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

A Publication of the United States Hang Gliding Association• May 1998 • $3.95

Considered we're a company nrnmu1fa1:turing and sci· and that we have a budwe clccidccl it's worth trying to increase the number of rewarded pi lots -among those competitors in competitions-, so aiming at tempting even the Amateurs to compete and wish for a eornpeli· tive glider. following the pattern of Car Rallies, to The idea devise a ,,innrll·incr event reserved to lcaro's without the need of expressly conceived competitions, taking advantage -instead- of the usual ones that arc already scheduled every year. Pilots will be cliviclcd into and the Co1m1r,etitii)m into so that it will be intcrefor everyone to be of tl1e event. All the above considered let's explain the lcaro's based on the fol lowing main assumptions:

• General Interest: everyone may be a since he's competing against his same category pilots or,r[m'iiz,ati,on, nearly virtual: we will use and we will just re-assign our conventional score based on the actual final placings enrolenumt: no no sportsmanship, and intensive Internet use, so making everyone involved but not horccl. • Prizes: some very valuable, and others with a symbolic value, as limited-edition he] mets and T-shirts, special stickers, hall of fame inscriptions etc.

A long awaited meeting point for friends and Clients. A big kap ahead in establishing a new communications standard with our audience. • Last minute infos about delivery delay, products avai-lability etc. • Plenty of news, answers, suggestions. • Stock Sails and Gliders listing Quotations of used gliders .,erviccd and guaranteed by the factory • Bargain Counter: second hand gliders availability

Our evolution path is still in progress: not only hang gliders manufc1cturer any more, !taro is bccmning a supplierforflight sports.

Laminar MR Limited Edition: Manfred Ruhmer signs the sail qf veryf<,w gliders personnally ar~iusted an fine tuned. Tail Option: in different shapes will be available soon. We'll keep you informed.

Take a look at Corner page on our Web Site: you'll find full details there. Or ask us for a sheet explaining any details. Remember to ""''·i<'t,,r v,riu1'w,.lf i1nmed1iatl'y, and tell

your

Laminar EZ: a new intermediate model light, stable and easy to handle.

LUM INA: the name rf the new project, currently in progress, rf a new l?igid- Wing i\i1:U11g~ieat: redesigning from scratch the integralion of i\irBag and Seat in a totally new product.

81>ortswear Collection: hi-tech clothes expressly designed for pilots needs

2,nt1a11·1no (Va) - Tel. ++39-332·648335 Fax 648079 Molino 21014 Lavene (Va) Tel. ++39-332-626212 //www.icaro2000.com E-Mail: stc1ff@icaro2000.com

Att.">rrn,'.'lniin Privato:

(USPS O17-970-20 - ISSN 0895-4J3X)

16 Journal Of The 1998 World Championships hy Nelson Howe, photos by Jim Zeisct The U.S. Team b.mles it out in rhe A:1dand Worlds held near Forbes, Ausrralia.

24 Arizona State Record fry Andy Rockhold rmdjob11 johmo11 Four pilocs fly inm New Mexico :llld John Johnson hreab rhe Ari1,0na srar.; record with an incredible 264-mile flighr.

25 Hang Gliding Interviews - John (JJ) Johnson

---

by Andy Rockhou! T his unassuming 40-ycar-old hrnband and farher, a J lang IV recrearional piloc, shows what can be accomplished with perseverance :rnd a supporrivc family.

40 The 1997 Ariwna Cross-Country Contest by Frank Schwrth This I 7rh an nual season-long conrt:sr proved rhat Arizona was the place ro Ay in 1997. How abouc this year?

48 Nats At Dinosaur - Version '98

kY C. W !Vl(tttdows This year's U.S. NaJ;ionals will have sumerhing for everyone: fou r glider classes, a lesssrrucwrcd National X-C Contest a11d <::ven a driver's comesr.

Columns

Departments

President's Corner ................................35

Airmail ...................................................4-

USHGA Director Directory ................44

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

USHGA Director Nominations ......... .45

Ratings ...................................... ........... 14·

Accident Reports, by Bill Bryden .. ......46

Calendar of Events ............................... 20

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

Classified Advertising .... .. ... ................. 52 Index to Advertisers .................... .........62

(:OVER: I .Ill\ ll,11,mT hi µ.h 01r1ow ov,·1 ( .m111m, :--1 11111,·,01.1. l'ho10 hv I any llu1111,·1. (TNTl'RSl'Rl·'./\1): \lm·in· pi lo1 .\l.1111 /\ ndl'rson . i.H111<hi11µ. lro111 I lihri1,·n f\lout1Llln in i l'noir, \:011h ( .11oli11.1. Photo hv I ),l\ id \111id1. DISCl./\l l'v1ER 01' \VARR/\NTIL\ IN l'l!Bl.lC/\TIONS: l lw 111.11,·ri.11111,·,,·ntl'd h,T,· i, p11hltsh,·d ·" parr ot' .Ill i 11f o 1m ,11io11 di,,l·lll i11,uio11 \l' l\' ll1.: j(,i USI I(;,.\ llll'lllhn,. ·1 ·hl' LJSI 1(./\ rn.d, l·s 110 w.t1T.111tic, or n ..-pr~·\l' l1t.11io11 ., ;11HI ;1,.., 11n1c., IH1 li;1hili ,~· lOlll'l' lll ing rlw v.1 litli1\ of .1n~, ;1dviu·, ,,pinion 111· rno11111wnd.Hio11 "'i''""nl in th,· 111.11c1i.tl . i\ll 111div1d11.tl., rdvinµ. ttpon tltc 111.Hcri,d do so .11 rl1,·ir own mk. ( .opyribht (<i 1')')8 l :11 i1 n l \1.11 .., I l.111b <, lidi nb :\,.,11 .. In,. i\ ll 1ibh1s l<''<'ll'nl ro ll,111g <,'fitli11.~ .111d i11divid11al ,,>1 u1iht11<> r,. M AY 1998

Dear Editor, USHGA President G.W Meadows has announced rhe frirmarion of a committee ro consider whether the time is right to rename our Association to reflect the presence of significant numbers of Class T1I hang glider (paraglider) pilots in the mern. bership. It can he that, since paraglidcrs are actually just another kind of hang glider, the time will never be "right" to rename the Association. This issue promises to be another controversial one, so let us know, pro or con, how you focl. 'The results of your input will be published on the Internet and in the magazines. Send e-mail to rnhga-name@kurious.org or write to me at the address below. The members of the Committee arc G.W Meadows, Dennis Pagen, Ccnc Matthews, Randy Adams, Paul Klemond and Steve Roti. Gene Matthews 15308 l 11th Ave. N.E. Bothell, WA 98011

SEND CHANCE OF ADDRESS TO: CUDINC, P.O. BOX 1330, Colorndo Springs, 1m9111 :1 :no.

MAY 199B VOLUME 2B, ISSUL No. c;

Dear Editor, f've recently been given the opportunity to review the USHCA hang gliding accident reports for l 996 and 1997. 'fogcthcr, C.W. Meadows, Bill Bryden and f hope to identify trends in the accident statistics, and assist the USHGA's efforts to reverse these trends. Hopefully we will stimulate discussions, articles and events that will benefit this cause. Since I've not yet had an opportunity to read the reports I haven't formulated any of my own conclusions as to the areas of rnost concern, however, I am imercsted in hearing from pilots and instructors on subjects you'd like to sec ;iddresscd in the rnagazine. In the meantime, I'd like to rake this opporrunity to ask those of you who arc interested, some questions that m;iy help us understand more about hang gliding Please ponder these subjects and feel

free rn discuss them with instructors, fel-low pilots and, of course, me at the address and e-mail below. Do you think that most pilots you know have an accurate understanding of the dangers present in hang gliding? If so, when did they develop this understanding? Docs it require extra effort ro hang glide safely (beyond flight skills training), and if' so, in what form docs the effort need to be applied? In general, do you feel that hang gliding anracts inclivid11als who care less about safety than diosc attracted by sports such as skiing, bicycling, etc.? What arc the most insidious hidden dangers in hang gliding ;ind how can pilots protect themselves from them? Have hang gliders become inherently safer to fly during the past decade? Why? Upright or prone which is a safer body position during landing approaches and why? When flying in strong (bur acceptable) conditions, how often have you found yourself inadvcncntly mrncd <JO degrees or more from your intended course line (i.e., never, rarely, on occasion, often)? J\rc 1here any changes in product safety design thar you foel very strongly about? Why? In your opinion, what percentage of pilots regularly fly hang gliders in conditions that arc not reliably safe? Would you benefit from a safety ch;itline on the USHGA Web page? Thanks and soar safely. Joe Grcblo US HCA Safery and 'fraining Cormnirtcc member 9920 Hiroudcllc Ln., Ti1junga, CA 91042 windsports<i:hcarthlink.net.

Dear Editor, ln late February we were contacted to do an ad f<)r Wrigley's gum that would feature a hang glider. Great! What they wanted was a pilot launching from a cliff. No problem. 'Then there was mention of flying over power lines. Maybe not a probHANC CLIDLI\JC

No other flight park can match our people, facilities, diversity, dedication and history of Our only is to help you realize your flying dreams and hong gliding gools. Lookout Mountoin Flight Park is the notion's #l hang gliding school and First commerciol aerotow opemtion. We provide the most comprehensive hang gliding instruction available. Pilots of all skill levels enjoy consistently goc>d flying and training at Lookout. No other flight park anywhere has this much to offer.

bm how close? "Well, in rhe ad, the pilot lands in the power lines, hut don't worry, rhat will be dubbed in," we were told. Afi:er quick calls to Wills Wing and other creative people we called them back with some really neat alternative ads which they said they liked, bw they declined, rhc ad is written and won't be changed." we won't do it," we replied. Rob McKenzie has been contacted (he rdL1scd), as well as some others, at least one of whom is currcmly considering doing the joh. The money is good but the ad is stupid and the possible repercussions arc obvious. It would be great if all pilots and deal· crs stuck together and refused to do a job that would hurt hang gliding for many years to come. Ben Davidson Winsted, er

Dear Editor, On September 4, I 994 I blew a launch at hisco Peak, Utah, pounded in and hrokc my right femur. Ego bruised and thankful to be alive, l began a quest to make Prisco Peak a safe place to fly. When the Cedar City-area BLM office was ftrst approached wirh the idea of building a launch on rop of Frisco, they thought l was nms. We included with our first official lcner a hand·skctched engineered drawing of what "the rarnp" would look like. f was told that withom this drawing to demonstrate that we were serious, the nLM would have refused our request. Regardless, it took another 18 months of com1rless phone calls, letters of intent, aerial maps showing possible flight routes, and even contact with the military (l;risco is on the edge of an MO/\) heforc permission was granted to build ''the ramp." On June 8, l 996, with as much prefabri cation as possible done in Salt L1kc City, a group of l Olocal ;md dedicated pilots met in Milford to begin construction. We hauled a welding machine, cutting rig and steel up the

steep road ro the top Frisco. Amazingly, it rook only uinc hours to complete the job, allowing "Super Dave"· I iiylor to he the first pilot to launch ofFthc new ramp. In early 1997 a norrh launch was added for hang gliders and paragliders, and rhis spring the BLM has granted permission to enlarge the wcsr launch to accornmodatc both hang glider and paraglidcr pilots. This launch, like the north launch, is a natural slope with no need for a ramp. h·isco Peak is 25 miles west of Milford, Utah. The road to launch is l 4 miles of graded dirt, of whicl1 rhc last four miles is a srecp 4WD road. Ir is passable in a 2.WD vehicle, but it will he rough. Lannch is at 9,600' MST .. There is :,,800 feet between you and the floor, filled with the biggesr get-high, go-for thermals in the state. Several 150· and two J 70-rnile flights have been logged from this site. The Point of rhe Mountain is 148 miles from Frisco, which makes flying home a real challenge. LZ's arc unlimited, and there is very linlc growth in the high, d1y, desert valleys. As you drive up Frisco please note the change in habitat as altitude increases. At about 8,000' MSL you will nm inro a large Pondcrosa Pinc. This is the first in a grove unique to this mountain top. Further up, the ;1spcn and white pine trees become increasingly dense. As you near launch altitude 1he rare bristle cone pine tree becomes prominent. Because of this unique habitat, the San Francisco Moumains and Frisco Peak may he includ-· cd in the Citizens Proposal for Wilderness Designation by rhc Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. We have worked hard for three and a half years to develop this "jewel in the sky" flying site. Please come and enjoy the nat.ural beauty of cemral Utah. Let your presence be known in Milford; the town has welcomed us with open arms. The Milford Chamber of Commerce was instrurncnral in getting permission for the new west launch. I would like to thank all those pilots who donated their time and money to make my quest a rcalit y. Walter M. Bresnahan Sandy, Utah walterbrcsCrl!juno.c<)tn

Dear Ediror, Dean Whisler has blown the whistle on glider reviewers' and manufacturers' inap· propriate terminology, especially concern· ing climb rate ("Air Mail," January 1998). [ have a couple of observations. As Whisler states, a glider can only climb if' the air in which it is flying is rising more quickly than the glider is sinking. l-lowcvcr, consider a glider with a combination orlow sink rate and superior roll authority at low speed. It can be rurncd tightly in the turbulent core or a small thermal, and thereby orn-dimb other gliders, even if those other gliders have a supc·· rior straight<1head minimum sink rare and good handling at higher speeds. Bm, yeah, I have to agree with Whisler. Reference to a glider's "climb rare" as an aspecr of its intrinsic performance capabilities makes us look ignorant. Slips: Herc Tdisagree with Whislcr's conclusion. I k comments, "If the airflow is not hining the side of your hody you arc not in a slip." Correct. But it tJ· hining rhc side of yom body, though probably not by much. (We arc :1ssuming you keep your hody aligned with the keel.) A. weight-shift hang glider, lacking a rudder, must slip in order to initiate and maintain the yaw which is an essential componcnr of any rum. It is the resulting spanwisc component of the airflow (slipping) which creates the difference in drag between rhc down·· side half of the wing and the higb side, which causes the yaw. Therein lies a poten · tial hazard of wide nose-angle wings with their minimal "weather-cocking" yaw sra· bility. An initial adverse yaw combined with a rapidly increasing angle of bank can cost you a lot of altitude in a slip before the thing starts yawing the right way. (So, add a vertical fin Oil the back or the keel. Sec Htmg Gliding, October 1997.) Spins: Whisler asks if anyone has mfrcd a wing 10 sec if what is called a spin is in fact a true spin. Flip hack through the pre· vious 141 issues of Httng Gliding and check out the ccnterspread of rhe March 1986 issue. 'The smoke issuing from the canister on John Heincy's starboard wing rip is blowing forward. The smoke from the keel canisrcr is blowing prcny much

I 1ANC CLlillNC

straight up, while is looking where he is straight down. Everard Cunion Christchurch, Dorset, England

Rob finished fifth, my Sensor 61 Q. F was three years old, had 150·1- hours on it, and rhe VG was set at .3/1 tight (just like I fly between thermals) and was I think we also owe a big thanks to Jeff for running this non-proflt con test every Wouldn't it be great i-o sec all the manufacturers, not just a few, come to the 1998 contest with stock gliders so this event ca11 reach its full potential.

IVl<irnm~;s1cle 1./]) contest: he tells us most of the ways it is possible to tweak a stock glider. Most manufacturers do this to give them a winning lrnt l don't think this helps us 1111d our how far the current state-of-the art, stock glider will glide. Shouldn't using stock equipment he an important part of this contest? Have fins, ram-air systems, flaps, carbon frames, and topless technology (jusr ro name a really improved perforrrnmce? By how much? Wh(;n I flnished fourth in l ')96 and

Mark C. Clark

Dear Editor, I just returned from the combined USHGA general membership/SSA meet·· ing in Portland, Oregon. l can't say enough nice things about the entire concept. Based on my experiences in

Portland you can be sure T'll be in Knoxville, 'lcnncssce next year. Nor only did l get to hobnob with :1 lot of my favorite free-flight friends, l was able to renew acquaintances with old flying huc!dies from my sailplane flying days. I was so enthused J even rejoined SSA! I also want to publicly rhank rhe Cascade Paragliding Club for hosting a superb mixer. Boy, those guys really know how to party! This is, in my opinion, definitely the route to go for future general rnembership meetings. 'rhe static displays by free-flight, ultralight, and soaring exhibitors were fascinating and educarional. 'There was enough there to keep attendees coming hack every clay for more. My thanks to UST [GA management for this idea. l think ir was way more successfol than anybody imagined it would be. Jules Gilpatrick

Lakeview, OR

6-6888 fax (7 J 9) 632-6417 www.ushga.org MAY I 99El

Update Devil (less than a dollar per use). Reloading is accomplished in seconds using chalk and common CO2 cartridges. For a limited rime (until July 1, 1998) Bauer Aviation Products will exchange any original Dust Devil purchased from them for a new Competition Dust Devil (U.S. only) . Return the original (call for derails). The new Competition Dust Devil is available fo r $44.95 + $5 S&H ($ 10 foreign S&H) . Contact: Bauer Aviation Products, P.O. Box 23462, San Diego, CA 92193 (619) 715-84 10, www.infographex.com/baueraviation/ .

WILLS WING GLIDER CERTIFICATION "\V,7ills Wing announces the issuance on

EAST COAST VIDEO RELEASES "GREEN POINT FLYERS"

ayne Bergman has released a new video which was shot along the 300-mile coast of Lake Michigan at eight different sites. The new film includes Lighrwave 3-D animation and contemporary computer morphing. The video includes 51 minutes of hang gliding, paragliding, motorized paragliding, static tow, rug tow, mosquito power-pack flying, a Swift, and a powered parachute. The video sells for $32. Wayne's other video, "Point of The Mountain," is also available for $29. Contact: (616) 739-5363.

to: Rodger Hoyt, 956 GlengroveAve. , Central Point, OR 97502 (54 1 ) 6645915 .

W March 16 and 18, 1998 ofDHV (German) certificates for the Fusion 150 and Ulua Sport 166. In recent years pilots have expressed an increasing interest in the certification status of gliders relative to various international standards. Documentation has also been submitted by Wills Wing pursuant to DHV certification for the Falcon 170, Falcon 225 and XC 132, and is being reviewed by the DHV at this time. The following is a list of all Wills Wing designs released during the last 10 years, showing the DHV certification status and the dare of HGMA (U.S.) certification: Model

COMPETITION DUST DEVIL

GATE SAVERS

ate Savers are a new and simple solution to the age-old problem of keeping suspension webbing in the corners of the carabiner and off the weak point, the gate. G are Savers slip right on virtually every commonly-used carabiner. They are made from extremely resilient gum rubber with no chemicals to decay hang webbing. To get a pair, send $5.00 and an SASE

he Dust Devil wind-direction indicator was first introduced in the October '97 issue of Hang Gliding. This device uses chalk dust to eliminate fire hazard. Many competition pilots now use the original Dust Devil, and asked if it could be made smaller. The company now offers a more convenient, lighter and smaller "Competition Dust Devil." When dropped from altirude ir emirs a large cloud of chalk dust upon impact, giving a clear indication of wind direction on the ground. o tools or cotton wadding are required, and ir's cheaper to reload than the original Dust

DHV Certified

HGMA Certified

Fusion 150 Yes Ultra Sport 166 Yes U ltra Sport 147 Yes XC 155 Yes XC 142 Yes XC 132 Pending Falcon 225 Pending Yes Falcon 195 Falcon 170 Pending Falcon 140 Yes RamAir 154 Yes RamAir 146 Yes Super Sport 163 Yes

March 13, 1995 March 13, 1995 July 19, 1993 December 20, 1993 June 11 , 1991

Super Sport 153 Yes Super Sport 143 Yes Spectrum 165 Yes Spectrum 144 Yes HP AT 158 Yes HP AT 145 Yes

June ll , 1991 June 11 , 1991 July 3, 1990 October 30, 1990 June 13, 1989 Februaiy 27, 1990

Apri l 16, 1997 November 11 , 1997 D ecember 4, 1996 April 12, 1995 February 6, 1996 May 24, 1996 March 13, 1995 August 10, 1994

H ANG GLIDI NG

BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT SAFETY

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

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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

HE MAY 31 DEADLINE IS

ALMOST' HERE! And we need your help.The USH(3Alfang Gliding Calendar reHes h~:avilyo.ll mir membership for photo conrdbudons to this wondetful project. If you have some hot hang gliding photography, send lt to us and send it today launching, landing, setup, down, truck/aero/boat/dog-sfod t(lWlng, whatever. The Calendar Selecdon Committee wants to all. If chosen, your photo will be immortalized for all the world to .~dmi1;e. Ilims of fame and fortune from this exposure are "ln the air," but you have to send your pies .in now! The deadline is May 31 !·Imagine ymu:self/glider/site admired universally; Semel your photography (slides forrcd) to: USHGA Calendar, J!O. 1330,·ColoracloSpr.ings, 80901, All photography will be treated with the utmost of respect and properly retl1rrwd. Don't delay, send 'em today! ff you have any questions please call Jeff Elga.rt at (719) 632,8300 or eH.naH jjdgart@ushga.org. P.S.: Y<.Jur submittc::d photos may also end up 11). the photo gallery of the USHGAWeb site (www.ushga.org).

would.like to 011 behalf ofalJ USHGA members, a sincere thank you to contributed to the legalfund appeal. AsI summarized the March the ruling in lawsuidlled byflve former members was adjudicatect in favor of the USHGA. At the time.of this writing, USHGAstill has an.outstanding anq .unbudc geted Hne $20,000in expenses in this matter. will to be pale! over the next Contributions, no matter how small, will be of significant help lh retiring this debt. Agaj 11, a special thank you m those listed below who have contdln:tted toward helping your Association.

VSHGA Executive l)irector Anderson, Dann Anderson, Roben Armstrong, Lance

William Arrison, John Bakke, Dave Banker, Kim Barker, Roger H:mmann, Chuck Beck, Robert Robert: Bordon, Brennan, Joe Brown, Broyles, Robert Bulger, Joseph

<.ir,,1dclo11, Gail Marie

Greaves:nmnell, Peter c:reenwoood, 1,ni11sq:e11, Mdnmt

Murphy, De.tmis Mitnay, Keith N,1st, .Ronald

Heinz, Tagm,:urn

Hill, Wilbert

John Hiidd!e, Chi:isuinc Hyde, Ralph Jolrnmn, Jeffery Johnson, Peter Johnson, Steve, Kannisto, Richard 1,a111rnsro, Rick

cattle nutch .on J.-meste1:n slopes of l:Ialeakala, Polipoli was/officially opened by Steve Amy.and Irene Brown in 1994. Polipoli, Hawaii's mos.t consistend:lying in April l 996 due to liability co.11ce1·ns. The dos.me left both local and visiting pilots grounded durittg typical .weathcrconditions pf high northeast winds. Thanks to an agreement la11downers and Proflyghtlfaw;di, foe., Hawaii's oldest fullt:iu1e paragliding school, Polipoli is now offkiaHy reopened. A west··facingsit:e,Polipoli.is positioned right in the middle of 1:.Jaleakala volcano's.(l0,02.3') lee 3,000' a11d 6,500' MSL, This location ls perfect becaqsc lt ls pro.tccted by the consistently stro11gn<:>rthc,1st winds attd is bathed with thermal;; rnost.ofthti 10

McKinley, Barton Miller; Glenn Miller, Donald Moc,hd, Mark lvfui:che, Ross

Keller, Lel11nd Kroll,·~odhi K1wlmer, Brad

Neurn1aw,r, Roherr Neumay,:r, Margaret I.Zichard Nonh Califotniu Pilots Nugent, Steve Onswtt, Joseph Overton, W.C. Park, A11drew Pci'mcnter,

Jr, Glover, David

right up the middle of the site, ofredng drive--up tra11sportatim1to all the lu.sh, grassy launches. Polipoli is flyabJe approximately ;~oo days a.nd ls great foi: all skill levels; Proflyght Flight School now

and

111,anages all paragliding h~mg gliding activities at Polipoli, now k11own as.

Polipoli Flight Pa:rk. Prof:lyght is dedicated

Davis

Stuaber, .::;n:r.ntzner, Todd Thompson, David

Trimble,Cun Vandervoort, Paul

Voight, Paul Ward,

Von

Pesek, Poole, Marshall Po.tteJ·, David Prydak, Andrew Rabk, Ronald

Wcllbaum, Robbie Wells, Nat Wheel<lck, Bill Wilmct, Dix.on

Raddiffe,

Wltiiecki, Kerineth Witherspoon, Lu"l'y Wohlbririk, Wade Wright, John Wyler, Bob Ymmg, Young, Kevin

LaMar, Philip John Lauramo, Roy Lch111aun., Lindberg, David Luce, Robert Lyon, C..Broqks McCarty,· KcviJ1

Sfomz, Samuel Smith, Ned Dale & I)awn Smenson, Jerry Steed, Mike David

Robinson, Ross Ryon,• Davi.d .'>d1wa'tY,, MJ!an Schwinn, Robert: Scrrtt,Jt;, William Shailman, Richard Shenton, Paul Sheridan, Noah Shipley, Mitchell to. promoting

,tnd hang gliding,

Wil!,Wilb.en

Jim

sports of paragliding site access and

.rnakingour as as possible. Youillay Proflyght's.Web site . www.1naui.ner/ ~glidfog where you find picturns of Maui. Hying and more infrmnation. They als.o hope to post

Continued on page HANG CU.DING

SEX

**************************************************************************************************************** Includes 12 issues

Di,1isi,on) or 6 issues of PARAGLIDING

l Division -

Please check one: D Both Divisions JrAMILY MF:MBE,R: rul benefits except magazine. MUST reside with

(Family Member(5) must sign separate release from Full Member)

Please check one: Both Divisions -

Full Member)

Ml member

U.S. 1,p..,,u.,,u l'<UW'U,,:,, U.S. \•P.,J',e,,,,v ,,,,,11·,u.,,,.

**************************************************************************************************************** - HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE: ($24,00-ll,S,, Canada, & Mexico only),,,, • HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE: ($30,00-Wcstern Hemisphere, $40,00-Europc, $50,00-All Others) ·· PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE: ($12,00-lLS., Canada, & Mexico only), ($15.00·Wcstcrn Hemisphere, $20.00-Europc, $25.00-AII Others) .

NAA MEMBERSHIP:

($10.00 annual dues). ($18.00 annual foe)

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TOTAL

(Ol/97)

In consideration of being granted membership in the USHGA, I,---··--·--··-·-··-·-··-·····-···-··-·-···-·----------·---···-' for myself, my personal representatives, heirs, executors, next of kin, spouse and assigns, do as follows: The following definitions apply to terms used in this Agreement: I. means launching (and/or assisting another in launching), flying (whether as pilot in command or otherwise) and/or landing (including, but not limited to, crashing) a hang glider or paraglider. 2. n&11iil'c:nn,~1 or sustained by me as a result of my as a result of the administration of any USHGA programs (for example: the Pilot Proficiency System). means the following, including their owners, officers, directors, agents, spouses, employees, officials 3. (elected or otherwise), members, contractors, sub··Contractors, lessors and a) The United Hang Gliding Association, a California Non-profit Corporation (USHGA); b) Each of the pmon(s) sponsoring and/or participating in the administration of my proficiency rating(s); c) Each of the hang gliding and/or paragliding organizations which are chapters of the USHGA; d) The United Of America and 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; Each of the property owners on or over whose property I may launch, fly and/or land; e) All persons involved, in any manner, in the sports of hang gliding and/or paragliding at the site(s) where I f) 11 AII persons involved 11 include, but are not limited to, spectators, hang glider and/or paraglider pilots, amstants, drivers, instructors, observers, and owners of hang gliding and/or paragliding equipment; and All other persons lawfully present at the site(s) during my g) DISCHJ~R(iE the from any and all claims and liability for INJVRifES. however caused, even if caused by the negligence (whether active or passive) of any of the RElEJ..ISllJ to the fullest extent allowed by law. A against any of the loss or damage on account of I INJlJR,rES. 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 and con,str1ued in accordance with the matte1rs whatsoever arising under, in connection with or incident to this Agreement Caliifor,nia, U.S.A. to the exclusion of the Courts of any other State or Country. If any part, 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.

I have

Parflcipwt's figmt11re

Date MR-8/97

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f\DC I/WI

+ 50 POS1tage

Region Ii EVERHOlJSE, MARK: TtJCson, AZ; l . Smith/Arizona Airfoils KNOTH, KAREN: Denver, CO; M. Windshcimcr/J\irrimc Above HC

Rcgion 2

HINSHAW, KIM: fnclinc

NV; M. Jones/Wallaby l{anch

MARTIN, DUSTIN: Phoenix, J\Z; R. McKcnzic/l!igh Advcn1urc

Region 10

Region 7

HINCAPIE, MAURICIO: Coral (;,1blcs, Fl.; D.

IIFRBST, DONALD: Ypsilami, Ml; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch

SISSFLSKY, LEE: I .ongwood, H.; M. Joncs/Wal!al,y Ranch 9

ALLEN, CIIARLES: Bcrhlchcm, l'J\; D. Clover/Wallaby Ranch Region 10 Region 2

HINSHAW, KIM: Incline

NV; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch

DIAZ, ANGELO: San Juan, PR; P. Rodriguc7./lloringucn Airtime HIN CA PIE, MAURICIO: Coral C;ables, FI.; D. Clover/Wallaby Ranch HUNT, STEVE: Minneola, Fl.; J. Prahl/Quest Air

Region 5

RIZO, CARI.OS: Miami, Fl.; D. Clover/Wallaby Ranch

GUNTER, TIM: Pasadena, CA; A. l\",··m.lWJ;n,l,rn"·"

WFISMAN, MD, PAUi .: I klr:1y Beach, Fl.; J. Tirnllc/Miami HC

Region 4

MEYERS, MARK: Morrison, CO; M. Windshcirncr/Airtimc /\hove I J(; 2

Region 6 DAVIS, MATT: J<:iy,:ttc\rillc, AR; T. Micldleton11So:11ring

SI IOTT, BRIAN: San Francisco, C:J\; D. Joncs/WOR

Region JO

Rcgion 9

CHARLES HILLIS, T: l<noxvillc, TN; A. l\loodworth/Lookont Mrn. Fl'

BOYLE, SIIEILA:

VA; J.

DIAZ DELGADO, CARI.OS: San Juan, PR; l<. Salko/Team Spirit He; HINCAP!E, MAURICIO: Coral Cables, Fl.; D. Clover/Wallaby Ranch

Region JO

HUNT, STEVE: Minneola, FL; J. l'rahl/Qucsr Air

APPl.El'ON, JIM!: Davrnporr, FL; M.

SISSELSKY, LEE: Longwood, FL; M.

HELMAN, RAY: Hunrsvillc, AL; R. Patterson/Rocker Ciry

WEISMAN, MD, PAUL: I

Ranch

Beach, FL; J. Tindle/Miami l lC;

Region 1 THOMPSON, ANN: Mc111d1cn, NJ; A.

Ranch

HINCAPIF, MAURICIO: Coral (;ables, FL; D. Clover/Wallaby Ranch LAWRENCE, JAMES: Humsvillc, !\ L; R. Paucrson/Rockcr City Airsports RIZO, CARLOS: Miami, FL; D. Clovcr/Wallahy Ranch

l lawk Kircs Region 12 I .ANDRY, WALTER: lrhaca, NY; B. Casper/The Soaring ,Source

Region 1 DE SIMONE, RALPH: Spokane, WA; D. S:mdcrson/lnlancl Air PABEN,.JERRY: Sherwood, OR; K. Nield/Fagle J\ir Sports SAUFRWETN, STEPHEN: Aloha, OR; A. :iw1nirl,:/Urcu,m HC Rcgion 2

HARVICK, !\!\RON: Modcsro, CA; ( :. l'r:nhcr/Drcmn Wl':1vcr H(;

Region 2

HElNRfCI IS, LOREN: San Jose, CJ\; ( :. Filer/Mission

DENMAN, DONN: Los Catos, CJ\: D. Clover/Wallaby Ranch

Ccn1cr

HlNSI lAW, KIM: Incline Village, NV; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Region 3 Region 3

I !ART, CIIRJSTOPIIFR: Carlsbad, CJ\; R. Mitchell/The L' ..... , .... wro · · I IC

CLARK, GERALD: San Diego, CA; J.

Ccn1cr I.F PAI, JEANINE: Wildomar, CA; I'. Phillips/Lake 1'.lsinorc

Region 8

ROYS, SHARON: Bristol, CT; M. , ........ iwi .. ti .. ,. Ranch

HANC Cl IDINC

ALVARENGA, MARCO: Weston, l'L; I'. Foti/Miami I JC H!NCAPIE, MAURICIO: Coral (;ables, l;L; D. c;Iovcr/Wallahy Ranch RIZO, CARLOS: Miami, FL; D. Glover/Wallahy Ranch

RANJ< SCHOO!........................................... BEGINNER l Lookout Mountain Plight Park ............................... 29 2 Wallaby Rancli ........................................................ 20 3 Mission Soaring ...................................................... 13 4 Kitty Hawk Kites ...................................................... 7 4 Miami Hang Gliding ................................................ 7 6 Morningside Flight Park ........................................... 6 7 Adventures Unlimited ............................................... 5 7 Wasatch Wings ......................................................... 5

MONTEBEll.

April

appeared incorrectly listed as 'fhcy arc, in fact, Beginner (H l)

office staff apologizes to these pilots

CARTER,

Manchester, VT;[).

Ranch

WINSOR, JOHN: Willisron, VT; D. Glover/Wallaby Ranch 9

9 9

Boringuen Airtime .................................................... 3 Fly High Jiang'·"'"'"'", ................................................,

9 9 13 13 13 l3

~/Iver \:,i'i.np;s ............,. ·: ......................................... ....... :3 1 eam Spmt Cl1dmg ........................................ :3 Berkeley I lang ,J11cu11i., ................................................. ,:, Evolucion .................................................................. 2 N.W.1.C ................................................................... 2 C:1,uest Air .................................................................. 2 Raven ...................................................... 2 Rocket

13 13

Soaring

13 l3 22

Western Jfang '·"""" 1.; ............................................... ,. Windsports lnternat:ional .......................................... 2 23 Schools tied with .................................................. I

MULLER, NATE: llcrndcn, V/\; D. Glover/Wallaby Ranch JO

ANDERSON, ERIC: St t'cn.,rsburg, Fl.; D. GERKER, TIMOTHY: Deland, Fl.; D. Clover/Wallaby Ranch GRUBER, MARTIN: Sarasota, Fl.; D. Clover/Wallaby Ranch MORGAN, SANDRA: Travelers Rest, SC; M.

Ranch

REYNOLDS, GREC: Sarasota, FL; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch SIERRA, SALVADOR: Miami Beach, FL; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch STE!GET.MANN, TOM: Flar Rock, NC:; M.

Ranch

SURFACE, SAi.LY: Columbia, SC; M. 1."''".rw1.• 11.,1"' VANWORKUM, JOI IN: S,ucllitc Beach, l'L; M. Joncs/WalL1by Ranch 12 CHEN, MATTHEW: New York, NY; M. 1.... "°rw1.• 11n1"' Ranch

u DAVENPORT, ALT'ON: Canada; D. KENDRICK, JOHN: Fngland; D. Clovcr/Wallahy Ranch SAWTELL, MARK: J:ngland; D. Ranch

RANK SCHOOI............................................... NOV!CE 1 Lookout Moun rain Flight Park ............................... .19 2 Wallaby Ranch ........................................................ I 3 Mission Soaring ...................................................... 12 4 Miami Hang Gliding ................................................ 9 Airt.imc Above Hang Gliding ................................... .4 5 Boringucn Airtime ................................................... .4 5 Windsports International ........................................ ..4 8 8

Go ... Hang u11u,11)!, ....................................................... 1 Kitty lfawk [(ires ...................................................... 3

Quesr Air .................................................................. 3 Rocket Ciry 1\u·sp,un:s ...................................................J Wasatch Wings ......................................................... 3 Arizona Hang Gliding Center ................................... 2 Austin Airsporrs ........................................................ 2 Berkeley Hang uIJ,uJJ1~ ........................................... ., ... /, Eagle Airsports .......................................................... 2 Flying Adventures ..................................................... 2 Lake Elsinore Maryland School of Hang,. r11u111,~ .............................. ..c Morningside Flight Park ........................................... 2 Rainy Day !fang Gliding .......................................... 2 Raven Sky Sports ...................................................... 2 Team Spirit Hang Gliding ........................................ 2 The Eagle's Wings Hang Gliding .............................. 2 Valley Forge Hang Gliding ....................................... 2 26 Schools tied with .................................................. 1

8 13 13

l3 l3 I3 13

13 13 13

LUNN, HEIDT: Miami, FL; F. Fo1i/Miami l re;

13 l3 J3 13 26

Rankings are cornpilui from ratings published 1998 issues ~(Hang Gliding ma.f1.l1Ztne.

MAY '199B

Author Nelson Howe landing at Eugowra goal.

he 1998 World Champiomhips: flatland flying, and lots ofit. Held in Forbes, Australia, this year's competition was notable for a number ofreasom. It was the first tow meet World Champiomhips; it represented the culmination oftwo frenzied years of manufacturers' R&D into building kingpostless hang gliders; there were 12 consecutive flyable days; Tomas Suchanek did not win. Manfred Ruhmer didn't win either. This year's champion really was no great surprise to anyone who has paid attention to competition during the Last year: Guido has been coming on with an Olympic vengeance, and went into the meet with a PIRS ranking of#3. But that he won by such a margin 671 points - and that he flew so comistentLy, is truly remarkable. He was able to climb to the top ofany gaggle, and could glide with anyone. Heflew smart, using his climb advantage in weak conditions to sit high and let others sniffout the good air from the bad. In stronger and more predictable conditions,

Guido held nothing back, and raced as hard as anyone in the sky He won one day and finished near the top on all the others. Perhaps the most impressive feat ofall Guido never made a mistake. You can't win a meet like this without racing, and you can't race without taking risks. The really fast pilots, the Manfreds and Tomases, and now the Guidos, can take those kinds ofrisks, knowing that if they miscalculate and come up short, they can probably recover by beingfast in the days to follow. To be sure, they will have to be really fast, which necessitates even greater risk-taking, but if they do everything else just right, they can still win. Both Tomas and Manfred had to play this sort ofcatch-up in the last World Championships in Spain, where they each Landed well short on different days, and found themselves tied for the lead going into the last day It was Manfred's final miscalculation that cost him that victory. In the California Worlds of '93 Tomas landed out early in the meet and had to race hard to come

back and take the lead from Chris Arai again on the final day. This year, Tomas, Manfred, Oleg, Gero/f, all made at least one mistake, and all were racing hard to gain back lost ground. Only Guido's pe,formance was flawless, andfor that he truly deserves to be the new World Champion. Oleg Bondarchuk started offwinning the meet, but finally was just out-flown by Guido. Oleg, who placed second in the other two big Australian meets this season, finished in a well-deserved second here. Manfred Ruhmer flew fast and consistently, but missed goal on Day 6 which cost him second place. Even had he won that day, however, he would not have made up enough points to take first, in spite ofwinning three days of the meet. And out ofmedal standings, but far from washed up, was Tomas Suchanek. Perhaps his heart and mind are too focused on sailplanes fo r him to pull offa fourth World Championship win, but with his winning one day and an overall fourth place, no one would suggest he is not still one ofthe best pilots in the world. In team standings, the Austrians ran away from the field, which came as no surprise. They arrived two weeks early, hired a trike for practice, and set about getting ready for a world championship as if they meant to win. With many oftheir pilots in real contention for an individual first, they were a tough team to beat. The Germam, with a big boost from Guido, came in a strong second. And, in somewhat ofa surprise, the Italiam finished solidly in third. Notably absent from the list were the Americans, who flailed on the first day, struggled back somewhat over the course ofthe meet, but never really could seem to fly very well; and the French, who used to be such a strong world force, and here finished a weak seventh in spite ofSerge Tastet's overall fifth placing. What follows are my daily write-ups from the competition. I hope they give a personal window into what it's like to compete at a World Championships. As the entries were written every day or every other day, they tend to be somewhat raw, and don't view events with the calm ofa perspective distanced by time. As a result, some ofmy own frustration is evident in the writing, as well as the frustration ofothers, and the satisfaction and excitement ofsuccessplays its (too infrequent, I m afraid) roll as well. One expression the reader may not be familiar with is "to spit the dummy. "In Australia, a "dummy" is a baby's pacifier; to "spit the dummy" is to throw a tantrum. H ANG G LI DING

DAILYWRITE-UP, 1-12 Well, Day 2 was a bit better for the An1ericans. The first day had 30 competitors completing the task, with no Americans at goal. Oleg Bondarchuk won the day with GerolfHeinrichs and Guido Gherman right in there. Tomas was slow, with a very early start and a relatively late finish. Conditions were quire good, though the life didn't go very high. High pressure, light winds, and a 102-mile task. The Americans, "Team Jurassic" because of the ancients on our ream, were coo casual at the start, and all cook pictures 15 co 25 minutes after the last goal finishers. The goal gaggle also flew deep into comrolled airspace at Parkes, which a few of us declined co do. Nonetheless, we didn't get into the convergence air mass, bur rather found the dead wne to the east, and snuggled, warfled, got up good, and then glided into the ground. The first day was really a sad one because a Durch and Belgian pilot mid-aired just outside of the paddock, and the Belgian was knocked unconscious, and did nor get his chute our. The Durch pilot, Art Dichommen, is fine. Gilles Leborgne, the Belgian, was killed. Day 2 was very windy- west-southwest, 20-30. The life was forecast co be bener than the first day, though it wasn't. The task was a one-curnpoinr dogleg ro Woodstock and rhen Eglinton goal, crosswind on both legs - 94 miles. Getting our of the paddock proved a bit of a trick, as rhe moment of commitment when you either leave the paddock with a thermal or decide you want co come back while you can still fight upwind to land for another row up spans about three heartbeats, and the indecisive find their minds being made up for them by the winds. Larry and I both got our on our first rows, while the rest of the ream rook at least rwo rows ro get our. A layer of high cirrus moved in to further complicate the task. Larry and I started and met up on course. Together, with a mystery Laminar, we flew co the turnpoint, climbing in 300-600 up over flats and low hills, battling crosswind when we glided, working co time our high-speed drift ro bring us over the silos at Woodstock. I got quite low just before the rurnpoint, and found myself thinking I would need a very strong thermal to get me high enough co fight the crosswind for my picture before I was blown downwind and gening the turnMAY 1998

poim became impossible. Forrunarely, my vario starred co make noise, and a pair of wedge-railed eagles appeared below me, and 200 up quickly turned into 600 up, and I found myself at 5,000' directly crosswind of the rurnpoint. I pointed upwind in lift and flew straight into a 28-mph wind, climbing 500 fpm for about 700 feet. I crossed over then, rook my picture, and went on my way. Larry was a thermal ahead by then, bur the Laminar and I worked together and moved toward him. ow, the course line went from eastsoutheast co northeast, and at first the winds seemed more favorable; rwo rher-

landed in a paddock below. The rest of the ream came up short of the rurnpoinr. When the Americans were the first ream co ready their trike after the window was finally opened yesterday, we were accused of overreacting for being too late the day before. The truth is, Team Jurassic had taken a vote and decided that we would forgo our afternoon naps, rake a double dose of Geritol, and see what all the commotion was about. Ir turned out co be a pretty good suategy. We were tl1ird for rhe day.

DAYS3 &4 Day 3 had us flying crosswind ro Manildra

Left to right: Lany Tudor, Jeff Thomas, Glen Volk, Pete Lehmann, Mike Barber, Mark Gibson, Nelson Howe, Jim Lee, Brad Koji. Front: Amy Hatcher, Jim Zeiset. mals into our course, they picked up and became more westerly, worse again . We were approaching the moumains (mountainous for the flatlands, anyway) and some sort of frontal passage was going on, so the wind strength seemed co be edging upward. Again we were drifting off course quickly. About four thermals after the rurnpoint I found myselflow downwind of a reservoir, picked a giant open field, and hovered down to land. Larry drifted a few more miles and landed as well. One gaggle went over our heads, three of its pilots to make goal: Oleg, Guido, Gerolf. Behind us, me Americans were struggling in strong wind and weak life. Gibbo did the best of the bunch, gening rurnpoinr and another 15 miles or so, and landing in a paddock with about 100 kangaroos. Mike landed at the rurnpoint, maybe getting his picture, maybe not. At 20 feet, in cranking winds, he whipped out his camera and snapped blindly, then

and then quartering upwind to Koorawatha for a distance of 99.4 miles. The task setters seemed to have something about the hundred-mile task, which would be groovy cool if they were a bit more makable. They also seemed to have a need to tempt us ro violate FAR's: me final leg slashed eight through tl1e Cowra airspace. After repeated inquiries, the organizers were prodded into committing memselves with the statement that minor incursions into airspace (i .e., landing a few meters within) would be given minor penalties of up to 2% of me winner's score, while major incursions (i.e., landing a few kilometers wimin) would be given major penalties of up to expulsion from the comp. The first leg ran us mrough the mountains, where the lift was strong and predictable. We had good racing to che turnpoint, and even managed to get nice and high before heading out to the flats for our 17

Jim Lee towing up behind the Airborne trike.

picture. After rhe turnpoinc ir was a matter of deciding whether to head back into the hills or rw1 up the flats. When the next thermal became harder to find, our minds were made up for most of us as we found ourselves working whatever we could find and drifting away from the hills. The going after the curnpoint was very slow because of a 15-mph quartering headwind. A wheat stubble fire ar the town of Canowindra provided raucous lift for the brave few who got there in time, while chose who came in a bit lacer breached smoke and found weak life at best. As the day went on - and it went on for a long time - the lift seemed to smooch a bit. Some groups of pilots used the intersecting runways at the Cowra airport as cross-hairs in their sights and bore down on the tarmac, confident that a thermal would carry chem on through. Gibbo chose to fly around the east side of the airport because the ourer limits of the controlled airspace were more easily determined by a town which lay on its edge. A number of us on the team thought he was out of his mind, as chis would set him up for an extremely long final straight imo the wind. Bue Gibbo is extreme, and it turned out his extreme tactics worked the best of

the group. Meanwhile, some of those who flew into airspace managed to get back out the other side. Some did noc. No one made goal, though a couple were within a kilometer or so. Gibbo got within 17 miles, while I got within 18 after 5-1/2 hours in the air. Five pilots - Oleg, Nikki Hamilton, Christian Ciech, Gustave Saldanha, and Joseph Zweckmeyer - were penalized for landing in airspace. Though some of these were several kilometers within, the strongest penalty was 80 points. Guido Gehrmann won the day, followed by Attila, Alessandro Busca, and Gerolf The Americans moved up to fifth overall. DAY4 Lighter winds, a turn point at Manildra again, and rhen goal at Bodangara about 94 miles. Today the threat of high cirrus was a real problem. Shadow blanketed the paddock when the window opened, which came delayed because our paddock had a tailwind. Finally the wind trickled in, and pilots rowed up into the gray. A bit of sun leaked through into Len Patton's ranch, and chat was where the only thermal lived. The day's death gaggle starred to form . Early on, there was life over the

ranch and big sink everywhere else. Finally chis thermal got strong enough that pilots began to tiptoe toward the scare point, a bridge eight miles away. Gaggles formed up in the cirrus shadow as sunlight began to cover the first leg of the course. Pilots jockeyed for height and played the starttime game. No one wamed to be first on course, marking rhermals for everyone else, but we were also aware chat completion races had been very low so far, and that waiting too long to start would not improve chis trend. With markedly short delay, the first gaggle snapped its pictures and headed on course. The first thermal on course was a good one - 800 up - and the gaggle was quickly racing into the mountains. The next couple of thermals were good as well, but then the cirrus reappeared and the lift got a bit weaker. Ever aware of the second and third gaggles, which were bearing down, the first powered on through the shade, and made it to a bit of sun before the curnpoint. We got high before the curnpoint, took our picture and headed north into the disturbingly green flats. Ir was as though someone threw a switch: even though there was still plenty of sun, lift was weak at best. The lead gaggle warfled in zero sink. Having hie a better one jusr behind chem, l flew over their heads, elected not to stop to circle down co chem, and instead decided to glide on to some dark fields chat should be working better. They weren't. l glided to another and then another dark field. Soon I was below 1,000'. I found some 0-50 up, and, with my radio headset turned off so I could concentrate, I found the quiet and solitude incredibly pleasurable, a magnificent departure from the churning death gaggles of the rest of the flight. I became even more pleased with myself as my life turned to 400 up and I climbed to 4,400'. l announced my lift to the team . Then it quit. Soon I was back on the deck, and, in spice of my best attempts, landed. The gaggles continued, and the radio talk was char of desperation. Everyone was low, scra tching, and in each ochers' faces. Eventually, they waded into a good thermal which took chem to 8,000 feet. Working as a group, canvassing the air carefully, they managed to tiptoe down the course. Out of the 63 pilots who passed me, five made goal: Tomas Suchaneck (who has not been flying very well, and will not be the next world champion), Christian Ciecb, HANG GLIDING

Oleg (the woodclrnck), Cuido Gehrmann, and Manfred Ruhmcr. Jim did the best for rhc team, I I K's short. Then Brad, :md Mike. There were no airspace violations, ,ls the course line only nicked one airport chis tirne, and that hardly posed a chalat all.

DAYS

Afrer Ii, the Americans were {i.:eling a little down about the kind of flying we were doing and the kind of flying that had robe done 10 do well. For the most pan, conditions had hern weak, high--prcssury, cloudless. Those who did well endured the death sat at the tops of them, carcfi1lly ahead, and let everyone else make rhe mistakes rhat would show where the lif'r was and wasn't. · fo he sure, those pilots were flying well, and doing this kind of flying well, bm this seems to he more the realm of the Europeans than the Arnericans, who tend to be hard-head-

ed, indcpcndc111-, desert-rat racers. Pete reminded us that we wonld do better when conditions came around to our way

He was right. 5 rcvcalccl small cumics popping m 1 l :30 /\M as we mndc our way to the p;1ddock. In spite of' a warning by the American team leader d1ar they wo11ld have over 80 pilots in goal if they called a (10-milc om-and-return to Crcnfoll, they did so. Their cxphmation was a concern about over-development. [1 didn't look like over-development would be a problem, and it w;1sn't. 'l ci be sure, it is licrtcr to risk undcr-c.illing a task than having to cancel an over-called one, bur it didn't sit well wirh a lot of the pilots that rhc best by for climb r:llcs in excess of 1,000 fjm1, and light winds was wasted on such a short task. One hundred twelve pilots made goal, including the entire US ream. We were fairly fost five pilots in the top 12, and the second fostest team for rhc day. The Hight was brainless; the of"an air mass sat right on the course line, ;md a street of"cumuli covered enough of' the task so that choosing your next d1crmal was 1101 an act ofgcni11s. Unfc)rt:U-Pctc had his own moment of brain1n,:s11L:ss, and forgot to photograph rhc

clock ;n goal, bm we don't need to go into that. The team moved from eighth to sixth. Day 6 looked like anmhcr racing day, and ir was. Clouds in rlie morning, mod-

MAY 199B

cr:irc winds. ( ;Jen seemed robe back from the dead. Oh yeah, at goal rhc day before, Clcn had what appca1·ed to be another bout of airsickness. He did the human digeridoo thing and then just curled up on the ground like road kill. He was Ll1e same at headquarters, and ag;1in back at the room. The Smith /\fricans, some of the Australians, and some of the staff preparing the food :11 headquarters l1ad been rakcn by a nasty imcstinal flu. Clcn had ir to. Crackers and ginger ale, and then talking to ( ;od on the great while telephone. By morning, though, he was fine enough to sit on the floor at the meeting, dipping into a large hag of potato chips ("I need more salt, man") and hitting on a jug of Catorade. /\frer the meeting JZ dipped inro the chip bag, and when Glen said, "] wouldn't do that, man," responded, "l ain't scared ofwh;it you got." I le should have been. The task was a 95-milcr to Tbnenham, with a quartering tailwind. J ,ift was strong, thermal rops high, times fast. Glen looked grim in the heat of the paddock, but once he got up into the cool, those chips and Gatorade must have flashed off, and he blazed with the ream's fostcsr time of 2:03, eighth for rhc day. The winner did ir in 1:59. Cihbo was fifth for the day, capitalizing on departure and arrival bonrnes and doing the task in 2:06, l was on antibiotics (drug of choice for the ancients?) afrer Brad's pernicious throat infection found its way iJJto my body. They took almost immediate and I was feeling flne, though J kept pretty quiet on the radio. Jim was nimh for the day, again taking ;1dvantagc of arrival and departure points, and l was 1he fi>tirth scoring American at 21st. Mike Barber, unfortunately, speared in shortly after the start and received a token 88 points for his trouble. The top Spanish pilot, who had five washers under his sprogs, rnmblcd his Laminar in a dust devil, broke, deployed and scraped up his knee. Guido Cchrmann was in first overall, Oleg second, Ccrolf' third. Manfred, who didn'r make goal, was still in fourth, Tomas and I forger who was in fifrh. Cihbo was doing the best overall for the team, somewhere in the low teens. He worked his own magic training regimen, pounding half a elm.en beers on rhc ride home, and then w;1shing down his feast of Chinese food with three triple vodka and orange juices. He gave the waitress rhat Cibbo smile and said, "You're so busy tonight,

why don't you just bring me rwo triple vodka and orange juices. My elbows hurt, my hack hurts, my neck hurts. I need some medicine. Awesome!" When we returned WC fmmd our fear-• less leader in bed, looking even greener than usual, a new green bucket placed expecrantly beside the bed. When he recovered he would have his chip b:1g all to himself

DAY7 /\fier a !or of weather hemming and haw-ing, a task to Bodangan1 with variable start gates was called lli4 km. There was a fairly StTOllg shear level around (J,()(){) feet where the winds went from northwest to southwest, and the organizers were concerned that convective mixing would bring the upper southwestcrlics down. The other weather factor, though, was a front that was hearing down on us quite visibly in the form a thick smudge of' upper cloud. The rnsk was called and the window open·· ing scr for 20 rninurcs later. Those of us later in the launch order paced nervously and watched the Those who got off earlier, launched into sun and dcccnr lifr, rhough being early still did not make the task a girnmc. The later you got off, the worse your chances became. All JO of the goal /Jnishers but Larry started within five minutes of each other. As the sun disappeared, lifr bcc1mc weaker, and formed over rhc: paddock and downwind, so that if you were nor in one of them you felt very much alone. Feeling very much alone myself; l dribbled near the closest start point, snapped a picture, and glided straight to the ground. Larry, who had launched sec· ond, went on course and was calling down rhat the lifr was better above 5,500' and 8,000'. Pete, who had gone first, was out on course and doing well too. Jim was call ing for retrieval from about liOO feet off the ground by the start point, but scraped himself back up and got 011 course. Cihbo found plenty of Gibbo air, diving into the rain from a bit of' frontal ovcrdcvclopmcnt, calling hack to Jim ro avoid one valley in particular rhat looked like a glider vacuum, and telling him, "Yon gotta fly through a link rain, but then it's pretty good up here." Cibho gor I .'3'5 km. Jim got I 03. Mike went liO km, while Brad and Clcn joined me in rhc land of"Why me?" J did a link fkld resting of my equipment as I spar the

Continued on pa,~e 28.

Calendar of cvcms items WILL NOT he listed if only tenrativc. Please include exact information (event, date, contact name and phone number). ftems should be: received no later than six weeks prior to rhe event. \Ve request two months lead rime for regional and national meets.

lJNTIL DEC. 31: Second Falcon X-C Contest. Wills Wing Falcons only. Four sec1ions: Wcsr Coast, West, Central, Fast. Prizes in all sections and classes. Hang 2 and up. Three classes: Pro (Hang 4), Amateur (I fang Recreational (Hang Towing allowed with maximum release altitude of 2,000'. No entry send SASF. Contact: · f'ck Flight Products, Colebrook Stage, Winsted, CT 06098 (860) 379- l (1Cig, fr1x (8Ci0) 7:)8 36:30, tck@sne1.11et. MAY 1-3: I2th !I 1znucz! Steu;art Smith I Iang Gliding Toumarnent, Jvloore Mm., Perry Lowe Orchards, IO miles north of Taylorsville, NC off llwy. l Ci. cmry includes T-shirt, barbecue, dart wurnament. 'Tasks: spot landing, bomb drop, duration and X-C. Trophies for 1st through 3rd in each evcm. Pun flyers, Contact: Travis Bryant (704) 75R·9::i3 I, or Ben Burri] (704) .392-3765. MAY J 5-17: 1998 Midwest Open SJJring Gliding Chmnpionships. All pilots arc welcome to join rn for the peak spring X--C season in rhc Midwest at Twin Oaks Airport, Whitewater, Wisconsin. Rigid and flex-wing categories, declared goal and open tasks sire record 150 miles, max altirude gain 9,700'. $50 entry foe includes tempora1y club membership, acrotows each (limir three per day), prize money, party. AT rating required (available on site). Contact: Greg Dinaucr (608) 221-3681, Gdinaaner(a;aol.com or l .arry Bunner (g 15) 234-5::igg,

G-1 ::i: Sandia J\llmqucrquc, New Mexico. Eighth annual 450 W' rss. point meet ar Sandia Pc;1k. The premier meet of the season! Price includes; en tty foe, top-quality X-C glider and pilot trans-porration to launch, rurnpoiTH film and processing, computcri'l.ed scoring, full--timc paid staff, free oxygen refills, gifi: ccrtil!cates from local businesses, convenient meet headquarters with reduced room rates, awards barbecue, ·r-shin and mor('.! Trophies for Class 1 toplcss/kingposrccl, and Class Sixry-pilot maximum field, 45 spots reserved for pilots ranked in the top go lJSHG/\ or top 100 Pl RS. Remaining emries will be based on ranking, competition experience and flight experience. First--timc entrants must have: USHG/\ Advanced raring, all Special Skills, l 00+ hours mountain thermal experience. Dataliack cameras required. Oxygen and CPS highly recommended. Early registration if postmarked before M;iy l, $375 rhercafrer. Refundable unril April ::10. l meresrcd in competing in Class 2? Call us AS/\P so we can plan! Comact: Mike Gregg, 12117 St. Mary's Dr., Albuquerque, NM g71 J 1 (505) 27'5-597fl or Mark Mocho (505) 298 2.922. F.-mail to mmochoQilrtCiCi.com.

the tasks: srraight--line, out-·and--rcturn, rriangle. Launch from Chelan Butte and fly over the wheat fields ro the cast across the Columbia River. Proceeds benefit the Chelan sire fund. For entry information/registration contact: 'Tom Johns 7471647. Camping, motels, family recreation available. Mention the event and call the Chelan Chamber: J-g()(} .. LJChclan. l: Wild West Hang Gliding C!J11mpionshzjJs (450 pts.). until June

12, afrer. Contact: Adventure Sports (702) gg:3-7070, advspts(ti)pyramid.net, rcgisrrarion form at hnp:/ /www. pyramid.nct/advspts. AUG l-3: \Ylr~stern Cr:madirtn Hang Gliding Championship, Golden, BC. X-C racing at C:mada's best world-class site, Mount Seven. $30 Canadian entry foe, includes traditional free Sunday nighr beer bash. Individual and ream scoring. I land-crafted trophies and many prizes. Contact: Meet Director Jeff Runeiman (40::i) 29::1 9027 (h), (403) 2.509077 (w), or Meet Coordinator Karen Keller (403) 293--40()g, skyward@)cadvision.com, www.caclvision.com/skyward/wcc 199gJnml AUG. 2-9: 1998 Roldttnillo, Colombia,

JUNE l 2- I 4: Wild, lVild West Regional,.

International Hmig Gliding Competition.

$100 until May 2.2., $12 5 after. Coma ct: J\dvcnmrc Sports (702) gg:37070, advspts@pyramid.net, registration form at http:/ /www.pyramid.net/ advspts.

Contact: Grant Smith, tel. fax 57-1-629-6474, grantG'hsmithscfair.com.co.

JUNE l 9-21: Srmdirt Soaring Association X.C C.'haliengr·. Fly Sandia Crest for the big air and rniles during die annual X-C Challenge. 'frophies for flight and most cumula · tive miles. $:30 gets you guide pilors, free oxygen refills, -shin and a party! Minimum Hang Ill with mountain thermal and experience. Hang gliders (Class I and 2) only. Contact: Sandia Soaring Association, P.O. Box 14571, Albuquerque, NM g7 ! 9 I.

AUG. 3-8: International Masters ofHrmg Gliding. Owens Valley, Ci\ will host a points meet witl1 cash prizes. Borh Class 1 and Class 2. pilots will fly from world-renowned sites like Cunter, Walt's point and Cerro Gordo. Entry foe is only $CJ 5 ($12 5 afrcr July 4, $200 after Aug. l ). To compete at the greatest flying sites in the world contact: John Ryan (619) 461-1441. AUG. 9-2.3: Womens WorU Meet, Hunga1y. Aug. ').]3 training days, 14--2.2 contest days, closing ceremonies on the 23rd.

JUNE 2.0-27: U.S. MAY 22-25: Cosmos Cosmos, Minnesota. Leisure and competition classes. Miles of tow roads and beautifol, wide-open terrain make this one of rhc greatest rowing flying sites in the country. Leisure class: total airtime. Competition chss: X--C, triangles, race-to-goal. Last X-C record was 1(10 miles. Contact: Dave Alan (G12) 92.9-7177.

Dinosaur CO.

l'mra£ltdin.eNational,, Lakeview, OR. AUG. !lmericrm Summer Paragliding Championships, King Mtn., ID. Comact: http://www.justfly.com.

JULY 6-11: Che!ctn

since l 979, one ofrhc nation's top s11mmer events. Hang glider and paraglider pilots come from all over the U.S. :md rhc world. Pilots choose

AUG. 20-22.: 18th Jlnnual World Aerobatic Hang Championships, ·l'elluride, CO. Big prizes, transportation w launch, scoring, awards banquet, smoke bombs, Telluride HG l;estival T-shirt included in entry foe. Pracrice and qualifying round on Wed., Aug. 19. Contact: Leo Van Der Bosch (970) 72.g_ 6972

I i/\NC CLIDINC

SEPT Wiest Crwst t'(/)'"tlf.,iztt1nf'. Reg!onrd,. $100 until J\ug. 31, $ I afrcr. Comacr: J\dvcnrure (702)

plarn1111ir, to attend. Contact: l hn Shell

883-7070, advsp1s0ilpyramid.11c1, rcgisrrntion form ar l1t1p://www.JJyramid.net/advsprs.

I-SEPT. 30: 1998 Offz'cial f,ilf<eui(w, OR/lying smson. $1 00 each rnomh for the

27th Jlrmual Mt. Missoula, MT. Missoula J Jang Cliding and Paragliding Club. Contact: Chris lkchc (406) 5/i:3-031 or Karl Hallman (406) 728 0534.

MAY

ar ML near Creer, flying and competing (spor, dura·· tion, \ halloon ross, at this hcamif11l somh-focing moum:iin. Plaques aw:irdcd to all fast··· through 1hird·placc finishers. entry foe for competition $10 fi.ir fun My-I 11 T-shins and sweatshirts avail. launch is 1,500' J\C L. Contact: P.O. Box I l, Brevard, NC (704) 8852'536, plir:ui ncn p<rhcitconi .net.

MAY 23-SEPT. Yosemite Natio111d !'ark hang glider/lying, every weekend, Memorial through Labor Day parngliders arc not perminecl in the Park). 1(, pilots per clay. Meet at Cbcier Poinr 7:00 AM for in and orientation with Sire Monitor. Must show currcm bminarcd 1-lang Ii card. donation. Monitors arc volunteers from rhe Yosemite I lang Gliding Association. Call rhc USJ TC/\ office 9) (i:\2.8300 for rcscrva· tions. Contact: Breck Bens (61 ')) li7J 97/i:'>.

MAY

18th Annual Memorici! Day !llamog()rdo, NM. Sponsored by Rio

Soaring Assn. Alamogordo is ceb· brating its 100th birthday. Contest or fon flying, trophies, shirts, dinner, ere. The best fly-in Meer ar LZ :n 9:00 AM on rhc 24th. Entry $7.0 for contest or !im /lying. Mail advance entries IO I(, Pecan I )r., Alamogordo, NM 88310. Contact: Tom c'x. Cindy West I :3 or Robin r

6: Tcnncsstf Tree 1VJ1t]ll:1em and 25th Annil)('rsmy

in and above the :icc1uatcl11e Valley. Informal XC open disr:mce and spot landing comps wirh modest daily awards. TIT pioneers '78) MAY 1997

danshel1Cihhledsoc.11ct.

101 Rr~~ion 5 hm Meet, near l\.foorc, Idaho. X-C rnccl, $40 rntry awards. Contact: T-shirts, daily Lisa Tate (20S) 'JlG-791/i, /.ool isa(al,ml. corn.

flight registered from an official

·""':v,,:w flying site. $1,000 to rhe pilot with rhc grcatesr four·mornh cumulative total fo1·

AUG. 2nd !lnnua! 1fot Creek Rim Hyln and Festi1Ja!, spomorcd by the

the season (paraglidcr miles doubled). $50 11er month random drawing just for showing up and registering! llcautiful and plcnrifi.il flying sites, friendly landowners, good retrieval roads, and flying great enough to set all rhc current Oregon State distance records for HG and PC. Contact: Like Co. I) 91i7-60/i0. Chamber of C:ommercc

Bm:1.ard Roost and the NC:HJJJ\. '!'his sitc-improvcmcnt hmcl-raising event promises rn surpass even bsr year's success. Cuaramccd rime for all. Includes live pe1tlrn,.m:.111<:es, en1·r·r1::1,11rll!, conrcsrs and a chance 10 fly ar one of the most scenic sites in Northern California. ( :ontact: Par Blackburn (530) 601\·27(,5 or Sonny Compton (530) 2li3-2534, 1tit imat ch igh(al[1otmail .corn.

S11mmr:r Sohtirc spon .. sored by rl1c Buzzard Roost Cang. Some of the best sires in Northern California. Lake tow at Iron Cm yon Reservoir, fly olf Chalk Mt. 100' /\CL), catch a gl:iss·offat Hat Creek Rim. Lake activities, mountain and hiking for rhc whole fomily. 1,v,·»11,"" overnight camping accommoda· ( :onract: Pat rions including hot Blacldrnrn (5:30) or Sonny ( :ompron (5:30) 213-2554, ulri111arcl1igl1<ril\1ormail.com.

27-28: 10th i't'nnsytv,muz uurr1,,1ent !ekes airport. ( :ontacr: I )on R. RD I, Hox :300/1, Osrcrhurg, PJ\ 16667 (814) 7.'?(i-:33'5;\, frcdly1f1)nh.11cl.

1998 OR !lnmutlju/y h'.,livcil o/Prce One Cra11d x.. c con1csr pays $1,000 cash to rhc longest X-(: l1igln from Black Cap during the Festival. t'a1mf:l1l1cr miles doubled. Sugar Hill· Lakl'vicw Trophy Dash, l st place $\00. PC :md I JC spor-Linding comcsr $50 each. Lots of family fim. l<c,ns1r,111im and pilot meeting on July 1, fly awards J11ly Registration ind11ding sire is $10. Rtgistrarion alone Contact: ! .akc Co. Chamber of Commerce 1) 9/i760!i0 or Jules Cilpatrick (541) 9/i7-3:330.

5th !lrmual 1th of}uty

Rcse1 voi1 iu Jiig B.rnd, ,n1rnsrm·r1 by the Bua.ard Roost Cang. 1\ list o(/i.in activities. Coincides with the Bua.a rd Roost ( ;;mg's July clnb 111cc11111c.. Contact: Pat Blackbum (530) or C:ompto11 (530) 2/i]-253/i, u Irim at ch igh0ill 1otrnail.co rn.

AUG, 8: 2211d !lnnua! !Jeside the l.a/,e JJ!na.rn~· m1a Full Moon Fe1Jer Res! rictcd landing area. Advanced rating and insurance required. Canadian. Barbecue, hig party, laughs. You've got to sec it IO believe it! Contact: Dano Saunders (2'50) :342 (l:\55.

AUG. l lr·/lurirle

ofthe

J\11 previous Festival participants arc invited to a reunion to cclebr:Hc years of hang 111 Telluride, Colorado. Conracr: l.11igi Chiarani (970) 728·9525 or rhc Telluride /\ir Force, P.O. Box Telluride, CO 8IliJ5.

AUG.

Mt. Nebo 1:11101-01·,)t;mnncr

Dardanelle, ;\R Camp sires, c:ihins ,rnd swimming pool on top. US! !CJ\ Intermediate or Advanced raring rcq,uu·cct. Conrau: Dave Dunning (501) %8·(i7:ll or Phil Morgan (50 I) %is- 50 IIi. For c:1mpsirc or cabin reservations call (501) 2,)().%'i5.

SEPT. li-7: Cross Remember the good ol' Come tell stories and fly with your old friends. hm competition with trophies and a good party out at Slew." we'll even gcr 1he Mr. Q11ce:11 Contac:1: Kari Casile (7(,()) S72·

SEPT.

C:helr111 Fly dr Hi/a, /!estiwd.

Compete in horh or cirhcr. Spot landing contcsr ar Chelan Falls l':ll'k, scored on accu · racy and landing form. TctHnilc hike ride I 50 to from ( '.hdan Falls Park up l

Chelan, across Dan Corclcn bridge and hack. Race or enjoy a leisure sigh1secing ride. ( ;reat fun flying event. Proceeds benefit Chelan site fund. For en tty information/registration comact: Chelan Flyers, Marilyn Raines (509) 682-2251 or Andrea Mulack (li25) li23 · 8900. Camping, motels, fomily recreation avaibble. Mcmion the event and call rhe Chelan Chamber: 1-800-4Chclan. OCT. 2-li: October'.1 Best Tty-In. Come to North Carolina's Saurarown Mountain frir cnd-ofyear skying om, sponsored by SM l· [GC. Show up Friday or earlier in the week. Low-key competition foarnres X-C. duration and spot-landing, with trophies, cash and prizes. enrry includes ·r-shirt. Novice 10 Advanced. Comact: Doug Rice (336) 991i-4:lT7, Mike Nester (336) 9222 l l 1, Vic Lewellen 70272. 531 (,Dcompuserve.com. OCT. l 6-18: T1;.t'.1 Mountain Hang Gliding /.:xtravri,rcm,zrt, Clayton, CA. Bring the whole family to om 23rd anmrnl event. $1,000/day prize purse wirh no cmry fee. Includes fiec barbecue lunch :md limited deluxe accommodations, cooking facilities and more. Transponation from LZ to launch without breaking down. Prize competition for dura .. tion, .,pot landing, most flights and the famous "Mystery Pilot" aw,mk Includes 'fut's exotic animal preserve, live culwral demonstrations. Contact: Tm's M tn. J 800621--1768, (706) 782 . 6218 or Bruce Hawk 212..499/i,

MAY 8- l 0: Exxtacy clinic at Raven Sley SJJorts in Whitezuczter, V(lf.. Contact Mike Eberle (509) napi(a>eburg.com, or Brad Kashner (414) 47.3-8800 fr>r derails. Check om www.fun2fly.com for a great slide show of ihe Exxrac:y. MAY 13-17: TCP and instructor'.1 workshop. Pre-registration a must. Attendance limited. Send SASE to: Tek Flight Products, Colebrook Stage, Winsted, ( :T 06098. MAY 22-24: <,', \X! Mmdows and l JS. /Jcros glider demo wcelcend hosted by Mountain Wings and Aero Max. Topless Sreahh avail .. able to demo at either Ellenville or Middletown. Winch and acrotowing. Contact: Creg Blad, (914) 647-3:57'7, M tn Wings@aol.com.

JUNE Ii- 7: J'o,i1r-,1av HG mid PG ICP at High Perspective near' foromo, Ontario, Canada. Seminar leaders include Michael Robertson, Willi Muller, Lars J ,inde. Contact: Michael Robenson (905) 29/i 2536, fax (905) 294 .. 8495,

fly(iilinfiJramp.net.

JUNE 6: 8th Annual Jl(JJ>Jl Fly-In and Open House, AOFA Headquarters, Frederick Municipal Airport, Maryland. OCT. 23-25: JIOPA l!XPO '98, Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, CA. Contact: Warren Morningstar (301) 695-2162, warren.morningstat·0Daopa.org.

.JULY 26-.JULY 31: Rocky Mountain Tfang Gliding Let1,~ue "Totally Spec/red Out" X-C Clinic, Colden, BC, Canada. Learn to fly MAY: X-C!thermal guide to the Owens Valley, with Kari Castle. Call to \'chedulc a clinic or rour. SEPT.-NOV.: "Owens ct! its Best;" X-(1thenntT! guide to the Owens Vall(y, with Kari ( :astle. 'l 'wo- to nine-day adventures. Private one .. on·one flying, guide service and instruuion also available. Contact: Kari Castle (760) 872-2087, karicastlc0)tclis.org. MAY 2: Mission Sortring Center 25th A1,mii1r'r,r1r11 Ce/ebrr,tion Pmty. MAY 20: Pt1rachute MAY 2.3-25: lst/Jrmual Dunl.r1p, Califrmzia Memorial Day Weeleend Pry-In (by reservation only). Contact: Mission Soaring Center, 1 116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 (near San Jose), (408) 262-1055, fox (408) 262 .. 1388, M SCH ( ;<:iilaol .com.

X-C and place higher in comps. Get to know the site and practice for the Western Canadian Championship, which follows the clinic. J:riendly competition format. Enter any time during the week. Nightly discussions on flying X-C, best strategics for X-C in the Colden, lnvcrmerc Valley. Prizes in many categories. Entry fee $20 Canadian. Camping availahlc: Colden Municipal Campground (250) 344-5412 (right in town, book early), \X!hispcring Pines (250) .31i4-6680, White Tail (250) 344-5979. Contact: Geo[ Sclmeider (li03) 286-37'70 (h), (403) 264-7422 ext. 1407 (w), fax (403) 286 .. J763, scepter@spors.ab.ca or gschneidcr@blucrange.com.

"30 YEARS COVERING THE COMPLETE FLYING SPECTRUM "

by Andy Rockhold andJohn Johnson, photos by Andy Rockhold

Friday, Independence Day, 1997 would be a day that Don Jones and Pete Foster would not soon forget at Mt. Elden near Flagstaff, Arizona. Pete launched first in his paraglider. As everyone watched, he soon found himselfin trouble with the westerly winds. o rhe south and just above the ponderosa pine trees he was being thrown around like a rag doll. Moments lacer his wing collapsed. Now dangerously close to treetop level, his wing

reinflared at the last second and he headed safely for rhe LZ. Our hearts dropped into our stomachs for a few seconds. Someone yelled our, "Next?" John Johnson and Sran Mish were the first rwo ro get up in their hang gliders. While thermaling together they watched a dust devil hit four gliders on launch, causing them to rumble and flip over each ocher. This would end any chance for Prescott pilot Dave Frechette to pull off a long one chis day. As rhe westerlies picked up, Don Jones would be the first victim to land at Buffalo Park. With some rotor on the west side and !ors of sink, low and near Buffalo Park, Don hit a thermal char pitched his

nose up about 45° for what seemed like an ererniry. Don commenced that the thermal was so strong he feared trying to work it would end in a tumble. A good landing produced a sigh of relief once he was safely on the ground. As the westerlies picked up, seven other pilots, including me, broke down and went our separate ways. Mt. Elden is no place to be on a strong day. John Johnson (JJ) got rhe longest fl ight this Fourth of July with 87 miles. It was slow going, and he landed only in order to conserve his energy for the following day. Samrday, July 5, at 9:30 AM, pilots and significant others started arriving at Elden. It would be another crowded day, although many pilots from the previous day didn't remrn. This would rum our to be a day chat would make Arizona history in more ways than one. Someone had written "4 Corners" in the dusty back window of ]J's truck. (Bob Thompson, the creator of the Arizona X-C Contest, later informed me chat at no rime in Arizona had four pilots HANG GLIDING

Hang Gliding Interviews flown into another state from the same flyino- sire on the same day. Local pilot Larr: Tudor commented char JJ's fli~ht was the second longest in the world m 1997. Nelson Howe made a phenomenal flight of 282 miles in Wyoming.) John Johnson launched first, and after dropping 300' to 400' fo und a thermal and topped out at nearly 18,000' MSL. He was almost to Leupp before he heard about anyone else launching. H e was already over 30 miles ahead of the rest of the field. JJ offers the following commentary: "At Leupp I tried to decide which way to go, east or northeast. The forecast mostly called for easterly winds aloft, bur it was north-northeast at Leupp, so north up to Oraibi I headed. All the ':'ay there (35 miles) I knew I had blown 1t and should have gone due east. Ac Oraibi the GPS showed northeast again, so I sent my wife Julianne up Polacca Wash and starred that way. "In rhe meantime, two very unfortunate things occurred. My Map O'Maric shredded my map so there was no way to view it, and I discovered that m y primary instrument battery (vario and GPS) had a shorted connector wire. I was running on the internal batteries and the GPS was about half spent. This was really a bummer since I pride myself in having the best map system and always have a barre~ backup for my instruments and radio. "I took another wind direction read from rhe GPS and knew I needed co be going east. Julianne and I tur~ed around and starred talking on the rad10. I had never headed the Keams Canyon/Window Rock way before, so I had Juliann_e . describe rhe map to me for char d1recuon. "I scarred east and was getting very high. Over Ganado my GPS died. I saw che Fort Defiance Plateau in front of me and knew char chis vast, unlandable

Continues...

John (JJ) and Julianne Johnson by Andy Rockhold AR: Please introduce yourself

logging flights when I had my first 100-miler in '87. I have 645 hours logged, and I JJ: I'm a 40-year-old husband and father. My would guess about 1,100 hours coral. In the wife Julianne and six-year-old son Marrh_ew lase few years my airtime has been 50-60 have been very supportive of my hang glidhours per year. ing habit. I'm an engineer~g pr~gram ~anager at Imel here in Phoerux, Anzona. Im ~ AR: What do you enjoy most about hang Hang IV recreational pilot and my c~mpeu- gliding? rion experience is limited to local fly-m scuff. JJ: It's a combination of things. Socially, I entered the Regionals once. pilots are my best friends. I really love AR: How did you get started in hang gliding? pulling into the LZ and seeing a group_ of my buddies ready for the day. The equipJJ: My younger brother ment we use - gliders, Steve introduced me co hang harnesses, radios, varios, gliding when I got our of the etc. - gives me a chance Air Force (technician, nor a to buy and play with cool pilot). Ir was in the classic coys. Mostly I love to soar fashion - I drove. My first on a marginal day, make real experience with hang low saves, pull off good gliding was watching him landings. I would rather and Eddie Brewer launch off get 20 minutes on a Mingus Mountain. I was litcough day than two hours erally speechless watching when it's easy. This is chem and signed up for what motivated me to fly lessons the next day. cross-country. I needed to AR: Where did you learn to do something more than just boat around on good fly and what was yourfirst days. glider?

JJ: Gary Waugh in Phoenix probably . trained more than a few hundred of us m the late l 970's co mid- l 980's. His class consisted of one night of ground school and on_e weekend of launches and landings at Mernam Crater (near Flagstaff). If you progressed to a flight off the top on Sunday evening you_ were ready to go. My fuse glider was a Flight Designs Lancer, an excellent first glider. For rhe next year or so I flew every chance I had. This was my favorite period in my hang gliding career. I remember the excitement building on Fridays, getting ready for a weekend of flying and camping at ~e craters. On the drive back ro Phoemx, my flying buddies and I would dissect every second of our flights. AR: How long have you been flying?

JJ: Almost 18 years. I rook just o~e _break i~

A visual on Frank Schwab near Carrizo, Arizona, some 100 miles into the flight. MAY 1998

'82. My brother died in a hang glidmg amdent and I spent a few months crying to determine ifI was going to continue. The roughest decision was figuring our how ro let my parents know I was going back. I starred

AR: List your three most memorable flights. ]]: That's cough to narrow down. There are ar least 1O or so char I will never forget. Here goes: • My first flight after my brother's death was at Shaw Butte. When I landed, the local pilots walked up and welcomed me back. Ir was very emotional. I will never forgec the feeling of family and community that hang gliding gave me that day. . • My first 100-mile flight, from Mmgus Mm. ro d1e Navajo reservation. Just about everyone else was at a Labor Day fly-in at Silverton, Colorado that we weren't able to attend. I had met Julianne a year earlier and she was great about driving. During we were alone talking on the rhe flio-hr t, radio for six hours. Toward d1e end, I had no drifr and lazy d1ermals ro 13,000 feet. I chermaled with a golden eagle for almost the enrire last hour. I remember landing and feeling so alive. I have milked that flight srory for a good 10,000 miles worth. • My 221-miler from Flagstaff to Cortez,

Continues.. .

expanse would require a great thermal to safely cross. Fortunately, I got one and thermaled up really high. I stayed high all the way to Window Rock and headed for Gallup, New Mexico. By now I knew I had blown it. After heading 40 miles north in latitude from Mr. Elden, I now had to dive back south that same distance to reach I-40. I rook my time and passed well north of Gallup. "It was early; only 4:00 PM, and I started thinking that the 22 1-rnile record was within reach. I headed down the long valley that I-40 follows and set my sights on Grants, staying between 11 ,000' and 17, 000' MSL most of the way there, getting these phenomenal glides of 15 to 20 miles berween thermals. My Laminar ST felt like it was on rails. I got low before Grants and then found a slow thermal to 16,000'. There was a smoldering saw-dust heap below, and I watched my thermal pull the smoke over into it. It was 5:00 PM and I knew I was going to surpass my old distance record. 26

/t was my best-ever flight with just a few wrinkles1 and a new Arizona record. Would I have made the 300-mile mark if I had flown east for the entire flight? 11 "At around the 240-mile mark it got very smooth. My last thermal only went to 13,000' so I started a long glide with Albuquerque in view. Sandia looked so close. I began to worry about airspace restrictions around the airpo rt, if I got that far, and knew I would have to land short because I was clueless. "There is a bit of an incline out of Rio Puerco 25 miles west of Albuquerque. It isn't much, bur my glide wasn't going to clear it. Julianne was waiting with a wind sock at Exit 140 at the river, and I set up

my approach in no wind. A sweet landing and big grins followed. Ir was 7:00 PM (8:00 PM New Mexico time) - eight hours in rhe air. "We put new batteries in the GPS and punched GOTO Elden [enrer] - 264 miles. Julianne was a sneak and had bought some 200-mile champagne while passing rhrough Gallup for a celebration. "Ir was my best-ever flight, with just a few wrinkles, and a new Arizona reco rd. Would I have made the 300-mile mark if I had flown east for the enti re flight? Hard to say. I was rarely low and had some wonderful glides, staying near 18,000' for 10-15 miles at a rime. "My wife did a fantastic job as usual. She had predicted a very long flighr earlier in the week and was happy to remind me of her prediction on the drive home. Julianne and Marrhew (our six-year-old) are directly responsible for every one of my long flights. Thank you! I am certain that I would not be an X-C pilot without their support." • H ANG GLIDING

AR: How have Julianne and Matthew helped you on your ••. '" , •. 8

over Pour Corners four states Julianne had a She anything meant I was walking home. Whe11 I landed we couldn't stop talking and it was by the time I got the glider in the bag. Julianne, Matthew, (our and J had final.ly done .it!

for more 30 minlltes. I lost my and following the wrong dry wash. When I sunk out I had very poor radio contact with .Julianne, and the next three hours misdi· her to where Twas. I was out ,,,1, ..,,,,,.,.,,. and we were progre.<,s. Luckily, .Julianne was up, ignored my useless instructions and frJllowed her inm· dirt roads in middle ltlon on of nowhere. She sit~Hed me as my radio bat·· teries died. stil.l gloats over this one. AR: Jn what Wfl:Y r:toe:, yc1ur:lfrJ ..n1zle /ltJth, in '94 was mostly the 200-mile barri, hy only a m.ile Bob ·rhompson I flew a

•••.

J would not have made any of my I 00+ flights without Julianne's support. Some pilots are able to coordinate long chase port without a driver. Not L Any pilot knows value of a reliable support team. More importantly, Julianne and Matthew me before, during and flights. radio protocol and skills are She is guiet when I'm loW, finds dust devils, gives me ground conditions and pushes n:ie to go farther. l don't have to think about to route the I just to fly. ln addition, I can't being genuinely excited pro,gress on a long flight. Matt's cool. He encomages me to land near a hotel with a pool. knows Larry Tudot wants me to be as famous as Larry ls. This kid has been camping and X-C chasing since he was two months old and can spend hours in the truck and still be happy; I am very lucky.

like record?

time during theflight did you feel would be the day for a new state

I knew it was a day when I went to nearly J 8,000 a minutes after launching from at 11:00 AM. When I Port Defiance Plateau four hours later and crossed the unlandable terrain easily and high, l knew 200 miles was likely. My new La.rninar ST was psyching me, the glid(: seemed incredibly flat. When I reached 200 miles lt was dear that 250+ was within reach and we

AR: Wlhat does itfeel like to own 1+ state religion on sm:eo,,m,nv that) and about the great flight was ern,~rgtng. 'Two months an X,C tactics overview to our local dub. It was

lines. fliw1t tions really supported fost climbs and fost I kepr my mind on flying fast and and n1osrly to .it. A year ear.lier I had a 21 flight in four and half hours m.cred11ble tailwind. the 264.. was only bm I more skill and understanding of and climb considerations. MAY I 99fl

JJ: I'm not a pilot. J don't fly enough hours I my abilities the way competition pilots do when they go head,,to, head with best. Basically, I'm an X,C specialist and I know my backyard very well. Northern Arizona is a great backyard. T'he record is wonderful and me a taste of what rnust have folt as he broke down It's fi1n at work when it up and I a litsome adventure in my when I sec Julianne's pride in our accomplishments. is it li!ee t() ch,rse a pilot

1u11an,ne: l have been driving for John for 11

years. Out and early surnrner weekends consist of many hours in the truck, but we always m.anage to enjoy some quality family time\ There is nothing better then being alone with your family without the distractions of day-to-day iifo. Bang gliding has given us the to spend time together and has made us a very close family. We have unforgettable memories associated with our trips that arc priceless.

AR: Wlhat was it recordflight?

to chr:ise John on his

Julianne: Chasing John on long tl.igbts is always exciting. I am as competitive as he is, so I often scan the other channels for other pilots and their location. lf anyone is Matthew and I cheer .John on and offer incentives like leaving hirn .in the middle of nowhere lf he does not get up. Apparently this works. John and I had two goals fot hang gliding in 1997: a 250· mile flight for h.im, a tennis bracelet for me. Chasing can be very profitable for cJrj .. vers if you set appropriate goals!

AR: Wlhen John's n1111:PrtN ,,,,nuaP1,•n Clanado and his map diJJilfl:Y brol::r:, how did you guide him to end up north r!fGalluJ1f Julianne: The tough decision was deciding .if he should head in a more direction instead of continuing on northeast route. Fk was unsure of the ground rm1te east and had to on my map mr,,,n,rl"1·,1. tions. He was eventually convinced the route north of Gallup would work, and that Albuquerque was the ultimate goal. John is very fr1miliar with northern Arizona so he had a pretty good idea ofwhere he was. He only needed periodic updates of ground wind and names of towns we were passrng through. At the time, we wished we had started due east to begin with, as other pilots had done, but in end our route proved to be rnore advantageous. John's flight was based on he knew when his equipment failed he could trnst my judgment.

AR: At what time during the flight did you know thii w11s going to he 11 new record? How did )IOZI preptzre for it? Julianne: When John was over Gallup at 17,000 we knew he had the potential for a new record. Matthew and I stopped at the local grocery store and bought the obligatory bottle of champagne. Needless to the bottle was empty a few hours later.

Nelson Howe foot-launching behind the Airborne trilee.

page 19. dummy in my paddock, and l can verify that the Lee helmet is indeed very strong, a11d would warn people in the strongest terms m avoid the temptation, no matter how great, to kick one with all your might. In addition to hurting my pride, I hurt my big toe. The team did respectably, though it was taking us longer than we would have liked to advance in the rankings. We were now tied for fifth with the Pomcs, 400 points from the Italians in l hird. Guido was running away with first place in the individual standings, about 450 points ahead of Oleg. Gerolf bombed almost as badly as T djd yesterday, but still held on to third, 300 points behind Oleg. Serge 'faster was fourth, Manfred fifrh, 'fornas sixth. Gibbo was his lucky number, 13, Jim 19, f .arry 31, and I just seemed lO choke on the rest of' the numbers as J tried to read them off the page.

DAY8 Afrer a frontal passage we were in frlr a very hot day with a chance of thundershowers in rhe afternoon: Boowah air. Winds at the surfocc were forecast m be 20 knots at 270°. Alofi: they were mostly westerly with a range from southwest ro 2B

northwest. The task-setters wc:ren\ sure what part of that range to expect where. Finally, they called a 208-km dogleg from Manildra (northeast) to Dunecloo (north·· northeast). Afrer the previous day's dramas getting out of the paddock, the Americans laid Olll a static line so two methods of row would he available. This proved to generate some drama of its own. The window opened fairly early Ii.Jr once, and no one on the American team was ready quite in time. 'The winds weren't strong yer, bur eve1yone seemed to know rhar they would be pick-ing up. With rhar threat and the length of the task in mind, we all wmned to get out of the paddock as soon as possible. Larry was one, l was two, Jim three, Gibbo four in the launch order. Because nobody wants to go first and nobody wants to go last, and the guy who is last doesn't wam to he last even more than the guy who is first docsn'r want to ht, ... you get the picture. lf no one who is ready objects, anyone can jump in front. We figured Pete or Mike would be slipping in fast to go. In fact, Cibbo stepped up and tool< the first tow. The rest of' us were planning on going in order, so Mike, who was alrnosl suited up, now had to wait for his scvcmh

position. Cibbo towed and got up. Larry climbed into the trolley to wait for the trike while Pete walked over to t:he next lane and hooked into the static line. Larry, Nelson, Jim and Brad all towed up and got away. Pete's first static tow didn't get hirn up. The rope broke on his second attempt. By then, it was time for an aerotow, and Shane Duncan, who was done towing the Austrians, came over and gave him a yank. ]'he tow got so whacked in a dust devil that Pete pinned off. On his fourth tow, he gor away, hot, low and sweaty. 'fhe fl rs1 leg of the course had enough of a crosswind rliat the second seemed like it would really be difficult. We got high before the start, and then dove over the flats for the first set of hills. I started a bit ahead of the killer gaggle, behind l .arry and Cibbo. l tried to get cute on my way into the bills, pass up lift and get a boomer off the hills. [ .arry had decided to get sorne height before them. His plan seemed a better one, as I found myself thrashing around in windy, broken lift among the hills. After too much zigzagging I climbed out and got on course. Before the turnpoint we took a good one to near base, and as I looked to my lefr I watched Chris Muller pull into a steep dive and perform a perfect 180° wingover. We got the turnpoint high and headed toward some beautiful development. Streets of big cu's had formed, and suddenly the wind was nor a problem. We raced under the clouds flying a 450 ring setting until they ended. There was a bit of repositioning when the clouds went through changes. Some died, some reformed. Many spread out at a middle level and then refilrmed or foll apart completely. As is always the case on cloud days, the people who read the clouds the best were the fastest. Some of us found ourselves low (now 7,000' was not a good thing, and 6,000' folt low). Over the hills near Wellington people found lift that wenr to 8,000' and quit, or went all the way to base. Once you got back to base, you poured on the coal once more, ran to the edge of the street at 13,000' and began a 27 mile final glide with a quartering tailwind. The goal was a racetrack that didn't look anything like a racetrack. Nonetheless, 88 pilots flew 208 K's and gor there. Manfred won the day, followed by Andre Wolf and Mike Stephens. All the Americans except Pete got in. Pete left the padHAN(; GLIIJINC

dock drifted downwind, scratched to the turn point and drifted off course again as the lower winds increased, the cloud shadow became a real problem and his flighr continued to be out of synch with the day. /\frcr blowing 30 miles off course and knowing that the rest the team h;id made it in, Pete chose a new goal for him self and landed at the Stuart 'lt)Wn pub. Mike raced magniflccntly, and was fastest for the team, but his late st arr and flnish didn't bring him any departure or arrival points, so his score was not as high as his time would suggest. Gibbo's hypoxia got the better him as he forgot to photograph the clock at goal before rewinding his film. l managed to pry open his film leather backpack, canister inside and reload the film. We taped over the lens and shot off the first 16 frames, then shot the clock. Though they were double exposures, the film readers and rhc FAI allowed it. The team was not fast enough. We slipped back to sixth. The t>ornes were ahead of us. Anstria, and Aus· tralia were one, two and dircc. Guido was one, Oleg two, Manfred three. Ccrolf made goal, but had a fllm problem, and slipped to I 0. Maybe we should have loaned hirn Amy's backpack.

trike on standby, anyway, and were paying half wages 10 the pilot, so we figured everyone would be happier if we put him to work. Of course, nothing comes cheap in a tow meet, especially a second trike. I rowed up first, got dropped off right into a thermal with the only other pilot in the air. Larry wem second on the other trike, and then our guys got off as quickly as they could. The weather had already

the hills short of Crenfoll, which seemed like it should be a good place ro find lift. Brad had joined us by then, and Jim had slipped a bit ahc;id. I chased after some straw in the air when I should have been chasing circling gliders, and found myself beneath the gaggle without a rope. 1 dove onro a hill, found rny very own horribly nasty 500 up that was suddenly drifi ing hard out of the south our intended

turned hostile on us, and there was primarily a light tailwind on the ground. Gibbo called out a warning on the radio: "Yo, guys, be careful with those downwind launches," after his trolley took a few sickways excursions through the wheat stubble with Gibbo still aboard. All of our pilots got out, with Glen taking two tows. There was a real sense of urgency because the cir-· rus had ·,ii ready cast shadow over the pnd· dock, and because JZ was broadcasting a warning that the launch window would be closed in five minutes, four minutes, three minutes ... There is a rule here that if one of the launch paddocks doses the launch window due to unsuitable conditions, the other paddock must close its window l 0 n1inutcs later if conditions don'! improve. As the other paddock was closed down, we at least knew how much tirne was left on the clock Bill Moyes finned and raged on the radio about it being a stupid rule, but no one paid him much attention. Meanwhile, Jim, Larry and I drifred carcfolly toward the start. The lifr was quite weak, but we managed to stay above 6,000' and get our pictures. Cihbo came along from nowhere, and powered off on his own, choosing a diffr:rcnr route than we did. We headed for a tree line, and evenru:illy found ourselves drifring into

direction oftravcl 100k it to 6,000' and rejoined the same gaggle. Meanwhile, Gibbo had stayed fonher to the west, and had done n111ch better. He had gotten to 8,000' and was at rhc rnrnpoiut while we were still struggling on the hills. Pilots burbled all over the place at the hills, but none really seemed LO go up very well. In fact, Brad and J did not go up at all, and landed shorr of the rmnpoim. Jim blew over rhc hills, passing up the opportunity to hmd among them, and using his I 00 feet ofterrain clearance to bail backside, and then scraped his way back into the air. Jim, ( ~ibbo ;ind Larry got the turn point. Mike showed up in there soon afrcrwards, and Glen came along later as well. Pete had decked it short of Brad and rnc. Later than Clcn, Chris Muller flew by, but declined to squander his 500' on a loop. Great disappointmem. The headwind continued, and the guys in the air got one good one at the Grenfell turnpoint, and then basically wem on final glide. Gibbo went the fiirthcst for rhc Americans, placing ninth fr)r the day. 'T'hcn Larry, Jim, Glen. Manfred won the day at 1 J 2 km for an astonishing 882 points. The validity formula s:iw linlc wrong with the flight, and, in an irrcspon-· sible flt of editorializing, Twould suggest

DAY Roll elem weather bones, let 'cm roll. /\frcr the previous day's epic task there was some hope that the good weather would hold.!\ quick look at the sky sug· gested that hope was the hest we could do. 'lei the nonh another hand of high cirrus covered the sky, and was moving our way. I\ surface trough was rumored to be lurk-nearby, and indeed ovcrdcvdopmcnt began in the distance early. The task set· ters, however, were undeterred. /\frcr some discussion, they chose a 176--km task with variable start gate, and two turnpoints: Grenfell silo, Srockinbingal silo, Bannedman goal. I ,ell Pattcm was heard to say, "Well, if the wcarlier goes bad, we'll let the validity formula sort it our." Tt did, and, perhaps, it didn't. Once the task was called, and the window opening announced, there was a mad rush to get ready. The Americans, afrcr getting too fow pilots in the air before cirrus shut us clown two days previous, ::rnd then afrer rhc static--linc debacle the day before, had negotiated a second trike with Airborne. They had another driver and MAY 19913

that GAP is quite happy with unmakahle tasks, and frequently makes them worth more rhan legitimate racing days perhaps nor what racing hang gliders is mcam to be about? In any case, the Americans as a team moved into {iflh place. (;uido, sec·· ond for the day, held firmly to his overall lead. Oleg was second, Manfred third, "fomas fourth. Gerolf's film problems seemed not to have gone away, and he was srill in 10th. ( ;ibbo was I 2, Jim 17, Larry

27. DAY IO Ar the start of the day, the weather looked grim. ·rhe same surface trough was forecast to be nearby, and thick streaks of cirrus loomed in the distance, sliding our way. Winds were forecast to be strong, west at 20 on rhc surface. The Americans decided the added expense of the second trike was not warranted, and instead vowed to be rendy earlier to get ;1 pilot in the air the second the window opened. Ir looked like another day that would be shut down by cirrus. Pilots began rcrnovillg weight from their harnesses, leaving glider bags and harness bags in the cars. 'l'hc task was called variable start garc, srraight line ro Boorowa, 120 km. Pete launched rbe moment the window opened, followed by Larry and me. TtJWS were horri/ic. Winds were 0-15, generally straight in, but convective turbulence was as bad as it had been yet, and hanging on to the line was a chore. Initial climbs were strong, though the lifr over the paddock had a tendency to be strong and then suddenly quit ar 4,000' or 5,000'. As a result, we did a lot of pressing upwind and stepping up for altitude before the start. The cirrus was still gaining on us, and there was a real sense of urgetKy to the day. The variable start gate posed an addi-tional probkm. "T'herc were over 20 possible start points to choose from. On windy days, they allowed us to choose which one to photograph so that no one paddock was disadvantaged hy it's position relative to a start point. Keeping track of all rhe possible start points was difficult, even with CPS. Jim and I photographed the corner of a forest which pm us well upwind of course line and went. We were not as high as we could have been, but with the cirrus corning, we fdt we needed to hurry. We took one more good thermal together, and then gor separated, as Jirn picked up one thnt f missed, and I found myself coming

in low to the hills outside of Grenfell. Deja vu threatened in the worst way as I remembered bombing the day before, but I f01111d a relatively weak thermal that did evcmually rnrn on, and got on my way. Pere and Larry had already started and were on course. Brad and Gibbo were coming up from behind. And then the threat of cirrus shutting the day down never materialized. Yes, there were areas of shadow, but' the lifr was in the 800-900 up range, thermal tops high, and the wind not much cif an issue at all. More than halfway into the course we finally figured out that this was a racing day, not a survival day, and that we were passing up 400 up. Unfortunately, lots of other pilots figured this out before we did. From 20 miles our we went on final glide, taking four turns in a 700 up just to be sure, and then coming in high to goal. Ninety-four pilots made goal. Manfred won the day; with a time of 1 :4(i, speed 68 km/h. Guido started earlier than we did, but still blazed, taking sixth for the day. The team held Oll to fifth, but slipped ther from founh and third. Guido was in first overall, with Manfred second, Oleg third. Gibbo was 2, Jim J 6, Larry 25.

rur-

DAYll Man, this just goes on and on. Lots of cumulus early. l nitial impressions were that the day would overdevelop early, but the clouds didn't have a lot of vertical development to them, and the way they formed and lasted it seemed like they might just shade out the ground and shut things down. The weather forecast was not particularly optimistic: average lift 0, max lifr 200. The wild card in it all was that a dryer air mass might move in later in the day. A task ro the: Canowindra silo, Cudal bridge, Eugowra goal was called: 1 14 km. Winds were forecast to be west at 10. The task was called with the wind making each leg progressively more difficult, with the final leg straight into wind. The Americans had one trike, and laid out the static line. Pete static towed and got right up. Brad, Jim and Gibho aerotowed and got right up. Mike static towed and kept calling for more pressure until he broke the rope. He didn't get out, and acrotowcd later. By the tirne it was my mrn, one of the other mg drivers had ;irrivcd, and Ricky Duncan pulled rne up. Lifr was dcflnitely better rlian 0-200 up. Climbom from the paddock was 400·

600. Clouds were well enough formed to be useful, and lifr occurred even over shaded ground. Already on course, Pete called our a warning that the clouds clidn'r last that long, and to be carefol; bur with a late start, and the advantage of thermal markers on course, we didn't have difflculry con· nccting the dots. Although we hit a low spot on the way to Canowindra, we got the first turnpoint at cloud base, glided to the next gaggle, and caughr most of' the front gaggle. As we approached the second tumpoint, we saw i1 was in the middle of a big blue hole, and the gaggle veered off at a 60° angle ro try to position high under a cloud before going in for the picmrc. ft seemed excessively cautious to me, but having already nicked the edge of the bole, and lost a lor of altitude in the process, I wasn't about to go on my own. Ir turned out to he a bit of a mistake. The cloud we were chasing produced no lifi:, and now we were just as far from the turn point, but a lot lower. Some of us were much lower rhan others. Like me, for instance. A raging race suddenly turned to survival mode, and circles were made in very weak lifr over shaded ground. Clouds had formed over the turnpoint, but we could barely get there. Pilots with more altitude made it to the lifr, and climbed well. Others tiptoed through O and 200 up to get there, while others landed. A massive tornado of a gaggle formed from ground level to cloud base as pilots in varying degrees of despair and relief climbed slowly. As the thermal started to quit, some of 11s headed for the tumpoint, while others glided off toward goal. The dryer air mass had started to push in. After rhc turnpoint, lifr tended to stop 2,000 to 4,000 feet lower than it had before. Thermals turned on, then quit, and we found ourselves pressing on nervously low and into a 10-mph headwind. Some of these thermals turned on over the hills and went ro base. Others did not. I pressed hard; there was always someone climbing better ahead of me, and I kepi leaving the gaggle, convinced that I would ace them on the climb ahead. For a while it worlzed: each time they came in from behind, they were a little lower. Then I left once more, and as l looked back (wasn't it Robbie Whittal who said, "Never look bad<"?) I saw them snaking up to base. I powered on, and got another one low off the bills before goal. It burbled all the way in, and f

Continued on page HANC CIIDINC

I J

' Wo The 1998 Women's World Meet will take place in Hungary this August. The U.S. Team members are Kari Castle, Claire Pagen, Tammy Burcar, Lisa Verzella, Patti Cameron and C.J. Sturtevant. Contributions are gratefully accepted in addition to raffle ticket purchases. Send your check or money order to Women's World Team, c/o USHGF, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330.

NOTE: The Women's World Team has officially extended the raffle deadline until September 1, 1998 Raffle prizes have been donated by: Quest Air - I aero-tow release, 5 assorted T-shirts, 10-pack of tows, free beer for 2 for a weekend, 10,000-foot tow, areo tow training course Hang II or above (up to 10 flights) Wallaby Ranch - dollies, releases and aerotow technical support Two-Can Fly - one introductory paragliding lesson Altair - a $200 gift certificate toward the purchase of an Altair glider Jeff Farrell - two copies of the video Fly Hard Mountain High - two oxygen systems SOL - one open-face helmet. one windsok, two $100 gift certificates for SOL helmets, harness or paraglider Just Fly - one Icaro Integral helmet US Aeros - one set of hand fairings, one X-C glider bag Moyes America - three $100 certificates toward the purchase of a Moyes Xtreme or Flex harness Kitty Hawk Kites - six hang gliding Tshirts Hang Glider and Paraglider Emporium - three introductory paragliding lessons Fly Mexico - five free flying days in Mexico Flytec USA - a Flytec 4005 vario Fly Products - shirts and sportswear John Heiney - six aerobatic posters Paul Hamilton - three videos from Adventure Productions Pendulum Aerosports - two-watt radio & 12-pack smoke bombs USHGA - books and calendars Gerry Grossnegger - nifty little string games David Beardslee - one tandem hang gliding flight Aerolight USA - one Kiwi Evolution helmet

Icaro - fi ve Icaro helmets Cameron Outerwear - three neckgaiters Team Spirit Hang Hang Gliding - Free day's glider rental Dan Uchytil - Wooden hang glider sculpture/trophy Galleried artist Gigi Gelfan - Framed and matted Im pressionistic-style painting of a cascadin g waterfall in a forest, about 14" x 16" "Women Fly!" clothing for team memht!rs provided by Speak lnc.!fhe Women Fly Project

Raffle drawing to be held in September 1, 1998. The Women's World Tea m appreciates the donations of $100 or more from: Chelan Lanes/Mr. J's Lane Eleven, Mary Clor/Sky Wear Inc. (t-shirts), Cloudbase Country Club, Paul Klemond, Lake Chelan Flyers, Inc., Carl Lawrence, Marin County Hang Gliding Association, G.W. Meadows/Jru,tFiy (f-shirt printing), Pendulum Aerosports, Don Reinhard/Personal Flight, Davis Straub. Quest Air, An anonymous parap,lider pilot $40 (5 tickets): Sam Martin, Nancy Us.sery, Paul Hurless ($50), Adam Bein, Hank Hutzel, Kathleen Dunn, Ursula Edwards, Lauri McDaniel, Joesph and Logan Nance $25 (3 tickets): Karl Cameron, Tim Delaney, Christopher Delanooy, Carol Sperry, Valerie Carroll, Ken Hudonjorgensen, Belinda Boulter, Korrie van Deest, Steve Mayer, Tom Gardner, Gary McIntire, Rich Lawrence, Barbara Wiedemann, Jim and Linda Yocom $20 (2 tickets): Erica Corral, Greg Kendall, $10 (1 ticket) : Phil (the Pill) Bloom, Kurt Dilley, Grant Hoag, Slade Kennett, "Chum" McCranels, Andy Pryciak, Philip Vangel, Davis Straub, David Crabb, Tim Denton, Mark Gaskill, Bob Helmer, Jeff Hinshaw, Steve Niessner, Mike Smith, Steve Stubbendick, Franz Vettiger, Mark Windsheimer Other: Mary Clor, $160 for 20; George Knox, $20 for 2; Rusty Russ, $100 for 12; Sandia Clas.sic, $100 for 12; Dennis Yeomans, $105 for 13

OFFICIAL RULES - NO PURCHASE NECESSARY I. Rarne open to U.S. Residents 18 years or older. 2. For every$ IO donated you will receive a ticket for a chance IO wi n the listed prize(s). Tickets may also be obtai ned by wri ting "Go Women's Team" on a 3" x 5" card and mai ling it with a self-addressed , stamped envelope 10 Tammy Burcm·, P.O. Box 3274. Santa Barbara, CA 93130. One entry per envelope. All ti cket req uests must be postmarked by May I, 1998. The Team or its affiliates are not responsible for any U.S. Mail o r humm1 e1TOrs. 3. Sec above list for prizes to be awarded. Odds of winning depend upon the number of pmticipants. 4. Each entrant accepts and agrees to be bound by these rules and the decision of the judges whic h shall be final and binding and not appealable. 5. All Fede ral and State laws apply. 6. Void where prohibited or res tricted by law.

r---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, Please send me Women 's World Team raffle ticket(s). Prices: $10 each, three for $25, five for $40. Make checks payable to the United States Hang Gliding Foundation (USHGF) and mail to: Tammy Burcar, P.O. Box 3274, Santa Barbara, CA 93130. NAME~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ADDRESS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CITY -------------------- -------------------

STATE --------------------- ZIP -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ PHONE( _ _ _ ) _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ Your canceled check is your receipt. Ticket numbers will be written on the check.

"simple." This is a trend that grearly excites me. Since the late I 980's I've been flying "user-friendly" hang gliders more oficn than super-ships, and I love it. I've sometimes had to defrnd myself for flying a glider l could land on the roof a house ifl had to, so I'm glad to hear tl1;1t there's enough interest in singlc--surface gliders in J\umalia that they have created a special class in rhei r cross-coumry com pet itions fi:ir rhcm. This trClld is becoming more evident in the U.S., and I hope ir continues. Wills Wing, Moyes, Aeros and Airwavc arc all offering single--smfacc ships in the U.S. now, ;md l personally know of more than two dozen highly--proficiCllt pilots who have purchased "fi_m ships" in the last 18 months. This is a great trend. Not only arc these gliders lighter, easier w fly and safer to land, but they promise to keep more pilots in the sport if it becomes "acceptably foshion:1ble" to fly grin-creating machines. As you know, most of the people in this spon arc ego driven to some degree (except you, right?) and the pressure to fly the newest, hottest, most "in--stylc" gliders available is tremendous. Hopefully this F.uropcan and Australian trend will migrate more aggressively our way. If you haven't flown one of the current single-surface gliders on rhe market, you're in for a real treat. (Don'1- worry, you won't have ro revert ro using big wheels.)

PROMOTING THE SPORT ere wc arc in May already and there ;ire some things happening concerning the USHCJ\ that l wanr you to know about.

VIDEO I've appointed a four- person team that is working on producing a great I 0-mimnc video lo promote the sport of hang glidWith as linlc t:1lking in it as we can get away with, a11d as much "fon and safr:" ae1io11 as we can cram in, this video is sure to he a hit. With an end of-year completion goal, this product will be available 10 all members for a very low price to show 10 friends, politicians, etc. 11 is somed1ing our sport has needed for a long time, :md I'm excill:d that it's so close to fruition. The USHGA will he covering the productio11 costs so schools, dealers and members in general will have a rape at 1heir dispos,il that they can lie proud of for just dw cost of reproduction. I'll keep you updated.

PROMOTIONAL CARDS The Bew promotional rack cards arc out for hang gliding, and will be shortly for paragliding. These incredibly prof,:ssiorrnl, full--color rack cards will he available to all schools, cluhs and mcmhcrs so can have access to the same high--quality promotional materials that previously only large schools could afford to produce. Now you cm get these sturdy cards for as little as eight cents each. They discretely display MAY 199/l

the l JS H ( ;1\ address a1- the borrorn, but leave ;1 large space for individnal school, instrucrnr, or dub information. This is a fine example of something die USHCA is doing to help grow our sport by helping rhe front-line sales people you! Contact the US] !CJ\ for inorc information abom how 10 get a stack of' these cards.

NEW TRENDS Reports ;ire coming in from Europe and Australia about an incrc;1sing nurnber of' advanced pilots who arc making the decisingle-surface hang gliders. sion to With advancing technology and the inevitable increase in prices that has come With it, instead of getting OU\ of the sport, a number of pilots arc going

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Continuedfrom page 30. glided in easily, behind the gaggle tha1 took rhat last one to base, but fairly respectably, since f had never gotten ahove 5,000' afrer Cuda!, and base was over 8,000'. Fifiy-cight pilots made goal, on what was truly a great task. C;iven the morning's conditions, it was a gutsy call that worked, aml achieved die objective of making each leg more difficult than the one befi:ire it. Manin Harri won the day at 3: l 8. Gilibo was fastest for the Yanks, fc)llowed by Jim, me and Brad. Guido was still comfortably ahead of Manfred and Oleg. The Austrians were far in the lead, followed hy Germany and Italy. We were fifrh, and quite a ways out of third.

DAY12 Wind. It was blowing early in the paddock. Forecast was frlr north winds somewhere around 20. There was a trough ro the west which was headed our way. Word from the meet office was of a layer of cirrus at 28,000' moving at 40 knots in our direction. There were still cu's under the cirrus, but there was concern that the lifr would be weaker heneath it. In spite of the wind and encroaching cloud, two the three potential rasks were beyond ambitions, and the other was too easy. They opted for the most difficult of the three: straight downwind to Millvale, quartering tail to Coolamon, straight crosswind to

Crong Grong, 218 km. Lifr was forecast to be strong. lt would have JO be. Tows were exciting, with the wind in the paddock at 5-15 from the north. Thermal turbulence was extreme, and l watched one glider come off tow banked well past vertical. Glen had a misunderstanding with his tow instructions. Because his radio is difficult to key, he set his glider down in the launch positiou and told JZ that he'd have to give his launch instruC·· tions for him. So JZ immediately keyed

the mic and said those three little words th;it mean so much: "Go go go." Clen, who was hunched over with his basetube resting on the ground, realized what had just happened and screamed, "No no no," picked up the glider as quickly as he could, and found himself running and flying before he knew what bad happened. l wonder if that had anything to do with the bag of chips? He broke a weak link at 150' and came back for another. Most of the climbouts were quick, but pilots topped the lift five miles from the start and either started a hit on the low side or jockeyed around looking for a thermal by the start. This jockeying cost thousands of feet and then quite a fr:w minutes, minutes which proved to be useful later in the flight. 'The first run was cake except for the mountains by Grenfell, which trapped Chris Muller ridge soaring in 25-30 knot winds with miles of forest upwind and downwind and no way out. One thermal, which he tried to take out, quit suddenly, and he barely made it back upwind to the ridge. He finally surfed his way to the end the ridge and peeled off in a good thermal. I .ifr strengths up higher ran from 5001,000 fi)ln. Clouds were well developed, if shon lasting. Winds were 25-30. The air was quite turbulent down low. The re;i] challenge of the flight began afrer the first turnpoint. Now everything drifred you off course. As I had a late start, I already saw the cirrus shadow coming, and tried to aim

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for areas of the brightest sun. I .arry, Jim, Brad and Gibbo were on course c:irly, and seemed to be doing fairly well ahead. Though he towed after me, Mike took his start ahead of me, and had ;i blazing run, to eventually catch up with these guys. In back, Pete landed at the turnpoint, and Glen landed nearby. Things got a bit tricky frlr me, :ind then l was at base, and feeling pretty good. Although the sun was not as bright, and the clouds were spread apart a bit more, some of thern were developing more fully than earlier, and it felt like something different was happening with the weather. Dave Adams, Rupic Platner and I went straight from base to the ground. It was blowing a strong 20 on the surface, and landings got our attention, but none of our aluminum. Gibbo and Brad landed on ahead of us. We could still hear Jim, Larry and Mike in the air. Although it looked to me and Rupie like the day must have been falling apart, several more gag-· gles of high gliders flew over our heads. Quite a few (45) pilots got close to the second turn point, with 23 actually getting the picture. Jirn landed two km short afrer hcing al cloud base 9,400' eight km downwind and gliding straight to the ground, about a 2/ J glide ratio. By now, it was blowing a steady 30. No one made goal. The weather was indeed changing. The trough made itself known with black skies that turned green and then red, as a roiling wall of dust and rain bore down on us. rn seconds, visibility went down to 15 feet, trees snapped, awnings blew off houses, power lines came down, and the earth seemed to rise up and speed sideways. All of the American pilots were found before the gust front hit, but Jim and Mike had to sprint 200 yards into a paddock to get his glider, and sprint back out with it, as they could sec the red wall approaching. They had just lashed down the last tic and jumped into the car when the first giant rain drops srlancred down through a spray of flying gravel and red dust. lgnazio Bernardi won the day. Mike did the best for the Americans, followed by Larry and Jim. We did poorly as a team, and let the Pomes slip ahead of us into fiftb. The Austrians were first, Germans second, Italians third. Guido still led ovcrnll, Oleg second, Manfred third. And this would be the final standings, for the trough rained out the paddock, and the last day of the comest dawned on gray and windy skies. Ill 3B

1 'fask 9: VSG - Grenfol!..Srockingbingal'fask 1: SG6 ... }tal!imoi:e,.147.4 km Barmedman, 176.4 krn 1hsk2: SGS - Woodstock-l~:glfoto11, 141.0km Iask 3: SG7 - Manildra~Koorawatha, 146.6 km Task 10: VSG - Hoorowa, 120,() km Task 4: SG8 . ManHdm.:Bo.dangam, 140.5 km 13.sk 11: SG9 .. Canowindra--Cudal-Eugowra, 114.3 km Task 5: SGlO, Grenfoll~fo(bcs, 85.4km "task 12: VSG Millvale-·Coolamo11-Grong 'fask 6: SG6 . Tbttenham, 137.4 km Grong, 218.4 km 'fask 7: VSG - Bodangara.Aitstrip,143.8 km Task 8: SG9 Manildra-Duncdoo, 207.9 km

Place

6) 7)

Gehrmann, Guido Bondarchuk, Oleg Ruhmer, Manfred Suchanek, Tomas Tastet; Serge Heinrichs, Gerolf Ciech, Chdsdall

Wolf; Andre

9) 10)

18)

Bricoli, Erminio Bertok., Attila Thevenot, Harri, Martin Plattner,. Rupert Gibson, Mark Holtkan1p, Rohan Jim Hamilton, Robin Co.on.iber, Kraig

19) 20)

Pi;ior,Jason

La Mouette 1bpless Aeros St~:alth karo Laminar Moycs·CSX 5 Icaro Laminar ST' karo Laminar ST karo Larnina.r ST lc<lfO La M.ouette Tbpless Moyes La Motiette Iopless Moyes CSX Icaro lJJminar ST Aitwave Xtreme Moyes·CSX Wills Wing F1.1sion Icaro LaminarS'T' Moyes CSX La M6uette 'Ibpless Icaro Laminar

'.{udoi:, •La ny Koji; Brad Barber, Mike Nelson Volk,Glen D:hmann, Pete

Icaro Laminar Icaro .Laminar Airwave )fo:emc WHls Wing Fi.ision Icaro Laminar ST Wllls Wing .Fusion

l) 2) 3)

11)

12) l.3) J 4) 15) 16)

17)

26) 41) 43)

44)

54) 87)

GER OKR

Points 10296 9625

AUT

9461

CZE

9331

FRA AUT

9221 9030 8984 8833 8761 8671 8661

ITA BRA

I'Tf\

HUN LUX

swr

AUf USA AUS OSA GBR AUS GBR GBR

USA

USA lJSA

USA

8654 8458 8417 8333

8319 8302 8225 8220 8213

7155 7140

7130 6519

USA Points

8) 9) 10) 11)

26620

Ausn:iit Germany Italy Australia United Kingdom United States ofAmerica France Switzerland Brazil Japan Czech Republic

12) 13)

21301

Spain

2) 3)

4) 5) 6)

14)

17)

20072 19674 18431 18124

18)

19) 20)

9808

15) 16)

9587 4062

3072

Holland Hungary New Zealand Norway South Africa CaJJada Luxembourg Ukraine Ireland Slovenia Argentina Chinese 'faipel

H1\NC Gt IDINC

S~e--!C£L~h. KT-> L

Near Perfection in a Topless Hang Glider

THE•1997

ArizonaX-C CONTEST by Frank Schwab Nineteen ninety-seven was an excellent year for the 17th annual Arizona Cross Country Contest. The early season produced a number of long flights, but Independence Day for us was July 5. On this momentous day a new state record of 264 miles was recorded by john Johnson (]]) on his Laminar ST, one offive personal best flights and four 100+ mile flights recorded that day. (See separate article on ]J's flight and an interview with him. -

Ed.)

he Arizona X-C Comest is split into three classes of pilots: the 50 Mile Class for those who've never flown over 50 miles X-C, the Sportsman Class for chose who haven't flown over 100 miles X-C in the last five years, and the Unlimited Class for everyone else. Ir's a run-what-ya-brung, best-flight-takes-all contest, with a minimal set of rules. Last year the biggest change was the nearly universal use of GPS's on X-C flights. Every flight that placed in the comest had GPS coordinates for launch and landing, eliminating the time-consuming approach of trying co identify a landing position on a topographical map, then calculating great-circle distances. Of course, everyone found them invaluable flight aids as well, especially when flying over unfamiliar pares of the scare. What was also remarkable was what stayed the same: Flex wings still ruled the skies, with nary a rigid wing in sight. By the time you read this, however, the situation may have changed, as at least one Exxtacy has been delivered in-state (to Dave McAnally). We have a small paragliding community, but none have entered the comest yet. The season started at the beginning of April, with Len Clements posting first a 26-mile, then a 40-mile flight on his RamA.ir in less than a week. In mid-April, Wayne McLellan and Mike Alvey flew 30 miles from the Craters, while Andy Rockhold flew over their heads for 64 miles to Joseph Cicy. Jay Devorak pulled off a 22-mile flight from Mingus on April 30, flying a demo Wills Wing Fusion, which was good for third place in the 50 Mile Class. On May 31, John Johnson decisively took over the lead in the contest, flying 15 5 miles from Mt. Elden to Dennehotso. I felt really good flying over JJ's head (but not past his previous flight) for 138 miles to Rough Rock on

Looking back at the San Francisco peaks and Elden launch at the beginning ofa most remarkable day (July 5). Andy Rockhold photo. 1997 Arizona X-C Contest Results (Pilot/Driver) UNLIMITED CLASS 1) John & Julianne Johnson, Icaro Laminar ST, 264 mjles 2) Stan Mish & Gloria Hardwick, Wills Wing HP AT 158, 190 mjles 3) Andy & Melinda Rockhold, UP TRX 160, 151 miles SPORTSMAN CLASS

1) Frank & Teresa Schwab, Wills Wing HP AT 145, 148 miles 50 MILE CLASS 1) Tom & Bech Mocsenbocker, PacAir Formula 154, 57 miles 2) Hal Hayden & Marcia and Todd Quayle, Airwave Klassic, 35 miles 3) Jay Devorak & David Luceyn, Wills Wing Fusion, 22 miles

LEFT: The red cli.ffi a/Sedona on a flight from Mingus Mountain. Photo by Len Clements.

LEFT TO RIGHT: John Johnson, Andy Rockhold, Frank Schwab andJay Devorak.

MSL 180()()

17500 '/000 16(,0()

16000

1!S500 15000 HSOO 14000 13500 13000 12500 12000 11500 11000 10:iOO 10000

9500 9000 8500 8000

7500

Index Fo:cr«:ast

June 21, after he spent the day graciously showing me the route in the air. And then came the July 4 weekend. Figure l shows the Soaring I;orecast from Kevin Ford's lmernet site (hnp:// csrp.tamu.edu/soar/for.htrn I) ft1r July 3. We normally use 1he -3 index as our expect-· eel maximum :1ltitude. A qurck look at rbe chart shows the -.3 ar just over 16,000 foet. 'The curves arc extremely flat, lwwev-er, and a slightly higher tempcrarnrc rhan predicr--cd or a slight change in rhe atmosphere could easi-ly push the lift above 18,000 fret A dozen or so pilots headed for Mt. Elden, near Flagstaff, /\rizona. Friday didn't work out as well as hopL:d, with a long flight of (only!) 87 miles by JJ, and several 40--rnilc flights. There aren't many places in the country where two thermals arc sufficient to glide 40 miles, bm it was a common story thai day. Of course, 13,000' AG [, thermals make it easier. Sarurday dawned looking much the same, though wirb a more westerly wind. Roughly a dozen pilots were sitting on launch, looking grimly at crossing winds in the narrow, deep slor at launch, though straight cycles kept us hopeful. John John son, who doesn't like getting caught behind other pilots on Lmnch, powered off 42

,July

, 1997.

in a cycle at I l :00 /\Mand scratched his way down the mountain. After losing sev-eral hundred feet he caught a strong core out front, and started climbing out. Cross·· ing winds in the slot kept the rest of the line of pilots from bailing ofF to join our thermal marker. "fon minutes later, JJ radioed down that he was at 16,000 feet, but wamed to wait for a few more pilots to join him. A few minutes later, he radioed th:it he was nearing 18,000 foet, and had no choice but to head down-wind. Eleven pilots lis-rcncd intently as they waited for launch condi-tions. Shortly thcreaftct~ conditions improved, and like a pack of lemmings everyone punched off fol-lowing Tt)m Motsenbocker and Andy Rockhold. Many got up, hut strong sink met those whose timing didn't meet the approval of the Wind Gods. By the time most of tbe pilots were in the air, J.J was 30 minutes (and miles) ahead. Peeling a south component to the breeze, he headed northeast. 'J 'his decision cost him at the cud of tbe day as the wind turned due west, even northwest for some pilots, making him backtrack south 40 miles or more. · f'hc upper winds avcrnged about 20--25 mph out of the west. Downwind speeds were in the 50--60 mph range. Lifi: was also

perfect hig 1,500--fjJm thermals spaced quite nicely, and climbing as high as you wanted to go, well in excess of 17,000'. 'fom Morsenhocker lcfr the mountain with Andy Rockhold, and followed him downwind to Winona, where he split off to follow l--40. This was a good choice for a newer X-C pilot, and it allowed him to Dy to Winslow for personal best number one for the day 57 miles, and first place in the 50 Mile Class. Pilots were scattered along a 30--milewidc nortb--sourh swath of Arizona desert, from 1--40 to Oraihi, flying northeast, cast and southeast. Most pilots were flying alone with their own chase. At the ] 15-· mile mark, Andy Rockhold was circling up when he was startled to see me for the first 1imc racing downwind for his thermal at a 50+ mph closing rate. We climbed out over 17,000 feet, and started off downwind again. We were running out oflifr along our course line along l--40, however, and landed three miles apart another 35 miles downwind at about 5:30 PM, 10 miles into New Mexico. Personal best numbers two and three J 48 miles for me and first place in the Sportsman Class, and 151 miles for Andy and third place in the Unlimited Class. Stan Mish came onto the scene with tbc most illegible radio transmissions I have ever heard. His driver, Gloria, was following behind, trying to guess what he was saying, and we eventually figured out that he had flown into some northwest air, and was heading southeast across 1--40 to eventually land about 30 miles past Zuni, New Mexico. Personal best number frrnr 190 miles, and second place in the Unlimited Class. JJ was still up and we could hear him flying over Grants, New Mexico. After I tore down and was turning back for home, I could hear him still high, and able to sec Albuquerque. Roy, did he sound happy! His flight ended after eight hours at Exit 140 on J--40. This was personal best nun1bcr five for the day 264 miles, 40 miles past his previous long flight, and first place iu the Unlimited Class. This was also the longest flight in rhc United States on a Laminar ST leading to a nice cash contingency prize to JJ from karo. Flying continued into the late summer with the most noticeable flight being one by 1fa! Hayden, who took second place in the 50 Mile Class with a 35-rnilcr from Yarnell to nonh of Prescott on September 21. M HJ\NC CUDINC

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$34.95 $35.95 $34.95 $34.95 $33.00

$10.00 USHGA PHONE CARD 25¢ per minute 10119 distance rate, specify l1g or pg card, includes 30 min .. ,._Jl1L WINDSOK™ 1.5 oz. ripstop nylon, 5'4" long w/11" throat Pink/yellow or pink/white (circle one). 2/b $39.95 WINDSEEKER Hang glider flying model. It loops & soars. L.ots of fun to fly, you'll want two. ·r 5oz $ 3.00 USHGA EMBLEM DECAL Our original logo, in its original colors, on a 3" circular sticker. .1oz $ .50 USHGA SEW-ON EMBLEM Our original logo, in its original colors, on a 3" circular patch. .1oz $ 1.50 MTN. GLIDER DECAL Full color 6" rectangular, long.lastinfJ vinyl decal. Very colorful. .. 1oz $ 1.50 MTN_ GLIDER SEW-ON The most beautifully embroidered patch you've ever seen 1oz $ 3.95 MTN. GLIDER LAPEL PIN Multi-colored, custom shaped w/epoxy dome, military clutch back . 2oz $ 3.95 LICENSE PLATE FRAME I'd Rather Be J-/ang Gliding or I'd Rather Be Paragliding (circle one). Jib $ 6.50 *ERIC !~AYMOND POSTER 24"x37" Eric 17,000' MSL over the Sierra Nevada Ran9e 1/b $ 5.95 *AEROBATIC POSTER 23"x31" Colorful keel-angle shot of John Heiney looping skyward. 1/b $ 6.95 *Posters are NOT AVAILABLE on International orders-Sorry! SPECIAL - BOTH POSTERS FOR $10.00 PAYMENT must be included with your order. NON··USA orders must be in U.S. FUNDS drawn on a U.S. BANK! SUBTOTAL WEIGHT (for sl,ipping)

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Colorado residents add '.3°/i, tax ----··-·-----·-···------·-· Shipping (see chart) "·--"--·--·---···-··-·--····

REGION 5 Frank Gillette (R 99) Rt 1 Watercyn 8 Declo ID 83323 (208) 654-2615 Watercyn@cyberhig hway. 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 1R - 99) 3024 NE 18 11 Ave Portland OR 97212 (503) 284-0995 paragliding@compuserve.com Bob Hannah (H 98) 9920 51'1 Ave S Seattle WA 98118 (206) 328-1104 paraskr@aol.com Paul Klemond (H 99) (PG Accident Chair) 3G12 NE 43'd St Seattle WA 98105 (20G) 525-57G5 paul@kurious.org

Sandy King (H · · 98) 142!5 Dunbar Ln Carson City NV 89704 (702) 849-3851 slark@worldnet.att.net

REGION 3 Ken Baier (R 98) 253 F~odney Ave Encinitas CA 92024 (760) 753-2664 airjunkies@worldnet.att.net Tammy Burcar (R 99) PO Box 3274 Santa Barbara CA 93130 (805) 692-9908 tburcar@juno.com

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

REGION 9 F'ete Lehmann (I~ 99) 5811 Elgin St Pittsburgh PA 15206 (412) 661-3474 L Petele11mann@compuserve.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

Gil Dodgen (Editor) 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy Ste A·256 r~cho Sta Marg CA 92688 (714) 888-7363 gildodgen@aol.com

Ken Brown (H 99) 1795 40 11' Ave San Francisco CA 94122 (415) 753 .. 9534 kennyb2u@aol.com

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

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

Ed Pitman (L - 98) PO Box 188 Shasta CA 96087 (916) 359-2392 epitman@C··ZOne.net

REGION 7 Bill Bryden (I'\ 98) (NG Accident Chair) 6608 North 100 East Rd Seymour IN 47274 (812) 497-2327 hm bbryden@hsonline.net

Gregg Lawless (R 99) 9127 Bittercreek Ln San Diego CA 92129 (619) 484··2056 gelawles@enova.com

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

Scott Gasparian (R- 99) c/o LWHS 755 Ocean Ave San Francisco CA 94112 (415) 282··2753 gaspo@igi.org

REGION 6 Jeff Sinason (R - 99) 12954 Ballantine Ct Saint Louis MO 63146 (314) 542-2473 jsinason@itdcomm.com

REGION 4 Mark Ferguson (R - 98) 1173 Ridgeview Cir Broomfield CO 80020 (303) 931 807 5 mark@ballvarios.com Jim Zeiset (R · 99) 13154 County Rd 140 Salida CO 81201 (719) 539-3335 jirnzgreen@aol.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) 181!3 N Ft Meyer Dr Ste 700 Arlington VA 22209 (703) 527-0226 NAA@ids2.idsonline.com REGION 10 G.W Meadows (I'\ 98) 1125 Harbor View D1 Kill Devil Hills NC 27948 (919) 480-3552 justtly@interpath.com

Matt Taber (R - 99) 7201 Scenic Hwy 189 f'\ising Fawn GA 30738 (706) 398-3433 airwavo@voyageronlino. not David Glover (H 99) 1805 Dean Still Rd Davenport FL 33837 (941) 424-0700 fly@wallaby.com Gregg McNamee (H - 98) '14141 SE 51 51 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 Broyles (f'\ 99) 211 Ellis Dr Allen TX 75002 (972) 727 -3588 broyles@psuedospace.com

REGION 12 Paul Voight (f~ 98) 5163 Searsville Rd Pine Bush NY 12566 (914) 744-3317 ryanv1 OO@aol.com ,Johnson (L . 98) E Frank Applegate Jackson NJ 08527 (908) 928-8370 fec@frontiernet.net Paul Riker! (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 r?eg 12 Michael Robertson (H 98) RF~ 5 865 Con 7 Claremont Ontario Canada L 1Y 1A2 (905) 294-2536 flyhigh@inforarnp.net USHGA Executive Director Philip Bachman PO Box 1330 Colo Springs CO 80901 (719) 632-8300 wk (719) 632-6417 fax phbachrnan@ushga.org ushga@uslioa.orn

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President-G.W. Meadows Vice l:Jresident-Bill Bryden C:c»hro·fc,n1.R111<:<:: Locke recisurer-.G13ott Mumford KEY: (R)-Regional (L)-At Large (H)-Honorary (X)-Ex Officio

is annual call for nominations to the national Board of Dircclors. Eleven positions arc open f<)r election in November 1998 for a term beginning January 1999. seeking position on the ballol should send to headquarters for receipt no than 1998 the following information: name and UST !GA number, pholo 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 USIIGA members residing in the candidate's region. ,vLllUlwl"

Nominations arc needed in the following re1i10r:1s. The current I 999, are listed below.

whose terms arc up for reelection in

Ballots will distributed with the of !1ANG G!JD!NG und the November/December of PARAGUDING magazines. USl!(;A the very best volunteers to help guide the sale dcvcloprnent and growth ofthc sport Forward candidate material for rcccipl no later than /\ugust 20 to: JU/\, PO Box I Colorado Springs CO 80901-1

Mark Ferguson

7 8

Adams

G.W. Meadows

Alaska, Oregon, Washington Northern California, Nevada Southern Calil<Jrnia, Hawaii Arizona, Colorado, Fl Paso Mexico, Utah Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North South Dakota, Wisconsin llampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode l sland, Vermont Washington Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, c1Tnc~;sc1c, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico York

The following f<.m11 is for your convenience.

El ,ECTION NOMIN/\TJON FORM

as n candidate for Regional I understand that his/her name will be placed on the Official Ballot Cor the 1998 Regional

Election if three nominations arc received by August

] 9()8.

by Bill Bryden frcr :i too--long hiatus, the accident reports arc b:ick. Lucn illcr fulfilled his promise to amhor these columns for three years and resigned as the hang gliding accident chairman last year. Thank you very much Luen for the excellent job. Unforrunarcly, no other volunteers would assume the responsibility. Conwiry to some nnnors, there was no orher rea·· son for the absence of accident reports. Joe Greblo and Bill Bryden were both recently freed from some other responsibilities they had been performing for the USHGJ\ and agreed to take on the task. In addition to providing reports and analysis of accidents, we will be providing some other safety discussions periodically. We hope these both will be of interest to members and contribute to your continuing hang gliding education and safety. l n reviewing reports from rh is past year, several were prominent beecmse of their intercst·ing similarity.

J\ beginner-rated student landed with one foot in a gopher hole during a train-ing session, twisting her right foot. " I )uring a restricted landing field practice flight, a pilot made a low approach and caught a wing tip while making a low turn onro final. T'hcre was no dam-· age to the glider bm the pilot twisted an ankle during the landing.

with a foot in a hole on the last llighr, resulting in a bad sprain. This terminat· ed a string of more than / ,OOU safe: flights by rhe instructor.

Jt is interesting that there were flvc ankle injuries reported last year, all dur .. ing landings. It is more interesting when you consider that there were only 67 hang gliding incidents reported in 1997. (Not a very good number of repons, but that is another topic.) If you only consider the number of reports concerning landing incidents (excluding tree land .. ings, etc.), 1 hat ratio becomes 5 out of 25 or 20%L These accidents may very well be a statistical anomaly. A more rigorous comparison with orher years and co1mtrics would be necessary to establish a meaningfnl statistic. Similarly, we don't know if the number of these incidents occurring during training is statistically significant either. Ankle injuries arc of personal interest because I have fonu .. nately suffered only two significant injuries in my hang gliding career when stepping with my glider across a ditch l swmbled, splitting open my chin; and f stepped in a hole while landing, badly spraining an ankle. So, is there a lesson here? Our colleagues flying paragliders noticed a n111nber of foot and ankle injuries several years ago. Significant enough were rhese in Frequency and rhat not only

" J\ srudenr was almost ready to solo and was practicing landings with an instructor's help. The last landing was quice good in the ligl11 winds, but the ground under the pilot's foer wasn't perfocrly flat and he twisted a foot, breaking his ankle.

" During a landing on a training hill, a beginner pilot's foot turned over, fractur· his ankle. An experienced instructor had complct· ed assisting a pilot who was becoming acclimated with a new glider on the training hill. The instructor took a few fun flights on the 40-foot hill and landed 46

did paraglidcr pilots pursue more protec.. rive foot wear, specially designed boots were developed specifically for better protection. While paragliding foot and ankle injmics resulted from both twisting and direct impact, those seen last year in hang gliding were all related to twisting rhe foor over, under or around injmies that might have been mitigated or prevented wirh foot wear that simply provided better an klc support. A visit to your local Foot Locker or similar arhletic shoe store will yield dozens oC fashionable options that won't likely mis-identify you as a paraglider pilot. This risk of ankle injury is by no means unique to flying. I sprained an ankle playing volleyball. Many shoes intended for basketball and other sports will provide much improved ankle sup port over typical running and walking shoes. Paragliding boots will provide even beucr support rhan most of those. Regardless, any ankle support improve· mcnt is certainly better than none. J\ camion in selecting your foot gear is to beware of hooks for the lacing near the shoe's top. These provide sorne snagging opportunity when getting your feet out of a harness. Some hooks can be bent closed, reducing this porenrial hazard. For several years I have religiously worn lightweight hiking boots (J-liTccs, etc.) for flying tandem, and on several landings the improved ankle support was uoticcablc. In light oflast data and my ankle experiences, I'll probably make that practice more regular with my solo flights as well. how about you? II

A precision

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Airspeed lndicato 1 ... $2350 Long Bracket .......... $7.00 Shor! Bracket ... ..... $6.50

NEW! SMALL HALL Cirl,at !"or hand-held wind measurement or paraglidcr Airspeed Indicator using BrnckcL ......... $2'.l.50 Small I IHI! Paraglidcr Bracket ..... $6..'iO Now available: Small lla!J for Jrnng gliders, 0 lo 70 mpn

Hall llrothcrs P.O. Box JOJO-II, Morgan, UT g4().',0, USA Mastcrrnrd I VISA I C.0.D Phone (80 I) 82lJ :,212 Fax (80 I) 829-(,349

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CUMULUS

or trul y independent soaring, the Cumulus ultrali ght motorglider is a highly refined cho ice: + Soar beyond 20: l , sink as slow as hang gliders + Hand le with ease and authority + Zoom beyond 80 mph, or chug along at 60 fo r better than 200 miles on less than 5 gallons of fuel. Even better. .. shut her down and soar for miles. Then, tap the electric starter and motor home easily. > The Cumulus is a three-year, top-tobottom design offering superb soaring compatible with hang gliders.

Call/fax to get

info on these 2 great choices.

NatsAt

A big season fo r hang gliding competition is coming this sunrzmer. During the first 1998. This is a primer fo r the Nationals which will

or at all a stranger to hang gliding competition, this sire hosted the 1990 Naes, the 1991 Team Naes, the 1992 League Meet, the 1996 Naes and now will be the site of the 1998 Naes. Not only are this year's National Championships slated for this famous sire, bur the CIVL has just officially put its stamp of approval on a bid for the 2000 All American Continental Championships. This is a Category 1 competition that has the point alue of a World Meet, and it's slated for the year 2000, with a Pre-All American Meet in 1999. With all this on its plate, the Dinosaur area is destined to see lots of hang glider pilots in upcommg years. This year we will move Meet Headquarters to Vernal, Utah. The small town of Dinosaur has been the home of headquarters in the past, bur the sheer number of pilots clicrated the decision to move the

H ANG GLIDING

article and photos by G. W Meadows

"year ofthe topless glider" I think w/ll see some interesting things come to pass in be held at Dinosaur; on the Colorado/Utah border. focal point of the non-flying part of the meet. For chose who have been there, yo u know chat Vernal is a moderate-sized town with all the necessary amenities for hosting a hang gliding championship. The Nationals chis year is a "dry run" for the upco ming "larger" meets. We've been graciously offered the use of Western Park in Vernal for Meet H eadquarters. W ith its large, bright gathering rooms and outdoor amphi theater, chis pilot meeting and reporting area is sure to be a hie. T he folks in Vernal, Dinosaur, Craig, Rangley and ocher outlying communities have really committed themselves to making the upcoming meets a big hie. For exan1ple, the BLM has agreed to enlarge the landable portion of the closest bailout field (lovingly known as the "snake pit") to allow fo r more wtlucky souls in che event of a mass flush cycle. In addition, the county commissioners fro m both sides of the

M AY 1998

state line have committed to improving rhc road to launch in order to make the drive shorter and more enjoyable. With all these improvcmcms in the works, the rest is 11p to meet organization ;md wearhcr. We cm't control the weather, but like all the Nats held ar Dinosaur, this meet will be nm by the folks at ( ;rcat World-Class Meets. Plans have been made to make this the r,rcatest U.S. meet yer. With fom glider classes, pilots can expect to sec lots of' the latest topless designs as well as the new hyhrid wings. Pilots will all compete together, but will he recognized in the placings in their particular class. The four-class system includes a Standard Class for flex wings with a kingpost, a Race ( :lass for topless nex ;m Open Class !CH the new hybrid wings (such as the and Millennium) :md an Unlimircd Class for fc1ot-la11nchcd sailplanes such as the: Swift and the ( :arbon I)ragon. 'J 'his class system will allow pilots 10 sec how they stack up against others flying similar-performing ships. New this year will be a National Cross Country Contest for pilots who

want to fly in a less structured meet against other pilots. Ir will run the same length of time as the Nationals, but will require no cameras and will offer no ranking points. Back by popular demand is the world-f:unous driver comest. This highly-competitive event is one of the highlights of the Nationals at l )inosaur. Drivers earn points for their team members to launch and seeing them land, and lose points if someone else retrieves their pilots (you get bonus poi ms for picking up notHeam pilots). This contest acrnally inspires drivers to fight over who gets to pick up wayward pilots! It's a favorite of all involved and sports a $500 prize purse. I)i11osaur is a big--air site and all competitors musr be rated aL least !ntern1ediarc with XC a11d Titrbulcnce sign-offs. Oxygen is recommended as thermals easily reach 18,000 leer. The average task length is ahout 65 miles, bw a I 00--mile task isn't uncommon at Dinosaur. Nineteen 11i11cty-six saw the world's best pilots competing over this prehistoric area, and l <)98 prornises the same. With at least three of the top foreign pilots signed up

already (late March at this writing) pilots can expect the competition robe quite heated.

MORE FUN STUFF The Dinosaur area has rcccmly become a "mounrai11--bike haven," with hundreds or miles of recogni·1.ed 111mm1ain-bike paths. With this in mind, we'll organize rides if there arc any non-/lyable days, so be sure to bring your mountain bike. In addition, we've already lined np quite a fr:w evening festivities for the competitors, so plan on a wondcrf-i.11 rime. For more information about the 1998 National Championships or die National Cross Country Comest, contact C.W Meadows at (919) fax (91 CJ) 480--01 I'/, jusdly(r1linterpath.com. Additional information about the site and the contests is availahlc on our Web site at www.justfly.com. Entry forms can be downloaded from tlie Web site. Crear World-Class Meets will be post-ing scores as well ;1s daily photos from the meet on the Just Fly Web site. For those pilots who can't make the comest, keep an eye on the action by logging on. 11111

A IJ)ol< <11 tric Sprnl of ll;mcj Cilicl1nCJ Tlic W1ricJ :mcJ Wriy It Wml<'i fliqr1L Sl<ills Lo Ilic Hcqirmcr Level Hiqril S1<1ilc., to l rir Nuvic c level Fly1nq ConcJi11ons Hanq CilicJinq Lquiprnent Mmr 21l)Out U1e IJrmciplcs or 1~1i9l1l PrqJ;-irincJ for I liqr1 All iLucJc ll1CJl1t CictliricJ Stc1rt ccJ 1n S0anr1CJ l,mcJcm ;-mcl Tow Trc11ninq fl1in(J\ Pile ii Sriou/cJ /(now Cilm\,iry of Ci/1cJ1nq Terms UONU\IWS lJw /Jro I lies"

CO E:30901

MAY 199B

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l!ANC C:LlDINC ADVISORY l!sc·d hang should always be disassrn1blcd before flying for time and inspccrcd rnrdi,lly for Enigued, be11t or dented downt11bes, ruined lmsliings, bent bolts the heart boll), re-used Nyloc nms, loose liaycd or rusted cables, tangs with non-circular holes, and on /lex wings, sails badly torn or torn loose from their anchor

points front and back on the keel and leading edges. ff in donbt, many lr:mp; gliding businesses will be happy ro give an opinion on the condition of equip· ment you them ro inspect. Buyers should select equipment tha1 is appropriate for their skill level or rating. New pilots should seek professional instrnction from a lJSl!GA CElffrFIED INSTRUCTOR.

DOUBLE S\IRPJ\CE TANDEM Moyes X7., good shape $2., 500 or trade. brad~"'hat1gglidiing.co1,11 (Ii H) li73-8800

FALCONS CLEARANCE SAU: School use, one season. All sizes $1,500-$2,500. (Ii lli) liTl-8800, brad/filhanggliding.com

DOUBLE VISION Fxccllem shape, low hours $2,000. (5/i l) Ii? 1-,3(, 10 leave message.

H)RMULA $850, Sport $800. Comet I :\5 $200. Moyes Mega $)00 OBO. Don (205) 25/i-.37.88 Alabama.

DOUBLE VISIONS & FLY2 - New and med. WALLABY RANCII (9/i I) li21-00?0.

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Like new, <8 hours $/i,800. (6 I 6)

:\52-5262. hradG1)h,1ngglidit1g.c,1111

ACME TlO -- Black on black, <20 hours $3,300. ClO 1) 163-3509 Maryland. A!RBORNF.

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BUZZ. New and nearly new. Demo daily. THE WALLABY RANCH (9/i I) li24-0070.

AlRW!\VE KLJ\SSIC: 155 <20 hours, purple/lilac/white J ,E, cxrra downmbcs, winglcts, XC bag $2,500, Ball CC70 w/all accessories $/9'i. Mountain High computerized 02 system $500. Airtime Lazer harness, (,' purple/black. foll oprions $,150. lligl, Energy PDJ\ 550 reserve, deployed $100, C:0111act smoorc~irmtcclt.corn or (,i 15) :389-(,75/i. COMET 11 Old, hut solid :ind flies grcaL Make olfrr. (305) 285-8978 or 1-800-,'/'i').. ()()2.'J. COMPLETE PACKAGE Mark IV\7, good condition $900. CC; 1000 harness, J:rcc Flight 20 gore PDJ\, l'erlorni;rncc V/, alrimeter/vario, only $1,500. (505) 821-85/ilt.

l>cmo daily. WALLABY RANCH (911)

li24--0070.

Tl IF I IANC C:LIDER Of' rhe future. Better glide, ,ind handling d1a11 a11yrhing else! Sec wv-•w.11111,;011y.com or contact Norrh American Flight Design (509) 925-'i5(,'5 for yo11r nearest dealer. Demo/used :1vailahlc. 1)eab·s, product reps & comp piloi- inquiries welcome, FXXTACY NEW & USED IN STOCK, DEMO DAILY. WALLABY RANCH (9ft l) 47.li-0070. FALCON 110 -- New, cxrra.s, will ship $2,000 OBO. (513) %1-2817. FALCONS 1/iO, 170, 19'5, 225 new and used. WALLABY RANCH (9/il) 121--0070. FALCON ?,25 Excellent rnndition, 50 hours $1,700. (801) 25ii-6Jli1.

FCSION 35 hours, very dean $/i,100 Oil(), (711) (,fi 1--1811 Jolin Pitt. GLIDERS

35 1 for sale, rigid to single surface. cutTem list. Wallaby Ranch (911) li21 ..

H PAT 158 Excellent conrlirion, spare downrnbcs, Ball 650 vario wirh l,arograph, harness and radios. Sell all or part. (/i!iO) 93/i-1305, !\PAT 158 New ( )ct 1993, one of the last rhrec made, extra clean condirion $ I ,JOO. Yacs11 FT111 $ I 50, HRS Wedge 18 (rocker &. diure) $500. High Energy harness, 5' 1()"..6' $250. High Energy chme $250, Wallaby :ierotow release $75. (901) 7.%-0'i8.'l Florida. I !PAT 158

Excellent glider $600. (901) li51i--7.885

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J:AJCONS-lJLTRASPOR'! .. J IP /\Tl 58 $2,700. (209) Ii l5-35%,

$1,2()().

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 thci issue in which you want your ad to appear (Le., June 20 for the August issue), Prepayment required unless account established. No cancellations or refunds allowed on any advertising after deadline. Ad insertions FAXed or made tly telephone must be charged to a credit card. Please enter my classified ad as follows:

SECTION I.J Flex Wings U Emergency Parachutes I.J Parts & Accessories I.J Business & Employment I.J Miscellanoous

CJ Paragliders O Videos

UTowing U Schools & Dealers I.J Ultralights U Rigid Wings I.J Publications & Organizations Wanted l.J Harnesses

Begin with--..···-·-..-·-.... -..._..,.. ..... _ ...... issue and run consecutive issue(s). My lJ check, U money order is enclosed in the amount of$ NAME:_···-· ..·ADDRESS: ·---·--··· ........ --.--..-.......-..--CITY:

Number of .. --·---·-··- _.....___.. _..... ·-· ,.,.,.. ,,., Number of .. v,vv.

'52

. ....

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

HANC CLID\NC

s lll'AT 158 LJgly but airwonhy $'5'50 or trade. (Ii Iii) •17:J-8800, bracJ(,1lJ1angglidi11g.rnm

Fxcc!lcnt condition, nice MOYFS XTRAl.lTF l:l7 (108) colors $2,200 OBO. 6170633 r:1111 yya 11ct z((il;wl. co 111

SPORT FURO 150 l.ike new, w/Lngc control frame, race Lice $1,200. (6 I?) 889-19.V.

Don 'l'cnncsscc area.

MOYES XTRALITE Iii?~- Fxcellenr condition, one owner, <.lO hours, new Oct 'Vi, $2.'/00. (li:n) 6')8 l C, I(,.

KLASSIC: 1:n h:ccllrnr condition, 60 honrs $2,000. (80!) 25/i .. (iJ/i] KI.ASSlC !!iii Co(J(I condition $1,500 OBO. C:all l:.nry (7•JO) ,1c,7.2on Ohio. KIASSIC: !!iii - White & red, nice shape, under 100 hnms $1,900. (Ii 1ft) !i'/},8800, hraM1lJi:rnggliding.co111 Kl.ASSIC I 5/i (2.19) (1%-85D.

Cood rnncli1ion, (,0 hour., $7.,000.

MOYFS XT PRO lG'i Novicc/tntcrmedi,1tc clm1bk .1urfoce, hours, great shape $2,700. (Ii I Ii) li'/J-8800, bra,J~1lha 11ggl icli11g.co111 N FW & USI'D CLIDERS At affordahle prices. C11l 1hc Soaring Center 1011-fi'ee I 888-9/i/i-543.'l. Tracer harnccss, Quanrum PACA!R MARK IVJ7 .'l:30 parachute, wheels, helmet $1,900. (51 O) 29ii /i() I 'J.

KIASSlC: 151 -- <10 hours, w/winglci.s $3,150. (C,08) 883-2B52. I.AMINAR !Ii ST l'xcellelll condition, excellent pcrlr,rmance $/i,000. (80 I) 25/i-6 ! Ii I. I.AMINAR iii ST Toplc.ss, lilack forward wedge, green undcrsnrfoce $3,500. (7 l 9) 5:39 5'JOO. I.AM INAR iii ST (;reat glider, low homs, land int; mods done $1i,500. Al (208) 527-2.li:n. I .AMIN AR Iii ST --- faccllcm shape, 30 hmm $1i,500. Kevin (')70) 2'5') .ll'lli. IAMINAR ST, 11, 13 in stock. WALLABY RANCH (9/i I) 112/i-0070. MARK !VI 7 Fxcdlcm condition $1 ,/illO. Tracer harness w/parachute $700. ('18 J) 662-')98 l. MARK !VJ 7 C,O hoors $1,000. Sport Fnro IC,7, I 50 hours $800. Formula lli!i, 50 hours $1,'.l()O. \Jltraspon lli7, /i() hours $3,000. Andrew Smith, C:lcvda11d VA, (SIJO) 88'H(, I 0.

Mint ccrndi1io11, 30 hours. Fxtras: 'P'"'U"'"'· new liclmc1, walcrproof bag, cxtr;:1 set of down111l1es, training harness $2,300 OBO. lloh (81/i) 885-(, 125 l'UJSFS 10, I lM .l8l-'J226.

Cood co11dirio11 $<JOO. Richard C,O J)

MARI< IV17 Tracer, chute, vario, more! I.ow hours $2, I 00. ('510) ')51 57,28 clrnanQilv1.cdn WALLABY RANCH (9iil) li2A-

MOYFS CSX Six lliF,hts, black lc,rw,ml wedge. green nnckrsurface M ,'500. (71 ')) 5:\'J-':i900. MOYES CSX SX, XTL, XS3, XT, etc. New and nearly new. Available imn1edia1ely. N;it ion's largest Moyes dealer. WAI.I.A BY RANCII (941) li2.li-0070.

MOYES SX5 I

C:reat condition, 100 hours, red

& white w/bircl, holograph LF $7.,/50. (fl 1:l) 920

17/i.

MAY 199[l

M in1 concli1io11, very low air SUPERS PORT 1'5:l rime, nice colors, speedbar. Sport KELI.FR 'fEC 2 harness-Swiss, gore chntc, top c:ondi1 ion (a very nice harness!) Ball 652, factory rdmili List sumcharger. +s111ff. All or nothing package givc..;1way $2,500. (802) 6/i'J..5:l'j() Vermont. SUPERSPOR' I' 1'53 Fxccllc111 condition, very low airtime, white/lime grcen/bl,1,, $1,500. Red Airstre;m1 harness w/chutc $150. (91 <J) 6.lii-<Jlt5'i New Bern, NC. Slil'FRS!'ORT l(,:l bcdlcnt condition, [\own one season, I IF pod harness, best offer. (6 I 'J) 2(,5-187/i. 1')97, 60 boms, white & black $:J).00 39/i-J 227 Michigan.

RAMAIR lli6 25 HOURS AIR T!MF, NEW CONDITION $1,'750, (501) 225-:l397.

TIU

RAMAIR 14(, ... Wi11glc1s, Ball M50, Raymond pod, Odysseycornon, 07., hcs1 offrr. (602) 5Hl-Ol/i5. RAMAH( lit(, -- w/fi11s, 12 hours. CC-·2000 w/IIE chute, 5'(,"-6'. J'lytec Datal'lighr .'JOO'isi w/ASI. Uvex lull L"e helmet. $:l,:lOO ALL ITEMS ARE ABSOLUTELY NFW! Package deal only. (510) /i.31 2825. RAMAIR 1'51 5'l'.J-,5'J00.

Topless, carbon fiber frame, new 1;lidcrs in stock: black, white or red $3,000 FOB St. Pclcrsbmg, Florida. ACME Glider Company (8U) 526-5629 or 'J'R(;JJDFRSG1laol.corn

XC: lii2 Mint concli1io11, l':i homs, w/winglcts $3,500. (805) 77:l-529?.

Creen Te,1m colors $1,200. ('/ ! 9) XC J 55 -~- Magenta, oranl;c tip, very clean, flies great Way11e (702) liTl-5022 01

Fxcellcnt, extras, will ship $1,500

$ I ,'JOO. C:0111ac1 l~tcanH:rV1\10l.com

01\0. ('iU) %1-2817.

SENSOR(, IOF 150 Five !toms, lime/yellow undcrsmface $ l,500. Cl I')) 539-'.i')OO. SFNSOR 6 I0!' Creat condition $2,000. ('701) 693liG89 leave mess:1gc. SKY] IAWK Im, Ball vario, foll face lwlme1, cocoon harness wid, parad1111e $1000 all/p,m. (711) 528-7168. Sl'FC:TRUM Jltli Fxcetlcm conclition, !iO hours, recent annual inspection $2, J00 DBO. ((,07) 2T/2Tl8 wl.3/~ilcornell.ed11 Sl'FCTRUM I C,'i

MOYES 16'> XS New I.F, extra clean $1,:lOO. (281) .'JR I .. 6037 l lo11s1on, 111.williamsQilssss.com

$2,500 each OBO, extras. (7 JH)

PUI.SJ•S & VISIONS Bought-Sold-Traded. R;ivrn Sky Sports (411) li?:l 8800, brad~JlJ1anggliding.corn

RAMAIR 15/i

MILLENNIUM 0070.

SUl'FRSJ'ORT I li3 Nice condition, folding speedbar, l 00 hours$ I ,liOO ('510) 521-·25(,6.

mer. Litck variometer, !vbxon radio w/cxtcnsion 1nic &

l'l/1.SF '.JIVI

MARK !Vl7 2:l(,-0526.

SPORT 180 I ligh Energy harness, Clrmdbase vario, 1\linco radio $2,liOO for ;ill. Jeff (9'70) 92.Ci-SM 1.

J,,xccl\cnt condition, under 80

hour.s, was not used f(H training, ~tored in PVC tube

$2,000. (805) (,8'5 2971. Si'FC: I RUM Cl.FAIV\NCF Si\l.l' Three I 65 ,~p,x11n!ll11s in near new condition, w/all options $2,100IZavcn Sports (/i Iii) li73-8800, bradQ1lhang gliding.com

XC: 155 -condition, winglets $2,500. Ball 652, excellent Dream 220, only 12 flighis, floats, cxccllem $1,:l'iO. (970) 728-:l'JO'\. XTRALITE l.'J7 - Mylar, 150 hours, excellent condi tion $1,900. XCR-180 oxygen system, new $:100. (970) 51/i-3603 Aspen, Colorado. REPLACEMENT GLIDER SAILS Recapture that likc-11c-w pcrl(ff111a11cc and handling, made w your color choice. ........ hom $800. Australian Mars .. ........ horn $1,161. Xtralitc 1:17 .. .. ...... horn $1,17}. SX!i .. .. ...... From $1,21i5. C:SX/i Mylar. ........ From 87,<J, XT 165 .. and many more. Dial Ai1foil Sails phone or fi1x rn11nber and request an order form and/or a co1nprcl1cns,vc lis1. We arc rhe original sailmakers for with over 20,000 sails made by us. -£·'u>.... ,,·.,,,,,, fox Ol !-(, l-2.fi:J2.J38G9.

s EMERGENCY PARACHUTES lJICJ I FNFRCY SPORTS $275. (970) 728 .,')05.

22 gore, never deployed

TIIF BFST TRAININ(; I l/\ll.NFSSES Kid sizes available for those too small to fly, bur just right fr,r a rope swing. McNett Training Harness Cl 15) li92- I020. PARACIJDERS

SECOND CHANT/. AJR ROCJ<f,:'J' Cherry, ,iir· tight, never used $275. (80B) 822 7756 dc,ml@\tloha.net

J.'!JCI JT DFSICN PC lf<AROS S.A.

SF.CO ND Cl !ANT;. BAI.LISTIC ultraliglu!tow pLtttc $750. ('JOii) 115/i,2885.

Look under New York.

hir

20 CORF

20/"i Pl lA, Immel new $.390, (30:\) ,IJ7,899'i.

22 CORE !'DA·- w/swivcl $1i20. 20 more available. Raven Sky Sports brad(alJm1ggliding.rnt11

$595. (509) ')25,55(,5.

only.

$199. Many iii) /i73,8800,

HARNESSES

ESS

/\l.l. PARACl.l])FRS /\RI·'. 1OO'Yc, Cl J/\RANTEED Ritmo 27, .31 . <iiOlns ....... Beg .......... $700 Miura 31, Yl.. <iiOlus ..... [nr. ..$800 30, 32 ............... d5hts ....... !leg .......... $1,0'iO 31 ... ..New .......... !\cg ........... $1,250 l<cndo 29 .................... < I Ohrs ....... Int ............. $1,250 Contest 30.. ...d0ill's ....... Comp ....... $1,100 Vision :w ... ..< IOlm ...... .lrn.. . ... $1,500 Espirit .,6.. .. ......... <(,hrs ....... Int. . .... $1,550 Ritrno ."J 1 ..................... New.. ...Beg.. .. .. $1,6'50 Odyssey 28, 32 ............ < I Sins ....... Comp.. ..$1,800 Sensor .ll.. .. ............ <25hrs ....... Int ........... $1,800 Civic 2l, 33 ................ New.. .. ... Beg.. . ..... $1,895 Prelude 27,30,Tl ......... New.. .. .. Beg.. .. .. $ J ,9'J'i Sonic 21i, 31. . ........ <IOhrs ...... Int. .. .. $2,000 V-Max 31 . .. .............. < I Olm ..... ( :ornp.. ...$2,050 PDA Reserves $425, Full Face! lclmcts $95 Tele: (303) 317-8995 or paragliding(a)wwdg.com lJ!,'J'RALIGIITS

FULL SF.RV!CF SHOP Sales, rentals, repairs, guide service. l'rce brochure. ('i20) 6.02. .. Ji I Im p://www. north link.com/ .. ,1 hgc ARKANSAS OZARK MrnJ\!TAIN llANC Cl.llWRS ·. Saks, service and instruction. I(,() Johnston Rd, Searcy AR

72Wl. (501) 279.2.1J80. CALffORNIA ADVENTURES UNLIMITED Orange County's school. US[ !Ci\ certified instruction and tan· cqcttprnent, Wills Wing W\\'w.,uu1er.nct/.-sky1.lo~/i11de,:.html (71 Ii) IJ')6 ..

(501)

IKAROS S.A. NEW, lJSED And REFURBISHED harnesses. Buy) sclt lTadc consignment. C11n11ison Gliders, 1 )/i(_) County Road 17, Cunnison CO 81230. (970) 61i J.

Look nnder New York SCHOOLS & DEALERS

ALABAMA

9315 1 IICI I l•'.NERCY COCOON 2001bs $350. (90•0 15/i.2885.

DREAM WFAVFR l lANC: C:l.lDJNC ·- Sales, scr vice, instruction. Area's most INEXPENSIVE prices. Ideal training hill, new and nsed equipment. Denier for Wills Wing, Altair, l ligh Energy Sports and more. Tandem i11strucrio11. lJS!lGr\ Advanced insrrnctor Doug Prather. (209) 556,0li69 Modesto CA.

w/parachme, 6'5"

HICH FNERCY POD HARNFSSES ·- Sizes & styles monthly, $30(HOO. CC I OOO's $250. ( :ocoons ,j;200 each. Kneehangcrs & srirrnps also ,1v,1il · able. (Ii I ii) li/3-8800, brad"ilhanggliding.corn [.MFP C:lJSTOM!/.FI> POD 5'10", parachute, li,Jl face helmet, old style Ball, storage bag $700. (li2:l) 698· 1616.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN l'l.lGJ IT PARK

Sec ad

FLY AWAY HAN(; (;l.JDINC ~ Santa Barb,na. · l'ammy Bu rear (805) 'JG I .. 27(,6.

tlildcr (;eorgfa.

ROCl<FT CITY AlRSPORTS The /im, safr place you learn quickly and safrly prokssionaI inslr11ctors. (;rear

place for first cross country /lights. Three sites and a Moyes .. ]lailcy ,1erotug for those "other" Leant to acrotow and earn AT raring. Mention this ad, receive one lesson 1/2 price. Call bring a friend (205) 53."l I 025 or (205) 77(, 9995.

TIH:. HANC Gl.lDINC CENTER l.ocarccl in bcamifttl San Diego. I 1:rng gliding and paragliding instruction, sales and service, conducted at TORREY PINES and local mountains. Spend rion /lying with ns. Demo our line and equip mcnt at the always convcnic,nt and fomous TOR· IU'.Y PINES. We offer !CARO (LAMINAR ST), MOYES WILLS WING (XC) and all kinds of stuff. Makers of" the DROGUE CHUTE. 2181 Charles Way, El Cajon C:A 92020, ((,I')) IJG J. Jlilj I.

i\IU/.ONA !!IC!! /\!)VENTURE ADVENTURF SPORTS TOURS Lessons nearby Phoenix/Tucson areas. Ma1Hrndc trainer hill Ctces all wind directions. C11arantccd ten /lights per dayl Tempe, /\Z (602) 8977121.

llang

paraglicling

\chool. Equipment s;1lcs) service,

al Southern

C:alif"ornia'.1 mile high site, ( rest!itH'. US!ICA Instructor Rob McKenzie. By year round. (')O<J) 883-8li88, _advcntmc

TIRE! J OF TOWlNC? Tired of driving to /lying sires? Create yom own, power ttp the sensible way with SWEDISJ I AEROSPORTS MOSQUITO HAR· NESS. power/id, allordahlc and most Call Bil.I, of T.C. JIANG GLIDERS, your U.S. SUPPLIER at 616-'J22 .. 281t4. PS: Check m11 the centctfold of".Jan1tary 19')8 issue of 1 Jang ( ;Jiding.

HANC CLILJINC

cor.oRADO AIRTIME ABOVE I IANC CIIDINC Full-rime lessons, sales, scrvicc. ( :olorado's most experienced! Wills Wing, Moyes Altair, II igh Energy, Ball, learn and more. (.'JO:l) 67/i-2/i 1, Evergreen, Colorado Airtime! IC:~'':rnLcom CONNECTIC{JI' MOUNTAIN WINCS l'\JLL SERVIC:F SJ !OP

Look under New York

Located 011 l lwy 7/i at the

h:isc of the S:mta /\1w mountain range. Proudly repre-

Fl.OR IDA

se1tti11g ALL major brands. Rcmals available lo q11alificd pilots. Open 6 days week 9am·5pm, closed on Mondays. Visa/Mastcrcard/A111crica1, l·'.xprcss,

The Aerotow Park Satisfaction C,rararnced Just 8 miles from Disney World Central to Attractions YEAR ROUND SOARING OPEN 7 DAYS J\ WLEI< H)l)R TUGS, NO WA[TJNC EVERY DIRECTION

SU/V/"J(,

Our comprehensive instniction program, located at the' San Francisco Bay Area's premier site, fraturcs "bunny hills," supcrlitc and com· harnesses! "l;IRST FLIGHT," a video om beginner lesson is available only .$20 including sl,ipping (mtly "fi(!lil'd 10 yom lesson Our dcl,1xc rc1ail shop showciscs the latest in liang gliding innovations. \Y/e stock new and used Wills, Airwavc and Moyes PLUS all the hottest new harnesses. Trade ins arc welcome. Take a /light on our amazing new VIRTUAL REALITY flighr simulator! 11 I 6 Way, Milpitas (1/(:rir San }rJSi) C:A 950.35. (li08) 262,1055, fax (lillil) 2621 :)88, MSC! !G~''auLcom

50+ 1'1.lCE demos to fly: to Trainer ( ;Iiders: l.amillar, Moyes, Wills,

Airborne, Airwavc, Exxtacy, Millennium Superfloatcr and more; USHCA CERTTFJED TANDFM INSTRUCTION lly ( McNamee. Acrotow training & ratings. Dealer for major /light and aerotow 1.5 hol!rs from Disncyworld. Call (352)

I 0()[(0lJT MOUNTAIN l'LICI IT PARI<

Sec ad

also harnesses) varios) etc.

Ages 13 To 73 have learned to fly here. No one comes close to our level and success with tandem acrotow i11st-r11nion. A CREJ\'T SCENE FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ...

under ( ;corgia. Nearest mountain training center to

Orlando (only 8 hours),

10 motels & resraurams within 5 mins., camping, hen sl1owcrs) shade trees, salesi storage) ratings, XC: retrievals)

BUNNY... TlfE HILL WITH IT!

WF HA VE The most advanced training progr:im known ro hang gliding, teaching you in half the time it rakes on rhc training-BUNNY HILL, and with more air 1i11tc. YES, WE CAN TEACH YOU FASTER AND SAFER, !'or year·rrnmd training fun in the sun, di or write Miami llang Cliding (.,O'i) 2858')'78. 2550 S Bayshore Drive, Coconut Crovc, Florida

Please call us for references and video. 1805 Dean Still Road, \Y/allahy Ranch, Florida 3.1837-

9358 (91 l) 12/i,0070 - phone & fax

Conservative Rcli:tblc State of the Art F.l LG INC/FLYINC Fl OIUDA SlNC:E 197/i

.13ll,'l,

W[NllSJ>ORTS I.A's largest since 197/i, Fifteen minutes Crom LAX. Central to Sylmar, Crestline, Elsinore and 1rai11ing sites. Vacation

Flights of over 110 miles and more than 6 hours. Articles in I f11ng Cross Count,y and others. Featured on numcrou,<, TV shows, FSPN2. Visit us on the Web: h11p://www,wallaby,com

u~lUGlll11Jil G{l@l1:ll<n 1,9U,lliT)UlJ'{]C~1 . . HANG <;LJDJN(; AND l'ARACLJD!N(; US] !CA certified instruction, tandem sales, service, repairs, parachute instruct ion and site toms. San exclusive for /\!REA, APCO and SOL. Visa and Mastcrrnrd Call (C, l 9) li52 9858 or check us Ollt at lmp://www.llytorrcy.com

grcar weather, wall, trnmpoline, I )SS TV, ping swing) pic11ic tables, pooL etc. pong,

Malcolm Jones, David Glover. Rhett IZaclford,

llying and

Ryan ( ;Jover) Torn Ramseur,

sales including lodging rentals. The most P"l"1lar and cquipmcm, new and used in stock, Trade in yom old equipment. sunny clays each year. Come fly with l!sl I (i 11/5 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys CA 9140(,, (818) 988-011 I, hix (818) 'Jfl8., 1862.

C:ulos llcssa, C:l,ris Curr, l\oger Sherrod

a 1n

MAY 199/l

er·

,) ,)

Update SAIL WINGS INTRODUCES THE FLY PRODUCTS DELTA TRIKE

his trike has a German-made Solo 210 15.5-HP engine, weighs 53 pounds and runs for three hours on a tank of fuel. le fies almost any hang glider and disassembles for easy transport. A video is available. Contact: Sail Wings, P.O. Box 13335, Maumelle, AR 72113 (501) 851-4094, sailwingspg@hocmail.com.

Continued from page I 0. rent 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.

25TH ANNUAL TELLURIDE HANG GLIDING FESTIVAL NEEDS YOU! olunteers are needed to help staff the Telluride Hang Gliding Festival and World Aerobatic Championships this August 17-22. They need EMT launch assistants, aerobatics judges, a head volunteer and 4WD trucks for transportation to launch. Free entry into the Festival will be provided by the Telluride Air Force for all volunteers! Please join them in helping to produce chis long-running and fun meet. To be included in chis great event and for further information contact: Luigi Chiarani, Festival Director, (970) 7289525 (evenings).

HANG GLIDER COLLISIONAVOIDANCE SOFTWARE

verard Cunion of Christchurch, Dorset, England is in his final year of a B.Sc. degree in Software Engineering Management at Bournemouth University. His final-year project is creating a flighc-sinmlation program co teach collision avoidance skills to trainee hang glider and paraglider pilots. The simulator runs on a PC and is intended to allow hang glider and paraglider pilots to practice complying

The map can be carried by both pilots and chase crews to improve communication and minimize navigation problems. The map includes lamination instructions for carrying in flight on the control bar. The free map is available by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Hungary Joe's Flying Circus, 25 Whistling Isle, Irvine, CA 926 14.

CORRECTION

ops! On page eight of the March issue of Hang Gliding the Lookout Mountain GTRace and U.S. Aeros harness photos were reversed.

wirh the rules of the air when confronted with potential imminent mid-air collisions. The problem is char chis is dangerous to practice in real life, yet it is a necessary skill, often requiring immediate and correct action. Everard comments, "In addition to offering the latest in software design techniques, the degree course has given me access to the university's extensive library facilities. As a result, I was able to draw on information published world-wide about the current stare of the arr in flight simulation. Research into military helicopter low-level flight simulation was particularly useful." Everard began hang gliding in 1974, teaching himself to fly on the slopes of St. Cacherines Hill, a short walk from his home. Everard's project ruror, Dr. !vfartin Lefley, lectures on artificial intelligence and is an expert in 3-D motion simulation. Contact: Everard Cunion, 155 Fairmile Road, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 2LD England, rel. Oll-44-1202-483847.

FREE OWEN'S VALLEY MAP

lying Owen's Valley, California big air is hard enough without having to worry about getting lost. On X-C flights, visiting pilots and chase crews frequently don't know where they are, and hang gliding place names aren't included on most maps. Landing out after a difficult flight can be a real problem when nobody can find yo u! After years of flying the Big 0 , Hungary Joe's Flying Circus has developed a flying map for the Valley. Popular hang gliding locations appear in bold letters.

JIM COLLIE KILLED WHILE FLYING THE CUMULUS

n the early afternoon of February 24, 1998 , while performing a routine flight in preparation for the Sun 'n' Fun airshow in Florida, Jim Collie experienced a structural failure resulting in fatal InJunes . Collie was flying the production prototype Cumulus motorglider which he designed for US Aviation, a marketer of ultralight soaring aircraft. The crash occurred near the private airstrip where Collie tied down the aircraft. The aircraft is believed to have logged over 100 hours since it was publicly debuted at the Florida airshow nearly a year ago. While an FAA/NTSB investigation is conducted, numerous clues point to a delarninarion of the leading edge D-cell construction, resulting in structural failure. A group of seven industry leaders and technical experts exanuned the wreckage on March 7, 1998. The unanimous opinion focused on failure of the glue-bond joint fastening the leading edge D-cell to the upper spar. Once chis delamination began - perhaps initiated by rough, gusty flying conditions on the day of accident - the left wing failed and departed the fuselage. This probably induced a very high rolling rate until rhe right wing also succumbed and departed the aircraft. Each wing and the fuselage were found about 100 yards apart. Colli e evidently stopped the engine (the prop remains undamaged) and fired the BRS parachute system, probably while inverted, indicated an official who H ANG GLIDING

CHARLY.,

I NSIDER BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE - QUALITY INSIDE Superlight and sturdy fabricated in a sophisticated manufacturing process with woven glass- and kevlar fibers approx. 24 ounces, tested and certified to GEN standard EN 960, the European testing standard tor air sports helmets. Functional design An almost unlimited field of vision minimizes the danger of collisions. Offers the full protection of an integral helmet, but allows free speaking, breathing, even eating and drinking. Fits perfectly The complete line made from soft breathable, skin-friendly textiles causes no uncomfortable pressure on ears and cheeks. Six sizes: XS 65/s-63/4; S 67/s-7; M ?1/s-71/4; L 73/a-71'2; XL ?5/s-73/4; XL 77/s Suitable for use with glasses or goggles Easily adapts tor installation of radio speaker and microphone High quality three-coat laquer Uni-white $192 carbon-burgundy, -anthrazite, -turquiose, -silver, -yellow $204

wii:«8'i ~ Nt. _,,.,.?/ 500 West Blueridge Phone (714) 998 63 59

searched the crash site. Although the rocket fired normally, the canopy was unable to fully inflate. Investigators expressed agreemenr chat the high roll rate and blockage from structural debris compromised the parachute opening. Collie may have also been too low for canopy braking ro sufficiently lessen impact. Examination showed the canopy had small tears, apparently caused by contacr with debris . Funeral services were held for Collie in M AY 1998

Chattanooga, Tennessee on February 27, 1998. He is survived by his wife, Cecil, his son, Steve, and his parents. A memorial fund has been established to help his family cope with the loss (address below). As with many small business stanups that stop prematurely, AeroDreams saddled the estate with financial burdens. Nine Cumulus kits have been delivered to customers and 11 more were in various stages of fabrication or delivery. US Aviation owner, Dan Johnson, says

Orange CA, 92665-4206 Fax (714) 998 06 47

ti"" ,

chat following additional analysis by outside experts, the company will announce plans relating to kit owners and customer deposits . All furrher deliveries have been suspended for the present. No owner-built aircraft are flying yet, and al] customers are being kept advised of the situation. Memorial contributions may be sent to: Walter Oim) Collie Memorial Fund, c/o Traders National Bank, P.O. Box 1000, Tullahoma, TN 37388. 8

HAWAII

NEVADA

gliding & 11ltralighr flying 011 Kauai. Cerrificd instruction. (808) 822·5309 or (808) 6:J<J.1067, birdip~1)aJolrn.ner www.l,i1·dsinpa1·adisc.co1n

ADVENTURE SPORTS tandem om specialty. US! lGA cert ilicd instrncrion. and service shop for Altair, Airwavc, Moyes, US Acros, Wills 3650-22 Research Way, Carson City, NV 89706 883-'7070 pho1w/fax, email: advsprs@pyramid.net wch site: http://www.pyrnmicl.net/advspts

ILLINOIS Cl12) 3(,0 .. 0700 or (114) RAVFN SKY SPORTS li73-8800. Please sec our ad under WISCONSIN,

LAS VEGAS HANG GLIDING USHGJ\ certified inst-ruction, randc111s & ff)Wing cquip1ncnt sales) service and rentals. Accclcrntcd lesson packages and incredible dcscrr flying. (702) 535 .. 3 J 63, www.artnct.net/ .. sky .. dog/vcgas.hrml 1

INDIANA QUEST AIR SOARINC CFNTF.R Your vacation location. (.352) 12.'J .. 0213, fax (352) 429· our website ar: www.qucsrairforcc.com or email us: qucsrnirv>)s1111dial.ncL

(It I ft) li7:J..fi800. Please sec RAVEN SKY SPORTS our ad under Wisconsin. brad@)h:mggliding.com

NEW JERSEY

KANSAS

MOUNTAIN WINGS ..... Look under New York.

GEORGJA

P\lATRfF. HANC CLIDFRS F111l service school & dealer. Gm1r tandem insrrnction, rowing & XC: packages. (316) 375-299'\.

NEW MEXICO

MEXICO

MOUNTAIN WEST llANc; GLlDING F:mningron 's only foll service school and Wills Wing dealer. Offrring tow and tandem flights. (505) 632 ..

8ii4:l. BEAUT!Flll. VAi.LE DE f\RAVO $69/day

UP OVER NEW MEXICO lnstrucrion, sales, service. Sandia Monnrain guides. Wilis, Airwavc. Alh11q11crquc, NM (505) 821·85lr4.

MICHIGAN

NRWYORK

renr or

l,8()0,80'\-7'788

r:UJ.L HOOl(.. (IPS Laundry, propane, rccrc,nion room. \ .8()().g{)3 .. 773g, LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN PU<;J JT PARK Sec our display ad. Discover why FOUR TIMES as many pilots earn their al J.ookout than at any mhcr school! We wrote Official Training Manual. Our special1y-cus1omcr sarisfacrion and hm with the BEST FACTl .lTIES, largest invento1y, ming,

more! For a

lcsrnn Lookout Chattanooga, your COMPLETE mrm11wJ:;cnr1cc ccn· tcr. lnfo? (800) 688,tMFP.

NORM I.ESNOW'S J'l.YlNC ADVENTURES arc II\. Presenting the and foll range of Aerotow din .. available. US! J(;A con mer Lesnow-Masrcr Pilor, Examiner, Advanced Tande111 lnstructor, Tow Adminisrrator. (7.48) :>99·9/i33, FUL.LT[MF school. www.Scrio11sSpons.co111 nlfaGDju110.com

AA/\ f•L!C;f ff SCHOOL MOUNTAIN WINGS, TNC. .. 22 years experience, foll time/year round. l'ull scr· vice shop, Ii tntining areas and a li,500' row field. Winch and aero ;owing, iandcms and two-place Wc sell: Millennium, Fxxtacy, J\irwavc, Altair, Acros, Fligl11star, rrikcs. Woody Vaflcy harnesses in stock. Save $$$-ask us abom rhe 111011111:ain at a discounr. \)(/e do it all and we undersold. (914) 617·33'17 WWW.FUGHTSCHOOI..NET, email MTNWINGS@IAOI..COM m visit us ar 150 Canal Srrcct, Ellenville NY I 2ii28.

l'l.Y H!(;fl HAN(; c;J.ll)fN(;, !NC. New York, C:onnccricm, Jersey areas (Ellenville Area's EXCLUSIVE Wills Wing dcalcr/spcci,tlisr. J\lso all orhct major brands, accessories. Certified school/instrnction. Teaching since 1979. Area's most INEXPENSIVE Fxcellcnr secondary insrrucrion ... if you vc and wish to continue. Fly rhc mo11nrain! Tandem flights! Contacr Pmd Rd, Pinc Bush, NY 1256(,, (9 14) 1

TRAVERSE CITY [!ANG GLIDERS/PARAGUD ERS FULJ... TIME shop. Certified insrrncrion, foot launch and row. Sales, service, accessories for ALL major brands. VISA/MASTERCARD. Come war our 150' dunes! 1509 F. 8th, Traverse MI li%81t. pa1"agl1<11ng lessons l\/ for new & 11nirs, the Whisper ,111d the Fly. Call Bill at (616) . Visit om paragliding school in Jackson, Wyoming. Call Tracie ar (307) 7:\9,8620.

BUNKHOUSE WARM & COMPOHTABLE bunks, hor showers, open all year, 24 hour self registration. 1-800-803 · 7788!

for Disrrib11tors/rlcalcrs alt major brands. Nl0Lt1ulactun:r for rhe BEST microlighrs in rhc world, SPARTAN. at best prices. The mosr New and used hit send $5 to: !SA, friendly service in 11105. Srorc, 38] 1 Dirmars Blvd It\ 10, Asrori,1 29:-l I Newtown Ave., J\stnria NY. Phone/fox U 18) 7000, email: lkarosl l@aol.com Internet: litrp://mcmhcrs.aol.mm/ikaros 11 /fly.hrm

HANG GLIDING

SUSQ\Ji,:J !ANNA !'I.IC! IT PARK Cooperstown, NY, ( :eniiicd lnstructio11, Sales and Serviu: for all rn:tjot rna11ulaclttr<Ts. !JO acre 11:1rk, 'j 1rai11ing hills. rides, hunk house, carnping, hot showers, 600' NW We have the be.st l:1cili1ie.s in N. New York st:tlc to te:tch you how to fly, c/o Dau Cuido, llox 7'Xl Shoemaker Rd, Mohawk NY !Yi07, 01'5) 81i6-6!5:l.

'l 'ENNI•:SSFE

VERMONT Ei\lffl I /\ND SKY i\llVFNTliRF SPORTS Instruction with Bob ( :orbo and Jon Atwood. Winch towing, tandem flights, XC: clini, $ I 00 June 6&7, Acrobatics Clinic $!00 July I l&JJ,. 1hough needs. ( :.di Advanced tr;iining 10 meet yottr (802) 26:l-97(,'i or email EarthSkyQi>vcrmontcl.com

NOR.Tl I CAROLINA VIRGlNli\ !!AWi< Al!(SPORTS INC P.O. Box 9056, l( noxvillc, TN l/9/i0-0056, (/i?,'.l) 2 I 2--1991. I fang ( :liding ,md world fornom Windsoks. LOOJ(OlJT MOUNTAIN FL!(;! IT l'ARI<

Sec ad

11ndcr ( ;corgia.

TEXAS AUSTIN AIR SPORTS INC. Certified foot launch, tow & tandem training, Sales/service, Steve & Fred !\urns W!NDFMERF (8l0) G'JJ.5805. IIOlJS. TON (281) 171· lli88.

HLUF SKY I ligh quality instruction, equipment sales, sewing, s1q1plics, C:lidcr Savers. C:all Steve Wendt in l lanN)llht.11'!( V;\, (5/iO) lilU,55/. KITTY l !1\WK K!'rI,:S

TANDFM INSTRUCTION i\FROTOWINC PAR/\( ;L]])JNC • BOAT TOWINC • FOOT LAUNCH MO\JNTAIN C:LINICS Ol'EN YF/\R ROlJNll 1\1•:A< :1 l RI-SORT EQUJPMFNT SALES AND SEl<VICE

(800) lmerttet Address: http://www.ki11yl1awk.com F.-Mail Address: l1ang-glidc~"outer-ba11b.com

I Ill.I COUNTRY l'i\Ri\(;LJ!)INC !NC: Learn cornplctc pilot skills. Personalized US! IC/\ certified tr:1ining) ridge soari1ig, foot lX low launching in central I exas, MOTOIUZFD Pi\Ri\CUDlNC INSTRlJC. TJON & FQUIPMFNT ;\VJ\IL/\BLE, ('J 15) .l7'! 1185.Rt 1,1\ox 16F,Tow l'X78672,

IOTF ENTERPRISES

Foot launch, pl,11/'onn

bunch and :icrotow instruction 100. Tr:1ining, s;1Jc.<,,

rentals and repair. J\irwave & Wills Worth and north Tex:ts area. 2 I I /500). (972) .l90 ')090 nights, weekends,

D:tllas, Fort i\llrn TX

REil RIVl<R i\lRC:Ri\l'T/C0 ... 11/\NC: Cl,[l)lNC!!! Jc/] Htmt, li81 I Red River St., Austin Texas 78/51. l'h/fox ('i 12) /i(,/.2'529 rrajcffi;il,101.com

PENNSYLVANIA AERCHOWINC PIIJL/\DFLPH!i\ llR/\CON FLIERS! Tandem, foot launch & p;iragliding iustructiun 1((,JO) 527~1687.

TOT/\ I. J\ JR S 1'0 RTS Area's OLDEST Wills \Xling dealer. Cntirl('d instruction available. "] only DEAL wit!t WILLS", 6J5/i Limestone, I louston TX 7i'O'JL (7 U) ')5(,.(, 117,

Sec North ( '.arolina.

Sll VFR WINC:S, INC.

( ~en ificd insi rucrion and equipment sales. (70:J) 5.l:i· l %'i Arlington VA.

WISCONSIN RAVEN SKY Sl'ORTS lli\NC: C:L[])INC /\ND l'J\Ri\C:1.JDJNC: The midwcst's Premier aerotow flight park, founded in 1992. Featuring lNTFGRJ\T FD INSTRUCTION of foo1 .. (au11ch and aerotow tan in the US/\. all wind direction\. Fo11r no waiting! ·l\vo tandem gliders on 1mderc:1rriages. WW Falcons for training li-01n the very first lessons. USU/\ nltralight and tug instruction. S,tlcs/service/accessorics for all Open 7 a week. Contact Brad l(ushncr, l'O Rox JOI, Whitcw-,itl'r WI 5:l l 90 (Ii IIi) liTJ-8800 phone, (Ii IIt) li7l 880 l fax, www.ha11gglidi11g.co1n, \)radCthJ1a11ggliding.com PARTS & ACCESSORIES

MOUNT;\IN TOP RLC:RFJ\TION C<'rtified instruction, Pittsburgh. (Ii 12) /,97 li1T7, C'MON 0 UT AND !'LAY! MOUNTAIN WIN<;S

UTAll

i\EROTOWING ACCESSORIES Sec TOWINC. TIIF WALLABY RANCH (911) 12ft 00/0.

Look under New York.

PUERTO RICO FLY PUERTO RICO T<'am S1iirit I Lmg Cliding, I IC classes daily, tandem instru<tion available. Wills Wing dc:tlcr. Clidcr rentals f,,r qualil,ed pilots. PO Box 978, Punta Santiago, Puerto Rico 007 1i I. (787) 28'i0'J%.

LESSONS, SALES, SERVICE, TAN])J,:MS l-is88-9!ili 51J)l. WJ\SATC:ll WJNCS · HJLI. TIME US! JC/\ CJ,:R . Tll'IED I IC: JNSTR\JCTlON at Point of' t!tc M011ntain and regional mountain sites. Dealer for i\cros, Wills Wings, Moyes, i\irwavc and much more. Ctll /,:JC (801) 57(,0112.

i\RMADll H l CLlllER Bi\CS l'rotect your glidet fr,,m UV and all of' narnres clcmenrs, Custom made heavy duty polypropylene w//itll length zipper $ I 05 (plus i I() s/h.) FX( :I JJSIVF! Y Kemuckiana Soaring, 125 N Taggart Ave., IN 17129. (81 J) 288 71 I I, fox (812) 7,8/i.fi 11 5. MC/Visa.

ifi

s KENTlJCKIJ\NA SOARING ( :ommunicafions Specialist! Best Prices &. Best Service! ( :11stomer Satisfaction ( ;uarnmced! VJ\RJOS: FLIGHT DECKS NEW llJ\J .I. CRJ\PH !CS Pl .US BJ\LL Ml9 ..... FLYTEC

........ $CJ\l.L ... $}75.00 .. ..... $CJ\I.L

tIEIMF'J'S l'EL!.l' Fnll Pace, il fow lcli ... rctail $) 60 .. Clearance $95

HEST 12" WIJEELS J\VJ\ILJ\BLE Super tough, tandem /lying. lluiJt.. in lightweight, a must for Only USJ\ .. hnilt wheel. $1i2.95, quantity discounts. Immediate delivery. l.ookour Mountain, (800) 688-1.M FP.

FJNCFRSWITCJ I RADIO l JFJ\DSEJ' By Plight Connect ions. H El\ VY .. [) OTY w/iinger mom1ted swilch, cornnnrnicatc with hands on co1Hrol bar or lm1kes. Safer and more reliable communications. w/repair service available beyond 90 day mfg warranty. J\vailahle Yacsu, lcom, J\linco, I<rnwood & other radios. Full foce or open helmets. $89 +$3.50 MC/Visa, dealer inquires invitc·d. Kentuckiana Soaring, /i25 N Taggart J\ve., Clarksville IN li7129. (812) 288'11 l l, fox (81?.) 7-8/i .. ,jJ 15. SPF .. CIJ\LIZJNG JN COMMlJNICJ\TlONS. Unique, urntsual & creative CIFTS & TROl'I JIES hang gliding rcla1cd and trophies. Free catalog! Soaring Dreams, l hlirview, Boise Idaho 8.3'713. (208) .3/G .. 7911.

RAD!OS-J\LL MODELS J\VJ\JLJ\BLF YAESU FTl 1R ......... 'i w,111 .... .. ... $305.00 KFNWOOD TH2.2 .......... 5 watt ..... $CALL F/C I'ingcrswitch/1 lcadsct...l lc.wy.. l)rny ........... $89.00 5/8 TELJ,:SC:()P[C ANTENNA... .. ... $20.95 5/8 ( ;J\tN I )UCK J\NTENNJ\. .. ..... $17.95 Earralk K<:nwood.. .. ..... Clearance.. .. .. $60.00 Yacsu Mobile . ... .. .... 50 wart. .. ... $305.00 TUNE lJP w/Warrnttty lmae1.. .. ....... $35,50.00 PARACHUTES WILLS WINC LJ\RJ\ ......... w/l'i!rnswivel. ..$C:J\I.L HI Cl I FNERCY QUANTUM. . ........ $CALL MISCEI LJ\NEOUS J\RMJ\DI I.LO Clidcrbag .... Regular & XC ..... $105.00 WIND J\DVlSORY J\lRSPEFD W/Clarnp ..... $2.J.OO I IJ\l .I, PC; J\IRSPFED ..... C:lcarnnce.. .. ... $25.00 HOOK J<NIFL... . .................... $ lii.95 KFNT\JC:KIJ\NJ\ SOJ\R!NC 47,5 N Tilggan Avenue Ck1rksvillc IN li7129 (817.) 288 711 I l,1x (812) 2Wi-li 11

BRAND NFW J\lRMIC $6'5. lly NJ\S (the one that works.) Not for Kenwood. Talk and hear thm car, PTT switch. (303) Yi7 .. 8995.

HEJ\VYDUTY, WATERPROOF PVC Full II 10 zipper, $107 ppd. XC:.Camo or white. 115 zipper $65 ppd. C:unnison Clidcrs, 1549 County Road 17, Cunnison CO 812.30. (970) 61J l-9315. F'ROM "BRF:ADPAN" MAK!i:R NEW clMAJ,J, COMBO 1.JNTT FOR l!ANG PARAGLIDING.

My wcl/ .. Jovcd lightning quick vario married roan excel lenr altimeter tlianks to new generation laser.. trirnmed transducers. Squeezed into rough little RF-proof hox only 5x3x J .-i" still has reserve battery! lmercl1angeabJe broad Velcro straps or base tube m011111ing hardware. $295 Shipping inc. (805) (,82.-- l 088. Bread pan units still $295. I .ascr trimmed retrofit available $85.

MINI VARIO World's smallest, simplest variol Clips to helmet or chinstrap. 200 hours on bancries, () .. 18,000 Ii., fast response and 2 year warranty. Crcat for paragliding too. ONLY $169. Mallcttcc, PO Box l 5?56, Santa J\na CJ\, 'J2Tl5. (71/i) 966-12/iO, MC/Visa accepted, mmallcttGi\101.com

ROllFRTS (;IJJ)ER INS'J'JUJMENTS 3340 CI.IFF DRIVE SANTI\ BJ\RBJ\RA CJ\ 'Xl l 09

Sell

1/JCII PERSPECTIVE WHFEI.S - Real life savers! 12", light, 1ough. Firs all gliders. Send $lil.95 t $/i.50 shipping per pair to Sport Aviation, PO Box 101, Mingoville Pi\ I6H56. i\sk abom our dealer prices.

What a 60

HANG CLIDING

n ·1ru0110 09 Glidll\g sto,v b9 LARRY I'l.$M!NO

The world class XCR 180 operates 11p to 3 hours G1l[8,000 ft. and weighs only lilh. Complete kit with qdi11dcr, harness, rcg11Lttor, cann11l:1 and remote on/off flowrnctcr, only $.ll'i.00. SMALL l lELMITS Iktlcr overstock on small/xs kevl:tr !'11!1 face helmets. :.''i'X, ofl1 Raven Sky Sports (It I Ii) liTl 8800. hraMrlhanggliding.corn TFK RIGHT PRODUCTS

DON'T c;1.;1· C:AlJCI IT LAN])lNC; DOWNWIND! I. oz. ripstop nylon, \JV treated, 5'/i" long w/1 J" 1hro,1t. Av,1ilahk colors fluorescrnt pink/yellow or f1110· resccnt pink/wl1i1c. $:19.95 ( ,$1t.l5 S/1 I). Send to lJSI !CA Windsok, P.O. Box J .l:lO, Colorndo Springs, CO 8090 l Ill 0, (71 '!) 637 8l00, fox Cl 19) 637 MI VISA/M(: accepted. ( :heck our web ~itc www.uslir,a.org

SOAR INC BIJSl'.\!FSS & EMPLOYMENT I IC INSTRUCTOR NFFDFD

!'or spring & rnm

Point of th,, Mm1111ain. ( ;reat brnclit.s. Contact I lanlcy & i,in,l:1 Cornfort, The Soaring Center (801) 576· M60, fax (80 I) 57(,.(i/i8), or send resume: I J,(,6'i S. Mi11u1emrn ll1., II I, Draper UT 8lt020, email I IBCJ&r\10Lco111 LMFI' NFFDS FXl'FRIFNC:F]) I IFLI' <::rll Ala11 or Matt (70(,) :l'J8.:Yilt I.

Monthly magazine of' The Soaring

Society of An1cric1, Inc. ( :overs all aspect::, o( soaring

mer '08. T:mdcm rating needed, teach at the fomous

moun1:;

BAC IT 1 If' you don'r have your copy of' llrnnis Pagen's PERFORMANCE l'LYINC yc1, avail:,hlc 1hrough US!JC;\ l leadq11arters $2'). 95 (, $'i. 'iO s& h for \!I'S/Priority Mail delivery). US] !CA, f'() Box 1TlO, Colorado Springs C() 80')0 I. J.. 800 .. 6 J (,.(,888

111 the sew

flight. Full memhership $'i'i. l11fo. kir wirl, sample rnpy $l. SSA, P.O. Box E, 1lobbs, NM 882/i I. ('iO'i) Y!2 11//.

TOWING AEROTOWINC i\CCESSOR!ES I leadquartcrs lr,r: The fine.st relc:rse.s, .secondary releases, Spcct ra "V" bridles, weak links, tandem wheels, la1111clr rnn kits, etc. TllF WALLABY Ri\NCI I (9/i I) li2.10070. PAYOUT WINCI I_.. Includes /i,000' spc·ctr:1 li11e

rcrnok

6" \\'heels Camera mo1m1 $1i8.'i0. Cm1c1;1 remote (ask cibout rebate) $15. Vario 111011111 $1 'i. (,'' wheels $2').7S, S&I I included. TEK J:LIGJ IT Prnduct.s, ( :olchrook Stage, Winsted (:·I' O(,O'Jfl. ( lr call (860) :,79.1668. Fm ail:

MAI<F $.30,000 /\ YFAR Teaching hang gliding and paragliding. You can do it with I<i11y llawk Kitcsl The largest h,rng gliding .school 011 the planet 1 We'll train you a11rl l1clp you build the skills !cir all yom ratings re:un. Fax resumes to Bruce Weaver at ('JI')) /ilil·l'5'J/ or rrnil 10 Kitty I lawk Kites, PO Box 18:l'!, Nags I lead NC: :.!/'J'i'J. QUIT YOUR DAY JOB! Buy one of the 11a1ion\ largest schools and get paid to fly! Rapidly turnkey operation, call /'or details. ''""'"''""'" years in the booming Northwest. Earn/I ,carll. Tcnns.

('SO:l) '57kT709, ,·mployee.s warned.

Tl IF LJJ TRA L!Cl ]T Ultra strong lid! face protec tion you deserve. All sizes in stock. Only $2.79. ( :.111 l lesil\11 at 1·80()./lf .2:\'ili to order yours today! Saw $JO by mentioning this ad!

WANTED l lang Cliding/Par,1gliding instructors. lrnmedia1e foll time openings available. Live the California drc;11n ... instruct students at the San Funcisco Bay area's premier training site. Service shop enqiloy rnent is ;1lso available. Ask l,,r l'at lkrwv:111 (/i08) H,:.!1O'i5. M:iC:I IC&1\1ol.com www.l1ang··gli(ling.co1n PUBLICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS Ci\LI. US! l(;A l'or a mag,1zinc hack is.sue order fcmu. ho111 the early Gm11nd S0mmer to the present I !!Ing Gliding. C/ I')) 6:JJ.8}00.

MAY I 99fl

SCOOTER TOW SYSTEMS prices. (')/).) YJ().')090.

1\vailalile at v,niom

through tandem. No r;1ti1igs ncet'ssary to su1r1. Join 011r

tek(rt)snct.nct or our page:

h 1lj ,:/In 1embers.1 ri pod.com/• I ekfl ight/i n, lex .h 1ml

$GOO OBO. (90ft) 7:J(i.()58.'l Florida.

UITRALINI: In stock, ready to ship. :l/l(,"x.\000' $10'i. J/]<i"x!iOOO' $11t'i shipping included. Cajun 11:rng Cliding Club, 110 l<rnt Circl,c, l.:rfoycttc LA 70508. {318) ')81 8l7Z. VIDEOS & FILMS FIRST FLIGflT Follows the :1ctiot1 of a new pilor's llr.st lessons. Thi:., video is an entertaining way 10 show your li·icnds and how you actu:rlly lc:1rn to fly. VI IS 1'5 rnirnrtcs. $20 includes slii1,ping (mt1y hr t!f!Plirt! 10 lesson MISSION SOARINC C:FNTER, 1116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas CA 'J'i035. (/i08) 262 105'i. A must f,,r :di I JAN<, CLIDF.R LANDI NC 10 I students ,11 1/2 price of' a downtuhc. Aerolia1ic hang gliders at air.shows of' 1he Southwest: Phoenix, I.al«: Powell, Mexico,')() min111c.s. Send $:JS to: Jef'f Reynolds, 1')02 F Sh,non Drive, Phoenix A/ 8S07.2. ((,02) li82,'Jl2.l.

s PARTY AT CLOlJDBASE A hang video hy Advcmme Productions $1 'l.9'\. POINT OF Tl-IE MOUNTAIN-Award winning by Fast Coast action at this Utah mecca $33. HANC Video, GLIDING EXTREME & BORN TO FI.Y hy Advent me l'roducrions, great hg action $.}ii.95 each. HAWA!IAN FLYIN by Space 9, soaring in paradise, amazing launches $3:l. Call US] J(;A ('/1 'J) 632-8300, fax (ll 'J) 632-6417, email: ushga(a\,shga.org. Please add +$Ii domestic s/h ( < $5 for two or more videos). Creat to impress yom friends or for those socked-in days. Pcrfoct gift for rhe launch potato turned couch potato. Also, ask us ahout our paragliding videos!

TELLURIDE AEROBATICS horn the first Tcllmide Festival in I ')81, to the modern

day freestyle competition. !'tillow the history of this dynamic gatlicring. $21.9'\ Call USJl(;A (71')) 6328300, fax (719) 632-(,li 17, email: usi11•as"uis1 Please add 1$Ii domestic s/h. MTSCFI.LANEOUS

SCOOTER TOW Ready 10 mounted on base wirh spool for photo $1,800. (<J'/8) 851-8226.

YAMAHA 200 spectra, will send

VIDEOS BOOKS & POSTERS C:all lJSI JC/\ for your Merclr:rndisc order form (71 ~) 632-8.'lOO, email:

DON'T LEAVE YOUR GROlJND-·BOUND EQUIPMENT SITTJNG IN THE Ci\RAGE. SELL IT IN THE HANG GLIDING CLASSTFIFDS. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES The rate for classified is $. 50 per word (or group of' characters) and $1.00 per word for bold or all MINIM UM AD CHARGE $5.00. A fee of l 5.00 is chmged for each lillc mt logo and $2 5.00 f<ir each photo. L!NEART & PllOTO SIZF NO LARGER THAN I .75" X . Pkisc u1Jdcrli1Jc words to be i11 bold print. Special layouts of tahs $25.00 per column inch. Phone nmnhcra?, words. Fmail or wch address<lwords. AD DEADLINES: All ad copy, insrrncrions, additions and cancellations must be received in writing I I /2 months preceding rhe cover date, i.e. December 20tl, fc,r rl,e February issue. l'lc:1se

1mke checks payable to USHCA, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 8090 I 13:JO, (71 <J) 6J2.-8JOO. Fax (719) 632-6/i I 7 or email: ushgavilushga.org your classified with your Visa or Mastercard. STOLEN WINGS & Tl [JNGS Bl.ACK [il.EECE JACKET l.osr :11 POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN, UT. Windmctcr in pocket. Frie Prouty (970) 926.-'767(,. BALL GC-70 & GARMIN li5 - - Stolen li-rnn harness bag inside tntck at BUFFALO MOUNTAIN, TAI.Ill INA, OK, on Juue 8, l 997. Both mormred on a single Ball clamp. Ball CC: serial llurnher Ii I. Pete ]lammer (21/i) 562iil02, email: Pcte.l lammcrvilMCl.com STOI.EN WINGS arc listed as a service to l JS! ICA nl<'1nbcrs. Newest cmrics ai-e in bold. There is no charge for this service and lost and found ,r..rlngs or cquip1ncnt may be called in (/19) 6.32 -8300 or fox it in (719) 6326/i l 7 for inclusion in

(;!iding magazine. Please call to c:mcel the listing gliders arc recovered. Periodically, this listing will be purged.

Ad vcn l\Jrc Producrions ......... ,., ..... ,.. .. :37

Moyes ............. ,................... ,............. 2:3

Aerolight USJ\ ........................... ,......... r)

Ncilscn··-Kcllcrrnan ..................... ,...... 1:3

J\lrair .... ,.............................. ,.,., ......... :31

[Jersonal fligln ................ ,................. :36

Arai Design .... ,... ,... ,.,.... ,.,..... , ,.. ,.,.... ,2.2 "AEROBATICS" Full color 23"x 31" poster feawring John Heiney doing wh:u he does besr-1.00PJNC' Available tl1rrn1gh US] ICA I IQ l,ir just $6.95 (+$3.50 s/h). Fill rhat void on your walJI Send to USIICA Acrobatics Poster, PO Box 1300, Colorado Springs CO 8093.'l. (USA & Canada only. Sorry, posters arc NOT AVAi I .ABLF on international orders.) SPEC!ALi\crobmics poster & Eric Raymond postcr-BOTI I !'Oil. $10 (1$3.50 s/h).

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Sport Aviation Publications ............... 1:3

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U.S. J\cros ........................................ .:39

Hall Bros ........................... ,... ,... ,., ..... 46

US Aviation ............................... ,..... .47

High Energy

USHC;A ............ .7,9,11,1

lcaro ........... ,........................................ 2

Wills Wing ..................... 57,lhck Cover

Just

Women's \Vorld 'T'eam .............. , ....... Yi-

Lookout M tn. Flighr Park .............. 557

CAI. (;I.OVF l.ight-wcighr CABRETTA LEATHER GLOVES, world famous in equestrian circles, arc now gaining popularity in the hang gliding, paragliding & parachuting 111arkcts. /\vailahlc in men) women & children sizes, ') different colors and priced from $27.95-$39.95. !'or more info Oil these superior leather gloves contact: C:aJ .. ( ;Jove, 2')20 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento CA 95821. (916) 481-8701, fox (916) li81 1168, email: c1l-glovcv!ljuno.com

IIANC CLIIJINC

@ 1998 by Dan Johnson S1'

PAUL, MN Wel], I don' know about you, but was most impressed March when L looked at the Flin1q GLid:inq. 'I'he of new 1'01.1r"·c0Jor ads. 'I'hesE, from American companie,i, too! •rerri[lc. ••• Welcome to catchi nc:r displays :f:rom U.S. & UK Airwave for thei Xtreme, dc,veloped Lookout Mountain, •rennessee; :f:rom Thina.ir Designs on behalf of manufacturer Brightstar the Mi11c,nnium; and :f:rom U. • t:heir Stc,altrrn and gear. 'l'hey join advertisers Sec,dwing[;, Wills AU toLallc,d, I counted no nine suppliers of gliders and tJ1at' ,, the, bcc,c,t nc0ws T 've seen in while. Of Lhesc, five brands arc, Madc,-in·Amcrica Welcome ncwcomc,rs ! can' believe the, brands have much to worry t:he:Lr wing,, have we:,a the red othc:r foreign invasions and new domestic brands. Mon, hopefully, perhaps such combined effortcc; will help enlisting in new to the, sporl.. ••• Still way-ahead market leader, Wills Wing reported some adjustmmits to their The bc?r,t news latest"·and"-gn""atest buye:n, is price decrease in the top-end Fusion. YE:,p, WW lowering the cost of an j nventory (that nol; custom colored) Fusion to $r'J,49"S. custom "job went down $95. On the other end of L:heir pc,rformance scale, the hot·-selLLnq Falcon wenL $100, $2, 895 . Wills announced no change for Lhe Ultra Sport, "in spite of continually increasing Southern California company ,3aid werEi running eight weekf; of although Wills haB long maintained a lengthy list of in-stock gliders. Info: '/J!l-998-6359 or see any dealer. ••• Even with a full order book and lowered PT"ices, v~W' success appears be having on onE, of the "newcomers." GW Meadow,3 U.S. Aeros partner are quite wi t:b p0metration into the American hang qJjd:ing According to GW, way higher than planred when thc;y wrot:e thei plan. On an annualized sales are up 500% over target, as the Kitty Hawk, Carolina··based import:"er reports exceeding their year-long foreca:c;t for glider sal,,s in the year' first quarter. concentral:ed on the top end modE!l, the Stealth KPL (ldngpostle[;s) which for 7(Hs tbeir arders. l\ spring may have helped and Mc,,adows is they may be able to maintain l:he torrid Nonetheless, U. . Aermc: is gearing up b:L9 way. "PiloLs have c"xpreimed concern over the availability of spare parts, " GW The response? "We w:i.11 double our inventory and intend t:o b(~ out of way to Lhis j For MAY 199B

example, downLubes. They've bough" I", enouqh material to make 400 of them. E,ales surqe cau<Jht sw:;g,,s trip to to discuss production. regards M0)adows marketing matters and new production and partn<ccr. now," reports Meadows. "We' re 6--tl w0:eks de1iv0,ry." T'here' .s enougb excitement: about Lhe Aeros brand that, even Bill Moyes hai:; the distribution Aust:raU And l:hree"-tirne World Champ' Tomas Suchanek has about being the Czech related newel, Meadows also reports Stealth KPL undergoing British iLicaUon, which will add to the 130 and 1''i0 models alreacJy have approva.ls. We inc:cE0c1ibly impressed with the know-·how over glows GW muuming up his visit to the old country. Info: 919 4fl0"" 552. ••• Among other impor nc0w Mouette/Cosmos rep, Don Reinhard and his PcffsonaJ Flight busineE,S are gearing up to pu,3h the French combine' well-c,Jtablished goods. Don promote~ both tbc, glider line, inclucli nq the) l:rai l"-blazing Topless and ultraliqht line, rie a wide spectrum of fl iq}Jt" hardwcJJ"e to offer. 'I'hou9h a top world builder, La Mouetl;e has never made much a dc0n L t:"he but Reinhard hopes to chanqe that,. orden:!d a few Cosmos Samba includirnJ om'! for himself. '!'he li ttleE,t mode] of powc-,red line, the Samba featurec, T'oplc,ss wing complete with bane; strap that can be 1wecl tJier hang glider or a trike The trike itself light and may find favor with soaring enthusiasU3 as a form of motorg1 :i"der (much like Freedom Machine Trike that Matt promot:incJ) . Info Erom Pcenmnal Fliqllt is available, al: 800"· 68'":i-8238 or perLLighl:@aol.com. of-"'I'ime Dept.: In case, you were crowds the:i 2':ith anniversary Kitty Hawk will host 26th Annual Hang Gliding the sport' El longest-running event, focused on the Kitty Hawk Air Game,o, descr:i""be as "an air extravaganza." All forms of light flight w:i 11 be featured including aero l:owing, paraqJ icUnq, paramotorinq, parachuting, l.LLc."'"0"'""'"'1 uc. .1.u,,, kiLe flyinq, ancl l:.rade sbow pl1m seminars. The event takes May 8-1.1 so you still have time to Info: 919 -441-4124 Out:ta room with oth,::r worthy items; watch ben': monU1. So, got newc, or opiniom;? to St. Paul, MN 551Ul. Vmail or to 450"0930; eMail to CumulusMantslaol.com. THANKS!" 11

The latest composite, semi-cantilevered technology yields adramatic performance increase for those pilots who require the very top of the line. measured stability levels comparable to conventional designs with unsurpassed sin~ rate, l/0and high speed performance. Winner ofsiH out of seven major ~I meets in 1991. One size -HmGA certified. Smaller fusion under development.

,,_,-. - !j

----.._..-~~~t .....-~-----.....~~---,-----11111 I' I

With two U.S. and one Canadian national Championship titles.and aWoman'sWorld Championship,the "HC" offers proven, competition class performance inamare economical, conventional configuration. Three sizes -HGmA certified.

The move-up glider with all the features and performance you need. Set VG loose, and equipped with the optional keelmounted stabilizer, it is the perfect move-up glider from the falcon. With the VG engaged, it becomes acapable advanced soaring and cross country machine. The most versatile glider we've ever made. Two sizes -HGmA certified. Ultra Sport 13S coming soon.

mindustry standard for entry level hang gliding and pure,simple,recreational soaring. ftttraordinary soaring performance in alight weight hasslefree design that is incredibly easy to fly. ~uite simply, the most enjoyable hang glider you can fly. four sizes -HGmA certified.

LU~

Q u a lity aircraft for e x cept ional people .

500 west blueridge ave, orange, ca 92865 usa tel 714.998.6359 fax 714.998.0647 web: www.willswing.com e-mail: comments@willswing.com