USHGA Hang Gliding April 1991 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

VIDEOS • T-SHIRTS • CALENDARS • DESK CLOCKS

USHGA SPRINGTIME SALE ~ G~

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..~,,..1:-la'fffi.ziw.s-. \ , Hang Gliding Calendar

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1991

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1991 USHGA CALENDAR

USHGA EMBLEM T-SHIRT

It's never too late to enjoy fine hang gliding photography.

Our original official emblem, in its original colors • 100% cotton • Choice of tan or light blue

$6.00

(T-shirt color may be substituted, depending on inventory)

$6.00

USHGA MEMBERSHIP VIDEO

USHGA DESK CLOCK

"HANG GLIDING TODAY" Produced by Robert Reiter and narrated by Russ Locke • Covering USHGA membership benefits and programs • 12 minutes long

Clear acrylic base with a gold face plate • LCD quartz movement• Mtn. Glider design in blue • Know when it's time to fly.

$6.00

$6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 Please send me:

_1991 Calendars@ $6.00 _USHGA Emblem T-Shirts@$6.00 Size: S M L XL Color: Tan or 131ue _ USHGA Membership Video@ $6.00 _USHGA Desk Clock@ $6.00

SHIPPING $6-$12 ADD $3 $18+ ADD $4 INT'L SURFACE ADD $4 EXTRA INT'L-AIR ADD $9 EXTRA

TOTAL

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Colo. add 6.5%

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Shipping

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PLEASE SEND TO : NAME: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ADDRESS/STATE/ZIP- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

USHGA $6.00 SALE, P.O. BOX 8300, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80933-8300

We'd love to build your next glider! SERVING PILOTS SINCE 1973 1991 marks our 19th year of building hang gliders for foot launched soaring flight. This year we are offering our most extensive line of gliders ever, with a model for every pilot skill level and every pilot need . Today there is no reason for any pilot to give up the unmatched quality, service and suppport that comes with every Wills Wing .

THE 1991 HP AT 158 & 145

Gliders in the HP series have logged two out of every three cross country flights over 200 miles in the history of hang gliding, and the HP AT is the only hang glider ever to have flown 300 miles. Updated and re-certified for 1991 , the HP AT is the glider of choice for five of the six US Team pilots in the '91 World Championships in Brazil and all three of the US Women's Team Pilots in the '91 World Championships in Austria. The superior performance , consistent high quality, proven safety, and excellent handling characteristics of the HP AT make it a glider that you can fly with confi dence. With more than 1000 HP AT's now flying worldwide, this is the most

more than 200 miles outside the U.S. in 1989, and numerous personal best XC flights of more than .100 miles over the years , the Sport AT for 1991 con · provide an unmatched lev mance, quality and valu .

THE 1991 SKYHAWK 188 & 168 Still priced at only $1995 retail , the Skyhawks offer by far the most extraordinary value for the economy minded casI recreational pilot looking to buy a new gh TheSkyhawksofferexcellentsink rate pe mance , which combined with

titian classd~m;· o;s;t;h;ig;h;ly~r;ef; ini e;d~clol m , provide soarpopulara;~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~~~~speed and solid e~remely c...an,~ t ; m ;i ~, ~~ thl e low airtime or THE 1991 SPORT AT 150, SPORT AT 167, & SPORT AT 180

More than 3000 pilots around the world can testify to the special combination of high performance and relaxed and easy handling offered by the Sport series of gliders. Backed up by a proven record of accomplishment including National Championships in the U.S. and France in 1988, the Number One Pilot World Ranking and the first ever flight of

es and battens, faired wing tips, c tomer's choice of streamlined down 'dering a new glider for 1991, tubes and speedbar, and AT hard- -...";;;i:ffi'iM<l~ eck out a Wills Wing and see ware - the Spectrums offer all the tradiwhat flying the best is all about! tional Wills Wing quality and value to a w~p,Je new group of pilots.

1208 H. East Walnut• Santa Ana • CA • 92701 • Phone (714) 547 1344 • FAX (714) 547 0972

r1 A ~ Extremely Low Altitude

EUlr~ Parachute System Applied Air Research introduces its line of Rocket Deployed Recovery Systems for hang gliding, paragliding and ultralight pilots. ELAPS delivers the fastest deployment with the highest reliability.

The ELAPS systems are designed by David Aguilar, the original designer of rocket deployment and PDA canopy designs for Ultralight and Hang Glider recovery systems. ELAPS is available with the unique.6.vmax-drag PDA canopies or convert your current chest mounted hand-deployed 'chute with the ELAPS add-on kit.

BAU VARIOJtlE1ERS INC, 6595 ODELL PL, SUITE C, BOULDER, CO 80301 (303) 530-4940 MODEL 651 VARIO/AUDIO/ DIGITAL ALTIMETER $530

MODEL652 VARIO/AUDIO DIGITAL ALTIMETER/ AIRSPEED $640

MODEL M20 WRIST VARIO $250

For information write or call Applied Air Research. $675 - 18' Dia. (5.4 Meters) Introductory Price $725 - 20' Dia. (6.1 Meters)

APPUED AIR

Jl2R

RESEARCH._ International

2522 Orange Av., Suite A

Costa Mesa, CA 92627 (213) 439-4132

BALLCLAMP $20 Available from hang glider manufacturers and dealers

HANG GLIDING • PARAGLIDING INSTRUCT/ON, SALES• SERVICE

S1rnRA TOUR LAKE TAJ-!C€ • Arno

ONE DAY ADVENTURE (Incl. glider) $75 CUSTOM GUIDED TRIPS AVAILABLE ALPS• ANDES• Hi~VltYAS

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e - - ADVENTURE SPORTS -

3680 Research Way #6, Carson City, NV 89706

(702) 883-7070

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NEWS FLASH ...

Hang Gliding Calendar of Events

Is hang gliding a hot news item in your local paper? Please send clippings of stories, photos or articles to the Public Relations Committee through the USHGA office. We want to see your name, your club or your site mentioned in print!

Don't forget your free listing in Hang Gliding magazine's Calendar of Events. Because of our lead time it's best to get your notice to us at least two months prior to the event.

USHGA - Public Relations P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933

Hang Gliding Magazine Calendar of Events 6950 Aragon Circle, Suite 6 Buena Park, CA 90620

(USPS 017-970-20)

Features Accident Reports

18 The Shape Of Wings To Come

Comments on water landings by Doug Hildreth. Report on an aerobatic structural failure by Mitch McAleer.

hy Greg DeWoff' An international group of professional hang gliding instructors gathers for the largest paragliding seminar held to date in the U.S.

23 Surf, Sand, Sun & Lift!

Competition Corner Page l8

The I st and 2nd Moriarty Air Races, by Bob Carlton. The 1991 Manufacturers League Meet, by Nick Kennedy.

article and photos hy Dan Johnson

33 Tow Lines

A comprehensive new flight park in Hawaii.

hy Buel Brown

Profile: Terry Reynolds

hy Larry Walsh

Bud kicks off a column which we hope will advance the cause of safety in towing,

Terry has a long and varied background in aviation.

53 USHGA Reports

34 Speed-To-Fly

Codeless 2-meter license, by Dave Seaberg, Yosemite update, by Gregg Lawless.

hy Luss Rock, Ph.D .. B.S., Fl.GP. Dr. Rock presents an incredibly simple and easy-to-understand formula for maximizing airtime.

57 Hang Gliding

70 Product Lines

Metaphysics

by Dan Johnson East Coast Championships, Double Vision, Peter Cheney's new training book, more.

hy Rn•. Colin Pcrrv Enlightenment tlmrngh flying.

I Page 41

hy Rohi11 I las1i11gs The fun meet for the rest or Lts in Alamogordo. New Mexico.

AVSAC

Flight Gear

article and photos hy Briggs Christie A new harness designed with simplicity and convenience in mind.

Tips-

APRIL. 1991

COVER: At 14,.50()' MSL over Lake Tahoe and the Sierras. Photo/pilot: James Peake. CENTERSPREAD: At Salt Spring Island off the coa,t or British Columbia. Canada. Photo/pilot: Rod Chin. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES II\ Pl/llUCATIONS: The material presented here is published as part or an information di~scmination -.;crvicc ror LISHGA members. The llSHGA makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability concerning the validity or any advice. opinion or recommendation expressed in the material. All individuals relying upon the material do so al their own risk. Copyright D I 99 I United States llang Gliding Association. Inc. All rights reserved to f-/u11g Gliding and individual contributors.

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Airmail Update Calendar of Events Classified Advertising Index to Advertisers Stolen Wings Ratings Region Vll News

USHGA Apparel

TOTAL

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Colo . add 6.5%

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S/H (U.S. & Can) $_ __,_4= .o=-o·_ _ GRAND TOTAL $._ _ __ _ "INT'L ORDERS ADD $10.00

Please send me : _ __ Pullover Jackets @ $29.95 SIZE :

XL COLOR: Green

Ye llow

Red

Blue·

Send to :

"(Blue IS solid , without black base)

USHGA Shorts@ $13.95 s1zE :

XL COLOR : Green

Yellow

Red

Blue

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

Pink

___ Mtn . Glider T-Shirt@ $10.95 SIZE :

_ _ _ Children's Mtn. Glider T-Shirt@ $9.95 SIZE : S(6-8)

M(10-12)

L(14-16)

_ _ USHGA Long Sleeve T-Shirt@$16.95 SIZE:

XL COLOR: Gray

White

_ _ USHGA Emblem T-Shirt@$9.95 SIZE :

STYLE:

Black T-Shirt

White Tank Top

USHGA Apparel, P.O. BOX 8300, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80933-8300

Gil Dodgen, Editor/Art Director John Heiney, Doug Rice, Leroy Grannis, Eric Raymond, Photographers Harry Marlin, Illustrator Tim Rinker, Design Consultant

Office Staff Jerry Bruning, Executive Director Pat Robbins, Advertising Greg Huller, Member Services Cindy Evans, Member Services Stu Clark, Member Services P.J, More, Office Operations Patti Sparks, Member Services Jeff Elgart, Merchandise Services

USHGA Officers and Executive Committee: Gregg Lawless, President Jim Zeiset, Vice President Russ Locke, Secretary Dan Johnson, Treasurer

REGION 1: Gene Matthews. REGION 2: Ken Brown, Russ Locke, Connie Bowen. REGION 3: Bill Bennett, Sandy King, Gregg Lawless. REGION 4: Mark Macho, Jim Zeise!. REGION 5: Mike King. REGION 6: Ron Kenney. REGION 7: Rod Hauser. REGION 8: Randy Adams. REGION 9: Pete Lehmann, Jeff Sims. REGION 10: Rick Jacobs. REGION11: Carl Boddie. REGION 12: Paul Voight, Paul Rikert. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Dan Johnson, Jan Johnson, Dennis Pagen, Peter Zimmerli, Glen Nicolet. HONORARY DIRECTORS: G.W. Meadows, Tom Kreyche, Mike Meier, Rob Kells, Fred Stockwell, Terry Reynolds.

The United States Hang Gliding Association Inc. is a division of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) which is the official representative of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), of the world governing body for sport aviation. The NAA, which represents the U.S. at FAI meetings, has delegated to the USHGA supervision of FAl-related hang gliding activities such as record attempts and competition sanctions. HANG GLIDING magazine is published for hang gliding sport enthusiasts to create further interest in the sport, by a means of open communication and lo advance hang gliding methods and safety. Contributions are welcome. Anyone is invited lo contribute articles, photos, and illustrations concerning hang gliding activities. If the material is to be relurned, a stamped, selfaddressed return envelope must be enclosed. Notification must be made of submission to other hang gliding publications. HANG GLIDING magazine reserves the right to edit contributions where necessary. The Association and publication do not assume responsibility for the material or opinions of contributors. HANG GLIDING editorial offices: 6950 Aragon Circle, Suite 6, Buena Park, CA 90620 (714) 994-3050. HANG GLIDING (USPS 017 -970) is published monthly by the United States Hang Gliding Association, Inc., 559 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Suite 101, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 (719) 632-8300. FAX (719) 632-6417. Second-class postage is paid at Colorado Springs, CO and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO: HANG GLIDING, P.O. BOX 8300, Colorado Springs, co 80933-8300. The USHGA is a member-controlled educational and scientific organization dedicated to exploring all facets of ultralight flight. Membership is open to anyone interested in this realm of flight. Dues for full membership are $49.00 per year (of which $15 goes to the publication of Hang Gliding), ($55 Canada & Mexico, $60 foreign); subscription rates only are $35.00 ($40 Canada & Mexico, $50 foreign). Changes of address should be sent six weeks in advance, including name, USHGA number, previous and new address, and a mailing label from a recent issue.

Arrm 1991

Volume 21, Issue No. 4

AIRMAIL DUES COMMENTS Dear Editor, A lot of comment has already passed on the clues increase, but I would like to add my support for this action. USHGA provides many valuable services to its members and represents its constituents well. I think the rag alone is worth the dues fee as a means to promote ideas, knowledge, technology and fellowship. It's never easy to raise prices, but in the view of site protection, liability insurance and overall professionalism I think the increase is just. What was once simply a steal, remains a darn good bargain. I was amazed that so much complaining could result from a subscriber base with an average income over $40,000! How about some more pilot profiles? I think there are plenty of pilots out there with some interesting backgrounds, unusual personalities or notable achievements in this sport. Let's hear about 'em. Mike Badley Sacramento, CA

Coming up. ~Ed.

PROMOTI'.'1/G HANG GLIDING IN PUERTO RICO Dear Editor, It all started with a child's dream of flying like a bird. Then one clay I discovered hang gliding. But to my surprize and dismay there was nothing about it listed in the Puerto Rico telephone company's yellow pages. And so the search began. I looked everywhere for information and found nothing. Somebody told me there was a magazine called Hang Gliding but it was nowhere to be found. And then, when I was just about ready to give up, I found a minute ad in Popular 1Vleclw11ics that promised. for one dollar, to deliver some information about the sport. With the help of that ad I got in contact with the USHGA and with their help I found myself in contact with hundreds of hang gliding schools and shops. But l also found that there wasn't even one full member of the association in Puerto Rico. Determined as I was l made arrangements to leave the island and take flying lessons in Miami, which had the closest hang gliding school I could find. But by chance I met Phil Haynes, owner of Morningside

Hang Gliding Park in New Hampshire, who now lives in Humacao, PR. With his help, my wait was cut short by about five months and at long last I am learning to fly. The point of my story is that I would like to promote the sport here in Puerto Rico, where it is very much hidden from the general public. In just three weeks I have had one friend enrolled in flying lessons and two others are on their way. I feel that people in Puerto Rico have many misconceptions about the sport, but many are potentially interested. I would like to thank the people at USHGA for helping me get my wings, and l would appreciate any ideas you may have for promoting the sport here in Puerto Rico. Raymond Diaz 1502 Faure St. Antonsanti, Rio Piedras Puerto Rico 00926

SAN DIEGO RECOMMEND Dear Editor, I am writing this letter to express my thanks to a great group of people I met on a recent hang gliding excursion. On behalf of myself, Greg Grand, and my flying buddy, Jim Farleo, I would like to thank Leo H., John R., Amy, and Gregg L. of the Hang Gliding Center in San Diego, CA. The staff at this school conveyed a receptive and friendly attitude toward us as visiting East Coast pilots. Jim and I were beginner pilots looking to do some flying at West Coast sites. The experience and enjoyment we earned from four clays of flying with these people proved to be a memory that we will never forget. After spending a clay on the training hill to show our ability, we went to a site called Little Black where we earned our Novice ratings and had our first actual soaring flights. The next clay we had our first mountain flights. Needless to say, we were a little nervous but with the help of local pilots and great instructors, it proved to be a very enjoyable experience not to be compared with anything l have ever done in my life! We recommend to all East Coast pilots looking for great flying sites (minus the usual trees we encounter), and great people go out to San Diego and check it out. Greg Grand, Jim Farleo Buffalo, NY

AIRMAIL WORLD'S BEST FLYING SITE? Mr. Editor, I recently had a vacation in Hawaii and was lucky enough to fly in the best ridge lift that I have ever experienced. I contacted Bill Fulton, Sport Aviation Hawaii, before leaving for the island of Oahu. He told me about a new site that they were developing, near the Kualoa Ranch, that is much more user-friendly than the famous Makapuu Point site. Jerry and Toni Forburger were there helping Bill to get an ATOL system established. The method used to fly this site is an ATOL launch clown the valley to the ocean. After releasing you fly toward the ridge into the lift and up you go. My first tow was smooth and easy. I towed up to 700 feet, released and headed for the ridge. In a few minutes, I was at 2,700 feet and soaring in glass smooth air. The view of the ocean and the valley was spectacular to say the least. It was late in the day when I launched, so I stayed up only an hour before landing. After that clay I was able to log three more flights, with flight times from 1.75 to 3.5 hours per flight. Flight times there arc really as long as you care to make them, the term 'sink out' does not seem to be a part of their vocabulary. This is the best site I have ever flown. Bill Fulton can be contacted at (808) 235-6307. Ken Shackleton President, Rocky Mountain Hang Gliding League Calgary, Alberta Canada.

regular features similar to Mr. Klingberg's articles. It's only through the work of people like Klingberg, Sandlin ("Flaps on the Wing") and Maupin (Carbon Dragon) that the technical advancement of our sport is still alive. It seems present hang glider manufacturers are content to just offer another pair of battens in the wing, fluorescent sail colors or minor cosmetic changes and then change the name and call it their new model for 1991. Do they wind-tunnel test airfoil shapes? Do they tuft test the wing to observe stall characteristics? Do they know airfoil lift and drag coefficients for the Reynold's numbers being flown? Are new airfoil sections being searched for? I'm not condemning present flex wings since they are safe and stable, and a strong vote of thanks must go to the excellent HOMA certification process. But the hang gl icier consumer may not be getting his or her money's worth if all efforts are aimed at HOMA certification rather than aerodynamic efficiency. Just compare one of your battens to the generic Liebeck airfoil shown in Klingberg's article! How do we, the hang glider consumer, know if the new glider we arc buying experiences a separation bubble at high angles of attack? For sailplanes, consumers can find airfoil data, realistic L/D info and minimum sink performance quite easily, but this is not the case with hang gliders. I hope the aerodynamic efficiency of our flying machines continues to improve, but for now it's only through the pioneering efforts of people like Ro! Klingberg that this will happen. John D. Koptonak Waterford, CT

See Dan Johnson's article 011 the flight park in this issue. -Ed. LEARNING TO FLY UPRIGHT TECHNICAL ADV AN CEMENTS IN HANG GLIDING Dear Editor, Hooray for Roi Klingberg! Not for his unfortunate oversights in his Klingberg Wing design but for his excellent series of articles analyzing his work. It's a nice change to see some design/technical information in Hang Gliding. Other sport aviation magazines have

Dear Editor, The accident survey indicates that we're most likely to hurt ourselves on launch or landing, which are also the only times most of us fly on the downtubes. Ever seen a pilot who looks like he's wrestling with his glider on final? Ever felt that way yourself? It might be wise, then, for us to spend more time flying upright in our prone harnesses. As an early-season wann-up, or

whenever you've got some extra altitude, practice flying a full range of maneuvers with your hands on the downtubes. Experiment with body position and grip, and note the changes in roll and pitch response. The confidence and control you gain from this practice will noticeably improve both ends of your flights. On launch, you won't be in a rush to transition, and you'll feel more comfortable in squirrely air. On landing, you'll be comfortable transitioning earlier, which decreases your L/D and minimizes problems on final. This is especially important for beginner and novice pilots who are just starting to use a full prone harness. Fly smart, fly safe, and help each other. We've all got things to learn and things to teach. Peter Burghardt Brighton, MA

TOW INSURANCE Dear Editor, This letter was prompted by Bill Cummings' letter in March, which was in response to Larry Haney's letter in December, which was inspired by Larry Tudor's letter in some other issue of Hang Gliding. I' cl just like to say that I think the idea of tow insurance is totally and unequivocally ridiculous. I mean, after all, you've got ten of them! So why insure them at all? If you lose one-not to worry-you've got nine left. I know they help you run better, but if all you lose is one pinky, so what? Now, if you were to lose eight or nine all at once then it might behoove you to have insurance. But come on, how many times have you heard of a pilot losing eight or nine tows at once unless he crashed into a running lawn mower or something? Let's face it, the chances of that happening are pretty slim. And if you are really worried about it, I suggest wearing steel-towed shoes. That's the best insurance you can have anyway. So let's get on to more important things like drinking beer, and forget all this hoopla about tow insurance. Larry Walsh Elsinore, CA

HANG GLIDING

Headquarters J'or details. Members arc welcome and encouraged to atlencl.

USHGA ATTENDS SSA CONVENTION

al SSA convention in

The Soaring

of America held its

J 9l) I convention in J\llmqucrque, New

1992 CALENDAR PHOTOS! Don't he us your best shot 1 Remember that one outstanding slide that you look last summer and in the back or yom mind, you thought, "This photo is worthy of

the USTIGJ\ Cakndar!"? Well, dig ii out and send it in TOD/\ Y! We're waiting for them. Submit your best to: USHGJ\ Calendar Photo, J\TTN: Jeff Elgart, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933,8300.

IC!'

learn to repack the chutes themselves. JI' you haven '1 repaclwcl your chute in the last six months, as recommended, now is a good time to learn to pack it yourself, as well as learn about deploying it. Cost $39. Contact: Lookout Ml. J,'light Park, Rt. Box 215, Rising r:awn, GJ\ 30738 (404) 398-3433 or (404) 398 l541

PARACHUTE CLINIC AT LMFP Lookout Mt. Flight Park (near Challa nooga, TN) will he holding a USHGJ\ Instructor Certification Clinic (ICP) Friday evening through Sunday, May I 0-12. Pilots wishing to he eertif'ied as Basic l11structors can also do their required apprentices hip al LMFP the week before or by special arrangement. Instructor candidates arc requested lo take their required Red Cross first aid class bcl'ore attending the ICP. Cost is $99 per candidate which includes the $10 USHCiJ\ ccrtificat ion l'cc. I .MFP will also be holding a parnclmte clinic Saturday, May 4. Pilots will he able lo practice throwing their backup chutes and APJW. 1991

{JSHGA BOARD MEETING IN SEATTLE, WA Ilic lJSIJGJ\ Board of Directors in Seattle, WA at the Radisson hotel, J\pril 5,7. Contact lJSTWJ\

Mexico February 21st tlmrngh the 23rd. Displays of high-pcrfonnance sailplanes like the LS-(i and l)G,600M motor glider attracted a large number of pilots. Instruments, radios, oxygen systems and parachutes were also on exhibit. For the first time ever, the SSJ\ invited USIIC.i\ lo display a modern hang glider. Region 4 Director Mark Mocho set up his Ultrnli!G l'roclucts Axis 15, along with a dummy pilot in a Raymond Fqualizer harness. Much interest was generated by the equipment, which included a BRS rocket· deployed parachute system and a Ball 652 flight deck. Discussions with internationally· known sailplane pilots like Ray Gimmey showed that the SSA has recognized hang gliding as a challenging and rewarding form of aviation deserving their respect. Of' course, having Larry Tudor on the cover of the February issue of Soaring magazine helped' US] 1(1/\ Executive Director Jerry Bruning was in attendance to confer with thL: SSJ\ Board of Directors on topics relative to our two organizations. J<'ormer US! [GA National Champion Eric Raymond was one of the guest speakers, giving an account of the design, construction and flight or his solar powered "Sunsceker" sailplane. Eric and the Sunseeker completed a transconti11ental flight across the U.S. last year. The Sunseeker was also 011 display.

others arc slarting to express interest, l lannon said. /\It hough llannon had taken private pilol lessons years ago, 1hc cost prohibited him very Car with it. "Hang gliding is the common 111an's way tD attain the dream of "l Ianno11 said. In comparing his two careers, llannon is cnlhusiastic about both. "EMS is my first

Paramedic Vincent Hannon shows off his new glider, dccoraled with lhe EMT "I nlways wm1tecl to Vinccnt l lannon. When hang school. (the world's located in Nags [ lead, NC) needed a First Responder course tm1ght last l'all, l lmmon at the chance. /\long with Kc:vin facohs, 11:umon instruclecl a 40·hom r:irsl course for KI IK flight instructors. the course or cvc,nts, 1lannon became "addicted" to hang gl and today is teaching others to fly.

In bothjohs, ii is teaching that fascinates I lannon. "I love "he; said. "In hang the response from the people is so Their excitement and exuberance

for a year. I lc's been vac:1tioni11g on the Outer Banks since he was ,1 young chi lei, and had triGd hang at illy I lawk Kites in the past as a customer Although he loved the he never thought he'd be

1lawk Kites to ll:acl! the earn a linlc extra money and into a the couple limes I'd tried it." llis to soon increased. After lots or hard work, and I la1111011 hccaim, a ruJJ .. Jkdgcd instructor "I w;rntcd to teach sol could learn more," Hannon said. "The rnorc l the more I lcarnGd and the bc111.:r r became." his two for llmmo11. works 56 hours a week as a and tlwn teaches IO classes a week Hawk Kites. In any rare time off, l l:mnrn1 can he round surf' teaching EMT classes. I le also l'ishing and rrcshwatcr fishing. Co.workers have received Hannon decision to teach with a mixture and some of 1hi11k I'm envy," llannon said. lie has the other EMT's 10 try hang done so, while ]()

Gliding /\ssociation a lot or noise lately. tllll" site knows just Team can be:. Recently all

The Cirsl of these events was held over weekend. I lJ()() at tlw Virst Annual Elsinore Race. The Fl IC,/\ donated the $200 raised lo the fund for a new van for the local seniors· center. I Jang gliding got a little publicity, and the pilots knowing they

way. Encouraged by the success of lhc Turkey Race, we decided lo do another small ·scale charity lx:ncfit rly-in. But instead, on the weekend of February I (J-1 we went nuts. We hosted the "Desert Storm USO Benefit FJy.fn." The fly in was not a pro·war rally, but rather a fund .. raiscr for the USO programs benefiting the families of our troops in Opcralion Dcserl Storm. /\bout 600 people attended the show held at the Elsinore West Marina. Over $2,000 was raisc,d for the USO, to be used for services like day care centers :md emergency communications between the troops and their loved ones. /\s word the event grew until it became a trnc community effort. Many local merchants donated their and services for the carnival activities and raffle We had skydivers, sailplanes and even ;1 warplane which included a rnissing·man formation. Some of the hang gliding activities included a bomb drop a map of Iraq drawn in the conlest landing zo11c, and a spot·landing co11tcst sponson,d a Joc;il Italian restaurant. (Ca11 you la11d on a IO" pi,.za John and Mitch Mc/\ker performed acrobatics, thrilling the'. crowd. Altogether there were alioul 60 hang flights into the event during the wcckl:ncl. liad a chance to shoot Patriot missiles (water balloons) at a mock mobile SCI JI) launcher built by local pilots, and to get even with Il!Jssein in the "Dunk Saddam" tank. Clowns, balloons, T shirts and gave tile event a festive atmosphere. Sunday's activities ended with a great show \Jy the USO, including the Lee Band, and El;;i11orc's cntry in the 1901 Mrs. California /\mcrica pageant, Susa11 Reid. The payoff? J\ great that we did somcthi11g 011 thL: home front to help our troops:. as many as tc11 lorn I newspaper articles boih hC:fore and after the event; or hang glidi11g as an attraction; and. hopefully, a little 1110n; leverage in the pursuit of a pcn11a11cnl l I cl like to thank to all tile local and visiting pilots for their hard work and support Di" the event. I\ lhank .. you goes to the Orange County l fang c;Jiding /\ssoeiatio11, ;md th,:ir president Joliu Kerry. Yom participation gave our cause a slml in the arm. And thanks to Jana Lei ran and Burns, without whom thi., cvc111

f IANC (;11rnNC

UPDATE would not have happened. Anyone wishing to contribute to the USO, or the EHGA LZ Appropriation Fund may contact the Elsinore Hang Gliding Association at (714) 678-5418.

-by Larry Walsh

SUN 'N FUN FLY-IN USHGA plans to participate in the combined NAA division booth at the Sun 'N Fun Fly-In in Lakeland. Florida from April 713, 1991. Two Florida Chapters, South Florida Free Flight Association and the Draggin Flyers, have offered to help staff the NAA booth, display USHGA merchandise and educational promotional material and respond to visitors' questions concerning hang gliding. Space pennitting, both a glider and simulator will be on display at the NAA tent. , This will be USHGA 's first participation at the Sun 'N Fun. Our thanks to James Tindle, Barbara and Steve Flynn for their offers to assist and help coordinate this effort.

16 46 78 99 136 139 160 161 171 156 --1-

Crestline Soaring Society, San Bcrnarclino, CA ToITey Pines Hang Gliding Assn., Solana Beach, CA Free Spirit Flight Hang Gliding Club,Inc., Elmira, NY Blue Ridge Hang Gliding Club, Reading, PA :Vlichigan Hang Gliders. Traverse City, MT Pikes Peak Hang Gliding Club, Colorado Springs, CO Central Arizona Hang Gliding Assn., Tempe, AZ Valley Ville Hang Gliding Assn., Corvallis. OR Competi1ion Pilots Association, Conifer, CO South Florida Free Flight Assn.Inc .. Hollywood, FL Arizona Hang Gliding Association. Glendale, AZ Four Comers Hang Gliding Assn., Durango, CO

1991 PARAGLIDER CHAPTER RENEWALS PC003

No11hem California Air \Valkers, i\ 1ill Valley, CA

PCOO-l

The Arctic Air Walkers. Anchorage, AK

1991 NEW CHAPTERS 178

Milwaukee Hang Gliding Club, Milwaukee. WI

179

Elevation Delegation. Colorado Springs. CO

180

Haney's Point Flyers Assn .. Atkins. AR

A Directory of all Chapters currently on record will be listed in May's issue. Addresses and contact names will be included.

BAPA NOTICE 1991 CHAPTER RENEWALS 164

Shasta Wings. Mt. Shasta. CA

138

Soutlnvest Virginia HG Assn., Black\burg. VA

I06 29 t 73

Frontenac Flyers Assn., Stockholm, WI Southern Tier S!>:ysurfcr-., Endicott. NY Aeolus Windseekers. Groton, MA

ivlarin County Hang Gliding A~sn .. i\ lill Valky, CA

43 116 155 132 t 77 8-l 124 73 t7 44 52 148 8 69 21 74 81 128 145 tO -15

Monterey Bay Hang Gliding As<:;n., Santa CruL. CA Oregon Desert Flyers. Bend, OR Mt. Potosi Hang Gliding Club, Las Vegas, NV Finger Lakes Assn. of Pilob, Rochester. NY Hang Gliding Over Tyler Texas. Tyler. TX Coastal Condors, Inc., Salinas, CA Chico Cloud Street Gang. Chico, CA Sandia Soaring Association, Albuquerque, Nivl \Vind Riders Hang Gliding Club. West Cl1estcr, PA Water Gap Hang Gliding Club, Inc .. Oxford, NJ San Luis Obispo Soaring Assn .. Los Oso\. CA Reel Hang Glider Pilots Assn., Elk Grove. IL Nittany Valley Hang Gliding Assn., State College, PA Daedalus Hang Gliding Club, Saxonburg, PA The Condors, Chittenango, NY Ohio Flyers Hang Gliding Assn, Chillicothe. OH Skyriders of New England., Randolph, MA lvlountaineer Hang Gliding Assn .. Cumberland, AID Cajun Hang Gliding Club. Lafayette. LA Oklahoma City HG Assn .. Oklahoma City, OK Rogue Valley Hang Gliding Assn., iviedford, OR Northern California Sky Ma..,ter. Redding, CA Orange Coun1y Hang Gliding Assn .. Santa Ana. CA Hudson Valley Hang Gliding Assn .. Ballston Lake. NY Sonoma Wings. Santa Rosa. CA Santa Barbara Hang Gliding Assn .. Santa Barbara. CA Central Valley Hang Gliding Assn., Clovis. CA .\forthern California HG Assn., Cameron Park. CA Chicago Hang Gliding Organization, Chicago, IL Rochester Area Flyers. Rochester, NY Sylmar Hang Gliding As~n .. Sylmar. CA South Carolina Hang Gliding Assn., Fountain Inn, SC Klamath Falls Hang Gliding Assn .. Klamath Falls. OR

151

133 28 88 26 1 t5

TJ. 144 41 120 68 169

APRIL 1991

The San Francisco Bay Area Paragliding Association (BAPA) has recently launched a voluntary sticker program to assist in pilot awareness, skill monitoring and community support. All pilots wishing to fly in the area are requested to contact the BAPA (415-7280938 J or one of the local paragliding shops (Chanclelle at 415-359-6800 or Airtime at 415-759-1177) to obtain information on how to acquire a sticker. Owing to the nature of soaring the coastal cliffs, the minimum requirement for stickers is an APA Class I with ridge soaring, advanced wind and cliff launch specialty check-offs or equivalent skill achievement, and proof thereof. In addition, all pilots will be requested to provide proof of liability insurance and complete an application and standard liability waiver. The stickers are free and good for the entire year, but donations to defray the costs of printing and administering the program will be greatly appreciated. Regardless of whether pilots choose to participate in this voluntary program, it would be prudent and considerate to the local community if pilots wishing to fly here come with the above skills. The support and enthusiasm of all paragliding pilots will assist in keeping this ridge open to paragliding flight for a long time.

-by Jack Hodges, BAPA Preside!II

THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE During the past several months, many special pilots have been patient while waiting for specific information needed to operate within their respective capacities. I want to personally thank each of you. I know it seemed like forever until some of you were acknowledged. A special thanks is being sent to Bill Morgan, Gene Matthews, Aaron Swepston and Paul Sussman to name only a few whose patience was really stretched, and sincerely appreciated. -Pmti Sparks, USHGA Headquarters

NO OUT-OF-STATE SCHOOLS AT POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN The Utah hang Gliding Assn. has voted to not allow out-of-state schools to operate at our !lying sites at Point of the Mountain, Draper, Utah. We think there is a need to monitor new and out-of-state instructors in order to keep training safe and avoid accidents. This has become quite complicated and a big hassle. We have also seen a large increase in paragliding traffic. Our flying sites can only handle so many gliders. In the interest of safety and the preservation of our site, we do not want or need out-of-state schools.

FIRST ANNUAL EAST COAST OPEN X-C CONTEST Randy Adams announces the First Annual East Coast Open X-C Competition. To qualify a flight must originate east of the Mississippi River and may be either tow or foot launched. The purpose of the contest is to recognize those pilots excelling in crosscountry flying and putting forth the effort to promote hang gliding in the East. To qualify a flight, submit a description of the flight and a witness phone number and address for both the launch and landing. The top IO flights will be published in this magazine. The contest runs from Jan. I to Dec. 31. No preregistration is required. Submit flights to: Randy Adams, P.O. Box 369, Claremont, NH 03743 (603) 543-1760.

NEW 144 SENSOR Seedwings, Inc. is proud to announce the introduction of a small, 144-square-foot Sensor. Design goals include a VNE of 55

_UPDATE mph. Test vehicle speeds aimed for are: 80 mph in the +35° load test, 57 mph in the 30° test and 40 mph in the -150° test. Production planning and certification documentation are underway. Release date is scheduled for May I, 1991. The new, smaller Sensor has an increased tip cord, which decreases wing taper. According to the company the tail fin and planform with greater sweep result in excellent tracking and yaw-roll coordination. Basic specs are: 61 lbs. glider weight, 125225 lbs. hook-in weight, speed range from 20-55 mph. Leading edges and ribs are 7075T6 aluminum and glider length is 16.6 feet. The leading edges break clown to 13 feet for transport. Optional 7075-T6 crosstubes may be available at an extra cost.

Calendar of Events Calendar of events items WILL NOT be I isted if only tentative. Please include exact infmrnation (event, date, contact name and phone number). Items should be received no later six weeks prior to the event. We request two months lead time for regional and national meets. Until May 19: Region Nine Championship. Open window cross-country, any site in Region, weekend flights; bestthree totallecl. Contact: Pete Lehmann (412) 661-3474 BEFORE9PM. Until Dec.1: 1991 Region 9 X-C Contest. All flight data must be received by Dec. 15. Must be Region 9 pilot and current USHGA member. Contact: Tony Smolder (304) 6224475. Until Dec. 31: East Coast Open X-C Competi-

tion. Flight must originate East of Mississippi and be tow or foot launch. Contact: Randy Adams, P.O. Box 369, Claremont, NH 03743 (603) 543-1760. April 6-7: Oatman Gilla Bend Open, Arizona near Painted Rock. A wards for open distance, triangle course, duration and Soaring. Great X-C site. Contact: Jimmy Clark (602) 730-6705.

April 6-12: Great Race. April 27: Glider tuning clinic. May 4: Parachute clinic, $39. May 10-12: Instructor Certification Clinic, $99. Contact: Lookout Mt. Flight Park (near Chattanooga, TN), Rt. 2, Box 215, Rising Fawn, GA 30738 (404) 398-3433 or (404) 398-3541.

April 18-21: Torrey World Paragliding Meet. Contact: Joe Bill Henry, Torrey Pines Flight Park (619) 452-3202 FAX (619) 452-3203.

A11ril 1-7: Paragliding training program*. April 13: Novice ground school. April 19-21: Basic instructor course.* April 19-22: Advanced instructor course.* May 3-4: L.A. tour.* May 11: Glider maintenance clinic. May 12-18: Ridge soaring camp!' May 19: Parachute clinic. June 1: Big Sur demos.* June 8: X-C seminar.•s June 9: Novice ground school. June 16-22: Owens Valley X-C tour.* Contact: Western Hang Gliders, P.O. Box 828, Marina. CA 93933 (408) 384-2622. i,Reservations required.

April 27-30: Jeff Scott Challenge, Kagel Mt., Sylmar, CA. Class C sanction pending. $100 1st place prize: 50% of proceeds go to American Cancer Society. Contact: Andy Beem (818) 988-01 l I, Ken Manatt (818) 249-3602.

April 5-7: USHGA Board of Directors meeting, Seattle, Washington, at Radisson Hotel. Contact: USHGA Headquarters (719) 632-

8300. April 7-13: Sun 'N Fun Fly-In, Lakeland, FL. USHGA will participate in combined NAA booth. South Florida Free Flight Assn. and Draggin Flyers will attend. Contact: USHGA Headquarters. April 11-14: World Freestyle Masters, Crescent Head, New South Wales, Australia. Contact: tel. (065) 66-0166 FAX (065) 66-0546. April 13-20: I 991 East Coast Championships, Dunlap, TN. One of four World Team points meets this year (450 points guaranteed). Limited entries. Contact: Sequatchie Valley Soaring (615) 949-2301. April 13-14: Demos. April 15-16: Hang Gliding Technician Seminar. May 1819: Adventure Sports Fly-In. Contact: Ray Leonard, Adventure Sports, 3680 Research Way #6, Carson City, NV 89706 (702) 8837070. April 13-14: Umpteenth Annual Frostbite Festival '91, Dog Mt., Mmton, WA. Spot landing contest and overall good time. Proceeds benefit Dog Mt. Contact: Debbie Bowman (206) 293-3282 or Tina Jorgensen (206) 847-4595.

April 19-21: Basic ICP. April 19-22: Advanced ICP. Contact: Jim Johns (408) 384-2622 (Marina, CA).

May 4-5: Haney's Point Spring Fly-Out. Atkins, AR. Fun & games. Contact: Sail Wings, (501) 227-4920 launch, or (501) 641-1902. May 4-5: Stewart Smith Fly-In, Wilkesboro, NC. Cash prizes. $35 entry. Contact: T. Bryant (704) 758-9331 or B. Burri! (704) 392-3765. May 9: Swiss Championships, south of Switzerland (Italian-speaking). Americans invited. Contact: Zurcherstrasse 47, Postfach 1301, CH-8620 Wetzikon, tel. 01/932-4353 FAX Ol/932-42-82. May 10-12: 19th Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular. May 13: Towing Fly-In and X-C competition. June 2: 7th Annual Triathalon of Winclsports. June 8-9: 9th Annual Rogallo Kite Festival. June 15: Parachute Clinic. June 26: Wil-Bear's Festival of Fun. Aug. IS: 43rd Anniversary ofRogallo Wing Invention. Sept. 22: 2nd Annual Flying Wheels Rollerblade Spectacular. Oct. 1920: 4th Annual Outer Banks Stunt Kite Competition. Contact: Kitty Hawk Kites, P.O. Box 1839, 3941 S. Croatan Hwy at Jockey's Ridge, Nags Head, NC 27959 (919) 441-4124 FAX (919) 441-7597. May 18-19: 8th Annual Mingus Mtn. Fly-In, catered. Contact: Jim Minnis (602) 9734490. May 18-20: First annual Saskatchewan HG Open. Three days ofX-Ccompetition. Truck tow; bring your rig or rent. U.S. pilots welcome. S30 entry. Cash prizes and trophies. Contact: C. Lawrence, 303 Main St. South, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada S6H 4V8 (306) 692-9455 (evenings). HANG GLIDING

UPDATE May 25-June 2: Lariano Triangle Competition, Lake Como, Italy. May 25-26: Girls Just Wanna Go Fly Fly-In. Women's World Team fund raiser. Contact: Sue Christie (408) 757-9924. May 25-27: Paradox Valley, CO Memorial Weekend Fun Fly-In. Glide ratio contest, X-C contest. Prizes! $10 entry per event. Free flyers welcome. Hang III with cliff launch. Contact: Nick Kennedy, P.O. Box 1026, Telluride, CO 81435 (303) 728-3905. May 25-27: Rio Grande Soaring Assn. Dry Canyon Fly-In, Alamogordo, NM. Spot landing. duration, X-C. Pilots' meeting 9:00 AM May 25 in Dry Canyon LZ on Scenic Dr. near Space Hall of Fame. $20/pilot. Contact: Dave Church (505) 525-3331 or QI Wilson (505) 434-2001. May 25-27: Florida State XC meet. Contact: (904) 775-3252. May 25-Junc 8: Belocani/Azerbejan USSR Cup. June 11-28: Soviet Nationals, AlmaAta. July 15-30: Keuzil, Touva Republic (Siberia), Russian Republic Finals.July 1925: Second Annual USSR Peace Cup, Yampol, Moldavia (U.S. pilots encouraged to attend). Aug. 29-Sept. 9: Women's Soviet Nationals, Alma-Ata. Sept. 19-28:

APRIL 1991

Feodocia Senior Cup (ages 40+ ). Contact: Vadim Kakurin, Interaero, ul. Panfilova, 20. l 25080 Moscow, USSR Tel. (7.095) 490.1294, FAX (7.095) 943.00.59 or FAX Windsports (818) 988-1862. (Mail is slow so FAXing is recommended.) May 25-30: National Fun Fly-in, Discover the Mountains of Alamagordo in Southern New Mexico. Contact: Robin Hastings (505) 3827446, or Tommy West (505) 437-6389 I 434-1348. June 15-23: Sandia Classic, Albuquerque, NM. 450 WTSS points. 60 pilots max. Entry $275 until May 1, $300 after. Contact: Mike Gregg (505) 822-8586orJeffWolford (505) 275-1406. June 21-23: Wild Wild West Regionals. Contact: Adventure Sports, 3680 #6, Research Way, Carson City, NV 89706 (702) 8837070. June 21-23: First Annual Lake Chelan Hang Gliding Festival. Spot landing contest, $1,000 prize money. Fun, barbecue, dance, street fair. Camping available. $10 entry. Contact: Lake Chelan, WA Chamber of Commerce 1 (800) 4-CHELAN. June 29-July 7: 1991 Hobbs, NM Hang Gliding Festival. USHGA sanctioned, includes aerobatics. Sponsored by Hobbs, NM Chamberof Commerce & Rocket City Ridge

Riders. Contact: l-800-658-6291 or (505) 397-3202. July 1-8: West Coast Hang Gliding Festival. X-C expo, swap meet., Lakeview, OR. Contact: John Kelso (503) 752-4817. July 1-14: Women's World Championships, Kossen, Austria. July 10-17: Manufacturers League Meet, Telluride, Colorado. Entry $200/pilot, $575/ team of three postmarked before June 21, 1991 - $250/pilot, $725/team after. Contact: Nick Kennedy, P.O. Box 1026, Telluride, CO 81435 (303) 728-3905. July 20 and 21: Haney's Point Summer FlyOut, Atkins, AR. Two events, No entry fee. Contact: Sail Wings (501) 227-4920 or launch (50 I) 641-1902. July 22-28: 1991 Canadian National Hang Gliding Championships, Vernon, BC. Entry $80. Contact: 1991 Nationals, #308-535 Niagara St., Victoria, BC Canada V8V I H3. July 28-Aug. 3: 199 l National Team Championships, Dinosaur, CO. Five per team. Minimum of 450 WTSS points guaranteed. Each pilot's entry fee $225 postmarked before July 1, $275 after. Contact: Chris Reynolds/GenTech Corp., Box 281, Conifer, CO 80433.

ACCIDENT REPORTS compiled by Doug Hildreth Event: Werner Graf, a Long Beach, California pilot was vacationing in Switzerland in October 1990. He prepared to launch, but unhooked to adjust his camera. He then proceeded to launch without hooking back in. Comment: Since this pilot was killed outside the United States he will not be counted as a U.S. fatality. But it should be noted that he is just as dead as he would be if it had happened in the U.S., and we report it here to once again try to get everyone's attention about this extremely basic, but terribly serious mistake. You MUST ensure that you ARE hooked in within 15 seconds of launch~EVERY TIME. Event: Water landing. This intermediate pilot flying a single-surface glider misjudged his altitude on landing approach to the beach of a freshwater lake. He overshot and landed in ten feet of water. The glider promptly sank. Fortunately, the water was shallow enough, and the glider was nose clown so that the hang point was high enough, so the pilot could get his head above the surface for occasional breaths. A fellow pilot was standing on the beach, grabbed his knife and swam out for rescue. The pilot had a hook knife, but his friend arrived quickly and was in good position to cut the hang strap and help the pilot to shore. Heavy boots made getting out of the leg straps difficult (cut them?). Water temperature was 45°. Air temperature was 25°. Hypothermia did occur. Comment: Water landings have been around since the beginning of the sport. We lose someone about every other year to a water landing. Almost anything is better than landing in the water. Drowning happens very quickly. Panic, temperature shock, and work of extrication dramatically shorten how long you can hold your breath. You must unhook immediately. If you cannot do it on the first try, the knife must come out. Individuals can debate the virtues of the standard sheathed hunting knife verses the hook knife. But carry a knife, where you can get at it. And know how to use whichever type you have. This should probably apply to all pilots, because you never can tell when you might have to land on the

narrow beach of an inland lake on a crosscountry flight. And what do you do when your parachute has landed you safely but is now dragging you across the desert in a 25 mph wind? Today's harnesses are bulky, heavy and, by and large, not easy to get in or out of under ideal circumstances. Know exactly how you would try to get out underwater, what straps you would cut if you couldn't get out promptly. At LEAST, think about it. The surf acids a powerful and dangerous factor. If the landing is in the breakers, and unless you are standing up with the glider out of the water, the surf is going to demolish the glider and drag glider, pilot and everything else under water--very fast. In still water you have some control in a bad situation. In the surf you have none. Once free, and able to swim to the shore, hypothermia is almost a certainty unless the weather is very warm. Starting the warming process as soon as possible can be lifesaving. If you ever witness a water landing, the urgency of the situation and the need for your immediate assistance cannot be overstressed. Get your knife and get there to help. Pronto. This man's friend saved his life!

Event: Water landing. Pilot wished to get photograph with glider skimming low over the water as he reached clown and touched the water. Several "minor" problems occurred during the "setup." Although the first photo was successful it was not perfect, and pilot dropped clown to the water again for a second try. This time the control bar either hit the water or a post immediately under the surface and glider nosed into the water. Fortunately he ended up close to the beach in two feet of water. Face and neck injuries. Fortunately not unconscious.

AXIS 15 AERO BA TIC STRUCTURAL FAILURE

by Mitch McAleer

February 17, 1991 an in-flight structural failure occunecl involving an Axis 15. The pilot attempted a spin, entering at a 20-25 degree angle of attack and 30-40 degree bank. The glider rotated in a spin to the left, approximately 1/2 turn, then the rotation stopped. It then side-slipped, left wing clown, nearly vertically for two seconds. The glider

then yawed into the wind and pitched clown abruptly. The witness reports the right outboard leading edge broke immediately when it inverted. It continued to tumble five or more times in 350 feet until it hit the ground. The pilot was severely injured.

Co111111e11ts Structural failures due to aerobatic maneuvers are neither surprising nor uncommon. Late model high performance gliders are capable of flight modes where incorrect pilot input will result in airspeeds or flight attitucles that can result in breakage. This particular incident is not the first failure to occur exiting, or resulting from, a spin attempt. Key factors to remember are: The relatively high bank I angle of attack typically results in a rapid and violent initial spin rotation. When the initial rotation stopped, the glider side-slipped instead of nosing down and recovering from a stall. Exiting from the side-slip, the glider yawed rapidly and tucked. Based on my experience, eyewitness reports and examination of the wreckage, it appears that the pilot remained either upright, hands.on the clowntubes, or weight back until the glider yawed out of the side-slip and tumbled. The aft CG necessary for spinning is a prime setup for a tumble in a tailless flying wing aircraft. A blow to the head in the first tumble, strong centrifugal force or severe disorientation resulted in the pilot being unable to deploy one of two chutes on the borrowed harness. The UP Axis 15 has been flown in every aerobatic contest in the world without structural failure. It has demonstrated that in the hands of an expert pilot it is capable of performing aerobatics safely. Still, expert pilots have broken gliders. The fact that failures occur infrequently, relative to the volume of maneuvers performed, indicates to me that the only rational explanation for them is pilot error. Hang gliding is as safe as you make it. If you or I choose to reduce our margins for error, or of structural integrity of the glider, injury or death can, and has been the result. Be careful.• Mitch is five-time wi1111er of the Telluride Aerobatic Meet, two-time ll'i1111er of the Grouse Mo1111tai11 Aerobatic Meet a11d a test pilot for UP !11tematio11al. -Ed. HANG GLIDING

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COMPETITION CORNER The First and Second Moriarty Air Races

by Bob Carlton Having been a hang glider pilot for several years and a sailplane pilot for the last couple of years, I had begun to suspect that the two groups of intrepid aviators have a lot more in common than either is willing to admit. To test this half-baked theory, I thought it would be a great idea to have a combined hang glider-sailplane race. Thus, in 1989, the firstever "Hang Glider vs. Sailplane Race to Moriarty" was born. Moriarty Airport (home of the Albuquerque Soaring Club) lies in the Estancia Valley about 35 miles East of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Between Albuquerque and the airport is the Sandia Mountain range. Sandia Crest (10,678 feet MSL) rises 4,300 vertical feet above Albuquerque and is one of the best hang gliding sites in the country. It's also the primary flying site for the Sandia Soaring Association. The "other" SSA has about 60 hang glider pilots who have always enjoyed thermaling with the sleek glass ships that occasionally cruise over to Sandia.

The First Fly-In (or, "If at First You Don't Succeed ... ") The date was set: the June 3-4, 1989 weekend. The format was extremely simple, since we weren't really serious about the "race" aspect. This was more of a social event to get the pilots together. All the sailplane guys had to do was fly from the Moriarty Aitvort to Sandia Crest and back. The hang glider guys only had to launch from Sandia Crest and make it Lo Moriarty. The first one from each group to complete the task won. A retrieve vehicle would periodically check the fields along the main roads for land-outs, and everybody was invited to a barbecue at the ASC clubhouse. Saturday's weather was okay, except for a strong easl wind. Since the Sandia Crest launch faces west, the hang glider pilots had to wait for a strong thermal to avoid a downwind launch. It also meant working 32 miles against a 15-20 knot headwind! Tough, even for a 1-26 sailplane. Due to somewhat limited participation by the sailplane pilots, only two (Eel Burnette and Jimmy Wier) made the task on Saturday. By Sunday, only one hang glider pilot (Mark Macho) had beat the headwind and com16

pleted the task. There were, however, 19 gallant attempts. Several of the hang glider pilots had used the event as an opportunity to make their first X-C attempt. The barbecue was a smashing success, and most agreed we should try again in 1990.

The Second Fly-In (or, "Try, Try Again") The second-ever Hang Glider vs. Sailplane Race to Moriarty was scheduled for Saturday, June 23, 1990. The format was changed slightly, so as not to give an advantage to the faster ships. Before launching, each pilot was to write his or her predicted landing time on the card provided and have a witness sign it. The tasks were the same as in 1989, with the pilots from each group who completed the task closest to their predicted time declared the winners. Trophies for first and second place were to be given in both groups. Dinner was to be at "El Comedor de Anaya" restaurant Saturday evening. The clay was one of the best soaring days we had ever seen! By noon a cloud street had formed, running from Sandia downwind to Moriarty and beyond. Cloudbase was estimated to be just over 20,000 feet MSL, with 10 knot thermals right up to 17,999. This year the response from the sailplane pilots was more enthusiastic. Ten out of 11 pilots entered completed the task. Out of 15 hang glider pilots entered, nine landed at Moriarty, one lanclecl short, and five just kept on going downwind. One pilot (Jeff Wolford) made 104 miles before landing. After the clay's flying, Paul Chase wowed the crowd with a smoke-trailing aerobatic sailplane demonstration. The Mexican food buffet at El Comeclor was excellent, with lies about the day's flying flowing as freely as the beer. Including spouses and drivers, about 40 showed up for dinner. It was interesting how well the two groups got along, and we discovered that we have the same interests, concerns and challenges, not to mention the same jokes and creative writing in the logbooks. After dinner awards were handed out. In the sailplane division, Guy Brungardt took first, with Tom Brenza in second place. Both were flying Nimbus II's. In the hang glider division Linda Crowley took first on a Wills Wing Sport 167. She hit her landing time exactly on her very first X-C flight! Dave Ray took second, flying a Wills Wing HP IL A great time was had by all, and I, for one, am looking forward to doing it again in 1991 ! •

1991 Manufacturers League Meet July 10-17, 1991 A USHGA Sanctioned WTSS Points Meet

by Nick Kennedy LOCATION Telluride is located in Southwest Colorado approximately midway between Montrose and Cortez. Pilots from anywhere can easily reach the area via Interstate 70 to the north. Pilots wishing to travel by air can take commuter airlines from Denver and Phoenix, arriving directly into Telluride. They may ship their gliders to the meet organizers in Telluride.

TOPOGRAPHY The area is in the San Juan Mountains, a southern spur of the Great Rocky Mountain Range. The immediate area is dotted with 13,000-14,000 foot peaks. In between the ridge lines, mesa's averaging 7-9,000' dominate the horizon, providing a spectacular backdrop and conditions for the competition. Ranch and mining service roads form a network for easy pilot retrieval. Douglas fir, ponclerosa pine and aspen trees dominate the landscape with the mesas generally grass covered. For safe landings, open grass-covered fields abound along all proposed task routes. Pilots can count on flying with eagles, hawks and occasionally the rare bald eagle. On the ground, deer and elk will be seen by most everyone.

TOWN OF TELLURIDE Telluride has been a driving force on the hang gliding scene for 17 years. Finding a friendlier, more beautiful town than Telluride would be difficult. All commercial services are available here. There are many excellent restaurants to chose from, accommodations for every pocketbook, auto repair, business services, child care, grocery stores and a movie theater. Telluride is a world-class ski resort in the winter and all associated amenities are available. This includes many great sites to see and things to do with the family besides flying. These include horseback rides, scenic drives, shopping, art galleries, fishing and four-wheeling. A fully staffed medical clinic with emergency care can also be found in Telluride. HANG GLIDING

COMPETITION CORNER ADDITIONAL FACILITIES Pilots are welcome to camp in the town park. Hot showers and bathrooms are available here, as well as volleyball, softball, soccer and horse shoe facilities. The warming hut under the large white tent in the park will also serve as heaclquarters for the meet. This covered area will be utilized for bulletin boards, pilot meetings and social events. SAFETY In the 17 years the site has been regularly flown, there have been very few injuries, especially considering the literally tens of thousands of flights. The meet director has l 0 consecutive years working and directing launch during the Telluride hang gliding festival. (This festival has been the largest festival of its kind in the world for many years now, with up to 265 pilots participating.) Safety always has and always will be the number one priority, regardless of peer and competition pressure. A proven, competent safety director will be employed. Tasks will be appropriately called with no one required to fly into overdeveloped conditions. Retrieval rates are good. Safe landing fields and roads are plentiful. Fences, power lines and other hazards are sparse. Locked gates are very rare. EMT's will be on launch at all times during the launch process. Prearrangement for search and rescue ambulance and medical services have already been made. LAUNCH Takeoff will be from world famous Gold Hill high above Telluride at 12,250', approximately 3,500' vertical. There is an unlimited setup area and an unlimited launch to match. Launches face northeast, east, southeast, southwest, west and northwest. The road to launch is a 30-minute four-wheel drive from downtown Telluride. Telluride is a Hang IV site. X-C and turbulence sign-offs will be required. Hang III pilots will be allowed to compete provided they have a sponsor personally known to the meet director. An open launch is planned to maximize ! PIRS ranking pilots. Four-wheel drive transportation will be provided by the meet organizers. Pilots are also encouraged to bring their own four-wheel drives. TASKS Photos of possible turn points and goals will be available to pilots before the contest. APRIL 1991

These will be posted to give study time at registration. These will be used by a five-pilot task selection committee to select each day's task after reviewing the weather forecast. The meet organizers have obtained permission from owners of various airports and grassy fields for use of their land as goals. Interesting and challenging tasks from 20 to 150 miles can be called using these turnpoints and goals. Turnpoints will be easy to find and photograph. The successful 1990 Manufacturers League Meet in Telluride proved Telluride to be an excellent location for X-C competitions. With more of the same excellent task calls that happened at the l 990 Manufacturers League Meet, the 1991 meet will be a great contest.

RULES All contestants will be provided with a clear set of rules, updated after the fall Board of Directors meeting. The meet organizers and officials will closely adhere to the USHGA competition rulebook. Meet organizers have flown in two pre-world competitions as well as previous nationals and nationals-level competitions, worldwide, and are aware of current protocol. A programmed text that teaches the rules will be prepared and distributed to the contest staff well before the meet. The meet director will administer a detailed test on the rules at the officials meeting the clay before the contest begins. Only the staff members who have demonstrated a clear understanding of the rules will be designated Meet Officials. A protest committee will be selected by the competitors. SCORING The scoring system will be identical to the world meet scoring system used in the 1990 U.S. Nationals and 1990 Manufacturers League Meet. A full-time score keeper will normally post computer-generated scores each evening, but in no case later than the next morning before the pilot meeting. PHOTOGRAPHS All film and processing will be provided. The sole responsibility of the photo judge will be to see that all turnpoint film is developed on time and judge the resulting negatives. A film strip projector will be used. All negatives will remain in the possession of the photo judge throughout the meet and any pilot may view any film at any time.

PUBLICITY Using connections established by the longrunning hang gliding festival in Telluride, the meet organizers plan on television coverage out of Grand Junction, Colorado. Many fulllength films and short spots on hang gliding have been filmed here. These include, but are not limited to: National Geographic, Good Morning America, The Today Show, News Lead-in (six-month run) for XYZ News, Grand Junction, Coors commercial, Toyota commercial, three films from Tom Tatum Productions, and three films from Eel Verc!iack Productions. The meet organizers are going to pursue all avenues for positive media exposure, including a full-length professionally produced feature film by a producer who has produced many previous sailplane competition films. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION The meet organizers, Nicholas Kennedy and Betsy Mucnnich, will be completely responsible for all aspects of organization, coordination and administration both before and after the meet. The meet director, Nicholas Kennedy, will have complete authority and responsibility for the actual operation of the contest. The meet director will have complete authority over all other meet officials except the safety director. Paid meet officials will include the Meet Director, Safety Director, Launch Director, Goal Director, Score Keeper and Photo Judge. The meet director has established an excellent relationship with the Telluride Ski Corporation, the Town of Telluride, local and FAA authorities and landowners. Local and state law enforcement officials can be counted on for support. ENTRY & ENTRY FEES This contest is planned to accommodate at least 100 competitors. An effort will be made to accommodate all pilots as long as the qua!ity of the contest can be maintained. The first 60 slots will be allocated per the USHGA competition rulebook, based on regional results. The entry fee is $200/pilot, $575/team of three, postmarked before June 21, 1991. The entry fee will be $250/pilot, $725/team of three after that date. Contact: Nick Kennedy, P.O. Box 1026, Telluride. CO 81435 (303) 728-3905. •

The Shape Of Wings To Come by Greg De Wolf

TOP: Prospective instructors practice canopy handling skills. Photo by Akihiro Kibe. ABOVE: Author Greg DeWolf gets a ride on the Wills Wing AT 123 at The Mesa. Photo by Mike Meier.

An international group of professional hang gliding instructors gathers for the largest paragliding seminar held to date in the United States, sponsored by Wills Wing. H ANG GLIDING

''Let's make a stall," Armin said. cleRussy (HG Emporium), Jerry Forburger (ATOL), Joe Grehlo "Slow the glider. .. " (Windsports), Jon Greenburg My wing ... folding up over(Questing), Dan Johnson (Product head like an empty garbage bag, Lines), Lawless (USHGA my hody .. Jalling through the air butt first, I didn't have time lo be President), Roh McKenzie (High scared befon: a loud, shot-like Adventure), G.W. Meadows (Au"CRACK!" rung out. Now my thor, HG 101), Jeff Nicolay (Morningside), Pepe Nier wing was in l'ront of me and l (Mexico), John Ryan (HG Center), recoiled toward it. I instinctively twisted as I f'ell forward and then Dan Skaclal (Hang Flight Systems), again "CRACK!" echoed through 13obThornpson (Desert HG), Larry Tudor (World Distance Record, the canyon. World Team), Paul Voight (Fly Now, hanging under my craft High I IG), J\ndy Whitehill (Chanand looking up I noticed two brodelle), Ron Wilkenson (Eagle's ken lines and a full twist in my Ncs1) and five Japanese dudes. suspension. I immediately rotated 360° to untwist myself. All this BASIC TRAINING time l hadn't even thought of my The first part of the seminar, unreserve 'chute, hut with it now in folding in beautiful Santa Barbara, mind, I keyed tht: radio and meekly Happy paraglidcrpilo!s crowd onto the Wills Wing truck for another trip called down 10 my instructor. was four days of' flying and classup the hill, while two more make their way lo the LZ. More than 500 "Armin, there arc two broken lines room instruction well designed lo flights were on this day at The Mesa. Photo by Mike Meier. and things just don't look right." the neophyte a Class I-Basic "Okay, yust come down," Armin Rating and enough nights to feel replied calmly in his thick Austrian accent. "No very c01nl'ortablc flying, in moderate conditions, all" experts. This opportunity presented from Ken deRussy's 200-foot training hill. This problem there," I said hal l'tomysclf, "I guarantee itself' with an invitation from Rob Kells to join I'm coming down." My worry was how quickly. the Wills Wing Paragliding Seminar in January was accomplished with between 30 and 50 My sink rate was a littk: higher than normal and nights per instructor candidate. of this year. trim speed seemed faster, but the landing was sort and 1meventr111. FORM AND FUNCTION PROFESSIONALS AND PARTICIPANTS I had only started flying these gliders a The "Boys at Wills Wing" have never been l 'm a practical kind or guy, subscribing to week before and, hoy, were my arms tired. function over form, and was at first irked by the known for halfmcasmcs or lack ofcntlrnsiasm, insistence of the seminar instructors in demandand this seminar was no exception. This and my THE FEAR OF GOD OR WORSE. .. ing each learned task to be performed "with curiosity attracted me to the event, even though When I was learning to hang glide back in '78, feeling," style and grace. J\s the seminar prol wasn 'I particularly interested in "flying slugs." gressed to the more difficult and dangerous an advanced pilot who worked at the school The list of' instructors was impressive: tasks, I began to appreciate the instructors' died teaching himself aerobatics; then the owner Claudia Stockwcl I, American Paragliding Asof the school hit the ground, seconds after social ion (APA) Class JI Examiner; Mark Axen, stickiness for detail, and while performing the parachute inrlation, while flying a radical new J\l'A Class II Examiner; tlelmut Walder, Ausadvanced maneuvers I thanked God they were design. Later I read of more than one trian I jcenscd Instrnctor ( over 4,000 st udcnts); such perfectionists. dying while tcs1 f'lying. And one day l wa1ched and Patrick Brit isb Licensed Instructor a test pilot spin to the ground in a broken glider. RISlNG TO THE OCCASION Just for good measure, Armin Graf from Aus" I loved to l'ly, and since I hadn't always been a Having never touched a paraglider before, but tria, one of Europe's (and Wills Wing's) leadhaving heard numerous "though! I was goin' t' good boy l was far from assured of getting my ing paragliclcrdesigners, sl1arcd his consi(forahlc had l left this ma1erial world. I then die" stories from many go-l'or-it hang glider The hrnin trust from WW, Steve decided l didn't want to be a test pilot. pilots, l was gratcl'ul for the initial slow pace or Pearson and Mike Mcic.r, and the smiles team, Through the years my decision was reinthe instruction. The entire first day was spent Linda Meier and Rob Kells, encouraged, expe"more incidents. Accordingly, when ditcd, organized and entertained the troops. forced just learning lo innate the wing overhead. some new equipment or tccl111iq11e came along, The paragl icier was laid 011t in a horseshoe Ken and Bonnie (Nelson) deRussy, owners of I sought out the and of' the behind me and I charged ahead, the lines wclll The I !ang Glider Emporium, Santa Barbara, experts. Motivated by numerous reports l'rom tight, the canopy inflated and rose, shooting hosted the first seven days or the seminar. top glider pilots and instructors who sustained overhead and thcn ... derlatcd, along with my The list of' students was also impressive, ego, dropping in an amorphous blob and drapsoiled shorts and serious inj11rics from a modiincluding but not limited to: Ted Boyse (World cum or paraglidcr training, I refused to touch Team), Bruning (llSHGA Executive Diing itself over my body as if I were lunch. these new machines until I could be !aught "it rector), Pat Dcncvan (Mission Soaring), Kc'.n My instructor came by and said, "Give it a APRIL 199]

APA Instructor Andy Whitehill prepares to assisl Linda Meier of Wills Wing with a launch from the top of ThC' MC'sa, while USHGA lixecutive Director Jerry Bruning and USHGA Treasurer Dan Johnson gel ready to fly. Photo by Mike Meier.

brake." and I that it was time to up. "No, no, do it 'with feeling' and when the canopy is just about overhead, US!·: TllE BRAKES! Slow the canopy so that it doesn't get in front or yrn1 and dcrlate." Chagrined, I trice! it again, this time "with feeling" and success, hut this was not the last time 1 lward the admonishment: "Do it with feeling'" UNGROlJNDED

11 was with much trepidation that I arrived on top of Ken 200-foot training hill the; next day, hut it was with terror that l left the top of the hill under canopy. krry Forhurgcr and I had spent the early morning with Mike Meier discussing the myriad of ways a paraglidcr can collapse in flight. Mike related his terror while performing advanced maneuvers (various canopy collapses) over a lake in Switzerland. It was willi this conversation in mind and hard ground below me that I attcrnptccl my first paragliding night. "Run, nm, run ... ," slioutcd the instructors. step, stop ... wcnt my legs as the glider lifted me and set me back down and my attention shifted back and forth from my legs to the canopy. Push, push, push went the instructor, her hands firmly motivating my but locks even after my feet were wc:11 ckar of the ground. "Not bad," I thought as the: glider drif'icd toward the landing zone without nny pilot input. The ensuing sort landing brought a smile to my face. Then Roh Kells admonisl1cd, "Cross your ankll~s when flying so you don 'I

look like such a " Form would come later, hut now the unexpected exhilaration of flight filled my head. J\pparenlly I wasn '! the only one enjoying the short sled rides. The group of]2 looked like Jemmings rushing off the top of lhc hill, and sardines as they packed into the back of the Wills' truck to get back up. I wasn't pre pared to have this much fun. A couple of the more experienced folks were capturing the inrinitcsimal pockets or lift drifting through lo obtain extended sled rides. By the end or the lo my surprise, a number of pilots were launching in a one to three mph downwind without any problems. Even a couple: of non-instructors got some air. Jerry Bruning paraglided from the top of the training hill to his l'irst-cvcr flight in an ultrnlilc flying machine. Both Linda Meier and Bonnie Nelson, to delight, got their feet off the ground for the first lime in many years, under the soft sails. J\11 rlcw extraordinarily well and landed with bugs-i1Hhc teeth grins. WIND!N(; 1JP wrrn WIND The following day we were to learn about high wind launches. Winds were only blowing I to l () mph on the surface or the hill, but were 60° cross and turbulent and probably blowing harder l feet up where the paragliclcr flies. We all watched Andy Whitehill beat his glider in the dust with three anchor people holding him in place, and then beat himself' on the rocks as the

anchors slipped off and he was dragged across the ground. I lclmut Walder inflated and flew his glider quite smoothly off the hill top just to prove that it could be done. We all watched in terror as the turbulence rolled through the canopy, but he landed undaunted and without problem. Years of experience make a big difference. FOUR lS FOR FLYlNG AND FOOi} The fourth day oft he seminar was for free J'lying and an opportunity for those who were new lo flaccid foils to get a few flights for familiarity's sake. I haven't seen these seasoned pilots so excited and having so much fun since their last 200-milc l'lights. Sometimes there were four or five; flights filling the air simultaucously. Amazingly, the 12 participants logged a total of 500 flights this day, avernging over I flights per person. That night Ken amt Bonnie hosted an in-credible edible party. The best chicken fajitas anyone had ever devoured were served with a plethora of c:011dimcn1s. Then Ken amazed us all by introducing, by name and short biography, each oft he approximately 50 guests. This foal is more astonishing when you realize Ken is a child of the '60's who enjoyc:d all the cult um I benefits or the cm. Th,mks Ken ,md Bonnie and Wills Wing! We also watched !he local news broadcast that fc,11urcd our wonderful selves soaring through the air with the greatest of case and a video or another broadcast or the dny before.

r IANC CurnNC:

PREACHING SAFETY Paragliding is dcct:pti vely simple. It's just easy enough to learn lo he dangerous, and !hat is about where the Class l pilot is. Recognition or micro· and meteorological conditions is more important than in hang gliding. If you're flying around relaxed while wind speed is increasing, by 1hc time you notice you're not penetrating it's too talc. Top speed on a paraglider is less than stall speed on most hang gliders. Basically, there is no way to pul I in and increase forward speed. /\lso, the paraglidcr doesn't handle turbulence nem as well as a hang glider, so heaven help you if you gel blown back into a rotor. The only saving ractor is that the chance of landing fet:t first is greater thal1'in a hang glider, which alone will save some lives.

ADVANCED THRILLS Ron Wilkenson gets a launch assist at Kagel during the Advanced Maneuvers Seminar. Photo Mike Meier.

INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION CLINIC ff the first four clays were element my; then this was college. started no later ihan 6:00 AM studying reams of information, researching the extensive open book test and conducting inl'or· mal discussions with Mike Meier and Sieve Pearson over cont incnlal breakfast in the lobby of the motel. Days ended near 10:00 PM with beautiful Alpine slide and video shows of tniining rnethods and emergency procedures for various types of canopy collapses, including the use of reserve 'chutes for uncorrectable problems. 111 between was a combination of informative classes and rigorous mHhc ·hill training. The ICC was spcci fically designed to take very cxpcrienct:cl hang gliding inslrnclors and tum thcn1 into paragliding instructors. The idea was that we all knew how to instruct and that all we needed w,1s to learn the proper paragliding techniques. To that end, :11! instructor candidates were videotaped and latcrcritiqm:d by the entire class, taught a classrnom topic, were grnclecl on observation skills and were schooled in nom,:nclaturc, care and packing, or ihe sport, first aid, stalls and other non-l'lying configurations, site selection a11d Class l instructional tech11iqucs. The acl111inistra1ors were demanding, con· requiring correct form as well as tech 11iquc. The oprn hook exam (90'X, and above was :rnd writing a Class I Syllabus was more diff'icult than any test I've taken since J\i'RII

1991

leaving college. And even after completing the the entire course, passing the exam and receiving all "/\'s" and "B's" in the eight practical cat· 1 still didn'l gt:! my instructor rating. I'm told l need "20 hours apprenticeship lo round out (my) knowledge ... and four (more) months lime on paraglidcrs." I believe Claudia Stockwell and Mark /\xcn did an t:xccllcnt job or evaluation.

The last three days oflheseminarwcrcdedicatcd to advanced maneuvers. After several days or seeing slides and videos or these non-flying con!'igural ions, as well as hours or discussion on how to enter and exit, (especially exit) these maneuvers, we were ready (ha!) Lo experience the terror first hand. We all trooped off to Kagel mouniain, overlooking Los Angeles, on Friday night and arrived bright and early (especially early) in lhc hang gliding landing zone. We had obtained permission from the Sylmar HG/\ 10 ust: the mountain for practicing our advanced maneu·

A final group photo of the instructor candidates and program administrators at the close of the ICI' program in Santa Barbara, CJ\.

vers, but someone failed to inform the weather gods. After spending more time than anticipated organizing and visiting the paragliding landing zone deep in the wash at the base of the mountain, we arrived at launch at 11 :00, just in time to see the wind accelerate to unlaunchable speed. Soon the hang glider pilots arrived and with sidelong glances started setting up their craft. Before long all levels of hang glider pilots were launching and there we sat, our canopies still bagged. The combination of wind speed and thermals (pronounced turbulence) was not conducive to what would be, for many, their first mountain paragliding flight. By the encl of the day, the wind still strong but smooth, most pilots launched and slowly flew away from launch. My turn, and I was as nervous as if I were ready to hang glide off a short, flat ramp in a downwind with Joshua trees below it. With some difficulty I inflated my WW AT123 with Mike Meier holding me clown, and stabilized it. I barely moved forward; up I went, higher and a little higher but not forward. Now, I had been told to pull "big ears" in this situation, but I wasn't about to try something new now. I crabbed right a little to hopefully get out of the small saddle and venturi, while Mike ran underneath, ready to catch me should I drift back. It was particularly frustrating not to be able to pull on speed. After a tense minute or two, the wind subsided enough to allow forward ground speed and I flew slowly toward the LZ. Over the LZ and under radio control I performed a small tip fold, a larger tip fold and big ears, while maintaining directional control-all various, mild states of canopy collapse. The maneuvers were not difficult or particularly scary, but I was thankful we were all on Wills Wing, AT123, Class I canopies, certified to exit from all these maneuvers without pilot input. Having Armin on the radio made me much braver as well.

ST ALLS AND FALLS The next day saw extremely light wind and thermals. It was no problem climbing above the few hang gliders that could stay up, and then with gobs of altitude (no altimeter-vario but probably 3,000' AGL) and my radio turned up full volume, I arrived over the LZ. Armin boomed over the radio, "OK, Greg, make a full stall." I keyed my radio and answered, "Coulcln 't we try one of the less intense, milder stalls first?" Not elaborating, Armin said "No." 22

I performed as I had been taught; pulling the brakes to my hips the canopy collapsed and fell behind me. Swinging forward and falling on my back, I quickly shoved the brakes under my butt and held them firm. As I continued to fall, the canopy, held collapsed by full brakes, streamed overhead. Annin instructed, "Let up the brakes, now." I raised my hands to my ears, the sail inflated with a snap, shot forward a little and then stabilized by itself. I had done it! The dreaded full stall wasn't so bad. Now I thought the rest would be simple. With plenty of altitude left and under radio instruction, I performed an "A" Riser Tuck (much like a sharp pull-in on a hang glider) and a "B" and a "C" Riser Constant Stall. The two previous constant stalls are non-violent with the glider staying pretty much inflated, just "wrinkling up a bit." Then it was time for the Constant Stall With Brakes. Without much trepidation, I started pulling down brakes. I didn't notice that my forward speed stopped and that I had entered a constant stall. Instead I was watching the canopy, expecting it to look like it had during the other constant stalls. I increased brakes and then felt the canopy start to collapse. Foolishly hoping to avoid the transpiring full stall I released the brakes and ... that's where this article started. With the completion of the Advanced Maneuvers the following day-by performing a negative spin-and with the experience of weather conditions from 12 years of hang gliding, I now feel I've been exposed to it all. Not that I know it all (I still need years of practice), but I have an idea of what can happen and the beginnings of learning the right reaction to many common problems. I was impressed and satisfiP<i.

FINGER FAIRINGS

THE MORAL Flying is inherently dangerous ... Just because it looks easy ... The more hang glider pilots who learn from experts to paraglide, the safer paragliding will be. Paragliding needs our considerable knowledge to help pioneer sites and conditions so that newcomers to the air will have good examples to follow. Whatever happens in paragliding will reflect on hang gliding. So help contribute to the shape of things to come. THANKS Wills Wing must be congratulated for putting together the largest ICC held so far in the USA-the first USHGA Paragliding ICP Seminar-the only program in the world where participants starting with absolutely no experience progressed to advanced maneuvers in 10 clays, and accomplishing it by logging more than 1,000 flights with no reported injuries. Fly Safe!•

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HANG GLIDING

for the Ilydrofcst '90 even!, a Hawaiinn pilot makes

scenic photo with palm trees

HJ\WAHJ\N!

mecl

lhc lasl board or dircclors in Washington D.C., in our sport an

gone l lawaiian 1"

," or course, re· fcrs to a lanky TL,xan known to virtually everyone wlio lias cvl'r thought or their glider. Mr. "C.o To-Cruise" ltimsc:lf has rnlhcr handedly changed the face or towing, as ii evolved from boat lowi11g in Australia and Florida. Well, lie fwd 11101 of'/Jc/;J Toni, Im! s/Jc' s also Jiom llis .~one lluwaiic111. APRIL 1991

demonstration. The island had never before been opened lo the public.

"Cione Hawaiian" refers to an tion on the island of Oah11 which coaxed the towing and tandem guru to join them. Al the time oft he D.C. board meeting, the Forburgcrs had just accepted an offer of employment and Imel departed lo the islands. The organizalion is Sporl Aviation Ila· waii, originally founded hy Bill Fulton and Neil Kjar. Due to a very serious industrial injury, Kjar has had lo terminate his involvement in this exciting project. (Kjar was a construction diver.) In fact, his departure precipila1ed 1he need to hire Forburger. Fulton has now p11l togetlwr a gro11p of broad experirnee· - including the towing en· lrepreneur--and the partners expect to change the face or hang gliding in I !awaii. In so doing, they may also have a profound cl'foct on several aviation sports as they connect Hawaii's millions of' ann11al tomists lo 1hc delight or flight. Whal 's it all about ,md why did sporl l'igureheads so ortcn remark about Texas defection lo join the islanders? You might say i1 all started ahou1 eight years ago. 11 took ils rirs1 major step during the island state's largest-ever sporting Gven1-· ·the Hydrofes1 '9()... where some 70 lows brough1 hang gliding into !he limeligh1. A few words on 1hc even! will i111roch1ce a brief review of' wlrn1 11ulton and his merry band of sport aviators arc up lo, and why this might be or interest 10 you.

POWER ON THE WATER The Hydrofcst '90 was the first annual festival 24

pu1 on Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Monster power boats racing around Pearl T!arbor were 1he main attraction, but they weren't all. The combined AT&T's Aloha fcstival (carnival rides, entertainers, etc.) with a tria!lrnlon, auto (Formula Fords), an RC modelers airshow, vendor displays, and several II

after day the air floius right the valley due the consistent tradewinds and basically has nowhere to but up and over the incredibly steep mountain ·walls. This creates a situation where, most days, the entire valley lifting above about: 700 fl

other events ... yes, including regular towing or (as a kind of half.. 1imc cn1er1ain rncnt). J\s you might expect, the tows were performed behind an ATOI. devclopc:d or Jerry Forburgcr, and driven cxclu·· course by wifc and partner Toni Forburger. The event was by the Morale,

Recreation, and Wcll'are Departmenl of Naval Station Pearl I !arbor. This group is charged with providing act ivitics for visiting sailors and o1her military personnel while they transit the Naval facility. This may sound like a minor endeavor for the massive military machine until yon consider how many ships regularly dock al Pearl's berths for out rilling and repairs. A !'cw hundred to a l'cw thousand sailors (in the instance of an aircraft carrier) arrive on ships with monotonous rcgularily. The department is quite actually, and has ils hands l'ull entcr1aining tens of thousands of' sailors annually. Their dilemma worsened when cut their funding sharply and has taken anothGr new twisl since the outbreak of hostilities in the Gulf. Thus the llydrof'esl. The event was pure and simple a l'uncl raiser. It sought to replace Josi l'unding by opening Pearl Harbor and Ford Island for the first time ever to the public. Results aren't in yet for the success of the MWR department's enormous 11nclertaking, but one thing is sure: hang gliding got a 1crrific blast of' exposure and may generate a few minutes or scenery on FSPN's coverage oft he last-of-the· season Unlimited Power Boat race. ln all, reports will probably show some 300,000 visilors to the Navy racil ity; all of them liacl great visual access lo hang in what is cerlainly Hawaii's largest single venue for 1he spor1. OK, you say, the Navy helped out in pro moting hang gliding while ii helped itself' in the IlANC GurnNc

Some of ibc Sport Aviation Hawaii team al !he Hydrofos! even!. Third from the right airpark developer, Bill Fulton with his lady, (who, Bill, flies for lfawalian Air tines). The Forburgl'.rs an• I he couple al tlw lefi.

What about thi, cash lion f lawaii business'/

!\ via

even if it did manage !o pry :1way from liis beloved Lubbock. Texas (tile "l ," i11 /\TOI., in case yrn1 didn't know)'!

1hc family from a Hawaiian

A(TIVITY CIJJII taxation. Morgan convinced lite fo111ily board or directors thal beer, bcacli

house rentals, and tropical alone couldn't keep the bills, no ma11er how well the operation was run. With the hoard',; Morgan Club as a began the Kua Joa Ranch and kind of diversified dude ranch appeal lo the large flocks of normally hmmd Japam'.sc lo the islands. in tourists leaps. 1hc KRAC has doubled its traffic annu· ally, now nearly ::mo visitors daily. would be outdoorsmen (mostly women) who spend the c111irc day for $95, choosing from the various activities or the ranch club. The menu includes horseback riding, ATV gun range shooting, lours of the ranch, helicop1cr rides, snorkel outings. jct and saili11g. Tennis courts were added, a golf driving range is planned, and a new visitor's center is being all parts of Morgan's fut urc plan for a cmnplcx of activities and services for the onc·of a·ldnd llawaiian bmincss he's h11il1. lt1 I()() I. the world's longest (quar\errnilc) Jiang Glider Sinrnla1or@will begin operations, anolhL:r form or cnlt:rlai11mc11t that 1hc 1ouris1s can choose. "Thal where waiijurnps into :ict io11," says I !is business will 1rn111agc th(: simulator opera· lion and will take beyond. Those whose interest is lhc Simula101· nigh1 can pay for an optional tandem soaring nigh!, li1unchcd by you guessed ii

,E NEW A!Rl'ARK Fulton and slarlcd years ago. Bui didn't slal'i logc\hcr. lJnknown lo the 01 her. each rcll!cd ,Ill airplane and lkw around 1111.: island or Oaliu in search or the 11llrnliglit avialors and 01l1cr sport ]11 a case or classic coincidence and ap· parcnl success al finding the one ideal pince 011 1he c11tirc isl:111d., each scltlcd on :1 loc,1tion called the l<aaawa Kali :1h· Al V,l). Sometime IH!cr, Ilic twomc1 while

Fulton and sclcc1io11. to realize their ambitions. The Kaaawa Y:lllcy has be(:11 a beef rnnch fornwny years. It also been in the same family for some 140 years bought /\PR!! 1991

Carl Shor!! givPs us an aPrial view of the gorgeous countryside around the new park Photo by Carl Shortt.

tivity has occurred in Europe (hoth ground based and aero lowing), the Hawaiians arc Forhurgcr says, clearly on the leading "We've had good success in truck towing paragliders into that abundant Kaaawa lift." Sometime in 1991, the business also plans to appeal to the U.S. and Europe for tour and trnmrng that could offer nearby housing, flying for pilots, and all of what Ha waii offers for the rest or the family. "This activity may take a few months to come together," Fullon notes. In addition, for those with ultralight cxpc .. ricnee-.. -or for those who desire some ...Fulton has equipped 1he business with a Quicksilver Sprint 11, a dcl ightfnlly simple two .. placc trainer allowing him to give instruction to those throngs or tourists plus the locals who want to learn to fly uhrnlights. Fulton is prclly well qualified for this task, being a captain ror Hawaiian Air Liiws.

Using a typical island vehicle - the popular Jeep CJ launching 70 tows during the Hydrofost event.

an /\TOL driven by Toni, with tandem lesson by krry. l !'their interest is strong enough, 1hc visi1ors can return another day for continued l'ree-·flight 1raini11g on the nicely groomed slopes of the Kaaawa Valley. These tourists hardly know how special this opportunity is. They will be among the first non,cmployces to set foot in the pastoral and rnieommercialized valley, a miJc.wide, two mile--dcep chunk or stunning scenery: impossi· bly steep green mountain walls, cascading waterfalls, lush tropical f'lorn, and a quiet graceful· ness.

AND FOR YOU SKYGODS ... Not only will throngs of Japanese tourists get to sample hang gliding, the airpark Fulton envisions will provide a wide array of flight services to visiting or vacationing pilots. "Sport Aviation Hawaii is presently work· with some 60 stmlcnts training on the bunny hill, with progression to the island's only real 1lang Ill hill," Fulton mportcd. Most of these students also take a few tandem flights at prices somewhat less than chargt:d to the onc..\imc .. only tourist. Pilots with developed skills can take platform towing clinics, held by the master inventor himself. Once trainccl, these pilots can he towed up in Kaaawa Valley. This is a special oppor· tunity in itself, as the valley rorms a kind of box canyon. Day after day the air flows right into thL: vallcy---duc the consistent 1radewinds-· and 26

basically has nowhere to go but up and over the steep mountain walls. Forburgcr adds, "This creates a situation where, with smprising reli· ability, the entire valley is lifting above ,1bout 700 feet /\GL" If you like and if your skills permit, you can release above 700 foct, and fly around all day, hopping from pinnacle to peak in smooth, predictable air. You may even try to run the windward side's "Green Wall," an escarpment over ]0 miles long.

"[Sport Aviation Hawaii may] ... have a profound effect on several aviation sports as they connect J{awaii's millions of annual tourists to the delight of flight." Fulton plans to add paragliding, and lo that end the business helped Forhurger travel to the Wills Wing paragliding ICP whc:rc the Texan received his instructor certification in this newest of air sports. Because of Forbmgcr's pioneering in the towing of hang gliders, the group has pursued towing of paragliders as well. Though this ac·

AN AIR PARADISE l law a ii travel pro mot ions arc replete with refer-

ences to "paradise." Most refer lo the year .. round, balmy weather. But for pilots, Sport Aviation l lawaii is adding another definition or paradise. You can f"ly all the "New Aviation" ways: hang gliding, paragliding, and ultralights in· eluding the I lang Gliding Simulator@ which permits virtually anyone to experience the thrill of flight in a very safe environment. You can sample a short enjoyment ol'flight; you can take extended instructional, tandem nights; you can acquire actual pilot skills in genuine training lessons; you can add new skills to your existing pilot credentials (like platform towing); you can broaden your piloting interests (by trying paragliding il'you' vc only flown hang gliders for example); or you can merely show up at the Kaaawa Valley and do some flying if you live on the islands or arc a visiting pilot (and have the requisite skill level). Later on, tour packages arc plannc~d. Nol many airparks anywhere in the world offer this versatility. None offer a more spectacular physical surrounding. When lil'l is this abundant in weather this accommodating, how long do you think you can stay away'> Ill Sport !I 1·iatio11 Ilawaii may he rnntactcd at: 46· 3S9 Nahcwai St., Kancohe, Ill 96744 (808) 235-6307. llcrwaii is IM'o hours hchind Cali .frm1ia andji'\'e hours hehind New York. fc'd.

[ L\NG CJ fl)JNC

-. ~

THE GLIDER FROM DOWN. UNDER COMES OUT ON TOP...

... OF THE 8th WORLD HANG GLIDING CHMPIONSHIPS!

1st TOMAS SUCHANEK 3RD PAULINO COELHO ,,tf

MOYES CALIFORNIA INC. 22021 COVELLO ST, CANOGA PARK, CA91303 PH. (818) 887 3361 FX. (818) 702 0612 MOYES DELTA GLIDERS P/L, 173 BRONTE RD, WAVERLEY N.S.W. AUSTRALIA PH. 011 61 2 387 5622 FX. 011 61 2 387 4472. XS 142. 155, 169 U.S.H.G.MA CERTIFIED

XS 142, 155 GUTESIEGAL CERTIFIED

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AOAM HUNT

XS 155 XS 155

Terry stands next lo his m)w TRX.

of pilot profiles by Larry Walsh it be nice if you couldjusl fly all !he time and never have 10 worry about income or house payrnents ;md Ilic like? Well, unl'ortu· nately for mos I of us, that is at best only a dream. B111 as you'll find out in this series, there arc amongst us people who have th(?ir cake and cat it too. In Ihis article I' 111 talking about Ihose guys and who make their living in the air during lhc week, and forrecrcnlion fly hang on lhc weekends. Reynolds is one or I hose people. flying career started in l 9(17 d11r .. ing 1hr, largest h11ilcl11p or mililary forces in Sou1he;1st J\sia. Due to his l·J\ draft classifi. cation he was over one way or anolhcr, so

he decided to join lhc J\ir hircc and fly there.

falhcr was also an J\ir Force pilot, so ii was a fairly simple decision to follow in the old man's foolslcps. Once trained, Terry began small troop transports into Vietnam. He later began flying C 130 transporls to other in Southeast J\sia. Terry w;1s awarded lhc I )istinguished Cross lwicc during his tour in Vietnam; one l'or medical evacuation and one for running away from a M iG I over I ,aos while carrying severely wounded personnel 011 board tile C' 130. (It smpriscs me lha1 Terry is around lo talk ;1bout it.) J\l'icr tilat, flew transports with no markings under the auspices of the U.S. gov·

crnmcnl--·sort of "J\ir American'' if' you will. These flights look place in and out of Cambodia until ils fall to tile Khmer Rouge. I lis next jaunt /'or the government took him to Saudi Arabia where flew wilh the Saudi J\ir Force as a civilian fort wo years. Since I hen Terry has been flying for a majorconm1ercial passenger airline. Until three years ago, Terry lkw as the caplain on a Boeing 727. But once he decided 10 go for the U.S. World Tem11 in hang gliding, put in a hid to be dropped to copilot in an cfforl for in the airlines so relatively advanced he could have more 1in1c lo fly hang gliders ,111d fulfill his obsession to make the World 'l\:am. One siclc clTcct or 1his li!llc maneuver was a Hi\NC CLll)JNC

large cut in pay. But his efforts were rewarded and Terry at the age of 43 became the oldest pilot to make the U.S. World Team. This brings us to how Terry became involved in hang gliding. Just like most ofus, the first time he saw hang gliding he cleciclecl it was just something he had to do. Terry borrowed a hang glider early in 1974 and was unable to get the "blow-up standard" off the ground. After talking to a few pilots, Terry realized that in those early clays, it was usually the equipment, more than pilot proficiency, that got people killed. In 1977 Terry was flying sailplanes and took another look at hang gliding. He brought a hang glider pilot out to the sailplane club one clay, but because Terry clidn 't think the guy was treated properly by the other sailplane pilots, he quit the club. In those days we weren't looked upon as real pilots by other related air sports enthusiasts. Terry was really ambitious about learning our sport, but the equipment-related accidents continued to ward him off a bit. In 1979, he took another look al the sport and cleciclecl it was time to learn. Terry started his lessons in Colorado under the supervision of Bill Sloatman, who, by the way, was also Larry Tudor's hang gliding instructor, according to Terry. Terry says he wasn't there to try hang gliding, he was there to do it! Thus, lessons were a necessary means to an encl. Clad in heavy clothing, knee and elbow pads, heavy shoes and a helmet, Terry was learning to fly, but cautious about the hard ground and obstacles that we all have at one time or another come to know. Everyone else was out there in T-shirts and tennis shoes, and they gave him a lot of grief about all the padding and protective gear. But today Terry is the only one out of his class still flying. In the beginning he was flying the hot ship of the decade, an Atlas. And once he had his Hang IV under his belt Terry was living out his dream, flying places like Torrey Pines, Crestline, and his ultimate dream at the time. Telluride. Little did Terry know that one clay he would be on his way to Brazil to compete as a member of the U.S. World Team. You might think that all of that experience flying everything from light transports to jetliners would really help a person in hang gliding. But, according to Terry, its the other way around. He says that hang gliding benefits his commercial flying skills more than vice versa. The only thing that he got OLtt of his previous APRIL 1991

aviation experience was the feeling that the higher he got, the safer he was, whereas most pilots just learning to hang glide have a fear factor to overcome, mainly because they are used to being on the ground and being in the air is now a new and maybe uncomfortable sensation. However, Terry says his hang gliding skills have had an interesting effect on his professional flying. He says that the average hang glider pilot understands weather and micrometeorology a great deal better than most airline pilots. Wind shear is one of the few remaining real hazards of commercial aviation that isn't completely understood by most commercial pilots. As a hang glider pilot usually trying to make use of this phenomenon, Terry says his ability to predict these conditions makes him one of the safer pilots in commercial aviation. When talking to other pilots, he tells them that he has more wind-shear experience than any other pilot in the industry. When he tells them his knowledge comes from hang gliding, the response usually depends on whether he's the captain or not. When Terry is the captain, the response is something like, "Oh, l always wanted to try that." However, when he's the copilot, the response can be quite different. When talking to other pilots, Terry says that most of the usual questions come up-everything from the old "death wish" to sincere technical questions. This brings us to a point that Terry made during our interview that I hesitate over, but feel I need to include in this article. It is a point of safety which demonstrates a need, but I am reluctant because I know the FAA reads our magazine. So here goes. Terry has confirmed one of my greatest fears about cross-coumry flying, and that is that most aviators (and the largerthe aircraft the worse it is), arc 1101 looking for hang gliders. You are on your own. If your path is going to conflict with that of an airliner, you can figure that he is not going to see you. And if he sees you, there is not much he can do about it. I think, and Terry also feels, that the biggest threat to hang gliding and the way in which we enjoy it, is the possibility of a midair with another aircraft. So remember, all you X-Cers out there, SEE AND A VOID! Terry says that when he tells other pilots how high we get that they are amazed. They don't realize we're up there. I asked if they evernoticed us on sectionals and he said, "Airline pilots don't look at sectionals ever." You may have every right to be there. but you don't want to be dead right.

I'm not trying to use this article to preach, but I felt this point deserved a little attention.* Bringing Teny's profile to the present we find that not only is he participating in the World Meet, but he's doing it with a glider he designed himself. In Terry's own words, the timing was right-all the right people were available-and as a result the new design has been built, tested, certified and sent off to Brazil to be flown in the 199 l World Meet. The TRX is largely built out of carbon fiber material. This results in a very lightweight glider. It also sports some of the cleanest hardware ['ve ever seen. Teny said that the idea behind the design was to build the most competitive glider possible for the World Meet. And with Dick Chaney's help, Terry might have clone just that. An interesting note: Terry is allergic to composites. So I guess you could say he's still got an itch for hang gliding. With all the aviation experience Terry has under his belt-from dodging MiG 21 's in Southeast Asia to competing in the l 991 World Meet in Brazil-I think I can safely say that Terry is and always will be a world class pilot. Terry comments, ''I'm happy to get paid to fly the friendly skies during the week, but I'm happier spending the money on hang gliding during the weekends!" Good luck, Terry. This is one you won't be able to blame on Rio. •

,:'As a side note I think it's critical that ALL pilots, X-C 01· otherwise. understand that it is their indil'idual responsibility to become mmre of the type of air trajjlc they are }lying in and amund. This 1\'0uld include such things as m il'hat altitude you can e.\]JeCI to encounter commercial, military or pri\'(/te aircrqfi, Ji·om 11·hich direc1io11 they are normal I_,. approaching. and exactly ll'hat type ofaircrnjr you can expect to encounter. The next thing that you sho11ld be doing is to establish a contact at the local agencies responsible jiJr controlling and co111!llllllicati11g wilh the 1rqtJ1C you are Jfring H'itl1. As Tern· has stated, most m·iator.1· hm·e 110 clue that ha11g gliders are rnpable of reaching the alri111des that 11·e reach. Ho11·erer. a little com11111nicatio11 can go a long ll'ay in ed11cmi11g hath the/II a11d 11s, a11d pote111ially lllailllai11ing the sa/ety i11 the skies 1h{t111·e a/I 11·c111t. -

Gregg Lawless, USHGA President

See Hang Gliding 101 i11 this issue jiJr i11fcm11atio11 011 reading sectionals. - Ed. 29

1991 USHGA MERCHANDISE ORDER FORM Ql'(

1991 USHGA CALENDAR 12" X 12" Full color pictorial to the sport thal you love. Buy one for a friend! ................................................ $6.00 OTHER USHGA CALENDARS SPECIFY YEAR 1990 1989 1988 More Excellent Photography - collect them all! ............... $3.00 USHGA SCRAMBLE KNIT SWEATER by Nutmeg Mills Embroidered with Mtn. Glider emblem, 100% Collon, ·'Natural Color" SPECIFY TYPE: CREW NECK or VEE NECK and SIZE: SMALL MEDIUM LARGE X-LARGE .............................................. $39.95 USHGA MTN. GLIDER PULL-OVER JACKET 100% Supplex Colored top with black base. Pouch pockets. SPECIFY COLOR: GREEN YELLOW RED BLUE & SIZE: Small Medium Large X-Large ..................................... $29.95 USHGA LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT 100% Cotton "Simplistic'' Design SPECIFY COLOR: WHITE or GRAY & SIZE S M L XL ......... $16.95 USHGA MTN. GLIDER T-SHIRT White-100% colton. Our most popular shirl. SPECIFY SIZE S M L XL ................................... $10.95 USHGA YOUTH MTN. GLIDER T-SHIRT For those up and coming pilots. SPECIFY SIZE 8(6-8) M (10-12) L(14-16) ....... $9.95 USHGA NEON LOGO T-SHIRT 100% Collon Our beloved official logo, color revised of the 1990's. HOTI SPECIFY TYPE WHITE TANK TOP or BLACK T-SHIRT & SIZE Small Medium Large X-Large ............................................ $9.95 . USHGA MTN. GLIDER CAP Embroidered SPECIFY COLOR: RADICAL PINK WILD YELLOW NAVY WHITE ....................... $9.95 USHGA CORDUROY CAP Embroidered with ""Glider Trails" design SPECIFY COLOR: ROYAL BLUE OFF-WHITE ..................... $9.95 USHGA MTN. GLIDER SHORTS 100% Supplex. Neon and traditional colors. Side pockets, lining and drawstring. SPECIFY COLOR: PINK GREEN YELLOW RED BLUE & SIZE: Small Medium Large X-Large .......................... $13.95 USHGA "BARS" T-SHIRT Horizontal color bar across chesl. SPECIFY COLOR WHITE or YELLOW & SIZE: S M L XL ............... $8.95 USHGA EMBLEM BASEBALL CAP Foam white front, colored mesh back. SPECIFY COLOR: RED NAVY GOLD ORANGE .......... $5.00 USHGA LAPEL PIN Beautiful multi-colored Mtn. Glider design. Custom shaped pin w/ military clutch and epoxy dome ...................... $4.95 USHGA 1988 WORLD TEAM PIN Commemorating the world meet in Mt. Buffalo. AUSTRALIA....................... ................... $2.95 HANG GLIDING FOR THE BEGINNER PILOT by Pete Cheney The Official USHGA Training Manual. Over 200 pages ................. $29.95 H.G. MAGAZINE - Special New Pilot Edition Covering several aspects ie. equip .. instructors, log books, 1st solo, etc........... .. .... $4.50 PARAGLIDING FLIGHT -Walking on Air by Dennis Pagen Covering all aspects of Paragliding. Over 140 illustrations .................. $19.95 HANG GLIDING FL YING SKILLS by Dennis Pagen Our most popular book. For the beginner to intermediate pilot ......................... $9.95 HANG GLIDING TECHNIQUES by Dennis Pagen Continues where FL YING SKILLS left off. For intermediate to advanced .............. $7.50 FL YING CONDITIONS by Dennis Pagen Micrometeorology for t11e hang gliding pilot. Over 90 illustrations ....................................... $7.50 RIGHT STUFF FOR NEW HANG GLIDER PILOTS by Erik Fair Overview, humor, techniques and personalities ................................. $8.95 FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1991 Federal Regulations covering ALL types of aviation ......................................................... $8.95 USHGA INSTRUCTORS MANUAL Syllabus. informalion. teaching methods. flighl training maneuvers and procedures ...................... $5.00 HANG GLIDING MANUAL & LOG by Dan Poynter For the beginner, covering the basics in Rogal lo set-up and flight. ....................... $1.50 USHGA DELUXE LOG BOOK 72 pages. Covering pilot ID. ralings, rules. maintenance, inspection, terminology ... and more .............. $4.95 USHGA X-C LOG BOOK 64 pages. Very clean I For !hose who like to document their flight. ........ .................... $3.95 USHGA FLIGHT LOG BOOK 40 pages. The Official USHGA Flighl Log Book .................................................................................... $2.95

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(01/91)

TOW LINES

An Introduction by Bud Brown

Wi1ile thinking of the scarcity of information sources on towing techniques, an idea blossomed. Why not take advantage of the accumulated and hard-earned skills of the experienced tow pilots out there? Here's how. I' II start off with some basic instructional/ safety information for new tow pilots and winch owners, and act as a clearing house for reader contributions, publishing the best triecl-ancl-testecl tips with credit to the contributor. If you have questions send them to to my address. l' II get the answer for you and publish it in this column, if the question is a common one.

GETTING STARTED Obviously, new winch owners should attend a manufacturer's seminar if available. The next best option is to go to a local tow operation and ask for tips on mounting the winch and getting started safely. Our club willingly introduced a new winch owner to proper procedures because of the obvious advantages to all. Ditto on the new tow pilot. If you are interested in towing, pick an experienced tow operation with a good safety record. You should have good flying and landing skills, be thoroughly familiar with your glider's stall characteristics and have enough flying experience to be able to deal with the different flight characteristics experienced while under tow. At a minimum, the tow operation you have picked should show you the techniques and skills needed by each member of the tow crew, taking you along to witness several flights close up and spending sufficient time with you to explain what may be expected during the tow. As in all good instruction this information should be presented at the individual's learning rate, being careful not to "overload" the pilot with new information. Yawing, weak link failure and other out-of-

APRIL 1991

the-ordinary situations and recovery procedures should be covered. For the last topic this month, let's cover one of the most important pieces of equip-

"Why not take advantage of the accumulated and hard-earned skills of the experienced tow pilots out there? Here's how." ment. The weak link should be /Jreak-testecl to fail at approximately IG. Think of a Gas a measurement of weight, which includes the pilot and passenger, if any, all their flying gear and the glider. The breaking point of the weak link material can be adjusted by varying the number of turns made around the weak

link's steel rings. Test each configuration and remember to use the same steel rings for the test, as the diameter of the ring influences the breaking point. Just as a knot, or even a different knot, changes the breaking point, so does the radius of any bend in the weak leak affect the breaking strength, so make your test configuration exactly the same as the one with which you will fly. The diameter we're interested in is the diameter of the steel rod used to make the ring. Some tow operations are successfully using weak links with lower breaking strengths. Going to higher values, because weak link breakage is ''annoying," defeats the purpose and invites lockout and high stresses on equipment and pilot. While serving as Regional Director for the last two years I had the chance to meet some very experienced tow operators who shared the same goal-to help with the safe growth of towing. My own experience includes air-to-air with the Cosmos trike, ATOL and TLS truck towing plus towing with a Yarnell stationary winch. I've attended four truck towing seminars and belong to a local tow club. Together we can make the sport safe. See you next month. Buel Brown

29 Warren Ave Randolph, MA 02368

Sti:!CE" MT/, ROBERTS JNSTRUUENTS HAVE BEEN RECOGNfZED FOR THEIR SENSfiVITY AND QUICK RESPONSES. AND THAT'S WHAT COUNTS tu MARGINAL Co11omONS. OVER 6~0 PILOTS, UICLUDING FAMOUS HAM£S, FLY THEM. THEY SHDUL_!) !;~OW~-=- --

lift rate of a specific thermal (may also be a negative number-remember this equation works in any air) and Tis time. Now I realize that all this is quite a jump, but follow along with me; it'll work out right. Substituting everything, we have:

- Speed to Fly Maxin1izing Flight Tin1e

SLo/(Dn) = SpEcl(Upn)/(SnK)/(In+Lf)T Factoring across we end up with the final equation:

by Luss Rock, Ph.d., B.S., H.G.P.

[SLo/(Dn)][(In+Lf)T] = SpEd(Upn)/(SnK) In the December issue Chris Arai published an interesting article about the correct speeds to fly to increase the distance you travel when going cross-country or in a competition situation to reach a goal in the shortest period of time. Following that, in the February issue, Davis Straub gave us a slightly different slant on the same theme-how to maximize your glide under a specific set of conditions. Davis points out that over the long haul, the fastest pilot leaves himself little room for changing conditions and that a slight adjustment to the speed-to-fly formula keeps one moving along fine without minimizing one's altitude over the ground. All this data is good, but unfortunately it's only applicable to that small percentage of pilots among us who fly cross-country or compete in major competitions. The reality is that most of the rest of us have a different measure of success-airtime. Most pilots would like to stay up a little longeron those marginally soarable clays. It turns out that there is a formula to maximize one's flight time by adjusting one's speed to fly during differing conditions. It only takes some minor, although significant, adjustments to the equations that Chris and Davis published to get the right values for those of us who just want to stay up a little longer. The computations I had to make were in some cases rather lengthy, so I know that in showing the summaries and assumptions that follow I will lose a few of you. However, if you want all the calculations write me in care of the office and I'll send you all the data. The easiest place to start is with the equation that Chris published in the December issue: L/Dgncl = V/Si = V/(Ws+Wm)-h = e/(L/Dgncl) = e''(Ws+Wm)/V In his equation, L/Dgnd is the glide ratio over the ground, \I is airspeed, Si is sink rate as is Ws, Wm is minimum sink rate and e is the distance 34

covered. Now, the first thing we need to get rid of is e since we are no longer interested in distance. There arc a number of things we can substitute and it isn't critical since when we get to the final equation everything will reference vario readings. e could equal speed over a length of time (SL) times the amount of time (o) or it could equal speed over the ground (Sp) times the weight of the diver including pilot (Ed). Substituting, we change:

Hopefully someone will be able to take my math and turn it into a practical slide chart that can be mounted on the basetube. The important thing to remember is that varios differ from one another and once the readings are set to a particular vario they may not be accurate for a different vario, and should be reset each time you fly with a different vario. Hope you have a happy April.•

e/(L/Dgncl) = e(Ws+Wm)/V to SLo/(L/Dgnd) = SpEcl(Ws+Wm)/V To further simply the formula, we change L!Dgnd to Dn and just use the Drag calculation since we'll deal with lift elsewhere in the equation. We then have:

Landing Problems? Why not try the

SLo/(Dn) = SpEcl(Ws+Wm)/V Now we need to simplify the sink rate plus minimum sink rate part of the equation (Ws+Wm). Here we can substitute Upn or the pilot's equilibrium in any block of air. We also need to get rid of \I= airspeed since we already have it on the other side of the equation. We can substitute \I = SnK!(ln+LJ)T where Sn equals the glider's sink rate, K is the standard coefficient in any thermal airspace, In is the incidenceofthennals,Lfis the

• Simple •Reliable •Effective • Attaches to the back of your keel in seconds

HEAVYWEIGHT INDUSTRIES 47 Industrial Way, Cleveland, Ohio 44012 HANG GLIDING

One

of the many pleasures associated with being an instructor (whether in hang gliding or any other activity) is the opportunity that it presents for you to learn from your students. The Zen concept of instructor as student I student as instructor was never more completely actualized than during a lesson I gave in the spring of '85. It ,vas truly an uplifting experience that changed my entire conceptual approach to life and the sport of hang gliding, freeing me to soar to levels of aviation consciousness that I had never before even dreamed existed. I had arrived at Marina Beach almost an hour late (as usual) to find three cager yuppies anxiously looking around for anyone who might resemble their tardy instructor. I promptly relieved them of their $50 for the lesson. put them to work unloading the Seahawks and carrying them down the beach to the training dune, then looked around for student number four. Seeing no likely prospects, I resorted to repeatedly shouting, "Anyone here named Chi'sai?" A diminutive older fellow who had been sitting on the sand near the high tide mark rose and turned toward me. "I am Chi'sai. You must be Colin," he said in heavily accented English, ··Today we both will become as birds." We walked down the beach together as he spoke of his dreams of flying as a bird. He claimed to be unsure whether he was a man dreaming of being a bird, or a bird currently dreaming he was a man. He went on to relate a story he had heard while studying in the monastery in his youth. It seems there was a man named Leih Tzu who could ride the wind. "Among those who have attained happiness," he said, ·'such a man is rare. Yet although he was able to dispense with walking, he still had to depend on the wind, so his happiness was to that extent relative. But suppose there is one who chariots upon the nonna!ity of the universe, rides on the transmutation of the six elements, and thus makes excursion into the infinite? What has he to depend upon'7" "This fellow could be more fun than the usual types," l thought, as I returned his frequent and enthusiastic smiles. Much later I would come to realize how true his opening comment had been. After setting up the gliders and windsocks, I began the usual spiel about what we hoped to do that day, and how we would go about the lesson. Typical boring American macho reAPRIL 1991

The

Of Hang Gliding by Rev. Colin Perry sponses flowed from the first three, while Chi' sai would return with refreshingly unusual questions. ''How does the windsock know which way the wind blows?'' he asked, with a quizzical inflection more like a patient teacher asking a leading question of a slow student than as a student to instructor. My mind considered, but quickly rejected the standard responses describing the collective momentum of billions of air molecules per second impacting threads of cloth. This would not be the answer to satisfy this student. Seconds became minutes of silence as I considered an appropriate answer. "I guess it is just that the windsock flows in unison with the wind," I half answered and asked. "Do you mean that it becomes one with the wind 9 " he responded quickly. ''Yeah, I guess that's one way to look at it." I replied. "And is that not what we should do also. become one with the ll'incl':" Chi·sai queried. "But how ,vould one become one with the air'?" I asked. He smiled and replied, "But you already are! As you breath in the air, does not its essence mingle with your own·J The air is within you, part of you. as you are part of the air. Transcend the illusion that you and the air are separate entities." I just lay back on the sand looking out on the ocean, meditating on becoming truly one with the wind. The concept floated through my thoughts. bouncing sharply off all the Western

left-brained. rational scientific foundations of my psyche and settling in neatly in the long-donnant and neglected right-brained spiritual, artistic, intuitive synapses. I was engulfed by satori, metamorphosed into a reality in which the artificial boundaries between subject and object vaporized. Mumblings of bored discontent eventually interrupted my musing, and I returned to the business of instruction. The tone and style of the entire day had changed, as I incorporated a new set of metaphors and visualizations. I found myself saying things like 'Think light thoughts. Imagine yourself as a cloud, a bubble floating in the wind." As with any lesson, I would attempt to demonstrate what I was explaining. This proved to be most enlightening to me, as if I were experiencing flight for the first time. Hooking in and picking up the kite felt like slipping into an old pairof shoesa simple, comfortable action after which the feet and shoes cease to be considered as separate entities. I attempted to relate to my students the fundamental interconnectedness of all things, the "that" is also "this.'' Somehow they failed to comprehend how what I was saying had anything to do with flying. I eventually gave up trying to instruct that day; instead I just worked on unloading the old concepts and adjusting to my new-found holistic body-mind-glider-air consciousness. Although paying students were at that time rather scarce, I was never to regret the fact that none of the three I had that clay would again buy a lesson from me. As for Chi'sai. his instruction had forever changed my life. It was the lesson that I had learned that was the more important factor. In the following few weeks my relationship with my wing and with the air took on an intimate, symbiotic nature that has remained in place to this very day. To know the air is to become the air, to be the air, to enjoy breeze and gale. When this is done, the air speaks to me, and I "know" all its secrets, all its joys, all its sufferings, all the life vibrating within it. Not only that, along with my "knowledge" of the air I know all the secrets of the universe, including all the secrets of my own Self, which had been eluding my pursuit all my life so far because I had cliviclec! myself into a duality, the pursuer and the pursued, the object and the shadow. By knowing the air I know my Self, by losing my Self in the air I know my Self as well as the air. •

View to the northeast at Dry Canyon. The Dry Canyon launch is next to the bare rock outcropping on the al center. The International Space Hall of Fame is !he building near the Launch 2,400 feet above the LZ. Photo by Tommy West.

1 1

Robin would you like to start your summer vacation with some flying in a place where the air is clear, the natives arc l'ricndly, and the winds and thermals arc almost always soarahlc? lt'this sounds good, I hen come on out to southern New Mexico at the end of May for the National Fly-In. The Rio Grande Soaring Association will be sponsoring I he event this year in Alamogordo, New Mexico, as an extension or their annual Dry Canyon Fly.Jn. ll will be set up to accommodate more pilots, at more sites, for a few more days than their usual Memorial Day weekend gathering. Alamogordo is a city or 30,000 at the western base of the Sacramento Mountains; it large enough that dining, camping, acconm10·· dations and entertainment f'or visitors is no problem, and small enough to welcome a11 event of this stature. 'J'hc ChamhcrofCommcrcc is very supportive of the idea. Visitors can laimch at three main flying sites, ranging i11 height from 1,000 to 3,000 feet AG Land racing

June, and the !Iobbs Tow Meet in early July). Ir you're a competition pilot, or a recreational pilot who'd like to meet them, Alamogordo may just be the happening place for you at the end of May. Now, how do you get out there? Alamogordo is localed on U.S. Highway 70/.'i4 about 90 miles northeast of El Paso, Texas. Pilots who want to fly in for the Fly·ln can take a plane to El Paso and either rent a car or arrnnge (in advance, please!) to be picked up by one of the RGSA pilots. The first pilots meeting will take place at 9:00 AM on May 25th; the location will be the Dry Canyon landing zone in Alamogordo, about l /4 mile north of the Hall or Fame on Scenic Drive. The cost is $20.00 per pilot; the minimum rating to fly the sites is Hang II with mountain experience. So, come and enjoy some New Mexico sunshine and hospitality this surnmcr. We'll be glad to sec you! For more information, please contact: Robin Hastings (PR Chairman) P.O. Box 1374 Las Cruces, NM 88004 (505) 382-7446 QJ. Wilson

(:i05) 434--200 I

Dave Church (Fly-In Director)

(505)

Tommy West (RUSI\ Pres.)

(505) 434-1348

J ,ou Ciodman (RCiSJ\ Vice Pres.) (505) 434 .. ()()41 Dave Sharp (505) 434 5180

all directions from north through west to south. Within 90 minutes' drive is an cast.facing sill\ and a complex of training hills facing all dircc1io11s. Paraglidcrs as well as hang gliders can fly the sites, and there arc several good towing roads available. The <ll,scrt conditions produce good thermals, and the sites an, among the most consistent anywhere. For those times when you just can't stand another minutt, of airtime, there arc some interesting sights nearby, such as White Sands National Monument and the Space I Jail of Fame. and pools, if you want to beat There arc the heat, and a 30-minutc drive will take you up lo Cloudcroft and the l .incoln Nat ion al Forest -high and cool and green. The National Fly-In is scheduled to take to June 2. The time was place from May chosen for several reasons: it starts on a holiday conditions lend to be exweekend: the cellent then; and, it kicks off several flying events taking place in New Mexico around that time(a sanctioned meet in Albuquerque in mid-

RCS/\ member Parker Hobson (left) and Mike Reedy at the Dry Canyon launch. Alamogordo and White Sands National Monument arc in the background. View is to the southwest. Photo by Hobin

H/\NC CUDINC

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x .r•·••1

<ti<

-~rtttlct,co~e1~e1r~1~JaXs1\!~~rnl~ti~J«:i~tr~t~thft~~~ ~i~12· ¥id ter.rn cariceHatiohs are not :: q1ai111s y.,ill riofpe pr9tess;c1<t1n1ess you obtaifl anct p~ovid<!, ~f your:own experise, a th~ ¢omparii > ····· · ···· · · · ·· · · · · ··

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r understa!ld.this ·insurance willn()t reimburse me. fb{the thef(ofaccessories unless. stolen simultaneously with the entire airframe. and sail. •[further agree that the coscQfthis insuiance is fuHy eafhe4 and/that lam not entitled to a credit in the everiCI self dispose O[tlleideritified glider prior t6 Jhe expifati611 date oLmY certificate.. However, may replace my original gfidef with a differerit glider during the covernge period s9 lorig as a written noti~. is received by tn; 11nclef\Vriter prior to a covered lOss, I understand thatJ ltlUSl obtain anct forwafd to.the company a. legible COPY of the pertirient poffce report, at· my own expense,if I were tO file. claifo. 1 also understand ahd agree that coverage will he in effect on. the firs( day of the month following approval of the applicatiot}bY the underwriter.

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trend over the last few years in gliding has seemed lo be 10ward complexity, streamlining and a "high tech" look. involved in tl1G sport and watching tlw trend, it was a hit of a shock to me when I saw the first A VSJ\C. immediate reaction was ,"ls that it? I mean, all of it'!" Stil I in the prototype stages, this first A VS/\C seemed lo he made or a of cloth with a minimum or padding or, well, anything. I was certain it couldn't he comfortable, warm or even strong. Over the next few months I was proven quite wrong, and I've enjoyed watching this harness grow from a concept to a marketabk prnduc1. This Pilot Al'Rfl 1991

is an evaluation or the finished version

or the/\ VS/\(:.

I .c'.t me point out that the designer of the harness and the owner or [,light Gear is a good friend of mine, so I am very familiar with his lrnrness. l' II try not to allow our friendship lo cloud the trnth, but lake any cxtrnme comments with a grain of salt. I am stating my opinions, which arc a reflection of my own personal likes and dislikes. pilot has a different set of requirements for any piece of equipment, and may or may 1101 agree with anything I might have to say. As far as "qualified" to evaluate: a harness, I have logged hours in

nearly every current harness rrom knee hangers to cocoons, from a spaghetti to a CG· I 000. (Being involved in the industry full ·lime, I get to play with lots or toys.) My current personal harness is a modified Wills

The The A VS/\C was designed to fill the following needs: I.ow cost Si111plicity Light weight Convenience Suitability ror a wide range of pilot skills

,1J

The front-entry, dual zipper design uses a certified buckle al !he chest and on the legs !ha! has no moving parts.

l,ow Cosl To achieve 1his, lhc harness is 1101 padded any· where hut on the shoulders, and has a boot "plate" ra1her than a stirrup. It is ordered with a long list ofrncasmemcnts 10 he form-fit ling and fits 1he body snugly. The shoulder pacls are quite thick and do not promote fatigue. The one· piece main body or the harness keeps produc·· tion time to a minimum, lowering the re1ail cost accordingly. The harness comes BRS-ready wi1h no sewing needed, avoiding additional charges for harness modifications. The Second Chanlz Pocke1 Rocket has also been mmmted on an A VSAC. Suggested re1ail price without options is under $400.

The fronH~ntry dual zipper design incorporates a Gutesiegcl-approved buckle system at lite clws\ and on the legs \ha\ has literally nu moving

The harness lines are similar to those on a staiHfard cocoon. The harness also sports an optional backpack.

parts. Thi~ flat profile of these buckles lends a clean look lo the harness, and their unique nr,Nat,nn allows lhc harness lo he put on like a jacket. The harness can be hooked into the glider f'or a thorough preflight, then the pilot slips his arms through the shoulder straps, buckles the leg slraps, zips the top zipper down and attaches lhc front buckles. The lack or moving parts on these buckles al lows this entire operation to be done with gloves Oil, ii' desired. The harness lines are similar to the ar· rangement on a standard cocoon harness, at· !aching to a webbing struc1tffe lha1 surrounds the pilot completely. This webbing is hidden within the side panels or the harness and has conl'used some pilots in the past, since it looks like the pilot is supported only by the cloth!

Due to 1hc lack of padding 011 all but the shoul

der straps am! use of lightweight hardware, !he harness weighs bc1ween six and ten pounds, depending on its size and options. The harness flown f'or this rcpor1 was of' a medium size with all available options inclmbl, and weighed just over nine pounds wi1hout the parachute. Flight Gear actually produced a "super light" version, with lightweight cordura and no options, that weighed in al an impressive 4.5 pounds, consid· erably less than the parachute that was in it! Convenience The jacket-style front entry is a reature that makes gelling in and out or the A VSAC' easier than nearly any other harness available. Optional backpack and extrn stornge arc available at reasonable cost, though the backpack is a llC· cessity in my opinion. There was adequate room in the backpack for instruments, parachute, rocket deployment sys1cm and helmet ( even my (co11lilHW', ... )

IIANC Gl.lD!NC

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FASCINATION IN PERFECTION

full-face which is quite bulky). For the training hill, the boot clips up out of the way for ground handling and can be clipped up for training flights if desired. The A VSAC has been used for primary training, although this was not its original purpose.

Suitability For a Wide Range of Pilot Skill As mentioned above, the A VSAC has been used on the training hill as well as in the mountains and seems quite versatile. Although the drag profile is similar to a cocoon, both the Torrey Windsprints and Monterey Bay Steeplechase were won in A VSACs last year, so the drag seems to be within acceptable parameters! Novice pilots new to soaring enjoy the simplicity and light weight, while the X-C enthusiast will want the optional storage space, adequate for glider bag, food, water and plenty of "stuff." The cordura that forms the body of the harness is an efficient windbreaker, but the lack of insulation allows the pilol to become chilled more quickly than insulated designs. If high and far is your thing, extra clothing will be a necessity. I have been cold in this harness, though I can blame some of that on my lack of preparedness. The side-mount parachute container is easy to get to and easy to pack the chute into. Designed in cooperation with BRS, the grommets and routing sheath for the cordless rocket are already

attached for the advanced pilot wanting the added insurance of ballistic deployment. The pilot buying a new harness has several considerations which affect his decision, besides Lhe price. At a minimum these include: • Comfort • Launching characteristics • Ease of entry • Landing characteristics • Appearance (admit it, this makes a difference) • Operation of hardware

allows a strong launch while the routing of the rear lines pulls the boot clear of your feet as the glider lifts, and keeps the "stumble factor" to zero, even when the harness is loaded down with bags and gear. (It should be mentioned that I launch with a tight hang strap, picking the glider up a bit before I start my run. If the glider is sitting low on a pilot's shoulders, then any pod boot will encl up in the way.) Other harnesses I've launched with a full load sometimes constricted my legs, especially during the first few steps of a no-wind launch. Flat slope nowinders were simple in the A VSAC, with minimal tendency to push the pilot prone as the glider lifted (another of my pet gripes).

Comfort Despite the lack of heavy padding, the AVSAC Ease of Entry is quite cozy in flight. Due to the form-fitting T outlined the actual donning of the harness shape and the side-mounted parachute, the feel earlier. What I am referring to is the entry into of bulk from the chute and storage areas that the harness after launch. The routing of the lines many harnesses display is completely absent. If pulls the rear of the boot upward slightly, forctwin chutes are used, or the spare side pocket is ing the pilot to bend one knee up to get the first packed completely full, you can feel a little "squeezed" immediately after takeoff, but the foot in the boot. This becomes simple after the first couple oflaunches, but is a bit odd the very flexibility of the harness molds the bulk after a first time. I never actually found myself reachfew minutes. If an A VSAC is ordered without giving ing for the boot, it was just in a different place true measurements, the addition of a jacket or than I expected it to be! The doors are held open very nicely for your feet. flight suit can really make things tight, so customers are urged to be honest about their waistLanding Characteristics lines. As mentioned earlier, wann clothing is The pilot can come nearly completely upright, suggested for extreme cold. much as in a cocoon. Proper adjustment of the As is the case with many of today's pods, the A VSAC is considerably more comfortable with the zipper shut ~~ than without. It's not terribly uncomfortable with the leg "doors" open, but the area around the waist can become fatigued if a pilot flies for an extended period this way. With the zipper closed it feels like a second skin. Moving around inside the harness once the doors are closed is difficult, but I never found it necessary. For the gonzo pilot, the A VSAC is one of the few pods that will allow you to pull your knees up close to your chest (if you 're really into that placard-exceeding sort of thing).

Launching Characteristics

"I don't like the looks of these clouds."

The A VSAC shines during the launch run, and it is in this area that I consider this harness to be superior to most l 've tried. The light weight and lack of stiff padding

"All right! ... 95 miles, 8000 feet and a tailwind ... nothing can stop me this time!" HANG Gumi\:G

leg straps is necessary though. If they are too tight, they can stop you at 45 degrees or so (while making the male of the species incredibly uncomfortable) which can be a problem for first-time mountain flights. Adjustability of the leg straps is a very nice feature, but must be done properly.

Appearance The harness is very clean in the air, especially with the pockets full, and has attractive lines to it. A wide range of colors is available and flight Gear enjoys ideas on custom work. A very nice looking piece of equipment. Operation of Hardware The buckles may take some getting used to, but work simply and easily. To pilots who are accustomed to overbuilt beefy equipment, they may appear flimsy, but they are becoming the standard in Europe and have the good graces of the German government. They have no moving parts to go bad and offer a clean profile to your

chest if you have an unexpected meeting with a hard surface. The zipper system is simple and works very smoothly, though you must have your legs straight and push on the boot to close oropen the zipper without the harness bunching up. The bungee that holds the string out of the way is a nice feature, but must be the proper length: too long and the string can get tangled in your feet when you enter the boot (though not during the launch run), too short and it can actually pull the zipper open a little, causing a nasty draft in a sensitive area. This adjustment was off a little on one of the A VSACs that I flew, but was easily fixed. A nice detail is the routing of the closing string. It passes through a closed grommet instead of a ring or thimble, which is the best way to minimize wear on the closing string that I've seen. The latest A VSAC that I flew had a zipper system that worked very well and could be operated quickly. If the worst happens to you, there is a velcro ·'blow out" for the zipper with a small

Hang Gliding Lesson #1 Fly hard, fly safe, fly with High Energy Sports To reduce risk of bodily injury or death while hang gliding you need a complete safety system. From your glider to your hang straps you need to know you have the best system for you. We at High Energy Sports specialize in harness-parachute systems designed for the worst circumstances.

COCCOONS, PODS, PARACHUTES, etc. • Flat Circular Solid Gore Construction • Vent Cap Covering Apex Hole • 1/2" Tublar Nylon Reinforcement At Apex • All Seams Reinforced With Type III Webbing • V-Tabs At Each Line Attachment • Type XVIII Bridle FAX (714) 972-1430 • Parachute Safety Lock System • Continuous Webbing Sewn With Five Corel 'Thread • Each Harness Custom Sized • Safety Back Strap • Adjustable Padded Leg Straps • Two-Week Delivery • Custom Options • Your Choice Of Colors

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handle to help get it started. I couldn't grasp this handle with heavy gloves, but if you need it you should discover that fact with sufficient al titucle to get it to work with lots of time to spare. Once started with the handle the velcro opens cleanly and completely. To sum it up, my experience with the A VSAC was a pleasant one. Jeff Williamson has filled a niche with his design, offering a reasonably priced alternative that is versatile enough to please a broad range of needs. The simplicity and light weight are a welcome departure from the specialization and complexity that has become all too common. My wife currently flies an A VSAC and enjoys it at both coastal and mountain sites, and l wouldn't be doing myself any disservice by purchasing my next harness from Flight Gear.•

Flight Gear may be con/acted at: 1083 1vladiso11 Lone, Salinas. CA 93907 (408) 758-4926.

~Ed.

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Airspeed Indicator with Long Bracket

Airspeed Indicator ..... ___ $23.50 Long Bracket . .. .. $7.00 Foreign & C.O.D. orders add $2.00

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-., 11'

May 12th- 18th RIDGE SOARING CAMP phoro by Mike Helms

Attend our Ridge Soaring Camp this spring and MASTER the art of ridge soaring! Come to Marina Beach where spring conditions are soarable virtually every day. Learn how the pro pilots can consistently turn times of 20 minutes over 12 miles of ridge in the Monterey Bay Steeple Chase. If floating is your thing, then be at the top of the stack after discovering the art of Minimum Sink Flying. You ' II spend a full week-seven days-attending theory sessions in the mornings and flying every afternoon. YOU WILL LEARN RIDGE SOARING FROM THE GROUND UP! The school is located right at the site so there is no hassle. Your glider is set up and tied down right outside the door waiting! Guaranteed to improve your skills for any ridge soaring site! Here is what the course covers: • BASIC RIDGE SOARING • WIRE LAUNCHES • RIDGE RULES (flying comfortably in traffic) • CROSSING GAPS • TOP LANDINGS • MINIMUM SINK FL YING • RIDGE RACING • PARACHUTE CLINIC COST - $595.00 (glider rental add $350.00) COST (less accommodations)- $495.00 (reservations prepaid in advance) **Current USHGA Novice rating minimum required.

WESTERN HANG GLIDERS (408) 384-2622

The camp also includes motel accommodations (with hot tub!), supplemental tandem instruction(] 75-pound weight restriction), and glider storage. For more details and reservations, call.

P.O. Box 828, Marina, CA 93933 USHGA CERTIFIED SCHOOL

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Don't miss the latest issue by failing to notify USHGA of your change of address! NAME._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ USHGA#_ _ __ OLD ADDRESS_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~ CITY_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _STATE_ _ZIP_ _ NEW ADDRESS_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ CITY_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _STATE___ZIP_ __ Last Issue Received_ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Notify USHGA Early! Please Note: You must notify your post office that you will pay forwarding postage on your second class mail or you may miss an issue.

Gods love a "So wro1c Plalo over 2JOO years ago. Ir this is true, the Gods must he ovcrcoml: with mirlh every time we bumbling humans pmticip,Hc in a vain quest to emulate Ille birds. Oh, we soar on outstrclcliccl wings and etch our wake 011 lhc vauli or the sky a\ times, hut loo often we simply fly around in circles or slide: clown a gravity incline. But damn it, we try. New tricks, tccl111iques and 1cclrnology consta11tly gnaw at the folters that hind us 10 1hc earth. lt is in 1hc spirit or freedom that we offer this present dcsullory discourse on matters hang gliding. Pe:rhaps someday the Ciods will turn around and there we'll be, back at them on their Olympian transported by our constant striving to transcend om munclm1c exis1enee by taking to 1hc sky.

THE WET LOOK We don 'I often go in 1hc min, bnt lhosc, or us living on the East Coast and those who rly near thunderstorms occnsionally get caught under umbrellas. This can have a s11r ons111,1: c11c:ct in the air, especially if your leading edge is surfcoal or any other variation or mylar. The rain beads up on these surfaces and disrupts the air flow. On plain dacron lcading edges this is not the case because the dropkls lend to soak in or spread out more readily. The main result or water !wads on the kading edge'. is greatly allercd stall behavior or your glider. Under these conditions you will no longer be able lo slow 10 minimum sink. This will hurt your soaring ability am! may result i11 APR]/

1991

an imminent landing. 'The landing is the bad part since your stall speed is much higher- as much as rive miles per hour. On one m;c,1sion in Austria I Janckd in a heavy shower with gusls thrown in lo make; matters I round that hy diving radically I could blow some of the rain oil the edge and restore some of the normal behavior of my glider. Of course, this is not useful when you arc trying to stay up ,md not n:commcmled when close to the ground, but ii docs point oul an option. The Cirsl lime this occurs you'll be as nervous as a blind alligator wn:stlcr ,\s you set up your landing, but treat ii like a downwind landing (no problem. right?) and don't try to reduce your (or airspeed) as much as you would normally. Remember 1li;1t yo111· glider will give you the same feedback signals telling you when to flare. Wi1h a lillle luck you' II also have some hcadwincl

CHARMIN THERMALS l\ technique which may no! be ecologically

sound bul which works very well is to release a of toilet paper when you enter a thermal. This paper seems to have about the same sink rate as a glider so it climbs right along with you and marks the core or those long snaky tlwrmals that change directions. This lcchniqrn, originated 0111 West, hut works elsewhere as well. l recall circling a toikt paper slrcanH,r many limes with thick gaggles in Bn11.il, as c:1ch pilot tried lo oulclimb the slrcamcr. The paper seems to remain in the core:

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very effectively. If you do resort to such tactics, be sure to use biodegradable products.

BLOWN POCKET BLUES A common form of glider stress is a blown batten pocket. This is a rip in the pocket clue to wear, and usually occurs just behind the high point of the sail (where the friction is greatest during setup or breakdown) or at the front. A blown pocket is as annoying as a disco bagpiper in an elevator, so you can greatly reduce your aggravation quotient by making sure your sail is slack when you pull or stuff battens. Perform these rituals grnt!y and loft the sail up, then down as you push or pull to lift tl1e front portion of the sail and ease the passage of the batten. It's a real chore to remove a sail from a frame to have it sewn-believe me, I've perfom1ecl the act-but fortunately you can repair a batten pocket yourself by hand with the glider intact. To do this, open the glider as wide as necessary on a clean floor and crawl inside through the center opening, or use one of the zipper openings to access the problem area. On some gliders it is easy to remove a leading edge encl and invert the sail inside, pulling it through the center opening to get at a tip pocket. To make the repair you need some scrap clacron (the thicker the better), a needle (large size) and some dacron thread. Most dealers have scraps of dacron lying around (ancient gliders) and dental floss works great for the thread. Cut a piece of dacron large enough to extend at least an inch on either side of the tear and sew it in the manner shown in figure I. Here an overhand stitch is used to sew all edges of the patch as well as the original rip. If the batten pocket is ripped on the end, an overlay patch can be sewn on as shown in the

/\/0:SE.

simply wish the manufacturers would make a non-speec!bump nosecone. Such a design is easy to achieve with three longitudinal velcro seams as shown in the figure. You wouldn't lose this one either.

figure. Here it is necessary to use several layers of material or very thick material to handle the high forces encountered at this point. Use a straight tube or dowel in the pocket to help you avoid sewing both sides of the pocket togetherthe ultimate aggravation.

GLIDER MODS We normally don't think of customizing our gliders beyond choosing the hot colors of the year, for they are mostly sacrosanct packages hermetically scaled by the HOMA. However, there are a few things we can do to make life easier or even enhance safety and performance. Here are a few I use. Sensor Nosecone Most nosecones hide all that ugly hardware up front that catch the wind, but they leave a big ledge to trip the airflow where they velcro on at the top. This is not friendly to performance so the Sensor solves this by moving the velcro tabs forward so you can roll the mylar clown at the rear (see figure 2) to afford more streamlining. You have to clo this yourself on the Sensor, but most other gliders do not allow it since the velcro is at the very back of the nosecone. Rich Pfeiffer used to tape his nosecone clown to fair it in before every competition flight. This is too much hassle for me and I

WW-AT \IC and Defined Tip The defined tip on the AT is very functional, with a spring ball that clicks into a support tube to hold the defined tip in place. Sometimes this ball does not protrude enough to hold the tip and it is difficult or impossible to feel the security "click" of a positive seating of the ball. A simple fix is to remove one of the two washers that back the spring mechanism (see figure 3) thereby allowing the ball to protrude a bit more. The VG lever on the HP-AT has as many settings as you want, as long as you like on or off. As a confirmed VG fiddler, I like more options so I've added a line to the lever that allows me to set it anywhere I want. As shown in figure 4, this line has a jam fitting like that used on tent ropes so it can be adjusted infinitely and changed in flight. I usually take off and thermal with the VG half on, clash between thermals with it full on and release it totally for landing. Incidentally, it is very easy to crank it to full on when it is held half erect. The jam fitting is made from an old halfinch batten plug of strong plastic. I tried wood dowel but it didn't withstand the stress. You can use drilled aluminum rod or a dowel driven inside a piece of tubing (bevel the edges to prevent wear). I have used both clacron leech line and perlon rope on two different gliders and they work fine. A simple !lick of the finger takes the VG off, while pulling more on in flight requires a bit more strength. I've used this system for a year and swear by it. HANG GLIDING

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MORE MODS These touch ups can be performed on any glider. Try them once and you'll be converted. The first item is for setting up. All those pesky control bar bolts with wing nuts are frustratin2: if you have fumble fingers from the cold or ar~ in a hurry. They are sometimes hard to thread and like to drop into tall grass. A trick we learned in the ancient days of flying. when every gl icier had wing bolts with wing nuts. is to bevel the encl of the bolt on a grinding wheel as shown in figure 5. Just a thread or two is all that ·s required and you '11 be surprised how easily the nut just spins on. A better fix in my view is to throw away

ArmL 1991

F/GU!<.E 6

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those control bar bolts entirely and use a PIP pin. American manufacturers use bolts mainly because of liability. Dirt rnn jam the PIP pin mechanism and let it fall out or be pulled out bv brush (it has happened), however, every Eur;pean glider comes equipped with PIP pins and the Europeans are still around to beat us on many occasions. The cure for PIP pin paranoia is to use a PIP pin as I do with a safety pin in the end (see figure 6). This is the only pin I've ever seen like this and I love it so much that it goes with me from glider to glider. You can make your own, however, by drilling the end of a PIP pin with a carbide drill. A good source of PIP pins is aircraft supply

MOUNTAINEER TRIKES Manufacturing single and .two-place tril<es. Can be fitted to a~y mo¢ified hang . glider wing.

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PILOTS HUGE DISCOUNTS!!! PARACHUTES NAS 18 ft. - 200 lb ........... $300 NAS 22 ft. - 300 lb ........... $350 EDEL PDA 18 GORE for paragliding ...................... $360 FREE HARNESS AND BAG WITH PARAGLIDER EDEL A ER O's ...................... $2400 EDEL CORVETTE's ............. $2600 EDEL MUST AN G's ............... $2800 TANDEM XL 36 .................... $2900 ROUND PARASAJL .............. $2100 HELMETS (ALL D.0.T. approved) SHORTIE LT ................... $55ea. ROMER STYLE .............. $105 BELL SOARING ................... $110 (NEON AND STANDARD COLORS AVAILABLE ON ALL HELMETS) MISC. STEEL BINERS (2 min.) . $14.80 NAS VARIO/ALT ............. $350 All major credit cars. Same day shipping. COLORADO HANG GLIDING (303) 278-9566 since 1972

""--~~~~~~~~--~ 49

houses. Try looking in the ads in Ultralight Flying! magazine. Finally, I wish to mention what I consider to be the perfect basetube dressing (I know I've harped on this before, but some manufacturers arc still sending out brazenly bare bars). Even if you fly with belly bars and thennal mitts you'll be amazed at how much less fatiguing a good grip is. My grip of choice is made from SafetyWalk® by 3M company. It is identified as 7739 anti-slip roll, medium duty, gray (the black stuff is too abrasive, the white stuff is too slippery). You can find it at your hardware store, or have them put in an order. I like it so much I bought a whole roll to secure my future. Wrap this around your bar and you'll never be whiteknuckling it again.

ticles on all aspects of intermediate and advanced flight by the movers and shakers of the international "high" society. Just the column "Icaristics" by British team member Bruce Goldsmith is worth the subscription price. Here's how to get it: send$30.00to:CrossCou11try752 Casiano Dr. #B, Santa Barbara, CA USA 93105, or Cross Co11111ry, 1 Rue de la Petite Fin, 21121 Fontaine-Les-Dijon, France. You can ask for the English, French or German edition. The magazine is printed every two months.

ERATO'S ANATHEMA More than 200 years ago Horace Walpole wrote: "Life is a comedy to those who think, a tragedy to those who feel." He's probably right, and perhaps the best balance is to think and feel without letting either posture dominate our behavior. But lord knows we have enough tragedy with recessions, Gulf wars, deficits and AIDS. So we fly to somehow rise above our daily cares. We do this for fun. And we maintain a

A GREAT READ In my opinion, the best source of information on what's happening in the world of sport flying is Cross Country magazine. There are great ar-

tradition of ending Wing Tips with a light touch. This time we offer a poem by the popular Roman writer, A. Nonymus:

Them Damn Birds by A. Nonymus Them damn birds, they fly with ease. Ninety-mile-an-hour right through the trees. When they don't find lift they just flap and glide, Them damn birds is got too much pride. Them damn birds, they sure cover ground, They don't set up and they don't break down. They clan 't wear helmets and they clan 't get rated, Them damn birds got me so frustrated. Them damn birds with their feathers stuck tight, They fly all clay then they sing all night. They don't stuff battens and they don't climb a hill, Them damn birds is making me ill. I've had my say but before I quit, There's one small item I must admit: If I could wrangle a way to do it, I'd be a damn bird. that's all there is to it!

IMPROVE YOUR FLYING! Learn the secrets of the pros from hang gliding's most widely read author.

Hang GIi ding Books by Dennis Pagen • Hang Gliding Flying Skills-Details on: Beginning to intermediate training * troubleshooting takeoffs * Landing problems * Selecting equipment * Glider Traffic rules * complete index and much more! $9.95 maintenance * learning lo soar

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• Hang Gliding Techniques-For the novice to advanced pilot, this book continues the learning that began with Flying Skills. *Learn about thermal soaring-A full 31 pages on thermal techniques will have you soaring like an ace * Learn about speeds to fly Learn about cross·country flying * Perfecting turns Handling turbulence FlyinQ, at altitude * Using ridge lift Design concepts * Parachutes * Performance tuning * Cardinal speeds * Harness Competition and much more! $6.95. adjustment

• Paragliding Flight-The most complete book available on the newest aviation sport * Learn to fly from ground zero to thermal soaring * Over 140 photos and illustra208 pages. $19.95. tions

ALSO AVAILABLE •POWERED ULTRALIGHT FLYING Powered Ultralighl Flying will answer your questions and improve your flying. This book is written for beginners to advanced pilots with over 125 photos and drawings to clearly illustrate even the more complex subjects. All our books are written from an ultralight pilot's point of view so you get the facts you need, not rehashed informa· tion from general aviation.

• POWERED ULTRALIGHT TRAINING COURSE This is the only training course written by an ultralight instructor. Twenty lessons and related groundschools make this an ideal text for self-teaching and training school (dual and single place). Learn to fly safely in a carefully designed step·by·step manner. This manual is used by safety conscious schools internationally.

* * DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED** isEND CHECK OR CASH TO: SPORT AVIATION PUBLICATIONS P.O. Box 101 [ MINGOVILLE, PA 16856 Please rush me the books listed below: QUANTITY D Flying Conditions ......... $6.95 D Hang Gliding Flying Skills .. $9.95 D Hang Gliding Techniques ... $6.95 D Powered Ultralight Flying .. $11.95 D Powered UL Training Course $9.95 D Paragliding Flight ........ $19.95 j Save 10% order lwo or more books! Save-First five books for only 38.95! Total amount for all books$ Postage and Handling _ _ _ _$1.60 Overseas airmail if desired ($5.00/book) TOTAL ENCLOSED SEND TO (Please Print) NAME ADDRESS CITY,STAT~-------COUNTRY/ZIP

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RIGHT STUFF FOR NEW HANG GLIDER PILOTS by Erik Fair Reprints from Hang Gliding magazine. Light humor, overviews, techniques and personalities of our sport. Very fun to read!

$8.95

F.A.R. (not shown) FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS covering ALL types of aviation.

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HANG GLIDING FL YING SKILLS by Dennis Pagen

WALKING ON AIR PARAGLIDING by Dennis Pagen

HANG GLIDING FOR BEGINNER PILOTS by Peter Cheney

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USHGA REPORTS

Codeless 2-Meter License by Dave Seaberg N6VTA

~1is past year has seen an abundance of articles on communication equipment. These articles range from the pros and cons of different radios to the latest and greatest hightech accessories. One aspect of using radios, however, has been skirted for the past few years: how to acquire the necessary license to operate the equipment legally. USHGA and the Communications Committee made landmark progress when they petitioned for and received from the FCC, three business band frequencies for our use. The only license required was an authorization obtained through your local observer and printed on your rating card. This allowed hang glider pilots access to clear communications in the FM bands. However, when flying near metropolitan areas the congestion and overuse which occurs on these business frequencies produces an intolerable amount of interference. This interference forced resourceful pilots to find other frequency spectrums that were less cluttered. The Amateur Radio (HAM) 2meter bands offered the largest and most logical choice. The problem now is that it takes a Technician Class Amateur Radio License to operate legally on these frequencies. To earn a Technician License it is necessary to pass two written examinations on theory and practice of Amateur Radio. This has not proven to be much of a problem for the average hang glider pilot. The stumbling block in the process is the requirement to know and understand Morse code at five words per minute (YUCK). Morse code is basically a new language and as such has proven difficult for a large percentage of the pilot population. When you consider that \.Ve will not actively use Morse on the 2-meter bands it seems even more trivial and needless. Believe it or not a government bureaucracy has come to our rescue. APRIL 1991

For the first time in the history of HAM radio it is no longer necessary to pass a code test to earn your Technicians License. The FCC modified their requirements to allow easier access to the HAM bands. Here are the FCC's new Codeless Technician License requirement changes as they affect hang glider pilots: l) Morse code is dropped from the Technician Class requirements. 2) New Techs will have all voice operating privileges above 30 MHZ (2-meter starts at 144 lvlHZ). 3) The written examinations remain the same. You must pass Element 2 (Novice) and Element 3A (Technician) written exams. 4) Current Novice Class License is retained without modification for those persons willing to pass a Morse code test. What this means to you as a pilot or driver is that you now have access to another set of frequencies for a minimal amount of work, and you don't have to learn Morse code. I have found being a member of the

Amateur Radio group to be a fantastic asset. There is a large population of HAM operators throughout the country. HAM's are a great group of people willing to offer their help in a wide variety of areas. In my experience they have helped in everything from finding radio parts to locating lost or injured pilots and securing their timely retrieval. They have even volunteered to drive on occasion. But the most amazing and useful part of HAM radio to me is the network of repeaters this group has for long range communications. In addition to retransmitting your signal with greater power over a larger area, they have a number of interesting features. Some of these features include access to the phone system, known as autopatch. and the ability to attach an anemometer with voice output. The uses for Amateur Radio are almost unlimited. To inquire about who does the testing and where, contact your local FCC representative or an Amateur Radio Relay League Volunteer Examiner. There is a large number of study guides available to help you prepare for the exams. These books contain all the theory and practical knowledge necessary. Most books also have the entire pool of questions and answers which are used by the Volunteer Examiners in the testing process. So if you are looking for an uncluttered set of frequencies to use in your flying, or if you want to augment what you already have in the business bands, then check out the 2-meter band by earning your Technician Class Amateur radio license. •

Flying In Yoselllite Update by Gregg Lawless Rr those of you who have been waiting for the reopening of the Glacier Point launch site in Yosemite National Park, you may not have much longer to wait. The first official meeting of the newly formed Yosemite Hang Gliding Association was held on February 9th at the home of Russ Locke. The following issues were discussed and resolved at this meeting.

SITE MONITORS It was decided that the YHGA needed to establish a clear set of minimum requirements for site monitors whose responsibility it will be to coordinate all flying from Glacier Point. The requirements for monitor candidates at this point in time are as follows: 1. Must posses a current Reel Cross Standard (continues ... ) First Aid certificate.

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USHGA REPORTS 2. Must hold a USHGA Advanced pilot rating. 3. Must have completed a minimum of four launches from Glacier Point. 4. Must be recommended for the position of site monitor by a minimum of two other YHGA members. 5. Must satisfactorily complete a YHGA site monitor training course.

FINANCES In order for the YHGA to get Glacier Point reopened, it will have to incur significant (initial estimates are approximately $800 $ l ,000) start-up costs. These costs include but are not limited to: the purchase of a radio with which monitors can communicate to the fire dispatch office in the Park, site insurance, telephone reservation costs, first aid kit, printing of various forms and other miscellaneous costs. A letter has been sent out to the major clubs, manufacturers and schools within California and Nevada requesting contributions to this fund. Those individuals, clubs and businesses who have contributed/ committed to this start-up fund as of this writing are listed below: Ken Brown Wills Wing Ernie Reguly Fellow Feathers Marin County Hang Gliding Association Wings of Rogallo A special THANKS goes out to members of the Wings of Rogallo, who passed the hat at their February meeting and collected $127. This amount was in turn matched by the club treasury for a total contribution of $254, the largest contribution to elate. Day use fees were set at $5. Of the $5 day use fee, $3 will be donated to the Yosemite National Park Rescue Fund. The balance will be retained by the club to cover day-to-clay operating costs. Additionally, membership clues were established at $5 per year to cover the cost of publishing a newsletter twice a year, once just prior to the start of the Yosemite flying season and once at the end, and other operating costs not covered by the monies collected from clay use fees. Membership fees are now being accepted for anyone wishing to join the

Association. Checks should be made payable to YHGA and should be mailed to 9801 Via Caceres, San Diego, CA 92129.

SCHEDULING Glacier Point will be open to flying only when a site monitor is present. No fonnal schedule has been set at this writing. However, we do anticipate having monitors available for every weekend between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend inclusive. Some weekdays may be open for flying assuming monitors are available. Pilots wishing to fly Glacier Point will be required to make a reservation through the USHGA headquarters office on a first-come first-served basis. A schedule of when monitors will be available will be maintained by the USHGA office. Reservations will not be accepted by the office prior to May 6th. The first monitor training is tentatively scheduled for a weekend in early to mid May. If you are interested in becoming a site monitor you will need to contact Gregg Lawless at (619) 566-4686 and let him know of your interest and that you can attend this initial training.

OFFICERS Club officers were solicited at this initial meeting. Since the most responsibility will be placed on the Treasurer we started with that position. With no volunteers, we decided to let those present go out into the populace with the goal of finding a good money and paperwork manager. As is always the case, one brave soul stepped forward after some deep soul searching to take on the task. Ron Travali will be the YHGA treasurer and other officers will be named at a later elate. Thanks, Ron.

PERMIT PROCESS A proposed site management plan was submitted to Yosemite's Chief Ranger on December I, 1990. The Chief Ranger has reviewed this proposal and has forwarded it to the Park's risk management group for further review. All indications at this point suggest that we should receive a special use permit by the first of April. Once approved, the YHGA will be faced with the unique challenge of managing hang gliding activities at a National Park. •

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HANG GLIDING

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Hang Gliding! Paragliding! See What The United States Hang Gliding Association Can Do For You! ·~ , l

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Your Membersh ip in the United States Hang Gliding Association entitles you to:

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A 12-monthsubscription toHangG liding magazineor Paragliding, Th e Magazine beginning with the next issue Liability insurance and property damage insurance Membership voting privileges The new, revised edition of the USHGA Handbook Pilot Proficiency Program ratings Lilienthal awards and flight achievement awards

Additionally, you will be eligible to apply for any of the following special programs: • Theft of glider insurance • Participant accident insurance • USHGA' s VISA Gold card • USHGA expanded merchandise program Your membership also helps support: • USHGA instructor certification programs • USHGA membership development programs • USHGA administrative operations • USHGA special projects and events Contact us at the address, phone or FAX below for membership information.

UNITED STATES HANG GLIDING ASS O CIATIO N, INC. • P.O . Box 8300 • Colorado Springs • Colorado• 80933 (719) 632-8300 or FAX (719) 632-6417

BAU VARIOMEJERS INC. 6595 ODELL PL, SUITE C, BOULDER, CO 80301 (303) 530-4940 MODEL651 VARIO/AUDIO/ DIGITAL ALTIMETER $530

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Internatwna{ Magazine of Jfang (j{iaing1 Parag{iaing1 1.1.(tra{igfit 1991 Introductory Subscription 1 year/ 6 issues $30.00 Issues: February - April - June - August - October - December 1991 Experience the world of Hang Gliding from your own home ... Europe's most comprehensive, full-color magazine - printed in three languages. Name: Address: Phone: Payment: CHECK or MONEY ORDER to: "Schutte Sails"

CROSS COUNTRY

752 Casiano Dr. #B, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 ,USA

HANG GLIDING 101

Sectional Reading Made Almost Simple © 1991 by G. W. Meadows Most of us, as hang glider pilots, know little or nothing about how to read a sectional (or aeronautical chart). It's no wonder. Looking at one is enough to confuse even those with a little Einstein in their blood. Some of the articles I've seen in Hang Gliding magazine or elsewhere do little to alleviate this confusion. So I'm gonna make an attempt at telling you (the recreational hang glider pilot) what you need to know about reading a sectional, while at the same time keeping it simple enough for you to get to the encl of the article-awake! PREFACE First, let me repeat that this is for the recreational pilot. By "recreational pilot" I mean a pilot who may be interested in opening a new site, or in checking out his possible crosscountry routes. Any time you want to break new ground with a hang glider (no pun intended), you'll want to refer to a sectional chart of the area in question to be sure that this ground will be broken legally. This article is NOT for the serious competition pilot or pilots in pursuit of world records. Those pilots need to become more familiar with ALL aspects of sectional reading to further their cause within the bounds of safety and legality. The average recreational cross-country pilot should find all he needs to know in this article about reading sectionals as it pertains to hang gliders. CAN'T DO There are a few areas in which you absolutely can't fly a hang glider. The Terminal Control Area (TCA) is one of them. A TCA is in the shape of an upside clown wedding cake (small at the botAPRIL 1991

tom and getting larger as you acid layers upward in a stair-step fashion). It is depicted on a sectional by a spicier web of solid blue lines. These blue lines form boxes or circles of varying shape and size. Contained in each box are the altitudes where it is illegal to fly a hang glider. Figure I is of San Diego's Lindbergh Field. Also located inside this TCA is North Island Naval Air Station's runway a little to the south; Montgomery Field is located to the north-northeast, and north of it is Miramar Naval Air Station. Gillespie Field is located inside the TCA out in EL Cajon (at the close-in 3 o'clock position on the map). I know that this looks like a total mess, but it's very easy to read if you just know how. Located within each section of the TCA are two numbers divided by a line. These two numbers indicate altitudes in hundreds of feet. The top number tells you how high that section of the TCA goes, and the bottom number tells you how low it goes. Let's put this new-found knowledge to work. If you look at the areas that are directly east and west of Lindbergh Field, you will see that both of the boxes contain a I 25 over the letters "SFC.'' What this indicates is that the TCA in these boxes starts at the surface (SFC) and goes all the way up to 12,500 feet. That defines that portion of the TCA. Now, if you look at the next block to the east, you'll note that it has the number 125 over the mnnber 18 located in it. This indicates that the TCA starts at l ,800 feet (above sea level) and extends to 12,500 feet. This would be a suitable place for a training hill or a very low sled-nm type practice hill. Notice that the TCA in the next two sections to the east start at 3,000 and 3,500 feet respectively, and also go to 12,500 feet. The latter of the two is oc-

casionally flown under by hang glider pilots flying a site in San Diego known as Otay mountain. Notice that the ceiling altitude on all of these blocks is 12,500 feet. This means that if you wanted to fly over the TCA, you' cl have to be stinkin' high. Inclivic!ual TCA 's vary as to how high their ceilings go. TCA's are only located at large, busy airports. The Airport Radar Service Area (ARSA) is another area in which we can't fly hang gliders. The ARSA is denoted on a sectional by magenta colored hash marks. Figure 2 is of the Santa Barbara ARSA. Things happen in the ARSA much the same as in the TCA. Notice that the altitudes for the ARSA are listed just like in the TCA. We see that the center of the ARSA goes from the surface (SFC) to 4,000 feet above sea level. The semi-circle to the south of this area has an active ARSA area that starts at 1,500 feet above sea level and goes to the same 4,000 feet. As you might guess, it would be entirely possible to fly over this A.RSA. One word of caution: If you try to fly over an ARSA, you best make clang sure that you can stay above it. It is completely unacceptable to "drop in" on an A.RSA. SOMETIMES CAN'T BUT SOMETIMES CANDO There are many, many areas where we can fly a hang glider sometimes, but not all the time. An Airport Traffic Area is one of these. Any airport that has an operating tower (indicated on a sectional by a blue airport symbol) automatically has an airport traffic area around it in a five-mile radius from the center of the airport. This area will extend straight up to 3,000 feet. The actual five-mile boundary will not be shown on the sectional, nor

HANG GLIDING 101 WARNING: The Instructor General has determined that using the information contained in this article without the assistance of a USHGA-certified instructor can break or kill you. Seek professional help!

Figure 2: ARSA

Figure 3: ATA

Figure 4: Restricted

Figure 5: TRSA

H ANG GLIDING

HANG GLIDING 101 will the 3,000-foot height of the the Ai1vort Traffic Area be listed. This is something that, as an aviator, you're expected to know. You must stay out of this area unless you know for sure that the tower is not operating. At this point it is no longer an operating Airport Traffic Area and you may fly through it under standard VFR rules. You can obtain pennission to fly through an Airport Traffic Area (one in which the tower is in operation) by contacting the tower and talking to the supervisor in charge. Next, we have the Control Zone. The Control Zone is marked on the sectional by a clotted blue circle that is very often the same size an Airport Traffic Area. Sometimes Control Zones will also have an extension or two (commonly referred to as keyholes) tacked onto them, and they may cover more than one airport (which will change their shape). Figure 3 shows a Control Zone that covers two airports. The airport to the left is the El Centro aiqiort and the airport symbol is printed in blue. This indicates that it is a towered airport. The airport to the right is the Imperial County airport and its symbol is printed in magenta which indicates that it does not have a control tower. The two merging circles (which look like the view through binoculars in a Hollywood war movie), with the extension off to the five o'clock side, is the Control Zone. Unless otherwise stated, the Control Zone goes from the surface to 14,500 feet (above sea level). Control Zones have four designations. These designations are open, closed, effective and non-effective. The effective and non-effective designations refer to !FR and VFR conditions. (Control Zones are only in effect during IFR conditions.) However, as it applies to hang gliding, as long as the Control Zone is open we are not allowed to fly there whether in effect or not. Sometimes Control Zones are only open during certain hours. When this is the case and the Control Zone is closed, the area returns to an Airport Traffic Area if it is towered. Obtaining permission to fly through a Control Zone is the same as for an Airport Traffic Area. A hint about Figure 3. If you'll look where it says NAF EL CENTRO. right under the "'T" in El Centro, you'll see a star. This indicates that the tower at this airport is used only part time. There arc five general areas that are a lot alike. Those areas are the Prohibited, Restricted, Warning, Alert and MOA areas. In the following section we will deal with the APRIL 1991

last three of these, but in this section we '11 deal with the Prohibited and Restricted areas. Both are identified by parallel blue hash marks that can fonn any shape to close in an area. Prohibited areas deal with national security, and Restricted areas~usually but not always~deal with military testing grounds. (Figure 4 shows a Restricted Area.) Both Prohibited and Restricted areas are designated as such. Sometimes, if the area is fairly small, it will have only the letter P or R plus the area designation number. These designation numbers allow you to refer to the top margin of the sectional where all the Prohibited and Restricted areas are listed along with their hours of operation, effective altitudes and the controlling agency. You cannot fly in either of these areas when they are in operation without prior authorization from the listed ~ontrolling agency.

ALWAYS CAN BUT SOMETIMES SHOULDN'T There are a few areas in which we are curre111/v allowed to fly, but common sense tells us that we probably shouldn't, or that at least we shouldn't linger in them. Warning and Alert areas are two of these. They look identical to the Prohibited and Restricted areas discussed above. with the exception of the Warning or Alert designation inside the defined airspace. We are allowed to fly in these areas, but by design they alert us to the possibility of danger. Flying through these areas should be done with the utmost of caution. MOAs, or Military Operation Areas, involve the same type of scenario. We are allowed to fly in them, but as the name suggests there are military operations being carried on there. MO As are identified on the sectional by magenta colored hash marks just like the blue ones that outline the Restricted area in Figure 4. One difference is that MOAs have a name designation (such as Complex l Charlie) as opposed to a number designation. MO As, like the Prohibited, Restricted, Alert and Warning areas, are listed in the top margin of the sectional along with all pertinent information. The next area is the Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA). The TRSA is identified by a solid magenta line. Figure 5 shows a fivesided "rectangular" TRSA that covers the Palm Springs and Thermal airports. TRSAs are requested compliance areas, so hang gliders may fly through any part of them that is not controlled in any other way (such as an Airport Traffic Area or a Control Zone).

Notice in Figure 5 that the TRSA is almost completely overlapped with a shaded magenta line. This is a transition area. These may also be printed in blue. Magenta indicates a floor of 700 feet AGL and blue indicates a floor of 1,200 feet. The significance of the transition area is that it lets you know you are transitioning from controlled airspace to uncontrolled airspace or vice versa. When you see a magenta transition area butted up to a blue transition area, you are transitioning from controlled airspace with a 700-foot AGL floor to controlled airspace with a 1,200-foot AGL floor, or visa versa. This applies to us where it affects cloud clearance regulations, which differ from controlled and uncontrolled airspace. Another area in which we can but sometimes shouldn't fly is the Victor Airway. It is indicated on the sectional by a solid blue line with a blue number in it such as V3 l 7 or V458. These lines represent "freeways in the sky" for commercial and private aircraft. The lines run from one VOR or VORTAC to another and are eight miles wide (four miles on either side of the line). Figure 2 has a Victor Airway running through it in the 7 o'clock area. It's the blue line with the heading of 127 degrees printed on it and the airway number of V27 immediately below it. Common sense suggests that you don't want to stop in the middle of one of these aerial freeways, do lots of 360's and generally hang out, hoping that the traffic doesn't hit you. Military training routes require the same thinking. They are indicated on the sectional by a grey colored solid line with grey letters and numbers in the line. They show where military traffic is training. The key word here is "training," so heads up while flying in these areas. Those of you who made it to this point either cheated by skipping part of the article or have an incredible tolerance for the dull. I know this stuff isn't a barrel of laughs, but if you're gonna call yourself a genuine aviator this is the minimum you should know about sectionals. This knowledge may save your life, and will help keep hang gliding a selfregulated sport. Get a sectional for your general flying area and mark all these things on it. All top-notch hang gliding schools can answer your questions about sectional reading, and many schools require that you know about sectionals for your ratings. If your instructor can't teach you sectional reading, tell him to get on the ball. •

CLASSIFIEDS 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 hean bolt), re-used Nyloc nuts, loose thimbles, frayed or rusted cables, tangs with noncircular holes, and on RogaHos, sails badly torn or torn loose from their anchor points front and back on the keel and leading edges. !fin doubt, many hang gliding businesses will be happy to give an objective opinion on the condition of equi11rnent 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 USHGA-certifiecl school, ROGALLOS AIR-ZONE-A - Towsters have the new Phoenix Soft Release and a Pa gen glider dispenser. Just bring your harness. Jeff Reynolds (602) 482-9723.

ENTERPRISE FOIL-C - With "swan light" logo on top, low hours, must sell, leaving area. Any offer considered. Can ship. Call days (408) 764-8822. GTR 162 WE -Blue L.E., blue wedge, excellent condition, $1,250. Brian (6191 935-4688. HP AT - New, full race, all options, extra downtubcs, $3,500. (919) 945-2327. HP AT 158 -

NEW GLIDERS - Best Prices' Pacific Airwavc, Wills Wings, Seedwings, Delta. Silver Wings (703) 533-3244. PACIFIC AIRW A VEGENESIS-Excellentcondition, low airtime, custom sail. Includes safe edge and round downtubes (3 each) and speed bar S 1,400 ORO Lynda (408) 262-4108. PRO AIR 140-H-lll, DSAF, new condition, sharp custom colors, S900 OBO (7l4J 535-5600 days, (714) 535-1447 eves. (So. Cal.)

$2,650 (219) 845-2856 (IN).

HP AT 158 -Ten t1i~hts, perfect condition, $2,700. (800) 635- 2247, (206) 256-7935.

PRO STAR !I 160-Very good condition, less than 30hours airtime, cocoon harness, Litck vario, helmet, $600 OBO (714) 949- 2708.

HP AT 158 3474 PA.

Excellent condition, new in June. (412) 661-

SEl\SOR 510 B VG - Excellent condition, $900 OBO. (800) 635- 2247, (206) 256-7935.

AMERICAN WJNDWRJGHT- 160 Zoom, Custom built for 1989 league meet. VG, halfribs, faired downtubes, kevlar L.E. 30 hrs., !lies great! Excellent condition, $1,400 (503) 389-8305, Mike.

HP 1-1/2 -Reel, gold, white. Excellent performance, $400 Mike (619) 576-2098.

SENSOR 510 C - With pigtail and F.R. sail. Excellent condition, must sell, $1,200 (603) 529-2010.

HP II - Full race, extra batten. white, blue, flies great, S 1,200. Vision MK IV 17, Sl,300. Paul (714)676-4425 eves.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA USED GLIDER REFERRAL - BUY-SELL-CONSIGN, ALL MAKES, MODELS. CALL TODAY (619) 450-1894 OR (619) 450-9008.

AXIS 15 (INJ.

HP II - FuH race, all options, extra downtubes, ne\•er damaged, excellent condition, S 1,400. (919) 945-2327.

1990 model, two hours, S 1,800, (219) 845-2856

C-2 165 - The best sink rate for the money! $800. New glider bag, orange L.E., spectrum, white T.E. (6191 9446881. C-2 - 1985, low hours, very clean. Black L.E., spectrum D.S., blue sandwich body. Very nice glider $800 (503) 3898305, Mike. COMETC-1 185 - White, very good condition, extra base & downtubes, $400, Ron, (719) 687-1280. COMET lII 185-Custom, new, $2,300. Comet 1185, good, $500. OLY 180, fair, $300 (714) 674-1211. DELTA 160 EXCEL - New condition, only eight hours, purple edge, red, yellow, white, must sell S 1,200. Roberts vario $180. Call Mark (903) 561-2525. DOES YOUR GLIDER NEED A FACELIFT'? - RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY'/ Call the Equipment Restoration Specialists at LID! (303) 440-3579.

HP II - Full race. very good condition, $1,100, Larry, eves (614) 467-2022. HP I[ - New blue L.E., magenta undersurface, low hours, superb handling, sail in excellent shape, will split shipping, Sl,200 OBO. (702) 345-0612 HARRIER 11 147 - Excellent condition, extras, $1,000. Parachute, 24 feet, S JOO Julie or Jim (916) 243-1905. KEA 160 - Full race, silver LE., Bob Schutte design, $1,000 or trade for tandem glider in good shape (615) 6982693 or (404) 398-3443 after 4:00. KISS 155 - Late model, three nights, $2,700 (800) 6352247, (206) 256-7935. MAGIC Ill 177 2682.

Five in stock, Raven Hang Gliding, (708)

DREAM 145 - Very low hours, very good condition, Sl,000. Kim (619) 729-9504 (CA).

MAGJCIV 177 XC- V.G., 4.4 oz., excellent condition, 60 hours, wl1ite w/neon yellow undersurface, extra set of reflex lines, S l,350 (804) 798-3064 Lv. msg.

DREAM 165 - Excellent condition. Red with rainbow, S 1200. (702) 883-7070.

MAGIC IV 177 -

Sixty hours, S900. (317) 758-9239.

DREAM 185 - Excellent condition, ideal for training, Sl,500 OBO (415) 969-6208.

MAGIC KISS - Awesome performance, light handling, great condition, $1,750 OBO will ship. Call Hang Flight Systems, (714) 542-7444.

DREAM 220- Excellent condition, only 15 flights (6 hrs.), S 1,200. Mark (719) 528-8944 (eves), (719) 590-5359 (days).

MOYES XS 155 $2,200. Foil racer 150 B $1,200. (818) 3524414 Eves.

DUCK 160 - Trade for Dream. Vision MK IV 17, $1,600. (501) 227- 4920.

Iv!YSTIC 155 VG-Less than l Ohours, crisp sail in red, blue and gold. References. SI ,200 OBO. Delta wing pod harness, $180 OB0 (619) 270-6867.

DUCK 180 A TT ACK - Fifty hours, clean, blue, spectrum, white, half ribs, S650 (805) 497-2080. DUCK 180 - Clean blue L.E., rainbow spectrum, S550 (803) 666- 2494.

SPORT 167 EURO - Excellent handling, bright colors, unbelievably spotless condition with custom made rain bag. Less than 20 hours S 1,800. Tom (414) 781-5484 or (414) 691-3733. SPORT 167 EURO - Full race, excellent condition, 15 hours airtime, garaged $2,000 (602) 893-2523. SPORT 167 EURO - Excellent, low hours, red/white with black L.E., snap on wheels & extras (415) 355-9179. SPORT 167 - Race face euro, two hours, b. orange L.E./ white, $2,500, (407) 851-5988. SPORT 167 - Euro, full race, excellent condition, 18 hrs airtime, garaged, $2,000 (602) 893-2523.

VG, Magic llI 166, $500 each (218) 225-

MAGJC IV 133 - Short control bar, VG, Scorpio pod harness, Bell helmet with "bungie" head support. Perfect XC setup for micropilot $1,500 OBO (206) 888-3856 Seattle.

DREAM 145 360-0700 (IL).

SPORT 150 - Custom bird/sun inlay. New cover bag. Excellent condition, $1,800 (206) 293-3282.

NEW MOYES XS - Be the top of the stack in 1991 ! This glider is fast, responsive, easy to land. and priced lower than anywhere else. Call-demo-before you pay $4,000+ tax. Ccrtificd-American made-learn to tow (209) 368-9665.

VISION 16 148 - Clean, never broken, 45 hours ainimc, low U.V., $750. Ten minutes from 1-80, Nebraska (308) 2365892. VISION 18 - Great 1st glider, blue L.E., rainbow undcrsurfacc, <50 hours, ne\v High Energy Cocoon, 5' 11" pilot, Robc11s vario, Bell helmet, SI ,200 takes all (805) 9847626 (So. CA). VISION 19- Excellent shape, low hours, $900 (509J 6273624. V!SlON MK IV 17 (619) 934- 5403.

Excellent shape, low hours, $1,200

VJSION MK IV 17 - F.R., harness, parachute, vario, helmet, excellent beginner package for $2,500 (209) 297-1226. VISION iVIK IV 17 - Very good condition, rainbow on gold undersurface. (619) 48 1-4448. VISJON MK TV 17 - Two to choose from: Blue - S 1,300. Orange -Sl,600. (619) 450-9008. VJSION MK IV 17 - New August 1990. Full-race, speed bar. White, magncta (b) panel. $1750. (805) 252-6102.

HANG GLIDING

CLASSIFIEDS VISION MK IV 17 and l 9--3DCG. camera zippers. trilam LE. S2.235 ea. Test flown only, shipped anywhere. (303) 750-3226. VISION MK IV 19 LE. (6l5i 828--13-!3. VISIO'l l 9 3624.

LmY hours. one owner, mint. trilam

Excellent shape. low hours. S900 (509) 627-

WILLS WING 167 - USA, 10 hours T.T .. white/green, PERFECT CONDITION. SI,950. So. Cal. i-800-356-5686. COLORADO HANG GLIDING (303) 278-9566 24 hours Region )Y's oldest, largest. full times.hop. Never used chutes (all sizes) . . ---- S265 New NAS PDA chutes . --------------------- -- .... $388 D.O.T. helmets (colors') --- .. S50-S 129 NAS vario/Alt (intro price) . ---------- S388

Heavy ciuty glider bags.

.. .. S7--I-

Steel biners (2 min.) . ------ $14.80 Paragiiclers (demos) . . .. ..... S900-S2,000 Vario's (demo's, all brands). ..----S75-S500 Used chutes repacke<l/inspec. by FAA cert. master rigger w/ new bridle. deployment bag. IOOr./i:. guarantee all equipment. MC/VISA/A~!EX/DISCOVER ACCEPTED. t303J 2789566 24 hours

t'Aagic formula ... tvlagic Kiss .

-- .. <5 hrs . ----· $2900 ----· <5 hrs . ----· S3000 Vision MK IV . .. ---- --- < 12 hrs -- -- S 1900 Lt. Dream 205 . ..-- ... <I hr .. ------S1500 Lt. Mystic 177, 188. ---- <40 hrs -- ---- S 1300 ea. Lt. Dream 205, 185 . ... <40 hrs-- .. --. 5900 ea. Comet II 185, 165 . ..---- <40 Im ------· S500 ea. Raven 229 . ----· <20 hrs . ----· S 700 Atlas 17 ... ..--. <25 hrs -- ---- S700 Phoenix 6D. ---- .. <15 Im .. ----·S485 Seagull 140, 170 . -- .. -- ... ---- S350 ea. 1OO'lc guarantee on all equipment, inspected and shipped anywhere. Colorado Hnng Gliding (.103) 278-9566 2-1- hrs.

THE HANG GLIDING CENTER ~·lngic Formula, in stock ............... Ne\v i'v[agic K2 1-1-5. ....... Ne\\' ivtagic Kiss. like ne\\'. -- .... -- ... S2,500 167 Sport AT -.. ---- ...... S2.700 HP AT. in stock. .............. Ne\\' Magic III 166, great glider. ------ .. ----$900 Vision MK IV 17/19. in stock. . .... --Ne\\' Vision MK IV 17/19. used ... ---- ... Sl.200 Equalizers. used s/m . . ....... $425 -!206-K S01Tento Valley Blvd .. San Diego, CA 92121. \Ve have instruments and parachutes in stock. (619) 450-9008. ~special travel incentives on some glider purchases. GOLDEN WINGS 1103 Washington Avenue. Golden, CO 80401 (303) 278-7181 or TOLL FREE 1-800-677-4449 Vision 19 (used) (Exel Condi S 1,800 Several Sport 167 $1800 - 52,200 HP AT. Demo S2.800 Many other good used gliders S450 - SI ,000

PARAGLIDING IN PARADISE - Alpine paragliding in Crested Butte, CO, 2-l flying sites. LZ@ 9.000+ MSL I No Wimps'. Videos $32.50, shipping included. Peak Performance Paragliders, P.O. Box 213. Crested Butte, CO 8122..J.. Steve 13031 349-5961. Rusty t303) 349- 6384. WILLS. UP'S. ETC - S795 +up.Instruction. equipment. southern California and European tours (71-1-J 654-8559. ULTRALIGHTS LIQUID TRIKE- 52 HP, low lime. three blade adjustable prop., much more, 52,200. T\\'o wings-slee\'ed. wired, trailing edged. 160 Streak, 200 Duck, good condition. S500 each. (41..\) 697-0862. QUICKSILVER /vJX -36 h.p. Rotax, rnns great, new prop, snils, cables. bearings, etc. BRS chute system. Completely reworked by qualified mechanic and ready to fly. Make offer. (205) 533-4331. SOAR~·IASTER - Trike unit, less wing. Excellent condition, strobe light included, 22 HP twin, S850. firm. (207) 8466028.

EMERGENCY PARACHUTES WANTED ALL BRANDS - Bought, sold, and repacked. Inspection and repack S20.00 - Parachutes, bridles, inspected and replaced. Airtime of S.F., 3620 Wawona, San Francisco, CA 94116. (415) SKY-1177. NEVER USED CI-JUTES! - I 00'/c satisfaction guaranteed. $265 each. All sizes, ne\\' bridle. deployment bag, repacked/ inspected by FAA ce11. master rigger. (303) 278-9566 . PARACHUTES - New, 22 gore, S295: 24 gore, S350: Ball 652. $350: Therm its $39: Paragliders (714) 654-8559.

\V ANTED - DREAM 220 and/or DREAM 240. may re4uire photograph of glider (415) ..\87-3424. Ask for Rudy.

\V ANTED-Fledge III or III E.T., consider trike (414) 6970862. WANTED -SAIL for Sensor 510 13 or C (805) 687-9741.

\V ANTED-Used hang gliding equipment. Gliders. instruments. harnesse~ and parachutes. Airtime of San Francisco. 3620 Wawona, San Francisco. CA 94116. (-ll 5) SKY-1177.

PARAGLIDERS SCHOOLS AND DEALERS EQ SPORT - European paraglidcr (like Corvette) only 3 mountain flights S2.000, April-July in CA. contact (615) 886-6487. EXCALIBUR's. EDEL's. UP's - Instruction, all equipment, Southern California and European lours. (714) 6548559.

ALABAMA LivtFP - T\\'o hours from Birmingham (see our acl unclc1 Tennessee.) (-lO..\) 398-3541.

,--------------------------------------, I USHGA CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ORDER FORM 40 cents per word, $4.00 minimum. I Boldface or caps $.95 per word. (Does not include first few words I which are automatically caps.) Special layouts or tabs $22 per I column inch. (phone numbers-2 words, P.O. Box-1 word) I photos-$25.00 line art logos-$15.00 I Deadline-20th of the month, six weeks before the cover date of the I issue in which you want your ad to appear (i.e., June 20 for the August issue).

Section (please circle) Rogallos Emergency Chutes Parts & Accessories Business & Employment Miscellaneous

Towing Schools and Dealers Ultralights Rigid Wings Publications & Organizations Paragliders

Begin with 19_ _ issue and run for consecutive issue(s). My check :.J, money order :::l, is enclosed in the amount of $_ _ _ _ __

I I I I I I I

I Prepayment required unless account established. I I Please enter my classified ad as follows: NAME: I I ADDRESS: I I I I Number of words: @ .40 = PHONE: I Number of words: @ 95 = I I Number of Months. . L ___________________ USHG~.O. Box~300, Col~~Sprmgs~O 80933_!2'~ 632-830~ APRIL 1991

CLASSIFIEDS ALASKA ADVENTURE WINGS- Hang gliding, PARAGLIDING, tours, towing, tandem, instruction. Statewide. (907) 4556379, Box 83305, Fairbanks, AK 99708.

HANG FLIGHT SYSTEMS - DIRECTLY across the streel from WILLS WING. DEMOS and rentals available to qualified pilots. HP-AT small, medium & large Sport-A T's, Kiss, Mark IV, Genesis, Dreams and Axis. FLY 'EM ALL

and decide what you like. \Ve sell and service all major brand'.-. of gliders and accessories. USHGA cerrificd XC clinics and training program. 1202 E. Walnut, Unit M, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 542-7444 Near Disneyland.

ARIZONA ARIZONA WINDSPORTS - Larges! hang gliding center in the Southwest. Lessons utilizing the world's first manmade trainer hill. All our sites fr1cc every wind direction. Highest percenl of flyable siudent days in America. Dealer for Pacific Airwave, Wills Wing, High Energy, Ball and Seagull classic pans. 1327 E. Bell De Mar Dr., Tempe, AZ 85283 (602) 897-7121.

HANG GLIDER EMPORIUlvl- The best training hill in the west is in Sanla Barbara, a hang gliding VACATION PARADISE. High quali1y PERSONALIZED instruction focusing on the skills that most affect your SAFETY. Call for vacation info and glider inventory. Tues.- Fri. 10-5, Sat. 10-4. 613 N. Milpas, Santa Barbara, California 93103 (805) 965-3733.

WINDGYPSY - USHGA Certified school specializing in personalized tandem flight training. Full service sales & repair facilily in Lake Elsinore - call for site info. Wide range of flC\V & used gliders & flight accessories in stock. Paul Bums, 33041 Walls St., Lake Elsinore, CA 92330 Phone (714) 678-5418: FAX (71416785425. WJNDSPORTS SOARING CENTER - Los Angeles' largest and most complete school since 1974. We specialize in personalized tandem instrnction, sales and repair. Spend your winter vacation t1ying with us! 16145 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91406 (818) 988-0111.

"Professionals You Can Trust!n COLORADO

DESERT HANG GLIDERS - USHG,\ Certified School. Supine specialists. 4319 W. Larkspur, Glendale, AZ 85304. (602) 938- 9550.

COLORADO HANG GLIDING/PARAGLIDING ls1 USHGA certified school in U.S.A. Region's largest and oldest. Operating full time since 1972. (303) 278-9566.

ARKANSAS COLORADO WIND PARK - "Come up for Air!" Sales. service, complete instruction on our 500-foot, 360-degree !raining hill. SID/day lodging. Dealing all brands. 5526 S. Pitkin Ct., Aurora, CO 80015, (303) 762-6505 or (303) 6806443.

SAIL WINGS HANG GLIDING-Full-lime lessons, sales. service. Pacific Airwave, CG lOOO. New, used, rental equipment. P.O. Box 32 L Atkins, Arkansas 72823. (50 I) 2274920. Haney's Point (501) 641-1902. We PROi\·IOTE the

sport! EAGLE'S NEST School of Hang Gliding/Paragliding USHGA certified school. Dealer for Delta Wing, Pacific Airwaveand Wills Wing. P.O. Box 25985, Colorado Springs, co 80936 (719) 594-Q,198.

CALIFORNIA ACTION SOARING CE'lTER -- In Lodi near S1ockton. Personalized USHGA certified instruction, sales and service. Emphasis on special skills and techniques, T.O. and L. Call to demo XS, EZ, W!l. Ask about tow clinic. 1689 Arms1rong Road, Lodi. CA 95242 (209) 368-9665. AIRTIME OF SAN FRANCISCO - Hang Gliding & Paragliding. USHGA & APA Certified Instruction, Sales, Service, Rental. - Pac. Air, UP, Wills, Sensor, High Energy, Mantis, Second Chantz, B.R.S.///Pro Design, Apco Hilite, 1.T.V ., Edel, Sky walker and MORE' Large selection of 2nd hand gear (buy & sell). Next lo Fort Funston. 3620 Wawona, San Francisco, CA 94116. (415) SKY-1177. AIRTIME UNLIMITED-SOUTHLAND HANG GLIDING SCHOOL - Pacific Airwave gliders in stock. Tandem instruction, ATOL towing. \Ve need your used glider tradeins. c/o David Engel, 12120 Severn Way, Riverside, CA 92503 (714) 589-0109. CHANDELLE SAN FRANCISCO, INC. -

Since 1973,

complete hang gliding and paragliding sales service and instn1ction. Dealers for \Vills \Ving, Pacific Airwave, Delta Wing, Seed wings, UP, High energy, Center of Gravity, Ball, BRS, Second Chantz, lTV. Fire bird, Edel and more! Northern California's most complete repair facility, including 7th

class rigger's machine. New and u~ed equipment, spare parts, and demos. Complete training, incJucling introductory lessons, packages, clinics, ground school and tandem. Five minutes from Ft. Funston. 488 Manor Plaza, Pacifica, CA 9-1044. (415) 359-6800. COMPACT WINGS PARAGLIDING -

Wills Wings, UP and other paragliders. Instruction at best site (Soboba) tours, accessories (714) 654-8559. H-l's - H-2's - SILENT FLIGHT -

Learn landing approaches, steep and shallow turns, towing, stall recoveries. High hang two's may be eligible for solo. H· 3's, H-4's - towing, acrobatic clinics. Example tow day -

skybear drops, windspear practice, hawk chasing, fun! 1\-It.

THE HANG GLIDING CENTER - Located in beautiful San Diego. USHGA instruction, equipment rentals, local flying tours. Spend your winier vacation flying with us. \Ve proudly offer Wills Wing, Pacific Airwave, High Energy, Ball and we need your used equipment. 4206-K Sorrento Valley Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121 (619) 450-9008. MISSION SOARING CENTER-Serving the flying community since 1973. Complete lesson program with special attention to quality takeoff and landing skills. All major brands of gliders, parachutes and instruments sold. Sail repair and air frame service available. 1116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035. (408) 262-1055.

GOLHEN WINGS - Sales, service. USHGA certified instruction. Tandem Towing Instruction. Dealers for \Vills \Ying, Pacific Airwave, Delta \Ying~, lv[oyes, UP. Clinics: Soaring, Parachute, Instructor, Mtn. Tours, Towing. 1103 Washington Avenue, Golden, CO 80401. (303) 278-7181 or TOLL FREE 1-800-677-4449. L/D ENTERPRISES - Sail and harness repair - Equipment manufacturing - Towing supplies - 5000 Butte # I 83, Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 440-3579. PEAK PERFORMANCE PARAGLIDING SCHOOL Paragliding instruction/equipment sales, videos 532.50, shipping included. P.O. Box 213, Crested Butte, CO 81224. (303) 349-5961. CONNECTICUT MOUNTAIN WINGS -

Look under New York.

FLORIDA

SILENT FLIGHT - Fly all winter! Towing year 'round. Demo Axis/Comets. Full service school/dealership (916) 938-2061. TORREY FLIGHT PARK. INC. - At the launch of the world famous Torrey Pines Glider Port, one of San Diego's highlights! Unmatched convenience for pilots and spectators. Refreshments and souvenirs at the Clifflrnnger Cafe. Certified Trnining program featuring tandem soaring lessons. New, used, rental and demo equipment by Delta \Ving and UP. 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037 (619) 452-3202.

Tandem towirrn in-

Mruction. Get more in-flight training than any training...,hill.

Shasia (916) 938-2061.

HIGH ADVENTURE- Full service facility localed on site at Southern California's famous mile high mountains, Crestline. From sand hill toXCthermal flying,our20tanclem accelerated training program is quick and thorough. Instructor Rob McKenzie. Dozens of new and used gliders for sale or rent. Other services include, weather information, mountain shllttle, towing seminars. XC trips, repairs, ratings (714) 883-8488.

TRUE FLIGHT CONCEPTS - USHGA Cenified Instruction, Sales & Service. Become a better pilot in less time with our small personalized clas~es & tandem instruction. Our head instructor has over 12 years teaching experience. Only minutes from our local Kagel Mountain flying site. 13185 Gladstone Ave., Sylmar_ CA 91342. (818) 367-6050.

J,J [J }J:}J J }] f1 J] r5

U In<.

MIAMI HAl\G GLIDING, INC. - has the most advanced training program known to hang gliding today. Certified instructors specialized in personalized tandem flight training. Full service and sales of parts for all gliders, makes and models. for more information call (305) 667-2392 or (305) 962-6968.

HANG GUDING

CLASSIFIEDS LOOKOUT ,v!OUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK Tennessee. (404) 398-3541.

See ad under

GEORGIA LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK under Tennessee. (40-1) 398-35-11.

See our ad

IDAHO TREASURE VALLEY HANG GLIDING - USHGA CF!, service/sales, Pacific Airwave, UP, American \Vindwright, La Mouctte, l 1716 Fairview, Boise, ID 83704. (208) 3767914. ILLINOIS RA VEN HANG GLIDING SCHOOL - Largest and most popular in the ivlidwest. Traditional curriculum, ridge .soaring, JllOllntain clinics, tandem by Brad Kushner. Sales/ service/accessories for all major brands. 300 N. Green Bay Rd., Waukegan, IL 60085 (708) 360-0700. MICHIGAN PRO HANG GLIDERS - USHGA instruction since l 978. advi:mced instructor, observer, safety is #1. Towing specialists since 1978. iv(aintain and enhance your basic skills. \Ve still foot launch- none of those platform blues you have been reading about. All brands sold and serviced. Contact Norman Lesnow, 569 W. Annabelle, Hazel Park. ML 48030 (313) 399-9433. NEVADA ADVENTURE SPORTS - Sierra tours our specialty USHGA & APA certified school and ratings. Dealers for Pacific Airwaw, Wills Wing, CP, Enterprise Wings. Fly the Sierras with a full-service shop. 36'80-6 Research \Vay, Carson City, NV 89706 (702) 883-7070. NEW JERSEY MOUNTAIN WINGS -

UP OVER NEW MEXICO, INC. - Instruction, sales, service. Sandia i\lountain guides. \Vills, Secdwings, Pacific Airwave, Delta, Moyes. Albuquerque. \/M (505) 821-85-l-l. NEW YORK AAA MOUNTAIN WINGS HANG GLIDING CENTER AND FLIGHT PARK - Now offering PARAGLIDING instruction and sales. Base of ELLEl\VILLE MTN. Four exclusive Lraining hills. Area's only dealer for Pacific Airwavc. UP, Seedwings and Delta \Ving with demos in stock. \Ve are the largest. most complete H.G. accessory and repair shop of its kind in the counlry. lvlnny new and used gliders in ~tock. R/C supplies and kih, Ultra Pod camera systems. VISA and MASTERCARD accepted. Stop in and get your !light pass and gate combo. l.~O Canal St.. Ellenl'ille. NY 12428 1914) 6-17-3377. In N.E. 1-800-525-7850. FLY HIGH HANG GLIDING. INC. - Serving S. Ne"· York, Connecticut. Jersey areas (Ellenville i'vltn.). Area·~ EXCLUSIVE Wills Wing dealer/specialist. Also all other major brancb, accessories. Certified school/instruction. Teaching since 1979. Area's most INEXPENSIVE price,/ repairs. Excellent secondary instruction ... if you ·ve finished a

APRIL 1991

SUSQUEHANNA FLIGHT PARK - Cooperstown, NY. Ce11ificd Instruction, Sales and Service for all major manufacturers. 40 acre park, 5 training hills.jeep rides, bunkhouse, camping, hot showers, 600' NW ridge. We have the best facilities in N. New York state to teach you how to fly. RD 2, Box 348A, Cooperstown, NY 13326, (315) 866-6153. THERMAL UP, INC.- Most complete hang gliding shop in area. Located on top of Ellenville Mountain. USHGA Certified Instructor and Observer. Concentrating on hang gliding instruction with emphasis on launching and landing techniques. Dealer for all major brand~. Offering cxpe1t sales and service with lowest price in area. Large mail order inventory. Tom Aguero. P.O. Box 347, Cragsmoor, NY 12420. (914) 647-3489. :s/ORTH CAROLINA FLY Al\lERICA, Corolla Flight-All introductory flights and lessons taught by USHGA Master Rated, Advanced Tandem Instructor. Greg De\Volf instructs new through advanced slUcient..., with ATOL and Tandem. Tow from your blanketorcloor~tep on beautiful Currituck Beach on the Outer Banks. Call (919) 261-6166 or write: Corolla Flight, Box 1021. Kilty Hawk, NC 27949. KITTY HA WK KITES, INC.-P.O. Box 1839. l\ags Head, NC 27959 (919) 441-4124. Learn lo hang glide on Jockey's Ridge, the largest sand dune on the east coast, just south of where the \Vright Brothers' first flight took place. Beginne, and advanced lesson packages and camps offered. Advanced tandem tow instruction, 1500 rt. plus up. Dealer for all major brand gliders, complete inventory of new and used gliders, accessories and parts.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FLIGHT PARK -Since 1978. Sou1hcast's largest USHGA-certified mountain flight school. Complete training, from grassy, gently-sloping training hills to soaring high above Lookout Mountain. Our specialty: getting you your first mountain flights. Lesson packages, USHGA ratings, glider and mountain bike rentals, camping, local site information. Largest inventory of new and used hang gliders and mountain bikes, harnesses, helmets, instruments. T-shirts. Repair servjces. \Ve buy used gliders, equipment! Send S 1.00 for brochure, rates, directions. accommodations information. Twenty minutes from Chattanooga, Tennes,;ee. Route 2, Box 215-H, Dept. HG, Rising Fawn, GA 30738. (404) 398-35-ll or 398-3433. SEQUATCHIE VALLEY SOARING SUPPLY, INC. Dealers for all major brands. Small training classes, with USHGA certified instruction, including tandem flights with group rates available. Famous radial ramp located just across the street. Great first mountain flight location with a huge landing zone and camping available with a comfortable clubhouse. Fly over l 00 miles of ridges and enjoy challenging thermals with lwo launches, soon to be three, right here in "The hang gliding capital of the East." Fully stocked pro shop. Rentals, storage, USHGA ratings and all the latest fashions. Proud dealers for \Vil ls \Ying, Seed wings and Delta \Ying gliders with reasonable pricing on all products. Brochure, maps. site info., Tennessee Tree Toppers Club member.s;hips available. Visa, i\•lastercharge and Discover Card accepted. For personal service that you can trust call SYS, Rt. 2, Box 80, Dunlap, TN 37327 (615) 949-2301. TEXAS AUSTIN AIR SPORTS - Still the one in central Texas, quality service since I 978. Instruction, sales, rental, and a complete airframe & sail repair facility. 171'2 \Vaterston, Austin, TX 78703 (512) 474-1669.

OHIO MARIO MANZO-SKYWARD ENTERPRISES -Certified instruction, inspection, repair, CG-IOOO, Dayton and Chillicothe, OH (513) 256-3888 (wkd. eves.)

KITE ENTERPRISES- Instruction. sales. repairs. platform towing, Dallas. North Texas area. 211 Ellis. Allen. TX 75002 (214) 996- 7706 daytime. (21-1) 727-3588 nights and weekends. Dealer Pacific Airwave.

NORTH COAST HANG GLIDING-Certified Instruction. New & used gliders. Specializing in Pacific Airwave gliders. Mike Del Signore, 1916 W. 75th St., Cleveland, OH. 44102 (216)631-114-1.

RRA=RED RIVER AIRCRAFT We specialize in turning students into pilots. Dealer \Vills \Ying and Pacific Airwave. (512)467-2529 Jeff Hunt, 481 l Red River. Austin TX 78751

PENNSYL V A.\'IA

UTAH

MOUi\TAIN TOP RECREATION -Certified instruction. Pittsburgh. (412) 697-4477. C:VION OUT AND PLAY!

WASATCH WINGS - USHGA certifier! hang gliding school, dealers for \Vil ls \Ying. i\ loyes and Pacific Airwave. Flight operations at Point of the Mountain. Call Gordon (80 I J 277-1042.

Look under New York.

NEW MEXICO

program and wish to continue. Fly the mountain! ATOL towing! Tandem !lights! Contact: Paul Voight, RD 2, Box 561, Pine Bush, NY 12566, (914) 744-33 l 7.

MOUNTAIN WINGS -

Look under New York.

TENNESSEE

VIRGINIA

CRYSTAL AIR SPORT ~·lOTEL- at Raccoon Mountain. Bunkhouse, private rustic rooms, regular & waterbeds. video in-room mo\'ies. private jacuzzi room, pool, sky gear gifts, fliers work program. f-FI: -1328 Cummings Hwy., Chattanooga, TN 37409. (615) 821-2546. Chuck & Shari Toth.

SILVER WINGS. Inc. Certifier! instrnction and equipment sales. (703 J 533-1965.

HA \VK AIRSPORTS - Ne\\' and improved hang gliding! Attention Novice and beginners! New 360 degree training hill designed and built \pecifically for you. Conveniently loc,Hcd. Fun! fun! Fun! Clinch \ihn. -The longesl ridge, 1wo launches. The popular light wind indica1or \Vinclsok. Brochures available. Your satisfaction is the key to our continued growth and ~uccess. Hawk. Air Sports. Inc., P.O. Box 9056, Knoxville. TN. J79-10-0056. (6L11-153-1035.

WASHINGTON AIRPLt\ Y'N PRO SHOP & Hang Gliding School. The largest full time, full ser\'ice hang gliding shop in \Vashington. All 1najor brands sold and serviced. 800 !vlercer. Seattle, WA 98109. (206J 467-86-14 OR (800) 753--1264.

CLASSIFIEDS PARAGLIDING EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - A complete line of equipment and accessories available. \Vhatcver yonrneeds, from Alpine descents to ocean, thermal, and ridge soaring, we have it. Videos, S32.50, shipping included. PEAK PERFORiHANCE PARAGLIDERS INC, P.O. Ilox 213, Crested Butte, CO, 81224. Tel/Fax (303) 3495961.

INTERNATIONAL DEALERS WANTED-DEALERS small/large, dmnestic/international to represent North American Sports' complete line of adventure sports equipment. (303) 278-9566. PARTS & ACCESSORIES ARAMJD FULL FACE-Superlite full face cover helmet. Excellent vision, yet cold weather protection, $295. Visors S25. Pendulum Sports, Inc. (719) 539-3900. BALL 652's-Deluxe vario, all options, slightly used. New ~,f50's in stock with or without barograph from $550. Pendulum Sports, Inc. (719) 539-3900. BALL VARIO 651 5686.

Excellent condition, $350, (800) 356-

BELL SOARING HELMETS - White, blue, red and neon. S129 plus. Nearest dealer'? (303) 278-9566. BEST PRICE VHF RADIOS 677-7533 (CT) after 5:00.

HIGH QUALITY HELMET - at an affordable price. Meets and exceeds nell' 1988 D.O.T. standards. Well finished brushed nylon liner with high strength polycarbonalc shell. ONLY $55.00 + S4.00 S/H. Great for schools. Dealer inquiries welcome. GOLDEN WINGS, I 103 Washington Avenue, Golclen, CO 80401. (303) 278-7 I 81 or TOLL FREE 1-800-677-4449.

$ 159 for details call (203) PARA-SWIVEL - Don't leave the ground without one' S79.00 + $3.00 S/H. Available as an option by Free Flight, High Energy, I3RS, Second CllanLz. Dealer inquiries welcome. GOLDEN WINGS, 1103 Washington Avenue, Golden, CO 80401 (303)278-7181 TOLL FREE 1-800-6774449.

BRAND NEW MAXON RADIOS -$175 shipped! Colorado residents add 3.5'if sales tax. Colorado Wind Park, 5526 S. Pitkin St., Aurora, CO, t,303) 762-6505 or(303) 680-6443. BRAND NEW NAS VARIO/ALT - Large digital/analog readout. Extremely accurate +/- IO feet at I 0,000 feet with one foot incremen1s. Radio shielded, adjustable up/sink alarms. Large face, yet only I 1/4" thick. Five year replacement guarantee. Complete with Ball clamp S388. Nearest dealer'' (303) 278-9566. DON'T BE CONFUSED - DOT helmet $50, red, blue, neon colors S5.00 extra. Nearest dealer'' (303) 278-9566.

THE FAMOUS "LAMBIE LID" - Aerodynamic hang glider helmet, S75 postpaid. State size and three choices of color. 8160 Woodsboro, Anaheim, CA, 92807 (714) 7791877.

QUICK RELEASECARABINER-$49.95. Extra ball lock pin, S29.00. 10,000 lbs., dealers welcome, patent pending. Thermal 19431-41 Business Center Drive. Northridge, CA 91324. (818) 701-7983.

GRADE A SHEEPSKIN HAND FAIRINGS-Wann hands in all conditions. Endorsed by Kevin Christophcrson, ··1 wouldn't fly without them.·• Special orders and dealer inquiries welcome. Send $47.00 to Wyoming Aerolitcs, P.O Box 880, Casper. Wyoming 82602 (307) 235-3367.

Place your ad in the perfect market place, the Hang Gliding classifieds. Call Pat at (719) 632-8300.

SAIL REPAIR KITS - & SUPPLIES - Massachusetts Motorized, P.O. Box 542-G, Cotuit, MA 02635. (413) 7362426. The new model E VARJOMETER has instant response to up and down movemcnl of I inch! Features: longer battery life, takes Ball clamp both sides and bottom, all metal rugged, S275. Free brochure. At your dealer, or direct (\IISA,MC.AMEX) from Litek, (503) 479-6633, 4326 Fish Hatchery Road, Grants Pass, OR 97527. MAXON RADIOS - S325. VHF FM 5 ll'att crystal, include~ 3 USHGA channels, charger, case, antenna and warranty. Best prices on r-i.faxon hand-held, mobile and accessories, plus fast, reliable service facility. Maxon I watt, S 170. Pendulum Sports, Inc. (719) 539-3900.

SPORT KELLER HIGH TEC I! PODS - Regularly S850! \Vinter special on demo and new pod:-.: Neon orange, height 5'7"-5' 11 ", chest 43", one flight, S550. Reel. height 5'7"5" 11 ", chest 43", three !lights, S500. Neon yellow, height S' I I "-6'3", chest 43", new, BRS holster unit with new frontmounted parachute from BRS, total value, SI ,700, your cost, Sl,100. Black, height 5'1 l"-6'3", chest 43", used. in excellent condition. S350. Call Hang Ventures at (206) 322-1184 and press 3, then the pound(#) sign, before the beep on your touch tone phone. THE ULTIMATE CAMERA SETUP!! - This QUALITY camera lets you take professional looking pictures easily. It's THE ONLY camera available with ultrasound re-

HANG GLIDING

is very light weight has auto- focus. auto-advance. autorewind. aulo-load, auto-llash. built- in wide-angle lens. and more! The mount (included) easily adapts to any glider. Just S236 gi\·es you everything rcady-10-g_o. See why schools and dealers are snatching ii up! Visa/ivtC. CA residents add 6~'( ta, (S250. !6). Cindy Gall. c/o Semicoa, 333 McCormick Avenue. Costa Mc,a. C'. 92626171-t) 5~0-1099.

HANG GL!Dii\G FOR BEGINNER PILOTS hy Pere Cheney. The Otlicial USHGA Training Manual. Learn to tly \\'ith the world'\ rinest hang gliding manunl. Complete flying instruction'i from the training hill to snaring techniques. O\·er 260 page'.',, with more than 160 easy-to-understand illustrations ,md photos. Guaranteed to satisfy the most inquisitive pilot. NOW AVAILABLE FOR $29.95 (plus S~.00 shipping/handling) Colorado r('~idents add 6.5ck ta\. SEND/ FAX/PHONE TO: USHGA. P.O. Box 8300. Colorado Spring,. CO 809.13-8300. FAX l719J 632-6417. PHONE 17191 632-8300. VISA/MC accepted.

DON'T GET CAUGHT LANDING DOWNWIND! Pert~cr char no-step landing by watching our )Vlndsok. Constructed with 1.5 oz. ripstop nylon. UV treated 10 maintain its brilliant color. s·-r· long with an 11" throat. Available color:-. are fluorescent pink/yellow or fluore~cenl pink/white. S39.95 lplus S-LOO shipping/handling) Colorado re:-.idents add 6.5(( ta,. Send to: USHGA Wimbok. P.O. Bo, 8300. Colorado Spring,. CO 80933-8300. FAX 17191 632-6~17. PHONE (7191632-8300. VISA/~'1C accepted. X-C SMOKE BOMBS~ $5.00. Signal minor. \6.00. Jack the Ripper cuta\\a) knife. S15.0IJ. Silva compass. SIOO.OIJ

DON'T FORGET YOUR HANG DRIVER - Buy them an l 'ti Rather Be Hang G\idinr license plate frame for their retrieval vehicle, $5.50 for a plastic frame. $6.50 for a metal (Zinc) frame. Please add S2 S/H (CO residents add 6.5'1'- 1a,} SEND TO: USJ-!GA. P.O. BOX 8300. COLORADO SPRINGS. CO. 80933. HANG GLIDING IS NOT A CRIME! ~Bmnperstickers. high quality. send S4.50 to P.O. Box 1026. Telluride. CO 8]435.

'":'SPECIAL NEW PILOT EDITION*': -Covering many aspects oflrnnggliding for the beginning pilot. S-J.50plusS 1.50 S/H. SEND/FAX/PHONE TO: USHGA. P.O. Bo, 8300. Colorado Spring,. CO 80933-8300. FAX (7191632-6417. PHONE (7 !9! 6J2-831J[)_ VISA/MC accepted. PAR,\GLIDE USA -

Sub~cribe to North America·s most

\\·iddy read paragliding magazine. S25/year/l 2 issues. VISA/ MC 12662 Softwind Dr .. ;..roreno Valley, CA 92388 (7141 924-5229 or FAX 171-+I 2~2- 4718.

SOARING- ~donthly magazine of The Soaring Sockty of America. Inc. Cov('rs all aspects of soaring !light. Full membership S-f.S. Info. kil with .sample copy .SJ. SS,\. P.O. Box E. Hobb,. NM 882-11. ( 505 I 392-1177.

Pendulum Sport'>. Inc. (7 19 J 539-.1900. BUSINESS AND Eivll'LOY,\IENT OPPORTUNITIES COME TO NAGS HEAD! - Killy Hawk Kites is ,eeking instructors: be.ginning. advanced, tandem tow. paragliding. soaring. Re~umc to: John I [arri:-.. KHK. P .0. Box 1839. Nag'> Head, NC. 27959. I !ANG GLIDING lr\STRUCTORS II' ANTED~ Western Hang Gliders. P.O. Bo, 828. Marina. CA 93933. INSTRUCTORS WANTED - Basic-Adrnnced. Tandem. also Paragliding. Top pay and great working and llying condition.._, year round. Send resume to I 6 l-l5 Victory Bh·d .. Van "iuys. CA 91-+06. \IOU\/TAIN \VI:'!GS - Is looking ror ac.h'anced hang gliding and paragliding in:,:;tructor:-.. Sa\aric\ negotiable. Full and part-timl' position\ aYailab\L'. \tanager position available-requires knm\ ledge of compu{cr :-.ys(c11b. Call Greg or Judy at (914 J 6~ 7 -3.177. Send re,umc to 150 Canal Sr.. Ellenvilk. '-;\' I:1~28.

APRIL 1991

TOWING PROTOTYPE PAY-OUT WINCH~ Levcl-\\ind and all the gooclies! Runs great. \\·ell proven. mounts to any vehicle. Call lon (30314~0- 3579. TO\V ROPES - Continuous lengths. spcctra-dacron-kevlarpolye:-,tcr- polyprop~·Iene. All sizes - a\'ailablc with synthetic finish. Call (215) 723-1719. FAX (215) 453-1515. Ask for ,ales - David F. Bradley. P.O. Box 291. Telford. PA 18969. TOWING SUPPLJES~3-siagc release,. weak links. rope. etc. in ,tock' Call," 1 1.1030 440-3579. Dealers invited. ULTRA.LINE -- Get rcady for 1he flying season with our Ile'\\. bc~t ~cller. 3/16" Lltraline. S 105.00 delivered or ourolc\

fa\'orite 1/-f". S 145.00 deli\·cred. from the original Ultra.line source. Cajun Hang Gliding. 110 Kent Circle. Lafayelle. LA. 705118. 13181981-8372.

HANG GLIDING Xf ITS BEST - Lake County Oregon. Superb thermals. breathtaking scenery of ti1nber~~c1 mountains, lake and s;tream!-., desert and farm land. Plenty ofwidcopen spaces for landing sites. Enjoy the friendly residents who put out the \\'e\comc '>ign to hang gliding pilots and friends. Join LI'> July 1st through July 7th for our special hang gliding festival~lots of extra activilies. Call (503) 9-t 7-60-10. Lake County Chamber of Commerce. SAFAIUMEXICO-THE Ol\LY CO,\!PLETE 7-DA Y BANG GLIDING TOUR which includes a glider for you. Leave your trouble~ at home and lly ivlexico: ).;"ovember through 0,,larch: Lake Tahoe. California: July ane.l .-\ugu~t: nnd Telluride. Colorado ·s famatb flying festival in September. Parapcnte pilots welcome. THE ADVENTURE BEGINS WHEN YOU LAND. Contact Welcome Aboard Travel (7021 786-39-t-l or FAX 002) 786-4006.

VIDEOS & FILMS \"IDEO TAPES FOR HANG GLIDER PILOTS Flatland Flying-ATOL towing anc\ XC flying Texas ~tyle with Larry Tudor and Joe Bostik. !\[ountains High~Fe-;tival rl1 ing at Sih·erton and Telluride. CO. TELLURIDE!-World Champion Aerobatic competition. Each tape S37 (Calif. Re,. acid "itate ta'\ J plu~ S3 shipping per order to: Robert Reiter_ 800 Heinz Strcct #9. Berkeley. CA 9~71 O. H 15 I 6~9-81 I I.

T-SHIRTS! - ··This is your brain ... in a hang glider": "UB where UB - IB at 17.999 feet"·: NEW "Airgasn1" HG & Paragliding shirts. Send S16.00 + S2.00 S/H (per order) & size to: TOP Pl-lOTO. ~715 N. Broadm1y. Boulder. CO 803(H or call (303} ~-I 7-118-t. Dealer inquiries welcome.

CLASSIFIEDS van 6-26-90. Van recovered without gliders. (6 I 9) 274-8254. TORREY PINES PILOTS 1991 video with music, produced by \\I.A. '·Pork" Roecker, 53 minutes of loops, downwindcrs, fun and on-site interviews, $29.95 pp from Flyin' Pig Productions, P.O. Box 586149, Oceanside, CA 92058.

BALL VARIO - With total energy probe, electrical tape securing battery. Lost in Hemet (So. Cal.) in early Spring or l 990. Located in black fanny pack, can describe the contents of the pack (619) 480-132 l.

USHGA DELUXE LOG BOOK COVER - Be proud to show off your flights with our deluxe log book cover. American made from "reconstructed" gray vinyl. Looks and feels like leather and "debossed" with the Mtn. Glider design. Will fit any hang gliding log book! Only $9.95! (plus $2.00 S/H) Colorado residents add 6.5% sales tax. ORDER YOURS TODAY! USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933. (719) 632-8300. FAX (719) 632-6417. USHGA SEW-0'1 EMBLEMS-Our original tri-colored logo emblem $I.SO each. The NEW multi-colored Mountain Glider emblem $4.95 each. Please add S 1.25 S/H. SEND TO: USHGA, P.O. BOX 8300, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. 80933.

F )

H -c-

MAXON - Three-channel radio, lost or misplaced at the Telluride Aerobatics Competition. Serial No. 8 l 171758. (602) 745-6739 days, leave message.

,{f~l

USHGA LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT-Our long sleeve!shirts are colorfully screened with a "simplistic" hang gliding design across Lhe chest and down the left slcc\'e, I 000-icotron! Now in GRAY or WHITE. $16.95 (plusS3 S/H) Please specify color and size (S,M,L,XLJ when ordering. Colorado residents add 6.5St sales tax. SEND TO: USHGA, P.O. BOX 8300, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80933. SALE! Limited offer! - USHGA PORTFOLIO and DESK FOLDERS. USHGA PORTFOLIOS feature easycatTying handle, double-flex '"snap-top" spring-opening closure for cnsy access. Turned edge construction with nylon stitching,dcbosscd with the moutain glider design. NA VY OR BURGUNDY, $9.50* USHGA DESK FOLDERS have color and grain matched linings and pockets. GoJd tone metal corners, turned and sewn edges, 50- sheet leller pad included. De bossed with the mountain glider logo. NAVY OR BURGUNDY, $9.50* Both for only $18!*. '' plus $3 shipping and handling. Send to USHGA, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933 (719) 632-8300 FAX (719)632-6417.

~~~~~~f;~. I

HAVEYOUSENTFOR YOUR NEW !991 USHGAMERCHANDISE ORDER FORM TODAY? FREE' CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES: The rate for classified advertising is S.40 per word (or group of characters). Minimum charge, $4.00. A fee of$15.00 is charged for each line art logo anti $25.00 for each photo. Ilold face or caps within the text $.95 per word. Please underline words to be in bold print. Special layouts of tabs $22.00 percolunm inch. AD DEADLINES: All ad copy, instructions, changes, aclditions and cancc11ations must be received in writing I 1/2 months preceding Lhe cover date, i.e. Oc1ober 20 for the December issue. Please make checks payable to USHGA: Classified Advertising Dept. HANG GLIDING MAGAZINE, P.O. Box 8300, Colorado Springs, CO 80933 (719) 632-8300 or FAX (719) 632-6417. STOLEN WINGS DON'T FORGET ABOUT USHGA THEFT OF GLIDER INSURANCE. ONE OF A KIND - camouflage A VSAC harness. Second Chantz roeket-dc11Ioyed chute mounted on left side of harness. Two helmets. One full face with "Cpt. Laytex" painted on the front. One "White Stag" one-piece ski suit. Call Richard (916) 577-3504. STOLEN from Johnson City, TN. l 987 Raven l 79. Colors from centerout: black, white, red, green, black and white tips. Also, Seagull III, orange, yellow and red with white duck tape patching on sail. Leave message day or night (work#) (615) 926-521 I. Mitchell Brown, 1743 Skyline Dr., #20, Johnson City, TN, 37601. MILITARY DUFFLE WITH EQUIPivIENT - Large green duftle co111aining red Wasatch \Vings spaghetli lrnrncss. \Vith high energy parachute and two j\,faxon 3-channel radios in red cordura ca~es wi1h ~vlaxon headsel and Roberts Alt/vario. White helmet stenciled with #39490. Also, black Region 4 championship duffle wilh HG hardware and smoke bombs, blue Columbia poncho \\'ith grey ~wearer. Home burglarized in Craig. CO. 9-17-90. Scott (303) 824-2454 leave message.

USHGA POSTER! -Full color, 24"' X 37"' poster or Eric Raymond doing oxygen at 17,000' MSL over the Sierra Nevada Range. S7.95 USHGA Poster, P.O. Box 8300. Colorado Springs, CO 80933 (7 l 9) 632-8300.

MAGIC KISS - Fluro. yellow LE., white chevron, pink undcrsurface, airfoil, down tubes pitchy, bar mitts, 2' skull and cross bones on wing tip, over Kiss emblem inlay, many skull stickers on glider. Serial No. K,'1 83707. Also HP;\ T 158. serial no. 22504, with L1. blue L.E., red chevron on bottom. cuswm plan. Serial No. 22504. Stolen in LA. with

STOLEN WINGS are listed as a service to USHGA members. Newest entries are in bold. There is no charge for this service and lost and found wings or equipment may be called in to (719) 632-8300 for inclusion in Hang Gliding magazine. Please call to cancel the listing when gliders are recovered. Periodically, this listing will be purged.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Adventure Sports ................................ 4 Adventure Video .............................. 56 AirW arks .......................................... 22 Applied Air Research ......................... 4 Ball Varios ....................................... 56 Brauniger .......................................... 43 Brede! Tours ..................................... 45 BRS .................................................. 54 Cloudbase Instruments ..................... 15 Colorado Hang Gliding .................... 49 Cross Country Magazine .................. 56 Hall Bros .......................................... 45 High Energy Sports .......................... 45 Hobbs, NM ....................................... 52 Lookout Mt. Flight Park ................... 13 MBNA .............................................. 67 McClaren Products ............................. 4 Morningside Hang Gliders ............... 15 Mountaineer Trikes .......................... 49 Moyes .. ,............................................ 27 Pacific Airwave ................. Back Cover Paragliding Magazine ...................... 43 Performance Designs ....................... 51 Roberts Glider Instruments .............. 33 Seedwings ........................................ 15 Sequatchie Valley Soaring ............ 4,46 Sport Aviation Publications ............. 50 Systek ............................................... 46 UP International ............................... 30 U.S. Aviation .................................... 22 USHGA .................. 2,6,31,32,39,40,55 Western Hang Gliders ...................... 46 Wills Wing ......................................... 3 Women's World Team ..................... 51

HANG GLIDING

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RATINGS FEBRUARY, 1991 The following ratings were processed in February, 1991. This does not necessarily mean they were awarded in February.

SAFE PILOT A WARDS SCOTT C. WISE BILL BRADY RICHARD SACHER JEFFREY A. ATER

LILIENTHAL AW ARDS

BRONZE RENNY CA VENER JAMES M. KELLEY JOHN NOLTING ANDREW HIGH ROBERT L. SIMPSON STEVE A. MASSEY

SILVER JAMES M. KELLEY

BEGINNER RATINGS PILOT: City, State; Instructor/School Region 1 SCHWEIGER, JASON: Seattle, WA; T. Johns Region 2 WENZEL, CHRIS: San Ramon, CA; R. Engorn/Mission Soaring KINSEY, MICHELLE: Oakland, CA; A. Whitehill/Chandelle DEWEY, STEVEN: Dunsmuir, CA; D. Thomason/Silent Flight HG MILLER, FRANK RAY, JR.: Richmond, CA; R. Spear/Chandelle Region 3 LE GRAND, MARCIA: Trabuco Canyon, CA; D. Engel/Southland HG BUCKOVICH, MARK: San Francisco, CA; R. Palmon/Mission Soaring COCHRANE, RAYMOND: Long Beach, CA; D. Skadal KIM, SUNG: Granada Hills, CA; J. Greblo/Windsports Intl LEMMONS, ROLLY: Pleasanton, CA; D. Ruzek/Airtime of S.F. Region 4 WEST, TOMMY: Alamogordo, NM; P. Hobson TURNER, JAMES: Scottsdale, AZ; B. Holmes/Sky Sails of AZ SALEM, MOUSA: Phoenix, AZ; B. Holmes/Sky Sails of AZ WAL TON, GREG: Phoenix, AZ; B. Holmes/Sky Sails of AZ

WALTON, GARY: Phoenix, AZ; B. Holmes/Sky Sails of AZ FIEDLER, CHARLES: Phoenix, AZ; B. Holmes/Sky Sails of AZ KELLIHER, JOHN: Tucson, AZ; S. Mendoza MASCARENAS,SONNYLEE: Tooele, UT; M. Know Iden/Rebel Wings Region 5 KIMPTON, BOB: Billings, MT; D. Gravage Region 6 LYDEN, JAMES: Little Rock, AR; L. Haney/Sail Wings HORTON, JARED: Heber Springs, AR; L. Haney/Sail Wings HORTON, HARRISON: Heber Springs, AR; L. Haney/Sail Wings SCROGGINS, BILL: Little Rock, AR; D. Dunning/Central Ark. Mtn. Pilots BELIN, ROBERT: Cabot, AR; L. Haney/Sail Wings Region 7 MULHOLLAND, STEVE: Bloomington, IN; M. Mulholland Region 9 GO ED HART, ROLF: Virginia Beach, VA; G. Reeves/Kitty Hawk Kites ENGQUIST, JOHN: Burke, VA; I. Middleton/Silver Wings Region 10 PHILLIPS III, JOSEPH: Hobe Sound, FL; D. Engel/Southland HG PELANNE, CHRISTINE: Riviera Beach, FL; I. Tindle/Miami HG WATT, DOUGLAS: Pompano Beach, FL; J. Tindle/Miami HG LEDBETTER, SCOTT: Miami, FL; J. Tinclle/Miarni HG OBERHOLTZER,ELIZABETH:Chattanooga,TN;J.Reynolds/LookoutMt. RUSSUM, WILLIAM: Madison, AL; M. Taber/Lookout Mtn FP WALKER, LISA S.: Nags Head, NC; G. Keoho/Kitty Hawk Kites Region 11 TRIEFF, ROBERTS.: Galveston, TX; J. Hunt/Red River Aircraft SAGEBIEL,JAMESCHRISTOPHER:Austin,TX;S.Bums/AustinAirSpoits

NOVICE RA TINGS PILOT: City, State; Instructor/School Region 1 WHITMIRE, DAVID: Homer, AK; R. Coxon/Kitty Hawk Kites Region 2 FOWLER, JEFF: Mtn. View, CA; D. Yount/Mission Soaring HIDALGO, MANNY: Martinez, CA; D. Yount/Mission Soaring BARTLETT, JONATHAN: Pleasant Hill, CA; D. Ruzek/AirtimeofSF Region 3 ZARTH, ERIC: Westminster, CA; D. Engel/Southland HG MILLER, LUEN: Santa Cruz, CA: H. Amal/Western Hang Gliders

HANG GLIDING

RATINGS COCHRANE, RAYMOND: Long Beach, CA; D Skadal KIM, SUNG: Granada Hills, CA; J. Greblo/Windsports Intl BAUERLEIN, TONI L.: Long Beach. CA; D. Skadal CRISTENSEN, MARK: Monte Sereno, CA; W. Henry Region 4 WEST, TOMMY: Alamogordo, NM; P. Hobson YOCUM, TOM: Snowmass, CO; G. Middleton/Snowmass Windsports GRAHAH JR, RICHARD: Colo. Spgs, CO; R. Wilkinson/Eagles Nest GOODRO, BRYAN: Sandy, UT; K. Stowe/Windrider MANROSS, MARVIN: Phoenix, AZ; D. Gordon/Arizona Windsports Region 5 STARKS, CRAIG: Riverton, WY; J. Ryan Region 6 EV ANS, DAVID: St. Louis, MO; L. Haney/Sail Wings HALL, WAYNE: Mayflower, AR; L. Haney/Sail Wings

Region 3 HASSETT, GARNETT: San Diego, CA; J. Ryan SODERQUIST, MARILYN: Temecula, CA; P. Bums/Windgypsy ANTINORI, ERINE: San Diego, CA; G. J\1!eadows DESBOROUGH, CHRIS: Santa Ana, CA; D. Skadal RICHARD, RUSS J.: Avila Beach, CA; J. Hageman Region 4 KAUFFMAN, ETHAN: Salt Lake City, UT; K. Stowe/Winclrider POULSEN, MICHAEL: W. Jordan, UT: C. Stockwell/Southwincl HG Region 5 PARHAM, R. MARK: Sun Valley, ID; D. Quackenbush/fore Flight Concepts Region 8 DA VIS, JOHN (BUD): Wendell, MA; R. Hastings/Morningside FP

Region 7 EADS, TERRY: Chicago, IL; J. Ryan

Region 9 KASTANEK, ERIC: Charleston, WV; P. Brooks/Sky Flight STERLING, DUTCHER: Virginia Beach, VA; G. Mick

Region 9 BALUCH, DEAN: Cumberland, MD; J. Rowan OSTROWSKI, SEAN F.: Mt. Rainier, MD; P. Neff/Lookout lvltn FP

Region 10 GLOVER, DAVID H.: Nags Head, NC; R. Coxon/Kitty Hawk Kites WEA VER, BRUCE: Nags Head, NC: R. Coxon/Kitty Hawk Kites

Region 10 OBERHOLTZER, ELIZABETH:Chawmooga,TN;J. Reynolds/Lookout Mt. KELLY, JIM: Chattanooga, TN; J. Reynolds/Lookout Mtn FP MAYS, KIRK: Columbus, MS; J. Reynolds/Lookout Mtn FP ROGERS, SCOTT: Cordova, TN; J. Reynolds/Lookout Mtn FP PHILLIPS, JOSEPH: Hobe Sound, FL; D. Engel/Southland HG WILLIAlVISON, MATT: Columbia, SC; R. Jacob/Sequatchie Valley

Region 1 JOHNSON, ROB: Seattle, WA; C. Sturtevant

Region 11 YETTERBERG, JAKE: San Antonio, TX; J. Hunt/Red River Aircraft AMOS, HANK: San Antonio, TX; J. Hunt/Red River Aircraft SUMMERS, JOHN: San Antonio, TX; J. Hunt/Red River Aircraft

Region 2 COOK, RANDY: Chico, CA; J. Goebl HYSTEK, PHILIP: San Francisco, CA; A. Whitehill/Chandelle CASTLETON, KEN: San Ramon, CA; A. Whitehill/Chandelle

Region 12 LASKARIS, GEORGE: Brooklyn, NY; W. Wiand PIKE, DAVIDS.: Beacon, NY; G. Black/lvlountain Wings ULHRICH, RUSSELL W.: Troy, NY; .T. Ryan

Region 7 MITCHELL, JOHN: Hammond, IN; A. Mantas/Spectrum HG

ADVANCED RATINGS PILOT: City, State; Instructor/School

Region lO KEOHO, GREG: Nags Head, NC; G. Ball

INTER MEDIA TE RA TINGS PILOT: City, State; Instructor/School

MASTER RA TINGS SACHER, RICHARD: Jeffersonville, IN

Region 2 STEPHENS, DANNY: Modesto, CA; K. Muscio LIGHT, JEROME: Sunnyvale, CA; A. Whitehill/Chandelle SCHMITT, CLIFF: Mtn. View, CA; D. Skadal FEBRUARY 1991

ST. PAUL, MINN -- The competition season is upon us once again forming our top story in this edition of "Product Lines." The East Coast Hang Gliding Championships is being sponsored by Henson Gap's Sequatchie Valley Soaring Supplies, the resident shop. The only significant (remaining) east coast contest has filled the void left by the disappearance of the Grandfather Master's meet. The ECHGC will be the 3rd contest under this name and the 4th year for a world class meet at the popular Tennessee site. Now, it is the "only sanctioned cash purse meet," says contest director and organizer, Rick Jacob. "We're expecting a minimum of $1,000 in cash, but more importantly, we' 11 have numerous prizes with a cash value exceeding $3,000. It continues to grow from last year, when for example, Jim Zeiset won $250 worth of goods by hitting the spot at the end of one of the X-C tasks," added Jacob. For those seeking competition points, this is the first of a 1991 series of 450-point meets (others include Telluride, the Nats, and one other contest). Jacob will be using a modified version of the Australian Nationals contest format; pilots will fly in two heats. "Thirty four pilots are already entered out of a max' field of 60, and we have a waiting list if selected top ranked pilots don't reserve space," reported Cliff Whitney, Jacob's partner in the SVS shop. Whitney is assembling a program with pilot facts to guide spectators. Many manufacturers have indicated support, with Ball, Pacific Airwave, Enterprise Wings, BRS and others making donations or giving presentations at the meet. Others have expressed interest but are unverified at this writing. Local support is excellent, with many town businesses assisting the organizers. Readers might recall that Dunlap, Tennessee showed its support of our favorite way to fly by declaring itself, "The Hang Gliding Capital of the East!" ••• Time is short. The event is April 13-22, so if you don.' t have plans made, you better hurry. Dunlap motels report space is already reserved, but Chattanooga (40 min away) has ample facilities. You can

call 615/949-2301 (shop) or 404/416-7171 for further information. • • • While Wills Wing revs up their promo machine on their new paragliders, PacAir has also jumped into the fray. They've begun importing Airwave's Black Magic line of paragliders. Sales manager Kenny Brown went to the Elk Mtn Flyin up in northern California finding rave reviews for Black Magics. • • • In other PacAir news, their Double Vision tandem glider is in final prototype stage. Says Brown, "The original sail has become 215 square feet and some additions to the hardware include a prelaunch adjustment to 'dial in' frame to sail settings for a variety of wing loadings." , Sort of a stationary VG system, you could say. Roll reversals are called "very pleasant," and the glider flies well even with only a single pilot aboard. The effort ~o make a purpose-designed, double surface tandem hang glider seems worthwhile. The company says many customers are waiting impatiently. ••• USHGA offices report good interest in Peter Cheney's training book introduced last year. Following some initial problems, the books are moving well. If you haven't seen one, you should take a glance. It's a beautifully produced effort that really enhances the image of training materials. Cheney will now try to market the book to other englishspeaking countries. He is a reporter for the Toronto Star newspaper, perhaps helping to explain the volume's very professional appearance. The book was published by Lookout Mtn's Matt Taber; art was created by Cheney and Patrick Corrigan (also with the Star). Two corrections on the aerotowing fatality referenced here in recent months: Tennessee pilot Greg Wonowski informs us that the aircraft was not owned by hang gliding shop and site owner, Bruce Hawk. Also the aircraft was equipped with a parachute, but the pilot was simply too low to use it, reports Greg. The Florida Draggin-Flyers also plan to have parachutes on both machines currently being built. ••• We're outta room once again. Got news or opinions? Send 'em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Call (days) 612/457-7491. Fax to: 612/457-8651. THANKS' !

HANG GLIDING

FRONT Here is what I have accumulated so far:

WISCONSIN Tow or Bluff Rod Hauser

608-269-6304

MINNESOTA Tow or Bluff Curt Knutson

612-559-0816

ILLINOIS Tow - June 1-2 Marty Bunner

BACK

414-859-2777

INDIANA Tow - May 4-5 (Rain Date May 18-19) Rich Sacher 812-288-6597 Bill Bryden 812-372-4101

MICHIGAN

Mt Pleasant - May 25 - 27 Norman Lesnow 313-399-9433 Bill Fifer 616-922-2844

\ \

IOWA Tow - May 11-12 or 18-19 Scott Lesnet 319-264-2141 These are your Qualifier Meet Directors. Please contact them or myself if you have any further questions.

t In last months issue, under the picture, Pat Caulfield was driving, not Coffman. Sorry Pat.

i Our championship meet will be held in Tomah, WI at the local airport, June 21, 22, and 23. The tasks will be as follows: 1. Open distance 2. Set course for Sparta, tum and go to Westby approximately 50 plus miles. 3. With west winds, we will fly Hauser's Bluff, with a straight race to Tomah approximately 40 miles. With north or south winds we will tow with similar courses. Tomah is about mid-way of Wisconsin on I-90 - 94, where they divide. Take Hi-way 16 East to the

Region 7 Shirts: Here is just a quick look at what is to come.

.. I Bloyer Field on the right. Camping will be available and there is a motel across the street. Entry fee will be $25.00 with $3.00 pertow.

Please send me your news! Even if it is old news to you it is still new to the rest of us. My number is (608) 269-6304, or Rod Hauser, Route 1 Box 73A, Cashton, WI 54619.

There will be a dinner Saturday night and fireworks free for participants. A small fee for non-participants will be charged. PLEASE NOTE: All pilots in tow meets must have their new tow rating. Please call me if you need to find out an examiner/observer in your area. You needed this rating as of January l.

ns!

Rich Sacher of Jeffersonville, Indiana, has just received his Masters rating. Way to go Rich!!

SOAR UP THE PERFORMANCE tADDER SOAR UP 1:0 PACIFIC AIRWAVE eacific Airwave builds the ultimate gliders for every level of pilot. Period. Vision MK IV 17/19, a time-proven standard in excellence. If you are a student looking for double surface performance and a glider that will take you to your first X-C flights you are looking for a Vision MK IV. Available in two sizes, the Vision MK IV allows you to maximize your enjoyment with the confidence that comes standard on a glider that is #1 with USHGA Certified instructors. The Vision MK IV is the lightest, most suitable entry level, double surface glider available.

Magic Formula 144/154, for the next tier in your soaring career. Until the release of the Magic Formula there was limited choice for the recreational sport pilot. Now there is one choice glider, the Magic Formula. "Top of the stack" sink rate. Smooth responsive handling. Broad speed range. Pacific Airwave fast set up. 50 MPH VNE. What more could you want from a glider with an already long list of standard features.

The n e w ~ 145/155, a superb high performance glider. Refinements on the top end allow the~to exhibit superb tracking characteristics. Cross bars tensioning is easier with new hardware and design. The V.G. system is the finest ever. Indexed line and a clever pulley/cleat allow for finite adjustment with minimal effort. Dynamically load tested in excess of 1O G's for a 200 lbs. pilot and pitch tested to 65 mph the .k.. is a confidence inspiring glider. For serious X-C or Competition pilots, the .k.. offers more smiles per mile. Service, we don't just do it, we engineer it into all our gliders. At Pacific Airwave service is our #1 priority. Just ask any hang gliding professional. Pacific Airwave has been continuously setting the standards in customer service and support for years. This same philosophy is applied to every aspect of our design and day to day business.

Pacific AIRWAVE

PACIFIC AIRWAVE LTD D P.O. Box 4384 D SALINAS, CA 93912 D TEL. 408-422-2299 D FAX 408-758-3270