Summer 2010 part 2

H a n g G l i d i n g C a m p a i g n

Summer 2010

KHK MT TRIP 2010

New Sections

Pilot Profile & Sessions

ISSUE 12

PART 2

BLOG ENTRY: CONTENTS Feature Article KHK MT Trip 2010 pg.6 Pilot Profile Getting to know Young or Old, New and Veteran pilots. pg.34 Hang Check New Media Review Page, things to check out when you’re not hooking in. pg.35 Sessions Photos from August 12 2010 pg.36

I’ve been on the ground too long. It feels like it’s been a decade since I even set up a glider. Really it’s only been a few months, but a few months ago I wasn’t just a weekend pilot.

Hang gliding was my life and still is but now school has taken over. I can’t focus completely on either but lately school has come first.

I hate it.

It wont be forever and infact my advisor told me yesterday I’m set to graduate this spring. That’s if I can pass my current class and not skip them.

It’s not too hard right now, there’s still too much snow. We sold the snowmobiles, and my Jeep already.

The only real place to fly is the Point. which is really cold but would be worth it. Since I don’t have a vehicle anymore I don’t head up there anyway.

However spring is nearly here and I wont be able to bare being grounded much longer. I will find a way to get up. In the mean time I can only reflect on what has happened and imagine what will happen.

This issue finishes off last summer but only scratches the surface of what I remember.

SUMMER 2010 ISSUE 12 PART 2 VOLUME 2 EDITOR: The Meibos Touch WRITERS: Air-Rick PHOTOGRAPHERS: Eric Meibos CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jeff Parrot www.papalotes2153.blogspot.com PAPALOTES 2153 is a non-profit, non-organizational, non-anything publication about Hang Gliding and Free Flight and related activitie . It is not for sale and is available to anyone who is interested. Input and feedback are always welcome. Anyone can be apart or involved with Papalotes 2153.

No subscriptions, membership, or contributions required. Just FLY FLY FLY. Contact: esobien@gmail.com Published on issu.com

What is

‘Papa’ in spanish is Father and ‘Elote’ is Corn So is it Father Corn?

Are there 2,153 flying children of the corn?

Maybe you should be scared.

Mountain Trip 2010

Woodstock

July 23 2010, I showed up at the shop in the morning to continue sorting through the gliders and gear I ‘d brought back from the Georgia trip. Alex and Jeff were finalizing their H2 requirements with ushpa and excited to Jump off thier first mountain. They had worked and trained hard to be ready for this day and everyone was stoked. We were planning on leaving that afternoon with Graham and Zack. Graham hadn’t been off a mountian in a long time and Zack had just bought his first glider, a Pulse 10 meter, so both were equally stoked. With all the build up and excitement of possibly being in the mountians that night none of us were prepared for the news we got that morning.

I didn’t notice it at firsr, I was too distracted, but something was wrong that morning. The first class was filling out waivers and everyone on desk was just doing their job like normal, taking care of the students. It wasn’t till the class had started and things had settled down up front that someone was able to pull me aside and tell me what had happened. Our friend Matt Paulsen and an incredible instuctor who had taught most of us, and inspired all of us had died.

It felt like someone had punched me in the stomach and knocked me on the ground. It was shook, like I’d never experienced before. My Grandmother had passed away not more that 2 weeks earlier, that was hard, but maybe I hadn’t given myself time to seriously mourn for it, because this was so much harder. Not just for me either, but for everyone .

We decided not to leave that night. We wouldn’t, we couldn’t. Everyone met at the hacienda that night to reflect and mourn. Even those who didn’t know Matt have been influenced by him even if they didn’t know it. There was the thought that maybe we shouldn’t even take a mountain trip, but we knew that would be wrong. “FLY FLY FLY”. If anything, that is what Matt taught me and all of us the most. He’d want us to go.... he would have taken us, and maybe that was the hardest part about it. We knew if we went, we were going to miss him even more.

July 24, 2010

The next morning we woke up and were ready to go. There wasn’t a lot of talk about it but we all knew this trip was going to be about more than just someone’s first mountain flight. It was going to be a tribute to a hero.

We were going to FLY FLY FLY.

Our first stop was Woodstock, Va. We arrived in the afternoon early enough to take flights. It was a beautiful afternoon, the sky wasn’t much wind coming up the shoot. It was great for a first time mountain launch

Top: J Tron (Jeff) and Graham Right: Tron getting ready for his first Mt flght

and sled run. Everyone got set up and did their preflights quicky and we each double checked each other.

Zack was the first off to give an example and show us how the air was. It was a solid launch and clean flight.

Jeff (J Tron) was next and then Alex “McLovin”. Graham and I were probably more stoked, watching their first flights, than were the rest of the trip. It was a feeling very contrasted to how we felt the day before. Graham took the last flight to finish the day and I drove down to meet them in the LZ.

There were smiles all around. They all had great flights and clean landings. As great as the flying was I don’t think that was the only reason we were all so happy.

We had peace.

The next day we didn’t have the highest expectations.

The conditions felt hot and humid and I didn’t expect more than sled rides but we decided try and do at least two trips to launch. So we got up there early and everyone took a sledder. I flew this time and Graham drove. We packed up quick and headed back to the top.

We thought about everyone flying this time and just hiking back up for the van because the wind was picking up. It started to look good, but we waited. It was a gust front and we watched as a storm cloud grew and came

Zack’s First flight

Left: J Tron Soaring Woodstock Right: The Crew LtoR Mclovin(Alex), Tron (Jeff), Zack, Graham

across the valley right towards us. We loaded up the gliders and got back in the van just as the rain hit. we started to head down and move on but as we got near the bottom the sky cleared and we turned around. We had to at least check.

It’s a good thing we did because it was great. Zack was first off followed but the new guys and then Graham. I debated whether I was going to set up and join them but then I saw Zack and and Graham setting up to land. I thought maybe the sky had shut down and I’d lost my chance.

When I down to the LZ however Alex and Tron were still in the air. The new guys had soared about an hour longer than Zack and Graham. They were pumped but pretty good about not rubbing it in. They could have but Graham and Zack were just as happy for them and their first soaring flight.

For not even being in the air with them I was pretty pumped too.

This was only our first stop, our plan was to make it up to Ellenville, NY. to meet and fly with the pilots there. I’d never been to New York, or

Maryland, Pennsylvania or New Jersy for that matter. Flying at Woodstock was a Trip, we were on an adventure after that. We drove all night, when I say we I mean Tron and Graham I passed somewhere in PA. We woke up on the side of the road a few miles south of Ellenville.

None of us had ever flown there before but it was hard not to notice the “Hang glider dr.” street sign. We were a little confused at first about which LZ we were in. There are two hang gliding Schools in Ellenville, right next door to each other. Rumor has it that the two schools hate and try to sabbotage each other, but they’re just that. Rumers. Of course they do compete with each other and they have their differences but everyone we met in Ellenville were pretty good people in all places, even the hospital. Yep, we visited the emergency center there.

We filled out our waivers and paid our dues and went up to launch.

We knew there was goign to be west winds but maybe there was more than we hoped for. It was a bit strong but felt pretty smooth and set up.

Again Zack was the first one off and right away went up and up. He wasn’t alone too long and this time we decided to all take off. Zac flew his own glider and Alex also had his own Falcon so Tron Graham and I were using the schools gliders. Tron on a 195 Falcon, Graham on an Eagle and me on a 170 Falcon.

Graham and I waited and assisted Alex and Tron then Graham Launch and I was last. Zack had gone pretty far south and Tron and Alex had begun to follow with much more altitude. I stayed out infront Right: Alex Soaring WoodStock Below: Breaking down in the LZ

Ellenville, NY

Above: Graham off the North Laucnh Left: Tron assited by Zack

of launch and was not there long when a bigger heavier cloud startted coming acrros the valley. I could tell this cloud was going to shut off the lift so I decided to stay put. Then I noticed, and then felt the down drafts. I was close to the hill and was able to pretty much stay parked. Alex and Tron were up high and getting higher in updrafts. Zack and Graham were further out over the valley and going down. I watched Graham set up his approach and land while Zack was getting drilled. I was trying to keep an eye on everyone while I was pinned and trying to stay out off trouble myself as the cloud passed.

The last time I saw Zack he was racing toward the LZ but was way to far south to make it with his altitude. Then I lost sight of him. I searched and searched still watching what the others were doing and still being pinned. I figured he must have gone down at the soccer field he was closest to, but I couldn’t see him. Then my phone started ringing.

I always put my phone in my back pocket so that it doesn’t get hung up in a leg loop while I’m launching and also incase I need to get to it. I was hoping it was Zack and it was. He sounded out of breath I asked where he was and he said he didn’t make it to the field. He told me he thought he broke his arm and asked me where I was. I told him and he said “oh just

keep flying”. I told him no way and before I could tell him not to move he hung up.

From the moment I’d answered the phone Training and muscle memory had taken over. From where I was I could have made it to the field he missed I also thought about top landing and being able to jump in the van right away but I could see Graham in the LZ and a local with a truck parked next to where he was breaking down. I pulled in and flew as fast as I could in a falcon with out loosing my glide.

I landed just a few feet in front of Graham and before he could say anything to me I cut him off with “Zack has a broken arm”. As I jump Out of my harness and flattened my glider I asked the guy with the truck if he’d give us a ride. This whole time we’re hearing sirens as ambulences pass by heading Zack’s direction.

Above: Waiting for wind to calm Right: Local in an old Comet

The local giving us a ride is Greg and the Hero of the day. He had helped us earlier at the LZ and telling us how to get to launch and was now our rescue driver. I descibed where I thought Zack was and Greg knew how to get there. I wasn’t too hard to find him, he had walked on his own toward the main road until the Ambuliences had stopped him. He refused to ride with them (thankfully) and before the EMS Pulled away they told us that they think he could have serious Injuries and to “please” take him to urgent care (good people).

Grahams training kicked in and he was taking care of Zack while I went with Greg to launch to retrieve the van. All this time We’re keeping an eye on Tron and Alex who are nearly at cloud base. When I get back to Zack Graham has a Sling made for Zack and he sounds like he is having trouble breathing.

Besides his arm Graham and I were afraid he might some rib and or back injuries.

There isn’t a full scale hospital in Ellenville Just an urgent care. I also found out on the way up to launch that thet don’t have a bone doctor either. With all Hang gliding, rock climbing, and rafting that goes on near there you’d think it would be a good idea to have one. If you need serious care or surgery you have to go some where else but based on Zack’s condition we needed to take what we could get.

Fortuenatly Zack had insurnace, and the people there were expecting him and good at understanding that he fell out of a tree (which he really did). We stayed with him till he knew he was going to be looked at and then went back for his glider. Meanwhile Alex and Tron are still soaring.

The poor glider was wrecked. Zack went in at the north east corner of the field and hung in the trees for a moment. then the branches gave out and he fell about 35-40 or more feet straight down. Leading edge, keel, battens, and control frame broken. the sail was torn in several places. The glider was left much Greg waiting for the right cycle to launch

worse than Zack. We folded up the glider and hiked it out of woods and thorn bushes. I dropped Graham off at the LZ where he waited for Alex and Tron, who were still up high, to land.

I went back to the hospital and was surprised to find out Zack was told he could leave. The Doctor told him he didn’t seem to have anything broken, he could still have some muscle and tissue damage but his back and ribs and even his arm were ok. I couldn’t believe it.

We went back to the LZ and Alex and Tron had landed. They had been oblivous to everything that had happend until then and we were all relieved that Zack wasn’t on his way to a hospital for an operation. All this had happened faster than the time it took me to write this far. It was mid day so we went and got lunch.

It’s sureal to look back on it now, after all that happened, the only thing that appeared changed was Zack didn’t have a glider and was walk-

ing around in a sling. Everyone was talking about going back up to launch after lunch. We could have end the trio right then. Left Ellenville and the impression that KHK pilots crash into trees in New York (a former instructor broke his leg in a tree landing there earlier that year). But this wasn’t a regular mountain trip, and we still had FLY FLY FLY in us.

Zack was sad, mad, depressed, and humble. He was most upset that he was done flying for a while but didn’t want us to stop because of him.

He said he’d be the driver but that afternoon I didn’t make him. We did go back up to launch and all local pilots and some visitors were there. Graham and I had talked to Zack about what he did wrong and why he had gotten trouble to begin with, but locals didn’t mind telling him again. Zack was very respectful and in turn most people were back to him and the tension that could have been there wasn’t. Zack listened and learned and also was able to share his experience, and be the good instructor that he is. I think

Above: Steve’s Launch followed

by Mclovin’s

it meant a lot for him and all of us, for him to be there and talk with the other pilots that afternoon.

The winds had picked up and there was plenty of time for us to talk and tell stories with each other. Not surprisingly Zack was not the only one there who’d been in the trees before ( and even I have a story). The wind calmed down and switched a little more north and people started taking off. Tron, Alex and Graham each took another flight. TJ’s Father Steve Baumann came and also flew. Greg and Flyin’ Brian got up above launch in their topless gliders and Greg was actually circling with a Bald Eagle (he’d earned it).

That night we followed Steve back to his place in New Jersy and his wife had prepared everyone dinner. It was amazing and the Desert was delicious. The Baumanns are wonderful people. We stayed that night at their place and all got to take warm showers. The next Morning we had breakfast with them and then went back to Ellenville for one more flight. I can’t the Baumanns enough for the generosity and hospitality.

Back in Ellenville the wind was more west and not to strong, there were a few cycles but I could tell it wasn’t going to be a big air kind of day.

Alex and Tron flew first, then Graham this time on a Falcon and then me on the Eagle.

Above and Below: Flyin’ Bryan launch and Fly by Right: Tony on Launch

Above: New Harness From CG3000 (made in NY) Right: Somewhere in PA.

We each had an extended sled ride but no one stayed up above launch very long. Each of us nailed landed inside the spot to leave a good impression. Zack met us in the LZ and we spent some of the afternoon with the local pilots, sharing more stories and thanking Tony, owner of the launch and LZ, and others for the hospitality and experience.

It was also good to see other young pilots like Brian and Justin flying well, teaching and representing the future of the sport. There is certainly Papalotes Pilots in New York. This mountian trip became much more than we could have imagined. I could never describe the range of emotions we experinced in such as short period of time. It was all unforgetable.

We left New York and headed back to the beach. On our way through Pennsylvania I woke up and looked to the west to see a valley down below.

I don’t remember where exactly we pulled off the freeway but there is a ridge somewhere on that freeway that I’m sure, in the right conditions, is soarable. We didn’t have time to do it...this trip.

-EM

PILOT

PROFILE

Doug

Johnson

From: Age: Rating: Glider:

Massachusets 23 H3 WW Ultra Sport 154

Doug is currently an instructor at Kitty Hawk Kites, He also works at the local YMCA. Part of the Green Mountain crew of KHK instructors, He is a skilled Pilot and Instructor and one worth watching. Before Hang gliding he was a serious skier, and also surfs, skateboards, rock and mountain climbs and really anything outdoors and athletic. He is also one of the toughest and hardest workers I’ve ever met. He’s been known to teach a full day of lessons on two bad ankles and then go work his other job. Living at the beach he has also become a skilled spear fisher. Doug is always up for an adventure and fun to share the air with.

HANG CHECK

Since I can pretty much do what ever I want with Papalotes 2153, I decided to add a Media Review Section. Anything insperational or note worthy should be shared with others especially if it motivates flying. This is non-exclusive, so anything from anywhere could show up. If you come accross something that papalotes should review let us know. Movies, music, books, internet sites, videos, concerts, etc.

If you haven’t heard of the Black Keys yet, you will. Be sure that when you do you go back and listen to what has led up to this Album. The music this two piece band makes doesn’t just sound good, it feels good.

This book was recomended to me by some one who had visited my website and blog. I didn’t know it at the time but Seth Godin, in a lot of ways, describes the spirit idea of what Free Flight (and Papalotes2153) is about. When I first picked it up I thought it was a sort of self-help, or marketing business type of book, and it does talk about the subjects, but is

about much more. Linchpin is about being indespensible.

This is a great book for anyone and really everyone. He writes in a way that makes it very personal, and no one is left out. Personally I enjoyed his view of art, and what art really is. If anything this book will make you want to fly even more than you do already.

F.Y.I. Francis Rogallo was a Linchpin

Editors current top 5 played songs Feb. 21 2011 Fly Me To The Moon -Frank Sinatra A Day Late -Anberlin Everything Is Alright -Motion City Soundtrack Truth Of The Youth -New Found Glory Symbol In My Driveway -Jack Johnson

AUGUST 12, 2010 Just another day on the

Dunes. The air was nice and cool and there was a light sea breeze making it perfect for flying off the main dune. Paul Had just bought his first glider.

It’s a Pulse 10 meter in very nice conditions. He was taking advantage of the good conditions to get used to launching and landing his glider and also getting ready to pass off his H2. He was kind enough to let Above: Paul, the 10m and Jr. Paul’s New Glider. Flying it off Jockey’s Ridge

Far Left: Jeff Parrot (Jr.) Left: J Tron Right: Paul Learning to fly backwards Bottom: Paul learning to monkey bar Next Page Left side: Jr. flying freestyle Right: McLovin using his feet

others fly his new glider including Tron and myself. It is a sweet glider and they don’t make many you can find like it.

Jeff Parrot was also out there practicing because he and Paul were also getting ready for their own mountain trip before the end of the summer. As the last class of the day finished more instructors showed up and we all had what basically was a session on the dunes, similar to skateboarding or surfing. We were all enjoying the great weather, perfecting skills and then showing off.

FLY FL

LY FLY IN LOVING MEMORY of MATTHEW J PAU L S E N

Tron and Mclovin over Woodstock