USHGA Paragliding May/June 1998 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

AIR MAIL

Accident Reports

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

RATINGS

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CLASSIFIEDS

by Nate Scates•

USHGA Reports

COVER: Chuck Smith flying around Nauset Lighthouse, Eastham, Massachusetts, in 1993. See interview on page 20. Photo by Leon Smith.

DISCLAIMER OF WAR~

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TIONS;The matetiaf Pte· $¢t1ted bere is publishe~l~ . pllft o( iµi infcirtnation ~lac .·semination setvicefor;. •·. U$}lGAlllembers; The .usHGA makes no war,.. · ·.· · )ltntles.oriepresentatioi;lS•.•· . and lt!isumes n.o liability . C::oncetilingtb'e validity of· ad\1ce, opluipn or re<;· oµunendation .¢~pressecl in · the materi~;. Allindivlduals relying upon t,he material do .. so at th~ <JWMisk. ·. Copyright © 1998 Uniteq ··. StllteS Hang Gliding Assn.; Inc. All rights res¢ryed)o Paraglttling and individual

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UNOFFICIAL STATE X-C DISTANCE RECOlU)S compiled by Steve Rott '

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contribµtors:

MAY /JUNE

1998

Gil Dodgen, Managing Editor/Editor in Chief Dave Pounds, Art Director John Heiney, Gerry Charlebois, Bettina Gray, Leroy Grannis, Mark Vaughn Photographers Harry Martin, Illustrator Dennis Pagen, Mark Stucky, Geoff Mumford, G.W. Meadows, Jim Palmieri, Staff Writers

NAME-CHANGE COMMITTEE

Office Staff.-

Phil Bachman, Executive Director, phbachman@ushga.org Jeff Elgart, Advertising, jjelgart@ushga.org D, Dean Leyerle, Insurance, ddleyerle@ushga.org karen Simon, Accounting, klsimon@ushga.org Elaine Elgart, Web Administrator, emelgart@ushga.org Natalie Hinsley, Merchandise Se1Vices, njhinsley@ushga.org John Halloran, Administrative Director jghalloran@ushga.org USHGA Officersanchxecutive Committ~"ii-:- - G.W. Meadows, President Bill Bryden, Vice President Russ Locke, Secretary Geoff Mumford, Treasurer

REGION 1: BilT'Bolosky, Steve Roti. REGION 2:Russ Locke, Ray Leonard, Scott Casparian. REGION 3: Ken Baier, Tammy Burcar, Gregg Lawless. REGION 4: Mark Ferguson, Jim Zeise!. REGION 5: Frank Gillette. REGION 6: Jeff Sinason. REGION 7: Bill Bryden. REGION 8: Randy Adams. REGION 9: Pete Lehmann, Geoff Mumford. REGION 10: G.W. Meadows, Matt Taber. REGION 11: Dave Broyles. REGION 12: Paul Voight. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Ed Pitman, Paul Rikert, Dan Johnson, Jan Johnson, Dennis Pagen. HONORARY DIRECTORS: Chris Dupaul, Bob Hannah, Gene Matthews, Lars Linde, Alan Chuculate, , Ken Brown, Sandy King, Mike Meier, Rob Kells, David Glover, Paul Klemond, Gregg McNamee, Michael Robertson, Greg DeWolf, Tracie Fifer-Welch. EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS: Art Greenfield (NAA). The United States Hang Gliding Association Inc. is an air sports organization affiliated with the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) which is the official representative of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), of the world governing body for sport aviation. The NM, which represents the U.S. at FAI meetings, has delegated to the USHGA supe1Vision of FAl-related hang gliding activities such as record attempts and competition sanctions.

HANG GLIDING magazine is published for hang gliding sport enthusiasts to create further interest in the sport, and to provide an educational forum to advance hang gliding methods and safety. Contributions arc welcome. Anyone is invited to contribute articles, photos, and illustrations concerning hang gliding activities. If the material is to be returned, a stamped, self-addressed return envelope must be enclosed. Notification must be made of submission to other hang gliding publications. HANG GLIDING magazine reserves the right to edit contributions where necessary. The Association and publication do not assume responsibility for the material or opinions of contributors. HANG GLIDING editorial offices: 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Suite A-256, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, phone (714) 888· 7363, fax (714) 888-7464, GilDodgen@aol.com. The USHGA is a member-controlled sport organization dedicated to the exploration and promotion of all facets of unpowered ultralight flight, and to the education, training and safety of its mernberhip. Membership is open to anyone interested in this realm of flight. Dues for full membership are $54 per year (of which $15 goes to the publication of Hang Gliding), ($65 nonUSA); subscription rates only are $35 ($46 non-USA). Changes of address should be sent six weeks in advance, including name, USHGA number, previous and new address, and a mailing label from a recent issue.

HANG GLIDING (ISSN 0895-433x) is published monthly by the United States Hang Gliding Association, Inc., 559 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Suite 101, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903-3657 (719) 632-8300. FAX (719) 632-6417. PERIODICAL POSTAGE is paid at Colorado Springs, CO and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO: HANG GLIDING, P.O. BOX 1330, Colorado Springs, co 80901-1330.

MAY /JUNE

1998

VOLUME

Dear Editor, USHGA President G.W. Meadows has announced the formation of a committee to consider whether the time is right to rename our Association to reflect the presence of significant numbers of Class III hang glider (paraglider) pilots in the membership. This issue promises to be another controversial one, so let us know, pro or con, how you feel. The results of your input will be published on the Internet and in the magazines. Send e-mail to ushga-name@kurious.org or write to me at the address below. The members of the Committee are G.W. Meadows, Dennis Pagen, Gene Matthews, Randy Adams, Paul Klemond and Steve Roti. Gene Matthews 15308 lllthAve.N.E. Bothell, WA 98011

EMERGENCY SERVICES Dear Editor, This is in response to some Internet traffic disparaging Lakeview's emergency services because an injured pilot had to be driven to another facility in the back of a pickup truck on a two-lane road after a volunteer ambulance driver could not be located to make the trip. For the record I will stack Lake County's emergency services up against the best in the United States for the size and wealth of our population base. Our EMT's are not only highly trained and motivated, but receive specialized briefings each flying season regarding the types of harnesses we use, how to open them and extract a pilot with various types of injuries, how to avoid accidents with ballistic parachutes and the types of injuries most likely to be encountered by free-flight pilots. Regarding the incident in question, the pilot received the exact same care that any resident of Lake County would receive. He was offered, and refused, ambulance transport from the crash site to Lake District Hospital, preferring to be carried some 20 miles in his pickup. When transport is required to another facility, it is normally done by air, in an emergency. Emergency transport by ground is performed usually when the weather is bad.

9, ISSUE #3

We've never failed to find a volunteer in an emergency. Most other non-emergency ground medical transport is normally provided by the patients themselves or by their families, because self-reliance is the cornerstone of our existence out here in the "boonies," and two-lane roads are all we have to drive on. We do the best we can with what we have for everyone. In this case, the pilot was stable and was not in an emergency, life-threatening situation but did need a specialist for his injuries not available in Lakeview. He was offered air transport to a much better facility than the one he went to but refused it because of the expense and the fact that the better facility was "not on their way home." Since the transport in question was not an emergency and could be performed by a family member, a volunteer would have to be asked to give up six to seven hours of precious holiday leisure time, late at night (with a regular job to go to the next day) for nothing more than the situational and financial convenience of the patient. This is not exactly what our local volunteers volunteer for. Rural America is not the big city. Resident physicians are normally family practitioners specializing in rural health care. Specialties such as surgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology and gynecology are often hundreds of miles away. Our site guides will have addenda in them this year with information regarding the limitations ofLakeview's medical practitioners and facilities. We strongly recommend that all free-flight pilots planning to fly sites that are very remote from specialty medical expertise, anywhere, buy themselves a subscription to an air ambulance service serving the area in which they plan to fly. These subscriptions usually cost around $45 to $50 for a year and you normally don't have to be a resident of the state you are flying in to participate. They supplement regular health insurance ambulance payments by picking up the payment portion not covered in your standard policy, which is usually quite a bundle. The average air ambulance charge is around $6,000 to $7,000, but if you need it you've got it, and one injury requiring air transport will make that $45 look mighty small. Now that you're properly prepared, come fly with us this year. We'd love to see you. And for land's sake, be careful out there! Jules Gilpatrick Chairman, Lake County Chamber of Commerce Free Flight Committee PARAGLIDING

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... pu,i mu~i~ 95 Be Prepared1m ParaSofi, Inc. Paragliding School is taking reservations for its 1998 series advanced maneuvers clinics at Lake Mcconnaughy, NE. ParaSoft has been conducting successful maneuver clinics at Lake McConnaughy since 1992.

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FLY HARD Paraglide the western states w/ Rob Whittal & C. Santacroce. Great maneuvers, great sound.35min. $35.95

PARAGLIDING-THE COMPLETE GUIDE by Noel Whittal. The most complete & comprehensive guide on the market today. Over l 00 color photographs. 200 pgs $26.95

PARAGLIDING-A PILOT'S TRAINING MANUAL by Mike Meier/Wills Wing $19.95 Covers all aspects of paragliding. Equipment, beginner skills, flying techniques & more.

UNDERSTANDING THE SKY by Dennis Pagen. The most complete book on micrometerology for all sport aviators. Plenty of photos & illustrations. $19. 95

PARAGLIDE: THE MOVIE World class competition at Owens Valley. Rock-n-roll & plenty of action.40min. $35.95

CLOUDBASE PARAGLIDING Great intro video. Meet the hot pilots & fly the hot sites. 36min. $34.95

POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN PG & HG action at this Utah mecca.52min. $29.00

DAREDEVIL FLYERS Ill-THE PARAGLIDERS As seen on Prime Sports. Paraglide in scenic Telluride, Colorado. 50min. $24.95

MASTERS AT CLOUDBASE A paragliding music video. $19.95

USHGA, PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901-1330 1-800-616-6888 Visa/MC fax (719) 632-641 7 Please add s/h US $4.50 for videos, $5.50 for books. Orders over $50 call!

Calendar of events items WILL NOT be listed if only tentative. Please include exact information (event, date, contact name and phone number). Items should be received no later than six weeks prior to the first of the cover month (i.e., January 20 for the March/April issue).

COMPETITION JUNE 6-28: Lakeview X-C Challenge. Join Will Gadd, Chris Santacroce, Mark Telep, Rick Higgins, and other top U.S. PG X-C pilots in Lakeview, OR for an attempt at a new national PG X-C distance record. The U.S. PG record is 139 miles (Will Gadd), the PG record at Lakeview is 75 miles (Rick Higgins), and the HG record at Lakeview is 157 miles. Open to all PG X-C pilots. Contact: Rick Higgins, SunSports PG, 796 St. Charles Pl., Hood River, OR 97031 (541) 387-2112 RSUNSPORTS@aol.com. JULY 6-11: Chelan C/,assic, since 1979, one of the nation's top summer events. Hang glider and paraglider pilots come from all over the U.S. and the world. Pilots choose the tasks: straight-line, out-andreturn, triangle. Launch from Chelan Butte and fly over the wheat fields to the east across the Columbia River. Proceeds benefit the Chelan site fund. For entry information/registration contact: Tom Johns (425) 747-1647. Camping, motels, family recreation available. Mention the event and call the Chelan Chamber: l-800-4Chelan.

CLINICS/MEETINGS/ TOURS MAY 16-17: Tandem Clinicwith Rick Higgins, Tandem Instructor and Bob Hannah, Tandem Administrator in Hood River, OR. T-1, T-2, and T-3 ratings to qualified pilots. Contact: Rick Higgins, SunSports PG, 796 St. Charles Pl., Hood River,OR97031 (541)387-2112 RSUNSPORTS@aol.com. MAY 22-29: X-C Clinic. JUNE 6: Olympus to The Point class. 13-mile X-C. AUG. 7-9: Thermal Clinic. OCT. 3-4: Mountain Flying Clinic. OCT. 17-18: Tandem Clinic. NOV. 6-9: Instructor Training Seminar. NOV. 14-15: Instructor Testing Program. Cost: Thermal clinic, powered paragliding and instructor training, $300; X-C $500; Mountain Flying and Tandem $200. Location: Point of the Mountain, Draper, UT and Utah mountain sites. Ken Hudonjorgensen is the senior paragliding instructor at Point of the Mountain and has held the Utah X-C record. He is Master-rated, one of four Tandem and ICP Administrators in the U.S., and the first and only paraglider pilot to be awarded the highest Safe Pilot Award (Diamond- 5,000 consecutive safe flights). Contact: Ken Hudonjorgensen, Two-can Fly Paragliding, 474 E. Tonya Dr., Sandy, UT 84070 (801) 572-3414.

Hugh Murphy. Soar the Golden State's beautiful coastal sites from Big Sur to Santa Barbara. Earn your Ridge Soaring sign-of£ Reliable, safe flying conditions. JUNE 18-19: Powered Paragliding Clinic. See above. JUNE 25-26: California Coast Ridge Soaring Clinic. See above. Contact: SurfThe Sky Paragliding (805) 544-8190. JUNE 13-14: Thermal and X-C Clinic in Lakeview, OR, site of the '98 U.S. Nats with Rick Higgins, Advanced Instructor and Oregon state PG X-C record holder (75 miles). Contact: Rick Higgins, SunSports PG, 796 St. Charles Pl., Hood River, OR 97031 (541) 387-2112 RSUNSPORTS@aol.com. JULY 4-5: Chelan Butte/Sky Canyon Paragliding Thermal!X-C Clinic. Join some of the region's best X-C paraglider pilots like Mark Telep and Jeff Koehler. Cross the river and fly X-C across the flatlands. Covers thermaling, X-C, defensive flying, emergencies. Good prep clinic/ site introduction for the Chelan Classic. $150 entry benefits Chelan site fund. Camping, motels, family recreation available at Lake Chelan. Mention the event and call the Chelan Chamber at l-800-4Chelan. Clinic contact/registration: Christian Mulack, Advanced Instructor, Chelan Paragliding (425) 432-8900.

JULY 11-18: US. Paragliding Nationals, Lakeview, OR. AUG. 17-23: North

MAY 23-24, AUG. 29-30: Thermal and X-C Clinic in Hood River, OR, with Rick

JULY 17-27: Thermal Dynamics Paragliding Adventures, Golden, BC. Includes airfare from any major U.S. airport to Calgary, hotel room, all Canadian association and site fees, meals, transportation, retrieval, risk management and reserve clinic. Five pilots max. Contact: (310) 834-0769, thermic@pacbell.net.

American Summer Paragliding Championships, King Mm., ID. Contact:

Higgins, Advanced Instructor and Oregon state PG X-C record holder (75 miles). Contact: Rick Higgins, SunSports PG, 796 St. Charles Pl., Hood River, OR 97031 (541) 387-2112 RSUNSPORTS@aol.com.

JULY 25-27: Advanced Maneuvers Clinic, by Chris Santacroce and Phil Pohl, Sicamous, BC. Contact: Phil Pohl (541) 389-4086.

http://www.justfly.com. SEPT. 25-27: West Coast Paragliding Regionals. $100 until Aug. 31, $125 after. Contact: Adventure Spons (702) 8837070, advspts@pyramid.net, registration form at http://www.pyramid.net/advspts.

MAY 23-24: Sky Hook Sports What to Do After P2 Clinic, by Phil Pohl. For P2 or P3 pilots. $150. Includes camping, transportation, dinner. 30 mins. to motels. Contact: Phil Pohl (541) 389-4086.

JUNE 4-5: Powered Paragliding Clinic, by USHGA-certified Advanced Instructor Hugh Murphy, on the beautiful California central coast. Syllabus covers a smooth transition from non-powered to powered paragliding, safely and easily. Bring your equipment or demo ours. JUNE 11-12: California Coast Ridge Soaring Clinic, by

SEPT.-NOV.: "Owens at its Best," X-Clthermal guide to the Owens Valley, with Kari Castle. Two- to nine-day adventures. Private one-on-one flying, guide service and instruction also available. Contact: Kari Castle (760) 872-2087, karicastle@telis.org.

PARAGLIDING

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SEPT. 11-13: Skytimes Paragliding/john lates fall maneuvers clinics. Sept. 18-20 rain dates. Eight years of experience, two tow boats, two rescue boats. Learn recovery technique for asymmetrical collapse, recognize constant stall and negative tendency for spin. Lake Shasta in Northern California. Cost: $350. Clinics traditionally fill quickly. Contact: (415) 868-1330, switzer@hooked.net. SEPT. 12-13: Sky Hook Sports 8th Annual Thermal Clinic, with Phil Pohl. $150. Includes camping, transportation, dinner. 30 mins. to motels. Contact: Phil Pohl (541) 389-4086.

FUN FLYING

$60 3/4 style shown Limited Sizes, Colors and a 20% Restocking fee for returns and exchanges

NAS Reserve or Harness $425

Deployed under 100ft. - No injury! 2201bs. Pilot Ed Levin Park, CA. ~

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$900 100% guaranteed. Limited quantities. No dealers. 303/347-8995 paragliding@wwdg.com

JUNE I-SEPT. 30: 1998 Official Lakeview, OR flying season. $ I 00 each month for the longest flight registered from an official Lakeview flying site. $1,000 to the pilot with the greatest fourmonth cumulative total for the season (paraglider miles doubled). $50 per month random drawing just for showing up and registering! Beautiful and plentiful flying sites, friendly landowners, good retrieval roads, and flying great enough to set all the current Oregon State distance records for HG and PG. Contact: Lake Co. Chamber of Commerce (541) 947-6040. JUNE 19-22: Summer Solstice Fly-In, sponsored by the Buzzard Roost Gang. Some of the best flying sites in Northern California. Lake tow at Iron Canyon Reservoir, fly off Chalk Mt. (3,100' AGL), catch a glass-off at Hat Creek Rim. Lake activities, mountain biking and hiking for the whole family. Excellent overnight camping accommodations including hot springs. Contact: Pat Blackburn (530) 604-2765 or Sonny Compton (530) 243-2534, ultimatehigh@hotmail.com. JULY 1-5: 1998 Lakeview, OR Annual July 4th Festival ofFree Flight. One Grand X-C contest pays $1,000 cash to the longest X-C flight from Black Cap during the Festival. Paraglider miles doubled. Sugar Hill-Lakeview Trophy Dash, 1st place prize $100. PG and HG spot-landing contest

prizes $50 each. Lots of family fun. Registration and pilot meeting on July 1, fly 2-4, awards July 5. Registration including site guide is $10. Registration alone $5. Contact: Lake Co. Chamber of Commerce (541) 947-6040 or Jules Gilpatrick (541) 947-3330. JULY 3-5: 5th Annual 4th ofJuly Party at Iron Canyon Reservoir in Big Bend, CA, sponsored by the Buzzard Roost Gang. A long list of fun activities. Coincides with the Buzzard Roost Gang's July club meeting. Contact: Pat Blackburn (530) 6042765 or Sonny Compton (530) 243-2534, ultimatehigh@hotmail.com. JULY 11-18: Gorge Games Fly-In, Hood River, OR, $1000's in prizes, fun flying, parties. Contact: C.B. Schmaltz (541) 3873106. AUG. 7-9: 2nd Annual Hat Creek Rim Fly-In and Festival sponsored by the Buzzard Roost Gang and the NCFLPA. This site-improvement fund-raising event promises to surpass even last year's success. Guaranteed great time for all. Includes live musical performances, entertaining contests with prizes, and a chance to fly at one of the most scenic sites in Northern California. Contact: Pat Blackburn (530) 604-2765 or Sonny Compton (530) 2432534, ultimatehigh@hotmail.com. SEPT. 19-20: 8th Annual Pine Mtn. Ry-In, Pine Mtn., OR. Contact: Raven Young (541) 317-8300. SEPT. 26-27: Chelan Fly & Bike Festival Compete in both or either. Spot landing contest at Chelan Falls Park, scored on accuracy and landing form. Ten-mile bike ride from Chelan Falls Park up Hwy. 150 to Chelan, across Dan Gorden bridge and back. Race or enjoy a leisure sightseeing ride. Great fun flying event. Proceeds benefit Chelan site fund. For entry information/registration contact: Chelan Flyers, Marilyn Raines (509) 682-2251 or Andrea Mulack (425) 423-8900. Camping, motels, family recreation available. Mention the event and call the Chelan Chamber: 1-800-4Chelan.

PA RAG LID ING

USHGA MERCHANDISE

CALENDARS

PRICE

USHGA 1998 HANG GLIDING CALENDAR - Excellent photography..... (Reg $9 95) SALE 1/b

$ 5.00

QTY Total Weight TOTAL $_ __

PUBLICATIONS -i:'<TOWING ALOFT by Dennis Pagen/Bill Bryden. Covers ALL aspects of towing. 372 pgs. 3/b -i:'<PARAGLIDING-THE COMPLETE GUIDE by Noel Whittall. Comprehensive, color. 200 pgs .. 2/b "SPECIAL NEW PILOT" Magazine. Paragliding or Hang Gliding (circle one). Buy both! ..... 7oz NEW-SKY ADVENTURES 36 hg stories by 32 hg authors. Informative & entertaining. 240 pgs . 1/b UNDERSTANDING THE SKY by D. Pagen. THE most complete book on micrometerology.... 2/b PARAGLIDING-A PILOT'S TRAINING MANUAL by M.Meier/Wills Wing. Covers all aspects ... 2/b ACCESS & THE GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT by B. Moorman. . ....... 2/b DOWNWIND by Larry Fleming. Share the experience of over 20 years of hg flight. ........ 1lb A RISK MGMT MANUAL by Michael Robertson. Used in ICP's, withe Charts of Reliability ..... 1/b RECORD ATTEMPT KIT Includes all forms needed for national & world record attempts. 2/b FLIGHT LOG BOOK The Official USHGA flight log book. 40 pages. Log those flights! CERTIFICATION BOOKLETS Document your skill level sign-offs. Specify PG or HG.

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VIDEOS MASTERS AT CLOUDBASE./l A paragliding music video, set to hard hitting music. (20 min) 1/b Fl Y HARD Rob Whittal & C. Santacroce paraglide the westcoast. Rock soundtrack. (36 min) .. . 1/b POINT OF THE MTN (Utah) HG & PG action at one of America's favorite sites. (52 min) 1/b PG: THE MOVIE Owen's Valley world competition. Hot action, rockin' soundtrack. (40 min) . 1/b CLOUDBASE PARAGLIDING Great intro. video. Meet the hot pilots, fly the hot sites. (36 min) . 1/b HAWAIIAN Fl YIN' HG & PG in Paradise. Amazing launches & awesome scenery! (46 min) 1/b All our videos are in USANHS NTSC format only

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MISC. USHGA PHONE CARD 25¢ per minute long distance rate, specify hg or pg card, includes 30 min .. WINDSOK™ 1.5 oz. ripstop nylon, 5'4" long w/11" throat. Pink/yellow or pink/white (circle one). 2/b WINDSEEKER Hang glider flying model. It loops & soars. Lots of fun to fly, you'll want two ... 15oz USHGA EMBLEM DECAL Our original logo, in its original colors, on a 3" circular sticker ..... . 1oz USHGA SEW-ON EMBLEM Our original logo, in its original colors, on a 3" circular patch .... . 1oz LICENSE PLATE FRAME Chrome plated. I'd Rather Be Paragliding. . . . ... 1/b PAYMENT must be included with your order. NON-USA orders must be in U.S. FUNDS drawn on a U.S. BANK!

SHIPPING (USA)

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United States Hang Gliding Assn., PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901-1330 (719) 632-8300 1-800-616-6888 www.ushga.org fax (719) 632-6417 email: ushga@ushga.org

DATE FOR COMBINED MAGAZINE ISSUE SET

A t the 1998 spring USHGA Board of Directors meeting the Publications Committee .!"\recommended, and the BOD approved, July 1998 as the date for a combined magazine test issue. This will combine the July/August issue of Paragliding with the July issue of Hang Gliding Magazine. A survey card will be included for members to report their reaction to this test publication. In addition, we will publish e-mail and Web page addresses to log your responses. Watch for this important issue. 3055, paragliding@aerolight.com, http://www.aerolight.com.

he Apco R&D team has successfully completed the design of a new highperformance competition glider, the Tigra, in three sizes: small, medium and large. The glider is a high-aspect-ratio, smallarea wing using diagonal-rib technology which allows for fewer lines. The Tigra is now in full production. Wing area has been drastically reduced. The Tigra Medium replaces the Zen 30, but it is four square meters smaller. Despite this, according to the manufacturer, its performance far exceeds that of the Zen and handling is superior, requiring minimal effort and no special flying techniques. Apco offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee to any pilot who is not satisfied with the glider. Contact: Apco Aviation, P.O. Box 2124, Holon 58121, Israel, tel. 972-6-6273727, fax 972-6-627-3728, apco@netvision.net.il. You may also contact the U.S. distributor: Aerolight USA, Inc., 1355 NW 93 Ct. UnitA-105 , Miami, FL 33172, (305) 639-3330, fax (305) 639-

ly Castelluccio announces a new model of the Mach 4 powered paragliding unit. The new system weighs only 17 kgs., has a 114-cm propeller and an 8.5-liter tank mounted under the engine. An additional 5.5-liter tank is available for long flights. The unit is designed for pilots weighing up to 110 kgs. and it produces 53 kgs. of static thrust. Since the cage and engine are the same as the Mach 3's, a Mach 4 can be converted into a Mach 3 at minimal cost. Also available is the Mach 4 Competition model, which offers more thrust and lower fuel consumption. Contact: Aerolight USA, Inc., 1355 NW93 Ct. UnitA-105, Miami, FL 33172, (305) 639-3330, fax (305) 6393055, paragliding@aerolight.com, http://www.aerolight.com.

grounded during typical weather conditions of high northeast trade winds. Thanks to an agreement between landowners and Proflyght Hawaii, Inc., Hawaii's oldest full-time paragliding school, Polipoli is now officially reopened. A west-facing site, Polipoli is positioned right in the middle of Haleakala volcano's (10,023') lee side, between 3,000' and 6,500' MSL. This location is perfect because it is protected by the consistently strong northeast trade winds and is bathed with sweet lee-side thermals most of the day. Adding convenience to consistency, there is a paved road that goes right up the middle of the site, offering drive-up transportation to all the lush, grassy launches. Polipoli is flyable approximately 300 days per year and is great for all skill levels. Proflyght Hawaii Flight School now manages all paragliding and hang gliding activities at Polipoli, now known as Polipoli Flight Park. Proflyght is dedicated to promoting the sports of paragliding and hang gliding, creating site access and making our sports as safe as possible. You may visit Proflyght's Web site at www.maui.net/ ~gliding where you will find pictures of Maui flying and more information. They also hope to post current updates on a new Fly-Hi bulletin board. Contact: Scott and Steve Amy, Proflyght Hawaii Flight School, P.O. Box 1286, Kula, HI 96790 (808) 87-GLIDE (874-5433), fax (808) 876-0589, gliding@maui.net.

"POLIPOLI" - MAUI'S BEST FLYING SITE IS OPEN AGAIN! ocated on a private cattle ranch on the western slopes of Haleakala, Polipoli was officially opened by Steve Amy and Irene Brown in 1994. Polipoli, Hawaii's most consistent flying site, was dosed in April 1996 due to liability concerns. The closure left both local and visiting pilots

D ed Bull remains the major sponsor in 1'rhe paragliding competition world, and will continue with last year's very suePARAGLIDING

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cessful team concept under the direction of Hannes Arch. Nineteen ninety-seven was indeed a very successful year for the Top Team. John Pendry became World Champion, Christian Tamegger Vise-World Champion and Vise World Cup Champion, and Claire Bernier became Women's World Cup Champion. Other Red Bull pilots - Michi Steinbach, Andy Hediger and Hans Bollinger - were consistently top-ranking international competitors. In 1998, young American Othar Lawrence (Firebird), U.S. National Champion in 1997, will be a new team member. Beautiful 1997 Women's World Champion, Claire Bernier, has also joined the Red Bull team. Christian Tamegger (Edel), John Pendry (Airwave), Michi Steinbach (Advance) and Andi Hediger (Advance) remain with the team in 1998. For more information contact: Hannes Arch, Paragliding Testing and Marketing, tel. 41-71-84008-28, fax: -25, hannesarch@paus.ch.

SECURITY IN FLIGHT VIDEO

port Aviation Publications is happy to announce the release of a new product, Security in Flight, a paragliding SIV video with British pilot Jocky Sanderson. This 34-minute tape is designed to help you recognize and recover from a variety of maneuvers you might encounter when flying. Every pilot must know this information and understand these important techniques to fly safely. We know of no better way to gain this experience short of flying tandem with Jocky. Knowledge Dispels Fear is the subtitle of the video. Using dynamic air-to-air footage, Jocky, one of the world's leading figures in SIV flying, talks you through and demonstrates the following maneuvers: big ears, B-line descents, symmetric and asymmetric tucks, spirals, spins, wingovers, stalls, cravats and reserve deployment. By giving you a better understanding of your paraglider in pitch, roll and yaw, this film will help you gain confidence and enhance your flying skills. Most importantly, this award-winning film is a great visual presentation scripted to teach

THANKS TO USHGA LIEGAl FUND CONTRIBUTORS

e would like to extend, on behalf of all USHGA members, a sincere thank you to all who have contributed to the legal fund appeal. As I summarized in the March issue, the ruling in last year's lawsuit filed by five former members was adjudicated in favor of the USHGA. At the time of this writing, USHGA still has an outstanding and unbudgeted line item of over $20,000 in expenses in this matter. This will need to be paid over the next few months. Contributions, no matter how small, will be of significant help in retiring this debt. Again, a special thank you to those listed below who have contributed toward helping your Association.

- Phil Bachman, USHGA Executive Director Anderson, Dann Anderson, Robert Armstrong, Lance Arras, William Arrison, John Bakke, Dave Banker, Kim Barker, Roger Baumann, Chuck Beck, Robert Berry, Robert Bordon, Scott Brennan, Joe Brown, J.C. Broyles, Robert Bulger, Joseph Burnett, Craig Camp, Russ Cramblit, Eric Davidson, Ben Dedomenico, Robert Deforge, Raymond Deming, Dave Dullahan, John Dumyer, Ray Dunn, Kathleen Engen, Bruce Fay, Jr., Colin

Felder, Ben Feneht, Peter Gadd, Will Garner, James Gilpatrick, Jules Glover, David Graddon, Gail Marie Greaves-Tunnell, Peter Greenwoood, James Grigereit, Melmut Guindon, Andre Haessler, Reinhard Haney.Rex Hawk,Bruce Hawk, Hawkai Heinz, Tagmann Hill, Wilbert Hope, John Huddle, Christine Hyde, Ralph Johnson, Jeffery Johnson, Peter Johnson, Steve Jones, Robert Kannisto, Richard Kannisto, Rick

Keller, Leland Kroll, Bodhi Kushner, Brad LaMar, Philip Lasater, John Lautamo, Roy Lehmann, Pete Lindberg, David Luce, Robert Lyon, C. Brooks McCarty, Kevin McCoy, Jr., Joseph McCrorey, Robert McKinley, Barron Miller, Glenn Miller, Donald Mocho,Mark Mueche, Ross Murphy, Dennis Murray, Keith Nast, Ronald Neumayer, Robert Neumayer, Margaret Newton, Richard North California XC Pilots Nugent, Steve

safe procedures in critical situations. The video may be ordered for $35 plus $3.00 shipping from: Sport Aviation Publications, P.O. Box 101, Mingoville, PA 16856 USA. For more information visit www.lazerlink.com/ ~pagenbks.

RED BULL "WINGS OVER ASPEN" PARA.GLIDING AND HANG GLIDING COMPIETIT60N

D ed Bull and Aspen Paragliding are ..r\.hosting the Red Bull Wings over Aspen International Paragliding and Hang

Onstott, Joseph Overton, W.C. Park, Andrew Permenter, Fred Pesek, Douglas Poole, Marshall Potter, David Pryciak, Andrew Rabie, Ronald Radcliffe, Robert Roberts, Gilbert/Ines Robinson, Ross Ryon, David Schwarz, Milan Schwinn, Robert Scott, Jr., William Shall man, Richard Shenton, Paul Sheridan, Noah Shipley, Mitchell Sinason, Jeff Slentz, Samuel Smith, Ned Snader, Dale & Dawn Sorenson, Jerry Steed,Mike Stevens, David

Stokes, John Straub, Davis Stuaber, Steven Stuntzner, Todd Thompson, David Trimble, Curt Vandervoort, Paul Vartan, Kirk Voight, Paul Ward, Greg Welch, Von Wellbaum, Robbie Wells, Nat Wheelock, Bill Wikner, Dixon Will, Wilbert Winiecki, Kenneth Witherspoon, Larry Wohlbrink, Wade Wright, John Wyler, Bob Young, Terry Young, Kevin Zeiset, Jim

Gliding Competition in Aspen, Colorado from June 27 to July 3, 1998. Eighty to 100 pilots will participate in the paragliding competition and/or hang gliding aerobatics, including several top-ranked foreign pilots. The competition is sanctioned by United States Hang Gliding Association. Pilots will compete for $23,000 in prize money. In addition to the daily competition there will two early evening hang gliding and paragliding aerobatics events, the Red

Continued on page 40. PARAGLIDING

1999 USHGA Regional Director Nominations Solicited USHGA is issuing its annual call for nominations to the national Board of Directors. Eleven positions are open for election in November 1998 for a two-year term beginning January 1999. USHGA members seeking position on the ballot should send to headquarters for receipt no later than August 20, 1998 the following information: name and USHGA number, photo and resume (one page containing the candidate's hang/paragliding activities and viewpoints, written consent to be nominated and that they will serve if elected). Candidates must be nominated by at least three USHGA members residing in the candidate's region. Nominations are needed in the following regions. The current Directors, whose terms are up for reelection in 1999, are listed below. Ballots will be distributed with the November issue of HANG GLIDING and the November/December issue of PARAGLIDING magazines. USHGA needs the very best volunteers to help guide the safe development and growth of the sport. Forward candidate material for receipt no later than August 20 to: USHGA, PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901-1330. Reg# 1 2 3 4 7

Current Director Bill Bolosky Ray Leonard Ken Baier Mark Ferguson Bill Bryden

Randy Adams

Geoffrey Mumford

G.W. Meadows

Paul Voight

States within region Alaska, Oregon, Washington Northern California, Nevada Southern California, Hawaii Arizona, Colorado, El Paso TX, New Mexico, Utah Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North & South Dakota, Wisconsin New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont Washington DC, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico New Jersey, New York

The following form is for your convenience.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR ELECTION NOMINATION FORM I hereby nominate_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ as a candidate for Regional Director for Region #

I understand that his/her name will be placed on the Official Ballot for the

1998 Regional Director Election if three nominations are received by August 20, 1998.

atings

hat's Their Value? by Alan Chuculate, USHGA Tow Supervisor

y is tow-launching a paraglider more dangerous than foot-launching off a mountain? If you've been towing, you should know the answer to this question. There are at least four reasons. A problem exists because some pilots are being tow-launched without first being rated as tow pilots. They are not being educated in correct tow technique and informed about the risks associated with towing. This typically occurs when tow-launching is used in the context of an Advanced Maneuvers Clinic. In this case, the enthusiasm among the instructors and pilots alike is for getting to the maneuvers themselves, "where the action is." As it happens, the prerequisite tow training is not being specifically provided. Injuries that might be sustained from impact due to overtowing and low-level lockouts are often avoided, not because towing is foolproof, but because the towing is taking place over water. Such "paraplunging" is usually casually accepted and the problem is perpetuated, unresolved. The pilot needs to be oriented to the towline. During collapses you need to look at the wing to confirm what's happening. Likewise, during a tow you need to look at the wing to confirm its direction and to keep it tracking in the direction of the towline thrust. Would you allow your mother or your mate to launch a paraglider from a training hill without first practicing and receiving foot-launch training? Tow-launching a glider should not be

MAY/JUNE

1998

approached casually, because it is more complex than foot-launching. More equipment is involved. There are also other people involved besides yourself, which requires coordination among them. While it's easy to tow-launch safely, I've witnessed needless pilot injury using this launch method as a result of "operator error." These types of accidents are easily avoided with proper education and the opportunity to practice in a relaxed environment. You, as a pilot and consumer, should seek out and demand nothing less than full and thorough tow training from an authorized USHGA Paragliding Tow Administrator before you perform your first tow launch. A USHGA Paragliding Tow Administrator is a USHGA Instructor who can issue USHGA Paragliding TOW and TECH Special Skills, because they have demonstrated to a USHGA Paragliding Tow Supervisor that they can

teach towing safely. (TOW is a pilot skill, and TECH is a tow system operator skill.) A list of the current USHGA Paragliding Tow Officials follows this article. Noted in that list are those Paragliding Tow Officials who have a TOW launch endorsement for Tandem. These instructors are authorized to do paragliding tandem towing. One classic error is for a paraglider pilot to be tow-launched by an experienced hang gliding tow system operator. Unless the tow operator has paragliding tow experience (they should be able to show you their USHGA card with the Paragliding TECH Special Skill), you're likely to be "overtowed" at too high a line tension. This scenario of "the blind leading the blind" will produce trials and tribulations. The problem is that you are the test pilot, and the consequences are potentially fatal. In my opinion, as a USHGA Tow Supervisor for both paragliding and hang gliding, it takes more subtlety, sensitivity and awareness to safely tow a paraglider than it does to safely tow a hang glider. That's part of the reason why there is a TECH Special Skill for paragliding, but no equivalent Special Skill for hang gliding. To answer the question I posed at the beginning, in addition to the added complexity of tow-launching, there are three fundamental problems when towing a paraglider. First, as in hang gliding, there

HAND-HELD WIND METER Monitor changing wind conditions. Responsive to slightest variation In wind velocl1y. AIRSPEED INDICATOR use with optional PATENTED paraglider mounting bracket. Maximize your performance and skill. RUGGED & ACCURATE: Molded of super tough l£XAN ® resin. stainless steel rod. Calibration traceable to National Institute of standards and Technology.

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"Having this information doesn't qualify you for a TOW or TECH rating. What's required is that you can apply this understanding and demonstrate safe towing, at one or both ends of the towline."

USHGA Paragliding Tow Officials Tow Supervisors Name John Yates Alan Chuculate Marie Osowski Lars Linde Paul Voight

·························

State

Phone Number

Tandem Tow Rating

2 3 11 12 12

CA CA TX NJ NY

916-222-4606 619-292-9003 915-379-1567 732-747-7845 914-744-3317

None 1andem Instructor None None None

Tow Administrators Regi.on

State

Phone Number

Tandem Tow Rating

Bob Hannah Steven Rich Fred Stockwell

1 1 1

WA WA OR

206-328-1104 206-462-7300 541-582-1467

Tandem Instructor Tandem Instructor Tandem Instructor

Steve Bickford Jody Lucas Don Mills Ed Pitman Tom Switzer

2 2 2 2 2

CA CA CA CA CA

707-963-3455 415-691-2226 916-275-4535 916-359-2392 415-868-2413

None None Tandem 1 None Tandem Instructor

Marcello De Barros Merri Raviv Scott Gressitt Brian Shook

3 3 3 3

CA CA CA Baja

Tandem Instructor 714-896-0117 619-281-9334 Pending None 619-632-0514 011-52-617-03831 None

Granger Banks Mike Haley

4 4

co UT

303-494-2820 801-982-0728

None None

Bill Anderson Greg Smith

5 5

ID ID

208-726-1100

None Tandem Instructor

Bill Fifer Brad Kushner

7 7

MI WI

616-922-2844 414-473-2003

None None

Klaus Fiebig

203-624-7366

None

Chris Bowles Jose Casaudomecq

10 10

NC FL

704-632-6000 305-716-5177

None None

Dave Broyles Charles Fontenot Richard Johnson Nancy Jo Stanford

11 11 11 11

TX TX TX TX

972-727-3588 512-335-4837 512-328-0633 915-379-1567

None None None None

Greg Black Philippe Renaudin

12 12

NY NY

914-647-3377 516-676-7599

None None

Maxim De Jong

604-858-2300

Tandem Instructor

Name is the additional force of the towline, which is not present in free flight. This changes the handling and response of the glider, and increases the loading on the glider. Second, the tow bridle is connected in the area of the pilot, far below the wing, so the pilot is pulled out in front of the wing. This "unnatural" orientation causes the glider to surge and the pilot to pendulum when the glider is separated from the towline. Third, and unlike hang gliding, the paraglider pilot cannot prevent the pitch angle of the glider from increasing excessively when overtowed. So, if the operator pulls too hard while the glider is at low altitude, and the pilot releases in an attempt to protect himself, the pilot will likely pendulum into the ground, either forward or backward. Thus, the paraglider pilot is literally at the mercy of the tow system operator until the pilot reaches an altitude at which it is safe to release - say, in the case of a student, 100 feet (33 meters) AGL. Having this information doesn't qualify you for a TOW or TECH rating. What's required is that you can apply this understanding and demonstrate safe towing, at one or both ends of the towline. A dedicated tow clinic is the context in which this should be practiced. The value of a tow rating is formal verification that you can tow safely and with confidence. Remember, as a tow pilot, it's your rear on the line!•

Regi.on

PARAGLIDING

h nc

1ng by Peter Reagan

n his classic instruction manual, Noel Whittal describes airmanship as follows: "Being able to appreciate the difference between seizing an opportunity and taking a chance, and then leaving nothing to chance." This is very good advice, which I think maximizes the attitude most likely to keep us alive with the right number of bones. Statistically speaking, however, the difference between an opportunity and a chance is relative, and all opportunities involve some degree of risk. It is true that high levels of skill can decrease danger in any given maneuver, but there is always some chance that one might get it wrong, especially when split-second responses are required, and risk increases rapidly if there's no opportunity to recover from a mistake. Chris Santacroce did a hundred death spirals before he decided that the price of muffing it was too high. The rest of us need to consider that balance each time we pull up our gliders. How likely am I to pull up out of control, and if I do, how good are my options? A number of recently reported accidents have involved mishaps on launch or in the first seconds of flight. Here are a few examples. To preserve anonymity, dates are by month only, and the preposition "he" applies to a pilot of either sex.

JULY, 1997, PALISADES, SOUTHEAST OREGON, MIDDAY This site has been used by hang glider pilots in the past but never by paraglider pilots. The launch is in a steep alcove at the tip of a ridge, a setting with a certain amount of rotor potential. Conditions appeared excellent, with puffy cumulus formation and light prevailing wind. A few of the cycles seemed fairly strong, and they seemed to come from various direcnons.

MAY/JUNE

1998

The launch was up to 40 degrees, mostly shale scree with small rock outcroppings and bushes. The P3 pilot with 100+ hours of experience and 350 flights had difficulty laying out his large Edel Saber because of the steep and uneven terrain. He tried pulling the glider up with a crossed-brake reverse technique but the lift wasn't quite strong enough to kite, and the glider settled into a tree after the left side collapsed. As he was extracting his wing, he didn't notice a cycle that was quite cross, and actually foiled another paraglider launch next to him. He pulled up again and spun around, pushing off aggressively. At that moment a collapse began in his left wing, rapidly reaching 50%. He was spun into the slope and impacted without doing a PLF, suffering multiple fractures of his right leg and ankle, as well as an avulsion injury on the left. It should be added that the evacuation by private car, first to Lakeview Hospital and later to Klamath Falls, was problematical, and potentially very expensive, since the only other viable option was air ambulance. AUGUST, 1997, WALSHES, ASPEN, LATE MORNING In lee-side thermal conditions with significant turbulence and crosswind, there are reports that other pilots chose not to launch. A very experienced pilot pulled up an Airwave XM, a competition glider, launched and suffered an immediate collapse. He crashed immediately on his left side, breaking his pelvis and some ribs, requiring a week of hospitalization. He had never flown the wing before, and feels the brakes were adjusted too long, delaying his reaction to the collapse. JANUARY, 1998, GOBBLERS KNOB, NEAR NEWBERG, OREGON

This is a small site with a tight launch, and in winter conditions can be soared in steady winds. The pilot had five years of hang gliding experience and more than 500 flights, but only about 30 hours of paragliding. He was flying an Advance Omega 2, an older model competition wing. At 10:30 AM he pulled up into a straight-in, steady, 12-mph wind. He was snatched into the air and immediately struggled to get his left foot into the speedbar because he was afraid he might blow over the back into some power lines. As he was doing this he suffered a 50% collapse of his left wing at about 30 feet AGL. He spun around and impacted on his left side, suffering several fractures of his hip joint which required fairly extensive surgery. Rescue was relatively simple in this metropolitan area. The pilot had felt that his speed bar was adjusted much too high, and hadn't gotten around to fixing it. With 20/20 hindsight it's easy to see that each of these pilots took a chance, had a severe malfunction close to the ground and didn't have the resources to handle it. In the first case, a difficult site with quite complex geometry was being launched for the first time in fairly strong conditions. Superior skill in the second case couldn't compensate for turbulence and poorly adjusted, unfamiliar equipment, and in the third case a relatively inexperienced pilot induced a malfunction while attempting to prevent a blowback, also with poorly adjusted equipment. It is comforting, in a way, to sort out the details of an accident and find that the pilot "should" have been able to cope with the situation at hand, or should have understood the inadvisability of launching. Unfortunately, we are all fairly equally human - only some are luckier than others. The following comments are made purely in the spirit of searching for ways to minimize the amount of luck we need. 1) PREFLIGHT Preflight everything. Michael Robertson writes about "The Wind, The Wing, and

The Windividual." Preflight all three W's and don't forget a fourth: The World that is, the geography you are launching from and into. Every launch involves the risk of injury or death. Each one deserves your full attention. The following are some preflight considerations that may not be habitual. The Wind: How much do I know about the conditions? How realistic is my interpretation of what's happening? What is the potential for surprise in this setting? What sort of surprises might come up, and what must I be ready to do in order to cope with them? Can I imagine changes in the wind that I could not cope with, given my skill or the limitations of my equipment? The Wing: How often do we really preflight our wings? We were taught to look at all the seams before each launch, but none of us do this. It's critical to choose elements of the preflight that we will actually do consistently, because there is areasonable chance they will turn up something amiss. We have no equivalent in paragliding to the hook-in problem in hang gliding, but there are aspects of our preflight that are especially likely to reveal trouble before it happens. Have we forgotten to buckle things? Are all adjustments correct (trim, brakes, speed bar)? Are there line tangles or line-overs? Concerning the latter two, reverse inflations are significantly safer than forwards, since it is possible to build a good wall and inspect the glider so well. Therefore, a situation in which we cannot perform a controlled reverse inflation significantly increases the risk of tangles. How will we cope with that? Last, but by no means least, what kind of wing are we flying, and how likely is it to challenge our skills? Is it appropriate for the situation? The WindividuaL: Of course, it matters how awake you are, how focused you are, how skilled you are and how fit you are. But what about how ready you are for possible emergencies in a specific situation? Identify the particular difficulties associated with the launch and figure out how prepared you are to cope with each one. Carefully rehearse in your mind what

Paragliding definitely has its dangers. Each year approximately one in a thousand U.S. pilots die flying. This is roughly comparable to motorcycling... I think we can do a lot better. 11

your response will be to these potential problems. How well do you know your equipment? How anxious are you to fly, and is that impairing your judgment? Are other pilots choosing not to fly, and how do you feel about that? The World: What special dangers do you have to cope with at this launch? How will launch geometry affect the wind? What about footing, steepness, obstacles? How do these affect your ability to abort a launch? If you crash, what will you crash on? If you are injured here, how difficult will it be to rescue you, or even discover you? After going through this mental exercise, step back, figuratively speaking, and add it all up. Is an opportunity presenting itself? Are you leaving anything to chance? 2) RECOVERY

Mechanical turbulence will often be most severe near the ground, and for the first several seconds after launch the wing is accelerating and hasn't yet reached full flying speed or internal pressure. This is a vulnerable period, and collapses are more likely. Unfortunately, they are also much more dangerous. In the event of a collapse, how you do will depend on: 1) how bad the turbulence is, 2) how bad the col-

lapse is, 3) how twitchy the glider is, and 4) how prepared you are. We have direct control over numbers 3 and 4, and our actions affect the other two. We've already discussed judgment when it comes to conditions, so let's deal with the severity of the collapse. In our third example the collapse was directly induced by the pilot. The other cases are examples of special vulnerability associated with the launch, combined with, in at least one case, poorly adjusted equipment hindering the pilot's response. Always remember that your wing is more prone to collapse during launch. Take action to prevent collapses. That means flying straight out, away from the hill at trim speed with your hands on the correct brakes, ready for anything. I won't spend a lot of time discussing how hot a glider to buy, but we all need to consider this carefully. One thing is clear: High performance wings are definitely more dangerous. It doesn't matter who the pilot is; we are all safer on a lower-performance wing. Finally, coping with a collapse near the ground is impossible unless all aspects of dealing with one - weight shift, steering, pumping, PLF - are automatic. This means practicing them. It also means rehearsing all of them in your mind before any launch which you think might involve special risk. It means being in control of your glider during these critical moments, which mostly means not having tangles or twists, and having your hands on the correct brakes. If you're not doing these things you are leaving something to chance. Paragliding definitely has its dangers. Each year approximately one in a thousand U.S. pilots die flying. This is roughly comparable to motorcycling. A recent California study revealed about 0.5 deaths per thousand registered motorcycles per year, but don't forget, many of these victims were drunk. On the other hand, motorcycle fatalities tend to be underreported in hospital data, so the true number may be closer to ours. I think we can do a lot better. Ill PARAGLIDING

'lfue finest, wings~ f©F }

9 98

C ...

FIREBIRD AMERICA • 576 WEST 8360 SOUTH • SANDY • UT 84070 /I USA '

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phone (801) 255 9595 • fax (801) 256 9898 • www@Firebirdusa.com

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~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- . - --

- --

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Paragliding Interviews:

Chuck is co-owner ofAspen Paragliding School with Dick Jackson. He has been involved in paragliding in this country for more than 10 years, so we asked him to share some ofhis memories and thoughts about the sport. PGM: When and how did you find out about paragliding, and what was your learning experience like? Chuck: While growing up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, I was fascinated watching hang gliders soar the dunes alongside .the seagulls. I was in the process of saving money with the intent of purchasing a hang glider when, in the spring of 1987, I read an article in Climbing magazine about some French mountaineers using this thing called a parapente to descend mountains. I had been climbing for a few years and always disliked down-climbing and repelling in an alpine situation. This seemed like the perfect contraption to satisfy my desire to fly as well as descend mountains. I was addicted before I had even seen a paraglider. Within a couple of weeks I ordered a paraglider from Marc Twight at Wild Things. The day it arrived via UPS I opened the box to find my glider, a small book about meteorology and a note with a skull and crossbones warning of "Extreme Danger." No harness, no pack, no manual and no idea what I was doing. Within minutes I was at the beach to give it a try. I had seen a video of some paragliding, so I

tried to mimic what they were doing to launch the glider. Using my climbing harness I hooked in and, finally, after flailing in the wind for over 20 minutes, made about a four-second flight. I'll never forget that very-first sensation of flight, brief as it was. Within a couple of weeks I flew to Utah and spent a few days with Fred Stockwell, who did a good job of teaching me the fundamentals. The poor guy could hardly get any sleep, I hounded him so much for information. Shortly thereafter, despite the "what about finishing college?" protests of my parents, I left for Europe. Fortunately, while hitchhiking, I hooked up with some Swiss paragliding students whose instructor allowed me to sit in on his classes. I was a bit of a novelty. They were surprised to find an American flying, and even more surprised at my glider, a Feral Square 8 for those who remember. My first mountain flight was in the Berner Oberland, 6,000 feet AGL and in even further over my head.

PGM: Since you were one ofthe first US. paraglider pilots, can you tell us something about the early days ofparagliding in the

ABOVE: Ground handling at Capital Reef, Utah in 1991. Photo by Uwe Gunkel. LEFT: Peter Zimmerli flying a Parajlite in the Owens Valley, California in 1989. Photo by Chuck Smith.

Chuck Smith first training at Point ofthe Mountain, Utah in 1987 Photo by Fred Stockwell.

i l'l---~

Francis Rogallo with Greg Smith and his UP Katana at Nags Head, North Carolina in 1990. Photo by Chuck Smith.

States and the formation ofthe American Paragliding Association (APA)? Chuck: Fred was probably the most active person in the formation of the APA. Pilots from around the country were giving him input. About a year or so after I started flying, we had the first major meeting and instructor seminar in the Owens Valley. Nothing like jumping into the "big surf" right away. Damn, I didn't even know what a thermal was yet! It was very exciting butterrifying to be involved in decisions that would affect the direction of paragliding in the U.S. We came away from this meeting with a pilot proficiency program, instructor requirements and some decent guidelines. It wasn't easy and not much fun at times. As in many situations today, there were a lot of petty politics and exaggerated accusations. I suppose that's what you might expect when a group of individualists attempts to work together.

At the 1989 World Championships in Kossen, Austria. Photo by Chuck Smith.

PGM: Tell us more about the early days of flying in New England and about teaching on Cape Cod. Chuck: Many of the first para-pilots in the States were climbers living in New England. John Bouchard and his wife, Titoune, were making gliders and turning their friends on to flying. Paragliders were marketed as a descent tool that every alpinist would use as a normal piece of equipment. In New Hampshire, we were clifflaunching from Whitehorse and Mt. Webster, while down on the Cape we were always on the edge of either soaring or being blown over the back. Strapping my younger brother, Rob, to gliders and performing assorted experiments was also a

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favorite pastime. Of course, mixed results would require explanations to mom at times. Some came to refer to us as "renegade flying monkeys." We must have had some angels on our shoulders because, looking back, I can't believe we didn't lose anyone. Having just returned from flying in Europe in the spring of 1988, I started working on some new prototypes with John. It was more like "experiments in flight" than real test-piloting. I learned a great deal from John, and he and Titoune helped me a lot. They also gave me some gliders and "voila," I had an instant paragliding school. Teaching was a whole new experience for me as well. At the time I was the only active paragliding instructor east of the Mississippi, and boy were the students and cash flowing in - not. I taught on the Cape and then every two months or so I would teach courses in Ellenville, New York and at Morningside in New Hampshire. The problem with creating a successful school on the Cape is the inconsistency of flyable days and restrictions of the National Seashore. However, when the east wind comes in, it's my favorite place in the world. PGM: You were involved in the first compe-

titions in the US., as well as the first paragliding World Championships in Austria. What were they like? Chuck: Flying gliders in the first comps was more like trying to maneuver a leaking boat around in high seas before it sinks, compared to flying today's gliders. I still think pilots did a great job, considering what we had to work with. I haven't flown competitions much in the last three years or so. Many different distractions have overridden my desire to compete. As a whole, competition organization, pilot skill and glider performance have really improved. In 1989-1990, with the introduction of some new glider designs, the sport was becoming actual aviation. I won the Nationals which got me a seat on the eightmember U.S. Team to the 1989 Worlds in Kossen, Austria. Three of us went to the ITV factory in Annecy, France to pick our new gliders for the Championships. We would be flying the Saphir, a glider that MAY/JUNE

1998

The LZ at the 1989 Kossen Worlds. Photo by Chuck Smith. was more fond of wrestling and taunting its pilot than actually flying. I was currently flying with the now-dreaded steer seat, but not on a glider with a planform and aspect ratio like the Saphir. We spent a couple of days with the ITV test pilots, then went to Chamonix. After a few memorable days, we drove to Austria. We had about a week to fly and become familiar with the area before the start of the comp. The little hamlet of Kossen did a really fine job of welcoming all the pilots. Unfortunately, only one pilot on our team finished respectably and our team standing wasn't impressive, but we all learned a lot. I was really happy for the U.S. Team in Castejon this past year. They did the finest flying in a World Meet we've seen yet. It's important that we support our comp pilots and organize more quality competitions for Americans, and make them attractive enough to entice foreign pilots to enter.

Comp pilots here are at a geographic disadvantage; they have to travel great distances to most PWC events. This is not an easy task financially. I was fortunate to actually have the job of flying in a lot of competitions when I started working for UP back in 1991. We, as an association, must truly decide just how important competition flying is to us and the advancement of paragliding. Is it healthy for the sport? Healthy for the competitors? Certain trends in competition flying concern me, but all in all I believe we need to improve our expertise and organize some PWC comps here in the States. If U.S. comp pilots are to continue improving, they simply must compete in competitions against world-class pilots. PGM: In addition to paragliding, you're a

climber. Tell us about guiding and preparing to fly the summit ofAconcagua in Argentina.

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Chuck: I used to be a climber. Since paragliding became my exclusive vocation, I haven't climbed much. The Aconcagua trip was one of the greatest of my life and one of the most epic. I was hired to fly a gentleman from the 23,000-foot summit. No one had climbed the mountain from our proposed route (Polish Direct) and then flown it. In the Alps, I had the good fortune of making some true alpine descents, but we understood we didn't have the greatest chance of getting a flight from the summit of Aconcagua. To make a long story short, I carried that glider all the way to the top and then carried ir all the way to the bottom. We tried to summit at an opportune time, but conditions just weren't favorable. Slightly drunk with hypoxia, I had to make the decision not to fly, as painful as it was. However, the real pain would occur during our descent. I left with some frostbite and disappointed about not flying, but happy to be alive and to have reached the summit in reasonably good form and style. PGM: You mentioned that you workedfor UP What were you doingfor them? Chuck: Basically, I did anything that needed to be done. It was a fun job that varied a lot, as I was on the road much of the time flying. One month we would be glider testing with the DHV and the next heading over to Japan for the World Cup. Of course, there were the less glamorous jobs like getting gliders through customs and changing line sets. One of the most rewarding aspects of the job was working with Greg and creating a strong dealer network. We took UP to the greatest number of glider sales and the most prominent position in the U.S. We had great products and that really helped. It was disappointing for both of us to leave, but necessary. Overall, I mostly enjoyed the glider testing, R&D, record attempts in Hobbs, New Mexico and the competition flying. PGM: In the early 1990's you had an encounter with turbulence in the landing area at Peavine, Nevada that sent you to the hospital. What did you learn from that accident? Chuck: I certainly learned that the human body can easily bounce a few feet. I was demonstrating UP's new performance glid-

er at the local Reno fly-in. At about 50 feet AGL on final, I got hit by a large dust devil. It wasn't visible yet and ir thrashed me around like a dog's chew toy. With another 50 feet I might have had a chance to pull it our. I must really thank Bill Anderson, Sean Frazier and Greg Smith for helping to keep me alive until the chopper arrived. As for what I really learned, it reinforced what I already understood; there are inherent risks involved with what we do. However, the rewards are even greater, and something we understand exclusively. We minimize risk with good skills, technology, and using good judgment, but any time we navigate the atmosphere or pick a fight with gravity, we are always the underdog.

PGM: Youve been involved in tandem paragliding instruction at two major US. ski areas: Aspen and Sun Valley. How did that come about?

Chuck: I received several job offers when I left UP. The most promising and interesting was from Aspen. I had flown there a few times, and with its reputation it seemed like the natural choice. Following a summer of teaching and tandem flying in Aspen, I did some searching with Greg and Lisa for a new location for Edel USA that would also support a tandem operation and flight school. After a couple of months of scouting, we decided on Sun Valley. We got the program started and I really enjoyed the flying there, bur business was slow at the time. I went back to Aspen, expecting to return to Sun Valley in the near future, when things picked up. Time passed quickly. I became quite rooted and a partner in Aspen Paragliding, so here I am.

PGM: How many tandem flights have you made over the years? PARAGLIDING

PGM: One ofthe other tandem instrnctors

in Aspen told me that you are the ''most solid tandem pilot" he knows, and that you're a role model for other tandem instrnctors. In your opinion, what makes a good tandem pilot in terms ofattitude, skills and knowledge? Chuck: That statement means a lot to me. I work hard to constantly improve my tan-

dem skills and we're very proud of our pro-

gram here in Aspen. Everyone has been applying themselves to work better as a team and striving to maintain the highest level of professionalism. One of the reasons we have such a successful program is the diversity of the instructors and our fundamental teamwork. A tandem pilot has obligations that go beyond the obvious responsibility for the safety of the student passenger. We are all representatives of paragliding, but a tandem pilot is truly an ambassador of the sport. Tandem flying is unique, and the most valuable opportunity we have to showcase our sport to those unfamiliar with free-flight. It is also the most effective way to teach a student in-flight skills and a valuable tool to evaluate their progress. A tandem pilot must never allow financial gain, the eagerness of the student passenger, and perhaps even spectators at launch, to influence decision making. As with all flying, a good pilot uses his superior judgment to avoid using his superior skills. A few digits following a dollar sign never make flying conditions any better. When paragliding becomes a job it is easy to become somewhat indifferent and start flying "human ballast." After many years of flying, it's sometimes difficult for a para-pilot to remember the anxiety of his first big flight. A good tandem pilot will respect that feeling, help calm the student and give them confidence without removing the adventure. After all, we are hurtling through the air tied to a piece of nylon. It is important for a tandem pilot to be sensitive and cater his communication style to the individual student, while not overloading them with too many unnecessary details. Experience, skill, uncorrupted judgment, and communication make a tal-

ented and safe tandem pilot. I wonder many times how tandem student passengers can stand it - sitting in a chair in the wide-open atmosphere with no control. It's like riding a motorcycle and letting the person in the back take the handlebars. But somehow they always love it. That is one reason tandem flying is fun; we get to share in people's firstflight excitement every day. Finally, a tandem pilot must always exude confidence and, no matter what, you must never let them see you sweat. Most tandem student passengers are one-time clients, and that means we have only one chance to prove to them that what we are doing is not some sort of crazy stunt, but something that requires skill, precision and judgment. It frustrates me when the general public constantly categorizes paragliding with bungee jumping and parasailing. Those are not sports; they're activities. The currentlypopular term, "extreme sports," also bugs me. If I play chess with my eyes closed am I an "extreme" chess player? What is extreme? The word doesn't have meaning anymore. What we do isn't some reckless adrenaline fix. It's one of the finest examples of the union of art and science. It's aviation. PGM: Tell us about the upcoming Red Bull

event this spring. Chuck: The Red Bull event should be the biggest and best paragliding event ever in the U.S. It will be from June 27 to July 3. Red Bull is an energy drink, and the company is sponsoring the event. There will be more than $20,000 in prize money in the paragliding comp and hang gliding aerobatics comp, but there will also be the Red Bull aero paragliding team, flying demonstrations, assorted parties, live music, etc. So, regardless of pilot skill level, it will be great fun for everyone. Paragliding in the U.S. deserves more attention, and with all the different activities, this event will be a wonderful opportunity to capture the interest of the public. We're all really busy here at Aspen Paragliding making arrangements and should have a excellent event ready in June. ii

PARAGLIDING

FIREBIRDNORTHAMERICAN PARAGLIDING CHAMPIONSHIPS

LEFT TO RIGHT: Chris Santacroce, second; Othar Lawrence, first; Todd Bibler, third

n early February, as El Nifio began to really hammer the western United States with heavy snow and high winds, about 60 of the brighter paraglider pilots from the U.S. and Canada headed south for the first-ever Firebird NORAM Championships in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. While El Nifio brought rain and snow to the States it provided central Mexico with high pressure and stability. The competition, organized by Miguel Guitterez for Will Gadd Sports, was the first paragliding contest of the 1998 season. The competition was also the first USHGA-sanctioned meet to be held outside of the U.S., and wow did it kick butt. Conditions were stable for the area, but stability in Mexico still provides great flying, and this allowed us to fly all five days of the competition in a row (a first in U.S. paragliding competition history). Flying in Valle de Bravo is awesome. The launch is a small, south-facing clearing on the edge of a large mesa. Fortunately, the thermals were usually out in front and away from the hill, as the first climb of the day always seemed to be the roughest. Once pilots were up, however, they were on to some of the best flying anywhere. The terrain is extremely dynamic, offering flatlands and rolling hills in front of and behind launch. There are also great cliff faces along the edge of the mesa that release some of the most-fun thermals I have ever flown, with climb rates often exceeding 1,500 fpm. The Mexicans have

MAY/JUNE

1998

built (although not exactly maintained) an extensive road network throughout the area, allowing pilots to fly in any direction that conditions dictate. When it's time to land, things get even better. The small children, who are everywhere, have mastered the art of folding a paraglider. For three to five pesos, or about 50 cents, you can step out of your harness in the middle of the field and retire to the shade as your gear is all carefully put away. Your bag is then carried to the edge of the road to wait for your ride, which is never long, as there are cheap taxis everywhere whose drivers are happy to take you back to town. It was the first of February and I hadn't turned circles in thermals in a long time, so Othar Lawrence and I flew down about a week before the comp and began to practice eating tacos and drinking tequila. Every day in Mexico is like the Fourth of July, as they sell massive bottle rockets everywhere, making for a very festive atmosphere. The rest of the pilots were to arrive at the end of the week in vans Will Gadd had rented for group transport. Will and Miguel knew that they needed reliable drivers who knew the roads and would be able to solve any problems should they arise, and they hired one of the coolest group of Mexicans ever. Originally, I believed these guys were stoked, getting paid to drive brand-new V-8 vans around the country - almost as good as go carts. Then we all got in and they realized

they were going to have to put up with a bunch of crazy gringos who could not speak Spanish and who were going to chase the wind around the country. But they did a great job, and without them the contest would have been a fiasco. All of the drivers had great stories to tell that I could barely make out with my horrible Spanish. One driver in particular, Gayaba, had earlobes that went down to his shoulders and always spoke of his low-rider that fell victim to a crash. The first day of the contest was Sunday, February 8. We met at the Los Atcos hotel (the resident meet headquarters) at 9:00 AM, where the gracious drivers loaded us into their precious rental vans and hauled us up to launch to practice our second favorite sport, para-waiting. The top of El Pifion is covered with huge trees, blocking the entire sun from everywhere except where you launch, making it possibly the coldest launch on which I have ever waited. By the time the window finally opened all the pilots had on all their gear, and were anxiously waiting to get into the air to warm up again. Fortunately, Will had arranged to have lunches and Cliff Bars available for all the pilots, and we even enjoyed Red Bull Energy Drink, thanks to Othar who had lugged down a few cases.

DAYl The first task was a 28.5-km race with the start tarp in the field directly below launch. The first turnpoint was Espinoza, a rocky point on a spine to the west of launch, then pilots would return to launch for the second turnpoint and race to goal on the other side of the lake in the town of Valle de Bravo. The window opened at 11 :30, and the tarp was to come out at 12:30. By 12:30 everyone was in position, but the tarp was not. After several frantic calls to Will on the radio, he started the task verbally, and almost everybody got underway except those whose radios were not working. Chris Santacroce and Glen Derouin both hung back and waited for the tarp to be officially opened before beginning the task, which put them a good 45 minutes behind everyone else. The flying out on course was great both the conditions and the piloting - with everyone racing as fast as they could go. After getting the first two turnpoints the lead gaggle (Othar, Todd Bibler, Josh Cohn and I) headed back to the main cliffs to gain the altitude necessary to cross the mesa and lake into goal. As we were all racing, no one took the time to get high enough, and we all went

off on a suicide glide toward the lake, convinced we were never going to make it to goal. Fortunately, conditions were better than they looked, and about halfway there we started getting on our speed bars. AB we approached the lake there was more and more lift, and we started racing faster and faster. Josh, who I am convinced has a secret device on his glider called a "plummet button," was able to plummet into the lead and win the day. Othar was second and Todd third. Overall, eight pilots made goal on the first day.

DAY2 With all the pilots satisfied after a good first day, the task committee (consisting of Chris Santacroce, Miguel and Will) decided to lengthen the task a bit. The start was to be the same, with the first turnpoint in the town of San Pedro just over the ridge from Espinoza, then back to El Pifion (the prominent rock for which the launch is named), and then to goal in Valle again for a total distance of 31.5 km. Conditions were not quite as strong as the day before, and the pack slowly spread out after the start. Unfortunately, when it was time to go on glide to goal no one could get high enough to make the crossing. Finally, at about 2:30 PM conditions began to improve and clouds started to form. Todd was the first pilot to get high and took off alone. AB I climbed out soon after Todd was gone I was sure I was going to be second, and headed off to goal feeling awfully proud until I approached goal and heard Chris and Miguel radio that they were just coming in over goal in second and third place, leaving me in fourth. In all, 12 pilots made it to goal this day.

DAY3 With both the pilots and organizers feeling more confident, they decided to extend the task again. Start was in the same place with the first turnpoint over some radio antennas at the far western edge of the mesa, then to goal in Valle for a total task distance of 37 km. With conditions continuing to get lighter day by day, the task proved to be a real test of patience, and a little bit of luck. We were flying into the wind on the way to the turnpoint, but fortunately the cliffs were facing the sun, making for the most lee-side flying I have ever done as we worked and weaseled our way over and around the spines. Othar, who led the day from the begin-

ning by flying fast and low, headed on glide for goal first. AB is typical, just when you think you have it made you really don't. While gliding across the lake he encountered massive sink, but he was stuck like a pig because his accelerator busted on the first glide of the day and this absolutely destroyed his glide. However, being cool like he is, he could not just splash down in the lake. Instead, he went for the most James Bondlike maneuver I have ever witnessed and landed on top of an eight-by-twelve-footlong boat just 50 feet shy of goal. About 10 cells of his Firebird Cult went in the water, but other than that nothing was damaged except his pride. Bill Belcourt, who had an excellent day and was second, headed into goal but also encountered some problems and was forced to land short on a large lawn on the wrong side of the lake. The first pilot to officially cross the goal line was Chris Santacroce, followed by Canadian Glenn Derouin and then Miguel. In all, eight pilots were able to battle their way into goal.

DAY4 Not wanting to spread the pilots out quite so much, the task committee decided to lengthen the task by sending us around several turnpoints close to launch. The start was again in the same place, then it was out to the town of San Pedro, back to the tres casas (three houses directly in front oflaunch), then out to a small cinder cone located in the middle of the valley, and finally (hopefully) into goal. The conditions on launch were the best we had seen yet, and the day looked promising, but that promise was broken early and conditions ended up below average. We had all adapted to racing in these conditions, and it became a contest to see how low you would go before taking another thermal, and we continually pushed each other faster and faster. AB I was coming back from the last turnpoint, heading for goal, I noticed several pilots climbing in what appeared to be a pretty good thermal. AB I flew toward them the air began to get rougher, and then wham, I flew into the strongest, most-fun thermal I can remember. The tighter I turned, the faster I climbed. The 12-second averager on my vario recorded 1,600 fpm, and several times I saw it surge over 2,000 fpm. Gliding into goal I thought I had won the day, until I turned on my radio to

announce my arrival and heard Othar doing the same. I madly began to search the sky, but could not find him anywhere. Little did I know he was about 200 feet directly below me, and he had no idea I was there either. Racing across the goal line he was able to beat me by about five seconds, and Chris Santacroce came in third. Overall, 12 pilots made it to goal.

DAYS The final day. No pilot had remained in first place for more than one day, so first place was still very available. A short task was called: start tarp to San Pedro, then to goal in Valle. The weather was changing and conditions were hard to read. Before the start we were able to make it to cloudbase for the first time during the competition, and with everyone racing as fast as they could the lead was continually changing. Othar raced off first to the turnpoint, but got low on the way back and allowed quite a few pilots to fly over while he was working to get back up. Unfortunately, the first group across the mesa sunk out before reaching goal, as a thick cirrus layer came in and shut things down. I too had been low after the turnpoint, and was sure I was going to be one of the last pilots into goal, but as I chased Glen across the finish line I looked down and there was only one glider there. Othar had not only caught up but pulled ahead and won the day, with Glen coming in second and your author third. In all, there were eight pilots at goal. The next night the local paragliding club in Valle put on a great party at Erick Salgado's beautiful restaurant. They had platters of delicious food and an open bar with freeflowing cervesa and tequila. Then the results were announced: Othar came in first on his Red Bull-sponsored Firebird Cult, Chris was second on a Firebird Cult, and Todd Bibler, even after throwing his reserve on the third day, came in third. Firebird generously donated $400 in cash to the winners ($200 to the first-place finisher, $150 to second and $50 to third), as well as beautiful trophies Miguel had made by local craftsmen. Special "thank you's" go to Beatrice for being the real organizer of daily activities, Miguel and Will for taking the time to organize the meet, Chal Hale for being the safety director, and all the drivers for putting up with us. Hopefully we will see a repeat performance next year. Ill

PARAGLIDING

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by Mark Yarnell

photos by Ray Leonard

It took me two decades to understand a comment made to our seminary class by an elderly priest who had served his first parish in Berlin during the days ofthe Third Reich. He said, "One day as I stood on a street corner and listened to the eloquent young Hitl.er deliver his fiery rhetoric, I had to literally pull myself.from the crowd and run, or in another five minutes I would have torn offmy collar andfollowed him anywhere!" I was young and idealistic at the time, and as an aspiring 28-year-old ministerial student it made no sense to me that anyone could throw away his entire value system based on one briefencounter with an alternate ideology.

hen, at age 48, on the verge of launching a multi-billion-dollar, international joint venture with several renowned experts in business, science and government, I accepted the challenge of my paragliding mentor, Ray Leonard of Adventure Sports in

Carson City, Nevada, to spend two weeks in an obscure Brazilian town for some world-class cross-country flying. Our friend Bobby Morken had been there for months, speaks fluent Portuguese, and had been dubbed honorary Mayor because everyone in Govenador knows him

on a first-name basis. In addition to his paragliding expertise, Bobby has become the U.S. Ambassador of Good Will to Brazil. It made sense. After all, I knew for the next decade I would be working 60hour weeks and the Brazil trip seemed like a last real adventure with the guys, a

chance to unwind and prepare my head for the arduous tasks ahead. Indeed, it wasn't until the final three days that I began to fully appreciate the comments of the elderly priest 20 years prior. And it wasn't the perfect thermals or cloud base soaring we enjoyed, literally every single day, that forced me into my internal conflict. One need not travel 5,000 miles by jet to get in some good X-C flying. I've been reading this magazine long enough to know that on every other page some grinning middle-aged athlete is touting an X-C launch in America, landing some eight hours later among strangers, tapping a keg and preparing a roasted pig to toast his 65K adventure. I mean, let's face it, we have rowdy enough lift here in Reno to send many seasoned pilots crosscountry to the nearest toilet to clean away the remnants of a one-hour high-desert flight complete with a dozen or so asymmetrical collapses. No, it wasn't the adventurous flying that forced my ideological confusion. It was the people, the lifestyle, and the values. It was the fact that evs:rywhere I went in

Govenador Valadares I felt not only safe but was also welcome, any time of the night or day. The food was remarkable. Nearly every open-air restaurant (and there's one on every corner) has a meal for about $4.00 U.S. which consists oflamb,

beef, chicken, fish, veal and other interesting meats I didn't care to inquire about. It's brought to each patron on a sizzling skewer, one type of meat at a time, and the chef then slices the precise amount you request. Of course, all the meat is accompanied

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with four kinds of vegetables, rice, real freshly cut French fries, and all the Icy Antarctica beer you can drink. They're like those children's pitch-til-ya-win booths at the country fair, only in this case it's all you can eat for under five bucks. And it's all great, not good, just plain delectable. The owner of a more upscale version called Fogo De Chao, in which I dined during my layover in Sao Paulo, claimed he recently joint-ventured a similar restaurant in Dallas, Texas. If I still lived in Texas, I wouldn't rest until I found it! Because I'm happily married, my evening ended dead-tired and alone with HBO, but single pilots found themselves in what could only be described as a Jules Verne trip to another planet where it's compulsory that all women are perfectly bronze, five feet five, with jet black hair to their waists and zero body fat. It's mandatory that they all wear as little clothing as possible due to the heat (of course) and makeup is not allowed because it's totally unnecessary. I'd been in America so long that it never dawned on me that Lancome and Clinique are wasted on a perfect bronze complexion accented by ivory white teeth and waist-length black hair. Slopping rouge on those girls would kind of be like scotch-taping peacock feathers on the rear spoiler of a $300,000 Lamborgini Countash to make it pretty. About the flying. Imagine a perfect, multi-directional grass slope, ideal in any wind direction or thermal cycle, several thousand feet in the air with an LZ near the town center that doubles as the local soccer field. Now imagine a raging Amazonian river parallel to the field with enough white water to deter the most gutsy class five rapids enthusiast (we never saw one rubber raft attempt to shoot the rapids during our entire two weeks) and then add two high-rise condos at one end of the LZ and a barrage of shanties and high wires at the other. Directly opposite the LZ on the other side of the river, imagine a jungle of 30-foot-tall saw grass from which it is a real blast (and I speak from experience) to attempt to extricate your paraglider in l 00-degree heat. Then you realize why the soccer field fills with spectators as the first pilots of the day begin prayerfully heading for the LZ. It also makes sense that they have 40-foot speakers and woofers set up, blasting the MAY/JUNE

1998

latest rock hits from around the world to both entertain the spectators and motivat the paraglider pilots. What would be a basic landing back home is more like kicking a goal with one second left to win the Brazilian Cup. Now imagine, following your routine landing before an appreciative throng of locals, that l O expert canopy folders all under the age of seven come running out and take over your equipment the minute you touch down to the tune of "Born to Be Wild," made more deafening by the spectators' applause. You're done. Except for buying your helpers a few ice cream bars for folding up and completely packing your wing and harness with the precision of an Edel factory employee, your only remaining obligation is to spend the next hour sitting around the field with adoring locals who are attempting to see just how close they can get to a real American hero. Most of them, by the way, are those I mentioned earlier who need no Clinique or Lancome. It was about three days before leaving Valdares for Reno that I began to do some simple math. It occurred to me that for about l 0% of the income required to live my current lifestyle in America, I could move to Brazil and live 20 times as luxuriously. I realized I could fly every day, eat like a Greek god and be respected in every local establishment. I could be around people for whom the adult report card is not the almighty buck but rather a life of adventure to be treasured, where what is happening right at that present moment is infinitely more important than a five-year goal. In a mere l O days the humble maid who insisted on hand-laundering and ironing my underwear became significant-

ly more important to me than my stockbroker back home. My values had shifted significantly. Then the fateful day came. Ray Leonard's First Annual Adventure Sports Brazilian Tour was over. A new wave of tourists had slowly taken over our hotel, and the European and American paragliding strategies, which had previously dominated our early breakfasts, were replaced by tourists' discussions of shopping and Amazon picture Safaris. Alas, life must move on and change inevitability under even the grandest of circumstances. But I have a confession. On the way to the airport I eyeballed some houses for sale. And in the end, much like the young priest who had spoken so eloquently of his mental confusion on that Berlin street corner, I too had to pull myself away, or I might have easily cast aside my future goals and aspirations. But about one thing I am irrevocably convinced, my life was enriched, my life was enriched beyond measure because of a simple paragliding trip to Brazil, a trip in which I both soared to cloud base with hawks and lived temporarily among real people. As I pen these closing remarks on a jet somewhere between Dallas and Reno I cannot look into a crystal ball and predict what might happen with my coming business venture. But I can assure you that so long as my brain and body hold together, I'll never miss one annual Adventure Sports trip with Ray Leonard to Brazil. In the words of the late E. Frank Brydon, "A luxury once enjoyed, thereafter becomes a necessity." •

by Paul Klemond

I hate it when I hear stories about my friends losing control of their wings and either crashing or coming down under reserve parachutes. This has happened to several of my friends already this year, after they suffered large collapses while flying in strong thermal conditions in Mexico. Lots of pilot wisdom is shared in the European magazines and elsewhere, but there's not much shared understanding of big collapses in print here in the U.S. After I took a big collapse and crashed in Mexico two years ago, I started asking some great pilots for help in understanding what happened and how I could have prevented it. Joe Gluzinski, Dave Bridges, Chris Santacroce, Robbie Whittall and others shared their valuable insights with me. I think more pilots should know about big collapses. I'm not the most qualified to write this, but I have the time, so here it is. This article is not the complete story. Please, do not go out and induce big collapses just to see what happens. Steve Roti points out that intentional, pilot-induced collapses aren't the same as the real thing because the pilot is ready for them, and there's no way to simulate the nasty air that causes real collapses and that can make recovery problematic. Fly in strong thermal conditions enough, and sooner or later mother nature will demonstrate big collapse conditions for you. What I'll present here is no substitute for the kind of instruction and practice one gets at an SIV or advanced maneuvers clinic, taught by a qualified instructor. I seize every opportunity I can to attend these clinics, especially after buying a new wing. I really don't enjoy the adrenaline of doing a radical maneuver, but it's worth it to me. It builds the reflexive piloting responses

that are totally critical when something very unusual happens while you're flying. The instructors' advice is priceless and may save your life. So, attend these clinics if there is any way you can. This article is meant to get you thinking about big collapses, to spur you to seek out the understanding and skills you need to fly safely and avoid big collapses, and, failing that, to recover from them without making them worse.

CONDITIONS Big collapses are most likely to happen in strong thermal conditions. If you don't normally fly in such conditions, don't expect to dive into it when you're on vacation. Most sites produce challenging conditions from time to time, but the gnarliest air is usually found at serious desert and mountain sites like the Owens, Chelan, Elsinore, King Mountain, Valle de Bravo's El Penon, Igualla, etc. If you don't often fly at such places, recognize that you're not born with the skills to fly safely there. Take some extra time in moderate conditions to develop your "bump tolerance" and skills. A little humility may save your life. Make your own decisions.

PREVENTION Ninety-nine percent of collapses can and should be prevented (maybe only 92% if you fly in the Owens a lot). Let's discuss prevention. WING LOADING. Are you light on your wing or heavy? Are you near the bottom of your wing's certified weight range, or near the top? It's generally true that more lightly loaded wings are more prone to collapses than more heavily loaded wings. Consider flying a wing on which you are

more than halfway into the weight range. Carrying water ballast is an option, but it poses certain problems, such as increased energy that needs to be dissipated on landing, and inconvenience. More lightly loaded wings sometimes behave slower or more gently during stalls and spins, but they often reopen more slowly after a collapse. It's better to avoid the stalls, spins and collapses in the first place by flying a more heavily loaded wing. AWARENESS: It's worst to suffer collapses when you're not mentally prepared. This is easy! Just be paranoid all the time. At any moment you could suffer a collapse. Think about prevention and contingencies, and you're already one step closer to preventing or handling a collapse. As this new mindset becomes instinct, you'll enjoy flying again. Until then, don't be complacent and caught by surprise. If you're using your speed bar or your trimmers are out and fast, be aware that your new angle of attack generally increases your risk of collapse or front tuck. Be paranoid and use active piloting, the next preventive technique. ACTIVE PILOTING. Use your brakes to feel, anticipate and prevent a collapse from happening. Robbie Whittall told me to pretend my hands are each five-kilogram weights: When the pressure gets light, pull down to maintain five kg of pressure. When it gets heavy, let up to restore five kg of pressure. The faster you react to changes in pressure this way, the more actively you are piloting. This should prevent a lot of collapses. Some pilots believe that everyone should be able to actively pilot by constantly feeling the wing through brakes alone. Other pilots (like me) rely additionally on a visual check, looking up at the wing frequently to see what it's doing. Whether you look up or not, this isn't the whole story; it's a starting point from which to practice and seek out knowledge of active piloting. WEIGHT-SHIFTING. Some pilots relax too much and forget that weightshifting is a very important part of active piloting. Don't just let the air throw you around like a sack of potatoes. As your harness rolls left and right, roll your hips left and right to keep your upper body stable and your weight distributed under both carabiners. Later I'll talk about what to do with your weight if you do take a collapse. But short of that happening, roll your hips

PARAGLIDING

to keep both sides pressurized as you take the ups and downs. Most thermaling pilots I talk to prefer looser harness straps and loose or no crossbracing. They are better able to feel what the wing is doing, and have more room to shift their weight. (Some wings require certain harness width and cross-bracing as a certification or safety requirement. Learn about your particular wing before changing your harness settings.) It might be hard at first to give up the secure feeling of a tight harness. Maybe loosen it gradually, flight by flight. I've never heard of any pilot falling out of a closed harness, even a loose one. Don't go overboard, but do consider a looser harness setting and see if you don't prefer it. LEVEL FLYING. Collapses often happen near thermals, but that doesn't mean you're always working the thermal when you find it. A lot of big collapses occur during straight and level flight. When you're working a thermal (turning in it), the half of the wing on the inside of the turn is highly pressurized and very unlikely to collapse. The half on the outside of the turn may collapse but it is unlikely to be a large collapse, and is usually manageable. So, to avoid big collapses, it's preferable to work thermals whenever possible. "Turn or be turned," my friend Mark Heckler says. Weight shift hard into your turns to keep that inside half highly pressurized. Actively pilot the outside hal£ When you must fly straight and level, be aware of the increased likelihood of collapses. There's a lot more that could be written about prevention, such as reading terrain for example. I hope someone writes about it because I'd like to know more too! HANDLING BIG COLLAPSES

Let's say you've mastered the prevention practices but you still get hit with that 0.1 % case, the monster collapse. Here's where some pilots make mistakes that actually mal{e matters worse. Let's look at what to avoid, and what to consider. First, what's the difference between a big collapse and a not-so-big collapse? That depends entirely on the wing and the load beneath it. Your wing will have its own particular behavior. If you want to fly in strong thermal conditions, you need to learn how your wing behaves after different degrees of collapse, big and small. (DO NOT go out and induce big collapses just MAY/JUNE

1998

TERMINOLOGYANDTECHNIQUES byDixon White

Marriages and bridges collapse. Egos aud balloons deflate. Paragliders are active sus~ pension systems that can undergo temporary changes in their configuxation that we can almost always specifically i<iencify; understand, train for an~ f'rx. The term "collapse" doesn't· really tell us what h.tppened anyway. By the time the "collapse" is described in detail it's generally much lells horrific than the storyteller led us to believe, because of a lack of accurate terminology. Why not be specific? There was a 40% asymmetrical that cleared itself; there was a.frontal; thegliderhorseshoed; the glider deep stalled; the glider spun; the glider spiraled; the glider stalled.Let's encour~ age clarity in our descriptions of what happened without evoking any more anxiety than we need. For example: The glider had an 80% asymmetric which lead to a steep spiral. The pilot oveHorttrolled the btakes and in reventilating the glider slowed it down to the point where it then spun in the opposite direction. Instructors should work wi.th their students to be very clear aboutlanguage. Don't confuse spin with spiral; Don't confuse deep stall with dynamic stall. If the student has a clear image of how each of these things can happen, what they feel like, and how they are recovered from, then p¢rhaps t~ey won't grip while under duress - they'll just deal with it. Vocabulary involves concepts. Do you describe a shopping cart dinging your car as a wreck? Ifwe call everything that happens to our gliders a collapse, maybe we should call our next head cold a bout with cancer. For the most part, Arizona pilots who .haven't been subjected to much influence outside of our school don't talk about glider problems. They accept the fact that upon flying through textured air the glider has· to dissipate or compensate for energy differentials on occasion - no big deal. We notice thatin some circles there's a great deal of focus on glider problems. Is it possible that this focus, combined with a lack of a thorough understanding of what is happening, might lead to unnecessary anxiety? Flying while arudous is neither fun nor conducive to keeping one's mind dear and sensible. It's an instructor's job to help p1.:ople learn to flywithout mishap, and to continue flying without mishap. Almost every day we stand on. the hill, watch with great interest and learn more. Here aJ:e some little things we think will help pilots develop more confidence which are not covered in Paul's article. I) Don't hang on to your risers, particularlywhenunderl,OQO feet above the ground. (You need to keep your hands floating and continually taking l!P slack pressure and controlling surge and roll, as m.entioMd in Paul's article.) Instructors need to help new students avoid subconsciously qevelopinfthis habit. Watch peopli launch; You'll see many grab their risers to push back in tlw s\;lat while .stiH with.in striking dis~ tance of the ground. One day they'll take a hit ~t that"momentand won't be quick enough to recover. Could letting go of the bra,ke,S, or grabbi11g the risers to .get into the. seat, account for some of the accidents that have. occgrred when pilots have taken big hits just off launch? Could holding on to the risers while on glide or holding on to the outside riser while turning beJeading to accidents? · 2) Keep your head up. Look mostly ahead; .don't stare at the grQund or up at the glider. Horizon reference is very importarit in maintainin:g pitch and roll equilibrium. Look at the horizon when you are recovering from a problem. You go where you look 3) Keep your legs crossed, or together and tight, .to avoid swinging them om when you get knocked around. The inertia of your l~gs swinging can further exacerbate a problem. Try this out on a simulator. 4) THIS IS THE BIG ONE; Learn to fly from the ground up; don't attend a school that teaches from the airdown. Become proficient at kiting while in a forward position. Run obstacle courses on the ground. If you develop the sensitivity required to manage a glider on the ground, you'll be much more integrated in the air. Body memory is very important, and the more nne-tuned you are to the glider the less likely you'll be to let it get out of control. It takeslots. of practice to develop ground-handling

The author inducing a 60% collapse at a maneuvers clinic. Photo by Carl Bevis. to see what happens! Work with your instructor to build your skills safely.) Every wing has a threshold: small collapses which are manageable, and big collapses which are not. What does "manageable" mean? Keep reading. Most pilots know the collapse-victim's mantra: "Steer, then clear." This is meant to help you prioritize your actions: Don't focus on reinflating the collapsed side until you've regained steering control of the inflated flying side, and have avoided a collision. This is generally good advice, but it does have its limits! This is precisely where some pilots run into trouble. A collapse is manageable when you are able to steer your wing, via brakes and

Another big collapse. Photo by Ancil Nance. weight-shift, before the collapsed side reinflates. Sometimes this is not possible. After a big collapse, only a small portion of your wing will still be inflated. This small portion will almost certainly "dive" forward under the new load of your entire weight. Maybe the wing will enter a spiral. As with all collapses, you should shift your weight hard to the good (inflated) side of your

skills, but they might save your life. Your instructor can teach you about stalls, spins, asymmetries, surge control, roll control and frontals while you're on the ground. Just because a pilot has an Advanced rating doesn't mean he can't benefit from time on the training hill. Just because a pilot went to the lake and practiced maneuvers for a few days doesn't mean he is ready for big air. Developing the sensitivity to avoid problems is the best strategy, and excellent control on the ground is the key. 5) Learn how to do spiral dives early in your Novice/Intermediate flying career. Most pilots, including many Advanced fliers, aren't really very good at spirals. If you're good at spirals you'll handle big asymmetries much better - there's a similarity in the dynamics. 6) Paragliders are way too easy to fly, but hard to fly well. Understanding meteorological conditions that are appropriate for flying is a crucial part of avoiding big problems to begin with. It's possible that some of the pilots who had problems in Valle de Bravo this past winter were exceeding operating limitations concerning peak gusts and gust differentials, as well as thermal lift strength for their skill level. Study meteorology (and micrometeorology). Make it a hobby, instead of relying on someone else to evaluate conditions for you. Pay attention to conditions that prove to be consistently better or worse when it comes to your abilities. While practicing ground handling you'll notice that certain conditions work better than others. Make notes. Perhaps in a future article I can help with some simple pointers about analyzing flying conditions. • wing. This should be automatic - reflex. Simultaneously, as you apply brake to regain steering control, you must beware: this new tiny wing of yours has a HIGH (early) stall point. It is very common and very easy to cause it to stall, which will manifest itself as a negative spin. Some pilots say you can feel this through the brakes before it happens. The brake pressure may suddenly go from heavy to light, precipitating the spin. I know I cannot feel this on my wing. Watching the wing might help. Better advice, I believe, is to simply admit that you're better off not steering the wing since you can't safely do so without risking the stall/negative spin. No one can make this decision for you. If you ca..ri safely steer, you should. If you can't, you shouldn't. What else can you do? "Let the wing fly- it wants to fly." Every wing is different, but most non-competition wings are designed to reinflate after even the biggest collapses. When this happens, you will regain steering. More good advice I got from Robbie Whittall: If you don't recognize exactly what your wing is doing, raise your hands, watch the wing, and wait until you do recognize exactly what your wing is doing before trying corrective input. (Maybe you know better for your wing. I sure don't for mine.) Clearly, recovering from big collapses can require a lot of altitude. Remember the two points about "awareness" and "level flying"? Be aware of your altitude above the

terrain at all times, before collapses happen. Lateral clearance is critical too; collapses will often fling you horizontally. Those who've taken big collapses tend to avoid "scratching" - flying ultra-dose to the terrain - in thermal or turbulent conditions. Be prepared to throw your reserve if necessary. Two years ago, I survived without throwing my reserve, but I felt very lucky and very stupid not to have thrown it. How will you know when you need to throw yours? I don't think anyone can answer that for you. You can't predict or visualize all the different weird wing troubles you might have. Some macho pilots make fun of people who throw their reserves, saying they should have just worked it out. Not I. Make no mistake, throwing your reserve commits you to a course fraught with its own significant risks. Before you're in the air experiencing a problem, you should talk to your instructor and others you trust, and set your own course of action. Be aware every moment you spend below 300 feet AGL, or whatever height you think makes sense, below which you don't really have time to analyze, ponder or decide. I hope these ideas spur some discussion that will eventually help us all avoid serious problems. May we all fly for a long time and never have any big collapses!

Paul Klemond (paul@kurious.org} is a tandem instructor in Seattle, Washington. • PARAGLIDING

Unofficial State Cross-Country Distance ecords by Steve Roti year ago I compiled a list of paragliding cross-country distance ecords in 11 U.S. states. What a difference a year makes! Since then there have been eight new state straight-distance records so it's time to update the list with flights from 1997. Will Gadd became the first pilot to hold two state straight-distance records simultaneously, neither of them in his home state of Colorado. His 138-mi!er in the Owens Valley is also a new national

If your flight should be listed here and it's not, it's only because I wasn't aware of it. Send me information about flights that should be in the list and I'll update it periodically. You can e-mail cross-country flight reports to me at paragliding@compuserve.com, or send them by U.S. mail to P.O. Box 8989, Portland, OR 97207, or phone them in to (503) 284-0998. Be sure to include your name, miles flown, duration, takeoff site, flight date, and make/ model of glider. II

record. Also, we have some distance records east of the Rockies: Paul Lundquist with 53 miles in Minnesota, Brad Whittemore with 34 miles in New York, and Jim Maze with 26 miles in Pennsylvania. I've omitted out-and-return and tandem cross-country flights this time because I didn't get many flight reports in those categories from last year. If more reports show up I'll include those categories in a future update of the list.

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Edel Rainbow .

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* Three:-way tie dudng the fourth task of the 1997 U;S. Paragliding Nationals, from King Mountain to the Challis. afrport. ** Ken Hudonjorgensen's 1995 flight from Heber, UT, which was originally reported as 81 ·miles, was later J:emeasure4 as 67.2

miles.

PARAGLIDING

HELMETS

We h ave the latest in h elmet technology in assorted colors. Including the new "Magic" Helmet.

HARNESSES

Des igned and licensed by the European leader - Charlie. Back pro tection , leg extension , auto-buckles, sewn- in tow straps, 2 sizes available fo r side or rear reserve mounts. Now available new air bag attachments and harnesses.

RESERVES

Standa rd pull-down apex and the revolutionary double-cap design to reduce pendulum and sink rate.

FLIGHT

SUITS

A variety of colors and sizes for both summer and winter fl ying.

ACCESSORIES

Varios from Skybird, Carabiners, Windsocks, Glider Packs, Radio Holders, Spreader Bars, Back Protectors, We got it all.

~0 ~[illfi'!l!J

LESSONS

Para 1 to Para 4 Ratings. Tandem Flights and C linics offered at world-fa mous Point of the Mountain, Utah .

Continued ftom page 12. Bull pre-party at McStorlies Qune 30), and the Red Bull after-burner party Quly 3). The Red Bull Aero Team (Europe's best aerobatic paraglider pilots) will put on a spectacular demonstration, and Frank Gambalie, the number-one U.S. BASE jumper, will skydive in for the occasion. The paragliding event is a six-day crosscountry competition which is open to any experienced paraglider pilot. Pilots will launch from the top of Aspen Mountain, then race around a course. The course will take pilots over the spectacular Elk Mountain Range surrounding Aspen. The hang gliding event is a four-day freestyle competition which is open to any experienced aerobatic hang glider pilot. Pilots will launch from the top of Aspen Mountain, then fly to the valley where they will be about 2,500 feet above the valley floor. They will then perform an incredible set of aerial maneuvers including loops,

wingovers, stalls, dives and spins. Pilots will be evaluated by a panel of five judges on difficulty and form. Entry forms are available at http://www.aspen.com/paragliding (click on Red Bull Comp), or contact: Aspen Paragliding, 426 South Spring St., Aspen, CO 81611, (970) 925-7825, fax (970) 926-77 10, climbfly@rofoet.

Papesh, is now available from Sol. All four wings in the Sol line - the Unno, Quasar, Axion and Onyx - have new graphics and a uniform look for 1998. Wing colors are white on the bottom with a choice of blue, purple or pink for the top surface. Ask your dealer for a demo of any of their wings or try out the new Charly harnesses. The company also now stocks reserve chutes and other paragliding accessories. Sol also announces a new helmet which is made with kevlar for exceptional strength and light weight. A variety of colors are available. Contact Sol at (801) 5531834, www.paragliders.com.

2ND ANNUAL ASPEN PARAGLIDING SUPER CLINIC -JUNE 24-27

A spen Paragilding will once again spon ..l"\sor this clinic for those who want to

he new Axion, an intermediate paraglider designed by Hannes

continue their paragliding education. The Continued on page 50.

Visit our web site at www.adventurep.com

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Cloudbase PARA GLIDING /Ht "44{ted4 o1 ' P ~ I FROM THE BASICS OF PARAGLIDING TO EXTREME MANEWERS . TOUR CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, COLORADO AND SEE THE LEGENDARY OWENS VALLEY WITH KARI CASTLE . BE PART OF THE COUPE ICARE FESTIVAL IN FRANCE WITH THE MOST EXOTIC AND ZANY COSTUMES IN PARAGLIDING. PURE FLYING EXCITEMENT. 36 MINUTES $34.95

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;lJ;!~'/;ll/.E, I}JE CiJ!)JC.E !.JF ·r;J.E ~'/LJ.i!L!) ClJ;l1~JJJJ!),J

REGION 5 Frank Gillette (R - 99) Rt 1 Watercyn 8 Declo ID 83323 (208) 654-2615 Watercyn@cyberh ighway. net Tracie Fifer-Welch (H - 99) PO Box 8225 Jackson WY 83001 (307) 733-6823 di_wyo@compuserve.com

USHGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGION 1 Bill Bolosky (R - 98) 24622 SE Mirrormont Dr Issaquah WA 98027 (425) 557-7981 bolosky@microsoft.com Steve Roti \R - 99) 3024 NE 18 h Ave Portland OR 97212 (503) 284-0995 paragliding@compuserve.com Bob Hannah (H - 98) 9920 51 st Ave S Seattle WA 98118 (206) 328-1104 paraskr@aol.com

Sandy King (H - 98) 1425 Dunbar Ln Carson City NV 89704 (702) 849-3851 slark@worldnet.att.net REGION 3 Ken Baier (R - 98) 253 Rodney Ave Encinitas CA 92024 (760) 753-2664 airjunkies@world net.att. net Tammy Burcar (R - 99) PO Box 3274 Santa Barbara CA 93130 (805) 692-9908 tburcar@juno.com Gregg Lawless (R - 99) 9127 Bittercreek Ln San Diego CA 92129 (619) 484-2056 gelawles@enova.com

Paul Klemond (H - 99) (PG Accident Chair) 3612 NE 43rd St Seattle WA 98105 (206) 525-5765 paul@kurious.org

Mike Meier (H - 98) 500 Blueridge Ave Orange CA 92665 (714) 998-6359 mike@willswing.com

Gene Matthews (H - 98) 15308 111 th Ave NE Bothell WA 98011 (206) 488-1443 skydog@gte.net

Rob Kells (H - 98) 500 Blueridge Ave Orange CA 92665 (714) 998-6359 rob@willswing.com

REGION 2 Ray Leonard (R - 98) 3650 Research Wy #22 Carson City NV 89706 (702) 883-7070 advspts@pyramid.net

Alan Chuculate (H - 99) 6709 Salizar St San Diego CA 92111 (619) 292-1552 g_achucu@qualcomm.com

Russ Locke (R - 99) 868 S Mary Ave Sunnyvale CA 94087 (408) 737-8745 rsslok@aol.com Scott Gasparian (R- 99) clo LWHS 755 Ocean Ave San Francisco CA 94112 (415) 282-2753 gaspo@igi.org Ed Pitman (L - 98) PO Box 188 Shasta CA 96087 (916) 359-2392 epitman@c-zone.net Ken Brown (H - 99) 1795 40 1h Ave San Francisco CA 94122 (415) 753-9534 kennyb2u@aol.com

Gil Dodgen (Editor) 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy Ste A-256 Reho Sta Marg CA 92688 (714) 888-7363 gildodgen@aol.com REGION 4 Mark Ferguson (R - 98) 1173 Ridgeview Cir Broomfield CO 80020 (303) 931-8075 mark@ballvarios.com Jim Zeiset (R - 99) 13154 County Rd 140 Salida CO 81201 (719) 539-3335 jimzgreen@aol.com

REGION 6 Jeff Sinason (R - 99) 12954 Ballantine Ct Saint Louis MO 63146 (314) 542-2473 jsinason@itdcomm.com REGION 7 Bill Bryden (R - 98) (HG Accident Chair) 6608 North 100 East Rd Seymour IN 47274 (812) 497-2327 hm bbryden@hsonline.net Dan Johnson (L - 98) 8 Dorset St St Paul MN 55118 (612) 450-0930 CumulusMan@aol.com REGION 8 Randy Adams (R - 98) PO Box 369 Claremont NH 03743 (603) 543-1760 randyadams@cyberportal.net REGION 9 Pete Lehmann (R - 99) 5811 Elgin St Pittsburgh PA 15206 (412) 661-3474 LPeteLehmann@compuserve.com Geoffrey Mumford (R - 98) APA/PPO 750 First St NE Washington DC 20002 (202) 336-6067 gkm.apa@email.apa.org Dennis Pagen (L - 98) 368 Dunkle Rd Bellefonte PA 16823 (814) 383-2569 pagenbks@lazerlink.com Chris DuPaul (H - 98) PO Box 801 Gloucester Pt VA 23062 (804) 693-6742 skigolfnut@aol.com Art Greenfield (X) 1815 N Ft Meyer Dr Ste 700 Arlington VA 22209 (703) 527-0226 NAA@ids2.idsonline.com REGION 10 G.W. Meadows (R - 98) 1125 Harbor View Dr Kill Devil Hills NC 27948 (919) 480-3552 justfly@interpath.com

Matt Taber (R - 99) 7201 Scenic Hwy 189 Rising Fawn GA 30738 (706) 398-3433 airwave@voyageronline.net David Glover (H - 99) 1805 Dean Still Rd Davenport FL 33837 (941) 424-0700 fly@wallaby.com Gregg McNamee (H - 98) 14141 SE 51•t Ave Summerfield FL 34491 (352) 245-8263 graybird@praxis.net Greg De Wolf (H - 99) PO Box 607 Corolla NC 27927 (919) 453-4800 DeWolf7@aol.com REGION 11 Dave Brotes (R - 99) 211 Ellis r Allen TX 75002 (972) 727-3588 broyles@psuedospace.com REGION 12 Paul Voight (R - 98) 5163 Searsville Rd Pine Bush NY 12566 (914) 744-3317 ryanv1 OO@aol.com Jan Johnson (L - 98) 585 E Frank Applegate Jackson NJ 08527 (908) 928-8370 fec@frontiernet.net Paul Rikert (L - 98) 101 N Broadway# 28-3 White Plains NY 10603 (914) 946-9386 hm Lars Linde (H - 98) 954 W Front St Red Bank NJ 07701 (732) 747-7845 larslinde@compuserve.com REGION 13 (lnt'I) Jan Johnson (L - 98) See Reg 12 Michael Robertson (H - 98) RR 5 865 Con 7 Claremont Ontario Canada L1Y 1A2 (905) 294-2536 flyhigh@inforamp.net USHGA Executive Director Philip Bachman PO Box 1330 Colo Springs CO 80901 (719) 632-8300 wk (719) 632-6417 fax phbachman@ushga.org ushga@ushga.org EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President-G.W. Meadows Vice President-Bill Bryden Secretary-Russ Locke Treasurer-Geoff Mumford KEY: (R)-Regional (L)-At Large (HJ-Honorary (X)-Ex Officio

BRONZE SAFE PILOT AWARDS RICK HIGGINS RAY LEONARD

3RD DIAMOND SAFE PILOT AWARDS KARL MAYFORTH

BRONZE LILIENTHAL AWARDS STAN HICKS

SILVER LILIENTHAL AWARDS KELLY KELLAR

GOLD LILIENTHAL AWARDS RICHARD SHALLMAN

BEGINNER RATINGS Region l ADAMS, HEATHER: Renton, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG ALLEN, THOMAS: Everett, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG CHRISAPE, JEFFREY: Seattle, WA; M. Eberle/North American PG HEBDIGE, DUANE: Seattle, WA; M. Eberle/North American PG JENKS, JESSE: Port Townsend, WA; D. Jebb/UP San Diego KNOPES, RODNEY: Clarkston, WA; F. Johnson/US Airborne LEE, KEVIN: Wolf Creek, OR; K. Lee/Thermal Tracker PG LEGATE, LEAH: Cooper Landing, AK; M. Smith/Dixon's Airplay PG SUTTON, J.R: Snoqualmie Pass, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG THOMPSON, JOHN: Asotin, WA; F. Johnson/US Airborne Region2 CADWELL, JOHN: Alameda, CA; B. Shook/Personal Flight MURPHY, JONI: San Luis Obispo, CA; H. Murphy/Surf the Sky PG SCHWING, FRED: Las Vegas, NV; H. Murphy/Surf the Sky PG SHEPPARD, HAYNES: Berkeley, CA; D. Jebb/UP San Diego STOKER, KATHERINE: Corte Madera, CA; A. Whitehill/Chandelle SULPRIZIO, KEITH: Carson City, NV; K. Munn/Adventure Sports SULPRIZIO, SCOTT: Gardnerville, NV; K. Munn/Adventure Sports SUTER, GEORGE: San Francisco, CA; R. Ost/Blackwing PG WIESNER, DAN: Las Vegas, NV; J. Hagemann/PG Hawaii Region3 AMMICHT, ROBERT: Makawao, HI; SteveAmy/Proflyght Hawaii PG CHANTLER, GLENN: Goleta, CA; K. deRussy/HG Emporium KASER, JEFFREY: Riverside, CA; R Von Zabern LANGAN, CHRISTOPHER: Kamuda, HI; KHudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly LIEBERMEISTER, FLRIAN: Honolulu, HI; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG OH, YUNG-KUEN: Torrance, CA; K. Ki-Hong/Angel PG OWENS, STEVE: San Diego, CA; D. Jebb/UP San Diego SENN, MARC: Honolulu, HI; D. White/Dixon's Airplay SOBOTKA, THOMAS: San Diego, CA; F. Lawley/Accelerated Flight Systems STEPHENS, WALLY: San Bernardino, CA; R McKenzie/High Adventure STOKKE, ERIC: Santa Barbara, CA; K. deRussy/HG Emporium VON ZABERN,JEFF: Riverside, CA; R. Von Zabern WARD, MICHAEL: Visalia, CA; H. Murphy/Surf the Sky PG

WI-UTE, RON: San Diego, CA; J. Ryan/Hang Gliding Center WOLF, DEXA: Alta Loma, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure PG Region4 ANDERSON, ANTHONY: Lake Havasu, AZ; M. Smith/Airplay PG HAYES, CARY: Crested Butte, CO; R. Kocurek/Air Link PG LANE, TIMOTHY: Grand Junction, CO; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG LAWRENCE, G HEATH: Taylorsville, UT; K.Hudonjorgensen/Above & Beyond PG LOMBARDI, J JEFF: Albuquerque, NM; G. Brightbill/Enchantment PG MEUNIER, KEN: Tijeras, NM; K. Mayforth/Paradox MEYER, MATT: West Jordan, UT; D. Covington/Big Sky PG RICHARDSON, GLENN: Scottsdale, AZ; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG RILEY, BRUCE: Littleton, CO; W. Laurence/Fly Away PG VERZELLA, LISA: Sandy, UT; K.Hudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly Region 5 DEIGNAN, JODIE: Bozeman, MT; D. Covington/Big Sky PG PARSELLS, ROD: Lewisron, ID; F. Johnson/US Airborne ZUBER, ERIC: Pocatello, ID; F. Johnson/US Airborne Region 7 GIANZ, STEVEN: E Lansing, MI; P. Franco/Aerolight USA LEWIS, BRYAN: Grand Rapids, MI; M. Smith/Airplay PG LEWIS, STEVE: Grand Rapids, MI; M. Smith/ Airplay PG LINDGREN, JEFF: Pennock, MN; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG SIXTA, CLINTON: Pennock, MN; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG Region 8 HAZEL, THOMAS: Alton, NH; J. Nicolay/Morningside FP MARICHAL, PAUL: Ctr Strafford, NH; J. Nicolay/Morningside FP PARQUETfE, MARK: Dover, NH; J. Nicolay/Morningside FP RYDEEN, MICHAEL: Dover, NH; J. Nicolay/Morningside FP Region 9 ANDERSEN, JOHN: Louisville, KY; B. Shook/Personal Flight Region 10 WAYMAN, LUY: Opa Locka, FL; J. Casaudoumecq/Aerolight USA Region 12 BAILEY, SHANNON: New York, NY; K.Hudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly DOWNEY, KEVIN: Ardsley, NY; B. Shook/Personal Flight MATHEWS, THOMAS: Whitestone, NY; R Liggett/Eastcoast PG TREVISAN, JOAD: Scarsdale, NY; L. Linde/Eastcoast PG Region 13 BEAUDE, ERIC: Switzerland; D. Jebb/UP San Diego HARVEY, JULIE: West Indies; S. Mayer/The Soaring Center LANG, MARTINA: Canada; P. Hajek/First Ascent OLAZABAL, ALEJANDRO: Mexico; C. Bowles/Southern Skies PG SHIKATANI, ED: Canada; C. Bowles/Southern Skies PG THAI, DOUGLAS: Hong Kong; D. Jebb/UP San Diego TRELOAR, ANDREW: China; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG

NOVICE RATINGS Region l ADAMS, HEATHER: Renton, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG ALLEN, THOMAS: Everett, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG LEE, KEVIN: Wolf Creek, OR; K. Lee/Thermal Tracker PG LEGATE, LEAH: Cooper Landing, AK; M. Smith/Dixon's Airplay PG LESTER, TROY: Portland, OR; S. Rori/Observer SUTTON, J.R.: Snoqualmie Pass, WA; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG

Continued on page 48.

PARAGLIDING

* MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION * AlTENTION: USHGA RELEASE (ON BACK SIDE) MUST BE SIGNED FOR MEMBERSHIP PROCESSING

CITY_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ STATE_ _ZIP_ _ _ _PHONE(~~)_ _ _ __ NEW MEMBER

RENEW/USHGA#- - - - - -

SEX (M/F)_ __

BIRTHDATE- - -I- - -I- - -

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

ANNUAL DUES:

Includes 12 issues ofHANQ GLIDING magazine (HG Division) or 6 issues of PARAGLIDING magazine (PG Division), liability insurance, ratings, and other benefits.

FULL MEMBER:

C 1 Division· $54.00 U.S. ($65.00 Non-U.S. *) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $_ _ _ __ Please check one: a Hang Gliding D Paragliding DBoth Divisions· $79.00 U.S. ($96.00 Non-U.S.*) ............... , ............... $------

FAMILY MEMBER: (Includes all benefits except magazine. MUST reside with lull member of same division.)

SUBScm:PTION ONLY: Hang Gliding Magazine Paragliding Magazine

D 1 Division· $27.00 (Family Member(s) must sign separate release from Full Member) ..... Please check one: D Hang Gliding . D Paragliding C Both Divisions • $39.50 (Family Member(s) must sign separate release from Full Member) • $_ _ _ _ __

O $35.00 U.S. ($46.00 Non-U.S.*) ............................................. $_ _ ___,_ O $26.00 U.S. ($32.00 Non-U.S. *) ............................................ .

**************************************************************************************************************** OTHIEIR OPTIONAL SERVICES 1ST CLASS MAIL SERVICE - HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE: ($24.00-U.S., Canada, & Mexico only), .. , . , , . , , ... , , , . , $_ _ _ _ __ AIR MAIL SERVICE - HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE: ($30.00-Westem Hemisphere, $40.00-Europe, $50.00-AII Others) .... $_ _ _ _ __ 1ST CLASS MAIL SERVICE· PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE: ($12.00-U.S., Canada, & Mexico only)., ..... ,,.,., .... ,, $_ _ _ _ __ AIR MAIL SERVICE· PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE: ($15.00-Western Hemisphere, $20.00-Europe, $25.00-All Others) . , . , , $_ _ _ _ __ NAA MEMBERSHIP: ($10.00 annual dues) , . , , . , , . , . , , ... , .. , . , . , .. , , . , , . , , , , , , . , .. , ... , ..... , .... , , , , ....... , , . , . , . $_ _ _ _ __ FAI SPORTING LICENCE: ($18.00 annual fee)

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~ Please tell us how you heard of USHGA _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ~·· USHGA, PO BOX 1330, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80901-1330 (719) 632-8300

FAX (719) 632-6417

(03/97)

RELEASE, WAIVER AND ASSUMPTION Of 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. "MY 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; D All persons involved, in any manner, in the sports of hang gliding and/or paragliding at the site(s) where I PARTICIPATE IN THE SPORl 11AII persons involved 11 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 RELEASE, WAIVE AND DISCHARGE the RELEASED PARTIES from any and all claims and liability for MY SPORTS INJURIES, however caused, even if caused by the negligence (whether active or passive) of any of the RELEASED PARTIES, to the fullest extent allowed by law. C. I Will NOT SUE OR MAKE A CLAIM against any of the RELEASED PARTIESfor loss or damage on account of MY 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. D. 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. E. SEVERABL1U1Y. 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. p

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

Participant's Signature

Date MR-8/97

•I

1998 APCO AVIATION PARAGLIDER LINE

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1355 N.W. 93 Ct. UNIT A-105. MIAMI, FLORIDA 33172 U.S.A TEL.(305) 639-3330 FAX (305) 639-3055

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SANTANA: Basic Intermediate • Certified ACPULS " Standard" Class • 4 Sizes. SIERRA: Advance Intermediate • Certified ACPULS "Standard" Class • 4 Sizes FUTURA: High Performance • Certified ACPULS "Performance" Class • 4 Sizes TIGRA: Competition • 3 Sizes FUTURA 38 & 42 TANDEM: Certified ACPULS "Bi Place" Class• 2 Sizes

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Continued from page 44. Region2 CADWELL, JOHN: Alameda, CA; B. Shook/Personal Flight MC KENNA, JOEY: Reno, NV; R. Leonard/Adventure Sports MORFORD, GEORGE: Walnut Creek, CA; Steve Amy/Pro Flyght HI RAIK, SIMON: San Francisco, CA; P. Hirst/Westcoast PG WIESNER, DAN: Las Vegas, NV; J. Hagemann/PG Hawaii Region 3 AMMICHT, ROBERT: Makawao, HI; Steve Amy/Proflyght Hawaii PG CAGWIN, WENDY: Laguna Beach, C',A; M. DeBarros/Atmosphere PG CHANTLER, GLENN: Goleta, CA; K. deRussy/HG Emporium CHUNG, YUNG: San Diego, CA; K. Ki-Hong/Angel PG GALLOWAY, LAYNE: San Diego, CA; J. Meyers/Aircek PG KASER, JEFFREY: Riverside, CA; R. Von Zabern LANGAN, CHRISTOPHER: Kamuela, HI; K.Hudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly LIEBERMEISTER, FLRIAN: Honolulu, HI; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG PENKALA, BRAD: Santa Barbara, CA; T. Truax/Sky Spores SENN, MARC: Honolulu, HI; D. White/Dixon's Airplay SOBOTKA, THOMAS: San Diego, CA; F. Lawley/Accelerated Flight Systems STEPHENS, WALLY: San Bernardino, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure STOKKE, ERIC: Santa Barbara, CA; K. deRussy/HG Emporium WOLF, DEXA: Alta Loma, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure PG Region4 COX, CHRISTOPHER: Salt Lake City, UT; K.Hudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly HAYES, CARY: Crested Butte, CO; R. Kocurek/Air Link PG LANE, TIMOTHY: Grand Junction, CO; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG LAWRENCE, G HEATH: Taylorsville, UT; K.Hudonjorgensen/Above & Beyond PG LOMBARDI, J JEFF: Albuquerque, NM; G. Brightbill/Enchantment PG MAXWELL, TRAVER: Salt Lake City, UT; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG MEUNIER, KEN: Tijeras, NM; K. Mayforth/Paradox OLMER, WOUTER: Aspen, CO; A. Marx/Ajax PG RICHARDSON, GLENN: Scocrsdale, AZ; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG RILEY, BRUCE: Litcleron, CO; W. Laurence/Fly Away PG VERZELLA, LISA: Sandy, UT; K.Hudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly Region 5 MATTHEWS, GREG: Bozeman, MT; K.Hudonjorgensen/Above & Beyond Region 7 JACOBSON, ERON: Walworth, WI; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG LINDGREN, JEFF: Pennock, MN; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG SIXTA, CLINTON: Pennock, MN; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG Region 9 ANDERSEN, JOHN: Louisville, KY; B. Shook/Personal Flight

Region 13 HAMEL, SIMON: Canada; D. Jebb/UP San Diego HARVEY, JULIE: West Indies; S. Mayer/The Soaring Center LANG, MARTINA: Canada; P. Hajek/First Ascent MARCHAND, PIERRE: Canada; D. Jebb/UP San Diego OLAZABAL, ALEJANDRO: Mexico; C. Bowles/Southern Skies PG SHIKATANI, ED: Canada; C. Bowles/Southern Skies PG THAI, DOUGLAS: Hong Kong; D. Jebb/UP San Diego TRELOAR, ANDREW: China; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG

INTERMEDIATE RATINGS Region l BEER, DOUG: Bellingham, WA; K. Baier/Airjunkies PG JOVLE, JIM: Seattle, WA; M. Chirico/Chirico's Fright School PENTZ, GEOFF: Brementon, WA; D. Jebb/UP San Diego PFEIFFER, TIM: Aloha, OR; R. Schmaltz/Over the Hill PG POHL, JOSEPH: Seattle, WA; M. Chirico/Chirico's Fright School STANLEY, VINCENT: Vancouver, WA; M. Chirico/Chirico's Fright School WYSOCKA, JOLANTA: Seattle, WA; M. Haley/Airplay PG Region 2 DUNHAM, TOM: Reno, NV; R. Leonard/Adventure Sports HOODENPYLE, DAVID: Redding, CA; D. Mills/Free Ride PG MARTIN, MIKE: San Francisco, CA; P. Hirst!Westcoast PG ROVATINO, STEVE: Reno, NV; D. Bridges/Aspen PG SHENTON, PAUL: Concord, CA; J. Lucas/Glidell Region 3 ARMSTRONG, DAVID: Redondo Beach, CA; T. Nelson/Thermal Dynamics BARBER, SHAWN: Honolulu, HI; Scott Amy/Pro Flyght PG BLOOM, TIM: Rancho Mirage, CA; K. Baier/Airjunkies PG DELPORT, ANTON: Honolulu, I-II; G. Eichholz/BOC PG KOIVUNIEMI, ANTTI: Carlsbad, CA; D. Jebb/UP San Diego KREMER, KIRSTEN: Rialro, CA; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG PFEIFFER, JAN: Huntington Bch, CA; J. Gluzinski/Air America PG RANDALL, BRIDGE: San Bernadina, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure PG SNELLGROVE, BRETT: Pukalani, HI; R. Ost/Blackwing PG STACKABLE, STEVE: La Jolla, CA; D. Jebb/UP San Diego SULLNAN, BRIAN: El Cajon, CA; D. Jebb/UP San Diego ULISNIK, DUANE: Honolulu, HI; JGoldberg-Hiller/Observer Region4 GASKILL, MARK: Aurora, CO; W. Laurence/Fly Away PG PINKNEY, DONN: Telluride, CO; Scott Amy/Pro Flyght HI SELF, LAYNE: Golden, CO; B. Laurence/Fly Away PG SHAW, ERIC: Crested Butte, CO; R. Kocurek/Observer ZIEGLER, MARK: Granby, CO; W. Laurence/Fly Away PG ZITKALAWIN, WAKINYAN: Arvada, CO; W. Laurence/Fly Away PG

Region 10 NISHIBE, TAKASHI: Dunwoody, GA; J. Williams/Air America PG ROWE-CLARK, MELVIN: Ft Lauderdale, FL; A. Chuculate/Air Apparent TONNEL, PAULO: Miami, FL; J. Casaudoumecq/Aerolight USA

Region 5 BESSIRE, MICHAEL: Boise, ID; D. Bridges/Aspen PG GOLDMAN, DEREK: Jackson, WY; C. Warren/Wind Dance

Region 11 HUNT, JEFFREY: Austin, TX; C. Bowles/Southern Skies PG

Region 7 SIXTA, CAL: Paynesville, MN; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG

Region 12 BAILEY, SHANNON: New York, NY; K.Hudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly MATHEWS, THOMAS: Whitestone, NY; R. Liggett/Eastcoast PG TREVISAN, JOAD: Scarsdale, NY; L. Linde/Eastcoast PG VAHL, C ROBERT: Allegany, NY; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG

Region 9 HEDDERLY, RICH: N Canton, OH; C. Bowles/Southern Skies PG SELIG, MICHAEL: Arlington, VA; B. Herrick/Observer

Region 10 DUC, CHRIS: Palm Bch Gdns, FL; D. Jebb/UP San Diego ERION, BRUCE: Atlanta, GA; C. Bowles/Southern Skies PG JENKINS HI, GEORGE: Atlanta, GA; C. Bowles/Southern Skies PG

PARAGLIDING

Region 12 TREVISAN, JOAD: Scarsdale, NY; L. Linde/Eastcoast PG Region 13 ECHEVERRIA, FRANCISCO: Venezuela;]. Casaudoumecq/Aerolight USA HILL, STEPHEN: West Indes; D. White/Dixon's Airplay PG SPANN, TOM: Canada; M. deJong/Mescalito PG YOUNG, LAURIE: Canada; M. deJong/Mescalito PG

ADVANCED RATINGS Region 2 GIBSON, MARTIN: Santa Clara, CA;]. Lucas/Glidell MUNN, KENNETH: Carson Ciry, NV; R. Leonard/Adventure Sports PECK, PAUL: Moss Beach, CA; R. Ost/Blackwing PG Region3 DILLON, MIKE: San Diego, CA; S. Mayer/Cloud 9 PG HANSEN, MARK: Santa Barbara, CA; K. deRussy/Hang Gliding Emporium LOVE, LARRY: La Jolla, CA; D. Jebb/UP San Diego MEYERS, JOSHUA: Tierra Santa, CA; S. Hassell/Airtek PG PFEIFFER, JAN: Huntington Bch, CA;]. Gluzinski/Air America PG SCHWARZ, MILAN: La Verne, CA; R. McKenzie/High Adventure Region 5 PREVOST, DENNIS: Jackson, WY; K.Hudonjorgensen/Two Can Fly REED, MICHAEL: Jackson, WY; C. Santacroce/Super Fly Boyz WALKER, ALEX: Wilson, WY; C. Warren/Wind Dance Region 11 STONE, JOHN: San Anronio, TX; G. Banks/Parasoft PG Region 13 COLE, ROB: England;]. Lucas/Glidell PAPADOPOULOS, PANAGIOTE: Brazil; R. Leonard/Adventure Sports

MASTER RATINGS Region l -

HIGGINS, RICK: Hood River, OR

TANDEM ONE RATINGS KELLY KELLAR JOHN VAN METER JOEL RAYMOND GAY JOSHUA MEYERS JOHN RYAN MILAN SCHWARZ RON YOUNG KRIS HUSTED MICHAEL SMITH

TANDEM INSTRUCTOR RATINGS JOEL RAYMOND GAY SEBASTIAN HASSELL MENIRAVIV JOHN RYAN MIGUEL GUTIERREZ

In the March/April issue of Paragliding magazine, pilot Bruce Wilson of Mountain View, CA was incorrectly shown as having achieved his Beginner rating. Mr. Wilson has in fact achieved his Tandem One rating. We apologize for the error.

MAY/JUNE

1998

1998 TOP 30 SCHOOL/CLUB LEADERS IN BEGINNER (PARA 1) RATINGS ISSUED

RANK SCHOOL ........................................ BEGINNER 1 Dixon's Airplay Paragliding .................................. 28 2 Eastcoast Paragliding ............................................ 14 2 UP San Diego ....................................................... 14 4 Morningside Flight Park ....................................... 12 5 Cloud 9 Paragliding .............................................. 11 5 Hill Country Paragliding ...................................... 11 5 Over The Hill. ...................................................... 11 8 Glidell .................................................................. 10 9 Southern Skies Paragliding ..................................... 9 10 Adventure Sports .................................................... 6 10 HG/PG School ofOregon ...................................... 6 10 US Airborne ........................................................... 6 13 Fly Away Paragliding .............................................. 5 13 SurfThe Sky Paragliding ........................................ 5 15 Hang Glider Emporium ........................................ .4 15 Two Can Fly ......................................................... .4 17 Airplay Paragliding ................................................. 3 17 Chandelle ............................................................... 3 17 Chirico's Fright School... ........................................ 3 17 High Adventure ...................................................... 3 17 Magic Valley Gliders .............................................. 3 17 North American Paragliding ................................... 3 17 Paradox .................................................................. 3 17 Personal Flight ........................................................ 3 17 Proflyght Hawaii .................................................... 3 17 Westcoast Paragliding ............................................. 3 27 11 Schools tied with .............................................. 2 1998 TOP 30 SCHOOL/CLUB LEADERS IN NOVICE (PARA 2) RATINGS ISSUED

RANK SCHOOL ............................................. NOVICE 1 Dixon's Airplay Paragliding .................................. 25 2 Eastcoast Paragliding ............................................ 16 3 Cloud 9 Paragliding .............................................. 14 4 Southern Skies Paragliding ................................... 13 5 Airtek Paragliding ................................................... 7 5 Over The Hill Paragliding ............... ;...................... 7 UP San Diego ......................................................... 7 5 8 Adventure Sports .................................................... 6 8 HG/PG School of Oregon ...................................... 6 8 Morningside Flight Park ......................................... 6 8 Westcoast Paragliding ............................................. 6 12 Glidell .................................................................... 5 13 Aerolight USA ....................................................... .4 13 Fly Away Paragliding ............................................. .4 13 Hang Glider Emporium ......................................... 4 13 Magic Valley Gliders .............................................. 4 13 Two Can Fly .......................................................... 4 18 Airworks Paragliding ............................................. .3 18 Chirico's Fright School... ........................................ 3 18 High Adventure ...................................................... 3 18 North American Paragliding ................................... 3 18 Paradox .................................................................. 3 23 20 Schools tied with ............................................... 2

Rankin.gr were compiledfrom ratinG!_ published in January/ February-May/June 1998 issues of Paragliding magazine.

Continued from page 40. four-day event will feature multiple flying seminars taught by some of the best paraglider pilots in the U.S. It is scheduled during one of the best times of year to fly in Aspen and will directly precede the Red Bull "Wings Over Aspen" competition. Clinic and seminar topics will include: X-C and competition flying, ground handling, modification of technique, thermaling methods, advanced maneuvers, reserve parachute use and packing, active flying, self-rescue and survival techniques, glider maintenance, and more. The daily fee is $60. Some will be halfday clinics which cost $30. A complete schedule of seminars and registration forms are available. Contact: Aspen Paragliding, 426 South Spring St., Aspen, CO 81611, (970) 9257825, fax (970) 926-7710, climbfly@rof.net, http://www.aspen.com/paragliding.

TOWING ALOFT

port Aviation Publications is pleased to announce the release of a new book entitled Towing Aloft (subtitled Learning to Surface-Tow and Aerotow Hang Gliders, Paragliders and Ultralight Sailplanes). Co-authored by Dennis Pagen

and Bill Bryden, this book is the fruit of 20 years of . . towmg pracnce and two years of intensive research on all the towing techniques practiced in the U.S. and other countries. All the latest towing methods are covered from the pilot's and tow operator's point of view. Besides actual cowing skills, the authors cover towing equipment and safe procedures, and there are special chapters on launching and climbing on cow with all the different methods described. The material is enhanced by Safety Tips, Pro Tips, and special Caution notes where necessary. There are 10 chapters divided into three parts: Towing Systems and Equipment, Surface Towing, and Aerocowing. Separate sections cover hang gliders, paragliders and ultralight sailplanes where the techniques differ. Towing Aloft is in a large 8-112" x 11" format for ease of use and clarity of figures. There are 163 illustrations and over 173 photographs which greatly enhance understanding. The book has 384 pages and a

four-color cover.

Towing Aloft includes information on towing equipment, towing rigs, payout winches, stationary winches, static-line towing, aerotowing, boat towing, safety requirements, operating tow systems, flying tugs, checklists, launching, climbing, releasing on tow, maximizing tows, airport operations, emergency procedures, and much more. A section on towing tandem, special notes to the student learning to fly while towing, and safety recommendations make it a great text for new pilots as well. If you haven't towed yet, chances are you will sometime soon in your flying career, as towing is becoming increasingly popular in the flats and the mountains alike. If towing is your means of learning to fly, Towing Aloft will provide a complete understanding of the specifics towing brings in your learning experience. The book retails for $29.95. Don't miss this chance to expand your knowledge and purchase what will soon become the standard text on towing. It is available from your dealer or send $29.95 (+3.50 shipping) to Sport Aviation Publications, P.O. Box 101, Mingoville, PA 16856. More information and an order form are available on their Web page: www.lazerlink.com/ ~pagenbks. •

AEROLIGHT USA, 1355 N.W. 93 Ct. Unit A-105, Miami, FL 33172 U.S.A., Tel : (305) 639-3330, Fax: (30~) 639-3055, paraglidlng@aerolight.com,http://www.aerolight.com

PARAGLIDING

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PARAGLIDING ADVISORY: Used paragliders should always be thoroughly inspected before flying for the first time. If in doubt, many paragliding businesses will be happy to give an objective opinion on the condition of equipment you bring chem co inspect. BUYERS SHOULD SELECT EQUIPMENT THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR SKILL LEVEL OR RATING. NEW PILOTS SHOULD SEEK PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION FROM A USHGA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR. PARAGLIDERS APCO SENTRA 28M- 1996, purple/blue, fast, intermediate, just serviced, new A&B's, new risers w/trim & split A's $1,500. FUN TO FLY Profile 27M, 1994, purple, similar to Edel Space, Apco material, great !st wing, recently serviced $500. SUPAIR "Race" harness (M) 1994, w/Edel steerable reserve 38 $500 (or will sell reserve separate). (307) 733-3417. APCO SUPRA 25 - $1,400. Edel ZX 75-1 lOkg & Wills harness $695. (619) 225-8720. AXON, XYON - And Firebird G-Sport, medium and in excellent condition, inexpensive. (970) 927-3258. CHEAP! RITMO XL - Purple, some wear, 50 hours, $600 OBO. Albar (302) 994-5056.

EDEL SABER - Large, Hero harness w/reserve, new June 1997, 35 flights, spotless, clean $2,800. Call Eddy (604) 463-5741. EDEL SABER -- Large, new Balance harness, RSI! reserve, purchased 8/97, used once! No BS, no damage, going back to hang gliding. $3,300. (907) 2T7-2492 kentpost@hotmail.com EDEL SABER XL - Hero harness, purchased late '9/, very low hours, yellow on white. Ball Ml 9e vario, Yaesu FT-1 lR radio (still in box). All in excellent condition, best offer. (805) 643-5929. EDEL SUPERSPACE II 29M - Excellent condition, 187-242lbs $1,200. Phone/fax 011-52-615-50174 Mexico. EDEL SUPERSPACE II - Large 155-200lbs and Medium 120-175lbs. Each in excellent condition w/95 hours. Facrory reseed line strength & wing porosiry as excellent $1,000 each. Call 1-800-820-5180 or hampyoung@aol.com FIREBIRD APACHE 23 - 110-155lbs, <30 hours, Firebird harness w/reserve, vario. Great shape, great intermediate/advanced glider $1,200. Ethan (970) 4531677.

EDEL SABER M - Blue/fuschia batwing, Prolight harness (med), Secura Max reserve, summer flightsuit (med), all 12 hours $2,600 or will separate. Pere (425) 455-9787 pperron@ix.netcom.com

PARAGLIDERS QUALITY GLIDERS - For all pilots. Check out www.fun2fly.com or call (509) 925-5565 for your nearest dealer. Dealer, product rep & comp pilot inquiries welcome. FLIGHT DESIGN A4 - Excellent shape, perfect for your first wing, only $595. Call Mike at (509) 9255565. FREEX SPARK L - High Performance (209-286lbs) and FreeX FRANTIC PLUS M intermediate 176228lbs (total launch weights include glider) for sale. Very low airtime, you could put that much use on a glider in a week or two. Absolutely excellent shape. Hard to beat, 50% off new price! Call for orher new and used gliders. Chelan & Tiger Mountain Paragliding School (425) 432-8900 or alpmar@compuserve.com

r------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, 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., September 20 for the Nov./Dec. issue). Prepayment required unless account established. No cancellations or refunds 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 O Paragliders O Emergency Parachutes 0 Parts & Accessories 0 Business & Employment 0 Miscellaneous O Powered Paragliders O Videos

O Towing O Schools & Dealers O Ultralights O Publications & Organizations OWanted D Harnesses

Begin with ______ 19

issue and run for _____

consecutive issue(s). My D check, O money order is enclosed in the amount of$ NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ADDRESS: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ STATE: _ _ __ CITY: PHONE: _ __ Number of words: ________ @$.50 =____ Number of words:

@$1.00 =_____

USHGA, P.O Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901 (719) 632-8300 fax (719) 632-6417

L-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------52

PARAGLIDING

GREAT DEAL- On many paragliders: Apco Xtra 30, new full guarantee, 2 hours tested flight $2,495. Sierra 30M2, 15 hours, guarantee $2,495. Prima 30, 10 hours $1,695. Prima 27, 15 hours $1,495. Harness Apco, srill new $275. E2RA, classic 33 M2, new, 2 hours tested flight $2,395. And much more. Phone (418) 824-5343 (7-7:30am) or email airl@g1ohetrotter.net, Ken Risdon. ITV ATIKS - Excellent glider for experienced, low budget pilot. All up 98-1 !5kg, Afnor Comp rated, good condition $600. (.'310) 477-1109 or 1ena.alfredsson@la.swetech.org NEW & USED GLIDERS - At affordable prices. Call The Soaring Center toll-free 1-888-944-5433. PRO DESIGN COMPACT 29 - Practicaliy brand new, zero hours, w/harness, chute $2,600. (760) 7231919, tbalser@zmet.com hollyhollinger@compuservel 10575.2435 PRO DESIGN COMPACT 35 - Pilot weight I 702251bs., 65 hours, harness, XS360 Help reserve $1,125 OBO. Bob (510) 825-4979 !arc evenings, San Francisco Bay area. PRO DESIGNS COMPACT LADY - Excellent condition, less than 10 hours flight rime, rnrquoise $1,700. (916) 582-1846 ask for Norma. PRO DESIGN PRO-FEEL 35 - New, 85-105kg $1,900. Apco Futura 32, 55 hours, !00-120kg $2,400. Apco Sierra 30, 5 hours, 85-105kg $2,800. (541) 3872112. PROFILE 27 - Excellent condition, complete package: AT harness, reserve, helmet. Very low hours, great intermediate kite $1,900. (307) 739-9582. RITMO II XL - Looks new with low hours, awesome beginner/intermediate package, I 95-2641bs. Includes: Apco Top Secura harness, new, with speed system, airbag and kevlar back protecror; Firebird RS2 reserve, never deployed. Full package $1,700. Shawn (317) 8459242 days. SAPE USED GEAR - CHECK IT OUT! Airwave Samba 23, w/harness, back protecror, reserve $2,200. Reggae 24, 65 hours, great first wing $I, I 00. Ai reek Mirage M, sriU crispy, 20 hours, w/harness, reserve $2,300. Pro Design "Big Boy" Companion tandem w/trim, good condition $1,200. Pro Design Profeel "M",4 hours, a real steal, green $2,600. Web http://www.maui.nec/-gliding, email gliding@maui.net, phone (808) 874-5433. SOL BALANCE 90 - Perfect condition, 35 hours $1,333 OBO. (970) 926-7676. SWING MINOA 32C- New. Best turning glider ever built! Custom color, deluxe metal riser system, center flap system, absolutely pristine condition $3,000. Greg (714) 754-7041.

MAY/JUNE

1998

TREKKING MIURA - Large, 185-230lbs, 8 hours airtime, Woody Valley Era Beta Fire harness w/back prorector, Edel Secura Max 32 reserve. All in excellent condition $2,200 OBO. Doug (510) 286-7406, wickham.doug.dj@bhp.com.au TREKKING MIURA XL - 32.5, very low rime, intermediate, 210-280lbs, only 15 flights. Includes 22 gore reserve and Artwing harness $1,500.(505) 327-7851. TURBOS SLIGHTLY USED GLIDERS - Pro Design Max, <25 hours (retail $4000) $1,895. Pro Feel 29M $1,395. Contest 50 $1,395. WWl25/28M beginner $69 5. Several harnesses co choose from. Your Orange County Paramo tor dealer/trikes. (7 I 4) 4958051. UP PICK-UP - Large, purple, very good shape $2,200 OBO or will glady exchange for beginner/intermediate wing. Pawel (604) 608-0499. ALL PARAGLIDERS ARE 100% GUARANTEED Ritmo 27, 3 I ................ <40hrs ....... Beg ................ $700 Miura 31, 33 ................ <40hrs ...... .Int ................. $800 Boogie 30, 32 ............... <35hrs ....... Beg ............. $1,050 Graffity 31 ................... New ........... Beg ............. $1,250 Kenda 29 ..................... < I Ohrs ....... Int .............. $1,250 Contest 30 .................... <30hrs ....... Comp ......... $1,400 Vision 28 ...................... <IOhrs ....... Int .............. $1,500 Espirit 36 ...................... <6hrs ......... Int .............. $1,550 Ricmo 31 ...................... New ........... Beg ............. $1,650 Odyssey 28, 32 ............. <IShrs ....... Comp ......... $1,800 Sensor 31 ...................... <25hrs ...... .Int .............. $1,800 Civic 27, 33 .................. New ........... Beg ............. $1,895 Prelude 27,30,33 .......... New ........... Beg ............. $1,995 Sonic 24, 31 ................. <IOhrs ....... Int .............. $2,000 V-Max 31 ..................... <!0hrs ....... Comp ......... $2,050 PDA Reserves $425, Full face Helmets $95 Tele: (303) 347-8995 or paragliding@wwdg.com POWERED PARAGUDERS ADVENTURE POWERED PG - Fl & F3, 2 each. Perf I 22m, Perf II 33m, $5,000 each or $9,000 for both. (719) 687-5867, (719) 333-2349 ask for Marty. ADVENTURE POWERED PARAGLIDERS - The best in the business, at the best prices. $3,995 for any of our models. Four models to choose from. See our web page at hrtp://members.aol.com/gfoxfly or call (770) 541-2135. DK WHISPERS - From U.S. importer, 53 or 60 pounds for Plus or GT, respectively. Up to 130 pounds of static thrust, with lighter props available for beginner/small pilots. Absolutely the best value on the market! Dealerships available. Paraborne Aviation, POB 423217, Kissimmee FL 347 42-3217, 1-888-636-9111. LA MOUEITE ZR250 - Like new, skybike w/electric start, silencer $4,500. 1-888-636-9111. PAGOJET- Quiet, smooth, powerful and lightweight. Low hours, hardly used, many extras $3,995. Sharply reduced, priced to sell. (516) 624-7598.

PAGOJET - w/glider, low hours, will demo $5,400 OBO. (910) 630-3588 NC. EMERGENCY PARACHUTES ADVENTURE SPORTS LOFT - Experienced paragliding rigging center. Reserve repacks, repairs & modifications. Master Rigger Scott Christensen (909) 657-2676, fax (909) 657-3747, email asi@pe.net. Visit our web site: http:/ /www.pe.net/-asi BRAND NEW - NAS PDA reserves, 37sq/m, 41 sq/m, 100% guaranteed $425. (303) 347-8995. HARNESSES WILLS WING ASCEND AIR - Deluxe, pristine, w/Quancum 440 reserve by High Energy Sports. Dual riser system w/Spectra lines. Second Chanez air-rocket w/hand deploy option. The best of everything $1,000. Greg (714) 754-7041. WOODY VALLEY MODEL- Is now introducing its full line of unique Italian paragliding and hang gliding harnesses in the United States. For info call Eastcoast Paragliding at (914) 647-3377. Dealer inquires welcome. SCHOOLS & DEALERS ARIZONA DIXON'S AIRPLAY PARAGLIDING - The perfect beginner training areas! Year round temperate climate. DRIVE UP to 360 degree treeless and rockless launches. Land in wide open fields. Master rated tandem instructor Dixon White has supervised over 14,000 student flights to dace, teaching pilots is his profession. Individualized training with state-of-the-art equipment, 2-way radios, comprehensive ground schooling with an emphasis on micrometeorology. Great new and used inventory. Specialized clinics including the CAGE, towing and BACKPACK MOTORS. Enjoy the Grand Canyon and other spectacular scenery. Great lodging bargains or luxury accommodations. Dave Bridges, US National Champion says, "Dixon's students are extremely well-trained and competent pilots." Dixon's Paragliding in ARIZONA and WASHINGTON (appointments recommended), PO Box 2626, Flagstaff AZ 86004. (520) 526-4579. www.paraglide.com

FAX your classified ad, membership renewal or merchandise order: (719) 632-6417. We gladly accept VISA and MasterCard. 53

BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT SAFETY

CRISPI BOOTS MADE IN ITALY FOR PILOTS WORLDWIDE

Removable rear insert and velcro strip for keeping the laces in place. CRISPI PARATEC BOOTS Removable side slrenghtheners suede &leather with corduro edge Sympolex lining and Vibrom sole. Multicolor. USS 210 & Crispi Tinos Purple color. No Inserts. USS 1SO

CRISPI AIRBORNE BOOTS Waterproof Nobuk. Vibrom sole. Shock proof Kevlar Tip. No Hooks. Grey with Block color. USS 240

KIWI EVOLUTION HELMET Carbon fiber. Only 20 ounces. Well Podded. Allow maximum visibility and installation of earphones . In color While or Block. USS 220

KIWI HYPE HELMET Composite fibers. Only 22 ounces pointed in color While, Block or lead with thin waler decols and protected clear cooling. USS 210

KIWI PLAIN HELMET Composite fibers. Only 22 ounces plain colors While or Block and protected clear cooling. USS 190

AEROLIGHT USA, Inc., 1355 N.W. 93 Ct. Unit A-105, Miami, FL 33172 U.S.A., Tel : (305) 639-3330, Fax: (305) 639-3055 Email: paragliding@aerolight.com, Home Page: http://www.aerolight.com

G l

DERPORT

2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive San Diego CA 92037 Since 192tl

USHGA certified paragliding & hang gliding instruction. Courses arc expertly run on a friendly, informative basis. We have been introducing people to the world of foot launched flight since 1976. New and used gliders and accessories. Ball, Comet, Edel, Firebird, ITV, Pacific Ai1wave, Wills Wing and others. All skill levels welcome. PO Box 1226, Del Mar CA 92014. (619) 481-7400 Southern California. AIRJUNKIES PARAGLIDING - Join KEN BAIER for your "Pursuit of Paragliding Excellence" in the land of year-round, excellent paragliding: Southern California and the Baja. Courses for Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Instructor ratings. Powered paragliding, soaring and maneuvers clinics, guided tours, tandem and towing instruction and special events. USHGA certified. Handling the latest equipment. Call (760) 753-2664 for information.

AIRTEK PARAGLIDING - In sunny San Diego. Year-round thermal & ridge soaring, beginner thru advanced instruction, all major brands, l-888-2SKYIGO, phone/fax (619) 450-6696.

AIR TIME OF SAN FRANCISCO WEST COAST PARAGLIDING THIS PREMIER PARAGLIDING FACILITY - ls now under the management of LARS LINDE of East Coast Paragliding and GREG SMITH of Edel USA. We ate qualified to issue all possible paragliding licenses pursuant to USI--IGA standards. THE BEST SHOP IN THE WEST! We offer a full spectrum of instruction, tandem, repairs and porosity tests. We stock all major brands of paragliding equipment available on the market. Enroll in our demo day-everyday program. SHOP (415) 759-1177, OFFICE (732) 747-7845. HIGH ADVENTURE - Paragliding, hang gliding school. Equipment, sales, service at world famous Marshal Peale USI--IGA tandem instructor: Rob McKenzie. By appointment year round (909) 883-8488, www.eee.org/bus/high_adventure

MAY/JUNE

1998

PARAGLIDING AND HANG GLIDING USHCA certified instruction, tandem flight instruction, sales, service, repairs, parachute repacks, motorized pg/hg instrnction and site tours. San Diego's exclusive dealers for AIREA, APCO and SOL. Visa and Mastercard accepted. Check us out at http://www.flytorrey.com or call (619) 452-9858. CONNECTICUT ECP- Look under New York. FLORIDA

ERS - Put your knees in our breeze and soar our 4 50' sand dunes. FULL-TIME SHOP. Certified instruction, beginner to advanced, foot launch and tow. Sales, service, accessories for ALL major brands. VISA/MASTERCARD. 1509 E 8th, Traverse City MI 49684. Offering POWERED PARAGLIDING lessons & dealer for new & used units, including the Whisper and the Hy. Call Bill at (616) 922-2844. Visit our paragliding school in Jackson, Wyoming. Call Tracie at (.307) 7398620.

CLOSEST CERTlfIED SCHOOL - To Florida: SOUTHERN SKIES see North Carolina (704) 6326000.

COME FLY MAUI Prollyght Hawaii Paragliding School and Flight Park is here for youl Comprehensive Wedsite-picture & info of Maui flying http://www.maui.net/~gliding. Year round Aying and training, paradise everyday, highest glides in the world. Certification courses, guiding, island safari tours, sales and service of new and used equipment. Reserve a demo flight today on the latest, greatest gliders. Shop (808) 87G LIDE (874-5433), fax (808) 876-0589, email gliding@maui.net

PARAMERICA PARAGLIDING - Guide service, mountain TOURS, site information, including world famous KING MOUNTAIN (1997 US Nationals), certified full-time SCHOOL, major brands. Supplier/Mfg: The most comprehensive, educational INFO/LOGBOOK $24.95, RADIO HARNESSES $39.95, PG CARGO/DUFFEL BAG (holds wing & everything else) $49.95. Satisfaction guaranteed. 10169 N 15 E, Idaho Falls, ID 83401. Phone or fax (208) 524-0039, email bbloxham@aol.com, Visa/Mastercard/Discover.

BEAUTIFUL VALLE DE BRA VO - Open to all, rent or bring hglpg. Basic packages: $100/day hg, $69/day pg. 1-800-861-'7198, llymexico@aol.com http:/ Imembers .aol .com/ fl ymexico/index.

Sell your unused equipment here.

AIRWORKS PARAGLIDING LTD - Located in Montana's "/lying mecca'' Missoula. Call for local site information, regulations & product catalog. USHGA certified tandem instruction. Dealer for major brands. 220 N Higgins, Missoula MT 59802, (406) 543-2850, email: ai1works@bigsky.net "Pr1ragliding is cool.. "D.B. Cooper BIG SKY PARAGLIDING -

Has moved! See Utah

ADVENTURE SPORTS - Mountain tours for all levels. USH GA Certified school & ratings. Dealer for all major brands. 3650-22 Research Way, Carson City NV 89706. (702) 883-7070, email: advspts@pryamid.net web site: http://www.pyramid.net/advspts

ECP- Look under New York.

More than 4,000 paragliding enthusiasts read our magazine every month. That's more than 8,000 eyes seeing your ad. 55

SOUTHERN SKIES - FULLY CERTIFIED full time school and shop. Group discounts Pl thru P4. TANDEM FLIGHTS. Towing clinics. POWERED PARAGLIDING instruction, equipment and service. Beautiful training hills and mountain sites in Virginia and North Carolina. No reservations necessary, START YOUR TRAINING TODAY! Call now (704) 6326000. THE NUMBER 1 - Rated USHGA paragliding school in the United States 1995, 1996 and 1997. Our premier school and "WORLD CLASS STORE" are conveniently located only 1.5 hours outside Manhattan in the Catskill mountain range. We offer a full spectrum of instruction including our famous TAKE OFF PROGRAM which allows you to learn at your own pace. We now also offer full-time towing at our airport, located only 5 minutes from the shop. Importer of WOODY VALLEY MODEL, AIRWAY£ and NOCAL (the US Paragliding World Teams official helmet) products. 150 CANAL STREET, ELLENVILLE NY, SHOP (914) 647-3377, OFFICE (732) 747-7845. IKAROS SPORT AVIATION & Spartan Microlight Manufacturing. NYC's first and only certified school for hang gliding, paragliding and trikes. Distributors/dealers for all major brands. Manufacturer for the BEST microlights in the world, SPARTAN. New and used equipment at best prices. The most friendly service in NY. For catalog send $5 to: ISA, 3811 Ditmars Blvd #110, Astoria NY 11105. Srore: 2931 Newmwn Ave., Astoria NY. Phone/fax (718) 777-7000, Internet: http://members.aol.com/ikarosl llfly.htm email: ikarosl l@aol.com NORTH CAROLINA

LEARNTO~ PARAGLIDE~ at Kitty Hawk Kites Outer Banks, NC Lessons Daily Towing & Foot Launch Year Round Sales & Service CALL TODAY! 800-334-4777 919-441-4124 E-Mail Address hang-glide@outer-banks.com

OREGON

LESSONS, SALES, SERVICE, TANDEMS 1-888-944-5433. VIRGINIA CLOSEST CERTIPIED SCHOOL - To Virginia: SOUTHERN SKIES see North Carolina (704) 6326000. OVER THE HILL PARAGLIDING - Oregon/SW Washington. Sales, service, beginner-advanced USHGA certified instruction. Nova, Firebird, Apco, AT, Pro Design, SOL, Ball, flytec, HES Quantum parachures. Service: full service shop, FM rigger repairs/mods. Our of state pilots: We have great thermal, coastal and Gorge sites. Call us for info. There is no sales tax in Oregon! New/used gear. Trades welcome. 22865 SE Yellowhammer, Gresham OR 97080. (503) 667-4557, fax (503) 666-6979. Email: othpara@tcleport.com web: http://www.teleport.com/-othpara/ TEXAS HILL COUNTRY PARAGLIDING INC - Learn complete pilot skills. Personalized USHGA certified training, ridge soaring, foot & tow launching in central Texas. MOTORIZED PARAGLIDING INSTRUCTION & EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE. (915) 3791185. Rt I, Box 16F, Tow TX 78672. KITE ENTERPRISES - Foot launch, payout winch tow and powered paraglider instruction too. Training, sales, rentals and repair. Edel, Airwave, Wills Wing, UP and DK Whisper. Dallas, Fort Worth and north Texas area. 211 Ellis, Allen TX 75002. (972) 390-9090 nights, weekends. UTAH BIG SKY PARAGLIDING- Has moved! The highest quality training, sales and service is now available in U ,ah. Beginner thru advanced tandem instruction, clinics and tours. Call Dale Covington at 1-800-782-9204 or (801) 582-2627. CLOUD 9 PARAGLIDING - Utah's largest paragliding school. We offer BOTH AM and PM training sessions at Point of the Mountain. Para 2 certification is $650 for the unlimited lesson package which is 100% applied toward the purchase of new paragliding gear. Call or email for information pack (801) 553-1834. Web site is www.paragliders.com email at info@paragliders.com

KITTY HAWK KITES- See North Carolina. WASHINGTON DIXON'S AIRPLAY PARAGLIDING - This Northwest training center is located on the Eastern side of the Casco,des where the weather is good year round! This 1,600 acre private flight park is ideal for the beginner wich dtive-up open launches and large landing fields. Individualized training with state-of-the-art equipment, 2-way radios, comprehensive ground schooling with an emphasis on micrometeorology. Great new and used inventory. Specialized clinics including the CAGE and BACKPACK MOTORS. One hour from the CHELAN BUTTE. Ask abou, on-site lodging and camping. On-site climbing wall, skiing, mountain biking, etc. Dave Bridges, US National Champion says, "Dixon's students are extremely well-trained and competent pilots." Dixon's Paragliding in Washington and Arizona (appointments recommended), 8101 Hay Canyon Road, Cashmere WA 98815. (509) 782-5543. www.paraglide.com WISCONSIN RAVEN SKY SPORTS - Largest and most popular in the Midwest. Training hills and winch towing for paragliders. Sales & Service! PO Box 101, Whitewater WI 53190. (414) 473-8800, brad@hanggliding.com PARTS &ACCESSORIES For a LARGER ARE YOU LOOKING PARAGLIDING PACK for your new harness? The search is over! Do you want to prmect your glider from harmful UV exposure? Try a DirtBag, a unique dualpurpose backpack, unzips to form a shelter from UV damage. Call (970) 641-1754 for a free brochure or www.crittermmwear.com/packs.

Our advertising has a twomonth lead time: plan ahead. PARAGLIDING

KENTUCKIANA SOARING Communications Specialist! Besr Prices & Besr Service 1 Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed! VARIOS: FLIGHT DECKS NEW BALL GRAPHICS PLUS ........................ $CALL BALL M 19 ........................................................ $375.00 FLYTEC ............................................................ $CA[.L HELMETS PELLE Full Face, a few lefr .. retail $160 ... Clearance $95

BRAND NEW AIRMIC - $65. By NAS (the one that works.) Not for Kenwood. Talk and hear thru ear, PTT switch. (303) 347-8995.

THE NEW INCREDIBLE EARMIKE 515, 575 Just plug it into the speaker/mic outlet in your ear and press the pct button from the control piece when transmitting. Can be fit through your sleeve and attach to your finger with velcro. The earpiece is washable. Earmike 515 is for !com, Yaesu, Alinco and more. Earmike 575 is for Kenwood. lntroductoty price for the best mic in the market is $94.95. ISA ph/fax (718) 7777000.

RADIOS-ALL MODELS AVAILABLE YAESU FT! IR .......................... 5 watt ............ $305.00 KENWOOD TH22 ................... 5 watt ............. $CALL r/C Fingerswitch/Headset .......... Heavy-Duty .... $89.00 5/8 TELESCOPIC ANTENNA ......................... $20.95 5/8 GAlN DUCK ANTENNA .......................... $17.95 EARTALK Kenwood .................. Clearance ........ $60.00 YAESU Mobile .......................... 50 watt .......... $305.00 TUNE UP w/Warranty Intact ....................... $35-50.00 PARACHUTES WILLS WING LARA ................. w/Paraswivel ... $CALL HIGH ENERGY QUANTUM ......................... $CALL

r!NGERSWITCH RADIO HEADSH - By Flight Connections. HEAVY-DUTY w/finger mounted switch, communicate with hands on control bar or brakes. Safer Aying and more reliable communications. 90 day mfg warranty, w/repair service available beyond warranty. Available for Yaesu, !com, Alinco, Kenwood & other compatible radios. hdl face or open helmets. $89 +$3.50 shipping, MC/Visa, dealer inquires invited. Kentuckiana Soaring, 425 N Taggart Ave., Clarksville IN 47129. (812) 288-7111, fax (812) 284-4115. SPECIALIZING IN COMMUNICATIONS!

MISCELLANEOUS ARMADILLO Gliderbag ...... Regular & XC ..... $! 05.00 WIND ADVISORY AIRSPEED W/Clamp ....... $23.00 HALL PG AIRSPEED Clearance ........................ $25.00 I-lOOK KNIFE ................................................... $14.95 KENTUCKIANA SOARING 425 N Taggart Avenue Clarksville IN 47129 (812) 288-7111 fax (812) 284-4115 Windsok. Made of l.5 oz. ripstop nylon, UV treated, 5'4" long w/11" throat. Available colors fluorescent pink/yellow or fluorescent pink/white. $39.95 (+$4.75 S/H). Sendro USHGA Windsok, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330, (719) 632-8300, fax (719) 632-6417. VISA/MC accepted.

Our advertising has a twomonth lead time: plan ahead.

FAX your classified ad, GARMIN GPS 12 - $l79. Many other flying accessories available. Call Chad at (805) 569-1667 for more info or visit our web site: http://www.bodytrends.com/ paraacc.h tm HAVE EXTRA EQUIPMENT - That you don't know what to do with. Advertise in the Paragliding classifieds, $.50 per word, $5 minimum. Call USHGA for details (7 I 9) 632-8300, ushga@ushga.org or fax your ad with a Visa/MC, fax (719) 632-6417.

MAY/JUNE

1998

membership renewal or merchandise order:

(719) 632-6417. We gladly accept VISA and MasterCard.

MINI VARIO - World's smallest, simplest vario! Clips to helmet or chinstrap. 200 hours on batteries, 0-18,000 fr., fast response and 2 year warranty. Great for paragliding too. ONLY $169. Mallettec, PO Box 15756, Sama Ana CA, 92735. (714) 966-1240, mmallecc@aol.com MC/Visa accepted.

UVE THE ULTRA LIGHT - Ultra strong full face protection you deserve. All sizes in stock. Only $279. Call NAPI/Flight Design at l-800-727-2354 to order yours today! Save $30 by mentioning this ad! BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ATTENTION PG PILOTS - Investors needed to become common shareholders of a paragliding school opening in Vancouver, British Columbia. Details on the internet at http://home.iscar.ca/-airsurf If you don't have a computer but are still interested, please contact (4 l 6) 448-9081 and leave a number where you can be reached. Or write ro PO Box 213, Etobicoke Sen A, Canada M9C 4V3. May 31st is the last day to purchase shares. A copy of the Memorandum of the Company and a video are available upon request.

PARAGLIDING INSTRUCTOR- With tandem and tow ratings wanted to operate and manage school. Management position includes health insurance and profit sharing. Help build the best school, fax resume to Bruce Weaver, Kitty Hawk Kites (919) 441-7597. PARAGLIDING INSTRCCTORS WANTED Eastcoast Paragliding Center is looking for paragliding instructors to join its team. For info call Lars Linde at (908) 747-7845. PARAGLIDING INSTRUCTOR WANTED - For growing paragliding program. Raven Sky Spans (414) 473-8800. QUIT YOUR DAY JOB! - Buy one of the nation's largest schools and get paid to fly! Rapidly growing turnkey operation, call for details. Established over 5 years in the booming Northwest. Earn/Learn. Terms. (503) 5247709, employees wanted. WORK AND VACATION ON MAUI - ProF!yght Hawaii needs experienced tandem instructors. Private training site and 4,000' tandem launch. If you're qualified, we want to talk to you ASAP. Send resume to gliding@maui.net or fax (808) 876-0589.

VIDEOS & FILMS FLY HARD: Viking Films newest release. Rob Whittall, Chris Santacroce & a vintage Buick convertible full of paragliders. Outrageous flying at several west coast flying sites. Meet HG aerobatics champion Mitch McAleer along the way. Excellent rock soundtrack, professionally filmed & edited $35.95. POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN by East Coast, hg/pg action at this Utah mecca $33. PARAGLIDE: THE MOVIE by Viking Films. Rock-n-roll world class competition at Owens Valley. Professionally filmed & edited $35.95. Call or fax USHGA (719) 632-8300, fax (719) 632-6417, please add +$4 domestic s/h (+$5 for two or more videos). Great to impress your friends or for those socked-in days. MISCELLANEOUS XTREME IMAGE - Will customize your canopy with your design, logo, phone#, etc. prices start at $350, call Pete for quotes (765) 724-2226.

PUBLICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS

PARAGLIDING: THE COMPLETE GUIDE - By Noel Whittall. The most complete guide to paragliding on the market. Over 100 color photographs & illustrations, 200 pages, $26.95 +$4.75 s/h. USHGA, PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901. (719) 632-8300, fax your MC/Visa to (719) 632-6417, email: ushga@ushga.org. SOARING - Monthly magazine of The Soaring Society of America, Inc. Covers all aspects of soaring flight. Full membership $55. Info. kit with sample copy $3. SSA, P.O. Box E, Hobbs, NM 88241. (505) 3921177.

Sell your unused equipment here.

CAL GLOVE Light-weight CABRETTA LEATHER GLOVES, world famous in equestrian circles, arc now gaining popularity in the hang gliding, paragliding & parachuting markets. Available in mens, womens & childrens sizes, 9 different colors and priced from $27.95-$39.95. For more info on these superior leather gloves contact: Cal-Glove, 2920 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento CA 95821. (916) 481-8701, fax (916) 4811168, email: cal-glove@juno.com VIDEOS & BOOKS - Call USHGA for your Merchandise order form (719) 632-8300, fax (719) 6326417, email: ushga@ushga.org DON'T LEAVE YOUR GROUND-BOUND EQUIPMENT SITTING IN THE GARAGE. SELL IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES The rate for classified advertising is $.50 per word (or group of characters) and $1.00 per word for bold or all caps. Phone number=2 words, PO Box=2 words, weight range i.e. l 37l 85lbs=2 words, web site or email addrcss=3 words. MINIMUM AD CHARGE $5.00. A fee of $15.00 is charged for each line art logo and $25.00 for each photo. LINEART & PHOTO SlZE NO LARGER THAN 1.75" X 2.25". Please underline words to be in bold print. Special layouts of tabs are $25.00 per column inch. AD DEADLINES: May 20th is the deadline for the July/ August issue. Please make checks payable to USHGA. Send ro: PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE, Classified Advertising, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs,

CO 80901-1330 (719) 632-8300 or fas (719) 632-64[7, email jjelgart@ushga.org with your Visa or Mastercard. STOLEN WINGS & THINGS US VOLES STORM 301 - Stolen from vehicle at TIGER MOUNTAIN LZ, ISSAQUAH, WA on October 12th, 1997 weekend. Pink top, green/yellow undersurfacc, also AT harness, large green rese1ve. (206) 949-0519. BLACK FLEECE JACKET - Lost at POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN, UT. Windmeter in pocket. Eric Prouty (970) 926-7676. EDEL SABER M - Lost/stolen at KITTREDGE, CO on August 4, 1997. Gold top, white under, frayed bral<e line on left side, also rainbow colored Ball vario. Mike Foster (303) 832-6716.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Adventure Productions ............... .40 Aerolight USA ............................ 54 Airwave ....................................... 42 Apco ........................................... 47 Brauniger .................................... 14 Edel ......................................... 2,32 Fire bird USA ............................... 19 Flight Design & NAPI.. .............. 29 Fly Castelluccio ........................... 50 Fly Products ................................ 22 Flytec .......................................... 41 FreeX .......................................... 11 Hall Brothers .............................. 15 Mini Vario ................................. .42 Mojo's Gear ................................. 32 NAS .............................................. 8 Nova ........................................... 14 Parasoft ......................................... 5 Personal Flight ............................ 37 Pro Design .................... Back Cover SkySports .................................... 22 SOL ....................................... 39,42 Sport Aviation Publications ........ .40 Sup' Air ....................................... 59 UP .............................................. 51 USHGA ...................... 5,9,23,45,54 West Coast Paragliding ............... 25 Wills Wing ............................... 7,54 PARAGLIDING

reiefini:qc ,e ;k?{ e ct 1.

•-'=. .

PRO-DES IGN USA, Shasta Air Inc. 2608 Hartnell .Ave. #6 Redding, CA 96002 Phone: (916 ) 222-4606 Fax: (916) 222-46.40 PH/FAX: 800-YATES-16 E-1\lAIL: prodesig@snowcrest.net HOMEPAGE: http://members.ping.at/pro-d/

EAST COAST lJEhlO CENTER: East Coast Paragliding Ellenville, ?!Y. Phone (914) 674-3377

ROCKY MOUNTAUl DEhlO CEllTER: Fly Away Paragliding Boulder, CO. Phone (303 ) 642-0849

WEST COAST DEhlO CENTER: Skytimes Paragliding San Francisco Bay Area. Phone (415) 868-1330 E-hlAIL: switzer@hooked.net