USHPA Hang Gliding & Paragliding Vol37/Iss7 July 2007 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

Volume 37 Issue 7 July 2007 $4.95

A Publication of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Inc. www.ushpa.aero

, Yo&-. h Is possJbM: Tho porf«manoo has been Improved without sacrifticing safotyl • Stl,por low drag 3 line doaign.

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• Stabltlty at Speed: You roost fly 11 to bellleve It. The M2 ts stable In accelerated ftght. allov.fng you to use the total 9l)eed range o f lhe gltder with confidence. , Confidonco: A smooth'"'"• 1tabiity at $p()Od, and total comfort in activo air moans that you can fty tho M2 with confidenco. and fOC\11 on your pl, not your wing. , 90 n'IO\• ~tlon in tOCtlt lino longth ffQm lho Montm. • Tho M2~s. tho fed <>f o truo OHV 2--3 wing, nOt A 'do--tul'Kld' compwlng,

USHPA, Publisher: info@ushpa.aero C. J. Sturtevant, Editor: editor@ushpa.aero Joe Hartman, Art Director: jhartman@brandingironmedia.com Martin Palmaz, Advertising: martin@ushpa.aero Matt Gerdes, Contributing Editor: mattg@FlyOzone.com Staff writers: Lisa Colletti, Matt Gerdes, John Heiney, Steve Messman, Dennis Pagen, Tracy Tillman Office Staff: Rick Butler, Interim Operations Manager: rick@ushpa.aero Rick Butler, Information Services Director: rick@ushpa.aero Martin Palmaz, Business Manager: martin@ushpa.aero Erin Russell, Office Manager: erin@ushpa.aero Michelle Burtis, Member/Instructor Services Administrator: michelle@ushpa.aero USHPA Officers and Executive Committee: Lisa Tate, President: lisa@soaringdreamsart.com Felipe Amunategui, Vice President: dr.amunategui@att.net Elizabeth Sharp, Secretary: Elizabeth.Sharp@heii.com Mark Forbes, Treasurer: mgforbes@mindspring.com REGION 1: Rich Hass, Mark Forbes. REGION 2: Dave Wills, Urs Kellenberger, Paul Gazis. REGION 3: David Jebb, John Greynald, Brad Hall. REGION 4: Steve Mayer, Jim Zeiset. REGION 5: Lisa Tate. REGION 6: Gregg Ludwig. REGION 7: Tracy Tillman. REGION 8: Gary Trudeau. REGION 9: Felipe Amunategui, L.E. Herrick. REGION 10: Dick Heckman, Steve Kroop, Matt Taber. REGION 11: Gregg Ludwig. REGION 12: Paul Voight. REGION 13: Dick Heckman. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Russ Locke, Elizabeth Sharp, Dennis Pagen, Bruce Weaver, Riss Estes. HONORARY DIRECTORS: Connie Locke, Jennifer Beach, Dutcher Sterling, Len Smith, Bill Bryden, Randy Leggett, John Harris, Jan Johnson. EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS: Art Greenfield (NAA). The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association Inc. is an air sports organization affiliated with the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), which is the official representative of the Fédération Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), of the world governing body for sport aviation. The NAA, which represents the United States at FAI meetings, has delegated to the USHPA supervision of FAI-related hang gliding and paragliding activities such as record attempts and competition sanctions. HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING magazine is published for foot-launched air-sports enthusiasts to create further interest in the sports of hang gliding and paragliding and to provide an educational forum to advance hang gliding and paragliding methods and safety. Contributions are welcome. HANG GLIDING & 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. HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING editorial offices email: editor@ushpa.aero. ALL ADVERTISING AND ADVERTISING INQUIRIES MUST BE SENT TO USHPA HEADQUARTERS IN COLORADO SPRINGS. The USHPA is a member-controlled sport organization dedicated to the exploration and promotion of all facets of unpowered ultralight flight, and to the education, training and safety of its membership. Membership is open to anyone interested in this realm of flight. Dues for Rogallo membership and Pilot membership are $69 ($90 non-U.S.). Dues for Contributing membership and for subscriptiononly are $52 ($63 non-U.S.). $15 of annual membership dues goes to the publication of Hang Gliding & Paragliding magazine. Changes of address should be sent six weeks in advance, including name, USHPA number, previous and new address, and a mailing label from a recent issue. You may also email your request with your member number to: info@ushpa.aero.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING (ISSN 1543-5989) (USPS 17970) is published monthly by the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Inc., 1685 W. Uintah St., Colorado Springs, CO 80904, (719) 6328300, FAX (719) 632-6417. PERIODICAL postage is paid at Colorado Springs, CO and at additional mailing ofﬁces. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: Hang Gliding & Paragliding magazine, P.O. BOX 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330. Canadian Post Publications Mail Agreement #40065056. Canadian Return Address: DP Global Mail, 4960-2 Walker Road, Windsor, ON N9A 6J3 DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES IN PUBLICATIONS: The material presented here is published as part of an information dissemination service for USHPA members. The USHPA makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability concerning the validity of any advice, opinion or recommendation expressed in the material. All individuals relying upon the material do so at their own risk. Copyright © 2007 Hang Gliding & Paragliding magazine. Hang Gliding & Paragliding magazine welcomes editorial submissions from our members and readers. We are always looking for well written articles and quality artwork. Feature stories generally run anywhere from 1500 to 3000 words. If your topic demands more or less than this, you should discuss options with the editor. News releases are welcomed, but please do not send brochures, dealer newsletters or other extremely lengthy items. Please edit news releases with our readership in mind, and keep them reasonably short without excessive sales hype. You are welcome to submit photo attachments, preferably jpeg ﬁles smaller than a megabyte. Calendar of events items may be sent via email to editor@ ushpa.aero, as may letters to the editor. Please be concise and try to address a single topic in your letter. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. If you have an idea for an article you may discuss your topic with the editor either by email or telephone. Contact: Editor, Hang Gliding & Paragliding magazine, editor@ushpa.aero, (425) 888-3856. For change of address or other USHPA business, call (719) 632-8300, or email info@ushpa.aero.

The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, a division of the National Aeronautic Association,

is a representative of the Fédération Aeronautique Internationale in the United States.

Self-portrait by Aaron Swepston, using a dangle-mounted camera

DEPARTMENTS Editor’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Pilot Brieﬁngs: News and Events . . . . . . . . . . 8 Airmail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

GLIDER–USEFUL THERMALS Having a mental model of a thermal’s shape may improve your ability to ﬁnd and make the best use of the lift.

USHPA Awards Solicitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 USHPA: Jayne DePanfilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Accidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Master’s Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Flight Report: Francis Peak . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Towline: Sport Pilot Update: But Weight, There’s More! . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Comp Corner: An Adventure in Inca Land . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Flight Report: My Extraordinary Day of Flying. . . . . . . . . 58 Pilot Profile: Gil Souviron. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 New Ratings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

By Ken Hudonjorgensen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

HOW YOU CAN OPEN A FLIGHT SCHOOL The number of hang gliding pilots is declining steadily in the U.S. Maybe YOU could be the hero to turn that trend around! A long-time instructor shares some secrets for integrating teaching hang gliding into your real life. By Paul Voight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

TODD’S TRICKS FOR WINDY-SITE SAND MANAGEMENT Flying in the sand can be a blast, but you and your wing may be paying unnecessary penance for that experience. An expert dune pilot provides some tips to minimize the damage.

One Last Thought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 By Todd Weigand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Index to Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Last November, three adventurous friends trekked their way to Mera Peak in Nepal, and documented their trip with photos. It is their hope that these images will inspire others to make this challenging but incredible journey.

Volume 37 Issue 7 July 2007 $4.95

A Publication of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Inc. www.ushpa.aero

Photo: Josh Waldrop

Heading for the beach at the hang gliding tandem factory of the southern hemisphere, Rio, Brazil.

FLYING FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD

By Joe McCarthy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

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AEROBATIC FREEFLIGHT An airline scare last summer made it impossible for U.S. aerobatics pilots to get their hang gliders to Switzerland for the World Aerobatic Championships. John Heiney was lucky enough to have a Swiss friend who could lend him a loop-able glider. He made the trip, and made the podium. By John Heiney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

CLOUD CONSCIOUS, PART II Last month a dramatic photo clearly portrayed how a mountain can affect the airﬂow and the formation of clouds. In this second part of the Cloud series, two photos provide evidence that rivers and lakes suppress lift over surprisingly large areas. COPYRIGHT © 2007 by Dennis Pagen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

LAUNCH A pilot captures the essence of the launch experience in poetry.

By Tom Galvin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Gallery. . .64

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

C.J at Dog Mt., May 2007

Photo: Aaron Swepston

As I’m writing this column on June 1, our executive learning tools, and emphasizes that filing an accident/indirector Jayne DePanfilis is wrapping up her last day in cident report may well save someone else from repeating the USHPA office serving as our leader. I have immensely your mistake. Mike Semanoff’s “Follow the Leader” tale enjoyed working with Jayne, who as the publisher of the of his flight from a Utah mountain points out that, in the magazine provided valuable and welcome feedback on end, we each need to make our own decisions on what every issue before it went to press. I can’t even imagine conditions we are willing to fly in. what USHPA without Jayne at the helm is going to look Do you fly for the sheer fun of it, or do you welcome and feel like! You’ve all heard the tale about the battle difficulties and challenges – or are your favorite flights that was lost for want of a nail in a horseshoe. Jayne those with a good mix of both fun and challenge? Tom is the one who has, for the past six years, kept track of Zylak prefers the mix, as his “Extraordinary Day of Flying” every nail so that no battle was lost due to inattention to clearly shows. Staff writer John Heiney’s “Aerobatic essential details. Whoever our next ED may be, he or she Freeflight – The Best Sport in the World!” also has a good is going to have some very big shoes to fill! More infor- dose of challenge in with the fun. Gil Souviron, a recordmation on Jayne’s decision to leave us is in the USHPA holding hang glider pilot profiled by staff writer Matt section of this magazine. Gerdes, leans more towards the “challenge” side of the mix, while Rob Sporrer’s “Adventure in Inca Land” leads There are so many aspects to flying a hang glider or me to believe that the fun factor ranks high for him, even a paraglider safely, proficiently and with the tremendous in competition. Joe McCarthy’s “Flying From the Top of pleasure and satisfaction that is, perhaps, unique to this the World” photo essay left me breathless with the beauty sport! Many pilots have taken the time to share a per- of the setting, and somewhat saddened by the realization sonal perspective on some of those aspects. Staff writer that I’ll have to settle for vicarious appreciation of such Dennis Pagen continues his “Cloud Conscious” series immensely challenging flying. in this issue with an article on the effects of bodies of Jamie Berg, who does the layout for our magazine, water on lift. Jeff Goin’s photo clearly illustrates Dennis’s has given Tom Galvin’s poem, “The Launch,” a backpoints, and Dennis continues his request for cloud photos ground that truly enhances the artistry of Tom’s words. from readers to provide the seed for future installments of Many thanks to all of you who have submitted photos this series. Ken Hudonjorgensen has developed a mental over the years, thereby providing me with a collection of model of thermals that has helped him work lift success- images to illustrate articles for which the author cannot fully; he shares his model, and an illustration of “the photo provide artwork. he didn’t take” in “Glider-Useful Thermals.” Todd Weigand Once again it’s time to take a look around your local was not quite successful in teaching me his upside-down- community and identify those individuals who are deservkiting trick for removing the Chilean sand from my para- ing of one of USHPA’s annual awards. Awards committee glider during our tour with him last winter, but I’m sure chair Len Smith lists the awards that will be awarded next many of you will pick up the skill quickly after reading fall, and outlines the process for nominating deserving “Todd’s Tricks for Windy Site Sand Management.” pilots or non-pilots for recognition. The awards are very Staff writers Tracy Tillman and Lisa Colletti continue cool-looking plaques, and since recipients frequently their series on preparing tugs for Sport Pilot with “But travel long distances to be present at the presentation Weight! There’s More!” Paul Voight, who’s been operat- ceremony in Colorado each spring, it’s clear that receiving a very successful flight school and dealership from ing an award is a significant honor. Submitting a nominahis home for almost 25 years, reveals his philosophy and tion is easy using the online form on ushpa.aero. techniques in “How YOU Can Open a Flight School.” If Staff writer Steve Messman concludes this month’s you live in an area without training hills, instructors, or issue with One Last Thought on “Nature’s Striptease,” a access to new gear, Paul’s model may inspire you to step reflection on the value of the time spent on launch on up and help bring in the new pilots that are essential to a non-flyable day. There’s so much more to this sport our sports remaining viable. than the hours and flights that we record in our logbooks. In hang gliding and paragliding, we are continually Enjoy your flying – including all the “extras” that are as learning! Aaron Swepston is one pilot who’s always willing essential as airtime to the experience! to help pilots improve skills and increase their understandAs always, you can reach me at editor@ushpa.aero. I ing of any aspect of flight. In his Master’s Tips column, look forward to hearing from you. “Critiquing, Debriefing, Improving,” Aaron explains a routine that he’s been practicing for 30 years to keep his own skills, and those of his flying companions, sharp and constantly improving. My Accident Report column, “When a Good Flight Goes Bad,” reiterates Aaron’s point that sharing information is one of our most valuable teaching and

C.J. Sturtevant

Attention artists: The deadline for submitting your artwork for inclusion in the October magazine is coming up soon: August 6. October’s issue will feature hang gliding and paragliding artwork – pen-and-ink, watercolor, altered photographs, sculpture, Tshirt designs, cartoons, oil on canvas, whatever your imagination can come up with – for the cover, centerspread and gallery. Contact C.J. (editor@ushpa .aero) if you have questions or need assistance uploading high-resolution images of your artwork to the magazine dropbox (ushpa.aero/ editorial_dropbox.asp).

For More Info, Check the Web Site By Rick A. Butler, USHPA IT Director

There’s a lot of information that USHPA needs to get out to the membership, and while the magazine is our main resource for keeping you informed, it does have some limits, including turnaround time and amount of content that can fit into 80 pages per issue. Because of those limitations, we’ve elected to use the USHPA.aero Web site to augment information in the magazine. You’ll find some articles from the magazine (such as the “Towlines” columns for Sport Pilot) online in their entirety, as well as content that is online exclusively – it has never appeared in the magazine. And once in a while, there’s an article that can be enhanced with additional online information, or that refers to a form or document that’s on USHPA’s Web site. If you’re not regularly checking the site, you may not be aware of the wealth of information that’s available online. As I mentioned last month, we’re doing some new things with the association’s Web site, with the intention of making it more useful to the membership and to the flying community in general. Starting in this issue of the magazine, we’re linking information in the magazine and on the Web site, so you’ll know that you can get more info online. Wherever you see this icon, there’s online information to enhance the topic being .aero discussed. We invite you to visit USHPA. aero often as we continue to develop the site, to keep current with the new content that we’re putting up. Your comments and suggestions are welcome: rick@ushpa.aero. ADVANCE Announces Winners in “HighFlying Emotions” Contest Paragliding appeals to the emotions, and ADVANCE’s “Emotions Flying High” contest inspired a lot of pilots – hundreds of contributions “flew” to the ADVANCE Web site from all corners of the world. Click through the pages and you can find out what others experience in the air and on the ground when they go paragliding.

Pilots from around the globe participated in this advertising campaign, and at the end of the campaign every contributor’s name was entered into a drawing for the prizes. Christine Vidal from Clermont-Ferrand in France is the lucky winner – she chose the new iMPRESS 2 harness with speedbag, and iMPRESS designer/world cup winner Chrigel Maurer will personally set it up for her. In addition, 30 pilots whose names were selected in the random drawing won ADVANCE walking bags. The Christine Vidal list of all the winners can be found on the ADVANCE homepage, www.advance.ch. Region 3 Director Offers Aerial Assistance in Africa Elections

David instructing his Nigerian ground crew

east, and Niger to the north. David Jebb, USHPA Region 3 director, was asked and sponsored by Emmanuel Ezeh, of Africa USA, to come to Nigeria for three weeks and help promote the “get out the vote” message by ﬂying a paramotor with such an announcement on the undersurface of his tandem glider. Instruction Protocol At Point of the Mountain, Utah By Chris Santacroce

Attention UHGPA certiﬁed instructors interested in teaching at the Point of Last April, the government of Nigeria the Mountain! (a country in equatorial West Africa) held As we are all aware, the Point of the its ﬁrst democratic elections. Nigeria is Mountain (POM), near Salt Lake City the African continent’s most populous in Utah, is an outstanding place to train nation, with an estimated population beginners. For this reason, we oftenof 125,000,000 people; one out of four times have a high level of student activAfricans are Nigerian. It has a southern ity taking place alongside licensed pilots coastline on the Gulf of Guinea, and is trying to enjoy the POM. The instrucbordered by Benin to the west, Cameroon tor community at the POM (POMIC) to the southeast, Chad to the north- is charged with making sure that Photos courtesy David Jebb

David Jebb in Nigeria July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

Photo: Steve Mayer

South side of the Point of the Mountain

average, licensed pilots can always enjoy their flying without “too much” training activity. POMIC has a program for monitoring and limiting the number of instructors and the number of students that each instructor can teach. We rarely have any problems, and the UHGPGA club members are generally happy with our efforts. We do, however, have some conflicts when large groups come to visit the POM, particularly when visiting instructors bring groups of “sub P-2/H-2” pilots. The POMIC has devised a program for managing these situations. Details regarding the procedure for bringing students to the POM and teaching them under the supervision of “approved Point of the Mountain Instructors” can be found at the UHGPGA.org Web site, or contact one of the instructors listed under “Flying Schools” for more information. Thanks in advance for your cooperation. USHPA Is Looking for a Few Good Men and Women!

Photo: Paul Voight

By Lisa Tate, USHPA President

Mark Forbes addressing the board, spring 2007

One of the greatest ways to learn more about our association and to further our collective goals is to serve on one of the USHPA committees. We depend on the tremendous pool of talent and expertise of our members, and we need your help. I urge you to consider volunteering your

time to help us advance our mission. If you are interested in serving on one of the committees, please contact the appropriate committee chair, or myself. It is my privilege as USHPA president to match your expertise and desires with the needs of the committees. I can assure you that there is great satisfaction in working and supporting our association through its committees and programs. I look forward to hearing from you. USHPA Committees: Audit: contact Lisa Tate for more infor-

mation, lisa@soaringdreamsart.com Competition: Dennis Pagen,

pagenbks@lazerlink.com Member & Development: Dick Heckman, hekdic@worldnet.att.net Internal Marketing sub-committee:

Peter Birren, peter@birrendesign.com Site Management: Jon James, jljames@sonic.net Awards: Len Smith, SmithLI@bv.com Organization & Bylaws: L.E. Herrick, herrick@verizon.net National Coordinating: Dennis Pagen, pagenbks@lazerlink.com Sport Pilot: Tracy Tillman, cloud9sa@aol.com Planning: Riss Estes, parariss@yahoo .com

Boomerang Version 5 Now Available From GIN After two years of development and intensive testing during the 2007 paragliding world championships and the last PWC (paragliding world cup) in Ibaraki (Japan), the GIN team has finalized the fifth generation of Boomerang. The final profile selection fits with Gin’s traditional Boomerang competition characteristics, which means that GIN pilots will immediately feel at home on this current iteration, with more performance than ever. The designers’ objectives have remained the same since the Boomerang’s conception: To offer the best performing glider (sink rate, climb rate, speed and glide ratio), with typical GIN handling and a secure, confidence-inspiring feel suited to the best competition pilots. More information is available on the Gin Web site, gingliders.com.

Instructor Support working group:

Paul Voight, ﬂyhigh@frontiernet.net Safety & Training: Dave Broyles, broyles.dave@gmail.com HG Accident sub-committee: Joe Gregor, airmedal@hotmail.com PG Accident sub-committee: Steve Roti, steveroti@hotmail.com Tandem: Paul Voight, ﬂyhigh@ frontiernet.net Towing: Tracy Tillman, cloud9sa@aol .com Publications: Urs Kellenberger, urs@ bearimpressions.com Web Site sub-committee: Steve Roti, steveroti@hotmail.com Insurance: Mark Forbes, mgforbes@ mindspring.com Finance: Rich Hass, richhass@comcast .net Elections & Allocations: Mark Forbes, mgforbes@mindspring.com

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

GIN Boomerang5

Hang Glider Pilots Receive USHPA’s Gold Safe Pilot Award The USHPA congratulates hang glider pilots Douglas C. Shelton of Alexandria, Virginia, USHPA #63851, and Vrezh Tumanyan of Glendale, California, USHPA #73692, on their achievement of logging 500 consecutive safe ﬂights, earning them the Gold Safe Pilot award.

Photo: Stefanie Brendl

Multi-Faceted USHPA Member Jimmy Hall Killed in BASE-Jumping Accident

USHPA member and paraglider pilot Jimmy Hall died in a BASE-jumping accident on Wednesday, May 9. Jimmy died in a tragic accident north of the Arctic Circle, in a very remote area near Sam Fjord on Baffin Island in Canada. He was filming a documentary on the region that included BASE jumping from the incredibly harsh mountains. This remote area is only accessible by plane, snowmobile, and then dogsled. Jimmy was embarking on a new career, having just been chosen as the host for “Shark Week” on Discovery Channel. He had just completed part of the series in the Bahamas, and was scheduled to head to the Great Barrier Reef off Australia in June, to swim with great white sharks. The series was to air in late summer 2007. Jimmy, with his partner Stephanie Brendl, was the winner of the 2005 USHPA Bettina Gray photography award. Their images have graced the cover, centerspread and gallery of many issues of Hang Gliding & Paragliding magazine, and the couple was featured in a Pilot Profile article in the March 2006 issue. Jimmy Hall sand-blasting the bottoms of his boots in Paracas National Park, Peru July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

The opinions expressed in the letters published in this column are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine staff or USHPA officials. While every effort is made to verify facts stated in letters, readers are urged to check the accuracy of any statement before taking action or forming an opinion based on the contents of a letter.

ment, “Thank you for your interest in the USHPA Logo Contest! Well, we changed our name, now it’s time to update our logo.” Who says?! The recent USHPA logo change decision was, in my opinion, one of dubious necessity to begin with. The logo has served the membership well for all these years, and doubtless has come to be dear THE NEW USHPA LOGO – TO BE OR in the hearts and minds of most assoNOT TO BE – IS A QUESTION FOR THE ciation members, though perhaps not all MEMEBERS association members, and I will address (email, 4/30) that reality later. I am not usually one of the more vocal A logo however well designed, for USHPA members but sometimes there such a specialized enterprise as USHPA, is an issue, where and when one feels an obscure as that enterprise is to the genoverwhelming need to speak out, for the eral populace as a whole, in all probabilsake of ones’ own pride and integrity in ity will only ever possess meaning to the the face of injustice, and for that of others association membership, and have only who are less vocal, as in this case where negligible effect, if any, on the interest, there appears to be ill-advised activity. curiosity, and impressions of the sport When one seeks to find information and the representative association, to about the United States Hang Gliding those outside of said membership. and Paragliding logo contest, one of I truly doubt that any new USHPA the first things discovered is the state- logo design would result in the converJuly 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

sion of, or the increase in curiosity, over and above that in which the old design would result, and certainly it would not result in an increase of statistically significant proportion. We won’t get people going, “LOOK, look at that cool logo! What is it? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Get up close so we can try to see what it is. Oh WOW it’s a logo for the United States Hand Gliding and Parachuting Association!” “What’s that?” “Who cares – I’m impressed by that logo, stop this guy. Let’s see if the membership is open to anybody. Follow him, maybe he will lead us to someplace where we can find out about joining or maybe even taking lessons!” “Yeah, and from the looks of that bird it might be something for skydiving with those new suits they wear now with webbing between the arms and legs that lets you fly like a bird”. “Let’s check this out!” Not gonna happen…not unless the observers already had it in their heads to

try and gather information, then the design will not be the determining factor, or even a factor. Now if you ask a professional graphic artist if it will make a difference, yes they will think so, they have to think so, that’s how they earn their living, that’s how they are “programmed.” They can’t imagine why everybody with an old logo doesn’t need a new logo, and will give honestly originated reasons why a change is needed. If they didn’t think that way they would not be very good professionals. OK, maybe that was an exaggeration, but no less an exaggeration than reasons given to discredit our present logo. When you are bringing a new product to market, or want to wash a tarnished image, or create an image where none exists, or merge two companies with different logos, yes go find a professional to help you out. But decades-old trademarks associated with an established product or service or organization rarely undergo change, nor is there a need. In fact, those trademarks which have come to signify and identify such owners are jealously guarded against infringement, and even designs of a too-similar nature can be ruled illegal. Change is not always a good idea, though it is sometimes represented to be, through various exemplary suggestions. In any case, the design won’t matter, except to the members. The MEMBERS. Remember them? Service to the membership should be the primary focus of

office in the association. There is an expectation that the clear wishes of association members will be supported by association officers. The position of office in the association should not be used to dictate individual wishes in direct opposition to those of the association members. This concept of member control is very important and should not be brushed aside. When there was a belief that the operation of motorized hang gliders might be closely enough allied, and perceived by the general public and FAA with that of unmotorized hang gliders, there was a movement to include them in our number, and arguments were presented on both sides in the magazine, a membership vote was conducted, and rightfully so. Then there came to be a similar belief that paragliders and hang gliders were closely enough aligned, operated, and perceived by the FAA and general public. There was a movement to include them in our number, and arguments were presented on both sides in the magazine, another membership vote was conducted, and rightfully so. It wasn’t too long after the paraglider population was taken under the Hang Gliding Association wing that we had discussions pro and con in Hang Gliding magazine about whether to combine the two magazines representing both hang gliding and paragliding into one. We had another association

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membership vote to decide the issue. Then a call went out to serve the belief of some members that the association name should be changed to better reflect the new membership. What did we do? Again we had discussion, debate, propaganda, argument, and ultimately a membership vote, all openly published in the magazine, and all again rightfully so. If I recall correctly, one of the above topics even required a second vote due to some impropriety, and I believe going to that extra measure was commendable. I did not agree with all of the decisions. But by whatever methods used to persuade a majority of the voting membership, the decision was made by the membership, and I have learned to accept the outcome of those decisions as the desire of a majority of the representative membership population who bothered to vote. All as it should be. Now, however, we have a decision, which for better or for worse affects uniquely the USHPA membership, and from what I have read about the logo vote, and the declaration of award, it appears the expressed will of the membership has been subverted. I have read about the ground rules and the intentions and the decisionmaking freedoms of the jury, and the graphic-design professional opinions, but I would like to put that on the back burner for a little while, and offer a different perspective. I thought about submitting a design, very much like our existing design. It was a natural, logical extension of our present logo. It was such a logical extension in fact, that I did not submit an entry because I thought probably it would be the most common variation submitted, and the eventual winner. As it turns out it was exactly the “People’s Choice.” Since I was not submitting an entry, I did not bother to carefully analyze the ramifications of the entry rules and requirements when published in the October 2006 issue of the magazine, and consequently I was unaware of the possibility that the membership vote might not be the determining factor. Honestly, had I taken the time to analyze the rules and requirements, I am not prepared to say that I would have even

then grasped the full extent of what was going down behind closed doors. The logo design requirements were innocent and well intentioned enough in what was to be attempted, required, allowed, and not allowed. It’s when we get to the rules and submission requirements that things start to get kind of murky. I work with contracts every day, and now that I look at the language used in the submission requirements, I can see where there were indications that a democratic process was not intended, but those indicators were in my opinion, easily overlooked by the trusting and unsuspecting membership: For example there were rules 5D and 7D. Rule 5D states: Should the jury determine that no design meets the qualifications, we reserve the right to continue seeking design concepts through an extension of the competition or by other means. Rule 7D states: If submitted designs do not meet the criteria or are deemed by the judges not to achieve our goals, we reserve the right to continue the search for a new design by continuing this competition or by other means. Now my first impression of these reservations was the jury would extend the contest if by some outside chance all submissions violated one or more of the prohibitions, e.g. the design requirement that states: “It must be distinctive in the quality and originality of its visual image and naturally not offend any national, cultural or religious sensitivity.” Or if no entry met all of the technical format requirements, the jury would extend the contest, e.g. Format and transmission of artwork: …”Judging will be done electronically due to geographic separation of the jury. Therefore, all submissions are to be in an appropriate electronic format (.jpg, .gif, .png) for viewing on-screen, the longest dimension to be 4 inches.” It probably never would have occurred to me that the term “OUR GOALS” in 7D might actually be the goals of a small group of individuals rather than the Association membership, and which might not coincide with, and in fact, be in opposition to the Association majority opinion. After reading the jury report, which was not published in the magazine, it is

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apparent that the present design was out of favor with many if not all in attendance. The qualities of the existing logo were negated to the greatest extent possible and there was a predisposition for something very different. In the opinion of an educated few, as stated in the Jury Report, the existing logo has been characterized variously as: “…having a homemade quality that suggests a grassroots club rather than a professional national organization, with the only equity its familiarity to members which a good new logo will very quickly become equally familiar,” “…lacking in emotional impact for people who don’t already know it,” “…not nearly come close to the styles and qualities familiar to today’s youth, those we hope to attract to the sports.” Whereas a new logo would, as if by divine intervention, have qualities not existing in the original which: “…speaks of us and our sports clearly the first time people see it, even if they have no other knowledge,” “…bring important advantages that adjusting the existing logo can not.” Well, all of that is only somebody’s opinion stated as though it were fact. Where and in what form is the objective evidence to support these base allegations about the old USHPA logo? Is the evidence to support the opinion of those who make a living by discovering such things available? Did somebody go out and engage the Gallup Organization to conduct a poll of several thousand Americans? Several hundred? Several? No? That’s all right, I have evidence at hand, and it’s from a significant portion of the population that matters most. Guess who? The People’s Choice variation on the old logo captured a whopping 26.3 percent of the 616 votes registered. Of the 134 designs submitted, six were clear variations on the old logo, with a combined vote representing 73.5 percent (!) of the total votes cast, as opposed to the design selected by the jury which only tallied 4.9 percent of the total vote. What’s going on here? What is this? What’s wrong with this picture? And even if somehow there was evidence to support the opinions stated in the jury report, but for whatever reason

the majority of the association membership disagreed with that opinion, or is indifferent to it, and if the association membership finds merit in retaining the existing USHPA logo, or something similar, then SO BE IT ! Yes, under Selecting The Winners: Rule 7C does indicate the jury selection of winners: Rule 7C) Final selection: The jury will confer via email to select the winners by March 1, 2007. Two final designs will be submitted to the board of directors for their selection during the March BOD meeting. I guess I just kind of glanced over, or off this important clue, which in my oldfashioned way of thinking about how the association does business, I must have just imagined this selection would entail nothing more than to count ballots after weeding out those submissions which offended national, cultural and religious sensitivities or failed to meet the technical format requirements. In either case we are brought to my next point of contention.

I have seen on more that one occa- past impacts to USHPA membership. And so, as poorly suited as the pression, requests for the option of a reduced USHPA membership fee to be made ent logo may seem to some people, it available without a magazine subscrip- should be left to those people to convince tion. The answer has always been that the the membership of the inadequacy of the magazine is the official method by which present design, as has been the practice information is disseminated to the mem- in the past when an issue affecting the bership, and so is a necessary component membership was at hand. All effort should be put forward to of membership. Yet here we have had images of entries give a fair shot at credibility to the choice available only through a medium other some have for the new design in favor over than the magazine, a vote taken with the old. We can have a recap of discussion and methods available only outside the magazine, and a decision made contrary to rationale presented from the 11-page that vote, using criteria not published in Logo Contest Jury Report PDF file, exthe magazine. All this was done virtually amining preferences of the jury and other without benefit of the official method for professionals, for association memberdisseminating information to the mem- ship consideration, just like we have done bership, Hang Gliding & Paragliding for other issues which affect the associamagazine. tion membership Unflattering statements about the Ideally we should have all the subpresent logo have been put forward to missions published in Hang Gliding justify why it or variations on its theme & Paragliding magazine, “the official are unsuitable. That’s fine, and the opin- method for disseminating information to ions of those who feel that way deserve the membership,” just like other choices to be heard, and the freedom to express before us, which affect and are affected them maintained. by association membership preference, Regardless, they are only opinions, so that the greatest number of members however professional or widely recog- have a chance to examine for themnized and acclaimed those professional selves the merits, pro and con of any sources prove to be. And as highly re- suggested change. garded as they may be, they do not take Then we need a United States Hang precedence over, nor are they more valid Gliding and Paragliding Association or valuable than those opinions of the membership vote, as the FINAL auhundreds of association members who thority on the design for the United feel otherwise. Most association mem- States Hang Gliding and Paragliding bers have probably never heard of these Association logo. The members of the professionals, and would no doubt main- association should vote on whether to tain their opinions of logo design pref- retain the old logo, or change to one of erence, even after being advised of the the alternate submissions such as the impeccable credentials of the jury and “People’s Choice,” or the professional professional consultants. graphic artists, board of directors, and All of those uplifting virtues the jury’s jury’s selection, just like we have done for winning selection supposedly typifies, to other issues which affect and are affected the stated detriment and lacking quali- by association membership preference. ties present in the existing logo, is an exAlternatively, for the sake of expepression of an ideal design which can not diency, at the very least, we need ilbe achieved by any one example for all of lustrations published in the magazine, the members, so since it is the members presenting the people’s choice and the who are impacted, it is the members who professional’s choice, for a runoff elecmust choose. tion by the association membership. The USHPA membership must Then the jury’s selection process will choose whether to change the existing possess merit through having brought a design and if so what the new design professionally suggested candidate to the should be. This impact is no more membership attention. properly delegated as one for comAnd if the members selects something mittee decision than any of the other which in the opinion of professionals is July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

poorly suited as an expression of the stated ideals, then so be it, because like so many other things, everybody has an opinion, but it should be the majority opinion of the association membership who take the time to vote, which is upheld, not the other way around. The design selection should not be some small minority of individuals who have a preconceived idea of the inadequacy of the old design and what should be embodied in a new one regardless of what the majority of the membership has indicated. Noble and honorable intentions are appreciated, and volunteered donations of time and resources notwithstanding, an undertaking such as the above aﬀront to our association membership, is an act which may be described by several terms, all of which are inﬂammatory, and to put it concisely, is an egregious overstep of authority, and disappointing betrayal of the association membership trust. OK, somebody didn’t think this all the way through. We need to rectify that now. WHY?

Because as clearly stated in the masthead of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association magazine, “The USHPA is a MEMBERCONTROLLED sport organization…” It is NOT one controlled by the opinions of a few, however well intended or credentialed. Or is it? Or should it be? All who disagree please step forward and present your case. Larry Witherspoon, USHPA Charter Member # 8651

has voted, you want to change the rules (like wanting to change the menu after the meal is over). The logo wasn’t done so much for the members but to help attract would-be members, present a modern face of the organization and for all the other reasons spelled out in the jury’s wrap-up. The on-line poll was not a vote as color ballots would have been very costly and the process much more time consuming. It was not done in a haphazard manner nor were its ramiﬁcations taken lightly.

Stickers of both the new and the old logo Peter Birren, USHPA #40741, chair- are included with this magazine. You can man of USHPA Internal Marketing com- purchase additional stickers at the online mittee responds: store at ushpa.aero. Who says we needed a new logo? The same kind of person who suggested we needed a new name - a plain vanilla member. I suggested the need for a new logo at the March 2006 BOD meeting, wrote the rules, assembled the jury and wrote the articles you missed reading. You admit not paying attention to the contest details but, now that it’s done and the whole board of directors

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Recognition Is Important – It Works!

Donnell Hewett (L) receiving the NAA Safety Award

USHPA Solicits Nominations for the 2007 Awards By Len Smith, chairman USHPA Awards committee Photos by Paul Voight, Region 12 director and chairman Financial Redistribution committee

Every year, the USHPA issues awards and commendations to those people who have made contributions to our sport that their peers consider worthy of recognition. In order for this process to work, nominations must be submitted to the Awards committee by any individual prior to or during the fall (October) BOD meeting. Some awards require examples of award-worthy material (newsletters, photos, videos), which need to be in the hands of the committee members at the meeting in order for them to judge the relative merits of nominees. For submissions to arrive prior to the BOD meeting, please submit your nomination(s) by mail to USHPA, PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901 1330, or online at http://www.ushga.org/emailaward.asp, by October 1. USHPA presents awards in the following categories: PRESIDENTIAL CITATION – This is the USHPA’s highest award, and is given to a member or non member who has made significant contributions to the sport. The contributions need not have been made during the previous year. This award recognizes outstanding service to the USHPA during the year by any member or non-member. NAA SAFETY AWARD – The NAA Safety Award is given to an individual who has contributed to safety promotion in some significant way that should be recognized. CHAPTER OF THE YEAR – This award recognizes the USHPA chapter/ club that has conducted successful programs that reflect positively upon the chapter and the sport. Activities include,

but are not limited to, site procurement, development and retention, safety, membership development, and beginner and novice programs. NEWSLETTER OF THE YEAR – This award recognizes an outstanding club publication (printed or Web-based) that has been supportive of the sport and the sponsoring chapter’s activities. The award is based on service to members, layout, article variety, safety promotion, and promoting the sport. WEB SITE OF THE YEAR – This award recognizes an outstanding club Web site that has been supportive of the sport and the sponsoring chapter’s activities. The award is based on service to members, layout, article variety, safety promotion, and promoting the sport. INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR – The Instructor of the Year award recognizes the importance of our certified hang gliding and paragliding instructors in promoting safe flying practices and contributing to the positive image and growth of our sport. Nominations should include letters of support from three students and the local regional director. Considerations will include effectiveness as a teacher, being a safety role model, and other factors that the nominating parties deem worthy of recognition. One award per sport per year will be given. SPECIAL COMMENDATIONS – Special Commendations are awarded to any number of organizations and nonmembers who have done exceptional volunteer work that has significantly enhanced and promoted our sports in the U.S. The Special Commendation is a way for our organization to recognize landowners, drivers, restaurant owners,

Bill Bolosky (L), Presidential Citation

Len Smith (R) awards Larry Majchrzak his Commendation

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD –

government officials and any others who have contributed in a non-member capacity during the year. COMMENDATIONS – Commendations are awards to any number of USHPA members who have contributed to hang gliding and/or paragliding on a volunteer basis in any areas including site development and retention, competition organization, public relations, heroic rescue efforts, and/or basically getting off their duffs and doing something for someone else’s enjoyment of flying and the promotion of the sport.

Philippe was one of 26 recipients of the 2006 Commendation

Todd Rufner (L) speaks about his awardwinning video July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

USHPA staff and directors at a late-night Financial Redistribution committee meeting

BETTINA GRAY AWARD – The Bettina Gray award was created to honor the woman who contributed so much to our sport through her photography. This award is issued to the photographer (male or female) whose work is judged by the committee to demonstrate the highest quality in aesthetics, originality, and a positive portrayal of hang gliding or paragliding. One award will be given each year. BEST PROMOTIONAL FILM – This award recognizes the videographer whose work is judged by the committee to demonstrate the highest level of aesthetics, originality, and a positive portrayal of hang gliding or paragliding. One award will be given each year.

While there have been numerous years where USHPA has received no nominees for several of these awards, 2006 was a turnaround. All of the USHPA awards were issued. Your participation in the program was fantastic and has set the standard. So, please look around you, at your club, at your newsletter, at your local instructors, at your flying buddies, and Henry Boessl (R) accepting the at the members of your com2006 hang gliding Instructor of the Year award munity who support your flying. Surely someone is deserving of recognition, and would be honored to receive one of the above-listed awards. For more information contact Len Smith, chairperson for the Awards committee, SmithLI@bv.com. Please forward all nominations and supporting materials to the USHPA office. USHPA PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330 or online at http://www.ushpa.aero/emailaward.asp.

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Transitions

Remember, many of our instructors are enthusiasts. They are not attracted to instruction because their parents told them they should aspire to be hang gliding or paragliding instrucBy Jayne DePanfilis tors but rather, because they want to share their passion for our sports. Thank goodness for our instructors! I remember my family’s reaction when I informed them that I was thinking about a career in the hang gliding and paragliding industry. My parents urged me to consider many worthwhile endeavors including law, medicine, and engineering. Does this sound familiar? For some reason, hang gliding and paragliding were not on their list. I wonder why! Hmm… I remember the look on John Harris’s face when he overheard me describe my first solo aerotow flight to a Kitty Hawk Kites instructor. I was director of marketing at KHK at the time, and somehow I had managed to keep news of my flight instruction from John, the owner of KHK – just like I’d managed to keep news of my I remember, as if it were only yesterday, my the association that would endure well beyond first date from my father. I thought they might first day at USHPA headquarters in Colorado my tenure. “Begin with the end in mind,” I told not approve. I later understood that John was Springs, back in 2001. It had only been a short myself. “Be willing to serve as an agent for concerned that I might choose hang gliding over time since the staff had relocated to their new change, because change is characteristic of marketing (my job) the next day. I chose both. I offices across town and lo and behold, my evolution and our sports are always evolving.” spent all day in the office slaving away over an first careful, on-site, inspection revealed that I What have I learned about change? Change ad deadline. It was typically about 6 p.m. when would not have an office to call my own. So is essential for our survival. Change is not a I’d finally head across the street to the dunes at I improvised. zero-sum game. Change can be good – I’m Jockey’s Ridge for a sunset flight. I claimed a corner of the common area for more concerned about the effects of apathy on I remember my mother’s reaction when I my office. My desk was adjacent to the print- the survivability of our sports than I am about called her from the Currituck County Airport in er, the copier, the fax machine and the paper the effects of change! I’m concerned about North Carolina, to tell her that I had just comshredder, which seemed like a brilliant idea to the perception that change is good only if we pleted my first solo aerotow flight in a hang me because finally, I would be strategically lo- perceive that it directly benefits us. Why, you glider. There was a pregnant pause followed by cated to do my job: lead a reconstruction and ask, should we change? My answer: If we don’t Mom saying, “That’s nice – you won’t need to recovery phase for USHGA. change, we risk becoming obsolete. do that again!” It wasn’t long before USHGA’s landlord creThis is a message of optimism and hope. And I can never forget standing on launch at ated a secure office (with a window) for me We can change and we will change if the future Lookout Mountain Flight Park for my first-ever – but in the meantime the staff and I weren’t of our sports depend on it because one thing I high-altitude foot-launched solo flight. LMFP going to let office space prevent us from imme- know for certain, we are ALL united behind the flight school director, Christian Thoreson, wasn’t diately rolling up our sleeves and getting down desire to perpetuate our sports. Hang gliding going anywhere until I flew away from Lookout to business. and paragliding should not remain a well-kept Mountain for the first time. Thank goodness for What guided us through that transition secret. You, the individual member and accom- small miracles – when I finally opened my eyes, 6.5 years ago? Our mantra included diligent plished pilot, or aspiring student, must champi- I was flying away from the mountain for the first business management and increased efficien- on the effort to demonstrate the benefits of our time. It wasn’t the last time… cies and core competencies. Quite simply, we sports to others. You, who no longer actively Why do we do it? Why do we fly unfetagreed that we could do better. We aspired to participate in our sports, are needed to help tered in hang gliders and paragliders? Because, work together to improve benefits and services introduce hang gliding and paragliding to the we can. for members. There are far too many examples next generation of pilots. You, who subscribe to After more than six years with USHPA, I of increased efficiencies and improved services the magazine every month, need to share your have need for a change in my life’s direction. to mention here but needless to say, we were interest in flying with your non-flying friends. My decision impacts the organization and all successful on many fronts, and the change We all need to do our part! its members, but without change there is no was transformative. You can make a difference! Attend a club growth. It is with mixed emotions that I move Change is situational. Transformation is psy- meeting. Contact your regional director. Talk to on; I wish each of you, and the associachological, and during my tenure as executive a friend about hang gliding and/or paragliding. tion, a future filled with positive changes and director, I experienced both change and trans- Prominently display photos of yourself partici- healthy growth. formation. There were unprecedented internal pating in our sports at home and at work. Invite and external changes that would forever alter a friend to the next club barbecue or fly-in. the way we do things. My personal mantra was Contact a pilot who’s been missing recently at to develop an administrative infrastructure for your local flying site. Support your instructors!

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

Glider-Useful Thermals

Article and photos by Ken Hudonjorgensen

Three categories of shape descriptions are useful to me as a foot launched, non-motorized pilot: pancake/amoeba, cone, and snake. Each of these models of course is variable and they meld and mix into one another. Each category creation has to do with energy reserve and inertia. How much and how quickly has the heating been happening? Is it happening now? How long and how strongly will it continue to happen? The energy of a thermal has to do with more than just heating. Otherwise we would only have to check the temperature differential over time to figure out if it is going to be a good thermal day. But it is not just lapse rate that we check – we also need information on the jet stream and pressure, the moisture content of the ground and air, the top of the lift and lifted index and K index. We need to look at the sky, feel the cycles, experience the air in real time. There are also many things we don’t understand enough about yet to even know that we should be checking it, or how to check it or what “it” is. If we had all this figured out, we would be close to 100% accurate on our thermal predictions every day. I have not yet met the pilot who can predict that accurately. The following three models can help us understand the thermals we are flying in. These models mix and bleed into each other and are never ideal. I have seen, felt and experienced them being useful to me while flying. There may be other additional or replacement models that I will find more useful next week. We are always learning…

Cloudbase zero-sink ﬂying is one of the rare times when we can “see” the pancake/amoeba model. The lift has mixed and weakened enough to make the thermals ﬁt this model.

“Pancake” or “amoeba” thermals are often right at the base of (or inside) clouds such as these, where the lift weakens or drops to “zero sink.”

•

Cone model: These are moderate

thermals whose energy reserve is great enough to create a moderate and comfortable (for us) strengthening of the thermal lift. These are the thermals we find the most useful. I’m guessing 150 to 1500 feet per minute (fpm) or more lift would usually, but not always, be somewhat cone-shaped. The best visual model of this I have ever seen was in central Utah on a flight from Frisco Peak in ‘95. Over the flats I could not get more than 3000 feet above the ground with 800 fpm max lift, and bumpy. After three hours I came to an area that had • Pancake or “amoeba” model: recently burned Inertia is usually weakening rather in a brush fire. than strengthening, except at the The black ash very beginning of the day. Pancake/ was so light that every thermal in amoeba thermals have relatively the entire area weak energy reserve and inertia. They was darkened in are usually too weak to be useful to Drawn from my memory us except as a welcomed extension of the ash-filled thermals the shape of a cone. One of the many to our sled ride, but occasionally in Utah great photos I have failed to get in they’re usable as with the end-ofthis sport, this image is a recreation the-day glass-off lifty conditions, or from memory. Most of the cones cloudbase flying at or near zero sink. July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

were 1000 feet to 1700 feet tall and then the ash dispersed to the point where I could not see it. The cones were of remarkably similar size, shape and color and were somewhat evenly spaced approximately 100 to 500 or so yards apart. I did not measure any of this and am just guessing from memory, so take it for what it is worth. We have all seen this as dust devils when the lift is stronger and/or when the debris is lighter, as with this ash or the dirt on the ﬂats near Chelan, Washington. This ashthermal view was the only time I have ever been able to see what I think was every thermal, at least 40 and probably over 50, in a relatively large area, about 1 by 2 miles. • Snake model: Snake thermals have great energy reserves and inertia. As thermals get stronger – 1500 fpm to 3000 fpm – they usually become more snake-shaped and have sharper edges. We see these at Snowbird, Utah, in the summer and we sometimes call them gravel devils. At Snowbird these snakes only happen when the lift is very strong and comes up from all sides of the three-sided peak, mixing near the middle of the 100’-diameter ﬂat top. A snake thermal is not very useful or friendly to be near, but it can provide a highly visible marker of strong thermal lift if you stay more than 2000 feet above its top.

Snake thermal at Snowbird

When a Good Flight Goes Bad

By C.J. Sturtevant

This issue should have included a hang gliding accident report column by staﬀ writer Joe Gregor. Unfortunately, Joe recently suffered an accident himself; he’s promised to provide us with the details in a future column, but at the moment he’s not keyboard capable. Rather than skip the accident report column this month, I’m printing (or perhaps reprinting, by the time you read this) the column I wrote for the “new pilot” edition of the magazine, expected to be available online in July. While this column was originally aimed at newcomers to the sport, accident analysis helps all of us make safer, better informed decisions; I hope you’ll ﬁnd the following information relevant, whatever your level of skill or experience.

Direct, hands-on experience may leave the most lasting impression, but our bodies, our significant others and our bank accounts will suffer needlessly if each of us learns to fly solely through the school of hard knocks. The USHPA has created a way we can identify hazards vicariously, through a study of the experiences of others. The hang gliding and paragliding accident review committees collect reports and condense the information into a format that encourages reflection and discussion. While each pilot is solely responsible for his or her decisions regarding safe behavior and equipment, in our small “niche” community it is a courtesy for each of us to share what we’ve learned the hard way, in hopes that others will use our experience to guide their own decisions and risk analyses. What to Report*

Every accident or incident holds a lesson for all who fly. An Every issue of Hang Gliding & Paragliding magazine includes “accident” is typically considered to be any event where an injury a column dedicated to analysis of either hang gliding or para- and/or significant wing damage occurs, or where an injury/ gliding accidents. These accident reports are perhaps the most damage would most likely have occurred if luck hadn’t spared carefully scrutinized pages in each issue – and for good reason! the pilot this time. An “incident” is a flight-gone-bad without Taking to the air carries risks that those with their feet planted injury to body or bank account. Incidents are far more common firmly on the ground don’t need to worry about. Each of us who than accidents, and often contain tremendously valuable lesmakes the choice to fly a hang glider or a paraglider clearly un- sons for both the participant and to those who hear the tales. derstands that this choice includes risk; it’s our responsibility to “There I was, thought I was gonna die…” stories are the most educate ourselves fully to all the risks, obvious and hidden, and frequently shared and appreciated incident reports, but even the to do our best to minimize our exposure. minor mishaps are worth reporting. Who Should Report*

In drawing conclusions about what went wrong with a flight, it’s helpful to have reports from not only the pilot but also from anyone who witnessed the accident or incident and has a clear memory (or video) of the event. Often the accident pilot will have significant gaps in his or her recollection of the chain of events that led up to and followed the accident or incident. An observer may be able to fill in some of those gaps. If you’re witness to any incident where there’s a lesson to be learned, please encourage the pilot to file a report, and file your own as well. Typically there are 50 or fewer accidents and incidents reported each year; data from such a small sample cannot come close to providing an understanding of where the dragons lurk. How to Report

The easiest way to file a report is to use the online form at ushpa.aero/forms.asp. If online isn’t your style, you can get a paper report form from any instructor or observer, or download and print out the PDF form on ushpa.aero/forms.asp. If you’re filing a report as a witness rather than the participant, don’t worry about the personal information that you don’t know and would rather not ask about – fill in as much of the information as you can. A Few Lame Reasons Not to Report

“I don’t want to rat on my friends.” Your name and your friend’s name are not connected with your report, and while it may seem disloyal to report on a buddy’s mistakes, if your information helps someone else’s buddy make better choices, isn’t that a good thing?

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“I’m embarrassed to have been that stupid.” Well, yes, we all hate to be exposed in our dumb or careless moments, but since names and sites are not connected with reports it’s unlikely that anyone who wasn’t there will know it was you. Your “stupid” error resulted from some gap in your information – none of us ever says, “I think I’ll go out and crash my glider and break my arm today,” and yet we do just that on occasion. Your report may help someone else ﬁll in that missing piece and avoid disaster. “There are a lot of accidents and incidents at our site – I don’t want us to get a bad reputation by sending in another report.” I’ve actually heard that comment! If lots of bad things are happening to pilots at a certain site, there’s probably something going on, something that the collective intelligence of the pilots who ﬂy there could identify and warn less experienced or visiting pilots to be especially alert. Trends or patterns won’t emerge if there is only a handful of data points.

to preﬂight our gear and to have regular dealer or manufacturer inspections, but if we’re diligently checking the obvious we may not realize we’re overlooking things we don’t even know need inspecting! USHPA sends every reporter a $5 “USHPA bucks” coupon that can be used when renewing membership or purchasing an item from the USHPA store.

Hang gliding and paragliding are, for the most part, highly individual sports. Each of us makes myriad decisions every time we toss the wing on or in the car and head to a flying site. And while it’s crucial to keep in mind that each of us, as pilotin-command, is solely responsible for making the choices that affect the outcome of our flight, it doesn’t hurt to remember that we’re a small, tightly knit “family” and there’s a lot we can do to help each other make better decisions. Each thoughtful report on an accident or incident adds to our collective knowledge pool. Fly safely, but if you screw up or witness someone else’s mishap, please share your insights with all of us by filing A Few Noble Reasons to Report Every person sees every moment from a unique perspec- a report. Someone, some time in the future, will thank you for tive. Your perspective may provide an insight that everyone else your consideration. *The entire text of the USHPA general liability insurance policy has missed. Your accident may focus attention on something that “should” for the period 3/1/2007 through 3/1/2008 is online at ushpa.aero be obvious but that was overlooked by you and, presumably, by in the Members Only section. Click on “Insurance” for a 1.7-MB others. An accident caused by equipment failure several years downloadable PDF document. ago opened all our eyes to the need for more thorough inspection of harness webbing, and spurred several pilots to replace their harnesses before their next flight. We all know we need

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sider instructing. Even if you don’t care to run a flight instruction business full on, becoming an instructor and working on a consultant basis for an existing school is now a viable consideration as a fun, rewarding addition to your current pastimes. Scooter towing is another HUGE (and timely) boon to flight training. Eliminating wind-direction-specific hills, and offering more reliability, this exciting form of training may well be the biggest boost to flight training ever. If just a few of you readers are sparked by this article to become instructors, I’ll be happy, and the sport will benefit! A common misconception is that to be a “professional” operation, one must tool up and invest heavily to be comparable to the known success-story shops (Lookout Mountain, Kitty Hawk Kites, Wallaby Ranch, Windsports, etc.). In reality, all these businesses started small and grew to their present stature over a number of years. In 1984, after instructing for two different schools, I opened my own business (out of my home), which still thrives today. This vocation affords me a very unique lifestyle that I would never trade for a “normal” job. The following outline will list the minimalist version of what you need to do to get a flight school started. Obviously, the more resources one can afford to apply towards this goal, the more complete the “start-up.” Realistically, there are certainly ways to start up affordably and build from there. If I’ve piqued your interest a little at California instructor Rob McKenzie learning to be a scooter tow operator this point … good! Here are your bullet items to get started: • Obviously (albeit not necessarily first), you need to become a certified instructor (unless you can afford to hire alreadycertified instructors). This process requires an Intermediate rating, a firstaid card (easy to acquire through the Red Cross and many volunteer ambulance corps) and successful compleArticle and photos by Paul Voight tion of an ITP (instructor training program) clinic. While this process One of the factors that seems to have school, as either a primary or seconddoes require you to invest some time, stymied the growth of foot-launch flight income business. energy, and pay a fee for the training is a lack of instructors and schools in the With the advent of instructor insurprogram, it really isn’t a prohibitive majority of the country. My aim in this ance (becoming available through the hurdle. The USHPA actually relaxed article is to discuss how relatively easy USHPA’s insurance carrier), there has the requirements several years ago, at it can be to set up and operate a flight never been a better (or safer) time to con-

HOW YOU CAN OPEN A FLIGHT SCHOOL

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A training hill in action

the insistence of many long-time veteran instructors. Clinics occur regularly around the country, and if you are willing to organize and host the training program for four to six pilots, you can easily arrange to have a clinic in your area. Most ITP administrators (available on the USHPA Web site, ushpa .aero) are willing to travel to do the job (myself included). • Business and logistics considerations:

° A training facility: This (admitted-

ly) may be the toughest nut to crack. It requires driving around on search missions, and an up-beat convincing pitch to the landowner (including demonstrations or videos) to acquire use of hills, lands or airports for your purpose. Perseverance should ultimately prevail, and with our new (better) insurance coverage, you can be all that more convincing. ° Incorporation: A small fee and

some paperwork begets you “corporation” status. Operating as a corporation affords you numerous benefits, from insulating your personal assets from the “instructional activity” to many accounting opportunities that can enhance the viability of running a small business. ° A good waiver: This is a must for obvious reasons. Waivers are very important. They work. They protect you and any landowners who allow you to operate on their land. The standard USHPA waiver is written to incorporate the best features and most expansive release of claims. It is also required for the new instructor insurance coverage to be in force. Every student must sign the USHPA waiver before training starts. ° Advertising: This aspect of running a business can be taken to any (or hardly any) extent you care to. Be careful not to create a larger demand than you can accommodate! Creating an exciting, easily navigated Web page is the best start to your advertising efforts. Getting in the

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yellow pages also helps. Bright, eyecatching business cards are easy to design, and from my experience, are one of the better ways to “spread the word.” Billboards, radio, television, mall displays, presentations and demonstrations are more examples of how you might choose to get the word out. ° Solicit dealerships: Acquiring product dealerships is not as hard as you might think. If you are certified and teaching, most of the manufacturers are interested in you. You can sell their products for them. Gliders, harnesses, helmets, wheels, books, flight instruments, flight suits, Tshirts and videos are all products for which you should seek dealerships. In cases where you are close to an existing dealer, sub-dealerships are an option, or you can seek out other manufacturers. I have strong opinions (borne from my experiences) of who your first choices should be for dealerships, and if you contact

me, I’ll be glad to explain those preferences! ° A storefront: This is a commodity that is low on your initial priority list, and is normally costly. Since most of your business is conducted in the ﬁeld, you may never need one.

Scooter towing

° Set a “Standard of Excellence”:

Right from the start, you want to utilize a philosophy involving safety, professionalism, and exceptional service to your customers. The most effective tools for creating a loyal and recurring clientele (who will bring you more clientele!) are teaching students safely, responding to their needs in an expedient manner (as affordably as is feasibly possible), and always being “professional.” • Equipment Considerations: Here is where you have a large range of variables influencing how to proceed. Hill training? Scooter-towing? Aerotowing? These factors are great-

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ly affected by the kind of flying you normally do (and the kind of flying your students will graduate to). At the very least, you need at least two training gliders to start. Obviously several sizes are better, and ultimately you will need to acquire more gliders. Wills Wing Falcons and the like, or any level-1 paraglider, are primary considerations due to availability and serviceability. Used gliders are an affordable way to go. Training harnesses are easily scrounged up (used) if you put out the word that you are looking for them. There are several manufacturers of new training harnesses; if you’re interested, contact me for that

Rob McKenzie on the other end of the rope

information. Several sizes of sports helmets (light, vented and washable) are next on the list and can be obtained from many sources. Again, I can supply leads if needed. A pair of FM radios sure helps when you start putting distance between you and your students! A small first aid kit is prudent to have on hand at all times. In a perfect world, you will devise a simulator (perhaps from a scrapped glider frame), particularly if you can get permission to leave it at a training location. Simulators are nice, but if you can’t swing one yet, any assembled glider (or tree) can serve the purpose. ° If you plan on scooter towing, then you obviously need to shop for the necessary items to do that kind of operation. Steve Wendt at Blue Sky Hang Gliding in Virginia is a knowledgeable source of information regarding this topic (blueskyhg@yahoo.com). ° Also watch the scooter towing training video (and download the manual) on Wills Wing’s Web site (WillsWing.com). ° If you plan on aerotowing, again seek out the well-known sources already operating safe flight parks out there. Previously owned tugs can be found occasionally, which will save you quite a bit of start-up cost. Basically, the above is a fairly complete list of tasks and considerations you need to facilitate to get a flight instruction situation set up. Like any undertaking, the biggest step is simply starting the process. I hope this information is helpful to anyone who has contemplated teaching hang gliding or paragliding. If even one new instructor or school is generated from this article, then it was worth writing! Paul Voight is a long-time hang gliding enthusiast, photographer, and the owner of Fly High flight school, near Ellenville, N.Y. He has been instructing hang gliding since 1980, and paragliding since 1990. Fly High has been keeping him busy since 1984. Paul is rated H-5 and P-4, is an administrator for both the USHPA Tandem and Instructor programs, and has been the Region 12 director since 1989. You can contact him at www.flyhighhg.com with questions concerning this article, or about anything flying-related.

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(L to R) Don Walstad, Aaron Swepston and Steve Alford on Chelan Butte

Critiquing, Debrieﬁng, Improving By Aaron Swepston

Steve Alford, Don Walstad and I were having a discussion at the speed-gliding event last May in Chelan, about the practice of constructive criticism. Steve and I have flown together since the traininghill days, and part of our enjoyment of flying is talking about it, and part of our talking ritual has been debriefing and critiquing one another. We learned as much on the training hill by watching other students fly as we did by running down the hills ourselves. A lot can be learned through observation and discussing what is seen. Having good friends who will tell us what we did right or did wrong is an invaluable asset in flying. It helps us to become better pilots, and being better can mean that we live and fly longer. What came up this recent discussion in Chelan was how people will watch others launch or land, and will com-

ment to one another about that launch or landing, but are often hesitant to go over and discuss it with the pilot being observed. “Joe” barely squeaks off launch, almost drags a tip on the rocks, and lots of people see it happen and might talk about it as Joe flies away, but how many of those people will go up to Joe afterwards and discuss it with him? It’s really hard at times to talk to some people about such things. Sometimes they aren’t all that receptive to the discussion, or are defensive, or worse yet they didn’t realize anything was wrong and then get offended that anyone would criticize what they themselves felt was a flawless execution of whatever it was they were doing, whether launching or landing, or looping for that matter. We all like our flying buddies, and want them to like us back, so we don’t

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want to piss them off by suggesting that they did something wrong. On the other hand, we don’t want to see them hurt or killed either, so we sometimes are torn between saying nothing and saying something. But something that Steve and I have agreed on since way back when, and were discussing again in Chelan, was that whatever skills we’ve developed over the years we owe in no small part to our practice of talking about our flights in great detail so that we can refine our techniques – critiquing, not really criticizing, whatever it is we do wrong. Some things we just can’t see from where we are as pilots, and others can see all too well from their position as observers. It’s combining reliable outside observations with our sensations and what we experience, and reconciling the two, that allows us to grow.

enough to ingrain proper habits from the beginning because all this flying stuff is unnatural in the first place, and we have instincts that try to prevent us from doing what we’re doing. But it is important to try, and to not get too comfortable with our flying habits. And the only real way to do that is to ask for advice, to ask what we do wrong and what we do right. It’s better if we do it on a regular basis because if we do we might make the improvements necessary in time to prevent a crash instead of trying to fix a technique problem after a crash. We all need feedback from our flying buddies. We need to know when we make an awesome launch, and we need to know when we make even small errors so that they don’t grow into big errors down the road. Aaron Swepston is a Master-rated hang glider pilot who has been flying since 1978. He has held instructor and tandem ratings off and on, and has been an accomplished aerobatic and speed gliding competitor. Aaron suggests that if you want guidance in

cross-country matters, there are much better people to talk to than himself. However, his best thermaling advice is to ﬂy often without a vario in order to maximize your natural abilities, and utilize a vario in order to ﬁnetune your thermaling performance.

Happy Fourth of July!

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Photo courtesy Hadi Golian

Here’s an example: I perform something, like a particular launch technique, and I think it went well, but my trusted flying partner tells me otherwise. OK, so maybe I did something wrong. I try it a different way, as recommended, and I don’t like how it feels, but the report comes back that I did it excellently. Hmmm – the first way felt better, but I was told it was wrong, and the second way felt creepy, but I am told it was better technique. So I try again and see if I can reproduce that creepy feeling, and it works well, and after a while I realize that the creepy feeling is not really a creepy feeling, but the proper feedback to a technique executed properly. So I work on reproducing that again and again, and adapt beyond my comfort zone and get better. I’ve had to learn that what feels most comfortable to me is not always what is best. Forcing ourselves to trust in others, and to stretch beyond our comfortable places, is what makes us better pilots. It can be very hard to break habits once they’ve become established. It’s hard

How does one get to be an expert in “sand management”? After visiting Iquique, Chile, for six winters and living and flying in one of the driest areas on the planet, I have to say that I have had more than a few encounters with the dreaded glider-eater we call “sand”! Flying in the sand can be a blast, but you and your wing may be paying unnecessary penance for that experience. You may also find yourself very frustrated if you don’t possess adequate kiting skills or lack the excessive energy required to run around chasing your glider in strong wind. Over the years I have discovered a few handy tricks that can get you into the air easier without allowing uninvited sand ballast to slow down the fun. Many pilots find themselves challenged right away when they open their gliders and attempt to prepare their equipment at a sandy and windy launch. If there is a wind-sheltered area where you can sort your lines and bunch up your glider, then great, take advantage of that! If not, then you will be exposed to the elements, and this is where you’ll want to minimize your exposure as much as possible. Trick #1: I pack a very light stuff bag made from lightweight ripstop nylon that balls up to about the size of a softball and is about seven feet in diameter when laid out flat. I take it everywhere and can use it to shield my glider from the sun, or as a quick stuff bag, or as a ground tarp for my harness, helmet, flight suit, electronics, glider and other equipment. I pull this out of my rucksack first and place it on the ground where I will unload all my gear. Then I start to load my harness and get all my equipment ready. After everything is loaded in my harness, and

Trick #7 illustrated

Todd’s Tricks for Windy-Site Sand Management

Article and photos by Todd Weigand

my flight suit and helmet are on, I take the glider out of the bag and set it down in the sand, still folded up. Then I lift the harness, load the lightweight stuff bag into the back, and continue to strap myself into the harness. Now I am ready to open my glider. Trick #2: Whether you already have your glider attached to your harness or not, the best way to open the glider is in a nice, tight horseshoe shape with the center part of the leading edge pulled tight and the cells stretched open in the center. If the glider was accordion folded, then it is very easy to open into this horseshoe shape leaving the tips of the glider still bunched up. Trick #3: If the conditions are strong, then I also like to tuck my trailing edge down into the sand to keep the wind from getting under it and flipping the glider over. You can also take a few handfuls of sand and toss them on the tips of the glider to hold them down and keep the tips from lifting up and dragging the leading edge through the sand. Trick #4: At this point, I coil up all the lines while I am kneeling down next to the center trailing edge. Once the center lines are taut, I start to back away from the glider into the wind releasing one coil at a time. Keeping the lines taut actually holds the glider down and keeps the trailing edge from lifting up as easily. Then I can sort the lines out a bit and hook into the harness. Trick #5: Now you need to build a wall and check to make sure all the lines are clean. Don’t jerk the glider all the way up, but with slight snatches and releases put pressure on the center A’s so that the glider inflates and pulls itself backwards while you walk towards it. This keeps the leading edge clean and away from the sand. At this point the glider will be pulled

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open and you will be able to check all the lines before launching. Trick #6: By leaning back in the harness and putting a bit of pressure on the glider while also pulling on the brake lines, the glider will be held down and will not flip over and get its leading edge in the sand. Always adjust yourself relative to the wind direction to keep equal pressure on both sides of the glider. If you follow these procedures, you should be able to safely launch without getting any sand in your glider, reserve, or electronics. Those of us fortunate enough to spend a lot of time flying in sand know that cleaning the glider can be a major hassle. The tips of the glider are always the most difficult part to clean because of the closed leading edge. Many wings now come with a Velcro opening on the last cell. This works great because this is where the sand always filters down to when you are flying and kiting. But to get to this opening in sandy and windy conditions can be very difficult without letting the leading edge flip over and scoop up even more sand. Trick #7: One way to eliminate fivepound tips while you are kiting or just trying to launch is to burn some small holes in your wingtips. Take a cigarette and melt a small pea-sized hole in each of the last few cells of each tip. Make sure you put the holes in the outer corner and only the bottom layer of each cell. These small holes won’t affect your glider’s performance, but will make flying safer by eliminating weighted-down tips. Trick #8: For advanced sand-removal techniques, the glider can be kited in the reverse position and then spun negative in the air with one brake line and stopped in the upside down horizontal position with the other brake line. With the glider upside down, it can be kited in what looks like a full-stall configuration by pulling on both brake lines independently and applying pressure against the

Later this summer we’ll bring you advanced kiting techniques that will help you maximize your playing and ﬂying time at the dunes.

wind with the harness. Most of the sand in the glider will fall out the leading edge. The tricky part is to ﬂip the glider back to the upright position without letting the leading edge touch the sand. With a sand-free and controlled

Todd, a local central Oregonian, started flying at age 18 when he first attended the University of Idaho, but didn’t really spread his wings until after graduation in 2000. Since then he’s been traveling and flying three to six months every winter in Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, New Zealand, and Nepal. After seven years working as a guide, instructor, and tandem pilot, he has earned local respect with names like “Cholo Todd” from the Peruvians and “Gringo Loco” from the Chileans. He has won the Chilean national competition, pioneered routes in the Andes and is a co-holder of the Chilean national distance record at 120 miles. Although he’s “on the road” launch, a few small holes in the tips and most of the time, he can still be contacted at good upside-down kiting skills, you wallowaparagliding@gmail.com. should be able to keep the inside of your glider and your equipment safe from the wear and tear of sand. Now let’s go out and have some fun!

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Flying From the Top of the World

By Joe McCarthy

Guy setting our last prayer ﬂags and sending our prayers to the winds. Whether you believe in the gods or not, this is a beautiful local tradition! Flying these mountains made us feel a part of them and the memories we made will always be a part of us.

In November 2006, Guy and Marie Baker and I trekked and paraglided our way to Mera Peak, Nepal’s highest trekking peak at 6500 meters. At the summit, with views of Everest, Guy said goodbye to his old friend Stocky and spread his ashes to the winds. It was a very emotional trip with extreme highs and lows. Guy said if Stocky’s death meant anything it was to show us that we all need to live life to the fullest. One of the things I wish everyone could do once in their life is to experience the beauty of Nepal. I hope these photos will inspire someone to make the commitment to travel to this incredible part of the world.

High camp, 5800 meters – my tent perched on the edge of a cliff, a glacier-ice sculpture to my right, the sisters of Everest to my left. Inside, later, I sipped a hot milky tea thinking: At one a.m. in -20° conditions, am I really going to climb to the top of Mera Peak and ﬂy off?

We shed our packs, took off our boots climbed the stairs into a cool, dark, very ornate room. The lama sat by the window light as he read from a wood-print prayer book, clanged bells and blessed our prayer ﬂags. Marie tried to meditate, Guy tried to take it in and I made too much noise taking pictures and video. Afterwards, in the courtyard, the lama told us how two porters had died on Mera just a week ago in bad weather, but he assured us the weather should be kinder to us since it was near the full moon.

The villages are small, and everyone knows and cares for each other, with extended families living in one house or adjacent houses. These are a clever people – very inquisitive and learn easily. They seem content without the inﬂuence of mass media.

Joe following Guy into the void over Tagnag. Words cannot describe the enormity of this place! Photo: Marie Baker

Joe headed for the holy mountain above Tagnag Photo: Guy Baker

Guy on his way to high camp alone with his thoughts. Altitude affects everyone, physically and emotionally. Photo: Joe McCarthy

Guy at 6300 meters, exhausted and mentally drained after a -20° 1:00 a.m. start for the trek to the top to spread the ashes of his old friend Stocky to the winds. It was difﬁcult and frustrating trying to take off into thin air, deep snow and sucking in half as much O2 as at sea level. Photo: Joe McCarthy

Joe ﬂying down from Mera La glacier over Khare towards Tagnag – on the top of the world! From Mera you can see Everest and three of her 8000-meter sisters. Photo: Marie Baker

Guy and Joe ﬂying off Mera La glacier with the ice sculptures of Mera to our left. We were intoxicated by the lack of oxygen and high on the beauty of this place. Photo: Marie Baker

Joe launching from Mera La glacier (sequence includes photo below and R) Thanks to Sky Paragliders for the Cima, my durable, lightweight mountain glider which performed brilliantly, and to Sup’Air for my Altiplume harness with carbon seatplate – my equipment felt secure and comfortable, much more than just a top-to-bottom harness and wing. Photos: Marie Baker

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The armada, PWC Reunion Island Photo: Martin Scheel

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AEROBATIC FREEFLIGHT –

THE BEST SPORT IN THE UNIVERSE? Article and photos by John Heiney, johnheiney.com

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Last summer I participated in the first official FAI World Aerobatic Paragliding and Hang Gliding Championships held in Villeneuve, Switzerland. I had a good time in a beautiful place with a great group of people. The following is one American freestyler’s perspective on this milestone competition. I give a great deal of credit to those who organized this event, and to those responsible for securing the FAI sanctioning as the official World Championships. I have heard something about the hoops (loops?) you have to jump through to run a sanctioned meet and it sounds like way too much work. I would like to recognize them here by name, but I am not sure who they are. I do know that local flight-school owner/operator Alain Zoller has organized this event for many years. Over the past several years U.S. pilot “RC Dave” Freund made many trips to Europe and did a great deal of work on the rules for the hang gliding portion of the contest. It was a pleasure to meet Olivier Burghelle, president of the CIVL, who I believe had much to do with obtaining FAI sanctioning (along with Alain). It is a matter of historical record that from 1981 until 1999, the pilots of the Telluride (Colorado) Air Force ran the unofficial World Aerobatic Hang Gliding Championships. They were the first to do it, they were serious about it, and they did it every year for a long time. I figure it was the de facto World Aerobatics Championships. I am guessing the FAI would not have considered sanctioning such a wild aberration of freeflight even if someone had asked. So, what has changed to allow it to happen now? I think it has more to do with the desire and hard work of those who made it happen than simply a gradual greater acceptance of freestyling over time. I wonder how much the relatively new discipline of aerobatic paragliding had to do with it. The youth and enthusiasm in that sport is undeniable, and helps get things done. There were more than four para-tics for every hang-luni in the contest. I guess that tells the story. What a beautiful venue for a gathering of freestylers is Villeneuve! There are spectacular mountains, a great road up to launch and a quaint and hospitable July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

hassles of traveling on the airlines with a glider. By the time I finally took him up on his offer last August, the sail was old enough to have lost some of its energyconversion capability. I slept in a tent in the landing zone all but the first two nights. I tried to sleep in the “bomb shelter,” but some of the paraglider pilots were very exuberant and tended to be loud at all hours of the night. They are very nice people, but I need my quiet time. Hotels are expensive since this is a resort area, and is obviously one of the beautiful places of the world. I decided to take my chances with the weather and pitch the tent that Adrian Koenig had lent me. I knew it would rain since the countryside is gorgeously green. I lived very frugally, and spent about $1250 total on the trip including airfare and the rental car. The organization proVilleneuve vided food and I use the term loosely. The town to enjoy. If they could just arrange “flying” his toy paraglider through the bag lunch at noon was usually an unpleasto drain the lake in time for the con- crowd. The always-gregarious RC Dave ant surprise comprising a hard roll, Brie test, we would be able to land in front of allowed interested passers-by to fly his cheese (totally unacceptable) or a short, fat hotdog or two skinny square hotdogs. the crowd. electric model flying wings. The spectator area bordering the lake Adrian Koenig, who lives near I ate one and gave one to Olivier’s dog. had two Red Bull tents with bars, sev- Zurich, was the fifth pilot to order a new They did include a piece of fruit, which I eral food stands, vendor booths, a stage Predator back in 1996 when I was first would save for the morning. for the bands – it was a flurry of activity building these hang gliders. He had ofOne night the organizers threw a most of the time. Olivier and Nathalie fered to let me fly his wing in this con- grand banquet at the sports arena. While Bondallaz’s son Arnaud had great fun test for some years, relieving me of the gliders dried in the gymnasium and pilots ate appetizers, RC Dave Freund was the life of the party as he let people fly his twin-motor tailless oblique-wing RC model. It was essentially a flat piece of Styrofoam cut in a very unusual shape (for an aircraft) with two electric motors glued on. Several years ago Dave designed and developed an “oblique” flyingwing RC model glider, of which this is a variation. The town had opened their official nuclear fallout shelter for foreign pilots

Villeneuve landing and camping zone

Johnny Nilsen driving his homemade hang glider/ motorcycle/camper trailer, with Jon Gjerde and Eli Fjrose

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and hang gliding to be far more interesting than golf. But, top golf competitors sleep in luxury hotels while we sleep in tents in the LZ. What is wrong with this picture? It appears that there are so many activities to choose from today that nothing gets through to the masses unless it has a highly funded promotional campaign convincing people that it is the latest cool thing they must do or have. We might There were hundreds of child-drawn hang gliding just need to admit that only a tiny fracand paragliding art pieces displayed around town. tion of the people on this planet has the who are poor, and there were many of mentality for flying. Some non-flyers us. The best paraglider and hang glider find it interesting, but the vast majority aerobatics pilots have little money since just does not care. they spend much of their time practicThis event was a different contest ing rather than working. If you want to format than I am accustomed to, so I was be good, something has to suffer. There like a fish-out-of-water for a while. I did might be some paraglider manufacturers manage to finish third, so I got to bring paying pilots to loop their wings, but no home a bronze medal. The winner was a hang glider companies will touch it for former pupil of mine, Jon Gjerde, whom liability reasons. I taught to loop a few years ago when he I would like to believe that if intel- came from Norway to study with me. ligent beings from elsewhere came and Now he is flying better than I. observed the sporting activities on Earth, I was fortunate to finally meet the they would consider aerobatic paragliding designer Ignazio Bernardi who works

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with Icaro. I have admired his work over the years. In addition to his designing and photography, he turns out to be one of the top freestylers. He won a round and made me struggle to get to the podium. I had met Guido Gehrmann in Spain in 1996 in his early days of competition. He struck me as a cool guy who had great potential. And what a class act he is! He is last year’s Red Bull Vertigo winner, XC world champion, airline pilot, Red Bullsponsored pilot, photographer, helicopter pilot, and I am sure he has many other credits unknown to me. Guido has built an ideal for new pilots to aspire toward. I almost felt like a member of

Team Norway after hanging with the Norwegian pilots in their country two years ago. And at this event they treated me as one of their own – I am one-fourth Norwegian, after all! Johnny Nilssen drove his BMW down from the north country towing his self-made hang glider/ motorcycle/camp trailer. He brought Jon’s and Jorgen Kjellberg’s gliders, so his teammates could be rested after a short plane ride. What a noble sacrifice for the team! I think Andrea Iemma has been flying aerobatics for a long time. I believe I saw some footage of him looping at the Ilinix Meet on YouTube. Andrea and Ignazio took their two-man Italian team to a firstplace finish. Switzerland was generous to me. Fredy Bircher and Martin Von Holzen of the Swiss team made me feel very welcome in their country. They made sure I had plenty of beer to drink at the tent-bars each evening. I did not get around to telling them that I do not drink beer. The third Swiss team-member, Rolf Gruber is the most dedicated aerobatics pilot I know of. A hang glider pilot named Franz from Zurich gave me a ride back to Adrian

Koenig’s place so I could return the borrowed glider after the contest. Franz was very generous and would not accept gas money from me, even though gas is about $6 a gallon there. Adrian and his wife were very hospitable. They invited me into their home and made me feel part of the family. Many years ago in the town of Montreux, several miles north of Villeneuve, a little-known band named Deep Purple was scheduled to open for Frank Zappa in a large old casino with a high wooden-truss roof structure at the lake’s edge. Someone shot a flare-gun inside the building and the flare hung up on a truss and set the place ablaze. This was the genesis of the song “Smoke on the Water.” I thought of this song as we did our maneuvers out over the lake with our smoke bombs on our gliders. I enjoyed hanging with the European pilots. It always happens when I travel: I feel as though I have become part of a family, and then I must leave. Attending this contest and flying with enthusiastic fellow freestylers has reinvigorated me. It has reminded me that I need to manage my time better and fly more.

Competition paraglider pilot Nathalie Bondallaz launching a tandem

John Heiney has been hang gliding since 1979. He’s been a frequent contributor to the magazine over the years, having had about 35 cover shots, 33 centerspreads and a dozen articles in Hang Gliding/Hang Gliding & Paragliding magazines. He’s also a world-class aerobatic pilot, winner of 10 aerobatics contests and holder of the Guinness World Record for successive loops of a hang glider (52!) from 1988 to 1998. John developed the Predator, which he ﬂew in this contest, and the Saturn, both of which are currently available from UP, upgliders.com.

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Follow-the-Leader – Not Always a Fun Game! By Mike Semanoﬀ

The most eye-opening flight of my life took place several years ago at a time when I had about a month of flying time under my belt. This is a story of where my common sense and gut feeling took a back seat to a mindless act of following the leader. One Friday afternoon my flying buddy thought it would be fun to fly off 10,000’ Francis Peak, north of Salt Lake City, Utah. I had been off that mountain a couple weeks before in great conditions and I’d had an amazing flight. Today appeared much different – on the way to the mountain I noticed some big storm clouds in the area. I phoned my buddy in the lead car and asked if he thought those clouds were going to be an issue. He responded, “No. They are way far away. No problem.”

Ten minutes later I called him again to ask him what he thought of the stillominous-looking weather. Common sense told me it would be a waste of 45 minutes driving up the mountain if we weren’t going to be able to fly. I also knew that if we took the time to drive up the mountain our commitment level to launch would be high, and the option to change plans and drive back down would be less appealing. He said, “Everything will pass to the south and we’ll be fine.” At this point, I thought back to everything I had read up to that point, everything that said not to fly when storm clouds are in the area. But who was I? I had one month of experience and he had been doing this for years. So once again my gut instinct took a back seat. The drive up to Francis Peak was a

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beautiful and relaxing 45-minutes on a winding dirt road. It was easy to pass the time just enjoying the endless beauty of nature that ﬁlled every window. I knew we were approaching the summit as the trees gave way to low-lying brush and mountain meadows full of ﬂowers. This peaceful feeling was quickly subdued as I sat at the summit looking over the Salt Lake valley and multiple storm clouds. There was a big thunderhead over the next peak to the south and a wall of rain in the next valley. That was enough for me to pack it in, but my buddy insisted that if we gave it 10 minutes we’d be good to go. Ten minutes later the big cloud has passed and it actually looked better – not great, but better. We had our paragliders laid out and we were watching the wind.

I could see some rain in the valley coming towards us, and was about ready to pack it up when my buddy launched. So, like a lemming, I quickly followed him off launch and over to the next ridge where he started to sink fast and I turned hard to stay in the lift band. I looked back just in time to see him land on the side of the ridge, just as it began to rain lightly. Now there I was, flying alone, looking back at my friend and wondering if he’d landed on the hillside on purpose because he had second thoughts, or if he’d simply flown out of the lift band and sunk out. Well, it was too late for me to do anything anyway – I had rugged terrain all around and I was still at 10,000 feet, so I headed for the valley as fast as my glider would take me.

the lift about five or six miles out over the valley floor when the storm finally passed by me. Up to this point the air had been extremely smooth; when I’d first launched I thought for sure I was going to be getting my butt kicked. Little did I know that as the front passed I would be in for the ride of my life. The air instantly went from glass smooth to absolute chaos. My wing dove to the right, and then dove to the left; I then got jerked straight up and lost line tension. I thought for sure that once I went weightless I was going to take my first real collapse but I managed to keep the wing flying. The craziness lasted for about three minutes before the air went totally smooth and the sun came out. With my heart in my throat and my

The air instantly went from glass smooth to absolute chaos. My wing dove to the right, and then dove to the left; I then got jerked straight up and lost line tension. Without having any time for fear, I started thinking about my situation and everything I’d learned from reading, college, and my limited experience, and pondering how all this related to where I was at that moment. Through quick analysis of the situation I came to the conclusion that I was basically at the mercy of God. There wasn’t a whole lot more I could do besides pray for my life, then fly with urgency. An interesting thing happened about the time I finished praying for my life. I quickly found myself flying down a very distinct hallway with rain walls, in glasssmooth air. Rain was pouring down on both sides of me and it literally looked like a hallway a little wider than my wing. I flew in this hallway for a good 15 minutes or more until I was well over the valley floor and the rain stopped. From out over the valley I looked back at the mountain and found I was well above the launch point, and I was still going up. All I wanted to do was get down; I was in big ears and still going up. I put myself into a spiral to lose altitude and that worked – or I at least I wasn’t going up anymore. I managed to escape

butt puckered, I was ready to be back on solid ground. I didn’t waste any time picking out a nice landing area around some college athletic fields. I lost my altitude rather quickly and to my immense relief I had a great landing. I quickly called my ride to tell them where I was and that I was OK. I folded up my wing and waited for my retrieve to come by. I thought for sure my buddy would be in the car but he wasn’t. He was still on the mountain. We quickly called him on his cell phone, and he confirmed that he was fine and he was planning on walking down to the next bluff to launch off. I told him to hike back to the top and we would pick him up there, but he insisted he could fly off the next hill. Well, to make another long story short, he couldn’t find any launch spots anywhere. He walked for seven hours down one of the tallest peaks along the Wasatch front, at night, in a storm, with no trails, no lights, and a big paraglider on his back. The moral of the story? Trust your instincts, not your buddy.

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Sport Pilot Update: But Weight, There’s More!

Photo: Tracy Tillman

By Lisa Colletti and Tracy Tillman

Lisa, Litespeed and three tugs at Cloud 9 Field

We have received quite a few questions regarding specifics of E-LSA transition of tugs and PPL certification of tug pilots. We have been able to help answer most of those questions by leading people to some specific Sport Pilot references and resources. However, we received a good general question, given below as our Question of the Month, which leads us to review some references and resources that we have mentioned before – and to note some new ones that provide a wealth of very good detailed information. Question of the Month: “I am in the process of converting my Dragonfly tug for E-LSA registration. I have the EAA E-LSA conversion packet, but have not yet performed weight and balance calculations. I will need the Dragonfly serial

number and I am guessing that I can board diver, I’m pretty good with balance get that from Moyes. We do not plan – but weight control seems to be getting on towing as a business, rather it is just more difficult. a way for us to fly on weekends. Is there Tracy: Umm… any advice that you can give me?” Lisa: Actually, Dennis Demeter [refs. Tracy: First, run through our series of 3,4] and Michael Huffman [ref. 5] wrote Sport Pilot-related Towline articles now some very helpful articles on performing available online from USHPA’s “Sport and documenting weight and balance Pilot” Web page at http://ushpa.aero/ calculations for E-LSA transition, and info_sportpilot.asp [ref. 1]. Those ar- the Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly Flight and ticles provide a good general background Operations Manual [ref. 6] has specific to aid your understanding of Sport Pilot information on weight and balance for transition issues for tugs and tug pilots, the Dragonfly. and they list many specific references and Tracy: It looks like Bill Moyes’s comresources to help you with the transition pany for producing the Dragonfly is now process. Getting EAA’s E-LSA conver- named LiteFlite Pty. Ltd. [ref. 7], rather sion kit [ref. 2] is a great starting point. than Moyes Microlites. You can conLisa, what about weight and balance? tact Bill Moyes at info@liteflite.com.au Lisa: As a former competition spring- in Australia to see about getting your

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photographs that are extremely helpful. Much of this detailed information is also available in an article posted on his Web site called “How to N number your Ultralight” [ref. 14]. Thanks, Paul and Loretta! Lisa: Another new online resource for information regarding the E-LSA transition process is available from Quicksilver Aircraft, entitled “Quicksilver E-LSA Transition” [ref. 15]. Although not Dragonfly-specific, it is very detailed and helpful. Tracy: The last part of this issue’s Question of the Month is in regard to towing for fun rather than as a business. Do you have any advice about that? Lisa: When our hang gliding aerotow operation began, we followed the requirements of FAA Part 103 [ref. 16] and USHPA’s Exemption #4144 [ref. 17], which does not allow aerotowing to be performed for commercial purposes. Because there are so many very successful sailplane clubs that operate in the U.S. as non-profit organizations, we used them as a model for forming our Draachen Fliegen Soaring Club [ref. 18]. The new Sport Pilot regulations now clearly allow aerotowing of unpowered ultralights as a commercial activity [ref. 19], so some hang gliding aerotow operators may want to organize or reorganize themselves as a business rather than as a club. We intend to remain operating as a non-profit, noncommercial club and chapter of the USHPA. The Soaring Society of America (SSA) provides very helpful guidelines on how to start and organize a soaring club in their SSA Chapter Guide [ref. 20], which includes information on various types of organizations and legal arrangements, including incorporation, suggested by-laws, club membership arrangements, finances, and operations. It is available for free from the SSA. Tracy: It looks like we may have pretty much covered the Sport Pilot transition issue. Unless something else of significance comes up, we should probably go on to some other towingrelated topic in our next issue of “Towline.” Lisa: Sounds good – but we can’t forget about the January 31, 2008 E-LSA transition deadline, because “A Tug is a Terrible Thing to Waste.” Tracy: Ouch.

Photo: Bob Grant

Dragonfly serial number and a copy of the Dragonfly Flight and Operations Manual, if you don’t have one already. Lisa: Tiki Mashy and Bart Weghorst of Cowboy Up Hang Gliding [ref. 8] in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, are another great resource for Dragonfly conversion information. Contact Tiki or Bart at fly@cuhanggliding.com and ask them to email a copy of their “No Dragonfly Left Behind” [ref. 9] guidelines for conversion of the Dragonfly to prepare for the E-LSA airworthiness inspection. It has a wealth of detailed information that covers markings and stickers, wiring and ELT, cables, bolts, and registration paperwork. They even include a listing of the specific nuts and bolts that need to be replaced throughout the aircraft where they are used as hinge pins! It is a great piece of work and they should be commended for providing it free of charge to our aerotowing community. Tracy: Paul and Loretta Hamilton of Adventure Productions [ref. 10] have also made some great contributions to our sport. They have a long history of producing videos for hang gliding and paragliding, including their Discover Hang Gliding and Discover Paragliding videos that are available for free viewing on USHPA’s Web site [ref. 12], and they have created an extensive set of DVDs, videos, books, and other material for Sport Pilot test preparation and flight training [ref. 11]. Most recently, Paul has written a set of “Logbook Adventures” [ref. 13] articles for Light Sport and Ultralight Flying magazine that cover specifics of the E-LSA registration and conversion process, and maintenance issues. He provides some very detailed examples with

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References .aero

1. “Sport Pilot” USHPA Web page: http://ushpa .aero/info_sportpilot.asp 2. “E-LSA Conversion Kit”: http://shop.eaa.org/html/ elsa_conversion_kit.html?cart_id= 3. “Propwash: Getting Ready for Sport Pilot, Part VIII Weight and Balance” by Dennis Demeter, Ultralight Flying Magazine, March 2004. 4. “Propwash: Getting Your Bird Ready” by Dennis Demeter, Light Sport Flying Magazine (formerly Ultralight Flying Magazine), August 2006. 5. “Weight & Balance for E-LSA: Walking You Through the Process” by Michael Huffman, EAA Sport Pilot & Light Sport Aircraft magazine, May 2007 6. “Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly Flight and Operations Manual” by Moyes Microlites Pty. Ltd., revised August 2000. Available by email from info@liteflite.com.au.

16. FAR Part 103—Ultralight Vehicles: http://www.usua .org/Rules/faa103.htm 17. USHPA Exemption 4144: http://www.ushga.org/ hndbook.asp#EXEMPTION4144 18. Draachen Fliegen Soaring Club Web site: http:// members/aol.com/dfscinc 19. Part 144.d(14) on page 145 of FAA Order 8130.2F CHG2, “Airworthiness Certiﬁcation of Aircraft and Related Products.”: http://www.airweb.faa.gov/ Reg ulator y_and _Guidance _ Librar y/rgOrders.nsf /0/ 18b1d64bc8f90136862571d40072d8e1/$FILE/Order%208 130F%20with%20chg%202%20incorporated.pdf 20. “SSA Chapter Guide” by Soaring Society of America, updated February 2006. Available online in three parts at http://www.ssa.org/clubsandchapters/clubschapters.asp. Also available in hardcopy format at no charge upon request by calling SSA at 505.392.1177

7. LiteFlite Pty.Ltd. (manufacturer of the Dragonfly) Web page: http://www.liteflite.com.au 8. Cowboy Up Hang Gliding Web site: http:// www.cuhanggliding.com 9. “No Dragonfly Left Behind” Dragonfly E-LSA registration and airworthiness inspection transition guidelines by Tiki Mashy and Bart Weghorst. Available by email from fly@cuhanggliding.com. 10. Adventure Productions Web site: http://sportpilottraining.info 11. Discover Hang Gliding and Paragliding videos by Adventure Productions: http://ushpa.aero/videos.asp 12. Adventure Productions Sport Pilot Training Materials: http://www.ap-store.com/ushpa.html 13. “Logbook Adventures” (E-LSA transition series) by Paul Hamilton, Light Sport and Ultralight Flying magazine, March 2007-May 2007. 14. “How to N number your Ultralight” online E-LSA conversion guide: http://sportpilottraining.info/n_ number.htm 15. “Quicksilver E-LSA Transition” online E-LSA conversion guide: http://www.quicksilveraircraft.com/ resources/lsa/elsatransitionguide.htm

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Rich Pethigal, our host and friend

his travels in South America. He once ran a stretch of the Mantaro River that had never before been attempted. He was ecstatic after successfully running the gauntlet – until he was captured by members of the Shining Path, a Maoist guerrilla organization in Peru that launched the internal conflict in Peru in 1980. Rich was blindfolded and taken to their headquarters. He told them he was a reporter, and that he would do a story on them in the news. He quickly got his story and they let him go, but unfortunately they decided to keep most of his gear. Another time, the bus Rich was riding south from Cusco to Brazil was stopped because the town’s residents were blocking the streets in protest of the corrupt mayor. Rich paid local kids to help him for a couple hours, carrying all his gear around the perimeter of town until he found transportation on the other side. The people got their hands on the mayor, and they put a noose around his neck in the morning. Peru was a risky country to visit in the ‘90s, but things have changed, making it much safer these days. So last fall my friends Nick Greece living in South America for the last 14 and Magic Mike hopped a plane with years. Most of the year he’s in Brazil, me to Lima. We caught a connecting but he spends five months a year in flight to Cusco where we were greeted Cusco doing tandem paragliding flights by Rich, wearing his alpaca poncho and and working as a river guide. Be sure sipping yerba mate. It sure is nice to roll to give Rich a call if you are headed into a foreign country and have someto Brazil or Peru. He sets up tours and body to take care of transport and acprovides guide service through his com- commodations when you’re jetlagged and pany, Cloudwalker Paragliding (www altitude-challenged at just over 11,000 feet! “Drink lots of water, and don’t eat, .cloudwalkerparagliding.com). Rich has some amazing stories about boys,” was Rich’s advice. We listened,

An Adventure in Inca Land: The 2006 Breitling Cusco Paragliding Open

Article and photos by Rob Sporrer

Over the years, I’ve had many invites from my good friend Rich Pethigal to come down and visit him in Cusco, Peru. I ﬁnally committed to the trip last fall, when Rich emailed me about a competition he had organized through his sponsor Breitling watches, with prize money and plenty of good ﬂying at Cusco. Breitling put on a great competition, and treated us all like gold. Rich is an American who has been

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Pilots working near the Cusco launch

and hydrated and got some sleep, and woke up the next morning feeling rested and ready to fly. Rich picked us up at the hotel and we grabbed some breakfast before heading into the Sacred valley of the Incas for our first day of flying in Peru. The food in Cusco was amazing! We would eat quinoa (keen-wah) soup every day. Quinoa, a grain, has very high protein content (12%–18%), and unlike most

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Urubamba River winding through it

grains, it contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete foodstuﬀ. Quinoa is being considered as a possible crop in NASA’s Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceﬂights. We hoped this super-food would help us get to goal! After our nutritious breakfast we made the 30-minute drive from Cusco to launch, on the edge of a plateau look-

Gliding towards the Chicon Glacier

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ing into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Urubamba River weaving its way through the valley. The sun was shining, and the landscape was amazing. The snow-covered Chicon Glacier was directly in front of launch, reaching to 18,700 feet with the Amazon jungle only 40 kilometers away on the other side. This same range leads to Machu Picchu, the pre-Columbian Inca ruin sometimes called the “Lost City of the Incas.” The cycles were coming straight in at launch, and we were excited to get into the air. Once oﬀ and up, we all managed to connect and get established. The views were spectacular, and the thermals were ripping – I was happy to be on a DHV 2 wing as we climbed to 17,000 feet! The air was active, but once you were into a nice core the climbs were sweet. Rich and Nick managed to ﬂy back to Cusco while Magic Mike and I landed on the

Magic Mike (on left of table) entertaining pilots and friends

last leg. Six pilots made goal, including U.S. pilot Nick Greece. Everton Secco from Brazil won the day and the complateau on the way to Cusco. We enjoyed excellent flying condi- petition. Frank Brown, also from Brazil, tions on most of the six days before the took second in spite of landing in the lake competition started. In the evenings we on his way to goal – he was still able to took advantage of the nightlife and res- get a track log from his Garmin 76S and taurants Cusco had to offer, with Rich so was scored for his flight. The awards sharing the local hangouts with his party was a great time, and Magic Mike wowed the crowd with some of his crazy American friends. Unfortunately the weather turned very sleight of hand. Magic Mike and I spent a couple of unstable the day before the competition began, with rain and wind and no tasks days in Machu Picchu after the compefor the first three days of the comp. The tition, marveling at the amazing things sun finally broke through on the fourth the Incas had created so many years ago. and final day and we were able to fly a I’d been taking so many “boot” pictures task. That day was brilliant and the sky all week from cloudbase, and I couldn’t was littered with cu’s. The local Peruvian resist taking one more while sitting on people were delighted to see their sky a wall overlooking Machu Picchu. I filled with so many colorful gliders “Photoshopped” in my speed bar, posted – this is what they had been waiting for it to the local discussion board back home and fooled a few of my friends into thinkall week! The task was a 54-km triangle with a ing I had gone XC to Machu Picchu! I’ll definitely go back to Peru for final glide to goal next to a body of water, which always makes for an interesting flying! I want to give a big thanks to the Bob Drury (UK) and Nick Greece (USA)

Peruvian girls model the beautiful fabric woven by the local women

entire team from Breitling, who in spite of the ﬁckle weather put on a wonderful competition, with excellent prizes for the pilots.

Cusco Open 2006 Final Results 1. Everton R. Secco, Brazil: Boomerang 4 2. Frank Brown, Brazil: Sol Tracer 3. Gerard Ameseder, Austria: Airwave FR3 4. Daniel Vallejo, Columbia: Boomerang 4 5. Nick Greece, USA: UP Trango 2 6. Michael Wachter, Venezuela: UP Targa 3 7. Mathieu Vermeil, France: U3 Aircross 8. Rob Sporrer, USA: UP Summit 3 9. Richard Pethigal, USA: Omega 7 10. Bob Drury, France: Airwave Magic 4

XC to Machu Picchu

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Part II: Gaps, Holes and Trenches

Photo: Jeff Goin

Clouds are clues to the atmosphere’s behavior. They can tell us volumes about the air’s structure and movement. But we have to know how to read the book, or at least the magazine. In the first part of this series we saw a dramatic illustration of how the terrain features can affect the sky’s structure. Notably, we saw a mountain producing short wavelength waves and a large area of sink or suppressed lift. It is fairly easy to understand the effects shown in that last article, for the air streams around and over an obstruction just like water in a rock-strewn brook. However, because of surface heating there are some terrain effects that can’t be directly related to the model of flow

in a brook. As we know, the sun’s heating of the surface has a great influence on the atmosphere, mainly by producing vertical convection currents. These currents can be slow, widespread flows (such as in a heat low) or smaller in expanse such as thermals or up-slope flows. But the heating factors can have the opposite result too, with conditions on the surface suppressing or cutting off the upward flow we crave for our acromania obsession. The destruction and voiding of lift is the subject of this month’s cloud study.

ally stop thermal activity since the heating of air at the surface is the necessary ingredient for thermal production and, ultimately, those lovely heaps of meringue we call cumulus clouds. What can be a greater depressor of surface heating than bodies of water? Water is a heat sink because it undergoes convection currents that mix the heat away from the surface (just as the air does, only in a downward direction rather than upward). Also, the sun’s rays penetrate deep into the water and don’t just heat the surface. Add to that water’s great heat capacity and you CLOUD RIVER have a reservoir of cool, as any towhead We know that a surface that is cooler kid seeking a swimming hole on a swelthan the surrounding terrain will gener- tering summer day knows.

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Our first illustration (see Photo 1) shows a vivid picture of the clear area over a river. Cumulus clouds abound over the land, but a highway of clear air follows the river meander. Looking carefully at this photo, we can see that the wind is from the right of the picture, flowing towards the left, based on the cloud tilt. As a result, it appears that the cumulus clouds may be a bit closer to the river all along the right shore. My friend Jeff Goin, who provided the photos for the last article, also sent this photo to me. Again it was taken from his Boeing 737. Unfortunately, Jeff cannot remember where he took this shot (perhaps he was lost) so I cannot relate it to a map and thus get dimensions. However, judging from the ground objects, the river appears to be about 3/4 of a mile wide and the total width of the area clear of clouds from two to three miles. So with enough height, this river of water and sink could be crossed (preferably at a perpendicular). In fact, if the desired path was not downwind and perpendicular to the river, it would still be the best policy to cross perpendicular to the clear area, then resume the desired track on the other side. We can see a few little cumulus in the midst of the clear air stream. But if we look carefully it appears that they are not flat-bottomed and are probably residual parts of former good clouds dying (and drying) out in the sink as they drift downstream. Thus, it is probably not a useful strategy to try to hop along them in a crossing. Striking out from the best cloud closest to the river to the best cloud across the river is the best bet. On the left bank there is a widespread area of strong thermal/cloud buildup tending to over-development (OD). This is apparently an unstable day with plenty of moisture in the air. It is not possible to tell if a similar OD exists on the right side of the river due to the limits of the photo. A bit of scrutiny shows that far out on the horizon there are additional lines of OD. However, the one near the river appears to follow the river. We can understand this effect if we imagine the general flow of air near the river. There is sink over the river (indicated by lack of clouds) due to the relative coolness of the water. This sinking air will begin to flow outward as it nears the surface, and

thus tends to suppress thermal production a distance inland from the river banks – the clear air isn’t confined to the river’s boundary. With the addition of the general flow (from right to left), the out-flowing cool air can act like a mini cold front and thus trigger a line of thermals, similar to a squall line, but with less intensity. A similar thing often happens at the interface of a sea breeze front in moist areas. We should note a couple additional points. The air over the river is not clear just because it is colder, but because the coolness causes it to sink, which makes the whole vertical profile more stable since the lower layer heats by compression relatively more than the upper levels. In addition we should note that it is possible to have thermals develop over water if the air moving over it is colder. Sometimes on a clear evening the land will cool off faster than the water and then weak thermals will develop over the water as it slowly gives up its heat. Finally, we should look at the safety of the situation. Any OD condition has the potential to develop thunderstorms, but in my judgment, at the time the photo was taken matters aren’t unsafe. The evidence for me is that there are not any sharply defined turrets or towers on the largest masses. All the upward bulges appear well rounded and soft. This observation indicates that the lift in the cloud is not too vigorous. The reader will note that there is widespread dark shadow under the thickest masses and perhaps these areas should be avoided by those worried about thunderstorms. But the real question is whether there is lift in the shadowed areas. The presence of clouds indicates there was lift. Chances are it is still there, being driven by the dynamic of the cool river next to the warm ground creating a continuous convection heat pump. Note: If any reader recognizes this stretch of river, please send the coordinates or location to the editor, editor@ushpa.aero.

Photo 2

province borders are clearly delineated. You can see the Great Lakes around Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario, as well as some of the Finger Lakes in New York. You can fairly hear the echoes of thick patrician accents. If you look off the east coast of the U.S., you can see the remnants of a cold front indicated by the fractured band of clouds. The low sits just east of the Maine coastline. Further investigation of the photo reveals a secondary front curving along the U.S.-Canadian border at the top of New York, Vermont and Maine. Another interesting highlight is the band of large cumulus that cuts across the lower southeast third of Pennsylvania. These clouds lie along the famous Appalachian longdistance ridges. But the most dramatic and telling feature in the photo is what happens downwind of all the bodies of water. The general airflow is from the north-northwest as can be told by the streaks and streets. Downwind of each Great Lake is an area about 40 to 50 miles wide of thermal (cumulus cloud) blank-out. Clearly the cool, stable air off the lakes moves inland and destroys thermal production. The moving air mass takes some time to heat up before it can produce thermals. The stronger the wind and more stable the air over the water, the larger the area of thermal suppression will be. Now look at the state of New York. DOWNSTREAM DEAD AIR Our next photo is another incredibly You can clearly see the two largest Finger illuminating one (see Photo 2). This is a Lakes. They are Seneca on the left and NOAA weather-satellite photo showing Cayuga on the right. You can also see the northeast U.S. and a bit of southeast- several smaller lakes on both sides of ern Canada. The setup: The states and these large ones (there are over 40 of July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

these long glacier-carved lakes in the state) as well as Lake Champlain on the New York/Vermont border. There is thermal suppression downwind of all the lakes in the photo, but the shocking detail is the wedge-shaped blank area downwind of Seneca and Cayuga. This area extends at least 100 miles! I expect the combination of the stable air off Lake Ontario with that of the smaller lakes makes for such a strong band of thermal suppression. The important point for us to learn here is how important the placement of a body of water can be in relation to the wind direction and our flying area or path. Certainly we can’t always avoid such areas, especially since they are so widespread, but we can at least be aware of their far-reaching effect on our flying. I used this photo for a talk at a recent sailplane soaring seminar and had a conversation with a New York pilot who regularly flies in the vicinity of these lakes. He confirmed the presence of blue holes near the lakes in an orientation depending on the wind direction. For my part I was surprised to see how far inland thermals were affected. This photo made me review much of the flying I have done around bodies of water. A final matter to observe is where cloud lines or streets occur and where they don’t. We can certainly see street action in the southwest corner of Quebec and a bit farther northwest. There is also some in the north of Maine, New York and Pennsylvania. But in most other parts, such as western Pennsylvania and West Virginia (the Allegheny Plateau), streets are absent. Now look between the fronts in the eastern half of New York. You can readily see the lines of clouds align easterly and westerly. I suspect these lines are caused by wave action between the fronts. The up part of the wave promotes thermal activity in the lower levels and the down part suppresses it. Look at the thick band of cloud that splits Connecticut and extends across Long Island. This line follows the Connecticut River valley and with mountains on either side of the valley, I suspect there is some convergence going on as the air flows southward. Now a question begs to be answered. If you happened to see this aerial survey on the day it occurred, and live in those blue and blank areas, should you think about flying or stay home and garner relationship brownie points? The general answer is go flying, of course (flowers can earn the brownie points). The blank areas may be stable very close to the lakes, but if you look carefully, the thermals don’t suddenly jump up downwind, but peter in gradually. At some point they will appear, small, weak but able to sustain climbs, just as in blue high-pressure days. Besides, with the appearance of that wind there will be plenty of ridge lift to buoy you until the meager thermals drift through.

Photo courtesy GIN Gliders

I hope you enjoyed these photos and essay. I am looking for additional cloud photos for future articles. Particularly, I would like some linear wave shots, rotor clouds and a glory or two, as well as any other interesting clouds that we can use to learn more about the medium we choose to inhabit. Please upload photos to the USHPA dropbox; directions for uploading are online at ushpa.aero/ editorial_dropbox.asp. Or contact the editor (editor@ushpa.aero) for assistance.

The new GIN Boomerang 5 July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

My Extraordinary Day of Flying Article and photos by Tom Zylak

Tom’s second Mossie ﬂight, April 2004

On Saturday, the 6th of January in 2007, I got an urge to fly over my favorite campsite at Palomar Mountain, California – the mountain with the 200inch telescope observatory. This place has a special meaning to me and my family. We have been camping there every year for 15 years now, from our dating days through marriage, young children, and now with our children old enough to enjoy biking and hiking there. The place is extra-special for me because even at a time before the notion of hang gliding came to my head six years ago, I had already had a recurring thought: Hmm, wouldn’t it be just too cool to fly over and get an aerial view of this magnificent place? On this January morning I arrived at the base of the mountain at 7:00 a.m. The winds were ranging from two to six mph and switching from all directions – not

that unusual for that area at that time of the day. I set up my Wills Wing Eagle 164, got my Mosquito harness attached, fueled and warmed up, and went over to the truck to set Self -portrait at 4000’ MSL and powering up my camera. As soon up, August 2004 as my back was turned, a ranging from 10 to 20 mph. My upsidegust of wind hit the wing from the rear and flipped the whole setup down Eagle was violently rocking from side to side on its nose and the kingpost. upside down! I raced over to rescue my equipment. The Mosquito harness was gingerly supThe violent flip had yanked the fuel tube ported by the “V” of the nose wires, the off the main tank fitting and gasoline “V” of the downtubes and the “V” of the was spilling all over the sail. In the 40 rear wires. I could not believe how neatly seconds of me fumbling to get the tank it fit into the “turtled” wing. It took me some 10 minutes to remove disconnected, it had spewed out almost a the harness off my glider, hindered by cup of gasoline. Once I had the gas tanks secured, I the wing rocking sideways so much due took a moment to evaluate the situation. to the varying wind direction. I was paThe wind was persistent and gusty, now tient and took my time with it to avoid July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

Photo: Alex Zylak

some scuffs on the nose cone, the wing was still perfectly OK. I was patient. After some 40 minutes of howling, the wind suddenly stopped. I knew the wing was fine, so I proceeded to inspect the harness. Still very wary of wind strength and direction, I checked over the harness and the prop and found nothing wrong. I reconnected Tom with his daughters, Emily and Samantha, the gas tanks and tested the motor. No April 2004 problems there, either. any damage to the sail. It took another After 20 minutes of no wind, the 10 minutes for me to figure out the best typical wind at two to five mph resumed. method of flipping the wing – I ended Well, I figured I might as well continue up waiting for the appropriate wind di- the setup and see where the wind would rection to assist me with the flip back to take me! right side up. The takeoff, at 3000’ MSL, was unBy this time, I was so freaked out usually easy that day due to the steady by the whole incident that I was almost headwind. The previous year I had sucready to pack it all up and go home. The ceeded in getting off after the third atproblem was, the wind was still gusty and tempt. A year before that it took me five I didn’t dare to step away from my wing. attempts before reaching the takeoff So I stood there, holding my Eagle and speed for a successful climb-out. This looking it over, and was relieved to find time, I launched into about a 10-degree that all of the sail was still intact. Even cross wind. The groomed section of the the fuel spill had dried out into noth- field was fairly narrow and I chose to stay ing. Other than a dusty kingpost tip and on that section to avoid any chance of

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

The LZ at the base of Palomar, May 2005

damaging the propeller on some thicker brush. This was the most crosswind takeoff I’d attempted under power, and it was pleasantly successful. My two-hour-and-10-minute flight was spectacular! In one spot I made a long, sweeping, 360° turn to see the snow-covered San Jacinto Mountains near Palm Springs, the Salton Sea and the Palomar Observatory and, in the distance, the Pacific Ocean and the islands of Coronado, San Clemente and Catalina. Farther yet were the lakes Vail and Elsinore, and Mexico across the border. Beautiful! Despite my heavy winter clothing I

Palomar observatory from 1500 feet

harness breakdown. I call it “remote” because in the last three years of powered flying I’ve always landed within 100 feet of the truck. That alone might have qualified this as a cross-country flight. But once I tossed all the repacked equipment over the barbed wire fence and pulled the truck up to it, things got back to the usual – as if there is such a thing as “usual” in hang gliding! Was the day challenging? Very Vail Lake, five miles south of the Palomar Mountain much so! got quickly cold above 8000’ MSL, and 45 degrees off from my takeoff direcCould I have managed to pull off a feat that convinced me to stay below that al- tion. I powered up to a level flight and like this two years ago? Probably not. titude. The winds aloft were a steady 10 made another pass. This time it was 120 Well, this time I did it, and it was an to 15 mph and I chose not to fly over the degrees off; on the third pass it was 90 extraordinary day! observatory or the campground since degrees off. Since the wind direction was those areas on that day might have had a so inconsistent, I chose to land in a huge I am still just a Hang 2, although I’ve funnel effect and the air might have been cow pasture across the road, one barbed- been flying for five years. Though I enjoy a bit too rowdy for me. Besides, since the wire fence and some high power lines soaring, and do that as often as the condimountaintop is a park, I prefer to fly over away from my takeoff spot. On my final tions allow, I have not used the standard it with at least 2000 feet of ground clear- approach I stopped the motor and locked harness since my first Mosquito flight three ance, and flying at 9000’ MSL would the prop in the horizontal position to years ago. I just love the CHOICE of powhave been way too chilly! protect it, since I knew that the pasture ering back up. My return trip to the LZ was a breeze. had heavy brush. The touchdown was a Since the day had already been rather near-perfect two-step landing – the wind weird, I chose not to stop the motor but direction did switch a bit and one tip of to idle it on the way down to the LZ. At the wing barely touched the grass. 300’ AGL I made a pass over my truck To add to the day’s new experiencand noted the windsock pointing some es, this was also my first remote wing/

Mountains, San Diego, Mexico and the Paciﬁc under a layer of morning clouds

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

The Launch It is an odd thing To perch upon a precipice Free from fear

Photo: Dan Nelson

Photo: Ancil Nance

By Tom Galvin

Quivering with anticipation. Drinking in surroundings The sun shining just The ebb and ﬂow of air of a raptor The Waiting for the right Waiting only to launch

cry

moment

“Clear!”

A bark of A lean, A step, A swoop into the ocean of air A Earthbound memories fade As I become a creature of

dive

Glacier Point, Yosemite

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

Photo: Susan Schneider

Photo: Terry Paulson

ﬂight

A Year in the Life of Gil Souviron: Smashing Records, Casually

Part 1: Spanish Stories – Towing to Records in Caceres

By Matt Gerdes, staﬀ writer Photos courtesy Gil Souviron

Tomas Suchanek’s flight. Stay tuned for a report of Gil’s triangle flight, coming later this summer. Gil also holds the French out-andreturn record of 353 km from Col de Bleine, a famous paragliding and hang gliding site in the southern Alps, and has flown a non-FAI “flat” triangle of 402 Gil Souviron km, which could also be considered a Gil Souviron had an exceptional year 383-km out-and-return. The 47-year-old father of two is reof flying in 2006. With three major world records and several more incred- cently retired from the software indusible flights, the retired Frenchman has try and, after 24 years of flying, can now firmly established himself as one of the afford to fly full-time. Last year Gil finmost accomplished hang glider pilots in ished 4th in the World Championships at Quest Air in Florida, but he says that the world. Gil’s records currently include a his true goal at that event was to train to European distance record of 535 km, break distance records. After 13 years of towing in Spain, flown from Caceres, Spain, as well as the world out-and-return distance Gil has found Caceres to be the best for record of 338.2 km and the world FAI distance flying and the Segovia/Avila triangle record of 365 km, both flown in regions the best for more technical cirWilcannia, Australia. Gil says that he cuit flights such as triangles and outconsiders that triangle to be his personal and-returns. best flight due to the speed at which he Of Caceres, Gil remarks that it could completed it (51 km/h average speed over be the most desert-like environment in the total circuit, and 61 km/h during all of Europe, with no water or electricity four hours of the flight) and the fact that at the airfield, but the runways are never it was bigger than hang gliding legend crowded and the few locals are kind and

The European distance record, 535 km, from Carceres, Spain

helpful to visiting hang glider pilots. In Gils’ words: “The beginning of your flight at Caceres is always tricky when you launch early. [“Early” in Spain means 12:30 due to the very broad GMT+1 time zone, which spans more than 1000 miles; Spain is at its western end. Thus, 12:30 in Spain feels like 11:30 in Austria.] The conditions are not yet established, and you feel like you’re just surviving for the first hour of your flight. Then, at kilometer 60 you have to pass the Sierra de Guadalupe, where the conditions are not better but the ground is higher. “In 2006 the flying season in Spain was particularly excellent. I don’t know if it was due to the fact that we delayed the trip to the end of July and the conditions are typically better later, or if this year was just generally above average. Future years will tell. “What we do know is that we were glad to have been at Caceres and to not have wasted our time in Piedrahita instead; our friends who spent five weeks there only made four or five flights due to constant south and west winds! “It is increasingly apparent that towing is the best solution for long XC flights, not only in Spain, but also in the rest of the world. Furthermore, my experience tells me that Spain is one of the best locations in the world for distance flying. Towing in Spain is still not world-famous, but in the future I am confident it will become a major destination. We are still

Gil’s out-and-return record ﬂight, in France July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

FAI triangle record, Gil’s personal favorite ﬂight because it beat hang gliding legend Tomas Suchanek’s record

that 74 km. “As I passed out of the Mancha Plains and into the Serrana de Cuenca, which Caceres to Andorra de Teruel: 535 km, is the biggest forest in Spain, the sky became even better with cloudbase at European Distance Record Gil continues: “The flight began with 4000 meters. But the terrain is very hosmy friend Bruno Capelle, who suc- tile, with nothing but trees for over a cumbed to the first major obstacle at the hundred kilometres in every direction Sierra de Guadalupe where the terrain and far more canyons and cliffs than poslifts and oftentimes cloudbase decreases. sible landing zones. I exited the forest Miraculously, I caught a thermal at less at 440 km, and raised my feet to cross a high point in the terrain at 2800 m. than 200 feet and got up again. “Even at 380 km, I knew I would beat “Also miraculously, that was to be the only difficult part of the flight; from the current record on glide, with 100 km there I crossed the Sierra de Guadalupe of ground speed and a glide ratio of 25:1 without problems and passed north of the – this meant I could go at least 80 km Toledo Mountains to enter the Mancha with no thermals. Plains, which were working beautifully. “At 8:20 p.m. I passed the 430-km “I was focusing on flying fast, with mark, and the cumulus began to lamithe assumption that the day could be nate behind me, and out in front I could finished by 8:00 p.m. With 3/8 cumulus see the atmospheric influence of the cloud cover and my Atos VR, I could Mediterranean coast. It seemed to be afford to only take the best thermals. By final glide, and I thought I was good for 3:50 p.m. I had flown 126 km; in the next about 460 km. “Suddenly, a small cloud formed hour I did 70 km, and in the hour after working on establishing a permanent towing operation there.”

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

in front of me and I got two decent climbs over terrain that had once again become very unforgiving, but with a few more landing options than the Serrana de Cuenca. “At 9:10 p.m. a cumulonimbus to the west had shaded the entire area. At 496 km, I could just break the 500-km mark if I glided to Montalba village, but the landings there looked terribly small. While I was lost in thought, my vario broke the silence; 200-fpm lift became 500, then 550 and a regular thermal. How could this be? The ground was shaded, the cumulus gone, and yet I was climbing! Nevertheless I decided to land at the official aeronautical nighttime of 9:45 p.m., and I left the thermal at 2700 meters. Pulling on the speed for the last glide, I hit 115 kph and then spiraled down over a village to land at 9:38 p.m. with minutes to spare. “Ecstatic from the long flight and confused by those last thermals, I can only assume that the outflow from the cu-nim to the west converged with the Mediterranean sea breeze and I ended up in the right place. I also surmise that this convergence could have continued until long after dark. “It was a fantastic day, on which many pilots broke personal bests. Françoise Dieuzede flew a magnificent 290 km to crush the women’s European distance record, and Roger Dupanne, aged 68, flew 220 km! Bravo! The next day was almost as good, and I managed to fly 475 km with my friend Bruno Capelle, who had landed early the day before.”

Gallery

Wyeth Gubelman heading for cloudbase deep in the Colorado backcountry Photo: Greg Babush

Stefan Bocks launching from the start of the 2005 Red Bull X-Alps. The 2007 X-Alps begins this month – American pilots Nate Scales and Honza Rejmanek are competing as teams USA 1 and USA 2. Inset: Aidan Toase, on course in the 2005 X-Alps, where he walked more than any competitor in the history of the comp (800km) – and still placed 7th Photo: www.redbullxalps.com

Brian Scott soaring Rampart Ridge, in the Washington Cascades Photo: Kevin Cosley

Photo: Ryan Voight

If there’s one aspect of hang gliding that makes paraglider pilots jealous, it’s the ability to ﬂy in Yosemite. Bob Ormiston enjoys the wonderful privilege. Photo: Bob Ormiston

Raul Rodriguez with 180 degrees of intentional line twists, shortly before spinning his wing 180 degrees to face the right direction (seriously!) Photo courtesy Niviuk Gliders

Calendar of events items WILL NOT be listed if only tentative. Please include exact information (event, date, contact name and phone number). Items should be received no later than six weeks prior to the event. We request two months lead time for regional and national meets. For more complete information on the events listed, please see our Calendar of Events at www.ushpa.aero.

July 4-9: Hurricane Ridge and Cedar Mt., Utah. Eighth Annual Winds

of a Hurricane Fly-in with no entry fees. Intermediate and advanced hang and para pilots welcome. Good ridge-soaring/XC opportunities with lots of LZs. Hungary Joe’s Flying Circus offers XC training. Low-cost family-friendly camping near Zion National Park. For cool maps, photos and more info email ghoag@brwncald.com. August 3-5: Leakey, Texas. USHPA HG/PG National Fly-in/Texas

Open. This year the whole world is coming! International pilots coming to Texas for the 2007 World HG Championships are already starting to sign up. Hang gliders, paragliders, rigid wings, whatever – come on down and July 22-30: Lakeview, Oregon. “HANG-ON” hang gliding competition. fly with some of the best pilots in the world. Aerotow, truck tow, even Entry fee $350. Max 130 pilots. USHPA membership and H-3 with turbufoot launch – we’ll get you in the air! Fun competitions, great Hill Country lence and XC endorsements. Trophies and general prizes will be awardsoaring, cash prizes, family fun, real Texas BBQ, excellent XC potential. ed in rigid wing, flex wing, sport class, single surface. More information: Plan your trip now! Don’t wait until its too late to find lodging – Leakey is www.mphsports.com. a Hill Country vacationing mecca. More information: www.flexwing.org/ July 29-August 4: Boone, North Carolina. Tater Hill Paragliding txopen, (830) 486-8031. Open 2007. Registration opens March 15. Cross-country race to goal at September 1-3: Mingus Mountain, Arizona. Come enjoy the beautia site friendly for first-time competitors; GPS and comp strategy sessions ful views, pine forests, free camping, and the great flying at almost 8000 included. More information at www.flytaterhill.com. feet above sea level. Help the Arizona Hang Glider Association celebrate at our annual fundraiser to keep and maintain this world-class site. XC COMPETITION tasks and a spot landing contest are planned. More information on our Web site, www.ahga.org, or contact Jerry Dalen at (623) 217-1561 or July 14-15, August 18-19, September 22-23, OctoAlan Housel at (520) 235-0868. ber 6-8: Northern California Cross-Country League weekends, location to be decided three days before the weekend. All sites will be CLINICS, MEETINGS, TOURS within a four-hour drive of the San Francisco Bay Area. Cost: $10 per race. More information: Jug Aggarwal, jaggarwal@es.ucsc.edu, or July 5-7: Location to be announced. Paraglider maneuvers (SIV) check the Web site for the Northern California XC League at http://www clinic with Ken Hudonjorgensen. More information: (801) 572-3414, .sfbapa.org/ and follow the link for the XC League. twocanfly@gmail.com, www.twocanfly.com. July 11-15: Moore, Idaho. King Mountain Hang Gliding Champion- August 16-18: Richfield, Utah. Central Utah paraglider mountain ships. Pilot briefing and multimedia show of the area on Tuesday evening, flying clinic with Ken Hudonjorgensen and Stacy Whitmore. Eight great July 10. Lots of fun and superb flying in some of the most scenic moun- mountain sites from 450 feet to 6000 feet vertical. Pioneering instructains in the world. Open, recreation, and team classes. Open-distance tion and gorgeous views with huge LZs. For clinic description go to www XC along a specified route with bonus LZs and handicap scoring. BBQs, .cuasa.com or contact Stacy Whitmore, (435) 896-1839. breakfasts, free camping, super-extra-special trophies and all that... plus the envy of the HG world – shirts by Dan G. (suitable for framing)! September 14-16: Utah flying sites. Paraglider thermal flying Entry fee of $60 includes pilot packet, shirt, maps, awards party, and a clinic with Ken Hudonjorgensen. More information: (801) 572-3414, ton o’ fun! Contact Lisa Tate,1915 S. Arcadia St. Boise, ID 83705, (208) twocanfly@gmail.com, www.twocanfly.com. 376-7914, lisa@soaringdreamsart.com. September 29-30: Utah flying sites. Paraglider mountain flying August 7-19: Big Spring, Texas. 2007 World Hang Gliding Champi- clinic with Ken Hudonjorgensen. More information: (801) 572-3414, onship. See the world’s best hang glider pilots in action. More info: http:// twocanfly@gmail.com, www.twocanfly.com. www.flytec.com/Events.htm. October 27-28: Utah. Paraglider tandem (T-2 and T-3) clinic September 30-October 6: Dunlap, Tennessee. Tennessee Tree with Ken Hudonjorgensen. More information about the clinic and preToppers 2007 Team Challenge, offering Hang 3 pilots an introduction requisites for participation: (801) 572-3414, twocanfly@gmail.com, to competition and cross-country flying in “The Hang Gliding Capi- www.twocanfly.com. tal of the East”! More information and online registration available at November 2-4: Utah flying sites. Paragliding instructor training and www.treetoppers.org. instructor re-certification clinic with Ken Hudonjorgensen. More information about the clinic and prerequisites for participation: (801) 572-3414, FLY-INS twocanfly@gmail.com, www.twocanfly.com. July 1-8: Chelan, Washington. 2007 Paragliding Towfest. Last year November 4-11: Phoenix, Arizona. Escape the winter cold – fly a beginner pilot flew 70 miles under an old Bolero. The Sky Brothers three nearby sites. Details at www.parasoftparagliding.com/travel/ will be out there again this year with two tow rigs. Cost: $125 per day. phoenix.php. Max participants: 20 pilots per day. Call in advance to schedule your days – chances are we won’t have room for you if you just show up. Contact Nik Peterson at nikpeterson@hotmail.com. Also, check out siknikpeterson.blogspot.com. SANCTIONED COMPETITION

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

November 17-December 3: Iquique, Chile. Luis Rosenkjer and Todd Weigand guarantee you’ll fly every day of your tour or get your money back for non-flyable days! Don’t take our word for it – check out our trip program for more details. Luis is a multiple Argentinean champion and owner of Altanta Paragliding. Todd has been seasonally guiding, instructing, and perfecting his acro and XC skills in Chile since 2001. Both hold open-distance records in Argentina and Chile. Multiple tours available. www.atlantaparagliding.com, info@atlantaparagliding.com, wallowaparagliding@gmail.com. December 27-January 7: Valle de Bravo, Mexico. Guided tour with thermal and XC instruction with Bill Belcourt (from 12/30 to 1/7 only) and Ken Hudonjorgensen. More information: (801) 572-3414, twocanfly@gmail.com, www.twocanfly.com. January 6-13: Tapalpa, Mexico. P-2 week with Parasoft Para-

gliding School. We’ve been taking pilots to ﬂy in Mexico since 1991. The P-2 week focuses on long easy ﬂights from 2500’. Details at www.parasoftparagliding.com/travel/tapalpa%20_mexico.php. January 13-20: Mexico. P-2 week with Parasoft Paragliding School.

We tailor our weeks to your pilot skills. In the P-3 week we focus on thermaling and short XC flights. After starting in Tapalpa, we fly both San Marcos and Colima. Details at www.parasoftparagliding.com/travel/ colima.php. February 10-17, 2008: Southern California flying trip with Ken Hudonjorgensen. More information: (801) 572-3414, twocanfly@gmail .com, www.twocanfly.com.

A Woodrat launch Photo: Josh Morell

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MARKETPLACE ADVENTURE PRODUCTIONS. . . 72 FLYTEC USA GPS . . . . . . . . . . . 72 FLYTEC THERMAL . . . . . . . . . . 72 KITTY HAWK KITES . . . . . . . . . 72 LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN . . . . . . . . 72

MOYES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 NORTH WING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 USHPA BOOKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 USHPA STICKERS . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Ra t i n g s i s s u e d d u r i n g F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 7 Paragliding Division Rating Region

P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-1 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2 P-2

1 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 7 9 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 12 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 9 10 10 10 10 12

Name

City

Robert Leonard Enumclan Bowen Dwelle San Francisco Craig Roberts Lafayette David Zbin San Jose Carl Steinbach Palo Alto Patrick Buckley San Francisco Alberto Cecioni San Francisco Brian Sheets Murrieta David Baldwin Jr Santa Barbara Michael Wellborn San Marcos Darrick Dalton Perris Kate Johnson Mountain View Kelly Scoggins Oxnard Joseph Burkert Hilo Carmen Devietti Ventura Charles Woods Albuquerque Matt West Salt Lake City S Browning Sandy Jim Heidenberger Santa Fe Mitchell Riley Gunnison Thomas Hoskins Randolph Aron Olson Roselle Charles Cozean Iii Reston Tim Kaiser Naperville Mark Camillo Atlanta Nathan Beane Franklin David Hunnicutt Madison C. A. Smith Dripping Springs Stacy Olson Austin Karl Smith Austin Shannon Lucas Austin Emilie Lincoln New York Dennis Boic Redding Brian Sheets Murrieta David Baldwin Jr Santa Barbara Steven Starwalt Chula Vista Christopher Larkin Escondido Michael Wellborn San Marcos John King San Diego Ron Schooler San Diego Darrick Dalton Perris Daniel Schooler Poway Markus Freese Trabuco Canyon Kelly Scoggins Oxnard Gaurav Deshmukm Carlsbad Joseph Burkert Hilo Carmen Devietti Ventura Mary Anne Vandegrift Springville Charles Woods Albuquerque Ryan Lewis Salt Lake City Shane Idleman Phoenix James Spurgeon Prescott Matt West Salt Lake City Marty Ewer Salt Lake City S Browning Sandy Jim Heidenberger Santa Fe Mitchell Riley Gunnison Heather Cherry Salt Lake City Thomas Hoskins Randolph Gerry Wingenbach Park City Jason Sewell Carbondale Miyuki Ushida Bozeman Charles Cozean Iii Reston Tim Kaiser Naperville Mark Camillo Atlanta Nathan Beane Franklin David Hunnicutt Madison Thomas Pray Princeton

State

WA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA HI CA HI CA NM UT UT NM CO UT IL VA FL GA NC AL TX TX TX TX NY CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA HI CA CA NM UT AZ AZ UT UT UT NM CO UT UT UT CO MT VA FL GA NC AL NJ

Rating Ofﬁcial

Lawrence Wallman Jeffrey Greenbaum Wallace Anderson Jeffrey Greenbaum Wallace Anderson Jeffrey Greenbaum Jeffrey Greenbaum Chad Bastian Chad Bastian Philip Russman Rob Mckenzie Kirkeby Deffebach Rob Sporrer David Binder Marty Devietti Dale Covington Kevin Hintze Kevin Hintze William Smith Jonathan Jefferies Kevin Hintze Bill Armstrong David Binder Chad Bastian Luis Rosenkjer Luis Rosenkjer Luis Rosenkjer Paul Greenwood Paul Greenwood Paul Greenwood Paul Greenwood Jeffrey Greenbaum Nik Peterson Chad Bastian Chad Bastian Bill Armstrong Bill Armstrong Philip Russman Bill Armstrong Philip Russman Rob Mckenzie Philip Russman Bill Armstrong Rob Sporrer Bill Armstrong David Binder Marty Devietti Alejandro Olazabal Dale Covington Bill Heaner Carlos Madureira Carlos Madureira Kevin Hintze Stephen Mayer Kevin Hintze William Smith Jonathan Jefferies Jeffrey Farrell Kevin Hintze Chris Santacroce Othar Lawrence Andy Macrae David Binder Chad Bastian Luis Rosenkjer Luis Rosenkjer Luis Rosenkjer Hugh Murphy

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

Rating Region

P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4 P-4

1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 9 12 13 13 13 1 1 1 2 2 3 5 6 7 9

Name

Ken Rice Ken Rector Iain Frew Richard Zwinger Dave Kornberg Craig Addleman Jim Wilson Bob Mc Gowan Eric Weinert Sean Remnant Michael Murphy Tremain Petersen Ryan Bloum John King Mike Znachko Jeff Hamilton Michael Semanoff Diana Davis David Levin Cade Palmer Michael Jenovic Dennis Hughes Brendon Mckenna Amir Malik Ohad Suchovolsky Ken Rector Andy Farrington Meredyth Malocsay Elisabeth Boonin Haynes Sheppard Stephen Anderson Peter Volf Darius Lukosevicius David Booko Laszlo Lovei

City

State

Rating Ofﬁcial

Anchorage AK Chelan WA Duvall WA Windsor CA Avila Beach CA San Anselmo CA Davis CA San Diego CA Papaikou HI San Diego CA San Diego CA San Diego CA San Diego CA San Diego CA Encinitas CA Scottsdale AZ Orem UT Glenwood Springs CO Boulder CO Alpine UT Wickliffe OH Andover NJ Brackley, Pe Pardes Hana-karkur Tel Aviv Chelan WA Shelton WA Fall City WA Oakland CA Berkeley CA Springville CA Jackson WY Lenexa KS Three Rivers MI Bethesda MD

Frank Gillette Christopher Langan Lan Chirico Phil Neri Kinsley Wong Jeffrey Greenbaum Wallace Anderson Bill Armstrong Bill Heaner Bill Armstrong Bill Armstrong Bill Armstrong Bill Armstrong Bill Armstrong Bill Armstrong Bill Armstrong Jonathan Jefferies Etienne Pienaar Granger Banks Chris Santacroce Bill Armstrong David Binder David Jebb Tom Morris Tom Morris Christopher Langan Othar Lawrence Rob Sporrer Jeffrey Farrell Gregg Hackett Alejandro Olazabal Thomas Bartlett Kelly Davis Rob Sporrer Juan Ortiz

City

Rating Ofﬁcial

Hang Gliding Division Rating Region

H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-2 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-3 H-4 H-4 H-4

1 2 2 2 3 3 7 8 10 10 10 12 1 2 2 6 10 10 10 10 6 6 10 10 10 1 2 8

Name

John Vanderwal Clearlake David Suits Santa Cruz Konstantin Othmer Los Altos Hills Steve Clapper Vacaville Foster Winter Redondo Beach Bill Brick Yorba Linda Christopher Carlen Annandale John Noone Danbury Joshua Flannigan East Point Bradley Bentson Bonita Springs John Caldwell Augusta Theofanis Mermigkousis Brooklyn John Vanderwal Clearlake James Bowe Morgan Hill Scott Pierce Milpitas Capt. Matthew Pearce Enid Jay Orr Groveland Joshua Flannigan East Point Bradley Bentson Bonita Springs John Caldwell Augusta Alan Atkins Little Rock John Jenkins Dardanelle Edwin Ayala Caguas Jesus Burgos De Jesus Caguas Anthony Fabiszak Cleveland James Tibbs Grants Pass Robert Bay Chico Toni Szarek Pelham

State

WA James Fieser CA Patrick Denevan CA Patrick Denevan CA George Hamilton CA Paul Thornbury CA Paul Thornbury MN H Bruce Weaver Iii CT Andy Torrington GA Gordon Cayce FL James Tindle GA Gordon Cayce NY James Tindle WA James Fieser CA Michael Jefferson CA Michael Jefferson OK Malcolm Jones FL Malcolm Jones GA Gordon Cayce FL James Tindle GA Gordon Cayce AR Daniel Zink AR Philip Morgan PR Robert Hastings PR Robert Hastings TN Marc Fink OR Robert Gillisse CA James Reynolds NH Jeffrey Nicolay

THERMAL NUCLEAR DETECTION

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

HANG GLIDING ADVISORY: Used hang gliders should always be disassembled before flying for the first time and inspected carefully for fatigued, bent or dented downtubes, ruined bushings, bent bolts (especially the heart bolt), re-used Nyloc nuts, loose thimbles, frayed or rusted cables, tangs with non-circular holes, and on flex wings, sails badly torn or torn loose from their anchor points front and back on the keel and leading edges. PARAGLIDING ADVISORY: Used paragliders should always be thoroughly inspected before flying for the first time. 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. If in doubt, many hang gliding and paragliding businesses will be happy to give an objective opinion on the condition of equipment you bring them to inspect. BUYERS SHOULD SELECT EQUIPMENT THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR SKILL LEVEL OR RATING. NEW PILOTS SHOULD SEEK PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION FROM A USHPA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR.

THE TORREY PINES GLIDERPORT – lease will be up for bid in 2008. HG/PG instructors, tandem pilots, pilots, and other personnel are being sought to explore forming a consortium to bid on the site. This is an explorational announcement to determine the level of interest in this project. Anyone interested should call Bob Kuczewski at (858) 204-7499.

HARNESSES HARNESSES – 5’0”-6’5”. Cocoons $125+up. High Energy Cocoons $200+up, Pods $200+up. Inventory, selection changes constantly. Some trades accepted. (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com, www.hanggliding .com, http://stores.ebay.com/raven-sports. XC HG HARNESS - NEW! This is a high-class harness suitable for HG competition or XC ﬂying. Pitch adjustment, parachute attached directly to karabiner and more features for all XC and competition pilots. $795. See pictures, and more information http://www.jazztrike.com, (630) 533-1288.

RIGID WINGS

FLEX WINGS 135 SPORT 2 – less than 30 hours, perfect condition. $3300. Litespeed 5S-mylar sail, great condition. $2650 (970) 641-5654. 2005 LAMINAR 07 13.7 – Mint condition. Purple/Green. $2500 Call Steve Lee (423) 949-2176 - TN. EVEN-UP TRADES – Looking to move up from your beginner or novice glider, but can’t put up cash? (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com, www.hanggliding .com, http://stores.ebay.com/raven-sports. FALCONS CLEARANCE SALE – School use, one season. Falcon 1s and 2s. All sizes $1250-$2500. (262) 473-8800, info@hanggliding.com, www.hanggliding .com, http://stores.ebay.com/raven-sports. LAMINAR MR700WR - Mylar sail, carbon speedbar, carbon battens. Colors - red/black. Good condition. $2490 OBO. (630) 533-1288 or email grzybk@att.net.

EMERGENCY PARACHUTES INSPECTED RESERVES – For HG or PG $199+up. Used Quantum, all sizes $475+up. Some trades accepted. info@hanggliding.com, www.hanggliding.com, http://stores.ebay.com/raven-sports, (262) 473-8800.

EMPLOYMENT NORTH WING DESIGN – is accepting applications for metal shop/wing and trike airframe mechanic. Also accepting applications for sail maker and sewing machine operator. Send application to: 3904 Airport Way, E. Wenatchee, WA 98802 or Fax (509) 886-3435 (www .northwing.com).

ATOS VR – New May 2006. Excellent condition, 50 hours, $14,000. (336) 922-5691. SCHOOLS & DEALERS

SCHOOLS & DEALERS ALABAMA LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK – The best facilities, largest inventory, camping, swimming, volleyball, more. Wide range of accommodations. hanglide.com, 877-hanglide, (877) 426-4543.

ARIZONA FLY HIGH PARAGLIDING.COM – over 10 years of experience, offers P-2 certification, tandem flights, towing, new and used equipment, the best weather to fly in USA. (480) 266-6969.

CALIFORNIA AIRJUNKIES PARAGLIDING – Year-round excellent instruction, Southern California & Baja. Powered paragliding, clinics, tours, tandem, towing. Ken Baier, (760) 753-2664, airjunkies@sbcglobal.net, airjunkies.com. EAGLE PARAGLIDING – SANTA BARBARA offers the best year round flying in the nation. Awardwinning instruction, excellent mountain and ridge sites. www.FlySantaBarbara.com, (805) 968-0980. FLY ABOVE ALL – Year-round instruction in beautiful Santa Barbara! USHPA novice through advanced certification. Thermaling to competition training. Visit www.flyaboveall.com, (805) 965-3733. THE HANG GLIDING CENTER – PO Box 151542, San Diego CA 92175, (619) 265-5320.

MISSION SOARING CENTER – Largest hang gliding center in the West! Our deluxe retail shop showcases the latest equipment: Wills Wing, Moyes, AIR, High Energy, Flytec, Icaro. West Coast distributor for A.I.R. Atos rigid wings including the all-new VX Tandem Atos. Parts in stock. We stock new and used equipment. Trade-ins welcome. Complete lesson program. Best training park in the West, located just south of the San Francisco Bay Area. Pittman Hydraulic Winch System for Hang 1s and above. Launch and landing clinics for Hang 3s and Hang 4s. Wills Wing Falcons of all sizes and custom training harnesses. 1116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035. (408) 262-1055, Fax (408) 262-1388, mission@ hang-gliding.com, www.hang-gliding.com, Mission Soaring Center, leading the way since 1973. O’CONNOR FLIGHT SCHOOL – Specializing in Safety In-Flight Training & Maneuvers Clinics and Aerobatic Instruction. Enhance your knowledge, increase your level of confidence, take your piloting skills to new levels. Overthe-water safety and aerobatics clinics. Enleau and Ann O’Connor, www.oconnorflightschool.com, (530) 2274055 and reserve your clinic. TORREY PINES GLIDERPORT – Come soar in San Diego! This family-owned and operated flying site offers USHPA certified instruction, advanced training, equipment sales, tandem flight instruction, motorized pg/hg instruction and site tours. We also have an extensive pg/ hg outfitting shop offering parachute repacks and fullservice repairs. Bring your family for our amazing sunsets and dining at the Cliffhanger Cafe. Importers for Para-tech and Independence gliders. We also carry AustriAlpin, Center of Gravity, Crispi and Sup’Air. Check us out online for sales and questions at: www.flytorrey.com, or call toll-free at 1-877-FLY-TEAM (359-8326). Also, tune in to the Internet Paragliding Talk Show at www.worldtalkradio .com every Tuesday 9-11:00 a.m. (PST). WINDSPORTS – Don’t risk bad weather, bad instruction or dangerous training hills. 350 flyable days each year. Learn foot-launch flying skills safely and quickly. Train with professional CFI’s at world-famous Dockweiler Beach training slopes (5 minutes from LA airport). Fly winter or summer in gentle coastal winds, soft sand and in a thorough program with one of America’s most prestigious schools for over 25 years. (818) 367-2430, www.windsports.com.

COLORADO AIRTIME ABOVE HANG GLIDING – Full-time lessons, sales and service – Colorado’s most experienced! Offering foot launch, tow and scooter-tow instruction. Wills Wing, Moyes, North Wing, AIR, Altair, Aeros, High Energy, Finsterwalder, Flytec, MotoComm, and more sold and serviced. Call for more info (303)-674-2451, Evergreen Colorado, Airtimehg@aol.com. GUNNISON GLIDERS – Serving the western slope. Instruction, sales, service, sewing, accessories. Site information, ratings. 1549 County Road 17, Gunnison CO 81230. (970) 641-9315, 1-866-238-2305.

MIKE BUTLER HANG GLIDING SCHOOL – Located just 30 minutes west of Yosemite National Park. WW and Flytec dealer. mbutler@sti.net, (209) 742- 8540.

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

PEAK TO PEAK PARAGLIDING LLC – THE Front Range paragliding school, located in Boulder. Offering excellent state-of-the-art instruction. Equipment & tandems. (303) 817-0803, Info@peaktopeakparagliding.com, www .peaktopeakparagliding.com.FLO

FLORIDA FLORIDA RIDGE AEROTOW PARK – 18265 E State Road 80, Clewiston, Florida, (863) 805-0440, www.thefloridaridge.com. GRAYBIRD AIRSPORTS – Paraglider & hang glider towing & training, Dragonfly aerotow training, XC, thermaling, instruction, equipment. Dunnellon Airport, (352) 245-8263, email fly@graybirdairsports.com, www.graybirdairsports.com. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK – Nearest mountain training center to Orlando. Two training hills, novice mountain launch, aerotowing, great accommodations. hanglide.com, 877-hanglide, (877) 426-4543. MIAMI HANG GLIDING – For year-round training fun in the sun. (305) 285-8978, 2550 S Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133, www.miamihanggliding.com. QUEST AIR – #1 site for US competition & the biggest flights on the East coast. No-wait, 1-on–1 lessons from first tandem to advanced XC training. Towing 8amsunset everyday. All amenities including on-site accommodations, time-honored clubhouse, pool, hot tub and private lake. Demos, rentals, sales, storage & repairs. Minutes from Orlando in Groveland, FL. Phone (352) 429-0213, fax (352) 429-4846, www.questairforce.com, questair@ mpinet.com, 1-877-FLY-QUEST. WALLABY AEROTOW FLIGHT PARK – Satisfaction Guaranteed. Just 8 miles from Disney World. Year-round soaring, open 7 days a week, six tugs, no waiting, every direction. 50+ nice demos to fly, topless to trainer gliders: Laminar, Moyes, Wills, Airborne, Airwave, Exxtacy, La Mouette, Sensor; also harnesses, varios, etc. Ages 13 to 73 have learned to fly here. No one comes close to our level of experience and success with tandem aerotow instruction. A great scene for family and friends. 10 motels & restaurants within 5 minutes. Camping, hot showers, shade trees, sales, storage, ratings, XC retrievals, great weather, climbing wall, trampoline, DSS TV, ping pong, picnic tables, swimming pool, etc. Flights of over 200 miles and more than 7 hours. Articles in Hang Gliding, Kitplanes, Skywings, Cross Country and others. Featured on numerous TV shows, including Dateline NBC, The Discovery Channel & ESPN. Visit us on the Web: http://www.wallaby.com. Please call us for references and video. 1805 Dean Still Road, Disney Area, FL 33837 (863) 424-0070, phone & fax, fly@wallaby .com, 1-800-WALLABY. Conservative, reliable, state-ofthe-art. F.H.G. INC., flying Florida since 1974.

GEORGIA LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK – Discover why 5 times as many pilots earn their wings at LMFP. Enjoy our 110-acre mountain resort. www.hanglide.com, 877-hanglide, (877) 426-4543.

HAWAII FLY HAWAII – Hawaii’s hang gliding, paragliding/ paramotoring school. Mauna Kea guide service. Big Island Hawaii, Achim Hagemann (808) 895-9772, www.aircotec .net/flyhawaii.htm, flyaglider@yahoo.com. ALOHA! ISLAND POWERED PARAGLIDERS/THERMALUP PARAGLIDING – The Big Island’s only choice for USHPA certified instruction. Both free flight and powered tandems year round. DVD of your flight included. One-onone lessons from our private oceanside launches and training facilities. Contact Yeti, (808) 987-0773, www .ThermalUp.com or www.IslandPPG.com. Aloha! PROFLYGHT PARAGLIDING – Call Dexter for friendly information about flying on Maui. Full-service school offering beginner to advanced instruction every day, year round. (808) 874-5433, paraglidehawaii.com.IDAHO

IDAHO KING MOUNTAIN GLIDERS – Alluring site plus shop supplying all your HG/PG needs. Instruction, equipment sales, complete accessories. Visit our Web site www .kingmountaingliders.com or (208) 390-0205.

INDIANA CLOUD 9 SPORT AVIATION – See Cloud 9 in Michigan.

MAINE DOWNEAST AIRSPORTS – Paragliding and hang gliding instruction, quality equipment sales. Extended training/tour packages with lodging available. www.downeastairsports.com, in_a_cloud@hotmail.com, Marc (207) 244-9107.

TRAVERSE CITY HANG GLIDERS/PARAGLIDERS – Put your knees in our breeze and soar our 450’ sand dunes. Full-time shop. Certiﬁed instruction, beginner to advanced. 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. Your USA & Canada Mosquito distributor. www.mosquitoamerica.com.

NEW YORK AAA E-VILLE OUTFITTERS, MOUNTAIN WINGS INC. – Aeros, North Wing (845) 647-3377, mtnwings@verizon .net, www.evilleoutfitters.com, Ellenville, N.Y. FLY HIGH, INC. – Serving New York, Jersey, and Connecticut areas. Area’s exclusive Wills Wing dealer. Also all other brands, accessories. Area’s most INEXPENSIVE prices! Certified instruction/service since 1979. Excellent secondary instruction! Taken some lessons? Advance to mountain flying! www.flyhighhg.com, (845) 744-3317. SUSQUEHANNA FLIGHT PARK COOPERSTOWN – 160’ training hill with rides up. 600’ ridge – large LZ. Specializing in first mountain flights. Dan Guido, 293 Shoemaker Road, Mohawk NY 13407. (315) 866-6153, dguido@dfamilk.com.

NORTH CAROLINA KITTY HAWK KITES – FREE Hang 1 training with purchase of equipment! The largest hang gliding school in the world. Teaching since 1974. Learn to ﬂy over the East Coast’s largest sand dune. Year-round instruction, foot launch and tandem aerotow. Dealer for all major manufacturers. Ultralight instruction and tours. (252) 441-2426, 1-877-FLY-THIS, www.kittyhawk.com.

OHIO

MARYLAND HIGHLAND AEROSPORTS – Baltimore and DC’s fulltime flight park: tandem instruction, solo aerotows and equipment sales and service. We carry Aeros, Airwave, Flight Design, Moyes, Wills Wing, High Energy Sports, Flytec and more. Two 115-HP Dragonfly tugs. Open fields as far as you can see. Only 1 to 1.5 hours from Rehoboth Beach, Baltimore, Washington DC, Philadelphia. Come Fly with US! (410) 634-2700, Fax (410) 634-2775, 24038 Race Track Rd, Ridgely, MD 21660, www.aerosports.net, hangglide@aerosports.net.

MICHIGAN CLOUD 9 SPORT AVIATION – Aerotow specialists. We carry all major brand hang gliders and accessories. Cloud 9 Field, 11088 Coon Lake Road West, Webberville MI 48892. Cloud9sa@aol.com, http://members.aol .com/cloud9sa. Call for summer tandem lessons and ﬂying appointments with the Draachen Fliegen Soaring Club at Cloud 9 Field. (517) 223-8683, DFSCinc@aol.com, http://members.aol.com/dfscinc.

CLOUD 9 SPORT AVIATION – See Cloud 9 in Michigan.

PUERTO RICO FLY PUERTO RICO WITH TEAM SPIRIT HG! – Flying tours, rentals, tandems, HG and PG classes, H-2 and P-2 intensive novice courses, full sales. (787) 850-0508, tshg@coqui.net.

TENNESSEE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK – Just outside Chattanooga. Become a complete pilot – foot launch, aerotow, mountain launch, ridge soar, thermal soar. hanglide.com, 877-hanglide, (877) 426-4543. TENNESSEE TREE TOPPERS – #1 club in America. Home of the world famous Radial Ramp; great XC, easy launch, huge LZ. Just north of Chattanooga. www .treetoppers.org.

TEXAS AUSTIN AIR SPORTS – Hang gliding and ultralight sales, service and instruction. Steve Burns, (512) 236-0031, sburns@austinairsports.com. Fred Burns, (281) 4711488, austinair@aol.com, WWW.AUSTINAIRSPORTS .COM.

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

GO...HANG GLIDING!!! – Jeff Hunt. Austin ph/fax (512) 467-2529, jeff@ﬂytexas.com, www.ﬂytexas.com.U

UTAH CLOUD 9 SOARING CENTER — Once again, we are the closest shop to the Point of the Mountain. Utah’s only fulltime PG/HG shop and repair facility. Contact 1-888-9445433 or www.paragliders.com. HANG GLIDE UTAH! LLC – The one and only fullservice hang gliding school in Utah! We provide lessons 7 days a week, including tandem instruction. We also provide mountain tours. Currently in stock: New Falcon 2 140 and North Wing Horizon ET 180, as well as a variety of used equipment. Please visit our Web site at www .hangglideutah.com, email pete@hangglideutah.com or call (801) 232-1964. LEARN TO FLY WITH SUPER FLY, CHRIS SANTACROCE AND A WORLD CLASS TEAM. With very small classes, a fantastic training site (Point of the Mountain) and brand-new, state-of-the-art training equipment, you can’t go wrong. Over-the-water maneuvers coaching, optional paramotor training and experience in both high and low wind help us to output a very well rounded pilot. Contact chris@superflyinc.com or at (801) 706-6076 to schedule your intensive paraglider training course. Don’t want to come to Utah? Learn with one of our 50+ instructor/ dealers throughout the continent. REVOLUTION FLIGHT SCHOOL – with Bill Heaner and the Revolution Instructor Team. Closest paragliding school to the Point of the Mountain! Learn true wing mastery from some of the greatest instructors in the world. We offer P-1 through P-4, tandem flights, instructor certification, tandem certification, over-the-water courses, paramotor instruction, guided tours and a full-service shop within five minutes of the Point of the Mountain. Campground, shopping and hotel accommodations within walking distance of our shop. Contact Bill Heaner, 800-707-2525, bill@rpmppg .com, to get on our schedule. www.rpmppg.com/school/ facility. CLOUD 9 SOARING CENTER – Once again, we are the closest shop to the Point of the Mountain. Utah’s only full-time PG/HG shop and repair facility. Contact 1-888944-5433 or www.paragliders.com.

VIRGINIA BLUE SKY – Full-time instruction at Blue Sky Flight Park near Richmond. Scooter, platform and aerotowing available. All major brands of equipment, with Mosquitos and Doodlebugs in stock. Steve Wendt, (804) 241-4324, www.blueskyhg.com.

WYOMING

FOR ALL YOUR FLYING NEEDS – Check out the Aviation Depot at www.mojosgear.com featuring over 1000 items for foot-launched 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, 1-800-664-1160 for orders only. Ofﬁce (325) 379-1567.

JACKSON HOLE PARAGLIDING – A perfect ﬂying day: Launch the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Aerial Tram in the morning, tow at the Palisades Reservoir in the afternoon. Contact: scharris@wyoming.com, www.jhparagliding.com, (307) 690-TRAM (8726).

INTERNATIONAL BAJA MEXICO – La Salina: PG, HG, PPG www .FLYLASALINA.com, www.BAJABRENT.com, He’ll hook you up! rooms, tours, & intros, bajabrent@bajabrent .com, 760-203-2658. MEXICO – VALLE DE BRAVO and beyond for hang gliding and paragliding. Year-round availability and special tours, Gear, guiding, instruction, transportation, lodging – all varieties for your needs. www.ﬂymexico.com, 1-800-8617198 USA.P

PARTS & ACCESSORIES ALL HG GLIDERBAGS, harness packs, harness zippers and zipper stocks. Instrument mounts and replacement bands. Mitts, straps, fabric parts, windsocks, radios. Gunnison Gliders, 1-866-238-2305. BIG EARS PTT – $99.95. Includes speaker and microphone, radio connection, sealed finger switch. Choose the full-face or the open-face model. www.bigearsptt.com, (805) 965-3733. CRITTER MOUNTAIN WEAR – your one-stop Web site for paraglider equipment and accessories. You can find a full line of backpacks, stuff tarps, flight suits, clothing, GPS and vario holders, flight decks, ballast containers, radio holders, tow bridles, windsocks, boots, helmets, hook knives, varios, windspeed meters and much, much more. Everything you need to have the ultimate day flying your paraglider. Critter Mountain Wear also imports and distributes lightweight wings and harnesses from Nervures. Go Wild. Escape from overcrowded takeoffs to launch with cool serenity, share a mountain flight with good friends, or travel the world in search of poetic flights amidst stunning landscapes… that’s what the pilots and designers at Nervures dream of. crittermountainwear.com, 800-686-9327.

GLIDERBAGS – XC $75! Heavy waterproof $125. Accessories, low prices, fast delivery! Gunnison Gliders, 1549 County Road 17, Gunnison CO 81230. (970) 641-9315, orders 1-866-238-2305. HALL WIND METER – Simple. Reliable. Accurate. Mounting brackets, control bar wheels. Hall Brothers, PO Box 1010, Morgan, Utah 84050. (801) 829-3232, www.hallwindmeter.com. MINI VARIO – World’s smallest, simplest vario! Clips to helmet or chinstrap. 200 hours on batteries, 0-18,000 ft., fast response and 2-year warranty. ONLY $169. Mallettec, PO Box 15756, Santa Ana CA 92735. (949) 795-0421, MC/Visa accepted, www.mallettec.com. MOUNTAIN HIGH OXYGEN - Complete Pulse Oxygen system. $650 OBO. Marc@caltech.edu, (707) 254-5701. OXYGEN SYSTEMS – The world-class XCR-180 operates up to 3 hours @18,000 feet and weighs only 4 lbs. Complete kit with cylinder, harness, regulator, cannula and remote on/off ﬂowmeter, only $400. 1-800-468-8185. RISING AIR GLIDER REPAIR SERVICES – A fullservice shop, specializing in all types of paragliding repairs, annual inspections, reserve repacks, harness repairs. Hang gliding reserve repacks and repair. For information or repair estimate, call (208) 554-2243, pricing and service request form available at www.risingair.biz, billa@atcnet.net. TANDEM LANDING GEAR – Rascal™ brand by Raven, simply the best. New & used. (262) 473-8800, www.hanggliding.com, info@hanggliding.com, http:// stores.ebay.com/raven-sports. WHEELS FOR AIRFOIL BASETUBES – WHOOSH! Wheels™ (Patent Pending), Moyes/Airborne & Wills Wing compatible. Dealer inquiries invited. (262) 473-8800, www.hanggliding.com, info@hanggliding.com, http:// stores.ebay.com/raven-sports.

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WASHINGTON

Photo: Karin Lehnardt

AERIAL PARAGLIDING SCHOOL AND FLIGHT PARK – Award-winning instructors at a world-class training facility. Contact Doug Stroop at (509) 782-5543 or visit www.paragliding.us.

Faris Alaboudy at the Point of the Mountain in Utah July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

PUBLICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS *NEW* AND THE WORLD COULD FLY – And the World Could Fly tells the story of how piloting for the masses became a possibility and then a reality. This is a tale of free flight in every sense of the term. Edited by Stéphane Malbos and Noel Whittall, And the World Could Fly contains contributions from many parts of the world as well as much new writing. Together, the editors have more than fifty years of undiminished enthusiasm for foot-launched flight. And the World Could Fly is produced by the International Hang Gliding and Paragliding Commission (CIVL) to celebrate the centenary of FAI. It is a book which will appeal to anyone with an interest in free flight, whether an old-stager who can remember the early California days or a newcomer who wonders where it all came from. Call USHPA 1-800-616-6888 or order off our Web site, www .ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901. BIRDFLIGHT – Otto Lilienthal’s genius in scientific observations and analysis, documented in this work, became the basis for the experimentation of the early pioneers in aviation. The “hero” of the Wright brothers, Otto is considered to be “The Father of Gliding Flight.” Lilienthal’s definitive book has been out of print for almost a century, but is now available to everyone for a wonderful and absorbing journey into aviation history. 176 pages, 16 photographs, 89 drawings and 14 graphs. $19.95 (+$5 s/h) Call USHPA at 1-800-616-6888 or order off our Web site, www.ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901. *NEW* CLOUDSUCK: The Life and Death Struggle for the Hang Gliding World Record. Davis Straub tells the story of the dramatic 10-year race to fly “farther than anyone has ever gone in a hang glider.” From the historic 1990 flight that first broke the 300-mile barrier, through 10 years of adventure and challenge, this is a first-hand account of the driven individuals who struggled against each other and against nature to set the next hang gliding world distance record. $17.95. Call USHPA 1-800-616-6888 or order off our Web site, www.ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901. *NEW* CONDOR TRAIL, PARAGLIDING THE CENTRAL ANDES – the guidebook to paragliding and traveling in the Central Andes. It’s packed with 256 pages of maps, site descriptions, local lore, free-flight contacts and photos, all the information you need to plan your own Andean paragliding adventure. Most of the launch and landing access throughout the Andes is done with cheap public transportation. Condor Trail gives you bus routes to catch, areas to avoid, traveler tips, and contacts for the local flying communities throughout Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Northern Argentina, and Northern Chile. Call USHPA at 1-800-616-6888 or order off our Web site, www .ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901. FLY THE WING! HOOKING INTO HANG GLIDING – By Len Holms. This is the perfect book for those curious about the sport of hang gliding. Written at a level that will not swamp the reader with a daunting amount of technical details, you will learn about hang glider wings and the skills needed to fly them. 84 pages with photos and illustrations. $12.95(+$5 s&h). Call USHPA at 1-800616-6888 or order off our Web site, www.ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901.

SOARING – Monthly magazine of The Soaring Society of America Inc. Covers all aspects of soaring ﬂight. Full membership $64. SSA, PO Box 2100, Hobbs NM 88241. (505) 392-1177, ssa.org.

VIDEOS & DVDS VIDEOS FROM USHPA – WWW.USHPA.AERO

*NEW* RED BULL X-ALPS DVD – Red Bull X-Alps 2005 ﬁnishes in Monaco! This stunning DVD features over 70 minutes of footage, including pilot interviews and wild POV camera angles. $41.95. Call USHPA 1-800-616-6888 or order off our Web site, www.ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901. RISK & REWARD – By Jeff Goin. This 70-min. DVD exposes the risks and rewards of powered paragliding in a fun, action-packed adventure. You owe yourself this inside look that could easily save your life. Three years in the making, Risk & Reward gathers wisdom from a long list of instructors. Spectacular video from around the world sheds light on essential concepts with clarity and realism. $29.95. Order yours at www.ushpa.aero/store.

*NEW* DARE DEVIL FLYERS – The 94-minute digital video docupicture covers all thirty years of hang gliding and all seventeen years of paragliding. It begins with the Bob and Chris Wills story – they founded Wills Wing, the only surviving American manufacturer/distributor of hang gliders and paragliders. Two legendary pilots guide the audience through these extreme sports with their narrative. The docupic features competition in *NEW* SPEED/SECURITY DVD – “Speed to Fly” and the extreme sports of aerobatic hang gliding, speed hang “Security in Flight” are two great films designed to help gliding and high-altitude cross-country paragliding. Wing- you progress in paragliding, packed with stunning air-tomounted POV cameras provide the docupic with an in- air footage. $48.95. Call USHPA 1-800-616-6888 or order off our Web site, www.ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, the-air thrill ride from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Colorado Springs CO 80901. coast. Narrator Bobby Carradine threads us through the three decades. Call USHPA at 1-800-616-6888 or or- USHPA MAGAZINE ARCHIVE 1971-2004 – The DVD der off our Web site, www.ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, set holds the history of our sport, from the earliest days Colorado Springs CO 80901. of bamboo and plastic to the present. Within these pages you’ll find the evolution of foot-launched flight from the *NEW* INSTABILITY 2 DVD – Bruce Goldsmith’s new film is set to become the new benchmark in SIV instruc- first days of bamboo dune-skimmers to the modern vation. In 1992, the Airwave designer co-presented “Insta- riety of hang gliders, paragliders and rigid wings. Each PDF file is one complete magazine, just as originally pubbility,” a film which helped thousands of paraglider pilots lished. Pages with color are produced as color scans, the gain insight into tips and tricks learned by the professional test pilots. $41.95. Call USHPA 1-800-616-6888 or or- rest scanned as black and white images. Future issues der off our Web site, www.ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, Col- will be available on an update disk. Each disk includes Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 7 for Windows, Macintosh orado Springs CO 80901. and Linux systems. $30 for members and $90 for non*NEW* NEVER ENDING THERMAL – This DVD is an members. Call USHPA at 1-800-616-6888 or order off “Endless Summer” for the free-flying generation. The ac- our Web site, www.ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, Colorado tion-packed documentary features the adventures of Ven- Springs CO 80901. ezuelan pilots Herminio Cordido and Jorge Atramiz as they embark on an around-the-world paragliding odysMISCELLANEOUS sey. $41.95. Call USHPA 1-800-616-6888 or order off our Web site, www.ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, Colorado “AEROBATICS” POSTER – Full color 23”x 31” poster Springs CO 80901. featuring John Heiney doing what he does bestLOOPING! See www.ushpa.aero under store/misc for *NEW* PARAGLIDING: LEARN TO FLY DVD – This example. Available through USHPA HQ for just $6.95 DVD brings to life many of the hard-to-visualize concepts (+$5.00 s/h). USHPA, PO Box 1300, Colorado Springs CO which are so important for us to understand, like airflow 80933. (USA & Canada only. Sorry, posters are NOT around hills and mountains, turbulence and convergence, AVAILABLE on international orders.) dynamic and thermic lift, plus aerodynamics like lift and drag, speed to fly and so on. The production team have DVDS-VIDEOS-BOOKS-POSTERS – Check out our Web spent months on the 3D animation and video sequenc- store at www.ushpa.aero. ing. $44.95. Call USHPA 1-800-616-6888 or order off WORLDWIDE INTERNET PARAGLIDING TALK SHOW – our Web site, www.ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, Colorado WWW.WORLDTALKRADIO.COM. Listen live or to the Springs CO 80901. archives! Live Tuesday 9-11:00 a.m. (PST). Call toll-free, *NEW* PERFORMANCE FLYING DVD – When it comes 1-888-514-2100 or internationally at (001) 858-268to making paragliding films, Jocky Sanderson doesn’t pull 3068. Paraglider pilots and radio hosts David and Gabriel any punches. The suave Englishman’s slick production Jebb want to hear about your stories, promotions/events skills were first evidenced in his debut films, “Security in or insight; they also take questions! Flight” and “Speed to Fly.” Jocky’s latest film, produced with Ozone’s test team, hones in on the finer piloting skills of flying XC, acro and SIV. $42.95. Call USHPA 1-800616-6888 or order off our Web site, www.ushpa.aero. PO Box 1330, Colorado Springs CO 80901.

July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES – The rate for classified advertising is $10.00 for 25 words and $1.00 per word after 25. MINIMUM AD CHARGE $10.00. Phone number=2 words. Email or Web address=3 words. AD DEADLINES: All ad copy, instructions, changes, additions & cancellations must be received in writing 2 months preceding the cover date, i.e. November 15th is the deadline for the January issue. ALL CLASSIFIEDS ARE PREPAID. If paying by check, please include the following with your payment: name, address, phone, category, how many months you want the ad to run and the classified ad. Please make checks payable to USHPA, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330. If paying with credit card, you may email the previous information and classified to info@ushpa.aero. For safety reason, please call your Visa/MC or Amex info to the office. No refunds will be given on ads cancelled that are scheduled to run multiple months. (719) 632-8300. Fax (719) 632-6417

STOLEN WINGS & THINGS

STOLEN WINGS ARE LISTED AS A SERVICE TO USHGA MEMBERS. NEWEST ENTRIES ARE IN BOLD. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS SERVICE, AND LOST-AND-FOUND WINGS OR EQUIPMENT MAY BE CALLED IN TO (719) 632-8300, FAXED TO (719) 6326417, OR EMAILED TO INFO@USHPA.AERO FOR INCLUSION IN HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE. PLEASE CALL TO CANCEL THE LISTING WHEN GLIDERS ARE RECOVERED. PERIODICALLY, THIS LISTING WILL BE PURGED. Ryan Bloum of San Diego shows good form launching at Torrey Pines Gliderport in his Ki-2-Fly Active Harness.

Photo: Bill Armstrong

GRADIENT ASPEN – My paraglider equipment was stolen from my vehicle on November 7th in San Diego, California. The wing was a red, gradient Aspen 26m, SOL Large CX harness, SOL 33 CELL reserve, Ozone red and gray backpack. REWARD, no questions asked, $250 or please contact me with any information regarding the equipment. David Thulin, davidthulin@hotmail.com or (307) 690-5792.

Useful URLs and phone numbers: For magazine submissions: http://ushpa.aero/magazine.asp

For membership info, change of address, and other USHPA business: info@ushpa.aero (719) 632-8300 Members only section: https://ushpa.aero/member_ login.asp A “Bamboo Bomber” at an upstate New York site, 1976 July 2007: Hang Gliding & Paragliding – w w w.ushpa.aero

Photo courtesy Henry Boessl

For accident reports: http://ushpa.aero/emailacca.asp

Nature’s Striptease

misty veils continued to rise and fall as Nature played. The single stage light, on this day mostly filtered to provide flat broadcasting light, would occasionally provide a single bright spot on one area of the stage. She would quickly veil that Article and photo by Steve Messman, staff writer spot so I would have to look through the I sat on a special mountaintop today, invisible fingers that ran ever so lightly translucence to see that brightness on one that I normally fly from. This special through Her veils and across the hairs the other side. She played with my mind. place is the southernmost mountain in on my arms. How She pleased me, Her She made me want Her. She intensified the Olympic range in Washington State. only customer, with those delicate in- my craving for Her to drop the veils, From the south, it begins the Olympic teractions. Nature danced deliciously to to toss them aside so that all Her stage range. From the west, it is among the the sounds of some invisible band made would be covered in that same brightness. highest peaks along the southern edge up of the rhythmic buzz of insect wings Sometimes She would direct that light to between the coast and the Hood Canal. and the lonely sounds of a single dove. spot certain areas of her mounds. I could The warm air from the west coast flows In choreographed perfection, in exact see the light reflect off the wetness of the straight to this mountain, and when con- tempo with the subtle motions of the trees, see it shine once again through grasses and the treetops, She draped one Nature’s veils like soft moonlight that reditions are just right, there it stops. On this particular day, one of those misty veil after another over Her luscious flected off some tantalizingly sweaty area days when conditions were just right, I mounds, hiding both peaks and valleys. of Her body. Nature danced Her dance watched a glorious act unfold on Nature’s Truly, as each veil mystically appeared, for me alone. Absent were the jeers and own stage as the wet, westward flowing the very beauty of Nature disappeared, cheers of the crowd. Absent were the air arrived at the mountain, and stopped. but only for a moment. Carefully, with sounds of excitement and encourageI watched from the best seat in the house, tantalizing grace, she allowed one veil ment. Only I was there. Only I prayed from the front row, from the highest after another to disintegrate into noth- that the veils would be dropped. Only I, place possible. I sat for two hours mes- ingness, sometimes slowly, sometimes alone on that mountain, urged Nature not, but always, she offered those quick, to cast off Her veils so that She could be merized by Her eroticism. Warm, wet air blew in from the south- tantalizing views of her glorious mounds. strongly lighted, naked and warm. It did west and met the cold air that clung to Occasionally Nature allowed the very not happen. Nature maintained Her high Nature’s sensuous mounds. Cloud veils tips of Her mounds to peek through state of modesty, maintained the magiappeared, disappeared, changed in den- those veils, but as always during this cal appearance and disappearance of Her sity from opaque to translucent on the dance, only briefly. She teased today. She veils on this wondrous mountaintop. But today, there was no flight. Today, invisible cues of one most magical stage offered only soft brushes with invisible director. Nature stirred those cloudy fingers through my hair. She provided I found an abundance of magic only in veils back and forth across her sensual only tantalizing glances of the beautiful Nature’s dance. peaks and valleys, holding them, shap- mounds I so wanted to enjoy. Her dance was constant, and those ing them, nudging them delicately with

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