www.eee.org/bus/high_adventure

Visit our web sire www.paraspon.com.

SCHOOLS & DEALERS

A"

FLY ABOVE ALL - Experience the thrill of flying today at the best training hill in the western US! Year-round paragliding solo and tandem instruction, tandem flights, and all the equipmenr you need to fly.

Fully cerrified, individualized instruction includes grottnd school, hands-on training on state-of-the-art equipment using 2-way radios at a hill where you can drive to the rop, and we can pick you tlp at the bottom after each flight!

Visit our website at: www.flyaboveall.com or call (805) %5-3733 and step into flight'

All courses arc carefully tailored to your personal experience level and needs.

All clinics arc able to be held anywhere. in the US with reasonable rates.

Tandems Clinics (Tl-T.,), Advanced Maneuvers Clinics Flight Safoty Clinics, Reserve Clinics Thermal Clinics, XC Clinics.

Holidays & Guidance LESSONS, SALES, SERVICE For more information visit www.parasport.com

or contact PHIL HIRST (775) 772-2877.

Our advertising has a two-month lead time: Plan ahead.

_________ ____ " - - - - - - - - - ___ ____ - - - "

"

53

1999 U.S. PARAGLIDING TEAM T-SHIRTS

T-Shirts $25. Proceeds benefit the 1999 U.S. Paragliding Team.

To Order, visit the USHGA website (www.ushga.org) or phone USHGA at 1-800-616-6888.

USHGA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation.

Follow the U.S. Team to the 1999 Paragliding World Championships in Pinzgau,Austria July 2-18 via www.kurious.org.

T-Shirts by

Design by

NEW YORK

IDAHO

L DERPORT 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive San Diego CA 92037 Since 1928

G

l'ARAGL)l)INC AND l lANC (;LIDINC USI ICA certified instruction, tandelll !light instruction,

KING MOUNTAIN PARAGLIDING - Ccnilicd fulltime SCHOOL, taught by Master rated instructor Brad Bloxhalll. Tandem, RETAIL, major brands, POWERED PARAGLIDERS, guide service, mountain tours, site infr,r111ation, including world fa111ous King Mountain ( 1997 US Nationals.) SUPPLIER/MFG: The most comprehensive, educational INFO/LOGBOOK in the USA, $24.95, RADIO HARNESSES $39.95, l'G CARGO/DUFFEL BAG (holds wing & everything else) $49.95. 10169 N 15 F, Idaho hJls, ID 83401. Phone or fax (208) 524-0039, email KingM ti'( ;@\10l.com, Visa/Mastercard/I)iscover.

_.,,ale~, service, repair.,;.,, parachurc repacks, motorized

pg/hg instruction and -"'il<.." tours. Southi:rn California dealers lr,r EDEL and SOL. Visa and Mastercard accepted. Check us out at http://www.flytorrey.co111 or call (Ci 19) 452-9858.

VALLE DE lllvWO- 1-800-861-7198, jeff@lAymexico.u)m www.Ayml'xico.com

CONNECTICUT

FCI' -

Look under New York.

E A S T CC'>.A

T

PARA~LlllC>INC'lii THE NUMBER 1 - Rated USHGA paragliding school in the United States 1995, 1996 and 1997. Our premier school and "WORLD CLASS STORE" arc convcniemly located only 1. 5 hours mrtside Manhattan in the Catskill mountain range. We offer a foll spectrum of instruction including our famous TAKE OFF PROGRAM which allows you to learn at your own pace. We now also offer fi_rll-time towing at our airport, located only 5 minutes from the shop. Importer of WOODY VALLEY MODEL, AIRWAVE and NOCAL (the US Paragliding World Teams official helmet) products. 150 CANAL STREET, ELLENVILLE NY, SHOP (914) 647-3377, OFPICE (732) 747-7845.

PLO RID A

I KAROS SPORT AVIATION - Lessons, service, equipment. Paragliding, hang gliding, powered paragliding, trikes. Phone (718) 777-7000, WWW.FLYFORFUN.NET

SOUTHERN SKIES - Serving the SOUTHEAST, nearest MOUNTAIN FLYING, also POWERED PARAGLIDING . (828) 632-6000 WWW.SOUTHERNSKIES. NET

NORTH CAROLINA GEORGIA SOUTHERN SKIES - Serving the SOUTHEAST, 4 hours from ATLANTA. MOUNTAIN FLYING, and POWERED PARAGLIDING. (828) 6:32-6000 WWW.SOUTHERNSKIES.NET HAWAII

••

II

TRAVERSE CITY I !ANG GLIDERS/PARAGI.IDFRS - Put your knees in our breeze and soar our 450' sand dunes. FULL-TIME SHOP. Certified instruction, beginner to advanced, foot launch and tow. Sales, service, accessories for ALL 111ajor brands. VISA/MASTERCARD. 1 509 E 8th, Traverse City MI 4%84.

Offrring POWERED PARAGLIDING lessons & dealer 1,,r the Explorer & used units. Call Bill at (616) 9222844, tchanggliderli'iljuno.com. Visit oLrr paragliding school in Jackson, Wyo111ing. Call Tracie at (.)07) 7398620.

PARAGLIDE MAUI! -

,It Kitty Hawk Kites

Outer Banks, NC Lessons Daily Towing & Foot Launch Year Round Sales & Service CALL TODAY! 800-334-4777 919-441-4124

/:-Mail Address

OM/M EMbrns/H/\qEMANN/

4WD CUI DE SERVI CF - Mauna, Kea, sales, service.

Achirn Hagemann, since 1979, (808) %8-6856.

LEARN TO PARAGLIDE

hang-glide@outer-banks.com HIGH 1'1.AINS PARAGLIDING - Professional instruction and quality gear 1 USHGA certified lessons in beautiful Helena, Montana. Selling Sup'Air, Gin, Firebird, and Flytec.

(406) 442-7163, hiplainz@aol.com,http://hometown.aol.com/hiplainz

Fly 10,023' Haleakala Crater.

Tandem instruction, guiding, transportation and sales.

Please visit www.paraglidehawaii.co111, (808) 874-54.'.J.\ year-round flying.

Sell your unused equipment here.

ADVFNTURF SPORTS - Mountain tours for all levels. USH(;A Certified school & ratings. Dealer for all major brands ..%50-22 Research Way, Carson City NV 89706. (77'i) 883-7070, email: advspts@lprya111id.net web site: http://www.pyramid.net/advspts

FCI' -

MAY/JUNE

1999

Look under New York.

SOUTHERN SKIES - MOUNTAIN FLYING and POWERED PARAGLIDING instruction, sales and service with f,111-timc shop, 1 hour north of Charlotte. 7 beautiful flying sites nearby. (828) 6.12-6000 WWW.SOUTHERNSKlES.NET

55

THE SOARING CENTER - Utah's only full service paragliding and hang gliding shop and school. We offer AM and PM lessons seven days a week. We are dealers for all manufacturers. Great new and used equipment.

We teach at the famous "Point of the Mountain." hec camping right where you learn. Great discount bargain lodging or luxury accommodations. Guide services, mountain tours, site information. Affordable classes. For a free information package, call coll free l-888-94454.3.3, email HBC3@aol.com, fax (801) 576-6482, 1266'i S Minuteman Dr., Draper UT 84020, www.soaringccntcr.com

OREGON

OVER THE HILL PARAGLIDING - Oregon/SW Washington. Sales, service, beginner-advanced USHGA certified instruction. Nova, f<irebird, Apco, AT, Pro Design, SOL, Ball, Flytec, J-IES Quantum parachutes.

Service: full service shop, FAA rigger repairs/mods. Out of state pilots: We have great thermal, coastal and Gorge sites. Call us for info. There is no sales tax in Oregon!

New/used gear. Trades welcome. 22865 SE Yellowhammer, Gresham OR 97080. (503) 667-4557, fax (503) 666-6979. Email: othpara~ilteleport.com web: h tcp://www.tclcporc.com/ ~othpara/ TEXAS 1-lll.L COUNTRY PARAGI.IDJN(; INC - Learn complete pilot skills. Personalized USHGA certified training, ridge soaring, foot & cow launching in central Texas. MOTORIZED PARAGLIDING INSTRUCTION & EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE. (915) 3791185. Rt I, Box 16F, Tow TX 78672.

Join us at the most CONSISTENT, EASY, CONVENIENT drive up, beginner and intermediate site in the world! GREAT WEATHER and YEAR-ROUND flying, only .30 minutes from Salt Like City International Airport. GUIDING available to all UTAH SITES, close co INCREDIBLE national parks and the BEST skiing anywhere!

SCOTTY ALAN MARION is a full time USHGA CERTIFIED instructor and TANDEM instructor.

Our goal is co have the most THOROUGHLY TRAINED, HIGHEST QUALITY SAFE PILOTS! We specialize in FRIENDLY, PATIENT, PERSONAL instruction (MAXIMUM of 2 in a class). COMPREHENSIVE ground school includes: simulator, micro and macro meteorology, reserve and aerodynamic theory. FIREBIRD dealer.

KITE ENTERPRISES - Foot launch, payout winch row and powered paraglider instruction too. Training, sales, rentals and repair. Edel, Airwave, Wills Wing, UP and DK Whisper. Dallas, fore Worth and north Texas area. 211 Ellis, Allen TX 75002. (972) 390-9090 nights, weekends. www.kitc-cnterpriscs.com UTAH CLOUD 9 PARAGLIDING SCHOOL- Proud co be Utah's larp;est paragliding school, offering lessons from beginners through tandem flight certification. We offer AM and PM training sessions seven days a week at world famous Point of che Mountain.

We currencly arc the only major school in the US training pilots nsing ONLY airbag harnesses and 1999 glider models to provide the safCst learning environment.

Para 2 Certification is $650 for UNLIMITED lesson.s.

In addition, your lessons package is 1OO'Yc, applied toward the purchase of new gear. We are also the US and Mexico importers for SOL paragliding gear. Our head instructor, Steve Mayer is the President of the Ucah Hang Gliding Assn., an Advanced Instructor, Tandem Instructor, Advanced paraglider pilot, and Novice hang pilot. "Brush up" lessons for rated pilots arc $45 per session, and 1'3 and P4 racing classes are $100.

Call or e-·mail us for a complete information packet at (801) 553-1834, info@paragliders.com or visit our site on the web at www.paragliders.com

56

So you ve got your P2, NOW WHAT? Ask about our P2 PLUS program. This program is designed around the huge NEED for pilots to CONTINUE in EDUCATION and SKILL devclopmem. Special skills and education include: judging conditions on launch, launching tactics, turn coordination, 360's, spot landing tactics, big ears, speed system, top landings, side hill landings, ground handling, highwind techniques, mountain flying, ridge and thermal SOARING! DON T take shortcuts with aviation!

FLY for LIFE and LOVE every minute ofic!

POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN PARAGLIDING PO Box 616 Draper UT 84020 (801) FLY-AWAY email scoccy@pointofchemountain.com www.pointofthemounrain.com

Sell your unused equipment here.

VIRGINIA KITTY !-!AWK KITES -

Sec North Cacolina.

SOUTHERN SKIES - Serving the SOUTHEAST, I hour from Virginia state line. MOUNTAIN FLYING and POWERED PARAGLIDING. (828) 632-6000 WWW.SOUTHERNSKIES.NET WASHINGTON DIXON'S AIRPLAY PARAGLIDING - #I Scbool for 1997 & 1998. This Northwest training center is located on the Eastern side of the Cascades where the wcarher is dry and beautiful! This 1,600 acre private night park is ideal for the beginner with drive-up open launches and large landing fields. Individualized training with state-of-the-arc equipment, 2-way radios, comprehensive ground schooling with an emphasis on micrometeorology. Great new and used invenrory. Specialized clinics including the CAGE and BACKPACK MOTORS. One hour from the CHELAN BUTTE. On-site climbing wall, skiing, mountain biking, etc.

Dave Bridges, US National Champion says, "Dixon's students are extremely well-trained and competent pilots." Dixon's Paragliding in Washington and Arizona (appointmcnrs recommended), 8101 Hay Canyon Road, Cashmere WA 988 I 5. (509) 782-5543. www.paraglidc.com WISCONSIN RAVEN SKY SPORTS brad@hanggliding.com

-(414)

473-8800,

FAX your classified ad, membership renewal or merchandise order:

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

PA RAG LID ING

PARTS & ACCESSORIES FLICI IT CONNECTIONS, INC:. l'Tf'!I

FLIGHT CONNECTIONS, INC. {IJ.

PICCOLO PLUS $390 111ad,._ (.)(U) .'147-8995.

5 alti111ercrs, 111c111ory, Swiss

• New and Improved • Water/Dust Resistant Push Burton • Field Replaceable Finger Switch 0 Heavier Gauge Wire/Improved Plugs • Increased Strain Relief at AU. Joints

PARAGLIDING: THE COMPLETE GUIDE~ By Noel Whittall. The lllOSt co111pletc guide to paragliding on the marker. Over 100 color photographs & illustrations, 200 pages, $2(,.95 +$4.75 s/h. USHGA, PO Box U.)0, Colorado Springs CO 8090 I. (719) 6.,2-8.,00, fox your MC/Visa to (719) 632-6417, or order fro111 our web site www.ushga.org

SOARINC - Monthly magazine of The Soaring Society of A111crica, Inc. Covers all aspects of soaring flight. hill melllbership $55. Info. kit with sample copy $:l. SSA, P.O. Box 2100, Hobbs, NM 88241. (505) .)'!2-1177.

Introductory price $89.')5. Extra finger switch $!/i.95 w/purchase. Dealer inquiries welco111c. Call (915) 2687946.

MC/Visa.

Visit our website www.flightconn.com

VIDEOS HAVE EXTRA EQUIPMENT - That you don't know what to do with. Advertise in the Paragliding classifieds, $. 50 per word, $5 111ini111u111. Call USHGA for details (71 9) <,.12-8500, ushga@lushga.org or fax your ad with a Visa/MC, fax (719) 6.U-6417.

DO YOU WANT TO HIKE with your paraglider and not feel like a pack mule? The SKY TREK is the solution. A lll'W backpack design with a rc1novablc suspen-

sion that transfers the weight to your hips yet still allows for storing in a harness. $179+$6 shipping, MC/Visa.

Cuaramccd. In stock. Free brochure. Critter Mountain

Wear (970) 549-9326, e111ail crittcrGlcrestcdbutte.ner www.crittermtnwcar.com

VARIO KIT $70 - Soar with your hand made vario!

Hiryu Mfg. hup://ho111e.att.ne.jp/rcd/l'LY, fax: 0 l 1-8143-279-4627 Japan.

BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Windsok. Made of 1. 5 oz. rips top nylon, UV treated, 5'4" long w/11" throat. Available colors flciorcsccnt pink/yellow or fluorescent pink/white. $39.95 (+$4.75 S/H). Send to USHGA Windsok, P.O. Box 1.'130, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1J30, (719) 6:>2-8300, fax (719) 632-6417. VISA/MC accepted.

MINI VARIO - World's s111allcst, si111plcst variol Clips to hel111er or chinstrap. 200 homs on batrcrics, 0-18,000 fr., fast response and 2 year warranty. Crear for paragliding mo. ONLY $169. Mallettcc, PO Box 15756, Santa Ana CA, 927.15. (?]Ir) %6-1240, www.rnalleuec.com MC/Visa accepted.

MAY/JUNE

1999

MAUI NFFDS TANDEM PILOT/INSTRUCTOR NOW! - Fly & play in paradise. Competitive pay.

FLY HARD: Viking Films newest release. Rob Whittall, Chris Santacroce & a vintage Buick convertible full of paraglidcrs. Outrageous flying at several west coast flying sites. Meet I IC acrobatics champion Mitch MeAlecr along the way. Excellem rock soundtrack, professionally filmed & edited $.15.95. POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN by East Coast, hg/pg action at this Utah mecca $29. PARAGLIDE: THE MOVIE by Viking Films.

Roek-n-roll world class colllpetition at Owens Valley.

Professionally filmed & edited $35.95. Call or fax USHGA (719) 632-8300, fax (719) 6.12-6417, please add +$4 do111cstic s/h (+$5 for two or more videos).

Great to impress your friends or t(H· those socked-in days.

STARTING PARAGLIDING - Paul Hamilton has masterminded a perfect introductory paragliding video. lnforlllative & spectacular. Techniques & precision llying that is Dixons trademark, puts you right in the middle of a typical Airplay training program. l111ponant classroom discussions, close-up shots of ground handling

Send experience record to: instr{!:Pparaglidchawaii.com,

techniques, unique on-board camera shots, including a

PO Box 1286, Kula HI 96790.

superb tandem flight thousands of fret over Chelan Butte. -28 minutes, $29.95 (plus $4 s/h). Order by phone (520) 526-4579, by email: paraglide(mparaglidc.co111 or mail check to Airplay, POil 2626, Flagstaff AZ 8600.o. Sec www.paraglide.co111

l'ARAGLil)IN(; INSTRUCTORS WANTED Eastcoast Paragliding Center is looking for paragliding instructors to join its team. For info call Lars Linde at (908) 7 47-784 5.

MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS INTROllLCING - The Official Soaring Center Log Book, li·om winds aloft to repack log, it has it all, only $9 plus $2s/h. Lkalcrs/schools welcome. We can put your logo on the cover. Call for details. (888) 944-54.13 or email HBC.10\10l.co111

VJl)EOS, BOOKS & APPAREL - Call US! !CA for your Merchandise order form (71 9) 632-8300, fax (719) 652-6417, email: ushgaG)ushga.org, www.ushga.org DON'T LEAVE YOUR GROUND-BOUND EQUIPMENT SITTING IN THE GARAGE. SELL IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS.

57

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES The rate for classified advertising is $.50 per word (or group of characters) and $1.00 per word for bold or all caps. Phone numbcr=2 words, PO Box=2 words, weight range i.e.

137-1851bs=2 words, web site or email address=.) words.

MINIMUM AD CHARGE $5.00. A fee of $1 5.00 is charged for each line art logo and $25.00 for each photo.

LLNEART & PHOTO SIZE NO LARGER THAN 1.75" X 2.25". Please underline wordsJo be in bold !llllll,_ Special layouts of tabs are $25.00 per column inch. AD DEADLINES: May 20th is the deadline for the July/ August issue. Please make checks payable to USI-l(;A. Send to: PARA(;LJDJNc; MAGAZINE, Classified Advertising, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330 (719) 632-8300 or fox (719) 632-6417, email jjelgart~'\ishga.org with your Visa or Mastercard.

STOLEN WINGS & THINGS 1998 DK WHISPER GT Powered PG~ Stolen a, PIKETON, OH on December 21, 1998. Engine VIN# 9630 frame VIN#3273, (prop guard was NOT stolen.)

1-Iarness w/left torn footbar loop; large tan leather patch attached with vclcro scrips on the back. XI. DK Hathor Symphony glider. Purple on top, white/multi-color on

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

bottom. Contact Pete Richmond. (740)49.3-2517, Richmond@zoomnet.net There is also a $1000 Reward for the return of my PPG, no questions asked.

Adventure Productions ...................................... 12 Aerolight USA/APCO ....................................... 59 Air California ....................................................... 5 Ball Varios ......................................................... 18 Brauniger ........................................................... 4 7 Canadian Paragliding ......................................... 43 Dixon's Airplay Paragliding ............................... 18 Edel .............................................................. 14,15 Flight Design/NAPI ..................................... .40,47 Fly Products ...................................................... .43 Flytec ................................................................. 11 FreeX ................................................................. 51 Gruppo Adesso .................................................. 47 Hall Brothers ..................................................... 49 Mojo's Gear ......................................................... 5 Nova .................................................................. 11 Paraglide Turkey ................................................ 49 Paragliding World Team .................................... 54 Parasofr ................................................................ 5 Pro Design ........................................... Back Cover Red Bull ............................................................... 2 Sky Sports .......................................................... 18 Sol ..................................................................... 35 Sport Aviation Publications .................................. 8 Sup' Air ............................................................. 54 Super fly, Inc. ......................................... 23,30,31 Thermal Tracker....... . ..................................... 49 Thin Red Line ................................................... 18 USHGA ................................... 8,9, 13,16,21,50,58 West Coast Paragliding ........................................ 7 Wills Wing ...................................................... 43

rIREBIRD IGNITION - Stolen from a truck parked at a trailhead in CRESTED BUTTE, CO on November 25th, 1998. Red, VIN #206-98-ILU. Also taken, Firebird backpack, High Adventlll'e Excite harness w/stirrup, front mocmt Fircbird RSll reserve, lcaro carbon fiber helmet. Call William Jenkins 003) 444-5200, ienkins@privatel.com US VOLES STORM 301 -- Stolen from vehicle at TIGER MOUNTAIN LZ, ISSAQUAI-1, WA on October I 2th, I 997 weekend. Pink rop, green/yellow undersurfacc, also AT harness, large green reserve. (206) 949-0519.

STOLEN WINGS arc listed as a service to USHCA members. There is no charge for this service and lose and found wings or equipment may be called in (719) 6328300 or fax it in (719) 632-6417 for inclusion in Paragliding & Hang Gliding magazine. Please call w cancel rhe listing when gliders arc recovered.

Periodically, this listing will be purged.

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

~A~'f ~t~& Al-OP t*~~~Aft~~r ~~P

~$,·,~ FLY HARD

Paraglide the western states w/ Rob Whittal & C. Santacroce.

Great maneuvers, great sound.35min. $35.95

PARAGLIDING-THE COMPLETE GUIDE

by Noel Whittal. The most complete & comprehensive guide on the market today.

Over l 00 color photographs. 200 pgs $26.95

PARAGLIDING-A PILOT'S TRAINING MANUAL

by Mike Meier/Wills Wing $19.95 Covers all aspects of paragliding.

Equipment beginner skills, flying techniques & more.

UNDERSTANDING THE SKY

by Dennis Pagen. The most complete book on micrometerology for all sport aviators.

Plenty of photos & illustrations. $19.95

PARAGLIDE: THE MOVIE World class competition at Owens Valley.

Rock-n-roll & plenty of action.40min. $35.95

CLOUDBASE PARAGLIDING Great intro video. Meet the hot pilots & fly the hot sites. 36min. $34.95

POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN PG & HG action at this Utah mecca.52min. $33.00

) MASTERS AT CLOUDBASE A paragliding music video. $19.95

USHGA, PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901-1330 1-800-616-6888 Visa/MC fax (719) 632-641 7 www.ushga.org Please odd s/h (US) $4.50 for videos, $5.50 for books. Orders over $50 coll!

58

PARAGLIDING

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SANTANA: Basic Intermediate • Certified ACPULS Standard" Class • 4 Sizes.

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