39 minute read
Testimony of a Wing Nut
A former renegade pilot’s case for ratings
by Johnny Lydic
:Most of you reading this article have spent ample time on the training hill and shelled out plenty of money from your wallet as well. Was it worth it? Of course, it was. All of our flying credentials, whether they are mighty or meager, are fraught with our desperate desire to fly no matter the cost. The intention of this article is to dissuade any rebels who may be entertaining the idea of learning to fly outside the box.
My name is Johnny, and I was that rebel for the better part of eight years. I live in southern Oregon, and Woodrat Mountain is my backyard. My desire to fly was ignited in 1996 at Cave Junction when my dad arranged a demo flight for me in an ultralight with Sharon Klausser. The nuts and bolts of that love were further tightened in 1998 while watching my dear friend, Tim Tworog, launch his hang glider off the top launch at Woodrat Mountain. I remember that day and how it made me feel—instantly saturated with envy. I was on a mission to delve into this sport from that moment on, and my fervor for free flight has never relinquished.
The exact date escapes me, but one day in 1999, I was reading through the Nifty Nickel classified ads, and one, in particular, caught my attention. It read: “Hang glider for sale w/harness. $500.” I responded to the ad and, soon after, became the proud owner of a U.P. Gemini 184 single surface delta wing hang glider. To be quite honest, having an aircraft sitting in my garage made me feel like a “somebody.” Soon I realized that the man who sold it to me hadn’t equipped me with an instruction manual on how to use it. So for one year, the gem in my eye, my Gemini, sat in my garage and became the temporary home to a family of daddy long leg spiders.
At the behest of my better judgment, I convinced myself to hook up with a local hang gliding instructor, which led me to Mike Stevenson. However, I was working the graveyard shift, and for one reason or another, we always had conflicting schedules and were never able to hook up. Instead, much of my time was spent reading
books (Peter Cheney’s “Hang Gliding for Beginner Pilots”) and magazines, watching videos, and falling asleep envisioning myself in the control frame of my recently acquired toy. I became obsessed with the desire to fly like a bird.
:In the summer of 1999, I got tired of watching my Gemini 184 becoming enshrouded in cobwebs and dust. I had worked hard for the money to buy my glider, and I was determined not to let it be in vain. One evening at dinner, an ex-old friend of mine named Oatmeal Stout assisted me in the realization that I possessed the three main ingredients to become a free flyer: 1) A hang glider and harness of my own; 2) A training hill and flying site close by; and 3) The unrelenting desire to fly.
So, in the summer of 2000, I took my wing to the train-
ing hill in Ashland, Oregon. With the wind in my face, I gathered all the knowledge I had read in the magazines— digging deep within myself, I brought all of this to the forefront of my mind. Despite having no instructor to bestow knowledge upon my untrained efforts and under the observation of some bystanders, I was somehow able to muster the courage to do my very first launch.
After sticking my landing, it seemed that my confidence could not be overthrown. So I went right back up to try it again. My second flight concluded with a mistimed flare and a broken down tube—a $50 fix for a 13-second flight. I vehemently disagreed with the proportion of these numbers, and my financial reasoning persuaded me that a five to eight-minute flight off of mid-launch at Woodrat would be a much more reasonable risk for my $50 piece of aluminum.
So after I replaced my down tube, it was off to midlaunch at Woodrat with a flying resume that read like this: • Zero instruction/lessons • No parachute • Non-USHPA member • Third flight ever in a hang glider
That raises the hair on the back of my neck as I write it. Fortunately, my mid-launch flight was a success, and from that moment until the present, I have been flying the entire topography of Woodrat Mountain.
:For eight years, I bobbed and weaved, skirting the locals, rules, regulations, USHPA, and, somehow, death. And in all that time, I adopted some bad flying habits, such as cross-controlling, pumping the control bar, and landing on my wheels for fear of mistiming a flare again. I’ve made some very serious mistakes in my self-taught flying career, such as launching in a crosswind and landing in seven generations of starthistle. I’ve also been rotored 120 feet off the deck when I found myself too low behind the treeline at the Hunter LZ at Woodrat. I smacked the ground about three feet from some very intimidating barbed wire fencing, resulting in a broken hang glider. I came up coughing blood and couldn’t walk for two weeks. Perhaps all of my catastrophes might have been avoided had I received the proper instruction in the first place.
I would be remiss not to stress the absolute importance of entering this sport with the sanctioned instruction that I so haphazardly dismissed when I started. On the heels of many avoidable accidents, the stark reality that I ought to get rated was one day etched in my conscience by my girlfriend. She urged me to get my rating by wrap-
ping it with a bow and presenting it as a birthday present. So in 2008, I went to get my rating from John Matylonek in Cape Kiwanda, Oregon. It was only after getting rated and connecting with the community that a few local pilots brought to my attention that I had picked up some bad habits. I hadn’t a clue before this, and knowing it allowed me to progress in my flying.
Since getting rated, I have spent a considerable amount of time grieving and contemplating the what-if factor. What if I had had a really bad accident before getting my rating? I had run the risk of potentially getting our flying site shut down for good. Because Woodrat Mountain is a world-class site and home to many competitions, I could have made many people extremely angry with me if that had happened.
Looking back, I think I’m safe in saying that there are a few things that communities can do to help call in rebels like me: • More outreach and promotion for the sport. • Free tandems for new or un-rated pilots to learn new
skills and promote safe flying. • Instead of ignoring or calling out the rebels, work to call them in and bring them into the community. • Develop a welcoming mentorship program.
It is not lost on me that I am only walking, talking, and flying today because of God’s mercy. Knowing what I know now, I had no business being in the air during those early years. If you are an aspiring hang glider or paraglider pilot, please pay the homage this sport deserves by moving forward with adequate lessons/instruction from a professional instructor. Be patient through the learning curve, diligently seek out an instructor who is suited to you, and don’t get ahead of your skill level.
This sport is so beautiful because we, as pilots, get to harness the elements of nature to create our very own carnival ride. But one wrong move can prove to be very unforgiving. Trust me, I know from experience. Do yourself and everyone else a huge favor and get the appropriate instruction necessary to safely enjoy this sport.
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Ratings Issued September & October 2021
RTG RGN NAME
STATE RATING OFFICIAL H1 2 Richard Beadle CA Michael Briganti H1 2 Paul Filin CA Patrick J. Denevan H1 2 Jonathan Lathan CA Michael Briganti H1 3 Curtis Campbell CA Josh Patrick Laufer H1 3 Max Mansouri CA Josh Patrick Laufer H1 3 Shakeel Sorathia CA Bob Steven Bendetson H1 4 Cody Burnette NC William G. Vaughn H1 4 Joshua MacFie TX Charles Schwab H1 5 Joelle Chorny NY Robert J. Hastings H1 5 Michael MacLauchlan NH Robert J. Hastings H1 5 John Poux NY Greg Black H1 5 Kent Wien NY Josh Patrick Laufer H2 1 Dan Tebbs WA Aaron Swepston H2 2 Jason Bathrick CA John Simpson H2 2 Dan Harrison CA John Simpson H2 2 Ethan Kahn CA William C. Dydo H2 2 Jim Meador CA Michael Briganti H2 3 Matthew Corley CO Theodore Hurley H2 3 Jennifer Mader CA Andrew T. Beem H2 3 Jonathan Manley AZ William C. Dydo H2 3 Raphael Masters CA Andrew T. Beem H2 3 Gregory S. Olsen AZ Dan DeWeese H2 3 David A. Swift CA John Heiney H2 3 Kristen Zuraski CO Andrew T. Beem H2 4 Mark Wayne Bailey TX David Miller H2 4 Ross Carroll GA Cj Giordano H2 4 John Dubnowski VA Steve A. Wendt H2 4 Luis Fontanez GA Cj Giordano H2 4 Mie Greenberg NC Cj Giordano H2 4 Douglas Guard VA Cj Giordano H2 4 Drake Henderson TN Cj Giordano H2 4 Maylee Holbrook NC Cj Giordano H2 4 Lucia Jackson TN Timothy Glenshaw H2 4 Elizabeth Leach TN Cj Giordano H2 4 Allison Livengood NC Nic Baack H2 4 Lee Myhan TN Cj Giordano H2 4 Dalton Nagel AL Cj Giordano H2 4 Rick Peckham GA Gordon Cayce H2 4 Houman Samimi VA Cj Giordano H2 4 Steven Sanders TN Cj Giordano H2 4 Dustin Sims GA Cj Giordano H2 4 Gene Tarzetti LA Gordon Cayce H2 4 Ty Tarzetti LA Gordon Cayce H2 4 Matthew Twitty TN Cj Giordano H2 5 Max Berman IL Cj Giordano H2 5 Craig Rinder VT Robert J. Hastings H2 5 David Schechter MD Charles Schwab H2 5 Taylor Jackle Spriggs NY Ian Brubaker H3 1 Dalton Burkhalter MN Andy Thompson H3 1 Joshua Solomin OR Raymond C. Berger H3 2 William Dickey CA Richard Sibley H3 2 Javier Z. Lopez CA Patrick J. Denevan H3 4 Mikah Ackerman NC Michael Pattishall H3 4 Noah Eikens NC Andy Thompson H4 1 Timothy Cayward WA Eric Ollikainen H4 1 Richard P. Christen OR Larry C. Jorgensen H4 1 Glenn J. Duval WA Larry C. Jorgensen H4 2 Joshua Harris CA Terry A. Strahl H4 2 Robert Petty NV Paul Voight H4 4 Richard Thorp TX Tiki Mashy P1 1 Chris Doyle WA Brad Hill P1 1 Rachel Huettinger OR Kelly A. Kellar P1 1 Joseph Neron OR Maren Ludwig P1 1 Kitri Rowland HI Pete Michelmore P1 1 Michael Schroder WA Maren Ludwig
RTG RGN NAME
STATE RATING OFFICIAL P1 1 David Revel Sheets OR Kimberly Phinney P1 2 Dave Creech CA Jeffrey J. Greenbaum P1 2 John B. Dougherty CA Jeffrey J. Greenbaum P1 2 Ed Korthof CA Jeffrey J. Greenbaum P1 2 Robert W. Maccione CA Wallace K. Anderson P1 2 Juan Vargas CA Jeffrey J. Greenbaum P1 2 Denny Waters CA Jeffrey J. Greenbaum P1 2 Sean Waters CA Jeffrey J. Greenbaum P1 2 Sophia Yang CA Robert Black P1 3 Diane Anderson CA Emily Wallace P1 3 David Andrade CA Jordan Neidinger P1 3 Derik Cook AZ Chandler Papas P1 3 Kerollos Halim CA Jordan Neidinger P1 3 Spencer Heinemann CO Patrick Johnson P1 3 Kate Longcor CA Christopher Grantham P1 3 Rebecca McKee CA Marcello M. DeBarros P1 3 Christian Nunnally CA Emily Wallace P1 3 Hallie Potthoff CO Patrick Johnson P1 3 Adam Rampley CA Emily Wallace P1 3 Eric Roden CA Emily Wallace P1 3 William Rose CA Jordan Neidinger P1 3 Brandon Salazar CA William Purden-Jr P1 3 Carter Wheeler CO Patrick Johnson P1 3 William Zajac CA Jordan Neidinger P1 3 Michael Zhou CA William Purden-Jr P1 4 Michael Echols AR Britton Shaw P1 4 Cj Giordano GA Kelly Myrkle P1 5 Francis Finigan VT John E. Dunn P1 5 William J. Foley III NH John E. Dunn P1 5 Sara Kerby DE Emily Wallace P1 5 Calvin Krieger CT John E. Dunn P1 5 Nolan Krieger CT John E. Dunn P1 5 Bob Krieger CT John E. Dunn P1 5 Christopher Nichols MA John E. Dunn P1 5 Dariusz Trojanowski CT John E. Dunn P1 5 Irvin Glenn Williams MA John E. Dunn P1 5 Jessica Zeta NY Rob Sporrer P2 1 Justin Armer MT Andy Macrae P2 1 Brian Baker WA Matt Cone P2 1 Holly Beale WA Patrick Kelly P2 1 Bradley Justen Beck MT Jennifer Bedell P2 1 Nick Benoit ID Nathan Alex Taylor P2 1 Derek Berger WA Marc Chirico P2 1 Seth Brothers WA Denise Reed P2 1 Steve Brown WA Denise Reed P2 1 William Buchanan WA Patrick Kelly P2 1 Jean Castillo WA Denise Reed P2 1 Scott Cohen WA Matt Cone P2 1 Jaime Curtis WA Chad Uchino P2 1 Garrett Davis OR Kelly A. Kellar P2 1 Mark Dehn MT Andy Macrae P2 1 Shane Derizzo AK Chris Reynolds P2 1 Michael DeRossett ID Randall Shane P2 1 Logan Dobbe WA Chad Uchino P2 1 Julia Dramis AK Patrick Kelly P2 1 Braden Duffin ID Lane B. Lamoreaux P2 1 Paul Emery MT Andy Macrae P2 1 Jungwon Eom WA Matt Cone P2 1 Taylor Everett WA Denise Reed P2 1 Sean Fallon AK Patrick Kelly P2 1 Matthew Farina ID E. Scott Edwards P2 1 Dianna Faulk OR Kelly A. Kellar P2 1 Chris French AK Chris Reynolds P2 1 Harsh Gaonkar ID E. Scott Edwards P2 1 Shaun Gonzalez OR Kevin R. Lee
RTG RGN NAME
STATE RATING OFFICIAL P2 1 Charlize Gordon HI Charles Chuck E. Gordon P2 1 Robert Grant WA Denise Reed P2 1 Jonathan Michael Gregson OR Chris W. Santacroce P2 1 Karah Herr OR Kimberly Phinney P2 1 Benjamin Hollies WA Andy Macrae P2 1 Ben Horan MT Jennifer Bedell P2 1 Ryan Kent WA Denise Reed P2 1 John Kessler MT Andy Macrae P2 1 Aaron Kleinhelter WA Denise Reed P2 1 Jared Knickmeyer WA Chad Uchino P2 1 Evan Koehler MT Andy Macrae P2 1 Serge Kozlov WA Denise Reed P2 1 Sean George Lee HI Vito Michelangelo P2 1 Jade Lee OR Samuel Crocker P2 1 Sung Lee OR Kimberly Phinney P2 1 Julia Lieberman WA Chris W. Santacroce P2 1 Roy E. Massie WA Owen Shoemaker P2 1 Kevin McElroy OR Kelly A. Kellar P2 1 Zachary McLeay WA Chad Uchino P2 1 Kevin Meffert OR Kelly A. Kellar P2 1 Kyle Miller ID Chris W. Santacroce P2 1 Larry Munoz AK Jeff Katz P2 1 Quinn Murphy WA Marc Chirico P2 1 Aaron Nash WA Marc Chirico P2 1 Ron Neely OR Randolph Ruffin P2 1 Mike Paul AK Chris Reynolds P2 1 Marian Peloquin ID Robert Peloquin P2 1 Jeremy Peyton WA Chad Uchino P2 1 Matthew Vernon Porter OR Randolph Ruffin P2 1 John Powell OR Kimberly Phinney P2 1 Hadi Rahal-Arabi OR Kelly A. Kellar P2 1 Ashish Rawat WA Matt Cone P2 1 James Regulinski WA Chad Uchino P2 1 Kendra Rehm-Dehn MT Andy Macrae P2 1 Jacob Rex MT Andy Macrae P2 1 Paul A. Richey ID Jonathan Jefferies P2 1 Brian T. Roberts AK Chris Reynolds P2 1 Enzo Roman OR Samuel Crocker P2 1 Andrew Romerdahl AK Chris Reynolds P2 1 Casey Schaefer MT Jennifer Bedell P2 1 Erik Schnelle WA Marc Chirico P2 1 Barukh Brian Schwadron OR Kevin R. Lee P2 1 Kyle Smitham MT Andy Macrae P2 1 Nick Stahler MT Jennifer Bedell P2 1 Krys Standley MT Jennifer Bedell P2 1 Louis Stitt HI Jonathan Jefferies P2 1 Amos Swanson AK Stacy Whitmore P2 1 Stephen Teller WA Patrick Johnson P2 1 Johanna Twiford MT Andy Macrae P2 1 Jason Uren WA Denise Reed P2 1 Garret Van Swearingen WA Chad Uchino P2 1 Wouter Van Wageningen WA Marc Chirico P2 1 Donnie Wallis WA Lane B. Lamoreaux P2 1 Shreekant Waphare WA Matt Cone P2 1 Jon Wheeler WA Matt Cone P2 1 Ray Williams OR Samuel Crocker P2 1 Jason Wilson AK Lisa Dickinson P2 1 Alex Winch WA Matt Cone P2 1 Joshua Wiseman WA Marc Chirico P2 2 Santiago Ahumada CA Jesse L. Meyer P2 2 Tyson Anderson UT Chris W. Santacroce P2 2 Baron Arnold CA Jesse L. Meyer P2 2 Ryan Benson CA Jesse L. Meyer P2 2 Zachariah Bolster NV Gary Begley P2 2 David Castleton UT Nathan Alex Taylor
RTG RGN NAME
STATE RATING OFFICIAL P2 2 Aseem Chaudhary CA Jesse L. Meyer P2 2 Stefano Corazza CA Robert Black P2 2 Erick Davidson CA Wallace K. Anderson P2 2 Jake Dinsdale UT Jonathan Jefferies P2 2 Meg Dowley CA Robert Black P2 2 Manuela Dramba UT Stephen J. Mayer P2 2 Victor Dramba UT Stephen J. Mayer P2 2 Enrico Dubach UT Nathan Alex Taylor P2 2 Guilhem Espuche CA Robert Black P2 2 Calvin Freeman UT E. Scott Edwards P2 2 Artur Friedhoff CA Robert Black P2 2 Alsu Gabdrakhimova CA Jesse L. Meyer P2 2 Casey Gerstle CA Robert Black P2 2 Banks Hunter CA Robert Black P2 2 Avi Ilyaev CA Jesse L. Meyer P2 2 Tammie Kim CA Abhay Okaraio Morrissey P2 2 Ismail Kose CA Jesse L. Meyer P2 2 Rhett Krieger UT Patrick Kelly P2 2 Benjamin Larralde CA Robert Black P2 2 Brian Maddox UT Jonathan Jefferies P2 2 Neil Manchon UT Jeff Katz P2 2 Pierre Maurer CA Robert Black P2 2 Paul Travis Millet CA Jesse L. Meyer P2 2 Abbas Moosavi UT Jonathan Jefferies P2 2 Barzin Moridian CA Jesse L. Meyer P2 2 Thomas Neff CA Robert Black P2 2 Josh Neilson UT Stacy Whitmore P2 2 Carson Pavek CA Wallace K. Anderson P2 2 Nir Rikovitch CA Jeffrey J. Greenbaum P2 2 Luke Rome UT Chris W. Santacroce P2 2 Sai Surya Shashanka Timmarajus CA Jeffrey J. Greenbaum P2 2 Assis Silva UT Dale Covington P2 2 Steel Templin CA Stephen Nowak P2 2 Kali Turner UT Cynthia Currie P2 2 Austen VanSchulz UT Nathan Alex Taylor P2 2 Robert James Marshall Walker UT Nathan Alex Taylor P2 2 Michael Ward CA Christopher Grantham P2 2 Travis J. Williams CA Rob Sporrer P2 2 Zachary R. Williams CA Rob Sporrer P2 2 Cedrik Zemitis CA Robert Black P2 2 Scott Zimmerman CA Jesse L. Meyer P2 2 Jackson Zoellner UT Chris W. Santacroce P2 2 Assi Zvik CA Jeffrey J. Greenbaum P2 3 Lucas Atchison CO Misha Banks P2 3 Erik Bakken CO Mauricio Fleitas P2 3 Andy Barber CO Gregory Kelley P2 3 Jared Basile CO Dustin Miller P2 3 Dylan Beard CA Jordan Neidinger P2 3 Jacob Billett NM Ben White P2 3 Erin Boodey CO Dustin Miller P2 3 Spencer Boucher CO Johannes Rath P2 3 Lukas Erik Bradshaw CO Misha Banks P2 3 Andrew Braun CO Dustin Miller P2 3 Richard Browne NM Chris W. Santacroce P2 3 Rik Bundey CA Emily Wallace P2 3 Benjamin Buren CO Misha Banks P2 3 Andrew Chapman CO Misha Banks P2 3 Sean M. Cole CO Misha Banks P2 3 Nathan Cranson CO Stephen J. Mayer P2 3 Madison Dahl CO Gregory Kelley P2 3 Derek DeMuth CO Dustin Miller P2 3 Brian Dixon CO Timothy D. Meehan P2 3 Josiah David Dryer AZ Chandler Papas P2 3 Byron Encarnacion CA E. Scott Edwards P2 3 Chris Fabere CO Misha Banks
Ratings Issued September & October 2021
RTG RGN NAME
STATE RATING OFFICIAL P2 3 Alexandra Fenimore CO Misha Banks P2 3 Victor Hefetz CO Misha Banks P2 3 Stefani Henderson CA Rob Sporrer P2 3 Ashley Henderson CA Vito Michelangelo P2 3 Kenneth Wayne Henderson CA Vito Michelangelo P2 3 Daniel Hiatt CA Marcello M. DeBarros P2 3 Daniel Hooper Jr CO Etienne Pienaar P2 3 Marc Horan CO Lane B. Lamoreaux P2 3 Samuel Johnson CO Jonathan Jefferies P2 3 Jennifer Kastner CA Emily Wallace P2 3 James Kelly CO Mauricio Fleitas P2 3 Donald Knight CO Misha Banks P2 3 Paige Nicole Koning CO Dustin Miller P2 3 Christian Lavery CO Mauricio Fleitas P2 3 Marc Leatham AZ Chandler Papas P2 3 Alexander Lim CA Jordan Neidinger P2 3 Steven Lindhult CO Mauricio Fleitas P2 3 Becky Luckett CO Gregory Kelley P2 3 Keenan McGuckin CA Christopher Grantham P2 3 Jason Miller CO Gregory Kelley P2 3 Aaron Morrissey CO Gregory Kelley P2 3 Gavin Mugele CO Misha Banks P2 3 Jim Murphy CA Jordan Neidinger P2 3 Joe Nesbitt CA Marcello M. DeBarros P2 3 Sebastian Nider CO Misha Banks P2 3 Clinton Pearson AZ Jeremy Bishop P2 3 Matthew Peres CO Misha Banks P2 3 Rocky Pitto CO Gregory Kelley P2 3 Blake Reusswig CO Mauricio Fleitas P2 3 Elle Reynolds CA Ben White P2 3 Eve Roden CA Emily Wallace P2 3 William Sayer CO Misha Banks P2 3 Boyd Schwartz CO Dustin Miller P2 3 John Souther CO Dustin Miller P2 3 Josh Staples CO Mauricio Fleitas P2 3 Austin Thomas CO Douglas Brown P2 3 Nathaniel Thompson CO Jonathan Jefferies P2 3 Ramiz Toma AZ Patrick Johnson P2 3 Andrew Tombolato CO Misha Banks P2 3 Eric Torgerson CO Misha Banks P2 3 Patrick Walsh CA Rob Sporrer P2 3 Mary Walters CO Etienne Pienaar P2 3 Drew Walters CO Etienne Pienaar P2 3 Brian Waltman CO Misha Banks P2 3 Jeffrey Williams CO Misha Banks P2 3 Jacob Winey CO Misha Banks P2 3 Alex Wirth CO Dustin Miller P2 4 Jordan Barker TN Grayson Brown P2 4 Meghan Coffey NC Grayson Brown P2 4 Mark Costello GA Christopher Grantham P2 4 Alexander Cote TN Grayson Brown P2 4 Darren Doyle OK Britton Shaw P2 4 John Green VA Steve Sirrine P2 4 Mariel Grossman NC Patrick Kelly P2 4 Joseph Tyler Hutton AL Grayson Brown P2 4 Elena Koci TN Steven Taylor Couch P2 4 Tomas Koci TN Steven Taylor Couch P2 4 Roy Traey Liggett VA Rob Sporrer P2 4 Greg Lueck FL Rob Sporrer P2 4 Sam Murray GA Alejandro Albornoz P2 4 Calvin R. Pettit SC Steven Taylor Couch P2 4 Matthew Sims NC Patrick Kelly P2 5 Sara Lucia Aguilar Guerrero MA Zion Susanno-Loddby P2 5 Romano Almonte NJ Thomas McCormick P2 5 Martin Anhalzer PA Chris W. Santacroce P2 5 Reynaldo Aquino NY Joachim P. Roesler P2 5 Thomas C. Atkins NY Marcus V. Santos P2 5 Rodrigo Bessa De Araujo MA John E. Dunn P2 5 Ankur Bhagat NJ Thomas McCormick P2 5 Olga Bogomolova NY Ben White P2 5 Sylviana Buckley NY Marcus V. Santos P2 5 Michael Crouse PA Ben White P2 5 Brian DAddario CT John E. Dunn P2 5 Marc Elrick AB Jeff Hedlund P2 5 Yauhen Fadzeyeu MA John E. Dunn P2 5 Aaron Goldstein MD Kevin R. Lee P2 5 John Goodwin MI Denise Reed P2 5 Wesley Havens MI Jonathan Jefferies P2 5 Daniel Iead CT John E. Dunn P2 5 Daniel Jazwinski MA Calef Letorney P2 5 Justin Jetmar CT John E. Dunn P2 5 Rufus Griffin Johnston NY Christopher Grantham P2 5 Vineet Joseph NY Ben White P2 5 Yuriy Kamenshchyk IL Alejandro Palmaz P2 5 Max Krackow NH John E. Dunn P2 5 Bryan Lantz NH John E. Dunn P2 5 Scott Leland MA John E. Dunn P2 5 Andres Letelier PA Thomas McCormick P2 5 Chris Mann NH John E. Dunn P2 5 Philip Marshall VT Calef Letorney P2 5 Noel Mateo IL Jaro Krupa P2 5 Lynne Mattedi-Regan NH John E. Dunn P2 5 Maya Gratia McCoy VT Brent McCoy P2 5 Mauricio Mendez PA Thomas McCormick P2 5 Arun Mirchandani VT John E. Dunn P2 5 Aleksey Panas NH John E. Dunn P2 5 Viacheslav Pavlov NH Andrey Kuznetsov P2 5 Ronald Podsiadlo MA John E. Dunn P2 5 Scott Powers NH John E. Dunn P2 5 Juan Rivera RI John E. Dunn P2 5 Eric Sargent OH Grayson Brown P2 5 Yasir Shah MD Max Leonard Marien P2 5 Robert Slebodnik NY Stephen J. Mayer P2 5 Mike Sopyla NH Heath Woods P2 5 Peter Tapolyai OH Grayson Brown P2 5 Declan Taylor IN Jaro Krupa P2 5 Gregory Timmons PA Stephen J. Mayer P2 5 Peter Vance MA John E. Dunn P2 5 Nathaniel Vance MA John E. Dunn P2 5 Alan Vance MA John E. Dunn P2 5 Karl Voskuil MA John E. Dunn P2 5 Austin Waclo PA Patrick Kelly P2 5 Daniel Walsh NH John E. Dunn P2 5 Albert Whaples CT Heath Woods P2 5 Kevin Zeininger NY John E. Dunn P2 5 Lukasz Zochowski NJ Thomas McCormick P3 1 Cole Abarr AK Evan Mathers P3 1 David Ballard AK Jake Schlapfer P3 1 Anthony Baylis WA Marc Chirico P3 1 Shirley Bevens WA Kelly A. Kellar P3 1 Steve Clark MT Andy Macrae P3 1 Dylan Crossman ID Jonathan Jefferies P3 1 Amanda Dumont WA Mitchell Riley P3 1 Gus Dupuis WA Mitchell Riley P3 1 Brock Fehler WA Marc Chirico P3 1 Jonah Greenberger WY Fred Morris P3 1 Graeme Greenwood MT Andy Macrae P3 1 Kelsey Hasterlik MT Jennifer Bedell P3 1 Todd Higley WA Lane B. Lamoreaux P3 1 Matthew Hoffman WA Rob Sporrer
RTG RGN NAME STATE RATING OFFICIAL
RTG RGN NAME
STATE RATING OFFICIAL P3 1 Kevin Hogan WA Roger Brock P3 1 Brice Johnson WA Mitchell Riley P3 1 Josh Jorgensen WA Denise Reed P3 1 Peter Kabai WA Mitchell Riley P3 1 Luc Lachapelle WA Derek Baylor P3 1 Lucas LeMaire WY Scott C. Harris P3 1 Anika Lofts ID Joshua Winstead P3 1 James Marlow WA Marc Chirico P3 1 Ryan Mullen WA Marc Chirico P3 1 Steven Nichols WA Derek Baylor P3 1 Michael Niedrich ID Jeremy Bishop P3 1 Sebastiano Roattino WA Mitchell Riley P3 1 Robert Rogoz WA Roger Brock P3 1 Dave Schrall WY Chris W. Santacroce P3 1 John Sperling WA Steven R. Wilson P3 1 Seth Tucker OR Kelly A. Kellar P3 1 Benjamin Van Veen WA Lane B. Lamoreaux P3 1 Caitlin Zeliff WY Ben White P3 2 Omi Chandiramani CA Wallace K. Anderson P3 2 Kenton Davis UT Jonathan Jefferies P3 2 Dave Donnelly CA Mitchell B. Neary P3 2 Steel Gardner UT Jonathan Jefferies P3 2 Arno Grbac CA Wallace K. Anderson P3 2 Gage Kazickas UT Ben White P3 2 Jonathan Lang UT Cynthia Currie P3 2 Sam Lendle CA Robert Black P3 2 Paul Pettross CA Wallace K. Anderson P3 2 Brian Probst UT Jonathan Jefferies P3 2 Steve Toney CA Jesse L. Meyer P3 2 Max Xiaofeng Ye CA Jesse L. Meyer P3 3 Slator Aplin CO Ryan J. Taylor P3 3 Charles Bell CO Max Leonard Marien P3 3 Sheamus Croke CO Ryan J. Taylor P3 3 Jay Drescher CO Christopher Grantham P3 3 Mitchell Friedeman CO Johannes Rath P3 3 Jason Goodale CA Jeremy Bishop P3 3 Matt Guertin CO Ryan J. Taylor P3 3 Miles Higgins CO Johannes Rath P3 3 Kevin Jones CO Johannes Rath P3 3 Mark Lambertsen AZ Christopher Grantham P3 3 Scott Larson CA Emily Wallace P3 3 Toni Leskela CO Johannes Rath P3 3 Hanna Letska CA Emily Wallace P3 3 Michael L. Madden CA Emily Wallace P3 3 William Marsh CO Ryan J. Taylor P3 3 Christopher Edward Mendoza CO Patrick Johnson P3 3 Travis Meuten CO Misha Banks P3 3 Austin Monell CO Johannes Rath P3 3 Armand Nicholi CA William Purden-Jr P3 3 Henry Palmaz CO Alejandro Palmaz P3 3 Blake Rankin CA Christopher Garcia P3 3 Eric Rasmuson CO Misha Banks P3 3 Chad Reynolds CA Rob Sporrer P3 3 Jackson Schall CO Don Hillmuth P3 3 Bryan Sillorequez CO Misha Banks P3 3 Angelo Sta Catalina CA Jordan Neidinger P3 3 Stacy Street CA William Purden-Jr P3 3 Mohamad Tarakji CA Marcello M. DeBarros P3 3 Kesha Thompson CO Rob Sporrer P3 3 Peter Tschannen CO Ryan J. Taylor P3 3 Anthony Viton CO Johannes Rath P3 3 Richard Michael Viveros CA Marcello M. DeBarros P3 3 David Weaver NM T Lee Kortsch P3 3 Micah Weller CA Marcello M. DeBarros P3 3 Xu Xu CA William Purden-Jr
RTG RGN NAME
STATE RATING OFFICIAL P3 3 M Cory Young CA Jerome Daoust P3 3 Xinghua Zhou CA Emily Wallace P3 4 Daniel Bell GA Steven Taylor Couch P3 4 Michael Bradford GA Austin Kasserman P3 4 Cal Breed AL Austin Kasserman P3 4 Ty Clarke TN Christopher Grantham P3 4 Gregory J. Cusick FL David W. Prentice P3 4 Dylan Fairfield VI Heath Woods P3 4 Patrick Finnegan TN Austin Kasserman P3 4 James Reid Lewis TX Nathan Alex Taylor P3 4 Joshua Schacter TX Ryan J. Taylor P3 4 Derek Schujahn TN Austin Kasserman P3 4 Stefan Seville GA Rob Sporrer P3 4 Austin Wadsworth VA Jaro Krupa P3 5 Gilberto Carlos Abreu NJ Uziel De Souza P3 5 Eli Chastek MA Peter Williams P3 5 Volodymyr Hunko NJ Sebastien Kayrouz P3 5 Ross A. Landy RI Calef Letorney P3 5 Joshua Nicholson OH Jaro Krupa P3 5 Boris Paleyes NY Philippe Renaudin P3 5 Stacy Patterson RI Calef Letorney P3 5 David Schmaus OH Austin Kasserman P4 1 Alex Bogner WY Fred Morris P4 1 Alexia Fischer WA Matt Henzi P4 1 Nick Kedev OR Mark D. Sanzone P4 1 Alex Peterson MN Chris W. Santacroce P4 1 Michael Patrick Sweeney WA Matt Henzi P4 1 Sam Volk AK Evan Mathers P4 2 Bella Ely CA Rob Sporrer P4 2 Loup Foussereau UT Stephen J. Mayer P4 2 Elizabeth Gambel CA Fred Morris P4 2 Mark Jason Malouin UT Chris W. Santacroce P4 2 John Redding CA Robert Black P4 3 Matthew Goodrich CO Dale Covington P4 3 Brian Greeson CO Misha Banks P4 3 Logan Hulett CO Kevin McGinley P4 3 Ciara Kamahele CA Ken W. Hudonjorgensen P4 3 David Patterson CA Christopher Grantham P4 3 Benjamin Peck CA Cynthia Currie P4 3 Jared Scheid CO Carl Marvin P4 3 Vinay Shah CO Dustin Miller P4 3 Ernesto Vernabe Martinez CO Joshua Winstead P4 4 Marc Angelo FL Randall Shane P4 4 Nicholas Heller TX Dale Covington P4 4 James Lepard TN Austin Kasserman P4 4 Juan David Ochoa Pena GA Dale Covington P4 5 Ryan Andrew Grimaldi ME Calef Letorney P4 5 Russell J. Kelley VT Calef Letorney P4 5 Walid Medawar NJ Marcus V. Santos P4 5 Salvatore Scaringe NY John Atwood
AIRS
ACCIDENT INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM
is standing by at
airs.ushpa.org
If you've been injured or experienced a close call, file a report today.
All AIRS reports are completely confidential.
2022 CALENDAR Submit listings online at ushpa.org/page/calendar. A minimum 3-MONTH LEAD TIME is required on all submissions. Tentative events will not be published. COVID reminder: Please contact event organizers regarding the status of events and any local COVID requirements.
JAN 28-FEB 5; FEB 5-13; FEB 13-21 > EAGLE PARAGLIDING COLOM-
BIA WINTER TOURS > Roldanillo, Colombia | 3 weeks of tours near Roldanillo Colombia. Pilots of all levels will get coaching on thermal and XC Flying, and Tandem XC. We’ve offered tours for over two decades all over the world. The number of high caliber staff members supporting pilots at Eagle clinics and tours is unprecedented. Let Austin Cox, Marty DeVietti, Chris Garcia, Brian Howell, Jeff Shapiro, Rob Sporrer, Reavis Sutphin-Gray, and Logan Walters support you in achieving your goals for the week. | www.paragliding.com or call 805.968.0980
MAR 3-6 > OPEN RIVAS ALEX LAUNCH > Rivas de Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica | For all those interested in learning more about flying. We’ve been doing an annual event for the past few years in beautiful Rivas de Pérez Zeledón in Costa Rica, which is experiencing a surge in in paragliding. Come take a few days to fly and have a good time with us. | https://airtribune.com/open-rivas-2022-alexlaunch/info
MAR 4-6; APR 8-10; NOV 11-13; DEC 9-11 > EAGLE PARAGLIDING
SANTA BARBARA CLINIC > Santa Barbara, CA | This clinic is aimed at getting pilots familiar with the fundamentals, techniques, and theory to excel at thermal flying, and making XC moves. Clinic discussions include reading terrain features, thermal triggers, with a goal of moving from lift source to lift source flying XC. After attending this clinic you will have a better understanding of the moves necessary to get down range. The Eagle Team will lead this 3 day clinic. Clinic cost is $895 | www.paragliding.com or call 805.968.0980
APR 3-10 > GREEN SWAMP SPORT KLASSIC [NON-SANCTIONED] >
Wilotree Airsports, Groveland FL. A super fun mentored race to goal event for Hang Glider pilots who want to improve their cross-country performances. “Personal Bests” yet to come. Sign up now, space is limited. Website: airtribune.com/2022-green-swamp-sport-klassic or email rmcaylor@gmail.com
APR 24-30 > 2022 PARADISE AIRSPORTS NATIONALS > Wilotree Airpark, Groveland, FL. USHPA Sanctioned HG Race To Goal Nationals Competition. Flatland aerotow competition: Open, Sport, Swift, and Rigid wing classes. Organizer: Stephan Mentler, team@hgrac.com | Website: TBD
MAY 1-7 > 2022 WILOTREE PARK NATIONALS > Wilotree Airpark, Groveland, FL. USHPA Sanctioned HG Race To Goal Nationals Competition. Flatland aerotow competition: Open, Sport, Swift, and Rigid wing classes. Organizer: Stephan Mentler, team@hgrac.com | Website: TBD
MAY 19-22 > 50TH ANNUAL HANG GLIDING SPECTACULAR > Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School, Nags Head, NC | The Hang Gliding Spectacular is the longest-running hang gliding competition in the world! We are excited to be celebrating the 50th consecutive year of this event. In addition to the dune hang gliding competition at Jockey’s Ridge State Park and the aerotow competition at the Cotton Gin, we have many fun activities planned – retro glider display, video and photo exhibit, film festival, street dance, and more! | Megan Turner, (252) 4412426 , hangglide@kittyhawk.com, https://www.kittyhawk.com/event/ hang-gliding-spectacular/
JUN 5-10 > EAGLE PARAGLIDING WOODRAT MOUNTAIN CLINIC >
Applegate Valley Oregon, Ruch, OR | Our 2021 Clinic at Woodrat was epic. This clinic is aimed at getting pilots familiar with the fundamentals, techniques, and theory to excel at thermal flying, and making XC moves. Clinic discussions include reading terrain features, thermal triggers, with a goal of moving from lift source to lift source flying XC. After attending this clinic you will have a better understanding of the moves necessary to get down range. The Eagle Team will lead this 6 day clinic. Clinic cost is $1795 | www.paragliding.com or call 805.968.0980
JUN 10-20 >INKLER'S POINT FLY-IN > Back at it after a 2 year absence... this time for a 10 day event! Not only great HG/PG flying but this year we're planning to offer both HG and PG USHPA Basic Instructor clinics and a Quad-tow clinic during the 10 day period. Lots of planning and site work going on right now for a spiffy event in June. Fly-In offerings will be updated as they are firmed up. | gonehanggliding@gmail.com
JUN 17-23 > 2022 APPLEGATE OPEN > Woodrat Mtn, Ruch, OR. USHPA Sanctioned PG Race To Goal Nationals Competition. This event includes two races: 1] Non-sanctioned Sprint Race for EN C wings and below; and 2] Sanctioned Open Race for EN C and higher wings as part of the national championship series. Organizer: Terri Stewart, AO-organizer@rvhpa.org | Website: www.wingsoverapplegate.org
JUN 19-24 > 2022 OZONE CHELAN OPEN > Chelan Butte, Chelan, WA. USHPA Sanctioned PG Race To Goal Nationals Competition. The Ozone Chelan Open will be an EN-C and lower event where XC pilots new to competitions get to race alongside and learn from some of the best pilots in the USA. The competition will follow the same format as other FAI Cat 2 events and include daily briefings lead by US National Champion and Ozone team Pilot Nick Greece. Organizer: Matt Senior, mattysenior@yahoo.com | Website: www.airtribune.com/ozone-chelanopen-2022
JUN 26 – JUL 2 > 2022 US OPEN OF PARAGLIDING CHELAN
> Chelan Butte, Chelan, WA. USHPA Sanctioned PG Race To Goal Nationals Competition. Organizer: Matt Senior, mattysenior@yahoo.com | Website: www.airtribune.com/us-open-paragliding-2022
SEP 18-24 > 2022 SANTA CRUZ FLATS RACE > Francisco Grande Golf Resort, Casa Grande, AZ. USHPA Sanctioned HG Race To Goal Nationals Competition. Come on out and join us for some unique technical flying and loads of fun in the desert. Organizer: Jamie Shelden, naughtylawyer@gmail.com | Website: www.airtribune.com/santa-cruz-flatsrace-2022
SEP 30 – OCT 2 > 2022 HSB ACCURACY CUP > Horseshoe Bend Flight Park, Horseshoe Bend, ID. USHPA Sanctioned PG Spot Landing Nationals Competition. Horseshoe Bend Flight Park is excited to be hosting our 4th annual international Accuracy competition. Visit our website for further details. Organizer: Scott Edwards, hsbflightpark@ gmail.com | Website: www.hsbflightpark.com
OCT 7-9 > EAGLE PARAGLIDING OWENS VALLEY CLINIC > Bishop, CA | We fly the Owens in the spring and fall. The Owens Valley offers a variety of launch locations, and we will make a move to the launch which matches our forecast for the day. We can work as a group and team fly here as well. The area is world famous and worth a trip in the fall or spring for some classic flying, and XC opportunities. The Eagle Team will lead this 3 day clinic. Cost is $1195. | www.paragliding.com or call 805.968.0980
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.
CLASSIFIED Rates start at $10.00 for up to 200 characters. ALL CLASSIFIEDS ARE PREPAID. No refunds given for cancellations. More info: ushpa.org/page/magazine-classified-advertising
SCHOOLS & INSTRUCTORS
GEORGIA > LMFP > provides unmatched service & attention to students & visitors. We have over 40 years of experience making dreams of flight come true on Lookout Mtn & can't wait to share our passion with you. Visit www.flylookout.com
HAWAII > PARAGLIDE MAUI > Call Paul Gurrieri for information about flying on Maui. Our school offers beginner to advanced instruction, year round. It takes 10-14 days to get your P2 license. 808-874-5433 paraglidemaui.com
NEW YORK > SUSQUEHANNA FLIGHT PARK > 40 acre park. Awesome training hills w/rides up. 600 mtn take off. Best facility in NY to learn foot launch. New/used Wills Wing gliders in stock www.cooperstownhanggliding.com
NORTH CAROLINA > KITTY HAWK KITES > The largest hang gliding school in the world, teaching since 1974. Learn to hang glide on the East Coast's largest sand dune. Year-round instruction, foot launch and tandem aerotow. 1902 Wright Glider Experience available. Dealer for Moyes, Wills Wing, and North Wing. 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. (252) 441-2426, 1-877-FLY-THIS, kittyhawk.com/hang-gliding
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 aerotow training. Paragliding foot launch and tandem training. Powered Paragliding instruction. Dealer for Moyes, Wills Wing, and North Wing. Located in Charlestown, NH. Also visit our North Carolina location, Kitty Hawk Kites Flight School. (603) 542-4416, www.flymorningside.com
TENNESSEE > LMFP > provides unmatched service & attention to students & visitors. We have over 40 years of experience making dreams of flight come true on Lookout Mtn & can't wait to share our passion with you. Visit www. flylookout.com TEXAS > FLYTEXAS TEAM > Training pilots in Central Texas for over 30years. Hang Gliding, Paragliding, Trike CFI. Hangar facilities Granite Shoals/Lake LBJ, Smithville www.flytexas.com 512-467-2529
VIRGINIA > BLUE SKY > Open year round, lessons daily , weather permitting / Scooter tow instruction, platform towing, part time AT , powered harness training, repairs , custom sewing / Wills Wing, Moyes, Icaro, Aeros PG , Woody Valley, Swedish Aerosport / 804-241-4324 www.blueskyhg.com
CLINICS & TOURS
FLYMEXICO > VALLE DE BRAVO Winter & year round flying tours & support for near 30 years. Hang Gliding, Paragliding. Guiding, gear, instruction, transportation, lodging. www.flymexico.com +1-512-656-5052
PARACRANE Tours 2022 > Fly Costa Rica, Brasil, Europe with veteran tour guide Nick Crane. Small groups, flexible schedule, epic flying. | Costa Rica Jan 17-28 & Feb 1-12 | Brazil March 10-21 | Austria, Slovenia, Italy June 26-July 7 & Sept 3-14 | France, Switzerland and the Coupe Icare Sept 16-27 | www.costaricaparagliding.com, nick@paracrane.com
SERVICES & GEAR
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.
LMFP > Has the largest fleet of new & used wings and is one of the largest Wills Wing dealers in the US. With GT Harnesses just next door, we deliver top quality custom orders on your trainer, pod, or cocoon. www.flylookout.com.
LMFP > Has a full glider shop and sew shop for all pilot needs. From annual inspections to bigger fixes, we have you covered. Visit www.flylookout.com or call 706-383-1292
PKP Seated & Supine Harnesses > For information call 719-471-8333 or email bowbell@hotmail.com. I will contact you back & can text you w/info or pictures. Kits for wheel configurations also available.
FINAL > Eric Kriner
:I was first to launch on a beautiful spring day in Virginia, a day that showed good promise for a potential XC flight. The steady NW wind made for an easy launch, but the sun’s energy had not quite yet heated Big Walker Mountain enough for a guaranteed soaring flight. I scratched back and forth, exploiting any bowl-shaped gulley in the ridge that would tend to focus the marginal ridge lift. If I could just focus my efforts for a little longer, I thought surely conditions would improve into abundant thermal lift.
I decided to work my way to the southwest of launch to attempt to take advantage of a rise on the mountain of about 500 feet, where I concluded the wind’s velocity was likely to have more intensity. The farther I ventured, the more confident I became that I was going to remain aloft. I decided to be a good sport and radio the pilots on launch to tell them about the conditions. As I reached to key my mic, I was distracted by a low-frequency thumping sound I was not familiar with. I swiveled my head about but could not locate the origin of the sound. I circled back toward the direction of launch, and my eye was drawn to movement on the mountain. A Chinook military helicopter was cruising down the face of the ridge headed straight for me! The helicopter’s altitude was the same as mine, and its speed was very fast despite its impressively large size. I estimated that it was one or two miles away and showing no signs of diverting from its vector buzzing along the treetops. I could clearly see its twin 60-foot diameter rotors spinning in a cadence harmonious with the low-frequency thump I was hearing. A rush of things came to my mind. I understood that
the rotor wash anywhere near a helicopter is strong and persists long after it departs. If this olive drab monster got anywhere near me, I would surely get pounded into the face of this mountain. I needed to do something now! Maybe I could quickly climb up to the top of the ridge and dodge it by going over the back? No way. I didn’t have enough time and going over the mountain at this location was a guarantee of a landing in the trees.
I decided to bank and spin to maximize the profile of my wing with the hopes the pilot would see me. I pulled in the bar hard and spun the wing at a 60-degree bank. The spinning had the undesirable effect of rapidly scrubbing altitude and putting me closer to the trees with every rotation. I looked for any sign of a divergence of the Chinook’s flight path each time I went round. Much to my relief, the chopper banked away from the ridge on my fourth or fifth spin. It went into the valley and provided me with a rare and close vantage point of its full side profile—thoroughly exciting and horrifying at the same time.
Still leery of the potential air disturbance, I stayed as far from the helicopter’s wake as I could for the next several minutes. I recalled the story of one of the Wills brothers’ fatal accident when encountering helicopter rotor wash while on a TV commercial shoot—I cringed at the thought.
Sure enough, the day did develop into the thermal bonanza I had hoped for. I managed a 38-mile out and return and set a personal best for flight time of 5:43. It was a flight that I will not easily forget. I am no longer envious of the super cool see-through hang glider sails that are in vogue—I’ll keep my red and white glider that makes me quite visible to passersby.
