What kind of downward. Make sure the part of the strap that goes around the hinge lies flat against the car and can’t get pinched. Then carefully close the hood. If the car has luggage racks, loop the other strap through the rear rack base. If there are no racks, or you have another type of vehicle, get creative. Is there a trunk with a hinge you can loop it around? How about the hatchback? Anchor points inside your pickup bed? Make sure the ribs or any other objects are not packed in the skinny end of the glider bag, and loop the front strap around it as in Figure 2. It’s important to put the skinny end in front to prevent the bag from sagging: If the front wheel can contact the glider bag when you turn, very bad things will happen. Lift the back end of the glider until it is even with the front and secure the rear strap as shown in Figure 3. Tighten the front strap until the glider fits snugly against the side mirror, and secure the strap end with a knot or two. Then, adjust the rear strap so the back of the glider is even with the front, or a few inches higher, and secure the end of the strap with a knot or two. As with the glider bag, it is critical that the strap ends cannot contact the tires. Add safety straps and ropes as you see fit. More is better. Use the towels and tape as you see fit to protect the car and glider from each other. If you are concerned about damage to the glider’s Mylar inserts, use the cardboard to spread the load from the straps. For what it’s worth, I have driven well over 1000 miles with this setup on both highways and smooth dirt roads with no damage to car or glider. The disadvantages to this method are obvious: You can only carry one glider, you can’t use the passenger side doors, and you must drive slowly on anything but a well-maintained paved road. But such concerns pale in comparison to the tragedy of a missed opportunity to fly.
AIRMAIL FIRST SUPER CLINIC SET TO LAUNCH June 22nd -June 29th; Ruch, OR. Train with some of the nation’s best instructors, at one of the most popular sites in the country, during the 11th annual Rat Race Paragliding Competition. Kari Castle and Ken Hudonjorgenson will head up the instructor team to train in the mornings, and then watch the competition action unfold on top of Woodrat Mountain. After the competitors have launched, you’ll be able to train at a premiere flying venue. Go to mphsports.com to reserve your spot. Attendance is limited. More information: Mike Haley, 503-7047004, mike_haley@charter.net, or mphsports.com.
I
’d like to announce the imminent publication of my second mainstream novel, OPEN DISTANCE. Whereas my first book (five-star suspense title ARCHANGEL) showcased personal soaring flight in two full chapters that folded nicely into a suspense plot, the new novel OPEN DISTANCE is entirely about us. This action thriller, while fiction, rides on the guts, glory, tensions and intrigue of an international tow-meet circuit. The 99-cent “pilot week” will run from Saturday, May 4th through Sunday, May 12th; anyone interested should grab it then, before the price hikes back to $2.99. (If you don’t have a Kindle, the free Kindle reader app is an easy way to read it on any tablet, iPad, smart phone, PC or Mac.) Thanks, Mike Vorhis, USHPA #56724
are you? Just Getting Started? • Vario + GPS in One Device • Live Color-coded Thermal Tracks Red=Up, Blue=Down • Easy-to-edit Custom Displays Focus on What You Want to See • Glide Over Terrain Feature See Where Your Glide Takes You
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sales@advancedparagliding.com phone: 415-662-3874 53
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