USHGA Hang Gliding March 2001 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

A IDOi< c:11 the or 1-Jcmg CJ/iding The Winq c:1ncJ Why I! Works Sl<J/ls to U1c /3e~Jinner Level Skill<:; Lo rhe Novice L.cvel Condi lions

Plus

USHGA, PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901 l -800-,616-6888 fax (719) 632-6417 www,ushga,org

Books

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just

Of course, you can still order the old fashioned way: Just Fly Aviation Gear 252 480 3552 www,justf/ycom 1125 Harborview Dr Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 info@justflycom

ntents {USPS O17-')70-20 - ISSN 0895-431X)

16 Triangular Madness 2000 by Tomas Suchrmeh World-record serring in Ausl rnl ia's outback.

22 Teaching Hang Gliding: Andy Torrington by Bruce Weaver The smry of insrrucror cxcraorcli nai rc Andy Torri ngron at Kircy Hawk Kites.

30 Chasin' Frank by john C. Woiu;ode, il/11strlltion l~y Dan Cmvtrge John brd<s Frank Gillette\ I I-year-old Idaho Srarc record wirh an epic flight from King Mountain .

34 LZArt by !'rm! Voight Roger Baker's incredible Statue Of Libcrry an in rhe Ellenville, New York LZ.

36 Sonoma Wings: Go For It! by Leo Jones This Norrhcrn California club models a comest after a Brirish examrle.

Columns

Departments

Wing Tips, by Rodger Hoyt .................. 6

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

High Perspective, by M. Robenson .... 14

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

President's Comer, by David Glover .. .42

Calendar of Events ... .............. .. ............ 13

Product Lines, by O;rn Johnson ...... .. .55

Classified Advertising .. .......... .. ............ 44 Index to Advertisers ............................. 54

Dodgen, Managing Editor/Editor in Chie•f l'()unds, Art Director Charlebois, t11roy Grannis,

AIR& Dear Editor,

1'0:SnAA!,TER: SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS

CLIOINC, P.O. BOX 1330, Colcmido 80901 ,.'I 330.

MARCH 2001 VOLUMF 31, lssui: No. 3

Air Space is rhe Smitl1soni:1n Institution's bimonthly magazine. fr covers the spectrum past, present: and forure. For my money it is by far the best all-round aviation magazine. The January 2001 issue has, unusually, several items pertaining to hang gliding and paragliding, 'fhe first is a major feature, "Soaring on Silk," by 'fom Harpole. The article centers on one school, Airplay Flight Park in Washington State, whose insrruc·· rors include an ex-Alaskan women's boxing charnpion. Harpole describes the reverse launch so: " ... reminds me of handling drafrhorse teams, as I did in the forests of Oregon 25 years :1go." (There's nothing like analogy with fomiliar activities to get a point across.) P:1ragliding in the U.S. is fueled by individuals who have given up homes, businesses, and ways of life in order to fly. Iudced, the school is kcpr ail oat by a "cheerful coterie of Microsoft millionaires ... " Written for Air "~;1ace's readers, who arc familiar with machines with wings or fins and propelled by gigantic motors, the eight-page article with its hand fol of good photographs is sure to expand their horizons. The second item concerns hang glid-· ing. Opposite an article about the space shuttle's hundredth successful launch, and below an item on a newly opened naval warfare museum, the quarter-page article describes Los Angeles' newly opened Dockwcilcr Sr::ite Beach hang glider park. Jr h::is t:1ken instructor Joe Greblo 14 years of campaigning 10 reopen this site. Those who flew in the mid- l 970's will recall it as farnous in the pioneering clays of stand:1rd Rogallos and the early rigids. The article has a small but beautiful color photo of a bamboo and black plastic standard Rogallo lifting off. On the dune behind, multi--colored, dacron-sailcd, aluminum·frnmcd

Rogallos arc held pointing eagerly into the wind. That's not all. There's a short piece by Paul MacC:ready on rhe pedal-powered Gossamer Condor which, in 1979, crossed rhe English Channel from Britain to Prance. Many among the ream, including pilot Bryan Allen, were experienced hang glider pilots. 'fhc Gossamer Condor nowadays resides in the Smithsonian's mnseum. Air cf Space magazine's website is www.airspacemag.com. Everard Cunion England

Dear Editor, I've been an USHGA member for 19 years and I have to tell you that the December 2000 issue was one of the best ever six feature articles, all wonderful in their own way. Every page was a treat and l thoroughly enjoyed each one. This is the main reason I do not want to combine Jlang Gliding magazine with Paragliding. T live and ily in Marina, California, so I'm in the air with p::irag\idcrs on every flight. My wife and I have both taken paragliding lessons and I think ir's a spectacular way to get airtime, but other than rhe fiict that we launch and land in the same place, how we do our sports is cornplctdy different. A perfect example is my flying part· ncr, Eric. A few years ago he took up flying sailplanes. His stories :1bout going cross·co11ntry; acrobatics, altitnde gains, etc., were inc:rcclible, but J wouldn't want to read abom them in flang Gliding magazine. The same thing holds true for paragliding. Not one of those six articles would have meant a thing to a paraglider pilot. I know that this is a good way to introduce each orher to our respective sports, but that doesn't seem to be a good enough reason to sacrifice space in

H/\NC GLIDINC

our rnagazmc. J realize that with today's financial concerns we might have to do this. I personally would much rather increase our dues $10 to $1 5 a year (a buck a mag) to keep om magazine 1oo<Yci hang gliding. Dennis Bowman Marina, CA

HANG GLIDING HISTORY Dear Editor, I really enjoyed the article on Dockweiler Beach and had some followup questions. About the earliest history, the 1960's at least, it said (on page that Richard Miller built his interpretation of the Rogallo idea in 1963, then it was put into storage until 1966. One question is, I wonder what could have interfered with something so exciting to have put the project on hold for so long? The other question is related and comes from the caption for a picmre on page 24, Richard Miller flying his "Bamboo Butterfly'' in I 965. So there was a break between building and flying but nor as long as the above reference would indicate? These questions come from how much I absorbed and enjoyed the article, not to be critical or nitpicky. I am an cager and thorough student! Now that l think of it, when/where did the history show Bennett coming on the scene? From earlier reading (but not remembering that much) I got the vague impression that his ski shows were a major initial move in the early development of our sport. Peter Feneht Madison, Wl

Dear Peter, According to Richard Miller, from whom J obtctined the historical info for my article: "The BB was built in/outside a gcirage on a property adjacent to the cam6

pus of'UC at anyhow, in the hill, above I !aywcird, cmd was run down some minor slopes in proto~flight hefrm: being stored with an uncle who !i1Jed in San Ieandro. 7'hctt was the spring of' 1964. When f moved to Santa Monicti to t1if.:e up my position tis editor of'Soaring rn1.wanr.1e (S'eptember 1965 to September 1967) I retrie1Jcd the vehicle we (George Uvegcs mainly, and rm one occtision /\1acCrectdy) began the sessions at Docl.:weiler Beach. " It's not clearfi'om this description whether thefirstflights tit Doclw1eiler were in 1965 or 1966. !Jt'wor J966for two remons: J) I assume]oe Grehlo took some pains to verify the date, since the 34th aspect ~/'his September 9 event was based on that. I don't trust photo captions cts being historically accurate. The picture you refer to was pub-fished long after J 965, and the date in the caption may be wrong. Some ofthe captions in my own article (the ones Tdid not personally write, because they weren'tfor photos 1 supplied, tmd, in one ccise e1Jen the caption frJr a photo I did supply) were inaccurate. Most histories recount the original Lilienthal meet as having tahen place in Corona Del Mar, but Richard and! both agree that it actually happened in Newport Bec1ch. My memory is that Bill Bennett's first tour of'the US was in 1969. T'his w1is well Richard Miller'.,_fl{~ht:r, and, also, ofcourse, Bennett was notfrJotlaunching. His were considemhly more technically advanced that the Bamhoo Butterfly-type aru:ijr:atured the significant invention ofthe tricmgulrir control bar, but they were too small to be effectivelyfrJot-launched. It wets Dcwe Kilhourne, by most account:r, who firstfootlaunched one ofBennett'., wings, and it was Dave, reportedly, who was a!w the first to soar a Rogallo in extended_flight. ,n,nH,OW'C;JW'"

Mike Meier Santa Ana, CA

by Rodger Hoyt ''

ig Air Jcr," as Shirley is known ro his follow pilots around Medford, Oregon, has an ingenious cure for in-flight, dry-mouth syndrome: .Jolly RancherTM candies. Jerry recommends popping one just before takeoff. "Watcrrnclon is best," he insists. 'I 'he tart flavor srimulatcs your salivary glands, plus, simply holding the candy in your mouth forces you to keep your mourh dosed, drns prcveming Dming extensive prcpublicarion testing ir was concluded tlrnr each candy lasrccl abolll: lrnlfan hour. This 1ip, however, is offered with some reservation :rs the danger of' choking when slapped on the back hy rlrc heavy hand of tmbulcnce seems what critics contendvery real. Yer, this is ed about Michael Jordan's habit of chewing gum dming games, and now many NBA players engage in this practice, so far without incident. Incidentally, grape works roo. So docs sour

apple. tandem insrructor Rob has a 75-ccnt rip that can save $100! zippers wear, usually wear the pull (the slider mechanism with the lirtle handle) more than the zipper itself Continuing to use a sticky zipper will ruin the entire zipper by prernamrely out the plastic teeth. Replacing a 75--ccm pull, however, is fast, easy and can breathe new life imo an old zipper.

a seam ripper or razor blade, carefully cut the stitching rhat holds the zipper at the end of the bag and slide off the old pull. Work a new pull on10 the zipper, both zipper ends even. You will instantly notice the ease with which the new pull slides! Sccme the cur zipper ends with a plastic zip tie. There is no need to as it usually won't unravresew the el further. The most common zipper pull size is #10, available at fabric stores." Rob dai ms that he replaces at: least one per pull per week for pilots at his home site of' Marshall Peak in Southern California, and can accomplish the task in as little as five minures! !fr acids that newer Wills Wing bags don't even need the stitching cut frlr zipper pull replacement.

H1we a hot Rodger Hoyt; OR 97502.

or mail

HANC GIIDINC

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arc Laferriere, a very talented artist from Quebec, Canada (featured in an April 2000 Hang Gliding article by Jim Palmieri), sends us this painting of Ken Brown at the Morningside Glide Angle Comest. For more information and ro view more of his fascinating and beautiful arrwork visit http://www3.sympatico.ca/marc.laferriere/. He may be co ntacted at: Marc Laferriere, 179 D emers, Thetford-Mines, Quebec, Canada G6G 2M6, (418) 335-0943, marc.laferriere@sympati

s the saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for or it just might come true. " In our case we had been wishing to be a demonstration act in the biggest air racing event in the U.S. held annually in Reno, evada: the ational Championship Air Races. The event features five classes of airplanes ranging from biplanes to P-5l 's clocking in ar 475 mph 50 feet off the deck. It has always been a dream of the local hang glider pilots to be a featured demonstration ream ar rhe races to show off our stuff. Well, anyone who deals with general aviation knows that precision and time schedules are what grabs the attention of these pilots. Through a concerted group effort char is just what we did, and it was good enough robe invited back next year. Up until rwo weeks before the event we were on the choppi ng block to be taken off the schedule, but thanks to some big-hearted fo lks on the air race committee, Bob Bonham and Ric

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C"o111e celehrate Wms Wing's 28th \.0anniversa1'ywi.th us at:the Wallf!by · Ranch March 14"18, 2001, This will[)e the fourth year that world-renowned W,ilh~by Ranch (http:/ /www.w:.JHabyraneh.eorr1)h,1shost· the Wills Wing party and demo days. Ply.Fakons,·Ult:ra. Sp.opts; .Pusio1.1s 1 two new sizes of.the r(ag!G, a,ndthe11ew .ct1rved-rip.competitio11. gLider, (Sorry, 110 name yet) We will also. have the Swii1g Arc.us and new Sw.i11gMistrat 2 .for paraglider pilots to chedfollt. Join t1s for the world's best pilot gadmii:ig, Lots tlf nnd fun! The Wills Wing Eagle] 6.4 artd.1\1sJon 1.41 SP have been certified by the Hang GliderManufactw:er's Assqc:h1ticn.1.

.t"l<:iJ:tJ:wtn Calif<ln:lia ;1.ncltQ·.demoristmte

the feasibility of the. establishmem cif Drag~mfly tow dubs. in the On\:'.e again we have invited J:() ntilize the beau tlful f;1cilide~ of Jim a.nd. Connie Indredo .tt.Crazy Creek.Soaring, three rniles north of Middletown, California . "}::lung~ry'J{>eS,i;t,ai:li will b~ providing tht: J)ragonfly ae1:ptow s.etnfoar inatetii~L Seven.teen pil9ts f\'T ratings cllldn.g t:he tow seminars in

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Hang Ill pllo.ts are welcome. t.o enroll in the serinmars.

Wills Wing is 11ow.fi1t.rqtju~i\1g aU~alu: . 1 .(:fay' st.kti: p1·0.n1ptly,1t ?':OJ)AM ,vitha tt1i.11um, 22°minwidth., ''SliJ'>strcafri''perfbJ:.downtubes. These ch~~~tubes hav~ en~:mc:ered. ro be ,tble to serve as a lq:vv; et··cost substitpdon for the carbon do:vvntubes. originally used on the Carbon World Team control bar wi.thout ;i:1111 sa.cr1t1ce aerodyp.amic perfortnancc;\ Pil1::its int·.er~:Steid in .more tt1tonn.a1:1otr ci1nt11J1j tl.1.e '\y\t1d,tur1~. riel test res1 rlfs ortt:h.e '\K/illls \Virtg ,veb,sit<; at ! a.rnoye:s<Ei.a.ol.i~tn:n, www.willswi.ng.com,

· p·.· .. · ere Lehmann inf·c··.J.nn.s.u .s 1.,!.1a. . t·····. 6.·0·1·· aUof

you who. have been waiting breathless·· ly fo t news of hang gliding in the Pittsburgh area, the spring/summer edhion of the Daedalus HGC's f1ewsletter is avail .. able online at www3.pgh.net/ ~rncelravy/ t1;a~lewinds.bt mL Click on the Spring 2000 taJJ.

.· . I \'vebsite is up;indJlltlllilig. Check i.t .out atw\J\Tw.goup,com.br, There you'll ftnd all kinds of info about the n.ext flying season at <?llC of the best flying (and

America is hosti11g mm1.erous ia.erc>to'W clinics fo 2001 again tntro<tnc:e aerorowlng f() the pilot~ of

partying) in the wo.rld, The se:1son indudes fcmr events and we are offering over 7,000 U.S. cfollars in cash prizes. You'll also be abk to .111ake onH11e reser .. vationsforthe events. If you need further. t1}for111ation d!-)n't hesj.t;tte in contflCt.us.at valncfares2001@goup;com,br. 43,,,

VALADARES 2001 WEBSITE

The ''Valaclares2001'' Bra-ziLofBcial

Calcnchr of events items WIJ ,J, NOi' he lisrcd if only renrativc. Please include exact information (evcnr, dare, conracr name and phone number). !rems should be received no Luer rhan six weeks prior to rhc evenL We request two months lead time for regional and national rnecrs.

COMPETITION APRIL 15-21: Hytec Championships m Quest J\ir, Florida, $10,000 Right after Sun 'n' Fnn, Conracr: www ,quesrairforcc.com for more info,

'N, Contact: Aaron Swepsron, lonrar@lmindspring,corn, for more info. JUNE 22-2/i: V(/i/d V(/i/d V(/est Nq1,ionaLr. Competitive racing for all levels of pilots over a time-proven course, A great opportunity to improve your skills and learn abom competition flying, Fun competition wirh some of the besr pilots in the Wesl. Sierra sites include Slide Mtn, and McClellan Peak with wide--opcn LZ's. Location: Carson City/Lake Tahoe, NV, Includes: parry, T-shirts, Silver Bclr l3ticklc Awards. Rcgismnion $100 11nril May 30, $125 alter, C:omact: Adventure Sports, (775) 883-7070, advsprsvilpyramicLnet. JUNE 23--30: St1nditi X-C' thal lengr, Come om for Sandia Crest. You'll have seven i-o make your bcsr X-C's! Last year I 00--milcrs were common and a couple over 200 miles were logged, Trophies: Longest afrer Cumulative Three Besr Days. $100 entry June I) gets you guide pilots, free oxygen rcfl!ls, T-shirt, maps, barbecue party and more. Bonus: X--C: seminar by rop pilot Dave Sharp, Minimum raring Hang 3, 50 hrs., wirh X--C, mo1mtain thermal, foot-launch and mrbuleucc experience. Drivers available. Ifang gliders ( :lass I ,md II only. C:ontacr or send reg1st1·,m,on: Sandia Soaring Association, l'.O. Box Alb11qucrquc, NM 87191. Visit www.flysan-di:1.org wirh qucs1io11s or ro p1·int a copy of the rcgis-rrarion form, Regisrer early as spots arc limited. JULY 5--10: 200 f Red !Jull V(/ing1 Over Aspen, Aspen, CO. The formal for this year's Red Bull Wings Over has changed. The Paragliding Cross C:011ntry be replaced with Paragliding Aerobatics. The compcririon will feature rlnee disciplines: Paragliding Acrobatics, Hang Cliding Acrobatics, and llang Cliding Speed R11n. 15 pilots in each discipline will compete for a $36,000 prize purse. for more infor-marion or if you arc a top pilot and would like ro compete, contact: Othar Lawrence, f\y(iilrcdbull-\\rings.corn, or visit vvwvi.rcdbullwi11gs.co1n.

JULY 6-8: 2001 King Mountain Meet, Moore, Idaho. $50 entry fcc. Open-distance X--C: along a spccificd romc. Tons of prizes, handicap scoring, barbecue, great shirts, wonder/id bonus I,/,'s, super extra--spccial trophies. nice people, great inccnrivcs for early rcgistrarion! ( :omacr: J ,isa 'I 'arc, Meet Dirccror/Organizcr, I 171 (, Fairview Ave., Boise, Idaho 83713, (208) 376--79 lli, (208) 18/i 6667 cell, Zoolisa(l1)aol,com.

MMic:11 2001

AUGUST 18--25: /J.S. National<, Texas, Austin Airsporrs, Hearne, TX, Contact: sburns(i1lausrinairsporrs.com, (97')) 279--9382, www,ausrinairsports.corn for more info.

FUN FLYING MARCH 10--1 I: Annual series o/1oimerJlyin8 Cotes Cliffs, Baja, C:alifrirnia, 80 miles south Fnscnada, Mexico, al a 10-mile--long, 250--foot--high cliff located on a deserted Mexican beach, Flying usually starts before noon and lasts all day. No facili-tics, so bring everything you will need for the flight m Clcn Crater and 'I 'he Po inc Smfing is good and fly .. ing is great. household donations thar can be left behind for the locals. Comacr: Mike Hilbcrarh, (949) Ii 55--0032, ctearncr<i'\1sa.net, or eteamvvbiteme,com, APRIi, 14--15: Second Annuttl Mt, Neho Spring Ning J,l)'.. /11, wirh the Central Arkansas Mmmrain Pilots, at ML Nebo Stare Park, Dardanelle, Arkansas, Pilors must be a rnrrenr l Lmg 3 or better 10 fly, Camping and cabins arc available rhrough the Swte Parl<. Contact: James Linscomc, (501) 890--li8/i9, w1,:py'~"r,cca111rc1·nc11.cc,m, or Dave Dunning, (50 l) 967 · For information on cabin and campsite reservations cill Mr. '.\lcbo S1ate Park al l-800--261i--2/i58.

!(itf's' 29th !lnm1al H,mg Cmnes, Omer Banks, party with friends at tbe beach and fly rhc famous dnncs ofJockcy's Ridge, Join in rhc spot· landing and pylon course competition. Individual (beginner through advanced) and ream evenrs, Bring a ream or join one once you arc here. Sec the larcsl and grcarcsr hang gliders and ulrralighrs at the Air ( ;ames held ar Currituck County Airporr as we compete once again in spot--landing, bomb drop and alti1.ude gain, Favorirc act iviiies at this evcm include rhc .Just Fly Film Fcsrival, the Woody Jones Srreet Dance (hack in our parking lot), and rhc newly formed Annual Kirty Hawk Kites Instructor Reunion. J ,asr year we had a grear time celebrating and former instructors. Come party with us ycar1Prizes for all compcritors, I ,0ok up details al Comacr: Bruce Weaver, brucc~1lkittyhawk.corn, (252) !iii 1-21i2G, MJ\ Y 26--28: '/ hr 2 f st !lrmual Dry Canyon Fly--!n, in 1\lamogordo, NM, Conrcsts, trophies, barbcrnc. Cood air and wonder winds. Enjoy desert rhennals while your family enjoys the cool pines of Cloudcrofi. Minimum llang 2/Para 2., with mounfoe: $20. tain experience, TUR and AWCL. Comact: l(obin Hasrings, (505) 5/i JUNE 2: ! Ith Annual !IOPA Fly--ln and Open Hou.re, J\OP/\ !Jcadq11:1rtcrs, Frederick Municipal Contact: Warren Morningstar, Airport, (301) warrc11,morningsrar<i1laopa.org, JUNE 29-JULY 3: 1-akeview, Ore8,m Umpteenth Fli,~ht. Registration on Junc 29, pilots lllccting and registration on Jnnc 30 ar 9:30 AM :ll Cham her of ( :ornmercc headquarters. June 30, July I and 2, awards on J1tly 3, Fun and prizes for hangies (Sugar Hill--Lakcview Trophy Dash, Spot--Landing Conrcst), and Baggies (Mosr Accumulated Miles, Spot--! ,anding Contcs1). Fly J ,ake C:ounry's fi-icndly skies, land in om friendly

with your buck Kegger at Jules and on July 1 and you can lly in! The best · n,U,,·H·,·1,, free flight evenr on rhe I ,cft Coast. Contact: J ,ake ( :ounry Cham her oF Commerce, 126 N. E Sr., Lakeview, OR 97630, (511) 9ii7--60liO, or "Ccncral" Cilparrick, Lakeview J\ir Force, (51 I) 9/i 7 3330, ircc:H1t,ct1Jtranspc,rLc:om.

MJ\Y li--6: Chelan !Jutte, V(I.A Beach 'N Spot landings, race ro the beach, famous barbecue !eccl, rons of' fon! ( :onract: I .arry Majchrzak, sk,'dOf?,l/.1'relev,1r.com. al Moumain near Creer, enjoy and cornpcring (spot, duration, X--C:, balloon toss, ere.) ar this hc:mtifiil sourh--focing mounrai11, Plaques awarded to all first--, second-- and third .. place finish-ers in all competitions balloon toss). $20 cnrry foe for compcririon $IO for hm flying. Fly--ln T--shirrs available. is 1,500' A(;L C:011tact: Paul P.O, Box 2121, Brevard, NC: 287 I 2, (828) ""f ,.,,.,,", plJrnrmcr1plc1'crtcom.ncL Neho hu/ 0/ rhc C:cnrral Arkansas Mounrain l'ilors, at ML Nebo Stale Park, Dard:mclle, Arkansas. Pilots must be a cmrcnt Hang 3 or better to fly, a11d cahi11s arc available rhrough rhc Srare Park J .inscomc, (50 l) 890-481i9, wispyG1lrcailllemcLcom, or Dave Dunning, (501) 967--0570. For information 011 cabin and site reservations call Mt. Nebo Stare Park ar J .. AUG. 25-26:

Summer Fl)'--fn,

CLINI CS/MEETlNGS/T'O URS MARCH 10--11: Mexico 2001, Cotes Cliffs, Baja ( :alifornia, 80 miles sourh of Enscnada, a 1O--milc-L)'IH001H11gn cli(T on a dcserred Mexican so bring cv,c,ry1:i1111lg to Clen Crater and The good, household donations can be for rhc Contact: Mike Hilbcr:1th, (<Jli<J) li'i5-00:)2, crmmcrGili1sa.ncr, ercatnvDbirerne.com.

UNTIL APRIL l 5:

'/he fropits G1111temali1. For

a full itinerary visit us at wvvw.t1,111,,gt1,cJ1111g-guarcrnala,dc

JUNE l --2, 3--1: (overflow/rain dates June 8--9, 1() .. 1 I) Moyes Amerim aero/ow dinics, at Crazy Creek Soaring, three miles norrh of Middlcrown, California. USHCJ\ members, Hang [[I minimum, of aerotow instruction, five Price: $275, Two slow--climb tows to , use of glider, all tow equipment, sire use for two and one nighL Contact: Kenny Brown/Moyes America, Clidcr info), www.moycs.com.au (Moyes w¥1w,z1p,,co,m.aw' --11101,cs (Dragonfly Info), 200 95603, (530) 888-- 8622, Hillcrest Lk, Auburn, fax 888--8708.

by Michael Robertson Stuart Mill said "I ,anguage is rhe of the mind." OBE would say at r, light; don't know about the light. For OBE (our fictionalized central character, Old Bald Eagle) flying, family, friends and fooling around (in no particular order) have been the lights of the bocly/rnind/spir· it package that be inhabits. ls it too weird for a flying column to get philosophical? Hope not. Afrer all, history and philosophy arc dance partners and flying's biggest lessons arc allegorical. said Rumi, a Sufi poet in the year 1 love and the making thereof is the way to the light. The gurus arc garrulous about all paths ultimately leading to Nirvana. Though this bliss is within, exterior similes

help find it. If we're all headed to the same place we may as well enjoy the ride. Being weiglnless is certainly a light path. I taught a minister who told everyone hang gliding got him closer to God. Birdlikcncss is a privilege we enjoy routinely and for most of us linguistic exchange is a pan of that pleasure. Iflanguage is a light of the mind, then surely conversation is a highlight of bnguage. It really broke OB E's heart not to be there with so many old-timers at the Dockwcilcr Beach reunion to light up our memory blanks (an age thing), as such stories arc wont to do. 'They do remember when sex was safe and hang gliding dangerous. Being an active pilot and teacher, OB E's priorities remain with his students. He supposes it's sufliciem to reminisce witb these articles, but he bets they arc flashlights compared to the floodlights of that reunion. We (OBE and f) would love to hear about it from those who basked in that beacon. Actually, anyone's ruminations about the good/bad old days arc always welcome. Many, as they age, seem to think that the days of their youth were bcner than now somehow. In this new age, thee arc going so fast that experiences seem flimsy and fleeting. Certainly in hang gliding OBE has no illusions about the past being better. The flying he is doing now eclipses the flying that he once did in every measurable way (except experientially). In fact, one of the most wonderftil things abour being involved with these wondrous birds is that rontinely each and every flight blows previous superlatives away. Tliinking abom Hying just recently with the fall colors at their peak and the passengers so joyful, it's so mind bending. Comparing this summer's boat towing to YE's (our main character's Young Eagle stage) experiences in the early days, is like comparing sunlight to shade. OBE recalls the last tandem last summer, flying with a 200-pound passenger in 25·mph winds. 'fowing ro a couple of thousand foct at four in rhc afternoon and catching a mystical, huge piece of lifr, allowing a leisurely climb to 3,000 foet was awesome! Flying now is a corn-utopia of pleasures. Thanks be given. Then there were the dark ages. YE was at a tournament in hirt Worth, 'Texas. The year was 1969. Remember, as always, the names arc changed and the story is fiction-

al. Similarities to reality are accidental or coincidental. YE was the reigning world record holder in tricks and shlom and was the dcfonding U.S. Nationals Champion. During the practice on Friday, YE, the rest of the flat kite flotilla and the small crowd of spectators were awed by a Rogallo coming in from across the lake at about 1,000 foet. It was so beautiful to sec him gliding in like an eagle over the land-bound, ugly duck ling flat kites until the landing, when he attempted to pur it on the beach. His appro,1ch was too low and he proceeded to clip the top of one of the fl,lt kites, then beak badly. Still, YE was enraptured by the sight of free flight. The of the conversation that ensued when YE introduced himself to Wylcy Bcannur follows: "G' day mate." "Well gee, WB, we've been fooling around with a homebuilt Rogallo in Florida. Would you consider teaching me to fly th is one?" "Well Mate, y' sec, it's me livelihood. And if you were to break me glider, me family would starve and l'd be out of work. Y' sec [ only have the one glider and if it gets broke bloke, I'm buggered. Besides, ir takes a God to fly one of these. I'm one and you're not." Hi\NC GI IDIN(;

So Saturday came and the competition began. YE set new records in borh events. He had a big lead. But YE quickly realized that the star of the show was not he, but the wee Aussie delta dude. WB's afternoon show was a real eye·opener. He decided to take off right in front of the much larger Saturday crowd. This, 10 YE's amazement, because the wind was blowing in his back at about 15. WB had the glider in knee· deep water with one loot in the slalom ski and one foot on the lake bottom. As the boat bit it 1,300 feet away the static line "launch" was less than impressive. The glider lurched ahead with the tail pushed down by the negative sail. WB was not able to hold the weight on one ski and fell forward. 'The round, water-grabbing plastic Aoats caught the water. The glider pitched nose down. When the nose hit the water the kingpostless glider broke in half at about the same momem the rope broke. What followed was a shocker. WB and an assistant brought the wreckage out of the water, disappeared for l O minutes and appeared with another glider which they proceeded to set up for a second attempt. This met with a similar fate. A third glider miraculously appeared from the station wagon hidden up heh ind rhe hotel. On the third attempt, WB took off from across the lake successfully, had a beautifiJI flight and landed in front of the crowd. T'his time YE got a good look at WB's face as he screamed in ro land. His eyes were wide, his knuckles white and his face frozen in fear as he once again narrowly escaped disaster. YF again approached the rascally Aussie about some training on his 13-foor srnn-dard. With his cover blown, WB agreed to Mi\l~CH 2001

take YE out for a flight at sunset. YE should have known better. The instructions were short and sour. YE was instructed to climb straight behind the boat on a 500foot rope and then practice turning the glider back and forth to get the feel of it. While light on the ground, the winds aloft were stiLl blowing 15/20 as they came across the lake. The glider rocketed into the air. YE kept it straight and was topped out almost instantly. Cool. The glider sounded like a large flag Happing foriously in a 50mph wind. Well, actually it was. YE attempted slight weight shifts one way and another but the glider seemed locked on its heading, as if nailed to an invisible board. WB continued to hand-signal vigorously to YE to make the glider turn. Finally, by pulling his weight all the way to the corner, YE initiated a turn. The glider inverted in a heartbeat and accelerated straight at the water. Crewman, Brave Born-not-to-Kill, fortunately released YE instantly. BK saved the

day. As a result, the glider had nearly recovered when ir whacked the water. lt still hit so hard that YE went right through his pair of trick skis. Within minutes, YE's ankle began to swell and look like a pomegranate. By morning it was a purple balloon. YE had decided not to compete in the finals on Sunday, until he learned the committee had changed the rules overnight. tlistorically, the finals determined the results in the individual events while the overall was determined hy the scores of both days' competition. YE duck-taped the ankle and retained his title. Ab, the good old days. More pain and gain to come, although OBE is dedicated to the belief that the latter need not involve the former. Language can also help lighten the body's lumps by learning from the mistakes of others. Pay it forward.

Photos are oj'the author flying tandem on a North Wing T2 in Pennetang; Ontario, Canada. l:d. Ill

And they'll also receive a $ 20 gift certificate redeemable off their 1st lesson from a participating school. US. HancJ (jlidinc3 Assn. PO 13ox I:JJO

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Triangular Madness

2000 by Tomas Suchanek PREFACE BY BILL MOYES GerolfHeinrichs returned co Europe wirh his new design, rhe Litespeed, and cook one for Tomas co test-fly. A few flights later Tomas cold Gerolf rhat he believed the glider was capable of a 600-km flight. Gerolf relayed Tomas's opinion co me and I called Tomas co tease him inco a return co hang gliding from his new love, sailplanes. I asked, ''Are you going co just tell us about rhe glider's capab ilities or are you goi ng co show us?" Tommy's answer was, "Ase you going to send me a ticket to Australia or are you just going to talk about

The next day rhe word was out that Tommy was coming to cown. The phone rang hot from pilots wanting co join rhe trip to our favorite record site, Wilcann ia. Bob Bailey and I decided rhat we wo uld need to rake rwo dsagonllies, as rhe towing from rhe flat desert terrain would be my responsibiliry. The chosen time period was December to take advantage of rhe duration of the days' summer heat. The final crew included Tomas Suchanek (Czech Republic), Attila Benok (Hungary), Gerolf Heinrichs and Thomas

Weissenberger (Austria), Conrad Loren (New Zealan d), Victo r Becan (Slovenia), Radek Bares (Czech Republic), Noma Yasuhiro (Japan), Bob Bailey (USA), and Bill Moyes (the only Australian). Ir was a co rally international assault. Daily laLmches were from a clay pan on the Riverside propeny. The hard clay was a good, smooth surface for the mg and the dolly, but it was like standing on a mirror wirh rhe sun's heat reflecting from it - 40° plus (centigrade) every day and an extra 10 degrees on the clay pan. The pilots were all pleased to get out of d1e clay pan, and the crew was pleased to see d1em go so rhey could get into air-co nditioned chase cars. The guys flew up to eight hours each day. This was the most grueling week I have witnessed. Tommy never missed an opporQL.11iry to better a reco rd and pushed the envelope to rhe limit. When rhe lid was nailed on d1e coffin of rhe Las t record we were all pleased to pack up and drag our poor dehydsated bodies back to rhe cars and so me moisture. Tommy was d1e exception. He treated rhe exercise as a warm-up for the World

Left to Right- Back Row: Attila Bertok, Conrad Lo ten, Bobby Bailey, Tomas Suchanek, Vik tor Becan, Bill Moyes. Front Row: Tomas "Weissenberge1; GerolfHeinrichs, Noma Yasuhiro, Leo 16

H ANG GLI DING

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Use only as directed .

Sailplane Championships robe held in South Australia in .January. Twenty-four hours after completing a 300--km flight Tommy was in a sailplane in Naromine flying a 750-km triangle. This guy is different!

Back in 1993 the Moyes gang started ro explore the Australian outback with the vision oflong flights that would extend the existing distance and speed hang gliding world records. Looking back, I can say that we succeeded with three tandem world records flown from Hillston in December of 1994, and speed over a 150-km triangular course in 1997 from Hay. The little town of Hillston was no longer suitable due to its relative closeness to the Grear Dividing Range where we had to land on the tandem flight with Corinna afrer covering 360 km, so Captain Bill yelled that famous "Go west young men!" and we went. The last fragment of civilization before running into the Simpson Desert appeared to be a little town on the Darling River called Wilcannia. It's a pretty rough place with an 80% aboriginal population and the most policemen per citizen in Australia. A few wild stories kept us on our best behavior, but I tell you, the thermals there can be even wilder and stronger than the ground stuff; and thm's why we based our operation nearby at Riverside farm. 18

Lots of pilots 1m1de their personal longest flights ow of Wilcannia and }-fillsum, including mine, Corinna's and Bob Baicr's 367 km with a landing in Corryong, Attila Bertok's 405 km to Victoria, Darryl Cooner's 360+ km and Drew Cooper's longest flight in OZ, 428 km from Hillst:on to St. Arnaud in the stme of Victoria back in 1993. Because of this potential, Bill Moyes kept encouraging the old crew during the year to try once again, and that's why the wheels starred spinning on December 5, 2000 in the Moyes factory at Botany, chopping down the 1,000-km drive to Wilcannia. The first lirtlc bunch included my Czech mates, Leo the driver and Radek, and Kiwi pilot Conrad, in civilian life working as an emergency doctor (he was considered a great support for our intentions), and tow pilot and designer of the Dragonfly, Bob Bailey, whose only fear was the total absence of any McDonalds restaurants at our destination. But he survived it for t:wo weeks. The Dragonfly was assembled the next day and on the morning of December 8 Wilcannia welcomed us with a southwest-· erly breeze and blue sky. We decided to take a little warm-up flight up the Darling River, taking off with our stock Litespeeds around 1:00 PM in a good, hot 25-krn/h wind. Struggling between 500 and 1,500, I was the only one to reach the first clouds two hours later near 'T'ilpa, while Radek and Conrad landed and started their longest sightseeing trip by car in the Australian outback. The first cloud surprised me with a solid meters per second and

A ttilt/s sunset pose afier his 200km recordflight

H1\NC CUDINC

suddenly everything looked much better fl·om 3,500 meters AC!. at cloudbase. Not taking anything under three m/sec l cov· ercd 180 km in the next two hours ro reach Bourke ;111d the .:300-km distance mark at ha! f' passed live. The gap between my position and the rcrricv:11 car became much wider, some 120 km, although rhc boys were probably breaking all speed limits on the din roads and rhe police cars could sim· ply not keqi up wirh thcn1 anymore. By the way, when passing the rown of Louth, l hir the strongest thermal of' my Iii~:, wide and solid 8.5 m/sec on my Flytec averager all rhe way to the cloudhase! '] 'he afternoon and evening pan of the flight was comidcrahly slower. Rccem flooding of rhe Darling River affocred the thermal conditions rherc and rwicc l found myself down to !iOO meters above rhe deck, ol course in rhe middle of nowhere, but l managed 10 get the lifr as well as the radio connection wirh my retrieval and finally I landed at 19:4 5 on :1 dirt road some 50 km northeast ol'Brcwarrina and ii:)() km from our Riverside takeofl I passed Drew Coop· er's old distance record by only two km. Nor bad for ;111 afternoon joy flighr, except that the landing arc;1 was full thirsty mosquitoes and the nearest form house was beyond the horizon. I starred walking toward civilization, which is the least pleas-ant parr nearly every distance attempt here in the outback. l had only covered some eight kilomc· lcrs when, surprisingly, I could hear my crew on the r:1dio. The rest was easy, and we made it back to \X/ilcannia the next day

to meet hungry Attila (die [fon) Bertok known in the flying cornfrom I m Im iry by his nickname, and rhe rest of the pack as well, including our legendary driver and psychologist Jed Cilmour from Stanwell Par!<. The ncxr morning there was no wind ar all and we decided ro rake advantage of it to have a go at triangular courses. Attila, su/frring from his, as Ccrolf calls it, "kilo meter bug," declared the longest tri:rnglc in the world of 2/i 9 km. We lcfi: Riverside shortly after midday together with Japanese Noma and Conrad. I prdcrrcd a shorter course and rricd speed over a I ()() .. !<111 rrian· The stayed blue the whole day, although some lifi strengthened ro live

m/scc and I rounded my triangle with a sran and finish point at Riverside and rum· points at White Cli/TJC:N and Capon form, within two hours and :\9 minurcs for the new world speed record of'liO. km/h. C:elchraring in the we were pleasantly surprised when Attila rounded his triangle and landed afrcr seven and a half'hours, establishing the new world record for the longest triangle flown in a hang glider: 249 km FAJ. I le later reported srrong lifr over the red ground area soul hcast and cast of Wilcannia, with the srro11gcst rhermals reaching 2,900 meters ACL. There arc only rwo major roads rhis way, Barrier Highway going ro Cobar and Cobb I lighway to Ivanhoe, h1111hc second

MARCIi 2001

1<)

Noma wondering i/a 13luc '/rmguc Lizard is good to cat. ahout Noma. leg, Cobb I Iighway, is a dirt road and there is a very poor track system in between. We all admitted Attila's courage when crossing the road between his first and second turn· points. We were not t:o know that we would be crossing this area ourselves every second day during the next week. December 11 and 12 could be consicJ .. creel as serious rest days since we only flew some 140 km to Ivanhoe and Tilpa, although the boys reporred very strong lift on the second day, reaching altitudes of 4,500 meters AGL, the highest in Australia for as long as l can remember. They were stopped by cold, bur clouclbase was anot\i .. er 700 meters higher! December 1It was the start of an excellent period of weather, the son of weather that allows you to fly more than you can handle and makes you start praying for rain after a couple of days. Bill Moyes pushed delicately, as only be knows how, for long ones. A very light southerly with early clouds encouraged us ro say, "Why not?" and we all went fc)r a 300-krn tTian· glc: from Riverside: via Mourn Manarn and Narraport. The heavily populated area on the second leg was really promising, regard· ing some walking and fun in case of an our-landing, but fortunately not one of us did. The f1rst leg w;is prcny rough going into a light headwind, with average thermals between four and six meters per second, but the 3,500-mctcr cloudbasc saved

us from the unexpected! Borh Attila and T

had a low save after the second turnpoim near Emmdale surf club, while Attila also scratched the ground right after the f1rst one, bm ftn,1lly we both rounded the course with the new world distance record around a triangubr course. l could also claim the world speed record over a 300·-km triangle with an average speed of km/h. Two in one I never can resist a good offer! 'The smile on Attila's face also documented his mood, I suppose, as he completed one of his dreams this day. He has always pushed for the long ones, whether home in Hungary or home in Australia. J still remc:rnber the first day after the Porbcs Pladands six or seven years ago when he completed a 2()0 ..lnn ou1 .. :rnd-· return while the rest of the field was rccovcri ng from rhc previous day's party! Gc:rolfI lcinrichs and his mate Thomas arrived in Wilcannia on December 15, and the boys wcm for speed over a 200-krn triangle, declaring the course from good old Riverside via Bushlc:ys and Alma Park farrnhouses. Finally, Attila went around in less than five hours, establishing the new world record with ;i speed of 41 km/h, and Con·· rad also managed to complete the task. 'They reported strong lift and cloudbasc at 3,200 to 3,ltOO meters AGL and a bir stronger sourheast wind. I rook the day easy and declared baby tasks, first a 50-km and then a triangular course near Riverside:, with the landing in between

them. 'This was a good day again, as some seven m/sc:c thermals were found and l completed the flrsr triangle: via Nettalic: farrnhousc and Wilc:annia airport in one hour and five minutes for the new world speed record of IJ.6 km/h. Later, on die little triangle, I averaged 50 km/h, also the world record for speed. Three in one day cveu better! December 16 started pretty early. Clouds appeared in the sky shortly after 11 :00 i\M, and after a short discussion we declared a 357-km-long triangle: via Cohb Highway and Marfield Rd. JCN with the second turn point at Bulla farmhouse. Boh rook us gently to the thermals with good help from Bill Moyes and we all could head down frJ!lowing Cobb l·Iighway. A light northeast breeze formed nice cloudstreets, making the first leg easy for me. Attila and Gc:rolf went a little bit later on the course and suffered some delay from different conditions. The second leg to Bulla farm beaded more cast compared to previous days, where no··man's land turned into tiger plains with an absolute lack of roads and farms during some parts of the flight. Cloudbase rose frorn 2,500 to 3,200 meters later, and T had to test the abilities of my I.itespcc:d to climb from low right after the second rnrnpoint on the edge of heavy rnin. Well, nothing special, but l managed to climb and to get away. But my exposed handheld radio suffered some damage from the rain so I could not rc:ly on help from the ground crew anymore. The second critical point came at half passed six in the evening, when I went down to less than 200 meters AGL in the middle of the hush and far away frorn the ro:1d. One hour of torture, when low, was

IIANC GUDINC

•.,-,,,,.,,.,,~ 1

" ' " " ' - " ' . . . . .J

Date: ............. , .. , .. , .......... , .... 12/10/2000 Pilot: ...... , .. , ....... 'Tbnrns Suchanek Republic Hang glider: .. , ........ , ........ , ... Moyes Litespeed 4 l~cotd typ.e: , ... , , . , ......... Speed over 100-km triangle Sta.rt point: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. , . Riverside 1st 'fornpoint: .......... White Cliff & Meena Murtee Rd. 2nd ............ , ..... , ....... Capon farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . , . . Riverside ................. ; ........... 40.krn/h

Date: ........ ,, ......... ,....... . ...... 12/15/200() Pilot: ................. ·n)m;1s Suchanek - Gzech Republic Hang glider: ........................• Moyes. Litespeed 4 Re'.cord type: .. , .............. Speed over 25,,km triangle Start po11lt; ................................ Riverside 1st 'fo.rnpoint: ............. Barri(;;r HWY&Tilpa Rd.JCN 2nd Ti1rnpohit: ......... , ...... Cobb&Bartier 1:{wy. JCN Finish point: ........................ , .. , .... Riverside Reached speed: ...........• · .................. 50 km/h.

··'-''"J~,,AJ 5

, ....... , ..................... •.• .. 12/14/2000 Pilot:. , .. , , .......... Tbmas Suchanek- CzechRepti.blic Hang glkle:i:: . . . , , . , . , . . , . . . . . . . . . ... Mtlyes Litespeecl 4 Record type: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . over 300.,.km ufangle point: ... , ... , ................... ; . , . , . Riverside 1st Thrnpqim: ................ Mount Manara fanJ1house . , , . , .. :,, .......... Narraport farmhouse ... , ........... , Riverside ... , .... , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . krn/h

Date: ..................... ; .... , ..... , .. 12/15/;2.000 Vilot: .............. , .......... Attih Hermk - Hi.:mgaty H.angglider: ................... 1 • • • • • • MoyesLitespeed 5 Record type: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Speed over 200-km triangle Start poim: . ; ................... , .· ........• Rive.rs1de 1st 'fornp.t>itit: ..................... Bushleys fonnhbt1se 2nd Ti.u:npoint: .................... Alma park farmhoqse Finish point: ...........................•.... Rivt:tside ReachecLspeed: ............................. 4lkm/h

•... ,; . , .............. 12/15/2000 .. ..•. . . .. . . .. .. . Suchauek Republic Hang glider: ....•.................... Moycis Litespeed 4 Record type: ..... , ...•....... Speed over 50:,km triangle Start point: ................................ Rlvetside 1st T1.1rnp.oint: . , .....••............. Netallie farmhoLJse

.................... , ............. 12/16/::2000 Pilot: ................. Tomas Suchanek l~p11blic }lang glider: ......................... Moyes :p.tespeed4 Recoi:d .............. 357~knftriangle Start pc1int: ....... , .................... ; ... Riverside TurnpQit1t: ........... Cobb HWY & Marfield Rd. JCl';J 2\'rd '1lm1poim: ................ ; ..•.... Bnlfafa1:mho.1:1se Finish poh1t: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • Riverside Reached s1,,eed: ................. , ..... ; ... '. .45 km/h Reached distnn~:e:. . . . . . . . . . . km qver tdi1ngi;ilar course

2tidTtu'npoint: ...... , . . . . . . ......•. Wilcannia airport Fit1 i~h point: , . . .• . ·• , .. , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Riverside J'-\C<'l\..HCCLl.

·, ·, , , , , , , , , • , , ,. , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

km/h

pending PAI·approvaL

Hnally remunerated with a one rn/s gain some 28 km from goal. Final glide was a piece of cake and [ crossed the finish line at 7.52 PM afrer an eight-lrnur flight, averag· ing 45 km/h on the course. Unfortunately, Attila could nor cross the death area due to rhe later time and landed some 50 km short, while Conrad cur the corner to Emmdale and made it back home flying a 300+ km triangle. Gerolf and the others went down on the second leg and they all had been picked up by Bill or' ['hornas and made it back home just in time for Bill's barbecue. December 17 started with a fresh northeast breeze on the ground, although the pressure gradient up higher was nor too promising regarding the strong wind. We declared a far goal in Horsham, Victoria, MARCIi 2001

jusr to ir a go. Bob was excellent with the Dragonfly once again and placed all of us near the Riverside start gate. The first 100 kilometers were in blue, some stuff exceeding four m/s, and then we reached the trough line and cloudbase formed at 3,400 meters. The bad news was that the wind stopped. Some of us kept going and f finally landed 31 1 km from Riverside just southeast or Mildura, close to where Attila landed four years ago. 'Typically for a prefrontal day, rhe last two thermals wenr to 4,050 meters AGL and even my special Moira thermal wear did not keep me warm enough. Seven hours arter takeoff [ had to land just before a gust front of rhe approaching southerly. Radek reached his longest distance when he landed 260 km from the st·an point and

was saved by a local farmer from hail and thunder. Bill picked up the rest of the pack except Lukas, who decided to follow the Cobb highway and then spent an unforget· table 24 hours waiting for retrieval at the lvan hoe pub. Finally, I would like to thank all who helped us on this trip, especially Bill Moyes and Bob Bailey for getting us airborne, and Moyes Gliders for providing the best tool. I should mention that all the records were set with serial Litespeeds in standard configu· ration, not eguipped with fonky carbon uprights or base bars. Jed, Leo, Thomas and Bill were excellent as the pickup drivers, and my personal thanks go ro Attila for his "pushing Ji)!' distance" force. That's all folks. See ya there next time! Ill 21

TEACHING HANG GLIDING: SERIOUS FUN (PART 1)

A Look Into the Life of Instructor by Bruce Weaver, photos by Ann Thompson hether it be allowing the one-rime student to fulfill a lifelong dream, or training somebody to fly solo at altitude, we change that student's view of the world forever. The satisfaction gained through reaching and the lifestyle it affords the instructor is difficult to march. The feeling you get from being a hang glider pilot is similar to knowing a secret that is so important and precious to you that you don't necessarily need to share it, bur if asked about it, you are anxious to explain it. The job of the instructor is to explain "the secret" through reaching. How an instructor explains "the secret" is almost as important as "the secret" itself Safety, of course, is the number-one priority in teaching, bur there are many other factors that make the learning experience more efficient and valuable, certainly nor the least of which is just plain having fun. This is true with any subject. Many of our best teachers or professors in school were the ones who taught in such a way that it made us enjoy the process of learning, and it didn't really matter what the topic was. Hang gliding instructors are fortunate, because the subject matter they teach is extremely fun. It is the instructor's job to maintain and build on that fun and funnel the excitement into a positive, productive learning experience. Being able to do this safely and successfully is the challenge of the instructor. Andy Torrington is a master at this. He has been a hang gliding instructor since 1993. He started out as an assistant instructor and is now a tandem insrructor and Lead Trainer at Kitty H awk Kites' Instructor Training Academy. The Academy, for those who are unfamiliar, is a forum by which people can come and be trained from their first lesson through their

Tandem Instructor raring and beyond, at no charge, while they are employed at the school. Andy is a graduate of the Academy, and has experience reaching on both coasts. Through his reaching career he has developed advanced skills and instruction philosophies that allow him to teach both students and future insrructors. He rakes his job very seri ously, bur within his job he bases his teaching on having.fan, both fo r

the student and himself Teaching hang gliding is seriously fun , so as an instructor, take yo ur fun seriously. Andy does. Good Andy. Enjoy. BW: So, Andy, where are you from? AT: I'm a first-generation American and I've lived all over the country, bur I was born in Indianapolis. H ANG GLIDING

It's hard to think of many better jobs than being a professional hang gliding instructor. Now it has its drawbacks, it can be grueling and there is certainly no threat of challenging Bill Gates in financial prowess, but these are far outweighed by the benefits. The obvious benefit is being able to fly whenever you want. Then there is the gratification you get from knowing that through your work you are permanently changing someone's life for the better. M ARCH 2001

remember being absolutely blown away by an instructor named "Booger" (Greg Keo· ho). I le was nmning full speed off the edge of the southwest hill inro a full flare! ft was blowing about 15 mph, he would level out at 15 to 20 feet above om heads and look clown and laugh! Then he would flo:H there. I couldn't believe it. lt wasn't about cloudbase at that point, it was about breaking the chains of gravity. It's an enlightening experience to those who have done it, very dreamlike.

BW: ls that ti common reaction? AT: \Xlell, after everybody's first flight they

BW: How long have you been a hang gliding

instructor? Kf: I started teaching in 1992, during my summer breaks from college.

BW: What glider do you fly? AT': Anything I can get my hands on. As an instructor I can fly whatever gliders we have in the shop.

BW: Married or single? AT: Single.

BW: Flvis: Dead or alive? AT: Dead. BW: Ginger or Mary Ann? AT: Definitely Mary Ann. BW: Where were you at 9:37 PM on the night offufy l 9, 2000? AT: Umm ... I was out back of my house playing music and talking about bang gliding. BW: Ah, but do htwe any witnesses? AT: About s. JO other pilots and instructors.

BW: Oh, okay Vvell in that case, how did you get started in sport? AT: f was a supervisor for the outdoor recreation department at East Carolina University, and was trying to a job at Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head, NC. I had scheduled an interview at a job fair that we were holding, and as l waited at the table for my interview, I struck up a friendly conservation with the two guys in the next booth you and David Glover from Kiny Hawk Kites. You guys convinced me to try a lesson. 'Jwo weeks later I was hooked. Actually, I'd been hooked on the idea ever since I was a kid.

BW: So you were pretty young when you first _figured out thatyou w1mted to fly? AT: I have always assumed that everybody has t.du)(/ys wanted to fly. I've been having flying dreams since I was a child a foll. on sprint to a prone dive into the air and away I go. I thought this was a universal fantasy. So when I first got involved with this sport, I thought 1 was on the leading edge of a spirit that would sweep the globe. Maybe that was a little yombfid idealism, but we're still working on it.

BW: 1Tow did yourfirstfli&ht!lrsson RO? AT: lt went great. !fad it not been, I may not have taken this direction with my life. Rich Cizauskas and f were in the same beginner class. It was the spring of 1991. I

are either very excited, very proud, or both, and a lot of times the reaction is, "Good thing its all sand." After the first flight I think that a lot of people's misconceptions are cleared up, bm "enlightened to the point of obsession?" l don't think so. I can't explain why it is rhat certain experiences are more meaningful to some and not to others. Not everyone is touched in the same way, but of the thousands of beginner lessons we teach a year, enough of the fanatical few come through that I know I'm not completely alone in my obsession.

BW: How many people haveyou tau7,ht? AT: Well over 5,000. BW: That'., a lot ofjieople. How many times

do you think you hrwe run up

down d1t1t

AT: I figured that out earlier this year. l forget what the total number was, lim I remember that I figured our rhat I have covered over 3,000 miles sand while teaching.

BW: Out of'all those students, is there any

one that sticlcs out in your mind over rd! of' the rest? AT: I've had a few srudems who were wheelchair bound for one reason or another. The general public doesn't know this, but paraplegics can hang glide! There's a young woman named April, who has come to fly Jockey's Ridge several times. She's definitely one student who has made an impression on me. She has cancer and can't walk, but once she's airborne, she's just like every other student in class. Her determination and true appreciation for the feeling of flight is inspiring. It rakes a special approach with students who can't footlaunch, but in the right conditions they can join in just like everybody else.

BW: Soaring the sand dune at jockey's l?idge or the dunes of'thf' hcach is not eClsy. h'xp/ain whClt thai;- all ahout. AT: Flying is about having fon, and soaring the beach is the most fun I have ever had. It's a sensation much different than you get at alrirnde. At rimes you arc inches away from the ground and the sensation speed is very real. That, coupled with the challenge of being perfocr in every maneuver, makes it rruly exhilarating. One of the benefits of soaring two· to 20-fr>ot-high dunes is that if you /all Ollt of the ]ifr, the walk back up to launch is not too tough. You also have the ability to soar rhe face the hotels, which is also challenging and a lot of fon. Once you get used to it, it is not too hard with the right glider. But, because of the low, tight turns, flying a stiffer wing can get a little sketchy. Soarablc beach days on this side of the continent arc nor as common as on the west coast, and arc certainly memorable when we get them.

BW: Many people haue a lot of'misconceptions ahout ha:ng gliding. Wha:t is the thing you have hcen ashed c1hout MARCIi 2001

AT: First of all, one of' the nice things about being an instructor is that we arc able ro clear up a lot of misconceptions about the sport. Ilcrc alone, we introduce about l 0,000 people per year to the sport. Each person has his or her own theories and notions about the difficulty and safety of hang gliding. But when people leave here, they understand that hang gliding can be just as safe, if not safer, than any other sport, as long a you get the right training and approach it with rhc proper amoum of respect. Ir's important for them to be able to carry that knowledge hack home and be able to spread the word. Okay, the weirdest question? Hmmrn ... besides whether or not Flvis is still alive? Well there is the ustwl, "How do you breathe up there?" and, "Can you control where you go in that thing?" and, "Do you put those weights (the wheels) on there ro keep them (the students) from getting 100 high?" and, "Do you have a death wish?" etc. One day, a few years ago, we had a woman call the shop to sec if she should help one our pilots. It was blowing cast at about 20 mph, and a few of the guys were soaring the hotels out on the beach. They had been up for a couple of hours and she was concerned that they were stuck up there and couldn't get down. She offered to throw them a line to help pull rhern down. We thanked her for her

concern, but assured her that they would come down when they were ready. Another time, a spectator was sure that the gliders soaring the dune were being helped up by lines am1ched to helicopters. These arc all innocent observations from an uni formed public. We arc working every day to get people more educated about the sport.

BW: Didyou have any role model, when you fi'rst started, like mefr;r instance? AT: Uh ... yeah, sure.

BW: Aw shur:hs. AT: Acrnally, I've been really lucky to have been on the inside for such a long time. Ir was especially uscfid when I was training for my tandem ccrril'icarion. I was doing tandems with all those amazing pilots, but mainly just picking their brains for pointer.,. So, here's a list of the people who have influenced me the most, in chronological order: David ( ;Jover, Scan Corner, 'forn \Xlebsrcr, Jon Thompson, Bo I fagcwood, Paris Williams, C.W. Meadows, Reeves, Ken Brown, Kamron Blevins, Pat Dcncvan, Rob Bachman, Jim Prahl, Russ Brown, Campbell Bowen. This list could actually go on fcircvcr. And seeing John Harris soar rhc dune before I had it figured out was pretty inspiring too. BW: M1'. Ro;,allo lives hen "1 Outer lf,m/,s.

7r;

What is he like? AT: He's extremely lrnmhle. Ile is one of the great men of the 20th century, and it's

an honor to be around him. He is a hero to rnc and everyone who lives here. BW: Whcu wasyour proudest rnornent cts cm instructor? AT: T'here are so many things about being

an instructor that you feel good about, bur the feeling of signing somebody off on a rating is pretty cool. It's a very authentic accomplishment. And d1ermaling with a student and hearing him scream "Y:1hoo!" is prerry cool too. BW: Whctt wets your rnost ern/Ja;,7a,,sm,1r rnoment as an instructor::

AT: You won't get the most embarrassing moment out of me, but there was a time when l was new, and C.W., Scan Comer,

and both Glovers were taking tllrns so:ir· ing Jockey's Ridge with the shop 1O··meter Pulse (remember, this was a fow years ago) and Tasked G.W. if J could "give it a whack." Not good. BW: But what ctbout the had your students out there and you rniJjudged your dernonstmtion fl~(ht over the pond? Ar: Shur up. BW: Yrm are the Lead Irttinerfrn" the Instructor Whttt is thru r.dl about? AT: Basically, the Academy is a variation on what has been going on ar this school and orhcr hang gliding schools for years. 'Thar is, the easiest way for a pilot to become a good hang gliding instructor is lo practice his or her skills and apprentice a good hang gliding instructor. The 'frainAcadcmy expands on this concept, and

1 by And;y 1brringtrm

7:00AM T'he alarm sounded, and it was time for the day's first dec.ision profcssiona.l attire. I stared at empty hangel'.s on my clothes then pulled a white T-shirt and a pair of shons out of an open drawer. As it turned out, the shin was sorta whit:ish,,yellow, an.cl upon closer inspection the shoulders were: worn thread,harc (frorn carrying back up the dune).

''Okay, !bat instructor shirt is officially retired," l thought as I pitched it to the floor in the comer. I grabbe:d a tank top Instead. One of the other instructors had already tumed the weather channel on ,rnd I walked out into·the living room to the familiar sound ofl.ight jau music coming from rhe TV: Ir's "Your Lo,:al Forecast," 7:08. timing. The cast was hot (micJ .. 9Q's) and sunny with sout:hwestwinds at 10 mph, a typical summer day. By midday the sand would be hot enough m1t on the dune that we would need to wear socks,

7:13AM I rode my bike :\cross the street to check the waves. There were a fow long boarders out enjoying the smooth 10·-mph offohore breeze. J knew it wouldn't last past noon once the sea breeze kicked in. f convinced 0

myself that the waves were s1nall and I missing anything. (I wasn't really fooling myself; the waves were dean.) I took the bead1 mad to work. ltlo<)ked at the pier. Maybe I could catch some at sunset.

7:25AM I got to work in to finish my donut just as the Stlit(tents· st,trte:(l arriving to check i1J for class. Our lsn1dents and the other instructors were already on their way out to the dune to start up the glicJ .. ers and equipment. 8:00AM All of the on the schedqle had checked in and Thad divided them up into classes with their instructors. I'd be working with two HangJ students again this mom .. ing. The other students were divided up among the other instructors. 'rhc same offshore wind that was shap .. the waves was giving us condJ .. tions on the southwest: hill, and the stu.. dents were laughing and having a blast. One of rny students was still having problems with his flare dmlng, so we 100k some tim.e to go over the "two-step" flare aga.in. As it often happens, something frnaJ .. ly "clicked" ii1 his head, and the next flighr and flare were He felt it. Fk figured

is based on a mcnror-rype training process. There is a set curriculum in place d1at will take trainees from their first hang gliding lesson ro rhc point of heing a professional instructor. It's a perfect way for good, moriv:ited people to gcr into the sport and the profession of hang gliding. "T'he Acade my provides the equipment and oppormniry for people to learn for free, and then continue gathering airtime and experience on their way ro their tandem rating. It is not a simple or easy process, bur for those who have a burning desire ro learn how to fly and how to teach, it works om very well. The training is based on, and expanded from, rhc USTICA rules and guidelines for instructing, and as the trainees advance they arc constantly evaluated and tested. It's a great system and the only way I, like many orhers, would have been able to get inro rhe spon.

it out. And he: p.wved it with many flights afterwards, My other student was dialed i11. Every one of his flights had been Hang I caliber. As the class went by, the wind gradu-ally began to get lighter, <md the sand grew almQSt uncomfortably hot, By the end of the ehiss the wind had decre:ased to about mph. From southwest hiU you have a view acrciss the sound to Roanoke Island about miles away, which is right off the .mainland, I could already rnake out a wisp or two above the i$land. "It's going t(l be a good day at the airport," I thought. ll:OOAM

011 the walk back in, everyone was loud and happy taking advant!lgc, of the morning's great conditions. A couple of the studems had dipped their carabinei:s together and were playing tug-of..war, another waved his souvenir at them the only bent downmbc after over 80 flights. He was very pmud. My students were stoked.. They had .passed the flying port.ion of their I·Iang I reqnirements. They decided that rhey would take 1:he to review r:he training manual and take test in morning. As we next group I stopped the lead i11$tri1c1:or to fill him in on conditions. asked. "Not yet. But it is getting hot out there. The windline is a few miles offshore. I'll bet it cmsses at 12: 15," I said. H/\NC GIIDINC

BW: What does it take to be an instructor? AT: Basic attributes for any instructors arc that they need to be ahlc to communicate well, they need to be very patient and posi-tivc, t:hcy need to be knowledgeable, and of course they need to be safety conscious. Past that, a good sense of humor and a lot of enthusiasm seem to help too. One additional requirement that's a little: more unique: ro our teaching environment at the beach is the physical side of it. 'leaching 10 classes a week in the summer he:it and humidity is not easy. Since one of the requirements for new instructors is that they run down the hill with their students, then carry the glider back up the hill well, simply put, it's not: something th:ir everybody can handle. Those of us who enjoy this arc very lucky, bur it's not right for everyone. It doesn't t:ike long for me to see who will do well and who won't make

. "Yo\t'rc on. We need to g1;al~ a couple

ofred lii;;h:nets from yonr st11de.rits. look that:!" He.1,oiniedtowa.rd Roanoke

· Tsl;ind/fb."e.

MARCI! 2001

it through the tr::iining. A lot has to do with motivation. lf it's flight that motivates, then no problem. Since we often bring people in with little or no flying history, it is imperative that they have a burning desire to fly and that they :ire p::iticnt. By the time they are cle:ired to the assistant instructor level they will have spent almost 200 hours preparing. And even then they arc nor finished training, as they arc required to attend v::irious advanced seminars and clinics throughout their employment. BW: As an instructor, what's a typical day li!ufor you? AT: Wow, that's going to take a while, how about I get back to you on that?

BW: ThanksfiJr the time Andy Kitty Hawk Kites is very proud of Andy and all of the other instructors who have ever t:1ugh1 for us, from those who only taught one season to those who have gone on to become major figures in the hang gliding industry. With the Instructor 'fraining Academy, we've refined a process that has been going on for years. And through this Academy we will continue to produce skilled, professional instructors and pilots, who will go on to affect the lives of thousands of people. These ::imbassadors of our sport will help spread the word to others who may not have ever !mown the truth ::ibout lung gliding. The more people who know our "secret," the better off we will all be.

BW: Okay (see sidebar).

donately known as the Rc:>gajlo u,1:,Lw:1:J to go.

i:10:w:genuin<::

by}ohn G. \Voiwode, illustrrttion by Dan

John Woiwode breaks Franh Gillette's J J -year-old Idaho State record in an (JJic flight launched frorn King Mountain that crossed over seven mountain ranges along the rrirely flown "Ruby Route. "

cy hon, what c1rc those

big, prehistoric, dinosaur-type birds?" "Hmm," she mused, absently, "I think 'pterodactyls.' Why?" "Well, I just saw one." «Mmm, hmm. That's nice, dear. Why don't you sit down? Your dinner is ready." And so went a recount of my final glide four miles before landing observed by a rancher from a near·

hy mountainside.

It's jusr tough to do big cl istance in Idaho. On a really good clay, t:bc best can crack 100 miles, though despite the persistent efforts of some very talented regional pilots, those flights arc not common; just a frw arc Jogged per year. We don't see our barefooted friends setting up the World Record Encampmenr in Idaho, and with good reason: the mountain ranges get in

the way. In the flatlands, frontal systems sweep through and pull the instability behind them. Mountain ranges, on the other hand, create their own weather, and wirb them heaven or havoc along a crosscountry route mostly havoc, often regardless of rhc fronuil system passage. One only has to look at the transition of world distance records from the Owens Valley in the early l 980's to flatlands ever since to fully understand :tnd appreciate the point. In Idaho we live with these meteorological microcosms en route every time we fly cross-country. That's why no matter whether we've known it or not, we've all been chasing Frank Gillette for a long time. He's always been the flying icon to aspire to, the hero of our flying. He's been around longer than anyone else, longer than the trees. His l daho State record of 162 miles flown in 1989 bas been equally difficult to surpass, ;md every year that has gone by we've realized more and more the significance and accomplishment of that flight. Even more so now: Four years after the advent of rigid wings he and that record were still on top untouchable. '!t-y as we might, with all the advances in our equipment and pre .. sumably in our skills, we couldn't even come close to reaching the bar he had set for us to fly over so many years ago. Last year had seen some early flights in the 60- to 80-mile range, and 100 was cracked earlier than ever with I 06 in late April by local pilot Ken Cavanaugh. Regionally, we were ,ill jan,ed; finally, this

HANG GL!DINC

was the season. Then, inexplicably, rhe nying dried up. No real distances were being nown, although peak season was upon us. Through the summer solstice, even by July, nothing. Only by the King Mountain Meet, on the seventh to ninth of July, did we finally start to crack through 100 again, though King only yielded four I 00-milers during the meet, each logged by a different pilot, the longest being 113. That, despite a field entry of almost 80 pilots, including several World Team members, and excellent weather and an open--distancc format called every day. Man oh man, what docs it take to do the big ones here? Five days afrcr the King meet, Friday, July 14, the guys were heading ro King Mountain. T'he day dawned with some of the ingredients l wamcd to see: There was a wide temperarnre spread predicted, 40's at night to high 90's during the day, so it would he unstable. It was dry, so cloudbase would be high. And early during setup, dust devils bounded up the launch ridge. Bm then high cirroform clouds started to push in from the southwest and 110 cumies were developing anywhere near launch. What the heck, we're there, let's go. Ken Cavanaugh launched flrst, fr)l-· lowed hy F.iji Yakoda. I was third, clocking in at 1:25 PM, and Dave Kriner was fourth, all in the air within 15 minutes. C:limbout was tedious, the King Mou main we know and love; she rarely gives much early. I pulled our of Lhc squirrelly lift at 11,300' and new north toward Rams Horn Canyon, Ken and Eiji along with me, Dave lingering back. Still no clouds nearby, a few well to our north, mayhe 20 miles, cumies, ragged. Hmmm. We climbed some, deep on the north side of the canyon to 12,000', but I wanted to sec if it was more unstable further to the north. I pushed on down the ridge. Our current flight path along the range was perpendicular ro the intended course route. The numbers aloft were west-southwest, indicating the rarely flown Ruby Route. We needed to make rhe decision soon to go over the back of' the Lost Rivers to the next range downwind, the I .em his, and then to the Bittcrroots, which form the backbone of the Continental Divide, rhen on into Montana. Well, routes didn't matter anymore. I was getting drilled out in front of' Sunset Ridge. Chairman Mao once said that "the longest journey begins with the first step."

MARCI I 20Crl

My journey, however, was rapidly ending before iL got started! While Ken and Eiji were fighting it out and slowly climbing at Rams I lorn Canyon, and Dave was now climbing out at King, I was heading out over the foothills of Sunset LO land. Three miles north of the guys and down to 8,600', I zero sank in a shred and contemplated a glide back into the wind and their canyon, or fight the foothills farther down the ridge? The broken lift eventually builr and drifted me back onto the ridge of Sunset 11,500'. That serried that decision, and persistently I pushed nonh along rhe ridge, still perpendicular to the course line, looking again at those ragged cumic clouds along the range across from Mackay, 15 miles ro my north. But il got worse. As I slowly dribbled along the range in the weak conditions and against a now quartering headwind, Eiji, then Ken, made rhe call to go over the back from the head of the canyon at !4,300'. Dave then made the call to go over at King. But not me; I was plowing lower and lower on the front hills of the range. Down to 9,600' ar Pass Creek, 13 miles north of launch, I radioed thar l would try to get up and over at the Pass, hut it didn't look very good. The venturi there was full 011. I rocked and rolled into the rnrbulcnce through Red Rocks and the foothills north before finally getting around the corner and starring a light dim bout. 'I iying to conserve altirnde against the

headwind, [ skated across the front face of Invisible Mountain at 10,500', and on the next peak to the north. Wow! It's here! T-loly srnokes, right where the ragged clouds just began, the lift was thermonuclear! I eased my Laminar deeper and deeper into the violem column until I was full on at 1,350 fpm on the averager, 6().. degree bank, gripping and ripping, drifting back with the climb. Ah yes. Thank you! But I was drifting hard and was too scared to go straight over the bck this low. 'I 'his section of the Lost River Range is the widest and most formidable point for a crossing, so I staircased it. I punched our in front at 13,500', hooked another part of that rocket, thermaled back, out in front again at 16,000', hooked another solid piece, and as I climbed and drifted rhis time, sipping oxygen and hunkering deep into the harness, I calmly rold myself that this was it, rhe one: "You arc over the back of this huge section of mountains. Get into that zone of tracking, ignore the fact that you forgot your bar mitts and can'r feel your gloved fingers, you need altitude and drifr." Ever so careful not to exceed 17,999', I radioed to the surprised driver 'foni who was racing around the south end of the range rbar I was over the back north of' Invisible. Yahoo! Ir had taken an hour, bm I had flnally taken rhe fast srcp in rhe long journey. I drew a bead on Bell Mountain (11,200') in the Lemhi Range 25 miles directly downwind. It looks like the Grand

'Teton from the distance and ever more so up close. I had a tailwind component of about 18 mph, and so tiproed across the rnassif of the Lost Rivers, picked up a little zero sink along the way, and moved to Bell as if on laser track at a ground speed of 62 mph. With no cu mies for rhe crossing, I was intent to get where rhere might be bet· ter lih. There was a lone cumic on Bell and a few to its north, so I had reasonable hopes, although it takes a long time to glide 25 miles, even at 62 mph. I aimed for the north shoulder of Bell's canyon, figuring the dying cumie would have ripped from the obvious rock scree there, and maybe l could get on that train. But J was too late, l only got the trash of its departure, gaining 1,200' up to 11,:300' in the swirls and eddies. Radio reports from the guys weren't good: Ken and Dave had already landed in the valley behind King, and Eiji was land· ing imminently. I was acutely aware thm the best of flights can be stopped so fast, especially in Jdaho, th;it the ingredients of a long flight include getting through all the bottlenecks, and l was ar one. J,ifr would be no good out in the valley the guys confirmed that so I stayed deep against Bell and flew to its south shoulder to pick up apparem windward southerlies that were indicated as valley Aow. Thar worked a thermal came up the ridge, and I cased my way back with it, across the impressive face of Bell, and drifted off the north side. The next peak to the north was deeper on the range and directly downwind. I let the drift bring me over to it, and pulled up to 15,500'. The lift was broken, but I was glad for no more altitude. My hands were still

numb from that first climbout 15 and change would be fine. l radioed my position, got a clear response, rhen aimed across the wide valley for the Bitterroots and the Continental Divide. J was chasing the cumies. What few were there were well out in front of me still. My target on the Binerroots was Eighteen Mile Peak to the northeast: large, brown, big shoulders, no trees, the highest point (l 1,300') along my route of travel. Down to 12,000' crossing the broad valley, I struggled to find something, anything. 'fo the Peak's north, fairly deep onto the front side, J tracked broken into solid lift and made the decision to go over the I )ividc at 1:J,000'. Still climbing at 16,600', four miles over the backside, T radioed my posit·ion as over the Bitterroots. ·fhe fuzz on the return was the last I heard from my teammates for the next eight homs. J was corn-pletdy on my own. It was 4:00 PM. East of the Divide was where all the cumies had gathered, skittering over the Binerroots and hiding in Montana, those sly dogs. I had gone from zero clouds to 80+?1i cloud cover once l crossed the Divide. How frustrating. Now 1 had clouds, but fow were working; most were weak and dying. Looking north, J smiled when I could make out Ellis Peak 15 miles away in the Tendoy Mountains. I recalled a 116-miler J made frorn there at my first Gram fly-[n IO years before. I knew rhe way from there! So, in the weak conditions, drawn like ;i magnet and quartering now to the tnilwind, I worked my way toward Ellis Peak, fighting to hold altitude. Bur down to 13,500' two miles south of the Peak, I had to forger this notion of Ellis and stay with weak lift LO get some altitude that would enable a crossing of the '11:ndoys. The light, broken lifr drifted me a mile east of Ellis and over the range, though only at 14,500'. I lined myself up with rhc Blacktail Mountains on the east side of Clarks Canyon Reservoir. ·rhe overcast was thickening, and little was working. l was really doing everything to just stay in the air, ,rnd was just barely. Two miles south of the reservoir, over the 1-15 Interstate, I picked up a light thermal at 12,500' and told myself to get back into that zone of drift. This was the only game in town and I needed drifr and alti·· rude for the next crossing of canyoned noman's land and folded mountains of the Blackrails on course line to the Ruby Mounrains. Prankly, there were no other

choices besides circling down and landing at rhc reservoir the terrain was very inhospitable for the next 15 miles. J massaged and milked the light stuff, and at 15,600' l stopped circling, still climbing at the same rate. There was no discernable core; the area was all gemlc buoyancy. Believe me, I was happy to stop circling for a bit. I was so cold that I was alternatively using my righr elbow, then h,md, to help guide the control bar. I was high enough to get over the Blacktails to the Ruby's, so while tucking in my righr hand for warmth J sighted across the Blacktail Mountains toward the first of the three peaks of the unusual Ruby range. I then noticed a darker, embedded cloudstrcet in the complete overcast that pointed exactly where f was going. This never happens! horn 15,600', incredibly, I never made auotber turn for 34 miles! The vario kept chirping happily, ever so lightly, and I raced toward, then along the Ruby's, my altitude rising to 17,300'. What a fantastic ride! My ground speed was a minimum of 62 mph with the 18-mph tailwind, slightly faster at higher altitudes. But I was so, :m, cold, both hands numb for the past four hours, my right band more so, now a frozen claw that I kept pushing into rhc front of my harness for bits of time, my whole body shuddering with hypothermia. There went Dillon to the west. I was past 100 miles. Oh, the joy, the pain! Land? Noway. The deeper I got onto the Ruby's along the cloudstreet the more and more virga surrounded me on both sides, and now in front. Aside from the bitter cold I didn't want to get any higher because of the thickening overdevelopment. I kept a minimum of2,000' beneath cloudbase, speeding up when rhe street pulled upward a little harder. At the end of the range the wall of virga in front completed the base of a long horseshoe around me, and even though I was ar 16,000' rhe dark l OOCYci overcast and the heavy virga started to give me that nagging feeling that the flight was over. Indeed, f plunged into the virga on course line and fell 5,000' in the blinding snowstorm. Out the other side, srill 1000/(i overcast and under even darker skies, I was looking for a place to land. The massive "fobacco Root Mountains loomed ro my north and west with Sheridan at their base five miles straight west, and Twin Bridges to its west a few miles further. 'Twin Bridges was my goal call, and HANC GLIDINC

King Mountain launch. it would be an easy glide in a quartering headwind ro get to its airport, a sweet I :32milc declared goal. On my course line to the north there was no way to get over that mountainons no-man's land on the cast slope of the 'fobacc:o Roots with my altitude:. 'fo the cast, Virginia City beckoned with some broad, green fields like a pretty girl in a spring dress. One's mind wanders during long crosscounrry flights, maybe rnorc so when tired and hyporhermic. While dithering my next move for the next 20 minutes, generally holding altitude, drifting lightly while trying to firm my direction and plan, my mind flashed back to a conversation with Rich Pfeiffer a long time ago. "Woiwode," be ranted in his inimitable style, "you blew it!" What do you mean? "You made the decision to Lmd. You had all of us with that move, yet when you almost pulled it off, you made the dccisiou to land. You blew it and you just missed goal!" Get off my back. No way I intended to land. What a stupid comment. Why in the heck would [ have tried such a move if 1wanted to land? lt was the 1984 Owens Classic. The goal call was off Mazerka to Coaldale, with no tum points. · rhe latter point was very significant because the normal route call to Coaldale had a turnpoint requirement ar Boundary Peak at the north end of the White Mountains, then doglegged 90 degrees to goal. No turnpoint required! Could one fly the hypotenuse of rhat dogleg and cut a huge amount off rhc distance? I studied the maps, convinced that all the sky gods were going to stay together in a gaggle along the range. They never gamble, they just race in a tight group. Shoot, J had nothing to lose, and what an experience, no MI\RCH 2001

one had ever flown hang gliders across these valleys before! So, deep into Wesrgard Pass, climbing through 17,000', I went for it, following high country through awesome terrain, crossing sweeping valleys and aiming for high peaks, l pushed persistently toward Coaldale on the angle. No one else tried it, though Rich did cut the angle afrer White Mountain. But as I approached Coaldale the bottom fell out. [ got lower and lower, :md once below I 0,000' I stuck to a din road that eventually would lead to the town, so that if! landed l could get picked up. I landed six miles shorr of the Coaldale airport. lt was almost an hour later before the gaggle ofleaders came racing into goal off the dogleg. Rich saw where I landed from the air. "You should have gone to the painted hills across tbe dry lakebed; there would have been lifr there!" he ranted. [ pointed out that ifl sunk out I would have had a really long bike out. "That's it, the reason! Thar's why you landed! Yon made the dcci-sion to land, nor to get up!" He went on, the theme of which was that we ofrcn make the decision to land, most often subcon-sciously, long before we acrually land, that we then essentially predispose our flight decisions and our actions will inevitably lead to landing, whereas if we make the decision to stay up we would make entirely different decisions long before in rhc flight. By following the road Thad predisposed myself to land, whereas if I really, really wanted to get up, I would not have followed the road; I would have Down over bctrcr thermal-generating terrain, even though relatively low. Hmmrn ... My thinking was wrong. l needed different decisions, and landing was not one

of them, not now anyway. So on the cast side of tbc '] obacco Roots, in the I ()()(Jlo overcast, I went into search mode for ally-thing, a gopher fart, a lightest area of lifr that l could trickle with and drift over rhe range and over the no--man's land rn at least the green field I could sec 15 miles to the northeast. I eventually found a small piece, and amongst the gentle, swirling sheets of' snow falling on the Roots, circling for rhe next half hour, 1 pulled back up to 15,500'. l made the crossing and was back in the saddle again. Wow. Phew. My flight profile had been quite high to this poim, over 14,000' since the rocketing climhom on the Lost Rivers over four hours ago. The hard parts of the flight were done. I had crossed seven mountain ranges and was now essentially over flat land/rolling bills, with no major ranges to cross anymore. Unfortunately, it was late and the day was also pretty well done. Highway 287 norrh of Norris, paved and with cars, was a welcome sight. I was descending to l 0,000' and ir was looking like final glide. [ ,and along the highway? For the first time in four and a half hours, Feeling was starting ro come back into my hands, the pain of' recirculation into frozen body pans, as bad as I've ever fdt. I'm just glad I was om of radio range. 1 am sure my punctuated groans would have made interesting radio tracking. Out of curiosity, and now that some of my fingers sort of worked, J punched up the "Go 'fo" on my GPS, hit King Mountain, and it read 165 miles! Yahoo! I had it! Three miles past rhe state record, and I was still at I 0,000'. My mind switched ro the nexr goal, my longest flight, l '77 miles, just

Continued on pt1gr 49. 33

by Paul Voight, photos by Paul Voight and Lowell Tindle

The biggest news out of the Ellenville, New York flying site for the year 2000 had nothing to do with hang gliding - no hundred-mile X-C flights or spectacular midairs or any other newsworthy accidents, knock on wood! Basically, Roger and two ocher pilots, et we got more positive press, Tom Mackey and Tony Covelli (owner of more spectators, and just a the flying site), came up with the idea one whole lot more public awareness evening after a good day of flying (and not of the "activity'' of hang gliding at Ellenville, because an artist/pilot named landing in rhe rings). They cooked up the idea quickly, bur obsessed over what image Roger Baker orchestrated and executed the to "paint" for a while. The Sracue of Libermowing of a 1,600-foot-tall image of the Statue of Liberty in our LZ! ty rose to rhe top of the list due to its recognizability, its association with the The story is relatively shore and sweet, and I'll let the photos do the ,CJPA L 13. state of New York, and its ~ balance of the work for this arci~--""""-~ impact on Tony Covelli emo~ ~ tionally, as he vividly de. It is a good (and unusual) (,l remembers seeing the Searstory, though, and the efforts f::3 of the characters involved ;f§·~ ~l.J~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ue when he arrived in the 2; U.S. from Italy at the age deserve some recognition. ~ , /: of 18. In addition, the rimThey did an amazing thing. ~ It all started at the begin~ ing was such that it could ning of the season when a be completed by the Fourth of July weekend, so it well-intentioned pilot brought would leave a meaninghis own riding mower down ful and lasting impresto the LZ and proceeded sion on passersby. (The to mow the entire field down to about lawn height. road up Ellenville Mountain sports three scenic overlooks, all directly The only problem with that was char he viewing the LZ!) mowed everything, including the famous six grass rings (spaced 25 feet apart) which So Roger drew up the master plan on a have surrounded our bull's-eye and coerced graph-grid. He even angled the image so it appeared to be "looking ar" the spectators pilots to attempt accurate landings for on the overlooks! He then staked our the about 17 years now. (I mowed the initial field in a zillion 50 x 50-foot squares rings in 1983!) The flap over the loss of the rings was which correlated to the master sketch grid. With rebuilt, hand-push Sears mowers, kind of amusing in itself. The pilots were so used to "crying for the rings" chat they Tom, Tony and Roger proceeded to mow really got upset at their disappearance. one square at a rime for about 10 days straight. The photos of the finished prodBut Roger Baker looked at it another uct speak for themselves, showing how way. Suddenly, there was a 20-acre canvas with which something could be done. excellent the final picture looked. (Roger is a story all by himself. He's been a While all this was happening it was a great rime to fly Ellenville. Each day the pilot since the early l 970's and is a talentimage developed a little more. The best ed artist in any medium he chooses. He'd vantage point (of course) was from directly get upset ifI went on about him though, above. From that perspective it became . so I'll just get on with what he did.)

H ANG GLIDI NG

three-dimensional. While everyone speculated that it would get some attention, no one anticipated how much attention it would ultimately receive - full-color, full-front page newspaper pictures with corresponding articles, New York City network news planes doing fly-bys to get footage for television, general aviators flying by from afar just to see it. The overlooks were packed for weeks! The local hospital dedicated an entire wall to a photo collage of the project in all its phases. It generated an amazing amount of positive press - positive for Roger, positive for the Statue of Liberty and all that it stands for, and a big home run for the sport of hang gliding, since it was the "other" interesting aspect of the story in the public eye. In the end, the three mowing maniacs re-mowed the image three additional times (and the surrounding grass two more times) keeping it picture perfect through our Labor Day Fun Meet. We also were treated to some awesome viewing of the image after the first frost, and particularly after a light snow (see photo). The subtle rays oflight from the torch really came out with the snow. And everyone learned to land without the rings. The hang glider pilots preferred her face, while the paraglider pilots seemed to favor the torch. As I write this our LZ is under two-feet of snow. In the spring, I wonder what will be left. And I know Roger is constantly being asked, ''Are you going to do something different next year?" I'm wondering if anyone out there at other sites will attempt LZ arr. I'd love to see that happen. LZ art-wars would be awesome! •

M ARCH 2001

u need a challenge. You could fly X-C, but really, you've done ir so many times, you probably won't make it more than 20 miles or so on a day like this, and then there's the hassle of the retrieval. Whm's to be gained? Competitions can be fun, but they aren't everyone's cup of tea, and it can be expensive to attend the bigger ones. Well, there's no need to sil down and weep, as did Alexander the Great because there was nothing left ro conquer. We found a way to put some zip back in your flying life. The British gave us the idea. They sornetirnes have good ones, especially when it comes to turning out competitive hang glider pilots. For many years they have had a yearlong open X-C competition, the National CrosS··Country League. Anyone can enter their x . c flights, and their longest five flights are totalled. The latest results arc published every month in the British hang gliding and paragliding magazine Skywinp, and everyone who enrers eagerly awaits the latest scores to sec who they are beating. For all five flights to count, at least one of them musr be defined, that is, a flight to goal, our-and--

frying is a wonde(ful thing, and flying a hang glider more wonderful still, yet sometimes, afier you've been.flying far aiwyears, on occasion, ll certain ennui ctm begin to set in.

There you are, high above your

local site, at the top ofthe stack agtzin, and you wtmt rnore. You re not exactly bored, but you are conscious that-you've been up for two hours, your bade is beginning to hurt, and the beer awaitingyou in the sounds better than another hour in the air. return or triangle flight, and these arc worth bonus points. Beginning in 1998, Sonorna Wmgs in Northern California, a small club of about 50 pilots, decided to hold their own "X..C League" contest. We used a very similar format to the British one, except we allowed 10 flights to be counted toward the total. We called our competition the "Go For Tt" to encourage pilots to do just that. The rules were fairly simple. We decided not to try to draw distinctions between various sit·es or regions based upon their X-C potential. We jusr wanted pilots to get out and fly x.c, so we allowed flights

anywhere within the U.S. That's what we meant hy Go h)r It. Any number of flights could be entered, and the longest IO would be counted. Any srrnigbt flight of at least six miles could count, except for sled rides. Flights to goal of at least 12 miles scored a bonus factor of 1.5. Goal had to be declared to someone before launch, and you did not have to land at goal for it to count. Out-and-return flights of al least 12 miles scored a bonus factor of two. ]Han·· glc flights of at least 15 rniles scored a bonus factor of three. You did not have to declare turnpoims f-<)r out··and-·return or 1-JANC CLIDING

tri angle flights before launching, but triangle fli ghts had to co nform to th e 28% rul e (the shorrest leg had to bear least 28% of the total). The max imum release height for a fli ght startin g from aerotow was 2,000 feet AGL. No witnesses or photos were required for flight verification; a pilot's word suffi ced. This was a fun club competition , a nd in the encl yo u cou ld only foo l yo urself. To keep sco res currenr, details of fli ghts had to be entered within 30 clays of the flight. The gauntlet having been thrown clown, So noma Wi ngs pilots were quick to pick ir up. No mo re hanging around on X-C days playin g "top of the stack. " T here were miles to be fl own . Enn ui disappeared , aching backs were igno red , and the beer could wait. Retrieval worries? Wel l, yo u could always get back somehow. If it was safe to go X-C, you went. le wasn't necessarily the guy who was winnin g that yo u were trying to beat, it was yo ur buddy just ah ead of yo u o r just behind yo u. In rhe end , of co urse, yo u were yo ur own co mpetition. A weeklong club trip to Lakeview, Oregon in July racked up some impress ive 80 and 90+ mile fli ghts , even though some pi lots paid fo r them w ith a cold night out in the desert when their ret rieva l vehicle got stuck in th e o nly mudhole for miles aro und! C loser to home, pilots began to fl y our more chall enging sites that had X-C potential, and bega n poring over maps to figure o ut routes across rhe so merimes rugged a nd d ifficult terrain . Ir's not easy to fl y long X-C's in Northern Cali for-

111a. We had decided to end the co mpetition in Nove mber to allow time for the trophies to be prepared, and toward rhe end of the seaso n rhe scent of co mpetition was getting stro nger as pilots ho ped for that las t great X-C day of the yea r when rhey could bear the guy just ahead of chem . In chis first year, nin e pilots entered and fl ew a tota l of 1,586 mil es. Everyo ne rece ived an engraved glass, and rhe winner, Todd Robinson , took home our new club trophy, a beautiful sculpture by Lisa Tate. We cou ld ha rdly wait for Go For Ir '99. As sprin g l 999 arrived in Northern Cal ifornia, Sono m a Wings pilots were chomping ar rhe bir to fl y X-C. T hose who hadn't enrerecl the co mperirion th e first rime bega n to feel the challenge, and entered rhe li sts. Rich Sauer reappeared on M ARCH 2001

Pl4J:e ...,..:.J>ilot..... ,....................... .............. Points 1) ..........Todd Roblnson ............................. 318 2) .... ;..,, ..JonJames ..................................... .289 3} .. :.... :..Leo.Jones 4) .......... Matt Jagelka 5) ..........JohnHlacet ................................... 1 6) 119 16

1999 P'4ee .,.,..Ptlot ............ ;..............................Pr1int,·

o.fflights

1) ......,. ... Todd Robinspn, ... ,..................... ,..403.8 .................................................. 10 2) ......... .Jon James ..................................... .390.5 ................................................... 10 3) .......... Leo Jones 10 4) .......... Matt ..l""w,, .... . 5), .. :... ,.. BUI Vogel 6) ... ,...... Rich Sauer ......... ,Scot Huber 8) ..... :.. ,;B<J.b St.t11ley .................................. 192. l .................................................. 10 .9) ....,; .... CharlcYWanein ............... ,............ 1 10) ......... Ernie Cam.icho ............................. 119 ] ......... ,Albert Branson ............................. 101.3 .............. ,..................................... 7 12) ........ J)ick Girard .8 .................................................... 8 13) ......... Vince Endter 14) , ..... .John Bl.icet

....... ,.BJU Vogel 13). ........ VinceEndter ................................ 309 14) ... '. .....John Blacet ................................... l 161.8 15) ......... Charlcy\lvittrcn ..................... :...... 170 ................................................ l 183 16) ......... Bob Stortns................................... l

17) 18) ......... Larry Roberrs ............................ ,.... .49.8 Total 7,217 38

rhe hzmg gliding scene after some years of absence, and curned in an impressive series of flights from his home site, Elk Mountain, putting us all on notice that he was back. A new pilot, Vince Endter, got his Hang I [I rating within one year of raking up hang gliding, and flew 29 miles on his first X-C! Sonoma Wings made two club rrips to the Owens. By the end of the season, 14 entrants had racked up nearly twice as many miles as in 1998. 'fo place in the top eight, pilots had to fly, on aver· age, over I 00 miles farther than the year before. Tixld Robinson again rook first place with a total of nearly 404 miles in J 0 flights. For Go For Tt 2000 we amended the rules slightly. Although a few nights to goal had been made in the previous years, no one had clllercd any our-and-rcrnrn or triangle flights. We decided that in order lO have IO flights count tow:ml the total, at least two of them had to he defined flights, so only eight straighr-disrancc flights would he allowed. There was some disscn I about this and about the bonus points system, bm in the cud it was decided that it was better fO try to stretch pilots' skills beyond merely gcning "blown downwind," and after all, if those bonus points were so easy ro get, then go get 'cm. Despite good-looking, post-fromal skies in early spring, it was April before cloudbase was high enough and roads were clear enough for us 10 Oy from our local mountains. Kun Bainum made a 23.5milc flight from Mt. St. John on the western side of the Sacramcnro Valley, then Crcg Sugg, TcHld Robinson and Scor HANC CLIDINC

Huber flew from Mt. St. Helena in tbe Napa V:illey out into the Sacramento Valley, under a magnificenr spring sky full of cloud streets. Scot hrnded jnst before ·1l·avis Air Force Base for a 47.7-milc flight. Rich Sauer, however, stole their thunder, remrn· ing from the Nationals at Wallaby with a 96.7-miler and a 53.8-mile out-·and-rerurn (times 2 107.6). May saw several more flights from St. John. In mid-June Rich Sauer flew from there to Red Bluff, setting a new offkial site record of 55.6 miles, a flight that also was to win him the "Coffee Can" trophy (and f'rve dollars from everyone who put into the can) for the longest flight of the year from a local site. The Regionals at Carson City, Nevada in late June gave the next big boost: to the mileage totals, with most pilots making two or three 28-rnile goal flights (times 1.5 42.3) in great X-C conditions. 'The main complaint was hav· ing to land at goal for the Regionals and not being able ro continue out into the desert with the strong lift and 15,000-foot cloudbases. Bob Srorms made his first ever X-C's, and flew to goal all three days in a row, on a Super Sport! Several Sonoma Wings pilots :mended the King Mountain meet in Idaho in early July, and were rewarded with truly won· derful X-C flying. Many of 1he pilots there experienced the strnngest thermals they bad ever encountered, and made multiple goal flights of between 70 and I 00 miles. Kun Bainum got his flrst I 00-mile fligh1 with a IO l .7-miler to goal to Salmon, and if Scot Huber failed to get his first I 00 miler it certainly wasn't fc)r lack of trying. He racked up over 242 miles in three flights, including an impressive 93.9-miler! Bob Stanley flew 210 miles in three flights, and Ernie Camacho and Albert Branson had personal best flights of70 miles. We returned from Idaho and made all those who hadn't made rhe trip green with envy with our stories. Well, perhaps not all, for Matt Jagdka had gone to the Owens instead and got his first 100-milcr, with a 106-rnile flight to goal, and Mike Kunitani, our veteran Owens pilot, flew 483 miles there in five flights in just one week! His longest flight was a brilliant 169-miler from Black Eagle, 011 a day that began as a very marginal X-C day. Curi· ously, this was exactly the same distance as his previous longest: flight some years before, bur it won him the "Best Flight" trophy from Sonoma Wings for 2000. MARCIi 200'!

edge of airspace, and the end of the lifr, for Charley Warren entered the club's first triangle flight at Hull Moumain with an 18a 107--mile flight. Several other pilots flew milc triangle (18 x 3 54). 'frianglcs ain't :30+ mile flights from Chelan in the next easy, no marter where you fly. few days. fn early August Rich Sauer snuck off In late July several Sonoma Wings to Slide and flew l 05.3 miles alrnosr ro pilots ventured north, some heading for Lovelock in Nevada. Back in Nonhern the Nationals at I .akeview and some on to Chelan for a change of pace, hoping 10 California, Jon James turned out a 20.5 mile triangle (times 3 Gl sample some flatland flying. Rich Sauer at Hull. Sr. increased his lead with 47-milc and flights to goal from Sugar Hill, and Jon James and Bill Vogel scored their first long flights of the season with a 46to goal at Doherty Slide. "I 'he High Energy Sports offers a variety of safe, comfortable harfirst day at Chelan ness styles. Each harness is cut according to your body turned out to be the dirnensions. You custornize your harness with your choice of best day of our weekcolors and options. We have over 30 different harness options long trip there, with available. You only pay for the options you order. several pilots making it across the gorge Series nu achu!tes. and onto the flats. you can A reserve parachute is one of the most Charley Warren and imporlant purchases you will make. If properly cared for, your Leo Jones crossed parachute will outlast your glider and your harness. A paraBanks Lake, though chute can be your last hope for survival in a very bad situaCharley missed the tion. Make sure you have the best... make sure you have a dust devil on the ec1st Quantum Series Parachute by High Energy Sports. side and landed after 42.6 miles. Leo continued on, encour· aged by a chase crew 1521 E. McFadden #H, Santa Ana, CA 92705 who refused ro let phone: (714) 972-8186@ fax: (7'14) 972-1430 him land until he bctlp@aol .corn reached the outskirts of Spokane and the 0

Greg Sugg, Mt. St. Helena.

John again became che focus for X-C flighcs , wich several 30+ mile flighcs being made before and during che club's annual "St. John Fly-In" in mid-Augusc, bur no one managed co bear Rich Sauer's record from chere. Meanwhile, Rich had gone co Hearne in Texas for che cow meec and curned our a 100-mile flighc co goal, and cwo oumanding criangle flighcs each scoring a 3x bonus for 200 poims or more. Rich had now exceeded 1, 100 poi m s in 10 flighcs, asconishing us all. He had really shown che Go For le spiric, and chough we knew char nobody would cacch him, che compecicion for places furcher down che lisc was now fierce. Second place was scill very much up for grabs, and fr iendly rivalry for ocher places was che source of much amusement among us. As pilocs accumulaced flighcs cheir shoreer flighcs were dropped, bur chis made ic harder and harder co improve upon cheir coral, especially as che days goc shoner and cooler. Rich now had co fly over 111 miles on a flighc co gain any miles ac all! A dozen of us made a nip co che Owens over Labor Day, and chough condicions were windy and racher scable for che

Owens, several respeccable flighcs were made, including anocher impressive 63.7mile flighc co goal by Marr Jagelka. MidSepcember saw more 30-mile flighcs from St. John (wich che incorrigible Scoc Huber managing co land inside che grounds of a prison, bur chey lee him go on grounds of insaniry, or perhaps good behavior, so he will be able co compece in 2001). The season's lase X-C flighcs were from Slide, wich Greg Sugg flying 34 miles, and Vince "you'll never cacch me now" Endcer flying 30 miles on his new Acos . Whac an amazing year of X-C flying. Eighceen pilocs from Sonoma Wings emered che Go For Ir and flew a coral of 5,853 miles, for 7,21 poims. There are all kinds of ways co enjoy hang gliding, bur pare of che fun is ro be able co expand one's skills in a safe and non-chreacening way. Many weekend club pilocs would like co do jusc char, bur find organized compecicions imimidacing and feel coo much pressure co find such evems enjoyable. Having a yearlong X-C club compericion gives pilocs che chance co explore and expand cheir personal limics wichouc any immediace pressure co do someching

chey don'c wane co. One near ching is char pilocs have found new ways co compece. Hull Mouncain, in che Mendocino Nacional Farese, for example, is a greac chermal flying sire, bur is nor an X-C sire as a rule. Ir's very difficulc co fly our of chere, bur pilocs discovered char ic is possible co safely make very respeccable ouc-and- remrn flighcs and rriangles chere. They aren'c easy, bur no one had cried co do chem before. The Go For le com pecicion is an evolving process. Five flighcs, cen fljghcs, bonus poims - all are flexi ble paramecers. Qualifying discances are p urely arbicrary, designed for our own condicions, and we may change chem. We will cry co fi nd a way for che paraglider and rigid-wing pilocs in our club co compece. We decided char giving a factor of 1.5 bonus poims for a goal flighc is probably coo genero us, so we are reducing ic co a faccor of 1.25 fo r 2001. Yee che main chem e rem ains: fly ofcen, fly far, fly safe, have fun. Was ic fun ? You bet! Full derails and rules for our Go For le compericion can be fo und on our websice ac www.sonomawings.com . •

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People, Places and Tnings by USHGA President David Glover PEOPLE

Specifications Areo: Spon: Aspect Aotio: Weight:

f47

12379 S 265 W, Draper, UT 84020 PH :(801 )523-9544 FAX :(801 )523-9688 E-Mail: oltolr@mlcron.net http://netnow.mlcron.net/-oltolr/

here are so many people who make a difference in our spores and the USHGA. One of the best things about the position of president is having close contact with good people who care about promoting and helping the spores. Steve Roti is a paraglider pilot from the Northwest. (He was a Regional Director until recently.) Over the last six months Steve has donated a skill he has to the Association that is worth tens of thousands of dollars. He is a database expert and has written dozens of applications for the USHGA which allow the office to provide a much higher level of service to the membership. His real value and help is incalculable. I gready appreciate what he has done. With members like this, anything is possible. Kenny Brown is one of the flyingest flying guys I know. Over the many years I have known Kenny he has been one of the biggest supporters of the sport. He has been a manufacturer, instructor, competitor (in almost all disciplines), and now is an importer. If the sport had another dozen like him our membership base would look radically different. Kenny likes to fly, but he has the attitude, "Who cares if it's just a sled run - let's go!" Even more important than Kenny's own flying is the joy he gets when others fly. Paris Williams is perhaps the best allaround hang glider pilot. He performs well in all disciplines of flying. He is one of the rop five cross-country pilots and a great dune racer (not as good as Kenny or John Borton, but who is?) . He is a very competent and experienced aerobatic pilot and also likes to speed glide. Most importantly, he is one of the best instructors in the nation. I constantly hear excellent feedback about Paris's teaching techniques. He has taught all over the world using tandem flying, and is as comfortable foot-launching as aerotowing. He knows when and how to listen and has multiple ways to get students unstuck. He adapts his style to the student, unlike mediocre instructors who expect the students to adapt to the instruc-

tor. His teaching doesn't stop at the end of the flight; he has as much time as it takes to answer questions and give ground schools that are wide in scope. C hris Santacroce and Chris Muller are similar to Paris with respect to paragliding. T he great thing about these three individuals is that they are much younger than the average member, so we sti ll have a chance. We need more members like Paris, C hris and Chris. Jim Zeiser lives in Salida, Colorado, and his home location is important to the story. Jim has volunteered an especially large amount of his time, knowledge and money over the last six months. He has helped with every office/Executive Director transition the Association has made over the last 15 years. This time he is trying to work himself out of a job. Jim flies to Colorado Springs in his own plane to the visit the office almost every week. H e is laying the groundwork for a strong finan cial foundation for the Association, is working on hiring the right person for the job of directing the office, and wi ll follow up to make sure we do not get off track. I think we will look back on his work in five years and say that it was a most important time in making the Association and the sports strong.

PLACES The main flying season is about to start. Organize a work party, volunteer at a competition, help secure a site. I see flying sites being lost all over the country. Access to launch and development in the landing zones are shrinking the number of footlaunched flying areas. Support your local instructors and schools so they can be a point of contact and knowledge in the fight to keep sites open. Start thinking about towing. Nothing is better than running off the side of a hill or mountain - the views and landscape are in credible. One of the best parts about flying for me is the people. With towing in your area pilots get together to fly. Public airports get government funding and can allow for many forms of aviation . Sai lplane pores and hang gliding can work well together and do. Put up a sign at work that says "HANG GLIDING" or "PARAGLIDING" with a local instructor's phone number or website. T here is HANG GLIDING

strength in numbers. The largest clubs, chapters and schools have the most clout power. and

THINGS 1) Please sign up for automatic credit Gird renewal. Co to rhe www.ushga.org, fill om the inforrnation and done. From then on you arc signed up and won't miss a month of the magazine or ex1pe1·1e11cc a gap in your rhird-party liabili-ty insurance. You'll keep all your ratings and lifo will be good. 2) Link your hompage/websitc to wvvw.us11\;a.ln\;, This will allow for more paths on the Weh, and will end up helping people all over the counrry find a cluh or school near their area. 3) Fly in conditions and on equipment below your skill level. You can enjoy the sport more and longer with this arrirude. Have /im.

MAIK\1 2001

I hvid Clover President, USJ·ICA '1 'hanks for reading the fine print. Now go and sign up for automatic credit card renewal. Please send your comments or questions to david@davidglovcr.com. II ... Continued from page 12

NEW OXYGEN SYSTEM Monnt:ain High E&S ( :o. has recently inrroduced the Co .. Pilot, an affordable, handheld oxygen system designed for supplemental breathing at high altitudes. 'This system is especially usefol for those pilots who only occasionally fly at alri-tudes requiring oxygen, and, therdi)re, do not need a full--featured oxygen system for their ai rcrafr. Unlike similar systems, the Co--Pilot's oxygen regulator has an on/off and volume-control knob that is adjustable from off to two liters per minute. The face mask is removable ;md can be replaced with an Oxymizcr conserving cannula for

continuous "hands off" use for durations over 30 minutes at 15,000 feet per cylinder. At a glance, the built-in pressure gauge allows the user to sec how much oxygen is available at all times. The Co-Pilot sysrcm can be shut off and stored with a cylinder installed for over a year without any noticeable leakage . The basic Co-Pilot kit at $150 comes with a regulator with gauge, face mask, two 18--liter non--refillablc replacement cylinders and instruction manual. Options include additional cylinders, Oxymizer cannula and holster-pack which can be ordered at any time. hlr more information or to order, contact: Mountain High, l ---800--468--8185, salesCrhrnountainhighoxygcn.com.

WALLABY CHAMPIONSUIPS SANCTIONED FOR APRIL 22--28 The Wallaby Championships will be held on April 22-28 and bis been sanctioned by the USHCA as a Class A championships. Expect a top-notch meet similar ro previ-· ous Wallaby Championships. II

HANG GLIDING ADVISORY Used hang should always be disassembled before for time and inspected ed downtubcs, ruined bent bolts (especially the heart bolr), re-used Nyloc mm, loose thimbles, or rnslcd c;1ble~) tangs with non-circular hofcs, on flex wings, sails badly torn or torn loose from their anchor points frorn and back on the keel and teacll11tt cctges. If in doubt, hang lmsincss011 the

AFROS TARCFI' 16 BRAND NEW, rest flown only, w/hrcakdown bag $2J50. No time to fly. (603) T7'i749/i, (25:l) 709-8Wl.

AEROS TARCET I(, Practically new, with wheels and harness $2,l'\O. (91')) S(d-675/i, scolc((hnctpat h.nn AIRBORNE SHARK, BLADE RACE, STING, BlJZZ. New and nearly new. Demo daily. Tl!E WALLABY RANCH (863) 124-0070.

HJSlON 1Ii I Exccllrnt condition, h;ir, carhon fiber r.i,: inserts, yellow/lime 11nc.tcr,;urJacc $2,800 OBO. Also available WW !'.'5 harness $5'i0 OBO. Ron (.1 JO) 1791360, dcnirnn62(a,bonnail.com FUSION 150 Excellent condition, blue/black/white, $2., 500. Jim, ((,23) 581-0145, jodiwhitclaw J tri\101.corn. Demo daily. WALLABY RANCH (863)

FUSION

ti2li00}0.

AIRWAVF !<5 !48 l'.xcellm1 condition, <20 hours, l '.193, puq,lc/ycllow/grccn $1,800. (li23) 886-5'J3:l.

fNSTRlJCJ'OR.

0070 Florida, glidcrsli?walL1by.com

FLEX WINGS AFROS STEALTH 12 - Purple/yellow, almost new, fast glider for small $'.>000 OBO CJ. (li25) 8883856, gcorgc,,~"nwlu11k.c.:om AFROS STEALTH 151 w/kingpost, BRAND NEW, test flown only $2,500. ND time to 11y. (603) 775-7494, (2'55) 709-85'.J:l. AEROS STEALTH lJ 151

Topless, excellent con-

clirion, beamifol glider $2,300. ('.170) 72.8-:1'.10'5.

DOUBLE VISIONS & PLY2 New ,rnd used. WALLABY RANCH (863) 12/i-0070. EXXTACY NEW & USED IN STOCK, DEMO DA!I.Y. WALLABY RANCH (863) 124,0070. FALCONS HO, 170, 195, 2.25 new and used. WALLABY RANCH (863) 42ft,0070.

] IPAT H 'i 1<J<J?., w/'')7 rocket chute $1,550. E 150 Spon, excellent condition $750. Avocct Pilot Sky watch $'\O. Fnll Face l klmc1 $ 'iO. (Ii 15) 999-l li77. J )PAT llt5 Co0<l condition, recent supcrprcllight, well kept $750 OBO. (510) !i/i9--8181.

t;ood condition, new leading edge cloth sur1crr1rcllwl11. $1 ,,i00.(262) li7.'J.8800,

!'Al.CONS CLEARANCE SALF Sdwol use, one sc,1son. All sizes $1,250-$2.,500. (2G2) li71-8800, infi,Gi)J1angglidin1;.com

l<LASSlC 14/i Al'.ROS STEALTH OLF.K RACFR l'il Comp glider. carbon crossbar & mylar sail, all orange billboard undcrs11rfoce, 50 spare downltlbcs, AWE.SOME, priced 10 sell $2,200 OllO. ('115) 66/i, 598').

FLY $2,100

Tandem gliders, three ro choose from, and

up.

(262)

AEROS STFALTII 151 Topless, bcamifol cxccllcnl concfoion, lj 1 homs $2,500. Joe 5858 lllinois.

473-8800,

info(irJhanggliding.co111

FREE PVC GLIDER STORAGE/TRANSPORT TUBE

new and used glickrs in Michigan.

Exccllelll condition, great climb rate

$I, 500 priced to sell. (5/i I) 504-'i41 G.

KLASS!C I/iii Yellow/white, absolute mim condition, 5 hours use and then stmcd indoors for years $2,800. Klassic J 80 hour,, clean $1,500 OBO. (2(,?,) 473-8800, infoQi\l,auggliding.com

LAMINAR ST14 llandlcs, lands easy, flies fast & slow $2,000. (125) 3380% I, (425) 252-2.789.

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

SECTION

1J Flex Wings fJ Emergency Parachutes lJ Parts & Accessories 0 Business &Employment IJ Miscellaneous IJ Paragliders IJ Videos

!J Towing IJ Schools & Dealers IJ Ultralights IJ Jiigid Wings fJ Publications & Organizations IJ Wanted IJ Harnesses

Begin with-...................................___ _ issue and run for ......... -.......___ ,........ consecutive issue(s). My l...J check, fJ money order is enclosed in the amount of $ __ ., __ ....·---·-·--·-....... ,-............. · NAME: ·--·-··----------..................., .....,.................. -......................_.... ·-·--·--·--·-···-ADDRESS: --.. ·-----··---·-·-·-·--,-·-·--·-----···---·-·--··--··--···-·----·-·····--·-CITY:_....................·------···--··---·---·-·-------··-·--·-'~,,,

Number of words· ___ .... ________ ..... @$.50 Number of .. v,uv ........- ...._ ........- ......_ ........ @$1.00

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

HANC CUD/NC

LJ\MlNAR - ST, !Ii, 13 in stock. \VJ\LLJ\BY RANCH (863) lt21t-0070.

HARNESSES HARNESS EXCHANGE CHUTES (970) 611 9315, hnp://gnnnisongliders.corn/

l.J\ MOUETTE TOPLESS lli8 Cood condition, hours $2,300. (<i50) 557-0835, I 00 rubo08(iilhott11ail.u,m MOYES CSX 5 72/i-857<i.

!JICH FNERCY !'OD lli\RNESSFS Sizes & styles change rnonrhly, $300-400. CG lOOO's $2'50. Cocoons S200 each. LMFP pod, 5'9" $/iOO. Knech:rngers & stirrnps also available. (262) li73 .. 8800, info<iilhangglidi11g.com

Excellent condition $2,000. (.,21)

MOYES CSX5 Topless, <2 years old, excellent condition $2,690. ((, 19) 28(,.SGO!i, bob~1'wchsitctrallich,,il,lcrs.c,,rn Perfect condition, 58 hours, MOYF.S CSX U7 small control frame, red undcrsmfoce w/bird $2,200. (954) 978Tl03, 11a11cy2v11mindspring.corn SX, XTL, XS3, XT, etc. New and MOYES CSX nearly new. J\vail:thlc immediately. Nation's largcsr Moyes dealer. \VJ\LIABY RANCH (863) lt2li-0070. Novice/imcrmcdiatc don hie MOYES XT PRO 1(,5 surface, two available $1,GOO., $2,:)00. (2.62) /il}. 8800, info~hhanggliding.com MOYES

XTRJ\UTE

Well kept, (262) 173-8800,

MRX2001 l.AMINARS /\RE JIERF Experience performance flex wing available. New and used STs also available. (760) '721-0701, 111,1astc1·~"ycil100.com and www.icaro2000.rnm PULSES & VISIONS

Raven

RJ\MJ\IR lit(,-~ J,:xcdlcnt condition $'J50. Turbo Bob 1711) Yi0.'/860. SPECTRUM J(,'j Includes tail l,it, new nose rnnc, great condition $1,500 or looking for Ultrasport 166. Eric (.'lC,f)) 50 J .. /i:266, hangcl1cckGilyahoo.com SPECTRUM C:LFJ\R;\NCE SJ\LE

$2,liOO-,f\200. Raven Sky Sports (2G2) liTl-8800,

Cood condition $500. ((i 19) liTl-97,tl, l . hc1ts~"11csd.cdu SUl'FRSPORT 15:l Supcrncat custom sail, very low hours, WW fin included $2,100. (262) liTl-8800, i11fc,<iilhanggliding.c,11n

by rnore »U.L.•j,,,,,

www.l1a1lglid('.con1

'5'8"-5'10" $150. Jim (623) 581-01/i'i, WW/3 .JodiWhitelawl Q1laol.co111

'!'RX 160 ·-· Excellenr condition, derailed pictures on my website $700. (858) 2'70·788'), dlood I 967~1laol.com

WW/5 I .argc, w/Li\RJ\ gold parachute, BOT! I BRAND NEW $1,200. (603) T75-7/i94, (253) 70')859\

TRX I GO_ .. Last one made, white wired chandell bot· 10111 leading edge, all original. Extras, 1 ser carbon downtubcs, sets tip cones, J each tip wand, very clean $1,800. Reggie (619) 11i5-36>J, reggic;rndvicki(tDJ10mc.com

WW/..5 Medium, only 6 flights, includes para· chute-hand deploy/rocker $500. (6 I')) li?3-971i:l, l .hetts<iilt,csd.edu

ULTJZI\SPORT )1/7 -~ New 7/00, 10 hums, under· wheels, surface deep blue w/orangc wingtips, "Just spare downtubes $2,500 OllO. (}07)

1\IR SPORTS USA··-·· WWW..FLYFORI;UN.NET

l 00 gliders in stock. I .ookmtt Momnain,

RIGIDWTNGS Rental gliders at flight \Jl.'J'RAS l'ORT 1Ii?. I (,6 park, low hot1rs, clean, priced to sell. (262) l\7}·8800, info<illhangglidi,,g.corn Very good condition $600. UP CEMIN! 1:lli Reserve parachute, gore, good condition $100. llob 11 nnc (828) 299-16'7 l, uschickGilhotrnail.co,n VISIONS & !'ULSES Bought-Sold-Traded. Raven Sky Sports (262) lt"l.3-8800, info~11hanggliding.corn WW Sl'ORT AT 167 green/white/blue, ripstop trailing Joe (81i7) 895-'i8'i8 Illinois.

good condilion, !lies grc:ll $850.

gliding

WW UI.Tl<J\Sl'OIZT lli7 .. Cood condition, bright yellow TF $1,liOO 1niced to sell. (Sli 1) 50/i- 5/i 16.

MARCI I 2001

SUl'ERFLOJ\TER Like new condition, aerotow and ground tow release, llRS parachme and all avail· able options. Always hangared, <30 toral hours, w!trniler $10,500. XCllawkGi\101.cum, http://www. barghahn .com/Cloudbasc3.htm, (507) 8951210. ULTRAIJGHL'S J\lR SPORTS USA-\V\VW.FLYFORHJN.NFT \VJ\NTFD OLD SOJ\RM1\STER -- Unit/,,,. parts. Doug Colley, 66.,0 E .Jamieson Rd, Spokane WA 99223, ('i09) ff43 6966. dcolleyzillcgunp.corn

WWXC 155 _.... l'.xccllcnt condition w/options, clean sail, undersurface black/bright lime wired logo $2,liOO OBO. Will deliver within Ii hours of' Chicago/O'l lare airport. Winglm, padded case $300 OBO. (6:10) 8}lli631 raslrnst<ii\10!.com

wwxc

CONDITION, w/sv,n,~lcts, magenta & blue. Don't be s111pid-this is a DEA!.! $1,500. Cll6) 721-IJ7'J2, SauratownSky([ilaol.corn

MK!i needed. J.8()() .. 688-56'l7. WWXC I Low hours, clean, nice co1tditiou $2,liOO. (262) IJTJ-8800, iufoGill,anggliding.com EMERCENCY PARACHUTES

with

PARAGI.IDERS

Three l(,'i

Spccrrums in near new condition, w/all options

MOSQUITO JIARNESS Never uS('(l $3,500. Orlando (616) 292-(,')0J. MC/Visa accepted.

20 CORF PDA w/swivel $375. 20 gore $199. Many more avaibhle. Raven Sky Sports (262) li?:l· 8BOO, infoGDhanggliding.corn

Sell your unused .,,.,,....a .... .- here.

CONNECTICUT

SCHOOLS & DEALERS

MOlJN'J'AlN WING'i-1.ook under New York. FLORIDA LARGEST !TANG GL!DJN(; SHOP [11 the West! Our deluxe retail shop showcases the latest equipment and bas two virtual reality hang flight sirnt1h· tors. We stock new and Altair :me! Moyes gliders, and all the hottest new harnesses. Trade .. i n.s arc wclcon1c.

Om comprehensive program, located at the beginner sire fcarnres: San Francisco Bay Area's sloped hills," Wills Wing Falcons of all and training harnesses! "FIRST Fl.f( ;r-IT"l 5 minllte video tom of our NATIONAi. SCHOOL ~ETWORK RINGS LOCALLY. For information call David (706) <,57.. 8485, david(aldaviclglover.com

$20 '"''l'l""I, u,w,ucu 1.

ALABAMA

111ission(a)l,ang..glicling.com www.hang.. gliding.com

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK ad under Georgia.

Sec

CALIFORNIA DREAM WEAVER HANG GLIDlNG Train on statc .. of.the-·art WILLS WING FALCONS. LESSON PACKAGES: One fr,ur hour lesson $ I 00. Three fom hour lessons, plus randern off 2,000ft. $300. l'ive lessons for $1t00. Ten lessons plus tandem $750.lmroducc someone new to our sport. For each new student that you introduce tbat takes three or more lessons from me, you'll get a free lesson or $50 off a future pmchasc. Complete lesson programs. Year .. round instruction. Launching and landing and thermal clinics available. Call for group rates. Tired of hiking I'll help you! Dealer for Wills Altair, more. Sports, Ball varios, C1111elbaks New and used cquipmcn1. We love tradc .. ins. !'111 your norrhcrn California MOSQUITO HARNESS DEA[... ER. ff you live in ccnrral through northern California, me a call or email ro schedule your lVJ,ostJlltto clcmcrnsrr;trnrn or clinic. Call or email, sct,cc1ulrng lessons five days a week, Friday through Tuesdays. training hill, up to I 50fr., 600ft. moumain. 1,200fr. mountain. Tandem instruction. US/ !GA Advanced fnsrrucror DOUG PRATHER (209) 556 .. 0lt69

USl!CA CERTIFfED TANDEM INSTRUCTION McNa1nec. /\crotow training & raring.s.

major and acrotow equipment, 1.5 l Ji.,;nc,,world. Call (352) lt89-9%9. flyf1lgraybirdairspons.con1 www.graybirdairsporrs.con1 LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN l'l.JC;)-JT PARK

DEF~PORT 2800 Tcxrey Pines Scenic Drive San Die90 CA S'inee l 92R

Sec

ad 11ndcr Ccorgia. Nearest mountain training center to ( )rlando (only 8 hour.s).

NO M() RE BUNNY... TllE HILL WITH IT!

1lANG Cl.lDfNC AND l'ARAGI.IDINC USI !GA ccrtifictl instrnction, tandem flight instruction, sales, repacks, and site toms. San center. Visa and 452 .. 9858 or toll free J .. 377 .. J'J.Y www.llytorrey.com

WL JIAVI'

The most advanced

it takes on the training-BUNNY Hll.l., and with more in Clighr air rirne. YES, WE CAN TFACH YOU FASTER AND SAFER. For year.. round training fon in the sun, call or write Miami Hang Gliding (305) 285 .. 8978. 2550 S llayshorc Drive, Coconut Grove, Florida known to hang gliding, teaching yon in

3.'lU:l.

Modesto, ( :A. drn1wvrl1gfi)sofrco1n.ncr

FLY 1\WAY JIANG GJ.llllNG Burcar (805)

Sanra Barbara. 957 .. 911is,

THE [JANG GLIDING CENTER . - .. G312 Malcolm Drive, San Diego CA 92115, ((,I')) 265-5320.

IIIGH ADVENTURF Hang school. Equipment sales, service,

paragliding at Southern

LA's BEST S1NCE 1974 2.0 rninmcs from I ,AX. Full service walk-in center. Training for all skill levels, rcmals, service, sales, at world famous Kagel Flight Parl<. sunny clays a year. 1611t5 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys CA 9Jlt06, (818) 9880111, fax (818) 988 .. )8(,2, www.windsports.com COJDRADO

l'nJl.. rirne

California's mile high site, Crestline. USHGA

AlRT!MF AHOVE HANC CLIDINC

lnstrucror Rob McKenzie. (909) 88.1-8488, www.llyrandem.com

lessons, sales) service. Colorado's n1ost experienced!

Wills Wing, Moyes, Alrnir, Higl, Energy, Hall, Flytcc, Connections and much more. Call (303) 67/i , Evergreen, ( :olorado Airrimcl !Gtii\101.corn

QUEST AIR SOARIN<; CENTER Your vacation hang gliding location. C,52) 12') .. ()2 J:l, fax (352) 1,29 .. '18/i6. Visit our website ai-: ,vww.qucstairforcc.com or

email us: quc.srnirtZ1lsundial.rn:1

I IANC G!ll)INC

ILUNOIS 1 IANC CLIDE CHIC:ACO Full service acroparki 2 tow htll rime ccnilicd instructors, 1J miles. (815) 325-

1685, RI\ Vl'N SKY SPORTS (} 12) 360-0700, (8 I 'i) li89-')700 or (2.(,2) 473-8800. 2 ho11rs from Chicago, 90 minmcs from Elgin, Palatine or Libertyville. The

best instructors, the hest equipment, the best results in rhe Midwcsr. Training program for combincd/imcgrated foot 1:mnch and aerotow certifkation. i\pply 1OO'Y<,

The J\erotow i:light Park Sarishction ( ;uarnntecd 1-800-803-7788

!UST 8 Mfl.FS FRO/vi DISNEY WORIJ)

HJLI. I IOOK-llPS I ,aundry, propane, recreation room. 1-800,8fl:l-7788

• YEAR ROUND SOARING • OPEN 7 DAVS A WEEK • SIX TUGS, NO WAITING • EVERY DIRECTION

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FUCJ IT PARK

50 t 1'!! CF demos to fly: to Trainer Clidcrs: Laminar, Moyes, Wills, J\irbornc, Airwavc, Exxtacy, La Moucttc, Sensor; ,1lso harnesses, varios, etc.

Ages 1'l To 7:l have learned to fly here. No one comes close to our level and

Sec our display ad. Discover why FOUR TIMES as many pilots e;rrn their wings at Lookom than at any other school! We wrote US! ](;A's Ofltcial Training M:rnual. Our specialty-customer sarisfoction and fun wirh the BEST FACILITIES, ]:,rgcsr inventory, camping, swimming, volleyball, more! For a trip, intro flight or lesson Lookout Mountain, j11st olltside Ch,rna11ooga, your COMPLET'E training/service center. Info? (800) 688-LMFP.

IO motels & rcstamants wirhin 5 mins., camping, hot showers, shade trees, sales, storage, ratings, XC

retrievals, great weather, climbing wall, trampoline, DSS TV, ping pong, picnic tables, swimming pool, ere. Flights of over 200 miles and more than 7 hours. J\rriclcs in 1-lrmr. Glidint,, Cross BUNKIJOUSF.

sho\vs,

Visit us 01, the Wch: http://www.wallahy.com Pkasc call m for references and video. 1805 Dean Stilt Road, Disney Arca, Fl, .,3837 (86:l) lt24-0070 · phone & fox fly~llwallaby.com 1-800-WAI.L;\BY

RI\ VFN SI<Y SPORTS -- (262) 47.'l-8800. Please sec our ad under Wisconsin. inf()~))hanggliding.com

MARYLAND MARYLAND SCJ!OOL OF llANC GT.TDINC, INC -- Certified insrrucrion, in l,,or bunch. Dealers for Wills Wing, Moyes, High Energy, year-"round instruction. (It IO) 527-0975, www.1nsl1g.co1n

CLOUD 9 SPORT AVIATION -

A GREAT SCENE FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ...

including D:11clinc NBC The Discovery ( :lrnnnd & FS1'1'!.

INDIAN/\

MICHIGJ\N

success wirh tandem aerotow instruction.

Counlrp and others. h::aturcd on numerous

of your intro lesson costs to certif'icarion progra1n upgrade' !'lease sec om ad under WISCONSIN.

Acrotow spccialisrs. We carry all major brand Free PVC glider srorage/rransport nthc with new purchase. Now in stock: Laminar ST; Wills Fusion, XC, Ulrrasport, Sonic; Acros Stealth 2; Magic Falcon; Moyes Kiss. Outrigger wheels and other accessories in stock. Call for spring tandem lessons and /lying appoinrments with the DraachcnF!iegen Soaring Club at Cloud 9 field. 11088 Coon Lake Rd. W., Webberville, MI li8892. (51 '1) 223-8683. Cloud9sa/iDaol.corn

WARM & COMl'ORTABT.E By LMr:P'. 32 bunks, hot showers, open all year, 21t hour tion. 1-800-803"7788! HAWAII

mernbers! New hang promotional

Conservative Reliable• Sratc of rhc J\n FJI.C. JNC./flYJNC FLORlllJ\ SINCE 197/i

available. Special member

Malcolm Jones, Ryan Clover, Carlos l\cssa Laurie Croft, Jeremie l lill, Kerry l.loyd Tom Ramseur, Roger Sherrod, Rhett Radl,ml Tiki Mashy, P;iris Williams

price only $5.00 ($15.95

GEORGIA BIRDS IN PJ\RJ\DISE

CABIN RENTAL --- Tastefully decorated cabin f,ir and weekly rcn1:1ls within walking distance to Lookour Mtn Flighr Park !./.. Sleeps fom, fiill kitchen, 5'U-cllite tv, air conditioned, hcared, fireplace, hack porch w/hot mb. Tastclitlly litrnished with handmade rustic fornishings. Call (706) 657-2756 or (706) (S771i I I for inli, and reserv,rtions.

MARCI 1 2001

Hang gliding & ultralight flying on Ka11ai. Certified ta11dcm instruction. (808) 102-510') or (808) G-39-1067, bir,lsQi'birdsinpara,lise.corn www.birdsinparadisc.com

for non-men1bers). 1-800-616-6888 yours today! 47

Attention USHGA members! New hang gliding promotional video available. Special member price only $5.00 ($15.95 for non-members). Call 1-800-616-6888 to order yours today!

Nearly 1,000 articles... hundreds of pilot reports • All "Product Lines" columns • How-to-Buy Guide • Read owner comments Site not open; sign up online to be notified

Continued.from page 33. made at Sandia two weeks earlier. To heck with landing. I refocused and went into full search mode again , and evencually found a lirrle weak area to my north rhar was being warmed by an angling peek of setting sun . I centered in the 100 fpm and rreared ic like my last possible thermal, and indeed ir was, getting me co 13,200' before ir finally petered our. Ir had nice drift, and placed me within easy glide of Amsrerdam/Churchhill and Belgrade on rhe Imersrace. There was I-90, the east-west inrersrare. There was Bozeman. Wow it was all so close now. Bur cloud cover was still 90%-100% , and I was on final, final glide, I could feel it gliding down through 11,000'; the air had zero energy left. I overflew the Incersrare co the west of Belgrade, thinking hard now about wi messes as well as realistic LZ's, now down co 9,800'. There were low hills and Felix Canyon in front of me, and a hang gliding sire by char same name co the northeast on the Bridger Mountains. I had flown that sire with Wi ll Lanier and some of the other Bozeman pilots years ago. Any pilots there today? Nope. There was significant vi rga at the north end of the canyon, and also co my ease along the end of the Bridgers - my route was blocked again. The parry was over. My cask now was co screech the glide along the hills and the canyon road, and land where there were witnesses and where my crew could find me. Ar the end of the canyon, 17 miles north of Belgrade, with no more ranches and now rain t\¥0 miles in front of me, I circled the final 2,000' down to a sunburnt barley field and landed p rmily back co the south in essentially zero gro und wind. Ir was 7:20 PM, 5 hours and 55 minutes from launch, 187 miles reading happily on my GPS. Frank should be proud; it cook a lot of years co break the record, and I did it the hard way, over the most formidable of terrain and in a flex wing. Two ranch hands working the field nearby saw my approach and landing, and offered all assistance. They cook me ro their ranch house two miles away co make a call co Ken's home phone. The ranch folks enthusiastically cold and retold their vario us versions of seeing me in the air, including the "pterodactyl" story. Jeez, I sure hope chat maybe she'll believe the poor guy next rime! • M ARCH 2001

INFORMATION IS PERFORMANCE

B RAU N

Brauniger Fl ight Instruments provide you with accurate, timely digital flight data to enhance your performance and flying enjoyment. Whether your thing is local recreati ona l soaring or world-class co mpetition, Brauniger has an in strument to give you the information you need.

Distribut ed And Serviced By

LLS~

Nli

Find out more from your Wills Wing dealer, Our webs ite: www.willswi ng.com, or phone 714.998.6359

TRAVERSE CITY HANG GT.IDERS/PARAGUDERS PULL-TIME shop. Certified instruction, foot launch and tow. Sales, service, accessories for A LL major brands. VISA/MASTERCARD. Come soar our 450' dnnes! 1509 E 8th, Traverse City Ml li%81. Offering powered paragliding lessons & dealer for the Explorer &. used nnits. Call Bill m (231) 922-28/il!, tchangglidcr(ihjnno.corn. Visit our school in Jackson, Wyoming. Call Tracie at

SlJSQUEI JANNA FUGl JT PARK Cooperstown, NY. Certified Instruction, Sales and Service for all manufacturers. !iO acre park, 5 training hills, jeep bunk honsc, hot showers, GOO' NW ridge. in N. New Yori< srate to teach you how w fly. c/o Dan Cuido, Box 293 Shoemaker Rd, Mohawk NY 13/iO/, (.315) 866-61 53.

MOUNTAIN TOI' RECREATION Certified insrruction, (Ii 12) /G7-li882. C'MON OUT AND PLAY!

NORTH CAROLINA

PUERTO RICO

MINNESOTA

PENNSYLVANIA

MOUNTAIN WINCS

Look under New York.

FLY POF.RTO RICO Team Spirit Hang Cliding, HG classes cfaily, tandem instruction available. Wills Wing dealer. Glider rcntals for qualified pilots. PO Box ')78, Punta Santiago, Puerto Rico 007/i 1. (787) 8500508, tsl112~"c;oom.u,ct

RAVEN SKY SPORTS (612) 340-1800 or (262) li73--8800. Please sec our ad under WISCONSIN. NFVADA

TENNESSEE ADVENTURE SPOR'l'S Sierra Tours and tandems available. lnsmiction certified USJIGA instruct.ors with 25 years experience. Sales, service and instruction by Carson City/Lake Tahoe NV. 883-/070 hnp://l10mc. pyramid. nct/advsprs

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FJ.lGIIT PARK ad under Georgia. XC CAPJTAL OF THE CAROLINAS (828) 6:\2-9810 foothillsfligh1(al)w1mail.com

Sec

TEXAS

LAS VEGAS AIR.BORN WATERSPORTS USHCA certified hang gliding instrnction. Sales and service, boat row, mounrnin so:1ring, XC:. (/02) 2607950, www.virttralhosts.net/hang.htm NEW JERSEY MOlJNTAIN WfNCS

I.ook nndcr New York.

• NEW YORK

• YEAR-ROUND SOARlNG • FXCEf.l,ENTXC l'I.YfNG • TANDEM INSTRUCTION • AFRO TOWfNG/TlIRFF TUGS • DRAGONFLY/TRIKE INSTRUCTION • INTRO l:c)OT LAUNCH C:JASSES • PARAGI.ID[NC TOWS • WINCH TOWING• FLY-INS AND Cl.!NJCS • SALES AND SERVICE• GOO ACRE FACILITY Steve Burns 97'J.279.9."l82 email: shumsQ0 alpha I .net 800B Pinc St., Hearne TX T7859 Fred Burns 281.1/1.1488 email: austinair{ilaol.com 3810 Bonit:t l,ane, La Porte 'l"X 77571 www.austinaifsports.com

AAA FLICHT SCI lOOL MOUNTAIN WINGS I ELLENVfU.E AIR SPORTS. Full service shop, flight park, li500ft. row field, winch and aero towing, tandems, two-place U.L. training. Airwavc, Altair, Moyes, J\cros, learn 2000, r:\ight Star U.L., MOSQUJ. TO powered harness, WOODY VALLEY harnesses in stock. The V-MITTS $29.00. or (845) Gli/-3$/7 vv,,1w.l!J,;hr:schooll.nc,t, 1 'iO Canal St., Ellenville, NY East. AIR SPORTS USA hang gliding, paragliding, microlights paragliding. Distributors for Avi;,n. Dealers most major brands. Pull service and equipment at best prices. The most friendly service in the area. Srorc address: 29 31 Newtown Ave., Astoria NY. Phone (718) /000, WWW.FLYFORFUN.NET FLY HJCH HANG CLID!NC, INC. New York, Connecticut, Jersey areas (Fllenville Area's EXCLUSIVE Wills Wing dealer/specialist. Also all other major brands, acccssnries. Certified school/instruction. Teaching since 1979. Area's most INEXPENSIVE prices. Excellent secondary iJJ.mucrion ... if yon've finished a program and wish ro continue. Fly rhe mountain! ATOL Tandem flights! Contact Paul 5163 Rd, Pinc Bush, NY 125GG, (81i5)

GO ... HANG GUDJNG!!! Jeff Hum. Aust.in ph/fax (512) liG7-2529 jeffQllf1ytexas.com www.flytexas.com • TANDEM INSTRUCTION • AEROTOWINC • BOAT TOWlNC • BEACH RESORT • TRAINING CAMPS • FOOT LAUNCH • OPEN YEAR ROUND • PARAGLll)]NG • EQUlPMFNT SAi .ES J\ND SERVICE

(800) 334-4777 NAGS HEAD, NC lnrcrner Address: http://ww"\>\,.lntryl1mNl<.co11n E-Mail Address: mlo~1'k11tyl1a\\rlu;orn

HILL COUNTRY PARAGLIDING lNC !.earn complete pilot skills. Personali'J.ed lJSHCJ\ certified

rraining, ridge soaring, f(JOt" &_ tow launching in central Texas. MOTORIZED PARAGLIDING INSTRUCTION & EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE. (915) 3791185. 1li75 CR 220, Tow TX 78672. KITE ENTERPRISES Foot launch, platform launch and aerotow instrucrion roo. Training, sales, rentals and repair. J\irwavc & Wills Wing. Dallas, Fort Worth and north Texas area. 211 Ellis, Allen TX 7'i002. (972) 390-9090 nights, weekends, www.kitc·-cntcrpriscs.com TOTAL /\JR SPORTS Area's OLDEST Wills Wing dealer. Certil!ed instruction available. "] only DEAL with WILLS". 16121 Lakeview, llousron TX 77MO. (7 I 3) 9:37-8611, totalairspon I ()Qllhotmail.com

.50

HANC Cun1Nc

UTAH

WISCONSIN

CLOUD 'J SOJ\RINC CENTER -· The nation's largest and lta11g gliding shop, is now offer· ing hang guide services) repairs and sales at Point the Mounrain, Utah. Conwcr ns for an information packet or stup by the shop. (801) 57(,. 6·160, iufo(i1)paragliders.rnn1 I ;\'j')(, S. Minutcni;m l )r. 111 Draper, lJT Sli020.

RJ\VEN SKY SPORTS Hi\NC GI.IDJNC J\ND PARJ\CLJDINC The Midwest's Premier acrotow flight park, founded in 1992. h,:m1rini:; INTEGRATED INSTRUCTION of' foot-launch and acrotow tan prices to beat in the US/\. Seven grassy training hills all wind 10w planes, no waiting! directions. hrnr Three tandem gliders on undercarriages. W\'i/ 1':dcons for rr:1ini11g from the very lirst lessons. lJSlJJ\ nltr:tlight and tug instruction. Paragliding tows. !'rec camping. S:1lcs/sctvicc/acccssories for all brands. Open cLtys :1 week. Contact Brad Kushner, PO Box 101, Whitewater WI 'i3 I ')0 (262) li'/3·H800 pl10nc, (2.Ci2) liTHlBO I fox, www.hanggliding.com, inf,,~i>hangglid-

WJ\SJ\TC:11 WINGS Utah's only fidl service hang gliding school, Point of the Mountain, regional rnoun· 1ain sites, tDwing. Dealer for AcrDs, i\irwavc, /\l1air, Moyes, Wills Wings and much more. ( :all he (80 I) 21/i-7/i'Jli, wingsVilwasatch.com 1vww.wasa1ch,com/, wings

illg.com

/\l.l. ACCESSORIFS IN STOCK! Flytcc li005, Quantum :130, call 1 I.ow J>rices, Lise delivery! Cunnison Clidcrs, 15/i<J County Road 17, (;unnison CO 81230. (970) (,Ii 1-:rl 15, http://gunnisonglidcrs.eom/

VIRCINIJ\ PARTS & ACCESSORIES i\EROTOW!NG ACCESSORIES-- Sec TOWINC. THE WALLABY RANCH (863) li21i-0070. J\MAZJN(;l.Y I.OW PRIC:FS ... On all llall v:Hios! llobv1lbrokerforyo11.co1t1

Bl.lJF SKY Fullrimc instruction and service at Manquin !'light Park near Richmond. Wills Wing, Moyes, Flight Design, /\cros and J\irwavc gliders. Midi\tlantic Mosquito dealer. Steve Wendt (5'10) li:12. 6557 or (80/i) 2/i 1-li:124, www.lilueskyhg.com, hlueskyhg<illyaltoo.corn

FLY /\T VIRCJNJ/\'S NFWFST TOT/\1 l'LIC:l lT PJ\Rl< MJ\NQUJN offers acrotowing, t:rndcm lessons, tntck training hill :md scooter towing pilots. CeniJJcd instruction, glider equipment sales) sci-vice and "BLUE SKY" Virginia's leading hang

BFST 12" WHEELS AVAILABLE Super tough, lightweight, ,1 must for rnmlcm flying. Builr··in bushings. Only USA-built wheel. $1i2.95, quantity discrnmrs. Immediate delivery. Lookout Mountain, (800) <,88·1.MFP.

HANG GUDING ACCESSORIES B/\R MlTTS: EXPl.ORFR No map pocket $1i5.00 NJ\ VIGJ\TOR Rc:movahlc map pocket $5'5.00 COMPETITOR Circular map cuff $65.00 c;um:r, BAGS-HEA\/Y lllJTY 600 denier Wat er & lJV protection. Ill O zipper ends. Tapc:rc:d ,lcsigJJ. Continuous loop handles. Red or blue. $ l 00.00 CROSS COUNTRY 210 denier strong yet lightweight. 115 zipper. Red or blue. $90.00 RJ\lllO POUCl!FS Adjusts to fo mosr radios. onto strap. Red or blue. $15.00 HARNLSS BJ\C Roomy-St ro11g··C :0111 fonablc. Adjustable waist belt & shoulder straps. Red or blue.$15.00 $12.00 $1.00 per 1O" Sail Wing Tip Bags $5 ca. or $8/pr. MJ\ST/\DON !WSJCNS Box (,655 S. J ,ake Tahm: CA% 157 (530) 5li2·3853 www.mastadon.net l.AMINJ\R PARTS·~· We have what you need and we arc commincd to same ;\ VS Call (760) T!.1-070 l or en,ail at mcllasJ.,y~ 0 yalloo.com

Try .>··axis flying with cenified 11ltraligh1 instruction thro11gh "FLY RAWLING", learn ro fly and soar the Su1,erl'loater. Just 2 hours south DC, minmes NE of' Richmond. hcc camping dose to fast l,,od, rcst:lll· rams and Dominion theme p:trk. Vlsir us on web www.1nanqui11acrotow.com or

KITTY I Ii\ WK KITFS

Sec North Carolina.

SILVFR WINGS, INC. C:ntilicd instruction and cquipmem sales. (70:l) 5.J.'\. I %5 Arlington V/\. WASHINGTON HANGTIM I' -- I )eakr of the MOSQUITO powered harnesses. Call lcn CI.INIC dates. Right here in the pacific northwest. (509) 525-.3571, lbbrown(,:lll,mi.nct

MARCH 2001

•Newand Improved • Water/Dust Resistant Push Button • Field Repl:tccable Finger Switch • Heavier C:t11gc Wire/Improved Plugs • l ncrcased Strain Relief at J\ LI. Join ts Price $119.95. Extra switch $19.95 w/pm·cll:1sc. Dealer welcome. Call (913) MC :/Visa. our website at www.iligJuconn.com

World's smallest, MINI VARIO Clips to helmet or chinstrap. 200 hours on (). 18,000 ft., fast response and 2 year warranty. Great for pa1·ag/1ct111g too. ONLY $169. Mallcucc, PO Box Santa i\na CA, 92735. (l I Ii) %6- l 2/iO, MC/Vis:1 accep1cd, www.mallcttcc.com

TEI( FI.IGJIT PRODUCTS

BUSINLSS & EMPLOYMENT Bl•J:OMF i\ PROJ:ESSJON/\L FUCJIT JNSTRUC-

arc available in I .os Angeles at one finest bang gliding schoois. i'or information contact Joe Crehlo at wi 11 clspo rrs(rilea rrl 1Ii11 k. nct DRJ\GONl'LY TOW CLUB ---- The success is in the smiles! Dragonfly kits available NOW for $10,800! Fully built {cir $12,800 plus you get Bobby Bailey to train you ar your site. Call {,,,. details. Ken Brown dba Moyes America ('5:JO) 888--8622 FlyaMnyes~ilaol.com

WOOlJY VAIJ}i'Y-I hrncsm, The best, /\JI Models ln Stork MOSQUITO-Powered harness, Take off ll·om flat ground, -what is in S1ock $".'> 995. 00 ST/llKER--Thc newest ridged wing from /\FROS, It's {lOT-/n stock SPO!{l~\'Tl?f<.The new intermediate glider Ii-om i\lRW i\ VF-/11 stock ,1:[0S-The Best, Highest performing, Rigid Wing ln Stock

UGl!T .~1'E'ED-Sccond (;cncration Topless, none hen er ·· In Stocle ,S_'/1..ll!RN-Bcst in class, from i\ I:J'J\ TR , Our biggest seller In S1ocl< I!IRGJIZ.:Singlc surface w/douhlc surface pctforrnancc, folds to 6ftJn stock SJJNIJ.-- New 200 I version imcrn1ediatc from i\JRBORNE-/n stoch GliderCondoms-Thc ultimate glider protection-in

Camera mount $18.50. Camera remote (,tsk ahoJJt rebate) $'15. Vario rnottnt $15. 6" wheels $2').75, 8" wheels $3'1.75 plus $Ii S&II per (\J.S.1\.) included. TEI< FLIGHT Products, Colebrook Stage, Winsted CT 06098. Or call (860) 379-1668. Email: tck<i11snct.net or our page: www.reldlighr.com UVEX I IFLMlffS · · Arc the best and arc now ou sale for only $215. save JJ)' to $11 O! Call (206) 320 '!010 for more

!'.c:.Mm1--The ORIGINAL and still the bcst--!n Swl,

$29.95

Wheels, Vm-ios, 711 (;/ rk, Videos Visa I M,wer cr1rd I J)isco1Jer mrd

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Tandem Instructor :rnd/or Bl,.! with Wi\NTl·:D m:tnagcmelll exr,encnc:e. Year round position avaibblc, Live and ;It BEACH on the Omer Banks, NC. llenefos Full Time. Crowrl1 opportunities. Call (252) !iii 1-2ii2(1, email hruce~ilkinyhawk.com www.kinyl1awk.con1 Wi\NTFD -- J fang (;licling/l'amgliclling Immediate foll time openings California dream .. instruct srndcnts ar the San site. Service shop Francisco B;iy ;irca's prcrnicr employment is also available. Pat Dcncvan (lt08) 262--1055. MSC! !C(iilaol.rnm

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HANC CLIUINC

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l-800-61

88 today! 53

LEFT WINGLFT Lost for a WWXC 155, at C:l.ASSY MOUNTAl\/, SC: on October 28 1h, 199'). (not a newer version). l'aintcd deep Original blue w/whitc bolt. (Would Ii/a: 10 repli!ct ii or sell my n;~hl wing winglet .fi!r a .f,iir price.) Paul Peeples (828) 88'i-2536, Stolen from QUEST Am l:UCI lT PARK, I'!, on May 1st, 1999 (last day of the N:tts.) Red under, blue tip, mylar top. Call Mark (21i8) j<)/i. j ?.2'/ tnboltglidcGtlaol.com l !ANG GLIDIN(; & PARAGl]l)!NG TOURS All skill levels. Aero, 1r11ck towing. Easy flying & smooth at a bccmtifid lake. Volcano flight, XC: ride Crom 12,000' to rhc coast. glider & more. Basic Ol J.fi9-80/i-22Y55,

VIDEOS, BOOKS & POSTFRS Call USI !GA for yom Merchandise order form (719) (i:32-8300, email: or check '"' r web page

STOI.FN WJN(;S arc listed as :t service to US] !CA members. Newest entries :rrc in bold. There is no charge for this service and lost and found wings or equipment may be called in (719) 632-8300, foxed in (7 l ')) G.32-6/i 1 or emailed at ushgaG1l11shga.org for inclusion in magazine. Please call to cancel the listing gliders arc recovered. Periodically, this listing will be purged.

INDEX

www.11siig:-i.org

DON'T LEAVE YOUR GROUND-HOUND EQUJPMENT SITTING IN THE GARAGE. SELL IT IN THE HANG GLIDING CLASSIFIEDS.

CLASSIFIED ADVElfflSINC RATFS The rate f,,r classified advertising is$. 50 per word (or group of char· acters) and $1.00 per word for bold oral! MfNIMUM AD Cl 11\R(;F $'5.00. A Cce of 15.00 is charged for each line an logo and $2'5.00 for each photo. LIN FART & l'l !OTO SI/.E NO LAIU:EI, THAN 1.75" X 7..25". Please uuderline words to be in bold prim. Special layouts of tabs .Y:25.00 per column inch. Phone nurnber~2 words. Frnail or web address,:,words. AD DFADl.lNES: All ad copy, insrructions\

Adventure Productions ........................ ? Alrair ................................................ .43

Angli: of Attack ................................. 54 Arai Design ...................................... .4 8 Dan Johnson ..................................... 48 1:Jy1cc ................................................ 17

additions and canccll:aions must·

be received in writing 1. 5 months preceding the cover

date, i.e. March 20th for the May issue. Please make ro USHC:A, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado checks Springs, CO 80901- 13:>0, (ll 9) 637.-8:lOO. Fax (719) 632-6417 or email: your cbssi/Jed with your Visa or MasterCard. STOLEN WINGS & Tl IINGS

FUSJON l 50 SP -- Srolen Nov. Ii, 2000 from near the Elk Mrn LI. (Middle ( :reek Campground), Lake CA. Spring battens, all white upper surface, red w/black tip undersnrfacc. Distinctive foatme: hydrnnet leading edge (not mylar like most), serial #36/i')/i, was in dark grey wired tips XC: bag. Comact Matt (707) 838-:,59/i, M:msl'lyinQ,laol.com

I-Tall Bros ............................................ . f ligh Energy Spom .......................... .39

JllS1 Lookout Mm. r:Jight Park .............. 9,4 I Mojo's Gear ..................................... .48 Moyes ................................................. 8

Sport Aviation Publications ................. ?

Traverse Ciry Hang Gliders ................. 9 Stolen July 15, MOYES XTRAUTF H7 & I !iii 2000 Regionals in HEARNE, TX. lloth have a white upper surface, b1'1ck under surface and :111 Jirc emblem on undcrsurfacc 01· right wing. C:onract Melvin B. Asher (281) 934-6199 orJohn Moody (713) 710-6035.

U.S. Aeros ........................................... 5

Two p:iragliders lost by Fl.ICITT DESIGN S2VT the US postal service, shipped from CAI.IFORNIA ro 1-TA WA 11 parcel post on August I 9th, 19')9. ( lnc w/purplc top. one medi1m1 w/or:mgc top. Lois l lulmes (530) 542-4957.

11 Wt\,I Coasr Arns ........................................... 7

Wills

li9,Back Cover

Ask us about Chippie'M Phone: 209.543.7850 Toll-Free: 888.530.9940 E-Mail: custsvc@angleofattack.net Website: http://angleofattack.net

1(10% Gucmmteed, If not satisfied, return unused tubes for 100% money bock. Major Credit Cords accepted. OEM/Dealer inquiries encouraged. Ad b Poter Birron: 847.640.0171

HANC CLIDINC

by the time you ST. PAUL, MINN. I read this, but at time of I was looking forward to the Stalker in person is Air Sports Expo, that at the of sport aircraft of many Aeros Stalker is a long time coming because it features numerous differences from other wing des ••• Importer GW Meadows says Aeros has a full roster of for the new year, of which one. He says, "The Stealth available in the 154 size, but a smaller size is worked on at the . " He believes that Combat is not tops in but is very user as well. Aeros says the glider and passed the German certification tests. Combat uses 7075 ribs, a Matrix top sail, in-fli sprogs, and the Ukrainian says their reflex system supports more of the of the glider. GW "We will be marketing this to not only the serious competition pilot but to the serious cross . " U. S . Aeros recommends the Stealth Dacron sailcloth for recreational cross country 111iuu111 But lots of excitement surrounds the r id Stalker ( here in ,January 2000). On a recent to the Ukraine, Meadows wrote, "After the Stalker, I had for truly the most beautiful wing I've seen mounted on 2 down tubes. " Of course, he' s biased but based on the construction and changed control surfaces and their this does sound like a different wing. A a :E iner point on it, U.S. Aeros says, trailing edge consists of ailerons Flaps and ailerons are self but the SPADD l).ileron _)drag ;Qevice) a new feature. It is a device attached out at the very of the that an extra amount of the inside wing. " Aeros claims that the coordinate the turns the I could agree based with flying in conjunction with ailerons. 'I'he aileron deflects upward on one wing and the spadd also deflects upward. Yet an additional part of the spadd moves downward below the wing to a little extra in that area, drag which is to the turn ( like a ) . It doesn't take much out at the Stalker' s ailerons are conventional in that they that do not and down the same distance. the produced by control on every three-axis aircraft. However, also deflects on an scale as the aileron is used more corrections on final, this extra authority may be . On whole, the Stalker seems well enough thought out to overcome the in its introduction. should have more for you next month. Info: . com or 252-480-3552. ••• MAl,CH 2001

, Wills Wing is competitions, usual close-to-the-vest development of new iders. The new is with curved So :Ear unnamed to my knowledge, the proto was flown in a Australian tions by Paris Williams. I can't recall a WW development s at a meet before. Reports from those who saw it gave WW credit for a early prototype. Williams was reportedly with the at this stage. ••• You can about it at the company's 28th party, held at the Ranch, March 14-18, 2001. The builder says, "This will be the fourth year that world renowned Wallaby Ranch has hosted the Wills Wing party and demo days." Visitors are invited to Falcons, Ultra Sports, Fusions, two new sizes of the , and the new curved 'l'he Condor trainer .is the beach sites; it may for (though the team a way to tow almost ) . Info: W.illsW.ing.com or 714-998--6359. ••• 'rhe FAI blessed the distance" by Dav.is Straub last August, after Dave Sharp' s of 311 miles -- at least he's the first man ever to past 500 kilometers. FAI .in Par.is ratified Straub' s achievement in Class O (oh, not zero) .in Sub-class 0-2, meaning a hang with structure and with movable control surfaces. Since FAI records in metric the 347 miles got translated to 559. 7 kilometers Sharp's was 502. 8 km. Dav.is and Dave! You furthered the of hang . ••• Top Czech Tomas Suchanek, set a of records .in Australia at the end of last year. He' s to be occupied with and these days, but .it appears he still has needed for cross country . Tomas entered the books late last year with a over 100 km triangle" 40 km/h (25 mph), over 300 km " where Suchanek hit 45 km/h ( 28+ mph), and over 50 km triangle" where he blazed along at 4 6 km/h ( almost 2 9 mph) . He also took a record for 25 km, and the of all, a distance over a award. Suchanek racked up 357 km mi) and 45 ]dicks all the while. Dang! A Looking at the two th.ink averaging nearly 30 mph miles .is pretty were flown on a Moyes at the recent Moyes World Record Wilcannia .in Western NSW-Australia. Attila Bertik of Hungary, flew a to a " over 200 km or close to 26 mph. for excel.lent F1yaMoyes@aol..com. eoe So, got news or Send 'em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Messages or Eax to 651 450 0930, or e--mail to Cumul.usMan@aol.com. A All "Product Lines" colmm1s will be available later this year at www. ByDanJohnson. com. 'l'HANKSJ.

Competition?

Oh yeah, we do that too ...

Bo Hagewood Jim Lee Paris Williams

1st 1st 3rd

2000 US National Championships 2000 Lone Star Championships 2000 Lone Star Championships

Fusion 150 SP Fusion 1 50 SP Fusion 1 50 SP

Jim and Paris combined to win six out of seven days of the meet. Kari Castle Franc;:oise Mocellin

1st 2nd

2000 Women's World Championships 2000 Women's World Championships

Fusion 150 SP Fusion 141 SP

These were the only two Fusion SP's in the meet R ichard Walbec F ranc;:oise Mocellin Richard Walbec Sandy Dittmar Chris Muller

1st 1st 3rd 1st 1st

2000 French National Championships 2000 French Women's National Championships 2000 Pre-Worlds 2000 Valida International De Vol Vibre Venezuela 2000 Canadian National Championships

Fusion 1 50 SP Fusion 141 SP Fusion 150 SP Fusion 150 SP Fusion 1 50 SP

But then , we do other things as well. Like the Wills Wing Falcon - the world wide standard for first purchase, entry-level fun. The Wills Wing Eagle - double surface performance with single surface flight characteristics - and maybe the best all around glider we've ever made. The Wills Wing Ultra Sport - the most accessible true high performance you can buy. And the Wills Wing Fusion - the confidence that comes with first quality materials and engineering, and an unmatched safety record .

Wills Wing gliders. Check us out.

Guality aircraft for exceptional people.

Wills Wing USA, 500 West Blueridge Ave. Orange , CA 92865 , ph 714.998.6359 fax 714.998 .0647 www.willswing.com