USHGA Hang Gliding December 2002 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

Hang Gliding

December 2002 • $3.95

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

Table of Contents Features My Day at the 2002 USHGA National Fly-In — Matt Gaskin 6 Holiday Flying — Noah Ponzio 14 Hang 2 View — Jennifer Beach 16 Thermal Lore, Part 2 — Dennis Pagen 18 The 2002 National SG Championships — Jen Richards 24 The History of High Energy Sports’ Quantum — Carol Yastrow 32 USHGA Awards — Dan Nelson 37 Gallery Artist — John Heiney 41

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Cover: Claire Vassort, Women's World Team member, Chelan Washington Digital Photo by Kari Castle and Cookie Ogilvie Contents: Rounding the finish pylon, Aspen, Colorado Photo by John Heiney � ��

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Centerspread: Speed Gliding Collage Photos by Suzanne Hughes

Departments Air Mail___________________________________________ 5 Updates __________________________________________ 8 Calendar of Events ________________________________ 17 Marketplace (Classifieds) __________________________ 43 Product Lines — Dan Johnson ______________________ 54

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685) 1. Title of publication: HANG GLIDING 2. Publication No. 0179-7020 3. Date of filing: October 2, 2002 4. Frequency of issue: Monthly, except May 5. No. of issues published annually: 11 6. Annual subscription price: $35.00 7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 219 West Colorado Ave., Suite 104, El Paso County, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-3338. Contact: Jeff Elgart (719) 632-8300. 8. Complete mailing address of headquarters or general business office of publisher: Same 9. Full names and complete mailing addresses of publisher, editor, and managing editor: Publisher: United States Hang Gliding Assn., Inc., P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330. Editor and managing editor: Gil Dodgen, 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Suite A-256, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688-1836. 10. Owner: United States Hang Gliding Assn., Inc., 219 West Colorado Ave., Suite 104, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-3338. Its Officers are: Jim Zeiset, President, 13154 CR 140, Salida, CO 81201; Mark Ferguson, Vice President, 1173 Ridgeview Cir., Broomfield, CO 80020; Russ Locke, Secretary, 868 S. Mary Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94087; Bill Bolosky, Treasurer, 2422 SE Mirrormont Dr., Issaquah, WA 98027. 11. Known bondholder, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1% or more of total amounts of bonds, mortgages or other securities: none. 12. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for Federal income tax purposes: (1) Has not changed during preceding 12 months. 13. Publication name: Hang Gliding 14. Issue date for circulation data below: August 2002 15. Extent and nature of circulation: (A) Total No. copies printed: 7600 av./issue. preceding 12 mo.; 7500 for August 2002. (B1) Paid/requested outside-county mail subscriptions stated on Form 3541: 6725 av./issue preceding 12 mo.; 6750 for August 2002. (B2) Paid/requested in-county mail subscriptions stated on Form 3541: 0 av./issue preceding 12 mo.; 0 for August 2002. (B3) Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales and other non-USPS paid distribution: 362 av./issue preceding 12 mo.; 312 for August 2002. (B4) Other classes mailed through the USPS: 93 av./ issue preceding 12 mo.; 87 for August 2002. (C) Total paid and/or requested circulation: 7180 av./ issue preceding 12 mo.; 7149 for August 2002. (D1) Free distribution by mail, outside-county as stated on Form 3541: 0 av./issue preceding 12 mo.; 0 for August 2002. (D2) Free distribution by mail, in-county as stated on Form 3541: 0 av./issue preceding 12 mo.; 0 for August 2002. (D3) Free distribution by mail, other classes mailed through the USPS: 40 av./issue preceding 12 mo.; 32 for August 2002. (E) Free distribution outside the mail: 12 av./issue preceding 12 mo.; 10 for August 2002. (F) Total free distribution: 52 av./issue preceding 12 mo.; 42 for August 2002. (G) Total distribution: 7232 av./issue preceding 12 mo.; 7191 for August 2002. (H) Copies not distributed: 368 av./issue preceding 12 mo.; 309 for August 2002. (I) Total: 7600 av./issue preceding 12 mo.; 7500 for August 2002. (J) Percent paid and/or requested circulation: 99% av./issue preceding 12 mo.; 99% for August 2002. 16. This statement printed in: December 2002 issue. 17. I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Signed by: Jeff Elgart, Director of Circulation, 10/02/2002.

Air Mail

(USPS 017-970-20–ISSN 0895-433X)

Published by USHGA Editor in Chief: Gil Dodgen, editor@ushga.org Art Director: Aaron Swepston, artdirector@ushga.org 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– USHGA Officers and Executive Committee: President: Bill Bolosky, bolosky@ushga.org Vice President: Jim Zeiset, jimzgreen@aol.com Secretary: Russ Locke, russ@lockelectric.com Treasurer: Randy Leggitt, ias@ot.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).

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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: editor@ushga.org or call 1-800-616-6888 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.

Hang Gliding • December 2002

SAURATOWN MOUNTAIN CLOSED Dear Editor, As some of you are aware, the property owners of the south (main) launches at Sauratown Mountain have been reassessing our lease and general access to their property. I am sad to report that Sauratown Mountain is now closed to any access and flying activity. Hearst-Argyle (the parent company of WXII-TV) has elected not to renew our lease which was due this month. They had agreed to let us proceed with our fly-in during their evaluation, thus the new waivers everyone had to sign. The property was acquired by HearstArgyle approximately two years ago. Since then the principal local management personnel have changed. According to them, the decision came from their parent corporate management, and is due to liability concerns (fear of litigation). Please, please, do not jeopardize our chances of continued negotiation by attempting to fly here or even going on the property. They have requested that the ramps, etc., be removed ASAP. We are attempting to delay that action pending further talks. They have yet to even grant permission for access through their property to the “back-side” launches (which are not part of their tract). As part of their access control (initiated to control all access, not just us) they are apparently changing the lock system on the gate. Again, please do not mess up what little opportunity we might still have by going up there. We have not given up!

general aviation pilots are brand new to it. It made quite a stir in that community. BRS had a save of a general aviation aircraft! Despite 155 other saves in hang gliders, ultralight aircraft, and homebuilt aircraft, this was our first ever in a certified airplane. A pilot in serious peril in Dallas deployed to walk away from certain disaster, and this was a big news opportunity for BRS. I was on the phone the entire day talking to media, stockholders, friends in the business and other well-wishers. For a photo look, go to the following local (TX) NBC affiliate’s Web site: http://www.nbc5i.com/news/1701577/ detail.html, or to this one for more details: http://aero-news.net/news/sport.cfm?Conte ntBlockID=5951. Dan Johnson Dear Editor, I had an interesting conversation over dinner recently with Dan Johnson. Apparently there was a nut on an elevon rod that was not safety-wired during a recent inspection. This allowed for uncontrolled full deflection on one side. Flutter caused the other side to come apart while the pilot was playing with the fuses. He then deployed his chute, and three seconds later was under canopy. One of the principals of the airplane manufacturer was playing golf nearby and saw it happen. He got on the phone and called BRS while it was going on.

Mike Nester

Bob Hannah

BRS SAVES SMALL PLANE

MR. DEATH LIVES

Dear Editor, This has nothing to do with USHGA, but it’s a big deal for our company and I wanted my hang gliding friends to be aware of it. Have a look. I think you’ll find the photos of interest. Hang glider pilots know all about this parachute experience, but

Dear Editor, The infamous Mr. Death of the famous Lake Elsinore hang gliding site was recently resurrected. After spending quite some time in a dry drainage ditch adjacent to the LZ contemplating his next cameo roll, he was pulled back into the LZ proper where he

Hang Gliding • December 2002

had spent many prior years. Unfortunately, times change, and so too Mr. Death’s roll in the Elsinore LZ. For those who do not know Mr. Death, at one time he was a suspended water tank that had been placed in the old LZ many, many (15+) years ago. Some infamous E-Teamer who has long hair and likes to loop his glider, took a liking to the water tank, and painted a skull and crossbones on one end of the tank, hence the moniker “Mr. Death.” Soon, the tank did not have any legs left, thanks to some other members of the E-Team, and it was being dragged around the LZ, placed here and there to help wow the crowds during the standard serendipitous E-landing approaches, again earning his name amidst billowing clouds of dust and fearful cries of “Whack!” Avoiding Mr. Death certainly hits home for most hang glider pilots, even if they do not fly the “E.” And this may just be why Mr. Death holds such an emotional attachment for all the pilots who have been a part of raising, dragging, smashing and crashing into him over all these years. I do not believe that any fatalities can be blamed on Mr. Death, but a lot of deep, heartfelt attachments were loudly voiced when he was resurrected once again in the Elsinore LZ! Today, Mr. Death is but a crumpled heap of steel with skull and crossbones still visible. Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Death is still quite formidable and to be avoided at all cost. We hate losing our friends and flying companions. In his latest reincarnation he was at first placed directly on top of the spot. But concerns over safety were raised, and after much debate the Kagel crowd present that day removed Mr. Death from the spot and positioned him on a high perch with a fine view of the LZ and lounging oak, so he could take up his new role in the Elsinore LZ. In is old age he is now relegated to watching over the LZ and not interfering with it, as he had done in the past. Special thanks to John Leone and the E-Team. Long live Mr. Death! Mike Hilberath 5

My Day At The 2002 USHGA National Fly-In, Ellenville, New York by Matt Gaskin

he 2002 USHGA National Fly-In, held during the week of August 19 to 25 in Ellenville, New York, took place during some of the summer’s worst weather. The luck of the draw. However, the forecast for Sunday, August 25 (the last day of the event) was for northwest winds at 5-10 mph at 2:00 PM. This would be just enough to make the site soarable. A big party at the end of the fly-in was to be held Saturday evening so a few flying friends and I agreed to meet there on Saturday evening and stay overnight to fly the following day. The facilities at the Ellenville flight park are among the best in the Northeast. They have wide, grassy launches and a huge, flat landing zone with one section that comes down in front of the launch area. The launch is 1,040 feet above the LZ and has three areas that face west, northwest and north-northwest. When it turns on, it provides good ridge lift to support a large number of pilots and enhances their opportunities to find thermals. The local club, the Southern New York Hang Gliding Association, has about 120 hang gliding members and 20 paragliding members. I arrived under completely overcast skies with John Colardi and Catherine Casavant to meet Dennis Lemek for the final party. John is the CFO of a real estate management company and a pilot from Long Island. His girlfriend, Catherine, is an attorney 6

from Manhattan. Dennis is the general manager of a Penney’s department store and a pilot from Saratoga Springs, New York. We also met Fred Solomon, dentist, and Mark Davies, artist and teacher, both from Manhattan, New York. The party was well attended with more than 100 pilots and friends on hand, and even the intermittent showers failed to dampen the festivities. Pilot artwork and crafts were displayed and much of it was spectacular. A major piece of artwork was an image of Elvis mowed into the LZ by Roger Baker. It was visible from the Route 52 scenic overlook and was featured on TV during the week prior to the 25th Anniversary of Elvis’s death. The dinner barbecue and after-dinner band and dancing lasted well into the wee hours of the morning. I was told they played until 2:00 AM, but this was well past my bedtime. I spent the night sleeping in my jeep in the LZ. The following morning I awoke to a gray sky — one big cloud that

hung about 200 feet over the valley floor. After having a quick breakfast in Ellenville I drove up Route 52 to the launch area. About half way up the ridge to launch I drove out of the cloud and into a glorious sunny day. The cloud filled the valley below but I now knew its limitations. There was hope yet that it would burn off or blow away to fulfill the day’s promise of good flying. The launch area began to fill with pilots in earnest by about 10:00 AM. The hang glider pilots set up their wings facing away from launch, while the paraglider pilots sat with their equipment packed in assorted bags and protective carrying covers. My first instructor, Philippe Renaudin, friends Jeff Weiss and Mike Sorborski from New Jersey, and Bill Watters from the Water Gap Hang Gliding Club were also on hand. The wind, however, wasn’t cooperating and the cloud continued to hang in the valley for hours. Eventually, the cloud began to lift as the sun climbed higher into the sky. By about 11:30 AM it had dispersed sufficiently for pilots to begin taking sled rides from the launch to the LZ. This was done by about an equal number of paraglider and hang glider pilots and continued through most of the afternoon. Finally, at about 4:00 PM a hang glider pilot launched and ever so slowly began to climb as he flew back and forth just in front of launch. As he rose above launch he received a round of Hang Gliding • December 2002

cheers, whistles and applause from the nowcrowded hilltop. He was quickly followed by another hang glider and two paraglider pilots, however, these pilots soon sank out and the waiting continued. At 4:30 PM the wind picked up noticeably and everyone who launched was able to soar and stay in the air. There was now a noticeable bustle of activity as many pilots made final preparations for launch and jockeyed ever so politely for launch space. I was able to find room and time to launch at 4:45 PM. My launch involved a no-nonsense pull-up, wing balance, turn, and a few quick steps before I was picked up and carried higher into the sky. I stayed in front of the launch area for only a minute before I was over a hundred feet or more above the hilltop. Now I was free to jump the gap between our takeoff area and the next hill along the ridge. There I wouldn’t be in the way of launching pilots. The sky was filling quickly with the multicolored wings of paragliders and hang gliders. The roadway just below launch, Route 52, was crowded with sightseers on motorcycles and in cars. Many had pulled into the scenic overlook areas provided to look down into the valley. But now they looked instead up into the sky as it appeared to be littered with pilots flying in all different directions, at different altitudes and different speeds. The word “gaggle” would describe the Hang Gliding • December 2002

chaotic scene well. We each flew, hung almost motionless, or darted across the sky, as our flying machines and direction of travel would allow us. Just before 6:00 PM I sensed a decrease in the wind speed. Our flying window was about to close. I made another pass along the ridge and failed to gain any altitude, as I had during the prior hour of flight. I decided to head out to the LZ while I was still about as high as launch. I noticed quite a few other pilots making the same decision. A few were ahead of me but most were behind. I arrived over the LZ with lots of altitude to spare so I loitered over the area, making a wide circuit of the field and then beginning to do figure 8’s at the downwind end. This allowed several lower pilots to complete their landings. As I got low enough I turned onto my final landing approach and touched down about 20 feet away from Bill Wixon, a friend and the local club secretary. After such a flight I had a huge grin on my face and was glad I could share my pleasure with Bill, who had also just landed. It

made waiting the whole day entirely worthwhile. If I could have, I would have stayed in the air for another hour, perhaps more. However, the 75 minutes of smooth air shared with John Colardi, Will Wixon and all the other pilots made the day a great one. Bill had counted more than 40 pilots in the air at one time. It could easily have been over 50. I’m sorry the weather wasn’t better during the week for all the pilots who came from across the country to attend the National Fly-In, but there were many other pilots to meet and many stories to share while camping on the LZ. I was personally glad to see some of the pilots I had first met while training on a sod farm in New Jersey. I hadn’t seen some of these guys for almost a year, and I got to introduce them to some of the pilots I’m flying with now in southern Vermont and the other New England states. I enjoyed the friendliness of all the pilots, and the cooperation exhibited in the launch area on such a busy occasion was a pleasure to experience. The day and the USHGA National Fly-In had a wonderful finale. Fly safe, fly high, and fly long. 7

Updates

Updates New DVD and VHS Release — Go Ultralight Sport Pilot

If you’ve been wondering which ultralight or light sport aircraft is right for you, this latest feature from Paul Hamilton and Adventure Productions will help you make a truly informed decision. It explains what each aircraft is, and helps evaluate your lifestyle while exploring the factors to consider, along with the advantages and limitations of each type of aircraft — paraglider, powered paraglider, hang glider, powered hang glider/trike, powered parachute and three-axis. The current FAA exemptions and the new Sport Pilot regulations are also explained, and how they will affect you as a pilot. Go Ultralight Sport Pilot is 34 minutes long and available in DVD and VHS for $29.95 plus $4 shipping (USA/Canada/Mexico, $10 shipping to all other countries), from Paul Hamilton, Adventure Productions, 6553 Stone Valley Drive, Reno, Nevada 89523 USA, (775) 747-0175. For more information visit the Adventure Productions Web site at www.adventurep.com.

NEW VULTO HARNESS The Vulto harness represents the next level in aerodynamic performance and comfort from harness designer and competition pilot Nene Rotor. It retains the best features of the Rotor Kickass, including the now-famous Kickass Pitch Adjustment Lever System, and combines them into a brand-new design that offers an even cleaner aerodynamic profile, reduced frontal area and increased storage. The Rotor Vulto will provide you with competitive performance and superior comfort, whatever the duration of your flight. The Vulto features a 2.5-inch wider back plate compared with the Kickass. The back plate has been completely redesigned to provide both a lower frontal profile (less of a hump behind the pilot’s back) along with improved comfort. The parachute container and storage containers are completely faired in and

NEW FLYTEC FLYING GLOVES These gloves are custom made for Flytec USA and are made from Wind Bloc fleece. This special material does an excellent job of keeping out the wind while also wicking away moisture. The neoprene palm provides superior grip on aluminum, carbon fiber and other hard to grip surfaces. A Velcro wrist strap adjustment provides a snug aerodynamic fit. $34.95 from your Flytec dealer (inquiries welcome). For more information contact: Flytec USA at 1-800-662-2449 or 352-429-8600, FAX 352-429-8611, www.flytec.com, E-mail: info@flytec.com

flush with the smooth surface contour of the harness, and yet the parachute is easy to access and deploy quickly with either hand. With aerodynamics in mind, all of the zipper pull strings and chest buckles are fully enclosed in the harness. Aerotow loops are also hidden but readily accessible when needed. The entire shoulder and neck area of the harness is sealed off with a formfitting, drag-reducing neoprene seal that can be zippered off for extra cool air flow, or for replacement in case of wear or damage. The boot of the harness is protected with a cloth-covered Mylar boot cone that is user replaceable. The inside of the harness is foam padded and features additional padding at the knees and chest buckles. The harness is delivered with a deluxe backpack harness bag. The Vulto is distributed by Wills Wing and Wallaby Ranch. Visit www.willswing.com for more information.

LANDING STREAMERS NOW AVAILABLE Ernie Camacho is offering an inexpensive, proven-design landing streamer for use in judging wind direction before landing. These 16-foot-long landing streamers are gaining a reputation for ease of use and consistently good results. At $1.50 each, they are cheap enough and biodegradable enough to leave behind if you have a low save and continue flying. When you do land near it, it can be reused many times. They are available at $15 for a box of 10, including USPS priority mailing anywhere in the U.S. For more information and ordering instructions visit http://home.attbi.com/~erniecamacho/ or call (707) 838-6708.

Hang Gliding • December 2002

USHGA RATINGS ON WEB SITE Are you interested in seeing when your submitted new rating was processed by USHGA, besides looking up your own record? The USHGA Web site now has a new function for its members, listing new ratings issued within the last 30 days, at http:// www.ushga.org/ratings_ last30days.asp. Have a look! Hang Gliding • December 2002

Updates

Updates MODEL 5 HOOK KNIFE SOARING DREAMS STUDIO ANNOUNCES NEW WEB SITE This new Web site (www.soaringdreamsart.com) is constantly being updated with new and exciting hang gliding and paragliding related gifts, as well as world-class trophies. There is a great selection of Christmas gifts for hang glider and paraglider pilots. Contact: Soaring Dreams Studio, 11716 Fairview Ave., Boise, ID 83713 (208) 376-7914.

Blokart Wind-Powered GO-KART Debuts in North America Blokarting is the newest wind-powered sport from New Zealand that has captured the imagination of hang glider and paraglider pilots across the U.S. On blown-out days, blokarting brings the thrill of playing in the breeze to the ground. Pilots are blasting around runways and grass fields in excess of 50 mph. The blokart can be assembled without tools in minutes from a storage bag that fits conveniently in the trunk of any vehicle.

Benchmade’s new Model 5 Rescue Hook is designed to be a simple, low-profile tool that offers the user many uses. Machined of stainless steel, the unique scalpelsharp hook blade can readily slice through a multitude of fibrous or pliable materials (e.g., safety belts, harnesses, rope, webbing, clothing, etc.). The blade is purposely set back into the hook design to allow you to rapidly grab hold of the material to be cut, while at the same time effectively minimizing the chance of any peripheral damage from the blade. Any chance of injury to the user is also accounted for. A generous-sized finger hole combined with aggressive finger treads along the spine provide plenty of grip in a hurry. And for the EMT’s, the Model 5 Rescue Hook includes an oxygen valve wrench for double duty. The knife is available with either a molded, hard sheath for mounted carry (MSRP $35), or with a soft-webbed belt sheath (MSRP $25) for traditional carry. For more information contact an authorized Benchmade dealer, call 1-800-800-7427, or visit www.benchmade.com.

with 7.5-mm jack spacing. Two press-to-talk buttons are installed, one mounted on the ear protector and another as a remote finger, riser or bar-mounted button.

The name blokart is a bit of a Kiwi takeoff on go-kart with wind. Blokarting combines the thrill and excitement of go-karting with the challenge and serenity of sailing. A sliver of open space and a bit of wind are the only ingredients needed for a fun blokarting session. The prestigious award of Best New Summer Hardware product was bestowed on the blokart at the 2001 Summer ISPO Trade Fair in Munich, Germany last August. The blokart also won the Outdoor Leisure Innovations Award at Soltex, the British outdoor sports exhibition held annually in Manchester, England.

SPERWILL HELMET Sperwill has developed a new leisure aviation helmet. It is an integrated uni-size (58-62 cm) helmet, complete with a communications system, to be used with all two-meter radios with standard twin-jack sockets. The system comes complete with helmet, H10-type ear protectors, and coiled lead with jack plug set.

The blokart is the brainchild of Paul Beckett, founder of Blokart International and a former land yachtie, hang glider pilot and outdoor adventurer. With more than 1,000 blokarts sailing in New Zealand, and with distribution in Australia, England, Holland, Denmark, Germany and France, blokarting is earning worldwide recognition as a fun, easy-to-do activity that the entire family can enjoy. The blokart fits into a carry bag, assembles in less than five minutes, fits in the trunk of any vehicle, weighs 55 pounds and can be sailed anywhere there is a hard-sand beach, parking lot or recreation area.

Hang Gliding • December 2002

Contact: Sperwill Ltd., phone/ fax: ++ 44 (0) 117 9531850, mobile: ++ 44 (0) 7855 742 153, www.sperwill.com.

There are three different compatible communications systems: Icom and similar-type configurations with 9.5-cm jack spacing; Kenwood with 9.5-cm jack spacing; and Motorola

There are two blokart models: a high-strength, steel, zinc powder-coated frame with an MSRP of $2,595, and a stainless-steel version with an MSRP of $3,395. The blokart is available at specialty outdoor adventure retailers throughout North America, or contact blokart USA toll free at 877-blokart, www.blokartusa.com.

The price is £200 + VAT. The helmet is white and uni-size. Options available soon include black and Oxford blue, visor, integrated radio module, and sizes x-small (53-54 cm) and small (55-57 cm).

Hang Gliding • December 2002

Updates

Updates FIRST ANNUAL WORLDWIDE TERRY SWEENEY HANG GLIDING VIDEO CONTEST — YOU COULD WIN $250! Kitty Hawk Kites would like to invite the whole world to submit their best hang gliding videos for the First Annual Worldwide Terry Sweeney Hang Gliding Video Contest, to be held Friday May 16, 2003 at the Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding Spectacular. All videos must be received by April 1, 2003. The winning video judged by the crowd will receive $250 cash! Everyone has seen those shows on TV like America’s Funniest Home Videos. They tend to exploit people’s misfortunes in trade for a good laugh. If you watch enough of these shows you will eventually see a few that feature hang gliders. Unfortunately, they are usually crashing which is bad for our reputation but great for ratings. I will admit that as much as I try to restrain from laughing, I usually give in, especially after they add the sound effects. Those videos always seem to be guaranteed winners. The truth is that people get a kick out of gliders whacking and bashing in! So through the years I’ve often thought a hang gliding video contest would be a lot of fun. It was at the 2001 Grandfather Mountain reunion where the idea for a hang gliding video contest started. During the reunion’s indoor event we were all introduced to one of hang gliding’s pioneers, Terry Sweeney. A recent inductee into the Rogallo Hall Of Fame, Terry has made many contributions to the sport of hang gliding. Among his many accomplishments was the making of the film, Sweeney’s Glider, which helped popularize hang gliding and was distributed in the U.S., Japan and Scandinavia. This 11-minute epic cult classic, one of the first and funniest videos about hang gliding ever made, captures the whole ‘70’s element, including the long hair, hippie-style

pants and the traditional glazed look. In this film, Terry Sweeney attempts to fly a $40 home-built glider from a shallow hill in New Hampshire. He narrates the film with a very relaxed voice as his friends run and help him eventually launch the glider into the air. The background music was performed by Terry’s band, “Sweeney’s Glider,” and has a very traditional ‘70’s folk music sound. The film was absolutely hysterical and Terry had people throwing money at him for a copy of this classic film! Then, during the 2002 Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding Spectacular, G.W. Meadows played the video for a new crowd at the Just Fly Film Festival. Again, the crowd went crazy and the idea to hold a worldwide hang gliding video contest in Terry’s name was born. Here are the rules: The idea is simply for anyone to submit one VHS video (no other formats please) that is three minutes or less. The video can be a short clip or a small production but must pertain to hang gliding in some way. It’s that simple. All videos will be judged on originality and creativity by the crowd, so you might want to be there and bring all your friends. In the event of a tie, a vote will be taken again between the tying entries until the tie is broken. The winner will receive $250 cash. You do not need to be present to win, although we will notify you if you are a winner in case you would like to make the trip to the Outer Banks to receive your prize and enjoy the whole week of fun hang gliding. All videos must be received no later than April 1, 2003. Only the top videos will be pre-

If Your USHGA Membership Expires On 12/31/02 We Need To Receive Your Renewal BY DECEMBER 20th Or you will miss the January Issue If Your USHGA Membership Expires On 1/31/02 We need To Receive Your Renewal BY JANUARY 20th Or you will miss the February Magazine

Hang Gliding • December 2002

sented during the Hang Gliding Spectacular, Friday, May 16, 2003. All videos should be fully edited and suitable for family viewing. Videos with profanity, nudity or other of-

to see everyone at next year’s Hang Gliding Spectacular and Air Games May 16-19, 2003. For more information contact Bruce Weaver at bruce@kittyhawk.com or call (252) 441-2426. If you are interested in obtaining a video copy of Sweeney’s Glider contact Terry Sweeney at: terswe@aol.com. Submit all VHS videos by April 1, 2003 along with a return address and telephone number, and a brief, written description of the video being submitted to: Kitty Hawk Kites Attn: Hang Gliding Department Video Contest P.O. Box 1839 Nags Head, NC 27959 (VHS videos will not be returned so please send a copy only) — Submitted by Doug Haber

fending content will be turned over to the police. Please do not intentionally hurt or destroy yourself just for a chance at winning the $250 prize. Kitty Hawk Kites will not edit the videos, so please try to send a video that has a short black screen in the beginning and the end of the video (10 seconds) so the videos are easy to play. Make sure all speech is clear and easy to hear and understand if you are creating an original video. If including music or sound effects, make sure the sound levels are normal and will not be annoying or disturbing. That’s pretty much it. Check back on our Web site for complete rules and any contest changes. You will be notified if your video does not meet the standards. Videos will not be returned so please send a copy only. We hope to see a wide variety of long or short hang gliding-related videos that are funny, artistic, educational or just plain stupid. And remember, you don’t have to go to Circuit City and buy a new video editing computer. Keep it simple. Make sure your idea is creative and original if you are starting from scratch. Some possible formats could be a short documentary, a fake TV commercial, music video, slideshow, slapstick or cartoon. Short clips of someone whacking are acceptable also. To see actual screen shots of “Sweeney’s Glider” and learn more about the contest go to: http: //www.hangglidingspectacular.com/videocontest.html, and while you’re there, check out the rest of our 40+ page site complete with a huge photo gallery. We hope

Hang Gliding • December 2002

Holiday Flying L

ast December I had one of the most spectacular flights of my life, and it wasn’t long, far, or high at all. It was just one of those pure moments of brilliant freedom and magic that we hang glider pilots get to experience. I hadn’t been flying nearly as much as I should have been. One poor day of flying at Kagel Mountain in Los Angeles would have more than doubled the time I had been getting in the air in the previous six months. So I had been flying vicariously through the articles and pictures that I get in the mail. It was December 7 and the temperature at 9:00 AM was already 40 degrees F. To the typical Los Angelino that wouldn’t seem very special, but I now live in Vermont and usually we have several feet of snow by December 7. Normally, the closest I could get to flying at this time of year would be sleeping with my USHGA calendar. My excitement built as I called Flight Services and they confirmed the

Internet forecast. It should be great at Morningside Flight Park! Off I ran, gathering dusty gear, and then scattering traffic as I made a mad-bull rush down the freeway. (Nothing should be more scary to the “muggles” than a strungout hang glider pilot who is late to the local flight park.) So there I was at the flight park, setting up a 195 Wills Wing Falcon, looking up at the 450-foot anthill I was hoping to soar. It was blowing down. Did I stop? Did this intrepid adventurer sigh, turn around, and with tail between legs go home? Of course not! I prayed to “the gods” and continued stuffing battens. As luck, (and the forecast) would have it, by the time I was ready to start flying the wind had switched. It was getting better! You might think that this hotheaded, air-starved pilot would run straight to the top of the previously mentioned anthill, but you would be wrong. Instead, I listened to the finger-wagging, ear-reddening warnings about not flying regularly that were bouncing around in my brain, and off I trotted to the bunny hill. And yes, I could still hook in and do a hook-in check. And yes, I could still launch and control the glider. And yes, I could still land. And yes, I finally found myself on top of the hill, 450 feet above the rest of the planet.

by Noah Ponzio

The conditions were marginal as I hooked in. Telling the person giving me a hang check that I’d be down in a second to help him with a ride up, I launched, and started sinking, and sinking… Suddenly, BOOM! I was in lift! Before my brain could react my body was turning the glider, coordinating, flattening out a little — that’s it, push out, but not too much. Other traffic? Turn again, and relax, not too close. Ah, I was soaring in the air once again! This was one of the most wonderful flights I have ever had. Pure, simple, magical beauty. Thanks to Morningside Flight Park (www.flymorningside.com) for the glider and the place to fly it. Thanks to my instructors Joe Greblo, Andy Beem and “Hungary” Joe Szalai at Windsports (www.windsports.com) for teaching me to fly. And a heartfelt thanks to all the other “LZ experts” who have helped me critique my each and every flight and landing. I truly feel that if it weren’t for the level of excellence that Windsports and the Sylmar Hang Gliding Association demanded of me when I was learning, I would have sunk instead of soared on that special day. Now, as I sit at my computer and look out at a snow-covered world I smile and think back to that flight. I can deal with winter now — I have had my redemption!

HANG 2 VIEW – by Jennifer Beach <dragonworx@aol.com>

Why Do You Fly?

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

great trophies and prizes. Check out all the details at our new site: http://www.hangglidingspectacular.com/. For more information contact Bruce Weaver at bruce@kittyhawk.com or call (252) 441-2426. CLINICS, MEETING, TOURS

COMPETITION

here are people who spend their entire lives searching for that piece of themselves that will make them complete, or at least more a whole person. Some people look for that fragment in other people, others look around them and search for it in a place or an object. For those lucky enough to find that completeness, the solitude is near bliss. I had searched for over 30 years for the right person, place or thing, and yet somehow I’ve always known the missing peace of me was in none of those.

I was asked once, “Why hang gliding?” With absolutely no hesitation I answered, “I was born to fly.” It was amusing then, but the more I thought about it, the more sense it made. As a child I would cut pictures of hang gliders from the few magazines in which they appeared and paste them into my notebooks. No sailplanes, ultralights or jets would do — hang gliders and only hang gliders. I even tried to build a glider once… once. My high school artwork is strewn with sketches of hang gliders, and my high school poetry is filled with strains of wind and wing. I went for my private pilot’s license, but found it inexplicably disappointing. Growing up in northern Wisconsin 16

2003 CLASS 1, 2 & 5 HG X-C MEETS : Flytec Championships, April 12-18, 2003. Wallaby Open, April 20-26, 2003. Info to follow.

meant few opportunities for free flight. Growing up in a family of seven plus up to five foster-siblings meant there would be only self-financed opportunities for flight, and those opportunities would only come after basic needs were satisfied. For years I remained lost in a world of few choices. The expense of lessons and gear took second place to helping support my small household. I was told that the sport was too dangerous, too expensive, too _______ (fill in the blank). The worst part was that for a long time, I believed it. Recently, the adventurer in me awoke. As a treat to myself I arranged to take a tandem ride for my birthday. I had to wait until two weeks after my birthday for the right weather, but that tandem ride was like having a dream take solid shape within me. Suddenly the flame, that had been only a flicker of the dimmest spark for so many years, roared to life. Can you say “bon fire”? Somehow, some way, I was going to make this dream a reality. That same drive is common in many of the pilots I have met. Adversity is nothing in the face of the desire to soar the sky on a silent wing. I was talking with another Hang 2 pilot, discussing why we fly. He was at ease in the air the first time he took to it. When I asked him why, he said that he was comfortable in the air because he’d been flying since he was five years old — in his dreams!

I decided to see what other pilots would have for answers when asked why they fly. I received a variety of responses to my query. • I don’t need any other addiction. Loved scuba diving but hang gliding is number one! • I don’t get enough sex. • Besides being a carrot-chaser, I get a different perspective from above. • I saw a hang glider in the sky and knew that was it. • I met a very nice girl-angel flying in the sky who said, “From here, hell is behind you,” since I’m always looking back. • Flying is a different feeling than anything else I have ever experienced. The underlying thread of nearly every response to the survey, and the conversations before and since, is a “feeling.” The need to be in the air seems to be inherent in a free-flight pilot. It isn’t the recognition or the attention that keeps the pilots I spoke with flying, but the completeness that flying can bring. There may be differences in wing and preferences as to site, but common to all is a deep desire to soar the sky. For once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward; for there you have been, and there you long to return. — Leonardo da Vinci Hang Gliding • December 2002

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. UNTIL DEC. 31: The Michael Champlin World X-C Challenge. No entry fees or pre-registration 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.msn.com. DEC. 28-JAN. 4 : Australian Open, Deniliquin, NSW. Three separate comps in one. Floater gliders will have a short downwind task, kingposted gliders a medium-difficult task, and the Open the most difficult, with more emphasis on racing. Fly with the world’s best but compete against your peers. This competition suits all pilots of all skill levels no matter what glider you fly. Last year we had 150 pilots from all over the world compete in this new-concept event. JAN. 6-14, 2003: Bogong Cup, Mt. Beauty, Vic. JAN. 17-25, 2003: Australian Nationals, Hay, NSW. Contact: Tove Heaney, chgpgc@goulburn.net.au, or visit www.cool-ether.net.au/australianopen. MAY 5-10 : The Chelan Speed Gliding Championships/USHGA Speed Gliding Nationals. Entry fee $100. Sport Class also available, entry fee $35. For more details contact: Steve Alford (425) 788-0308, airczr@hotmail.com, or Aaron Swepston, tontar@mindspring.com FUN FLYING MAY 16-19, 2003: Hang Gliding Spectacular and Kitty Hawk Air Games. Pilots from all over will compete on the dunes of Jockey’s Ridge and at the Kitty Hawk Kites Flight Park for Hang Gliding • December 2002

DEC. 2002-MARCH 2003: FlyMexico Tours, Valle de Bravo, Mexico, for hang gliding and paragliding. The Hotel Meson del Viento is now open, and our houses are still available. Week-long tours, in and out on Sundays, include transportation, lodging, guide and retrieval. $795 for paragliding, $995 for hang gliding. Contact: 1-800-861-7198, www.flymexico.com, jeff@flymexico.com. JAN. 27-31, 2003: Parachute Industry symposia, meetings, trade show, Jacksonville, FL. More than 800 parachute manufacturers, dealers and suppliers from more than 30 countries are expected at the Adams Mark, 225 Coastline Dr., Jacksonville, FL. The exhibit is open to the public and admission is $5. Skydivers will descend in front of the Adams Mark on Monday the 27th at approximately 1:30 PM. The public is invited and admission is free. Contact: Marge Bates, PIA Press Room, (860) 655-0534 (cell), margepara@cox.net, or Dan Poynter (805) 448-9009 (cell). MARCH 8-9, 2003: Raven Sky Sports Sixth Annual Betty Pfieffer Parachute and Safety Clinic, Deployment Seminar, Practice Session and Repack Workshop, hosted by Raven Sky Sports, Inc. of Whitewater, Wisconsin. Presented by Betty Pfieffer and Bill Gargano, with assistance from members of the Wisconsin Hang Gliding Club. Held at Purdy Elementary School gymnasium in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin (five miles northwest of Whitewater), 9:00 AM sharp until evening. Two separate clinic sessions; you only need to attend one or the other. Includes a full hang gliding parachute safety clinic and up to four practice deployments (in our suspended simulators) per person. Video and seminar presentations on: parachute types, paraswivels, inspecting harnesses and parachute systems for proper materials/workmanship/maintenance/installation, how to execute proper deployments, problems after deployment and strategies to handle them, strategies for preparing for landing, how to avoid being hurt on landing, how to avoid being dragged after landing, water landings, power lines and other major hazards, and many other topics. Contact: Brad@hanggliding.com, (262) 473-8800. MARCH 29-APRIL 6, 2003: Flight Fest 2003. Torrey Pines Gliderport will be hosting their 11th annual paragliding and hang gliding speed races. The hang gliding races will be held March 29-31 and the paragliding races will take place April 4-7. The races will be held in conjunction with a manufacturer’s exposition in which pilots will be able to “try and fly” a wide variety of free flight gear. Stay tuned for further info.

classic hang gliding film, Sweeney’s Glider, Kitty Hawk Kites will hold the Worldwide Terry Sweeney Hang Gliding Video Contest at the Hang Gliding Spectacular in Nags Head, NC, May 16-19, 2003. Anyone can submit one homemade hang gliding video. For contest details and original screen shots from Sweeney’s Glider visit http://www.hangglidingspectacular.com/videocontest.html, or contact Bruce Weaver at: bruce@kittyhawk.com, (252) 441-2426. Want a copy of the Sweeney’s Glider video? E-mail Terry Sweeney: terswe@aol.com. MAY 20-21, 2003: Parachute clinic with Betty Pfeiffer at Kitty Hawk Kites, Nags Head, NC directly after the 2003 Hang Gliding Spectacular (May 16-19). Tuesday’s clinic (May 20) will be geared toward pilots learning about parachutes and deployment. Wednesday’s clinic (May 21) will be tied in with an Instructor Certification Program and will be geared toward instructors teaching pilots about parachutes and deployment. The ICP will be held at Kitty Hawk Kites, May 20-22. Contact: bruce@kittyhawk.com, (252) 441-2426, or www.hangglidings pectacular.com/eventinfo.html for more details. 2003 FLYTEC CHAMPIONSHIP AT QUEST AIR Purpose : to have a safe, fun and fair competition. Our focus is to have a relaxing and affordable meet that is a great time for everyone involved. Date : April 12 (Saturday) - 18 (Friday), 2003. Just after Sun-N-Fun Air Expo. Sanction : USHGA Class A and CIVL/WPRS points meet. Flex, Rigid and Swift class. Location : Quest Air Soaring Center, 6548 Groveland Airport Road, Groveland, Florida, 34736. Registration : Begins December 15. 2002. Limit 90 competitors. Entry fee : $300 (add $50 After March 12) To Enter: Online at www.flytec.com Meet Organizer: Steve Kroop and the Quest Air Family Meet Director: David Glover Safety Director: Russell Brown Score Keeper: Tim Meaney Awards and Prizes : $5000 minimum, fairly distributed. Mandatory Pilot Briefing: 5:21pm - Friday, April 11, 2003. Other info : Pilots wishing to enter must have flown in a USHGA aerotow competition previously or have prior meet or safety director approval. Pilots must have USHGA advanced rating (or foreign equivalent) with aerotow and turbulence, cross country sign-offs. Intermediated rated pilots (with fore mentioned special skills) will be allowed with prior Meet Director approval. Foreign Pilots will be required to have USHGA 90 day competition membership (available on site at time of contest). Approved Garmin GPS units are required. Meet format is cross country race to goal with or without turnpoints. Scoring will be GAP/GAP modified.

ENTRIES BY APRIL 1, 2003: Win $250 in A worldwide hang gliding video contest! In celebration of Terry Sweeney’s 17

Thermal Lore

...Part 2

hermals are children of the sun. They cavort and leap about on a bright day like a schoolboy full of piss and vinegar after long sessions of math, Latin and etiquette. They dance in the hall of the sky to the tune called by the wind and clouds. To understand the dervish tempo and raucous nature of their dance, we must know details of their upbringing and surroundings. To illuminate our metaphor, we must comprehend the meaning and effects of the lapse rate.

have tried to put off discussing the subject of lapse rate for as long as possible, for you have no doubt heard the expression, “He who lapse last, lapse best.” But we can no longer dodge the inevitable: To really know the heart and soul of thermals, we need to grasp their intimate involvement with lapse rate. MEANING REVEALED It is not hard to understand the basics of the lapse rate if we simply realize it is a graph of the air’s temperature at heights from the surface upward. We can also call such a graph the air’s temperature profile. A typical morning lapse rate or temperature profile may appear as in Figure 1. Let’s look at some details to see what we can learn. First, we notice that near the ground the air’s temperature is cool (55° Fahrenheit in this example). As we go higher, the temperature actually gets warmer up to the 1,000-foot level (70° F), in this example. Then the air cools off with altitude up to 3,000 feet. Following this, it cools rapidly with altitude until we reach an altitude of 5,000 feet where it actually gets warmer with altitude again. Finally, above 5,500 feet, the air again cools off with increased altitude. The air’s normal temperature change with increasing altitude is to get cooler. That’s because nearly all the heat in the 18

Hang Gliding • December 2002

air comes in at the bottom from surface heating. But moisture, movement and pressure systems serve to alter this “normal” picture as we shall see next month. For now, note that when the air cools off rapidly with height, the conditions are known as unstable because they promote the rise and continuation of thermals. In other words, the atmosphere is folding itself inside out as thermals climb and cool air plummets. The opposite atmospheric condition — when the air warms with height, or doesn’t cool significantly — is known as a stable condition. In this case, thermals are suppressed faster than tort reform talk at a lawyer’s convention. Any wayward upward puff quickly dies out so the atmosphere is not active vertically (even though a wind may be blowing). It lies there limp as an overly liquored lover and is about as disappointing to a soaring pilot. Why do thermals rise in an unstable environment and fall back to earth when it’s stable? For an answer free of numbered (or numbing) details, note that the air pressure falls off with increasing height because there is less air above pushing down. You can feel that effect when your ears pop as you go up in an airplane, a tall elevator or ski lift. A rising glob of air (a thermal, for example) experiences the reduced pressure as it rises as well, and thus it expands. Its head swells so to speak. As it swells it cools off because the same amount of heat energy is distributed throughout a greater volume.

Hang Gliding • December 2002

But the reason it began its rise in the first place was because it was heated at the surface, expanded and became less dense than its surroundings. Consequently, the glob will rise as long as it remains less dense than the surrounding air, which in general means warmer. Thus, when the air’s temperature drops quite a bit with increasing altitude, the

glob always remains warmer or less dense than its surroundings and continues to rise, even though it is cooling as it is rising. The glob in this type of environment is what we call a thermal. In the opposite condition — when the surrounding air doesn’t cool off at the rate the glob is cooling with increased height — the glob eventually reaches the same temperature and thus

density as the surrounding air and is no longer buoyant. This condition is the stable situation. Note 1: Lapse rates can be quite varied, so conditions can be anything from extremely unstable to neutral to extremely stable. You can imagine the different buoyancies or upward impetus of thermals in these varied air conditions. The amount of available heating and wind in combination with the lapse rate is what determines the nature of the thermals of the day. Note 2: For details on actual temperatures and changes of thermals with

lapse rate is caused by the sun’s great variation in heating as the 24-hour day progresses. At night, as the earth’s heat radiates off, the air at the surface is cooled so the ground inversion of Figure 1 is formed. The thickness of this inversion depends on the extent of cooling (how clear the air is and whether or not clouds block the radiation process). Also, in mountainous areas, additional cool air will cascade down the mountain sides to increase the pooling of cool surface air. In the morning, this surface air begins to heat from the bottom up. Small plumes of warmed air rise a bit and mix the warm air upward. This process is shown in Figure 2. In our example, the lapse rate is being changed from the bottom and appears as a dashed line at various times in the morning. By 11:30 AM, we see that the spreading of warm air upward by convective mixing has wiped out the ground inversion. In fact, it no longer exists once the surface temperature has reached about 73° F (in this example). As the surface heats even more, any warm blob rising from the surface finds itself warmer than its surroundings well past the 1,000-foot level and continues on upward. The warmer the blob, the higher it goes, as shown. When the surface temperature reaches 73° F in Figure 2, thermals rise rapidly in height. This magic number is called the trigger temperature. (Of course, the trigger temperature varies daily and from place to place, depending on the thickness and temperatures of the ground inversion.)

Since we know the thermal prospects change from day to day, it doesn’t take an Airistotle to figure out that the lapse rate itself changes. height, see Understanding the Sky. Now let’s return to our figure. In view of our previous discussion, we see that the lower layer (to 500 feet) is very stable because it gets warmer with height. We call such a layer an inversion because the situation is the inverse of the normal cooling with altitude. The inversion that occurs at the ground is called (what else?) a ground inversion. A bit higher in our figure, the air cools off quite a bit with altitude, and is labeled unstable. Higher still its cooling is reduced to the point that the air is stable. Then we come to another layer that warms with altitude (at 5,000 feet) which is another inversion. Finally, above that the air is again unstable. LAPSE RATE CHANGES Since we know the thermal prospects change from day to day, it doesn’t take an Airistotle to figure out that the lapse rate itself changes. Let’s see how these changes occur and how they affect thermals. The most obvious change in the 20

THERMAL HEIGHTS How high do the thermals go? Figure 3 illustrates the possibilities. In case 1, they rise until their cooling results in their temperature equaling (approximately) that of the surrounding air. The warmer the surface gets, the higher they go. You can see one reason why thermals in the Western U.S. are much taller

than their Eastern counterparts. In case 2, the thermal never cools to the point of equaling the surrounding air temperature, but gradually erodes to nothing as it climbs higher. The erosion process is due to the mixing caused by friction at the thermal’s edges and entrainment of outside air into the thermal (more on this process in a later installment). The situation in this case often occurs when there are weak thermals (those produced under a layer of high cirrus, in hazy conditions, over water or in winter). In this case, the larger the thermal, the higher it will climb. In case 3, the thermals reach an inversion layer and get the brakes put on as if they were trying to penetrate molasses. We have also shown one situation where the thermal enters an inversion layer, gets slowed, but bursts through the top, then continues rising. In this case it may continue upward until it erodes away, meets another (higher) inversion or forms a high cloud. Only the strongest thermals will burst through a thick inversion in this manner, so the clouds and thermals above an inversion will usually be few and far betwixt. Finally, we have case 4, in which the thermal reaches the dew point level and forms a cumulus cloud. The dew point is the temperature at which the water vapor contained in the thermal condenses to water droplets. The millions of water droplets are visible as cloud. Once cloud forms, great reserves of heat energy are released (this energy is the latent heat of vaporization stored up when the surface moisture evaporated) so the thermal becomes roiled and mixes rapidly with its surroundings. This mixing with cool ambient air soon spells the demise of the lift in that particular area unless a continuous font of thermals is feeding the cloud. What determines the height of the dew point, and thus cloud base? The answer is the humidity of the air and the actual air temperature (warm air can hold more water vapor than cool air). With talent we can learn to predict the height of cloud base (or whether or not clouds will form) by taking the surface Hang Gliding • December 2002

dew point displayed on a chart called a skew T or a tephigram. By running the surface relative humidity value up a line called the constant energy line, we find the dew point where it crosses the lapse rate. However, this technique is beyond the scope of this series. We should note that cases 1, 2 and 3 result in blue days (no cumulus clouds forming from ground sources). Thankfully, case 4 occurs often enough to give us frequent skies marked with soft, white stepping stones guiding our aerial paths. Hopefully the above concepts give you the idea that we can predict the thermal height of the day if we know the air’s temperature profile (now avail22

able on the Web for most of the country), the maximum predicted surface temperature, the surface dew point and how much a thermal cools as it rises. This latter value is 5.5° F per 1,000 feet of rise. (You knew we’d slip numbers in eventually, didn’t you?) Now here are a couple of wrinkles in the process. As the day progresses, the earth’s surface tends to dry out as thermals wick moisture upward. Consequently, cloud base rises higher (the dew point moves up) since the thermals’ water vapor content is less. A typical daily process is shown in Figure 4. We have already seen that thermals rise higher as the surface temperature rises, so these combined effects produce

higher rising lift until a peak at about 3:00 PM. Of course, this typical cycle may vary if heating is delayed, or excess clouds reduce heating. Next month we’ll see the effect such a process has on inversion layers. The final point to understand is that thermals are like massive hot-air balloons that have great inertia. It takes a while to get them started and they are reluctant to slow down once they are buoying upward. As a result, they penetrate quite readily as much as 1,000 feet above the height where they are no longer warmer than their surroundings. They always penetrate a distance into inversions (while usually becoming broken) and may punch through a weak Hang Gliding • December 2002

one. In fact, many studies have shown that by the time a thermal has reached two-thirds to three-fourths of its maximum climb, it is no longer warmer than its surroundings, although it still rises by virtue of its inertia and water vapor content which makes it a bit less dense than its surroundings. As a result of these factors, determining the height of the lift based on the lapse rate chart will always underestimate the actual experienced level. It takes a practiced predictor to guess the correct values. WHAT YOU CAN USE Think about how the lapse rate changes from night to day and realize that just because the night is clear and cold doesn’t mean that the next day will be one of great thermal production. What is important is the (in)stability of the air above the ground inversion. I recall one day during the East Coast Championships in the Sequachie Valley. Everyone thought we were going to have a great day since the air was clear, crisp and cool. A few anemic morning thermal currents came up to stir our juices, but the air mass was stable and we sled rode all day long. Someone could have writHang Gliding • December 2002

ten a thesis on group depression that day. Part of the fun of flying enginefree is taking what you can find and making the most of it. However, if you are a pilot with limited time resources (read family obligations), and you have to choose your days, it behooves you to learn to read the lapse rate diagrams to predict the days with good conditions. In order to do this effectively, you must understand the principles. Another useful point is to note that the nature of thermals of the day is greatly determined by the nature of the surrounding air. So, the sooner you figure out what the thermals are like (wide, narrow, short, tall, turbulent, smooth, tilted, shifty, multi-cored, strung out downwind, continuous, short-lived,

pumping, infrequent, etc.), the better you will be able to exploit their gift of lift. The lapse rate changes slowly during a day’s progress, so the nature of the thermals changes slowly as well. Finally, when you begin your flight,

The final point to understand is that thermals are like massive hotair balloons that have great inertia. It takes a while to get them started and they are reluctant to slow down once they are buoying upward. it is very wise to scope out the type of “top conditions” you encounter. If you determine that an inversion is stopping the thermals, you can work hard to punch through it and possibly get hundreds or thousands of feet above those bouncing up against the ceiling. The technique for doing this will be discussed in our final installment. 23

The 2002 National

Speed Gliding Championships: He’ll be down in a minute... by Jen Richards photos by Suzanne Hughes

Gucci races for the finish gate.

ne of the things that most attracted me to the world of hang gliding, besides being in the air, was the close-knit community of pilots at each flying site I visited. The 2002 National Speed Gliding Competition at Lookout Mountain Flight Park held September 12-15 showed me that this sense of kinship extends itself past individual flight parks to the hang gliding community as a whole. The Nationals were exciting, hard work and some of the best times of the year. Meeting and working with people like Scot Trueblood, our fabulous meet director, all of the comp pilots, and the slew of volunteers (thank you, thank you, thank you) was amazing. 24

Hang Gliding • December 2002

THE PILOTS AND THE COURSES The competition was between 15 pilots. They were local pilots (Gauthier “Gucci” de Levizac, Dean Funk and Mike Theeke), the boys — I’m sorry, men — from Quest (“Awesome” Bob Lane, Bo Hagewood, Jim Prahl and Luiz Neubaeur), a group from California (Scott Angel, Chris “Halkeye” Giardina, Henry Bittner, Kenny Brown), Colorado (Pete Welsh) New Jersey (Thad Miller), New York (Daniel Rogers), and Michigan (Mark Bolt). The Quest contingency even brought their own tow plane and tug pilot. Thank you Russell Brown! Their experience ranged from pilots like Scott, Kenny and Halkeye, who have been competing and winning or placing in the top five consistently in competitions throughout the country, to Thad and Daniel who were entering their first speed gliding comp. Most of the entrants were returning to Lookout for their second try at becoming the national speed gliding champion. Last year’s winner, John Borton, did not return to defend his crown. Another valued return from last year was the aforementioned meet director Scot Trueblood. Scot kept the whole competition running smoothly. He did everything from training volunteers, keeping pilots briefed and at the ready, and organizing scoring, to sharing a few beers with yours truly. Hang Gliding • December 2002

All of the top gliders were represented: the Wills Wing Talon, Airborne Climax, Moyes Litespeed, Icaro Laminar, and the Aeros Combat II and Stealth. We were also lucky to have Rob Kells in town for Wills Wing Demo Days. His familiar red truck was filled with Falcon II’s, Eagles, Ultra Sports and Talons. With such a talented group of pilots we were sure to set up courses that would exploit their skills. The “A” course looked like a slalom ski run down the face of Lookout Mountain. The pilots would be aerotowed to 300 feet above the ridge to hit their start gate which was Lookout’s launch. It was a low-fly start gate, so the fliers had to be below the top of the gate to clear their start. The top two pylons were tight, requiring pilots to carefully fly the best line. There was a longer glide to gates 3 and 4. After rounding gate 4, there was a 180-degree turn around gate 5 into the finish line. A three-second bonus was awarded to any pilot crossing the finish line with any part of his glider below the tops of the gate. There was also an alternate course set up to allow safe speed gliding in textured air. The start gate was the same as in course A except that the pilots weren’t required to pass below the low-fly start gate. In addition, the pilots proceeded straight away from the ridge to avoid rotor and made their second gate at the LZ 25

parking lot flagpole. The next gate was at the north end of the LZ and the final gate was at the south end. While the course was not as steep, it did require the fliers to use speed management to complete the course. The final turn into finish was an added challenge with proper turn point and gate clearance being essential to earn a competitive score and to be awarded the bonus. The topranking pilots (Scott, Kenny, Henry, Bo) consistently cut that turn between two sets of trees, often with their high wing tip at or below the treetops, while still coming in below the finish gates to pick up their three-second bonus. Those of us judging the finish line really wanted to give out double bonuses to Luiz Neubauer for consistently coming in inches above the ground, Gucci for making a 360 to come back through the gate, and to some pilots, who shall remain nameless, who cleared the finish line sideways. But, alas, no double bonuses for added entertainment. In order to effectively run the courses and possibly win the meet, these guys would have an average speed exceeding 60 mph. There was also wing loading to consider and the magic number was 2.0. At weigh-in, each pilot was allowed to have a wing loading of up to 2.0 pounds per square foot of sail. Lead ballast was added to harnesses to give the pilots extra weight. With added weight and high-speed flying these fliers exhibited extreme control. Flying with the bar stuffed, they made minor inputs as they flew just above the treetops. The pilots flew a 1.5-mile course and their times were separated by mere seconds. There was no margin for error. PRACTICE DAY The comp was scheduled from September 12-15 with Wednesday the 11th being the practice day. Most of the pilots arrived in town by Monday, leaving time to play on the ridge. Tuesday turned out to be a great day for ridge soaring, as the winds were 15 out of the northwest. Locals and visiting 26

pilots flew together. It was a joy to see all of the top gliders and pilots playing in the sky before getting down to business. The practice runs on Wednesday determined the flight lineup for the following official day and gave all of the pilots a chance to get a feel for the course. Every pilot got at least three practice runs. With

a time of 1:04.79, Halkeye would be first on course the next day. He was closely followed by Kenny (1:07.50) and Scott (1: 07.68, 1:07.71 and 1:07.80). 1:07 became Scott’s magical time, showing his amazing consistency. DAY 1 Thursday morning brought one practice round and one official round on the alternate course. All times shown reflect the finish-line bonus and any gate penalties. Scott had the fastest run with a time of 1:29.72, Bo came in second with 1:34.10, and Henry came in third with 1:35.58. The five-second spread between first and second was not indicative of what was to come. Bo, who is relatively new to speed gliding competitions, would nip at Scott’s heels for the rest of the week. Halkeye had the second-fastest raw time of the morning with 1:35.64, but received 35 seconds of gate penalties. This moved him into 11th place. That morning, Hawkeye also became intimate with a new resident at Lookout. Apparently Halkeye had a less-than-stellar landing that day, so he had a meeting with Mongo’s Whacking Goat. The whacking goat is fast becoming a tradition here at Lookout. If you whack, you kiss the goat — not just the goat, but

the lower hind quarter of the goat. Dean was the mediator of said meeting and began chasing Halkeye around the towline until lips met, well, goat. The weather cooperated again Thursday evening and we were able to complete two rounds of flying. Scot T. decided to run one round on the “A” course and one round on the alternate course. Bo was the man on the “A” course that night pulling off a 1:03.34, but he just squeaked into the lead. Both Kenny and Henry were right on his tail with times of 1:03.60 and 1: 03.93 respectively. Scott had a time of 1:04.31 but this was only enough to get him fourth for the round. Remember, these were the adjusted scores including the finish-line bonuses, so Scott still hit his magical time of 1:07. Rounding out the top five was Halkeye with 1:08.98. The second round that night was run on the alternate course. Kenny and Scott had almost identical times (1:27.31 and 1: 27.39 respectively), but Kenny took the round. When the times were converted into scores, Kenny won the round by only one point. This time Bo came in third (1:28.03). Fourth and fifth places were occupied by Luiz (1:29.66) and Gucci (1:36.23). These were both Luiz’s and Gucci’s best rankings of the meet. DAYS 2 AND 3 Unfortunately, the weather became a factor for the Friday and Saturday scheduled rounds. With Hurricane Hanna brewing in the Gulf of Mexico we were brought two days of southeast winds and off-and-on rain. The winds were too strong for flying, so we all came up with other ways to spend the day. There were many volleyball and Frisbee golf competitions, as well as hanging out by the fire and eating good food. Lookout’s resident feast organizer, Doris Polari, put out a great spread on Saturday night along with a keg for all to enjoy. It was time for the music to begin and we were serenaded fireside by Awesome Bob, Henry, and our local musician Hang Gliding • December 2002

Scott Brown. DAY 4 Most were not hopeful that the weather would cooperate on Sunday, the last day of the comp. When we woke, it looked much the same as the previous two days. You couldn’t even see the top of the mountain. Then the sacrifice was made when Mark Bolt packed up his Stealth and headed back to Michigan. The winds became calm, the ceiling lifted, tug pilot Joel Fenley tested the air, and we were back in business. It took about a half an hour to mobilize and get all of our very patient volunteers into their spots at the pylons throughout the course. Believe me, it is no easy task to get all of the people into location in such a short period of time unless they are willing and dedicated volunteers. For that we are again thankful. What an awesome day! We started the first round at 10:30 AM and ran five rounds. The last run ended at about 4:00 PM. A crowd gathered to watch the awesome sight of pilots cranking through the gate. If you have never been to a speed gliding competition, the sheer noise of the glider zooming over your head is reason enough to watch. Speaking of fun to watch, not only was Henry great to see dancing around the Lookout fire, he also had the best ramp dives of the week. The runs were nearly flawless with only several start-gate misses (resulting in a zero for that round) and few partial or complete misses on pylons. A partial miss gave the pilot a fivesecond penalty while a full miss delivered a 30-second penalty. Round one was on the alternate course. Scott came in first with 1:26.37 and Kenny came in second with a 1:31.00. This was the largest gap in times between the top pilots during the whole comp. Even though Halkeye (1:35.21) missed the finish line bonus and Bo (1:37.16) received the bonus, Halkeye still managed to get third on that round. If anybody doubts the validity of using an alternate course in speed gliding, these times demonstrate that this course can divide the top pilots. Kenny was behind Scott by five seconds and Bo was behind Scott by 11 seconds. Throughout the week, Kenny, Bo and Scott consistently ran the courses with only one or two seconds separating them. The overcast skies stopped thermals from developing and we were able to run the “A” course for the final four rounds of the comp. The pilots even begged Scot T. Hang Gliding • December 2002

Pete Welch turning on the speed.

for a break between the fourth and fifth rounds to reenergize. It was a long day. Scott took round two with 1:04.59 (1: 07 with a three-second bonus), but again Kenny (1:05.22) and Bo (1:06.53) were right on his back. Bo would turn the tables on Scott on the third round by running a 1:04.36 (1:07 with a three-second bonus) pushing Scott into second (1:05.30). Even though Kenny had an awesome raw score of 1:07.56, he missed the start gate. This gave Kenny a zero for the round and opened up third place to Henry (1:07.62). Kenny redeemed his miss on round three by having the fastest run (1:04.72) on round four. Bo was just behind him with 1:04.72. Henry jumped into third with 1: 05.19. Scott dropped into fourth with a 1: 06.40. Pete rounded out the top five with 1:12.94. This was Pete’s highest ranking of the comp. The last round of the day (and meet) was run with the top times coming out as the fastest times of the meet. Bo took first with 1:02.41 and Kenny came in second just behind Bo with 1:02.85. Scott (1: 03.75), Henry (1:05.25) and Hawkeye (1: 05.25) came in third, fourth and fifth respectively. With the final round flown, Scot T. and I returned to our little corner of operations to finalize the times and scores. After some hard work and strong caffeine we came up

with the winner. Man, it was close. Coming in first was Scott on his Wills Wing Talon. Bo, flying an Aeros Combat II, fell to second and was only 39 points behind. Kenny and his Moyes Litespeed 4 came in third and was out of first by 113 points. Fourth and fifth went to Henry (Moyes Litespeed) and Halkeye (Icaro Laminar). The consistency and fabulous flying by all of the speed pilots cannot be ignored. Jim Prahl and Awesome Bob were right on, finishing sixth and seventh respectively. You know they are going to be a force to reckon with. Luiz is an amazing flier to watch. Gucci, Dean and Pete all had rounds finishing in the top six. All of the pilots are top notch and will only get better, causing speed gliding itself to get better. Sunday evening was capped off with the awards ceremony. Scott received a traveling trophy engraved with the 2001 winner (John Borton) and with his name as the 2002 champ, a plaque and $1,000. Local pilot and fellow competitor Mike Theeke also gave Scott a homemade stained-glass airplane with a kaleidoscope propeller. Bo was awarded a plaque and $500. Kenny took home a third-place plaque and $300. No pilot left empty handed as they all received goodies from Wills Wing, Moyes, Airborne, Flytec, Quest and Lookout. The volunteers won prizes as well, as 27

Scott Angel

Chris Giardina

Jim Prahl

ott

Bob Lane

Pete Welch Bo Hagewood

Hang Gliding • December 2002

they were entered in a raffle. Quest, Flytec, Lookout, Moyes, Wills Wing, Airborne and local businesses gave prizes. There was a general sentiment expressed by all of the visiting and local pilots to return to Lookout next year for the third annual USHGA sanctioned National Speed Gliding Competition. There was also a resounding sentiment from the competitors themselves that with their support of and dedication to speed gliding, this aspect of our sport will only flourish. Each competitor has really taken a personal ownership in seeing speed gliding grow. We support this dedication and hope to improve

speed gliding and increase participation. One main idea is to change the steepness of the course from 4/1 to 6/1 with more gates along the route. We would also like to have a king-posted/recreational division next year. Steve and Suzanne Hughes are working on a laser timing system. There is thought to moving the competition into June or July with the longer days, creating further possibilities of getting more rounds in. Oh yeah, and more prize money. Matt Taber plans on having $10,000 divided among the top competitors. Please send your opinions and concerns to fly@hanglide.com so we know

Scott Angel following a smoking run.

how the community feels about these changes. Thanks again to the following people: Tug pilots Joel Fenley, Eric Graper and Russell Brown. The tug pilots’ work is often ignored, and this competition would not have run as smoothly without your professionalism and dedication. Thank you again Russell for your plane and services. Volunteers (Rick Gattone, Colleen Brogan, Kipp Bottorff, Chuck Bruckelmeyer, Beth Elliott, Claire Vassort, Michelle Grimm, Christopher Lefay, Linda Thornton, Barbara Peterson, Lee Peterson, Richard Brennan, David Seabolt, Dan Barker, Kim O’Neil, Allison Waters, Tanya Mathur, Steve Dossett, Peter Hammett, Candace Miller, Sandy Wooton, Ollie Gregory, Scott Brown, Paul Merchant, and Dan Zinc) We cannot say thank you enough; your participation was invaluable. Scot Trueblood — it was great fun having you here. Your organization and meet-running skills made the week a breeze. Matt Taber — without you there is no Lookout and thank you for your generosity. A special thanks to Flytec, Wills Wing, Airborne, Moyes, Quest and Mike Theeke for the donated prizes. Carl Burick, Paul Jordan and Dale Wallace — thank you for climbing trees and tromping through poison ivy to set up the course. Steve and Suzanne Hughes — thank you for giving so much of your time and taking great pictures. Rob Kells — thanks for bringing so many great gliders to Lookout. Dean Funk, our resident Web designer, T-shirt creator and recruiter of competitors, thank you. Competition pilots — it goes without saying that your dedication to our sport is invaluable to the growth of it. The attitude of the awesome kinship in our community was voiced by many pilots both during the comp and in the weeks after. Locals put up many of the visiting pilots during their stay. Everybody was on a first-name basis, sharing stories and laughs. Dean tells of the camaraderie on the flight line. After chasing Halkeye around with Mongo’s Whacking Goat, Halkeye spent over an hour helping Dean work on his glider. Dean’s porch is now decorated with Henry’s drawing of a circle representing the correct angle to come around turn two so as to best optimize your energy and time. Thank you everyone for reinforcing what a great community we have in the hang gliding world. We are lucky to be a part of it. To those of you who traveled from around the country, we were sad to see you go. Hang Gliding • December 2002

The History of

High Energy Sports’ Quantum Series Parachutes by Carol Yastrov

lems with their parachute systems. Bridles were wrapping around tumbling gliders, briefly inflating at the top of the rotation, then collapsing as the tumble continued. Tubular webbing bridles were cut by the wreckage, making a pilot’s survival dependent upon luck. Newly developed ballistic deployment systems suffered from extraction-force, handle, heat and entanglement issues. Spinning hang gliders had a rate of descent the same as or slower than a falling parachute, and as a result the parachute was never loaded so it could open. Spinning hang gliders under parachutes were twisting up the parachute bridle and lines, thus deflating the chute as it approached the ground. Parachutes with short bridles, used with larger-span hang gliders, were not opening because of entanglement or lack of clear air. Side wire failures folded up gliders like butterfly wings, hurtling pilots toward the ground. By the early 1980’s it was clear that hang glider pilots needed parachutes that were better suited to low-speed deployment (below 60 mph) with very quick opening times. Designer Jim Handbury had been working with a promising design called the PDA (Pulled-Down Apex). After Jim’s death, several manufacturers continued work on PDA designs. The goal was to make the smallest, lightest parachute that could bring a pilot and wing down at rates of descent similar to the common flat circular designs. During this time some PDA’s would oscillate all the way to the ground. Very heavy pilots flew with 16-gore (extremely small) parachutes. There were reports of small PDA’s with heavy loads failing due to poor construction. Hang glider failure modes changed in keeping with the particular designs of the era. By the late 1980’s it was clear that hang glider emergency reserve parachutes would need to be strong to withstand opening at very high velocities, be stable in turbulent conditions, open with minimal altitude loss for very low deployments, and open reliably even with a slowly falling pilot and glider.

THE WAY IT WAS In the early days of hang gliding, when getting a pilot to fly with a parachute was like pulling teeth, parachute manufacturers compromised by building the smallest, lightest-weight, cheapest parachutes that would probably save a life. In the parachute industry they were called “meat savers,” because they were designed only to “save the meat” without worrying about a pilot breaking bones. As emergency use of “meat savers” proved valuable, and indeed saved lives, hang glider pilots began to accept the emergency parachute as part of their flying gear. In the late 1970’s, hang glider designs became more efficient and pilots pushed the envelope, attempting never-been-done aerobatic maneuvers, flying in challenging weather conditions, and reducing drag any way they could. The attitude, “I have a parachute so I can do anything in my hang glider,” was not uncommon. During this time, hang glider pilots experienced a series of prob32

Hang Gliding • December 2002

still pictures taken by Paul from the air. It was clear that the new parachute was remarkable, since it took Nancy several tries to time her exit from the airplane so she could get footage of the top of the new chute. After the first day of testing Bill plugged the data recorder into the computer. His first comment was, “Betty, don’t get too excited; this can’t be right.” The instrument package was sent out to be recalibrated and the tests were repeated. This time Bill was excited. The parachute had surpassed all expectations. It was serendipity, and the Quantum Series Parachute was born. THE DESIGN CHALLENGE By the early 1990’s High Energy Sports had worked on a number of new designs, none of which met rigid design requirements. Betty Pfeiffer, owner of High Energy Sports, contacted Bill Gargano to work on chute design. He politely refused. The day of reckoning came at a PIA (Parachute Industry Association) International Rigger’s Symposium where Bill was giving a series of lectures on parachute design. With Betty in the front row, publicly hammering him with questions, Bill had no choice but to succumb.

Division, got wind that smokejumpers had this tremendous parachute, they wanted to take a closer look. After several test series, which included several generals jumping the parachute, the Army was convinced that this parachute was the way to go. With the onset of the war in Afghanistan, military orders increased. Currently there are 3,000 units in use and more have been ordered for delivery to our military, and it all started with hang gliding.

Special thanks to Betty Pfeiffer of High Energy Sports, Inc., and Bill Gargano of Quantum Parachutes, LLC, for making hang gliding and paragliding safety a top priority. various speeds. Bill and Betty wanted to know everything they could about this chute before it went to market. By the end of 1993 the tests were complete and the Quantum Series was introduced in two sizes. The QS330 was geared toward average-weight pilots, and the QS 550 was for tandem flying. After seeing many pilots with parachutes meant for considerably smaller people, Betty decided that the QS330 would be the smallest parachute High Energy Sports would produce. Shortly thereafter she discontinued producing the old, inferior-style HES parachutes, exclaiming, “How could I, in good conscience, continue building life-saving parachutes that were less than the best?” By the following year the QS 440 was introduced for heavier pilots.

THE BIRTH OF A NEW GENERATION The following week Bill sent Betty a design to review. Betty wasted no time, immediately called Bill, and insisted that the parachute was “not good enough” for her beloved hang glider pilots. She knew he could do better. Working with very specific design requirements, Bill would have to achieve performance never before realized. To do this he wanted to create a lifting force to bring the pilot and hang glider down as slowly as possible. He wanted the parachute to be aerodynamically efficient. Betty insisted that he design the best parachute he could, no matter how labor intensive it was to build. Within a month the new parachute was ready for testing. The first series of tests went off without a hitch. Testjumper Paul Thompson was fitted with an elaborate instrument pack that gave readings for temperature, pressure, humidity and altitude 16 times per second. Camerawoman Nancy Blank shot videos of the reserve parachute from her ram-air sport chute as she followed Paul out of the airplane. There were videos and pictures taken from the ground, and 34

MORE TESTING Several test days followed with more live jumps and many high-speed tests using a torso dummy in a skydiving harness, pushed out of an airplane with various weights, traveling at

QUANTUM SERIES HANG GLIDING RESERVE AND BEYOND Shortly after the Quantum Series parachutes were developed, smokejumpers in Missoula, Montana were looking for a new parachute. Bill Gargano made some small design modifications to allow steering capabilities and heavier loads. The FS14 “smoked” the competition in opening reliability, stability, directional control and rate of descent. The smokejumpers were sold. When the U.S. Army Special Forces, 10th Mountain Hang Gliding • December 2002

Hang Gliding • December 2002

USHGA Awards

USHGA Presents Awards at Orlando, Florida Board of Directors Meeting by Dan Nelson

the Federal Aviation Administration’s proposed Sport Pilot (SP) and Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) rules, helping to preserve and protect the rights of USHGA members to fly our gliders. Joe has endured endless bureaucratic meetings and read, and responded to, reams of paperwork. In short, he has done what few could — he effectively worked the political and bureaucratic processes.

Steve Roti and friend.

midst all their work during the long weekend of meetings, the USHGA Board of Directors made sure to recognize the valuable work of others in the organization. Several outstanding individuals and groups were singled out as recipients of USHGA’s annual awards. Topping the list of this year’s award winners is Steve Roti, who was given the USHGA Presidential Citation. This award is the highest honor given to a member of the Association for outstanding contributions to the sport at the local, Regional and national level. Steve, a Master-rated paraglider pilot from the Portland, Oregon area, is an active member of the Cascade Paragliding Club. He is a past USHGA Board member, and for the last few years has played an invaluable role as Hang Gliding • December 2002

a member of the USHGA publications team. Most recently, Steve reenergized the Association’s website, bringing several new tools and functional changes online. He has also helped streamline the editorial process for the magazines by creating an online repository for magazine submissions and editorial works. Joe Gregor, of the Capital Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, was honored with a USHGA Exceptional Service Citation. This award is given to a member in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Association over the last year. Joe has helped keep all hang glider and paraglider pilots in the air through his exceptional work on the FA A’s Sport Pilot NPR M (Notice of Proposed Rule Making). Joe helped draft USHGA’s response to

Mark Windsheimer of Airtime Above Hang Gliding (airtimeabove.com), based in Evergreen, Colorado, earned the honor of USHGA’s Hang Gliding Instructor of Year for 2002. Mark is an Advanced-rated instructor and a valued member of the Rocky Mountain Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. Mark truly earned this award, by meeting and exceeding all the award criteria. That is, the award goes to the individual who best exemplifies a leader and teacher. The criteria for the award include skills as an instructor, serving as a role model for the sport within the pilot and general communities, and involvement in and support of USHGA and local club programs. Mark Windsheimer does all this and more, living up to his new title of USHGA Hang Gliding Instructor of the Year. On the paragliding side of things, Rob Sporrer of Eagle Paragliding (www.eagleparagliding.com) received the USHGA Paragliding Instructor of the Year award. Robb owns and operates Eagle Paragliding in Santa 37

USHGA Awards cont.

USHGA Awards cont. Mike Daily

online publication of the Northwest Paragliding Club, and is edited by Ernie Friesen, with assistance from C.J. Sturtevant, George Sturtevant, Thayer Hughes, Beth Friesen, and a host of contributors. The USHGA Board voted The Fly Paper as the best example of a newsletter which exemplified the ideals of: valuable information content, support to members and clubs, layout, safety promotion and instruction.

Rob Sporrer and passenger

Barbara, California. An Advancedrated instructor, Robb has the enviable talents of a natural-born teacher. His instruction methods focus first and foremost on safety, and then on the great enjoyment to be had in this sport. Like Mark, Robb meets and exceeds all the criteria for this honor. Robb is an active member of the South Coast Paragliding Association, and works with that club to preserve and enhance f lying opportunities in Southern California. But Robb also lives a second life — that of a model. His work in this field can be seen most readily in an Old Navy TV ad with Morgan Fairchild (that’s Robb with the pitchfork).

sport to the general public, and helps bring new pilots into the fold. • Bill Wixon, of the Southern New York Hang Glider Pilots Association. Bill is a tireless volunteer, serving the SNYHGPA as both secretary and editor of their newsletter, Hawk Talk.

Four pilots were singled out for USHGA Board Commendations for outstanding contributions to the promotion of safe, enjoyable flight, and for their volunteer work with their local clubs and the national Association. Those pilots receiving the USHGA Commendation are:

• Dick Vobroucek, also of the Southern New York Hang Glider Pilots Association. Dick, an Assistant Professor of Hospitality and Tourism at Rockland Community College, was recently named “Rookie of the Year” by the SNYHGPA. Dick started hang glider pilot training two years ago and has been a valued volunteer for the local club ever since.

• Matthew Graham of the Capital Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. Matthew is a Directorat-Large on the CHPGA leadership roster, and as such promotes the

• Mike Daily, for the work he’s done on the Trafton Training Hill. Mike is a hard-working volunteer with the Cloudbase Country Club, located in the Seattle area.

The Board also presented a Special Commendation to Mr. and Mrs.

Rick Walker. The Walkers are Texas ranch owners in the Zapata area, and are great friends to the flying community. They have hosted parties — complete with barbecued wild javelina taken on their ranch — and flying events for hang glider and paraglider pilots for many years. Indeed, Rick has gone so far as to use his helicopter

to assist with pilot and wing retrieval from far-flung corners of the Texas countryside. Davis Straub notes in his June 20, 2002 Oz Report that Rick f lew his helicopter out on retrieval of the rigid wing (Flight Design Exxtacy) belonging to Jamie Sheldon after she set (but didn’t officially claim) the Women’s Rigid Wing World Record. USHGA awards are presented annually at the Fall Board of Directors meeting. To find award criteria and nomination information, visit www.ushga.org.

The Fly Paper The USHGA named The Fly Paper (or, as it is affectionately known by its readers, eFly) as the Newsletter of the Year. The Fly Paper, (www.paraglider.org/flypaper/) is the 38

Hang Gliding • December 2002

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PRICE $ 10.95

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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

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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

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______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ ______ $________ 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____________________

Gallery Artist — John Heiney

SUBTOTAL $___________

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

TOTAL $___________

Send To: ___________________________________________________ USHGA #___________ Phone_____________________

Eye in the Sky — Self Portrait

John Heiney is no stanger to photography, in fact, Johnʼs name is synonomous with photography. One of our sportʼs premier shooters, and likely the most well known, John has gifted us all with some of the most striking and memorable images we have or ever will have seen of hang gliding. John is also a World Champion freestyle pilot, and frequently combines his two passions to come up with brilliantly expressive and sometimes controversial depictions with a style that is unmistakably his own. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so without further adieu we now present about 20,000 words for your enjoyment.

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

Hang Gliding • December 2002

MARKETPLACE

Charlie launching at the “E”.

Torreey Pines

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 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 STING 2XC 154 — Excellent condition, low hours, white w/blue double surface, beautiful machine, like new. VG, speed bar w/faired downtubes & kingpost, the perfect intermediate XC glider $2,500. Contact Western Hang Gliders (831) 917-6261. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FALCON 195 — Red/white/blue; Z5 black/blue XL harness; Insider blue, large helmet; everything is new $3,000 OBO. (978) 433-8989 Massachusetts. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FALCONS CLEARANCE SALE — School use, one season. All sizes $1,250- $2,500. (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FUSION 150 — Excellent condition, flies sweet, white/ blue, best offer. (305) 285-8978. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 knee 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 $2500 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MOYES CSX 4 — Great condition, low hours, blue/ yellow/white, 149 topless $1,200 OBO. (208) 237-9157, cava@ida.net –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MOYES LITESPEED 4 — Handles and performs great. This glider placed 8th in 2002 Nationals, white/blue $3,500. (423) 653-0922. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MOYES SONIC 165 — Excellent condition, low hours $2,700 OBO. (205) 823-5121. rhilton103@aol.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PREDATOR 142 — Like new, 20 hrs, blue spectrum w/white top $2,699 buyer ships. (787) 890-3894. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 — Almost brand new, <1 hour, speedbar $2,500. (310) 720-1604, hangdiver@infinitedata2000.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– W W FUSION 150 — 2000, excellent condition, 50 hours, red/blue $2,000 OBO. (602) 750-0798, thepines@cox.net –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WILLS WING SPECTRUM 157 — Blue/white, excellent condition, low hours, w/bag $950 OBO. (619) 390-7621. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WWXC 155 — Very good shape, green w/black quarter panel $2,000. Pat (970) 878-3594, patcam@quik.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ADVERTISE YOUR USED EQUIPMENT IN THE HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE CLASSIFIED SECTION FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE RESPONSE. HANG GLIDING MAGA ZINE’S VAST MEMBERSHIP BASE MEANS THAT YOU WILL BE REACHING THE WIDEST POSSIBLE AUDIANCE. DON’T HESITATE, CALL OR E-MAIL TODAY FOR THE SPECIFICS OF CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING! –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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. 1-800-688-5637, fly@hanglide.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– RIGID WINGS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ATOS-C — Tandem version, low hours, in Florida $7,951. (719) 930-6967, david@davidglover.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– GHOSTBUSTER PARTS — Sail, flaps, spoilers, ribs, hardware, wires, everything but the leading edges. (970) 641-9207, skyout1@webtv.net –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ULTRALIGHTS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AIR SPORTS USA — WWW.FLYFORFUN.NET

World Peace Toni and friend.

Hang Gliding • December 2002

Classifieds

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– DRAGONFLY — 2 place, 500hrsTT, overhauled 582/ Moyes radiator, new BRS 900 parachute, enclosed trailer $18,000. Rod 011-61-073-219-3442 or flockhartrod@hotmail.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

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

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

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

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

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 $125. Three four hour lessons, plus tandem off 2,000ft. $400. Five lessons for $550. Ten lessons plus tandem $1,000. Complete lesson programs. Year-round instruction. Launching and landing and thermal clinics. DON'T HIKE YOUR GLIDER YOURSELF, I'LL HELP YOU! Dealer for Wills Wing, Moyes, Aeros, High Energy Sports, Rotor harnesses, Ball varios, Flytec, Brauniger, Garmin GPS Camelbaks and more. 80 MILES EAST OF BAY AREA . I’m your nor thern California MOSQUITO HARNESS DEALER. Call or email to schedule your Mosquito demonstration or clinic. Giving 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.

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.

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

NO MORE BUNNY… THE HILL WITH IT!

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

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

Please call us for references and video. 1805 Dean Still Road, Disney Area, FL 33837 (863) 424-0070 - phone & fax

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

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.

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).

Hang Gliding • December 2002

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

Hang Gliding • December 2002

Classifieds

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MEXICO — Done Vallé? Try Colima... it's HOT! Safari Mexico rides again! Experienced thermal pilots only. Solid foot launch skills required. Seven days $695 includes glider. John "Ole" Olson is your host at RANCHO DELUXE. Antiguo Aeropuerto Colima dil direct: 01152 312 312-4469, USA (360) 403-3199, HG-Mexico@learntoflytrikes.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MARYLAND ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

MEXICO — Summer in Monterrey, winter in Valle de Bravo. 1-800-861-7198, www.flymexico.com

We carry Aeros, Airwave, Flight Design, Moyes, Wills Wing, High Energy Sports, Flytec and more. 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 winter 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– NEW JERSEY ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MOUNTAIN WINGS — Look under New York.

Classifieds

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

Kitty Hawk Kites Flight Park

Fly At The Beach!

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AUSTIN AIR SPORTS • CHECK WEBSITE FOR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS • ALL FLYING BY RESERVATION ONLY • DRAGONFLY/TRIKE INSTRUCTION • INTRO FOOT LAUNCH CLASSES • AEROTOWING/WINCH TOWING • EXCELLENT XC FLYING • TANDEM INSTRUCTION • SALES AND SERVICE

• 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

Steve Burns - 979.279.9382 email: sburns@austinairsports.com 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

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

BLUE SKY — Fulltime instruction and service at Manquin Flight Park near Richmond. Wills Wing, Moyes, Flight Design, Aeros and Doodlebug and Mosquito. 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. Certifi ed instruction, glider equipment sales, service and repair through “BLUE SKY” Virginia’s leading hang gliding school. Try 3-axis fl ying with certifi ed ultralight instruction through “FLY RAWLING”, learn to fl y 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

Hang Gliding • December 2002

Climb-out Over San Juans

Straight Up Looping

Hang Gliding • December 2002

Miami Airshow

Formation Over Lake Elsinore.

Dave Launches Pizza

Freestyling Over a Prison

Audrey’s Tow Launch. Torrey Pines, San Diego, California

Tony’s launch at Whitwell, Tennessee

Hang Gliding • December 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. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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

FLIGHT CONNECTIONS, INC. PTT II

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

Dark Cloud and Silver Lining

Classifieds

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

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

• ORDER ONLINE AND SAVE • Water/Dust Resistant Push Button • Field Replaceable Finger Switch • Heavier Gauge Wire/Improved Plugs • Increased Strain Relief at ALL Joints $119.95 Extra finger switch $19.95 w/purchase. Dealer inquiries welcome. Call (636) 390-8919. MC/Visa.

Above the Cloud at Westlake

XC $60., heavy waterproof $100. Accessories, used stuff. Low prices, fast delivery! Gunnison Gliders, 1549 County Road 17, Gunnison CO 81230. (970) 641-9315, orders 1-866-238-2305

Texas Windmill

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. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Hang Gliding • December 2002

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

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

Classifieds

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

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

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! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Index to Advertisers Adventure Productions ................. 19 Attack Tubes................................... 53 Blokart............................................. 10 By Dan Johnson............................. 15 Digifly.............................................. 13

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Flytec USA................... 9, Back Cover Hall Brothers .................................. 19

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.fl ash.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.

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,

Just Fly ........................................... 14 Lookout Mt. .............................. 21, 36 Mojo’s Gear .................................... 36 Moyes ............................................... 4 Sport Aviation Pub. ....................... 31 Traverse City .................................. 21 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. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

YOU’VE READ ABOUT THEM, maybe even seen one - now you can wear your own official Life Is Good T-Shirt, $20. And life is even better when you air out your laundry with a High-Performance GLIDE T-Shirt, $15. Add $3 shipping pershirt; send checks or MO to Pete Hammer, 1214 Hyde Park Dr, McKinney, TX 75069. Or buy online at home.earthlink.net/~hangdog/buysome.html Questions? hangdog@earthlink.net

Hang Gliding • December 2002

US Aeros ........................................ 31 USHGA ....................... Various Pages Wills Wing ........... Inside Front Cover

CLASSIFIED AD PRICES: 50 cents per word, $5.00 minimum Boldface or caps: $1.00 per word. (Does not include first few words which are automatically caps.) Special layouts or tabs: $25 per column inch. (phone numbers: 2 words, P.O. Box: 1 word, E-mail or Web address: 3 words) Photos: $25.00, Line art logos: $15.00 (1.75” maximum) DEADLINE: 20th of the month, 10 weeks before the cover date of the issue in which you want your ad to appear (i.e., September 20 for the Nov. issue). Prepayment required unless account established. No cancellations or refunds allowed on any advertising after deadline. Ad insertions FAXed or made by telephone must be charged to a credit card. SECTIONS: Hang gliders • Towing • Emergency Parachutes • Schools & Dealers • Parts & Accessories • Ultralights • Business & Employment • Publications & Organizations • Miscellaneous • Wanted • Harnesses • Videos Contact Jeff@USHGA.org for additional details USHGA P.O Box 1330 Colorado Springs, CO 80901 (719) 632-8300 • fax (719) 632-6417

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Hang Gliding • December 2002

Parting Shot ST. PAUL, MINN. -- The USHGA board of directors met in mid-October and some interesting news developed. Though “just a bunch of hang glider pilots,” this group often amazes me with the level of its professionalism. Don’t forget that around 30 persons volunteer their time, pay their own expenses, and work long hours to direct the association’s business -- backed up by a paid but equally hard-working headquarters staff. This fall finds USHGA in admirable shape, with membership up and finances in good condition. At a time when I know most of aviation -- from recreational flying to the airlines -- to be suffering, this performance is more than satisfying, and I hope all members appreciate it.  Work of the Board will appear in the magazine in various ways, but I’d like to note three actions that I believe members will find of interest.  First, the magazine will go to a combined publication with the March 2003 issue. The idea was tested. Members voted (overwhelmingly in favor), and it has been settled. You’ll start getting a magazine with both hang gliding and paragliding coverage… just like the rest of the world has been doing for years. As with other Board deliberations, you’ll read more about this as the date approaches. You can also consult your Regional Director for his or her thoughts.  Second, both big Florida airparks (Wallaby and Quest) will -- with sponsorship and direction from USHGA -- bid to host the World Meet in 2005. While this seems a long way off, it is a major event that will draw the best pilots in the world to come to the USA. The matter had its share of controversy but the request to the international body, CIVL, should move forward. I know I’ll want to go to Orlando to catch some of the action. You too, perhaps?  Third, a simmering debate heated up regarding powered paragliders and powered hang gliding harnesses and whether these machines should in some way be embraced by USHGA. The discussion ranged from “Hell, no!” to more thoughtful approaches, though all leaders are keenly aware that this issue can be divisive. Nonetheless, at the October Board meeting, Board Directors heard eloquent presentations on the subject. No decisions were confirmed but this issue is not likely to go away. After all, many of these pilots use the auxiliary power to get altitude for soaring flight, although they sometimes simply drive around in smooth air. And, it was observed, with aerotow launches comprising some 30-40% of all launches in the USA, power is already part of the equation.  One of the neatest things that happened as part the Board meeting was a special event commemorating and thanking all the presidents of USHGA since the beginning. Not every president was able to make it but most were. Each man contributed something that led your Association forward and they deserved the recognition and applause.  One person in the audience at Wallaby Ranch was Sue Gardner. For those that have forgotten, Sue is the pivot person in FAA’s new proposed rule often called “Sport Pilot.” I’m aware that she has been taking powered trike lessons in her new home of Alaska, but she’s not hesitant to try free flight. In fact, at Quest Air, Gardener went

tandem in a hang glider, and, as ex-prez Bill Bryden put it, “She LOVED it!” Good for Sue for being an openminded FAA official and good for the Quest and Board folks who arranged her flight.  Thinking about how hang gliding is surviving the aviation recession, I had a chance to visit with long-time Canadian entrepreneur, Michael Robertson. His High Perspective operation is having a banner year, and he commented, “I don’t know about a hang gliding decline but we’re kicking ass up here!” He says his boat-tow operations doubled this year and had done so last year as well. Michael’s boat-towing experience goes back to 1965 with the old flat kites. Like most big schools, he’s been offering tandem instruction for more than five years.  Robertson has also created his own glider pontoons which are built like a surfboard with a foam core and a fiberglass shell. “Two people can actually climb up on the glider and hook in. Waves don’t cause a problem and you tend not to get wet due to the long, outward-curved bow,” Michael says.  Robertson runs two full-time operations not far from his base in Toronto and plans to open another operation next year. All locations except the boat-tow operation use hydrostatic winches which allow step-towing. To maintain his high standards, Michael trains all his own instructors. FMI: www.FlyHigh.com  At the Board meeting I spoke with David Glover about yet another successful towpark, this one in Wisconsin. About the site’s operator, Glover said, “Brad Kushner is doing a great job and has built a flight park operation that provides an excellent blueprint for flight parks that might be created in other parts of the U.S.” David feels Kushner didn’t have some of the advantages of the Florida flight parks, but “through hard work and drive, Brad has built his business from the ground up. Anyone who wishes to replicate this effort ought to talk to Brad,” added Glover.  When I indicated I’d be writing something about Raven Sky Sports and the aerotow park operation, Brad said, “We’ve been working to bring aerotow hang gliding to Midwest pilots since August 15, 1992,” making the Wisconsin Hang Gliding Club among the oldest of aerotow operations in the United States. His business “offers flying and lessons from 7:30 A.M. until sunset, seven days a week.” He uses “four Dragonfly tow planes and four T2 tandem hang gliders on landing gear with modern over/under harnesses.” Not totally dependent on aerotowing, Kushner also has seven grassy training hills (facing all wind directions) for foot-launch and footlanding training. Also offered: locked glider storage; camping; clubhouse; discounts at all local motels; closeby mountain-biking trails, fishing holes and swimming pools. Brad reports summer temperatures are usually in the 80’s, seldom in the 90’s. He also says his location offers “A+ cross-country potential with hay fields as far as the eye can see.” The Wisconsin Hang Gliding Club has over 200 members. FMI: www.hanggliding.com  So, got news or opinions? Send ‘em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Messages or fax to 651-450-0930. E-mail to News@ByDanJohnson.com or CumulusMan@aol.com. THANKS!

Hang Gliding • December 2002

This dramatic photograph comes from the upcoming article about the historical contributions to the sport of hang gliding by Bob Trampeneau, of Seedwings.

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