USHGA Hang Gliding March 1988 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

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• MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION • lllllr..\

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ANNUAL DUES: $39.00 ($42.00 foreign). This accords me full membership in the United States Hang Gliding Assn., Inc., 12 issues of Hang Gliding magazine, effective with current issue, liability and property damage insurance, and voting privileges. I need not be a rated pilot to be a member.

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3-MONTH DUES: $10.00. Full member privileges, three issues of Hang Gliding magazine, liability and property damage insurance. I need not be a rated pilot to be a member.

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D FULL MEMBER ($39.00, $42.00 foreign) 0 FAMILY MEMBER(S) ($19.50 each) D STUDENT MEMBER ($10.00) D SUBSCRIPTION, one year ($29.00, $32.00 foreign)

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P.O Box 500, Pearblossom, California 93553

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(805) 944.5333

Revised 6/86

Volume 18

CONTENTS

Issue No. 3

(USPS 017-970-20)

Features 12 1987 Accident Review

Columns 10 Safety Forum

by Doug Hildreth

The finat report on our worst year since 1981.

Dave Dunning extols the virtues of wheels. Dough Hildreth talks about hooking in.

16 Corrosion In Extruded Aluminum Rod

25 USHGA Chapter Newsletter

by Ross H11gJu111

Briggs Christie talks ropes and sails.

Cables aren't the only glider parts subject to failure.

26 Tow Lines

20 The Before And The

Doug Gordon and Donnell Hewett review some towing safety rules.

After by Doug Hildreth

Departments

Accepting and preparing for risk.

3 Airmail 6 Update 9 Calendar 9 HGMA-Certified Gliders 34 Ratings and Appointments 40 Classified Advertising 44 Stolen Wings 44 Index to Advertisers

28 My First Tandem Flight by La11m Da/try

Laura, who wrote the excellent story on Bostik and Tudor's record nights last summer, recounts her first tandem experience in the Owen's Valley.

37 Learning To Fly As A Family by Phil Alli11

Phil details the fun and rewards of taking up the sport with his sons. Page 37 Copyright © United States Hang Gliding Association, Inc. 1988. All rights reserved to Hang Gliding magazine and individual contributors.

COVER: Nikki Driver on a Delta Wing 145 Lite Dream at Stinson Beach, CA. Photo by John Heiney.

CENTERSPREAD: Doug Rice and Doug Hileman shed the wintertime blues at North Carolina's Sauratown Mt. Photo by Doug Rice.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES IN PUBLICATIONS: The material presented here is published as part of an information dissemination service for USHGA members. The USHGA makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability concerning the validity of any advice, opinion or recommendation expressed in the material. All individuals relying upon the material do so at their own risk.

MARCH 1988

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

CHOOSE A SENSOR 8-MODEL • The standard model with one half rib per side is the right choice for new Hang Ill pilots, ladies, small people and occasional flyers. • The 3/4 Race Sensor. On target for weekend pilots who want unsurpassed performance, top-rated stability, and handling that's second to none. • The Full Race Sensor. For serious stack-toppers, XC drivers, speedburners and everyday pilots who like to fly at a variety of speeds, in a variety of modes and circumstances. One glider, in three models, to beat the rest. • Sink Rate • Glide Ratio • Usable Speed Range • Handling • Strength & Stability • and Good Looks

THE ULTIMATE GLIDERS FOR FLIGHT

Dealer

Inquiries Welcomed

•

SEEDWINGS

5760 Thornwood Dr. Santa Barbara, CA 93117 (805) 967-4848

Catalog, Dealer List and Specificationi Sheets available.

Pilot Larry Lorance

Gil Dodgen, &/itor!Art Director Janie Dodgen, Production David Pounds, Design Consultant Leroy Grannis, Bettina Gray, John Heiney, Staff Photographers Erik Fair, Staff Writer Harry Martin, Illustrator

Office Staff Cindy Brickner, Executive Director Joyce Isles, Ratings Mary O'Konski, Member Services Lynne Parton, Member Services

USHGA Officers: Russ Locke, President Dick Heckman, Vice President Elizabeth Sharp, Secretary Dan Johnson, Treasurer

Executive Committee: Russ Locke Dick Heckman Bob Collins Dan Johnson Cindy Brickner REGION I; Ken Godwin. REGION 2: Ken Brown, Jay Busby, Russ Locke. REGION 3: Bill Bennet!, Wall Dodge, Gregg Lawless. REGION 4; Bob Buxton, Jim Zeiset. REGION 5: Mike King. REGION 6: Ron Kenney. REGION 7: John Woiwode. REGION 8: Bob Collins. REGION 9: Pete Lehmann, Jeff Simms. REGION 10: Dick Heckman, Mau Taber. REGION II; Carl Boddie. REGION 12: Pete Fournia, Paul Rikert. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Dan Johnson, G.W. Meadows, Dennis Pagen, Rich Pieiffer, Elizabeth Sharp. EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS: Everett Langworthy, NAA. HONORARY DIRECTORS: Joe Bulger, Dick Cassetta, Doug Hildreth, Mike Meier, Bob Thompson. The United States Hang Gliding Association lnc. is a division of the National Aeronautic A5sociation (NAA) which is the official representative of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FA!), of the world governing body for sport aviation. The NAA, which represents the U.S. al FA! meetings, has delegated to the USHGA supervision of FAI-related hang gliding aclivitles such as record attempts and competition sanctions. HANG GLIDING magazine is published for hang gliding sport enthusiasts to create further interest in 1he sport, by a means of open communication and to advance hang gliding methods and safety. Contributions are welcome. Anyone is invited co contribute articles, photos, and illustrations concerning hang gliding activities. If the material js to be returned, a stamped, self-addressed return envelope must be enclosed. Notification must be made of submission to other hang gliding publications. HANG GLIDING magazine reserves the right ro edir contributions. where necessary. The Association and publication do no! assume responsibility for the material or opinions of contributors. HANG GLIDING magazine (USPS 017·9iDJ is published monthly by the United States Hang Gliding Association, Inc., whose mailing address is: P.O. Box 500, Pearblossom, CA 93553; telephone (805) 944-5333. Second-class postage is paid at Pearblossom, Calif. The type-setting is provided by 1st Impression Typesrning Service, Buena Park, Calif. The USHGA is a membercontrolled educational and scientific organization dedicated to exploring all facets of ultralight flight. Membership is open to anyone interested in this realm of flight. Dues for full membership are $39.00 per year ($42.00 for foreign addresses); subscription rates arc $29.00 for one year, $53.00 for two years, S/7.00 for three years. Changes of address should be sent six weeks in advance, including name, USHGA membership number, previous and new address. and a mailing label from a recent issue. POSTMASTER: SEND CHANGE OP ADDRESS TO: UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASSOCIATION, P.O. BOX 500, PEARBLOSSOM, CA 93553.

MARCH 1988

VOLUME 18, ISSUE No. 3

AIRMAIL IMPROVED LANDABILITY Dear Editor, In recent years hang glider performance has been pushed to very high levels, and structural and aerodynamic integrity have improved. In one area, however, the modern gliders clearly are continuing to degrade - landability. A solution to the problem might be to keep the root section flying beyond its normal stall angle of attack by means of a series of vortex generators on the inboard leading edge. They could be molded into a plastic strip and velcroed to the leading edges in a position such that, at angles of attack flown for best LID, they would point into the relative wind. At high angles of attack, when the stagnation point moves lower on the leading edge, the vortex generators would create a vortex system over the wing's upper surface strong enough to prevent a stall. Ross Leon Fairfield, CA

STUBBED TOE Dear Editor, In the January, 1988 issue of Hang Gliding, a brief article on a recent tow seminar stated, "Brake tension on the winch was set at about 25 to 40 pounds." I think that this statement may be misleading and should be clarified. A1DL-type launch systems utilize an adjustable master cylinder piston to regulate the brake fluid pressure working against the brake calipers. The hydraulic brake fluid pressure (measured in PSI), is verified by a gauge located between the master cylinder and calipers. The figures referenced in the article were most likely gauge pressure (PSI) and not brake tension as stated. For example: If the master cylinder produced 35 PSI gauge pressure the actual brake tension (towline tension) required to pay out the towline would most likely be around 180 pounds. As you can see, gauge PSI and line tension should not be confused. They are quite different in function. To further confuse the issue the figures of 25 to 40 PSI pressure is only good for ATOL systems or exact copies. Any deviation in brake disk diameter, caliper pad contact area or spool diameter will certainly change the towline tension if the the 25 to 40 PSI gauge pressure setting is utilized. Don't give up! If you plan on truck towing and are unsure about towline tension requirements work with a pilot who thoroughly

understands the concepts/mechanics of truck launching hang gliders. It will save you time, money and will improve overall safety. Chris Gagliano San Antonio, TX

COLD HANDS Dear Editor, Okay, I admit it. I'm stumped, stymied, bamboozled. Or else I'm just a wimp. After 14 years of launching and landing and having a lot of fun in between, I still can't figure out how to keep my friggin' hands warm! Oh, I'm fine for most of the flying that I do, but put me in the middle of a good XC day (i.e., getting high and staying there for a while) and I'll eventually lose enough warmth in my pinkies that they 'II get pretty numb. That doesn't allow real control authority, and is a major factor in flight endurance. I've tried many different gloves and/or combinations. I'm currently using a pair of gore-

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AIRMAIL tex ski gloves on my hands, and then inserting them into a pair of neoprene control bar mitts. It's the best I've come up with so far, but I still get cold in the long run. Does anyone out there have any suggestions, short of batterypowered mittens (which I doubt would last over an eight-hour plus flight)? I'm sure that I'm not the only one with this problem, so how about it - any ideas? Scott Smith Palm Desert, CA

MOUNT MAGAZINE Dear Editor, In light of a recent occurrence at Mount Magazine, Arkansas which resulted in substantial injuries to the pilot involved, the members of the Mount Magazine Hang Gliding Society are moved to write this response. Magazine is a south facing ridge, 2,750' MSL, 1,950' AGL. It is located 45 miles east of Fort Smith, Arkansas (Region IV). The launch is on National Forest Service property and the NFS will not tolerate accidents. The landing area is located approximately two miles out front (on private property) and does require current USHGA membership with proof of liability insurance, therefore, waiver forms are required by the membership and must be signed before flying. The incident previously mentioned involved out-of-town pilots unfamiliar with the site. They failed to even attempt to contact local members until after the fact. As there were no locals on top that day (because of blown-out conditions), the information here came from their driver. The pilot flew off in strong crosswind conditions, was unable to make the glide out and crashed in a clearcut; a broken nose, severe facial lacerations and a broken arm were the product of his uninformed flight. The membership does not want to bad mouth anyone, but we feel this could have been avoided if the pilots involved would have contacted us before the flight rather than after when they needed help recovering the glider. The phone number which was so readily available after the fact would have proven much more helpful had they used it before flying. One phone call can give you all the information you'll need and the clearance necessary to fly at Magazine. We would like to see people stop at our site and enjoy the great ridge and thermal air it has to offer, but we also have to regulate it to preserve it. I am sure there are other groups and clubs with the

same feelings and situations, so I would like to use this unfortunate incident to urge others to make a call or write a letter inquiring about the site they plan to visit and possible regulalions at these sites before arriving. We require notification and clearance at Magazine as do many other sites. Don't jeopardize our site, anyone else's or your life. For information on flying Mount Magazine contact: Mark Stump Route I Box 4 Waldron, AR 72958 Warren Flatte 5604 Euper Lane Fort Smith, AR 72903

SPORT VS. VISION? Dear Editor, We are back to apples versus oranges it seems. The Vision Mark IV is the only double surface wing HGMA certified for a Hang II pilot. (The Sport is certified for Hang III pilots, or with minimum wing loading for Hang IV pilots.) As a result, Mr. Thompson (Aimiail, Feb. issue) is putting his 17 years of experience up against pilots who, on a surveyed nation-wide average, have less than two years in the sport of hang gliding. Give me a Lotus and give Mario Andretti a Toyota and see who gets somewhere first. We also would like to point out that the MK IV and the Eclipse are by no means identical, in many aspects of both the sail and frame geometry. As for handling, we can only ask that pilots fly the two gliders and decide for themselves. Jean-Michel Bernasconi Pacific Airwave

WILLS WING NEWSLETTER Dear Editor, I have just read the Dec. '87 issue of the magazine and I am quite upset. I fly a Progressive Aircraft Dawn Comp, a glider which has given me hours of enjoyment without any problems, and I'm getting tired of having pilots who have never flown a Dawn tell me that my glider is unsafe because they read in Hang Gliding a few years back that some Dawns tumbled at the Nationals. There was never an article published explaining why these Dawns tumbled, even though there was

no inherent problem with the Dawn responsible for the tumbles. Now in 1987 at the Telluride festival a Wills Wing product fails in flight. The incident has to be reported in the magazine, but lo and behold in the tradition of a true Wills Wing publication, Hang Gliding magazine publishes an article that tries to explain to us ignorant pilots that there is no problem with the HP. Now I'm not upset that Mr. Meier wants us to believe that this glider was exceeding 70 mph with a high nose angle, but I am upset that this article preceded the article telling of the failures at Telluride and that there were no articles from the other manufacturers explaining why their gliders failed. I realize the importance of USHGA and I am renewing my membership to USHGA but, I don't fly a Wills Wing glider and I have no need for a Wills Wing newsletter. Therefore I suggest that although I am paying the full renewal price for membership you can save some money by not sending a magazine to me until it becomes an unbiased informative publication that deals equally with all manufacturers. Bill Hanson Crestline, CA

I can only publish the information I receive. All manufacturers are invited, and encouraged, to submit irifonnation on any topic they feel is important. I particularly encourage the submission of safety-related material. The reason for the particular concem over the HP incidents is that, to our knowledge, these were the first cases of a glider, certified to modern HGMA standards, that had failed under positive load in flight. Since all gliders are certified to these standards the results of the tests pe,fonned by both Mark !#st and Wills Wing should be of great i11terest to the whole hang gliding community. Everything that is k11mw1 about Gary Lagrone's accidem has been published. (See Doug Hildreth 's article in this issue.) The other strnctura/ failures have been the result of tumbles. I# know gliders are likely to break when tumbled, and the HGMA standards are not designed to preclude stn1ctural failure under those conditions.-Ed.

PAYING YOUR WAY Dear Editor, The Tennessee Tree Toppers (TTT) is most likely the nation's most established hang gliding club. They own two launches, a club

HANG GLIDING

AIRMAIL house and have access to many other launches and landing fields. In the future they hope to purchase more property. This takes money, and the TTT charges a very reasonable fee to use the sites (three days - $15, one year - $30). All of the assets have come about through memberships and fund raisers. Now, the bad part. Immediately following the National Fly-in the TTT went into the hole. Over the years the number of pilots has increased but memberships have decreased. I estimate that 50 % of the pilots using the sites never pay their way; only 74 of the 300 pilots who attended the Fly-In actually registered and paid the fees. Some pilots just plain refuse to pay. Maybe these pilots don't understand. The only ones they hurt are themselves. I suggest that all the pilots who attended the Fly-In, and didn't pay to use the sites, send in a donation to the TTT. Better yet, how about a 1988 membership which includes a great newsletter? Chris Smith Tennessee Tree Toppers Rt. 2 Box 210B Dunlap, TN 37327

NO MORE FATALITIES Dear Editor, There are 18 fewer people here in '88 because of hang gliding accidents in 'ITT. When I read that "Demon" Dave Hahn was killed in North Carolina the facts really hit home. Too many people are dying! I used to fly with Dave at Manteo, NC and I have a spectacular sunset shot of him 300' over a 40' bluff. I don't just want to "remember" him that way but to fly with him and be friends with him. I don't know what the circumstances were, but people, we need to make sure we don't have any circumstances. Don't take that extra risk. I'm just as gung-ho as the next guy, but I've been flying eight years now and hope to fly until I'm 88. New pilots: We have better gliders and instruction now. Pilots with two to three years experience are doing what used to take five to ten. But you have less experience and may feel like you have to "prove" something. Intermediate and Advanced Syndrome are real and can get you.

MARCH 1988

Old timers: Stick your neck out a little and help the newer guys. Help them realize the dangers that you have escaped. Let's make '88 our first year with no hang gliding deaths. This letter is dedicated to Dave, Roberto, Cindy, Casey, Allison, Phil, Mark and Teresa. Dan Skadal Santa Ana, CA

PARAGLIDING Dear Editor, This past summer I was introduced to the sport of paragliding. My first glimpse of the sport wasn't very positive. The two guys from New Hampshire with a new canopy seemed bent on self-destruction. They didn't have a great desire to teach themselves this new sport. I remembered 1971 and hang gliding's infamous beginnings and decided to reserve judgement. Enter Fred Stockwell, an international paragliding pilot and instructor. He showed me paragliding in a new light. The canopy (wing) is foot-launched, very maneuverable and can ridge soar in proper conditions. The skill and knowledge needed to fly a paraglider is similar to hang gliding. Fred began his program of instruction at our local training hill. I watched as the interest in this new sport steadily grew. Many of the hang glider watchers (wives, girlfriends and drivers) tried paragliding this year and some of Fred's students switched to hang gliding. Since the training hill is a club site, several of the paraglider pilots joined our club. As I mentioned, the two sports are similar. Paragliding is closer to hang gliding than it is to sky diving. There are, however, differences that if unchecked, could cause chaos at our flying sites, increasing the potential for accidents. Fred is working on a rating system and guidelines for flying at hang gliding sites. We have found that with knowledge and understanding on both sides, the two sports can peacefully co-exist. Paragliding is big in Europe, and growing steadily here. Now is the time to get in on the ground floor. Let's have some national involvement, guidelines, regulations, etc. and keep our flying sites safe! Claudia Holbrook Instructor, South Wind H.G. Pt. of the Mt., Utah

NICE TRY Dear Editor, Just wrote to share a few thoughts on Jules Gilpatrick's article in the January issue. As a bonafide, card-carrying member of the E-Team, I felt it a fitting tribute that not only our great organization made it into print, but so did our beloved mascot, Mr. Death. (Not to be confused with our cherished idol, Zippy the Pinhead.) As for the content of the article itself, all I can say is, nice try Jules. We're all duly impressed by your rather prolific vocabulary. We're also impressed by your seeming inability to use it to communicate effectively. Alas, the long-winded prose which should have produced many a good belly laugh, instead got lost in itself. Meanwhile, the reader was left to meander down the path of confusing diatribe with no clear direction as to the author's intended purpose. Then, to add insult to injury, Jules takes literary license a bit too far by grossly misnomering some of our most hallowed E-Team members. To set the record straight, Lester's girlfriend is Psycho (not "Cycle"). The correct spelling for. The Great Flaked Wonder is Flakey John (not "Flaky"), and Slippery Larry (c'mon!) is Lawrence of Inebria, or The Inebriator for short. (That's Inebriator SIR to you.) In conclusion, I would like to say that taking a bunch of impressive sounding words and throwing them all on a page does not necessarily make good reading, nor good humor. You fine folks out there want something to read that'll really split your seams? Then stay tuned for the next installment of " Mr. Death Rides Again!" by its original author - me. I promise a faithful rendition of all characters portrayed, though some events may be changed to protect the guilty. You print it, I'll write it. H'ya now! Mark Mallory San Diego, CA

RUBBER DOLLARS

Ninety-eight per cent of all member checks clear the bank when deposited. The other two per cent cost USHGA time and money to handle till clearing payment. Therefore, a $5.00 service charge will be assessed on all returned checks.

UPDATE Place !)

2) 3)

WORLD MEET RESULTS Country Points Australia USA Great Britain

34085 33019 31655

Individual Standings Place, Pilot Country

Points

1) Rick Duncan 2) Bruce Case 3) Steve Moyes 4) Ted Boyse 5) Bruce Goldsmith 6) Larry Tudor 7) Mark Newlands 8) Detlerzeige 9) John Pendry 10) Herbert Kuhr 16) Jim Lee 36) Howard Osterlund 41) Rich Pfeiffer

9256 8595 8591 8404 8403 8380 8303 8296 8210 7949 7641 6600 6329

Australia USA Australia USA Great Britain USA Australia Denmark Great Britain West Germany USA USA USA

NEW MEMBERS SUBMITTED BY BUSINESSES Tradewinds Hang Gliding ........... 23 Windsports International ............ 13 Hang Glider Emporium ............. 11 The Hang Gliding Center ........... 11 of San Diego High Adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Western Hang Gliders (KHKW) . . . . . . 8 Golden Sky Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Mission Soaring Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Lookout Mountain Flight Park. . . . . . . 5 Kitty Hawk Kites East. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Fly America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Arizona Windsports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Natural High Hang Gliding. . . . . . . . . 2

GAZETTE LA MOUETTE BECOMES "CROSS COUNTRY" Gazette La Mouette magazine, the international French hang gliding publication issued in English, French and Japanese, has been discontinued. In its place La Mouette will publish Cross Country magazine. The color publication invites contributions in any format from hang gliding enthusiasts. A one-year subscription is $25. Contact: Tina Jorgensen, 16018-68th Ave. Ct. E., Puyallup, WA 98373 (206) 535-0973. HIGH ENERGY ADVISORY It's been brought to our attention that some of the parachute deployment bags built in August and September of 1987 have faulty handle attachments. If you purchased a High Energy Sports parachute or comfort pack after Aug. '87 please inspect the handle attachment points to make sure they are secure. If you have any doubt send us your deployment bag and we will replace it at no charge. Contact: High Energy Sports, 2236 W. 2nd St., Santa Ana, CA 92703 (714) 972-8186. HIGH ENERGY P.O.D.

The following schools or clubs have submitted one new member to us during the month of January: Adventure Wings Santa Barbara Hang Gliding Southwind Hang Gliding Chandelle Free Spirit Sky Surfing Nova-Air The Hang Glider Shop Kite World Sail Wings Dunlap Flight Park Wasatch Wings Hawaiian Airsports

High Energy Sports is proud to announce the P.O.D. (Pfeiffer Original Design). This light-weight harness utilizes the same continuous webbing structure, sewn with five-cord thread, used in all HES harnesses. The POD is fully adjustable, using the same support lines as the HES cocoon. The front launch zipper arrangement is simplified for clean opening and closing,

and the back may be opened for hotweather flying. A parachute bridle cover and roomy storage compartments, located below the parachute container, in the tail section and in the back piece, come standard on the POD. Options include: hip pockets, radio holder, steel carabiner, foot plate and double insulation. Your choice of 1/8" or 1/4" closed cell foam. Contact: High Energy Sports, 2236 W. 2nd St., Santa Ana, CA 92703 (714) 972-8186. PINECREST ANNOUNCES NEW SCHOOL Pinecrest Air Park announces the opening of its new school. Natural High Hang Gliding school will be run by Advanced Instructor Debbi RenshawArmenta. Complete lesson packages are offered with an emphasis on safety. Gliders, equipment and hang gliding jewelry are available. Juanita Jackson will continue to own and operate the air park. Contact: (714) 887-9275.

ATOL TOUR '88 Airtime of Lubbock is scheduling their 1988 Truck Launching seminar tour. The purpose of the tour will be to continue to instruct pilots in the techniques of truck launching and to seek out individuals or businesses, dedicated to safety, training and the advancement of recreational flying, to act as ATOL representatives. Due to increased activity in the overseas market ATOL plans to establish a domestic dealer network to satisfy the demand for equipment and instruction. Individuals, clubs and businesses interested in sponsoring a truck launching seminar should contact Airtime of Lubbock, Inc., 2013-68th St., Lubbock, TX 79412 (806) 745-9633 for details and dates. SPECIAL ELECTION RESULTS During the month of January special runoff elections were held in Regions 2, 10 and 11. Elected to the Board were:

HANG GLIDING

UPDATE Ken Brown in Region 2, Matt Taber in Region 10 and Carl Boddie in Region 11. Thanks go to all candidates and we welcome the new Directors on board.

8-18, with a pilot meeting on Thursday the 8th, at Grandfather Mt., North Carolina. Contact: Catherine Morton, U.S. 221 & The Parkway, Linville, NC 28646 (704) 733-2013.

GOLDEN SKY SAILS CHANGES NAME, DISTRIBUTES BELL HELMETS

CRESTLINE FLYATHON '88 The Crestline Soaring Society and the Crestline Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a fund-raising flyathon on June 11, 1988 to raise funds for the Crippled Children's Society. Pilots and sponsors should contact: Debbi Renshaw, P.O. Box 23073, San Bernardino, CA 92406 (714) 880-3888. STEWART SMITH SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

Golden Sky Sails, Inc., after more than 15 years in business, has changed its name to The Colorado Hang Gliding Center. "By including the function of our business in its title we continue to fulfill our policy of focusing on the needs of the general public and our student pilots. The name itself becomes a promotion," says George Greer, president. The school has taught more than 13,000 students since 1972, and was the first hang gliding school certified with the USHGA. The Colorado Hang Gliding Center has also just reached an agreement with Bell Corporation to distribute the Bell hang gliding helmet. The helmet includes a two-year warranty, is hand made and is designed specifically to enhance hearing and safety while flying. Contact: Colorado Hang Gliding Center, P.O. Box 1423, Golden, CO 80402 (303) 278-9566. MASTERS RETURNS As you may have noticed in the calendar of events, the Masters of Hang Gliding competition has returned to Grandfather Mountain, and we all wish Hugh and Catherine Morton the best of luck with the reestablishment of this important and historic hang gliding meet. This year's event will take place Sept.

MARCH 1988

Stew Smith, well-known competition hang glider pilot who died at Grandfather Mt. in a hang gliding accident, has been honored by the Professional Ski Instructors of America. Carlos Gonzalez, of Cortland, NY, has been awarded the first Stewart Smith Memorial Scholarship. Stew was an active ski instructor in addition to being a world-class hang glider pilot.

GREAT RACE PRECEDES NATIONALS

April seems to be the month to be in Chattanooga, if hang gliding competitions are your cup of tea. On Easter Weekend, April 2-3, Lookout Mountain Flight Park's annual Great Race is slated to take place. Two Saturdays later the 1988 U.S. Hang Gliding Nationals will begin in the Chattanooga area. April is traditionally the best time of year in Chattanooga for altitude gains and crosscountry flights. This year's Great Race promises to be both competitive and fun. Two classes will compete for separate prizes and trophies: competition gliders will fly in the Open Class, while "non-competition" gliders compete in the Sporting Class. With the Nationals soon after, the Open

Class should be very competitive, with some pilots expected to be in the area early, using The Great Race as a tune-up for the big event. The Sporting Class, on the other hand, should be more relaxed, with many pilots just having fun flying "to the Point" and back. Competitors must be current USHGA members (or foreign equivalent) and must be rated Intermediate or Advanced pilots (qualified Novice pilots must receive pennission from Lookout Mountain Flight Park owner Mat Taber). "The Great Race has always been a fun event," Taber comments, "and it's important that pilots have the soaring experience necessary to compete safely." On a good soarable day, qualified Novice pilots can easily make it to Point Park (overlooking Chattanooga) and back, a 21-rnile roundtrip along the ridge. During the event, flyers not competing in The Great Race will be allowed to launch and fly Lookout Mountain. Another two miles of ridge (not part of The Great Race course) is open for fun flying. (One of the nice things about this competition is you don't have to land after you cross the finish line - you can join the fun flyers to the left of launch!) It is expected that Lookout will be open for everyone to fly during the Nationals, as well. For more information on The Great Race, contact Lookout Mountain Flight Park and Training Center, (404) 398-3541. - Buzz Chalmers

GOOD NEWS, GOOD SAM USHGA offers a service to members by listing stolen equipment in the classified section of the magazine. There is no charge for this service. If you lose a glider or equipment, call us for immediate inclusion in the next issue. Last month we had a call to remove a glider from the stolen list. A pilot saw a classified ad in a local mailer for a cheap glider. He called and found the "owner" knew little or nothing about the glider. He scanned STOLEN WINGS, went to see the glider, and ID'ed the

iJPDATE glider as stolen to the local police after the visit. The original pilot got his Vision back, and the thieves were convicted. You can help in other instances like this. Keep your eyes and ears open. While scanning the garage sale or odd classified listings, look out for "funny" glider listings. The glider you save may be your buddy's. -CB

AXIS UPDATE UP International is proud to announce that the Axis 13 and 15 are now in production in Elsinore, California. The Axis is a high-performance hang glider for the advanced pilot. Specifications for the Axis 15 are: span, 35 ft.; area, 172 sq. ft.; nose angle, 124°; pilot hook-in weight, 165-250 lbs.; breakdown size, 15 ft. (without tools). Standard features include: 4.5 oz. race cloth trailing edge (4.5 oz. dacron is also available); variable geometry (with reflex bridle compensator); king post hang system on the stock streamlined kingpost; functional hardware that allows the glider to be set up on the control bar, or flat on the ground; easy adjust wing tip fittings for no tools tuning; breakdown leading edges for easy transportation; and a spare parts kit. Options available on the Axis include: faired downtubes; speedbar; mylar leading edge pockets; custom sail work; and UP letters (at no charge). Contact: UP International (714) 674-7005.

KITTY HAWK WEST CHANGES NAME Effective January l, 1988 Kitty Hawk Kites West, in Marina, California will begin using their incorporated name, Western Hang Gliders, Inc. exclusively. Western Hang Gliders is one of the largest USHGA-certified schools and equipment dealerships in the U.S. and is well known for their annual sponsorship of the Marina Steeplechase and hang

gliding tour business. The school is located on the sand dunes of Marina State Beach, one of only two sand dune training areas on the entire California coast. The new name is a result of an ownership change that took place in December of 1986. Western Hang Gliders is now owned by Jim Johns of Monterey, CA who has made no major changes in the business except the continuing effort toward improvement of professional hang gliding services. Contact: P.O. Box 828, Marina, CA 93933, (408) 384-2622.

GENERAL AVIATION HAS SAFEST YEAR YET The AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn.) informs us that general aviation recorded its safest year ever in 1986, according to statistics recently released by the National Transportation Safety Board. According to NTSB data, the total number of general aviation accidents was the lowest since the NTSB began keeping records. The general aviation accident rate for 1986 was at an all-time low 1.53 fatal accidents per 100,000 hours flown, which is the fifth straight year for decreasing fatals. Preliminary NTSB statistics for the first half of 1987 show that general aviation has continued to improve its safety record this year, with significant declines in numbers of accidents, fatal accidents and fatalities. The National Safety Council's 1987 edition of Accident Facts shows that more Americans were killed in bicycle or boating accidents during 1986 than in general aviation accidents, which represented only one percent of the total number of accidental deaths in the United States. In 1986, there were 958 general aviation accidents compared to 1,229 marine transportation fatalities. The Council estimates that 1,200 people lost their lives in collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles. The NSC also estimated that in 1986, 47,900 people died in motor vehicle accidents; 11,000 died in falls; 5,600

drowned; 4,800 died as a result of fires or bums, and 4,000 more were accidently poisoned. Contact: Edmund Pinto (301) 695-2160, Patricia Weil (301) 695-2156.

1988 PILOT RANKING AND REGIONAL ALLOTMENTS The following is a list of the top 30 CPS pilots and the regional allotments for the 1988 Nationals.

Regional Allotments Region l - 8; Region 2 - 10; Region 3 - 7; Region 4 - 5; Region 5 - 1; Region 6 - 3; Region 7 - 4; Region 8 - 4; Region 9 - 3; Region 10 - 3; Region 11 - l; Region 12 - 5. Region Points

Rank

Pilot

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Rawlings, Rick Lee, Jim Tudor, Larry Bostik, Joe Osterlund, Howard

3 4 4 3 2

1,731 1,628 1,576 1,351 1,335

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Boyse, Ted Pfeiffer, Rich Case, Bruce Bye, Kevin Adams, Randy

3 3 7 I 8

1,246 1,212 1,190 1,066 948

I I. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Bennett, Mark Zeiset, Jim Huey, Jeff Sauer, Rich Volk, Glen

2 4 I 2 3

923 876 758 725 717

16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Woiwode, John Fisher, Lee Koji, Steve Lehmann, Pete Huss, Ian

7 1 3 9 4

683 674 642 550 536

21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

Peachy, Butch Meier, Mike Luna, Steve Koji, Brad Magistri, Sergio

3 3 3 4 2

499 488 482 478 474

26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

Uchytil, Gerry Cassetta, Deke England, Bob Raby, O' Shannon Brown, Ken

1 2 3 2 2

446 411 380 376 303

HANG GLIDING

UPDATE Rt. 2 Box 215-H, Rising Fawn, GA 30738 (404) 398-3541.

Calendar March 4·6: Basic or Advanced ICP, $100. April 8-10: Tandem I ($75) or II ($150) certification clinic. Space limited, call for reservations. Contact: Hang Gliding Center of San Diego, CA (619) 450-9008. March 5: glider maintenance seminar. March 19: Chute clinic. April 29-May 1: Monterey Bay Steeple Chase. May 21-23: Mt. flying clinic. May 29.June 4: Ridge soaring camp. June 4: Chute clinic. June 5: XC seminar. June 11-19: Owens Valley XC tour. July 1-3: Mt. clinic. July 9·10: Beach soaring clinic. Aug. 13-20: Hawaii tour. Sept. 3: Chute clinic. Sept. 4: XC clinic. Sept. 11-17: Owens XC tour. Contact: Western Hang Gliders, Box 828, Marina, CA 93933 (408) 384-2622. March 7: Dealer Assn. meeting at Torrey Pines, CA. Contact: Pat (408) 262-1055 or Bill (213) 787-6600. April 2-3: The Great Race, Lookout Mt. Flight Park, Chattanooga, TN. 21-mile ridge race. Two classes, prizes and trophies. May 13: Parachute clinic. Repacking, simulator deployments. May 14-15: Instructor Certification Clinic. Contact: Lookout Mt. Flight Park,

HGMA-CERTIFIED GLIDERS 1he following is a comprehe11Sive list of HOMA-certified gliders si11Ce 19i9. Pilots contemplating buying a used glider should be aware that those cenified prior to 191) may not meet what are now considered to be adequate stability and structural standards. Any glider which is more than two years old should be disassembled and thoroughly i11Spected by a qualified dealer or the manufacturer. In particular, cables should be checked and replaced, and sails examined for UV degradation. - Ed. 19'79 Phoenix 6D 185, 215 Lazor 170, 190 Antares 18', 19', 20' Electra Floater 205 Sunbird Nova 170, 190, 230 Seagull IO Meter, 11 Meter Alpha 155, 186, 215, 245 Raven 209 Omega 180, 220, 260

MARCH 1988

April 8-10: Basic Instructor Certification Program, Milpitas, CA. Contact: Mission Soaring Center (408) 262-1055. April 16-24, 1988: 1988 U.S. Hang Gliding Nationals, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Contact: Rick Jacob (615) 238-5568. April 16·24, 1988: Women's World Team Qualifier, Chattanooga, TN. Contact: Jan Siskind (617) 753-1568. April 23: Santa Barbara parachute clinic. Guest speakers, simulator deployments and repack. $25. Contact: Hang Glider Emporium, 613 N. Milpas, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 (805) 965-3733. May 21-22: Girls Wanna Have Fun fly-in/demo daze at Ed Levin Park, near Milpitas, CA. Contact: Lynda Nelson, 1863 Dalton Dr., Milpitas, CA 95035. May 28-30: Annual Dry Canyon Fly-In, Alamogordo, NM. Meet at Alamogordo KOA on 24th St. at 9 A.M. each day. Contact: Robin Hastings, 1311 17th St., Alamogordo, NM 88310 (505) 382-7446.

June 11: Crestline Flyathon '88. Benefit for Crippled Children's Society. Contact: Debbi Renshaw, P.O. Box 23073, San Bernardino, CA 92406 (714) 880-3888. June 25-26: !0th Annual Starthistle Meet, Woodrat Mt., Ruch, Oregon (off I-5 en route to Chelan/Grouse). World and Sporting classes. $20 in advance or $25 day of meet. Contact: Rogue Valley HGA, P.O. Box 311, Medford, OR 97501 (503) 482-8766. June 25.July 1: 10th Anniversary Owens Valley Cross-Country Classic. Contact: Tom Kreyche, 855 Waller St., #5, San Francisco, CA 94117 (415) 621-4359 (evenings). June 27.July 10: European Paragliding Championship, St. Hilaire, France. Contact: Catherine Schmider, Le Chalet, 38720 St. Hilaire du Touvet, France. July 1-17: Sixth European Hang Gliding Championships, Alpago, Italy. Pilots wishing to represent the U.S. must file entry through USHGA (805) 944-5333. Sept. 9-18: Masters of Hang Gliding. Pilots' meeting Sept. 8. Contact: Catherine Morton, Grandfather Mt., U.S. 221 and The Parkway, Linville, NC 28646 (704) 733-2013.

June/July: European Thermal Tours hang gliding safaris. Contact: Ron White, lO Power St., Spencer, MA 01562 (617) 885-6073.

Omni 187 (200) Highster 170, 190 Flight Designs Lancer 4B 170, 190 Flight Designs Lancer SL 180, 200 UP Firefly IIB 149, 181, 216 UP Mosquito 166 Sirocco ill 168, 189 Moyes Maxi MK III SP Sensor 210E 183

1980 Raven 149, 179, 209, 229 UP Mosquito 146, 196 Lazor II 155, 175, 195 Electra Flyer Spirit 180, 200, 220 Moyes Mega MK II Seagull Sierra 180, 200 UP Comet 165 Wills Wing Harrier 177 (I and II) Waspair Super Gryphon 175 Monarch II

1981 Pro Air 180, 140 Harrier 147, 187 (I and II) Comet 135, 185 Aolus 170 Viper 175 Javelin 208

Challenger II 162, 178 Moyes Meteor 150, 170, 190 Gemini 164, 184, 134 Sensor 510 180 Demon 175 Centurion 165

1982 Javelin 168 Duck 180, 160, 200 (and DHV) Prostar 160, 130 Streak 160 Alto Stratus 160 Dream 161 X 200, 180, 160, 140 Dyer Hawk 216, 182, 158 Moyes Missile 170 Breez 180 Sensor 510 165 Vision V - 18

1983 Streak 180, 130 Duck 130 Comet II 165, 185 Shadow 173 Attack Duck 180, 160 Missile GT 170, 190 Mars 170 Prostar II 160

1984 Skyhawk 168, 188 Light Dream 161, 185 Comet II 135 (& 135, 165, 185 w/ 1/2-battens) Pro Dawn 155, 175 HP 170 (and,HP II - 1986) Sensor 510 160 VG and B model & with king post hang ('86 & Standard model) Moyes GrR 162 (VG)

1985 Light Dream 205 Dawn Comp 160 Vision Eclipse 17 GZ 155 Mystic 166 VG, 177 VG

1986 Sport 167 Sport American 167 Vision Eclipse 19 Lite Mystic 155, 166, 177 Lite Dream 220 1987 Vision Eclipse 14 "Genesis" Vision Mark IV 17 Sport 150

SAFETY FORUM :

Words On Wheels by Dave Dunning

Consider if you will the wheel - one of the earliest inventions and perhaps the most taken for granted. Where would we be without our wheels? How would we get to our favorite flying sites? It would be a long, slow journey up the hill on pack mules if you were fortunate enough to live close to a flyable mountain. Towing? Forget it. We use wheels every day of our lives, not just on automobiles but in many other ways. So, I sometimes wonder why more hang glider pilots don't use them on the basetubes of their wings? Remember those big wheels on that training rag you got your first flights on? How many times did you "belly in" and roll to a stop? Maybe you rolled through a fresh cow pie but emerged otherwise unhurt. It seems most of us want to forget that part of our flying experience and move on, get good at landing and remove those large, drag-producing wheels. Sure, we all want the most performance we can get out of the gliders we fly, but why overlook safety? As good as you may get at launching, flying and landing, there will still be some arrivals that get out of hand and result in a lessthan-perfect no-step touchdown. I visited Chattanooga for the National Fly-In the last part of September, had a terrific time, flew a bunch, and met a lot of fellow (and some female) pilots. Many thanks to the Tennessee Tree Toppers for

arranging the get-together. Anyhow, I had a fine flight at Lookout Mountain on the first day. When I landed I had a sloppy flare due to a slight crosswind and rolled in on my wheels - no damage to the glider or myself. I humbly packed it up and sat down to watch other pilots land as sundown was about thirty minutes away. That's when I got the idea to write this article. Perhaps it was the number of out-of-state pilots (myself included) landing in an unfamiliar LZ, or maybe it was the almost no-wind condition on the ground for an effective flare to stop. There were a lot of pilots in Chattanooga that weekend, and many did exhibit excellent landing technique, but many also blew their landings. Some who had the small bar protector type wheels inadvertently demonstrated wheel saves when they rolled 'em in. Several of the landings were of the slam-dunk variety. There were some bent and broken downtubes, and one pilot with a sore arm who didn't fly the next day because of it. Luckily that was the worst of it. I understand it's very important for some pilots to maintain their Macho image and disdain the use of wheels. And keeping a pair permanently mounted on the basetube can be a hassle. Sometimes they want to roll when you don't want them to, like when you're standing on launch and haven't picked the wing up

yet. You usually have to take the basetube off during pack-up and store it separately as most glider bags will not close over them. If you do keep them in the bag with the glider they can rub dirt into the sail unless you guard against it. The jam cleat for a VG system can conflict with placing wheels on the basetube, but some careful engineering can overcome that problem. But the drag created by wheels is really minimal considering the speeds we fly, and they weigh very little. So, the next time you pretzel a downtube, think about it. Would a pair of wheels have prevented it? Certainly there are situations in which wheels won't help much (like rough ground in the LZ). But it's better to have 'em and not need 'em than to need 'em and not have 'em. You should not come to rely on wheels if your landings are not good. Keep trying to improve. But they are such a simple, inexpensive and effective safety device, that more than pay for themselves in unbent or unbroken downtubes, that you should consider putting a pair on your glider. I don't leave home without them.• ABOVE: Wheel setup to allow for VG system on Sensor 510. Note wheel on right side of basetu be is outside of control bar.

HANG GLIDING

SAFETY FORUM Forgetting to hook in can happen to any pilot. It has happened to individuals at all skill levels. It can happen to YOU. Failure to hook in is the simplest accident to prevent; develop a hook in pattern. You must develop your own system, and then be sure to stick with it. Our local club is fanatical about hang checks. As soon as the pilot clips in prior to launch, someone grabs the nose of the glider and the pilot does a static hang check. We have almost come to physical blows when visiting pilots didn't want to follow our routine. A pre-launch static check is one of the most important parts of the habit needed to assure hooking in. Following a hang check, many pilots step through the control bar, feel the suspension straps come tight, look over their shoulder and inspect the rigging. Other pilots, while waiting under the glider to launch, reach up and grab the suspension straps and pull on them to assure they are attached, or, as many international pilots do, hook in their harness then climb into it. George Whitehill (who wrote an excellent article in Hang Gliding magazine on hooking in several years ago) suggests that just before lifting the glider for launch, the pilot check again to be sure he is hooked in, then call out in a loud voice "Hooked in!" The pilot then checks to be sure the glider is clear of all obstacles, spectators and launch assistants, and calls out in a loud voice "Clear!" As you lift the glider prior to taking that first step, lift all the way until the suspension straps become tight as an absolutely final reassurance.

Hook In! by Doug Hildreth • Answering wuffo questions. • Helping another pilot. • Going back to the car to get something you forgot. • Worrying about your photography equipment. • Being in a hurry to launch. • Being anixous about a new site. The habit pattern is broken, the routine is not followed, and the pilot does not repeat the entire hook-in pattern before launching.

IF IT HAPPENS TO YOU We have all read and heard stories of pilots climbing into the control bar, hooking in and continuing the flight. But we have heard the other end of the story too. The best procedure, of course, is to release the glider immediately, and let it fly away. Even falling twenty or thirty feet down a cliff is better than releasing a few seconds later. Climbing into the control bar is extremely difficult. With a full harness it is almost impossible. If you are holding on to the down tubes it can sometimes be

done. Even with extra adrenalin, climbing from the base tube is increasingly difficult as fatigue sets in. When we have practiced this climbing-in process during our parachute clinics, very few pilots have been able to complete the task. Set up your control bar and try it yourself. When the pilot ends up holding on and cannot climb into the control bar he must deploy his parachute. This also should be done early, before the pilot tires. Hook a leg or elbow over the base tube, throw your chute, grab the control bar with both hands and let the parachute pull you off. Each of us is ultimately, and individually, responsible for making sure we are hooked in prior to every launch. Before anyone launches, be a buddy and look specifically to be sure that he is hooked in and that his suspension is straight, then do a visual pre-flight of his glider. We are a brotherhood, and we must take care of one another. As Walt Dodge says, "Launch with the buddy system, fly with the buddy system, live with the buddy system.''•

DISTRACTION The most common reasons for failure to hook in are distractions. Any distraction or interruption which breaks the normal habit pattern can result in a failure to hook in: • Being anxious to get into the air. • Moving aside to allow another glider to launch first. MARCH 1988

HOOK-IN REMINDER As a hang glider pilot I'm trained to always make a proper hang check before every lannch. However, I still have a slight feeling that sooner or later I may forget to hook in. Once I lifted my glider to launch before I remembered I had not hooked in. Why? It was my first flight with a walkie-talkie.

Now I find it difficult to say, "It can't happen to me." Therefore I've designed a simple device attached to the keel that will remind me. I still do a hang check, but if I make a mistake I'll see the picture of an open carabiner just alongside my windstreamer. Leif Sandsdaler Langhus, Norway

1987 Accident Review by Doug Hildreth, USHGA Accident Review Chainnan

In 1987 commercial airline carriers had their worst year since 1971 and hang gliding had its worst year since 1981. There were 18 hang gliding fatalities. There is no obvious single reason for the dramatic increase; complacency, aerobatics and the same old reasons all contribute. It appears to have been a year of adjustment. My opinion has been that in the past we have been lucky. We probably should have had more fatalities in prior years. There were a number of severe accidents in which the pilot nearly died, but somehow survived (with or without serious disability). The point is that he could have died, but didn't. This year our luck caught up with us. In reviewing the statistics, there were very few reports in the "serious accidents but lived" category. It seemed that everyone seriously hurt, died. There is little doubt that next year our fatality statistics will be "improved" even if we don't do anything differently. But that is not the object. The object is to do something different to reduce both the number and seriousness of accidents. As stated above, I cannot pinpoint one specific factor that has increased our

fatalities. There are a variety of causes (about 20). Usually only a half-dozen of these end up causing fatalities each year. This year, however, we had a fatality in almost every category, and in some categories there were two or three. There was a failure to hook in, two in-flight stalls, one glider test flight, one improper assembly and two crashes on launch. Three pilots flew into power lines, trees or mountains, one was caught in a rotor,

one was killed by weather-induced turbulence, two by aerobatics (one drowning), one pilot was lost in the wilderness, one pilot stalled on tow, and there was one midair and one primary structural failure. There are three excellent articles in Hang Gliding that analyze and discuss ways to improve your flying safety. The first is Doug Gordon's article in the December, 1987 issue, and both Dennis Fagen and John Heiney had

CRASHES 1987 Official Reports Crash on Launch Crash on Landing In-Flight Stall Flew Into Strong Weather Tumbled (Aerobatic) Tumbled (Weather) Primary Structural Failure Midair Collision Failure to Hook In Successful Parachute Deployment Unsuccessful Parachute Deployment Accidental Parachute Deployment

Questionnaire

TOTAL

59 82 19 16 22 0 0 0 0 3 0 0

118 126 28 29

59 44 9 13

20 10 5 5 3 4

13 5

42 10 5 5 3 7 13 5 5

HANG GLIDING FATALITIES Year

Foot Launch

1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987

0 2 4 9 40 32 38 24 23 30 22 16

Tow

Tandem

INJURIES 1987

1I 4 6 5 17

3 4 1

Head Face Neck Shoulder Arm Elbow Forearm and Wrist Chest Back Abdomen Pelvis Thigh Knee Calf

Ankle/Foot

Official Reports

Questionnaire

TOTAL

23 22 8 9 30 5 15 9 5 3 2 7 1 10 10

2 8 5 10 4 4 8 2 4

25 30 13 19 34 9 23 11 9 4 3 13 9 20 20

1 6 8 10 10

HANG GLIDING

Hang Gliding Fatalities 1987 DATE

NAME

AGE

EXPERIENCE

GLIDER

DATE

NAME

AGE

EXPERIENCE

GLIDER

l/3

John Preston Sylmar, CA

Novice

Flight Designs Super Lancer

7/25

Dudley Warner Sierra Vista, AZ

Advanced

UP Coment 2

Injury: Head and chest.

Injury: Neck.

Failure to hook in. Novice pilot. Launching at intermediate site. New site to pilot. Stronger conditions than he was used to. Pilot openly expressed his anxiety. Launched without assistance. Was not hooked in. Held on to control bar uprights, fell at least 200 feet.

Excellent pilot. Ridge soaring in strong conditions with rapidly drifting thermals. Presumably got behind the ridge and could not penetrate back out in front. Crash site is known for strong rotor. On "landing approach" in rotor behind ridge, glider hit tall dead tree and dove into ground.

2/8

8122

Ron Brantigan Ed Levin Park, CA

Intermediate

Flight Designs Super Lancer

Injury: Head and face. Scratching stall. Pilot launched into moderate thermal activity, followed the hill around, was scratching for lift. At a slow speed, stalled and turned into the hill. 3/20

Dennis Pimentel Ft. Funston, CA

Advanced

No official report. Rotor or wind sheer turbulence with structural failure? Details unknown. 8/29

Novice

WWHP

Experimental

Pilot was flying an experimental prototype glider known to be very stiff and to possess a severe tum which was thought to have been improved. Pilot launched, tum was evident, pilot could not control glider and crashed into cliff. Kevin Beck Lookout Mountain, TN

Unrated

Injury: ?

Injury: Broke neck and ruptured heart.

4110

John Muir Owens Valley, CA Walts Point

Pacific Windcraft Vision

Connally Keating Pikes Peak, CO

Advanced

Sensor 510 VGB

Injury: Head and neck. 14,000-ft. launch, three-step launch, heavy XC instrumentation, heavy clothing, wind shield on helmet. Prior launches in stronger winds had been easy for previous pilots. Winds had decreased, only two steps taken on run, jumped into glider. Mushed down the hill, basetube struck rock, glider yawed and groundlooped down ravine.

Injury: Neck and chest. In-flight stall. Relatively inexperienced pilot, flying in thermal conditions. Strong thermal turned pilot back into hill, wing tip hit tree, glider dove into ground. 4/16

Darrell Newsom Pocatello, ID

Intermediate

UP Comet 2

919

Gary Lagrone

Advanced

Telluride, CO

Delta Wing X'cel

Injury: Head, neck, chest. Pilot initiated a series of wingovers between 800-1,000 feet. Final wingover transitioned into a flat spin, which then entered a vertical dive at 600 feet (70 mph). Leading edge bent, spiral dive continued to the ground.

Injury: Head, chest, ruptured aorta and diaphragm. Improper assembly. Pilot neglected to uncleat his crossbar tensioning cord, following tensioning of his crossbar restraint cable. Excess cord was wrapped around one of the crossbar tubes to prevent it from falling out of the double surface. Immediately after launch, the glider made severe tum and crashed behind launch.

9/13

4121

No formal training, borrowed glider, did not make landing area, landed in power lines and was electrocuted.

Mark Rose Eagle River, AK

Minimal

Sun 3 (standard)

Injury: Electrocution. Jim Malek West Mesa, NM

Advanced

UP Comet

Injury: Head and neck. Lock-out. Pilot was truck towing, launch went smoothly, but at 50 feel the glider drifted to the right. Observers did not see attempts to correct. Glider continued to the right, pilot released in a stalled tum and crashed. This was his seventh tow.

9119

K vetoslav Prazdny Owens Valley, CA Benton

Advanced

WW Sport

Injury: Head and chest. 5/9

Dave Partlow Glacier Park, MT

Intermediate

UP Gemini

Pilot was thennalling in smooth air, straightened his course and flew directly at the mountain for 10-12 seconds until he hit the mountain. Reasons unclear.

Injury: Exposure? Lost. Relatively inexperienced cross-country pilot. Launched in strong conditions and disappeared. The glider, harness and helmet subsequently were discovered (five miles from the launch in a clearing) without significant damage. Pilot obviously survived landing, but. .. 5/16

Matt Malinowski Goldendale, WA

Unknown

Spirit 205

10125

Jim Higley Mt. Tamalpais, CA

Wingovers over the ocean. Structural failure, parachute deployed. Pilot drowned. No official report. 11/29

Crash on launch. Recently returned to flying. High-wind launch, turned back into the hill.

Injury: Unknown.

Perry Roberts

Novice

Magic 177

Lookout Mountain, GA Injury: Head. Uneventful altitude flight, 150 feet over landing zone, on a downwind leg, pilot pulled in and sped up for unknown reasons which resulted in oscillations. Wing tip hit tree at edge of landing zone and dove into ground. FAA medical withdrawn prior to hang gliding instruction.

WW Attach Duck

Injury: Drowned.

Injury: Head.

5/30

Advanced

Scott Gustafson Big Sur, CA

Advanced

Early Sensor

No official report. Reportedly primary structural failure related to improperly installed bolt. Occurred al 200 feet. 12/1

Dave Hahn Kill Devil Hills, NC

Intermediate

WW Duck

Injury: Head and neck. Two pilots soaring 40-foot dune. Very smooth air, JOO feet above. Sudden gust pushed gliders into midair. Both crashed behind dune. Victim landed prone.

articles in January, 1988. These excellent articles form an educational basis for discussing where the problems lie and proper corrective actions. Crashes on launch and landing continue to predominate as the causes of most accidents. In-flight stalls are still a serious concern, and will increase with new pilots entering the sport. Pilots continue to fly into things; three pilots landed in power lines. I received ten aerobatic tumble reports; I know there were more than this. There were pilots with gliders broken by aerobatic maneuvers who "maple-leafed" down to the ground. Without being able to deploy their parachutes, they walked away. I continue to have strong feelings that ejectable parachutes should be mandatory for aerobatics. There were four primary structural failures. There were seven failures to hook in again this year. There were thirteen successful parachute deployments.

RECOMMENDATIONS 1) Eliminate complacency. 2) Practice perfect launches and landings. 3) Hook in! 4) Assure proper assembly/preflight. 5) Routinely inspect and maintain gliders. 6) Leave some judgement and physical energy for the end of the flight, especially during cross-country flights. 7) Avoid strong weather conditions. 8) Maintain speed when working close to the hill. 9) Learn to approach the LZ with enough turn altitude, to avoid hitting wing tips on trees, power lines, hills, etc. 10) Approach aerobatics conservatively.

BLACKHAWK POD HARNESS Only $319 including shipping

Aerodynamic: extremely camlorlab!e; sups10 workmanship; light weight; warm; back pack carrying case; glove, parachute, ballast, & glider bag s\orage compartments; opening & closing lines; ve1cro overrida; 2 sizes. In stock or cus\om made in 3 weeks. Manufactured in New Zealand for:

Sliver Wings lnc::/John Middlelon 6032 R 20th Street Arlington. Virginia 22205

(703) 533-1965 Dealer inquiries welcomed. Also Knee Hanger Harnesses ava,!able

(continued from page 16)

(Corrosion) components (for example, before it gets put away for the winter). 4. If your glider has these sort of components, and they show any sign of corrosion, they may be much weaker than you think; corrosion along the grain boundaries is not initially visible. 5. The comers of A-frames are especially susceptible to being dipped in salt water (or damp salty sand). If your glider is a Mega II or has this type of A-frame bracket, inspect it now, and if necessary replace the parts with the stainless steel type.

OfHER POINTS OF INTEREST A couple of other things I learned from talking to the metallurgist were that while high tensile steel bolts, such as we use, are

very strong, once they show any sign of rust they can be many times weaker. Tiny cracks can grow form surface corrosion into the heart of the bolt. Subsequent to writing this article I had to replace the king post on my GTR. (Don't try holding the nose of your glider very low to the ground in strong winds - the compression on the king post is very great.) The small piece at the base of the king post that I mentioned earlier proved to be very hard to remove, so hard, in fact, that the tube had to be cut open with a hacksaw to remove the piece. The piece was beginning to show the first signs of the sort of corrosion shown in the Mega II A-frame comers - exfoliation. There was no evidence of corrosion along grain boundaries. It was this corrosion which had caused the piece to become jarruned in the end of the king post. I would suggest that the use of this type of part is not suitable anywhere in a hang glider, simply because it can turn a minor repair into a major hassle.•

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Please send: ,Amount _ _ _ RIGHT STLFF For New Hang Glider Pilots at $7.95 each _ _ _ Hang Gliding Acccording to Pfeiffer at $9.95 each Shipping/handling: Surface mail $1 first book, $.25 each additional. Airmail $2.50 first book, $1 each additional in N'.lrth lvnerica, $6 each elsewhere. Sales tax: Please add 6% sales tax when shipment is to a California address. Total enclosed: Mail w/ check payable in U.S. dollars to: Publitec, P.O. Box 4342, Laguna Beach CA 92652. N3me Street City State/Zip .. • Dealer inquiries invited - 714/497-6100 ...

HANG GLIDING

to be noticed are that there

PHOTO

diameter frmn the of the material in which the hole is made. It can be seen in one that the bolt hole is diameter from the

tape used to to make it fit the downtube. This can absorb salt water, and the salt the corrosion of note is the poor The part in the base· shown in A, is in tension, and of metal the bolt in small. There is an ""'"'"""'·', nilc of thumb which states that all bolt holes should be 2.5 times their

I. Don't use tape or similar material etc.) where it could soak up salt water and lead to corrosion. The use made from this type of aluminum rod should be considered by 1 don't know it for A-frame comers, but I have seen similar corrosion in the same material on other It is still used cXlJ1miHe, at the base even when Serious corrosion can the is unused It wouldn't hurt to wash it to remove any traces of salt from the metal (continued on page 14)

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article has been around in my head for several years. I've had difficulty to write it for a of reasons. I am concerned about nfl',,n,rinn my friends and follow but [ believe that the benefits the risks, and therefore I must

is a risk sport. That means we have an increased risk

course, believe that many other recreational activities are more and that is in fact safe. Several studies have '""'"v111"'""·'· sport participants but in fact have a "life-wish." stay live life more ent:hu:s1ru;t1catl) than their counterparts. prepare and take to live, their risks. It is my that everyone should consider the of his/her own and

discussion into two parts. The first part includes insurance wills. The second involves emotional

Insurance The purpose of life insurance is to 20

those left behind with money to carry on without undue financial hardship. ru,um,!',H the of with the !OS$ spouse is never easy, when financial na1:os11up is also present the "u"'.r1·""''" s1gnit11ca11tly worsened. From ma,gazme, you all know a number of who have left their wives and children without life insurance. A little m,,.,u,,vu.!',m and difference. It is recommended to have five to times your annual income in life insurance annual income $200,000 '"·""v,,,vv life insurance). This obviously on whether your wife will work, how much you have in assets, ages of the children, etc. A term life insurance at age 30 costs about $140 per year, at age 40 it increases to about $180 per year. Sometimes it is hard to get life insurance have it for risk sports. If you and take up no problem. don't ask on the form you don't need to volunteer it. and are ask about and you killed in a accident within two years, the company will probably NITT pay. If you lie and are killed in a hang out accident more than two yeal:'ll after the MOST companies will pay. may result in your A fee is $3 per $1,000, which would translate to an additional $300 nr,,,ninn, for a per

year total). The USHGA has been successful at or eliminating ratings on by supplying information data to your inon accidents and surance agent (not the So, you need to have the USHGA write to your local agent to the situation" to him. There are a lot of differences between life insurance cornpa1mes; several reliable co1np1am1es TheUSHGA a list of those c01npfm1e:s. office is can contribute to this list, the office. Di1m1J1ilil:y Insurance

Less than 10 % of the m~m·rmc.e and the percentage

I an1 sure is much lower. Yet when your wages are lost through no income in addition to penses can be From a financial it is better to be killed than u-..--·-···' disabled. insurance pays you the time you are unable to work. 50% The usual recommendation is to income. pay the with after tax dollars, the benefits you are while disabled are tax-free. ueper1ctu1g your a can have an a month for about $300 per income of year. There is great insmance and a rn11mc·m,1r needs. The risk disabled is three to four times greater than the risk of population and there arc many more times when a HANG GLIDING

is disabled (temporarily or permanently) than there are hang gliding deaths per year. I think disability insurance is very important. I know several disabled hang aglider pilots who wish they had had some.

lvledical Insurance At last some insurance that doesn't change if you hang glide. There are no questions asked about avocations on medical insurance policies. Medical protection for you and your family is crucial because of the tremendous medical costs which can accumulate from one major injury. The cost of medical insurance varies greatly around the country, the standard policy being $35 a month in the Pacific Northwest to $80 a month in Southern California. Costs drop with higher deductibles. Remember that medical insurance, like other insurance, is for the catastrophy. So study the policy carefully before buying to be sure it will meet your needs. Personal Liability Personal liability insurance pays for whatever you do to someone else or their property. The liability portion of neither your auto nor your homeowner's insurance policies covers you while hang gliding. Fortunately, as a member of USHGA, you have a personal liability policy which covers any damage you may do to others or their property while flying, up to $1,000,000. Your USHGA policy, like all insurance, has a deductible. The most you would have to pay out of your own pocket is $750. This insurance really works, as many members can attest. All of the above insurance policies cost money, and there may be cries of, "I can't afford it." In fact, the less you make the more you can't afford to leave home without it, either to go hang gliding or to go to the grocery store. Wills A will is the only way you can indicate, after you're gone, what you want done with your money or property. Everyone should have a will, even if it is very simple. You can draw up your own will from examples available in paperback books or through any attorney. Attorneys will usually write simple wills for reasonable fees. Ask around. Wills are particularly important if you have a wife and/or children. Should both you and your wife be killed in a single accident (automobile, commercial airline), how well MARCH 1988

your kids are provided for depends upon your will. In addition to a "Dying Will," I think a "Living Will" is valuable. This instructs your doctor and next-of-kin as to what you want done if you are hopelessly injured with no chance of meaningful survival. (I would not want to be kept alive as a vegetable.) States have varying regulations for living wills and your doctor or hospital should know how to help you get one. Donating organs to someone else is not only a loving thing to do, it also comforts many families to know that some small benefit was gained by helping someone else.

Emotional Preparedness Getting the administrative things (wills, funeral requests, gifts, etc.) in order is important in itself. More importantly, I believe, is that in doing so we are forced to think and talk about the emotional aspects of our own mortality. No one is truly mature until he has come to grips with his own death. And those couples who are able to discuss this issue invariably are drawn closer together in deeper love. Besides, how is she going to know how you feel or what you want unless you tell her (that you want your ashes scattered from a hang glider over the mountain). There are many who are unable to face these issues. The thought of preparing for their own death is too frightening and painful. Their course, sadly, is cast by default, and results in no insurance money for their loved ones, no disability money for the daily expenses, no money for their hospitalization, and no emotional preparation for their family. I have witnessed this great tragedy many times inside and outside of hang gliding. It is truly sad. In conclusion, all of life has risks. We must seek a balance between charging ahead with reckless abandon and living in a mattresslined closet, fearing to peer out through the keyhole. We participate in a risk sport. Those risks can be minimized by choosing good equipment, maintaining it well, getting good instruction, performing a careful pre-flight, avoiding dangerous conditions, knowing our own skills, admitting our own limitations, and adopting a safety-conscious attitude. There will continue to be serious injuries and death; as mature pilots we must be able to acknowledge and accept that it could happen to us. We may not like it, but we must accept it.•

(continued from page 29)

(First Tandem Flight) "Let go ofmy arm," came the soft request. "Let go of my arm, please." We're skimming over the tops of the sagebrush. And now we're lying on our bellies in the sand, side by side. Safe, unhurt, I'm laughing and laughing, so darn glad to be alive and on the ground again! Reilly watches me and laughs, too. "Okay now, let go of my arm, alright?" I look down, white knuckles etched into his jacket. A third useful bit of information I've learned since is that, by not letting go of his arm, I had prevented him from flaring for a smooth, slow landing on our feet. I had made us "nose in." In any case, they 're still teasing me by saying, "Let go of my arm!" The next day Reilly had special color-coded handles sewn onto the back of his harness for tandem passengers - the Laura Daltry Memorial "Let Go of My Arm" Handles. On subsequent tandem flights we've gotten as high as 16,500' and stayed up as long as two hours. A girlfriend and I went halfsies on a glider of our own, and I began learning to fly solo. Although I love all the wonderful and adventurous sports here in the Owens Valley - rock climbing, backpacking, mountain biking, skiing - all of which I've gotten into in the year since I moved here - so far, I have to say that I feel hang gliding is going to be the ultimate for me, although I haven't progressed past baby training flights as a solo pilot. It has the strongest pull, the most magic. For one thing, it's a sport that you can't master in a year. Mastery of flying skills control of the glider, proficient launches and landings - is just a small part of it. You also have to learn to find the lift and work it, and how to read weather conditions, each of which you could work at for the rest of your life. It offers an intriguing combination of athletics, science and technical considerations that lend added dimensions. Not unimportantly, it's a social sport that attracts a wide variety of mostly interesting people. But below and beyond these appeals, I guess, is that bedrock, primal desire to fly that had me, at the age of four, bath towel "cape" safety-pinned around my neck, leaping out of the chestnut tree in our front yard - "I can fly! I can fly!" And what better place to do it than the hang gliding capital of the summer?• 21

Some designs are hard to improve, and impossible to copy.

Attention Wills Wing Pilots If you own a Wills Wing glider we urge you to send us a large, self-addressed envelope with your glider model and size written on it. In return, we will send you a copy of each service advisory which has been issued for your glider since it was manufactured. This will allow you to check and make sure that your glider is being maintained in an airworthy condition.

BUY THE BEST, BUY

Send your self-addressed envelope to: Wills Wing, Inc. 1208 H. East Walnut Santa Ana, CA 92701

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(303)278-9588

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USHGA Chapter Newsletter

Notes On Ropes And Sails by Briggs Christie reprinted from Free Spirit News

I've seen some very interesting suspension systems in the past year and thought you'd like to know just how strong your toys are. All of the numbers are in pounds and represent the minimum breaking strength of the given material when it's new and has no knots tied in it. • 5mm perlon 1,200 • 6mm perlon 1,650 • 7mm perlon 2,300 • 9mm perlon 4,300 5,500 • 11mm perlon • 1/i'' flat webbing 1,000 • %" tubular webbing 2,300 • 1" flat webbing 6,000 4,000 • l" tubular webbing Most manufacturers are marketing 2" flat webbing hang loops, but I don't have the numbers for them. Kevlar is on the market now also, and is supposed to be the strongest thing goin'. I hope we get a list of numbers for it soon. A safety note: Not only is flat stronger than tubular, but it retains a higher percentage of its strength when it's damaged (like when a deployed parachute scrapes its bridle along a flying wire). The only carabiner that can withstand the opening shock of a parachute in freefall is steel. That's it. If you don't fly with a steel 'biner, then buy one NOW. I know that they're a little more expensive, but that steel 'biner is the most important piece of equipment you'll ever have. As I said above, the numbers I printed are for lines with no knots. Every knot in a line decreases its strength, so here's how much is left after the knot is tied. The percentage given is the remaining

MARCH 1988

amount of the minimum breaking strength. • Bowline 65 % • Strong Bowline 70% • Double Fisherman's 70 % • Water Knot 65 % If you're into aerobatics, then fly with the absolute best. You stress your toys more than the average recreational pilot and need every bit of strength you can get. Look at the numbers and set up a strong combination. For example, changing from 5mm to 7mm perlon adds very little drag and almost doubles strength. That can be handy when things get slow and quiet. Finally, be picky on launch. If you see a suspension system that doesn't look safe, point it out. Carry a spare loop to lend and don't be shy about saying something to a pilot who's setup isn't safe. Sure, he'll probably be fine, but what if... ?

*** So there you are on a cranking day almost at cloudbase and looking over the back at the countryside with a go-for-it smile on your lips. The annoying buzz of your sail has become familiar to you now. Sure, you could have tightened it, but, hey, it looks okay and it sure can fly. The dirt and stains are kind of gross looking, but you fly prone, so you don't have to look at it. As you twist your way up to the clouds you notice a change in the buzz and feel the glider's response change. It takes only a second for the buzzing to become a tearing noise, and

you're groping for your parachute as your glider flops, wounded, out of the sky. Pretty scary stuff, eh? It has happened and it has killed people. Sail care is a subject that gets far too little attention, and I'd like to throw some ideas at you in hopes of provoking you into a little action. By now everyone should know that the expected life of his sail is 300-500 hours. Any more can be deadly, and a new sail is not that hard to come by. Most manufacturers will make a new sail for any of their designs, so give them a call if your glider has gobs of time on it. (Note: Just because the company that made your diver is gone, don't worry. Flight Designs and UP info are available from Pacific Airwave.) When was the last time you washed that sail that has spent so much time in the mud at Harris Hill? Take some time on a nice calm day and, using a soft brush and mild detergent, get the dirt and stains out. Dirt quickly works itself between polyester fibers of dacron and speeds up the aging process dramatically. Be sure to rinse the sail thoroughly, then rinse it again and then again; sunshine and detergent are a nasty combination. For a detergent, Clorox Soft Scrub has turned out to be pretty good. It's not very abrasive and rinses off easily. If you're planning on trying something else, use it first on a scrap piece of dacron, just to be safe. A well-tuned sail is a happy sail. Check your wing out at a safe altitude and at different speeds and note any flutter. The damage that happens in a buzzing trailing edge is incredible, and the loss of performance is surprizingly large. I recently spent a morning tightening the sail on my Vision, and it's like having a brand new glider. The worst damage I've seen to a sail was the result of a winter it spent in the bag in a damp basement in Pennsylvania. Mildew had eaten the fabric until it was as thin as paper and not even close to being airworthy. Dacron contains mylar resin that is damaged by mildew, so try to avoid letting your sail stay in the bag, wet, for long periods.•

TOW LINES

Critical Reminders For Safe Towing by Doug Gordon and Donnell Hewett

Almost all towing accidents occur because the pilots and their crew either forget or fail to heed the following general safety reminders: 1) Never become complacent while towing. Surface towing is inherently more complex than free-flight, foot-launched hang gliding. Towing requires more equipment, more knowledge, more teamwork, more preparation, and more care than does free-flight hang gliding. It is, therefore, inherently more dangerous than free-flight and should never be taken lightly or performed in a relaxed, carefree, or complacent manner. 2) Plan your flight, and fly your plan. Unlike some forms of free-flight, tow-

ing demands flawless coordination between the members of the ground crew and the pilot. If even one of the members of the team becomes confused, makes a mistake, or fails to perform his duty, the pilot's life could be placed in great danger. It is essential, therefore, that every flight be carefully planned and flawlessly executed. This can be accomplished only if every aspect of the flight is agreed upon before takeoff and if every detail of the plan is then followed to the letter throughout the duration of the flight. 3) Check and recheck your equipment. Every component of the towing system is essential to its safe operation. If any part is worn, jammed, snagged, broken,

May 29-June 4 RIDGE SOARING CAMP! Photo by Michael Helms

or improperly connected, then the result could be fatal. Just because everything functioned properly on the last flight is no guarantee that it will do so on the next. Always check the critical components of the towing system before each flight - USE A CHECK LIST! 4) Never change more than one thing at a time. Certainly progress demands that changes be made from time to time, but too much change can result in disaster. Go ahead and change the pilot, driver, spotter, towline, weak link, vehicle, bridle, tension gauge, or whatever, but always do it one thing at a time. A corollary of this principle is to always make small changes when changes are made. An example of this is the gradual advancement provision where a pilot limits his current altitude to no more than twice what he has already mastered. 5) Avoid low altitude stalls. For towing as well as for free-flight, low altitude stalls are responsible for the vast majority of accidents resulting in serious glider damage, bodily injury, and/or death. Never forget that stalling on takeoff or when landing is statistically the most dangerous maneuver you can perform on a hang glider. •

Attend our Ridge Soaring Camp this spring and MASTER the art of ridge soaring! Come to Marina Beach where spring conditions are soarable virtually every day. Learn how the pro pilots can consistently turn times of 20 minutes over 12 miles of ridge in the Monterey Bay Steeple Chase. If floating is your thing, then be on the top of the stack after discovering the art of Min. Sink Flying. You 'll spend a full week - seven days - attending theory sessions in the mornings and flying every afternoon. YOU WILL LEARN RIDGE SOARING FROM THE GROUND UPI The school is located right at the site so there is no hassle. Your glider is set up and tied down right outside the door waiting! Guaranteed to improve your skills for any ridge soaring sitel Here is what the course covers: • BASIC RIDGE SOARING • WIRE LAUNCHES • RIDGE RULES (Flying comfortably in traffic) • CROSSING GAPS • TOP LANDINGS • MINIMUM SINK FLYING • RIDGE RACING SEMINAR WITH KEN BROWN PARACHUTE CLINIC COST: S495.00 (glider rental add $225.00) ..current USHGA NCN/ce Rating minimum required.

The Camp also includes motel accommodations (with hot tubl), supplemental tandem instruction (175 lbs. wght. restriction) , and glider storage. For more details and reservations call :

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a Owens try to tell you different·· ly, but he got the wrong I wasn't scared at all, that first tandem Well, that one moment as we walked to the the diver on our of the cliff shoulders. It hit me about then, that this wasn't talk" that I'd just the enthusiastic been to non-stop since I'd met and the other local week before in the comfort and of the for the sport, me "Yeah, I can't wait to try it!" No, this was the itself, a few feet away. Within few seconds I would hurl my head, parts I've gotten used to the way arc and kinda like off the the 8,000' launch site on Paiute Mountain White north Cali28

Just run off this cliff? It's how you nm off, and with whom. The moment of truth had come. I try to dress appropriately for the of warm with my and helmet, I'd worn high-heeled red tooled-leather boots. (Later, would recount the story as the "High Heel Cliff Launch" but he didn't laugh at These boots came in me at the in that moment of fear on our saunter thos,~ heels into the dust to the launch. I and turned to "Wait, wait, wait. Give me minute, "Sure," he said, and set the down. I looked down the cliff across the valley felt the fear in my gut, then looked back It took 110 more than a second. He was calm, to see if I were to back out, me know in his face that whatever I decided was I remembered

what my friend had told me: "He's the you can trust him." And the fear was gone as suddenly as it had visited. "Let's go, I smiled. of the cliff for no We stood at the more than ten seconds, the glider on our shoulders as if restless to fly, before Reilly sensed the wind he wanted. "One, two, three," he counted, and we ran down the hill in unison, starting with our right feet. In three steps we were off the ground in the air! In the photo my friend up took, you can sec my red boots as we left the gear up!" I'll never that moment; I smiled ear to ear yeah! we were in the air birds. I was This was really I've logged many since I was a kid and have ridden in all kinds of light aircraft all over the world, from funky airboats in the Caribbean, to rubber band and bailwire planes, to to HANG GLIDING

rides towed by power boats off Mex· ican beaehes. liked takeoff, eloudabove the elouds. But this base and just the sound was the ultimate US, the of the sail

dreams! banked and cireles, the control bar to try to catch any lift in the: March afternoon. above him and to his left, I held arm with both my hands, as me from plum·· that attached my harness to the now," he said. "Put your foet in your harness. But, to achieve this (we'd ""'"'11"N' in our session) I would have to unclutch one of my hands from his arm and unhook the harness at my waist so it could unfold and allow me to my feet into it "No, no," I declined as if he were ['m fine.

loops

New York/Arkansas accent, "Well, you try doin' it; we'll get a better if you do." I the of one hand twice as hard into his arm too conscious while unelawed the other hand to the harness boot

my harness, my smooth. I relaxed a little bit and looked out at the world-class view the dotted with spinning and below us, all the little canyons, the view of the backside of the Whites over in Nevada, across the valley, the familiar Sierra

MARCH 1988

and the 100-milc view down the Owens itself, from Mono Lake to Lone Pinc. The wind on our faces, the whine of the variomcter, the sensation of as we "How'rc banked to the left, then to the you doin?" he asked. "l like it, This March afternoon it's cold. Lift is in shmt We get only a few hundred feet above launch before heads out toward the zone at the bottom of the moun .. tain. we're to land," he said, mn with me when I say so." "Sure, boss, I'm The the same time as we cireled lower to it. I've since learned that it takes time and to an ac .. curate sense of altitude. But, that first fbr me, it seemed as if one moment the earth was far, far below and the very next moment the was slamming up to my face. l elutched arm and crawled even higher on his shoulder, telling him, "Don't Jami yet, don't land, stay up I'm not He looked over at me, remaining calm throughout, and told me in his drawl, "I can't stay up any relax. Let go arm. Another little I've learned since is that he was on what is called "final He couldn't his mind; he was committed to it. But all knew was that the ground was coming up at us! (continued on page 21)

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MANBIRDS by Maralys Wills. Enlertainingly lakes lhe reader from hang gliding's past toils soaring present. 8 pg. color, 150 Blk & Whl. photos, 40 pg. appendix. USHGA INSTRUCTORS CERTIFICATION MANUAL. Complete requirements, syllabus, teaching methods. HANG GLIDING by Dan Poynter. 8th Edition. Basic Handbook for sk)'surling. FL YING CONDITIONS by Dennis Pagan. Micromelerology lor pilots. 90 illustrations. HANG GLIDING AND FL~ING SKILLS by Dennis Pagan. Beginners lo experts instruction manual. HANG GLIDING TECHNIQUES by Dennis Pagan. Techniques for cross country, competition & powered flight. POWERED ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT by Dennis Pagan. Complete instruction manual. POWERED ULlRALlGIIT TRAINING COURSE by Dennis Pagan. A manual for self-training & training schools. 11 lessons, tests and FM Regulations. MANNED KITING by Dan Poynter. Handbook on tow launch flying. MAN-POWERED AIRCRAFT by Don Dwiggins. 192 pg. history of flight. Fealures flighl of Gossamer Condor. FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS FOR PILOTS. 1987 Edition. Hang gliding pertinent inlormailon. FAI SPORTING CODE FOR HANG GLIDING. Requirements for records, achievements & World Championships. HANG GLIDING MANUAL & LOG by Dennis Pagan. For beginners. An asset to instructors. 24 pgs. USHGA OFFICIAL FLIGHT LOG. 40 pgs. Pocket size, skills signotts (all levels), glossary of terms, awards.

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ITEMS NEW USHGA 'HANG GLIDING' T,SHIRT. 100% heavyweight cotton, WHITE or TAN. Men's sizes: S ML x.L (CIRCLE ONE). USHGA EMBLEM T,SHIRT. 100% heavyweighl cotton. TAN or LIGHT BLUE. Men's sizes only. SM L X·L (CIRCLE SIZE & COLOR). USHGA EMBLEM CAP. One size fits all. Baseball type/USHGA emblem. NAVY, ORANGE, GOLD (CIRCLE ONE) USHGA BELT BUCKLE. Solid bronze, custom design, relief sculplure. 3V, x 21/,. USHGA SEW-ON EMBLEM. 3" dia., full color (red wings, sunburst w/black print). USHGA EMBLEM DECAL. 3Vi" dia., full color. LICENSE PLATE FRAME. "I'd rather be hang gliding." White on Blue. WALLET. Nylon, velcro closure, mach. washable, waler resistant. ROYAL BLUE color.

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r.01n~r·mlltP.r1 accountant at

time. With occasional nose-·ins, turns, prangs, wangs or encounters it's no wonder that man-· stretch or alter their fonn. What this means to the median is that must be made to a it~ par At about the ten-hour mark, you should up new to compensate for the initial stretch of new materials. After this "d'"''°'"'• you should expect to have

justment:s, your little better, but your nM·tnrm<>n"" off as the sail stretches. The items to be are batten ten· sion and sail tension (it is understood here fhat batten sion increases from the center battens are often to the The tied very to hold down washout. the inboard battens attached wifh lot of need MARCH 1988

battens were much and the extra tension resulted in a that had sink rate ~~···•·m= ance but couldn't be turned with less than magnum force As a word of caution, be aware that you can render a ultimately battens, which defeats your purpose if you have to tum to find lift. When you get a new try to get for the tension at each batten. This is difficult to measure, short a scale, but with you can learn to ou1J11c:are the Because the sail stretches with time, how from the sail is not a far batten useful means of tension control.) you, the can decide how once it is time you want your battens to It may take several for an it with the prospect of to all those nasty little knots. there's an easy way to make temporary adjustment~ shown in 1. This consists of puta twist in the batten tie the first time it is hooked over the batten. I have used up to four twists 011 each batten of a very tied One twist shortens the whole system about I/16 inch. Once you get the battens tensioned to so the where you like them, retie the same amount of tension on the last pm·c11,ase results. Note that the tie will lengthen a lit·· tie the knot so go past the mark 31

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a tad, Also, it is extremely important to be sure the left and right battens at each station have exactly the same tension or a turn will result. This can sometimes be experienced by switching left and right side battens, since batten lengths are often not exactly the same, If you experience a tum in flight, the first thing you should check is comparative batten tension. Sail tension adjustment is fairly straightforward, but here too a few tricks may serve you well. In general, the tighter you pull the sail at the wingtips, the poorer the handling but the better the raw performance (again up to the point where handling degradation prevents adequate use of lift). Gliders with ball tips such as Sports, HPs, Visions, Magics and Mystics can be adjusted for sail tension by inserting washers behind the ball (see your owner's manual for specifics). Usually washers are provided, with new gliders, but sometimes these are too thick, so go to your nearest hardware store and pick up a few of the large (about l V2 11 diameter) thin metal washers to use as spacers for fine adjustment. On gliders such as the Sensor and GTR, the sail tension is adjusted by tightening the tip cord. This knot is a grizzly bear to untie, so make your adjustments by inserting washers in the plastic cap and test flying (see figure 2). Once you get the tenison right, shorten the tip cord an amount equal to the chosen washer thickness, Be aware that the overall doubled-over cord length will only 32

-r!Gf-lTEN --r7P c;-/ORD

be shortened one half the amount you take up in the knot. Also, account for knot tightening once you return to the air. Further tips: Use a narrow-bladed screwdriver to help you untie the knot. Use \4 11 AN washers for a perfect fit in the cap. Be sure no washer is turned sideways as a sideways washer is equal to six flat washers. I found this latter point out the hard way.

REBENDING BATTENS Unless you have the fortune and good fortune to have acquired 7ITT5 alloy battens for your glider, you will need to perform frequent, careful realignments of your battens. Hard landings, nose-ins, high winds and cave-man care all contribute to batten bending. To get your battens back in shape, lay your pattern out on a flat surface and hold it down with books, bricks or any suitable weight. Now the real secret to truing battens: Start at the front of the batten and form it as close to the pattern as possible. Continue this process from front to rear until the batten closely follows the pattern. If you try moving from place to place to adjust the batten, you will do nothing but frustrate yourself and worry the batten, Once you get one batten in proper shape, correct the batten of the same length from the other side, then compare the two and perform any needed minor adjustments to make them identical. The best way to bend battens that I have

P/0UR.E2 found is over the knee as shown in figure 3. For gradual bends, hold the batten further apart and slide it from side to side along the knee, The warmer the battens are, the easier they bend, Be sure to get the batten tip at the exact point the manufacturer intended, otherwise you will form a grossly improper batten (ask your dealer if you aren't sure). Unless the batten pattern tells you differently, the pattern line is referenced to the top of the batten. Here's one last tip: Log the changes you do to your battens so you have a record that helps you determine the effects of such adjustments,

TUBING TIDBIT Through bad adjustment, bad luck or bad living, you may have the need to replace a major tube on your glider. A call to your dealer or manufacturer usually sets things right as long as you know how to tie ties, screw screws and bolt bolts. However, if you are replacing leading edges you should be aware of a slight problem. That problem is the near impossibility of getting an identical leading edge on a grab bag basis. The source of this problem is the wide variance in tubing wall thickness. The wear of dies and slight differences in manufacturing processes results in different properties in tubes from the same batch. For example, tubes sold as .058 11 wall may vary from .052 11 to .062 11 or more. Manufacturers know this and try to match up identical tubes on the left and right wings of their gliders. (This HANG GLIDING

difference in thickness results in a difference in tube flexibility which accounts in part for differences in glider performance of the same model gliders - a fact well-known to test pilots.) If you get a wing tube of significantly different wall thickness than that of your original, you will find your glider develops a tum. The only cure for this is to adjust the sail at the wing tip (tighter if it turns toward the new wing, looser otherwise). Be aware of this factor and test fly carefully every time you make a major repair or change on your flying machine.

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WINTERTIDE TASKS Winter flying can have its own special enchantment as long as the winter doesn't last too long. A covering of snow on the ground can enhance the unreal feeling of flight and bring a fresh perception to the old terrain. This is an ideal time to work on your ratings

in smooth, stable conditions. One of the hardest tasks for most pilots striving for a rating is spot landing. Winter is the best time to accomplish this task because smooth consistent landing winds and short flights facilitate a successful trial. Furthermore, a layer of snow on the ground makes judging and measuring a spot landing accurate and informative. If a whole group of pilots fly together, no one can lay claim to the spot unless the evidence is there to back the claim. Here's one special trick to save your reputation in case you land on your hind end. Quickly unhook and lie on your back with your arms outstretched. Next, move your arms along the ground from your legs to above your head. The figure you form will be a fellow flying creature which will get you off the hook. Let's hope your fellow pilots are generous enough to ignore your frivolity.•

IMPROVE YOUR FL YING! Learn the secrets of the pros from hang gliding's most widely read author.

Hang Gliding Books by Dennis Pagen •HANG GLIDING FL YING SKILLS-DETAILS ON: BEGINNING FLIGHT • INTERMEDIATE SKILLS • AERODYNAMICS • GLIDER DESIGN ' GLIDER REPAIR • SELECTING EQUIPMENT• THERMALING • MORE. $6.95 • FLYING CONDITIONS-THE-ROAD MAP TO THE SKY-DETAILS ON: GENERAL WEATHER• TURBULENCE• ROTORS • WINO SHADOW • SEA BREEZES • WIND GRADIENT • RIDGE LIFT 'THERMALS• MORE. $6.95 • HANG GLIDING TECHNIQUES THE LATEST BOOK FROM SPORT AVIATIGN PUBLICATIONS For the novice to advanced pi 101, this book continues the learning that began with Flying Skills • Learn about thermal soaring - A full 31 pages on thermal techniques will have you soaring like an ace. • Learn about speeds to fly - the key to efficient flying whether in competition or cross-country. • Learn about cross-country flying - How to fly further with safety. Also: Perfecting turns • Handling turbulence • Flying al altitude • Using ridge lift • Design concepts • Parachutes • Performance tuning • Cardinal speeds • Harness adjustment • Competition and much morel

- - - - - - - - ALSO AVAILABLE.__ _ _ _ _ __ POWERED ULTRALIGHT FL YI NG Powered Ultrallght Flying will answer your questions and Improve your flying. This book is wrillen for beginners to advanced pilots with over 125 photos and drawings to clearly illustrate even the more complex subjects. All our books are written from an ultralight pilot's point of view so you get the facts you need, not rehashed information from general aviation.

MARCH 1988

• POWERED ULTRALIGHT TRAINING COURSE This is the only training course written by an ultralight instructor. Eleven lessons and eleven related groundschools (twenty-two chapters) make this an ideal text for self-teaching and training schools. Learn to fly safely in a carefully designed step-by-step manner. This manual is us· ed by safety conscious schools internationally.

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RATINGS AND; APPOINTMENTS BEGINNER RATINGS PILOT: City, State, Instructor Region 2 JOHN BLISS: Walnut Creek, CA; Jeff Mott BRIAN DUTTON: Sunnyvale, CA; Pat Denevan - KERRY EDWARDS: Folsom, CA; Jeff Mott - ROBERT C. FERRIER: Lindsay, CA; Achim Hageman - SALLY HIMMEL: Concord, CA; Jeff Mott - JOSEPH LAWRENCE: Redwood City, CA; Pat Denevan - PRISCILLA MARTIN: San Francisco, CA; Pat Denevan - ANDRE PRIVE: Pleasanton, CA; Rob Engorn JEFFREY STINE: Foster City, CA; Rob Engorn - DAVID TAYLOR: Newark, CA; Rob Engorn - THOMAS TUFTS: Sacramento, CA; Jeff Mott Region 3 SANDRA KING: San Diego, CA; John Ryan - GARY MILLER: Goleta, CA; Achim Hageman Region 4 JOHN DAVIS: Carbobdale, CO; James Shaw - JIM PRINGLE: Littleton, CO; George Greer Region 5 JOSH CROWELL: Osago Beach, MO; Rob Bachman Region 6 ERIC BELL: Hot Springs, AR; Lawrence Haney - FLOYD HARRIS: Russellville, AR; Lawrence Haney - RICH HORNER: Little Rock, AR; Lawrence Haney Region 7 GREGORY McKINNEY: McHenry, IL; Pat Denevan Region 8 LARRY GRAVES: Plainville, CT; Jeff Nicolay Region 9 DAVID NAPIER: Fairfax, VA; George Reeves - RICHARD RANDALL: Virginia Beach, VA; Rob Bachman - MONICA WOOD: Philadelphia, PA; William Umstattd Region 10

JIM BRUTON: Charlotte, NC; George Reeves - PAUL FOX: Auburnsbale, FL; Buzz Chalmers - DAVID GROVES: Tompa, FL; Buzz Chalmers - J. MICHAEL HARTSOE: Greensboro, NC; Jake Alspaugh - BOBBY JONF.s: Greensboro, NC; Jake Alspaugh -

JOSEPH LOUDENMILK: Red Bank, TN; Buzz Chalmers - STEVEN ROSSELAND: Hilton Head Island, SC; George Reeves ART SHERIDAN: Marietta, GA; Matt Taber - RICKY SIMEONSON: Red Bank, TN; Matt Taber Region 12 STUART SPARK: New Milford, NJ; Chris Thompson NOVICE RATINGS

Region 7 BRADLEY EDWARDS: Madison, WI; Albert Whitesell Region 8 GREGG ELMERGREEN: Hooksett, NH; Jeff Nicolay Region 9 KAREN JANSON: Williamsport, PA; Pat Brooks - PAUL MASTERS: Strongsville, OH; Doug Gordon - MITCHELL SHIPLEY: Norfolk, VA; Chris Thompson

PILOT: City, State; Observer Region 1

JIM HUNTINGTON: Portland, OR; Russell Two roger Region 2 STEVE BARNETT: Alpine, CA; William Henry - TOMB. CLARK: Morgan Hill, CA; Jim Woodward - JOHN HOOPER: Angwin, CA; Joe Greblo - GORDON LINK: Hayward, CA; Dan Murphy - PAT ORDWAY: Pebble Beach, CA; Chris Crescioli JENNIFER PACKER: San Francisco, CA; Charles Whitehill - RUSSELL THOMPSON: San Leandro, CA; Charlie Whitehill TRACY TYSON: Monterey, CA; Mark Kline - BILL WHEELOCK: Hayward, CA; Fred Hutchinson - DAVID WILLS: Mountain View, CA; Rob Engorn Region 3 ROBERTO FIGUEROA: Orange, CA; Rob McKenzie - DOUG KOCH: Balboa, CA; Dan Skadal Region 4 STEVE CHILD: Sandy, UT; Larry Tudor ART GRAMMONT: Las Cruces, NM; Robin Hastings - RANDY KRAMBULE: Farr West, UT; Mark Curtis - MARLON LOGSTON: Mesa, AZ; William Holmes - DEAN MICHAUD: Phoenix, AZ; Doug Gordon DANIEL R. NORVOLD: Phoenix, AZ; William Holmes - RON SKELTON: Orem, UT; Gary Lagrone - BOB SPENCER: Ogden, UT; Robert Millman - KEN STUMPE: Tempe, AZ; Doug Gordon BARRY THARAUD: Grand Junction, CO; Claudia Holbrook Region 5 ROBERT NELSON: Jackson, WY; Roger Lockwood Region 6 KEVIN WEAVER: Kansas City, MO; Buzz Chalmers

Region 10 CHARLES COZEAN: Huntsville, AL; Lyell Easley - JORGE DE CUBAS: Decatur, GA; Buzz Chalmers - CLAIRBORNE HAMILTON: Ponte Verde Beach, FL; Matt Taber - BRADLEY KINCHELOE: Graham, NC; Jake Alspaugh - JOSEPH LOUDENMILK: Chattanooga, TN; Buzz Chalmers - BRIAN McCARTHY: Atlanta, GA; Matt Taber - BRIAN PARDUE: Greensboro, NC; Jake Alspaugh - RICKY SIMEONSON: Chattanooga, TN; Buzz Chalmers - SUSAN SNODGRASS: Hixson, TN; Buzz Chalmers - GILLES TAPOLSKY: Chapel Hill, NC; Buzz Chalmers Region 11 CHRISTIANA BOURGEA: Auston, TX; Russell Gelfan - PAUL GOODSELL: Beeville, TX; Matt Taber - SCOTT MITCHELL: Lockhart, TX; Gary ELhart Region 12 DON SWEET: Rochester, NY; Thomas Forster Foreign PETER CHENEY: Toronto, Canada; Matt Taber - DAVID STARR: Zirndorf, West Germany, Gary Elhart

INTERMEDIATE RATINGS PILOT: City, State; Observer Region 1 JACK FLOWER: Fremont, CA; Jeff Walker VINCENT FULLER, ill: Menlo Park, CA; Pat Brooks - DAVID GRONER: San Jose, CA; James Orr - ROGER GUBLER: Berkeley, CA; Dan Murphy - KEN JOSEPHS: Davis, CA; Jay Busby THOMAS KOPP: San Jose, CA; Dan Murphy - DANIEL LEAHY: Fremont, CA; Dave Bowen - WALTER PALLACK: San

HANG GLIDING

RATINGS AND APPOINTMENTS Rafael, CA; Dan Murphy - MARTIN WAGEMAN: Santee, CA; John Ryan - GARY WATKINS: Aromen, CA; Jim Johns - PAUL WATKINS: Reno, NV; Ray Leonard DARRELL WELDON: Stockton, CA; Jim Johns - STEVEN WERTHEIMER: San Francisco, CA; Rick Canham - LARRY WITTENBAUGH: Sunnyvale, CA; Jeff Walker

ADVANCED RATINGS PILOT: City, State; Observer Region 2 JONATHAN AUDY: Sunnyvale, CA; Dave Bowen - ROBIN TAHA: San Francisco, CA; Charlie Whitehill - RON THOMAS; Milpitas, CA; Eves Tall Chief

Region 3 DAVID ALLEN CRAIG: Le Mesa, AZ; William Henry - KIMBALL DODDS: Imperial Beach, CA; William Henry EUGENE EMORY: San Diego, CA; John Ryan - DALE HUTCHINS: Carpinteria, CA; Ken De Russy - JAMES MARSHALL: Simi Valley, CA; Joe Greblo - PEGGY ROHDE: San Diego, CA; William Henry - HOWARD VERMILLION, JR,: Burbank, CA; Larry Mace

Region 3 PETER ANDERSON: Escondido, CA; David Wiese - WILLIAM HANSON: Crestline, CA; William Holmes Region 7 MARK GALIEN: Kentwood, MI; Steve Wendt

MASTER RATINGS

Region 5 PAUL ECKERSON: Lincoln, NE; John Green - LISA TATE: Boise, ID; Mike King

PILOT: City State; Director Region 3 DEBBI RENSHAW-ARMENTA: San Bernardino, CA; Walt Dodge

Region 6 PHILLIP REED: Sherwood, AR; Lawrence Haney

Region 7 RALPH KARSTEN: St. Paul, MN; Bruce Case

Region 7 RON WIETZKE: New Berlin, WI; Charlie Whitehill

Region 8 RANDY ADAMS: Stockbridge, MA; Bob Collins

Region 8 JOSE NAVARRO: Boston, MA; Rob Bicknell

Region 9 JOHN HARPER, JR,: Coatesville, PA; Jeff Sims

Region 9 ANDREW COOPER: Chesapeak, VA; Kevin Fleet - EDWARD DALE: Charlottesville, VA; Roger Ritenour - STAN MELTON: Norristown, PA; Jim Johns - SHIRLEY PURVIS: Baltimore, MD; Eric Logan CRAIG WILLIAMS: Pottstown, PA; Jeff Harper

Region 10 DOUG LAWTON: Duluth, GA; Rick Jacob

BASIC INSTRUCTORS PILOT: City, State; Administrator/Director I

Region 1 Region 11 LARRY BOND: Odessa, TX; Todd James JOHN ETHERIDGE: Odessa, TX; Todd James Region 12 KRISTIN COCHEO: Allendale, NJ; Paul Voight MARCH 1988

Region 8 JOHN HANNUS: Nashua, MA; Dennis Pagen/Dennis Pagen - TOM JOHNSON: Chelsea, MA; Dennis Pagen/Dennis Pagen Region 12 PAUL RIKERT: White Plains, NY; Bill Wiand/Paul Rikert

EXAMINERS PILOT: City, State; Director

Region 10 ANNE WUISE HORGAN: Bowden, GA; William Carroll - ALVIN SLATTON: Sale Creek, TN; Matt Taber

Region 4 PARKER HOBSON: Tularosa, NM; Greg Bouten - BRYANT LEMON: Albuquerque, NM; Mel Glantz

Region 10 ROBERT HOLLAND: Anna Maria, FL; Buzz Chalmers

Region 4 JEFF GILDEHAUS: Steamboat Springs, CO; Mike King/Mike King - TERRY HACKBART: Golden, CO; Al Godman/Jim Zeis et

JIM STROUP: Richland, WA; Mike

Region 4 DAVE RODRIGUEZ: Sandy, UT; Jim Zeise!

Region 6 ROBERT BLACK: Liberty, MO; Ron Kenney - CHARLES HALE: Oklahoma City, OK; Ron Kenney - LAWRENCE HANEY: Little Rock, AR; Ron Kenney - TOM PROUHET: Hazlewood, MO; Ron Kenney Region 8 BILL BWOD: Londonderry, NH; Bob Collins

OBSERVERS PILOT: City, State; Examiner Region 2 KAREN CASTLE: Sunnyvale, CA; Thomas Gill - CHRIS CRESCIOLI: Salinas, CA; Jim Johns - STEVEN ESTRIN: San Jose, CA; Thomas Gill - THOMAS GILL: Sunnyvale, CA; Thomas Gill - JEFF GREENBAUM: San Francisco, CA; Walt Nielsen - FRED HUTCHINSON: Oakland, CA; Dan Murphy - MARK KLINE: Marina, CA; Jim Johns CHUCK KRANZ: San Jose, CA; Dan Murphy - BOB ORTIZ: EI Sobrante; CA; Jay Busby - RICHARD PALMON: Fremont, CA; Thomas Gill - GREG PUJOL: Sunnyvale, CA; Dan Murphy - JEFF WILLIAMSON: Salinas, CA; Jim Johns - JIM WOODWARD: Morgan Hill, CA; Pat Denevan

King/Mike King Region 3 WES ROBERTS: Monrovia, CA; Mike King/Mike King

Region 3 PAUL PHILLIPS: Quail Valley, CA; Luigi Chiarani - RICK WASDEN: Makawau, HI; Dave Darling

IIEL1A WIN&

Accessories RATINGS AND APPOINTMENTS Region 4 MEL GLANTZ: Albuquerque, NM; David Ray - TOM HUND: Albuquerque, NM; David Ray Region S ROBERT BROHAUGH; Great Falls, MT; Roger Lockwood Region 6 DAVID CIIlTWOOD: Haviland, KS; Hugh Martin Region 8 PIIlLLIP HAYNES: Claremont, NH; Bob Collins Region 9 PETER WELLHOFER: Philadelphia, PA; Jeff Frelin

Region 4 JON NOVAK: Denver, CO; Rob McKenzie Region 6 RON KENNEY: Elkart, KS; Mike King Region 7 BILL FIFER: Traverse City, MI; Scott Maue Region 8 JAMES DAVID, JR,: Westford, MA; Gordon Brown - EDWARD STELZEL: Sandy Hook, CT; Thomas Aguero Region IO CLIFF WHITNEY, JR,: Dunlap, TN; Rick Jacob CLASS 2 PIWf: City, State, Zip; Director

Region 11 CARL BODDIE: Houston, TX; Mark DeMarino - JAMES NEFF: Lafayette, LA; Mark De Marino - PAUL TOCE, MD: Lafayette, LA; Mark De Marino - RICHARD WILSON: Fredricksburg, TX; Mark De Marino Region 12 HENRY BITTNER: Shoreham, NY; Paul Voight

Region 2 JOHN OLSON: Reno, NV; Paul Burns Region 3 DEBBI RENSHAW-ARMENTA: San Bernardino, CA; Paul Burns - DON BURNS: Santa Ana, CA; Paul Burns Region 4 WILLIAM B. HOLMES: Phoenix, AZ; Paul Burns

TANDEM RATINGS: CLASS I AWARDS PIWf: City, State; Director Region 2 GREG GREGER: El Toro, CA; John Ryan RUSS LOCKE: Sunnyvale, CA; John Ryan MIKE SALCITO: Poway, CA; John Ryan Region 3 WAYNE DENNY: La Palma, CA; Rob McKenzie - MARTIN EILER: Palmdale, CA; Bill Bennett - JOSEPH HAAGEN: Honolulu, HI; Mike Benson - WILLIAM HENRY: San Diego, CA; John Ryan - PATRICK KEEPEN: San Diego, CA; John Ryan DAVE KILBOURN: Carlsbad, CA; John Ryan - RICH LANES: San Diego, CA; John Ryan - BOB LOUDERMILK: Perris, CA; Rob McKenzie - MICHAEL MILLER: Kaneohe, HI; Mike Benson - JON SCOTT PURDY: Hollywood, CA; Paul Burns DONALD QUACKENBUSH: Northridge, CA; Bill Bennett - DAVID SEABERG: San Diego, CA; John Ryan - DAVID WIESE: Cardiff, CA; Fred Lawley, Jr.

BRONZE Charles Adler, Jay Carnevale, Manuel Da Silva, Wayne Hamby, Del Harmon, Michael McCluskey, Robert Simmonds, Victor Toce, Douglas Vandevere, Tim Ward, Katherine Yardley SILVER James Anderson, Stuart Anderson, Chris Drake, Steven Holte, Harry Martin, Kenney Nielsen, Dave Thomason, Victor Toce, George Reeves, Tim Ward, Sonny White, Katherine Yardley GOLD Donald Hatten, Jim Lindberg, Ray Tucker, John V. West

AIRSTREAM HARNESS The low drag profile harness features· • Adjustable C.G. • Faired parachute & ballast conlainer. • Adjustable loot stirrup. • Cuslom sizes lo fit all pilols. • Large choice of colors. • Price .. S340 ROMER HELMET Made by German manufacturer wilh over 125 yrs. of experience ii was designed lo provide a lighl weigh! helmet lhal gives maximum protection. • DOT approved. • Exe. temporal protection. • Special ear openings. • Made of polycarbonate. • Available in Y. 0. While. • Price .S 75

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HIGH ENERGY SPORTS "BUS" PARACHUTE High qualily chule designed lo withstand hiqhspeed openings. • Built to TSO standards • All seams reinforced • V labs at each line atlachmenl. • Type XVIII bridle raled at 6000 lbs. • Deployment Bag w/cont. .__ _ _ _ _ ____, • Price. . .. $395 BULLET BALLISTIC RECOVERY SYSTEM The bullel is a ballislically (spring) deployed chule thal 1s easily atlached lo any glider. II virtually eliminates any chance

ol chule entanglement.

~.•,c" -· -,;_._-.

• Fast deployment time.

• 18 gore chule. • 20_4· canopy. • Total system wt 3 .3 kg. • Price . .$545

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DELTA WING TRAINING WHEELS. A must for all beginner and novice level pilots no more sudden slops with lhese high impact. urethane landing wheels. Prevents injuries to hands. etc. Less chance of damaging your glider with a hard landing. • Lifetime guarantee. • Dealers inquire about additional vol. disc. • Price .$40 INSTRUMENTS Ball 620H Vario/Audio .$280.00 Ball 651 Vario/Audio-Allimeter w/10 II. sleps ... $495.00 Ball 652 Vario/Audio-10 fl. Altimeter-Airspeed ... S590.00 Retrofit Airspeed to Model 651 . . .$130.00 Ball 670 Airspeed. 2.25 inch. 70 mph .. $125.00 Ball M-20 Wrist mounted Audio/Vario. . .$200.00 Ball M-20 w/earphone jack. . .$250.00 Litek VE 12 wrist mounted. . .. $169.00 Litek VE 12 w/earphone jack .. $179.00 Litek VE 7. .$169.00 Litek VE 35. .$198.00 Roberts Vario & Alt . .$295.oo· Hall Windmeter. .S 21.50 MISC, MATERIALS & SUPPLIES Delta wing T shirts .. S 8.50 Golf shirts . . . .... S t2.50 1 Streamline tubing-1" x 2 12" X .058 wall ..... $ 7.50/h. lnstabushings-11/2··. 1ll", Fla' .. S 2.00 Order 100.. . .S 1.00 lnstabush insert for 1 bolt . . . . . .S .20 Delta Wing stocks all Progressive Aircraft parts & accessories.

1'1,·.

1,·

See your Delta Wing dealer nearest you or contact:

DELTA WING Box 483 VAN NUYS, CA 91408 818/787-6600 Telex 65,1425 DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED

HANG GLIDING

are wife various sites. our sons and me run off the and launch ramps, but she has no desire to try it. Likewise, our older, married son Paul has not chosen to get into Steve had his first exposure to low two years ago, but due to the demands of his did not continue lessons until the of 1987. Brian 18) started soon progress to his first high after and made solo Brian was also his friend Erick who learned at a similar pace.

As we elimbed to our camp at the base of 14,000 ft. Mt. Russell in the Sierra Nevada, we were faseinated of the Owens

we International in Southern California. Steve with low closed to to the hills of

was a towed Erick started on the Chatswmth and Simi hills, and did their first tandems at Their first solo Mtn. near All of the young men pnlgrt!SS<xl "'""'"m"' to their first solo due to the also was their own

MARCH 1988

•

by their II could practice low flights on their own (but not progress was somewhat slower, partly due to work commitments and my age (.54). started my low on the same day Brian was from the top of the practice hill (30 seconds, 100-foot descent). When I took my second high tandem from Mountain, he was his sixth solo. After my own celerated my progress with many

each person should learn at their own pace, the successes of someone close is an incentive to try harder. monitor each other's 1::uuu;1111(:m qucs. the training we were able to observe the skills of the others, to remind ourselves of the made by our instructors, etc. At more advanced stages we can double check each other's after

can combine our to the sites. Steve built a rack for his which can accommodate our four Each of us has voluntarily driven for the others, but we may have to recruit a driver in order to all fly

Chatsworth and P'almdalc, assisted Steve or Brian. I set a for my first solo from Mtn. before my (Dec. and beat that by ten we each at our individual pace, we each other We observed and celebrated the various stages of each improvement. While Steve, Brian and Erick their solo were driver and reached that stage, did the same for me. The chart shows OU!' pro·· chart should not be used as to how soon other be~:inr1ers expect to be off u1o.;OL111um11~ the months of my Steve, Brian and Erick had "taken off' in skills. were invited by one their of the instructors to ""'""r"""'" some of the

under our house and built a rack that holds the four When we return from a of we all pitch in to store the gear There are other nice aspect~ of family We have taken of each other and have stages of our album which we all en .. to others. has recommend it! II

LEFT: Brian took this selt-i:,ortrait 14,000' over BELOW: Steve his first solo under tow at El lake in Mojave desert.

"01' Dad" of tlie when he would be able to stay aloft for even one hour. But many of are close ahead.

It is

lot more fun and perto go with a friend or relative.

HANG GLIDING

EUROPEAN THERMAL TOURS Adventure & Comraderie In The Alps The 1987 European Thermal Tours expeditions adventured their way through three countries and 16 major sites, including Mt. Blanc, Europe's highest mountain.

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opening

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Package Includes: Round trip airfare (from N.Y.), lodging, transportation, FM radios, thermal snoopers. guide, gliders & parapentes (waiting for you there) and EXTRAORDINARY EUROPEAN AIRTIME. CONTACT: Ron White McCormick Rd ./4-H Camp Spencer, MA 01562 (617) 885-6073 Rob McKenzie 4231 Sepulveda Dr. • San Bernardino, CA 92404 (714) 883-8488 Tucker Battle 5430 Carolina Place NW • Washington , D.C. 20016 (202) 966-7699

SANDIA MOUNTAIN TOUR EXPERIENCE THE COUNTRY CLUB ATMOSPHERE. LAUNCH FROM NEW MEXICO'S PREMIER FLYING SITES, SANDIA PEAK AND SANDIA CREST. THE SANDIAS OFFER CROSS COUNTRY POTENTIAL OF 200 MILES AND WONDERWIND CONDITIONS TO 17,999 MSL. Dates: June 5 thru June 10, 1988 I Coat: $450.00 Includes: • Sandia Mountain guides; 20 years of cumulative experience • Sandia Soaring Association membership • Transportation to launch and XC retrieval • Sectionals, XC maps, Soaring the Sandias manual • Glider rental, parts and service available • USHGA Advanced rating, extensive mountain experience required Contact: Chuck Woods, (505) 292-0647 UP Over New Mexico Inc. I 5368 Thomas Pl. N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87111

---

high speed opening 400 LB. TUBULAR NYLON SUSPENSION LINES • Stretch characteristics help reduce opening shock load on canopy, harness, and pilot

TYPE XVIII BRIDLE • Sewn with 5 cord thread • Strength rated at 6000 lbs. DROP TESTS TO FAA C23B TSO STANDARDS COMFORT PACK DEPLOYMENT BAG • Safety locks • Protective side line cover • UV resistant material

••• THEN YOU WANT A HIGH ENERGY SPORTS PARACHUTE! For complete information on all High Energy Sports

Products, contact your local High Energy Sports Dealer or:

~~~ 2236 W. 2nd St. • Santa Ana, CA 92703 (714) 972-8186

JHfwn g Gmdlm THE PUBLICATION OF THE

UNITED STATES HANG GL![)ING A. SOC!AT!ON

CLASSIFIEip ADVERTISING 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 tom or torn loose from their anchor points front and back on the keel and leading edges. If in doubt, many hang gliding businesses will be happy to give an objective opinion on the condition of equipment you bring to them to inspect.

Rogallos COMET 165-Green and orange. $600. (408) 270-0635. COMET l 165-Black, blue & white. Crisp and tight sail, clean glider, fairings and vario ineluded. $600. (602) 939-3281. COMET C-2 135-$700. Cocoon harness with parachute, $250. Perfect for smaller pilo1. Lori, (801) 742-3130 days, (801) 742-2248 evenings. COMET C-2 185-black L.E., red and yellow. $800. Moyes Missile 180-red with rainbow sail, $650. Steve, (801) 572-0674, evenings. 165 LITE DREAM-blue and white. Good condition. $850. (213) 839-6955 evenings. DUCK ISO-excellent condition, low hours. $950 O.B.O. (919) 855-1275. GEMINI 134-low airtime, almost new. Blue L.E., spectrum, white T. E. Great beginner glider. Call (213) 726-2443. HARRIER Il 177-brown, orange, white. 50 hrs., great condition, $600. Dave, (806) 592-3138. TWO TRI-LAM HERMES-Hermes 15 - all white champ. glider, six months old. $1950. Hermes 14 - Fluorescent yellow w/designer undersurface, 5 mos. old $2100. Both have kingpost hang, UV treated, speedbar, VG. Awesome condition. (206) 535-0973. HP-I-clean sail, safe-edge down tubes, speedbar. Winter price. $900. (801) 254-6141. 1987 HP-2, full race, faired tubes, speedbar. Alaskan glider, low U.V. time. $2000. (9ITT) 696-7627. MAGIC JV 177-VG, rainbow, heavy Dacron, Trilam, only 42 flights, excellent condition, $1500. (203) 677-7533. MAGIC IV 177-Black L.E., red and yellow. VG, speedbar, faired tubes, half ribs, 4.4 oz. sailcloth. $1400. Steve, (801) 572-0674 evenings. MOYES GTR 175. VG, brand new. Red, black, white. $2095. (415) 382-0302. MOYES MEGA TWO 170, nice, $500. OWL 185 disassembled, like new, $139.50 firm. UP knee hanger harness, $30. (904) 481-3322. WANTED: Sail, top condition, for Moyes Maxi Mark Il. (503) 758-0820. 229 RAVENS-two in stock. Excellent shape, rigged for tandem, multi-colored. Sequatchie Valley Soaring, (615) 949-2301. SEAGULL 10.5-Great shape, spare down tubes. $400 O.B.O. I can't fly anymore, have to sell. Call Paul, (716) 627-2640. SPORT 167-white with red L.E., one hour airtime. $2200. (215) 368-6987.

STREAK 180-Rainbow both surfaces. Excellent condition, low hours. $600 O.B.0. (206) 228-4312. ECLIPSE 185-Excellent, blue, rainbow, white. $1250. Buying HP. (602) 683-2002. SUNRISE HANG GLIDING .$1900 240 Dream ....... .... . . . . . . . . . . ' . .. 220 Dream .... ........ , , , , , .. . ........ $1900 177 Mystic VG ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' . ' .. ..... $1200 185 Comet OVR ....... ........... ........ $400 Call (619) 367-4237. STUDENTS, new pilots: Free helmet, harness, training wheels with every new or stock glider. Lowest prices. Colorado Hang Gliding, (303) 278-9566. WINDSPORTS SOARING CENTER. New and Used Gliders: Sports: l - 167 ... .......... ..... ······ . ... used 2 - 150 ... ..... . ....... . new ....... .. .. new 2 - 167 ....... .. ' ...... Dreams: l - 220 ..... .$1500 2 - 205 .... .. . .. .. .. .. . . . $1200-$1500 1 - 205. ... ... ..... ...... . new 3 - 165 ........ .. ..... $900-$1400 l - 145 ....... ,. ... ... . ..... . ... $1350 All gliders include complete airframe inspection, side flying wire replacement, hang strap replacement, pre-delivery test flight ($200 value). Also chutes, harnesses, Ball varios. Call for information. (818) 988-0lll. WANTED: Used hang gliding equipment. Gliders, instruments, harnesses and parachutes. San Francisco Windsports, 3620 Wawona, San Francisco, CA 94116. (4515) 753-8828. THE HANG GLIDING CENTER 167 Sport, full race ......... .. .... , .... . .new 167 Sport ......... ..... ........ . ... .. ... $2000 167 Spon American ........ ...... .... . .$1900 Vision Mark IV-17 or 19 ..... ...... ' ' . . . new ... ... .$2400 166 Magic, full race ....... 165 Comet 2 .......... ....... . ... . .. .... $900 Pacific Airwave Genesis .... ....... . ........ new We carry all kinds of neat stuff! Give us a call at (619) 450-9008. P.S. We need 164 Geminis on trade. Demo Tandem Dream 240 .. .. ............. $1890 .... .. .... . .. .. . .. $1780 Demo Dream 205 .... ..... . .... $685 Used Comet 185 OVR ..... New Bell helmets ....... ·············· .. .. . $95 New name brand chutes ..... ... ........ . .. 320 Call Colorado Hang Gliding for lowest prices. We ship anywhere. (303) 278-9566.

Rigid Wings FLEDGE III ET. Excellent flying condition. $875. Soarmaster, $300. Ball wrist vario, $150. (503) 254-4549.

Ultralight Powered Flight TRIKE WITH 30-hp engine, 3 blade ultraprop. 185 Comet. Both excellent condition, $795 each or $1495 together. (319) 236-0109.

Schools and Dealers ALABAMA LOOKOUT MOUNTAJN FLIGHT PARK-See our ad under Tennessee. (404) 398-3541.

ARIZONA ARIZONA WINDSPORTS-Largest Hang Gliding center in the southwest. Certified Instruction utilizing the world's first man-made trainer hill. INEXPENSIVE prices on lessons and equipment. Dealer for Pacific Airwave, Wills Wing, Delta Wing, Seedwings, Moyes, High Energy, Ball and Seagull classic parts. lll4 W. Cornell Drive, Tempe, AZ 85283 (602) 897-7121. DESERT HANG GLIDERS USHGA Certified School. Supine specialists., 4319 W. Larkspur, Glendale, AZ 85304 (602) 439-0789, 938-9550. ARKANSAS OZARK MOUNTAJN HANG GLIDERS-Sales, service and instruction. Dealer for Wills Wing, Moyes, Eric Raymond harnesses. 8 Blue Jay Way, Conway, AR 72032. (501) 327-0698. SAJL WINGS HANG GLIDING-Certified instruction. Authorized agent for Pacific Airwave, CG 1000. 1601 N. Shackleford #131-4, Little Rock, AR 72211. (501) 224-2186. CALIFORNIA BRIGHT STAR HANG GLIDERS- Sales - service - restorations. All major brands represented . Santa Rosa, CA (707) 576-7627. CHANDELLE HANG GLIDING CENTERUSHGA certified school. "The best damn hang gliding shop in the world." Dealers for Wills Wing, Pacific Airwave, Delta Wing, Moyes, Seedwings and High Energy. Five minutes from Fort Funston. 488 Manor Plaza, Pacifica, CA 94044. (415) 359-6800. HANG FLIGHT SYSTEMS-USHGA Certified training program featuring the combined talents of Dan Skadal, Erik Fair, and Rob McKenzie . We sell and service all major brands of gliders and accessories. New and used. Sport, Skyhawk, HP Il. Demos available to qualified pilots. 1202 E. Walnut Unit M, Santa Ana, CA 92701. (714) 542-7444. HANG GLIDER EMPORIUM-Quality instruction, service and sales since 1974. Full stock of new and used Wills Wing, Delta Wing, and UP gliders plus complete accessory line including harnesses, helmets, varios, and spare parts . Located minutes from US 101 and flying sites. 613 N. Milpas, Santa Barbara, California 93103 (805) 965-3733. THE HANG GLIDING CENTER-Located in beautiful San Diego. USHGA certified instruction, equipment rentals, local flying tours. Spend your winter vacation flying with us. We proudly offer Wills Wing, Pacific Windcraft, High Energy, Ball and we need your used equipment. 4206-K Sorrento Valley Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121. (619) 450-9008. MISSION SOARING CENTER-Serving the flying community since 1973. Complete lesson program with special attention to quality take-off and landing skills. All major brands of gliders, parachutes and instruments sold. Sail repair and air frame service available. 1116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 (408) 262-1055. NATURAL HIGH HANG GLIDING SCHOOL Lessons, equipment, hang gliding jewelry. P.O. Box 23073, San Bernardino, CA 92406. (714) 880-3888.

HANG GLIDING

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SAN FRANCISCO WINDSPORTS-Gliders and equipment, sales and rentals. Private and group instruction by USHGA certified instructors. Local site information and glider rental. 3620 Wawona, San Francisco, CA 94116. (415) 753-8828. SANTA BARBARA HANG GLIDING CENTER-Certified instruction, glider and equipment sale. 29 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101. (805) 962-8999. WINDGYPSY. USHGA certified school. Offering tandem instruction, daily, year-round. Only full service facility in Lake Elsinore. New and used gliders and equipment from Delta Wing, Moyes and Wills Wing. Demos available. 33041 Walls, Lake Elsinore, 92330. Call Paul Burns, (714) 678-5418. WINDSPORTS INTL.-Since 1974. Largest and most complete HANG GLIDING center in Southern California. Large inventory of new and used gliders including Sports and Lite Dreams. Accelerated training program features Tandem instruction and minimizes course time. 16145 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91406 (818) 988-0111.

ILLINOIS

Your hang gliding success company. Representative for Wills Wing, Delta Wing, Seedwings, Moyes and Pacific Airwave. State of the art training with mobile flight simulator and dual instruction. Let a USHGA CF! lead you to your flight success. 1600 Carmel, Zion, IL 60099. (312) 746-1944. MICHIGAN PRO HANG GLIDERS-Since 1978. Michigan's only USHGA Certified school. Beginner - Advanced lessons by Examiner, Observer, Instructor Norm Lesnow. Specialist in basic towing, or the new revolutionary concept of step towing. 2500' tows available on the incredible Yarnall Skyhook. Dealer Wills, Delta, Manta. Service, accessories. Call (313) 399-9433 or write 569 W. Annabelle, Hazel Park, Ml 48030. NEVADA

COLORADO

HIGH SIERRA SPORTS, dealers for Delta Wing, Pacific Airwave, Wills Wing. Complete training including tandem, USHGA certified instruction and ratings. 2303 N. Carson St., Carson City, NV 89701. (702) 885-1891.

COLORADO HANG GLIDING - USHGA Certified School, dealer all brands. Lowest prices on new gliders. Bell helmets in stock. (303) 278-9566. GEORGIA

NEW MEXICO

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK-See our ad under Tennessee. (404) 398-3541.

UP OVER NEW MEXICO, INC. - Instruction, sales, service. Sandia Mountain guides. Wills, Seedwings, Pacific Airwave, Delta, Moyes. Albuquerque, NM (505) 292-0647.

HAWAII MAUI SOARING SUPPLIES-Certified Instructors. Sales, service and rentals. R.R. 2, Box 780, Kula, HI 96790. (808) 878-1271. TRADEWINDS HANG GLIDING, dual instruction, rentals, equipment. (808) 396-8557. IDAHO TREASURE VALLEY HANG GLIDERS-USHGA certified instruction, complete service. Featuring Pacific Airwave. 11716 Fairview, Boise, 83704. (208) 376-7914.

NEW YORK FLY HIGH HANG GLIDING, INC.-Serving N.Y. City/Albany, Jersey, Connecticut areas. (On Ellenville Mtn.) Area's exclusive Wills Wing dealer/specialist. Also carry all other major brands, accessories. Certified Instruction. 10 years experience. Quick repairs. Areas most INEXPENSIVE prices. ATOL truck towing! Contact: Paul Voight, RD 2, Box 561, Pine Bush, NY 12566, (914) 744-3317.

USHGA CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ORDER FORM 40 cents per word, $4.00 minimum. (phone numbers - 2 words, P.O. Box -

MOUNTAIN WINGS, INC.-New York's oldest and largest hang gliding center. 6 miles from Ellenville. Five different training hills. Exclusive dealers for Seedwings, Delta Wing, and Pacific Airwave with demo's in stock. Area's only Sensor specialist. Repairs done on, and parts in stock for all major brands. The most complete line of accessories in stock at all times. Many new and used gliders. UPS mail orders, VISA, MasterCard and Discover credit cards accepted. Greg Black, 150 Canal St., Ellenville, NY. (914) 626-5555. SUSQUEHANNA FLIGHT PARK INC.-Central New York's Hang Gliding Center. Certified instruction, sales & service for all major manufacturers. Training hill O - 160', jeep rides, 600' NW soarable ridge, camping. RD 2, Box 432, Cooperstown, NY 13326. (315) 866-6153. THERMAL UP, INC.-Most complete hang gliding shop in area. Located on top of Ellenville Mountain. USHGA Certified Instructor and Observer. Concentrating on hang gliding instruction with emphasis on launching and landing techniques. Dealer for all major brands. Offering expert sales and service with lowest price in area. Large mail order inventory. Tom Aguero, P.O. Box 347, Cragsmoor, NY 12420. (914) 647-3489. NORTH CAROLINA KITTY HAWK KITES, INC.-P.O. Box 340, Nags Head, NC 'l7959. 919-441-4124. Learn to fly over soft sand dunes just south of the site where the Wright Brothers learned to fly. Beginning and Advanced packages; complete inventory of new gliders, accessories and parts. Windsurfing sales and instruction also available. SAURA1DWN KITES-Winston Salem, (919) 922-1942. Hang Gliding School w/certified instructor; dealer of Seedwings, Wills Wing, Pacific Airwave & Delta; new and used equipment. OHIO NORTH COAST HANG GLIDING-Certified Instruction. New & used gliders. Specializing in Pacific Airwave gliders. Mike Del Signore, 1916 W. 75th St., Cleveland, OH 44102 (216) 63l-ll44.

Section (please circle) Rogallos

1 word)

Schools and Dealers

Photos - $11.00 Deadline, 20th of the month, six weeks before the cover date of the issue in which you want your ad (i.e. March 20, for the May issue).

Emergency Chutes Ultralight Powered Flight

Boldface or caps 55¢ per word extra. (Does not include first few words which are automatically caps). Special layouts or tabs $22 per column inch.

Parts & Accessories Rigid Wings Business & Employment Opportunities Publications & Organizations Miscellaneous

19 issue and run for _ _ _ __ Begin with consecutive issue(s). My check _ _ _ money order _ _ _ is enclosed in the amount of

Prepayment required unless account established. Please enter my classified ad as follows:

$ ___________________

Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Number of words: - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ @ _40 __

I I

Phone Number:

1 1

P.O. BOX 500, PEARBLOSSOM, CA 93553 I (805) 944-5333

-------------------------------------------------------,

MARCH 1988

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING OKLAHOMA SPORTWINGS OF OKLAHOMA. Wills Wing, Mitchell Wing. New and used equipment, service, and instruction. Mel Hair, Tulsa, (918) 445-8822. TENNESSEE HAWK AIRSPORTS-Hang gliding equipment. USHGA certified hang gliding instruction. Come fly Clinch Mountain the longest ridge in the United States. Distributor for the Portable Windsok. The indicator chosen and used for Everest 86'. 2325 Sutherland Ave., Knoxville, Tennessee 37919 (615) 523-8531. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK-Our specialties: your first mountain flights, mountain and thermal soaring, certified training (package plans, group rates, USHGA ratings), glider rentals, camping, local site information. New and used gliders (all major brands), equipment, accessories, parts, repair services. We buy used gliders and equipment! USHGA Novice pilots can fly 1,340' Lookout Mountain and soar 12-mile ridge (distance record, 130.9 miles; altitude gain, 10,400') Send $1. (refundable with any purchase) for brochure, rates, directions, accommodations information. Route 2, Box 215-H, Dept. HG, Rising Fawn, GA 30738. Twenty minutes from Chattanooga, Tennessee. (404) 398-3541. SEQUATCHIE VALLEY SOARING SUPPLIESDealers for all major brands. Small training classes so you can learn to fly easily. Come fly over 100 miles of ridges and enjoy challenging thermals. Located next to the TTT Hensons Gap site. For personal service you can trust call Valley Soaring, Rt. 2, Box 210, Dunlap, TN 37371 (615) 949-3384, (615) 949-2301. UTAH

International Dealers JAPAN

~~~ Distributor major brands hang gliders (Airwave, Magic), instruments, parachutes. Tokyo 03/447/5560, Yugawara 0465/63/0173, Kurumayama Hang School 0266/68/7724 (April - November). 2-19-63 Doi, Yugawaramachi, Kanagawaken, Japan 14!. FAX 0465 636641. SWITZERLAND SWISS ALP HANG GLIDING SAFARI-On vacation in North America until February 1988. Ron Hurst, P.O. Box CH-8401, Winterthur, Switzerland.

no,

Emergency Parachutes

PRIMO AIR MITTS-standard with shiny Lycra exterior. $28.50 per pair. Plush or terrycloth interior, $35 per pair. Shipping $2 .00 per pair. Mitts in stock for fast delivery. 8 Blue Jay Way, Conway, AR 72032 (501) 371-0698. SPAGHETTI HARNESS, blue, fits 5'3" to 5'6", glove, leg, parachute pockets. Used twice. $225. (518) 237-4347 evenings. TUBING, WHEELS, BOLTS, BRACKETS, DACRON plus much more. Free tubing price sheet or send $5 for complete catalog. Leading Edge Air Foils, Inc., 331 S. 14th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. Phone (719) 632-4959.

ALL BRANDS - Bought, sold, and repacked. Inspection and repack $20.00 - Kevlar, nylon, sis, bridles installed and replaced. S.F. Windsports, 3620 Wawona, San Francisco, CA 94116 (415) 753-8828. BRAND NAME--20 or 22 gore parachutes. $320. (303) 718-9566.

Parts & Accessories

FLY UTAH WITH LITEK VE-10 variometer with quick clamp. Factory inspected. $100. (318) 981-8372.

LINDSAY RUDDOCK VARJOS CHANGE OF ADDRESS. The U.S. distributor of the thinking pilot's vario has moved: Bob Fisher, 11003 Oasis, Houston, TX 77096. (713) 728-4146.

Business & Employment Opportunities Experienced USHGA Certified Instructors needed NOW! Lots of students ... not enough instructors. Send resume to: Mission Soaring Center, lll6 Wrigley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035.

and SOUTH WIND HANG GLIDING SCHOOL Delta Wing Products, certified beginner and advanced instruction, 9173 Falcon Cr., Sandy, Utah 84092 (801) 943-1005.

INSTRUCTORS WANTED-Exciting career opportunities for the right people. Will train if qualified. Work at what you enjoy most: live and fly on beautiful Lookout Mountain (Chattanooga area). Call us. Lookout Mountain Flight Park (404) 398-3541.

WASATCH WINGS, INC.-USHGA certified hang gliding school, dealers for Wills Wing and Pacific Airwave. Flight operations at Point of the Mountain. 6 Sunwood Lane, Sandy, UT 84092. (801) 571-4000. VIRGINIA SILVER WINGS INC.-Certified instruction & equipment sales. N. VA. (703) 533-1965. WASHINGTON AIRPLAY'N PRO SHOP & Hang Gliding School. The largest full time, full service hang gliding shop in Washington. All major brands sold and serviced. 800 Mercer, Seattle, WA 98109. (206) 467-8644.

QUICK RELEASE CARABINER-Breaking 10,000 lbs. $24.95. Extra 5/16 ball lock pin $10. DEALERS WANTED. Thermal, 19431-41 Business Center Dr., Northridge, CA 91324. BELL HELMETS-in stock. $95. (303) 718-9566.

LIVE, WORK AND FLY in beautiful upstate N.Y. Just minutes from Ellenville Mtn. Certified instructors needed badly, will train. Apartment overlooking river also available above shop in exchange for work. Lots of students, not enough instructors. April-Dec. Full time also available. Call Greg at Mountain Wings, (914) 626-5555 or send resume. INSTRUCTORS WANTED: Prefer certified but will train qualified people. Advancement opportunities include tour guiding and management.

Western Hang Gliders, P.O. Box 828, Marina, CA 93933. (408) 384-2622.

MARCH 1988

CLASSIFIEO ADVERTISING Publications & Organizations

Miscellaneous COLLECfOR BOXES for Hang Gliding Magazine. Blue vinyl, heavy duty, with clear label inserts on spine. Holds up to two years issues. Only $9.75 from USHGA, Box 500, Pearblossom, CA 93553. SAILMAKING SUPPLIES & hardware. All fabric types. Massachusetts Motorized, P.O. Box 542-G, Cotuit, MA 02635. (413) 736-2426.

UNIQUE NEW X-C LOG BOOK, 64 pages, pocket size, special X-C fonnat, including large comment section, site log, summary with hi/low and averages of time, distance and speed. $4 postage paid. SEND: Arizone Mfg., 303 Sharpe Rd., Anacortes, WA 98221. BINDERS FOR HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE. Brown vinyl with wire centerfold spines to allow library reference organization of your issues. Keeps up to 16 issues tidy and handy. Only $9.00 from USHGA, P.O. Box 500, Pearblossom, CA 93553. SOARING-Monthly magazine of the Soaring Society of America, Inc. Covers all aspects of soaring flight. Full membership $35. Info kit with sample copy $3. SSA, P.O. Box E, Hobbs, NM 88241. MANBIRDS: Now really affordable! Authentic history of Hang Gliding. Over 100 photos and input from Hang Gliding's greats. Inside look at heydey of sport. By professional writer Maralys Wills, and first U.S. Champion, Chris Wills, M.D. Only $7.95 plus $1.00 shipping. 5 or more, $4. 95 plus $1.00 each. Write "Manbirds," 1811 Beverly Glen Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92705. Also, Hang Gliding romance "Soar and Surrender" $3. 95 shipped.

CRYSTAL AIR SPORT MOTEL at Raccoon Mountain; Bunkhouse, private rustic rooms, regular & waterbeds, video in-room movies, private jacuzzi room, pool, sky gear gifts, fliers work program. FF! 4328 Cummings Hwy., Chattanooga, TN 37409. (615) 821- 2546. Chuck & Shari Toth. PATCHES & DECALS - USHGA sew-on emblems 3" dia. Full color - $1. Decals, 31/,'' dia. Inside or outside application. 25C each. P.O. Box 500, Pearblossom, CA 93553. TEE-SHIRTS with USHGA emblem $8.00 including postage and handling. Californians add 6% tax. Men's sizes in BLUE and TAN - S, M, L, XL. Limited supply of ORANGE, sizes S, XL. USHGA, P.O. Box 500, Pearblossom, CA 93553. (805) 944-5333. The rate for classified advertising is 40C per word (or group of characters). Minimum charge, $4.00. A fee of $11.00 is charged for each photograph or logo. Bold face or caps 55 C per word extra. Underline words to be bold. Special layouts of tabs $22.00 per column inch. AD DEADLINES - All ad copy, instructions, changes, additions and cancellations must be received in writing I 'I, months preceding the cover date, i.e., November 20 for the January issue. Please make checks payable to USHGA: Classified Advertising Dept., HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE, P.O. Box 500, Pearblossom, CA 93553. (805) 944-5333.

TACT: Dave Weise, (619) 942-2174 home, (619) 442-0984 work. EQUIPMENT: New stirrup harness. Black with yellow, orange, gold, red stripe on parachute panel. Also white Bell helmet. Stolen from fence post in LZ off Broadway in Boulder, CO, August Tl. CONTACT: Dennis Stevens, (303) 449-0774 work, 444-7624 home. TYPE: HP-2 full race. SAIL: All white with red and yellow under surface. Bag color WW

kahki with flag. Serial #13083. Faired down tubes. WHERE AND WHEN: Salida, CO June Tl, 1987 in ditch at roadside following XC flight. CONTACT: Ken Grubbs, 17325 Rimrock Dr., Golden, CO 80401 (303)

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STOLEN WINGS are listed as a service to USHGA members. There is no charge for this service and lost and found wings or equipment may be called in to the office for immediate inclusion in Hang Gliding magazine. Please do call to cancel the listing when gliders are recovered. Periodically, this listing will be purged.

Index To Advertisers AirTech ............................ IBC Airworks ............................. 39 Ball Varios ........................... 24 Bennett Delta Wing Gliders ............. 19, 36, 39, BC

Videos & Films

Colorado HG Center ................... 24

TELLURIDE! Videotape of the annual fly-in at one of the most spectacular flying sites anywhere, with comprehensive coverage of the 1987 aerobatic competition. Professionally shot and edited. One hour Jong, VHS. $35 plus $3 First Class postage. California residents add state tax. Robert Reiter, 1539 63rd Street, Emeryville, CA 94608. (415) 655-0615 FRESH FROM AUSTRALIA. 1988 World Hang Gliding Championships. Two hour VHS video for sale, Send $40 to Paul's Video, Box 1662, Telluride, CO 81435. (303) 728-3217.

Stolen Wings

European Thermal Tours ................ 39

FOUND: UP glider bag at Rainbow Ridge, Nevada, north of Reno. Mid-December. Call

Hall Brothers ......................... 24

to identify. (916) 587-1967.

Lookout Mt .......................... IBC

FOUND: Glider near Colorado River in So. California this December. Call USHGA to identify and claim. (805) 944-5333.

Pagen Books .......................... 33

EQUIPMENT: Black Keller Pod harness,

Publitec .............................. 14

High Energy tan colored parachute, Roberts Britain variometer, helmet. WHERE AND WHEN: broke into truck at Waddell Creek, Santa Cruz, CA. Saturday, October 17, 1987. CONTACT: Martin Ortegon, 1314 Copper Peak Lane, San Jose, CA 95120. TYPE: WILLS WING HP-1-1/2. Pacific blue L. E. & top front surface, undersurface spectrum and white main body. Speed bar, hand fairings. WHERE AND WHEN: Torrey Pines, CA, in May from the cartop. CON-

High Energy .......................... 39

Pacific Airwave ...................... .42

Patrick Brede! ....................... IBC

Seedwings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Silver Wings .......................... 14 Systems Tech ......................... 24 UP International ....................... 27 UP Over New Mexico .................. 39 USHGA ...................... 18, 30, IFC Western Hang Gliders .................. 26 Wills Wing ........................ 15, 24 Windsports .......................... IBC

HANG GLIDING

AIR TECH ELEcrRONICS Advanced Air Technology USA Achirn Hagemt1n

29 Stale Street Sanla Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 962-8999

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NEWS FLASH ... Is hang gliding a hot news item in your local paper? Please send clippings of stories, photos or articles to the Public Relations Committee through the USHGA office. We want to see your name, your club or your site mentioned in print!

USHGA - Public Relations P.O. Box 500 I Pearblossom, CA 93553

HEADLINES ... Have you made any lately? USHGA would like to see your name in print. Please send clippings of any local news articles or magazine stories on hang gliding to the office. The Public Relations Committee needs clippings to assess our image and catalog favorable writers on our sport. Good or bad, we need your news articles. Send to:

USHGA - Public Relations P.O. Box 500 I Pearblossom, CA 93553

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RIO DE JANEIRO FL YING TOUR '88 August until December - open Minimum of 2 persons - For Hang II thru IV PRICES INCLUDE: • First-class hotels with private • Transportation bath, sharing double occupancy. • Rides up • Breakfast included • Retrieval • Bi-lingual guide service • GLIDERS PRICE: U.S. $70.00 per day CONT ACT: Patrick Brede! barao de jaguaripe 323/3 lpanema Rio de Janeiro RJ 22421 Brazil (21) 259-0159 FAX (21) 239-7339

ATTENTION PILOTS! Trade In Your Old Instruments towards a modern instrument deck. Ball model 651 Vario/digital Alt. 652 Vario/digital Alt. Airspeed Ind. Roberts Vario/digital Alt/Clock Call (818) 988-0111 Windsports Soaring Center 16145 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91406 (since 1974)

Expect nothing less than the extraordinary from Delta Wing's XCEL, the exceptional new glider designed to eXPand your XC horizons. Exalt in extreme high performance, exhilirating speed, exquisite handling and exclusive features. Experience the excitement of XCEL with a demo expedition today! The exemplary XCEL will exceed your expectations. You'll wonder how you ever existed without one! 140 Sail Area rn.2J

Span (n.) Nose Angle Aspect Ratio Ribs /side (upper) Ribs/side (lower) Glider Weight (lbs.) Pilot Weight Range (lbs.)

c o

M I N G

160

180