USHGA Hang Gliding August 1999 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

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www. hang Ii de.com

fly@ hang I id e. com 800.688.LMFP <I>

(USl'S O17-970-20 -

ISSN 08')~-45JX)

13 Meet Your 1999 Hang Gliding World Team Meer your Team and be sure ro support them by entering the World Team Sweepstakes. Sec pages 30-31 and send in the envelope enclosed in this issue!

Self-Launched Flight article and photos by Jule J,orenzm An ingenious rowing system engineered from a motorcycle.

24 Pilot Report: The Topless

34 Using GPS

Flight

Using CPS in competition and recreational flying to enhance your flights.

40 The 27th Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding Spectacular

article mid photos /~y Paul Voight One of the longest-running hang gliding wing-dings in the U.S.

48 The Utopia article and photos by Brim, Porter Bright Scar builds Brian the glider of his dreams.

Colum s

partments

Wing Tips, by Rodger Hoyt .................. 5

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

Hawker & Vario, by Harry Martin ..... I 5

Calendar of Events ................................. 6

USHGA Director Nominations .......... 37

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

USHGA Director Listing .................... 46

Ratings ................................................. 19

Incident Reports, by Bill Bryden ......... 50

Classified Advertising .......................... 52

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

Index to Advertisers ............................. 62

Gil Dodgen, Dave Pounds, J\r/ John Heiney, Gerry Charlebois, Leroy Grmmis, Mark Vaughn, Bob I.owe l'hotowa11he1s Harry Martin, J/luslmtor Dennis l'agen, Mark Stucky, GNiff Mumford, Rodger Hoyt, G.W. Meadows, Jim Palmieri, Bill Bryden Staff

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WrilDrs

MORE ON THUNDERSTORMS

Phil Bachman, Executive Director, phbc1cl11mn@ushga.org Jeff Elgart, Advertising,

Dear Editor, The following letter was scm to me relating 10 rhe thundcrs10rm acciden1s in Crcccc. The wri tcr is an engineer, Ross M. Leon: "I have some degree of experience with static clccrriciry due Io rny work with dry ice blasH:lc:ming systems, which produce charge imbalance when the dry ice particles scrub along the imc .. rior of a nozzle su rf:.Kc ar high speeds. "] agreed wirh your article up to the point where you rule out high currents in a cloud flowing across body pans. This suggestion is simply absurd for the flillowing reason: Clouds comain cnor .. mous reservoirs of charge. They also contain a mass of moist air with poor conductivity, but onc:e currcn! srarts to flow, the air ioni,.es and the conductivity improves substantially, allowing massive amounts of charge w flow and equali,.e. The intcr .. cloud lightening so produced is nor only very common, it is probably more common than cloud . ro .. ground lightening. "Ir seems to me likely that a pilot and a glider in the middle of a storm cloud could easily flqd themselves in the middle of an inter cloud lightening strike. Nor only thar, j11st because the glider is more co1Hluctive than the pilot docs nor mean that static electricity will not follow both path$ . In our visualiza .. tion of staric electricity arcing across and along blasting nozzles, it is clear that arcing occurs along multiple paths very frequently. "In fact, it is likely that the presrnce of a glider in the middle of a charged cloud could be the pfecipi1ating cvem which would cause an intcr·cloud strike d1e antenna-like to occur, because shape of a glider airframe and pilot-inharncss. This would jiroducc a dimple or distortion in the clcc(ric /1cld, perhaps enough to reach hrca)down voltage locally. "Finally, it should' be poinred out that a person can be killed by static electricity flowing through rhc heart area of the

Joanne Peterson, Membc>r f:laine Elgart, Web /\clministralor, Nnrng.arn:vus,nga Natalie Hinsley, Merchandise Services, nihinsl<1v@1usr,m1 John Halloran, Adminislrative US/IGA

Executive r·"'"'°''a,hh·

Gregg l.awlcss, Pre.sidml Chris Dul'aul, Vice l're.,frlem Russ l.ocke, Sm:ret;11y Geoff Mumford, Tn•a.,un'I'

2.: Russ Scott Ciasparian. REGION :l: Ken

l.uwless. REGION 4: M,1rk Jini Frank Gillette. 6: Jeff Sinason. REGION 7: Bill llryd,•n. REC/ON fl: REGION 9: Pete l. ehmann, ·10: C.W. Meadows, Mntt Geoff Mumford. fob(,r. REC ION 11: Davc, REC ION 12: Paul Voight. DIRECTORS AT Paul l<lcrnond, Paul Riker!, Dan Johnson, J,m Johnson, Dmmis HON, ORARY DIRECTORS: llo!J I John Harris, Steve Kroop, Chris DuPaul, Gene L1rs Ken llmwn . Rob !<ells, David DeWolf, ·1 racir' Fifcr,Wvlch. 1>u·rr',<>c. /\rt Greenfield (NI\/\). St,1/('S H,mg /\ssodalion Inc. is ,\ll ;1ir sports organizillion affiliated with the National Aeronautic Associalion (NI\/\) which is the official l'<'P· rPsentativc of the FC'rl0r,1tio11 lnlcrnalionale (F/\1), of the world sporl aviation. The NI\/\, which I-Al tnE1t'lings, li;1s to tlw

of F/\1-related ;11ien·1pls and HANG GLIDING n1,1g,vinc is publislwd for glid· ing sport enthusiasts to create further inlcn•sl the and 10 provide an educalionnl forum lo ,1dvann,; gliding methods and safoty. Contributions are we!, con1e. Anyone is invited 10 contribute nrlicles,

:md illustrations th1, material is to be rc,1u1T1 must be

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sdf.. addressed rnusl be made or 10 other hang gliding publications. HANG GLIDING 1m1gazine reservc,s the to edil

contributions where necessary. The 11nd publication do not ;,sst.11m, responsibility for the, matc,ri· al or opinions of contributors. HANG GLIDIN(; editori .. ;1\ offices: Tl 441 Santa

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Colorado Springs, CO ,md al :1ddilional nr;iiling POSTMASTER: SEND C:111\NGE or ADDRFSS TO: HANG CL/DING, PJ). BOX 1 l:lll, Colorndo Springs, COH0901,/:.no.

AUCUST 1999 VOLUME 29, ISSUI No. B

body (causing cardiac arrest) at a much lower currcnr than that required ro kill by the heating or burning effect of' very high current. "] once was witness to a furious dee tried storm in a clo11d over the Creater Cincinnati Airport (which raged while we circled rhe area in an airliner). I saw around l () . ro .. J more imcr-cloud strikes than cloud .. to .. ground strikes. In fact, this was an unbelievable show, because the storm was a big, isolated rower of electrical fmy, while the SlllTounding clouds were more peacdi.tl, and were bathed in an orange and red sunset. Very pretty to watch, extremely bad to be in rhe middle ofl" What Ross says here and what Martin wrote in the June issue all oflcr valid and interesting points to ponder. But we reit·· crate rite main conclusion: We will never know what actually caused the fatal accidents. All om discussion about lightning is simply conjecture unril some govern· me11t srndy explores it more don't hold your breath. h11ally, let me commcnr on Ross' let .. tcr in the June issue. He stated that whrn caught in a thunderstorm it appears to him that it might be better to cut your hang strap with a hook knifo, bail out and use your p:irachutc. I would advise against this except as an ultimate lifr:..saving strategy for two reasons. l;irst, when you pull your chute you must be well below the thunderstorm to avoid being sucked back up with even less chance of escaping. But how do you know you'll ever clear it? You may be falling in a watcrfoll of mist and rain and never sec rhc ground until it's too late. Second, our parachutes aren't designed to withstand the opening shock of free fall. The fas1cr-opcning modern climes arc more suspect in this regard (the design progress has been: round chutes, conical, tri··conical, PDA's, then annular). The older the design the better if you intend ro free foll. That said, we should note that at least one pilot has accomplished a thunderstorm escape in Spain in this manner. He did have HANC GIIDINC

Air Mail diving cxperie11ce. Our final word is that thunderstorms arc scary and dangerous. Learn as much :1s you can ahout them and steer clear. Denn is Pa gen Spring Mills, P/\

GI.IDER MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

Dear Editor, I've been performing main1ena11ce and repair of'hang gliders for rhree years and have worked with grear folks like Matt T1her and Christian Thoreson from Lookout Mountain !;light Park, as well as sky gods Mark Cibson, Mike Barber and Rod Brown. This makes for a total of more than 12.0 years of hang glider repair and design experience. I believe rhat an inspection and/or replacement of side wires should be performed: l) prior to purchasing a used glider, 2) when a serious whack or damage to rhe glider has occurred, 3) whenever you suspect t har the glider isn't ing like it used to, Ii) annually, as most manufacturers recommend. This is for your salcry and peace or mind. There arc several things you should do prior to an annual. Visually inspect the glider and get to know it. When set up, prior to tensioning the glider, check for tears or rips in the sail, check all hardware for nicks or grn1ges, inspect the tubing where you can sec it for dents, inspect rhe wires for kinks or frayed

areas, check the nicos (they hold the wires in place), and check the barrens against the hancn chart. Record infor-111ation gathered from your inspection and it to the shop performing the annual. In addition, note if the glider has a turn in it and whether you have any other concerns. Cive this inf<.Hmarion, the batten chart, and the owner's manual rn the repair technician. be cautious when buying a glider from an individual. I've performed many repairs on gliders that were bought from others ("he's my best friend and it was real inexpensive") and in some cases, afrcr the work was complete, the bill has been as much as $500 in addition w the cost of rhc annual itself. You might be better off huyi ng a new glider. Ir you arc llCW (0 hang gliding let the technician know it. He can dcmnc the wing for you and have the glider tcstflown. Remember, it's your wing you have the responsibility of taking care of it. Find someone who is competent at glider inspection and repair; don't just trust a friend. Most pilots know something about their gliders, bur just a (cw select shops can complete any repair a glider might need. hnd a profc:ssional for your own peace of mind.

Jim may br contactrd at /,ookout Mountr1in J,lij!,ht Park, (706) 3983511,

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ver forget to tic your glider to yom vehicle? It's easy ro do, especially in the confusion or loading and unloading multiple gliders with several pilots helping. 'fo prevent this, make a habit of placing glider tics (gently) on the vehicle windshield any time a glider is umicd. They'll be right in the driver's view, reminding him that one of the gliders hasn'r been secured.

1en launching from a mountain, which way should you turn, righr or lcfr? Excluding terrain considerations, you should generally turn touJt1rd any prevailing crosswind. This provides a lower ground speed and enables you to climb longer before turning. And remember that you should always know which way you'll be rurn-ing before you take offl

othing will ruin the joy of a

Jim Richardson Lookout Moumain, CA

gliderrepair<!N'.1otrnail. com.

by Rodger Hoyt

6Jo·o6L1sn·MMM 6J0'06LjSr1'MMM

610·

great cross-counrry flight like having your glider stolen from the out-landing ftcld! To safeguard your wing, try flying with a lightweight lock and chain or cable in your harness. IC you must leave the area to make retrieval connections, break down the glider and secure it (preferably th rough the nose plate) to a nearby tree, fence post or other imrnovable object.

'J 'his tip submitted by Russ Camp of' Grants Pass, Oregon. !(you hrwe rl hot tip send it to "Wing Tips" in care o/ 1lang Cliding mc1gctzine or rbhoyt <r_hgo. com.

r Calendar of events items WJLl. NOT be listed if only tentative. Please include exact inllirrnation (event, dare, comact name and phone nrnnber). Items should be received 110 later than six weeks prior to the event. We request two monrhs lead time fcir regional and national meets.

UNTIL DEC. 31: 1'1,lcon XC Contest. Wills \Xling Falcons only. l;ivc sections: West Coast, West, Central, bm, World. Prizes in all sections and classes. I fang and up. Three classes: Pro (Hang Ii), Amateur (Hang Recreational (Ilang Towing allowed with maximum release altitude o/'2,000'. No entry fee, send SASE. C:ontacr: 'lc:k J7light [lroducts, Colebrook Stage, Winsted, CT 06098 (860) 379. 1(168, rek&ils11et.11er. UNTIL DEC. 31: 1999 World Soaring Challtnge, for paragliding, hang gliding, sailplanes. No entry fee or tration, $600 flrst prize. Vilors arc scored by how far they fly relative to :1 site's dis· lance record (750 poinrs for flying 75 miles at a site with a I (){).mile record, 1,100 points or breaking rhc record). r:lighrs suhmincd on the honor system. hir more details contact: John Scott 0 IO) fax (JI O) lili7 b rcnonwoodsGilcma il. rnst 1.com, www.hanggliding.org.

AUG. 7-·8: Rtgiorw! 11 '/iJw (,rmtr:st, municipal airport at I lcarne, TX. hrn competition and taxi--way party. I Jang gliding and paragliding. Awards for spot landing, x.e, dmation, etc. Camping ar airport. Con met: Len Smith 1) 693· 7311, lconard.smithGtlsroneweb.com. AUG. 14-15: Moming,ide Flight Par/:: Glide Angle Contest. Contact: Dave Baxter, Morningside i:light Park, 357 Morningside Lane, Charlestown, NJ I 0%03 (60J) '5/i2.44 I 6, fax (603) 5/i:'). 1norn in gsidcGtlcyherportal.11ct. www.cyberportal.nc:r/ morn ingsidc/ SEPT 2-8: Red Bull Wings 01Jer Aspen, Aspen, C:O. U.S. National Paragliding Championships and hang gliding aero·

harics competition. Open Class and l) H V Performance Class f<Jr paragliding. in prize money awarded down ro I Orh place in both hang gliding and paragliding. Nightly parties, live music, big fun. Register early to cnsmc a position. C:omau: Red Bull Wings Over Aspen, 1(0. Box I 0835, Aspen, C:O 81 (112 (970) 618·:H):)8, fax (970) redb11llwoaG1laspc11.com, Aspen .com/ rcdbull woa.

tmc capital of New Zealand. Check out the tourist \Veb site at www.quccn· stown.co.nz. C:ontacr: Ceoff Dosscror, phone OI I (+M .3) lili20113, fax O11 (16/i O1 18, tdtcch.co.nz/fly/, an tigravity(ii)xt ra.co. nz.

SEPT ] ] . . ] 3: 7 CtHtmpionship Revisited. A continuation of' the Championship called in May due to weather, at I .eland Airport west of Chicago. Fxcellent X·C: potential. Fun meet for any class. Entry Fee Contact: Arlan Birkrn (815) 7/il Omland I ()(ii\101.corn, Airport (815) li95· 2821.

Memorial Day weekend through I .abor Day weekend. (Sorry, paraglidcrs arc nor pcrmincd in the Park.) 16 pilots per day, meet ar Clacier Point at 7:00 AM sharp for sign·in and orientation with the Site Monitor. Official YIICA Monitor must he present for permission to fly. Must show currcnr Hang Ii card. donatio11. Monitors arc volunteers from the Yosemite Hang Cliding Association. Call USI !CA ofllcc (71()) (d2·8300 /cir rescr· vaticms and information.

SEPT l 5. 19: North !lmerimn Powered {!ltmlight Cornpetition, Shasta, ( :A. Powered paraglidcrs, paraplancs, trikes. Pylon racing, rimed course, metered foci events, designated course. Cash prizes and trophies in numerous categories. 'fo benefit charity. entry. Contact: Ed Pitman, P.O. Box 188, Shasta, CA %087 (530) :'>59 2.392, fax (530) 359,2397, cpi rma11(i1lc·,.rmc.11ct.

UNTIL SEP'l'. 6: Yostmitr' National Pru/::. hang glider/lying i:vay wcehcnd.

AUG. 21 ·22: St. john Ny.fn, "Best Little Fly·ln in rhc Wcsr," on the west side of the Sacra men to Valley, CJ\, 20 miles west of WilJiams. Sponsored Sonoma Wings. Open x.c on Saturday, defined task 011 Sunday, spot··landing. Dinner, raHles, T·shirts, gre:1t flying! 'lwo launches, hugely improved from past years. Hang Ii, or I !ang 3 with mountain flying experience. Contact: I .co Jones (707) '537 · 1913 (Santa Rosa).

SEP' L 17· 19: I 999 Masters Hang Gliding Contest, at the San Diego lhyfoir event. Bayfair is a 32 year·olcl event that prcscms the World Series of Power Boar Racing. J lc[d in li,600,acre Mission Bay park, attended hy over 150,000 people. Five contest rounds flown, maximum of 15 comestants. Interested pilots must have freestyle contest and aerotow experience. Past Masters comest participams will he given pre-· fcrred consideration in the pilot selection process. Entry fr:e is and includes lodging. Contact: J\ero Fve11ts, (818) I 5·%31, dinoddd(i1lju110.com.

launched free flying fun, with 25,000' ceiling, full launch staffwid1 EMT's, reg· 11lar convoys to launch, T-shirt, parties (free beer), contests with prizes, film night, banquet, World Hang Cliding Acrobatics Championships, special guests and much more! Entry Call the 26th Annual 'Jcllmidc Airmen's Rendezvous at (970) 36946%.

SEPT 18·25: Second W!IGS S;m:d (,'/iding Vvorlcl C:11p, Coroner Peak, Queenstown, New ZeaLmd. Emry NZ $175 before August 15, $200 after, includes lifr rides to lau11ch, li,000 feet above the valley finish. Loads of prizes. 50 pilors max. Queenstown is the adven·

SEP'T' IJ·6: Si:tond Annual nrad Koji Memori1d Ny·ln, hang gliding and paragliding, in bcautihil Norrh Park, Colorado. Acrotowing, foot·-launching, scooter-towing. Incredible high mmm· tain valley, set between the MI. /.irkcl Wilderness Arca and the

AUG. 23-28: 26th /lnnual ll:lluride !lirrnm's Rcndtwous. Six days of foot·

HJ\NC Cl!UINC

r Rawah/Mcdicinc Bow Mountains. Straight-line XC competition. Winner takes home the t t a gor· gcous origin:il hron'!.c sculpture and crafted by Tim Demon held by Mike frc includes a l barhccuv. '!'·shirt and Sat ( ;rear accomrn()(lations and available. Conract: Joe Nance I (970) ( :loudSrrcct cloud(!/lfri i.rn1 n. SEPT Jg .. J St//{'n/h llmmrd MrConne/Lhurg I /(Ing Gliding 1\!lc( :onncllshurg, PA, Region IX. hy the Capitol I Clidvr ( ;liding /\ssociat ion and Maryland l /\ssociarion. Proceeds be11cf1t the McC:01rncllsbmg Rescue Squad. Fvnlls include for.foll x. (: COlltCSl, spot-land conteots, b:1rl1ccm: and much more. I lang 11 through I V welration: $10 in weekend of ksuval (may . Visit ](

or call Ed Reno (?(H) 5'i(1Wnt SEPT' 18-19: 'J1h llrmua! Ph1c IV//. In, Pinc Mtn., OR. Contact: Raven 1):)178\00. Young /1 ;m ua I !ls.,orir1tim1 /'u!pit Contact: hlwanl Reno, C:I ICA !;light Director, (202)

h edition welcomes paragliding /cir the first rime at a new slope launch on the mountain's top. Still fraruring the l·'.ast Coast's finest cliff bunch, "flow· ramps, a variety of 11sablc wind directions. rcrnrns for a sec·· 011(1 year as docs a full,,tirne cafeteria in the LI,. Fvenrs start hiday morning with Satmd:1y and Sunday. For skill level and other info contact: Doug Rice (:U(J) CJ<)!i-li AppaPhotol!h;10l.co111 (h:mg , or Ben Thomas (:)Yi) 723 . ()82/i, kli1.cpl!'lhcllsomh. nct . Web sire linked ro USl!CA. 18: '/J,1'., M01n11!1in !fang Clayton, C/\. the whole family to our 2/irh annu· al ewnt. $1,000/day prize purse with no rntry fee. Includes free barbecue lunch and limited deluxe accornmodarions, 1:1cilities and more. ·1iansportat ion from 1,/, to !au nch without down. Pri1.e competition for durarion, spot lancling, most flights and Pilot" awards. the fomo11s Includes '!11t's exotic animal preserve, live culrural dcmonsrr:1tions. Contact:' 1tn's Mrn. l-B00·621 176B, (70(i) 782·6218 or Bruce I lawk (Ii 670-020/i.

SEPT.

OCT at Saurarown Mou main near WinstonNonh Carolina. The cvcm's

THROUGH NOV 1999: "Owens VC1lley 111 its Best" Cros.1·-Country. Thcrnwl guide to the Owens Valley with Kari ( :asrle. One- to nine.clay adventures. Private one·OIHJnc flying, guide service and instruction also available. Hike 'n' fly the peaks of the Sierras and White M ts. Contact Kari for more information: k:uicasrleCtDtclis.org (7<>0) 872-2087. AUG. 18: Parachute Clinic. Contact: Mission Ccmcr, I I 16 Wrigley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 San Jose), (li08) 262-1055, fax (li08) 262 I :'\88, mschgCtllaol.com. OCT 21 .. 21: 199':J Fall USNG/1 Board of' Directors Colorado Springs. C:onract: USHCA Headquarrcrs (719) 632-8500, ushga01\1shga.org. 2000: Hying in Brazil 2000. Wonderiul warm weather, flying in an exotic setting. Be parr of the Adventure Sports trip to Covenador Valaclarcz, Brazil. Experienced instructors and guides. 'f:ikc side-trips to Carnival or any of the beautihd beaches. 12 days, $1,2.00 for paragliders, $1,liOO for hang gliders. Includes room with breakfast and lunch, ride ro launch, retrieval and guided rom. Save $100; regisrer by Nov. 15, 1999. Contact: 88:3.7070, www.pyramid.net/advspts.

Tl !ROUGH 1999: Mosquito by Bill Fikr throughom Norrh America. C:ornacr: (616) 922,28/i!i, rcha11gglidcrCtilju110.com.

NEW! SMALL 11/\LI. (ircat l'or ha11rl held wind mcai.;u1-cmc11t or paraglldcr 1\ l11dict1or using

Small I !all ............... :J;l.1.'i() J>aragl ider Bracket ..... $(i.'.i0 \iow available: Srn,111 I I.di ror hall/! ~)lideh. 0 to 70 mph

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l'lionc !XIII I 82'! l;ax (XIII IX") r,.; . [<J hallhro'>(n car1Jili11k.1w1

USHGA, PO Box l 330

Colorado Springs CO 8090 1·800-6166881:l fox (719) 6326417

Update 1-(800)-HANG-GLIDE

and how. Ir is a piece of marketing genius." Rob Kells finishes by saying, "1o matter where you are in the U.S. (800)-HANG-GLIDE - what more is you can now dial 1-(800)-HANGthere to say?" GLIDE and talk directly to one of che To support the national effort pilots main schoo ls in chat area. Pilots ---~.,..• can gee a 1-(800)-HANG-GLIDE now have an easy sticker for their car from a nernrork way to refer dealer or by checking our potential stuwww. l 800hangglide.com. dents co a local professional. A AVSNEWS he U.S. distributor of the majority of the top Icaro line of gliders is proud 10 producing hang to welcome Scon Weiner and gliding schools are Rich Burton to its distribu tion on the network (1 7 schools are network ream. Scocr and Rich will be heading up members). Schools chat a new and improved pares department at AV8. AV8 president Larry Tudor comare on the network pay a monthly fee ments, "We are excited about rhe enthuper area code plus a per-minute usage siasm and dedication to customer service charge for the service. No single school chat Rich and Scott bring to our compaor flight park could afford a major national advertisement, bur now, workny. This restructuring will give me che ing together, the combined efforts can opporrunicy to be out in the field prohave a cumulative effect. Schools are viding demo flights on the most successplanning billboards, radio spots, T-shirts ful competition gl ider in che world, the Laminar ST." and other advertisements with 1-(800)HANG-GLIDE. To learn more call AV8 presently has in srock kingpost Laminars, a couple of 1998 ST's and a David Glover or Jayne DePanfilis at full complement of pans for both king(706) 65 7-8485 or visit www. l 800hangpost Laminars and ST's. They are comglide.com. micred to same-day service. The first 1999 ST's have arrived and more are on rhe way. For gliders and pans Rich can be contacted at (760) 721-0 70 1 or ac rburton@sdcoe.kl2.ca.us.

NE1WORK

TURNING POINT IN ALPINE THERMALLING VIDEO GLIDER MANUFACTURERS SUPPORT 1-(800)-HANG-GLIDE WITH CONTEST .S Aeros, Moyes, Wills Wing, Altair, and Icaro/AV8 have all pledged their support of the 1- (800)HANG-GLIDE network. They are offering more than $2,000 in prizes for people who place a sticker on their car. Kenny Btown exclaims, " 1-(800)HANG-GLIDE has produced an excitement about the potential growth of hang gliding chat I have nor seen to dare. " G.W. Meadows says, "Think of it; in rhe course of 13 digits you've delivered an entire marketing message. Ir says what

his video welcomes hang glider and paraglider pilots to the world of alpine rhermalling. Discover some of the techniques used to tame the elusive alpine thermal. Ir features comments from top pilots as well as beautiful film footage and animation to help demonstrate how thermals form and rise. Wonderful alpine flying is set against rhe backdrop of Europe's most dramatic

mountains. The video was produced by Dennis Trott from the ''Alpine Flying Ce ntre" in Chamonix Valley, France, in association with Red W ing Picrmes, and is yet another addition to rhe Adventure Productions educarional/training-aids collection. The collection is an effo rt to create an innovative "active learning" system for reaching, reinforcing and improving a pilot's performance. Turning Point In Alpine Thermatling is 50% paragliding and 50% hang gliding and is in English. Ir is 35 minutes long and available for $35.95 plus $4. 00 shipping and handling from Adventure Productions, 6553 Scone Valley Drive, Reno, NV 89523 (775) 747-0 175 (phone/fax). Ir can also be purchased from your dealer or ordered from the Adventure Productions Web site at www.adventurep.com.

NEW MOUNTAIN HIGH OXYGEN SYSTEM

J\ frer years of R&D and testing, .l"\.Mountain High Equipment and Supp ly Com pany announces the release of the new model EDS-Dl. With the debut of the now wellknown and reliable EDS-Al oxygen delivery system in 1992, Mountain High vastly improved the way soaring and GA pil ots received supplemental oxygen. The Electro nic Delivery System, or EDS , is a fully automatic, on-demand oxygen system specifical ly developed for aviation and high-altitude activities. The "Pulse-Demand" technology used by rhe EDS has been shown by respiratory physiologists to ":"'l'llm..._ be the most efficient way to provide oxygen with high sa turation levels as needed for aviation operations. In addition , the EDS technique can use as little as 1/10 rhe amo unt of oxygen used by constant-flow systems. T hi s enables pilots to carry much smaller and lighter oxygen cylinders. H ANG GLIDING

... The new EDS-Dl offers significant improvemenrs over the original EDS-Al, starring with all-digital circuitry and simple rwo-button, user-selectable settings for altitude trip-points and offset flow settings. The EDS-D 1 unit is approximately 30% smaller than the EDS-Al. Battery life has been extended to 50-60 hours from an internal nine-volt battery. The EDS-Dl has operating modes with four preset pressure-altitude trigger points starring at sea level, 5,000, 10,000 or 12,000 feet. In addition, there are four F-Mode settings providing richer oxygen offsets for face masks or permitting you to "freshen up" after a long flight at altitude to be extra sharp for landings or to receive exrra oxygen (pre-charge) on the ground for rapid and extended ascents. Among other accessories the EDS-Dl comes with a standard cannula for flight operations up to 18,000' MSL. The EDS-Dl is offered in single- and multi-person, pre-packaged systems with aluminum or very lightweight Kevlar Fiber cylinders. No special fittings are needed for refills or to use the EDS-D 1 system with ocher standard oxygen cylinders. Contact a Mountain High dealer or: 1-800-468-8185 (inside the U .S. and Canada), or (801) 561-9970, www.mmhigh.com, sales@mm-high.com.

CLOUDBUSTERSVIDEO

he sequel to Henry Haucks' successful video, Thermik, is now available in English. Cloudbusters features fascinating flying footage and is a source of help and advice to pilots who wam to set off on their fast thermal and X-C flights. Meteorologist Dr. Herbert Piimpel explains complex weather systems. The film covers active flying techniques and world-record holders Jo Bachmann and Burkhard Martens give rips from their years of experience. Techniques and tactics are covered as well as safety issues. The Rim was shot in Castellucio and rhe Dolomites in Italy, the Pinzgau Mountains in Austria, and GarmischPartenkirchen in Germany. Visit www.hhp-film .de for ordering information or e-mail hhp@hhp-film.de. AUGUST 1999

.,, .... ... .,:tP Yesterday's Technology 0

TEAM SPIRIT HANG GLIDING

ob Hastings, Keishya Salko and Shadow the Wonder Dog look forward to welcoming you to fly Puerto Rico this year. They will continue to offer excellent flying tours and glider rentals, tandem discovery flights, hang gliding classes and ratings clinics, tandem clinics, and full sales and service. Join chem chis year for a unique Caribbean flying adventure the whole family can enjoy. Start your winter layoff the right way, in the skies of beautiful Puerto Rico. Team Spirit will be closed wuil October l , at which rime they will accept reservations for rhe 1999-2000 tours. Visit their Web sire at ,vww.mailways.ner/reamspiric or e-mail cshg@coqui .net for information and reservanons.

ELLENVILLE, NY HOSTS 11 TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY FUN MEET

he Sourhern ew York Hang Glider Pilots Association is already planning for the 11th Annual Labor Day Fun Meer ac Ellenville Mountain, ew York. The dares are set for September 4, 5 and 6 . This now-infamous fly-in is geared toward having fun , and accommodates pilots of all skill levels (with mountain

Today's Technology

The New IQ Basis II With Weather-Station Function • NEW: Weather-station function with recording the air pressure for a 48-hour period, display in hPa and graphical display of air pressure tendency in 0.1 hPa/hour • Easy-to-operate basic functions: 2 altitudes, vario (analog, digital, averager), speed, time and stopwatch, temperature and acoustic • Memory of flight data of the last 1O flights • Battery status permanently visible Also available in the IQ series: IQ Classic IQ Competition/GPS

IQ Flying - The Video. Tips. tricks and operation of IQ instruments. BRAUNIGER USA, Inc. 1355 NW 93 Ct., UNIT A-105, MIAMI, FLORIOA 33172 U.S.A. TEL. (305) 639-3330 FAX (305) 639-3055 E-mail : paraglldlng@aerollghl com http://www.aerollghl com

,t·BRAUNIGER FASZINATION DES FLIEGENS

u flying skills). The meet format involves basic tasks such as dtiration, bomb drops, spot-hinding and imbibing. The meet is designed ro score four-person teams (with humorous names) who vie for cash prizes ($400 for first, $300 for second, and $200 for third place). Pilots may compete individually for trophies if they arc unsuccessful at U)nn.ing a team. T'he fo~atured event occurs Saturcfay evening, when each team performs a team song for scoring toward the cash prizes (after sufficic:nt lubrication from the club-sponsored kegs). 'This fonnof entertainment has to be seen to be believed. arc $30 per team pilot Enny ($120 per team) and $35 per individual pilot. Entry includes Saturday's liquid refrcshmentB and temporary (for non-site members). Pree flying during 1:his meet weekend for both hang glider a1.1d paraglider pilots will be restricted to before the competition window opens and after the competition window closc:s each day. infonna·· tion, call Paul Voight at (914)

ero is bringing the I 999 asters of Freestyle Hang Gliding Contest t() San Diego's Mission Bay Park during the 32nd annual Bayfair event, September 17··19. 'The event draws more than 150,000 spc'.ctators to make Bayfair San .Diego's largest annual spo.rts compe·· tition and family event. Mission ·Bay Park encompasses more than 4,600 sun-splashed acres and is the world's largest man-made aquatics park. The Bayfail' eve.nt been held since

1964,

year Mission Bay Park was

completed. The park of:frrs .rnyriad bont·

ing and water--rdatcd recreational areas, bike paths, miles of sparkling white sand beaches, and Sea World of Califrlrnia. Never before will so ninny ..,.,n,,.,..,,.,, have witnessed a hang gliding contest. .As in all pasr Masters con-, tests, aerotowing will be used to increase the fairness and validity of the tion, Hungary Joe Szalai will be provid ing Moyes/Bailey Dragonfly tug nnd RC Dave Prcund will once again accept duties as Masters contest: principal judge, The M.asters be held along Power Boat Racing, The: appeal of the whole event is multiplied with both of these extreme together. event announcers and m.edia broad· casters will ca.II attcntio.n alternately to tbe water, then to the sky during the days of event. First the power will roar loudly down the race course and pour inro rhe turns, trailing t.ill rooster tails of spray, 'T'hcn the gliders will silently dive and climb as they perform loops, roll-overs ;ind spins with brigb t tails of colored tracing their paths across the For rnore information Aero (818) 71 ddi?Pjm10.conL

1999. The entry fr:c is NZ $I befcire August includes all llfr

cieJJ t inttrest. family, dies! This is one

glad "Value

and

he second WHGS Speed Gliding World to be held in the Southern Hemisphere (Coronet

stown, New

tact

16. II

HANG

PI-ION

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1 1

In consideration of the benefits to be derived from membership in the USHGA, and the parent or legal guardian of Pilot if a minor, for themselves, their personal representatives, heirs, executors, next of kin, spouses, minor children and assigns, do agree as follows: A. ~ 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. or as a result of the administration of

injury, sustained by Pi/ot".s-parents or legal guardians, as a result of administration of any USHGA programs. 3. means the following, including their owners, officers, directors, agents, spouses, employees, officials (elected or otherwise), members, independent contractors, sub-contractors, lessors and lessees: a) The United States Hang Gliding Association, a California Non-profit Corporation (USHGA); b) Each of the person(s) sponsoring and/or participating in the administration of Pilot's proficiency rating(s); c) Each of the hang gliding and/or paragliding organizations which are chapters of the USHGA; d) The United States Of America and each of the city(ies), town(s), county(ies), State(s) and/or other political subdivisions or governmental agencies within whose jurisdictions Pi/otlaunches, flies and/or lands; Each of the property owners on or over whose property Pilotmay 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 D "All persons involved" include, but are not limited to, spectators, hang glider and/or paraglider pilots, assistants, drivers, instructors, observers, and owners of hang gliding and/or paragliding equipment; and All other persons lawfully present at the site(s) during g) n.i;;11.i;;,.,.,u;.. AND the any and all liabilities, claims, demands, or causes of action that I INJ'IIRIF'f however caused, even if caused by the negligence (whether active or passive) of any of the n&.Jf,.,&.J'11Js.;,v may hereafter have for to the fullest extent allowed by law. I A against any of the loss or damage on account of 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 ,u;.,1.11.,;,s..,&.u I shall be and ......... .,11-.. , All E. If any part, article, paragraph, sentence or clause of this Agreement is not enforceable, the affected provision shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring it within the requirements of the law, and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. F. I at least 18 years of age, or, that I am the parent or legal guardian of and am making this agreement on behalf of myself and If I am the parent or legal guardian of I the for their defense and indemnity from any claim or liability in the event that P1tot suffers even if caused in whole or in part by the negligence (whether active or passive) of any of the ...........,, .....

I have lld11/t Pilot's J1cnat11re

Date

Jignafltre ofPilot's Pzrent or Legal G11ardii1n if f't!ot 11nder 18 years ofage.

Date

MMR 12-97

LARRY TUDOR

l ,arry 'li1dor is li'i years old and is the Distance, Disrancc to Goal, and Altitude C,1in world 1·ccord holder, as well as a previous Nation,1! C:hampiorL I-le has been the winner of rhc X-C: Classic, Sandia Classic and the I,a Rioja X C Competition in J\rgemina for four years running. I !is best finish was second ar the Pre-World Championships in Covenador Valadarcs, lkvil. Larry was horn and learned to lly in Denver, Colorado. I le then logged megahours in Utah fi·om 197G to 1986. During rhis time he was tricked into flying corn petition by UP owner Pete Brock, and has been con1pcting ever since. Larry worked fot· Wills Wing from 1986 to 19% and cominued to have much success with their support. He is currently living in the high desert of Arizona in Plagstaff; working al building the AV8 company with Orlando Stephenson and I.ee'lerpstra of Michigan. AV8 is currently importing the Laminar line of' gliders from learn. I .arry is looking forward to flying Monte Cucco in Jraly where he feels rhat his style of flying will shine. IIUS J\Ri\l

flying f'or 2'5 years and competing in cross--country com·petit ions since 1978. In tl1;11 time he has been the U.S. National Champion four rimes. Chris has rcprcscnrcd the US three times: 199 I in Brazil, I ()93 in rhe Owens Valley, and 1995 in Spain. In tlic Owrns Valley Chris helped the US Team to win by taking second I le sat out the last Worlds in /\umalia to help his wile 'less birth to their son Yoneo. Chris has been flying fo1· Wills Wing since l 990 and is the designer ofthcTmgcm 1:liglH Computer and founder of/\rai Design. DAVID S1 !ARP

David I !ugh Sharp is 33, lives in Edge wood, New Mexico, and flies fi:Jr Atos Air and Altair. I le rook his first hang gliding lesson in January of 1985 and h:1s been flying non--stop ever since. I le is ranked num/\LJClJST 1999

li As this rnagazine goes to press the Hang Gliding World Chanzpionship is scheduled to begin in a week Uuly 24 to August 8) in Monte Cucco, lta.ly, and we thou'--~ht you'd lilee to meet your World Team members. For information on the World Meet visit http://www. .fivl. it!mondialilcucco 99. html. .f

SUR!i TO SUPPORT YOUR WORID

BY EN7HUNG THE SWEEPSTAKES AND SFND!NG A DONATION!

See the sweepsta!ees ads on pages 30 and 3 I or fill out the infcJrmation on the back ofthe envelope enclosed in this issue and rnttil it in. her one as a ( :lass 2 pilot. Since 1989 Dave has hccn ranked in the top ten as a Class 1 pilot, pbcing in the top three in over a dm.cn mecrs. In 1997 he made the World '[cam as a Class J pilot, hut was 1111fclnunatcly unable (0 attend. Ile comments that what he likes ahour hang gliding competition is the opportunity (0 fly with a special group or friends, and learning from those who heat him. Dave feels thar what rnakes him a good pilot is his drive and passion fclr flying, as well as a good foci for the air. What advice would he give orhcr pilors about how ro hccomc a competition pilot or a better competition pilot?"[ )on't push your limits until you arc sure you can ban-die it. Maimain a positive attitude and fly more than your competitors," is his reply. DAVIS STRAUB

Davis is I and will be /lying an Atos rigid glider manufoct ured hy Air (hnp:/ /home. l -onl ine.de/homc/ folixruehlc/index.lmn) in the World Meer. His Class WTSS ranking is /ifrh. I le stance! flying in 198/i about the time he was married. In fact, Davis took some introductory lessons in Cermany near Munich during his honeymoon. I !is first major cornpctition was the 1989 Manufacturer's I ,cague Meet at Pinc

Mountain, Oregon. His longest /light hcfore the meet was 29 miles, and he was flying a Wills Wing Sport. On his first competition flight I )a vis made goal at 75 miles, and larcr in that meet {kw 9/i miles. Davis has flown in many U.S. competirions since then, and more recently in the Australian meets (flying flex wings one year and an the nexL). I le placed sixth in the Sandia Classic two years ago on a Laminar ST This is Davis' lirst year on the US World '!cam (thanks to rhe new Class 2 division). I le has especially enjoyed flying in the Australian and Florida competitions which arc held overt he flatlands. The smooth, strong d1crmals and long-distance tasks appeal ro him. Davis comments that he enjoys flying rigid wings because they have just enough extra performance to move a pilot into a new realm of flight potential. I le always feels that he can glide to where he needs to go and get back up from down low. I )a vis recommends that pilots who arc looking to improve their X--C: and competition skills get plcnry of practice, and perhaps consider getting some coaching from the World 'learn Academy at Wallaby Ranch.

RYAN GLOVFR

Ryan Clover is from Wallaby Ranch, Flori da, is ranked ninth, and flies a [ ,a Moucttc 'ltlplcss 13.5. His first competition was the l 996 East Coast Charnpionships. for· rhcr comp experience incll!des: 1997 ECC, l 996 1997 Australia Pre· Worlds, 1998 Italy Pre Worlds, 1998 Alpine Open, 1998 Europeans, I<)% through 1998 S:rn· dia meets, I <)98 AC:C, 1999 Wallaby Open, and 1999 Nars. Ryan commcnrs, "Clearly, competition is not for everyone, bl!t if you arc scriol!sly imcrcsred in improving your flying skills there is 110 better way rhan by competing. Flying with the best pilots in the world you instant feedback that lets you know where your strengths and weaknesses lie. The fi111da111enrals of competing arc simple: climb fast and glide efficiently to the next likely thennal. The trick in knowing where the strongest lifr is and passing up weaker thermals. "If you want to really improve, compete. If you don't like competition, at least set lit· tic goals for yourself maybe :1 20··rnilc om-and·remrn or a small rrianglc. You will increase your skill, judgmctll and enjoyment if'yo11 push yourself just a lirtlc. There is no better way than compctirion." MARK "Gnmo" GIBSON

Cibbo is

lives in Ormond Beach, Flori· da, flies a I ,a Mo11ctle 'lciplcss, and is ranked number five. I le start-· ed flying ("living lifo" as he puts it) in 1976 at Dog Mountain in Washington Srnrc. His first mccr was a Regionals ar Dog Mounrain in which he placed 23rd. Since then his compcrit ion record incl11dcs: third in the Owens World Meer (first place, ream), 1<)<)3; Fast Coast C:halllpion, 1995; fifrh in the Fmopean Championships in Hungary, 1997; second in rhc Race & Rally, Brazil, 1997; third in rhc Brazilian Nars, 1997; second in JZ's U.S. Nationals in Col· orado. This meet in Italy represents Cibho's fourth World 'learn appc:irancc. What docs he like abom hang gliding competition? "Cctting to goal is still a rush! This is the only reason I compete." What 14

makes a good pilor? "Believing you can do ir makes it easy. Just do it!" JIM LEE

Jir11 Lee is 45, resides in 'faos, New Mexico, and flies a Wills Wing Fusion 150. I-le has been a U.S. Team member five times. 11 is best rcsul ts include fifth place (iudividual) in Brazil and first place (ream) iu the Owens Valley. Jim has been married to wifo Kathy for 1 years and has a fivc-yeu·old daughter, Rachel. On the subject of hang gliding competition Jim commcms: "The best things about competitions :ue the people involved in rhcrn, rhe flying ro he shared and rhc places arc held. C:ornpcririons bring togcd1cr the most amazi11g collection of pilots, crews and meet officials. It's really something for hang gliding to take over a town (pretty easy to do in Dinosaur, Colorado or with 400 people during a World Meet). Then 10 take to the air with 40 to 250 pilots all sharing the same rask is really something. There's nothing like taking a second fron1 rhc intense concctHration necessary during a comp to be awed by the sight or fellow pilots off each wing tip, st rcaking :1long j11s1 under a cloud in our marvelous wings, heading toward a common goal. Flying alone or boating around at a local site just doesn't give me the same thrill. "Hang gliding sites arc found in some of the most beautiful places on 1hc planet. There is no bcncr way (or excuse) to travel to rhcse places rhan for a hang gliding comp. We cover lots of terrain, and !:ind in out-oft he-way places which we'd never sec otherwise. I once landed in a field of flowers on the ourski rts of a small town in 1hc mountains of Japan. The local woodcarvers called my retrieve, frd me, and then l watched them chisel tongue-and-groove beams with an expertise that astounded me. I didn't sec any tour buses while I was there. "The best way ro cnjoy a comp is to he comfortable with your equipment, and cross·-coumry flying (cross-country being dclincd as landing in unfamiliar I not covering meg:Hnilcs). The old adage of changing only one thing at a time certainly applies here. Emcring your first comp with a new harness, r:ning, or glider won't work. Competition is the place to improve skills,

nor learn them. This is nor to say you won't learn new skills, but thar you already need a foundation on which to build. If you regularly bend dowmubcs at your local site, landing in a new field during a comp is a recipe for disaster. "A Oll(>week comp provides the chal· lcngcs and experiences found in over a month of solid flying :11 your home site. Competition has graced me with life-long friends and mind-bending experiences. I bcr it can do that you too!"

ror

JIM ZFIS!ff

Jim /,ciset is years old and lives in Salida, Colorado. Jle's been flying hang gliders for 22 years and first flew in competition in 1(Jilli. The contest was called "The Himalayan Adventure" (and that it was). Jim placed 11th in a field of 33. Since rha1 rime he has competed every year. In 1985 he won the Owens Valley Classic and placed fcmrrh in rhc Owens Valley Open. In 1()86 he won the Chelan Classic, and in 1()87 garnered a third place. Jim has traveled to Australia, Swi1zcrland, Brazil, Argentina, ( :anada :rnd Mexico to compete. But the cornperirion got stiffor and he got older and fom:r. Jim com pct ing but never did very well u11til the 1998 Nationals when he switched ro C:lass 2 (rigid wings). There he managed a second-place finish in Class 2 and fourth overall. This year Jim placed fiJt1rth in rhc Nats a11d sixth in the Wallaby Open, both in Class 2. This is Jim's first appearance 011 rhe lJ.S. World

'!cam.

JI, comments: "The thing I like most ;1houl com pct it ion is rhc camaraderie among pilots. I now have friends all over rhc world. The second best thing is that when you artcnd a compcti1 ion you arc going to a great flying Mecca at a time of the year when the weather will probably be rhc best. The latest and greatest equipment will be shown. It's a grcir coucenrrario11 of talent and you learn something new every time you cornpctc. There is 110 dou ht that my history of attcnd·ing most available contests over the years has contributed immensely 10 my status on the World 'learn. In order to become a good competition pilot you must learn from those in front of you, and when no one is in from of you, you arc the best." (,rmlinued on page 38. l1AN(; CLll)INC

AFTER SEVERAL

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MIJG~ MERRIMEN~ #AW KER AND VAP.10 HAVE 'RffUR.NE.P

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Self-Launched Flight OR,

How to Tow Yourself article and photos by Jule Lorenzen

I live near the middle of Kansas where the wind blows most all the time and many spring and summer days feature cloud streets lined up across the sky as far as the eye can see. I started flying hang gliders in 1979, and immediately began dreaming of ways to get into the sky By 1980 I'd come to the logical conclusion that a remote-control static winch might be a pretty cool thing to have, especially since there were very few pilots in my area and my friends and family were not very interested in what they saw as helping me risk life and lim b by driving my various tow rigs. ratic-line and payout winches were yet to be proven as reasonably safe even ro most of the hang gliding world. Well, the dream of self-launched flight never died , so after having designed and built various trikes and payout reels with good success I decided to cackle making the dream come true. In 1995 I bought a four-channel RC radio and scarred making plans. I decided to try to use a Honda CB 350 chat was sitting around the place - a clean, nice-nmning bike wi th a broad power band and plenry of ir. I knew at the time that there were machines ,vhich were easier to build from. Dave Broyles had shown the way with his neat use of variable-speed, belt-drive scooters, but the manual-shift 350 was what I had and I knew it'd be an imeresring challenge to make it work. I adjusted the spokes to move the rear wheel far enough over co squeeze a one.inch-wide spool next co the tire, and built a line guide nexr ro the front wheel with a frame rying the wheel to the kickstand so I could stal(e it down solid. Next I mounted. 16

a metal roolbox on the handlebars in which to mount the receiver, servos, micro-switches, relays, etc. I decided to use compressed air to do some of the hard work, like clutching and shifting, because I could control the action with pressure and volLm1e, so I moumed a used freon tank, a 12-volt air compressor, a pressure switch and a car battery for extra juice to the rack and sissy bar char were on the '73vimage bilce. I mounted a CB radio on the winch to listen to rhe motor, and a noisemaker hooked to the neutral-light circuit so I could "hear" when I was in neutral. Using solenoid-operated air valves and air cylinders to actuate the clutch and shifting was fairly straightforward (bur by no means easy). Three servos run two micro-switches each: one for ignition and starter, one for shifting up and down, one to rLm the clutch, and a lirrle device I call the neutral stop, operated with an automotive doorlocking solenoid, which allows me to find neutral whether com ing up from firs t or down from second. The throttle is operated directly with the fou rth servo. Not a H ANG GLI DING

Detail oftransmitte1: Throttle Lever at bottom, ignition switch, shift lever, power meter.

Side view oftransmitter on downtube, right side.

Transmitting and receiving antennae - designer and builder Jule Lorenzen.

Front view ofline guide and spool.

Side view ofclutch Lever, left side.

Setup on launch cart. (Note suprone pod with aerodynamic tail, nicknamed the "Skyjack.''.) AUGUST 1999

!""'""--------------------------------------------------------------------------------~--~~~~~~~~~~~~~ .- - -· Side view on launch cart. Note weightshift-activated

simple machine, but when finished I'd be able to do everything but steer the bike from at least 3,000 feet away (the length of my towline). Next I turned my attention to the transmitter, which I dismantled and reorganized in order to have the controls at my fingertips with hands in flying position. I fly suprone (seated inside the bar) so I mounted the transmitter on my right where I could reach it easily and read the battery power meter at a glance. Just for fun I built an ignition switch with key that works just like your car which is mounted, a.long with the shifter, on the aft edge of the transmitter facing me. The throttle is mounted at my right index finger and the clutch lever at my left index finger witl1 my hands in flying position. T he biggest difficulties were getting tl1e antennas communicating clearly; groundto-ground at distance, and overcoming radjo interference from the bike itself. This took quite a bit of time working on and off (mostly off) during the next couple of years. This spring finally saw the success that perseverance often brings, when t1y ing my latest set of antennas brought glitch-free operation and successful test fli ghts of 400-500 feet in three-tenths of a mile tow distance with light winds. It is a very strange feeling to operate a machine that's half a mile away from you, but it's beginning to feel routine. Rlllrning the throttle is all I'm doing once the launch run is started, so it's not as complicated as it sounds. I can quickly and easily adjust tow pressure as wind or thermal conditions change. I've yet to break a weak link while testing. It's really funny to watch videos of me laLmching from my cart, motor noise coming from the glider, but no motor. Videos from the winch end show the winch starring up, clutclung, shifting and towing me up in the background all sans operator! Definitely fun stuffi Now the dream is to ma.lee the next generatio n of self-launching winch simple, compact and easy to use. Notice I didn't say cheap; that could only come with mass production.

Anyone interested in acquiring ti machine of this type or having Jule modify your current static winch for selflaunchabi!ity may contact the author at: (3 16) 654-3148, 01e-mail self_launch@yahoo.com. - Ed. • Left side view. Shows clutch and shifter activating cylinders and neutral stop device, etc. 18

H ANG GLIDING

BEGJNNER-TANDEM RAl'INGS Region Ii SELF, LAYNE: Arvada, C:O; M. Jones/Wall:ihy Ranch

EVANGER, Pl TTl.lP: Redlands, CA; R. McKcnzic/l ligh Adventure HUGHES, KELLY: l laiku, 111: C. Purnam/1 laleakala He; JOHNSON, TIM: Santa Barbara, C:A: T. Burcar/1:Jy I JC RINN, AARON: Woodland l lills, C:A; A. Bcem/Windspons Int'! SWAIN, DAVID: Orange, Ci\; I'. Phillips/l.akc Elsinore Sports

Region 6

CARDEN, AMANDA: Jefferson C:iry, MO; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Region

GOUGEON,JAN: Bay C:iry, Ml; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Region 8

AMARAL, BRETT: Ifavcrhill, MA; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Region 9 AYERS, ALAN: I ancaster, PA; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BOHLEN, BARBARA: Bairo, MD; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch CRAIG, LOUIS: Manakin--sahor, VA; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch LOHR, FRED: Chestertown, MD; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch

Region 10 DELLOLMO, .JOHN: Wewahitchka, J:L; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch GAMBF.R, MICIIAFL: i:L; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch JONES, KAREN: Cape C:oral, i:I .: lZ. Brown/Quest Air RAMSEY, A RICHARD: C:amon, CA; 0. Lopcza,'\rmas/Loolwut Mtn FP SCARLETT, KATHERINE: Tallahassee, FL: M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch SCHROEDER, RIIEA: Plantation, Fl.: F. fori/Miami I IC S'f'lJJI, DAVID: 'J'allahassec, Fl.; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Region I l

MATTISON, BRETT: Burkburnett, TX: I, l\urns/Ausrin Air MATTISON, KENNETH: Burkburnett, TX: S. Burns/Austin Air Spons

Region It CANNON, MJKE: Colorado CO: M. Windsheimer/Airtime Above ]-IC GUZIEC, DANIEL: I.as Cruces, MN; C Crah:un/C:rossroads Windsports MEEKS, CASEY: Farmington, NM: M. hancis/Mountain West l Jc; SELF, LAYNE: Arvada, C:O; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch TAYLOR, BRFTT: (;rail(! Jimcrion, C:0; C. Baughman/Utah Mrn ! IC URBANC7.YK, KIRK: Draper, UT; C:. Baughman/Utah Mtn HC Region 6

CARDEN, AMANDA: Jclfrrson

MO; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch

Region 7 GOUGEON, JAN: Bay C:iry, Ml; M. /ones/Wallaby Ranch HANNULA, DAN: Wadsworrh, Jl.; It C11clcrian/ Airtime Above! IC LOFW, THOMAS: IZvanston, 11.: B. Kushner/Raven Sports Region 8

AMARAL, BRETT: I lavcrhill, MA; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch CONNERNEY, JAM ES: Needham, MA; J. Atwood/F.arrh & Sky Adventures ELLER, DANNY: Cambridge, MA; D. l\axtcr/Morningsidc Fl' FAAS, JAMIE: West Dover, VT; D. Baxter/Morningside r:p PAUL, SUZANNE: Crantharn, NJ l; D. Baxrcr/Morningsidc Fl' PRF.STON, CARY: I.inlcton, MA: J. Atwood/Earth & Sky Adventures ROBSON, MICHAEi.: Kensington, NH: U. Fl' SIIAMBT.IN, DAN: Johnson, VT: D. l laher/I<itty llawk l<i1cs SMITH, RYAN: Somerville, MA; D. B,ixrcr/Morningsidc fl' WANG, SIMON: l-\loom/Jcld, CT; B. Davidson/Tck Flight l'roducrs

Region 12

BENDER, LARRY: Beachwood, NJ; M. ]ones/Wallaby Ranch Region 13 BENNETT, THOMAS: Ireland; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Bl.OMDAHL, l'ETFR: Sweden; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BRUNNER, WOLFGANG: Austria; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch PHJl.lJPS,JOHN: l•'.ngland; M.Joncs/Wallahy Ranch

BEGINNER RATINGS Region l I IUN'J'ER,JOSHUA: Anchorage, AK: J. Fieser/Whatcom

MURPHY, LEON: Kem, WA; T. l\urcar/Fly /\way I JC WYANT, STEVEN: Dupont, WA: D. C:amphcll/Far Up l·redl,"I" Region 2 ARCHER, GT .EN: l )ccr Park, CA: R. l .crnrnrd/ Adventure Sports DE AGUIAR, JOI IN: Sebastopol, C:A; W. Anderson/Merlin Flight School DELP, MICHAEL: Berkley, C:/\; B. l IC DUNNF, HELEN: Pleasanton, C:A; P. l larlow/Mission EDR!SSI, AFSI JIN: Salr Lake City, UT: P. Anderson/The C:emcr KOSKI, STEVE: l'leasamon, C:/\: P. f larlow/Mission MAYERS, BRIAN: Mrn View, C:A; P. I larlow/Mission Soaring MICHELSEN, WAYNF: Mm View, C:A; P. Denevan/Mission Soaring WIT.UTS, I.INDA: Apros, CA: S. Schuster/Western l re; Rcgion 3

BOWERS, JOHN: Santa Barbara, CA: T. Burcar/Fly Away ! Jc; CAMERON, ANDREW: Kihci, Ill; C. Putnam/1-lalcakala ! IC /\UCUST 1999

Region 9 Al.Tl IOUSE, BRYAN: Daviclsonvillc, MD; T. J Ligcr/l.ookout Mtn Fl' AYERS, Al.AN: Lancaster, l'A; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BERZINS, Al.EKS: Rcston, VA: A. 'J 'orring1on/I<itry I lawk Kites BLUME, RONALD: l.ouisvi!le, KY: M. C:abado/1.ookom Mtn Fl' BOTII.EN, BARBARA: Balto, MD; M.Joncs/Wallaby Ranch CHANDLER, BRUCF.: Waldorf, MD: A. Torrington/Kitty I lawk l<ircs COGCESHALI., WINDSOR: Vienna. VA: A. Torringron/l(iny I lawk Kites COGGIN, RAY: Vienna, VA; S. Wcndr/Bluc Sky FfSCHER, JASON: Jonesville, VA; C:. 'J'horcson/l.oolrnrn Min r:p IJARSJ JAW, .JON: Pleasant Cap, PA; R. C;rovc:/Sum111i1 Airpsorts KIRKPATRICK, JAMES: Pcrrvsvilk, OJ I; M. Manzo LOI IR, FRED: c:i1csterrown, MD: M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Mil.I.ER, TROY: Wcxtd1csrcr, PA: ll. LJms1aml/Sky l ligl1 MUSS-BARNES, FRIC: C:lcvcland, 011; T. Tillman/Cloud 9 Sport Aviation SEARS, ROBERT: Caincsvillc, VA: A. Torrington/Kitty I lawk Kites TF.TREAUI.T, DAVID: Vienna, VA; A. Torrington/Kitty f lawk Ki res VALDEZ, JR, STEPHEN: Mechanicsville, VA; S. Wendt/Blue Region JO

ABERCROMBIE, RICK: Stockbridge,< :A: T. I lagcr/1.ookour Mrn J.'l' ARME, JOSEPH: Sarasota, FL; It Comhs/Qucst Air BARKER, DAN: Alpharetta, CA: M. Tabcr/1.oolmttL Mtn ],']' BROGAN, COLEEN: Wildwood, CJ\; M. l.abado/1.ookmtt Mm 1:p CARTER, MARK: Sourhoven, MS: C Thorcson/Lookom Mtn FF COCKRELL, DREW: Atlanta, C/\; /vL l.ahado/l.ookou1 Mrn J:P COUCH .JR, ALLEN: l<ingsporr, TN: T. I lager/Lookout \1111 Fl' DELI.OLMO, JOllN: Wewahitchka, Fl.; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch CAMBER, MICIIAEL: Naples, Fl.: M. Jones/W:1llaby Ranch GUSTAFSON, KARL: Arlanra, CJ\; T. I lager/l.ooko111 M1n Fl'

HAYES, CHARLES: Fl Benning, GA; C. Thorcson/Lookom Mm l;P HETZEL, JOHN: Dccamr, (;}\; C Thorcson/l .ookout Mtn 1:p JACOBSON, NOLAN: Atlanta, GA; T. Hagcr/Loolwm Mm 1:p KEICHER, GREG: Orlando, 1:1.; R. Combs/Water Clidcrs LEVIN, SCOTT: Lauderhill, Fl.; F. Foti/Miami I!(; MC COLLUM, DAVID: Atlanta, GA: T. 1lagcr/1.ookout M rn Fl' MC ROBERTS, STFPHEN: Gull1)or1, rl.; R. Brown/Quest Air MIKO, TOM: Boynton Bead,, FL; A. Torringwn/l<itty l lawk Kites OYSTER, JAY: Clearwater, Ff.; M. Joncs/Walbby Ranch PAUi.SEN, MATTHEW: Raleigh, NC; J\. Torringron/Kitty Hawk Kites RAMSEY, A RICI JARD: Canton, (;A; 0. Lopc,.-Armas/1.ookom Mm J:l' REYES ALICIA, LUIS: Gmabo, PR: R. Hastings/Team Spirit I Jc; REYES ALICIA, RAYMOND: (;mabo, l'R; R. I lastings/Team Spirit HG ROBINSON, GREG: Sarasota, Fl.; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch SCARLETT, KATHERINE: Tallahassee, FL; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch SPANGLER, RICHARD: Apex, NC A. Torringwn/Kirry Hawk Kites SQUADRITO, SALVATORE: Ft l.audcrdalc, fl.; J. Tindle/Miami HC STIUI, DAVID: Tallahassee, FL; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch TYE, NATHAN: Smirl1villc, CA; /1. I lawk Kites WASlllNGTON, RANDY: Tirusvillc, H.; R. Brown/Quest Air Region 11 BYWATER, ANDREW: Autsin, TX; J. l lum/l;o ... l Lmg Cliding1 CAREW, A .J PAUL: A11S1in, TX; J. I !um/Co ... 1-lang Cliding1 DAVENPORT, VIRGIi.: Midland, TX; C. Thorcson/Lookour Mtn FP HANSON, WAYNE: Austin, TX;J, l-lunr/Co ... Hang Cliding 1 I IlJTCHINS, ABE: Clchumc, TX; D. llrnylcs/l<itc Enterprises MATTISON, BRETT: Burkburncrt, TX; F. Burns/Austin Air Sports MATTISON, KENNETJ I: Burkbumctt, TX: S. Bums/Austin Air SECELIIORST, JON: TX; J. I lunr/Co ... l Cliding! WHEELER.JR, LEVOY: Austin, TX; J. llulll/( ;o ... l lang c;liding! Region 12 BAINHA, SERGIO: Brook, NY: S. Jewell/Fly I ligh BENDER, LARRY: Beachwood, NJ; M. Jones/Wallaby H.andi CASSERLY, JOE: lrvingron, NJ; C. Bh1ck/Mountain Wings HARTMANN, DJ\ VID: Rochester, NY; l 1. llocssl/Rochcstcr Arca MC CT.AIN, KIP: Apo, J\F; M. Windsheirncr/J\irtimc Above I Jc; MJU.S, JR, Al.FRED: Deposit, NY; l), Cuido/Susquchanna 1:p SALDIVARO,JOSE: llobokcn, NJ; C. Bl:1ek/Mounrain Wings SUDWISCHER, I IARRY: C:oplaguc, NY; I). Jewell/Fly SWEDROCK, KAREN: Webster, NY; A. Torringron/Kitty I lawk Kites YOUNG, BOB: Rosendale, NY; ( ;, Black/Ellenville Air Spons Region 13 BARNES, ALLAN: England; M. Joncs/Wallahy Ranch BENNFTT, THOMAS: Ireland; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BEZENDEVFR, JOSE PAULO: Brazil; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BLOMDAHL, PETER: Sweden; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BOUDARCHUK, OLEG: Ukraine; M. Jones/Wallaby Rmch BRUNNER, WOLFGANC: Austria; M. Jones/Wallaby R:lllch DE Sil.VA, FRANCISCO: llrazil; M. Jonc,s/Wallahy Ranch DITTMAR, CHARLES: Venezuela 10; M.Joncs/Wallahy Ranch DMYTRYSZYN, STEVE: C:mad:1; C:. Thorcson/Lool<0m Mtn FI' JARAMILLO, NICOLAS: Columbia; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch KAMPMANN, HANK: Canada; C. Thorcson/Lookour Mm Fl' PHILLIPS, JOHN: Fngland; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch IUJHLE, FEI.!Z: ( ;crmany 7'2277; M, Jones/Wallaby Ra11ch RUHMFR, MANFRED: Italy 2'1038; M. Jones/Wallaby R:rnch SALVFNMOSER, JOSEPH: Austria 63'70; M. Jones/W:11laby R:mch SCI IMITZ, BFTINl-10: Brazil; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch 'T'URCHTN, JASON: C:mada; C. Thoreson/Lookout Mm Fl' WOLi:, ANDRE: Brazil; M, Jones/W:illahy Ramli

NOVICE RATINGS Region I I JUNTER, JOSIHJA: Anchorage, Al<; J. Ficser/Wh:morn MU RPI IY, I.EON: l<cnt, WA; D. Cunpbcll!i::tr Up hedliglu WYANT, STEVEN: Dupont, WA; D. C:11nphcll/h1r Up Frcdlight Rcgion 2 DE AGUIAR, JOHN: Schasropol, ( :A; W. ,\ndcrson/Mcrlin School ED RISS!, AFSHIN: Salt Lake UT: P. Andcrson/Tl,c Soaring C:cnrcr l'()X, DARYL: Milpitas, C:A; P. Drncvan/Mission II OPPER, MARK: Menlo Park, C:A; D. Yollrn/Mission LOPEZ, RICHARD: San Francisco, CA; P. l larlow/Mission Soaring SMITH, MARK: Pleasanton, C:A; C:. Thoreson/Lookout Mm FP Rcgion .3 BOWERS, JOHN: Santa Barbara, C:A; T. Jlmcar/Fly HC; CAMERON, ANDREW: l<ihei, 111; C. Putnam/1 HC Fl.SING, MYLFS: Corona Del Mar, CA; C:. Thorcson/l.ookolll Mtn Fl' EVANCER, Pl III.IP: Rcdl:uids, C:A; R. Mc!<rnzic/1 JOHNSON, TIM: Santa Barbara, C:A; T. I IC SCORD, RICK: Costa Mesa, C:A; M. Labado/f.ookom Mui Fl' Region Ii GUZIEC, DANIEL: Las C:ruccs, MN; C. Craham/C:rossroads Windsports LUNACEK, MONTE: ( :olondo C:O; M. Windshcirncr/Airrirnc Above HG TAYLOR, BRETT: Grand Junction, C:O; C:. Mm HC: URBJ\NCZYK, KIRK: Draper, UT; C:. Bar1gh1nar1/I Region(, CURL, KELLY: Fnid, OK; D. Bnwkcsf!,(ire Fmcrpriscs

Region 7 GO!JGF.ON, JAN:

City, Ml; M. Joncs/Walbhy Ranch HANNULA, DAN: Wadsworth, IL; B. Guderian/ Airt imc Above I IC LOEW, THOMAS: h:rnston, I I.; I\. Kush11cr/R:1vcn THOMPSON, SR, TOMMY: ll.; l\. Sports Region 8 AMARAL, BRETT: I laverhill, MA; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch WANG, SIMON: l1loom/Jeld, C:T; ll, Davidson/Tck Flight Products Rcgion 9 ALTHOUSE, BRYAN: Davidsonvillc, MD: 'J'. Hagcr/1.ookom Mm FP BEEBE, MARK: Newport News, VA; S. I lciplc/Lookou1 Mm Fl' BLUME, RONALD: Louisville, KY; M. C:ahado/l.ooko11r Mm Fl' BUC:J IANAN, ROBERT: H.cistcrsrown, MD; M. Joncs/Wallaby Ranch FIS(] !ER, JASON: Jonesville, VA; ( :. Tlrnrcson/Lookout Mm Fl' MILLER, TROY: Wcstchcs1cr, PA; B. l ligh MUSS-BARNES, ERIC: Cleveland, 01 l: T Tillm:lll/Cloud 'J Sport /\viation SMITH, SCOTT: Gairhcrsl,mg, MD; R. School olTlC Rq;ion 10 J\JJERCROMBJE, RICK: Stockhridgc, GA; T. Hagcr/l.ookour Mrn fl' ARME, .JOSEPI I: Sarasota, Fl.; R. C:omhs/Qucst Air BACON, EVERJ:TT: Durham, NC; C. Elchin/Qucst Air BARl<ER, DAN: Alpharetta, GA; M. Taber/Lookout Mrn Fl' I lawk Kircs BERM ES, GREGORY: Kill Devil J !ill, NC; R. BROGAN, COLEEN: Wildwood, (;A; M. 1.abado/1.ookour Mrn Fl' BURNFTT, DAVIS: N:d1vilk, TN: (:.Thoreson/I .ookour Mm Fl' CARTER, MARK: Southovcn, MS; C:. Thoreson/Lookout Mtn l'P Cl !ASE, DAVID: Mltl'frccshoro, TN; C. Thorcson/l.ookom Mm Fl' COCKRELi., DREW: Atlanta, CA; M. l.:1hado/Lookout Mtn Fl' COUCH JR, ALI.FN: Kingsport, TN; T. I Mm 1:p

ERICKSON, NYLIA: Orlando, Fl.; It C:omhs/W:ncr Clidcrs GUSTAFSON, KARL: Arbma, CA; T. J l:igcr/Loolrnur Min JI' IIAYI:s, CHARLES: Fr Benning, CJ\; C Thorcson/l.ooko1n M111 Fl' HETZFL, JOHN: Dccarur, CJ\; C Thoreson/1.ookour Mm Fl' JACOBSON, NOLAN: J\tlanta, CJ\; T. l lagcr/Lookou1 Min Fl' KFIGHFR, GRFC: OrLrndo, 1:1; R. C:omhs/Wa1cr C:lidcrs LFVlN, SCOTT: Lauderhill, 1:1,; F. hiri/Miami I IC MACLEOD, JOHN: Columbia, SC:; T. I .ool«nll Mm H' MC COLLUM, DAVID: J\tlan1a, c;J\; T I lager/Lookorn Mm J:P MC ROBERTS, STFPI !EN: Culfj,on, FL; It Brown/Quest Air OGLE, MARK: I lonon, AL; T I !agcr/1.ookorn M111 IT OYSTER, JAY: ( :lcarwarer, Fl.; M. Joncs/Wallabv Ranch SCOVILL, Ji\ Y: ( ;ainesvillc, ( ;;\; C:. Thorcson/1.ookour Mm FP SQUADRITO, SALVATORE: 1:1 l.audcrdalc, Fl.; J. Tindle/Miami I IC WASHINGTON, RANDY: Tirusvillc, FL; R. Brown/Qucs1 J\ir WORT! IEY, Wll.l.lAM: Mariella, CJ\; C:. Thoreson/l.ooko11t Mtn i:I' Region 11 DAVENPORT, VIRGIL: Midland, 'IX C:. Thorcson/1.ookour Mrn Fl' HARDY, RON: ( :cdar Park, TX: S. l\utm/J\usrin Air Sports JOHNSON, DALE: I louston, TX; B. M:m;y/J\usrin J\ir Sports MATTISON, KENNETIJ: llurkbttr11e11, TX; S. Bttrns/J\us1i11 J\ir

Region 2

CARLSON, ERIC: San Bruno, C:J\; P. Dcncv:m/Mission DINI!, KFN: Milpitas, CJ\; C l'rarhcr/Dream Weaver I IC FLYNN, TOM: Sunnyvale, C :J\; I·'.. Chief' I !OWARD, MARK: Sanjose, Cl\; P. Dcncvan/Mission Soaring l.AKF, TRENT: Milpitas, C:J\; D. Younr/Mis.sion MAC DONALD, M!CI 1/\EI.: San Jose, C:J\; D. Joncs/W O R SMITH, LEI.AND: Los Catos, CJ\; I'. Dcncv:rn/Mission TRIBF, RANDOLPI I: Alviso, C:J\; D. Joncs/W OR WILSON, DAVID: Iowa I !ill, CJ\; C. I lamilton/Sacrame11ro I JC YOUNG, TIMOTHY: 1 laywarcl, C:A; I'. Dcncvan/Mission Soaring Region 3

DE CROOT, ANTHONY: Santa Barbara, C:J\; J. Cardner/Fly Away MC GOWAN, ROBFRT: I lonolulu, 111; J. Forb11s/C :loud l\asc

Region Ii KJ\NICK, ROBFRT: Boulder, C:0; M. Wi11dsheimn/J\irrime /\hove 11(; WJ\1.SH, Wll.UJ\M: Pud,lo, C:O: S. Dewey WEBB, DALE: Phoenix, A/.; J. Reynolds/Phoenix J\cro Region 5

KIRBY, WAl.'TER: Wilson, WY: C. Baughrnan/lJ1ah Mm IIC Region 12

BJ\TNHJ\, SERGIO: Rye Brook, NY; S. High BENDER, 11\RRY: Beachwood, NJ; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BLOOD, PJ\lJl.: Whi1ing, NJ;(;. Black/Moumain Wings MC CLJ\!N, KIP: /\po, AE; M. Windsheimcr/J\inimc /\hove I 1c; SUDWISCI !FR, I JARRY: Coplaguc, NY; D. Jewell/Fly I ligh VANI.AEYS, MARK: Oneonta. NY; D. Cuido/Smquchanna Fl' Region 13 BARNES, AI.LAN: Fngland; M. foncs/Wallaby Ranch BENNETT, THOMAS: Ireland: M. Jones/Wallaby Rand, BEZF.NDEVFR, JOSE PJ\UI.O: Brazil: M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BI.OM DAT I!., PETER: Swedrn; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BOU DARCI llJK, OLEG: Ukraine; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BRUNNER, WOT.FCJ\NC: J\ustria; M. Jones/Wallaby R:rncl, DE SILVA, Ml/\NCISCO: Bra,,il; M. Jones/Walla\,y Ranch DITTMAR, Cl !/\RI.ES: Vcnc7.ucla 10: M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch DMYTRYSZYN, STEVE: Canada; C:. Thoreson/Lookout M111 Fl' JARAMILLO, NICOi.AS: C:olumbi:1; M. Jones/Wallaby R:rnch KAMPMANN, 11/\NK: Canada; C. Thorescrn/l.ookour Mill 1:p RUHLE, FFI.IZ: M. Jones/Wallaby R:rnch RlJI IMER, MANFRED: Italy 27038; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch SJ\1.VFNMOSFR, JOSFl'l l: J\mrria 6J70: M. Jotws/Wallahv Randt SCIIMITZ, BEl'INHO: Brazil: M. Jones/Wallaby R:mch TURCHIN,JASON: c::rnada; c:. ·1·1toreson/l.ookot11 Mtn Fl' WOLF, ANDRE: Brazil; ,YI. Jones/Wallaby Ranch

INTERMEDIATE RATINGS Region 0

AMARAL, BRETT: l laverhill, MA; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Region I

AUSMAN, DAVID: Anchorage, Al<; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch DOHERTY, RY J\N: Woodinville, WJ\; I,, Jorgcnsc11/NW Air Advent me DOI JERTY, SI !ANNON: Seattle, WJ\; L Jorgensrn/NW Air J\dve11rurc PIERCE, Tl IOM/\S: Puy:tl\11p, W J\; D. C:arnphcll/l'ar lJp hecfligh1

J\iJCIJST 1999

Region 8 STOBBE, BRUCE: Winsred, C:T; B. Davi(bm/Tck Flight Products TAURJNSKI, BRLJN!Sl.AUS: Burlington, CI'; B. Davidson/Tck Flight l'roclucls

Region 9 JOHNSON, DAVID: Fredrick, Ml); K. Ford MUI.DOON, JOHN: Arlington, VJ\; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch Region 10

AGOSTO MOLTNA, LUIS: Cmovanas, PR; It I I IC BARKER, DAN: J\lpharct1a, CA; M. Taber/Lookout Mtn l;P CIIJ\SE, DAVID; Mttrfrccsl,oro, TN; C. Tliorcson/Lookrntt Mtn Fl' JORDAN, PJ\UL: 1.ilhurn, CJ\: M. Tabcr/l.ookour Vlin Fl' I AUSSERMAIR, TIIOMAS: Delray Beach, Fl.; J. Tindlc/Mi:111ti I IC MOJICJ\, ROBERTO: Oroconis, l'R; R. I lasting/Team Spirit I IC MULLER, DJ\VID: Creer, SC; C:. Thoreson/1.ookout Mm fl' Region I l

Gil.BERT, KFNT: l lousron, TX; J. I fun1/Co ... l la11g Cliding1 HAMMEN, ROBERT: San 1\n1onio, TX; M. Jones/Wallaby Randi LOPER, ROBERT: llm1s1011, TX;!.. Smirh II/ TOI.IN, KEN: Wcarherfc,rd, TX; S. B11ms/J\usrin Air Sports

Region 1 BENDER, LARRY: Beachwood, NJ; M. Jones/Wallaby P.anch Dl MII.IA,JOHN: 1.irrlc Neck, NY; C. Black/Lllcnvillc Air MC CLAIN, KIP: /\po, J\l,'.; M. Windsheimer/ J\irrime /\hove I JC Region 13 BARNES, J\LLJ\N: England; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BENNE IT, THOMAS: Ireland: M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BEZFNDEVER, JOSE PJ\lJI .0: Brazil; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BLOMDJ\IIL, PETER: Sweden; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BOUDARCHUK, 01.EG: Ukraine; M. Joncs/WaJlaby Ranch BRUNNER, WOLFGANG: Austria; M. Joncs/Wallal,y Ranch DE Sii .VJ\, FRANCISCO: Brazil; M. Joncs/Wall:thy R:mch DITTMAR, CHARLES: Vcnentcla 1O; M. Jones/Wallaby IZ:mch JJ\RAMJLI .0, NICOi.AS: C:olumbia; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch RUH MER, MANFRED: Italy '.UO.l8: M. Jones/W:t!bhy Ranch

SJ\LVENMOSER, JOSEPH: Austria GJ70; M. Joncs/Wallahy Ranch SCI-IMJTZ, BETINHO: Brazil; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch WOLF, ANDRE: Brazil; M. Joncs/W,dbhy Ranch

1999 TOP 10 SCHOOL/CLUB LEADERS IN BEGINNER (HANG I) RATINGS ISSUED RANK

ADVANCED RATINGS Region 2

BLON, THOMAS: Santa Cruz, CA; C. Reeves/Western HC CRAFTS, DAVE: Hayward, C:A; E. Chief MARTIN, M.D., KENNETH: El Cerrito, CA; M. Joncs/Walbhy Ranch Region 3 CUTTER, DJ\ YID: Pasadena, CA; J. Crcblo/Windsports I11t'I MASSEY, STFVF.: San1cc, C:A; c;, Rccvcs/Wcs1crn HC SZAFARYN, LEN: Long Beach, C:A; R. McKenzie/High Adventure WARD, MICHAEL: Visalia, C:A; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch WAUGH, FRED: Agna D11lcc, C:A; A. lkcm/Windsporrs lm'I Region Ii l!EANER Ill, WILLIAM: Sal1 Lake

UT; R. Cizauskas/Wasatch

Region 9 SHIEVER, ERIC: Renfrew, PA; I'. Books

]

2 3 Ii 4 5 6 7 8

1999 TOP IO SCHOOL/CLUB LEADERS TN NOVICE (HANG 2) RATINGS ISSUED RANK 1

3 4 5 G

Region 10 LANE, ROBERT: C:ocontll Creek, i:I .; J. Tindle/Miami I JC LAUSSERMAIR, THOMAS: Delray Beach, FL; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch POLLART, KENNETH: Rising Fawn, CA; M. Tabcr/Lookom Mm FP Region 13 BARNES, ALLAN: Englaud; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BENNETT, THOMAS: Ireland: M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BEZENDEVER, JOSE PAULO: Braiil; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BLAIS, ANDY: Canada; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch BOUDARCl-llJK, OLEG: Ulm1inc; M. Joncs/Walbby Ranch BRUNNER, WOLFGANG: Austria; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch DE SILVA, FRANCISCO: Brazil; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch DITTMAR, CHARLES: Vcucwda 10; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch JARAMILLO, NICOLAS: Columbia; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch RUIILE, FELIZ: Cermany 72277; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch RUI-IMER, MANFRED: lialy 270:l8; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch SAT VENMOSFR, JOSEPH: Austria G:170; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch SCHMITZ, BETINHO: Brazil; M. Jones/Wallaby Ranch WOLF, ANDRE: Brazil; M. Jones/Wallaby IZ:mch

SCHOOL .................................................... JWG!NNER Wallaby Ranch ........................................................... ] 17 Lookout Mountain Flight Park .................................... 85 Kitty J[awk Kites ......................................................... 27 Miami Hang Gliding ................................................... 19 Mission Soaring Ccntcr ................................................ 19 Morningside Flight Park .............................................. 1G Ausrin Airsporrs ........................................................... 14 High Advcnrurc ........................................................... 12 Adventure Sports 'Tours ................................................. 8 Mountain Wing !fang Gliding ...................................... 7

8 8

SCHOO!. .......................................................... NOVJCP Lookout Mountain Flight Park .................................... 80 Wallaby Ranch ............................................................. 51 Miami Hang Gliding ................................................... 2-'>

~i\t c1~::~~:: .~ ~:~'.1. .~~.r: : :::: ::: ::: :: : : : : : : ::::::::::::: :: :ii 1

Quest Air ..................................................................... 11 Moun1ain Wing Hang Cliding ...................................... 9 Kitty lfawk Kites ............ ,.............................................. 8

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HANG GLIDING ACCESSORIES BAR MITTS

MASTER RATINGS Region 9 BALL, LARRY: Coolville, 01 I; I'. Lehmann

ornr"v o11u[). i\djusls to olrrrosl tn sf,n• rlrinr clrm f!ud or tiluo

TANDEM ONE RATINGS Rcgion 3 I-IUGHES, JR, GENE: Haiku, I-Tl; C. l'u111am/Halcakala ! IC Region 7 GRZYB, KRZYSZTOF: Aurora, II.; A. Birkett/I re; Region 10 LANE, ROBERT: Coconut Creek, Fl.; J. Tindle/Miami I IC

TANDEM TWO RATINGS Rcgion 9 LANF III, JOHN: Roanoke, VA; C De Wolf/Fly America Productions Region 10 MC LEU.AND, MATTHEW: Lookour Mournain, TN; C. DcWolfi'Fly America Productions

Ri\DIO 111\1,NESS Bi\GS BATlfN BAGS-

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HAN(; Gt llllNC

The very first glider to dare

photos by Marie Gibson

Thevenot went all the way dard for all modern gliders

e wirh a glider except loop it and footlaunch it. H ere are my impressions.

TOPLESS GENERAL

A close-up ofthe A frame shows the safe-edge uprights and the optional carbon basetube.

i: reviewed that glider

th ree years ago, but hundreds of production gliders with thousands of flight hours have brought abo ut some changes that offer improvements. Handling, performance, safecy and convenience have been enhanced wirh the Topless II. Let's discover what this reworked wing has to offer. I was fortunate to be loaned a new Topless II to fly in the back-to-back Florida tow meets last April: the Wallaby Open and the U.S. Nationals. I rallied up 41 hours during two weeks rhere. I fl ew in all kinds of conditions, from strong winds with ligh t lift ro light winds wirh strong lift. I did abo ut everyth in g yo u can do

The Topless is a kingposdess glider that spawned a generation of similar designs. It may thus appear generic at first, but it h as a few interesting feat ures that bear closer scrutiny. It has a long, ellipti cal wing with a curved tip. T he aspect ratio is 7.6 (comparison of span to chord) on the 13.5 model, 8.0 on the 12.8 model and 8.8(!) on the 11-meter. T he model numbers refer to rhe area in square meters (see the specifications chart fo r English un its). The airfoil is prercy standard-hang glider with abo ut 12% camber and a fo tward high point. It should be noted thar La Mouette pioneered the fo rward high-point airfoil wirh their Adas in 1980. Now look inside. Yo u'll see a carbon-graphite crossbar with an interesting dip on the outboard end. T he reason fo r this shape is to raise the crossbar up a bi t to allow the undersurface to camber upward. T he idea is to improve sink rate by increasing the wi ng's airfo il m ean camber. The curved tip wand represents a slight departure from convention in that the attachmern cam separates fro m rhe sa il and is placed on the wand before any tension is applied. T hen you bend the wand and slip the cam onto a p in th ro ugh rhe sail and finis h by swin ging the cam lever fo rward. Detaching the tip wand is extremely easy once you know the trick: simply pLJJ the cam in away from cl1e sail. In my estima-

wands takes me tion attachm ent of same am ount of effort as that of other cam -equipped, curved-tip gliders, but detachment is easier with d1e Topless system . T he tip cams have cerraj nly made curved tip attachment much easier and they have enh anced the use of curved tips on a glider. It's amazing that we struggled for over a decade wiw out them. Something else to note are the springloaded battens. Most pilots are familiar with these co nvenient items. A spring in the rear of the batten pushes back against the trail ing edge of the sail through a tab rhat fi rs in a slot in me sail's hem. In d1is way batten tension is maintained, all chose messy (drag-producing) batten ties are eliminated and setup is easier. T he Topless-sryle rear batten ends have a tab mat sticks down to help you put ir in a11d out. I think this is unnecessarily draggy and would cut this tab off my personal glider if I were obsessed with drag (as most competition pilots are). I prefer the clean er plug used on the Bautek Twister. In cidentally, La Mouette pioneered the production use of spring-loaded battens. We'll note two final facets of w e design before we review the changes that rejuvenated the Topless II. Firs t up we have d1e thin bm adequately strong base bar. It is equivalent to about an inch (2 .5 cm) in diameter. T he bar is well padded for a good grip and is made thin to reduce drag. It attaches with a PIP pin fo r quick sewp. The oilier item is die extremely clean and simple crossbar haul back attachmem H ANG GLI DING

go topless was the La Mouette Topless. Owner/designer Gerard with a graphite crossbar and sprogs which have become the stanwithout kingposts and upper rigging.

point at the keel. A small, fla t D-ring slips over a little slotted cylinder. A springloaded decent pin secures the ring in place. T he whole arrangement leaves nothing visible but the haulback scrap and there is nothing co damage the sail duri ng folding.

CHANGES IN THE AIR Now we'll detail what's new. A couple of the items are scrucrural: The control bar uprights are now attached di rectly under che keel so they fold more easily and avoid damaging tl1e sail during breakdown. To accommodate chis change the VG line is ro uted righ t rhrough the keel, providing a clean er system and less friction . The VG line can also be ro uted in the from or rear part of rhe safe-edge airfoil upright. The rear is better for ease of VG worki ng, bur if you use an instrument clamp on the rear portion rhe upright rubber will compress and squeeze the VG line, so you can route it in the from of the upright. T he VG system is nor the lightest available, but ir's not bad. Ir usually rook me three pLJls from full off to full on , bur note chat the crossbar has a lot of performance-providing travel. Another struccural change is the arrangement of the sprogs (the inboard minimum twist suurs). They have been moved our to tl1e leading edge from their original crossbar position. Now they attach to a pivot below the leading edge and are held at the proper rilr wim a cable from rhe rop of rhe leading edge. T he cable's relative length can be easil y adjustAUGU ST 1999

ed with a screw for proper sprog setting (screech and wear can alter sprog settings). The new sprog setup is stronger and more effective man mar of the previous model. Long zippers at the sprog and me outboard minim um-twist strut (defined tip) allow easy access to the interior of the sail. This feature is a boon if yo u ever have to perform maintenance or repairs. The next items are sail changes. A new leading edge luff curve, wider Mylar inserts and an additional barren have been added to che glider. The different luff cm is responsible for improved handling and the banen cleans up the rip for ostensibly better glide performance. Furthermore, a new airfoil at rhe rips offers improved handling and performance (we'll discuss both of mese matters lacer). The final new irem is the rail. You've probably seen mese by now, and they give our flying wings a more sailplane-like appearance. The rails used on topless (and Topless) gliders are small, light affairs mar swivel at their leading edge so they don't affect flare, bm tl1ey stop at a minimum angle of attack to greatly dampen a pirchover excursion. In mis way mey work the same as and add to the effectiveness of rhe defined rips (washout struts) on our gliders. The Topless rail attaches to tl1e keel wim a pin mar holds ir to a U-shaped bracket. The bracket itself attaches to me keel wim another (easily removed) pin. La Mouette states mac the rails weighs 650 grams (1.4 lbs.) and claims ir offers an improved pitch-up coefficient, better pitch

damping and a gain in performance. Hmmm ... Le r's look at mis performance factor. With rhe additio n of a tail the sprogs on a topless glider may be lowered, because rhe tail takes over some of the sprog's job. T he tail is way behind the center of mass (and pressure) of the system, so it can do its job with less drag-prod ucing effect at higher speeds. Thar's why sailplanes use small rails set far back from me wings. Lowering of the sprogs, however, is an inexact science and I have yet to see a manufacturer publish a sepa rate setting for use wim a rai l. In view of the above, my rake on the tail is as follows: If you set yo ur sprogs properly (lowered fro m the tailless factory serring, bur not unfun ccion ing) yo u will achieve a better glide at higher inter-mermal or wind-penetrating airspeeds. Sprogs curtail chis upper-end

This shot shows the clean upper surface and curved tip.

The Topless forward profile. Note the twist held by the sprogs and washout strut for pitch stability top pilocs flying another design. l certainly didn't feel outclassed in climb except by my own limitations. One of che secrets of achieving a good climb is th e ability to slow down in thermals so as to fly as small a circle as possible ac a given bank angle. Curved-tip gliders, with their flexible twist outboard, seem to do chis exceptio nally well. The Topless II can be pushed way our in a normal 30° bank if the thermal isn't too rough. There is no tendency to stall the inside wing and drop. Slight imperfections in d1e thermal merely wobble the wings. Of co urse, if the d1ermal is rasty or traffic nasty yo u have to carry a little more speed, but the potential for great climb performance is there. In glide the Topless equals ocher hoc ships mat are set up in a similar manner (char is, within the manufacturer's production specs) . Ac best glide there isn't a lot of difference in d1e currenr gliders, bur at higher speeds some differences do appear. Agai n, the Topless holds irs own in chis TOPLESS II PERFORMANCE AND regime. I felt I was glidi ng on the upwind HANDLING like ocher pilots in similar-categostruggles Lee's segue right into performance since ry gliders. The facr01y claims a six-percent chat's what attracts most people co a new improvement in glide over rhe original glider. Ar rhe low end, me Topless seems to Topless. Factory claims are always open to excel. I have witnessed a good pilot flying a debate, but I have watched Gerard test his Topless climb d1rough one of the world's - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - --...,...,,.,....,...,.,.,....., gliders by cowing chem very high, side by side, chen gl iding fo r a 1,000 m (3 ,000 fr.) loss and measuring d1e difference in height. Repeated trials such as chis give comparisons chat are as accurate as possible. So if he says six percent, I believe six percent. Handling is In flight the Topless exhibits racy, spacy lines. pare of performance, performance by holding twist in the wing. On the other hand, there is likely very li ttle detrim em to yo ur maximum gl'ide which occurs at a much lower speed (around 27 mph or 43 km/h). Finally, there are a few competition pilots who believe cl1at che Topless II achieves a better race of climb in thermals with me tail man wimouc it. The reason for cl1is is cl1ac mey feel they can push way out (slow down) wimouc wonying about pirchover problems. During me Florida meets a couple of pilots experimented with and without the tail and ended up sticking with it. Sure, the rail adds a bit of weight and a bit of hassle (you have to carry it separately), bur if it produces an incremenr of perfor mance advantage pilots will want ic. My recommendation for the Topless II is to use the rail in competition bur nor for recreational flying.

so lee's review that here. The Topless does not initiate as effortlessly as the Laminar or CSX, but it has a very positive and predictable feel co ic. After all che airtime in the Topless II l went home and flew my Klassic o n so me X-C flights. I have always liked the feel of the Klassic (predictable and reaso nably light) but must confess I liked the Topless II better. The main difference was chat the Topless wouldn't catch a win g as much in varying air. Also, as mentioned previously, yo u can push way out on rhe Topless without getting surprised. Try char on the Klassic and yo u stall a wing and gee sp it out of the thermal. Once yo u've established your mermal circle rhe Topless II coordinates nicely and only requires small control movements to adj ust to elusive cores. With rhe VG on me Topless II doesn't handle any better than a trolley car. That's fine by me because I want me maximum glide performance I can get between thermals, which means a very right, stiff wing. I learned to back the VG off to about half when approaching a thermal as indicated by ocher climbing gliders or bubbling air. T hen , by keeping m y finger on th e line I could pop it off me rest of the way when I hit a core I wanted to claim as my own. I fo und char I could keep the VG on if I wanted to do a couple of wrns in light stuff to top out. In addition, I would often put so me VG o n at the top of a climb in preparation to exit through the sink. Sometimes the mermal would wrn on again and warrant some more circling. As long as it wasn't rowdy, the glider behaved well with the VG up to three-quarters on . My concl usions when it comes to performa.nce: The Topless II is second to none in circling sink rate. It is one of me top two or three all-aro und best-performing gliders. T he handling is reasonabl e good. le has a very comfortable feel and yo u don't gee surprised even if yo u are stretching to wring our the lase shred of lift in a cl1ermal. It is significant char me Topless won the last World Meet (piloted by Guido Gehrman) and 42 of the competitors at last summer's Pre-World meet fl ew La Mouene's Topless.

TAKEOFF AND LANDING T he Topless II cakes off similarly to od1er gliders of its type and weight. There are no tricks or special techniques. The side cables are slack as with most gliders like chis. As soon as yo u start moving, the H ANG GLIDI NG

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Up.-cfose view o/the slid: spring.. /ottded btttten md. wings lift and the glider seeks the proper pitch. Accclcrarc and you're airborne, ready for a climb. Landing is likewise straigh1fo1ward. 1 had 16 flights (and landings) and dropped the nose twice. One of these was in a slight railwind 011 a switchy clay. The 'fopless loosens up considerably with the V(; off, so it doesn't retain speed excessively. A gen· de, early flare works fine except in a tailwind or when landing downhill. l also landed the glider wirh rhc VC nearly full on a couple of rimes and had no problems. Conclusions: "Eikeoffs and landings arc conventional and easy for a glider of rhis rype, provided a pilot is used to high-pcrfi:mnance gliders. Incidentally, the glider behaves very predictably in diving (slipping) turns, which helps you land in smaller areas.

SETUP AND BREAKDOWN The· fop less 11 sets up just as easily and similarly to other gliders in its class. There arc several poi ms I will mention. The sprogs arc held in posirion by Velcro tabs thar take two hands to place properly. I would prefer a loop or snap that would be quicker. The lower battens have bungees which aren't really effoctivc (they arc loose) and probably not necessary. I quit fiddling with them afrer the first couple of flights. I hope some manufacturers pick up on Airwave's method of sewing the lower-surface pocket tight at the end to hold the battens wirhout tics or Velcros. Finally, the washolll struts could use some Velcro in their ends to hold them ro the leading edge when you arc rolling the sail. They have the bad habit of springing themselves opcn into position (they arc held with bungees) and then rhcy arc hard ro get our with rhe sail detensioncd.

213

But these arc minor points. Wh;n I like about breakdown and setup is the keel kickstand. The keel encl pops our to bold the rear up which greatly cases the placement and p1dling ol"bancns. If you're old enough to rcmernbcr Elvis, your back wi\1 appreciate this frature. or course, the spring hanen fixtures makes the whole lxnten hassle a bit easier. T'hc "foplcss hard· ware is convcnicnt for the ground mechanics of flighr. PIP pins hold the nose ca hies and hasctubc. ·r 'he side cables arc Ix 19 wire which doesn't need coating and tan-glcs less than the more supple 7x7.

OPTIONS AND PRICE There arc three options that arc worth mentioning. The rail, which retails for $350, Manix Mylar sailcloth ($300 retail), and rhc carbon faired (streamlined) speed bar ($300 retail). The speed bar promises less drag and the Matrix sail promises better glide performance. One test-pilot of a competing manufacturer even claims bet· tcr handling wirh rhc Matrix sail, although

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1 and four Class 2 pilots by entering sweepstakes. wilJ take place in Italy during the month of August.

WORLD TEAM SWEEPSTAKES GUIDELINES AND RULES The United States I fang (;liding Association Foundation ("US! IC/\F") is conduct·· ro rais-c money to promote the World Team in international com-

hang gliding m,111ufoct urers and distrib1t1ors have donated prizes. proceeds will be paid to the US! ICAF, a tax exempt 'iO I (c)CJ) enti· ty. raised will benefit the U.S. 11:tng Cliding World Team and other related organizations as detcnnined by the lJSH< ;;\F.

PI.EDGF/CONTRIBl/'rTON ClJIDEIJNES Comrilnttions made by check must be payable to "lJSHCAF World Team". These contributions should be mailed to World Tc,1111, P.O. Box I:330, Colorado Springs, CO 8090 I ·1:no, C:ontributions or $:35. 50 or more arc I OO'X, 1ax dcdnctihle, the cs1imated value ofa11y lwnc/11 you receive for your contribmion is 1101 sttbst,rntial; thcrd,1rc the foll ammmt ofyom con1ribn1io11 will be ded11c1iblc. Con1rihntions under $:l'l. 50 may not be tax deductible. I. NO PURCI 11\SF OR C:ONTRIBlJ'l'ION NECESSARY to enter or win. The sweepstakes is being conducted in association with the lJSI I( ;;\F to raise limds for support of' international hang gliding competition. 2. I low 10 Enter-·- All responders making a contribution of'$ IO or to World Team by rnlling J 800-558 7iili2 by September 11, 19')') or by Official Elllry For!ll to be postmarked hy 11, 19')9 and received one (I) September Iii, I')')') will automatic,lly You rnay also receive OllC ( l) entry without a contrilrntion

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H ANG GLIDING

starred hang gliding in the early days with nothing bur a 3'5-lh. (I '5.9-kg) glider and a bikini harness no parachute, no helmer, no instrn· mcnts, no shoes. I don't necessarily want to go back to those halcyon days, but 1 do regret each complication added to our ideal of'simplc flight. Some pilors may consider a (; PS to be more of the same: complexity, expense, weight and bother. But for competition at least, CPS scoring has reduced the amount of fiddling with cameras we normally do, so matters arc simplified. In this piece we'll find out how to USC a (;]}S in competition and recreational flying in order to avoid prob lcms :md enhance our flights.

GPS MODELS This article may sound like a commercial for Garmin, but in fact I haven't seen any other CPS unit being used for hang gliding or paragliding fcir some time. The Carmin portable units arc ideal for our type of· flyi11g because they arc comp;1ct, light and can be manipulated in fligh1 rcaso11ably easily while wearing gloves. What Carmin model should you use? The Carmin :3 Plus seems to be rhc choice of competitors, hut it is costly. In the U.S. you can get it for $3'50 if you shop around. The 3 Plus has a moving map of the world. However, only Nonh and Somh America have roads provided. But don't worry, for you can download world maps and more derailed maps for the U.S. from a CI) available for your com purer. If the 3 Plus price is a bit steep for your meager means, we recommend the Carmin 12. The unit sells for about $HO. This is the unit I prefer to fly with because there's less clutter, bm mainly because it /1 ts my bracket. The 12 seems to acquire sarcllitcs as fast as the 3 Plus, and is ;1 bit easier ro use because it has fewer rcarurcs. It also has a moving route map bur no roads or towns arc depicted, only the route you put in as dcftncd hy waypoints (stan gate, turnpoims and goals). Both units provide the same in for. mation, such as distances to next waypoi m, bearing, heading, ground speed, etc. Older Carmin models (the 3/l, ;j() and li'5) arc also suitable for flying use, but they acquire their satellite fix more slowly a11d have fewer features. l lowevcr, I have used the 3/l and liO for years and Auc;usr 1999

find them adeq uatc, although for flight verification purposes they should be backed up wirh a camera or another c; PS because the antennae of these units arc of poorer design and can occasionally lose a

fix. COMPETITION CPS USAGE We have been using CPS instruments in competition for years now. The first and most obvious use is to guide us to turn .. points and goals. Even though I orient and read a map well, competitions in areas like the flats of Australia would be most difilcult without a CPS. 111 fact, before CPS usage we would fiddle with compass deviations ;ind bearings :rnd end up with epic stories or pilots getting lost overnight. The scco11d important competition use for CPS is to determine final glide distance. By knowing the cxacl distance to goal you can calculate when to go on final glide from a simple chart (sec /Jerfr1rrmmce Flying). Even better, sornc i nstrumc111 s made by such manufacturers as Arai Dcsig11, Ball, Bra1111igcr, Davron and Flytee plug into the Garmins and use the position information along with their altitude and your glider polar information to tell you when to go on final glide. Some pilots feel that these capabilities take a lot of' the skill out of competing, bm you still have to find the thermals, max out the climb, glide cff1cicntly and overcome the instrnmcm's failing: it cannot predict sink or lifr ahead. SETTING lJP FOR FLIGHT VERIFICATION The final and now most irnporranr use for CPS in competition is for flight vcrifica· tion. Herc's how it works. The Carmin records your track by essentially mcmoriz .. ing waypoints as you progress. Each point consists of your position a11d the time you were there. This !rack can he displayed on your unit's map page and can be down· loaded to be displayed on a computer. 'fo sci up a Carmi11 for competition vcrifica1ion there arc four things you should do: l) Ser rhe proper frlrmar. 2) Store start gates, rurnpoint and goals. .'3) Identify your unit. Ii) Set up rhc track log. Note: Refer toyour oumer'.r mrmual_/(1r the

prnper input.

1) Fornu1t: Set the units (meters or fr:et) and the position coordinates format (usually and minutes with three decimal places). Also set the map datu111 to be used (usually WCS M). We suggest setting the heading to 1ruc, not magnetic, since you arc using the uni1 :is ,1 map, not with a compass for orienting. 2) 'J'urnpoints: For mcc1s dial use CPS for scoring you should be able to down· load all turn points, starts and goals by connecting to another Carmin or computer with this data on board. The meet organizer should prnvidc these data and the download cord. Set your unit up on the intcrfocc page fcH Carmin to Carmin. 3) Identify: 'fo idcntif)1 your unit as yours, the current method is to set up a turnpoint called Pl LOT C:all 11p this turnpoim, and in place ofrhc rime ,rnd dare stamp (Carmin 12) or the comment line (Carmin 3), you input your name. Then, when rhc computer searches yom irnit it requests turnpoint PILOT and identifies you. Ii) hrlt/:: log: Finally, go ro yom track log and set the logging to "fill" (the options arc ofl; fill a11d wrap). "Fill" means the log is takc11 until the memory is f"ull. "Wrap" means that when rhc mem· ory is foll i1 erases poims from rhe from end and keeps adding new points. The problem with "wrap" is thar you may eradicate your start verification and thus receive a zero. On rhc other hand, if you rtlll out of space when using "fill" you al least get the flight distance ro your las1 recorded point. Furthermore, if you arc paying attention you can use your camera to record the rest of your flight. 'l<i avoid nmning ou1 of data poims for a flight, two things arc important. hrst, clear your flight log every night after you have been scored and cleared to do so. Second, set your Carmin I (or older rnodcls) to 30 seconds between data points (both or these options arc in the track log options). J\ total or 1,02/i data poims is available, so that yo11 a little more than il.'5 hours of track log. lf'you use 20-second imervals you have a hir less than '5.7 hours. Is rhat c11ough consider· ing launch rime? With the Carmin .'3 and .'3 Plus, 1,900 data poi ms arc available and iI cm store up to IO diffcrcm track logs. Thus you can use 20-sccond i ntcrvals f<H more t h;111 IO hours of flying on each f1ight and

from the

move each flight to storage For future reference. USE IN FLIGHT The lowest possible time interval in your rrack should be used. The main reason for this is that as you round a mmpoint your track must go into the PAI sector. This sector is shown in Figure l along with an example of a couple of track logs. Note how the scoring computer simply draws a straight line between data points. Also, look at the one track showing the pilot not in sector. In foct, the pilot may have achieved the rnrnpoim sector, b11t his track log wasn't detailed enough to place a poinr in sector. There arc two solutions to the potential problem: First, you can step your ti me interval down to IO seconds when approaching a turn point. However, this requires a bit of manipulation. (Don't for .. get to step ir back up or you may run out of memory!) '] 'he best method is to si mply press Mark and Enter to mark a way-· point when you ;1rc in sector to prove it. In this manner you create a data poiut in the good area. How do you know when you arc in sector? With the (;armin units set to the map page and your track display, you can sec your track rounding the point. We suggest zooming in to less than a half mile (one km) when you arc near the turn ..

FIGU/ZE:

r~A I A t ..r,E.R/<TIOA/.

a bit of background. satell.ires in orbit at any one time since l 995. They arc currently much refined from the origi.nal one, put in place in 1978. T'hcy each have four clocks which arc accurate to a nanosecond (a billionth second, or amount of tin1.e it rakes light to trn.vd one foot or 30 cm). The satellites arc not geostationary, but orbit at an altitude of 10,898 rn.iles km) for a l orb.ital period. altitude gives con1bination of good coverage, con.st:antly and ease of orbital in form of pulses. (almanac dara) data). Your GPS tells how .it is from time wben it receives a specific of the satellite says it was sent. 'rhis is fine as long as your as accurate as the satellite's, so it nrnst: lock on at least four to ,)dju.st its T'hat is why yoi1 to acquire three satellites 20 navigation and four satcll.ites for 3-D navigation. 'T'herc arc currently two accuracy levels available from satellires. For the ns. miliwhich the accuracy is 85 to 100 to 30 merei:s) with 95% civilian use (known as Standard Positioning or SPS) tbe U.S. intentionally accuracy through availabil.iry (SA). Therefrirc, accuracy for our purposes is (l 00 m) with 95%i confidence. 'fhc accuracy wil.l improve in the future for scvcJ'al reasons. 'The Defense Department has to eventually disable but not said when (probably when political turmoil appears unlikely). In addition, by year 2005 at one and probably two ad&· tional channels wilJ be made available. T'he result w]Jl be improved accuracy and reliability errors due to will be eliminated. Unfrwttmately, we will probably new or to an upgrade to add.itional channels. Pinally, a new Wide Area Augm.entation System (WAAS) w.ill be introduced by late 1999 and com.pletc by 2005. This sysrem consists of ground moniwring stations and additional satellites placed in geosynchronous orbits. 'T'hc gmund station will broadcast a signal to the geosynchronous satellites which corrects the current GPS satellite's signal. 'The WAAS satellite~ then provide this correction to the receivers. Again, a special GPS receiver will be necessary to use WAAS, but in a we'll probably all have them. With the WAAS will be from 20 to 30 (7 to 10 m), good enot1gh for landing airplanes. are available now The WAAS system is a difforcndal correction is a cost for the und arc used in the agricultme, marine and surveying industries. service and the rnngc of the gmund station is typically about: miles, 'There are new t1ses and modifications being made to the GPS system all the time. We'll keep you informed of developm,mts through this Ill point to be more exact (zoom back out once you leave for the next point). Tl1is rounding in practice can be confusing. If you have your map set ro "track up," rhc in map change as you round the point can confuse you, especially if you arc mrning in a thermal near rhc point. If you have it set to "North up," you may be co11/i.1scd when heading southerly. Y(rn have to rum left ro make the track poinr go right to the turnpoint! We that you practice with these setups to sec which one is right For you before confusion costs you in competition. CAUTION: With CPS turnpoint verification it is rnucl1 easier ro he proven

out of sector if you arc. Do not cut too close ro the turn point or you may discover the sad truth later. Remember, the closer you arc Lo the poim the more accmatc you must be. ACCURACY SAFETY I low accurate is CPS Right now, position fixes ;ire accurate to aborn 300 lcct/ l 00 rn. This accuracy can and has hee11 fiddled the U.S. military which is the proprietor of'the CPS satellites. In a kw years we expect rhc accuracy to be better permanently. At the present time, the 1:AI sector in rhc compmcr program allows a I 00 m around the sector 1-IANC CLll)INC

UST IGJ\ is issuing its annual call for nominations to the national Board of Directors. Eleven positions arc open for election in November 1999 for a two-year term beginning January 2000. USJ !GA members seeking position on the ballot should send to headquarters for receipt no 1 the l<Jllowing information: name and UST !GA number, photo and resume (one page containing the candidate's hang/paragliding activities and viewpoints, written consent to be nominated and that they will serve if elected). Candidates must be nominated by at least three lJSHGA members residing in the candidate's region. Nominations arc needed in the following regions. The current Directors, whose terms arc up for reelection in 2000, are listed below. Ballots will be distributed with the November issue of HJ/NG GJJD!NG and the November/December issue of PJ//?!1Ci!JD!NG magazines. USITGA needs the very best volunteers to help guide the safe development and growth of the sport. Forward candidate material for receipt no later than August 20 to: USHGA PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs 80901-1

Alaska, Oregon, Washington Northern California, Nevada

Russ I ,ocke Scott (Jasparian John Greynald I ,aw less

Southern California, Hawaii New Mexico, Utah J\rizona, Colorado, El Paso Idaho, Montana, Wyoming Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas Washington DC, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia J\labama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico Texas (excluding El Paso), Louisiana

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REGION/\!, DIJU:CTOR Ll ,ECTION NOMINATION FORM as a candidate for Regional

I hereby nominate -----------------------Director for Region If

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2000 Regional Director Election if three nominations arc received by August 20, l 999. NAMF

perimeter (only at the actual point) as shown in hgurc 2. Arc CPS records secme? Can't a pilot tamper with them? lt was discovered with a pleasant surprise that any downloading and subsequent uploading of a track log results in loss of the time data. Thus, it is easy to detect tampering and the system is secure for all pracrical purposes. How reliable is CPS usage? ft is possi· ble to lose a CPS signal because of' unit failure or shut down of rhe satellites. The former can be guarded against by using a databack camera (or another GPS) as a backup. There is no recourse for rbe lat· ter, although the military informs oF such tampering with the CPS system in Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS). ff you use a camera backup you should only h:1vc to take your wing m11n· bcr photo and the daily task board. Start and 1urnpoi11t photos shouldn't be ncces-sary, as partial track logs arc acceptable. This point greatly reduces our work load at rnrnpoints, and enhances safety since pilots aren't winging around next to each other looking through viewfinders. The fact that partial irack logs can he accepted

Crmtinuedfrom page l 1. MlKE BARBER

Mike is 44, lives al Wallaby Ranch, Florida, and flies a I ,a :vlouettc 'foplcss. He started flying in 1978 and entered his first competition in 199.'J. His major meet accomplishments include: l lobhs 'fow Jam, second place; Chelan Classic, 1997, first place; King Mountain, third place; Atlantic Coast Championships, first place; Sandia Classic, 1998, second place; U.S. 199c), second place, U.S. pilot. This is Mike's second appearance 011 the World '!cam; the first was for the Australia Worlds. What docs he like about hang gliding competition? "I get to fly and learn from the best pilo1s in rhc world." What makes him a good pilot? "Dedication, determina .. tion and ;1 willingness to make personal and financial s:icrificcs." Mike's competition advice? "Set tasks and goals for each Hight so you don't just fly the easiest route. E111cr as many comps as you can, even if' they arc only local mccrs. Ply with the World 'lc.:am Academy ar Wallaby Krnch."

allows us to turn off the CPS to save batteries or track log memory in dire circumstances. (Be sure to turn it back on before reaching the next tumpoint.) RECREATIONAL FLYING Admittedly, we have been focusing on competition flying. lfowcvcr, GPS usage oilers great advantages for recreational flying as well. In this case, l rccommc11d the Garmin ;) Plus. The advanragcs of this unit arc twofold. First the map displays towns and roads and identifies them. 'Thus, when you arc flying X-C you can tell your driver on a continuous basis where you arc. No more long, lonely waits wondering how far you're going to have tD walk rn a phone. Second, the 3 Plus lets you go to the map and mark a goal. Thus, you can set a goal for the day wirhour even having been there. As you fly you get constant information as to its distance and your progress. Admittedly, the cost of the 3 Plus is not trivial, bu1 for the serious recreational X-C: pilot it is invaluable. You will

Mike is very grateful to his sponsors: La Moucnc, Personal Hight, Wallaby Ranch, Arai Design, GT Harnesses, ,me! his family. BRIAN POIUER

My good friend Brian Porter is something of an enigma in the hzmg gliding community. I le has been involved in this sport from the beginning and has won many significant competitions, ycr few know much about him. Herc is a list of some of bis accomplishmcllts:

l 976 First place, World Open Hang Clid .. ing Cliampionships (E:1sy Riser) 1989 U.S. National Champion (Bright Star Odyssey) I 994 ~-- Class European Charnpion (Bright Star Swifr) 1995 Class 2 World Champion (Bright Star Swift) 1999 Class 2 Narional Champion (Bright Star Utopia) He seems to win a major event ar least once per dcrndc, which isn't too shabby for a 40-somcdiing pilot. The most amazing thing

never get lost again, unless you let the batteries wane. CPS units arc changing the way we fly and run competitions. They arc certainly one more item of bar clutter, but they will eliminate your map, compass, cameras and final glide calculations. They also offer such hcncfos for competition as allowing a pilot ro be scored to the distancc he made good in the air if he had to turn back due to a threatening thunderstorm, for example. Also, turnpoints can be virrual (chosen simply by coordinates) rather than a physical point. Finally, we h:1vc eliminated all those latc .. night inspections of dubious rurnpoint film. We are entering the CPS era of competition. It appears that all pilots who have experienced meets which have been nm in this manner welcome the change. Who needs those good old days?

JI special than/cs is owed to Australian Tim Cummings for writing the GPS(rmnat l!ro11r11:m and Mihe :/,1-1pancfrJr distributing it so readily. II

ahour his performance is that he doesn't practice. By this I mean that he only flies hang gliders in competition or for test--flying purposes, otherwise he paraglidcs. l asked him about this once, and he said that he only enjoys testing his skills in new aircraft or against others, and doesn't feel the need to spend time flying X-C. f still disagree with his logic, and at b1st one day in a major competition his lack of practice shines through and he bomhs big time! Bm Brian is very quick to learn and adapt, and normally recovers quickly. Brian is a fon 01 pushing technology to its limits and was Hying fully enclosed pilot fairings over a decade ago in search of a pcdcirmance advantage. Our latest glider, the Utopia, was named by Brian because we finally agreed to build a Millennium just the way he wanted it with no compromises in pcrfor.. mancc a Utopia). (Sec Brian\ article tthout the Utopitt on page 18 ofthis issue. Eel.) I blame Brian for my lack of significant airtime during the last decade because it's so entertaining ro watch him fly that I almost don't need to do it myself: He has an endless supply of personal flying stories (each recalled in complete, minute detail) rha1 will entertain for hours. hy Steve Morris Ill IIANC CUl)[N(;

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Lakeview (O regon), Seu Smith/Moore Mountain (North Carolin a), Morningside LID contest (New H ampshire), Ellenville Labor Day Extravaganza (New York), Hyner View Memorial Day Pig Roast (Pennsylvania), Safari Mexico, various Wallaby and Quest Air annuals (Florida), Cape Cod Halloween Fly-In (Massachusetts) and, of course, the mother of fun meets, Telluride (Colorado). This schedule, of course, is impossible to maintain in conjunction with a marriage, and until this year always eclipsed my participation in che Spectacular. This year I prioritized getting to the Spectacular (had to miss the Moore Mountain meet) and enjqyed it enough to generate the following article. I hope you enjoy ic.

SENTIMENTAL TIME WARP - 1972 I always enjoy returning to Kitty Hawk, North C (actually, Nags hfead).

You see, every year when I was growing up we vacationed in Nags H ead fo r a week or so co kick off rhe summers. le was 27 years ago when, on our way pasr "mile post 12" (that's how you ger around down there mile poses) I spied out a co uple of longbaired, adven curous-looking yah oos completing the setup of what I recognized to be hang gliders in front of the "big dun e." They had a smal l sign out chat said, "H ang Gliding Lessons." Well, being a long-haired yal100 myself, fresh out of che 11th grade, I knew char chis was my oppommi ry to give chis hang gliding scuff a cry. (I always had chose ethereal flying dreams, and had jumped off the garage with everything from umbrellas co bed sheets.) Ic cook three days co convince my parents chat it would be a good way to gee rid of me for an afternoon, but finally I was dropped off at the dune with some money H ANG GLIDING

Kenny Brown launching.

Dave Kilbourne with the Rogallos.

and a soda. I had a great lesson. My instruccor, John Harris, even let me go higher on the dune than th e rest of the class (using me as an example ro the ocher fo ur people in the class ofhow ;raey would be rewarded if rhey would scop crashing the kites) . Needless to say, l was hooked. W ho would have guessed that I had just experienced what wo uld turn out co be my livelihood. WARP BACK - 1999, 27TH SPECTACULAR The drive down co Kitty hawk went relatively quickly - nine hours from the Ellen vil le, ew York area to the Wright Brothers Memorial and the Nags Head H otel. I was 15 minutes early for my scheduled rendezvous with Rob Kells from Wills Wing, who had flown in from California. We were going to room together, and I had brought a roof full of Wills A UGUST 1999

Wing demos from my shop to help facilirare a "Wills Wing Demo Daze." After Rob's timely arrival we ate ar a really good hang glider hangout, "Tortuga's Lie," and rl1en headed for rl1e pre-meet party. The parry was at Bruce \Xleaver's home (rhe Meet Director and Kitty Hawk Kites School Manager). Ir wasn't hard to find. Just drive up and down the strip until you notice a preponderance of glider-laden cars parked on me sand. Wandering up onto the open deck, I could tell mis was going co be a fun weekend. Lots of old friends (veterans of me Spectacular), and a bunch of the local talent (Dune Goons). A healthy supply (and variety) of the aviator's beverage of choice was on hand, and as always, avgood time was had by Somebody had been thinking, because the pilots' meeting was held at a very reasonable time the next mo'tning. After~~ tering for me event we schlepped all ofo

an.

got points for each mid-course pylon you cmJd pass to the right of. The trick was to correctly estimate how wide you could go in the quest for pylons and still get to the bull 's-eye where the big points lived. As the meet began, I noticed all the veterans transitioning down to the basetube during their launch runs, in order to launch prone. On my first flight I began my run, went to transition, and felt my knee-hangers yank at my legs. (I "cleverly" unearthed an old knee-hanger for chis venue.) Because of chis tugging I had to launch from the uprights. Once airborne I kept it nice and smooth and relatively low to the ground (one or two feet) and flared when it felt right. I only made it as far as the first pylon, halfway to the bull. I got five points out of a possible 45. So, for the next round I threw away the knee-hangers and flew in just the vest part of the harness, and successfully pulled off a prone takeoff. I also flew closer to the sand, maybe a foot off the ground. Bruce (who stood in the bull 's-eye to score-keep) noticed chat I was about to flare and quickly yelled, "Not yet! " I figured, okay, I'll listen to this guy, and again he yelled, "Not yet! " I was (and had been) about two inches off the sand, "flying" at about walking speed. I made it all cl1e way to the bull's-eye and got 30 points. I was wishing I had taken some practice flights before the first round, because I now realized what many of the ochers already had a handle on - cl1at you can fly really, really close to the sand, and continue flying the slope at an airspeed chat you could (and normally would) flare at. You could almost "will" yourself all the way to the bull's-eye. During the next round I attempted to go wider on cl1e course, around a second pylon, w gee more points (now chat I was a pro at flat ground flying) and barely make the pylon. Ten points for two pylons, no bull 's-eye. Raes! Ac the end of that round we learned from the announcer, Nomi , chat we would have about an hour off while the novice division flew. I jammed in three quick practice flights. Bruce set up the novice course, and asked ifI would mind flying it co see how it worked. I eagerly flew it two or three times, and must say that chis kind of flying is really, really fun. As good a pilot as you might chink you are, if you're not current in beach flying you're going to gee smoked in chis contest. 42

The locals down there are some an1azing pilots. They consider any object something to be soared - a four-foot dune, a shack or hotel, a tree line, or even cl1e slope of the beach co the ocean! These guys coLJd probably soar your car in the right conditions. Very different (and respectable) skills! The rest of the day went very well. I · managed good scores on subsequent rounds and learned a lot. In particular, I learned chat you need to put sun block on the tops of your feet if you plan to spend an entire day barefoot in the sun. For the last round, in order to accommodate a wind direction shift, we flew off a more-or-less cliff launch on the south side of the big dune, which was at lease 50 feet call. We actually put some daylight between us and the ground on chose flights. That evening G.W. Meadows and Just Fly sponsored a really tasty spread at another hang glider hangout called The Pit (which is really a surfer bar, bur nor chat night). G.W had acquired some really old hang gliding movies (the kind that require a movie projector) and they entertained on the south wall of the restaurant for a good portion of the evening. If you were claustrophobic there was a front deck and a really nice ocean breeze that was very conducive to hang yakking. The next morning the pilots' meeting was again slated for a mercifully reasonable rime. Besides, it was blowing about 35 mph. This day would see three pilots' meetings throughout the day, with no change in the wind. When it was learned

that even Bo (Hagwood) wouldn't fly, it was determined chat it must be blown out. So beach walks, go-carts, sering kites, seafood and general vacationing had to substitute for the flying. Toooo bad. That evening the event schedule included the "block party. " This was held on the side lot of Kitty Hawk Kites, centered around one of those event/wedding tents. There was a good live band (chat may have been named "Too Loud") and plenty of beverages (to replace fluids lost chat day). This being cl1e third night of parrying, everyone was pretty skilled at cl1e arc. There was some new blood in attendance since it was Saturday night, which made this a bigger parry than the previous ones. The next morning called for an earlier pilots' meeting at the Currituck Airport 30 minutes away, so I opted to head back co the hotel early, around midnight. The next morning Kells and I mobilized early and arrived way early at the airport to set up demo gliders (two sizes of Fusions, two sizes of Ultra Sports, and rwo sizes of Falcons). I cook the first aerocow of the day in one of the Fusions because I figured the day might get busy lacer (and I wanted to fly). The cow meet began, utilizing familiar fun tasks: duration, spot landing and bomb drops. Bruce Weaver had developed a distaste for Beanie Babies (sold at Kitty Hawk Ki res, and in demand) so he arranged co have each pilot equipped with a Beanie to toss from altitude as their bomb. Bruce loved it. Everyone who wanted to fly did so, as

Continued on page 47 HANG GLIDING

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99)

REGION 6 ,Jeff Sinason (R 99) Ballantine Ct Louis MO 63146 (314) 542 .. 2473 jsinason@itdcomrn.com

USHGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGION 1 Bill Bolosky (R 00) 24622 SE Mirrorrnont Dr Issaquah WA 98027 (425) 557-7981 bolosky@rnicrosoftcorn

99) Roti NE 18 'Ave Portland Of:Z 97212 (503) 284-0995 paragliding@compuserve.com

Paul Klemond (L 99) (PG Accident Chair) 3612 NE 43'11 St Seattle WA 98105 (206) 525-57615 paul@kurious.org Gene Matthews (H 00) 15308 111th Ave NE Bothell WA 98011 (206) 488-1443 skydog@gte.net Bob Hannah (H - 00) 9920 51 st Ave S Seattle WA 98118 (206) 328-1 "I 04 paraskr@aoLcom

REGION 2 Ray Leonard (R - 00) 3650 Research Way #22 Carson City NV 89706 (775) 883·-7070 advspts@pyrarnid.net Russ Locke (R 99) 868 S Mary Ave Sunnyvale CA 94087 (408) 737-8745 russlocke@juno.com Scott Gasparian (R- 99) PO Box 1027 Pacifica, CA 94044-6027 (650) 218-3984 gaspo@igi.org Ed Pitman (H .. 00) PO Box 188 Shasta CA 96087 (916) 359 .. 2392 epitman@c--zone.net Ken Brown (H .. 99) 1795 40 1h Ave San Francisco CA 94122 (415) 753-9534 kennyb2u@aol.com

REGION 3 Baier (R 00) Rodney Ave Encinitas CA 92024 (760) 753 .. 2554 airjunkies@worldnetatt.n01t John Greynald (R .. 99) Puesta Del Sol Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 682-3483 throgrog@aol.com Gregg Lawless (R 99) 27 BittE,rcreek Ln Diego CA 92129 (619) 484-2056 glawless@sempra-slns.com Rob Kells (H 00) 500 Blueridge Ave Orange CA 92665 (714) 998-6359 rob@willswing.com Alan Chuculate (H - 99) 6709 Salizar St San Diego CA 92111 (G19) 292-1552 £L.achucu@qualcornm.com Gil Dodgen (Editor) 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy . Ste A-256 Fs!cho Sta Marg CA 92688 (949) 888- 7363 (949) 888-74£34 fax gildodgen@aol. corn REGION 4 Mark Ferguson (R 00) 1173 Ridgeview Cir Broomfield CO 80020 (303) 931-8075 mark@ballvarios.com Jim Zeiset (R - 99) 13154 County Rd 140 Salida CO 81201 (719) 539.3335 jimzgreen@aol.com Larry Sanderson (H - 00) Soaring Society of America PO Box 2100 Hobbs NM 88241 (505) 392-1177 Larryssa@aol.com REGION 5 Frank Gillette (R - 99) 903 East 500 South Declo ID 83323 (208)654-2615 . Watercyn@cyberh1ghway.net (06/15199)

REGION 1 Bill Bryden (I~ 00) (HG Accident Chair) (3608 North 100 East Rd Seymour IN 4 727 4 (812) 497-2:$27 l1rn bbryden@hsonline.net Dan Johnson (L · · 99) Dorset St Paul MN 55118 (651) 450-0930 CurnulusMan@aol.com

REGION 8 Douglas Sharpe (R 00) 401 Silver Hill f~d Concord MA 01742 (978) 318-9714 dsharpe@tiac.net f~andy Adams (H 00) PO Box 369 Claremont NH 03743 (603) (543-1760 randy adams@cyberportal.net

REC:ilON 9 Lehmann (F< - 99) 5811 Elgin St Pittsburgt1 PA 15206 (412) (361-3474 LPLehrnann@aol.com

Geoffrey Mumford (R - 00) APA/PPO 750 First St NE Washington DC 20002 (202) 3:36-6067 gmumford@apa.org Dennis Pagen (L

r·rn 3 Box 2548

David Glover (H - 99) 1696 Creek Rd Wildwood GA 30757 (706) 675-8485 dave@hanglide.com Greg De Wolf (H 99) PO Box 1268 Stanardsville VA 22973 (804) 990-9071 DeWoJf7@aol.com ,John Harris (H 00) PO Box 1839 Nags Head NC 27959 (252) 441-4124 ucanfly@outer-banks.com Steve Kroop (H .. 00) £3106 NW 128 1h St Gainesville FL 32653 (352) 331-£3729 usaflytec@aol.com REGION 1'1 Dave Broyles (R 99) 211 Ellis Dr Allen TX 75002 (972) 727--3588 broydg@horne.net REGION 1 Paul Voight (R - 00) 5163 Searsville f:Zd Pine Bush NY 12566 {914) 744.. 3317 flyhigh@frontiernet.net Jan Johnson (L · 99) 70 King Rd Middletown NY 1094·1 (914) 695-8747 Paul Rikert (L 99) 101 N Broadway# 28-3 White Plains NY 10603 (914) 946-9386 hrn Lars Linde (H 00) 954 W Front St Red Bank NJ 07701 (732) 747-7845 larslinde@compuserve.com

99)

Spring Mills PA 16875 (814) 422-0589 hm pagenbks@lazerlink.com Chris DuPaul (H-00) PO Box 204 Nags Head NC 27959 (252) 480-8547 Krisdupaul@aol.com Art Greenfield (X) "1815 N Ft Meyer Dr Ste 700 Arlington VA 22209 (703) 527-0226 awgreenfield@naa-usa.org

REGION 10 G.W Meadows (R 00) 1125 Harbor View Dr Kill Devil Hills NC 27948 (252) 480-3552 justfly@interpath.com Matt Taber (R 99) 7201 Scenic Hwy 189 Rising Fawn GA 30738 (706) 398-3433 fly@hanglide.com

REGION 13 (lnt'I) Jan Johnson (L 99) See Reg 12 Michael Robertson (H - 00) RR 5 865 Con 7 Claremont Ontario Canada L1Y 1A2 (905) 294-2536 flyhigh@inforamp.net USHGA Executive Director Philip Bachman PO Box 1330 Colo Springs CO 80901 (719) 632-8300 wk (719) 632-6417 fax phbachman@ushga.org ushga@ushga.org

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President-Gregg Lawless Vice Pres.-Chris DuPaul Secretary-Russ Locke Treasurer-Geoff Mumford KEY: (R)-Regional (L) .. At Large (H)-Honorary (X)-Ex Officio

Continued from page 42. often and for as long as they liked. It was a very good thermal day for being chat close to the ocean. A fellow named Tim Wardner had been presern for the whole evern, and was filming a hang gliding documernary for "Voice of America'' independent television. He asked if I would cake an aerotow flight with his equipment aboard. I said, "Twist my arm!" So with an ultralight on my left, the rug in front of me, and another tug on the right (with a videographer aboard , filming) and two can1eras hanging off my glider, I sailed up for a really nice soaring flight. On another flight I forgot to wear anythi ng warm (ir was 85 degrees on rhe ground) and, of course, went to rhe moon. I had co land after one and a half hours due to shivering. What a day! I also hit two bull's-eyes (or the "Nomi zone") bur forgot to th.row my Beanie Babies and was told I was in second place behind Kenny Brown. Noc bad for not trying! About every hour on the hour a guest speaker would speak under the tent to anyone who was between flights or just hanging our. Ed Scott, a parachute instructor, gave an "intro to parachuting" talk. Rob Kells spoke on reserve care. Bill Bennett told some great stories of the old days. That guy is a true pioneer. What an endless number of amazing stories he has . Priceless! John Bal lantyne (USUA President) spoke on two topics, the FARs and trikes. Kenny Brown spoke on the copic of fl ight parks (while I was up flying). Bill Fifer spoke about the product he imports, the Mosquico mocor-harness. IfI missed any guest speakers, I apologize; you must have talked during one of my flights. At the conclusion of the day's flying and demoing, a catering service provided dinner right there on-site - ve1y convenient, very tasty. Dinner concluded with an awards ceremony for the dw1e competition (see "results" at the end of rhis article) and the induction of the first person into the "Hall of Fame" of the Rogal lo Foundation. This honor went to "the first person co soar a hang glider, " Dave Kilbourne from California, who had flown out to receive and speak to the honor. He started with an emotional speech concerning his feelings about being in Kitty Hawk for the first rime in his life, stating, "I feel like I've come home. " This was followed by some excellent stories relating the real AUGUST 1999

Prize winners Woody Jones, Doug Haber; Ken Brown, Marcus Stuetzel, and Thomas Koenig, with Gertrude and Francis Rogallo. old days, the pioneering of hang gliding, and the events that led him co pursue the challenge of soaring a hang glider. Many of th e stories included Bill Bennett, who stepped up co tell his version of what happened. The "crazy" stuff chat those guys did in the 1960's starred what we who now fly hang gliders derive direct benefit and pleasure from. It was a moving ceremony. Since Kells had bolted earlier chat afternoon co catch a flight home, I busied myself breaking down six gliders (and swatting skeecers) after most everyone had headed back co Kirty Hawk. A few hard cores hung our until lare, nor wanting the day co end. T he following day brought the big winds back again. It didn't look good for flying. Someone had a couple of go-carcrype vehicles that utilized large parafoil

string ki tes to make them go really fas t! Several pilots gave chose near coys a rry whi le others (we) shot water balloons at them. By abo ut 1:00 PM it began to look hopeless (wind-wise) and I decided co pack up my coys co head home. I said my thanks and good-byes, and reluctantly headed north. I could tell I had a good time because ir seemed like I had just arrived yesterday. Oh well, next year I'd like to go back with some of my buddies, ger a practice day in on the du ne, and cry co give chose "D une Goo ns" a run fo r their money.

Special thanks go to Spectacular oiganizers Bobbi Cervant, Nomi, Bruce Weaver; Ann Thornpson and Geoff Cope. More thanks go to the following sponsors: Wills Wing; Moyes America, US. Aeros, Kitty Hawk Kites, just Fly and Quadrifoil. •

2 7TH HANG GLIDING SPECTACULAR RESULTS P LAQUE

For pilot and vehicle who have attended every one of th e 27 Spectacula rs: Woody Jon es T ROP HlES -

TE M EET

A IJVA CED C LASS :

NOVICE CLASS:

1st pl ace, D oug H aber, 195 pts. 2nd place, Kenny Brown, 165 pts. 3rd pl ace, Tom Hadden, 160 pts.

1st place, T ho mas Koeni g, 145 pcs. 2nd place, Marcus Srneczel, 110 prs. 3rd place, Joel Chapman, 100 pts. AERO MEET:

1st place, Kenny Brow n 47

Constantine, my drivel'. He's a Bulgarian mountain climber and student.

or three years now Bright Star Gliders has been developing and producing a rigid wing hang glider called the Millennium. Our goal was to produce a glider simi lar to our Swift design, but lighter, cheaper, more transportable, and easier to fly. This effort has produced a high-performance machine with excellent handling qualities, aerodynamic controls acmated by a side- stick, and a lightweight strucmre that folds into a package similar in size to an Exxtacy. Last year the Millennium made its

competition debut in Florida with excellent competition results, and Ramy Yanetz set a Class 2 FAI world record for open distance. With the approach of the 1999 competition season I warned to modify the Millennium to improve its performance. Using stock Millennium parts and tooling, Bright Star produced a slightly enhanced Millennium competition prototype I call the Utopia. The Utopia was so named because the Bright Star design team (Brian Robbins, Steve Morris and I) finally agreed to build

a Millennium just the way I wanted it with fewer performance and mass-marketing compromises, thereby creating a competition pil ot's Utopia! The Urop ia was conceived and built just weeks before the first major U.S. hang gliding meet of the year. The pilot fairing was completed just 12 hours before it was loaded on the truck with two other Millenniums for the four-day trip ro Florida. The Utopia arrived in Florida with just two one-hour test flights and an untested fairing. By the time the Wallaby Open and U.S. Nationals were

A top view ofthe Utopia. Photo by Manfred Ruhmer.

join tomorrows Author and pilot Brian Porte1'. A view ofthe cockpit. Photo by Mark Mulhalin.

over, the Utopia would have 30+ hours of flying time. The major differences berween the Uropia and the Millennium are rwo feet - of additional wing span, 30 degrees rudder tile (bringing the total span ro 42.3 feet) , and a reduced cage profile for minimum frontal area. The Millennium can also accept a fairing, but its hang cage was built rather large to accommodate a wide range of pilot sizes. By sizing the cage co my body I could reduce the wetted area of rhe pi lot fairing by 50%. The additional span was added at the root, AUG UST 1999

increasing the wing area by nine square feet (to taling 150 square feet) to improve climbing abiliry in therm als and reduce landing speed. On paper the wing should be capable of gliding at 22 ro 1 at 35 mph . The Uropia also utilizes the air space within the wing itself. The shortened cage requires a portion of the lower trailing surface ro be removed to facilitate pilot head clearance. All flight equipment, vario, GPS, airspeed, radio, oxygen, camera, maps and water are now fully contained within the wing profile. •

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by Bill Bryden, s we noted last May, almost a fifrh of the reporrs sulnnittcd in 1998 involved frlot-launch incidents. The trend in 1999 reports is running a bir higher to date, and those will be the subject of our discussion rhis month. Let's rnke a look at several: An intermediaic pilot was preparing to launch his competition-level glider

bm the wind was switching and cross-ing from the left of' the launch ramp. The pilot decided to launch from a knob to the left of the ramp slightly more inro the wind. He launched, turned rigbt and expected lifr 10 elevate him. 'fhe expected lift wasn't there and he crashed into the ramp. The pilot suffered no injuries. • A highly experienced pilot ancmpred to launch his rigid wing from a short and shallow slope. At the end of' the launch slope w;is vegetation and small trees. In light winds he starred his run and lifrcd ol( bur the ldt wing was low and caught on some shrubbery, ground looping the glider. The pilot's body impacted against rhc glider's control frame cage, fracturing multiple ribs and puncrnring a lung. J le also suffered breaks to both legs, and the cage made extraction of' the pilot quite difficult. • A low-airtime intermediate pilot attempted to cliff-launch a new competition-level gl idcr for a demonstration flight in moderately strong conditions. The pilot had some difficulty controlling the glider on launch in these conditions and launched in a lull, with the nose high and the wing not really flying. The lull ceased and the wind lifted the lefr wing. The glider st;illcd and rnrncd back into rhc hill. The pilot suffered foce, arm and leg injuries. • A low-airtime novice pilot attempted to fly a novice-level glider fcir the f1rst time from a cliff sire in light conditions. During the run, the lefr downtube slipped off the pilot's shoulder but momentum and tbc proximity of'

Accident Review Chairman the ramp

made it too late to

abort. The pilot continued and man--

aged to launch bur the left wing dropped very low, clearing the ramp hy only a fc)Ot. • A low airtime novice pilo1 atrempted to launch a novicc---level glider in winds thar had been continually increasing as other pilots launched unassisted. When he reached rhc ramp area the wind was blowing 15-18 mph, bur the higher velocity didn't register in the pilot's mind. As the pilot prepared to launch there was an increase in wind velocity and the right of rhc glider was lifted. The pilot was unable to control it and the glider flipped over on launch, causing only minor injmics. An experienced intcrmcdiatc--lcvcl pilot attempted ro launch an intermediate-level glider in moderate winds. The were not well balanced on launch and the glider banked right upon launch. Airspeed was low and consequently rhc pilot was unable to turn before correct the impacting a t rec. There were no injuries to the pilo1 but minor ones t-o a rescuer. What are Lhe common themes in the above incidents? The obvious one is that several of the incidents occmrcd as ;1 result oflaunclHcchniquc problems. The orher is something we have dis-cussed bcfi:irc with respect to landing, ,rnd that is dccision--making. The pilot who was blown upside-down, the one who crashed into the ramp, and the one demoing a new glider in strong conditions all made ft1mfomc111al decision mis-rakes well before the incidem occurred. It is easy frir any of us to admonish these individuals (whom I rkrnk for sharing their incidents with us) about the need to make good decisions. But those arc words that do linlc good. The trick is, How do we improve our dccision-111,1king ability? Obviously, the rota! process is quite involved and well beyond the scope of this article, but I will try to plant a couple of thoughts.

l merestingly, two of the accidents occurred in p;irt because of wind concli-tions. More precisely, they occurred principally because the pilot improperly the conditions and/or failed to adequmcly assess them relative to his skill level. Many of you have been exposed to the "Charts of Reliability" in your hang gliding training. These prcscm a snucl\l red approach to assessing rhings before you launch. They arc good for you to rhink the right way even if you quit using them after a dozen times. l you haven't stud ice! them, l urge you 10 purchase rhe manual from USHGA, read it, and consulr you local insrructor about how to use them. A second problem l sec quite regularly has to do with a pilot's mental preparedness before launching. For most of us, our brains arc wired rather similarly to rwo-way radios. Fi rsr, they only operate in simplex mode, meaning that if'wc arc in rransmi r mode we can't receive. Secondly, when receiving, the stronger signals overwhelm rhc weaker crncs, such that we don'r receive the larter. If you arc engaged in discussion prior to launch yo11 CANNOT adequately receive various signals and clues provided by the wind, harness, birds and other indicators. lfyo11 arc in transmir mode you cannot receive very subtle clues that indicate your hang strap isn't connected, thar your vario isn't mounted properly, or that the wind in the last few minutes has been gustier. You cannot receive rhosc clues if' you allow someone close by to swamp your receiver with their chatter. l f your brain doesn't have good data, it can't make a good decision. The only cure is to shm up and ask those around you to shut up, pol or sternly, as required. In the 5 or 10 minutes before you fly, do not talk to anyone abouL anything not related to your irnmcdi;1tc launch, and then keep ir brief: Don't be like my friend who was so involved in nonstop chatter and discussion prior ro launching that neither he nor rhose around him (who were involved in the ch:mer, myself included) noticed that he wasn't hooked in as he proceeded to launch. He was okay, bur it taught us all a lesson.

HANC CLJUINC

I\ third aspect of mental preparation and pre-launch decision-making is risk assessment and man,1gement. You should rake a moment ro assess whar the potcn·· tial pitfalls arc. What arc the rhings rhat could go wrong during and immediately after the launch? You all know Murhpy's Law: 1/'somerhing can go wrong, it will. The point is ro anticipate what could go wrong and then plan your actions to minimi1.c the chance of rhar failure occurring. Thar is risk management. For exam pk, the pilot who crashed into rhc ramp was expecting lift as he launched and turned. Ile should have ;1lso considered, "What if' there isn't mucl1 lifi?" and then managed the risk by planning his flight path to accommodate that possihilthus avoiding the ramp. The concept of risk assessment and management is one we'll surely discuss more in the limirc. It is central to most decisions we make when flyi 11g. C:onscqucntly, it has been ;1 core clement in mosr of my incidcm review articles in rhc past year. Review this column over rhc pasr year wirh risk managcmclll in mind and you will he surprised that the concept pops up in almost every issue, especially in Mike Meier's :1rticle in September J ')')8 abour safety. The second rhcmc in the launch inci · dcms mentioned above involves tcchniqt1c problems. /\gain, I doubt I can say n111ch in a f'cw paragraphs that will nificantly improve your technique. Crcg Shaw's cxccllcnr series of' articles published in this magazine during the past year did nrnch more justice to that subject than I can here. I lowevcr, I will comment that you will likely be unable to improve your launch technique (or for that matter, your landing tcclrnique) yourse!L As a rule, you will need assistance to improve your launch and la11di11g technique. Thar could come in rhc form of a video camera your spouse uses to rnpc your Lumchcs, or it could he a flying huddy or better yet, an instructor. There :ire a couple of foctors which make ir very difEcult to improve yom technique alone. First, the nerve wiring in our bodies is rather poor when it comes to telling us precisely where our limbs arc AlJClJSI

1999

acrnally positioned. You can get some sense oft his by closing your eyes and extending your arm in a very relaxed manner. While trying to recite the dares of your relatives' birthdays, rotate your hand and note how little sense you have of its position while you arc conccntrat· ing on something else. Few pilots arc cognizant of the positions of their limbs during the anxiety· and sensory-rich process of launching and landing. Virtually every instructor has rncountcrcd a student who swore that his hands were extended straight overhead during a flare, when in actuality they were straight out in front. You need visual Feedback from a second observer ro know what your body is actually doing. Compounding the above situation is the foct that things happen so quickly during a launch or landing that we can't really rnakc a very detailed mcnral assess-· mcnr of'what's rranspiring and formulate a conscious decision as ro how to correct things. And iCyour brain doesn't have good inf'ormation abour where your arms and legs really arc, the output of those decisions isn't likely to be very good. 'lei properly launch and land you must develop a "fixl." Yott must progress through a sequence of' training steps so your body learns to "just know" how things arc supposed to "fr:cl," and will react correctly almost automatically. Just like Woods who needed a coach to develop his gold swing, you'll likely need assistance to work through this process. In addition, you cannot develop this feel by making just one or two flights a day, a few days a month. Repetition is required rcpcti tio11 rhat typically rcqui res a few trips to the training hill or row site. But the repetition will be worthless, or may even be harmf'ul to your technique, if you lack adequate feedback from an instructor or video camera so you know precisely whar you arc doing wrong. 1mproving your launches requires a structured, undistracrcd mcnral process to produce bcucr-qualiry decisions. /\nd your technique requires a structured process with qualiry feedback to develop the correct "feel." Both require time, c/Trlrt and commirmcnr to develop, bm isn't your life worth that? II

s fl;\NC Cl.lllJNc; J\llVISOl,Y lJscd h,rng should always lw dis:tsscrnbkd hdrirc /lying /ill first ti1nc and inspected carefully for fotiguccl, hen, m dent eel clownmhcs, ruined bmhings, bent bolts (especially the lieart hoh), re-used Nyloc nuts, Jome thimbles, li·aycd or ntstcd cables, with non··circuLtr holes,

EXXTJ\CY NFW & USFD IN STOCK, DEMO DAILY WJ\Ll ABY RAN(] I ('>ii 1) /i2/i.0070.

KISS 15/i Cood condition, needs batten pocket sewn $/iOO (SO I) 81/i I (170

FJ\LCONS I 10, 170, 195, 225 new and umL WJ\LLABY RAN< :11 (91 I) li21J,0070.

KLJ\SS!C Llo, I/iii 6 I !il.

their anchor points front and b:1ck 011 the keel ,111d edges. Ii' in doubt, 111,\11)' li;mg gliding husiness C.'> he happy to give an objccriv{' opinion on the

FJ\LCON 19'> spare t ubc, p:1ns,

I<IJ\SSIC llili w!tips $1,500. Magic 166 $750. Dream no$ I ,IHIO. ('iii 1) 569 2,,l9:J,

condition of' cquipmc111 you hring rhcrn 10 illspccL

l'!\ IC:O N 195 ,22 'i Excellent rnndit ion, 50 hours $1750. (H01) 25/i.<, Iii I

tion, S hours rn;..:: <\nd rlwn storl'd indoors for 2 year~

and on flex wingsi sail.s

60 hours $1,8'50. (801) 25/i-

torn or torn loose from

Buyers should select equipment that is appropriate for their skill level or rating, New pilots should seek pro· fcssional instrucrion from a US] !CJ\ CERTffIFD INS'J'RlJC:TOR.

l'J\LCONS CLEJ\RJ\NC:F SJ\J.E School use, 01w season. J\11 sizes $1,)50 $2, 'iOO, (111) /i7:l.8800,

1<11\SSIC: 1/ili

Ycllow/whi1c, ahsollllc mint condi-

$2,800. I<Lissic 1'i'i, 80 hours, clean $1,500 OBO. (it 1ft) iiTl 8SOO, brad~ilhanggliding.rnm

l'IJ'X WINGS FLY},

.i2, 100

T;inde111 gliders, three to choose from, and up. (Ii I Ii) !ill S800,

hrad(a!)1a11gg!iding.com

grccn/or;rngc. 1 have two, must sell one 'ii} 1li.l 1, pc:m11iflho11ldcrncws.inl1,nc1

J\IHBORNE -- SlfARI<, BLADE RJ\CF, STING, BUZZ. New and m';irly new. Demo daily. Tl IF\')(/Al. LABY RANCI I (9/i 1) 42!i0070. CI.FJ\NINC l!OlJSE Sport 167 $750. Moyc's XS $1,200. !'oil C:omli;11 152 $1,200, I lanicr 17/ $500. Pod harnc's.s/clrn1c $/i'iO. Litck v;1rio/al, :/;J 50. ltd! v;irio/alt $1 'iO. 125cc West Bend $.i'iO, (70li) /i5'i· 0.\5:J days, ('7()/i) 8')(,.}'i')7 l'VL'llill[',S,

H)RMULJ\ I/iii Excellent cnudition 1 Very low air· J\ grca1 glider, Spare downtubc, time, clc,rn and wheels, ,·xtr;is, IZohe1tsc,n harness, Rdkx hcl,net $1,200 OB( l. (loO) l7<J Ol8'J. l'LJSJON /i2/i,0070.

1.J\MINAR ST Iii Crea, colors, unbelievable pc, /cmrnncc $ i ,'J50. Bob h((, I')) li,l7 (,G'J9, w(619) 125· li.l\l.

llcmo daily. WJ\1.1.ABY RANCH (9/i I) LAMINAR ST, Iii, 13 in stock. WALLABY RJ\NCI l (9/i I) li2/i-0070. LA MOUEl'TF TOPLESS IIY RANC:11 ('J1 I) liHOO'lO.

( :all/email f(ir ntrrcnt ltc,L

0070 Florid;;, glidersV''w:1llahy.corn llOUBI.F VISJ()N $1,500. jn,ssclJ~ilgte.ne,

l.J\Mlf\J\R ST')'), ST98 ;ind kingpost l.aminar.s. New and like new, avaiLil,le now. 1\ V8 (760) I 0/0 I, rl,urron&1Jsdrne.k I 2.ca.11.1

!lcrno chily. Wi\Ll,J\.

Cood co11di1ion, 25 hour~

MJ\RK IV 17 ( ;ood condition $800 OBO. (71 'J) 'i:l 1 120, RI JAi i N~1l[d(lv.c:orn Color;ido Springs, CO,

DOUBl.F VISIONS & l'LY2 New ,rnd mcd. WJ\LLABY RJ\NCI I (9/i I) /i2/i.,0070. !ith Regio11'1is $')()(), (91(,) l'Jl·S'Jl6 IO I/iii frcyG"1ljps.nct

llREJ\MS Brand new, lr,und in U,S's $1,200 e;ich, (6191 l\ j):'>:l t)d i l'go(!i\vc\)l V. I )Ct

USHGA CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ORDER FORM

MILi ENNI\JM 0070,

WALLABY RJ\NCI I (91 I) /i2,/i.

Number of months:

50 cents per word, $5.00 minimum Boldface or caps: $1,00 per word. (Does not include first tow words which are automatically caps.) Special layouts or tabs: per column inch. (phone numbers: 2 words, P.O. Box: 1 word, [:-mail or Web address: 3 words) photos: $25.00, line art logos: $15.00 (1.75" maximum) DEADLINE: 20th of the month, six weeks before the cover date of the issue in which you want your ad to appear (i.e., June 20 for the August issue). Prepayment rnquired unless account established. No cancellations or refunds allowed on any advertising alter deadline. Ad insertions FAXed or rnadc) by telephone must be charged to a credit card, Please enter my classified ad as follows:

SECTION

U Flex Wings J Emergency Parachutes J Parts & Accessories J Business & Employment J Miscellaneous J Flaragliders iJ Videos

J J & Dealers J Ultralights Wings

U U Wanted

& Org;anizatio1ns

Harnesses

19 consecutiv('l issue(s). My J chock, !J money ordor is enclosed in the amount of$ NAME: ADDFlESS: .... _. ___

CITY: --.. ----·-- ·-·----·--------- .. ·-·-----·PHONE: Number of .. -,--·-·--·-··--·--........._. @$ 50 Number of words:

@$1.00

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

HJ\NC CllillNC

s MOYES CSX SX, XTL, XS:$, XT', etc. New and 11c,1rl)' new. Av.1ilablc irnmcc\i,11cly. Nation's L1rgcs1 l'vloycs dealer. WALL/\BY RANCH (91i 1) li2ii-0070.

SPH: I RUM C:I.FARANCF S;\l.E

Three ](i'S in near new condition, w/all options Ravrn Sky Sports (Ii I Ii) li7.'l·8800,

s,1i\

$1.')75.

EMERGENCY PARACHUTFS

I1r,1d (f1lJ 1a11gglid ing. mm 12. ltours, spring MOYES S\Jl'ER XTR/\1.ITE !Ci/i downtubes, green bottom w/hLtck battens, x, letters $2.,700. llale (702) Ii Yi 2.50 I I.as Vq\,t.S.

New XTRALITF 137 dmncVl'psnw.corn, ('i'i9) 28/i I 708.

SlJPFRSPORT I Ii} Fxcellent condition, hot pink & rn,1genta, <55 hours SI ,100 OBO. (970) ')2.'i 5510,

I I !Cl I ENFRC:Y CORF -- Repacked, new hag and bridle $7'i0. Eric (6 I')) 271 I 0/i'J.

.skywog(t1'lroL net

,\,\()YES SX!i New in '')8, 100 hours, springtip bat· tcm, asymmetric al s;1il, red w/black tip $2.(,00. {805) 5(,:\. 10.12 bearyhrow11v1\1ol.corn MOYES XTRAI.ITF 1J1

EsCl'llcnt rnndi1io11, 70

hours, h!11c ,rnd yellow ;1symmc(ricaL travel h,1g, extra p,1rts 1,800. (}OC,) 2fifi. 5122. rcdris&i\volf,·nct.com

SUPFRSPORT 15.1 1011yp0'1)co.pit kin .co.11:>

Make offer. (970) '!2':i-8(,(,'J,

Sl Jl'ERSl'ORT 15:, -· S11pcrnea1 rns10111 sail. vcry low hours, WW fin incl11cled $2, I 00. (Ii I Ii) li'/.1-8800,

hrnd&11ha11ggllding.co1n

Well kept, MClYI:s XTRALITE 1.17 blue/grcrn/whitc $1,'iOO OBO. (lil/i) li73 8800, hrad(!1)ha11gglidi11g.com MOYFS XTRAI.ITE I 0i7 All myL11, new h,1g, good conclitio11, xc bag $/i'iO ClBO. ('JO'J) :l'Jl-2812. lJSF\l, CUARJ\NTFFD 20' and 18' diameter, military specific11ions ,flOOea. {:l(J:l) 3ii7-8'J'J5.

MOYES XTRAI.ITE 1·17 Lxcellc111 concli1io11, one· owner, dO hours, 11cw ( let 'Yi $1,'JllO ( )ll( ). (li2.l) (,')8. IC, 16 C:h,111.rnoo1',.1, TN.

20 CORF l'llA w/swivcl $:l75. 7.0 gore $1 'J'J. Many 111orl' available. Raven Sky Sports (•11/i) li/3· 8800, br,1d~llhangglidi11g.com

MC lYl'.S XT l'R() I Ci'i

Novicc/i111crn1edi,1tl' don hie s11rlcl(C, tWO '1V,\i\ab\i- $],(,00., $2,:$0(). (IJJ!i) fiT\ 8800, br,1,\(rl\1:1ngglidi11g.rnm I 00 gliders in stock. l.ooko111 Mountain,

PACAIR Kli l 'i'i ,l(,l-'.l.\01.

Co()(! co11cli1ion $1,000. (801)

1'1\C:AIR MARI< IV I 'J Sail & frame. Sail good, li-.irnc needs parts .t.lOO OBO (/i.15) 88!i-61i80, b01 u:l(t1)1rilohy1c.11cl

l lARNFSSES

www. l1a11gl id(' .\.lJJ n

TRX 158 ( ;rc,11 sh,1pc $1,.100. Kit 160, s11per clcin/crisp $1,000. Sco11y (71 ')) G87 975.l cvcni11gs.

AIRTIME l lARNFSS COMPANY NFW FOR $725. The f11 and comfon of 1999! Jetstrl'am 11 the /ctstrcarn Ii.is hccn improved with the :1ddi1ion ofa singlc·-suspcn~io11 hackJramc ,ind s!idvr 10 <'liminatc

lJ I TR;\SPORT 1Ii/, I (,C,

Renral gliders ,11 flight park, low hours. clean, priced 10 sell. (Ii I ii) liTl-8800, hrad(1lhanggliding.co1n

1.a!'.cr $(i<JCJ. Ow more flexible I.al.er harness retains its origin:11 features. Contact Airtime I Iarncs,'i Company, (925) lili7-(,27'5, www.,1ir1i111e·harncss.co111

VISION MARK IVl7 Spaghetti style harness, he\ met, whccl.s, indic1tor $ I ,)00 OBO. (:~I')) 1tlli-':,u1·,.1'10,rtl1w,:s1 lndi,1na/(:hicago

PERSONAi. FLIGHT FLORIDA 904.441.5458

VISIONS & l'lJI .SES Bought Sold Tr,1c\ed. Ravcn Sky Sports (Ii I Ii) li7.\·8800, hr,1dvrlhangg\iding.co111

J'lw Exclusive Importer of the WORLD CII/\MPJ. ONSIIll' CI.IDFR the Li\ MOUETTF TOPLESS and TOP SECRET Rigid Wing. It Kicks i\ss 1 Jrnt ask Mike Barber. Avail:1hlc in three sizes: 121, I Ii I and lli8sqli. ln1rocluci11g the TOP SECRET, 2nd lion Rigid Wing. l)on't w:1s1c yollr time 011 old s111ff. I kalcr inq11ircs invited. ( :onu1ct PERSONAi. l'l.lCl IT FLORIDA a11cl ask !'or Cihho, ph/h:

1Ii ho11r.s, Wll.l.S WINC !'Al.CON V5 bluc/rnagcnta, folding speedbar, Wills wheels, down· tubes $2,:lOO. Dale (70)) li:15-2501 l.,1s Veg,1s.

90/i.lili I .'Sli"58, \Vww.perso11alf1ight.com. www.Ltmoucttc.com, c'-·mai!: gibbogcar I (d\lO!.com

PlJI.SFS ,'v VISl(lNS Bo11ght-Sold-l'radcd. Raven Sh Sports (Ii I Ii) li7l·8801l, hr,1d&11ha11gglicling.corn Sl'FCTRlll'vl 1(,5 Fxccllcnt rnncli1io11, new wires, w/Wills Wing harncs.s & cl1111c $1,500 f,rrn. l lowq· ('JO')) .l(,'J.] 188 clays, ('JO')) (,7•i (,57/i cvC11ings.

WIJ.l.S WINC: Sl'FC:TIUJM 1G5 Fxccllrnt condition, <50 hours, 1n.igcn1,1/whitc $1,200 OllO. Nonlt Dl'nvcr ;Hea, L\liott (:l(U) !i(,!i lli87. Truck rack incl11ckcl, will clclivcr in Colorado. 72 ho11rs, red/white, one WILLS WINC XC H2 owtll'I' lc,rrner foctory test pilot, ,1bso\111cly perkct han· dli11g $2,h'J'i OBO. I -800-.l2'i 5'i7 I. WW SPEC:TRlHvl llili C:rcat condition $1 GOO. ('J'i/i) ')78-7.lO:l, n,111cv2&1l111i11dspri11g.co111 \XIWXC: 155 I.ow homs. clean, nice rnnclition $7.,/iOO. (Ii I ii) fi?,.8800, brad«r1h,111gglidi11g.com X(: 1li2 hours $.l,800 ()]\() or trade f,,r Pulse \OM. (971) l'J8/i')l7 ( 12 noon), NJ.

/\LJUJST 1999

NFW, USED -· And REFURI\ISlIFD harnesses. lluy, sell, trade, Cunnison ( :lidcrs, 15/i') County Road I/, CO 81 ,!:JO. (')'70) 6/i I 'J:l l 'i, ht1p://g11nnisonglidcrs.corn/ l !IC:! I FNFRC:Y POD 5' J J ", 20 gore paracl1111c, swivel $:-iOO. (CJ 1/,) 7') 1-'i') I (1 frcy(,1ljps.nct I \\CH ENERCY 1'01) I IARNESSFS Si1.es & styles ch,1nge rnonthly, $\00-100. CC I OOO's $250. C:ornnn.s $200 each. I.Ml'!' pud, 'j'C)" $100. l<neehangcrs &: stirr11ps ,1\so available. (Ii 1Ii) li7.l-8800, l,radv1'ha11ggli ,Ii 11 g.cc,111 I.MF!' C:USTOMJ/.F!) PO!l 'i'IO", p,1rnc\rn1e, fi,11 face helmet, old style Ball. stornge hag $700 01\0. ('12.\) (,'!8161(, Cha11:111noga, TN.

s ALABAMA l.OOKOlJT MOUNTAIN 1'1.IC:HT PARK

Sec

ad under ( ;corgi,1.

J'IIZ!cll Of' TOWINC:· Tired of

to w:1y SWFD!Sl l A EROS PORTS MOSQUITO l lAR NESS. powerf'ul, affordable and most 1rnr1orta111ly l·u11'. C:all BILL of' T.C. llAN(; GLIDERS, yo11r lJ,S, SUPPL! ER at 6 J 6-922.-281/i. I'S: SFEINC IS BELIFV!NG, new video mack by l•:ast C:oast Video, now avaiL,hl,· $ U incl11des shipping. 'I 'cl 1a nggl iclcr(tt)ju no.com site:,? Create your own, po\vcr up the

5' IO" 10 i,'2" WILLS WINC 13 POI l 111\RNESS hce Flight J'l);\ 22 parachute, 19'!8 Flytcc /i() IO vario w/sof'twar,' $900. Call Roh (),'i2) 2(, I 230(,.

PARAGUDFRS

The 1•:xclusive Importer of Li\ MOlJETTE/COSMOS ULTRAL!GI ITS. Introducing the SAMBA. The truly soarahk lightweight trike. !'its most gliders, La Mot1c11e wings Topless & single surface, durable land ing easy ro fly, i11-;1ir restart. The ( :lwapest !'light Money C:an Buy! C:0111ac1 PERSONAL FLIGHT FLORJDA and ask for C:ibbo Ph & l'x: <JOIJ.liliJ5/i'i8,

SL!!' '\'!ZIKE No motmtaim or tow 1cm, sclf'..\;n111ch ,rnd soart I ,iglllcst rncl)p,·t1c1v,·n, priced. C:,rll or cm:iil for free rd 1:rncf;1blc $10 f,,r video. Libnatcd Flight ('Jii I) 722-21 Tl UBFI.ICl lTv1laol.com

IKAROS SPORT AVIATION WWW.Fl.YFORPUN.NF'I' RICID W!NCS

WANTEl) EXXTACY!

I.st rigid gli,kr. C1\I ('iO'!) Lrnc, ·,md tc:.tnl

RUCK!·;!' C:!TY J\lRSl'ORTS - The !itn, sa('c place you learn quickly and s:if,·ly prc>less1onal i11.structors. (;rcat place f,,r /Jrst cross country flights. Three sites and I.cam 10 a Moycs .. Bailey aerotug fin those "other" aerotow and e,un your AT rating. Mention tl,is ad, bring a friend and receive one lesson ' price. C:all (2%) 880-8512 or (7.56) 77G-'J'J95.

CALIFORNIA Train 011 DREi\M WFAVFR IIANC (;IJDINC \'i/ills \'ving Falcons. h,ur hom lessons $ I 00. Tcn !cs SOil $7'j(),, includes 1"11c\cm off 2,()()() le. J'ivc lessons Or huy new here ,rnd get all fillmc lessons f,ll each. schcdnling lessons live clays a week, Frid:ty throng!, Tuesdays. lclcal 1r:1ini11g hill. Arca s most JNEXPENSIVF prices. Yot11 northern C:alif,,rnia MOSQUITO l lARNFSS dealer. C,11 f,,r Mosquito demonstration or clinic. I Jcalcr f,11 Wills Wing, Altair, I ligh Energy Sports, llall v:irios, Ctmclbab ,rncl more. T,rndem instruction. lJSI IC;\ Adv,111cccl Inst rnc:tor lloug Prat her (209) 556-0li69 Modesto,(A

rigid ;lt such a

FLY AWJ\Y I IANC CLllllNC/PARI\CLJD!NC Santa Barbara. T:trnmy llurrnr (805) (,')).-'.l')OS.

low price, you e,111 t afford NOT 10 own one! l'l.FDC\i II Cood condition, strong, st:thlc, ultra light motnr glider. ( :all f,,r clc1ai\s ('570) :Oli 1-:35(,8.

) 181 ( :harles TllF 111\NC: C:I.J])INC: Cl-NI FR Way, El Cajon CJ\ 'l2020, (619) 1(il lii!il. parnglicling

next gcncr;it ion

school. Equipment s;ik~, service,

rigid designed and created by Flight Design. Performance any adva11ccd pilo1 can l he wii-hout.

IXI\O

From 'J 'ccrna. Your bc,q choice of prod!lcrion

Flawless fo and !tnish, supn 1w1forrnann·. f,,r less than an IXBO? Call for Why details on a test Sec the IXBO on Tcuna weh site: ht Ip:/ /mernhcrs.aol.com.tccmaspon/ I )istrihntccl in USA hy I<rn Brown DllA Moyes America, (Ii 1'i) 7'i.l-')5:lli l'iy'1MoyesG11aol.co111

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Our rnm1,rl'i1c11s1,,c i11stn1ctiou 11rngtam, located ,11 the San Franc[,i.,co Ihy /\rca's picmicr training site, lca1111T~

slo11cd "h,11,uy hills," supcrlitc gliders a11d com har1H·sscs 1 "FIRST l'l.lCI IT," a video our h('ginncr lcs.'>on progr.1111, is ,ivail $20 iucludi11g ship11iug (111,1y ht 11pp!itrl to yo11rjl1t11rt !tsso;; j>llfflll1sn). ()11r dcl11xc rct,til slHJfl .s,howcasc\ the Litcst in hang gliding innov;11io1is. \Xie stock new a11d lL'Jcd \\/ills, J\irwavc ;Hid Nloyv'i gliders,

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US! J(;;\ CFRTJFIFD TANDEM INSTRl:CTION Br Crcgg 1YlcNa111c{', /\crotow training & ratings. I)calcr /,,,. all 111ajor llight aud aero tow cquip111c111, I .'i hours frn111 llisucyworld. Call (:l57.) li8')·9')(,'J. !1y(fl)grayl>inlairsports.c<itn www.gr;1yl)ir,lairsport.s.co1n

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'iO I NJ(;I( demos to fly: J'oplcss to Traiuer ( ;Jiders: Laminar, Moyes, Wills, J\irhorrl(.:, J\irwavc, Exxtacy, fvtillc11ni11m

2800

DFl~POl"T Pines Scenic Drive

CA 92037 /928

BlJNNY...

THE HILL WITH IT!

La Mouette, Sensor: a\-;o h:1rnc:,,scs, v;1rio:., etc.

Ages l.l To Tl have learned to lly here. No one COl1h'S clo\c to our level

or cxpcricnCt' and

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IO motel\ & rcsta11ranrs wid1i11 ') mi11s., camping, h01

WF I Ii\ VF The mos, adva11ced 1rai11ing program known (u hang gliding, teaching you in half' the time it 1akcs 011 the traini11g-BUNNY I IlLI., and wirlt more i11-llight air ,imc. YES, WF CAN TEA Cl I YOU !'ASTER AND SAFER. hir ycar.r·ournl 1rai11i11g fi111 in the sun, c,11 or write Miami I Jang Cliding (:)OS) 285 8'J78. 2'5SO S Bayshore l )rive, ( :ornnut ( ;rove, Flmid,, .lll.ll

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retrievals, great weather, clirnhing wall, 1rauq1oline, J)SS TV, ping pong, picuic tahlc.s, swimming llOol, etc. flights of over 167 miles and more than homs. Articles i11 J/,mg (,'firli11,R, Kitplrmrs, .\'/qwill,(;i, (.'ross Cfnm11y and other~. h_·c1trn-cd on 1111mnous l'V shows, including l•:SPN2 . Visit 11.s on the \Veh: http://www.wallahy.com Please call us l,,r rekrcnccs and ,·ideo. I B05 Dean Still Road, Disney Arct, I'!. .\\BT7 (91 I) 121 .. ()070 phone & fox

Ii\\ BISI' SINCE l'J//i 20 minutes from I.AX. l'irll serviec· walk in center. Trainiug for all skill levels, rentals, guide :-.crvicc, s;1lcs, lodging :I! world fomotL\

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1\IRTIME 1\BOVI' J J;\\I(; Cl.llll\lC lc.\SOll,'i,

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QlJIST AIR SOi\ll.JNC CENTER Your vacation hang gliding loutio11. (.l'i).) ii2')-02U. fox (.l'i2) ii)'). IJS!i(1. Vi:.it our wch\itc at: www.quc:.tairforcc.co!ll or cm,iil t1\: q11cstairCr1\i1ndi;1l.nc1

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WRAP-AROUND T

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ifi

GEORGIA

ILUNOIS 111\NC CLIDE C:HJC:i\C:O - i\erotowing thrn Prairie Soaring at I.eland i\irpon, 1 hom west o( Tandem instruction. i\irport (81 'i) IJ95-282 I, home (815) 7/i 1-27.50. (l 17.) l(,().()700, (815) Ri\VFN SKY Sl'OIZTS /i8'!-9700 or (ii I Ii) 173-8800. !,oms from Chicago, 'JO mi11utcs from l'alati11c or l.ihertyville. The hcst instn1c1ors) dw hesl equipment) the best rcsul1s in thL' midwrsL Training program for combincd/intcgrnt-· cd foot bunch arnl aero tow cerrificat ion. i\pply IOO'Y<, of your intro ll\Sson costs to ccnificat ion program

TRJ\VFRSF CITY l 11\NG CIIDERS/Pi\RAGLJD. ERS FULL-TIME shop. Certified ins1ruction, foot launch and tow. Sales, .service, accessories for ALL major brands. V!Si\/MASTFRCARD. Corne .soar our 150' dunes! 1509 F 8th, Traverse City Ml IJ%8!i. lessons & dealer f,ir the Bill ,1t ((,1/i) '!22281JIJ, Visit our p,m1gliding school in Jackson, Wyoming. ( :all Tracie at (:307) 7:l')-8(,20. MINNF.SOTJ\

RI\ VFN SJ<Y SPORTS (612) 3/i0-1800 or (lilli) 17.l-8800. l'bsc sec our ad ,mder WISCONSIN.

upgrade! Please sec om ad under WISCONSIN. NEVADA IND!i\Ni\ 1-800-803-7788 (Ii Iii) li73 8800. Picas,· sec our :H.l undcr Wisconsin. brad(f'1)flallggliding.crn11

RI\ VFN SKY SPORTS

FULL I lOOK-Ul'S

l,;rnndry, propanl', recreation

room. 1-800 803 7788. Mi\RYLAND LOOKOUT MOl/NTi\JN FUGllT PARK Sec our display ad. Discover why FOUR TIMES as rnauy pilots earn their wiugs at J.ooknut than at any orher school! We wrote l IS] IGJ\'s Ofl,cial Training Man11al. Our specialty-customer satisfaction and fiin with the BEST FACILITIES, largest inventory, camping, swim· ming, volleyball, more! For a trip, intro flight or

Mi\RYl.i\ND Sc:J 1001 01' 111\NC CLJDlNC, INC. Certified instruction, in foot launch. Dealers for Wills Wing, Moyes, I figh F.ncrgy, year-round instruction. (Ii IO) 527-09/5.

ADVENTURE SPORTS Sierra soaring at its best. Tours, acro1owing, 1andcm, US) !Ci\ cenilicd instruction for Sales and service. .l(,'i0-2? R,·search Way, C:trsot1 City, NV 8')706 (775) 883-/070, www.Jiyra,nid.net/advspts l.i\S VFCJ\S i\lRBORN W1\TFRSPORTS . USHCi\ ccrrif,cd hang i11.struction. Saks and service, hoat to\v 1 mountain soaring, XC:. (702) 5(1()1

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MICHIGAN /\crotow ists. Clidcrs, cquipmcm and launch cart kits available. Call for sunrnter 1andcrn lcsso11s and flying appoint· mc11ts with the Draachc11l'licge11 Soaring Cluh at Cloud ') field. 11088 Coon Lake Road We.st, Wchhcrvillc Ml /i8892. (51/) 22:l 868:l. (:lm1d'lsa(1>aol.co111 Imp:// 111cmlicrs.aol .com/ cloud'!sc,

BUNK! !OlJSE Wi\RM & COMFORTJ\BJ.E By J.Ml'l'! .,2 hunks, hot showers, open all year, 2/i hour tion. 1-80(). 803-7788!

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AT.I. major (231) 882-

HAWAII

CROSSROADS WlNDSl'ORTS Stale-of-the-art training wili1 sw1ionary simuhror, Bnomllar, tandems, video coaching. Towing for hang and parag]idcrs. Rentals. ( :amping Oil the i\irp,trk! C,11 Curt C:rnham (50'i) 1928)?.2. MOUNTJ\IN WEST IL\NC <;LJDINC 1',urnillgton's 01Jly lid! service school and Wills \Xlillg dealer. Offcrillg tow a1Jd tandem /1iglits. ('i05) (,32 8/ilil. lJP OVFR NEW MFXJC:0 Instruction, .sales, .scr vice. S;1ndi:1 fvlo11nL1in guides. \X/ills, Ainvav('. i\llrnquerque, NM ('505) 8:11-8'ili/i.

NFWYORK

HAN

NOR/vi I.FSNDW'S FI.YINC i\DVFNTURFS Since 1')78. Experience & safety arc Ill. l'rcscnling the turbo lutroductory flights and foll range oC

J\i\i\ FL!CJ IT SCHOOL- MOUNTAIN WINGS I l'Ll.ENVJI.LJ·: i\lR Sl'OIUS. foll service shop, flight park, ![)()Oft. tow /Jcld, ,vincl1 ;md aero towing, tandems, two-place U.I .. training. i\irwave, i\lu1ir, Moyes, i\cros, learn 2000, J'.light Srnr LJ.I .. , MOSQUITO powered harness, WOODY VALi.FY harness,·s in stock. The original V-MITTS $29.00. mt 1Jwi11gs(1\10l.coJ11 or (') 1/i) 6·i7-.l.ll7 www.flightscl10ol.ne1, I 'iO Canal St., Ellenville, NY 12IJ28. The most complete] JC l'ro--shop in the North Ea.st.

l('sson prograrns for hrginncr to adv:1nccd. J\crotow

lllRDS IN l'i\Ri\llJSE lhng & on Ka11ai. C:crtilicd tandem instrnction. (808) 822-530') or (808) Gj<). J 067, birdip(1\tloha.nel

clinics & US!ICJ\ appropriate racings available. l/SIJC:i\ certified .school. Please con1;1ct Norm l.csnow-Mastcr l'ilot, Fxa111incr, i\dv,rnccd Tandcrn Instructor, Tow Administrator. (218) 399-'Jli3:l, l'lJJ L-TIM E school.

Sell

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5/3

i-11\NC Ci II JINC

s HY I !!Cl I 111\NC Cl.llllNc;, INC Scrvi11g S. New York, ( :oll!ll'Ctirnt, Jersey :1rcas (Fllrnvillc I\!1111.) 1\rc:i's FXCUJSIVF Wills Wing dcalcr/spcci:ili.s,. 1\lso all other major br:111ds, a,:ccssorics. Ccnif'iul school/instruction. Tcaching sitHT l CJ7l). /\rc,1's rno:,t

INFXPFNSIVE pricc.s. Fxcclknt .sccrrndary instruction ... ii' you've l!nishcd ,1 progralll aud wish to corn in T:indcm llights 1 uc. Hv the 111m1111:1i11 1 A'J'()I. ( :ont:1cl Paul Voight, 5 I (,.l NY 125M,, (91/i) 7/ili J'll7.

Rd, Pi11c Bush,

PENNSYLVANIA ;\EROI OWINC l'l llLJ\DFLl'l ll;\ llR1\CON 1·111.:RS' T:l11dcrn, foot l:lllnch ,"./. p:11':tgliding 1(,87.

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,'.10UNT1\IN TOP RFC:RF;\TION C:crtilied instrnnion, l'illshmgli. (Ii 12) '7(,7-li882. C'MON OUT J\ND Pl.A Y!

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IKJ\ROS SPORT AVIATION NY(: s first a11d only ccrtil,cd hang glidi11g, p:H:tgliding, 111icroli1;h1s (trikes), powered paragliding. llistrilrntors fill· 1\vian. llcalcrs f,,r mmt major hr:lllds. 1'1111 service :111d eq11iprnc11t <ll hcsl The most friendly service in die arc:1. .Store 2') .l l Newtown J\ve., J\stmia NY. Phone (718) 7/7-7000, WWW.l'LYFORl'lJN.NET

look 11udcr New York.

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PUERTO RICO FLY PUERTO RICO Team Spirit I L,ng ( ;]idiug, 11(; classes d:iily, t:rndcm instrnction :1vailablc. \)(fills Wing dealer. Clidn rentals for qualified pilots. I'() Box ')7is, l'unl:1 Santiago, l'ucno Rim 007/i I. (78'/) 8'i0

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VIRGINIA

()108, tshg(r1lcoqui.t1cl

SlJS()l JFI JANNA 1'1.1( :I IT PJ\RI< - ( :oopn.stown, NY. Certified lnstrnction, Sales and Service for all m:1jor 111;rnuL1e1111Trs. /i() acre p;1rk, 5 1r;1i11i11g hills, jeep rides, hunk house, 1101 showers, (,00' N\V ridge. \Xll· have di(' hes\ i11 N. New York st:ltc to tc:1ch you how to fly. c/o ll:111 c;uido, Box ).<J:\ Shm.'maker Rd, Moh:iwk NY l .lli07, (.l 15) 866 (1 I '5.'l.

TINNESSFF

1\1.\JE SKY

Instruction, gliders, :1Cccssorics, rnstom

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l\'ORTI I CJ\ROI.JNJ\

li.'l2/i. KITTY 111\ WK KITFS IIAWI< AIRSl'ORTS INC: P.O. Box 90'56, I<noxvill,·, TN i7'lli00056, (fill) 670020/i. 11:ing Cliding and world L11110m Wind.mks.

-- Sec North Carolin:1.

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•

I.OOl<OlJT IVIOUNTJ\IN 1·1.1c;1 IT l'J\RI<

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TEXAS ;\\ISTIN 1\IR SPORTS. !NC lla11g gliding in:"trunion sillcc I ()78. ( )nc of' thl' kw schools offrring instruct ion :111d l'l'l'l ilic:11 ion in :ill l:1,mch met hods-lciot, tow and acrotow. Lrndl'rn instruction behind our

I lr:igonlly tug or you c:m accelerate your flying skills with a rnn1hin:llio11 pack:igc. Aerotow or 111,r:tlight i!l:-,1rue1in11 ,1v;1iL1h!c / ,L1ys a week nl'ar Austin, TX, contact (8.\0) C'J:l 'i80'i, sh11rns(i111star.ne1. h,01 launch ;111d trud;: tow instnictioll availahll' hy appoint mrnt, (?81) li71,lli88, A11s1ini\ir(i1laol.com. Visit our

RJ\VIN SKY SPORTS IIJ\NC CLllllNC /\Nil 1'1\RJ\Cl.llllNC; The midwest'.s Premier :11-rolow lligltt park, f,nrndcd in I'J'J7.. INTFCRJ\TFD INSTRUCTION of fi,01-l:iunch aerntow 1:111cle111 skills, at pacbgc prices to heat :my in the \JS/\. Scvl'll hc,1111ili,I, grassy hills facing all wind dircctiom. Four Dragonfly tow no waiting TIHee 1:rndc111 glid,:rs on whcclccl underc:Hri:tgc.s. \'(!\X1 hilrnns f<ll tr:iining from the very first lessons. USU;\ ultr:ilight and instruction. Par:1gliding tow<.;. Free c:111q:,111v,. S,1les/'sctvll:ci:1Ccc.s;:orics fi,r c1ll hr:111ds. ( lprn 7 week. Contact l\rnd l<11shncr, ]'() !\ox 101, Whitcwiitn WI 'ill')() (lilli) li!.l-8800 pl1one, (/il!i) lill-8801 Ll\, www.ha!lgglidi11g.co1ii, [,r;Hl(,ilhangglidi11g.co1n 1

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, T;\NllEM INSTRlJC: !'ION • AEROTOWINC • BOJ\T TOWINC • llF1\CI I RESORI • TRAININC C:1\Ml'S • FOCI! I.AL NCI I • l'J\IU\Cl.llllNC: • Ol'FN YEJ\R ROUNI) 'F<~ll!PMENT SALFS J\ND SERVICE

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I ntcrnct Add rcss: h 11 ,://www.kittyhawk.com F /Vl:iil Address: i11fo~1Jki1,yliawk.rnm J

I Ill.I. OlU'.'>l'JRY l'AR1\C;l.11l!NC: INC: I.cam complete pilot skills. l'erson:tli,.ed lJSI I(;;\ ccrtifad trnining, ridge soaring, foot & tow bt11Khing in ccntr;1\ Tcx:1s. MOTORIZED PJ\RJ\GLIDINC JNSTRUC: TION & F.QlJll'MENT J\VJ\ILJ\BIF. ('Jl'i) l7'J I I 8'i. Rt I, Box I(,I', I'ow TX '78(,?J. KITE ENTERPRISF.S l'oot launch, pLHCorm L1uncli and anutow in.c,tnictioll too. s,dcs, rL"nta!s ,rnd repair. 1\irw,1vc & Wills \X/ing. Fort \Vorth aud 1101th Tex:1.s area.). J Flli.s, J\llcu TX '/',()()). (')' 1)_) YJ0- 1J0 1JO night.s, svcekcnds, J

;\ERO l'J\Rl< 1\ recreational airp:irk '.'>IW ol ,'v1ilwaukce o{frring skrdiving, 11l1ralig!t1 i11s1r11c1ion, ccrtil1cd flight instr11c1io11, h,tr & grill :111d ()i' course hang k.-.,-,01Lc,, saks :u1d .',crvicc, StJ,c>c1:1l1z1111,. i11 acrotowillg, p:iy-oul winch ;md nwun 1,,in tour.s. .all SurlAir (Ii I Ii) '18.l-77/i7.

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Aucus1 1999

ifi PARTS & ACCESSORIES

CROLJN[) WIND DIRFC 1·10N INDlCJ\TOF

l'lJCHT CONNECTIONS, INC. PIT II

Drop it over

it detects wind dircc-

lion like a

visible, environmentally fricudly, resets in seconds. than downtubes ,tnd broken egos. $:l'i etch, $(,5 2, plus s/11. (510) 22J-Ci2J9. Send check 01 order: C:. W.D.I., c/o llob Ortiz, I IO:, Manor Rd., Sobrantc CA 'Jli80:l.

AFROTOWING ACCESSORIES Sec TOWINC. THE WALLABY RANCH (91 I) lt21i-0070.

New and Improved • W:uer/1 )us! Resistant Push Button Field Rcplaceahlc Switch Plugs I lc:1vicr Caugc • Increased Strain Relicl':n ALI.Joims

AFTER MARKET WING TIPS WWING Fusion, X/C, RamAir, lJltraSpori. ADDED STRENGTI I I meets weight specs' $2.18.00 US. Custom colors , $25.00. ilifx Acrylics, 11 ') (?uiglcy llrivc, Cochrane, Alhena, Canada TOIAJW·i. (ltO:J) 932-T303, fax (li03) 7 lli-1150, l'ifxQ1l1clusplane1.uct.

$8'),95. Fxtrn finger switch $1/i.')5 Call (913) 268ou r

BAU. DECK

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l l!Cl l PERSPFCTl VF WI !FELS Real lifr savers' 12.", light, tough. l'its all glidcts. Send $Ii 1.95 t $/i.50 shipping per pair 10 Aviation, I'() Box IO I, M ingovillc PA I (,8'i6. about our dealer prices.

NOTTl!IS !./\MINAR PARTS· We have wh:1t you need :rnd we arc cornntittcd to sarnc day AV8 Call (760) 7 21-0'/0 I or cn1ail ;11 riJ111'ltrn(,•1'S<koc.k

On all Ball varios!

Loa,hl, serviced ~550. Frie (Ci 19)

2.7/i--10/i'J.

,;ATF SAVERS Send $5 plllS $ I s/h to Rodger Hoyt, 'J'i6 C:lcngrovc i\vc., Central l'oint OR 97502, (5/i I) C,<,/i.591

llFST 12" Wl IF.FIS AVAII.ABIF Super lightwcighr, a mu,1 for tandem flying. lmshings. Only LISA-bnilt wheel. $lt2.')5, cp1an1ity discounts. lnuncdiatc delivery. Lookout Mountain, (800) 688 LMl'P.

C!FTS & TROl'll!ES Unique, uuus11:1I & crc:uive hang gliding related gifts and trophies. !'rec cat:1log 1 Soaring Dreams, I l '116 l':tirview, Boise Idaho 8.l'l U. (208) m,-'19 l 1i.

MINI VARIO World's siu:11lest, Clips to helmet or (). 18,000 ft., fast response l yc,ir warr:1n1y. Crear for par:1gliding too. ONLY $169. M:1llct1cc, PO Box 15756, S;int;i Ana C,~, '.);l?J'i. (71/i) %6 UliO, ,\1C:/Vis:1 accepted, www.rnalk11cc.com

OXYGEN SYSTEMS

Only small, medium $90. :l/li BRAND Nl'W x-hrgc $15. D.O.T. (30:i) lli7-8995. School counts.

!JEAVYDUTY, WATFRPROO!' PVC hill 1110 zipper, $ I 07 ppd. XC:-Cnno or white. 11'5 zipper $6'5 ppd. Ctll)nison Clidcrs, l 'ili9 C:ounty Road I/, ( :unnison ( :() 81 7.30. (')70) (,Ii I -9:l l 5, htt p,//gunnisonglidcrs.co111/

J'hc world-class XCR I 80 opcr:11cs up 10 ., hours ~''18,000 ft. and only /ill,. Complete kit with cyli11dcr, harness, ca11J111l:i :1nd remote on/off flow111c1er, 011ly .i375.00.

HANC Ci!l)INC

s BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT

VIDFOS & FILMS

WANTED J L,ng C:liding/l'aragliding instructors. lmmc:di.lte l'ull time opcnings available. Live the C:alil.ornia drearn ... instruct students at the San Francisco lt1y area's prcmit:r training site. Service shop ernploymrnt is also available. i\sk f,ll· Pat Drncvan (li08) 2<,2.1 O'i'i. MSC! J(;<,1\101.com W\Vw.l1ang-gliding.com

'NEW' i\ERONAUTS I !/\NC GI.IDINC Mi\S. TFRS, by Photographic Expeditions. ;\ dornrnrntary oi' hang gliding today. Superb graphics & interviews, 'l 'hi:s i~ the vid<'o you show your fa1ni!y and friends! /i:l min $.1'!.')S. c;REFN POINT l'I.YFRS hy E:tst Coast Vidrn. They II fly :mything in Michigan. Entcrtaining, great graphics, 50min, .tl7.00 Pi\RTY AT Cl OUDBASF · ;\ h:rng gliding music video by i\dvrnture Productions $1 ').'JS. JIANG GLIDING EXTRFMF & BORN TO FLY by Adventure Prod11ctions, gre:1t hµ action .f.l/i.'J5 e:rch. lli\Wi\lli\N FI.YIN by Space 9, soaring in p:nadisc, amazing launches $:l,'l.00 C:all USlf(;i\ (/1'!) C,328.\00, fox (71')) <,IJ..(,!i17,

PUBLICATIONS & ORCANl/,i\TlONS CAI.I. lJSI IC:/\

!'or a 111aga1i11c hack iss11c order

form. h·om the early C'rmmt! ,)'kimmtr to the prcscn( /!(i)1g Glirli11g (71 '!) 6.l7·8:l00.

l'!CC:Ol () Pl.US $,\'SO 5 altimeters, memory, Swiss,:> lcli. (:l0:3) Yi7 8')')'5. TEK !'I JGI IT PRODUCTS

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www.ushga.org. l'k:ise add , $Ii domestic s/h (, $5 i<ll two or mor{' videos). C ;rc:lt to imprcs.'i your friL·nd.'I UJ

for those socked·in clays. Perfrct gili i<,r the hunch potato turned (Oltcli potato. /\bo, ask us about out

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Carncrn mount ~/iS.50. Ctrncra remote C,sk ahom rebate) $1\5. Vario motmt $1 'i. 6" wheels $:>'J.7'i, 8" wheels $.l/i.75 S& 11 inclttdecl. TEK FLICIIT l'rodncts, C:olclm)()k Winsted CT 0(,0')8. 01 call (860) 579· 16<,8. 1ck~1ls1wu,e1 or nm page: ht 110://mcrnhcrs. tripod.rnm/. tcklligh t/in, lex.Ii t ml

II' you don't have your copy oi' Dcnni.1 l'agen's PERH)RMANCE !'LYING yet, available through lJSJ IC:;\ l lcadqu;irters $2'!.'!5 (, $5.SO s&h f'or \.Jl'S/Priority Mail delivery). I.JS]!(;;\, J>() Box 1.l.\0, Colorado Springs CO 8090 I. 1·800,61 (,.6888 WW\V.ll~hga.org

Wlli\T!! A FLYINC RJ\BBIT?? llr1ny ,mrl the l !t111,~ (,'/irll'I' is a hca11tifirllv illus1ra1ecl, /i() page childrc11 s pictllrc hook written for pilots to share the dream ol flight. Send ,t21i.'J'i plus$.\ shipping to: Sky I ligh Publishing, 201 N Tyndall, T11cson i\'/ 8571') or call (520) (,28 81 (,', 01 visit our wcbpaf,C at

http:/ /www.lL1sh.net/. skyhiptrh. Visa/M(: accepted. SO/\RINC:

Monthly mag:11.ine oi' The Soaring

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lliglrt. htll membership $'i5. Info. kit with sample copy

.H SSi\, l'.0. Box 2100, llobbs, NM 882/i I. (S05)

SPEED CLIDJN(;: TEAR UP TIIF SKIES lly J\dventttre l'rod1tctions $2/i.95 Covers the speed gliding contest in I<amloops, British Columbia and then onto Tell11ride, Colorado. Superior graphic :rnim;1tion, great camna angle\. )/i minutes

TELI.URIDE SPEED CI.ID!NC: By Tatum Product ions $ l 9.95. C:omplctl' coverage of' this event.

The sound or tlrl' gliders passing tltro11gh the rnutrol gates is totally a\vcsomc. JJ minute::. Cdl USIIC:i\ (719) C,JJ.8:\00, fox (71'!) <,,2Gli17. order Cron1 our wch si1c www.ushga.org. PlcJSl' ·c1Lhl 1$11 .s/h in the USJ\ .

192 I

TOWING DON'T C:FT Ci\lJC;JJT Li\NDlNC: DOWN WIND! 1.'i oz. ripstop nylon, UV treated, 5'/i" long w/ 11" throat. i\vailahlc colors rl11orncent pink/yellow or f!t1orrnTnt pink/white. $.l9.95 ( 1$Ii.Ti S/l l). Scnd 10 US\ 1(;1\ Winds,,k, P.O. Box 1 Ull, C:oloraclo Springs, C:Cl fl()')() I I:UO, (71 ')) (,l2 8.lOO, fox (71 ')) (,:32 <,•1 \ l, tt.d1gav1>11shga.org VIS/\/IV!C: accepted. Check the mcrch;mdisc sen ion of" our wch

site \V\VW.ushg:i.org for a color picture o( this awesome v,.rindsok.

i\EROTOWING J\CC:FSSORIES l lcadqttartcrs for: The li11est releases, releases, Spec! ra "V" bridles, weak li11ks, t:tndcrn la11nch cart kits, etc. TJIF Wi\Ll.i\BY RANCH (941) li2/i.()070. CI.OlJ]) 9 SPORT i\VIJ\TION l lang gliding equipment and accessories. Launch carts $500, partial kits ('il7) 22:\·8<,83 ( :lm1d'JSAG11aol .rn111 From rhc Telluride h:!aiv,d in l 981, to tlw mo<-km day

competit.rnL Follow the history of this dyuam· ,S;iiJ.')S C:.iJl lJSl!Ci\ (71')) (,J2 8300, /'ax (/I'!) (,.)2,(,/i 17, order from 011, wl'i, site www.ush~·,1.or~. l'lcasr add 1Sli domestic silt. i;«cccccccci;.

i\ucus1 1999

EDEL CORVETTE 2ft PC " Stolen from s1or:1gc locker in CLARK FORK, ID 011 May /i1h, 1999. I !01 pink/lime green, with trim 1ahs. Also CQ sernri1y chut-c, lrnrgundy vcttcr helmet w/scvcral site stickers

011 it (Funston, WOR, Dunlap, F.d Levin, etc.) And older red helmet. Rhoda, (208) 2(,6. I 505. Stolen fro111 desert cast of ]'ALLON, IIPAT 158 NV 011 August I 5rh, I ')98. White l.E, p1111-pl,"·/ltm1·/magc·ma unclcrsurfacc. Also CG I000 liar· (nr1rnlc/wh,11c/111i;wcn11a) and T:1ugen1. David,

"AEROBATICS" Full color 2:l"x ., J" poster fcamring John I kiney doing wh:ll lw docs bcst-1.00l'JN(;r Available tl1rough l!Sl /( ;1\ l IQ (;,r just $(,.'J'i ( 1$/i.00 silt). l'ill 1ha1 void on your wall 1 Srnd IO US!!( ;,11 i\crob,uics Poster, PO Box 1.lOO, Colorado Springs CO is09:l.l. (US;\ Cx C:rnada only. Sorry, NOT AVAIi.Aili.i·: 011 intcrru1io11:t! CJAJ. .. /\eroba1 ies &: Eric J{aytr,or,ct I\OTI l FOR $10 (1 s/11). Check section of onr wch .'>ilc www.u~hg;1.org for a color pil

llll'e

or 1lwsc bcalllifi,1 posters.

VIDEOS BOOKS & POSTERS C:111 US! !CA fo1 your Mnchandise order form (7 I <J) 6.l?. -i,:JOO, email: ushgaGi1u.shga.org, or check 011r ,vch page

Stolen from MOYF.S FLEX HARNESS & BAG locked up truck cah in l'llOFNIX, AZ on August is hlack with dark blue 12th, l ')98. Moyes li:m1css is also black with design. Moyc.s Flex "Moyes" dcsi[;n. Also, 2.2. gore chn1c, white tJvcx heln1c1. Karl, (602)')71-'J0'.,2,

STOLEN WINGS arc listed as a service to US! I( ;A member;;. Ncwl'st cnt rics arc in hold. There is no charge f()r this service and los1 and found wings or

cq11ip111e11t ,my be called in (71 ')) 652-8300 or fox it in (719) 632-6/i 17 for inclusion in I lang Cliding maga zinc. Please call 10 cancel the listing when gliders arc recovered. l'eriodically, this listing will be purged.

www.11:-.liga.org

DON'T J.FAVI: YOUR (;ROUND-BOUND EQU!PMENT SITTING IN Tl IF. GARAC;F.. SELL IT IN Tl IE I !ANG CUDIN(; CJ.ASSll'IFDS.

i,"

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISIN(; RATES The rate cL1ssi!tcd advertising is$. 50 per word (or grou11 of char acters) ,md './ 1.00 per word (,,r bold or all MINI MUM AD CHARGE $5.00. A Ice ol 15.00 i.s charged for each line an logo and $25.00 1,ir each pho10. LINEA RT & PHOTO SIZE NO I ARGER Tl JAN l .75" X 2.25". i'lc:1sc 1J1Jderli11e words to he in bold print. Special layouts 1:1\is $25.00 per column inch. Phone numbn 2 words. Email or web :1ddress ]words. AD DFADl.fNFS: All ad copy, instrnctions, changes, additions and canccllatiom 1nus1

be received in

I' lllnnths preceding the covci

date, i.e. i\ugusl for the October issue. Please make· checks payable to US! l(;A, P.O. Box l :no, Colorado Spri11g.1, C:O 8090 I UJO, (71 'J) 69-8:lOO. bx ('71 'J) (,52 <,ii 17 or email: yom dassiried with your Visa or US ABOUT ADVERTISING ON OUR WEB PAGE. WWW.lJSJIGA.ORG

Advcmurc Productions ...................... 29 Altair .............. ,.................................. ?.3 Angle of Aaack .. ,.............................. 62 Arai Design ....................................... 51 Ball Varios ....... ,................................. 39 Braunigcr ... ,...................... ,................ ,9 Flight Design/NAP! .......................... 49 1:lytcc ........... ,.................................... 57 Hall Bros ............................ ,................ 7 High Energy Spons ................ ,.......... 43 Just Fly., .... ,.................................... 2,29 l.ookout Mm. Flight Park ......... 2,27,43 Mastadon uc1str:11s, .. , .................. ......... ,:L. Moyes ...... ,,,,,, ...... ,., .......................... 45

STOI.FN WINGS &. THINGS

Neilsen-Kellerman ................ ,., ......... 45

AFROS STEAi.TH I 'i2 Stolen fiom QUFST AIR l'IJCI IT PARK, 1:1. 011 May 1st, 1'J99 (last of 1he N:1rs.) Red under, blue 1ip, 111yl;ir top. Call (21i8) Y!li 12),7 111hohglideG1laol.com

Persollal i:ligln ,. ................................ 39

AT BAC/l'IREBlRD C-SPORT 1. Lost a1 LAKE CHELAN, WA launch"'"'" hy iiH' towers 011 M:iy I (,1h, I ')'!9. i\T b:ig is purple/grel'll, (;lidcr is pink/white. Also SupAir purpk/whitc h:m1ess, rescrv<·, Piccolo vario. Darren 11:irt (970) ')25 21i8.l.

Sky Dog Publications ........................ 27 Sport Aviation Puhlicarions ............... 43 U.S. /\cros .......... ,.............................. 57 US World Team ........................ :30,31 US! !(;A ............ .7,10,l l,29,31,39,44,45,'SG Wills

Back Cover

HANC Ci ll)INC

@ 1999 by Dan Johnson S'J'. PAUL, MINN., 'J'he U:agic death of Michael "Hollywood" Champlin sent a wave through tJ1e hang g] comrnunit:y recently. Whi othen; wiJJ surely document the inciden l:, j t cu uses me to th:ink c.1bout my longtime support oE rigid wings us u form of gLidc'r to ,;uppJement t-Jx, flex wing. One Lhing wrc, 've addc-cd to U1e equation :is control sur·· faces and for wil.hout " t::ick t.ime" (or ~;omr,thing equivaJ the, expE,r:ience ly new. 'J'ha good thing c-0xcept ... When an expc,rt: t:ackJes anyth:i ncr new, doubt can entc,r the Experts don ' al way,; know t:hey ' in "lean1Lng mode." 1/1/biJe discuDsing the Los::;, my wi [e Randee ( an HG o t: hc-,n;el f) reminded me rr-,cenL.ly of t:he old hang qL axiom that: ddvises you only change one thing at a time. In I earninq l:o ly gid,;, encountc,rs sc-cvc.c,ra1 things o t- once, amm1q them t:hr, use of con L:ro.Llab.l u ••• In the of t:he Millennium, one furl.lier adds the joystick, and l.hat.' ,s how J relate the ,.c:tory t.o Champlin. llere of i:ln expert: and wc,.Ll respected weiqht.pi1ot gel.tinq LamLLiar wi tb a joystick He wa,,; knuwLedqeabJe .in flex winq,; but wil,3 practicing spins in the Millennium. 'I'}w ,3n't lhe problem; d good th_inq You must know how Lo yourseJ t:icin9 ;';uch maneuvers from a problem and of li1n8 and a a] Luci<-:; onE:; of the:: best, ways to know L:hce aerodynamic ,_,ensations U1at-. you reco9nize tuat:ion and according.Ly. Champ.L was and had already done two wi Lh [)roper ::,pi it. On thC', t.hird his pu.Llout invoJvecl exc:e::;sive speed and the wing led. (The subjec o !:he 1 ure i /:self and 's remedies w:U I be }efl: for another report:.) Some observers c;mmested CbampLLn had not-: qone through process l:o .learn ent.ry and recovery o tbree-axis-·controlled aircraft. AL thouqJ 1 Cesm1a ning pretty dLot:ant from a Mi11enniwn, 1. may have been use,-· tuL. And even if it would nol. have, for Champ.Lin, how about.~. you? Maybe :i 1:' t.ime we Learned more a,; group of experienced weight. pi ots about: control surface LLiqht-_'? In cc;vent, my condolences to all who c.Lose to "l-Jo11ywoocl." ••• \ill,? leorn:ing more about i cfa as thc,y continue to have an impact on the HG world. And we enter the "second generation" of rigids, thee, ield continues to ,:c,hift. Ken Brown has backed away trom his jmport of the F'rench lxbo (a sLight.ly 1:eLined ) , and has joined with North American Flic1bt Des Lgn~;. NAT•'D imported the c1] ,;old in thc_c; USA and will now add t:he new Ghostbuster to tJ1e m 've ec_c;n them bo t·.h _in r·ance t. y and the, GhosLbu,sler like L.he A'J'OS l.s clearly ond qenerat ion mode.I . Brown wil.l rc"portedJy deal F'l:ight Designs and recently visited Germany tu Jearn more. ••• Another man who dedicated 1£ to learninq more Jim Zeiset, whose Pendulum A_ir Sport.s wi I t: the E-7 1.rom Josef Guggenmos. After O houn; hi,., new 'J, lil. c-; as cJajmecl (at 36 mph). He, also ran some three minute glides smoot:h a to ind sink rate of 140 fpm ( 1 claimed) . iE,et also found the BcighLs

ALJCjlJS I 1999

,;mall flaps help mucb on approach buL instead rna.i l~. devices. " Back on the ground, ,Tim package t:wice to a O. pound weight:. Look for more ough reporl~. i HG. ••• on FAI-sanctioned test in r,:uroland, evaluat.ions clone f;how about a 15% rformance advantage (measured jn average speed di f c ) for "stiffies" versus "flemdes." 'I'hi. s sugc:c;est:~; U1e bype about a 50% is overstated very :c;imi1ar t:u con:unent once' J_cred to me by .Leading Steve Pearson, oE Wi11:3 In fact, in the glide-off wrote, "lf t.he 14 ":, glide, t.hen A'I'OS j s ••• on Uw ect oE the Laminar and World Team members in various coun thei choices for the big conDav s traub repor that: f.Ly three Laminar S'J'r-:, two and an Avian Cheetah. ••• I much from Bob Trampena.u but be wrote in late May t:hat he beLLev(.c,s " stronqU1at tbe; performance Eoga1Lo-type a ive and well!" 'I'o prove it: he' his "Carbon Cantilevered Spa:.i:· and Flap equipped Sensor 610" with a new coming ( 1'5/J. squarPs and 6 foot-. span) . He c,xpressed that wings are twice l:he and points thouqh may wi Lh his Bob nol: with rigid design after his Sum:,Ex,d back in the mid-· '7 Os. But he felt. too many exif,t.ed and t:hat those same con·di t.ions hold today. new carbon spar 610 has ompJ c,d and dev0,lopment: work and Seedwings buiJ d:i ng up invcnt:ory produc t_j_on. 'l'he Santa Barbara company al.so web s i to help information en nc"w wing and hopes to gEc:t a write-up in I-JG ,;oon ••• \'\/h:i Le 'J'rarnpenau and other designers create new wingc;, crc"ations appear n work. One .such product it; "Bill's Wing Tips" from LI Cochrane, Can.ada. His t-. Lp,; are trumpeL.0,d "lower cost alternative t:o tory carbon tips." 'T'he co-I orful winglets (predecessors have, been plain gelcoil wbit.e ones) have proven popular with pro·t:otype us0,rr; and the t.ips now of lo sa White-only tart at. $2lil and colors add $26 more. inf.o 403 932 7303 or c~ al: i!J fx(JteJu L:. ne . ••• We' 1 wrap up thi month wit:h the return of the "Glider Condom" fro:n Mountain Wings in New York. [n you Lorqot, thEcse sirnpl e tubes lon9 and 6 Lhick) wbich " i fmuq1y over a hanq qlider weathE-,r, road dLrnt, rain, el:.c." GrecJ Black f,ays t.hat "when cairn:;, not mll y doer, your gJider get wet, t: alc.'lO cornes contact with acids, olls and fuc=-;ls t-J1at_ a re j n the, mist when you are down road." i"'or $16.95, thE, protection is cheap, we ] ... l ke t name ake gues Info: MtnWim:is@aol.com or at-. 914·-·64'l-33'7'7. ••• So, got: news or opi ons Send ' to: 8 Don,et, St. PaL1l MN 5 11-ll. Mes ages or Eax to 6'> 4 0 0930, o -ma J o Curnulu Man@ao1.com. THANKS.!_ 1

fusion 141, 150 Composite technology enhanced , competition class top level performance , now more affordable than ever.

cross country 132 , 142,155 Ser i ous XC capability in an economical conventional configuration .

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falcon 140 , 170, 195, 225 The world wide standard for entry level flight and unlimited soaring fun .

We make high quality soaring aircraft designe d and built to fulfill your flying needs for years to come . That's what we 've done for 26 years . That 's what we ' ll be do ing tomorrow.

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