USHGA Hang Gliding October 1990 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

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USHGA Headquarters is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the U.S. Amateur Athletic Savings Card. The U.S. Amateur Card provides discounted prices for travel and lodging to scheduled USHGA events and brand name merchandise savings to USHGA members. USHGA receives an enrollment fee and airline ticket credits based upon membership use. Take 40% off regular coach rates; 25% off daily room rates. Drive Alamo rental cars for $16.97 per day with unlimited mileage and purchase AVIA, Reebok, Bassett Walker, etc.,

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sportswear-150 top-of-the-line items-at 40%-60% discounts. Take advantage of ALL these membership benefits for one LOW fee of $74.95! This fee covers your immediate family only-parents, legal guardians, brothers, sisters, spouse, or children of a member in the same household. ACT NOW AND SAVE when participating in this year's scheduled hang gliding events. Call USHGA Headquarters at (719) 632-8300 for more details, or complete and forward the U.S. Amateur Card application form to the address shown.

United States Hang Gliding Association (USHGA) While You're Going for Gold The Athletic Savings CardTM Will Help You Save Gold, Silver and Copper.

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For an annual membership fee of $74.95, your entire family can enjoy the following Travel Saving Benefits all year.! • Top Off Already Low Airfares •.. fly Northwest and Delta Airlines to registered USHGA events within the U.S.A. Take an additional 5% discount on all special promotional airfares, or choose an unrestricted, penalty-free 40% USAmateurTM discount off regular coach rates.

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• Rules To Live By • Keeping Up Your Flight Log • Selecting The Equipment You'll Need • Your First Solo

Hang Gliding magazine presents its first-ever new pilot edition-an entertaining and informative publication designed for up-and-corning pilots. Topics include: • Selecting the equipment you'll need. • Your first solo flight. • Tandem instruction. • Choosing an instructor. • Keeping up your flight log. • How gliders are certified. • And much more ...

Please rush me copies of the new pilot edition of Hang Gliding at $4.50 each. (Shipping: 1 copy-$1.50, 2-6 copies- $3.00) Colorado residents add 6.5% sales tax to magazine subtotal (not shipping). Enclosed please find a check or money order for $_~~~~~ NAJ\AE~---~--------ADDRESS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Dealer Inquiries Invited I CITY_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ STATE_____ZIP _ _ __ Send to USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933 (719) 632-8300 J

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(USPS 017-970-20)

Features

Columns FAST WING

18 Crooked, Tight & Low

Accident Reports

hy Doug Hildreth

hy Jerry Forhurger A discussion or a dangerous situation that can occur while towing.

Includes a report on a ballistic save by Greg Rossignol.

33 Competition Corner

21 Mark And Kari's Excellent Adventure I

HORIZON

Page 18

Mark Mocho kicks oil our World Team Fundraiser. The 1990 Chelan, WA X-C Classic by Doug McClellan. Girls Just Wanna Go Fly by Joie Perreault.

hy Briggs Christie Kari Castle and Mark Gibson strive for altitude and distance over the New Mexico desert.

26 The

36 Hang Gliding © /990 hy G.W. Meadows How to survive situations you never should have gotten yourself into in the first place~ Part l.

U.S. Nationals

56 Product Lines hy Dan Johnson Eric Raymond's solar-powered coast-to-coast flight, Wills Wing and paragliding, Moyes and aerotugs, and more.

42 The 1990 Hobbs, NM Hang Gliding Festival by Jerry Forlmrger sidebar hy Harold Airington Towing for miles in premier sailplane territory.

Departments Page 42 COVER: Climbing out under tow at the first Hobbs, NM Hang Gliding festival. Photo by Steve Hines. See story on page 42. CENTERSPREAD: Larry Tudor gives us an aerial view of takeoff at the recent U.S. Nationals. Photo by Michael Weingartner. See story on page 26. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES IN PUBLICATIONS: The material presented here is published as part an information dissemination service for USHGA members. The USHGA makes no

5 10 13 14 49 55 55

Airmail Ratings Update Calendar of Events Classified Advertising Index to Advertisers Stolen Wings

warranties or representations and assumes no liabil-

ity 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. Copyright[) 1990 United States Hang Gliding Association, Inc. All rights reserved to lla11g Gliding and individual contributors.

OcTOLlER

1990

..,

The Official USHGA

~WDSOK. $39.95 In cooperation with Hawk Airsports. Constructed with 1.5 oz. ripstop nylon. UV treated. 5'4" long with 11" throat. SHIP TO : (street address please)

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Gil Dodgen, Editor/Art Director John Heiney, Doug Rice, Leroy Grannis, Eric Raymond, Photographers Harry Martin, Illustrator Tim Rinker, Design Consul/ant Office Staff

Jerry Bruning, Executive Director Pat Robbins, Advertising Greg Huller, Member Services P.J. More. Office Operations Patti Sparks, Member Services Jeff Elgart, Merchandise Services USHGA Officers and Executive Committee:

Russ Locke, President Jim Zeise!, Vice President Gregg Lawless, Secretary Dan Johnson, Treasurer REGION 1: Gene Matthews. REGION 2: Ken Brown, Russ Locke, Connie Bowen. REGION 3: Bill Bennett, Sandy King, Gregg Lawless. REGION 4: Mark Mocha, Jim Zeise!. REGION 5: Mike King. REGION 6: Ron Kenney. REGION 7: Marty Bunner. REGION 8: Bud Brown, Jr. REGION 9: Pete Lehmann, Jeff Simms. REGION 10: Matt Taber. REGION11: Carl Boddie. REGION 12: Paul Voight, Paul Rikert. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Dan Johnson, Jan Johnson, Joe Greblo, Dennis Pagen, G.W. Meadows. HONORARY DIRECTORS: Liz Sharp, Mike Meier, Tom Kreyche, Jerry Forburger, Lisa Tate. The United States Hang Gliding Association Inc. is a division of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) which is the official representative of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), of the world governing body for sport aviation. The NAA, which represents the U.S. at FAI meetings, has delegated to the USHGA supervision of FAl-related hang gliding activities such as record attempts and competition sanctions. HANG GLIDING magazine is published for hang gliding sport enthusiasts to create further interest in the sport, by a means of open communication and to advance hang gliding methods and safety. Contributions are welcome. Anyone is invited to contribute articles, photos, and illustrations concerning hang gliding activities. If the material is to be returned, a stamped, selfaddressed return envelope must be enclosed. Notification must be made of submission to other hang gliding publications. HANG GLIDING magazine reserves the right to edit contributions where necessary. The Association and publication do not assume responsibility for the material or opinions of contributors. HANG GLIDING editorial offices: 6950 Aragon Circle, Suite 6, Buena Park, CA 90620 (714) 994-3050. HANG GLIDING (USPS017-970) is published monthly by the United States Hang Gliding Association, Inc., 102 N. Cascade Ave., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903-1402 (719) 632-8300. FAX (719) 6326417. Second-class postage is paid at Colorado Springs, CO and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO: HANG GLIDING, P.O. BOX 8300, Colorado Springs, co 80933-8300. The USHGA is a member-controlled 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 peryear(of which $15 goes to the publication of Hang Gliding), ($42 Canada & Mexico, $47 foreign); subscription rates only are $29.00 ($32 Canada & Mexico, $37 foreign). Changes of address should be sent six weeks in advance, including name, USHGA number, previous and new address, and a mailing label from a recent issue. OCTOBER 1990

Volume 20, Issue No. IO

AIRMAIL MORE ON LANDINGS Dear Editor, I thoroughly enjoyed Richard Cobb's wellwritten and timely article on the analysis of a landing flare. I plan to put the ideas into practice as soon as I replace my broken downtube. Perhaps Richard could do a follow-up piece analyzing the dynamics of hang point location, speed rails and the French Connection. This subject has stirred some debate in our club. Lee Minardi Lexington, MA

DUES INCREASE? Dear Editor, I'd just like to acid a little perspective to the dialogue in the August USHGA Reports department concerning a possible dues increase in the future. Hey, we're only talking about $39 here. Let's compare this funding of some "grandiose plan" to some other recreation-related expenses: 18 holes of golf at Pebble Beach$ I 50, registration of my truck-$246, one hotair balloon ricle-$150, deep sea fishing-$3001200/day. This list could go on and on, but the point is that even a clues increase of 10 or 20 bucks would be pretty inconsequential when you look at what we spend our money on. If it results in the kine! of improvements in service that the USHGA staff has shown. then it's well worth it. Rating carets are showing up in a week and have the right information on them, follow-up calls are being made on accident reports, and I can't remember the last time the answer to a question was, "I don't know, call Gregg Lawless." I see more and more USHGA shirts and hats on visiting pilots as merchandising and advertising start to do their magic and the office is being run (finally) like a small, efficient business. I don't want a "comfortable lid" on the ability of our organization to answer the needs of its membership. We've taken a huge step in the right direction in the past year or so ancl if it costs me a few extra dollars to keep that moving, well, that's fine with me! Briggs Christie Salinas, CA

ft' s 11·orth pointing out that USHGA offers its members much more than sister aviation c1Ssociatio11s: a million dollars \\'Orth of personal and site liability insurance, a rating pmgram, etc. It offers all this at comparable prices and ll'ith a significantly smaller member base.Ed.

Dear Editor, Concerning a clues increase, I'd suggest very careful consideration before any further increase. I think the worst impact would be on the younger members, the very segment USHGA needs most for future growth of the sport. A move to incorporate paragliding might do more to strengthen USHGA, by expanding interest and aclcling membership, than raising the cost of membership. As it has already been pointed out, much can be learned from the past experience of SSA. The average miclclle-agecl SSA member can afford his membership, along with all the other high costs of participation, but where are the new, younger members? Priced out of the sport, I fear. On USHGA merchandise: We all like to display symbols of our passion. Again, keep it low cost. Immediate suggestion (agreement with Jeff)- posters! How about a series taken from "known" popular Hang Gliding covers? April, July and December '89 are examples of some I'd buy. If there was a series the same size as the magazine covers, but without masthead, text, etc. I'd probably buy them all to put on my office and/or den walls. Michael Moore

STEVE STACKABLE MEDICAL FUND Dear Editor, On the night of June 30, 1990, the lives of five men were drastically changed at the hands of a single drunk driver. All five hang glider pilots were returning to Big Springs, Texas from flights to Hobbs, New Mexico when a drunk driver crossed the center line and hit them head on. One of the five was killed and the others were critically injured in this West Texas accident. Steve Stackable, once the 1975 500cc Supercross Champion and now an avid hang glider and ultralite pilot, now suffers from severe leg, hip and hand injuries. The deceased 5

AIRMAIL drunk driver's insurance will cover very little of the medical bills which are piling up as Steve is recovering, both emotionally and physically. Steve is a fun-loving gentle man with many friends and it makes me very angry that he has suffered so much because of the foolish acts of a drunken man. I have joined MADD and hope that others will join and support this group too. A fund has been established for donations to Steve's care. Donations may be mailed to The Steve Stackable Medical Relief Fund, c/o Gibbins, Winckler and Bayer, P.O. Box 1452, Austin, Texas 78767.

He enjoyed hang gliding and liked to read your publication very much. I wanted you to know that the pilots in this area who are members of your organization were very helpful during our time of sorrow. They honored my father, their friend, by being pall bearers and making sure that my mother and I were okay. They were there when we needed them. If all your members are as caring and loyal you should be very proud of your organization.

Ginny Stackable Spicewood, TX

FRIENDLY CANADIAN PILOTS

CONCERNED PILOTS Dear Editor, Hillard Underwood (USHGA #30795) recently died after a stroke and complications.

Valerie Underwood Conover, NC

called the manager, Rick Miller, and it was no problem getting me loaner equipment to use. Within two days of my anival I was truck towing with the local pilots and managed to fly 17 miles (a personal best and site record). It's nice to know that you can visit somewhere and be a total stranger, and people will help you to get airtime. This is one of the best aspects of our sport. Canadian pilots and Canadian folks in general are some of the nicest people I've come across. They all will bend over backwards to welcome visitors to their country. Thanks to Rick, George, Gord and Dan. You all helped to make my trip to Canada a memorable one. Peter Koistinen Eielson AFB, Alaska

Dear Editor, Last June my job as an A-10 pilot took me to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Naturally I wondered if there was any hang gliding in the area. A phone call to USHGA gave me enough information to get a hold of the local school. I

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HANG GLIDING

Advanced 20 years WWHP Broken leg (tibia and fibula)

he did. A11hough not the primary topic remember 1hat another common cven1 ground skimming (with the control bar a inches off the deck) is that a tiny area of turbulence, a gust or some other aherrat ion

the wind, which causes the control bar or wing tip to hit the ground or ca1ch in the grass, ancl the glider pounds in. This is an aside to again make a plea ror enough ground clearance--· enough so you have room for error, room for correction, room to brea1h. Ill

Evcn1: Uneventful soaring flight. On final approach pilot was bleeding off speed close lo the gro11nd with trailing behind. Flight path was over small exposed rocks which only projected several inches above Ilic ground . .Just prior to l'larc, pilo1 struck right shin on a rock, breaking his

Advanced Many years II igh Pcrl'ormancc Badly bruised thigh muscle Even1: 11ollowing soaring flight pilot chose to la11d on top. A hit high, he pulled in and skimmed 1hrough knee-high grass. Impacted a "invisible" rock with his thigh al high speed. Pilot believed he had broken his thigh and belly-landed without incident. Unable to fly for several we,:ks. Comment.: These arc but 1wo of the many reports we have reeeivecl in which pilo1s struck objects with various parts of their bodies while on ground-skimming finals. I have watched riders on motorcycles reach out 10 touch something as they zoom past and nearly have I heir arms lorn oil. The lesson here is the same. We arc moving very fast and a fixed objec1 rcsuhs i11 a great delivered to the point of contact. This impact is a lot greater than we naively think. Remember that the en crgy goes up with the square of the velocity. The concept of maintaining adequate airclose to the ground is very vnlid. Bui many pilots 1hcsc days seem 10 maintain a li1tle too much speed n lilllc too close to the ground. I think usually this is either because ii is fun or because i1 looks good; cer1ainly not because ii is safo. So, l encourage all you "coming in hot" pilots to yourselves safe ground clearance. And we all should remember that !here can he a variety of delightfully devious objects hidclcn in grass waiting 10 grab om cla11gli11g toes. One guy even ran into a bathtub ... rcally, OCTOBER

199()

1 by

(Jersey) Rossignol

clay s1artcd out as a typical hemming Southern California clay at Laguna. lt lookccl to have good XC polcntial. A few friends and I sui1ecl up and launched en route lo Palm Springs. Tlm:e hours later we'd reached the San Jacinlo Mou11tains, the only obs1acle keeping us from our Now though, 1hc day was gelling late and conditions had w,:akencd considerably. Clc1 · over the mounlains was going 10 be a tough task. Most of my friends had had enough. Wc'cl all 1ravclcd n good distance and lhl:y headed 0111 one by one in search or good LZ. I couldn't up. I really wanted to make om chosen goal. In 1hc dwindling hours of the day the desert air had switched from a grca1 southwest to only a fair northwesterly. No matter wha1, I was being pushed south. 1 had to go with it. Knowing the Santa Rosa Mounlains to the sou1h much belier, I figured I would have a better chance al crossing the nat11ral barrier.

Conditions, however, continued 10 get ligh1cr and lighter. By the time I got to the Santa Rosas I was very low, but just as I was contemplating calling it a day I caught a thermal ancl took it up to within 300 feet or 1hc range. For another hour 1 relentlessly worked the range, b11t rising above seemed increasingly unlikely. My l'ricnds and the driv,~rs were at the base of'1he mountain. They'd waited patiently, b111 realized that if I made if over the Santa Rosas their return drive would increase by al lcas1 another hour ancl a hair each way. I could practically reel them wishing me to the ground. By now the familiar glass-off had begun. The winds became a smooth, steady 15 mph. I decided to call it a day and headed back out ovt,r the valley floor. The air was buoyant with nice smooth lift. I had over 2,000 f'cet 10 play with, an cnliccmcnt for the acrobatic pilot witlli11 me. I had an audience. ! Icy, why not them a little show? I whip-stalled the glider and brough1 ii

ACCIDENT REPORTS into an aggressive dive. The speed permitted a nice 180° rollover, putting me into position for a super dive. Following a speed buildup I transitioned into three perfect loops. Felt good. I bled off speed for my favorite maneuver: the almighty flat spin! I brought the glider into a right-hand version which the glider strongly rejected. I came out of the spin with a lot of speed and was still diving. Aggressively stalling the glider I entered another spin, this one to the left. This time the glider cooperated, dropping into the spin nicely with plenty of speed. Three quarters of the way through this second spin my inboard leading edge broke just past the sleeve where the crossbar intersects. I was looking right at the wing when it broke. Instantly the glider tucked! It started to spin rapidly. I grabbed my BRS deployment handle immediately. A sharp tug pulled the handle to full ignition. With a "crack," I was under canopy and loving it. It seemed almost instantaneous. I settled in by the trailing edge at the keel with the glider inverted and still spinning rapidly. Because of the spin and my low height above the ground I deployed my hand-thrown canopy towards the spin. It found open space and stopped the spin while further slowing the descent rate. I was drifting into the side of Coyote Mountain, stabilized and ready for impact. Touchdown was cake. However, trying to deflate the canopies was not. I was dragged about ten feet until I found a foothold on some large rocks. Then I could grab my double-sided Teva knife and cut away the 'chutes-barely in time, as I was losing my foothold. A 20-foot drop was just beyond my present position. I am very grateful to walk away unhurt. Things could have been a lot worse if I had not had the right equipment. The gang at BRS deserves great thanks for their superior quality and work. The BRS unit worked perfectly, as advertised, without a flaw. I feel it is mandatory gear for all pilots along with a hand-deploy backup. Also, you should definitely carry a cutaway knife. If you don't have a cutaway knife, get one. Too many pilots are still underequipped with only a hand-deploy 'chute and no knife. Not good and not safe. Don't be a fool. Get updated on the latest equipment: both BRS rocket-deployed parachutes and a knife. Practice using these devices. Technology in our sport is advancing at

A lot of macho pilots don't think they will ever need this kind of [rocketdeployed parachute] technology because their skills are excellent. They' re wrong! You never really know. One day you might need your 'chute at 200 feet off the ground. Good luck trying to get a hand-deploy out in time. Get a knife too. 11

a brisk rate and the safety equipment available is priceless. A lot of macho pilots don't think they will ever need this kind of technology because their skills are excellent. They 're wrong! You never really know. One clay you might need your 'chute at 200 feet off the ground. Good luck trying to get a hand-deploy out in time. Get the knife too. I know of a pilot dragged to his death because he coulcln 't cut away. I'm not trying to be morbid; I just don't want to hear of any pilot being hurt when the right equipment could have prevented it.

*** The following comments on this incident and the hand-deploy option were received from BRS.-Ed. Those of us at BRS are very pleased to record our second "save" 11si11g our rocketdeployed parachutes. Rece11tly a third BRS save occurred in Hawaii. With our ultralight track record, we've now had 44 "saves," and every one of them means a great deal to us, our proudest achievement a11d the reason we fee/ our jobs have meaning and importance. We recognize these devices are e.,pensive, but with the potential to save disasters at very low a/tillldes, the price is justified over a time period of ow11ership. Reliability is the main reaso11 for the price tag. To date, well

over 400 rocket motors have been fired-in testing and real uses--and never a failure to ignite. Even under the most tortuous conditions (inc/11ding heavy salt water contami11atio11 for extended periods) every rocket motor has fired accordi11g to specificatio11. In Jersey's case, the hand-deploy was a 11seful additional back11p. It's hard to argue against such redundancy, a basic form of aviation safety. Still, we believe rocket motors are such high quality pieces of equipment that they are a reasonable choice for all pilots, with or without a ha11d-deploy backup. A hand-deploy option as part of the system has been in development for some time at BRS. New tests are bei11g co11ducted by i11depende11t people as you read this. The option is not yet available because we feel we must be JOO perce11t sure that the hand-deploy option itself will not cause a malfunction. Ar the speeds the rocket departs ( 150 fps), and with the very shorr time lo line stretch (0.8 seconds in most situations), any device which complicates the opening sequence is a serious consideration to us. When it meets all our requiremell/s for reliability, ease of use, and noninteJference, we will release the ha11d-deploy option. Not before. The rruth is, after interviewing many hang glider pilots who have had to deploy their 'chutes (most of them hand deployed), we discover that the pilot generally has li11le idea what is happening to him or her. Pilots have ended up "mysteriously" silting 011 the top of the sail with one hand 011 the kingpost and the trailing edge lines in the other. BRS supports Jersey's recommendation of a knife, a special-pwpose knife. Several parachute sources carry them. Infact, the same kmfe 11sef11lfor clllting away once 011 the ground can be used to cut the BRS rocket lanyards (connecting rocket to parachute apex). After such a separarion, the parach111e can be hand deployed. We feel this may be the si111plest, most straightforward sollllion to have a handdeploy option. The highly confused environment surrounding all parachute deployments does not suggest to us that pilots have much time to consider hand deploying. Jersey was especially calm under the circ11111sta11ces and we commend his logical pe1formance. It is not reasonable, however, to assume you will act so coolly. You may indeed, blll don't count 011 it. Get the fastest deploying system you can find. And get a knife.• HANG GLIDING

It's Here! The 1991 USHGA Hang Gliding Calendar

·---------------------------------------------· Please rush me _ _ _ 1991 USHGA Hang Gliding Calendar(s) at$9.95 each. Calendar Subtotal- - - - - Shipping Charges Quantity Shipping 1-3 $3.00 4-6 $4.50 7-9 $5.50 10 $6.50 Shipped by first class or UPS - Canada & Mexico add $.75 per calendar International surface add $1.50 per calendar - International air add $5.00 per calendar

Colorado residents add 6.5% sales tax- - - - - Shipping,_ _ _ __ Total Enclosed (Make checks payable to USHGA) _ _ _ __ NAME~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ADDRESS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CITY- - - - - - - - - -STATE- - - - - -ZIP- - - -

Mail to: USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933 (719) 632-8300

RATINGS AUGUST, 1990 RA TlNGS The following ratings were processed in August, l 990. This does not necessarily mean they were awarded in August.

Safe Pilot Awards JOHNNY R. GLASSCOCK MICHAEL HEILMAN SHAWN LOUDERMILL JAMES S. LASSER

Lilienthal Awards BRONZE PATRICIA SUTER DA VJD G. ENGEL ERIC CASTRO BETSY RICHARDSON SIL\IER ROBERT MCKENZIE

Region 5 RAY L. JOHNSON: Boise, ID; L. Streib - JORGE SOR UCO: Minot AFB, ND; H. Amal/Western Hang Gliders Region 6 JERRY BLAKE: Hot Springs, AR; L. Haney/Sail Wings ROBERT SIMPSON: North Little Rock, AR; L. Haney/ Sail Wings - DARREN HUGLEY: Adair, OK; M. Hair Region 7 DAVID BORLEE: Janesville, WI; B. Kushner/Raven BRAD MARION: Bettendorf, IA; J. Reynolds/Lookout Mtn. - KEITH FINDLING: Royal Oak, MI; K. dcRussy/ Hang Glider Emporium Region 8 RON LAVOIE: Dcn-y, NH; R. Hastings/Morningside Flight Park - JOHN FOLEY: Quincy, MA; J. Porter/Aeolus JOHN KAMARAS-Z: Westford, MA; J. Porter/Aeolus CHARLES KENNEDY: Taunton, MA; J. Porter/Aeolus PETER P. COYER SR.: Norwich, CT; R. Hastings/ Morningside Flight Park - DAVID THIIlEA ULT: Dover, NH; R. Hastings/Morningside Flight Park - BRANDI CLARK: New Haven, CT; S. Bums/Austin Air Spans MICHAEL MCCASLIN: Gardiner, ME; R. Hasting.,/ Morningside Flight Park

BEGINNER RA TINGS PILOT: City, State; Instructor/School Region I MAJA BLAKEMAN: Seattle, WA; J. Estrin/Airplay'n of Oregon -ALEX HART: Seattle, WA; J. Estrin/Airplay'n of Oregon - K. FLETCHER DELL: Lynnwood, WA; J. Reynolds/Capitol City Hang Gliders Region 2 RICHARD MURPHY: Redding, CA; P. Sergent/Hang Gliding Connection -JEFF FOWLER: Mountain View, CA; R. Engorn - JONATHAN BARTLETT: Pleasant Hill, CA; J. Greenbaum/Airtime of S.F. - DA VJ[) E. BOZARTH: Sama Rosa, CA; C. Bolfing - SIDNEY DA WE: SyJnwr, CA; D. Quackenbush/Trueflight Concepts - HOWARD A. ELLIOTT: Vallejo, CA; A. Whitehill/Chandclle S.F. TERRI JOHNSON: Mammoth lakes, CA; K. Klinefelter/ Owens Valley Soaring - MANNY HIDALGO: Martine,, CA; P. Denevan - MICHAEL BELOCHI: E. Palo Alto, CA; R. Paimon - LYN'.>/ WEBB: San Francisco, CA; C. Bolling/Airtime of San Francisco - BEN LEE: Sunnyvale, CA; R. Engorn - WILLIAM DORSEY: Los Altos, CA; A. Whitehill/Chandelle - JONATHAN LIU: Mountain View, CA; P. Gyar - ROBERT NAGLE: Palo Alto, CA; R. Palmon - JAMES NORRIS: Oakland, CA; B. Smith MARK HARRISON: San Jose, CA; P. Hystek Region 3 BRUCE G. DUNBAR: Kihei, Maui, HI; B. Umstattd/ Mountain Wings - JOHN COTTINGHAM: San Jose, CA; R. Palmon - ROBERT KEV AN EDDY: San Jose, CA; R. Palmon- KEVIN KALINOWSKI: San Jose, CA; P. Denevan - JIM ROHDE: San Jose, CA; R. Palmon - FRANCIS DAVID PETACH: San Diego, CA; M. Fleming - JEFF LICON: Santa Barbara, CA: J. Hageman - ROBERT E. BRAENDEL: Fallbrook, CA; J. Ryan - DAVID L. SLAVIK: Santa Barbara, CA; J. Hageman - KYLE MCKAY: Irvine, CA; D. Skadal - LESLEY CUPITT: Mill Valley, CA; C. Bolfing/Ainime of S. F. Region 4 MICHAEL REEDER: Lakewood, CO; T. Hackbm1 RICHARD A. GRAHAM, SR.: Colorado Springs, CO; R. Wilkinson - WILLIAM J, FOLEY, III: Albuquerque, NM; C. Woods - PAUL ARMSTRONG: Santa Fe, NM; S. Bums/Austin Air Sports - JAMES M. ORTON: Aspen, CO; G. Greer/Colorado Hang Gliding Center

Region 9 JOSEPH SHIMKETS: Pittsburgh, PA; J. Hostler/Mountain Top Recreation - D. RANDAL MORAN: Severn, MD: W. Hemphill/Kitty Hawk Kites - GEORGE SCHLAGNHAUFER: New Providence, PA; W. Hemphill/Kitty Hawk Kites - JOHN MILROTH: Germantown, MD: J. Hostler/Mountain Top Recreation DEWAYNE RENWICK: Apollo, PA; J. Hostler/Mountain Top Recreation -JANET JUST: Silver Springs, MD; W. Vaughn/Kitty Hawk Kites - RICHARDS. JENSEN: Columbus, OH; G. Reeves/Kitty Hawk Kites - PETER SZEKELY: Washington, DC: S. Wendt/Kitty Hawk Kites - JOHN LAVERY: Arlington, VA; J. Middleton/Silver Wings - CHRISTOPHER BEER: Laurel, MD; J. Middleton/Silver Wings Region 10 DIANN WRIGHT: Robins AFB, GA; J. Reynolds/Lookout Mtn. Flight Park - JOHN R. LITTLE: Buckhead, GA; M. Taber/Lookout Mtn. Flight Park - AL SALOPEK: West Palm !leach, FL: G. Reeves/Kitty Hawk Kites - STEPHEN ROBERTSON: Ft. Lauderdale, FL; A. Hageman - STEVEN P. BLOOD: Apex, NC; G. Mick - MIKE LASH: Huntsville, AL; J. Reynolds/ Lookout Mtn. Flight Park Region 11 JERRY HAWKINS: La Pone, TX; S. Bums/Austin Air Sports -THOMAS S. ESTES: Austin, TX; S. Bums/Austin Air Sports - DENNIS KIMBRAUGH: Roanoke, TX; G. Scherr - DOUGLAS GEPHART: Bay City, TX; S. Burns/ Austin Air Sports - GORDON LUNDY: Houston, TX; S. Bums/Austin Air Sports - DARRYL LIANG: Houston, TX; S. Bums/Austin Air Sports - CALVIN PRATT: La Marque, TX; S. Burns/Austin Air Sports - GEROLD ASHTON: Burkburnett, TX; D. Broyles/Kite Enterprises- MIKE SPRADLEY: Lewisville, TX; D. Broyles/Kite Enterprises - JIM CORCES: Richardson, TX: S. Mendoza - SHIV JHINGRAN: Sugarland, TX: S. Burns/Austin Air Sports STEVE SMITH: Tyler, TX; J. Hunt Region 12 DIANA ,\l. HUGHES: APO, NY; G. E)hart/Nova-Air TRAVIS PIPER: Holcomb, NY; S. Rowe - JOHN GALLAGHER: Pine Hill, NJ; F. Valenza/Mountain Wings JEFFREY A. GUSTAVESON: New York, NY; G. BlackDAN PROSPERI: Rochester, NY; K. Herting/Rochester Area Flyers - DAVID DEHAAN: Newark Valley, NY; R. Clark - MICHAEL WILNER: New York, NY; G. Black/ ~,ftn. Wings - ERIC SCHURENBERG: Brooklyn, NY; B.

Umstattd - GREGORY B. NEWBY: Syracuse, NY; D. Guido/Susquehanna Flight Park - PAUL A. SETMAER: APO, NY; G. Elhart/Nova-Air - JOHN P. DEMARCO: Stillwater, NY; B. Umstattd/Mtn. Wings - N. KEDARNATH: Fairport, NY; R. McGovern

NOVICE RATINGS PILOT: City, State; Instructor/School Region I JOHN ALDRIDGE: Hebo, OR; J. Estrin/Airplay'n of Oregon - CHESTER PERKINS: Newberg, OR; J. Estrin/ Airplay'n of Oregon - STEWART LABRASCA: Renton, WA; J. Estrin/Airplay'nofOrcgon- GENE GWIN: Jacksonville, OR; W. Roberts/Southern Oregon Hang Gliding STEPHAN MATHYS: Klamath Falls, OR; K. Fcderlin/ Klaus' Hang Gliding and Imports - DA VJD PORTNOFF: Olympia, WA; J. Reynolds Region 2 ED MARTIN: Los Altos, CA; T. Woodward - KEVIN CAMERON: San Jose, CA; C. Crescioli - CLYDE CROSSWHITE: Berkeley, CA; J. Greenbaum/Airtime of S.F. - JEFFREY L. POCHOP, JR.: Menlo Park, CA; P. Dcnevan - CHARLES NELSON: San Francisco, CA; A. Whitehill/Chandclle - DA VJD HEFNER: Bishop, CA; K. deRussy/Hang Glider Emporium - JOE PEULEN: Menlo Park, CA; R. Palmon - CRAIG KIRKLAND: Fremont, CA; R. Palmon - BRYAN JOHNSON: Cupertino, CA; P. Denevan - JAMES NORRIS: Oakland, CA; B. Smith Region 3 DAVID W. TICE: Hermosa Beach, CA; J. Greblo/\Vindsports - STEVE VENETIS: Studio City, CA; J. Greblo/ Windsports - ROBERT RAHN: Los Angeles, CA; J. Greblo/ Windsports-ANDREW CLAYPOOL: Spring Valley, CA; J. Ryan - CHARLES L. COLE III: Morrow Bay, CA; K. deRussy/Hang Glider Emporium - BRODY T. MAPE: Newport Beach, CA; K. deRussy/Hang Glider Emporium JAVI~'.R GARZA-LAGUlcRA: Chula Vista,CA; J. Ryan SAUNDRA CHAON: Costa Mesa, CA; D. Skadal WA YNEJ. O'SICK: Long Beach, CA; D. Skadal-ARSHY SANDHU: Laguna Hills, CA; D. Skadal STEVE DUNKLE: Ridgecrest, CA; J. Greblo/\Vindsports lnt'l DAV~: KRA YNICK: Phelan, CA; R. McKenzie KRISTINE EUBANKS: Montrose, CA; J. Greblo - DAVID R. HANKINS: Coronado, CA; J. Ryan - TODD H. JOHNSON: Santa Cruz, CA; H. Amal - PAUL RIEKER: Murrieta, CA; D. Skadal - MICHAEL A. COOMBS: San Diego, Ca: J. Ryan - DAVID B. MAST: San Jose, CA; J. \Vooclward - DAVID WATSON: Glendale, CA; J. Grebio/ \Vindsports - BRIAN CHAMIIERLAIN: Norton AFB, CA; D. Engel/Southland !fang Gliding - TONY TAOUK: Los Alamitos, CA; J. Greblo/Windsports - ROGER HUMPHREY: San Rafael, CA; C. Bolfing/Airtime of S.F. - MICHAEL TEPPER: San Diego, CA: M. Fleming/Torrey Flight Park - DONNA JACKSON: Newhall, CA; J. Greblo/\Vindsports - CINDY RICHARDSON: Lake View Terrace, CA; J. Grcblo/Windspot1s Region 4 JONATHAN A. WEBBER: Salt Lake City, UT; G. Pollock/Wasatch Wings - LARNE GREGG: Mesa, AZ; D. Gordon/Arizona Windsports - GARY MAYO: Steamboat Sptings, CO; J. Gildehaus - WALTER BRESNAHAN: Sanely, Utah; K. Stowe/\Vindrider - DANIEL C. BENNER: Evergreen, CO; M. Windsheimer/Golden Wings JIM YONAN: Denver, CO; M. Windsheime1/Golden Wings - MARY KA YE RIOS: Thornton, CO; T. Hackbart/Golden \\'ings Region 5 TOM KIESTER: Idaho Falls, ID; L. Streib - JOHN ASHLEY: Missoula, MT; K. Wolfe - BRUCE LELLAIRE: Billings, MT; P. Burns

HANG GLIDING

RATINGS INTERMEDIATE RATINGS Region 6 JERRY BLAKE: Ho1 Springs. AR; L. Haney/Sail Wings Region 7 MARTIN JOHNSON: Urbana, IL; J. Estrin/Airplay'n of Oregon - LEROY JOHNSON: Charleston, IL: M. Taber/ Lookout Mtn. - LAURENCE A. DAL.SON: Buchanan, ML R. Kreske - KEVIN MCGRATH: Lisle, IL; B. Kushner/ Raven Hang Gliding School Region 8 PHILIP Y. HILDRETH: Boston, MA; R.I-Iastings/ Morningside - CLIFFORD LULL: Hunlington, MA; D Mahling - JOHN DA VIS: Wendell, 1'.·IA; R. Hastings/ Morningside Flight Park Region 9 BRECK HUDSON: Owensboro, KY; 11•!. Taber/Lookout Mtn. Flight Park - DENIS A. Y ALKUT: Lexington, KY; J. Reynolds/Lookout Min. Flight Park - J\IARTIN MITTER: Falls Church.VA; W. Vaughn/Kilty Hawk Kites - CHRISTIAN ROHLFF: Be1hesda, MD; T. Lareckson - L. SHERWOOD HORINE: Roanoke, VA; J. Reynolds/Lookout Mtn. JOEL C. HANSFORD: Roanoke, VA: ~-l. Tabcr/Lookoul Mtn. - MIKE EFFINGER: Pewee Valley, KY; G. Reeves/Kitty Hawk Kites - KEVIN GALLAGHER: Batlen, PA; P. Brooks/Sky Flight - BOB I. BEIL: Avon Lake, OH; M. Taber/Lookout Mountain GARY R. GOODMAN: Andrews AFB, MD ; J. i'vliddleton/Silver Wings - BOB llALLARD: Columbus, OH; M. Manzo Region 10 JOHN SHIELDS: Jax, FL; J. Reynolds/Lookout Mtn. Flight Park-STEVE SPINKS: Greenville, SC: J. Reynolds/Lookout Mtn. Flight Park - ALAN ELLIS: Birmingham, AL; J. Reynolcls/Lookout Mtn. Flight Park - HERBERT STIEFFEL: Waveland, MS: J. Reynolds/Lookout Mtn. Flight Park - N. DOW TOOLE: N. Augusta, SC; J. Reynolds/Lookout Mtn. Flight Park - JAMES HOOKS: Lafayette, GA: M. Ridge/Lookout Mtn. Flight Park - RICHARD TEETS: Riverdale, GA; J. Reynolds/Lookout Mtn. Flight Park BRIAN LINDSAY: Pompano Beach, FL: S. Wendt/Kitty Hawk Kites-.!. DAVID GRAY: Atlanla, GA; J. Reynolds/ Lookout Mtn. Fligh1 Park - JOHN PEEBLES: Mariella, GA: M. Taber/Lookout Mtn. - SIDNEY BAILEY: Chatlanooga. TN: M. TaberiLookout Mtn. - CHRIS PRATT: Allanta. GA; M. Taber/Lookout Mtn. - MARC HUNGERFORD: Nashville. TN: V. Rosen/Lookout Mtn. Region 11 REED MURRAY: Austin, TX: J. Hunt/Red River Aircrafl - WAYNE LONG: Aus1in, TX; S. Burns/Austin Air Sports - JOHN HASLETT: Dallas. TX: M. Taber/Lookout l\•ltn. TIM DOOGS: Ft. Worth, TX; G. Scheer -DENNIS KIMBROUGH: Ft. Worth. TX: G. Scheer - RANDY TRIPP: Blue Ridge, TX; R. Clark Region 12 STEVE RAPA: Kendall Park. NJ: G. Black/Moun1ain Wings - ALLAN SUSTARE: Cazenovia. NY; R. Clark - lrlAR.C DUFAULT: Penfield. NY; P. ShultL/Rochesler Area Flyers - BROOKS LYON: Canandaigua, NY: P. ShultL/Rochestcr Arca Flyers - DAVID KNEPP: APO NY: G. Elhart/NovaAir - JIM ANDERSON: APO NY: G. Elhart/Nova-Air LISA VERZELLA: E. Rochester. NY: G. Middlelon ROBERT W. HURLEY: Oakland. NJ; G. Black/Mountain Wings - JOHN TOMOVICK: Middletown. NY: B. Umslattd - DAVIDS. BROWN: Peekskill, NY; G. Black/ \•!1!1. Wings -BRADLY W. HOGUE: APO, NY: G. Elhart/ Nova-Air - MICHAEL JACKSON: New York. NY: G. Black/Mtn. Wings - TODD LAROCHE: New York, NY; G. Black/Mtn. Wings - RAY WRIGHT SR.: Greenwood Lake, NY; G. Black - JOSEPH L. MORGAN: APO NY, NY; G. Elhart/Nova-Air

OCTOBER 1990

PILOT: City. Slate; Insirnclor/School Region I DAVID LEETCH: Portland. OR: J. Estrin/Airplay'n of Oregon - DOUG HARNER: Montesano, WA; J. Reynolds/ Western HG - ERIC SHORTT: Anchorage. AK: J. Wallace - JAMES E. FIESER: Bellingham, WA: T. Johns STEVE BICKFORD: St. Helena, CA; R. Canham CAROLL. FOIST: Bishop, CA: T. Gill Region 2 JULIE MANION: Quincy, CA; B. Strachan - GEORGE P. HUNTER: Oakland, CA: D. Buchanan - KLAUS FIEBIG: San Francisco, CA; J. Greenbaum/Airtime of S.F.- JAMES SHERMAN: Los Altos, CA; J. Johns - JEFF BENNETT: Fremo11t, CA: J. Woodward - JOHN NEWLAND: Fremont, CA: E. Gama Region 3 MICHAEL SASLA WSKY: Torrance, CA; J. Greblo/Windsports - L. M. THORP: Encinitas, CA: W. Henry/Torrey Flight Park - ROGER II. ARMSTRONG: Hawthorne, Ca·, D. Skadal - TIJ\! SHEA: Santa Cruz, CA; C. Crescioli GREG AREND: San Diego, CA; R. Lanes - MICHAEL J. MOORE: Yucaipa, Ca; R. McKenzie - DON BARTLETT: El Toro, CA: D. Skadal - NORMAN ,WCLAUGHLIN: Santa Monica, CA; P. Burns - DAVID STOWE: Oceanside, CA;J. Ryan - PHIL ALLIN: Pasadena, CA; L. Bynum/ Mt. Wilson Soaring Society - KEN HOWELLS: San 13ernadino, CA; D. Renshaw-Armenta/Natural High - ROBERT A. TREVEY: Los Gatos. CA; E. Gama Region 4 llRIAN KIGGINS: Glenwood Springs, CO: J. Zeiset GREG PFAFF: Arvada, CO: J. Yocom Region 6 TOMMY WRIGHT: Roland, AR; J. Steele/Ozark Mt. Hang Gliders - MARK POUSTINCHIAN: Russellville, AR; L. Haney/Sail Wings

Rochester Area Flyers - BORIS VELEDNITSKY: Somersel, NJ; G. Black/Mountain Wings

ADV AN CED RA TINGS PILOT: City, State; lnstructor/Sehool Region 2 GEORGE HAMILTON: West Sacramento, CA: J. Anderson/Northern H.G. Assn. - STEPHEN J. RIDER: Oakland, CA: M. Saraiva - STEVEN WERTHEIMER: San Francisco, CA; J. Busby - DOUGLAS MOSHER: Pacifica, CA: J. Busby -THOMAS N. TUFTS: Sacramento, CA; M. Lake/NCHGA - KEN AHNEMANN: Redwood Cily, CA; A. Whitehill/Chandelle - ENZO FA TICA: San Francisco, CA; J. Busby Region 3 STEVEN A. RODRIGUES: Corralitos. CA; J. Johns/ Western Hang Gliders- "SPECIAL" ED RANEY: Crowley Lake, CA: M. Gibson/Awesome Air - KEVIN L. LANDEL: Encini1as, CA; J. Ryan - LARRY DION: Long Beach, CA; P. Burns -JOHN ARONSON: San Juan Capis1rano, CA: P. Burns Region 4 RUSSEL ANDERSON: Tucson, AZ; A. Barton Region 5 JAMES P. SCHMIDT: Casper, WY: J. Bowman - TIM WEA VER: Boise, ID; M. King Region 6 JOHN FLA TTE: Ft. Smith, AR; W. Flalle Region 7 KAMYAR HAGHANI: Chicago, IL; B. Kushner/Raven WILLIAM R. TROMBLY: Ecorse, Ml; M. Bunner/Glide Path Region 10 BILL BEAM: Somerville, AL; iv!. Taber

Region 7 JAKE B. DOUGLAS: Great Lakes. IL: M. Bunner/Glide Path

FOREIGN RATINGS

Region 8 ROBERT MACLEOD: Bridgeporl, CT: G. Black-STEVE WOZNICKI: Newington. CT: P. Sergent -ROBERT NEUMA YER: Alfred. ME: R. Bradley - ALAN W. POND: Stoughton, ivlA: G. Brown

KAZUNORI FUJISAWA CORNELIA STEm:R STEFAN EYLERT VOLKHER SCHLEGEL ADRIAN QUINN GUY BEAUDOIN EDDIE ROBB

Region 9 ALEXANDER J\IACNUTT: Bishopville. MD: S. Wendt Region IO WILLIAM HAYS, JR.: Dalton. GA: M. Taber - CHUCK PATTERSON: Calhoun, GA: M. Taber/Lookout lvlln. KATSU Y KIMURA: :v!miella, GA: M. Taber/Lookout Mtn. - CYNTHIA G. DEERING: Chauanooga, TN: C. Whitney - JOHN VOYNICH: Columbus. GA: M. Taber/ Lookout Mtn. - JOHN J. VOYNICH: Columbus, GA; M. Taber - BARBARA FLYNN: Orange City. FL; B. Hawk Region 11 JOHNNY R. GLASSCOCK: Henderson, TX; M. Hendrix - DAVID ARMSTRONG: Tyler, TX: M. Hendrix - MARTIN JAEGER: San Antonio. TX: J. Hunt/Red River Airer.art Region 12 PAULOS. TREVISAN: Riverdale, NY: P. Voighl - TILLMAN FARLEY: Rochester, NY; C. Dechow/Rochester Area Flyers- WAYNE D. TAYLOR: APO, NY; G. Elhart/ Nova-Air- ilUKE HEDDEN: E. Rochester, NY; C. Dechow/

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THE AIRWORKS

3900 Van Buren NE \.._ Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 884-6851

In the future there will be a new class of hang glider for the new pilot. It will be a true high performance glider. It will offer many of the best features of the most sophisticated competition class gliders. Its design will be a unique synthesis of advanced computer analysis and extensive practical experience. It will have a light weight, high strength airframe constructed entirely of 7075 alloy aluminum. It will feature a durable and aerodynamically efficient sail, crafted from custom fabrics woven and finished to the designer's unique specifications. It will be fitted with performance enhancing faired wing tips and with advanced technology hardware throughout.

It will feature handling qualities so easy, so refined, and so predictable that it will bring true high performance within reach of the novice pilot and the casual recreational pilot. It will be tested to the most rigorous and proven standards of airworthiness, and certified to the standards of the Hang Glider Manufacturers Association. Each unit will be production test flown by one of a team of test pilots whose minimum pilot rating of USHGA Master, and minimum flight experience exceeding 1000 hours make them the most experienced and best trained factory test pilots in the industry.

It will be sold through the largest, most professional and most experienced network of instructors in the sport of hang gliding. And it will be backed up in service and support by the oldest and largest active hang glider manufacturer in America; the one company whose long experience and continuing commitment to quality of products and services have year after year made its gliders the overwhelming choice of more pilots than any other. Wills Wing announces the release of the Spectrum 165. The Future is Now.

~LU~NQ SPECTRUM 1208 H. East Walnut • Santa Ana • CA • 92701 •

Phone (714) 547-1344 • FAX (714) 547-0972

UPDATE TUDOR RECORD CORRECTION Due to confusion over the dual record claim, the distance reported for Larry Tudor's 300-mile flight was officially incorrect. The distance on the NAA application, for both the Straight Line and Declared Goal records, is 303.35 miles (488.19 kilometers). MOYES XS 155/142 HGMA CERTIFIED The XS 155, Moyes' high-perfonnance competition glider, is now joined by the XS 142. Both models were HOMA certified on July 24, 1990. Specifications 142 Model 155 Area 142 sq. ft. 155 sq. ft. Pilot Weight 140-240 lbs. 120-200 lbs. @ 30 mph @ 30 mph Best L/D # of Battens 27 29 Nose angle 130° 130° Aspect Ratio 7.5 7.5 32 ft. Span 34 ft. Glider Weight 76 lbs. 68 lbs. Pilot Proficiency Hang IV Hang IV 1991 COMPETITIONS Proposed changes to the USHGA COMPETITION RULEBOOK will be voted on at the fall Board of Directors meeting. One change would provide that three major contests each year, in addition to the U.S. Nationals, would be automatically worth a significant number of WTSS ranking points. These contests will be sanctioned at the fall Board of Directors meeting in a manner similar to that used for the Nationals. This should allow plenty of lead time for pilots to plan their next year's competition season. [ndividuals and organizations interested in organizing or sponsoring one of these major contests are urged to contact, as soon as possible, the Chainnan of the Competition Sanction and Scheduling Subcommittee, in writing, care of USHGA Headquarters. WILLS WING ENTERS PARAGLIDING MARKET- OFFERS IMMEDIATE DELIVERY ON HANG GLIDERS Wills wing has announced that they will enter the paragliding market in the U.S. with the release of two newly-designed canopies: a beginner/intennediate and an intermediate/ advanced model. Each will be manufactured by Wills Wing and distributed through authorized Wills Wing paragliding dealers. Accord-

0CTOl3ER

1990

ing to the manufacturer the design focus on each of the canopies is maximum effective soaring performance consistent with the maximum possible level of canopy stability and forgiving flight characteristics. Steve Pearson, Mike Meier and Mike Johnson of Wills Wing each spent time this summer in Europe flying paragliders and becoming familiar with the history and state of the art of the sport in Europe. They are convinced that paragliding offers the easiest access to aviation that presently e:dsts, and that because of this the sport will set: significant growth in the U.S. during the next five years, even though many aspects of the 1.port are not as well suited for practice here as in Europe. Wills Wing is equally convinced that because paragliding is so easy to learn, yet ultimat~ly no less potentially dangerous than any other form of flight, the safe development of the 1port in the U.S. will require the active involvement of experienced aviation professionals willing to take a leadership role with an emphai.is on safety. Wills Wing says that they will be participating in that leadership role in the areas of manufacturing and distribution, and will be developing and supporting policies and programs that promote the safe development of paragliding. Wills Wing plans to host a paragliding instruc1ional seminar in mid-autumn of this year for the purpose of providing instructor trainin.r: and certification to those Wills Wing dealers who are experienced paraglider pilots and win wish to become Wills Wing paragliding dealers. There will also be an opportunity for Wi ls Wing dealers who are not experienced i,,m1glider pilots to obtain introductory instrucl ion in the sport. Wills Wing has also announced that after being heavily back-ordered throughout the spring ind early summer, increased production has m•t·rtaken new orders and they are now able to offer immediate delivery on all hang glider nodels, including the new Spectrum.

SYLM \R, CA HANG GLIDING ARSOJ~ WATCH ne Sylmar, CA Hang Gliding Association rei:ently instituted an innovative arson watch I rogram. Because of a large number of arson-c msed fires in the area, pilots at Sylmar, Mt. Wi son and Crestline are carrying disposable Kc,dak "Fling" cameras to record suspicious activity on the ground. They also record license numbers of any vehicles suspiciously

parked in the brush or forest and turn the information over to the U.S. Forest Service or the County Fire Department for investigation if any fires erupt. The program has received tremendous publicity. Articles have appeared in the Los Angeles Times and Time magazine, and local pilots have appeared on three TV and four radio news shows. For more information contact: Rome Dodson, 8520 Burnet Ave., Sepulveda, CA 91343 (818) 892-9890.

$100,000 PARAGLIDING COMPETITION! AP A headquarters has notified us that they have received a pre-invitation to an international paragliding competition in Taiwan from March 29 - April 9, 199 l. The competition is limited to one team of six competitors per country. The invitation was mailed to the NAA which means that the team has to be officially entered like the team for the World Championships. The organizers are offering a first prize of $50,000 with cash prizes totaling $109,000! USHGA CHAPTER RENEWALS The Houston Hang Gliding Assn. (#71) has renewed its USHGA chapter status. The Association also welcomes two new chapters: Packsaddle Soaring Assn. of Fredericksburg, TX (#172), and Eastern Sierra Sport Pilots Assn. of Bishop, CA (#174). Welcome aboard! INTERNET HANG GLIDING Galen Hekuis at the University of Virginia has organized a computerized mailing list/news group for Internet users. This up-tothe-minute electronic news service has already encouraged several hackers to take up hang gliding. Recent electronic discussions have included towing methods, paragliding, selecting an instructor and contest results. Internet is a worldwide computer network, and pilots have logged on from Japan, New Zealand, England and Finland. To join the mailing list send your Internet address to: hanggliding-request@virginia.edu, Bob Mackey, blm@csndvax.ucsd.edu, (619) 571-6362, or call Bob Mackey at (619) 456-5476, 456-5457. MOBILE MOUNTAIN L/D Enterprises announces their Mobile Mountain platform-launch tow system. The payout system features: "soft start" line ten-

Second Chantz, P.O. Box 12671, Reno, NV 89510 (800) 342-160 I FAX (702) 829 2079.

AGT ENTERS PARAGLlDER MARKET

sioning, low profile ball-bearing rope fast rewind, 85 lbs. total weigh!, remote opera· tion, 3,000' polyester rope, 8"-minulc turnaround. Price is $3,200. The system is designed to mount on mos! vehicles. Contact: I JD Enterprises, 5000 Butte SU/183, Boulder, CO 8030 I 003) 440-3579.

Advanced (llidcr Technology, an Austrian company, has entered the paraglider market with its AGT 242, a canopy which the manufacturer claims combines maximum perfonnancc with docile flight charactcris1ics. Contact: AGT Vcrtriebsges.m.b.11., Egger I .ienz Strabe 130, 6020 lnnsbruek, Austria, tel. 05 I FAX 0512 582283.

KHK AIDS .HJNIOR FRIENDS OF .JOCKEY'S RIDGE

Fomms FLATLANDS 1991 The second Forbes Flatlands low meet will be fan. 9-19, I 991 near Forbes, New South Wales, /\uslrnlia. In addition lo the usual open and women's there will also be a paraglider division this year. Entry $150 Australian. The organizers encourage !J.S. attendance. Contact: Jenny Ganclerton, "Boganol", Henry Lawson Way, Forbes, NSW 2871 tel. (068) 537220.

Oct. 4-8: Claremont, NH. Contact: Jeff Nico· lay I Morningside (603) 542-4416. Oct 13-21: Lookout Mt. Flight Park, TN. Contact: Matt Taber I LMFP (404) 938-3541. Oct. 22-28: Sequatchie Valley Soaring. Larry Tudor I Wills Wing Demo Days, tuning, X-C seminars.

Oct. 6-7: Truck towing seminar. Oct. 13-19: Hang gliding camp. Oct. 20-21: Mt. clinic. Nov. 7-8: Kl IK/Shenandoah Valley instructor fly-in. Contact: Kitty Hawk Kites, P.O. Box 340, Head, NC 27959 (9 l <)) 441 4124. .loh11 llarris, president of Kitty I lawk Kites in !lead, NC has commi1tcd $ I from each "Save The Skies I Save The Dunes" T-shirt sale to the Junior Friends Jockey's Ridge State Park, a Girl Scout group which is build"· ing a handicapped ramp in the park so that people in wheelchairs can enjoy the dunes. From left arc Harris, Barbara Sanders, co-leader, Bc1h Sanders, Sara Birkemcier, and Birkcmeier, group leader.

SECOND CHANTZ BALUSTIC RECOVERY SYSTEMS

Calendar of events ilems WILL NOT be listed if only tentative. Items wi1h exact information (event, dale, contact name and phone number) will he published if received six weeks prior lo the event. We request two months lead lime for regional and national meets.

Oct. 6-8: l :Ith Annual lntcrcollcgiatc / Team Meet, Morningside Flight Park, Claremon1 NTL Fun fly-in l"orall skill levels. Contact: (603) 542-44 I Cl. Oct. 6-9: Region Big Sur/Bay Arca flying trip. Contact: Lisa Tate (208) 37(1-7914.

Oct B-14: Tomah Fly-In, Tomah, WI. Con-tact: Curt Knutson ((1 I 2) 559-0816.

Oct. 13-14: Big Sur demo days. Oct. 19-21: Reno flying tour, Oct. 27: Glider mainll> mmcc clinic. Oct. 28: Chute clinic. Nov. I 0-11: Big Sur demo days. Dec. 29-.Jan. I: So. Cal. tour 1. Jan. 6-12: So. Cal. tour Tl. Contact: Western Hang Gliders, P.O. Box 828, Marina, CA 93933 (408) ::184-2622.

Second Chan1z, Tnc., Reno, NV an"" notmccs its Pocket Rocket backup parachute sys1erns for hang glider and paraglidcr pilots. The system moun1s on any hang gliding harness without modirication of the harness, and features rixed-lrnllistic, hand-deploy and aimancl-shoot deployment options. The company uses 1he industry standard mcchanically-acti vatcd, dual-ignition rocket mo1ors that arc built 10 strict military spccif'ications, and have a service life. Th(: paraglidcr system comes in three sizes and includes a 1andem system for payloads up to -100 lbs. Contact:

Oct. 13-21: Flight Clinic with Larry Tudor at

Dave Chadwick sets a world record for indoor Clying in the King Dome in Se,11tlc, Washington, Note glider ready to launch from the grnmlstands. Expert no-wind launeh and landing technique required, Photo hy Maja Bl akrnrnn.

Lookout ML Flight Park for I lang ll-lV. Includes: X-C, launch & landing, glider liming, parachute clinic, airtime and Wills Wing clemo days. Contact: Lookont Mt. Flight Park, Rt. Box 15, Rising Fawn, C.J\ 30718 (404) 398-3541.

H /\NC GJ.]])INC

UPDATE Oct. 20-21: Basic and Advanced ICP. Oct. 27: Halloween costume party. Oct. 27-28: Tandem I & II, and tandem instructor clinic. Contact: The Hang Gliding Center (619) 450-9008.

Oct. 26-28: Cape Cod Seagull Chase. RC sailplane events, volley ball and fun flying for hang glider and paragliding pilots. Contact: George or Beth Copper (203) 6518278.

Oct. 20-27: 1990 Sequatchie Valley Team Challenge. X-C contest consisting of triangles, out-and-returns and races to goal. Max 5 pilots per team. Individuals will be assigned to teams. $100 per pilot. Contact: Sequatchie Valley Soaring, Rt. 2, Box 80, Dunlap, TN 37327 (615) 949-2301.

Until Oct. 31: l 990 So. Cal. X-C Competition. Open distance, best 2 flights of season wins. Entry fees: Class A $75, Class B $50. Prizes to top places. Contact: Windsports Soaring Center (818) 988-0111 or The Hang Gliding Center (619) 450-9008 for details.

OCT. 24-27: AOPA annual convention, Palm Springs, CA. 50 aviation seminars and presentations. Contact: AOPA 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, MD 21701 (301) 695-2000.

Nov. 2-4: USHGA Board of Directors meeting, Washington, DC. Contact: USHGA Headquarters.

Nov. 17-18: Haney's Point Fall Fly-Out, Atkins, AR. Vision and Pro classes. Contact: Sail Wings (501) 224-2186, 641-1902 (launch). Nov. 17-24: 7th Argentinian Hang Gliding Open, La Rioja, Argentina. Entry $50. Contact: Nieto tel. 0054-822-23830 Argentina, or Carlos Barrientos tel. 0056-2212 l l 35, FAX 0056-2-551630 I Chile. Jan. 9-19, 1991: Forbes Flatlands hang gliding and paragliding competition, NSW Australia. Contact: Jenny Ganderton, "Boganol", Henry Lawson Way, Forbes, NSW 2871 tel. (068) 537220.

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OCTOBER 1990

pilot, The Satellite Link will assist you in your routes, and will you with the latest information The Satellite /,ink is your link to the latest regional and weatltcr information.

The S'atellite Link receives and and and reveal detailed cloud cover, and scales.

Soviet from weather satellites. These satellite images and surface ice information on both global

AW(,ll',v,,, the U.S. weather satellites also the National Weather Service. transmit the most current weather charts used These charts include: and Forecast and Forecast (Surface-60,000') '·"'"''""· and Surface Moisture and Surface Ice Charts

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Ssuccess continues The worldwide success story keeps going for the incredible XS . Now HGMA Certified , the XS 155 and XS 142 just keep on winning!

The 3rd annual Glide Contest in Morningside, New Hampshire was won by the XS 155 and XS 142. The longest flight of the meet was on an XS 142 with Coby Fins.

1st: Thomas Suchanek, XS 155, Australian Nationals, Mt. Elliot, Corfyong 1st: Paulinho Coelho , XS 155, Pre-World Championships, Govenador Valadares , Brazil 1st: Peter Luke , XS 155, Golden Open XC , Golden, Canada 1st: Bob Mackey, XS 142, Chelan Classic, Chelan , Washington 1st: Thomas Suchanek, XS 155, First World Open XC , Wakayama, Japan 1st: John Durand, XS 155, West Coast Championships , Pine Mtn., Oregon

At the Golden Open XC event in Alberta, 3 XS's were entered , and finished 1, 2, 3. "The XS seemed to excel in the light conditions at minimum sink and at best glide ....ln solid cores as well, the XS produced exemplary climb rates .... Landing is a cake walk." - Dennis Pagen , Pilot Report, Sept. '90 Hang Gliding magazine Become a success story, fly an XS.

Moyes Delta Gliders P/L., 173 Bronte Rd.Waverley 2024 N.S.W. Australia.Tel. (02) 387 5114 Fax : (02) 387 4472 Moyes California 22021 Covello St.,California 91303.Tel. (8 18) 887 3361 Fax: (818) 702 0612 Moyes lcaro 2000 S.R.L. via Santa Caterina, 151 /21038 Leggiuno Reno (Va) ltaly.Tel.(0332) 648335 Fax (0332) 648079

The Champions GHder.

Moyes Japan 124-6 2F Mukougaoka, Takatu-KuKawasaki-Shi Kanagawa Ken-213 Japan. Tel. (044) 8775044 Fax (044) 8557242

Recently, at the Hobbs Hang Gliding Festival there was an unfortunate incident that resul tecl in the death of a fellow pilot. This crash was unfortunate because it didn't have to happen. It is also unfortunate because it is the second fatal incident this year that resulted from the same basic cause. I am convinced that both of these incidents could have been avoided if the pilots would have received competent, professional training. But some of us think that that this towing thing is a piece of cake and we don't need to waste our time or money on training, when we already know everything. If I have already offended you then you should skip this article and read the next one. You can come hack to this one when nobody is looking. If you would really like to improve your prospects for survival then read on. I hope this helps. Crooked, tight and low. Kind of an ugly name, I know. Perhaps that is why Rob McKenzie coined the phrase: "The towline can be your friend." But the unattractive name represents an equally unattractive set of circumstances that can ruin your towing clay, and even cost your life. "Crooked" means that you are off line. The glider has turned away from the nonnal direction of tow either because you were hit by a powerful thermal, you over-controlled, or you encountered a strong cross gust. "Tight" means that the towline is still attached to your bridle and therefore still has an effect on the angle of attack of the glider in relation to the horizon. "Low" means just that. You have just committee! the launch and are still close to the ground. In this situation the towline can be your friend. Should you decide to stay on tow, continue to fly the glider and maintain the proper control movements, you will be re-

warded with a tow that will pull you to a safer altitude. On the other hand, if you decide to release from the towline and change the forces affecting your flight, an immediate stall can occur. A low altitude stall is extremely dangerous and can result in uncontrolled contact with the ground. Figure 1 shows the normal force of gravity on the average glider while in free flight. Gravity pulls the glider clown while the airfoil shape of the wing converts this motion into

forward movement. The combination of these two result in the flight path. While your glider is being Lowed it is affected by the additional force of the towline. Figure 2 illustrates how this added force affects the glider's angle of attack relative to the horizon. Note the high angle of attack while under tow. This is caused by the forward pull of the towline. Now, consider the effect on the glider should the towline force be suddenly eliminated clue to a weak link failure or release

HORIZON

FIGURE I. HANG GLJDING

should push the basetube out slightly for a short period of time. This short "bump" in pitch will cause the right wing to accelerate and overcome the adverse yaw. The above techniques for dealing with the crooked, tight and low scenario have proven to be effective over thousands of tows in some very turbulent conditions. These techniques will work only as well as your equipment. If your winch does not pay out rope at a consistent tension you will have to deal with towline forces that are not constant. High line tensions reduce the pilot's ability to control the glider and we all know that the killer "lockout" is caused by high towline tension. If your winch surges from high tension to low tension then you will have to adjust your control input. This dangerous situation can be very confusing to the pilot who is crooked, tight, low and facing impact with earth. Please fly safely. The information is available to prevent you from making the mistakes of our fallen brothers. We don't need to keep re-inventing ways to crash.•

HORIZON Jerry Forburger' s ATOL has a hotline. He is happy to answer questions 011 this or any other towing-related topic. Contact: ATOL Towing Hotline (806) 745-9633.-Ed.

FIGURE 2.

from the towline. Without the forward force of the towline the glider will be at a stalled angle of attack and try to recover by lowering the angle of attack, gaining airspeed and creating lift. This works great if you have sufficient recovery altitude. Sudden elimination of the towline forces can stall the glider along the roll axis also. Figure 3 illustrates a glider in the crooked, tight and low situation. Note the glider is turning to the pilot's right. As in free flight, the right wing is flying more slowly (and at a higher angle of attack) than the left wing. The pilot should shift his weight to the left and conect for the turn. The winch will pay out towline at a constant tension and allow the glider time to respond to the pilot's control movements. If the pilot releases the towline the right wing can stall and start a spin. Gliders that have a lot of adverse yaw can take a long time to respond to the control movements. Remember that adverse yaw is the action of the wing with the higher wing loading to accelerate and resist the pilot's control input. In this case the pilot will shift his weight to the left, and as the left wing starts to accelerate the pilot

OCTOBER

1990

FAST WING

HORIZON

FIGURE 3. 19

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Kari Castle and the Kiss in which she set new women's world records at Hobbs, New Mexico.

Mark Gibson over Hobbs Industrial Airport.

' by 1\uthor' s Note: ;\/though I put this together and mode ii rcadab!t, this/1'a/11rc was actually written /Jy its heroes, Kari Castle and Mark Gihson. The mC1n11s1TiJJI that Jmn Michel !Jer. 11ascm1i handed 1111• (wilh !hat "l'(m you do somclhing with this'!" look on his face) had heen written hy rnnd!l'lighl in o wi11dhlow11 tent 1111d was barely dcciphcra/J/c /mt, as I read thmugh it, look slw11c as w/ia/ a hang gliding Ocronrm 1990

m/i>cnlurc is all a/)()11/. Resides hcing a grrnt story, i1's also a mes.w1gc to all o/us as pilots: set a gather around you those who meC111 the most to you and slifrc to reach that goal. ft may he world rl'l'ords that you're shootingjiJr or it may he a/irst thermal soaring flight, but lei this ad1•enturc ins/Jire you as that s1Ta,1'/cd mc111us1·ript did me. Kari and Mark, 1/11111/cs.

his adventure actually started last winter when our two adventurers spent some time in Australia with the Moyes team, towing with the Pogo Stick system and having a ba!L The previous summer had shown the potential of flatland towing f'or long f'lights, with both Tudor and Willi Muller eclipsing lhe 2()0.rnile mark olT tow and, back at home in the Owens Valley, our two heroes set about to design a

tow system of their own to explore the outer limits of distance flying. Seven prototypes and a lot of head-scratching later, the "Gibbo Sky Hook" was born and a plan started to take shape to try to set some records. This was not an idle thought, when you examine the flying of our heroes, by the way. Kari Castle, our cu1Tent Women's National Champion, and Mark Gibson, a member of the elite "Over-200 Club" have proven themselves over the past two years to be forces to be reckoned with in the world of X-C. Competitive, aggressive and skilled pilots, their relationship together has solidified their flying, added to their potential and made them both better pilots. With their tow system ready and their motivation high, there was now the question of where to go to fly. Mark: "What better place than Hobbs, New Mexico? Four7 ,000' runways facing every wind direction, proven long distance sailplane flights, the starting point of the longest distance tow-launched hang glider flight and those beautiful flatlands with LZ's almost everywhere. Add a cranking tailwind and a site is easy to choose." Almost immediately-problems. Their tow vehicle took ill (if it were a horse, John Wayne would have taken it out and shot it) and their budget couldn't handle a new one. Bummer. A long-time part of the Pacific Airwave family, Kari contacted Ken Brown and JeanMichel Bernasconi at their Salinas facility and explained the plight of the adventure. Mark: "A couple of phone call and a few FAX's and Jean-Michel and Kenny agreed to lend us the Pacific Airwave 4X4 and threw in a couple of 1990 Magic Kisses to go crank off some long ones. Yee-ha, Hobbs, here we come! We arrived in Hobbs two clays later: 108 degrees and no place to swim." Kari: "I wondered out loud if we should have left the Owens Valley for this!" The first clay was spent setting up camp at the Hobbs airport and studying maps of the area to set up routes for big miles, all the while aware of local pilots cruising overhead at 14,000'. The sweltering heat would be draining for setup and breakdown and they were both concerned about the energy and fluid losses that would happen even before the pilot left the ground. Help came from a surprising source. Mark: "We got yakking with the sailplane pilots and found out that they truly thought what we were doing was awesome. They really liked hang gliding (wow) and even allowed us to use the National Soaring Foundation hangar to store and set up our gliders out of the heat. It

was quite a sight, sailplanes and hang gliders sharing the sky and ground facilities."

June 4 - The Adventure Begins Kari and Mark had decided to take turns each clay, switching from pilot to driver, to make things as equal as possible. This first day was to be just orientation for the tow site, with no X-C attempts. Well, that was the plan anyway. Mark was to tow first and, after preflight and their towing checklist, was up to speed on a runway that was once used to train B-17 pilots. Mark: "After liftoff I learned what it's like to tow over a huge concrete slab in the middle of the desert. Yee ha! After about 900' of climb my vario pegged out and I knew I was in a boomer. Pin-off time! I released right into a 500 fpm thennal and up I went, out over Highway 18 past the encl of the runway. There was quite the drift and I wasn't supposed to go X-C!" Pulling out of his juicy thennal, Mark clove back to the airport to engage in a true art in the world of sport aviation: hang-whining. Kari: "He came up with a 'brilliant' plan. 'Baby, will you pick me up in Lovington ifl fly downwind? Please, please, please?' He reminded me that it was 'only' 15 miles and I finally gave in. I did mention, however, that he'd better land at Lovington because he had to tow me up that afternoon!" Ain't love grand? As is often the case in Hobbs, Mark towed up into another fat core, gaining a quick 3,000' and heading northwest for Lovington. Flatland flying with minimal landmarks turned out to be somewhat disorienting to a pilot used to the mighty corridor between the Whites and the Sierras that points the way to Nevada, but another solid core over an oil refinery gave him room to think and find his route. Back up to 6,900', Lovington quickly came into view and it was time to put his Kiss on the ground. "I caught some squiITely air on final, but it was no problem. My Kiss almost lands itself. I looked clown between my feet and saw the gnarliest little cactus ever! When Kari anived I showed it to her and both agreed not to land on one.''

June 5 - Sink City Kari's clay an-ived and she was up and away on her second tow, circling low in a soft thennal. Impatient to get some miles, she left the solid heat source of the huge Hobbs runways. Kari: "Two thermals later I was on the deck wondering what happened! Boy, there sure wasn't enough lift for all that sink! We

decided to spend the rest of the clay towing and playing with our camera. We had started off wanting to take some great photos for the trip, but had no mounting system. We had heard some good things about the "Photo Pod" system and gave Greg Black a call at Mountain Wings in New York. When he found out what we were up to he agreed to lend us a camera! Thanks, Greg."

June 6 - Lessons Learned Gaining confidence each day and learning the surrounding terrain, our heroes were starting to realize the potential for some huge flights really did exist in the middle of the desert. Mark had his eyes on the far horizon as he completed his pre-tow checklist and released into the first bump that even resembled a thermal. Unfortunately, the resemblance wasn't too close and he quickly found himself sinking into the industrial area leading into downtown Hobbs. Some quick maneuvering put him safely down amidst the jungle of radio towers and power lines with a smile of relief on his face. Kari wasn't impressed. The first lesson: the best heat source to start a long X-C flight was the airport. A relaunch was always possible and greed was hampering their efforts. The second lesson was even more important: Mark: "As I broke clown and pulled my barograph out, I realized I'd strapped it to the keel too tightly, which wouldn't allow it to turn. Lucky it wasn't a record flight!" Conditions seemed to be rapidly improving, with big dust devils popping off and a steady breeze to chew up the miles, so back to the airport our heroes went. The next tow punched Mark into the center of a monster, good for nearly 6,000' of spare altitude in the quickly drifting New Mexico air. A much better start, to be sure. He was over the Texas border and following Highway 180 with thoughts of staying as high as possible, but the lift seemed to just be gone. Passing through 6,000', the reason became very clear: eve1ything was sucking up into one BIG thermal, and Mark flew smack into the middle of it. Centering the huge core, Mark went up like a rocket, listening to the scream of his vario and smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. He bailed out as he climbed through 15,000' with Seminole, Texas coming into view. At this altitude, eve1ything seemed to be going Mark's way. Every time he started to think about lift, another tube of heat pushed him up to 14,000'+ and he was chewing up miles ... or was he? HANG GLIDING

Confused, Mark realized that his ground speed was grinding to a halt. What, a headwind'/ A quick glance a1 Cedar Lake confirmed it, and the hopes ror a long flight fell. 1'rom 12,000' it was a dead glide to I ,a Mesa, Texas and a fun but disappointing 68 miles. As X-C flights go, the end was perfect, though. Due to the headwind, Mark had virtually stopped in the sky and Kari had caught him with the chase vehicle, meeting him on the ground with cold drinks and condolences.

The Records S1art To .lune 7 Fall The previous day's rtight had Kari incredibly "antsy." She wanted to get up, get away and get somewhere. lJnrortunately, the conditions just didn't look all that great. Figuring that any air is better than no air, she was up on the tow rig and into a workable core early, leaving the airport at 7,100' and heading south with just a hint or tailwind to help. As is so often true in soaring sports, the weather turned out to be changing and completely different from the forecast cd fare. Each thermal seemed to be larger and stronger and Kari soon found hcrselrat 15,000' and actually getting cold! A dramatic New Mexico sky and the tow rig. Kari: "Mark got on the radio and said I only needed to go a little higher to break the altitude gain reeord New Mexico desert. (10,700'), hut at that point I had already pulled June 8 What Tailwind'! the bar in and left because or this line of black clouds getting too close behind me. Anyway, I Ii was Mark's day again and eonditions were thought the altitude gain had to be from the starting to look better and better, with south·· lowest point and then up in one climb. I didn't west winds and cumulus forming everywhere. really want to get low on purpose, but. .. pow, I With a 200-mile grin 011 his face, Mark popped into a steady core on the first tow and, with was down below 6,000' before l knew it, so I decided to take the next thermal as high as it help from the heavy drift, was away. Instead of would go. Sure enough, I got one that started a cloml··tO··cloud run, though, it was to be a out real nice al 300 fpm and ended up at 1500 long struggle for distance under promising skies fpm+, smooth as glass. Up to 1 ycs ... 16, that wouldn't seem to get right. yo ... 17,200, ya-hoo, I did it! I finally broke a Marie "My first low save got me down to World Record! J\1 that point ii started breaking 300' above the ground and in steady sink. I up and l was freezing, so I pulled out, still went to unzip my harness and the zipper came going up. !low nice!" loose from the velcro! Right then I hit a gnarly Celebration was in store when she landed, little core. The heek with the harness, climb out 82 rnilcs from I lobbs and with a clean baroof here! This one took me 11p to a comfortable altitude (6,300'), so l could mess with the zipgrnph tracing that confirmed her hopes: a new per. With the velcro barely holding, I clashed Women's Altitude Gain Record or 12,001'. Hopes were high from the coming days, with for Plains, Texas." the weather looking promising and om heroes Plains put him back down lo 300' again, feeling more and more comfortable over the drifting slowly in zero sink and trying lo hold OCTOBER

1990

on for some brown fields downwind. Patience finally paid off in the form of a solid 800 rpm core to his highest point so far, 12,300', and comfortably under a puffy CU·· mulus. As quickly as he was pleased to find some altitude, Mark began to worry about the darkness forming in the surrounding clouds and had to nm. The day was be·· coming more and more strange and it was hard to get a reel for what to do next. Marie "Near the town of Morton, Texas I saw a huge black cloud that looked as if ii was still Iifling. Off I went in J500+ down. Sink and more sink and l was getting low again. Not another low save, no not another low save, Mark! l was right. I pushed out ror landing after 3 hours and 20 minutes of sweat and only 70 miles. Whal happened to those tailwinds we came for?"

Bring On The Breeze .June 9 Conditions were looking good again for another ripping day in Hobbs and Kari was ready early, impatient for the miles that seemed to he clud · ing her. The desert, however, was not lo be beaten today. Kari:"After two of the scariest tows or my life, due 10 the high winds and strong gusts, I chose not to fly tliat clay (mostly because l didn't want to go through one more tow!). It's funny how it's usually windy here but around sunset you can almost always get a nice glass-off flight. What a way to watcll thc. show!" June IO Mark Goes To Church The winds were still strong, as our heroes awoke to the flapping (rt aliening) of their tenl. Deciding that things weren't quite blown out, it was ofT to the hangar. With barograph signed and sealed and water bottles full it was Mark's lime to shine. The water actually would serve two purposes: keeping the fluid levels up and acting as ballast for more and more speed. Worrying about the glider blowing off the truck on the taxiway, Mark gave the "pedal to the metal" lo Kari and, in 10 feet, was up to speed and lifting off! At 1200' he hit a solid 700 fprn eolumn and released to climb quickly under a small cloud. J\t 10,100' over Loving· 1011, Mark was off to the races again. 23

Marie "Down lo 1,000' AGL, I spolted a small d11sl devil racing across the ground and gave chase. Pow, righ1 inlo 800 up! Thal was the last lime I would get real low for Ilic res1 or 1he night. Back 10 cloudllasc al I 0,()00' and I was off. ther· mat would go a lilllc higher!" Two and a hair hours la1er and lOOmiles from l lobbs, Mark skined 1hc TCA or Cannon AFB, cruising at 40 mph groundspced ovt:r lhe flat· lands. I jf1 was ahundm1t, cores were pushing 14,000' and everything seemed to be going our hero's way. Highway 40 passed beneath him and he was over 1hl: Canadian River Basin \Vith decisions lo makl,. I)own wind was a lot or no1hing, but I I igh· way 54 showed a Iurn 10 the east 011 his map. II' lw hcalkd out :1cross the basin, hl: would be laking a chance 011 landing miles from anyll1ing, h11t had a shot a1 catching the road on the other side. Never accuse Mark Gibson ol' a coward (a little brash some times, ln11 never a coward). Dri 1'1 ing with light stuff 10 the river. he man aged lo miss almost all or the sink, though 111c lack or good rising air was starting to grn1w al him a little. Willi the highway still nowhere to Kari enjoys some smooth evening air. be found and the '·pucker !'actor" starting to get into 1hc red zone, Mark's thermal finally came bur· bling through :mo !'pm with a heavy 1ailwind 1l1cr111al to thermal. Kari was running at World and he was over Nara Vista, on the New Mex, Record pace, up the J'irst I 00 miles in ico·Tcxas border. three hours. Sile only got low once, hut 1hc Mark: "I spot1ed a church where the con,. skills that she's been working so hard to polish came through f'or her. gregation was coming out and heading rm their cars. With 800' almvG the deck and little to no Kari: "So there I was al I 00 miles in only three hours and 1'01md myself on rinal approach radio contact wi1h Kari I decided to land by civili;,ntion. I 1ouched down for a peri'cel Jami for landing, sneaking downwind over any thcr· ing in mph winds l 98 miles from launch nm! producer I could J'ind and POW, a1 100' alkr hours and 20 mim11cs. I like this place!" ACiL got one ... gnarly, but going up! I had all kinds ol' grass and stuff in the air around me .June 11 showing me where ii was! Meanwhile, on 1he Still learning the strategy ol' flatland J'lying, ground, Mark s,1id trees were being uprooted! Kari lcl'I too low off her l'irst tow and hit the Thank God l didn't hi11hc deck!" Cloud streets for highways, back at comdeck IO miles from llobbs, fuming and l'rus· trn1cd. M:irk is as good a driver as he l'orlable allitudc, what more could she ask for? is a pilot and wns on tk scene quickly, helped Just as the blood pressure slarted gelling back down 10 a reasonable level. a quick glance at pack the glider up and had her on 1hG 1ow rig again in 110 time. the map wiped 1hc smile from Kari's face. She The s,:coml run was ,1 hit more like it, had been so busy working back up that she had rorgo!lcn Cannon Air Force B,1se, now directly plowing into :1 lrngc core al lhc end or the tow that took Kari to 8,200'. l'rom there it was downwind. Thcrmaling with je1 fighters didn 'I s1raighl lo cloud base and lcistm:ly cruising from sound like something Kari wanted to try and

she was stuck with a!lempting 10 cross a gaping blue hole cast of' Clovis or diving back into the wind over "no·-woman's land" to go around 10 1he west. She pul up a valian1 right, clawing al every 1hermal 11ml she could find, hut the drif'1 would take her back to point "A" and the cycle would repeat itself. f>'inally, hausted and with no radio power lef'1, she landed a11he 108,mile mark. Once again, strategy had played a huge part in 1he flight. Our heroes were still learning, hut every day seemed lo bring them a little closer to their for Mark, to once again cross 1hc 200,mile bar-rier and, for Knri, the lure of World Records tlrn1 she knew she could break. Down lnslcad Of June The day was a wash for glid, ing, so our heroes decided to play tourist l'or a while, exploring Carlsbad ( 'avcrns. Kari: "We decided to take the: threc·hour hike versus taking the cleva1or down for a onc·hour walk. We needed the exercise! What an adventure ii was to descend down dark hole, 1111:1g1nin1g into this being one or 1hc first to descend it without all the help or a path, handrails and lights. Arni gliding crnzy! Ir you've never Ileen in a cave hcf'orc, you sho11 Id try ii. It makes you apprecia1c the freedom or flight." The day of' rest also gave our hL:rocs a chance to rcf'lcct rn11hcir slay in I lobbs and the way that the town had opened its :11ms to hang gliding. IC1ri: "Our f'irs1 though1s or l lohbs were· 11'1 so good but now, af'lcr getting into the flow, l!obbs is all right (except ihL:n:'s not a whole 101 1o do if 1101 rtying). What makes i1 arc the people. One of' the hanlcsl 1hings for us to get used lo was to wave al every one 1ha1 goes by. At first we though1 1hcy were "flipping us off," but lhcy were just saying, 'l lowdy, folks'' "There arc road signs all over that say 'Drive Friendly' and they do. /\I most everyone asks wlrnl 'you,,:ill' have on yom 1rnck and arc very accepting or the fact that we're flying hang gliders here in I Jobbs. In f'act, the Cham· bcr or Commerce, International Soaring Foun, da1ion and I Iobbs Soaring Socie1y have made HANC: GLJlllNC

us feel welcome, which, to me, says a lot about the future of hang gliding. To be accepted as soaring buddies feels so good!" June 15 Miles.

Road Suck For Kari. Minimal

June 16 - A short clay for Mark, but hacky sacking in the middle of the highway waiting for retrieval added an interesting moment to the day! June 17 - Out And Return, Sort Of What clo you do when the clouds look great but the wind won't blow~ Try a 100-km triangle, of course' Kari's first thermal wenl to 14,000' and she was gone, looking across the bases of the clouds, just picking a line to her first turnpoint. Down a bit, then up ... clown a bit, then quiet. Feet into the keel, glider over hard and conditions changing for the worse. Lots of mixing in the air was making life rough for Kari and pleasure cruising had been replaced by white-knuckle air. Her altitude was quickly cut in half, with nothing going higher than 7,500', and Denver City Airport was coming up. This was to be a turnpoint for the triangle course, but ended up being a landing area, as cloud cover shut everything down around the aiq)Ort for miles. Kari had traveled only 20 miles and Mark was right with her, so they cleciclecl to let things calm a bit and then tow Kari up for a flight back to Hobbs. The return trip was easier than the first flight, but Kari was beginning to show some signs of frustration. Nothing seemed to be going right for her. (Mark probably enjoyed the drive back to Hobbs a lot more on retrieve than he would have if Kari had been in the truck!) The next few clays were spent servicing the faithful Pacific Airwave 4X4 and watching mediocre flying weather roll by overhead. Several JOO-mile flights were made, but the record potential just didn't seem to be there, so relaxation was the way to get things done. Kari even did a little PR work for the sport. Kari: 'The 21st was my turn, but I volunteered to spend my X-C clay doing a sled ride for a crowd. (Thank Goel it didn't look too good or I may have had to make a different decision!) It all worked out, with a green light from the control tower at the airport near the country club and a good tow. I started cruising over to the golf course where the Rotary Club was meeting to promote the upcoming hang gliding festival and figured that I might as well show 'em how we thermal! After getting teased over a gravel pit, I figured I 'cl better go figure out how I was going to put it clown on a golf course safely, but saw a bird circling ... back to OCTOBER

1990

I I I I plan #1 ! After a 500' climb I headed back out to I a tip-toe fairway landing and spent the rest of the day lounging by the pool and answering questions about hang gliding." Mark and Kari, back at the airport, had an encounter of a different sort with some locals that evening. Hearing bloodcurdling screams behind the hangar, they ran for flashlights and headed for the back of the hangar. The screams were terrible and loud and it sounded like something was dying! Lo and behold, the source of all the commotion was a baby skunk that was amusing himself by taking bites at a toad's behind! Every time things would get dull, the skunk would give a nip, the toad would yell and then the cycle would repeat itself! Our heroes to the rescue of the toad and things could calm clown once more. Conditions stayed light, but weather was on the way and hopes were high. More and more pilots were coming into town to get wanned up for the upcoming competition and try to tear off some long flights of their own, and the atmosphere was changing rapidly into a gathering of friends. Underneath the fun of flying together, however, ran a steady current of competition and eyes were always to the skies for the telltale clouds that would mark the coming of the winds. Everybody knew it was corning. They could feel it. The last week of June would be the last of the ho-hum flying clays and July was bringing big air. The 23rd was working well for our heroes, but radio problems got in the way on the only decent X-C clay in over a week. Kari: 'Tel missed the Air Force Base and tried to tell Mark where to go but he couldn't hear. I got low and couldn't talk, got up and finally pointed a direction and then he started on a shortcut to catch me. Meanwhile, I got low one more time and then drifted along a different road. I told Mark, but it was already too late, since he was on his shortcut! He was going the other way! We got into a little scuff over the radio about how women don't know how to give directions. (Hey, I thought it was okay to change my mind, after all, we must drift with the thermals!) Some lessons learned: fly with either a VOX system or a push-to-talk switch. Half the time when he wanted an answer I dicln 't dare let go of the bar to activate the mike! Oh well, 125 miles and lessons. I guess I need to be more decisive when giving directions to the driver. It seemed so obvious in the air where I was going ... why couldn't he figure it out? MEN!!"

Next 111011th: When dreams come tme.

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The 1990 U.S. National Hang Gliding Championships - Dinosaur, Colorado © 1990 by Dennis Pagen Some sundry eons ago the late Triassic geologic era slipped through the Jurassic and into the Cretaceous. At that time a great inland sea covered much of westem North America. I-luge lizard-like animals dwelt in the steamy forests along the shores of this sea while others, resembling fishes, lived within its depths. But the most marvelous creature of all was the Pteranodon, whose seven-meter wings plied the primordial mists around the great sea and mled the sky far and wide. Gradually the climate and landforms changed. Tremendous forces lifted the sea bed to form mountains, rifts and plateaus where once was water. The huge creatures that inhabited the land, the sea and the sky were 110 more. They left a scant record of bones, eggs and spore to let us marvel at their majestic ways. We can only dream of life in those prehistoric times aided by the record exposed in the rock by rivers that cut through multi-hued layers of sediment. But we are retuming to this timeless land to once again grace the sky with wings as great as those of the Pteranodon. Our wings flash rainbow colors. The 1990 U.S. Nationals took place in Dinosaur, Colorado. This little town owes its existence to the 70's boom in oil shale revenues that never happened, and its name to the proximity of Dinosaur National Monument where big bones abound. The 250 registered voters in Dinosaur support two restaurants and three motels with a little help from the fat tourists who lumber along highway 40 in the northwest corner of Colorado. Nonnally, Dinosaur is a sleepy little town occasionally pumped up with beer and bingo. Before the meet we saw mule deer and pronghorn antelope strolling along the skirts of town. You can buy a decent house in Dinosaur for as little as $10,000. When more than 200 pilots and support crew rolled into Dinosaur in late July, matters changed dramatically. For a couple of weeks Dinosaur was hang

gliding headquarters of the world as gliderladen trucks and vans dominated the crossstreets and parking lots. A defunct RV park was opened up for the exclusive use of hang glider pilots with free camping, showers and electricity provided. We promptly christened this compound Stalag 13 because of the cyclone fence around its perimeter. On any given night during the competition you could share tales of woe or triumph with fellow inmates of the stalag as each pilot recounted his flight. Dinosaur is in the midst of a vast sagebrush-covered desert. A few wetlands in the river valleys and occasional stands of juniper trees break up the monotony of the vistas. Plateaus, gorges, cliffs and scattered mountains dominate the landscape. The takeoff point for the Nationals was to the northwest of Dinosaur, just over the Utah state line on a precipice known as Cliff Ridge or Blue Mountain. Some 2,500 feet below takeoff was the bomb-out zone known as the snake pit. This little patch of sagebrush-free territory features 103° temperatures and more snakes than the vault in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Some of them have tails that rattle. It was remarkable to see gaggles of pilots pull of saves from as little as 300 feet above the snake pit. A few miles behind launch is Dinosaur National Monument and the gorgeous gorges of the Green and Yampa Rivers. We were barred from flying over the Monument but as far as the eye could see in all other directions there was dusty God's country baking, baking in the sun, inviting many a cross-country venture. About the only bit of civility in all this desolate Janel was the Green Team's family trailer parked at launch with its suits-optional swimming pool perched on the cliff edge.

PERSONNEL AND PARTICIPANTS Such a gathering of the flocks does not happen on a whim. Months of planning and arduous organizing is required to pull off an event of this nature. Most of the accolades for this phase

of the meet go to Chris Reynolds who conceived and realized the dream of a National Competition at Dinosaur. In truth, Chris organized two meets, for concu1Tent with the pilots' meet was a drivers' meet which had its own competitors, logistics and prizes. We'll learn more of this later. When the meet began, in stepped the Director, G.W. Meadows who has fine-tuned his whip-cracking and sympathetic-ear balancing act to perfection in recent years. Post-meet comments were in high praise of his directing skills and he was duly rewarded with a 100mile flight of his own (despite a gimpy leg) the clay before the meet began. Other invaluable officials were Safety Director Mike Warden; Scorekeeper Brian Kiggans; Goal Director Scott Strand; Photo Judge Russ Douglas; Driver Director Kathy Lee; and Snake Pit Director Pat Cameron. Incidentally, Pat and Mike are the only two local pilots. They were reveling in all the aerial activity at the site they pioneered. Many other individuals lent a hand where needed. We can't list them all, but we are very grateful and we know we couldn't have clone without you. Lest we forget, there were also pilots and drivers in this meet. One hundred and eighteen pilots competed in the 1990 Nationals, hailing from 20 states and nine foreign countries (Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, United Kingdom and USSR). California sent 43 pilots which may be a statement concerning the competitiveness of Californians. Twenty-seven drivers formed official teams for retrieving these pilots. Retrieval was no small feat on occasion. As we shall see, at times conditions conspired to scatter pilots far and wide across the countryside.

The young man crested a hill and paused to peer down at the holy of holies. It was here that the shaman of his tribe chipped the sacred symbols in the black rock to lure favors ji'om HANG GLIDING

!heir gods, These

were !he m111Tcl

of rhe age and 11'011/d I!/' !eji fi!r farer g!'11cm lions o/ 111e11 to /)()lldcr 11'ilh //H'I' (}}/{/ \\'OJ}(/cr, IJ111 the ymfllg man could 1101 tarn' long fi!r ii<' hod miles to go he/i!re lie rcaclwd rile edge oj' 1/1c lllt/,\'Sirc pfalt'OII and the cfi/Ttlwt lwrlwrecl

his tri!J/11 e11um1pm1'11/, Sd/()/urs o/anothN ciri/i,:urion 1m11/d rn/1 his rri/,c port of 1/1c Fremon! '11//lm', /mt to /1im thn' wcff known si111;Jl,1· 11s "Tile People," T/1er

H'!Tc

l'llmped in II sl//1/low dtJ!/'/'ssio11

Sl/lT(){fl/r/tr/ /Jv /(/// JJillCS Iii'///' the c/i/f'cdge/r>/'

protection ji'm11 the des!'!'/ winds //II(/ s/onns

T/1cr didn' I know liley dl1'elt inn meteor cm, /er rlwt 11·as j<Jr /(I/er men to J!o11dcr 1ml

lilt\' knew S/1('/J fl /!Ci.'f1'1'/ /'11111/J,\ill' H'/IS (I giji ji'om the gods um/ ii w11s good, '/he yo1111g 111011 rcaclil'II rl1c call//! as dusk J<•/1, lk/im· grel'ling /1is kin, Ill' \'tl/l11rcd 10 1!1c cliff' u/gc lo /ook/i)/ his/i11'orire sign, !Ill rim' he saw p/cn1iji1/ JJmirie c/iickrns, m111·11wt,1, 11n1clo1>1' 1111d elk in his 1111/uml ki11gdoJ11, hut now lie /}(}r/ a spl'i'ia/ q11c.1t, /\11d !here in !ltt cvrning 111>drn/is rlwr crm'ss 1/1e m11ssi1'1' mck wall 011 wliicli Iii' srood lie ,\'{!\\' it: 11 m11jcstir' golden eagle clim/Ji11g 011 011/slrc11'11erl 11'ings, ,\'WIN>f!illg to huffy 11 11tn'm1.1· jackmhhit, !hen ,\'/Hiring out lo streak arToss !Iii' s1111,1'e/, Tile eagle on ji'ccdm11 wings w11.1· his /Jmt/1a, liis spirit guide, his 10/1'111, 1111d oli liow lie lo11ged to

joi11 his hrother in the air,

wt,'.ATlmR l<'i\CTOR The condil ions nl Ille Nnlio11als were supposed 10 he 1cxthook with big fat cmnics mid plc11ti1'11I rockcl thermals. Indeed, the practice

Meet Director C.W, Meadows (right) helps a pilot to launch. Photo by Michael Weingartner, days bt:Jorc the meet were a delight, with many or us pulling oil I 00-milcrs in a variety or directions, I lowcvcr. as meet day dawned. l'acil'ic storms aiid 11orlliern upper air dislurhanccs fed 111ois1ure into the area so that over dcveloprncnl and massive lhundcrstonns olkn ha11111ed our flight paths, On launch we had the weath:r trailer This trailer harbored a computer s,1iellitc hook up to tell us all we didn't wan! to know. Mainly it showed us the 11p,l<Hialc inl'rarcd moisllm: picture thal continued 10 indicate lh11mlerslonn activity, This weather service was comlcsy or

impr,si:nR view of the launch site and Cliff RidgP, Photo by Pa! Cameron,

Oc re lllFR 1990

Blue Skies l111crnational of Salt Lake City, lJiah. They have a available Cor inter, cslcd pilols lo allow dirccl ,1cecss to a plelhora or weal her informal ion. J\n11cd with all the dismal reports, 1he task selection comrni\lec rolled the dice and tried lo find roulcs away from the clutches of 1he aerial menaces, Only sometimes did !hey succeed.

Tim FLYIJ\G TRIALS The first day looked promising so an ambitious lask was called: 100,7 111iles lo l !ayckn, Colorado. We gathcrL'.d om gear for a serious endeavor. Besides glider, harness and helrm:t, the well-equipped pilot also carried a compass, maps, vario, altimeter, water, l'ood, oxygen, a hook knife. survival gear (space blankcl, sig11al mirror ancl matches). smoke bombs ,rnd J'ull winier clo1hi11g, Pilots rcgul,1rly climbed lo 17,9()<) feel so oxygen a11d warm dress were or pri11rnry importance. Perhaps only a ha11cll'ul or us cxpcctccl lo reach the !00 mile that day, but when the round was over ,l() pilots had crossed the line. Howard Oslerlu11d remarked Ilia! no doubt 1ha1 was a record lor si111111iancous century The second day was Ille day that wasn 'L J\ goal lo Meeker. C'olorndo was c,1llcd (sec accompanying map), Eighteen pilots made goal. 1ml 1hc launch window was nol opened the required length or lime (five pilots could 1101 launch) so till: round was declared inv,1\id, This delighted some and chagrined ollicrs, for sorne or the top competitors were clown i11 !he boon docks. l';ir from goal. Several pilots were so

intent on thcrmaling that they drifted far back into mHnan's Jami. When lhcy lopped 0111 tlw took their hearings a11d saw the valley they were following except it was Ille wrong val ancl they ended up near Ririe or l'araclrntc, Colorado some]() miles off crn1rse, The lhird day lhc lask was a rnce to May hell, Colmado, On this fa1cd clay a huge lhtm~ clcrstorm hcga1110 bully ils way across our path miles ouL Some chose to fly close lo about Ilic storm to illlsl through to the other side, and some chose 10 skirt it way to lhc soulh, l Jnl'or t11na1ely the stor111 was south, and when it dropped ils load of moisture a furious gust front cxll'.nded easily len miles in front or the stomL Pilots caught in this front could barely pcnc1ra11: with the bar lo I heir knees, Ron Wietzkc, flying a IV came down i11 1his gust fronL About 300 l'ect up his glider rolled over and broke up around hi111, llis allcmptcd cllllte deployment was f'oi led by the engulfing wreckage, I le hil hard as witnessed by Eric Kaye, Frie promptly ditched his glider in a willow hog, Ille sof'ic·sl placl, he could rind to 111c highway and rlaggccl down a cm lo take'. him to the scene of the accident Eric's EMT \raining perhaps served lo save Ron's lil'c, Ron was f'low11 to a hospilal with a sew ere concussion and is n•1·m,,1•ri, 110 nicely, Eric received the sportsmanship award for his heroic endeavors,

The winners assembled in front of headquarters, BACK ROW, left to right: Stev(' Jim Lee, Herbie Kuhr, Stu Cameron, G,W. Meadows (Meet lJirectm'), ROW: Castle (Wom(!n's Champ), Mark Newland, Bruce Case, Tony Barton, Glen Volk, Ted lloyse. Photo by Tim Arai,

A DRAMATIC INTERUJnE Ro11nd four was called as a goal to 1v"',v"c:11, Unfortunately, only 41 pilols could launch lx,f'orc the winds turned taiL Sev('.llly-six pilols received a fa! zero, Bui this was not lhc riasco of the day, lwo days before when a Our story pilot slcpped up lo launch in !ht: rnidsl of'thc competitors, Free flyers were supposed lo take olT before or al'icr 1hc enrnpctition window to avoid congestion, Tiley were also supposi:d to obey lhc safety rule or tl1c day: circling right on even days and lcl'I on odd days wilhin a mile from la1111cl1, This rule w;1s necessary to avoid insane gaggles as a swarm ofpilols tried to get up, Our hapless pilot, who shall he known by his first name, Rollin, look oil in10 the crowd and proceeded 10 111m the wrong way, Many pilots screamed at him as he umsGd m,ar misses and confusion, bu\ he was oblivious, The Meet Director requested that he no longer fly willi the compclilors, The next day he set his gl idcr up oul of lhc way, Just as the Direetor saw him aml lo nm his way, Robin hooked in and took to tht: Again he caused conl'licls on lite course,

4. 6.

7. 8. 9. 10, IL 13.

17. ?

r li\Nc C1rn1Nc

____ VVVOM!N<r-

~-------

~---'-----

GODS

cauNTRY

---

i _:.-~ '-'---~

·-· .,.=---

By this time he was banned from the area, so the next day his friends (?) dropped him off down the ridge so he could pioneer his own site. The cliff is not all that forgiving and only a few ideal launches exist. Robin wasn't so lucky. At some point a call came over the radio announcing a glider planted on the side of the cliff. It was Robin who had blown his launch. We don't know how long he had been there, since he was some distance from the rest of the activity. It took an eight-man rescue squad several hours to haul him up from below. He had a mild concussion, a compound leg fracture and a case of shock. He is lucky to have been spotted and to have survived. The repercussions were these: The ambulance was taken away from its duty at the launch site. This essentially shut down the launch (fortunately it was downwind anyway). OCTOBER 1990

A television news team happened to be covering the flying that clay. Guess where they went like vultures to a kill when they heard the news. Guess what showed up on Channel 2 that night-not a single story of the many magnificent flights, but gruesome footage of a foolish accident. It is interesting to ponder how a personality defect can be so detrimental to others and deadly to oneself.

THE FINAL GOAL The rounds proceeded as previously with some stom1s in the area but we avoided them with a wise choice of tasks. Round six found 58 pilots making a 63-mile goal while round seven saw 75 pilots slip in to a 73-mile goal. The last clay was exceptional. Promising skies prompted a 103+ mile task with two turn points. The first 40-mile leg wasn't too bad

with plenty oflift and high clouds. The second leg required a struggle against and increasing crosswind. Many of us got low in a huge blue hole at the second turn point and barely managed to scuttle back to the area of better lift when a huge storm brewed to the northwest. The final leg was mostly crossing tailwind, but the stom1 was catching up. Several of us raced to the finish line ahead of the st01m but got caught in the gust front as we turned into the wind to land. We were saved on the ground by fellow pilots who caught our wires as we touched down in a rowdy 40 mph wind. Twelve pilots made goal that day. One who didn't was Al Whitsell. He was with us on the last five-mile glide to goal. However, his HP AT encountered a roll of turbulence (probably gust front shear) that tucked him. His base bar broke in his hands.

He hil the h~cl which snapped :mcl came down under canopy attached only to his kingpost, while his glider floaled away. Al landed in lhe s1ro11g winds basically unscathed to the joy or himself and everyone witm:ssing the awcso111c event.

THE WINNERS a few horror stories, the meet really entailed hundn:ds and hundreds of rtighls cov thousands and thousand of cross country miles in a safe manner There were many winners in this meet, for lhc majority of pilols achicvcd their best nights and learned some new skills, including dodging storms, hail, lightning, gust fronts and cloud suck. The brightest idea of the whole mec)I was the drivers' competition. Fach entered driver had a team of pilots to care for. They received bonus points for having their pilots in the right place at the right time ancl retrieval points based on their pilol's score. So after countless dust sucking, throat-choking miles, the deserving winners were: Ken Wild, who received the tiile of National I Jang I )riving Champion phis $500. Ken drove for Mark Newland, Carl Braden and Herbie Kuhr. Second place and $200 went to Zack Zeise! who drove for the C.rccn Team. Third place ($100) was won by J,imia Nissen who drove for Rick Sauer, Joe Bos I ik and Howard Osterlund. It is my impression that the organization of the drivers' meet was partially responsible for the general success of the 1990 Nationals. Let's conlinuc to nm such affairs to both involve and reward our valuable drivers. Now we can see how the pilots fared. The accompanying chart lists the top twenty placers. Those readers who wish a complete list of the standings can send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to GENTECll Corp., Box 281, C<mifer, CO 804Tt 11 would11 '1 hurt to enclose a dollar 10 cover copy cosls. This year's Nationals winner is an Australian, Mark Newland. Mark is definitely hot on his Foil Combat as he finished near lhe top every day and made goal every clay bul one. Mark also won our 1986 Nalionals and last I "caguc meet. Incidentally, foreigners took rour of the lop ten places in this year's mccl. However, second and third places were won by Bruce Case and Tony Barton. Bruce's amazing consistency pulled him through as he made goal every single day. Rumor has it tlrnl Brnce hadn't even flown for eleven months prior 10 this meet. Tony Barlon's success is due mainly lo !he fact that he is simply hot this year and is a real contender for the world team. Some special awards were won by special

Ken Wild, !he new National Hang Driving Champion. Photo by Michael people as designated by the Meet Director. The "Jfow The Ilell Did l Encl Up llcre" award went to Pete Lehmann for landing on lop of Cross Mountain with nary a road in sighL The "I Should llavc Lots or Good Karma Coming To Mc Now" award went to Russ I A)ckc for his amazing stint of bad luck. The "Ir l llad Taped Ears Fial l Might !lave Made Goal" award went to Chris Muller who landed just inches from the Meeker goal line. Finally, the "Den,. nis Pagen Never Wrote About What To Do In This Situation" award wen! to Al Whitsell for his amazing descent wilh parachute aud kingpost. The numbers and awards do not tell the whole story, for only those pilots who partici-

pale in such an event can realize the value of the shamcl experiences, the highs and lows and all the personal triumphs. To join our l'cllow piloLs in a mutual qucsl lo conquer the returns rewards lhat have no dollar or ego equivalent. There is a bond that is l"ormcd among tl1osc who share our exploits and thal bond will foster memories for years to come.

The skies arc now clear around Dinosaur, Colorado where once ancient winged rTea· turcs and modern man rode the wind. Only a spiral across the lone eagle sffi/Jes a whispering sagcbrush--a lone rng!c and his kindred spirits who hm'I' alwaysjoined him on his upward trek.,.111111

J IANC GurnNc

COMPETITION CORNER

World Team Fundraiser by Mark Mocha

W11,

here we go again. It's almost time for the World Championships. They're going to be in Brazil in February of 1991 and as usual, it's going to be expensive to send a team. This year, we hit on the perfect idea to get the money needed. We decided to call the team '·The USA Flying Donald Trumps" and get enough money from ol' Don to just buy the Championship. Unfortunately, soon after our decision, Don got nailed by divorce proceedings and some billion dollar losses. (Which may be a small price to pay, considering what Marla Maples looks like.) USHGA Vice President and Region 4 Director Jim Zeisct suggested taking a trip to Las Vegas and winning the funding at the poker tables. After seeing what Mike Meier and Rob Kells did to him at the last USHGA Board of Directors Meeting and Poker Tournament, we nixed that idea real quick. I think Jim should go back to Old Maid and Go Fish. We considered trying to whine some bucks out of the U.S. Government, but even the U.S. Olympic Committee doesn't have any luck with them. Not only that, but Uncle Sam is already fielding a pretty large team in the first (and hopefully last) Saddam Hussein Invitational. The next plan was to go bootlicking at the corporate trough. Considering the amount of money flung around by big sponsors for things like auto racing, tennis, bowling and (Goel help us) GOLF, we figured that somewhere, some big company would be willing to put up some cash to have their logo smeared all over the U.S. team's divers. It worked for the Australians for several years, and I, for one, was extremely grateful for the huge supplies of Swan beer provided for the hangers-on at the World Meet in Australia. Even though the Aussies got the gliders and the cash, the wealth got spread around. We're still trying for some sort of corporate sponsorship, but since time is running out, success is dubious at best. As a result, we are counting on the USHGA membership once OCTOBER

1990

again for voluntary contributions. OK, now that you've had your laugh, listen up. There are lots of expenses involved with sending a team; travel, housing, food, retrievals. maps and entry fees are just a few. This year, we're going to try something special to raise the necessary cash. A few years ago, a guy known far and wide as Airwreck Fear harangued, whined, begged and wheedled the membership and USHGA Chapters into holding fundraisers and soliciting donations. The effort was pretty successful, and a significant amount of cash was raised. However, little appreciation was shown for all the generous pilots involved. This probably won't change, but at least this time we're going to offer bribes in exchange for cash. For clubs or individuals who raise significant amounts, we're going to award some really big prizes. Like, how about an all expense paid trip for one person to the World Meet as a guest of the team? This is the reward for an organization or individual who raises $15,000. I realize that's a pretty big amount, but I'm sure that somebody out there is capable of energetic begging. Especially since you might be able to spend three weeks in Brazil on someone else's clime. If your club can do some serious fund raising, there are some other neat prizes available, depending on the amount you come up with. Five thousand gets you the harness of your choice ll'ith a Ballistic Recovery Systems (BRS) rocket-deployed parachute! This is around a$ l ,500 value. A club could auction it off or sell it outright, and probably afford enough beer for at least two normal club meetings. Three thousand raised will get you or your club a BRS system with parachute, an $800 item. I'm sure that $3,000 is well within the abilities of any club willing to put out a little legwork. Of course, many pilots I've seen barely put out enough legwork to get off the launch ramp in light conditions, in which case the

BRS will be especially nice to have at a cliff site. If your club (or you) can raise $700, you will either get a year's site insurance for your primary flying site or a custom-designed trophy thanking you for your efforts. Anybody who can raise $50 has their choice between a beautiful poster by Ron Butler or the best hook knife on the market If your club wants to make a competition out of this, go right ahead. That makes it easy to decide who to award the prize to. It might be the one who raises or donates the most, or the winner in a local competition or a drawing, That part's up to you. Anything you can do will be great Of course, we are also holding the usual product raffle, and you will be eligible for some neat stuff A $10 donation will get you entered and you will receive a World Team pin. For $20, you get a World Team tank top shirt, and for S40 we have a great World Team sweatshirt with hood. These are guaranteed rewards for all contributions in the $LO to $40 range. Any amount will be gratefully accepted, and you will be entered in the drawing for the numerous prizes available. As usual, the Grand Prize is the glider of your choice' If you've been paying attention to the glider situation in the past few years, this prize just keeps getting better and better. And I'm not just talking about performance! Have you checked the prices recently? You'd think divers were made out of unobtanium and rareite, with platinum downtubes and upsy-daisyum thrusters. It may be cheaper for some of us to enter the raffle hundreds of times in hopes of winning the glider! After the Grand Prize, first prize is the latest high-tech lightweight oxygen system from Gen-Tech Corporation. This system is the choice of most top pilots because of its compact size, low weight and high capacity. It retails for $400, and can definitely help out at those high altitudes we 're getting used to seeing. Second prize is a full-face Kevlar flying helmet with a visor, These helmets are lightweight, strong and warm. Definitely worth having! Retail on one of these babies is $310. Third prize is a Maxon I-Watt, 2 channel FM radio, complete with a voice actuated (VOX) headset, a $280 value to the lucky winner. At this time, the list of stuff up for raffle isn't too long, but even there, you can help! Does your club have a T-shirt? Why not donate

COMPETITION CORNER a few to be raffled off? Are you an equipment dealer or manufacturer? Donate some products or money toward the purchase price. USHGA will arrange the prizes in order of retail value, and the list will be updated until the final drawing. The World Team Selection System has decided on the pilots who will represent the USA. The last meet was the Manufacturers League Meet in Telluride. Going into that contest, the points situation was pretty tight, with only two pilots guaranteed a slot. I hope to have results of the meet and some information on the selected pilots by the next issue of the magazine. In the meantime, please start by donating anything you can. Every bit helps, and it's about time we took a World Championship! I'd like to see the U.S. team be the defending champions when the next World Meet is held. That one will be in the Owens Valley in 1993, so maybe we won't have to raise anywhere near the amount we need this year. Help us out and I won't bug you next time!•

Checks should be made payable to U.S. Hang Gliding Foundation, Inc. Donations are tax deductible less the fair market value of any consideration (i.e., value of prizes or gifts received).

Temperatures averaging 100 degrees provided potent thermals during the course of the meet, but took a toll on pilots. On the fifth day, three succumbed to heat exhaustion awaiting a fickle launch window. The ever-present dust devils at Chelan Butte were particularly vehement this year, incessantly lofting significant amounts of soil skyward. Unattended personal possessions, gliders, dogs, and small children were in constant peril. The last day of the contest provided dramatic flying. Scattered thunder showers provided strong cloud suck, heavy localized rain, and lightning. Several pilots reported seeing a funnel cloud. A gust front spawned a large dust storm easily visible miles away. During the same day, a low-flying 747 on an apparent test flight harassed glider pilots as it did slow circles at 7,500' MSL. A lack of posted daily standings and a poorly communicated rule change mid-meet left some competitors grumbling. Organizers Rick Gitrnrd and Steve Holte suffered the headaches associated with running a very competitive event. They likely didn't receive the thanks they deserved. The top five pilots for 1990 were Bob Mackey with 4241 points, J.C. Nauchcorne with 4199, Scott Kurth with 4145, John Pitt with 4047, and John Woiwode with 3854. •

1990 Chelan Cross Country Classic

Girls Just Wanna Go Fly! 1990

by Doug McClellan

by Joie Perreault

The 1990 Chelan, Washington Cross Country Classic came to a close on July 12, after yielding six consecutive flying days. This year's contest was unique in that three options were available: open distance, out-and-return, and triangle. Preference was at the pilot's discretion, except that at least one open distance flight was required. Ten points per mile were awarded, with a multiplier of 1 for open distance, 1.333 for out-and-return, and 1.5 for triangle. The best four of six flights counted toward a winning total. The top four pilots averaged over 1,000 points per flight, with less than 20 miles separating first place from fourth. Look for this format to become increasingly popular in future traditional opendistance events.

Girls just wanna go fly ... and they came from all over to attend the Point of the Mountain fun fly-in. This gathering of women pilots in Utah on Memorial Day Weekend attracted lots of guys too! The meet welcomed all women pilots, whatever wing they flew. It was the first competition in the United States with tasks for hang gliders and paragliders. Twenty-three women registered; seven were para-pilots and four of the seven flew both types of gliders. It was great to have everyone flying together and having fun. It started out as a fair-weather weekend. Friday night was the best; the North Side was crackin' for free flying. Saturday was a demo day with lots of new small gliders to tty. We

had our pick of the UP Axis 13, Moyes XS, Magic Formula, Wills Wing HP AT 145 and Pacific Airwave Magic Kiss. Saturday morning conditions allowed us to have the South Side spot-landing task. There was a one-hour window to launch from the top and go for the spot as many times as you could. It was exciting shuttling my truck up and clown as fast as I could to retrieve the ladies. When the wind picked up the air got a bit bumpy, making spot landings even more interesting. Shortly after the para-pilots completed their tasks, the hang glider pilots suited up. Two spots were placed on the top of the South Side and two at the bottom, with different degrees of difficulty. The winds were fickle, making conditions marginal for soaring. The ridge lift was light and the thermals small and punchy. It was a true test of skill to stay above launch. After the first day of competition Lori Judy-Fitzgerald was in the lead with Kari Castle in second place. We hoped for a petfect North Side evening, and there was some flying going on but not the usual magic air. The second set task of the weekend was an out-and-return pylon race that we hoped to have on the North Side on Sunday. But Sunday morning began with more free flying and trying demos in southerly winds that did not turn n011h. So the pylon task was set on the South Side. The paraglider task was first, a turnpoint race to the bottom spot. The wind was very light for hang gliding and the pylon/spot tasks were hard, but Lori and Kari made it look easy. It was a close race for these two ladies. When the dust settled and the points were tallied the outcome was: hang gliding advanced class - Kari Castle 1st, winning a stained glass plaque, Lori Fitzgerald 2nd, our Aspen pal Polly Ross 3rd. Intermediate class pilots Rose Carter and Mika Kojima tied for 1st. In the paragliding event Claudia Stockwell won 1st prize and a Degree 7 flightsuit, Kim Taylor 2nd, and new pilot Debbie Olea 3rd. After the awards we had a raffle with many great prizes donated by Breeze Sports, R.C. Willey and Center of Gravity. Valerie Carroll lucked out to win the two biggies, skis and a Patagonia jacket. The raffle brought in over $300 which was given to Chris Gillis who recently lost her husband Joe in a hang gliding accident. We will all miss him. All the proceeds from the competition went to the "Save the Point" site preservation fund. Additional "Save the Point" white tee HANG GLIDING

shirts M, Land arc available for $15.00 including shipping. Write to Utail 1lang Olicl Association, Box 757, Draper, Utah 84020. J would Iike to extend a special I hanks to Zoellick for a great job as launch direc tor, Judie llawkins, Michael Darr and all the other volunteers for their time and patience. Thanks to all the manufactmers and their reps, Paul Burns, Wills Wing's Jamie Lasser, Pacific Airwavc's Sue Christie and lJP's Joe Bostik who brought new gliders and canopies for us to try. Their support and participation made our fly-in fun f'or all. We were also thrilled with the turnout of guys; it was fun to fly with some of the pilots we usually only read about! This was my first women's meet, and I think we all had a rantas·· tic time flying and visiting with so many la· dies, new friends and old.

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HANG GLIDING 101

illustration by Dan Sutherlin Unfortunately, this year has seen more than its share of accidents. Some were fatal, and luckily many were not. Other contributors to this magazine and I spend our time telling you what you shouldn't do, and how to keep yourself out of bad situations. In many of the accidents I have reviewed I see things that I definitely would have done differently after getting into major trouble. What I realized is that most of us writers haven't been telling you what to do if you do find yourself in some of these less-than-favorable situations. Obviously, the thing you want to shoot for is to not get into trouble in the first place, but what I hope to cover in this article is how to get out of a bad situation with as little damage as possible. This month's installment will include only a few situations, so that I can cover them in detail. My plan is to include more installments on this subject every few months. If you have a particular situation you' cl like to see addressed, send it to me in care of this magazine or The Hang Gliding Center of San Diego, California. Again, keep in mind, we want to avoid these situations at all cost, but listed will be what I believe to be the best way out of the fine mess you've goHen yourself into. Play these situations over in your mind, so if it happens to you, you '11 be able to remember the best action to take.

DOWNWIND LANDINGS If this particular situation has never happened to you, there's a good chance that it will some

clay. Just not paying attention to what's going on can and will put you in this undesirable position, but there are times when no matter how careful and diligent you are, you may find yourself downwind on final, with not enough altitude to do a turn, clue to the wind switching in a thermally landing field. There is a technique to use that can, in some cases, have you doing a near perfect landing-downwind. Okay, so you've found yourself on final, with no way to do a 180 and you 're downwind. What should you do? Well, the one thing that you clon 't want to do is accidentally stall the glider. Probably the worst thing you can do in this situation is to let the glider stall downwind with ve1y little ground clearance. However, this is exactly what many pilots allow to happen, and it's simply because they are flying by grounclspeecl rather than airspeed. Make sure that you know how bar position on your glider relates to airspeed, and if you find yourself coming in downwind, with the ground going by at Mach 2, don't try to slow the glider clown to within a mile an hour or two of stall before you flare. We all know that it's no fun to just mush the glider into the ground without flaring when landing in no wind, so think of the potential for injmy if we acid five to ten mph more groundspeed to the situation. It's not a pretty sight. Here's what you do. You're 30 feet off the ground downwind. You want to keep your AIRSPEED between trim and best glide. Make sure your hands are up plenty high on the

clowntubes and that you are as upright as possible in your harness. You want to maintain this speed until your basetube is about ten feet off the ground. Now, all in one motion, let the glider slow to trim and then (hopefully) with the basetube approximately six feet off the ground flare the glider very aggressively. Hold the flare with full aim extension and be prepared to run (fast) as soon as you touch the ground. Let's look at the differences between this landing and a normal one. First, the ground will be going by incredibly fast. You must not let this bother you to the point where your thoughts are clouded. Keep your objective in mind and you can pull off this landing with minimal or no damage. On a normal landing you'll wait until your basetube is about three feet off the ground before you slow the glider to trim and then flare. You need about twice that altitude for the downwind landing. Everything will seem to be happening extremely fast, so you '11 want to make sure you do everything right. During a nonnal landing you feel for the glider to start to settle and thus tell you when to flare. In a downwind landing you don't want to use this technique for a couple of reasons. One is that the glider will be too close to the ground when this "settling" action happens and you will not be able to flare and get your feet under you. Another reason is that using the "feel for the flare" method requires a very light grip on the downtubes. You're not likely to have a very light grip in this situation. HANG GLIDING

HANG GLIDING 101 WARNING: The Instructor General has determined that using the information contained in this article without the assistance of a USHGA-certified instructor can break or kill you. Seek professional help! During normal landings you expect to have a no-step, no-forward-motion touchdown. In a downwind landing you should expect to hit the ground running. Downwind landings can be pulled off and even made to look semi-graceful at times. The most important thing to remember is to not let the glider stall before you want it to. A high velocity face plant will be the result.

LAUNCHING UNHOOKED If the thought of forgetting to hook in before you launch doesn't scare the bird dookie out of you, then you should have your pulse taken. Some of the most conscientious pilots ever to get between two downtubes have launched unhooked, and the ones that lived to tell about it will be the first to tell you that they never thought it would happen to them.There are many reasons why a person can launch unhooked, but I will tell you the best and most simple way to avoid it. HOOK YOUR HARNESS INTO YOUR GLIDER BEFORE YOU GET IN YOUR HARNESS. If you will use this one simple technique your chance of launching unhooked will be cut by at least 95%. Think of your harness and glider as both being one piece of equipment and you 're much safer from the beginning. It takes a real special case for me to get into my harness without it being hooked into the glider. Launching in the Owens Valley is one of those special situations. If you hook into your glider much before you are ready to launch at a few of those launches, a dust devil may come through and launch you before it's your turn. There are other times when I'm sure it's just as appropriate to only hook in after you have put on your harness, but make those times the exception rather than the rule. Many times a situation may arise which has you unhooking from the glider to re-check a part of the glider that you might have dragged on a rock while walking to launch, or something similar to this. If you have unhooked for any reason that is not OCTOBER 1990

part of your nonnal routine, then say out loud eve1y few seconds: "I'm not hooked in. I'm not hooked in. I'm not hooked in." I know this sounds pretty silly, but if it saves your life who cares how silly it is. Now, of course we know that you will never launch without being hooked in, so we '11 look at what your friend should do if he should find himself in this situation. Terrain: What you decide to do at the very moment you realize you have just launched unhooked will depend on several things, however the terrain features of the launch are probably the most important considerations when making your first important decision. Many decisions must be made in a split second. The wrong decision could cost you your life. I

"Obviously, the thing you want to shoot for is to not get into trouble in the first place, but what I hope to cover in this article is how to get out of a bad situation with as little damage as possible." suggest having a plan for not hooking in for every site you fly. Obviously our goal after leaving the ground unhooked is to return to it as softly as possible. Let's take a look at the different types of ten-ain features associated with a number of different types of launches and work out the best plan for each. Slope Launch: Let's say you're launching on a shallow to moderately sloping launch and the control bar rises up higher than normal. You notice right away that something isn't right and that you have just begun your launch

run unhooked. It's very possible that the absolute best thing to do in this situation is to just let go of the glider immediately and watch it fly off without you. It may be that it takes you a couple of seconds to realize that this is the best option available, and that falling from 10 to 20 feet could be the safest thing in this situation. This is why you should have a plan for each site you launch from BEFORE you launch. The best decisions are not made in split-seconds when you are under pressure. If you have held on to the glider too long, and you now have 30 feet or more of air between you and the terrain, then you obviously don't want to drop to the ground. At this point you'll want to do one of two things. The first option is to try to turn the glider back into the hill. Moving your weight on the control bar by swinging your legs should create a turn. You'll not want to create a steep turn if you can help it, because this will build up G forces and tend to pull you from the glider. Create a shallow tum back toward the hill and hope for the best. You will want to stay with the glider during impact. The glider will absorb some of the energy and your injuries will be minimized. You will probably sustain some substantial injuries in this scenario, but the object is to take the option that will leave you with the fewest number of broken bones. The other option is to fly the glider straight away from the hill until you have at least 250-300 feet of altitude. At this point take one hand off the glider and quickly deploy your parachute. As soon as you have deployed, grab back onto the glider and wait for the chute to open. Hold onto the glider tightly until the chute pulls you away from it. At this point you will have just entered another sport. Get your ankles together and be prepared to roll to absorb the shock when you hit the ground. In this situation you can see the advantage of a rocket-deployed parachute. Take note: I did not say to let go of the glider and then deploy your chute. Make sure that the chute is inflated before you voluntarily leave

HANG GLIDING 101 the glider. Cliff Launch: During a high cliff launch you don't have the first slope-launch option, that is, dropping from the glider during or immediately after takeoff. So what are the other options? Depending on the tenain features around the launch you may be able to put the glider back into the mountain. If the launch is a wide sheer cliff, then obviously we've taken care of that option. However, it's possible that the terrain around your cliff launch could be inviting enough to allow you to stick the glider back into the mountainside. If this is not the case, then you should consider the deployingyour-chute option. Obviously, launching unhooked is not a situation you want to find yourself in, but you must prepare yourself for it. Unless you are at a 200-foot site do not even attempt to hang onto the glider all the way to the valley. You do not have the strength that you may think you do. To get a feeling for what you'd be up against, hang from two bars set up at an angle much like that of two downtubes. See how long you can hang there. Now have someone climb on your back. See how long you can hang there now. A 60-degree turn will put approximately that much weight on your aims. Don't bet on being able to do it.

TREE LANDINGS Those ofus who live out west have little chance of this happening to us, at least while we're

flying here at home. However, there are plenty of sites that have plenty of trees here in the U.S., and there are plenty of pilots who have spent many a nervous hour about 50 feet up one of these trees. Again, the goal is to avoid the trees in the first place, but let's look at what to do once you've gotten into a situation where you know you're going to land in a tree. Usually, if you're going to land in a tree, you'll know it anywhere from five seconds to two minutes before it happens. Here's what to do. If possible you want your legs to be out of the harness. (When dealing with trees you want to be able to wrap all available body parts around them.) Try to center up on the tree and fly straight into it. When going for a tree landing you want to hit it and stick there. Just clipping the tree with a wing is very dangerous and probably the worst thing you can do. Also, landing evenly between two trees is bad and makes getting clown strictly for the Walendas. The worst scenario for a tree landing is to hit the tree and fall to the ground. Learning to fly in the Southeast, where there are lots of trees, I was taught that in the case of a tree landing you want to treat the top of the tree like the ground and flare into it softly. I personally feel that ifl'm going to land in a tree, I'm going to fly at that sucker with enough speed so I can make it all the way to the center of it. I've climbed enough of these things as a kid to know that branches break off. I want to get to the part of the tree where they get the

2x4's-the trunk. Whether you flare to land on the tree or fly to land in the tree one thing's for sure; you don't want to fall out of it. The moment you impact that tree you should be grabbing for the most solid looking object within reach. Keep in mind that you have 60 to 80 pounds of glider hanging on your back. It's very possible that the glider will want to pull you away from the tree. I suggest using your parachute at this point. Pull it out of your harness and throw it over a branch near the trunk of the tree. If possible, use the bridle to tie the glider off so it can't pull you away from the tree. The next thing to try to do is get out of your harness. This won't necessarily be real easy, but you'll find that adrenaline can have you doing some amazing things. Again, the goal is to keep yourself from hitting the ground, so do whatever is necessary to secure yourself to the tree. Tree landings are highly survivable, but more than one person has died by falling out of a tree after impact. HAVE A PLAN!

THIS MONTH'S TIP: You don't ever plan on having to use your parachute, but you still should have no doubt about how to use one. Get into a parachute seminar. If there isn't one scheduled in your area coordinate one yourself. Someone's got to do these things. For more info on how to put together a parachute seminar call or write me. •

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Hang Gliding Lesson #1 Fly hard, fly safe, fly with High Energy Sports To reduce risk of lxxlily injury or death while hang gliding you need a complete safety system. From your glider to your hang straps you need to know you have the best system for you. We at High Energy Sports specialize in harness-parachute systems designed for the worst circumstances.

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by Jerry Forburgcr sidebar by Harold Airington meant to rerrain from I told you so, but I have known for years that the Llano Estacado held the pott:ntial for long hang gliding flights and possibly even a world record or two. The Indians named the place Llano Esta· eado (which means 'staked plains') for the stalks that grow from the center of the yucca plant. The while man thought the land on top of the caprock to be too dry and uninhabitable. Then in the late I 800's a few hearty souls started to occupy the area and gradually pushed the Indians off the land. The Llano Estacado runs from the northern border in the Texas

panhandle to the southeastern border of New Mexico. It extends westward into New Mexico and eastward to the caprock just cast of I ,lib· bock, Texas. And it is flat with a capital 'F'. So flat that towns arc named Levelland and Plain·" view. The sky extends 180 degrees from hori-" zon to horizon. Caprock country is also located in an area where two air masses collide. The hot dry desert winds from Arizona and New Mexico meet the humid air arriving from the Gulf or Mexico and can provide some interesting thunderstorms, constant winds and spring-time tornadoes. These weather phenomena can also

produce some of the finest flatland soaring conditions on earth. The sailplane people have known this for years. I'd venture to say that there have probably been as many sailplane records set over this area as anywhere in the the United States. This is the evidence l used while trying to convince Larry Tudor to at· tempt some records over tile flatlands. Larry Tudor is prctly sharp when it comes to recognizing good soaring conditions so he didn't need much convincing. In I 989 he and Joe Bostik spent a month in l .ubbock and I [obbs rlying for records. I .arry returned with Ted Hoysc in I 990 to continue his quest. [n June

I .nrry flew 268 miles from Hobbs lo Boise Oklahoma. He always seems to draw a crowd because other pilots slarted lo migra1c 10 !lohbs for till, chance al a wurld record dis· lance fligl11. Kari Castle blew away the women's open distance, dog leg and altitude gain rec· ords. Then, wi11l 1ime running out, I .arry new a distance of about 2:10 miles on July I, backed it up with a 2SO miler on July 2 and then astoll· ishecl 1he worlcl with his open dis1ance and declared goal rccord.scuing rligh1 of more than 302 miles 011 July Nearly 800 cmss·coun1ry miles in three days, lnily an ironman perform· ancc. News of excellent flying spreads fast in the hang gliding commtmily. J\fler all, five world records had fallen, an un10ld m1111ber of personal best fligh1s had been beaten, a new world·class si1c had been valida1cd, platform· launched lowing is proven as an effec1ive launch alternative and the official flying had !IOI even started at the first I lobhs, Nt)W Mexico I !ang Gliding Feslival. On the rirst day or compel it ion 54 pilols had and all were anxio11s to get their share of' the great flying. The pilots' mec1ing star1cd on timG, that is, it was scheduled to start a1 and didn't gel underway until nearly 9:00 J\M (typical me(,t, so far). G.W. Mead ows presided over the activi1ics as mec1 dircc· tor and Tom filled lhc shoes of safety dircc1or. The rules or compclitio11 were re· viewed and discussions resulted in only minor changGs. I .arry Tudor presented an excellent review of lhc condi1ions 10 be expec1ed. /\II pilots were to he checked out on 1he par1icular towing syslt,ms 10 which 1hcy were as.,;1g11c,:1, but only a small percenlage of' the pilots had much lowing experience. The task was calh:d and gliders were tnmsporled rrom tfa: set ·UP to 1he end or lhe runway. lx:gn11 as soon as 1hc launch win dow was opened. The first day's !ask was a race 10 goal nl the Por1a1Gs, New Mexico air· port ahoul l 00 miles lo the norlh. Conditions were slrong with a stiff surface breeze and cumulus clouds building. The drifl was out of' the southeast so making goal meant some cross·· wind flying along a cluc·north co11rsc. Dust ikvils plowed 1hro11gh Ille lmmch area and wcr·e almost invisible because the terrain around the nirpark is moslly dry grass. There was not a lot of dust on the ground to help mark 1he devils. Fightcen of the pilots made goal with th,: fastcsl being Tony Barton at hours Y7 min· utes. Ted Boysc was second al :i: I Nelson Howe at I and Larry Tudor al 14. The slowest lime to was probably mine. I boated along in conscrvalivc fashion and

Dave Sharp under tow behind the "Gibbo Skyhook." Photo by Debbie Brooks.

reached the goal arter abou1 four hours, arriv· with gobs and gobs of' altitude. After land· I was by Wills Wing learn leader Larry Tudor. I .arry politely explained wha11he word "Ract'." meant in the Race lo Goal 1ask and informed me 1hal as my punishmen1 I would have 10 ride back to llobbs with 1hc Pac Air Team. We were all laughing and having a small cclehra1 ion for making goal when tragic news reached us from Hobbs. /\I PM Chip I lcnly tumbled his The glider broke and threw his chutc. It was probably the impacl with the ground that caused Chip's back injury and the subsequent dragging by the chute

caused 1he wire hums and other bruises. But afkr the ordeal Chip was walking around and 1hanki11g lhe chute maker. Eric Aaslcttcn was 1101 so lucky. J\t 2:43 PM Eric launched his /\xis into strong condi1iom and was met by :i dust devil at low altitude. HG either released or suffered an inadvertent release from the tow line which caused the glider to stall and impact 1he concrete runway. Eric died of head injmies at 1he scene. J\s I snid earlier, because of the excellent rJying jusl prior 10 1hc rnel'\ there was a lot or "go for i1" in lhc attitudes of a number ofpilo1s with a limited amount of Wt: were lowing in strong conditions at times and very few pilots had proft:ssional towing instmctio11 or experience i11 dealing with these conditions. The 1ragedies of the first day proved to be ;i sobering influence on all of the pilots and 1ow rig operators. Some pilo1s headed home. Some tow operators did the same. Tile pilo1s ancl operators who decided to finish the meet were comrnilted to proving I hat a safe tow mecl is possible and all participants were much more receptive lo safely instrnction. At the next morning's pilot meeting there was an exchange of safety information slar1cd by the !\TOI. low rig operators. Other opcni· tors joined in and a wealth of safety informa· tion was presented. I liave always fclt lhal tm1il mos\ pilots have: a lol or lowing cxpe1·ie111cc.\ each tow meet should begin with a mandalory safety seminar. I think lhe idea might calch 011 now. The round two wsk was a dog leg. Fly lo Morion, Texas aboul miles northeast of COlllltlllCC.,,.

0CTOBl'.R

199()

IJ'.l

Here it is in Black and White by Seed wings

Pilot Endorsements For The Sensor 510 E

Rating This Years Superships

Sensor - Technological Leader

Dennis Pagen, writer and test pilot, Pennsylvania: "The most yaw-stable glider on the market, the E model has every bit of the famous Sensor sink rate. It's the best handling Sensor yet, and now with more LID at higher speeds."

Seeclwings offers the following [comparison] for pilots to consider the prime factors ofj/i?,ht and setup characteristics. In an effort to be fair, some of the unnamed gliders were given the benefit ofthe doubt, and rated at the next high level. Ratings are excellent, very good,average,fairand poor, in orderofvalue. (A hint-two oft he gliders are of foreign design, though widely sold in this country.)

First known enclosed crossbar Rogallo design flown. (1976) First preformed airfoil with a bridled reflexing arrow shaft trailing edge pitch stability system.

Richard Parsack, Ellenville, N.Y., pilot and multiple Sensor owner: "Absolutely love the handling ... landing is unbelievably easy ... no adverse yaw ... I'm ecstatic!" David Ledford, North Carolina mountain pilot: "Seedwings offers better service information and more customer satisfaction than any other manufacturer I know. If you want to experience power steering, high speed glide and improved landings, test fly a new Sensor E model today!" Jerry Felice, New York competition pilot: "The handling is so sweet I can't believe it ... perfect coupling of pitch and roll ... I just love it!" Jeff Burnett, New Hampshire mountain pilot: "Comparing the E model to (glider A and glider D), I felt an advantage with the Sensor. Glide, climb, and now handling-it's a great package."

Three New E Models The SportE VG, the only recreational glider with a VG; the Easy Race VG, the best all around, most popular Sensor ever made; and the Full Race VG, the most Sensor technology money can buy. Tell your dealer to order one into the area today.

Glider A: Excellent handling, very good sink rate and average glide at low speed, poor high speed glide (although "straight down" speeds are fast). Complicated to assemble and maintain. Glider B: Excellent speed, vety good high speed glide, fair sink rate, poor handling in tight vg mode, high glider weight. Glider C: Very good speed and sink rate, light hand! ing, poor yaw characteristics at speed. Average setup, vg pull is long and hard. Fair sail quality. Glider D: Excellent glide, very good sink rate, average yaw characteristics, fair handling in tight vg mode (long pull). Glider E: Excellent glide ratio at all speeds from minimum sink to VNE, excellent handling at all speeds and vg modes. Excellent yaw stability, nine years as "Sink Rate King," least setup hassle, lightest, easiest one arms length pull vg, easiest to launch and land. (See Dennis Pagen's report, August 1990 Hang Gliding Magazine.) Features the cleanest sail and craftsmanship in the business. Shouldn't you be flying Glider E?

(1977) First with a modern in-flight variable geometry system. (1982) First with a modern stabilizing tail fin. (1985) (M.V.Cook, College of Aeronautics Cranfield Institute oITechnology England, June 1990 Skywings, the British magazine, "fix a small vertical surface(fin) at the aft encl of the keel tube". Service: The only exclusive custom high perf01mance hang glider manufacturer, Seed wings offers 15 years of proven technical leadership and an independent alternative to the rest. We maintain, a two clay turnaround for parts, (Available-Sensor handlebar base tubes and streamlined Finsterwalcler clown tubes are in stock now!) Safety: The Sensor's safety record is one of the best in the world, our ai1frames are time proven, strong yet light weight, our aerodynamics are functional, efficient and innovative. We build hang gliders of the finest standards of quality control. Support: Simply, we back what we build with quality information and technology when ever and where ever you need us. Our philosophy is build the very best humanly possible. We are dedicated to modern high pe1formance hang gliding. Sales: The best Sensor dealers are Sensor pilots and ones who truely appreciate the Sensor. New Dealer inquiries are always welcome.

SEEDWINGS INC., 41 AERO CAMINO, SANTA BARBARA, CA. 93117, 805-968-7070, FAX 805-968-0059

CLIMB ABOVE THE COMPETITION! THE

ISENI Ek! For your nearest dealer call (206) 337-9575 SENTEK INSTRUMENTS 14327 27th Dr. Mill Creek, WA 98012

BRAZIL RIO

SPORTSWEAR & TOURISM Your sports and travel agent in Brazil. Hang Gliding, Tandem Flights, Paragliding , ULM , Paralpinisme . Hotel reservations, car and equipment location, experienced guides (pilots). Tours to best flight locals. POPSTAR VIAGENS E TURISMO (TRAVEL AGENCY) AV. N. S. de Copacabana, 680-S. 404 22050 - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil Tel. (021 ) 255-5590 Telex: 2137157 PTVU Fax: 005521 - 255-3644

VHF FM Radios $159.95 Quality made by Ranger Communications • Tmy 5 x 2.5 x 1 inch size • 1 watt RF output power, long battery life. • 2 channel capability, volume & squelch. • Comes with USHGA channel A & Ni-cads * Optional clip-on mini-speaker/mike $35 • 45 watt mobile radio available for $330 Include $5 for shipping and handling. For more info call or send SASE to

Soaring Technology 6 Harvest Lane Farmington, CT 06032 203-677-7533 after 5pm

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 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933

Southern California Flying Tour December 29 to January 5 or January 6 to 12

Build your hang gliding experience this winter and have fun flying a variety of Southern California's premier sites. Traveling with a small group, you'll be introduced to all flying sites by a certified Advanced Instructor with local site knowledge. This gives you the best opportunity to avoid hazards , launch at the right time, plan landing approaches, etc. Southern California has the most reliable winter flying and all sites on the tour have good launches and landing fields . TRIP INCLUDES : Guide Service• Radio Instruction (if desired)• 4WD Rides and Retrieval• Motel and Camping Fees• Glider Demos• FUN! SITES: • Avenue "S" • Kagel • Crestline • Marshall • Lake Elsinore • Otai • Little Black • Big Black

For advanced Hang II and up. Cost: $595 one week, $1090 two weeks, Glider Rental $350/week Early reservations are recommended for out-ofstate pilots, since airline schedules fill up early . This trip is carefully planned and has been running annually for ten years . We will proudly supply references . For details and reservations contact:

(408) 384-2622 P.O. Box 828, Marina, California 93933

I lobbs, take a t11m-point photo ancl continue on 10 Portales, New Mexico ·· a total or about I 22

miles. The drifl was still gem,rally oul of the southeast making this a demanding task. Even more (!Gmanding was the deteriorating conditions midway through the launch window I hat left many pilots f'rnstratcd on the; gron11d. Bui those who persevered were rewarded, because even some or the late starters made significant miles toward goal and gained the valuable points. Some pilots took as many as rive tows to gel away from launch. Now how many Iirnes can you launch from most mou111nin sites nfter a sledder? used to rlying the mountains may prove a liability over the flatlands. It seems thal a pilol became disoriented by Ilic Jack of mrnmtains for l:rnclmarks and 1kw the wrong way, all IIH: way lo 1hc ground, and Josi many precious poinls. Ian Huss won the day al I\ hours minutes. The only olhcr pilots lo make goal 1ha1 day were Tony Barton at 1t:'i8, Larry Tudor at 5:02, Terry RGynolds at 5:29 and Mark Gibson at .~:48. On day three we were going lo attempt two rounds of'crnnpclition. The rirs11ask was a short race to I airport. Arter all compelilors were lmmchcd the low rigs would drive the l 7 miles to Lovington and rc·launch the field for the second task. Maybe trying 10 push two rounds off in one day was a lit Ile 100 much to <1sk as the third safety incident occurred during the firs I launch window. Cindy Drozda 's wilh an extra glider was at I ached 10 her low hold·down tlwt connected the back of the keel to the low car. This is not a tiC··down lhat she nornrnlly uses bul in the interest or during transport I'm sure it was 11cccssmy. J\11hc lime or launch this rear keel tic was not disco11 ncctcd mid a ground loop rcsul1ed lhal injured knce and dcslrnycd her /\xis. or the 4J remaining pilots, 26 made the first goal or day three. Rocket Tony Barton won with a lime or 30 minutes 44 seconds for lhc 17-mile course. Next were Ted Boysc at l, Mitch Mci\ker at :n:!16, 'l'l:rry Rey· nolds at and Nelson l Jowt, at Round four was a race to lhc twin lowers about Vi miles downwind m:11r Caprock, New Mexico. Thirlecn pilots made goal with Brad Koji first with a lime or Y/ minutes 8 seconds. Tony Barton was next al l :00:54, Jim Lee at I :01 :1\5, Larry Tmlor a1 l :02:00 and Ted Boysc at I :02: 17. The last day, round five, was a duplicate or the first day, except for the umis1.wl mnount or ground suck llrnt was conccntralcd almllt halfway to l'ortale.c,. Cloud base was about I3,000 feet and slrects wen'. everywhere. Bui I saw abollt eight glitkrs overpowered by this

The rirst Hobbs hang gliding c:hamp, Tony Barton. Photo by Debbie Brooks. and Jim I ,cc at :i::n. /\ lotal or nine pilots made goal in round five. were The I lnng (HidSponsors or ing Center, I A1mhic I ,id, Mast.J\ir, Pacific/\ ir· wave, UP I111crnational. In fine southwestern tradition /\tcro Jewelers presented each or tile top five finishers with commemorative belt buckles. Sponsors or towing rigs were Skyhook, Tow Launch Systems, Ciihbo Skyhook, Dave Broyles, Mobile Mountain, J\irlime of l .ub bock J\T( )I., Ron Kenney /\TOI, and Sam Wndc /\TOI,. The Sporlsmanship award wcn1 lo Rob Kayes from Mi:11ni ]Jang Roh managed to sink out l times during the mc(~t hul always displayed a smile. The top IO fin·ishcrs arc listed below will! their gliders, Iota! points and launch system. And now the world knows how good the flying is around here so I guess it's okay to say, "] told you so." Ill

3: 18, Mark Gibson al

extraordinary conccnlrntion of gravity and forced 10 land within a coupk of miles or each otlwr. Larry Tudor launched !ale in the window and used the earlier pilot's experience to win the day wilh a time of hours I\ minutes. Tony Barton w,1s one or the earlier pilots and simply meed 1hro11gh Ille "Tatum Jlole" wilh 1 hours and minutes. Ncx1 were Ken Brown at

4916 4304 4142 4054 14

Mobile Mountain Skyhook

3704

l lANC C111 llNC:

Hobbs Perspective by Harold Airington Little did we know that one conversation between Sandy Clark and Debbie Brooks would have led to what came to be known as the Hobbs

many pilots experienced personal-best flights. But the successes were coupled with some tragic news that came early in the week. A meet at Big Spring was well under way with many or the pilots attending so that they could acquire experience. After an astonishing tlying day, on the way back to Big Spring, a chase vehicle was hit headon by a drunk driver killing Paul Basil ancl seriously injuring four other pilots. This knocked out those competitors and three tow vehicles. The injured pilots should be back in the air within a

towed up in staggered formation to about 2,300 feet. After releasing from the tow line, they proceeded to entertain the spectators with a conservative aerobatics display. At dark the city of Hobbs topped off the evening with an hour's worth or fireworks. On day one G. W. Meadows had his job cut out for him. He was about to start a meet that would bring up many questions, especially where safety was concerned, but few controversies between competitors. Some might say that the meet was illplanned, but this was a learning ground, and sometimes we have to experience certain aspects before policy can be set. In my opinion the tow operators, officials and pilots were as prepared as possible for a first-time event or this magnitude. As reported, Eric Aasletten launched at about 2:43 PM into strong conditions and was unexpectedly hit by a powerful updraft at about 50 feet off the truck. From the front it looked as though he went into a whip stall and hit the pavement at a violent rate. Upon investigation we discovered his weak link was still in tact. It is a mystery as to whether he released voluntarily or involuntarily. According to the driver the gust was so strong that it shook his truck. Speaking to the folks who knew Eric and have towed him, they said that they would have towed him at the meet and in the same strong conditions. I hope this settles the rumors that he had so little experience. Whenever a sport is experiencing rapid growth and manufacturers are pulling high-performance gliders on the market, coupled with this number of competitors, the sport pushes its limits. This is part or growth. I am not saying that Eric needed to die, but it is evidence or this fact. The sport is reaching new heights and it is time that we sec an organization similar to the HOMA for tow rig manufacturers, and a rating system and guidelines for this type of flying. We pulled off more than 1,000 tows during the Big Spring and Hobbs meets and several world records were broken off tow. Rather than casting stones or declaring that safety was neglected, we need to consider the entire picture ancl go forward.

year or two. Prior to the first clay of the competition Wills Wing, Pacific Airwave, Tow Launch Systems (Chris Gagliano), Coors, Kodak, Daylight Donuts, and other concessionaires set up in the large hangar. Local spectators began to gather to view an event not yet seen in Hobbs. On July 4 Dave Sharp, Mitch McAleer and Tony Barton

At the pilots' meeting some of the safety ideas that had been discussed the evening before were implemented. Dave Broyles had suggested we put PVC pipe with streamers on them down the runway and have radio communication to the Safety Director (Tom Kreyche) so !hat launch directing was more controlled. Fortunately the city of Hobbs was behind the meet l 00% and pilots and tow rig owners

Hang Gliding Festival. The chamber of commerce in Hobbs, New Mexico had been looking for an event to replace a Confederate Air force reunion held annually. Several ideas were looked at with the tow meet at the bottom or the agenda. After some deliberation by the tourism committee, headed by Jay Janicn, the tow meet was miraculously selected. Jay's committee, in conjunction with the ncwlyfonncd Rocket City Ridge Riders or Alamogordo, New Mexico began pulling endless hours into an event that would turn out to be one of the highest point-earning meets of the year. Prior to the meet Jay solicited funds from sponsors who would purchase ads in the magazine and underwrite much of what made this event so grand. They arranged for two giant hangars for setup and vendor areas, and multimedia advertising like this sport has never seen. Dave Sharp, John Webber and I were on a television talk show, and represented USHGA and the sport at Rotary and Lions Club meetings. There were television commercials, advertisements and posters all over Regions IV and XI. Somewhat slow were the packets that reached hundreds of hang gliding shops and pilots. The stage was being set. Once the months or hard work had passed and the meet time was drawing near we began to see pilots show up in the Hobbs area. As you may know by now, world records were to be set and

OCTOBER

1990

agreed to go on with the event. The only restriction was that no tandem rides could be given for the remainder of the meet. By the evening of July 8 we could all boast of having been part of an historical event, one that would probably cause new regulations to be implemented and bring more attention to the world ofplatfonn launch towing. All pilots were exposed to several tow rigs, and lots of innovative ideas were shared. On behalf of the sponsoring club (the Rocket City Ridge Riders) and Hobbs, New Mexico, we would like to thank Chris Gagliano of Tow Launch Systems, Todd Braden of Skyhook. Jerry forburger, Ron Kenny and Sam Wade with ATOL, my tow rig crew, Mark Gibson of Gibbo Skyhook, Larry Keegan, Dave Broyles, Mark Dearmon, and Mobile Mountain (Fly America) for an immeasurable amount of effort in getting these outstlmding pilots in the air. Also, thanks to all the crews accompanying the rigs, as well as the chase drivers. Our hats off to the community of Hobbs, the Chamber of Commerce volunteers and especially Sanely Clark, Jay Janica, John Webber and Ann Taylor! According to Ann (executive VP), next year's event will be ten days long to get in a maximum number of rounds (June 29-July 7) so put it on your calendar. The towing committee is working hard to set some standards in order to prevent a repeat of this year's tragic accident. Hopefully more manufacturers will get on the bandwagon, exhibit displays in the hangar and donate significant prizes or even money. \Ve also hope that more people will take advantage of the safety and instrnctional seminars we had available this year. Unfortunately, few pilots attended, choosing to get the experience before they left home for the meet. All rigs seemed to operate comparably. When averages were taken here's how they fared: Gibbo Skyhook, Braden's Skyhook and Mobile Mountain all had one rig and one placer, Airington had one rig with two placers, and ATOL had three rigs with 1.2 placers per rig. The HP AT really seemed to dominate the event, and four different gliders were represented in the top ten standings as well. Last but not least, the Rocket City Ridge Riders and a newly formed corporation will soon be announcing the reopening of the flight park. It has been temporarily closed so that city standards can be met and criteria set for flying the area. Please be patient. It will be worth it all.• There is a mw fooragc video (110 music and unrnr) of the eve11t arnilahle for $20.00 (includes shipping and !,a11dli11g)fm111: Rocket Ciry Ridge Riders, 2407 !oll'a St., Alamogordo, NM 88310 (505) 437-16/5.-Ed.

WHY WAIT? U.P. has a selection of C3-185's, Axis's, and Dreams in stock. Call your dealer today for immediate delivery. Custom glider orders 4-6 weeks. All U.P. gliders H.G.M.A. certified. U.P. also stocks paragliders, harnesses and soaring accessories. UP International• 560-4 Birch St., Lake Elsinore, CA 92330 • Ph. (714) 674-7005, Fax: 674-3071 Orders & info.1-800-COME 2 UP.

CLASSIFIEDS ADVISORY: Used hang gliders should always be disas:scmbled before flying for the first time and inspected carefully for fatigued, bent or dented downtubes, ruined bushings, bent bolts (especially the heart bolt), re-used Nyloc nuts, loose thimbles, frayed or rusted cables, tangs with noncircular holes, and on Rogallos, sails badly torn or tom 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 them to inspect. Buyers should select equipment that is appropriate for their skill level or rating. New pilots should seek professional instruclion from a USHGA-certified school.

HP-AT 158 - Incredible custom sail work. $3,200. 25 flights. Sport 167. $1,000. Brent (818) 348-0786.

SENSOR 510 B - Full race with compensator, S 1,300. Chris (208) 788-3891.

HP-AT 158 - Wills Gliders, 60 hrs., $2,400. Two HP-2's, newer one, $800, faired tubes, new bag. Older glider, $600, Pete (4121661-3474.

SENSOR 510 B VG - 3/4 race, superior performance, excellent condition, SI ,500. (718) 539-I 150.

HP 1-1/2 - Very good condition. Low hours, looks and performs great. $750 OBO. Ken Pasterkiewicz (619) 2844765. HP I - Not a flutter in the sail. Performance at a bargain price. $650. Jim (303) 973-5153.

ROGALLOS

SENSOR 5 IO C - 1989, V AFR with opt. #8 rib, low hours. Excellent condition. Great X-C glider. Bill (603) 672-6629. SENSOR 510 C - Full race, pig-tail, big tail fin, Xtend half ribs, like new, $2,900. (615) 949-2301 (Tenn.) 188 SKYHAWK - Flown five days, great for novice/ intermediate, $1,600. OBO. Wills Wing Fly Lite deluxe cocoon harness with Freetlight 20 gore parachute, $700. OBO. (818) 707-3199.

AIR-ZONE-A - Towsters have the new Phoenix Soft Release and a Pagen glider dispenser. Just bring your harness. Jeff Reynolds (602) 482-9723.

HP II - forty hours airtime, full race, S 1,000.00. Super Dream 185, custom sail, $800.00. Breeze 140, small control bar, $500.00. Han-ier 188, $400.00. Atlas 170, $300.00. (714)678-5418.

AXIS l5 -Great performance, extra down tube, $1, I 00.00. Must sell. Evenings (619) 934-2125.

KISS - Fifteen hours, S 1.750.00. Kiss, new, $2,000 OBO. (509) 627-3624.

AXIS 15 - $1,000. CG 1000, chute, BRS, $900. (303) 6410841 Lv. msg. Rusty.

MAGIC KISS - 52,295 OBO. Blue with rainbow undersurface. (714) 654-8559.

AXIS 15 - Full race, low airtime, excellent condition $1,450. (412) 898-3219.

MAGIC KISS - Excellent condition, < 5 hours air time. 52,250. (503) 224-9008.

AXIS 15 - Full race, beautiful glider, excellent condition $1,800. (303) 499-8236.

MAGIC IV 166-VG - Metal trailing, airfoils, well mainrained 100 hours. S1,000 OBO. Don (415) 945-1233.

SPORT EUROPEAN l67-New $1,800. Also selling new cocoon with chute and used knee hanger, Ball M-20 vario, Bell helmet, B.O. David (916) 666-3272.

AXIS 15 - Two hours A.T., custom sail, will send photo, $2,500 OBO. ED (71-1) 773-1658.

MAGIC IV 177 (503) 935-2639.

Full race, 65 hours, rainbow, $1,000.

SPORT 167 EURO RACE - Immaculate, garaged, extras, left L.E. blue, right L.E. red. (505) 662-3769.

COMET 3-185 - Brand new. slight shipping damage fixed, S500 off. See in IL/TN/CA. Brad (708) 360-0700.

MAGIC IV 177 388-0752.

Race, excellent condition, $1,000. (503)

SPORT 180-Pertect condition, less than 10 flights. (714) 678-6718.

COMET 165 - Very good, low time, $500. Ball M20 vario, T.E. probe $200. Oklahoma (918) 272-9010.

MAGIC IV 177 - Full race, 20 hrs. Perfect condition. Sl,500. (503) 245-3047 collect.

SPORTS -Low time Eastern gliders. 167 full race, SI ,700. 150, 66" tubes, $1,995. (716) 377-0535.

Purple. lime, white, never used $1,150.

MAGIC FORMULA 1990 - Low hours, beautiful sail, S2,200. Rusty (616) 409-4332.

UP GEMINI 184 - Excellent condition, 7 flights, stored inside, S850. Also High Energy parachute and harness like new. Ted (213) 429-0011.

DREAM 220 CUSTOM BEAUTY -New 10/89, yellow, green trim, multi butterfly. Crisp, $2,400 firm. See in IL/TN/ CA. Brad (708) 360-0700. DREAM 240 - Red L.E. with rainbow unctersurracc, S600.00. (714) 734-0622.

MOYES 175 GTR- Excellent condition with extras. Under 40 hours. Black L.E., blue and white. S 1,200 OBO. Raymond pod harness, $100.00. Bell helmet, $20.00. Roberts vario, SI 00.00. New Thermal Snooper, S25.00. Parachute, $100.00. Will split shipping. $1,350 takes all. (805) 9881952.

LIGHT DREAM 205 Sl,400. (316) 697-2425.

Low hours, excellent condition.

MOYES METEOR 190 - Good condition, oversize control bar for tandem flying, $400. Rusty (616) 469-4332.

LIGHT DREAM 145 - Zero hours, beautiful, S2, I 00. GTR 175 <50 hours, excellent condition, $2,200. extras. (714) 783-4429.

MOYES XS 155 - The glider of champions. Blue, pacific blue, white. $2,500. (415) 665-1520.

165 DREAM (3 15) 724-4400.

185 SUPER DREAM - Pink and green, faired downtubes and spcedbar. Less than 20 hrs., matching Eric Raymond harness, chute and helmet. Afro 8,000 cross country. Total package $3,000 080. (214) 987-9944. GTR RACER 162 - Red L.E., custom spectrum B.S., 4.-1 White M.B. fully faired, speed bar. Lm,· time, clean sail, always hangared, near new condition. $1,450 OBO. Jeff (303) 879-8129. HAVEN'T GOT $-1,000 FOR A NEW GLIDER'/'?'? Let Cindy's ··Magic Wand" give your sail a face-lift! Call: L/D (303) 4-10-3579. Check out our selection of QUALITY PRE-FLOWN GLIDERS!

MYSTIC 177 - Low hours, CG. speedbar, faired tubes, pitchie, intermediate battens, $1, IOO. (80 I J 569-1895. Great sport kite. NEW GLIDERS - Best Prices! Pacific Airwave, Wills Wings, Seedwings. Delta. Silver Wings (703) 533-3244. PAC AIR GENESIS 138 - Under 1990 new factory warrnnty. L.E. f. pink trilam, pu1vlc, pink and magenta under, comfort bar. A I factory n~w condition. Perfect glider for smaller pilot. PT 3 hours. Sport 167 F. pink trilam L.E., rainbow under, new wires, comfort bar, crisp, 20 hours, Sl,500 or trade for 150. HP AT 145, PT 10 hours, $2,800. Attack Duck 160. red L.E., rainbow under, good shape, $500. Pro Air 135, black L.E. yellow under, $325. All gliders have had dealer inspection, manuals and patterns. Western Arizona Hang Gliding. (602) 453-6261, 1-800678-GLJDE.

HP AT 158 2639.

Five flights, fluor. pink, $2,600. (503) 935-

HP AT 158 254-6141.

Five mos., $2,550. 229 Raven, $550. (80 I)

PRO STAR II 195 - Low airtime, great condition. $495. OBO. David (619) 443-6346.

HP-AT 158 -Excellent condition. $3,000. (209) 523-6652 or (209) 847-0924.

RA VEN 209 - Good condition, low airtime, Flight Designs harness, Free Spirit chute, all with manuals, $500. Call days DE (302) 738-4844.

OCTOBER

1990

SPORT 150 - Rainbow spectrum, excellent condition, $1,500. Call days, Mark (916) 244-3079. SPORT 150 EURO - Like new. Approx. 30 hours. Will deliver Northern California. $2,000 080. Michele (916) 335-3132. SPORT 167 - Great shape (Ohio) New wires, $1,500. (614) 837-0318.

VISION ECLIPSE 17 - Black, white, rainbow, immaculate condition, <10 hours. Speed bar, spare downtubes, etc. Price han1ess with parachute, Systek variometer, flight designs altimeter, $1,900. Bob, days (804) 229-1880, eves. (804) 566-1199. VISION MK IV - S 1,600. Sport EL67FR, Sl ,600. ProAir 180, S700. ProStar II 160, $600. Magic IV 166. (602) 5270659. VISION MK JV 17 - Orange/yellow, trilam L.E., full race, <50 hours. $1,500. (504) 947-4774. VISION MK IV 17 - Excellent condition, six hours. speed bar 3 DCG, bar mitts, blue L.E., yellow under surface, $1,700. Small cocoon, rainbow, $50. Bell helmet, sz 7 1/4, $35. (303) 450-9445, Jeff. VISION MK IV 17 and 19-3DCG, camera zippers, trilam L.E. $1,935 ea. Test tlown only, shipped anywhere. (303) 750-3226. WANTED - Demo Moyes XS, EZ, GTR - Buy & sell, new or used. ··Wanta try towing?" (209) Barnie 368-9665 or Paul 333-2575. \VANTED - Used hang gliding equipment. Gliders, instrumenls, harnesses and parachu1cs. Airtime of San Francisco, 3620 Wawona, San Francisco, CA 94116. (415) SKY-1177. COLORADO HANG GLIDING (303) 278-9566 24 hours Delta: Lt. Mystic 188, 177. 166 ... $1,500, $1,lOO, $1,300 Mystic 177 V.G. ...... ........... ........ ......... $700 Lt. Dream 205, 185 . .... ...... ...... ..... ...... S900 ea Lazor, phoenix 6D ..... ............... . ........... $450 ea PacAir: Magic Formula, Kiss ...... $3,100, $2,700

CLASSIFIEDS Vision MK IV 17, 19 ............................... $1,950 Vision 20 ..................................................... $900 UP: Comet 3 185 ...................................... $2,600 Comet 1, 2 185 ........................................ $500 ea Wills: Sky Hawk l 88 ................................ $ l ,300 Raven 229 .................................................... $700 Harrier 2 l 77 ............................................... S700 Misc: Bicla Maxi 2 ..................................... $650 Atlas 17 ...................................................... $500 Javelin 208 .................................................. $800 Demon 175 .................................................. $850 Seahawks 170, 140 ...................................... $375 All equipment guaranteed in excellent shape, inspected and shipped anywhere. MCNISA/AMEX/DISCOVER accepted. Never used chutes large sizes ................. $265 ea

ULTRALIGHTS WOLF TRIKE/DEMON WING - 18 hp with reduction drive, Digitron/tach, spare prop, belt, down tubes, etc. Sl ,500. Bob, days (804) 229-1880, eves. (804) 566-1199. SCHOOLS AND DEALERS ALABAMA LMFP - Two hours from Birmingham (sec our ad under Tennessee.) (404) 398-3541. ARIZONA

GOLDEN WINGS (303) 278-7181 Vision MK IV l 7, 19 Demos, (like new) $2,050 VISION 19 (USED) (EXCL COND) ....... $1,800 Sport 167 Euro. Demo. (exec. cond.) ...... $2,700 SPORT AMER. 167 (10 HRS) ............... $2,000 HP-AT, Demo .......................................... $3,200 PROAIR 180 ............................................... $650 Magic 3 ........................................................ $700 ATLAS 176 ................................................. $475 POLARIS (SMALL) ................................... $600 DUCK 160 .................................................. $600 CG 1000 HARNESS (NEW) ....................... $485

ARIZONA WINDSPORTS-Largest hang gliding center in the Southwest. Lessons utilizing the world's first manmade trainer hill. All our sites face every wind direction. Highest percent of flyable student days in America. Dealer for Pacific Airwavc, Wills Wing, High Energy, Ball and Seagull classic parts. 1327 E. Bell De Mar Dr., Tempe, AZ 85283 (602) 897-7121.

THE HANG GLIDING CENTER Magic Formula In stock .............................. New Magic KISS ................................................. New Magic KISS Like new ............................. $2,500 I 50 Sport FR 63" CB ...... .......... S 1,900 167 Sport .................................................. $1,400 HP AT In stock ........................................... New Demo HP AT. Custom lettering, almost new, immediate delivery .............. $3,500 Sport 167 AT In Stock ............................... New Magic III 166 Great Glider ..................... S l ,200 Vision MK JV 17/19 In stock ..................... New Vision MK IV 17/19 Used ...................... $1,200 229 Raven Used ......................................... $700 Equalizers Used S/M .................................. S425 CG 1,000 M Like new ................................ S450 4206-K Sorrento Valley Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121. We have instruments and parachutes in stock (619) 450-9008. *'Special travel incentives on some glider purchases.

SAIL WINGS HANG GLIDING - Certified Instruction. Agent for Pacific Airwavc, C.G. 1000. Soar 600' Haney's Point! 1601 N. Shackleford 11131-4. Little Rock, AR 7221 l (501) 224-2186.

RIGID WINGS

DESERT HANG GLIDERS - USHGA Certified School. Supine specialists. 4319 W. Larkspur, Glendale, AZ 85304. (602) 439-0789, 938-9550. ARKANSAS

AIRTIME UNLIMITED-SOUTHLAND HANG GLIDING SCHOOL - Pacific Airwave gliders in stock. Tandem instruction, ATOL towing. We need your used glider tradeins. c/o David Engel, 12120 Severn Way, Riverside, CA 92503 (714) 589-0109. CHANDELLE SAN FRANCISCO, INC. Since 1973, complete hang gliding and paragliding sales service and instruction. Dealers for Wills \Ying, Pacific Airwave, Delta Wing, Seed wings, UP, High energy, Center of Gravity, Ball, BRS, Second Chantz, ITV, Firebird, Edel and more! Northern California's most complete repair facility, including 7th class rigger's machine. New and used equipment, spare parts, and demos. Complete training, including introductory lessons, packages, clinics, ground school and tandem. Five minutes from Ft. Funston. 488 Manor Plaza, Pacifica, CA 94044. (415) 359-6800. HANG FLIGHT SYSTEMS • DIRECTLY across the street from WILLS WING. DEMOS and rentals available to qualified pilots. HP-AT small, medium & large SportAT's, Kiss, Mark TV, Genesis, Dreams and Axis. FLY 'EM ALL and decide what you like. We sell and service all major brands of gliders and accessories. USHGA cenified XC clinics and training program. 1202 E. \Valnut, Unit M, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 542-7444 Near Disneyland. HANG GLIDER EMPORIUM - The best training hill in the west is in Santa Barbara, a hang gliding VACATION PARADISE. High quality PERSONALIZED instruction focusing on the skills that most affect your SAFETY. Call for vacation h1fo and glider inventory. Tues.-Fri. 10-5, Sat. 10-4. 613 N. Milpas, Santa Barbara, California 93103 (805) 965-3733.

CALIFORNIA ACTION SOARING CENTER - In Lodi Near Stockton. Personalized USHGA Certified Instruction, sales, and service. Emphasis on special skills and techniques, T.O. & L. Call to demo XS, EZ, GTR - and if you "wanta" learn to tow. 1689 Armstrong Road, Lodi, CA 95242. (209) 3689665, or Paul (209) 333-2575. AIRTIME OF SAN FRANCISCO - Hang gliding & paragliding. Lessons -sales - service - rentals. UP, Pacific Airwave, Seedwings, Wills Wing, High Energy, Pro Designs, HiLite, Condor and more. Large selections of second-hand equipment. Certified instruction (USHGA & APA). Next to Fort Funston, 3620 Wawona, San Francisco, CA 94116. (415) SKY-1177.

~-(··

HIGH ADVENTURE- Full service facility located on site at Southern California's fa111ous mile high mountains, Crestline. From sand hill to XC thermal !lying, our 20 tandem accelerated training program is quick and thorough.

EASY RISERS (TWO) - One E.T. with harness, parachute, box. One motorized. (303) 667-4617.

r--------------------------------------, USHGA CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ORDER FORM 40 cents per word, $4.00 minimum. Boldface or caps $.95 per word. (Does not include first few words which are automatically caps.) Special layouts or tabs $22 per column inch. (phone numbers-2 words, P.O. Box-1 word) photos-$25.00 line art logos-$15.00 Deadline-20th of the month, six weeks before the cover date of the issue in which you want your ad to appear (i.e., June 20 for the August issue). Prepayment required unless account established. Please enter my classified ad as follows:

Section (please circle) Rogallos Emergency Chutes Parts & Accessories Business & Employment Miscellaneous

Schools and Dealers Ultralights Rigid Wings Publications & Organizations

19 issue and run for consecuBegin with tive issue(s). My check 0, money order 0, is enclosed in the amount of

$_ _ _ _ _~ NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ADDRESS: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Number of words: Number of words:

@ .40 = _ _ _ _ __ @ .95 =

PHONE:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

~umb:_ ~Months: _ _ _ _ USHG~.O. Bo~300, Colorado Spring:.._C~8093_::719) ~2-8300 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _J

HANG GLIDING

CLASSIFIEDS Instructor Rob McKenzie. Dozens of new and used gliders for sale or rent. Other services include, weather information, mountain shuttle, towing seminars, XC trips, repairs, ratings. (714) 883-8488. THE HANG GLIDING CENTER - Located in beautiful San Diego. USHGA ins1ruc1ion, equipment rentals, local flying tours. Spend your winter vacation flying with us. We proudly offer Wills Wing, Pacific Airwave, High Energy, Ball and we need your used equipment. 4206-K Sortento Valley Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121 (619) 450-9008. MISSION SOARING CENTER - Serving the !lying cornmunity since 1973. Complete lesson program with special attention to quality take-off and kmding skills. All major brands of gliders, parachutes and instruments sold. Sail repair and air frame service available. 1116 \Vrigley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035. (408) 262-1055.

Soaring, Parachute, Instructor, Mtn. Tours, Towing. 1108 Miners Alley, Golden, CO 80401. (303) 278-7181.

NEW MEXICO

L/D ENTERPRISES - Frame and sail repair; Parts and accessories, Cindy Drozda, 5000 Butte #183, Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 440-3579.

UP OYER NEW MEXICO, INC.-Instruction, sales, service. Sandia Mountain guides. Wills, Seedwings, Pacific Airwave, Delta, Moyes. Albuquerque, NM (505) 821-8544.

PEAK PERFOR~IANCE PARAGLIDING SCHOOL Paragliding instruction/equipn1ent sales. P.O. Box 213, Crested Butte, CO 81224. (303) 349-5961. TELLURIDE AlRSPORTS - The Rocky Mountain region's newest high performance cquipmenl outlet will save you cash during its Autumn soaring sale. Now you can own the fabulous MOYES XS 1 New and used gliders in stock. Call today (303) 728-3889. P.O. Box 2076, Telluride, CO 81435 CONNECTICUT

NATURAL HIGH SPORTS - Lessons, equipmenl, jewelry. Debbi Renshaw-Armenta, P.O. Box 361, Running Springs, CA 92382. (7141867-7961.

MOUNTAIN WINGS -

Look under New York.

FLORIDA PINE CREST AIR PARK - Landing area for Crestline. Launch info. for schools, lodging, area flying sites. Contact Juanita Jackson evenings at (714) 882-4803. SILENT FLIGHT -Servicing Northern California, Smuhem Oregon. Full instructional packages including tandems! TLS towing. Mount Shasta (916) 938-2061.

ORLANDO - Solo in one hour. Paraplane (powered parachute). FlighlS on large private airfield. (407) 351-4510. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK-See ad under Tennessee. (404) 398-3541. GEORGIA

TORREY FLIGHT PARK, INC. - Al the launch of 1he world famous Torrey Pines Glider Port, one of San Diego's highlights' Unmatched convenience for pilots and spectators. Refreshments and souvenir~ at the Cliftlrnnger Cafe. Ce11ified Training program featuring tandem soaring lessons. New, used, rental and demo equipment by Delta \Ying and UP. 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037 (619) 452-3202. TRUE FLIGHT CONCEPTS - USHGA Certified Ins1ruction, Sales & Service. Become a better pilot in less time with our small personalized classes & tandem instruction. Our head instructor has over 12 years teaching experience. Only minutes from our local Kagel Nlountain flying site. 13185 G!ads1onc Ave., Sylmar, CA 91342. (818) 367-6050. WINDGYPSY - USI-IGA Ccnificd school specializing in personalized tandem flight training. Full service sales & repair facility in Lake Elsinore - call for site info. \Viele range of new & used gliders & night accessories in stock. Mexico Hang Gliding Tours. Paul Burns, 33041 Walls SI., Lake Elsi norc, CA 92330 Phone (714) 678-5418; PAX (714) 678-5425. WINDSPORTS SOARING CENTER - Los Angeles largest and most complete school since I 974. \Ve specialize in personalized tandem instruction, sales and repair. Spend your winter vacation flying wilh us! 16145 Victory Blvd., Yan Nuys, CA 91406 (818) 988-0111. "Professionals You Can Trust!" COLORADO COLORADO HANG GLIDING/PARAGLIDING USHGA certified school, dealer all brands, rentals, towing. Open full time. (303) 278-9566 24 hours. COLORADO WIND PARK - "Come up for Air!" Sales, service, complelc instruction on our 500-foot, 360-dcgrcc training hill. S !0/day lodging. Dealing all brands. PO Box 94, Hansel, Colorado 80449. (719) 836-2240 (weekends only) or (303) 762-6505. EAGLE'S NEST School of Hang Gliding- USHGA certified school. Dealer for Delta Wing, Pacific Airwavc and Wills Wing. P.O. Box 25985, Colorado Springs, CO 80936. (719) 594-0498. GOLDEN WINGS - Sales, service. USI-IGA certified instruction. Tandem Towing Instruction. Dealers for \Vills Wing, Pacific Airwave, Delta Wings, Moyes, UP. Clinics:

OCTOBER

1990

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK under Tennessee. <404) 398-3541.

See our act

HAWAII MAU! SOARING SUPPLIES - Sport, Mark JV, Magic Kiss. Rentals, guide service, advanced instruction. Closed Feb., Mar., Apr. Box 780, Kula, HI 96790. (808) 878-1271.

NEW YORK AAA MOUNTAIN WINGS HANG GLIDING CENTER AND FLIGHT PARK - Now offering PARAGLIDING instruclion and sales. Base of ELLENVILLE MTN. Four exclusive training hills. Area's only dealer for Pacific Airwavc, UP, Seedwings and Delta Wing with demos in stock. We are the largest, most complete H.G. accessory and repair shop of its kind in lhe country. Many new and used gliders in stock. R/C supplies and kits, Ultra Pod camera systems. VISA and MASTERCARD accepted. Slop in and get your flight pass and gate combo. I 50 Canal St., Ellenville, NY 12428. (914) 6473377. In N.E. 1-800-525-7850. FLY HIGH HANG GLIDING, INC. - Serving S. New York, Connecticut, Jersey areas (Ellenville Min.). Area's EXCLUSIVE Wills Wing dealer/specialisl. Also all other major brands, accessories. Cer1ified school/instruction. Teaching since 1979. Area's most INEXPENSIVE prices/ repairs. Excellent secondary instrnction ... if you've finished a program and wish to continue. Fly the mountain! ATOL towing! Tandem flights! Contact: Paul Voight, RD 2, Box 561, Pinc Bush, NY 12566, (914) 744-3317. SUSQUEHANNA FLIGHT PARK - Cooperstown, NY. Certified Instruclion, Snles and Service for all major manufacturers. 40 acre park, 5 training hills, jeep rides, bunk house, camping, hot showers, 600' NW ridge. We have the best facilities in N. New Yark state to teach you how to fly. RD 2, Box 348A, Cooperstown, NY 13326, (315) 866-6153.

TREASURE VALLEY HANG GLIDING- USHGA CF!, service/sales, Pacific Airwave, UP, American \Vindwright, La Moueue, 11716 Fairview, Boise, ID 83704. (208) 3767914.

THERMAL UP, !NC. - Most complete hang gliding shop in area. Located on top of Ellenville Mountain. USHGA Cettified 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.

ILLINOIS

NORTH CAROLINA

RA VEN HANG GLIDING SCHOOL - Larges! and most popular in the :rvlidwcst. Traditional curriculum, ridge soaring, mountain clinics, tandem by Brad Kushner. Sales/ service/accessories for all major brands. 300 N. Green Bay Rd., Waukegan, IL 60085 (708) 360-0700.

FLY AMERICA, Corolla Flight-All introductory flights and lessons taught by USHGA Master Rated, Advanced Tandem Instructor. Greg De Wolf instructs new through advanced students with A TOL and Tandem. Fly beautiful Currituck Beach on the Outer Banks. Tow from your blanket or doorstep. All !lights guaranteed l 500'-2000'. Best and most thorough instruction available in U.S. Best safety record. No glider canying, no climbing, no sand in your face. Call Greg De Wolf (919) 261-6166 or write: Corolla Flighl, Box 1021, Killy Hawk, NC 27949.

!DAI-IO

MICHIGAN PRO HANG GLIDERS - Serving since 1978. USHGA certified flight school. Towing specialist. Step-towing or thermal-trolling for qualified pilots. Beginner through advanced lessons. Observer. Wills Wing, Bennett, Manta. Contact Norman Lesnow, 569 \V. Annabelle, Hazel Park, MI, 48030. (313) 399-9433. T-N-T HANG GLIDING, JNC.-Know how to fly? Want to learn to fly? Come see Michigan's first A TOL launch system in action. (313) 382-3977.

KITTY HAWK KITES, INC. -P.O. Box 340, Nags Head, NC 27959(919) 441-4124. Learn to hang glide on Jockey's Ridge, the largest sand dune on lhc cast coasl, just south of where the Wrighl Brothers' first flight took place. Beginner and advanced lesson packages and camps offered. Advanced tandem tow instruction, 1500 ft. plus up. Dealer for all major brand gliders, complete inventory of new and used gliders, accessories and parts.

NEVADA OHIO ADVENTURE SPORTS - Spectacular Sierra tours, tanelem & lessons. USHGA certified training and ratings. Dealers for Wills Wing, Pacific Airwavc, Delta Wing, UP. Fly lhc Sierras with a full-service shop. 3680-6 Research Way, Carson Ci1y, NV 89706 (702) 883-7070. NEW JERSEY MOUNTAIN WINGS -

Look under New York.

MARIO MANZO - Cer1ified instruction, repair, inspection. CG-I 000, 2259 S. Smithville Rd., Dayton, OH 45420. (513) 256-3888 (eves.) NORTH COAST HANG GLIDING - Cc11ified Inslruction. New & used gliders. Specializing in Pacific Airwave gliders. Mike Del Signore, 1916 W. 75th St., Cleveland, OH. 44102 (216) 631-1144.

CLASSIFIEDS PENNSYLVANIA

VIRGINIA

MOUNTAIN TOP RECREATION - Certified instruction, Pittsburgh. (412) 697-4477. C'MON OUT AND PLAY!

SIL VER WINGS, INC. - Certified instruction & equipment sales. N. VA. (703) 533-1965.

MOUNTAIN WINGS -

WASHINGTON

Look under New York.

PENNSYLVANIA SKY HIGH - Certified instruction, tandem, service, PacAir. Philadelphia (215) 527-1687. TENNESSEE CRYSTAL AIR SPORT MOTEL -

at Raccoon Mountain.

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. INTERNATIONAL DEALERS

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. HAWK AIRSPORTS - New and improved hang gliding! Attention Novice and beginners! New 360 degree training hill designed and built specifically for you. Conveniently located. Fun! Fun! Fun! Clinch Mtn. -The longest ridge, two launches. The popular light wind i11dicator Windsok. Bro-

chures available. Your satisfaction is the key to our continued growth nnd success. Hawk Air Sports, Inc .. 251 Nonh Boyd's Creek Rd., Sevierville, TN 37862, (615) 453-1035. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK- Since 1978, Southeast's largest USHGA-certified mountain flight school. Complete training, from grassy, gently-sloping training hills to soaring high above Lookout i\1ountain. Our specialty: getting you your first mountain flights. Lesson packages, USHGA ratings, glider and mountain bike rentals, camping, local site information. Largest inventory of new and used hang gliders and mountain bikes, harnesses, helmets, instruments, T-shi11s. Repair services. \Ve buy used gliders, equipment! Send Sl.00 for brochure, rates, directions, accommodations information. Twenty minutes from Chauanooga, Tennessee. Route 2, Box 215-H, Dept. HG, Rising Fawn, GA 30738. (404) 398-3541 or 398-3433. SEQUATCHIE VALLEY SOARING SUPPLY, INC. Dealers for all major brands. Small tr.1ining classes, with USHGA certified instruction, including tandem flights with group rates available. Famous radial ramp located just across the street. Great first mountain flight location with a huge landing zone and camping available with a comfortable clubhouse. Fly over 100 miles of ridges and enjoy challenging thermals with two launches, soon to be three, right here in ''The hang gliding capital of the East." Fully Slacked pro shop. Rentals, storage, USJ-IGA ratings and all the latest fashions. Proud dealers for \Vills \Ving, Sccdwings and Delta Wing gliders with reasonable pricing on all products. Brochure, maps. site info., Tennessee Tree Toppers Club memberships available. Visa, .Masterchargc and Discover Carel accepted. For pcrsonol service that you can trust call SYS, Rt. 2, Box 80, Dunlap, TN 37327 (615) 949-2301.

SWITZERLAND SWISS ALP HANG GLIDING SAFARI - For quick, easy flying May to October, call or write Ron Hurst, Jostcnstr. 2 l, 8854 Galgenen, Switzerland, Dir. Dial USA 01 l-41-55645229, FAX#: Ol l-41-55-645223. EMERGENCY PARACHUTES ALL BRANDS - Bought, sold, and repacked. Inspection and repack S20.00 - Parachutes, bridles, inspected and replaced. Airtime of S.F,, 3620 Wawona, San Francisco, CA 94116. (415) SKY-l 177. POCKET ROCKET - Ballistic rccovc,y system for hang gliders. S799 complete, S499 with own parachute. Paragliding system $775 complete. ADVENTURE SPORTS 3680 Research \Vay #6, Carson City, NV 89706. (702) 883-7070. SPECIAL 14-gore Hanbury Super slim only for reserve ose. (303) 278-9566.

Super small,

PARTS & ACCESSORIES

DON'T PAY FOR A NAME, PAY FOR QUALITY. High quality short shell, open ear helmets at an affordable price. MEETS & EXCEEDS the new 1988 DOT standards. Well finished brushed nylon liner with High strength Polycarbonate shell. ONLY $55.00. Golden Wings: Colorado's New Hang Gliding Supply Source, (303) 278-7181. DON'T PAY HIGH PRICES! - Get colors (white, blue, reel, neon) on a high quality, open ear helmet, D.O.T. approved, finished brushed nylon liner with polycarbonate shell only S48. NAS Distributing representative. (303) 2789566 24 hours for your nearest dealer. KILLER CAMERA KIT -THE, camera setup - This nifty Ricoh has a hi-tech remote that's the best there is! Don't be misled by cheap imitations - LED remotes that don't work unless lined up perfectly, or cables that are a pain to run and freeze in flight. This remote even works through walls! Also standard arc auto focus, flash, exposure, advance, and rewind, wide angle lens and just 7 ounces. Mounts right on tubing or washout without counterweights! Everything's included, batteries, mount, remotes, safety, plus low price, easy set up and 2 year warranty. Get your hands on the statcof-thc-art hang gliding camera, and get your picture in the USHGA calendar! $230 VISA/MC Cindy Gall, c/o Semicoa, 333 McCormick Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 894-7143. NEW HARNESS FOR SALE- Wills Wing L-2, mediumlargc, bright colors, $490. (415) 326-3424. KEVLAR FULL FACE-Superlite full face cover helmet. Excellent vision, yet cold weather protection, $295. Visors $25. Pendulum Sports, Inc. (719) 539-3900.

BELL SOARING HELMETS - White, blue, reel and neon. $129 plus. NAS Distributing (303) 278-9566. Sold through dealers only.

TEXAS AUSTIN AIR SPORTS - Still the one in central Texas, quality service since 1978. Instruction, sales, rcnrnl, and a complete airframe & sail repair facility. 17 l 2 Waterston, Austin, TX 78703 (512) 474-1669. KITE ENTERPRISES - Instruction, sales, repairs, platform towing, Dallas, North Texas area. 211 Ellis, Allen, TX 75002 (214) 996-7706 daytime, (214) 727-3588 nights and weekends. Dealer Pacific Airwave.

THE FAMOUS "LAMBIE LID" - Aerodynamic Hang Glider helmet. S75 postpaid. State size and 3 choices of color. 8160 Woodsboro, Anaheim, CA 92807 (714) 7791877.

RRA RED RIVER AIRCRAFT- Dealer for Wills Wings, Moyes. Pac Air, UP. Jeff Hunt (512) 467-2529. UTAH WASATCH WINGS - USHGA certified hang gliding school, dealers for \Vills \Ving, lvloyes and Pacific Airwavc. Flight operations at Point of the Mountain. Call Gordon (801) 277-1042.

BLACKHAWK BODYSACK CG HARNESS -with case, custom made, $395 including shipping, also Pods $395. Silver Wings (703) 533-1965.

USA La Monette - La Mouettc parts. gliders, trikes, paragliders and accessories. 11716 Fairview, Boise, Idaho 83704. (208) 376-7914. Dealer inquiries welcome.

BRAND NEW MAXON RADIOS -$175 shipped! Colorado residents add 3.5% sales tax. Colorado Wind Park, PO Box 94, Ilartsel, Colorado 80449 (303) 762-6505.

HANG GLIDING

HOW TO ENJOY 'IHE VIEW FROM THE TOP:

The United States Hang Gliding Association VISA® Gold Card.

Reward yourself with the credit card that gives you the recognition of being a member of United States Hang Gliding Association. Accepted at 7 million locations worldwide, the USHGA VISA®Gold card is one of the best credit cards available today because it gives you unmatched security, value and an edge in facing financial challenges.

•Up to $3 ,000 Supplemental Lost Luggage Protection •Emergency Cash & Airline Tickets MBNA America•m is one of the world's leading issuers of credit cards. Committed to ervicin our members' needs, MBNAAmeriers 24-hour-year-round ustomer Satisfacti o n, one hour processing for credit line increase requests, a lost card registration service and an e mergency replacement card service .

APPLY TODAY! 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

V.es , l 4 •

I wi sh to app ly forth e USHGA VISA~ Gold ca rd w ith all the benefits descri bed above. Shou Id my appl icat ion for the VISA Gold ca rd not be approved, this req uest constitutes my application for the Classic VISA, and I accept that on a periodic basis I may be considered for an automati c upgrade to the VISA Gold card atMBNAAmerica'sdiscretion . (Note: This is not an applicati on for a corBO QV porate account.) (Please print. ) 06-743 17-064 NAME_ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME -

=-- --,- - - - --cc,--,----,--- -- -,--,--(For use when you request special action taken on you r account)

CURRENT CREDIT CARO ACCOUNTS MasterCard®NISA® Account# - -

- - - - - - -- - --

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American Express® Account # _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ I have read this entire application, agree to its terms, and certify the information is correct

AOORESS _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ CITY _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ STATE - -- -HOMEPHONE( ARE YOU:

(Seal)

Use th is section to request extra cards. If you wish an additional ca rd issued to a co- applic ant over 18 years of age, complete the information below.

BUS. PHONE( Renting

O Own

O Buying

Date

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ZIP _ _ __ _

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YRS. THERE ANNUAL - SALARY$ _ _ _ _

POSITION _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ YEARS THERE _ _ _ _ _ OTHER INCOME• S - -- -ANNUAL OTHER SALARYS _ _ _ _ __ INCOME0 $ _ _ _ _ _ SOURCE_ _ _ _ _ _ __ •(Al imony, child support, or separate maintenance income need not be revealed if you do not wish it considered as a ba sis of repayment)

PREVIOUSEMPLOYER _ _~ ~ -.-~ - - - - - - . -- ~ - -(lf less than 3 years at current employment) PREVIOUS AODRESS _ _ _ _ ~ ~- - - - -- - - ~ (lf at pre sent address less th an 3years.I

Annual Fee

$40 Gold: $20 Classic (Fee waived first year)

WORK PHONE(

· (Alimony, child support. or separate maintenance income need not be reve aled if you do not wish it considered as a basis of repayment ) I have read this entire application and agree to its terms, and understand that I will be jointly and severally liable for all charges on the account

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I (We) authorize MBNAAmerica •m to investig ate any facts, or obtain and excha nge reports regarding this application or resulting ac count with credit reporting agencies and others. Upon request I (we) 'Nill be informed of each agency's name and address.

Grace Period For Repayment Of Balances For Purchases

Oate

At least 25 Oays from statement closing date

Transaction Fee For Cash Advancu, And Feu FGr Paying Late or Exceeding The Credit Limit

Transa coon Fee For Bank and ATM Ca sh Advan ces: 2% of each Cash Advance, S2 Minimu m, $25 Maximum; Tra nsa ction Fee For Access Che ck Cash Advance s: 1% of ea ch Cash Advance, S2 Minimum. SIDMaximum. late Payment Fee: $15, Over-the-Credit-Limit Fee: $15.

Averag e Daily Balance Method of Computing the Annual 17.9% (including new purchases) Balance for Purchases Percentage Rate The 1nformat1on about the cost of the card described ,n this appl,cat,on ,s accurate as of 4/90 This information may have changed after that date. To find out what may have changed, call 1-800·847-7378.

CLASSIFIEDS ULTRALINE- From the original Ultraline source - Cajun Hang Gliding. In stock 1/4, $145 delivered and 3/16", $95 clelivered. 110 Kent Circle, Lafayette, LA 70508. (318) 981-8372. STILL TOWING GLIDERS WITH LINE BIG ENOUGH TO TOW A CAR? - Fat line is for Dweebs ... Get the FINELINE, simply the best towline available. 3/32", 900 LB, low stretch, low drag! Guaranteed performance from REEL ALTITUDE. Also, releases, bridles, hook knives, retrieval systems and more! Free samples. (602) 992-7243. LINDSAY RUDDOCK VAR!OS - Considered by good pilots on all 5 continents as the very best sensitivity and stability that money can buy. Sold all over the world for most of the last decade. Customized for each pilot with choices from: altimeter, airspeed, avcrager, stopwatch, 2

BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ATTENTION - Government homes from Sl.00 (U-repair)! Delinquent tax property. Repossessions. Call (602) 838-8885, Ext. GH-15034.

zero's, TE, dual batter)\ QNE, millibars, switched ranges, metric/English, colored case, etc. Prices $600-$800. Not the cheapest but definitely the best. We also sell Pacific Airwave perfomrnnce gliders. Call or write for more info.: Bob Fisher, M & B Associates, 11003 Oasis, Houston, TX 77096. (713) 728-4146, FAX 728-0438. VISA/Mastercard accepted. MAXON RADIOS - $325. New synthesized, programmable VHF FM 5 watts. Includes 6 channels (3 USHGA and 3 weather), charger, case, antenna and warranty. Best prices on Maxon hand-held, mobile and accessories plus fasl, reliable service facility. I-watt Maxon $169.95. Quantity discounts available. Pendulum Sports, Inc. (719) 539-3900.

QUICK RELEASE CARABINER-Breaking 10,000 lbs. $24.95. Extra 5/16 ball lock pin S 10. Dealers wanted. Patent pending. Thermal, 19431-41 Business Center Dr., Northridge, CA 91324. SAILMAKING & RIGGING SUPPLIES - All fabric types. Massachusetts Motorized, P.O. Box 542-G, Cotuit, MA 02635. (413) 736-2426. SHOP MANAGERS!! We can supply your needs for: Tubing, Cable, Helmets, Steel carabiners & Perlon. Base tube "COMFORT GRIPS". Also!! The brand new parachute bridle Swivel "PARA-SWIVEL". Save money & time. Call us for a Dealer price list. GOLDEN WINGS: COLORADO'S NEW HANG GLIDING SUPPLY SOURCE. 1108 MINERS ALLEY, GOLDEN CO 80401 (303) 278-718 I.

ATTENTION-LICENSED HANG GLIDING INSTRUC-

TORS. Contact us for free infonnation on opening your own Paragliding School. We provide everything you need to start a school, and train you to use our proven methods of instruction. Free introductory Paragliding ground school and flight to Licensed Hang Gliding Instructors. For information on your own Paragliding School, contact: PEAK PERFORMANCE PARAGLIDERS INC., P.O. Box 213, Crested Butte, CO 81224. Tel/Fax (303) 349-5961. CHANDELLE HANG GLIDING CENTER - is looking for an experienced, qualified person to fill the position of Sky School Manager and air frame mechanic. Candidate must be highly proficient in hang gliding skills, knowledge of repair technology, self-motivated, resourceful, highly safety conscious, work well with people and have a great sense of humor. USHGA certificate desirable, but emphasis is on abilities and experience. Duties include instruction, ground school, guided tours, professional demonstrations and repair. Salary negotiable. Call Andrew. (415) 3596800. INSTRUCTORS WANTED - Prefer certified but will train qualified people. Advancement opportunities include tour guiding and management. Western Hang Gliders, P.O. Box 28882, Marina, CA 93933. (408) 384-2622. MOUNTAIN WINGS -

NEW N.A.S. VARIO/ALT COMBO- Extremely accurate ©/-10 feet at 10,000 feet. One foot increments alt, digital, radio shielded, up and sink readout and alarm. Five year parts/labor replacement I guarantee or money back. $380 each. NAS distributing representative (303) 278-9566.

oock

PARAGLIDING EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - A complete line of equipment and accessories available. \Vhatever your needs, from Alpine descents to ocean, themrnl, and ridge soaring, we have it. PEAK PERFORMANCE PARAGLIDERS INC,, P.O. Box 213, Crested Butte, CO, 81224. Tel/Fax (303) 349-5961.

THERMAL SNOOPER<F~ The exciting new soaring instrument. Proven to indicate nearby themrnls and more. For competition or just fun. Own one for just $98 check or money order to: Digi-Log Circuits Co., 5711 Tannahill Circle, Huntsville, AL, 35802, USA. Satisfaction and 12 month warranty. (205) 881-7886. X-C SMOKE BOMBS -$5.00. Signal mi,rnr, $6.00. Jack the Ripper cutaway knife, $20.00. Pendulum Sp011s, Inc. (719) 539-3900.

ls looking for advanced hang

gliding and paragliding instructors. Salaries negotiable. Full and part-lime positions available. ivlanager position available-requires knowledge of computer systems. Call Greg or Judy at (914) 647-3377. Send resume to 150 Canal St., Ellenville, NY 12428. PUBLICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS ***HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE*** -

Special New

Pilot Edition. Covering many aspects of hang gliding for the beginning pilot. $4.50 plus S 1.50 S/H. USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933.

TOWING PARAGL!DE USA- Subscribe to North America's most widely read paragliding magazine. S25/year/l2 issues. VlSA/lvlC (714) 924-5229 or FAX (714) 242-4718.

THE PERCH - Glider rack with four point support. No need for bumper mount, attaches directly to roof rack. For free information write: The Perch, 24784 Melba Drive, Madera, CA 93638, (209) 673-2544.

SOARING- Monthly magazine of The Soaring Society of America, Inc. Covers all aspects of soaring !light. Full membership $35. Info. kit with sample copy $3. SSA, P.O. Box E, Hobbs, NM 88241.

TOW LINE RECOVERY DROGUE KITING SYSTEM® DKS - Stop dropping your tow line, pull it down out of the sky. Fast, saves wear on tow systems. Self-contained system stays with rope. Two sizes, $125-$130. Check or M.O. To: Happy Bottom Research, 1229 Dug Hill Rd., Brownsboro, AL 35741. (205) 536-8224 After 5pm CST.

HANG GLIDING

CLASSIFIEDS VIDEOS & FILMS

VidEOTApES

AiRPLAy FoR HANG Glidrn PiloTS HANG GLIDING TODAY - is a new, short introduction to our sport and the programs of USHGA. Available only rrom LSHGA for $9.95 © S3 shipping. Copies of TELLURIDE!, Mountains High And Flatland Flyine are $37 each (Calif. Res. add state tax) © $3 shipping from AirPlay. Make checks payable to Robert Reiter, 800 Heinz Street #9, Berkeley, CA 94710. For additional information, call (415) 649-8111.

RE\V ARD - for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the hang glider pilots responsible for dumping the hang glider and washing machine off of the flying site at Soboba near Hemet, California on the afternoon of Thursday, August 2, 1990. Contact the Riverside County Sheri!Ts department or the Paragliclc USA office at (714) 9245229. USHGA EMBLEM T-SHIRTS - The original, revised for the 90's! Bright neon colors. Your choice~ a white tank top or black I-shirt. Iloth JOO'X cotton. Please specify type and size. Available in S, M, L, XL. Only $9.93 each (what a deal')© S2.00 S/H. Colorado residents add 6.5'X tax. Send to USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933 (719) 632-8300.

OFFICJAL - U.S.U.A. documentary about what's really happening in ultralight aviation. FAA and other interviews and lots offlying. S 19.95 plus S3.00 P/H. VHS. t301) 8985000.

MISCELLANEOUS Be proud to

show off your flights with our deluxe log book cover. American made from "reconstructed'' gray vinyl. Looks and

feels like leather and "debossecl" with the Mtn. Glider design. \Viii fit any hang gliding log book! A great Christmas present' Only $9.95! (plus S2.00 S/H) Colorado residents add 6.SCk sales tax. ORDER YOURS TODA yr USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933.

ULTRA GOLD WINGS - YOUR STATEMENT OF FLIGHT (in rine jewelry) Available in 14K or S.S. A choice of stud or French wire earrings. $129.00 14K, $49.00 S.S. Necklace including chain S99.00 14K. $29.00 S.S. Versatile pin of llight $79.00 14K, S24.00 S.S. \Ve design custom and personalized wings, and offer satisfaclion guaranteed. Contact Dave i\. 1organ, 130 F St., Salida, CO 81201 (719) 539-7612. Prices: 14K S.S. French wires or ~tucl earrings $129.00 $49.00 Necklace with chain $99.00 S29.00 Pin $79.00 S24.00 1

HAVE YOU SENT FOR YOUR NEW 1990 USHGA MERCHANDISE ORDER l'ORM TODAY'' FREE' The rate for classified advcnising is S.40 per word (or group of characters). Minimum charge, $4.00. A Fee of $15.00 is charged for each line art logo and $25.00 for each photo. Bold Face or caps within the te,t $.95 per word. Please underline words to be in bold prinl. Special layouts of tabs $22.00 per column inch. AD DEADLINES: All ad copy, instruction\, changes, additions and cancellations must be received in writing 1 l/2 months preceding the cover date, i.e. August 20 for the October issue. Please make checks payable to USJ-IGA: Classified Adve11ising Dept. HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE, P.O. Ilox 8300, Colorado Springs, co 80933 (719) 632-8300. GRADE A SHEEPSKIN - Hanel fairings. Wann hands in all conditions. Endorsed by Kevin Christophcrson, ··1 wouldn't fly without them." Special orders and dealer inquiries welcome. Send S47 Lo Wyoming Aerolites. P.O. Box 880, Casper, WY 82602. (307) 235-3367 JOHN HEINEY SEMlt\ARS -

Balloon drop, photogra-

phy, and aerobatic safety seminars available to your club or

school. Learn by doing in weekend seminars. Individual attention to each pilot. intermediate through advanced. For information call or write: 125 \V. Cordoba, San Clemente, CA 92672 (714) 361-0169. **''NEW*** USHGA POSTER! Full color, 24" X 37" poster of Eric Raymond doing oxygen at 17,000. MSL over the Siena Nevada Range. S5.95 plus S2.00 Sf]-!. USHGA Poster, P.O. Ilox 8300, Colorado Springs, co 80933.

OCTOBER 1990

STOLEN FROM SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 2/90- 167 Spm1 Euro. Full Race. All white with dayglow orange undersurface. S300 reward for information leading to recovery. Call Dave Rodriguez at (801) 572-1000. FIREBIRD COBRA PARAGLJDER -241112, yellow, pink, orange. Stolen from car in Kentfield, CA on 4-15-90. Call (415) 456-7272. 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. Please call to cancel the listing when gliders are recovered. Periodically, this listing will be purged.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

**''NEW*"'' "HANG GLIDING TODAY" - The official USHGA Headquarters membership video. Produced by Robert Reiter and nanated by Russ Locke, covering member programs and benefits. S9.95 plus S3.00 S/H. Send to USHGA Video. P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933.

*''**DELUXE LOG BOOK COYER**" -

ITALIAN MOYES XS - Red L.E., yellow, white T.E. Stolen from my home in Birmingham, Alabama on June 4, 1990. European tubing, I of 5 in U.S. Call Allen (205) 5958641.

STOLEN \VJNGS BRAND NEW HIGH ENERGY COCOON - Stolen along with contenls or my vehicle in Durango, CO in early May, 1990, Stripes from toes to shoulder, brown, tan, orange, yellow, red. Red s1uffsad, with yellow, orange and brown patches. Please contact Tim al (213) 375-8438. Leave message. 155 MOYES XS- Full race, stolen from side of road at 101 and Scheller exit. between San Jose and Morgan Hill. It was taken away with no bag or tics. Colors arc: L.E.-orange, main-green, bottom-white. Contact Kevin Dutt. (415) 9342189

AirWorks .......................................... 11 Ball Varios .............. ,........................ 15 Brede! Tours .................................... .41 BRS .... ,............................................. 25 Daekeo ............. ,................. ,............. 40 Hall Bros .......................................... 41 High Energy Sports ......................... .41 Lookout Mt. Flight Park ................... 38 MBNA .............................................. 53 McLaren Products ............. ,.............. 41 Morningside Hang Gliders .............. .41 Moyes ............................................... 17 Pacific Airwave ................. ,............ BC Performance Designs ..................... IBC Popstar .............................................. 45 Roberts Glider Instruments .............. 32 Satellite Link ................................... , 16 Second Chantz .................................... 2 Seed wings .............. ,........... ,............. 44 Sentek ............................................... 45 Sierra Cloudbase .............................. 15 Soaring Technology ........................ .45 Sport Aviation Publications ..... ,....... 35 Torrey Flight Park ..... ,........................ 1 UP International ............................... 48 USHGA ......................... 2,4,6,9,39,IFC Western Hang Gliding ..................... 45 Wills Wing ....................................... 12 Windgypsy .... ,........................... ,........ 2

ST PAUL, MINN - According to several newspapers across the USA, Eric Raymond has finally flown his solar-powered ultralight motorglider from San Diego to Kitty Hawk ... well, almost. He reportedly called it quits nine miles short. I find this a fascinating project but can't figure why Eric didn't talk about it to the aviation press, in whose rags nary a word has been seen. Raymond once told me the project was "secret." Even the San Diego HGA' s newsletter, the Flier, had to adapt the news from the LA Times ••• The bird looks sleek, with a shape surprisingly similar to Advanced Aviation's Sierra (see earlier "Product Lines"), and has Sanyo sponsorship, using their new solar cells with a power-to-weight ratio ten times higher than conventional cells. The 57 foot span machine weighs 198 pounds and can cruise about 40mph. Eric, youtalkin' yet?••• Mr. Test Rig, Mark West, has a newer yet version to use in dynamically testing hang gliders. Up and running in May, West's ARV (Aerodynamic Research Vehicle) has three component test ability: pitch, lift, and drag. All this feeds directly into an IBM AT-class computer. West has motorized the connection to the glider so that from inside the cab, he can adjust angles. One of his earliest projects with the ARV was for Moyes on their XS model. ••• Les King has a slick new helmet, MAX, purpose designed for hang gliding. It's a high tech, high price, superlight job made of carbon fiber and spectra cloth. If you've got $150, they don't get any lighter. Call King at 805/822-9244. ••• Wills' latest news states their new Spectrum (begin./ inter.) glider is a flying sweetheart, deliveries of which have just begun. ••• But the biggest news from the Santa Ana bunch (in my opinion, of course) is their formal entry to the paragliding market. Of course, a new product line could increase their business. Plus the entry by the USA' s biggest diver builder could add a new thrust to the growth of paragliding in America. Maybe this quote says it all: "Our experience [time spent in Europe last summer] has convinced us that paragliding offers probably the most easy access to aviation that presently exists, and that because of this the sport of paragliding will see significant growth in the United States during the next five years ... " Wow! In 1995, I'll look back on that comment and we'll see if the WW' ers guessed right. Many are skeptical. The APA has a mere 500 members. On

other hand, Japan allegedly forecasts 100,000 paragliding pilots in five years --

the

more than all hang glider pilots in the world today!! With nearly half of their hang glider production leaving the USA, maybe Wills is betting they can at least sell enough paragliders internationally to risk a dilution of their talent by entering this newest form of flight. Only time will tell. • • • Bill Moyes in Australia seems to be orienting himself in another direction but one which still suggests all manufacturers may be bumping along the top of the hang glider's performance envelope. It is my observation that if new performance gains are hard to realize, then sales may decline (since last year's diver might keep up with tomorrow's superwing) . If so, new business must be generated to sustain our largest glider manufacturers. Bill Moyes is clearly focused on aerotugs (see prior editions of this column), but he chose a 3-axis design over using a trike. He wrote a long explanation of this decision and has allowed me to excerpt portions. In summary, he feels "Builders are expecting too much from these [rogallo-based] wings." By that he mainly refers to powering hang gliders via trikes, even though this has been done successfully all over Europe. As our "butterfly wings" have evolved, Moyes feels we have reached a point where "further development of this wing [construction] for powered use [is restricted] by airframe limitations." In related references he also suggests that crossbar loads have reached a rather finite point as well. Don't misunderstand. Moyes still loves and will continue developing tailless wings. But for towing he believes the 3-axis wing with tail is superior. Unlike the Wills paragliding diversification, Moyes appears to be searching for new ways to grow hang gliding participation and good tow capability is fundamental. ••• If hang gliders, ultralights, and paragliders are the "New Aviation" (my term) , each of these disciplines may argue that they are the most likely way that new people will enter aviation. The introduction of the ultralight sailplane (Sierra) and ultralight motorglider (Cloud Dancer) further blur the lines between the three "New Aviation" segments. ••• What's your feeling? Let me know! • • • Outta room. Next time, news from Seedwings, PacAir, and more! Got news or opinions? Send 'em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118, or call 612/457-7491 (days). FAX: 612/457-8651. THANKS I

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