Hang Gliding & Paragliding Vol47-Iss3 May-Jun 2017

MAY/JUNE 2017 Volume 47 Issue 3 $6.95

For change of address or other USHPA business:

+1 (719) 632-8300 info@ushpa.aero

Martin Palmaz, Executive Director executivedirector@ushpa.aero Beth Van Eaton, Operations Manager office@ushpa.aero Galen Anderson, Membership Coordinator membership@ushpa.aero Julie Spiegler, Program Manager programs@ushpa.aero

USHPA OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Paul Murdoch, President president@ushpa.aero Alan Crouse, Vice President vicepresident@ushpa.aero Steve Rodrigues, Secretary secretary@ushpa.aero Mark Forbes, Treasurer treasurer@ushpa.aero

REGION 1: Rich Hass, Mark Forbes. REGION 2: Jugdeep Aggarwal, Josh Cohn, Jon James. REGION 3: Ken Andrews, Dan DeWeese, Alan Crouse. REGION 4: Bill Belcourt, Ken Grubbs. REGION 5: Josh Pierce.

REGION 6: Tiki Mashy. REGION 7: Paul Olson. REGION 8: Michael Holmes. REGION 9: Dan Lukaszewicz, Larry Dennis. REGION 10: Bruce Weaver, Steve Kroop, Matt Taber. REGION 11: Tiki Mashy. REGION 12: Paul Voight. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Paul Murdoch, Steve Rodrigues, Greg Kelley, Jamie Shelden, Mitch Shipley. EX-OFFICIO DIRECTOR: Art Greenfield (NAA).

The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association Inc. (USHPA) 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.

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.

COVER SHOT BY

HEIDI BAXTER Launching at Randolph, Utah.

WARNING

Hang gliding and paragliding are INHERENTLY DANGEROUS activities. USHPA recommends pilots complete a pilot training program under the direct supervision of a USHPA-certified instructor, using safe equipment suitable for your level of experience.

Many of the articles and photographs in the magazine depict advanced maneuvers being performed by experienced, or expert, pilots. These maneuvers should not be attempted without the prerequisite instruction and experience.

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USA

2017 FLY SMART

5 LIVE WELL 5 GO FAR

MAY/JUNE

18 24

Flying the by-airways

by CODY MITTANCK

FREEDOM X Dietch demos Northwing's 14.5

by JONATHAN DIETCH

28 40

UTAH

X-PYR Crossing the Pyrenees

by JESSE WILLIAMS

images by SAM THOMPSON

STATE RECORDS 2016's paragliding distances

by STEVE ROTI

54

IQUIQUE Exploring Chile's free-flight mecca

by ARI DeLASHMUTT

10

16

36

44

2016 PRESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD

CLOUDBASE FOUNDATION

TATER HILL

CRESTLINE SOARING SOCIETY

Super-heroes of the Insurance Crisis

C.J. STURTEVANT

Helping communities where we fly.

We need you!

PATRICK JOYCE

You meet the nicest folks on the mountain.

DENNIS PAGEN

A famous hill

DAVID ALDRICH

8 62 64 65

BRIEFINGS RATINGS CALENDAR CLASSIFIED

HANG GLIDING

PARAGLIDING &

M

Martin Palmaz, Publisher executivedirector@ushpa.aero

agic. That’s how we fly with Dacron, down tubes, nylon and Dyneema® cord. One has to marvel at what we do. Although we have been a bit plagued by insurance issues, the restructuring of certain

programs, and other concerns during the past year, we must remember that we are privileged to participate in the most interesting game in the world as we chase an endless summer.

Many of us have no idea how we became immersed and obsessed with foot-

launched aviation. Even though we hadn’t dreamed of flying or grown up in an aviation background, we found our happiness in the sky with all those who had.

Nick Greece, Editor editor@ushpa.aero advertising@ushpa.aero Greg Gillam, Art Director art.director@ushpa.aero C.J. Sturtevant, Copy Editor copy@ushpa.aero Staff Writers

Photographers

Annette O'Neil

John Heiney

Dennis Pagen

Jeff Shapiro

The next time someone asks you how our sport works, tell him about Bernoulli

Jeff Shapiro

and fill her/him in on foot launch this and that… However, we all know the real

C.J. Sturtevant

answer—magic.

The May/June issue relates inspirational adventures and interesting tales from Utah, Spain, North Carolina, and San Bernardino, to name a few. It begins with a deep dive into the team that spent countless hours putting together an insurance program that not only would keep all our sites open for the coming year, but also would work to ensure the lowering of prices, increase in training, and focus on safety for the coming decades. The RRRG and PASA are two often misunderstood entities about which our Association will work to communicate the who, when, and why more thoroughly this year. C.J. Sturtevant’s article is the first piece to tackle this subject. Take a look.

Cody Mittanck sent in an instructional piece about the Utah scenic by-ways.

Cody has been chasing unique and big flights in Utah for years now, and as one of the country’s most elite aerobatic and cross-country pilots, he is the perfect individual to present this account of the upper echelons of big-distance flying in the Rocky Mountain West.

Jonathan Dietch returns with a review of the Northwing Freedom X14.5, and Jesse Williams details the Redbull X-Alps warm-up as well as the X-Pyr race in Spain.

Dennis Pagen reports from a crown jewel site of the east, Tater Hill, where Bubba Goodman throws a fantastic race every summer.

Steve Roti compiled his annual rundown of paragliding state distance records for your viewing; it includes pilots who are new record-breakers as well as the usual suspects, like Bill Belcourt.

David Aldrich, one of our most talented photographers, treats us to a lovely gallery centered on his home site, Marshall/Crestline in San Bernardino, California.

And, finally, Ari DeLashmutt describes his search for the best flying worldwide, and reports from Iquique, Chile, where he spent several weeks playing in the largest sandbox on Earth.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we did putting it together and getting the first glimpse of these reports from first-rate members and contributors. As the summer continues, we hope more of you will submit your favorite stories and photos so we can continue to inspire each other to get out there and enjoy the sun and the sky!

SUBMISSIONS HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING welcomes editorial submissions from our members and readers. All submissions of articles, artwork, photographs and or ideas for articles, artwork and photographs are made pursuant to and are subject to the USHPA Contributor's Agreement, a copy of which can be obtained from the USHPA by emailing the editor at editor@ushpa.aero or online at www.ushpa.aero.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING reserves the right to edit all contributions. We are always looking for well written articles and quality artwork. Feature stories generally run anywhere from 1500 to 3000 words. 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. 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, (516) 816-1333.

ADVERTISING ALL ADVERTISING AND ADVERTISING INQUIRIES MUST BE SENT TO USHPA HEADQUARTERS IN COLORADO SPRINGS. All advertising is subject to the USHPA Advertising Policy, a copy of which may be obtained from the USHPA by emailing advertising@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) 632-8300, FAX (719) 6326417. Periodical postage is paid at Colorado Springs, CO and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER Send change of address to: USPA, 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 COPYRIGHT ©2016 United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Inc., All Rights Reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Inc. HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

7

PILOT BRIEFINGS

NEWS + PRODUCTS + ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL FOR REGIONAL DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS Do you know someone who is passion-

Directors up for re-election in 2017:

ate about hang gliding and paragliding,

Region 1 (1 seat)

has a desire to help with the protection

AK, OR, WA

and growth of free-flight aviation, can

Mark Forbes

both create goals to achieve their ideas and then follow through on them? Then

Region 2 (2 seats)

please nominate them for the Regional

North CA, NV

Board of Directors at USHPA! You may

Josh Cohn

also nominate yourself. Please only

Jon James (not running for re-election)

nominate people in your region who are interested in taking on the job. (You do

Region 3 (2 seats)

not need to re-nominate current direc-

South CA, HI

tors).

Ken Andrews, Alan Crouse

Regional Directors are the cornerstone of the US Hang Gliding and

Region 4 (1 seat)

Paragliding Association. They are the

AZ, CO, UT, NM

Flymaster USA is pleased to announce

mouthpiece of the members that they

Ken Grubbs

the new VARIO LS, a slim (1/2 inch

represent and for the sports of hang

thick) vario giving over 100 hours on

gliding & paragliding. The USHPA wants

Region 5 (1 seat)

a single charge. The segmented LCD

and needs participation in this process.

ID, MT, WY, Canada

Flymaster VARIO LS

screen is easy to view in all light levels.

Regional Directors must be able to

Josh Pierce (not running for re-election)

The VARIO LS comes in three colors:

travel to board meetings twice yearly

orange, blue and green and will be

(some expenses reimbursed), interact

Region 6 (1 seat)

priced at $165 for an introductory

with committees, participate in open

AR, KS, MO, NE, OK, International

period. More info can be found atwww.

discussion forums, and represent mem-

Tiki Mashy

flymasterusa.com.

bers in the region.

Region 7 - No election this year To become a regional director:

IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, ND, SD, WI

1. By AugUST 11 - Nominate yourself

Nomination deadline August 11, 2017

(or another) by completing the online

Region 8 - No election this year

Regional Director Nomination Form

NH, CT, ME, MA, RI, VT

2. By SeptEMBER 1 - Submit a Bio about yourself for the upcoming election.

Region 9 (1 seat)

3. By SeptEMBER 1 - Submit a “VOTE

DC, DE, KY, MD, OH

FOR ME” statement for the November

Larry Dennis

Election Issue of the magazine.

Elections begin November 1, 2017

4. Starting Nov 1 - VOTE! Elections

Region 10 (1 seat)

begin November 1. On December 15th,

AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VI, PR

Regional Director votes will be tallied

Matt Taber, Bruce Weaver

via online ballots from active USHPA members of each region. Election re-

Region 11 (1 seat)

sults will be announced on the USHPA

LA, TX

website www.ushpa.aero

Tiki Mashy Region 12 - No election this year NJ, NY

8

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

It's not the first story of pilots accomplishing the impossible...

It's our story.

USHPA salutes the generosity of those who contributed to the historic preservation of the organization.

$1.23 million in 2 months!

See who gave at https://freeflightforever.org/donors/

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

9

2016 Presidential Citation Award Super-heroes of the Insurance Crisis

by C.J. STURTEVANT

E

ach year, USHPA’s president

add that there could easily be a dozen

RRRG a real thing, Chris joined PASA,

has the tough task of select-

or more additional names on the list

working tirelessly in helping schools

ing one member who stands

of major players in the RRRG, but, he

navigate the process. He continues

head and shoulders above the rest of

laments, he “had to draw the line some-

that spirit today, assisting remaining

us, to be honored with the prestigious

where. If I was able to add any more

schools with mentoring on the new

Presidential Citation award. As you

names,” he continues, “it would have

paradigm.”

been John Harris and Chris Santacroce.

the Insurance Crisis, which resulted

John, of Kitty Hawk Kites, spent freely

several of these guys as I worked on

in the creation of the Recreation Risk

his own time, money and even reputa-

this article. The personal perspectives

Retention Group (RRRG—say it like a

tion. Creating the PASA model for our

they provided about how we went from

BILL BOLOSKY

JAMES BRADLEY

TIM HERR

MARK FORBES

sport was at USHPA’s request. It cost

the brink of disaster to a workable

was one individual who was the prime

John countless hours and dollars to do

(albeit “work in progress”) solution to

mover and shaker in that initiative, he

so. In the information-poor chaos of

the insurance crisis were relayed to me

or she would have received the citation.

the moment, many USHPA members

with passion, frustration, satisfaction,

But keeping free flight from becoming

mistakenly thought that creating PASA

exhaustion, hope and relief. Here, in

extinct was far too huge a task for any

was in John’s fiscal self-interest. It is

Paul Murdoch’s words and those of the

single person, so USHPA President Paul

not. I am ever grateful.

pirate for maximum effect). If there

Murdoch broke with tradition and cited eight people, “without whom,” he says, “we would not have a functioning RRRG

10

I had the opportunity to chat with

surely know, 2016 was USHPA’s Year of

“Chris initially brought his friendly rallying cry and ever-optimistic spirit to get this done. Starting by flying in

RRRG’s creators, I present the backstory of the formation of USHPA’s RRRG. Read on, and be enlightened.

Bill Bolosky says he has been trying

today. Without their extraordinary

his underwear, Chris tipped many un-

to reduce his time-investment in

efforts, free flight in the US would be

certain supporters to the effort. Later,

USHPA business in the past couple of

a much bleaker picture.” He’s quick to

once the money was raised and the

years—or at least that is what he said

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

when he stepped down as USHPA’s

state deal, for example, so a decision

cess involving a team of people, [all

secretary in 2014. He stepped back up

had to be made on where best to locate

with RRG experience.] Tim did it essen-

when we needed CEO for the RRRG, rec-

our insurance company, and then the

tially alone, with no prior RRG experi-

ognizing the urgent need for a strong,

different requirements for all 50 states

ence, in just a few months.”

experienced leader. “I am grateful that

had to be addressed. There was a lot of

There have been some voiced

he accepted, as he was uniquely quali-

small direction shifts and adjustments

concerns that Tim is driving all the

fied to head the RRRG,” says Paul.

that made us look, and feel, like we

decisions, from those who are uncom-

didn’t know what we were doing. And

fortable with a lawyer having “that

fundraising. He and Paul met weekly to

the truth was we didn’t.” Neither James

power.” In truth, Paul clarifies, Tim

create messaging and strategies. “James

nor any of the others working with him

is counseling but decisions are made

helped keep the focus on the member-

is a trained fund raiser, but they got it

by CEO Bill Bolosky along with Randy

ship,” Paul explains, “figuring out what

done.

Leggett, Steve Kroop, Mark Forbes and

James Bradley’s main role was in

they needed to know, what they wanted to know, how they were feeling,” Members’ feelings ran the gamut,

James has been involved with

Patty Henderson (a licensed Vermont

USHPA’s strategic planning for years. He

insurance professional from Strategic

points out that the Strategic Planning

Risk Solutions—required by Vermont Insurance Regulators).

James recalls, ranging from “strong

Committee recognized several years

expressions of appreciation, including

ago that insurance was “something

from instructors, to complaints about

that could blow up, but it still surprised

before the crisis, so by default he was

not continuing as before. There was

us when it did. We were suddenly in

in the middle of it. “Mark has been

lots of worries about ‘how is this going

crisis mode. The EC and a few other

a steady, dogged worker in so many

to affect me, personally?’, and lots of un-

volunteers had to deal with it because

aspects of this effort, patiently answer-

derstandable wondering of why now?

USHPA’s BOD is way too big to be able to

or how did we let this happen?” And

manage a fast-moving crisis.” Following

RANDY LEGETT

G.W. MEADOWS

Mark Forbes was the insurance guy

ing question after question,” Paul says.

“He was the go-to guy for insurance

BRUCE WEAVER

MARTIN PALMAZ

then there was a number of members

direction from the board at the spring

who feared a conspiracy of some sort.

meeting, reducing the size of the board

to any and all queries, some less-than-

is currently under consideration. If you

friendly.”

“I wanted to reassure those who were

minutiae, and found time to respond

concerned about secret dealings that

have ideas about how USHPA could

just because you don’t know every-

function better, drop James a line at

a hint that something serious was

thing that’s going on doesn’t mean

jb183@me.com.

coming, back in August of 2015, I didn't

that something bad is going on,” James

Tim Herr has been, Paul points out,

said. “We were a small group of mostly

“buried in this project from the begin-

Mark writes, "When we first got

know what we were going to do. The EC sent Tim Herr off to Vermont to

volunteers trying to do something none

ning. He has worked overtime, donating

learn about captive insurance, and he

of us had done before. We knew people

most of his hours. Tim is the reason

came back with enough information

were frustrated. We were, too. It was all

that we were able to create an RRG

for us to put together a plan to show the

a moving target, and some things were

from scratch in just five months. It is

board in October. As we continued to

complicated—insurance is a state-by-

normally a two-year—or longer—pro-

get more information about our future

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

11

with Lloyd's (as in, we weren't going to

between five to 12 hours on the phone

with countless people watching. PASA

have one!) we worked out the structure

with each instructor or school who

was well-established for kiteboarding.

of what a self-insurance model looks

expressed an interest in supporting

Lloyds of London (who provides our

like. We were making it up as we went,

the RRRG.) His contacts revealed four

reinsurance, required third-party cer-

major recurring concerns: Cost of PASA

tification of schools) was familiar with

certification, cost of 30-day member-

PASA and approved of their methodolo-

gliding and paragliding forums as far

ships, cost of insurance, and the hassle

gy. In fact, PASA (along with John Harris) originally introduced USHPA to their

refining the plan daily.

“I've been a regular on the hang back as the old Internet newsgroups

of the paperwork. He defines his role

of the early ‘90s. In fact, I owe being on

as “debunking conspiracy theories, and

insurance broker, First Flight. PASA was

the board today to some complaining

addressing all four of the above com-

not in danger of losing their insurance,

I did back then to my regional direc-

plaints.” He is justifiably proud of this

based on their record and long relationship with First Flight and Lloyd’s.

tor—later on he drafted me to take over

success with the “Pledge 100” program,

for him! It's been interesting trying to

a drive to get 100 schools and instruc-

explain complex topics and difficult

tors to sign on to the program, which

tion in order to get re-insurance (the

decisions to an audience of pilots who

could result in a 15-25% reduction in

insurance which kicks in for risks

often have strongly-held opinions about

the cost of insurance. Of the 46 schools

above $250K; the RRRG is not suffi-

how we should do things. Insurance in

that were originally insured by our

ciently capitalized for us to cover the

particular has mind-numbing layers of

RRRG, those he has contacted all intend

full amount ourselves). We appealed to

complexity and detail. It dovetails with

to remain in the program, and he’s

these seasoned, professional instruc-

the complexities of civil law, financial

secured 26 additional pledges, includ-

tors for help. They agreed. They put in

factors and management of risk in an

ing Lookout Mt. Flight Park, Cowboy UP,

incredible hours on a project that did

inherently risky sport. Trying to ex-

Fly Texas/Jeff Hunt, and Fly Sun Valley/

not benefit them at all—it benefited

plain all of this was a challenge, but the

Chuck Smith.

their competition. They did so because

hard questions helped us to refine the

Randy was semi-retired when he

message we needed to get to our mem-

took on this responsibility. “It’s been

bers. I try to view each question as an

an amazing experience!” he exclaims.

opportunity to educate pilots. Thanks

“I don’t know if I would have said yes

they wanted the sport to survive.

“In addition, PASA suffered the slings and arrows of confused and frustrated schools and instructors. ‘Who is PASA

to all who engaged with me...even the

knowing what I know now, but I’m in

to tell me what to do?’ schools asked.

flamers!"

for the duration of time and effort it

Conspiracy theories were born about

takes to get the organization on solid

the vast sums PASA stood to make. The

contact between instructors and the

ground.” He has since returned to full-

truth is, this effort cost PASA money. It

RRRG,” explains Paul. “If we had not

time employment and could use some

takes many hours to create a program

been able to get schools on board, the

help with the outreach—please let him

from scratch, then answer all questions,

RRG would have failed for the same

know if you’d be interested in taking

process applications, etc. I can only

reason other RRGs have failed—lack of

on some of that task (randy.leggett@

hope that one day soon, members will

participation.”

recreationRRG.com).

realize what a selfless favor PASA (GW,

R andy Leggett “is the main point of

When a large school decided not to

“If we don’t have enough participation,

Bruce, John Harris and others) did for

join the RRRG, that “threw our rev-

or if we don’t mitigate our risk, we’ll be

enue projections out of whack,” Randy

sunk,” Randy emphasizes. “Keeping the

says. He realized that “in the haste to

people who are operating with no in-

tive on the formation of PASA (back in

set up the RRG, there was no line item

surance, or with insurance that doesn’t

1997), and its crucial role in averting

for someone to do customer outreach/

cover them, within USHPA is crucial.”

the 2016 “insurance crisis,” in the side-

us all.”

GW provided the insider’s perspec-

support for those who could not make

Refer to page 10 in the 2017 March/April

bar to this article. If he’s still harboring

a business decision on this level from

issue of this magazine for more details

any residual sentiments about “owing”

reading an email.” He took on the

on the Pledge 100 program.

responsibility of calling and talking to

12

“USHPA needed third-party certifica-

GW Meadows and Bruce Weaver,

the sport of hang gliding, I think you’ll agree that he should be able to stamp that bill “paid in full.”

everyone in the country who is running

long-time USHPA instructors, “adapted

a school or is an instructor. (He’s still

their professional school model to our

working his way down the list, but has

sport,” Paul says, and elaborates: “They

of the insurance crisis was one that

contacted over 100, with somewhere

did so on the fly, under great duress and

could not have been lifted alone. It

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

Bruce Weaver chimes in: “The weight

A REMINDER ABOUT THE

USHPA AWARDS PROGRAM

was through everyone's efforts that

fund-raising, coordinating investments,

we made it through. Credit goes to the

reaching out to potential investors

membership, USHPA, PASA and the

and, briefly, as an officer on the RRRG.”

Every year, the USHPA presents awards and

RRRG. I am grateful to have worked

He points out that last year’s insur-

commendations to those people making

with the other board members of PASA.

ance crisis impacted every aspect of

contributions to our sport that their peers

They are a group of smart, selfless

the organization, not just insurance. “I

consider worthy of recognition. In order for

people who are passionate about doing

wish I had tracked my hours between

this process to work, nominations must be

the right thing to ensure the future of

September 2015 and May of 2016,”

submitted to the Awards committee by any

our sport.”

Martin says, estimating he was invest-

individual by October 1.

Bruce’s background includes over

ing “easily 60-80 hours a week, dealing with chapters, creating and revising

Presidential Citation: USHPA’s highest

a state park under an agreement with

budgets. It was a madhouse!” And, as no

honor

the state of North Carolina. Because of

one was an expert on any of the details

Rob Kells Memorial Award: for a pilot or

that, he says, “I’m familiar with creat-

of creating the RRRG, “we were working

group having a long-term commitment of

ing and implementing policies, proce-

it out as we went along. I was a sound-

service to hang gliding or paragliding or

dures and safety standards necessary

ing board, helping to flesh out details

both

to maintain our standing with the state.

to be sure all the pieces of the puzzle fit

USHPA Exceptional Service: for outstanding

I also have an extensive history with

together. It was like constantly trying

service during 2017

free-flight insurance, as our school has

to put out one raging fire—there was a

NAA Safety Award: from the US National

had insurance since the 1970s. I know

never-ending cascade of issues, paper-

Aeronautic Assoc. for promotion of safety

what is required to have and maintain

work, preparation…”

25 years of managing a flight school in

insurance.

Most of the greatest challenges

FAI Hang Gliding Diploma (includes paragliding): outstanding contribution to the

arose from the dynamic nature of the

development of the sport (from the interna-

long enough,” he continues. “I've been

whole process of keeping our sites

tional aero-sports governing body)

fortunate to work with a lot of great

insured. “So many pieces of the puzzle

FAI Pepe Lopes Medal: promotion of sports-

people, and have been involved with

kept changing as other pieces were

manship and/or international understanding Chapter of the Year: your chapter because

“You learn a lot if you stick around

most forms of instruction for hang

resolved,” explains Martin, “leading to a

gliding and paragliding...foot launch,

constant cascade of questions: regula-

it’s done great things in promoting safety

truck towing, boat towing, static

tory, financially, adapting to changing

and the sport

winch, aerotowing, etc. Ultimately, like

situations.” Time, of course, was of the

Newsletter/Website of the Year: your

everyone else, I brought to this crisis-

essence, with our site insurance cover-

chapter’s newsletter for its service to the

management table whatever experi-

age going dark on June 1. “We couldn’t

members

ence and expertise I had to help in any

communicate about what we were

Instructor of the Year: one paragliding, one

way I could.”

doing as much as we wanted,” Martin

hang gliding instructor

laments, “mainly because we just didn’t

Recognition for Special Contribution: for a

the clock on every piece of this,” Paul

have the time to put out a carefully

non-member’s exceptional contributions

recalls. “I received calls and emails

worded and accurate information bul-

USHPA Commendation: for members who

from him in the middle of the night,

letin, only to have to change it a week

have volunteered “above and beyond”

late on weekends and early every morn-

later.” Uncountable man-hours were in-

Bettina Gray Award: USHPA’s recognition of

ing. He recognized the severity of the

vested in crafting the emails sent out to

a member’s photography

situation and was on a mission. He was

members and instructors; even so, each

Best Promotional Film: showing aesthet-

very quick to pick up the details and nu-

bulletin or email generated questions

ics, originality and positive portrayal of our

Martin Palmaz “worked around

ances of every aspect: legal issues, in-

that necessitated sending clarifications,

sports

surance requirements, ramifications to

and informed the RRRG’s attempts to

members. He became well-versed and

minimize impacts on members and

The official description of each award can

became the mouthpiece to distill the

insurance.

be found at https://www.ushpa.org/page/

info for members. Martin was pivotal in the fund-raising effort.”

Martin describes his involvement in the process as “communications,

So, how are we doing at present, in

award-nomination-process.

the spring of 2017? “We’re still in pretty

The online award nomination form is found

careful review of how this is going to

at https://www.ushpa.org/page/award-

play out financially,” Martin states. For

nomination-form.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

13

the first time in years, he says, USHPA’s

that arose from the coming together of

abouts; the dividends could result in

account is below its normal cash target

the RRRG group. “We had an amazingly

a reduction in membership dues, or

(which handles emergencies and

strong core of people putting in tons

may be needed to cover unanticipated

seasonal fluctuations), partly because

of time. Tim, for example, has donated

future expenses. “Demographics will

of the Association’s investment in the

countless hours, worth innumerable

be different in the next several years,”

RRRG, but also because selling our

thousands of dollars. We weren’t really

Martin points out, and that will alter

building in Colorado Springs means

confident until right down to the wire

USHPA’s financial picture in unknown

we now have to dip into reserves to

in March 2016 that all the pieces were

ways. Judging how well this core RRRG

pay a lease. “We have to be sure we’re

going to come together and the num-

group reacted to a major challenge

making sustainable financial decisions,”

bers were going to work out to make

with the potential to ground free flying

he reiterates. “The budget keeps chang-

this feasible. I was always optimistic

throughout the USA, there’s every

ing and being revised as our situation

that we’d raise the money from mem-

reason to be confident that, whatever

changes. It will take us a while to get

bership donations—and we did! It was

comes, we’ve got it.

back to ‘normal’. So far we’ve had a

truly astounding!”

good first year, with no major setbacks.”

begin to reap the financial benefits

Looking back, and ahead, Martin

In appreciation for their past, present and future involvement in making sure hang gliding and paragliding continue

points out that we needed $3 million to

from this endeavor. Currently 1/3 of

to have the insurance coverage that our

get the Vermont regulators’ approval

USHPA’s budget goes towards insurance

landowners require, Paul has selected

to run our RRRG without re-insurance.

(no significant change from the pre-

this team as the recipients of the 2016

RRRG days). Assuming the RRRG goes

Presidential Citation award. Next time

ship that put its money where its heart

well, and capital accumulates, then

you see any of these superheroes, let

“We managed that, thanks to a memberis in those few frantic months of fund-

the Association will be able to repay

them know that you appreciate their

raising last year,” he says. The RRRG

the investors, and owners (USHPA) can

role in vanquishing the insurance vil-

is working on getting a larger group of

receive dividends, in perhaps five to

lain.

people on board (see Randy Leggett’s

seven years.

comments on the Pledge 100 drive in last month’s magazine).

Martin points to the apparent magic

The PASA Backstory

Without a functioning crystal ball,

James Bradley, Bill Bolosky, Mark Forbes, Tim Herr, Randy Leggett, GW

though, it’s hard to speculate where

Meadows, Martin Palmaz and Bruce

we’ll be financially in 2022 or there-

Weaver: Thank you, from all of us!

by G.W. Meadows

November 2015: I’m setting up a network

found out I can jump right back on one

Taber, Joe Greblo, Rob Kells and myself,

camera at the Texas Motor Speedway

after years of absence and still fly safely.

in response to a different insurance

and my phone rings. It’s my friend John

I haven’t officially quit flying hang glid-

emergency, founded the Professional

Harris. Usually while I’m working on

ers, but it’s not really something I do

Air Sports Association back then to not

network cameras, I don’t answer the

any longer. No longer do I make my

only deal with the insurance problem

phone, but this being John, I knew it

“living” from the sport. Heck, I’m not

du jour, but to increase the profession-

was probably important so I took the

even a member of the USHPA, an orga-

alism in free-flight sports. That insur-

call. “Geedubya, we need to get PASA

nization which I spent 15 years of my life

ance emergency was remedied by the

going again, the USHPA is having an

meddling in its affairs. I never ques-

USHPA, and so PASA went dormant in

insurance crisis and they need PASA”.

tioned whether I should get involved

regards to free flight. Kiteboarding was

There are few people in this world that

when the sport was needing my help.

coming of age, though, and needed an

I will just give a blanket “OK, whatever

I exhibit bad judgement like this from

instructor-certification program and

you need” to, but John Harris is one of

time to time…

organization, and so PASA lent itself to

them.

I sorta call myself a hang glider pilot—but that’s mostly because I’ve

14

Still, it’ll be a few years before we

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

January 2016: PASA had its first

that calling as well as being a conduit

meeting for its “free flight” division

for providing needed insurance access

since it was founded in 1997. John, Matt

for ultralight instruction, parasailing

among other things. It didn’t require

represented “the man,” and we would

to drive the van to and from the track,

much oversight from hang gliding

be misunderstood by many and misrep-

got myself a MiFi system and sat in the

experts.

resented by a few. That may have been

backseat processing applications for

the hardest part of all of this—hearing

six days back and forth to the track. My

of the reconstituted PASA board with

from other people what our intent was.

co-workers covered for me for several

two founders (John and me) and Bruce

When you sacrifice large unimaginable

weeks while we were at work, letting

Weaver in attendance. We elected

chunks of your life to do what needs

me process applications while they

officers and came up with names of

to be done—what HAS to be done—for

pulled a lot of my weight. They knew it

who else we thought should be on the

a sport that you love and feel like you

was important, and we work and live

board. John, Bruce and I were elected

owe much to, it’s so demoralizing to

like a family on the road.

president, secretary/treasurer and vice

hear others (who should know better)

president, respectively. We agreed that

saying that you have ulterior motives. It

and August and then greatly dropped

Joe Greblo could probably be suck-

was enough at times to make me want

after the summer. This allowed us to

ered into rejoining the board, and Chris

to quit. But I’m not a very good quitter,

get back to the business of working

Santacroce was the kind of fella that

so I kept on doing what I knew was the

on the continued building of the PASA

would just be willing to join because

“right” thing to do.

organization. As can be imagined,

So, here we are at the first meeting

it’s the right thing to do. A few phone

We started accepting applications

Applications slowed down for July

something that has so many require-

calls later and we had us a five-member

for PASA certification in April. With the

ments and rules has to be tweaked

voting BOD.

loss of insurance bearing down on June

constantly during its infancy to ac-

1st, a number of smarter schools started

curately represent its purpose. A lot

imity to each other, John, Bruce and

applying right away. We experienced a

of problems weren’t even on our radar

I would have regular meetings at the

lot of growing pains while approving the

until they popped up and needed to be

Kitty Hawk Kites conference room to

first schools. The description of what

fixed. Meeting after meeting, confer-

get the basics of the PASA certification

we needed from schools had to change

ence call after conference call, the vol-

system going. Bruce and I did most of

a number of times for us to get what

unteers who made PASA work during

the heavy lifting during this time, pulling

we really needed. It was the case of “I

the summer of ’16 really sacrificed. We

John into meetings as needed to get

know what I need from you—let me see

leaned heavily on Santacroce for his

another rounded view of what we were

if I can describe it better” over and over.

paragliding expertise and his valued

working on. An untold number of hours

As that June 1st deadline approached,

opinions on everything. I can’t imagine

were put in away from family and other

a flood of applications poured in. Being

trying to do this without him.

life needs, and I have to say that the

cognizant of how important it is for a

As we knew would happen, we

synergy between Bruce and me seemed

free-flight school to be teaching in the

denied some schools PASA certifica-

heaven-sent. We could respectfully

summer, we subdued the tendency to

tion. ALL of us having been free-flight

disagree and work to resolve a ques-

want to think, “Heck, dude, you’re the

instructors and school owners, we were

tion of how we should proceed easily,

one who waited till the last minute!”

VERY aware of the probable effect of

but generally we agreed on most things

and we worked literally night and day.

denying a school certification. Hours

along the way.

There was a nearly month-long period

of debate about the “right” thing to

where both Bruce and I were shoving

do and many conference calls with the

up a certification system that required

everything else we should be doing

entire voting board would lead us down

professionalism and safety while trying

to the side to process applications,

the road to what we had to do. It should

our best to not be overly burdensome.

working 6 a.m. to midnight, day after

be known that this was not an easy de-

All the while, we had to work within

day. (We agreed that we had to stop

cision anytime we had to make it.

the needs of what was required by the

work at midnight to keep our sanity.)

RRRG—a nearly impossible task. All

One week in June, I was working the

time administrative employee to take

along the way, we were acutely aware

Michigan International Speedway and

over the day-to-day work that takes so

that what we were doing would affect

staying with the rest of the crew in a

much time. The one thing that we are

the future of free flight: Without a

hotel an hour from the racetrack. That

extremely happy about is that we know

doubt, our system would deny certifica-

meant two hours of each day was spent

we have kept a consistently high bar in

tion to some schools, and we stood the

driving when I could be processing

our certifications. We have no intentions

risk of alienating others just because we

applications. I convinced a co-worker

of lowering that bar!

Because of our geographic prox-

Our number-one goal was to set

Currently PASA has just hired a part-

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

15

COMMUNITY The Cloudbase Foundation

by PATRICK JOYCE Helping Communities Where We Fly: We Need You!

I

horn, but to show that any pilot with the desire to get involved can make a difference.

n 2009 I was a wide-eyed newly

projects—all in the name of free

qualified pilot with a head full

flight. Suddenly there was even more

of dreams and an insatiable

depth to dreams of what was possible

I’ve had the pleasure of being person-

desire to master every detail of

through flying. With a motivation

ally involved in projects supporting

In my time with the Foundation

flying. I spent countless hours chas-

to be involved in any way possible,

schools in Honduras, a teen center

ing the wind and devoured the pages

I wrote the Foundation a note and

in Washington, a public library in

of my monthly USHPA magazines, a

offered to help with the website. I

Tennessee, and search-and-rescue

welcome distraction from my gradu-

had no clue how to run a website,

in Colorado. I’ve had the opportunity

ate studies.

but I had the determination to get in-

to remotely assist with child welfare

volved, saw a need, and, sure enough,

in Texas, memorial fundraising in

I was put to work.

California, and earthquake relief

But among all the eye candy, one photo really stood out. It was a brightly colored, shiny new glider

Six years later I’ve found myself

and rebuilding in Nepal and Ecuador,

(one I couldn’t even afford at the

elected president of the Cloudbase

where a fundraiser partnership with

time), scratching low over some

Foundation, a position I never

GoPro raised $65,000 and $15,000 for

residences. Only these residences

would’ve considered possible in 2009.

the respective countries.

were shacks, with tin roofs and sticks

Being handed the reins from Nick

lashed together over dirt yards. The

Greece is a tremendous honor. I tell

was merely a spoke in the wheel

juxtaposition struck me as totally

my simple story not to toot my own

which is the Cloudbase Foundation.

But I take no credit for any of it—I

wrong. We are incredibly privileged to live peacefully and comfortably,

A huge congratulatory thank you to the organizers and participants of the fol-

and yet more privileged to be able

lowing events, which hosted fundraisers in 2016:

to fly. This privilege becomes all the more evident when we’re flying places where people are lucky just to be able to scrape out an existence.

But something else in that maga-

North-South Cup, Lake District, UK Raised $2039 to support Nepal Earthquake-recovery projects

zine caught my eye as well: an ad for

Paragliding Nationals, Chelan, WA

the Cloudbase Foundation. A quick

$2601 in donations will support the Chelan Valley Hope advocacy service

perusal of their website (thecloudbasefoundation.org) showed pilots

Colorado Fly Week, Villa Grove, CO

doing amazing work in communi-

collected $8917 for the Saguache County (CO) Search & Rescue

ties around the world. There were school lunches being served, school uniforms provided, desks supplied, and drinking water and solar energy

16

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

Big Spring Hang Gliding Nationals, Big Spring, TX donated $2100 to the Howard County Child Welfare Board

TOP TO BOTTOM The

Asociación de Parapentismo de Honduras in Villa de San Francisco supplied local schools with uniforms, shoes, school supplies, and educational tools with support from Chelan in 2014. Orena Humphreys Public Library in Whitwell, TN, has a great relationship with local pilots (note the windsock). Pilots at the US Paragliding Nationals in Chelan, WA, held a fundraiser dinner in 2014. Colorado Fly Week 2016 pilots passed the hat during morning briefings and raised over $4000, which was matched dollar for dollar by Wolf Creek Ski Resort. The Orena Humphreys Public Library in Whitwell, TN, was able to purchase a set of computers thanks to pilots raising funds and holding a raffle of donated goods over the July 4th weekend in 2015.

Each one of these projects was driven

please check out www.thecloudbase-

by pilots who saw an opportunity to

foundation.org.

make a difference in those commu-

The board of directors are all

nities, who stepped up to the micro-

pilots, and we’re here to help you

phone, hosted an event, or simply

with resources and ideas. Just hit us

called for donations. Some threw

up at the website or email any ques-

outrageous parties with a dona-

tions to cloudbasefoundation@gmail.

tion required for entry. Raffles have

com.

been wildly successful. Some used auctions of donated gear to garner donations. Simply passing the hat at the morning briefing at a fly-in or

The Cloudbase Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization—all donations are 100% tax deductible.

comp has been surprisingly effective. Free-flight pilots are a generous and caring bunch, and competitions and fly-ins are a great opportunity to gather support for a cause.

With your help, 2017 can be even better. I invite each and every one of you to get involved in your community. Ask yourself: What needs are present? Is there a school lacking equipment? A public library lacking books or computers? Perhaps a local aid organization struggling to fulfill its vision? Or a needed educational program that simply doesn’t exist? A community center on a tight budget?

If you live and fly in an affluent community, don’t forget about that favorite vacation spot; dollars and euros go a long way in the developing world.

Perhaps a school needs supplies or educational programs, a community has contaminated drinking water, or a natural disaster has left families’ homes in ruins. For ideas and a complete list of Cloudbase projects,

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

17

W

ikipedia defines an airway as a “legally defined corridor that connects one specified location to another at a specific altitude and specific cor-

Flying in Utah is extraordinary. After laying out your wing on a grassy, flower-studded alpine slope, you begin

ridor width.” Hmmm. I don’t know about you, but I have a

your flight at 11,000 feet, cross over a maze of sandstone

hard time connecting two dots in my personal life, let alone

canyons, bluffs, and buttresses, only to end in an idyllic irri-

making a connection between any specified launch and

gated pasture. Yes, I’m painting that picture from a specific

landing on a given flight. But that’s the most beautiful thing

memory, but this scenario is common. In short, Utah offers

about what we do, isn’t it?

a stark contrast in terrain and ecosystems, over relatively

Well, OK, maybe the most maddening thing for us and

short distances, that make for some classic, should we say...

our significant others, when we can’t tell them where we’re

scenic by-airways. These are the types of lines that belong

going (beyond cardinal directions), when we will get back,

in a national register. The kind of lines people roll the

or even if we’ll actually be able to fly. (“Sorry I can’t go with

windows down for, move at a Sunday pace for, and crane

you on that camping trip this weekend, honey, to celebrate

their necks for perspective. Fortunately, that’s paragliding

our anniversary. Looks like it ‘might’ be the BIG ONE! The

in spades.

record! THE RECORD!”) Occasionally, the cosmic thermals align and we do get to fly one of the most scenic and unforgettable flights of

18

stupefyingly beautiful—so much so it deserves a neologism.

Over the past few years, there has been a resurgence in new lines being flown in Utah. We have to attribute some of this exploration to the coveted Utah Cup, an award given

our self-significant lives. For this type of high caliber flight,

to the longest flight that originates in Utah, which has been,

Utah is unparalleled. In the interest of being stubbornly

for many years, the longest flight flown in the US as well.

subjective, I must admit I live in Utah, was born there, and

A by-product of this friendly competition is a number of

can’t seem to leave. But I do travel and I have to say, Utah

pilots coming down with the flu on perfect-weather days.

has something no other place has, something more than

Consequently, we have more wings in the sky looking for

its near-beer water and polygamist strongholds (which are

that perfect line or new launches, along with unique weath-

nothing like Mexican cartel strongholds when it comes to

er patterns to exploit, in order to fly in unusual directions

unplanned landing zones, but that’s another story). Utah is

and open up unexplored terrain. Fortunately, I happened to

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

Scenic By-airways of

UTAH

by CODY MITTANCK

ABOVE Trey Hackney over Book Cliffs, Utah on the way to Colorado.

be ill and unable to work on most of the days the big lines

being the highest east-to-west running mountain range in

were put up, so, of course, I was there with an in-harness

the lower 48. Unbroken by roads for long distances, they

perspective on many of them. And the days I missed, I spent

remain a very wild and remote place. In 1996 Bill attempted

most of my time at work refreshing the XCFind page.

While there is no system in place for nominating a line

the line but landed at the last bailout on Highway 150, with a daunting 75 miles of roadless high terrain still in front of

for the “national register,” I put the word out to the com-

him: “...it was just too big and too deep for me at the time.

munity for feedback and got some great responses, as

This was before GPS, cell phones, or pod harnesses, and

pilots reminisced about that glory-filled day when the stars aligned. The “guru,” Bill Belcourt, educated me on a few early groundbreaking flights that must be included, and

I had yet to even use O2. I was hypoxic and freezing and

simply not ready for that level of commitment.”

Fast-forward 10 years; with a stronger skillset and higher-

others chimed in with more recent additions that may go on

performing glider, Bill finds himself assessing the line once

to be classics. The following is a selection of some of those

again. “The plan to fly the Uintas started with the south

lines: When Bill Belcourt talks about flying classic scenic lines,

slope, since that was where the cloud development started earliest. I thought it was logical to fly that side and cross

I immediately associate his sagely rhetorical style with that

over to the north slope, as the day progressed. It wasn’t

of the American Alpine Journal, where alpinists record for

until I got in there that I discovered how deep and how end-

the canon their epic first ascents. Bill has been experiment-

less the high plateau of the Uintas truly is—around 30 miles

ing with XC in Utah before most of us realized we even had

across, and there is no escape other than out the other side.

a void to fill with paragliding. His approach is methodical.

You can be at 13,000 feet and in danger of sinking out. There

He speaks of “working lines” for years to see if they would

is no place to glide to get some vertical beneath you, other

go.

One flight that always beckoned him was the deep line across the Uinta Mountain Range, due to their status of

than tree-filled basins or mountain lakes, to gain a few hundred feet of clearance.” Undaunted, he made it through to the other side. His line took him directly over Mt. Emmons

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

19

at 13,440 feet, only 8 km away from Kings Peak, the highest peak in Utah at 13,528 feet.

Bill’s Scenic Route 1 was an introduction to what would follow. More experimentation over the next few years led to the discovery that the north slope of the Uintas could be flown faster and, says Bill, “it was far less committing.”

While the south side of the Uintas works very early in the day, the high Uintas erupts with overdevelopment, often by noon, on even relatively stable days. Flying the north slope keeps you out of the high terrain and opens up options to run from overdevelopment into the Wyoming flats, where the cloud streets can often be spectacular. This is likely an understatement that belies the incredible XC potential of this area.

Case in point: In August of 2016, Bill Belcourt, Chris Galli, and Trey Hackney flew 235 miles over this high plateau region, nearly overtaking the current North American foot-launch record. Gaining this line by launching from Jupiter Bowl, on the crest of the Wasatch Mountains, has now become the common big-distance line and certainly deserves to be in the registry as the classic Scenic Route 2.

Chris Galli currently holds the state distance record of 199 miles using this line, and I know of many budding XC pilots that have ticked their first 100-miler from here on “average” days.

On the good post-cold-front days in Utah, the winds come from the west-northwest, but occasionally some incredible flights can be done within different weather patterns.

Scenic Route 3 takes advantage of a south-wind day and heads towards Jackson Hole. The Salt Lake to Jackson, or SalToJa, as I’m going to coin it, has been a coveted connection since paraglider performance rose to the task. It begins at Jupiter, preferably as early as possible. It is 200-odd miles to Jackson Hole, and you will need every extra minute, since it would be a rare day indeed to have a perfect tailwind all the way. Almost invariably, the winds will shift more westerly, slowing forward progress.

On the flip side, as I found out, westerly winds flowing over the north-to-south ranges allow for long ridge runs late in the day, potentially extending a flight another 20 miles after the thermals have died off. This route was done in late August 2015. XC connoisseur Matt Dadam and I lost the rest of the pack and found ourselves sharing thermals over the turquoise waters of Bear Lake. In the end, I didn’t have enough daylight to make the jump over the Salt River Range into Jackson, but it was just enough for the Utah Cup that year. This coveted line still looms large, waiting for the right pilot on the right day.

TOP Map showing routes flown. BOTTOM On Route 3 over

Bear Lake | photo by Matt Dadam.

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HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

The Book Cliffs have to be one of the last bastions of wild places left in the West, where roads growing like myriad

L TO R On Route 5 looking back at the San Raphael Reef after crossing the Swell | photo by Cody Mittanck. Cody on

Route 7 making the crux crossing towards the Tushar range. Cody high on Route 7 over Fish Lake National Forest.

Photos by Nick Greece. dendritic veins to serve the oil and gas pads are spring-

cruises over the Tavaputs, flirting a bit with no man’s land

ing up everywhere. I am referring to the larger area that

further to the east, eventually gaining a more reasonable

includes the Tavaputs Plateau, Desolation Canyon, and

line on the south face of the Book Cliffs towards Green River.

the eponymous band of cliffs and ridgelines that split the

Bill Belcourt, Chris Galli, and Matt Dadam pioneered

state in the center and run into Colorado. Large swaths of

variations of this line, with Dadam the first to eventually

roadless areas and tribal land make vehicle access implau-

make it to the Moab Airport. Belcourt speaks of “steady

sible. To put it bluntly, anything less than a foot below Class

discoveries leading up to 2009,” when he finally made the

A over the Book Cliffs is a risky endeavor. Scenic Route 4

committing jump from Strawberry Reservoir and headed in,

ABOVE The Ol' swimming hole in the Jordan River.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

21

thinking this was going to be straightforward. Five minutes later, he was low and desperate, with strong west winds from Spanish Fork Canyon pushing him deeper and deeper to the east and a heinous two-day hike to civilization, albeit beautiful. Needless to say, he pulled it out and flew on to Green River.

This line will certainly be indelibly etched in my memory as the day that everything fell into place. Scenic Route 5 was planned and attempted over the course of a couple of years, with the primary goal being to fly directly over the San Raphael Swell. The Swell is a dome-shaped anticline of sandstone pushed up millions of years ago and ravaged by water ever since. This has resulted in mazes of slot canyons and features called the “little grand canyon.” Fortunately, there are a few dirt roads, so the reasonable line keeps these roads on glide, while staying in the cloud streets that will escort you across uneventfully.

But, of course, all good scenic routes get you low enough to become intimate with scenery that can only be enjoyed (sometimes while utterly terrified) from a paraglider. The insatiable Ric LeBlanc, aka “Ricky Stacks,” also worked his way along this line that day, going straight east after Green River. Out front, I had a different sky to work with and ended up taking the tour over Canyonlands and Deadhorse Point, and went on into Colorado. Flying over sandstone towers I had climbed a decade ago was absolutely magical.

Scenic Route 6 has to be one of the coolest new lines established, due to the fact that it connects two of the most popular “home” flying sites in Utah: the Bear River Range and the Wasatch Range. Matt Dadam envisioned the possibility of this new line on a day with atypical southsoutheast winds.

Dadam says he “likes to keep his creative side alive” when he’s airborne, being alert and having an open mind to changing TOP On Route 5 looking back at the potash ponds while

over the Colorado River near Deadhorse Point | photo by Cody Mittanck. CENTER On Route 4, looking north at the Book Cliffs | photo by Bill Belcourt. BOTTOM Nick Greece gliding to Book Cliffs on Route 4.

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HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

winds and clouds. However, on this day he had a firm plan to make this line happen. It’s a difficult transition to make the jump into Cache Valley and go onto the Bear Mountains.

Strong surface winds from the Great Salt Lake often affect the valleys behind the front range and, further to the east,

the Monte Cristo Mountains, which are covered by the larg-

170-mile line that transitions from 11,000-foot alpine peaks

est tract of private property in Utah, and are not retrievable.

into the desert southwest. The added benefit of this line is

Dadam and the usual suspects pulled it off, eventually land-

the phenomenon called “restitution,” or glass-off. Late in

ing north of the Bear River Range in Soda Springs, Idaho,

the day, the glass-off can be really pronounced along the

winning him the serial class Utah Cup for the year.

Highway 89 corridor, due to warm air in the narrow valleys

The final line included here covers some entirely new ground in the opposite direction. Scenic Route 7 starts at Horse Heaven Launch near Nephi and heads due south,

being pushed up by the cool rush of katabatic air from the range to the west.

Obviously, new scenic lines in Utah are not limited to

nearly crossing Utah’s southern border by Kanab. Nick

the ones I have included. There have been many variations

Greece and I flew this line together back in June of 2015.

on these, generally heading along the same corridors. My

Nick sees flying new lines as the “most exciting thing I have

intention has been to indicate areas that have not been

the honor of doing.” This line certainly lived up to that.

explored. Looking at the map, many first ascents are still

Nick recalls the day as starting very slowly, with difficult conditions, but eventually “turning into one for the books.”

The skill set of flying together while thinking indepen-

available for the intrepid pioneer.

What is the most important skill set needed to do a new line? I posed that question to a few pilots. Nick Greece men-

dently, a skill we had both developed through competitions,

tioned needing to dial in your landings, being able to side-

proved to be crucial for this line. Key aspects to team flying

hill confidently if necessary, assessing conditions with the

require you to sample different air on glide, while staying

ability to identify leeside turbulence before you dive in, and

close enough to share the thermal when found, and take

being willing and able to walk long distances without any

turns searching outside the thermal for the best piece of

help. Certainly there is a box of skills required to embolden

lift. Working as a unit, we got through crux sections much

the XC pilot to strike out on a new line, but as Belcourt likes

faster than we could have solo. It is a profoundly unique

to say, “Until you spread your wings... you will never know

experience to be wingtip to wingtip with a friend along a

how far you can walk.”

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

23

DEMO North Wing Freedom X 14.5

by JONATHAN DIETCH

D

uring late November, I had

Streamlined struts for lateral

be a good idea to hold an impromptu

the good fortune of experi-

support of modern hang glider wing

demo event in Southern California.

encing three demo flights

structures have been around since at

This took place primarily at Andy

on the much-anticipated North Wing

least the mid-‘70s, but at some point

Jackson Airpark during the latter half

Freedom X 14.5M (161sq ft.) hang

fell out of favor except for use on ultra-

of November 2016, but it wasn’t an-

glider, at my home site of Crestline/

light and LSA trike wings that allow

nounced locally until after the event

Marshall above San Bernardino,

a fully assembled craft to be moved

had begun. One day during mid-No-

California. The glider is a hybrid of

through a hangar doorway, without

vember, I watched a perfectly executed

double-surface and single-surface

the kingpost’s getting in the way. On a

landing being completed by my friend

technologies with an exposed but

hang glider, the use of side struts can,

Alex Cheng, on a glider I’d never seen.

faired crossbar, absence of top rigging

in theory, eliminate the kingpost, top

As Alex approached, I realized it was a

and kingpost, presence of streamlined

rigging and through-holes, smoothing

Freedom X that I had been interested

side struts, enclosed washout struts

out the upper surface airflow while

in seeing up close. And then, I learned

(sprogs), and very effective VG system.

eliminating side-wire slop, without

of the ad hoc demo event.

It is a visually appealing glider that

compromising handling qualities. This

begs the question of whether it offers

is my personal understanding of the

fly the Freedom X, in between periods

flying qualities that reward the invest-

potential advantages.

of adverse weather. However, because

ment, beyond giving a proud owner

At North Wing World HQ in

I had two windows of opportunity to

time was short, I did not get the chance

the coolest conversation piece in the

Washington State, Paul Burns pro-

to assemble, disassemble, weigh, mea-

LZ.

posed to Kamron Bevins that it would

sure or scrutinize the glider. Paul took care of all the assembly and disassembly, freeing me to prepare my equipment for live audio/video recording of the experience. Two of my three flights are posted to my Vicarious Icarus YouTube channel. Conditions were extremely marginal initially and then katabatic during my last flight.

The glider had a well-balanced and solid feel during ground handling and launch. Its mass felt mid-way between my Sport 2 155 and T2C 144 and similar to the Gecko 155 that I demo’d at Sylmar. Although there was no alternating slack-and-twang typical of non-compensated side wires, I could

ABOVE The author over San Bernardino backdrop | photo by Paul Burns.

24

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

still feel the sail shift from side to side

without the frame’s wiggling about. I

inspired at first glide. If I already had

slightly on the back of the glider—

think this interesting and reassuring

been familiar with the Freedom X,

enough to give me pause. At the same

sensation is produced by interplay

I might have turned back at the hill

time, the Freedom X’s rapid transition

between the side struts and swept,

in time to work the only puff of lift at

into supporting its own weight on my

floating crossbar.

my disposal. Since I wasn’t adjusted

previous demo flights, combined with

to its low-speed soaring limitations,

its on-rails feel, gave me the confi-

air and maintained its equilibrium

I kept a reasonable margin. On my

dence I needed to proceed. I think I

as airspeed increased throughout the

second flight, I managed a nice, clean

used at least 75 of the 85 feet of ramp,

entire take-off process, seamlessly

top launch down the shallow upper

but I did not jump. The glider neatly

transitioning into gliding flight. Due

slope into a trickle of wind. The glider

extracted me from the slope and de-

to calm conditions on my first flight, I

seemed to be doing most of the work

posited me into the atmosphere, as it

walked the Freedom X 100 yards down

for me; I was surprised at how soon I

blew gently over the back and in from

from the setup area to the wooden

was airborne. On my last flight, I went

the east.

ramp at the lip of Marshall Peak.

back up for a photo run, hoping to

Typically, I launch the top either down

catch some waning, golden light late

to the west, beside an area known as

the 4:1 upper slope or SW face, which

in the afternoon. But the weather had

Last Chance. The glide was excellent,

rolls off a little more steeply. The

begun to turn katabatic by the time

and I arrived with surprisingly good

wooden ramp runs for 85’ or so along

everything was set up.

altitude. The numbers on the first

The glider felt well-balanced in still

a 2.4:1 slope. With a gentle breeze at

I walked down to the lower ramp

On my first flight, there was lift far

and second flights, when analyzed

this level, the glider slipped into the air

and gave Paul time to get established,

with SeeYou, were impressive. I did all

with relative ease, after gently rising

in order to capture some dynamic

three flights in solitude. Due to poor

off my shoulders at a slight accelera-

images of the launch and flyaway.

weather, I never had the opportunity

tion.

During this flight, I could feel the

to go head-to-head with known quanti-

katabatic flow pressing down ever so

ties in the same air. Since I fly this area

So, my confidence in the glider was

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LEFT 85 feet to get airborne in katabatic flow down a 2.4:1 slope | photo by Jonathan Dietch.

fairly often, I was pleased with how the Freedom X both performed and handled in marginal lift. I felt it retain energy well and tracked my intended paths without wavering or wandering.

Scratching in light lift was like a meditation in motion for me. I could have gone into a trance and done this all day, had shading not shut me down.

If I were asked what impressed me most about this glider, it would be the Freedom X’s ability to work light lift. I did not have any of my XC soaring buddies on their UP Trango XC2, Mantra M6, RX3.5 or T2C 144 with whom I could compare flights, so I cannot give any objective comparisons. Since I do most of my flying in relative solitude, my primary benchmark for comparison is my own flights along similar routes and in similar weather. Sadly, the air was not active, so I didn’t have a chance to learn how the glider handled turbulence or strong lift and sink.

I found the VG system extremely effective, having a wide range of loose to tight, and the rope had the right pulley ratio, making it easy to pull. If I owned this glider, I would change the cleat to either a Wills Wing or Moyes style—one that allows the rope to be held easily in the right hand and either cleated or released instantly, without snagging the cleat. It’s a readily solved issue but it put a cramp in my flying style that kept me from close-proximity terrain flying. At VG tight, the glide really flattened out, and the handling stiffened at low speed. Due to the very marginal lift, I could not afford to waste any altitude, removing any opportunity for me to explore the glider’s speed and handling envelope.

Another “nit” for me was the straight control bar. I am accustomed to flying a Wills Wing aluminum or carbon

26

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

speed bar, and the angled section on

Workmanship on the Freedom X,

250 transportation days works out to

that wing really relieves strain from

as well as the hardware, are both

roughly $20,000. On top of this, I have

my aging wrists. I do not know if an

impressive. Another characteristic

to add all the outlays for dues and

angled grip control bar is offered.

that should be noted is how quiet

other consumable equipment.

My first landing was almost as nice

this glider is in flight. I fly with an

Everyone’s financial and logistical

as the one of Alex’s that I’d witnessed

open-face Giro snow helmet and enjoy

status is unique. All of this begs the

when I first learned about the chance

listening to the sounds of nature, along

question of what we are spending our

to demo this glider. On my second

with the whistle of the wind in the

money on as individuals. More aptly

landing, however, I got lazy and came

wires. This glider has no side wires;

put: What gives each of us the great-

in with too little speed, allowing the

the absence of that singing crossbar’s

est value in terms of recreation, and

flare window to lapse and the control

howling, as compared to the 62mm

how valuable is recreation in each

bar to drop. But clearly this was no

crossbar on my Falcon 4 195, was ap-

of our lives? It would be nice if every

fault of the glider. On my last flight, the

parent.

glider came with a certified Recreation Quotient like an L/D polar, but a chart

wind in the LZ was below OTB from

An answer to the question regard-

the East, which meant setting up my

ing return on investment that I posed

that would allow each of us to pre-

landing in the lee-side rotor from the

at the beginning of this brief review

dict which glider would produce the

LZ berm and landing along a very mod-

remains open-ended. I have year-

greatest fun and satisfaction for our

erate down slope. At the spot I’d set up,

round flying opportunities, yet roughly

individual life circumstances. I’m sure

the air was swirling, and I was busy

2/3 of the cost of my hourly airtime is

that the Freedom X will fill this bill for

holding the wings level and damping

related to travel and transportation. A

the right pilots.

the yaw. Because the glider responded

glider with a life of 500 hours or more

nicely to correction inputs, I nailed

gets amortized against a much larger

a no-stepper for a nice finale to just

outlay of transportation costs, when

under an hour of total air time.

my average flight time is two hours;

More information on this fine glider: http://www.northwing.com/freedom-x-hang-glider.aspx

Freedom X 13M  14.5M  16M available in 144, 161, and 178 sq. ft.

VG - variable geometry sail control high aspect ratio, wider nose angle low-drag “topless” design

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HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

27

Crossing the Pyrenees

by JESSE WILLIAMS images by SAM THOMPSON

L

ast summer, I completed my first hike-and-fly race,

Honza asked me if I would do support for him in a future

the X-Pyr. Its course begins on the Atlantic, follows

race. I agreed and ended up serving as his support in the

eight turnpoints through the Pyrenees Mountains

2013 and 2015 X-Alps, learning tons about both racing and

along the border of Spain and France, and ends at the

vol biv camping from Honza. Competing in a hike-and-fly

Mediterranean. As I stood at the start watching the morn-

race had always been on my mind, but after seeing the

ing sun glint off the Atlantic Ocean, I knew I faced a huge

scary conditions and high level of competition in the 2015

challenge. I needed to cross 300 miles of mountain, using

X-Alps, I wasn’t sure if I was cut out for it.

only my feet or paraglider, while racing with some of the

years, so that fall I did the US Nationals in Bishop, but I

thrilled to be part of this pinnacle of paragliding experi-

struggled with flying in the strong conditions and the

ence.

mental burden of witnessing two bad accidents suffered

I’d first tried paragliding 16 years ago in New Zealand,

by other competitors. I put racing in the back of my mind,

when a three-day intro course culminated in an hour’s

but as I worked through a dreary Seattle winter, I saw that

flight in midday thermals. Although I loved the experi-

applications for the X-Pyr were still open. I applied.

ence, I didn’t touch a paraglider again until 2008, when

When I found out I had been admitted to the 2016 X-Pyr,

I discovered Tiger Mountain, took a tandem and signed

it was as if I’d flipped a switch. With a race to prepare

up for lessons on the spot with Marc and Lan at Seattle

for, I was inspired. I booked a ticket to fly in Colombia for

Paragliding. They have been guiding and mentoring me

the month of February, and I stepped up my running. I

ever since, during my eight-year flying journey.

was lucky to have great people in my corner. Chris and

I often hiked Tiger, which was how I met Honza

28

I hadn’t competed in a classic paragliding comp in three

best pilots in the world. I was both apprehensive and

Jeff from Superfly Paragliding teamed up with Seattle

Rejmánek on the way up to launch, after he’d given a pre-

Paragliding to get me on the lightest XC machine out there,

sentation on the Red Bull X-Alps. As our friendship grew,

the Advance Omega X-alps.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

I first flew that wing in Roldanillo, and it has been opening doors in my flying world ever since, with its efficiency, speed, and its ridiculously light weight. Having the race to prepare for pushed me to do some amazing things last spring. I made the first-ever flight around Mt. Baker in Washington’s North Cascades, and did my first 100-mile run. And, luckily, in the month I had free to explore the Pyrenees before the race, I had great flying and enjoyed the varied mountain landscapes filled with plenty of European charm, without the high sticker price of the Alps.

The beginning of the X-Pyr—listening to race briefings, organizing the van in the campground—felt familiar from my X-Alps support days. But this time, I was the one standing under the start arch with a pack on my back! Pavel was my supporter, in charge of the van and gear, while my friend Sam was along to do photos and video. A sound system pumped party music as we counted down the last seconds. And then, off we went, running through the town, together at first and then spreading out, as people took slightly different routes. My strategy was to push as hard as possible on the first day to get away from the poor coastal weather and closer to the big mountains that promised easier flying.

We had to get to TP1 on foot, over about 15 miles of road and trail to the east. I ran most of the way to the base of the hill, enjoying shady country roads, but once Pavel, my supporter, and I headed up to the 2400’ peak of Larun, we were exposed to the sun, with the temperature rising past 90°F. As I powered through, I was surprised to hear someone say I was third to the top.

I launched after Maurer, Durogati, and Mayer, following them out over the low rolling farmland. They managed to stay in the air and get to some low hills, while I landed and hustled towards the next good takeoff a couple of miles away. By now it was really hot. I shared the last bit of my water with Michal Krysta, as we hiked up the next hill and got in the air with some passing pilots. I landed after a couple of small transitions close to another good launch, where my crew was waiting with water and food.

It was a high-pressure day, with weak, low climbs that would have seen most pilots doing something else with their time. Of course, we were racing; so I pulled out

TOP Jesse making road miles in the rain with Slovakian

athlete, Juraj Koren. BOTTOM Carving the skies during a training dat above Turnpoint 6, Guardiola de Berguedà.

all the tricks I knew, slowly making progress down the course. I flew again, following birds and feeling my way in

The 5:30 a.m. start time came early, with the forecast

convergence to get partway across the next valley, before

strong south wind already blasting down into the valley.

a hike up to a pass for an evening sledder. The maze of low

Two roads led towards TP2. I started down a different road

hills was getting simpler ahead, where a straight road now

than the leaders, got anxious about it, and made the mis-

paralleled the course line, so I made good time. I ran until

take of cutting over to their road, wasting at least an hour.

the mandatory stop time at 10:30 p.m.

I heard the lead pack was waiting out the wind at TP2 and

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

29

let myself slow down, thinking they’d be stuck there long enough for me to catch up. Unfortunately, while I was slowing down, they got in the air shortly after noon and sent long flights. I was fifth to tag TP2 and promptly got in the air at 4:30 p.m.

The race officials told me the leaders had skyed out immediately after launching, but I couldn’t find any good climbs. I scratched in survival mode, stayed airborne, and worked east. As the grassy peaks gave way to higher rocky ridgelines, things got easier. Finally, I was following a border ridge, where my only worry was forbidden airspace downwind of me, on the French side. I watched my XCSoar map carefully on my phone, so as to not drift too close. Eventually, the airspace blocked me from going any farther.

So I landed and began a long, but beautiful, walk towards Candanchú. My legs were feeling better after a two-hour break in the air, allowing me to start running parts of the trail that wound through the mountains. By the time we had to stop at 10:30, Anayet, TP3, was in view,

LEFT Beautiful hiking in Northern Spain heading towards

the French border, and Turnpoint 5. ABOVE Climbing out at the border crest before making a very turbulent. transition into the France on Day 5.

just across the valley under a spectacular full moon.

The next morning Pavel and I took a quick jaunt across a valley, before the trail climbed steadily up towards TP3.

barrier ridge. I flew down, and although I got going a little later, I was glad to be flying upwind of the main ridge in

As we hiked through beautiful wildflowers and pastures,

the 15mph south wind. I made good progress, as I watched

a symphony of cowbells greeted us. We had to get high

TP4, Peña Monteñesa, seemingly draw nearer to me. But

up to make it inside the 400- meter radius around the

closer to Broto, a SE wind appeared to mix with the SW

peak. I debated whether to try to start my XC flying from

wind; I couldn’t find a climb in the confusing air and

that area or to take a sledder south, through a gap in the

nearly landed.

Barrier Mountains, to put me upwind of the long, rocky

But I managed to catch a tiny thermal coming from the middle of the valley floor and frisbeed down the valley, up a hill, up a bigger hill, and finally found convergence, allowing me to get back up to 12,000 feet—only to ride sink all the way to the valley floor again. Before the race, I had flown from TP4 to TP5 a couple of times late in the day; it should have been an easy run. Now the hope of making that flight during the race was gone. I walked down the valley in sweltering heat, hearing that rain was forecast for the next day.

The following morning, I trudged the last few miles towards TP4. It was a solid climb up to the base of the rock tower, where we tagged the 1km radius cylinder. I found a stick- infested little cow-field to try to fly down from, but the wind didn’t cooperate: first going slack and then gusting with rain showers. So I packed up and walked down the road. I had run too hard the night before, and my right leg was hurting. I slowed to a plodding pace along the road, heading for a low pass into France. To add insult to injury, I found out Maurer had finished the race that day, after romping through the course in 72 hours.

As we got into the heart of the mountains, a fat thunder-

30

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

storm unleashed torrential rain and lightning. Instead of

and flew three more times without success. Below me, a

trying to camp in the pouring rain, we stopped early at a

solid blanket of cloud had formed as the cooler French air

pub with plenty of dry space, got organized and booked

pushed up into the valleys below me. I couldn’t even take

nice rooms for 20 euros.

a sledder to the valley to end my day. At least my leg was

The next morning, the skies had cleared, and we hiked

feeling better, and I was carefully testing out little bits of

up a beautiful alpine valley that ended in a pass at the

running. Juraj Koren passed me and was just ahead, when

French border. I could tell I’d have a strong south tail-

we made camp in Vielha that night.

wind, by the clouds clipping along above the mountains.

I launched just before the pass, climbing a few hundred

The next morning I caught up to Juraj, and we walked through rain showers that seemed to have eased by the

feet before I dove through the col. Fortunately, it wasn’t

time we neared a pass with hopes of a sledder to save

terribly turbulent as I rode the massive waterfall of air

our legs. We hurried up a hill next to the pass, hearing

pouring over the crest down into France. My sink alarm

thunder boom in the distance. I glanced at the weather

screamed when I ran towards any slope that faced into the

radar on my phone and saw a big orange blob just upwind

south wind and found wild thermals punching up through

of us, but jumped into my harness and followed Juraj off,

the sinking air. Sudden and violent transitions between

marveling in the back of my mind at how easy it was to do

massive sink and raging lift continued, as I flew in the lee

something really stupid when someone else was doing it,

of the crest eastward to Ciceré, TP5.

too. Within a couple minutes, we were in heavy rain; the

I cruised over the turnpoint. A little beyond it, the lift

cell caught us. When I pushed bar to avoid deep stall, my

got light and fickle as high clouds moved in. I struggled

ground speed topped 50 mph, and we slalomed down the

above a grassy mountaintop, eventually getting flushed,

windy valley ahead. We managed to make it out to where

stuffing in a landing in the last patch of grass before the

the valley opened up into farm fields, for a nice easy land-

mountainside turned to trees. I hiked up to grassy peaks

ing. Our support crews, who had driven down behind us

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

31

ABOVE LEFT A crux decision point near Llavorsí Spain where Juraj headed South and I headed for the Cadi Mountains.

RIGHT A roadside camp spot near Castellbò Spain.

in pounding hail, were impressed to see we had survived.

We continued hiking together as the sun came out, and wondered if we should be going up a mountain to try to

near the bottom of the valley. I expected to get thrashed a little, but the turbulence and sink just kept getting worse.

fly. I was trying to decide where I should fly from the next

I veered even further south and found less sink over the

morning. There was a good launch near Sort, south of

hills and mountains on the south side of the valley. The

us, but it was so close I knew I’d be wasting time waiting

wind was more westerly lower in the valley, and as I

there to fly in the morning. On the other side of some

crossed back to the low hills on the north where the turn-

mountains and a wide valley, was the beginning of the

point was located, I realized I wasn’t even moving forward.

spectacular Cadí Range that ran all the way to TP6. I was

With power lines and a narrow forested valley behind me,

sure the Cadí would be the best place to fly, but to reach

I crabbed back towards the bottom of the valley, taking

them meant I’d need to run a lot to cover 55 miles in time.

collapses more and more frequently. I aimed for a large

Juraj headed off to the nearer spot, while I wondered if my leg would hold up to running. Finally I told my crew, “I came here to race—I’m going for it,” and it was on. I cut across the mountains on trails, while they drove around.

hay field surrounded by trees, fighting to keep the wing open with my mind on my reserve handle.

I was approximately 50’ above trees, almost making a 1:1 glide to the field, when I took a collapse that sealed

More thunderstorms rolled through, keeping me nice

the deal with trees. I grabbed at my reserve handle, half-

and cool as I ran and hiked up and over from Llavorsi to

heartedly on the first try, and then, with full intent, a split

Castellbo. The setting sun peeked through and lit the Cadí

second later, lobbing the parachute out behind me as the

Mountains beautifully, below mammatus clouds. I was

wing recovered. As the trees rushed at me, the reserve

ahead of schedule to get to my launch, and my leg was

opened and I descended gently into the trees. I stopped

feeling good, when we stopped to pile in the van that night.

The next morning I made good time as I crossed the

with my feet almost touching the ground, so I could unclip on my own. The race crew, who had been watching from

valley, passing through La Seu d’Urgell, taking shortcuts

the turn-point as I disappeared into the valley, were

through the woods on my way up the start of the Cadí. I

probably more scared than I was. They were overjoyed

launched above cliffs in a north wind and pulled ears to

to see me in one piece when they converged on me a few

stay out of the clouds as I cruised the ridge, rarely stop-

minutes later.

ping to turn. Farther on, I got flushed in a shady pocket

32

south over the ridge, into the lee where the turnpoint sat

I was hoping to switch out to my spare flying kit that

and quickly landed in a small field, before I lost too much

was in the van, but the race director said I had to get

altitude. After a quick hike up, I was in the air again and

everything out of the tree and continue carrying that

soon close enough to TP6 that I thought it was time to go

gear. Fortunately, Pavel had his climbing gear; he belayed

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

El Port de la Selva, the end of the race course on the Mediterranean. RIGHT Pavel and I collecting our 5th place prize at the awards ceremony.

ABOVE LEFT

and blew sand down the beach. We took our turns on

himself into the tree and started cutting branches until everything was on the ground. Both wing and reserve had

stage sharing words of gratitude and respect. Some people

some small tears, but I stuffed everything back in my pack

were worn down from the scary winds and endless miles

and got rolling on foot again. Sam and Pavel walked up the

on foot, but I was among those pilots eager to go back. This

gravel road with me to TP6, where I was the fifth and final

kind of racing is pure adventure, infused with wild flying,

pilot to sign the banner.

beautiful scenery, and the ever-changing challenge of the sky, the mountains, and the path ahead.

With my torn-up gear in my pack, I finished the race by jogging down the road into the Spanish night. As my brain

Read more about the 2016 X-Pyr race and replay the live tracking at www.x-pyr.com Jesse Williams has been selected to race in the 2017 Red Bull X-Alps this July. You can read more about his adventures at www.byfootandbysky.com.

slowed down to normal life’s speed, I began to marvel at the journey we had been on.

The next day, at the award ceremony in El Port de la Selva, the wind whipped over the pretty turquoise bay

GEAR recycled wing

HEADGEAR

T-SHIRTS

JACKETS

UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION

UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION

2017

TECHNICAL

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USHPA PILOT MAGAZINE

Johnny Durand over Forbes, Australia | Courtesy Red Bull Photofiles

COMPETITION Tater Hill

by Dennis Pagen

C

’mon Google, you can do it…I

the formation, rising nearly 2000 feet

to-head challenge with some very

was looking for Tater Hill so

from the valley, does look like a baked

capable fellow pilots. It’s simply a laid-

potato lying on its side—without the

back atmosphere that fosters learning

but Google Maps was confounded.

sour cream and butter. The condi-

and fun along with the challenges.

I could drive right to the site,

How can a computer system be so

ments on this potato are a jeep road

dumb? My buddy Mike Lange and I

to the top, a large grassy staging and

YOU MEET NICE PEOPLE ON A MOUNTAIN

were headed to the Tater Hill Open

launch area and—can you dig it?—

The Tater Open is the foster child of

comp and didn’t want to wander

thousands of July-ripe blueberries

Bubba Goodman and Beth Burgin.

around in the convoluted hidden

lining the operations area. No matter

Bubba owns the launch and has a

hollows of rural North Carolina. Who

what the weather, pleasure is to be

standing good relationship with the

knows what’s growing out there

found on Tater.

landing field’s owner, so the site is

in late July? Finally I went against nature and consulted a map. Aha!

Every year for the past 12, the flying

long-term secure. I remember landing

community has been blessed with

in the same field sometime in the

I realized that the real name of the

this Eastern foot-launch bi-wingual

early ‘80s, so it’s been Bubba’s baby

site is Potato Mountain, and Tater Hill

meet in the green mountains of

forever. Bubba has decades of compe-

is just a local nickname. Do I have to

northern North Carolina. It tends to

tition experience in both hang gliding

tell Google everything?

be more of a community than a comp;

and paragliding and he brings this ex-

Whether mountain or hill, the

more of a meeting than a meet, but

perience to the meet. He knows how

name “Potato” is appropriate since

nonetheless, pilots can find a head-

stress levels can climb in the heat of a meet, so to destress the situation, he stresses: “Relax, have fun.”

Even though Bubba wears many hats—meet director, hill ride driver, launch director, event organizer, trouble-shooter—he can relax because he has Beth to stress over the organization details. Beth is always sweet, but matters in such a complex operation have a way of going awry when you least expect. Beth is the fixer. Behind every good man…

Of course, there are also lots of volunteer helpers and we (the pilot community) can’t thank them enough.

The drivers were Larry Flewelling, Jesse James South, Melody Isenhour

ABOVE Gliders above Bubba's manicured launch.

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HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

and Beth Burgin. Most of them are

ABOVE Winner winner chicken dinner. A great group of folks shows up every year to sample the great Blue Ridge Mountains.

pilots, so they know the protocol (you

thermals. I was flying a simple single-

a new respect for cloud suck—a topic

can brag about your great flight on the

surface hang glider, but still could

we’d covered in a talk just before.

way back, or sulk if you bombed out).

reach multiple thermals, often with

Hang glider pilot Jason Williams and

multi-cores. Such multiple-core ther-

During the meet, the task committee chose routes to avoid expected

Nancy Threadgold were launch assis-

mals are typical of green environs

build-up, to provide a challenge

tants and Nancy handled the techni-

with small pockets of feeding thermal

and usually bring everyone back to

cal and retrieve communications. In

sources. The trick is to be ready for a

nearby goal fields. Even though Tater

my experience over the years, we

shift in the lift or a new elevator bell

faces west, into the summer prevail-

would never have as many successful

to ding. It sure is nice when a flock of

ing winds, one of the nice things

comps without plenty of assistants

pilots are delineating the lift. It’s also

about the area is you can fly in very

doing all the odd jobs. Mainly they are

nice that some of them are willing to

light winds. You don’t need ridge lift

there because they love the sport(s) or

reach out and explore.

love someone in the sport. Either way, we owe them lots of gratitude.

to hang out at altitude. With light

But even flying solo can be easy,

winds, triangles and out-and-backs

for green areas typically have clouds,

are a good choice. Such tasks make

FLYING

especially in the summer high season.

for easy relaxed retrieves. And by the

This year at Tater there were thun-

way, they also make it much more

I first flew in this area from

derstorm threats, but as I told some

enjoyable for spectators since you can

Grandfather Mountain, a metamor-

western pilots, “If there’s no possibili-

watch the pilots for most of the way.

phic conglomerate monolith and a

ties of thunderstorms in the humid

damn fine flying site, in the early

east, it may be too stable for really

tate and take later flights. It was inter-

years. Grandfather Mtn. looks like an

good thermals.” We deal with it. On

esting to see the better pilots vying to

old man lying in repose. You can see

several days pilots flew with cloud

top out before the start gate and race

the old man from Tater. Even though

build-up off to the south (Grandfather,

on course. Long glides often left them

I wasn’t in the comp, so I got to spec-

Grandfather is the highest mountain

the high point, likes to palaver with

low, but the field would spread out in

in the eastern Blue Ridge chain, Tater

Thor, the thunder god). But we kept a

search mode and invariably someone

actually has 500 more feet of ground

close watch from the ground and on

would hit some lift and the whole

clearance to work with. It too is a

the radar scan. No one had a problem.

group would converge. Such a practice

damn fine flying site.

One new pilot did experience cloud

is called “cooperate and elevate.” Of

suck on a free flight in front of the

course, even if you aren’t cooperative

green. The thermals tend to be

mountain. He flew away, but kept

by nature you will find working with

mellow, but abundant. All those

rising visibly until his instructor re-

the group to be in your best interest.

hollows store warm air on a good

minded him why god created big ears.

On most days some pilots made

day that make a series of discrete

He pulled them and came down with

goal, but there were plenty of times

This area of the planet is summer

pilots dribbled and drabbled along,

The Tater format makes that matter

working every promising breath of

more telling because even the timid

air. The neat part of this meet is that

can reach out from their comfort zone.

there are several official landing

wisdom. While the Tater Open is a serious meet, it is also a pilot-friendly

fields that pilots could land in and

AMENITIES AND DIVERSIONS

be quickly taken back up to launch

It wasn’t all flying all the time, of

their learning about topics related to

in the official retrieve vehicles for a

course (we are in the East). But the

flying technique, weather and safety.

re-flight. Such a policy is a relief for

one day that was called for high

pilots who get unlucky and bomb out,

winds saw pilots free-flying later.

but it also induces pilots to be more

Another day with reverse winds had

spontaneous music would break out.

aggressive about exploring for lift. In

pilots doing laundry or flying at an-

There were five or six musicians in

gathering so pilots can jump-start

Often in the morning, while we were just waiting for a ride up,

short, it makes for a more enjoyable

other nearby site facing more south.

the group and we covered everything

comp for both pilots and spectators.

The rest of the days offered airtime

from what your grandpa would sing

Something else: It increases learning

for all.

by a good margin, for new pilots often

Yet we still had plenty of other

to what your kids don’t want you to sing. In fact several nights we prac-

are reluctant to do anything but sit

activities. Every morning we gathered

ticed some songs for an evening slide

in a thermal to the bitter end while

at the landing field to load the trucks

show and entertainment. When we

others go off and frequently find a

and get the morning briefing. The

performed it was as Miss Patty and

better core that propels them a whole

landing field has a house and garage

the Deftones. Miss Patty being Patty

step ahead. With the re-flight system

which served as headquarters. If we

Flewelling (a former hang glider pilot

there is a much lower penalty for the

were delayed going up the hill (Tater

I have known since 1976) and we also

adventuresome. I like it.

tends to be a later site) we would

had guest singer Beth Burgin who

have seminars on the fine points of

sang a song you wouldn’t want your

tion teaches more in one meet than a

flying and the weather. This year Bill

mother to hear. Ask her about it.

whole summer or three of free flying.

Heaner and I presented the talks and

I have often written that competi-

For some year s I have been af flicted with the belief that flight is possible to man.

-Wilbur Wright –

38

Q & As, but other years had other “experts” pontificating and divulging

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

W W W. W I L L S W I N G. C O M

Tater Hill is about eight miles north

of Boone, North Carolina. Boone is a little liberal gem in a vast mine of anything but. It has more great restaurants per capita than any place I know, including Paris. So we ate in town every chance we got. Although we come for the flying, we can’t forget the other parts of our psyches. Good flying, good food and passable music— what more could you ask for?

The closing ceremony was a nice gathering at an outdoor park and facility. All the pilots, friends, officials, helper and many locals were in attendance for the meal and awards. Many sponsors, both local and in the flying community, donated swag, so most every pilot got a present. The real winners, however, came out on top in their respective classes.

There were 38 pilots this year

THANKS

from Bubba Goodman

They say that wisdom is wasted on the old because the young won’t listen. Well, that may be true, but at the 2016 Tater Hill Open, the

total, including both the Open and

young and old alike were hanging on to Dennis Pagen’s every word. I’ve known

the Sport classes. The Open Class

Dennis since the late ‘70s from flying at Grandfather Mountain and I’ve always

was won by Chris Grantham who

been impressed by his knowledge. After pestering him for years to come to my

squeaked out past Luis Rosenkjer,

comp to teach clinics and transmit some of his hard-earned wisdom, this year he

who has won a couple times in the

finally said yes. He came to do talks on anything to do with flying—he told me

past. Third place was taken by New

to pick a subject. But towards the end I think it was the band he and some other

Jersey instructor, Mert Kacmaz. The

pilot-musicians had formed that he was most concerned about.

Sport Class was sorted as: Chris Lee

Bill Heaner was part of that band. He does a great Neil Young and plays a

first, Sprinty McSneakerson second

mean guitar and harmonica, as well as giving great advice to pilots. This is Bill’s

and Eric Esser third. They all received

second year here and he provides very calm, subtle coaching that may one day

creatively etched trophies featuring

save a pilot’s life or at least an arm or a leg.

an arched-feather paragliding canopy.

Folks, I can’t think of a more con-

Chris Grantham is my rock! He’s been scoring the comp for years and is a kiter-extraordinaire, an amazing instructor and a great pilot.

genial meet I have ever been to. The

There are more wonderful people who have helped me put on a great comp:

pressure was low, the spirit was high

Kari Castle, Mike Barber, Luis Rosenkjer, Jay and Kim Browder, Beth Burgin. Many

and the faces were friendly. I person-

well-known big names in paragliding have also contributed; you never know

ally thank everyone for providing

who you might get to thermal with at Tater! The generosity of these folks is most

such a good time. The meet for 2017

humbling and appreciated—all are here on their own dime, on their own time.

is scheduled for July 30 to August 5. I

The Tater Open is a small comp with a small entry fee so there’s not much to

would urge any pilot in the lower 48

give away at the end. In return, and because they are all great folks, I try to help

to make it if they can. There is a lot

where I can by sending business their way by promoting their schools or to buy

to enjoy. I can see Bubba and Beth

Dennis’s books.

in my mind’s eye waving goodbye to everyone, with the invitation: “Y’all come back!”

For more information on the Tater Hill Open, both past and future, go to www.flytaterhill.com.

Thanks all of you who contribute to the ongoing success of the Tater Hill Open and help me do what I like to do: help pilots learn and experience great flying, leaving them some gas money to get home on while keeping them as safe as possible. Every year is a unique and rewarding adventure on the hill, thanks to a growing number of pilots from all over the world.

See you at Tater!

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

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2016 Paragliding

State Records

by STEVE ROTI

W

hen I was a kid, the term

flight from Nappanee on May 18. He

last summer. Johnna Haskell flew 14

cross-country meant hop-

did the flight on a Triple Seven King

miles on the same day I flew the new

ping in my parent’s station

and was in the air 5:23. Jaro was par-

record, so we both broke the record

wagon and driving from the West

ticularly impressed by the retrieve, “I

that day. For Norm, Johnna and me,

Coast to the Midwest to visit relatives.

landed and John was there in two

these were our first XCs in Maine. We

Now it means hopping in a paraglider

minutes! ”

don’t get the conditions very often!

and getting high and going far. Plenty

Conditions on the morning of July 30

of people are flying their paragliders

Maine

cross-country these days—so many

A first-time record for the state of

cast cirrus and building pressure.

that 12 new paragliding state records

Maine! On July 30 David McNulty flew

Around 2:00 p.m., we realized the lift

were set in 2016.

48.8 miles/78.5 km from Fairfield on

was working anyway, and launched.

an Ozone Rush 4, with a flight dura-

The thermals were typically around

tion of 2:49. David’s comments: “It was

800fpm +/- 200fpm, with cloudbase

Indiana

really didn’t look promising—over-

Jaro Krupa of Chicago Paragliding

really anyone’s game to get the record

at 6500’ (I estimate). The high wispy

broke his own record set back in 2010

this year; we had an unofficial record

cirrus never went away, but neither

with a 96.9-mile/156km tow-launched

of 10.4 miles set by Norm Stevens

did the underlying cumulus (until

L TO R David McNulty, Maine. Thad Spencer, Minnesota. Davidson Da Silva, New Hampshire.

40

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

ABOVE Matt Henzi, Oregon.

around 5:30 p.m.). Wind from ground

I started, especially on a holiday

and conservative all day, because

to 2000 feet was about 7 mph from

weekend with family, and far from

I was just trying not to land early. I

the north. Wind above 2000 feet was

the higher flying sites.”

about 9 mph from the west.” Full

thought I would just go for a tour of Hart Mountain, then thought about

report: http://www.schoolofpersonal-

Ohio

flight.com/2016/08/03/maine-cross-

The Ohio distance record continues

Steens. It wasn’t until almost mile

country-paragliding-record/

to bounce back and forth between

120, around 6:30 p.m., that I even con-

Adam Lee and Augusto Espinosa. In

sidered having a chance to break 146.”

Minnesota

2016, it was Augusto’s turn. On May

reaching the Steens, then crossing the

Thad Spencer broke his own

19 he set a new record of 91.3 miles

South Carolina

record set back in 2012, with a

/147.0 km, taking off from Wes-Mar

Yet another first-time state record,

116.1-mile/186.9km tow-launched

Airfield (the site of Adam’s previous

this one for the Palmetto State. On June 13 Koen Vancampenhoudt

flight from Cosmos to Sebeka,

record) and landing near Butler, south

Minnesota, on May 21. He did the

of Cincinnati. He was flying an Ozone

tow-launched from Lake Hartwell

flight on an Ozone M6 and was in the

M6 and was in the air for 4:56.

and flew 34.7 miles /55.8 km in 1:43,

air 5:57.

Oregon

before landing in Powderville. He was flying a Niviuk Icepeak 7 and

New Hampshire

On June 27 Matt Henzi pushed the

sends this flight report: “The day

A first-time record for the state of

Oregon record to 147.1 miles /236.7

was a classic XC day, with beautiful

New Hampshire: On the 4th of July,

km, about two km farther than Jared

cumulus clouds forming from midday

Davidson Da Silva launched from

Anderson’s previous record. And on

on. However, we were on the lake for

Morningside (a training hill!) and

August 13 Matt did it again, with a

acro-training; we’d started towing at

flew east 34.1 miles/54.8 km on his

176.2 mile/ 283.5 km flight. His first

7:00 a.m. But it wasn’t until later in

Niviuk Peak 4. He was in the air for

flight was launched from Black Cap,

the afternoon that I decided to switch

3:02 and landed about 10 miles west

above the town of Lakeview, while his

gliders and take advantage of my last

of Concord. Davidson wrote about the

second flight was from Pine Mountain,

tow to fly downwind and do a little

flight: “It was really a dream come

east of Bend. Matt wrote about his

XC in the direction we had to drive

true—to be able to fly out from where

Black Cap flight: “I was flying slow

to go home. I towed off at 3600’ asl

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41

ABOVE Tom Ceunen, Virginia

42

at the border of the lake and found

worked together in the air and landed

but he strayed too far from our gaggle

conditions more generous than I had

together to achieve this new record.

of two and had to land. As we crossed

expected. I encountered some well-

It was also a flight that crossed three

into West Virginia and neared

formed thermals over the flatlands,

state lines: Virginia, West Virginia,

Cumberland, Maryland, I had no idea

between the lake and Anderson, SC.

Maryland, and Pennsylvania.”

we were setting a record. But it was

As I was on a tight schedule, I flew as

And here’s Austin’s flight report:

fast as I could, making all transitions

“I used to live in Virginia with Tom,

clearly a personal best flight for me, so I was happy. We stuck together the

on full speed bar. The transition from

but sadly moved back home to Ohio,

whole way, flying over Cumberland

Anderson to I-85 was a bit tricky, due

where I can’t fly as much, due to

and crossing into Pennsylvania at the

to an area with no suitable landing

the flatness. I still make occasional

very end. We had promised to land

fields. But once I did reach I-85, new

trips to Virginia to visit my old pilot

together, but after almost six hours,

LZs opened up, and I kept hopping

friends and fly the great sites. I drove

we were tired, hungry, thirsty, and

along in light lift, without trying too

in to Edith’s Gap launch near Luray,

the sky was clouding over as a front

hard to get up as high as possible.

Virginia, the night before the record

moved in. We crossed a ridge covered

From that point on, I only aimed to

flight to meet Tom and camp out. In

with windmills and landed shortly

secure an LZ very close to an exit of

the morning it looked like it was

after, happy to be back on our feet

I-85, so as to not hold up my friends.

going to be a good day, but we had no

again. Some lucky hitchhiking got us

Unexpected and amazing flight!”

idea how good. Other pilots showed

back to our cars before midnight.”

Virginia

a bit, Tom working remotely on his

Vermont

It’s one thing to break your own state

computer and I weed-whacking the

Two for the price of one! Bianca

distance record, but another to do it

launch area. We struggled a bit at the

Heinrich broke the Vermont record

with a flying buddy. On May 20 Tom

beginning to get high over launch,

on April 24, flying 48.9 miles /78.7 km

Ceunen broke his 2014 record flying

but finally got a good thermal and

from Burke Mountain on her Ozone

with Austin Kasserman. They both

went over the back together. There

Delta 2. Then Eduardo Garza broke it

took off from Edith’s Gap and flew

are several huge swaths of trees on

again on August 20, flying 50.6 miles

79.5 miles /127.9 km, with Tom on a

this route, so you have to make sure

/81.4 km from Mt. Bromley on his

up and started flying. We lingered

Gin Boomerang GTO and Austin on

you have enough altitude to make

Skywalk X-Alps 2. Bianca writes about

an Ozone Delta 2. Tom writes, “We

it over. We were with our friend, Jim

her flight: “No clouds at all! Blue day.

launched together, flew together,

McClave, for the first 15 miles or so,

High base for this neck of the woods,

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

though.” And Eduardo penned this flight report: “First time on this site, so this was meant as an introductory flight only. In addition, forecast was decent, but nothing epic. After an hour soaring and thermaling locally, I had enough altitude to make it across the heavily wooded area over the back (NW). Reached the next valley and it was evident that the day was improving, as could be seen by a cloud street lined up along the Green Mountains heading north. Jumped on it and didn’t let go. Soared the sides of cumulus towers to 7350’, crossed many miles of ‘no man’s land’, and enjoyed every minute of it.”

Washington What is it with guys named Matt launching from Chelan Butte on Ozone Enzo 2s and flying into Idaho?

Matt Senior did it in May 2014 (180.0 miles/289.7 km) and Matt Henzi did it again in July 2016 (192.7 miles/310.1 km). Henzi took a more northerly route and landed east of Coeur d’Alene near the town of Wallace, Idaho, less than 10 miles from the Montana border. Henzi’s flight occurred during the US Paragliding Nationals on a day when 60+ pilots reached goal at 140 miles. But Matt just kept going and going and going.

Matt streamed parts of the flight on Facebook, and the titles he posted with his live videos tell the story: “With Matt Dadam before start,” “The Crossing with Mike Steed,” “Reaching the flats with Mike Steed,” “Going for 300 km,” “310km?” and finally “Wangies!”

TOP Jesse Shimrock, West Virginia. BOTTOM Bill Belcourt, Wyoming.

Wyoming

hour. This is now the third longest

Last but not least, Bill Belcourt went

state record in the U.S. (the first and

big from LAB. “It is called Medicine

second are Texas and Idaho) and one

40 miles/64.4 km on his Ozone Delta

Butte on the map, but it is referred to

of only three state records over 200

2, launching from Spruce Knob and

as LAB by the pilots (low-angle butte).”

miles. Bill writes, “It was one of those

breaking Tom Ceunen’s 2013 record.

Bill flew 238.5 miles/383.9 km on his

days that you dream about, with nice

About the flight Jesse says, “It was

Ozone Enzo 2 in 8:20, giving him an

clouds, and moderate wind.”

lovely.”

average speed of over 29 miles per

West Virginia On August 27 Jesse Shimrock flew

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images by DAVID ALDRICH

CRESTLINE SOARING SOCIETY CALIFORNIA

2

016 was another great year of free flight at Andy Jackson Airpark in San Bernardino California.

The Crestline Soaring Society, which has about

200 members, operates the airpark along with several launches including Crestline and Marshall. The site offers extremely consistent soaring conditions during the summer months and draws pilots from all over the world.

Crestline and Marshall offer just about everything you can expect from soaring flight but it’s the smooth evening glass-offs that are my favorite. The thermals aren’t as strong and won’t get you as high, but the air is smoother, cooler and there is much better light for photography.

People have been flying here since the early days of hang gliding in the 1970s.

In May of 2016 I purchased a new camera and had it with me almost every day I was at the flight park capturing the fun. I was a familiar sight walking around the LZ with my camera and long lens draped over my shoulder, doing my best to capture at least a couple pictures of every landing. Everyone likes seeing pictures of themselves flying, so it was fun for them and good photography practice for me. After a flying day I would go home and upload all the images to my Flickr page for everyone to enjoy.

I fired off about 16,000 images during the year, mostly of landings but sometimes from the launches and in the air.

The following pages are a collection of my best images from the year.

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“I turn west and push out towards the ocean. My glider bobs in and out of a wispy cloud, placing me over flat sand in no time. I’m way up there. I pull strings, go fast, draw shapes in the sky.

I’ve got altitude in the bank, so I make it rain. I head back to the hill, dizzy and smiling. Then, back to the top in eight minutes; I repeat the cycle. It is official; I’ve made it to mecca.”

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DESTINATION Iquique, Chile

by ARI DeLASHMUTT

W

hen I heard that a traveler

the top, and crab across the venturi to

climb a few hundred feet over the

sees only sand and wind

get on the bottom of the big mountain.

summit, allowing me to see behind

on Iquique, I said, “Perfect!”

With patience, I begin to go up, crab-

the mountain. As far as I can see,

bing along the sand until the bottom

more sand-and-rock-formed peaks

of acro training and dune gooning

of a thermal balloons me up a bit.

and dunes are shaped by the wind,

there.

Then, I take a turn in it and head the

twisting and winding inland to the

other way looking for another.

Atacama Desert.

and set my mind on a two-week stint

My wife rented us an awesome condo and a car from the local Kung-

In no time, I’m onto the upper part

I turn west and push out towards

Fu master (seriously), who picked us up from the airport. As we drove towards Iquique, I surveyed the terrain and immediately noted why this place is perfect for flying. Wide beaches of flat sand extend to the ocean on my left. On the right, 2km of sand lays in front of a huge, mountainous ridge of dune-like peaks, nearly a kilometer tall, that stretch as far as the eye can see. Some are cindery, rocky and red. Others are smooth, steep carpets of golden sand.

I rode in the front seat, amazed and beyond excited to fly.

We had arrived in time for an afternoon session at Palo Buque, the world’s greatest sandbox for big kids. Buque has two dunes: One is a gravel, purple bump about 70’ tall, and the other is a 3000’ tall mountain

OPPOSITE Ari flying over the famous Dragon Dune. ABOVE Chris Hoyte enjoying the smooth afternoon flying at Buque.

of sand and stone. The small bump offers tons of room to kite, with good,

of the mountain. No more sand here.

the ocean. My glider bobs in and out

compressed wind, and deep, soft sand

The terrain is much steeper now.

of a wispy cloud, placing me over flat

at the bottom—a great site for begin-

Rocky cliffs are eroding like fingers

sand in no time. I’m way up there. I

ners, as well as a great place to begin

in a wine glass. Three hardened cacti

pull strings, go fast, draw shapes in

your flight.

cling randomly to the choss. The ther-

the sky. I’ve got altitude in the bank,

mals are more consolidated. I take a

so I make it rain. I head back to the

couple of complete turns in lift and

hill, dizzy and smiling. Then, back

I kite to the top of the purple bump, launch, find abundant lift, get 20’ over

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

55

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Urban aero. On glide over the city. Ceviche. In town, kids of all ages get to play.

Chilean sand skiing.

haze would slow the development of

the cycle. It is official; I’ve made it to

the day, so we made a hearty break-

by feral dogs and feral people. As we

mecca.

fast, before heading to launch.

wait for the developing cycles, the

For morning and mid-day flying,

rest of my Oregon crew arrives on the

haze layer, which surprised me. I

the launch is in Alto Hospicio, a town

city bus: Lonnie, Derek, Harrison, and

wasn’t expecting to see clouds in

atop the ridge above Iquique. My wife

Heather, all sporting glider bags and

these parts, but they’re not as rare as

weaves us through town and up the

wide smiles. Since they’ve been here

I had imagined. I predicted that the

giant hill to launch, an empty dirt lot

a few days, they give me the beta,

The next day we awoke to a marine

56

on the side of the road, surrounded

to the top in eight minutes; I repeat

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

RIGHT Golden light, cloud suck and the Mystic Dunes to ourselves.

which is almost unnecessary because of the straightforward nature of the site: “Big ridge, strong thermals, soft sand over there, don’t land in the city.”

Got it. I launch and don’t have to work for it. I take a couple of good climbs, working farther behind the ridge and deeper over the town. Once I find the top of lift, I push out in search of “the box.”

At any site, the box where you feel safe doing acro should be carefully considered, because it’s going to change by the day. Also, by envisioning where you’d prefer to crash-land, you are accepting and actively trying

What a joy and a privilege!

My gratitude is short-lived, though,

immediately head for the mountain.

The thermals are strong, especially

to mitigate the inherent risks of

because the afternoon session at

the house thermal coming off the

intentionally turning your faithful

Palo Buque comes quickly. When we

purple dune. The climb is fast and

glider into a flapping bag. I lean out

arrive, the wind is whipping, remind-

thrilling; the thermals tightly follow

of my harness and look down. Lots

ing me that laying out a glider in

the terrain, and the strongest lift is

of happy sand to choose from, but I

strong wind is an art. I launch and

flush with the steepest part of the

pick the front of a small dune as my hypothetical, reserve-throw bullseye. I visualize my drift, and when I’m where I think I should be, I “let’r rip.”

From hands-up, I take the brakes all the way past my seat board. Glider goes back, stalls, tries to shoot, hands come up, and the glider is in a tail slide. Nice. I do another with no problem. After a quick climb back up, I have three more stalls before heading to land. I’m already feeling the Iquique progression.

I had scoped the empty lot next to our condo building as a convenient potential LZ. I do some wingovers to get down and come in for a nice landing on top of a tiny little dune in the empty lot. I rosette my wing and walk through the lobby of our building.

The doorman, Edwin, smiles, ear-toear. I do, too. I stuff my glider into the elevator, a first for me, and head up to our condo on the 12th floor for lunch, feeling fortunate to be able to travel with my wife and friends and glider.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

57

www.dennispagen.com north along the ridge, towards the

brings me back to the real world in

essentially nil, so flying from summit

dump, and wait patiently for a cycle. A

a hurry. I make a soft, sandy beach

to box only takes a minute. There I

good climb there means a super-high

landing right next to my wife, Chris

am—3000’ over smooth sand, back

altitude city crossing, so it’s worth the

Hoyte, and Heather; I stuff my glider

in my happy place. I stall the glider

wait. I get to base a few minutes later

in the trunk, and head for a local seafood restaurant with the crew. On

mountain. The prevailing wind is

as many times as I can, leaving a

and head for the beach, high over

1000’ buffer between the ground and

the city. Thirty-story buildings look

the drive, I again consider immediate

me. Usually, I can get 2-4 stalls in per

like toys, and people on the sidewalk,

relocation to Chile.

like specks. The streets, a checkered maze of veins, are pumped full of

bustling scene at the restaurant. Cold

weak lift at the bottom. The ther-

traffic. The air is smooth and calm.

beer and steaming food adorn the

mals are working, giving five-minute

Not needing to steer the glider, I enjoy

tables. We start with a pitcher of the

climbs. Seven laps in an hour and fif-

the view while it lasts. Flying so high

regional macro pilsner, Cristal, and a

teen minutes turn my cringing stalls

over a city makes anyone feel like a

round of empanadas. Empanadas are

into confident, dynamic ones. It is one

kid, myself included. I emit a loud,

a staple in Chile, and this restaurant

of the best flights of my life. Flying

screeching dinosaur-like noise and

does the seafood versions well. Each

down to land, I consider immediately

turn into a Godzilla who is smushing

of us gets a different kind: octopus,

moving my life to Iquique.

neighborhoods between my fingers

shrimp, fish and, for me, as always,

and setting fire with my breath. I’m

crab. They’re piping hot and filled

of picking up my partner-in-photo-

able to demolish the once-thriving

with a mixture of seafood and cheese.

graphic-crime, Chris Hoyte. From

city in moments.

We top them with the local pebre, a

The next day, I have the pleasure

the airport, we head to Alto Hospicio,

Once I’m over the water, I do some

Chilean salsa like pico de gallo, but

with all the stoke in the world. The

gentle acro to land. Gentle, because

made with red wine vinegar. It cuts

base is nice and high; we get right up.

a reserve deployment into the hefty

the fat of the cheese and goes well

Lots of laps of stalls; we are rackin’

shore break is a non-option, even for

with everything from the sea.

em up.

Godzilla. Taking a SAT to the right

After 90 minutes of training and my first clean helicopter, we cruise

58

It’s Saturday, and we arrive to a

lap. The buffer also keeps the climbs quick and efficient, no messing with

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

After the empanadas are wolfed

until I get dizzy and then hurling

down, we order two of my favorites—

wingovers as big as I can make them

a mixed ceviche, Norte style, i.e., spicy,

and a Pastel de Jaiba (crab cake). The

self-diagnoses a broken back. (Luckily

mixed ceviche consists of a combina-

it wasn’t.) I only have to come down

tion of fish, octopus, clams, shrimp

hard onto the sand one time in strong

and calamari. As usual, it’s served

thermals to realize that I will pick my

with onion, seaweed, sweet potato

time for playing here very carefully.

and corn. The chunks of seafood are

It’s a dangerous activity but one you

much bigger than the typical Mexican

can’t say no to entirely, because it’s

ceviches, so it’s eaten with a fork.

just way too much fun. It is almost a

Diners are expected to finish the juice

different sport altogether—a combi-

at the bottom, either with a spoon

nation of paragliding, kiteboarding

or by raising the plate to their lips

and skiing. With skill, your shoes

and slurping. They call this delicious,

turn into skis, sliding on and plow-

spicy, acidic dish Leche de Tigre

ing through the golden powder. Your

(Tiger’s Milk).

wing pulls you along, allowing you to

The Pastel de Jaiba is not our typi-

drag your feet indefinitely. More skill

cal crab cake. Think of a creamy crab

lets you drag your hand in the sand.

dip, the consistency of spinach and

Even more skill and you can make big,

artichoke dip, topped with toasted

swooping turns just inches off the

parmesan cheese and served in a

ground, with your stabilo gracefully

hot clay bowl with freshly toasted

painting curved strokes into the sand.

bread. (I like dipping, but Chileans

We collectively take turns playing,

traditionally eat it with a fork.) It’s

filling the sand canvas with our own

unbelievable. So creamy and cheesy,

unique brushstrokes.

but packed with crabmeat. The crabs

Over the next two weeks, our group

in Chile are gigantic, so the dishes

repeats the same cycle: Wake up to

usually overflow with meat, unlike

great views, cook ourselves a delec-

our little Dungeness crabs back home.

table breakfast, drive to Alto Hospicio.

We devour both dishes in no time.

Fly and train for a few hours, land at

The tab comes to a whopping $7 per

the condo to relax or at the beach to

person. I mentally run the numbers

cruise around town, and eat some-

on moving to Iquique. I shake off the

thing delicious. Head to Palo Buque,

awesomely irresponsible idea as we

train acro, ski and swoop the sand.

head to Palo Buque to fly.

Stuff gliders into the trunk of the

When we arrive, a group of pilots

rental car and drive home to drink

is perched high up on a huge glacier

pisco, cook elaborate meals, and flop

of smooth sand that sits to the side of

around in bed trying to sleep while

the big mountain. They call it “Acro

envisioning flying. I never want it to

Camp,” and it is arguably the most

end, and I can’t wait to go back.

playful place on the planet to fly. The

During my short time in Iquique, I

sand is very fine here because the

learned lots of acro, did over a hun-

wind sweeps it smooth for us pilots to

dred stalls, and got tons of airtime. I

draw long, curvy snakes onto it with

feel safer as a pilot at the same time

our hands, feet, and wingtips. It’s not

that my appreciation for paraglide

easy, though; this is not a sea-breeze

technology went through the roof.

site.

Iquique is one of the world’s great

On the third day we are there, a

gems of paragliding. I’ll try to return

talented acro pilot from France is

every year, until I can’t. To see more

augered into the sand, while doing

photos and videos and to get infor-

big swoops in strong thermals. This

mation on the 2017 trip, go to www.

turns into a lengthy rescue, when he

ariintheair.com.

RIGHT In Chile foot drags and smiles are proportionate. Ari takes full advantage of both.

60

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

61

RATINGS ISSUED DECEMBER 2016 RTG RGN NAME

H-1 H-1 H-1 H-2 H-2 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 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

2 2 9 1 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 10 10 2 2 4 10 10 1 1 2 5 6 6 6 6 6 12 1 1 1 1 1 1

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

Todd Bricker CA Grant Posner CA David Botos VA Andrew Pauli AK Christopher Kuntz CA Michael Harris CA David Ilstrup CA Pawl Washeleski CA Nathan Fitzhugh CA Hal Franklin UT Rafael Valdez CO Cory Miller GA Celine Nguyen GA Jascha Lee CA Steven Brown CA Bill Cosgrove UT Jon Furman AL Stefano Prandi TN Julian Ansell OR Kelli Pennington OR Scorpio Kimberly Torres CA Casey Bedell MT Amir Faravani Holagh Chow Fan Wong Kin Shing Yu Man Fai Ko Joe Fong Peter Borden NY Jacqueline Rowan OR Valery Rymasheuski WA Cody Hartwig WA Simon Roumier OR Kevin Franks AK David Danner OR

David Yount Kurtis Carter Steve Wendt Lyndon Thomas Eric Hinrichs Eric Hinrichs Eric Hinrichs Michael Jefferson Rob Mckenzie D Patrick Mcguinness William Dydo Cj Giordano Matthew Taber Patrick Denevan Patrick Denevan Kevin Koonce Matthew Taber Matthew Taber Kelly Kellar Kelly Kellar J C Perren Mitchell Neary Seyed Alireza Amidi Namin Tung Ng Tung Ng Tung Ng Tung Ng Jeffrey Greenbaum Kevin Lee Marc Chirico Marc Chirico Matt Henzi Chris Santacroce Abhay Morrissey

RTG RGN NAME

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

RTG RGN NAME

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

AK WA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA UT NM CO AZ AZ UT CO NM MT

P-2 P-2 P-2 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 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6

Glenn Villeneuve Alex King Eric Hinrichs Dmitry Lepikhin Travis Bethmann Caleb Bourg Tyler Wescott Sheldon Frank David Smith Iii Garth Talbott Stephen Russow Pedro De Alva Brian Kaiserauer Galen Kirkpatrick Kyle Taylor Michal Maretta Anthony Thompson Cameron Collins La Chau Caleb Atkins Tyler Burns Nathan Duray Cory Donavon Matthew Draheim Robert Schrader Ethan Martin Casey Bedell Thomas Marr-laing Aaron Hull Jen Brouillette Kwan Wing Wah Daniel Geraghty Yun Po Li Amir Faravani Holagh

AE

Ken Hudonjorgensen Rob Sporrer Jeffrey Greenbaum Jeffrey Greenbaum Robert Black Robert Black Joel Mcminn Richard Kennedy Rob Sporrer Stephen Nowak Philip Russman Marcello Debarros Rob Sporrer Rob Sporrer Chris Santacroce Jerome Daoust Michael Masterson Christopher Grantham Chris Santacroce Charles (chuck) Woods Douglas Brown Jason White Jason White Jason White Etienne Pienaar Chris Santacroce Mitchell Neary Rob Sporrer Rob Sporrer Jerome Daoust Ma Chiu Kit Rob Sporrer Tung Ng Seyed Alireza Amidi Namin

8 8 10 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 12 1 1 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 6

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

Lawrence Bloch MA Joe Desrosiers VT Aaron Johnson GA Andrew Engstrom AK Susan Brockway WA Joseph Mclaughlin AK Mark Larson WA Keith Lowe OR Raja Adnan Ali WA George Barta WA Simon Roumier OR Kevin Franks AK Christian Barcellos HI Sam Holmes CA Jason Hirt CO Katrina Hayes UT Alessio Celebrano AZ Eric Toshalis ID Casey Bedell MT Ahsan Haider Amir Faravani Holagh Richard Selgrad Iii NY Joseph Mclaughlin AK Rebecca La Londe OR Sam Holmes CA Mel Glantz NM Jacob Glass NM Kambiz Rouhi Fahimeh Asadi Golpaygani Bertrand Chatain WY Safdar Djoyaeian Amir Faravani Holagh

J C Perren Rick Sharp David Hanning Max Marien Denise Reed Matt Bonney Denise Reed Kelly Kellar Marc Chirico Marc Chirico Matt Henzi Chris Santacroce Paul Schaller Franco Jerome Daoust Andy Macrae Jonathan Jefferies Chandler Papas Brad Hill Mitchell Neary David Hanning Seyed Alireza Amidi Namin Philippe Renaudin Matt Bonney Brad Hill Jerome Daoust Max Marien David Hanning Seyed Alireza Amidi Namin Seyed Alireza Amidi Namin Scott Harris Seyed Alireza Amidi Namin Seyed Alireza Amidi Namin

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UNITED STATES HANG GL IDING & PARA GLIDING ASSOCIA TION

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2017

Some photographers are talented.

Some are lucky. ant your Talented, lucky, or both, we w ar. best shots for the 2018 calend

R SEND US YOU HOTOS. CALENDAR P Go to www.ushpa.aero/calendarproject.asp for details.

RATINGS ISSUED JANUARY 2017 RTG RGN NAME

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

RTG RGN NAME

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

RTG RGN NAME

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-1 H-2 H-2 H-2

2 2 2 2 9 2 3 9

Charley Cui Russell Funk Pouya Ghalei Eliezar Vigdorchik Richard Foy Lili Falsken Karl Kreek Richard Lecki

CA CA CA CA VA CA CA OH

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

12 10 11 11 11 4 1 2 4 4 6 6 6 6 6 1 1 1 1 1 2 2

Glen Muente NY Andrew Nigh GA Rich Reinauer TX Benjamin Sands TX (barefoot) Bob Sherrill TX Andrew Balk NM Brendan Haddon OR Janica Lee CA James Mowdy AZ Sarah Crawford AZ Rogerio Antonio Nogueira Gina Dowdy AR Michael Haddican Robert Odonnell Young Joo Kim MP Conor Murray OR J. Vincent Tranquilli OR Richard Eggart AK Brendon Doyle AK Jake Kueber AK David Shelton CA Paul Kunze CA

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

NV CA CA CA CA CA CA CO CO CO CO CO UT CO CO UT WY ID

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-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

MP NH MA NH MA VA FL FL FL FL TX NY WA OR CA CA CA CA CO ID WY ID ID MO MP MA ME MD HI NY

Kurtis Carter George Hamilton Kurtis Carter Glenn Zapien Steve Wendt Eric Hinrichs Dan Deweese Spencer Kindt Greg Black Scott Schneider David Broyles Bart Weghorst David Broyles Mel Glantz Wendy Schuss Jerome Daoust Chandler Papas Chandler Papas Tung Ng Ron Kohn Steven Yancey Steven Yancey Peter Humes Travis Potter Maren Ludwig Richard Kennedy Stephen Nowak Stephen Nowak Jesse Meyer Kimberly Phinney

2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

Ginger Blackburn Paul De Chatelperron Brad Beekman Jim Pumaras Derek Mattison Rebeca Perren Awais Raza Michelle Voelker Ken Serafin Michael Rasmussen Paul Armstrong Iii Jason Striker Jason Ball Andrew Serafin Jose Ferrer Peter Miller Nick Hodson Jackson Flynn Lei Man Chon Eric Delattre Hau Shek Wah Aaron Scroggins Aaron Hartsfield Sui Wa Wu Ed Kwok Leung Lam Theodorus Breet Yim Chi Ling Chan Kwong Yiu Paulus Zimmerman Anubhav Bhatt

OK AR

Marcello Debarros Jeffrey Greenbaum Justin Boer Jesse Meyer Stephen Nowak J C Perren Dave Turner Stephen Nowak Ted Smith Kay Tauscher Kay Tauscher Rob Sporrer Chris Santacroce Ted Smith William Purden Jr Stephen Mayer Jonathan Jefferies Charles (chuck) Smith Yuen Wai Kit Steven Yancey Steven Yancey Britton Shaw Britton Shaw Tung Ng Yuen Wai Kit Yuen Wai Kit Ma Chiu Kit Ma Chiu Kit Steven Yancey Steven Yancey

6 8 8 8 8 9 10 10 10 10 11 12 1 1 2 2 2 2 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 8 8 9 3 12

Young Joo Kim William Gottling Kenneth Racicot Claudiu Neagu Jean Machado Joe Bartnick Jean Claude Cahen Diego Perez Ruben Leon Ananda Leon Warren Puckett Paul Mithouard Connor Dixon Bryan Brashear Shahrouz Deyhim Aurore Develay David Blacklock Russell Cohen Maciej Mrotek Jay Rigler Benjamin Hawkins Andrew Dunning Michael Dunning Ian Ahner Young Joo Kim Igor Santos William Walsh Eric Naranjo Peter Fay Sebastien Kayrouz

Peter Humes Paul Somerset Joseph Seitz David Prentice Paul Somerset Peter Van Oevelen Luis Ameglio Renato De Miranda Granzoti Renato De Miranda Granzoti Renato De Miranda Granzoti David Broyles Benoit Bruneau Marc Chirico Luis Rosenkjer Jesse Meyer Jesse Meyer Jesse Meyer Jesse Meyer Etienne Pienaar Jaro Krupa Scott Harris Justin Boer Justin Boer David Prentice Peter Humes Calef Letorney Granger Banks William Purden Jr David (dexter) Binder Philippe Renaudin

RATINGS ISSUED FEBRUARY 2017 RTG RGN NAME

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

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

3 2 10 2 10 9 2 2

Ronald Andrade-mckeehan CA Masayo Miyauchi CA Kayla Bryant GA John Heebner CA Joseph Fortier FL Pat Feudo PA Lucas Ham CA Freddy Oropeza NV

Erika Klein Arturo Melean Cj Giordano Patrick Denevan Malcolm Jones Leo Higley Wallace Anderson Mitchell Neary

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

3 4 4 8 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3

Yelena Zatulovsky Richard Chess Nathan Dennen Fred Brooke Pavel Semenov Kapitolina Semenova Greg Aiello Paul Feeley Andrey Shvidchenko Boris Shvidchenko Christopher Greci Noah Hanft Jack Diaz Sarah (lexy) Christner Michael Hart Kevin Gallay

Jerome Daoust Charles (chuck) Woods Aaron Cromer Joseph Seitz Marc Chirico Marc Chirico Christopher Grantham Jason Shapiro Jason Shapiro Jason Shapiro Wallace Anderson Christopher Grantham Ed Stein Max Marien Max Marien Christopher Grantham

CA NM AZ CT WA WA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA

RTG RGN NAME

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

RTG RGN NAME

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-3 P-3 P-3 P-3 P-3

CO CO UT AZ CO CO MT

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

4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 8 8 8 8 9 11 1 1 1 1 2

Joe Cary Raghunandan Madanala Jacob Faires Nathan Dennen Carl Marvin Ariann Tudor Winter Ramos Josh Robillard Luc Gauthier David Hissink David Escudero Aguado Yu Hei Lim Jacky Maria Domenica Monti Eric Turer Trina Turer Dylan Mitchell Nicholas Rachsdorf Matt Schrauder Joe Herrera Dionis Gurko Naveen Prakash Conor Murray Abigail Aikins Bowen Dwelle

NH NH CT MA PA TX AK WA OR WA CA

Granger Banks Chris Santacroce Jason White Aaron Cromer Chris Santacroce Chris Santacroce Dale Covington Andy Macrae Charles Beaudoin Stephen Nowak Steven Yancey Tung Ng David Hanning Joseph Seitz Joseph Seitz Christopher Grantham Joseph Seitz Jonathan Potter Hadley Robinson Scott Amy Marc Chirico Max Marien Justin Boer Jeffrey Greenbaum

2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 8 9 2 3 4 6 6 6 6 6 9

STATE RATING OFFICIAL

Larry Ostheimer CA Charlie Thomas CA Ben Pedersen-wedlock CA Michael Downey CA Stuart Scolnik CA Chris Buening CA Mehdi Dahane CA Randall Davey Pitcher CO Derek Falls AZ Derek Evilsizor CO Carey Brown UT Nathan Dennen AZ Matthew Waller VT Grayson Brown MD Cynthia Currie CA Bill Davis CA Shad Preston CO Enrique Cuevas Pena Nicole Francine Holmes Lam Wai Keung Wai Man Ng Oi King Lam Klaus Wagner DC

Jeffrey Greenbaum Jeffrey Greenbaum Ken Hudonjorgensen Jeffrey Greenbaum Gabriel Jebb Max Marien Jerome Daoust Rob Sporrer Jonathan Jefferies Justin White Stephen Mayer Aaron Cromer Michael Masterson David Hanning Bill Heaner Philip Russman Rob Sporrer Miguel Gutierrez Miguel Gutierrez Matt Senior Matt Senior Matt Senior Mark Rich

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HOW TO USE

CALENDAR &CLASSIFIED

CALENDAR, CLINIC & TOUR LISTINGS can

be submitted online at https://www.ushpa. org/page/calendar. A minimum 3-MONTH LEAD TIME is required on all submissions and tentative events will not be published.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES - Rates

start at $10.00 for 200 characters. MINIMUM AD CHARGE $10.00. ALL CLASSIFIEDS ARE PREPAID. No refunds will be given on ads cancelled that are scheduled to run multiple months. For more info, visit www.ushpa. org/page/magazine-classified-advertising 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.

BUYER BEWARE - 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.

CALENDAR clinics & tours MAY 3-6 >La Jolla, CA. Basic and Advanced In-

structor Clinic - Torrey Pines Gliderport. Join the Torrey Pines Gliderport Instructor Team and Instructor Administrator Gabriel Jebb, to earn your Basic or Advanced Instructor rating. The clinic will include all your pre-requisite requirements to attain your Basic Instructor rating or your Advanced Instructor rating.

Clinic materials will be mailed / emailed, with receipt of deposit or full payment. All equipment and clinic materials will be supplied by the Gliderport.

Just bring yourself, logbook and be ready to learn.

More info: info@flytorrey.com, www.flytorrey.com/ clinics, or 858-452-9858.

MAY 12-14, JUN 2-4, JUL 7-9 & 28-30, AUG 1820, SEP 8-10, SEP 29 - OCT 1, OCT 13-15 > Napa, CA. Over-the-water SIV Maneuvers Clinics in Northern California with Dilan Benedetti of Eagle Paragliding. Join Dilan for his important safety training and his dedicated SIV training program. More information: www.letflyparagliding.com.

MAY 18-21 & Jun 8-11 > Lake Berryessa, CA. SIV/ Acro Clinic with Torrey Pines Gliderport. This clinic is the SIV and Acro combination clinic. The clinic is open to first time SIV students, advanced students, and Acro pilots. Every day the clinic will provide lots of throw down time with personalized instruction on each tow, by the SIV coaches. You’ll get several tows per day to practice maneuvers, recovery techniques, and aerobatics for those who want. Join us for the most intense skills training you’ve had to date and watch your learning curve accelerate. . More info at www.flytorrey.com/clinics, info@flytorrey. com, or 858-452-9858.

JUN 5 > San Diego, CA. Reserve Repack Clinic.

Join Gabriel Jebb and the Torrey Pines Gliderport Team for a Reserve Repacking Clinic. This event will be taking place at the San Diego Circus Center. Gabriel will begin with a lecture and powerpoint presentation on reserve history, reserve types, testing methodologies, deployment techniques and more.

Next, we will hoist the pilots in their harness up 20 feet to simulate a reserve deployment. Finally, we will move to the open space and hard wood floors to conduct the actual repacks. More info at www. flytorrey.com/clinics, info@flytorrey.com, or 858452-9858.

JUN 6-15 > European Spring Tour – Austria, Slovenia, Italy Come fly the most beautiful sites in the Eastern Alps.

We’ll be flexible depending on conditions, but our emphasis is cross country flying for intermediate and advanced pilots. early June is a great time to fly the area, great conditions, strong but not ballistic! Before the crowds of summer tourism. Non-flying companions are welcome if they want to drive retrieve! (just kidding, sort of!) More Info: Nick Crane, 541-840-8587, nick@paracrane.com, www. costaricaparagliding.com JUN 17-24> Rat Race SUPER CLINIC. Kari Castle and Ken Hudongjorgensen will be assisting Mike Haley with Rat Race events, training newer pilots in thermaling, launch-sequence proficiency, and restricted landing approaches. Learn necessary skills for XC and competition. Super Clinic is eight days of instruction held simultaneously along with Rat Race and Rat Race Sprint. Contact mphsports@charter. net More information: www.mphsports.com AUG 13-24 > NE Alps in Switzerland Come with

us to Switzerland and see how easy, scenic and fun paragliding can be. Gondolas and tramways take us high in the Swiss Alps! We walk a few steps and then fly over scenic mountains and land alongside the base of the gondola. Granger has been paragliding in Switzerland since 1989 and will take you to eight nearby flying sites. Go to website to see places we fly: http://parasoftparagliding.com/switzerland/

FLY-INS COMPETITION (non-SANCTIONED) MAY 6, JUL 8 & AUG 5 > Marshall, San Bernardino, CA - SoCal Sprint League The SoCal Sprint league is designed for pilots just getting into cross country flying. We set easy tasks with a custom scoring formula that rewards only distance flown so that pilots learn to value making goal over flying fast. We do briefings before and after the event for those that are interested and often times we will have more experienced pilots team fly with newer pilots ot help them along. If the weather is bad on the Saturday we may roll the event over to the Sunday. More Info: www. socalxcleague.com MAY 20-21, JUN 10-11, SEP 9-10> SoCal Flying

Sites (anywhere within an hour or two of LA usually) - SoCal XC League The Southern California XC League is a monthly cross country event for paragliders. We usually choose our site the Wednesday or Thursday before the event to get the best flying conditions for the weekend. The flying is very informal and is a great way to see new sites, meet locals and have a great day of XC without the hassle of finding rides and retrieves. More Info: www.socalxcleague.com

COMPETITION (SANCTIONED) JUN 4-10 > Midwest 2017 Hang Gliding Competition; Whitewater, WI - Twin Oaks Airport; Air Towing Hang Gliding Competition, FAI CIVL Sanctioned, Class 1 Open & Sport, Class 2 and Class 5. Registration: 12/10/2016 - 04/30/2017. More Info: www. midwest2017.com or email doitkg@gmail.com

JUN 18-24 > June 18-24 Dinosaur 2017 Hang Gliding Competition; Dinosaur, CO; Dinosaur 2017 brings serious competition back to the big air of western Colorado. We've looked extensively at historical data on weather and determined that late June normally has very little rain or overdevelopment and gives us the best chances for seven tasks! Come join us for a week of big mountain air in this gorgeous landscape. Registration: 12/10/2016 - 05/18/2017.

More Info: www.dinosaur2017.com or email naughtylawyer@gmail.com JUNE 18-24 > Rat Race/Sprint 2017 Paragliding

Competitions; Ruch, OR - Woodrat Mtn; Fifteenth annual Rat Race/Sprint Paragliding Competition.

Come celebrate 15 consecutive years of competition, education, camaraderie and just plain fun. Part of the National Series. Practice Day June 17th. Come see why Woodrat Mtn is one of the best paragliding sites in the US and is world renowned. Two parties, daily lunches and retrieve. Encourage your noncompetition friends to join the Super Clinic hosted

by Ken Hudonjorgenson and Kari Castle. Join the experience, travel Southern Oregon, bring your family and see why Rat Race is more than the largest paragliding festival in the US. Registration: 02/15/2017 06/17/2017. More Info: www.mphsport.com or email mphsports@charter.net

JUN 30 - JUL 9 > Buffalo Mtn Flyers July 4th Fly-In – Talihina, OK Yes, we have mountains! The Torrey Pines of the central states! 10 acre roll-off pasture launch. Thanks to FFF we have 5 launches covering all wind directions and all within 30 minutes drive. Launch from 1,000ft 5-mile long ridges, soar for hours, mass gaggle multiwingal 50mi+ XC's, altitudes >6K AGL, easy retrieves, come back for epic evening glass-off flights. Hotels, motels, camp at launch, share the stars with all your flying friends. This is THE place to enjoy air sports to the fullest.

More Info: tinyurl.com/bmf-flyin

CLASSIFIED CLINICS & TOURS BAJA MEXICO - La Salina Baja's BEST BEACHFRONT

Airsport Venue: PG, HG, PPG: FlyLaSalina.com. by BajaBrent.com, He’ll hook you up! Site intros, tours, & rooms. bajabrent@bajabrent.com, 760-203-2658

FLYMEXICO - VALLE DE BRAVO for Winter and year round flying tours and support. Hang Gliding, Paragliding.

Guiding, gear, instruction, transportation, lodging. www. flymexico.com +1 512-467-2529 Paragliding Tours 2017 with USHPA Advanced Instructor and veteran guide Nick Crane. Jan/Feb/Mar - Costa Rica; Jun/Sep/Oct - Europe; Mar/Dec - Brazil. www.paracrane.com; www.costaricaparagliding.com; nick@paracrane.com

Fly beyond! with the Oudie

• Touchscreen • Color moving map • Highly customizable • Thermal assistant Flytec.com • 800.662.2449

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PARTS & ACCESSORIES GUNNISON GLIDERS - X-C, Factory, heavy PVC HG gliderbags $149 Harness packs & zippers. New/used parts, equipment, tubes. 1549 CR 17 Gunnison, CO 81230 970-641-9315

SCHOOLS & INSTRUCTORS 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, hanglide.com.

CALIFORNIA EAGLE PARAGLIDING - SANTA BARBARA - the best year-round flying in the USA. Award winning Instruction, excellent mountain and ridge sites. More than one instructor,www.FlySantaBarbara.com, (805) 968-0980

COLORADO GUNNISON GLIDERS - X-C to heavy waterproof HG

gliderbags. Accessories, parts, service, sewing. Instruction ratings, site-info. Rusty Whitley 1549 CR 17, Gunnison CO 81230. 970-641-9315.

FLORIDA 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.

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 PROFLYGHT PARAGLIDING - Call Dexter for friendly

information about flying on Maui. Full service school offering beginner to advanced instruction, year round.

808-874-5433 paraglidemaui.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE MORNINGSIDE - A Kitty Hawk Kites flight park. The

Northeast's premier hang gliding and paragliding training center, teaching since 1974. Hang gliding foot launch and tandem aerowtow training. Paragliding foot launch and tandem training. Powered Paragliding instruction. Dealer for all major manufacturers. Located in Charlestown, NH. Also visit our North Carolina location, Kitty Hawk Kites Flight School. 603-542-4416, www.flymorningside.com

NEW YORK AAA Hang Gliding Teaching since 1977, Three training hills, certified, adv instruction with mtn launch, tandems, towing, pro shop, pilots lounge, camping. We carry North Wing and Moyes, 77 Hang Glider Rd Ellenville, NY www. mtnwings.com 845-647-3377

NORTH CAROLINA KITTY HAWK KITES - The largest hang gliding school in the world, teaching since 1974. Learn to hang glide and paraglide on the East Coast's largest sand dune. Yearround instruction, foot launch and tandem aerotow. 1902 Wright Glider Experience available. Dealer for all major manufacturers. Learn to fly where the Wright Brothers flew, located at the beach on NC's historic Outer Banks.

Also visit our NH location, Morningside Flight Park. 252441-2426, 1-877-FLY-THIS, www.kittyhawk.com

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.

TEXAS FLYTEXAS TEAM - training pilots in Central Texas for 25

years. Hang Gliding, Paragliding, Trikes. Hangar facilities Lake LBJ, Luling, Smithville www.flytexas.com 512-4672529

UTAH

GIVE & GET! Make a $250 donation to the USHPA General Fund today and receive a Free Flight Forever t-shirt as our thank-you gift! Super soft 100% combed-cotton tee that's light and comfortable to move in. Available in Blue or Gray. Make a $1000 donation to the USHPA General Fund today and receive a Free Flight Forever jacket as our thank-you gift! 100% polyester soft shell with bonded fleece interior, light snow and water resistant.

Visit ushpastore.com to purchase yours.

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Wings Over Wasatch Hang Gliding, LLC - Tandem lessons, solo instruction and equipment sales. Mountain tours and supported XC trips. 603-545-2774 Come fly with us: www.WingsOverWasatch.com

VIRGINIA BLUE SKY - Virginia's full time HG/PG school. All forms of towing, Custom sewing/repairs, WW, Icaro, Airborne, Moyes, Woody Valley, HES, AerosPG, Aerolight, Mosquito. 804-241-4324, www.blueskyhg.com

REAL ESTATE 2 Acre property at Henson Gap for sale. On site: water, electricity, septic, driveway, 2 structures. Flat building lot. Short walk to launch. $19,500 or offer.email: HYPERLINK "mailto:mk1st@sbcglobal.net"mk1st@ sbcglobal.net

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