USHGA Hang Gliding October 2002

October 2002 • $3.95

A Publication of the United States Hang Gliding Association • www.ushga.org

TALON2002 WILLS WING 2002 TALON This is vour glider. Why? Because vou helped us build h . Yoo told us Vllhel you W'iU'lted i " a high J)errom'le.'°6 glider end we listened. Ar\d now. oftor Ol"le of tt,o MO.St fntonsive des.gin effona In Willa Wil"IQ hlStOf'y, ...ve·ve buUt It. The 2002 TALON Is the S""'9etest hendhn,g, best l)etfOr"Ming. easiest to Janel high perfor,n&rw:e glider vve·ve eve.built.

OOt'l't toke our VVOl'd fe< it, see your deelfW today el'ld toke o ,WJ ,~ e der-no flight.

NEW FOR 2002: N ew &oil 1)1&1\form • flush fitting h0seeot10 • fo.ir&d· in Mng loop ( 140 or'(f l 50 model&) • more $h&i,r rib& • imprQY(k;I ctitnb Ol"ld hftl'ldlil'IO • "6- Sbil materiel optiOns • e6Sier to instoU $f)f'ing b•ttons

~

LLl-...,.,,Nti

!,OOV.-.51

~ ""'°'~

Cl, 92$65

'1'1.71 4 908QS ,,..._ H 4 9518-0641

www.wilfswing. com

Cover:Rob Kells at Wallaby Ranch Digital Photo by Mark Vaughn Contents: Spectating Pilots at the 2002 Women's World Meet, Chelan, Washington Photo by Aaron Swepston Centerspread: Chelan Falls, Washington Photo by Aaron Swepston

Table of Contents Features A Cuban Flying Adventure: Part II — C.J. Christopher ________8 USHGA Reports - USHGA Tandem Program — Paul Voight __ 13 A Spectator's Guide To Freestyle — Scott W. Heiple ________ 16 The Joy of Silk — Lauren Tjaden ________________________ 22 The Carbon Condor — Ken J. Hill ________________________ 24 The Gutter Rack — Jim Palmieri_________________________ 32 Region Nine's 2002 Regionals — Pete Lehmann ___________ 33 2002 USHGA Regional Director Election__________________ 37 Gallery Artist — Shane Nestle __________________________ 41 Departments Letters __________________________________________ 5 Updates _________________________________________ 6 Calendar of Events _______________________________ 12 Marketplace (Classifieds) _________________________ 43 Product Lines — Dan Johnson _____________________ 54

Editorial:

(USPS 017-970-20–ISSN 0895-433X)

Published by USHGA

Photo Submissions Part II Two months ago we discussed some of the requirements for submitting digital images for publication. Digital cameras are all the rage, and consequently there are far more digital submissions than film submissions for the moment.

The problem with digital photography is the resolution capable with the current crop of affordable cameras. Even so, we have been taking advantage of the technology and the digital images sent in, and have even gone so far as to feature a digitally captured image on this month's front cover.

This image represents the highest resolution submitted so far, and still the image is below that which would normally be considered printable in a publication. This issue will demonstrate whether or not cover quality imagery can be captured with affordable digital cameras, and then be managed throughout the printing processes.

Regarding photography in general, the membership has spoken up time and time again, saying that more photos are at the top of the list for magazine improvements. Hopefully you have noted the increased quantity and also the quality of images appearing in Hang Gliding over the past half year. We have been aggressively pursuing the technology to improve our handling of images and will continue to do so. The weak link at this point is coming up with the sorts of images that the readers want to see.

In an effort to provide the best possible photography in the magazines, we are startying to develop a photo bank, a collection or archive of scanned images to be used when possible. Currently that bank is without deposits, but by the time you read this we will have put together the beginnings of the USHGA photo collection. But we need your submisions to make it all work properly.

The question came up last week, "with all of the slides and films sent in for the calendar, aren't there any cover quality images in there?" The answer quite simply is that when people shoot photos, they aren't generally thinking "cover shot". Because of that, the camera is held naturally, horizontally.

To make a good cover shot, the camera needs ot be turned on its side, "portrait" mode as it is known. Turn the camera on its side, compose and shoot. That easy. Then there's the film. Use the slowest film you can find. We are active during the day, when the light is strong, so we don't need to use fast (and grainy) film. The slower the film, the finer the grain. No faster than 100 ASA is great for any action in the sun, and it is about the limit in terms of acceptable grain when blown up to a full page size.

So load up with slow film, turn the camera up on its side, and shoot away.

Send your slides or negatives (along with the accompanying prints) to Jeff at USHGA headquarters, and get them into the system. We need your photos. If people don;t send in photos, then I will have no choice but to use images out of my own personal collection. I'd prefer not to do that, but if the only other option is to go without pictures, then I'll use my own archive, but that's not the best deal. We need your pictures. Load with slow film, shoot with the camera on its side more often, and send the slides or negatives to Jeff at the USHGA office. Help us make the magazine better.

— Aaron Swepston, Art Director for Hang Gliding magazine 4

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

Editor in Chief: Gil Dodgen, GilDodgen@aol.com Art Director: Aaron Swepston, tontar@mindspring.com Contributing Photographers: Steve Rathbun, Mark Vaughn, Bob Lowe, David Glover Illustrators: Harry Martin, Tex Forrest Staff Writers: Dennis Pagen, Alan Chuculate, Rodger Hoyt, Dan Johnson ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– USHGA Main Offices Executive Director: Jayne DePanfilis, jayne@ushga.org Advertising Manager: Jeff Elgart, jeff@ushga.org Member Services: Natalie Hinsley, natalie@ushga.org Member Services: Sandra Hewitt, sandra@ushga.org IT Administrator: Paul DeFranco, paul@ushga.org ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– USHGA Officers and Executive Committee: President: Jim Zeiset, jimzgreen@aol.com Vice President: Mark Ferguson, mark@rmparagliding.com Secretary: Russ Locke, russ@lockelectric.com Treasurer: Bill Bolosky, bolosky@microsoft.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

REGION 1: Bill Bolosky, Mark Forbes. REGION 2: Ray Leonard, John Wilde, Tim West. REGION 3: David Jebb, John Greynald, Alan Chuculate. REGION 4: Mark Ferguson, Jim Zeiset. REGION 5: Frank Gillette. REGION 6: James Gaar. REGION 7: Bill Bryden. REGION 8: Doug Sharpe. REGION 9: Randy Leggett, Felipe Amunategui. REGION 10: Tiki Mashy, Matt Taber. REGION 11: R.R. Rodriguez. REGION 12: Paul Voight. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Jan Johnson, Dennis Pagen, Russ Locke, Steve Kroop, Chris Santacroce. HONORARY DIRECTORS: Aaron Swepston, J.C. Brown, Ed Pitman, G.W. Meadows, Bob Hannah, John Harris, Larry Sanderson (SSA), Dave Broyles, Gene Matthews, Ken Brown, Rob Kells, Liz Sharp, Dan Johnson, Dixon White.

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 Fédération 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 FAI-related hang gliding activities such as record attempts and competition sanctions.

Hang Gliding magazine is published for hang gliding sport enthusiasts to create further interest in the sport, and to provide an educational forum to advance hang gliding methods and safety. Contributions are welcome. Anyone is invited to contribute articles, photos, and illustrations concerning hang gliding 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 hang gliding publications. Hang Gliding magazine reserves the right to edit any and all photographic or editorial contributions where necessary. The Association and publication do not assume responsibility for the material or opinions of contributors. Send submissions to Hang Gliding editorial offices, attention Gil Dodgen or Jeff Elgart c/o: USHGA, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330.

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 $59 per year (of which $15 goes to the publication of Hang Gliding), ($70 non-USA); subscription rates only are $35 ($46 non-USA). 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.

Hang Gliding magazine (ISSN 0895-433x) is published 11 times per year, every month except for May, by The United States Hang Gliding Association Inc, 219 W. Colorado Ave., Suite 104, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Phone: (719) 632-8300. FAX: (719) 632-6417 E-Mail: ushga@ushga.org.

PERIODICAL POSTAGE is paid at Colorado Springs, CO and at additional mailing offices.

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

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES IN PUB LI CATIONS: The ma te ri al presented here is published as part of an information dissemination ser vice for USHGA members. The USHGA makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability concerning the validity of any advice, opinion or recommendation expressed in the material. All individuals relying upon the material do so at their own risk. Copyright © 2002 United States Hang Gliding Assn., Inc. All rights reserved to Hang Gliding and individual contributors.

ENLIVENING THE MAGAZINE Dear Editor, I am commenting on the comments of pilots who have chosen to take offense at the photograph appearing in the Mitch McAleer article earlier this year, although I appreciated the controversy. I personally thought the photograph was a scream (although it would have been better if there had been a clarifying caption underneath) and thought to myself — finally! To me it was obvious that the guns were fake and the clarification of it being done on a movie set was no surprise.

For a long time I have wanted to see the magazine improve from its rather dry format, which has sometimes been about as exciting as a CPA publication. Come on, this is an extreme sport we are talking about and we do not have to maintain “political correctness” for the general public. The general perception is that hang gliding is an extreme sport and those of us who engage in it probably have a screw loose. The public has already made up its collective mind. Yes, it is true that hang gliding is as safe as you make it, but we will never change the general public’s opinion by coming across as responsible citizens (even though we are for the most part). Tandems and instruction are the key to changing one mind at a time, not the magazine.

Our heritage has given us our reputation of living on the edge. We are who we are and we might as well embrace it and let the magazine reflect that. Let the magazine have controversy. Let it have quirky stories and photographs that are jaw-dropping. Let’s not edit the articles to the extent that they have been rewritten by someone else unless they are really horribly written, and leave in the language for crying out loud (at least within reason — I see nothing wrong with the word ass). Let the magazine kick ass, in other words! I’ll never forget how a timeless phrase, “hang gliding is the greatest thing you can do with your pants on,” was edited out of my article some years back. I thought that was carrying things too doggoned far. Tell me, what is so offensive about that phrase? I have never forgotten that, and I hope that kind of puritanical editing will become a thing of the past. Will it be edited out of this letter?

Other extreme sports and climbing maga-

zines, although privately owned, don’t have a problem letting their “color” shine. Yes, I realize this is an association magazine, but it’s the only representative magazine of hang gliding we have out there. Perhaps a disclaimer would be appropriate, stating, “The views represented here are not necessarily the views of USHGA.” At any rate, if the magazine is headed in a new direction to enliven it some (hopefully a lot because it bores me, quite frankly), I will be the first to applaud it and hand it out to my friends.

Lori Allen MORE ON THERMALS Dear Editor, I am glad that my article inspired Dave Little to contribute to the discussion about thermals (August 2002 Paragliding Airmail, “Follow that Thermal, Trigger”). I would like to respond to the ideas that he asserts are in contradiction to the article.

First is the notion that warm air can be trapped in a field of wheat, waiting for a lull in the wind, and then rising “suddenly in an organized fashion.” This is a speculative idea that doesn’t seem to correspond with my first- or second-hand experience. Has anyone noticed a consistently higher incidence of thermals from planted fields as opposed to bare ground on windy days? If Dave chooses to call this possible phenomenon triggering, that’s fine, but I restricted my analysis to mechanical triggering by relatively small moving or stationary objects. And as I wrote, “Thermals tend to rise from sheltered bowls… because these so-called collectors are sheltered from the mixing and cooling effects of wind.”

Second, Dave suggests that tractors produce thermals by mixing warm soil into the air. This is also highly speculative and scientifically suspect. Dust that can be suspended in air for long enough to give up its heat must be very fine, and therefore light with low heat capacity. A large, visible dust cloud would contain ounces or possibly a few pounds of particles (to check this, weigh the dust that settles on a few square feet after long exposure to dusty conditions, and extrapolate to an acre). This range of mass is too small, by

October 2002

•

several orders of magnitude, to significantly affect thermals with masses in the thousands of tons. As noted in the article, I suspect that tractors have a negative but negligible effect on thermals because the soil they turn up is usually cooler and wetter than the surface.

In any case, this kind of heat transfer effect is unrelated to a discussion of supposed mechanical triggers.

In southern Idaho recently, wishing I were flying instead of driving, I saw a large, dry field with about a dozen dust devils, none of which were close to a tractor plowing the field. Of course, this doesn’t prove that tractors cannot bump thermals loose, but if we want a better empirical understanding we should be taking objective notes and measurements, not just remembering cases that conform to our beliefs while discarding contrary evidence.

Dave’s third example, landing and then seeing other pilots thermaling over the same field, is a purely anecdotal confusion of correlation with causation. Consider a 40-acre dirt field surrounded by woods and swamps that generates a thermal every 20 minutes, with some random variation, regardless of tractors, gliders or rabbits. Now imagine a stream of pilots arriving below 1,000 feet at about 10-minute intervals. Roughly half the pilots will sink out and then watch someone else make a low save in a thermal that they could interpret as having been “triggered” by their landings. The pilots who do climb could come to the same conclusion, although this seems less common (hmm — why?). As I wrote, cyclical thermals are explainable within the framework of physical laws backed by centuries of consistent evidence, so we don’t need fanciful notions requiring properties such as surface tension or cohesiveness that air simply does not have.

Those who promote novel ideas like mechanical triggering should either explain how those phenomena can result from basic physics and thermodynamics, or demonstrate the existence of necessary new laws of nature (after they return from Stockholm with their Nobel prizes). I’m still waiting for such an explanation.

Peter Gray Ellensburg, WA

Hang Gliding

•

5

Updates HARRY AND THE HANG GLIDER BOOK UPDATE

SkyHigh Publishing has discontinued offering credit card payment services for the time being, however, for those who still desire this beautifully illustrated, hardcover children’s hang gliding book, you can get it through Amazon, B&N online, or send $24.95 plus $4.95 shipping to: SkyHigh Publishing, 201 N. Tyndall, Tucson, AZ 85719, or call (520) 628-8165, or visit http://www.flash.net/~skyhipub.

NEW DESTINATION IN OLD MEXICO John “Ole” Olson announces a new destination for foot-launch thermal pilots in central Mexico. “There’s nothing new about flying Colima,” says Olson, “but the destination, Rancho Deluxe, is. We will be staying at the old airfield on the edge of town with the Zaragoza family, and will frequently land there as well.”

Colima offers two launches within half an hour of town, both of which are very consistent and offer great thermal conditions. La Cumbre has been flown for nearly 25 years, and Cerro Grande is a new site the locals are wild about.

Tapalpa, a mountain village about an hour north of Colima, offers a wellknown soaring site as well.

“I started flying Mexico in 1985 and I’ve been back every winter since, for at least a couple of weeks. This winter I’ll bring a stack of sailcloth and make it available to experienced glideheads,” comments Olson.

Olson intends to arrive in Colima around December 1 and spend four months. For visiting pilots he can supply a complete flying vacation with accommodations, transportation to and from 6

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

launch, guide service and, of course, a glider. “These tours are not for beginners,” emphasizes Olson, “You need strong foot-launch skills. If you’re a hotshot paraglider pilot you can have fun here too. The thermals are ripping, right in front of launch.”

The old airfield in Colima has been turned over to the Club de Vuelo de Colima, and the Zaragoza family is in charge. Eventually, Olson and the Zaragozas would like to see a tow operation and flight park there as well, but footlaunching is so convenient that it will be the focus this winter. There is nearly 5,000 feet of excellent runway, however, if a pilot wants to bring a tow rig.

Colima is a wonderful old Mexican city, well off the beaten path, quite economical and with Old World charm. The people are very friendly, there are openair cafes and music in the streets. This is the “real” Mexico that most tourists never see. “The only gringos there are flyers,” says Olson, which may be a slight exaggeration. “I also like it because it’s hot, unlike higher in the mountains in Valle de Bravo. The smoking volcano on the edge of town adds some excitement as well.”

There is also RV camping at the airfield and the gringo caravan heads south from Nogales Arizona the last week of November.

For more information contact John Olson at (360) 403-3199, or visit his website where you can read his journal from last winter: www.learntoflytrikes.com.

MEDJET ASSISTANCE MedJet Assistance is an annual membership program providing air medical transportation to its members should they become hospitalized due to accident or illness virtually anywhere in the world. The program transports members to the hospital of their choice, most often in medically equipped and staffed jets.

Based in Birmingham, Alabama, and in operation since 1991, MedJet currently has more than 50,000 members, with membership growing at approximately 25% per year. Annual membership is $195 for an individual or $295 for

Updates a family. While most people join MedJet Assistance because they’re traveling internationally, about two-thirds of the company’s transports are performed domestically.

Many people believe their travel insurance policy or health insurance will immediately transport them home should they require hospitalization. But the truth is that most insurance policies only cover you for transportation to the nearest hospital. MedJet flies you home to the hospital of your choice. Standard air medical transports can cost anywhere from $10,000 for domestic service to $100,000 for international flights. For program members, the entire cost of the transport is covered.

For more information about MedJet Assistance or to sign up call (800) 9633538 or visit www.medjetassistance.com .

ADVENTURE PRODUCTIONS PROGRAMS NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD

Adventure Productions’ Cloudbase Series is now available on DVD. Now viewers can experience hang gliding, powered hang gliding, paragliding and ultralight triking programs like never before.

The primary advantages of DVD are picture quality and extra features.

Also, DVD’s will not degrade with age

or after many playings like videotape will. The complete Cloudbase Series has been digitally mastered directly to DVD from the original broadcast master tapes to provide twice the quality of typical VHS tapes.

All Adventure Productions DVD’s include special DVD features, including scene selection, movie trailers, interactive menus and English digital audio.

Scene selection allows you to interactively select and view the section of the video you want. You can go to any selected portion of the video and play that section without fast-forwarding, providing greater flexibility. A simple click starts playing the selection immediately. This is a handy feature that flight schools can utilize to optimize their training programs.

With the “extras” option, Adventure Productions has added movie previews of other DVD programs. This provides up to 15 minutes of additional programs, plus useful previews of other titles that may be of interest to the viewer. “All this means we are able to give the viewer a fuller, richer experience of their sport,” comments Paul Hamilton.

Adventure is releasing the DVD’s at the same price as the VHS videotapes with a few exceptions. A few titles have been combined into “double features” based on customer interest. “Requests for our programs on DVD dramatically increased last Christmas,” says Loretta Hamilton of Adventure Productions, “And with 12.7 million DVD-Video players shipped in the U.S. in the year 2001 and about 75 million DVD-ROM drives worldwide, we knew it was time to make the move to DVD.” To order DVD’s or for more information contact: Paul Hamilton, Adventure Productions, 6553 Stone Valley Drive, Reno, NV 89523 USA. You may order by phone at (775) 747-0175. DVD’s are also available from participating schools and dealers. You may also purchase from the Adventure Productions online store at www.adventurep.com.

October 2002

•

CLOUD CHASER HELMET FROM APCO Apco announces the release of their new helmet, the Cloud Chaser, which is now available and in stock.

It was designed in cooperation with an Italian helmet manufacturer, but is independently manufactured and distributed by Apco.

The helmet is manufactured with carbon-fiber/kevlar technology and handlaid fiberglass, and is fully CE certified as a helmet for Airborne Sports. It comes in three colors (white, metallic silver and metallic steel gray) and three sizes ranging from small to XXL. The helmet is very light, has a stylish look, and was designed as a high quality product with a comfortable fit and excellent protection.

Contact: Apco Aviation Ltd., apco@netvision.net.il, tel. 011-9724-627-3727, fax 011-972-4-627-3728, www.apcoaviation.com.

Update Update UPDATES INFORMATION UPDATES is presented as an informational service to USHGA members, in an effort to keep pilots up to date on events, equipment, and important news releases. Please send any news items electronically to <ushga@ushga.org> c/o Updates, or by postal mail to USHGA, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330. Please include photos, slides or negatives or high resolution digital images when applicable.

Hang Gliding

•

7

A Cuban Flying Ad

by C.J. Christopher The launch at Sierra Cabala, with the Presidio Modelo in the background.

8

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

dventure: Part II A return trip to Cuba for another adventure in fun-flying turns into an international camaraderie-building experience.

A commitment to flexibility and a sense of humor are necessary characteristics for those wishing to visit and travel within Cuba. Both were needed at this year’s Eastern Cuba Regional Hang Gliding Competition. Usually held near the small town of San Antonio del Sur 25 miles east of Guantanamo, this year’s competition was relocated at the last moment to the Isle de La Juventud (Island of Youth). To accommodate incoming aircraft at the nearby U.S. Naval facility, the Cuban government granted them a larger “no-fly” zone. The unfortunate impact of this decision was the closure of three of Cuba’s flying sites: Mt. Mariana in San Antonio del Sur, Puerto Boniato and Gran Piedro. No matter for the organizers of this year’s competition, they would now simply relocate to the new site.

The Isle de La Juventud is an island 30 miles in diameter located 80 miles south of Havana in the Caribbean Ocean. Sierra Caballa is a 1,000-foot hill on the north side of the port city of Nueva Gerona with a northeast-facing launch. Served by daily flights from Havana and a two-hour express ferry ride from Batabano, Nueva Gerona is a popular vacation getaway for those interested in the slower side of Cuban life, and those seeking great scuba diving and snorkeling.

Pilots visiting the island for the competition were housed in various “casa particulars” (private houses) in Nueva Gerona.

Properly licensed Cuban citizens are allowed to rent rooms to visiting tourists. These fully furnished, air-conditioned rooms usually have a private entrance and bathroom. The owners of the private houses take it upon themselves to see to the comfort and security of their guests in every way. The best meals in town are often found in the dining rooms of these homes. Staying in a casa particular is a great way to get to know the Cuban people.

Since none of the local Cuban pilots own automobiles, transport of gliders and equipment is handled by a custom-built wagon, much like a modified buckboard from an old American “Western.” The wagon was fitted with a hang glider rack and pulled by the Cuban team’s horse. Gliders and harnesses were trekked from town to the base of the mountain. From that point, the gliders were then hiked up a steep footpath 500 feet to launch.

The residents of Nuevo Gerona are quite accustomed to seeing hang gliders and paragliders pass overhead as the pilots climb out over Sierra Caballa, one of Cuba’s best flying sites. So consistent is the lift on the island that it is rarely a problem to zigzag October 2002

•

Hang Gliding

•

9

back and forth in front of the ridge after launching, and wait for a thermal to take you up and over the back. Pilots then often head to Loma la Canada, a 600-foot ridge that is a sure-fire thermal trigger. Once high over Loma la Canada, pilots have the option of heading cross-country or landing in one of the designated LZ’s. Flying cross-country, however, is seldom attempted on the island since transportation back is always an issue. The Cuban team’s retrieval horse is simply too old to chase pilots. One of the Cuban pilots expressed his intention of acquiring a young, stronger horse that would be up to the task of following crosscountry hang glider pilots.

New to this year’s competition were the visiting members of the Guatemala National Hang Gliding Team. According to Giovanni Vitoli, President of Guatemala’s national team, the Guatemalans consider hang gliding competitions a tool to promote good will between countries. Says Vitoli, “The finest method of communication between two people is to fly together. When you share a thermal with another pilot, the bond that is created is permanent. Cubans have demonstrated that, given the opportunity to train properly and supplied with the right equipment, they tend to excel in every sport.” The Guatemalan team has therefore made a commitment to take Cuban pilots under their wing and provide them with the necessary training and equipment so they may become safe and skilled pilots. As for the Cubans, their goal is to eventually compete in overseas international competitions.

The task called for during the first day

A welcome break while carrying gliders to launch.

Hang gliders being transported on a horse-drawn carriage — the “Island of Youth” fuel-efficient glider-transport vehicle.

10

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

of competition was a simple triangle. One point of the triangle was the Presidio Modelo, a penitentiary modeled after a prison in Joliet, Illinois. The prison was built in 1926 to accommodate 6,000 prisoners, the most famous of whom, Fidel Castro, spent one and a half years there for his revolutionary activities. The dilapidated penitentiary now serves as a museum and information center.

Flying that first day was Guatemala’s national champion, Daniel Herrarte.

Herrarte decided early on that the level of competition would not be too severe, so he decided to burn off his initial altitude gains and entertain the audience with a series of wingovers directly over launch. Having never seen a topless hang glider or any type of aerobatics before, the “wow” factor was on for the Cuban pilots as they grinned from ear to ear.

Pilots and friends attending this year’s competition.

Having completed the first day’s task long before the other pilots, Herrarte decided to return to launch and complete the task again. Not satisfied with that, he then embarked on a short cross-country flight, eventually landing in a farmer’s field. He hitched a ride back to town in a horse-driven taxi and arranged for his glider’s retrieval.

The Isle’s geography ensures consistent, smooth thermals that begin to generate in the late morning. So easy is it to remain airborne on most days, even Cuba’s novice pilots flying dated La Mouette Atlas gliders were able to complete many of the tasks.

Several fortunate Cuban pilots were flying fine, contemporary gliders, which were donated by two U.S. pilots who visited and flew in Cuba earlier this year.

This year’s competition was unfortunately cut from five to four days, as the Cuban team’s horse was called to duty to deliver the town’s milk. This left the pilots with no way to transport the gliders from town to the base of the mountain. I found that a sense of humor was a necessary attribute this day, as beautiful cumulus clouds developed and a perfect flying day was lost.

The awards ceremony for the competition was held in the late afternoon following the final day of flying. A popular outside eatery on the town’s main street served as the setting for the announcements of prize awards. As expected, Guatemala’s Daniel Herrarte took first place and was awarded the winner’s plate. The judging was a very subjective affair, as turnpoint verification and keeping track of task completion time was the responsibility of each pilot.

This competition was geared more for the enjoyment and camaraderie building of intermediate pilots. Clearly, the emphasis was on having a good time.

Currently, the Isle de La Juventud is home to approximately a dozen enthusiastic hang glider pilots. This number is limited only by the availability of equipment. The island also has a very active paragliding community, which outnumbers the hang glider pilots almost two to one. It is easier for foreign pilots to travel with a paraglider to the island and fly than it is for a traveling hang glider pilot. As a result, there are more donated paraglider wings on the island for the Cubans to fly.

October 2002

•

The current trend in the U.S. government seems to be a gradual thawing of the icy relationship between the two countries.

Hopefully, the travel restrictions for U.S. citizens will soon be lifted. If so, U.S. pilots should not miss this opportunity to enjoy a unique hang gliding experience as well as to extend a helping hand to their neighbors to the south. As summed up by Giovanni Vitoli, “If you want to see a group of people with an overwhelming passion to fly, then go fly with the Cubans.”

The author may be contacted at FlyCJ2002@Yahoo.com. — Ed.

Hang Gliding

•

11

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: 2002 Falcon Hang Gliding Cross-Country Contest. Includes any other single-surface flex wing. Includes all of the U.S. as divided into four regions.

Prizes awarded for all areas in all “classes”: West Coast (west of Route 5, USHGA Regions 1, 2, 3); West (USHGA Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 east of Route 5); Central (USHGA Regions 6, 7, 11); East (USHGA Regions 8, 9, 10, 12); World (for the rest of the world). Any Hang II and up. Pick the appropriate class to enter: Pro (Hang IV); Amateur (Hang III); Recreational (Hang II). Towing is permitted with a maximum release altitude of 2,000 feet. No entry fee, but a self-addressed, stamped envelope is required for any correspondence requiring a return (entry form, etc.). E-mail correspondence and entry forms are acceptable and preferred. Visit http://tekflight.tripod.com/falconxc.html or send an SASE to: Tek Flight Products, Colebrook Stage, Winsted, CT 06098.

team or come join one, bring a glider for sale or find one, learn a skill or share one.

This unique team flying event saw nearly a dozen personal bests and 1,000 miles flown last year. $95 for the week includes a mess of fly-in breakfasts and a prize pot topping $2,000! Sign up soon; the field will again be reigned in at 45 pilots.

Contact: members.aol.com/weathersci/ challenge.htm for info and applications, e-mail sbellerby@aol.com, or call Steve at (416) 588-2396, or Mark at (423) 9494999.

CLINICS, MEETING, TOURS FUN FLYING OCT. 12-14: 15th Annual Columbus Day Dry Canyon Fly-In, Alamogordo, NM. $10 entry includes, awards dinner and party.

Competition offered: race-to-goal, spot landing, duration and X-C. Sponsored by the Rio Grande Soaring Association.

October is a great time to fly Dry Canyon.

Come fly and have some fun. For more information contact: Tom and Cindy West (505) 437-5213, Cindy@totacc.com.

OCT. 19-20: Fourth Annual Octoberfest at Baldy Butte. Both HG and PG pilots are welcome to this 2,000’ AGL flying site that takes every wind direction. Baldy has seen a lot of use over the last few years, and X-C records are routinely being set and broken. The site is located on

UNTIL DEC. 31: The Michael Champlin World X-C Challenge. No entry fees or preregistration requirements. Open to paragliders, hang gliders, rigid wings and sailplanes. For more details visit the contest’s Web site at http://www.hanggliding.org or contact: John Scott (310) 447-6234, fax (310) 447-6237, brettonwoods@email.ms n.com.

•

Hang Gliding

OCT 18-20: Fall 2002 USHGA Board of Director’s meeting, Orlando, Florida.

Events to take place in the evening at both Quest Air and Wallaby Ranch. Meetings at the Ramada Inn off of 192 and I4.

Contact: www.ushga.org, (719) 632-8300.

OCT. 24-26: AOPA Expo 2002, Palm Springs, CA, with its popular Parade of Planes. Three daily general sessions, more than six-dozen aviation seminars.

Expo 2002 will conclude with a gala banquet, with political satirist Mark Russell entertaining. Contact: www.aopa.org/ expo/. Click on “Register for Expo.” After registering, select “Expo Schedule,” check the items of interest, then click “Print Selected Items” to get a customized schedule of events.

If Your USHGA Membership Expires On 10/31/02 We Need To Receive Your Renewal

BY OCTOBER 20th Or you will miss the November Issue

OCT. 6-12: Team Challenge 2002, featuring the famous Radial Ramp, Dunlap, TN. The Tennessee Tree Toppers warmly welcome pilots from around the world to this fun, friendly, team event. Bring a 12

private property, and requirements include a site-specific waiver, USHGA membership, P2/H3 rating, and a yearly site fee. (For this two-day event the site fee will be waived for any out-of-state pilot or local pilot checking it out for the first time.) Guides will be on hand for pilot briefings starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday.

Potluck Saturday at dusk in the LZ where camping at no extra cost is available.

Contact: Rich Hass, richh@nwnexus.com, or Mike Eberle, napi@fun2fly.com.

If Your USHGA Membership Expires On 11/31/02 We need To Receive Your Renewal BY NOVEMBER 20th Or you will miss the December Magazine

•

October 2002

USHGA Reports The USHGA Tandem Program

by Paul Voight

T

he USHGA tandem program has remained in its current state, relatively unchanged, for many years now. This is due to the fact that the Tandem Committee did such a good job in its formative years of setting up a realistic, manageable program, that fully satisfied FAA requirements mandating that the program exist. Joe Greblo, G.W. Meadows and Greg DeWolf had a lot to do with initiating this program.

As Committee Chair for the last five or so years, I have fostered a “don’t fix it if it’s working” mentality.

The Committee, however, did make one minor change to the program at the fall 2001 Board of Directors meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, and another at the spring meeting in Ontario, California, and I have been charged with informing the membership about these changes through articles in this publication.

CHANGE #1 The Committee decided that

tandem ratings needed to include the tandem launch disciplines that pilots have demonstrated to the Administrator. Just as in solo flying, you can be tandem rated to fly TFL (Tandem Foot Launch), TPL (Tandem Platform Launch), TAT (Tandem Aero-Tow), and TST (Tandem Surface Tow).

Hang glider pilots can get all four, and paraglider pilots are (generally) only eligible for TFL and TST (foot launching or towing via a pulling device). The important concept is that your solo special skills do not automatically carry over to your tandem rating. For example, if you have only a solo AT signoff (and not TAT) you shouldn’t expect to be allowed to aerotow tandem.

If your current card does not reflect the appropriate tandem launch skills described above, simply contact your Tandem Administrator and get him to sign you off. Keep in mind that he will need to feel confident in your abilities concerning these skills!

October 2002

•

CHANGE #2 Starting on September 1, 2002, in order to obtain or renew a Tandem Instructor rating, the applicant will need to possess a current Red Cross (or equivalent) first-aid card, as has been the case for many years for “normal” instructors. The tandem recertification form will be modified to reflect this, as will the Tandem Administrator forms. If you’ve just become a TI, you have almost three years to comply (when you recertify). If you need to recertify at any time after September 1, and do not have a current first-aid card, call your local Red Cross office and take the course.

The balance of the program remains unchanged. If you would like to familiarize (or refamiliarize) yourself with the rest of the tandem program, simply visit www.ushga.org and look for SOP 12.2-104.12, “Tandem Requirements.” Everything is spelled out nicely there. Fly safely!

Hang Gliding

•

13

USHGA MERCHANDISE ORDER FORM CALENDARS

USHGA 2003 - A must have for all! Outstanding photography. Check one HG PG ......... 1lb

PRICE $ 10.95

QTY Total Weight TOTAL ____ ______ $________

FLY THE WING by Len Holms. The perfect hg book to give to the curious. 84 pages ................1lb HANG GLIDING SPECTACULAR 70 great flying stories, over 250 pages, w/comp CD .............1lb BIRDFLIGHT: As the Basis of Aviation. Otto Lilienthal s flight documentation a century ago......1lb HANG GLIDING FOR BEGINNER PILOTS by Peter Cheney. Official Training Manual.250pgs. ...3lb TOWING ALOFT by Dennis Pagen/Bill Bryden. Covers ALL aspects of towing. 372 pgs. .............3lb HANG GLIDING TRAINING MANUAL by Dennis Pagen For the beginner/novice pilot. 350 pgs...3lb PERFORMANCE FLYING by Dennis Pagen. For the Intermediate-Advanced pilots. 340 pgs. .....3lb UNDERSTANDING THE SKY by Dennis Pagen. THE most complete book on micrometerology.. 2lb INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL by Dennis Pagen, used in IP's. Illustrated. Check one HG PG... 2lb THE ART OF PARAGLIDING by Dennis Pagen *NEW *. Covers ALL aspects. 274 pgs. .......... 3lb PARAGLIDING-A PILOT'S TRAINING MANUAL by Mike Meier/Wills Wing. Covers all aspects. . 2lb RIGHT STUFF FOR NEW HG PILOTS by Erik Fair. Reprints of Erik's HG column. Classic...........1lb A RISK MGMT MANUAL by M. Robertson. Includes Charts/Reliability. Become a better pilot!. .... 1lb DELUXE FLIGHT LOG BOOK 4.25 x 7 68+ pages. Log over 270 flights. ................................ 3oz FLIGHT LOG BOOK The Official USHGA flight log book. 40 pages. Log those flights! .............. 2oz

$12.95 $24.95 $19.95 $29.95 $29.95 $29.95 $29.95 $24.95 $15.00 $34.95 $19.95 $ 8.95 $ 9.95 $ 6.50 $ 2.95

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______

TO FLY: SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL VIDEO. Check one HG (10 min) PG (7 min)....... 1lb WEATHER TO FLY Dixon White educates us on this. (50 min) Check here for DVD instead. . 1lb SPEED GLIDING: TEAR UP THE SKIES Check out this new sport! (24 min) Check for DVD .. 1lb STARTING HANG GLIDING Basic preparation & what to expect. (30min) Check for DVD ...... 1lb PARTY AT CLOUDBASE A hang gliding music video, rock music. (20 min) Check for DVD .... 1lb TELLURIDE AEROBATICS Follow the dynamic history of this event, from "1981-95". (50 min).. .1lb BORN TO FLY HG action. Fly Owens & other. Meet Team Green. (50 min) Check for DVD.... .1lb HANG GLIDING EXTREME Fly many US sites, meet the top pilots. (50 min) Check for DVD.. 1lb SPEED TO FLY World tour instructional video on XC PG flying techniques & tips. (70 min) ..... 1lb SUPER FLY HARD Rob, Chris, Othar & Pablo assault the world s premier PG sites. (40 min) .. 1lb GROUND HANDLING & The Art of Kiting (PG) . (44 min) Check here for DVD instead ........... 1lb A HIGHER CALLING Superb paragliding XC adventure in Nepal. Excellent editing. (45min) ....... 1lb THE PERFECT MOUNTAIN Searching for the ultimate PG site. (44 min) Check for DVD ....... 1lb BALI HIGH Exotic paragliding adventures in Indonesia. (38 min) .................................................... 1lb STARTING PARAGLIDING Basic preparation & what to expect. (30min) Check for DVD ....... 1lb MASTERS AT CLOUDBASE A paragliding music video, set to hard hitting music. (20 min) .........1lb FLY HARD Rob Whittal & C. Santacroce paraglide the westcoast. Rock soundtrack. (36 min). .. .1lb CLOUDBASE PARAGLIDING Great intro. video. Meet the hot pilots, fly the hot sites. (36 min)....1lb All our videos are in USA/VHS NTSC format only.

$ 9.95 $39.95 $24.95 $29.95 $19.95 $24.95 $34.95 $34.95 $39.95 $35.95 $36.95 $32.95 $36.95 $29.95 $29.95 $19.95 $35.95 $34.95

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ DVD=1/2 LB EACH.

PUBLICATIONS

VIDEOS

..DVD

MISC.

$________ $________ $________ $________ $________ $________ $________ $________ $________ $________ $________ $________ $________ $________ $________

WINDSOKTM 1.5 oz. ripstop nylon, 5'4" long w/11" throat. Pink/yellow or pink/white ...........2lb $39.95 ____ ______ $________ ZING WING Flying toy. Launch it skyward and watch is soar. ....................................................... 8oz $ 2.50 ____ ______ $________ ______ $________ RED/WHITE/BLUE DECAL Two color on white vinyl, UV coated. Check one HG PG ........ 1oz $ 1.00 ____ ....................................................... 2oz $ 2.95 ____ ______ $________ LAPEL PIN Two color enamel. Check one HG PG USHGA EMBLEM DECAL Our original logo, in its original colors, on a 3" circular sticker. ......... .1oz $ .50 ____ ______ $________ ______ $________ LICENSE PLATE FRAME: I'd Rather Be Hang Gliding or I'd Rather Be Paragliding . ......1lb $ 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) ______ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHIPPING (USA)

CHARGE MY VISA /MC/AMEX

Up to 2 LBS ADD $5.00 2.1-4 LBS .. ADD $6.00 Acct#_______________________ 4.1-6 LBS .. ADD $6.50 expires_________ 6.1-8 LBS .. ADD $7.00 8.1-10 LBS .ADD $8.00 signature____________________ Over 10 LB..Call/fax/email NON-USA SHIPPING-Call/fax/email Email____________________

SUBTOTAL $___________

Colorado residents add 3% tax $____________ Shipping (see chart) $____________

TOTAL $___________

Send To: ___________________________________________________ USHGA #___________ Phone_____________________ Street Address _________________________________________________________________________________________

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 OUT OUR NEW APPAREL AT WWW.USHGA.ORG

Rev 08/21/02

14

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

The Internet Era

2002 Buyer's Gu iae Ever wanted to compare spedfications on

Vi.rtually every reader of Ha11g 6/iding magazfne Is wired to the Internet. I t's the way we ttna Information ... zq x 7,

the hang gUaers that interest you7 How abOut paragllders, or ;;; ultmlight sailuianes, lightweight

m,•t<Ht«te, ana hassfe,(ree (well OK.,

~

pretty much hasste·free) The ByDaltlohnson.com Webs;te wilt offer yo11 over 20 years of "Pro<t11ct Llnr.s.,. columns-for re.searching, or

soaring trikes, or paramotors (powered paragliders)l Thost interested In powered alrcra~ might want ddalts on trikes, uttrallglttS_, mlcro/lght.S, homebuilt de.signs, helicopters, powered parachutes, gyros ... u,e list goes on for 256 pages-au ;n fhll color. Photos of each wing (or air· cmft.J, a,utresses ofmanufacturers, amt lots more information on wi119s and aircraft from the USA and Europe.

Now, obtain yo11r own copy of the -..

merely M'amtering through the

history of hang gliaing in the USA. You am also {imt flight reviews

by Dennis Pttgen for several mOdun 9tldus among hundreas of pilot reports a11a thousanas of photos. Unique features like PlaneFinder, PlaneView, Sr>tCCheck, or Pros a cons will

world Directory ofL.eLmre Aviation. Only S9.95 • $3.95 Priority Mail. In stock nowsend a check for $13.90 to: Dan Johnson • 265 Echo Lane • Sout h St. Paul /.IN 55118 • USA • (no credit caras or ph<,ne orde1'$)

help yoi, zero In on the right

purchase for you. or-JilSt reaa it for fun.

Coming, uh••• soont Sign up now to be

notified when the site goes 11\le.

yours toda,

r ·<>vu

$10.95

October 2002

•

Hang Gliding

•

15

t e d i u G s ’ r o t a ct

e p S A

Original photo courtesy Leroy Grannis — digitally altered.

e l p i e H .

W t t

by Sco

With the increasing popularity of high-profile freestyle and speedgliding events across the country, pilots and spectators are more often witnessing world-class freestyle pilots do what they do best — radical aerobatics. Veteran masters have been looping, spinning and wanging their way through beautiful routines for more than 20 years now. A wealth of information has been gathered and disseminated by both pilots and the media, creating a richer technical atmosphere within the freestyle arena. This guide is intended to summarize some of what has been learned about freestyle hang gliding and to inform pilots and spectators about what you may expect to witness at a competition or local practice site. Freestyle is a truly fascinating aspect of our sport, and my hat is off to the freestyle pilots and judges who have helped it get this far.

16

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

e l y t s e e r F to (Dedicated to Don Shimoda and freestyle pilots everywhere.)

FREESTYLE JARGON A climbing freestyle maneuver is one in which pilots first gain airspeed by diving, then convert some of that dive (kinetic) energy back into altitude (potential energy) by pitching through a climbout and ensuing climbing maneuver. This type of maneuver follows an arc and has both an entry and an apex. The challenge for safe freestylers is to let the bar out at a suitable enough rate to remain positive throughout the maneuver.

Only through dedicated practice can they learn what this rate is. It’s all about motor memory. The loop is a classic example of a climbing freestyle maneuver.

The entry (sometimes referred to as “pitch level”) is the lowest point of an aerobatics maneuver in which the glider’s chord is parallel to the surface of the earth.

The entry is an important reference point for executing and judging freestyle routines. Advanced freestylers recognize the importance of level wings at the entry when performing precision aerobatics.

The apex is the opposite of the entry. It is the highest point of a climbing freestyle maneuver. This is where we see advanced pilots go “over the top.” Judges note the comp pilot’s bank angle and heading change at the apex in order to define the type of maneuver executed. Flying through the apex with excess speed is an important aspect of safe aerobatics.

Attitude is the orientation of the glider relative to the horizon. Ninety degrees nose up from the entry is going “straight to the moon,” for example.

Reference is the earth or horizon line.

Visual reference tells freestylers where they are during many of their maneuvers. The loop, for example, is unique, because pilots lose visual reference momentarily during the maneuver and must rely on other indicators like bar position, G-loading or wind on their faces to safely complete the

maneuver.

Lazy 8’s (linked roll reversals) are a basic aerobatics maneuver. Freestylers descend by linking a series of smooth, climbing, turn/roll reversals. Practicing this maneuver helps them to “tune in” to the natural cadence of their glider.

Properly executed, the maneuver looks like a series of 8’s, with tips curled upward, staircasing downward. All other freestyle maneuvers (short of the spin) are based on lazy 8’s.

A “wingunder” is an attempted maneuver in which the pilot rolls too much before reaching the entry, then pitches abruptly around and down in a corkscrew fashion.

Think of it as a twisting, diving turn with no discernable apex. This maneuver can cause disorientation from high G-loading and has broken gliders. Most freestylers execute climbing turns as in lazy 8’s instead.

The mush-stall sequence is a common technique used by freestylers to help get their gliders to dive steeply. With wings level and from minimum sink, they slow the glider into a mush mode prior to initiating the dive ball-up. Mush-stalls allow pilots to better control their dive entry.

Whip stalls occur if pilots carry excess energy with them into the stall sequence.

They essentially trade airspeed for altitude in an accelerated stall. Pilots have gone negative and tumbled their gliders during whip stall attempts. Many veteran freestylers utilize the safer mush-stall sequence instead.

Balling up refers to the fetal posture freestylers assume in order to achieve a good dive, for instance. They essentially perform a front somersault over the control bar while burying the basetube at their feet.

Max dive is a radical freestyle dive — nearly vertical in attitude with speeds approaching 100 mph. Freestyle pilots are often proficient at and comfortable with October 2002

•

this high-speed stoop. It can be as steep as 60 to 80 degrees nose down, and is normally maintained from four to six plus seconds. (NOTE: In its first dive, Japan’s newest super roller coaster plummets 310 feet and attains a speed of 95 mph.)

Divergence is a term applied to the rare tendency of some gliders to go negative during radical dives. Some models, tuned improperly, can potentially “tuck” at low angles of attack. This is one reason safe freestylers use caution in tuning their gliders and developing their dives.

A hanger occurs when a freestyler mismanages energy during a steep maneuver attempt. This often results in a glider stalled upside-down at the apex with the pilot “hanging” negatively from the basetube. Pilots usually ball up and look for the horizon to aid recovery from this situation.

The climbout phase of a climbing freestyle maneuver occurs between the entry and approximately 90 degrees nose up. It’s been said that pilots may experience up to four G’s+ during loop climbouts; therefore, smooth, confident input is required for safe, well-executed maneuvers. A good climbout typically equals a good maneuver for the practicing freestyler.

High-speed stalls occur if pilots allow the bar to come forward too quickly after diving to high airspeeds. Many high-speed stalls take place during steep climbouts. The glider may appear to twist out and pitch up abruptly as the laminar airflow around the wing is disrupted, spoiling precious energy for safely completing the maneuver. Smoothness is everything in safe aerobatics.

Terminal velocity is the speed in max dive at which the glider is essentially in free-fall equilibrium with the air resistance around it. That is, it is diving as fast as it will for that particular attitude. Pilots can sense this and it can be an excellent referHang Gliding

•

17

ence point as to when to initiate a steep maneuver.

Degree of difficulty refers to how much skill a particular maneuver requires.

• Shallow maneuvers: lazy 8’s and climbing turns with up to 90 degrees of bank.

• Steep maneuvers: climbovers from 90 to 120 degrees of bank.

• Radical maneuvers: loops, climbovers and rollovers with over 120 degrees of bank, as well as spins.

RECOGNIZED MANEUVERS This section describes the four recognized advanced maneuvers upon which pilots are judged in freestyle competitions.

The spin is a descending, low-airspeed, autorotating maneuver in which one wing is stalled, or partially so, and the other wing flies around it, like a falling maple seed. It is difficult for freestylers to execute and truly beautiful for spectators to watch when well performed. During the spin entry the glider simultaneously noses down and twists rapidly about its roll axis. This action requires about 90 to 180 degrees of rotation to complete. The glider may then enter a “steady state” in which it seemingly autorotates near its yaw axis. Veteran spinners sometimes hold this maneuver for many revolutions while losing tremendous altitude. (See Tammy Burcar in the video Aeronauts for a world-class example of a spin.)

The climbover (sometimes called “wang” or “wingover”) is a climbing freestyle maneuver in which the glider’s heading change is greater than 90 degrees from entry to apex. Spectators may visualize this maneuver like a loop off to the side.

A safe pilot practices literally thousands of 18

•

Hang Gliding

these more fundamental maneuvers before attempting the difficult loop. (See Washington State’s Aaron Swepston in the video Daredevil Flyers 2 for good examples of world-class climbovers.)

All loops are climbovers, but not all climbovers are loops. The loop is a radical maneuver and a type of climbover in which the heading change from entry to apex is exactly 180 degrees. This is the maneuver that goes straight over the top. It is recognized, semi-ballistic, and difficult to execute. The loop differs from other radical maneuvers in that the pilot loses visual reference for a brief period of time. (See California’s Ron Young in E-Team Raw for world-class examples of the loop.)

The rollover (sometimes called a “twistee”) is freestyle’s last recognized and probably most difficult climbing aerobatics maneuver. The heading change in a rollover is less than 90 degrees from entry to apex as the glider “twists” over on its back, following an up-line created during the climbout phase. Visualize this maneuver like the weight-shift version of the three-axis split S. Rollovers are truly spectacular to watch and difficult for freestylers to execute. (Mitch McAleer is one world-class pilot who has mastered the rollover. He’s one to watch in Aeronauts.)

FREEST YLE POTPOURRI Gliders: Choice of glider is an important consideration for the practicing freestyler, as many pilots fly a certified, high-performance glider with a known “looper” reputation. These gliders retain energy well and are of superior strength. Comp pilots typically perform radical freestyle with full VG for improved energy retention.

Harnesses and proper posture: Freestylers typically fly with cocoon-type harnesses. These provide maximum flexibility for proper ball-up. Pods are also flown, but many pilots leave the bomb bay unzipped for greater flexibility. Being head down in their harness may be a more important factor than the type they choose to fly.

Conditions and practice areas: An ideal practice condition for many freestylers is perfectly calm air. Sled runs from tow or mountain launches are common. Pilots will normally find an area in which to perform that is away from spectators and other pilots, perhaps over the relative safety of a tree canopy or water. Safe, practicing pilots allow themselves at least 1,500 feet clearance •

October 2002

for all maneuvers. Comp pilots are penalized for executing low maneuvers.

“Pitch before roll” is a common mantra among freestyle veterans. Their goal is to create smooth, climbing turns by pitching through the entry before they add roll to their maneuvers. This is “pitch before roll.”

With practice, they can roll later in their

climbouts and thus execute steeper maneuvers. The wingunder is an example of “roll before pitch,” something many pilots wish to avoid.

“Wings level at the entry” is hallowed advice among aerobatics pilots.

Novice freestylers can control the shape of each maneuver more precisely, in a routine for example, if they establish wings level at the entry first. Early in their practice it’s often difficult for pilots to be rolling hard through the entry and achieve a well-defined climbing maneuver.

Lazy 8’s are a fundamental tool and good practice platform for freestylers in preparation for steeper maneuvers. You may observe pilots begin with a short dive, then “let” the bar out through the entry, add some roll, continue pitching through the apex, pull in, roll level, and repeat the process in the opposite direction. It’s typical for successive dives to get a little steeper. Many novice freestylers start with 45’s, progressing carefully from there. Perfect practice makes perfect.

The dive is the freestyler’s engine and probably most important tool they use in executing climbing aerobatics. Safe pilots practice thousands of dives of different types, developing motor memory and confidence for learning more advanced maneuvers safely.

ADVANCED MANEUVERS Champion pilot Ron Young is one freestyler to watch closely for good examples of

advanced maneuvers. He has the distinction

of being the first pilot to attain the status of consecutive looper in modern flex wings.

He began looping in the early 1980’s. He still loops today. Mr. Young makes the loop look easy. It’s not! It’s very difficult to execute safely even with a methodical approach to learning, which is one reason it scores so well at meets. Advanced freestylers typically practice thousands of wingovers before they attempt their first loop. The following section describes what spectators may expect to see in a well-executed loop (see diagram) and other advanced maneuvers. For the sake of clarity we’ll call our example pilot Freestyle Dave.

LOOP (A.K.A., “DOOMING CIRCLE OF FLAMING DEATH”) EXAMPLE MANEUVER Mush-stall: Freestyle Dave slows the glider’s forward motion with a mush-stall sequence.

You may observe the glider’s nose to slowly rise.

Max dive: Once the glider is stalled, Mr. Dave will toss his upper body forward through the control frame in a somersault fashion and bury the basetube at his feet.

It’s important here that he achieve a headdown attitude relative to his hips in order to gain maximum mechanical advantage over looping-speed bar pressure. Here you will witness the glider nose down sharply and begin its stoop into the earth’s gravity well.

During a good dive our example pilot may experience a phenomenon known as “wing lurch.” The glider’s attitude may steepen slightly or begin to oscillate in the pitch axis, a common phenomenon with many pilot-glider combinations. He will typically hold max dive for four to six-plus seconds while listening for terminal velocity or feeling for increased bar pressure, good signs that the dive is complete. Freestyle Dave will have lost 300 to 500 feet at this point and can be traveling at upwards of 85 to 100 mph. Smooth input is a must.

Climbing freestyle maneuver entry: The entry of our pilot’s example loop begins at the bottom of max dive. Here the glider will end its dive and begin to level with the horizon. Spectators may note Dave extending from balled up to prone in his harness.

This slight aft shift in CG typically initiates his entry.

Climbout: Following the entry you will observe the glider nose up and begin its climbout to past vertical. It may twist out slightly and appear to pull Freestyle Dave through this phase of the maneuver.

He will lose visual reference at some point here, so it is important that he not focus on the horizon and look upward instead, continuing with his smooth pitching motion. Ideally the basetube will be somewhere near his face as he tops the climbout, still pulling Mr. Dave skyward.

October 2002

•

Apex: Spectators may note Freestyle Dave’s arms continue to extend as he now watches for the opposite horizon. It should come into to his view somewhere near the apex. This may take a few seconds to occur.

Keep in mind that he can be without visual reference for 180 degrees of pitch arc. Just prior to apex you may observe the pilot to push out with his remaining airspeed.

This action takes him over the apex, and is the only time during the maneuver that he has “pushed” anything. Subtle timing is involved concerning how much and when, but Freestyle Dave is past the apex and he now pulls in to exit his example loop. He’s back in safer territory — well, sort of. Read on.

Trouble spots: Freestyle Dave’s example loop went pretty well. He did everything correctly and knew what to expect from lots of practice. The reality is, however, that loops (and other radical maneuvers) are very difficult for freestyle pilots to learn, and thus don’t always go this smoothly. So, I’ll describe a few potential loop trouble spots you may observe with practicing freestylers.

• Loss of visual reference can create a potent psychological effect on practicing pilots, and some have stalled their gliders going straight up in premature loop

Hang Gliding

•

19

attempts. If pilots are unprepared or unaware that they will lose visual reference during a loop, they may mistakenly focus on the horizon during the climbout.

You may observe that this action usually results in a near vertical stall — tailslide tumble territory.

• When learning to loop, some novice freestylers get to the apex of their maneuver in good shape, then blow the back side because they pull in prior to reaching the apex. Freestylers sometimes refer to this as balling up too soon. With excess speed, pulling in early causes the glider to nose down (nose up in this case) and the pilot ends up with a “hanger,” or worse. He may get light or go slightly negative — not a pleasant feeling when one is hanging upsidedown. Once stalled, many pilots remain balled up and hold tightly to the control bar. You may observe the glider to “fall” momentarily, then the luffs should kick in and rotate it earthward.

• The exit dive from the loop is often steep, fast and hard to control. Novice loopers have been “tossed” into ensuing involuntary maneuvers because they sometimes mismanage remaining energy in the post-apex portion of their loops by pulling in too much, too soon, or too quickly. This action can rock them upright in their harnesses relative to the control bar. From this head-high posture they have very little mechanical advantage over exit-dive bar pressure, something safe freestylers try to avoid.

Climbover example maneuver: The advanced climbover (see diagram) looks much like our loop example above, except Freestyle Dave adds varying amounts of roll as he passes through the entry and continues pitching in loop fashion. It may be noted that his roll input can be as subtle as simply relaxing one arm or the other. Typically, the later Mr. Dave rolls in his maneuver, the steeper it will become. The climbover allows Dave to practice progressively steeper maneuvers without loss of visual reference, and is low risk up to about 90 degrees if he practices lazy 8’s on a regular basis.

Calling his bank angle prior to attempting the maneuver and then following through consistently is a good indication to Freestyle Dave that he can add a degree of difficulty to his future attempts.

Rollover example maneuver: Like the loop and climbover examples, Freestyle Dave first sets up for his rollover (see 20

•

Hang Gliding

diagram) with a steep dive. Spectators may note that as he dives, Dave rolls slightly in one direction just prior to reaching the entry (pitch level) apparently beginning a typical climbover. As he climbs, however, he rolls hard in the opposite direction and continues pitching. This action “twists” his glider up and over the apex. In a well-executed example, spectators may observe his apex heading to be nearly the same as his entry. He may also be rolled 180 degrees or more at the apex. Difficult rollovers score highly in competition, and many safe freestylers get comfortable with flying upsidedown before they tangle with twistees.

Spin example maneuver: Our final advanced maneuver for discussion is the spin.

It is perhaps safe to say that more pilots have gotten in trouble from failed spin attempts than from any other recognized maneuver. To perform a spin, freestylers must first radically stall a tailless flying wing in mid-flight to initiate an entry, then hold this stalled condition to maintain continuous, steady-state spins. Stall equals increased tumble risk. Spectators may observe safe freestylers to never carry excess speed into their spin attempts.

Incipient: Freestyle Dave typically sets up his spin entry by first slowing his glider to minimum sink. He then sets a 20- to 30-degree bank and continues pitching through mush to full stall and holds. The glider’s inside wing should stall first. The outside wing will race around it as the nose •

October 2002

simultaneously pitches downward. This quick, often elusive gyration is the incipient. Dave sometimes pulls in and rolls flat to exit at this point, or he may try a little high-siding for the transition into a continuous spin.

Steady state: During this phase you may observe Dave’s glider to stop its pitch-roll twist and begin to rotate more about its yaw axis. The transition from entry to steady state is often difficult for even advanced freestylers to perform consistently. Typically the glider does one of two things: It either (1) partially coordinates into a downward turn, or it (2) levels out and progressively stalls straight forward. To remain in the steady state, Freestyle Dave holds pitch while returning to center from his high-sided entry position. He then uses subtle lateral and pitch input to maintain a constant bank angle. If his glider starts to over-bank (coordinate), he may high-side a little. If his glider begins to flatten its bank (progressive stall), he normally eases in a little. Expert spinners can hold this “along-for-the-ride” phase for many revolutions. They pull in and roll level to exit. Expect to witness a wild ride when pilots exit some spins.

SAFETY SUMMARY In summary I would like to emphasize that the type of flying described here requires a great deal of discipline and good judgment to practice safely. None of the material presented here is absolute. If this guide has piqued your interest in learning more about freestyle, I encourage you to attend a contest, study video footage, or perhaps participate in one of the clinics currently being presented by world-class aerobatics pilots. Feel free to contact me for more information or comment on this guide at gemini13@tvn.net or (706) 657-3107.

About the author: Scott Heiple is a husband, father and experienced instructor who has enjoyed learning to fly for eight years now. He practices religiously on an aero-modified, lowhour Axis 13 and considers himself a freestyle pilot of intermediate skill, having thus far learned a basic example of each recognized maneuver.

.... _..._ -......... ,,..._ ""''"'" --- -·-......RS

c.w-..

S. CAUPONGA

NfWVO,UC

...,,

11XAS

YtRGIHlA

m- (281) lSl·S970

(~) SS&-04&9 (418) 266-0914 cell (281} 705-9701 eel

.""""""" """""'·""

<•,s> 647-»n

(S40) 432•65$7

blu•..,.._

<ANAOA

a..c. ,Al.llftT._

ONTAIUO

SASUTOtfWAN

~

(2:50) •Sl-9911

Of'QUHK C'iino oaino

IOm-

......

(905)4~12'60

~.11111'1.COff\

Cltsloll,ne(

The Industry Leader for

over 20 Years Training Packages and Camps

Put Yourself

In Exp-Ol'l Hancl.S at Lookout Mountain

Integrated Instruction

Flight Park

www.han9 llde.com

o f toot launch a.nd

aorotow tandem skills Lookout Mountain. Georgia • Since 1978

44 Aero Mountain Resort Hang Gliding, Tandem Discovery Flights.

Lodging, Bunkhouse, Clubhouse, Bath House, Pool

Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding - 800. 688. 563 7 - www.hanglide.com October 2002

•

Hang Gliding

•

21

The Joy Of Silk

by Lauren Tjaden

M

y harness whipped around in circles. The burger and brownies that had nestled comfortably in my stomach just moments before threatened to crawl up my throat and leap out of my mouth, only I had more important issues to deal with. I fumbled for my parachute handle, but when I managed to nab it I couldn’t jerk the chute loose. I wrestled with both hands, and finally the sound of the Velcro ripping apart broke the silence. I desperately threw the chute, trying to catapult it toward a bit of open space. However, my toss couldn’t have been weaker if both of my arms had been broken. The parachute didn’t even deploy. Its container plunked onto the floor unopened, proof of my ineptitude.

“Jeez,” Matthew shook his head, “That was terrible. Here, try it again.”

He handed me the parachute container. “That’s one of the reasons we have these repack clinics.”

My husband Paul steadied my harness, still rocking under the carabiner.

“Are you going to puke?”

“I don’t think so. Maybe next time.” I swallowed hard and stuffed the container back in the harness.

I couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to really have to throw my chute — when it mattered, when my life hung in the balance and depended on my training and wits.

Hopefully I’ll never have to find out.

I guess that’s the kind of thing no one ever actually expects, however. I mean, Grant never thought he’d need his chute either. But he did. Here’s his story.

On the evening of May 10, 1998, one of Grant Wesham’s jobs was to test-fly the Lansing topless ZIP glider that had just arrived for a client. Testflying a glider like the topless wasn’t a particularly unappealing task. The ZIP was among the first generation of

22

•

Hang Gliding

topless gliders, a fast, sleek machine, created for the serious pilot. Red and blue, it looked as if it wanted to jump into the sky and lean against a thermal, perhaps challenge it to a race.

The conditions were ideal for the assessment. The activity at Johnson Airport, located in Tinytown, Kansas, had faded along with any wind. So, as the sun waned, Barry Thompson (the tow pilot, who was Grant’s close friend and a skilled hang glider pilot in his own right) climbed into the tug and pulled Grant up over the wheat fields.

On tow, Grant began appraising the topless. It was his job to insure that the glider didn’t veer as if it had been swigging martinis. He verified that it tracked straight and that the bar pressure wasn’t overwhelming. When Grant released at 2,000 feet the tests continued.

Grant allowed the glider to fly at trim, to see if it tried to bolt like a race horse or tended to stall. He flew fast and slow, with the VG (variable geometry) half on, full on, and off. He stalled it, banked it hard, and worked it through its full fl ight range to note slight imperfections, but the topless performed better than a new Mercedes.

After Grant landed, he asked Barry to tow him up one more time. The test fl ight had been satisfactorily completed, only the sun still peeked over the horizon and the air was smoother than margarine. Picture a dog being offered a hunk of steak. It would be more likely for the dog to resist the steak than for Grant to resist another fl ight in the topless.

On this second trip Grant began to play with the glider, to fly the way he loved. He dove at the ground until the topless reached terminal velocity. Grant knew that it was flying about as fast as it could when it began to try to level out and slow on its own. Finally then, he carefully allowed it to pitch up. The glider immediately responded by rocket-

•

October 2002

ing toward Jupiter. At the top of the arc he let the ZIP climb into a wingover.

Grant had done some aerobatics in his old topless — even whipped it around in a few loops successfully — but performing the wingover in the ZIP was a different experience. The glider had the balance of an Olympic gymnast, and executing the maneuver was as easy as sitting in a chair.

The topless streaked toward the ground for the second time, swallowing the wind in gulps. It flew even faster than the first time, since its dive hadn’t begun in level fl ight. Instead, the ZIP had its nose already angled straight down after exiting the wingover, positioned for speed.

Racing downward, exhilarated as a teenage boy at a sock hop, Grant made a spontaneous decision. What better time to try a loop, partnered with a perfect machine, flying in perfect air? As he felt the glider attempt to slow, signaling that it had again reached terminal velocity, he allowed the bar to creep forward, perhaps four inches, no more.

Letting the bar out this much would have been correct in the old topless, but the new glider was flying far faster than the old one ever had, ripping along at an estimated 100 miles an hour. The extra inch or two made all the difference. As it slammed into the air under its nose, the ZIP pitched up, not gracefully as Grant had intended, but violently instead.

Picture a snowball that suddenly blossoms into an avalanche, a raindrop that turns into a tidal wave. The sudden change in the glider’s attitude produced a mushrooming effect every bit as dramatic. The ZIP fought to pitch even higher. When it was successful, it rammed against even more air and fought harder still.

Though Grant has arms that would make Arnold jealous, the bar ripped out of his control as if he had no more strength than a toddler. In less time

than it takes to open your refrigerator door, the control bar had shot from around Grant’s ankles to over his head.

The topless no longer had the power to push back against the wind. It crumpled.

The cross bar folded like a piece of limp spaghetti.

Barry, who had missed seeing the dive, gazed upward at that moment. He mused, “I didn’t think Grant knew how to spin a glider.”

Grant didn’t, but the ZIP whirled as if it had been caught in a blender. It revolved so fast that it continued to climb for a moment like it was a new, sick version of a helicopter. The sky, the ground, and the blue and red glider circled in a blur, but somehow Grant’s training kicked into gear anyhow. He looked for his parachute handle, then ripped at it with one hand. But while the pins came out, the Velcro refused to budge. Grant yanked again, but even though he had enough adrenaline pumping to power Manhattan, the Velcro was stuck, as if it had been crafted with glue instead of nylon.

The ground twirled closer, and the wind screamed as though Grant was caught in a hurricane. Abandoning the control bar, he began to tug at the parachute with both hands. Now, he and the glider spun independently, both carving different spirals in the sky. Strangely — drowning in this nightmare, struggling with the chute — Grant had time to ponder mundane things.

He stifled a grin, reflecting about how the life-passing-before-your-eyesbusiness was truly real. The seconds that shot by felt as if they’d been covered with maple syrup, somehow transformed into hours. The faces of Grant’s loved ones streamed through his mind. He could picture his father. He could picture his mother smiling, and his brother laughing. He could picture his friends, too. He’d sure been blessed with lots of great ones.

He also thought about the guy who’d ordered the ZIP. Grant couldn’t picture his face exactly, but oddly, he imagined it looked a lot like his boss’s face. Grant’s boss was probably going to fire him, that is, if Grant ever managed to pry the chute loose. In between tugs on its handle, Grant actually glanced at the wing to see if he could figure out why the topless had stopped flying.

Grant remembered that the last time he’d repacked his chute had been in Mexico, and that the Margaritas had been tasty that night. He hoped he’d packed his chute correctly, because he wasn’t very experienced at the task. He remembered all the times he’d left his harness in the sun, absorbing UV rays.

He hoped that Mexican rubber bands weren’t prone to rotting.

Then, the miracle happened. The Velcro gasped, and the chute fell into his arms. Grant didn’t have time to listen to his heart sing or mouth say any prayers.

He spotted a patch of blue sky tearing past, and flung the chute toward it.

It unfolded. The parachute was smaller than Grant had imagined it would be, a green and orange puff of cloth, but it worked nonetheless. The howl of the wind stopped as quickly as if someone had flipped a switch.

Instantly, his glider’s death spin slowed to the dawdling spiral of an autumn leaf. Grant swung under it, like a human pendulum stuck to a clock. In this new, less frantic world, he remembered to climb into the control frame.

Grant’s butt poked toward the earth, but he could still crank around his head and gaze down. Depending on which way the pendulum decided to swing, Grant was going to land in either a pond, a tree, or on the strip of gravel road separating them. It was like the game you play as a child with daisy petals — the he-loves-me, he-loves-me-not game — but the random answer would determine if he would choke underwater,

October 2002

•

plummet into the branches, or only skin himself on the road. He figures that it took longer for him to descend than it takes to read War And Peace, but finally, landing seemed imminent.

It appeared as if the tree might be the winner. However, though Grant almost skimmed its branches, he finally teetered the other way and cleared it. Thankful he hadn’t been impaled, Grant swung over the pond. His bottom brushed over the top of the water, but somehow he missed it as well.

In an event as unlikely as finding a contact lens in a snow drift, he landed in the road. If he’d had a free hand or leg to jam down to brace against the impact, it could have easily snapped.

But luckily, his rear end wasn’t capable of putting up much of a struggle.

Grant settled onto the road with as little fuss as a cat leaping off a kitchen counter. His butt absorbed any impact. The glider dropped on top of him, but by the time Barry had screeched up in the truck, Grant had his head poked over a wing.

Grant strolled away without a stitch, without a bruise. The ZIP fared almost as well. Though Grant and Barry broke it down to examine it, all it needed was a new crossbar. In fact, it was recently featured on the cover of Hang Gliding magazine, as resplendent as ever. Even Grant’s parachute survived. It currently is stuffed into the pocket of his harness. Hopefully it will decompose eventually, because it has surely already served a greater purpose than most of its peers.

Hopefully your own chutes will rot, unused, as well. But Grant asked that I remind you that no one ever really knows what the day might bring.

You could have a midair collision, or just become careless in your preflight and miss a frayed cable. Make sure that you’re prepared. Your life could depend on it.

Hang Gliding

•

23

THE REALIZATION OF A 25 YEAR DREAM!

by Ken J. Hill (soar@acesim.com)

The Carbon Condor 24

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

H

aving been around for the birth and evolution of hang gliders, I’ve flown most everything from standard kites to ridged-wing ultralights.

(Anyone remember the “Sail Feather”?) I’ve also been involved with radio-controlled gliders along the way and always wanted an RC hang glider to fly while waiting for the lift to develop. Back in the 1970’s I built a truncated-tip, non-battened slope model using uncoated rip-stop wind-breaker nylon with thick-walled aluminum tubing and all the rigging. Needless to say, it was a tank, needed a tail for any kind of stability or control, and looked like a combination of a V-tailed Seagull and the UP Dragonfly from that era.

Weight-shift RC hang glider model from 1976.

Initially I attempted true weight shift with an undercarriage robot using mechanical mixing for combined pitch and roll motion. Although the mechanics worked fine, due to the poor weight-ratio advantage between the “pilot” and glider, this was less than successful to say the least. Pitch control was adequate but roll was non-existent.

The robot pilot did his job but a rudder had to be added to assist in turns.

The biggest problem with using true weight shift for model control was that

since the wing is supported with the servos, any but the softest landings would strip the servo gears. Modern advances in servo accessories do allow “servo saver” output wheels that break or dislocate before the gears fail, but this is still not acceptable by my standards since I wanted a solid, dependable and direct-control mechanism.

glider designing experience, I knew that to get any kind of real soaring performance the glider would need a preformed airfoil and a decent aspect ratio.

I put the concept on the back burner and mulled over it on and off for decades, knowing that there had to be a simple way of controlling a flex wing without adding control surfaces.

I recently became hooked on electricpowered RC park fliers. I love the quiet flight of electrics and particularly power-assisted gliders. Using a motor with a folding prop allows much easier climbs to altitude to soar than messing with a winch or histart, or taking a trip up a mountain. And for the purists out there, don’t think of it as cheating, just think of it as bringing your winch with you! Of course, if you do get in trouble it’s okay to cheat if you have to.

Besides, when there is no lift you can still get in some fun flying while you’re waiting.

Cruising at sunset.

I was re-inspired to design just this sort of flex wing after seeing a tailless seagull at the coast having no problem whatsoever controlling any aspect of flight. Studying it in depth told quite a story, so I dug up my old notes and went to work.

Enter the Carbon Condor. Still with doubts that wing warping would be effective enough for total pitch and roll control with no additional control or stability surfaces, I designed for a very low wing loading to reduce the potential loads on the servos as well as to keep the speed down. The fivefoot-span, 540-squareinch model weighed in at about 15 ounces ready to fly, for a wing loading of only four ounces per square foot! This put it in the class of the slow fliers, and since its wing was Electric motor drive system with folding prop allows efficient power-off gliding. undercambered I didn’t expect a lot of speed from it anyway. After I still felt that there should be a simple, all, full-scale slow flyers are hang gliders! portable, performance-oriented flex wing for some serious parking lot thermaling.

Here’s how it works. Most rigid flyingThere are some “Ready To Fly” (RTF) wing RC models use elevons. These control electric-powered kites and parafoils on the surfaces are electronically mixed elevators market but they are little more than just and ailerons on the trailing edge of each RC toys. Since I have some amateur hang wing. This makes for a simple design with October 2002

•

Hang Gliding

•

25

pitching down. The wings flatten out from the reduced washout. This has the effect of moving the CG forward (CP back) since there is now more lift at the back of the wings. You can just think of it as weightshift-style control without moving any weight.

The Carbon Condor will fly very slowly with full control and is almost stall proof.

two wing servos directly connected to the two control surfaces. The problem with these is that it is very easy to stall a wing tip and enter a spin if flying too slowly or if you overcontrol. With a flying wing, this spin has been called the “death spiral,” and in many cases it is unrecoverable. Fortunately, the current stock of foam combat flying wings can take the abuse.

This control method works amazingly well and produces a very respectable roll rate. The Carbon Condor can even easily loop from level flight and can do some neat stall turns, flat 180’s and other fun maneuvers. Due to its light weight, it can perform with about half the power system normally associated with this size model.

The Carbon Condor gets its name from the fact that the frame is made entirely of carbon fiber tubing. This is a very strong and light material. The sail is lightweight, stabilized, rip-stop kite material that is seam-taped together instead of sewn. Fittings are molded rubber or vinyl tubing which makes for a very crash-resistant aircraft. I know this from experience since I

The Carbon Condor uses the same elevon control approach, but instead of control surfaces the servos twist the entire wing tips to achieve the effects. This causes more washout on the wing you want to go down and less on the wing that goes up for roll control. For pitching up, both sides increase their washout together. This causes the center of gravity (CG) to move back since the center of pressure (CP) moves forward from the now reduced area at the rear of the wings. Just the opposite happens when 26

•

Hang Gliding

Although it may look similar to one, this is not a kite. The Carbon Condor’s wing holds its shape all the time even without any assistance from the airflow.

Technically, you could call it a shape-shifting, semi-rigid wing design. I say “semi,” because under severe loads it will deform to a small degree so it isn’t completely rigid.

One added benefit I hope to achieve from this semi-flexibility (but have yet to prove conclusively as of this writing) is the possible byproduct of automatic roll stability. If the Condor is hit under one wing with a gust or thermal, I’m hoping it will flex enough to wash out that side of the wing more and cause a turn into the lift, instead of being kicked out of it as is usually the case with a conventional rigid-wing model.

Holds a bank nicely and tracks solidly.

This foam flying wing is typical of current electricpowered designs.

dove it in under full power from 40 feet trying to fly inverted! The only wood used in the model are the preformed ribs. The foam pod shown in the pictures is not needed for flight, but was added during testing for equipment protection and appearance.

Another advantage of this type of control system is that during very slow flight the wing conforms to a more stable shape, preventing stalls with its increased twist. This washout control can also act as a speed-brake that, unlike flaps, dumps the lift and increases stability instead of increasing lift and destabilizing it. You can descend at a near 45-degree angle with complete control if enough servo travel is dialed in.

Did I mention that it is portable? By simply disconnecting a couple of tensioners and connectors, the leading edges and spars

The electronics and motor systems.

•

October 2002

The wing shape is fixed except for the variable washout controls.

Note the wing shape as it comes out of a zoom. The stick is back to pull out with right bank added to level the wings.

slide out and you roll up the sail toward the root for a very compact package. Unlike a real hang glider, you don’t even have to remove the battens, since you roll them up right along with the sail. The entire package (less foam training bra) is only about 32 inches long and about three inches in diameter. It will pack securely into a mailing tube or padded carrying bag. Setup is just as easy. Unroll the sail, insert and connect the tubes, add the sail tensioners and you’re ready to fly. It’s great for travel since it can stored almost anywhere with little worry about it getting damaged.

the time of this writing, but so far it is very impressive. The speed range is good for a plane of this size and weight, and particularly for one that has an undercambered wing. The glide is nice and flat and the sink rate is very low. No hard numbers are available yet, but compared to other two-meter gliders I’ve flown, it is a real floater. A day at the park may never be the same again! {cc-flatout.tif } CAPTION: The Carbon Condor can move right along when you want it to.

Performance testing is still ongoing at

The Carbon Condor can move right along when you want it to.

Other sizes of the proposed Flex-Soar series of Pocket Planes are in the works for different power systems and applications as well. Current information, pictures and video clips of the Carbon Condor in action are available on-line at: http: //www.acesim.com/rc.

Ken Hill may be contacted at: soar@acesim.com. — Ed.

The glider assembles and disassembles in only a couple of minutes.

October 2002

•

Hang Gliding

•

27

28

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

October 2002

•

Hang Gliding

•

29

Bonus Photo: Claire Vassort prepares for another round of competition

30

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

Why Books?

1. They don t use power and are cheap to operate in California.

2. They re portable.

3. They don t need a hard drive.

4. They go straight to the point.

5. They guide you long after you leave your instructor.

By Dennis Pagen: • Hang Gliding Training Manual (Hang 1 to 3) - $29.95 • Performance Flying (Hang 3 to 5) - $29.95 More flying books • Towing Aloft - $29.95 (also by B. Bryden) and videos at • Understanding the Sky - $24.95

www.lazerlink.com/~pagenbks

Shipping:

Order of up to $25: $4.50 Order of $25 to $50: $5.50 Order of $50 to $100: $7.00 Contact us for larger orders

E-mail subject line: Book /video order

Box 43, Spring Mills, PA 16875 - USA SPORT AVIATION PO Tel/Fax: 814-422-0589 pagenbks@lazerlink.com PUBLICATIONS E-mail: We accept credit cards.

October 2002

•

Hang Gliding

•

31

The Gutter Rack

An Inexpensive Alternative Hang Glider Carrier

by Jim Palimieri

The “gutter rack” is one of the easiest-to-build and most protective and supportive racks for the transport of one or two gliders.

Granted, girder or angle-iron racks are good and socially correct in the hang gliding community, because you can carry many gliders up to launch. However, for the majority of pilots who just transport one or two gliders on a car they use every day, these big racks may not be socially acceptable to other family members for city driving.

A gutter rack provides maximum glider support and can be easily made in less than an hour. The rack requires a strong and sturdy bicycle-type rack mounted on a car or van, a 13-foot length of round plastic culvert pipe of 12 to 14 inch diameter, two U-bolts with nuts (squared rather than rounded U-bolts are recommended), and two metal bars with holes to accommodate the U-bolt.

The 13-foot length of plastic culvert pipe can be purchased at any industrial plumbing supply company (contact your city or county for their supplier) in either white or light green. Sometimes a length with damaged ends can be purchased for less than retail cost. Draw two lines along the length of the outside of the pipe opposite each other, so the pipe is divided into two equal 13-foot halves (the 14-inch diameter pipe can be subdivided into thirds if smaller racks are desired to accommodate smaller hang gliders).

The pipe can be easily cut with a normal circular saw (wear eye protection). Once cut, sandpaper the cut surface to round off and smooth the edges along the length of the pipe. The front end can be rounded if desired.

Next, place the cut pipe on the roof rack so that it is equally spaced and balanced in front of and behind both bicycle racks, making sure tailgates or hatchbacks have sufficient clearance.

Mark the underside of the pipe where it contacts the cartop rack.

Next, remove the pipe from the car, lay it on the ground and drill two holes for the U-bolt to fit through at each juncture with the rack. Return the pipe half to the roof rack and secure by inserting the U-bolt from the inside of the pipe and over the roof rack.

Now slip on the metal bar so it will fit snugly on the bottom side of the roof rack. Tighten the nuts on the U-bolt so the bar is pressed firmly against the bottom side of the roof rack.

A bagged hang glider can be placed in the gutter rack, either by 32

•

Hang Gliding

•

sliding in from the back or the front if you are alone, or by lifting if you have help. The glider should be secured to the rack with three or four tightly tied straps cinched around the upper surface of the glider and the bottom of the plastic rack. If you want two gutter racks mounted on the top of your vehicle, leave about eight inches between them or place them on opposite sides of the car.

The advantage of this type of carrier is that you can transport both a glider (that is well supported) and a bicycle for those extended weekend vacations. Hang gliders can be removed either from the front or back of the vehicle by an individual without help by simply sliding the glider along the tube until the middle pivot point is reached. This is especially helpful for short, lightweight pilots. The rack can be easily removed by simply unscrewing the four nuts on the U-bolts and lifting off the plastic pipe . During the non-flying season (if there is such a time) the plastic tube can be used to cradle and protect the glider in the garage or storage area. While on the car or van, the hang glider is uniformly supported, unlike other roof racks where all pressure is applied at two or three points — a big advantage when gliders are carried for long distances or on bumpy, rough roads. Since a 13-foot length of pipe yields two (or three) identical racks, the racks and the expense can be shared with a fellow pilot, making this an easily made and inexpensive hang glider carrier.

October 2002

REGION NINE’S 2002 REGIONALS The Gods Taunt Their Playthings

Above: Terry Spencer launching at High Rock, Maryland.

This site is still closed to hang gliding as a consequence of 9/11. It lies about five air miles from Camp David. Photo by Tracy Tuttle.

Left: The author flying his blue Talon. Photo by Richard Brickner.

by Pete Lehmann As is often the case in chronicling eastern U.S. hang gliding events, one must begin with the weather, and this year it has been most unkind to Region Nine’s Regionals.

Large parts of the Region have been experiencing a drought. However, the weather deities demonstrated their malevolent sense of humor by decreeing that whatever rain would fall should do so on weekends. That unfortunate rainfall pattern, together with a surprisingly cold spring, made it difficult for pilots to fly at all, let alone successfully fly cross-country in this year’s contest. The results below testify to a difficult spring. Of the 42 contestants, only 10 managed to register the contest’s allowed three flights, and just two reached the 60-mile limit.

For readers unfamiliar with the format, the Regionals’ objective is to have the winner accumulate three solid weekend flights.

Flight distances are capped at 60 miles to prevent one lucky very long flight from distorting the scores. Pilots are divided into four classes and may fly anywhere across Region Nine from mid-March until Memorial Day. OPEN CLASS The Open Class, and overall, winner of the contest is your author. I managed a total of 138.8 miles in three flights on a Wills Wing

Talon. Interestingly, none of the flights was made from my customary western Pennsylvania sites of Templeton and Avonmore.

The poor weather necessitated considerable weekend traveling, none more so than on the day of the longest flight. That 60-mile flight was made on May 19 from High Point near Cumberland, Maryland and ended in Paris, Virginia.

The day began with little promise. The ground was sodden and the sky overcast with lingering clouds courtesy of distant Lake Erie. Despite having told my companion Larry Huffman that I was going to be patient, and wait until things improved, I foolishly launched first. Conditions were predictably difficult and I barely survived on the ridge before finally leaving in disgust at a very low altitude. After struggling over the back for the first 10 miles, conditions slowly improved as I gradually escaped the lake effect and crossed into drier terrain.

At that point I attained cloudbase at 6,500’ MSL just in time to help me cross the leaf desert before Forks of Cacapon. After that it was easy, as the clouds streeted-up with 400-500 fpm lift to bases over 7,000’ MSL. Cruising rapidly across the Shenandoah Valley I angled further south to stay clear of Washington’s Dulles Airport airspace. As I October 2002

•

crossed the Blue Ridge the GPS indicated that I had the contest’s required 60 miles in the bag, so I landed in order not to lengthen the already four and a half hour drive home to Pittsburgh.

The next flight was a surprisingly successful 45.5-mile ridge run along the Jacks Mountain ridge under a heavily cirrused sky.

Finally, I went 33.4 miles to the northeast from an aerotow at Farview, Ohio. I am still kicking myself for landing early due to a fit of idiotic impatience along the way.

In second place overall is Tom McGowan, one of the Region’s newer generation of cross-country pilots. Flying a total of 117 miles on a Moyes Litespeed, Tom’s excellent placing also makes him the winner of the Sixty-Mile Class. Tom’s longest flight of 41 miles was made from High Point on the same day as my 60-miler. However, he rather wisely waited until conditions had improved before launching. Nonetheless, he had to struggle to get off the ridge, and only succeeded in doing so after he had fled southward along the ridge to avoid an approaching storm near the main LZ. Once he did get off the ridge it was fairly straightforward, and he only once got low before eventually landing near Winchester, Virginia. His other two flights were both of 38 miles over the Hang Gliding

•

33

open ground surrounding his starting point at Highland Aerosports’ tow park in Ridgely, Maryland. Tom modestly claims that those two flights were really the result of his having pimped off of Ric Niehaus who did the hard work flying ahead to find lift. Both flights were made at low altitude, but one was blue and the other under lots of reliable low clouds.

Occupying third place is Terry Spencer on a Wills Wing Talon. Terry’s excellent finish this year demonstrates that his sudden

Daniels Mountain.

In fourth place is Ric Niehaus with 89.7 miles on a Fusion. Ric did well despite his assertion that his newborn son Jabin has stolen his X-C mojo. Ric’s flights were all from Ridgely, the longest bringing him 34.5 miles northeastward to the Delaware estuary, but unlike last year, this time he couldn’t get across the miles of water. The accounts of his shorter flights early in the season both end with the rueful comment, “There’ll be plenty of better days this spring.” On one of those flights he’d landed because he was getting too cold, and on the other he’d been practicing triangles for the upcoming Quest meet. Those experiences illustrate the truism that in this part of the country one had better take advantage of every day’s potential because there seldom is a tomorrow.

SIXTY-MILE CLASS Terry Spencer begins his launch run at Woodstock, Virginia…

As was mentioned above, Tom McGowan won this emergence last year as the Rookie Class class in addition to his overall placing in the winner was not a fluke. He is an eager pilot contest.

Second place in the Sixty-Mile Class who is rapidly accumulating airtime and is taken by Mark Gardner with a total of 78 experience, and is likely to continue as a miles.

He bought his first topless this spring, Regional force in the future. Terry’s longest an Aeros Stealth, and immediately demonflight of 47 miles was an unusual variant of strated the glider’s cross-country potential (if the “Harrisonburg Run” from Woodstock not his landing skills). Mark’s longest flight launch along Massanutten Mountain. Terry was made from High Point on May 19, the experienced awesomely strong lift and sink same day on which Tom McGowan and I as he headed south along the ridge. Near had our longest flights. Mark had to struggle the south end of the mountain he went over a bit early in the flight and wisely decided to the back and then found a thermal around slow down and resist the urge to chase the Elkton. With that thermal he climbed back pilots ahead of and above him. He let them to cloudbase as he was drifting into the get ahead, and eventually passed them all. very wide Blue Ridge complex of trees and It wasn’t an easy flight, and he once venmountains. After leaving the cloud to go tured into “retrieval hell” to find lift before on glide over the mountains along US 33, making it 46 miles to Winchester, Virginia. he experienced extreme sink that had him His other flight was at Jacks on yet another worrying about making it into the open day that featured in the leaders’ flight logs. piedmont beyond. In the end he did make This time he made it 32 miles up the ridge it, but with Charlottesville’s airspace ahead before whacking-in near a drag strip. But the of him and with frozen fingers, he figured it spectators would never have heard it over all was time to land. His second-longest flight that engine noise. was one of 25 miles along Jacks Mountain, Third place in the class is taken by and the third-longest one was 21 miles from 34

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

John “The Pom” Beckley, a fine product of the British Isles, currently resident in the colonies. John made his only flight count.

It was one of only two 60-mile flights in the contest. He aerotowed at Farview, Ohio and then flew to the northeast, along the way displaying poor manners by flying over the author’s landing field. Furthermore, he thereafter relied on me to figure out in precisely which part of Her Majesty’s former colonies he had landed after his 60.4-mile flight. John had flown off his Ohio map and was near Cochranton, Pennsylvania. It was a fine effort.

ROOKIE CLASS Rookie Class winner John Claytor is truly a rookie, a pilot with merely 40 hours airtime at the beginning of the contest. Belying that inexperience is the fact that not only did he win the class with a total of 53.3 miles, but his longest flight of 34.2 miles promotes him to next year’s Sixty-Mile Class. Furthermore, he placed eighth overall. The three flights on a UP TRX 160 also demonstrate an admirable doggedness. He is a worthy winner.

His three flights were all made from Manquin Flight Park in southern Virginia, with two truck tows and one aerotow. The long flight began on May 27 in a frustrating manner with two failed attempts to get up.

But on the third one he succeeded, climbing to 5,500 feet and sub-freezing temperatures.

At that point he began angling east-southeastward in order to get around the Richmond Class C airspace, after which he went downwind to the south. He continued in that direction experiencing excellent lift until he finally painted himself into a wet corner with the broad, tidal James and Chickahominy rivers barring his way.

In second place with 25.6 miles is Dan Tomlinson on his Wills Wing Ultrasport 166. Dan’s three flights were all ridge runs, but done at three different sites. The longest flight of 12.6 miles was accomplished on an overcast day from Woodstock, while the other two were done at Fisher Road and Jacks Mountain. Bacil “The Luddite” Dickert took his vario-less Vision Mk4 into third place on the basis of his 12-mile Woodstock ridge run. Disdaining the use of modern radios, he arranged his retrieval by means of smoke signals.

PARAGLIDING CLASS For the second year in succession, Jim Maze wins this class. Flying his Ozone Octane from Kirk Ridge he went 19.4 miles, working a quartering tailwind along the ridge. Climb-

ing to 5,000’ over launch en route, he spent some time thermaling inside of a sailplane. He couldn’t match Jim’s tight turning radius, and left, waggling his wings as he departed. Jim’s other flight was one of 4.9 miles made in snow squalls after launching from Little Gap. The only two other paraglider pilots to submit flights were ones who flew with Jim at Kirk Ridge on May 4. Steve Onstad went 7.8 miles that day to take second place on his Ozone Octane, and Gerry Donohoe made it 3.1 miles in his very first X-C on an Airea Sessions.

BEST OF THE REST This year’s article concludes with the one excellent flight not mentioned thus far. Mitch Shipley, flying on his brand-new Aeros Combat 2, did the Jacks Mountain ridge run after first getting a remote start point to the south. Turning around, he headed northeast along the ridge and then bailed over the back to dribble for an extra 10 or 15 miles to a landing at 7:00 PM for 56.4 miles. Unfortunately for him, his driver didn’t expect him to stay in the air for that long, and at 6:00 PM had given up hearing from Mitch and headed home. Mitch’s long-suffering wife Darlene was then stuck with coming to get him. But at least Mitch didn’t suffer unduly.

The property owners gave him beer for the wait.

Region Nine Regionals Results

Rank Pilot

Class

Glider

1

Lehmann, Pete

Open

Wills Wing Talon 150

60

45.4

33.4

138.8

2

McGowan, Tom Sixty

Moyes Litespeed

41

38

38

117

3

Spencer, Terry

Open

Wills Wing Talon 140

47

25

21

93

4

Niehaus, Ric

Open

Wills Wing Fusion 150

34.5

28.2

27

89.7

5

Gardner, Mark

Sixty

Aeros Stealth 3

46

32

0

78

6

Shipley, Mitch

Open

Aeros Combat 2

56.4

13.9

0

70.3

7

Beckley, John

Sixty

Laminar MR2000

60

0

0

60

8

Claytor, John

Rookie

UP TRX 160

34.2

10.3

8.8

53.3

9

Gregor, Joe

Sixty

Wills Wing Fusion 150

37.3

0

0

37.3

10

Ball, Larry

Open

Moyes Litespeed

12.3

10.7

8.8

31.8

11

Rowan, Jim

Open

Wills Wing Talon 150

11

9.9

6.7

27.6

12

Dullahan, John

Sixty

Wills Wing HP-AT158

26

0

0

26

13

Tomlinson, Dan Rookie

Wills Ultrasport 166

12.6

6.8

6.2

25.6

14

Leggett, Randy

Sixty

Bautek Twister

17.5

7

0

24.5

15

Maze, Jim

Paraglider

Ozone Octane

19.4

4.9

0

24.3

16

Dively, Ron

Open

PacAir Klassic 144

17

6

0

23

17

Shiever, Eric

Open

Wills Wing Fusion141

10.8

6

3.8

20.6

18

Flynn, Tom

Sixty

Wills Wing Ultra Sport

7

5.8

5.4

18.2

19

Seruset, Jeff

Sixty

Moyes XS 155

15.4

0

0

15.4

20

Proctor, Dave

Sixty

Moyes Litespeed 5

14.3

0

0

14.3

21

Dickert, Bacil

Rookie

PacAir Vision Mk. 4

12

0

0

12

22

Onstad, Stephen Paraglider

Ozone Octane

7.8

0

0

7.8

23

Brooks, Pat

Wills Wing XC 155

6.5

0

0

6.5

24

Donohoe, Gerry Paraglider

Airea Sessions

3.1

0

0

3.1

Open

Flight1

Flight 2

October 2002

Flight 3

•

Total

Hang Gliding

•

35

Woody Valley

$100 off regular price to the first 50 harnesses sold.

Designed for maximum comfort, security and streamlined performance.

Flown by the worlds top competition pilots.

Dealer inquiries welcome, contact Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding.

36

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

2002 USHGA Regional Director Election Please use the ballot attached to this issue of the magazine and be sure to fill out the questionnaire.

Region 1 Bill Bolosky (Incumbent) A number of challenges face USHGA and Region 1 in the coming years. At the national level, we need to work with the FAA to make sure that the regulatory environment stays favorable to our sports, properly manage the Association’s finances, make a smooth transition to the new combined magazine, and try to implement programs that will result in the growth of the sports. At the local level, we need to retain and open new sites, provide opportunities for new pilots to learn to fly and for instructors to be able to teach them, and to keep the personal animosity at some of our flying sites down to a dull roar.

In the two years since I last ran for reelection as Region 1 Director, in addition to being the Regional Director I’ve served as USHGA’s Treasurer, and also a member of USHGA’s Executive Committee (EC).

Being on the EC gets me involved in much more of the national-level stuff than just being Regional Director ever would. I’ve worked with our Executive Director to get the Association’s finances back in shape (we went from about $12,000 in cash when I first took over in 2000 to over $370,000 at the end of July, 2002). I certainly wasn’t exclusively responsible for the financial turnaround, but I think that I played an important part. I’ve met with the FAA, and worked on USHGA’s response to the Sport Pilot NPRM, which could well be the tip of the regulatory iceberg for us if we’re not careful. I personally conducted the bulk of the negotiations to bring Jayne DePanfilis on board as our CEO/Executive Director.

To the best of my knowledge, I’m the first person from Region 1 in at least a decade (and quite possibly much longer than that) to be on the Executive Committee. My being in that position gives Northwest pilots a bigger voice in the way our sports are administered than we would otherwise have. Since our needs are differ-

ent than those of people in California or Colorado (where the other EC members live), I think that we benefit from having a member on the EC. It’s also a lot of work: I spend time every day, often hours, dealing with USHGA issues. Since Jayne started at USHGA in January of 2001, I’ve received over 1,800 e-mail messages just from her (not to mention the thousands I’ve received from everyone else).

On the local level, we have a number of pressing concerns. We have crowding at sites, a lack of hang gliding training sites and instructors, threats to our existing sites (from development, increasing insurance requirements, problems in landowner relations, changes in the state DNR administration, etc.), and some well-known personality disagreements. I try to do what I can to keep these things from getting out of hand (and testify in court when served with a subpoena), and at least so far we’ve managed to keep it working in spite of all of the problems.

As we increase the number of pilots in the Region, we will need to get additional flying sites open, or crowding will turn from an annoyance into a very serious safety problem. I can help with this process in a number of ways, and will do so as the opportunity arises.

I would like to continue to represent the Northwest as Regional Director (and as a member of the Executive Committee) for the next two years. With your support, a lot of work, and a little luck I hope that things will continue to get better in the future.

Region 2 Ray Leonard (Incumbent) Once again it is time for elections, and after 10 years I have pretty much figured out how to manage this position. Basically, my one and only platform is to continue to represent and expedite matters for the pilots of Region 2.

Pilots should have the option of just plain flying and having their elected representatives facilitate the paperwork or join in with opinions and matters of concern to them.

October 2002

•

There are still matters of the organization that I believe could be reorganized, and that is what I will work on if I am reelected. Sites, safety and promotion are at the top of the list.

Once again I would appreciate your support and vote to continue my job as a Director for Region 2.

Region 3 David Jebb (Incumbent)

I am pleased to have served with the USHGA these past several years and would like to continue as your Regional Director in our national association. Pilot representation is important because there are many challenges which currently face our sport.

I am an active pilot, an instructor, and in the paragliding and hang gliding business.

My family and I have dedicated our lives to free flight. We have managed the Torrey Pines Gliderport for the past five years and currently operate the largest paragliding school in the country. Currently I share the joys of free flight on the first and only worldwide Internet radio program called the “Paragliding Radio Show.” Free flight is my life, my business and my passion. I hope that I can count on your support.

Region 4 Steve Mayer (Photo next page) Steve Mayer, paragliding and hang gliding nut, entrepreneur, and lover of anything that can fly, is ready to step up to bat as Hang Gliding

•

37

Region 4 Director. Years of quality life experience and a plethora of knowledge have qualified him for the task. Steve graduated from the University of Colorado with a business degree in 1992 with the intent of entering the corporate finance world. Luckily, life’s path led him to Salt Lake City where he learned to paraglide in 1993 from Chris Santacroce at the Point of the Mountain, and Steve has never looked back. In his first year he logged over 300 days of flying! In 1995, Steve sought his instructor rating due to his sheer desire to share his passion with other people. Reflecting on that decision he says, “I soon realized I could make a living doing something I loved. Most only dream of this opportunity and I would be a fool to pass it up.”

Early on Steve was ready to take on a leadership role as the two-term president of the Utah Hang Gliding Association. His perseverance led to his instrumental role in preserving the South Side at the Point of the Mountain Flight Park in Salt Lake City during his tenure. Steve also has pioneered several flying sites in his flying travels around the world. On any day of the week, he can often be found mowing grass at the local site, answering out-of-towners’ questions, driving everyone up the hill and enforcing site safety regulations. As an Advanced Tandem Instructor, his depth of knowledge regarding paragliding and hang gliding and the industry as a whole continued to grow, as well as his rapidly expanding flying business.

After three years of teaching, Steve’s business became the largest paragliding school in the nation. Today, Cloud 9 Soaring Center stands as a nationally recog38

•

Hang Gliding

nized service provider for personalized flying instruction and top-quality products.

Steve has over 1,000 tandem flights without incident and has over 8,000 paragliding and 27 hang gliding flights logged under his belt without a single injury. Steve has exhibited his sincere dedication to the sport of paragliding through his sevenday-per-week commitment for the last nine years. Last year Steve was honored by his nomination for Instructor of the Year.

He is seeking the Regional Director position in order to make effective change in the flying community. He is anxious to fulfill the job in its entirety, but he also has three personal goals. First, site preservation is pivotal to our sports’ survival and growth. Second, site procurement is fundamental to sustaining the longevity of the sport. Steve would like to work to have a better standard for pilots to use when working to save and pioneer new sites. Organizations like the Access Fund have saved rock-climbing sites across the U.S., and could be used as a role model for us. Finally, Steve would like to help instructors and schools formulate a standardized protocol for handling issues related to liability. Many sports in the U.S. do not grow because they cannot address the out-of-control liability issues that we face as pilots.

Steve Mayer’s business is flying, so he is available six days a week, year round, to address issues and concerns related to paragliding and hang gliding for our Regional pilots. Steve will travel to each USHGA meeting to pass on issues and concerns of Region 4 and report back via a dedicated Region 4 website addressing our issues. An on-line forum will give you a place to voice your thoughts. Steve comments, “I look forward to representing the prestigious group of pilots in the mountain west.”

Mark Ferguson (Incumbent) Region 5 No election this year.

Region 6 No election this year.

•

October 2002

Region 7 Bill Bryden (Incumbent) Region 8 Gary Trudeau

Most of the pilots in Region 8 know me and I know most of them. A lot of this comes from me being an addict to the sport of hang gliding since 1994 when I first took a lesson at Morningside Flight Park. I have also tried to fly many different sites in the Region. Since 1994 I have found myself a regular fixture at Morningside most weekends. I have met a lot of nice people and made a lot of good friends in this sport.

I have tried to do my part to protect the sport I love so much. Over the past six years I have been the treasurer of the Massachusetts Hang Gliding Association.

For the past two years I have also been the secretary of the Vermont Hang Gliding Association and editor of their newsletter. Being an officer in both these clubs has given me the opportunity to work with local towns, states and the federal government to resolve problems and to promote the sport of hang gliding and paragliding. I have also worked within USHGA to help our sport grow by being a Region 8 Observer. This has given me the opportunity to work with many of the new pilots who have come into the sport since I did. I have recently been appointed to the position of Examiner for Region 8. I hope this will give me a chance to help guide the sport of hang gliding by appointing new Observers that I believe will keep our newer pilots safe while they gain experience. In the past I have also assisted in teaching hang gliding.

I am a tandem instructor. I mostly footlaunch my gliders but I am also trained in aerotow and platform launch skills. I have only a little experience in competition,

mostly at the local level, but have been part of the Team Challenge at the Tennessee Tree Toppers and in fun events like the Paul Voight Fun Fly in Ellenville, New York.

Recently I have even been seen floating around under a paraglider at Morningside Flight Park. I am not yet a rated paraglider pilot but hope to get enough skills to soon get my rating.

I think the thing that keeps me going in this sport, besides the love of flying, is the thrill of being able help newer pilots develop into better pilots and turning new people on to the sport through my tandems.

I guess I have certain agendas like everyone else who gets involved in this sport at this level. But everything I try to do is to protect the sport of hang gliding and paragliding and to ensure that this sport is around in the future. Site protection is important to me, but I realize that this is only a small portion of the overall future of this sport. I know we need rules and regulations and they are also important to me, but I don’t want them to interfere too much with what makes flying so much fun for most of us. My agendas are important to me, but I am here to represent Region

8 pilots and what is important to them.

So, any pilot in the Region can feel free to contact me with any of their concerns and I will try to help. I believe knowing that I am here to represent what is important to the pilots of Region 8, and my getthings-done attitude, will make me a good Regional Director.

Region 9 Felipe Amunategui (Incumbent)

October 2002

•

I flew hang gliders before driving a car, and I am grateful to be part of this sport and community. Flying hang gliders has had a huge influence in who I am today, so serving as Regional Director is my way of giving something back for all that it has given me.

I will continue learning about the organization by attending its quarterly meetings and advocating for Regional interests.

Also, I remain committed to supporting instructors and flight operations in the Region as a means of maintaining our current membership and involving new pilots. While I only hang glide, I want to represent the interests of all pilots in the Region, regardless of their winged persuasion. Please don’t

Hang Gliding

•

39

interests and needs, not to mention the daily public feedback.

This sport has given me so much: two world distance records, a television documentary, mainstream periodical publicity, national and international respect and recognition, but most especially it has given me miles and miles of good friends, cherished friendships, sweet memories and invites from all over the world. And like most of you, flying is, and always will be, my passion. Thank you and have a very unstable day.

forget to vote.

Region 10 Tiki Mashy (Incumbent)

Region 11 No election this year Region 12 Paul Voight (Incumbent)

Greeting Region 10. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as your Regional Director. It has truly been my honor to work with individuals who share my devotion to the betterment and advancement of hang gliding and paragliding. As your Regional Director I represent you, the members, and the decisions I would make as your Regional Director would be always be in the best interest of the members. I offer Region 10 my “best.”

I feel the need give you a little background information. I have the following USHGA ratings: Masters Rating, Tandem Instructor, Advanced Instructor, Aerotow Pilot, Tandem Administrator. Twenty-two years ago, in Southern California, I started hang gliding. I worked for 15 years as a paralegal, content to be a weekend warrior, flying only on weekends, holidays, vacations, and yes, sick days. Then, three years ago, I decided to follow my dream.

I jettisoned the “real world” and devoted myself full time to hang gliding.

Working at Wallaby Ranch has allowed me to promote hang gliding full time. Sharing the skies with pilots of every caliber has been a fantastic experience. As Regional Director, “down in the trenches” as it were, interacting daily with pilots and students, I am better able to “gauge the climate” of hang gliding, making me better able to represent and address the members’ 40

•

Hang Gliding

Hello region 12.

Well, it’s election time again, so I’ll give you a brief pitch to win your vote. My name is Paul Voight. I’m a Master-rated hang glider pilot, an Advanced paraglider pilot, and an instructor in both. My fulltime profession is owning and managing my flight school and retail business called “Fly High Hang Gliding” that I started up in 1984. I have been your Regional Director for 13 years. At one point I was Vice President of USHGA for two terms under Gregg Lawless. Currently (and for the last six years) I am chairman of the Tandem Committee. I also chair the Financial Redistribution Committee, which is a very •

October 2002

taxing endeavor.

Quite frankly, I would continue to go to Board meetings even if not elected, simply to keep bad things from happening. I don’t particularly like rules or bureaucracy, and often try to minimize the escalation of said evils. There are a number of other dedicated Directors whom I enjoy working with who are of like mind (albeit with diverse opinions!) and I think we do a good job of dealing with real issues, while taking into consideration the long-term impact of our decisions on our sports. Occasionally we get transient individuals, (and Directors) attending the Board meetings with temporary, narrow-scope agendas, who quickly disappear, sometimes after doing damage. I enjoy the challenge of making certain that we don’t make rash decisions or changes based on these kinds of individuals’ input.

These are exciting and critical times for

our organization. There is a lot of good, new energy in the office staff. We have a number of very serious issues on the table right now, and I would like to continue to be a part of the evolution of our organization.

Oh, and if you vote for me, I’ll buy you a beer!

Gallery Artist — Shane Nestle

Shane Nestle is a 33-year-old native Texan who has been hang gliding for two years. He used to work for Apple Computer as a Technical Support Coach until the recent turn of events in our economy left him free to pursue other interests. Now he is following some of the hang gliding competitions around the country in hopes of creating some really good video and documenting the sport with his photography. Shane comments: “I love meeting pilots from around the world, and through the sport I have made a great many new friends who have the same outlook on life as I do: face your fears and live your dreams! In my photography I’m looking forward to capturing many great moments and the great people who pursue this lifestyle.”

October 2002

•

Hang Gliding

•

41

42

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

MARKETPLACE HANG GLIDING ADVISORY Used hang gliders should always be disassembled before flying for the first time and inspected carefully for fatigued, bent or dented downtubes, ruined bushings, bent bolts (especially the heart bolt), re-used Nyloc nuts, loose thimbles, frayed or rusted cables, tangs with noncircular holes, and on flex wings, sails badly torn or torn loose from their anchor points front and back on the keel and leading edges. If in doubt, many hang gliding 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. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FLEX WINGS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AEROS 142 — Oleg Racer III. Combat 1 150, Combat II 150.

All perfect, low time, priced to sell. (336) 385-9075.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AEROS STEALTH II — Excellent condition, extras $900 OBO. (970) 728-3905.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AIRBORNE CLIMAX 13 — One nearly new $4,995; One demo, looks new $4, 595. 1- 80 0 - 68 8 -5637, fly@hanglide.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AIRBORNE SHARK 144 — Excellent condition, 30 hrs, folding basetube $1,900. Located in Virginia, (540 947-0238, shanemoreland@mindspring.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AIRFEX S148 — Intermediate double surface, great flier, packs down fast to 18', 12.5', and 6ft. long, bag fits all 3 sizes. $2,800 firm. (760) 744-4180 (moving up to Speedfex).

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ALTAIR SATURNS 147, 167 — Rental gliders at flight park, low hours, clean, priced to sell. (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AV8 - ICARO — The MRX700 World Record Editions are in stock. We also import the new STRATOS RIGID. (760) 721-0701, indasky@yahoo.com and www.icaro2000.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BAUTEK TWISTER TOPLESS — NEW! Winner of German XC Cup last 3 years, but too big for me! 143238lb pilot $4,700. Find out more at www.fexamerica.com.

(760) 752-9755.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EAGLES 145, 164, 180 — Rental gliders at flight park, low hours, clean, priced to sell. (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EVEN-UP TRADES — Looking to move up from your Beginner or Novice glider, but can’t put up cash?

(262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FALCONS — 140, 170, 195, 225 new and used.

WALLABY RANCH (863) 424-0070.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FALCONS CLEARANCE SALE — School use, one season. All sizes $1,250- $2,500. (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FALCON 195 — Near new, Z4 harness, helmet, chute, plus extras. Trade or best offer. Sam (530) 343-7512, sail@shocking.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FALCON195 — Excellent condition, blue/yellow/white $2,495. (919) 829-0455 central NC. dlilleyjr@aol.com

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FREE PVC GLIDER STORAGE/TRANSPORT TUBE — With the purchase of any new glider. (517) 223-8683, Cloud9SA@aol.com. Largest selection of new and used gliders in Michigan.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FUSION 150 — Low hours, meticulously maintained, excellent condition, one of the last ones built $2,100 or trade or? (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– GLIDER — FALCON 140, red/white/blue, bought in January 2002, test flown and used in only five training hill launches. Ideal for beginner pilot. HARNESS - High Energy Sports kne hanger harness. HELMET - Charly Insider helmet, small white. ALSO - two spare down tubes. Glider and equipment in in excellent/new condition.

Complete set for only $2700 OBO. Will consider selling items separately.

Please contact Holly (412) 421-1508, holly1709@yahoo.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– K2 155 — Excellent condition $1,000. New York area (718) 430-3456, hsosa@aecom.yu.edu –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– KLASSIC 144 — By Airwave, excellent condition, great climber, green/blue $850. (541) 504-5416 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LAMINAR 14 MRX 700 — WW or stock control bar, like new. (541) 504-5416, oregonvulture@aol.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MOYES CSX4, SX4, SX5, MAX — Great condition, very low hours, clean, each priced at under $2,000. Moyes Xtralite 147 — All white $1,100 or trade for? (262) 4738800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MOYES SX5 — Like new, ~50 hours $1,400 OBO (303) 347-0618, tgknelson@earthlink.net –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PREDATOR 142 — Near perfect condition, low time $2900. Bob (954) 803-6139, awesomebob@hotmail.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PULSE 11M — Lightly used, w/2 harnesses, reserve chute $1,900. (775) 720-8027, captenphil@aol.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SPECTRUM 165 — The Wills Wing novice model before the Eagle. Two available, low hours, clean, priced to sell or trade for? (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SPORT AT 167 — Flies great, very good condition, ripstop trailing edge, green/white/blue, $850.

Joe (847) 895-5858 Illinois.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SPORTSTER 148 — Brand new, white and red, priced to sell or trade or? (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– TALONS — 150 all mylar w/slipstream control frame; 140 w/dacron sail & folding basetube. Both new, not demos!

Special pricing, immediate delivery. 1-800-688-5637, fly@hanglide.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– TARGET 180 — Near new, rental glider at flight park, clean, priced to sell. (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ULTRASPORT 135, 147, 166 — Rental gliders at flight park, low hours, clean, priced to sell. (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ULTRASPORT 147 — New condition, outstanding glider, must sell-having a baby $3,000. (559) 584-1019, mreenders@juno.com

October 2002

•

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– W W FUSION 150 — 2000, excellent condition, 50 hours, red/blue $2,000 OBO. (602) 750-0798, thepines@cox.net –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WW SPORT AT 167 — Good condition, high performance intermediate, low hours, $650 Visa/MC can ship anywhere.

(760) 752-9755.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PARAGLIDERS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AIR SPORTS USA — WWW.FLYFORFUN.NET –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EMERGENCY PARACHUTES –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 20 GORE PDA — w/swivel $375. 20 gore $199. Used Quantum 330s, 550s. Many more available. Raven Sky Sports (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HARNESSES –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CG 1000 — Used once, excellent condition $200 or best offer. (207) 729-9867 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– DOODLE BUG — Motor harness, sales, service, instruction.

Dealers welcome. www.fly101.com(702) 260-7950.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EQUALIZER — By Eric Raymond, pod style w/22 gore PDA chute, paraswivel, aluminum frame, adjustable CG, kick plate, shoulder straps, 5’10”-6’2”. Aerotow ready, all black w/pew ter & ivory diamond pattern, oxygen sack, 2 external pockets, hook knife. Excellent overall condition $700. Mike (630) 876-9344, msmith@reedbusiness.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HIGH ENERGY TRACER POD HARNESSES — Sizes and styles change monthly, $300-500. Cocoons $125$200 each. Many others available. (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MOSQUITO POWERED HARNESS — New Prop, one hour airtime, complete super-preflight $3,500 OBO. 1800-688-5637, fly@hanglide.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MOSQUITO POWERED HARNESS — Never used, 0 hours, still in original crate, pre-NRG model, spare prop (with or separate) $2,750. Alan (909) 244-0786 Los Angeles area.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– RIGID WINGS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ATOS 160 — Will sell cheap, call for details. (907) 223-0622.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ESC 143 — 2001, excellent condition $7,000. (970) 7284991, (970) 728-7084, dwright@telluridecolorado.net –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EXXTACY 135 — 80lbs, 70hrs, comes with extras.

MAXIMUM HOOK-IN WEIGHT 230lbs $5,500 OBO. (206) 244-5122, redris1@attbi.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– GHOSTBUSTER PARTS — Sail, flaps, spoilers, ribs, hardware, wires, everything but the leading edges. (970) 641-9207, skyout1@webtv.net –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ULTRALIGHTS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AEROTOW TRIKE — Air Adrenaline trike, low hours, good condition, complete w/Rotax 503, La Mouette Gulf wing, 24 gore chute, release, trailer, launch cart $10,000 OBO. (770) 304-8475, ww.newnanutilities@mail13.org

Hang Gliding

•

43

Classifieds

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AIR SPORTS USA — WWW.FLYFORFUN.NET –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– COMPLETE & READY TO FLY — 30hp Flight Design trike in excellent condition, includes parachute and glider, 40 hours $4,995. (608) 757-1201 after 4pm Central.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– COSMOS — 1999 Samba soaring trike w/PacAir reinforced K4 wing,VG, 22hp Zenoah, 65 hours TT on engine and wing, CHT, EGT, tiny tach, includes BRS soft pack parachute system, always hangared, excellent condition $6,000. Matt (717) 6971450 PA, mjohn91424@aol.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SCHOOLS & DEALERS ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

LARGEST HANG GLIDING SHOP — In the West! Our deluxe retail shop showcases the latest equipment and has two virtual reality hang gliding flight simulators. We stock new and used…Wills Wing, Altair and Moyes gliders, and all the hottest new harnesses. Trade-ins are welcome.

Our comprehensive training program, located at the San Francisco Bay Area’s finest beginner site features: gently sloped “bunny hills,” Wills Wing Falcons of all sizes and comfortable training harnesses!

“FIRST FLIGHT”15 minute video tour of our beginner lesson program shows a student’s skill progression $20 (shipping included).

1116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas CA 95035 (near San Jose).

(408) 262-1055, fax (408) 262-1388. mission@hang-gliding.com www.hang-gliding.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– COLORADO –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AIRTIME ABOVE HANG GLIDING — Fulltime lessons, sales, service. Colorado’s most experienced! Wills Wing, Moyes, Altair, Aeros, Airwave, High Energy, Ball, Flytec, MotoCom and much more. Call (303) 674-2451, Evergreen, Colorado AirtimeHG@aol.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CONNECTICUT –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MOUNTAIN WINGS — Look under New York.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FLORIDA –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The Aerotow Flight Park Satisfaction Guaranteed JUST 8 MILES FROM DISNEY WORLD • YEAR ROUND SOARING • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • SIX TUGS, NO WAITING • EVERY DIRECTION NATIONAL SCHOOL NETWORK — RINGS LOCALLY. For information call David (719) 630-3698, david@davidglover.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ALABAMA –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK — See ad under Georgia.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ARIZONA –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EVER THINK ABOUT PARAGLIDING? — www.paraglide.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CALIFORNIA –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– DREAM WEAVER HANG GLIDING — Train on state-of-the-art WILLS WING FALCONS. LESSON PACKAGES: One four hour lesson $100.

Three four hour lessons, plus tandem off 2,000ft. $300.

Five lessons for $400. Ten lessons plus tandem $750.

Complete lesson programs. Year-round instruction.

Launching and landing and thermal clinics available. Call for group rates.

Tired of hiking your glider? I’ll help you! Dealer for Wills Wing, Altair, High Energy Sports, Ball varios, Camelbaks and more. We love trade-ins. I’m your northern California MOSQUITO HARNESS DEALER. If you live in central through northern California, give me a call or email to schedule your Mosquito demonstration or clinic. Call or email, scheduling lessons five days a week, Friday through Tuesdays. Ideal training hill, up to 150ft., 600ft. mountain. 1,200ft. mountain.

Tandem instruction. USHGA Advanced Instructor DOUG PRATHER (209) 556-0469 Modesto, CA, drmwvrhg@softcom.net –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FLY AWAY HANG GLIDING — Santa Barbara. Personalized instruction. (805) 957-9145, www.flyaboveall.com/ flyaway.htm –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– THE HANG GLIDING CENTER — PO Box 151542, San Diego CA 92175, (619) 265-5320.

44

•

Hang Gliding

50+ NICE demos to fly: Topless to Trainer Gliders: Laminar, Moyes, Wills, Airborne, Airwave, Exxtacy, La Mouette, Sensor; also harnesses, varios, etc.

TORREY PINES GLIDERPORT - Come soar in San Diego! This family owned and operated flying site offers: USHGA certified instruction, equipment sales, tandem flight instruction, paramotor instruction, parachute repacks, repairs, and site tours. We also have an extensive pg/hg outfitting shop and dining with a view when you eat at our own Cliffhanger Cafe. Importers for: ADVANCE, PARATECH, and INDEPENDENCE paragliders; and dealers for most other brands. Accessories include: Center of Gravity clothing, gloves, UV stuff sacks, and helmets; Crispi boots; AustriAlpin Carabiners; Fly Mike flight suits and helmets; and GutStuff gloves. Check us out online for sales and information at: www.flytorrey.com and email us with your questions at info@flytorrey.com, or call toll-free at 1-877-FLY-TEAM. Also, you can tune in to the only Internet Paragliding Talk Show every Monday, from 9:00-11:00 am (PST) at www.wsradio.com.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Ages 13 To 73 have learned to fly here.

No one comes close to our level of experience and success with tandem aerotow instruction.

A GREAT SCENE FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS...

10 motels & restaurants within 5 mins., camping, hot showers, shade trees, sales, storage, ratings, XC retrievals, great weather, climbing wall, trampoline, DSS TV, ping pong, picnic tables, swimming pool, etc.

Flights of over 200 miles and more than 7 hours.

Articles in Hang Gliding, Kitplanes, Skywings, Cross Country and others. Featured on numerous TV shows, including Dateline NBC, The Discovery Channel & ESPN.

Visit us on the Web: http://www.wallaby.com Please call us for references and video.

1805 Dean Still Road, Disney Area, FL 33837 (863) 424-0070 - phone & fax

fly@wallaby.com 1-800-WALLABY

Conservative • Reliable • State of the Art F.H.G. INC./FLYING FLORIDA SINCE 1974

DON’T RISK BAD WEATHER — Bad instruction or dangerous training hills. 350 flyable days each year.

Learn foot launch flying skills safely and quickly. Train with professional CFI’s at world famous Dockweiler Beach training slopes (5 minutes from LA airport.) Fly winter or summer in gentle coastal winds, soft sand and in a thorough program with one of America’s most prestigious schools for over 25 years.

•

October 2002

Malcolm Jones, Laurie Croft, Carlos Bessa, Rhett Radford, Tiki Mashy, Jeremie Hill, Tom Ramseur, Roger Sherrod, Mike Barber, Neal Harris, Bart Weghorst, Carolina de Castro, Paul Moncure, Bob McFee, Emily Boespflug –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK — See ad under Georgia. Nearest mountain training center to Orlando (only 8 hours).

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

THE BEST AEROTOW — Instruction available.

The only U.S. hang gliding school with TWO NATIONAL CHAMPION INSTRUCTORS and U.S. WORLD TEAM MEMBERS Bo Hagewood 2000 National Champion And Paris Williams 2001 and 2002 National Champion. From your first tandem to advanced X-C racing instruction.

Open every day with beautiful remodeled 90+ acre facilities. Plenty of other activities like our screened in pool, hot tub, private lake, canoes, fishing, volleyball and just minutes from Orlando attractions. Learn from the best.... at Quest! www.questairforce.com, Email: questair@sundial.net (352) 429-0213 Groveland, FL ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

18265 E. State Road 80, Clewiston FL. (863) 805-0440, www.thefloridaridge.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

NO MORE BUNNY… THE HILL WITH IT!

WE HAVE — The most advanced training program known to hang gliding, teaching you in half the time it takes on the training-BUNNY HILL, and with more in-flight air time. YES, WE CAN TEACH YOU FASTER AND SAFER. For year-round training fun in the sun, call or write; Miami Hang Gliding (305) 285-8978.

2550 S Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– GEORGIA ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Lookout Mtn. GA/TN FULL HOOK-UPS — Laundry, propane, recreation room. 1-800-803-7788.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK — See our display ad. Discover why FOUR TIMES as many pilots earn their wings at Lookout than at any other school! We wrote USHGA’s Official Training Manual.

Our specialty-customer satisfaction and fun with the BEST FACILITIES, largest inventory, camping, swimming, volleyball, more! For a flying trip, intro flight or lesson packages, Lookout Mountain, just outside Chattanooga, your COMPLETE training/service center.

Info? (800) 688-LMFP. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HAWAII ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CHRISTMAS IN COLIMA — Safari Mexico rides again! $695 per week, includes glider. EXPERIENCED FOOTLAUNCH THERMAL PILOTS ONLY. John "Ole" Olson (360) 403-3199, FlyMexico@learntoflytrikes.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MARYLAND ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Baltimore and DC’s full time flight park Tandem instruction, solo aerotows and equipment sales and service.

We carry Aeros, Airwave, Flight Design, Moyes, Wills Wing, High Energy Sports, Flytec and more.

BIRDS IN PARADISE — Hang gliding & ultralight flying on Kauai. Certified tandem instruction. (808) 822-5309 or (808) 639-1067, birds@birdsinparadise.com www.birdsinparadise.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– IDAHO –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– KING MOUNTAIN GLIDERS — Alluring site plus shop supplying all your HG/PG needs. Instruction, equipment sales, complete accessories. Visit our website www.kingmountaingliders.com or (208) 390-0205.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ILLINOIS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HANG GLIDE CHICAGO — Full service aeropark, 2 tow planes. Full time certified instructors, ultralight instructors, East Coast record 213 miles.

(815) 495-2212, www.hangglidechicago.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– RAVEN SKY SPORTS — (312) 360-0700, (815) 489-9700 or (262) 473-8800. 2 hours from Chicago, 90 minutes from Elgin, Palatine or Libertyville. The best instructors, the best equipment, the best results in the Midwest. 7 days/week, March thru November. Training program for combined/integrated FOOT LAUNCH AND AEROTOW certification. Apply 100% of your intro lesson costs to certification program upgrade! Please see our ad under WISCONSIN. info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MEXICO ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

MEXICO — Summer in Monterrey, winter in Valle de Bravo.

1-800-861-7198, www.flymexico.com

October 2002

•

Two 115 HP Dragonfly tugs Open fields as far as you can see Only 1 to 1.5 hours from: Rehoboth Beach, Baltimore Washington DC, Philadelphia Come Fly with US! Ph 410.634.2700 Fax 410.634.2775 24038 Race Track Rd Ridgely, MD 21660 www.aerosports.net hangglide@aerosports.net –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MICHIGAN ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CLOUD 9 SPORT AVIATION — Aerotow specialists.

We carry all major brand hang gliders. FREE PVC glider storage/transport tube with new glider purchase. Now in stock: Wills TALON COMP!, XC 155, Falcons; Moyes Litespeed 4, Sonic 165; Magic Kiss 154. Outrigger wheels and other accessories in stock. Call for fall tandem lessons and flying appointments with the DraachenFliegen Soaring Club at Cloud 9 Field. 11088 Coon Lake Road West,Webberville, MI 48892. (517) 223-8683. Cloud9sa@aol.com http://members.aol.com/cloud9sa ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– TRAVERSE CITY HANG GLIDERS/ PARAGLIDERS — FULL-TIME SHOP. Certified instruction, foot launch and tow. Sales, service, accessories for ALL major brands. VISA/MASTERCARD. Come soar our 450’ dunes!

1509 E 8th, Traverse City MI 49684.

Offering powered paragliding lessons.

Call Bill at (231) 922-2844, tchangglider@chartermi.net.

Visit our paragliding school in Jackson, Wyoming.

Call Tracie at (307) 739-8620.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– NEVADA ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ADVENTURE SPORTS — Carson City, Sierra tours, tandems, sales.

(775) 883-7070, http://home.pyramid.net/advspts ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LAS VEGAS AIRSPORTS — USHGA certified hang gliding instruction. Sales and service, boat tow, mountain soaring, XC. (702) 260-7950, www.fly101.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– NEW JERSEY ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MOUNTAIN WINGS — Look under New York.

Hang Gliding

•

45

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– NEW YORK ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AAA FLIGHT SCHOOL — MOUNTAIN WINGS INC. Your full service Pro Shop serving the North East. We sell and service all the best brands. www.mtnwings.com mtnwings@catskill.net —150 Canal Street, Ellenville, New York 12428 — V-MITTS $25.00 Paragliding, Ultralights, Towing. (845) 647-3377 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AIR SPORTS USA — NYC’s first and only certified hang gliding, paragliding, microlights (trikes), powered paragliding. Distributors for Avian. Dealers for most major brands. Full service and equipment at best prices.

The most friendly service in the area.

Store address: 29 31 Newtown Ave., Astoria NY. Phone (718) 777-7000, WWW.FLYFORFUN.NET ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FLY HIGH HANG GLIDING, INC. — Serving S. New York, Connecticut, Jersey areas. Area’s EXCLUSIVE Wills Wing dealer/specialist. Also all other major brands, accessories. Certified school/instruction. Teaching since 1979. Area’s most INEXPENSIVE prices. Excellent secondary instruction...if you’ve started a program and wish to continue. Fly the mountain! Towing! Tandem flights! Contact; Paul Voight, 5163 Searsville Rd, Pine Bush, NY 12566, (845) 744-3317.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SUSQUEHANNA FLIGHT PARK — Cooperstown, NY. Certified Instruction, Sales and Service for all major manufacturers. 40 acre park, 5 training hills, jeep rides, bunk house, camping, hot showers, 600' NW ridge.

We have the best facilities in N. New York state to teach you how to fly. c/o Dan Guido, Box 293 Shoemaker Rd, Mohawk NY 13407, (315) 866-6153.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– NORTH CAROLINA ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PENNSYLVANIA –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HIGHLAND AEROSPORTS — See Maryland.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MOUNTAIN TOP RECREATION — Certified instruction, Pittsburgh. (412) 767-4882. C’MON OUT AND PLAY! –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MOUNTAIN WINGS — Look under New York.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PUERTO RICO –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FLY PUERTO RICO — Team Spirit Hang Gliding, HG classes daily, tandem instruction available.

Wills Wing dealer. Glider rentals for qualified pilots.

PO Box 978, Punta Santiago, Puerto Rico 00741.

(787) 850-0508, tshg@coqui.net –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– TENNESSEE –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK — See ad under Georgia.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– TEXAS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HILL COUNTRY PARAGLIDING INC — Learn complete pilot skills. Personalized USHGA certified training, ridge soaring, foot and tow launching in central Texas.

MOTORIZED PARAGLIDING INSTRUCTION & EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE. (915) 379-1185.

1475 CR 220, Tow, TX 78672 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– GO...HANG GLIDING!!! — Jeff Hunt. Austin ph/fax (512) 467-2529 jeff@flytexas.com www.flytexas.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Kitty Hawk Kites Flight Park

Fly At The Beach!

• TANDEM INSTRUCTION ––––––––– • AEROTOWING • BOAT TOWING–––––––––––––––– • BEACH RESORT • TRAINING CAMPS ––––––––––––– • FOOT LAUNCH • OPEN YEAR ROUND –––––––––––– • PARAGLIDING • EQUIPMENT SALES AND SERVICE

(800) 334-4777 NAGS HEAD, NC Internet Address: http://www.kittyhawk.com E-Mail Address: info@kittyhawk.com

46

•

Hang Gliding

• SEASONAL OPERATIONS (JUN-NOV) • EXCELLENT XC FLYING • TANDEM INSTRUCTION • AERO TOWING • DRAGONFLY/TRIKE INSTRUCTION • INTRO FOOT LAUNCH CLASSES • FLY-INS AND CLINICS • SALES AND SERVICE • 600-ACRE FACILITY • ALL FLYING BY RESERVATION ONLY Steve Burns - 979.279.9382 email: sburns@alpha1.net 800B Pine St., Hearne TX 77859 Fred Burns - 281.471.1488 email: austinair@aol.com 3810 Bonita Lane, La Porte TX 77571 WWW.AUSTINAIRSPORTS.COM ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––` UTAH –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WASATCH WINGS — Utah’s only full service hang gliding school, Point of the Mountain, regional mountain sites, towing. Dealer for Aeros, Airwave, Altair, Moyes,Wills Wings and much more.

Call Zac (801) 244-7494, wings@wasatch.com www.wasatch.com/~wings

•

October 2002

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– VIRGINIA ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BLUE SKY — Fulltime instruction and service at Manquin Flight Park near Richmond. Wills Wing, Moyes, Flight Design, Aeros and Airwave gliders.

Mid-Atlantic Mosquito dealer.

Steve Wendt (540) 432-6557 or(804) 241-4324, www.blueskyhg.com, blueskyhg@yahoo.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

FLY AT VIRGINIA’S NEWEST TOTAL FLIGHT PARK — MANQUIN offers aerotowing, tandem lessons, platform truck towing, training hill and scooter towing for beginner thru advanced pilots.

Certified instruction, glider equipment sales, service and repair through “BLUE SKY” Virginia’s leading hang gliding school.

Try 3-axis flying with certified ultralight instruction through “FLY RAWLING”, learn to fly and soar the SuperFloater.

Just 2 hours south of Washington DC, minutes NE of Richmond. Free camping and close to fast food, restaurants and Kings Dominion theme park.

Visit www.blueskyhg.com.

(540) 432-6557 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HIGHLAND AEROSPORTS — See Maryland.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– KITTY HAWK KITES — See North Carolina.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SILVER WINGS, INC. — Certified instruction and equipment sales. (703) 533-1965 Arlington VA, silverwingshanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WASHINGTON –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HANGTIME — Dealer of the MOSQUITO powered harnesses. Call for CLINIC dates.

Right here in the Pacific Northwest. (509) 525-3574, lbbrown@bmi.net –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WISCONSIN –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– RAVEN SKY SPORTS HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING — The Midwest’s Premier aerotow flight park, founded in 1992. Featuring INTEGRATED INSTRUCTION of foot-launch and aerotow tandem skills, at package prices to beat any in the USA. Seven beautiful, grassy training hills facing all wind directions.

Four Dragonfly tow planes, no waiting! Four tandem gliders on wheeled undercarriages. WW Falcons for training from the very first lessons. USUA ultralight and tug instruction.

Free camping. Sales/service/accessories for all brands. Open 7 days a week, March thru November.

Contact Brad Kushner, PO Box 101, Whitewater WI 53190 (262) 473-8800 phone, (262) 473-8801 fax, www.hanggliding.com, info@hanggliding.com

October 2002

•

Hang Gliding

•

47

48

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

October 2002

•

Hang Gliding

•

49

I

End 50

•

Hang Gliding

•

October 2002

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PARTS & ACCESSORIES –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AV8 — LAMINAR PARTS.We have what you need and we are committed to same day shipping.

AV8, Call (760) 721-0701 or email at indasky@yahoo.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ABSOLUTE LOW — Ball/Blue Sky VARIO prices! www.websitetrafficbuilders.com/vario.htm, email bob@we bsitetrafficbuilderscom –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BRAUNIGER GPS — Carbon fiber flightdeck package. Top shelf. New $1,300, asking $900. Perfect. (970) 728-3905.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

• ORDER ONLINE AND SAVE • Water/Dust Resistant Push Button • Field Replaceable Finger Switch • Heavier Gauge Wire/Improved Plugs • Increased Strain Relief at ALL Joints Extra finger switch $19.95 w/purchase.

Dealer inquiries welcome.

Call (785) 843-1842. MC/Visa.

Visit our website at www.flightconn.com, mikedillon@flightconn.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FOR ALL YOUR FLYING NEEDS — Check out the Aviation Depot at www.mojosgear.com featuring over 1000 items for foot-launched and powered paragliding, hang gliding, stunt and power kiting, and powered parachutes. 24/7 secure online shopping.

Books, videos, KITES, gifts, engine parts, harness accessories, electronics, clothing, safety equipment, complete powered paragliding units with training from Hill Country Paragliding Inc. www.hillcountryparagliding.com 1-800-664-1160 for orders only.

Office (915) 379-1567.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

DOUBLE BAG! — XC $60., heavy waterproof $100.

Harnesses, accessories, used parts. Low prices, fast delivery! Gunnison Gliders, 1549 County Road 17, Gunnison CO 81230.

(970) 641-9315, orders 1-866-238-2305 http://gunnisongliders.com/

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– GHOSTBUSTER PARTS — Sail, flaps, spoilers, ribs, hardware, wires, everything but the leading edges.

(970) 641-9207, skyout1@webtv.net ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– KLASSIC OR CONCEPT WINGLETS — One pair left, brand new in box $350 OBO or trade for?

(262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SPECTACULAR TROPHIES

AWARDS & GIFTS! Free catalog.

Soaring Dreams (208) 376-7914, www.soaringdreamsart.com, e-mail to lisa@soaringdreamsart.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

MINI VARIO — World’s smallest, simplest vario! Clips to helmet or chinstrap. 200 hours on batteries, 0-18,000 ft., fast response and 2 year warranty.

ONLY $169.

Mallettec, PO Box 15756, Santa Ana CA, 92735.

(714) 966-1240 MC/Visa accepted, www.mallettec.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The world-class XCR-180 operates up to 3 hours @18,000 ft. and weighs only 4lb.

Complete kit with cylinder, harness, regulator, cannula and remote on /of f f lowmeter, only $400.00.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– TEK FLIGHT PRODUCTS

Camera mount $48.50. Camera remote (ask about rebate) $45. Vario mount $23. 6" wheels $29.75, 8" wheels $34.75, Add $4 S&H per (US) included.

TEK FLIGHT Products, Colebrook Stage, Winsted CT 06098.

Or call (860) 379-1668.

Email: tek@snet.net or our page: www.tekflight.com

October 2002

•

HAWK AIRSPORTS INC — P.O. Box 9056, Knoxville, TN 37940-0056, (865) 945-2625. World famous Windsoks, as seen at the Oshkosh & Sun-N-Fun EAA Fly-Ins. Hawk@windsok.com, www.windsok.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

DON’T GET CAUGHT LANDING DOWNWIND! — 1.5 oz. ripstop nylon, UV treated, 5’4" long w/11" throat.Available colors fluorescent pink/yellow or fluorescent pink/white. $39.95 (+$5.00 S/H).

Send to USHGA Windsok, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330, (719) 632-8300, fax (719) 632-6417, ushga@ushga.org VISA/MC accepted.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PUBLICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BAG IT! — If you don’t have Dennis Pagen’s PERFORMANCE FLYING yet, available through USHGA Headquarters $29.95 (+$5.50 s&h for UPS/Priority Mail delivery).

USHGA, PO Box 1330,Colorado Springs CO 80901.

1-800-616-6888 www.ushga.org

Hang Gliding

•

51

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

ground handling, launching and those first flights. 30 min. $29.95 NOW IN DVD, same great price.

HANG GLIDING EXTREME & BORN TO FLY

by Adventure Productions, great HG action, $34.95 each.

NOW IN DVD, same great price.

Call USHGA (719) 632-8300, fax (719) 632-6417, email: ushga@ushga.org, or order from our webpage at www.ushga,org. Please add $4 domestic S&H ($% for two or more videos). Great to impress your friends or for those socked-in days. Perfect gift for the launch potato turned couch potato. Also ask us about our paragliding videos!

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

FLY THE WING! Hooking Into Hang Gliding, by Len Holms.This is the perfect book for those curious about the sport of hang gliding.

Written at a level which will not swamp the reader with daunting amounts of technical detail, you will learn about hang glider wings and the skills needed to fly them.

84 pages with photos and illustrations. $12.95 (+ $5 S&H).

USHGA, PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901.

1-800-616-6888 www.ushga.org ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

HARRY AND THE HANG GLIDER is a beautifully illustrated, hardcover children’s book with 40 color pages written for pilots to share the dream of flight!

To order: send $24.95 plus $3 shipping to; SkyHigh Publishing, 201 N. Tyndall, Tucson, AZ 85719 or call; (520) 628-8165 or visit; http://www.flash.net/~skyhipub Visa/MC accepted.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– TOWING –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AEROTOWING ACCESSORIES — Headquarters for: The finest releases, secondary releases, Spectra “V” bridles, weak links, tandem wheels, launch cart kits, etc.

THE WALLABY RANCH (863) 424-0070.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– DRAGONFLY B-MODEL KIT — Built by Bobby Bailey $13,600. Rotax 582 fitted and plumbed radiator, exhaust $6,626. Electric start, 6 blade Ivo prop with clutch $1,100. Rear seat and controls $1,250. Brake kit installed $250. BRS 900 VLS $2,595. Instrument pack: Alt, ASI, Tacho, temp gauges, Hobbs $1,017. Painted one color $1,200. Tow system $375. Total $28,013. A 50% deposit is required. Bobby Bailey can be available for basic training after completion.

Kenny Brown/Moyes America, 200 Hillcrest Drive, Auburn CA 95603, (530) 888- 8622, fax (530) 888- 8708, flyamoyes@aol.com, www.moyesamerica.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– VIDEOS & FILMS ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Otto Lilienthal’s genius in scientific observations and analysis, documented in this work, became the basis for the experimentation of the early pioneers in aviational flight.

The “hero” of the Wright brothers, Otto is considered to be “The Father of Gliding Flight.” Lilienthal’s definitive book has been out of print for almost a century, but is now available to everyone for a wonderful and absorbing journey into aviational history.

176 pages, 16 photographs, 89 drawings and 14 graphs. $19.95 (+$5 s/h) USHGA, PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901.

1-800-616-6888 www.ushga.org –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SOARING — Monthly magazine of The Soaring Society of America, Inc. Covers all aspects of soaring flight.

Full membership $55. Info. kit with sample copy $3.

SSA, P.O. Box 2100, Hobbs, NM 88241.

(505) 392-1177.

52

•

Hang Gliding

WEATHER TO FLY, by Adventure Productions. A much needed instructional video on meteorology. Dixon White, Master pilot and USHGA Examiner, takes you through a simple step-by-step process showing where to acquire weather data and how to interpret it. This video will help pilots of any aircraft understand more about modeling and forecasting. You’ll learn about regional and local influences and how to determine winds aloft and stability. “Weather To Fly” is an over-all view packed with useful details and includes great cloud footage. It is a straight-forward presentation that is easy to follow. 50 min. $39.95 NOW IN DVD, same great price.

STARTING HANG GLIDING , by Adventure Productions. Produced especially to promote the sport.

Covers basic preparation, weather, proper attitude,

•

October 2002

From the Telluride Festival in 1981, to the modern day freestyle competition. Follow the history of this dynamic gathering. $24.95 Call USHGA (719) 6328300, fax (719) 632-6417, order from our web site www.ushga.org. Please add +$4 domestic s/h.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MISCELLANEOUS ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

“AEROBATICS” — Full color 23"x 31" poster featuring John Heiney doing what he does best-LOOPING! Available through USHGA HQ for just $6.95 (+$5.00 s/h). Fill that void on your wall! Send to USHGA Aerobatics Poster, PO Box 1300, Colorado Springs CO 80933. (USA & Canada only. Sorry, posters are NOT AVAILABLE on international orders.) SPECIALAerobatics poster & Eric Raymond poster-BOTH FOR $10 (+$5 s/h). Check the merchandise section of our web site www.ushga.org for a color picture of these beautiful posters.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES The rate for classified advertising is $.50 per word (or group of characters) and $1.00 per word for bold or all caps.

MINIMUM AD CHARGE $5.00. A fee of $15.00 is charged for each line art logo and $25.00 for each photo. LINEART & PHOTO SIZE NO LARGER THAN 1.75" X 2.25". Please underline words to be in bold print. Special layouts of tabs $25.00 per column inch. Phone number=2 words. Email or web address=3words. AD DEADLINES: All ad copy, instructions, changes, additions and cancellations must be received in writing 2 months preceding the cover date, i.e.

October 20th is the deadline for the January issue. Please make checks payable to USHGA, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330, (719) 632-8300.

Fax (719) 632-6417 or email: ushga@ushga.org your classified with your Visa/MC or Amex.

� � � � � � � � � �

������ �����

Index to Advertisers

Adventure Productions................19 Attack Tubes................................53

By Dan Johnson..........................15

����������

��

���

�

Flytec USA....................Back Cover

���� ����

���� ���� ������� �������

Hall Brothers...............................19

����� �������� �� ������

Just Fly........................................13 Lookout Mt. .........................21, 36

������������ ����������������������� � ������������������������� ��������������������������� �������������

Mojo’s Gear.................................36 Moyes ...........................................6

���������������������������� ����������������������������������� ����������������� � ����� � ������ � ���� � ������� � ����������� � ������� � ��������� � ������ � ��������� � ������� � ������ � ������������������������������������ �������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ��������������������������������

Sport Aviation Pub. .....................31 Traverse City ...............................21 US Aeros .....................................31 USHGA.....................Various Pages Wills Wing........ Inside Front Cover

��������������������������������������� ������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������

Zing Wing ..................................32

������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� � �������������������������������������������������������������� � ����������������������� ������������������������������������

������ ������������ ���������� ������������ ������� ������������������������� �������� ������������������������ ���� ����������� ������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������� ��������������������

October 2002

•

Hang Gliding

•

53

ST. PAUL, MINN. -- Wills Wing was surely pleased by the recent performances of Nene Rotor who won the Brazilian Nationals in his Talon, and by Chris Zimmerman, who won the U.S. Open on a Talon. Jim Lee came in third on another Talon.  About their topless entry, Wills Wing says, “After a lot of development and wideranging experiments… production 2002 Talon 140’s and 150’s sport a significantly improved sail design, and several new features which are immediately apparent, including an extended tip chord and an extended double surface which fairs in the hang loop, enhanced handling and slow speed capabilities, and improved L/D across the speed range.”  In June I wrote about one of Wills Wing’s experiments seen at the 2002 Wallaby Open -variable reflex. This clever system showed promise but Wills said it “would require a significantly more refined execution in order to be viable on a production glider.”

The U.S. member of the world’s Big Five hang glider manufacturers says that “a number of other, less visible experiments were also being conducted at the same time, and while none of these will see production at this time, we will continue to work on these and other ideas as we continue to refine and develop the Talon for the future.”  Wills also performed evaluations of their Falcon Tandem glider. They flew it at Wallaby Ranch on a fixed-wheel setup with hook-in weights from 180 to 500 pounds (!). Even at these extremes, Wills says, “The Falcon Tandem does not exhibit the spiral instability seen on most previous tandem gliders when the payload goes over 400 pounds.” The company also reports that Ken Howells and Rob Kells foot-launched and landed it in no wind at 440 pounds. They say the big tandem model “rounds out and glides in ground effect, rather than requiring a dive at the ground and an almost immediate flare like the Falcon 225.” Unlike the Falcon 225, the Fly 2, and Double Vision, Wills says there “is no ‘wall’ in the flare. The glider flares easily... almost like a Falcon flown solo.”  WW dealers also made observations. Michael Robertson of High Perspective has been making his living for years teaching hang gliding, and has thousands of tandems on all the available commercial tandem gliders.

Robertson flew the Tandem at Wallaby, did some midday soaring with the big glider, and reported that he wanted one “as soon as possible.” Another experienced instructor, Rob McKenzie, says he’s logged more than 7,500 foot-launch tandem flights. About the Falcon Tandem, Rob writes, “It is nice to finally have a tandem glider that performs well, has light and neutral roll response, and flares smoothly with full rotation without that feeling of pushing against a brick wall.” If you’re instructing tan-

54

•

Hang Gliding

•

dem, sounds like you ought to demo the new trainer.  The Tandem is not the 225 Falcon 2 model nor is it Wills Wing’s hillside trainer, the Condor. Instructor or not, any pilot might enjoy this reasonably priced ($3,675) glider.

FMI: willswing.com (then click on “Falcon 2”).  In rigid wing news, La Mouette is making more ripples than I’ve noted for some time, with David Chaumet performing well on a Top Secret in several contests. Some observers felt that it outglides and outclimbs some other rigid wings. Though Chaumet’s Top Secret had no new model designation, the previous examples did not appear to perform as well. Chaumet was said to be doing as well as Icaro’s Stratos and A.I.R.’s latest ATOS-C. Contest writer, Davis Straub, indicated, “This is the first time that another rigid wing glider has been able to challenge the ATOS as the top rigid wing.” At press time, no word on production changes for the Top Secret, but I’ll try to snoop around on an upcoming visit to Dijon, France, home of La Mouette. FMI: lamouette.com/pdelta1.html  Reports of several tucks or tumbles have surfaced during 2002’s soaring season. While you might escape such mishaps by flying in milder conditions or places, some appear difficult to avoid completely, including one at Tiger Mountain near Seattle. Even though Washington pilot Steve Becker’s parachute did not get out, he survived impact with the ground. Lessons: avoid strong conditions and make sure you’ve got a parachute (and that you’ve repacked it recently).  You might also consider one of Mike Riggs’ Pods when he gets them ready for the 2003 season. Damage to wings resulting in parachute deployments often involve the pilot falling into -- and breaking -- the glider. But a conventional, non-rigid harness may not be your only choice next year.  Riggs recently signed documents for an SBA Loan and his Seagull Aerosports company plans to start production of the first retractablegear pods by fall of 2002. The concept of a sleek soaring trike (or “pod” in Seagull parlance) was spurred by my own interest, so I’m in line for one of the first models. Presently, Riggs won’t accept your money, yet the first 20+ Pods are already spoken for, figures Mike. Interest in this new style of “harness” appears to be growing steadily. FMI: mriggs@isd.net  Next month: tucks and tumbles and tails and winglets. Rigid wings are adapting controllable surfaces. Will flex wings also go this route one day?  So, got news or opinions? Send ‘em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Messages or fax to 651-450-0930; please note my new e-mail address of News@ByDanJohnson.com… but you can still use CumulusMan@aol.com for the foreseeable future. THANKS!

October 2002

Parting Shot

USHGA Executive Director Jayne DePanfilis captured at Wallaby Ranch by Mark Vaugn's lens.

Upcoming Issues; Profile — Bob Trampeneau, Hang Glding Icon — authored by Mike Vorhis Hang 2 View — New column by Jennifer Beach U.S. Open Report And more...

October 2002

•

Hang Gliding

•

55

~-ol!>~~ June,2002 Longest flight ever in a hang glider Longest flights ever in a paraglider Longest flights to a declared goal Fastest I00 km triangle, Flexwing

438 miles: Mil,e Barber 240 and 263 miles: Dave Prenllce and WIii Gadd 321 miles: PeJe Lehmann and Mil,e Barber Bo '1111/bil/y' 1/agewood

r

- / ., ,

Five flights Five great guys Five varios . .. All Flytec Siltrng /,fl lo ~ Rbdt R""ford, lk! ll•gn,ood SIIJndmg /,fl lo rlghl, And,.., '/be IJrlv<r" 1/o/Uf»IJ, Min Barb,r, Pd, Lom/Jnn, RIIIStll BrWn, 11nd (;ar, <koba

\

OaDt Prmlia/1,s UO t,,,,,Hng """"'"' paragliding f'l«Jfd, gets barJ di 5 a.m. /bl - dar •nd IOI<$ up Will Cadd.

Wi// r,/um, tb,fa..., byfir"'& 26J m/"1.

Will Codd, bigb _

,be Jb'as I,;// u,unlry, on bis av:1 lo" nt111 "'1Nd·26J milt$. phcilcl

.,W"il Glill NIii. Otnl ~

We congralulale Milte, Pele, Dave, Will, Bo and

all pilots who slrive lo do lbeir bes/.

YU ~

352,429·8600 • 800,662,2449 • W\V\v.flytec,co,n