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PARAGLIDING • OCTOBER 2002

INCIDENT REPORTrS

I 2002 USHGA REGIONAL DIRECTOR ELECTION Use the ballot attached to this magazine.

INDEXT~ ADVERTISERS

FLYING THE PAMPA CROSS - PART III by David Salmon, photos by P4vel Selesi

CAl!l$ND'AR OF &,V ENTS

••

SAN ANTONIO DEL MAR PARAGLIDING NIRVANA IN BAJA, CALIFORNIA

article and photos by R;ch Parry

FROSTENSON FLIES by Linda Frostenson, photos by Chuck Smith (Fly Sun Valley) and Bobi Frostenson

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIP.S IN PUBUCA· TIONS: The mate.rlal presented here is published aa part of an lnfunnadon dl&-

seminatlon service for

COVER: Launching from Chelan Butte, Washington. Photo by Dave Nobles. See photo gallery on page 39.

THE USHGA PARAGLIDER TOWING PROGRAM by,~/rl,n Chuculate, USHGA Biwinpal Tow Supervisor

PARAGLIDING PHOTO GALLERY This month~ featured photographer: Dave Nobles

USHGA membeni. The USHGA makes no war-

ranties or rcpresenuido1111 and assumes no llabllity concerning dlt! validity of llllY advice, oplnlon or recommendation expressed In tile' material. All individuals relying upon the material do so at their own risk. Copyright © 2002 United States Hang Gliding As.,n., Inc. All rights reserved to

ParaglldJng and Individual contrl~utot11.

O C TOB E R

2 002

Gil Dodgen, Managing Editor/Editor-in-Chief, Gi/Dodgen@aol.com Steve Roti, Contributing Editor Dave Pounds, Art Director Will Gadd, Dennis Pagen Staff Writers Jayne DePanfilis, Executive Director, jayne@ushga.org Jeff Elgart, Advertising, jeff@ushga.org Paul Defranco, IT Administrator, paul@ushga.org Sandra liewitt, Member Services, sandra@ushga.org Natalie Hinsley, Member SeJVices, natalie@ushga.org

USHGA Office~s and Executive Committee: Jim Zeiset, eresident, jimzgr~en@aol.com Mark FerguS11n, Vice Presiden~ mark@rmparagliding.com Russ Locke, Secretary,rvss@lockelectric.com Bill Bolosky, Treasurer, bolosky@microsoft.com REGION 1: Bill Bolosky, Mark Forbes. REGION 2: Ray Leonard, John Wilde, Tim West. REGION 3: David Jebb, John Greynald, Alan Chuculate. REGION 4: Mark Ferguson, Jim Zeiset. REGION 5: Frank Gillette. REGION 6: James Gaar. REGION 7: Bill Bryden. REGION 8: Doug Sharpe. REGION 9: Randy Leggett, Felipe Amunategui. REGION 10: Tiki Mashy, Matt Taber. REC,JON 11 i RB, Rodriguez. REGION 12: Paul. Voight., DIREC'TORS Ai LARGE: Jan Johnson, Dennis Pagen, R,u,ss. Loc~e, S.tElve Kroop, Chris S.antacroce. HON()~ARY D.IRE.CTORS: Aaron Swepston, J.C. Brown, Ed Pitman, G.W. Meadows, Bob Hannah, John Harris, Larry Sanderson (SSA), Dave Broyles, Gene Matthews, Ken Brown, Rob Kells, Liz Sharp, Dan Johnson, Dixon White. EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS: Art Greenfield (NM). The United States Hang Gliding Association Inc. is an air sports organization affiliated with the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) which is the official representative of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale ,(FAI), of the world governing body for sport aviation. The NAA, which represent~ the U.S. at FAI meetings, h.as delegated to the USHGA supervision of PAI-related paragljding activities such as record attempts and competition sanctions. PARAGLIDING magazine is published for paragliding sport enthusiasts to create further interest in the sport, and to provide an educational forum to advance paragliding methods and safety. Contributions are welcome. Anyone is invited to contribute articles, photos and illustrations concerning paragliding activities. If the material is to be returned, a stamped, self-addressed return envelope must be enclosed. Notification must be made of submission to other paragliding publications. PARAGLIDING magazine reserves the right to edit contributions where necessary. The Association and publication do not assume responsibility for the material or opinions of contributors. PARAGLIDING editorial offices (articles and photos only): 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Suite A-256, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, phone (949) 888-7363, fax (949) 888-7464, e-mail: Gl1Dodgen@aol.com. ALL ADVERTISERING AND .AQVERTISINQ INQUIRIES MUST BE SENT TO USHGA HEADQUMT~RS IN COLORADO SPRINGS. The US1j9A is a rnerpber•confrolled sport organization dedicat~s! /0 the. exploration and promotion of all facets of u,npowered ultralight flight, and to the education, traMing at\,d safety of its ,membership. Membership is open to icl.nyonelnter,i~tecJ.inthis realm of flight. Dues for f\JI I rneful;>~rshi life $~9.po p!,lt year (of which $15 goes t offaragl(ding); ($70 non-U.S.); sub'<lre!.$35'.00 ($46 non-U.S.). Changes sent six weeks in advance, indud\'.1Srf9A t\u'rnl:ler, previous and new address, , .•.., .. ~g label from a recent issue.

~,\Ril(~~lbiN'<;; (ISSN l.089,1846) is published 11 times a Jan:, Feb., March, April, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., ,Nov., Dec. by the United States Hang Gliding Association, Inc,, 219 W. Colorado Ave., Suite 104, Coloradil Springs, C.:0 80903 (719) 632-8300. FAX (719) 632-6417, PERJ<)DICAL POSTAGE is paid at Colorado Springs, CO and at additional mailing offices.

year:

POS:tMIX$TE!t: SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO: PARAQklD.fNG; P.O. BOX 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330.

MORE ON THERMALS Dear Editor, I am glad that my article inspired Dave Little to contribute to the discussion about thermals (August 2002 Paragliding Airmail, "Follow that Thermal, Trigger"). I would like to respond to the ideas that he asserts are in contradiction to the article. First is the notion that warm air can be trapped in a field of wheat, waiting for a lull in the wind, and then rising "suddenly in an organized fashion." This is a speculative idea that doesn't seem to correspond with my firstor second-hand experience. Has anyone noticed a consistently higher incidence of thermals from planted fields as opposed to bare ground on windy days? If Dave chooses to call this possible phenomenon triggering, that's fine, but I restricted my analysis to mechanical triggering by relatively small moving or stationary objects. And as I wrote, "Thermals tend to rise from sheltered bowls ... because these so-called collectors are sheltered from the mixing and cooling effects of wind." Second, Dave suggests that tractors produce thermals by mixing warm soil into the air. This is also highly speculative and scientifically suspect. Dust that can be suspended in air for long enough to give up its heat must be ve1y fine, and therefore light with low heat capacity. A large, visible dust cloud would contain ounces or possibly a few pounds of particles (to check this, weigh the dust that settles on a few square feet after long exposure to dusty conditions, and extrapolate to an acre). This range of mass is too small, by several orders of magnitude, to significantly affect thermals with masses in the thousands of tons. AE noted in the article, I suspect that tractors have a negative but negligible effect on thermals because the soil they turn up is usually cooler and wetter than the surface. In any case, this kind of heat transfer effect is unrelated to a discussion of supposed mechanical triggers. In southern Idaho recently, wishing I were flying instead of driving, I saw a large, dry field with about a dozen dust devils, none of which were close to a tractor plowing the field. Of course, this doesn't prove that tractors cannot bump thermals loose, but if we want a better empirical understanding we should be taking objective notes and measurements, not just remembering cases that con-

form to our beliefs while discarding contrary evidence. Dave's third example, landing and then seeing other pilots thermaling over the same field, is a purely anecdotal confusion of correlation with causation. Consider a 40-acre dirt field surrounded by woods and swamps that generates a thermal every 20 minutes, with some random variation, regardless of tractors, gliders or rabbits. Now imagine a stream of pilots arriving below 1,000 feet at about 10minute intervals. Roughly half the pilots will sink out and then watch someone else make a low save in a thermal that they could interpret as having been "triggered" by their landings. The pilots who do climb could come to the same conclusion, although this seems less common (hmm -- why?). AE I wrote, cyclical thermals are explainable within the framework of physical laws backed by centuries of consistent evidence, so we don't need fanciful notions requiring properties such as surface tension or cohesiveness that air simply does not have. Those who promote novel ideas like mechanical triggering should either explain how those phenomena can result from basic physics and thermodynamics, or demonstrate the existence of necessary new laws of nature (after they return from Stockholm with their Nobel prizes). I'm still waiting for such an explanation.

Peter Gray Ellensburg, WA ENLIVENING THE MAGAZINE Dear Ediror, I am commenting on the comments of pilots who have chosen to tal(e offense at the photograph appearing in the Mitch McAleer article earlier this year, although I appreciated the controversy. I personally thought the photograph was a scream (although it would have been better if there had been a clarifying caption underneath) and thought to myself finally! To me it was obvious that the guns were fake and the clarification of it being done on a movie set was no surprise. For a long time I have wanted to see the magazine improve from its rather dry format, which has sometimes been about as exciting as a CPA publication. Come on, this is an extreme sport we are talking about and we do not have to maintain "political correctness" PARAGLIDING

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for the general public. The general perception is that hang gliding is an extreme sport and those of us who engage in it probably have a screw loose. The public has already made up its collective mind. Yes, it is true that hang gliding is as safe as you make it, but we will never change the general public's opinion by coming across as responsible citizens (even though we are for the most part). Tandems and instruction are the key to changing one mind at a time, not the magazine. Our heritage has given us our reputation ofliving on the edge. We are who we are and we might as well embrace it and let the magazine reflect that. Let the magazine have controversy. Let it have quirky stories and photographs that are jaw-dropping. Let's not edit the articles to the extent that they have been rewritten by someone else unless they are really horribly written, and leave in the language for crying out loud (at least within reason I see nothing wrong with the word ass). Let the magazine kick ass, in other words! I'll never forget how a timeless phrase, "hang

gliding is the greatest thing you can do with your pants on," was edited out of my article some years back. I thought that was carrying things too doggoned fur. Tell me, what is so offensive about that phrase? I have never forgotten that, and I hope that kind of puritanical editing will become a thing of the past. Will it be edited out of this letter? Other extreme sports and climbing magazines, although privately owned, don't have a problem letting their "color" shine. Yes, I realize this is an association magazine, but it's the only representative magazine of hang gliding we have out there. Perhaps a disclaimer would be appropriate, stating, "The views represented here are not necessarily the views ofUSHGA." At any rate, if the magazine is headed in a new direction to enliven it some (hopefully a lot because it bores me, quite frankly), I will be the first to applaud it and hand it out to my friends. Lori Allen

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UPDATE

ADVENTURE PRODUCTIONS PROGRAMS NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD

the selection immediately. This is a handy feacure that flight schools can uLilize co optimize their training programs. A dvenrure Productions' Cloudbase Series With the "extras" oprion, Adventure .l"'\.is now available on DVD. Now viewers Productions has added movie previews of can experience paragliding and powered other DVD programs. This provides up co 15 paragliding programs like never before. minutes of additional programs, plus useful The primary advantages of llow Oft OVIII previews of other cities char may DVD are picture qualiry and extra be of interest co the viewer. "All features. Also, DVD's will nor chis means we are able co give che degrade with age or after many viewer a fuller, richer experience playings like videotape will. The of their spore," commenrs Paul complete Clcudbase Series has Hamilcon. been digitally mastered directly co Adventure is releasing che DVD from the original broadcast DVD's at the same price as the master capes to provide twice the VHS videotapes with a few excepqualiry of rypical VHS rapes. cions. A few cities have been combined All Adventure Productions DVD's into "double features" based on customer include special DVD features, including scene interest. "Requests for our programs on DVD sdecrion, movie trailers, interactive menus dramatically increased last Christmas," says and English digital audio. Scene selection Loretta Hamilton of Adventure Productions, allows you to interactively select and view the "And with 12.7 million DVD-Video players section of the video you want. You can go co shipped in che U.S. in the year 2001 and any selected portion of the video and play char about 75 million DVD-ROM drives worldsecrion without fast-forwarding, providing wide, we knew it was time co make the move greater flexibiliry. A simple click stares playing co DVD."

28 1 I' bedt

To order DVD's or for more information contact: Paul Hamilton, Adventure Productions, 6553 Scone Valley Drive, Reno, NV 89523 USA. You may order by phone at (775) 747-0175. DVD's are also available from participating schools and dealers. You may also purchase from the Adventure Productions online score at www.advenrurep.com.

RED BULL WINGS OVER CHICAGO AWARDS THE WORLD'S BEST PARAGLIDING AND SKYDMNG PILOTS

A fter two days of a very close paragliding ..l"\and skydiving swoop competition, over I 0,000 speccacors witnessed rhe inaugural Red Bull Wings Over Chicago at Lake Michigan. Enleau O'Connor (Oakrun, CA) rook first place in the paragliding aerobatic competition, and Red Bull achlere Charles Bryan (Truckee, CA) rook first place in the skydiving swoop compericion. Both of the invited athlete winners rook home $2,500 of the coral prize purse of$16,000. "Competitors fought hard and fuse in the air above Chicago for the top rides in paraglid-

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ing aerobacics and skydiving swooping, making I chis one of che most incense competitions I have seen," said Red Bull paraglider pilot and event organizer Ochar Lawrence of Carbondale, CO (pictured above). The world's finest extreme aerial achletes performed aerobatic routines for spectators and judges alike. The judging guidelines placed equal emphasis on fluidity, difficulty, versatility and form. Skydivers jwnped from planes 4,000 feet above the water. After deploying cheir parachutes, the skydivers reached speeds of?O mph as they attempted co land on a 20' x 20' platform anchored 150 feet off Chicago's North Avenue Beach. This daring fear was scored according ro skill and precision as achleces attempted co cake home a piece of the $16,000 prize purse. Each morning began with paragliders filling the sky over Chicago, showcasing wingovers, spins, stalls and rolls. Midday, the skydiving swoop competition continued ro impress the

OCTOBER

2002

judges and local onlookers. At the closing ceremony, the following winners were announced. In paragliding, first place went ro Enleau O'Connor (Oakrun, CA) who was awarded $2,500, second-place Horacio Llorens (Albacate, Spain) walked wich $2,000, and third place went ro Raul Rodriguez (Albacate, Spain) who won $1,000. ln skydiving, first place went ro Charles Bryan (Truckee, CA), who was awarded $2,500, second-place Andy Farrington (Kapowsin, WA) walked with $2,000, and third place went ro Heath Richardson (Philadelphia, PA) who won $1,000. "Ir never gees old - win or lose, this sport is awesome!" commented Red Bull athlete Charles Bryan, winner of this year's skydiving swoop competition, when asked about his win chis year. For more information visit www.redbullwingsoverchicago.com.

CLOUD CHASER HELMET FROM APCO

A pco announces the release of cheir new .l"\.helmet, the Cloud Chaser, which is now

available and in stock. Ir was designed in cooperation with an Italian helmet manufacturer, but is independently manufactured and disuibuted by Apco. The helmet is manufactured with carbon-fiber/kevlar technology and hand-laid fiberglass, and is fully CE certified as a helmet for Airborne Spores. It comes in chree colors (white, metallic silver and metallic steel gray) and chree sizes ranging from small ro XXL. The helmet is very light, has a stylish look, and was designed as a high quality product with a comfortable fit and excellent protection. Contact: Apco Aviation Ltd., apco@nervision.net.il, eel. Ol l-972-4-627-3727, fax 01 l972-4-627-3728, www.apcoaviation.com .

AIRWAVE NEWS arkus Villinger, Adrian Thomas and Bruce Goldsmith recently wenr co Edinburg in south Texas for big distance flying and co work on the latest Airwave prototype gliders. The srories oflong flighcs in this area are true, and there is massive potential for flying incredibly far. They chose Edinburg Airfield as their launch location, and Steve and Gaye Burns of Austin Air Spores cowed the pilots up with their payout winch and provided invaluable local knowledge. On August 3, Bruce launched at I0:30 AM (see photo) and landed nine hours lacer at his declared goal, Chupadera Ranch, at 273 km. Bruce and Adrian met up in the air, cwo hours downwind, and made most of the flight together. Adrian was even able co land first and rake phoros of Bruce's landing for the

FAl, to help make bis claim watertight. This beat the existing record of257.4 km by Jacques Coerree in South Africa by 16 km. These two flights of273 km were the longest of the week, but Bruce and Adrian had already made flights of 255, 205, 192 and 190 km, which is not bad for a few days of flying. Contact: dcs@airwave-gliders.com.

AIRWAVE EXPLORER PARAMOTOR WING

t\ irwave is proud to announce the release of .f'1its new paramocor wing, the Explorer. It is DULV cerrined, easy to fly, fuse cruising, stable, and has good handling. Two new official world speed records have been set on the Explorer by Fredfoque Jacques of Monaco, who flew a completely standard Airwave Explorer with an RDM Backbone 22horsepower unit. Both records were ser in the Embrun Valley in the south of France. The records arc for speed on a 50-km ouc-andrerurn, and speed on a 100-km ouc-and-rerurn. Frederique was particularly impressed with the srabiliry of the Explorer under

power at high speed. He found chat he could fly at full speed {trimmers fully released) inro thermals as strong as 4.7 m/sec (measured on the barograph track) without reacting on the brakes or touching the trimmers, and without suffering any collapses. He purposely did not use the brakes because this would have slowed his record-breaking cime. Frederique (pilot) and Schear (navigator) also sec two world paramoror records flying a standard Scenic with a Backbone 22-hp paramoror tandem unit. They set both records on the same flight, caking off close co Embrun from a microlight strip close co Lac de Serre Poncon, near DormiUouse in the south of France. For more information contact: sales@ airwave-gliders.com, www.airwave-gliders.com.

USHGA TANDEM PROGRAM UPDATE

he USHGA tandem program has remained in its current state, relatively unchanged, for many years now. This is due to the fuct that the Tandem Committee did

P ARAGLID I NG

such a good job in its formative years of setting up a realistic, manageable program, that fully satisfied FAA requirements mandating that the program exist. Joe Greblo, G.W Meadows and Greg DeWolf had a lot to do with initiating this program. As Committee Chair for the last five or so years, I have fostered a "don't fix it if it's working" mentality. The Committee, however, did make one minor change to the program at the fall 2001 Board of Directors meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, and another at the spring meeting in Ontario, California, and I have been charged with informing the membership about these changes through articles in this publication. CHANGf:#1

The Committee decided that tandem ratings needed to include the tandem launch disciplines that pilots have demonstrated to the Administrator. Just as in solo flying, you can be tandem rated to fly TFL (Tandem Foot Launch), TPL (Tandem Platform Launch), TAT (Tandem Aero-Tow), and TST (Tandem Surface Tow). Hang glider pilots can get all four, and paraglider pilots are (generally) only eligible for TFL and TST (foot launching or towing via a pulling device). The important concept is that your solo special skills do not automatically carry over to your tandem rating. For example, if you have only a solo AT signoff (and not TAT) you shouldn't expect to be allowed to aerotow tandem. If your current card does not reflect the appropriate tandem launch skills described above, simply contact your Tandem Administrator and get him to sign you off Keep in mind that he will need to feel confident in your abilities concerning these skills!

(or refamiliarize) yourself with the rest of the tandem program, simply visit the USHGA website and look at the Hang Gliding Tandem Requirements (SOP 12.2-104.12) at www.ushga.org/hgtand.asp or the Paragliding Tandem Requirements (SOP 12.2-104.19) at www.ushga.org/pgtand.asp Everything is spelled out nicely there. Fly safely!

- Submitted by Paul Voight SUPIEIR

NEWS

uper Fly ceased handling Firebird products as of August 1, 2002. Super Fly is firmly committed to handling name-brand paragliders and accessories. Likewise, Super Fly aims to remain closely involved in the development of new technology. In keeping with this philosophy we only stock makes and models that meet with our approval as a group. In an effort to maintain this commitment to the U.S. paragliding community, Super Fly will handle Gin Gliders and Ozone Gliders products exclusively. We feel that Gin and Ozone best represent what we value in leading performance products. Needless to say, Super Fly will continue to provide service and perform warranty work on all Firebird products over the decades.

SUP'AIR CARAIBINER NOTICE

up'Air asks that you visit their website at http://www.supair-usa.com/ and click on "BinerTech.Info." Sup'Air informs us that there have been carabiner failures (one particular brand, not Sup'Air) and they want pilots who use their products and biners to know how their tests are conducted.

CARAIBINIEIR SAFETY ADVISORY CHANGE#2

Starting on September 1, 2002, in order to obtain or renew a Tandem Instructor rating, the applicant will need to possess a current Red Cross (or equivalent) first-aid card, as has been the case for many years for "normal" instructors. The tandem recertification form will be modified to reflect this, as will the Tandem Administrator forms. If you've just become a TI, you have almost three years to comply (when you recertify). If you need to recertify at any time after September 1, and do not have a current first-aid card, call your local Red Cross office and take the course. The balance of the program remains unchanged. If you would like to familiarize OCTOBER

2002

There are a lot of stuff tarps out there. So when we decided to build one, extra attention was given to durability and convenience. Once you use a Fly Trap, you'll agree this is the best.

ilver chrome-plated Parafly automatic (push-button) harness carabiners by Austrialpin, Stubai, must not be used. I just came across a repeat advisory with a reference to a DHV airworthiness advisory. A particular Parafly automatic carabiner that had been used for several years for DHV testing broke. This carabiner is available with various polished and colored finishes, but apparently only the chrome-plated (shiny silver) version is affected. Details are available at: http://www.dhv. de/ english/sicherheit/ index.html. - Submitted by Christian Mulack, Alpine Marine, Inc., alpmar@dellepro.com

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MEDJET ASSISTANCE

edJet Assistance is an annual membership program providing air medical transportation to its members should they become hospitalized due to accident or illness virtually anywhere in the world. The program transports members to the hospital of their choice, most often in medically equipped and staffed jets. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, and in operation since 1991, MedJet currently has more than 50,000 members, with membership growing at approximately 25% per year. Annual membership is $195 for an individual or $295 for a family. While most people join MedJet Assistance because they're traveling internationally, about twothirds of the company's transports are performed domestically. Many people believe their travel insurance policy or health insurance will immediately transport them home should they require hospitalization. But the truth is that most insurance policies only cover you for transportation to the nearest hospital. MedJet flies you home to the hospital of your choice. Standard air medical transports can cost anywhere from $10,000 for domestic service to $100,000 for international flights. For program members, the entire cost of the transport is covered. For more information about MedJet Assistance or to sign up call (800) 963-3538 or visit www.medjetassistance.com.

NEW DESTINATION IN OLD MEXICO ohn "Ole" Olson announces a new destination for foot-launch thermal pilots in central Mexico. "There's nothing new about flying Colima," says Olson, "but the destination, Rancho Deluxe, is. We will be staying at the old airfield on the edge of town with the Zaragoza family, and will frequently land there as well." Colima offers two launches within half an hour of town, both of which are very consistent and offer great thermal conditions. La Cumbre has been flown for nearly 25 years, and Cerro Grande is a new site the locals are wild about. Tapalpa, a mountain village about an hour north of Colima, offers a well-known soaring site as well. "I started flying Mexico in 1985 and I've been back every winter since, for at least a couple of weeks. This winter I'll bring a

stack of sailcloth and mal(e it available to experienced glideheads," comments Olson. Olson intends to arrive in Colima around December 1 and spend four months. For visiting pilots he can supply a complete flying vacation with accommodations, transportation to and from launch, guide service and, of course, a glider. "These tours are not for beginners," emphasizes Olson, "You need strong foot-launch skills. If you're a hotshot paraglider pilot you can have fun here too. The thermals are ripping, right in front oflaunch." The old airfield in Colima has been turned over to the Club de Vuelo de Colima, and the Zaragoza family is in charge. Eventually, Olson and the Zaragozas would like to see a tow operation and flight park there as well, but footlaunching is so convenient that it will be the focus this winter. There is nearly 5,000 feet of excellent runway, however, if a pilot wants to bring a tow rig. Colima is a wonderful old Mexican city, well off the beaten path, quite economical and with Old World charm. The people are very friendly, there are open-air cafes and music in the streets. This is the "real" Mexico that most tourists never see. "The only gringos there are flyers," says Olson, which may be a slight exaggeration. "I also like it because it's hot, unlike higher in the mountains in Valle de Bravo. The smoking volcano on the edge of town adds some excitement as well." There is also RV camping at the airfield and the gringo caravan heads south from Nogales Arizona the last week of November. For more information contact John Olson at (360) 403-3199, or visit his website where you can read his journal from last winter: www.learntoflytrikes.com.

IPARAGUDE NEWS

paraglide.com Canada has just become the Exclusive Canadian Distributor for Icaro 2000 paragliding products. The world-renowned Italian hang glider manufacturer, World Champion and distance record holder has hired the very best designers to leap into the paragliding world. Full-time professional schools are invited to submit resumes for consideration to become part of the team, and the best margins and dealer service are offered. Special codes will be provided to the team to allow use of our state-of-the-art eCommerce mod-

ules and shipping/order algorithms. Also new are the world's first paragliding auction and contest modules. Sell your used equipment to a worldwide audience through an auction with total control: a reserve price no one can see (if no one meets your minimum reserve price, you don't sell) and auction close date which you determine. You will receive automatic e-mails with each pilot's bid, complete with all contact info in real time. So, even if no one meets your minimum bid you will be able to contact the pilot closest to your reserve and work something out. Visit http://www.iparaglide.com/ cgi-bin/ auction/ auction.cgi. On the contests page we want to encourage pilots to share their very best paragliding stories, photos and videos with their flying brethren throughout the globe. In order to promote the finest and most creative entries we will offer valuable prizes to the yearly winner in each category: Best Story, Best Technical, Best Tactical, Best Safety, Best Image and Best Motion Picture. Visit http://www.iparaglide.com. For more information contact: iparaglide.com Canada, #901-1360 Hornby St., Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 2L8, (604) 681-4459, Dion@iparaglide.com, http://www.iparaglide.com. Iparaglide.com has just expanded operations to provide the very best service to U.S. pilots. Our new head office for the U.S. is in Phoenix, Arizona, the land off perpetual sun, so pilots can visit and fly when it's too cold and rainy everywhere else. Iparaglide.com USA has also just become the exclusive U.S. distributor for Icaro 2000 paragliding products. For more information contact: iparaglide.com USA, 9221 East Wood Dr., Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, (480) 991-1440, Zrinko@iparaglide.com, http://www.iparaglide.com.

NEW USA DISTRIBUTION FOR ADVENTUREPARAMOTORS

I\ dventure is pleased to announce their .r\new partnership with MoJo's Gear, Ltd. Co. MoJo's has agreed to serve as the sole U.S. importer for Adventure Paramotors. Together they will now be able to supply the U.S. market with the latest in paramotors, parts, accessories, instruction, service and warranty repairs. PARAGLIDING

All Adventure units with Solo engines are now equipped with electric start and a new digital ignition. Original Solo engines required 600 RPM to start, but with the new ignition only 270 RPM are required. Adventure's digital ignition system also charges the battery in flight. This means super-easy starts on the first compression, even in extreme temperatures. The all-electric Adventure units provide simplicity and security; the motor will start easily while it is on your back or in flight. As an introduction to their new service and support, Mojo's is offering an upgrade special to all owners of Adventure units that were manufactured berween 1995 and 2000. Save 30% on upgrades to electric start and/or the new Adventure digital ignition. Just send your engine to Mojo's and the new ignition will be installed on your Adventure paramotor F2, F3, F4, A3 or A4. If you already have an electric starter, the price of the digital ignition (installed) is$ 495 (regular price), but there is a special upgrade now for only $295. For more information contact: www.mojosgear.com, 1-800-664-1160.

OCTOBER

2002

GIN GENIE XO HARNESS

in announces their new harness, the Genie XO. Developed by Woody Valley and the R&D team of Gin Gliders, the harness was designed for pilots who want performance with comfort for crosscountry and competition flying. The harness features: many trim settings for best handling, a new belt system to improve turn precision while climbing, quality finish, minimal weight, numerous small pockets for long flights, foot-strap, bottom-mounted parachute, back protection, optional side protection, DHV certified, sizes M-L-XL, 5.2 kg weight (for the large size). Contact: gin@gingliders.com.

GARMIN GPSMAIP 76S AND ETIREX VISTA - ENHANCED SOFTWARE

he Garmin GPSMAP 765 and eTrex Vista now offer several software features that simplify navigation, competition and record-keeping. By visiting the Garmin website customers with older systems may

download this free software update for their GPSMAP 765 and eTrex Vista. The glide ratio and glide ratio-to-target features use GPS altimeter functions to help competitors determine if they can reach their target without passing a point of no return. The vertical speed-to-target feature uses GPS altimeter functions to recommend the optimal speed to reach a checkpoint in a gliding time trial. In addition, the manual route transition feature helps users maintain an active leg to a checkpoint. The pilot sees an arrow pointing him in the direction he needs to fly in order to make it to the next checkpoint. Both the GPSMAP 765 and eTrex Vista incorporate GPS mapping capabilities, along with a barometric altimeter and electronic compass. For more information, help, or to purchase a Garmin GPS contact: Aerolight International, LLC, 15020 SW 145 St., Miami, FL 33196, (305) 256-5650, fax (305) 232-5175, info@aerolight.com, www.aerolight.com.

chose to fly on a minus 45 thermal index day, just to see if I'd been too conservative flying on less than minus 35 thermal index by Dixon White days. You would think that after more than 6,000 flights I'd know better. What a ride the glider and air had their own agenda. It here's a big difference between a circus explained that going to a lake to attempt and a carnival. In a circus very little is truly felt as though I might easily be giftthese maneuvers involved too much hassle, left to chance. The athletes prepare their chat "boring soaring" could be relieved with wrapped in my glider. There was no problem equipment and hone their skills to perform a little excitement, and besides, everyone is getting really high, but getting down was difficult tasks - they would rather rely on doing maneuvers over the ground. Just then wild. I was lucky not to land in one of the intense dust-devil releases that were abunskill than luck. When attempting somewe watched another pilot attempt a spin dant. thing new, appropriate safety equipment is about 300 feet above the ground, which he exited violently, and put in place and many hours are spent perGather intelli'J'l ve1y novice pilot, rtt il lrtlfe gence from the experionly by luck did the fecting skills. In a carnival, a participant is an unwitences of others. Stop pilot happen to land clinic (li1dd{v), admittcci to and evaluate how sensiting risk-taker without much, if any, prepawithout getting hurt, ble your next move ration. He hopes to "win" something, using although he ended up being c<1ruhcd inM llyin.~, d may be. Do you really equipment (like rings thrown over coke dusty with a badly need to repeat the misbottles) that he's really not used to using, to scuffed harness. They neuei·-hdhre-uJ·cd riS7;gi11g to takes of others and end get a result. He'd better be lucky. both said that they up never getting to fly How do you see yourself as a paraglider didn't have any mednutke B-!ining cr1sic1: The again? Each of us pilot? Are you participating in a circus or a ical insurance. A very novice enjoys a certain level of carnival? student ended up using his risk, and variety is the A few years ago, a pilot who barely sur- pilot at a lake clinic (luckily) admitted to vived a horrible accident while scratching spice oflife, but there's t'eserve pm1tchute h~fr1re certainly a limit. Many on a ridgeline said that he emulates another being coached into folks think our interest pilot who often finds himself low over com- trying a never-beforehitting the wrtte1: Nouice pif(Jt in foot-launch aviation used rigging to make pletely unforgiving terrain (for example, B-lining easier. The is pretty nutty, so just over dense forest) but who usually manages turned test pilot~ whrrt a to find his way back to doudbase. He said pursuing our sport is, student ended up he thought that this pilot was a great using his resetve parafor many, a huge prolcdp c1.f.'f,r'rith. " teacher, and that he admired someone who chute before hitting posal. puts it all on the line. A newer novice pilot Enjoying most of the water. Novice pilot was seen standing in his harness - over ter- turned test pilot - what a leap of faith. your life before being dead, crippled or rain, not water - in midday thermal conVery talented and well-trained professcared is an important consideration. We ditions, because he wanted to try tricks he sional pilots may push the envelope, but teachers are often dealt difficult hands when it comes to balancing considerations involvhad seen in a video. An intermediate pilot not without substantial practice and experiing students, weather and lessons. Even barely missed a young child, his mother and ence, and even they make mistakes. teachers have trouble keeping lessons from me, when attempting a "death spiral" while Last year I thought I'd push my limits turning into carnivals, and we're the landing. He sheepishly apologized and when it came to thermal intensity and

Sensibility

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"experts." it's no fun seeing one of our students leave the sport, whether it's as the resul t of an accident, fright or lack of challenge. Some would say that none of our paragliding activities is prudent. Some would say that pushing the envelope co the very limit, sacrificing safety, is what chey "need" to "feel" alive. To each his own, but cake a moment to reflect on what you really want to "own." Ir's one thing to waste your Life smoking pot in your apartment and another to put ocher people and sites at risk. In any case, the bottom line is chat if you're going to participate, make sure chat your medical bills won't cripple you and your family in the even of an accident. Ac the very least, have medical insurance. Many hospitals have been stuck with huge bills because pilots without insurance have been injured. This isn't something chat is simply absorbed, and it has, on occasion, provided a reason for site closure. When a community hospital has co find a way to absorb the cost of treating an uninsured pilot who has been injured in an accident, it puts pressure o n land-management people to close a site. An often-overlooked component of prudent flying is a systematic emergency procedure chat includes the use of radios, GPS's and cell phones to help facilicare a rescue. One reader of Dixon's Notes "Protocol" article commenced, "EMS systems are generally only ready to take care of one injured pilot. So, we need to make sure chat we don't add to the trouble. It is generally best to proceed co the designated landing zone and land without a sense of urgency. Then, when you are on the ground, you can proceed very choughtfulJy, taking time co establish good radio and cell phone communication with everyone involved. Your role may or may not be to hurry and help. Going to meet an ambulance and guide it to the location, or driving to a point where you can serve as a repeater for radio communication might be the best thing for you to do. Figure out what is needed - a backboard, tree-rescue kit, saw, C-coUar, etc. People who are hurrying are people in danger." The maturity of an individual can be measured by his ability to recognize the consequences of his actions. Are you flying "lucky"? •

O CTO B E R

2002

ONLY

Full-Time Professional School/Dealer Inquiries Welcome 0

Calendar of events items WILL NOT be listed if only tentative. Please include exact information (evenr, date, contact name and phone number) . Items should be received no later than six weeks prior to the event. We request rwo months lead rime for regional and national meets. COMPETITION UNTIL NOV 15: 2002 Regi.on Nine Yearlong X-C Contest. The yearlong contest is to honor longest individual flights of the year on any day berween February 15 and November 15. Classes for Rookies, Sixry Miles, Open, Rigids and Paragliders. Enuy fees$ I 0 and $5 respectively. Contact: Pete Lehmann, lplehmann@aol.com, (412) 661-3474, 5811 Elgin St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. UNTIL DEC. 31: The Michael Champlin Wor!dX-C Challenge. No enuy fees or pre-registration requirements. Open to paragliders, hang gliders, rigid wings and sailplanes. For more derails visit the contest's Web site at http://www.hanggliding.org or contact: John Scott (310) 447-6234, fax (310) 447-6237, brettonwoods@email.msn.com. FUN FLYING OCT. 19-20: Fourth Annual Octoberfest at Baldy Butte. Both HG and PG pilots are welcome to this 2,000' AGL flying site that rakes every wind direction. Baldy has seen a lot of use over the last few years, and X-C records are routinely being set and broken. The site is located on private property, and requirements include a site-specific waiver, USHGA membership, P2/H3 rating, and a yearly sire fee. (For this rwo-day event the site fee will be waived for any ourof-state pilot or local pilot checking ir out for the first time.) Guides will be on hand for pilot briefings starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday. Potluck Saturday at dusk in the LZ where can1ping at no extra cost is available. Contact: Rich Hass, richh@nwnexus.com, or Mike Eberle, napi@fun2£ly.com. CLINICS, MEETING, TOURS OCT. 12-13: Tandem (T2 &T3), $200. OCT. 17-19: Lake Powell maneuvers camping clinic, $550. OCT. 20-26: Lake Powell maneuvers clinic (deluxe with Houseboat), $1500. JAN. 4-11, 2003: Valle de Bravo trip with Academy insuuctors Ken Hudonjorgensen and Kevin Biernacki. Contact: Two-can Fly Paragliding, 474 East Tonya Dr., Sandy, UT 84070, phone/fax (80 1) 572-3414, hudonj@qwesc.net, www.rwocanfly.com. THROUGH OCT.: Adventure flying in the Colorado Rockies. Parahiking and para-alpinism near Aspen in spectacular alpine terrain. Climb the highest peak in Colorado, Mt. Elbert, 14,333' and fly &om the summit. Many other high peaks are possible. Local transportation and retrievals included. Must be well conditioned with P3 skills. Tandem flights from summics available. Contact: Dick Jackson, AMGNUIAGM mountain guide/ USHGA Advanced Tandem Inscructor, Aspen Paragliding, (970) 925-7625, fly@aspenparagliding.com, www.aspenparagliding.com.

P A R AGL IDI N G

new Pf V'.1tcly rel 1 publu:ation and s nu· affiliated 1n any way with the United States Hang Gliding Association or their pubHcation Paraglidinq

- - - - • OHSHLEHOIU! We've designed our content around what pilots tell us they want to see, and we present it with large format, high quality materials and printing processes. Each issue contains valuable safety tips and piloting techniques, information about the weather that you depend upon, and the gear that keeps you flying. There are technical columns for the more advanced pilot as well as articles on the basics if you're just getting started. Whether you're looking for a strategy for the next cross country comp, or just something to crack you up a bit next time you're lounging on the hill, Paraglider Magazine is your best bet! For a limited time, we will send you your first issue of the newest publication in the world of paragliding absolutely FREE with your subscription! If you don't like it for any reason, just return our invoice marked 11 cancel" and you owe nothing.

So don't wait until this offer expiresl Sign up nowl You can subscribe on line at www.ParagliderMagazine.com Or just drop us a letter that says, sign me up for your free issue offer! to:

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THROUGH OCT.: Fly Aspen. High Colorado mountain flying in world famous Aspen. Daily rides to launch. Mountain flying, thermal and X-C clinics. Pl, P2 and tandem courses. Tandem flights. Contact: Alex Palmaz or Dick Jackson, Aspen Paragliding, (970) 925-7 625, fly@aspenparagliding.com, www.aspenparagliding.com. THROUGH OCT: Jackson Hole Paragliding, WY clinics and courses. Jackson Hole has evolved into a Mecca for paragliding activities, and Jackson Hole Paragliding can help turn flying dreams into reality with their quality instruction and guide service. Three-day Maneuvers Training Courses at the Palisades Reservoir. Aug. 12-14, Sept. 20-22, $550. Tow TuesdaJr. One-day Maneuvers Training Course, every Tuesday throughout the summer at the Palisades Reservoir, $200. Inter-Mountain X-C Challenge at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Aug. 9-11. Pilots meet for lessons every morning at 7 :45 at Nick Wilson's at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort aerial tram. Contact: (307) 690-8726 www.jhparagliding.com. THROUGH OCT.: Dixon's Airplay Washington, a.k.a. the "Ranch" (near Wenatchee) will reopen April 20 for the summer season through October. Specializing in new pilot instruction. Each instructor works with only one or two new students. Excellence in instruction with complete training in weather, flight dynamics, kiting and much more. Learn at a private flight park, no crowds, perfect grassy slopes, drive-up 360° launches from 20 to 1,800 feet. Limited weekday and weekend space available. Make reservations early. Complete paragliding store and service center. Contact: dixon@paraglide.com, www.paraglide.com, (928) 526-4579.

and click under the "live" section. Contact: David Jebb, Director of Operations, 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, San Diego, CA 92037, (858) 452-ZULU (9858), www.flytorrey.com OCT 18-20: Fall 2002 USHGA Board a/Director's meeting, Orlando, Florida. Events to take place in the evening at both Quest Air and Wallaby Ranch. Meetings at the Ramada Inn off of 192 and I4. Contact: www.ushga.org, (719) 632-8300. OCT. 20-NOV 3: Tour to northern India. Fly the Himalayas, the site that produced the paragliding world out-and-return record for seven years and hosted the 1984 World Hang Gliding Competition. Manali and Billing are renowned for consistent alpine X-C conditions. This year has seen 120-km out-and-returns and 60-km flights with gains to 6,000 meters. Visit Rohtang Pass, 500-year-old castles and Paratrek in the Manali wildlife preserve. Brush up on your thermaling and X-C skills with Dale Covington and local flying guides. Visit Tibetan settlements in Bir and Dharamsala. $1,600 includes food, lodging, all transportation within India and guides. Contact: Big Sky Paragliding, www.bigskyparagliding.com, 1-800-782-9204, (801) 699-1462. OCT. 23-27: Orlando-Tampa, FL P2 Course with Chris Santacroce utilizing tandem, towing and powered paragliding. For those firmly committed to becoming the best possible pilots they can be. This intensive course will equip participants to fly successfully throughout the world. Contact Super Fly, Inc., Chris Santacroce, at info@4superfly.com, (801) 255-9595 to reserve your spot.

THROUGH NOV: Paraglider Network and Andre Gupta Alps Tours for novice and better pilots. Non-flying companions and aspiring pilots welcome on some tours. Tours include overnight accommodations, breakfast and dinner daily, local transportation, lifts to launch, retrieval, Geneva airport pickup and drop-off, and services of an English- and local language-speaking certified guide pilot. Introductory tandem flight for non-pilot friends. P2, five-day course, $350. Contact: www.paraglider.net, freeflight@wanadoo.fr, (703) 273-0123, 9-5 M-F EDT. OCT.: Festival du Vent Calvi, Corsica. Details to come. NOV. 9-NOV. 17: Flying in the south ofFrance and over Monte-Carlo. Details to come.

OCT. 24-26: AOPA Expo 2002, Palm Springs, CA, with its popular Parade of Planes. Three daily general sessions, more than six-dozen aviation seminars. Expo 2002 will conclude with a gala banquet, with political satirist Mark Russell entertaining. Contact: www.aopa.org/expo/. Click on "Register for Expo." After registering, select "Expo Schedule," check the items of interest, then click "Print Selected Items" to get a customized schedule of events.

THROUGH DEC.: Dixon's Airplay Arizona open all year (near Flagstaff). Specializing in new pilot instruction. Start out right with thorough training in meteorology, kiting, flight dynamics and much more. Only one or two new students per instructor. Wide-open, 360° drive-up launch sites from 20 to 1,200 feet. Limited weekday and weekend space available. Make reservations early. Complete paragliding store and service center. Contact: dixon@paraglide.com, www.paraglide.com, (928) 526-4579.

OCT. 25-27: Ninth Annual Baja Thermal Clinic, "El Original," Hosted by Air California Adventure, Inc. Escape to Mexico and enjoy three days of luxurious thermal flying and three evenings of happy hours and poolside lectures. Hone your flying skills, work on thermal technique, or take a cross-country flight to the beach. Package includes breakfasts, discounted stay at the Baja Seasons Resort, shuttle to and from the coastal flying ridge, and daily instruction from David Jebb and the Torrey Pines Gliderport staff. David has been flying in Baja for over l Oyears. Designed for Novice through Advanced paraglider pilots. Bring your family and make it a vacation for everyone! Contact: Torrey Pines Gliderport, info@flytorrey.com, (858) 452-9858.

THURSDAYS: Torrey Pines Gliderport paragliding talk show on Internet radio, airing weekly on wsradio, Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Hosted by Gabriel and David Jebb, open to a worldwide audience. Call in toll-free at 1-800-327-0061 (U.S. and Canada) or 1-760-476-4111 for the world audience. Surf to www.wsRadio.ws

OCT. 25-28: Instructor Training Course, Denver, Colorado, front range location. $400. OCT. 26-27: Instructor Recertification Course, $200. Contact: KD flying at kdflying@yahoo.com.

PARAGLIDING

NOV. 14-16, 17-18: ITP and Tandem with Dixon White. Comprehensive Instructor Training Program for first-time instructor candidates and recertification, Santa Barbara, CA. Nov. 14-16 with a tandem clinic, for T-1 through T-3 the 17th and 18th. Contact: dixon@paraglide.com,www.paraglide.com, (928) 526-4579.

DEC. 2002 THROUGH MARCH 2003: Advanced Paragliding Mexico paragliding tours. Juan Laos and Fabio Blancarte will host seven-day paragliding tours in west central Mexico, including Tapalpa, the site of the 2002 Paragliding World Cup. One of the best paragliding areas in Mexico, with 10 sites within a two-hour drive. Launch from a 15,000' volcano, soar the coastal ridges and enjoy some of the best seafood in the world at very reasonable prices. Sites include Jalisco, Colima and Michoacan. Tours include pickup and drop-off at Guadalajara International Airport, transportation to all launches, lodging and other accommodations, detailed site introductions with maps, daily meteorology information and retrieves. Thermal flying and cross-country coaching and instruction. $1,500 includes pickup at the airport on a Saturday morning and drop-off at the airport on the following Saturday. $500 USD deposit required. Credit cards accepted. Contact: Juan Laos, (925) 377-8810, juan.laos@realpvs.com, www.advancedparagliding.com.

NOV. 23-DEC. 2: Chile tour. Join Mike Eberle on another adventure into the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. This X-C trip is designed for the strong intermediate or advanced pilot who is looking to set personal-best X-C records. Warm up with some casual coastal flying and then quickly move on to serious distance flights. Call today, as this trip usually books by late summer. For more details on these tours, or to suggest and create your own tour, contact: (206) 320-9010, napi@fun2fly.com.

MARCH 2003: The original Adventure Sports Brazil Tour. Five years of flying, fun and a bit of confusion with the best guides in Governador Valadares. USHGA instructors fluent in Portuguese and with local knowledge. Side trips to Bahia and Rio de Janeiro also available for coastal flying adventures. $100 per day includes hotel close to the LZ, breakfast, rides and guides for local or X-C flying. Make the most of your Brazilian experience. Contact: Adventure Sports, (775) 883-7070 http://www.pyramid.net/advspts/brazil.htm.

NOV. l 0-17, 17-24: Parasoft paragliding trips to New Mexico. Come to where winter has not arrived. Parasoft Paragliding School, which has organized flying trips to old Mexico since 1992, will offer trips to New Mexico in November. On Sundays we will meet P3 pilots at the El Paso, TX airport and take them an hour north to Alamogordo, NM. Plan to enjoy two, 2,400' drive-up sites (Dry Canyon and Ruidoso) with Parasoft's air-conditioned 4WD truck. Towing with a payout winch guarantees flying all six days. Hotel, transportation and guide service included. Details at http://www.parasoftparagliding.com/NewMex.html or call (303) 494-2820.

NOV. 24-DEC 8: Fly Nepal 2002. The most stunning and exotic flying site imaginable! Fly near three of the highest peaks in the world with huge birds. Gentle and consistent thermal conditions appropriate for novice thermalers with good canopy control. Guidance from Master-rated instructor Dale Covington, logistics handled by Nepal expedition specialist Kellie Erwin. $1,800 for two weeks in flying paradise. Contact: Big Sky Paragliding, www.bigskyparagliding.com, 1-800-782-9204, (801) 699-1462. THROUGH DEC.: iparaglide Fly Hard Adventure Holidays 2002. We can get you fully certified as a pilot while on the vacation of lifetime. OCT. 12-27: Fly Hard Southern Europe. Milano, Torino, Italy; Nice, Marseille, France; Barcelona, Valencia, Spain. Fly Europe's sunny southern flanks along the Mediterranean. Experience three distinct cultures and European small- and big-city charm. NOV. 2-17: Fly Hard Southwestern USA. Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Flagstaff, Phoenix, AZ. Visit Venice Beach, Universal Studios and Disneyland while flying California's beautiful coastline. Visit the casinos of Las Vegas. In Phoenix, enjoy big-air flying with huge cross-country potential. NOV. 23-DEC. 8: Fly Hard Mexico. Puerta Vallarta, Manzanillo, Colima, Guadalajara, Morelia, Mexico City, Puebla, Vera Cruz. Starting at the shores of the Pacific, we will take you through some of the most pristine Mexican wilderness and authentic small-village life in Mexico. Visit the best-known flying sites as well as the more impressive, less-wellknown ones. Contact: http://www.iparaglide.com/ flyhardinfo.htm; (604) 681-4459, Dion@iparaglide.com, (Canada); (480) 991-1440, Zrinko@iparaglide.com (U.S.).

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2002 USHGA Regional Director Election Please use the ballot attached to this issue ofthe magazine.

Region l Bili Bol.osky (Incumbent) A number of challenges face USHGA and Region 1 in the coming years. At the national level, we need to work with the FAA to make sure that the regulatory environment stays favorable co our sports, properly manage the Association's finances, make a smooth transition ro the new combined magazine, and rry to implement programs rhat will result in the growth of the sports. At the local level, we need to retain and open new sites, provide opportunities for new piJors ro learn to Ay and for instructors ro be able ro teach them, and to keep the personal animosity ar some of our flying sires down ro a dull roar. In the rwo years since I lase ran for

reelection as Region I Director, in addition ro being the Regional Director I've served as USHGA's Treasurer, and also a member of USHGA's Executive Comrnirree (EC). Being on the EC gees me involved in much more of the national-level scuff than just being Regional Direcror ever would. I've worked with our Executive Director co gee the Association's finances back in shape (we went from about $12,000 in cash when I first cook over in 2000 co over $370,000 at the end ofJuly, 2002). I certainly wasn't exclusively responsible for the financial turnaround, but I think that I played an important part. I've met with the FAA, and worked on USHGA's response to the Sport Pilot NPRM, which could well be the tip of the regulatory iceberg for us if we're not

Soar over to the

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careful. T personally conducted the bulk of the negotiations to bring Jayne DePanfilis on board as our CEO/Executive Director. To the best of my knowledge, I'm the fust person from Region 1 in at least a decade (and quite possibly much longer than that) to be on the Executive Comrnirree. My being in that position gives Northwest pilots a bigger voice in the way our sports are administered than we would otherwise have. Since our needs are different than those of people in California or Colorado (where the other EC members live), I think that we benefit from having a member on the EC. It's also a lot of work: I spend rime every day, often hours, dealing with USHGA issues. Since Jayne starred ar USHGA in January of 2001, I've received over 1,800 e-mail messages jusr from her (nor to mention the thousands I've received from everyone else). On the local level, we have a number of pressing concerns. We have crowding at sites, a lack of hang gliding training sites and

instructors, th rears co our existing sires (from development, increasing insurance requirements, problems in landowner relations, changes in the stare DNR administration, etc.), and some well-known personality disagreements. I try co do what I can to keep these things from gerring out of hand (and cesrify in court when served with a subpoena), and ar lease so far we've managed to keep it working in spire of all of the problems. As we increase the number of pilots in the Region, we will need to get additional flying sites open, or crowding will rurn from an annoyance into a very serious safety problem. I can help with chis process in a number of ways, and will do so as the oppornmity arises. I would like to continue co represent the Northwest as Regional Director (and as a member of the Executive Committee) for rhe next two years. With your support, a lot of work, and a little luck I hope that things will continue co get better in the furure. Region 2 Ray Leonard {Incumbent) Once again it is time for elections, and after 10 years I have pretty much figured out how to manage chis position. Basically, my one and only platform is co continue co represent and expedite matters for the pilots of Region 2. Pilots should have the option of just plain flying and having their elected representatives facilitate the paperwork or join in with opinions and maners of concern co them. There are still matters of the organjzation that I believe could be reorganized, and char is what I will work on if I an, reelected. Sires, safety and promotion are at the cop of the list. Once again I would appreciate your supporr and voce co continue my job as a Director for Region 2. Region 3 DavidJebb (Incumbent) I am pleased to have served with the USHGA these pasc several years and would like co continue as your Regional Director in our national association. Pilot representation is important because there are many challenges which

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currencly face our sport. I am an active pilot, an insrruccor, and in the paragliding and hang gliding business. My family and I have dedicated our lives co free flight. We have managed the Torrey Pines Gliderporc for the pasc five years and currencly operate the largest paragliding school in the country. Currencly I share the joys of free flight on the firsc and only worldwide Internet radio program called the "Paragliding Radio Show." Free flight is my life, my business and my passion. I hope char I can count on your support.

Sreve Mayer, paragliding and hang gliding nuc, entrepreneur, and lover of anything chat can fly, is ready to seep up co bat as Region 4 Director. Years of quality life experience and a plethora of knowledge have qualified him for the cask. Steve graduated from the University of Colorado with a business degree in 1992 with the intent of entering the corporate finance world. Luckily, life's path led him to Sale Lake City where he learned co paraglide in 1993 from Chris Santacroce at the Point of the Mountain, and Steve has never looked back. ln his first year he logged over 300 days of flying! ln 1995, Steve sought his inscrucror raring due co his sheer desire ro share his passion with other people. Reflecting on chat decision he says, "I soon realized I could make a living doing something I loved. Most only dream of chis opportunity and I would be a fool ro pass it up." Early on Steve was ready ro take on a leadership role as the cwo-cerm president of the Utah Hang Gliding Association. His perseverance led to his instrumenral role in preserving the South Side ar the Point of the Mountain Flighc Park in Sale Lake City during his tenure. Steve also has pioneered several flying sites in his flying travels around the world. On any day of the week, he can often be found mowing grass at rhe local site, answering out-of-rowners' questions, driving everyone up the hill and enforcing sire safety regulations. As an Advanced Tandem Inscrucror, his depth of knowledge regarding paragliding and hang gliding and che industry as a whole continued co grow, as well as his rapidly expanding

flying business. After three years of teaching, Steve's business became the largest paragliding school in the nation. Today, Cloud 9 Soaring Center stands as a nationally recognized service provider for personalized flying instruction and top-quality products. Steve has over 1,000 tandem flights without incident and has over 8,000 paragliding and 27 hang gliding flights logged under his belt without a single injury. Steve has exhibited his sincere dedication to the sport of paragliding through his seven-day-per-week commitment for the last nine years. Last year Steve was honored by his nomination for Instructor of the Year. He is seeking the Regional Director position in order to make effective change in the flying community. He is anxious to fulfill the job in its entirety, but he also has three personal goals. First, site preservation is pivotal to our sports' survival and growth. Second, site procurement is fundamental to sustaining the longevity of the sport. Steve would like to work to have a better standard for pilots to use when working to save and pioneer new sites. Organizations like the Access Fund have saved rock-climbing sites across the U.S., and could be used as a role model for us. Finally, Steve would like to help instructors and schools formulate a standardized protocol for handling issues related to liability. Many sports in the U.S. do not grow because they cannot address the out-of-control liability issues that we face as pilots. Steve Mayer's business is flying, so he is available six days a week, year round, to address issues and concerns related to paragliding and hang gliding for our Regional pilots. Steve will travel to each USHGA meeting to pass on issues and concerns of Region 4 and report back via a dedicated Region 4 website addressing our issues. An on-line forum will give you a place to voice your thoughts. Steve comments, "I look forward to representing the prestigious group of pilots in the mountain west."

Mark Ferguson (Incumbent) Region 5 No election this year. Region 6 No election this year. Region 7

Bill Bryden (Incumbent)

Most of the pilots in Region 8 know me and I know most of them. A lot of this comes from me being an addict to the sport of hang gliding since 1994 when I first took a lesson at Morningside Flight Park. I have also tried to fly many different sites in the Region. Since 1994 I have found myself a regular fixture at Morningside most weekends. I have met a lot of nice people and made a lot of good friends in this sport. I have tried to do my part to protect the sport I love so much. Over the past six years I have been the treasurer of the Massachusetts Hang Gliding Association. For the past two years I have also been the secretary of the Vermont Hang Gliding Association and editor of their newsletter. Being an officer in both these clubs has given me the opportunity to work with local towns, states and the federal government to resolve problems and to promote the sport of hang gliding and paragliding. I have also worked within USHGA to help our sport grow by being a Region 8 Observer. This has given me the opportunity to work with many of the new pilots who have come into the sport since I did. I have recently been appointed to the position of Examiner for Region 8. I hope this will give me a chance to help guide the sport of hang gliding by appointing new Observers that I believe will keep our newer pilots safe while they gain experience. In the past I have also assisted in teaching hang gliding. I am a tandem instructor. I mostly footlaunch my gliders but I am also trained in aerotow and platform launch skills. I have only a little experience in competition, mostly at the local level, but have been part of the Team Challenge at the Tennessee Tree Toppers and in fun events like the Paul Voight Fun Fly in Ellenville, New York. Recently I have even been seen floating around under a paraglider at Morningside Flight Park. I am not yet a rated paraglider pilot but hope to get enough skills to soon get my rating. I think the thing that keeps me going in this sport, besides the love of flying, is the thrill of being able help newer pilots develop into better pilots and turning new people on to the sport through my tandems.

I guess I have certain agendas like everyone else who gets involved in this sport at this level. But everything I try to do is to protect the sport of hang gliding and paragliding and to ensure that this sport is around in the future. Site protection is important to me, but I realize that this is only a small portion of the overall future of this sport. I know we need rules and regulations and they are also important to me, but I don't want them to interfere too much with what makes flying so much fun for most of us. My agendas are important to me, but I am here to represent Region 8 pilots and what is important to them. So, any pilot in the Region can feel free to contact me with any of their concerns and I will try to help. I believe knowing that I am here to represent what is important to the pilots of Region 8, and my get-things-done attitude, will make me a good Regional Director. Region 9

Felipe Amunategui (Incumbent) I flew hang gliders before driving a car, and I am grateful to be part of this sport and community. Flying hang gliders has had a huge influence in who I am today, so serving as Regional Director is my way of giving something back for all that it has given me. I will continue learning about the organization by attending its quarterly meetings and advocating for Regional interests. Also, I remain committed to supporting instructors and flight operations in the Region as a means of maintaining our current membership and involving new pilots. While I only hang glide, I want to represent the interests of all pilots in the Region, regardless of their winged persuasion. Please don't forget to

Region 10

Tiki Mashy (Incumbent) Greeting Region 10. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as your Regional Director. It has truly been my honor to work with individuals who share my devotion to the betterment and PARAGLIDING

advancement of hang gliding and paragliding. As your Regional Director I represent you, the members, and the decisions I would make as your Regional Director would be always be in the best interest of the members. I offer Region 10 my "best." I feel the need give you a little background information. I have the following USHGA ratings: Master rating, Tandem Instructor, Advanced Instructor, Aerotow Pilot, Tandem Administrator. Twenty-two years ago, in Southern California, I started hang gliding. I worked for 15 years as a paralegal, content to be a weekend warrior, flying only on weekends, holidays, vacations, and yes, sick days. Then, three years ago, I decided to follow my dream. I jettisoned the "real world" and devoted myself full time to hang gliding. Working at Wallaby Ranch has allowed me to promote hang gliding full time. Sharing the skies with pilots of every caliber has been a fantastic experience. As Regional Director, "down in the trenches" as it were, interacting daily with pilots and students, I am better able to "gauge the climate" of hang gliding, making me better able to represent and address the members' interests and needs, not to mention the daily public feedback. This sport has given me so much: two world distance records, a television documentary, mainstream periodical publicity, national and international respect and recognition, but most especially it has given me miles and miles of good friends, cherished friendships, sweet memories and invites from all over the world. And like most of you, flying is, and always will be, my passion. Thank you and have a very unstable day.

"Fly High Hang Gliding" that I started up in l 984. I have been your Regional Director for 13 years. At one point I was Vice President of USHGA for two terms under Gregg Lawless. Currently (and for the last six years) I am chairman of the Tandem Committee. I also chair the Financial Redistribution Committee, which is a very taxing endeavor. Quite frankly, I would continue to go to Board meetings even if not elected, simply to keep bad things from happening. I don't particularly like rules or bureaucracy, and often try to minimize the escalation of said evils. There are a number of other dedicated Directors whom I enjoy working with who are oflike mind (albeit with diverse opinions!) and I think we do a good job of dealing with real issues, while taking into consideration the long-term impact of our decisions on our sports. Occasionally we get transient individuals, (and Directors) attending the Board meetings with temporary, narrow-scope agendas, who quickly disappear, sometimes after doing damage. I enjoy the challenge of making certain that we don't make rash decisions or changes based on these kinds of individuals' input. These are exciting and critical times for our organization. There is a lot of good, new energy in the office staff. We have a number of very serious issues on the table right now, and I would like to continue to be a part of the evolution of our organization. Oh, and if you vote for me, I'll buy you a beer! 1111

Region 11 No election this year. For the 2002-03 winter season, Thermal

Paragliding will be carrying on the yearly tradition of

Region 12

Paul Voight (Incumbent) Hello region 12. Well, it's election time again, so I'll give you a brief pitch to win your vote. My name is Paul Voight. I'm a Master-rated hang glider pilot, an Advanced paraglider pilot, and an instructor in both. My fulltime profession is owning and managing my flight school and retail business called

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2002

winter getaway tours to the beautifUI, awe inspiring mountains and coastal regions of Ecuador. Opyortunities will abound, with time spent exploring the His;h Andes, flyin~ among some of the most beautiful peaks m South America. Spend time relaxing on the warm Ecuadorian coast: swimming, fishing, and flying miles of smooth coastal ridge sites! For pilots and non-J?ilots alike, we have a strong commitment to explormg the ground based beautyof this country, from hiking to mountain biking, touring ruins to river rafting, explonng jungles to visiting indigenous

markets full of crafts and textiles. Come fly South America!

~~~ ~~

www.thermaltracker.com 1920 North East D St Grants Pass, Oregon, 97526 phone 541.660.8839 thcrmaltrackcr@bigfoot.com

•iihih•

-Fi_ylr~g c_h~ -p~LrI1 p.ci~ Crns; THE EDUCATION OF A NEO PHYTE CROSS-COUNTRY PILOT by David M Salmon, photos by Pavel Seksi without additional expense, I came to realize that each tow into the air is precious. Many things may prevent you from getting another. The wind may change direction, causing a delay while you drive to another launch site and sec up. Even worse, the wind may come up too strong, preventing any more tows. You could have a modest flight and be retrieved quickly, but then go on a cross-country odyssey in the retrieval vehicle, looking for other downed pilots. Finally, there is always the possibility of DAY 8 AT PAMPA-CROSS equipment failure. There was wind in the camp in the mornThe experienced pilots often released ing, but by 10:00 AM it was reducing and at from tow quite soon if they encountered a 10: 15 we set out. Luis explained that there good thermal, confident they could use it were several roads and pipelines radiating co gee high. My policy, following Luis's away from the takeoff location. I understood from this that I could fly wherever the advice, was to wait until I had at least 300 meters AGL and then release in the next wind took me, but I interpreted Luis a bit thermal. coo liberally as lacer events would prove. On my second tow I released shortly I was early co launch, caught a thermal, after reaching 300 meters. I was in a disorand climbed co 650 meters AGL. I could ganized area of lift, not a wellnot find another thermal and formed elliptical thermal. I landed six km from the circled and circled, driftlaunch site, near a road ing downwind and with high-tension lines moving about, crying running along it. I to find a good core radioed my position of lift. As I neared and soon APedro the launch point I picked me up. We had co decide went down the road whether co leave the to find Manuel, who lift and make a beehad a nice eight-km line for the launch flight, one of his first site or cominue trying cross-country efforts. I to gain height. The st.akes mentioned to APedro in the decision were high. A that I would like another landing at the launch site would launch, and to my delight he most likely have soon resulted in another cook us back co the launch site before purtow, while staying with the thermal would suing the other pilots. require retrieval, with an accompanying Even though Pedro and I adopted the all-inclusive plan at Pampa-Cross, giving us delay and possibly not another cow. I found another area of lift and the the right co an unlimited number of cows

DAY 7 AT PAMPA-CROSS The wind was again too high. At Catriel it was forecast to be 34 kph with gusts to 53 kph at noon. By looking at the signs outside we could easily confirm the forecast. Since the weather was forecast to be good the next day, Pedro suggested we stay one more day and fly at Pampa-Cross rather than Mendoza. We changed our bus reservations accordingly.

decision was easy- stay with the thermal. Inspired by my observation of the experienced pilots, I patiently stayed with the marginal lift. When I lost a core I tried co stay in areas of reduced sink as I searched around for lift. I tried to think like a bird. Gradually I worked my way up to 1,100 meters AGL. Finally the lift was gone. I applied the speed bar and sec off at 45 degrees co the wind. There was a patchwork of roads and tracks below. Not understanding the Spanish chatter on the radio, I had no idea where the other pilots had gone, so I just searched for lift. Eventually I emerged from heavy sink, only about 200 meters AGL. I found some disorganized lift and tried co go up. I reported my position on the radio: "This is David. I am at uno cuacro kilometers." Due to my limited command of Spanish, we had agreed earlier that I would report kilometers from launch by giving the numerals in sequence ("uno cuacro kilometers" for 14 km, rather than "cacorce kilometers"). P A R AG LID ING

I dropped the radio and concentrated intently on undersranding tl1e lift and trying ro use it. Ir was ro no avail. I descended and landed in a rdatively clear parch of tl1c desert. The flight had lasted one hour and eight minutes, almost all of it in one confused area oflifr. I relaxed for a few seconds, called APedro to repon my position again, and got confirmation from him. Now several mistal<es occurred, most of them made by me, bur one crucial mistake by the retrieval crew. For some reason they did not believe I had gone far from launch, and they interpreted my distance Ii-om launch as 1.4 km rather than 14 km. Once you are on cl1e ground, radio contact is usually lost, even in me flat dcscrr. 1 compounded this problem by setting the radio squelch level too high. 1 should have carefully adjusted it for maximum sensitiviry without perpewal Stacie noise. I had done as well as possible in dropping me canopy into a relatively clear area, bur I still had a 15-minure task to extricate the glider from me bushes. I packed ir up

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carefully, ready for a long walk. The radio fell silent and I cook srock of my situation. I was magnificencly alone in a fearureless desert wim no way ro escape the sun. The temperature was hot at 33 degrees cencigrade, bur noc extreme. l had about 60 ounces of water and no food. Since I had noc known where me oilier pilors wenr I had nor followed chem. Since I had concenrrarcd so hard on getting high again, I had nor taken a good mental picture of the roads below while I was still in the air. Once on me ground I fow1d char what I had rhoughr to be roads were only tracks, nor passable by the four-wheel-drive retrieval van. Ir was up co me ro find a decent road. The Pampa-Cross ream has identified many locations in the desert and has logged GPS waypoincs along the roads and four-wheeler tracks. These waypoints had been loaded inco my GPS, but I was not sufficiently familiar wim the instrument to know char I could query it for the nearest waypoinc and chen set a course ro go to ic.

I knew how to set a course back to the launch point and I did that. Shouldering my pack I trudged along tracks going in mar general direction. I set a comfortable, sustainable pace and did nor stop. Whenever my chroar became unbearably dry I rook anomer mournful of water from my camelback without sropping. I was unconcerned about me silence of the radio, since I assumed the ocher pilots had gone on long flights and tl1at the retrieval van was chasing chem. After an hour of wall<ing I noticed a waypoint appearing on the GPS map, closer rhan the launch sire. I dropped my pack and adjusted che GPS to go to the waypoint. Two feet from my pack I saw the only living creature during the hil<e, a small tW'tle about 25 cm long. lt was undisturbed by my entry into its lonely world. I walked on toward the new destination, still looking for a decent road. I kept looking for me transmission line. Then, to my joy, far in che distance I spied a rower. After a two-hour hike, covering about

10 km, I suddenly heard a voice speaking in English loud and clear on the radio. It was Luis. He asked me for my distance and bearing from the waypoint I was heading to. Due to my unfamiliarity with the GPS I gave him the bearing of my heading rather than the bearing to the waypoint. Based on the information he asked me to turn right, but I was now close enough to the transmission line to see the wires, and I suspected that I might have given Luis the wrong bearing. I left the trail and headed straight for the transmission line. It was not hard to pick a trail through the sparse vegetation, but soon my socks were heavily coated with seeds from the desert plants. They quicldy penetrated to the skin, but now the transmission line was very close and I pressed on. I climbed the last fence and burst onto the road. In the distance I could see the red wagon. Standing in the middle of the road I reported my position and soon they picked me up. I had consumed all but a mouthful of my water. I

asked Luis if I could have an apple lying on the seat beside me in the van. It was delioous. Due to their mistake in interpreting my position as 1.4 km from the launch, rather than 14 km, the retrieval crew had spent a lot of fruitless time looking for me. They knew I had landed safely but were concerned that I was out of radio contact for two hours after that. Eager for another tow, I was dismayed to find the crew had long since packed up and gone home. I wanted to fly a demo glider, the Gradient Onyx. As we neared the base camp, Luis called the crew and arranged for me to be towed at the airport near Catriel. I got a couple of tows in smooth air to about 400 meters AGL. Compared with the Swing Arcus, the Onyx was fast and responsive and I decided to buy it. Pedro and I had dinner and took showers at the camp. We bade our flying friends farewell and caught the bus to Mendoza,

leaving at 10:20 PM. I had no difficulty sleeping.

SANTUARIO DE LA NATURALEZA I We caught the bus from Mendoza to Santiago. Since Vizcachas was closed, Pedro arranged for Juan, a local paraglider instructor, to drive us up to Santuario de la Naturaleza. We got there late, around 7:00 PM. Pedro has flown there many times before and he warned me that the lift at the site dies very suddenly. He took off, turned right, and scratched for lift on the ridge. My launch was bad. Not used to the responsiveness of the Gradient Onyx, I overcorrected when one side of the wing got high, and then overcorrected the other way, just like a beginner. The wing stabilized immediately once I was in flight. After a few turns along the ridge, finding very little lift, I landed in the bailout area just below launch. Instead of quicldy moving to the side of the small landing zone I watched Pedro, thinking he might be able PARAGLIDING

to stay up. Soon he approached for a landing, but I was in the way. He circled again and just reached the edge of the bailout zone. We packed up our gliders and walked down the path for 40 minutes. Juan was waiting for us in the pickup truck and he drove us back to the hotel. The three of us went out to a good seafood restaurant (Aqui Esta Coco) and had a very nice meal.

LAST FLIGHT IN SANTIAGO Pedro and I drove to Vizcachas, arriving at 3:30 PM just as the ground station opened. We were driven up the hill. The wind from passing thermals was strong and I had difficulty controlling my new glider on the gravel launch site. It was necessary to wait for a lull in the wind and take off quickly before it became too strong again. With invaluable help from Pedro I got the wing into position. I made several unsuccessful attempts to raise and control the wing but finally I got away. I soared along the ridge, taking advantage of thermals as they came through and waiting for Pedro to launch. Once you have gained 150 to 200 meters above launch you can transition over the valley to the next ridge. Encouraged by Pedro, I set off across the valley. I found lifr on the way until I was halfway across. From there on I sank rapidly and arrived low. At the new ridge I searched anxiously for lift and found little. Unfamiliar with the site, I went around the ridge too far where the wind hit the slope at an oblique angle. I continued to lose altitude. Now I had few options. There were trees below and all around. A high-voltage transmission line guarded the open fields below. I could just reach an area with some grass between the trees so I headed for it. As a landing field it left a lot to be desired - it sloped away, was strewn with big boulders, and trees surrounded the small areas of grass. The only things to recommend it were that I could reach it, and it was the only location with some grassy openings. I arrived low and did some steep turns to lose the last few meters of height and avoid the trees, then hit the ground fast and hard. I let my harness and back protector take the shock. Through a combination of luck and skill I at least avoided the trees and the boulders. The glider fell gently forward and the canopy and lines draped over a bush about three meters high. I radioed to

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Pedro that I was uninjured. He had watched the landing with interest. I freed myself from my long-suffering harness, got out my folding saw, and started to free my glider from the bush. I worked quickly because I was supposed to be back at the base of the hill ready to leave for the airport at 6:00 PM. Just as I finished packing the glider, a rescue team arrived and found me. Pedro, my guardian angel, had called the base station and requested help for me. The rescue team drove me back to the base where Pedro and I hurriedly packed our gear and cleaned up as best we could in preparation for the long journey home. There followed a rather exciting ride through the busy streets of Santiago. Pedro used all of his Latin America driving expertise as we hurried through the chaotic streets, warned other vehicles not to intrude into our path by liberal use of the horn, and strained to read the map and find elusive street signs. We reached the airport at 8:00 PM. I paned with Pedro and hurried to the United Airlines desk, hoping that arriving only two hours before my international flight would be satisfactory. Since there was no line, I was processed in about 10 minutes, and had an hour and 50 minutes to relax before my flight.

MINIMAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE PAMPA-CROSS As a pilot who had barely enough experience to take advantage of the PampaCross flying camp, I am probably as well qualified as anyone to identify the required skills. I have been flying for two years and have accumulated 70 hours in the air. I have a USHGA P3 rating. The Pampa-Cross is a camp for serious cross-country pilots who want to fly as much as possible. You need to have the best ground-handling skills you can achieve, otherwise you will either spend an interminable amount of time waiting for perfect wind, or foul up launches and spend a lot of time extracting your glider from the bushes. The other pilots, dreading the anticipated delay when it is your time to launch, will be motivated to jump ahead of you in the informal queue. You need to be fit. The schedule is grueling, especially if you manage to fly until 6:00 or 7:00 PM. By the time you have been retrieved and driven back to the camp, have organized your equipment for the

next day and have eaten a late dinner, there are only seven or eight hours left for sleep. Also, there is a possibility you will need to walk a few kilometers through the hot desert. Some thermaling skill is required. Without the ability to stay in lift you will have a lot of sled rides, which is a waste of time and money after traveling so far. You need to be unafraid of turbulent air. You need to have a variometer, a GPS unit, a two-meter radio, a dependable water supply, and a warm flight suit and gloves. You need to be familiar with the operation of all of your equipment. The GPS is not just useful for measuring the distance of your flights, it is an essential piece of safety equipment. Without it you will be lost almost immediately whenever you land away from a main road. If you have the basic skills and equipment, and are eager to fly, the PampaCross is a paradise. You are supported by an expert team that assesses the weather, makes informed judgments about the best places to fly, and takes you there. Then there is the experienced towing crew, usually with two vehicles. Also, there is a retrieval team that tracks the progress of all the pilots and finds you when you land. The team includes cooks who prepare good food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All you have to do is fly. In addition to the superb PampaCross team there is the major benefit that the camp attracts outstanding pilots. It is educational just to watch what they do. In my experience, once they get to know you, and realize you are serious about flying, they are generous with their advice.

CONCLUSION I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and am grateful to Luis Rosenkjer, Alex Pachoki and the entire Pampa-Cross team for their dedication to flying, their friendship and competence. What a delightful team of people. I wish I had sufficient command of Spanish to share in all of the fun they generated. The area has big flying potential. Last year Luis flew 262 kilometers, several pilots went over 150 km, and many broke the 100-km barrier. I am grateful to Pedro for telling me about the opportunity, and for being a wonderful guide, protector and companion. I cannot wait to go back to the desert for a longer period of rime next year. rl

San Antonio Del PARAGLIDING NIRVANA IN BAJA, CALIFORNIA article andphotos by Rich Parry

This article describes a three-day paragliding trip to San Antonio Del Mar, located 150 miles south of the border in Baja, California. Pilots of all skill levels from the Torrey Pines Gliderport in San Diego, California joined the fun. Everyone had a great time flying along the 14-mile ridge that hugs the Pacific Ocean and provides some ofthe best flying anywhere.

INTRODUCTION When David Jebb, rhe Director of che Torrey Pines Gliderport in San Diego, California, announced rhar he was organizing a trip to San Antonio Del Mar in Baja, California, I knew I had co go. My enrhusiasm came from attending rhe eighrh annual Baja Thermal Clinic last October (see Paragliding magazine, December 2001). The clinic included three days of great flying, instruction and camaraderie. A possible showscopper for the trip was my lack of camping equipment, which is a must since San Antonio Del Mar is in the middle of nowhere. Preparing for che trip was going to be similar to going co the moon. I didn't need a space suit, buc I would need everything else. I would need a rent, lantern, and just abom everything else char Eddie Ba..ier offers. Being a typical male, 1 wasn't going ro cell the clerk char I knew nothing about can1ping. I was born and raised in New York C ity, che Bronx ro be exact, and never camped in my life. I wasn't going to lee it be known I was a city slicker. My idea of "roughing it" is staying at a five-star dude ranch. I needed a reason for my lack of equipment. Ir took a while, but I developed what I thought was a plausible scenario. I walked into the exclusive adventure store and cried hard to look like I belonged. A bearded salesman rhac resembled a lum-

berjack asked if I needed help. I informed che young man that I was a direct descendent of Sir Edmund Hillary, famous for being the first co summit Everest wirh Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. He looked ac me wirh interest and awe. So far, so good, 1 thought co myself I continued my canard. K2 was brutal I explained. While climbing ir, I had lose all of my equipment in a three-week blizzard char nearly took my life. He was hooked by my story of man versus nature. In face, I scarred believing it myself 1 stared char after a break in the weather I headed down che mountain and stumbled inco base camp more dead rhan alive. I spent the following six monchs in a Tibetan monastery dinging ro life. During my recovery l was assumed to be beyond hope several times, bur somehow I had survived and was prepared ro face the elements once again. I cold him that National Geographic had hired me co explore the coasc of Baja, California in search of the ultimate paragliding site. I ended my story by asking if he could outfit me for che expedition. A few hours later I walked our of che score with che equipment I needed and scarred growing a beard in preparation for my adventure. There was just one or.her item chat might prevent my departure for che trip. Ir conflicted wich my wife's birchday, and I didn't

wane co miss celebrating rhe daywich her. I am prerry lucky, however; my wife is also a pilot and I managed to convince her char the trip was her birthday present. GETTING THERE San Antonio Del Mar is located at lacicude N 31 05.63 and longicude W 116 18.74. Ir is not a place you will find easily on a roadmap. For rhis reason we agreed to meet at rhe Torrey Pines Gliderporc and caravan down. There were five vehicles that made che trip Friday morning. Some pilots who had visited San Antonio Del Mar on previous trips and knew where it was located left the night before ro get a head start on the weekend. P A R AG LIDI NG

A cursory examination ofthis image would lead one to think that the piwt, DavidJebb, just landed on the beach. Actual9~ he started on the beach and is shown here kiting up a small incline in preparation for launch. Believe it or not, you can actually launch from sea level. missed the exit. Even if you see it, you will find yourself on a 10-mile dirt road murmuring co yourself, "I muse have made a mistake." The only indication char there might be flyable conditions were vertically shaped clouds in the distance. There was no other sign that we were heading in the right direction. As I looked around, I was reminded of the years I spent in Illinois where you can roll a marble in any direction for miles. The dust rose as our caravan ventured down the dirt scrip. A left turn at the fork in the road, followed by maneuvering around a few curves, and we were overlooking the Pacific Coast at San Antonio Del Mar, paragliding nirvana!

As we reached the border we dreaded being stopped and asked to unpack our paragliding equipment. I must admit, if I were a border guard I might enjoy seeing our motley crew opening wings in search of illegal contraband. Fortunately, the border guards were not so childish and waved us through. In Tijuana we took Rome 1 south and didn't stop until we entered Ensenada an hour lacer. Ensenada is a large town where we picked up last-minute necessities. A few minures lacer we were back on the road. Next stop: San Amonio Del Mar. If you miss the small sign at the side of the main highway you might travel to the end of the peninsula before realizing you

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2002

WHAT DO THEY DO HERE? Have you ever traveled by car from Dallas to Denver, or San Diego to Albuquerque, and wondered to yourself, "What do they do here?" as you pass through a town with a population of 100? That is exactly what I said to myself as we curned off the main highway and headed down the dirt road leading to San Antonio Del Mar. I also wondered, "How did anyone ever find this place?" I didn't gee an answer to my first question, but I did to the second. I asked David, our expedition leader, bow he learned of chis secluded jewel. He replied that in the early 1980's he had met a hang glider pilot at a local flying club. The pilot cold him of this pristine flying location south of the border where you could fly for hours along a ridge that extended as far as you can see. It wasn't long after that, that David headed south to confirm chis potentially mythical sire. The site lived up to expectations. In fact, he cells che story of a three and a half hour flight in which he came across migrating gray whales, which are common in these waters. Gray whales annually give birth during the winter in the warm waters of the San Ignacio Lagoon. When the newborn calves have sufficient strength and weight, they travel north along the Pacific coast to Alaska to feed in the nutrient-rich waters during the summer. A pod of whales

was heading north when they came upon our intrepid paraglider pilot and interrupted their journey co watch the curious sight. I pondered the veracity of the story, bur later char day I saw a water spout off shore several times, a sure sign of a whale. LET'S FLY Total travel rime from the Torrey Pines Gliderport in San Diego was slightly over four hours for the 170-mile trip. We arrived just after noon. Within one hour most everyone had his or her cent set up and waiced for a volunteer wind dummy. Weather conditions were on the windy side, 20 co 25 mph. David was firsc co spread our his wing and rest che air. He is a mascer pilot who could fly in a hurricane.

This is the result ofa cwse encounter with a nesting hawk. You can easily put your fist through the hole in the canopy. So, just because he chinks conditions are good for flying doesn't mean mere morcals can fly. Nevertheless, a little parawaicing and most everyone was in the air. We would soon learn char the high wind speed was nor the problem, bm the direction. In fact, the following day I would learn why the speed bar was invented. At sunset everyone returned to the LZ and enjoyed dinner arotmd the campfue followed by a birthday cake for dessert (remember, ic was my wife's birchday). Afterwards, we spent a few hours swapping stories, looking at planers through my wife's celescope, and then ic was off to bed.

I had heard stories about difficulty penetrating, but this was my first experience. I actually stood still in midair. It was an odd sensation to look down and see a point remain stationary relative to my position for several minutes.

The campsite is located about 200 feet from the ocean, so as I lay down and waited for sleep to come, I listened to the Pacific Ocean's soothing white noise and started dreaming of the following day's flights.

DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT The next morning I awoke not to the peaceful sound of ocean waves, but to the cacophony of a dirt bike running through the campsite. One of our sophomoric expedition members thought the sound of a motorcycle racing through camp would be a humorous wakeup call. It wasn't. I, and most other pilots, vowed that his bike would have an accidental flat tire the following morning. After breakfast most pilots chatted at the campsite, waiting for the wind to pick up. David and I took the opportunity to explore the beach on dirt bikes. AB we traveled side by side along the 14-mile beach I was reminded of the motorcycle scene in Easy Rider with Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper traveling down a country road. Although our sojourn along the beach had nothing to do with paragliding directly, I couldn't help but think that one of the fringe benefits of paragliding is the opportunities it provides to go places and do things one would be unlikely to do or experience in any other sport.

It was late morning when pilots started unpacking their paragliders. One by one, pilots took to the air and started to disperse along the ridge. Wind speed conditions were good, about 10-12 mph, but the wind direction was still cross, making penetration against the wind difficult. I suspect many readers would be surprised to find that I didn't have my speed system attached to my harness. In retrospect, I agree. Ifowever, most of my flying is in tame air, making a speed bar of limited use. When I find turbulent conditions I practice parawaiting. I would soon find a

flaw in my reasoning. The speed bar is an important part of a paraglider because you really don't know when you will need it. Even in calm air you don't know when conditions will change. I say this with 100% hindsight. I learned my lesson soon after launch and an exhilarating flight down the ridge. It was at this point that I turned and learned what it meant to be unable to penetrate. I had heard stories about difficulty penetrating, but this was my first experience. I actually stood still in midair. It was an odd sensation to look down and see a

PARAGLIDING

This is a small portion ofthe 14-mile ridge. Several pilots easily flew the entire length and back. The motorcycle tracks are from our trip down the beach, during which we never encountered a single person. ffyou want to get away, this is the place.

Sunset at San Antonio Del Mar overlooking the Pacific Ocean. point remain stationary relative to my position for several minutes. It soon became clear that I wasn't going anywhere, so after eating a little humble pie I descended to start a mile-long walk back to the LZ. I later learned that I was not alone; even pilots who had speed bars succumbed to the crosswind.

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2002

HAWKS 1, PARAGLIDERS 0 While I was walking back to the LZ I could see nearly a dozen of my fellow pilots high in the air. At least two of them took off down the 14-mile ridge. Near the ridge's end they met with nesting hawks. Hawks are territorial and protective of their turf, and nesting hawks are particularly aggressive when protecting their young. One of the paragliders was virtually brand new; it had two hours of airtime on it when a hawk attacked. A maneuver to avoid a collision with the hawk failed, and his talons grabbed the canopy and made a fist-size hole. The hawk continued the attack and headed for the second pilot. He was a little luckier. A quick bigear tuck of the canopy and the hawk missed. Both pilots made haste and headed back to the LZ, thankful that they had lived to tell the tale.

CONCLUSION The morning of our last day, a man claiming to be the owner of the property where we were staying requested a $10 camping fee from each car. He didn't have any documentation proving he was the owner, but no one was prepared to argue the issue and we all gladly paid the small fee for three days of camping.

San Antonio Del Mar doesn't provide much in the way of amenities, but that is not why we went. We went to fly and that was provided in abundance. Despite the rural setting, there was never a shortage of food, camaraderie or flying. The trip to San Antonio Del Mar is an event that occurs each year, so come join us! Special thanks go ro all the pilots who joined us, and to my wife who introduced me to paragliding. She will always be the wind beneath my wing.

RESOURCES http://w9if.net/ cgi-bin/ImageFolioPro/ imageFolio.cgi?direct~Paragliding San Antonio - Del Mar trip photos. http://www.wsradio.ws -- The Paragliding Talk Show heard weekly on Internet radio. Get answers to your paragliding questions and talk with the pros. http:/ /www.flytorrey.com Torrey Pines Gliderport.

Home page of

aircal@ix.netcom.com - Torrey Pines Gliderport e-mail address. Send e-mail to get information on future trips. Ill

By Linda Frostenson Photos by Chuck Smith (Fly Sun Val/,ey) and Bobi Frostenson

n Sarurclay, June 15, which happened to be his own 70th wedding anniversary, Bob Froscenson was best man at his grandson's wedding. On Sunday, which happened to be Father's Day, he drove co the cop ofSun Valley's Bald Mountain. There, galvanized by rhe support of 15 watching children, grandchildren (even those newlyweds), and friends, he made a paragliding flight out over the Wood River Valley, soaring for 20 minutes. Ir was a bit more active than his usual weekend schedule, bur even so, ar 92 years of age, Bob doesn't intend co slow down any rime soon. The germ of this particular idea began to grow lase summer when he was watching his grandsons, Andy and Jamon Frosrenson, fly their hang gliders from the top of a local hill. He turned to Andy's wife, Bobi Jo, and exclaimed, "Doesn't that look like fun? I wish they had invented those things 60 years ago!" Bob had done his share of flying in earlier years. During World War II, che airport in Gooding, Idaho initiated a flying school co reach young men and women co fly and serve as "spotters" in the Pacific Arena. At char rin1e Bob was a busy young farmer with a wife and three children, bur he had always wanred to fly and help in the war cfforc, so he signed up. As many as 20 student pilots from Camas Prairie traveled to Gooding co uain in their free rime, and consequently formed the Canlas Aero Club. Through rhe Club's efforcs, the Camas County airport, where Bob kept the Piper J5 twosearer plane he bought in 1945 for $700, was built. When the war was over he flew his plane for another 15 years, mosdy on pleasure trips. He never lose his love of flying. Now, in his 90's, he continues co farm wirh his son Jack on

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Camas Prairie, a high mountain valley in south central Idaho. The farm raises primarily organic alfalfa hay. Bob likes nothing better than to climb aboard his tractor and "get to work," all within a mile of the land his Swedish father homesteaded 100 years ago. After Bob's comment about hang gliding, it didn't take Bobi Jo long to talk to another grandchild, Jill Frostenson-Kester, about "Gramp's" interest. The two of them decided that it was a great idea for him to fly- after all, tandem paragliding flights were available - and Bobi Jo !mew that one of the very best paragliding schools was located just 50 miles from Fairfield. Fly Sun Valley in Ketchum, Idaho, under the direction of pilot Chuck Smith, offered a complete paragliding service. Chuck has not only been paragliding for 15 years but has more than 3,000 tandem flights under his belt, and he co-owned and operated a flight business and school in Aspen Colorado for 10 years. With four, fulltime, experienced tandem pilots, Fly Sun Valley has been offering year-round tandem instructional flights in the Wood River Valley for two years now. Services also include more advanced flight instruction and clinics. But Chuck, whose experience includes international paragliding competitions, has never forgotten the thrill of his own first flight off the sand dunes of Cape Cod. He just loves the flying, and sharing in that first-flight feeling of wonderment that never goes away. Before Bob Frostenson, Chuck's oldest tandem flier was an 86-year-old grandmother. Chuck's enthusiasm and careful attention to detail has paid off. He has had no accidents during those 3,000 tandem flights. After Bob was given the flight as a birthday gift on his 92na birthday in December, he couldn't wait to try it. But Chuck pru-

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dently postponed the flight on the chosen day because the winds were acceptable but not perfect. Finally, the mid-June day was picked because of the number of family members coming for the wedding, and the weather cooperated. The day was as beautiful as June days are meant to be. A light breeze was blowing up the slope and at 8:00 AM. Bob, with pilot Chuck, made his way to the mountaintop on a narrow access road. Assisting at the top of Baldy was the Mayor of Ketchum, Ed Simon, who is an experienced paraglider pilot, and paraglider pilots Nate Scales and Wolfe Riehle, owner of Bigwood Bread, a sponsor of a Fly Sun Valley tandem glider. Grandson Andy Frostenson, a hang glider pilot, was allowed to help and photograph his grandfather Bob's launch. Two other Fly Sun Valley pilots were there and made flights before Bob's, checking out the winds, testing the landing conditions, and making themselves available in the landing zone at the base of River Run where Chuck and Bob would land. For just a while the wind seemed too calm, but the reports from the previous flights were good and the breezes soon returned. Chuck made the decision to go. With Ed Simon holding the glider's leading edge, and just a few large downhill steps, Chuck and Bob were airborne. When the large, red and white paraglider emblazoned with the Bigwood Bread logo began to rise above the mountain rim into view of those watching, a cheer went up

3,300 feet below. The flight went perfectly and Bob, with Chuck's encouragement, tried his hand at flying the glider. As they set up for the landing, his family could clearly see an enormous grin on Bob's face. After a gentle touchdown he was given his student pilot membership card in the United States Hang Gliding Association. On hand for the event were sons Ted and wife Marian Frostenson of Bend, Oregon, and Jack and wife Linda Frostenson of Fairfield, Idaho. Grandchildren included Jill and Charlie Kester of Shoreline, Washington, Arie and great-grandson Andrew Frostenson of Picabo, Idaho, Anders and Bobi Jo Frostenson of Fairfield, Robb and Kate Kramer ofTucson, Arizona, Joanna Kramer of Ketchum, Idaho, and friends Rod and Sally Pridmore of Fairfield. When asked how he felt, Bob commented that it was just like being a bird; it was a marvelous thing to be flying the glider surrounded by nothing but the sky. He hadn't enjoyed anything so much in a long time, and figured he would do it every day ifhe could! But in the meantime he had to get to work. There was some haying to finish. 1111

The USHGA Paraglider Towing Program by Alan Chuculate, USHGA Biwingual Tow Supervisor

his article explains the recent changes to the USHGA Paraglider Towing designations. The USHGA Towing Committee wants to encourage the paragliding membership to tow-launch safely and seek out appropriate training, ratings and appointments. There are five different USH GA paragliding towing designations you can earn. 1) ST (formerly TOW and TL): Surface Tow. A tow-launch designation for pilots as distinguished from FL (Foot Launch or free-flight launching).

2) TECH: A paragliding Special Skill for people qualified to tow-launch paraglider pilots. 3) TST: Tandem Surface Tow. Towlaunch tandem pilot rating as distinguished from TFL (Tandem Foot Launch). Note: This rating can only be issued by a Tow Administrator who is also a Tandem Administrator. 4) TOW ADMIN (1ow Administrator): An appointment to issue the ST and TECH designations. 5) TOW SUP (Tow Supervisor): An appointment by the Towing Committee to appoint TOW ADMIN's.

The paragliding towing designations appear on rating cards so pilots and TECH's can each confirm that the other person has the minimum skill level to safely operate at their respective end of the towline. These are comparable to matching pilot ratings to site ratings. Table 1 outlines the USHGA paragliding and hang gliding Towing Designations.

Pilot Ratings and Launch Designations • ST (TST for tandem): Surface Tow by static line or by stationary winch. • PL (TPL for tandem): Platform Launch by payout reel from a moving vehicle such as a boat or a truck. • AT (TAT for tandem): Aero Tow by a towplane (tug).

Hardware • PR (Payout Reel): A towing system that feeds line to the pilot as the machine and the tow vehicle move (the towline lengthens as the tow proceeds). • SW (Stationary Winch): A towing system that draws line into a stationary machine. (The towline shortens as the tow proceeds. These machines can also pay out line.) • SL (Static Line): A towing system that uses a fixed length of line attached to a

moving vehicle (the towline length remains constant as the tow proceeds).

Notes • Neither a paragliding TECH nor a hang gliding TOW AD MIN needs to be a pilot or have a pilot rating, although this is recommended. • A paragliding TOW ADMIN needs to be a Basic or Advanced Instructor, but a hang gliding TOW ADMIN does not, although this is recommended. • There is no USHGA-approved program for paraglider tow-launching by aerotow, so the AT Special Skill is not available for paragliding. • Similarly, there is no USHGA-approved program for paraglider tow-launching from a moving vehicle, so the PL Special Skill is not available for paragliding. • From the pilot's perspective there is no skill difference between tow-launching a paraglider using a payout reel and using a stationary winch or static line, so towlaunching a paraglider using a payout reel is included in the ST (Surface Tow) rating. • From the TECH's perspective there is no judgment difference when it comes to towing a paraglider, no matter which of the three types of surface-tow systems (payout reel, static line or stationary winch) is being used, so there is no distinction in the TECH Special Skill for the different systems. Paraglider pilots must be cautious when being tow-launched by a hang gliding tow-system operator, because there is a difference in judgment required for towing a hang glider versus towing a paraglider. Incidents and injuries have occurred because hang gliding tow system operators towed paraglider pilots as though they were hang glider pilots. To acquire your paragliding tow ratings, Special Skills and appointments, refer to the list ofUSHGA Administrators at http://www.ushga.org/administrators_tabl e.asp to locate and contact those individuals in your area. Ill

Table I - USHGA Hang Gliding and Paragliding Towing Designations

PARAGLIDING

here appears to be no typical paragliding accident. Nearly all reported incidents could be termed "freak occurrences," but each one still offers a lesson for other pilots. The only thing these incident reports have in common is that there is seldom a single identifiable cause, but a series of events and decisions preceding the injury, and all injuries result from impact with the ground or a fixed object.

MOUNTAIN SITE - LIGH1: LATEDAY CONDITIONS This was an advanced pilot with 25 years of experience flying hang gliders and three years of experience flying paragliders. Conditions were light and several pilots were sinking out into the LZ. The pilot had been turning 360's approaching the LZ. His final turn took him over a creek where he encountered sink. He realized that he was not going to make it over the trees into the LZ and decided to land in the trees. Upon entering the trees, he braked hard to slow the glider, then reached out to grab a tree. After the pilot hit the tree, the wing overflew him. The jerk was strong enough to avulse the treetop, and the pilot experienced a 20-foot fall to the ground. The impact dislocated and broke his right ankle in two places, and completely crushed his first lumbar vertebrae. He also smashed his left toe. Pilots were immediately by his side, trying to keep him from moving. So many things went wrong leading up to the crash, but a few went right and the pilot is expected to make a full recovery. Turning too low and misjudging the final turn are the most obvious issues, but as in many accidents there were several contributing causes. The trees near the LZ had grown considerably, contributing to the difficulty of judging the approach. The pilot received an LZ wind report during his final approach that he found distracting. Landing requires focus, and much like launching, distracting talk can be a problem. Upon entering the trees he began a strong landing flare but didn't stall the wing completely, so the wing continued to fly. Finally, the boots he was wearing provided minimal protection. COASTAL RIDGE LIFT AEROBATICS AND ALCOHOL This crash was unusual in that it involved an intoxicated pilot. A pilot who had

reportedly been drinking all day was performing steep wingovers about 150 feet above a beach with only 50 feet of clearance with the ridge. The wingovers were not executed properly and the pilot stalled the glider, reportedly falling into the wing and impacting the ground 75 feet below. His injuries included compound fractures of both legs, severe bleeding, facial lacerations, broken ribs and difficulty breathing. Later testing confirmed he has intoxicated. It is illegal to fly while intoxicated. Alcohol affects performance in many ways, and we do not perceive our own impairment. Judgment is hampered, reflexes are slowed, and decision-making becomes imprecise. Danger escalates dramatically. As a group, pilots do not fly while intoxicated. To protect our friends we need to develop zero tolerance for this behavior. While this accident involved alcohol, there have been many other accidents, and some fatalities, involving poorly executed wingovers close to the ground. Wingovers are aerobatic maneuvers, that if performed improperly can result in stalls and spins. Like all aerobatic maneuvers, wingovers should be learned with professional instruction and never performed low over the dirt.

MOUNTAIN CANYON SITE MIDDAY A very experienced pilot accompanied by two beginning pilots was checking out a new site that the more experienced pilot had recently pioneered. The pilots noted some strong, gusty winds in the trees during the hike up, and substantial cloud development in the distance. The least-experienced pilot requested that he fly first so he could get help from the more experienced pilot with a difficult launch site. The wind was variably cross at 13 to 18 mph, and was reportedly becoming more cross. The new pilot launched in a lull and flew out over the canyon where he appeared to stop in a strong valley wind crossing in front of

launch. The pilot began to lose altitude and was unable to penetrate toward the LZ. He experienced a 40% right asymmetric fold, recovered, and experienced a front fold. With about 500 feet of clearance remaining, his wing appeared to completely deflate, possibly in a full stall. He fell out of sight before the wing reinflated. The victim was able to blow on a whistle and a nearby hiker located him some 300 yards from the nearest trail. One of the pilots hiked down while the other stayed on top to provide communication. Rescue crews extracted the injured pilot who remained conscious throughout the entire ordeal. He had completely shattered a vertebrae resulting in a 95% occlusion of the spinal canal and damage to his liver and spleen. After 10 hours of surgery his prognosis was guardedly optimistic. New sites and mountain sites involve additional risks compared with well-established, more open sites. Strong valley winds, not evident on launch, are one of these risks. The behavior of his D HV-1 wing would appear to indicate that he also encountered severe mechanical turbulence. He had not deployed his reserve, which may have been an option. A more experienced pilot may have handled the situation better, and the least-experienced pilot should have been encouraged not to fly first. All new sites need to be approached with great caution. It is not a good idea to fly them in marginally strong conditions. As summer progresses, the number and severity of injuries increases, but the lessons to be shared with your fellow pilots are equally valuable, regardless of the severity of the injuries. The pilot in the second incident described above mentioned how valuable the annual paragliding accident reports have been to his understanding of safety. Please, if you experience an episode, please follow his example and report it. Ill

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0 CT OBER 2002

PARAGLIDING ADVISORY: Used paragliders should always be thoroughly inspected before flying for the first time. If in doubt, many paragliding businesses will be happy to give an objective opinion on the condition of equipment you bring them to inspect. Annual inspections on paragliders should include sailcloth strength tests. Simply performing a porosity check isn't sufficient. Some gliders pass porosity yet have very weak sailcloth. You don't want your glider simply falling apart, especially with you dangling underneath. BUYERS SHOULD SELECT EQUIPMENT THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR SKILL LEVEL OR RATING. NEW PILOTS SHOULD SEEK PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION FROM A USHGA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR. PARAGLIDERS APCO ALLEGRA -- 2001, AFNOR 1-2, 85-105kg., all up weight $1,500. Windtech Perfect Profile harness $350, 2 certified parachutes (L) $400 ea., Edel Galaxy Tandem $800. Airwave Jive (5)$600. ProDesign Profeel35 (L) $800. All lightly used. Steve Amy (847) 359-8767 paratrek@yahoo.com

Can't afford new equipment? Find great bargains in our classified ad department.

SPERWILL RAKET 120-R2 - One of the lightest powered paragliders available today. Tuned Racine Ral,et 120 Aero engine, electric start, 3 blade carbon fiber propeller, high carbon steel frame and custom designed harness. Packages available, POWER ONLY: $3,900 (motor, harness & communications helmet) or COMPLETE RTF: $6,500 (motor, harness wing, reserve & communications helmet). Call (860) 989-8401 or visit www.sperwill-usa.com

Achim Hagemann tofly@exdte.com

EMERGENCY PARACHUTES

PARAMOTOR FRESH BREEZE - Demo $3,800. Airwave Duplex Tandem $1,600. Independence Radical M $1,950. Independence Dragon S $1,950. Silex M, DHV 1 $1,300. Arcus S, blue, low hours $1,200. Edel Adas S, like new $1,295. Firebird Ignition M, low hours $1,200. www.aircotec.net!flyhawaii.htm MAC PARA PASHA TANDEM - Crispy new, only 9 hours, w/harnesses $1,700. (403) 284-5626, escapeup@shaw.ca

AUTHORIZED CHUTE REPAIR - And service center for APCO, Elan, Chiron powered parachutes and UP/Perche/Independence paragliders and more! We have a full-time Ioli: available with quick turn around for small to huge repairs and annual inspections. Ship your chute to Mo]o's Gear Ltd. Co., 1475 CR 220, Tow, TX 78672 Attn: REPAIR or INSPECTION. Include a note about the service(s) you require as well as a contact phone number and email. We will contact you with an estimate prior to starting the work. Office: 915-3791567, www.mojosgear.com

PRO DESIGN CARRIER - Tandem, 2001, good condition, purple top/white bottom $1,900. (808) 5737566, paulflymaui@yahoo.com POWERED PARAGLIDERS BACKPLANE SS -- 2001, excellent condition, wood prop, electric start, small harness, small Ranger canopy, 120-150lb pilot weight, <30 hours $5,000 OBO. (415) 431-4731.

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

r------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, USHGA CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ORDER FORM 50 cents per word, $5.00 minimum Boldface or caps: $1.00 per word. (Does not include first few words which are automatically caps.) Special layouts or tabs: $25 per column inch. (phone numbers: 2 words, P.O. Box: 1 word, E-mail or Web address: 3 words) photos: $25.00, line art logos: $15.00 (1.75" maximum) DEADLINE: 20th of the month, 10 weeks before the cover date of the issue in which you want your ad to appear (i.e., September 20 for the Nov. issue). Prepayment required unless account established. No cancellations or refunds allowed on any advertising after deadline. Ad insertions FAXed or made by telephone must be charged to a credit card. Please enter my classified ad as follows:

Number of months: ___________ SECTION D Paragliders D Emergency Parachutes D Parts & Accessories D Business & Employment D Miscellaneous D Powered Paragliders DVideos

D Towing D Schools & Dealers D Ultralights D Publications & Organizations D Wanted D Harnesses

Begin with ________ 2002 issue and run for _ _ _ __ consecutive issue(s). My D check, D money order is enclosed in the amount of$ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ NAME: ___ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ADDRESS: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ CITY: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ STATE:

- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -

Number of words: _ _ __ Number of words: _____

@$.50 =-----@$1.00 = _

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------J 38

PARAGLIDING

I am originally from Texas, but one day while driving through Issaquah, Washington, I looked up and saw these brightly colored paragliders soaring in the breeze. I pulled over and just sat and watched for a while, and as one glider landed I approached the pilot to learn more about this exciting sport. On my next trip to Issaquah I brought my camera, followed some of the pilots co the top ofTiger Mountain, and watched and photographed all that they did. Paragliding is a captivating sport from setup co landing it is interesting and thrilling. To watch as the gliders climb higher and higher, and co imagine how far they will fly before landing is stunning. A trip co Lake Chelan, Washington was even better, and there were hang gliders as well as paragliders there. I met some of the cop pilots in the world during that visit, and the view from atop Chelan Butte was spectacular. Once a glider launches you can watch it fly and fly forever up on that Butte. This sire has a reputation as one of the best places in the world for the spore, and it's easy to see why. I starred photographing paragliding and hang gliding back in 2000 because ic was fascinating, and it still is. Before moving co Washington in 1988 I had been living in Tennessee, and one of the last things I did before leaving that area was to go to a park in Georgia chat specializes in extreme spores. One of those extreme sports is hang gliding, and I had co find out for myself about che thrill of flying from a mountain. Although chis has been my only experience thus far, I still remember the chrill, and hope co "hang in the air" again one day soon. Until chat day I'm content co photograph che sport I find so thrilling. •

SCHOOLS & DEALERS ARIZONA DIXON'S AIRPLAY PARAGLIDING - Dixon White: USHGA's Instructor of the Year! Airplay: Top ranked school for years and featured in the best selling videos "Starting Paragliding", "Weather to Fly" and the "Art of Kiting". The perfect beginner training areas at both our Washington and Arizona locations. Arizona's "best" beginner season is September through May. Washington is open May through September. At both locations drive-up to 360 degree treeless and rockless launches. Land in wide open fields, enjoy many flights each day! Limited access to the Flight Parks reduce traffic and crowding. Excellent individualized instruction with state-of-the-art lesson plans and equipment. Comprehensive ground schooling with an emphasis on micrometeorology. Great new/used inventory, specializing in Windtech paragliding gear, repair center, and superb customer service. In ARIZONA or WASHINGTON appointments are required. PO Box 2626 Flagstaff, AZ 86003. (928) 526-4579 www.paraglide.com or dixon@paraglide.com ------ --------

CALIFORNIA AIRJUNKIES PARAGLIDING -- Join KEN BAIER for your "Pursuit of Paragliding Excellence" in the land of year-round, excellent paragliding: Southern California and the Baja. Courses for Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Instructor ratings. Powered paragliding, soaring and maneuvers clinics, guided tours, tandem and towing instruction and special events. USHGA certified. Handling the latest equipment. Call (760) 753-2664 for information, airjunkies@worldnet.att.net

EAGLE PARAGLIDING - We are an Airplay sister school, and teach the same high quality program which has made Dixon's Airplay a top ranked school for years. We specialize in beginner instruction. SANTA BARBARA caters to paraglider pilots of all levels. Our training hill is unparalleled, and offers year round instruction, equipment sales, SERVICE, and support. By appointment only. www.FlySantaBarbara.com (805) 968-0980.

Sell your unused equipment here. OCTOBER

2002

FLY ABOVE ALL - Experience year-round paragliding instruction in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA! Our friendly, experienced staff offers hands-on, personalized, radio-controlled lessons. Enjoy soaring the best training hill in the Western US and when you land, shuttles will whisk you back to the top for your next scenic flight. USHGA certified, solo, tandem and powered paragliding instruction, equipment sales and tandem flights. Visit our Website at www.flyaboveall.com or call at (805) 965-3733.

PROFLYGHT PARAGLIDING - Imagine a 1000' foot training hill with nothing but grass between the launches and landing zone. Imagine a paved road that would offer easy access to multiple launches. Imagine that road continuing up to a launch at 6,500' AGL. Imagine telling your spouse that the next flying trip will be to Maui. (SNAP!) Now wake up and make your dreams a reality. Join Dexter Clearwater and his team at Proflyght Paragliding for an experience of a lifetime. Never flown before? Spend two weeks in paradise and go home with your rating. We offer complete instruction from beginner to advanced. Call (808) 874-5433 for information

check

out

WWW.PARAGLIDEHAWAII.COM

OJAI PARAGLIDING - Ojai is Soud1ern California's best kept secret. Year-round, great soaring in this beautiful valley surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest. Near Santa Barbara and Ventura. Great cross-country possibilities. Courses for beginner to advanced pilots. Motorized paragliding, guided tour and tandems. New and used equipment, 12 years in the business! Tel# (805) 646-9660, info@flyojai.com, www.flyojai.com

TORREY PINES GLIDERPORT - Come soar in San Diego! This family owned and operated flying site offers: USHGA certified instruction, equipment sales, tandem flight instruction, paramotor instruction, parachute repacks, repairs, and site tours. We also have an extensive pg/hg outfitting shop and dining with a view when you cat at our own Cliffhanger Cafe. Importers for: ADVANCE, PARATECH, and INDEPENDENCE paragliders; and dealers for most other brands. Accessories include: Center of Gravity clothing, gloves, UV stuff sacks, and helmets; Crispi boots; AustriAlpin Carabiners; Fly Mike flight suits and helmets; and GutStuff gloves. Check us out online for sales and information at: www.flytorrey.com and email us with your questions at info@flytorrey.com, or call toll-free at l877-FLY-TEAM. Also, you can rune in to the only Internet Paragliding Talk Show every Monday, from 9:00-11:00 am (PST) at www.wsradio.com.

TRAVERSE CITY HANG GLIDERS/PARAGUDERS - Put your knees in our breeze and soar our 450' sand dunes. FULL-TIME SHOP. Certified instruction, beginner to advanced, foot launch and row. Sales, service, accessories for ALL major brands. VISA/MASTERCARD. 1509 E 8th, Traverse City MI 49684. Offering POWERED PARAGLIDING. Call Bill at (231) 922-2844, tchangglider@chartermi.net. Visit our paragliding school in Jackson, Wyoming. Call Tracie at (30:;) '/39-8620.

MONTANA

WYOMING

FOR ALL YOUR FLYING NEEDS - Check out the Aviation Depot at www.mojosgear.com featuring over 1000 items for foodaunched and powered paragliding, hang gliding, stunt and power kiting, and powered parachutes. 24/7 secure online shopping. Books, videos, KITES, gifts, engine parts, harness accessories, electronics, clothing, safety equipment, complete powered paragliding units with training from Hill Country Paragliding Inc. www.hillcountryparagliding.com 800664-1160 for orders only. Office (915) 379-1567.

HIGH PLAINS PARAGLIDING - Superior quality paragliding equipment, excellent prices, and friendly service. On the web at: http://hometown.aol.com/hiplainz or phone (406) 458-8636. NEVADA ADVENTURE SPORTS - Carson City, Sierra tours, tandems, sales. (7i'5) 883-7070 http://home.pyramid.net/ advspts NEW YORK AIR SPORTS USA - Lessons, service, equipment. Paragliding, hang gliding, powered paragliding, trikes. Phone (718) 777-7000, \VWW.FLYFORFUN.NET

JACKSON HOLE PARAGLIDING - Come to Paragliding Paradise and enjoy alpine flying at its absolute best. Ten sites in a ten-mile radius including the 4,139' aerial tram. Jackson Hole Paragliding offers scenic tandem flights, beginner through advanced instruction,

TEXAS

mountain thermal clinics, x-c clinics, 1naneuvers training, aerobatic demonstrations) scooter, truck1 and boat

HILL COUNTRY PARAGLIDING INC - Learn complete pilot skills. Personalized USHGA certified training, ridge soaring, foot & tow launching in central Texas. MOTORIZED PARAGLIDING INSTRUCTION & EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE. (915) 3791185. 1475 CR 220, Tow TX 78672. UTAH SUPER FLY PARAGLIDING ACADEMY - The nations foremost training paragliding center offering comprehensive pilot training programs, powered paragliding instruction, tandem flights, maneuvers training, towing training/certification and tandem pilot training. We are the closest shop to Point of the Mountain, open year round and supported by the Super Fly, Inc. distribution and service center just minutes away.

Instructors Ken H udonjorgensen, Scotty Marion, Chris Santacroce, Kevin Biernacki, Dale Covington, Jeff Farrell and Ryan Swan. Lessons start at $65. (801) 8161372 or www.paraglidingacademy.com

HAVE EXTRA EQUIPMENT - Thar you don't know what to do with. Advertise in the Paragliding classifieds, $.50 per word, $5 minimnm. Call USHGA for details (719) 632-8300, ushga@ushga.org or fax your ad with a Visa/MC, fax (719) 632-6417.

towing. The Jackson Hole Paragliding team features advanced instructors Scott Harris and Tom Bartlett, x-c masters Jon Hunt and Chip Hildebrand, world class aero-pilots Matt Combs and Ranyon D'Arge, tow tech Randy Alfano, and videographer Demian McConnell. Call to set up a vacation package tailored to improve your flying skills and to build your confidence. (307) 690-TRAM (8726) flyrun@wyoming.com www.jhparagliding.com PARTS & ACCESSORIES FLIGHT CONNECTIONS, INC. P7Tf/

FLIGHT CONNECTIONS, INC.

1 i (( }} ~1

IS IT SOARABLE? - Be sure with a USHGA Windsok. Made of 1.5 oz. ripstop nylon, UV treated, 5'4" long w/1 l" throat. Available colors fluorescent pink/yellow or fluorescent pink/white. $39.95 (+$4.75 S/H). Send to USHGA Windsok, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330, (7 I 9) 632-8300, fax (719) 632-6417. VISNMC accepted.

- - - - - - --- ~ - -

WASHINGTON DIXON'S AIRPLAY PARAGLIDING - Please see our classified ad under Arizona. www.paraglide.com

More than 5,000 paragliding enthusiasts read our magazine every month. That's more than 10,000 eyes seeing your ad.

• ORDER ONLINE AND SAVE • Water/Dust Resistant Push Button • field Replaceable Finger Swiech • Heavier Gauge Wire/Improved Plugs • Increased Strain Relief at ALL Joints Price $199.95. Extra finger switch $19.95 w/purchase. Dealer inquiries welcome. Call (785) 843-1842, mikedillon@flightconn.com. MC/Visa. Visit our website at www.flightconn.com

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

Classified advertising: new life for your equipment and cash in your pocket. What a deal! PARAGLIDING

USHGA Examiner, takes you through a simple step-bysrep process showing where to acquire weather data and how to interpret it. 1-'or pilots of any aircraft. Learn

PUBLICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS

about regional & local influences and how to determine

winds aloft and stability. "Weather To l'ly" is an over-all view packed with useful details and includes great cloud footage. A straight-forward presentation that is easy to follow. 50 min. $39.95. NOW AVAILABLE IN DVD, same great price. STARTING PARAGLIDING by Adventure Productions. Covers basic preparations, weather, proper

THE ART OF PARAGLIDING - By Dennis Pagcn. HOT OFF THE PRESS!!! Step by step training, ground handling, soaring, avoiding dangers, and much much more. 274 pages, 248 illustrations. The most complere manual about paragliding on the market. $34. 95 +$5.00 s/h. USHGA, PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901. (719) 632-8300, fax your MC/Visa/Amex to (719) 632-64 r;, www.ushga.org, ushga@ushga.org PARAGLIDING INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL - By Dennis Pagen, available through USHGA. Covers: Learning to teach/Teaching to learn; school organization; teaching beginners; teaching novice; weather considerations and much more. 140 pages packed with illustrations. $15.00 +$5 s/h. USHGA, PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 8090 I. (719) 632-8300, fax your MC/Visa/Amex to (719) 632-6417, www.ushga.org, ushga@ushga.org SOAR! NG - Monthly magazine of The Soaring Society of America, Inc. Covers all aspects of soaring flight. Full membership $55. Info. kit with sample copy $3. SSA, P.O. Box 2100, Hobbs, NM 88241. (505) 392-1117. VIDEOS

TO FLY: DISCOVER PARAGLIDING TODAY USHGA's 7 minute promotional video, now only $9.95 PLUS FRFF SHIPPING (in the USA). 1-800-6166888, www.ushga.org

Our advertising has a three-month lead time plan ahead. OCTOBER

2002

*NEW-JUST IN* SUPER FLY HARD by Super Fly. A worldwide flying adventure film featuring Chris Santacroce, Rob Whittall, Othar Lawrence and Pablo Lopez. rilmed at the most beautiful flying locations in the world-Hawaii, Switzerland, Turkey & Utah. This films shows the beauty of flying, the latest aerobatic maneuvers and an introspective look into why we fly. 40 minutes $35.95 *NEW' SPEED TO FLY with Jockey Anderson. A complete video guide to cross countty paragliding. Great air-to-air and in-board footage with Jockey as he rakes you around the world, providing flying rips and interviewing the top pilots. Covers rhermaling, decision making, competition flying and speed to fly. 70 minutes $39.95 *NEW* A HIGHER CALLING by Dawn Treader Productions. Winner "People's Choice Award" at the llanff Mountain Film Festival 2000. A story of six friends attempting to ny cross country together as a group through western Nepal, where finding launches & landings becomes a daily routine. Become immersed into the Nepal culture upon every landing. Superb editing. 45 minutes $32.95 PARAGLIDER GROUND HANDLING & THE ART OF KITING, by Adventure Productions. Learn techniques and rips for easy ground handling with this instructional program. Get in tune with your glider and improve your flying skills while on the ground. Various wind conditions arc covered with the successful and proven industry-standard techniques of Dixon WhiteMaster rared pilot, USHGA Examiner and USHCA's l'C Instructor of the Year. This is for the beginner, intermediate & advanced pilot who wants to do some brushing up on his skills. Be a master of your paraglidcr. 44 minutes $36.95 NOW AVAILABLE IN DVD, same great price. IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT MOUNTAIN lly Adventure Productions. Searching for the perfect mountain, perfect flight, and the perfect experience that challenges our essence and satisfies our quest for adventure. This paragliding odyssey rakes you to St. Anton, Austria; Garmisch-Parrenkirchen, Germany; Sun Valley, Idaho; Point of the Mountain, Utah; and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. features in-air footage, aerial maneuvers, and local pilot tours. 44 minutes $36.95. NOW AVAILABLE IN DVD, same great price. BALI HIGH, by Sea to Sky Productions. A paragliding adventure film. Great flying and a great adventure on the exotic island of Bali, Indonesia. A result of wild imaginations, weeks of filming and three unsupervised pilots in a land of serious fun. Great flying footage ..38 min $29.95. WEATHER TO FLY, by Adventure Productions. A much needed instrucrional/educational video on micrometeorology. Dixon White, Master pilor and

attitude, ground handling & those first exciting launches. 30 min $29.95. NOW AVAILABLE IN DVD, same great price. Call or fax USHGA (719) 632-8300, fax (719) 6326417, please add +$5 domestic s/h for 1-2 videos (1-4 DVDs), add $6 for 3-4 videos (lnr'l orders, email us at ushga@ushga.org for shipping charges.) Crear to impress your friends or for those socked-in days. Order online at www.ushga.org! MISCELLANEOUS INCARCERATED PARAGLIDING ENTHUSIAST - Would like to hear from anyone into paragliding and powered paragliding, who wouldn't mind corresponding with and helping me learn as much as possible about the sport. Will be free and Aying in Arizona in 2005. Please write: Robert Coffey #69155, PO Box I 00, Somers CT 06071. VIDEOS. BOOKS & APPAREL - Call USHCA for your Merchandise order form (719) 632-8300, fax (719) 632-6417, email: ushga@ushga.org,www.ushga.org DON'T LEAVE YOUR GROUND-BOUND EQUIPMENT SITTING IN THE GARAGE. SELL IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES The rare liH classified advertising is $. 50 per word (or group of characters) and $1.00 per word for bold or all caps. Phone number=2 words, PO Box=2 words, weight range i.e. 137-1851bs=2 words, web site or email address=3 words. MINIMUM AD CHARGE $5.00. A fee of $15.00 is charged for each line arr logo and $25.00 for each photo. LINEART & PHOTO SIZE NO LARGER THAN 1.75" X 2.25". Please underline words to be in bold print. Special layouts of tabs are $25.00 per column inch. Please make checks payable to USHGA. Send to: PARAGI.IDING MAGAZlNE, Classified Advertising, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330 (719) 632-8300 or fax (719) 632-6417. email jcff@ushga.org with your Visa, Amex or MasterCard. DEADLINE FOR THE JANUARY ISSUE IS OCTOBER 20TH.

Our advertisers appreciate your support and patronage. Tell them you saw their ad in

Paragliding. 45

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

STOLEN WINGS & THINGS GIN BOLERO & PARAGLIDING GEAR - Stolen May 17th, 2002 from car at REDMOND, WA. Gin Bolero, blue, X-small. SupAir Evo harness, small red/black w/can trim & rear mount reserve container w/extra velcro strips along both sides of the reserve container area, it also has black clips attached to the tops of both shoulder straps. Gin SS 30m2 reserve parachute (inside the harness). Tree kit. Contact Annie Sohn, (425) 493-2289, asohn@combimatrix.com SOL AXIOM - stolen with Toyota truck in Sale Lake City, Utah in late March 2002. Wing is size small, purple with pink stripe along the underside; also Sol Charly harness (small/medium), grey Leedom helmet, Flytec vario, reserve. All items were packed in a homemade black and green PG backpack. Contact Damion Mitchell, (801) 518-0768 or dzmitchell@hotmail.com GIN BANDIT -- Small purple wired stripe and GIN BOLERO, medium white wired stripe STOLEN along with a car SALT LAKE CITY, UT around December 31, 2001. Both slightly used. Also blue, medium Woody Valley Express air bag harness, reserve, and black open face Lazer Helmet. Contact Ryan Swan, (80 I) 2559595, cyan@4superf1y.comwww.4superf1y.com STOLEN WINGS are listed as a service to USHGA members. There is no charge for this service and lost and found wings or equipment may be called in (719) 6328300, faxed in (/19) 632-6417, or emailed ushga@ushga.org for inclusion in Paragliding & Hang Gliding magazine. Please call to cancel the listing when gliders are recovered. Periodically, this listing will be purged.

Your ad is read by more than 5,000 paragliding enthusiasts. Advertise with us today.

Adventure Paramotor ............................. 34 Adventure Productions ........................... 19 Aerolight USA ........................................ 13 Apco ........................................................ 8 Critter Mountain Wear .......................... 11 Dixon's Airplay ..................................... .47 Flytec ....................................................... 2 Hall Brothers ......................................... 19 Independence ......................................... 34 IParaglide ............................................... 15 Mojo's Gear ........................................... 20 Paraglider Magazine ............................... 17 Rising Air ............................................... 14 Skyco Sports .......................................... 20 Sport Aviation Publications ...................... 6 Sup'Air ..................................................... 9 Super Fly, Inc ........................... Back Cover Thermal Tracker ................................. 6,23 Torrey Pines Gliderport ............... 13, 16,21 USHGA .......................... 5, 10, 14, 15,23,46 Wills Wing ............................................... 7

Plus $5 S/H In the USA. ;m~m1~rr,1111J~'' :ifgjf "1t~'@i~'11111~~~~11,~, '[@i;} LlfiltJR~, , !f~H~azv11 r,112f1,.&J111ll~}l?§/)I J 'rn~~1t1~11J®\ IB~~1111,1~112~

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If Your USHGA Membership Expires On I0/31 /02 We Need To Receive Your Renewal BY OCTOBER 20th Or you will miss the Nov. Magazine. If Your US! JOA Membership Expires On 11/30/02 Need To Receive Your Renewal BY NOVEMBER 20th Or you wlJl mias the December Magazine.

WWW.USHGA.ORG

Send to:

USHGA PO Box 1330 Colorado Sp~ngs CO 80901 l -800-616-6888 www.ushga.org

PARAGLIDING