USHGA Hang Gliding March 1995 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

The Publication of the United States Haog Glidfog Association • March 1995 • $3.95

Tl~J1 1S1_., KN I\ SEl~IJlS ()F (:()JLI-4ECTHBI-iES JHHNI) Sl~YJLED J3Y T!tese beautiful buckles are lndlvlduallv !tand numbered and slqned bv t!te artist.

We've commissioned tltl5 lttgk Iv talented relief artist to ere· ate a series of hang glldlnq collectables to be lndlvlduallv ca5t uslnq a varletv o{ pre· cfous metal5. Tltts premier Item ts a belt buckle featurlnq an fn-fllq/ir !tanq q!lder. cast In JOO% qenulne bronze. Dimensions: 1 7/16" x 2 5/16"

JUST FLY AVIATION GEAR P.O. Box 4S0 Kittv Hawk, NC 2 7949 l-800-546-3596

I are specially designed for comfort and ease. Insulated with soft Polartec fleece, Thinsulote, Open cell foam and n1,1lon Packdoth Removable UJrist Cuffs seal the warm oir Inside. Climote control with o zipper at your fingertips; prevents your hands from overheating. Adjustable hand grip fits an assortment of base tube sizes. Map pockets with Velcro closure Easily Removable -· Velcro mitt on and off control bar. 00 Price ranges from to $75. 00 Dealer Inquiries Invited_,,_ Prices Subject to Change

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====================================================CLOUDBASEHARNESSES J:)~ wrid ~ fv;;nr ~ ~ ~ 1q72 --------Chris Smith, RR 1 Box 660,

30738 'll' (706) 398-3964

(USPS 017-970-20- ISSN 0895-433)()

24 European Flying © l995 by Dennis Pagen Europe's sites, pilocs and gliders.

34 Photo Chute by Steve Rathbun A successful ballistic parachute deployment

2.'}

48 Vol Libre by Mark "Forger" Stucky An exciting Canadian flight park.

Columns

Departments

Accident Reports, by Luen Miller ..........13

Airmail .......................................................5

Competition Comer, by Eiji Yokoda ...... 16

Update........................................................8

Exec's Corner, by Phil Bachman ............. 19

Calendar ofEveots ...................................21

Internet Notes, by Jim Palmieri .............. 28

Ratings .....................................................45

Product Lines, by Dan Jolu1soo ............. 63

Classified Advertising ............................. .51 Index to Advertisers .................................61

MARCH 1995

The SOARING CENTER offers everything a student pilot needs. Excellent instruction, equipment, and a training site with consistent conditions ideal for learning. This means you more air-time, more fun, become a better pilot in time ... You want it? YOU got It!

Yaesu FT411 .............. $305.00 Yaesu FT416. ....................... 275.00 Yaesu FT11R-5W................... 305.00 lcom .................. too many to list...Call Alinco DJ180h-5W................ .259. 00 Kenwood TH28A..~...... 329.95 Kenwoodm22 .... ~....... 289.95 50Wmobi/es ................ .from 329.00

on flying Nothing more need said, but we've got all this so we may as well prove it.

.. Lessons taught daily, year-round. '" Soarable conditions 300+ days a year. " Smooth grassy ridges "made for soaring". '" Lesson packages for beginners or your first 100 mile X-country. " Tandem/Solo Hang gliding & Paragliding lessons. • Pro site guides for 2,000' - 5,000' mountain launch sites. " Demos & glider rentals. " Sail & airframe repairs by factory experts. " Full service shop with products from most dealers. • Free Camping at the launch. " ICP's and aerobatic clinics.

All ham radios available with MARS/CAP mods.............. watrantied

VARIOS Ball M--19 demo ................. .$393.00 Aircotec Piccolo demo .. 354.00 Afro-Cirrus .... we beat any price* Brauniger........................... Call Flytec .................... Call with your best Davron ............... .price. We'll beat it! Tangent Computer... ~ ..... Call ~ Within reason, of course ~

It's worth your while in savings

OTHER ELECTR

TUFF

Flightmate Pro G with full accessories $759.95 Avocet flight watch. Best price anywhero Including shipping!................ .$119. 95 PTT /ingerswifch ..................... 89.00

"You show us yours, we'll show you ours."

NTENNAS 1/4 wave duck. ..$14.95 5/8 wave duck. ........... .... '17. 95 5/8 wave telescoping . .... 20.95 5/8 wave mag mount... . .... 38. 95

MISCELLANEOUS Dealer: ........ UP....... Pacific Airwave Hook Knife(thegoodone) ..... $14.95 Harnesses:High Energy.... CG1000 1/4" braided poly line ........ $3511000' Mason rolease ....................... $47.00 Helmets: Reflex ... Panoramic ... Lee Airspeed Indicator: Wind Advisory And so much more...

425 Taggart Clarksville IN 47129 812/288·7111 1:ax 812/284-4115 Send SASE for current sale flyer showing even more products.

uick~

at "Point of the Mountain" l ?(>65 So. Mir1utmnan Drive

Phone (801) 5766"160

That extra margin of Safety for Hang gliding and Paragliding pilots worldwide! Under special, exclusive agreement with FinsterwalderGermany,

proudly

introduce

the

only

J;iiner

specifically developed for hang gliding and paragliding that allows for rapid separation of the glider, even while under load.* The Quick-Out Carabiner is recommended for: - Rapid separation in high wind landings.

\ \

)

(

- E.arly abort of take-off in critical situations. ·· Problem free separation from the glider in emergency (tree, water) landings. - For paragliding it offers more safety through instant separation of the main canopy. 'Barely heavier than a tradi~ionc1I carabiner-.: individually tested to 4,000!bs.; breaking strength c'J,000-10,000IIJcs.

Tele: 303/2'78··9566 Fax:303/750-3226

$60 ea.

REGION I: Gene Matthews, G,'orge St;1rteva"i'1t: f<fi<:;JON 2: Russ Lockt1, Ray leonmct; Patil Gazis: REGION 3: Marcus S1dv,1n1ini 1 Jo,J Greblo, Gregg Lawless .. REGION 4: Gfom Nicolet> Jin1Xeiset REGl{)N 6: Ron Kenn<o•y. REGION 7: Bill Brydon. REGION ll: Randy Adams. REGION .9: l"eteLohmann, Willlmnt)ennetli fiECJ()N 10: G.W. Moado.\NB1 Matt Tab,w.-REGIOW11: Jeff HL111l, 'I:;: Paul Voight, Paul Rik,irt, l)IRKTORS AT IJ,1rbara l'lynn, D~n Jbhosoo, JiurJ<ihnsbn, l'agen, AIHn Chuc:ulate. HONORARY DIREC, Ed Pltrnan, Kon llrown, Doug l·Hldreth, Fr_ank Gillette, Luer1 Miller, Sandy King(Mike Meier, Rob Kells, Fred Stockwell, Gregg M<:Narne1l, Michael Robrntson, Dave Broyles, David Sondqrgefd, 1<("11 Baier, Fred Moy, DeWolf. l'X·OFFICIO [)!RECTORS: Art Greenfield

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Dear Editor, l wish to congratulate Harry Martin fiH his excellent illustration that was used on the Tdluride Festival '94 T-shirts. From an original concept by Heidie Attenbcrgcr, the scene shows a large predatory bird on the wing holding a hang glider in the talons of her right foot, having just plucked the pilot from his wing with her left foot. ln a tree below, her three fledglings eagerly await their lunch in a nest made of broken hang glider battens. This creative and humorous drawing depicting the hidden hazards of hang gliding is worthy of a poster in my view. I hope to see more of Harry's work in the future. John Heiney Riverton, UT

'·-"",'""!l Assor;ia\ic,n Inc. is an Hlr

Nation,11 h:ronautic offlclal rcpn1sentativn of th,i Federalion Aerona11tique 1/\ternati<mnl<,(FAI), of the world governing body for sport ,wiiltion. The NAA, which represr1nls tl,q U.S. at FAI meetings, h,.u, delegated to the USH(lt\ Sllf)fM'Vision uf FAl~refoted hang gliding ,ictlvilfes such as record ,1ll0ir1pts and crnripr,tition 1.1anctions.

sfxlrtsori1n11.iza11ion

MANG GIJOING magazine is published for hang gliding spon enthusiasts to furtbN in1,•r<1st in the sport, and to nn forurn id advance hang gliding mp·H"""" '""' safoty, Cot1t11butlons are wek:onm. Anyone is invited tp contribute artic;les 1 phptos, and. illustrations gliding actMties. If the rnaterialis to h\, .~eJf..addr1,sst1d totun1.cmv1ilope must N6tifit~ti<m must be made of submission to h,1nrg glidi1ng p1JbJi.,,ot1,r.ms. HANG GLIDING tnaga· cor1iribu!ions, Wlim, 11occ,s.. sary, Jlw . . 1111dpublic,\Lio\1 do 11c)tassun1,: responsibility for the rnaterial or opinions of ccmtribulors. HANG GllDIN(J c,ditori,110//ir:es; 6950 Aragon Circle, Suite 6, Buc,m1 !'ark, CA 90620 (7'14) 994<l050, HANG GUOIN(, (ISSN O!l95·4:B>v) is publish(!d n19nlh· the Ur.tiled States.Mang Glidlng Assocbti()n, Inc., Pikes Peak Av10., Suite TO!., ()iloradQ Springs, Colorado 80903 632,1!300. FAX (719) 632,6417. Second..dass Colorado Spring.,, CO and «l additi()nal rnaiili111.1otfici••s:

POSTMASl'ER: SEND CHANGf: OF ADDRESS TO: HANG GLlOlNC,, P:O. llOX 8300,,Cokir;ido Springs,.CO 1!093'.l,BJOO. Th0 USHl:,A is a member,controlled .spoi:t oi·ganlzation diidicated to the explqration and. prornotio/1 of all facC!lS of tmp(jwemd ultrnlightflight; arid t() thl! ,iducation, train, and safoly of its rrnimberhfp. Ac{,m1f,i())rship is opim to inton:str!d in thb; rtialm of.flight, Dues for full rnenib,m,lhip ar1'1 $S4,00 per year (of which $1S goes to pliiY!ic,atfo,11 al N,lligCl/dlnli), ($6D Cw1da & Mexico, subscriptio/1 rntes only are $35.00 ($40 •· ,,M,M, $SO fqrei111.1l, Chnngos 6f ;1ddre,,s six weeks)~ adw1ice1 including name; prevki\Js and new address, and a mail-, ing lab,)ifrorn a recent issue.

MARCH 1995

Dc:ir Editor, Your readers should know about the fine product and after-sale service provided by Mallcttec, manufacturer of the Mini-Vario. l bought one nearly two years ago. It performed as advertised through two soaring seasons. I abused it, however, by leaving it in my sailboat where ir gor damp, if not wet, and then l left it in damp conditions for a week or more until [ found it. Expecting to be told that it was trashed, l was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was probably repairable, and for a small charge. Ten days afrcr it was returned to Mallettec for repair I received a new vario with "No charge, under warranty," and "Thank you!" written on the slip. This sensitive instrument had quite obviously been abused by me. No other manufacturer would have honored a warranty under these circumstances, but Mallcttec did. I am very happy to heartily endorse this fine product. ·rhis letter to you was not solicited by Mallettcc. David MacVcigh York, PA

Dear Editor, I would like to add my two-cents worth concerning John Heiney's suggestion of a '\Io's and don'ts" feature for this m,1gazine. 1) When flying near trees without foliage leave extra room. You cannot sec the tip of a branch sticking om beyond the bulk of the tree, especially if ir points in your direction. 2) When landing on an uninterrupted, snow-covered surface or a frozen lake there is nothing the eye can focus on, and your estimate of height above the ground may be olf considerably. I have had personal experience with both these hazards. Incidentally, l have been using a drogue chute (home-made) since 1977. I wrote an article about it then which was published in Hang Gliding; Also, I still own and fly a Kestrel A. To the best of my knowledge it was the flrsr double· surface wing, and probably also the flrst "ram-air" type, since then: is only one central upper batten and the air pushing imo an opening at the nose inflates the double surface. The Kestrel A was manufactured in 1976 if memory serves. I love your magazine and always read ''Accident R.cports" first. As you know, there arc 110 old, bold pilots. Henry Bocssl Pittsford, NY

Henry is 66.

Ed.

MANUAL Dear Editor, J want to congratulate Brad Calcagni and Dr. Jim Palmieri for his great article about first aid. I think there should be a permanent column dedicated to this topic. Sure, we can get that information from a hospital or a Red Cross office, hut I'd rather have it in the only magazine I always read. I would invite all the doctors, paramedics, nurses and health care workers in the sport to share their knowledge

Air Mail about procedures, techniques, drugs and available materials. Anyone with ques· rions might mail them to this "medical ream" for rhe right answers. 'fhere arc simple things that can make the differ· encc between a successful recovery and permanent damage. I enco1m1ge all qualified people out there to send as much infc)rmation as they can so we can produce a permanent and handy first aid manual. Enrique A. 'T\·oconis Miami, Fl.

An official USHG/1 hanggliding·oriented fh:l't aid manual sounds like ti good idea to me. I'll mention it to our Sr.ifety tmd Ed. lhiining Committee.

Dear Editor, In the November 1994 issue of Hang Gliding an article describing the death a pilot infected with the buman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) discussed the risk of infoction with blood-borne pathogens when providing first aid to injury vinims. 1 commend the authors for presenting this topic to the hang gliding community; however, l believe they have exaggerated rhc true risk or such infeoion. The authors appropriately cite heal rh care workers as a group with elevated risk of infc.:ction with blood-borne pathogens, especially hepatitis B vims (HBV). However, many studies h:ive shown d1at the risk or 11 BY infection among heal th care workers varies greatly depending on work duties. Those who regularly sustain puncture or laceration injuries from blood-contaminated sharp instruments, such as personnel in operating rooms, emergency departments and laboratories, have a substantially elevated risk of HBV infection. In contrast, those nor subject-· ed to such injuries as ofren such as nurses working in regular hospital wards or doctors not performing invasive procedures have much lower risk or infcx• tion. Less is known about personnel who provide emergency medical services.

Studies of emergency medical teclrnicians (EMT's), who regularly handle contaminated sharp instruments, have yielded mixed results: some srndies showed an elevated level of H BV infccrion among EMT's and some did not. The risk of H BV infection is even lower for personnel who provide only first aid because such people do not generally perform medical procedures involving sharp instruments, such as starting intravenous lines or giving injec-· tions. A recent study measured the level of HBV infection among fire fighters. All study participants provided first aid as part their daily job duties and 2o<X1 were certified EMT's or paramedics. Even though these men and women had an average of 12 years experience as firsr responders, they were no more likely to have had HBV infection than the general population of the United States. The lack of risk among firsr aid providers may he explained by making a distinction between "contact: with blood" and "exposure to blood-borne pathogens." Because neither HIV nor TIBV can pass through skin, blood contact with imact skin does not constitute exposure to a pathogen and docs nor lead to infoction. Although theoretically a route of transmission, blood contact with cut or abraded skin is not a common cause of infection. For a wound to admit J--IIV or HBV it must be very fresh (less than a few hours old), and few people have such new wounds at any given point in time. Even befrire glove use was common among health care workers, few ocrnpationally-acqnired HBV infections occurred without direct injection of virus into the bloodstream as a result penetrating the skin with a contaminated sharp instrument. Although HIV and HBV components can be found in other body fluids, cpiderniologic evidrnce indicates that urine, tears and sweat do not contain sufficient virus ro infect another person. Moreover, like blood, these fluids would have LO be injected into the bloodstream to cause infection, even if sufficient virus were present. Nonetheless, iris always a good idea to avoid contact with blood whenever possible, and the authors of' the Hang Gliding article appropriately recommend

practicing universal precautions, including use of gloves, eye protection and CPR devices. These items should be included in any first aid kit. However, the authors also strongly recommend hepatitis B vaccination for all serious pilots. As suggested above, the risk of HBV infection while performing first aid, especially as sporadically as might be expected of hang glider pilots, may not justify vaccination. Vaccination is expensive (ofren more than $200 and not l\Sll· ally covered by health insurance). Moreover, although hepatitis B vaccine is very safe, no drug or vaccine should be given without good reason. The OSHA regulations cited by the authors may or rnay not apply to hang gliding instruc· tors; their application is still being deter· mined by the federal government:. People wishing to be vaccinated should consult their doctor. The normal vaccination schedule consists of three doses given over six months and provides full protection for more than 95% of young adults. A fourth dose is unnecessary. In addition, because of this very high response rate, routine post-vaccina· don testing to confirm immunity is recommended only for health care workers at greatest risk. Although the risk of infection with blood-borne pathogens is real for people regularly exposed, hypothetical scenarios should not be used as a reason to vaccinate people for whom scientific evidence demonstrates negligible, if any, risk. Bradley/\. Woodruff, MD MPH Medical Epidemiologist Hepatitis Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dear Editor, l hope the following idea may help piloi-s who suffer from back pain when carrying their gliders. As an ancient and increasingly decrepit hang glider pilot myself, f was beginning to experience this problem, especially when there's a long walk from the parking area to the setup or I ,Z. A friendly orthopedic sur· HANC Guo1Nc;

Air Mail gcon warned me that lifting a GO-pound object above waist level, and balancing it on one shoulder, is asking for rro11blc, since it puts a lot of leverage on the lower back. (L.ifring the glider once it's set up, with the weight evenly distributed on both shoulders and using your knees rather than your back ro lift, is relatively okay.) Ar rhat point f began to rhink l might need to switch to paragliding or horror of horrors give up flying altogether. The solution that works for me is very simple. h's a small cart made from a wooden plank, 12. inches wide by 24 inches long, mounred on a single pair of nine-inch wheels, with a steel rod as an axle. 'I 'he materials cost about $20 at the local hardware store. The heavy end of' the glider (i.e., the nose) rests on the carr, and the pilot walks along pulling the rail, held about waist level. The weight of the glider keeps the nose resting firmly on tl1c cart, so you don't even need to use tics as long as the ground isn't too bumpy. After setup, the can goes back into the rcrrieval vehicle. Admittedly, I feel like a bit ofa wimp trundling along with my glider on wheels instead of carrying it macho-style, shoul-dcr high. However, it's c/Tec1ivc (no more hack pain) so I've swallowed my pride. Also, I don't have ro impose on Fdlow pilots for help carrying the glider, and I'd do anything to keep flying for many more years! Marrin Beresford San Francisco, CA

Dear Fditor, In the January issue Dennis Pagcn outlined the new USHCA Annual Pilot Review (APR) program. The article lists a number of APR "practice foctors," from flight plan to spot landing. Nowhere in between, however, did I read anything about preflight check of the glider and the most ofrcn--ovcrlookcd piece of equipment the harness. This may have been purposely omirrcd (probably not), hut US! !CA, along with vastly MARCI I 199 Lj

cxpcricnccd pilots like Dennis and the lesser experienced ones like myself, m11s1 keep reminding all pilots of the basics. So, for those pilots who "reach a certain level," and rhink rhcy know their like the palms of their hands, I

would like to sec USHCA include the standard pre-flight glider and harness check in the APR. Mike Carsiclc Watervliet, NY

Dear Editor, [ am writing on behalf of the Lithuanian Hang Cliding Club located in Kaunas, Lithuania. We have a very active club, flying not only hang gliders but paraglidcrs and ultralights as well. Ours is a fairly flat country, and the principal launch method is winch althollgh we have ;i few foot-launch sires. Since our entire country is only the size of West Virginia, traveling to the flying sites is not a problem. The best flying conditions occur during the spring and summer when winds tend to be westerly from 15--30 kilometers per hour. There arc some interesting flying possibilities along the sea where the dunes arc quite high in places as much as GO meters (similar ro 'forrcy Pines?). Our biggest problem is finding equipment: gliders, harnesses, reserve parachures, ere. Most of om wings arc from Russia or arc homemade. A lot of Rogallo designs arc still common here. Our club would like to know more about the new gliders being flown by U.S. pilots. We know that many used gliders arc available and that you publish an excellent magazine. We hope that you will publish this lcner and that somehow we might be added to your mailing lisr. We have enclosed several phoros to inform your readers of the state of hang gliding in our cou11try. The Lirhuani:m Jiang Gliding Club would be very happy to show visiting pilots where ro fly in our coumry. Our address is: Mr. Kcsllltis Zclnys Alscdziu str. 7-3 Kaunas 3000 Lithuania Tel. CP0-7) 748512

Update

USHGA'S KAREN SIMON AEROTOWS

USHGA Headquamr's own Karen Simon (the firsr voice you'll probably hear when you caU USHGA) go, her firsr caste of aero1owing. complimencs of Br:id Kushner (riglu) of Raven Sky Spores in Whirewarer. \Xlisconsin. While Karen was visiting rhe environs of Chicago she accepted Brad's imfouion ro make the tandem insrruc1ional flight. She was totally ama1.ed ar rhe smoodmcss of aerorowing, and her only complain, was char i, didn't lase nearly long enough.

bility and can be used on aln1os.r any vehjcle \Vith a trailer hitch (truck, car, boar, KrV, snow-

mobile, etc.). Sail Wings has used the winch only fur paragliding so far, but with a larger brake he feds mat ir sh.o,tld be suirable for hang gliding. I.a rry can be reached at (501) 663-3166.

$500TOWWINCH

STAINED GLASS DONATED TOUSHGA

Larry Haney of Sail Wings reporcs that he cao supply inforn1acion on ho\v to

make a static pay-out winch for S500 or less. l ' he ,vinch is ,rndc of pans a,<ailable ar an ATV junk yard, weighs about 25 pounds, has insrant pressure rclea.$e apa8

Finally, the 17,999-foot ceiling is lifted and me competition is on, with unlimited airspace in which to play. High above the carch, colorful har,g gliders and USS Enterprises chennal together in harmony

around an cncrgy-producirig, "blackholed' resla sun. Ufc is abundant and visibility unlimited. Tb.is may sound like something from che sci-Ii channel, buc ir is actually sroined-glass arcwoik donaced 10 USHGA Headquactcrs by Pendulum Acrospons' equipmem specialise Jerry "Zoordog" BraS\vcll. wich assistance from Al .. Dr. Smock" Hoekstra.

This wlique, one~f~a..kind stained glass design is me first dung you'U notice when you visic USHGA Hcadquarrers, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We would like co thank Zoardog for all the ti me, energy and patience required ro p1·-0duce this exquisite piece of anwork, and for donating it to Headquarters for all ro enjoy. ll,ank you!

A LAST HURRAH fn August of 1994, Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York held its lase Open House/Air Show: Unforrunatdy, caught in the recent series of military base closures, Griffiss will be gone by September of this year. Although the weather was marginal, 20,000 people came out to enjoy a variety of static aircraft, hi-tech S"dgetry, food and, of course, hang gliding. The HANC GUDING

Update

an a,vards ceremony at the National Press

Club in \'q,,shington, DC. The Top I 00 Events Liscing includes

U.S. and Canadian cvcncs from each state and province. ABA has conducred' the Top l 00 progran, since 1982 ro showcase North Americas rich ruversicy and co assist cour operators in planning iti.ner.. aries. AJJ evenrs are fean1.red in a brochure \vhich also includes popular inrcrnacionally-lmown events such as me Super Bowl

and die Kencucky Derby. Kin:y Hawk Kite's annual Hang Gliding Specracular draws pilots and spectators from :ill over the United Scates co

Jockey's Ridge Stare l'ark <O enjoy che oldest continuous-running ha11g glidjog competition in tJ,c cou.nrry. Both novice and experieoced pilors compete in a vari.. ety of f,rn-flying evenrs. Also included is a

Eric Mc Nm and d,e USHGA diJp/ay at Gr@ss Air force &u,. USHGA boo1h, occupying a large corner of one h;:wg.ir, ,vas n'lanned by Eric

McNett and Arn1a11do Grissino. Hundreds ofbuuons, brochures and posters \VCte given our co the inquisjcivc crowd, aod a lot of good questions \.\'Crc ~u1sv.·ered. In the weeks following the Air Show, 13 individuals rook advamage of an incro-

be held May 12-14, and has been chosen ro appear in the 1995 Top I00 Events in Norm America by cbe Ametican Bus

f'lne art$ reception, an outdoor street dance and an awJrds ceren,ony with guest

Francis M. Rognllo, "fatl,ec of hang gliding.• Beginnini; hang gliding lessons will also be given during the event. Attendance last year \\'aS estimated at

5,000.

Association. Kitty Ha\vk Kices sponsors

For rcgistradon information contact:

the event every year on Mocl,er's Day weekend. Officials of ABA and Des1in111ions magazine, the Association's crave.I uade

Bruce Weaver, Flighc School Manager, Kitty Hawk Kites, 1-800-334-4777. For general information conraet: Jayne DePanfilis, Direc,or of Mru-kecing (919)

publication. made the a11nouncemenc in

441-4124.

duccory bang gliding wursc: offered by Susquehanna FUght Park and sponsored by the Base's Outdoor Adventure Pcogram. Tf there is a base nearby, USHGA ,nembers are encouraged. to contact rhc Public Affiurs Office and offer co sec up a display. Also, try your community center and youth activities dep:.artmcnt. &th

fudlicics would probably be glad co have you set up a display. Both Eric and Armando wish to thank USHGA and Jeff Elgart for d1e many materials chey sent.

1995 HANG GLIDING

SPECTACULAR - "TOP 100 EVENT" The 23rd Annual Hang Gliding Speccacular, sponsored by Kitty Hawk Kires of Nags Head, North Girolina, will MARCH 1995

Soari11g the dune, during d,r H1wg Gliding Spm,trt,lor, sponsortd by Kitty Hawk Kim of Nag, Head, Nord, Caro/i1111-

u The Redstone Group, lnc. has been designated the official travel s11pplier for the 1c;95 U.S. National Championships to be held in Chelan, Washington. Angela Szarek of Redstone 'fours lnternat:ional, along with corporate and leisure travel marketing experts Joe T.amont, Jack I Ianley and Rhonda Sargent, have joined forces to fi:mn the Redstone Croup, Jnc. The Redstone Group will he offering special discount airfare rares to competitors and their supporr people. Angela has been supplying travel services to the men's and women's World Teams for a number of years, in addition to serving many of the nation's top hang glider pilots and their families. In 1990 she successfully negotiated with a major international air]inc to provide special racks in the cargo bold of their for transport of hang gliders to the men's World Meet in Governador Valadarcs, Brazil. The Redstone Croup will ;1lso be a sponsor of the 1995 Nationals. For reservations and information please call l-800-547-3323. Please let the travel consultanl know your UStTGA number so you can take advantage of these special rares.

1996 USHGA CALENDAR PHOTOS SOLICITED Yes, it's that time already! The window is now open for 1996 calendar photo submissions. Just: imagine your photo gracing the pages of the world-famous USHGA calendar, immortalized for one whole month! But it can't happen if you don't submit 'em! The DEADLINE is MAY 31, J 995. We're looking for color transparencies (slides arc preferred for the hest possible color reproduction) of launching, landing, flaring, setting up ... you name it. SEND THEM lN! Don't be shy. We need your participation. Don't: let your site, chapter, club or glider go unnoticed. Show the world, ,rnd make mom proud too. Your photography will be treated with the utmost of care and properly

returned. Please send to: lJSHGA Calendar, Attn: Jeff Elgart, EO. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933-8300. lf you should have any questions please don't hesitate to call (719) 632-8300.

'95, along with a full line of bang gliders. They will be doing an aerotow demo once a day at the T,akeland, Florida event. For an information pack send $2.00 for postage. Contact: AirEscapc WindSporrs, Scott and lcrri Johnson, l~O. Box 579, Asotin, WA 99402 (509) 243--4988, fax (509) 243-4935.

SIMULATOR AVAHABLE

AirEscape has moved from the Owens Valley, California, to the greener surroundings of southeastern Washington state. Scort and '] crri Johnson arc importers of rhc Australian AirBornc aerorug trike, the Edge. They arc also coimporters of AirBorne hang gliders and gear. The company also imports a full line of paragliders and gear from Custom Sails, a major French paraglider manufactu rcr. AirEscape also offers a variety of tours and flying trips for hang glider and paraglidcr pilots. For derails contact them at rhc address or phone number below. Scott Johnson is a Basic Flight Instructor for the U.S. Ultralight Association, in both weight:-shifr and three-axis care-gories. The company also announces that sig-, nificant improvements have been made in the design of the Edge aerotug. These include a more comfortable seat, a remote choke control for easier engine starting, improved handling, an electric start kit and other options. Scort and Terri Johnson and AirBorne owners Russell Duncan and Rob Hibbard will have two Edge acrotugs on display at Sun 'n' Fun

The USHGA hang gliding simulator is available to clubs and individuals for use at special events. UPS shippable, the simulator is complete in its own bag. Add any glider (round tubes recommended) and you have a real crowd pleaser and promotional tool. 'T'be design is from Mission Soaring Center and the simulator was built:, modified and donated by Lookout Mountain Flight Parle The program was initiated by Jeff Hunt, Director from Region 11 (TX, LA). If you are interested, contact the USHGA office at (719) 632-8300. Give them your name, USI·-fGA number, club function or event, date of the event and an address to ship to. A credit card is needed for a deposit. The office will pay shipping to you; you pay the shipping back to the office or the next user. Simple. lt can be used at malls, fly--ins, expos any place large enough for a hang glider where people can stop and visit. Children (and children at heart) love to get their hands on anything that flies. Demonstrations at schools are especially rewarding. Call USHGA for more derails.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO ALL CUSTOMERS "rlie USHGA has initiated a monthly finance charge on all unpaid balances e/Tectivc February l, 1995. This policy will appear on your invoices and statements and will read as follows: "'Icrm: Balance unpaid after 30 days will be subject to a l .5% per month finance charge. Annual percentage rate I SC%. Additionally: All accounts which go over sixty (60) days delinquent will

HJ\NC GunrNc

convert to COD status nnril the entire balance is paid in full. All accounts which go over ninety (90) days delin" quent will be suspended from ,my additional purchases until the account is rectified."

rhc side of camion for your own s;ifety and the sake of the site. Thanks for your

cooperation.

Submitted by Alan Chuo.date

Philip JI. Bachmrm, USHGA Fxecutive Director

Heavy winter rains have caused multiple slides from the bluffs at Torrey Pines, California, altering the contour of the cliff face and affecting the airflow. The major change has occurred below and in front of the launch face. There now exists a sink hole or "dead spot" just in front of and below launch, and increased vertical airflow slightly further out. When the wind is light you will continue to descend further than you formerly did afrer launch. Assuming you clear the cliff; you will then hit noticeable lifr, then settle into the normal lift band. As a result or this, at the typically lazy Torrey launch you may find yourself sinking to the beach before you have a chance to work the lifr band. Worse than this is the possibility of nosing in afrcr launch. The obvious solution to this new situation is to make a stronger launch run, especially in light conditions, and to plan on a few extra steps than you may have been used to. 'fhis rnay be critical when launching tandem! When the wind is strong, the terrain change may cause the local Wind talker to indicate a wind speed considerably lower than it actually is, and you may find yoursclrbiting off more than you can chew. While this is significant for hang gliders, it can be critical for paragliders, which have been blown back afrer launch. Also, the turbulence on the cliff top is even worse on those south crossing days, which makes it even more difficult to get to the edge with a paraglider. lt seems especially trashy at the sou th launch by the windsock that paraglider pilots ofren use, and out above the ledge. So, when visiting 'forrey, please err on MARCIi 199S

The National Aeronautic Association (of which the US! !GA is a division member) is soliciting nominations for their Katharine Wright Memorial Award, which honors a woman who has "made a co1Hribution to the advancement of the an, sport and science of aviarion or space flight over an extended period of time." I kadlinc for nominations is April 1, 1995. For more information contact: Matt Farina (703) 52.7-022(i.

Sccdwings Europe producrs (nor affiliated with Scedwings California) arc now available in the U.S. rhrough Hex in Auhnrn, Washington. The company's new glider, the Merlin, is now available in 133 and 148 sq. fr. sizes. The Merlin 133 was designed specifically for the lighterweight pilot, and the just-certified 148 is for medium-weight and heavier pilots. A larger size will follow soon. The Merlin series incorporates inter-· nal shear ribs to allow proper shaping of the bottom surface at higher speeds, a new lever tensioner for the tip wands, quick scmp hardware and the quality and finish that has been a trademark of the company. Contact: Flex, Aaron and Keric Swepston, 2415 Forest Ridge Dr., Auburn, WA 98002 (206) 939-6248, fax (206) 939-8408.

VISION Eighteen pilots competed in I 994's Second Annual Pacific Airwave Vision Classic held at Kitty Hawk Kites, Nags

Head, North Carolina, October 22-23. Pilots came from as far away as Puerto Rico, Louisiana and Oregon. They man-· aged to get in 10 rounds of competition during the two days of flm flying. Everyone who participated walked away a winner, with David Clover capturing first place and Will Thornton second. G.W. Meadows and Bruce Weaver tied for third. Mr. Rogallo was on hand for the awards ceremony and presented prizes to the competitors. Thanks go to Pacific Airwave for pro-· viding fun gliders and sponsoring a fun event in which to fly them. Thanks also to Kiny} lawk Kites for providing such a unique hang gliding destination ;rnd lo Just Fly for providing prizes. This Vision Classic is scheduled for September 23 -24. Contact: Bruce Weaver, Hang Gliding Manager, Kitty [ fawk Kites l -800-3.34-4777.

Proper control or a hang glider depends on good feedback between wing and piloL through the control bar. At Mission Soaring's launch and landing clinics, they put a lot of emphasis on "light-touch" training, because it is key to good launch control, approach control and flare timing. Once a pilot masters a light touch, improvement is remarkable. h's hard to concentrate on control bar touch when faced with many distractions and rapid-flrc decision making during a practice flight. As a solution to this problem, Mission Soaring developed the "GripAlcrt" light-touch trainer, which monitors the pilot and sounds off when it senses a tight grip. Early recognition of a tight grip breaks the vicious tight-grip cycle. A tight grip minimizes glider control, and an out--of.control glider produces high srress and a tighter grip still. The GripAlcrt is intended frir new pilot training and advanced pilot brushup practice. When combined with the suggested training exercises included in the GripAlcrt package, learning better bunch and landing skills can be fost and very effective. The CripAlert installs in minutes on any glider without tools and

u without any holes or other permanent modification necessary. Strip sensors fit any style downrube, and the sound/control box straps to the glider keel. Mission Soaring has tested the GripAlert exten-· sively at their school and at launch and landing clinics. The GripAlert comes complete with sensor, sound box, installation accessories and training program instructions for $59 plus shipping. Contact: Mission Soaring Center, 1116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 (408) 262-1055.

This summer, Ultraflight magazine will release its first "Ultraflight Directory." The directory contains information on dealers, instructors, manufacturers, accessories, air parks, clubs, etc., for ultralights. Included are all kinds of ultralights: fixed wing, powered parachutes, helicopters, trikes, balloons, sailplanes, gyrocopters, parasails, hang gliders and much more. The directory includes more than a thousand listings for the ultralight enthusiast. The prepublication price is $10 through April 30. The retail price is $1.3.95 plus shipping. 'fo order or for further information, contact: Ultraflight magazine, 12545 70th St. N., Largo, FL 34643-3025 (813) 539-0814.

ULTRALIGHT SOARING ASSOCIATION FORMED Tn order to promote the sport of soaring, from hang gliders to traditional sailplanes, the United States Ultralight Soaring Association (USUSA) has been formed. The Association is dedicated to serving the needs of those pilots, designers, builders and dreamers who are involved in ultralight glider soaring. The USUSA defines an "ultralight glider" as any glider primarily designed for motorless soaring flight with a maximum 220-pound empty weight and a wing loading of less than 3.8 lbs.Isq. ft. More specifically, the USlJSA represents those ultralight glider designs that employ either full three-axis control or a 12

combination of weight shift and aerodynamic control. In addition, these are gliders that can be foot and/or wheel launched and landed. This runs the gamut from rigid wing hang gliders such as the Fledgling, Easy Riser and Apex to foll three-axis-controlled ultralight sailplanes such as the Mitchell Wing, Swift, Carbon Dragon and Moyes Tempest. With tremendous advances in superlightweight composite aircrafr construction techniques, USUSA foresees ultralight sailplanes in the foture which will offer glide ratios of 30-35: l with the sink rate of a paraglider. Combine all this with the versatility of a glider you can cartop, keep in your garage, foot launch or tow up with a hang gliding winch, aerotug or bungee, and you can sec what all the excitement is about. Since ultralight gliders are in a gray area between flex-wing hang gliders and sailplanes, the lJSUSA will strive to serve as a bridge between the United States Hang Gliding Association and the Soaring Society of America. US USA Founding Member dues are $25 ($35 foreign), which includes a subscription to the Association's newsletter, Ultralight Soaring News. Newsletter subscription only is $15 ($20 foreign). Contact: USUSA, c/o Chuck Rhodes, 130 Los Padres Dr., Oceanside, CA 92504 (GI 9) 385-4068.

PROJECT "PEACEFUL SKY" RUSSIAN HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING EVEN1~ AUG. 26-SEPT. Richard Ball, of Ball Varios fame, sends us a notice of a hang gliding and paragliding event in Russia from August 26 to September 9, 1995. Richard toured Russia last year and has nothing but great things to say about the country and its people. Project "Peaceful Sky" is in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, and participants will fly from the highest peak in Europe: Mount Elbrus (5,642 meters). Pilots will stay in and tour Moscow, fly in the Mt. Elbrus area, and visit the J 995

Zhukovsky Air Show which is comparable in size and scope to the famous Paris Air Show! The grand finale will be the ascent of and flying from Mount Elbrus itself. The organizers hope that this event will in some small way help to further peaceful relations between Russia and the countries of all participants. The event is being organized by Esti Tcrnrist Agency, Aviatron company and the Stravropol hang gliding club. The anticipated cost is approximately $2,000 U.S. plus airfare to Moscow. Enrollment deadline is May 1, 1995. Por more information contact: Esti T<.mrist Agency, 6A, l st Prunzenskaya Str., Moscow 119146, RUSSIA, tel. 01 l 7-095-246-71-65, 01 J-7-095--246-1263, 01 l-7-095-246-99-64, or fax OJ l-7095-245-05-30, 0 l l-7-095-492-4 l--43. Richard Ball has graciously offered to act as a liaison for the project. He may be contacted at: 2140 Kobler Dr., Boulder, CO 80303 (303) 494-9763, fax (303) 444-7784 (c/o Boulder Flight).

NEW ENGLAND BANQUET TO BE .... MT. ASCUTNEY

JL,Jl,JIJ

The 1995 New England cross-country banquet will be held at the Mt. Ascutncy Resort on Saturday, March 18 at 6:00 PM in the Crow's Nest lounge. All pilots are invited to attend this fun springtime ritual. The Northeast X-C Competition has been operated for the past 14 years by Steve Arndt, Randy Adams and Tim Donovan. For more info or reservations call Jon Szarek (603) 882-8698. T'he results of the Northeast X-C Competition are as follows:

Place Pilot

Miles

]) Nelson Howe 108.2 2) Jonathan Szarek l05.7 .3) Tim Donovan 91.l ~) Steve Arndt 85.3 5) Rich LaPorte 81.9 6) John Arrisson 80.1 7) Ted Hasen/its 6').1 8) Cliff Lull 61.7 9) John McAward 59.0 1O) Dennis Cavagnaro 50.0

From Rockport, MA Biddeford Pool, MF Seabrook Beach, NH Hollis,NH E. Lebanon, ME Littlcton,MA Pawtuckaway, NH Ashby, MA Epsom, NH Gilmanton, NH HANG GLIDING

"I was taken ro the hospital by a first aid team and x-rayed from head to toe. Remarkably, I sustained only minor injuries: pulled muscles in my back and chest, and some bruises here and there. l was very lucky."

I by Luen Miller,

ere arc some almosr verbarim reports from some of our rnem-· bers. While you may agree or disagree with their actions, analyses or conclusions, I think they provide valuable information by detailing rhc decisions that were or weren't made as the evems unfolded. Cold stars all around For superior-quality accident reports.

EVENT: A pilot clipped a tree on approach to a landing field. "It was a nonhwest day. The air temperature was about 60 degrees, and there were no clouds in the sky. The wind velocity was lo .. 15 mph, with some minor gusts up to 20 mph, blowing directly imo launch. The site was a northwest hill with a slot launch. "Ir was my first time flying this hill. The local pilots explained all the LZ options to me. The best was a large field to rhe left oflaunch. This field happened to be the farthest away from the hill, and you had to cross a tree break in a farmer's field to ger to it. The other LZ's were considerably smaller and were surrounded by trees and relcphone wires. These smaller LZ's were closer to launch, and I had been warned thar landing in them could be tricky. The best option was the farthest field, if you could make ir. "Before T launched I made a mental flight plan to land in rhe farthest field. I had a good, aggressive launch, and immediately got into the lifr and started to climb. J\frer about 15 minut·cs I had climbed out to about 800 feet over launch. There were lots of small thermals kicking off from the valley below, and l and anorher pilot went back and forth between 500 and 1,000 foct over. Fvcn though this site is known for some tricky wind conditions, l felt pretty comfortable

Accident Review Chairman with my altirnde and still held on to the rnenral flight plan of landing in the farthest field. "] had been soaring for abom /i5 min· mes when J noticed the other pilot climbing out rapidly. At about this rime I was sinking fast. J made an ancmpt to get over into his air, but lost so much altitude in the maneuver that l decided to head to the LZ. I was directly over a road that borders one or the small I and I calrnlated that l was ahour a 2: J glide from the farthest I .7., my goal. "I was flying the glider at maxim11m glide to reach my goal, but I was sinking fast. My first estimate was that I wo11ld clear the tree hreak with no problems. I started to sink faster as l approached the trees, and I calculated that it was going to be close. I figured [ had enough al ti· mdc to clear them by 50 ro I 00 fr,ct, and continued with my flight plan to make the farthest ltcld. "I was about 100 feet from the tree break when I realized it was going to be very close. [ considered making a sharp turn and trying to put down into the smaller LZ below me, bm l decided against it. The reason: the glider was already flying pretty close to stall speed, and I could foci it mushing \ too slow for best glide? LMJ. The turn would have been a low-altitude radical turn, downwind in sinking air. Considering all these factors together, I was sure that such a maneuver would have sideslipped the glider right into the ground. "l opted to take my chances and try to clear rhe tree break. The last tree on the break line caught my basetube. Six inches more and l would have made it. The glicJ .. er's lcli: wing stalled, turning me back into rhe trees. 'I 'he glider went vertical and sick-slipped in between the trees. The lcfr wing impacted the ground. As it broke away I hit the ground on my left side.

"l) I didn't allow for a margin of error. I was caught in rapidly sinking air, most likely produced hy a large d1crmal that had kicked off next to me. The other pilot reported rh:H after I crashed he was caught in so much up air it took him 15 minutes just to gcr down. I had mentally fixated on one landing area, and did not consider the other options. When I realized that it was going to be close, l should have changed my flight plan. By continuing to fly toward my original goal I climinat· ed the other options that were available to me. "3) I fly with no instruments, not even an altimeter. If I had had a simple altimeter I would have realized that I was sinking much more quickly rhan I originally thought. I rhink this would have broken my fixation on my original goal and I might have considered the smaller

l.Z. "Ii) l was not familiar with rhc sire. This is the uncertainty factor. Who can say how much this influences our decision process? "That is my story. J was lucky. Will I continue to hang glide? J\r this time, I think not."

EVENT: A pilot hir a tree during launch.

"The launch is 3,100' vertical, at 8,200' MSL. It is about a mile and a half ro two miles out to the LZ. The launches are very steep, but I had launched there many times before. "Winds were southeast at() .. 10 mph. My preflight setup, launch approach and launch wait were all perfect. I saw evidence ora thermal coming up rhe slope so I waited until I felt it hitting me. Then, wings level, nose down, run like hell! "At this point everything was still 13

okay, although I noticed I was diving and not getting lift, which had happened a few times at these high altitude launches. The standard procedure is to hold the nose steady and let the glider dive to get airspeed. "Soon I was skimming about fcmr feet off the ground, then only three feet, and my airspeed had increased to over 30 mph. J was expecting the glider to lifr at any second, like it always had before. I emphasize that this is a very steep launch, that I ran very hard, and that all of this happened very quickly. "I was only about 30 or 40 feet down the mountain when my lcfr wing hit a stump about frrnr feet in diameter. I hit it just outside the crossbar/leading edge junction. The impact turned the glider almost 90 degrees left. At this point the slope dropped off even steeper, but now there were trees approaching. My reac-tion was to concentrate on getting control of the glider. I thought, 'Pull the nose in and keep it flying!' 'Iwo seconds later I was in control, flying just above the trees, and hoping rhat nothing was going to break. "T looked over at the left wing and could sec about one foot of ripped material. I couldn't see any other bends or twists, bm I also couldn't sec much from my perspective. I knew T would encounter thermals on the way to the I Z, so I decided that a smooth, straight glide would be the safest approach. I reminded myself ofthc feeling of my parachute handle. When T hit thermals I let the bar go out slightly, then pulled back in gently. I took things nice and C,\sy. I kept expecting the wing to fold in half at any second, but everything went smoothly and I landed perfr:cdy. "A 3,100' drop and a mile and a half glide to the nearest possible LZ seems like forever with possible structural failure staring you in the fi:ice. I was lucky that there was only a small dent in the frame and some ripped material. "ln retrospect, I see a frw things that contributed to the accident. When l took lessons I was taught to let the sail tug at you slightly before starting, then lean forward slightly before starting to run. l was also taughr to accelerate slowly before running hard. I think this method works

had mentally fixated on one landing area, and did not consider the other options. When I realized that it was going to be close, I should have changed my flight plan. By continuing to fly toward my original goal I eliminated the other options that were available to me. 11 /

very well; I do this subconsciously and usually very well. "When I started flying this site, pilots with high performance wings would occasionally tell me to pull my nose down, which I did with mixed results. On this particular flight f probably started with my nose a little too low and my usual launch nm further increased the angle slightly. 'fhe thermal I chose was light, and I may have been at the trailing edge of it when I launched. "Every other time this has happened to me (a diving launch) the glider bas lifted all by itself when J had enough airspeed, with no input from me. I think in this situation I shmtld have said to myself, 'Your airspeed is very good, and you are getting too close to the ground. Push out at least a little bit to avoid hitting anything.' ] think I was letting the glider fly itself, and forgetting that Jam always in control! "Don't assume your glider will pull out of a diving launch. Be careful about changing a good launch technique. You arc the one who will live or die. "T'his could easily have been a fatal accident."

EVENT: A tow pilot launched with his release line improperly routed. "l was trying to get a few flights in

after having moved the tow winch to a new position on my trailer. I moved it toward the front of the truck, farther from the glider. I was on my favorite glider, a K2 145. "My wife was pulling me and we were using two-meter radios. There was no one on the trailer. It was late in the afternoon and there was no wind. We were towing at an airport. "I did not go through my checklist for several reasons. First, I was in a hurry to make a meeting. My checklist had also become too long, to the point where I wasn't using it half the time because it was too detailed. "I should have learned a lesson about that from an incident 12 years prior, when J was trying to get my private pilot's ticket. While trying to produce a flight plan, l got hung up on checklist details and was corrected by the license exanuner. "The lack of a checklist coupled with preoccupation over the change in winch position are probably what led me to launch with the tow rope overthc bar. J knew something was wrong as soon as the glider lost its energy from the typical initial blastoff. As soon as it stopped climbing, the nose was way too low, and r couldn't push out. "Instead of entering the mind set l usually do when there is a problem rowing ("How can I get off tow?" and "Where arc my chutes?"), I regressed to my airplane experience (when in trouble, fly the plane first) and that is what became the priority. Our radio communication isn't the best in the world, something l arn trying to remedy now. I wanted my wife to slow down to a speed at which l could fly under control, but I couldn't communicate with my hands foll of a glider that was yawing and rolling side to side only 20 feet off the ground, flying along at 35 mph with its nose being pulled down. "J know, I know, 'Why didn't you just release?' you s,1y. I don't know, to be honest. Panic? Preoccupied? Stupidity? It all happened so quickly that] never knew what the problem was while it was happening. I suppose I was just plain shocked, or maybe in shock. I have logged approximately 250 tow flights, HANG Gur:>1NG

although l am not rated. The incident reminds me of teaching people to waterski, and telling them to let go of rhe rope if they fall. l !alf the time when they fall they don't let go. "Whatever the reason, I tried 10 con·· trol the glider, and in my state of panic never released. I ended up telling my wife to stop. She had no line-tension control in the truck, and as I passed the driver's window I remember the look of horror in her eyes. As I passed without releasing, the glider rolled lcfr and starred a very rapid sideslip dive that only accelerated until impact with the pavement. "I had the presence of mind just then to pull myself up on the downrnhes, overcoming the weight of my Odyssey harness, two chutes, my weight and whatever C forces might have been involved. I climbed over the control bar so tlut I would hit feet first because I knew it was going to be bad. I remember thinking, 'I might die here.' "Well, Cod spared me in spite of

myself, and I don'r mean the wind gods, gods, ground gods, or whatever. l mean the only living real Cod spared me, and, no, I haven't become religious or more religious since this incident. More thankful, yes! "'I 'he glider hit on its left leading edge (which now looks like it blew up), and then the nose. I shot through the control frame and bruised my right foot. I also must have injured my elbow, since i1 h;1s been hurting ever since the accident. "My wifo was really shaken up, but I was calm. l don't even think my pulse was elevated. 11 happened so fast that I did what l thought I had to do. l was wrong. All l had to do was release. "If the rope had been on the correct side of rhe control bar, as l passed the truck the pin line would have shortened :md pulled the pin, releasing me. With it over the control bar, it never reached that position, and apparently didn't release until I hit the ground or just before. Thank Cod my wife didn't or couldn't

stop when I firsr told her to, or l probably would have flown right over the top of the truck at 30 to 35 mph and hit head first right in front of her. "Yes, she is going ro continue pulling me. If she cl idn't, I wouldn't be able to fly enough to justify staying in the sport. There arc no other pilots for almost a hundred miles, and the closest mountain sire is 180 miles away. I am in flat country. "I have had a dump valve pm onto an extended flexible line which is accessible to my wiFc in the cab. From now on I'll use a simpler checklist, nor fly when rushed, and be extra carcfol after making equipment changes. I will also keep a mind set to off row at the first sign of a problem.

NOT!:': The annual tJccident summary has been postponed until the April issue because of'chcmges in the magazine publication detJdline rmd the need to incm1;oratc surucy results.

• Advanced Skills • Effective thermal ing • Cross-country • Towing • Competition • Speeds-to-fly • Modern design • Aeromedical ... and more

$19.95 Instruction for beginners to intermediates $9. 95 Learn to fly from ground zero to thermal soaring - $19.95 A complete guide to the sport $12.95 20 ground schools and lessons $9.95

MARCI I I 99 'i

Send cash or check to SPORT AVIATION PUBLICATIONS PO Box 101, Mingoville, PA 16856 Please rush me the books listed below D Understanding the Sky $ 19.95 n Hang Gliding Flying Skills $ 9.95 r1 Performance Flying $ 29.95 D Powered Ultralight Flying $ 12.95 o Powered UL Training Course $9.95 n Paragliding Flight $ '19.95 Save 10% order two or more books! Save 20% order five or more booksl Total amount for all books $ Postage and handling $ 1.95 Add $1 postage for Pert. Flying Overseas airmail if desired ($7.00/book $12.00 for Performance Flying) TOTAL ENCLOSf;D

SEND TO (Please pnnt) NAME ADDRESS CITY, STATE: COUNTRY/ZIP " DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED "

r,J Competition Corner

The 1994 Idaho X-C Challenge by Eiji Yokoda

he 1994 X-C season was above average in Idaho. There were many personal-best flights, altitude gains, low saves and site records, all adding up to many miles and smiles. Kevin Frost from Boise gor rhe ball rolling early in rhe season wirh a 7 1-miler from Pickle Burce. He reports, "I was bombarded by tumble weeds on landin g." The firsr 100-miler of rhe season was flown from Big Sourhern Buue by Ken Cavanaugh and Eiji Yokoda for a first-place rie in rhe Declared Goal Class. Both arrived ar the declared LZ with pl enty of altitude. They were glad to core a sinker to land, as rhey were looking downwind into a sea of pine rrees in Yellowstone Narional Park. Second place in chis class was taken by Dave Kriner wirh a 78-mile flighr from Mounr Bonneville. The Open Class was won by Al W hiresell with a 129-mile flighr, and Ken "Streak". Schreck took second wirh a 125miler flown on the same day from King Mounrain. These two top dogs chalked up three 100-milers each, wirh Streak doing back-ro-back 100-milers from two different sires. Third place went to Eiji Yokoda wirh a 118-miler from Mount Bo nneville. Clair Packer proved his merde as a comperitor in rhe Open Class by making his firsr 100-mile flight for fourrh place. Mark Mason, Dave Kriner, Kevin Frosr and Kurr Wimberg also made personal-best flights lase season. Kurt flew from Big Sourhern Burce on Sunday during rhe Sun Valley Speck-tacular. He was one of rhe pilors who was reported to have made a "bad call," and left Sun Valley to fly elsewhere (because of rhe forecasred overdevelopment over the mountains). Kun achieved his personal besr rhrough hard work, ski ll , parience and quire possibly rhe world's lowesr low save. Inspired by a sense of self-preserva-

rion and rhe need to climb out of noman's-land, Kurt cranked it up just before shaking hands wirh his shadow. He landed by Eiji Yokoda char day, 64 miles downwind, which surpassed rhe besr of rhe Sun Valley Speck-racular flighrs. The Under 50 Mile Class was won by Steve Bahr, wirh a 74-mile flight from King Mountain in a borrowed glider which he purchased after landing. Sreve had agreed wirh rhe lender before launch char if he broke rhe glider he'd buy ir. Bur soon only rhe memory of his personalbesr altitude gain, duration and mileage

remained. Second place went to Kevin Frost and third to Chris Peck. Special thanks go to the drivers who made rhe X-C flyi ng possibl e. Toni Cavanaugh, who knows rhe X-C routes as well as the highway routes for quick rerrieval, greeted pilors with a wind screamer and a cold beer. As a driver her goal is to arri ve ar the X-C LZ in ri me ro give wind information to the pilots. She batted nearly 1,000 last seaso n. Norman Crofts, a power pilot who enjoys being a tow and X-C driver, kept pilots in the air. Don "Wiggie" W iggins, who works for rhe FAA, played a key roll in derermining if flying conditions were safe. H e also enjoys driving. Special rhanks from all rhe pilors go ro these drivers who made the flying enjoyable and rewarding. There were 17 100-mile-p lus flights originatin g in Idal10 during the 1994 season. Unfortunately, not all were registered in d1e X-C Challenge.

1994 IDAHO X-C CHALLENGE RESULTS Declared Goal Class Place Pilot 1) Ken Cavanaugh 1) Eiji Yokoda 3) Dave Kriner

Miles 102 102 78

Place Pilot 1) Al Whitesell 2) Ken Schreck 3) Eiji Yokoda 4) Clair Packer 5) Mark Mason 6) Ken Cavanaugh 7) Dave Kriner 8) Frank Gillette 9) Kevin Frost 10) Kurt Wimberg

Miles 129 125 118.5"' 109 107 102 97*

Place Pilot 1) Steve Bahr 2) Kevin Frost 3) Chris Peck xsite record

Miles 74 71 20

Site Big Southern Butte Big Southern Butte Mr. Bonneville

Date May22 Apri l 17 August 16

Open Class

93 71 64

Site King Mm. King Mm. Mr. Bonnevi ll e King Mm . King Mm. Big Southern Butte The"T" Big Southern Butte Pickle Butte Big Southern Butte

Date May 22 May 22 August 16 Jul y 9 June 18 Apri l 17 Jun e 7 April 17 March 26 August 28

Under 50-Mile Class Site King Mm. Pickle Butte King Mm.

Date Jun e 18 March 26 May 15

H ANG GLI DING

... for 1995- wirl1 a better cl imb rate, slower minimum flying speed, and improved handl ing in thermals. If you're looking for the best in a world class competition hang glider, check out the Wills Wing RamAir for 1995. If your flying goals don't include top level competition or cross country record setting, look at what else Wills Wing has to offer this year: Super Sport 163 - 153 - 143 Spectr um 165 - 144 Falcon 140 - 170 - 195 - 225

The best combination of sink rate, L/D and handling available in a recreational higb performance hang glider. The easiest access to legitimate hjgh performance for the new and advancing pi lot. Hassle free soaring perfonnance in the widesr variety of conditions at the mosr affordable price.

LLS~

Nti

SOOWo$t SIUef'ldgeA...c. Onngc CA 9l&6S Pfione (71-4) 998-6lS9 FAX (71 '1) 998-0647

Wills Wing soaring equipment is designed, tested and manufactured to withstand the demands of years of ftying. The Wills Wing Z4 is the most completely equipped soaring

harness available

all die options

that you would pay extra for on anoche, harness are standard on the Z4. For a full list of Z4 stan• dard feawres. and parachute choices.call or visit your localWills Wing dealer today.

500West BluefidgtAve. Orange CA 92665 Phone (711) 9'13-6JS9 FAX (71 1) 998-06-!7

•• ,·

With the USHGA Telecard, you can save 40%-50%... and

,---- ---------., Yes ! I want to save money and help USHGA with every long-distance call I make!

I I P!eru;e send me l"SHGA Telecard(s) at $15 each! I I (includes 20 minutes of alr1ime) I Name I Address,_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ I Clij·il>)ate/lJp I Phone ( _ ) I O Enclosed is my check for

lfSRGA Meu,her # ($15 per card)

0 Bill '")' 0 Mastercard O l'isa

I I I

• -~ ~~ I I Signature _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ I I Mail poy!llelll io USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Spru1gs. CO 80933-8300. For I I inlonuatlon or IO order by phone, call (719) 632-8300. I Fax (719) 632•64.17. ..I L

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Order now. and get 20 minutes of airtime!

support the United States Hang Gliding Associationwith every long distance call! No matter how many long diS1ance calls you make, rou'Usal'e money with the USHGA Telecard! •The USHGA Telecard ~ you 40%-50% owr sttndard calling cards...about 25% on international t..US! •Use )'O Ur USHGA Telecard to call anywhere in the O.S. :and 197

countries wodd11ide! • You pay only25 cents a minute 10 call ru1)Wbere in dte U.S., ani1ime...day or ,tight! • Use che convenient COIi-free number and )'OLLt credil card 10 "recli-uge" )'OOt Telooird 11itbln lhe hour; or, set up an automatic recharge on a certlin date or when rour card reaches a certain minimum balance. · ~ cal.I )'OU lllllke helps support the United Slates Hang Gliding ASsociationl

•Throw a1>11y )'OUt otlter calling cards ruid get one for )'Ourself, your spouse, ooUege students, \\'Ork ~<>dates and others!

UNIT[D ~TRT[S ~RN6 ~l1D1N6 RSSOCIRTION, INC.

uti

I II by Phil Bachman, 11 last month's article I discussed the history and development oF the tclccard or phone debit card concept. Although well cstahlishcd in Europe, Japan and the ]!ar East, tdccards arc just beginning to catch on in the United States. It is estimated that barely one in a thousand Americans has ever heard oF phone cards. Simplicity of use and cost savings arc the primary appeal. As you may remember, tclccards arc prepaid; therefore, there arc no billings, delinquencies, fraud or administrative support requirements as there arc with regular phone service providers. As a result, the tcleca rd perminute rates arc much lower than credit card accounts typically, 40-50 percem lower. An interesting news story which illustrates the increased n1arkct penetration of tclecards is the conversion to non-coin, debit card-only pay phones in New York City. The New York telephone company (NYNEX), operating 58,000 pay phones, experiences l '75,000 vandalisms per year at an annual cost oC $10 million just to repair the phones! Afrcr a trial run in 1991 which was a "tremendous success," NYNEX will be the first local telephone company in the U.S. to introduce coinlcss, full-service public telephones accepting only prepaid telccards. They will be installing 5,000 bright yellow chargecard (tclccard) phones over the next three years. Anothc1· aspect of the tclecard marker that is still in its infancy but currently exploding is tdccard collecting. Now called Tclegry, phone card collecting is

MARCIi 1995

Executive Director ''Simplicity of use and cost savings are the primary appeal. 1elecards are prepaid. As a result, the telecard perminute rates are much lower than credit card accounts typically, 4050 percent lower. 11

recognized as a serious hobby similar to that of coin and stamp collecting. Coin collectors, stamp collectors and baseball card collectors arc beginning to recognize that telecards arc today's first "post-mod· ern" collectible. Today, phone card stories arc popping up on rhe from pages of the New Yori:.:

Times, Wrdl Street journal, Business Week, on CNN and in your local newspaper. Dozens of stamp shows, coin shows and baseball card shows arc fcamring this hot new collectable. According to the publisher of Premier '/c:lewrd magazine, the oldest of the U.S. telccard magazines: "The accelerated value (of telecards) usually comes after the point of sale. The value grows after a series is completely sold and there aren't any more of them. Barely one in a thousand Americans knows what phone cards arc, but they are quickly becoming the hottest new commodity among U.S. collectors." Collecting phone cards has been a

rage in Europe, Japan, Australia and elsewhere for more than a decade. Scarcity is one key driving up card value. The craze started in Furopc, where phone cards have been in use since they were invented in Italy in 1976. Only in the past five years has it spread to the U.S., where there are now an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 fanciers. Stamps weren't originally issued to be collecrcd, yet rare ones sell for thousands of dollars today. Two of the best cxarnples to date of collectable telccud values in the U.S. involves McDonalds and the 1992 Democratic Convention. From an Associated Press story: "If you were among the thousands of Mc Donalds cus-torncrs who bought 'extra value meals' last summer, you probably threw away the free AJ'&T phone card tbar came with your burger and fries. That card now sells for $1 coveted by a small but growing network of collectors who believe phone card mania is about to sweep the nation. Within a week after McDonalds' promotion ended, the three-minute tclccards were command-ing $50 (on the collector market)." A commemorative card the New York telephone company handed our free to delegates at the 1992 Democratic National C:onvcmion provided one dollar's worth of long-distance phone scr-· vice. Most of the delegates did nor know what the cards were for and threw them away. One of these unused commemorative cards recently sold for $1,700. AT&T issued only 500 cards for the 1992 America's Cup, and they now fetch up to $1,000 apiece. According to h;rbes magazine, Mr. Alex Rendon, a 30-year stamp collector who began collecting telccards seven years ago, now has more than 10,000 different cards, one of the largest and rnost valuable collections in the U.S. His prize card was issued in 1978 by the Hotel Windson in Paris and is one oF only two known to exist. He also has a 1988 Michigan Bell card, now worth $3,500, and a 1990 New York Telephone trial card worth $2,000. Phone card collecting is already popular in Europe, where prepaid phone cards have been used for years. The U.S. market is just getting started. Ir's the begin19

r ning of a new hobby in the United States. I gave a lot of thought to the collecting aspect of creating a tclccard for USHGA. After discussions with several experienced telec:ard producers in the industry, I decided the initial USHGA telec:ard will be a continuous production card without the limited edition numbering found on many issues. USHGA cards will be produced in blocks of 500 with the issue block and date of issue imprinted on the back of the card. Based on demand for the card from the members, we will continue to produce and issue the card. The idea behind this plan is to provide a card to the membership, with its cost savings, that you will use. The longrange benefit to USHGA from this pro-· jeer will come from use of the cards in making long-distance calls. Each time you place a call, USHGA will receive a royalty on the phone time used. We are prepared, however, to produce and issue a USJiGA historical collector's

F8/y 23RD

ANNUAL

/f you, the members, provide enough encouragement and show enough interest we wi II develop a collectable series of hang gliding telecards to help jump-start you into the new world of 7elegry. II

hang glider pilots in action: Otto Lilcnthal, Percy Pilcher, Matthew Bacon Sellers, John Montgomery, Octave Chanute and Wilber and Orville Wright. If you, the incmbers, provide enough encouragement and show enough interest, we will develop a collectable series of hang gliding tdecards to help jump-start you into the new world of Tclegry.

fAl

Microelectronic series of hang gliding telec:ards which would be unique and of limited edition. To that end I contacted the aviation historical department of the Smithsonian Institute and the Bettman Archives in New York City. I have received a collection of historical photos of history's first

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Aero 24 ............... 145-180 lbs ..... $750 Corvette 22,25 ...... 135-185 lbs ..... $775 Image 27 ............. 165 10 lbs ..... $800 Apollo 22, ........... 100-185 lbs ..... $900 Diablo 22,25 ........ 155-200 lbs ... $1000 Birdy 29 .............. 160-240 lbs ... $1050 Astra 27 .............. 165-210 lbs ... $1150 Athena 29 ............ 150-250 lbs ... $1150 Malibu26 ............ 155 10lbs ... $1175 Espace 33 ............ 265-400 lbs ... $1200 Space 22,24 ......... 100-175 lbs ... $1475 ZX Racer 2 3 ......... 11 0- 160 Ibs ... $1 600 Ritmo 27,29,31 ..... 130-264 lbs ... $2000 Reserves- $385+ Vario/alts-$300+ Helmets-$49+ Airmics-$125, Back Protectors-$85.100% guaranteed. Tel:303/278-9566 Fax:303/750-3226

COLOJRAJDO J[JJ AIRl\(}LlllDliN(?r "Safety is our profession, quality our promise" -Since 1986

HANG GLIDING

r Calendar of events items WILL NOT he lisred if' only tentative. Please include exact information (cvt:m, dare, comact name and phone number). Items should be received no later rhan six weeks pri· or to the cvcnr. We request two months lead rime for regional and national meets.

UNTIL DEC. l: I 995 Region 9 Yearlong X C Gmtest. Recognizes the longest flights flown in the Three classes: IZookie, 60··tnilc and foe. ( :ont:1ct: l'ere l .ehrn:rnn (before 9:00 l'M), fox 3436.

MARCI! 3:

by who want to know X,C flying, and stay· more ahout ing out of trouble. Cost: Conracr: lkarns Aviation, 29·31 Newtown five., Astoria, (718) 777-7000.

M/\RCH 3·5: t'ar,·1?.t1tlm,e'/ rmdtm l',1.>,(Rltdi11.R

(,'lidin,R C'linic. Contact: Adventure Sports, 3650 1122, Research Way, Carson City, NV 8')706

(702) 883,7070. MARCH 6·8: Instructor Certification l'rogmm for Basic I nstrucror rating. Requirements prior ro arrcuding: l lang Ill rating and complcrcd Red Cross Standard J:irst Aid. I 11 addition, 10 apprenticeship sessions must be completed prior to the issue of rhe insrrucrorship. $150. M aximnm of six students. Conran: Lookom Mtn. ];light Park (omsidc Chattanooga, TN) (70(,) :-198 >5ii 1. Rt. 2 Box 215,H, Rising Fawn, CA :lO'l:38. MAR Cl I 10, 13: Basie and Advrmttd !Cl'. C:onracr: Bmce Weaver, Kirrv I lawk Kites, P.O. Box 18.'l9, Nags Head, NC 27959 ] .8()(J.:l:lli !\777. MARC[ I 11, 17: I 0th !ntcrnatiorwl Venezue/11 J !a11g ( ;liding Compel ition, held in I .a Victoria. Entry $150 U.S. regisrrmion before l 99'i, $ I 00) includes transportation, maps, film and great flying atmosphere. /\ccomrnodation arrangements available. Comact: Charles Dinmar (Sandy), Edificio Ferree, Piso 5, Av. l.iberrador, ( '.aracas, Venezuela, tel. (582) 2(,'i. 1711, fox (582) 2(,7.1i:n 1. MARCH 17, 19: / ISHCA Board ofnirffton mtctin Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ice.break· er the evening of the 1Cirh. Everyone is cncour· aged to at:rend and visit USH(;A headquarters. Contact: (71 'J) Ci.=\2,8300.

taught by Par Dencv:rn who pioneered many of the and techniques used by glid, throughout the country. haturcs: lectmes, workshops and on·thc·hill rraining. C:osr: $250. Advance reservations required. MARCIi 28: !'1m1ch111e c:/inic. /\ must for :my who carries a backup parachute. Features: video prcscnration, c:nc & maintenance instructions, practice and a dcmonstr:uion of' the proper method of stowing lines. Cost: $50, or free wirh paradnrtc purchase from MSC. /\dv:mce reservations recommend· ed. APRIL 2: J.1111nch Clinic. Taught by its originator, l'ar Denevan. all aspects of'launch and landing including equip· rncnr evaluation, weather and pilor habits. Fcarures: lecture, simulator practice, and specift~ hillside exercises using the "grip alert" system. Cost: $95. Limited space available. reservations required. MAY l.mmch & I.anding Clinic by Pat I )cncv:111. Sec above for details. MAY 23: l'rm1ch11tt Clinic. Sec above for derails. C:onracr : Mission Cemcr, 11 I(, Wrigley (near San Jose) (!\08) Milpitas, C/\ 1055. MARC!l 2/i·27: J,flSinmdAd{)ancerl IC'/'. MARCH 28·.'lO: '/,111dem I 1111d 2/lnstrut1or. MARCH ;l J .Al'RIL 2: /l('l'ot01.ufr1r at the \JP factory in Mountain APRIL 3·5: Acmbt11irs seminar/photo clinic by John I kiney. APRIL 3-9: Oms I Jwm.f!/ut,my clinic for hang pilots by I hvc Sharp Ken Hudonjorgcnsen. Some gliders available. Con met: Dave or Tom (801) 57(,.(AGO. MARCI! 26: Resen1e Chute Oinil' (JJ(,'/PC,). ( :onract: ( :h:mdellc San Francisco, 1595 E. Francisco Blvd., Suire F, San Rafael, CA 94901 (ii I 5) < ;urnNC. M/\RCI I 26·-APRIL 9: c;u111cmalt1 XC Opm ( :onracr: fax OO'i022 .. .=J22 l 91i. APRTT, 1·2: I Oil, /lnnual Ocmnside Open, Oceanside, OR. Free flying, demos, competition and dinner Saturday nighr. l lotcls and camping. Sponsored rhc Oregon I lang c;liding Association. Allen Swingle, 1 I li95 SW 1:lrh, Beaverton, OR 97005 (503) M4-8919, or Jim Speiring (50.l) .32!\,.3571.

APRTI, 9· 15: hA!I Sun·N·Fttn Ny./11, I .:rkcl:md, FL The second aviation g;1thering in the by the Oshkosh Ply-In. coumry, Volunteers arc the US! ]CA tcm, booth, simulator and various other PR func· rions. Conr:icr: USHC/\ (719) (i.l2Al300.

numher ofslors available. Contact: Karie Dunn (Ci! 5) 94'J.A%5.

APRIL 20-23: Hang gliding and pamgiiding air r,ta's Pi11es, C.1. One·otHine pylon speed and cash for top Cinishers in both categories, as well as for best overall finish. April with final rounds held April members and Class 2. or Advanccd·ratcd (or foreign Contact: Torrey Pines Clider Pon (Ci 19) APRIL 21,2!\: 811sic &·/ld{)muwl !C:P. Hydrostatic Comact: Michael winch used for Robenson (905) L')''l·LY>t,. APRIL 22-28: The GrMt !lace at Lookout Mm. Park (20 minutes from Chattanooga, race. any day 21,milc round trip $ I ,000 as well as other entry foe includes competition, wc,ek.. Jon1~ flight pass and the Crear Race dinner on April 28 ($5 for 11011-partici· Lookout Mtn. Park Chattanooga, TN) (706) Box 215,J-l, Rising Fawn,(;/\ :lO'l:38. APRIL 28,30: 9th Annual Stewart Smith Memorial Lenoir, NC First, second and third place prizes in all events. Entry fee $40, includes ·r ·shirr, dinner, parry and dart tournament. Paragliders welcome. Contact: Travis (704) 758,93.'l 1 or Ben Burrill (704) .uL.·.,1 ,u. APRIL 29-MAY 2: Towing Clinic. MAY .'l·G: Tandem Clinic. MAY 7-10: Basic and Advanced ICP. Contact: Pacific Airwavc (408) !\22 .. 229') or C.W. Meadows (919) 48().:J'i'S2. MAY 5·7: X·C weekend with 'fodor. Friday: arrival and rcgisrration. Friday evening: aerotow clinic with Paul Sanrrday: acrotow, ATOL and x.c: with Larry Tudor. Sunday: X C with I retrieval available. Cost: aerorow clinic seven rows $200, clinic $25. Contact: (718) !\57·8390.

x. (:

MAY 5-7: North Amcrimn Aerobatic I fang Gliding Championships, Chelan, W /\. Presented by the /\crnbaric Hang Cliding Association and Chelan Flyers. Chelan is known for its hospitality and hosting of successful meets. ( :omc rn the site of this year's Hang Cliding and Paragliding Nationals for the fost acrobatic meet designed specifically around Al·J(;/\ rules and guidelines. Workshop·srylc training for acrobaric pilots of all skill levels the week C:onracr: Keric Swcpsron (206) .,..,..,..,,m;,

~; 0

MARCH 18-M/\Y 21: l 995 R~~io11 9 Ch1m1J,im1ship. Weekend X.C: from any site. Best rlmT tornlled. Limit of GO miles per flight. Rookie, (,().mile and Open Classes. $10 enrry fee. Comact: !'ere Lehmann(!\ 12) 6(, J.:\!\74 (before 9:00 PM), fox 34.'i6. MARCH 18,21: !mtructor Ln·t1/1'Ctltton (Basic IC:P). lnrrnsive MAl~Cl1 / 995

APRIL J 3. J 7: Hrmggliding, pamglidi11g and ultm· rneel, Bassano dcl Crappa, Vicenza, Iraly. rel./fox O/i9.')59· l 198. APRIL H,17: /1/l'/!I'/' Skywings

APRIL 15-22: Fast Comt Challenge, formerly Fast Coast Championship, sponsored by Tennessee Tree Toppers. Same nieel (US! J(;/\ Class A+), parries and Intermediate and Advanced pilots. plus TIT membership. l.irnired

MAY 12.14: L..J>'u/1m114111 Nags Head, North Carolina. Come Ridge State Park and enjoy the oldest cont inu· ous·running hang gliding competition in the country. Bodi novice and experienced pilots compete in a variety of fon flying events. Also, a street dance, fine arts reception and awards cerc· rnony with Francis M. Rogallo, "fother of hang gliding. Entry foe. Beginning hang glid· lessons given during the cvenr. Registration 1 lawk !<ires, Nags Head, NC:. Contact: I ..soo.:nlJ.fi777. AUG. 15: 17th !ln11ivers111y of!log11!lo 11Jing i11vmtion. Honors

Francis M. Rogallo, invemor of the flexible I.cam aborn the history ofkircs and crs, and meet Mr. Rogallo himself. I<iny I Kites, Nags I lc:1d, NC. Comacr: Jayne DePan/ilis I 800-.J:l.1 -li7T7. SFl'T. 2:l--2/i: 1th Amm1il l'ari/ir l!inu11vc Vision Clm,·ir. Pac Air's latest glider;, l'11n competition. Open to pilots of all skill levels who have a Vision, regardless of' model. Barbecue, prizes. Ki11y llawk Kites, I lead, NC. Conran: Bruce Weaver l BOO-

MAY lli--22: Crmadian Natiorwl.r. Lumby, BC. Foreign pilots welcome. ( :0111act: I.co Salvas, Box Ii I 6, I.tun by, BC VOL 2c;o, ph. (601) 547. 21i22, fox ((,Oli) 51i7-2li20, or Peter Warnes (60/i) Sli72l69. MAY 27--29: l 8th Atrnual Sr:irthistlc Meet, Rogue Valley I !CJ\, Medford, OR. Fun Ill, or Hang 11 with itistrnctor release. Emry indttdes night barbecue. Camping nearby.Conrnct: Stevenson ('\(l.'l) 7Tll 187 (days), or Jan Bailly (50:l) 816 6228.

n,y

MAY 27--29: Gmyon Memorial nay Fly-In, Alamogordo,- New Mexico. Sponsored hy the Rio ( ;r:imlc I Jang ( ;]iding Association. F1111 flying, contests, dinner, ere. Meer in I Z at 9:00 Aivl cnch day. l~ntry $20 in advance, $25 on site. Comacr: Dave ( :hurch (505) 527--0844 or Tommy West (505) li37 5213. MAY27--30:

with scooter tow by I )ave Broyles and Pat 1)enevan. You may learn to Low as pan of this program. $300. i\llen, TX (near Dallas). Comact: Dave (214) 9%-7706, and weekends 727-3588. JUNE I-Ii: Truck/Aerotow Clinic. JUNE 5-8: "fimd,,m linu Clinic. Conract: Bruce Weaver, Kiny Hawk Kites, P.O. Box 18:\9, Nags I-lead, NC:27959 l--80033/i--li777. JUNE /i-11: Sandia C!11ssir, J\lh11querquc, New Mexico. Fifth arnrnal li50 WTSS point meet at Sandia Peak. The premier meet of the scasont Price inclttdcs: entry fre, rop--quality X-(: tasks, glider and pilot transportation to la11nch, ltlrnpoinr film and processing, computerized full--time paid srnff, free oxygen refills, gift cares from local businesses, convrnient tuen headquarters, awards barbecue, T--shin and more! Sixry--pilot maximum /Jeld, 45 spots reserved for pilots r:inkcd in the top 80 USH(;J\ or in the mp I 00 by PI RS. Remaining entries will be based 011 ranking, competition cxpcri-cncc and flight experience. US! J(;J\ Advanced rating, all Special Skills, extensive rnountain/desert/X--C thermal experience required. Early registration $;\00 if postmarked before May l, $350 afrer. Refondable until April 30. Conracr: Mike 121 l 7 St. Dr., i\lbuqucrquc, NM (505) Mark Mocho (50'5) 298--2922. JUNE ]--SEPT. 30: l,1kcvieu;, Orey,on "J l11ng

Gliding Fly--ln. June-·Sept.

Wcst" 1995 6th Annual

( :omests. $1,600--purse planned, with $100 longest X--(: flight, a11d $50 monthly ra11do111 drawing from all other months' valid from recognized 1.akcview

area sites. Where else can sledder or late afternoon flights you submit, the hct ter your odds! 2nd Annual $1,000 "(;rand X--C" Comest (changed f,,r 199'5), Most i\ccurnulativc Miles flown from Black Cap during the four momhs. Prc-rcgistrn-rion required, still only $5 (for the permanent Black Cap 1Z fond, incl11dcs entry for 4th of I loliday Fly--ln contests too)! Contact: Lake Cham her of Co mmercc, 513 Center St., I OR 976:JO (50:l) 947·60/iO, FAX (503) 9li7-li98:\ for form and other /ly-in events info, and send to e11ter and receive the updated sire guide (to include new Bald Mtn.) and flight report forms.

JUNE I 0--11: Seventh

lckes public ultral'tgln :i'trpon. Sponsored Ultralighr Club 1/6/i. Contact: (814) u1>-- -, " " or send SASE.

JUNE 17: J/OPI!

/\OP/\ f leadquarters, Frederick i\irport, Marybnd. OCT. 19-21: ACWA '95, Atlantic City Convention Cemer, At!:rntic City, New Jersey. Contact: Aircrafr Owners and Pilots Assn., li2.1 Aviation Way, Frederick, MI) 7.170 l (301) 695--2000.

JUNE 17-2/i: Silndia Optn X.C Challenge, J\lhuquerque, NM. Held at 10,600' Sandia Crest. Corne enjoy some of die best X -C in rhc Sourhwesr. Dual format: longest flight and cumulative miles. Fee includes Sandia C:rest Cuide, T-shirt, awards BBQ wirh door prizes, refills and more! $75 before May 15, airer. Forry available on a first ·come first-serve basis. rating rcquirernenrs and other information, contact: Larry Walls, 7901 Palomar ( NF, i\lbuquerque, NM 87109 ('505) 2li9-7831 (rnol,ile), (505) 821--4'/9/i (home), or Bill l.crnon, I (100 .3/ith St., Rio Racho, NM 8712/i (505) 891-5370.

:1.

JUNE 18--24: British iBz~uc /'rt'· l,v'orJ'd (.Oh'1/Jf'!7/IOI/. Foreign pilots welcome. Entry 170. Contact: Jim Bowyer, 2 I.ion Terr:ice, Cilwern, J\bergavenny, Cwcnt NP7 OBU United Kingdom, rd. 4/i -18Tl-WI I 667, fox tili- l 8Tl-8:l i--68. JULY 1-4: l.akc/Jitw,

Gliding Crpitrd o/thc West" I 995 o/july I !olirhv Fly-i11. "Run--Ride--Clide" foot race, mountain

bike and spot landing team event, bcsr x.c: awards each day and accunmlativcJuly J.J hang gliding and (new) paragliding Adjusted Distance Spot Landing Contests. Free pilots' family swimming, rncrchams coupons, n111ch more! Late registration June 30/6:00--l 0:00 l'M, July 1/8:00 AM--?. Pilors' meetings June 30/8:00 l'M and July l/9:00 Aivl. Registrariou required, still only $5 (f,,r the permanent Black Cap L/. fund, includes entry for Flight Contests roo)! C:onrncr: Chamber Commerce, 5 U C:emcr St., Lakeview, OR ')7630 (503) 947-60/iO, Fi\X (50:l) 947-li983 for form and other fly--in events info, and send ro enter and receive rite updated sire guide (ro include new Bald Mtn.) and flii;ht report forms.

JUI .Y 10--15: Che/rm X..(,' Classic, Chelan, WA. J\ great opportunity to the site of the 1995 U.S. Nationals. Pilot--called (or recalled on course) rrianglcs, om--and-return and open distance combined format. Emry $'/0 ($65 pre-registration by July 3). Contact: Chris Dominy, 1958 3rd St., Kirkland, WA 98033 (206) 284 .$918. JULY 22--2.9: U.S. Nation11ls, Chelan, W /\. Famous Chelan flying in a national event. Previous national championships and last year's Women's World Championships have proven Chelan to be possibly the best X·C contest loca-tion in the world. Race·to·goal, out--and--rettlrn and Chelan is a resort rown with many hotels (but make reservarions early). Fconomical camping available. Minimum fntermediate rat-ing with FSI., TUR, RLF, X-C special skills. Etttry foe o/'$:)25 includes rransponarion to launch, film and processing, electronic scoring, awards. Limited ro 120 pilots maximum (category slots for ranked, women and foreign pilots), so emer early to ensure a spot. Practice days: July 20-7.1. Awards: July 30. Contact: Rich Williams, 9807 liOrh Ave. F., Tacom,1, W J\ 98/i/i(, (206) 539-8423 (voice or fox), or Lionel Space (20(,) 599--2%0.

JUI .Y 24--30:

c;/iding Cinnpetition, Wales, Great Britain. FA! world

championship srarns applied for. Sponsored by British Hang Cliding J\ssn. All countries invited to send individual., or team. Contact: Murray Rose, J\irsporr i\ssociares, Tyle Llwyd, I .bnfi-ynach, Brecon, Powys, Wales, ( ;reat Britain f.D3 81'G, tcl.!fox 41-1874--(,65-481. JULY 27--AUG 2: h'.1111 Oshkosh Fly-In, Oshkosh, WI. The largest aviation gathering in the coun-try, with more d1:m one million people in :men-dance. Volunreers arc needed for the US!-!CJ\ tent, booth, simulator and various other PR functions. Contact: US] ]Ci\ (719) 632--SJOO. AOG. 5-7: 8th !lnnual Western C.'rmcdian Hang Gliding Chcm1pionships, Golden, BC. Individual and team scores. Contact: Ken Shackleton (103) Th-3112 eves, (li03) 530-6835 days, e-mail ks hack I G1\1gt.alra.net. AUGUST 13-19: llobbs '/r;w /11111, 4'50 WTSS points guaranteed. Class I·& II divisions, indi-vidual and team scoring. Three people per rig. Free entry with a tow system. Contact: Crossroads Windsports, Curt Grahm (505) 392-8222, or Red River Aircraft, Jeff Hum (512) 467,2529 RRAJcff@\10l.com. AUG. 26,SEPT. 9:

"f'Mcejiil Sky" Russidn

hrmggliding Cl)en/.

Moscow and the Zhukovsky Air Show, and fly from 5,642--metcr Mount Elbrus O,:urope's rallest Mountain). Enrollment deadline is May I. Contact: Esti Tourist Agency, (,A, l st Fnmzenskaya Sn·., Moscow 119116, RlJSSJA, rel. 011--7-095-246. 71-65, 01 l 7-095--21J6-12--(,3, 011--7--095246. 99-M, or fax O11-7-095-2/i 5-05 30, 0 l l--7-095--li')2 .. /i 1--43. Info is also available from: Richard Ball, 2140 Kohler Dr., Boulder, CO 80303 (303) 49/i-9763, fax (303) 444--7784 (c/o Boulder Fligln).

Hi\NC Ct lDINC

..our skill level as a pilot. you will find the Falcon both easier and more fun to soar than any other glider you have ffo c..' ~

140 Falcon• 170 Falcon 195 Falcon 225 Falcon· ·tun&.. &....lopmen•)

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ABOVE: Looking down fi"om the launch at Laragne as gl:iden race to goal. LEFT: The Tecma Fl during the European Champiomhips. TOP RIGHT Launch at Aspres in the French Alps during the rigid wing contat. This site is eminently rop-landable. RIGHT The F.xperience ready for flight. H ANG G t1D1NG

uropc has experienced 1nuch change since che formation of the Common Market in the ! 970's. Today, Europe.1J1s have the "European Union,• and no longer need passports to

cross each orher~s borders. Lase suml'ner \VC ,vent to Swiczecland through Liechrenstein to Auscria without a border chock. What all this freedom of movement and sense of belonging to a greater whole means to hang gliding is a more widespreod exchange of ideas and shared experiences. If you fly in the French Alps you are likely to set up next roan Italian, a Dutchman or a Greek, and maybe a Frenchman or l\VO. Flying in Europe offers many inreresdng cxpcriCnC('S, so let's see ,vhat's happeoing there ,vith some anecdotes, observ:u·jons :and glider reporcs.

MARCH 1995

program, since they c:'ln gee liability insurance if tht-y sell only DHV-cerrified gliders. Once thing their resting has uncovered is that bridle lines stretch after son1e years of use, so checking thest for compliance to specifications is ln o rder. Before leaving Germany \Ve n1ust relate an interesting use that lralians have for their CPS units. le seems th:ic n1ushrooms are very valuable i n Italy and hard to fi o,d because of the dry cli,nate. (calians come in droves to Austria, for the hun1id conditions there rcsu..lt in an abundance of n1ushrooms. Year after year mush rooms bloom in chi: same place, so a C PS unit is a handy tool in locating che best spocs from a previous se:,son. I bet Trimble never though, of that. Our next stop ,,ras l .aragne in the French Alps during rhe European C hampionships. Here, on the fifth. day, ' romas Suchanek and Manfred Rumor ,,rere te:tring up the field, as usual. The launch sysceJn ,vas open v.~ndo"''• bur they decided to ,nake ir a crue race. They waited until evecyone had launched, i:hen cook off at exaccJy the saJne ri.-nc. l ~hc course cha, day was exceedingly tough. Only four pilots made goal alter about four hours of flying. First and second were Suchanek and Rumor only 14 seconds apan:l On the last d:ly of the n,eer only r.vo pointS separar~ cd these tv.10 aces, ,vith Rumor in the lead. When it svos all over Suchanek edged ahead oy rwo points (out of a total of 6,374). The;e ,wo pilors are the one; ,o bear in che upcoming world meec. They both Ay gliders

ABOVE: Girard Theve1101 i11 fro111 ofhis Rttc,r. RIGHT: Th, (llrwnlkwlnr Cu, bar with whee/J and iJ1str111nt111S.

PILOT EXPERIENCES n,e ascendancy of paragliding in Europe

has cerrainly d iminished Lhe popularity of hang g~ding. Unfortunately, a few ski areas that once carried gliders on cheir lifis now only accept paragliders, but you can still find plent)• of ski Uf'ts to uanspon: you and your wing for about five dollars. T his is a bargai11, because some of the most beautiful Aying in chc world is available u, Europe.

they hel1>ed design. THE GLIDERS

Most sires have a paved road co chc: top, and rescaur::i ncs are o ften conven ie11rl y placed near launch. Europeans have been practicing civilii ,u ion for about 1,800 yea,·, longer than An,ericans. I have ye, to see a four-,vheel-drive road to a flying site in Europe. Wh ile hang glid ing may be wan ing in rnuch of Europe. chis is not the c.asc in rhc Sch\\-abcn area of Gcrn1any near Stuttgart. This is where Mcrccde;-Benz is located. le so happens chat this venera ble con1pany required all its top-level personnel to take hang gliding lessons a$ rraj11ing for exercising proper judgement under mess. Hmmn,. Can you im:igine dm happening b.ere? All chc shops in rhe a,ca arc bustling and caking ad\l"Jntage of son1e great publicity. H ang gliding in Gcrmru1y is well o rgani zed and well supporred. The D HV (Deutsch Hanggkitcr Vcrband, or German Hang Glider Union) has more than 20,000

members (including paraglider pilots) and a full staff offoumcn. The DHV cescs gliders as ,veil as adrninisrcrs rhe sport. Tow pilots on the Gern1an tca1n - Kristof Kratz.nee a nd Knut Von Hencig - are full-time test pilors. 11,e DHV runs a respected glider resting program. After o couple of tumbling accid ents lase season rhey upgraded their r<::quircmenrs to include six different VG settings rather than lhe previous t\VO (full on and fu ll oAj. This, in addition to some excra s peed rtquire1nents. has resulted in an exhaustive pitch-cesfing program . 1\,i osr manufacturers are ,viUing co go through this

,es,

No,v v.•c look ac what's flying on the Eu ropean scene. What follo,vs is a brief description of ever)' high-performance glider being flown corn,pecicively in Europe. 1 have excluded rhe Bia.de, Desire, Klassic, RamAir and Xi.r:Llice, hov.·ever, since they have been rcviev.•ed in ch is nlagazinc v,tithin the pasr ye:ir.

THE EXPERIENCE - T his glider is a one-of-a-kind fixed ,ving ,vith :lemdynamic controls. The piloc hangs in a nom,al harness and shifu a comrol bar. T he "fag icsclf js cantilevered, so lhc shifting of rhe control bar pulls on cables rhat open d rag elcvons near the tips. -rhu.s, in a rurn, your control bar moves, not you. Pirch concrol is norma.l. This glider garnered third place behind C\VO S,vifrs in the conre~r char rook place dw·ing cl,e European C h~mpionsh ips. l Acw HANG GLIDING

near the Experience for a while, and found that while my climb was similar, he dusted me once he left the thermal. The current glider weighs 97 pounds, but designer Jurgen Lurz claims the next one will be graphite and weigh about 75 pounds. This glider, the Swift and Danny Howell's Apex herald a rigid wing renaissance.

SEEDWINCS EUROPE MERLIN Secdwings Europe is not affiliated in any way wirh Secdwings California, and the European firm may acquire a new name, Their new glider is the Merlin and it comes in two sizes. Ir has a new airfoil, tips and internal rihs. A glider review appears in this issue

TIIE BULlEJ' CUT Josef Guggenmos, formerly known as "Guggenmonster" during his competition days in the early 80's, has pushed the limits of flex wing design for some time. His Bullet gliders have appeared with aspect rarios over I 0. These gliders perform very well, bm have a reputation for being hard to handle. The Cut is simply a Bullet with the tips cut off in an attempt to address the handling problem. Perhaps the most memorable thing about the Cur is its faired, molded basetube with wheels and instruments huilr in (sec photo).

A EROS STAI XER This glider comes from rhc Ukrai11e and is imported by Acros of FngLmd. It is available in two sizes and is statc>of-the-art with pricing from l O years ago. The price will go up in April to i:2,300 which is abour $3,200, The Stalker has the unique capability of breaking down to 7.2 focr ( 15 I sq. ft. size) and 6.4 foct ( 130 sq, fr. size). An intermediate size will be available as soon as it is certified. The Stalker is made from 2024 alloy tubing which is the stan, dard in the Russian aircraft industry. The tubing is less expensive than 7075 and falls between 60Ci I and 7075 in all its strength properties. The designers arc graduates from the six-year aerodynamic school in Moscow, although the glider is made in Kiev, Ukrai11e, no longer a part of the Soviet Union. The Stalker appears to fly as well as any current glider.

THE fC:ARO 2000 LAMINAR We recently reviewed this glider, so all we'll add is that it has passed its DHV testing and should certainly be well represented in the competition marker this year. THE BAUTEK MILAN This company previously produced die Zcphir, Saphir and Pamir bowsprit gliders, The Milan is of convcn ti on :1 l design. Its most noticeable achievement is that it is rhc best-/Jnished glider I have ever e11co1111rcrecL Ir has a tapered keel, nicely closed tips and scads of other items reflecting its German engineering, LA MOUETTE RAC:F This French glider designed by Gerard Thcvcnot looks a lot like the Xtralitc, and performed as well as any glider in the Pre-Worlds and European Championships. Gerard hirnself was a topplacing pilot, despite the fact that he had been absent from competition several years. SOLAR WINGS RUMOR III The Rurnor gliders arc the product of the skillful design work of English aerodynarnicist Darren Arkwright. The Rumor Ill has the thickest airfoil of any glider I have measured, and always sccn1ed to be at. the top of the thermal pack in Spain. In a recent development, l hrre11 patented a system to vent pressurized air into the leading edge pocket, thereby preventing collapse at higher air-speeds. His new glider which incorporates this feature: is called t:hc Scandal.

MARCI 11995

TEC:MA Fl This French glider is anotl1cr cmvcd-tip design that proved its rnerrlc in the hands of some of the victorious h·ench team members in the Pre-Worlds. l haven't flown it, but my observations during the meets suggest that it is right up there in performance. THALHOFFR REFLEX C:S This Ccrma11 glider has a trick that is a move in the right direction. The lower surface has a spanwisc batten behind the crossbar that lifts the lower surface to increase the camber of the airfoil at low speeds, This system should act similarly to a flap to improve sink rate. However, the crossbar appears to pre-vem much of this lower surface lifting and the effect may be negligible. Bm dcvelopmcn ts take time, so who knows what we may sec. All these gliders are very compctltlve, and this means that Europeans have a wide variety to choose from, perhaps more than rhc average American pilot. But ideas do spread :mmnd, so ultimately we'll all benefit from rhe European cxperieuce. You can benefit sooner rather than later by taking a to enjoy the European flying scene yourself:

For the Greatest Achievement chronicles the history of the Aero Club of America and the National Aeronautic Association-·-and thus the history of aviation in America from the first balloon flights. the initial controversy over what transpired at Kitty Hawk. and the barnstorming of the "Gypsy" stunt fliers, to the buildup of America's air forces through the two world wars. the race into space, and the explosion of new aviation technologies on the eve of the 21st century. Includes almost I0,000 names of early pilots never before published. Chuck Yeager writes, "This is a story that deserves to be told because it is the story of the development of American aviation."

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Published with Smithsonian Institution Press

by Jim ':5ky Dog" Palmieri 771e authoi; Jim "Shy Dog" Palmieri, at his computer reading Digestifier files ftom the Internet f fang Gliding News Group. his month we introduce a new Hang Gliding

column, "Notes From The Internet, "hosted by our new staff writer Jim Palmieri. By now most of our readers should be familiar with him through his articles on hang glid-· ing-related medical topics. Jim is a Ph.D. professor of parasitology and tropical diseases. Interestingly enough, Jim's wife took up hang gliding first (he thought she w1,s crazy). However, he started reading about the sport and discovered that it involved a whole lot of science. He was soon hoohed, and has been flying ever since. Jim is a regular contributor to the Internet hang gliding mailing list. The thermal's warm up-air meets the cooler down-air, and computer telecom-munication meets the hang gliding comrnuni ty-- this is where more than 800 hang glider and paraglider pilots fly daily, across the ai1waves of the earth. From every state and many foreign countries, pilots talk back and forth, exchanging information and sharing stories, ideas and 28

solutions to problems. Our mode of travel is the computer, the Internet and the so-called "information highway." Our love is flying, and we arc but a cross section of the hang gliding community: doctors, lawyers, scientists, steel workers, nurses, students, labor workers, computer technicians, editors and everything else in between. We all share a common interest: hang gliding and paragliding. The Internet is a group of worldwide information resources so vast that it is beyond the comprehension of any single human being. The roots of the Internet lie in a collection of computer networks that was developed in the 1970's as the

Arpanet, a system sponsored by the United Stated Department of Defense. Its descendent: is the Internet, which serves as the backbone of global telecommunications. It would be a mistake to consider the Internet as just a computer network. Computer networks are simply the media which carry information. The utility of the Internet lies in the information itself: In learning how to use the Internet, you are embarking upon a great adventure which will take you just about anywhere you wanr to go. Five years ago our adventure began at the University of Virginia.

OUR On Sunday morning, October 22, 1989, at 09:23, Galen Hekhuis sent out the following message on the Internet: "This is a sample message being sent out in hopes of confirming e-mail addresses for all the addressees, and may actually become the start of a Real Genuine Live H/\NC GLJDINC

N Active, like, Operational hang gliding mailing list. Please respond if you get this message with your e-mail address and your name. This is just a drill..."

Broyles, Samantha Moore, Paul Gazis and many others are some of the finest contriburors to the network and to our hang gliding community;

Anyone can join this great network of hang glider and paraglidcr pilots. All you need is a computer, a modem and access to the Internet.

This began one of' the most comprehensive communication networks that: bas ever existed between hang glider pilots. Each pilot has an electronic (e-mail) address. Letters from contributors arc sent individually or packaged inro what is called a Digestificr file which is scm out every day or two to all subscribers. Someone introduces a topic (we call it a thread). The thread may die as fast as it got started, or it: can build and progress in many directions and be the focus of disCl!ssion for weeks. Sometimes a pilot describes an experience he or she had while flying. These stories arc some of the most exciting to read: a first soaring flight, X-C flying in Australia and South Africa, dose encounters with birds of prey, a tumble in the Owens. Some threads arc technical in nature: polymer chemistry, calculating velocity and drag coefficients, tow line characteristics, effects of solvents on sail cloth. Many threads arc humorous and reflect the great diversity of the pilots online. Recently there was a review of music and lyrics that reflect the hang gliding/fly· ing experience, false advertisements for bagel flying wheels and licorice grip tape for cross-·count1y pilots, and talcs of flying that only the most naive could believe. Many people who contribute to Hang Gliding magazine also participate on the network. [ have co-authored articles on HIV/HBV infection risk factors with Rebecca Lance (November 1994) and on first: Aid with Brad Calcagni (December 1994). Stephen Morris had an article "A Simplified Analysis oflhmbling Motion" in the November 1994 issue. Dave

What impact docs an electronic news group have upon a sport such as hang gliding? In the United States, J-lrmg Gliding magazine has been our main source of information about the sport and especially about the USHGA. As Bob Dylan once said, "For the times they arc a changin'." Pilots in the hang gliding Internet group share a common interest or passion: hang gliding. A pilot, .John Little, sent the following to the list:

This column will be an interface between those who contribute to the hang gliding forum and those who have not "hooked in" as of yet. Contributions to this column will be as diverse as what is found on the network. Sometimes they will be serious, sometimes controversial (sec Paul Voight's article in the November issue on the Wills Wing RamAir 154 in which he calls Internet contributors "ncthcads" and "pinheads"). Sometimes articles will just be fon to read. l will edit the articles as little as possible so as to maintain the original thought. Remember that Digcstifier files contain between 15 and 25 articles, l 0-1 5 pages, 6-8 times each week. I can only give you a sweet sampling of what appears in the Oigcstificr files. Please enjoy. This column will appear in Hang Gliding magazine at regular intervals.

MAKC:11 1995

"I am a PG'cr, a Brit, living in Japan and working for an a 'frircigncr' American company whichever way you look at it.

Pttlmieri

Many people have helped me in my search frir books and rnaga-· zincs. Even more people sent me email assuring me that it was (and is) possible to stall a canopy. "I eventually ended up ordering a bunch of books from the U.K., having been helped greatly by list subscribers. Since then the books have become dog-cared, having made the rounds with a few nonJapanese pilots living here (most of whom I met through the 'net). "Anyway, I'm still very much a novice pilot, but virtually everything I know about PG has come di reedy or indirectly from the 'net. I'd be lost without it:."

The flight of birds has lofred the imagination and fired the ambition of mankind throughout recorded histo1y. Few can admire and appreciate unpowercd flight as can the hang glider pilot. Herc arc a few excerpts from some of the many articles written about flight with hawks and eagles.

Kevin Moore Eagle

Close Fncounter With An

I've had close encounters with hawks and eagles. The first was on an X-C flight from Steptoe Butte in Eastern Washington (my home site ftom b11cle in the

N early 1970 '.r where f learned to fly! --- Ed.). About l O miles downwind, I was down to about 2K AGL when I spotted a circling eagle over a farm implement dealer's gravel lot. l centered on this thermal generator and got lift at 1,000 fpm. As the lift strengthened to 2,000 f1,m I could see that it was a bald eagle. I banked harder w stay in the core, and lost sight of the bird. At about 7,500' AGL I started to flatten out the tum, and to my amazement pulled to within four feet of the bald eagle. It dropped its gear, pulled in its wings, looked at me with a big "eagle smile" and let out a long screech. It pulled its VG on, retracted its gear and pealed off up over my riose plate. I was so taken by this experience that I flew out of the lift. Mark Grubbs

Touching Hawi:s

The thing I find so fascinating about flying with eagles and hawks is that they seem to regard me as one of them. It's like going on a wild animal safari, jumping out of the Jeep and hunting prey with the lions. l'm in their world, not just looking at them from the other side of a fence. l've seen a group of young red-tails line up single file on the edge of a soarable knoll, and one by one stand still, stretch their wings out to full span, take three or four steps down the training hill on their claws and launch, just like hang gliders. T'hey were imitating hang gliders. A few years ago, in late fall, I was soaring at Ft:. Funston on a smooth, buoyant straight-westerly day. Just over the golf course I noticed one of the local red-tail hawks parked over the trees at my altitude, probably looking for lunch (biologists refer to this as kiting). I approached the hawk from the north, and as T got closer I noticed that ir was looking sideways at me but showed no intention of moving. T guess it had been around enough hang gliders that ir wasn't bothered by my presence. I got close enough so that as 1 did a gentle 180° turn away from it, my outside wing tip came to within a

few feet of it. My intention was to convince the hawk to forget lunch and come play with me. I looked back afrer rolling out of the turn and, as I hoped, there was my red-tailed buddy, following me. I cruised north to the end of the bowl in front of the golf course and began a slow roll back to the south. Keeping formation, the hawk began to turn just as I did, so that when we'd both rolled out, I was following him (her?). As we came upon the south end of the bowl she began to roll back north, which I mimicked, so that she was again following me. We repeated this routine several times, creating, as far as T knew, the world's first impromptu avian/human aerial ballet. I was amazed at the connection I had made with this untamed animal. After several minutes of this, my new flying buddy remembered that she was hungry, broke formation and headed back to her original "kiting" spot. J was not ready to stop playing so T climbed a bit

Her wings were twisted in a smooth correction of airspeed to match mine. Our closure rate was almost imperceptible. I-fer wings were now directly under me, one foot below my basetube. T reached down with my right hand and lightly tapped her on the back. A sudden realization must have come over the hawk, as she realized that this was not the way she was supposed to behave. As I passed in front of her she rolled to the right, almost 90°, and perfonctorily extended her talons. It wasn't a panicked or frightened gesture, but more like hawk body language equivalent to: "It's been fun, but if my mate catches me fooling around with you, you're in big trouble. So, better leave now, or my instincts will force me to tear through your Oakley Factory Pilot Eyeshades and scratch your eyes out!" J headed back to launch, back to the world of humans, and thought about what l had just done. Oh, sure, it was a beautiful thing, and I could have kept my hands to myself. But maybe I was doing what the author of High rtight had suggested, to "slip the surly bonds of earth, reach out a hand, and touch the face (back?) of God."

Pttul Gr1zis Sometimes The Hang higher than her, turned just a bit downwind, rolled out, lined up on her six-oc:lock and passed about three feet over her head. During this close pass she never altered her position, and her head movements indicated that she was alternating between scanning the ground and looking up and around at me. On my final pass l started my run just a little bit lower. The wind was straight west at about 20 mph and our sink rates were almost exactly the same in the buoy-· ant ridge lift. l pulled in just a bit, increasing our closure rate to a still dream-like two miles per hour. Time stretched, warmed to a diffuse glow, and the hawk's attention was no longer on the ground. She tried to look up over her back at me.

Glider Wins Dunlap, California, is a thermal soaring site in the Eastern Sierra, 40 miles northeast of Fresno. Like most ridges in the Eastern Sierra it gets sufficient rainfall in the spring that rbe slopes are green, the meadows filled with flowers, and the mountains to the west covered with snow. Spring also brings clouds of harmless insects: mayflies, dragonflies, moths and the like. These insects are food for flocks of swifts that climb, bank, mm and dive with superlative skill in pursuit of their diminutive prey. It is with one of these swifts that my tale is concerned. The year was 1988, the month was May, and I was cruising high continued on page 50 ... HANG GLIDINC

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TOP: The awhor flying ,virh Val Stephens at 15,000 faet MSL at the locarion of the depk,ym.ent on the day before rhe accident. ABOVE: Steve displays the DRS rocket that deployed his pamch111e. 34

ASuccessful Para HANG GLIDING

with a BRS rocker and chest--rnountcd gore Free Flight conical p,u-achute. I was also my Jim Lee Arc fiill-hicc kevlar hel-

met.

cptembcr 25, 199/i was a beautiful au !ll m n Sunday in the Was;11ch Mountains of Utah. The fall colors were at rheir peak. The sky was a deep shade of hlue, with nice, white cumulus clouds rowering over 18,000 fret. Winds were light and variable. Conditions were fovorablc for an cast-west crossing of rhc Wasatch Range, and many of my regular flying friends were already soaring. Initially, my goal this day was ro produce some Imig gliding photography in these fanrastic conditions. l would end up jusr trying to survive. I had attached a camera with a seven-foot long boom mount ro the nose of my glider. It was a system l had designed and llllili. The center of mass of the Ii. 5-pound camera and boom was roughly 10 feet fo1ward of the glid er's hang point. I had placed an eight-pound lead weight in the rear end of the ked at the correct distance from the hang point to exactly counterbalance the system without moving the hang point. I had made many flights with this system and was comfortable with it. I had noticed no adverse effects on glider handling, except for some mildly-annoying pitch oscillation caused by flexing of the camera boom. J was flying my Wills Wing RarnAir 1 and wearing my C:C l 000 harness equipped

r launched and scratched a while hcfcirc m,,v,110 fonhcr out front where I found a strong thcrinal coming from a large gully. Aspen leaves were swirling upward marking the source and the extent of the thermal. Circling tightly, I climbed at 400 fpm. At 2,000' above launch my thermal had widened and smoothed our, though l was still climbing well. Realizing thar I would soo11 he roo high to capture the brilliance of the fall leaves, I began laking photos. Concentrating 011 the background, horizon angle and composition of rhe pl10ros, l was flying the camera and not the glider. While flying slowly in a wide, shallowbanked turn lo the lefi, I hit some turbulence that frlt like rhc edge of the thermal. My lcfr went down. I pulled in and moved to side of rhc bar 10 continue around into the thermal. The glider continued to roll 10 the lcfr umil ir was inverred ar abom 150 I am unsure of the dynamics rhat put me in this attitude. I have never experienced anything like it in 14 years of flying in "big air." Possibly a vertical vortex rolled the glider about the axis of the keel, or possibly I got spit out of the thermal sideways in a slip and then "tripped on a rip." I believe that, had I hccn flying as I normally do, attentively, with

more airspeed and ;1 b;mk, this would I remember being invcrrcd not have and still having some positive load on my hang srrap. Ir was like hcing at the rop a loo-slow Thinking for a second 1har J mighr make ir over rhe top, J remained pulled in and gripped the hasetubc hard. Then the glider began in a tailslidc/slip to the !ch side. [ the ldt deform and then break just afr of the cross bar junction. At rhar moment l was vio lenrly slammed into the taking 0111 rhe lcfr downtube, then breaking rhc keel aft of the control bar and folding the The then pitched imo :1 series fosr for w;1rd rumbles/spins. I was looking fcir my chute handle immediately. Fach rot:1tion was like a crescendo that ended with me slammed the glider. I remember thinking that l could be knocked if I didn't get my chute our soon. At the end of rhc second rot:nion had the handle in my hand. lr was time to aim the rocket. Before l could aim, I was jerked and the rocket fonl. I never saw the chute go orn and J cominucd Lo rotate rwo more rimes before I hcml ;1 whoosh and fdt the pull o/' rhe parachute bridle. Things slowed down. l looked up and s;1w a nice round canopy. The glider was l!psidc clown, and I was prone in my harness, below the glider, hanging off rhc trailing edge near the broken keel. Beside me w;is the folded kingpost. Cr:1bhing my radio, l announced th:it I was under canopy and down. Receiving a reply rhat my Friends had me on visual was a rel id'. The glider began spinning, and rhc c; forces rapidly increased to the point where I wondered if I would pass om. I knew rhat [ needed to get my head up so rhat it wouldn't be the first rhing to whack in. Reaching I fcrnnd my harness m;1in and pulled ha11d-over-hand imo a semi-upright position. l .ooking up, I saw the strnps, bincr and parachute bridk. For a second I considered using my knifr, to cut the glider aw;1y, bl!t decided that it would he better to try to climb np onto the Still zipped up in my pod, r managed to pull ()JI({) the undcrsurfocc the sail. The glider stopped spinning, rhcn reared up and flipped over, tossing me off Now right-side-up, rhe glider began spinning in the opposite direction. After about five rotations the glider flipped upside down and returned to its original spin direction. I had regained my upright positiou and was attempting to clirnh up when l saw the spinning ground come up and smack me hard.

I MARCIi 1995

f'IGUl~E 1:

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RECORDING

It was quiet. l lay there, pinned under the glider with the wind knocked totally out of me. 1 could neither inhale nor exhale. I knew I should not try to move. Over the r;idio came: "Bigfoot, do you copy? Bigfoot, arc you okay? Bigfoot, talk to me ... " After a minute I got some air and managed to groan a reply. This came as a major relief to my friends in the air who were already mobilizing for my rescue. Assessing my condition, Tfrmnd that l wasn't bleeding, had feeling and could move my fingers and toes,. Things felt okay internally. My attention turned to the pain in my right arm which turned out to be a badly fracrured humerus at the shoulder. I discussed my condition with my friends over the radio and we decided that I would require some medical assistance but not AirMed. A couple who were hiking in the area got to me first. With their help I was able to get unhooked and out of my harness before t·he

EMT's arrived. The EMT's checked me out and put my arm in sling. I was then able to hike out to a road where an ambulance was waiting. I am most grarefol to my good friends Charlie and Carol Baughman, Ray and Joan Attig, Val Stephens and Patrick Mel ,aughlin who terminated their flights early and toplanded to help rescue me and my gear. Also, thanks to my girlfriend Robin Stevens and good friend Jeff Roberson who have been helping me during my recovery. I am expecting to folly recover from this accident without surgery, though I still have a lot of work ahead in therapy. Jfopefolly, I will he flying again by this spring. The photos? They are somewhere on the mountain under 10 foet of snow. Both my carnera and vario successfully deployed from the glider.

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There arc some contributing factors which may have added up to cause this accident. Certainly pilot error played a role, and this is not the first time a pilot has gotten into trouble flying for a camera. The camera mount, though statically balanced for level flight, may have had a dynamic effect on the glider. Certainly, the glider was not in its certified configuration. Conditions on this day were good, not particularly strong, though there was a north-south convergence pushing though the area when the incident occurred. The random natme of mountain thermal air should not be uridcrcstimarcd. f feel compelled to express my opinion about the RarnAir in light of recent contro· versy regarding its pitch stability. T read Paul Voigh1)s article in the November issue of this magazine and agree with what he wrote about the glider. I felt confidem on this glider while flying in all kinds of strong conditions last season. Tt should be pointed out that this particular incident involved roll rather than pitch, and that a failure/tumble occurred after stalling inverted. For the record, the glider T was flying had the latest modifications and the VG setting was half on ar the time. T believe the results could have been the same had 1 been flying any of the current crop of tailless, weight-shift, highperformance flex-wing gliders on the market today. I intend to continue flying this glider until something better comes out.

THE DEPLOYMENT The BRS rocket worked. [n spire of the fact that it wasn't aimed when it fired, the rocket had a clean shot and dragged the chute clear of the mmbling glider. Charlie actually witnessed the deployment from

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1-IANG GLIDING

3,000 fret above me. He said thar the tory was outward and upward at abour degrees above rhe horizon. The rocket achieved full extension of the ch\lte. My impression is thar a hand deployed chute would have definitely taken longer and would have been more likely to have tangled in the wreckage. Afrer my accident I had rime to go back through my recent !fang Gliding magazines. (Read: "The Ballistic Controversy" hy Betty Pfeiffer, July '94 and Aug. '94 JIG, and "Accident Reports" by Lucn Miller, Oct. '9/i HG.) I was appalled by the apparent high failure rate of reserve systems lately (notably rocket systems). I too would like to sec a comprehensive review of failures and success· ful deployments. This might shed some light on the problems. Since [ was flying with my EW electronic barograph, some interesting data was recorded. Recausc the sampling rare was set at 30 seconds and die unit quir recording on impact, I didn't get a detailed picture of all phases of the desccnr. But there arc enough samples to get an approximate starting clcva· tion and a good average rate of descent at 30 second intervals. Sec Figure 1. As you can sec from the data, after the initial tumble and deployment, my rate of dcsccm was relatively low. I rhink this was partially due to being in lifr and partly due to the spinning of the glider. The alarming thing is thar my rate of descent increased with each imerval. It's fairly certain that f hi1 the ground with a vertical speed greater than l ,444 fprn ( 16.4 mph). That doesn't include the horizontal speed generated hy the spin.

MARCIi 1995

Ouch! But I shouldn't complain. According to an observer on the ground, my canopy

was beginning to pull in due to the twisting of the shroud lines. Charlie counted 78 rcvo·lutions on my bridle. I consider myself lucky not to have been near 18,000 feet MSL when l deployed. f did not have a para-swivel installed. Clearly, it would have helped. I must confess that I do own a para-swivel but that I hadn't m;idc the d'fon 10 have it insrallcd. Fortunately, I did have an extra-long parachmc bridle (31 feet). f believe this helped ahsorb the twists and held the canopy away from the wreckage during and after the deployrnenL · Cutting the glider away was an option in my case, bur l don'r think it is a good idea in most situations. If the parachute is deployed through the rigging or f"ramc of the glider, the result of cutting away would be disastrous. The canopy could descend through the wreckage and get tangled up and rl1rashcd, or the wreckage could hang up on and mangle the pilot. lt is really difficult for the pilot to sec :11! the rigging and make this assessment while under canopy. l had the option of deploying at the moment I inverted, which probably would have kept rhc glider from breaking and made for a softer, more controlled landing. The chances of a successful dcploymcnc arc probably bcncr in rhis case as well, because the glider hasn't begun rumbling or spinning yet. I elected to hold on and try to ride it out. M;my pilots have recovered from unusual anirndcs by keeping their weight forward and holding 011. ft has worked for me in orh-

er instances. I think the decision of when to deploy is different in each situation, and involves 01her factors such as altitude above the ground and type of terrain below. The important thing is being prepared to use your reserve when the time comes. l intend ro take the time this winter to thoroughly inspect and re-rig all my equipment. I hcanily recommend that all pilots do the same. Repack that chute. 'The reserve handle should be easily accessible with either hand. If you own a rocket, check the expiration date and check your harness !cir anything that might get in its way. Do a manual pull test on the canopy. Check the length of your parachute bridle. Install a para-swivel. Check your harness restraints. Could you fall out in a violcnr tumble or spin? Check your knife. How good is your helmet? Consider getting a h11l-foce type. This story illustrates the value of' a radio as safety equipmcnr and the value of flying with a group of pilots.

[ wrorc rhis article in part because it is a pretty good story that I am glad to be aro11nd to tell. It sccrns that my mind was in high gear and recorded the incident in vivid detail. I think all pilots arc cmious about what it is like 10 need their reserve chute. This is only one case in an infinite variety of scenarios rhar can happen. Perhaps sharing this story will contribute to the collective body of knowledge in the flying community and help as our sport continues improve to evolve.

1 QTY

EE\LCJ;;

TOTAL

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... continued from page 49

angle of attack remains nonnal. The pirch dccre;1scs as the rope angle incrc:tscs, and the last third of the rnw nm fods similar ro that of a pay--out winch. The amount of altitude you gain with 1he first is dependent upon how much row rope was initially laid out and the strength of the wind. Unlike with pay-olll winches, excessive tow pressure docs not achieve higher tows. You may have noriced that I did nm rncntion any tow signals to increase or decrease pressure. Philippe knows what amount of line tension is optimal for the type of row (hang glider, tandcrn or paraglidcr). If rhc glider hits a headwind or lift, rhc winch slows its move· menr as required to mainrnin constant tension (it can even reverse and pay out line). In c1sc o( sink, the winch picks up speed and accelcr;ncs you rhrongh it The climb rate diminishes as the glider nears rhe winch. l mn 1,200 AC L and it's time for my step turn. The downwind turn is easy; rhc tow line naturally stays clear of the glider. Observing rhe turn, the winch operator decreases the row pressure ro only several pounds of· tension. This is enough to keep the spectra tight bm nor enough to appreciably hurt glide performance. How for l fly downwind is nor n,.,.,.,·,c1r1h, dependent upon rhc length of the field, but more irnportanrly, clearance of obstructions. With only small trees and fences separating this field from the next, I can fly downwind past my launch point to pay our even more tow rope for the next step. Obviously, [ would not stretch the tow rope over power lines or busy roads, nor would l allow to get ou1 of reach of a safe landing area in the cvcm of a premature tow release. The line pays out umil 1 near 500 feet A(;L, and I start my turn back. '!'his altirude is adjustable; with experience and a wide-open expanse I could delay turning for a few hundred focr. Conversely, if l needed to keep the tow line clear of trees I might turn upwind earlier. [n any case, ii is irnper;itivc that l leave enough altitude so 1he tum back imo the wind only requires a to moderate bank. This turn requires atremion ro ensure thar the tow line passes under the lower h would be possible with a steep rum to wrap the row line around the which could pose quite a problem when the row opera· ror increased the pressure for the next climb. Tel provide extra weight and help ensure that the tow line suys low, the last I00 feet is a heavy 5/8" di;m1etcr rope. The row operator waits a fow seconds after the glider is stable and inro the wind before cranking up to the climb pressure setting. This second step is normally all that's required to get a 2,000 foot AC ;1. but l could get even higher with mulriple steps if I wanted. On my first flight l release at the top oC my second at 2,200 focr. On ncxl Aighr [ hit sink dming my second step peak ar only 1,400 No prohlcm. I take a rhird step and release in a thermal passing 2,400 focr. At this altitude rhc winds arc stronger and the winch appears to be paying ou1 line as J climb. This winch h;1s H,()00 fret of spectra, and Philippe has towed to over li,000 feet wirhont the end of the line. A recovery parachrnc is mounted in line with the tow rope; that is, ir is strong enough ro handle the tow forces. The lasr couple of dozcn foct of rope arc anchored to the apex of rhc churc, and the tow forces keep it deflated until the glider is released. I like this arrangcmellt, I have wir ncsscd the ha,,ards associated wirh a recovery chmc opening prcmarnrcly. Once released, the winch pulls the line in. There is no rewind motor to bmn out; the winch conrinucs to do what ir was for! Needless to say, I was impressed by my Vol-Libre Philippe has uniquely addressed the needs of novice pilots and experienced pilots alike. Vol Libre operates year round and is only an hour's drive nonh of' rlic New York or Vcrmollt borders. I invite you to call Philippe at (8 l 9) :$95-5276. Jr could very well the way you Ay.

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Pi lot Report

•

er1n

con con1n1only known as a pigeon ha'A•k

hen mos, ofus hear che word Merlin we chink of magic and chc King Anhur legend. Ho,vever, aviators

should know rbe merlin as a small, fuc fuJ.

THE MERLIN'S MAKERS

(Falco Columbarius). This exquisite licclc bird has given its name to a famous fighter

plane engine and even a previous hang glider. The Sky Spores Merlin inrroduced in 1977 evolved from che Kesrrel and was superseded by the Sirocco. Bur chis new Merlin has a differenr lineage, and the mosr unique aspect of che modern Merlin is its size: 133 square feet The glider is designed for cl1e smaller pilor who wishes ro fly wich che rop pilor.s. Lee's Jeam more about chis interesting ,vi.ng.

The story of Sccdwings Europe may be somcwbac unfurn.iliar co mo.st U.S. pilots, so here's a brief oucliue. Andreas Banghicri is an Ausrrian piloc who has been flying Sensors since 198 1. In 1987 he rraveled ro Sanra Barbara, California and encered inco a comracr wich Bob Trampenau ofSeedwings to disrribuce Sensors in Europe. In 1988 Andreas escablished a new company he dubbed Seedwings Europe as a manufucmrcr co produce Sensors in Auscria. To bclp rbc project along, sailmaker Bob Schunc moved co Auscria ro reach che arr of HANG G LIDING

OPPOSITE- landing the Merlin in the Zillertal of A1'Stria. LEFT: The Merlin plan.form. BELOWLEFT: Inside the Mn-/in sail The shear wtb is clearly visible to the rrar as arr the inboard upper/lower su,face ronnecting straps. BELOW: The Merlin control bar t0p hardwarr.

sewing rhe fine Sensor sails r() Manfred, Andreas, broi:her. Manfred is now the chief sailmaker along wi,h rhre.e others in the Auscrian factory. The Europe-U.S. connection Jas«d un1il July 1993 when the contract expired aod wasn't n:newed. Lase year See<lwings Europe obrained the services of Marcin Jursa as a designer. Martin has j,m complcccd his doccomc in physics and ,vas a lec.lu.rcr in aerodynam.ics. Manin isn't just anorher gnome of academia, for he was on che Austrian bang gliding team before he resumed his schooling. Martin designed i:he Merlin using the latest in computer tocbniques. MARCH 1995

Sccdwiogs Europe had many requests for a small glider wii:h perfocmance equ>l 1<> che scandard-siie gliders given ;i similar wing loading. M:trtin set to work comparing comn,only used airfoils on the compurer,

and calcubring performance fuctors for che curreoc rop gliders. This was his measuring stick and his goal was co equ•l oc surpass che latest crop of gijdcrs. Voil!t the Merlin.

THE MERLIN APPOINTMENTS The Merlin c< built for smaller pilots, so much i:hac we s.1y ;ibouc ic will be with the

~ghcor fulks in mind. Bue anyone can appre• ciare its grace and be.ucy. The long curved wing has an aspect ratio of cighc 1A•ith a sporty 130° (depending on VG scccing) nose onglc. These two numbers define a wing intended for performance. lncidcmally, thi. is chc smallest cucved-cip glider »'llilable, at le.st uncil 1he smallest X,ralite appears. Because nf its smal l si1,c and 7075 Men1,igen cubing, chc glider only weighs 6 1.6 pounds. '11,c control bar apex is placed back (or an exceUcnt static baJancc and c,.i.se of Aare. Another virtue of the Merljn is its sma ll control bar tailored for the more

djn,inutivc individual. The control bar, and 41

TOP: The Merlin lower nn"foll 9'0Wing 1111 sagRttk s/N,,r Wt!bs. CENTER: Silk vim• ofthr smooth Merlin airfoil.

B017VM: lnsw the Merlin sail hardware in gellccal. is of standord h igh-qualiry lluropcan design. Clean and functional control bar brackets and a qwck pull-hack crossbar anacbment system arc st.ate-of.. thc•art. In face. mos, gliders are now equipped wirh such '}stems - <he only diffm:octs are nunor hardware details and the furce required to pull back (he crossbar. In thi.$ respect che Merli11 requires medium furce (compar<-d 10 all other gliders} to anach che crossbar hookup. One other import.1nt .acrributc should be mentioned. The Merlin, like other Sensors. has •Jne of the nice$( VG systems. 1'he pull, fri,m full off to full on. only takes about a foot and a half and rhc mg is lighL The re:ison for this is char the cn,sshar halves h«ome nearly ,1t.1ighc ,,,hen the \'G is cight~ ~ll there is ;1 herccr mechanical advantagt:-. ·rhis arrange1nenc providd some relief from ,he mil~ of rope on ~ rne VG ~sten1-:. \Ye'II discuss ocher construction derails wl,en we rum our attention to pe.rforn1anct.

SETUP AND BREAKDOWN A few n<>te< on tvlcrlin setup will familiari1.c tho.. readers u 1)accuscomcd to ,ening up cu.rved..lip glider'\. 'J he control bar sets up 001wemionally wirh a PIP pi11 in chc corner as is common vvirh European gHden. Oncl"

the wings ore spread it's harren-stufl111g rime. In tbis case the onerous process is alleviau:d, since chcrc are only eight curved and C\VO lower battens per side. After opening the wings with the crossbar haulback, it's ume to in.<en the fiberglass tips. The c-asy W'JY to do this is to in.sere the fiberglass rcxl inside chc sail against the hole in chc v.ing rip. l'hcn, ln one s1nooth n1orion, srra,ghren it parallel to the leading edge while pushing row:ird d,e gliders nose ro slip it in the hole. The process Ls e:.1sier don<' than said. The hard part with the curved tip system used co be the final arrachmenr at rhc sail, but no longer. The cams invented by Bob B~iley for the Moyes gliders solves the hookup problem :u,d allows the emire tip to be enclosed in the sail. ~'hen we visicc<l the Seed\\'ings &lropc F.tctory in August the engioccring for such tip cams was wdl undenvay. The breakdown of the Merlin is convemiooal and ,he reverse of rhe scrup. The ample pads and trick bag for the control bar ends are worthy of nore, and a special quiver for organi1.ing the battens. lef1 and right, straight and curved, is provided. T his satisfies the 11:uronic neeJ for order.

HANG GurnNG

lt is ligln, slick and fast. Pause to remember irs slow-flight capability and you may find that the Merlin has 1hc widest 11sahle speed range of any flex wing. What about climb rate? Claire found the stack at herself climbing to the top Asprcs. The handling and climbing ability should help you reach rhc upper levels equally well. ( ;ood handling, glide and speed arc also included in the Merlin's all-around package, so if' you're looking for a linlc magic, rry Scedwings Europe's fine-flying bird the Merlin.

l( you check the specifications chart you will see that the optimum weight range is I l 9 to 158 pounds. We neatly bracketed this range with three pilots: my wife Claire at 110 lbs., John Creynald at 135 lbs. and the author at 165 lbs. We flew the glider at Luagnc, Asprcs, Sr. Hilaire, Prapoutel and La Forclaz in the French Alps, and in the Zillertal in Austria. 'fhe conditions varied from a glass-off to strong thermal showing us cloud base. The most impressive thing about the Merlin from my heavy-pilot point of view was the fact that I could slow the glider down as much as my normal-sized glider (155 sq. ft.) without stalling. Other pilots have experienced rhe same thing. This is an indication that rhe wing is working very effi. cienrly with an effective array of· airfoil shapes along its length. Martin uses a variety of airfoils along rhc Merlin's span to manage this frat. ·rhc bcncfo is sure to be sink rate, for to achieve such a low speed on a small wing it must be flying at a high coefficient of lift. What this means in layman's terms is that you will climb well, especially in small, light thermals where a low minimum speed translates into a smaller diameter circle f<H a given bank angle. T1kcoff and landing with the Merlin arc positively affected by its ability ro slow down. hir example, I didn't have to run any harder than with a larger glider on a very light-wind day to get airborne. I also landed in rall clover in high humidity with no wind. The result: an easy flare, one-step landing. Claire and John, with their lighter wing loadings, found the flare window of opportunity to he non-critical and broad. !11 fact, they hoth commented enthusiastically on the Merlin's case oflanding.

These ribs, like those on the RamAir; keep the lower surface from blowing down at higher speeds and create a very nicely defined airfoil. As a result; top speed is enhanced. .. Pause to remember its slow-flight capability and you may f7 nd that the Merl in has the widest usable speed 11 range of any flex wing.

In the air the Merlin is docile and prcdic1able. There is little or no high-siding required. John and I frrnnd the handling quick and easy at our respective wing load-· ings. Claire, despite being below the rccom· mended weight range, also describes the handling as "really nice." The final report card on handling is: good to very good.

We have saved the best Merlin trick for last. The outboard portion of the wing has rnylar ribs or shear webs connecting the top and bottom surfaces at three stations. These ribs, like those on the RamAir~ keep the lower surface from blowing down at higher speeds and create a very nicely defined airfoil. As a result, top speed is enhanced. The glider skims through the air at warp speed.

and paragliding at Point of the Mountain, Utah with the locals also, 30 animations 52 minutes $29.00 + $3.00 shipping Check or Money Orders:

Tel get a Merlin or for more information, you can contact the facrory at: Sccdwings Europe, /\-6300 Angath 78, AUSTRIA, Tel: 0'5332-7166'7, Fax: 0533271(,68. They speak English as well as you or I and will be happy to answer your questions. The Sccdwings Europe facwry and personnel arc producing many fine gliders ,md will make a lot of smaller pilots happy with this glider. You cm also contact their U.S. disrrihutor: Plcx, Aaron and l<eric Swcps1on, 2115 forest Ridge Dr., Auburn, WA 98002 (206) 939-6248, fax (206) 939-8108. As we ,~fi to j>ress weiJe learned that a Merlin J18 is now available. -- h'd.

/\rea Span Aspect ratio Nose angle Double smfocc Clider weight Number of battens Optimum pilot wcigh1 Approximate price

133 sq. fr. 32.6 fr. 8 129°-132° 82%1 G1.CJ lbs. 20 + 2 1ips 119-158 lbs. $Ii, 500

Featuring Line Tension, Line Angle, Launch Pressure, Gauges, Gloveless Rewind

FOR INFO. CALL S02w5S1 AZ MARCIi 'J 995

DEMAND THE -~~~!QA QUANTUM SEFIIES 1-'At-tAc.;Hu

by High Energy Sports Judge for yourself. The table reflects your expected rate of descent on a standard day at sea level conditions. These calculations are without the extra drag of a hang glider. Your rate of descent will vary according to density altitude and mode of hang glider failure. The landing impact of a 20 foot per second rate of descent is like standing on a six-foothigh platform and having a trap door open below your feet HANG GLll)ER EMERGENCY PARACHUTES OLD GENERATION VERSES STATE-OFfHf!.-ART TECHNOLOGY

/ J ~ Video.

LEARN TO FLY OVER WATER IN MIAMI, GET YOUR ASS KICKED IN THE OWENS VAi.LEY. TRAVEL TO ANCIENT CULTURES AND ACTIVE VOi.CANOES SEE HOW LARRY TUDOR BREAKS WORLD RECORDS. MEET THE GREEN TEAM IN ACTION. RIDE THE SANDIA TRAM TO FLY CROSS COUNTRY IN NEW MEXICO. JUMP OUT OF A PERFECTLY GOOD HANG GLIDER. PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE. 50 MINUTES. $34.95

CLOUDBASE 3

HANG GLIDING "HIGHWAY" TOURS THE USA FROM A GERMAN POINT Of Vl'r:.W FLYING IS SPECTACULAR AND SCENES BEAUTIFUL. HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING. 50 MINUTES. $48.95

For more information contact your High Energy Sports dealer or call (714) 972-8186, FAX (714) 972-1430 1521 E. McFadden #H, Santa Ana, CA 92705

ELMET TESTED, DEPLOYED AND PROVEN. /ODO'S USED WORLDWIDE

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:aE.

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Pulled down apex (PDA) ·· 1" Skirt tape,V·Tabs,Seam 1ape - 20fr. and 22ft. Diameier sizes - 37 and 40 SQ/M siws 17epacks, inspects. bags avail. PG.dual bridle conversion kits

Lightweight, strong, comfortahlc. Designed specifically for paragliding and hang gliding, this helmet offers comfo1i and full-face protection without restricting peripheral vision. Constructed of polyester polymer and reinforced with chop fiber, it allows the helmet to be strong bul lightweighL The "REFLEX" helmet is lined with highimpact foam and brushed polyester fabric for a comfortable fit. Weight 21 oz. Sizes S, M, L XL Colors: blue, black, white. (Dealer inquiries welcome.)

4204 Sorrento Valley Blvd. Suite I~ North Amerinrn :01>orl;0 Dbi;ributing, Inc.

(:7>06) 71[>-9566 or Fax: (:XY~) '!c50 3??6 /\/WJ'ij!D thr; VCbt, !\lwiwo N!\S

San Diego,

92121

(619) 450~0437

THOMAS FORT PEYTON MASSEY FRED VAC!ISS

AWARDS BRON/'J:' CHARLES WEISNER SJ!.VFN MICHAEL BALK

PILOT: City, Stare; fustrncror/School Region l f\LONHAM, BRAD: Idaho Falls, ID; r:. (,1lktc.lM:1gic Clidcrs HENDERSON, STFVE: Al<; J. l'P\>cr/ /\crt,rnll'Sl Region 2 BAOUSLER, ERIC: Sunnyvale, C:A; I'. Dcncvan/Mission Soaring CULLEN, .JOllN: Concord, C:A; P. Dcncvan/Mis.sion Soarinµ DRUEBRISCll, VOLKMAR: San Francisco, O\; I'. llcncvan/Mission Soaring TR!l'PT, CHARLES: [lrcntwood, CJ\; P. Dcncvan/Mission So,1ring Region 3

BEDDES, BART: Morgan Hill, C:A; J. Woodward/Nalllral FABIAN, ANNIEKA: San Diego, C:A; It Mirchcll/Thc Wings PARKS, RUSSEL!.: Like Elsinore, C:A; K. l Lirrison/Advcnt111Ts Unlimited STUART, TODD: San Diego, CA; M. Bell/Torrey Pines

PILOT: City, Stare; lnsrrncror/School Region I McBROOM, BENARD: 1\nacorrcs, \XIA; l<. Kurp Region 3 AMY, .JOANNA: Bishop, CA; R. Brovm//\irwavc BRATTON, RONALD: l'.scondido, CJ\; R. Mirchcll/Thc PARK, .JUNC: Vernon, CA; D. Quackenbush/True !'light ROSENBLUM, SETH: Thonsand Chks, CA: A. Bcern/Windsporrs lntl VEGLIA, PABLO: Redondo Beach, O\; A. l\ccm/Windsporrs lnrl Region /i AD/\MSON, CIIRIS: Englewood, CO; M. \Xlindsheimcr/Coldcn Wings BEDDFS, BART: Clc:irficld, UT;]. Woodward/Natural Flying ELIAS, ANDRES: El Paso, TX; J. Ry:rn/1 !C Cet11cr of SD LINDSEY, JAMES: Sierra Vista, Ai'.; T. l-\anon/ Airbomc Sports ZELAYA, RICARDO: Sierra Vista, Ai'.; T. Barton/ Airborne Spom Rcgion 8 STRUB, WICKHAM: Manchester, NH; D. lla,:rcr/lVlon1mgs11.lc l'P

Region 'J BERDEACX, GARY: M1. Jackson, VA; S. Wendr/Bluc Sky ROMANO, NOEMI: Silver Springs, MD; B. Weaver/Kitty l lawk Kites VICKERY, BILI.: Troy, PA; D. Jewell/The Flight Works Region 10 !OS, FRANCO: Miami, FL; C. 'f'horcson/Lookom Mtn FP NYE, BILL: Atlamis, l'L; M. Jones/Florida I JC; Region 12 STANTON, .JOHATHAN: New York, NY; A. Bloodworrh/l.ookom Mm Fl'

Region 1

COPPLER, DAVID: Albuquerque, NM; M. Clam,/1 ligh Dessert ELIAS, ANDRES: El Paso, TX; J. Ryan/I IC C:emcr of SD GERDES, LAYTON: Chandler, Ai'.; D. Cordon/Advrnlllrc Spons Tours HARDWICK, GLORIA: Ai'.: S. Mish/Il:rndito Action Sporrs HORNEY, PAUL: Farmington, NM; M. Francis/High Dessert WAlTON, GARY: c;i\l,crr, A'/,; R. Richardson/;\/, !IC Center Region 7 TODD, ALLEN: Chicago, fl.; B. Kushner/Raven·'"'' .,11nr1s Region 8

KRJEGER, ROBERT: (;lastonbury, CT; D. llaxrer1'1\11(1rn1ng.,,tc1c Fl' Region 'J FARKAS, NINA: Olmsted, O! !; M. Dclsignorc/Nunh Co:m l Jc; VICKERY, BILL: Troy, Pa; D. Jewell/The Flight Works WEISS, JO NATI IAN: Newton SQ, PA; B. l Jmstattd/Sky

Region 10 CHAMPONIS, PETER: Miami, Fl.; 1:. Futi/Miarni I Jc; RIOS, l;RANCO: Miami, l'L; C. 'J'horcson/1.ookom Mm rP

PILOT: City, State; ] nsrructor/School Region I

MARTIN, TIMOTHY: Stanwood, \XI/\; D. l'ox/CBC:C Region 2 MORRIS, MARK: San Jose, CA; A. Whirchill/Chandcllc RAZDOBREEV, PETE: Belmont, CA; R. Canham Region ii CLEMENTS, I.EN: Phoenix, Ai'.; R. Jc~1repl1e1v;//,<)ntc HC SH UM ACl IER,.JAY: Phoenix, 1\i'.; R. lleStcphcns/i'.onic He; KALTENBACH, JEREMY: Ai'.; S. Mish/Bandito Action Spts MAJORS, ZAC: Salt I .ake City, UT; C. Pollock/Wasatch Wings Region

J/\CQUES, FRANCO TX: Davenport, IA; M. Joncs/l'lorida HC Inc NIELSEN, PAM: Warrenville, JI.; B. Kushner/Raven Sky Sports Region 'J

MACK, RICK: Norwalk, OI I; J. Simmers/Ohio

MARCH 1995

A\'' Lf·,)

Region JO COSNER, MICHAEL: Pensacola Beach, Fl,; C Thoreson/Lookout Min Fi' McK!BBON, STEVE: Caincsvillc, CA; C Tliorcson/Lookou1 Mm FP ZORN, ANN: Cliarlo11c, NC; C Thoreson/Lookout Mm 1:p Region 12

KNEJIR,JEAN: lkdminstcr, NJ;(;, l\lack/Mmtt1rnin Wings l<OFNIG, EDWARD: Comrnack, NY: G, Black/Mouniain Wings KOWALSKI, PIOTR: Jackson l \/Y; L Pilar

BEGINNER CIANO, UJ[GT: Toronto, Onrario; K Dinzl/Skysailing Ontario NOVICE CIANO, LUIGI: Toronto, Ontario; K, Dinz!/Skysailing Ontario JN'J'ERMEDIA'l'F FARGHFR, COLIN: Isle of Man, British Isles; M Jones/Florida! IC ADVANCED RAYNOR, WESLEY: Newark, 011; J, Simmers/Ohio Flyers

PILOT: Ci1y, State; lnstrnctor/School

MASTER RATINGS

Region 2

CARTER, \VARD: Redwood C:ity, CA; l', Sussman/Skyline So:ning FREDVACHSS Region 3

CUMMINGS, SCOTT: Laguna Niguel, CA; 1\L Bell/Up lmcrnational STEVENS, COLE: Redlands, CA; It Rickles/Mission Soaring

TANDEM INSTRUCTOR

Region 9

ROB BACHMAN

MILLER, TI lOMAS: Smirhbun,, MD; J, Long/Western Ma,,vla,,,d I JC Region 10 THORESON, JFAN: Rising Faw11, ( ;A; C:, Thorcson/1,ookout Mm i:1'

50/50 heavyweight fleece, Red/Whi'te on Navy Medium & X-Large only

reg. $19.95

Side Pockets, ash color 50/50 Regular 5" inseam or long 7" inseam (Style may b" substituted, due to limited quantity,)

Large & X-Large only

SALE $13.95

reg. $18.95

SALE $10.00

Please add $3 shipping for orders $15 and under. Add $4.50 for orders over $15.

Traditional Collar or Mock Neck 100% cotton, logo embroidered Sizee;: Medium Large XL XXL We still have a few le~!

reg.

$5.00

reg. $39.95

SALE $29.95

fax (719) 632~6417 46

HANG GUDINC

INTRODUCING THE PICCOLO PLUS BY A IRCOTEC - 20 FLIGHT MEMORY: memory for length, number. climl:> and ,;;ink rate of each flight. 4 climl:>ing oound mode,;;.

· 5 ALTIMETERS: Adjuetable 2!5.000 ~- Altimeter,;; with automatic calil:>ration.

VARIO: Pointer 4.000/fpm. digital to 3.000/fpm. + Programal:>le ,;;ink & lih alarm. Sink ,;;ound with changing tone,;;. Adju,;;tal:>le sink window. Stop watch. + One year warranty and mounting eyetem included. NAS l:>acking and eupport. Weight: 6.8 oz. feet or Meter, .

-SWISS

t·

MA DE - U.S. SERVICED-

A I ff C QT EC $490

303/278-95GG FAX· 3031750-3226

Australia and beyond.•. contact the following dealers for gliders and fast spare parts. USA Scott Johnson, 932·6th Street, Clarkston, Washington 99403 USA. Phone 509-243-4988 Fax 509-243-4935 Tony Barton, P.O. Box 2163 Sierra Vista, Arizona 85636 USA. Phone/Fax 602-459-6305 To ny Covelli, Hang Glider Road. Ellenville, NY 12428 USA. Phone/Fax 91 4-647- 1008 CANADA Bob Lo uden, Airborne Canada, 1764 Cedar HIii Cross Road, Victoria BC, Canada, Phone/Fax 604-477-2461 AUSTRALIA Airborne Australia, 22130 Kalaroo Road, Redhead, NSW 2290 Australia. Phone +61 49 499 199 Fax +61 49 499 395

Flight Pc1rks

• Flying Free At A Unique Flight Park by Mark "Forger" Stucky

BEL01J(1 A pil,11 prrpam to t<Jiu launch. Note she E,,roprn11-1tyle rekase n11d bridle amtnge111<111. BELOW LEFT: The 1imt1lator allows .for ex1e11tkd tethered flight. BOTTOM: The overbuilt h)'dmulic 1tatio1111ry wim-h. RIGHT: The rr1ti,1tng hill and 011111i·din,·h·o11al roof mmp.

step-tow 1housands ofrm high and hang our en the cl1em1als or Sy cros-s-ooumry. All ,he while, fumily and fritnds can be enjoying diemsdvcs on a free ,v,rer sUdd This is a real.icy a, Canada's Vol Libre, a fuU-sccvicc 9ighr park offering sales, repair, lessons, rentals, to,ving and chase service.

Vol Libre is locauxl less !ban an hour's drive cast of ~1oncrcal near the cown of $1. Germain. Ir is s,1~,rising to find this Right park located in

,he flatlands only a few dozen miles fro m Yanlaska, a mountain 1n•eUkoo,vn for its t1A'O hang gliding clubs and multi-directional launch sitd. UnfonunaceJyt despite such organizario1t, Yamaska is not i1nrnune to political infighting or land cncroachmenc. Dissatisfaction Y,'ith such problems inspired an entreprencu.rial hang

glider pilot, Philippe Thibideau, to create Vol Libre (French for "&cc flighi"). Unlike onany !light schools, Vol Libre can take a fledgling pilot from rhe bunny hill to thermal so.1ring wi!hout leaving the Aight park. Initial flight training is conducccd on 1 unique "flying" simulator. The simulacor is ¢$Stntially a

very wide Aaibed crailcr. A glide< is loosely tetheted ,o ,he trailer by a group of ropes which

i rru:illy everyone has dreams of

flight. and hang glider pilots arc hlesscd enough to rc:.Jj;.e !hem. Yet hang gliding has fuiled co become a mainstrea1n spon, and one contributing factor is the difficulty in finding suimble fl)'ing sites.

'Now Unaginc: a site \vltere novicc::s can learn

allo,v a limiccd amount of movernenc in all dirocrions. \X'hcn 10,ved. behind 3 car, a novice pilot can learn to ,naincain COrltrol of che glider for extended periods. ln a fu,v ,ninutcs the srudenr can get more lirtime than is possible fron1

to fly on a manmade 360° conical training hill - just like Orto Lilieochal1 Adjacent 10 the bunny slope, more accomplished pilots can

scores of bunny-hill sled rides. Foo, laund, and landing •kills arc learned on che grass~overed munfog hill. The 1.,,d wa,

Typically. d1ose we do find do nor cater ro ,he needs of our families. friends and chase crews.

HANG GLIDING

exc.,vated to constrncc the hill, and the resulting hole in rl,e ground now scrvcs as a large pond, whid1 also lo,ppens to be the terminal end of the waccr slide. The 30-foot hill is crowned with a house. Th•t's righr, a cylindrical two-srory home is built right into rl1e center of the hill. and the conical roof scr\'CS as an omni.-direcrlonal ramp; it never blO\\t'S cross or do,,'11 ac chis laundl! Just as interesting is die tow semp. \Vltile we Yankees have beeo ooncei>t to use pay-out wind\"" dscwh<rc the sme-of-the-:irt has continued 10 advance. Philippe designed and built a hydtaL1lic scacionary ,vinch ideally suited f'or stcp-co,vlng. engine ,vhich runs a power steering pump chat

consrant line tension eveu in pockets of lift or

sink. without :my of tbe jerkiness that can oocur ";th rhe dragging brake pads of a conveotio nal pay-out ,,;ncb. Lhad never stcp·to,vcd or rowed behind a stationary ,vinch. so Philippe first sat me down in

front of a chalkboard for some ground schooling. He explained rhat cbe length of cbc initial cow line is limicc:d by the '"ind directjon and tO\\' location. Unlike pay-ou1 winches, which sc-;rr \Vith a shore rope, a long to,v line dictates that the

tow rope should initially be routed above the oontrol bar basccube. (Otherwise, when the rope is tensioned it would puU down on the chestmounred harness rdm< and pull out on the baserubc.) One< the gl.ider has gained altitude the climb rnte and climb angle a.re limited by an above-baserube cow line. This dilemma LS sol,'<d by using a bridle with the lower line several fcec longer than the upper. Both ends of the "Y" fir inco adjacent catches on the harness-moun ced

release. A kngch of bung«: cord is attached alongside the lower line in front of the glider. This provides rension co keep ic off the ground and from tangling wid1 your feet during launch. The release is mounted on an aluminum bar running across your chest and hook.~ i,uo d\e b.a.r• ness strops widl LWO sn1.all carabiners. 11)e release mechanism consists of tvlo hinged mecaJ pins

held in place by rwo locking levers. Depress ing the smaller release lever releases the upper line, while depressing cl,e larger lever releases both lines. M ARCH 1995

continued. on insc 39 ...

Is Stationary Winch Towing For You?

The gucs of the ,vinch is a 'foyota automotive

provides hydraulic power co the spool of line. A hydraulic winch provides incredibly smooth and

Soon the glider and winch are in posicion. With only rwo radios, Philippe decides that I will ha\'e one and he the other. I will communicarc with his winch operaror through a simple sec of signals. After a liang check attd row line hookup, I gently lower ch< nose of the glider. This first "bow.. signals the winch operator to rake up slack. A second bow signals the operator that the conditions are righr and 10 prepare for launch. I am ready co fly and my third bow means "launch me." The cow oper:uor con· firms that my glider is picked up and die wings :ire level before cranking up the pressure. A Light-wind foot row launch differs &om a slope launch in cha, [ must hold a higber angle of arrack and slightly resis, running. that is, I« the winch pw,,de the fora, ro ge, me airborne. Tbe quick aa:derarion sends me skyward a6:er several easy Step$. The climb rate is similar ro that of other ground cow launches, and in a few seconds T pass 100 feet AGL. Now the small release le\'er can be dcpresscd. There is a momentary JXIUSC after the upper line releases as 1he lower line rightens. The climb rare really picks up as the glider arcs skyw:ird. Like conventional sailplane winch launch~. the pitth angle during this srage is high (about 30'). Tiiis high attitude is safe since the glider's

rutionary \Vi11ch ro,ving -0ffers severaJ advanragc:s over pay-our \Vinch tO\ving. A squart

field 2,000 feer on each side is adcquarc for towing in any wind direction. Such a field is much ea~ier ro find rhan the mile-long srrctch of road devoid of traffic and obstructions required for a pay-our winch. Bur just how high can you gee with a srationary winch( A nowind rule of thumb is rhar the alcirude gained on a single step is abour one third the length of Line laid out. With ,tn)' wind you gain significantly more alcimde. This method of towing is no1 difficult for a single winch operator. Obviously, che winch operator needs a dear view of die launching glider which LS relarively fur away. however, his

attention is solely on the l:1unching glideJ' (chere are no driving ducies co cause an)' disrrac..

lion). The wind, operaror views the glider directly. and has immediate access to dump rh< pressure or n,anuaJly rut the line.

There :ire some possible negatives wirh this row method. As ,vi,h any launch method rhe cons«juences of a blown launch could be SC\'Cre. The rhrust d!tcr of the winch makes nowind takeoffs eas)', bur it would nor he a bad idea for no,iccs to have wheels on rhcir basetubes (or those seasoned pilots who rake three steps and go prone regardless of the launch method). A dolly similar ro thar used in aeroto"ing may be a good idea. Unlike in aerorowing. d,e tow operators life is no, in rhe hands of the glider piloc. The release hardware is more complicated than the typical chroc-loop rope release, bur ir is rugged and reliable. I :irn planning to buy one for all my wwing. AI>other concern is that ;1 pilot mighc accuau: the big lc:ver first an<l inaJ,..·ertently reJease fronl che to,v line a1 lo,11 alrirude. To hdp prevent this, Philippe had me practice the release sequence a couple of cimes. Ir is really not a big deal. Rt:leasing rhe rop line is a conscious decision> \vhilc, in case ofan en1cr.. gcncy, ;u>t g,abbing die rele;i,e ensures char the big lever depresses. A third concern i, that a high pirch angle mighr increase susceptibility to lockou,s and make recovery more diffieulr. Ar low altitude rl,e nose arrirude is Umiced by the upper bridle line. Re1nen1ber, even afrer the upper line rdcascs, the angle of attack is not high.:r dun norl'll:11, so susceprihilicy co lockoua docs no, increase:. As \Vith any tow launch. a prc1nacurc release requires a positive acdon co avoid stalling.

'11,c lasr oonccrn is the addirional complicacion of doing the step turns. Again, this possible hazard can be micigacc:d \vith pro~r 1XJUip1nent and :1 bi1 or initial ~raining on the;: part of both chc pilor and che winch operator. Although chis row method m;iy appear oompl~ cared, one tO\\' is ,vonh a 111illio1J ,vords. ~

Notes From The Internet ...continued from page 30

launch in my beloved Eclipse l 7. (Yes, this happened a long time ago, when were men, birds were birds, and incxpe1:1e11ce:d pilots learned to fly on gliders neutral roll stability.) A flash of movement caught my eye. I looked up saw a swift headed straight toward me. The swift was traveling at full speed a miniature combat aircraft, in lethal of some hapless bug. It was also on a collision course with my left wing tip, a fact of which it ap1Jcared to be comunaware. was no time me to react; all I could do was watch horrified fascination. At the last moment, just as a collision seemed inevitable, the swift appeared to realize that something was terribly wrong. It rolled level, pulled up hard, and cleared my wing tip by inches. Then ir hit my tip vortex. results were impressive. The poor creature got clobbered, and rolled more times than you can imagine in much less time than you would believe possible. It finally recovered and flew away, a dizzier and, one hopes, a wiser bird Sometimes It ls A Dmw 1wo years later I was at Dunlap again, flying my beloved old Sport lSOE, proof that at one time I did possess a certain

amount of taste. I was at 7,200 feet MSL over Delilah Lookout when I spotted a red-tail hawk below and ahead of me. We were in a thermal and the hawk did not mind my presence, so I decided to follow it. It climbed faster than J, and soon we were at the same altitude, the hawk soaring effortlessly with me 40 feet behind and straining to keep up. Then the bird got hammered. An unheralded but vicious bit of turbulence flipped it right over on its back. J, a mere second behind, was precisely too close to

do anything other than hang onto the control bar and think "J have changed my mind! Tdo not want to be here! I want to be somewhere else!" While I do not have a particularly clear memory of the events thar followed, they do constitute proof that modern hang gliders, and presumably red-tail hawks as well, are sturdy, stable and can recover from unusual attitudes.

Sometimes The Bird "'7tns Dunlap once again. I was lonely, unhappy; depressed and my beloved Sport

gliding mailing list simply send a .tncess::tgew11ct1 the word ''subscribe" in the Subject: field to the following request address: . han,~-.gliding~d--request@lists.utah.edu The hl:lrtg}li1intd~request@lists. utah;edu also supports the f9llq~ing su~Ject lines: help and archive. help lyfailtP Jhe mailing list should be se11t to: hang~gliding@Hsts.utah.edu 50

150E was all Thad left in the world. J set up and launched, and sought solace in flight. At 8,000 feet MSL over Delilah Lookout I spotted a golden eagle. Golden eagles are rare at Dunlap. Dunlap is redtail country; I don't know why. Perhaps it has something to do with the terrain; the vegetation may not provide an adequate habitat for an eagle's preferred prey. This eagle was a curiosity. It was also dii·cctly below me in the same thermal, traveling on precisely the same course and at the same speed. Only our climb rates were different. As I watched, the eagle grew closer. She (I assume the bird was female because of her enormous size) gave no indication that she was aware of my presence. It is possible that she did not see me; eagles fear no predator in the skies, and it is reputed that they, alone among birds of prey, never look above or behind themselves. I, on the other hand, could see every detail of the eagle, and stared in utter fascination. I could see her primary feathers shift as she made minute adjustments in attitude. I could watch every movement of her head as she looked over the valley below. l was awed and amazed. I forgot my sorrow, then and forever. The experience is unbelievable, unearthly, almost spiritual, like looking down upon an angel. The eagle immediately rose until she was 20 feet below rne. A collision was imminent. If we both held our course, if neither of us flinched, we would soon be so close that Tcould reach down and touch her. I was tempted what a unique experience it would have been to touch an eagle in flight but l felt, and still feel, that we humans go through life touching too many things. In the end, I was the one who flinched. I was the one who banked away. I looked over my shoulders, rolled right, and when I looked back the eagle was gone. HANC GurnNc

s Hi\NC CLIDINC i\llVISORY Used bnt~ gliders should always be disassembled before ilyill[\ for 1he first time aud iuspcctcd carcl,dly f,,r fatigued, bcm or dented dowmubcs, ruined bushings, bent bolts (cspe· cially the heart bolt), re··uscd Nyloc nuts, loose thimbles, frayed or rusted cables, tangs with non-circular holes, and on llcx wings, sails badly torn or torn loose from their anchor points front and back 011 the keel and leading lf in doub1, 111,rny hang gliding businesses will

happy to give an objective opinion

on the condidon of equipment you bring thclll to inspccr. Buyers should select equipment th,H is appropriate for their skill level or rating, New pilots shonl<l seek professional instruction from a USHC/\ CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR. REX WIN CS

200 LI\St - Large beginner pilots, Vision 20, l\tcilic Windcrafi. Excellent beginner double surface from traiuing hill to llang llI $500. (209) 951 i\i\i\ MOYES (;UDFRS - New. i\11 brands used. I larncsscs, parachutes, helmets. /\fro lJS;\, Micropancl, Ct1mmltltts 1 (airspeed, alttomatic fligh1 recording up 10 ')') (lights, air pressure, more) $ii')'!. Radios, merchandise & more. (718) 7T7-7000.

AIRBORNE Bl.ADE 132 - Excellent condition, 7075 frame, wide spwl range $2,200 will ship. (805) 682.:J/i8:l. ATLAS Single sttrLrce, good condition $:JOO. HPl70,good condition $/i50. ((,02) %2-(,757.

White, good condition, UP harness with chute, Litek vario, altimeter $1,100. (704) 2998 196.

COfvWI' l 8'i

DRFAM 2/iO -· 1')89, !line spectrum, blue LF. bcdlcnt tandl'.rn glider for the larger pilot. Excellent condition $ I 000 01\0. Call John at (619) 561- I 00').

COMET 165 -- Mint rnndi1iou, low time, spare downtubcs, owner's manual, batten templates. Fxcellen1 price altern:nive to buying new wing for adv:mcing pilots. (601.) 66! ,853'5. ( :OMFT t 65., In good condition, speed bar plus cxtr:1s, cc;100 harness, Ball v:uio. Creat soaring package, all for $!JOO. (717) 38777:l/i.

Fi\SY Li\NDINC l ligh perform:111cc, FR, Magi, 1V 177 VC-tight, cxcclkut shape, spccdhar, fully faired$')')') ne[\iHiablc. (:lO:J) 262- I] :YJ.

KL/\SSIC 155 l.ikc new $.3,IJOO ()BO. Wright Brothers Wiugs (209) 586-60 I?,.

HlRMl/Li\ J,ilj 15 hours, like new, sail crisp, flies gre,11 $2, I 00. (80/i) 978 2/i7-5. l'ClRMlJL/\ 114 Crear condition, ouly 15 hours $1,900. Srntck SX vario $17'>. lLnncss :md chute $/i50. Paul (iilO) 255-8828. l'ORMlJL/\ 1/ilt !')')ii, /i'J.5 hours, like new, l'.Xtras $1,700 OBO. (503) (,(,8 8206. FORMULA 15/i New /J harness, chute, Davron vario, everything $2,150. (7lii) 7l(H325.

MAl<CI I 1995

lXIT. DREAM 185 (619) l2'J.lj()lJ'J.

$500. WANTED 1'11\sc 11 tn.

MOYES CTR I 62VC: - Caragc kept, good condition $900 OllO. (IJ07) 72/i 2iW5. MOYl·.S C:TR WORLD l\Ei\TEl, l C,O $800. XS lli2 $1,500. Both great condition. (208) 726-h5'l. MOYES XS 155 - Creal deal. Experienced x-rn,rn try machine $900 OBO. (619) 'rlli-·2125. MOYFS XT PRO I li5

Al111ost new, <20 hour.,,

excellent condition. Movini\ io high performance,

FORMlJL;\ l 51J -

Low hours, good condition helmet, Roberts vario

FORMlJIA 15/i - Creat shape $1,200 OBO. {209)

l ll'i\T 158 $'J'l5. OXYCFN $99. Yaesu l'T/i 11 F $190 or trade ,cash for Supersport l(,:l. (91(,) 7211070.

lll'i\T 158 - C:ood condition $1,IJOO OBO. Ken (.,Ol) 2'79-7770 K2 115

White LE, yellow and magl'.nt:t BS, I lTP

TF $1,700 OBO. i\T 121 paraglider $1,700 OBO.

need to sell. Bi\RG/\JN $7,:lOO. Call Erika (2 U) (,61J 20(,2. MOYES XTR PRO I (,5 - One year old, w/safo edge dowu111lws, spe,,dbar. l\arcly flown 8 or') 1i111es, ncve, been whacked or darnagn\. l·'.xccllcn\ condition, bright red and yellow u/s, white top. ( :c; I 000 pod :1vcragc J 75 harness, yellow & red for 5'9" I 8'ill, w/built-in BRS, 22 gore Includes 7 -'.l/8 !lei\ helmet, /\fro Cirrus 8000 vario speed ring for sensor. Excdlcnt condition. l't,11 ar,c .fl,500. Separate items negotiable. Call James (805) 2')77(,3} will shit'· l'i\Ci\IR MKIV I 'J Excellent condition,<, hours $1,wo. (liM) :l751i.

c,:n

(818) 351- J 'JU

I Boldface or caps $1.00 per word. (Does not include firstfew words are automatically caps.) Special layouts or tabs $25 per I which column inch. I (phone numbers--2 words, P.O. Box---1 word) line art logos-$15.00 (1. 75" deep maximum) I photos-$25.00 Deadline-20th of the month, six weeks before the cover date of I the issue in which you want your ad to appear (i.e., June 20 for I the August issue). Prepayment required unless account established. No cancellations I and no refunds will be allowed on any advertising anm deadlim,. Ad I insertions FAXed or made by telephone must be charged to a credit I card. I Please enter my classified ad as follows: I II Number of words:

10 hours cad,, one $900, on,· $800.

$1,000? Sensor C,10 demos, UP dealer, PacAir. (SIU) 256-09%.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ORDER FORM

NumbHr of words:

KISS 1 Ws

DREAMS CLEARANCE S/\1.E - /\II sizes, $500 $1,500. Raven Sky Sports (Ii I Ii) ii7:l-8800.

l 50 cents per word, $5.00 minimum.

K., Excellent condition, excellent Hyl'.r! Low horns, asking$ I ,'500. ( :all Roger (liO(,) 627-56T7.

Where else arc you going to get ;1 new glider for under

YH-5572. /\XIS l :\ - Cood shape, only $1,000. Paul (909) 676,1425 evenings.

K2 Iii 'j l'xcellent. CC I 000, I 'lytec ,10 IO, 20 PD/\ with p:uaswiveL $1,900 linn. (818) 8Ykll.l8.

Number of Months: Section (please circle) Rogallos Emergency Chutes Parts & Accessories Business & Employment Miscellaneous

Towing Wanted Videos Schools and Dealers Ultralights Rigid Wings Publications & Organizations Paragliders

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

ADDRESS:_--·-- ...,, ...... ---····-·· ----··

PHONE: ·-· ·- .,,. ,,..... __ ..,, USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933 (719) 632-8300

PULSE 10 MI\TER 4 hours, excellent condition $2,500. FLYTEC '5005 $400. Both $2,800. ('/04) 276,3287. RAMAIR 146 15 hours, like new with factory mods $3, I 00 OBO. Must sell! (208) 726-,3'332. RAMAIR J!f6 349-0931.

Excellent condition $2,500. (.'l(J:l)

RAMAIR J!i6 ]·lave two for sale! Both less than 25 hours, perfect condirion, wirh XC bags, extra downtuhes, no logos. Bcsr offrr (303) 'Xl3·71 H or (303) 932 .. 2437. RAMAm 154 Absolutely pcrfccr! Mint! White LF. and top, <40 hours. GREAT looking. Need cash now! Want $3, l 00. Make offor. (51 O) 796· 7021.

JO boars, lots of' cx1n1s. Cm be UP XTC DS 170 scrn & llown a1 Wallaby Ranch, Florida. !'rec photos $1,800 OBO. Todd Braden {loa1 sys1em $300. (407) 452-4655. VISION MI<IY 19 ffigh Energy harness, helmet, Robcrrs vario, reserve chmc. Complete package $2,000 OBO. I -800·283-9288 ext 8585. VISION MK!V I') Creat condition, speedbar, oval down tubes, blue [ ,F/raiubow $I, 500 OBO. Dave (303) 925-:1841.

BUILD/PLY Your own BACKPACK POW.. ER.ED PARACHUTE for fun/profit. Takes off from level ground unassisted. Safe, simple, inexpensive. No licensing required, Derailed guide and source book for beginner includes info on plans to build yours for as little as $900. Now only $ 19.95. EasyUp, l 089 Medford Center t/244g, Medford OR 97504. JEFFERSON AERO SPORTS Trikes and wings. Sales, accessories and rraining. l nfo pak $12. 1 5120 Skelton Rd, Jdforso1i' OR 97352. (503) 327.. 1730,

VISIONS & SPECTHUMS J\onght·Sold-Tradcd. Raven Sky Sports (Ii 14) 4Ti-8fl00. WW HARRIER 177 (916) 425-)283.

Clean wing $500. Chris

20 hours $3,200. Ken (:l03) 279·

COl ORJ\DO f !ANG GI.IDING WJNTFR c:1.EARAN(:E & c:1,0SEOU'f'

RAMAJR 158 Perfect condition, 240 llTP 'IT $2,500. Rici, (30,l) 939 9348.

USED 2/ift RFSERVE. ............. $350 TRAlNlNC ll/\RNESS .. ........ $100 ............ $700, NFW PARACLIDFRS ... NAS DEMO, VARIO/ALT .. .. $220 COMMERCIAL TC )W WIN Cl l . ... $9'i0 120 WATT CAR RADIO MOlJNT .$450

RAMAIR 1'i4

7T10.

ULTRALIGHTS

WANTED WANTED

TANDEM GLIDER, in good condi-

tion. (604) 353,2668. SCHOOLS & DEALERS ALABAMA

RAVEN 229 - $650. Dream 145 $1,200. 1<2 I 54 $1,800. (717) 864 3448. SENSORS 510, l 00 hours $300. 51 OB $700. CG l 000, 6'2" black and blue $300. Price stirrup har· ness $30. (81 O) 3')4 .. 1220. SKYHA WK 188

Raven 229. (G 12) 688-018 l.

SPECTRUM 165 lrnmaculatc, <2 homs, folding spccdbar $2,400. (719) 380,0959. SPECTRUMS & VISIONS Bought-Sold-Traded. Raven Sky Sports (414) 473-8800.

EXCEL 160. .. ...... $600 COMET 16'5 FOR PARTS.. .. ... $300 Pl TOENTX GD NEEDS PARJ'S.. MAKE OFFER LT DREAM 185,220 145.. . .... MAKE OFFFR SPORT 150 FR....... ............... $700 PROSTAR 160 ...................................... $350 COMET 11 165 ...................................... $400 HI' fl 170 ..................................... ... .. .. $500 Colorado Hang Gliding (:,O'l) 278-9566. EMERGENCY PARACHUTES

SPORT AT 150 Feb, '90, bur low hours/good shape, Bitchin' custom pattern/colors. New LE and EZ set up base rube. $1,900 (extra DT/pans incl.) Z2 harness, 5'8" -,/ .. with chute/HRS rocket $600. Ball 652 deck with flex neck/TE probe $4 50. Call David at (G 19) 268-805\.

A BEST BUY! -- $2(,5, never deployed, new bridle, bag (f'DA's $300). Inspected and repacked, all sizes. Fully G11aran1ecci' ( :olor:tdn I bng ( ;liding (303) 2789566.

SPORT EURO 167 Magenta upper, white lower, spccdbar, 60 hours, good condition $800 OBO. John (615) 430-3494.

ALI. BRANDS llough1, sold, and repacked. Inspection and repack $25·$35. Parachute.,, bridles, inspected and replaced, paraswivcls ins1allcd. AIJ{ .. TIME OF SAN FRANCISCO, 3620 Wawona, San Francisco, C:A ')411 (,. (415) SKY -1177.

SUPERSPORT 14.'l Under 100 hours. Dealer serv/insp. $2,000 negotiable, will ship. (717) 597 · 1753.

PARACUDERS

SUPER SPORT 163 50 hours, blue/magenta $1,900. Score (.31 O) 597-1758. TRADE YOUR CUDrrn. 1 · - We need clean used gliders! Immediate delivery new Ram Airs, Klassics, Super Sports, Pulses, Specrrums. Call Matt, Lookout Mountain Hight Park, (800) 688 .. LMFP, (706) 3983541. TRX RACE December '93, new rigging $1,950. (805) 644-88M.

Sec

ROCKET CITY AIR.SPORTS Sales, rentals, scr .. vice and ccnii'ied instruction ar Keel Mountain, Gurley, Alabama. For information send SASE and $ I to 301-A Franklin Street, Huntsville AL 35801. We h11y used equipment.. (2.05) 880·85 l 2, (205) 53.3 .. 4331. ARIZONA ARIZONA HANG GLIDING CENTER INC The only full time shop in the state! Dealer for all major brands. Certified training program utilizing extensive tandem instruction. We can teach you 1norc in less time, sec what a difference full service makes. (602) 772.4 J 14. DESERT HANC GLIDERS USHCA certified insrruction. Supine specialists. 4319 W. Larkspur, Glrndalc, AZ 85304. (602) 9'38-9550. SAFAR[ SKY TOURS

Same gringo-different sto-

,y. (602) 566-8026. ZONIE HG USHGA/FJ\A instruction. Tandem, CFJI/MEI AT!'. 4326 W. Mariposa, Glendale 85310. (602) 582 .. 4471.Net:zonic@J\ZTEC.inre,asu.edu. ARKANSAS

ALL BRANDS New/used paragliders $500$3,000. Colorado Paragliding (303) 278-9566. ALL NEW /USF.D $500+. Instruction, randcms. California (9(l')) 654 -855'). NEW PARACLIDINC RESERVES Brand new 20fr !'DA Skyangcl PC reserves $:l85., 22ft PDA $425. (.103) 278-9566. RIGID WINGS SWrFT Includes power unit, enclosed pod, ballis · tic parachure, cxrras, <15 hours tolal $17,800. (419) 66] .. Jli')4.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN l'LIGHT PARK ad under Georgia. (800) 688-LMFI\

OZARK MOUNTAIN HANG GLIDERS Sales, service and insrruction. I GO Johnston Rd, Searcy AR 72143. (50 I) 279·2480. SAJL \'VINCS ··-- Lessons, sales, information. Towing, foot .. Jaunch. PO Box 5593, Little Rock AR 72215. (50 I) (,(,3 .. 3166 phone/fax.

Sell your unused equipment here. HANC CLIDINC

WINDSPORTS - LA's largest since 1')"!/i. l'iftccn minutes from LAX. CcnHal lll Sylmar, Crestline, Elsinore and train\ng sites. V;1c11lon 1rai1J'tng, fl/111g and sales pack;1ges including lodging and The mmt popular gliders and cquipmcm, new ,md used in .stock. Trade in yom old cquiprncnr .. \2'i sunny day.s each year. Come (\y with us' 1(,l!i'i Victory Blvd .. Van Nuys Cl\ ')1110(,. (818) 'l88-0l l I, Fax (818) 988-1862.

CALIFORNIA /\ BE/\UT!FUL SOARlNC EXPFR!ENCF Awaits you ar Torrey Pines Glider Port, a l't,ll service USJ-!CA certified hang gliding & paragliding school located on the most soarable coastal cliffs in the nJ.tion. On-site. training hill and tandem instruction

using the new dual purpose, lightweight carbon !J\,c, XTC 205 for both (!1y tandem on the same glider you use on the training hill). New/used gliders, equipment in stock. Buy/trade used [;lidcrslgcar, rentals, glider Get UP. 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La CA 920.37. ((ii')) Li52 3202. ACTION SOARINC C:ENTFR -- ln Lodi near Stockton. Personalized USJ I( ;A certified instruction, sales and service. Emphasis crn speci,1' skill,, techniques, launching & landing. Demo's. Ask abom tow clinic. (209) 368-9665.

WRIGHT BROTHERS WINGS hicndly lJSI IC/\ certified instruction in the Modesto area. UP, Pacific /\irwave, Ball, BRS, I ligh Energy and more. (209) 58Ci-601 Sonora Ci\. HlCl l /\DVENTURE 1 Llng gliding, paragliding school. F.quipme11t ,ale.s, service, rcmals at Southern California's mile high site, Crestline. USl!C/\ Instructor Rob McKenzie. By appointment year rouml. (')OCJ) 88:l-81188.

CONNFCl"IClJ'l' MOUNTAIN W!Nt:S - Look under New York. FLORIDA

AIRTIME OF SAN FRANCISCO HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING. Harness manufacrnrcr and repair specialists. USHC/\ paragliding instruction, rnndcm. All major brands o/" paragliding and hang gliding equipment (new aud used). Next to Fort Funston. The only foll service shop in San Francisco! '3620 Wawona, San l'rancisco ( :A 9411 (,. (!/15) 759-1177. CHANDELl.E SAN FRANCISCO, INC:. Complete hang gliding and paragliding sales, service and instruction since 1973. Northern California's most complete rcp,1ir facility. New and used eqnipmcnr and demo's, lesson packages, clinics and t:rndcm lessons. l 595 E l'rancisco Blvd Ste F, San Ra foe I Ci\ 9it901, (1115)CL!l)JNC.

COMPACT WINCS P/\RAGUDING -- Tandem, Class Ill certified instructor. All major brands. Ycarronnd flying. Best Sourhern California site. (')0')) 6511-8559. FUGI-IT SYSTEMS New location. Dealer for the BIG THREE, Wll.LS W!NG, PACIFIC AIRWAVF and MOYES. All kinds of accessories. I understand the cxistin[; pilots need to a sweet deal! l need trade-ins. Call me List. I'll cat a hug." DAN Sl<ADAL (iv FUGHT SYSTEMS, l 91 Sii F.. KatelL1, Orange Ci\ 92667. 711-(ncw)63')--7777. HANG GLIDER EMPORllJM Best training hill in the wesr 1 F,dl service hang glidinglp:tragliding shop. established 197/i. PO Box 4 l3:l'J, Sama Barbara Ci\ 931/iO.- l J:19, (805) 'JG5-J73:l. Tl !E HANC Cl.J])JNC CFNTER Located in bcamifid San Diego. US! !CA instruction, e<Juipment rentals, local flying tours. Spend your winter vacation flying with us. We [Houdly offor Wills Wing, Pacific Airwave, High Energy, Ball ,111d we need your med equipment. PO Box 1()/i<), Lakeside Ci\ '!20/iO, (61 ')) 561-1009.

A CENTRAL FLORID/\ FLYERS Teaching hang gliding in Florida for 1It years. l ligh altirnde certified tandem boM tow and ;icrorow instrnction, and foo1

HANG GLIDING ,.,,1.m::vcurtG Pli~liGI.IDING HJI .I. SFRVICF S] !01' - - Loca1cd at the base of" the rno1wt,1in on Hwy 74. Dealers oC Moyes, UI'. Par/\ir, Flytec, Ball, 1 ligh Fnergy. Avoret & more. Call for free area info pack. Open daily 9-6. Rentals available. Vis:1 & Mastcrchargc accepted. 909-674-2453 :H401 Riverside Dr. Lake Elsinore, CA.

launched training. Tandem flitshts >)0 minutes, >2,000 AC!., allowing most students lo .solo ,ificr less than 15 tandem flights. We arc the oldest school in l'lorida and the only one that offrr, complete, reasonably priced instruction and sales and service for all m,1jor glider and equipment manufactmcrs. Call (lt07) 891t.-S715.

92S30

World hnnous Hang C\icling Flight Park

Li\KF FI.SJNORF WlNDCYPSY Airwavc, Moyes. C:dl f,,r site information. (909) 679-8994.

A< :l·'.S 1:, TO 7-\ l lA VF Ll'J\Rtll'Jl TO Fl Y l lERE YEAR ROUND SOARING QP_EN DAYS A WF.EK 8 MIU-'. l'ROM lllSNFY/ORl./\NDO

MISSION SOARINC CENTER Strving 1ht hrmg gliding r11mm1111ilJ> sintl' ! 'J7.1. ( )ur comprehensive ins! n1ction program, locncd at the Bay Area's premier

training .site, fc·arures

sloped "bunny hills," static

line rowing, supcrlitc

and comfortable t-raining

harnesses! "FJRST Fl.IC! IT," a video presemation of" lesson program, is available f,,r only $20 shipping (m(!y ht tl/'/'litd lc.1:ron ,...............,. Our deluxe retail shop showcases the latest in lung gliding innovations. We stock new, used and demo, Wills and PacAir gliders. Track-ins arc welcontc. Pee\ free to demo the hottesl new harnesses in our orstom simulator! 1116 Milpitas (nmr Srm /me) Ci\ 9Sll:l5. (408) (1108) 262.-1 :\88. TRUE Jll.lC\!T 1-!ANC CI.JDINC & SO/\RJNc; SCI iOOL The shop at world famous mountaiu in Los We offer US!-l(;/\ insmtction and sales of most all major brands of hang gliding c,1uipmc·nt. Our shop i.s li,Jly stocked wirh p:trts and accessories, rental gear and all cross counrry gear.

We have a sewing shop in-house thar make, rite MANTIS harnesses. We arc tlw most complete foll service

fl.ll instructors Advanced rated & cenilied tandem. Demo all the L1tcs1 flying machi11es. Full service dealer for ;ill brands. Rema Ls~ s:dcs, storage, ratings, X(: rctricv;1ls. ( :amping, pool) climbing \Val\, picnic. Great scene family .md friends. Standing XC: pri1e.s: $1,000 $500 $250 Read about us in 1\ng. 19')4 l Iang Cliding, Jan. J ')')'j Kil planes, Skywings and Cross Counrry. Please ask 11.s for rclt·rcnccs in your area. (81.l) li2!i 0070 Ranch phone & fax. State of the Art' c:onservative FIORIili\ l lANC CLIDINC INC l'I.YINC l'!ORl!J/\ SINC:F 1'!7/i. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIC!IT PARK Nearest gliding rnou111ain training ccnicr to under (;n)rgi:1. l'lorida. Sec

shop in the Los J\ngclcs ;lrL\l and we have hccn training

quality haug glider for over fifteen years. We arc located at 1357.'i /\vcn\lc, Sylrnar, C1lifornia ')IJ,12. 1-800-89/i-'i/i.l:l, fax (818) :16I-Olil').

MARCI I 199 5

ifi

NO MORE BUNNY... THE HILL WITH IT!

WE HAVE The most advanced naining program known to hang gliding, reaching you in half the time it rakes on the 1r,1ining-BUNNY HILL, and with more in-flight air time. YES, WE CAN TEACH YOU FASTER AND SAFER. For ye,11-round training fon in die sun, call or write Mi,uni H,mg Gliding 005) 285--8')78. 2640 S Bayshorc Drive, Cnconur (;rove, Florida :331.1.1. GEORGIA LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN l'LJGIIT PAR.I<

America's 111 hang gliding school, since 1978. Find om wl1y four times as many pilots earn their moun-

tain wings al Lookout! Complcrc certified rraining-first day to morn11ain soaring, bcsr facilities in USA. We wrote lJSI ICJ\'s 0/ticial Flight Trninint; Manual! Om specialty cnsromer satisfaction. Lesson packages, ratings, glider rentals. Largest inventory new/used hrng gliders, equipment. Complete sail/airframe repairs. Camping, swimming pool. Send $2 for infor-mation. Route?., l>ox 215-11, Rising Fawn GA 'l07.38 (20 minutes from Chattanooga, Tennessee) (800) 688-LMl'I', (706) :398-3511. lDAHO SUN VALLEY SKYSPORTS Idaho's only foll scr· vice hang gliding and paragliding shop. Dealers for Will.s Wing, Airwave, Edel, Advance, High and Flytcc. Call for a list of stock gliders for l\asic-Advanccd instruction, tandem paragliding instrnction, local site and XC guides. Call (208) 726l3::l2. JLUNOIS RAVEN SI<Y SPORTS ('l 12) %0 0700 or (708) .%0-0700. Pbse sec om ad under WISCONSIN.

MICHIGAN

NEW YORK

USHGA certified school. PRO HANG GLIDERS Attention SF Michigan, new hang gliding & paragliding row dub forming. New stationary winch syst"cm (club owned). Call ((ir details. Ratings, lessons, gliders and supplies. Norm l.csnow, (810) .199,9433. 569 W Annabelle, Hazel Park Ml 48030.

AAA SOARING CENTER MOUNTAJN WINGS INC. at the b,tsc of the ELLENVILLE MOUNTAIN. Full time professional, certified hang gliding ,md paragliding instruction. We have been the largest, most complete hang gliding cenrcr in the NE for the past 14 years. Dealer for Pacific Airwavc, UP, Scedwings, Enrerprisc Wings. We arc the only dealer in the cast for Bright Stars "Swift". We also offer Edel, lligh Energy, CG, Second Chantz, Ball, Flytcc, Cloudbasc, Litek, Alinco, Maxon, Braunigcr, Kenwood, !com, Yat;sn, GPS systems, Wheds, Uvex, Reflex, Trek, Air. W c srock foll face hcl mets, books, varios, hand fairings, tubing, speed bars, parachutes, camclbaks, liquipacs, clothing, gloves and more. We offer expert repairs, inspections, sewing, harness modifications, repacks, rowing, tandems, seminars and !Cl' clinics. We specialize in first mountain flights with duce way radios. [nfo on flying Ellenville Mountain and other nearby sites. Demos in stock. YOUR ONE STOP HANG GLIDER SHOP. l 50 CANAL STREET, EU.ENVILLE NY 12428. (914) 61i7-3377 OR l-800-525-7850. Visa, MC, Discover. Catalog available. Same day UPS on mail orders. Civc us a chance to beat any legit price.

SKYWINGS ULTRALJCHT CFNTER Powered ultralight and hang gliding instruction. I.earn to fly on our trailer simulator and forget the bunny hi1ls, or try tandem instruction and aerorow right from the start. Flying seven days a week. Acrotow with Moyes Dragonfly or stationary winch tow. Dealer for Moyes and Airborne gliders. Call (810) 798-2A 50. TRAVERSE CJTY HANG GLIDERS/PARAGLIDFULL-TIME shop. Certified instruction, ERS foot launch and row. Sales, service, accessories for ALL major brands. VISA/MASTERCARD. Come soar our liSO' dunes! 1509 E 8th, Traverse City MI li%84. Call Bill at (616) 922-284/i. Visit our paragliding school in Jackson, Wyoming. Call Tracie at (307) Tl9-8620. MINNESOTA SPORT SOARING CENTER/MINNEAPOLIS Instruction, cquipmcm dealers for Wills Wing, Pacific J\irwavc & Edel. (612) 688-0181. NEVADA ADVENTURE SPORTS Sierra tours our special-ty - USHCA cenified school and ratings. Dealers for Pacific Airwave, Wills Wing, UP, Enterprise Wings. Fly the Sierras with a fo11-scrvice shop . .3650 Research Way, Carson City, NV 89706 (702) 88.1-7070. NEW JERSEY MOUNTAIN WINGS

Look under New York.

NEW MEXICO UP OVER NEW MEXICO lnstrnction, sales, scr-vicc. Sandia Mountain guides. Wills, Pacific Ai,wave. Albuquerque, NM (505) 821-8544.

INDIANA

JJ MITCHELL

TANDEM. UP, PacAir dealer. 67.'l.1 Columbia Ave., l lammond, IN li6:l21i (219) 845--2856. KFNTUCKIANA SOAR INC

Sec our dispby ad.

RI\ VEN SKY SPORTS (Ii\ Ii) 473-8800. Please sec our ad under WISCONSIN. KANSAS PRAIRIE Full service school & dealer. Crear tandem instruction, towing & XC packages. 016) 69/-2577.

gliding our

10,000 hang '-Jl.LL,L.U..&-,JJ.U.LJ\.LJ

every

month. 20,000 eyes seeing your

FLY lllGH HANG GLJDfNG, INC. Serving S. New York, Connecticut, Jersey areas (Ellcnvi11c Mtn.). Area's EXCLUSIVE Wills Wing dcaler/spc· cialisr. Also all other major brands, accessories. Ccrrified school/instruction. Teaching since 1979. Area's most INEXPENSIVE prices/repairs. Excellent secondary instruction ... if you've finished a program and wish to continue. Fly the mountain! ATOL towing! Tandem flights! Contact Paul Voight, 5163 Searsville Rd, Pint: Bush, NY 12566, (91/i) 744-3317. !KAR.OS SPORT AVIATION NYC's only certified hang gliding & paragliding school. Also trikes, paramotors, aerochutes, ultralights, training. Distributors for AFRO, PERCHE, HNST & CHARLY. Dealer for almost everything. MOYES exclusive. Ful1 service and equipment at best prices. The most friendly service in the area. (718) 777-7000 phone/fax. SUSQUEHANNA FLIGHT PARK Cooperstown, NY. Certified Instruction, Sales 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 York state to reach you how to Oy. RD 2, Box 348A, Cooperstown, NY 13326, (315) 866-6153.

NORTH CAROLINA COROLLA FUCIIT America's most experienced tandem flight instructor, teaches milizing ATOL and Double Vision. Ca11 or write for information Greg De Wolf, Corolla Flight, PO Box I021, Ki try Hawk NC 27949. (919) 26J .. 6J66

HANG GUDlNC

s KITTY HAWK KITES lNC

Ages 11 ro 80. Learn glide at the world's largest hang school on rhc famous Outer Banks. beach resort. Lessons taught 36/i days a year on Jockey's Ridge, the highest sand dimes on 1hc c1S1 coast, where the Wright Brothns first flew. llcginncr and advanced lesson Camps. Tandem tow ins1ruction. Demos and or larest gliders, used p,liders, acces· sories and pans. Call (919) 441-4124 or 1-800-'.nlt. 4777.

PARTS & ACCFSSORIFS

saw their ad in

llang (Jliding.

OHIO NOH.Tl I COAST J li\NC CLIDJNC - Certiftcd l11s1ruction. New & used gliders. Spcciali·1.ing in Pacific Airwavc gliders. Mike Del Signore, 191(, W. 75th Sr., Cleveland, 01 l. 14102. (21(,) (,)I-I I !iii.

PENNSYlVANIA MOUNTAIN TOP RFCREAT!ON Certified instruction, Pittsburgh. (Ii 12.) 69"/ .!rfi77. C'MON OUT AND PLAY! MOUNTAIN WJNCS

Look under New York.

UTJ\ll US] J(;;\ ccr· RF!ll'l. WlNCS HANC CLJDINC ti11ed instruction. Operations conducted ar Bauer Ridge and Jedi Jump. Dealer fen UP, l'aci\ir, lligh Energy, Ball, NAS. Mountain \ours, service & repairs. Contact Mark Knowlden (801) 882-70li2. SOUTl!WlND l!ANG GLIDING INC. \JS] !CA ceni/Jul, t:111dem instruction. Beginner· advanced, ycaround soarin1•,, XC: clinics. Dealer for: UP, l'acAir, Airborne, I Iigh Ball, Brain llucke1. Call !lob Schick ,tr (801)

Tl\NNFSSEE ALPINF LODCE

Ai- Raccoon Mournain. Priv:nc rooms, bunkhouse_\ j,1cuzzi, pool. Work prograrn. (61 'i) 82 J 25/iG Ch,u t,mooga, Chuck or Shari.

HAWK AIRSPORTS fNC P.O. Box 90'i6, Knoxville, TN 3?')/i0-005(,, (615) '):l).')2.%. 1 lang Cliding and Windsoks.

l.OOJ<OUT MOl/NTAIN FLICI IT PARK ad under Ccorgia.

Sec

TFXi\S A.A.S. AUSTIN AIR SPORTS Cerri/Jed instruc· tion, s;1les and scrvin· for most major manufacturers. Tandem instntction available. Tow-launched training programs for llang I-Hang JV pilots. Moumain flying in Mexico year round. Write ro Srcve Burns ar 1712 Waterson, Austin TX "/870.3 or call J\usrin (512) 17116(,9, Ilouston (?1.3) 11"71--lli88, or Sau Antonio

(710) 82/i-180.3. I<!Tl·'. ENTERPRISES Instruction, sales, repairs, and foot lannclt. Dall.is & Norrh Texas area. Allen TX 75002. (2 J/i) J90-'J090 anytime. Dealer, Pacific Airwave, Wills Wing. RFD RIVER AIRCRAFT -· AUSTIN (5 I 2) li67'i2'). FT. WORTH (817) 921-(,957. Qnality instrucrion, i-ours/guidcs/towing/glidcr service. 'I'cxas' leading Pac/\ir and Wills dealer. ii81 I Red River, 108 Frazier, Ft. Worth TX Anstin, TX /81'5/ /61 JO. TOTAL AIR SPORTS Arc,t's OLDEST Wills Wing dealer. Cenil1ed instruct ion availcrble. "I only DEAi. with WII.IS'. 6.,5/i Limestone, I Imrston TX 77092. (11.3) 956-(, IIi!.

AI.L NEW UlTRA-LlCIIT I.AMBIF LID The lightest, most comfortable hang glider helmet Aerodynamic, low 111rlrnlcncc, low drag shape. l ligh tech Ionic Finish is dear resin over the gold/black weave of" die super··strong carbonli<cvlar outer shell. Open !'ace, only 12 oz., price $ J (,O. {i,11 focc version, only 17 oz. $19') include, instalL1· rion. Measure around head and frorn hottorn of ear lobe over top lO hottotn o( c:nlobl· Cor cnstom !!t. hom the dcsif,ll\'.\', Jack l.amhie, 8 I (,0 Woodshoro, Anaheim CJ\ 92801. Phone and E1x (/14) 779-18/l.

Tl lF SOARING CENTER hill service hang g,lid. i1tg & paragliding school. US! JC;\ ccnificd instruction (year-round) at the n~nion's 1nos1 cnnsisrcntly soarablc site (minutes New/used gliders, equipnsc,l gear. J\irframc/s;til m,·nt in stock. repairs performed at foctory. MounL1in clinics, i-andnn, ratings, JCl''s, rentals, seminars, pilots louuge/vidt'Os, ne,tr--by carnping/mo1cls. 12665 S. Minuteirnn Dr., Draper UT 84042 (20 minutes fi-om Salt [.akc City). (ll01) 57(dili60, fox (801) 57(1(,li82. MC/Visa ,iccepred.

VULTUIU' CLIDERS -~ Full service center near The Point of rhe Mount,1in. Specializing in superior USJ I CA instrnction ro meet individual needs. Safoty record is perfect ,rnd unsurpassed. Tandem, repairs,

rental.s avaiLrblc. Dealer for CC:, PacAir, Em, WW, Ball, Wingovcr. Call Charlie (801) ;>51-61/il. VIRGINIA Bl.lJF SKY · Qttality instructioll, towing, sail/har· ncss repair. Dealer for J\irw:tvc. Wills Willg, High Energy, Ball alld more. Call Steve Wendt at (70:l) /i.12-6557.

J\LTIMETER/VARIO ghl8000

$200. Cloudhasc hctory rccondi rioned units for $7.00. Sat tsl,iction gu:1r;tr11c,·d and a 2.--ye,ir w,irranty. C:ont;tct: 2/i(i/i Cimino Real, Suite 7-20, Santa Clara CA 9505 J. (408) 2/i:l-602 I. f nstrumcnts has a !imircd

AVSAC llARNl'SS lip to 'i'IO" J80lb pilot. 2/i gore chme wlswivd, Second Challl"J. A.l.R. rocket $1,000. Uvex full foce, large helmet $200. 1\lmost new, 8.5 hours airtime. (li08) li!iG-1862 collect OI<.

KITTY l li\ WK KITES · Sec Norrh Carolina. SJLVER WINCS, INC:. Certified hg/pg instnic· tion and sales. Proudly representing Pacific Airwavc, Wing, Swlwings & UP. (703) s:n. I %'i Arlington VA. WlSCONSIN RAVEN .Sl<Y SPORTS I iANC: C:l.lDINC i\ND PARJ\Cl./DINC I.:1rges1 and most pDpular in the J\llidwcst. Tr,1ditional curriudurn, ridge soaring, mournain clinic~, acroiowing & tandems

hy l\rad I<nshncr.

for all n\iljor brands. I'() !lox I OJ, Whitewater \XII '\.l 1<)() (Ii Jli) lill-8800

BEST 12" Wlll.:l·.I.S AV1\ll.i\l\l.E Super tough, lightweigh1, a must for trai1ting, tandem lluiltin hushings. Only lJSA-huilt I 2" qu;1n1i1y di'i-counts. Jmmcdiai-c delivery. I.ookout Mountain, (800) (,88-LMl'I'.

h.t th.,e.-rmaZ

$i5 eacJi

USHGA T's PO Box 8300 Colorado Sprin~ CO 80933 (71!)) 632-8300 fax 632-6417

~ s/" (1·3 •";rls)

·u .so (~• •"iris) USA & ~ nacla

•fnfl will ...-y. Fax us!

• Vented Long Rug by Tail

• ClllorfuJ ly Embroidered

Lo • NDCJ Ul.9

fl:

Available in: Black, Jade, White, Yellow, Navy. Red

SIZES:

Medium

Large

X-Large

XXL (white & na,•y only)

New: 3005 SI c: 3005 format with airspeed capabilities,

3020, more sensltMty adjustments, with periodic temperature read o ut. 3030, comes complete with two mounts, Hychart PC program, ind ep th va~able sensitivity adjustments, periodic temperature read out, ST 54 wireless remote reciever installed. Remember, all service and parts readily available in the USA.

This may be a new world record for Larry Tudor but setting records is nothing new for Flytec. Hang gliding and Paragliding pilots all over the world have broken record after record with Flytecs state of the art instruments. Of course pilot skill is a major factor, top rated pilots have their choice of instruments of which to fly. That's why time after time every pilot for every world record has chosen the dependability of Flytec. So if you are trying for a new world record or just the most fun you ever had let Flytec take you there ...

Set new limits for yourself with Flytec.... Call 1-800-662-2449 for the dealer nearest you. Or write to: PO Box 567132 Miami, Fl 33156

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii:

FlyTEC

Can't afford new equipment? Find great bargains in our classified ad department.

BOLT-ON WHEELS Best rcrnovablc inrcnncdi ate/advanced wheels. Sturdy, tough, 6" diameter. Won't pop off basctuhc like snap-on's. Separate hub has hole tor VG string though it, remains on hasctul>c. Removable wheel halves screw together using thumb screws. $')')/.,ct, qwmrity discounts. Immediate delivery. Lookout Moumain Flight Park, (800) 688LM Fl', (706) 398-354 l.

HANG GLIDER CAMERA MOUNT Shown on J /2" tube, $39.50 includes shipping. TEK Fl.!GHT PRODUCTS, Colebrook Stage, Winsted CT 06098. (203) 37')- I 668 (Camera not included).

KENTUCKIANA SOARING 125 Clarksville IN 17129. (81 ).) 288-7111, fox 11 15. MC/Visa gladly accepted.

Ave., 28/i-

HEATSEEKERS Sheepskin harmirrs for the serious XC/high altirndc pilot. Velcro or $80, covers with map pockets $20. (619) 'J'1'1-J: 1/,

SPECIAL! i\voccr pilor watch $120., and get a FRF.E Airspeed Indicator.

CLEARANCE SAI.E PRlCE $357. (8 l 2) 288-711 l.

New Ball M-19F

'J'l IF. ll.C.C. Will keep yom hands from freezing! Put them on and velcro before or al'tcr glider Thick insulated, made of nylon fabric. Colors red, low, pmplc, dark blue, light blue, black i\lso 3 loop tow for $30. Send check ro: Diego l lcrnandcz, PO Box l:l280, Portland OR 972130280.

l'li,:,hcrn'1te Pro model $759., comes with value).

CAMERA REMOTJ•: 20', fits most cameras. Snaps on over existing shuner release. $Ii 5 (ask about our introductory $1 () rebate). Tck Flight l'roducts, ( :olcbrool, Srnge, Winsted ( :T 060')8. (Camera not included.)

Our advertising has a two-month lead plan ahead. SH

REAi. LIPE HIGH PERSPECTIVE WHEELS SAVERS! l 2", light, tough. !'its ;ill gliders. Send $37 + $3.95 per pair ro Sport Aviation, PO Box 101, PA 1(,856. Ask about our dealer prices.

J() .. CJlANNEL PROGRAMMABLE MAXON SP 2550 - 5 wan rwo-way radio with charger. Three US! !Ci\, three weather, four programmable frequencies. Dmahlc, easy 10 use. Nicacl cal 10 hour). Pilots #1 choice! Special Additional options available. Lookout Mountain Flight Park, (800) 688-1.MFP, (706) .398-3541.

HANC GLll)INC

l'rom Mountain lligh E&S CO. 516 12th Avenue, Salt l.akc City UT 84103 USA. 1-800-468-8185, local (801) 364-4171, fax (801) 364-6207. Major credit cards,

your classified renewal or (719)

lf you rake your fun seriously, SKYI\OX MAXX the Maxx. Save ! ')9 flights-58,000 data points.

EDS-70 31b competition system (with TR-55), or EDS-180, both Owen's Valley proven, ei1her system $799.95.

No-Code Technician Test NEW IIAMEXAM and Study Guide fo, the compnter. Amateur radio license study guide and test gcnetator in Apple MacIntosh or PC: Windows version. The fastest and easiest way to prepare for the Technician Class Amateur Radio Liccnsc examination. Used by instructors, volunteer examiners and amateur radio clubs nationwide. Cost $44. For more information call: 800 YATES-16.

a barogram to Mom. C;d\ evenings or use yo11r

fox to "poll" ours. Above All, 37')7 NW Wisteria Way, Corvallis OR 97:l:>0. (503) 7'i2-691i7, fax ('i0.3) 752-8449. SPECIAL l'lJRCI IASE Maxon I w or Tekk 2w, l US! !(;A channel $ I '50. Y,,csn Fr 11 R $350. Uvex aramid ftdl-facc helmet I lh oz $300. Opt ion;il visor, headset. Smoke bombs, as low as $Ii. 50. Signal mirror $8. j,Kk--The-Rippcr nllaway knifr $1 'i. Silva with hascrnbc mount$')'). ( )xygcn systems $150-$250. lnilnablc Acroiloat.s & hardware to fit your glider $995. PENDULUM AFROSPORTS, INC. I -800-WE FLY XC

XCR-180, with remote on/off valve and NELSON flow con I rol rcgnlawr &. oxirnizcr only $349.95.

Al.WAYS JUST A TOUCH AWAY Fearnring a low profile PTT switch that "velcros" over your index finger or glove for hands-free radio operation. Includes hcadsei-, connections and instructions. Two

styles available: standard kit for open-faced helmets Alinco, !com, Kenwood, and foll.face helmet Maxon, Yaern and radios. Provide style and radio make and model when ordcrint,· Call for dealer or send $92 +$5.50 ship to: PCC:, PO !lox 7031, Tacoma WA 98407-0031. Ph/fox (2.06) 272-lt243.

lJVEX I IFLMFTS Ultra lightweight (one pound), mos1 popular hang gliding helmet, foll face protection, using world's strongest flber. $299. quantity discounts. (800) 688 LM FP, C706) :l'J8-Yi41. VARJOS NFW AND lJSFD -- Ball, lkrnnign, Flytcc. Also, we have a good supply or 652's and M 50's. All in great condition, o(frred at great prices! l.ookoul Mountain 1-80() .. (,88-LMFP.

MINI VARIO World's smallest, simplest vario! Clips to helmet or chinstrap. 200 hours on bat1cries, (). J 8,000 fr., fast response and 2 year warranty. Creat for paragliding roo. ONLY $169. Mallcttcc, PO Box 15756, Santa Ana CA, 92705. (714) 966-1240. MC/Visa accepted.

used, Aircu1cc Alibi $300., (li07) 753-0200.

Sell QUICK REJ.EASF CARABINER -·· $19.95. Extra ball lock pin, $29.00. l 0,000 lbs., dealers welcome, patctll pending. Thermal 19/i:', \.,j I Business Ccnrer Drive, Nonhridgc, C:A <JI 32.li. (818) 70 1·7')83.

MARCIi 1995

s USHGA instructor Tom Sapienza, of Airrime Oregon says, ''I've tested and recommend Wind !la!1m,orv! Dependable. Built ro last. No bartcrics required.

Our advertising has a two-month lead time

Wilm ADVISORY

plan ahead.

AtR/WtND SPEED INDICATORS HELP You LAUNCH & fly SAFE!

BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPOR'I'lJNJ'rIES TANDEM INSTRUCTOR WANTFD Sky Sports (Ii lli) /il:J-8800.

WIND ADVISORY With MOUNTING BRACKET only $24.50, includes s/h. You save $2. 50. Sold separately-Indicator only $15 +$2 s/h; Mounting bracket $8 +$2 s/h. Specify short or long bracket with your order. Foreign orders add $2 item purchased. Send check or MO to Resources, PO Box 906/i, San Diego CA 92169. (619) 270-9/i(,2. Satisfaction Guaranteed!

DON'T CFT CAlJC:JlT LANll!NC DOWNWIND! 1. 5 oz. ripstop nylon, \JV rremed, 5'/i" long w/ l 1" throat. Avai[ah[c colors r!uorcscent pink/yellow or fluorescent pink/white. $39.95 (+$Ii.DO S/1-1). Send to USI !CA Windsok, P.O. !fox 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933-8300, (719) 632-8300, FAX (719) 632-6lil7. VISA/MC accepted.

Raven

WANTED lJSlfCA certified instructors. Immediate full and part rime positions. Year round instruction using rhc most advanced tcclrnolor;y. Excellent salary opporrnnity. Send resume ro Mission Soaring Center, 1116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas (near San Jose) CA 950:l5. (408) 262-1055, fax (408) 262-

HIGHER THAN EAGLES by Maralys &. Chris Wiils. The life & times of BOBBY WILLS, hang gliding legend. Experience the triumphs and tragedies of the Wills family and the evolution of Wills Wing. $19.95 hardcover (+$/i.00 Sil-!), sec preceding classi fied for USIIGA BOOKS ordering info.

1388. PIJBUCATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS

DOWNWIND horn the early days of rhc 70's, to air of Owen's Vailey, DOWNWIND is with thrill and cxhilararion of cross country adventure. The perfect gift for borh pilots and non-pilors. SHARE TllF EXPERIENCE. A true story, well rold. Available from USf !GA l lcadquarrers for only $10.95 (+$2 s/h). PO Box 8'300, Colorado Springs CO 80933.

And VFR OHIC:IAL l'AA SECTTONAL Terminal Arca Charrs. Ail areas, current (np to dare New Airspace Classifications). Sectional maps $7 each, VFR Terminal Arca Charts $4 each. Add shir,ping and (Cal. rcsidcnrs only) tax. Dealer prices. Airtime ofS.F. (415) 759-1177, fax (415) 759.J 182.

BAG IT! If you don't have your copy of' Dennis Pagcn's PERFORMANCE FLYING yet, available through USJ-!C;A I feaclquarters $29.95 (+$4 s&h). SPECIAL NEW P!LOT EDlT!ON Hang Cliding & Paragliding magazine. Now available through USJ-IGA Headquarters. $4.95 each +$1.50 s/h. Informative articles and !or's of color throughout. SOARING Monthly magazine of The Soaring Society of America, Inc. Covers all aspects of soaring flight. Full membership $45. lnfo. kit with sample copy $3. SSA, P.O. Box E, Hobbs, NM 88241. (505) 392-1177. TOWING

THE IMPROVED WINDTALI(ER IV Uses an upgraded outdoor sensor, surge protection and heavy coJJsrtuction. Many new features. Sri[! only $895. Lirek (503) li79-66:\3.

C.,(\

HANG GLIDING FOR BEGINNER PILOTS by Pete Cheney. The Official USJ-!(;A Training Manwd, NOW IN ITS SECOND EDJTJON. Over 260 pages, with more rhnn 160 casy--ro--11ndcrsrand illustrations and photos. Yom library srarrs with this book! $2.9.9'i (plus $4.00 s/h) Colorndo residents add :\'Y<, rax. SEND/FAX/Pl !ONE TO USHGA BOOKS, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933-8;\00, FAX (719) 632-Gli17, P!IONl\ (719) 632-8:300. VISA/MC accepted.

COMPLJffE TOW RIG And truck ready to go. TRUCK; 1986 Nissan pick-up, 5 speed, AM/FM stereo, cold A/C, new clutch, new brakes, new foci pump, roof rack, bed mat, excellent maintenance record wirh plcmy of power! WINCH: 1995 TLS, automatic level wind tow system, rnsrom built launch platform, all aluminum construction, instant on/off line tension con .. trol, recovery parachurc, /i()()()' tow line capacity, 5 year warranty. TOTAL PACKAGE PRICE INCLUDING ON-SITE TRAINING: $3,895. Contact Chris or Lisa at Tow Launch Systems (21 O) 824-1803.

HANC CLIDINC

CUSTOM BUlLT .... Pay-nut winch, works great, w/hoom $'JOO. (602) %2-6257.

MJSC:FI.LANEOUS

C:FT READY FOR SPRINC CUSTOM TOW SYSTEMS. Winches which bolt to yocn MasrcrCrafr/Corrccr( :raft wmcrski pylon. Winches wirh rruc aurolcvcling. Winches that 1110nm on your receiver-type rrailer birch. Winches wirh engines for mnhoard boars & trailers. Hydraulic winches and sta· tic ww systems. Plus, our $ I ,295 PriccBuster Winch. LINE RECOVERY SYSTEMS guaranteed to automatically deploy only when you want it to. SPF.C-TRA tow line at the best prices. Dealer inquires welcome. Barry "Towhead" Steele, Enr:11ne,.:ri1ng, 'J/ I 11 isherman's Cove, 29672. 885-0949.

TOWLINES SPECTRA--Hollow lktidcd ( :old Stretched ?.000' or 3000' I Reel Pan SPCB-TlO SPCB-950. SPCB-1500 .... SPCB--2200

..... 16<1/fi. ... 17<1/fr .. . ..... 1'7qlfr .. .

.. ... 211/M .. ... <"ili/M .. ... 51//M

DACRON-Hollow Braided Heat Ser & Stretched 1500' I Reel DCCB--650 .... M/fr. ... <511/M DCCB-900 .... ')q/fr. ..... dW/M DCCB--1500... .. .. IM/ft .. .. ... 1211/M DCCB--2000 .... IN/fr .. ..... 1711/M

rnnn

"AEROBATICS" hdl color 2.l"x :, 1" poster foarnring John l leincy doing wh,n he docs best--1.0()]'. INCi Available through US! !CA I IQ fin just $6.95 (, $3. 'iO s/h). !'ill that void on your wall! Send to \JSJ J(;A Acrobatics Poster, 1'0 Box 8:lOO, Colorado Springs CU 80lJ.l.l. (USA & Crnada only. Sorry, posters arc NOT AVJ\ll.i\lll.E on international orders.) SPF.Cl AL-Acrobatics poster & Eric Raymond poster-BOT! I !·UR $10 (+$3.50 s/h).

CANADIAN ROCKY MOUNTAIN HANG GLIDING VACATIONS Lakcfront accornmodai-ions, home cooked meals,

"HOW DO TRIKES F[.Y>" Trike ,icrodynamics, preflight, ground handlini;, {light demonstration, lex-son programs fcafuring Red Wing nikcs) 2B minut<:s. Send $29 check 10: Hetchcr's Ultralights, 21 (,5 Xavier Ave., Turlock California 9'5.382.

"DJ\NCINC WIT! I Tl !FI ADY" - Watercolor art depicted on the from of a white pre- shrnnk Beefy."\·. Specify 1.,XL,XX!. Short sleeve $15, lony, sleeve$]/, Add $).50 per order shipping. Srnd check or money order to: Sky Wear, !'() llox ':i/ili, Signal Mounuin TN .l?T/l. ((, 15) 886-7)9/i. Dealer inquiries we\come.

VIDEOS BOOKS l'OSTl'.RS 1\PPAREL - Call US! !CA for your Merchandise order f"mrn (7 I 9) <,:l2 8\00.

SUMMER I !!Cl! -- No su1>cr stars, loops or Owens air. 100%, real people, flying real world conditions, Inspirational and humorous. Vl TS $28 includes shipping! Russ Camp, 1907 \'i/ Jones C:r. Rd., ( ;rants Pa.is OR 97526.

MARCH 1995

VISION MARK IV I 7 Last seen 17th, LE, rain1994 off a NF Indiana connrry road. bow s;til. Bicycle handgrips on dowmubcs, holograph-ic chrome tape on kingpost & rear keel. Retract;tblc bridle arwchcd to keel, bozo Audrey l'ischcr (312) 2:l3-5037 . SPORT J 80 Stolen on September 29th, 19')/i, from south of MANASSAS VA (off Route 28). Light blue LE, white/purple sail, has 2 dark parches on left I.E. Call John McAllister (70:-l) 662-805/i.

~:';: ~t/l~~~'~:e·:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ~;

NEW!

to turned couch por;;Ho, Also\ ask w, ahout our

STOLEN WINGS & THINGS

Adventure Video ................................ 44 AirBornc ........................................... .47 Air Link ............................................ .43 Airtck ................................................ .44 Arai Design ....................................... .31 Blacct .................. ,.,. ........................... 36

VIDEOS & Fil.MS

paragliding videos!

AD DEADLINES /\II ad copy, instructions, changes, addirions and cancellations rnust be received in writing I 1/2 months preceding the cover date, i.e. October ?.Otl, for the December isrne. !'lease make checks payable ro US! JC:A C:lassi/Jed Advertising Dept. I !ANG CLJl)!NC: MAC/\ZINE, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 8093:3-8300 (71 'J) 632-8300 or fax (719) (i32-61i I} with yonr Visa or Mastercard.

transportation, gnide service, vntcrskiing) 1 lobic Cat. James L'i Mary Swamhurg, Box I J.2, Wasa 1.ake ll(: Canada VOB 21<0. (60/i) /i22-:J(,88 or fax (6M) li22l55 I.

Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery, fox orders lil David fl. Bradley, Braided Products Division, PO Box '!5, Hilltown PA 18927. (215) 87.2--1%8, fox (215) 822--5852.

POINT 01: THE MOUNT by East Coast, hg/pg action at this Utah mecca $29. HANG GLIDING EXTREME & BORN TO Jll.Y Adventure Video, HAWAIIAN fl.YIN Space 9, soarin 1, in $:fl. Call or fax USJICA (719) 632-8:JOO, 6:12--6417, please +$4 domestic s/h (,-$5 for two or more videos). Creat to impress friends or f<,r those socked--in days. l'erfccr gift the bunch pota--

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES The rate for classified advertising is $. 50 per word (or group of characters) and $1 .00 per word for bold ot all caps. MINIMUM AD CHARGE $5.00. A foe of $15.00 is ch,rrgcd for each line ,1n logo and $25.00 for c:c1ch photo. I.INEAR'f L'i PHOTO SIZE NO LARGER THAN 1.75" X 2.25". Please underline words to be Special layours of tabs $25.00 per col

DON'T LEAVE YOUR GROUND-BOUND FQUIPM ENT SITTING IN THE GARAGE. SELL IT IN 'J'JIE l!ANG GLIDING Cl.ASS! fll'DS.

Colorado I lang Gliding .............. ,. ..... 20 East Coast Vidco ................................ 43 Flytcc ................................................. 57 Hall Bros ............................................ 36 High Energy Sporrs ............................ 44 Just J;ly ................................................. 2 Kcntuckiana Soaring ........................... .4 Kitty Hawk Kites ............................... 20 Lookout Mtn. Flight Park .................. 37 NAA .................................................. 27 NAS ............................................ ,,·,·1,,1 Pacific Airwave ..................... Back Cover Scedwings ........................................... 39 Sky Watch .......................................... 20 Sporr Aviation Publications ................ 15 Trekking USA ................................... .31 Soaring .4 US HCA ......................... 18,38,46,56,62 Wallaby Ranch ..................................... 2 Wills Wing .................................... 17,2:J

The

Center .............................

(,1

MEM

SEX

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**************************************************************************************************************** 1ST CLASS MAIL SlmVICE HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE: ($24.00-U.S., Canada, & Mexico only) ........... , ... . AIR MAIL SERVICl<: HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE: ($30.00-Western Hemisphere, $44.00-Europc, $57 .00-All Others) . . . - - - - - - · · tST CLASS MAIL SERVICE - PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE: ($12.00-U.S., Canada, & Mexieo only) ................. ~----·--··-·--AIR MAIL SERVICE - PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE: ($15.00-Western Hemisphere, $22.00-Europe, $29.00-AII Others) ..... -·-·-·--------·--·--· NAA MEMBERSHIP: ($10.00 annual dues) .. , ....... , ... , ...... , ...... , ... , .......................... ,., ........... . FAJ SPORTING LICENCE:

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(719) 632-8300 FAX (719) 632-6417

(12/94)

1995 hy Dan Johnson

S'r. PAUL, MINN. DoeE, hang need to reach out for new enthusiasts? 'I'he question raises bothersome issues about and acJing memberships, but is nonetheless a valid concern. ••• Indm,try leader, Wi1ls is ·"''"'LLL,;u.1-Luy about it by a new "division." They ca it ProLine and its their vehicle to selJ certain acces:c;ory i terns. new about this, you say? 'True,, but Wills expecl:s to do more than sell varios to their WW-brand cusl:omE,rs. "It is our intention to use ProLine to develop products that can be marketed OUTSIDE thE:: hang says a recent: c,tatement in their dealer newsletter. expect to raise their revenues but they further hope to increase hang exposure to the plan to a.dvertise circulation µu.uJ.,;,~.,.J.<:c>.i1.,," once they hav(°" a "well JJne." Each ProLine have the USHGA color flier as well a~, the name of the closest WW dealer cochool. Good luck, Wills! I believe we need t~his type of outreach. ••• In other WVJ news, the company recently bought the patent to the Paraswivel from uc:,co.LylJ,c.L, Kurt Rohr. 'rhe maker will become the soJ.e of the device once current distributor Golden West sells their . Wills plans to lower the retail to $69. 50. Most parachute makers 13upport the product, and several bridle incidents have propelled more and mor.::, to add the item. •••Ina mood, Wills also purchased Mark West's computer tec;t gear for their certification work. They say the which will their analog to to market more quickly." ••• Some changes afoot with Aussie Ai rBorne' s Edge trike tug. In responf,e l:o requests, the Down-Under builder made several refinements to the aircraft: improved of the ; decreased the Joad on the no~,ewheel txike geometry; offered Rotax' s new electric start sy[,tem; and made the seat more comfortable as well as ( fore and aft) . For those the huge Florida airshow, Sun 'n Fun, the Edge will be on in the area known as "ParadisE, City." ••• As AirBorne continues work t.o establish a U.S. hang market presence, the Aus,Jie builder has rest:ructured... Kevin Kernohan has ceased the distributor. 'I'hat job now f:a11s to Scott ,Johnson, wbo tonnerly sold only the F:dge trike. He says, "I' 11 have in stock to be sent ouL on requecit to dc~alers and in the U.S. I will also have spare parts tor the AirBorne products. " ,Johnson has enlisted Tony Barton t.o handle Blade hang sales in southwest U.S. and 'I'ony CoveJlj wiJ 1 handle the New York area.••• In addition Johnson's business, tbis summer show their Since

M/\RC/1

I 99S

relocated away from the Owens to southeastern state, interested should call 509/243-4988, or tax to 509/ 243--4935. ••• old has returned ... in all-new orm. Remember Klaus Hill' SuperFloater'? It's back! .Manufacturer of the soon-ready Cumulus , US Aviation, says it "'~""·'-~~~,, order;; for the 1995 remake of 1970s SuperFloater. The aircraft has completely redesigned by Larry HaJ 1, and by Dick ChE:mey with help from Kent Anderson, among others. You may these names and associate them with UP hang Although related, the SuperFloater venture is under the name Wind Walker Aircraft Co., Inc., with US Aviation the worldwide to the new aircraft. 111111110 Critical specs: 38 foot span; area 1.68 squares; aspect 8. 44: 1; Vne 60; stall 23; 179 pounds (making it Part 103 legal with its BRS rocket 'chute); useful load 220 pounds. Perhaps best of all is the reasonable tag of $5,995 fully built and test flown. 'The 'chute is sold for the BRS of $1,095. e111Ht rrhe SuperFloater is said to offer a 180 fpm sink rate, though early flight t:rials have demonstrated calm-air sink rates of 120 Recently Dave Chapman took the SuperFloater prototype up to 12, 500 MSL in wave lift north of Salt Lake (where Wind Walker and UP are located). Glide is listed at 15:1 a 20-25% over top flex--wings - but "The SuperFloater isn' a comp,et1. it's for fun soaring." For rate, easy handl :Lng, and good what the market wants, says US company believes some hang find the the SuperFJoater a 'I'he should For literature, write 265 Echo Ln., South St. Paul MN 55075 or dial 612/450-0930 and leave an address. ••• Our last new this month is Aloft, a new bimonthly 1,1e1,.x;.ety.c ... ,.........Y ma.ga.zine Publisher Steve Roti mailed his issue in January 1995. He has also the USHGA about for the contract to supply a PG ma~J for tb.ose members of Yoo-shga. 'The 32-page first ed:L tion isn't a"' colorful as PG the Mag, but from my former 's it.' s a very good first effort. Articles are packed top to bottom with information and the book ends with a page tbat looks almost exactly like this one. (I guess l'm flattered.) If you fly PCs, you' 1] want to look at a copy and since the issue has no nor order form, '11 bet they' 11 send you one for a look-see. Contact Roti and Aloft at P.O. Box 8989, Portland OR 97207. Call 503/284-0998. ••• Outta spacE! ... So, got news or Send 'em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V--mail to: 612/450-0930 'J.'HANK~.J

;Si

SCREW THE HYPE. FLY THE KITE. If you' re as sick as we are abou t the endless claims from other hang gl iding manufacture rs that their latest gimmick is the performance breakt hrot!gh o f t he century,test fly an Airwave Kl assic . You j ust mi ght prove chem ~rong . Join the tean. For a t est flight or more i nformation on t he Kl ass t c or othe r Pacific A1rwave products , contac t your loca l- deal er.

CARVING A F UTU RE THROUGH TH E AIR

Pac, f!c Alrwave !no. P.0. Bor ~381 Salinas CalHornJa 9391? (108)122-2299 i'ax(\08)758- 3210