LEFT Niki Longshore launching. RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM July 4, 2015. Hang waiting on the dune buggy in Wharton, Texas. George Longshore assisting Niki at launch. Niki and her new Orbiter. Photos by Niki Longshore.
pilots have graced the skies at the area’s largest air shows. Wings Over Houston in October draws a crowd of more than 100,000 spectators who have the chance to see the balletic antics of a well-piloted hang glider. Crowds of 10,000-20,000 were exposed to the delta plane at the Ballunar Festival held at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. HHPA members stand at the ready in case the festival is revived this year. Many Houston folks will make the trip over to Big Spring in early August and stay to compete in a comp Labor Day weekend to crown a Texas champ. The competition will be stiff, since many current international contenders like Robin Hamilton, Dave Williams, and Chris Zimmerman call Texas home. While Texas stars certainly stand out, there are no Lone Rangers flying hang gliders out there. Getting in the air in an environment that flat requires coordination. Community is essential. Towing is always a team effort and keeping current, a collective issue. Since life events outside the realm of hang gliding affect hang time, these pilots find one another on many levels. That’s why one can come across wedding anniversary reminiscences alongside wind direction updates. The dynamic flight scene in Houston thrives on diversity. Old timers, newcomers, and everyone in between mash up together in a hearty concoction full of flavor. Clubs and businesses function in tandem. Big names inspire. Big personalities entertain. Experts hold clinics to share what they know. Gifted organizers create space for fellowship. Talented engineers like Mark Gibson pioneer. In short, everyone does what comes naturally to nurture the community that feeds the need to fly. Yee-haw!
HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE
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