USHGA Hang Gliding March 1996

PARAGLIDERS

JOIN OU

~ICIAL FAMILY OF COMPANIES

calling 303/278-9566 or Fax: 303/750-3226

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

13 Friends ofUSHGA-Jack Cole

by Phil Bachman Meer the president and CEO of che NacionalAeronaucicAssociacion.

16 Rogallos Inducted Into First Flight Shrine by v'ic Powell President, Rogailo Foundation Francis and Gertrude Rogallo join che likes of che Wright Brochers.

Sidebar by G.W. Meadows on a flighr over che Wright Monument.

24 Night Is Not Falling © 1996 by Michael Robertson Michael flies for the camera in a new Canadian motion picture.

40 Product Review: SkyScan Lightning Detector

by Mark "Forger" Stucky How co know when bad weather is approaching.

42 10,000-FootAGLAerotow!

by Adnm Trahan How to take a 10,000-foot sled ride in your backyard.

48 The 1995 Arizona X-C Contest

by Bob Thompson Exciting flying over che deserrs of Arizona.

Columns

Departments

USHGA ReportS .................................7,37

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

Exec's Comer, by Phil Bachman ............. 14

Updace ............................... ...................... 10

Accident Reports, by Luen Miller .......... 22

Calendar of Evencs ................................... 20

Competition Corner ...............................34

Racings .....................................................29

Product Lines, by Dan Johnson .............63

dassilied Advertising ..............................51 lndex co Advertisers .................................62

MARCH 1996

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1 PRICE USHGA CALENDARS • More excellent photography. (Circle Yr)

1994 1991

1990 1989............................

QTY.

$ 1.50

"SPECIAL NEW PILOT" Magazine. Hang Gliding or Paragliding (circle one). Buy one for a friend! ................... $ 4.95 PARAGLIDING-THE COMPLETE GUIDE by Noel Whittall. Comprehensive, up-to-date, plenty of color photos. $24.95 HANG GLIDING FOR BEGINNER PILOTS by Peter Cheney. The Official USHGA Training Manual. 234 pgs ... $29.95 HANG GLIDING FLYING SKILLS by D. Pagen. Our most popular book, for the Beginner-Intermediate pilot .... $ 9.95 PERFORMANCE FLYING by Dennis Pagen. A must for the Intermediate and Advanced pilots. 340 pgs.......... $29.95 UNDERSTANDING THE SKY by Dennis Pagen. THE most complete book on micrometerology. 278 pgs ........ $19.95 INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL by Dennis Pagen. For hang gliding, used in ICP's. Plenty of illustrations. 125 pgs .. $10.00 PARAGLIDING FLIGHT-WALKING ON AIR by Dennis Pagen. Covers all aspect of pg. Over 140 illustrations. $19.95 PARAGLIDING-A PILOT'S TRAINING MANUAL by Wills Wing. Everything you wanted to know about pg ....... $19.95 ALPHA FLIGHT by Mark Wright. Covers all aspects of pg, complete with illustrations. Class 1 testing material. $19.95 RIGHT STUFF FOR NEW HANG GLIDER PILOTS by Erik Fair. Reprints of Erik's HG column. Classic stuff.... $ 8.95 HIGHER THAN EAGLES by Maralys & Chris Wills. Bio. of hg legend Bob Wills & Wills Wing. Hardcover ......... $19.95 ACCESS & THE GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT by B. Moorman. Guide for airport access. $19.95 DOWNWIND by Larry Fleming. Share the experience of over 20 years of hg flight. A true story, well told .......... $10.95 THE ART OF SKYSAILING by Michael Robertson. Material used in ICP's, including the Charts of Reliability ... $ 9.95

$_ __

$._ __

RECORD ATTEMPT KIT Includes all official forms needed for national and world record attempts ................... $15.00 DELUXE LOG BOOK 64 pgs. Covering ID, ratings, rules, maintenance, inspection, terminology & more.......... $ 4.95 FLIGHT LOG BOOK 40 pgs. The Official USHGA flight log book ....................................................................... $ 2.95 CERTIFICATION BOOKLETS Document your skill level sign-offs. Specify Hang Gliding or Paragliding ........... $ 1.95

POINT OF THE MTN (Utah) Video. HG & PG action at one of America's favorite sites. 30 effects (52 min) ....... $29.00 BORN TO FLY Video. HG action. Meet Larry Tudor & The Green Team, etc. Fly Owens, Sandia, etc. (50 min) $34.95 PARAGLIDE: THE MOVIE Video. Owen's Valley world competition. Hot action, rockin' soundtrack. (40 min) .... $39.95 CLOUDBASE PARAGLIDING Video. Great intro. to the sport. Meet the hot pilots & fly the hot sites. (36 min). $34.95 HANG GLIDING EXTREME Video. Fly the most spectacular sites in the US. Meet the top pilots (50 min) ......... $34.95 HAWAIIAN FLYIN' Video. HG & PG in Paradise. Amazing launches & awesome scenery! (46 min) .................. $33.00 DAREDEVIL FLYERS Ill-THE PARAGLIDERS Video. Join the W.W. gang in scenic Telluride, CO. (50 min) .... $24.95 All our videos are in USA/VHS NTSC format only.

WINDSOK™ 1.5 oz. ripstop nylon, 5'4" long w/11" throat. Available in pink/yellow or pink/white (circle one) ....... $39.95 WINDSEEKER High Performance hang glider flying model. Too much fun, you'll want to order two................ $ 3.00 USHGA EMBLEM DECAL Our original logo, in its original colors, on a 3" circular sticker ................................. $ .50 USHGA SEW-ON EMBLEM Our original logo, in its original colors, on a 3" circular patch................................ $ 1.50 MTN. GLIDER DECAL Full color 6" rectangular, long-lasting vinyl decal. ........................................................... $ 1.50 MTN. GLIDER SEW-ON The most beautifully embroidered patch you've ever seen, 12 different colors used .... $ 3.95 MTN. GLIDER LAPEL PIN Multi-colored, custom shaped with exopy dome and military clutch back ................. $ 3.95 LICENSE PLATE FRAME Chrome plated. I'd Rather Be Hang Gliding or I'd Rather Be Paragliding (circle one) $ 6.50 PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE COLLECTOR BINDER Brown vinyl w/gold lettering. .................... ........... ............ $ 9.00 *ERIC RAYMOND POSTER 24"x37" Eric 17,000' MSL over the Sierra Nevada Range, beautiful color .............. $ 5.95 *AEROBATIC POSTER 23"x31" Colorful keel-angle shot of John Heiney looping skyward ................................ $ 6.95 *Posters are NOT AVAILABLE on International orders-Sorry!

SPECIAL· BOTH POSTERS FOR $10.00 PAYMENT must be included with your order. FOREIGN orders must be in U.S. FUNDS drawn on a U.S. BANKI

SHIPPING (US)

CHARGE MY VISA or MASTERCARD

.01 • 9.99 ADD $3.50 10. -19.99 ADD $4.00 20. - 34.99 ADD $5.00 35. - 49.99 ADD $6.00 50.+ ....... ADD $7.50* Canada & Mex. add $1.50 extra* lnt'I air add $15 extra* *May vary due to weight & destination.

SUBTOTAL Colorado residents add 3% tax

T------

Shipping (see chart)

to: Street Address (if po~;s1b,1e>__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

United sta1tes

Gliding Assn., 1330, Colorado Springs (719) 632-8300 1~OU1J~o·11 tM.'llOOO (719) 632-6417

80901-1330

Gil Dodgen, EdftottArl Oirec/or John Heiney, Gerty Charlebois, teroy Grannis Photognipht!rS Harry Matt.in, /1/qstratnr 01mnis Pagen1 Matk, Stucky, (~.w. M<iildowi;:Jim.11almieri St111'f\l\,'rite,1$ Tim Rink~r, D,w1.11'11uod~1

Air Mail neck and shoulders first is not my idea of a good time or decision.

Dear Editor, The February articles concerning Frisco Peak failed to mention the launch hazards. There is only one launch, and the launch run is long enough for only three steps. Tn front of this is a boulder field and a few trees. After noon the winds are strong and gusty, and the wind !low at launch feels uneven or descending since it never Jifrs or supporrs the glider. This is not a good feeling when launching.

Frisco has only been flown for two sea· sons by only I 5 very experienced pilots.

There have been three incidents on launch. One of these crashes resulted in a broken femur and another resulted in a totally destroyed glider.

There are plans to build an elevated ramp rhis spring. Hopefully this will improve the airflow and lengthen the launch run. If this is completed and is proven to be safe, then we can all enjoy the pleasures of Frisco.

Charlie Baughman Riverton, Utah

Dear Editor, In the debate abom whether to land in a prone or upright position, [ have to side with Seth Foerster. Landing in an upright position, in my opinion, is the safest way to land and offers the greatest protection. l'm not saying that a prone landing may never, ever be necessary for safety's sake, but the number oflandings in which a pilot is forced to land head, neck and shoulders first, as he nears immovable objects, probably makes up less than one percent of all landings. (I once made a belly landing on the top of a giant boul-der. Had f tried to pull myself upright just prior to landing I would have hit the boulder straight on and probably been seriously hurt.)

Every landing is unique, and requires specific approach and landing decisions to be made by the pilot, each and every time.

But for me, 99(Yo of the time, descending toward unyielding mother earth head, MARCH l99.6

VOLUME 26,ISSUENO, 3

Mike Hilberath Lake Elsinore, CA

Dear Editor, Bob Bradley has established a pilot e-mail address book which is available to anyone who has fnterner access. The Internet address is: http://www.mainelink.net/SKYADVEN1'URES/mail.html Bob has also established a directory of pilot home pages and the Internet address for that is: http://www.mainelink.net/SKYADVENTURES/myhom 13.html The address book will become a great resource for pilots ro keep in touch and a resource for site information, on-.Jii1e photographs and hang gliding information.

Jim Palmieri Roanoke, VA

Dear Editor, Any pilots planning a trip to New Zealand sl10uld be sure to visit Queenstown and the flight park at the foot of Coronet Peale Bob, Christine, Dane and David of the flight park made my wife and me feel like family. Bob allowed to us park our motor home free of charge on flight park property, set me up with a grear glider to Jly, and even gave my wife Melinda a complimentary ride in his Airborne Edge trike, so she could see the same sights 1 had on my flights frorn Coronet. (I still won't forgive her for finding more ther· mals than f did!) We celebrated Christine's birtbday with cake, stein lager and stories, and Dane invited us over to watch videos for an evening.

All in all it was a very enjoyable experience, including airtime over some of the most beautiful scenery in New Zealand.

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1r Mail Bob Oliver is turning the flight park into a resort destination for both hang glider and paraglider pilots. He's building a faciliLy with rental rooms and showers, and a large pilot lounge with a fireplace and picture windows where one can watch pilots land in the LZ just ourside. The building isn't complete yet, bur good progress is being made. He also has a static towing rig for those who prefer towing to launching from the mountain. The huge LZ is an easy glide from Coronet Peak.

New Zealand is a great flying destination, and anyone planning a trip should feel free to write me for a list of contacts in the New Zealand Hang Cliding and Paragliding Association. The flight park address and phone arc: Flight Park, Malaghan Road, Queenstown, New Zealand, phone 064-03-4421586 or 064-

025-352791.

Greg Knepp

924 Eden Ave. San Jose, CA 95 J J7

Dear Editor, The Wonderful Lmd of Hohbs! Wow, what a blasr [ had there last summer, spending two solid months towing up and venturing om over the friendly flatlands and cumied skies of'Tt:xas and New Mexico. I've flown in many different countries during the last J 6 years, and from the Swiss Alps to the Owens Valley, l can honestly say that the Land of Oz is truly in my own backyard. It's Hobbs, New Mexico bar none!

How positively decadent ir is to set up in a huge aircraft hangar with the row chariot idling just steps across the manicured lawn on the cement runway, waiting to elevate me for my next X-C adventure.

This is all thanks to one individual, Curt Graham (Crossroads Windsports), also known as the Wizard of Oz, whose warm, endearing personality, and wisdom, dcdicition and genuine love of the sport of hang gliding is so infectious that he's made this small town in southeastern New Mexico a hang gliding paradise.

Many, many thanks, Mr. Wizard, for giving me the opportunity to rack up loads

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ofX-C miles and have the tirnc of my life doing it. You are truly the Wonderful Wizard of Hobbs. Sec you in late May frlr another two months.

around next season in hair shirrs with a new logo ] UST FRY maybe you'll understand.

Thanks GccDub.

Tiki

Nelson Howe Franconia, NB

Lake Worth, Florida (formerly of Los Angeles, California)

Dear Editor, Last year, G.W. Meadows performed yet another thankless task, working his butt off to get sponsorship from Hanes for the U.S. World Team and contributing a large chunk of his own time and money in printing up a bazzillion shirts fi>r us to sell om of the back of our pickup trucks. We competition pilots arc a long way from Nike endorsement contracts, and, although the main reason for that is a nearly complete absence of coverage of the sport in any of the media, part of the problem is that we are self-centered, lazy, and we Just Don't Do lt. We just don't give enough credit where it's due.

So lcL me try now. On behalf of the World 'foam I want to thank Hanes, G.W. Meadows and JUST FLY AVIATION GEAR. Going to Spain to fly in a hang gliding competition costs a lot of money, and G.W worked hard to help us afford the trip. I also want to thank everyone in the flying community who bought those cool shirts. l'm sorry we couldn't bring back the gold for you all, but I can assure you that we tried our best.

So, if you sec some of us wandering

Dear Editor, After reading Dennis Pagcn's informative review of the Blue Sky Predator in the February issue, I felt compelled to dispute his claim that this glider is "the fastest thing in the sky."

I weigh 17 5 pounds, fly a current: 15 5squarc-foot glider, and have raced against a pilot of the same weight in his Predator 142. The results, at best, arc that our performance is rhe same. There is no "walking away" or "outstripping" evident.

Furthermore, I fly in a cocoon harness (which presumably hurts my performance) and the other pilot was in a pod. ln an evenly wing-loaded situation I don't fed the Predator would prevail.

In addition, my current glider is noticeably slower than my previous 154square-foor glider (a '94/'95 design) which, in my opinion, was the undisputed fastest-in-thc--sky glider by any manufacturer to date.

So, if you are considering a Predator for any of its other merits, fine, but don't expect to do any "walking away."

Paul VcJight Pinc Bush, NY

Airspeed IndicatorTM A precision instrument for the serious pilot Rugged, dependable and easy to read.

Airspeed Tndica1or ... $23.50 Long Bracket ............. $7 .00 Short Bracket ............ $6.50

NEW! SMALL HALL Great for hand--hcld wind measurement

PATRNT l'I<:NlJING!

or paraglider Airspeed Indicator using Bracket..

Small Hall ................ $23.50 Paraglidcr Bracket ..... $6.50 Now available: Small Hall for hang gliders, 0 to 70 mph

Hall Brothers 5" Dia. ABS Plastic Wheels $20.00/pair

P.O. Box 1010-H, Morgan, UT 84050, USA Maslercard I VISA I C.O.D Phone (801) 829-3232 Fax (801) 829-6349

HANG GLIDING

Instructor, and Basic and Advanced Instructor certifications are $ I 0.00 each.

The most common money-related error involves Radio Authorizations (PA's and VA's). These ratings are $10.00foreach

authoriztition checked on the application

Jrmn. Many of you are still using very old

by Leyerle, Insurance and Membership Services o, it's time for that most essential part of the Instructor or Observer process: filling out a rating application so your student can actually receive his rating. Fun and games aside, I would like to point our the most common reasons for the rejection of a rating application.

The two most common errors arc failing to include the Issue Date or Launch Method. ·fhc Issue Date field at the top of the rating application must be.filled out.

The reason for this field is that several of our ratings have a time reguircment between different ratings (e.g., the four--· month waiting period between Novice and Intermediate). If this field is not filled out, or if the date in this field is more than 30 days prior to the date we receive it, the rating will be returned (and I hate returning applications).

Launch method means, simply, whether the rating is foot launch or tow launch. This now applies to both hang gliding and paragliding. If a rating application is received without a launch method it cannot be accepted and will be sent back to the Instructor or Observer.

Please bear in mind that tow ratings can only be issued by Tow Administrators.

There is no additional charge for a tow or foot-launch rating if they are received with another rating. If these ratings are received 50 processing foe. separately there is a Another common reason for a rating being delayed is the lack of appropriate processing fees. (Yes, the rating foes section of the form is for real!) All Beginner ratings arc free. Novice through Master ratings (for bod1 hang gliding and paragliding) as well as Tandem l and Tandem 2 ratings are $7.50 each. Tandem

rating forms frir this, on which the price is listed as $5.00 each. This changed on January 1, 1992! Please correct your forms or request new ones from the office.

Signatures! Signatures are very impor-· tant! On the new forms there are three places for signatures. The rating official and pilot signatures arc on the front, and the pilot's signature on the USHGA Release, Waiver and Assumption of Risk Agreement is located on the back of the form. All ratings must have both signature

blanks on the.front signed properly.

Effective April 1, 1996, the USHGA Release, Waiver and Assumption of Risk Agreement on the reverse side must also be signed for all ratings and memberships.

Improperly issued Special Skills are often another reason I have to write letters to your students. In order to receive any special skills, the pilot must possess at lectst ti Novice rating. Novice hang glider pilots may receive the Cliff Launch (CL), Flat Slope Launch (FSI.) and AeroTow (AT) special skills. Novice paraglider pilots may receive the Cliff Launch (CL), Flat Slope Launch (FSL), Ridge Soaring (RS), Restricted Landing Field (RLF) and 'forbulence (TUR) special skills. For all other special skills, the pilot mustpossess at least an Intermediate rating. Also, in order t:o receive the Cross-Country (X-C) special skill (for either bang gliding or paragliding), you must first receive the Turbulence tmdR.estricted Landing Field special skills.

Finally, all people applying for USHGA ratings must be USHGA members. Imagine that! Please be sure to tell all your Beginner and Novice students that, if they have not applied for membership already, their membership application must accompany their rating application.

This is especially important to me, because, for these individuals, I have to write a letter and print a special envelope since their address is not in our database!

Okay, you've all done very well.

Class adjourned. Let's go fly!

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Metal Clips

Last month this advisory was published wirhout the above illustration. Because oF safety concerns we reprint it here.

Two incidents have been reported in which the main webbing of a C-G 2000 harness slipped off the side of the frame. ]'his causes the pilot to hang off to one side of the bar· ness, making it difficult to control the glider.

On the C-G 2000 the slider moves farther forward than on the 1000, putting pressure on the metal clips that keep the webbing in the center of the frame. Eventually they work loose and the webbing moves. This can be easily fixed by removing the loose clips and duct taping the webbing in place on the frame. See the diagram.

If you have any questions please contact Center Of Gravity, Inc. at (315)-687-3724.

Garmin is pleased to introduce its new GPS 38 Personal Navigator. The bandheld GPS offers a host of new features in the same small package as its sister unit:, the GPS 40.

New to the GPS 38 is an enhanced operating system that includes: "EZinit" for quick and easy first-time initialization; backtrack, which allows exact retrace; compass navigation, a new "page" wirh a rotating compass dial; redesigned moving map; frmr new grid formats (for a total of l] grid and position formats); improved screen readability (new contemporary fonts); resettable trip odometer; and 12-· or 24-hour clock with i\MIPM indicator.

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sold out by the end of January, making the USHGA Calendar, yet again, a very rewarding and successful project. Thank you all for your support of USHGA. Speaking of USHGA calendars, we are now accepting your photos for the 1997 Calendar. The deadline is May 31, so give us your best shot! We prefer transparencies for the best color reproduction possible, but welcome all formats. Send 'cm to: USHGA Calendar, P.O. Box l :330, Colorado Springs CO 80901-1330. If you should have any questions, feel free to call USHGA at (719) 632-8:300.

PAR1Y AT 'l..,L•JUJI/.DJ~.C MUSIC VIDEO

As do all of Gannin's handhcld receivers, the GPS 38 ntilizes the proprietary MultiTrac8 receiver, which tracks and uses up to eight satellites simulta· neously. The Multi1h1c8 receiver was the first in the world to be FAA-certified for landing aircraft in low-visibility (IPR) conditions.

The GPS 38 stores up to 250 way· points and 20 routes, with up to 30 waypoints each. Battery life approaches 20 hours in battery-saving mode, running on only frmr AA alkalines. At only nine ounces the CPS 38, along with Gannin's other new-generation handhclcls, is the smallest GPS receiver in the world. In addition, the unit is waterproof and DGPS ready.

For information on ordering the GPS 38, GPS 40, GPS 45 or any of Garrnin's other GPS receivers or accessories, contact: Chad at Body' frends, 33 l 7 -A State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 5691667.

Afrcr five years of producing Cloudbase Videos, Adventure Video has become Adventure Productions and has released a new music video. The new production includes the best shots from the original Sierra Cloudbase 2, Hang Gliding Extreme CB.3, Born to Fly CB4, and Hang Gliding in lake 01elan CB5. New crosscountry footage from Slide Mountain using a new Lipstick CAM (a tiny camera the size of a tu be oflipstick) adds to the excitement. A new digital editing system allows for profossionaJ ..quality slow motion visuals and thcater-qualily stereo hi-fi sound.

The video includes several distinct sections aerobatics, flying to cloudbase, meets/gaggles, scenic flying, towing, and near death-defying experiences and is designed to be enjoyed in a party atmosphere (thus the tide, Party At Cloudbase).

It is the first $19.95 music video (no narration) from Adventure Productions.

The company accepts checks, money orders, or Visa/Mastercard. Include $4.00 shipping. Contact: Adventure Productions/Paul Hamilton, 4750 Townsitc Rd., Reno, NV 89511 (702) 849-9672 (phone/fax).

The USHGA would like to thank all of our friends for your overwhelming response and support of the 1996 USHGA Calendar. We were completely

If you have a home page on the Web, please pass along your web site address to USHGA so we may compile a listing for our next "general information" newsletter.

Hi\NG GLIDING

Fax yom web address to (719) 632-6417, Attn: Jeff, or mail ro US If GA, Ann: Jeff

Elgart, l~O. Box 1:2,30, Colorado Springs CO 8090 I 1330.

July of 1995.

At a recent budget hearing the Chelan City Council once ,1gain stepped up to the plate and gave the Chelan Flyers another $1,000 for the 1996 annual Chelan Hang Gliding Festival and National Acrobatics Championships that will be held :)-5 this year.

The total monetary gift to the sport of h:rng gliding has hccn $18,000 in the lasr two years. However, in addition to money raken from the city's Stadium Fund, Chelan has waived rhc regulation against landing hang gliders at Lakeside Park so the fostival can take place, and is currently participating in the development of the Skypark on top of Chelan Butte along with the W:1shington State Department of Na rural Resources, the U.S. Bureau of I ,and Management, and the Chelan County EU.D. ln appreciation of the support the city Chelan has shown the sport of hang gliding, the U.S. l fang Gliding Association sent a plaque of appreciation to [ ,arry Majchrzak, president of the Chelan Flyers, to be presented ro Mayor Stewart and the city of Chelan for their contribmions, Ar her last meeting as mayor on December 28, Majchrzak pre· sentcd the plaque to Mayor Stewan to a rousing round of applause from the city council and rhe many citizens who were at rhe meeting.

Mayor Stewart, on receiving the award and plaque said, "J appreciate this very much and am confident that the council and our new mayor will continue ro support your efforts in making Chelan one of the premier hang gliding destinations in North America."

or

Chelan Flyers President /1resentea Honorable Mr1yor Joyce with ,1 plaque the U.S. !Jang Association at last as ,,,.,cuut, mriyor in Decembr:r. The plaque commemorates the support Stewart, the of' Chekm and 1-he City Council given to the sport of hang gliding in Chelrm, 'Washington.

Chelan, Washington has long been a destination for hang glider pilots, bur it wasn't until the 1994 Wornen's World Hang Gliding Championships that the city of Chelan actually recognized the economic benefits that the sport brought to the community. With Chelan selected as the site of the 1994 Women's World event, Chelan made its first monetary contribution to rhe sport by giving the organizers $10,000 as seed money to insure that the event got off the ground and became a success.

The city followed suit again in 1995 with $2,000 for the annual Chelan Hang Gliding l :cstival and Acrobatics Championships sponsored by the Chelan Flyers, and gave another $5,000 for the U.S. National Championships held in MARC:ii 19%

article and photo by Richard Uh/horn

The 1996 U.S. Nationals to be held in Dinosam, Colorado (July 13-20) will include a number of new divisions for which pilots may sign up. Although all pilots will be scored the same during the meet, the top pilot in each category will receive prizes and recognition for winning in his division.

·rhc new divisions include: Rookie, Never Made' I tip 50, Over 4'j Years Old, Grandparent (also known as the Denny Mallet Class), lmermcdiate Pilot, Intermediate Glider, Women's, Class Glider, and Severe Leisure Class. More divisions may be added at rhc wbim of' the organizers. Don'r miss the decade's most fun Nationals!

The entry feC'. is

i:or more information contact: Just Fly Nationals, l~O. Box Kitty Hawk, NC (91 <))

Once again, in conjunction with and cosponsored by Kirry Hawk Kite's I Jang Gliding Spectacular in Head, North Carolina, the country's hm1g gliding art and photography show will take place.

A reception will be held at Glen Furc's Ghost Fleet Gallery on Friday, May 10, and an show entries will be displayed throughout the weekend.

Come if you can, bur at least send in your an and photo entries. Poetry is also welcome. Pri'l,CS will be awarded in all categories, including this new chil-drcn's c1Legory. For more information contact Just Fly (919) "''''·'--'--'""·

Jon McConachie, an "almost lIT" pilot from l .os California, will be flying a new glider this spring, thanks to his participation in die Women's World 'lcam frmd"raising rafne and the generosity of the three major glider manufacturers (Moyes, Pac Air and Wills Wing). Jon senr us $50, and one of his five tickers was the first one pulled by Kelly Lawson, a 10-ycar-old pilot (140 Falcon) from Issaq11ah, Washington, who was rhe designated ticket-picker fcir rhe raffle. Jon says he was considering moving up to a more advanced glider, and afrer some deliberation and consultation with his insrrucwr and flying buddies has chosen a 15"i Pac

Air Klassic, complete with custom colors and winglets. fr wasn't ready in time to put under the Christmas tree, but expect to sec Jon skying out in his dream wing this spring!

Kelly and her nine-year-old friend Sara Pisher continued to draw a total of95 tickets from a Costco-sized popcorn canister. Much to the disappointment of the local pilots who were in attendance at the Cloudbase Country Club party, not one of them won a prize until number 95, when Kelly drew her dad's name!

The top 20 winners were given their choice of prizes, starting with number two and working down through the list (except for the four who never returned my call and had to take my choice of a prize). This was a bit time consuming, but probably more satisfactory to the winners, since the resulting order o(' prizes was not at all what l would have chosen. Thanks to the manufacturers who provided some welcome holiday surprises to the following pilots:

Michael Stewrird: Wills Wing Z-4 harness Jim Georg:. Ball vario Paul Baldyga: Moyes Flex harness Anne Horgan: 11-imble Flightmate Pro GPS Steve Alford: O'Brien slalom water ski Mark Rowland: Tangent Flight Computer Urs Kellenberger: Quantum parachute from High Enerf:,'Y Michael Sylvia: foll-face Reflex helmet from AT Sports Russ Anderson: flight suit from Pac Air Paul Diegel: Pac Air gear bag

Dennis Nelson, Steve Becker rind Mike Wixom: Hawk Airspom windsocks Jim Messina: I-fall Brothers airspeed indicator

Rotor Dave Freschette: windsock from Hawk

Bob Thompson: O'Brien lmeeboard john Moody: Adventure Productions 1994 Women's World Meet tape Russell Brown: "Just Can't Wait to Fly" Tshirt from Ancil Nance Mary Clor: five aerotows from Quest (that's Russell Brown's outfit!)

The remaining winners received various "[~shirts, videos, hook knives, calendars, patches, beer coozies, Christmas cards, and books. All prizes were either

12

mailed (from North Bend, Washington), or the donors were notified of the winners' addresses by January 16.

There were literally thousands of tickets in that popcorn tin. The raffle raised more than $15,000 for the women, with 'I~shirt sales adding another $5,000. The women on the team Kari Castle, Tammy Burcar, Claire Pagen, Allison Baumhefner, C.J. Sturtevant and Nikki Driver (who took the place of Samantha Jo Moore, who broke her wrist on New Year's weekend) are grateful for all the support you've given us. We appreciated the hundreds of "Co get 'cm!" notes you included with your entries, and we plan to compile (and use!) a list of addresses of all of' you who invited us to come fly with you this summer. Thanks!

By the time you read this, the 1996 Women's World Meet will be history.

Look for an article on the team you sup-ported, probably in the April issue (remember that six-week lag between submission and publication of material).

by CJ Sturtevant

Lookour Mountain Flight Park and 13-aining Center in Rising Fawn, Georgia (near Chattanooga) completed another banner year in 1995, graduating 112 Novice pilots! Christian Thoreson of LMFP comments that their aerotow training and farnous training hills have significantly decreased training time and increased pilot proficiency, so much so that two Novice pilots, Mike Thorsen and Michael Morgan, soared for well over an hour on their second-ever mountain flights.

For information on their flight-training programs contact: LMFl~ Rt. 2 Box 215-H, Rising Fawn, GA 30738 (706) 398-3541, fax (706) 398-2906.

footage of Bob Wills flying an SST in Hawaii, has been added to the Library of Congress' National Film Registry. The Registry is a list of motion pictures recognized for cultural or artistic significance.

The NPR includes only 175 morion pictures.

U.S. Airborne has moved to Asotin, Washington, and offers a foll line of new and used Airborne hang gliders and Airborne Edge aerotugs. They also offer aerotow seminars, and paragliding lessons, sales and accessories.

This summer U.S. Airborne will spon-· sor X-C, aerotow and guided tours of the "flatt:ies" of Washington State, as well as high flying in the Seven Devils mountain range of Idaho and the Eagle Cap wilderness area of Oregon. The last two areas overlook world-·famous Hell's Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America.

Contact: U.S. Airborne, P.O. Box 579, Asotin, WA (509) 243-4988, fax (509) 243-4757.

In January of this year the city of Lake Elsinore, California, in an effort to promote air sports and tourism in the area, released a color brochure which includes pictures of hang gliding, skydiving, bot air ballooning and other outdoor activities.

Marlene Best, who works For the city, pu1 together a task force of business people and designed the brochure. "We looked at other cities' brochures and discovered how incredible our city is with all the outdoor activities we have to offor," she commented. Lake Elsinore is building a new basebalJ stadium and a water park, and offers all the amenities to visiting tourists and pilots.

For a copy of the brochure send an SASE to: Lake Elsinore Hang Gliding, 16776 C #308 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530.

The 1976 MacGillivray--Freeman lmax film, Tb Fly, which includes helicopter l1J\NC GUDINC

A

NAA

by Phil Bachman, cx·eciu;izJe Director

or the past year and a half J have had the pleasure of getting to know Jack Cole, President and CEO of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA). A former U.S. Air Force General, Jack took the reigns of the NAA in early l 994 and has been a tireless worker in support of sport aviation ever since. Jack has written strong NAA support letters many 1imes on behalf of paragliding and hang gliding issues throughout the United Stares.

He has helped us by making introductions and organizing meetings in order that we can solicit influential help for the USHGA. Jack is from Wheatland, Wyoming, and has been involved in aviation for more than 30 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy, a Master's degree from Ohio State MARCI I 'I 996

would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Jack for being one of USHGA's most unfailing supporters.

We appreciate him. 11

11 /

University, and a Master's degree in business administration from Auburn University.

Jack is a Certified Hight Instructor and a Commercial Pilot with an fnstrument Rating. He has more than 6,500 total flying homs. He served two tours in Vietnam with 1,000 hours combat flying time. He was responsible for directing and operating tbc VIP air 1ranspon;:irio11 for the President,

Vice President, senior govcrnmcm officials and foreign dignitaries. As Director of Flight Safety for the U.S. Air Force, he was responsible for overseeing all Air Force flight, weapons, explosives and ground safety.

Jack and his wife Carie have a daughter, Carol, and a son, Chris.

Jack's many years of experience working on policy rnd strategy issues in national security affairs, as well as l1igb1 safety issues with the J:AA and the aviation industry, have given him valuable insights with which to advise the USHGA on issues affecting us, primarily flying site acquisition and preservation.

I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks ro Jack for being one of USHGA's most unfailing supporters. We appreciate him.

by Phil Bachman, U51-!GA Executive Director et me begin this article wirh a state·· ment. The United States Hang Gliding Association is a non-profit corporation. This means that, even though it has no stockholders, pays no dividends and uses all of its revenue for member services, it must still be run like a business. That's correct, nm like a business in every sense of the word. The USHGA's product is service and benefits to and for its membership. This means that the ongoing business of the Association is involved in everything from filing the required rax reports, to staying apprised of current employment laws, to issuing a new pilot rating, to processing an information request, and everything in between. The list is extensive in length and surprising in its breadth.

The USHGA is a corporation formed in the state of California on March 26, 1974.

It is registered as a non-profit corporation with the state and is governed by the non-profit corporate code of California.

The Association was granted a non-profit membership tax status, 50 l (c)4, by the lntcrnal JZevenue Service.

As a corporation, USHGA has a corporate charter, a set of bylaws which govern the Jen.ma! operating procedures, and a set of Standard Operating Procednres (SOP's). These SO P's have evolved over the years as a result of Board of ri&~G Lmagazln~ Director decisions.

Collectively, the SOP's provide an operating manual of guide· lines for hang gliding and paragliding management sup-

I

G.

At its two yearly meetings, the USHGA Board of Directors, through its standing and ad hoc committees, vote on matters requiring decisions for the Association. Between meetings, the Executive Committee, composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, "shall function for and have the authority of the Board of Directors

which make up the

directs

t 11

elects

t

Elects Honorary Directors & D1rec1ors-A1-Large

EXECUTIVE COMMITIEE.

esldent, Vice President Secretary, Treasurer

1.=~:.1

[~j~~

14

port and services.

USHGA's office was moved to Colorado Springs in 1989 by a decision of the Board of Directors. The move came after a thorough examination of 16 potential cities for the relocation. The city of Colorado Springs is very active in recruiting headquarters offices for sports-oriented associations and is home to more than 26 sports--related association headquarters.

As a result, the city possesses a wealth of businesses which provide specialized services in the non--profit association environment. USHGA is registered in Colorado as a "foreign corporation with authority to transact business in Colorado."

....=~~,. . . ___. .~. . .,---··-,

conducts

HANC GLIDINC

between meetings of the Board."

The accompanying diagram shows that the membership is at the top of the orga-· nization structure. With an organization the size ofUSHGA, however, there must be a governing structure in place in order to get anything accomplished. Therefore, the members elect directors to represent them and their interests within the organization. As the diagram indicates, the structure for accomplishing this is very simple and straightfo1ward. The benefit to each member is a fonctioning entity, able to perform work and provide a visible and strong representation on behalf of our sports.

The key ingredient in this structure is comrnunication between the members and their regional directors. This can be one-on-one or d1anncled through your local club to the director. Remember, the regional directors are not receiving compensation for serving. They arc contributing their personal time and money to attend meetings and function on the members' behalf in addition to earning a

MARClt 1996

living. (The USHGA does reimburse 50%i of the director's airfare for the two yearly meetings.) It is important to realize that they do not have the time or unlimited resources to get out and actively solicit yonr input, contrary to your state and fod-eral legislators who have offices and staff to accomplish this.

This fact places the onus on you, the member, to take responsibility for communicating your needs and concerns to your elected representative. If you have an issue, call or write your director. General complaining, undirected, accomplishes nothing. If they have not beard from you, it is certainly not reasonable to expect a response!

At the beginning of this article I mentioned that the USHGA is a business.

This means that it generates revenue, incurs obligations and liabilities (better known as bills), and must work to assure solvency. Tn years past, remaining solvent was not always achieved. Fortunately, that has not been the case for the past several years. However, it remains a continuous

challenge when faced with ever-escalating costs, such as paper to print the magazine on or a lQQl)lci increase in our tbird--party insurance premium which happened last year.

This year and beyond will bring addi-tional challenges for the lJSHGA. 'Typically, challenges mean additional expenses. Probably one of the greatest and most continuing challenges will be flying site preservation and acquisition.

Realizing this, the Board of Directors has placed a top priority on the development of a formal plan with a budget for con--verting the USHGA from a reactive to a proactive posture regarding flying sites. 'fhis plan will be incorporated into the "business" of the USHGA afrer Bo:ird of Directors approval. It, like everything else the USHGA does, will require account· ability to ensure enough revenue to meet the necessary expenses. Just like running a business!

It is only through your continued support: of your Association that this will be possible.

15

1\1i IPS( ()f)l'S

The oil painting ofthe Rogal/as will be exhibited in the First Flight Shrine at the Wright Brothers Memorial in f(ji/ Devil Hills, North Carolina. The Shrine recqg11izes significant firsts i11 the development ofaviation. Vt'c PoWl!I~ left, is president of the Rogalio Fomufation. Also pictured are Gertrude and Francis Rogal/a. Photo by Michelle Dawson.

First Fi

Into • r1ne

by Vic Powell, President, Rogallo Foundation

T 16

he 92nd anniversary of the Wright Br~thcrs' ftrsr successfol powered 11.ighr was celebrated 10 Kill Dc:vil Hills, North Carolina

by bonoring the inventors of the Ocx wing, Francis and Gertrude Rogallo. Ceremonies were conducted on December 17. 1995 a, the Wright Brothers Memorial by the Firsr

Pligbt Society and were coordinaced by John Harris of Kitty Hawk Kites, a member of the Society's board of directors. 1·he mcmor· ial bui.lding shelrered the crowd of attendees HANG GUDINC

from a chilly morning's northeast wind, the same wind direction encountered by the Wright Brothers during their first successful powered flights.

A perfect demonstration of the flex wing was witnessed by an appreciative audience.

G.W. Meadows, representing the United States Hang Gliding Association, was towed up from the First Flight airstrip by Rob Bachman, representing the United States Ultralight Association. Following release and a flight over the Wright Brothers Memorial grounds, both craft landed to applause.

Music provided by a high school band called the crowd together. Government officials from the U.S. Department of Interior's National Park Service, North Carolina state, county and city government all spoke.

Plaques were presented by G.W Meadows, a memb er of the Board of Directors of USHGA, and by John Ballentyne, president of USUA. Tom Crouch, chairman of the Department of Aeronautics at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum introduced Francis and Gertrude Rogallo, and helped to unveil a portrait of the Rogallos to be displayed in the First Flight Shrine inside the Wright Brothers Memorial building.

Following the unveiling, a variety of military jet aircraft zoomed over the memorial, offering a sky-thundering salute to the Rogallos and the invention of the flex wing.

More speeches praising the Rogallos were presented during a luncheon at a nearby

Francis RogaLLo addresses the crowd. Photo by Jim Trotman.

restaurant. The English version of the film "Der Traum des Francis Rogallo" (The Dream of Francis Rogallo) by German producer Charlie Jost was shown. It traces the development of the flex wing, It was a memorable day, made even more so by the participation of state and federal officials who assured that the event took place. As the December 17 date approached, concern arose regarding the federal government shutdown scheduled for the 16th. The

G. W Meadows presents Gertrude and Francis RogaLLo with a plaque. See G. Ws sidebar article.

Photo by Jim Trotman.

MARCH 1996

ational Park Service said it was required to close its facilities, which included the Wright Brothers Memorial. First Flight Society officials contacted the North Carolina governor, state aviation leaders, and the National Park Service about the problem. During the conversations it was discovered that the superintendent of the Park Service, Roger Kennedy, would allow the Memorial to be opened to the public on December 17 if the state paid the facility's expenses. Thanks to the support expressed by many officials and citizens for the program of the First Flight Society and for the Rogallos, the governor agreed to the financial ob li gation. The Wright Brothers Memorial was one of only two National Park Service facili tie s open that day.

Officials in Arizona had agreed to provide the funds necessary ro keep the Grand Canyon open to tourists. This demonstrates the importance of the First Flight Society's annual observance program and the honor bestowed upon the Rogallos.

At the ceremonies I spoke about the history of the flex wing and its influence on people around the world: "During the last phase of World War II, about 194 5, Francis Rogallo began thinking in his spare time at home about developing a flexible wing. At that time Rogallo was an engineer serving with the U.S. government on the staff of NACA, the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, predecessor to today's NASA, the National Aviation and Space Administration. Francis 17

In the Wright Place at the Wright lime

by G. W Meadows

L

ike many of you, I've been fascinated with things that fly for as long as I can recall. Some of my earliest memories are of outings with my parents to the airport just to watch the airplanes take off and land. During a family vacation in 1974, when I was 13, I saw two things that would change my life forever.

That year we visited the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Outer Banks are basically a set of barrier islands chat protect almost the entire coast of North Carolina. In 1974 they were quite remote and difficult to gee to. (To this day, many of us who live here refer to them as "not on the way to anywhere.") The Wright Brothers came here at the turn of the century after researching the counny for an area that would best suit their flying experiments.

The area just south of Kitty Hawk was chosen for its barren, open terrain dotted with occasional sand dunes, and its strong, steady winds.

It was on our vacation in '74 that I fuse saw the monument chat was erected in memory of the Wright's achievements. A granite monolith erected on top of a stabilized dune, the monument stands caller than anything else in the entire area. Its shape is aerodynamic, with great feathered wings carved in relief on two of its sides. It faces the same northeast winds that the Wrights flew into on that historic day in 1903. When I first saw the Wright monument I was drawn to it. Maybe it was because of its aviation significance, or perhaps because it was the first granite monument I had ever seen. In any case, it really made an impression on me.

It was also during this trip that I first saw hang gliding in person. Taking sled ride after sled ride were people strapped to plastic swing seats, suspended under colorful cloth sewn onto poinry, triangular frames. I was thrilled watching them actually become airborne by running down a 130-fooc-tall sand dune.

Little did I know chat 21 years later I'd be able to combine those two fascinations I experienced in 1974.

After becoming an adult (at least legally), I made many trips to the Outer Banks, partly because I was simply drawn to the area and partly because I had become a hang glider pilot. Jockey's Ridge (the previously mentioned sand dune) had become a large, sandy playground for hang glider pilots.

The area was so appealing that my wife and I finally moved there in 1991. Our first house was less than a quarter mile from the monument, and you could see it from our front porch. I often dreamt of flying a hang glider over it. We had to move away for a year, but when we returned our next house was even closer to the monument. It is now about 300 yards from our front porch.

In 1994 I joined a civic organization called the Icarus Art Committee, which is a subcommittee of the First Flight Society.

The Icarus Committee is in charge of organizing the art show that

18

G. W Meadows flying over the Wright Brothers Monument. Photo by Jim Trotman. coincides with the annual Wright Brothers Celebration every December 17. It was during my work with this committee that I was informed that the First Flight Sociery was inducting Gertrude and Francis Rogallo into the First Flight Shrine. Almost a year in advance I began trying to get permission to fly over the Wright Monument and land in front of the crowd during the Rogallo celebration.

In order to gee permission for such a feat you have to get all the right people on your wagon and jump thro ugh a lot of hoops.

W ith the support of many great folks and after plenty of hoop jumping, permission to make the flight was officially granted in early December.

So, at 9:15 AM on December 17, I was aerotowed aloft from the First Flight airstrip behind a Kicry Hawk Kites aerocug piloted

by Rob Bachman. Conditions were less than optimal to say the least, but with a bit of luck and some skill we towed to 1,000 feet, released, and let the crowd see the fruits of the inductees' labors. I feel very fortunate to have been able to fulfill my dream of flying over the Wright monument, and to have done it on a day with such implications for the sport of hang gliding was a real honor.

The Associated Press picked up a photo of the flight and it appeared in newspapers nationwide.

A lot of people helped make this flight possible, and I'd like to thank some of chem: John Harris and Rob Bachman of Kitty Hawk Kites; Warren Wrenn, Mary Do ll and oth ers at the National Park Service; Al Jones and Red Smith of the First Flight Sociery; and Barbara White, Glenn Eure and others on the ~ Icarus Committee. ~

H ANG GLIDI NG

had graduated in 1935 from Stanford University as an aeronautical engineer. In those clays there were precious few jobs in the aeronautics industry. Following work for aviation companies in California he was one of four engineers chosen nationwide to join the NACA staff in Hampton, Virginia.

"Rogallo's dream since boyhood in California was to make aviation accessible and affordable to all, for everyone to have an economical set of wings. A flexible wing, using easily-available materials in its construction, might be the answer. 'T'he problem was how to get a flexible piece of cloth to withstand the forces of the air through which it passes. A regular fixed wing has internal bracing in the form of ribs, spars, D-tube leading edges, and often metal covering to withstand the forces of the wind.

Rogallo's ingenious approach was to not resist the wind's forces, but to use them to his advantage.

"The two materials in the flexible wing, cloth and string or rope, have been available to humans for thousands of years. The Egyptians had all the materials they needed to build a flexible wing and fly from the top of the pyramids. To consider the developments in aviation that might have followed from such a development is mind boggling.

Where would aviation be today with nearly 4,000 years of development behind it? It was Rogallo's genius that allowed the materi-als to be combined in the proper form, permitting the flexible wing to fly.

"What if the flexible wing had been invented in the previous century? Here's a thought that might just bend your mind. If the flexible wing had been invented in the 1 SOO's, the Wright Brothers might have been welcomed to the Outer Banks by hang gliding instructors from Kitty Hawk Kites!

"Francis and Gertrude worked together to develop the flexible wing. Francis would lay out a design and Gertrude would build it. In I 948 the design that worked used string and cloth from the chintz curtains in Gertrude's kitchen. Francis took out a patent on it. fn a move typical of this selfeffacing man, be made it out in Gertrude's name. The patent holder is Gertrude Rogallo, ct al. Francis is proud to point out that he is the et aL "When the space race began to build mornentum in the 1950's, Rogallo offored the flexible wing as a device for the retrieval of returning space capsules. The government conducted considerable research on the idea, much of it at the Langley facilities where h·ancis was a wind tunnel supervisor.

MARCIi 1996

Eventually a decision had to be made, and the powers that be chose parachutes to slow the descent of space capsules to earth.

"The Rogallos were determined that this investment which had spawned so much new knowledge about flexible wings not be lost. They wanted this new method of flight to be available to everyone. In a truly magnanimous gesture to mankind they gave their invention to the world.

"While the invention of the flexible wing was a high point in the lives of the Rogallos, they are nor one-dimensional people. 'I'hey have successfully reared four children who are productive members of society. Gertrude was a school teacher in the Hampton, Virginia school system. She was a businesswomen and a volunteer for many agencies.

As an engineer, Francis did much design work, the products of which ,lre used to this day on aircraft around the world. He has also been an entrepreneur, salesman, concert musician (he played trumpet with the Hampron Symphony), actor, author and lecturer, The Rogallo's retired to the Outer Banks in 1970.

"The First Plight Society has never inducted local residents into its First Flight Shrine. And it seldom gets to honor two people who have had such full lives. Francis' boyhood dream of helping people fly with affordable wings has been fulfilled millions of times over around the globe. Hundreds of thousands have come to North Carolina's Outer Banks to experience the tbrill and excitement of stepping from the surface of the earth and entering the realm of the angels. Those numbers say volumes about the public's acceptance of the flexible wing and the nearly unspeakable joy they experience when using the Rogallo's flexible wing invention.

"Many aviation engineers have been inspired to pursue their line of work after seeing an airplane fly or taking an airplane ride. What developments will take place in aviation as a result of millions of people being inspired by those exhilarating steps into the air beneath a Rogallo wing?

Progress in aviation was originally made by the comparatively few who could afford to fly. What advances will take place as a result of a much larger number of people experiencing personal aviation through rhe Rogallos' invcntion? Aviation should have a bright future.

"The Rogallo flexible wing has been directly responsible for rhe emergence of three new sport aviation disciplines: hang gliding, paragliding and ultralighting. And

the flexible wing has had a major influence on kiting. l know of no other aviation invention that has spawned three new sport activities. This is an indication of the enthusiasm with which the sport aviation community has embraced the Rogallo wing.

"So what is the meaning of all this? Herc are some interesting facts.

0

®

Millions of people around the world literally millions using Rog's invention have experienced their first solo flight. Rog's dream of making lightweight, affordable wings available to everyone has been realized beyond his wildest hopes.

The Rogallo wing is indescribably fun to fly, and it mellows people. At the end of' the day one is too tired to pick a fight with his neighbor. And l've never seen a fat hang glider pilot; climbing up the training hill after each flight wears it all off This morning I took a survey of the number of certificated pilots versus hang glider flyers in the audience. The numbers were interesting, but the big difference was that all the hang glider pilots had smiles on their faces.

The Rogallo wing is environmentally friendly no pollution or depletion of resources.

Economic benefits have resulted from the invention of the flex wing. 'fhere are hang glider manufacturers in every major country around the world, and the industry has achieved multi-millions of dollars in sales. There arc also many accessory companies supplying needed products to all those hang glider pilots.

"All these fantastic benefits are a consc-· quencc of the fact that: t:hc Rogallos gave their invention to the world. They have not received any income as a result of the sport of hang gliding using their invention. 'fo ensure that this breakthrough idea was available to everyone who wanted to fly, the Rogallos waived all royalty rights.

"In return they've received something that money can't buy: rhe deeply soul-satisfying knowledge that they have positively influenced the lives of millions of people around the world. What a fine thing the First Flight Society is doing bere today, hon· oring the inventors of the flexible wing Prancis and Certrude Rogallo by inducting them into the First Flight Shrine 10 share that hallowed space with the Wright Brothers and other legends of aviation."

19

Calendar of events items WILL NOT be listed if only tentative. Please include exact information (event, date, contact: name and phone number). Items should be received no later than six weeks prior to the event.

We request two months lead t·ime for regional and national meets.

MARCH 1-0CT. 31: Region 7 Season-Long X-C Competition. Monthly-tallied X-C competition. Fligbts must originate from a site in the Region. Scoring determined by best three open X-C, our-and-return or triangle flights per momh. Pilots will vie for slot in the Nats to represent Region 7 (March through June). Send $10 enuy and flights reports ro: Peter Birren, 502 Shadywood Lane, Elk Grove, IL 60007. Info, rules and scoring frmnulae will be sent. Month Iv scores published in Ree/News. ' MARCH 1-3: Ht.mg gliding Basic 6· Advanced !Cfl. MARCH 9-10: Tandem C!inic. Contact: Adventure Sports in Carson City, NV (702) 883-7070.

MARCH 2-9: Venezuela Nationals, La Victoria. $200 enny includes retrieval. 'fhe dollar is worth more than ever!

Contact: Jose (801) 486-6224, Salt Lake City, UT. MARCH 6: Mission Soaring Parttchute Clinic, Milpitas, CA. A must for all pilots. Lecture, video, care and maimenance, practice deployments. $50 or free with parachute purchase. Advance reser-vations recommended. MARCH. 29APRIL 1: Basic !CP. Call for details.

Advance registration required. Limited space. APRIL 7: Launch and Landing Clinic, by Pat Denevan. Covers all aspects including equipment evaluation, weather and pilot habits. Lecture, simulator practice, specific hillside training exercises using Grip Alen. Cost: $95.

Limited space. Advance reservations required. APRIL 26-28: Advanced 1CP/Thermal Soaring Safari. MAY l: Parachute Clinic. Contact: Mission Soaring Center, 1116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 (near San Jose) (408) 262-- 1055, fax (408) 262-1388, e-mail mschg@aol.com.

MARCH 7 .. l(J: Ploridasfirst X-C Clinic.

Learn bow ro fly longer and frtrther.

Larry Tudor and Florida's top X-C pilots will lead the clinic. Larry will conduct a ground school on weather, rhermaling and strategy. Trnck tows and

20

retrievals provided by Miami Hang Gliding. Hang HT with PL tow rating required. Contact: James Tindle (305) 285-8978.

MARCH 7-10: JCP. Intensive fom--day training course with Michael Robertson.

Cost $250. Advance reservations required. Send eheck to: Steven Makrinos, Ilcaros Sport Aviation, 38·11 Ditmars Blvd. #110, Astoria, NY 11105 (718) 777-7000.

MARCH 15-24: Fourth Annual Pacific

Airwave Advanced Hang Gliding Clinics.

All gliders provided by Pacific Airwave.

Aerotowing clinic March l 5-- 17, l nstructor Certification Clinics (Advanced) March 17-20, (Basic) 18-20. Tandem Clinic March 21-24. All clinics run by G.W. Meadows. Contact Pac Air at (408) li22-2299.

MARCH 21-24: Pines WindJprints, La Jolla, CA. Sponsored by UP San Diego. (Paragliding races April 16-2 l .) lfondrcds of spectators. Figure 8 and mini-X-C. Entry $185. Contact: Bill Bennett or Roger Greenway, UP San Diego, 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Dr., La Jolla, CA 920.'37 (619) 452-9858, fax (619) 452-9983.

MARCH 28-31: USHGA Board of' Directors spring meeting; Colorado Springs, CO. All members invited. Call for info 9) 632·8300.

APRIL 6-7: Miami Hang Gliding Parachute Clinic, by Iktty Neiffer. If you haven't repacked your chute in the last six months here's your chance. MAY 9-13:

Miami Hang Gliding Clifj'and Footl,aunch Clinic. Transportation, gliders, hotel included. Contact: Ml·TG (305) 285-8978.

APRIL 9-15: Sun 'n' Fun EllA Fly-1n, I ,akeland, FL Volunteers needed for USHGA tent. Contact: USHGA (719) 632-8300.

APRIL 12-14: Northern Sky Gliders X-C Challenge, Cosmos, MN. Tow meet.

Great tow site with record potential in every direction. Current MN X-C record is 134.8 miles. Trophies and prizes. Contact: Dave Dybsand (612) 576-8959, or Paul Kilstofte (612) 8690293.

APRIL 13-20: 1996 East Coast Challenge in the beautiful Sequatchie Valley, Dunlap, TN. USHGA Class A+ sanctioned competition. Entry fee $250 per pilot plus a Tennessee Tree Toppers club membership. Non--refundable $50 deposit required. All memberships and deposits must he sent by April J, 1996. 60 slots available. Daily prizes and party as usual!

Contact: Katie Dmm (423) 949-6278 (7:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST) (423) 9494965 after 7:00 PM CST. APRIL 20-21: 11th Annual Oce(lnside Open, Oceanside, OR. Free flying, demos, competition and dinner Saturday nighr. Hotels and camping.

Sponsored by the Oregon HG Assn.

Contact: Allen Swingle, J J495 SW 13th, Beaverton, OR 97005 (503) 6448919, or Jim Speiring (503) 324-3571.

APRIL 21-27: 20th Anniversary ofthe Great Race, Lookout Mtn., Chattanooga, TN. Prize money, prizes and awards.

Contact: (706) 398-3541, fax (706) 398-2906.

MAY 4-5: I 0th Annual Stuttrt Smith !Jang Gliding Tournament, Moore Mtn., Prairie Lows Orchards, JO rniles north of Taylorsville, NC off Hwy 16. $45 enny includes T-shirt, barbecue, dart tournament. Tasks: spot landing, bomb drop, duration and X--C. Trophies for 1st through 3rd in each event. Fun flyers Contact: Travis Bryant (704) 7589331, or Ben Burri! (70/i) 392-3765.

MAY 10-13: 24th Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular. Pilots and spectators from all over the U.S. come to Jockey's Ridge State Park to enjoy the oldest continu-· nus hang gliding competition in the count1y. Both novice and experienced pilots compete in a variety of fun flying maneuvers. Features flying on the dunes, aerotowing, an 01irdoor street dance, fine arts reception and an awards ceremony with guest Francis M. Rogallo, the "Father ofTlang Gliding."

Beginning bang gliding lessons will be given during rhe event. Make reservations well in advance to learn to fly during this exciting competition. Pre--register at Kitty rfawk Kites. AUGUST 15:

48th Anniversary ofthe Rogallo Wing Invention. Ceremony honors F.M. Roga)lo, inventor of the flexible wing.

Learn about the history of kites and gliders, enjoy refreshments and have a ch,mce to meet Mr. Rogallo. You won't HANG GLIDING

want to miss t·his special opportunity to learn about the significance of the devdof the flexible wing. n ,·YM,r,n l 9-20: Pacific !lirwave Vision Classic. Fun-filled weekend of flying. Pac Air brings their latest gliders to Jockey's Ridge for a fun competition on the sand dunes. Soar, maneuver and land on a targeted course. Open to pilots of all skill levels who have a Vision, regardless of model. Pac Air will host a barbecue on the 23rd for all entrants and guests. Prizes for all levels supplied by Pacific Airwavc and KHK. Registration at KHK. Contact: Kitty Hawk Kites (MP 13, Nags Head and Jockey's Ridge State Park), (800) hangglide(1foutcrbanks.com.

MAY 25-27: Dry Cctnyon Mernorictl DrJy Fly--!n, Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Sponsored by Rio Grande Soaring Assn.

Fun flying, contests, dinner, etc. Meet in LZ ar 9:00 i\M each day. Emry $20 in advance, on site. Contact: Dave Church (505) 527-0844, or Tommy West (505) li37-5213.

MAY 25-27: Arizonct X-C Open, from Merriam and Sheba craters. Foor or row launch. Bring your tow system. T-shirts, trophies, awards party and portable toilets provided. No whiners please. Brncht for Northern AZ Soaring Assn. Entry Contact: Stan Mish (520) 527· '.Dli6, or Nick Kennedy (970) 7283905.

8-9: 8th U!trctli&ht Fly-In, Ickes Airport, Ostcrburg, PA. Conract: (8lli) 276-:3353.

JUNE 8-11: World Hang Gliding Series rneet, Castejon de Sos, Pyrances, Spain.

Contact: Salvador Mogas tel. 3/i-32107752, fax 3/i-3568-2903. JUNE 16-22: WHGS meet, Sierra Nevada, Cranada, Spain. Contact: Juan Morillas tel. 3/i58-488560, fax 34-58-488726 . .JUNE 23-29: WI {GS meet, Piedrahita, Central Spain. Comacr: Steve Ham tcl./fax: 3420-362215.

24-31: WHGSmeet, Reno, Contact: Rav Leonard tel. (702) 883-'7070, fax (702) 8844030. AUG. 20-25: WHGS meet, Preddvor, Slovenia. Contact: Bojan Marcie tcl./fax :$86-61-2646.

9- Hi: Scmdia Clctssic, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sixth annual 450 WTSS point meet at Sandia Peak. The premier meet of the season! Price includes: enrry MARCH 1996

top-qualiry X-C tasks, glider and pilot: transportation to launch, turnpoint film and processing, computerized scoring, foll-time paid staff, free oxygen refills, gift certificates from local businesses, convcn icm meet headquarters, awards barbecue, T-shirr and more! pilot maximum field, 45 spots reserved for pilots ranked in the top 80 USHCA or top 100 PIRS. Remaining entries will be based on ranking, competition experience and flight experience.

First-time entrants must have: USI ]CA Advanced rating, all Special Skills, 100+ hours mountain thermal experience.

CPS highly recommended. Early registration $300 if postmarked before May 1, $J50 afrcr. Refondable unril April 30.

Contact: Mike Gregg, 12117 Sr. Mary's Dr., Albuquerque, NM 87111 (505) 275-597B or Mark Mocho (505) 2982922. E-mail to mmocbo@n:66.com 25-30: Telluride Pam&liding Classic, Telluride, CO. Presented hy Parnglidc Telluride, Telluride Air Force and Colorado X-C Pilots Assn. Sanctioned Class A world team points meet.

Famous Telluride flying in a narionallcvcl contest:. Race-to-goal, om--and·rcturn and triangle courses. Tarp start, ] ,000-poim scoring system. Radios recomrncndcd. entry fee includes tasks, pilot and glider transportation to launch, comp11rerized scoring, foll-time turnpoint film and profr:ssional processing, aerial t:urnpoint photos ro study, free oxygen, great meet headquar-· ters, awards dinner party, local gifr certificates, comest shirt, nightly events and speakers. Economical camping and local lodging specials. Contact: Scott Maclowry (<)70) 728-4098 or Nick Kennedy (970) 7283905.

25- 30: Ti:lluride Pctrctgliding Festivctl, Telluride, CO. $125 cnny foe includes fosrival shirt, foll-time professional staff, banquet, awards party, nightly events and speakers. Fconomical camping and local lodging specials. A safe artirudc and Class 11 rating with 10 hours minimum required. Contact: Scott Maclowry (970) 728-4098 or Nick Kennedy (970) 7283905.

28-30: King Mtn. R~~ion 5 Chctrnpionships, Moore, Idaho. Come fly Idaho's best sire and celebrate the new road. Format is open distance along declared routes with bonus goals. Entry Contact: ldaho !fang Gliding

Assn., Al Whirescll (208) 522-2423 or Mark Mason (208) 529-2106.

6-11: Chelan X-C Chelan, WA. Pilot-called triangles, out-andreturn, and open distance combined format. HG and PG. Driver contest with prizes. Entry ($70 before June 30).

Contact: Johann Posch (206) 232-6839, jol1annp(1:Dmicrosofr.com. .JULY l 3-20: US. Natirmctl Hmig Gliding C'/1r+rnpionships, Dinosaur, CO. "The best rncer of the decade." Several meets within a meet. Compete in multiple divisions while flying in the Nars. lncluded arc Over 45, Rookie, Intermediate Glider, and Never Made the Top 50 divisions. Driver competition and "wildest turnpoint photo" con·· test. Organized and directed by G.W. Meadows. Sponsored hy Just Fly Aviation Ccar. 'Terns of prizes. Lodging information and confirmation available.

Emry fee hy January 30, afterward. Contact: C.W. Meadows, P.O. Box 450, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 (919) 480-3552.

28-AUG. 5: Fly West Hctng Gliding Ltd. Hang Gliding ctnd Pctragliding X-C lnvitcttionctl, Golden, BC Canada. $20,000 in prize money! Three categories in both sports: lightweights (50300 hrs.), middleweights (300-600 hrs.), heavyweights (600 hrs. plus). Emry deadline May 15. $200 U.S. entry foe payable to Fly West HG. Conran: Fly West HG Ltd., 199 Marlyn Place, Calgary, Alta., Canada T2A-3K9 (403) 272A)450, e-mail porteour@cadvision.com.

AUG. 1 Oshkosh FAA Fly-In, Oshkosh, WJ. Volumecrs needed for USI !G/\ tent. Contact: USJ-!GA 9) 6328300.

SEPT. 7-19: Pre-Cornpetitionfr!rfirst World Air Games in 1997, Anatolia, Turkey.

Contact: tel. 90-312-3104456, fox 90312-3104690.

OCT. !j... 6: October sBest Fly-{n, ] 996, sponsored by rhe Sauratown Mtn. Hang Clicling Club in Norrh Carolina. Enjoy autumn flying from any of our three launches facing SE, SW and NW. Cash pri~.es for spot landing, duration and X-C competition. Free camping in tbc l .Z. Contact: Doug Hileman (910) 7255334 or Ken hampton (919) 220-1273 for more info.

21

ave you ever wondered why pilots don't take classes in advanced hang gliding topics? f bel.icvc the reason is that, with perhaps one or maybe two exceptions, those classes ;iren't offered.

Why don't instructors and owners of hang gliding shops offer classes in advanced hang gliding topics? I think it's because there is a welJ .. frrnnded feeling that most pilots aren't willing to pay for, or even accept, training beyond rhc Novice level. Unless they arc imcrcstcd in becoming an instructor, tandem or otherwise, pilots with Intermediate ratings or above are pretty much on their own.

There is, with possibly a couple of excep·· tions, no Intermediate- or Advanced-level training available across the country.

Some of you might: wonder why J am the one calling for advanced training.

After all, you might think, haven't T writregarding one incident ten several or another, that "more training probably wouldn't have helped"? Remember, as one of the people primarily responsible fr)r attempting to lower our injury rate, I get to approach hang gliding safoty from any direction I think will help to achieve that goal.

In fact, I do think that training plays an important role in hang gliding safety; even for advanced pilots. It is jnst that I hate to sec accidents immediately written off as a result of"lack of pilot skill," or "lack of judgment," with the inference that if the pilot had more training or more of the "right stuff" rhe accident wouldn'1 have happened in the first place.

My de-emphasizing lack of rraining as a primary contributing factor has only been an ,ltrempt to encourage a 11011--judgmcntal, objective analysis of the real causes and prevention of hang gliding accidents. I believe the causes arc considerably

22

The flying season is just beginning. I

1

more varied and prevention more compli· catcd than just entirely a lack of training or level of raw "namral" skill. [ think thar we will make the most progress in reducing injuries if we shed the attitude that accidents are going to be trained away.

That said, effective ongoing training of pilots at almost all levels could be benefi .. cial in reducing our accident ra.te. We are almost alone in aviation in abandoning students to the skies just as they begin to fly.

My current theory is tha1 hang gliding safety involves three major areas: flying skills (comprised of technical flying ability and situation analysis), procedures (such as preflight routines, flight plans and flight parameters), and equipment. I think each of these areas could be improved

through advanced training.

The "technical flying ability" portion of flying skills, for instance, might be improved through a period of field instruction after the pilot achieves an lntermcdiatc rating. Other subjects that· could be field taught are right-ofway mies, the finer points of the physical behavior of thermals, how to "look off" other pilots (or other methods of signaling turns), thermaling etiquette, and in-flight demonstrations of how to "bombsight" a glide angle.

While most pilots receive instruction that touches on these topics in classrooms, in my experience very few receive much actual field insnuction. 'There can be a large difference.

More advanced topics might include cross-country LZ analysis, restricted field landings, advanced launching techniques, and speed-to-fly the01y.

An analytical skill that could be greatly improved through a comprehensive field class would be micrometeorology. This is perhaps the most critical analysis soaring pilots have to do. As far as I am aware, there are virtually no field classes in weather or rnicrometeorology being taught, except incidental to the few flights pilms make during their Beginning and Novice training.

All of us have beard amazing things on the hill regarding what is supposedly happcning in the atmosphere at local flying sites. It 1mkes one wonder how pilots make it to the ground safc.:ly so regularly.

Accomplished pilot and Region 9 Director Pete Lehmann once told me that he is constantly shocked at how many pilots have almost no ability to visualize how air flows as it moves across terrain.

He believes such improper analysis is a rnajor factor in many accidents. 'lhining in the acquisition and analysis of soaring forecasts wonkl also be an excellent topic for advanced pilots.

A number of accidcnrs happen because of procedural problems. Pilots get in trouble because they don't follow flight plans or conservative flight parameters. 'lhining and practice in using good, consistent procedures, from preflight through landing, would probably benefit most pilots.

Our equipment can't be improved continued on page 46 ...

HANG CLIDINC

-\our skill level as a pilot, you will find the Falcon both easier and more fun to soar than any other glider you have f/0 fz.. ~

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140 Falcon 170 Falcon 195 Falcon 225 Falcon

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%,l'i/ AJluno:> al.fl puno.re s.1opn.1lSU! puE SlOl!d 'aas uEJ no,< S'if 500 West Blueridge Ave. Orange CA 92665

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OPTIMUM PILOT BODYWEIGHT 90 - 120 lbs.

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Hang Gliding In The Movies

Photo: Michael Robertson flying with "Bob" the dummy dog.

~

I © 1996 by Michael Robertson entitled Night Is Falling, written and directed by Patricia Rozema, was released on February 20, 1996 in selected markets by Alliance Video. It concerns an old theme (following your head versus your heart) but with a l 990's twist.

There are those who feel that hang gliding has seen its best days, and is now in for a steady and gradual decline as the average participant age increases and poor image and paragliding take their toll. Does the tide of this movie reflect the future of hang gliding? Is night falling on the sport? I think not.

Ms. Rozema won the Best New Director Award at Cannes with her first film, I've Heard The Mermaids Singing. In 1991 she was so taken with a tandem flight in Brazil that she decided then and there to write a hang gliding sequence into her next movie. Toronto was chosen as the location for the film because of current incentives and a cheap Canadian dollar. I was lucky enough to get the stunt work.

Patricia and her producer, Barbara Tranter, came to me early in the winter of '92-'93 and took tandem flights off frozen Lake Scugog, telling me of their plans and asking if what they wanted could be done What a sensible approach that was, as opposed to the normal, "Please do this impossible scene for a movie we're making." After several discussions we decided that a winter tandem sequence at sunset would fit the bill. There was a long delay, and just when I had decided that it would never happen they called back. The financing had finally come through. It was a go.

24

H ANG GLIDING

Writer/director Patricia Rozema and Michael Robertson with the simulator.

We began shooting the flying scenes in March 1993 after selecting a rather challenging but cinematically dramatic location near Burlington (about half an hour south of Toronto). This location, on the edge of an old rock quarry, has rock walls on two sides, woods on another, and trees and wires on the approach. However, there are a couple of bailouts that make it doable. Our hydrostatic winch proved an excellent, versatile tool for the movie set, permitting us to work virtually without concern for wind direction. A hill/cliff launch has a comparatively very narrow wind-direction window.

The actual shooting was typical for this kind of enterprise, and illustrated how having cameras around lowers the safety reliability of a flight. We did the conviction shots by perching the tandem glider on che edge of the Niagara Escarpment on an accessibility-challenged piece of the Bruce Hiking Trail. This allowed us to shoot the actresses safely suspended in the glider with the background 1,000 feet below. That's right, I was doubling for a woman. I had to shave off all facial hair and my wife nearly divorced me when I came home nude-faced.

With our help, the grips worked furiously to build a 20-foot tower to get the simulator above the surrounding trees before nightfall.

The shot rea1ly worked. It was cheap and believable, but it took until 2:00 AM to lug all the gear out.

M ARCH 1996

We then moved to the site of the actual tandem flight, and for three days shot the footage surrounding the actual flying while waiting for the weather to cooperate . Each day I would tell them, "Maybe tomorrow. " We did manage one midday flight wit h Bob the dog - a fun , totally safe aerial ballet which was supposed to run behind the closing credits but which never got used. Ic was too dramatic.

Finally, on the fourth day the forecast and my instincts coincided. I gave the word and the call was for 5:00 PM. (Remember, chis was a sunset flight designed to fir with the "When Night Is Falling" theme.) It is dark at 7:00-7:30 PM in March and I was nervous about the late call, especially knowing that rush-hour traffic around Toronto can easily make a half-hour drive last an hour and a half. We arrived at 3:00 PM. The glider and winch were sec up, in position and ready to go at 5:00 PM. The grumbling key grip and crew arrived at 6:00 PM! By the time he'd mounted the camera, he had dimpled my keel aft of the flying wires and it

was nearly dark. It was a complicated fourcamera, one-take shot that really required more prep nme.

On the subject of retakes, Doc Watson of Nashville country music fame once said, "Now, I know we can do it again if we don't get it right the first time, but, yo u know, you lose a little something every time you go through it. So, lee's get it right the first time and to hell with the rest!" Hallelujah brother - stunt people concur 100%!

I flew the perfect flight, right on the money. Bue even with the magic of modern film processing the lab couldn't push enough light into the film to make it usable.

The footage was gorgeous, with lights coming on across Hamilton Harbor and the Skyway Bridge, but night had fa1len. We would have to shoot it again.

The forecast was for very strong winds the next day, followed by two days of heavy rain. That would 86 (film lingo for "kill") the last of the snow. Not only would this ruin the continuity of the film, we were launching off skis which don't work well on seas of mud.

The actresses on the "poor man's crane. " Photo by Michael Robertson.

25

ahead, and let the bar melt. We were lucky to get what we got. out from hips to They ended up needing more in-air chest, allowing the footage which we shot in July, and the glider to be blown whole thing cut together very nicely. The back to set up a vertimovie, in spite of the l 990's "twist" mencal approach. In the tioned earlier (two women falling in love), is middle of this beautiful and I was happy to be involved. seq uence the script The French-Canadian star who plays the calls for my passenger lead is absolutely breathtaking, and she was a pleasure to work with. It was a bonus to to pass out (from excitement) , so she portray hang gliding in such a positive way. had to hang limp (Hang gliding was the pivotal experience with one arm down. which inspired her to break out of a humdrum life.)

They originally wanted a crash to slightly ,So, why do I believe that night is not injure the passenger, •\ but I was able to falling on our sport? The answer is the reamake a crash expenson that hang gliding was included in this movie - tandem flying. I've done a lot of sive enough that they it, and everyone loves it (well, maybe 98%).

Waiting/or the weather on the clifftop. Photo by Michael Robertson. decided just to have her pass out in the air Tandem towing with winches and tugs is making hang gliding accessible to everyone, One good thing about the delay was that and bang a knee on landing. She recovers from the sore knee in 60 seconds. and one of these days people all over North the stunt woman who had been hired to fly Major turbulence and serious shadows America are going to figure it out. I also with me was unavailable after the third day. believe that paragliding will eventually bring She was a beginner student of mine who were wreaking havoc on the flight plan. more people to our sport. Just as lots of Fortunately, my guesstimates and the terrain was quite nervous about flying into the rock hang glider pilots are turning on to paraglidallowed a perfect landing on the mark canyon. (Did I mention the boulders?) This ing, so will the reverse occur as our slower lady had been badly burned - literally beside the huge boulder just beyond the cousins expand their horizons. during a fire stunt the year before when her trees in front of the rock face. Love those I still can't believe people haven't figured trust in someone had been betrayed. So, I wheels. out that the super-dangerous, crazy image of Looking at the footage I was somewhat got to use a petite Northern California hang gliding from the mid- l 970's is no instructor who was teaching with us at the disappointed with the camera work, but longer applicable, but they will. Night isn't time. It was a lot more comfortable for all of with light so critical and the fact that it was a one-shot take they were happy. The two falling. The dawn of a new age is us. upon us. Keep the faith. ~ Forty mph winds developed the followdays of rain did materialize. The snow did ing day, but at sunset we might have a chance. Remember, the forecast for the next couple of days was rain. We needed snow for the shot and the last bit of it would certainly be gone after two days of rain. The pressure was on. Fortunately, by sunset the surface winds dropped. We launched and quickly climbed over the winch as usual. I started to relax, thinking that my concerns about high winds aloft were ill-founded. I did a short step and turned back into the wind, and after climbing 50 feet we started drifting backwards! With both of us pulled in we were able to stop the backward drift, but were not able to penetrate. I dropped the rope at about a thousand feet AGL. Unfortunately, I couldn't shoot the gorgeous panoramic 360's I got the day before with the tail-mounted camera, because one 360 would have put us over beautiful downtown Burlington with a large lake blocking the downwind escape. I hate when that hapThe female Leads: Pascale Bussieres (right, star of award-winning Quebec TV series ''Blanche"); pens.

I turned a few degrees each way to give at Rachael Crawford (center); writer/director Patricia Rozema (Left). Photo by Michael Robertson. least some perspective other than straight

It

26

HANG GLIDING

*

I

1ST CLASS MAIL SERVICE HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE: ($24.00-U.S., Canada, & Mexico only) ................ -----·--···--·-··---·AIR MAIL SERVICE~ HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE: ($30.00-Western Hemisphere, $44.00-Europe, $57.00-All Others) ... - - - - · - · - - - - · 1ST CLASS MAIL SERVICE PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE: ($12.00-U.S., Canada, & Mexico only) ................ .

AIR MAIL SERVICE PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE: ($15.00-Western Hemisphere, $22.00-Europe, $29.00-AII Others).... - · - - - - · - · - NAA MEMBERSHIP: ($10.00 annual dues) .......................................................................... · - - · - · - - - - - FA! SPORTING LICENCE: ($18.00 annual fee) Date ofBirth: _ _t__L __

**************************************************************************************************************** CHARGE MY:

****************************************************************************************************************

(01196)

In consideration of being granted membership in the USHGA, I, __,___________,__________________, for myself, my personal representatives, heirs, executors, next of kin, spouse and assigns, do agree as follows: A. DEFINITIONS ~ The following definitions apply to terms used in this Agreement: I. means launching (and/or assisting another in launching), flying (whether as pilot in command or otherwise) and/or landing (including, but not limited to, crashing) a hang glider or paraglider.

2.

INJURIES' means my mJury, bodily injury, my death, my and/or no:>vc:nn,:at or financial injury sustained by me as a result of my THE SPORTand/or as a result of the administration of any USHGA programs (for example: the Pilot Proficiency System).

3. means the following, including their owners, officers, directors, agents, spouses, employees, officials (elected or otherwise), members, contractors, sub-contractors, lessors and lessees: a) The United States Hang Gliding Association, a California Non-profit Corporation (USHGA); b) Each of the pmon(s) sponsoring and/or participating in the administration of my proficiency rating(s); c) Each of the hang gliding and/or paragliding organizations which are chapters of the USHGA; d) The United States Of America and each of the city(ies), town(s), county(ies), State(s) and/or other political subdivisions or governmental agencies within whose jurisdictions I launch, fly and/or land; e) Each of the property owners on or over whose property I may launch, fly and/or land; ~ All persons involved, in any manner, in the sports of hang gliding and/or paragliding at the site(s) where I PAirtn'CJJJJl1:'E 11 AII persons involved" include, but are not limited to, spectators, hang glider and/or paraglider pilots, assistants, drivers, instructors, observers, and owners of hang gliding and/or paragliding equipment; and g) All other persons lawfully present at the site(s) during my PARTICIPATION IN 1u.. n..11.n.,i..;, WAIVE AND DISCHARGE the PARTIES from any and all claims and liability for however caused, even if caused by the negligence (whether active or passive) of any of the to the full extent allowed by law.

C. I Will MAKE A CLAIM against any of the PARTIESfor loss or damage on account of HY SPORTS INJURIES. If I violate this agreement by filing such a suit or making such a claim, I will pay all attorneys' fees and costs of the I ACKNOWLEDGE that the non-participant third party liability insurance obtained by USHGA does NOT provide coverage for INJURIES. I INDEMNIFY AND REIMBURSE the PARTIESlisted in paragraphs A. 3. d) and A. 3. e) above for their defense and indemnity (to the limited extent that the defense and indemnity are not otherwise covered by collectible insurance) in the event that someone suffers personal injury, bodily injury, or property as a result of my negligence (whether active or passive) or willful misconduct in connection with my PAJVT!ICIP.1/Tl'ON E. TERMINATION. I can terminate this Agreement only by either (I) sending written notice of termination to the USHGA National Office postage prepaid return receipt requested, in which case the termination will not be effective until one year after I cease being a member of the USHGA or 30 days after I place the written notice in the mail, whichever is later; or by (2) signing and returning to the USHGA National Office a later version of the Official USHGA Release, Waiver and Assumption of Risk Agreement. However, even if I terminate this Agreement, all of the terms of this Agreement will continue to apply to INJIJRIESwhich I suffer in whole or in part before the termination of this Agreement.

F. I THAT this shall be and in accordance with the of the of California.

All disputes and matters whatsoever arising under, in connection with or incident to this Agreement shall litigated, if at all, in and before a Court located in the of California, U.S.A. to the exclusion of the Courts of any other State or Country.

If any part, article, paragraph, sentence or clause of this Agreement is not enforceable, the affected provision shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring it within the requirements of the law, and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

INACTION, OR NECiUCiiEN~CE

BY LAW. I have

Participant's Sifnafttre

understand, and

Date MO li/0[

:pi ARA G lilt fl) JEJllS ir:;,o R

Weight

!!RON7J,'

JON JAMES NICANDRO MORA DOUGLAS VAUGHT (;()[J)

LYNDON THOMAS

Region 2 RABAUT V, CHUCK: Pacific Grove, CA; C Rabam IV/Western HG Region JO EITAN, KOREN: Miami Beach, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HG NAKJB, ALEXANDER: Ft Lauderdale, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HG Region !3 VESGA GAVRIA, ALEJANDRO: Columbia,; J. Timllc/Miami HG

Region 1 FROMM, P MICHAEL: Leavenworth, WA; D. Sanderson/West Inland

HG

22 Apollo 29 Athena Ritmo 38 Corvette 25 Diablo Edel ZX 38 Finesse 29 Kiwi 29 29 MUST Jive 29 Miura 31 Miura 32.5 Mondial 33 Mondial 36.5 Ritmo 1 27 31 Ritmo 1 Ritmo 2 29 Sensor Sonic 96 27.8 V-Max 96 Large 26.5 Vision

New New 4flts Used Demo Used New Used Demo Used 4flts Used Demo Used Used Used 5flts New New New New

100-165 150-250 265-400 110-185 110-155

?

165-210 165-210 165-210 '165-210 210-280 230-300 130-175 195-265 165-210 145-180 175-230 165-225 165-215

Adv.

Int. Int. Adv. Int. Int. Comp Comp

Int. Int. Comp Int.

$1,200 $1 775 $850 $1,000 $1,800 $1,000 $1,100 $1,000 $2,600

$3,000 $1,500

$2,940

(X:DJLOIRADO JfJAJRAGJL,J[DlfNG, 303/278,,9566 01[{ 303/750~3226

GREGORY, TERESA: Bellingham, WA; M. Lipscomb/Lipscomb [-IC WlTTEMBERG, GLENN: Spokane, WA; D. Sanderson/West Inland HG Region 1 OBERMEIER, FRED: San Jose, CA; c;, Andronaco/Bcrkclcy HG RABAUT V, CHUCK: Pacific Grove, CA; C:. RabaiH IV/Western HG SAMAAN, MONI: Fair Oaks, CA; G. Hamilton/Sacramento I-IC SMITH, CARL: San Francisco, CA; G. Andronaco/Bcrkelcy HG Region 3 DESYLVA, MICHAEL: Upland, CA; D. Gorclon/Advcnrurc Sport Tours FOX, ALAN: La1ipahochoe, Hf; J. !!off/Hawaii Lani HG KENNEDY, SCOTT: San Juan Cap, CA; K. Harrison/I .akc Elsinore HG MADSEN, RICH: Riverside, CA; K. Harrison/Lake Elsinore HG RENKERT, BIFF: Calimesa, CA; R. Mitchell/Eagles Wings ROOT, JAMES: Barstow, CJ\; B. Holmes/Sky Masters WYLER, BOB: Manharran Bch, CA; D. Quackenbusb/Trne Region 1 GRANT, MICHAEL: Santa Fe, NM; M. Clantz HARRIS, JEFFREY: Phoenix, AZ; R. Richardson/Arizona HG Center TORRES, KEN: Phoenix, AZ; D. Gordon/Adventure Sports Tours

rfl•11 lfllllll II. • • 11111 II. Excellent instruction, <:tnm-,~u11.,..,nrt eq1uipme1nt1 site with consistent conditions ideal for learni1ng. more more fun, and time ... You wont it? YOU 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.

Region 7 COLLETTI, USA: Ann Arbor, MT; D. Clovcr/Wallabv Ranch TILLMAN, TRACY: Ann Arbor, Ml; D. Glover/Walh;by Ranch Region 9 DE STEPHENS, ELIZABET! I: Gambler, OJ l; R. lrnmordino/Kiuy Hawk Kites GALLAGHER, TOM: Columbus, 01-J; T. Hagcr/Lookom Mm FP LEETE, JOHN: Virginia Bcb, VA; C. Elcbin/Kiny I lawk Kites LEETE, PHILIP: Virginia Bch, VA; C. Elchin/Kitty I Iawk Kites Region JO DAVIS, DAN: 'l\1pclo, MS; T. Hager/Lookout Mm r;p EITAN, KOREN: Miami Beach, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HC MARCJJ 19%

29

RUST, CHRISTOPHER: Moyock, NC; C. Elchin/Kiny Hawk Kites SMALL, DAVE: Gainesville, FL; M. Taber/Lookout Mm FP SMITH, ROBERT: Florence, MS; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Region 12 IRETON, COLLIN: Apo, AE; D. Gordon/Adventure Sports Tours PRITCHARD, BRIAN: Galway, NY; T. Hager/Lookout Mtn FP Region 13 SCHMIDT, STUART: Canada, ; R. McKenzie/1 l igh Adventure VESGA GAVRIA, ALEJANDRO: Columbia,; J. Tindle/Miami HG

NOVICE RATINGS Region l HUNTER, MARK: Porrbncl, OR; D. Chadwick/Cloudbasc Country Club JENSEN, GREGG: Anacortes, WA; J. Fieser/Whatcom Wings Region 2 KIBORT, MICHAEL: Saratoga, CA; P. Denevan/Mission Soaring PETZOLDT, RONALD: Livermore, CA; J. Woodward/Natural Flying TUCKER, BRIAN: Napa, CA; P. Denevan/Mission Soaring Region 3 CARHART, MARK: Santa Monica, CA; A. Bcem/Windsports Int'!

MADSEN, RICH: Riverside, CA; K. Harrison/Lake Elsinore IIG PICKETT, GARY: Palmdale, CA; A. Bccm/Windsports Int'l ROOT, JAMES: Barstow, CA; B. Holmes/Sky Masters Region 4 BRIGHT, JIM: Albuquerque, NM; M. Glantz/High Desert HG DOUGHERTY, MICHAEL: Tempe, AZ; R. DeStephens/Zonic HG GRANT, MICHAEL: Santa Pc, NM; M. Glantz HARRIS, JEFFREY: Phoenix, AZ; R. Richardson PEGLER, ANNA: Colorado Spgs, CO; S. Dewey/Quier Flight SCOTT, STEVE: Lk Havasu Cty, AZ; J. Zeiset/Pendulum Aerosports Region 7 COLLETTI, LISA: Ann Arbor, MI; D. Glover/Wallaby Ranch TILLMAN, TRACY: Ann Arbor, Ml; D. Glover/Wallaby Ranch Region 8 MCKEON, SEA: Sandwich, MA; P. Kenesky/Kitty Hawk Kites Region 9 GALLAGHER, TOM: Columbus, OH; T. I-fager/Lookout Mm PP Region 10 DAVIS, DAN: Tupelo, MS; T. Hager/Lookout Mtn PP EITAN, KOREN: Miami Beach, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HG JACKSON, BEN: Land O'Lakes, FL; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch NAKIB, ALEXANDER: Ft Lauderdale, PL; J. Tindle/Miami HG SMALL, DAVE: Gainesville, FL; M. Taber/Lookout Mtn FP SMITH, ROBERT: Florence, MS; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Region 12 PRITCHARD, BRIAN: Galway, NY; T. Hager/Lookout Mm FP PRITCHARD, JAMES: Saratoga Spgs, NY; T. Hager/Lookout Mtn PP Region 13 SCHMIDT, STUART: Canada,; R. McKenzie/High Adventure VESGA GAVRIA, ALEJANDRO: Columbia, ; J. Tindle/Miami HG

INTERMEDIATE RATINGS Region l BEST, DAVID: Kirkland, WA; R. Gelfon/Dream Flights Region 3 BARIBEAU, DR HELENE: San Dimas, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure DONAHUE, SHAWN: Waichu, HJ; A. Engert/HG Maui HEMPEL, CARL: E.C., CA;]. Ryan/HG Center HEMPEL, CRAIG: Canyon Lake, CA; J. RyanfflG Center SANDERS, JAMES: Palos Verdes Es, CA; R. Patterson/Berkeley HG VAUGHT, DOUGLAS: Sylmar, CA; D. Quackenbush/True Plight Region 7 . . , MINKWIC, CHAD: Grosse Pointe, Ml; A. Bloodworth/Lookout Mm H) Region 9 GARTLAN, TOM: Mt Joy, PA; J. Harper/Valley Forge HG Region 10 . . . .

GRYDER, BRADLEY: Hiddenite, NC; B. Goodman/Blue Ridge HG LEWIS, KEVIN: Merritt Island, FL; M. Jones/Florida HG MAULDIN, RICHARD: Petal, MS; M. Taber/Lookout Mtn FP Region 12 LINDEMANN, GREG: Long Beach, NY; S. Makrinos/Ikaros Sport Aviation

ADVANCED RATINGS Region 1 . . .. , .

MACON, MIKE: Jacksonville, OR; D. Quackenbush/1rue Hight Region 2 YOUNG, STEVE: Saratoga, CA; E. Hinrichs/Natural Plying Region 3 DELF, ERIK: Laguna Niguel, CA; K. Lamb/Wings Over Elsinore GIRARD, DICK: Huntington Bch, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure HENRY, ED: Chatsworth, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure Region 4 CLEMENTS, LEN: Phoenix, AZ; R. DeStephens/Zonic HG Region 7 COSTER, DOUGLAS: Honor, MI; M. Jones/Florida HG Region 10 FIELDS, HAROLD: Miami, PL; F. Foti/Miami HG MASSINI, RUBENS: New Bern, NC; P. Voight/Fly High HG

TANDEM ONE RATINGS GEOFF CASSEL BOBPRANKUN PETER CJ ANDERSON RICH CIZAUSKAS TIMETHY HELMS SCOTT LEONARD KEITH MURRAY

TANDEM TWO RATINGS GREGORY PUTNAM

30

HANG GLIDING

Everybody is satisfied with our varios.

are We, the Brauniger team, are glad that our flig ht instruments are appreciated by pilots all over the w orld .

Nevertheless w e are not satisfied . Every now and again we have a fit of 'intensive inventor drive' to make everything even better. The resu lts? See for yourself:

THE SENSOR 610F

1977 Worlds first combined electronic vario and altimeter.

1985 Worlds first large LCD display.

1987 Worlds first FAI homologation for an electronic barograph.

1995 Automatic nominal speed indication with Mccready without having to touch the instrument.

199? Surprise ...... I

W /Interconnected Flaps & VG

SIMPLY OUTCLIMB THEM A New Way To Fly Sailplanes and Paragliders camber their wi ngs at will. The Trampenau Flap TM system, not only boosts your climb-rate, but also allows slower and smaller concentric turns. You've never experienced a glider that performs at such a high level, yet handles this easily.

Climb Fast, Glide Far Loosening the VG lowers the flaps , increasing camber into a high lift, slow speed, thermaling airfoil. Dominating every core, yo u'll find yourself climbing faster than you ever thought possible. Tightening the VG raises the flaps and reduces the airfoil camber transformi ng your wing into a blade for maximum speed-range and glide ratio.

Launch And Land With Flaps The launch advantage is becoming airborne with more margin and control. Landing with flaps has dual benefits. You may accelerate above 30 MPH increasingly building drag degrading your glide. When it's time to flare , your touch down SReed will be noticeably slower!

New SpeedFoiJ™ Tubing Lower drag, our new airfoil tubing for the king post and control bar boost the glide ratio adding a point or more at higher speeds. Other features on the Sensor 610F are: computer-optimized, laminar-flow airfoil; twelve shear ribs; control bar apex aft of the CG; Kevlar band & dacron cord TE hem; 7075 T6 LE and ribs; semi-cantilevered cross tubes and a simplified 12 minute set-up. We all knew that eventually ha ng gliders would be this good!

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11 Competition Corner

Author Nick Kennedy flying over the Green River in Canyonlands, Utah. Photo by Craig Pirazzi.

•

by Nick Kennedy he celebration of the art of opendistance cross-country hang gliding was the focus in Albuquerque, New Mexico last year during the week of the summer solstice. A mixed field of locals, New Zealanders, rookies and experienced pilots attended and were not disappointed. Here are some notes from my logbook.

Day One A storm is clearing and only a few pilots get away with short flights in the 20- to 30-mile range up toward Santa Fe.

34

The Colorado boys are late in getting to the contest and miss the first day. We're glad we don't fall too far behind!

thanks to some energetic locals. (Thanks guys!) We are looking at an improved weather picture and getting antsy to dive off the Crest in some good conditions.

Day Two The wind blows a little too hard at Sandia Crest launch, so the locals take us out west to Grants, New Mexico to fly a groovy 700-foot ridge called La Hata.

Everyone gets to fly. What do you get when you take off with only shores and a T-shirt on? I get a cannonball right up to 13,000' for a 7,500' gain and some mighty cold arms. We have a great time

Day Three The weather finally comes on. Conrad Lolen from New Zealand has a long one heading north and landing on the Colorado/New Mexico border, for a flight of about 120 miles. Some other pilots also head north and land around Espanola, while others head east-northeast in search of the potential big-mile route around Las HANG GLIDING

Miles jlowri Ke111redy ··:·· ...... ,.................. :,, ........... 357 C9nradl,olen (New Zealand) ............ ,....... 228

Pil()t

Ward l{inSoon: ........................... ;.................206 John Ur]ich (NewZeahmd) ......................... 168 Dave Ptentiise ................................... ,........... , .ro: Re:ic

Jim qtc:q,;;: •• ., .................................... ; .... ; ........... ,'.l44 Leo Van der >.:>v.,.;1 1, .... , .................................. ., l~an Glover ... ,.......... ,., ... ,............................. ,,,.., Georgf Stehbens .. ;............... ;........ ;............... 111 l;11tSheedf ...... ;.. ,.. , .. ,, .•..••..............•..... ,..•.... 102 R:od Dunn ,;, ..•. , ...;.,.................. :............... ,...•.. 93 Chris Pri.ce ... '.''''"'°''';, ............................. ,.....88 McLellan (New Zealand), ................. ,.86

holler and wonder if anyone else got this far. We scan rhe USFfGA frequencies and Ward Hinson comes back clear as a bell, telling us that he is ar [2,000' overflying us at rhat very moment.

Damn! Ward gets 155 miles and I get 150 this day, with no New Zealanders in sight! Things are looking up for the Arnericans.

Day Five It's windy early on launch and a 101 of pilots leave, thin king the day is shot. I take a nap for two hours and Carl wakes me up with, "Hey Nick Dogger, I think it could be launchable; it's been lulling." I suit up, hook in, launch and Hy 102 miles to downtown Santa Rosa in two hours and 20 minutes, launch to landing.

I only circle up twice, at launch to 17,000' and once more south of Stanley to about 17,800'. It's windy and smooth at altitude and I break the speed limit going down 1-40 the whole flight!

Day Six Looks like it's going to be a great day. We're rested and relaxed, the 02 tanks are topped off and the cooler is full, but the dry line comes through from the east and wrecks the day early. Pilots make it out to Stanley and the Moriarity area for 30- 40-mile flights, and we have some wild approaches in the switching, gusty conditions.

The comest is over. The meet directors put on a great dinner and awards party at "The Hang House" and everyone gets thrown into the pool at least once. Thanks to Meet Director Larry Walls for putting on a great meet, and to all tlie others who helped us get off that awesome Sandia Crest launch!

Vegas and up the front range of the Rocky Mountains. After three hours I land just south of Las Vegas with a 75-mile flight. I am crestfallen back at the ranch when I hear of Conrad's flight, and Leo Van der Bosch and f vow that no New Zealander is gonna beat a bunch of Americans in their own backyard!

Day Pour The summer solstice is upon us and the weather looks real good. I follow Conrad's route of the previous day up over Santa Fe and get drifted back into the 11-uchas Mountains. Flying over reservoirs with waterfalls blowing in the wind is scary, but the view is outrageous! Not a lot if any LZ's up in those mountains. I head up to 'Taos and get to fly over Jim and Kathy Lee's house!

Screaming a big AAAAAooooh hello from 15,000' I fly on, wondering if they heard me.

I almost deck it in the village of Questa, but my driver encourages me to take a broken, tiny, light thermal right off the deck and up over the forest. Low but climbing, up I go to almost 18,000'. I head out north for Costilla on the Colorado State border, and a sailplane heading south at my altitude spots me and changes course to pass within 150' of me. We salute each other and head off; I go north and he ventures south. I glide in to land in San Luis, Colorado, and my driver Carl is there to indicate the wind speed on the ground and offer a cold beer. We hoot and MARCH 1996

Unfortunately, an !!:!oh .. ••nt catatnltlc rin,nm1~the~mr1r~ arnnihHa1tio11.

3:3

Pilot Hank Buvzel Don LePinsky Barney.Hallin Karl }fallman Ifank Butzel B.amey Hallin

MCCC competitors Perry Jones, left; and John Davis.

by Perry Jones

71 51.5

47 45 45

James Stinnett DaaGravage Don l,epfosky Barney Hallirr James Stinnett Hank Burzel Karl Hal.lman James Stinnett Gordon Thompson Barn;ey Hallin :QonLepinsky

44

Dale Covington Taylor Atnot Andrea Onken l)<f(e Coyington Taylor.Amor

13

he MCCC ended on October I 5, 1995, and we congratulate the pilots who made excellence cross-country flights during a year that could be described as meteorological{y mediocre.

The longest flight ofthe year was made kY Peter Swanson, Hank Butzel who entered the contest shortly after his incredible July flight Don. Lepinsky ftom Sentinel to a landing area Barney 11.allin just shy ofthe northwest end of Karl Hallman James Stinnett the Scratch Gravel hills in the Dan Gravage Helena Valley At 85 miles, this Gordon Thompson remains the longest.fiight ever ftom Sentinel. This flight will undoubtedly.fuel the dreams of many Montana pilots during the Dale Covington 1996 season.

1h:ylor Arnot 36

Miles

37.2 3.6.2 33.1 31 31

31 25 20 18:7

6 6 2

Site

Glider

Sentinel Duck Creek Pass Sunlight Mine Morrell Lookout Sentinel Sunlight Mine Morrell Lookout Hogback Red Mountain Hog Back Sentinel Sentinel Sentinel Sentinel Red Mountain Sunlight Mine St. Maries

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Sentinel Sentinel Sentinel Sentinel Jumbo

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ITV Nunki EdelEpergy Edel SS 15

Contributor Jack L;:unhie Sky Wear USHGA USHGA Paul Hamilton Wayne Bergman Hall Brothers Bill Cole USHGA

Contributor Paul Hamilton Wayne Bergmau Hi\NC GLIDINC

n

his past October the USHGA Board of"Dircctors ratified a change in the Pilot Proficiency (Parr I CH) that made rhe system parallel and congruent with respect to hang gliding and paragliding. 'The primary motivations frir this change were that the USHCA administers both raring systems, and bnrh systems relate to pilots under similar if not identical conditions and sites.

The notion of parallel and congruent essentially means that the respective systems should have the same number and kind of and that similar ratings now equate to rhe same level of mastery and judgrncnr under the same condi-· tions. lt also means that the related procedures, organization, and wording of the systems arc now normalized so as to be more homogeneous and easier (or at least more straightforward) to administer.

Associated with this vision of uni for-· mity is a reorganized paragliding rating system LO match the current five-tier hang gliding rating system. Once we get past the initial growing pains of making this conversion there may be other changes ro the rating system in the but those changes will be made unilaterally, rather than to the hang glidor paragliding rating system independently. The purpose of this article is to present 10 the flying community the nificant cffocts of the reorganization.

T'hc essence of the modified paraglidsysrem is to split the old Class I rating imo two distinct ratings, and to split the old Class Tl rating into two dis-nnct To reduce confosion, a new convention was adopted, one consistent with the hang gliding rating system. The old naming convention of Classes I 10 l I I has been converted to MARCii 1996

Beginner to Master, with Class l split into Beginner and and Class fl split into [mermediate and Advanced.

'J 'he Class II [ rating was dissolved, and an honorary Master rating was added which is identical to the hang gliding Master rating except for the Special Skills required.

One of the fundamental tasks associated with this reorganization was to

define what skill level each rating reprc sents. The Beginner is intended to describe a pilot who knows how ro launch and land solo under supervision, and knows n little about canopies, sites and conditions, but who really needs to be supervised even at the training hill.

The Novice rating is intended to describe a pilot who can fly solo at a few sites under generally smooth conditions,

Intermediate

Class II*

Para 2 for

Class I for

Airspeed

5 flights from launches of at least J ,000', flights from differcnt sites

airtime Demonstrate hands-off and rear riser turns

Demonstrate reserve canopy dcploymem

proficiency

Surge control proficiency

5 thermal flights of 30 minutes or longer

Demonstrate PLF's

or

5 top hill landings 5 side hill

asymmetric: wing folds Big cars 5 landings within of a spot

5 landings within 10' ofaspot

5 landings within 10' of a spot

From the table it can be seen that some pilots who have been reclassifiedfrom the old Class I to Novice may quttli/j; fr1r !ntermedir,te ratings, btzsed on reduced airtime flying days demonstrated skill, requirements. Similarly, some pilots who have been redassifiedfrom the old Clc!SS II to may qualifyfr1r Advanced those with a lot o/mountczin 1'1thn1p111·p and airtime. Note that the old Clctss !TT is not in this hecause I fl no demonstrated skills associated with it.

37

'The notion of parallel and congruent essentially means that respective [hanggliding and paragliding! systems should have the number kind of ratings, and that similar ratings now the level of mastery andjudgment under conditions. It also means that the related organization and wording of the systems now normalized more homogeneous and .-n .... ,..., (or least more straightforward) to administer."

1

and, generally, under some level of supervision depending on the site. 'This rating is equivalent to the old Class I rating.

The Intermediate rating is intended to

describe a generally competent pilot, someone who can fly solo at most sites in nominal soaring conditions. This rating is almost the same as the old Class II

rating in logged requirements, but slightly less restrictive (sec table below). The Advanced rating is intended to describe a pilot who is competent to fly at any site.

This raring exceeds the old Class IT rating in every respect. With each of these ratings, the commensurate Judgment and Maturity categories include knowing when conditions exceed one's limi rations.

A conversion system has been adopted which will allow the migration of existing paragliding ratings to the modifled rating classifications. The nominal migration will be Class 1/Novice, Class II/Intermediate, and Class II fI Advanced.

The table highlights significant similarities and differences het:ween the old and new paragliding ratings. Other differences can be understood by reading the full text of the proposed Part 104, which is available through the USHGA office.

Ratings with asterisks are no longer part of the USHGA paragliding rating system.

PICCOLO PLUe, -20 flt. memory.

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38

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Product Review

Lightning Detector

by Mark "Forger" Stucky Photo I: The SkyScan in a child's hands.

ob Abbott was anticipating a great flight from Sandia Crest on a promising June day in 1981. ~~? Unfortunately, a storm front was fast approaching Albuquerque as Bob prepared to launch. Ignoring the advice of others, the five-year hang glider pilot launched his single-surface Cirrus 5A and circled skyward toward the ominous-looking storm. It is not clear if Bob realized he was trapped in cloud suck prior to disappearing into the towering clouds.

Rescue workers eventually found him more than a dozen miles from where he had disappeared. It was obvious that the storm had been severe. The glider showed signs of hail damage, there were tell-tale scorch marks from a lightning strike, and the 26year-old pilot, now deceased, was still covered in ice.

Across the globe, Frederico Perez was topping out in a thermal in the 1981 Spanish Hang Gliding Championships.

Frederico recognized another glider at a higher altitude circling near cloudbase.

Although the cloud appeared "dangerous looking," his friend seemed to be having no

40

"After 10 minutes of aerobatics Frederico had risen to over 5,000 feet and his vario was pegged.

His control bar; face and arms were covered in ice...

Desperate attempts to break his glider failed... He finally climbed into the control bar; unhooked his carabiner and dove away from the glider. 7he Spaniard successfully deployed his reserve after free-falling out the bottom of the cloud." i '

trouble so Frederico decided to join him.

Rising at 700 fpm, the glider entered the

gray veil at 2,300 feet AGL. Frederico gained a few hundred feet in the cloud before his better judgment finally won out.

When diving did not result in a loss of altitude he resorted to stalls and wingovers.

After 10 minutes of aerobatics Frederico had risen to over 5,000 feet and his vario was now pegged. His control bar, face and arms were covered in ice and the glider was being tossed about in heavy turbulence. Desperate attempts to break his glider failed, and now at nearly 10,000 feet AGL Frederico tried his last resort. He climbed into the control bar, unhooked his carabiner and dove away from the glider. The Spaniard successfully deployed his reserve parachute after freefalling out the bottom of the cloud and landed without injury.

Although these two incidents took place 15 years ago, the threat of overdevelopment is ever-present in many areas of the country during the thermal season. The best visual indicator of storm potential is vertical development. Strong storms extend upward well above the freezing level and are characterized by strong wind, rain, turbulence and lightning. From personal experience I can attest HANG GLIDING

sized device that can make your decision making easier. The SkyScan is a solid-state instrument that detects the characteristic electromagnetic emissions of individual lightning suikes and determines their range using a patented process.

Marketed for outdoo rsmen and concerned parents alike, the SkyScan is endorsed by the Little League and retails for

~

$199.95.

e

..

<:Y

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The SkyS can is slightly larger than a modern vario and ~ H is powered by rwo nine-vole baneries or an optional AC il-0 adapter. It detects cloud-to~ ZD 41 ground Jigh tning (as well as most cloud-to-cloud lightning) and displays the calculated tDWIATT!il range of the bolt by illuminating the LED indicator in one ... of the four range groups. These ranges are 0-3, 3-8, 8-20 and 20-40 miles. Since the average bolt of lightning is six miles long, any strike within the two closer ranges should be cause to Photo 2: The SkyScan signals a lightning strike in the three- to rake cover.

The SkyScan displays all eight-mile range. detected strikes within the 40mile range. The user, however, that it is difficult to discern the initial stages selects which range interval he wants to trigof overdevelopment when you are at cloudger a momentary tone. Any strike within the base. In fact, several pilots narrowly escaped selected range or closer will be trumpeted by a squall line during last summer's Sandia a one-second beep, alerting you to look at Classic. the display. The LED in the appropriate Accurately judging weather is important range will illuminate along with those to anyone who enjoys the outdoors. beneath it (like a bar graph) for three secLightning strikes alone cause an average of onds. Thereafter, the detected range LED 200 deaths annually in the United States. will blink for 25 seconds. The SkyScan has an additional "Severe Thunderstorm Alarm" No doubt all of you have wondered at one LED to warn of especially strong storms time or another whether it was safe to fly, hike, play golf, or allow your child to stay in which can produce dangerous winds, heavy the swimming pool. rains or tornadoes.

You do nor even have to be under a T he manufacturer claims that the battersto rm to be a lightning victim. There are ies will power the SkyScan for 50 hours in numerous cases of lightning striking people normal mode. If mar isn't long enough for who were basking in sunshine several miles you, there is also a Battery Save fu nction from the leading edge of a storm. Too many which shuts off the range indicator LED's. A people rely on their hearing to warn of an Low Battery Indicator LED illuminates when approximately five hours of reserve approaching storm. Unfortunately, the averbattery life remain . To help protect against age audible range of thunder is only three to accidental rum-on or absent-minded operafive miles. Even the sudden cold gust from that occurs as a result of strong downdrafts tors , the SkyScan turns itself off after five rarely extends more than three miles from hours of no detected lightning activity. This the storm cell. automatic feature can be overridden, if Thanks to the miracle of modern microdesired.

Aside from using my eyes, ears and rhe electronics there is now a transistor radio-

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continued on page 44 ...

M ARCH 1996

41

Author and piwt Adam Trahan under aerotow.

article andphoto by Adam Trahan ver since I saw Doug Stiles foot launch and aerotow to 8,000 ' AGL, then perform 29 consecutive loops on the way down, I had wanted co do a big aerocow myself When I read on the Internet chat the Moyes-Bailey Dragonfly rug was in California, I decided to give Moyes a call and arrange co cow behind it. I talked with Hungary Joe about

E 42

coming to California to perform the tow, but he said chat he was bringing the Dragonfly co Arizona in January. I was sure excited about the possibility of making the flight in my home town.

The site chosen was Turf Soaring, a sailpore south of Lake Pleasant and a few miles north of Phoenix. Doug had set his Arizona state consecutive-loops record there, and I

was familiar with the area. Kemmeries Aviation is across from the airstrip at Turf, and I had rented trikes there co make local flights . Also , across the road co the southeast of Turf is the Oasis cow area, a former trucktowing site known for many great flights and low saves.

The dace finally arrived and the weather was perfect. (Actually, I suppose it could HANG GLIDING

have been a little better since the thermals were very weak and other pilots were hoping to soar.) The Dragonfly tug, Bungary Joe, his wife and baby were there, and Joe began giving lessons to pilots working on their AT ratings.

I set up my RamAir, put on the winglets, and got in line. It had been two months since I'd flown. When my turn came I asked for a 5,000-foot AGI. tow; 1 wanted to get a good, long flight as I saw no one climbing in lifr. I loaded my wing on rhe GLV (ground launch vehicle) and gave the signal to go, whereupon dust kicked up from the prop blast, causing me to lose sight of the tug. Lifting off and punching through the dust I could see Hungary Joe taking off. 'fhe climb on tow was nearly automatic; to keep up with the tug only a fow inches of pull-in were required to keep the tug's wheels lined up on the horizon. · !"his seemed to be a good position to keep, so I settled in to climbing at about 300 fpm.

Hungary Joe, flying very predictably, waved me off in rhc glass-smooth air above the inversion. It was time to relax am! look around. Joe started spiraling down to the airstrip, sometimes going past vertical in his maneuvers. He is a great pilot and fun to watch fly.

There were sailplanes performing acrobatics for hire that day, so I was careful to stay away from the specified aerobatics box.

There were also a few ultralights flying around and an occasional club sailplane searching for lift. I did a couple of more 5,000-foot AGL aerotows that weekend to get the urge for acrobatics out of my system.

Monday, January 15, 1996 was the big

arrived home 16 miles from Turf Soaring1 with 61 000 1 to spare. I honestly think that I could have made over miles easily. Len gave me the okay to go on, but I decided to stick to my flight plan and landed with full-on in nowind conditions at my home !!

11 /

1

day. It was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and l planned to celebrate with a l 0,000-foot AG I. aerotow. Len Clements, a very good friend of mine, offered to chase me. The forecast was good with winds at release altitude of 20 mph from the west.

We consulted the aeronautical chart, discussed the flight plan and rechecked the camera, GPS and radio. Takeoff was shortly after 2:30 PM. My two--year-old son Jacob yelled, "I love you daddy," just before I took

off.

We climbed out in a huge right-hand circuit. At first we climbed out over Lake Pleasant, tracking past the I-17 freeway, then back again toward Turf Soaring. At about 9,000' AGL we began to lose penetration speed and the GPS read only 8-10 mph

groundspced. At l I ,700' MSL I released, turning south in the direction of my home.

As I crabbed home the view began to really catch my attention. To the west was an America West 737 racing northbound at my level. The metropolitan Phoenix area lay to the south and I could see it all in one view. 1 picked out the tiny field next to my house and floated for it, plugging Deer Valley Airport into my CPS so J could skirt its restricted airspace. On the way home I could sec lots of air traffic: Citations raking off from Scottsdale Airport and lots of light aircraft flying to and from Deer Valley.

I arrived home, 16 miles from Turf Soaring, with 6,000' to spare. T honestly think that I could have made over 25 miles easily. Len gave me the okay to go on, but I decided to stick to my flight plan and flew the letdown between the two airports' restricted airspace, landing with ful!.-on VG in 110--wind conditions at my home I.Z. Len, Brigitta and kids were there to greet my "mad scientist" helmet-hairdo self.

During the off-season it seems to me that acrobatic pilots could have a great contest with altitude gained from acrorowing behind the Dragonfly. It took :35 minutes to get to 10,000' AGL and my arms weren't tired at all. In addition, recreational pilots can have a great time seeing how far their gliders will take them with whatever altitude they gain from acrotow.

I would like to thank Hungary Joe, my family, Len, Brigitta and especially Moyes for helping me make my dream come true.

This flight is dedicated to my friend Doug Stiles who passed away in December of 1994 .

• ' ' • Certified as HANG GLIDING and PiRAGLIDING helmets to the European CE95-0497 requirements!

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MARCii 1996

43

... continued from page 41

local weather channel, I had the good for-· tune to spend a week with a SkyScan by my side in a large glassed-in office at the local airport. The fact that the office had its own roof-mounted Doppler weather radar and lightning detector made a good evalnation easy.

Since moving to Fiouston a couple of years ago l have come to the conclusion that God created the Gulf Coast as a proving ground for thunderstorm development. By early afternoon of the first day, puffy cumu·· !us clouds were starting to build and a group was coalescing into a large cell to the northeast. The SkyScan gave its first beep, in&· eating a lightning strike in the 20-40 mile range. A glance at the weather radar showed that the center of the building cell was 25 rniles away. The radar indicated an area of moderate rain extending above 25,000 feet, with several small cores of intense rain and turbulence definitely a thunderstorm.

Individual cells faded and new cells developed as the mass headed my way. All the while, the SkyScan chirped merrily, the rate of strikes increasing and the reported distances decreasing. Every reported strike range agreed witb the actual range as depict-

hat should you do when the danger appeats imminent? While it's true that ~~"".u"~uu"'· strikes the highest feature, it is not a Electricity; like water, flows· from the highest potential tO the est, through the path of least resistance. This path is no1rm,t11v shortest route between the two electrical potentials. Unless bolt is. coming straight down from above, you may be a chr»•r1o,v distance for the bolt to.travel than the most prominent point.

If you. are in danger of.being struck then get away from low but do not glider as well as any isolated high points. down. It is best to minimize your contact by crouching down only your two feet touching the ground.

ed by the radar.

J was especially impressed by the SkyScan's ability to accurately assess range. 1 pilot aircraft equipped with lightning detectors whicb cost thousands of dollars, yet are notoriously inaccurate.

An hour later the storm filled the window as it bore down on Houston.

Raindrops started pinging against the windows as the SkyScan reported a strike within three miles. T was facing away but immedi-ately started counting. Twelve seconds later the crack of thunder hit. A few seconds later the phone rang and the weather observer, using his expensive gear, reported "lightning within ftve miles." "Actually," I replied, "it is

less than three."

And that was the way it was for the rest of the week. One evening there was a veritable light show in the heavens. I walked outside with the SkyScan and it beeped merrily with every flash in the night sky, the ranges corresponding as well as f could judge visually.

One day our local club was rowing up and flying into a hot-air balloon festival held at the Johnson Space Center. Storm clouds were building as we prepared for the h11e afternoon time slot. The SkyScan was steadily ringing with strikes in the three· to eight-mile range. The offending cell was directly upwind or our launch and we began getting splattered with large raindrops. I fig-· nred we were wasting our time, bur then the SkyScan started to quiet clown and the reported lightning ranges increased to 8-20 miles. Sure enough, in the 15 minutes until our start window, the cell traversed harm1cssly past and we were able to do our demonstration. [ learned that the SkyScan can do rnore than warn of strikes; it can help you paint a mental picture or storm movement and cycles.

The brochure mentions that the SkyScan

can be susceptible to background electro-magnetic interference (EMT) and cautions against using it near computer monitors or televisions. The SkyScan checks for excessive interference during the power-on cycle and warns of its presence by continuously cycling the LED's. I had to place the unit right next to a TV to be bothered by EMI. The SkyScan worked well just several feet away from a wall of computer monitors. I tested the unit for any false alarming due to RF energy from aircraft radios and did not notice any problem. l did get false alarms near or inside a running vehicle. Those little lightning strikes inside the engine cylinders are too much like the real thing.

The SkyScan was designed to work indoors or out. The case is rugged, water resistant and comes with a belt clip for easy mounting. My one gripe is the battery compartment. The batteries are held against the power terminals by pressure from a small sponge strip. Unfortunately, this strip par-tially peeled away the first time I removed the batteries. Tr was easy to fix but I'd rather have a design more resistant to the average ham-fisted operator.

I was impressed with the SkyScan. Every

competition director should have one as an aid in their decision making. The SkyScan can provide an unbiased opinion regarding the safety of opening or closing the launch window.

While l don't envision every hang glider pilot adding a SkyScan to their on-board instrument cluster, I do think it would be a handy in-flight aid for those who pursue long cross--country flights in areas conducive to overdevelopment. Regardless or locale or X-C intentions, the SkyScan is a valuable preflight instrument and, unlike the rest of your instruments, offers great utility during your non-flying hours. As a matter of fact, my wife has commandeered the SkyScan and keeps ir in her night stand drawer. [t is the final authority on whether it's time to break our rhe sleeping bags and let the kids hunker down witb mom and dad away from the upper story windows. 'l'hc SkyScan is marketed by Automated Weather Source of Gaithersburg, MD, phone (301) 25 8-8390. They also accept orders by fax at (30 I) Those or you "on-line" can check out their [ntcrner home page at http://www.AWS.com.

Reports ... continued from page 22

with training, but analysis of our equipment can. Rare is the pilot who has been instructed regarding the best preflight procedure for his particular model at the time of purchase. Although it might be done in other parts of the country, I'm not sure I know even one pilot in my area who has had the people who sold him the glider demonstrate the best preflight procedure for that particular glider at rhe time of the sale. l once did a preflight on a demo glider and found a symmetrical set of one-inchdeep dents on the leading edges halfway between the nose and the crossbar. They had apparently been damaged by the car rack in transit to rhe fly-in. The glider had been flown by three pilots in that condition, and none of them had apparently been trained to pull the nose of the glider down to check for damage along the top of the leading edge where it meets the sail.

I have personally shown several new pilots what crystallized aluminum looks

like. They had heard about it but never seen it, and did not recognize its appearance until it was pointed out to them. The ability to recognize signs of potential structural failure is a skill soaring pilots certainly should have, yet some are obviously not getting hands-on experience.

WOULD YOU PAY? Many of us have had similar experiences. Clearly there are areas in which continued training would be bene£cial. Would pilots pay for such instruction?

I belong to a 250-member club that used to have a mentor program. In this program a pilot of lesser experience could team up with one of more experience and receive pointers in all areas of flying skill.

The program evaporated because of a crushing lack of participation.

A distinguished member of the club, who owns a local shop, offered an annual pilot review program to anyone who

wished, regardless of rating. He offered a thorough analysis of flying skills and techniques. Since he was concerned that pilots might balk if the service were too expensive, he decided to eliminate all possible obstacles and make the program free. Can you guess how many took advantage of the program? Did you guess zero?

I believe instructors and schools have been justi£ed in their jaded feelings regarding the willingness of pilots above the rank of Novice to seek or even accept training.

The flying season is just beginning. I encourage instructors to offe1; and pilots to indulge in advanced instruction. I encourage pilots to suggest to instructors or schools topics they would like to see covered. Perhaps manufacturers, hosts or sponsors of demo days could be talked into offering such training as an integral part of those events.

Start this season off right, with the attitude that continually striving to make yourself a better, safer pilot will be this year's goal.

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Front rou. k.ft M right: Gill CoutQ, 3rd, 50-Mile Class; John Joh11Son, 1st, Optn Class: Ralph &rgh, /st, 100-Mik Class. Back ro~ !efi fQ right: Len Cleme11ts, 1st, 50-Milt Class; Don Jones, 3rd. Opm Class: Andy Rockhold, 211d, Opm Class; Fm11k Schwab, 2nd, JOO-Mile Class. Pho10 by Bob

Thompso11. his Airwave Jive 29 wid, a 28. 5-nille Oight - outscancling for a oag wing!

Andy Rockhold's persistence in che concest paid otT with a second-place finish chis year (108.27 miles) in che Open Class, and Don Jones earned chird place for che second yea r in a row wich a flighc of 77.5 miles. Frank Schwab, who came ouc on cop in lase year's 50-Milc Class, garnered second place in th.is year's 100-MiJe Class wich 88.5 miles. The 50-Mile Class bad che mos, compecico,s and the figh'l went down co che wire. Gil Couto filed the mosc flighcs of any competitor (five) and finished a rcspeccable third wiLh a 58 -mile flight. Russ Marechale had the lead as rhe summer was closing with a 91.64-mile Oighc, which eventually earned him second place. Jeff Johnson flew imo fourth place wich a 35.24-miler, Jerry DaOen garnered fifth with a 30.8-miler, and Randy Kerchill rounded che class our with his sixch-placing

MARCH 1996

25.36 miles.

T he season produced SOiUe inceresting scoric:s.

John Johnson wenr to Mc. Elden and launched early since a windy day was forecast, and he promptly sank out. Dejected and ready to go home, he was convinced by his wife, Julianne, co go back up and give it another cry. Conditions ,vere s·rill reasonable, and he goc off Just oefore ic got ,vindy - great timing! After a few lo,v saves he started making headway, and the crcmcndous drift made for a fast day. How fasr? How about cmising at 17,000' MSL wich che bar out for best sink and a GPS indicating 83 mph groundspeed! A, J.J. say,, "That kind of dJifr is che stuff 300+ mile days arc made of." A clouded-over sky and a line of storms forced him ro hover down from 2,000' AGL to l:md just ease of Gtanu, New Mexico. Aftet breaking down his glider and gming in the bag he laid on

it and weathered 70 mph winds from the scorm blowout, ,vaicing for his wife to catch up. J.J . credits his long nigh, to: 1) a great chase chat took all the pressure off

him. 2) good equipnlent preparation* and 3) LUCK. It should have blown our at Elde111 but be encountered fancasdc drift and a thermal every time he needed one.

Andy Rockhold had a job working four 10-hour days, wirh Fridays off. Sure enough, Friday, July 21 was forecast with 5- 15 mph southwest winds and a 20% chance of rain - perfect. Winds a.loft were better than forecast. A fe,,, thermals co 15,000' and 3- 1/2 hours later, Andy landed near the Navajo communicy of Blue Gap, \vith his wife Linny watching and caking pictures.

Len Clements flies helicopters for a living, hue after discovering hang gliding he has spent almost every day getting in some rag wing airtime. Practice ma.kes perfect

49

along with the help of others. On September 24, Len, Rik Fritz and Adam Trahan went to the Aubrey Cliffs because the winds were forecast to be strong from the west and not good for the intended site of Mt. Elden. Upon arrival at the Aubreys they found south winds (90° cross). Rik and Adam decided it was not worth even setting up, but Eager Beaver Len wasn't to be grounded, and set up anyway. About l :00 PM there was a shift to the southwest and Len got of( right into a rowdy thermal. Len was getting slammed around and this didn't look too appetizing to Rik and Adam, so they radioed up for him to head downwind and they would chase.

A cranking tailwind allowed Len to keep up with the eastbound traffic on 1-40 (65-70 mph) in his Spectrum. Len is fairly new to X-C flying, but he soon discovered that the little wisps of curnies were indicative of forming cumulus clouds that would provide lift like express elevators. The clouds got him to flagstaff, where he zipped over to Mt. Elden for some ridge lift. A late-afternoon thermal got Len back up to l 0,000', which was good enough for bim to glide all the way in the crankin' winds to Sheba Crater, and more ridge lift.

There, Rik :md Adam raced back and forth in the Land Cruiser in front of the hill try-· ing to break a thermal loose. It worked!

Len drifted back over the crater in weak but constant lift.

Topping out once again around 10,000' Len could now relish the beauty of a smooth final glide over the Painted Desert.

He was overwhelmed by the colors. Pink and red sandstone sculptures marked the desert, and the cobalt-blue sky faded into purple near the horizon. Awesome! With one flight he not only flew out of the 50Mile Class, he passed the 100-Mile Class with his 115.33 miles. (He did make lots of other significant flights; this one was not a fluke.) If his first season in hang gliding is any indication, you will be hearing lots more about Len and his hang gliding escapades in the future.

Considering that the weather was not very cooperative it was a pretty good year: at least one 200+ miler, and four pilots flew out of their classes. Ir's always fun to see pilots move up through the ranks.

Awards were presented at the December Arizona Hang Cliding Association meet· ing. There were plaques for the first three placing pilots in each class, '['.. shirts for all entrants, and Wills Wing provided classy Patagonia Jackets to rhe winners of the 5(}.

Mile, l 00-Mile, and Open Classes Thanks Wills Wing! Also, Moyes provided a 'T'.-shin for the most improved pilot, Len Clements.

Another year became history, inspiring great anticipation for this season.

OPEN CLASS

Miles

Glider

213.29 RamAir 146 2) Andy Rockhold l 08.27 TRX 158 3) Don Jones K-2 I

I) John Johnson

l 00-MJLH (JASS 1) Ralph Bergh l 35.9 2) Prank Schwab 88.5

HP AT 158 HP AT 145

50-MITE CLASS l) Len Clements JI5.33 2) Russ Marechale 91.64 3) Gill Couto 58.0 35.24 4) Jeff Johnson 5) Jerry Dalen 30.8 6) Randy Kerchill 25.36

Spectrnm 165 TRX 140 TRX 140 TRX 160 K2 145 TRX 140

TRIANGLE CLASS ]) Orrin Smith

Klassic 144

PARAGUDHR CLASS ]) Peter Gray

28.5

Airwave Jive 29

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50

HANC CLH)INC

HANG GLIDING ADVISORY Used hang gliders should always be d isasscmblcd before flying for the first time and inspected carefolly for fatigued, bent or dented downrnbcs, rnincd bushings, bent: bolrs (especially the heart bolt), re-used Nyloc nuts, loose thimbles, frayed or rusted cables, tangs with non-circular holes, and on flex wings, sails badly torn or torn loose from their anchor points front and back on the keel and leading edges. Hin doubt, many hang gliding businesses will be happy to give an objective opinion on the condition of equipment you bring them to inspect. Buyers should select equipment: that is appropriate for their skill level 01' rating. New pilots should seek professional instruction from a USHGA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR. FI.EX WINGS

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AXIS 15 Good condition, six seasons, 3 extra downtubes $600. (801) 59/i-448 l

FORMULA 154 985-1456.

DESIRE 15l'S One almost new $1,500. One clean high-time $500. (412) 661··J174 PA.

PORMUl.A 15/i Three to choose from. Clean, cleaner & cleanest, rnned & test llown, will ship.

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DOUBLE VISION d hours $2,000. K2 155, 100 hours $1,000. (717) 864-3139.

DOUBLE VISION $1,500. Flies great. Red, white &. blue, good condition, never wackcd! Contact Greg (919) 2.61-6166 or DeWolf7@aol.com DREAM 185 Good condition, includes knechanger harness, specdrail. Red/orange w/purplc LE $500 OBO. (616) 673-1737.

Tow plane, used, good price.

DREAMS CLEARANCE SALE All sizes, $900$1,500. Raven Sky Sports (414) 473-8800.

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FALCON 195 New, zero airtime, immaculate, trade or offer. (%0) 378-:1041.

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Blade Races 111 & 153, Blades H 1 & 153 and Stings. New & used Airborne Edge aerotugs. Call now. US Airborne (509) 243-4988, fax (509) 243lt757.

!!AI.CON 225 Flown four months, white/blue/green, inspection included $2.,800 OBO. (805) 940-7209.

FALCON 195 & 225 $2,100. (801) 254-6141.

100 hours, flies great $')00. (81.3)

Spare downrubes $800. APCO CF.MINT 134 Aviation lwrness $250. (909) 394-0540.

BARRIER 180 (818) 951-3104.

Good condition, needs keel $200.

HIGH PERFORMANCE CLTDER - Clearance sale. HPAT 158, orange/white, glider $1,250. around sweetheart, Moyes XS, all whirc, 80 hours, screaming deal at $950. HP2., red/white, aerobatic model, perfect, only 24 logged flights $750 OBO. (970) 728 :>905.

HPAT H5 Flies $1,300. White and 8682.

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HPAT 158 White/blue, '/.2 harness w/chute, aero.tow bridle, Ball 601 vario/airspeed/alt. Perfoct, I 0 hours $2,300. (210) 494-00%.

Fun gliders, l () hours

HPA'T 158

New sidcwircs & hangstrap $1000.

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ALMOST NEW -·- K4 Plus 155 $2,800 OBO. (619) 448-7983.

FALCONS CLEARANCE SALE School use, one season. All sizes $1,500-$2,500. (414) 4'73-8800.

l!PAT 158 -

ATLAS - (2) $250 each, (]) $500. Moyes Maxi (2) $200 each. Comet 180 $350. Supcrlancer $150.

Ccmini 131 $}50. (205) 776-9995, (205) 880-85 l 2.

FLY TWO -- '95 PacAir randcm glider, one season, top shape $2,900. (4 lli) 4'73-8800.

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Nice glider $900. (619) 437-6699.

KT.ASSIC 155 Like new $3,995. Klassic 144, 10 hours $3,995. (?.05) 776-9995, (205) 880-8512.

dOhrs $900. Comet II 165 $/iOO. Jcom AXIS 15 radio w/extras $2.75. Ball 652 $2.50. Harness/parachute $225. (}03) 840-2931.

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fJ Wanted U Harnesses

issue and run Begin with-···--------·------consecutive issue(s). My O check, u money order is enclosed in the amount of$----·-·-·--··-···------NAM E: ----------·-·--·---··---·-··--·---···-···-·--··---·-··----··-·--··-·--·-·-· ADDRESS: -·-··-·-----··--·---·-··-···-·--··-·--··-----····-·--··-··-···----··--·--·-

Number of .. v,,,v·----··--·--·-·---·--·@$.50 Number of @$1.00

MARCH 1996

USHGA, P,O Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901 (719) 632-8300

51

LARGE PILOT? 188 Mystic, regular double sur-· face w/VG, good condition $700. Days (503) 864-· 2892, cve.(503) 538-6133 Rick.

HVG, w/standard sail, l 8 hours, SF.NSOR 510 new condition $875. Max perform,rncc for Hang 3.

Scon (616) 857-8015.

LITE DREAM 115

Excellent, new, 1sr $1,050.

(303) 278-9566.

Sil.VER MYI.AR Xtralitc 147, new 6/95! New glider ordered. Steal it $2,975! (51 O) 942.-0 I 22..

MACIC KISS J 5/i l 988/89, about J 00 hours, very good shape $900. Bruce (505) 299-5953.

SKYIIA WK 188 Excellent condition, <25 hours $900 OBO. Cl l 5) 638-1068.

MAKE AN OFFER Vision Mark fV, excellent condirion, <50 hours. High Energy Sports harness with parachme, training harness, vario, spccdbar and helmet. (910) 842-7878.

SPECTRUM 1li4 Good condition, spcedbar $ l,liOO. (713) 868-5204.

MOYES XS W/wing fins $1,900. New Moyes Extreme pod harness $500. WW Raven 229, w/whecls & tail skid for tandem wheel lm1dings (718) 457-8390.

MOYES XS 155 With Coby fins, <30 hours, very good condition $1,350. Dan Armstrong (805) 822·· 8852 e-mail: danarmstrol71laol.com MOYES XS J 55 Two for $2,(,00 or sold separate·· ly. (414) 473-8800.

MOYES XTRALlTE l li7 -- BRAND NEW, 3 flights, flo. orange, flo. lime green. Extra downtubc, super deal $3,300. (50 l) 8}/i-1620.

MOYES XTRALITE XS, XS3, XT, XL New and nearly new. Available immediately. Nation's largest Moyes dealer. THE WALLABY RANCH (941) 4240070.

NEW SUPFRSPORT 163 $2,700 OBO. (619) 4487983.

Less than 4 hours, SPECTH.UM l 65 PLUS magenta/blue, folding speedbar, spare downtuhe $2,800 or best offer. (817) 226-3805.

SPECTRUM I (,5 IO hours airtime, folding speed· bar $2, I 00. (60(,J 288--0028.

Good condition $300.

VISIONS & SPECTRUMS Bought,.Sold-Tradcd.

Raven Sky SportS (4 lli) 473-8800.

WWXC 154 /i() logged hours, great ship, great shape $3,500. Jersey (619) 793.3,132.

XC 155 Superb condition, unique colors $3,(iOO. (303) 823-9045.

XTRALITE 137 New lt/95, great condition, out· climbs them all, wide hook--in range (240 lbs max) will ship. (805) 682-3483.

WW I 54 RAMAfR ...... 60 HRS ............ $2,200 OBO WW 155 XC ............... JO HOURS ..... $3,200 OBO WW 165 SPECTRUM ... 5 HOURS .... $1,900 K2 155 .................................................. $800 OBO The Hang (;Jiding Center (619) 56 J · I 009 EMERGENCY PARACHUTES

SPECTRUM 165 35 hours, colorfol sail, folding speedbar, fiarcd kingpost &. downmbes $1,800. ('J 16) 51i6-3611.

SPECTRUMS &. VISJONS Bought-Sold-Traded.

Raven Sky .'if,orts (414) 473-8800.

SPORT EURO 167 951-310/i.

Good condition $1i00. (818)

A BEST BUY !'AA Rigger inspected $265. PDA's $300. Colorado Hang Gliding (:'JOJ) 278-9566.

ALL BRANDS sold, and repacked.

Inspection and repack Parachutes, bridles, inspected and replaced, paraswivcls installed. AIRTIME OF SAN FRANCISCO, 3620 Wawona, San hancisco, CA 9/ii 16. (415) SKY-1177.

SPORT I 80 AT Excellent condition, low hours $1,500. Ask for Dennis, days (Ii 14) 738-8505, evenings (Ii I Ii) 951i- I 2.51.

BRAND NEW HC RF.SERVFS 20 and 22ft.

PDA's $385., $1i25. Colorado Hang Gliding (303) 278-9566.

SUPF.RSPORT 153 Excellent condition, LOW lJV expostttc, !ors of Tl.C, first $1,990 gm it. (209) 431-9698.

24 GORE PDA With swivel for tandem $550 OBO. (414) 473-8800.

Test flown only

l\'\CAIR MACTC KISS 155 With K1 upgrades, only 65 hours, cxcellcnl condition, new hg, only $1,250. (607) 723-63')9.

PAC:AIR VISION PULSE lOM ASA cocoon and windsock, HP wheels, Maxon helmet. ALT. BRAND NEW, never flown. Husband killed in car wreck.

FIRST $3,000/offer rakes all. (360) 3.32-7050.

PUI.SF J OM Fxccllem condition, low honrs, great colors. Mantis harness, PDA chute, Ball vario & more. $2,999. (805) 649-4098.

RAMATR 146 Calif

25 hours $2,000. (Ii 15) %5-4/i25

RAMAlll. 146 (805) 773-5292.

Minr condition, 30 homs $2,800.

SUPERSPORT l 63 Low airtime, two available. $1 ,9')5-$2,!iOO. Also HE pod and Tracer harness options) for 5' 1O" -(,'2" 180/1 pilots $2 50286-5604, e-mail: Bob7l 1t?ilaol.com

RAMAlll. 151 30 hours, cxccllcnr condition $2,950. (303) "119-051.3.

RA MAIR l 5/i -·20 hours, flies perfectly, very fast.

Bright colors $3,000. (505) 822.-9017.

PULi.DOWN APEX PARACHUTE -- With BRS system and instrurncm $750 OBO. (619) 448-7983.

HARNESSES

SUPERSPORT ]63 Low hours, extra clean, just inspected $2,200 will ship. (305) 846-8186.

SUPERSPORT 163 <50 HOURS. DEMO IT lN CHATTANOOGA $2,100. JEFF (423) 6294206.

TRX l IJO RACE (209) 58(,-6012.

RAMA!ll J 16 ONLY $2,200. Lightening fast/simple setup/breakdown. Number one on low/high speed glides. Exccllcm condition. (805) 967· 1490.

52

SPECTRUM J 65 Teal/apricot, like new, only 50 hours $2,700. (817) fi85-8969.

VlSION ECl.lPSE 195 (818) 951-3104.

Excellent condition $2,500.

TRX 160/l'REDATOR LARVA Good condition, solid white sail $1,499. Wheels, drogue chute, extra downntbc included. Teel (209) 478-7000, (209) 9517500.

UP COMET II 185 rradc. (702) 597. I 198.

Brown/red/white $500 or

ACHINC BACK? Have you tried a CLOUDBASE harness? Custom TAILORED harnesses since 1972! Producer of ULTRAMITTS. Discounts on BRAUNIGER varios. (706) 398-3964.

CCJOOO Fxccllem condition, 57"-5'10" $350.

(818) 951-3104.

COMFORTABLE TRAINING HARNESSES

1979, hclmcr, wheels, harness.

UP 229 FLOATER $500 or nadc for paraglider/harncss, I 8511,. (2 l ')) 465-0214.

HANG CLIDINC

IIJGH ENI\RGY POD Rear zipper, for 6'/17011 & several other sizes to choose from, $300 each.

Cocoons, many sizes $200 each. (411) 173,8800.

PARAGLIDFRS ALL BRANDS .~ New/used $800-$2,500. Colorado Paragliding (303) 27B·9566.

APACIW II 29 New condition, less than 10 hours, includes bag, harness and PDA reserve $1,liOO OHO. (7\9) 597-7399.

BRAND NEW PG RESERVES '\'7 and 40sq/m NAS brand. $385., $425.(303) 278-9566.

PARAGLIDFRS $600-$1,000 for your old equip· mcnl. New Perchc, Apco, Irv, more. ISA (718) 7000 phone/fax.

SCHOOLS & DEALERS ALABAMA

CLOUD BASF ( :ORP. dba Rocker City Airsporrs.

Sales, remals, service and ccrtifted instrnction ar Keel Mounrain, GIJfley, Alabanu. For information send SASF and $1 to PO Box li22, Gurley Al. 357'18.

(205) 88().85 J 2, (205) 7'76-9912.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN J.'l.!GI IT PARK -- Sec ad tmdcr Georgia.

ARIZONA ADVENTURE SPORTS TOURS Daily certified instruction urilizing rhc world's fost rnan .. rnadc train . er hill other sites which all focc every wind direct ion. for major hrands. l 327 F Bell-de-mar Drive, Tempe A/. 852is3. (602) 897-7121.

RIGID WINGS

AIRTIME OF SAN FRANCISCO·~ HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING. Harness manufocrnrer and repair specialists. US! IGA paragliding instruction, tandem. All major brands of paragliding and hang gliding equipmenL (new ,111d used). Next to Fon Funston. The only full service shop in San Francisco! 3620 Wawona, San hancisco CA 94116.

(Ii 15) 759-117'7.

CHANDELLE S/\N FRANCISCO, INC:.

Complete hang gliding and paragliding sales, service and insrructiDn since l 97.'l. Northern California's most complete repair facility. New and used cqnipment and demo's, lesson clinics and tandem lessons. l 595 E Francisco Ste F, San Rafocl CA 94901, (115)-CIJDINC.

in the wcsr! hill service shop, established 197 4. PO Box I:33'), CA 93140-1339, (805) 965-1'73.3.

THE JIANG GLIDING CENTER

FLEDGE 3 -- Creal condition, clean, extras, best offer over $1,500. (805) 489·22.20.

Located in beautiful San Diego. USHGA instruction, equipment rentals, local flying tours. Spend your winter vacation flying with us. We proudly offer Wills l\,ciftc Airwavc_ lligh Energy, Ball and Manufocrurers of THE DROGUF CHUTF. PO Box IO!i9, Lakeside CA 92040, (619) 561-1009.

SUPER.FLOATER ULTRAI.IGHT SAILPLANE Two in stock, available for test flights, Allen TX (near Dallas). (2 Iii) 9%I706 weekdays, (21 Ii) ;$9() .. ')()90 evenings & weekends.

UI.TRAI.IGHTS AAA DRAGONJ.'J.Y (Ii ]Ir) 47}·8800.

Tow plane, used, good price.

BUJJ.D/FLY - .. Your own BACKPACK POWERED PARACHUTE for fon/profk Takes oil from level ground unassisted. Safe, simple, inexpensive. No licensing required. I )crailcd guide and source book for beginner includes info on plans to build yoms for as little as $900. Now only $19.95. EasyUp, 1089 Medford Center 1124/ig, Medford OR 97501.

ARIZONA HJ\NC GLIDING CENTER INC. ~ We arc a Cull-time, FULL SERVICE hang gliding shop located just minutes from the BEST site in Arizona) Mingus Mountain. 'V./c have the most comprehensive tandem training program available and can reach you ro be a SAFE pilot in less rime! We stock gliders, harnesses and instruments from Wills, PacAit, Moyes, Flyrec, Ball, High Energy, and many more' We need your trade .. ins. Certified instructor Rob Richardson. 353 PLYABI.E DAYS I.AST YEAR! 5'721-2B Robert Road A! 863 l Ii 14

cc;

S/\fLl'l.ANE Austria Sh-1, enclosed rrailcr and all gear. Creat XC ship in excellent shape. 3411 U), ask· ing $8,250. Call Jim at (li07) 267-7092 Florida.

TRIKE -- With 7.40 Dream, good condition, ro deal. Call Ron after 6pm C:emral (316) 697-25/7.

HIGII J\DVFNTURE Hang gliding, paragliding school. Equipment sales, service, rentals at So111hern Calii'ornia's mile high site, Crestline. USHCA Instrnctor Rob McKenzie. By appointment year round. (909) 88Hlli88.

ARKANSAS TRlKE TRA!NlNC; 7000 phone/fox.

And wings. ISA (718) 777-

WANTED NFED ·rn.ANSPORTATJON Have: HPAT 158, Duck \ 60, Owl l 85, Droan engine. Trade for: car, truck, motorcycle or Also wamcd: Sport 167 sail & bag. Tom (352) Fla.

O!ARK MOUNTAIN HANC Cl.lDERS - Sales, service and instruction. 160 Johnston Rd, Searcy AR 721/il. (501) 279 2/i80.

SAIL Wf\lCS -~ Suppliers of line flying equipmem.

PO Box 1:33.'lS, Maumelle AR 72113. (501) 851· li09/i rel/fox.

CALIFORNIA

(719)

17. We

ADVENTURES UNLIMITED - Orange Counry's premier school. USJ-ICA cenifted instruction and tandem New & used eqnipmern, Wills Wing dealer.

4 ')(i .. 8000.

MAROl 1996

53

WRICITT HROTHERS WINGS McClure/Modesto arm. (209) 586,6012.

Lake

WALLABY RANCH

The Original & Most Experienced Aerorow Flight Park COLORADO YEAR ROUND SOARJNG

Hfll'IG GLIDING ....e1c:vc:uNG Pfl!lf!GLIDll'IG FUT .L SERVfCF SHOP I .ocatcd at the base of' the mountain on Hwy 71\. Dealers of Moyes, Blue Sky Aircraft, Pac/\ir, Ball, I Jigh /\vocct & more.

Call for free area info pack. Open Rent ah avail, able. Visa & accepted.

GOLDEN W[NGS Lessons, s:rlcs, service.

US!IC/\ certified instructors. Dealers for Moyes, Wills Wing, Blue Sky /\ircrafr Co. and Pac/\ir. 15/iO l W. '>th Ave., Colden CO 80/iO L (303) 2787181.

CONNECTJCUr MOUNTAIN WINGS

QPEN 7 DAYS A WFEK. FOUR TUGS g Ml I.ES FROM DISNFY/ORL/\NDO Demos: 20+ NIGE RENTALS to rry Xtralitc, XC, Klassic, Blade Race, XS3, XT, XL Laminar, Predator, Sting, Buzz, MKIV, Falcon, Snperfloater, Etc.

Look uuder New York.

Ages 13 to 73 Have I.earned ro i:ly l-lcrc

909,674 2453 31401 Riverside Dr. Lake Elsinm·(·, CA. 92530

FLORIDA

NO MORE BUNNY...

THE HILL WITH IT!

!./\KE FLSINOIU. WINDCYPSY Airwavc, Moyes. Call for site information, (909) 679·8')94.

MAGJC /\JR - J Located in Northern , .a.11101rna. vice. lJSl [C/\ certified towing instrnction, l.:rnding and thermal clinics. (707) 965-0li 11, (707) 96:J.Jli55.

Om comprehensive instruction program, located at rite Bay Area's premier training site, foarurcs sloped "bunny hills," winch rowing, superlitc and comfortable training harnesses!

FI.ICI TT," a video presentation of our son program, is available for $7.0 ping (i71fif ht! ft,sson pu,rcn,1se.,;, Our deluxe the latest in hang

WE H/\ VE The most advanced training program known to hang gliding, teaching you in half the time ir rakes on the training-BUNNY HILL, and with more in-flight air time. YES, WE C/\N TFACJ! YOU FASTER /\ND SAFER. for year,rmmd training fon in the sun, call or wt·ite Miami Hang Cliding (305) 285-8978. 2640 S Hayshore Drive, Coconut ( ;rove, Florida 3:3133,

All instructors /\dvanccd Rared & Certified Tandem.

Tandem Instruction: Beginner ro Advanced all day, every day.

Cre:rr scene for hunily ,md Friends.

Rentals, sales, ratings, XC retrievals.

Camping, Nice climbing wall, trampoline, ping pong. Mcga-B,mgcc,Swing, picnic, swimming pool, etc.

Duration 6 hours 34 minutes.

Read abom us in l !/\NG CI.IDTNC Aug. 199/i Ocr. 1995 KITPLANES Jan. 1995, SKYWINCS &. the Web:

Please ask us for references in your area.

1805 Dean Still Road, Wallaby Ranch, Florida :"J3837 (9/i 1) 124,0070 Ranch phone & fax.

State of the Arr • Conservative F.I LG. fNC/FLYING FLORIDA SINCE J 971

gliding innovations. We stock new> used and demo,

Wills and Pac/\ir gliders. Tradc-i11s arc welcome. Feel

Malcolm Jones, David Glover, Rhen Radford, Kerry Lloyd, Jamie Buck, Ryan Glover & Jim Appleton

free to demo the ho1test new h:irncsscs in 011r cusrnm

simulator! 1 I l6 Way, Milpitas (near S//n Jose) Cl\ 95035. (ii08) 055, fax (li08) 262 1388, MSCl\(;171\10!.com www.hang--gliding.com TRUE FLIGHT [IANG Gl.lDINC SCHOOL DONALD Q_UACKENBUSH has the only shop at world famous Mountai11, J .os instrucdon and

of hang

rhe

shop making for over flCteen years. /\vc., Sylrnar California 91Yl2. J .. 8()0-894,51i3.'l, (818) %7-0li19,

W!NDSPORTS -·

since 197 4, r:if'teen Sylrnar, Crestline, Vacation Dying Elsinore and and glider sales including and rentals. The most popular gliders and equipment, new and t1sed in stock. Trade in your old eqt1ipmcnr. :325 sunny days each ycal'. Corne f'ly with us! 16H5 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys CA 9 !liOG. (818) 988 .() 111, Fax (818) 9B8 1867,, to

54

INTRODUCES QUFST AIR SO/\IUNG CENTER. Come J:ly with tire Original DRAGONFLY TEAM I .earn ro I Jang Glide with srare-of~d1c-arr tandem equipment and get a minimum 0(6 to 8 homs of airtime durjng your training. J-Iang 2 we can accelerate your thcrmaling skills, rake ns for a tandem llight in prime rime air! Camping sw:llntrutrg availahlc, also close to all /\t:tTactions. a TUG PILOT? fnrcrcstcd in Come learn to fly tire HarJc,,JNloyes /\cro 'rug on one of the Central l'lorida, with two 2100 over 80 acres of wide open space. !'incl out you can get your own /\ero Tow Club or Hight Park started.

Moyes Microlights Assembly and Training Facility on sire, FOUR NEW TUGS IN STOCK, Bobby Bailey, Campbell Bowen and Russ Brown arc USUA and US] IC/\ CerriGcd Tandem Instructors.

GLIDER & EQUIPMENT SALES AND SERVICE OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK CALL H)R MORE INFO (90ii) 429,·0213.

GRAYBIRD AIRSPORTS INC USHGA & USUA cerrificd instr!lction. Beginner rhru advanced hang glider pilot tandem aerotow training & ratings.

USUA ulrralighr pilot rhru basic flight instrucrnr training & ratings. 3 axis srickrimc for SwiCt, Superfloatcr or Dragonfly pilot training. Instruction 7 days a week by ,q,pointmcnt. Dealer for all major flight ,mcl acrorow cquiptnclll. 15 minntes from Silver Springs, l. 5 hours from Disneyworld, Call Gregg B.McNamce (904) 245 .. 8263.

LOOKOUT MOUNT/\lN FI.JGHT PARK Sec Nearest n1oun Lain training center ad under 8 hours). ro Orlando

May classifieds deadline: March 20 HANC GLIDINC

GEORGIA

NEW MEXICO

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLICI-IT PJ\RK ~ Sec our display ad. Discover FOUR TIMES as rn;my pilots earn their wings at Lookout than at any other school! We wrote USIIGJ\'s Official Training Manual. Our spccialty-cusrnmer satisfaction and fun with the BEST FACII.ITIFS, inventory, camping, swimming, volleyball, more! For a flying trip, intro flight or lesson Lookout Mountain, just outside Chananooga, yom COM-PLETE training/service center. Info? (800) 688LMFP.

MOUNTAIN WEST !IANG GUDING ()ffr·ring sales, service, instruction in the Four Corners

area. (505) 632-84/i:"l Farmington NM. UP OVER NFW MF.XICO vice. Sandia Mountain Albuquerque, NM

(71

NEW YORK

ENJOY TlJE SPRING AT LOOKOUT. WEEKLY & LONG-TERM CABIN RENTALS.

KENTUCKlANA SOARING under Pans.

Sec our classified

RAVEN SKY SPORTS - - (Ii 14) 473-8800. Please sec our ad under WISCONSIN. KANSAS

PRAIRIE HANG GLIDERS Bed & breakfast.

Full service school & dealer. Great tandem instruc(316) 697-?.577.

MlCll!GJ\N THE LANDING RV PJ\RK AND CABINS IS COMPLETED and offers for your flying accommodations--weckly cabin rentals and RV spots w/li1ll hookups. Each cabin has a private bathroom, kitchen, bed and both heat and a/c. Super low rates, call Greg Clover at THE I.ANDING today! Call 1-800 803-/788 to reserve your own private cabin now. All other hours, feel free to leave inf{Hrn,uion at the 1Dcssage center for

prompt response. Sec ya in the air, Crcg. llAWAI! Hang gliding & ultralight BIRDS OF PJ\RADISF on Kauai. Certified tandem instrnction. (808) 822 5309 or (808) G39-1067.

IDJ\110 SUN VAi.LEY SKYSl'ORTS Idaho's only foll service bang gliding and paragliding shop. Dealers for Wills Wing, Airwavc, Edel, Advance, High and Flyrcc. Call for a list of m1ek gliders for Basic-Advanced instrucrion, tandem paragliding instrucrion, local sire and XC: guides. Call (208) 7263332.

NORM l.ESNOW'S H YJNC ADVENTURES Ridge soaring, towing, foot-launch hang gliders and paragliders. Advanced Instructor, Examiner, Tow J\dminis1ra1or, lessons. Call Norm (81 O) 399-9ii33.

TRAVERSE CITY HANG GI.IDERS/PARAGI.10.ERS FULL-TIME shop. Ccniflcd instrncrion, foot launch and tow. Sales, service, accessories for ALL major brands. VISA/MASTERCARD. Come soar our li50' dunes! 1509 E 8th, Traverse City Ml 4968/i. Offering Jlaramotoring lessons & a distributor for the new japancsc unit, the WI-IISPFR. Dealer inquiries welcome. Call Bill at (6 l6) 922-284/i. Visit our school in Jackson, Wyoming. Call Tracie at (:JO?) 739-8620.

MINNESOTA SPORT SOJ\RJNC; CENTFR/MINNFAPOLJS lnstrnction, equipment dealers for Wills Wing, Pacific J\irwavc/!i. Edel. (612) 688-0181.

NEVADA

CJ 12) 3(,(l-0700. Please RAVEN SKY SPORTS sec our ad under WISCONSIN.

ADVF.NTURE SPORTS---- Sierr,1 tours our specialty LJSl-]CJ\ certified school and ratings. Dealers for Pacifk Airwave, Wills Wing, Airborne. Fly the Sierras with a foll-service shop. ;$650-22 Research Way, Carson City, NV 89706 (702) 883-7070.

INDIANA

NEW JERSEY

JJ MITCHELi.

MOlJNTJ\lN WINCS

ILLINOIS

TANDEM. UJl, PacAir dealer.

67:B Columbia J\vc., l lammond, IN li6:"\?,4 (21 '))

815-2856.

MARCii 1996

Instruction, sales, ser-

Look under New York.

AA!\ FLIGHT SCHOOL MOUNTAIN WINGS and FAST COAST PARAGLIDING in Ellenville NY. Simply the MOST PROFESSIONAL training facility in the NE with 15 years experience. l fidl tin1c certified i11stntctors, Ii exclusive hills. We stock available for pilots and & service AIRWAVE, lJP, BLUE SKY and now WILLS WING, also SWIFT, SUPERFI.OATER ,rnd ALI. PARAGLIDF.R BRANDS. Unbeatable prices on gliders. Full time towing facility, tandems, ]Cl', clinics. We do it all. 1-800-525-7870, (911i) 61i73377. 150 Canal Street, Ellenville NY 12428. OUR EXPF.RIENCF SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

FT.Y HIGH HANG CITT)JNG, INC New York, Connccricut, Jersey areas Mm.). Area's EXCLUSIVE Wills Wing dealer/specialist. Also all other major brands, accessories.

Certified school/insrruction. since I ')"19.

Area's most INEXPENSIVE prices/repairs. Excellent secondary instrnction ... if you've finished a program and wish ro continue. Fly the mountain! /\TOI. rowing! Tandem flights! Conract Paul Voight, 51 G:I Scarsvillc Rd, Pinc Bush, NY 12566, (91 Ii) 7/ili-331 ll<AROS SPORT AVIJ\TJON ~- NYC's only certified hang gliding, paragliding, trikes school.

Distributors for !KARO 2000, AFRO, FINSTERWA LDER, APC<), LA MOUETTE, COSMOS, MOUNTAINEER TRIKES, AIR CREATION and more. Full service and equipment at best prices. The most friendly service in the area. For 1996 CATA-· LOG send $Ii to ISA, 38-·l 1 Ditmars Blvd 11110, Astoria NY 11 I O'.i. Store address: 2')-31 Newtown J\vc., J\srnria NY. Phone/fax (718) '1'77-7000.

FI.ICIIT PJ\RK SUSQUEHANNA Cooperstown, NY. Ccnificd Instruction, Sales and Service for all major rnanufacmrcrs. liO acre park, 5 ,raining hills, jeep rides, hunk house, hot showers,(,()()' NW ridge. We have the best 111 N. New York state to teach you how to fly. RD 7., Box :348/\, Cooperstown, NY 1Tl26, Cl 15) 86(i.-61 '5:l.

1

•• ,·

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

I I !ellSesend me t:SHGA Telecard(s)at$l5each!

I I P(includes 20 minutes of alr1ime) I Name I Address._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ I a~·/l,)ate/Zip I Phone ( _ ) I O Enclosed is my che<:k !or

lfSRGA Member #

($15 per card)

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

I I I

• -~ ~~ I I Signature _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ I I Mail poy!llent io USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs. CO 80933-8300. For I I information or IO order by phone, call (719) 632-8300.

I Fax (719) 632-64.17. ..I L

--------------

Order now. and get 20 minutes of airtime!

With the USHGA Telecard, you can save 40 %-50%... and support the United States Hang Gliding Associationwith every long distance call!

No matter how mruiy long diS1ance calls you make, rou'Usal'e money with the USHGATelecard!

•The USHGA Telecard saves )'OU 40%-50%owr smndard calling cards...abou125% on international t'allS! • Use )'OUr USHGA Telecard 10 call anywhere in the U.S. :ind 197 countries wodd11ide!

• You pay only25 cents a minute 10 call ru1ywbere in dte U.S.,

ani1ime...day or 1tighl!

• Use the convenient toll-free number and )'OUt credit card 10 "reclmrge" )Wr Telccard 11ilbln lhe hour; or, set up ru, amonm1ic recharge on a cenain date or when )'OUr card reaches a

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• Every call )'OU make helps support 1he United Slates Hang Gliding ASsociationl •Throw a1>11y )'OUt otlter calling cards Md gel one for )'Ourself, your spouse, ooUege students, v,·ork ~ <>dates and others!

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

Are YOU lookins for a buddy who: ... Will always go flying with you? ... Can give you some great flying tips? ... Honestly tells you where you can improve? ... Helps you get extra airtime or miles? ... Knows everything about efficient flying? ... Will share experiences on blown-out days?

success since its public debut lo A April 1995, the new SuperFloater offers: + Excellent IS: I perfonnance

Hang Gilding Training Manual

Performance Flying $29.95 by o. Pagen

$29.95 by D. Pagen

in sit-down soaring comfort (and no harness to buy!) • Superb joystick handling + Vcry simple aero or winch launching (foot launch is possible) ... .. .all for an amazingly low price. > Fully built and te.<l flown, 1he Superfloater is shipping now. Fly under Pan 103 and cbennal in d ose with your hang gliding friends.

Ultralight Soaring Aircraft

Hear what the world's best The most complete guide for piots have to say about the beginner to Intermediate secrets of performance. 8 pilots. From the training hlD 112 • 11 fo,:mat, 350 pag... to high flights and soaring, 334 Illustrations, 70 photos, this book covers It al and four-colo r cover. follows the USHGA official methods with rating test Understanding the ~l\!dy guKloo. e 1/Z • 11 Sky ·$19.95 by D. Pagen format, 370 pages, 325 A classic! All you need to Illustrations, over 70 photos, know about weather to four-color cover. maximize your flying .

.. Your best flvlne friends •

:><: -----------------------------------------------S•nct cash o, check to: Total for all book& $ SPORT AVIATION PUBLICATIONS Po.toge and handling $2.50 PO Box 101 Add S1.00towP.11. Fl,t'IO and M"'"'nmlilfe PA 16856 H. 0. Ttaln.-iQ MMual . . , , , , " '•••· • 0""'5e0s a'irmail Wdnind.

Ptease rush me the books below: l'S8Jbool< · s,.2_tot P. Flril'l9 0 H n,id. T . . I.A- 1•2995 andtlG.TJ1111S1'Mwl'--J , ~ Ing ran,,g -nus ~ · TOTAL ENCLOSED . . • .

o Perromianee Flying • . . $29.95 o H. Gliding Flyln9 SklDs, , , $9.95 SEND TO ( please print) o Understanding the Sky, . $19.95 NAME . . • . ..•..•. • o Paraglidin9 Fllght . . . . $19.95 ADDRESS • . • . • . . .. • O Powered Ultralight Flying $11 .95 .. . . , , . , . . . . . , . . o PCNI. UI. Training Coorse , $9.95 CITY, STATE , , • . • .

Save 10% order two or more books COUNTRY/ZIP . .. . . . . .

Save 20% order five or more books Total amounlfor all books $ ' ' . (pl•••• oonllnue on next column)

..DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED"

or truly independent soaring, the Cumulus ultralight motorglider is F a highly refined choice: + Soar beyond 20: I. sink as slow as hang gliders + Handle with ease and authority + Zoom beyond 80 mph, or chug along a1 60 for better than 200 miles on less than 5 gallons of fuel.

Even bener ... shut her down and soar for miles. Then, tap cbc elcclric starter and motor home easily. > The Cumulus is a three-year. lOJ>-tObonom design offering superb soaring compatible with hang gliders.

Call/fax to get Info on these 2 g reat choices.

U~ Avialion • 265 fi~o ln • ~oul~ )I ~aul M~ 55 o7s' U~A 'Teli'~ax: 612i4S0-0930

PARTS & ACCESSORIES

NORTH CAROLINA COROLLA FLIGHT America's most experienced tandem flight instructor, teaches milizing ATO L and Double Vision. Call or write for information Greg DcWolf'. Corolla Flight, PO Box 1021, Kirry Hawk NC 27949. (919) 261-6166

AEROTOWTNG ACCESSORIES Sec ING. THE WALLABY RANCH (94 l) 424-0070.

HAWK AIRSPORTS INC P.O. Box 9056, Knoxville, TN 37940-0056, (li23) 933-9296. Hang Gliding and world famous Windsoks.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK ad under Georgia.

AFRO MICROPANEL Ir Speed-ro,fly deck. Like new demo, save over $230. Just Trade in your Ball! THERMAL 1<.1LJ1',1<.-uer<:cts rninure differences in temperature from each wing Signals well before vario-tclls which way to turn. $1i9'). Best Offer! Second Cbantz AIR nr-,·,,,rr,,.,, Quick Draw model for HG. Cost $595. Best (619) 286-560/i, e-mail: Bob71 Jfhaol.com

Sec

TEXAS

AIRCOTEC Al.Ill! VARIO Works great Reserve chute, new $'.350. Full face helmet $1 (li07) 753-0200Fl.

A.A.S AUSTIN AIR SPORTS Certified foot launch, tow & tandem rraining. Sales/service AUSTIN, TEXAS Steve Burns, J 712 Waterson, 78703, (512) 474-1Ci69. HOUSTON (713) 471-1488.

Tandem Instruction • Acrotowing • Boar Towing • Paragliding • Foor Launch • Mountain Clinics • Equipment Sales and Service • Open Ycar Ronnd • Beach Resort

0

(800) 334-4777 Nags Head, NC Internet Address: http://www.kinyhawk.com E-Mail Address: hang-glidc(rilourcrbanks.com OHIO NORTH COAST llANC GLIDING Certified lnstrnction. New & used gliders. Specializing in Pacific Ai,wave gliders. Mike Dd Signore, J 916 W. 75d, St., Cleveland, OJI. 44102 (216) 6.31--1 llili.

SKYWARD ENTERPRISES MARIO MANZO. Foor launch insrrncrion, weekend. Towing, glider repair. Seedwings, Wills Wing, PacAir, CG 1000.

Evenings (513) 848-3520 Dayton, Ohio.

HTT.J. COUNTRY PARAGLIDING INC I.earn complete pilot skills. Personalized USHGA certified ridge soari11g foot & tow launching in central MOTORIZED PARAGLIDING INSTRUCTION & EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE. (915) 379-1185. Rt I, Box 161:, Tow TX 78672.

1

KITE ENTFRPRJSES lnsrruction, sales, repairs, rowing and foot launch. Dallas & North Texas area.

211 Ellis, Allen TX 75002. (2 [Ii) 390-')090 anytime.

Dealer, Pacific Airwave, Wills Wing.

RED RlVER AIRCRAFT/(;() HANG GJ.IDING Jeff llunt-Owncr. Texas's most acrive school and shop. Quality service and instruction .. .li81 I Red River St., Austin TX 78'151, ph/fax (512) 467-2529.

Area's OLDEST Wills TOTAL ATR SPORTS Wing dealer. Cenifled instmction available. "I only DEAL with WILLS". 6.154 Limestone, 1louston TX 77092. ('713) 956-6147.

OREGON

BALL VARIO 651 Excellent condition, first takes it! (209) 431-9698.

UTAH AIRTIME ORE(;()N Certified instruction on modern eqHipment. Year-round ftJll service shop with lots of gliders, harnesses, chutes in stock. Dealer for Blue Sky, Moyes, PacAir, WW, I.cc, Reflex, Panoramic, cc;, lligh Energy, Mantis and lots, lots rnorc. Largest invc1ii-ory in the state. Eugene area phone/fax (5/i 1) 998-12).0.

PENNSYLVANIA MOUNTAIN TOP RECREATION Certified insrrnction, Pimburgh. (412) 697-4477. C'MON OUT AND PLAY!

VUJ;rURE GLIDERS Superior USIJGA insrrucrion at The Point of the Mountain. New Falcon trainers. Shop is l O minutes from hill. Dealer for Moyes, WW, l'acAir. Call Charlie (801) 254-6141.

WASATCH WINGS USHGA ccrrilied hang gliding school, dealers for Wills Wing, Moyes and l'acif'ic Airwave. Flight operations at Point of the Mountain.

Call Zac (801) 277-1042.

VIRGINIA KJTTY HAWK KITES

MOUNTAlN WINGS

Sec North Carolina.

Look under New York.

WISCONSIN

'fENNESSEE ALPJNE LODGE At Raccoon Mounrain. Private rooms, bunkhouse, jacuzzi, pool. Work program.

(615) 821-2546 Chattanooga, Chuck or Shari.

58

lightcsr, most comfortable hang glider Aerodynamic, low turbulence, low drag shape. tech look. Vinish is clear resin over the Pold/1,lac:k weave of the super-strong carbon/kevlar outer Open face, only 12 oz., price $160. lntcgrnl full version, only 17 oz. $199 includes headset tion. Measure around head and from bottom of lobe over top to bottom of earlobe for custom 1:rom the designer, Jack Lambie, 8160 W,oo,Jsb,ol'I), Anaheim CA 92807. Phone and fax (714)

RAVEN SKY SPORTS HANG CI.TDINC AND PARAGl.lDINC Largest and most popular in rhc Midwest. 'T'rnclirional curriculum, ridge soaring, mountain clinics, Dragonfly acrotowing & randcnrn by Brad Kushner. Sales/service/accessories for all major brands.

PO Box l Ol, Whitewater WI 53190 (Ii 14) 473-8800.

Super BFST 12" WI-IF.ELS AVAILABLE lightweight, a musr for training, rnndem in bushings. Only USA-built 12" quantity discounts. Immediate delivery.

Mountain, (800) 688-LMFP.

HANG GLJDINC

C/\MER/\ REMOTE ?.O', fits most cameras.

Snaps on over existing shut tcr release. $Ii 5 (ask ahout our imrod11ctory $ [ 0 rchatc). Tck Plight Products, Colebrook Srage, Winsted CT 06098. (C::tmcr:1 1101 included.)

CLEARANCE S/\LE PRICE New B:111 M.J'JE $.'l.'l7 with free airspeed indicator. (812) 288,7111.

Kcntuckiana Soaring.

GET HIGH and stay there with accessories designed ro help you get it up and keep it there, with minimal "WALLET SUCK"!

CARMIN C:PS .'l8 ..

M/\GFLI.AN CPS 2000 .. c;/\RMIN GPS liO. G/\RMIN CPS li5 ..

Jll(;J J PERSl'EC'J'IVE WHEFI.S Real life savers!

1?.", light, 1011gb. !'its all gliders. Send $4 l.95 + $/i.50 pair to Sport Avia1io11, PO Box IOI, M1n1,,t1v1lle Pl\ 1685(,. Ask about our dealer prices.

INTFCRAL l'UI .I. !'ACE Helmet, extra small, best offrr. Other helmets ro choose from. (Ii 14) li73·8800.

MlNI VARIO World's smallest, simplest v:uio!

Clips 10 helmet or chinstrnp. 200 l10urs 011 batteries, (J, 18,000 {i., fast response and 2 year warr:imy. Creal 1,,r too. ONLY $169. Mallettec, PO Box 15756, S:rnta Ana C:/\, ')2.7.'l'i. (71 Ii) %6. J 2/iO. .'v!C/Visa accepted.

The world.class XCR 180 ~tl] 8,000 h. a11d weighs only cylinder, harness, on/off llowmcter, only

up to .3 hours C:ompkte kit with cannula a11d remote

.................. $1 ')'! ................ $199 ... $269

.. ........ $2W!

/\vocet Watches ... .. ............. $99 PTT lingerswitch. .. ............... $85 Amazing Eartalk .. ................ $85 Braunigcr Basis Vario (demo) .. .. .......... $3'!'! l\rnunigcr Comp Vario (demo) . .. ......... $799 P:uafoil kites.for those windy d:iys!

2.1M. ............ P.?.5 2.7M .. ........ $255 3AM. ..................... $300 S11p'Air Prn··I'eel l Ltmcss ... .... Call Sup' /\ir Kevlar Back Protector. ................... $199 Kiwi full.face helmet . ........... $16') ................ $69 Kiwi Polycarbonate helmet ..

Damnhot HG :vlitts ... . ........... $.1'!

Damnhot PC Mitts.. .. .............. $!iii Camclback 32oz.. . ........... .$2') ................. $13 Camclback 70oz..

C/\l.L CHAD at (805) %9 I 667 for more info.

MARCIi 19%

H/\NG GLIDER CAMERA MOUNT Shown on I/)" 111bc, $39.50 includes shipping. TFK FLIGHT PRODUCTS. Colebrook Stage, Winsted CT 06098. (U,O) 3'7') · I 668 (Camera 1101 included).

QUICK RFJ.l'./\SF CAR/\BI NFR ITIF l.lTFK VE'.l5 variomctcr has insranr response, and a smootl1 2'i0 degree true movc1nclll (No liquid th:ll can or Fog up and need /\nd it also has the classic l.itck sound. Only $ I 'JS. 1.irck (50.3) 17').66.'33, li326 Fish I latchery Road, Crams Pass OR 97527.

$19.'Vi. Extra hall lock pin, $29.00. I 0,000 lhs., dealers welcome, patent Thermal I 9/i:l I ,Ii I llnsincss Center Ilrivc, C:/\ 9132/i. (818) /01·7'>8l.

new

59

ifi VARIOS Near new Flyrcc 3005 $375. New Digifly VI.JOO $400. (801) 25/i .. 6141.

VARIO'S: FLIGHT DECKS NEW BALL GRAP[ I res PLUS ................... $CALL ll1\Ll. MI') ........................ 1994 ................. $337.00 BALI. M 19 ........................ 1995 DEM0 ..... $405.00 AFRO ................................ DEMO ............... $CALI. Fl.Yrnc 3005 ................... DEM0 .............. $415.00 FLYTFC 3005S1... ............. DFM0 .............. $459.00 FLYTEC 3020 ................... DEM0 .............. $630.00 FI.Yl'EC 3030 ................... DEMCL ........... $721.00 AIRCOTFC PICCOLO PLUS .... DEMO ... $441.00 BRAlJNIGER BASIS..... .. .............. $450.00 BRAUNICFR CLASSIC ............................. $680.00 lrn.AUNlGER COMPETITION .............. $'/'>0.00 WASMER ALTl/V ARIO .............. $:J00.00 MAI.I.ETl'EC ......... $15').95 TANC:EN'I ................ . ........ $CALL

HELMETS

REFLEX ............................ FULL 1:ACE ..... $155.00 PANORAMIC ....... HJLI. FACE ..... $149.00 LEF.--1' I . ...$230.00 l.EE-F2....... ...$280.00 I.FE ARC. ................ .. ..... $320.00 PFJ.LF ...... FULL 1:ACE ..... $160.00 UVEX ............. FUT I. 1:AcE .... $290.00

USHC:A instructor Tom Sapienza, of Airtime Oregon says, ''I've tested and recommend Wind Advisory'., Dependable. Built to last. No batteries required.

AIR/WIND SPEED INDICATORS

HELP You LAUNCH & FLY SAFE}

THESE RAISED RELIEF Topographical maps bring the landscape to life before your eyes!

Mountains, rivers, and roads arc clearly recognized for planning local and cross co11n1ry flights. Handsome solid oak frames arc available for m:tps with an .

Specify map when ordering. STATE MAPS: Arizona, Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Monlana, New Mexico, New York, Nonh Ctrolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania/New Jersey, Texas, Ulah, Washington, Wyoming. OTHER RAISED RELIEF MAPS INCLUDE: Unilcd States, Mexico, World.

Mosr National Parks, Shenandoah, Yosemite, Creat Smokey and many more. Sizes vary and arc approximately 21i"x2il''. Orhcr maps available. Send $29.95 +$:) s/h (unframed) or $5/i.95 +$5.50 s/h (framed) to: Dale Robinson, 23 Tysons Ford Road, Newark DE 19711. (302) 7) J .8507.

RADIOS-Al.I. MODELS AVAILABJ.F ..... 'S wall ............... $30'\.00 YAFSU FTl l R KENWOOD Tl !2.2 ..................................... $285.00 PT!' FlNGERSWJTCII/HEADSET ............. $89.00 5/8 TEI.FSCClPI<: AN'l'ENNA ..................... $20.95 5/8 CAIN DUCK ANTFNNA ...................... $17.95 EAR 'J'AI.K-Sl'EAKER/MIC SYSTEM .......... $8/i.OO VC22 YAESU VOX/PT! ..................... ..$58.95 MOBl I.E .......................... 50 w:m ............. $375.00 TUNE UP ..... w/WARRANTY INTACT .... $35.00 MAXON 2550 ............................................ $3/i9.00 PARACHUl'ES From HES, Wills Wing WIIJ.S W!NC LARA ........ w/Paraswivcl ....... $CAJ.I. HFS QUAN'l'UM ......................................... $CAIJ.

TFK 6" WHEELS $25 per pair, plus $3 S/H. Tck Flight Products, Colebrook Slage, Winsted CT 06098. (860) 379- 1668.

OTHER NEAT STUFF WIND ADVISORY AIRSPEED W/CI.AMP .. $2:J.OO IIAU. PARA(;\ mER AIRSPEED ................ $28.95 HOOK KNIFE .............................................. $14.95 'l'OW REJ.EASE ................ MASON'S .......... $52.00 BAR MJ'l"f'S-U Ml'!TS ............................... $35-$90 SKY WATCH AIRSl'EED ............................. $69.00

DON'T GET C:AlJGl-IT LANDING DOWNWIND! 1.5 oz. ripstop nylon, UV treated, 5'/i" long w/11" throat. Available colors fluorescent pink/yellow or fluorcsccnl pink/while. $39.95 (+.$4.00 S/1·[). Send to USHGA Windsok, P.O. Box 1330, Color,1do CO 8090 l ·· 1330, (719) 6:32-8'.300, fax (71 6:32-6/i 17. VISA/MC accepted.

PUBLICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS CALL lJSHGA form. From rhc early l!tmg Gliding. (719) 632-8300.

KENTUCKIAN/\ SOARING 425 N Taggart Avenue Clarksville IN 47129 (812) 288-ll I I fax (812) 28/i-41 Vi

ULTRAMITTS Now with chemical HANDWARMER pockets and IMPROVED wrislcuffs.

Keep your hands ro,my WARM! (706) '3')8-3961.

60

WIND ADVISORY With MOUNTING BRACKET only $24.50, includes s/h. You save $2. 50. Sold scparalely-lndicator only $15 +$2 s/h; Mounting br;ickcr $8 +$2 s/h. Specify sbon or long br:tckcl with your order. J:orcign orders add $7. per item purchased. Send check or MO ro Pacific Resources, l'O Box 906/i, San Diego CA 92169.

(619) 270-9462. Smisfocrion Guaramced!

to rhc prescnl

appreciate your support and patronage. Tell the1n you saw their 1n

flang Gliding.

HANG CUDINC

And v1:n.

OFFIClAI. l'AA SECTlONAI. Terminal Arca Charis. All nrcas, currcut (up 10 dare New Airspace Classifications). Sectional maps $7 each, VFR Terminal Arca Charts $Ii each. Add ship and (Cal. rcsidcnrs only) tax. Dealer prices. ofS.F. (/i15) 759-1177, fax (415) 759-118?..

Ul.TRALJNF ·-· 3/J(," %011 breaking mcng1h, .300()' ...~ 105 shipping included. Volume discounts.

Cajun Hang Gliding Club, l IO Kem Circle, I ,afayctte LA 70508. (.,IB) 981-8:ln.

VIDEOS & FILMS l1TRST FLIGHT -· 1:ollows rhc action ol' a new pilot's flrst lessons. This video is an cntcnaining to show your rricnds :ind f'amily how learn 10 lly. VJ IS 15 minutes. $20 shipping (11111y bt applied to lesson MISSION SOARING CENTFR, 11 J(i Way, Milpit:ts CA 95035. (li08) 262- l 055.

DOWNWIND horn the early days of the 70's, ro the big-time air oC Owen's Valley, DOWNWIND is l"1cked with thrill and exhilaration of cross country advcnlurc.

The perfect gift for both pilots and non-pilots. SHARF Tl!F FXPERJENC:E. A tntc story, well told. Available from USHCA Headquarters for only $10.95 (,$). s/h).

PO Box I .BO, Colorado Springs CO 8090 l -1330.

HANC Gl.lDlN(; 1990-19'H. !'Ins 20 (;round Skimmer magazines. Make offor. John (305) 245-70/i').

I CAN LAND 150 good, bad & ugly landings. A must for all .students. 90+ minutes & lots of aero.

Send $.15 money order to: Jeff Reynolds, I ')02 F Sharon Drive, Phoenix A/, 85022.

lf you don'r have your copy nf Dennis BA(; lT! Pagen's PERFORMANCE FLYING yet, available through USHC:A Hcad'luartcrs $29.95 (,$Ii s&h).

SPECIAL NEW PILOT EDITION Hang Cliding & Paragliding mag:izine. Now available througli USHC:A Ilcadquartcrs. Sii.')5 each +$1.50 s/h. lnformarive articles and lot's of color throughout.

POINT OF Tl!F MOUNTAIN Award winning F.:1.11 Coast Video, hr;lpg action at this Utah mecca IIANG GJ.JDING EXTREME & BORN TO FLY hy i\dvrnturc Vidrn, great hg action $:lli.95 c:rch. HAWAIIAN FI.YIN by Space 9, soaring in pat adisc $:l3. Call or fox USHCA (719) <,32-8'.JOO, fox (719) 6:l2-Gli17, please +$Ii domestic s/h (,$5 f<,r two or more videos). Creat to impress your friends or for those socked-in days. Pcrfoct gi{i for the launch pota· ro turned couch potaro. Also, ;1sk us abo111 our

SOAR]N(; Monthly magazine of The Soaring Society America, !nc. Covers :ill aspects of soaring flighr. Full membership $55. Info. kit with sample copy $3. SSA, l'.O. Box E, Hobbs, NM 88241. (505) 392 I 1T7.

or

paragliding, videos!

MISCEI.LANF.O\JS

TOWING

/TANG GLIDING FOR BEGINNER PILOTS

by Pete Cheney. The Official lJSHCA Trnining Manual. Over 2(,0 pages, wi1 h more than i 60 easy-lo· 11ndcrs1and illus1ra1ions and phoros. Your lihrnry staris with this book! $29.95 (plus $/i.00 s/h) Colorado residents add :l'Vr, tax. SEND/FAX/Pl IONE TO USJ!CA BOOKS, P.O. Box 1:1:IO, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-UlO, FAX (719) 632-6iil7, PHONE (719) 632-8300. VISA/MC accepted.

AEROTOWING ACCESSORIES -- l lcadquartcrs for: The finest releases, releases, Spectra "V" bridles, weak links, tandem lauuch cart kits, etc. TIIE WALLABY RANCH (911) 12/i-0070.

TOWHFAD C!FT EXTRAO[)]NAlRE -~ ATOL launch system, like new, hardly used. Contacr Ron Kenney (316) (,97 .. 7,577_ COMPL.FTF. TOW RIC 1978 Jeep wirh payout winch & 1000' Spectra, ready to go, runs gre:11, one person operation. Total package $2,600. Will separate winch. (407) 753-0200 Florida.

HIGHER THAN EAGLES - hy Maralys & Chris Wills. The lifo & times of BOBBY WILLS, hang gliding legend. the triumphs and of the Wills and rhc evolution of Wills $19.95 hardcover (+$Ii.OD SIil), sec preceding classified for LJSHC:A BOOKS ordering info.

MARCH 19%

"AEROBATICS" ...._ Full color 2:l''x 31" l""tcr kamring John I kincy doing wlra1 he docs bes1--I.OOJ' ..

INC Available through US! !CA I lQ for jus1 $6.9'i (r·$3.'50 s/h). Fill thai void on your wall' Srnd to lJSl !CA Acroba1ics Poster, PO !lox UOO, Colorado Springs C:O 80933. (USA & Canada only. Sorry, pos1crs arc NOT AYAll.ABl.l,: on international orders.) SPECIAL-Acrobatics poster & Frie Raymond poster-BOTH FOR$ IO (,$3. 50 s/h).

1

PAYOUT WfNCH DEMO SALE Automatic level-wind, overhead fairlcads, pilor-·opcratcd nose release, ,i()()()' specrr:1, 23mph rewind, 3 recovery chutes, 10w bridles. Mounrs ro boat ski pylon, c:ur also nuck/trailor mount $2,ii95 (regular $3,500).

Appropriare 971 Fisherman's Cove, Seneca SC: 2%72. Phone 88'i-0949.

SCOOTER TOW STATIONARY WINCH ,,u1n1J1c1.c with 1r:1ining for instruction $2,500. Dave Allen TX (near Dall:,s). (2H) 996 7706 wee"'""''· (21 Ii) 3')() .. 9()90 evenings & weekends.

1n

What a 61

lassifieds VIDEOS BOOKS & POSTERS Call USHGA for your Merchandise order form (719) 632-8.300.

DON'T LEAVE YOUR GROUND .. BOUND EQUIPMENT SITTING IN THE GARAGE. SELL IT IN THE HANG GLIDING CLASSIFIEDS.

"DANClNG WITH TIIE LADY" Watercolor art depicted on the front of a white pre--slmmk Bccfy-T. Specify L,XL,XXL. Shon sleeve $15, long sleeve $17. order shipping. Send check or money Add $2. 50 order to: Wear, PO Box 544, Signal Moumain TN 37:377.

886-6391. Dealer inquiries welcome.

FIVE STAR TIME SHARE San Diego. Very cheap, musl sell! Contact Bill (711) 471 .. IJ887.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES The rare for classified advertising is $.50 per word (or group of characters) and $1.00 per word for bold or all caps. MINI ..

MUM AD CHARGE $5.00. A fee of$15.00 is charged for each line art logo and $25.00 for each photo. UNFART &. PHOTO SIZE NO LARGER THAN 1.75" X 2.25". Please underline words to be in bold print.

Special layouts of tabs $25.00 per column inch.

AD DEADLINES All ad copy, instructions, changes, additions and cancellations must be received in writing 1 112 momhs preceding the cover date, i.e. October 20th for the December issue. Please make checks pC1yable to USHGA Classified Advertising Dept.

HANG GLIDJNG MAGAZINE, P.O. Box l'l30, Colorado Springs, CO 8090] .. ]330 (719) 632-8300 or fax (719) 632-64 \ 7 with your Visa or Mastercard.

STOLEN WINGS & THINGS RAMAUl 154 Stolen from home in OAKIAND, CA on December I Ii, 1995. Blue/purple LE, red undcrsurface. (510) 339-6263.

RAMAIR 154 Stolen from the HA WAlIAN HANC GUDfNG ASSN CLUBHOUSE, MAKAPUU, HI, during the first week of September, 1995.

White LE, large deep blue underpancl. Reward! Call Mike Heilman (808) 533-4193.

"MOONSHADOW" Highly detailed blue/white/purple artwork on black, prcshrnnk Beefy ..

T. Specify S,M,L,XL,XXL short sleeve $15, long sleeve $17. Add $2.50 per order shipping. Send check or money order to: Sky Wear, PO Box 514, Signal Mountain TN J7377. (423) 886-6391. Dealer inquires welcome.

WILLS WING 145 AT Stolen from the top of BLACK MTN., MAPLE FALLS, WA on August 16, 1995. White LE, orange 1st panel, white mid-panel, yellow rear panel, white TE & top surface.

Fluorescent orange nose cone, nick in right LE 12" from tip. Contact James Fieser/Whatcom Wings (360) 671-3037.

WlLLS WING 145 AT Stolen from VICTORIA BC, CANADA on June 19, l 995. White LE w/orange triangle patch on each side, orange/blue undcrsurface. Peter Moulton (601) 850-6707.

STOLEN WINGS are listed as a service to USHGA members. Newest entries are in bold. There is no charge for this service and lost and found wings or equipment may be called in (719) 632-8.300 or fax it in (719) 632-6417 for inclusion in Hang Gliding magazine. Please call to cancel the listing when gliders arc recovered. Periodically, this listing will he purged.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Adventure Video ........... ., .................. .46 AirBorne .............................. Back Cover Aircotec ........... ,.................................. 38 Arai Design ........................... ., .......... .47 Blue Sky Aircraft ................................. ,7 Brauniger ........................................... 31 Colorado Paragliding ......................... 30 Flytec ................................................. 39 Hall Bros .............................................. 6 High Energy Sports ............................ 50 Just Fly ............................................... 43 Kitty Hawk Kites ............................... 38 Lookout Mtn, Flight Park .................. 15

MBNA ............................................... 41 Mojo's Gear ................. ,. ................... .46 NAA ............ ,............. ,........ ,............. .47 NAS .... ,................................... , ............ 2 Pacific Airwave .............................. 44,4 5 Seedwings., .......... , ..... ,., ...................... 31 Soaring Center ................................... 30 Sport Aviation Publications ................ 57 UP International ............................... 8,9 US Aviation ....................................... 57 USHGA ......... ,..................... .4,27,28,56 Viking Films ..................................... .47

Wills Wing ......................................... 23

WINDSEEKER More fon than a barrel of downrubcs. Ii soars, it loops, i1 flies! ONLY $3.00 plus $2 s/h

(%3 slh on OIYlm of 3. More than 3 or Int 'l ordm, />lease call) USH GA, PO Box l 3'l0, Colorado Springs CO 8090 I. ('719) 632.. 8300, fax your MC/Visa with order to (719) 632 ..6417. YOU'LL WANT MORE THAN JUST ONE-THEY'RE JUST TOO MUCH FUN!

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© 1996 ~y Dan Johnson ORLANDO, FI.ORI DA Escc1ping Minn0,sotc1' s arctic winter [or a few days of work in Florida, U1is column comeE, to you from the sunshine state where I got a of a new de,Jign in testing. t shows a distinctly American slant ... on a new glider design trend that seems to to be trength in Europe. ••• What with wing lets last year and internal ribs the year before well, also ram scoops used by at least two builders before that idea lost momentum l:he new notion of "toplessness" appears hot as a pistol. French giant La Mouette already hem a glider called the Topless, and German leader Bautak has an entry in the topless sweepstakc,s named the Sunrise. 'l'hese gliders have no upper whatsoever. La Mouette is c1dvertising •no kingpost and no compression strut." ·rhe on, France-based company also boasts a four Gs load capability thanks to a carbon spar. Of course, they also claim it has an "unbeatable glide angle" and "great handling." (But then, rarely are such quali t:i c0s left out of the advertisincJ of any new gl der, eh?). La Monette goes on to further tantalize with this sl.:atement, "Not on does [this conE;truct on] reduce the drag of the top and kingpost plus the interference drag, it Jso 11ows revo u ionary deve opments, impor,,sible witb the rigid standard frame." La Mouette is apparently delivering their newest glider, so i you're one who's gotta have th.e latest and greatest, contact La Mouette in France by Eaxinq 011·33-80-55-42-01 or calling 011-33-80-56-66-47.

••• At least some knowled~:reab10, observers suspect:. tbe glider has highly washed out to accommodate the strains of a topless design. However, photof, in La Mouette's ad and in an Italian magazine article show the Topless ,md thP Sunrise exhibiting quite flat that appear as good as so-called standa.rd gliders. ••• America missing out on this trend?

Whether toplessness is a gc-:)nuine development or clever new marketing trick, we' find out ,3oon c~nougb ( as wi tb tbe ram in1 t?) .

Meanwhile my visit t:o Orlando made me aware of an American design going through more testing without upper g.r_ lower rigging. Hmmm?

Yep, a visit to the Wallaby Ranch revealed efforts to put a new Terry Reynolds design on test truck. For those who've forgotten, Reynolds was an of the airframe TRX. His fascinating new idea is not only top] ss but bottomless as well. A massive tapered compos:L te cro:crn bar and keel plates eliminate the upper and lower rigging without adding struts. Of course you st:iLL must have a control bar, so sweeping composite f:orm arcs around from the nor;e to present il "handling ba.r" to the pilot. Rancb boss, Malcolm Jones, says the Reynolds glider MARCH 19%

is heavy and is a work in progress, but he feels it introduces new concepts. Wha makes the new Reynolds design doubly interesting is that Will Wing is fully aware of it, in fact, having done some testing of the new design on their test truck. '.I'he lrva11aby Rancb effort follows the WW work, addressing the pitching moment and other chanc:res in U1e evolving design. Load carrying ability was said to be satisfactory. ••• Comparing tb:ree gliders to Dick. Boone's struttec:I Dawn... it is clear that new concepts are at work. '.I'he new gliders have a distinctly innovative look to them.

I'll be more gliders of tbis description will emerge. After my dour words about low glider builder advertising at l:he of t:he year, such new activities a much needed spark (just as Wills' s Ram Air created such a sensation that over 100 were sold before i t had even been released) . I' 11 keep watching the trend but appreciate advisori eE, from any pilots who are aware of exciting new deve opment ••• 'I'hough their gliders are more conventiona1, they' re beautifully built in that talian trademark way. 'm talking about the Laminar, whose builder Icaro 2000 is making a bigger bid for American customerr,.

A mailing recently went out to many pilots and business people. Icaro' s Boy Wonder to compare with Moyes' s Sucbanek is Manfred Ruhmer. Placing Second at the '95 Worlds in Ager, Spain, Ruhmer is a hot talent indeed; he's logged several Firsts. If you want info on this brand fax 011-39-332 648 079 or phone 011-39332 64B 33:.;, Yes, they have E'ng_Ush _Ii tarature l:o sand you. ••• In closing, Just Fly has a new GPS for those of you who haven't jumped on this latest bandwagon.

Common among electronic goodies, a new Garmin 38 model offers a lowest-yet price of $299 and ,Just Fly knocks anothEc,r $100 off... to only $199! If you haven't bought yet, do so now!

GPS units are at least intriguing if not darned important to any kind of distance flying. Where else can you buy so much fun for less than $200? With a case looking just 1 ike the Garmin 4 0, t.he 3 8 doesn ' l: supply a carrying case, training video, or four AA batteries allowing Garmin to shave the price even more. It does have a couple new features as well as a low price tag. One is a compass page that looks like a rotating compass, a handy idea. Another useful function is a back. track feature that lets you jump back to your previous screen (waypoints or whatever). True, the may drop a few dollars more, but in my mind, $199 makes Just Fly's Garmin 3B a true commodity item.

I doubt the price wiJ.1 descend much further.

Call 1-800/546 3596. ••• Hey! Outta room.

So, got news or opinions? Send 'em to 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Vmail or fax to 612/4500930. EmaiJ to Cumu1usMan@ao1.com. THANKSJ

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