USHGA Hang Gliding November 1976 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

Cl( !()Ill I( 1')7?

Cround Skimmer rc>named Jiang Cliding Board of Directors, along with the editor and the Publication Committee, decided c1 name change was necessary if Cround Skimmerwas ever to go on the newsstand. With this issue we make our debut into the big time; that is, we go newsstand on a limited basis, ,.ind we'll be ng with all the establi hed special int( rest The increased exposure will be a tremendous asset to hang gliding. The narmc Cround Skimmer conceived by Lloyd Licher in 1972, reflecled the spirit of the day. The sport of hang gliding long ago left behind the naive days of" low and slow ,rnd out or control" flights. Cround Skimmer's development has been parallel with that of the sport as a whole. 0

The recent issues are as far rerr1oved from the first mimeo newsletters as modern ul·· lralights are frorn plastic and bamboo. The sport and the• magazine both have endured growing pilins ,rnd pmblerns along with triumphs and joy. Many of us feel that the name Ground Skimmer (although something of a tradi· tion) to be incongruous with what our sport, as well as our ne, is illl about In of what newcmners may think, the name was not meant foscetiously. Rela· lively fow remernber when ground skim· ming was what it was al I about, and no one flew "higher thiln they cared to fall." The will be difficult, even for those of us who em brace it, but if we didn't believe in change, we'd all be flying stancfard rogallos with plastic sails.

r I s USHGA has been successful in obtain· ing a master insurance policy which will provide personal hang gliding I iabi I ity covernge for all USHGA Full Members who pay a new dues rate of $15.00/year. The new dues rate was approved by the USHCA Directors in order that the prernium for the insurance could be paid out of the dues, and each $11.i.OO Member would automatically have the insurance coverage as one of the primary member· ship benefits. The insurance coverage is for $50,000 single-limit PL and PD, with a $250 deductible per claim. The sole exc· lusion is for instruction. is worldwide, except for restrictions in some countries with laws that make it difficult. There are no site restrictions in the US. The $1 5.00 dues became effective on September 20, 1976, for all new and renewing Members. Present members may obtain the insurance coverage by sending

$5.00 to USI-IGA to nrnke up the difference between the $10 dues last paid and the new dues rnte of $ 15; however, ii would greatly simplify office procedures if an additional amount was sent at the same time in order to maintain the current dues expiration date. A table showing the amounts desired for each membership expiriltion date is shown below. Essentially whilt it does is to renew at the new rate plus part of the $1.i.OO difference to cover the period between now and the dues expiration date. As per the USHGA bylaws, dues for Family Membe are one·half of full Member dues, hence became $7.50 on September 20th. family Members who pay the $7.50 rate will also have the insurance covernge so present ones may obtain it by sending $ 2. 50 now or the amount shown in the table for Family Members. Atthe same ti me full Member dues were rilised to $1 r, an Associate Member·-

ship category was inilugurated, with dues of $10/year. Associate Members will not have the voting privilege nor insurance coverage, but will receive Hang Gliding magazine, a membership card and a USHCA decal. This will allow nonflying enthusiasts who do not need or want insurance covernge to belong to USHGA and hilve the Associiltion represent their interests. So as to minimize the possibility that darnilge caused by a nonmember or a noninsured member could result in a clilim against USHGA because they were involved in some activity with which USHCA was connected, henceforth possession of a new rnembersh i p certify .. ing that the member has the USHGA insur, ance coverage, will be a requirement for entering il ny event sanctioned by USHGA, or earning Hang Ratings or Lilienthal Hang Awards.

for various rnembership expiration ration Date

10-76 11 .. 76 12-76

1-77

2-77

3.. 77

4-77

5 .. 77

8-77

9 .. 77

Full Member 1.5.42 15.83 '16.25 16.67 17.08 17.50 17.92 18.33 18.75 19. 17 19.50 20.00 - .. ,-.................,_ ----·Fam i Iy Member 7.71 7.92 8.13 8.34 8.54 8.75 8.96 9. 17 9.38 9.59 9.79 10.00 2

NOVEMBEF!, 1976

ISSUE NO. 4 6 NO VEMBER, 1976 EDITOR : R,ch Grigsby 1.AYOUT & DESIGN: Mark Al l i~on EDITOR IAi ASS ISTANT: Sharon Grigsby OFFICE STAFF MANAGER: Carol Velderrain, Cathy Coleman, Susan Bischof, Hedy Kleyweg, )dnei Meyer. USHGA OFHCERS PRESIDENT: Vern Roundtree VICE PRESIDENT: John Lake SECRET ARY : John H,mi, TREASURER Ll oyd Lieber_ _ _ _ _ __ USJ-IGA REGIONAL DIRECTORS REG ION I : Vern Rountlt ree, Gi l Dodgen. RC · GION 2: Le,:, Steno,, Jo hn Grace.REGION l : Ll oyd Ucher, D,in Poynter, John Lake, Chrb W ill,, REGION 4: Don Bench REG ION ~: Gary Osaba. REGION 6 : D.irry l S111i1h REGION 7: Mike Zia sk~s. REG ION 8: Tom Peghiny, D,rn Chapman. REGION 9: Vic Powel l, Chuck Sl u,arczyk. REG ION I 0: Harry Rob.b, John H,irris. REGION I I : D,ive Broyles. D IRECTORS-AT-LA RGE: REGION I : fl,11 Johnson. REGION ll: Al Mu l,1;.11. REGION 9: Denn i ~ Pagen . REG ION 11: John W hil e. HONORARY D IRECTOR : I l ugh Morion . EX OFFIC IO D IRECTOR of USHG,\ ,1> we are J d,v,sion of NAA: General Brooke Allen.

The U ni1ed State~ I lang Gliding Assoc iation, Inc., is a d iv ision of the National Aero nau ti c As~ocia tion (NAA) which is the official U.S. representat ive of th e federa tion Aerona utique In terna tiona le (FAil, the world govern ini; body for sport avia tion. The NAA, w hich represen ts the U.S. at FAI meeti ngs, has delega ted to the USHGA ~upcrvi~ion of FAl -related hang glid ing activi1,es such as reco rd attempts and competit io n ~ancti o ns. CO N SUM ER ADVISORY : HANG G LIDI NG MAGAZINE and USHGA, Inc. do not endorse or take any responsibil ity for t he products advertised or mentioned within these pages. Please consult the HMA or pi lots and dealers in your area.

HANG GllDING

MAGAZINE

CONTENTS 2.

US HGA NEWS

ULTRA LIGHT CONVERSATIO N

10.

U LTRALIGHT NEWS

11 . CALEN DAR ·13.

PRO M O

17.

HOW TO READ A SECTIONAL by John Lake

20.

CLO UD STREET MAGIC by Trip Mellinger

24.

HA NG GLI DER MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCI ATION: REPO RT by Gary Valle, President

25.

THE STO RM S OF W INDHAVEN- PART II, by Lisa Tuttle and George R. R. M artin

34.

WIN DSOCK by M ark A llison

36.

NEW ZEALAN D-ROOM TO PLAY by Jeff Campbell

40.

HANG GLI DING W O RLD RECORDS ... YOU RS FOR TH E MAKING by Vic Powell

42.

A M ETHOD FOR ACC URATE M EASU REM ENT OF GLI DE RATIO by Thomas Mi lkie

46.

BOOK REVIEW by M ike Jones

50.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

I IAN(, Glll)INt, MALA/INF" pul,l»hed fo1 h,.,nl( HIiding ""porl 4.:i. nthu,1,,.,h to Cfl',1h' l urlh1.•f ilHt·rt"'l l ii\ the '> port, ht~., n1t•.1 n, u l op,l ll c.ouuuu1HlJtio n .u,d lo , 1d\•MH l' h,H'lft t,tl1dmi,.,, 111e1hod~ ~rncl s.11cty. Contrtbu 11011:, ,Ht.' weko11u• A uyont~ ,., 111vi1ccl lo lonlohult.:

.u11clt!~. p ho lu~, .rnd dlu,11.11uui-. 1.ont.ernlng h,rnt,t ghdi l',g .1t1 1v1l1t"' · If tlw m,ueriaJ ,., In ht· rtlutrwd, .1 , 1.1mp._.,1, .;df-t1elclr.-,,.,.,fl rl'lUH'I e,wt:i.luµ.e lllU ) l he en

do,crf. HANG GLID INr. MAG1\/INE rc<erv,'< 1hc• nghl tu l'd11 lOnlrihulmm, w ht!rt! nt•u• ..s ary The A'> :.ot iallnn ,111<1 publk,11ton do no t .i:."iutnt· ri.•,p1.>n!>1bd 1ly 10, tfw ,11Jtrri,il o, up1n101h tJI <..' 001r ib u10r.,. I IANG G LI DING MACALiNE" puhl o<h,•d n1,>r11hty by 1he Un iCt:•d St.1te~ 11.,n.14 Glld111~ A1o ...oc.1,1l ion , lrll. who .. c m.-u l ,ntt s1.HfrffC'>i ' "' P.O . 8011! t,O lo~ AnAf'lt·'ii, Cali( 9001>6 ,tnd w ho!.<' of11Cl"!<i. .11c- localNI

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1u ;t1 at I o, AnH~I~, . Ca l i f IIANG GLID I NG Mt\LA.! INl:: ,~ prnlled Uy ~uidair Pr n'IIIO}l. & L11ho, AlhMnh1 ,1, l .dd ) ub~u, 1,11011 I!> .JVd dJble only ~.,. pMI oi memberi.h q1 in the USHCA, .1 member 1 00 1,oll('(I f•f1 1J1 ;:i1iur1.1I .111d ,c lt"n1tl1t tH8·""'·11u.m dl'du.:.11ed 10 e)(µlonnk ..tl l fot..eh u( fuelle::.~. \€'II

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cJes ,gn .11etl lo, ')IJb!>Ufl)ltoll tu HANG LLIDI NC., MACA/ INE. ChJ111,,•, ol .uldre,, ,t,ould l,~ ,er,1 ,,. wetik~ 111 ad\oM\ct•, 1nc l ucl 1ng n;mw, USHC.A mt•m h(•r,h,p numhc,, p 1l'v1ou, ~,nd n ew ,HM1~,-., .u'ld .a mJ1l1n.11, l ~1bcl lrom " n ·<. 1.-•n t 1,\u<'

HANG GLIDING

COVER: Blair Trenholme flying at 10,000 It., over the Sou thern Alps o f N ew Zealand 1n a film to be released soon titled "Off the Edge." See story on Page 36. The color covEH was donated by Seagull Airc raft and Pen tacle Films Limited. Photo by Gavin W ills.

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Dear Editor, I would like to clarify some questions hrought up Brian Porter in "Rigid Wing Discrimination", (Ultralight ConvPrsa-tion, Sept. GS). The name of our meet was the Telluride Hang Clider lnvi1ational NOT the lelluride World Invitational llang Cl ider Championships. The mePt di, rectors felt that a small invi1ational was most appropriate for our flying area ;ind limited staff. We wanted to see the HGMA prosper as we believe the ideals behind such an organization are good for the sport. The directors decided to haV(' just one class flexible wings because of limited transport vehicles, limitPd take off and landing areas al Mill Creek, and because vpry few members of the HCMA produce fixed wing gliders. We, who have been involved in running meets here, have friends who fly rigid wings, and we did not want them to be left totally out. So, we wrote a letter, in May (when the other invitations were sent) to the UFM team inviti11g them to rnmP and fly exhibition and/or just for fun. We did not receive a reply to our letter, nor did any of them come. ror the records, we did not exclude the rigid wings to he discriminat·· ory. Chris Dusatko TelluridP, CO

Dear Editor, This ye;ir in tlw '76 Nationals, the competition committee changt·d the commonly known "Fixed Wi cl;iss in nomenclature, to an "Un I imited" cl;iss. The effect of this redefinition rn;ikes the fixed wing a higher class glider simply bPcause the group is now totally unrestricted. Under World rules, a competitor can move up and compete in a "higher" class if he elects to. II is my contention that fixed wings are not a higher class of glider OVERALL. I think that it is generally accepted that fixed wing gliders h;ive different flight and maneuvering charac1eristics than rogal·

los. I've seen some high perforrnance rog,illos that can out perform fixed wing designs in certain flight characteristics and maneuvers. J'.or ;ill in1en1s and purposes, rogal los al ready have an uni i mited clas;; in tlw "Unassist(id Op<!n" division. Trying 10 compete ,rnd compare the two on a tight pylon cours() under rules d(!signed for rogal is like trying to race a 000 h.p. unlimited hydroplane against a HlO h.p. out boa rd on a three acre pond. Fixed are a DIIFl:RENT class with DIFFERENT characteristics and should respectfully have their own category to compete in. A new "Unlimit(!d" category wil h its own proper set of rules is a good id('cl for the further development of gliders and the sport It should be the option of a fixed wing pilot 10 enter this category if he desires, instead of heing forced to fly his glider under a set of r11lc's that ,ire adverse lo the characteristics of his type of ship. These types of raft were the original hang-gl and form a colorful, unique minority, deserving of their own class distinction. A good example of an adverse c:ondit ion was exemplified in the '7(i Nationals' safe land rule dictated by the competition committee headed by John Lake. In gen· eral, the rule statPs that any part of thP glider mziy to11cl1 the ground, but only the pilot's fel'1 may touch. This seemed likP a logic:a I standard to operate by at the begi !Jut as the meet progressed, it bec,irne obvious th,1t this rule was a definite advantage to the rogallo designs. In the "unlimited" this rule acted as a very effective filtering device nst most of the fixed wings because of 1heir i nabi I ity to pdl'achute. Most rogallo pilots in all clas· ses, on the other hand, were quick to take advantage of the situation by parachuting down on the 'bull' from 10-40 feet up. It didn't matter how many tubes they bent or broke. only had to hold on to the clown tubes high l'.nough and tight enough so their upper body didn't crash to the ground. A typical exarnple of the unfairness was shown in a l,mding I witnessed by La Verne D<, Jan. A few seconds after a perfect l;inding, he w;is trying to halance and hold his kite without moving his feet. Ile then (continued on page 6!

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le,rned over and touched two fingers to the ground. Touching the two gave him an unsafe landing and cost him 50CX, of his score. I tis protest to the head of the competition committee was to no avail, and meanwhile pilots continuerl crashing down on the target for so,callcd "safe" landings. This situation WdS frustrating to many pilots in the unlimited class. It also made a poor showing to the thousands of spectators who didn't understand the landing rules. The judges in the t;irgct area announced the scores th rough a loudspeaker as ''safe" or "unsafe". This was confusing and appeared to be unfair by most on look· crs. Without success in getting the landing rules improved, the announcing procedure over the I'./\. system was altered to be broadcast as "sc:on,d" or "unscorcd" landings. It was request Pd sever a I ti mes during the nwP1 th,il the landing rules be changed to 111,ike ii fair for ,di pilots. After nll, they moved pylons and changed flight tasks be· tween rounds thn>ughoul the nine day meet; why couldn't we have just one round of foir landing rules? 13ut the acbmant head of the cornpelition commiltee wouldn't budge on the rule change'. His inlerest in om· of the camps competing appeared, to me, lo IJP more than just casual. The first cut came ,1fter lhe fourth round and Pliminated four fixed wing pilots from the fifteen unlimited class (!lltries. Those eliminated wPrc: Hill Johnson Icarus V, Brian [Jorter Easy Riser, Steve P,itrnont MitchPII Wing, and Butch W,1llers Quicksilver. l1ad the four Wills Wing rogallos not been ,ii lowed lo enter in this srn,ill calcgory, it would have served the s,m1e purpose as the cut. If this situalion is allowed to continue, the unique fixed wing class wil I become me,iningless when overrun by sheer numbers, and raped of its identity by political rn,ineuvcring. Many people who saw the obvious ine· quitics in the manipulalion of the fixed wing category, signed a forrn,11 protest. Th(! signatures included those of ahout ten fixed wing pilots, several meet officials, and the rest were lhe meet, a total of sign,itures froin n1eet officials and competitors. The protest w;is presented and read at the LJSHCA board of directors meeting in Clwhalis, W,ishington following the meet. Why allow comnwrcial interests to take

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advantage of a semantic loophole, or play on words, with a promotional efforl? If inequities such as thesparen,it corrected for future compelition, the whole idea of fixed wing competition in the existing "unlimited" class will be a farce. Since the world hang-gliding cornmunity looks tO·· wards the United States for guidance and leadership, I hope that this prolest has in .. itiated some corrective action by the corn .. petition committee. If it has not, WHY ,NOT? Scott Price Morton, Wash.

Dear Editor, I just finished reading my July CS with the usual anticipatory rush, and I would like to comment on its general excellence and several points discussed in particular. Stan Hall's article was concise, easy to read, and provided useful information as well as an all too telling admonition. When I first subscribed to I remember saying to myself, "I wish it had articles on a par with Hal l's in soaring .. " In defense of the new crop of designers involved in hang gliding, some of whom I know, I must say they got the sport where it is now. When I first became interested in ultralight design (which was soon after many noseins on a standard rogallo) I sought the advice of those more learned in aerodynamic matters. Almost universally they were unable to help in a substantive way. The airfoil people said that no one knows what happens at those reynolds numbers. The stability people said little more than "reflex". The help I got from the truly knowledgeable ones was the admission that they knew nothing at all about the problem. So, Mr. Hall, like you I went back to the yellowed pages of the NACA reports as well as the NASA reports on rogallo research. As long as some would interpret that brickbats are being tossed around, I would like to comment on your generation of de .. signers. (While this may seem to turn this discussion to an over 30 vs under 30 con .. fl ict, I hope that interpretation is not read into my ideas.) Design competence, to me, seems to come with experimentation and time. Certainly it is expected that you, Mr. Hall, should be able to design a magnifi .. cent ultralight and I'm sure you have. And the Mitchell Wing is but a precursor of advanced types to come from hands. Remember the 50's and 60's? Rememberthe rogallo research? The greatest

hits of those decades became the standard rogallo hang glider, that many pilots flew. Remember how dangerous they were? Remember how many people died? Where were the rogallo researchers who understood the problem and aerodynamics that could have designed our second and third generation parawi ngs before any were ever sold to the public? Clearly, I would cast considerable question on the whole aerodynamic group who seemed to prefer to ignore hang gliding except for occasional laughter (which still goes on). History shows that perhaps the bulk of research, at least with regard to the> pa raw .. ing, was and is being done by sail makers, aerial athletes and those attracted to the sport who studied other disciplines. Many excellent parawings are now being sold with respectable performance and controlability as a result of their efforts. Please keep writing articles, Mr. rial I. Clad to see you on the hill, finally.

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Dear Editor, I would like to take this time to extend a bit of pilot feedback. I have been over .. whelmed by the excel lent qua! ity of Cround Skimmer and the USHCA in general. Not only are the articles interesting, but also extremely educational. I greatly appreciate the effort everyone is putting into each CS. The articles on flying sites around the country, wrap-up on rneets, and especially the articles on glider design and aerodynamics I find to be outstanding. I truly feel that GS has helped to make me a more knowledgeable and competent pilot. I would also like to hail the USHCA for continually taking steps toward the im .. provement of hang gliding as a sport. Hang ratings, instructor certifications, support for the HGMA, and sponsoring meets are all areas where the USHCA has greatly influenced gliding toward the better, and I thank you. I am very much in favor of elimination matches and I also think that the idea of a national fly-in to the next Nationals is fantastic. Michael J. Slottow Boulder, CO Have something on your mind? Hang we/comes letters to the editor. Please address your letters to Hang Cliding % USI-ICA, Box 66306, Los Angeles, CA 90066.

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NOVEMBER, 1976

FINAL

Representatives from 1 of America's leading hang glider manufacturers met at Telluride, Colorado on August 19th to form a new Hang Clider Manufacturers' Association out of its the Ha nggl ider Manufacturers' Association. The meeting was held in conjunction with the 1976 Telluride Invitational. After the meeting was called to order by Mike Knauss outlined the purposes for forming the new · which incl udcd the following: become the official liaison between sport and government, eslablish rational discourse, renew common ties hetween manufacturers, develop i nter--i nd ustry and i nternationa I trusl and gain federal support of HCMA guidelines. To help further these purposes a number of actions were taken. it was voted to consider a proposed set of new glider specifications for a period of 30 days, after which comments will be consolidated for subsequent ratification. Dues were set at $100 per year for member firm,s (hang glider manufactur-· ers); with associates (hang glider acces· sory manufacturers) paying $50 per year. Funds wi 11 be used for normal business expenses plus such things as a quarterly newslelter, educational effor1s, informational fliers, research programs, advertis· ing and legal services. It was decided to set aside25'!'o of HCMA revenues to aid rnernbers. Officers of the new I iGMA, as elected at the meeting, are: Cary Valle, President; Mike Riggs, Vice-President; Trip Mellinger, Secretary; Bill Liscomb, Treasurer. The directors serving on the new board are Dan Johnson, Torn Peghiny, Chuck Sluzarsky and Brian Jensen with Burke Ewing as alternate. The meeting concluded with members present feeling positive about the new organization's great potential to be of ser·· vice to the hang gliding community. 10

The First Annual F.A.I. World H,rng Cliding Championshios was held in l<ossen, Austria 1 1 The contest was decided by Conditions were excellent, with sun for (i out of IO rhe American team had trouble with spot landings, and g('rierally didn't place as as last year. Rob Reed led the Americans in Class 1, placing 9th. Steve Moyes from Australia was 3rd in Class 2, with Roland Davies leading the Americans placing 7th. Scolt price took 2nd in Class 3. Next year' World Competition will be in South Afri a, which already ha $250,000 to put it on. They will have a tough act to follow, as this was perhaps the best run competition to date. The complete story and photos from Kossen will follow in nexr·month's issue.

(Albuquerque, New Mexico)- --Larry Newman, President of Electra Flyer, an-· nounced the addition of Dan Johnson to the management staff as a consultant. Johnson, 2B, is presently owner of a Chattanooga retail hang glider shop known as I Air Sports. He writes regular features for the Glider f<ider and Hang

C/iding Johnson's in aviation is extensive. I-le holds a Commercial Pilot's License with Instrument and Instructor endorsements. In powered aircraft he has accu mu I ated over 1300 hours air time. Newman added, "Dan has a perspective we need here at Electra as he has spent his three years in gliding as custorner, school director, retail salesman, wholesale distributor, and original equipment manufacturer." Johnson will direct the development of a comprehensive dealer/distributor network for Electra Flyer, wh9se sales involve some 3B states and nine countries. Advertising, industry communications, and public relations wi 11 also become the responsi bi I ity of Mr. Johnson.

Pl111:e

CLASS 1 (STANDARD) Name Nation Austria Austria Australia Switzerland W. Germany G. Britain W. Germany Austria USA Canada

Polnt11

1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Mair, W.

Place

Name

Nation

Polnt11

Delore, T. Kupchanko, 0. Moyes, S. Thevanot, G.

New Zealand Canada Australia

458.82 450.11 438.32 405.19 372.96 366.4-0 364.17 361.86 347.05 330.77

455.05 436.04 432.41 428.51 418.08 389.12 370.46 356.58 355.16 329.38

CLASS 2 (OPEN) 1.

2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7.

8. 9. 10.

R. Waldstattan, G. Bird, G. Rithner, E.

France

Austria Norway USA Austria New Zealand Switzerland

CLASS 3 (RIGID WING) Place Name 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8.

9. 10.

Price, Hofstetter, 0. Vayda, T. Thun, P. Schlommer, J. Badino, A. Belin, J.

Nation

Points

Australia USA Switzerland USA Italy Austria

415.38 403.19 396.80 373.07 368.75 357.11 340.80 338.99 336.57 334.08

Franca

lichteneggar, K

Belgium Austria

Carr, J.

G. Britain

W.A. Allen In-Fl Variabl<:> Billow A new Eastern U.S. duration record of eight hours is being claimed by Rick Roelke, of Rhode Island, flying a "Martin" variable-billow rogallo of his own design at Massachusetts, on August, 19, 1976. Cod sand Rick took off from the dunes al I 0: 30 A.M. It was in the back of his mind tot ry 10 beat the existing record of seven hours, ten minutes, but "if I'd plan ned for it, it wouldn't have happened." Five hours into the adventure, he decided to go for it The landing was at 6: 30 P.M. to deliberately hit eight hours even. The wind was a smooth, steady 2.5 mph crossing the ridge line at 30° to 60°. A typically good Cod day except that it w,is sunny whereas favorable winds here normally accompany cloudy, often pre-· cipitous skies. After lwo hours the wind chill factor in a temperature of about 65° made flying u ncornfortable unti I the sinking sun appeared from behind the sail. Rich describes a feeling of "omnipres(continued on page 12)

NOVEMBER 1976

trzi nsluccnt wing turning slowly above the crowd, ec1ch movement ified by tlw strains of I landel's Wat<>r Music. l he subjec1ive na· ture of j ng the evc)nt was controlled as mu h po ibl the use of an scoring format. A panel of The warm above Ml. Cranmore in sev('ll j each n flyer or Mt. Washington Val of New w,1lclwd ;i11cl scored the flights from wl're filled with rn11sic for thP .lrd rming of the d(;rial maneuvers to tlH· landings. Scores fro111 zpro to lt•n with high and low scon•s dropped and the remaining five added. In each class the h sel of scores per flight was norover I he spec· rnalized to 1000, permitting equitable less the cl,1ss of glider lwing a new concept in com- scoring ng in tlw east: flying flown. As ii turned out, the final scores in the F tyl<· Event, a well a the Du rat Events earlier, produced lose scoring between standard and open cl;iss But of perhaps equal importance, the i 111 ri nsic bt',HJly and grace of hang gl idi ng were in what can only be described a•, an "artistic" evPnL A vole of thanks goes to Bill Allen and the other j who added the human Pleglid competition. mPnt lo Following the flying at Mt. Cr.in, more, wNe treated to free flying al con· olfwr People School locations in the air conditions and all hut t'limi area. rlw results of the 3rd Annual Mt. fli result of Washington Valley Hang Cliding ionships appear below.

Polnt11

Horizon Kestrel

Bobcat II

HANG GLIDING

3821 3737 36137 36::18 3629 3628 35613 35313 3523 3510

3759 '.14:~ 3216 3211 3137 3065 3037 3031 29B2 2979

OWNERSHIP, MA,NA.GEMENT CIRCULATION (Act ol August Section 36B5, Title 39. Unttod States Code.) 1. Title of publication: Grouncf Skimmer. Date of filing: Sept ifi, 1976. 3. Frequency of issue: Monthly. Location of known office of publication: 11312112 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 66306, Los Angeles, CA 90066). Location ol the Headquarlers or general business offices of the publishers: 11312V2 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066. (Mailing a<I-· dress: P.O. Box 66306, Los Angeles, 90066). Names and addresses of publisher, editor, and managing editor. Publisher· United States Hang Gliding Association, Inc., Box 66306, L.os Angelos, CA .~0066. Editor and Managing Editor: Richard Grigsby, 9218 Slater Terrace, Chatsworth Lake, CA 91 311 7. Owner: Unrtoo States Hang Gliding Association, Inc., Box 66306, Los Angeles, CA 90066. Its officers are; Varn Roundtree, Presi·· dent, 30003 112th St, Auburn, WA 98002; John Lake, Vice President, 1418 Bank St, #5, Pasadena, CA 91030; John Harris, Sacrotary, P.O. Box 386, Nags Head, NC 27959; Lloyd Licher, Treasurer, ·12536 Wood· bine SL, Los Angelos, CA 90066. B. Known bondholders, mortgages, and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: none. 9. For optional complcition by publishers mailing at the regular rates (Section 132.121, Postal Service Manual) 39 U.S.C. 3626 provides in pertinent "No person who would have been entitled lo mail matter under former section 4359 of this title shall mail such matter at the rates provided under this subsection un· less he files annually with tho Postal vice written request for permission lo mail matter at such rates." 10. In accordance with the provisions of this lute, I hereby request permission to mail the publication in Item 1 at the reduced postage rates presently authorized by 39 U.S.C. 3626. Signed by: Richard Grigsby, Editor 11. Extent and nature of circulation: (A) Total no. copies printed: 7,683 av.Imo. precadin9 mo.; 8,500 for issue #44. (B1) Paid circulation through dealers & carriers, street vendors counter sales: B2B av.Imo. preceding 12 mo., 1,068forissue #44. (82) Paid circulation, mail subscriptions: 5,526 av.Imo. preceding 12 mo., 5,838 for issue #44. (C) Total paid circulation: 6,354 av.Imo. pr&· ceding 12 mo.; 6,906 for issue #44. (D·1 and D2) Free distribution by mail, carrier or other means: 1) samples, complimentary, and other free copies, 2) copies distributed lo news agents, but not sold: 66 av.Imo. preca<:l· ing 12 mo.; B1 for issue #44. (E) Total distribution: 6,420 av.Imo. preceding 1 mo., 6,987 for issue #44. (F1) Office use, lelt·ovar, unaccounted, spoiled after printing: 1,210 avJmo. preceding 1 mo.; 1,513 for issue #44. (F2) Returns from news agents: avJmo. preceding mo.; 0 for issue (G) Total: 7,683 av.Imo. preceding 12 mo.; B,500 for issue #44. I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Signed by: Richard Grigsby, Editor.

(continur•(

enn''' as he watched others him, a few corning up briefly to visit, bur none st,1yi ng in the ;,i r for very "After ,iwhile I ft!ll as if I lived there." The "Marlin" is Rick Roelke's own one-of-a-kind design with a douhlt'· surfaced sail and an in-flight variable billow system for directional and palh control. In this effort he has been encourand largely fin,mced by Inc. ThPAR6.3crafl haoa 36·····ft. span, I 10° nose, 9Sft. root chord, and 210-sq. ft. ;nea. Rick flies it al a wing loading of I. 17 ft. and feels that ils nr>1rln1,m:11HT hPsl production high los in every way save rn,dn,·mH)('/> Cdll be varied limit• in flight between its best sink c1nd best LID possibilities. The billow is varied in independent foot stirrups cial supine harness by,"'""·" tri,!s. To initiate a left lurn, more pn:ssure is applied to tlw ldt stirrup than to the Conrwcting li1ws to the right sail pull some billow out of iL fhat ma nee is improved, making it fly taster and more efficiently than the left sidt'. This rolls and turns the to the left in coordinated fcishion without any shirt. Even pressure to both stirrups c;iuses both wing sides to become rlalter, and the LID lo improve, while: less or no pressure the glider back lo slow •;peed characteristics. A nine-ft. "floating keel" of 1112" x .039" tubing is sc!Wn inlo each wing nP,H and almost parallel to the tell····fL keel, A simple and lrouble.free sys· tern of pu 11 eys routes the control Ii nes from the stirrups lo the back of lhe harness and tfwn 10 11w keel. A mc>chanical advantage of four aids in pul I ing each "floating kef:I" toward thP true keel, out the sail on a chosen side. Rick Roelke, age 22, originally of Clastonbury, Connecticut, is a senior at the Rhode Island School of Design, m;11nr111P

in video arts. He has heen flying hang gliders for about I 1h years. The "Martin" h;id been airborne for about two rnonths at the tirnE of the flight. fhis ho1irs in dur,1tio11 a seven-hour, ten minute flight by Scott Buclianan at 5,9(14'"ft. Crandfather Mountain in North C1rolina. Whde perhaps le'.,s aesthetic to some, the 1 ;>().ft, sand dune ridgr· (with ;1 s1Jrious 20-ft, low point) of Cape Code soared hy Rick probably nets him some sorl or world record for longest duration over the lowest geographical prominence.

Oct. 23·24, Hang Gliding Meet at Tuts Hang Cl ider fleave>11. Pi lots' meeting Fri·" day, Oct. 22, 7:00 P.M., at Dillard Motor ueu11"uc1. Cash prizes: 1st place $1.'500, 2nd place $1,000. 3rd place $200. For further inforrna· $'500. 4th tion c;ill (404) 7B2,3690.

TYPE: Wills Wing SST, serial #807, without control bar. SAil PATTERN: All white sail with mange, ,'I,, yellow panel. WHEN & WHERE: September 27th, Utah. WHO TO CONTACT: Wasatch Wings, Inc. (801) 266"2922. TYPE: 1 B' Homebuilt, Eipper standard. SAIL PATTERN: From keel out, lime green, gold, red-orange, gold, lime green. DISTINGUISHING FEATURE: Keel, lead· ing & cross tube painted school bus yellow. WHEN & WHERE: Stolen July Hl, from a Los Angeles garage. WHO TO CONTACT: Melvin Ford, 1136 A, E, Washington Ave., Fl Cajon, CA 92020. (714) 444-082H. TYPE: Cumulus VB" SAil PATTERN: Dark blue cenlH panels & leading edges and tip pockets. 1crom keel out, lime, yc>llow and light blue with soaring windows. WHEN & WHERE: June 30th, Sylmar, CA. WHO TO CONTACT Jim Thornp on ( J) 3(, 1,47137. IV. SAIL PATTERN: KePI Purple, orange, lime, purple leading pocket with orange tips. DISTINGUISHING FEATURE: Seat padded with leopard cloth. WHEN & WHERE: Stolen April 30 from house in Portland, Or. WHO TO CONTACT: Craig Ashford, (503) 2B 1 1484.

TYPE:

November I I, The rirst Pan American Hang Cliding Championship in Santiago Chile. A is offered which includes meals and transportation . (NovPmber is Springtime in Chi IP). RPgist," ration limited. For information contact USHGA, Box 66306, L.A. 90066, and/or Vicente Arce R., Casilla 5524, Santiago, Chile.

TYPE: Eipper Standard. SAIL PATTERN: lntricatP painting on sail by artist,owner Mendij. WHEN & WHERE: Stolen May 4th, at Sylmar, CA. WHO TO CONTACT: John Davis (213) 643-2464 or (213) 973-5032.

May 14·22, 3rd World Open I tang Gliding Ch<1rnpionships, Country, lrabuco CA 9267B. $2'5. entry fee. For more information call (714) 5B6,7%4.

As a sPrvice to the hang gliding com· munity, we are publishing (free) information on stolen gliders. If your wing is missing, .wncl us a complete description and a photo if possible along wi1h your address and phone number.

E! Ir OTlltl/S Arn 1IYING HIGHrn AND IONGFI< fl!AN YOU /\RF, M/\YBI YOIJ NIFD Bmrn CONTrWL or YOUI< All/ Sf'Fr:D, ASI< Yfi[JR DF/\1 rn /\BOUI Tllf

Increase L/D by 7 -20% by stream· lining glider cross bar and post. f=oarrdillod streamlining fairings woigh only 10 oz. per 4-ft. section. Sized to fit 1", 11/8", 1-1/2", and 1 ·5/8" tubing. Available in black, white, blue, red, or yellow. 4-ft. sections shipping per set.

each plus

LAMINAR SYSTEMS P!eosc ~pricify !ype hornr;~s 1 qlick1, & rnf9r

MEHIL ENTERPRISES

rliqllt Plilce, Westchester, Cl\. 90045

5645 Ave. de Vinedos Anaheim, CA 92807 NOVEMBER, 1976

lOO times brighter

To rnecl tlH' demand for an emergern:y

than ;111 ordinary flasldighl may well [)(' a

hack up syslPm asked for cross co1mlry pilots, "Delta Wing Kill':, & I Inc"

A blink

manufacturer of the Cirnis rdt>ases d new option ck-to increas<> structural of lhe loads. spar under [he strul kit featurPs as tfw strut, wire set, ,rnd nylon fitting can bl' installed on any existing Cirrus This brace threads di 011 to the top of the diffusor which curlensio11s the at a ninety down position. Materials include stainle;;s steel strut, white 1/16" slainli•ss t thP s,1me nylon used on thP Pxisl-·· ing posts. The result is coordinatc•d ,ir1d set of hardware tint retains a clean appearance. The time necessary to instal I tlH· option is less than fivt' minutes, and can be done customer, without sail frame disassembly. new option will II for $40.00. ,md site testing indicates the strut will <1ssure no distortion 10 the even under unusual and adverse loading of the wing from nPgative (i inverted sai I with pressure applied to the upper

way lo help ;ivoid mid-air collisions between h,rng gliders and other air-· crafl. The Strobolite liy HoneywPII could enable others to spot your kite from miles ,iway in any direction. Operating up to seven hours 011 two alkaline "C' batteries at room temperature, it should last as long ny flight re I lo make. The device i also and floats upright par1ially out of the water while flashing but do test it in the bathtub instead of making water binding. Weighing in at 011ly 11 ounces with batteries, 1his electronic light measures 6" Y/' x I 't,," dnd has flash ratP ranging lietween

with "l',ir;ichutPs, Inc." have dea prototype> which will be m,i kel<•d in tfw very ne,ir future. This deceleration device (similar to ,1 par;ichute) has been proven during an tensive t ting program in Elsinore, California where c1 hel was tised to drop d glider while data (rate of fest pilots involved in n•sc•;irch ,ind devclopmenl programs for diffc•ren1 kite manufacturers have .i need for a light (less 1ha11 six I low volume canopy that can be used to lower glider .ind pilot at a reasonable 1;11e of dPsccnt (lc>ss than ft/sec.). This system Rich Piccirilli, Master P,uachute #19B49B , meets all of th above parameters. For more deta·1 cont<1ct Inc., f'.O. !fox l)c)lla Wing l<ites & C,I 4fU, Van Nuys, California 9140B. work

The latest innovation from Manta Products is the use of "heat shrink" at various cable attachments points. Manta s,ay the flexible material has many important prevents twisted tangs/ thimbles; makes set-up tects cable around from ovals and

rhe over with

HANG GLIDING

clean. material he ovals

60 and 1 flashes per minute. The Strolm-

A basic flight manual;

lite, and warranted by lloneywel I, i now available for $ 1.50 th Viness S;,le, Co., P.O. flox f,14-!,

autt1oritative, compact, concise, complete. $1.50 postpaid. (Californians add .09¢ sales tax).

91 10.

The first complete book on root launched ultralight flight. 6th revision, 205 pages, over I 00,000 sold! $5.95 postpaid. (Californians add .:36¢ tax). The only book on tow launched hanrJ tlliding. 2nd revision, 102 pages, over 12,000 sold! postpaid. (Californians add .24¢ sales tax).

U.S.A.

[) DISTRIBUTORS

I Gary, Slnet, tatkin(l to. you last, I've put a few more hours on tho glider here on the and am more and more impressed with the sink rate roll every time I fly. My last flight was in a 25 mph on a 100' was an hour In the air. Another day, I soared a dune in a 1lH.5 I couldn't have done either flight wittto.ut the Strato'~ lateral and low

sink rate. The

Gary, Wl1en I owned 17' standard l coniined my !lying to intermediate hills. I simply clid not feel comfortable with the conditions often found at the more aclvanced sites. My best frleml and constant oorrwar,lon became disillusionecl with sport and gave up his In favor of a sailplane. In flying that for over ayear the OOly m.anuever we perfected was landing. a j~w months ago I purchased my Strato. Thi$ new h~S'OiltHH,d cloors llil1Y1ligbt I ha.dn 't dreamed pos1,ibl~: for

s,,ries of

AERONAUTICAi. SYMBOLS AERODIWMES AfRO!W()M[S Wl[H fA(l!l!ll-S LAND

ld:RODROM! S WI rl-l f M[:RG['N(Y OR NO rAClllfir'.,

C1v I

lirnd <,urf(1uid ':i()() f(•(•l IOl\(J

WATLI(

nnd free without restrict ions.

rts usPd by pilots govcrnrnenlal nd lhe Sectional the most glider pilot interested in avoiding of Section Is re

ArRODROM!

[)AlA

ll!U!

Ml rr

118 3

11:

United

RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION AH!l COMMLJNICATIOl'i llOXrS

les

VI IF OMNl flANGf- (VOR}

Alt,111d<> redProl A1,woy, (!I\'

Lrw

1rd1u.11Pd liy

V3 (V1;pwt1,-:, tJl\d floo1 700 f,,r,I (I\Jov<• w1fo,,,

rlooro oll,.., d,rn1 /00 ft•(·I

Floo, I '?00 ler·I (1bov!'

or I ?0·'.)

ci\io1,· <,111fo(c

Only llw {rn\11ollr•d qnd

All(!'OPl

I fV\f ! IC AR[ AS

Other A1r1lo11 (110 11(1fhl

OBSrnUCTIONS

l/\ M."

I 000 ft>r>t nnd h,qhP1 AC>l

l 000 fr:el AGI

1',20 II(

Group Oh~trucl,on

MISCELLANEOUS iS(\(JUl\l{lHl<

Ro1nl,nu l1qh1

llush1<\(Jl,qlil

Rotol1r\fJl1ul,t

Mor111<' l,qht

l'<l\'>

to ing rcflt!ctors for sunny strobe lite for overcast to You don't have to wait for tlw HANG GUr:JING

Mor 11"

Rnd,uL,,mon

Aeronautical symbols

Secliom1I Chart.

(Its>(!,

The heaviest traffic is near airports. All airports are shown on Sectional charts. Major airports should be totally avoided. There can be no rational reason for mixing large aircraft (they leave a wake which can linger many minutes and trawl both vertically and horizontally) and hang gliders or ultralight aircraft. Aside from the fact that larger planes can kill you, they also have problems. Even if they miss you, their evasive tactics can injure or kill sorne innocent stewardess who is working and can't be held by a seat belt. Hang gliders must stay away from control zones. A little less than 20 miles southwest of Palmdale is Agua Dulce Airport. The chart tells us the airport is 2680' above sea level and the runway i about 5000' long. It has no control zone. In facl, it has no radio, tower, lights and it is in the middle of no· where. You might assume that there would be little traffic. You'd assume wrong and this is where common sense comes in. First, it has 5000' of runway n13ki11g it attractive for light planes and twin ne aircraft. Sec· ond, the foci that it has no tower makes i1 nice for students who want to practice landings without having to bother with a tower. Finally, it is close to four or five very busy controlled airports that can send their students there. Generally, traffic around uncontrolled airports will be circulating in a paltern, either left or right, at heights of BOO lo HlOO' Planes just arriving will take a look by flying ovN at around '1500'.Singleengine in small twins, will involve some low flying and the pilot will be busy. Airports have practice a rcas. These are areas over sparsely settled terrain where pilots µractice. These areas are not on the charts. Inquiry at the local airports is the way to learn aboutthem. In practice areas you can encounter aircraft at any of the lower altitudes. At ground level they might be shooting approaches for simulated forced landings. Anywhere below a thousand feet you'll find them practicing rectangular courses, etc. Above that, they'll doing stalls, 7 Chandeland slow flight. Above 18

that, they 111 be doing and various aerobatic exercises. They can come at you from all directions. The best reason for ng through the power plane student phase of flying quickly is that you can stay the hell out of areas. If there are mountain near airports, look out for the saddles in the Power planes love to through them almost as much as they love to fly very low along beaches rivers.

Along with airports, you rnust avoid areas. They are there for a reason. For instance, notice R--2515, northeast of Palmdale. This area is used by Edwards AFB. You could meet almost anything as it is the Air Force Experimental Test Station. Other reasons for restriction might inc I ude bombing ranges, artillery ranges, ranges, low level supersonic flight. etc. Looking at Palmdale Airport again, ng eastward is a broad line tiNOVEMBER, 1976

will corr1e frorn tfw Ec1sl and when you are near odd thousands of feet the trdf.. fie will tend to corne frorn lhe West Sun does blind pilots, so in lhe l,ite afternoon to avoid all your tirne at even thousands and in the mom try to avoid odd thousands of feet. Of cm1rse, ;111 these altitudes refer to sea level. look at V 1 southwest from Palmdale. It reaches a point caHed ill more. Notice the compass rose with an omni radio symbol at lhC' center. Avoid any radio aid such as this Power pilots converge on these like' moths to a flarne. Fillmore' is espe·cic1lly wi Id. Notice that V 12, V:i 1 B, V1 V-1 VV-107W and V-299 all rneet al f=illrnorc. Many power pilots take r1,c,Du,,over omni stations If airway intersections l1avl' arrows and a narne, such Twin L,1kcs on V-51 B, east of Fillmore, I are used as navigational points for instrument flight. Be advisc'd that there is a lot of instrurT1e11t (I pl,111 done in clear air. My own when flying visual flight plan in powPr· is to stay lo the of airways and never cross a radio facil on the nose. A11 of th is Iea v cs rn o st of the co u n tr"y to us. The port ion oft he LA. Sect used a ;i sample here, i crowckd. If we avoid ,md con· trol zones, there should be little conflict

This is what Sectional chart looks like The sliciw11 is jusl north of Los Angeles where many lon(J distance flights have LJeen Bold letters refer 10 rlescrit.mrJ in the 21r1icle. A Aqua Dulce Airporl. R Flestricled mer1 Palmdale airport anc1 V-1 airway D Filmore. 1:: !win Lakos intersection. ElolrJ nurntJom on sectional refor to popular flyinq sites I Sylmar Avo. Mrnmtain. !\ Mt Lukrn1s. 6 Cmstlino.

HANG GUDING

tledV1 ltisana detem1incdby radio facilities. These aerial highways arf' very definitely used. Avoid thern as rnuch as The day will come when you have to cross thcrn There are rules as to the altitudes planes hut they do not apply to climbing or· descending and you can't just hold one altitude in a hang glider anyway. The best pol would be to cross irways at 90 to across as fast as possible. When you are at even thousands of feet more traffic

according to its obvious· ness from tlw air. A I ittlc road wil I look irn port it nt when a lone in the country. !andma such as ' railand isolated highwc1ys are frequently followed airplanes especially those flying at lower c1ltitudcs. Generally the will tend to the right side in side• side ai the pilot sits on the left side. You are not going to he able to read a charl while in the air. However, it would be smc1rl to a flying ,1rec1 bPfore going out 011 cross country flights. Plan ,HPi1S you want to avoid. Midair collisions are not uncommon they can really spoil yom 19

By Trip Melli

Vi,,w from Cerro Cordo New York Butte (prominent peak) and Inyo MountJin range. Photo: courtesy Delta Wing,

The the conception on July 5th when Craig Frernrning introduced mp to Cprro a 9,128' n1ounta n lo-· cated in the Inyo Mountains in Eastern California. The vertical is 500' requiring about a 5 to I to fly outthrough the desolate dry mountains lo the floor of the Owens Valley. Until that no one had flown Cerro but now ten pilots h come frorn Los to test its I. For sorne of us it was soarable and I was 16 miles up the landing. The site really me, ly when I found out that con20

ditions that

were not

Back in Los I immediately n research the site for a possi·· ble cross-coun record . The first was to purchase lopography maps of the Inyo Mountain The maps indicated that Cerro was an excellent starting point because of its location at the southern of the range. The only I antici the fl would be Pass that the Inyo range from the White Mountain range; with forrnidable White Mountain ( 14,000') forming the northern 11 i 50 miles to the

Gene Blythe. Photo by Tracy Knauss NOVEMBER, 1976

from so using thermal lift, lcul.ited it would be blc: lo rnakc ii lea~;\ that far,

Tlw ,HP<l described has bPen t hP CPll!Pr o[ lllilflY i record fl and the home of lhc famous Sierrc1 Wave. urhulence has been known to that ii has disin under lhe s!r(";s while al· the> wave. Also lher-

in my

drove b,Kk to

Cordo the followWPPkend, iuly l Conditions

scP1T1cd about the

SdllW

but n1y in

,..,.,,,,,n,I vn,"Mlntl<1n and c)WZJr('rJ(;SS Of

gave me added confidenu,. n o c u m u I u cl o u d s formed but I Wds still able to fly 26 m landing in lhc) desert near

U n fo rt II n

weekend I formed an The fol assault pM!y with Cene Blythe and observer Between us W<' had all llw t)quiprncnt needed includ,,,,,,n,,h,. and two to if fot('casted a low

prc,ssure sys tern rnov i ng area

011 Satu

rnorning,

urnulus

tlw ;ired. Net>dlc!ss lo say, many ing out of the Owens V;il glider pilot flying

have conH' m;1k tfw wary of

I knows ideas were deco11ve1·salion. I d prevailing wind i up feet off Ilic val· floor wfwre ;rn inversion usu· ally a shear formed from the wind lhe upper levPI westerly flow. nsP· it would bt· hest 1101 lo drop into tffr.; shear and invc,rsion lwcaus<' the ily of climbing back oul rcrnote. I !ans srnrnr:stcid slay on of the rnnunlains and frorn lw val since the side of the range thal is soared faces west, the best thermc1I flying middle to l,1te afternoon The lee side of the range 1n,,u,1c1:~ notorious sink and I was to avoid it. With Hans' stories of fantastic soar-

!rip Mellinoer Photo by Tracy Knaus:; HANG GLIDING

Moll in om 1m-)1xm,s to lc1L1ncl11rom Cerro C3orclo witli ""·'''"' 1 ' n0r, Imm Jmry ,Jacobson. 1'11010: 0

comtc,sy Delta Wino town called I encounJ('red sorne turbul('nce on this fl and flew out into the Owrns ValA me the

clouds were forming over the motm· tain•; and conditions looked . We flew twict>that but were unable to go any further than I miles. We did have tfw

a sail-

fly over us at Cerro Cordo travclI knew that a SO rnile flight Wils just around lhP corner. The past two flights had ,Hided to my respect for the area and I knew more was needed for my nPxt . The first item on rny list was to put wing posts on rny Phoenix 6B to help strn,,othnn my glider and decrease my fears of the turbulenc:c>. Next I purchas1:d a clc water bottle and snake bile kit in I landed in remo1e area. Some of the areas I had been flying owr would n·d at least two to hike out.

up-r,inge the way we wanted to go. still s<1tisfied with great of flying, we out in the Owens Val and looked forward to lhc next We woke up morn to beautiful loud street that was de n along our planned roule. up the switch-backs to the the rate was the temperature At dust dev· ils were off the cement slabs left from the abandoned mine shafts cumulus cloud was fonTl· and

mark average cloud base on our altimeters. When that altitude was reached, WP would fly as fast as possible through both I ifr and sink until we had rPached 12,000'. WP knew we could always find a thPrmal from that altitude. SornPtimPs we were able to fly for several milPs full speed without losing any altitude at all!

Gene Blythe launches l1is Phoenix into a thermal that took him 2000' above take-off. Photo courtesy Dfilta Wing.

ing rapidly over our Periodically we could hear the wind rurnbling up the canyons toward us. Barographs were sealed by our observer and mounted out of reach of the pilot on the gl Survival equipment and other instruments were also mounted and final pre-flight was carried out. Gene and ! both wore heavy clothing even though it was fairly warm on and almost 95 degrees in the ley below. We knew that at cloud base it would be to freezing. Gene in his Phoenix was to take off at 12: 30 PM. Fie immediately gai 2000' over Cerro Gordo, tu able to follow downwind conditions until minutes later. I lost nearly 2000' of 22

altitude soon My was sinking with my glider until I caught an 800' fpm thermal and gained almost 6 1 000 1 to cloud Now directly underneath the cloud I pul the bar in for more peed and began cruising from cumulus to cumulus toward New York Butte. It was there I met Gene circling in a thermal with an We both climbed to 4,000' then range under the Ourtechn distance in

The view wa in redible. The OwPns Val IPy lay nearly 10,000' below us to the west and the Saline Valley 12,000' below to the east. Some clouds we flew ovPr, sornp under, and some we went right through, flying as as we could. Cloud seempd to vary betwePn 13,000' to 14,000'. One timE! I saw Genp circle up and disappear into the base of a cloud. He told rne latPr that the cloud was not all that big and he wondered vyhat it would be I ikP to ride the lift to the end. He kept on circling and circling in light grey limbo until ray of sunlight began shining through. Suddenly, he popped out the top and found himself looking down on the cloud! The shadow of his glider on the cloud was surrounded by a circular halo caused by the sun's rays.

NOVEMBER, 1976

forms and acquiring rroper

tures, so il is bes! to know what you will need before you

"The

Also read

l<end al I

kins Beware' that other aircraft arl.' in tlw with you and you must prepare yom flight for gliders is rapidly becoming popular and this flight scratches the surface of what hang gliders are ca of. and I now real it's Pnnossihlc to fly over 100 miles in Mountains considering the amount of lift available during the For our next you c;:rn be sure our equ will include oxygen and CB-radios.

The tu rnost was defin our breath rnn!r."lled

ntercd What tired us the 1 . W,~ could

100 strong.

TOP The formidable Inyo Mountains earlier cfrarnalic backdrop for by Trip F1IGHT On recorcJ to iind lilt. Photos courtesy

Pine ;ibout one mile set an official National record of 47.

could not be filed for a World record because the fAI rules govern hang gl records did not into effect until 1, 1976. If you are planning lo set a record in the near future, I you read Cliding World RPrnrds" Vic Powell in this issue of 40). There is a lot work involved in filling out all the

Cerro GorcJo B. Lowest altitude 8000' prior to rnaxirnum altitude gain. C.

HANG GLIDING

In Telluride, Colorado on ·19 1976 the f-tM.A. was not rcor... it was not revitalized or renovated ... it wasn't even disbanded. A new manufacturers nrcr:>nL zation was formed and the sickly H.M.A. allowed to die arnidst pangs of disinter·est and apathy. However complex the naiure of that failure, the reason the association failed is simply stated: The manufacturers did not need the 1-/.M A.! This is not to say that a 111anufacturers nrnr;1n1zation was not needed! eventual F.A.A. regulation, in need of re·· spect and credibility within the avia-· t ion community, suffering from journa I istic sensationalism and public ridicule, striving to make the transition from ground-skimming "kites" to mountain hopping gliders the industry continues to suffer frorn past problems. In the were simply not rccogn they were not acted upon. If the new manufacturers organization is to beef fective, if the industry is to flourish, if the sport is to grow, then services must meet these needs the Hang Glider Manufacturers Association must be a service What services can the H.C.M.A. provide? Several immediately come to mind. Of three in particular would directly benefit the entire hang gliding community. We can: I.) Provide, d retain and disperse technical information pertinent to safe glider construction and operation ... Most pressing in this regard is access to a ionally supervised wind tunnel (or lenl) so that credible FACTUAL values of pitching movement over 360°of of attack, pitch darnping and many other important static and dynamic stability derivitives can be aocu1rat1elv determined. 1

Retain a public relations person (orfirm) to coordinate media exposure in the form of consumer newspaper features, radio 11 and television "talk" and 1 'news shows, and similar activities so as to enhance thP public's view and knowof the . . The survival of the sport is intimately entwined with its public and you and I know what the public thinks about hang gliding. Misconception and misunderstanding abound. I every time I am asked "What do you do if the wind stops blowing?" 3.) Provide an effective liaison be· tween the H.G.M.A. and the F.A.A ... The H.G.M.A. is presently refining a set of airworthiness standards similar in many and identical in format to those found in the Federal Air Regulations Part 23. Adoption of these standards (prior to Dec. 1, 1976) will the H.G.MA a credible base from which to work with the F.A.A. and other state and local

Certainly th re is much the H.G.M.A. can do to serve the manufacturers, the industry, and the sport just as certain, is the facl that the success of the H.G.M.A. will not hinge upon the skills or work of any one individual or any one company, but ratherthe combined lalents and efforts of many individuals, both inside and outside the gliding community. Problems define needs needs dictate services a service requires ACTION. the HGMA are taking action! We ask for your support.

Val

for the H.C.M.A.

P.S. If you have i nforrnation or skills that you feel would be beneficial to the H.C M.A in establishing nePded services or if you would just like to comment, write to: Attention· Valle H.C.M.A. P.O. Box 66306, L.A. Calif. 99006

NOVEMBER, 1976

Shall i

wi Is this the way it st>lf. Ii can'! be, No, th I rernemhc1, !\nd slw did rc'rnemlwr, Sorne1imr's slw had wc11ched llw fl could w,1lk,

w;iys lJ,, fmious, "You

l,md bound, Mari

say, after slw had adrniniste1,ed ,1 "I 11'! w;1ste you timr' with dream,, I won't hc1vP my b(' ,i Woodwi ngs,'' Thal wc1s dr1 old folk Lile; her molher told it lo her ;uww Pdch 1irnc she her on the liff Woodw n hewasn'I in a flying ily, story , he did not he wa11ted nothin his

hP built hirnsclf d beautiful

ti all wrong, Woodwings had won, Maris He had flown, if for an in all worthwhi

a stood Woodwing,,; the name had

synonyrn for fool But how could hear the story and do ng but cry/ Maris thought ot ,1 s she sat in the cold ,A1:,1,,h,,,., the old ques11or1s it, she thoughL An instant ol flighl; then death forever/ And for me, was it worth it? A dozen yeilrs of stc,rn1w1n1is and now I ife without? When Russ had first to notice her on the cliff, she was tlw child in the world. A few yr,c1rs later, wlwn he her the she joy. I ier real fat hi•1 was cle,Hl, gom, with his killed a11 angry ,1fl(•r d storm had blown him far off course 1 lwr rnother was rid of her. She at the new life 1 al the it seemed that all herd reams were crnn i ng true. w,cio1:Jw1 ni~s had the she thought then. Dream hard and ii can be yours. lfor faith had left when Coll c11'nc' 1 and she was told. Coll. canw back to Coll. I h1H HT hi aside, and watched in pence. The c;:i111e 1 M,nis knew it must. It was srr1,1ll party, though the Lands-

man himself was the host. He was man, with kind face hidden a full beard that he would mak,• him fierce. Wl1Pn hci met them at the door/ his clothes wPalth, rich emhrni., d<>red fabrics, of copper and and a 1wcklacc of n•,d 1A1rn11nht But the welcome w,1, warm. Inside the was a gn'c1! party room. Bare wooden beams abovc 1 torches flam" ing the walls, a scarlet carpet underneath. And c1 tahle, gro,ini11g u11dc1 its burden; kivas from the Shotans and own wi11cs clwcsPs flown in from Culhall, fruit from the Outer great bowls of green salad. In the hearth 1 ;i turned on a spit. Their land-bound friends were, all tl1erc 1 and they clustered around Coll 1 nltnnno Some of them even felt rnmr,n111,.,,i to talk to Maris 1 to tell her how she was to have a for a brother, to have hePn herself. I lave bePn, have been 1 have bPen. She wanted to scream. 13ut the were worse. were thPre in force 1 of course. Corm, handsorrw f'lr,nnino charm, held court in one storiPs of faH)ff to land-bound Sha I Ii w,1s 1

bdore the had n111 its course she would burn out a half-dozen rr1P11 with her frantic energy. Other had come from other isldnds. Anni of Culhall, the Jarnis th(! Younger, f,15\., aging Helmer whosp own would claim his wings in less than ycar 1 ,1 half dozen others f rorn the WP st, three cliquish Eastenwrs. Her lwr hl'r comrades in the EyriP, But now avoided her. Anni smiled politPly and looked the other way. Jarnis delivered h L1ther's ngs, then into an uncomfor1dhle silence, from fool to foot until Maris let him go. His of relief audible. Even Corm, wlio said he was never 11erv., ous, seemed ill at ease with her. He brought her ,1 cup of hot l<ivas 1 then saw a friend across I lie room that he had to talk to. Maris window. There she sat and her l<ivas and listened to the rising wind pull at tlw shut" lers. She didn't lilarne them. How can you talk to a She was not come, 1101 any of the others she had corr1e to love And she was

NOVEMBER 1976

!Jy llw door, ;ind 13arrio11 h,id

her

herscll tc1II and gray ,rnd SC'Wll to hie; f1,111d Mid voice. He w;is 1,111,r, .. rrv 11gcr, so it said. At least Coll ,,,iid it, a11d ll,1rrior1 himsPlf, of cour,;c. 13ut tlwn he ,il,;o s.iid thc1t lw'd do1e11 isLinds, r111think,il1le for ,1 man And he clciimcd that his guilM hdd ,irrived ""'''"''·"""''· ,1go from Earlh, with lht' s,iilors ther11,<'lves. 1lis f,irnily h,1d h,111ded it down, lie s,iid, all s(;rimh, ,is if lw oll ,ind M,iris to hPliPvP him llut the idea Wd'; IIOl1SCl1S(' tr('dting cl guit,11 if it wen• fMir of wings. SI i 11, Iiar or no, B<1ffio11 w.is <'lllPr· laining ,1nd romantic and he sang like the wry wind Coll had ,,tud 1.mdPr hirn, ,rnd now were gr<'dl friPnds. l,111ds111;i11 cl llw back, ,rnrl ,rnd prt>pi! !he room grew stc1pr:1e(1 in mid story. CJll1<'1, Ht• of the Stc11

Iors."

low ofte11 shl' usPd to hear

song. lis made him furious would lil' i11tt>rru not<• and ,1 minule of swe,ning. Maris usPd lie in bC'd dnd help· the from down the, hall. Now she listened to the f3arr· ly tlw s,1ilor~, and with ils silver that c,.ltch the wild slc1rwinds. The whole story mysterious storm, tlw the coffin'·, diPd driven off

powthal Pnded ill cLirknc•ss. 1:i11allyc;1me lhe hattl(;, jusl off 1',ig SIH>Lrn, when \ht' Old Ciptain ,llld his ists wellt down delending the prcciou, nH~tc1I s,1ils .igainst their sons. !hen, with the' last the sons of tlH' s:1ilors, the first children of Windha veil,, ut the sails into pieces, light, fl('xi strrn1g. And, witl1 whatcould salv;ige from the tlw wings. For the sc,1tterC'd of Winclh,wc'n needed co111111u11ic,1tio11 Without fuel, without nwtal, fc1ccd on',lll', lull of giV<'n nothing lree wings; th<' choice but the Pcl,y. !he l,isl chord, faded from the air. flw pcmr ,;,ii I or,,, M,i ri s Old C,1ptc1in dl1d his crc>w, loo, tlwir wings wen' slcirwings. But tlH'ir way of h,id lu diP so a 1ww w,1y could lw IJOm. FLnrion gl'i 111wd at someone>' s n•q ,md ll<'W tune. fir, did ;i h.ilf-dot'.Cll from ,111cie111 Earth, thPn looked ;ir6u11d ,rnd offered up a corndri lor its mate. Maris Her mind w,1s 011 the star sailors still In a wr•re like Woodwi11gs, ;,he couldn't up tlwir And ii me;rnt hc1d to die. wonder if they it w<1s worth it! Ruse; c,illed frorn tfw floor. Cive us sorne

Harrirn1 s,rng songs; ball;ids from tlw lslt1ncls, from Shotan, from Cul hall and and Poweel. He sang lost forever over the the Landsrn,rn

nouc->I E'SS IV th 1·rn r;oh I he storms on nh:, ntnr11

the way

heaviPr than air had floated atop the turning the all ,Hound lhe Simians. Barr·

and

go. But hit still air seldom return to talk of it, so 110 could s,iy for surt-'. did the song of white-haired who was past when he found his dead in a lovt'r's

He did the ball,id of Aron and Jeni, the saddC',t song of all Jeni had heen ,1 land. born, and worse, , unable to wal k1

she had lived with hn WO/T1dll, ,tnd to watch the Thcrp slw f,dl in love with Aron, d

l,wghi11g

,111d in IH'r drPc11ns lw loved

ht'r too. llut one

c1irnw in her hous,', she s,iw him plc1y in the with ,111ollw1 d fire-haired womc111, and when l,111ded kissed ec1ch otlwr Whl'll her mother cc11r1l' home, Jeni wc1s dcdd. Aron, whC'n told hirn, would not lei IIH'lll the wumdn lw had never known. look her in his ,mns and carried lwr 11p to llw cliff; then, slinging her hen(•,1tl1 him, he rode thl' winds fell' 0111 lo ,rnd gaV(' death. hc1cl ,1 song too, not VPry rnw; it rnacle him c omic:al fool. Bc1rrio11 sang il, and the om'

about th(' t1\1er,v•,n1:J-lll'CHJ!?J and Wi wedding song, and a dozen others. M;iris could h,rnlly rnove, so w;1s she'. rhc i<iva.1 wc1s rain cold in her h,111d, tn,·ontlnn less dist11rhi11g hack to her rncrnorit", of I lw winds. "Your brother is horn," ,1 soft i>y her sidt·, and slw ,,aw ing on the c11m of hc,1· chair. with hiswi1w to when' Coll at l{,11Tio11's fcPI h,id hi,; h;rnd, folded ly around his c111d liis look Wds rnw of rapture. how the songs touch hirn," said, songs to l,rnd--llmmd, but rnor<', much more, to dnd I know that, M,iris, and your l>rothcr too. I can 1<>11 I know how it 111usl lw for you, but think of him, . He loves it dS much as you." McJris looked up at and all but 1,iLn,,111,·u ,lt his wisdom. Yes, Cull looked e11lranccd, and she k11ew ,md he did not It was singing he , tlw songs, 1101 the Corm know th,1t, smi I i11g h,mdsome who w,1s so sure of himself and k1ww little. "Do you think that only dn,arn, rm/" she asked him in dway to where Barrion was 11n1st11r:1g "Th Pre said. "If I here all andl'd11evergetto looked at Coll "Wait You'll learn 111orp than I'll know when you reach tlw Jyrie. I've only been to dozen isl,rnds, your have hundrr,ds," Maris' raised hi, in salute. Coll stood up. "I w,rnt to one Barrio11 smilecL "I think c;111 trust you

with my guitar,

hul

you, yr,s," He

his

to the quiPl, 1Jdlt',1ac:tc'u Coll sat down, strummPd biting his I He blinkPrl at tlw tordws, looked over MMis, blinked "I want to do new song, about we>II, I wrote it I wasn't you underbut I he,ml the• story, ,rnd it's all true, 11 to he song, ii hasn't !ill " the Landsmd n boomerL Coll ill Mc1ris "I call this 'Raven's Fall"' And iL Cle;ir and pure, with bPautiful the WdY it Maris w,itched him with wide eyes, listPned with awf\ i'ie got it all He even the the lump that twisted in lwr wlw11 Raven's folded wings bloomed ill the sun, ;ind he climbed awdy from de<1th, All of thC' love had felt for him in Coll's song; thP Rdven that he sang of was dark ,tnd dPfianL As M,His oncP h.id

sai w1u5,ll1t'r ]E'ri, ,ind hPr so11 Jon, ,ind Anni, and Fl ,111, nd the or>,nP,11,,,ov

, , "and l,ist Russ ,111d a

forlorn over the ,rnd most of ,di my voice• The Landsrn,rn handl'd the folded wings and her f,1thcr took them ,md fumed to ColL tfwn, liiP hi•; ,rnd very tirrw for smm1 om' to hcconw ;i sci id "It i, time fm nw to pass on the wings, and for Coll tlwm,a11d it would he

ii aloud, "Coll," shP said, i11 ,1 low of the song in her could bc, helti'r than Barrion, ii he hacl chancP, I told hirn that story, I was there>, and dozen oHwrs, whPtl R,wPn did his trick, But 110m' of us could have made it Coll did, He has .i vNy

;rnd he

party

in stood in oftlH'clifL

on<'"·handvd and th(' wings onto w;is chalk white, He unfolded

ctc,rn.r.,n

Too Coll,

win 1.;s sw.iying back .111d forth c1s hP W<IS b11ffeted

w<1s lwadccl 1,1,1de, ;ind the wordless him, M,iris and party moved to her Lither in the l<'a(L Coll down I le WdS not the wind, no, he wa,

"My son, you an' " Russ ;;a id, ,rnd then he b;ick with thP of close to Maris, stood ,ilorw beneath 11w the bri his imrncns,, rnak,

And she had dPcided, But beforp Coll could start ,mother song, Russ came forwarcL "Now," he said, "now we mus! get serious, We've had ;ind t.i!k, Paling and herP in the warmth, But outsidl' arc

hirn look srn,1llc>r than before, shout, to interrupt, to could feel tlw rs on her rhcelc But she could not move, Like <111 thc she w;ii!ed for the traditional first

the winds,"

And Coll breath, kicked

all listened

in trouble," Corm said, ,rnd IIH' handsorrw I.isl wr ng "With

Maris though!, and looked down at her and said, "Whal a11d she re;iliz,,d that she'd whis, d

ntly, Corm smiled a! oul L1stprn i 11 "True, Next the singing com1ietiticJ11 And Maris looked at him, sw:1!1,Pnly OLIS, II was all

Sonwtimes young !lwir friends show, hut Coll no showman A wi silver wraith, fw wanderPd awk, ward and little lost in that w<1s 1101 his lwrnc, Other wings being broken ou1; and Shalli ;mdthcothcrs to wo1ildjoinColl intfw rnake fow in form,1tio11, then leave the l,md-bound behind and fly off to the tlw of the in celPbration their 11C'W(:",t member, ,my of thern could thr> wind Maris fell it with

with .i indrawn frorn the cliff,

now seemed to fill the morn, Maris and shiv<:recL "The " her father said, The Landsthem in his

hi,; ritual

"Long have these wings

NOVEMBEF1,

wings shook om' wingtip brt1,hed the whil<· tlw otlwr up 1ow,ml Wrong, wm11g, ,111 wmng. I ve11 ru•;lwd onto tl1P lic',H h, thvn· Wds spr;iyi ng shower oi d 11d t h('i1 tlw swldP11 ho1rilll<' sound of 111PLd ping ,rnd

t lw wi 11gs from yorn you loved hi111." would have' nied, but all used up. I wanl him hc1vc

,rnd hP liltnl,

OIH'. nw•,I you tak(' from hirn till' lilP he loves(' "! t,11<(' nothing," "Tr;idilion tr,idition," new inter· MMis looked for her .illy, and s,JW push in th the rowd Coll

with yo111 old wings, them to Mari•;, she's the " he shouied, al the limp fahric on the

""'u'"L "I w,rnt to go with fhPrc was ,rn awful si stood time, thPn lookcd dt his son th,11 was older than it had CVC'I lwe11. M(' not his wings Coll," lw said." rny wing;;, ,111d rny ,ind his mother's bpforP him, and I w,rnted I wanted I

broke. "You B.Hrion

hu i\ ." Almost wrnolicPd, Corm had landed and lolded Jii,; wings. Now he stood hdorP them, hi, ,,111ooth dc1rk face flushed with "Th,• ,rnd tlwir traditions

h,wc• m,.Hlc iii(' very tinws OV('r. I don't

rrion, you

lookt·d

IP nol

11.w;•;, and continuPd. "llo11'l

wcmv, friend WC''II make your· son a 1'"""'''"" h,1s 11ever B11t 1fw11 Coll looked IJf), ,rnd

mirw."

the flow(•d still, ,,uddenly tlwre Wds ,rngu i11 hr,, too, c111d decision. "No." shouted, ,111d hi•; <11 Corm w,1s "You wo11'1 m<.1kc me ,rnylhi11g I don't w,111t to lw, I don't who you 1'111 no\ ,1 cow,ml, I'm not bu\ don' I, I DON'T'" II is

think you' so berw.ith you, liul yrn1' not, you know, not. B,11Tio11 l1as IJC•c,11 to do.re11 ,!lld he knows mon: songs than I don't what you think,

won't them looked "Where< !he Lrndsniim',, voice w,1s olow, lrou. 11w lradition hut thi•,

bled "The law !,()

Anr1t1,r,r1v

well, ;md WP all know how ,,he

"ThP /siw," rfw Lrndsman shook his he,HJ that is my but th al if a n·nounn•s his wings than sh,ill IJP taken island, the

man shall hold

, and lwrc, in this "lhe law is the "/\ml you will follow

him. "I

Arnlierlv's

senior

sine<! Russ has

on I he

we find wings. will take '"·'''"'"v someone of someone whowill recognil'.e the honor ,rnd tiw lr;iditions." "No!" Coll shouted "I w<1nt Maris to have the "You have no say in tlw matter," Conn told him. "You a lancJ.fJou11d." So ing, he and up the discarded, broken methodically he to fold them. Maris looked i!round for hopelcc,s. B,rn'ion his and HelmN would not me<:•1 her lwr fotlwr stood broken ,rnd weeping, ,i no more, not even i11 n,Hne, only an rfie party-grwrs one to drift aw,iy. The La11dsma11 c11rn° lo hr:r. "Maris," he started. "I am sorry, J would give the wings to you if I could. The law is not 111e;111t for this but a against the Corm, ''"''"'"v will become like! Kennelwt ,1nd the songs will call me mad." She nodded. "I "she: said. Corm, wings under either <1rrn, was stalkoff the beach. The l.andsrnan turned a11d left, and

Mari

we111 across tht,

Russ.

"Father she fie lookPd up. "You Me no of mine," lw said, and turiwd awc1y from lwr de\ She wc1tched the old man with diffi.

beach, wordless and beaten. Maris went to Coll and put her arms

around him and

him.

that followed were

dark and troubled. lfarrion lived in just off a cleser·tetJ, and it was there him; each he sang with Ba rrion, and he knew that he would be after,il\. the fact that Russ refused to see him bothered the boy, and even that was often He was young, and he had discovered that many his own age looked on him with lty admiration, like and he in the feel But for Maris, things were not as

less. She h,1d tried as hard as she butstillherwings were gone. like mad cruel and now her

had done the

the incident on the Barri on returned to tlw cabin afler ,1 on the where he went to from the fishermen of sing al wharfside inns. As ate bowls of hot, meaty stew, lie looked at Maris and the and said, "I havp for a boa!. In ,1 month I will sail for the Outr'r islands." Coll smiled "Us too?" Barrion nodded. "You, yes, n,rr:iinl,1 And Maris?" She shook her head. "No." The [:ven for rne, limes are The Landsman moves u rcHnrJ1c,c1 by Co rm, and to ,ivoid rnc. is lot of world to Besides, " I le smiled. I can Come with even teach you how to sing." Maris with her slew. "I sing worse lhan my brother flies. l3arrion. i'Jo, I can't go. I'm I must slay, and win rny wings again." "I admire you, Maris," hP "but your is ho.peliess. What can you do?" "I don't know. The Lands .. man, I can go to hi rn. The Landsman makes the and he If he that it i best for the

held on

both for lhe moment chil-

For Maris, the

She seldom IPft the cabin, pxcept to wander out on the wharf at su11sel and watch the boats come in. She could think

Conn, Besides, this is a and he has no control matter over that. Besides . ." lw hesitated. "What It's all over the docks. new or an old one, actually. Devin of Cavora is en routt' here by boat to tak<:· up rl'sidence and wear your wings." I le watched her con .. cern written his face. "Devin!" and stood. their laws blinded them to common sense?" She back and forth across !he room. "Devin is a worse flyer than Coll ever was. HP lost his own wings when he too low and w,1ter If it hadn't been for he would be dead. So Corm "He's a

the word ''A fow "It' twoweC'k voyage, "M.uis s,iicL "If I'm going to act, it rnust be before he gets here. Once he has worn the wings, II lw his and lost to me." "Bui Maris," Coll said, "what can you

do?" "Nothing," Banion id. "Oh, we could steal the wi11gs, of course. Corm has h;:id them repaired, ,1s new. But where would you go/ You'd never find welcome. Cive it 11p, You can't law." "No?" sh(' said. ,,,,r1d.,,,,1,, her voice was anirnated. She and lcianed ag;i inst I he table. "Are you sure? Have the traditionsnev<'r been Where did come frorn there Barrion looked was the council, was killed, when the Shot.in out the wings. Thal was when it was decided that no would pver bear a weapon in the They remembered the battle, and the way the old star sailors used the last two sleds to rain firp rrom a\Jove." ··'Yes," said Maris, ''crnd tlwre two other councils ,is well Gpnerations after thal, when another wanted to bend the other Landsmen lo his will and bring allot Windhaven under his control, he sent trw of Shotan into the with swords to strike at Little Shotan. And llm of the other islands met in council and condemned him, after his had vani heel. h w a11ds1nan·•Capti1tr1, and now Big Shotan is another island." "Yes," Coll said, "and the third council was when all the voted not to land tlver . w·11cHiro•ug111 .. 11ac1 News." Barrion was "Ail right. 13ut no council had been called since then. Are you sure would assemble?" course," said Maris. "It is an 1m .. written law, one Corm's precious tradi .. lions. Any can call a council. And I could present my case there, to all the of and ... " Banion looked at her and on both rninds.

"Any

" he

voiced. "Rut I am not "Maris said. She into her chair. "And Coll has nounced his wings and Russ even if he would us has them on. Corm would not honor our request. lhe word would not go oul." "You could ask Shalli," Coll sui"gc:stEid

NOVEMBER. 1976

L,1ch hour

wait up cliff, or, "Sh,illi i<, loo ,nuch j1111im to Conn ,rnd id. "I he,u the

/llilkC ,JI) />tTIPl'•rJPtl(

"l.lut we

l.111cl IF,\I\IIIV

hi 1; nr1ils

with , intent 011 the t,is/c "You would k11ow heller 1ha11 /," h(' s,1icl "rlwl towc,ri,slill called?''

rnost

Barrio11 studiPd tlw cloud,, hui "Wt· c,111

in the east.

011. You'd

risk, 11

Slip-

,, Ill' grinrwd ,it her. "M,iri", we hrP,1k more l,,ws ev(:ry d,1y. I\', h,,d we' going to I your wi11gc;, but now you w,int nw to rmce my w,1y into

the I

,md sund d

c,!11 It',,

!OJ

in your

;;u111mrn1s th,1! would call him <1w,1y fron1 the wing,,. l'(!rh,111:, the Lrndsm;in was Sha/Ii until ;,uch tinH· as Devin ,1rrivcd. "I don't like it," slw

"W(•

into its she,1th. "I but I won't. l'1r1

if w;iy in while Corm still ,it home? And tlwn knew ii wcrnlcL

c111cl he would

She'd bePn inside his honw once. Slw n·memhercd the set of obsidian knives that upon his w,111 mu,,t hP another way. l.indsm,m isn't to call him," knew it, sonwhow. "Nol U11· enwrgcncy ."

HANG

singer prevent th,11/" "Who do you think writes the song,/ I'd r,illwr us dll into hcro('s."

to ,i hu\ not far from Con11', l10111e. "W,1it lwrP," he said, he climbed out intotlw "I'll goto soon yo11

dcd lwr ,1grPernent.

the correct

she was in the weeds a few feet from Corm's door, head sheltered the shadows and the The door and the dark· haired came out, his wings his back. He was dressed w:.,rmlv ihn., " " " ' Maris. 1·ie hurried down the main road. After he gone, it il cic,.. ,lnl·,cv sneak ilrnund to the side of the and srnJsh in a window. Corm was and h<: lived that is, if he didn't have a woman with him Uut tlw

Maris bruslwd away loose then vaulted up onto the sill and into the house. Al I darkness but her She had to find the wings, before Corm returned. He'd get to !helighttowersoon andfinditwas a false alarm. Barrion wasn't to around to be rhe search was short. Just inside th(, front on the rack where he his own between fl she found hers. She took them down love and and ran her hands over the cool metal lo check !he struts. At she And they will neverlake them from me again. She then1 on, and ran. the door and into the a different road than the one that Corm had taken. would be home soon, to discover the loss. She had to get to cliff. It took her a half-hour, and twice she had to hide in the underbrush on the side of the road to avoid another m~:i111t1rr1e traveler. And even when she reached the cliff, there were two men frorn the down on the 1,rnrlir,o

cliff. It it, on iff and she had lo snap it five times before the final stut ouL Corm didn't even take of slw

tremor of fear.

Again, and if sht! was burned from one would mourn her on save and there could be no finer death. She banked and clirnbed still

answered her. "Turn!" it hot with anger. instant, she looked up

and behind. again, and in its above her <ri<"·:1n1Prl no,on,r1a,v,s11v,pr Frnm ou! of the clouds, Corm was corning down on her

was he CiHYH:', "I knew it you," lw said. But the wind blew third word away from her." ... had lo b hind i n v r nt home . cliff. . waited. Turn/ I'll force you down! Land-bound!" That last she him. at him, rl0fi:u,tlv "Show me what flyer you are, Conni Catch me if you can!" And then, still she tilted and veered out from under his and he sherose,still her. A thousand timc~s she'd with rh"cirHr one another around the WJS

ins,tinctivelv she

and watch their lanterns. She was stiff from rrn.. ,rhir,o cold

low above the men to attention, then came in sm,nnthlv for a message, no doubt l··ler chance was here, then. The men would Anni to the Landsman. When had gone off with scrambled to her and

faster. Far below now, Corm checked his fall, tilted up, banked and came at her from below. But the tirne he reached her she was far ahead. She intended to stay that way. This was no game, and she could afford risks. If he got above? to forcing her until he her He would r<?gret i1 for the lost but knew that he would do it nonetheThe traditions of the

a year ago, toward

rnan who then1, Now and the I ight tower of low on the horizon. /\nd that too was soon gone, and there but black below and above. And Corm, relent· still behind her, outlined the storm. But Maris looked back and blinked he se(m1ed smaller. Was skilled him? of. I le had Weslern in while she not allowed lo compete. And yet, now, the gap was widen·

ing. flashed once more, and thun·· der rolled ominous the few seconds later. From below back at the storm, in the boom an angry But for Maris, it meant els<' indeed. The the the slonn was more dis·· !ant. She wJs nor! hwest, the storm due west at any rate, she was out from lwneath it. Something soared inside her She banked and fl forthe of it, did showman's from currenl to current like an acrob.,t of the The winds were hers ,,nth1>•,n could wrong. in while Maris was ing, and when she came out of her and lo climb saw him close at hand and dimly heard his shouts. He was about her not able to land, about her an outcast with her stolen Poor Conn! What did he know? Maris dove, until she could all but taste the salt, until she could hear the waters few feet below. If he would kill her, if he would force her into the waws, she had made herself vulnerable vulnerable she could be. She all hE' had to do was ciltch above her, swoop. knew, she he could not do it, no matter how much he might like to. By the time she flew out from under the rh11rnino cloud cover, into clear winked on her Corm was dot behind her, waited u nti I she , then kn,,wiirrnthat Corm would continue blindly ahead until he gave up and circled back tO An•,h,arl\/ She

month. NOVEMBER,

For further details, send $1.00 to cover postage and handling.

featured flier:

Steve Murray, Soddlebock Moun loin

i'v1ark has been contributing his talent to the hang gliding scene since iv1ay. 1975 he became art director for Ground Skimmer. He holds degrees in Biology and has worked for 4 years deslgner an environmental graphics firm, and is no\v as a Medical H!ustrator 2 years as a a freelance ii!ustrator. Mark !s also a p1lot who frequently flys at Sylrnar; and is an instructor at a ,ooa! hang sumo!. Currently he is doing illustrations for a new gliding book by Peter o,xon for VVarner and is dravving TlOnth!y editorial cartoons for Glider The seria!, "Windsock.'" he says, ,,is my first attempt at a record ~light" 1

ARE.A THEY TAKE

FE:W MORE GLIDERS

J Contrary to what sorne people may think, New Zealand is not part of Australia. It's actually a country with seventy million sheep and three rnillion people. A South Pacific archipelago composed of two large islands and a host of smaller ones, which stretch for a thousand mi New Zealand has an unbelievable diversity of climate and topography. Varying in width from only a few miles to two hundred mi leis, neither coast is far from reach and provides some of the finest ri soaring anywhere. There are flying sites facing in all directions and are available in an assortment of sizes and shapes from ridges to mountains. What New may lack in wind consistency, it makes up for in 36

My introduction to New Zealand was with Blair Trenholme, a Vancouverite, in July of I when we both received an invitation to partici-

in a ski film to made on the South Island at Mt. Cook National Park. The film was to be a 16mm documentary following the exploits of two who, wanting to get away from the routine of ski resorts, venture into the rugged wilderness of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Since I was involved in hang gliding at the time, I thought I may as well take some gliders down with me. We'd be using

TOP: Blair flying low ovor Hochstetter Glacier during filming of "Off the Ldge." Photo IJy Mike Lirtll. Lf'J'T Gliders were airlifted LJy helicopter to some of New Zealand's tallest peaks. Photo by Tony Lilleby.

NOVLMBER, 1976

he\ for some of the skiing anyway, so. . . I Aircraft gen(•r. to help me out. Arter in .. Blair and Mike Firth Zealand's all-in .. one ,.,,,vl//r>,W tor, and camer,Hnan) into th<' glid to film us that a It is now cal led would be

"Off Tlw The mountains in the Southern noth

short of

From Hooker Val the mountains up as high Most of the blocks of off to feed F31air anc1 ,J0!l climb to !h0 sunimil of the Min mets. Photo by Tony Lilleby

Tasman i to 3 miles wide and ' thick. I had never mountains like these ate nd so berdt Iife monuments to the awcsornc power of nature. Tlwre were ,w,C>,· // h n g rny fl my skis lt~ft the snow, rny mind refully t out pro .. cedures lwhind. I was only aware of the sensation of free above itable terrain. oo,s1t1or1s and at didn't sepm that until I came down that and would rnnind me that that was the reason for the (I Fi my fl sometimes made for incredible hassles. Besides what to do where and when (not to ment'1on finding the th(!rP were cameras, film ma i wires, batteri and mounts which all to be fixed and for the We ly had time to casually look Fven if we that routine down, there was still the constant tht'E!at of the weather. The Tasrnan Sea twenty miles away, and the where the nnsv;:11\blow in frorn. You wouldn't

left all the

these north· HANG GLIDING

storrns the peaks, the snow and cloud activity looked like time photography. Someone once stuck an anemorneter on one of the a storm the need le wenl off the somewhere around mph. On one occasion we had an accident wilh our gun camera -- a five, ixtecn mrn model. Blair had it mounted in the middle of his control and once, when he took off, he hooked both his seat on one side of it It put him in a dive, and banked him to the right. Blair crashed back into the mountain on a or slope of ice. HP slid quite a ways before freeing the straps then flew off the end of an enormous ice cliff with the valley some 3,000' below. It w,1s a wonder any of our rnent from all the abuse it had to take. Downwind landings in the rnorrain did wonders for the camera gear. I had a carnera rnounted on my control bar for the p.o.v. (point of shots my skis while flying low over an ice fall. This is an area of the similar to rapids in a stream The ice is broken into seracs and crevasses from the terrain. Some of them no one has set foot reason. shift up I was nervously all the way tirn each one, so instead of I would have 250 feet of film. I had 0 u,c,clc,rl\/

spr·ocket holt~s on the film in each had . It seems we had to pay our dues. flights with Initially, was difficult. Noticing the hel white teeth was the indication that it was bit tight res of a rad it resPmbled a crude and frantic game of charades tha1 at times turned into game of Blair lost this game once, by unwittingly ing a 100' vertical dive frorn prop wash. Nobody knew about it until after he had landed. His tan was and he was sturnbling arou rnurnbling

something about death. We did manage over 20 flights in some unusual locations, though, won't bother to mention how much air time we had logged before this bold pursuit. I will say that our instincts for self preservation arc apparently quite strong. Filming completed, and having endured four consecutive winter seasons, Blair and I planned to through New Zealand's summer to explore the potential soaring on the coasts and avoid winter in the Northern Hern Bob Zehm, a friend

to from Telluride, join us, so the three of us took off to spend several month traveling around both in search of hang gliding meccas. In this time we barely scratched the surface of New Zealand's vast potential. During that first winter Blair I, plus Rick Poynter and Alasdair Russell were the only ones hang gliding in the country. Jobe, an American, had flown at Mt. National a few years ian Club ad. the winter, when we ;;tarted our trip, there were an esti-·

mated 700 hang gliders in New Zealand. A main center for flying is in the Auckldnd area situated on one of the narrowest of the north island. This location has a soarable site for every wind direction Hamilton's Gap access point to the bedch below the ridge) is the within an hour's drive from Auckland. The ridge stretches for some 24 miles from Manukau Harbor to the Waikato River averaging 250-700 feet high with one end ng to dunes as low as 20 feet. Rick was the first one to fly it out and and I imagine quite a few others have done it since. There are gaps of considerable s and while ating them, it is not uncommon to find yourself polishing up onthetdcticsof"fliki and the finer techniques of self launching in strong winds. Om' hundred miles north there is a larger version of one of these ridges. It has a number of access areas, Bayleys Beach being the most popular. This one spans 48 miles averaging rn0-400 ft. high with occasional sec tions of low dunes. A number of good sized gaps with low elevations on either side keep the non--stop out and backs to around 18-20 miles. No doubt, with the improvements in L/D, some of these gaps wi 11 soon be crossed Having to occasiondlly land and walk the gaps was bearable, though. The ocean streams and dn occasional waterfal I seemed to soothe the spirit before hacking out another launching pad. At the far end of the ridge is Maunganui Bluff. The bluff is the remains of a volcano with a buttress shape. It i 1512' high and you can IJnd on top. From the take off, there is a shelf running to a 1000' shear rock sea face. Th is· peculiar makes for a remarkably wide lift band that is quite strong in One such place· is along a prominent point we named the Gorilla Expres , alongside its Gorilla Head. No sooner had we done this when a group of locals watching us fly commented that it wasn't a gorilla head, but the Head. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The is formed by a pie cut NOVEMBER, 1976

to what Ii a foundation and id this is nothing. The wind tha! moved the barn was someth On an onally at Paekak, we were content to sit it out until sailplane was persistent to stir our itchings to Blair and I took off tandem and soon than anyone selves h been before. Although it was flew a ten mile out and to land up top just as the sun seL On ng th we found we couldn't down. Bob and Rick a local, were right underneath us ling up that if we uld a little pull us down. (Ha! If we had only brought an anchor.) This resulted in us having to land on the beach after dark. Blair thought he would take advanof Packak's ideal location to fulfil I his ofafullrnoonfl nately, the wind was a bit and he spent the entire time on tht! wron side of his control bar, laid out on the cab in order to down The bruises on his arms were minders that what goes up doesn't al ways come down that easily. For the most we would drive to the launch our gliders with drink, cameras, binoculars fly off to some ridge top, un and enjoy some of the fi most relaxing flying we've ever had. Our only was that there weren't more! pilots to share this little paradise with I wonder what it's like now. There was this one kid who was building a glider in the rd of one of the houses we would fly . He'd look up, see us, and shift into high. Undoubtedly, record time for i glider assembly. There are many areas that we saw never flew Mt 3000 ft. the an 8000 ft. rnountain range, both of which are on the coast. And then there are all areas that we never saw but the map says exist. New I is one of those you talk about ng back to. It's too bad it issofaraway;then n that's how it should for in remain room to note: film has now been blown up to 35mm for a com .. th is fa/ I.) I

OPl'OSITI: f)J\GE

I ookinq southwo,:t 1rorn Maun(Janui 131u11, this ricJqo runs nomly :ill miles 1 Hioli pmforrnancn qli<ims should be able to 11y 100 111ilcJ oul anc1 roturns 1'11010 riy ,Jeff Crirnptlell /\f30V[ ,Jell, 131air. ancl ['loll Pukerua Bay. f<apiti l'°lamJ is ir1 back qround Piloto lly Hick hiqol

in the

rmed beautifu I water ing, bailing out well before touching down II was lesson. the southenH11ost the north i I I windy Wei I in ituated on the of Strait, the south The

re Paekak and Pukerua five mile h appears ing in mind If Paekak is not soarabl Pukerua ly The HANG GLIDING

of Paekak is a used

. Using a backand not having nyorw to help us launch, we ked the man of the house if he wanted lo m how Of course, no .. just like ng a tire. attitude of New Zealanders i amus At Pu we had many casual conversations while in front of I iff lop homes. and notice them watching wave and come out, ask us how we were doing we were just fine, did we have a place to and to eat yes, and rncntion t had never seen it before. asked us would we

over in ia in Canterbury Plains near Christchurch. The pproach ing north .. westerly storm little closer than I thought I had half mile downwind before ng down. Land in a field near farrn the owners saw me and sent their hildren out to if I wanted to in them in some tea and I thought it . I mentioned was blowing quite hard (their win .. were a they

king an

it.

only half

IIIHIIHIII

As of 1, 1976 hang glid may officially establish flight n~cords which will he recognized around the world by nwmbPr nations of tlH~ Federation Aeronautique lnternationc1le (FAI), the world organi/ation which certifies and sanctions such activities. As of that date no hang gliding record and the first documented flight of any length grealc!r than 2r:; kilomet ( I 6. 5 rn i or any height over one kilometer (3,2BI feet) will be an official record. Afterthese minimurn distances hc1ve been achieved and certified,the record must be bec1ten by at least one kilometer, or % in the gain-of-height

rhese distances are not impossible, in fact there have already been several well publici/ed flights in the United States of distances and heights much greater than these. Gut they are not official nation;:il or world records because they were not perforrned 011 or after the August I and didn't have th official sanction and documentation required. The paperwork and other requirements to establish a world n'cord are not difficuJt to complete, ancl are USE'· ful in that they serve to the integrity of the claim. The docurnenta· tion is the only information the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and the f'.AI are allowed to work with to the event and rnake their decisions. 40

TIH)refore the certificates and documentation become as important to the claim ,is tlw flight itself. They must be comr:iletc and accurate. All items called for must be included. The information needed depends on what category of record attempt the flyer is making.

FOR RECORD

FUGH TS There are basic items required re· ga rd less of the category attempted. They are in the FA/ SPORT/NC CODI FOi<. 1/ANC CL/DrnS and were basically created by to the CIVL at the November I 975 meeting in Paris. This itern is available from USl!CA Headquarters, P.0 Box 66306, Los CA 90066 for $.50. If you plan to attempt a world record flight be sure you have this 23 page booklet. It the rules for the atternpt and sample of the forms. It also contains rules for the world charnpionship contest. The CODE sets down in specific language exactly what must be done and how the flight is to be documented

BASICS At a minimum, all world record attempts require observers, ,1 barograph, FAI Sporting International Hang and an assorted list of documents. All official observers must haw the FAI International Hang Badge or the

National Aero Club equivalent, in the UnitPd States,\ USHCA Hang i rating; no other rating system is acceptable. Observers must be approved by or acting on behalf of the NAA. They cm) selected by tlw flyer making the record attempt and NAA approval is obtained when the person receives the EAi Sporting License from the NAA. The License is obtained by writing to NAA for the Sporting Ficense forms fil·ling them in and sending a $10 fee to fl06 Fifteenth Street NW #610, Washington, D.C. 2000"i. This alerts NAA of your intent to make a record atternpt during the year- of issue, it sanctions your attempt, and a file will be created for your documentation. Your License will be sent by return mail. lnformaticrn about the FAI International Badge can be obtained by writing to USJ !GA headquarters. II you have a LJSHGA Hang 3 rating or higher you automatically qualify for the International Hang no testing is ,ind your USHGA rating is your International Hang ThP CODE outlines certification r<'quirements if the flyer wants to earn his through a flight test. The barograph is called for because it proves that no intermediate landing was made during the flight, as well as record height gained. The barograph must have b(!en calibrated for accuracy, and out of reach of the flyer dur· ing flight. There are a series of forms to NOV[MBER, 1976

be filled out lhc official observers attest .ind opening prou'S', ,md olher Helpful information on is contaim~d in an ;irticle by Licher in lhe May, I 7CJ i of C RO UN /) Sl</MMIX

,,.._ '-·· ,_jf,.. u FU G HTS There ,ire three of for world records which can bP flow11 two t ypco of u rscs. rfHi are Coal, ,ind llw coLirses which can be flown for tlwsc are stra ,rnd outand-relurn. nicse courses may g,1teways at the st,Hl and finish line, turn ,iclditional and c1mcra ftH record ways and turn. There for each of thcsP must be certified by the official observers. rhc requirements are i11 the CODE booklet. There is also a sep,1r,1le c,1tegory for women if choose lo enter themselves. an International record to be! clairned it must first lw a Nation,11 RPcord. obtained your Let's assume your official observers havl' nnrlnnr,nd their and have and fillPd in the information r<'quin•d, and what you bc1ieve is National or World Record flight. Whal do you do with it now? Before is the NAA M7 2BOB in D.C. and inform ilicrn of your flight and nrr>111r1n the necessary details of the in turn will cable thP f Al fl and this information in your fil<'. The cable rn ust be sent to ris within 48 hours of the fl to be

with the $10fora National record and$ for an International Record in ci check to NAA. will the inforrnaion and send it to FA!. This is dorH, within a month deadline. FAI will review the determine if the clairn is In the United States the is a NationalRecord. rnines if the fl It necessary that the material be sent to NAA the FAI will nol accept or HANG GLIDING

recogn i any documentation re .. ceivPd from other th,rn ,1 national ,H:~ro cl which in the LJ is the NAA. USHCA is a Division of NAA and ds such is !he offici,11 rcp1·est!nt,1tive of gl in !he United Slates. Your USI ICA dul'S help pay the NAA diviwhich help keep the NAA USJICA is one of J3 NAA Divisions.

EXCELLENT HANG GLIDING DESIGNS SILl<-SCREEI\IED BY HAND ON HIGH QUALITY, HEAVYWEIGHT, 100% COTTON T-SHIRTS.

TEAM AND HYER TRAINING Do you believe you can fly further than I 6.S miles or higher iii an l,2BI and can put up with the hassle of gt'l1 qualified personnel, forn1s filled i11 1 wct1tlwr c:oopcr<1tion 1 and a tliousaml other items ready for your big fhen go for it, fame aw;iit you. I tell you, that FAI and World f~ecord certificate will knock your l'Y<'S out, and I guManl(!C it'll be the' 01w on tlw block. Those National dnd World Records ;ire just waiting for sorneone lo get it all together. Someone is going to do i1. not There is ;in air of excilPrnent during a recmd attempt that everyone involved can almost feed. As one who has been a spectator in model aviation ,ittc·mpts,I can Jltcst that the ch,nged f<)el even affects bystanders. TherP is a amount of effort placed in the event and it seems lo point out any indeed they almost seem to in the way. The old saying that if ,myth can go wrong it will is never more true than during this If everyone does not know ext heir responsibilities and how to carry them out, or if there is any defi···· in lfw equipment nr flyer, it has a way of coming to thP surface and up the works. Under such conditions a successful at1ernpt is a I rue team effort. The flyer invests his time well training the crew and self lh and all can take in a successful attempt. Then· ,ire five in n1aking a re-cord flight(s). 1. Determine what is reObtain I rating and forms. 3. Tr,1in crew and flyer. 4. ru-r,n1,01<> flight and documentation. Send n!quired rr1aterial to NAA. There is sixth step which comes automatically if the previous five have been fulfilled anxi(}usly awaiting the results.

10a

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llu:llur l11quir ins \1\/()fcmrw

M 0

With the developrnent of the new generation of adv,rnced hang gl there have a lot of claims to high glide ratios. However, no manufacturer·, to my knowledge, has indicated any ex· peri mental verification of his claims. Also, theoretical justifications for glide ratios are usually too simplified to bC' believeable. One reason for the lack of experimental measurement of glide ratios is the difficulty in obtaining con, sistent results. This article lists some of the present methods of measuring glide ratios. I will ;ilso describe a new method which shows promise as an accurate and inexpensive method for measuring hang glider glide ratios. With the development of accurate measurernent techniques hopefully there will be more accurate sons of glider designs available to pilots and

ilk

Lant Any ai when flying at about one span in altitude or will have less induced drag due to interaction with the ground, and fhus a glide ratio, than when flying in free air. If flights are 1nade from a higher altitude it is difficult to maintain perfectly identical flight paths from one flight lo the next. Any air movement, especially rising air, will greatly influence the meas· ured glide ratio. I have repeatedly tried using this without much success. Another ble method for rneasuring glide ratio is by a direct reading in· strument mounted on the aircrafL A crude instwrnenl for measuring L/D was developed by Dan PoyntPr arid was ii-" lustrated in his book. 2 That device used

Current Methods of Glide Ratio Measurement The glide ratio of a glider is the ratio of distance traveled horizont;illy to dis·" tancetraveled vertically, in cairn air, ata constant ai It can be easily shown by geometry that the glide ratio exactly equals the ratio of I if11o drag of a glider, or LID. Thus the glide ratio i nherenlly contains a lot of information about the performance of a glider and is a good overall measurement of glider "ef. ficiency. 11 The obvious rnethod of measuring glide ratio is to directly measure the horizontal and vertical distances frorn take-off lo landing. 1 While being a more any direct method, it is difficult to accuracy, due to a number of effects. If the flight is at low altitude the variations in take-off and landing techniques can greatly affect the measured glide ratio. Also, the ground effect becomes

Poynter Glide l~atio Mcasurt'ment Devin'

a vane that "fl freely int he airflow to seek the angle of of the glider. A second device rneasured the angle of the glider to true vertical by the use of a pendulum-like device. The difference is the of between these flight of the glider. Simple trigonometry produces the glide ratio. For standard low glide ratio pararogallo gl

gliders, the appears to be cal. However, for the larger glide. ratios of advanced rogallos and other wings, calculation show that this devi would have to be 4 ft. in diameter to be ;1ble to measure LID to a reasonable accuracy. Even if such a device could be built, the required accuracies in angle of attack measurement are extreme. New developrnent in angle-of attack rneasu ring instruments, however, may make this type of di device possible, though expensive. You may ask what method sailplarH' use to determine glide ratio. With glide ratios of up to 50:1, these really have a problem. L/D's actually, are seldom measured directly. Extensive data i gathered on drag and lift from a variety of theoretical and experimen1al techniques, and the L/D is computed. can be measured by towing the glider and measuring the load on the tow rope. Another rnethod is to fly maintaining a constant altitud<' while measuring the glider deceleration rate. The method of "comparison glide" is also A glider with a known (or al least believed) glide ratio is flown bethe sailplane in question. The glider with the higher glide ratio will appear to rise above the other sailplane as they fly at the same thereby determining the relative glide ratio. 3 While these methods may be applied to hang gl id .. ers, the equipment and accuracies re .. quired may significant problems. a noted sailplane Paul and hang glider aerodynamicist, has 'Park, Jack "Simplified Perforrnance Testing for

Hang Cliders." 2

Poynler, Dan, Hang Cliding.

'ioley, Willi;irri M., "Stale of the Art Review Performance Testing," in NASA CR2:J"l.'i, Nov 1973.

NOVEMBER, 1976

measurernenl. He proposes thl:' use of an accurate altimeter to rr1easure ver1i· cal descent and ;rn a indicator" lo nwasure forward distance of time. !he "i ;ii indica1m" is ;i propeller ,rnemometer !hat counts tl1e number of turns of the In this th<: flight pall1 is way a distance and glide ratio can bP corn· The of almost direct this system is the from effects of horizontal wind and the small effect of rninor disturbances. This

This was atlempted from lhe 500 fl. hill at Country in Southern California. The pilot would fly over the SO ft hil I while a camerc1 on the 200 ft. hill would photograph his flight. The 'iOO ft. lake,oU site at Coun· is wide open, and the landing area is and unobstructed, mal<i ng the area aci er)ta'tlle for night flying. The pilot would mciintain a constant ,ii while flying between two pylons on lhe so fl. hill"

The carnera was tripod mounted on level with the 200 fl. hill, the flight of the glider through the gate over the '30 fL hill. Film used was l<odak Tri·X black and white (ASA 400) and the lens was opened to F/1, 9. The sh uttPr was operH)d when the glider ap· proached the field of view of the cam Pra, and remained open for about IO to 1 'i seconds. Flights were n1ade in calm or slight down hil I wind conditions due to unfor..

devised. a devin) which continu· rt•ads LID rnay be ble with ;1 meter variometc!r (to rneasurc descent rate) and an accurate ai indicator (to measure the rate of travPI lnr1Anrri\ Problems may be encountered with any vertical air movement will affect the results, Ac, curacy of the instruments also beconw Another method of measuring glide ratio appears to have the of more ,KcurcKY, although it is sensitive to ver·tical and horizontal winds. The rnirnn"ln1,l 11 used in model air• glider i'n cairn conditions./\"'"·'"'"' mounted on the glider is pn,01c1gr,1 ptK!fl by a camera on the which has the shutter held open. Multiple expos· I indicate lhe ures of the fl fl and of This method sensitive oe1a11,ee1, continuous data on glide ratio. This method was used author and described below.

on the cross bar and glider. The theoretical of stream! was corn· about glide ratio. The CWt""·"''nr.r>!lc had to measure ratio to !his ratios racy, the differencP in between was of greater concern than the absolute value of glide ratio in this ex1:wr11nent 1:inc,:uy111n1r·1n

HANG GLIDING

1/D Measurement Jests, [scape Country, California. Besides the flashing light on the gl was mounted in a Mehil ai indicator, Cill lights illurni,. points in the flight nated the and car lights skimrned the land· A reference I ight area a 11d was in the landing area bull's eye. Two reference I ights on the SO fl. hill served to the pilot lo the proper location and alignment through 1he These I ights were mounted on a leveled and were a known rJis .. lance apart, serving as an and distance rcforence in the photographs. A on to illumi,. spotlight was In a photo· nate the flash unit was rnounted to the glider control bar, The pilot could activate this flash the flight, resulting in a glider on the photographs. This would help as an of al nienl, and distance reference in the

tunate weather conditions. Radiative cooling on the rnountain lops, then sea/land rncterorological effects re· suited in occasional downhill winds, One night uphill winds than rnph prevailed, so the experimenls were cancelled, due lo the affect on dala. Take-offs were not in downhill winds mph, and rnos1 of the ti rne wind was Oto mph at the time of It was noted that local thermal "bumps" immediately after sundown. Flights in the early even were not photothough. ft. A Wills Wing Inc. Swallowtail 20 ft. hang glider was used for The control bar had been streamlined but that streamlining during1hetests,dueto was not the difficulty in it. Ker)eatPrl flights were made with and without streamlining on cross bar and kingpost 43

The pilot for all flights was Jim Chronister of Costa Mesa, flying prone i11 a Simpson harness. The resulting data showed an alarming inconsistency and extreme values for glide ratio. However, the flashi11g light provided accurate velocity data, and it was determined that the pilot has slowPd down during most of Hw photo· graphy. Th is d('celeration changed some! o{ the kinetic C'nergy of the flying airuaft into height, thus incrl!asing the arparent glide ratio. This dfecl is wr,IJknown among sailrlane enthusiasts, since sailplanes can generate a lot of kinetic energy. Sailplane variometers are often designed to compensate for this kinetic energy effect in order to show energy compensated sink r;:ite. The kinetic energy of the hang glider was computed and the data adjusted to compensate. The results were fairly consistent measures of glide ratio. The dfect of streamlining can evl'n be seen from the data.

be affected, hut not tht' glide rc1tio rneasuren1enl. With a completely hori· zontal airflow the effect of c1 2 mph wind would be an Wfc, glide ratio error.

Error A.11;Jl\1',IG

Clide Radio Mea1urements on a Swallowtail

The dfPct of winds is probably the greatest source of error. However, winds were only Oto 2 mph at tlw earn· era during the flights. The ground below the measurement point in the flight slopes at about the glider glide ratio. If the wind was following the terrain and flowing down (or up) at the glider glide angle, the velocity measurement would

With and Without Streamlining (Corrected for Total /nl'rgy)

The fl;:ishing light used on the glider was timed repeatedly to an accur;:ile pulse timt:> rneasurement. The circuitry was temperature, shock, and battery voltage independent, and the pulse v;:ir .. iation was igible. Reference

Night experiment photo. The photof/ash was activalecf to illuminate the glider after Pntry through t/1e gaff'. The reference lights arP heh ind and he/ow the glider. The lights on the ridge are from buildings in llw distance.

to compare the glide angle to the true hori:rnnt,11 were re .. checked using ihe distinctive ridge line behind the glider for accuracy. Data from flight points far from the can1era line of sight were dis .. carded. The glider ;:iltitude w,1s approximately 'Vi ft. ;ibove the ground during the photographs. There is little ground dfect al this altitude. The effects of lhe flight path being displacea from a point directly in front of the camera were ass urned smal I and were ignored. The night photo shows the glider from a slightly rearward viewpoint, however, and the total 3,dimensional geometry of the prob· lem should be investigated, since the errors are significant, though small. To do this ii would be beneficial to take addition;:il photogr;:iphs from the front or rPar of the flight p;:ith during the sarne flights. These photographs would be correlated by the fl;:ishing light on the glider. This night photo .. graphy method of glide ratio meas .. urerncnt has the advantage that a completely detailed measurement of the flight path is av;:iilable, and any possible errors can be investigated. If other methods of glide ratio measure·· ment prove to be easier lo implement, this type of method may be required to verify their accurncy.

Conclusion The results of data from this nwnt indicate that the flashing light method has possibilities as an accurate means of measuring true glide ratio, possibly to an accuracy of 5%. This type of data has been sorely needed with the current inflation;:iry claims from some hang glider manufacturers. Expensive equipment is not necessary. While the experirnent requires a Joi of I equipment, people, and patience, it ca11 at least serve as a calibrating technique for other methods. The original goal of rneasuri ng the effect of stream! ining also was achieved, showing th;:it this method of glide ratio measurement is at least fairly consistent when used to indicate relative in gl idP ratio. I would like to acknowledge all of the help received during these experiments by Jim Chronister, Keith Fulmer, Rich Heller, and the people at Esc;:ipe Coun·· try. NOV[Ml:3ER, 1976

IW IJ n The vPry str,iightforward title of "ll,rng gliding ,rnd Soaring" may seem like an unirnaginativ() choice by the ,iuthor, but the content more than makes up for its lack of billing. Ratlwr than assaulting the reader (who might be lirancJ-m,w to the sport) with d voluminous account of the history of flight from Daedalus to the DC-HJ, including details on the Wright 13rothcrs Livorite moustaclw wax to reduce Mrazek prefers to giv<· an overview of the sport at present, whc1t it is, ,rnd what to C'xpect. Noth seems to be overlooked in this Pxtn!nwly complete· handbook of ultralight flight, incl ud a thorough, but mere if u I ly brief account of lhe origins of flight. Rather lh,111 belabor ,rny point in the book, the author the prospective and ,1ccomp· lished pilot what he• or she wants lo know ;rnd perhaps more importantly, shou Id know il lioul the sport. The author, a retired /\rmy colonel ,ind aeronautic expert, utilizes an excellent combination of photographs and cl stressing the all-important factors of and preparation Unlike many other gliding lmoks, the to taking to the step-by-step sequc11lial photos of takeoffs, landings, etc. are for lhe most part absent, the Pmphasi,, being placccl on what to Pxpect and leavi11g the nuls and bolts of !lie train to a certified instructor. H/\NC Cl IDINC /\ND SOARINC: I\ complete Introduction to the Newest Way to Fly By Jarn(:'S E. Mrazek. I B4 pages.

St. Martin's Press. $6.

Most of us would like to 1hi11k that we could hold our own in a conversation with other pilots about sink rat«, glide and aspect ratios, the principles of gravity and lift, the "so-c,1lled" basics of hang gliding. Bu I as is often painfully apparent, some pi lots' grasp of tfwse principles are often pretty superficial,,rnd gratefully one of the best expla11ations of these "basics", and more>, is provided here iri a concise, and underst;indahle m,rnner. /\s far as glider selection and equipment choices for the neophyte and advanced pilot, Mrazek provides a very complete analysis of glider types, brands, and perforrnance capabilities without sounding too much like a spec sheet and thankfully not letting his book become a sales bullhorn for any particular corn· pany. /\lso, tlw author touches upon some of the rnore subtle aspects of the sport such as site selection, use of 1opo m;1ps, microrneteorology, glidPr storage, preventative maintenance, tips, and emergency procedures that some other publications have missed. /\II in all, this book is a very complete and well-written compendiurn of the things every pilot should know. I do feel that the author has do11e himself an injustice by calling his book an "Introduction lo the Newest Way to Fly". Although ii is !hilt, Mrazek also offers some excellent information on the more advanced maneuvers (360's, 1BO's, thermal ,rnd the like) and should be a welcome addition to s library.

You can build your own sails, stock a complete line of Bainbridge and sailmaker's hardware. If you are looking for a wide selection of fabric and assistance in sewing techniques, we have what you need. Sailrite Kits has just published The Wing Book by Jim Grant a complete text on the building of han9 olider fabric sur· faces. It is available along with our Amateur Sailmaker's for $1.50 (prepaid). Use the coupon below to order

Sailrlte Kits, 12937 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista, Ca. 90066 Please send me the Wing Book and the Amateur Sailmaker's Catalogue. I have encloset1 $1.50 for each set ordered and understand that they will be sent postpaid. Name Address ...... - ..................... City

NOVEMBER, 1976

Phot<Js

we results.

span love .....

111 ...

COLVER SOARING VARIOMHER Rc,scilrchod and designed by Colver Soaring lnstru, rnenls in conjunclion wi!h Vl/ilh Wing, Inc., the Colver soarinQ variomctcr is

dual range audio and

visu11I variomctcr that offers all lhe features that the besl hang gliding pilots require, It is a must for optirnu,n soaring flight, Audio and visual for total flexibility

• Dual sensi-

tivity for even tho most marginal or extreme condl~ lions Sup0r sensitive nudio for ihe quickest

possible response to lift • D,1mped visual for easy reading and sli,iht averagin9 eflcct although ii is still quicker than the best sail plane elcclric variorrw1(;r

(II

Proven circuit in produc!ion lor over 2lh

years "' Entirely self contained wi1h no cxlerior boules or flasks w Audio may be turned oif for visual use only • Shock resistant ' Streamlined for minimum drag extremely lightwci9ht only weighs 33 ozs. 0 13uilt in mou1~1s can be at1ached to any control bar 0 Low power usoge insures long ba1tc:ry life • Dislributed exclusively by Wills WincJ, Inc $194,00

especially

HAWKSWORTH

HANG GLIDING BOOT Developed by Malcolm Hawks worth especially for hant1 glidin9, the H.1wksworth Hang Glidin<:J

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• Full

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• • Foam • • Low

Padded for Support and.Comfort .

stress

Aids Floatation for Water

Booi offers the kind of support, cornforl, and proleclion that han9 gliding demands, All English lcathor with ankle paddin9 for support and comfort ' 0 Rugged tread design for maxirriurn traction " Special lace c1ncl10rs lhal c:annot hook in flyinfJ wirns • One piece leather J·ongue keeps boo1 wa1erproof to !he very top "' Sole desi9nod to easily hook and hold harness stirrup "' Cornplett~ly lined with sof1 lcaihcr for u perfect fit * Complete scleclion of sizes for proper fit • Sold exclusively in the U,S, by WILLS WING, INC i1nd thc,ir dealers,

Special shock absorbi.Hll sole to cushion hard landings

Send Arnorican shoe size (En9lish

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Three Streamlined

• 11111

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THOMMEN AlTIMHER

S, M, L, XL .

•

Foot

and

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$15,00,

Price:

Designed especially for Ha119 Glider pilots • Moro rugged and far lighler 1han an aircraft altimeter ' Hi9h bility orange Day-Glo needle a9,1inst block fncc and white numerals 0 19 Jewel oil"frec mov0menl " 20-foot increrncnts lo 15 000 feet ,;, Superb temperature compensation 1

• Velcro wrist strap

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and Two color choices. Visit your local dealer for a demonstration or write to:

1208-H Walnut Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 547-1344

check out these features: To Sail. Fastest way to learn techIf you don't know how to sail, learn on WinGo as fast (up to times wind "I-"""''·'' as you like. in excees of 60 conv1=miernt-s1"!ts up in

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THE BELL SOARING HELMET IS AVAILABLE THf~OUGH YOUF1 LOCAL 13ELL DEAL.ER. Distributed world wide by E ipper-Formance, Inc, Torrance, CA 90501 dealer inquiries invited

CONSUMER ADVISORY: Used hang gliders always should be disassembled before flying for the first time and inspected carefully for fatigue bent or dented tubes, ruined bushings, bent bolts (especially the heart bolt), re-used Nyloc nuts, loose thimbles, frayed or rusted cables, tangs with non-circular holes, and on Rogallos, sails badly torn or torn loose from their anchor points front and back on the keel and leading edges. If in doubt, many hang businesses will be to an on the

Can we help you get into the air? Do you want to fly, but are short of funds? We will trade anything to fly. Contact Delta Wing Kites & Glid787-6600.

·-·····~·····-·:

CUMULUS 58. 4 months old, excellent condition, colorful. With bag. $750. John (714) 645-3936. FREE FLIGHT, 17'. With bag, prone l1arness, wind meter, helmet, knee pads, spare hardware. $300. T. Wahl, 101 Highway Blvd, N. Pekin, Illinois 61554.

·-··-·--·~-------~--···

GO FOR IT! Chandelle 18'. Clean sail, new cables, wide control bar. Bag and harness. $390. 869-2524, MANTA WING "19x17'. Trick sail pattern. Prone or seated. $375. Dave, 538-7255. """"' " " " " ' " " " " " " " ' " ' - " ' " " ' "

PACIFIC GULL HA-18, with bag. Excellent condition. $550. 496-5240. PHANTOM SCORPION 110°, 19/16 Inter· mediate trunk. Good condition, clean quiet sail. Flies well. Must sell. $550. or best offer. Maynard Pogue, 5711 Calvert, Lincoln, NE 68506. (402) 488-7503. flown PHOENIX 6-8. Fantastic kite. Like new twice. With Bennett prone harness and custom 560-0072. $925.

months old, good condition with vinyl-coated cables. Includes prone harness and bag. $325. 539-6859. U.P. DRAGONFLY, with bag. Excellent condition. for kite. Must sell. $650. or best offer. Call 382-9997. WILLS 20x20' Swallowtail ···Custom sail. son harness I~ seat included. Much T.L.C. Mike Wilde at 965·5754, eves. WIND GYPSY 107. 7 months old. $500. Call 270-6444.

EASY RISERS. New, used, kits, motor packages in stock. Powered demonstrations available. Fledglings new, used. Call the rigid wing headquarters ol the East. Wings for Man, (516) 581-3943.

CALIFORNIA

HANG GLIDERS WEST-DILLON BEACH FLY· ING SCHOOL. For the most complete line of Hang Gliders, parts and accessories in the Bay Area, come see us. USHGA certified instructors and observers. Free lessons with purchase of a wing. Visit our new shop, 10:00 to 6:00 Monday through Ground School Fridays 7:30 P.M. pilots are welcome to come the latest high performance gliders. After the it's the service that counts. Hang Gliders West, 1011 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901. 453-7664.

ICARUS 118. Must sell or trade. Test flown only. Will trade for flexible or best offer. Dave After 10. """""""-""""""""

"'""

GoodcondiICARUS V. Constructed by Pacific Ultra lites from Free Flight kit. Test flown, ready to go. Special 560-0888. harness included. $995. ICARUS V. Free

$595.

QUICKSILVER B. Red and yellow sail, cover. Includes rack. M.W. Wilks, 1 St., Fort Worth, 76114. 626-3303.

SEAGULL V - Yellow with orange trim and rudder. Very good, must sell. $600. Write R.R. 2, Whitefish, MT 59937. Or call (406) 862-4680, late

QUICKSILVER B. White, !lies beautifully. Gone to college, must sell. $500. {213) 349-8731 after

'"""""'""'"""""""""'

ICARUS II Beautiful shape, white with red, white and blue mono-coat rudders. Complete with car top box for only $750. With motor power package and harness $1425. Call (616) 426-3100 or The Midwest School of Hang Gliding, 11522 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman, Ml 49106.

SEAGULL V Blue and white sail, fully batt,ened, seated harness& Mike Sanders ._.,.,_,.,.,,.. "collect".

ST AN DA RD 18' DINGER WING. RE3d & blue. 6

""""'""'"""

DESERT HANG GLIDERS. Featuring Seagull and Eipper. Representatives in Flagstaff and Tucson, too. Complete lessons, sales, service, used kites. Mountain flights up to 4300' vertical. 3433 W. Phoenix, Arizona 85023. 942-4450 or 968·3658 in Phoenix, 779-0236 in FIAC1StAff

FREE FLIGHT OF SAN DIEGO, INC. offers professional flight instruction at reasonable cost. Top quality gliders and accessories from Ultra lite Products and Free Flight Systems. (714) 560-0888.

QUICKSILVER 8. Excellent flyer in A·I condition. (~xtras, a steal at $450. Rick Perkins

.'. --•-"••··'·-··-'"·-•'"·•··-···-

ARIZONA

FLEDGLING. Used six months. All worn parts replaced with new ones. Excellent condition. Took second in 1976 Nationals. 3 cover bags included. custom rudders. $950. Shiooir10 ~''.c;'':''~"'':':..\..':.'.'J/_'933-9897.

SEAGULL IV. Spectacular custom sail. Like new. Prone and Supine harness and foot stirrup. With Idaho. 454-0441 .

SKY-TREK 18'x16'. Complete water and land tow system plus free flight system. Almost brand new with only twenty water show flights. Costs $1,100, will sell for $700. For more information write 232 West Sac. St. #3, Chico, CA 96001 or 345-6618. Hand.

bags, etc. Beautifully covered and finished. Will sacrifice at $650. to help finance new project. Conn. 643-4493.

6. QUICKSILVER C. Factory built and tested. Purchased in 1975. Like new condition. Custom color sail. Includes cover. $1,000. (717) 957-3669. '''""-"""""""'""""""'"""'""

SUPER ICARUS 11, newly rebult 118 w.ith Easy Riser Airfoil. Mint condition, excellent flying characteristics, extras including like new Colver Variometer. hardware, transport

THE HANG GLIDER SHOP 1351 E. Beach Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631; (213) 943-1074. Come in, visit, and see our displays featuring Gliders, parts, and other through Friday, SEAGULL AIRCRAFT is now accepting a limited number of applications mr<Jug1no1u1 the U.S.A. Please Aircraft, Inc., S 3021 Airport CA 90405 GOLDEN SKY SAILS, featuring Sun and Seagull gliders. Our well equipped shop specializes in repair and custom work. Huge inventory amJ accessories, including Chandelle rep,lacemenl Fast service mail order. Reg· aa~,am:ea, and high-performance lessons. Mountain flights up to 2600' vertical. ailable. Located just west of Denver at the Green Mountain. Call or write for free further information: (303) chard St., Golden, Colo. 80401.

NOVEMBER, 1976

IOWA Central Iowa dealer for Pliable Moose, New and used gliders, lessons, parts, repairs, Moines, Iowa fi0317, 262-5080 KANSAS

MASSACHUSETTS

line ble

accessories, Lessons and ratings availa,Jim LeMiewc

The Midwest Scl1ool of Hang Gliding We l1ave Urn laiesl and the most advanced system training, all done at low sand dunos, This l1elps the levels on or advanced pilots their confidence faster in flying with the least amount of effort All instructors USHGA Certified and able to certify you, available for your We carry E:ir:Jpe,r-F'orma.nce, Wills Wing, and tow gliders and full line of parts, For further information call (616) 426-3100 or Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman, write 11 Ml 49106, MISSOUFll MONARCH FLYING MACHINES, VOUifCClnlPlete mid-west hang glicler service. instructors and observers, basic training with medium performance gliders, intermediatEl and advanced training, Monarch gliders, Bill Bennett products, repairs, parts, accessories, Jim Wilson and Tim Emerson, 1043 Diversey, St Louis, MO 63126,

MICHIGAN AND MIDWEST ENTHUSIASTS Eco-Flight Inc, Distributor and IV's in for stock, "Easy Riser", "Hot" standard kit Complete stock of supplies, instruction, sailmaking, Ann Arbor, SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN HANG GLIDERS, Mt Clemens, Mich, 48045, (313) for Wills Wing, Colver instru· and Sunbird harnesses, Complete

MONTANA and announce co1nscJ\idati<m with the intention of better serving the Northwest Hang Gli•din,q c1)m1rnunitv Certified instruction radios, a complete stock of and other accessories, and t'le,ainnin,n/intermediate to the highest perform-, gliders, GSI insurance, and site also available.

Route Mullan Road, Missoula, Montana 59801 (406) 542-2725 or 549-9462. NEW JERSEY

SKY ACTION SPORTS INC., Authorized dealer for Manta and in stock selection of Bell $2.00 for to: SKY ACTION NJ 07456,

Gliders ancj cable and tubing, ComHelmets in stock. of information 16 Weir Place,

40 miles north of NYC. Aerial Techniques GSI Certified Beginners Sct1ool with advance trainer kites. Dealers for all Manufacturers, Fv,~rvthirm for tho intermediate, and adva11ccid Dan ,James Aronson, Douka dedicated to the 78~,-6751, RD#1,

PENNSYLVANIA ROGEfl'S HANG GLIDEF1 SHOP, Dealer tor Eipper-·Formance, Pliable Moose, Lessons, accessories. Verboke Marysville, 17053, (717) 957-3214.

TEXAS Electra flyer LONE ST AR HANG GLIDERS and UFM. Sales, repair, instruction. 2200 C. South Smithbarry, Arlington, Texas 76013. (817) 469-9159. '''"'-""'

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UTAH THE KITE SHOP AT NATURE'S WAY, a complete hang gliding shop featuring: USHGA certified instructors, a full line of parts and accessories, demo and rental gliders, (Manta, Wind· lords, Cirrus Ill's and the Fledgling collapsible fixed wing). The Kite Shop is easily found at 9th So. & 9th East and includes a great natural foods store and Salt Lake's best sandwiches. We speicialize in 898 So. 900 E., Salt Lake Utah 359-7913. WASATCH WINGS, dealers for Seagull Aircraft, Ultralite Products (U.P.), and Wills Wing. Utah has some of the best teaching and soaring condi· lions in the country. So, take advantage of our well-equipped flight school, (free Ground School Tuesdays, 8 p.m.), complete repair shop and our full line of gliders & accessories. Wasatch Wings, 3998 300 W. #66, Salt Lake City, Utah 84107. (801) 266-2922. Come by and we'll show the sites.

BOOKS: Books available through USHGA are Fly, The Complete Book of Skysai/ing, Guide to Arizona, Guide to Rog a/lo Flight - Basic, Hang flight, Hang Glictlng, Hang Gliding -· Rapture of the Heights, Hang Gliding The Ffyingest Fly· ing, Log Book, Manneci Kiting, Man-Powered Flight, Simplified Perlormance Testing, Skysurfing, True Flight and The Complete Book of Hang Gliding. Also available: Hang Gliding and Flying Conditions, by Dennis and Hang Gliding and Soaring, by ,James Mrazek. Request order form, USHGA, Box 66306, Los Angeles, CA 90066. HANG GLIDING. Complete outfitting and source book. Free details. Write: Great Outdoors, 109-A Second St., Sausalito, CA 9496S. HANGING IN THERE. $6/yr. 6301 Knox Ave. South, Richfield MN 554.. 23__·..... ··-···· .. SOARING MAGAZINE. Covers the sailplane scene with some ultralite Available with membership. Associate member, kit with sample copy of America, Box $1. 50. 66071-G, Los 90066. ................... ... _.

SOUTHLAND FL YER the Southland USHGA's ldllJe::,, Lll'1Ultll S. H.G.A., E. ftA<:>nt"l"l<>~!Ar glewood, CA 90301 ................................

BACK ISSUES OF GROUND SKIMMER MAGAZINE; Mimeo newsletters #'s HO, .50¢ each; printed issues, #19-36, .75¢ each; current issues $·1.00 each. USHGA, Box 66306, Los Angeles, CA 90066.

.049 x 1S', 17', 18' 6063 T832 2-15 lengths 70¢ ft. 1ii'a x .058 x 12' 6061 T6 2-5 lengths 1.25 ft., CABLE SS 3/32 7x7 white vinyl or soft clear nylon 15¢ ft.; 3/32 nicos 7¢; THIMBLES 3/32 8¢. After October 15 bright dip anodized tubing 1 Y2 x .049, 15/a x .058, 1% x .049, write for quantity price list. 5% discount on orders accompanying this ad and received November 15. "NEW ADDRESS" Leading Air Foils, 331 S. 14 St., Colorado 80904 (303) 632-4959.

ALUMINUM TUBING seamless drawn 1 "x.083 x 12' 6061T62-15 lengths .80¢ ft. 1W' x

ALTIMETERS Light weight. Dimensions 3/8"x2 3/8". Adjustable outer dial and needle. Also reads barometric pressure. Protective case included. $14.50 each. Ultralight Instruments. P.O. Box 513-A, Morgan, UT 84050. ©A GREAT GIFT IDEA(c) CABLE SS 3/32 7x7 white vinyl $.20 ft. Uncoated $. 15 ft. Nicos $.07. Thimbles SS $.09; UP Tangs, $.60. Poly rope 3/a $. 1O ft. Send for free prk:e sheet. We sell discount! BIRD BUILDEF~S, 22225Y2 Pac. Coast Malibu, CA 90265. HOMEBUILDERS-· We carry most types of the "best" in hardware and supplies at great prices.

Join the fast growing list of paid subscribers who receive GLIDER RIDER on a regular monttily basis. In it's first year monthly publication, ut.11.1c:n RIDER has become the focal point of news, views, entertainment and information about the great international sport of hang gliding.

Mail Check or Money Order to:

GLIDER RIDER

1 YEAR 3 YEARS $10.00 $18.00 $25.00 (Add $8 Per Year for Special 1st Class Mailing)

To order your harness or for rnore information write or call:

SUNIIIU> GLIDERS 21420 CHASE ST. 7J CANOGA PARK, CA 91304

($113) IIH-3177 Please specify pilot height and weight when ordering by rnail ® A minimum $20.00 deposit must accompany all mail orders. 41 ONLY $65.50 f.o.b. Canoga Park. Californians add 6% sales tax. DEAL.HS INQUIRIES INVITED 41

Back Issues Available: L~I May June April Please check if you wish your.subscription to start with any of the earlier editions. 52

NOVEMBER, 1976

Send stamp for brochure. Abate's Glider Shop, P.O. Box 1, Lawrence, Mass 01842. (617) 683-4284. -------- --

SPECIAL SALE! PRONE HARNESSES: $35, rec1u1:1r1V $50. 5,000 lb. nylon web construction. foam Adjustable for prone or included. SM, MD, LRG, XI.. Small home size nico tool allows easy, safe cable rf)pair and sites. nu,,-,rm~c, ment at home or at STALLATION TOOL: allows

Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250. LICENSE PLATE FRAMES ''l'D RATHER BE HANG GLIDING" Send $2.50 .50¢ and to: THE 2028-B, Cruz, CA 95063. Fletailers: (408) 475-2526 - --·-------- --------

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PATCHES & DECALS $1. Decals, 3112'' dia. lems 3" dia. Full color Inside or outside application. 25¢ eact1. Include 13¢ for and handling with each order. Box CA 90066. --- -- -- - ------- ------

92807

PROTECTION For your glasses and sun glasses. Adhesive back sticks to all surfaces. A must for vans, boats, autos and R/Vs. Package of two, $2.95. Check, M.O., or Master all General Sales Co., Columbus, 43227. 16mm color movie, motorized banks, loops, etc. South Second St,

"WINGS OF THE WIND", an award winning 16mm Hang Gliding film, is ideal for showing at club for promotional use and enterpurchase, rental, information, contaimnent.

FLIGH!

INSTRUC!ION

Very sensitive (to 10 ft/min) Always visible No electronic lag loss 2-r.iua1·t linors (grocory)

A!RSPEEDOMETER Dual Rango (0-25 rnph) (0-60 rnph) Functions AT and AFTER launch $Z7.50 Complete

MORTON ENTERPRISES

JACK BRITTON (21l)

99-904 Lalawai Drive Aiea, Hawaii 96701

· 10)4

For more 1ntormat1on and reservations, wnte or call The Delta School, PO. Box 483. Van Californi'a 91408. Phone or 7876600

rr)mr11r>!lr> instructions on

the stu<Jent into the as~;1stElO t)y the instructor HANG GLIDING

AIR SPORTS holds the Lookout Mountain, with CRYSTAL AIR Southeastern records for distance and altitude you see, oe10011e loo kir10 for the businesses which nli,11e>t"Q but rather for oe1::m1e gliding; who know Al/eU\ll'lnriu'<: WhO excel oec>Ple who have 1

Still another individual at CRYSTAL AIR writes a column for BOTH "Glider Rider" and Skimmer", the most widely read publications in gliding. are associated with because at CRY ST Al machine or learned fine people ever f'('\i'Y\r'\ll'.'.liru,rl about the deal

CRYSTAL AIR

Matter of most returned to their "'"'''""'r1 do!

•

Ill

•

I two most

1Je:a1e1rs for nearly AND the Southeast's

world. gliders.

for ANY hang gliding need you have. Dealers: Call for information Electra and - they sell!

' Ill

(circle one) Small, Medium, Large, X·Larrie

T,Shirl Color and Visor Color

First choice: light blue, yellow, beige (circle one) I enclose for T,shirts or visors Second choice: rnd, white, orange, tan, green,(circle one) $1.00 postage and hand lino for oacl1 shirt and 50¢ for each visor. NC residents add 4% tax. (circle 0110) Total enclosed$ .. ... ... $4.25 (5 color design) Fly A Kite Surf the Sky Get High Fly A Kite Killy Hawl<

.,,$4.25 (5 color ,, $4.25 (5 color ,,$:J.75 (2 color

Namo Ad dross State

City

ORDERS PROCESSED DAY

RECEIPT

Send to: Kitty Hawk Kites P. O. Box 3B6, Head, NC 27959 $"1 for postor/catalo9

Tho soaring instrument any unemployed han9 glidor pilot can afford.

Reliable ....,no batteries to fa ii Sensitive--·1 ft/soc. rosponse · ft/ min.

ACCURATE--each meter cali· brated individually. DEPENDABLE-not affected dust or static. RUGGED-clear READ--from front or

in U.S. Includes add $1.00.

MC101M/C

MIKE TURCHEN

l)oalo11nqt111,m111w11ed

l;rnR Mu Chula Vista Ca. 92011

The

MACHINE

With like the tip feathers of birds, this new Dick Boerne sail produces incredible performance coupled with unsurpassed three axis control and stability. The radial tips@ allow for: • improved 114 chord sweep design • less sail billow (1/2 °) permitting high penetration without sacrificing good parachuting • reduced induced drag e better washout curve • pre· vention of tip stalls and flat spins.

the Vl-8 gives you performance you need for winning meets. High speed glide for speed runs, yet Vl·B slows down to 200 FPM for aerial slalom and when it's time to land, it's DEAD CENTER on

on and has proven it's excellent thermaling and is a breeze because of it's excellent roll areas to another thermal, the VI-B's top

soaring capabilities. Centering a thermal in

a VI-B

and sink rate. And when it's time to move out of sink really comes in handy.

DELTA WING KITES and GLIDERS, Inc. 13620 Saticoy Van Nuys, California 91408 PHONE: (213) 785-2474

Cronic Floxi Pt. Formin with nave Muoh/, 1/anq Gliding Ch,imr:,ion.

For nearly four years now, Seagull Aircraft has been innovating, designing, and building the finest hang gliders in the world. Look at the high performance gliders on the market today, and you will see.,concepts originated by Seagull years ago. Seagull Aircraft con· ceived, perfected, and produced the distinctive truncated conical shape, machine bent spars, cambered keels, cambered sails, applied tapered leading edge pockets, first practical high aspect wing, coated padded control bars, adjustable trim, list goes on. All -Seagull gliders exhibit positive dive recovery without external or "add-on" devices. There are no "instant" gliders from Seagull. Every glider produced for sale had been under and the time development for over a full spent is evident in the product. Each glider type continues to be refined during production, and these refinements may be incorporated into older gliders. You will never own an obsolete glider from Seagull Aircraft. If you are serious about your flying, you should be flying Seagull.

Seagull Aircraft offers gliders for all flying, from training to relaxed soaring, to full-on co1mpetition. Whatever your flying needs, Seagull builds your glider.

3()21 Airport Avem;e, Santa Monica, California 90405 (213) :394,1151