USHGA Hang Gliding December 1977 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

FORMERLY GROUND SKIMMER MAGAZINE

DECEM BER 1977 $1.50

13620 St, PO Box 483 Van Nuys, California 91408 3) 787-6600 111 (213) 785-2474 Telex 65 1425

pl (,II helps remind you to hook-up II imier-t11be([or slip it colorful foam back

I\J ,

[) AND PRODUCED BY .. .JrnlW L.ANHAM

, IN

t 801 MAGNOLIA AVE. PENNSAUKEN, N.J 08109 ) 663 1

EDITOR: Rich Grigsby CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Carol Price EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Sharon Grigsby Phil Warrender ILLUSTRATIONS & LAYOUT Mork Alllson STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: W A. Allen. Leroy Grannis. Bettino Grav. Stephen McCorroll OFFICE STAFF MANAGER Carol Velderroln Cathy Colemon. Jane t Meyer. Donielle Delio. Wendi Tutffe, Marlene Koll USHGA OFFICERS PRESIDENT· Vic Powell VICE PRESIDENT Vern Roundtree SECRETARY Kay Brake TREASIJRER Lloyd Llcher USHGA REGIONAL DIRECTORS REGION 1 Vern Roundtree, Jett Jonnson. REGION 2. Walley Anderson , Jon Cose. REGION 3: Trip Mellinger. Don Poynter, John lake, Alex Duncan. REGION 4: Steve Thome. Lucky Campbell. REGION 5: none. REGION 6: James Cruce REGION 7 Mike Ziaskos REGION 8 Don McCabe REGION 9: Vic Powell. Dennis Pogen, REGION 10 Skip Smith REGION 11: David Broyles. REGION 12: Jim Aronson. DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE REGION 2: Lloyd Licher REGION 6: Kay Brake. REGION 8. BIii Allen REGION 10: John Harris, Harry Robb. HONORARY DIRECTOR: Hugh Morton EX-OFRCIO DIRECTOR of USHGA as we ore a division of NAA: General Brooke Allen, The united Stoles Hong Gliding Association. Inc.. fs a division of the Notional Aeronautic Assoclotlon (NAAJ Whlcti is the official U.S. representative of the Feder~· lion Aeroooutique lnlernolionole (FAIJ. the world governing body for sport aviation The NAA, which represents the U.S at FAI meetings, tfos delegated to Iha USHGA supervision of FAl-relaled hong gliding activities such as record attempts and competition soncttons. HANG GLIDING mogo21ne is ouPlf51'1ed for hong gliding sport enthus1osls to c,eote further interest In lhe ,port by o means of open communlcollon end 10 odvonce hong glidlng melhod1 ond sorely Conlrlbulions ore welcome. Anyone is In, vlled lo conlribu1e articles, pn:itos and illustrolidns concemlng hong gilding ochv1l1es II the moferfol Is to be returned o slompeo self oddressed return erwelope must be enclosed HA.NG GLIDING magazine reserves lhe r,gl>I to edrf conlnbutlons where necessary The Assoc10 lion end publlcot1on do not assume 1esponstb11ify for lhe moler1ol or oplnfons of conlrlbulors HANG GLIDING magazine is pUbhsr,ed mon1nly by tne Unrled Slotes Hang Gliding Assoc101Jon. Inc whose malling address Is P.O. Box 66306. Lo5 Angeles Cohf 90066 and whose offices ore lo coted 0111312•, Venice Blvd. Los Angeles. Calif 90066. telephone· (213) 300-3065 Second-class posfoge rs ooid o t Los Angeres. Coll! HANG GLIDING mogozlne Is pnnled by S1nciolr Printing &. L1tho, Alhambra. Calif Subscription 1s ovolloble only cs port or membership In lhe USHGA o member conlrolfed eduoohono end sclenHflc orgor,tzotlon ded1c9led to exploring o il facets ot ullroi,ghl tllgh1 Member\h,p Is open lo onYon(j In· te<esled 111 th1sreolmolfi1ghl Duesfortuttmemoersh1p ore S15 peryeor (S16 tor fo,eign addresses) dues to, Associcle membe,ship o,e SlO pe, veor. or which S7 ore deslgno1ed for sut:>sa1ptl0<1 lo HANG GLIDING mogome Changes a address snoud be sent slx weeks In odvonce. Including norne. USHGA membefih1p number. prevrous and new address. end o rpolllng label from o recen1 Issue

Total paid clrculatlon for the November tuue was 10,700.

ISSUE NO. 59 DECEMBER 1977

HANG GllDING CONTENTS FEATURES

PROPELLERS: PART I

by Sfan Hall

Flrs1 of o 2 port article on how to sefec1 the right prop for the job.

HARNESSES

by Dennis Pogen

Harness setec1ion and adjustment.

20 197 8 CALENDAR 46 BODY POSITION: THE HANG GLIDER AIRBRAKE

by Tom Peghiny

Reducing glide angle for accurate landing approaches.

WORLD'S LONGEST OUT & RETURN IN A HANG GLIDER by George Worthington

DEPARTMENTS

4 4 4 6 9 17 56

A FAREWELL CALENDAR INDEX TO ADVERTISERS USHGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION ELECTION BALLOT WINDSOCK by Mark Allison CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

CO VER HANG GLIDING Mogozlne ecitor. Rich Grigsby flying on Oly of Telluride. Photo b y Leroy Grannis CONSUMER ADVISORY : Hong Gltdlng Magazine and USHGA, Inc .. do not endorse or toke any responslblllty for the products advertised or mentioned edlforlolly within these pages. Unless specifically explained. performance figures quoted In advertising ore only estimates. Persons considering the purchase of o glider ore urged to study HGMA standards. Copyright © Uni1ed Stoles Hong Gliding Association, Inc. 1977. All rights reserved to Hong Gliding Magazine and individual contributors.

•

Dear Mc,mho,rc The December' 77 Hang issue is my thirtieth and last issue. editor of Ground Skimmer and mar1azine for years has been a most unique experience. The editorship is a way of life that cannot be adequately described in terms of "a job,,, It must be to be understood. [ am mas editor to devote a full time effort to my hang gliding family and local sites. /\long with n1y rcsi~Jrmtion, Mark whose illustrations and cartoons have be· come a l /G tradition, is also the mar1azine staff. Mark will persue some per· sonal endeavors well as his free-,lance art career, Hopefully some of his freelance work will involve HG in lhe future. Best wishes to a talented and versatile artist l am the fact that the of HG a viable source of communication in our sport due to the many contributors who shared their and talents with the rest of us. Bill

have my appreciation and admiration for their superior

editorial assistants and the USHGA office staff have much help and support in all This cooperation of efforts is evidence that the USHGA is " not "THEM" The or9anization exists for us the and it whatever ern .. We can we want Tbe more support and co .. operation within our the better it can serve us and our sport. new staff will be a joint ef. (editor) and wife ,Janie Gil has been active in ing moved frorn ton, where he worked iis a lJSHC,/\ director. /\ttendinH WSU. C,il and Janie both received Masters' in and Literature. Gil is also a part time concert pianist. best wishes no with Gil and Janie, I know are ,md t,1lented tearn who have much to contribute. I that you will Hive them the support and cooperation will need to serve as J /G's new editors. Richmd Editor. J

CRIJSIIABLL FOAM lNNER LINE

Designed to absorb through cellular destruc FIBERGLASS SHELLS

lberglass absorbs by breaking down 1ayer layer,reducing energy passed to the inner liner. COMFORT Ll NI NG

comfort and a

-~li,1,-·- VlNYL COVFRED Cll!N STRAPS

for that " nished"

as wel I as strength and

comfort.

LEATHER ACCESSO!\Y

to hold

,qlasses mount vari

DECEMBER 197?

f'HICL

llOOKS

OIJANTITY

AMOUNI

01111 IT IINr. MIil SOUHCI llllOI( I OIi 1111~[;

111

<ICCC',

11 Y

Ii ?

11'.l

anil

data

!!/\\J(J I! 1(111! ,Joe /\d!e on <rn1J Hill W1!l1:i111', 1lrnd uJit.011 ms11uctio11 m,irwal 100 ;·,·:···,··:····,

,·;·

Poy111nr

r~dd1n11

l bll

I tH: l1,1,,11

l)y Kr:1lt1 Slle1w1n lfr;tory and modnrn arnl coris1iler:1!1011 CONDI flO~S Dwirw; l1i1qcr1 fl/:1c1omctnoroloqy ro1 pilo1s 90 1llw; l;y NOi IIIIIJWN IIA~Jc; liLIIIINU ANII 11 YI Nii :1,111 :;, liy llennh A 1nst1 uct1on mc11n1c1J lrn IHJq1nrrn11) lo CUIIJI AlllZIJNA, lly W1l1n1 ll;iki,r t,O pc1qi,1 and condil1ons !or in /\ri;or\d 10 l'ili'IJI All Ii 110 CALii OIINIA l1y

llli fl I

llfl ll!) ll I 0

S ? ?I, 1311 ;> /'.)

111? $11)

lll'.l lly111q ?11

fl I~

SIMl'l 11 lrn l'llll llllMANCI II .SIIN(i Ly ,l;ick l'.:ik

[\ \'.)

1111 CIIMl'I I 11 llllllK OI IIANII Iii llJIN(; l1y II :; 11:tl;icy lo tort1y lilb (";pec1,1lly tor :l? pill)i"I p1lnh ~1/' X 7 IIANII Iii lDINli MANIIAI. ANIJ I Ill, liy ll,rn I u, l1eq,1rnel!; 1\11 <1'.;set lo 1ii::;trncto1s ol ,f' X f fl.I SP(HHINll COOf Prnv1dt ; 111(1 rnqu1n;rne1-11,; for r(:co1ds, aclrn:vcnHrn1s l)drl(JP'; di\d Wo1ld Cl1;, np1011sl11Jh

ll lti

ll 1/

fl 1fl

3 ?ti 1 !)0 1 00

ITEMS 11:illCA l·MlliJ M 1·Slllf1 r 100% c1111on, l11ql1 q11dlily oi;11HJc only M<:n\ M. I, XI (please circle 11:illliA I Milli M CAI' Orn, SI/() 1,1:: all IY[X: w llc;!l(,/1 emlJlern NAVY or llllANlil circle 1l11n1wler lull (reil ,Ille' Ulil lCIA SI WON I MIil i M ordlHJU 011 ;i yi:llow or:mqn !Jd(><q1ound w tilack pr1nt1

11 I ?

I :l

illillGA LMIII IM 1'1 Nll/\NI

i-.

1 llO

i1111111el1:r l'i,wle w 1;,lviil 'JI)()

Ci1,l!l1

Iii

lllil l(,A lllll ION· PIN I'; (l,;rnwre, 11111 [OIOI LIC[NSI. i'IAII IIWM

rnw~ ,HHI wl11te

'1'il 1at11er lie l1anr1 qll[J((HJ

$ a on

USHGA Plll!LICATIONS I' I I' ?

llSIIGA INS!llllCTOlll; Cl HllflCMIIIN MANIIAI

? 00

lllolli;A OIIIC:IAI CllMl'IIIIION Hill.Iii

? (JI) MLl1CIIANlllSI SIIH IO I Al

i!ANG Gl.lOING/ GH[JUNIJ SKIMMEfl No t;ix 011 r11r1q;u1nw;

MIMl011flAl'IILIJ COl'l[I, 1, 2 '.I 4, :1 Ci, I II. 9 111 1'111Nllll Clil'II!; 1!). ?II, ?I,??, ?3 ?!1 20 :rn :11. :J? :n

calrindarl

(?G :iOI D 01111

JG ('?b c:ileridar) f'll1NILl1 COl'IIS :11. '.lil, '.l9, (40 !,01 ll crilerHlar), '!9 Sf) ~i1 ~J?, b:J

41. 4? 43 44

,j(j

41117 I 1 IJIJ

()(l

I !ill MAGA/INI 1;1m 1orn1

;;UPl'l Y l lMlllll

IOIAI

NO CHAHGE ITEMS Ucil lllA Ml Mllf·I\SI 111' 1,Pl'I ICAllON I OliM (1141

/1CCIIJI.NI f11POIII IOl1M 1,11!,1

us111;A Ml IICIIANIJISI OIIIJI II lllliM [111,11

111.M 111 lllJISI I OIIM

IISIIGA 111 IINI IIAI AWA111l IOHM

121 I 118) Srxn 1ly rerJ"'"

llASIC SAi I..IY 111°(,IJIAflONS (l'AHI HlO, IJSIIGA IIANG llAIIN[; l'HO[;HAM ll'Al11 llM)

Consl,rncr advisory Op1niow; 1101 CO()'

:Jrily rnllncl u:;111;1, pnl":y cons\1tutt enrlor::;(imnnt

• I

• I This issue of Hang Gliding includes the official ballot for the 1978 election of USHGA ffo~1ional Directors. Each USHGA member should read these directions carefully. Vote as you may choose, and mail the ballot to the US! !GA lieadquarters as soon as possible. Do not miss this opportunity to vote for the future of your national organization. Ten Regional Directors will be elected for two year terms. Ten of the Regional Directors will continue to serve on the Board until their terms expire on December 31st of next year. The Board of Directors has divided the United States into 12 regions, allocating the number of Directors in such way as to give each region as equitable as possible representation in proportion to its membership population. The map shown indicates each region with its Regional Directors allocation noted in parentheses. Presented in the next few pages are photo r:iraphs and bior:iraphical sketches of the candidates for Directors. These resumes have been submitted by the candidates themselves for inclusion in the magazine, and are listed alphabetically under their region. The ballot follows the resumes. A preferential voting procedure will ensure that each elected Director will have received d majority of the votes cast Please place a number in front of

MIKE PRINGLE., , Age 31, Graduated from UCLA with a in Physiolor:iical psychology with minor emphasis in film, music and writing. Graduate of Famous Writers School. Did brief stint

each candidate's name in order of your prefer. ence. A number 1 indicates your first choice, 2----second choice, 3----third choice, etc. You may vote for as many candidates in your reuion as you foe! are qualified to represent you. You may vote ,my time between receipt of your ballot and December 31, but ec1ch member is urged to vote as soon ilS possible. Simply derach the ballot from the nrngazine, make your selec tion(s) for Director, write your name and USHC,A

number in the space provided, mail it to the USHC,A, Box 66306, Los Angeles. 90066. All ballots must be received by the USHCA office no later than Deccim ber 31, 19T7. Remember: 1. Do not vote for a candidate outside of your reqion. 2. Place a number by the name(s) of lhe candidate(s) you wish to vote for. in order of your preference. 3. Your name and USHGA number must be indicated 1o validate your ballot. Director Allocation

I (2) (2) 3 (3)

4 6 (1) 7 (2) 8 (1) 9 (2) 10 (2) 11 (1)

12 (2)

USHGA REGIONS as script writer for television; Mission Impossible, Doctor Kildare, etc. First moved to the Northwest in 1971. Resource Coordinator for 92 Volunteer l'rr,nrarr,s for the Department of Social and Health Services. Started hang glidint1 in Western Washin~1ton in 1973. Survivor of self taught pilot era; first glider, a 20' standard Jobe. Quickly moved back to Los Angeles and established a successful cable television business and IC)!iged 1 % years of flying at Sylmar, Torrny Pines, Escape Country, Torrence Beach, and Yosemite. Commissioned Dick Boone to build custom glider which turned out to be the proto-type for the Phoenix VL Moved back lo the Northwest b,ifore the 1976 Nationals at Dog Mountain and helped with the TV. cover aue. Now owns Aeronaut Hang Gliders, Inc. in Olympia, Washington. Writes d monthly column (Northwest Passage) for Glider Rider. Professional background in training film production and has made films for Department of Education, Com· puter Machinery Corporntion, and his own hann gliding school as well as several photo brochures for public ar:iencies and private business. Has done extensive media coordirnition with television,

radio, and newspapers on local and regional basis. Has had private pilot license for 13 years and made over 60 sky diving jumps. Presently working as writer and research for the Office of the .-.c>rn•r,n·11 of State in Washington State in the area of Corporation Act revision and business licensing. Member of the Board of Directors for the PNH(,A in charge of new flyin!J site development. Has introduced leuislation to remove private property owner's liability for use of land for recreational pur poses. Would like to promote cooperation between consumers, dealers, and manufacturers in the sport and (Jrowth through planning so that manufacturers can stay in business, dealers can make a living, and consumers can fly safely at uncrowded sites. Would like to keep hang gliding a self rer:iulated sport, support the growth of ethical small business, and minimize bureaucratic strangulation of the individual by governmental over--reuulation at ALL levels. JAY RASER . , . has been actively involved in the sport of hang gliding for 5 years. He learned to fly at Escape Country in California before his college

DECEMBEr< 1977

i\ncl plimnin!J the Nc1tional comrxi, titions. The Nalkm,ils should nm by director, lJSHC,/\ policy should be well established, in with the state of the art, ,md policy should not be clianqed to suit expediency, in the of the !Jlidcr certification

grndrn1tio11 with in Upon his rl!tnm Mont,mrl in ,June of l 97:l lw cstilblishcd ,\ fliqht school ,md shop, which lw still with under the name of Tl IE H/\N(,AR Since then he serV(!d a11 exa1nincr, an observer, and I 1as ;m instniclor' s rnting. I l1r1s workl!d with loc,11, slcllc, fodernl ,111thoritics in ,incl mainli1in flyin\J Ndti011al would like

book cm fool launched ul

quircment. The Nalioncil competilion in 1978 the utmost importance, consiclcrinq tlw failures of thl' !,1st two ilfld the future of competitive liilll(J tJlidinq will q1w1tly depend on the results of !his Another of concern will be of schools, uuidclines, 11;1timwl fly in for powered ultrnli<Jhis Now qivl'n us the responsibility, we had not muff ii. I have been il han9 qlid8r pilot for worked with I mmy haniJ qlidcr clubs ,md in New Ln(Jlcind and California in qcttinq thinqs clone;. 1 hope to conlimie to do this director. I plcm on atlendinq the hmircl in Denver in and at the Ndtiondls in

No Nomirn1lion';

1 ')78

ll\(( )11 l i 11\N( , C,I Ill( R I\( CC 'IC )RY ( 1\l f\lC JC AJC worl, with of llH! problems: [ rnlc>s. officials,

with

()flees pilol li,1biLty insuM11et• '" f'rovides" medium for discussion vi,1 its muntlilv publicillion. 111\N(; C,l .IDIN( i 1m1q,11i11c @ pilots <1rHl certifiPs instn1ctor • Sdnction~; rnec1s for locdL nc1tionr1l (HHl i11ten1<11iont1l d1drnpion;,hips '" Hcrn(Jt1i1cs flyirnJ with ( )!lo I .ilie11th<1l l\w,mb Ecpresents ,;ou ,rnd inlenwtion<1lly thrrn1,ih lhv N<1lio11,,l /\ernn,111tic /\ssn (NA/\). I ed<'rrll /\,:nin,1uliq11c lnten1<1tion<1le (FA!) /\cl', li<1son between pilot ,\lid the public represe11t irl<J ltdl1lJ qlidinq ,11 qovemmcnt levels 1-:;

division of tlw

I ,rpplv frn rnemlivrship in the United St<1lc's I J,111<1 Clidi11q /\'.;,;ocir1tion. Inc

N/\Ml··

PH()NE (

/\[)!)HJ

/\CT

I irwluck my check m money order 101 ,m1111<1l d11r•s [ ] $20 11 JI MLMBU< forci,.pr) I JSJl(;I\ rnembcrsl1ip benefit;

I] $1:,

indirntcd

full rne111he1 you receive 12

. MEMBJ:H ($](, lorehJ1l) US! 1(,/\ 111embf'.rship benefits

/\s ,m

of I 1ANC CLIDIN(; maq<11irw pilot li,1bility in,;uismce. ,md ,111

member vo11 receive 12

S11bscrip1ion to ! JAN(; (;l.[l)]N(; m,1qil1ine. formerly ( ;HOUND SKIMMI]~. is avc1iliible ON!

of lll\NC, (;l.IDINC, md<J,llirw. illl(f most

ilS

pMI of membership ill tlH' /\ssocidtion

90066. HANG GUDINC

took my first hang lesson and have been flyinrJ ever since, Less than one yecJr later, [ re ceivcd my HanqA and became a USI-1(,A cer!i lied instructor and an appointed observer, A little more than one year ago, I made hanrJ glidinH rny profession a;, mam1Ber of Golden Sky Sails, a Colorado based dealership ,rnd m1!ional harness and qlider distributor with seven employees, with mam,riement, I have been involved with harness and testing, l am an ,,clive member of Fellow Feathers of Denver, [ am on the site committee which finds and secures local flying siles, I would like to see Colorado and have a voice in policy rnaking of USHGA for our region. I feel one of the most importan functions of director is to help consolidate !he efforts of ,ill individuals in our reqion for the preservation of flyinq earned: Associale deuree in ence; Bachelor of Ulah State University: Masters in Education, Colorado State and currently working on an educatiom1l cloctorn1e

No Nornim1tions

No Nominations

"Outfitters for Hmg Cilider Pilots"

Get the total story on: Flying Techniques Flyer Physiology Top Models Analyzed Flight Performance Flying Qualities Aerodynamics Design Parameters Human Factors The Polar Curve Dive Winds and Structural Materials and r.mnst,,11elin Sails and Airlrame Advanced Cmss-lCountrv ® History and Technical Yourself a Hang Glider Large Appendicies

DON McCABE ... beqan hang glidinq in 197:1 He served as Adjunct Professor of Outdoor Educ a .. lion at Plymouth State College in New Hampshire ,md, as a certified professional ski instructor, directed the Waterville Valley Skiing Pro .. grnrn for three years, A certified USI-IGA Instrw:.. tor, Don has participated in several meets and has served meet director for local and reuional competitions for past two years, I fo attended the First World in Kossen, the Grandfather M;isters Tournament in 1976 and placed 7th and 6th, Standard in the 1975 and 1976 National Don is director for Region 8. He is member of the Competition and Rules Committee well as the Safety Committee, Don has also contrihu ted articles for publication in Glider Rider and Hang Gliding

No Norninatiol!s

been flying hang nliders years in the western and central New York with flying !rips from New England down to Heavener, Oklahoma for the 1977 Nationals. Founder and president of the International Sky Hiders Hang Clider Club; local club in 13ulfalo, New York with members from Western New York and Ontario, CamiclcL He is also western outlet dealer working for ,Jim Aronson's Aerial Tech N. Y, dedicated to movement and hopes we can better the communications and qoals of the individual to make !he sport flyers and clubs in Jfagion safer for all of l !e an USHGA Instructor, Observer and Hanq IV pilot and re sponsible for opening several sites in New York state, for

SUDWISCHER . . A ceramic tile contractor by trade, he has had passiona1e desire to defy gravity since early childhood. Committing aviation for the last eleven years, first as a sailplane pilot. rfo currently rated commercial glider and airplane pilot and also Hlider, airplane and in .. strument flight instructor, lfo in 974 from Aeronautical University with a in Aeronautical Science, He has been active in hang for three years and w,is vice of th,i l nng Island Hang Gliding Assoc. He has just finished his term as president of the South em New York Hann Glider Pilots A IV he frequents Ellenville, NY, a lonq two and a half hour drive from his home on very flat Long [sland. Harry has been deeply involved in the preservation of piiot control at the Ellenville site and is deeply committed to se<iinq strong pilot oriented orqani .. zation control all activity in the area.

HARRY

DECEMBEI< 1977

Miclldel write.in wri/e.in

Welsh write··in

Tom Milki1c

write in

wr·ite in write in

office no laicr tlrnn

*** FLIGHT GUIDES***

NEW HANG GU DING AND

LYING SKILLS

I\ COMl'LETE THAIN ING MANUAL DC'T'AILS ON: BEGINNING FLIGHT ADVANCED

AEHODYN/.\MICS S£t.ECT1NC> IN

INTERMEDIATE SKI

MANEUVE

GLIDER

EQUIPMENT

HISTORY

GLH)E.R Rf.-:PAlR "'fHEHMAI-LJNG

CROSS·C:OlJNTRY

HANG

TANDEM

LIO·

FLYING

TOWING AND MUCH MOF"E

HANG GLIDING AND FLYING CONDITIONS lhe "HOAD MAP TO THE SKY" DETAILS FIOTDf<S

ON:

GENERAL WIND

WEATHER

SHADOW

TURBULENCE SEABREEZE:S w'IND

GHADIENT

CONDITIONS

WAVl':S

LOCAl_ WINOS

SOAI-IING WINDS ALOFT ii'

THERMALS c:,LOUU TYPES@

SITE HEADING AND MUCH MORE

5.95 + Postage tor each ilook $10.95 + 50• Postage for both to·

DENNIS PAGEN 1184 One,da St., Sturn College, PA 16801 PL.EASE PHINT NAME AND ADDR DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED

Weight: 27 lbs. ® FRP Thrust: 80 lbs. ® Mounts on 3 111 abs'bers existing bolts 1111 Tail skid kite 111 Torque sriaft 11 cables with 4 ball " l-nr1inP kill button ® ®

3rd

111/!DI:

"llllllil1111111111r1on 1iy

Joe

Jrr! r

Powered

with us, and to stay. As with any kind of new of

per thal these parincrs matched with suitable engine is not but lhen a~pin, there many among which to choose the lhc power of rmmufacturer at le,,st and the rpm at which tl1c1t power on the eni:iine

number of vmiables involved con qlve that impression. ln addition, the infor rna!ion (sometimes) doesn't pem1it the mine the So here he has

Enter the left h,md the qreates! amounl of thrust for the ennine powH aw1ilable. The best way to illuslrn1c how to do this of l firsL The first

until the line intl!rscc!s

of contemporary very low, the used here is to se lee! the on the basis of static thrust This technique finds suppori in the fact that in rnost

For those readers interested in we'll qo

Pig. 1 level static thrust vs hp and rprn at specified diameters. AF 93 wood propeller on light airplane. Blocking effect accounted for.

DECEMBEI? 1977

~\}JOO rpm t () di,imeler in i11clws, I he slc11ic tlirusl would

Now your :J,h() JlOUJH\,

i1ltiiudc:,

ad cl eel cost,

HAI\JC

l:l

is Several years ago a harness could be created out of a hank of twine and a piece of board. This was consiclered for the one minute ground skimming flights of the past lfowever, the flyinsJ of requires a sophisticated harness sys· tern combining security and com· fort There are of harnesses available that fulfill the first two requirements. It is up to the individual to fine! the most corn·

fortable harness for hls and int1 will shorten a soaring flis1ht more than an harness. The purpose of this article is to rrrnxirnize air time by prevenlinr1 pilot harnes miss matches.

SEATED VS PRONE It is lime !o review (not resolve) dn old m·,

gument: whether it is better to scafod clrivinrJ a rnr) or prone position). There are who swear one position or the other. In order to present the argu rnents for the different mosl concisely, am or;Janized in cliari form below. Nole that a third position, supine is included. This monHir less an extension of the seated position, wilh a few ,Klded pr<:)l:>Jerns.

SEATED

PRONE

Cost and Care

Cost is low, typically to repdir, inspect, dnd store. Light, weight for carry.ups,

is Cost, care and h,,n,1:imn is cmnpar· $50 to Can be expensive oblc to i1 prone harness the norm. Since there are more points of attachment, strnps and rin;is, inspection is more dem,rnd· These harnesses rnn be must be stored sey)at·at<ely from the

Visibility

Seated allows a betler view of the scenery when soaling, The pilot is in position which seems naturnl for steeling craft.

The in a poor position to look nut and up, but in the and for conditions. The majority of competition prone. and other 1asks are much easier to watch when

Comfort

Take·offs

This is the least comfortable dura1ion position. The back, neck ancl shoulders tend to be the "weak'' points. The take·off in any si1uc1tion should with the harness straps light. This prevents silua· 1ion where the is rising and tile harness When off seated, the must hold the

SUPINE

this position af. fords the leasl exp,,nsive pano· ramie view. Since the pilot can sit up and lie back, supine theoret c1Jlows unlimited duration. Comfort the main reason for ing supine.

has the best control The supine faces the on lake.off. This is due same when seated, to the short attachment straps how he starts out which the lower when limited. This means are Take·offs " gust can force the nose up, leav· the most pmt of insi the stalled. this factor should be well

limited the awkward holding position and the seat itself. Performance

Factors

/\ supine pilot can lie parallel with When it comes 1o drat], the pilot's is minimized in the prone the airs1ream and minimize drag body is the greatest curse. Seated position. This is another reason about much as a prone pilots create the most by far. competitive pilots favor this The for turbu· This, of course reduces Dertc1rrr1· mode of flyin~J. In turbulence, the ance and penetration. On the other prone pilot has to work Jenee control is the same this the most comfortable stability of the he moves to lhe side his hanced since the more clue to !he shorter cross.country position. HANG GLIDING

(contirnicd)

whicli in turn lowers 11w qr,ivitv of the lurbulencc. the sc,dlc!d

You ca11 experience this child on two different swiw.1s 011<2 wil h wi1l1 shorl In

prone has more control since side movcnwn1 (see he li,1s rnon• available control bnr Tum con1ml in smooth !lie 1rnvcL for ,1!1 posi1irn1s. since llw bocll; 1!10\1(':i to i11itiillC b,rnk

The se,ilcd hc1mcss

the

The prone han1css ,1/frmls the rnost protcclion in mild crc;shc:s. This

lower e;x1rcmitics ,rnrl hack De tree or

is similar 1o sc,1tcd when ii cmncs to prolcction of the Det<1chmcn1 ,1 bit more difficult

sl10c:k In ttdclition, the in on his strnmich. Tl1c cm wi111strn1cl ,ibou1 10 limes flat, ,1s op lend lo be c011nm1rntcrl in lhc hec1d <1nd up

!\one l121rncsses arc) quite difficult to detach in an emer qcncy situ,1tion. I\ rccomrnemlccl when over or w,1tcr. sec Wh,1 l<'vcr 11 IC' choice, the sorne useful pointer;. lion;; will

vcn1s ,1 viuoruus nm. The best way to dimirn1tc this undesirable sit11c1tion to mid friction lapc to lhc top of the c,rn ,ilso he added. These strnps with belt buckle.

?1re

ahr,tsion of the main suppor1 slr,1ps under tlw cmd stoppinq due to 11w tmdersiclc l

[,Jl \ t-' " I 1-

VVI 11 l'J

be elimi

\Y ' , j /".11

t,iil

the SCill aclditionc1I wmps around 11H, control l1c1r top. Lower the Sl!,ll i1 lo lower boll on !ht, crn11rol lmr. If these 111e,1

mar111foc1

their st tlw fore

will

l,",fl)

l"J

',j

is rout so tlic11 bm to be

in the even I ol

the

/rum

The more back support there dll

/\notlwr cumn1rm up of li1l! 19//

lenn condor! there will he. 1hc hcimess will incorpor;1tc chest s1rnp in c1dditio11 to I he

to make it lies flat. You may looser to curve the one Wdy or dnother for comfort. Do not get it too · or the will be restricted when run

All

litlle

supine

also This is c1 line in fron1 of It should can

cill tlie lines me hook in to r1 rafter or tree limb so that you cm lie in the harness in position to test for comfort. Make dny at this 1ime.

Fig.

rection. These Some harness bars in various hold the lines apart These seem lo work quite well. However, a harness without bars can be quite comfortable if it and is The wais1 This must

Fig.

The supine b21s two His neck sJets ,mcl he has a h,ud time tlm control bm. To alleviate lhe a supine harness suppor1, or fobricate one usin:J strong stiff materials. the control bm more difficult to solve. The common compromise:is with lhe hands on the cables, the control bar, Plastic on these will positive 1Jrip. arc many reasons for supine. The an idecil way di1ions. and ii will

The final to rnakc !he heigh! of suspeusioll off the control bar. With knee harness, rnust shorlen or lengtli en your so that your waist 3 1o 6 inches ctbove bar. The shoulders can move up and down, so hook in to your have ,1 friend hold the nose up and make sure you level. 7 shows the ing position if your suspension is too short or

feet and ch(,sl arc Move or back until find your balance point or center of It is at this just below the tha1 the harness waisl s1rap should fall. Now, pu1 your harness on, st,rnd up and hold the waist stmr' at center of wavily. I lcJvc friend the support lines bctck The cut out for ilw neck should below the collnrbone. The shoulders, and neck should have of freedom. If these criteria aren't met, the hmness too or loo small.

Fig.

should be

of prone with

and those incorporate lines

ness is is on take off. This can reduce your runninB somewhat. be obvious that care and proper rmv,Y"t;n,t for the harness

tigue. The tired you arn in the air, the cminsi bet1er you will be thermals and

.....

DECEMBEP 1977

5595 MAGNA TRON BL VD., SUIT SAN DIE

(7 '14) 292 5353

A 92111

January M

S 1,r7

DICIMIU

/ti

' '

II U

,, II

. I

10 17

7 14 II II

"IJ. I

, 1, H 10

D 10 17

•• II

• '

II 1' ..

., Ill

Im 10 17

" II

,,,.

'II_U.,._V

1978

On Augu,t 23, 1Q77, l'1ul M100re1dy'1 Oo111mer Condor m1k111vl1tlon hl1tory by winning the $15,000 Kremer Prlre for I min powered 1lror1ft. Photo by Rloh1rd Orlg1by.

"IJ.

I ,

" II

16 H

D 10 II 17 II 1, U

LIit Qu1rt1r ( {

New Moon-

fllret Qu1rttr

1 Nl!W YEAR'S DAY

flul/Moono

L11t Qu1rt1r

UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, INC.

BOX 66306, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90066

February S

1978 s

Linde & Sob K11/er on t1nd1m flight 1t T1/lurld1, Oolo. /lhoto by Leroy (Jrenn/1.

New Moone

fl/r,t Quarter ))

ASH W!DNli:SDA Y

LINCOLN'S ISIIUHDAY

WAIHINO!ON'I ll~!HOA!

WASHINCiHON'S !l~THDAY

OUUVIO

flul/Moono

28 ,.,,

JANU~~V

11 II If

UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, INC,

•

17 II

I II ,,

6 ,a 10 17

'fJ.

, ,, H mo

m 10 17 14 m,

' ,II, Im' I

\'71

MA~CM

tll

•I I I

tll

7 14 II

BOX 66306, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90066

II U

II If

, 16 H mo

3 10 17 14 m,

:::i:

•

11 11 II

March s

In e1rly '77, emergency p1r1ohut11 were d11lgned 1peo/flo1/ly for h1ng glider,. Jim H1ndbury flying • U,. ,.lrefly, demon1tr1t11 how pilot 1nd glider d11oend together under the 01nopy. Photo by Stephen MoOerro/1.

LIit Q1.11rttr

N1wMoon-

/1/r,t Q1.11rttr

er 3

1978 4

ST, PAmlCK'S DAY

/11.11/Moono

C-OOD FRIDAY

LIit Q1.11rt1r

liASTER

•• " u" ,

UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, INC.

,,,,

,n~u.ov tll I :ti: 11 10 Ir

II II

tll

I f

II It

II II

3 10

,,,,

"'~IL

BOX 66306, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90066

.. , :t?:

I I I

' II II " II

II II II

" """"

April s

M Itri

M,OCM

•

fll

I' I ,,

'I I 10

,. ,,• ,.

I 10 17

ri: I

I ,

II II

H H

•

• II 11

u u

II II

II II H

I ,

I 10

II 10

••

II II U

. II 10 17

9 16

flul/Moono

! • fll I ri: •I "" • ' ,,. ,, ,, ,, MAY

1978

ao,

Th• Sw/11 d11/gn1d "01n1rd-21'". Spin: 44.4ft., 11p1ot rttlo: empty weight: ;s 10,. !et/· m1ttd p1rlorm1no1: LID m1,c '1 1t 35 mph, 1/nk r1t1: g4,7 ft./mln. 1t 30 mph.

N1wMoon-

8 /1/r,t Ou1rt1r

PASSOVliR

30 UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, INC.

BOX 66306, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90066

L11t Ou1rt1r

May s

New Moone

1978

New Zt1/1nd g/ldtr, th• L1noer, flying Torrey Plnfl. ,.hoto by Leroy (Jr,nn/1.

fl/r,t Qu1rter

LIND9!R~'S !ILl~HT MOTHli!R'S DAY

,ur

flu/I Moon

0 23

LIit Qu1rter

<r 30

MIM~·l.t.L o.i.v 0 UVIO

MEMORIAL DAY .i.,•1L

•

ril

II II

""" ••" u UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, INC.

. rz:

,.,. I

' ,

• I

I II

. ., .. ., 1'

II 10

lo II

,.,.

JUNI

BOX 66306, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90066

. .... ., •

ril

rz:

I ,

H H

H 30

' r III ' II II Im 10

II H

•

I 10

"" 14

June s

New Moon-

0 21

a 28

6 13

,.,,,, Qu1rt1r

,.ul/Moon

LIit Qu1rt1r

FATHIR'S DAY

1978 s

TowerlnQ oumulu, o/oud1 provide dr1m1tlo b1okdrop for W/111 WlnQ X-0. Photo by Leroy Cirtnn/1.

"•,,,

•"

,.,,

M~V

,.,

II II

UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, INC.

:ti:

. .. I

! I

I I

' D • ' • 10 I I II ID

II H

" DI

,.,,

JULY

BOX 66306, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90066

(Tl

:::::

• • •,~ ,,. 18 I

•

,, ,,

u H .,

,, II

II II

H H

July s

JUNI

III

I :::i:

"" I ~

1 I oi , 6 , I , 11 11 U 1,i 1, 1, 11 1, 10 11 II H uum,111910

M m 10 i,

loi

I l:i:

6 U 10 m,

1 I 1, II 19

I , 1, H 10

I I I m " 10 11

• 11

1, loi 11

1, H

11 II

New Moone

D 14

INDl!F'l!NDINC! DAV

1,,1

AUOUIT

I Ill , 14 11 II

1978

An .,,,,.,,,,,..,., Mohl In '72. PhO<o by 1111.llten.

,.,,,t au,rtt,

16 23

17 24

18 25

19 26

20 LIit Querttr

er 27

flul/Moono

,,'

'//· 28

29 ,,

31 UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, INC.

BOX 66306, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90066

•

----.,--,·---im••...-~-•w•••----••

m11m:::~,,ftl!llll~••uv.,••11-ll'•-.----...:.1C... ......iii..-i.,1,.IMl'iLl,1N_....._ _.__ _IIIMllllall&W'IIIW•--111•111••v1M. .______11111±111.m-.•111•1111,w•1.11--11..·. -...- -. .

August s M

1978

.SHn Dever 1nd Phoenix I 1t '77 M11ter1. Photo by Leroy Gr1nnl1.

N1wMoon

/1/r,t Q111rt1r

/1111/Moon

LIit Qu1rt1r

JULY

UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, INC.

4 11 11

n HI " ,1

Im 10

14 ti

ll~TIMIU I I

' " " u n"

3 10 :,

0 19

t,.,,.Jil..,_L.JL. •.L...L..J I , 1.

BOX 66306, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90066

/ti

3 10 1,

4 11 II

II 1'

., :ti:

ID 10

14 II II

""! I 1

I i,

I ' "

ID 30

September G S

/1/r,t Ou111tr

1978 s

A hang glider pllot'1 view of T1/lurld1, Oolorado. F'hoto by Leroy Cirann/1.

New Moon.

1.ABOR DAY

/lul/Moono

,,,

17 24

I.HI Ou1rter

30 ,,,.

~UOUIT

UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, INC.

tti

I I

6 II 10

1, II

,,,,

OCTOIIR

tti

,. ,, ' ,,'

I ,

I I II

I 10 IP

11 II

II m,

U 10

u ..

II 10

~ I ,

l I 10

I 11 11

u u u 31

BOX 66306, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90066

' ,,II' 10'II u H

II II

____ __ ·--.,.,,

,,,

~ '@

October S

Ill

"' '

10 1,

11 11

11 1, H

:ti: 11 10 .,

I f ,. H 10

U 11 II

1' H

Ill

I <I

3 10

11 11

I•

' ' " 10

I 1, H

11 1' H

N1wMoon

J!WISH NiW YEAR

·---" ,__

·----. ---·-·----""'.

"""'""

1978 s

19'1

:ti:

"SlnQlnQ them downwind blue,." Photo by Stephen Mo01rroll.

NOVIMIU

19'1

ll~TIMIU

_______ _____

.D 10

fl/r,t Qu1r11r

~:>~

...... ~ · YOM R >:~

COLUM9US DAY

er 25

eob~1l~MAv flu/I Moon

0 17 LIii Qu1rt1r

N1wMoon

HALLOWEEN

UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, INC.

BOX 66306, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90066

November S

1978

PIiot get, 111/1t1noe from friend, on 1n 11r/y d11/gn 1t ,.,,y1 del ,,,eyln 1Q72. Photo by Ill/ Allen.

,,,,-~•

»8

/1/ret Qu1rt1r

flul/Moono

LIit Qu1rt1r

ct 23

N1wMoon

e 30

"\,

'25

THANKSQIVINC. DAY

i,,a

OCTOII!

ti\

I I

I 10

i,,a

OICIMII!

• I Im6 ur

111'1'11 II II .. u H

UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, INC.

'ti.

ti\

'ti.

tr II

11 II

11 10

BOX 66306, LOS ANGELES, CALIFOrtNIA 90066

" .,

, lo

II II

I I

11 II If

n 30

December S

1978 s

A pilot h11d1 for oover •• w11ther thre1ttn1, f'hoto by Stephen Mo01rrol/,

(~ "ii

\~/

--., ..,----- -

..,...,

/1/r,t Qu1rttr

.D 8

/lull Moon

0 15

L111 Qu1rttr

New Moon-

WRIC-HT !ROS. FLIC-HT 1Q03

~HRISTMA~

,,,,

~OVIMIU

Ill

:ti:

10 1,

11 II

• • • u, • ' ,, •• u u I

U 110

UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, INC.

16 H

u ., II

,,,, I Ill I :ti: I I I • •• ,,. • ,, ' Jil~UA~Y

BOX 66306, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90066

II H

II U U

16 H

10 17

11 II

" II

II 10

u .,

1·or /\clvmti:miq Dos1q11 & /\rtworl<

()] <l\ll' ,',()II(",

tl')',lll', (,rn\ h1,1nd

(lwlnH'1',, hdilH",',l",),

!1dmP rn ·,,1il), hPrik•,, 111•,!111

11wn! ,, j>,l!h, ( kdlcliE((",, .ind on ,-,nd on

(,i!l 11•,,

gnl 1,uui h'.illw1·, \Y,lll11\i',

//(Ji31)\'llll

Dic:l<Cc1mpholl (7H) DDil '.lH

C0//1117(;/l(('S

in /11/{'

BODY POSITI~: THE HANG GLIDER AIRBRAKE by Tom Peghiny

•

Most h ang glider pilots believe they ha\le no controls in ~ eir glider, but they do. J ust as a 5a;Jplane pilo: ca~ pull his spoilers. and an icarus pilot can,actuate his tip c!ragger, you can use i,.:o:.ir body as an airbrake. Nov.-. every pilot past Hang 1 i<nows that p!one and supine have less drag t~an seaced. However, few use this co their best advantage. Let's sta!i with the takeoff. Wai,.' too man~,; pilots attempt to become streamlined immediacely after lau'.'lching. Scalling whi le looking for their fooc stirrup. they wobble back and forth, man>' fall out oi the life and miss a chance at soaring. Ani,.· experienced soaririg pilot uses his CO!'"ltrol to position his glider in the best lift before becoming strearr.lined. In many instances the first soa!ing tum is the critical factor that decides whether the gl:der will soar O! :101. Quite

often it is more comfortable to chermal soar in a crouched prone or semi supine form. }"he first p rone harness made to use chis cechnique was the original Price Prone. For supine sic up and even drop your stirrup if it makes i,.ou more comforta ble. In flight your body can be used for dive brakes when necessary . For instance . yo:.i're ha ppily soaring at cloudbase. during which the conditions overde elop and you find yourself diving to get d01.m th rough rurbulent air. Increasing your bcxly drag v..il! increase your sink rate considerably al max speed. During your spiral/diving descent from cloudbase the extra drag will help keep the gliders speed from going past its VNE (velocity to !"lever exceed). Sailplanes use their spoilers or flaps for !he same purpose. All he previousli,.• me ntioned reasons for pai,.ring more attention to body position are importanl but

When going from prone to standing high drag position. if's important not to grab uorighrs too high because of the poor leverage wnict; malces quiclc turns difficult_ P,101 on right shows /lands in a good position.

it reaU~,r counts on landings. Whe n rotating out of prone, grip the control bar as low as is comfortably possible. Holding it higher reduces your leverage and makes quick turns more difficult. Don't grope for the upright. many pilocs miss and ruin their concentration. The difference in frontal area between standirig form and very supine or prone is 5-6 sq. feet vs 2-3 sq. ft. The reduction in gUde angle is surprising. For an average 8 co l flex-wing , the glide drops to 6 to 1 (chat' s :nax glide; diving or slov.,ing dov.,n v.,ill decrease it more , of course). During your approach. rry assuming maximum drag stance on your downwind pattern leg. The reduced glide angle 1.1,ill make judging your landing easier. This also allows i,.ou to increase your glide angle if you misjudge and are going to undershoot. The futu re will see improvements in glider performance and top speec:s, harnesses will have to incorporate better drag devices. The ~agrian Prone 1.1.ith the cocoon was the best drag device this sport has seen. When the pilot rotated and removed '1is feei from the cocoon stirrup while spreading his legs. !he body drag was increased to 9- sq ft. That's a major i:nprovement. La:ninar Systems would do well to develop a streamlining system that would rotate 90 degrees for dive brakes. On a modem flex1.1,ing the crossbar could yield a drag area of 8 square feet. A pilot in a previous Hang Gliding issue suggested a parachute similar to the l',.'Pes used by Air Force fighters and fibreglass sailplanes. Mani,.' new ideas are possible.As gliders become cleaner the need for drag devices will become more evident. Next time you're watching some seagulls land. note that chey 'ncrease their billow. drop ouc of prone with feet dangling. They rareli,.1 miss their target. (Hmm. mai,.•be a bird suit would help mi,.· spot landing?) ~ DECEMBER 1977

• •

1 1

launch site cominq from l .os lion his decision to

/\n out and return is quite different than a ou1 fli~iht /\s an illustrntion, oul lJS. take 1he present

distmice record of 700 miles. On that 20 MPH tclil wind c1ckiecl 11!0 miles to lhc was down in thcrrm,I or the course be1wecn thermals, the wind wc1s ever present, the to his clestirn1·· tion. Without the wind that fliqh1 would have been a mere CJbO miles, far shor1 of a record. /\s l just slated, the dist,mce U.S. 700 miles. The US ou1

the The I rn1in differ clue to 1he wind

lf the wind factor important to dist,mce attempts, it m,.my limes more vital to distance c1tlernpls usinq thermo/ conditions. (f n pure lift, the situation clifferent.) Even i1 low :i mile per hour resultanl headwind difficult to adv2mce a~Jitinst in thermal conclil.ions in If you a normal 20 minutes 4000 ft. in a thermal, you have drifted backwards almost :2 miles while Even thou~ih I know all the out and return world record seemed an easy prospect until I tried a few times. flex winqs with an l ,/D of 7 to 9, just won't penetrate up wind. So on my firs! try, from c;unter take off sile ( 10 miles N.E. of

"out" part of the bul not the return. was Pcc,k I :)5:'l). I realized when I of !he rnoun·

I urn

noon. On the rnornin9 of it seemed far fetched, I try for declilrntion of

Record. II read

Rel urn follows:

Declaration without sietlin(J on 1he lee side in sink and rotor. Peak 135!19 is 21 lx1c! choice ol !urn point. I tried a~Jain lhe next South instead of North, ,md antenna dishes a! the b,1se of pass the turn point. This mednl tlrnl rny outward would be up wind. l tried 1o penelrnle up wind bul it was useless. I did hold my own however, and after an hour in the lo land in the floor below the take off site. The

l shifted take of/ siles for ,mother cmt rn1cl mlum try. But this time I ,1llowecl more I deciclc!d to from Cerro Cordo, ,md tum Mazureci Mountain station If l wc1s Dredi, I had the option of conlinuinq on 11 for a flex winq dis" lcmc:e record. I 1101 1o Mazmca liui dhoul the same lime I siot them l w<1s clown low and knew return 1o question. !\ latn out and return wilh my /\SC,-21 was and l tlwrdorn

Plan~ or lake off Dc1)m!ure J>oint Date·

( iuntcr Crn1von Ctmter Ccmyon July 2:l. l ')Tl

Time of Siuninff

120:",PM

TurninH Poini:

Peak l]SU>

L1tiludc Tl" 18' Lon,1itudc l lil" 20' !,1" Pilot's name: Worthinqton Pilot's signature· Gcorqe Worthinqton Assistant's name: Georne Uvenes Assistant's Don Parlridgc Observer's name: Observer's signahm.:·

It seemed of at the time to mc1lw out this declaration in view of my previous failures dnd ,,lso the l2iteness of the from but I masoned Mitchell with its superior penetrntion h 4S mile round lot of luck it could be done in

Whenever you add lo your learn, in this ,mcl a younq flier who wanted to C,unt0,r, it slows proqress. l hadn't flown lhe Mitchell in] weeks and I also slowed the proqrnss hecm1se my routine was rusty. /\s result, l didn't launch until :l:4b .M. As [ was launch tirne and per forrned the chores associated with trying for record (ie. th(: offici<1I observer initial the etc) I It was was overcast out the sun, the youn(J

DECEMBEI< 1977

flier httd inkcn made i1 lo the site mode the iry for 211]8 mile ou1 and to pu1 on

and I! to me, one of the most distcistcful chores of all. Bcc21usc l was so very very cold while 2ncfs 95 mile in the Mitchell I had pilir of wind ovcr~ski p2mls, the kind you weilr in blizzard conditions. To put on lhcse pants, over all the thermal undcrwe,ir and the jeans for a]() minute ride down lo seemed lhe 011,

The Mitchell pollen used 10 il, compmison wilh flex wing kites, and on minor

,md cr,tshes. So, even I worry more about t21ke due to lhe likelihood of tinw~consumirnJ ,rncl expensive repairs in Ilic event of minor <11 the time of lilunch I

of the tnoun in~J lhe ;1ir up the West 1ains and me lo fly ,1hc21d 60'){, of the lime. The other 40'){, I would circ:lc in lift to (ji:lin r1 fow 1housancl fed I could Peak J3!'i:'l9 nbout 8 miles ahec1d ancl the picture was The lift qrew relcntlcss and increasinti sink rnte) lo :iO MP! 1, which is slick full forward. (I can't convcn forward or backwmcl in my hammock scat.) I for ;m escape route should into the cloud. II out toward would lead me lo ;ciir which w;isn't noimJ up Bui l wDs still qoin~1 up and w21s worried. For 9 miles I up the !°)0 MP! I a1 ilbout I t1,:l00 feet and be in. c1 Imp and i1 would sprin11 closed al any time. /\nd there ,1 difference which I should mention between the Milclwll and flex

away from your lake off point But this was ridiculous. l had added an cxlrn 1 0 miles to the and the 10 miles wouldn't even count l headed toward the lum point, my pie lure and wondered if I'd s1ct back The lifl situation had because I was lower and because l was the moun It was like crossins1 qap in somin~J. l moved in close to the mountain and was a little altitude as srvcrnl miles Then a thennal, 2000 foot qain and I was up cl(Jain into the strnn~l lift ,me! close lo that 1hre,,t cl~Jain of sucked tip inlo lhe clouch For the next miles back lo the launch

maintaining around 14,500 feeL I was still vcrv cold' When l wi1s about [1 miles from t,.ikc off I trvinq to lose altitude. Full itbout 2111 avern~Je of :mo feel down per minute. The rest was easy. I the lake off site I flew over iL I llwn headed for the (41mO fool altitude) l

The take off went ancl not on

had lasted need level. I headed for the Iha! l' d soon he on the Three minutes lc\tcr, after ,1 loss of fj(}() feet I smootl1 thermal. The gciin in this one thcnnal 8500 feeL As I circled in lhe thermal I noticed that for the 2nd time in l'.l mountains, lrrnt I w,1s very !5 miles per hour. l knew from th,it that rny outward journey qoinu 1o be first thermal liand left my prnqram of continuous cold, :160°s and headed North" 11 was I wc1s for the ski type blizzard pants. But even with their extrc1 warmth and protection I was to shiver from the cold. /\nd that was one of the lwo main cold' The other theme themes of the the ,tlmosl constant fem of sucked up inlo the black overrnst above. After 8500 feet in the I s1 thermal

]000 Iha l lh e qa rrw to find thenndls, cict up and down hill till I found another etc, etc. Bui it wasn't like that. The overcast, with min just 1/~ mile East of the spine of 11w mountains, was suck-

al There was wc1ys won every my 1O,bOO hours of cxcep1 one. I WdS sucked up into a thunderhead in K,msas Cham the 197:l Natiorn1l I saved from death the nmrowest of m,,rnins ctnd lhe 9reatest of luck position where I w;is If I did sict into up into I he cloud I had about to he I wrndcl the stick bdck ii spin.

very srnry

ch ell

This would be Mil

(no would create a descent rate qrealer llian the lift encountered. In l would spin come oul of clown out of immediate the spin, and be on my way I didn't have to use the exlrcmc mectsurc of spinninp. I even lo lose liltle rnore altitude than J had intended and so, I found miles Peilk J :)bb9 and at about 1:moo feet !J's very important, in out and return official world record tries, to well your turn point because the rules arc very strinpenl ahou1 the ma1ter.

aided the at Without smoke flmc the flare I would have had no firm ,md accu rate idea of the wind clirecl.ior1. The smoke bomb nave ilto me and c1llowcd me lo make picture st,mcl up Now th,1t I have (at this moment at least} all (llm:e} of the World Dis tance records 2mcl the altitude siain records, I'm whai l should do. There is no any need to remain in this area, since my home is in So l guess I'll flv one more for pure fun in the Mitchell tomorrow ;me! lhe11 return home. Al home I'll go back lo my routine d for fun. In a be quite a relief. But I'll tell you l'II miss the excitement and the it is ironic that I tried '.) or ti tirnes lo make modest 18 mile out and return in flex winLJ 1) and failed then switched to the more potent Mitchell the truth that on when l made the 48 mile weather was such that it could have been done in the This sumJests I think thdt in a wily the weather is much more irnportant 10 dist2mce record attempts than the L/D of the machine flown.

DECEMFlEI< 1977

not

conical

the

UP's

360 ft

with

it "in the

from

avail-

l<ONDOR 17' PHOENIX VL With prone harness and helmet 6 months old, excellent condition. $750. (714) 436,1528 New. $675. lntennediate and beqinn<ir. 180 lbs. t ). $395. Tow kites ea. Sundance B, make offer.

inspected ruined bushings, m··Used Nyloc nuts, loose tangs with non·circular holes, tom or tom loose from on the keel and leading edges. many hang gliding businesses will be happy to give an objective opin· ion on the condition of equipment you bring them to inspect.

ARIZONA distributor and schooL

major All instruc:tcm; Instruction from basic thru advanced. Simulators and class room houIS included with All for $:,5. 10250 N. 19th Ave, Phoenix, (602) 'WI 1655. ARKANSAS PACIFIC GULL I IA 19. Gold w/blue

ICARUS II. nood condition, box. EASY

baq and prone harness. Good condition.

finished $ 1250.

Extras: $:,00 with $900 Custom

write the professionals. Pdrts, qliclers, WESTARKI Call all major brands (11cw and used), flight schrx,ls, Catalogs available. Dcctler inquirie,;; i11vited

INTl<C)DUCTOl?Y PPICE

•

<11

AVE., SYLMAR, CALIFORNIA

your

information write

call

SUNBIRD GLIDERS 12501 GLADSTONE AVE., SYLMAR, CALIFORNIA

361,8651 Please specily pilot height and weight when ordering by mail. A rrnnirnurn $20.00 must: accompany all mail orders. ONLY $69.50 f.oh Colifornions cidd 6% sciles DEALERS INQUIRIES INVITED

pilot height and weight when ordering by mail $20.00 deposit must accompany all mail f.o.l.J. Sylmor. Californicms odd 6% sales tax. DEALERS INQUIRIES INVITED

DECFMBH< 197 7

, so111owliEne, a hanq qlidnr pilot rs goinq to 10w up, and [ly out o! sight. It may L,e you

ND ElectraFlyer, what ever you fly, for your Complete with floats

.00 for i 11 lormation package. all orders rnquiro 50% driposit.

I IANG GLIDING

4868278.

::l109 Grand, Fort Smith, AR 72901L

MICHIGAN CALIFORNIA

MID·WEST SCHOOL OF I IANC, GUD!NG. All levels of

GEORGIA ATLANTA HANG c;r .!DERS & ULTRALIGHTS. 1lang I

Expert ins1ruction utilizi1ngthe most modem ,md safost equipment available. SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN HANC, GLIDERS Wills

HANG GLIDERS WEST.DILLON BEACH Fl.YIN<, SCHOOL We sell and service all major brands, accessories. USHGA certified observers. lessons with purchase of it's the SERVICE that counts.

MlNNESOTA NORTHERN SUN HANG '"·""·"·'·

Rafael,

5:30 IOWA

MONTANA

adwmced instruction.

instmctoru Write J 2437 San Fernando Rd., Sylmar,

KANSAS COLORADO

just local air MONARCH FLYING MACHINES you with USHGA Instructor,; and

lnstru,::tic>n and sp,r;ci,all,?arn·IO··fly f)ac:kaqes Write for free information kit Box 898, North Conway, New

MASSACHl.JSErrs BLANCHARD HILL, open daily, hour NW of Boston at Dunstable.

NORTH ,JERSEY SC! IOOL OF I !ANG GI .!DlNG Cer· tified instructors, selection. Allle,,el;; of im:trn1ction, Oxford and Vernon Valley. c11rr11 the sal"slimcl b,,st performing glide,~ on the market. evmy (201) (201)

w,,

NEW YORK

CONNECT!CUr England's complete struction, parts,

H·6 Sunset (Highlv color) l+B Rock1;t Man (Highly dotailod lull color)

Yellow, and Beige

DECEMBER 1977

NORTH CAROLINA

TEXAS

COME FLY ,JOCKEY'S Rl!X,E! If you live Mi,;sissippi and wanl to learn to glider

ARMADILLO AVIATION - Cal Glider Dislributoc ( :heck CORSAIR & MK.V SKYLINER

ELECTRA-Fl YER DISTR!r\UTORS. South Mid Western UFM Products, Skv

Windhaven has information on how

or write:

"C" South Srnithbarry Rd Metro (817) 469,,()lfi'l

discount;

Best ,ivailable Large Write for free details. Afuture, 8220 21 Ave, NY 11214

OKIAHOMA

ENGINES WANTED. McCulloch 101 MC or !01 D. Ron 1281D Schaub Dr, Haleinh, N.C 27606. (919) llighlmaster helmets Excellent dealer discounts on 10 or more Grand, Ft Smith, Ar 72904. (SO I) PENNS YI.VANIA

TENNESSEE TRUE FLIGHT SOUTH, the Han11 Glider Dealen; for all major manufactnrers. Kite 3Kl2 Guems<,y, Memphis, TN

WYOMING CENTRAL WYOMING HANG C,UDERS Dealer fo1 ASG USHG/\ Observer lnstmclion St, WY. 82601 (:307)

(

C/\LI US Pringle (?06) 4:J6 [i606 Pociilola (206) 3[]7-8106

'' Serving the Great Northwest'

111,r'\,11 (j1 r11

{ './\

~( )( ll

Tired of out of the Fly cJesigned especially for tl1e betto1, pilo11

ACCURATE-oach meter cali· br2lled DEPENDABLE-not affected by dust or static.

LID in tJS. Includes

add $100.

Cm roof $5.00 for info

or $50.00 1or construction plans to: Hall, Box Utah 84050. DECIMBER 197!

application lngwilh enrh

H/\NG

find cmclosec1

Ni\M[ ADDI USS /IP

CITY

II OTl!IYS /\Id !IYI\G 111r;11rn /\Nil I TII/\\ YOU/\1?!, i11A.Yll! YOIJ~'ID Ill CO\lROI IJI YOUR /\IR 111/\1 IR /\IHJlif 1111

111 '.:O J cc, I

r;u1u· WITII THC SAM[ THADITION flf:FOII

IT. THE S~AHAWI<

Ll(;HT Pf:llFOllMANCF SUITAllL.E

nsT TnAININ(; f'Ll(;HTS AND ON T11nouc,f1 COMPETITION,

Photo~

Quicksilver

Many manufacturers the sensitivity ot their gliders to that of small A small 9lidrlr sensitive. And gliders. Well, tilt, Oly yet it has performance often better than lt2 larger. abilities are in smooth and roll dampened

But If You Want Ability,

Only OnEJ Choice

I, I