USHGA Hang Gliding April 1996 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

PARA G LI DE RS

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

(USPS 01 7-970-20- lSSN 0895-433X)

10 1995 Annual Accident Review Summary by Luen Miller, USHGA Accident Review Chnirman Lessons learned from last year.

16 Birds In Paradise article andphotos by George Ferris Hang gliding in the Grand Canyon of che Pacific.

~J 5

32 Pilot Report: Wills Wmg XC 142 and 155 by Paul Voight A look ac WilJs Wmg's laresc high-performance design.

40 Flying Kiwi Skies

43 Hang Glider Drogue Chutes by john Ryan

An update on chis performance-degrading device.

48 Book Review: Hang Gliding Training Manual by Bill Bryden Dennis Pagen's lacesr chef-d'ouevre.

Columns

Departments

Cartoon, by Harry Martin......................... 6

Airmail ...................................................... .4

Competition Corner ................................ 12

Ratings .......................................................9

USHGA Reports .....................................39

Calendar of Evenrs ...................................20

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

Update .....................................................24 Classified Advertising ............................. .51 Index co Advertisers .................................62

COVER: I ;im· Tudor ;11 !'om·,· Pin,·,. ( :alifornia in., \\'ill, \X'ing XC. !'how bv Rob Kt'II,. CFNTERSPRFAD: l'aul Voight <>\t'f <)ut·st Air Highr P,irk nl'ar ( )rl.111do. Horid.1 in .1 Will, Xl :. !'horn b1· l'aul Voight. St'l' ,rorv 011 pagl' .>2. DISCLAIMER OF WA RRANTIES IN PUBI.ICATIONS: The 111.ttcri.1l pr,·"·111nl hn,· i, publi,hcd .1, pan of .111 informa tion dissemination ,nvin· for L:SHC,\ members. The LISI ICA makl', no warr;111tic, or rl'pn..·,cnt~Hinn, .111J a. . ,unH:, nn liahility lOlll·l·rning the validit~' of an~· ~u..h-i1...'<..', opinion or n.·1..·<>111111c11d.uinn c,prt'"cd in rhc 111a1cri.1l. All i11di\'idu.1l, rd\'lng upon rill' material do ,o .11 their own ri,k. ( :np,Tight (<") ] <Jl)(, l :nirnl .'iratl', H.111g ( ;Iiding Assn .. Inc ;\II right, reserved ro H,wg ( ;/iding .rnd i11di,·id11al u1111rih11ror,. APRIL 1996

Editor, The 1996 Women's Team would like

success, thanks to all you who purchased We enjoyed the e111terta!l11u:tg anecdotes

out to all rhose who (1onatec1 the prizes to our raffle so entic·· K11,ri G1stle receiving her trophy as the new Wr;mens World Champion. Photo by Nikhi Driver. and also to those of who helped us sell rickets. Our T-shirrs were also a big pan of accidents reported which were caused by pilots prioritizing attention to pod zipper fund-raising effort. It turns out that problems is four. (Not that it appears it of you who have them are now wc:anng a picture of the new World would have made any difference, but ,.,11,«111p1<u11: Thanks to everyone who Robert McKenzie wasn't one of them; his purch.asc:d a shirt and again to those of pod was open). who helped sell them. I-laving a pod unzipped for landing is The support that the hang gliding by no means obligatory. The aforemcn·· comrnurnty showed our team this year tioned pilots were injured precisely and solely because of that mind set. Landing remarkable. We hope that future \Xh,m,c."·,. World Teams will be so fortu·· a glider is obligatory, and having an open pod and being upright arc desirable. A A foll, detailed article will appear month abom the meet. stuck zipper docs not preclude the latter status. Thanks again and happy flying! If you're still having zipper problems by the time you're on final make a quick decision as to what kind of stains you want to be cleaning from your harness grass or blood. ZIPPERS Editor, The number of accident reports pubover the past year involving pilots were injured as a result of pod zipproblems is zero. 'fhe number of

Tad Earcckson Millersville, MD

HANC GLIDINC

Dear Editor, I understand that despite the recent modifications of the USHGA waiver there is, among a minority, a continued stirring of discontent. There are some so adamant they have declared that in protest they will not sign even the modified waiver. The waiver is not beyond the extent allowed by law. T think the vast majority of pilots believe the modified waiver is principally reasonabk in what it expects pilots to take on as our responsibility. Even those who might feel trepidation understand that sometimes we have to compromise our belief in what is absolutely fair in order to obtain what we want. l have flown at sites around the country, ,md invariably there is a release to be signed for launch, landing, or both. Not once have J seen or heard of a situation in which a pilot left withom flying because he was unwilling to sign a release. [ n fact, mosr pilots don't appear co read the releases. They wam ro fly, and if taking complete responsibility for that privilege whether considered foir or not is what is required, that is what cbcy do. If your USIIGA membership expires afrer March 31 and you feel a strong personal ethical necessity to protest by not signing and renewing, then don't. However, have the courage to moml!y stand by your convictions. Let: us kn.ow who you are, and after your USHGA membership expires, don't try to fly. Your protest of righteousness docs not entitle you to endanger the rights of others. Our insurance policy requires that a pilot who flies an insured site be a USHGA member. There arc uninsured sites, however, and these arc generally overseen, maintained and cared about by a chapter group. Even the rogue sites arc home to a group of pilots who have an interest in protecting the site. Without USJJGA membership you do not have the personal liability insurance. Do you noc owe your follow pilots the responsibility of being fully insured if you fly there? APRIL 1996

Rather than give up flying, can protest not be better served? If you think die modified waiver requires too much, maybe you should hire a lawyer to write an alternative to submit to the USHGA. Call your Regional Director and give him or her reasonable feedback. Despite comments to the contrary, the USHGA is noc run via town meetings. We elected a competent, volunteer Board of Directors whom we ignore and give no assistance 98% of rhc time. Offer your help to your Regional Director ro research and explore wavier options for the future. I applaud our elected Board of Directors. Our insurance costs have risen at a harrowing rate. ·rhcrc have been claims. USHGA's legal counsel said a waiver was necessary. When there were comments of concern made by t:bc mem-bership, they were immediately addressed by rhe Board. The Board understands the frailty of hang gliding. Our sport's continuation is depcndenr upon the properties of states, counties and private individuals for our launch and landing privileges. ln a country fraught with litigation, uninterrupted insurance coverage is an absolute ncc:cssi-ty. If we lose our insurance a majority of U.S. sites could close down immediately. The Brnird is folly informed and feels that insurance coverage must be protect· ed. lt is be! ieved that pan of that protection requires that we as pilots take personal responsibility, in writing, for our participation in a risk sport. Is this unrcaso11ablc? Racan Permenter White Hall, Maryland

Dear Editor, l would like to comment on recent letters to the editor written by Doug Rice and Seth Forrester, based partly 011 cxpe·ricnces of my own as well as others. While l agree with Rice that flying on the basctube longer does indeed give one

a wider range of speed options, it docs so at the expense of roll authority and may well preclude one from surviving a bad landing by going in prone. I must admit that having tried to learn to fly to the ground on the basetube, I personally noted on numerous occasions a decreased ability to control the glider. This is far more noticeable for me since I am a smaller, lightweight pilot who isn't very strong! I need the mechanical or strength advantage one gets from being on the uprights in rowdy conditions. Furthermore, I hardly consider Tc)rrey Pines the western cguivalent of a difficult or obstructed landing zone. Tf Doug Rice wishes to compare difficult landing areas, most X-C pilots in Southern California have not only had to deal with small, tight LZ's, hut very likely .more turbulent ones than are frequently experienced on the East Coast. As T mentioned, I also feel that flying on the uprights may be safer for pilots in terms of damage control. If a pilot is going to "crash" anyway, he will come through with far less threatening injuries by not landing head first. l unfortunately discovered this firsthand recently when T broke my back coming in prone. I will be the first to admit that several other facrors were at play in this particular incident, however, I strongly believe that if Thad come in on rhc downrnbes like I used to, 1 would not have sustained any serious injury. One would wonder if the same were true of an experienced competition pilot in the past who came in prone and crashed but did nor survive. Finally, I would like to say that neither approach is inherently "right" or "wrong." It is more a pilot preference based on individual strengths and weaknesses. Lots of pilots have no trouble with flying on the hasetube to the ground, particularly when they are cxpc·· ricnccd with it. I simply wish to point out that the issue involves more than meets the eye, and cannot be reduced to a simple matter of f1ying a "fast final" which everyone agrees is a positive thing. Obviously, much of hang gliding technique has been adopted through trial and error. Given the relatively small number

Air Mail of pilots and the inability to control conditions (and pilot technique) one cannot scientifically support many specific techniques. So often our "evidence" in safety matt:ers is anecdotal at best. Consequently, l feel that this issue may not have an absolute answer, and not to acknowledge it as so is relatively short-· sighted. Bronwyn I-Tam ilton Grand Terrace, CA

courage. ff it were not for the friendly support of my newfound friends, that would have been it, but Dave (one of the newly appointed "father figures" and instructor) took up my detuned Kiss to show me how stable it was. I then had to fly in order not to further embarrass my coaches. The Kiss behaved itself as always well. The point of this letter is to emphasize the importance of a professional operation in furthering interest in the sport. Old geezers like me need to be prodded, and new pilots need total

involvement and morivation from their "coaches." Wallaby Ranch has it all. Thanks Malcolm, Rhetr, Dave and John for making it possible for a "chicken" to experience aerorowing at its best. will be back shortly with one of my young friends (7 4) who has decided that a tandem flight is in order. He figures ladies will like him better if he is a "pilot." Otto von Rosen Windsor, Ontario, Canada

A WALLABY RANCH STORY Dear Ediror, I had read articles about Wallaby Ranch and seen their ads in your magazine, so l decided to check it out and get my aerotow rating. l got a great welcome from Wallaby's hardworking owner Malcolm Jones and his fine crew. My trailer got a select spot on the beautift1l property. The Ranch is located in the woods among citrus groves halfway between Orlando and Tampa, Florida, and comprises more than 200 acres. I believe that at least 80 acres make up the grassy landing and takeoff area. That was encouraging, since l felt I'd be able to plam my glider somewhere within that area regardless of wind direction. It should be noted that since I am somewhat ancient (70), I have become rather "conservative" (chicken) in my approach to hang gliding. I have flown all my life, both commercial and general aviation aircraft, but hang gliding has been my ultimate flying passion ever since l 983, when a very patient John Ryan managed to get me my Hang Il. Many thanks to John of the Hang Gliding Center of San Diego. After two tandem flights with Malcolm in one of their special Falcons behind the tug, I was declared ready to solo. After much coaching and encour-agement from the whole crew 1 managed to get up and back down. That should have been it, bur then I seemed to find all sorts of excuses to stay on terra firrna and admire my previous

Another disappointing end to the Tennessee Tree Toppers spot landing contest. HANC Cl!D!NC

by Dennis Hear what the world's best pilots have to say about the secrets of performance. Learn how to fly efficiently and become an expert pilot. B 1/2 x 11 format, 350 pages, 334 illustrations, over 70 photos, four-color cover.

The most complete guide for to intermediate pilots. hill to high flights From the and this book covers the latest and tricks and follows the official method. 81/2 x 11 format, 370 pages, 325 illustrations, over 70 photos, four-color cover.

Send cash or check to:

SPORT AVIATION PUBLICATIONS PO Box 101 Mingoville, PA 16856 Please rush me the books below: o H. Gliding Training Manual .. $29.!l5 Performance Flying. . . . . $29.95 CJ H. Gliding Flying Skills . . . . $9.95 c1 Understanding the Sky . . . . $19.95 CJ Paragliding Flight . . . . . . . $19.95 rJ Powered Ultralight Flying . . . $11 .95 r1 Pow. UI. Training Course. . . . $9.95 Save 10% order two or more books Save 20% order five or more books Total amount for all books $.

(please continue here) Total for all books $ Postage and handling . . . . $2.50 Add $1.00 for Perl. Flying and H. G. Training Manual. . . . . . Overseas airmail if desired . . . . . ($8/book - $12 for P. Flying and H.G. Training Manual) TOTAL ENCLOSED.

by Dennis A store of knowledge from 20 of flying. Topics include small large·scale weather, lift sources and how to exploit them, turbulence, thunderstorms and much more. 6 x 9 format, 290 pages, 140 illustrations, 33 photos, four-color cover.

SEND TO (please print) NAME ADDRESS .. CITY, STATE . . . . . . . . . . . COUNTRY/ZIP. , .. .

PO Box 101, Mingoville, PA 16856

. ...:.w:.,:,:r:x:/:'.::::.,,.,:.,:..:-:,: .. :;:: ... :'.:::.,:::: .. ~~:'.::::::::::~::::: ... '.. ....:.... :.:,...-:,x,....._._,:::,:.:.:.:,:,:,:,.,:.;L,:,:,:.:,;::

GET ABOVE IT ALL AND GO CROSS COUNTRY! I took an inventory XC I 55 right off the shelf and won the Worlds on it. Didn't have to change a thing! Sweet handling and awesome performance. I love it! - Kari Castle 1996 Women's World Champion

At 225 lbs hook in weight on the XC 142, I was not prepared to find myself eyeball to eyeball with the best of the min-s.inkers who rule the sky above Fort Funston. Neither was I expecting to easily pull ahead of the tweaked and modified ridge racers on their home turf. This is simply the best looking, best handling, best performing glider on the ridge! - Andy Whitehill

1am so impressed with the handling characteristics of the XC 142 that I had to write. This is truly the sweetest, most responsive high perfom1ance glider that I have had the privelege to fly. I hope to be hooking into an XC soon. - Bruce 13armakian

The XC 142 is the easiest handling high performance glider I have ever flown, and the performance is top notch! I bought - J. J. LaMarche one.

After my recent flight on the XC 142 l was delighted. As a smaller female pi lot T really appreciate the fact that the XC 142's VG can be pulled on with two fingers. - Bronwyn Hamilton

Specifications Model Span Aspect Ratio Glider Weight Pilot Weight (Hook In) Airframe HGMA Certified Suggested Retail Price Optional Winglets Available

155 34 ft 7.5 70 1bs 170 - 280 7075-TS 4/12/95 $4700 Yes

142 32 ft 7.2 67 1bs 140 -240 7075-TS 2/6196 $4700 Yes

~LU~Nli 500 West Blueridge Ave Orange, CA 92665

Phone(714)998-6359

FAX (7 14) 998-0647

Region lO ACEVEDO, RICARDO: St Pctcrshmg, r:L; G. McNamcc/Graybircl Airsports SOLAZZO, STEVEN: Charlotte, NC; B. Bl!l'ril!Ultralight Flying

BRONL'.!;' DINO GRISSINO

Region l 1 RUSSELL, JR, JOHN: Arlingron, TX; D. Broyles/Kite Enterprises

sn VJ:'R BRENT KREMER

Region I DICKENSON, KEN: Bellevue, WA; T. Johns/Cascade

Region l ALLEN, BENJI: North Bend, OR; C. Flchi11/I<it1y l lawk f<itcs SCHERER, DAN: Redmond, W/\; J. Reynolds/Far I IG

Region 2 KIMBELL, GRANT: Arcata, CA; R. Brown/Foot Launched Flight

Region 2 ELDER, JAMES: Saratoga, CA; P. Dcncvan/Mission Soaring SPTLY, JTM: Oakland, C:A; B. Karlak/Bcrkelcy I IC Region 3 KENNEDY, SCOTT: San Juan Cap, CA; K. l larrison/l .akc Flsinorc HC O'CONNER, KTLUAN: San Diego, CJ\; IC McKcm.ic/l ligh Adventure PITTENGER, WENDY: Long Beach, CA; J. Rya1i/l IC Ccnrer WHITE, DARR ET.: Lake Elsinore, C:A; P. Phillips/1.akc Elsinore Sports Region 4 BAHR, ERIC: Phoenix, AZ; R. DcSrcphcnsU.onic I IC FLEMING, KIRK: Prcscon, AZ; U. (;ordon/Advcnrmc Sports Tours FORD, ROD: Chaparral, NM; D. (;ordon/ Advcmme Sports Toms Region 8 HUOT, DARLENE: Manchester, NJ I; R. Corho/Morningsidc FP Region 9 FITZWATER, JR, ROGER: l:plrn,ra, J> A; J. l larpcr/Vallcy

Region 3 ANSELMO, RANDY: Santa Monica, CA; A. Bccm/Wirnlsports lnt'l BLAKE, STEVE: Lake Elsinore, C:A; R. McKcmie/High Advcmnrc PEDERSEN, GREG: Mission Viejo, CA; P. Phillips/Lake Elsinore Sports Rcgion 4 NELSON, DENNIS: Phoenix, AZ; R. DcStcphcns/7.onic HC WITCO MB, PAUL: Wcsr Sedona, AZ; T. Cosrcllo Region 9 LIVEI.SBERGER, GALE: Spring Grove, PA; J. Long/Wild Wings Region JO FISHALOW, DORA USA: Orlando, FL; M. ]oncs/Wallahy Ranch LEON, MICHELLE: Miami, FL; J. Tindle/Miami I JG

I IC

Region 10 STEWART, TINA: Inman, SC; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch

Region 1 BOI.OSKY, WILLIAM: Issaquah, WA; T. Johns/Cascade Soaring MOODY, STEVEN: Sc:1rtlc, WA; T. Johns/Cascade Soaring Region 3 EU.FTT, GAYLE: Topanga, CA; J. Creblo/Windsports lnr'l ROBSON, ANDREW: Lake Elsinore, CA; It Mcl<enzic/High Adventure

Region I BROWN, RUSSEi.I.: Pon Townsend, WA; T. B:mon/Airhornc Sports USA Region 2 LEVINE, BARRY: Oakland, CA; B. Karlak/Bcrkclcy HC; Region 3 KENNEDY, SCOTT: San Juan Cap, CA; K. Harrison/Lake Elsinore I IG O'CONNER, KILLIAN: San Diego, C:A; IC Mcl<rnzic/l ligb Advcntl!l'c Region Ii BRABEC, STEPHEN: Phoenix, AZ; R. DcSLcphcns/Zonic H(; FLEMING, KIRK: Prescott, AZ; S. Aycock/Arizona Airwavc· GERDES, LAYTON: Mcs:1, AZ; R. DcStcphcns/Zonic JK; PAPPAS, BILL: Tucson, AZ: R. lrwin/Ariwna Airfoils Region Ci SF.WEI.I., RON: Russellville, AR; T. Middleton/Soaring

Region 4 CLEMENS, VINCE: Clendalc, AZ; R. DcSrcphcns/Zonic HG KRONSTROM, PIERRE: Albuquerque, NM; T. Ellis/Wild Blue Yonder Region 8 NEUMAYER, ROBERT: Springvale, ME; G. Brown Jr Region 10 BROWN, JAY: Miami, El.; J. Tindle/Miami HG

TANDEM JOSEPH KATSFARAS COLLIN KING Jf<:FEREY STEWART

Region 8 CHRISTOPI-JER, JOHN: Walpole, NJ!; J. l'J1c:01ay/ 1\11ormn1r;s1,c1c 1:p TOM ZACCAGNINI Region 9 Cl IAMBERLAIN, RICHARD: Springfield, VA: S. Wcndr/llluc Sky

Al'RIL 1996

MULLER HANG GLIDING BANDITO ACTION SPORTS ARIZONA HANG GLIDING CENTER GEORGE BORRADAILE AWESOME AIR CHANDELLE H.G. CENTER HIGH ADVENTURE LAKE ELSINORE HG MISSION SOARING WINDS PORTS HANG GLIDING CENTER EAGLES WINGS HG SCHOOL BOLDER FLIGHT WESTERN SLOPE AVIATION TEK FLIGHT PRODUCTS CENTRAL FLORIDA FLYERS MIAMI HANG GLIDERS FLORIDA HANG GLIDING INC LOOKOUT MT FLIGHT PARK MAGIC VALLEY SKY SAILS PRAIRIE HANG GLIDERS ,JIM ROWAN SPORTS EXCHANGE KITTY HAWK KITES ULTRALIGHT FLYING EQUIP MORNINGSIDE GLIDERS UP OVER NEW MEXICO ADVENTURE SPORTS FLY HIGH HANG GLIDING FLIGHT WORKS WHITE OUT HIGH PERSPECTIVE ENDLESS SKY ILG. VALLEY FORGE H.G. CARIBBEAN AIRSPORTS STANCE VOL LIBRE VULTURE GLIDERS WASATCH WINGS SOARING CENTER BLUE SKY FAR UP HANG GLIDING CASCADE SOARING FLEX SPOKANE AIR CRAFT RAVEN SKY SPORTS FLYING PEOPLE WW EUROPA FLY RIO SPORTS OPA KITE KUMHA AIR H.G. TAIWAN

APRl.t.1996

PHONE (71

ALBERTA AZ AZ BC CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA

4 03/932--67 60 520/527-·3346 520/772 4114 604/574-'/121 619/872-2087 415/454-3464 909/883-8488 909/24:1-7627 408/262-1055 818/988-0111 619/561 1009 619/744-2463 co 303/444·-5455 303/641-2937 co CT 860/379··1668 FL 407 /891-5'/15 FL 305/285-·897[3 B13/424-0070 FL GA 706/398-3541 ID 208/654-2615 KS 316/697-2135 MD 301/729-0773 MT 406/721 6056 NC B00/334-1777 NC 704/392-3765 NH 603/542-·4416 NM 505/299-8503 NV 702/883-7070 NY 914/744-33 ·; NY 914/744-5838 OK 405/947-2342 ONTARIO 90:)/294-2536 PA 717 /386-5104 610/486-0855 PA PR 809/764-0341 QUEBEC 819/395-5224 UT 801/254-9063 UT 801/277 1042 UT BOl/576-6460 VA 703/432 6557 WA 360/357--5203 WA 206/747 1647 206/939--624fl WA WA 509/458-4444 WI 414 / 4 73·-2003 ARGENTINA 54 /1294 7700 AUSTRIA 43/522343747 55/212397339 BRAZIL JAPAN fll/332910802 KOREA 82/328166428 TAIWAN 8fl/67622441J

998-6359, FAX (714) 998-0647

petition Corn

1996 • ationals July 13 0, 1996 by

inosaur, Colorado W. Meadows

any of you have wondered what it's like to compete in a worldclass hang gliding competition. This year's Nationals, to be held near Dinosaur, Colorado, offers an opportunity for many cross-country hang glider pilots in the lJ.S. and abroad to participate in a national championship. The site we refer to as Dinosaur is between and just a little north of Vernal, Utah and Dinosaur, Colorado. The actual launch is about two miles on the Utah side of the state line. The town of Dinosam; where the meet will be headquartered, is a community built around a "T" in the road. With only two motels and three restaurants, this tight community is proud but modest, and the local "government" has agreed to help out with the championships in anyway possible. The town park will be available for tem camping and there is a local RV park. The town of Vernal, just a half-hour's drive away, with dozens of restaurants and hotels, has thrown our the red carpet for the competitors as well. We have received permission from the fire chief to use the fire hall for our headquarters, so we'll have a great, organized area which competitors can visit at any time. The meet officially starts on Saturday, July 1.3 and continues through the 20th. There will he a party in the town park on 1hesday night as well as on the final Saturday night. The awards ceremony will be held at a Sunday morning breakfast on the 21st. There will be three official practice days, Wednesday through Friday preceding the meet. Competitors can get their meet packets at headquarters from 8:00 to 9:30 AM on that Wednesday and

•

Although aII competitors will be scored together; there will be many classes in the competition. Divisions include: women 1s1 intermediate pilot, intermediate glider, over 45 years old Class 2 (rigid wings), and leisure class/I 1

Thursday, or all day long on Friday. The first official pilots' meeting will take place at 8:00 AM on the 13th. Pilots who sign up ahead of rime will receive a packet of information abom the Nationals, including a list of turnpoints and goals as well as their coordinates so that they may program them into their GPS units. These pilots should expect this packet approximately 30 days prior to the beginning of the contest.

of a very large (80-foot) clock whose hand is moved every five minutes. This means that you can start in any five-minute interval over a two-hour period unless you have a databack time-stamp camera. These cameras (available at K-Mart for as little as $39) will not only take a picture of the start clock (indicating the fiveminute interval in which you started) but will also indicate the exact minute you started inside that interval. This will count as the official start time for pilots with these cameras. The clock will be placed near a crossroads a couple of miles frorn launch along the predominant course line. This will allow competitors to start when they want and greatly reduce the size of the gaggles over launch that have formed in past years at meets of this kind.

With some of the most beautiful sceneiy in North America unfolding beneath you (sec Mark Bennett's article, Feb. '96 HC,), you'll fly toward the first turn point or goal, which will most likely be surrounded by other pilots acting as thermal markers. The Dinosaur meets always result in fast times because of ther-mal reliability. If you fly to a turnpoilll first you'll take a photo of it (from the proper side) to prove you were there, and then continue to the next turnpoint or goal. Final goal will be rnarked by a 100yard-widc line with a tall windsock on each end.

FINISH AT FORMAT The tasks will be timed races to a pre-determined goal with or without turnpoints.

START Competitors will have a three-hour window in which to launch, and a twohour window in which to start along the course. Pilots start by taking a photograph

You must fly over the goal line at 1,000 feet AGL or lower so you can be recognized by the goalkeepers. You will tum in your film and landing form to the proper officials at goal. You arc then free for the evening, but welcome to come by headquarters and confirm your finish time.

With large flat areas abounding along HANG GUDINC

the course lines, those who land short of the declared goal will make nore of their position and return to headquarters ro report their landing position to the scorekeeper, and to place a marker on a task board showing others where they landed. A safety note: even those who fly poorly (performancewise) must report to headquarters so the meet organizers can con· firm that all competitors arc accounted for.

This will be an enormous meet, and we have spared no expense to bring to you the best-executed championships ever. With organizers based in North Carolina, Florida and even Dinosaur, we're covering all the bases £cir your enjoyment. There will be no untrained personnel. 'fhc go:il supervisor will visit all rhc goals with rhc meet director prior to the competition to discuss goal location and orientation, greatly reducing confusion during the meet. These people will also be in contact by cellular phone during the meet, :illowing communication of auy unexpected problems.

'fhc day's photos will he processed overnight and reviewed and confirmed the next day by 2:00 PM, so that official round results will he avaibblc for the previous day upon the competfror's return to head·· quarters after Oying the next round.

All scoring will he done by computer using the latest programs, including a computerized mapping progrnrn that uses longitude and latitude to mark ex:ict posi·· tions to flgure distances flown. Competitors must report their landing positions by coordinates. This can be done easily by flying with a CPS unit, but competitors without thcrn will be able to determine their landing position on the topo map. Using elapsed time for those who made goal, and distance flown for APRIi

19%

those who didn't, we'll produce daily standings.

Although all competitors will be scored together, there will be m:iny classes in the competition. Divisions include: worncn's, intermediate pilot, intermediate glider, over 4 5 years old, Class 2 (rigid wings), and leisure class.

The infamous $500 driver's contest will also be held this year. This contest practically guarantees a ride for all cornpetitors. Drivers will get points for each pilot who is on his or her team. Points will be aware.led for getting team pilots to launch, picking them up, and getting them back to headquarters. Drivers will get bonus points for picking up other driver's pilots, and will lose points if someone picks up their pilots. As you can imagine, this produces ;i lot of competition to pick up :ill pilots. The driver with the most points at the end of the competition will receive $500 c:ish. Interested drivers can sign up at headquarters the day before or the first day of the meet. C:ill for more information.

'T'hc glider certification rule has been dropped for I C)96. This should encourage the entry of more prototype rigid wings. Cliders may be barred from competing if d1cy look overly dangerous to the meet or safety director. At lc:ist one c:imern (35 mm) with a lens having a focal length of between 35 mm and '50 mm will be required. Databack time-stamp cameras arc optional. GPS is also optioml this year. Both CPS and dat:iback cameras arc ;ivailable through the meet organization.

Altitudes of well over 13,000 foe1 arc

the norm at this sire in the summer, and at this writing we arc negotiating with an oxygen company to supply refills. I-fopefi.dly this will be free; if not it will be very cheap. Oxygen systems and parts will be available ;it the meet and may be reserved through the organizers. Oxygen is not: required, although it is recommend ed.

While not required, it is rccornmendecl that you come to this meet prepared to do battle in the evenings with the water toy of your choice.

We arc looking for excuses to give away aw:irds at this contest, and will be hosting the first-ever, official "outlandish photo at: tbc end of the turnpoinr film" contest. There are no rules and the winners will be recognized accordingly.

Every effort has been made to ensure that this year's Nationals is ;i relaxed but by-the-book contest. [f you w:int fun, lots of flying, and to meet some of the hcst people in the sport, both from the U.S. and abroad, don't miss Dino '96. 'l'bc entry fee is p:iyable to "Just Fly Nationals." For further information contacr: G.W. Meadows, Just Fly Aviation Gear, l~O. Box 450, Kitty Hawk, NC:

27949 (919) 480-3552.

Delta Airlines bas just approved a pro .. motional discount of up to I ()<YcJ off any published fare for anyone who flies round-trip to th is rneer. Call us for more detaik Alamo rental cars has also us discounted prices on minivans.

petition Corn

rl n r

by Pete Lehmann

nother Yearlong Region 9 X-C contest has come to a conclusion, and, to no one's surprise, this one was won by Mitch Shipley. 1-Iis 108.5mile flight from Zirks on May 7 ended near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Tony Smolder's 157-mile flight from Zirks remains the East Coast distance record, but Mitch has plans to extinguish that mark this spring. Judging by his achievement last year of getting two I 00-milers I would reckon he has a shot at doing so. Second place was taken by Claire Pagen with a l 03.5-mile flight from her back-yard in Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania to Goodville, Pennsylvania. She reports having been down to 400 feet at the 20-milc mark in what became a five-hour flight that got her to 7,400' msl along the way. 'fhis represents rhe first time this contest has seen two pilots get I 00-milers in the same year, and bodes well for the future. What is also new is that the overall contest's rirst two places have been taken by Sixty-Mile Class pilots, albeit ones who have rather decisively promoted themselves into this year's Open Class. I .aunching from Woodstock in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Nelson Lewis flew 93 miles to take third place. What was unusual about Nelson's flight is that he used a camera to document a turnpoint in a dogleg flight. T'he flight involved first running the Massanutten Mountain ridge for a considerable distance before shooting his picture and then going over the back into open country. Another notable feature of the flight was the fact that it was made at the beginning of April, which is unusual for a flight of that length. 1 was in fourth place with an 88. l-mile

site record flight from the Pulpit on the day of Claire's l 00--miler. The flight involved a 350-foot save in the most vicious thermal I have seen in the East. As this occurred only three months after my tumble in Australia, I was utterly spooked by the thing, wondering if my chute would open if I tumbled at 400 feet. Otherwise it was a delightfol flight with good climb rates, and 8,700' ms! altitudes. Fifth place was taken by John Fenner from Avonmore, Pennsylvania with a 78-mile flight in unusually good conditions for that site. He gained 8,200 feet along the way to ease the otherwise intimidating first crossing of the Allegheny Mountain woods. Jn sixth place, with by far the best Rookie flight ever registered in this contest, was Mark Nicolet. He flew a site record 74.5 miles from Ashtabula Airport in northeastern Ohio eastward into Pennsylvania where he was shut down by the unlandablc terrain of the Allegheny National forest. Astonishingly, he even conned a local into giving bim a 100-mile ride home. His flight was also the longest tow flight of the year. Beginning the Templeton, Pennsylvania section of this article we have in seventh place John Scott, one of the "oldest" pilots in the Region, with a flight of T3 miles. for him, too, this was the fo-st time across the Allegheny Mountain woods. The actual flight, while outstanding, is only part of the story. John had worked until one o'clock that afternoon, then drove two and a half hours to the hill, launched at four, landed afrer seven and then didn't get retrieved because of a radio problem. He finally got home the next day at 3:30 pm just in

time to go back to work. That's dedica-· tion. The evergreen Mike Neuman went· 70 miles from Templeton in an unusually southeasterly direction before he landed on the Allegheny Mountain barrier for the third time last year. 1-Iis June flight was one of the few long flights made after the late April/early May period. Ron Dively took ninth place by flying from 'Tc.,rnpleton 67 miles eastward to land just five miles from his house. Dan Walter rounds out the top 10 with his flight of 65 miles after having launched at his house along the New York/Pennsylvania border. He represents one of a growing number of western New York pilots who are beginning to fly Pennsylvania sites and compete in our Regional contests. The last two 60-mile flights registered last year were those by Joe Simmers who set a site record with his 65-mile tow flight from Plain City, Ohio, and Larry Ball who also set a site record with his 62-mile flight from High Point, the third of the Cumberland, Maryland area sites. One last flight worthy of mention is that of Steve Kinsley. He flew a creditable 55.7 miles from the Pulpit, never getting low, and being stinking high much of the time. Unfortunately, his retrieval was messed up, and while starving and waiting for his retrieve he was driven to chew lettuce plants while waiting until four in the morning to be picked up. He lefi: the lettuce remains at the nursery door with some money, wondering what the owners must have thought in the morning. The winners of the Sixty-Mile Class have already been mentioned, with Mitch Shipley ahead of Claire Pagen, John Scott in third place followed by Ron Dively. In fifth place was Joe Simmers followed by Larry Ball. Those six pilots all flew farther than 60 miles for the first time in the Region, and will compete in the Open Class this year. Rookie Class winner Mark Nicolet has also been mentioned, and, amazingly, he too will jump up to the Open Class with bis sensational 74.5-mile flight. Rich Lawrence took second place. By flying a personal best 46 miles from Woodstock, Virginia he has promoted himself into the Sixty-Mile Class this year. In third was Mark Gardner who remarked, "I suck" on HANG GLIDING

the frmn he sent me. Perhaps he doesn't. He was followed by four other rookies who entered flights last year, making rhis the largest group of rookies to register flights, something that pleases me greatly. I ,ast year presented us with an unusual number of good weekend days during the key months of April and May. The result was an unprecedented good year for crosscountry flying. If there were any surprises they would be that almost no long midweek flights were registered, and only one long flight was registered after May. Historically, the increased chances affrirded to those pilots free to fly during the week have generally produced the year's

longest flights, and often those really long flights occur late in June and take advantage of the year's longest days. Also notable is the degree to which cross-coun·· try flying is chronologically concentrated in this Region. One third of all flights entered in 1995 occurred on rwo weekends at the encl of April and beginning of May; That concentration is unusually exaggerated, but it is nonetheless consistent with a truism that the absolute best flying is to be had during the last two weeks of April and the first rwo weeks of May. Keep that in mind this year, and good luck to all of you in your 1996 flying. Ill

Plrice Name

Class

Glider

Miles

Date

1) 2)

Sixty

PacAir K5 PacAir Klassic PacAir K4 Ent Wings Desire PacAirK4 Wills Wing .HP AT 158 Wills Wing HPAT 158 Wills Wing HP AT 158 Moyes XS UPTRX 160 Wills Wing l:'.IP AT' 158 PacAir Klassic PacAir K2+K4 Wills Wing HP AT 158 Magic Kiss Moyes Xt:ralite 1.37 Wills Wing I-:rP Moyes Xtralite 137 Moyes Xtralite Wills Wing HP AT 158 Pac.Air K4 UPTRX PacAir K4 Wills Wing HP AT' 158 PacAir Klassic l 44 Wills Wing HPA'.T 145 Moyes 147 Xtralite UPXTC 170 PacAir Wills Super Sport 143 Moyes XS 15 5 PacAir formula Wi.lls Wing Sport

108.5 105 93 88.1 78

May7 April 29 April 2 April 29 April 20 May20 May6 June 14 April 15 May20 May6 April 30 April29 April 29 April 2 May7 March 19

3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) ll) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18)

19) 20) 21) 22) 23) 24)

26) 27) 28) 29) 30) 31) 32) 33)

Mitch Shipley Claire Pagen Nelson Lewis Pete Lehmann John Fenner Mark Nicolet John Scott Mike Neuman Ron Dively Joe Simmers Dan Walter Lat1y Ball Kinsley Jim Rowan Rich Lawrence Larry Huffinan Mark Dunn Wayne J McAllister Pat Brooks Richard Cobb RNewberry Mike Field Larry Wi:ight Mark (iardner Steve Conner Jim Messina James McGuire P Amunat:egui Kim Rowan Jeff Semset: Mike Balk David Perry

()

0 0 R Sixty

0 Sixty Sixty

0 R Sixty Sixty Sixty Sixty

0 Sixty

0 R Sixty R R

R R Sixty Sixty R

73 70 65 65 62

46 46 40 38 34 33.8 31 25 24 22 19.5 15 13 7 6 2

April 2 May7 April 29 April 2 May6 Sept. 10 May6 March 25 May13 March 15 April 23 April 29 July 2 Sept. 3 May6

First Annual Wings of Rogallo 1996 Club Challenge and 1995 Competition by Mark Mulholland

o, your dub has a yearly X-C contest. And sure, it's been fun, bm you're finding that you need a little more motivation to participate. Well, we've got THE challenge for you. The Wings ofRogallo (WOR), one of the largest and oldest clubs in the country, is sponsoring a National X-C contest, and you can enter. There is only one stipulation: it isn't an individual title, it's a dub title.

The rules arc simple. All you have to do is have someone collect the X-C flights by pilots in your club. Send them in once a month to Mark Mulholland at 3641 Cropley Ave., San Jose, CA 95132 and you will be entered in the First Annual WOR X-C Club Challenge. You'll be famous, rich, get high and fly far, or at least have some fun and see how your club stacks up! lf your club wins, you get to nm the contest next year. Such a deal! And to make it even more impressive, the WOR wilt start it off with a very nice traveling trophy/plaque that you can show off at every club meeting. All flights from l/l/96 until 11 /30/96 on a hang glider or paraglider count. Just log the pilot's name, flight date, launch site, landing site and miles llown (nearest I /I 0 mile). We may end up having different classes, but we will have to wait and sec how things shake out. Notable flights may be annotated for an occasional update in the magazine or on the Internet. How many miles do you think will be flown by the X-·C pilots? What arc the best X-C sites? When is the best time of year for the best sites? Which site should you be flying during your off-season vacation? Hopefully the"'e questions will be answered by the data we collect from this contest. Cont'd on page 22.

APRIL 1996

1(,

HANG GLIDING

B I RDS •

article and photos by George Ferris

At 6,000 feet MSL I peered down into the three million-year-old Wainiha Valley, hoping to spot the secret burial grounds ofthe ancient Menehune tribe. Legend has it that the Menehune buried their elite in a cave behind one ofthe hundreds of I , 000-foot waterfalls in this fo rmidable valley.

his particular day the waterfalls were dormant; for the past few weeks it had been relatively dry. Flying deeper into the valley, between its 2,000-fooc fluted cliffs, I worked lift to maintain the altitude needed to return to a safe landing area. At the end of the valley is Mt. Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth, receiving some 600 inches of rain annually. To the west, adjacent co the valley, is the Alakai swamp, poised on top of the plateau at about 4,200 feet, making it the highest swamp on earth. After a strong rain the swamp overflows and feeds the hundreds of 1,000-foot waterfalls that cascade into the 2,000-foot Wainiha Valley. About three miles back into the valley, thinking I must be dreaming, the wind direction changed and the bottom dropped out. I was sinking at 400- 500 fpm and started racing north, out of the valley. I had lost 2,200 feet and was still sinking, and with one mile to go I wasn't confident I would arrive with enough altitude to pass over the chimney. I had two options. One was to land on top of the plateau that I understood required a three-day walk out. The other was to land in the riverbed below, which I wanted nothing to do with. It was January of that year when my wife Gini and I got the opportunity to visit Hawaii. Our first stop was Oahu. Unfortunately, we weren't able to fly there. After leaving Oahu we arrived on Kauai, determined to fly even if it APRIL 1996

was a sled ride to the beach. Kauai is the most northern and least developed of the major islands, and most of its interior is mountainous forest reserve. The Alakai Swamp is poised about 1,000 feet below Mc. Waialeale, where clouds and mist that rarely lift create a unique ecosystem in which trees only grow knee high. Kauai's main attraction is its stunning natural beauty. There are hiking trails into some incredible places. Upon arriving I called Gerry Charlebois of Birds In Paradise. During the past two years we've traveled to Central and South America in hopes of flying exotic places, but with little success. I though t char with our luck he wouldn't answer, bur surprisingly he did. I had contacted Gerry from the states thro ugh Paul Voight, and he assured me that gliders would be available to fly. After three days of light and variable and conditions that Gerry felt were anything but desirable, I was beginning to believe that our destiny was to visit places of wonder but not fly them. I suggested to Gini that we take a helicopter ride, which we had never done before. We flew over the central part of the island to the Waimea Canyon, which Mark Twain called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The northwest part of the island is an untouched, beautiful wilderness like nothing we had seen anywhere. Its valleys, mountains and canyons, so primitive and untouched, must have looked the san1e when the Marquesan culture ruled the island back in 500 AD. Looking at its inaccessible beauty it is easy to understand why so many movies like King Kong, Platoon, Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark, just to name a few, were filmed here. I was pumped and called Gerry to tell him I just had to fly! We arrived at Gerry's the next day to find him busy and not into flying. I explained to him that we had only one day before we had

to leave. Geny assured me that we would go even if the trade winds didn't return. O ur luck changed that nighr. Before we arrived back in Princeville, where Gini and I we re staying, the trades had started. Gerry called early the next morning to say it was a go. We arrived at Gerry's in the town of Kappa and decided to aerotow me to the Wainiha ridge about 15 miles from our starting poinr. While I was soaring he would return to get Gini and they wo uld fly back in the trike to take photos. Geny explained that it wo uld be an all-day venture but that it wo uld be a flight I would never fo rget. l was excited and nervo us at the same time. I'm quite glider savvy, having had the oppornmity to fl y every design but one on the American marker. Naturally, that's the one he chose for me to fly. The other variable was that I had never aerotow launched fro m a sranding-start. All my previous aerotows had been fro m a dolly. H owever, after contemplating all this fo r 10 minutes I was ready to go!

From left to right: Gini, George, and Gerry getting ready for the morning flight.

north shore beach at 700 feet and extends south about two and a half miles to 2,200 feet. At this point on the ridge there is a large spine that juts out. This spine faces due north forming a tiny bowl, or as we call it, a "chimney." Behind the chimney is the beginning of the Wainiha Valley. About half a mile back imo the valley the ridge turns southeast forming a large northeast bowl. T he air was turbulent and the lift was spotty and weak. I was working the north end of the ridge without much success, traversing only about one mile south, always keeping my beach landing area in easy reach. The wind direction seemed to be changing every few minutes from east to north. I worked the spotty lift, going back and forth to the places thar, most of the time, were just producing less sink, sometimes finding zero- to one-fpm lift. I guesstimated the wind speed to be around 25 mph out of the north-northeast, and knew that if the wi nd turned east there wo uld be ample lift. It didn't, and I lost 1,000 feet in 30 minutes. I knew ifI stayed here I was going ro the beach. Looking over the ridge I decided to run to the chimney at the southern end. Judging from the direction of the wind, experience told me that it should give me the workable lift I needed to stay up until Gerry and G ini

Flying out over the lower ridge.

We arrived at our airstrip, an uncompleted housing development on the east coast near the shore. The paved roads were to be our runway. These roads were separated from the lots by post and rail fences that border the sides. So there I was, towline hooked to both of my shoulder straps, pulling back against the trike, as instructed, until I couldn't hold back any longer. I gave Gerry the signal that I was ready. Since I was wearing shores I sropped to think about rhe removal of skin on my knees if I messed up. Two seconds later I was down on the control bar cruising five feet over the asphalt at 30 mph. Before I could check to see how much clearance I had between my wing tips and the post fences, Gerry lifted off and I followed. Gini filmed us from the runway as we turned our over rhe ocean. Then we turned back, heading northwest and starting our 15mile row to Wainiha about four miles west of Princeville. Now I was concentrating on the weak link just in front of me. Knowing that I only had two or three hours before the clouds would start socking in the ridge, I was adamant about making all corrections without putting any strain on the weak link. The trike tows at a much higher speed than the Moyes tug, so I kept my speed up. I sucked the bar in to my belly and held it there, making slight corrections, pitching up or down to stay level with the trike. Only a few rimes as we hit turbulence was I worried about breaking the weak link and nor reaching my destination. When we reached Princeville at 3,800 feet I gawked at the beauty surrounding us. The five

or so ridges, running parallel north to south, start as foothills on the north shore's white sandy beaches. Heading south, away from the pristine blue water, the lush green valleys narrow three miles inland. At this point the ridges rise to 2,000 feet, turning into steep, fluted cliffs on both the west and east sides. The fluted cliffs are covered with thick jungle vegetation. They continue south another six miles where they all join together at Mt. Waialeale (5, 170' MSL). Each valley is between 2,000 and 3,000 feet deep, and each has a river for a valley floor. The westernmost ridge, which forms one of the walls of the Wainiha Valley, is the beginning of the George flying over the town ofWainiha on the north shore ofKauai. Alakai Plateau. The plateau extends west to the Na Pali sea cliffs. (see Gerry's article in January 1996 Hang Gliding on flying the Na Pali coast.) After approximately 20 minutes under row we reached our desrinarion. I released on the lower ridge north of the Wainiha Valley at 3,400 feet. Gerry instructed me ro stay there while he returned to retrieve Gini so she could fly the trike while he took photos. The Wainiha ridge starts as a sheer cliff on the

returned. I arrived at the chimney at 1,600 feet and asked myself, ifI didn't hit lift, if I wo uld I have enough altitude to make it back to the nearest landing area two and a half miles away. Experience paid off; as I reached the chimney I stopped sinking. Doing "S" turns in zero sink that eventually turned into two up, I worked my way to 3,000 feet and ventured back to the north to see if conditions had improved. I fo und that conditions hadn't changed and raced back to the chimney. I

H ANG GLIDING

arrived there at 2,400 feet to find the welcome lift once again. While working the chimney the second time l finally started to relax. The beaury of this place is something every pilot should experience. No description or photograph can possibly do it justice. Looking south into the three million-year-old Wainiha Valley I began thinking of the lore of the Marquesan culture. Kauai is often referred to as the home of a race oflittle people called Menehunes. Legend after legend tells of happy, "Disney-like" elves coming down from the mountains to produce great engineering works in stone. h seems that when rhe first 'lahitians arrived in about l ,(JOO AD they conquered the Menehunes, forcing them into slavery to build temples, irrigation ditch-es and fish ponds now attributed to the Mendumes. The Tahitian term for "outcast" is manahue, and the diminutive social status may have given rise ro talcs of a dwarf~sized race. Fine stone worb remain, bur the true identity of Kauai's little people lies hidden in a secret burial cave behind one of rhe hundreds of J ,000-foor waterfalls in the Wainiha Valley. In light lift it took a while before l reached 3,000 feet again. About half a mile back into the valley the ridge turns southeast forming a large northeast bowl. I was sure that the lift there would be ample. Looking at the distance to the bowl, and knowing that I would be flying downwind, I figured that with another 500 feet I could make it. Keeping in mind that if I got low back in the valley J needed a bail--out area, I started looking. There was nothing bur the river below, and the fluted cliffa rising to the top of the plateau were quite intimidating. At 3,300 feet I could see the top of the plateau behind the west wall. I was surprised to sec a large, tTedess area and determined that I could easily land there if r had the altitude. Finally, at 3,500 feet I decided to start back, keeping in mind that there would be sink behind the chimney. About halfway to the bowl, having lost![()() feet, l turned back, knowing there would be an increased headwind created by the valley venturi. I wanted to test the speed of the glider and see how much altitude loss there would be. l slowed to minimum sink slightly above and behind the chimney to test the lift there. Having lost 700 feet on my return, at 2,400 AGL and 400 feet above the chimney, I was pleased ro flncl better lilt at this location. Climbing back up to 3,800 feet I started back again, feeling comfortable that I could arrive with enough altiwde to bail out to the landing /\PRIL 1996

J,oolfing east to Peincuille (on the bay), thefr;othill ridges rising to the.fluted cliffs.

area on top of the plateau if no lifr was to be found. About three-fourths of the way over I hit strong turbulence rhat was most likely being created by the chimney which was now behind me. Being closer to the bowl, and judging that Tstill would have ample altitude to bail out, I wem for it. Passing through the turbulence l arrived at the bowl with my fingers crossed. As I approached, the turbulence dissipated along with the sink. 1 arrived 3,100 feet and was going up at two feet per minute. Wanting to regain altitude I started doing short "S" turns, and was ready to bail out to the plateau if the lifr shut off. When I reached 3,900 feet I felt comfort-able enough to test the lifr farther south into the valley. Afrer traveling a quarter mile l started traversing the ridge north and south, always keeping my plateau landing area in easy reach. I found that the lift was stronger and smoother farther south in the valley, and ventured deeper into ir, experiencing some light thermal activity. At G,000' MSL (5,800' AGL) I was rchxed and found the scenery to be like nothing I have experienced in my 21 years of hang gliding. Below me was the untouched Wainiha Valley. Tc) the north were the crystal blue waters and sanely beaches of the north shore, with its contrasting white shore break. At rbe south end of the valley, about another three miles, was Mt. Waialeale. lcl the west was rhc Alakai Plateau spanning about four miles ro the Na Pali coast. To the east, running north and somh, were other lush green ridges and valleys contrasted by the blue ocean in the dis-ranee. So here I was, faced with my two options: landing on top of the plateau or in the river bed below. Abour half a mile from the chimney, at 3,400 feet and still sinking at 500 fpm, I was ready to bail out to the plateau landing

area when J ran into the best thermal or the day. At GOO 11)111 I climbed to 4,600 feet and was still climbing when my radio sounded: "George, do you copy?" "Yes Gerry, I copy." "Where arc you? Are you on the beach?" 'Tm at 4,600 feet." "What!" 'Tm at 4,600 feet." Looking out over the water I finally spotted Gerry circling up, then cruising toward me. "George, come out front, you're too far back." l .inlc did Gerry know that [ was more than three miles back in the valley and 1,400 fecr higher just a short time before. "George, do you copy?" Not answering, l sucked in the bar and heackd out of the valley to arrive ar the chimney ar 3,700 feet. Clouds were forming on the crest or the lower ridge as I headed out. Gerry started shooting pictures as I cruised north. As I looked down on the top of the clouds below [ couldn't believe I saw a 360° rainbow forming around die shadow of my glider. l radioed Cini and Gerry abom the rainbow. Cini and I were quite excited since we had never experienced this phenomenon before. After filming, Cini and Gerry headed back to get the truck to retrieve me. Knowing that it would take them better than an hour l played out my dream flighr. The clouds were thin and only forming below and behind me. At this point l realized the wind direction had dcfo1irely become more easterly and that there would be ample lift back where I had flrsr released, so I decided to stay and play aronnd the inviting clouds. By rhe time I landed three and a half hours later, the Wainiha Valley that had frightened, charmed, and made my flight possible was in total cloud cover, hiding the Menehune burial cave from me forever. Cerry was right. This was a flight l would never forget. II

ndar

Events

Calendar of events items WILL NOT be listed if only tentative. Please include exact information (event, date, contact name and phone number). I terns should be received no later than six weeks prior to the event:. We rcqnest two months lead time for regional and national meets.

UNTIL OCT. 31: Region 7 Sec1Son-J,ong XC Competition. Monthly-rallied X-C competition. Flights must originate from a site in the Region. Scoring determined by best three open X-C, out-and--remrn or triangle flights per month. Pilors will vie for slot in the Nats to represent Region 7 (March through June). Send$ l O entry and flights reports to: Peter Birrcn, 502 Shadywood 1.ane, Elk Grove, IL 60007. Info, rules and scoring formulae will be sent. Monthly scores published in ReclNcws. UNTIL NOV. 30: WOR National Ter1.m Club Challenge. Most cumulative miles flown (HG/PG flights) by a cl11b. No fee, roving plaque and nexr year's contest administration rewarded to winning club. Contact: Mark Mulholland ar M.Mulholland@eworld.com or (408) 929-1753. Send club entries to Mark at %41 Cropley Ave., San Jose, CA 95132. Entries will be rallied monthly and posted on the I mcrncr. APRIL 6-7: Miami Hflng Gliding !'11rachute Clinic, by Betty l'fei ffer. If you haven' r repacked your chme in the last six months here's your chance. MAY 9--13: Miami l lang Gliding Cliff and Foot-Launch Clinic. Transportation, gliders, hotel included. Contact: MHC (305) 285-8978. APRIL 7: Launch and landing Clinic, by Pai Dcncvan. Covers all aspects including equipmenr evaluation, weather and pilot habits. Lecrure, simulator practice, specific hillside training exercises using Grip Alen. Cost: $95. l.imited space. Advance reservations required. APRIL 26-28: Advanced !CT/Thermal Soaring Safari. MAY 1: Parachure Clinic. MAY 5: St,ttionmy Winch Tow Clinic. JUNE 1: Launch and Landing Clinic. Comacr: Mission Soaring Center, 1116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 (near San Jose) (408) 262- I 055, fax (408) 262- 1388, e-mail mschg@aol.com. APRIL 13--20: 1996 liast Co11st C'/1,illent.e in the beauriful Sequatchie Valley, Dunlap, TN. USI-TGA 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 be sent by April l, 1996. 60 slots available. Daily prizes and party as usual! Contact: Katie Dunn (423) 949-(,278 (7:00 am 5:00 pm CST) (423) 949-4965 afrcr 7:00 pm CST.

APRIL 14-20: Sun 'n' Fun EAA Fly-in, Lakeland, FI.. Volunteers needed for USHGA tent. Contact: USHGA (719) 6328300. APRIL 20-21: l 1th Annual Oceanside Open, Ommside, OR. Free flying, demos, competition and dinner Saturday night. Hotels and camping. Sponsored by the Oregon HG Assn. Contact: Allen Swingle, 11495 SW 13th, Beaverton, OR 97005 (503) 6448919, or Jim Spciring (503) 324-3571. APRIL 21-27: 20th Anniversmy of'the Great Race, Lookout Mm., Chattanooga, TN. Prize money, prizes and awards. Con met: (706) 398-3541, fax (706) 398-2906. MAY 4-5: 10th Anmuil Stewart Smith Hang Gliding Tournament, Moore Mtn., Perry Lowe Orchards, l O miles norrh of Taylorsville, NCoffT-lwy 16. $45 entry includes T-shirt, barbecue, dart wurnamen r. Tasks: spot landing, bomb drop, duration and X-C. Trophies for 1st through 3rd in each event. Fun flyers $25. Contact: Travis Bryant (704) 758-9331, or Ben Burri[ (704) 392-3765. MAY 10-13: Northern Slcy Gliders X-C Challenge, Cosmos, MN. 'fow meet. Great tow site with record potenrial in every direc:-tion. Current MN X-C record is 134.8 miles. Trophies and prizes. Contact: Dave Dybsand (612) 576-8959, or Paul Kilsrofre (612) 869-0293. MAY 10-13: 24th Annual Hang Gliding S;,ectaculflr. Pilots and specrators from all over the U.S. come to Jockey's Ridge State Park to enjoy rhc oldest continuous hang gliding competition in the counrry. Both novice and experienced pilots compete in a variety of fun Hying maneuvers. Pcaturcs fly-ing on the dunes, aerotowing, an outdoor street dance, flnc arts reception and an awards ceremony with guest Francis M. Rogallo, the "Father of Hang Gliding." Beginning hang gliding lessons will be given during the event. Make reservations well in advance to learn to fly during this exciting competition. Pre-register at Kitty Hawk Kites. AUGUST 15: 4Rth Anniversary ofthe l<ogrdlo Wing Tnvention. Ceremony honors F.M. Rogallo, inventor of rhc flexible wing. Learn about the history of kites and gliders, enjoy refreshments and have a chance to meet Mr. Rogallo. You won't want ro miss this special opportunity t:o learn about the significance of the development of the flcxi-·· blc wing. OCTOBER 19-20: Pacific Airw11ve Vision Classie. Pun-filled weekend of flying. Pac Air brings their latest gliders to Joch:y's Ridge for a fun competition on the sand dunes. Soar, maneuver and land on a targeted course. Open to pilots of all skill lev-

els 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 Airwave and KHK. Registration at KHK. Contact: Kitty Hawk Kites (MP 1:3, Nags Head and Jockey's Ridge State Park), (800) 334-4777, hangglidc@o11terbanks.com.

MAY 17, 19: J,ookout Mtn. Flight Pflrl, Basic t1nd Ad1Janced [Cf'. f .atest techniques from the school that wrote rhe official USHCA training manual, Hang Gliding for Beginner Pilots. All pilots welcome. Pilots must have at least their Hang III raring within 90 days of [Cl' complcrion. $175 includes USHGA fee and lnstmcror's Manual by Dennis Pagen. Pre-registration and payment required. Contact: Tom or Christian 1-800688-LMFP. MAY 23-27: Parttglicling Demo Daze/.Sajety Seminflr at Point of the Mountain, UT. Free informative seminars from indusrry experts. Demo paragliders, paramotors, harnesses, varios, flight suits, tandem gliders, oxygen systems, helmets, etc. Every make and size of paraglider available in the U.S. Non-profit event. $35 pre-registration before May l, $45 ar the door. $10 goes rn Utah HGA to help "Save the Poim." Contact: The Soaring Center, 12665 S. Minuteman Dr. #1, Draper, UT 84020 (801) 576-6460, fax (801) 576--6482, e-mail: sharpdave@utahintcr.net MAY 23-27:fim Hooks Memorial Fly-Tn, at Lookout Mtn. Flight Park, Rising Fawn, Georgia. Proceeds to bcneflr Dade County, Georgia Fire and Rescue. Various fun con-tests for pilots Hang IT and up. Minimum enny $50 includes T-shirt and cookout. Entry fee may be earned prior to contest through donations and pledges. For more information or pledge sheets, contacr: Lori Taber (706) :398-9112 or Judy Hildebrand (706) 398-2819. MAY 25-27: Rogue Valley Hang Gliding

Associr1tion 19th Annual Starthistle Meet, at Woodrat Mt. near Medford, Oregon. Fun family fly-in. Called tasks, spots and Bailey's bodacious barbecue included in small entry fee. Hang Ill or II with instructor release for possible afremoon turbulcnr mountain conditions. Camping nearby. Call for map/site guide. Contact: Newr Stevenson (541) 773-1187 or Russ Camp (541) 479-2958. MAY 25-27: D1y Canyon Memorial J)(ly Fly-In, Alamogordo, New Mexico. Sponsored by Rio Grande Soaring Assn. hm flying, cont-csts, dinner, etc. Meer in IZ at 9:00 am each day. [mry $20 in advance, $25 on site. Comacr: Dave Church (505) 527-0844, or Tommy West (505) 437-5213. HANC GIIDIN(;

r MAY 25-27: Arizona X-C Open, from Merriam and Sheba craters. Foot or row launch. Bring your tow system. T-shirts, trophies, awards parry and portable toilets provided. Bendit for Northern AZ Soaring Assn. Entry $75. Contact: Stan Mish (520) 527-:\346, or Nick Kennedy (970) 728-3905.

8-9: 8th Ultral~r;ht Hy-In, Ickes Airport, Osterhurg, PA. Contact: (814) 276-3353. JUNE 8-14: World l!tmK ( ;lidinK Series meet, Castejon de Sos, Pyranees, Spain. Comacr: Salvador Mogas rel. 34-3210-7752, fax 343568 2.903. JUNE 16-22: WHGS meet, Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain. Contact: Juan Morillas td. 34-58--488560, fax 3/i-58188726. JUNE 23-·29: Wl!CJS meet, Piedrahita, Central Spain. Contact: Steve Ham tcl./fox 34-20-362215. JULY 24-.31: W!i(~'.)' meet, Reno, Nevada. Contact: Ray Leonard tel. (702) 883-7070, fax (702) 8844030. AUG. 20-25: W!JGS rneet, Preddvor, Slovenia. Contact: Bojan Marcie tel./fax 386-· 61-2.646.

JUNE 9-16: Sandia Clrtssic, J\llmqucrque, N cw Mexico. Sixth annual IJSO WTSS point meet ar Sandia Peale 'T'hc premier meet of' rhc season! Price includes: cmry fee, top--quality X-C tasks, glider and pilot transportation to launch, tumpoint film and processing, computerized scoring, full-rime paid staff; free oxygen refills, gift certificates from local businesses, convenient: meet headquarters, awards barbecue, T--shirt and more! Sixty pilot maximum field, 45 spots reserved for pilots ranked in rhc top 80 USHC:A or top I 00 PIRS. Remaining entries will he based on ranking, comperition experience and flight experience. Firsr-rimc entrants must- have: USHGA Advanced rating, all Special Skills, l 00+ hours mountain thermal experience. CPS highly rccommrnded. Early registration $300 if postmarked before May 1, $350 afrer. Refimdablc until April 30. Contact: Mike Gregg, 12.117 Sr. Mary's Dr., Albuquerque, NM 87111 (505) 275-5978 or Mark Mocho (505) 298-292.2. E-mail to m1nocho(,hrt66.com JUNE 17-24: Third Annual X.C Challenge. Fun-flying, big--air, open--distancc competi · tion. Come fly with the Sky' J 'ribe from 10,600' MSL Sandia Crest. The last two years have seen numerous nights over l 00 miles and several over 150! Prizes will be awarded for each day's longest flight, the longest flight of the week, and to the pilot with the most cumulative miles for the week. Free T-shirt, 02 refills, indoor camping, awards parries and more! Come fly the big, bcautifol southwest air! 40-pilor limit, $7"> before June l, $1 00 after. Sponsored by Earth Cog Industries and Wild Blue Yonder

APRIL 1996

School of! :tight ('505) AlR-1240. Contact: David Prentice, 707E Shelburn Dr. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105 (505) 242-./:373. JUNE 25-30: Telluride Pamgliding Classic, Tcllmidc, CO. Presemccl by Paraglide Telluride, Tell mi de Air l :orcc and Colorado X--C Pilots Assn. Sanctioned Class A world team points meer. Famous Telluride flying in a national-level contest. Race-to--goal, outand-rcrurn and triangle courses. Tarp start, 1,000-point scoring system. Radios recommended. $275 entry fee includes tasks, pilot and glider transportation to launch, computerized scoring, full-time professional staff'. rnrnpoinr f-ilm and processing, aerial turn· poinr photos to study, free oxygen, great meet headquarters, awards dinner parry, local gifr certificates, contest shirt, nightly even rs and speakers. Economical camping and local lodging specials. C:ontacr: Scott Maclowry (970) 728-409B or Nick Kennedy (970) 728-3905. 25-30: 7elluride Parr1y:fidinK Festival, Telluride, CO.$ l 2.5 entry fee includes festival shin, foll-rime professional staff, banquet, awards party, nightly events and speakers. Economical camping and local lodging spc· cials. A safe attitude and Class II rating with 10 hours minimum required. Contact: Scott MacJo,.vrv (970) 728-1098 or Nick Kennedy (970)

28-30: KinK Mtn. ReK,ion 5 Championships, Moore, Idaho. Come fly Idaho's best site and celebrate the new road. hJrmar is open distance along declared routes with bonus goals. Emry $2.5. ( :onract: Idaho Gliding Assn., Al Whitesell (208) or Mark Mason (208) 5292.106. JUNE .30-JULY 6: 1996 Ctmadian Nationals, Eastend, Saskatchewan. Tow meet, $2,000 prize money. Contact: Mike (306) 352-33:-37, (306) 352. 9449 fax. 1: Chelan X-C Cldssic, Chelan, WA. l'ilor--calkd triangles, om-and-return, and open distance combined format. HG and PG. Driver contest with prizes. Entry $75 ($70 before June 30). Contact: Johann Posch (2.06) 2.32 6839, johan np~ilmicrosofi .com. JULY 13-20: U.S. Nationctl Hang GlidinK Championships, Dinosaur, CO. "The best meet of the decade." Several meets within a meet. Compete in multiple divisions while flying in rhe Nats. lncludcd arc Over 45, Rookie, Intermediate Glider, and Never Made the Top 50 divisions. Driver competi-· tion and ''wildest turnpoint photo" contest. Organized and directed by G.W. Meadows.

Sponsored by Just Fly Aviation Gear. Tons of prizes. Lodging information and confo-mation available. Entry fee $275 by January 30, $j2.5 afterward. Contact: G.W. Meadows, P.O. Box 450, Kitty Hawk, NC 27919 (919) 480-3552. JULY 28-AUG. 5: Fly West Hrtn,R GlidinK Ltd

C:lidinK and Paragliding X-C 1m,ztat1011at, Golden, BC Canada. $2.0,000 in prize money! Three categories in both sports: lightweights (50-300 hrs.), middlewciglm (300-600 hrs.), heavyweights (600 hrs. plus). deadline May 15. $200 U.S. entry fee payable to Fly West HG. Contact: Fly West HG Lrd., 199 Marlyn Place, Calgary, Alta., Canada T2A31<9 (403) 272-0450, e-mail porteour(ttlcad· vision.com.

AUG. 1-7: Oshlwsh EA/I Ply-In, Oshkosh, WI. Volunteers needed for USHG/\ rent. Contact: USHGt\ (719) 632-8300. AUG. 4-10: Hobbs Ti1z_u jam, Hobbs, New Mexico. Price includes: emry fee, rnp--qnality X-C tasks, first daily row is free, mrnpoint film and processing, computerized scoring, paid staff, gift certificates from local bnsincss· cs, convenicnr meet headquarters at Hobbs lndustrial Air Park, awards harbecuc, 'I '-shirt and more! Forry-pilot field. Tow rating required. August 2-3: Tow clinic for nonrow pilots. GPS highly recommended. Early reg:istrat1011 $275 if postmarked before July I, afrcr. Rcfimdable until June 30. Contacrs: Cun Graham, Crossroads Windsporrs, 592.3 Eugenia Lane, Hobbs, NM 882.40 (505) 392-3638 or (505) 392 82.22. Jeff flunt, Red River Aircrafr, ljg 11 Red River St., Austin, TX (512) 467 2529 or e-mail to rrajeff@aol.com. SEPT. 7 .. 19: Pre-Competitionfi1rfirst V1orld!lir Games in 1997, Anatolia, Tmkcy. Contact: tel. 9().;3123104456, fax 90-312-3104690. OCT. 4-6: October,- Rest Fly-ln I 996, sponsored hy the Sauratown Mountain Hang Gliding Club. North Carolina's traditional amumn flight festival has always provided great flying with cash prizes. Featuring "June Bug's Fabulons Barbecue Chicken Dinner" on Saturday night. Arrival and pracricc day on Friday wirh a fon comperirion on Samrday and Sunday. World's easi-est cliff launch that can be used in light winds from any direction or stronger Li, SF or S winds. Two other launches facing SW and NW. $30 entry fee includes T-shirt and Eimily camping in ·rhe LZ. Saturday night's dinner will blow you away for only $5. Conract: Doug Rice (9 l O) 99/i -1377, Vic Lewellen (91 0) 'j95-6505 or

petition Corn Cont'dfrom page 15. For more information, contact Mark Mulholland at (408) 929-1753 or M.Mulholland@eworld.com. Entries will be tallied monthly and posted to the Internet.

THE 1995 WINGS ROGALLO XC COMPETITION The Second Annual WOR X-C Competition is over and there were many winners. Last year's cumulative total was 5,865.6 miles with 21 people entering, for an average flighr of li0.7 miles! 'fhe top three flights for each individual were summed for placement in one of several categories. Each category was based upon location and the pilot's previous X--C experience. The categories were simple: 1) Any HG/PG flight by any pilot anywhere on the planet. 2) Any HG/PG flight originating in Region JI. 3) Same as (2), except

limited to pilots who had not yer had three flights over 50 miles. 4) Same as (3), with a 25-milc limit. 5) Any HG/PC flight originating in the Bay Arca. The winners oflast year's competition were (cumulative top three flights in miles): Open Distance: Shea, Tim (460); Yanetz, Ramy (305); Dutt, Kevin (230). R2 Open: Yanetz, Ramy (251 ); Dutt, Kevin (230); Whelchel, Nathan (150); Stein, Ed (131 ). R2 50-Mile: Fischer, Rob ( 102); Seliger, 'lcJm (101); Mulholland, Mark (liO). R2 25-Mi!e: Gill, Gordon (26); Vorhis, Mike (13); Sugg, Greg (9). Bay Area: Dutt, Kevin (230); Stein, Ed (131); Whelchel, Nathan (113). Prizes (USHGA calendars, smoke bombs and TShirts) were given out during a club meeting. Congratulations to all the participants! Herc arc some of the more interesting statistics from the comest. The top sites for X-C were:

CJ)esert filherma[s -

Site

Total Miles

Average

Horseshoe Mt. Diablo

898 J 12 759 33 Chelan 548 61 Gunther li45 7/i Mission Peak 403 27 Flynn's 200 ff.() Sugar Hill 200 67 Sandia 133 44 Three individuals Tim Shea, Ramy Yanctz and Nathan Whelchel went all out and logged 65<% of the reported flights. There was only one paragliding entry, Ed Stein, who competed directly against the hang glider pilots. J Ic did well, placing in one category and barely getting edged out of another. So come on PG' crs, report your flights! Let the HG'ers know the X-C potential of the bags, and you may get some more converts, especially on those wet post-frontal days. Thanks to aU those pilots who made the effort ro report their flights. Jr is because of their efforts that we arc learning which sites have the best X-C potential. Ill

untain SJ?ines

c<foin the I 6th Annua[ Vrr 4amogordo, O{exfco 9ia}!

w~w

Race to Goal, Duration, Spot Landing and XC Trophies, Barbecue and T-shirts. Fly desert thermals just minutes from the cool pines of Cloudcroft great for families! Motels, restaurants and camping 5 minutes from the Landing Zone. Good air and good friends it doesn't get better than this!

Contact: Dave Church 505-527-0844

Tommy West 505-437-5213

Sponsored by the Rio Grande Soaring Association and Alamogordo Promotion t-{n·~rn 22

HANG CLJDINC

Brains or

Speed?

THE SENSOR 61 OF W/Interconnected Flaps & VG

SIMPLY OUTCLIMB THEM A New Way To Fly Sailplanes and Paragliders camber thelr wings at wW. The Trampenau f lap"' system, not only boosts your climl>-rate, but also allows slower and smaller concentric turns. You ·ve never experienced a glider Lha.t performs at such a high level, yet handles LhiS easily.

Climb Fast, Glide Far Loosening the VG lowers the naps, increasing camber into a high lift, slow speed, thennaling airfoil. Dominating every core, you'll find yourself climbing faster than you ever thought possible. Tightening the VG raises the flaps and reduces lhe airfoil camber transforming your ,vi.ng inlO a blade for maxin1um speed range and glide ratio. 4

Launch And Land With Flaps The launch advantage is becoming airborne \Vilh more margin and

control. Landing with flaps bas dual benefits. You may accelerate above 30 MPM increasingly building drag degrading your glide. When it's time to Oare, your touch do\,•n SP,:eed ,viii be noliceably slov•er!

New SpeedFoiJ™ Tubing (ID[?

11~@

SERVICE & SALES

Lower drag, our new airfoil tubing for the king post and control bar boost tbe gJldc ratio adding a poinL or more at higher speeds. Other features on

the Sensor 610F are: computer-optimized. laminar-flo\v airfoil: t\\'elve

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. \\fe all kne,,• that eventually hang gliders v,ould be this good!

-THE SENSOR 610F WITH FLAPSWJ-1.AT YOU ALWAYS WANTED FLYING TO BE ...

DEALER ENQUIRIES WELCOME

SEEDWINGS

1355 N.W. 93 Ct. UnitA-105. Miami. Flonda 33172

•

Tel. 1305) 6393330 Fax (305) 6393055

41 ,\ero Ca 1n ino Sa nta Barbara Ca 93117

Ph. 805/968/7070 Fax 805/968/0059

• l'm~,-11... - - .. . ., '""'r--fl>r,....i.1H-"111' l-,,.... ,1 .....Ur\,K-... lt.-

II Update experience a feeling of flight that only Albuq"erques 10,600' MSL Sandia Men. can provide - beau,iful sou,hwesrern skies RIied wid1 roaring mountain d1ermals fol. lowed by hundreds of mile, of wide-open terrain ,vith ri$ing oolurnns 0Ff1ot deserl air. Come Ry wirh ,he Tribe! Official sponsors: Earth Cog lodusccies, mak~r of the Fligl,c Medic first-ai<lirnrvival kir and other righteous Aying and oucdoor gear and by Wild Blue Yonder School of Flight (505) AIR• 1240, New Mexico's only full-time, full-service school and shop. Forcy-piloc limiL Only $75 before June I , $100 afrer. Conmcr. David Prentice, 707E Shelburn Dr. S\V, Albuquerque, NM 87105 (505) 242-7373.

"WATER GLIDING" ON DISCOVERY CHANNEL'S "NEXT STEP" enduJun1 Aemspons' netv '\vate.r

gliding" operation will be fearuml on Discovery Channd's Next Step program in April. Robert Combs, Pendulum Aerospom' tandem hang gliding inmuaor, rakes Dara Tores, Olympic swimmer and host of [he sho\v. on her first tandem ""arer

gliding flight. Jim Zdset, President of Pendulum Aerosports ond desig,,er of the spores pm· gnun and che aero,™' boa rt reports tha1 rhe show is scheduled ro air on Wednesday;

1996 AIRWAVE EUROPEAN CHALLENGE - BASSANO, ITALY

he famous J\irnravc European

Chalknge for fun-loving paraglidcr and hang glider pilot>-wim its competitiOi>S, parcics and barbo<."c-will be held in ,he mountains near .Ba~no. lta1y rhis AugU$t. This Ls a well-csrablished, superb flying are,i for both hang glider and paraglider pilocs. Rt:gl.st:r:n:ion i$ on Augusr J l, and the competition will be held August 12-17. This e.~senrjally fun evenr is open to all pilots who are not con1petjng at a nadonaJ level. lncerescing casks for pilors of aU levels will be offered, and there will be prizes for me best individuals and teams. Compccicon ace expected from as F.ir away as South Africa., Japan, Aumalia and the U.S. For more derails concacc: Chris Johnso11, Airwave Gliders (44) 1983-53161 1 or fux (4.4) 1983-531552.

April 10 at9:30 pm PS1~ and Sarurday, April 13 at 6:30 pm PSf. During March and April, Pendulum Aernspnrrs is inrroducing spring-breakers ro rhe nt?\v sport. The cxciccmcnt can be

found ar the Water Sporn Center, Naurical Inn Rcsorc, in Lake Havasu City, Ariwna. For more information concacr: Peudulwn Aerosporrs, J3154 Councy Road 140, Salida, CO 1-800-933· 5992.

FUN FLYING IN NEW MEXICO'S BIG AIR f you chink only pilots on me competicion circuit get [0 ffy me big air together, think again! The Sky Tribe, NM Clan is pleased to announce chis years X•C Oiallenge - a fun-Aying. big-air, open-distance co,npericion. No c:tmera$> no curnpoinrs, no headaches, no kidding. Jusc an excellent opportunity co Ay a world-class

sire :'Ind have a gre:u cime! You need co be an lnrermediarc or Advanced piloc with a minimum of 50 hours of fooc-launch mountain flying, solid

skills and some X-C experience. We will provide: 1:shirt. 02 refills, indoor camping in our 3,000-squarc-fuoc warehouse, awards parties with live mwic. di.scouncs and morning pilot briefini;s at Mary Moon's Place, and me opportunity for big miles. The last cwo )'eats saw dozens of IOD-milers with several over 150! From June 17-24 you can

TIME-STAMP CAMERAS IN 1996 COMPETITIONS

he Sandia Classic and )use Fly NarionaJs ,viii pern1ic che use of time-

scamp dacaback cameras for recording start cimcs at chis year's mcc:cs. ~ c cameras can be purchased foras liccle as $39 at

K-Mart and other retailers. Although the cameras will nOI be teq\lired for the 1996 se:ison, pilor.s opti11g co use the1n ,viU be able co scarr 3.t any one-1ninure incervaJ during che stare ,vindo,v. Those ,virhout the can,eras ,vlll be able co narro,v cheir stan rin1:es co five.-minute incervals during the scare vdndov.•. For more infurmadon about rhe use of these cameras contact the meet officials of either competition at the phone

numbers lisced in the Calendar ofEveno;.

JUST FLY ANNOUNCES $199 GARMIN 38 has pro<lua:d multi-f-earured GPS uni, mat can be sold for less U\0.11 Garmin Almough the retail pcice is$299. a

$200.

Just Fly is in1roducing the uuil ro the bang gliding and paragliding communities for $ I00 off the List price. The instrument has the same features as the Garmin 40, wirh the exception of the icistmctional video, alkaline batteries, C.'Ul')'ing case and jack in the rear for an optional external antenna. Comacc: Just Fly 1-800-546-3596.

PREDATOR 142 HGMA CERTIFIED 'T"be Predator 142 from Blue Sky l Aircraft Company is H GMA certified HANG GLIDING

UpdatelB

1997 USHGA CALENDAR PHOTOS SOLICITED o, you have this fan rasric phoro of your wing and you've shown ic ro everybody who'll look at ic. Your flying buddies have rold you chat it is good enough for che USHGA calendar, bur you've hesitated ro send it in. Delay no longer, the 1997 USH GA calendar is in the works and the calendar phoro selection commirree is anxio usly awaiting to see your stuff Share that beautiful

photo of your site or glider with the rest of us. If selected, your photo will be seen around the world, immortalized for a whole month. Launching, landing, soaring, ere. - we want to see it all! Your photography wiJJ be treated with the utmosc of care and properly returned after the phoro selection committee has made its choices. Because of the fine-arc quality of our calendar we prefer transparencies for the

as of February 12, 1996. As of this writing rhe snow is up to the window sills in Utah, and Blue Sky is makin g Predato rs ro fill the "early bird" orders (test fl ying accomplish ed by aerotow, Eskim o style) . The Blue Sky ream will be on the road soon and thro ughouc the year to sacisfy the demand for demo flights on the Predator. The company also intends co have the Predator 158 ready fo r

release for this year's flying season. Please inform Bl ue Sky of your sch eduled demofes t or ocher event at which che Predator's presence is required. Contact: Blue Sky Aircraft (801 ) 876-3003, fax (80 1) 8763002.

APRIL 1996

absolute best color reproduction, but don't let char stop yo u from submitting quality color prints. The DEADLINE IS MAY 31, so don't procrastinate. Submit your photos ro: USH GA Calendar, Attn: Jeff Elgart, P.O . Box 1330, Colorado Springs, C O 80901 1330. If you should have any questions, please give us call at (7 19) 632-8300.

ULTRAMITI NEWS

rrami rrs now have an optional internal pocket for adding disposable hand warmers. T his greatly improves the mitt for cold weather flying, allowing for a preheaced mitt and hours of additional warmrl1 . The w rist cuff has also been improved through the use of Polarrec 2000. This fab-

Update

FLYTEC COMPACT SERIES 4000 FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS

lytec now offers ultra-compact instruments with ASIC innovation and advanced high-tech electronics. T he Compact Series 4000 represents a significant advancement, combining advanced techn ology with minimum space requirements. Together with a standard GPS, Flytec's 4030 GPS-Access enables you to achieve maximum flight performance, particularly on long-distance flights. With no need to press a button, the full y automatic flight data evaluation featw-e shows you, for example, the wind-compensated nominal and actual glide ratio to optimize your final approach, or your ideal nominal route according to McCready's rangential principle. All this flight evaluation software. information and much more is available at a Intelligent Option Mode is a toral1y new glance from the specially designed multi-dis- and integral feature. T his alJows yo u to set a play. Flytec Compact Instrument for your flight Each Compact Instrument is loaded wi rh requirements or current conditions (vario extras, such as a real- time clock or multiple sensitivity, long-distance flight optimization, integrator. It can also communicate with polar recording, etc.). your PC or be connected directly to a printContact: Flytec, P.O. Box 561 732, er. The instruments are also supported by the Miami, FL 33156, 1-800-662-2449, fax: newly developed FlyChart for Windows 95 (305) 672-3588, e-mail: usaflytec@aol.com.

ric stretches and seals tightly aro und the wrist, and no adjustment is necessary. Hand insertion is very easy. Ulcramitts also now have a simple double Velcro seal where the m itts attach aro und the control bar. T his prevents cold air fro m entering the mitt through small holes in the Velcro, a pro blem with all previous removable mi tts. T he mitts still utilize th popular air ven t for temperature control. O lder U ltramitts can be modified with the new options. Contact: (706) 398-3964.

THE SKY TRIBE

nternational, nonpolitical, no-charge, happy, free-flyi ng pilot family. What does that mean? G ive what you can, take only what yo need. The Sky Tribe is a family of pilots who have no political connection, aspiration or manifesto. We love to fly! We are not against anything. We are for flying. We are not a movement. We are a family. We know that it' nor about rules or fighting against them . It's abo ut freedom. Ir's about knowing chat you are free. It's about con necting with orhers who feel as yo u do. It's abo ut those who see it and those who will. It's abo ut the quiet revolu tion . You m ay already be a member. Contact: D avid (505) 242-7373, or T. Rex (505) 247-1 240.

COMPACT FIRST-AID/ SURVIVAL KIT FOR PILOTS

GS Enterprises is pleased to introduce to the aviation

community the Sport Pilot First-Aid Ki t, a combination firs t-aid/survival kit developed to meet the special needs of pilots. A

valuable safety enhancement for any aircraft, the kit is especially suited fo r use by pilots of single- and two-place ligh t aircraft such as ultralights, hang gliders, paramotors, experimentals and sailplanes. T he kit is ultra-compact and lightweigh t. While small in size (3" dia. x 6"), the 40piece kit, in a weather-resistant polycordura nylon case, houses a comprehensive assortment of first-aid supplies fo r the treatment of most injuries. Also contained are BurnFree gel packets for the treatment of burns. Unlike commercial, off-rhe-shelf first-aid

kits, the Sport Pilot First-Aid Kit was designed to enhance pilot survivability in the event of an emergency off-field landing. Included are a flashlight, police-type whistle and signal mirror, and a lightweigh t, hearreflective 5 1" x 82" survival blanket. The kit is available for $34.95 plus $2.00

shipping (plus 8% sales tax for New Yo rk residents) and can be ordered from M CS Enterprises, 24 Bishopgate D r., Rochester, NY 14624. M GS offers discounts to flying clubs and FM, SSA, USUA, USHGA Chapters. Dealer inquiries are invited. Cal] or fax (716) 889-7756 fo r details. H ANG GLI DING

24th

ANNUAL

May 10-12 Dune Competition, Jockey's Ridge May 1O Fine Arts Reception, co- sponsored by Just Fly May 11 Street Dance May 12 Awards Ceremony May 13 Fly In, Currituck Airport

Competition For All Skill Levels World's Oldest Continuously held Hang Gliding Competition

J[JlAJRAC'rJ[)IJDlE,JRS J[?OJR Weight Apollo 29 Athena 38 Ritmo Corvette 25 Diablo 23 Edel ZX 38 29 Finesse 29 Kiwi 29 MUST 29 Jive 31 Miura 32.5 Miura Mondi al 33 36.5 Mondial Ritmo 1 27 Ritmo 1 31 Ritmo 2 29 Sensor 30.2 Sonic 96 27.8 V-Max 96 Large 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

? 165-210 165-210 165-210 165-210 185-230 210-280 200-245 230-300 130-175 195-265 165-210 145-180 175-230 165-225 165-215

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

$1,200 $1,200 $2,775 $850 $1,200 $1,000 $1,800 $1,000 $1,100 $1,000 $2,600 $2,500 $3,440 $3,000 $1,500 $2,495 $3,365 $3,510 $3,825 $2,940

COJf,O!RADO PAJRAG1f,J[J[)J[N(1r JfNC 303/278,9566 ()JR FAX: 3i03/750,,3226

ridge in a rotor, flew into a tree, and fell our. Both pilot and passenger were injured, the pilot seriously. Another pilot ran out of options entering an obstructed LZ and flared into a tree intentionally. He was unable to hang on and the glider fell out, seriously injuring his passenger. In another incident the instructor let the student handle the landing. They came up short trying to clear a rock, possibly from target fixation, and the instructor suffered a broken femur, the student a deep muscle trauma in his leg. These reports might represent all the training and tandem incidents that occurred last year. However, I feel a tingling in The Force that tells me otherwise. Remember that even incidents which do not involve serious injury are still interesting and informative from an injury prevention standpoint. Near accidents can teach us as much as accidents. Please file reports on these kinds of incidents, and other types as well, even if you file them anonymously! Just give us a dare (to help sort out duplicate reports) and a brief description of the event. The report you turn in might be the one that saves another pilot from grief. There were only six reporrs involving parachutes, none involving serious injury. One

pilot entered a medium-sized dust devil at 2,000 feet AGL and promptly inverted. Both leading edges broke at outboard juncture. The glider was spinning as he threw his chuce. He enjoyed a stable ride down, bur the glider sustained substantial damage. Another pilot was tumbled after he flew through the core of a thermal that produced "the strongest lift of my life." He was thrown over the trailing edge. His elbow hit and sheared off one downtube a foot from the keel. The glider stabilized upside down and the pilot threw his parachute. He was pinned against rhe keel by rhe bridle, and was unable to move until he was dragged 40 feet after landing. He suspects that the Velcro bridle retainer straps on the harness might not have broken free until he was dragged along. He was nor seriously injured. One pilot got most of the way up in a loop attempt before stalling, tailsliding, tumbling, breaking the leading edge at the crossbar junction and entering a spin. He deployed his large tandem Quantum parachute (PDA) and was gently deposited on rhe terrain. Another pilot threw rus chute just before having it repacked. In pulling down the handle he ripped the inner chute (bridle) bag,

which was seven years old. When the chute came out it exited tluough the hole in the bridle bag, which tangled with the chute lines. The pilot doubts that the chute would have ever fully opened. He commented: "It was a humbling experience. My chute was in great shape, but the UV cover bag was nor. A lesson learned." One pilot experienced an accidental deployment while doing wingovers. His parachute came free and he landed in a field unharmed. The pilot had recently installed a new parachute and velcroed it in, but hadn't installed the safery pins. Another pilot reached for his zipper to zip up his harness (CG 1000) and somehow inadvertently deployed his hand-deployed parachute. He was deposited gently on the ground. There were some reports of equipment failure. In one, a pilot laid his harness across the glider's control frame and his aluminum carabiner fell three feet to a carpeted box and shattered. Ir broke opposite the gate at the bottom corner. It appeared to have been previously fractured internally. Another pilot set his glider down on a ramp. That slight movement was enough co cause the upper rear wire to fail

where it had been chafed through on the ON flJGfl ANGLflEANG GLIDING . kingpost. Most of the towing incidents involved ANEW 1,fANCE have ce1equipment malfunctions or procedural_ pro~OR1n aJider you One pilot launched, and when his dnver lems. ERF neW" !dI P our ne.X ind: biliry; war d went to increase pressure he hit the "dump"

·11" for y es in ni 1anda fast an WJ1en JooiARY featur y reliable f~r111ance;. r quali. NEcESh ndJing; easd,"Iide pderare· supe110 design ra111 II nt a h spee " I ar w ' atlve he e.xce. eb and hig ·-friendly i and innov ·ything, t E ch01 . k usei t1on ' . 1 evei f lI c1ass p· tnc , d construe . " wit 1 IY 0ne: ser-u ' an d win" ·s on eas Y ateria1s ' dvance ·1 there I VG ry of 111 fo r an af de unfl fn Joose ·1 rures. · to a · one. ·ed ta1 fea beg in ]'ders ,n li ke a i nd choices rolt R is rwo g I fficientl.Y a!ideS fl at a pREDA EDAfO cli111bs e t VG it " fhe pR ily and In ugh dJes eas r daY· ·1 hall umn1e 111 I k on a s ut of he . d [ight. haw IiJ<e a bat o strong an") and aoes rerial, is I andhllo " re ma . (for i d) 'S ultii11a eed it d spee . I w FAC1 f1bef, the re yo u '.1 . J1de an Jl'l eans a cai bOI1 fle.X whe d ii (fol g rhe !IP ws nee ea1 It al1o here you I a1rfo11 I1 I ngidil~-~,111J11e11·1c;f ; ttack. ter LIDpodtei~~~e.ases roll A.sen1 an"Jes ns bet a ai1 i drag at 10:;r 1~1110 111~:s roil ine1t1 . d internal asp ss ,edU a1nee1e 1·ft and J-l ·"her '"we1 ti p ma rope1·ly eno · 1ds 111ore ' LO d bYa p en1 y1e rate. .I defu1e ance syst - ·ent . to use All airfo1 111a1nten, shape . ore effiCI des1gne1 lg WII tis 111 I ws a Jess.d~1!ith jess t:~~1noJogY al o will outla~ A w111; "eneratoriJ~ss w,ng. irfra111 e u1a!ranon win" vorte ." .11 a 1a1 osite a .xt gen 1w1st J con1P the ne ill fit n .. 1ess . with a A alldet ils and w u1e Jong ru uU eas1e1.. , tlie trtnl " ·al sa ey ,n ren1 P vG u sevet 1·1ots 11100 VG sys . ti "ht s P ake a rer save . 1as 111< . g bet 1nVG°on. easier 'at a Ball beartl "erforn1u1 uil tJ1e alideS are A w,ng is!ses as yoL\;ah speed " to fl Y(at d u1c1 d 1011g, " i·e fun spee n" an ·s 1110 p.e1otoW' ~peed. . . to set up ' . in rJ1e fli ght "'lie 158 is faster tnn1 that is eas1e1 ay). A gl1de1 enis that w,ertified. 1 Jeast it se }!GMA c ment. 142 ,s f develop f he ta"e a resting s " Racer countrY Je1 . . - c ross n freestY acture1 ave Shatp - c 1ia111p10 and rv1anu~ D in J-leineY oesigner coMPA - - Joi , c heneY - CRAFT 0 1c{;-e sI<Y ~ Nortll As seen on BL west, 282 jrpoJI TV. 4054 county AT 84050 • • ty1organ Green U t ty1ountaJO 876-3003 r neares Voice gO I-876-3002 callillg you AY 80 1rself bY Ftv' yo u f cts to r11ese a fl i < >-hl· prove de1110 "' dealer for a

J{ 'fO v~ 11 11 pJ{D t 42.5 sq. ft.

'fJID

",ea·········

.. · · · ···· · ::

34 fr.

1 ..... ············· ..:::::::: ....... ··:::::::::: ... 8~ ibS.

..... 6 . gpost) d )Clll span··1·'i;ijo... ······::::::: .... ···;,·b··e·;.-~~rights ai;40-220 dibs. .. ···al car bo11 JI ........... .. ···p.dv"'"''ce 0"spec . . . .. · ·• ··· ·. · weight w1t1 .. ' J optt011 ·· ········· ···· ······ ·· ···· (65 [bS. i ht .. ···········:: .............. ····· p'!Ot we g ········· p:1ot skill.········· (V

... ,·······

•••••••

...........

·••••••

••••• ••

lever instead, releasing all pressure which led to a good whack. One incident occurred at the beginning of an aerotow when the glider started to drift to one side as it lifted off. Coupled with a slight crosswind, the net effect was a drift to one side, which went uncorrected. The pilot pushed out and climbed to treetop level. The weak link broke, stalling the glider into the trees. The pilot suffered a fractured pelvis. Anorher pilot was heavy for the aerotow dolly, causing the wheels to bind against the undersurface of the platform. He realized the problem and decided to release from tow j.ust as the glider began to fly. The dolly and glider flipped over, the pilot's head hit the keel and his face hit the dire. He credits his full-face helmet with saving his face (a comment echoed by many reporters this year). There was one report of a pilot suffering problems on two consecutive aerotow releases. The first time he successfully released but the weak link connection got hung up as the tug dived away. The weak link finally broke. On the second row the weak link got hung up again, but freed before breaking. In a case in which the row team worked successfuily to alleviate a problem, a pilot on tow launched normally, then stalled at 30 feet AGL. He descended to pick up speed, then pushed out hard, climbed to 50 feet or more, and turned ro one side. The vehicle operator and spotter saw no sign of pilot input, stopped the truck and dumped all pressure. At 50 feet - wirh no pressure, still stalled and still prone - the pilot dove at the ground until he hit face first, still flaring from the basetube. Since the spotter and driver acted quickly to eliminate tow pressure, a potentially fatal lockout was averted. In another towing-related incident, pilots demonstrating rowing at an airshow had to begin the tow under high-voltage towers. The glider and winch rig were crackling an~ hlssing from static electricity. When the pilot put his hand on the metal release he was shocked so badly that his arm recoiled and inadvertently pulled the release. He rocked back, fell off the trailer and broke the keel of his glider. There were two reports of failures co hook in. One pilot was impatient to soar with his friends. As he was launching he thought, "Gee, these shoulder straps sure are loose!" He sailed off the cliff launch, held on to tl1e

here were two reports offailures to

hook in. One pilot was impatient to soar with his friends. As he was launching he thought, "Gee, these shoulder straps sure are loose!" downtubes and hit tl1e tops of the trees 100 feet below, falling into a thick bed of saplings growing on che sceep slope. Stunned, he was airlifted out, but was discovered to have suffered only strains and bruises. He now hooks his harness to his g]jder before climbing in, and does a hang check every time just before he picks up his glider.

NON-CONFORMING REPORTS There were 14 reports submitted on incidents which didn't meet the criteria for inclusion in tl1e 1995 statistics for one reason or another. Most were events rhat occurred in ] 994 or took place out of the country. In one incident from the previous year, a pilot was seen diving in excess of 70 mph when one leading broke and the glider began a steep, fast dive, spinning quickly. Just before impact with trees, his BRS rocket successfully deployed his parachute, breaking the impact just before collapsing into the trees. The pilot was airlifted to a hospital. Several excellent reports were submitted on incidents which happened in Mexico, including one fatality. A warning was passed on to our memb.ers from tl1e Spanish Hang Gliding Association regarding the Scorpio 90 harness. One fatality occurred there involving a design defect in which rhe main strap steel cable strands were found to be failing at the nicopress. I haven't heard yet whether or not any of those harnesses are beina used in this country. b . In closing I want to say rhat if you expenence any noteworthy incident, or hear of any, please send in a report. Don't assume others will, even those who say they will. Approximately half the time someone makes

Cont'd on page 44. HANG GLIDING

Skywatch Pro- High precision wind and flight speed indicators with four different di.splay modes.

variometer perfectly adapted to the practice of hang gliding and paragliding.

Weather Station-Sophisticated, state-of-the-art technology ensures that Flytec's weather station provides you with reliable information at work and at play

Pilot- Designed with Raichle for maximum safety and com.fort. Always dry and warm.

b.J, Pt111! Voigh1 dlo ag:,in. follow chllen~" <>f gravi After .1\king Jtou1ai tu see,, Ii,-. \1/.J') \\'orking c,_,,. Cowmy glid m·irn· I Ji.sc.i.1\'trc.•J rh.-1r rhi.:' proJcrt had gonC' unaumded to. \Vnb the rf(.dtt n:lc: t' rhe 1,12 si1" XC. and K.1ri LLSde~~ l~ri•t-plact finl,;;J1 .-t the \X on~c-11·~ \\7orld !\f~ct 11 d,ru.uy on .•.u1 XC l 51, ir $...-en1cd l1ir.,h 1i1: 11;:_to thto"' rhc spotUgh{ on \\'ilh \'(ling's: ·<..'l-t liigh-pcrtOrrn.111(..: g!icl.a. Il1ert•\ .1 lor ro "'°''rr, anJ J'll d11 nn· bts"'t ro mlkt" rh ntcresring. j11lormacive lnd chorou&l1, 1is rin1c ;11 l)nnd ·l'd.iike ro put rny intt.·1ui<,11\, qualificar · 1~ and pc.r.spccti\·l' oil the rabl..:, rigf1l fron1 the On iWdls W,,q;

H.1rt, so \'Ou'U kuo\\' \vh..1t rou'n,; tn fc)r..,_

1:i,~c .;nit IPrC"n1osc,J ce.tJ4v li~ thfgtider d~tgn, J.~ I ,,.,II plain. Jf r1n1 dont ,va11r to Jikc tli1.-".SC gUdcn <l<i,1·r read t ~ hcciu~ ,vhtn. f'rn ,hrough l<i be sa l.>J 1r y1111 dido'[ agnt "·lch Jllt:. If )"tU ~~l',;-~rrain you11 agree \Vith nit. ln,."tcrnu o( (Ju,ilifiL·.tuOtlS1 1 l~vr ilLcwnubrt'd nu.ire Ula.ti .tbo11r 11 hours on rhrei: 1lttlC'lTilt

hour,; on SlX dillert"nl X( 155s•

xc; 14)\, .ind have t1ll\\o'11j'r.rh ,~:i1.c.s \\'ith and v.·icfuuu

V/Jnglro o\.unc-roui. nm,;."S.. ,\ti of th-L'! flying rook pba: ·Jl inJt ~l I hcrmal )ices ,1,o1tll :i.nn1c rirne spr11t 1n c,.-c~lfl~ bl,1~~ulf:s• .inJ d l»t 111 timt' spcnr 111 pUK ~ ~ti ric1,;.- ,·ondiuons. I h.Jvt" rn1ck 1ownl .md am1rtlv.'t'd horh$l7~, 3{!:1111,~·lth and \\1th,w1 w1nglcB... I've had ,h..: (l~:,orcuniry l•_• llr .J~ound. ~Un.~1. 11nJ in the. ~tmc." air v.·irh1 ·cry1..u1n..·1lt pro<lu\:riOll , glider I an 1hink oJ, and Ju~ also tl"wn J goocl nun1ht:t ot t' ocher cur- ~' Rfll Jc~igns. aJll(lt not .IS cxc~n.;;1v-el):. Ji" ir m:u11;.1.i ,u ;1uyon \"'e. ~ri ~fJ..'.{fr-r;ir«! for I l Ye"Jl'li, .1c,.:umuJateJ-a1\J01:s.1,"4,pfhollt\·fr <'r'22·j~9y ~

,nd hove flowu in nwncrow~·U ..~._ Na11 ·)·11;.iJ.;°~<1.£w~.diiin.in~-sine., , I ')81 (wid, tumi,cern ml'dioc i1,,g<~,C:\. ~ Ila ;,.;,. \\ lien it comes ro mtili[ - _ it:s°'IO"!""" ih;t<~r Ilic. ~ y.,.. l'V< pcr.,onally !,[OWit p.u,i:J Ch Aril)g Willi Win!"S "tg in ,h. qu~Jc!ffQ(,\(,v,'ars hJS alforded m("~."'uii."~ ' bc,ing ,~1:.11m1p't., ;r..,,),hing dur ro1nc:,; .;long,"! Jl.!'j;;;plv Je,oh>r,'d J prelcrcnu,. Wu, mv oilier ror:{~)kis. c:u:..) I ,\,i,J to =k our and stick wirh pmdurr, !'belie.·< tc1 he ~11pcrlo1, I \\iU make .1.1nargin2I arll:n1r~ furlffia...

XC 142 top nose plate assembly, note the 14to- 1 VG return pulley.

Rear pullback attaches top rear wire, bridle compensator; and tensiom cross bar simultaneously.

Control bar corner showing custom pulley and knife cleat for VG.

XC cross bar center section.

XC Leading edge cross bar junction.

The author prepares to Launch under aerotow.

review, to exhibit objectivity. In instances where my opinions squeak out, I'll try to provide as much tangible proof as possible to back them up. (And no, I don't have a Wills Wing tattoo or Wills Wing underwear!) Whew! With all that our of the way, I'll proceed to expound. A logical approach will be to cover the 155 in depth first, then follow up with a comparison with the 142. While the two gliders obviously have a lot in common, there are some significant differences in their construction and design . Following the discussion of the gliders I'll cover the optional winglets and rheir effect on these ships.

THE 155 Generally, Wills Wing is always working on the next "new thing." The release of a new design is predicated upon a measurable improvement in performance or handling, or, ideally, both. A lull in sales has also been known to hasten creativity. With all of these incentives in mind, Wills Wing's mission in the case of the XC was to improve on their RamAir glider series. Performance-wise, the RamAir has proven to be an excepcional challenge m even equal (by any manufacturer). The handling, however, as intimated by some Ra.mAir owners, could stand some improvement, so as to feel more

convencional and yield more effective control and performance. XC 155's began rolling off the production line in May of last year, and Wills Wing was very excited about the glider. The final result is a scoopless, innovative glider, that in performance comparisons actually edged out the RamAir and exhibited much improved control authority and handling qualities.

THE SETUP XC serup reeks of simplicity and straightforwardness - no wing nuts or safeties. Simply open the "click-clack" basetube, turn the glider over and spread the wings. If you left the luff

HA G GLIDING

lines attached, d1e kingpost springs .right up on its hinge mount (as with the RamAir), ready to rock. Stuff the ribs in, tension the glider via a rear, external haul-back, and install your tip sticks and tip fairings (or optional winglets). Insta1l the two nose battens (which stay in the sail when packed), nose cone and six bottom surface ribs, and (voila!) you're done. Neither the VG nor the luff lines require assembly. For those who prefer to ser up the glider in the "lay flat" mode, the nose wires simply need to be unhooked and a small track at the control bar apex facilitates pancaking.

AN From 50 paces away the exhibits an obvious resemblance to the RamAir. Appearances can be deceiving, however, for the XC's design is as much a departure from the RamAir as it is a refinement. So what .is different? Most obviously, the RamAir "scoop" is gone. Apparently, some of tbe RamAir's unconventional handling feel (which I personally like) was most noticeable at airspeeds where the glider couldn't decide whether it was inflated or uninBated. Therefore, tbe Wills design team, headed up by Steve Pearson, decided to shelve the "pres·· surized wing" concept for now, pending forther research. The four internal fabric ribs which define and stabilize the bottom surface remain, however, and are all incorporated outboard of the leading edge/cross bar junction. The inboard bottom surface is defined by three straight ribs per Witb these seven points of support and definition, the in-flight result is an ultraclean bottom surface that looks like it's painted on. Obviously, the "concave" bottom surface of tbe RamAir has given way to a flatter pro-

file. Speaking of ribs, one will notice tbe use of a couple of arrow shafts per side in the afi: sections of some of the batten complement, unlike the RamAir's solid aluminum set. Superimposing the batten charts on top of eacb other, I noticed that tbe XC's high point remains in the same location as the RamAirs, but tbe height of the camber is slightly greater by nearly one-half inch in the root battens, becoming more RamAir-like as they progress out to the tip. There is a ve!'y slight (mucb less tban the RamAir) reflex in the inboard ribs of theXC. Tbe mylar pocket/bottom surface seam has evolved to a mote forward location sucb that the sail clings cleanly around the leading edge, facilitating a very dean entry section, with no mylar "cusp" under the leading edge tube. Airframewwise I noticed two changes. The APRIL 1996

cross bar centers now utilize FalcotHtyle, ball joint binging which reduces the number of plates, nuts and bolts, and their associated weight and complexity. Also, where the buge front leading edge pipe steps down to tbe smaller aft section there is a short oversleeve of the aft section, compared to the longer innersleeve fclund 011 the RamAir, forther reducing weight. By ronting the VG cord around one more pulley inside tbe bottom surface, behind the nose plates, the mechanical advantage bas been doubled to 14 to l. While the foll travel of VG pull on the RamAir was about: three"fourths of tbe basetube length, tbe XC VG pull is double

tbat much less effort, a little more rope (with markings at each one-quarter travel). In addition, Wills has a brand new computer-optimized, wind tunnel tested, faired downw tube material (with turbulator trips) which significantly reduces drag and requires no inner·· sleeving. 'J'hat basically covers the XC's unique design features, minus some little nips and tucks and sail cut advances that I'm not motivated enough to isolate or relate.

Now we're getting to the good stuff. Basically, the stoty I hear most out on the bill is tbat they1ve put the HP AT's handling back into gliders, Obviously there's a lot more to it tban that. My impression of the flight characteristics and handling qualities follows. Launching is typically straightforward. With good balance and slightly loose side wires, one simply needs to utilize conventional launch technique, and off you go. Once in the air, with tbe VG in the looser

settings, the roll rate .is very quick and roll pressure is light. The glider seeks trim both in level flight and while thermaling, with much more conviction than the RamAir had. In addition, pitch pressures are 1.ight and build progressively as you pull in. This gives the pilot an excellent feeling of speed control while thermaling in turbulence, particularly near the hill. This could be considered I-IP-like. VG activation is easy and requires two foll pulls to utilize the entire range. Personally (having a history of ove1:.·shim-itis), I prefer a little VG engagement all the time while flying an XC to give it the stiffoess I'm accustomed to.

Unlike the HP Ar's, the are just about roll neutral. Tbe glider just doesn't want to wind in or roll out of a thermaling turn. "It1rn coordination is a non-cerebral breeze. This is probably the glidds shining attribute. It really is a no-brainer to this glider to climb like a shot. If you fly the glider VG full on it does stiffen right up, and its user-friendly, easy·thermaling personality takes a noticeable hit. Thar setting, however, is really meant for going from point A to point B or for wonder winds or coastal boating. So, basically, you've got a very light-handling glider (considering its size, span and sail tension) that is extremely easy to thermal and thus feels very comfrmable dose to the hill or down low. The XC's scratching personality and climb is much improved over tbe RamAir, and even over the HP A'T''s. Acrobatically speaking (a delicate subject, since no glider is certified or recommended for this purpose), I'll state that the XC exhibits an excellent capacity for gaining and !'etaining energy. Add the XC's good roll characteristics to the equation and you have a good glider for... maneuvers. The XC is extremely resistant w spins. The good news is that you definitely won't get this glider to spin accidentally, which, safety-wise, is an excellent attribute. Aerobatic pilots need to know that it takes a ve1y knowledgeable, spin-proficient pilot to coax any kind of a spin out of an XC. As forrest Gump would say, "That's all I have to say about that. How does an XC land? Well, it is a highperformance glider, but you would never know it by its ease oflanding. Like the RamAir, the XC is about as forgiving as I can imagine. Witb the hang point forward of the control bar apc•x, because of the aft placement of that apex on the keel, Hare authoriry is excellent. This, coupled witb some mysterious aerody· namic factors, results in an ultra-forgivingness tbat makes the glider a pleasure to be in when the landing conditions are less than optimal.

PERFORMANCE This is the topic that piques everyone's inter-· est, but performance is the most difficult glider attribute to quantify. There arc three areas of performance that we generally look at when considering glider performance: highest speed attainable, glide (at various speeds), and sink rate. The highest speed attainable, which is rarely used in everyday life outside of racing (and is well above the Vne of most gliders these days), is still a feature that people key OIL The XC's top end is actually a couple of miles per hour less than that of the RamAir. [ could top out a RamAir at around 68-70 mph (straight-armed, not balled up) while the XC accelerates to about 66-68 mph (Vne is 55 mph). I've raced against all of the current hot ships (all the contenders) and have only lost to a RamAir. I don't think anything else out there is any faster than an XC, although a couple of designs are right there. I do have to add that I fly with a cocoon, which in theory may hurt my performance some. In the LID department I'll first defer to the performance comparisons that Wills Wing performed during the prototype days of the XC's development. Similar and familiar pilots repeatedly tested the XC against a control Ram Air. Eventually they were successfol in achieving an XC configuration that bettered the RamAir's glide. Their actual findings were that the XC very slightly outperformed the RamAir at low speeds, basically matched performance at mid-speeds, and then again outperformed the RamAir at higher speeds. That makes for one impressive performance statement, considering the RarnAir's world-class glide! My performance tests, which are not nearly as clinical as wms, simply involve flying around with my buddies and visiting pilots. This can be quite informative, however, on a great day at Ellenville, New York. Often I get to fly with a respectable mix of 30 to 60 gliders on any given soaring flight. My opinion is that none of the current flock of competitive glider designs can claim to smoke the rest of the field. However, I'd bet bucks that if you took one of each of the hot ships flown by similar pilots and flew them for 10 rniles into a headwind from 18,000 feet, that the XC would get there higher and first by some measurable amount. Since this scenario will never realistically occur, we'll just have to see how various pilots do on competition glides to goal, and in hometown ridge runs. Last, there's sink rate. This glider has a great sink rate! Sink rate, climb, handling ease and pilot skill are what get you "on top of the

stack." I'm convinced that the XC has a slightly improved sink rate compared to the HP AT's and RamAirs. Furthermore, with a more solid pitch feel and its nice thermaling personality, it's easier to kt this glider make you look good, rather than you having to make it lool, good. As was the case with the HP AT's, this design finds its way to the top of the stack readily, without a ton of effort on the pilot's part. And that's the story of the 1 Wbat about its little brother?

142 If this is the XC model you'd consider, don't

OVERVIEW The 142 sports several differences in design and construction compared to the 155. First, we notice that the 142 incorporates a kingpost hang system (as opposed to the l 55's keel hang). This is undoubtedly a factor in the great handling. This system incorporates an eight-position CG adjustment bracket which facilitates trim tuning fiH varying pilot weights. Next, when examining the airframe, you will see that Wills was able to use a smaller diameter front leading edge tube. The aft section is simply the innersleevable next diameter down. This construction saves weight while enhancing handling, all with no apparent hit on performance. Another subtlety I noticed was the addition of three inboard fabric mini--ribs per side (over the l 55) which work in concert with the aluminum bottom-surface ribs to maintain sail shape. These unique features, along with subtle sail cut differences, set this size XC apart from "the big one."

HOW

foe! that f'm snubbing it by covering it second. Think of it as saving the best for last. The fact of the matter is that creating a smaller size of a glider design involves (or should involve) a lot more than simply scaling down the dimensions of a larger model to create a look-alike. In the case of the XC l 42, Wills went through at least 11 prototype configurations in order to develop a glider that was the right size and had the personality and performance to be deemed "an XC." While it took longer than expected, tbe result was worth waiting for. In a nutshell, Wills has finally created a smaller version of a flagship design that actually handles like a smaller glider. Maybe it's just me, but I feel that most of the smaller competition gliders out there don't feel as small as they should. This one does.

The 142 sets up just like tbe 155.

FLIES

This is a "must have" glider in any Wills Wing dealer's demo fleet. Just about anyone who flies one of these things is going to want to order one. It has the same nice launching and handling qualities as the 155, only without any hint of that "big glider feel." You just think about what you want the glider to do and it will do it - pronto. fr took me a few minutes to settle down the first time I flew one; subtle input is not what I'm used to. I haven't flown a glider in quite some time that can actually be rolled into a meaty thermal with so little resistance. Needless to say; I really think you'll find that this glider is handling heaven. 'J'he glider continues to shine when it comes time t:o land. Forgiveness and authority are preserved even without the keel hang point, because the control bar apex is still afi: of the kingpost hang loop arrangement. This effectively lengthens your arms for flare authority.

PERFORMANCE Here again, l will first refer you to Wills Wing's performance comparisons. Apparently only two like pilots (180 pounds each) were available at test time. There must have been a shortage of small pilots in those days. The bot-· torn line is that over a long, straight course, a I 42 loaded in the top third of its weight range will just keep up with a mid--loaded 155 at lower speeds. At high-end speeds the (loaded)

Cont'd on page 46. HANG CUDING

1ST CLASS MAIL SJ1RVICE HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE: ($24.00-U.s., Canada, & Mexico only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ·--·----·---AIR MAIL SERVICE - HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE: ($30.00-Westem Hemisphere, $44.00-Europe, $57.00-All Others) .. IST CLASS MAIL SERVICE PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE: ($12.00-U.S., Canada, & Mexico only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - - - · - · · - - · AIR MAIL SERVICE- PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE: ($15.00-Westem Hemisphere, $22.00-Europe, $29.00-AII Others) .... · - - - - - - - - NAA MEMBERSHIP: ($10.00 annual dues). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - - - - - - - - - · FAI SPORTING LICENCE:

($18.00 annual fee)

Date

Citizenship:

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

**************************************************************************************************************** *Foreign payments must he in U.S.funds drawn on a U.S. hank.

TOTAL

(01/96)

RELEASE, WAIVER AND ASSUMPTION

RISK AGREEMENT

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. "PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORT 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. "HY SPORTS INJURIES' means my personal injury, my bodily injury, my death, my property damage and/or any other personal or financial injury sustained by me as a result of my PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORTand/or as a result of the administration of any USHGA programs (for example: the Pilot Proficiency System). 3. "RELEASED PARTIES' 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 person(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; 0 All persons involved, in any manner, in the sports of hang gliding and/or paragliding at the site(s) where I PARTICIPATE IN THE SPORT. "All 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 THE SPORT. B. I WAIVE AND DISCHARGE the RELEASED PARTIES from any and all claims and liability for HY SPORTS INJURIES, however caused, even if caused by the negligence (whether active or passive) of any of the RELEASED PARTIES, to the full extent allowed by law. I WILL NOT SUE OR MAKE A CLAIM against any of the RELEASED 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 RELEASED PARTIES. I ACKNOWLEDGE that the non-participant third party liability insurance obtained by USHGA does NOT provide coverage for HY SPORTS INJURIES. D. I TO 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, death, or property damage as a result of my negligence (whether active or passive) or willful misconduct in connection with my PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORT 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 HY SPORTS INJURIESwhich I suffer in whole or in part before the termination of this Agreement. F. I AGREE THAT this AGREEMENT shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. All disputes and matters whatsoever arising under, in connection with or incident to this Agreement shall be litigated, if at all, in and before a Court located in the State of California, U.S.A. to the exclusion of the Courts of any other State or Country. G. SEVERABLILITY. 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.

H. I VOlUNTARllY ASSUME All RISKS, KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, OF MY SPORTS INJURIES, HOWEVER CAUSED, EVEN CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE ACTION, INACTION, OR NEGLIGENCE Of THE PARTIES, TO THE FULL EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW. I have read, understand, and agree to the above RELEASE, WAIVER AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT.

l'Jrtidpants Jiplilture

Date MR-12/91

h light record printouts made by the instruments listed here will be accepted as barographic evidence of flight performance in support of Federation !\eronautique Internationale (FAT) record and badge claims in Class 0 airsports (hang gliding and paragliding) provided that the instrument is used in accordance with the relevant sections of the Fi\] Sporting Code and that the official observer procedme is followed. Preand/ or post-flight ca lib ration of the instrument at a laboratory approved by a competent National Aero Club (NAC) may be required. NAC's can, at their dis-cretion, revoke this acceptance for their pilots or flights made over their territory. Use of the instruments in other airspon classes is subject to approval of the FAl commissions governing those airsports. This list is correct as of December I 0, 1995. Acceptance is valid only for the models and software versions listed. Acceptance of printouts docs not con-stitute an endorsement of the instruments or a guarantee of quality of materials,

Mr>del

Note I: This instrument was accepted under an early version ofthe EAM specifications that did not require identification ofthe software version. Note 2: This software version is rtccepted on the condition that the instrument be calibrated by the manuftcturer lm than one year b~fore the record or badge flight; Paragraph 5.4.6 ofScction 7 ofthe FA! Sporting Code notwithstanding. A calibration certificate.from the manufacturer must accompany any perf11rmance claim. Ill

Software ~rsion

VII

filectrcmic Barograph

workmanship, reliability, accuracy, or freedom from defects or malfunct:ion. FAI and its officials refuse any and all liability for loss, damage or injury resulting from use or possession of any of the listed instruments. It is the user's responsibility to determine if one of these instruments is suitable for his or her purposes. 'fhese instruments should not be used for deter-mining flight altitude in controlled airspace unless they have been certified for such use by civil aviation authorities.

01.2 Note 1 29209 1.6 2.04 Note J 29141, Note 2

29209 29209 3.0 3.1 Skybox

APRIL

1996

1.2+ 1.3, 2.3 2.2, 3.2 93073

Manufacturer Aircotec AG Brauniger Gmbl-T Brauniger GmbH Brauniger GmbH Davron E.W. Avionics FlytecAG FlytecAG FlytecAG Afro Fluginstmmente Afro Fluginstrumente Ingenieurbilro Leimkuhler Automaten Technik Winkels Automaten Technik Winkels

Steve Wertheimer: I flew farther than mY. buddy all summer Aong. I thin k it's the Tangent. 1

You'll find Tangents here ... Chris Arai, 94 & 95 US National .Champion John Pendry, 95 British National Champion 6 TFCs in the top IO at the 95 US Nationals

. '

rorezgn uoarzn

n 1642, Abel Tasman sailed east for a thousand miles .from the land mass he named New Holland, which later became known as Australia. He was perhaps suffering.from a combination ofseasickness and homesickness, or maybe it was those mushrooms they took on board in Bali. At any rate, when he stumbled upon the next land mass, with its extensive mountain chains displaying peaks reaching to 12,700 feet, it reminded him ofhis home, so he promptly named it New Zeeland T he original Zeeland is in Holland, of course, and is flat as a pan. Tasman didn't set foot on New Zealand (note modern spelling) since he was frightened off by the native Maoris' fierce countenance - mokos or full-face tattoos, and hakas or group-choreographed, chreatening gestures. How could he know chey were just practicing for the tourists who were sure to come later? It was James Cook, better known by his first name, Captain, who really put New Zealand on me map, beginning in 1760 wich three voyages of discovery. As was his wo nt, Cook named various land features ro read like a diary, and those names continue roday: Bay of Plenty (lots of supplies), Bay ofroverty (naming but fish and chips), Bay of Foul Winds (nothing but beans), Kidnappers Cove (a crew member disappeared) and Young Nick's Head (Cook's favorite cabin boy spotted me headland first). But it wasn't Tasman or Cook who really discovered New Zealand, it was me Maoris. Lost in me fog of time is a tale of brave settlers in open canoes sailing huge stretches of ocean to find a new home. They named me islands of New Zealand Aotearoa, which means "land of the long white cloud." The long white ones which so impressed chem were me convergence clouds a.long me norm peninsula and wave clouds chat extend along me backbone of born me Norm and Souch Islands. In fact, waves from me Souchern Alps reportedly sometimes stretch clear w Chile. Sailplane pilots were delighted to play in chese waves when chey held cheir World Meet on the South Island last year.

NORTH ISi.AND My wife Claire and I felt like me early explorers when we landed at Auckland last January 4. Sure, New Zealand has all me amenities of home, but it is less exposed w the media man, say, Australia or Europe. We heard how beamiful it was, but little else. So when we arranged [O attend me competitions in Australia during our winter, we jumped at me chance w add a week layover on me Norm Island. We were met at me airport by Dave Selwood who whisked us off w me east side of me island at Hawke Bay. Dave arranged for a couple of gliders for us and provided us with transportation. His generous aid was typical of me friendly reception we received from New Zealand pilots everywhere. As luck would have it, me New Zealand ationals were taking place near H awke Bay and we joined to fly as wind dummies for the five days we would be around. Hawke Bay looks like a behemoth shark wok a bite out of me T-bone steak chat is the Norm island. The rwin towns of Ha.stings and Napier clutter d1e souch end of chis bay. Souch of chese towns, wich cheir western names, run chains of mountains and smaller settlements wich names preserving me original Maori flavor. Turnpoints, waypoints and goals such as Waipawa, Wa.ipukurau and Omakere made reading m e map and reporting positions a challenge. I have no problem wich native American names such as Mississippi, Missoula or Susquehanna, but me mountain we flew from, Kaokaoroa, was a mouthful. Fortunately, it was known by me local pilots as Zola's, for the simple reason

Dave Selwood launches at Ocean Beach.

H ANG GLIDING

that an early pilot used to run up the 1,500 venical feet to rcuicvc his car. He performed this feat barefoot, ala Zola Budd. the 5,000 ,necer runner from South At'rica ,vho was such a pal ofMa,y Cx,ckcrs. Zola's has launches fucing almOS< every diroccion. It is norm.:tlly covered with grass, bur this year an :ihundant bloom of thistles (thanks to Sootcish senlen) required some careful tn:.ineuve.ring to set up and launch. A common exercise ar chis launch is kno,vn as the Zola shuflle. This ,al<es place when the wind, which moy be blowing as much as 15 mph on launch during serup, quickly dies and shifts as much as I80° to another launch. We had the privilege of experiencing this shifting ritual "';cc, bu1 I've been ossured that there have been APRIL 1996

occasions when they have moved their gliders several different cimcs and ended up :a1 the original launch. The reason for all this fickle wind: a combination of several sea b= fronrs •nd valley flows which push b•ck and forth, making this one of the most in1e.rescing places I have flo,vn. The pilors who can figure all this our, and soroe do, tend to excel. As fure and weather would baYe it, we only flew Zola's ,hree times and managed to eke our X-C flights cwice. Another day, ,ve Oew a nearby site on the coast at Ocean Beach. TJ,e 6fth day we Sew another site called Te Marn Peak. This ridge looks like one side of a collapsed volcano and is VCI)' close to Hastin~. le supports a thriving tandem hang gliding and

paraglidiag business. From Te Mata it's possible to Oy to the ooast or downrange to Zo.la's and beyond. C.Ondi1·ions on the Norrh Island range from mild lO srrong. The rop ofrhe island is 34.5' larirude and the bollom is 41.5'. so it shar<s cl,e same sun angle as ,he area from Sanm Barbara to the Oregon border in C,lifornia. The cast of the island is dry due to the blockage of the prevailing westerlies by the Kaimanawa fuu1g<. There a.re mru,y sites all over the island, and if you bad something as pormble as a paragtider )'OU could cake one of the round-rhe-i.sland buses and stop and fly all along the cimrit. There are varlotL~ long mountain chains that provide cross-cowul)' routes with ample land41

Lng fields. Bur the cross-counrry record of over I 00 miles was se, by Ian Clark, not in che

mountains, bur along ,he relatively flat norm, ernmost peninsula. This peninsula dcvdops a sea breeze from both sides which meets in the middle and forms a lift highway heading norm and souch. In fact, you can rravel this highway more easily chan the road chat winds norch from Auckland. But while the North Island produced che record. many pilots assured me ,ha, ,he best flying was on the South Island.

SOUTH ISLAND New Z<:aland has a toral population of about dm'e million people. One million of chem live in Auckland and there arc another million on

the rm of chc Norm Island. That leaves a milUon people co be spread out on the South Island - an area che size of Iowa - and many of these are in Christchurch. There used to be 20 sheep to every person below the Cook Strait which separates the Islands. The South lsland is oompoml of che Southern Alps on rhe west which gradually slope to che sea toward che east. Because rhcse mountains arc on the v.·cst side of the island

and higher than thooe on the North Island, the Souch lsland h:i.s a much more extensive .uet of

dry clim•ce. The dry weather and high mount:lins produce so,ne s3il-screrching thernia.ls and

horizon-sttetd1ing Rights. Widi only a week in New Zealand we maxi, miud flight time by minimizing crave! time. Rcgrerrably. we didn't get to the Souch Island. However, I have seen a &rack of in-flight photos taken by a local pilot and am in awe of the rugged mounrains, the winding valleys, the impressive visras and che beckoning doud syste·m$.

;\11yone plaor,iog ro t'lke a flying tour of Ne\V Ze:tb.nd n,ust n1..1ke ic :a _poinl ro visic che

South Island. Ile prepared, however, ro pay a hefty sum (ar least U.S. $!40) to get a car across che Cook Srrnic. But the flying is worth it.

FREE FLIGHT Despite die limited general population of the countJ)' and tJ,e enthusiastic bur even more limited flying popufatio1\, New Ze.'\laud boa.sts a glider manufucrurer. This company is koown as Free Flight N.Z. Ltd. and has a long history. It began as Shutte $ails under the owner, Bob Shutte. an American pilor. For rhe lase six years chis company has been owned by Anton Lawrence and Geoff Green. Along with the sailmaker, Steve Elliot, they have developed a very nice line of gliders. T hdr latest offering LS called the Gas (as in fun). I had a chance to fly

The ukwfrom one ofZolds lawuh sim. rhis glider for three hours at Te Maca Peak. The Gas has a conventional shape with a fuirly high aspect racio of8 ro I or slighdy better. The size I Aew was around 150 square feet. Ir bandlocl exceptionally well, had a g=t sink rate, landed easily and would go very fast when askocl to do so. We sbotdd no,c thar S,cve Elliot won die Nationals we attended Oying a Gas. Hjs virtue was ou,climl>ing most oche, gliders wb.ich indudocl many of the Jares, winf1$. The Gos has a very easy-ro-pull VG system wid, o 12 ro l gang of pulleys set in front of the crossbar. Moving che pulleys ro th.is position gives more room in front of rhe kingpost ro pull the crossbar back. so it can be straighter to begin with and rhus easier to pull. "The VG is internally compensated. Another nice feature of the Gas is a Vdcro flap iv the lower surf.tee in &onr of the king• pose. This allows easy hookup of a row att:lChrnent off the keel. TI, ere 2re 10 + 4 barrens per side for airfoil control and they are all arcad,ed with bungees for handling purpo.ses. All the cubing is 6061 except for che keel which is 6063 since it is cheaper co replace. Anyone inter.ested in getting more information abour the Gas should contact the fuctory by fax at O11, 64-9-473-8834.

NEW ZEAI.AND NOTES New Zealand has left u.< with many nice impressions. We liked die varied terrain (moumains, Ii.ills a1.1d beaches witb ole-Jnder and blue j.1c:,randa in bloom), the v.tried flying (thermal, convel'genc:e. wave and bead) soaring) and the conscam warmth of the pilots. One of the local birds frequently seen at launch is che ~relcome rn13.1Jo,v. 111ey \vere certainly welcomed because they denoted

Life, but they also seemed to always be chirping a greeting. The oost ofLiving (and traveling) is slighter IO\ver chan here in the U.S. We were fortunate to stay at an eight-bedroom ranch house on the cheap since it was loaned ro us by Geoff's sister.

There were plenty of pilots (of all wing prefer. cnccs) in die area wlng Lnexpensive campsires v.•ith full amenities. Jexpected to be wading in sheep as soon as I l:tnded :u the airport, but it seems that since the

price has dropped our of the wool madce,, fam,ers have S\vicched to othec Uvestock, including deer. l saw deer fanns everywhere and recognized our native variery as ,veil as roe~ bucks from Europe. Deer are skittish and there was a major penalty h, the competition for landing in a deer 6dd. Still, there are plenry of shoop around to use as condition indicators. According to some pilots, when the sheep walk on tiptoes a thermal is lifting off. When chcy roU uphill, it's too strong to By. When their ..;.vool is shol'n it~ ,varm out, and when thc::y run from you and your glider you're about ro land. There is only one SOQring bird inland irl Ne,v Zealand. Thar bird is a harrier with i,s long. sleek wing,: and coursing flighc They rend to thermal higher than the species we ha..... But New Zealand has its share ofexoric birds induding die kea, a rapscallion parm~ d,e kokapu, a flighdess night prowler and, of course, che khvi. Rwnor has it char if you leave yourshoes out at night a khvi ,vill come by and polish them with its thick muff of feathers. l never tried this since I ,vorc running shoes. but we ran into plenty of two-legged kiwis who were friendly enough to do everything but polish your shoes. If you're looking for ai1 exotic plaoe with lors of flyi.og and tbe ease ofspeaki.og English. I recommend New Zealand. •

HANG GLIDING

I I

1·~A~r; ~LiDE; .LiYi}i 1 l

"'"""'"'"'""'''""'"""' h ,;/111&f",,,,9YS,>a,/a

The Improved Tracer (IT) features continuous webbing structure, adjustable padded leg straps, adjustable shoulders, hook knife, steel carabiner, easy rotation for excellent sit-up-ability, skid plate toe protector, bungee retractor channel, custom sizing and a wide range of colors & options

HANG GIIDINC

Ilic.; i·.; tl1r· L,-LlH·1 il1,\1 L,1•; Li Len dw (•rl1111\r·v IJ\' !,lii1·111 1, ,., ,..,11,.,1 ii,. (·,,,I,"'' ,,,,,I,,,, ,,,,,,I,."' 1,.,1, ..dllillitifl!!!',~kF1+1,wlii!ili!l!'m. ,,f(',,,.1,,,,,1.1,.,.,,,,1 11,,.,.,.1,,,,.;,.

r;,,. ,,,,I, \,.I. '",c\,l,..,,,f,,,,,,,,., 111,,,.,1, ,l,f,,,, ,1,.,1,,·l .. ,il,., .. , ,.,I" 11, .., 1d.. " ,, , ,.. ,fl ),,,,,,,,.,,,,,, .. , ... ,,,

JUST FLY A,;,,,ionGeac I KUO ·1 I(;

I'" I,"\ 1--)11 l\,111· I l.i"I, \('

l!J

Airspeed Jnc1ic:ltor 11v1 A precision instrument f'or lhc serious pilol.

Rugged, dependable and easy 10 react

NEW! SMALL HALL Great l'or hand-held wind mcasurc111cn1 or paraglider Airspeed Indicator using Bracket. Small Hall. . .. $23.50 Paraglidcr Brack cl ..... $6.50 Now available: Small I fall for hang gliders, 0 to 70 mph

Hall Brothers 5" Dia. ABS Plaslic Wheels $24.00/pair

P.O. Box JO I 0-11, Morgan, UT 84050, USA Maslcrcard I VISA I C.O.D Phone (80 I) 829-3232 Fax (80 I) 829-6349

mo•jo (rnojo) n.

a charm or amulet thought to have magical powers; luck as ri a magical or .mpernatural origin; a magical selection of.flight gear.from Texas. Call for your ]i'ree Copy: 48 full-color pages of over 400 accessories

Office Hours: MON-THUR Noon to 5PM Central Standard Time

SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER WITH $4 SHIPPING. CALL, WRITE, FAX, or E MAIL TO ORDER OR GET A FREE BROCHURE WITH DETAILS AND MORE ACTION VIDEOS. ALL VIDEOS GUAFlANTEED

ADVENTURE PRODUCTIONS Paul Hamilton 4750 Townsite F\oad F\eno, Nevada 895 i 1 USA Phone/FAX 702-849-9672 hamilton@adventure.reno.nv.us

Cont'dfrornpage 36. 142 actually begins to slightly outperform the 155. In addition, sink mes were very similar to those of the showing a small advantage over time, which only makes sense. By Wills Wing's own admission this is the first rime they've gotten a mid-size glider to truly match performance with the .large size. I'll admit that I haven't had any "wonder wind" time in a 142, which is when I normally compare my sink rate and true performance with that of other pilots. On several sled rides, however, I noticed only a hint of extra descent rate as compared to a 1 (I hook in at 200). For light ,tnd mid-,range pilots (who love their handling) this glider promises to sink, glide and climb with the best of them. I have flown 011 some really crackin' days in the 142 and the penetration, climb and lxmdling allowed me to be extremely competitive.

Model ........................................................ 155 ........................ 112 Span .......................................................... 34 fr ........................ 32 ft. Aspect Ratio................................................7.5 ........................ 7.2

Glider Weight ............................................. 70 lbs ....................... 67 lbs. Pilot Hook-In Weight ................................ .f?0--280 lbs .................. 140-240 lbs.

Pilot Ski/1 ................................................... USHGA Advanced Vne (Jpeed never to exceed) .......................... 55 mph

Vct (max maneuvering speed) ...................... 48 mph

Vs (,t1ill speed at max loading) .................... 25 mph Vd (max speed at min lociding) .................. .46 mph Suggested retail price ................................... $4,700

WINGLETS As you are probably aware, you have the op don of adding winglets to either of these gliders for a. good chunk of change. T'he idea behind the winglers is to improve performance through span-wise airflow disruption. Wills' winglets have a non..syrmnetrical airfoil shape, technically creating low pressure out above 1he wing tip sail area. l know there is an ongoing debate concerning winglets, and I'll take this opportunity to throw in my two cents. I resisted winglcts for quite a while too much hassle to carry around, too expensive, and the XC docs just fine without them. Pinally, however, I flew with a set on a 1 'I'hcy made my basetube trirn back about two to three inches. Hmm, maybe they do something after all. After that (and after a cool palm job on my own personal set), I regularly flew with winglets with my CG moved back onehalf inch. I noticed a bit of a hit in handling (five percent?), a better sink rate and better tracking. Next I made a mJd ..winter foray to the Orlando flight parks (both Wallaby and Quest Air). With the help of the folks at Quest Air (loaner XC, winglers, aerotows and genei:ous hospitality), I took an umpteen-thousand-foot early n10n1i11g row with only one winglet installed (on the right side). The air was per· focdy still. Upon release I repeatedly stabilized the glider in straight flight and would subse,.. quently let go. Each time, the glider would slowly begin to peel off to the left. I experi.. mented with all the VG settings and noticed that the effect was more pronounced in the tighter ones. I would charactexize the effect as a left turn "preference" as opposed to a foll-

Optional u;inglets ....................................... $3 lO

XC'S

(AS

ALL WILLS WINGS):

• Complete 7075-T6 airframe (] 0°/cJ weight savings over 6061 ) • 7075 batten stock (rarely needs tuning) • Free color choice in th rec sail pattern selections • Sails cut and marked on computer-driven table • Heavy-duty 600 denier cover hag

fledged turn. In addition, the glider exhibited a mild resistance to turning right. My conclusions? They definitely do something. They make the wing fly ever S<) slightly more efficiently. They stiffen the handling slightly, the 142 more than the 155. They definitely make the glider more rowing friendly. Both size Xe's row well with and without winglets, b11t the winglets do have a stabilrz.ing effect, without question. In my opinion this stabilizing effect is also significant it1 everyday non-towing flight, simply because less yawing equates to more efficient flight. Last, winglets look way cool. Whether they are a necessity or a luxury is really a personal choice that each pilot should make on his own by demoing a set. As a side note, J've had three RamAir pilots demo the w.inglets and they all bought them. Apparently these guys have found that the

• Airspeed indicator and bracket • Professionally written owner's manual • Tip fairings • Spare parts and tuning kir • Wills Wing hat and stickers • Factory and dealer test flights • Large, nationwide pool of professional service centers

winglets make thermaling a RamAir a lot more straightfo1.ward, I have yet to try that experiment for myself

CONCLUSI.ONS? I thi11kI've made my impressions dear. I'm ve1y enthusiasdc. Both of ches.e gliders are exactly what they were designed to be: high perform~ ing, simple and user friendly. They're built by a company that can get a l 979 Raven leading edge to my door within three days ·of a phone call. With all the gliders being so close these days, it doesn't h.urt to consider the manufacturc,r's integrity and longevity when making a decision. If you are shopping tbe high-end glider market I strongly recommend that you. den10 any.. thing you intend to purchase, and I certainly recommend that you demo one of these critters. Ycm'll be glad you did. II 0

HANC GUDINC

Hang Gliding Training Manual, by Dennis Pagen by USHGA President Bill Bryden

Every so often a significant advancement is made in the sport, and while most ofthese have been related to equipment - such as the double surface, floating crossbar or variable geometry - we occasionally are the beneficiaries ofsome other kind ofcontribution. The most recent is a new book, Hang Gliding

Training Manual by renowned author Dennis Pagen. 48

uple of years ago Dennis rewrote the structor manual for the USHGA, d this new book dovetails well with it. The instructor manual addresses such topics as how to teach launching and landing skills. Conveniently, the Hang Gliding Training Manual discusses these skills and other topics in a similar way and wid1 the same terminology for the student pilot. Clearly, consistency between the instructor and a supplemental student text will reinforce the fledgling pilot's learning, reduce confusion and hopefully bridge gaps in the pilot's understanding. Don't fre t, thinking d1at d1is book is a verbose, polysyllabic pontification promulgating various esoreric cogitations and a bunch of "Dense Pages. " This work carries on in the style of Pagen's Performance Flying, wid1 ample illustrations and well-written descriptions. Just scanning through the book, it's evident that a criterion for the design of the book was to have many more images than pages; afmosc every page contains a photo or illustration and many pages have two or d1ree. The illustrations are the classic Pagen hand-drawn pictures (see Figure 1) with a small amount of computer graphic supplementation to make them clear, sharp and understandable. When reading a book, me attention span of many people is exceeded in short order and they put me book down. Wim a magazine you can complete a shore arcicle before your interest in that ropic wanes, and men move on to a fresh topic. This is part of me reason for me popularity of periodicals. Reading Hang Gliding 'Haining Manual is similar to reading a magazine in this way. Each chapter is parcirioned into several major sections covering typically two co five pages. Furthermore, each of these have subsections consisting of only several paragraphs and usually a picture or two. This layout style is very engaging, prompting you to continue reading instead of purring d1e book away ro gather dust. To insure that key points or cautions are nociced, several techniques are used which also contribute to a sense of variety. Key points are often printed off to the side of the main cexc in the left margin like me ones shown in Figure 2. I remember making notes like d1is in my college textbooks so I'd be certain to see them when reviewing for a test. le was effeccive. A second method used to draw attention to a key caution is identifying the warning with a graphic exclan1acion mark symbol followed by a sentence or shore paragraph in italics. Tips that can help you avoid problems or enhance skills are presemed in the same way as cautions, bur are identified by a small soaring eagle image. There are also a number of places

H ANG GLIDING

--- ___ ___ __ -..·----·.. __

- ·-·-t-·---· ....-...... .• -·--·-.,_ ......_ .. ___ .... ·-"'"_ ,.,_(I_.,_,.....·· _,--__ ------·....... __,,_.. __ _ .. . . . ~-==r:.::..·:=:.-. . ..,'= -·.. --., ... ,, ,..,._ ~,.. ..__ ......._ ,.,. __........ _ _.,_ --·-___ .. _ ....._....__ --. , .. "--·--·--..........---·- "'- " ' . o.'1 .. ,... _It _-_ _

IF PILOT Fl.AAES IIIITTH TOO MUCH ENERGY OR

\MU CUMII TOO HIGH.

Fig,m3.

• FLARING EARLY

OH-OHJ LOOl<SUKE

A WHEEL I.ANDING.

Figurr I. body bd md pt(lduoc • ~ Oare. Tbc body should remain upright and the legs hang bdow the pikt k>cushioo d , o - n. Land witb bent knee, 10 absorl, the wcipl. .,,d let the g)<b sc,tle

.... .,...,

/, Eye,1«"4tJ

i. HMb.,s/a(H,(.

J. Cnp,i,pl

< Bar b, ,rim 1 &tqwprizAt

,up,.~ ,_ 7. Ffflll>Ht2ft (l6,..Jy

to yc,ur shocllders.

r.l ~ UTION:Movfngpn-Hgsfa,'worr/kJstopyqu shlftr Yl'ffghtforward.. pulling down 1hc non

m and ~ttially MORing

....._

. _,__,

SPEED, THE GLllER

~l"Nitiit>N.'

,OIi gofosttr. Kttp y,,vrlegs Jl.lldtr you 11ntil

,n~y f:Onlact thegroeu1d

l'IIII PRO'f'IP:S>wn-<umdpttopk ltft¥Jlfind they how /~$sfl~ outltorlry. To cornet thb stale W of ojfofr.t, mow tht hands o little higher Oilf 1/te upnghu before Jhe fiort begins. ThiJ affordt )IQU '11"0/'t effectiw pwJt. ., Flor( T1""ng

Tbe second aspcc1 of lhc. Oare is the timing. There are lM'.e f.at1011 )'QI,! can vary: {I ) wben to begin )'CUf fl~ (2) how (qt you 0~ and ())bow much )'OU Oare. Let. US look Al each Ol'Jt, lhen pul !hem toaQbu. (I) Thcpropc:r time to begjntt.e !larec is wbco theglider has lost aUiu cxcesseoetgy fllMi )'OU areOtlfy a couple fott 800\'e dlcground. The energy r~'?" is import.an.I, for if}'()U nare ioo earl)' )'OW' glider will baUooo U:J) (climb) Juving you high Uld d,y as shOMI in figure4-33. If you flare- too lat.e you may soil on the~ Isor ha~ lo run hard. We'IJ discuss I.he IIUstllkcs more in Tl'ml/JltJh.()()nng lAndings. The glider Jlf'O''ic:k::s you with sub& dues MIO whal it's tune IO flare, To pick up these dues you must be relaxed, gripping lig.hdy and r()Ql$u;g your eyes forward. The clues are: • change U'I bat pitch pm:s:ure. • dlange in airspeed and a dwtn.gc in altitude.

When. YW &1e approaching the e;n:iund, )'OU have 10 pull in on the b.- and bold pressure 10 mailuin )'Ol.r speed. As you eac.c. the bar blc:k oot lO trim speed, the glider quickJy slows IO uim and neutral prcuu,e is felt. ibis is when Oate shooid begin.. (Nou: Ht$htt pcrfonnance glidcts have more speed tclt:nti«t. so a looger blcul o(1' ofspeed is requited as we'IIsec in Chapter 7.)

where things such as check liStS. key sets of ioscruccioJ\S or summaries (set Fi.gure 3) ,tre se, aside in a gray box 10 highlight this infonnacion for the reader, much like a sidebar section in• magazine. Even if a pilot ne"er actually reads a oomple,e chapter or section, he can benefit significanrly by just browsing ,he book, taking in the picrures and key poims. Ofcowse, the most imponan, a5pecr of the book is the breadth ofinforma,ion it covers for the new pilot. Typical sniff is covered like a bit ofhis,ory - equipment, how 10 launch, etc. - and it covers areas often oot well addl'CISCd in sn,dent tC<IS. Emergency procedures, including Lree landings, power lines and wa,er l:n1dings, are addressed. Of course, the pilot is cautioned in a!mosc even- student te><.1 co avoid these, but ~ all know that 100% avoidance 100% of the ,ime by 100% of new pilots just doesn't occur, and having some degree of prepar.uion is advaniageous for any pilo,. Suggeslions rue included on things to watch for wheu shopping for used equipment. Uofortuna,ely, far too many beginner or novice pilo!S show up at flying si,es with equipment not suited to their skill level, and it would have been nice if d1is had been addressed in more depth. However, I suppose tha, going so fur as to present a Lisr idenrifying some specific gliders as obsolete, others as unsuitable for beginners. etc., n\ay be too con.-. uoversial for a book and better lc:ft w the lmernet. An excellent :recrion is included on glider maimenance and simple repairs (such as foong a torn barren pocke, or broken batten) that mos, pilo,s will inevirably have to make at some time during their fom,arive years of fly. ing. [ncermediare skill1, including mermal flighr and ridge soaring, an: introduced, bu, detailed coverage ofadvanced flying skills arc lefr for other ,exes. This new book packs almos, 400 pictures and illuscracions and sever.ii hundred special poinc; inco approximacely 350 page$ wri,ten specificclly for the smdenc hang glider pilot. Hang G/i,li11g Jiriining Manual is weU written, wonderfully illus,r.11ed, and a book 1hac will cer!ainly be used ex1ensi\'ely by a number of hang gliding schools in die furure. •

Figurr 2.

APRll 1996

USHGA CALENDARS More excellent photography. {Circle Yr) 1994 1991

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

$ 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

POINT OF THE MTN (Utah) Video. HG & PG action at one of America's favorite sites. 3D 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. Meo! 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.

WINDSOKTM 1.5 oz. ripstop nylon, 5'4" long w/11" throat. Avaihable 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 Si(ma 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

SHIPPING CHARGE MY .01 - 9.99 ADD 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. Send to:

or MASTERCARD

U.S. BANK!

SUBTOTAL Colorado residents add 3% tax Shipping

chart)

y-------

HANC GLIDING ADVISORY Used hang gliders should always be disassembled before flying for rhe first time and inspected c;1rcfiilly for fatigued, bell! or dented downmbes, ruined bushings, bcm bolts (especially the bean bolt), re-used Nyloc nuts, loose thimbles, frayed or rusred cables, tangs with non-circnlar holes, and on flex wings, sails badly torn or torn loose from their anchor points front and back on rhc keel and leading edges. ff in doubt, many hang gliding businesses will be happy to give an objective opinion on the condition of equip· ment yon bring them to inspect. Buyers should select equipment that is appropriate for their skill level or rating. New pilots should seek professional instruction from a USHGA CERTIPIED INSTRUCTOR.

FLEX WINGS

BEAUTIFUL WILLS WING -- HPAT lli5, 5 years young in good shape $1,500. Call David in NC: al (9 l 0) .'l76-%0 I anytime. COMFT II 165 -- $300. Like new, 12 hours. Joe (714) '\88-7115

FALCON 195 New, zero airtime, im111ac1date, trade or offer. (}60) 378-30/i l. Tandem. 2 hours, wheel package $2,500. (90')) 2/i 5-7627. ·-· Fun gliders, JO hours

DESIRE 151'S 011c almost new $1,500. One clean high-rime $500. (112) 66 l-3171 PA.

DOUBLF VISION -

<3 hours $2,000. 1<2 155, 100 hours $1,000. (717) 864-3139.

DREAMS CLEARANCE SALE All sizes, $900$1,500. Raven Sky Spons (11 Ii) liTl-f\800.

l'ALCONS CLEARANCE SALE School use, one season. All sizes$ I ,'S00-$2,500. (Ii I Ii) 47:l-8800. Fl.Y TWO '')5 PacAir randcm g,lidcr, one season, top shape $2,900. (Ii 11) 47:l-8800. FORMULA I '51

AlRBORNE

I 00 homs, flies great $900. (813)

985-1456

BLADE RACE, STING, BUZZ .

.\!cw aud nearly new. Demo daily. THE WALLABY RANCH (941) 424-0070.

FORMUI.A 15/i -·- Three to choose from. Clean, cleaner & cleanest, tuned & rest flown, will ship. (205) 7'76-9995, (205) 880-8512.

ATRBORNE DEMO GLIDERS Clearance Sale. Blade Races 141 & 153, Blades 141 & 153 and Stings. New & used Airborne Edge Call now. US Airborne (509) 243,4988, fax (509)

CEMINJ 16/i -· Great f'irst glider for 110-IGOlb. Onl)' $150. (8/i/) 329-8:ll7.

ALMOST NEW 148-7983.

(818) 951310/i.

HARRIER 180

K4 Plus 155 $2,800 OBO. (619)

ATLAS (2) $250 each, (1) $500. Moyes Maxi (2) $200 each. Comet 180 $3'S0. Supcrlancer $150. Gemini 134 $350. (205) 776-9995, (205) 880-8512. AXIS 15 New 3/9 l, cxccllcnr condition, w/downtubcs & bascmbe, yellow/blnc. Mystic I 6G VG-built for looping, 6/85, excellent condition, blue/spectrum, xc bag. Pro Star Tl 160-1/8.o, good condition, bluc/spcctrurn. Avocct pilot watch-new, one only $100. (218) 525-1048.

AXIS 15

(;ood condition, six seasons, 3 exna downrubes $600. (80 I) 594-448 I

COLOR paint your new hang glider. You pick the bird and let 11s lurn your kite into a f\REATIITAK!NG WORK OF ART. Using 011ly the finesr warcrproof marine colors availahlc, WE GUARANTEE COMPLFTE SATJSFACTION. Custom top wing painting also av:rilablc. Prices ar $900. Above photo: a falcon on a 11 merer Pulse. 282-l 2.77, fox (520) 282-6,36/i.

(;ood condition, needs keel $200.

IIICl l l'FRFORMANC:F CI.IDFR Clearance sale. ]!PAT 158, orange/white, glider $1,250. Moyes XS, all white, 80 homs, around sweetheart, screaming deal at $950. I !1'2, red/white, acrobatic model, perfect, only 2./i logged flights $750 OBO. (9'70) 728 3905. HPAT J,15 199/i Tclluriclc winner! $1,500 OBO. (206) 939.(,2/i8 Hl'AT 145 $1,300. White

just supcrpref'lightcd with billboard. (lil'S) 7-21

8682.

USHGA CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ORDER FORM 50 cents per word, $5,00 minimum Boldface or caps $1.00 per word. (Does not include first few words which are automatically caps.) Special layouts or tabs: $25 per column inch. (phone numbers: 2 words, P.O. Box: 1 word, E-mail or Web address: 3 words) photos: $25.00, line art logos: $15.00 (1.75" maximum) DEADLINE: 20th of the month, six weeks before the cover date of the issue in which you want your ad to appear (i.e., June 20 for the August issue). Prepayment required unless account established. No cancellations or retunds allowed on any advertising after deadline. Ad insertions FAXed or made by telephone must be charged to a credit card. Please enter my classified ad as follows:

Number of months:--..------·-···-·----·. ----..-·-·-----·---..-SECTION

D Flex Wings !J Emergency Parachutes J Parts & Accessories J Business & Employment IJ Miscellaneous IJ Paragliders IJ Videos

IJ Towing IJ Schools & Dealers U Ultralights r::.i Rigid Wings U Publications & Organizations IJ Wanted 'J Harnesses

consecutive issue(s). My IJ check, U money order is enclosed in the amount of$ __·-·--.. ---·-..-·----·-·-----.--..-NAM E: --·--- ....-·-·--·-· _.... --·---------·-....-.------ ._ ...._..______ ._·-·---.. __... --..··--ADDRESS: -----------·-----..··---·-- __..._.._____ ,,_..·--------·------..--- ___ , __

Number of .. u,,-v, ____- - - · - - - - - · - - - -.. -®$.50 =______,____....-.--..Number of @$1.00

Al'RIL '19%

USHGA, P.O Box i330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901 (719) 632-8300

HPAT 158 White/blue, Z2 harness w/chute, aerotow bridle, Ball 601 vario/airspced/alr. Perfect, I 0 hours $2,.300. (210) IJ91--00%. Hl'AT 158 New sidewires & hangsnap $1000. (31 O) 393-8494 Los Angeles. HPAT 158

KLASS[C llili With winglets, 60 homs, flies great $2,500. (801) 254-6Hl. KLASSJC 155 Like new $3,99'5. Kbssic Iii 4, l 0 hours $3,995. (205) 776-9995, (205) 880-8512. LARGE PILOT? 188 Mystic, regular double surface w/VG, good condition $700. Days (503) 86/i2892, eve.(503) 538-6 I 33 Rick.

I.IKE NEW DREAM 165

Brand new cocoon har·· ncss, new Maxon helmet, new wheels, new A.S. wind.sock $2,000 firm. (602) 905-36/i l. MAGIC TV 166 Full race, excellent condition, hour ainime $400. (408) 22-1-1T78. MAGIC KISS 154 1988/89, about I 00 homs, very good shape $900. Brnce (505) 299-5953. Excellent condition, <40 honrs, MARK IV 17 spccdbar, wheels, Avsac harness w/clmtc, rare color $1,750. (815) 756-9132. MOYES GTR 162 Good intermediate glider, VC, red &. white, good condition, only $500. (847) .'3298337. w/Moyes harness & glider bag. MOYES MEGA II Flown very little, great shape, ready ro fly! $500. Dayton, Ohio (513) 434-3888. MOYES XTRAIJTE J!i7 I 20 hours, good condi-· rion, new wires, white/blue $2,200. (805) 192--6Yi2. MOYES XS 155 Two for $2,600 or sold .separately. (Ii J 4) 473-8800. MOYFS XTRAI.JTF J!i7 BRAND NEW, 3 11ights, flo. orange, flo. lime green. Extra downtnbe, super deal $3,300. (501) 83/i 1620. MOYES XTRALITE XS, XS3, XT, XL. l\:ew and nearly new. Available immediately. Nation's largest Moyes dealer. THE WALLABY RANCH (94 [) 4240070. NEW SUPERSPORT 163 $2,700 OBO. (619) lili8-7')83.

Test flown only

PULSE JOM Excellent condition, low hours, great colors. Mantis harness, PDA chute, Ball vario & more. $2,999. (805) 61i9-li098. PULSE 11 METER '94, custom colors, all options, 50 hours $2, I 00. Scott (602) %6-4366,

SlJPERSPORT 163 - 1994 model, right wing damage $500. (42:l) 886 2438.

RAMAIR H6 California.

25 hours $2,000. (415) 365-442'\

TRX 140 Predaror larva, white/red/yellow, 50 hours, carbon downrnbcs $7.,500 OBO. (801) 5766460.

RAMAJR 116 (805) 773 5292.

Mint condition, 30 hours $2,800.

TRX 140 RACE (209) 586 6012.

Nice glider $800. (619) 437-6699.

KLASSIC 1.33 15 flights, hours, still brand new. Custom folding specdbar, spare specdbar $3,200 OBO. (520) 2 llJ-0635.

PULSE 11 METER NE"W. Test flown only. Custom falcon paimed on underwing by Soaring Color. Flies like a dream, handles grcar, stunning in flight. Contact John (520) 282-1277.

RAMAIR 15'1 I 9'H, bright colors, well mainrained and tuned $1,900. (415) 69 I -0885. RA MA IR 15/i 30 hours, excellent condition $2,950. (,30)) 4/i'J .. ()'j 13. RAMAm. 154 -- ,,20 hours, /lies perfectly, very fast. Bright colors $3,000. (505) 822-90 I 7. SILVER MYLAR Xrralitc 147, new 6/95! New glider ordered. Steal it $2,975! (510) 9ii20122. SKYHA WK 188 Excellent condition, <25 hours $900 OBO. (315) 6381068. SPECTRUM Hit 1'.xccllent condition, cover of New Pilot edition $2,200. (847) 329-8337. SPECTRUM I/iii Good condition, speedbar $1,400. (713) 868-'5204. SPECTRUM 165 PLUS Less than 4 hours, magenta/blue, folding specdbar, spare downmbe $2,800 or best offer. (817) 226-3805. SPECTRUM 165 IO hours airtime, folding speedbar $2,100. (606) 288-0028. S!'I\CTRUMS & VISIONS Bought-Sold-Traded. Raven Sky Sports (414) 47:)-8800. SPORT EURO 167 951-310/i.

TRX 160 Excellent condition $1,300. Ask for Robert (805) 496- l 705. TRX 160 White/black, 15 hours $2,100. Tracer, 5' 11" new $300. Ball 620H $ I00. (909) 678-202 l. TRX 160/PREDATOR LARVA Cood condition, solid whire sail $1,499. Wheels, drogue chmc, extra downrube included. Ted (209) 478-7000, (209) 9517500.

UP 229 FLOATER 1979, helmet, wheels, harness. $500 or trade for paraglider/harness, 1851b. (219) 465-02H. VISION FCUPSF 195 (818) 951-3104.

Cood condition $300 .

VISION MKlV 17 Plus equipment, hardly used $750. Call Andy (818) 304-0249. VISION PULSE 9M 3 hours flight time, excellent used equipment, total $3,500. (602) 780-9740. VJSJONS & SPECTRUMS Bought-Sold-Traded. Raven Sky Sports (Ii 14) liT)-8800. WWXC 154 40 logged hours, great ship, great shape $3,500. Jersey (619) 793-3li32.

XC:

$3,900. Kiss 154 $500. Lire Dream 185 $800. (505) (,.32-8443.

CoOl! condition $400. (818)

SPORT 180 AT Excellent cot,dirion, low hours $1,500. Ask for Dennis, days (It 14) 738 8'i05, evenings (41ft) 95/i-1251. SUPFRSl'URT Iii} Immaculate, folding basetllbc $1,600. (206) 939-62/iS. SUPFRSPORT 15.'3 Excellent condition and a joy to fly. Blue, yellow and whire w/hcavy doth trailing cde;c, 53 hours, extremely well cared for and conscrv;itively flown. Complete inspection in Jan. 96, not flown since $2,250 OBO. Also to sell: Ball M50, cocoon and lmc.,c-J,ane:cr harnesses w/parachwc, PVC storage rube for glider. 5) 488· 1971. SUl'ERSPORT 153 Excellent condition, LOW! UV exposure, lots of TLC, first $1,990 gets it. (209) lt31-%98. SUPERSPORT 163 (516) 826-7138 NY.

Excellent condition $2,500.

Like new, 20 hours $2,500.

XTRAL!TE 137 One rest when you can fly the 31t83.

old. Why mess withe Will ship (805) 682-

XTRALITF 164 Blue/gray, 50 hours. $3,300. Call Hartley (80 I) 576-6460. WILLS WING 15ft RAMAIR .. 601TRS .. $2,200 OBO WILLS WlNC 155 XC. ... IO HOlJRS ... $3,200 OBO WILLS WINC 165 Sl'ECTRUM ... 5 HOUHS .. $1,900 K2 155 .................................................... $800 OBO The Jfang Gliding Center (619) 561-1009 EMERGENCY PARACHUTES Al.I. BRANDS Bought, sold, and repacked. Inspection and repack $25-$.'35. Parachutes, bridles, inspected and replaced, parnswivcls installed. AIRTIME OP SAN FRANCISCO, 3620 Wawona, San Francisco, CA ')Ii I 16. (/; I 5) SKY- J 177. 21 CORE !'DA - Witli swivel for tandem $550 OBO. (11/i) 473-8800. PULLDOWN APEX PARACHUTE With BRS system and instrument $750 OBO. (619) 443.:7983.

HANC CUDINC

ifi SCHOOI.S & DEALERS

HARNESSES

cc; 1000

Fxccllcm condition, 5'7"..5' 1()" $3'>0. (818) 951 310/i.

COMFORTABLE TRAINING II/\RNESSFS ~ Four sizes. Call

HlCJl FNFRCY POD Rear zipper, for (i'/17011 & scvcrc1l other sizes to choose from, $300 each. Cocoons, many sizes $200 each. (Ii I Ii) 173-8800. PARAGLIDERS

ALABAMA CLOUDBASF CORP. --- dba Rocket City Airsports. Sales, rentals, service and certified instruction at Keel Mountain, Gurley, Alab,tma. For informarion send S/\SF and $1 to PO Box /i22, Gurley /\L 35718. (205) 880-8512, (20'i) 7769912.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FUCHT PARK -

Sec

ad under Georgia.

ARIZONA

PACIFIC WJN(;S -- New /.caland. Paraglidcrs direct from the manufacturer. Quality AFNOR ccni· ficd 3 year guarantee. Call free 1-800- 326· 09.33. direct to the manufacrurer in New Zealand or use our fax back service if unattended. Dealer inquirc.1 welcome.

CHANDELLE SAN FRANCISCO, INC. Complete hang gliding and paragliding sales, service and instruction since I 9Tl. Northern California's most complete repair facility. New and used equipment and demo's, lesson packages, clinics and tandem lessons. 1595 F. hancisco Blvd Src F, San Rafael CA 91t'J01, (415)GL!l)fNC. l!ANG GLIDER EMPORIUM Best training hill in the west! Full service hang gliding/paraglidiug shop, established 1971. PO Box 41339, Santa Barbara CA 9:l 140-1339, (805) 965-3733. THE HANG GI.IDING CENTER - Locared in beautifol San Diego. UST IG/\ instruction, equipment rentals, local flying tours. Spend your winter vacation flying with us. We prottdly offor Wills Wing, Pacil!c Airwave, High Energy, Ball and Moyes. Manufacturers of THE DROGUE CHUTE. PO Box 10119, Lakeside CA 920110, (619) 561--1009.

P/\R/\Cl.TDERS $600-$1,000 for your old equip ment. New Pcrche, Apco, l tv, more. [SI\ (718) 7000 phone/Fax. RIGID WINGS FLFDGE 3 Great condition, clean, extras, best offer over $1,500. (805) 189-?.22.0. SUPERFLOATF.R Ul.TRALIGHT SAILPLANE Two in stock, available for test flights, Allen TX (near Dalbs). (2 llr) 996-7706 weekdays, (2 lli) 390-90')0 evenings & weekends. UITH.AIJG!l'I'S HUllD/RY ·· Yo11r own BACKPACK POWERED PARACJ-!UTE for fun/profit. Takes off from level ground unassisted. Sak, simple, inexpensive. No licensing required. Dewilcd guide a11d source book for beginner includes info on plans ro build yours for as little as $900. Now only $19.95. EasyUp, 1089 Medford Center /12/i1g, Medford OR 97501. S/\ILPI./\NE Austria Sh-- I, enclosed trailer and all gear. Great XC ship in excellent shape. 34/1 I.D, asking $8,2.50. Call Jim at (407) 267-7092 Florida. TRIKE With 2/iO Dream, good condition, willing to deal. Call Ron afrcr 6pm Central (316) 697--2577. TRIKE TR/\lNJN(; -·- And wings. !SA (718) T17· 7000 phone/fax. WANTED TRil<F Two seater for acrotowing. Call Barry Stanley(? 13) 3'56-8156.

ARIZONA HANG GLIDING CENTER INC. We arc a full-time, FULL SERVICE hang gliding shop located just minures from rhe BEST site in Arizona) Mingus Mountain. We have the most compreheusive tandem training program available and can teach you to be a SAFE pilot in less rime! We srock gliders, harnesses and instruments from Wills, PacAir, Moyes, Flytcc, Ball, High Fnergy, CC and many more! We need your trade-ins. Certified instructor Rob Richardson. 353 FLYABI .E DAYS I .AST YEAR! 5721-2B Robert Road Prescott Valley /\Z 8631 ft 520-772-ltl 14 ARKANSAS OZARK MOUNT/\!N H/\NC: C:LlDFRS - Sales, service and instruction. 160 Johnston Rd, Searcy /\R 72HJ. (501) 279 2A80. SAIL WJN(;S Suppliers of fine flying equipment. PO Box 13335, Manmcllc AR 72113. (501) 851/i094 tel/fax. CALIFORNIA ADVENTURES UNLIMJTF.D -~ Orange County's school. US] !CJ\ certified instruction and tanspecialist. New & used equipment, Wills Wing dealer. (714) 4 96 8000. /\JRTlME OF SAN FRANCISCO HANG GLIDING & PAR/\Gl.TDING. Harness manufacturer and repair specialists. lJS]-J(;;\ paragliding instruction, t,rndcrn. /\II major brands of paragliding and hang gliding equipment (new and used). Next to Fort h111ston. The only full service shop in San Francisco! :3620 Wawona, San Francisco CA 94116. (ltl 5) 759-1177,

APRIL 1996

Jl!GH ADVENTURE Hang gliding, p,1ragliding school. Equipment sales, service, rentals at Sonrhern California's mile high site, Crestline. USI-IG/\ fnstrucror Rob McKenzie. By appointrnenr year round. (909) 883-8488.

lifUIG GLIDING .,.,,131cy<:L1NG PARfl<illDINCi Located at rhe base of the FULL SERVICE SHOP mountain on llwy 7,l, Dealers of' Moyes, Blue Sky Aircraft, Pac/\ir, Ball, High Energy, Avocct & more. Call for free area info pack. Open daily. Rentals available. Visa & Mastcrchargc accepted. 909-67 4-2453 31401 Riverside Dr.

Lake Elsinore, CA. 92530

I.AKE FI.SINORE WINDC:YPSY Airwave, Moyes. Call for site information. (909) 679-899/i. MAGIC AIR Hang gliding and paragliding. Located in Northern California. Lessons, sales, service. USHGA certified rowing instrucrion. Landing and thermal clinics. (707) 965-0111, (707) 963-3455.

ifieds LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGIIT PARK -

Sec

ad under Ccorgia. Nearest mountain training center

H1l5Sl0Jl SOARlnG cenTER

to Orlando (only 8 hours).

SERVING TIU- f/ANG (,/ /0/NG COMMUNITY SIN([ 1973

Our comprehensive instruction program, located at the Bay Area's premier training site, features gently sloped "bunny hills," winch towing, superlitc gliders and comfortable training harnesses! "FlRST FLlGHT," a video presentation of our beginner Jes-son program, is available for only $20 including ship-ping (n111y he applied to fimm: lesson purchmcs). Our deluxe retail shop the latest in hang gliding innovations. We stock new, used and demo, Wills and PacAir gliders. Trade--ins arc welcome. Feel free to demo the hottest new harnesses in our custom simulator! 1116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas (near S1111 Jose) CA 95035. (408) 262--1055, fax (li08) 2.62-1388, MSC] J(;(iilaol.com www.hang-gliding.com TRUE FLIGHT HANG GLIDING SCHOO!. DONALD QOACKF.NBUSH has the only shop at world famous Kagel Mountain, 1.os Angeles. Offoring instruction and sales of hang gliding equipment with the sewing shop making MANTIS harnesses. Training pilots for over fifteen years. 13412 Sayre Ave., Sylmar California 'Jl3/i2. l-800-891--5li33, fax (818) 367-0li 19. WINDSPORTS LA's largest since 197/i. Fifteen minutes from LAX. Central ro Sylmar, Cresrline, Elsinore and training sites. Vacation training, flying and glider sales packages including lodging and rentals. The most popular gliders and equipment, new and used in stock. Trade in your old equipment. 325 sunny days each year. Corne fly with us! I GI Ii 5 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys CA 9 lli06. (818) 988-0111, Fax (818) 988--1862. WRJCf-lT BROTHERS WINGS McClure/Modesto area. (2.09) 586--GO 12.

Lake

COLORADO GOLDEN WINGS Lessons, sales, service. USl-!GA certified instructors. Dealers for Moyes, Wills Wing, Blue Sky Aircraft Co. and PacAir. 15/iOl W. 9th Ave., Colden CO 80/iOl. (."303) 278-7181.

QUIEi' H.](;1-!T

Certified instruction, Blue Sky sales and service, Colorado Springs and surrounding areas. Contact Steve Dewey (71 'J) 687-0474. <:ONNEC'f!CUT MOUNTAfN WfNGS

Look under New York.

FLORIDA CRAYBIRD AIR.SPORTS, INC. lJSIJCA & USUA certified instruction. Beginner thru advanced hang glider pilot tandem acrotow training &. ratings. lJSlJA ultralight pilot thru basic flight instructor training & ratings. 3 axis sticktime for Swift, Superfloater or Dragonfly pilot training. Instruction 7 days a week by appointment. Dealer for all major flight and acrotow equipment. J 5 minutes from Silver Springs, 1. 5 hours from Disncyworld. Call Gregg B.McNamec (352) 2/iS--8263.

NO MORE BUNNY... THE HILL WITH IT!

WALLABY RANCH The Original & Most Experienced Aerotow Flighr i'ark YEAR ROUND SOARING OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK• FOUR TUGS 8 Mlf.FS PROM DISNEY/ORLANDO Demos: 20+ NJi]i RFNTAI.S to try Xtralitc, XC, Klassic, Blade Race. XS3, XT, Xl. Laminar, Predator, Sting, llnzz, MKIV, Falcon Superfloater, Etc.

WF ] IA VE -- The most advanced training program known lo hang gliding, teaching you in half the time it takes on the training--BONNY HILL, and with more in-ilight air time. YF.S, WE CAN TEACH YOU FASTER AND SAFER. Fm year--rmmd training fun in the smt, call or write Miami Hang Gliding (305) 285--8978. 2640 S Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133.

Ages 13 to Tl Have Learned ro

Ll.!l instructors Advanced Rated &

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

( ;rear scene for Family and J!riends. Rentals, sales, storage, ratings, XC retrievals. Camping, Nice Morcls/Resraurants, climbing wall,

tran1polinc, ping pong, Mcga·-Bungcc-Swing) picnic, swimming pooL etc.

:iL1J1tli12KXC_priz.es: ${h85(LOO

1995 Florida/Ranch records: Distance I 00.3 miles. Duration 6 hours 34 minutes.

A.ir INTRODUCES QUEST AIR SOARING CENTER. Come Fly with the Original DRAGONFLY TEAM ] .earn to Hang Glide with srnte--of-thc--an tandem equipmenr and get a minimum of 6 10 8 hours of airtime during your training. Hang 2 we can accelerate yom thcnnaling skills, rake us for a tandem soaring flight in prime time air! Camping fishing and swimming available, also close to all Central Florida Attract ions. Interested in becoming a TUG PILOT? Corne learn to fly the Bailey/Moyes Dragonfly Aero Tug on one of the oldest grass airfields in Central Florida, with two 2100 foot runways and over 80 acres of wide open space. Pind our how you can get your own Aero Tow Club or Plight Park started. Moyes Microlights Assembly and Training Facility on sire, FOUR NEW TUGS IN STOCK. Bobby Bailey, C:amphcll Bowen and Russ Brown arc USUA and USJ !CA C:cnified Tandem lnstntctors. GLIDER & EQUIPMENT SAi.ES AND SERVICE OPF.N SEVEN DAYS A WEF.K CALL FOR MORE INFO (90/i) li29-0213.

Our advertising has a two-rnonth lead time plan ahead.

Read about us in 1-IANC Cf.IDTNG Ang. 19')/i Oct. 199'5 KITPI .ANES Jan. 1'J95, SK YWINGS &. rhe Web: http://www.wallahy.com Please ask us for references in your area. 1805 Dean Still Ro;id, Wallaby Ranch. l'lc,rida .3.3837 (9/i 1) 12.li--0070 - Ranch phone & fax. State of" the /\n • Conscrvarivc

F.l-1.G. INC:./FLYfNC FlORlDA SINCE 1974 Malcolm Jones, David Clover, Rhett Radford, Kerry Lloyd, Jamie Buck, Ryan (;lover&. Jim Appleton GEORGIA LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN Fl.lCl!T PARK

Sec

our display ad. Discover why H)UR TIMES as many pilots earn their at Lookout than at any other school! We wrote Official Training Manual. Our specialty-customer satisfaction and ltm with the BEST FACIUTIFS, largest inventory, camping, swimming, volleyball, more! !'or a Hying trip, intro flight or lesson packages, Lookout Mountain, just outside Chattanooga, your COM-PLETE training/service cc:nter. Info? (800) 6881.MPP. IlAWAII

BIRDS OF PARADlSF. Hang gliding&. ultralight flying on Kauai. Certified tandem instruction. (808) 822-5:l09 or (808) 6.W J 067.

H/\NC CLIDINC

NORTH CAROLINA

IDAI-10

NEWJF.RSEY

SUN VALLEY SKYSPORTS -- Idaho's 011ly full service hang gliding aud paraglidi11g shop. Dealers for Wills Wing, Airwave, Edel, Advance, lligh Energy and Flyrcc. Call for a list of stock gliders for sale. Basic-/\dvanced instruction, randcrn paragliding instruction, local site and XC guides. Call (208) 726'.l.'332.

MOUNTAIN W!NCS

area. (505) 63?-841i3 Farmingron NM.

ILIJNOJS

UP OVFR NEW MEXICO

RAVEN SKY SPORTS (312) 360-0700. Please sec our ad u11dcr WISCONSIN.

I ,nok under New York.

NEW MEXICO MOUNTAIN WEST HANG Cll[)ING

CO ROI.I.A Fl.lGI IT --- America's most tandem flight instntctor, teaches ATOL and Double Vision. Call or write lr>r information Crep, DcWolC Corolla Flight, PO Box 1021, Kitty Hawk NC 279/i'J. (919) li53-li800.

sales, service, instT1tction in the Four Corners

lnstntcrion, sales, service. Sandia Mountain guides. Wills, Pacific Airwavc. Allrnqucrquc, NM (505) 821-85/ili. WILD BLUE YONDER NM's only fidl rime, fi,11 service school & shop. We've got ir 1 /\lhuqucrque (505) AIR 1240.

INDIANA

JJ MITCIIELL

TANDEM. UP, PacAir dealer. 6733 Columbia Av,., Hammond, IN 1632/i (219) 8/iS 2856. KENTUCKIANA SOARINC under Parts.

Sec om classified

(Ii lli) 173-8800. Please RA VEN SKY SPORTS sec our ad under WISCONSIN.

KANSAS PRAIRIF HAN(; GLIDERS Bed & breakfast. Full service school & dealer. Creat tandem instruc tion, towinp, &. XC packages. (316) (,97-2577. MICHIGAN NORM 1.ESNOW'S FLYINC: ADVENTURES Ridge so:uing, tov.ring, foot .. Lnmch hang and paragliders. Advanced lnsrructor, Fxaminer, Tow Admi11is1ra1or, lessons. Call Norm (810) 39')-9/i33. TRAVERSE CITY IIANG GLJl)ERS/PARAGUDERS FlJLI.-TIME shop. Certified instruction, foot launch and tow. Sales, service, accessories for ALL major brands. VISA/MASTFRCARD. Come soar om 150' dunes! 150') E 8th, Traverse City Ml li968/i. Off,,ring Paramotoring lessons & a distribmor for the new japanese unit, the WHISPER. Deakr inquiries welcome. Call Bill ar (616) 922-28/ili. Visit our paragliding school in Jackson, Wyoming. Call Tracie at (307) 739-8620. MINNESOTA SPORT S0AR1NC: Cl'.NTFR/MINNEAPOI.IS -~ Instruction, equipment dealers for Wills Wing, Pacific Airwavc & Edel. (612) 688-018 l.

NEW YORK A/\A l'],J(;ITT SCI 1001.-~ MOUNTAIN WINGS and EAST COAST PARAGLIDING in I'llcnvillc NY. Simply the MOST PROFESSIONAL training facility in NE with 15 years experience. 7 foll time certified instructors, Ii exclusive training hills. We stock everything available for pilots and sell & service AIRWAVE, UP, BLUE SKY, WILLS WING aud now MOYES, also SWIFT, SUPERFLOATER and ALL PARAGLIDER BRANDS. Unbeatable prices on gliders. hrll timc towing faciliry, tandems, IC!', clinics. We do it all. l--800-525-7870, (9H) 617-33'77. 150 Canal Street, Ellenville NY 121f2fl. O\JR EXPERIENCE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. l'I.Y HIGH I !AN(; CL!DINC, INC:. Serving S. New York, Connecricut, Jersey areas (Fllenvillc Mrn.). /\rea's EXCLUSIVE Wills Wing dealer/specialist. Also ,111 other major brands, accessories. Ccrtil!ed school/ins1rnc1io11. Teaching since I ')79. Area's most INEXPENSIVE prices/repairs. Excellent

• Tandem l nstrucrion ' Aerotowing 0

Boat Towing• Paragliding

• Foot Launch Mountain Clinics • Equipment Sales and Service • Open Ycar Round • Beach Reson (800) 334-li7T7 Nags Head, NC I nrerncr Address: lmp://www.kinyhawk.com E--Mail Address: 01110

NORTH COAST HANG (;L!DINC lnstrnction. New & used gliders. 111 Paciflc Airwavc Mike Del Sip,nore, 1916 W. 75th St., Cleveland, OIJ.14102 (216) 631 114/i.

scconcbry instruction.,.if you've finished a program

and wish 10 continne. Fly tire mountain! ATOL row-ing! Tandem flights! Contact Paul Voight, 5163 Scarsvillc l{d, !'inc Bush, NY 12566, (') I Ii) 7/ili-3317. IKAROS SPORT AVJATION NYC's only certified hang gliding, iding, trikes school. Distrihutors for !KARO 2000, AJ!RO, FINSTERWALDER, APCO, LA MOUETTE, COSMOS, MOUNTAINEER TRIKES, AIR CREATION and more. Full service and equipment at best prices. The most friendly service in rhc area. For 1996 CATALOG send $Ii to ISA, 38--11 Ditmars lllvd /1110, Astoria NY 11 l 05. Store address: 2')-31 Newtown Ave., Astoria NY. Phone/fox ('718) 7T7-7000.

SKYWARD EN'l'ERPRISES MARIO MANZO. Foor launch instruction, weekend. Towing, glider repair. Wills Wing, l'acAir, CC l 000. Evenings (51.3) 8/i8--3520 Dayton, Ohio. OREGON AIRTIME OREGON

Certified insrrnction on mod-

em equipment. Year--round foll service shop with lots of

gliders, harnesses, clrnres in stock. Dealer for Blue Sky, Moyes, PacAir, WW, Lee, Rellex, Panoramic, CC, I ligh E11ergy, Mantis and lots, lots more. Largest inventory in the state. Eugene area (54 I) ')'!8-1220. PENNSYLVANIA

NEVADA ADVENTURE SPORTS Sierra tours our special ry - USHCA certified school and rarings. Dealers for Pacifrc Airwavc, Wills Wing, Airborne, Blue Sky. l'ly the Sierras with a full-service shop. :3650-22 Research Way, Carson City, NV 89706 (702) 883-7070.

SLJSQUl,l !ANNA FLICJIT !'ARK Cooperstown, NY. Ccrtil,ed Instruction, Sales and Service for all major rnanuf,1cturcrs. /i() :H:rc park, 5 training hills, jeep rides> b11nk house, camping, hot

showers, 600' NW ridge. We have the besr focilities in N. New York state to teach you how to fly. RD 2, Box 3/i 8A, Cooperstown, NY L\:l26, (J l 5) 8666153.

MOUNTAIN TOP RECRFATION -~ Certified instruction, l'i11shurgh. (lil2) G97-44'17. C'MON OUT AND PLAY! MOUNTAIN WING<;

Look under New York.

TENNESSEE Al.PINE LODCF

Ar Raccoon Mountain. Private

rooms, hunk.house, jacuzzi1 pool. Work program.

(G 15) 82 l-25/i6 Chmanoog,1, Chuck or Shari.

APRIL 19%

•

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

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

send me llSHGA Telooud(s) al $15 each! I Plea,;c (lncludes 20 minutes or airtime) I ~lune I Address City/State/Zip _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ I Phone (__) U5BGA Member # I D Eocloooo ls my check for ($ 15 per card)

0 Bill my D Mastercard D Vls.1

• ~~

I I I I

I Signature I Mall pa1111en1 to USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Spring,s, CO 80933·8300, l'<lr I infol'lllation or to order by phone, call (719) 632-8300. Pa.x (719) 632·6417. .J L

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

Order now and ~ct >on·

· 1·

No matter how many long distance calls )'OU make, you·u save money v.1th the USBG.~ Telecard! •The USHGA Telecard s:n-es )'OIi 40%-50% orer standard calling cards...about 25%on lnternauonal calls! • Use your USHGA 1'elecard lo call an}where in the U.S. and 197 counu:ies woddwlde! • You pay only 25 cents a min111e to ca.11 an)where in the U.S., ai111ime...day or nigllt! • Use the convenient toll-free number and )'Our credit card to "recharge" )~ur Telecanl within the hour; or, Set up an auto· matlc recharge on a certain date or when your card reaches a certain minimum balance. •E\-ecy call )'Oil make hel~ support the United States Jiang Gliding ASS-Odatloo! •Throw awa)' your other calling cards and get one for wursclf, your SJ)OLL5e, college S111desits, work associates and other:sl

UNITfO ~TRTf5 HRN6 6UD1N6 ff 550CIRTION, INC.

FLY HARD A new video from Viking Films

Paragliding and Hang Gliding

Featuring fonncr para;lidin,a and hana ;Jidina:

world chrunpkm Rob \Vh.iUaU. Chris Sant1tcroce trind seven tin1,c " 'orld HO ~eroOOtic cban,pioo lvtitch t.1c.Alecr. A B3-·ing uavcJing circus filmed at Point of the 1'1ountain. Lake E.lsioorc. Torrey

Pinc:.. Nori.hem California and Sun Valley. Sec $Orne iDCrtt.liblt m:meuven. radical flying and

nei,·erberore seen SIUO'IS: THE STAND UP. oou. BLE SPIRAL arid t\1.i tchs· baog gliclet aecobil1ics show. 35 Minutes.

success since its debut in A April 1995, the new SuperFloater offers: + Excellent 15:1 performance publ ic

in sit-down soaring comfort (and no

harness 10 buy!) + Superb joystick

A.I.so, 3,,-'i!ablc

handling + Very simple aero or ,vinch

Paruglide: The Movie

launching (foot launch is possible) ... ... all for an a.inazingly Jo,v price. > Fully built and 1es1 Oowu. the Supe,·Floaier is shipping now. Fly under Part !03 and thermal in close

Action packed rooriage fihued on location in ,he Ol\·cn,;: Balley during the Paragliding \Vortd Cup. 36 ~1jnutcs.

witb your hang gliding friends.

Ultralight Soaring Aircraft

Fly Hard ... .................................. $44.00 Paraglide: the Movie.... ............... $39.95 Order both for...................... ..... $65.00 Poscage and handl ing...... ..............$4.00 SEND CHECK. MONEY ORDER OR Visa, MC. Arnex. CCI und EXP. date to;

VIKING FILMS 11.$4 TR.AJ.1'\'i'AY OR.

• ultrd1ight a highly ref01ed choice: + beyond 20: I, si11k as slow as hang F gliders + Handle with ease ,md authority + Zoom beyond 80 mph, or or truly indepc:ndent soaring, tl1e Curnulus Soar

motorglidcr is

chug along a160 for beuer than 200 miles on less than 5 gallons of fuel.

Even better. .. shut her down and soar for miles. Then. rnp the electric

starter and motor home ea..;,ily. > The Cumulus is a three•year. top,-to• bouom design offering superb soaring compatible with hang gliders.

SAIIDY. OT 84092 USA PHONE 1801 ) 553-9580 FAX (801) 572-4193 EMACL; vi.k.ing,film@aol&01n

Call/fax to get Info on these 2 great choices.

U~ Avialion • 26S ~~ho ln , ~oulh ~I ~aul MN 55075 • U~A • Telifax: M2i'4S0-09~0

ifi

s VIRGINIA

HAWK AlRSPORTS INC P.O. Box 9056, Knoxville, TN 379/i().()056, (li23) 933-92%. Hang Gliding and world famotts Windsoks. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGIIT PARK ad ttndcr Georgia.

Sec

BLUE SKY Lessons, sales, repairs, accessories, towing. Custom sewing for harnesses :md sails. Call Steve Wendt at (540) liJ2.-<,557.

TEXAS KITTY HA WK KITES A.A.S AUSTIN AIR SPORTS Certified foot launch, row & randem rraining. Sales/service AUSTIN, TEXAS Steve Bttrns, 171 Waterson, 78703, (512) 47/i-1669. HOUSTON ('713) Ii? I lli88. Learn HILL COUNTRY PARAGLIDING INC complcrc pilot skills. Personalized USH( ;A cenified training, ridge soaring, foot &. tow launching in central Texas. MOTORIZED PARAGLIDING INSTRUCTION & EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE. (915) 379.J l8'i. Rt I, Box 16F, Tow TX 78672. Instruction, sales, repairs, KITE ENTERPRISES rowing and foot launch. Dallas & North Texas area. 211 Ellis, Allen TX 75002. (2 J4) 390-9090 anytime. Dealer, Pacil!c Airwave, Wills Wing.

Sec North Carolina.

WISCONSIN RAVFN SKY SPORTS H/\NC GLJDIN<; AND PARACJJDlNC Largest and most popular in the Midwest. Traditional curriculum, ridge soaring, moun rain clinics, Dragonfly acrotowing iii: tandems by Brad Kushner. Sales/service/accessories for all major brands. PO Box 10 I, Whitewater WI '53190 (li11) 173-8800.

ALTIMETER/VARIO gh18000 $249 fost, acm rate, small (lix2.5x I. 5). Hang gliding/paragliding. Satisfaction guarnntced and 2 year warranty. At your dealer or contact: CLOUDBASE INSTRUMENTS, 2464 Fl Camino Real, Suite 220, Satwr Clara Cl\ 'Vi05 I. (408) ),/i 3-6021 BAU, VARIO 651 Excellent condition, first $225 rakes it! (209) li31-%98.

PARTS & ACCESSORIFS AEROTOWING ACCESSORIES Sec TOW ING. THE WALLABY RANCH (911) 4210070.

RED RIVER AIRCRAFT/GO HANG GUDJNCJeff Hunt-Owner. Texas's most active school and shop. Quality service and instruction ... li81 J Red River St., Austin TX 7875 l, ph/fax (512) li672529.

BEST 12" WHEELS AVAJLJ\BLE Super lightweight, a 11111st for training, tande1n in bushings. Only USA·built 12" wheel. quanrity discounts. I mmcdiatc delivery. Lookout Mountain, (800) 688-1.MFP.

TOTAL AIR SPORTS - Area's OLDEST Wills Wing dealer. Certified instruction available. "] only DEAL with WILLS". G.'l51i l .imestonc, I louston TX 77092. (713) 956-6147. UTAH VULTURE GLIDERS Superior USHGA instruction at The l'oim of the Mountain. New Falcon trainers. Shop is IO minmes from bill. Dealer for Moyes, WW, PacAir. Call Charlie (801) 25/i-61/il. lJSHGA certified bang ing school, dealers for Wills Wing, Moyes :md Pacific Airwave. !'light operations at Point of the Mountain. !Oli2. Call Zac (801)

Al.I. NEW lJLTRA-LICI!T LAMBIE LID The lightest, most comfortable hang glider helmet. Aerodynamic, low turbulence, low drag shape. Hightcch look. Finish is clear resin over the gold/black weave of the super-strong carbon/kcvlar outer shell. Open focc, only I oz., price $ I (,0. I mcgral lirll foce version, only 1 oz. $19') includes headset installation. Measure around head and from bortom of earlobe over top ro bottom oC earlobe for custom fit. From rlw designer, Jack l.:unbic, 8160 Woodsboro, Anaheim CA 92807. !'hone and fox (71 Ii) 779-1877.

your classified membership chandise order: (719) 17. We ...... ~ . . . . VISA and MasterCard.

FROM "BREADPJIN" M/\KilR NilW SMALL COMBO UNIT !•'OR ll/\NG GT.ID ING /\ND P/\R/\GL ID ING,

My well-loved lighrning quick vario married to an excellent altimeter thanks to new generation laser-trimmed transd11cers. Squeezed i11ro tough little RF-proof box only 5x3x IA" still has reserve battcty! ltttcrchangcable broad Velcro straps or base tube mounting hardware. $29'5 Shipping inc. (80'i) 682-· 1088. Laser trimmed rc1rolir also available for breadp:tns $85.

ROBFRTS Cl.IDER INSTRUMENTS .13/iO CLIFI' DRIVE SANTA B/\RB/\RA CA 93109

HANC GLIDINC

ifi WI Sf{

CAMERA RFMOTF 20', fits most cameras. Sn,q,s on over existing sh11ttcr release. $/i'j (ask abot11 our inrrod11ctory $IO rebate). Tck Flight Prod11cts, Colebrook Stag,·, Winsted C:T 060')8. (Camera not included.)

111c;11 PFRSPEC:TIVF WI ]FELS-· Real life savers! 12'', light. 1011gb. Fits :ill gliders. Send $/il.95 + $4.50 shipping per pair to Sport Aviation, PO Box 101,

Mingovillc PA 16856. i\sk about our dealer prices.

VARIO'S: l'LlGHT DECKS NEW JlAl.l. CRAPIIIC:S Pl.US .......... $CALL ........ 199/i ........ $:H7.00 Bi\Ll. MI 'J .. . BALL Ml'J ... . .. ...... 1995 DEMO ....... ,$1J05.00 AFRO ..... DEMO.. .. ......... $CALL .DEMO ... $115.00 FLYTFC:3005 FLYTl:'.C 300'5S1 ....... DEMO .. $1l5'J.OO Fl .YTEC: .3020 ... .. ... DEMO.. .. ...... $6:30.00 ....... 1)FMO . ....... $n \ ,00 FLYTF.C 30:10 1\IRCOTFC: PICCOLO PLUS ... DEMO ... $!iii 1.00 llRi\lJNlCER lli\SIS ... .. ....... $4'SO.OO BRi\UN!CER CLi\SSJC ... ......... $680.00 llRi\UNJC;m, COMPETITION .. . ........ $750.00 WASMER i\l Tl/VARIO ......... $300.00 Mi\l,LETI FC: .. ......... $159.95 ........... $CAI .l. Ti\NCENT ...

Free Hool, Kni/i· or V(lind J!d11isory Airsprrd wi1/, \!11rios 6· ! lclrnrts. HELMETS

CLFi\Ri\i',ICE Si\LE l'Rl(:1,'. New 1\all M-1 'JF $337 wirh free airspeed indic11or. (812) 7,88.7111. Kentuckiana Soartn!\· Women's Race ll wlchntc, Avsac FLYTEC :lOl() harness. (408) 681 2571.

THE INCREDIBLE EARTAl.K J11St put it in your car (no microphone). Fasy for sending out or receiving

Put PTT control

harness trammir/adj11sr voice. shippi11g. JS/\ (718) ;7;-7000 phone/fax,

on glove or

incl11dcs

INTFCJ,AL FULL l'i\C:F ~ I Jdmet, extra small, bes, oiler. Other helmets to choose from. (It lit) 473. 8800.

RE!'I.FX ...... FUU FACT ......... $155.00 PANORAMIC: ........ FULL Fi\CI .. $ l li'J.00 l.EEFl ... ..........t2.'l0.00 .. ....... $280.00 l.l'E-F2 .. ......... $320.00 LEF i\RC .. PEI.LE .. .. FULL FACE ......... $1 G0.00 UVFX. , ...... FULi. FACE ......... $290.00 RADIOS-ALL MODELS AVi\fl.ABI.E YAESU !'Tl IR. .. ...... 5 watt... .. ....... $305.00 KENWOOD Tll22.. .. ....... $285.00 PTT FINCERSWITC:H /II l'A DSET. . ..$89. 00 5/8 TELESCOPIC: ANTENNA.. .. ......... $20.95 518 CAlN DUCK ANTENNA... ..$17.95 EAR TALK-SPEAKER/MIC: SYSTEM ......... $81.00 VC:22 YAFSU VOX/PTT. ..$58.95 ........ 50 watt. .. ....... $T75.00 MOBILE TUNE UP .... w/WARRANTY INTACI ...... $35.00 . ....... $319.00 /vti\XON 2550 . PARACHUTES horn llF.S, Wills Wing WILLS WINC l.i\RA ... w/Paraswivcl ........... $CALI. ...... $Ci\l.L HES QUANT\;M. ......................

OTHER NEAT STlJH WIND ADVISORY AJRSPFFD W/C:Li\MP .. $23.00 HAU. Pi\Ri\CLIIWR AIRSPEED .............. $28.95 !IOOK KNIFE. ......... $H.95 TOW RELFi\SF ........... tvti\SON'S ... . ..$52.00 BAR MlTTS-U MITTS..... .. ..... $l'i·$90 .. $6'J.OO SKY WATC:I ! AlRSPlZED .. HANC GLIDER CAMERA MOUNT Shown on 1/2" tube, $:$9.50 includes ship1,ing. TFK FUGH!' PRODUCTS, Colebrook Stage, Winsted C:T 06098. (860) :3;9-1668 (Camera not ind11ded).

Al'Rll 19%

KEKJ'l/C:KTANi\ S0i\R1NC TIIF LITE!( VF:l5 variomctcr has instant response, and a smooth 250 degree true a1"11og movement (No hquid display rhar can crack or fog 11p and i\nd it also has the classic Litek need sound. Only $195. l.itek (50.1) 17')-6(,:J.l, 1:326 Fish I !archery Road, Crams !'ass 01( 9;527.

(812) ?,88-711 l fax (812) 28/i-lil 15

Sell your unused

MINI VARIO World's smallest, simplest vario! Clips ro helmet or chinstrap. 200 hours on batteries, 0-18,000 ft., fast response and 2 year warranty. Great for paragliding too. ONLY $169. Mallcttcc, PO Box 15756, Santa Ana CA, 92735. (714) 9(,6 .. 1240. MC/Visa accepted.

TEK 6" WHEELS $26 per pair, plus $3.75 S/1-1. Tek Flight Products, Colebrook Stage, Winsrcd CT 06098. (860) 379.1668.

OXYGEN SYSTEMS

WATERPROOl' NYLON/PVC Glidcrbags, high tech! $95ppd, XC $65ppd. Quick rcbse warcr1ow harnesses wirh removable flotation $250. Para-clirnbet harnesses $125. Gearbags, Peel helmets, Ball varios. In stock, lowest prices, same day shipment. Gunnison Gliders, 1549 County Road 17, Gunnison CO 81230. (970) 641-9315. ps .. comc fly with us at the most consisrenr sire in Colorado!

VARIOS Near new Flytec 3005 $375. New DigillyVl.100 $/iOO. (801) 251-6141.

USHGA instrucror Tom Sapienza, of Ain:imc Oregon says, "I've tested and recommend Wind Advisory!" Dependable. Builr to lasr. No batteries required.

WIND IUMSIJRY The world-class XCR· 180 operates up to 3 hours @] 8,000 fr. and weighs only 4th. Complete kit with

DON'T CET CAUGHT LANDING DOWN. \'VIND! .... l.5 oz. ripstop nylon, UV rreared, 5'4" long w/ 11" throat. Available colors fluorescenr pink/yellow or fluorescent pink/white. $39.95 (,$/i.00 S/H). Send ro USJ!GA Windsok, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado CO 80901- J 330, (719) VISA/MC accepted. 632-8300, fox BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WANTED: Bl-WfNGUAI. Tandem Instructor. Call The Soaring Cenrcr (801) 576-6/i60. UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY Arises for qualified and certified person ro subcontract. All hang gliding and paragliding insrrucrion and tandem lessons at Torrey Pines. !'lease contact Bill Benner! or Roger Greenway at (619) 452 .. 9983. PUBLICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS

AIR/WIND SPEED IND/CA TORS

HELP You LAUNCH &fly SAFE!

form. From the early

ro the present

Hang Gliding. (719) 632-8:300.

cylinder, harness, regulator, cannula and remote on/off flowmetcr, only $375.00. PTT BUTTON SWITCH Finger mount with "dick" feedback. All popular HT's,uscr selectable. Connects between headset and radio $39.95. Check or money order. Voice (123) 531-8045.

WIND ADVISORY With MOUNTING BRACKET only $2/i. 50, includes s/h. Yon save $2.50. Sold separarcly·lndica1or only $15 +$2 s/h; Mounting bracket $8 +$2 s/h. Specify short or long bracket with your order. Foreign orders add $2 per item purchased. Send check or MO to Pacific Resources, PO Box 906/i, San Diego CA 92169. (619) 270 . 9162. Satisfaction Guaranteed!

QUJCK REI.EASE CARABINER $49.95. Extra ball lock pin, $29.00. J 0,000 lbs., dealers welcome, patent pending. Thermal 19431 .. 41 Business Center Drive, Northridgc, CA 9132/i. (8 l8) 701·7983.

Your ad is read by more than 10,000 hang gliding enthusiasts. Advertise with us today.

DOWNWIND From tbe early days of tbe 70's, ro rhc big.. time air of Owen's Valley, DOWNWIND is packed with thrill and exhilaration of cross country adventure. The pcrfocr gifr for both pilots and non .. pilots. SHARE Tl-IE EXPERTENCF. A true story, well told. Available from USHGA Headquarters for only $10.95 (+$2 s/h). PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 8090 1.. 1330.

HANG CUDINC

HANG GLIDING FOR BEGINNER PILOTS by Pete Cheney, The Official USHGA Training Manual. Over 2GO pages, with more than 1GO casy-·toundcrst and illustrations and photos, Your library starts with this book! $29,95 (plus $4.00 s/h) Colorado rcsidcnrs add 3% rax, SEND/J;AX/PHONE TO US!J(;A BOOKS, P.O, l\ox 1330, Color,ido Springs, CO 80901 1 J:30, PAX (719) 632-6417, PHONF ('719) 632-8300. VISA/MC: accepted.

SPECIAL NEW PILOT ED!TION Hang Gliding & magazine, Now available through US HCA ! leadquarters. $Ii .95 each +$1.50 s/h. l nformative articles and 101 's or color throughout.

J CAN LAND 150 good, bad & ugly landings, A must for all students, 90+ minutes &. lots or aero, Send $:)5 money order to: Jeff Reynolds, 1902 F Sharon Drive, Phoenix AZ 85022.

And VFR OFFICIAL FAA SECTIONAL Terminal Arca Charts. All areas, currcm (up to date New Airspace Classifications), Sectional maps $7 each, Vl'R Terminal Arca Charts $It each, Add shippinf, and (CaL residents only) tax, Dc:tler prices. AirtimeofS.F, (lil5) 759-1177, fax (li15) 759·1182,

POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN Award winning by Fast Coast Video, hg/pg anion at this Utah mecca $29. HANG GLIDING EXTREME & BORN TO FLY by Adventure Video, great hg action $34.95 each. I IAWAIIAN l'LYIN by Space 'J, soaring in par adisc $33. Call or fox USI !CA Cl 19) 632-8300, fax (719) 6:H-6/i 17, please +$Ii domestic s/h (-1 $5 for two or n1ore videos). Great 10 impress your friends or for those sockcd--in days, l'erfrcr gifr for the launch pota .. to turned couch potato, Also, ask us about om paragliding videos'

S( )i\RINC - ... Monthly magazine or The Soaring Society of America, Inc Covers all aspects or soaring flighr. Full membership $55. Info. kit with sample copy$}. SSA, P.O. Box E, Hobbs, NM 882/i I. (505) }92- J 177.

MISCELl,ANEC)US TOWING AEROTOWlNG ACCESSORIES ~- Headquarters for: The finest releases, secondary releases, Specrra "V" bridles, weak links, tandem wheels, launch cm kits, etc THE WALLABY RANCH (941) li24-0070,

THF MASON TOW RELFASFS ·- Arc ready for the tow season, Send $52 to: Mason's Micro 1239 Corrine St, ldaho F,1lls ID 83ii02. (208) 529-2106, PAYOUT WINC:!J DFMO SALE Automatic level-wind, overhead fairleads, pilot-operated nose release, 4000' spectra, 2.3mph rewind, 3 recovery chutes, 2 tow bridles, Mounts lo boat ski pylon, can also rruck/rrailc:r mount $2,/i95 (rcg;ular $3,'500),

Appropri:nc Engineering) 971 l;ishcrman's Cov<.:, Seneca SC: 2%72, Phone (86/i) 885-0949, HIGHER TI-IAN EAGLES by Mara\ys & Chris Wills, The lifr & rimes of BOBBY WILLS, hang gliding legend, Experience the triumphs and tragedies of the Wills fornily and the evolution of Wills Wing. $19,95 hardcover (+1ilt.OO S/H), sec preceding classified for USJ !CA BOOKS ordering info.

SCOOTER TOW STATIONARY WINCH ~ Complete with training for instruction $2,500. Dave Broyles, Allen TX (near Dallas), (21 Ii) 9')6-7706 weekdays, (214) :)90-9090 evenings & weekends. ULTRALINE -- 3/16" 96011 breaking strength, 3000' .. $105 shipping inclmlccL Volnme discounts, Cajun Hang Gliding Cluh, 110 Kent Circle, Lafayette I.A 70508, (318) 981-8372.

"AEROBATICS" .... _ F11ll color 2.'l"x 31" poster featuring John l-leirwy doing whm he docs best .. LOOP ]NC! Available through USHCA HQ for jnst $6.95 (+$,'l.50 s/h), Fill that void on your wall! Send to USHGA Acrobarics Poster, PO Box 1300, Colorado Springs CO 809}:l, (USA & Canada only. Sorry, posters arc NOT AVAILA!ll.F on international orders.) SPECIAL-Acrobatics poster & Eric Raymond poster-BOTH FOR $10 (1$3.50 s/h). FIVF STAR TIME SHARE San Diego, Very cheap, must sell! Conract Bill (71/i) li74-li887,

VIDEOS & Fil.MS FIRST FLIGHT ~- Follows the action of a new pilot's first lessons, This video is an entcrraining way to show your friends and family how you actually learn to fly, VHS J 5 minurcs, $20 includes shipping (mr1y b,, 11/!f!lierl 10 lessrm MISSION SOARINC CENTER, 1 I 16 Way, Milpitas CA 95035, (li08) 262 l 055

BAG IT! If' you don't have your copy of' Dennis Pagen's PFRH)RMANCE FLYING yet, available through USI!GA Headquarters $29.95 (+$Ii s&h).

Classified advertising:

life

your

and cash in pocket. What a deal! APRIL 1996

"MOONSIIADOW" Ilighly detailed blue/white/purple artwork on black, preshrunk Beefy']', Speciry S,M,L,XL,XXL, short sleeve$] 5, long sleeve $17, Add $2.50 per order shipping, Send check or money order to: Sky Wear, PO !\ox 5/ili, Signal Mountain TN 3'7377. (423) 886-6391. Dealer inquires welcome.

ifieds STOLEN WINGS & THINGS RAMAIR l 54 Stolen from home in OAKLAND, CA on December 14, 1995. Blue/purple LE, red nndcrsurfacc. (51 O) :l39-6263. RAMAill 154 Stolen from the HAWAlJAN HANG GLIDING ASSN CLUBHOUSE, MAKAPUU HI, during the firsr week of September, 1995. White LE, large deep clue undcrpancl. Reward! Call Mike Heilman (808) 533-4 l 93.

IF YOU NEED fNSTANT Yer very comfortable bousiug for an upcoming event, business or personal, rhen call Flight Services ar (706) }98-2888 and ask for Bill Summers abour our Hotels on Wheels. We deliver "rcntaJ,.rcady" navel trailers, fully equipped with rowels, linens, cookware and diningware for the same prices thar most RV dealers charge for unequipped units. New and used units arc folly tested at the dealership to ensure all equipment is working properly. Delivery is free in some areas. All trailers arc equipped with full-sized refrigerator, stereo, heat & air, microwave oven, gas oven and coffee maker. We arc cmrcntly dealing in Gulf Stream's SEA HAWK line.

ur;rRAMITTS Now with internal pockets for disposable l!ANDWARMERS, improved WRISTCUFFS and AIR VENT for temperature control. Velcro removable. Warmest mitt available! Also CLOUDBASE harnesses. (706) 398-3%1.

WINDSFEKFR More fi.m than a barrel ol' down .. rubes. Jt soars, it loops, ir flies! ONLY $3.00 plus $2 s/h (t3 s!h rm orders oj'3. More than 3 or Int 'l orden, please call) USHGA, PO Box l 330, Colorado Springs CO 8090 I. (719) 632-8300, fax yom MC/Visa with order to (71')) 632-6417. YOU'LL WANT MORE '[TIAN JUST ONE.THEY'RE JUST TOO MUCH FUN! Call USHGA VIDEOS BOOKS & POSTERS for your Merchandise order form (719) 632-8300. DON'T LEAVE YOUR GROUND-BOUND EQUTPMENT SITTING IN THE GARAGE. SELL IT IN Tl!E HANG GLIDING CLASSIFIEDS. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES The rate for chssified advertising is $.50 per word (or group of characters) and $1.00 per word for bold or all caps. MINIMUM AD CHARGE $5.00. A fee of $15.00 is charged for each line art logo and $25.00 for each photo. L!NEART & PHOTO SIZE NO LARGER Tl !AN 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 mnst be received in writing l I /2 months preccd ing the cover date, i.e. October 20th for the December issue. Please make checks payable to USJ !GA Classified Advertising Dept. HANG CI.IDJNG MAGAZINE, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330 (719) 632· 8300 or fax (719) 632·-M 17 with your Visa or Mastercard.

Stolen from rhc top of WILLS WING 145 AT Bl.ACK MTN., MAPLE FALLS, WA on August 16, 1995. White LE, orange l st panel, white micl-,pancl, 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. WILLS WING 145 AT - Stolen from VICTORIA BC, CANADA on June 19, 1995. White LF. w/orangc triangle patch on each side, orange/blue undcrsurfocc. Peter Moulton (604) 850-6707. STOLEN WINGS arc listed as a service to USHGA members. Newest entries arc in bold. There is no charge for this service and lost and found wings or equipment may be called in ('119) 632-8300 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 be pnrged.

INDEX

ADVERTISERS

Adventure Productions ...................... .45 Aloft .................................................. .45 Arai Design ........................................ 39 Blue Sky Aircraft ................................ 30 Brauniger ........................................... 23 Colorado Paragliding ......................... 27 Flytec ................................................. 31 Hall Bros ........................................... .45 High Energy Sports ........................... .44 Just Fly Aviation Gear ....................... .45 Just Ply Nationals ............................... 27 Kitty Hawk Kites ............................... 27 Lookout Mm. Flight Park .................... 7 Mojo's Gear ...................................... .45

Moyes ............................................... .47 NAS ................................. 2, Back Cover Pacific Airwave .............................. 28,29 Rio Grande Soaring Assn ................... 22 Seedwings ........................................... 23 Sport Aviation Publications .................. 7 US Aviation ....................................... 57 USHGA ............................. 37,38,50, 56 Viking J!ilms ...................................... 57 Wills Wing ...................................... 8,1 I

HANG GLIDING

PAUL, MINN. Back home in but Minnesota after a temporary warmup in the Sunshine State last month. Hal in between is a place virtually every hang knows: Chattanooga. My former it was the of "Product Lines," but known for its or Lookout LMFP. ••• Owner and boss, 'raber, though wel 1 known to anyone in the sport, is some unsung hero. In recent memory little has been written about the country's biggest shop. LMFP is "biggest" by virtue of enro 1 more students in the USHGA lot prof ciency than other school, a laudable Lookout Mountain site is one of the coun best known f from all over the sites, visited also cal] it USA and the the shop because '['aber owns J:xJ/:h sites, to include a huge launch and LZ he is now building cabins for In addition to running a mountain lc1unch ,;ite, LMFP provides aero out of the big landing field. ·rhey use a trike that Taber built us his mechanicaJ but they also have a and are on another tow Taber's design. A Ile plans l:o pure hang , to wit, LMFP is a SuperFloa er After his main tow lot:, ,Jim Hook, killed last year, Taber assumed up 600 hours in part of a season. As you' this stretched Matt pretty thin for a while. He's a survivor though, L:he alternative launch methods as business slacked off a bit due to three active schools in Florida, long a state that wa::, LMFP' s biggest source of customers. (The three .incl udE3 n,0wcomers Quest A.ir and WaJialJy Ranch estabLished Mi.ami. HG.) A As j

p.Ius

we}J

his other duties weren't Matt also serves the USHGA board ishe the book. AJJ hat to you, but this very has caused a dearth of material about the school. felt deserved to \Jive LMFP and Matt a ink. We can all hope he and his staff strong! eeo ng of Meadows is sort of '96 Nats, after his business. 'roo Hardly! Think of any event benefits from a the brand name I 1 ogo j s event's full name. Besides, a that not come wi U1 a local club sponsor • Listen to a Eew of GeeDub' s ideas. He' 11 have several classes of ition, includ ng Glider, 50, Over 45 Years Old," and more. The Just APRIL 19%

have a contest for the the Photo" at th0" Turn Point each a Driver's Contest ... and 2111 the above will have cash plus (the last ,Jm;t Fly's of the accessory market Gee Dub addc,, "'I'he best to the World·· Is to working overtime to be sure fun and safe. Maybe this is the one al~tend? Entry fee $32 wi a policy. Ch.eek i out ... ca] .:rust Fly at 919/480-3552. ••• Hadn't heard from leader Wills for while, but got new after hotshot Castle won the Women's, World on a WW XC 15:-i. CONGRATS, KARI! WW Kells observed that she's the first ever to be a Class World Champ (c.,,uuy,.,

Mi.l}e:r was C.lass ''70s). A Wi ls also

back

their Falcon over 500

wait they've built a this year.

150 Falcons the Wills harness i.ne suprone) German cation appears imminent o fer access t~o that big market for the U.S. brand. A My own the Wallaby Ranch aerotow center thh, towed as well as any han~J that comes to mind. I flew 195 and it a11 but handled itself through three tows to 2,500 feet, even throughou l~ turns. Mos L: satisfying, and it me with three landings that made me look good. A WW says that t-:heir prototype. XC 132 well, though "no tel when it wj 11 be in produc I:: ion. " ••• rron; & Ond ssions Dept German company Bautek' s Sunrise .model is not a ider as reported here earlier. incorrect Doesn' implied by the trend, ion remains: Is is real or is it • In my brief review of some Internet World Wide Web sites, failed to mention one you may find of interest ... at least those of you who an eye on the rest the hang One of th0" beE,t Enqli shrnc:,.y,c:u.ines other than o.ne in Britain's You may not carE" to subscribe, but thE:y've got a WWW site that contains of weJ.J. edited rag. "Check out http://test.ebrd.com/skywings/home.htm1," says editor Joe Scho f ie1d. ••• HE:,y ! Out. ta room. Nexl: month, plan my review of the 1995 USHGA survey. So, gol: news or ? Send •em to 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Vmail or fax to 612 I 4~i00930. Email to Cumu1usMan@ao1.com. T.HA?,l'KS1

6:l

,...,

·>'-

ti.~~

. ,..

•'