USHGA Hang Gliding April 2001

why Manfred Ruhmfir, 7bmas Suchanek, Andre Wolf, Betinho Smith, Gerolf Heinrich, Nene Rotor, Steve Moyes, Robbie Whittall, Richard Walbec, Christian Cieck and evc~ry s1ngfo world champion since 1981 *

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fly with our reserve

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unmatcht.>d reliability, and the

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Performance comparative results can be found <1t DISTRIBUTED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE USA BY

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The only exception has been Guido German in the 97 WC

(760) 612-6994 info@freeflysolutions.com

ntents (USPS OI7-')70-20 - ISSN 08~5-433XJ

16 2000 Red Bull Wings Over Aspen

by BifL Hetme1; photos © 200 I by john Heiney and BifL Heaner Cerring radical ar chis now-famous evenr sponsored by Red Rull energy drink.

18 Unofficial World Record!

by L. 0. O'Fli,prt, i!Lustmtio11s by Tex Fmrest The srory of :111 amazi ng pilor and an amazing Aighr in Nebraska.

22 Get High, Go Far

by Pete Lehmann The Niehaus age dawns in Region 9's Yearlong X-C Comest.

26 Serious Fun -

Part II

by Bruce We/lver The Kitty Hawk Ki res insrrucror reunion.

32 Topless In The Tetons tfrticfe andphotos by Srot Truebwotl Some great Aying can be had in Jackson Hole, Wyom ing.

36 Hang Gliding Technique And Style art:ide and photos © 200 I hy Greg D,, Wolf. Fly Americr1 Some pracrical. how-ro flying pointers.

26

Columns Wing Tips, by Rodger Hoyt ................ I J

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

Incident Reports, by Bill Bryden ... ...... 12

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

Competition Corner ............ ..... ........... I 3

Calendar of events .......... ... ................. . 10

Produce Lines, by Dan Johnson ........ .55

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

APRIL 2001

.1

Gil Dodge11, Mam1gi11g l:dito1/Ed/10r in Chlcd Dave Pounds, Ari Ditector John Hein1,y, Gerry Charlebois, Leroy Graimis, Mark Vaughn, Bob Lowe l'liotogmphm Harry Martin, Illustrator Dennis Pagco, Mark Stucky, Rodger Hoyt, G.W. Meadows, Jim Palmieri, Hill llrycfon Sta(f Wriwn

NEEDED

L:xccutivc Committee:

David Glover, Pr0siden1, dm1i11o!!!rl,1vic1[41cwe,,·.cc,m Mark forgoson, Vice !·'resident, m;irk&i!/J;ll'lva,·"i,·rom Russ Locke, Secrewry,russlocke@juno.com Bill Bolosky, Trnasurei; bolosky@mfcmsot),com REGION 2:

Jamie '.l: David

4: Mark REGION REGION B: Doug Felipe

Brown, John Borton, Paul Rikerl, fal Pitman, C.W. Me,1dows, !lob Hannah, John Harris, Sanderson (SSA), Daw Broyles, Gcme Ma!lhews, Ken Rob Kells, Liz Dan Johnson. EX-OH!CIO DIREC> TORS: M (NAA).

Thee

resentatfvc of the Internationale (FAI), of the world aviation. The NA1\, which has to the

HAN(l GLIDING 111ag<1zinE? is published for gild, ing sport i,nthusiasts to create further interest the and to provide ;in eduG1lional forum to advance melborfa ;\nd safely, Contributions are welctmie. is invilNl to contribulc articles, and· illuslrnlions hang gliding the niaterial is to sc;i/.addressml return mus! be must be, rn,1de of to other hang gliding publications, HANG GLIDING magazine reserves the lo edit conlribulions where necr,ssary. The and do 1101 ilssurnc respousibilily for the rnaterior opinions of contributor;;. HANG GLIDING editori, al offices: 31441 Santa Suite A-256, Hanchn S,\llta (949) !.HHl7363, fax (949)

089S·'433x) i;; published

Statos Colorndo Ave.,

Association, Colorado

B0903 (719) 632-il300, FAX (719) 632· POSTAGE paid at Colorado Springs, CO and a1 additional mailing offices,

POSTMASTER: SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO: HANC GLIDINC, IJ,O. BOX ·1 :no, Colorado Springs,

co no001-1 :no.

ARl'IL 2001

VOLlJMI ::11, ISSUE No. 4

Dear Editor, The San Diego Hang Gliding and [\uagliding Association (SDHGPJ\) needs your help. The cluh is trying to secure per. . mission to land foot launched gliders in d1c J\nza Borrego Desert Stare Park, where it is currently illegal to do so. /\s you may know, J ,aguna Mountain is one of the premiere cross-country sites in southern California. The SDl IGPA has a permit to launch at Kwaaymii Point (Upper Laguna). Wc also have informal permission from a few private landowners to land in the Mason Vallcy and the San Felipe Valley.

However, this will change in the very near fonirc. Our I Zs arc in jeopardy. ·rhc sratc of California is aggressively expanding the /\nza Borrego Desert State Park by purchasing large parcels of land from private landowners, including thosc owners who used to give us permission to land on thcir property. The park has already purchased land at the Scissors intersection, and ir is now illegal to land there. We recently learned that the Banner I Z proper .. ty is for sale and is a possible park acquisi· tion. l f this land becomes part of the /\nza Borrego Desert Srntc Park, we will lose om ability ro land at Banner.

Fortunately, rhe Am.a Borrego Desert State Park is now in the process ofwriring irs general plan. '] 'his plan will guide thc use of the park for rhe next several decades. 1n ordcr to secure designated landing zones in thc general plan, we must lobby thc pLm amhors. The SD HCP/\ has already formally requested that a provision be incorporated into the park's general plan which would allow foor launched, 1101Hnotorizcd gliders ro land in designated non-wilderness porrions of the park. Park officials have made it clear that they arc unlikely to approve: our request without a significant show of public support. l"kre' s how you can help: W c have a sample form lener on our wchsite that you can simply download and send or use as a model for your own lctter. (Feel free to write your own letter, as a personal letter is prefer.able.) Please visit rhe official website of the SDHGPA at mcmbers.home.nct/falcon 170.

Tn addition, it would be great if you cmailcd the park as well as sent a personal let-

ter. Thcy'll probably comlt each of them indcpcnclcmly! You can also enlist your friends and E1mily and have them send letters, as welL The park (>·mail address is anza . . gp@parks.ca,gov. 'fhe number one indicator of public support: is a pcrsonal lencr. lfwe arc to preserve our ability to fly cross . . coumry, we need evc1y available pilot to send a letter of support. Please rnke a few moments to help your sport and your friends.

Lisa Iulianelli, Esq, President, SDl-fGP/\

Dear Editor, I would like 10 comment on thc article

by Will Gadd, "Thermals: Collector, Wicks and Triggers, Part 1 of a Thrcc . . Part Series." t:irst, I want to commend Will frir writing such an informative article, especially one that can he used by new pilots and old, bm a frw of his cxplanarions seem to contradict what is known in the sciences, All the gasses in the atmosphere have a ccnain mass dcpcnding on the clements which make up that gas. The mass of each gas is determined by its atomic mass.

Scicnrifically this is known as irs atomic mass, Molecular compmmds have thcir own molecular masses. "T'hc molecular mass is the sum total of all the individual atomic masses making up that compound. In any fluid on earth (liquid or the more dense clements or compounds will be frrnnd closer to the surfocc of thc earth and the less dcnsc gasses or compounds away from rhc surface.

This is why ice floats even though it is colder and warcr at fciur degrccs Celsius is found at die bottom of rhc pond.

On page :31 Will statcs, "Moist grnund cover absorbs the sun's energy and uses it w cvaporarc w:llcr, a cooling process that kills thermals." This prcmisc is E1ulry, as thc sun's energy beats up thc moist: ground cover umil vaporization of water rakes place, Ir is truc that evaporation will cause a cooling of the plants or surface (the same reason we cool when we sweat) but the heated water vapor will rise, not so much because: it is warmer but because water has a low molecular weight and is less clcnsc than the rest o( the annosphcrc. (Water has a molecular rnass of

I IANC GLIDINC

18 while carbon dioxide, fc)r example, has a rnolernlar mass of 44 .) Regarding the temperature, water in vapor f<Jl'll1 is always less dense rhan most other gasses in rbc atmosphere and it will rise.

Will also states on page 31, "Many pilots believe that black pavemem such as that found in big parking lots or roads will he a good thermal source. Although pavement is black and absorbs tremendous amounts of energy, it ofren docs not work very well because there is nothing ro "hold" the air in place. If you watch birds soaring above a parking ]or or freeway, they will almost always he turning very small circles and not gaining much altitude." Will's observation is correcr hut the reason is incorrect. The rca·· son is that a black road or parking 101 only hears up the air, making it slightly less dense, bm the hear of d1at rising air is dissipated into the atmosphere alter rising several hundred feet. It has nothing to do with anything holding or not holding the air. The only reason placing parked cars on the parking lor creates a berrcr situarion is that rherc is an increase in smfacc area for collecting solar energy and heating the atmospheric gasses present. l t has not:hing to do with trapping or holding dead air. Many cars drip water on the ground from air-conditioning units and this may produce a bit more rising oflcss dense water vapor, bur this is probably of minimum significance. Mostly, the obscrva·· tion that cars parked in a lot produce better thermal conditions is probably anecdornl and without sciemific basis orher than what is explained above.

Last, Will srares, "Por example, dry, plowed fields almost always work better than dry, flat fields. l think this is because the sides of the forrows tend to face into the sun like link solar collectors while the actual forrows protect rhc warm pockets from the wind and allow them to develop." Ir is trne that fields wirh furrows arc generally better thermal producers but rlic reasons arc twofold. First, the furrows increase the surface area of the field, allowing for greater energy absorption. Second, a field with h11Tows allows moisture to rise from deeper down by capillary action and then to vaporize. As stated above, water vapor is less dense and will rise until it cools hack to the liquid stare which results in a cloud.

Also, a major trigger for a thermal to break lose is a siruation in which more

6

dense, cooler air sinks down and displaces lighter or less dense warmer air.

I do not: wish to criticize Will's cxcellenr cffon in writing the article, bur wish to finetune the reasons using a more scientific explanation. Again, up the good work Will, and keep these and valuable articles coming.

Dr. Jim Palmieri Roanoke, VA

MOUN'fAIN CLARIFICATION

great order of process. T'hc women and men who make up the committees and the Board of Directors seemed dediecited and hard·· working, and were there to get down to business with little play. I have gained a grc;n respect for these people and what they have to do and put up with. They arc rrying to make the USHCA a safer, more fon, and more cfFcctive and economical organization for its members. I'm sure they can use all of our positive help and participation.

Plan on going to a Board meeting and don't wait as long as l did. With a positive attitude you will be enriched.

Mark Bolt Clarkston, MT

l kar Editor, l would like to make a clarification about the results of the 2000 I<ing Mountain Meet as published in the February issue. M ikc Davis and Craig Hines entered the competi .. tion bur were unable to :mend due to lastminute circumstances beyond their control. l:loth arc outsranding, 20+ year pilots from Montana witb extensive King Mountain experience. Despite not being able to anend, borh pilots entered ro support the meet, and Craig (owner of Aerial Chair) even donated one of his wonderftil chairs as a driver award.

Dear Ediror, I 11oticed an error in rhc article about my hook-in alarm 011 page 15 of rhc January issue. The proximity sensor in the sail depicted on p:1gc 15 should be part #8()8,.

1025 which is normally open and closed/armed with the magnet in the batten.

Lisa Tate King Moumain Meet Director

John Maloney Charlotte, NC

lJSHGA BOARD OBSERVATIONS Dear Editor, l'vc been a USHGA member for 21 years and lam a bit: ashamed that l have not been ro general assembly and Board mcering until this year. I arrived in l ndy 011 Thursday and went to the Expo ( :cmcr, which was nice, but consisted of 9(JlYtl sailplanes and 10% hang gliders and ultra· lights.

On Friday l wenr ro a few subcommittee meetings and learned quickly rhar ir was not easy m keep up with all rhe small issues that were a parr of bigger issues. A person would have ro go ro many previous meetings to be well infrJrmcd.

On Saturday l arrcndcd a fow more meetings with hot debates and some with great presentations. What [ primarily want to express is that the meetings were nm with

,l

Dear Editor, Please help in a letter writing campaign ro save the J,ake Elsinore, California site from disappearing forever!

There is a proposed plan to build a hydroelectric plant on the ridge that con .. tains the Elsinore launches. 'T'he plan is ro pump warcr up the ridge at night, filling a reservoir, when electricity costs arc lower, and to let the water out of the reservoir dur· ing the day to produce electricity when costs arc higher. This will produce a net monetary gain. 'T'hey arc willing to simply waste energy to do nothing more than turn a huck. There arc several other plants like this in existence, so this proposal is a reality.

The proposed reservoir may impact thermal gcnerarion above t:hc ridge, which may impact the flying site, hut the major impact HANC CUDINC

will be intrusion into our airspace by their proposed high-voltage transmission lines along the ridge in both directions. This would surely end hang gliding at Lake Elsinore forever.

Please copy the letter below, adding or subtracting what you will, and mail them ro the addresses listed. 'I'he addresses arc listed in order of imponancc, so starr at the top of the list. You don't have to write to all of rhem, hut the more letters you send the better our chances of'saving the "E." l know it's hard. Ir's a !or of work, but it could make a difference if a significant percentage of the USHCA membership made itself hearcl. lf your site were to be shut down forever wouldn't you like some help in saving it?

The letter below may abo be copied from the Web at www.theeteam.org under the "news" heading. I will also send you seH~ addressed, stamped envelopes for your lctrers if you send me yonr name and address at eteamcr@usa.net or phone (949) 455-0032. l am trying to make this as easy as possible for you, but you will have ro spend some rime and energy to make this work by writ-ing some letters, signing your name and putting your return address on the envelopes. Please include your return address since it will make the recipient that much more accountable. Of course, handwritten, original letters arc best. E-mails arc second best and phone calls third best.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Mike Hilberath Mission Viejo, CA

7he sport ofhang gliding and a hydroelec-tric plcmt could coexist ifa;;propriate steps were taleen to support both activities. As a sport; hang very little spcice rm the Ihe two small areas ofland on the top ofthe ridge, c1pproximate!y 1.5 acres, that are presently used as hang glider launches are all that is required llgreernents with landoume1'., on the valley.floor have provided sufficient landing resources. ivh,1t we cannot li1Je with rire intrusions into the airspace surrounding the launches and lhe plans.fi;r the hydroelectric plant ml/.fr;r building high-voltage trrmsmission lines in the present.flightpath of pilots eng11ged in the over 3Uyear--old sport of hrmg glichng tit f.alee Elsinore!

1 mn adamantly opposed to such ti proposed and request that steps be taleen to secure ofhanggliding in the Lali!e HLrinore area. Tbelieve that thr' off.alee Elsinore prides supporting many sports and activities, such fJs boating on the lake, to attract visitors to tfN r1rea. Please see the Iake Elsinore Valley Chamher o{Commerce website at hup:!lwww. levcc. 01;~/chmnberlhomepage. htm.

I irnplore you to consider the conse-quences the elimination of,omething so beauti/14/ and as old as hang gliding in the Ialee EL,inore area. Please do not let this pro-posed hydrofctcility put an end to the recreruional sport ofsport of'hanggliding at Lahe Elsinore.

Best Your Name Your Address Please mail letters to:

Dear (',upervisor ''Name·; RE: Laf.:e Elsinore Advanced Pumping Storage Project FERC #P-11858/000 I am thi, letter to protest the pro-posed hydroelectric plmu that is being plcmnal jr;r the city ofIalee Usinore, C'tilifi!rnia. as presently proposed will preclude.frmver ,my hrmg gliding ttctivities in the Lalee Elsinore ctmt! The city ofLalce Elsinore has been a host to the sporl ofhrmggildingfr;r more than 40 years. Present rJs well ris past businesses have cmd do rely on hanggliding to subsist. ft seems high91 unfi1ir and contrary to pastpolicies to allow this to happen.

APRIL 20()"1

David P. Boergcrs, Secretary, Pedcral Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 Pirst St., NE, Washington, DC 20426 (e-mail not accepted) Riverside County Supervisor Bob A. Buster, District Office, It l 002 County Center Drive, Suite 205, Temecula, Califrirnia 92591, e-mail: district 1Cc7lco.rivcrside.ca.us, phone: (909) 600-6250 California Energy Comrnission, Chairman William Keese, California Energy Co1111nission, 1516 Nimh St., MS-32, Sacramento, CA 95814, e-mail: PLovelac(cZlcncrgy.statc.ca.us, phone: (916)

654-5000, fax: (91 6) 654-4420 California Scnawr, The Honorable Barbara Boxer, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, e-mail: scnaror0)boxcr.senatc.gov, Web: boxer.senate.gov, phone: (202) fax: (202) 228-1338 Califrm1ia Senator, The Honorable Diane f;einsrcin, 33 J Hart Senate Offac Building, Washington, DC 20510, e-mail: senator@r)/cinstein.scnate.gov, Web: fcin-·stcin.senate.gov, phone: (202) 22.4 3841, fax: (202) 228-.'395/i California Governor, Governor Gray Davis, State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814, e-mail: graydavis@govcrnor.ca.gov, fax: (91 6) 44 5-4633 Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, Representative C;ary Kelley, 31315 Chancy Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, e-mail: www.evmwd.com, phone: (9(JC)) 674-3146 National Forest Supervisor's Office, Supervisor Anne 10845 Rancho Bernardo Rd., #200, San Diego, CA 921 210'7, e-mail: mail room __r5 __clcvcland@fa.fcd.us, phone: (858) 6'1:3-6180, fax: (858) 673-6192

J ,akc Elsinore Ciry Council, Mayor Robert Schiffner, 130 South Main Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, phone: (909) (1'74· 3124 l;orest Service, Trabuco Ranger District, Arm: Leah Dircgorio, l 1lt'7 East Sixth St., Corona, CA 91719, phone: (909) '736-1811

J ,ake Elsinore Chamber of Commerce, Presidem Donna Niehousc, 132 West Grnham Ave., Lake Elsinore, CA 925.'30, phone: (909) 245-8848 Sierra Club, 85 Second Street, Second Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105-3441, e-mail: informationCiz>sicrracluh.org, phone: (It 15) 9'7'7-5500, fax: (415) 9'7'75799 Edison International, Edison Mission Energy Division, 18101 Von Karman Ave., Suite 1700, Irvine, CA 92612-1046, phone: (949) 752-5588

7

m update FLIGHT DESIGN NEWS New Control Frame

A new, molded aluminum co mrol ..l"lframe is now available for the Exxtacy and GhostBuster. All GhostBusters will now come standard with this new frame and ir will be an oprion on the Exxracy. Flight D esign was able co drastically reduce the drag with chis new 2.2-cm width frame over conventional down rubes and speedbars. In addition, the cost remained low in comparison with their carbon-graphite speed bar offered as an oprion. This new frame also allows for very clean, middownrube spoileron arcachmems, thereby eliminating the need co derig when breaking down. For more information contact (206) 320-9010 or napi@fun2fly.com.

E.xxtacy Bi light Design's lacesr creation has just received DHV certification and is now in producrion. T he Exxcacy Bi is by far the highest-performance and comfortable randem glider you can fly. This reinforced version of the famous Exxracy 160 retains all the proven handing and safery qualiries for borh solo and tandem flighrs without changing anythi ng. The Exxracy Bi, which, due co new manufacturing techniques has retained the exact weight of the Exxracy 160, is certified for foor-launch, winch, or uike cowing.

For schools and commercial flight purposes it can be fitted with special wheels and a keel/wheel extension to allow for more relaxed launches and landings while cowing. The Exxtacy Bi is a grear choice for candem-oriemed pilors looking for an affordable and proven glider that can also double as a solo wing. For additional information or for ordering, comact North American Flight Design atnap i@fun2fly.com,www.fun2fly.com, or (206) 320-9010 .

F

2002 USHGA HANG GLIDING CALENDAR PHOTOS SOLICITED INFORMATION IS PERFORMANCE

B

RAU N

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Brauniger Flight Instruments provide you with accurate, timely d igital flight data to enhance your performance and flying enjoyment. Whether your th ing is loca l rec reational soaring or world-class competition, Brauniger has an instrument to give you the information you need .

Di strib u t ed And Servi c ed By

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"\V,lirh spring in the air it's time to check out your equipW mem, and also time to check our yo ur hang gliding photography. O nce again, we turn to yo u, our membership for help. We wanr your photo submissions for our world-renowned hang gliding calendar. Send us yo ur 35-mm slides as potential candidates for this aweso me project. Launching, landing, soaring, setting up, breaking down, ere. We want to see chem all!

The deadline is May 31 , so don't delay. Send your best transparencies (horizontal format) to: USHGA Calendar, Attn: Jeff Elgart, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs C O 8090 1- 1330. All conuibucors will receive confirmation of receipt, and photos will be dutifully rerurned.

Got quesrions? Call or e-mail Jeff at 1-800-616-6888, jeff@ushga.org. The Hang Gliding C alendar Selecrion Committee is patiently wairing ro see yo ur outstanding photography!

Find out more from your Wills Wing dealer, Our website : www.willswing.com, or phone 714.998.6359 H ANG GLIDI NG

roubl

F lyT EC 352·429 -8600 www.flytec.com

b 800.662.2449 Warning: use of FlyAgra has been shown , in most cases, to have the following side effects: extreme a ltitude gai n s, exhilaration , euphoria, ear popping, hypoxia , hypothermia, and a repetitive high pitched beeping in ears.

Consult your physician if low-elevation symptoms persist.

Use o nly a s directed .

Calendar of events items WILL NOT be listed if only tentative. Please include exact information (event, dare, contacr name and phone n111nner 1 !terns should be received no later than six prior to the event. We request two rnonrhs lead rime for regional and national meets.

Gliding Speed Run. J 5 pilots in each discipline will compete for a $36,000 purse. For more information or if you arc a top pilot and would like to compete, contact: Orhar Lawrence, fly@redbullwings.com, or visit www.rcdbu1lwings.corn.

COMPE'rrrroN

JULY 6-8: 200 I King Mountain Meet, Moore, Idaho. $50 entry foe. Open-distance X-C along a spccifiec.l ronte. Terns of prizes, handicap scoring, barbecue, great shirts, wonderful bonus LZ's, super trophies, nice people, great registration! Conracr: Lisa incentives for Tate, Meet Dirccror/Organizcr, 1 1716 Fairview Ave., Boise, Jdaho 83713, (208) 376-7914, (208) li84-66Ci7 cell, Zoolisa(ihaol.com.

UNTIL NOV. 15: 2001 Region 9 Regional; and X-C C:ontest. The Regionals totals three flighrs in Region 9 from March 17-May 28. 'The Alrnosr Comest acknowledges a contestant's longest on ,my day between March 15 and November Classes for Rookies, Miles, Open, Rigid and Paraglidcrs. Entry fees O and $5 respecrivcly.

Contact: Pete Lehmann, lplehmann@aol.com, (412) 661-3474, 581 J Elgin St., Pitrsburgli, PA 15206.

Region 9

UNTIL DEC. 31: 2001 J;,t!con Contest. Now includes any other single-surface wing. Sponsored by manufacturers, dealers, instrucrors and the generous.

Support invited. Where: All of the US as divided into four sections to make skill, nor flying sites, the determining factor frir the winners (plus the rest of the world as a single group for foreign entries). For complete information and entry forms (e-mail preferred) contacr: http: //rckfligh t. tripod. co ml falco nxc. h rm I, rck@snet.net, or SASE to Tck Flight Products, Colebrook Stage, Winsted, CT 0Ci098.

APRIL l 5-21: Ffytec CfN.tmpionships at Quest Air, Florida. $10,000 money. Right afrcr Sun 'n' 429-0213, wvvw.qu1estwr'fm·cc.com for more info.

MAY 4--6 (rain days to follow): (.'hc!an !iulte Cliding Nr1tio11rd Points ,Meet in conjunction Chelan Beach 'N. Contact: Aaron Swcpsron, tontar@mindspring.com, for more info.

MAY 11-12: Steeple Chase Races, Hang Gliders and Coastal Condors. $50. Sponsors solicited. Co11tacr: Western Gliders (83 l) :384-2(,22, fax (831) J1\'l-L.C>L'r, www.wcsternhanggliders.com.

JUNE 22-24: Wild Wild West Regionals.

Competitive racing for all levels of pilots over a time-proven course. A great opportunity to improve your skills and learn ahout competition flying. Fun competition with some of rhc best pilots in rhc West. Sierra sites include Slide Mtn. and McClellan Peak with wide.-open L!.'s.

Location: Carson City/Lake Tahoe, NV. Includes: party, T-shirts, Silver Belt Buckle Awards. Registration $ I 00 until 30, $125 afrcr. Conracr: Adventure Sports, 8837070, advspts@pyramid.net.

JULY 8.-15: Chelan Classic, Chylan, WA. Register on rhe 8th, awards on the 15t 1 . l 00 slots, entry $70. Visit www.cloudbase.org/chclancomps.

Contacr: Russ Gclfan, (206) 367.. 8963, russlf boeG'i>home.com, or Srcvcn Alford, (425) 788-0308, airczr@hormail.com.

AUGUST 11-18: US. Nationrzls, Texas, Austin Air Sports, I 'learnc, TX. Contact: slmrns((hausti-nairspons.com, (979) 279-9382, www.austinairspons.com for more info.

FUN FLYING APRIL 14-15: Second !lnnual Mt. Nebo Spring with rhe Central Arkansas Mountain Pilors, at Mr. Ncho State Park, Dardanelle, Arkansas. Pilots musr be a current Hang 3 or better to Hy. and cabins available rhrcmgh James Linscomc, (501) the State Parle 890-4849, or Dave

MAY 4-6: Chelan ButtF, \¥II] Bee1ch 'N. Spot landrace to rhc beach, famous barbecue feed, tons Fnn! Contact:: Larry Majchrzak, skydog((t>tclevar.corn.

IV.IAY 5-6: 15th Annual Stewart Smith Memorial Fly--ln, Moore Mountain, NC (Perry Lowe Orchard). HG and PG. Entry $45. Duration, spot--landing and X-C competition, prizes, chicken dinner and world-famous dart rourn,1rnc1H. Contact: David Smith (828) 758-7590 or Chris Bowles (828) 632-6000.

U111/>t1'emiiJ !lnrmal Miller

JULY 5-10: 200 J Red Bull Wings Over

the Southern Arizona Hang Assn. at Miller flying site in the magnificent J luachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista, Al.. Fun contest, trophies and grcar camp-Add another T'-shin to your collection. Big desert thermals so mountain experience is required.

HG and PG. launches for all wind directions. fee only Contact: Morey Brown (520) Morey000@aol.com.

Aspen, CO. Paragliding Cross Counrry be replaced with Paragliding Aerobatics. The competition will featnre three disciplines: Paragliding Acrobatics, Gliding Acrobatics, and Hang

MAY 18.-20: South Oirolina at Come enjoy Glassy Mountain near Greer, flying and competing (spot, duration, X-C, bal-

10

loon toss, etc.) at this beautiful sourh-focing mountain. Plaques awarded ro all first:--, second-and third-place finishers in all competitions (except balloon toss). $20 entry fee for cornpeti· rion flying, $1() for fon flying. Fly-In T-shirts available. Glassy launch is 1,500' AGL. Contact: Paul Peeples, P.O. Box 2121, Brevard, NC 28712, (828) 885--25%, pbrannenp@citcom.net.

MAY 18-21:

Gliding

and Air Games, Outer Banks,

NC. Party with friends at the beach and fly the famous dunes of Jockey's Ridge. Spor--landing and pylon course competition. Individual (begin-· ner rhrough advanced) and team events. Bring a team or join one once yon arc here. Sec the latest and greatest hang gliders and nltraliglm at the Air Garnes held at Currituck County Airport as we comperc in spot-landing, bornh drop and altirude gain. Includes Just Fly Film Festival, Woody Jones Street Dance, and newly formed Annual Kiny Hawk Kircs Instructor Reunion. Prizes for all competitors. Visit www.kittyhawk.com/events.cfo1.

Contact: Bruce Weaver, brucc@kit:tyhawk.com, (252) 441-2426.

MAY I 9-20: Ledee McClure Coyote Howl Fun Meet. Hang IlT and above, improved bunch and landing areas. Enrry only $25. Cool trophies for all categories: spced--runs, X--C, pylon course, endurance, spor landings. Emer as many categories as you like fr>r one low fee. Pay when you get here or send check to: Doug Prather, 169 J Vivian Rd., Modcslo, CA 95358, ( 209 ) 5560469, drmwvrl1g0"sofrcom.nct.

MAY 26--28: Tenrmsee Tree Toppers Mr1yhem. hm Hying and a great party on Saturday night.

At the famous Henson's radial ramp and/or the club's \Vhi1well launch, depending on winds.

Contact: www.treetoppcr.org, or Jeff or Alli Dodgen at (423) 949-3384 for more info.

MAY 26-28: Third Ammal Foothills Fzm Meet, in Stony Point, NC. Flex and rigid wings welcome.

Open X-C, triangle, and local duration awards.

Acrotow launch. fee $45, plus rows.

Contact: Brad Gryder, footbillsfligbt@hotrnail.com, (828)632-9810.

MAY 26-28: The 21st Annual Dry Canyon Fly-In, in Alamogordo, NM. Contests, trophies, barbc-· cue. Good air and wonder winds. Enjoy desert thermals while your family enjoys the cool pines of Cloudcroft. Minirnum Hang 2/Para 2, with moum:ain TUR and AWCL Entry fee: $20. Contact: Robin Hastings, (505) 541-5744.

JUNE 2: 11th Annual !IOPA Fly-Tn and Open House, AOPA Headquarters, Frederick Municipal Airport, Maryland. Contact: Warren Morningstar, (30 I) 695-2162, warrcn.morningsrar(?oaopa.org.

JUNE 23-30: S(lndia

AssocitJtion X-C challenge. Big X.-C from Sandia Seven days to make your best X-C's! Last year l DO-milers

were common and a couple over 200 miles were logged. Trophies: Flight, Cumulative HANC GLIDING

Three Besr Days. $ I 00 cnrry ($125 alter Junc I) gets you guide pilots, free oxygc11 refills, T-shin, maps, barbecue parry and more. Bonus: X -C: scm inar by wp pilot Dave Sharp. Minimum rating I lang '.J, ':iO lirs., wirh X-C, mountain thermal, f,iot-launch and I mlrnlencc experience. l )rivers available. Jiang Class I and II only.

Conracr or send Sandia Soaring Association, P.O. Box l!\571, Albuquerque, NM 87191. Visi1 www.flys,rndia.org with questions or to prim a copy of the rcgisrra1io11 form. Register early as spots arc limited.

JUNE 29-JULY 3: i,fllmJino, Or(gon llmprcenth .!lnmlill Fesiivd J,'/ighr. Registration on June 29, pilots' meeting and registration on Ju11c 30 at 9:30 1\M al ( :ham her of' ( :ornmcrce head quarters. Fly June 30, July 1 a11d 2, awards on July 3. Fun and prizes for (Sugar I lillLakeview Trophy l hsh, Spot-Landing C:omcsr), and lhgg,ics (Most Accumulated M ilcs, Spot· Landing C:on1csr). Fly Lake C:ounry's friendly with skies, hnd in om friendly L/.'s and your buds. ar Jtiles and on July I and you can Hy inl The best free lligh1 event on the l di C:oasr. ( :omacr: l .akc Chamber of Commerce, 126 N. E SL, 01{ 976Hl, (5/i l) 9!\7 60/iO, or "(;cneral" Cilpatrick, Lakeview Air hwcc, (':i!\ 1) 947-3550, frceflite((rl1ra1ispon.cotn. !lnml(zl Mt. Nebo find 0/ AUG. 25-26: Summer Fly-In, with the Central Arkansas Mountain Pilo1s, ;tt Mt. Nebo Sratc Park, Dardanelle, Arkansas. Pilots must he a cu1Tc!lt Hang :l or hencr ro fly. Camping and cabins arc available rhrongh the S1are Park. C:onlact: James l.inscomc, ('iO I) 890-li849, wisp11((0tc:untcrne11.c,1m, or Dave Dl!lining, (50 I) For information on cabin and calllp site reservations call Mt. Nebo S1ate Park at I is00-2Ci!i 2458.

CI JNT CS/MEE r IN GS/TO URS lJNTlL APRIL 15: Fly '/11c For a foll itinerary visi1 u~ :ll www.hangglidii1g-guatcrn:rla.de.

Gur1tcmt1!d.

THROUGTI MAY: Wills !)cmo /Jt1ys.

APRIL 18-19: Cirssclbmy, f,J,, More great Florida flying and Wills Wing glidcrs 1 C:ontacl: Quesl Air, (552) !\2')-07. l .l, fax (/i07) 678 7009, Quest Ai rCrt1su nd ia I. ncr, www.qucs1 airforcc. coin.

APRIL 21-22: Comnw Gro/Jc, FL Rob will lw making die rnosr of' hcing in the 1:Jorida area by making a trip to the south end of' rhc slate.

C:omact: Miami I !:mg Cliders, (305) 28'S-8978, fox (.105) 285-725'). APRIL 2/i-25: /)rzwn;,or/, FL Wallaby Ranch is the final srop in Florida 011 Rob's spring Demo 1rip. C:011tacr: Florida l lang ( ;iiding, lnc,, (863) li2li-0070, lax (863) li2!\-0070, flyvtlwall:1hy.com, www.wallaby.com. APRIL 28 .. 29: Rising Fawn, Gil. Fly a variety of Wills Wing hang gliders ar a grcar /lying site. Contact: Lookout Mt 1:lighr !'ark, (70(,) :398 :l'S/i I, Lix (706) .398 2906, fly(i1,hanglide.co111, www.hanglide.crnn. MAY !\-6: San !lnsclmo, C.1. l\orh WW hang gliders and paraglidcrs foa ..

Al)RJI

200 I

nrrcd ,11 rhis Bav Arca evrnr. Contact: Merlin Flight School, (Ii 15) li'i6-.1670, fox (Ii 15) li56 3(,9?, tipvorrx(i1lrJicgrid.11ct, www.mcrli11flighrschool.com. MAY 4-6: Mflj1it11s, C:/J. Both WW hang gliders and paraglidcrs lcarnred at this Arca event. Comact: Mission Soaring, (408) 1055, fax (408) 2(,2-l:l88, m issio nCr1lha ng-gliding.com, MAY l l-1 :l: Cochrane, !llberta, Parachute Seminar. Join Vinccne and Chris M ulb and Roh Kells for ·one of Rob's informative and pracrical par:1chmc seminars. ( :on1acr: Muller Windspons, Lrcl., (li03) 932-(,7(,0, fox (/+03) 851 07:37, fly((1lmullcrwindspor1s.com, www.nrnllcrwindsports.com. MAY 18-20: WhftcuJClltr, WI. a o( Wills Wing hang gliders at !\rad Kushner', excellent aerotow sire. ( :omacr: Raven Sky !\73-8800, fox (2(,2) li73-8801, www.hangglidii1g.coin. of Wills Wing hang gliders ar a great f Jang Clidc C:hicago, (815)

nmprr, I kmo I )ays Parachmc Seminar. Hang glider demos plus one of Rob's informative and pr,icrical parachute seminars (for 11(; & PC). Call c:loud 9 f,,r acrual date of· the seminar. C:0111au: Cloud ') Soari11g Ccmer, (80 I) '576-6/i(,O, Fax (80 I) 57(,-6482, infoCrllp:iraglidcrs.com.

APRII. 21-22: Jfm1Jr1ii Gliding P11rachutc gliding and paragliding. I losrccl on rhc island of' Oahu. Contact: davcus 16}Crll:\lll.com, (808) 2.C,] ..

22') I. MAY !\-6: limdnn UiiticfiJr hrmggllding. MAY 17-21: IP. MAY l9-20: Rc-ffrti(ication (i>r boih hr1ng gliding find prmrgliding. C'.011L1c1: ·Michael Robertson, High Perspective, Inc., (905) 2'J!\-2.'i%, 1-800-35')-')979, staff(rll/]yhigh.corn, w"'w.11vhigh.com, RR//'j, 865 Concession Claremont, ON Canada l.JY IA2.

MAY 11- 13: North !lmcrfmn Dcsr:~n w,,,10 ,r·111w·. Covers carbon-fiber rcp:1ir, foll annual 1mn<'c·11n,m parrs repair and replacement, tuning, trim mcasurcmcnls, tips, new products, perto,rnJai1cc charts, and more. I lope to fly as well. Free for dealers. Contact: Mike Eberle (2.06) 32.0-9010, napi((1lfii112fly.com.

JUNE 1-2, 3-li: (over/low/rain dares June 8-9, I 0-11) Moyes !lmcrfrn mrotow dinics, ar Creek Soaring, three miles norrh of Middlerown, CA. US! rc;A members, I Jang Jll minimum. !'rice: $275. Two of acrorow insrrncrion, live slow-di nib tows ro 2,'SOO', ttse of glider, all tow cquipmcm, site use for two days and one night. Conr,ict: l<cnny Brown/Moyes Arnerica, !lyamoycs((1\10l .com. www.inoyesamerica.com, www.moyes.com.au (Moyes l )clra ( ;!icier info), www.zip.eom.au/,·moycs (Dragonfly Info), 200 l lillcrest lk, Auburn, C:A 9'i603, ('i30) 8888622, fox 888-8708.

by Rodger l-loyt o you worry about having your glider or eqt1ipmcnr srolen while yot1 seek retrieval after a cross-counrry Wl1Cn you rernm to where you lcfr your do yot1 scan rhe area, hoping it will srill be there, then breathe a sigh of relief when yot1 llnally sec it? San I )icgo pilot Mike /.iaskas has a tip ro deter 1hosc who migh1 be rcmpted 10 walk away wirh yom "I discovered rhc hard way rhat the safest way lo leave your t1nancnded f,iidcr while a vehicle is to leave it fully ser up. Thar will discourage ,rny thieves in 1hc an:a. If i1's windy, secure ir to a tree, or wirh :1 s1akc. Then rake your valuable gear with you when you leave."

Thanks Mikel Make sme there arc no cows in the field ___.. can and will damage an untended l )usr devils too.!{ you expect 10 be gone a long rime, :111orhcr solmion might be c:unoullagc bags for your glider and harness, :wailahlc from several advertisers in rhis Hide your cquipmcm deep in the hrnsh or other cover, as for as possible from the roacl. If it's a or unfamiliar /1elcl, carcfolly note a nearby landmark ro help yotl rclocalc your gear when you rerurn.

cc;i.11,rn,illy we 1m1st perform the onerous task of breaking down our leading Somcr.irncs it's for airline shipping, lo keep our wings under maximum limits. Other times crash necessitates rubing inspection or lt's 110 liJ11 even when things go righ1.

Andy Rhude and his spcnt much of' rheir time flying rhc beach near l'vlourcrcy, California and found his rube sections corroded together! Then he discovered :1 slick solmion: "l)o you want to be abk to take your leading edge mbcs apart someday? Cive them a coar of advanced polymer c:rr polish (wax) where rhey join. This prevents corrosion and ensures years oF easy rcmov:il, if you near rhe ocean. If you don't believe yot1 need bother with this prevcmive medicine, ,md you ever have to replace a leading section sometime in the hirurc ,rnd ir's stuck roge1her, you'll wish you had! While at it, co,\\ all your aluminum surfaces to prcvcm corrosion."

Don't know if' 1hcre's any correlation liere, bm Andy says he's moving ro Phoenix, Ari1.ona.

I fmH' 11 hot /:'-mail rbhoy1((1;~0.rom, or mall Ror/,(rr I loy1, 956 !lvc., <.e11tral l'ofnr, OR 97502.

11

~y US'HGA Accident Review Chairman Bill Bryden he typical training for hang glider pilots is worthy of examination.

1 lcrc is a simple rest: What is Glta· ha tic flow? Experienced pilots with mounrain experience will know. Bur do you remember how this was learned or at what point during yom development as a pilot this was understood? Let's consider the plight of' rhis pilot.

• A Novice-rared pilor with limited airtime (less than IO hours) and more than 100 flights was /lying an intermediate glider from a mountain site. I k was reasonably unfamiliar wirh rhis site and solicited advice from other pilots who advised him to fly later in the day when rhe winds diminish some. He launched uneventfully and enjoyed the abundant lift until after the sun drified well heh ind the mountain.

With rhat event, the ground below the m01mtai11 siarrcd cooling and a stTong airflow down the hill into the valley began.

This colliclecl with rhc prevailing wind into the mountain producing turbulence, and as indicated by rhe windsock, swirching winds in the landing zone. The pilot elected a crosswind landing lrnt w:is crabbed significantly into the prevailing wind on npproach. As rhc glider descended from the prevailing wind imo the I 80dcgrcc opposite downslope breeze, the component of headwind suddenly became a u1ilwind. The glider didn't instantly accelerate and the airspeed consequently dropped signi/Je,mtly. The pilot attempted to flare and parachme approximately 50 fret ro the ground. The glider impacted hard, breaking both of the pilm's arms.

How many of you were taught about catahatic winds or horizontal wind shears hdfire earning a Hang 11 Novice rating?

Probably very Few of you. Most pilots learn this srnff on their own from a book, through the school of hard knocks, and hopefully fron1 more seasoned pilots sharing their wisdom. Unfornmately, too many pilots do not learn this stuff during their training with a school or instructor.

I r's not that the instruction was necessarily dcflcicm for foiling to teach pilots these things. Ir may be in some cases, but most pilots leave the tutelage of :111 instructor after achieving their [ fang II Novice raring and

12

truncate the opportunity ro learn these things. This is, in part, pilot error (simply trying to save a few bucks) and it is, in part, the fault of many schools that do nor offer regular programs to address this, or that do not create an environment in which the cxpccrntion diat more instruction past the Hang JI is required.

The US HCA has criteria for achieving tbe various pilot ratings, hut docs not dierate the means of instruction required to acquire that knowledge. Thar is appropriate defining rhe ends, but leaving die means up to the schools, pilots and insrrucrors. Bur perhaps we need ro examine how the lJST !GA can influence the culture, such diat more of this instruction occurs formally, rhm; reducing the incompleteness of mo many pilots' training. I was talking to d1c owner of a larger school recently and commented that I was planning an upcoming Hang fl] and IV training seminar to teach more of this and prepare stuclcnrs for the wri11c11 exams. He agreed that this need existed, and commented that this was great, bm said that he never had rime to do it himself I challenge schools and instructors to strncrnrc their training and creare an cxpectarion rhat this is mandatory in the learning curve for new pilors. l challenge advanced pilots ro demonstrate an cxpecta·· rion for new pilots ro continue structured training beyond the Hang II cxarn.

Reexamining the above example, the pilot did some good things worthy of emu· lation by all new pilots. ] le solicited the advice of the more experienced local pilors when flying a new site. More importantly, he heeded rbar advice and flew later in the day. He very carefully studied the windsock while setting up his approach and noted the aggressive direction changes in the l],.

However, it would appear thar he was not adequately prepared for handling the wind conditions in the LZ during his landing.

Let's now elaborate for readers who couldn't definitively answer the article's opening question before returning to this event. Most all of you know that air will expand or conrr:ict as it is heated or cooled.

Pretend for a moment that you have a bucket foll, right ro the brirn, of hot air, and it would just remain in the bottom of the bucket. As the air cooled it would contract and you would notice the level in the bucket drop significantly. T"his precise thing will occur in the below a mountain as rhc sun sets. The sun was keeping rhe ground and consequently rhc air in the valley warm.

As the sun sets, the valley cools and the air in the valley comrncts. 'The volume of air in the valley decreases and air will flow inro the valley 10 keep it full ro the brim. This /low will be seen at launch as a tailwind that flows down imo rhe valley, reversing the wind dirccrion witnessed during most of the day. This is a cataharic wind.

In the report filed by the pilot, be commemcd thar one should never land crosswind in these conditions. Actually, his ini-tial decision to land crosswind wasn't a bad one. What were his other options? To land toward the mountain or land away from ir, either i1110 the catabatic wind or into the prevailing wind. ff rhc carnbatic wind was steady in the l Z (it often is in many 1 landing toward the mountain imo the catabatic wind would have been desirable. But as he noted from rhc windsock, on rhe gro11nd the wind was blowing strongly one direction or rhe other and neither wind was consistently predominant on the ground.

So, he would have roughly a 50/50 cliance of having a brisk headwind on landing or a brisk tailwind ifhe had selected a different approach direction.

Without talking ro the pilot or witnesses fonhcr, l speculate that the primary prob· 1cm that got this pilot- into difficulty was a slow approach speed, not the decision ro land crosswind. 1 base this upon his commcms rhat he needed ro crab into the prevailing wind and then frnmd himsclflacking airspeed after descending into the catabatic wind. Second, a low approach speed is a common problem with many novice pilots.

Approaching through the horizontal wind shcar is fundamentally the same problem as flying a landing approach through a strong wind gradient. An aggressive approach speed would likely have permitted the pilot w burn through the shear/gradient and land uneventfully. How many of you really knew what a wind gradient truly was before getting your novice rating?

I thank the pilot for submitting this report. [ also appreciate his willingness in doing so to allow me to use his misfortune to hopefully edify others in the /lying community. There is a lot to learn in this sport, and some of the rriost imponam content docs nor and probably cannot come prior t:o completing the requiremerns for a Novice rating. To be properly prepared, instruction beyond the Novice rating is warranted and needed. ft's going to rake a joint effort by the schools, seasoned pilots and USHGA to change the culture and accomplish this. II HANC CUDINC

II N II

..

by Andy Rockhold s you can sec, the word "contest" has been replaced with '\:hallenge." This comes at a time when there's less emphasis on X-·C and some of the Ion grime X-C pilots have retired. I .ow participation of only 12 10 I (j pilots during the last fr~w years brought grear concern that the contest could no longer support itself ftnancially.

It's been quite a few years since any· one in TLicson joined the Arizona X-C: Contest, and a ]or of pilots fly X-C: but don\ join the contest, but that's okay.

The comest hasn't really given a good portrayal of· Arizona pilots in many years.

The year 2000 turned out to he worse than the previous ycir, and List year wasn't very consistent. Bur a year ago last June 12 and 1:3, 12 pilots, three of them flying both days, flew from Mingus Mounrain for a total of over 9 l 6 miles. Then Mount Elden turned on over Labor Day and gave Stan Mish his winning flight of rhc year.

There was a long monsoon season in 2000 with not much rain, lots of lightning, high dew points, and daily cloud buildups to an almost cloud-ftllcd sky.

Wildfacs burned out of control last sum-mer in northern Arizona, with strong winds and smoke-filled skies. This pm Mount Elden in the shadows of rhc wind gods a!ld no long flights were made from Flden in 2000.

Bue the year showed some rc;i] pmential from South Mounraiu. Dustin Martin flew south to near Tucson on April 12, a Wednesday, for a site record o( 88.4 miles. Three clays later he rook ir even farther, finnlly setting it down at the 95.4-milc mark with another site record.

Will South Mountain ever sec a tlirecdigit nurnher? If anyone can do it, Dustin can.

In April Len Clements made a nice /\i'RII 2001

flight frorn Ym1cll Mountain with his flying buddy Joe Pettit, landing near Paulden for a li8-mile Hight.

On May 20 Jay Devorak launched from Mingus Mll1., flew over Muncls [\uk, and worked his way over upper Lake Mary to land in a very remote area jusr north of Mormon Canyon wirh no chase and no passcrs--by in a very lonely place. Hard--core pilot .Jay hiked for miles into the evening, finally being res· cued by (;iJ Couto and Otto Rowling.

He flew 48 miles, landing in a remote area 10 miles south or Winona.

There were many flights in all clirec·rions on rhis day, May 20. Some pilots flew to Sedona Airport, others flew in to the Chino Wash, and four pilots flew south. For me, south was the direcrion to go, above Mingus ar l 6,.300' MS!., then 011 an extended 12-rnilc glide.

During the last mile or so, in 800 to 1,200 f11rn down, I flew to an area that ofh.:rcd the last hope of a tbcnnal, nrriv· ing at 800' AC!.. A short while later my Prccbtor was climbing at 200-.300 f1m1. hve or IO minutes later I was climbing at 1,500 fprn and my Tangent was screaming in big air. After more than a 9,000' altitude gain I climbed above 16,000' near a mcdium-si'.!,ed cumulus cloud. I love this sport! While climbing in this thcnnal I watched Dave Frechenc working his way up, then lost him near the cloud and never saw him again.

When I talked 10 him later in the week he commemcd that he got sick and landed al Cordes Junction for a mile a shon one for Rotor l )ave. l flew on past Sunset Point and watched Shawn Jerrell land after his fast· flight from Mingus and his longest X-C: since an accident at Shaw Btlltc in j;1J1uary of 1999. Congratulations Shawn for a spectacular comeback! [ worked

more lift and flew to Black Canyon setting it down in a big field where my lrnsry wile l .inny was waiting for me with refreshments.

A surprise cnne ahom 15 minutes later. Vince Clemens came in and landed next to us for a respectahlc IJ3-rni!c flighr. The next day Vince flew even farther south, bringing it in at rhe '!1.irf Soaring Sailplane Port for abour (J5 miles. ( ;rear flying Vince!

1n June, Dave hcchctrc foll m work and cracked rwo ribs, but rhe next week he went up to Mingus to fly. Can you believe it? You can't stop this guy Crom flying. You'd have to break his arm and ric him ro a tree ro keep him on the ground. D,ivc made a thrce-thcrm:il flight in his Laminar s·1; reaching altitudes of nc,irly 18,000' and overflying five other pilots, lmr lie had to land because of excruciating pain from the cracked ribs. You'll never ft 11d a more dedicated pilot.

In late July, on a Thursday, Len Clements and Joe Pettit wc111 to Mingus.

Joe flew and landed ar Sedona Airport, then wcm on chase for I.en. hmr or f1vc hours later I .en brought it in for a good landing near the sma!l community of (;oodwarer for rhe sccond--longcst f1ight in Ariwna 12 5 miles.

Dustin Martin, on a quest to make rhe longest uno/Ticial flight in Arizona, launched from Mingus Mountain on Memorial Day 2000 with no oxygen ,md lots of ambition. ] le made it to !)incwood up LO l-40, and with rhc freeway underneath him and lors of alrimcle he continued to destinations unknown.

Ile finally brought it in, cold and tired, at a place called Chambers, Arizona.

Congratulations Dustin for a great (ljght of 156 miles!

The same day Dennis Nelson flew from Mount Elden and heard Dustin on rhe radio. Twcmy-some miles later Dennis made a nice landing out in Crater I .and.

And so the 2000 Arizona X-C: Challenge c11ne to a close, and it turned out to be a safr and challenging year for pilots and chase crews alike. There were many other good and I apologize if you were left om. Please submit yom flights for 200 I! lll

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kY Ben Davidwn 1101her year has come and gone, and all pilots who flew "smart" last year were blessed with 1lic rewards that hang gliding offers. For our cross-·coumry pilots the season may nor have been the most spectacular ever, hut those who wenr anywhere honed their flying skills in a search for tnilcs and came away with lots grins.

For many pilots, going X-C is a subconscious desire that is ofi:en squelched by talcs of glory hy pilots with fast, hot gliders, and they think that X-C: can't be for them with their supposedly mundane gliders. For others, there is the problcrn ofa lack of sclf.-confidcnce. They arc concerned about venturing into what they feel will he a totally new environment. However, usually all it takes to create an X-C addict is for a seasoned pilot to take one of these cross-counrry neophytes 011 a single flight over the hack. Yes, you have to scope out unfo. miliar landing areas from die air, hut the foundation /c)r doing that is already in place for most- pilots trained in mowuain flying. A new dimension is added to their flying. }-Jere's a comment from well-known X-C pilot Pete Lehmann for those who went nowhere and will hopcftdly join 11s in the next conrcs1: "] logged 1.3 Falcon X-Cs in 2000 for a total 01374.4 miles, averaging 28.8 miles, and that included two or three five-milers."

What frillows is last year's Falcon X-C winner Dan Connors' talc.

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MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN TO HAWTHORN, NEVADA J,lyin,~ rrq Frilconfrom Mflmmo!h Mountain was ti in l !,0'53ji>ot mountain slei resort sits about 15 rn iles northwest o/!?ishop, Crdifomic1, just one or two thermalsfom the Owens Valley. 1 worl.: as the director o/the ,SJJOFt Sthool in

r,

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the winter and as project rrumager in the summet; and I am the ultralight soaring administrtltm'. (Yi's, you hrwe to ta/::e me u,1ith you i/you want to go flying here.)

An excellent dirt road leads to a perfr:ct launch in tdmost all wind directions, Bishop locc1l Kari Castle UJfls looleingfJr tt photo opportunity and agreed to join my wifi' Robin, a visiting paraglider pilot and me frn' afl~'!;htfom Mammoth. We !crunched in light west winds at about 12:00 noon and soared in weal:: eon-· ditions before around to the east side and the town o/J\1ttmmoth l,,ilees where we can land beside the local golf course at R, OOOfeet. ! mtmaged to picl:c up the east-west convergence about 1,000/eet over the lmzdingfield and climbed out in spotty lifi to ahout J 5, 000/eet. Kflrijoined me.fr1r rt while jiJr some socird hefr1re shr: dove out lo get to her next rtppointment. Rohin began as well, hut elected to ltmd early hecause ofa head cold. I to drifi northeast and began to heg Rohin .fir a chase. Being the perfi'ct thllt she is, Rohin threw her glider on the trud: and hraded toward Bald J\!!ountain ruherl' I was thtnk:;me ahout I had my and was settinr; up an approrich near a when J stumhlcd into the save o/the A l,500jjJm rijJJJer tool: my Falcon and me to the clouds at I 6,500 Emt o/8ald Mountc1in there arc 1my roads or landing areas, hut J had a cloud street bechoning me lo Wflnrler ofj'over no-man'.\" land.

For the next three hours I made sure J stayed dose to doudbase and climhed often.

Poor Robin pioneered new retrieval routes rm ancient clirl rOtlds in response to the garhied request:, o/her optimistit, single-sur.fcice, husbtmd. "J )oesn't he /::now he'., not supposed to go .fi>r long and aggressive glides on a Falcon?" she thought.

1 had made this 25-mile al times on high-Jmfrmnance gliders, hut even then J was worried about gliding all the wfly terrain. Needless to say, J continued north successfi.dly until 1 ran into north windl". Rohin was waiting for me short o/Hawthom, Nevada, where I landed beside r, paved highway, 68 miles.from Mammoth Mtn. This would have been rzn unremarl,1zble.fl.ight on my perji>rmance gliders, but it proved to he a whole lot offim rznd a notable.flight on the Fttlcon. I was sure I would hrer1h I 00 miles hefrm: the surnrner ended hut the weather just didn't cooperate. M,tyhe next summer.

Herc's the srory of our West Division winner, Cenc Irwin.

I !efi Mingus (7,ROO' MST.) and climbed out to I 7, 51 ()' MSL. intending to fly to the Sedona, Arizona airport miles).

I got there with 5,000' (9,500' MSL), and not to wmte it, huntedfiJr a thermal that would ta/::e me high enough to get rne safi:ly over th/It 8, OOO~(i;ot rim in front of me. I worked hack up to I 6,500' and hertded northeast; plr1ying musical chafr, with various L/,'., to ma/::e sure.

I discovered my glide p11th was not giving me much distance (I had no GPS), so J headed out over some merm-looking canyons before setting down next to 1~40.

Retrieval tool: nearly six hoursfrom the time I landed, rmd 1 got bacle that morning at r1.hout 3:30 AM. 1 could have flown muchfarther hut h!tidder could not.

My next.flight will 125 miles in a Fr.tlcon/

For those who think that the only good conditions were om West, here's a story by Larry Huffinan, our East Division winner.

A friend of mine who is rl Will, Wing deal er ashed me to test-fly a 170 FtzlconfrJr him fi"orn our local 180-fi>ot hill. l hadn't flown a Falcon be/1>re, but had heen looking.forward to flying one. ft turned out to be a grJod and J gained R, 000/eet (the h(Rhest I've ever been) and went 31. R miles. The only.fly in the ointment was that I hczd trouhle with my head,et 1md could only rrceive. Pete fehrnrmn and my wi/c: cou!c! hetlr clicks when I pushed the HANC GIIDINCi

transmit button, so Pete would ask me questions which I would answer with one click for no and two click, Jr1r yes.

Finally, I landed sooner them I had to in order to a radio messa1,e relayed to my As soon as 1got on the ground I was able to disconnect the headset and transmissions to another pilot in the air were fine. He relr1yed the message and Pete and my wife Brenda picked me up in short order.

Herc arc the priz.e winners of the 2000 r:alcon X-C contcsr:

*

World Division winner (Pro Class), 68 miles, Dan Conners of Mammoth Lakes, CA. West Division winner (Pro Class), 52 miles, Gene H. Irwin of Chandler,

get up when one was about to sink our.

THE 2001 l~ALCON X-C CONTEST 'fo join the fun and get entry forms for the 2001 Falcon X-C comest go to http://tekflighr.1ripod.com/ fa lconxc.htm

1.

As of March 2001 prizes for the Falcon X-C: Contest include:

0

*

AZ. 0

East I)ivision (An1 (:lass), 12. 5 n1ilcs, Pcrer Perrone of D:rnbury, Cr. East Division (Pro Class), 31 miles, l.arry I-luffrnan of Saxonburg, PA

A POSTSCRIPT Probably my rnost fon flight ofthe year was a 12.5-rniler. Peter Perrone and I left rhc Ellenville, New York flying site together and, thermal afrcr thermal, found ourselves in different cores. A thermal would disappear, and one 01 us would have to run to another thermal thar was still working. We had a good number oflow saves tlut were especially sweet because the teamwork of two pilots in different thermals allowed us both to

•

Wills Wing: A Wills Wing team jacket for winning Falcon pilots in all of the categories and classes.

High !ldventure: I-Jang gliding simulator software, "Hangfly 20." Game registrations will be awarded to the first 10 Falcon pilots who submit a flight exceeding 20 miles.

Peter Perrone: "Fire-fli" mirror strobe frir the Pro, Amateur or Recreational pilot with the longest flight Moyes !lrnericci: A Moyes flight suit for winning Ventura pilots in all categories and classes. lJ S. !leros: An Acros team jacket for winning Target pilots in all of the categories and classes.

Windsports I-fang Gliding-. A threeseason flight jacket to the Arn class winner in Sourhern California (WC division).

'Jrle 1'light Products: "Hang Glider Pilot Needs Ride" shirt for the longest distance flight without a driver. Vario or miscellaneous mount (or shirt above) for the Recreational Class pilot with the greatest number of X-C flights. Ill

Aspect Ratio: Weight:

s

UT

:(801 :(8011':l~_,5~',l('ltsM

E~Mall: oltoir@mlcron.net http://netnow.mkron.net/-oltolr/ APl<IL 2001

2000 Red Bull

Wings Over Aspen

by Bill Heaner, photos © 2001 by John Heiney and BilL Heaner

nee again, pilors from around che world converged on che small mountain rnwn of Aspen, Colorado rn participare in chis country's premier combinarion hang gliding/paragliding event. The Red Bull-sponsored "Wings Over Aspen" competition is now in irs fourrh year and showing no signs of slowing down.

Wirh che growing fascination of exrreme sports around che world (and in this country), we are now seeing che beginnings of che pop-culmre embrace of sports like skydiving, rock climbing, srreer luge, and, yes, even hang gliding and paragliding.

Many networks are jumping on che exrreme-sporrs bandwagon; in face, the "2000 Wings Over Aspen" has been featured on rhe popular USA Network's "Core Culrure" program. We owe a great deal ro the gracious folks ar Red Bull who, wich cheir corporate sponsorship, have helped our flying communiry gain world-class exposure. This year chey have gone on ro include yer anorher event in che Wings Over Aspen comperition - speed gliding!

For those who have srill nor had a chance rn witness speed gliding, do yourself and your sporr a favor by supporring rhese

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16

evenrs. Like freesryle hang gliding, speed gliding is fasr, up close and exciring rn warch. It is also gaining internarional artention and providing a real boosr for our sport. As spectarnr sports go, chis, I believe, is an ideal companion evem rn freesryle hang gliding.

The 2000 Aspen Red Bull event (as is any late-summer flying event in che Rockies) was a comperirion not only against your fellow competirnr but also againsr Mocher Nature. A few of us arrived in Aspen che day before the competition rn fly a pracrice round. My good friend and fellow competirnr Zach "Zippy" Majors was launching after me on a borrowed glider from fellow Sale Lake Ciry pilot Vance Malan. I pracriced a few spins and loops and found the air rn be uncomfortably turbulent. Just as I landed I heard some shouting voices of concern. I looked up rn see Zippy spinning violenrly under an obviously compromised glider. Zippy had been thrown our of his spin and into a dive. From the dangerous combination oflow airspeed, turbulence and unfriendly momenrum, his glider tucked inro a negative artitude and his body fell inro and broke the keel. A team of medics and others quickly mobilized and

sped off rn rhe likely scene of the impending crash. Meanwhile, Zippy was able rn rhrow his reserve (under considerable centrifugal force), only, after deployment, to have the parachute cycle from inflation ro deflation (no doubt due in part ro the turbulence generared from rhe spinning glider). The mosr terrifying moment occurred when he neared the ground and his parachute went inro a collapse cycle. As he got wirhin abo ur 50 feer of the ground his chute miraculously reinflated at the moment before impact. In addition, in rhe final 20 fee t or so, his glider hie a tree in such a way chat it broke his fall .

The glider was completely destroyed, bur an1azingly enough, when it was over, Zippy suffered only a jammed middle finger and some frazzled nerves. If yo u're going rn hie hard, there's nothing like an airframe aro und yo u ro soften rhe blow.

Zippy celebrated the successful use of one of his many lives that evening with "glad to be alive" drinks. He woke up the nexr day with probably rhe most severe and happiest hangover I've ever seen. Zippy packs his own reserve and, as a resulr of th is incident, is starting rn get more paying cusrnmers for his reserve packing business.

Ocher victims of the weather came on the last day of th e comperirion when, desperate for one valid paragliding X-C round, event organizers decided rn launch a round in a narrow weather window. The resulr: gusr-front conditions wirh paragliders collapsing and deploying all over the Aspen valley. This scene was also terrifying rn warch, bur again , miraculously, no one was seriously injured.

Considering rhe unusually bad monsoonal weather parrern coming through Aspen during chis event, iris fortunate char we flew ar all. The speed gliding competirnrs were able rn fly one scored round and the freesryle hang glider pi lots squeaked in two valid rounds.

As always, along wirh the freesryle hang gliding comperirion in Aspen comes a superb demonstrarion event of paragliding aerobatics. During borh freesryle ro unds, veteran paraglider pilors Chris Santacroce and Robbie Whittal performed specracular aerobatic maneuvers while Orhar Lawrence (during a spiral dive) centrifugally launched base jumpers wirh smoke bombs arrached rn their feer from his tandem paraglider. As our sport matures in this new climate of acceptance, maybe this year we will see a

Continued on page 40.

H ANG G LI DING

THE HARNESS OF THE FUTURE

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BENNY Benjamin James credits hang gliding for saving his sanity. Certainly many of us feel the same way, but with Benny it was literally true. On the outside he was a normal kid raised in Nebraska average grades, average looks, average size with big corn-husking hands. But inside his head things weren't average. Benny heard, or rather felt, sounds that others didn't. He wasn't quite Joan of Arc, but for a couple of decades he knew something was wrong.

He was 25 when he took his first hang gliding lesson down in Fort Collins, Colorado. He confided in me later that he thought it was risky, but in his mental state that was pan of rhe attraction. Yet Benny was a natural more so that anyone dreamed at the time. 1le turned into a good, safe pilot and had his first thermal flight within eight months. And that is when he saw the light. llis epiphany wasn't hased on religious fervor, but it was soul-shaking nonetheless.

You sec, Benny was afl1icred with D'Oiseau syndrome (named fr)r the French neurosurgeon, Henri Cervellc-D'Oiseau). 'fhis rare generic aberration affects about one in every 100,000 Americans. The physical manifestation is a hypolyganglia nerve mass near the eardrum that detects the slightest air pres-sure change of extremely low frequencies. A normal inner ear detects pressure waves from sound with a frequency of 20 cycles per second and up. It also feels major pressure changes like when the teacher cuffed you over the ear. But the inner ear of Benny and

others with D'Oiseau's can feel the closing of a door across the street. Benny can also feel the passing of a trnin IO miles away, the overflight of a flock of birds, the shifr of wind 011tsidc the house and the heaving of a Diva's bosom from the balcony. Over the years he learned to relate these sensations to their causes. What was disconcerting, however, was hearing the random rustlings, wooshes and whispers that plagued him seemingly from nowhere.

Some days were good clays for Benny.

There were hardly any voices as he came to call them. Other days were terrible. from mid-morning until evening he would be constantly harassed by the sounds of silence.

Tt was like being called on the phone repeatedly and having no one there when you answer.

But after his third thermal something clicked and it was the light bulb switch.

Benny was no longer certifiable.

I met Benny soon afrer he started flying. I had been part of the small but tight little flying community here in Scottsbluff, Nebraska for over eight years.

How did I end up at the west end of Nebraska afrer all my travels and adventures?

Well, 1 wa-1 in New York City visiting friends when I rnet a shy, attractive lady who came over for the evening. We ended up talking until the wee hours and the rest can be read in any grocery store romance novel. I judged her to be a model, from her pretty face, slim figure and way of walking with long, elegant

strides. Come to find our she acquired that latter trait from years of walking to school across plowed fields of the Nebraska hinterlands. Each step was cxacrly two furrows wide.

There it was. Afrer one night I was hopelessly in love and she was hopelessly homesick. Perhaps it was scheming on my part, but when [ suggested we take a trip to Nebraska she jumped at the idea. And now I'm married with two kids, a mid-·sized house, a mid-sized mortgage, a middle-income job in mid-life in the Mid-west. But it ain't all that bad, since our club has a neat little tow park nearby and plenty of sunny X-C weekends.

I was at the tow field the day Benny had his (first) miracle flight. We suddenly heard him laughing, singing and whooping high over our heads. When he landed afrer 45 minutes he jumped out of his glider and srartcd dancing an Trish jig (or maybe a buck and wing, I'm no expert here). We ran over to find om what the rnatter was rnost first thermal flights are exciting, but Benny was norm;illy very taciturn and he filled us in. He described how he had been hearing sounds all his life that suddenly made sense. All this time he had been listening to rhe gurgling cauldron of air as thermals bubbled, broke away and bore upward. As he was describing this I'm sure we looked quite puzzled if not skeptical. Then he stopped talking, turned to the side and said, "Lis-ten!" We didn't hear a thing as he announced that a thermal just let loose. We shook our heads in doubt, but 10 seconds later were met by a strong surface gust signifying a departing elevator.

It took more than that to convince us, bur within three momhs Benny had his thermaling skills down and no one could stay with him. In fact, while his skills rnounted, ours deteriorated for we no longer made any decisions. Wherever Benny went we would follow. He always found a thermal. fact was, he could hear rbcm in stereo and pinpoint their location within a few seconds. His skill grew until he could distinguish large, weak thermals (a murmuring or sighing) from small, strong thermals (a buffeting rumble) and everything in between. Tfrilly expect that some of rbc world's top competition pilots share bis syndrome, but Benny is the only one I've heard describe the effi::cts in detail.

Once Benny learned that sounds were all in his head, but not indicating he was out of his head, he began to seek medical confir-Hi\NC GLIDINC

mation. Thar's when a hearing specialist diagnosed Benny's condition. But the spe· cialisr also cleared something else up. Benny never used a vario, only a wrist altimeter. Ir turns out he also had a constriction of the Eustachian rubes rhat vent the inner car out through the pharynx. Thus, his inner car cliamher and hypolyganglia acted like a very sensitive vcnted--flask variorncter, such as those used in the early days of hang gliding.

This anomaly produced a hit of' discomfort at climb rates over I, 500 f1)rn, but we don't get much of that here in Nebraska.

THE SCHEME Within a year Benny was flying some respecrablc cross-countries. He would team up with me along with my partner i:leming Burke and we'd share rides, insights, stories and excuses wirh our wives. Il was while riding back from one or our longer flights, over I 00 miles, that we hatched the Scheme.

Flem and Benny were native Nebraskans and I was a permanent resident with tioth .. ing to be pro11d oC We were surrounded by cowboy states and what were we known for?

A hand lotion and a football team named after a dcfonked form chore: husking corn.

We realized 1h1t in all our cross .. counrry we had rarely flown om of Nebraska.

Only a norrhcrly wind drops us down into Colorado. With a wcsHiorthwcst wind we could fly more than li50 rnilcs and still remain within the stare. Our goal became scrring the world straight-line distance record on a flex wing, all within the state of Nebraska! 'fo be successful we knew we'd have ro sacrifice. Flem and l were a bit roo old for l O hours or 1norc of flying, bur Benny was 15 years our junior. Besides, there was no question that he was fost becoming one of' the best X C pilots in the world with his unfailing ability to locate thermals. We vol unrccred to alternate /lying with driving to succeed at our dream scheme.

THE FLIGHT 1n the spring of 1993 Benny eked out a few long ones 195 and 207 were the notables but nothing of world-record caliber. Then on September 1 I of that year, an early cold front blasted through. On the 12th it had calmed down a bit and was blowing a wcsHmnhwcst wind.

We arrived at the row /Jcld at 9:30 AM. Benny set up his l IP J\T l and I did the same with my Xtralitc. After we attached a scaled Replogle barograph to Benny's king.. /\PRII

7-001

post we were ready to go at around I 0: I0 with Flem driving the tow truck and my wiic spotting. "There's weak ones our there already," Benny said as he prepared to launch ftrst. We rowed him to a grand toward the west and he got clown to about 600 feet when he hooked a weak teaser. He stayed with it as it gradually developed. By the time I got my ] ,()()().foot tow Benny was hack up to my altitude and a mile down-wind, drifting cast-southeast. l flew to his mark and found the tail a few lrnndrcd feet below him. Benny took his t imc topping our and when he lcfr l was only 50 feet below him. Normally, we team fly in such light conditions by fanning out to help each other locate thermals. I lowever, wirh Benny, rhis wasn't necessary since he knew the location of every thermal within reach. Our plan was for him ro go on his own as c/T1cicnrly as possible. I had little hopes of with him for long, since he always went str:1ight for rhc thermal core with minimum time sprnt in the sink.

Our downwind route carried us directly along the North Plane River, which runs in a nearly straight line for 120 miles. Route 26 fc)llows rhc river closely, then we planned to pick up l-80. That's the beauty ofX.-C: fly ing in our neck cl the plains. Afrcr leaving rhc mountains near Scortsbluff; there's nothing bur undulating farmland wirh no major airports and easy retrieves. My wifr: had clrivcn home to relay any mcss:1gcs and Flem drove the chase car. I w:1s glad it was my day ro /ly since it looked like a good one.

Within a half hom wispy clouds began behind Benny and forming. l was srill using him as a marker. We were riding below :3,000 kct over the ground, bur l could tell things were abollt to improve.

Om ground speed was increasing and as soon as die clouds l<mncd, the shadow drift indicated a good, stiff tailwind was carrying us along.

We were north of' the river and 20 miles from launch when the first serious thermal jumped up in our path. Ir lofrcd us to cloudhasc in short order and scnr us 011 our way with a smile. We zigged and zagged rhis way for a couple of hours and pcrh:ips GO miles when things got even better as streets began forming.

I :,hifrcd gears into race mode and started making some of my own decisions for rhe /Jrst time in a while. I was doing fine and at one poim I lost Benny. Judging from our radio trammissions and later reconstruction, tha r's where he headed a bit more north ro

catch a better street line. I blundered on and was doing great until I hit the ground. The cause of my demise was Lake McC:onaughly directly in my path. \lad to juke south to miss it and rhat was decidedly not the ticker.

I dribbled along for another 15 miles burl was never high enough to crosswind it to a good street. I landed at 2:30 just north of Ogallala for 132 miles my longest. Fleming pulled up as I was pulling battens and we had my gear on the rig inside of 20 mintllcs.

We jumped on 1-80 and were off to the races with a frill tank of gas. Benny was ahead of us by probably 15 miles, but we ligured we could catch him on the express· way. By the rime we reached him, his track had carried him somh of the highway. I even spotted hirn 011cc as he spiraled upwards spreading a flash of'sunlight.

The afternoon wore on a11d still Benny persevered. He was flying mostly straight dow11wind and stopping only for the best lifr. We passed North Platte, the 1 mark where 1-80 turns more scmrhcastcrly to follow his track. Benny was well south, but he knew the north-sourh roads fi-om previous flights and we were able to keep abreast of him as he called out the highways as he crossed them: 18J. By five o'clock he was near the 220-milc mark and headed for 1-lolclregc. We decided to drop south of 1-80 on US 183. There arc a lot of good, straight country roads in that pan of Nebraska and we knew we could drive highway speeds. By then Flem and l were talking about possibilities, but we didn't want to jinx Benny's record attempt, so we only offered occasional words of encourage .. ment. I lowcvcr, we could rcll he was on rrack to succeed. for a couple He ate up more Nebraska of hours while we ate a Quickstop meal of Spam and Velveeta on Wondcrbrcad. He had bccn topping 0111 at 9,000 fret MSL, bm he was getand cloudbasc was still ting to base less ofren. By 7:00 PM we urcd he was ar the 28() .. milc mark. I jfr was getting weaker, he reported, bm rherc was still plenty to be found. His average ground speed slowed somewhat and we began cross .. ing our fingers.

Then a new problem arose. Benny was getting close ro rhc Kansas border. This was not good for our plan, but of' course, hacl nothing LO do with a world record. Flem and I debated what to do until we decided to leave ir up to Benny. We !er him know he had abouc 10 miles to the border then set· 19

looked alike. Afrcr showing us our room no phone, no pool, 110 pets, hut plenty of flies and a constant shower drip he directed us to the attached restamam, the: Bite' n'( :hew. we had the only thing on die menu (steak) all on 'f11ppcrwarc.

It was in the dining room rhat we finally found time to check out Benny's flight. Our tentative measurements on the Nebraska map indicated 310. 5 miles! A new world record and a successfo I outcome to our scheme.

We couldn't wait to sec Benny and rel] him the news. We spent a restless night in thar hot litrlc room with its saggy, lumpy beds and reminders of the feed 101 carried in on the wind. In the morning we took bm1kfast at the Birc'n'Chew steak and eggs. Then we drove to the jail around 9:30 and went to sec the sheriff.

tled down to listen in. [-le started angling crosswind :rnd the going got tougher. He reported in over Red Cloud at the intersection of US 281 and 1:36 wewereabout 20 miles back. He was 3,000 feet up and going on glide. A bit later he found another scrap oflifr and bung on to it, drifting southeast. We figured he was nearing the 300--mile mark by the time he announced he was bailing for a large area of weak lift.

'Jen minutes later he said he was getting low but bad enough altitude to reach the thermal area. "Let's hope ir's strong enough," he opined. The next transmission wasn't sounding so good. "Oh, oh! It wasn't thcr-mal production I was hearing. Looks like I'm gonna be in deep ... " the transmission broke off there as he sank below the horizon.

INFERIOR We had a prcny good idea where he was so we drove on, heading foir the town of Inferior* on the Republican River (we wondered why they would name a river that until we saw how polluted it was). About three miles from town we were stopped by a herd of steers. In fact, we started seeing steers everywhere eating alongside the roads, walking across the flelds and standing in little groups. By the time we pulled into town we knew something was amiss. The only people we saw anywhere were out in the fields chasing steers. We parked to look for a telephone, but everything was locked up.

We saw an old lady rocking on her front porch and went to ask where everyone was.

"Thcy's all 0111 at the feed lot, acting like damn fools. Somebody said an alien landed in the focd lot and stampeded nearly a thou-sand head. It ain't no such thing . .Just another one o' those Holywood snmts is all," she spat our.

We just looked at each other.

"Umm, where might this feed lot be?"

She pointed us in the right direction and we headed out. As we progressed we started smelling the mother of all foul smells. Feed lots are holding pens for cattle where they arc fattened up for market. 'The beasts arc held more or less immobile in large densities with nothing to do but cat and void. One cow smells rustic. Three or four smell bucol-ic. A herd smells like a farm, but a fr:ed lot full smells worse than the devil's cesspool.

They say that folks who like sausages and laws should never watch either being made.

Add beef to that list.

As we drove on, holding our noses with the windows closed, we passed a police 20

cruiser with the lights !lashing. l caught a glimpse of Benny inside and he didn't look good. We stopped to follow him bu1 then decided we should go get his glider since it was getting dark. If it was truly him who landed in the focd lot, it shouldn't be hard to find. When we got there with our stomachs turning and our eyes burning we saw it right away, parked the fence. When we went to pack it up, however, we found it taped o/T with yellow "do not cross" police tape. Since it was tied securely to the fence we Hgurcd it was safe enough and headed back ro town to rescue Benny.

We located the sheriff's office and jail, but it was closed. The town was still nearly ernp-ty, but we found an open door at the Horn and I Ioof saloon. There we bi med a few more details. The bartender/owner Woody said, "Yep, hits the mos' 'citcmcm wc-all'vc had in thirty year. Morc'n h,ilf them steers, over a thousand head, have scattered to the four winds."

He went on to tell that rhc Feed lot is the town's livelihood so naturally everyone was at that moment on the roundup of their lives.

It turned our t:hat Benny was indeed in jail and the earliest we could see him would be tomorrow morning. We decided to call home and spend the night. My call indicated that Benny had left a message with my wife and that he was cldinitcly arrested bur okay except for a serious c1sc of nausea. I couldn't blame him considering where he landed.

We checked into to Forr-Lorn Motel (named afrcr owners Forrest and Lorna Picker we found out) and met Woody, so WC thought. "Nope, I'm his twin brnrher Forrest," said the receptionist. Damn, they

THFRESCUF Inside we met not the sheriff bur his daughter. She introduced herself as Colleen O'l.ooncy and proudly showed us her dcpury badge pinned to her battleship chest.

Political correctness compels me to describe her simply as being bigger than, life-size. But she had very delicate hands and feet with a head and nice features. Unfortunately, the overall impression gave was of a giant tick. She apparently bad ;1ttachcd herself to Benny, for whcu we told her we had come to visit him she lit up. She called him Benny Jimmy and let us know that he'd be under her care a good long time. "What exactly is he charged with?" we queried.

"Well, let's sec ... trespassing, disturbing rhc peace, assault wirh a deadly weapon, inciting a riot, reckless endangerment, property damage, cruelty to animals, being a puh-lic nuisance, lying to an officer of rhc law, terrorism ... " she wcm on and on. It looked like Benny would need a whole infestation of New York lawyers to beat this rap.

We asked what the lying was about, and she said Benny told her far her, 1he sheriff; that be had flown a ha11d glider from SconsblufTwhich was, of course, impossible. In fact, her father thought Benny must be part of' some foreign espionage plot and he was determined to get to the bottom of it. We realized then that since evolution is banned in the state all officials arc compelled to think with a chimpanzee brain.

"Well, can we sec him?"

"Sure." She took us into the next room and there he was behind bars. He lay on his back with his up, white as a sheet. Tle I IANC GUDINC

greeted us weakly as Colleen said, "Benny Jimmy, honey, I brought your friends."

It was then that he told us the rest of the story. It seems that Benny did his long final glide heading for what he thought was lifr. Jr turned out he was heading for the feed lot and the sounds he heard were the bovine digestive emanations from over 2,000 head of prime beef. He arrived at 500 feet and actually managed to rnaintain a bit in the foul effluvium, but soon the smell and fatigue combined to bring on a sudden virulent airsickness. He landed as quickly as he could beside the pens which set off the world's largest stampede after a couple of alpha steers flattened a section of fence.

Soon after that Sheriff O'Looney arrived, impounded his equipment, arrested him and he's been cooling his heels ever since.

The shei-iff claimed he had been sent to sabotage the feed lot which was the nation's food supply.

"Food!" chimed in Ms. O'Looney. "I've got an idea; I've got some frozen pizzas at the house. [ low 'bout l go get five or six and we can cook 'cm here on the microwave."

Flem and I looked at each other and nodded assent while Benny just groaned. When she rocked our of the parking lot we jumped up and started to look for a key. wfry the bottom right on the deck drawer," Benny advised. "I've seen her get them there."

Sure enough we pulled out a ring of keys.

We soon found the right one, sprung Benny, found his harness in a closet and lie out like Butch and Sundance. We sped om to the feed lot, passing no one. We knew we didn't have time to dcrig the glider so we decided we'd have to tow it to clear the power lines, signs and fences until we were free of the sheriff No doubt Colleen would send an all-points alarm ("hell hath no fury like a woman scorned") when she returned.

Fleming and I volunteered to fly, bur Benny would have none of that. He wanted to get as high as possible as soon as he could to gcr free of the fetid air which he had been breathing for nearly J It hours. We hooked him in, aimed into the wind and were on our way. We spooled out enough line to keep Benny at 1,000 feet as we drove first cast, then south on route 14 headed for the Kansas border. We could only tow about .30 mph, but it was just a couple of miles. We figured we were home free until we topped a rise just before the border. There, parked across the road was a white cruiser. We coasted to a stop in from of a big, beefy, APRIL 200"!

Irish policeman. He looked sunburned and And so, the triumphant but disappointing cranky from chasing cattle all night and day. story of Benny's marvelous abilities and "What'er you boys up to?" he asked world-record flight has been told. It is only "Well, we're just towing," 1 replied meekly. now, afrer the statute orlimitations (seven ""Holling, trolling," cut in Fleming. He years) has nm out that we can make iL public. He deserves credit, but he'll never get had looked back and noticed that Benny wasn't on the line. "We're working for the more than continued admiration from us, Environmental Protection Agency and his flying buddies.

Sadly, Benny has never repeated such a checking our the air quality by monitoring flight. Jn fact, after that he could only fly in the air density with that little parachute we the smoothest of conditions and then for gm back there and ... " "Wahl, we don't need no monitoring," only about a half hour before be would start feeling decidedly green. I !is nausea in flight interjected the sheriff, "we got the best tastis brought on by a subconscious memory of ing air and smelling water this side of parthe olfactory horror that engulfa chat little adise. I'm suggesting you boys keep on heading into Kansas. Their air always smells funtown on the Ncbraska-Xansas border. Hypny to me!" He inspected the back of the notism, medicine, accuprcssurc and votive offerings have failed to cure him. He eventruck, saw my glider rigged to the side and said what's this?" tually got tired of flying glass-offs and drift-· "Oh, that's our ladder for taking an air ed into golf where he says his abilities to read the wind currents help his score. sample the standard 15 feet up." That seemed to satisfy him and he let us go.

Here's to ya, Benny you were a great We crossed into Kansas and called Benny one! We miss you sorely, because we've had to learn to find thermals ourselves all over on the radio. f-lc said he was on the ground about seven miles ahead. He had seen the again. Ill sheriff's car a mile back and pinned off; went * The ctctual town name has heen to a thermal and rode it high enough to make it safely away. But he was 011 his back sli1,ht61 to protect the innocent. again. T le just lay there while we broke down his glider and loaded up. Apparently he was psychologically nausecJUs from his recent trauma.

We headed back home, skirting Nebras-ka by raking US 36 just south of the border. On the way we High Energy Sports offers a variety of safe, comfortable harfinally had time to talk ness styles. Each harness is cut according to your body about the flight, condimensions. You customize your harness with your choice of gratulate Benny and colors and options. We have over 30 different harness options gloat over the upcomavailable. You only pay for the options you order. ing publicity. Then Plcming stopped the High Energy Sports Quantum Parachutes... The best car. He looked at us you can buy! A reserve parachute is one of the most for a second and said: important purchases you will make. If properly carnd for, your "Where's the baroparachute will outlast your glider and your harness. A paragraph?" "Oh no!" we chute can be your last hope for survival in a very bad siluaall groaned in unison. lion. Make sure you have the bes! ... make stHe you have a The sheriff had confisQuantum Series Parachute by High Energy Sports. cated it special as some mysterious spy communication device and had locked it in a sepa1521 E. McFadden #H, Santa Ana, CA 92705 rate cabinet. We conphone: (714) 972-8"186 ® fox: (714) 972-1430 templated what to do, bcttp@aol .com bur Benny vetoed any thought of returning.

21

by Pete Lehmann

The 2000 Region Nine Almost-Yearlong X-C Contest has a decisive winner, Ric Niehaus. His 159-miLe, contest-winning flight is the second Longest ever in the northeastern United States. That startling flight marks Ric's emergence as a first-class cross-country pilot and one ofthe premier pilots in this part ofthe country. or more chan 10 years I have given ching from my years of attempting to teach occasional seminars on subjects related cross-country skills, it is chat the crucial discinto cross-country flying. In che course of guishing characteristic of world-class pilots is rime I have learned char, wh ile many of something that cannot be taught: character, us express an interest in cross-country flying, determination and personality. Ric possesses and many even develop a reasonably comprechem in abundance as evidenced by the fact chat not only did he win chis contest, but he hensive intellectual understanding of che technical aspects, only a tiny minority of pilots also won the Michael Champlin World X-C actually follow through and apply chem in Challenge. In so doing Ric set, or reset, four sire records lase year. flight. Ric has been one of chose exceptions.

From the first, Ric has distinguished himself by Ric's spectacular flight was made from his receptivity to boch written and verbal inforThe Sac, a norcherly-facing sire in ease-central mation. He has consistently listened to and Pennsylvania. He accomplished the flight on then digested new ideas. His follow-up quesJuly 7, an unusually lace date for a long flight tions always displayed a sophisticated, inquisiin chis Region. However, chat date, falling close rive intelligence and understanding of the comto che summer equinox, provided Ric with a very long period of soarable conditions in plexicies of flying hang gliders.

Even so, Ric's path to wisdom has not which to make che flight. Launching his Fusion always been smooch. While still a Hang III he at 12:23 PM, Ric climbed out to 1,8 00 feet experienced one of che very rare eastern rumEnd ofthe 159-mile day: Ric Niehaus behind launch, bur chen got himself trapped bles, one char had occurred at such a low level and driver Clint LeRoy. over che back, facing a landing in the rowdy, that he couldn't deploy his parachute. And chen ············································································ narrow valley behind. Bur he dug himself out his transition to landing a high-performance glider proved diffiof chat hole and was off to che races with his friend Cline Leroy cult. But he persevered, and prevailed. He has displayed a doggedbelow him providing world-class chase service. ness chat can be neicher taught nor learned. IfI have gained anyAs he headed souchward he left the Appalachian Mountains

F

22

H ANG GLIDING

and entered the essentially flat Atlantic coastal plain. Lift was good but nor specracular along the way, running between 250-600 fpm on his vario's averager. Ric got as high as 7,300' MSL, bur was also twice as low as a grand off the deck as he worked into the afternoon and onto the Delmarva Peninsula that juts into the Atlantic ocean. Ric lives and flies on that peninsula and altered his course crosswind to ensure char he could get into familiar terrain. With Clint out ahead of him, spreading word of the spectacular flight, near the hundred-mile mark Ric flew over his excited wife Karen and their house before continuing on past the Ridgely Aerosporrs towpark. Ar six o'clock Ric was still at 6,000 feet, but the day was slowly dying and he finally landed at 6:45 PM at Millsboro, Delaware, 159 miles from launch after six hours and 22 minutes in the air. Almost as astonishing as Ric's flight is the fact that his driver Clim arrived only 10 minutes after his landing. Thar is extraordinary retrieval service in rhe eastern U.S. As for the rest of us, Region Nine's 2000 Almost Yearlong X-C Comest was a decidedly mixed bag. There were a number of good flights, bur many pilots were completely skunked. The explanation lies in the extraordinarily wet spring experienced in the eastern parts of the Region, affecting our largest concentration of pilots. Mind you, the weather does nor explain everything, as rhe vast bulk of Ric Niehaus's 1,000 cross-country miles were flown in chat part of the Region . Further contradicting the wetness thesis is the fact chat several pilots experienced extraordinary altirude gains during the spring, most norably Randy Leggerr's gain to 10,400' MSL in eastern Pennsylvania and John Fenner's attaining 9,800' MSL in western Pennsylvania.

Twenty-nine flights were entered, ranging from Ric's 159-miler to a humble 3.3-miler bringing up the rear. Second place overall was taken by Dennis Pa.gen flying his Moyes Lirespeed. Dennis's 99.5-mile flight on May 5 from Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania was profiled in an earlier article and is noteworthy for the rather overdeveloped conditions in which he managed it. He was constantly crying to outrun a large cell that kept gaining on him.

Dennis would glide off into the distance, only to find weak lift

After sledding out at the Pulpit in Pennsylvania, Ric Niehaus didn't want to waste time breaking down his glider, so he drove his truck all the way through town like this, earning a couple ofstares. He is looking up to see ifthe glider will clear the power lines at the entrance to launch. Photo by Ellis Kim. APRIL 200 1

Pennsylvania to Huntington, Pennsylvania on May 15. Conditions were really good during the earlier parts oC the flight and my companion Mike Neuman and I reckoned that a 100-·miler was a certainty. Unfortunately, jusr after getting across the Allegheny Mountain barrier ar the 60-mile mark the lifr suddenly and prematurely shut down. At the end I spent 10 minutes scratching a small ridge, but it was hopeless. The clouds had died.

that would then strengthen as the approached to loom over him. At that point Dennis would have to leave rhe dramati· cally increasing lifr and run, only to again repeat the whole process until gravity finally triumphed and be had to land. [r was a very good flight under the circumstances.

J took third place flying not a Falcon, but a l~usion for a change. The flight of miles was made from Templeton,

Pilot Ric Niehaus

6 7 8

9

.Dennis Pete Lehmann Rich Lawrence; Wayne John Penner Pat Brooks Randy Claire Pagen Thm McGowa.11 John Dulfahan John McAllister JeffSemset.

Ron Dively Mark Ga.rdner Christy Huddle Ic-ai:ry Huffrnan Nelson Lewi$ Mike Balk Doug Perkh:~ . .'Ierty Spenc~r .

Class.

Sixty 01jer1 ()pen

Glider

Open Open

WHls Wing Fusion

Open

Wills Wh1gXC.1 Wills Wing 1

Open Sixty

Open

Sixty

SIXTY-MILE CLASS In what would be his last appearance in the Sixty··Mile Class, Ric Niehaus decisively promoted himself into the Open Class, winning handily. In second place was Randy Leggett with the aforementioned 51 .4-mile flight of extraordinary altitude gains. Randy was flying a rare Avian Cornp from Little Gap, Pennsylvania and proved that, contrary to what some pilots believe, Regional Directors do not lose tbe ability to fly hang gliders with their election to office. In third place was Tom McGowan on his new Moyes Litespced. 'fom's September 16 flight was rather late in the year ft>r a long one in this Region, going 49.4 miles from Woodstock, Virginia along the Massanutten Mountain complex of ridges.

Continued on page 48.

Wills Wing Fusion I 50 Moyes Litespeed Wills Wing Fusion 150 Aeros Stealth·l42

Avian Comp LaMouette Tiny %pless Moyes Lltespeed Aeros Stealth

PacAirKlassic MoyesXS l PacAii: Kfassk 11~4 PacAirK!assic 144 Wills WingXC 132 Wills Wlng Falco.n 170 ·

'Templeton, PA 'Ie:mpleton, .PA LjtdeGap 1 PA

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PA Wo?~!stock,. VA

. W~iocfatock,Vf\ · WoodstQc:l<; VA ·• '1Gtt1pletor1,··PA•.· Jac:k(Mt.,•PA

PA

Aetos Stealth

l,arrY:Wi:fght Jlm Jvless.iria Steve turner Tim Donovan Ma1,~H1 Presley Ede:. Shiever !)~11 lbmlinson PatHalfhilJ Sheila Bc>yle

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Instructor Staff2000. Front row(! to Arwlorl Kevin Adttms, Greg Hoffrneyei; Matt Pmtlsen, Chris DuPrtu!, Steve Arny Iorrington, Thomas Nayl01: Bach row: Gus nuPuis, Dan Sfwrnblin, Alist,tr Stim rod:e, Jason Fisher, Dem Root; Peter /)rehe1; Mitch Kemphn; Brian Elliston, Bruce 1X:Caua

here is a theory that everyone is only six acquaintances away from knowing anyone in the world (six degrees of separation). In the United State.s hang gliding community rhere is probably not more than one or two degrees of separation between any pilot and someone who has taught at Kitty Hawk Kites. (You probably know someone who knows a current or past Kitty Hawk Kites Instructor.) Since 1974 close to 250 di fferem instructors have rnughr at Jockey's Ridge Stme Park, many of whom h:1ve gone ou to become major /1xtmes in our sport, including: David Glover, Matt Taber, C.W. Meadows, Steve Wendt, Chad Elchin, Sunny Yanesky, Bo Hagewood, Paris Williams, and many, many more. The majority of' them also rook their first flights on the dunes of Jockey's Ridge.

In May of last year Kitty Hawk Kites sponsored a reunion f;x all past and present instructors. It was a night of'good fun, great memories and hilarious stories. Close

26

to 40 instructors attended, coming from as far away as London, England. Instructors representing four decades of instruction were in attendance. The reunion was held in conjuncrion with the annual Hang Gliding Spectacular and Air Games, so the

alumni were treated once ,1gain to a weekend Cull of hang gliding.

Afrer getting back our on the dune on Saturday to either watch or participate in the hang gliding competition, all of the instructors descended on a local restaurallt where they enjoyed good food and good company. "So there I was ... " and "You rernernber the time when ... " stories filled the air. ·rhe camaraderie of these pilots was still evident, even in those who had not seen each other in years or those who had never met each other before. They all shared a strong cornrnon bond; they taught hang gliding on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation.

The time they spent teaching changed their lives forever. Many are still flying, some arc not, but they all remember the

time they spent on the Outer Banks as some of the most fun they ever had. Many of the experiences the instructors had while teaching were sirniLir. They had all experienced similar challenges and triumphs, both in their personal flying and their teaching. For some of the instructors, those experiences were not long ago. But whether they were teaching in the 70's or were born in the 70's, their memories of' teaching seemed to be equally as clear and the friendships rhey forged were equally as strong.

One of the many highlights of the evening was a video slide show put togeth-er by Doug Haber, instructor alum. lt fca .. tmed pictures from the first days of reach-ing on the dune all the way through present-day instruction. It was very well done and captured the feel of the evening perfectly. '/'he /;1ccs may change over the years, but the essence of being an instruc-· tor stays the same. It's fi.111. ln addition to that, most of t:he instructors were reminded ofa rime when life was simple. The H!\NC CUDINC

David Glover, Greg Ball, G. W Meadows. most important thing in life was Oying, either doing it or teaching it. And thoughts and conversations didn't stray for long from how to improve either skill. Shorts and a T-shirt were the dress code, and the majority of "problems" at work could be solved with the simple advice of "relax and look ahead." Going to work was fun because everyone you were working with was having flm. It's a good life that everyone at the reunion w;L~ happy to revisit.

There were stories of first flights and bar fights and everything in between.

Jin1 Johns retold his sr01y about ther·· maling off the sand dune and landing at the Wright Brothers Memorial. Jim was an instructor in the late 70's and early 80's and ended up running what is now Western I Tang Gliders in California for several years. On April l 8, 1980 Jim bunched from the 130-foot dune and thermaled up to about 1,000 feet, mrned downwind and landed frmr and a half miles away at the Wright Brothers Memorial. It was the first time anyone had thermaled out of the APRIL 2001

park. It is a feat that to this day only one other person has been able to duplicate.

Bo Hagewood thermaled our of the park twice, landing in t:he shallow sound 011 the western perimeter of the park.

The story of Bo's other memorable accomplishment on the dune was retold as well. He is the only instructor to try and succeed at swooping down and snatching the bat off the head of an unsuspecting park superintendent. The park officials were not as impressed with this act of skill.

John Harris told about bis flight from Grandfather Mountain in 1974, rhe first flight ever from Grandfather. His flight marked the beginning of many years of hang gliding at the site. In fact, years afi:er John's first flight, a few of the instructors in attendance were employed at Grandfather as exhibition pilots.

Glenn Hockett talked about the first competition held at Grandfather in which he and a few other instructors competed.

Part of the pilot meeting included specific details on how to tree--land, which appar-

ently came in handy, as there were more than 30 tree landings the first day. lt got to the point where pilots had to find trees to land in that weren't alrc;idy occupied. Ahh, the good old days.

The story of Chris Ou Paul teaching Picabo Street to fly was also relayed. She was filming an adventure show for which she took a dune lesson and then a tandem.

She took to hang gliding very easily. During the tandem with Chris she ended up gening sick as they came in on final. Of course, the cameras were rolling and caught the whole thing on tape. She loved the flight and the footage, and although it aired in an edited form, she said she'd use the raw footage some day. That says a lor about her character. She is a great person and was from then on affectionately nicknamed "Puke. . a-boo" Street.

Ed "Spanky" Seacrest explained how a simple misunderstanding with some local patrons at "Updrafts," a favorite pub in the 80's, was the source of a few raised eyebrows from the students the nexr day.

27

,, ,.

I

author showing goodform.

Apparently, having their instructors show up with bumps, bruises and black eyes did not inspire much confidence.

I'here were many stories of hang gliding road trips, one of which was about some instructors who went on a flying trip to Mexico and ended up living our of a grass hnt, earing iguanas, goat's feet and fish caught from a line with a hook. After several weeks rhey made it back home in the truck they had crashed and rebuilt.

30

Stories of these exploits were just a few of the many that were told that night.

Many of rhcm were just about the pure joy of flying and the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment gained from teaching. After several hours of reminiscing, the party moved to the annual street dance in front of the shop. Here we were all reminded of why we taught hang gliding and not dancing. It was a night foll of belly laughs and pictures, and a good time

was had by all.

There will be another reunion this year on May 19. Once again it will be held in conjl!nction with the Hang Glid·· ing Spectacular and Air Games. For more information on the reunion, look up www.kittyhawk.com/event:s/reunion.cfm.

For more information on the Air Games, look up www.kinyhawk.com/events/ airgames.cfin. •

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n the spinning of any good historical yarn, it seems that rhe most widely accepted place to start is to recount the exploits of the flrst white guys in the area. Even though the native inhabitants undoubtedly already had their own history, and had even named all the landmarks, it makes a long story short to simply sray within these white-guy guidelines. lu the case of the valley now known as Jackson Hole, the first white guy was a fdlow by the name of Jim Bridger.

Having served with merit in the Lewis and Clark expedition, upon being discharged he longed f<)I' more adventme, and set about to explore and trap his way back into the mountains through which the expedition had come. When he first wandered into this magnificrnt val

32

around 181 l, he doubdess didn't give a hoor abom the prospects ftir world.class resort hotels and ski :Jreas, or the many local attractions which now bear his name. l·le was, however, struck by the narural beauty and abundance he cncounlcrcd. The valley was a veritable cornucopia of game and fish, offoring up more beaver pelts than he could shake a stick at. The natives were friendly enough, the living was easy, and he continued to trap here for :J number of ye,irs.

Somewhere along the way, however, word got olll to a bunch of Frenchmen about th is parndisc completely surroumJ .. ed mountains. They were drunkards, craven and sadistic, and they came to this magic land imem on only one thing: mopping up the remaining heaver pelts.

This they did with speed and efficiency,

and by about 1835 the area was about trapped out. They moved on, and from then until I 876, with the arrival of the famous Moran Expedition into what is now Yellowstone, very little written histo·· ry exists about rlie valley.

While they were here, the henchmen had a penchant for naming things, and they gave a grandiose French name to everything they could see. But they were darned good at it, and most of the names they chose stuck things like the Gros Ventre (fat belly) Mountains, the Gros Ventre (pronounced grow·"v,1hnt) River, Rendezvous Mountain, even the now· defunct Nez Perce (pierced nose) tribe of· natives (even though rhcy probably :Jlready had a name for themselves).

Bur in all this folmlous abundance there was only one thing missing. Conspicuously absenL were the white girls.

There probably wasn't one within 1,000 rniles. Even if there was, she was already wi rh some murderously jealous man.

Ifow rhey must have longed for the warmth in the bosorns of their distant lovers. Sining around the campfire ,lt night, afrer they had long since worn out the same old boring stories of the mad rivers and even madder grizzlies, the talk would inevitably turn to girls. (Things haven't changed much, have rhey?) /\s rhey gazed upon these magnificent up-thrust pc;iks, they could only think of one thing. In a fit ofdrnnken wistfulness, one of' tbc Frenchmen must have decided to bestow a name on the three prominent summits which dominate the skyline: "Les 'Hois 'Jcrons," loosely translated, "the three breasts." Now this almost proves they were drunkards. l no longer imbibe, but even when l did, no matter how much alcohol was consumed, it never skewed my judgment enough to be attracted to a woman with three breasts.

Bur like all of their other names, it stuck, and now we know this scenic attraction .,imply as the Teton Range.

I ,ater, with the arrival of the Moran expedition, came photographer Davey Jackson, who with a great deal of effort recorded the first photographic images of the area. So prominent a figure was he that the valley became to he known as Jackson's Hole (the mountain men's term For a high valley completely surrounded by mountains). 'fhis name had some rather disgusting implications, and being that the mountains were already named HANC GLIDINC

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by some dirty-minded, drunken Frenchmen, at some point the residents appropriately decided to refer to th e valley simply as Jackson Hole, with the town of Jackson as the County Seat.

You may ask, What does rhis have to do wirh Hang Gliding? I'll tell you. As a salute to those brave, lonely, drunk Frenchmen, as well as to honor the many lovely, cute, attractive, gorgeous, intelligent and fun females which now inhabit the valley (and currently comprise much of the wildlife hereabouts), I have decided to go (with the help of my Moyes Litespeed 5) topless in the Tetons!

Times have changed, and Jackson Hole is now a beehive of modern activities. Planeloads of tourists arrive and depart every day, and the local economy churns along at such a breakneck pace that Teton County, Wyoming now has the highest income per tax return in the nation. Amid the hustle and bustle there is one escape, one refuge from the chaos, one place where a significant number of residents go every day to get away from their worries and get a little closer to God: the Jackson Hole aerial tram.

Once inhabited only by rogue paraglider pilots, the m utant misfits of Generation X, Mountain Resort management oh so wisely decided three years ago to reintroduce captive hang glider pilots into their native environment. This means that you can now simply buy your single-ride sightseeing ticket, wirh the assistance of the friendly and helpful tram dock personnel, load your bird onto the roof of the tram car, and 10 minutes later you are perched 4,100 feet above the valley on top of Rendezvous Mountain - with snack bar, restrooms, and rwo different launch directions to choose from of course. I doubt that Jim Bridger ever imagined hang gliding, but even if he did, he surely never envisioned it being this civilized.

You m ust play nicely with the paraglider pilots, however. On any good day they will be "doing laps," with flyers Ii terally pouring off launch by rhe dozens whenever the window is open. They make good thermal markers, and it is generally like being a shark in a pool full of jellyfish. There are many excellent flyers among them, and their knowledge of the site and conditions is as yet

34

unmatched by the hang glider pilots.

Alrhough the ski area has vast areas of beginner and intermediate ski runs, rhey are best known for rhree types of terrain: steep, very steep, and cliffs. There are many areas within the ski area where, if you were to duck rhe ropes, you could ski out into space and die. (It has happened.) These cliffs, however, make good thermal generators and rate highly for scenic value. Once you get up, there is frequently convergence over the mountains and it is relatively easy to run the Teton Range. There are no foothills at all, so you don't have to be very high to scamper along the peaks. Do not, however, land in Grand Teton ational Park to the norrh. The rangers there rhink rhey are the marines and they have seized several paragliders for landing within their boundaries. With good conditions it is possible to get up over rhe Grand Teton at 13,770 feet and still glide into the wind back out of park airspace (even the paraglider pilots do it).

The scenery is simply brearhraking.

People come from all over the world to

see the Tetons fro m the ground, and seeing it from the air in a hang glider is a privilege you will not soon forget. G laciers, n umerous lakes, streams, waterfalls, gigantic cliffs, moose, elk, deer, bears, hawks, falco ns, eagles (golden and bald) and even humans are som e of the sights you will see. When the lift finally starts to fizzle and your oxygen has run out, you can cut the easy glide back to the LZ at Teton Village. A leisure 50-yard scroll over to your vehicle makes the tour complete.

If you bothered to bring a driver (not a necessity), he could spend the day shopping in Teton Village or having some food and beverage on the deck of the Mangy Moose or the Alpenhof, watching the ever-present stream of paragliders coming into the landing zone.

This may so und too good to be true, and the bad news is: it is. Rendezvous Mountain is a lee-side site. Ir is an eastfacing mo untain where the southwesterlies prevail . T he mornings are very consistent rhro ughout the summer months, and as soon as the sun hits the massive easterly faces the air starts to move upslope, creating conditions which are launchable but not soarable. As the day progresses, the thermals usually get well developed berween 11 :00 AM and 2: 00 PM . Often, by early to mid-afternoon, the westerli es kick in, but sometimes they don't and the east side will remain flyable all day.

If you th ink that sounds good, consider thi s: T here are several ocher excellen t sites within a hour (to the top) of the town of Jackson .

My favorite is N elson's, a 1,200-foot slope launch on the windward western aspect of the Gros Ventre mo un tains.

Overlooking the beautifLJ greenery of the Snake River floodplain, the sagebrushcovered faces heat up nicely and offer up plenty of afternoo n lift. Conditions-wise, this is the best site in the valley as it faces the prevailing wind, and glasses off as nicely as any desert site.

Phillips Ridge, at 2,400 fee t vertical , is once again on the east face of the Tetons.

Twin parallel launches facing southeast are us ually fl own early in the day, bu t Phillips is often flyable long after highlevel westerli es have shu t things down at Teton Village. This site is truly the gateway to the Tetons as it lies at the very so uthern end of the Teton Range.

Although getting that firs t good thermal is usually a bit dicey, hang glider and H ANG GLI DING

paraglider pilots alike are often rewarded for their efforcs with good altitude gains, spectacular scenery and X-C miles in all directio ns.

Another fave is Snow King Mountain, a north-facing site directly overlooking the Town ofJackson. The baggers ride the chai rlift bur we hangies are forced co drive up che back. It is 1,600 feet vertical and I've never had a sled ride there, but the launch is a very tricky tree sloe.

Launching a hang glider there is kinda like kicking a field goal, and only chose with very strong launch skills need apply.

The wind often swings north lace on summer days, and the air will fill up wi th upwards of 20 paragliders and one hang glider (me) , partaking of the Snow King Pudding evening air for dessert after a hoc day of flying the Village. Same rules apply: the scenery rocks.

If you gee bored with chose sires and need some exercise, you can hike your gear up Beaver Mo untain co bench off the 600-fooc level of a 3,000-fooc mountain. This is an outstanding sire for the paras and they routinely sky out, bur it is often coo strong for chem, and you will find Iron man Ron Macous specked out in his X-C, cooling off for three or four hours after the grueling hike. I have flown there several rimes from ocher sires, and the scenery is the best in the area.

Overlooking H oback Canyon, rhe sire is on the dividing line between the Gros Venere Mountains co rhe north and the Wyoming Range to che south. The western horizon consists of the Sale River APRIL 200 1

Springs overlooking the Snake River. They are both excellent si res with easy access and spacious LZ's, but have been flown only a handful of rimes due co the extra 15 minutes it would take co get there. It's easy co get lazy flying around here.

So, if you're looking for a place co spend char next flying vacation , the flying season runs from mid-May though October. The problem is, yo u must decide which of your ocher coys co leave at home, since there are opportunities for just about any kind of outdoor recreation yo u can imagine. Hiking, biking, camping, fishing, canoeing, kayaki ng, rafting, sailing, wacer skiing, scuba diving, windsurfing, hunting, horseback riding, dining, drinking, dancing, shopp ing or just riding around in yo ur car taking pictures.

From the town of Jackson you are always less than an hour's drive from any of rhe flying sires and activities.

Surrounded by all chis splendor, it's hard not co wane co just let it all hang our and go topless in the Tetons, but even if you have a kingposced glider or singlesurface you can join the fun! Gimme an e-mail at Hang4av8r@aol.com and I can tell you how. •

Range at the souch end, the Snake River Range in the middle, and the Tetons co the north. Over the back is the awesome W ind River Range, which is as big as all the ochers put together, and which includes Gannett Peak, rhe tallest in Wyoming at 13,840 feet, and over 50 peaks above 12,000 feet. In case you weren't counting, chat's six different mountain ranges for rhe price of one.

Then there's poor, lowly, lircl e r,11oyes Performance I Moyes Curtis Canyon. Ar Oua/ity IM 0 only 500 feet vertical Yes Service and nor very steep, ir is difficult co soar, and you either need co do a small coplanding field or make it co some friendl y private land.

The National Elk 200 Hillcrest Drive Refuge below is one Auburn 95603 giant LZ, bur rhe Department of the Interior prohibits any human presence off the road and ~ landing there will get you a ticket.

Moyes Per,, ·r -· ' ormance/ There are ocher Moyesa · e Ua/ity I Moyes serv1c sires just our of the Ph 530 BBB B622 valley, such as GunFax 530 BBB 8708 sigh t Pass on the Ff ya Moyes @aol. com www.MoyesAmerica .com Continental Divide and Astoria Hoc

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35

Ii

I

1 11rticle and photos © 2001 by

De Wolf; Ff:y America

{fyou attribute all the accidents and mishaps that occur in hang gliding to bad luck and unavoidable turbulence, then jiJrget this series that discusses technique and style, their benefits and deficiencies. Your time will be better spent searchingfor a jiJUr-leafclover. But, fyou want to expand your horizons and your bag of tricks for dealing with various hang gliding situations, read on. echnique n. l. the method of procedure (with reference to practical or formal details), or way of using basic skills, in rendering an artistic work or carrying out a scientific or mechanical operation style n. 5. the way in which anything is made or clone; manner 'rhcre's more rhan one way to land a hang glider, or launch or weight shift. Sure, we all learned the best w;1y. Om instructors taught us the "right" techniques while we were students, and we've been perfecting those methods ever since . .As we roamed outside our local school's influence we often argued rnethodology with other, unfortunately mis· guided fliers, wbo hadn't enjoyed the benefit of our enlightened instructors. Por some strange reason these "foreign" pilots couldn't sec the superiority of our chosen techniques.

So, even though we've seen other techniques, we know ours arc best and we blindly stick with them.

Maybe your eyes open wider than mine, but that: is how the majority of my 23 years in the sport progressed. However, over the greatest portion of the last decade I've come to realize that every technique that is cur.. rcmly employed by any group of pilots has some benefit over other approaches, and also some drawbacks.

As I've traveled around the United States I've noticed that certain procedures arc indigenous to particular regions or sites.

This might occur because one instructor had an overpowering effect on subsequent instructors in the area, or a given site requires a particular technique. Mostly it's because pilots stick to tbe familiar, Whatever the case, over the last decade I've videotaped many hours of pilots performing their favorite techniques. And like the Super 8 films I made ofmy students during my first

36

few years of teaching, I've analyzed these tapes by slowing, stopping, overlaying and reversing the action to determine how the pilots perform these tasks, as well as the effectiveness and of the employed techniques.

This Hang Gliding Technique and Style series will attempt to bring these various methods and nuances of our attempts to control our crafts to light. I'll discuss and analyze each technique in relation to the pilot's physique, its ultimate effect 011 the glider, and the margin of error it provides in relation to safety.

To illustrate techniques I'll be using stop-frames from video. While these pictures won't be pretty, I have not found a better way of capturing and depicting the reality of hang gliding. Not only do video stills allow the portrayal of sequences, but they also make easy the capture of specific instances in time that best demonstrate a technique. Please excuse the editor and me as we attempt to make these stills clear and anractivc.

approach because it's easier to maintain speed might provide you with intimate knowledge of the earth, short of the flare zone. 'That is if your style is to set up your approach too low, not providing enough air-· space between you and the ground to accommodate the altitude loss associated with the slip.

In addition, if your body type is closer to pumpkin than scarecrow, then using the late flare technique is a poor choice. Some techniques only work for particular pilots with certain characteristics, and many techniques only work in specific instances you can't nm out your landing in brush, .And don't get married to perf;xming a given technique on a particular flight. Because of unforeseen conditions or circumstances, it just might not be safe. Stay flexible.

This series is rneant for highly experienced fntermediare .. and .Advanced-rated pilots. Beginner and Novice pilots should be working on perfecting the techniques their instructors have taught tbem and not trying to interpret this old fool's instructions.

LEARNING IS DANGEROUS

DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING I SAY That was the statement a high school teacher made to my class on the first day of a new school year, .At first, ir sounds like a stupid thing to say, hm after a little thought which is exactly what the admonishment is trying to promote it makes loads of sense.

The idea is ro nor offlrnndedly write off my advice (why bother reading it in the first place?), but to think deeply about all I tell you. I'm fallible, very fallible. (Last year, after 22 years of hang gliding with no need of medical assistance, I broke my arm on my 20,000th flight, or thereabouts,) Don't go out and try a technique just because you saw it here. Think about it, analyze it, talk to your friends, and more importantly your instructor, about what you plan to try.

I will attempt to communicate as much

Now, I'm not talking about the govern-· ment's attitude in the 19GO's that too mucb knowledge is dangerous because it fr>sters a populace out of control. I'm talking about the procm oflcarning. Practicing new tech .. niques puts the pilot in situations that he or she might have never before experienced.

Neither having a clear idea of what could happen next, nor exactly how to respond to it, is the perfect recipe for brain lock. Always limit yourself to one variable at a time. (Sec the "Training 'lechniques" sidebar.)

Realize that your individual flying sryle, no matter what its strengths or weaknesses, works as a unit. Changing one technique might be disastrous because it now does not fit into your overall methodology, For instance, deciding to use a slipping turn on

HANC CLIDINC

This is an cxarnple ofthe action that is et1si91 mp tu red on video.

How did the pilot above end up in this situation? Wc, can see at Second 6 Frarne 16 (06: 16) that while reachingfrJr his doumtube with his he mistahenly aitches the wire. '/i,;elveframes letter (t1pproximate!.y a third oftt second - 30frarnes per second) he m1ches r1gain /iJr the doumtube, but misses to the inside. Quid:lJ1, afir:r flbou.t a quarter ofa seconc:l, he muhes the rear wires. 'Ji,;enty finmes later he has the doumtube in hand, but the glider is ctlrericl.y brmhed and stflrting to stall the inside Although the upper part ofthe pilot's body is on the h~gh side ofthe har, his legr arc on the low side and hc'.r cross-rontrolling; cmd the glider continues to hank rmd spin. In article we'll discuss why it's so difficult to jinn: your legs to ttH' high side (where thry belong) in these circumstmu.·es. This pilot ttppmrnti.y did something as he walked away_from this crash unhurt.

APRIi

2001

37

information as possible about each technique, its advantages and disadvamages, what pilot body types mighr best take advantage of the method, what skill level is necessary, and how to most safely gain adeptness. I will rry, but l might foil. (Many years ago, while searching for a method to practice landing flares, [ performed a few foll flares on my HP a few thousand feet in the air. When I proudly recounted my exp<> rience to the good folks at Wills Wing they promptly informed me of my unmitigated

T

he1•e's a plethora <l methods for . learning new hang gliding skills.

Some are safer (gene.rally at the training hi.11 with a smooth, gentle blowing straight in, under the guidance of an instructor with some sort oF communication) than others (fim time at a new site, with a new harness and glider, practicing a new launch mevhod on a dangerously unforgiving launch). You the idea. to not only have the space to perform the new technique, butyou need altitude to recover if the technique provides a difforerrt r.esponse than you or an en(:rgy absorbing landing area, completely free of obstrnctio11s and boles if you're practicing hmdings, or Think about it!

If you ate going to yourself you not only need a perceptive instrnctor, but also a disciplined student. Do you have the self'..contrt>I to .limit your· self to one unknown at a time, or are you anxfou.s to learn it all .in one fligbt?

Are you unbiased enough to not only evaluate your skill level, but ro truly understand your abilities as well as your deficiencies? You'l! also ne.ed to judge wnditions and the suitability of the site.

It's best to work with an instructor; you'll accomplish the most in the least amount of ti rne and be safor. (A.lways fly with another m. ind ,u·ound. Never fly alone: even at the training hiJl.) At the very least, discuss with an instrnctor or a few accomplished pil(>ts what you'll be attempting to teach yourself, the tech,, nique you'll use for the lesson and your escape path in case all hell breaks loose.

Have someone video your .lesson so that you may see it from a different perspective afterwards. 1'his is an essential too.I for understanding your exact input and

ia

stupidity, for there is no better way to rumble a glider.) l'm not rhc sharpest tack in the box, but l have pinned a few things down over the years. l'll endeavor 10 never tell you to do something that insane but who knows? Think about it!

I'll strive to never recommend a technique that I have not pcrfonncd, hopefully having videotaped and analyzed it, hut if I do, f'll lct you know. Some procedures can't, or shouldn't be practiced, like landing under canopy. But even if I've performed a given

how the glider One of the l hav¢ enconn~ tered when attempthig to teach myse.lf new tech11iqqes is recalling the entire sequence or remt:mbcdng to perform the maneuvers at all, once I was .airborne.

'Time. afrer time I'd land, having had a great flight but having forgotten to per" form the task I had create;d fi.)r 111yself'. An instructor on the ground with a radio can provide the communication you need to guide ym1 throngh that list of maneuvers you want ro experience, aswell as to you immediate feedback and to hdp you remain

SITES 'The place to launch and landing skills is the training hill. usuaUy have takeoff areas and landing zones that are fcHgiving of blunders. Another W()fr• derfol place is your local flight park dur'" ing early morning and evening calms, where you can tow up repeated.ly and practice landings on sofr, smooth grass.

Many tow parks offer reduced-price tows to pattern altitudes, an added .incentive to make multiple flights. The fact th:tt there just might be an 11,stmctor present, who's so thrilled to see you out practicing that he'll be more than happy to give you sorne advice, isan additional plus. Of course, wheels can al.so reduce m.edical an.d parts-replace.menr "Af·'"u.,-.,,,, I recently took my Fusion to Dod<.:we.iJ,. er Beach in Los Angeles, where J practiced slow launches (trying to ascertain exactly how much airspeed the glider needed to off the ground and how it handled, and what corrections were needed when forced into the air), and parachuting and 1nushing landings, as well as learning the extent of the {far~· window. The smooth

technique, it doesn't mean it's safe frir you ro try. I don't know your glider type, size, condition, and state of trim or tuning. l'm oblivious to your abilities, skill level, comfort zone, and state of mind, or how you react to /ear and intense situations. Your flying site is most likely completely foreign to me.

SELFANAlYSIS Since I know zip about you ancl yours

body, equiprncm and sites you will need to analyze your own parameters. For tenwved the variable.of turl:m,· lence and the sandproteet¢d my glider and rne. I refrained from menting with such skills at my local because turbulence would complicate matters, and if my attempts produced less-than-ideal results I didn't want to entertain my fellow pilots to that extent. They might cornc to expect it.

Of course, for learnit1g <ither skills like sideslipping, stalls or high-speed flight, you'll want plenty of ground clearance as well as smooth air fax from other gliders. An extra early day ot· evening flight will allow you ro maxim.ize your fun in the midday thermals and sti!I work on improving basic skills.

Or even at the end of hours in the.air, that extra altitude and experiment on your way to the although this was always the time I was most likely to forget ro practice.

EASY IT Don't nwke.radical Change only one parameter at a It can: be disconcerting to cv<~n be conscious of a procedure that you normally perform unconsciously (try tying your shoes while thinking about which you wrap around where). You will normally ped<rnn a well-.known, more dlffkul.t procedure than an easier and n1on: efficient, new technique. Give yourself room to make mistakes and time to become comfortable with newly learned processes.

Be positive that you understand nor only the new technique, but also the irnpl.ications of that method. It's not only possible that I may have failed to explain a technique folly, but I could be dead wrong about how it will impact your flight rrnd control. Don't believe everything I write.

Hi\NC Ci IDINC

..................................................................... instance, the relationship berwccn your trim speed (the airspeed at which your glider flies with no input from you other than your weight on the hang strap) and your stall speed has everything to do with how you time your flare. The distance between your hips (approximate center of gravity) and the palms of your hands, the rypc and size of your glider, the type of harness, how it's adjusted and how you hang in it arc the determining factors in your maximum extent: of flare.

Next month we'll invenrory your body, and the month after, your glider. Getting up to speed I'll discuss launches: flat slope, incrc;ising slope, cliff and ramp; high, light, no ;ind downwind; with and without orthographic and/or thermal turbulence.

J'll dive imo landings: up, down, cross, turbulent and no wind; up, down, flat and cross hill; open, obstructed, overgrown and short field; no-step, run-in and run-out. I'll pull you into weight shift: prone, standing or crouched; basetube, downtube or mixed; swing, slide, jab, pull and push. And then I'll slam into a crash course on how ro sur-· vive early, late and no flares; falling, horizonral, yawing, low wing, ground and obstruction crashes.

Sometime in the future we'll bounce into turbulence and d1ermaling techniques: high/low speed, stalling, yawing, aggressive and passive. Exactly what we talk abour will have a lot to do with you. I'll try to tailor my articles to the techniques and styles the readers arc most interested in. In any case, if you enjoy this series, e·mail me at dcwolf7@aol.com or write me at, Greg De Wolf, Ply America, EO. Box 1268, Stanardsville, VA 22973 with any desires, questions or suggestions. You cm also send me videotape in rhe mail or pictures (under l OCH() by e-mail, and although I can't

01' Ju·:r: foe.t

legs, bur

no

de;i;ths in the sport, In .addition, the number of bn>ken arms and face1,would be great:ly re4,J.cecL • .The disadv,rmt4$·e.ofli!:Pdi1Jg<o11 your feet is that yott ltl;tyb11e;1,ky91;1f Jeg, ankle orfoor? ev-en sHprof:fyou.deet land 011yoiir bL.tt((I've d911e thi~ a tin1esin.JVet-grass), add.ifyotir h11tt hits .a rock, you cou.l4 br~ak xour spine.

Yo1.1 also won't want tt) dtiig yow1 feet, during ground-ski1n, throf1ghanything that. can hide hard, solid, or sharp objects. In addition, there a.re thtic:s before you impact the~arth (while you still have weight shift control) rhaty()ll might 1wt want to l1ave your feet directly beneath you, in o.i,der tO shifr your weight most efficiently.

or.

promise a personal response, T may analyze your techniques in an upcoming anicle. I will also be open to any and all feedback about content or form of the articles.

Till next month, fly safely.

Greg De Wolf is ct 51 yectr-old Meister-rated pilot; Advrmced and lcmdem Instructor, rmd

We'll discuss this more thoroughly in the futiJre, butfof.11ow, thi11k about it and visualize touching down feet firsr.

Another .skill to work on is to use only the bare minimum strength necessary to control your glider; to with only eri.ough force to insure not 1o~ing the co11t.rol bar. Avoid holding you!'self up (p11shingdown) on the basetube. The less energy y-01:t putinto hangingon,the.1110re.foedbackfror:n y()ur glider you'll become aware of,and rhe smoother your flight will he; You would be better served gy to think than to ex,~rcise.

Pra.ctice in smooth flying at trim, at best glide and slightly above. Experi~ rnen.t initic1ting a1idrecovexing from. tums using the lea.st amount offorce neces$a17. Notice how yom glider behaves what dJrec;tion the bar wants to travel and how sti:ongly. Eliminate any isometrics you may be performing.

One danger of holding on lightly is that rhe bar might ripped from your hands in turbulence, Work on a strong grip, but with loose arms. Another associated proble.m is that withput your fly.. ing wod<:Qut, you .might become buff and less attractive to the opposite sex. Getyour workout at the gym.

Instructor Progmm and tOJ'. He has hem/lying half gliders since 1978 and is working on his 68t7 Ojficiril US!JGA Loghook ()1ou do the mttth). !n I 988 he led Fly America, a Hans-Ameriettn ht1ng glidingfDght from Los Angeles to the Wright Memorial on North Crlrolina'., Outer Bt1nks. II

DEAR WHO FLY WITH: LOOKOUT, ::°:>EQlJATCHIE, KITTY HAWK, MIAMI, WALLA[3Y, QUEST, SOUTl-lERN ~3KIES, FOOTHILLS, AND ALL MEMBERS OF REGION 10. I WILL CO NT I N lJ E TO VI GO I~ 0 lJ S LY PROMOTE AND SUPPORT THE SPORT. THANK YOU FOR RE·· ELECTING ME AS YOlm REGIONAL DIRECTOR

And they'll also receive a $ gift certificate redeemable off their I st lesson from a participating school.

DAVID GLOVER, DAVID@DAVIDGLOVER.COM

2[584840 APRIL 2001

39

Continued from page 16 freestyle paragliding event added. (See the

"Calendar ofEvents" item for July 5-10 in this issue. In 2001 the paragliding cross-country event wi/L be replaced with paragliding aerobatics. - Ed.) Thanks to Red Bull (and the $25,000 purse they put up for competitors) freestyle hang gliding is bringing in new and old blood. In their first freestyle competition, Jeff "The Bullet" O 'Brien (Sale Lake City) and Dallas "Luke Yaw-Walker" Willis (Dallas, Texas) , both showed real promise for serious contention in future freestyle events, while che parcicipacion of freestyle legends like John Heiney, Aaron Swepston and Dave Gibson, and the mastery of their maneuvers, really drew in the crowds. Two speed gliding veterans, John Smith and Aaron Swepston, were compecing in both speed gliding and freestyle hang gliding.

John Smith (New Zealand) proved to be an outstanding freestyle pilot, throwing incredibly large looping maneuvers. Unfortunately, John Smith is also legendary for not always following the rules and it hurt him in both events. In the one valid speed gliding round he had the winning time, but his right wing tip brushed some grass through an altitude control gate, thus disqualifying him from the round. In the freestyle event he tended to perform maneuvers below the aerobatic window, also lowering his score.

John Smith will be a force when he learns to use the rules in his favor.

Tragedy struck again when Erik "The C lockboy" Delf severely cwisced his ankle

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on a landing on his first aerobatic round.

Not able to participate in the rest of the competition, Erik graciously offered to help out with the freestyle judging. Erik is one of the best freestyle pilots on the competition circuit, and there is little doubt that he would have been a top contender in this event had he not injured himself. But, injuries and deployments aside, the race was on for the $3,000 first prize of the freestyle hang gliding event. ln the first round the air was a bit tur·· bulent and we were all a little tenuous with our routines, especially after watching Zip· py rumble 011 the previous day. All of us were able to ger off of rhc bill, but none of us came out with the altitude we wanted.

Efficient use of altitude during maneuvers would prove to he the competitive edge.

Dave Gibson was last to launch, but was forced to wait out uncooperative launch cycles until almost dark. Bur we had a valid round. Jeff O'Brian and Dallas Willis put on a fine show for their first round. Howev· er, Dallas learned the hard way that you can't force a spin. Dallas found himself in an unplanned "yaw walk" with his glider.

Though ciuite spectacular to watch (mainly because the glider looks totally out of control and iris!), this is a very chmgerous and potentially disciualifying maneuver.

However, Dallas impressed even the judges with his patented "speed--rolling" maneuver.

Jeff O'Brian displayed some nice maneuvers as well on his new Predator, throwing lots of controlled spins and climbovers. JT Trujillo followed with some beautifol rolling

42

maneuvers. John Smit"h put on a spectacular show, but was obviously not: using the scoring system to his advantage.

On the comeback trail was Dangerous Dave Gibson. It's been a fow years since Dave has competed in a freestyle event and we were glad to see one of our founding fathers return to the fold. Carl Yates ofSalr Lake City graciously allowed Dave to Jly his Altair Predator in this competition and Dave wowed the crowd with his legendary others, did not get in style. But Dave, all the maneuvers he h,id desired. Prom the judge's perspective, this is an important aspect of scoring highly in foot--launch freestyle cornpetitions. (;iven the changing air conditions during your glide out to the acrobatics window, altitude is always an unknown, and a competitor must be ready to "compact" his routine if needed. For those not familiar with freestyle judging, here is how we arc scored. 'fo place highly in a round, a pilot must be able to perform all of the required maneuvers: loops, spins, rollovers and clirnbovcrs (loops also count as perfect climbovers), but it does not end there.

Whar you do with the altitude that you come out with is crucial to scoring highly. ln addition, competitors must also "max out" the difficulty score by performing at least three of those chosen maneuvers at 180 degrees. Ponn is also important, in that a romi ne should look smooth, deliberate and esthetically pleasing. Typical form deductions could include things such as blown maneuvers, pausing between maneu·

vers, and even rule violations such as flying over the crowd or performing maneuvers past 180 degrees below the aerobatics envelope (usually 300 to 500 feet above the ground).

In the top three spots I was able to edge out Aaron Swepsron and John l-·Teiney in rhe first of only two rounds, but both Aaron and John were close behind. When Aaron throws his "Swepston Switch" rolling maneuver, it is a thing of beauty to watch and not uncommon for him to go past 180 degrees. When Aaron is on his game, this maneuver can make him hard to beat. But Aaron was having trouble getting his spin to break and this cost him precious altitude.

John Heiney is also a formidable freestyle competitor, legendary for his execution and form in freestyle flying. In the earlier days of freestyle competitions John was instru-· mental in bringing the "form score" into the judging in freestyle hang gliding. How ever, the air was still questionable at the top of the aerobatics envelope, so John was also a little tenuous on his first round, but very tight in bis execution. I was lucky to have won the round.

Because of the persistent eff<1rts over the years of pilots like John Heiney, Aaron Swepston, Ron Young, Mitch McAleer, Dino Dinaso and many others, we can proudly say that the art of freestyle hang gliding is still maturing nicely. But there is a whole other side to the ongoing development of freestyle that most people don't ever see freestyle judging.

Because the Annwtl Airmen's Ren· clezvous was called off in Telluride, Col-· orado last year, the previous year's Telluride W/\C head judge, Nick Kennedy, and Tcllmide freestyle judge Leo Vanderbosch joined the ranks of freestyle judges in Aspen. They even declared the 2000 Wings Over Aspen as the unofficial 27th Annual Airman's Rendezvous. (They promised Tshins to mark the occasion). As always in the freestyle hang gliding events, we owe a great deal to "RC" Dave Freund and his fol. low judges Scott Stuart, Nick Kennedy, Jeff Mallard, Jeff Malin, Jeff Burroughs and Leo Vanderbosch (oversight only in this event).

Tlicir unwavering dedication to our sport is the backbone of the success of these events.

We also owe thanks to our fleet of judges in training this year: Scot 'Trueblood, Dave Broyles, Erik Delf and Zach Majors. RC Dave has spent years working with his fel.Iow judges, pilots and event organizers to establish a set of firm bur fair rules and a HANC GLIDINC

points system that lends legitimacy to our freestyle events. Because of the hard work ofthe judges and meet organizers, pilots do not to have to worry too much about the rnechanics of· rhe event (unless they really want to) and that is a bonus when you're in a place like J\spen.

Aspen is an unbelievably beaurihil place rn hike, bike, ski, etc. l\ut if you want co fly the local site, look up the local flying club, the Aspen Air Force. If you arc look .. ing for a place to stay, look up Jack Sim· rnons and Yasmine DcPagter, owners of the Holland !louse Ski I .odge. Both Jack and Yasmine arc advanced hang glider pilots and they own and opera re one of the best places ro stay in Aspen. They will cook your breakfast, help you understand the site rules, fly with you and l1ave a beer with you in the evcning. Fvcry yc;ir they roll out die red carper ro hang glider and paraglidcr pilots alike, and arc always looking for ways to help om fellow pilots. Just before my launch in the second frecsryle round I noticed that I had misplaced my sunglasses.

Yasmine, who was also ready to free-fly, insisted that I rake hers. For my money, Jack and Yasmine arc one of the bcsr parts of the trip.

Afi.cr round two, it was still a close race in most of rhe ranking. l was still in rhc lead, hut John Heiney had a solid second round and had moved ahead of'J\aron Swcpsron by eight poims. Now only 26 points separated John and me. I knew that if! did 1101 fly an aggressive and solid third round, John could take Cirst place away from me. In fourth place was John Smith, followed closely by Dave Gibson (within l 0 points), while JT ·frujillo, Jeff O'Brien and Dallas Willis were bat ding out sixth place.

One more round could have switched things around dramatically, but it was not mcam rn be.

On Sunday we were set up on top of the motmtain ready to launch, but it was obvious that some big weather was coming our way. \Ve watched countless paraglidcr pilots being tossed around like wcarher puppets and even watched a few deployments. Ar this point it was meet director Orhar I ,,1wrrncc who called the round. J\s we were finishing up our glider hreakdowns, Mother Narnrc came rhrough, ;is promised, with rain, hail, lightning and gust fronts. 'I 'he mccr was over.

If you arc interested in seeing om sport grow, we need your support at rhcsc events.

With the media exposure that we arc now /\PRIL 2001

2000

CONTEST

Place

Pilot

l) 2)

Bill Heaner

3)

John Fleiney

5)

Aaron Swcpston John Smith Dave Gibson

6)

JT Th1j.illo

7)

Jeff O'Brien

8)

Dallas Willis

9)

Erik Delf

4)

5;;onsors Red Bull (All Events) Jfolland H.ouse;

Glider Altair Predator Altair Predator Seedwings Sensor Aeros Stealth Altair Predator Moyes Xtralite Altair Predator Altair Predator Moyes Xtralite

Prize Money $3,000 $2,000 $1,000 $500 $250 $250 $250 $250

Points 161 1 1580

1491 1139 1070

$25,000 Pood and Acco.m.modations

experiencing, this could be the dawn of a new era in the legitimate acceptance of our sport. J\s Ii.Jr the Red Bull Aspen event, there arc many great activities for pilors and spectators alike. Also, if you arc interested in learning more about freestyle as a pilot, John 1!cincy and I arc currently p1mi11g on fi·ccstylc seminars throughout the country

and we arc avaibhle for frccsrylc seminars at your local flying site. l ,ook for an upcoming article 011 clinics. For more information on this and other freestyle events, cliu etc., check us olll at www.hang/i·ccstylc.com, e-mail to billhcancrCihJ1otmail.com, or call (801) 8341. Sec you at the 2001 events! Ill

HANG GLIDING ADVISORY Um! should always be disassembled before first time and inspected carefolly for fatigued, hem or dented dowmuhes, mined bushings, hem bolts the bean bolt), re··uscd Nyloc nurs, loose thim·· bles, or rusted cables, tangs with non-cirrnbr holes, on /lex wings, sails badly torn or rorn loose from their anchor points front and back on the keel and lf in doubt, many hang businesses will happy to give an opinion on the condition of cquipmem you them to inspect. Buyers should select cqnipmcnr drat is appro· priatc for their skill level or rating. New pilots should seek professional instruction from a USHCA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR.

FLEX WINGS

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GLIDERS 35, for sale, rigid to sttrface.

C1ll/cmail for cmTctll list. Wallaby R:rncl1 (863) 42/i· 0070 Florida, 1997-, w/'97 rocket chute $1,550.

IIPAT J.15 El 50 Sport, excellent condition $?50. Avocet Pilot Sky watch $50. Full Face I lelrnet $ 50. (415) ')')'). lliT7. l !PAT 11i5 (;ood co11dition, new cloth and recent superprdlight, $] ,IJ00.(2(,2) 4'13· 8800,

l<l.ASSJC 11/i Excellent condition, great climb rate $1,500 priced to sell. ('iii 1) 50/i.S/i 16.

KLASSJC i /i1 Yellow/white, absolme mint condi. tion, hours rrse and then stored indoors for years $2,800. Klassic 15'5, 80 honrs, clean $1,500 OBO. (262) li7:J.S800, LAMINAR ST, 14, 13 in stock. WALI.ABY RANCH (86.'l) 12/i-0070.

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email

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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 iJ Flex Wings U Emergency Parachutes IJ Parts & Accessories l...l Business & Employment

l...l Towing [J Schools & Dealers

IJ Ultralights

IJ Miscellaneous

IJ Rigid Wings IJ Publications & Organizations

'~l Paragliders l...l Videos

IJ Harnesses

U Wanted

Begin with issue and run for .........- ... - - ..... consecutive issue(s). My IJ check, IJ money order is enclosed in the amount of$ NAME: ....................................- .......... ..

ADDRESS: ........................_

Number of words:- _ ............................. @$.50 Number of words: @$1.00

44

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

HANC GIIDINC

MOYES CSX SX, XTL, XS:l, XT, etc. New and nearly new. Available irnmcdi,11cly. Nation's Moyes dealer. WALLABY RANCH (863) li2lt-0070.

UP CEMINI 13 11 V,:ry good condition $600.

Reserve parachllte, 72 gore, condition $ I 00.

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MOYES LITFSPEED Ii - Perfect condition, crispy, 1'i/ l, slightly 11sed by small pilot while wait iug for IS:l, will ship $3,'JOO OHO. (805) 682--J,J8:J.

Bough r--Sold--'l'r:id ed.

Raven Sky S1,ons (26?.) /iTJ-8800, info<,-Dhangglid-

Excellent condition $1,000 MOYES XS 155 OBO. (505) \2\-7592.

PARACI.IDERS AIR SPORTS US/\ WWW.Fl.YFORJ!lJN.NFT RIGID WINGS

ing,com

WW SPORT AT I <,7 --- Very good condition, green/white/bltte, ripstop trailing edge, flies gre,11 $850. Joe (81i7) 895 58'58 Illinois.

MOYJi.S XT !'RO 165 ---- Novice/in1cr111cdiate do11 bk sml:ice, two available $1,600., $2,300. (262) li/.l 8800, i11 r,,v1lhangglidi ng.com

WW Ul.TRASl'ORT 117 Good condition, bright yellow TF $1,,100 priced to sell. (5/i I) 50/i 5/i 16.

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ATOS Like new, no damage, brand new sail, latest mods, flown in comp only $'),lt95 OHO. David (Ti?) ?.5B-li81i0, SUPl'RFJ.OATER Like new condition, acrotow tow release, BRS parachute and all avail-and able options. Always hangared, <lO tcllal honrs, w/trailcr $10,500.

XCI lawH''aol.corn, (507) 895-1240.

info{fhJ1anggl iding.com

MRX2001 l.AMINARS AlH: !!FRI. Experience the highest pcrl,mnancc flex wing available. New and I -0701, ligluly 11sed STs also available. (760) indaskyvilyal100.corn and www.icaro2000.corn PU I.SES & VISIONS llo11ght-Sold-Traded.

Raven Sky Spons (262) li?:l-8800,

WWXC l 'i5 --- EXCELi.ENT CONDITION, magenta & blue. Don't be stupid-this is a GREAT DEAL! $1,500. (336) 72l-lt292, Saur;irownSkyv1\,ol .com WWXC 1'55 --- I.ow hours, clean, nice condition $2,liOO. (2.(,2) li?:3--8800, infovilhanggliding.corn

UITRALl(;HTS AIR SPORTS US/\ WWW.FLYFORFUN.NET WANTED

EMERGENCY PARACHUTES Includes rail kit, new nose cone, SPlcCTRUM 1(i'i great condition $1,500 or looking for \Jlrrasport I 66.

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Many more available. Raven Sky Sports (262) li7J8800, inf,,Giihanggliding.cnm

SPECTRUM CLEARANCE Si\l.E -- Three 165 Spccrrnms in near new condition, w/all options $2,!iOO-$.'l,200. Raven Sky Sports (2(,2) •17,l-8800, info&i>l1anggl iding.com

HARNESSES

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CT RAC:1·'.

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HARNESS EXCHANGE CH lJTES (970) 64 19.'l 15, http://gnnnisongliders.com/ IIIGH FNFRCY POD IIARNFSSFS - Sizes & styles change monthly, $300-IJOII. cc; IOOO's $250.

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Knechangcrs & stirrnps also available. (762) liTl8800, infovhhanggliding.com

MK1 needed. 1-800-688-56T7.

USED l.lCI ITWl'.!Cl IT TRIKF And glider, Skycycle prcfrrrcd. (7. 19) 6'5(,--/i')Sll Indiana, sl ipk id (r1ls kyrner. net USFD SlJl'RONI'. 11/\RNESS 1'llllh. (71 ii) 6/i I Ll70.

Parachute 5'8"

SCHOOLS & DEALERS

MOSQUITO HARNESS Never used $3,500.

Orlando (616) 292-6901. MC/Visa accepted.

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Scott (909)88/-91:l I. WW/.3 --- 5'8"-5'10" $150. Jin1 (62:l) 581-0lli5, JodiWhitclawl f 1laol.corn 100 in stock. I,0okott1 Mountain, www.l1anglide.con1 ULTRASl'ORT 11i7 surface deep blue wheels, spare dowmuhes 341

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UI.TRASl'ORT l 0il, 166 ------ Rental gliders at flight park, low hours, clenn, priced to sell. (262) liTl-8800, info(1'hangglidi11g.co111 APRIL 2001

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WWZ'i Medium, only 6 /lighrs, inclndcs parachute-hand deploy/rocket $500. ((, 19) li73--'J71i:J, l.bc11.s(ilucsd.cdu

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See

CALIFORNli\ DREAM WEAVER I !i\NG GLIDING Train on state-of:thc-art WILLS WING FALCONS. LESSON PACKAGES: One four hour lesson $ I 00. Three four hour lessons, plus tandem ofT 2,000ft. $:JOO. l'ive lessons for $/iOO. Ten lessons plus tandem $750.1,uroduce someone new rn our sport. For each 11C\V

student that you introduce d1;1t takes three or

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Year-round ins1ructio11. Launching and landing and thermal clinics availahlc. Call for group rates. Tired of you I'll help you! Dealer for Wills Altair, lligh Energy Sports, Bdl varios, and more. New and used equiprncnt. We love 1rndc-ins. I'm your northern California MOS-QUITO IIARNF.SS DEALER. If you live in central i-lirough 11orrhcrn California, give me a call or email to schedule Mosquito demonstration or clinic.

Call or scheduling lessons five days a week, Friday through Tuesdays. Ideal training hill, up ro I 50ft., 600ft. mountain. 1,200ft. 111011ntain. Tandem instruction. lJSJIC:A Advanced Instructor DOUG PRATHER (209) 556-0lt69 Modcs10, CA.

r

GL

111,0R!Di\

DERPOl~T

2800 Torrey Pines San Diego CA Since /928 IIANC CL!DlNC i\ND PARi\CI.ID!NC USI JC/\ ccnif,ed instruction, tandem Jlight instrnc,, repacks, and site tours. San Diego's

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Sec

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COLORADO

WE I Ii\ VE The mosr advanced rrni11i11g program known 10 gliding, leaching you in half the time it rakes on the 1raining,,BlJNNY HILL, and with more in-/'light air time. YES, WE CAN TEACH YOU !'ASTER AND SAFFR. For year-round traiuing fitn in the sun, call or write Miami Hang Cliding (:\05) 285--8978. 2550 S Bayshorc Drive, Coconut Crovc, Hirida 33133.

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46

CONNFCJ'JClJ'J' lv!OlJNTi\lN WINCS

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Aerotow spccialisrs. We carry all major brand gliders. l'rcc l'V(: glider storage/transport rube with new glider Now in stock: Laminar ST; Wills Fusion, XC:, Ultraspon, htlcon; Moyes Litespecd, Sonic; Acros Srealdt 2; M,tgic Kiss. Outrigger wheels and other accessories in stock. Call for spring tandem lessons ,tnd flying ,tppoitttrncnts with the DraachenFlicgen Soaring Club at Cloud ') field. J 1(Jg8 Coon l.akc Rd. W., Webberville, Ml li8892.

(517) 22.:3-8(,8:l. ( :Jo11d')sa0ilaol .corn, http:/ I mcrn hers. aol.com/ clot td<Jsa MICHIGAN SOARING Delivering VALUE with the best combination of' SERVICE, QlJALITY & PRICE. ALI. major brands of and gear. Call Doug Coster (7,31) 882-4714, wi11gnian0'1travcrsc.com

TRAVERSE CITY HANG GUDERS/PARAGUDERS FULL-TIME shop. Certified instruction, Foor launch and row. Sales, service:, accessories for ALL brands. VISA/MASTERCARD. Corne dunes! 1509 E 8th, 'J 'ravcrse City MI /i%84. Offering powered paragliding lc:ssons & dealer for the Fxplorcr & used units. Call Bill at (231) 922 28iiti, Visit our paragliding school in Jackson, Wyoming. Call Tracie at (307) 7198620.

F.11.C. lNC./FLYfNG FLORIDA SJNCF 1974 MINNESOTA Malcolm Jones, Ryan Glover, Carlos Bessa Lamie Croft, Jeremie Hill, Kerry I Joyd Tom Ramseur, Roger Sherrod, Rhen Radford Tiki Mashy, Paris Williams

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APRIL 20crl

47

Woodstock, not Manquin. Flying another Ulu-a Sport, Terry went 2 1 miles, also a personal record. Marvin Presley took third place flying 15.1 from Woodstock on a Fusion.

Ric and his Fusion.

Continued ft-om page 24.

ROOKIE CLASS The Rookie winner was Doug Perkins who registered one of the year's surprisingly few tow flights. Doug flew his Wills Ultra Sport 25 miles from Manquin flight park in southern Virginia. The flight represents his longest flight and got him to 5,300' AGL along the way. He was accompanied on the first part of that flight by his regular flying buddy Terry Spencer who, as fate would have it, took second place in the class, although with a flight from

BEST OF THE REST Providing one of his annual excellent flights along Peters Mountain was Virginia's Rich Lawrence on a Fusion. H e managed 83.2 miles after having earlier scraped off his buddy Nelson Lewis.

Wayne Sayer finally posted a good flight after giving me years of excuses about having been handicapped by being out of the Region in exocic places like Mexico, Ethiopia and Hawaii. His Stealthy 69-mile flight from Big Walker, Virginia was noteworthy in that it receives the year 2000 Leonid Kuchma Cup honoring the Region's longest flight on a Ukrainian glider. The flight is additionally unusual in that it took place on March 6, exceptionally early in the year for such a long Region Nine flight.

Finally, we come to the flight which most amuses me. Larry Huffman, a Moyes CSX pilot in real life, agreed to test-fly a Falcon 170 for a Wills-dealer friend . The customer glider was a bit small for the dealer, so he asked the smaller Larry to test-fly it for him. And fly it he did, to 9,300' MSL for a personal record gain of 8,000 feet on the way to a landing 31.7 miles away. It was not bad fo r a first flight on a new single-surface glider. •

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PUERTO RICO FI.Y PUERTO RICO Team Spirit Hang Gliding, HG classes daily, tandem instruction available. Wills Wing dealer. Glider rentals for qualified pilots. PO Box 9'78, Punta Santiago, Puerto Rico 007 ti 1. (787) 850-0508,

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l'\YC's fosr and only ccrri/,cd gliding, paragliding, microlights (trikes), powDisrribmors for Avian. Dealers for brands. hdl service and equipment ar best prices. most friendly service in rhe area. Store address: 29 31 Newrown Ave., Astoria NY. Phone (718) 77'7-7000, \VWW.FLYFORFUN.NET FLY HIGH BANC GLIDING, INC. Serving S. New York, Connecticut, Jersey areas (Ellenville Mtn.) Area's EXCLUSIVE Wills Wing dealcr/specialisr.

Also all other major hrnnds, accessories. Certified school/instruction. since 1979. Area's most INEXPENSIVE prices. Exccllcnr secondary instrucrion ... if yon'vc finished a program and wish to continne. Fly the moumain! ATOL towing! Tandem flights!

Conmct Pan! 5163 Scarsville Rd, Pinc Bush, NY 12566, (845) SUSQUEHANNA HIGHT PARK Coopcrsrown, NY. Certified Instruction, Sales and Service for all major manufactnrers. 40 acre park, training hills, jeep rides, bunk house, camping, hot showers, 600' NW ridge. We have the besr facilities in N. New York stare to reach yon how ro ily. c/o Dan Guido, Box 293 Shoemaker Rd, Mohawk NY U407, (31 5) 8(,6-6 I 53.

Sell your unused equipment here.

50

www.austinairsports.co1n

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HILL COUNTRY PARAGLJD[NG INC Learn complete pilot skills. Personalized USHGA certified training, ridge soaring, foot & row launching in central Texas. MOTORIZED PARAGJ.IDJNG INSTRUCTION & EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE. (915) 379-1185. 1475 CR 220, Tow TX 78672.

KITE ENTERPRISES Foot launch, platform launch and acrotow instruction too. Training, sales, rentals and repair. i\irwavc & Wills Wing. Dallas, Fort Worth and north Tcx:1s area. 2 J J Ellis, Allen TX 75002. (972) 390-9090 weekends, www.kire-enrerpriscs.com

TOTAL AIR SPORTS Area's OLDEST Wills Wing dealer. Certified insrrucrion available. "J only DEAL wirh WILLS". 16121 Lakeview, Houston TX 7'70/iO. (713) 9.'37-8614. toralairsportlO@hormail.com

Look nnder New York.

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CLOUD 9 SOARIN<: CENTER The nation's paragliding and hang gliding shop, is now hang gliding lcssom, guide snvices, repairs at Point of the Mountain, Utah. Co1llact '" ltll' an inforrn:llion packet or stop by the shop. (80 I) 57(, 6li60, inf'o<iilp:iraglidcrs.com 12556 S. Minuteman Dr. II I Draper, UT 8li02.0.

RAVFN SKY SPORIS IIANC CL!DIN<: AND PARACIIDINC: The Midwest 1s Premier ;1<.Totow 11ighr pctrk, founded in 1'J92. l'earnring INTFGRATFD INSTRUCTION oC foot-lallnch and acrotow tandcrn skills, ar prices to beat any in the USA. Seven grassy training hills facing all wind directions. hntr Dr:igonlly tow plrtnes, no wait-

WASATCH WINGS Utah's only li,11 service hang gliding school, Point of' the Mou111ai11) regional 1T1ou11L1in sites, towing. Dealer l(H J\cros, Airwave, Alu1ir, Moyes, Will.s Wings rmd nrnch 11101T. Crill /.a, (801) 211fi7ii')ii, wings((llwasatch.com www.wasa1cl1.co111/ wi11gs

WW 1':ilrnns for training l'rom the very first lessons. lJSUA llltraligh, and instruction. l'aragliding tows. Free camping. f,,r all brands. Open 7 days a week. Contact Brad Kushner, Jl() [lox IO I, Whitewater WI 5.'.J I <JO (7.62) ltl_l-8800 phone, (2(,2) li7:l-880 I fox, www.hanggliding.com, info<'11hangglidi ng.con1

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I !ANG GJ]])ING ACCESSORIES BAR MITTS: FXl'I ORER No map pocket $·15.00 NAVJ(;;\TOI, Rcrnovahlc ma11 pocket $5'5.00 C:OMl'FTITOR C:irrnlar map mil $6'5.00 Cl lDFR llAC:S I ll·j\VY DUTY (,()() drnier polyester. Water & UV protection.

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Velcro's onto sho11ldn strap. Red or hlue. $15.00 1 IARNFSS BAC; Adjustahk waist & sho11ldcr straps.

Red or hlue.$/i5.00 $12.00 $1 .00 pe1 JO" Sail Tics

FLY AT VIRGINIA'S NFWFST TOTAL Fl.IC! IT lessons, plad(Hm truck towing, training ;1nd scooter lowing l,ir beginner thru advanced pilots. ( :en ilied instruction, glider equipment sales, service ,Hid repair thrnllgh "BLUE SKY" Virginia's lc;iding hang gliding school.

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Water/I )ust Resist:t111 Push Button • l'idd RcpL1ccablc l'ingn Switch I kavicr ( ;,rngc· Wirv/lmprovcd Plug\ Increased Strain R,,[ief'rll Al.I.Joints

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Price $11'!.'!5. Extra finger switch $1').'!5 w/purchase. Dealer inquiries welcome. Call (')1 :,) 268 ?')ii(,. MC:/Visa. Visit our website at \V\VW .l1ightconn .com

{,j,

APRIi 2001

MINI VARIO World's smallest, simplest vario 1 C:Jips to helmet or cl,instrrq,. 200 hours 011 h,111cric.s, 0-18,000 f't., fa.st response and year w;irrr1111y. ( ;real l,,r paragliding !Do. ONLY $169. Mallettec, J>() Box 15;'5(,, SanLt Aua C:A, '!27.l'i. (;Iii) %6-1210, J\;1(:/\li:,,;i acccptccl, WW\V.mallc1tcc.c0111

51

DRAGONFLY TOW Cl .lJB 'I 'he success is in the smiles! kits available NOW for $10,800!

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BORNE--/11 stock Glit(er. Co_ndoms-Thc ultimate glider protection-In Storl,-110111 only $12. 95 V-Mius-Thc ORIGINAL and still the be.st-In Stoch $29.95 Moyes, Al1;1ir, Aeros, i\irwavc, Airborne, AIR ATOS Cliders, Harnesses, Helmets, Radios, Flight Suits Whrels, Vr1rios, /jj (,'f r/1; Videos Visrt I Mflsttr rrtrd I Discover cf/rd Mou main Wings lnc. www.mtnwings.com mtnwings@lcatskill.net Ellenville, New York since 1981 (81i5) 647-3377 We will not he undersold.

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PUBLTC/\TIONS &. ORG/\NIZ/\TIONS

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IIANG GLIDING FXTREME & BORN TO H.Y hy J\dvc1u11rc Prod11c1ions, great hg action $:Sli.95 each.

Cdl L;SI !CA (71')) 6.l2-8.,00, fox (71')) 632-6/il'/, email: usligaG'1)ushga.org, or order off our wch www.ushga.org. Please :1dd ·t $Ii domes!ic s/h two or more videos). Crcat to impress your fricnd,<i or f,ir those socked-in days. Perli::cr gifi for the launch

potato turned couch potato. 1\lso, ask us abo111 orn paragliding videos!

"AF.ROBATICS" Full color }.l"x 31" poster kamring John I lciney doing what Ire docs bcst-l.001'ING! Availahlc tlmmgh USIJCA I-IQ for ju.st $6.95 $Ii.OD s/lr). Fill th:11 void 0,1 your wall! Send to USHC:A Acrobatics Poster, PO Box 1300, Colorado Springs CO il093}. (USA & Crnada only. posrers arc NOT J\ VAi l.ABI.E on in1e1·n,1riclli;1I orders.) SPFClAL-Acrob,1tics & Frie Raymond poster-BOT I I FOR $10 ( s/h). Check the (

1

merchandise section of our wch site www.ushga.org for a color picture d1ese be:nniful posi-crs.

or

APRIL 2001

.53

Rigid wings, paragliclers, and mnrc. This SJ\I.F page is updated frequently so please check ii om or call (206) :)20-9010 for more intonnation.

Fl.IC! IT DFSIGN S2VT Two paraglidcrs lost by 1he US postal service, shipped lrorn CAI .li'C)RN IA to IIAWAll parcel post on August 19th, 1999. One w/pttrplc top, one medium w/or:mgc top. Lois (5:lO) 5/iYi937.

VIDEOS, BOOKS & POSTERS web page www.ushga.org

Check o\ll om

DON'T LEAVE YOUR GROUND-BOUND EQUIPMENT SITTING lN THE GARAGE. SELL IT IN TIIE 111\NG GLIDING Cl.J\SSIFIImS.

CTJ\SSJl'JED ADVERTJSINC !,ATES The rate for classified advcr1ising is $.'JO per word (or group of characters) and $1.00 per word for hold or all caps.

MINIMUM AD Cl IARCF $">.00. A !'cc of $15.00 is charged for each line an logo and $75.00 l,,r each photo. I.IN EA RT & Pl JOTO SIZE NO I.ARC ER THAN 1./5" X 2.2.'5''. l'lease nnclerlinc words 10 be in bold print. Special of rahs $25.00 per col ttmn inch. Phone words. Email or web address .'lwords. AD DEADI.INES: All acl copy, it1slructi1..H1s) changes} additions and cancellations

must be received in l.'i months preceding the for the June issue. Please cover d,uc, i.e. April make checks payable to US! !GA, P.O. Box I .1:lO, Colorado Springs, CO 80901 U30, (/1 ')) 6'.$2-8300.

Fax (7 I'!) 6.12--(,/i I/ or email: ushgaQ1\tshga.org yo11r classiGcd with your Visa or MasterCard.

I.EFT Lost for a 15'i, :It CLASSY MOUNTAIN, SC on Oc1obcr 1999.

Origillal (llot a newer vcrsioll). l'c1in1nl deep bolt. ( Vvould Me to uplr1c1' it blue w/whirc or sell rny right wing winglt! .Ji,r rt .Jirir priff.) Paul Peeples (828) 88'i ?.5:l6, phrallllellp(,1)( Tl'( '.OM .NF.'!'

Stolen (iom QUFST AIR !\EROS STEAi.Ti I l 'i?.

FJ.J(;I IT !'ARK, Fl. Oil May l St, 199') (last day or the Na1s.) Red under, bluet ip, mylar top. Call Mark (218) :l')!i -1227 mboliglidcv11aol.corn STOLEN WTNC;S arc listed ,is :t service to USHCA mcmhcrs. Nnvcst c1nril's arc in bold. There is no charge for this service and losr and J(H1nd wings or

equiprnent tnay lw called in (719) 6:nxioo, faxed in ('Jl')) G37-61il7, or emailed at inclusion in I lang c;Jiding rna,1;az11nc. !'lease to cancel the lisi-ing when recovered.

Periodically, this listing will

ro,

STOLF.N WINGS & Tl !INGS Stolen November Ii, 2000 from FUSION 150 SI' near the Elk Mtn I.I. (Middle Creek Campground), Uppn l.ake CA. Spring barrens, all white upper surface, all red w/black tip ,mdcrsurfacc. Dist incrivc fra(not mylar like most), serturc: hydranct leading ial 1/:l(,/i'J/i, was in wired rips XC (/07) ContaCI M,m M attsl'lyinQi\tol.corn

J\dvcntnrc Productions ......... , .... , .... ,,.2 5

MUYES XTRAI.ITF Iii? ,"x lfri Stolen J11ly l'i, 2000 during Regionals in IIEARNI·:, TX. Both ers have a white 11ppn s11rfacc, black under and an X-lite emblem on ttndcrsmfacc of right wing.

Contact Melvin B. Asher (28 I) 93/i-·6199 or John Moody (71:3) //i060:l5.

David Clover ,,, ... ,,.,,., ..... ,, ...... ,,,, ...... :39 Flytcc ................... ,, ................. ,........... 9 Hall Bros, .................. ,, ........ ,.. ,., .... ,, .. 25

Attention New.L ..... ,.,i-,. gliding pron1otionaI video available. Special price only $5.00 ($15 for non-men1bers).

1-800-61 · ,_, .,, "

Al mir .............. ., ............ ,, ................... 15 Angle of Attack ......... ,, ......... ,, ........... 54 Arai Design ........................... ,, .......... 15 Ccnrcr of Cravity ....... ,, ........... ,, ........ 17

Dan Johnson ................ ,,.,,.,, .. ,,,.,,., ... 17

High Energy Sports ........................... 21 High Perspective ,, ... ,,., ...................... 25 Just Kitry Hawk Kircs .., .. ., ........... ,, .......... 40

Lookout Mm. Flight Park ..... .Al ,48,49

Mc1amorfosi ..... ,....... ,. ,, ... ,.. ,.......... ,..... 2 Mojo's (;car .................................... ..48 Moyes .......................................... 2:3,35 Quest Air .... ,, ....... ,, .......... ,, .......... ,., .... 9 Sport Aviation Publications ......... ,,,, .... 2 Traverse City Hang CliderS-. .... ,, ....... 49 U.S. Aeros ........ ,, ................. ,,.,, ........... S UST-IC ;A ................. ,, .. ,, ................... .3 l ,35J9 W csr Coast Atos ......................................... 2S Wills Wing ...................... 8,Back Cover

Phone: 209.543.7850 Toll-Free: 888,530.9940 E-Mail: custsvc@ang Ieofattack. net Website: http://angleofottack.net

100% G11cm1nteed. If not satisfied, return unused tubes for 100% money back. Mujor Credit Cards accepted.

OEM/Dealer inquiries encouraged.

Ad by Poler Birron: 847.640.0171

54

HANC GI IDINC

S'I'. PAUL, MINN. , At 'vlJiJ ] Winq' 28th birthday ce::lebratlon last montl1, pilots were to fly their new curved tip competition glider. Unlike, many earlier WW developments, Lhis om'? secret... to the contrary, Lhey' ve showed j L around at meets in l:he hands of WW team pilot, Pad,3 Williams, who has been worldng with desjgnc,r Steve Pea.rson to create it. Named the,, uh ... weJ J , they haven't named l l: yet., so it:' :c; rnerEc,ly thei new comp qlider. A Referrlnq to l.hc new curved tips, WW isn't sure d performancEc, advantage exists but l:hey say, l:o be some general differences in handling charactcris t:ics, thouqh a matter of pc~r::oonal pilot prc,fcrcnce. " A Unable, to duck pilot interc?st i.n perfonnance, Wills :;ays that Williams' c,xpecLc,nce in meets, "indicates that l:he performance gap bctween Manfrcd [Ruhmcr's] personal qJ and onr latesL prototype is closing rapidly." 'l'he Pearcmn/Williams tc,arn has produced an c:trnazing nine prototypes :in four months. A The company is no projectinq a date or final configuration det:ails, but they did :.iay c:tirEoil "ic, significantly different. " rt has t.wo extra top surface Libs, single nose rib, two sprogB, and t.wo transverse battens per wing. 'I'hE,y also say, "The VG a new cam system with a much lar9er range, so it 9oe~, botb 100,3er and siqnificantly Price" projectcx1 u.1 $5,900. If you' re insplred and want t.o be lp name il:, write l:o rob@wil1swing.com. ••• At thei 4th "annual" Wallaby Ranch birt:hday party, Wills also showEc,d the production wcr~d.ons ot Eagle 145 and 180. Added to tbe 164, W'iJ now has thn:,e sizes oE their new be9inner/interrnediatc, g1ider. All sizes retail for $3, ll7'i which includec, your very own WW ba11cap. Wills refers to the ncw series as "l:he pEirfecL move-up ~Jlider for Jcalcon pilots," and c:tdds l:hal: it has; "a gTE"atly (c,Xpanded performance envelope at higher flying speeds. " Eagles feature: double surfaced winqs with a buried crossbar, Mylar leadinq edge a speccdbar basE:,tube, and kingpost hang sysLE!rn, ••• Wills alE,o announced their distribution of Nene Rotor's new "Kick Ass" harness. l:hey think Nene raised the bar on c,trearnlining and comfort, they add that it "allows you l:o lock in tJ1e desired pitch angle" addrem3ing their concern that too many single suf,pension desisins a feccil inq of bu.lancing on a ball in pitch. Tntro price is $995. Info: willswing.corn or 7lll-·998-· 6359. ••• GW Meadows reported tbat the Aeros rigid wing Stalker passed all tests by l:he German DIN orqanization. lle adds, "only paperwork :is 1efl: before the DHV ce-::tificale will be qranted, but this is most probably going t:.o [take until] at Leasl: May," proving that even when governrnc,nt agency (DHV private but oned) the or9ani:,:a ti.on can act like a bu.n~auc:racy. on the warm reception Uw sleek wing received at the Air Sports Expo in Jcebruary, expect you']] one of these at a site near you soon. A ME'2adows also observed knowin9 my APRIL 2001

fascination for survey info on gliders flown that c:tt Australian competitions this winter, this brand did quite we!

Of course, in l:heir home country Moyes dominated with 40 of 66 wings - 31 of which were the newe,;t Lil.c.c,speed model. Bul: in th~, rest: of the fie! d, came in next wiU1 nine Stealths, "even more tr1an AirBorne" Meadows with prjdc". A:irBorne al,,o from /\ustral:i a af; most readers know and featured eight ~Jliders. Wj !J,; Wing had four Icaro had two, and Lc,Mouette one. The:, rernaindc,r were older g Liders and one ATOS. Info: justfly. corn or 480 35'52.

••• I La] ian parachu producc'r, Metamorfosi, has int.roduced thc"ir new canopy cal led the Cona.r. Boss Angelo Crapanzano .says, a new de,,ign (patented)...

9ivec, jncredible performc:tnce, even compared Lo the pull-down apex." He report:s t:hat a tost by Prance' Vol L.i.bre magazine showed t:he Conar l.8 to have the best· sink rat.e even when contrastc,d witr1 much larger canopies. A Ange] o says he believes Metarnorfos:i s the "oldesL non·· stop manufacturer in t.he world" specializing HG and PG paracrmtes. His backup sys terns are flown by Robbie Whittal, Tomas Suchanek, Manfred Ruhmer.

Metarnorfosi i,; represented by 'l'hinred] Mario Scolari in t<he USA. lnfo: rnetamorfo:c:i. corn ( cLi ck the English .language button).

Crapanzano also confirmed that thEe popular Bassano meet has now f:inaLLy bccicm canceled after c:t game of go/no·c.:ro for some rnont·.hs. Ironically, dates of meet dictatc'?d the lal:cr start. to Lhis 's Wallaby Open as organ zer Malcolm Jones l:ried l:o accommodate al] the Euro pilots who wanted to fly in both top meol:E,. 0011 In closing, many of you have boen very kind to ask abou l: my website, when this sucker wi 11 be 9oimJ 1 work on L wi tli d new webmaster a glider pilot!) . 'I'he change of wE bmash->rs sc~1- me h1ck several months and opened my eyes t:o how big project thLs really was. Whew! With millions ot words and t:housands of photos, it a much bigger job tlian I thought I t will aLL be accessed by database, instcciacl of being ,,l:atic web paqes. 'I'his will be very qood for search.i ng, updating, a.nd more, but adds to thcci overalJ structure. hope t:o go by spring (but don't hold me to that promL;e) .

A good addiUon to the effort, U1ough, wil] be the presentation of many of Dennis Pagen' s hang qlider pilot reports, which c:t lso can be accessc:,d in t;ha t c3drne searchab] e database. I'm pleased and proud to bavc:, DennL3 join me, and visi t j ng :hang glider p:ilots wil] enjoy hi~; evaluations of most modern gliders. No, really... t.' cominc:r, ul1, soon!

Wbile you wait T'LL l;easc you by su99c,sting you watch for :ny upcoming new ad.

Beside,,, be:inq time tor chanqe, "conl:ent_" sbould surprise (and deligt1t?) ym.1. ••• So, got: news or opinions? Send 'em to: 8 Uorse L, f;t. Paul MN ''i'-ill8. Message;; or l:o 6'il-/J.50·0930, or e-rnai] t;o CurnulusMan~laol.com. A All "Product L.ines" col urnns wi l be ava labl Later l:his year at www.ByDan~Johric,on.com. THANKS! 11

0

April 18-19 Groveland Florida Quest Air Voi ce : 352 4 29 0 2 13 Fax: 407 678 7009 http://www.questairforce.com/ Ou estAir@sund ia l .n et

May 4-6 San Jose C a liforni a M e rlin Fligh t S choo l V oice : 4 1 5 456 3670 Fax : 4 1 5 456 3692 http ://www.merlinflightsc hool .com/ tipvortx@thegrid.net

April 21 -22 Miami Florid a Mi ami Hang Gliding V oice: 305/285- 8978 Fax: 305/285-7259

May 11-13 Calgary Canada Pa ra c hute S e minar M u ll er W indsports V oice : 403/932-6760 Fax : 403 851 0737 h ttp ://www. mull e rwi ndsports. com / fly@m ullerwind s po rts .com

April 24-25 Orl ando Florida W allaby R a n c h V o ice: 863 424-0070 Fax : 863 424- 0070 h ttp://www.w a ll aby.com/ f ly@w a ll aby.com April 28-29 Wil d w ood Georgia Lookou t Mountain V oice : 706/398- 3541 Fax: 706/3 98- 2906 http://www.hangg lide .com/ mailto :fly@hanglide. c om

May 4-6 San Jose California Mi s sion Soaring Voice : 408/262-1055 Fax : 408- 262-1388 http ://www. h ang-g lidin g.com/ mission@hang-gliding.com

May 18-20 Whi tewater Wi scons in R a v en Sky Sports V o ice: 262/473-8800 Fax: 262 473- 8801 http ://www.hangglidin g .com / brad@hangglid ing.com May 22-23 Le land IL H ang G li de Chicago V oice : 815 325 1685 http://www. hanggl idechicago .com/ gofly@hangglidechicago .com M ay 25-27 Parachute Seminar W ebberville, Ml Cloud Nine Soaring Center V oice: 51 7 223 8683 http://members .aol.com/cloud9sa cloud9sa@ao l .com

Falcons, Eagles, Ultra Sports. Fusion SP's, Brauniger Varios, S Ll\i nto and Vertech Altimeter Watches, Free Flight Parachutes, Drogue Chutes, Insider Helmets, The New Rotor Kick Ass H arness, S pecial Deals, and ... maybe a surprise!

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LU~

NG

500 West Blue ridge Ave. Orang e, CA 92865 ph : 714-998-6359 fax: 714-998-0647 www.willswing. com