ByDanJohnson.com

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Back home in frigid but thawing Minnesota after a temporary warmup in the Sunshine State last month. Halfway in between is a place virtually every hang glider pilot knows: Chattanooga. My former hometown, it was the birthplace of "Product Lines," but these days it’s best known for its major hang gliding enterprise — Lookout Mountain Flight Park, or simply LMFP. ••• Owner and boss, Matt Taber, though well known to most anyone in the sport, is something of an unsung hero. In recent memory surprisingly little has been written about the country’s biggest shop. LMFP is "biggest" by virtue of enrolling more students in the USHGA pilot proficiency program than any other school, a laudable achievement. The Lookout Mountain site is one of the country’s best known flying sites, visited by pilots from all over the USA and the world. You might also call it the biggest shop because Taber owns both launch and landing sites, to include a huge LZ where he is now building cabins for visiting pilots. In addition to running a preeminent mountain launch site, LMFP provides aero towing out of the big landing field. They use a trike that Taber built using his mechanical background but they also have a Dragonfly and are working on another tow plane of Taber’s design. • He plans to expand beyond pure hang gliding, to wit, LMFP is taking a SuperFloater dealership. After his main tow pilot, Jim Hook, was tragically killed last year, Taber assumed tugging duties, racking up 600 hours in part of a season. As you’d imagine, this stretched Matt pretty thin for a while. He’s a survivor though, adding the alternative launch methods as business slacked off a bit due to three active schools in Florida, long a state that was LMFP’s biggest source of customers. (The three include newcomers Quest Air and Wallaby Ranch plus well established Miami HG.) • As if his other duties weren’t enough, Matt also serves the USHGA board plus he publishes the association’s official training book. All this may be old hat to you, but this very familiarity has caused a dearth of material to be published about the big school. I felt it was deserved to give LMFP and Matt a little ink. We can all hope he and his staff can keep going strong! ••• Speaking of keeping it up, GW Meadows is sort of single-handedly tackling the ’96 Nats, naming it the Just Fly Nationals after his business. Too cozy? Hardly! Think of any big sporting event which benefits from a major sponsor; the brand name/logo is often part of the event’s full name. Besides, it shows a creativity that might not come with a local club sponsorship. • Listen to a few of GeeDub’s ideas. He’ll have several classes of competition, including "Rookie, Intermediate Glider, Never-Been-In-The-Top-50, Over 45 Years Old," and more. The Just Fly Nats will have a contest for the the "Wildest Photo" at the Turn Point each day, a Driver’s Contest… and all the above will have cash prizes plus gifts galore (the last being no great surprise given Just Fly’s growing dominance of the accessory market for hang gliding). GeeDub adds, "The best prizes will not go to the top-placing World-Class pilots; they always get the good stuff." • Sounds cool to me and GW says he’s working overtime to be sure its fun and safe. Maybe this is the one you oughta’ attend? Entry fee is $325 with a refund policy. Check it out… call Just Fly at 919/480-3552. ••• Hadn’t heard from industry leader Wills Wing for a while, but they’ve got new bragging rights after hotshot Kari Castle won the Women’s World Championships on a WW XC 155. CONGRATS, KARI! WW prez Rob Kells observed that she’s the first American ever to be a Class I World Champ (though Rex Miller was Class II Champs back in the ’70s). • Wills also reports a satisfying response to their Falcon intro glider, having now sold over 500 copies. Since the wait lengthened considerably last year, they’ve built a hundred for spring delivery this year. Interestingly, some 150 Falcons are being used for Skyfloating, the Wills technique employing a paragliding harness for supine (or suprone) flying. German certification appears imminent offering access to that big market for the U.S. brand. • My own flights on a Falcon at the Wallaby Ranch aerotow center suggested this glider towed as well as any hang diver that comes to mind. I flew a 195 and it all but handled itself through three tows to 2,500 feet, even throughout turns. Most satisfying, and it provided me with three dandy landings that made me look good. • Finally, WW says that their prototype XC 132 is flying well, though "no telling when it will be in production." ••• Errors & Omissions Dept. — German company Bautek’s Sunrise model is not a topless glider as reported here earlier. My source was incorrect. Doesn’t change the possibility implied by the trend, but the question remains: Is is real or is it marketing? • In my brief review of some Internet World Wide Web sites, I failed to mention one you may find of interest… at least those of you who enjoy keeping an eye on the rest of the hang gliding world. One of the best English-language magazines other than the one in your hands is Britain’s Skywings. You may not care to subscribe, but they’ve got a WWW site that contains portions of the well-edited rag. "Check out http://test.ebrd.com/skywings/home.html," says editor Joe Schofield. ••• Hey! Outta room. Next month, I plan my product-oriented review of the 1995 USHGA member survey. So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Vmail or fax to 612/450-0930. Email to CumulusMan@aol.com. THANKS!

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ORLANDO, FLORIDA — Escaping Minnesota’s arctic winter for a few days of work in Florida, this column comes to you from the sunshine state where I got a glimpse of a new design in testing. It shows a distinctly American slant… on a new glider design trend that seems to to be showing strength in Europe. ••• What with winglets last year and internal ribs the year before — well, also ram scoops used by at least two builders before that idea lost momentum — the new notion of "toplessness" appears hot as a pistol. French giant La Mouette already has a glider called the Topless, and German leader Bautek has an entry in the topless sweepstakes named the Sunrise. These gliders have no upper rigging whatsoever. La Mouette is advertising "no kingpost and no compression strut." The Dijon, France-based company also boasts a four Gs negative load capability thanks to a carbon spar. Of course, they also claim it has an "unbeatable glide angle" and "great handling." (But then, rarely are such qualities left out of the advertising of any new glider, eh?). La Mouette goes on to further tantalize with this statement, "Not only does [this construction] reduce the drag of the top rigging and kingpost plus the interference drag, it also allows revolutionary developments, impossible with the rigid standard frame." La Mouette is apparently delivering their newest glider, so if you’re one who’s gotta have the latest and greatest, contact La Mouette in France by faxing 011-33-80-55-42-01 or calling 011-33-80-56-66-47. ••• At least some knowledgeable observers suspect the glider has highly washed out wings to accommodate the strains of a topless design. However, photos in La Mouette’s ad and in an Italian magazine article show the Topless and the Sunrise exhibiting quite flat wings that superficially appear as good as so-called standard gliders. ••• Is America missing out on this trend? Whether toplessness is a genuine development or clever new marketing trick, we’ll find out soon enough (as with the ram inlet?). Meanwhile my visit to Orlando made me aware of an American design going through more testing without upper or lower rigging. Hmmm? Yep, a visit to the Wallaby Ranch revealed efforts to put a new Terry Reynolds design on a test truck. For those who’ve forgotten, Reynolds was an originator of the graphite airframe TRX. His fascinating new idea is not only topless but bottomless as well. A massive tapered composite cross bar and keel plates eliminate the upper and lower rigging without adding struts. Of course you still must have a control bar, so a sweeping composite form arcs around from the nose to present a "handling bar" to the pilot. Ranch boss, Malcolm Jones, says the Reynolds glider is heavy and is a work in progress, but he feels it introduces new concepts. What makes the new Reynolds design doubly interesting is that Will Wing is fully aware of it, in fact, having done some testing of the new design on their test truck. The Wallaby Ranch effort follows the WW work, addressing the pitching moment and other changes in the evolving design. Load carrying ability was said to be satisfactory. ••• Comparing all three gliders to Dick Boone’s strutted Dawn… it is clear that new concepts are at work. The new gliders have a distinctly innovative look to them. I’ll bet more gliders of this description will emerge. After my dour words about low glider builder advertising at the beginning of the year, such new activities provide a much needed spark (just as Wills’s Ram Air created such a sensation that over 100 were sold before it had even been released). I’ll keep watching the trend but appreciate advisories from any pilots who are aware of exciting new developments. ••• Though their gliders are more conventional, they’re beautifully built in that Italian trademark way. I’m talking about the Laminar, whose builder Icaro 2000 is making a bigger bid for American customers. A mailing recently went out to many pilots and business people. Icaro’s Boy Wonder — to compare with Moyes’s Suchanek — is Manfred Ruhmer. Placing Second at the ’95 Worlds in Ager, Spain, Ruhmer is a hot talent indeed; he’s logged several Firsts. If you want info on this brand fax 011-39-332-648-079 or phone 011-39-332-648-335. Yes, they have English literature to send you. ••• In closing, Just Fly has a new GPS for those of you who haven’t jumped on this latest bandwagon. Common among electronic goodies, a new Garmin 38 model offers a lowest-yet price of $299 and Just Fly knocks another $100 off… to only $199! If you haven’t bought yet, do so now! GPS units are at least intriguing if not darned important to any kind of distance flying. Where else can you buy so much fun for less than $200? With a case looking just like the Garmin 40, the 38 doesn’t supply a carrying case, training video, or four AA batteries allowing Garmin to shave the price even more. It does have a couple new features as well as a low price tag. One is a compass page that looks like a rotating compass, a handy idea. Another useful function is a back track feature that lets you jump back to your previous screen (waypoints or whatever). True, the price may drop a few dollars more, but in my mind, $199 makes Just Fly’s Garmin 38 a true commodity item. I doubt the price will descend much further. Call 1-800/546-3596. ••• Hey! Outta room. So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Vmail or fax to 612/450-0930. Email to CumulusMan@aol.com. THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — In another month or so, the soaring season will once again kick into high gear. At least, I hope it’s another good year with abundant thermals and perhaps a new record flight or two. It’s up to you, of course… you and you diver. Which brings me to an observation after reviewing the January issue of Hang Gliding. ••• Because I have flying interest that straddle several aircraft segments, I see about two dozen aviation magazines a month. I’ve been watching a trend in all of them, dating back into the early ’80s or even before. By my perception, aircraft manufacturer ads are steadily giving way to what I’ll call aftermarket ads. This is true in every aviation magazine I get and it looks like it’s happening in Hang Gliding, too. ••• "So what," you ask? Here’s what: if folks selling accessories items (instruments, helmets, parachutes, clothing and more) are buying more and more of the ad space while aircraft manufacturers are buying less, what does it tell you about the future? ••• In the January 1996 issue of Hang Gliding, only five glider builders ran ads, totaling three pages of ads, only two and half of which were for hang gliders. This time of year is slower, though, and more pages will likely be sold in spring or summer issues. To compare on the basis of type not quantity, I divided the other ads in this slow issue into the following categories: Instruments/Radios; Accessories (including harnesses, helmets, books & videos, and clothing); Retail (shops and schools, some of which feature accessory items in their ads); Service; and Glider Manufacturers. ••• The biggest was Accessories with 37% of all ad space, substantially ahead of Manufacturers at 22% (with only 18% representing hang glider builders). Glider builders were closely trailed by Services (mostly USHGA) at 17% and Instruments at 16%. Retailers brought up the rear at only 7%, but most shops can’t afford national display advertising. ••• Now, all the preceeding applied solely to display space. Classified ads looked plentiful, and they are a widely accepted measure of magazine health. Classified pages in January were pretty consistent with year-round trends at seven pages. This is an additional 50% of ad space and I did not identify which category each ad represented. ••• What does all this mean? The magazine is one of the USHGA membership’s most visible benefits and trade magazine health is considered to be a good benchmark for the health of an industry. So? Are we becoming more oriented on the aftermarket gear than new gliders? Are hang glider manufacturers becoming an endangered species? We don’t have enough information to make an informed decision. Plus the industry is dynamic; it can go from sinking out in dead air to skying out in strong lift in just a few month’s time. Fortunately here in early 1996, each of our manufacturers appear to be enjoying adequate to good business, so perhaps it’s merely a normal trend in a maturing industry. While a paradigm shift may be underway, be glad all these fine folks are building or selling stuff we want and that they buy ad space to tell you about them. ••• On to another topic… After my several columns on towing over the last year, I was made aware I’d left out one faction: the stationary winch. In fact, I knew about them, having owned and operated one of the first Paul Yarnall winches. But in the subsequent developments of platform towing and the arrival of aero towing, I admit overlooking stationary winches. ••• This type of winch remains the most popular form of towing in Europe, especially so for the sailplane community. Perhaps due to America’s vastly greater supply of open land, we prefer platform towing. An interesting side note: aero towing may be about equal in each continent. ••• As stationary winch operator, Greg Black, says, [platform winches] "are hydraulic brakes not hydraulic winches." Correct he is as we mainly use pay-out winches not wind-up winches. Besides his own operation in Ellenville, NY, Black knew of other stationary winches in service at Tek Flight (CT), a deeply experienced Mike Robertson (CAN), and high time winch king, Norm Lesnow (MI). ••• Another stationary winch is used by hang gliding airshow pilot, Dan Buchanan, in his colorful air show act. Both Buchanan and Robertson use step towing, one of the unique ways stationary winches can be used. In this technique — which may have originated in Europe — a pilot is towed toward the winch, turning finally and flying away from the winch, pulling the tow line with him. When he reaches the correct distance he 180s again toward the winch and the winch resumes winding in pulling the glider higher. Buchannan cleverly uses this technique to remain at an altitude where the public can see his glider clearly. With only a thin line connecting him to his stationary winch which is out of sight to all but those in the front rows, his ability to sustain altitude looks almost magical. ••• Robertson, longtime a hang gliding instructor, uses his stationary winch seven days a week, and reportedly has students step towing within a short time. Black told of his own experience getting 7,000 feet of line out while towing a pilot for 45 minutes. "Trolling for thermals," he called it. The point is that towing offers at least three main systems that can do a credible job. As towing grows as a part of overall launches, available systems are important. ••• Well, diver fans, we’re outta room again. So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930, or E-mail to: CumulusMan@aol.com THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — Welcome to a new year! With the holidays behind us (whew!), you may have some gift cash burning a hole in your harness pocket. I have a few suggestions to help you unburden that pocket. But first… ••• The big news in the safety business is the unanticipated departure of Second Chantz, ballistic parachute maker and marketer of owner John Dunham’s A.I.R. rocket. Second Chantz succumbed to a legal system (with which we’re all-too familiar) that can create huge bills even when a company is unlikely to lose a case. The Reno outfit ceased taking orders on November 1st and will halt all service work January 31st. Too bad, Second Chantz was an innovator that we’ve now lost forever. I wish John well in his new endeavors, namely selling Air Création trikes. As it turns out, Dunham entered an agreement with BRS after closing Second Chantz, so fortunately he’ll still have input to ballistic systems for hang gliding. BRS has acquired the rights to the A.I.R. rocket although the surviving company announced no immediate plans to use the compressed air device. Speaking of BRS… ••• Besides the deal with John Dunham, the company has been active. It secured a Phase II NASA grant worth $600,000 to investigate making parachutes of entirely new materials. If the two-year project proves fruitful, it is possible parachutes will use only half the space they do now and weigh just half as much. Of course, it’s only research and the results may not prove successful. However, BRS had partially proved the concept with a Phase I grant of the contract. ••• Proliferation on the ‘Net takes the form of new World Wide Web sites. One such — that helped me learn more about the process and capabilities — was for BRS which now has both an E-mail address (BRSchute@aol.com) and a web home page (http://users.aol.com/BRSchute/BRS.HTML). One of the fascinating parts of the web, the part that truly explains its name, is the interlocking set of connections that can link you to other web sites of similar interest. As BRS computer guru, Steve Swanson, set up the BRS page, he requested other organizations to add links on their pages to the BRS offering. In return he’d do likewise. Swanson said, "I found more hang gliding on the ‘net than any other form of aviation." ••• When he prepared the BRS page, he placed on it a survey for hang gliders pilots. If you’re on the ‘net and care to respond, please access the page and do your electronic thing. ••• Well, now to some post-Christmas items of interest. • Mail-order man, GW Meadows has taken on U.S. distribution of the Icaro 2000 line of helmets and his Just Fly company is beginning to market them. Three styles are available. An all-white full-face model weighs only 1.4 pounds. It has ear openings, is nicely finished for a comfortable fit, and offers wide visibility for $249, well under competing Uvex models, Meadows says. Next is a gorgeous "Carbon Optic" helmet with the same shape and features of the white one for $269. Finally for those who aren’t worried about jaw injuries, the "Jet" half-helmet is available for $149. All these helmets are made of Kevlar and carbon and have European certification for flying use (CE 95-0497). The full-face models have beefed up jaw protection as other helmets have shown vulnerability in this area. • If you’ve missed the GPS revolution so far, you may’ve saved money as Just Fly is offering the Garmin 40 for the super-low price of only $264 or the slightly more capable Garmin 45 for just $299. At these prices, don’t miss out! Contact Just Fly at 800/546-3596 (to order) or 919/480-3552 (to ask questions). You can also ask for their catalog which GW says "has done bonkers." • Speaking of catalogs, Volume II of MoJo’s Gear Catalog is out with 48 pages of full-color goodies you should examine. Too much cool stuff is available to mention here, but I’ll bet you can get a copy by calling 800/261-MOJO. Prices look quite competitive and the selection is genuinely broad for both hang gliding and paragliding pilots. • If you didn’t already order the Rogallo Foundation’s "Wings for the World" poster (framed and glass protected for $490), you may be lucky. If you act quickly you can obtain a rolled-up version (no frame or glass) for a mere $40. Foundation boss, Vic Powell, says these are collector’s items that "will increase in value." Send your check to P.O. Box 2377, Washington DC 20026 or call Vic at 202/720-7762. • Some interesting reading comes in Larry Fleming’s "Downwind" book. Says HG mag editor and book reviewer, Gil Dodgen, "[Downwind] is packed with amusing, frightening, inspiring, and informative anecdotes — all true and well told." Do you actually need more incentive while hiding from cold winter winds? Especially if you missed the early days, Gil says, you’ll "certainly enjoy" it. For prepaid shipping, send $13.95 to Chris Gregor Publishing, P.O. Box 26595, Fresno CA 93279. • Finally, on a more serious note perhaps, David Prentice offers the Flight Medic, a "personal first-aid/trauma/survival kit." The bag is sewn in blaze orange, is clearly marked, and has velcro straps that allow it to be easily attached. Prentice is a certified EMT-I with extensive experience in emergency medicine. The kit comes with a medical history card pilots can complete. He’s included what he calls the "proper supplies to do basic stabilization of a trauma patient, simple first-aid, and survival equipment," all in a one-pound package. The price is $85 and you can call 505/296-0219 or E-mail to "bsaint@unm.edu". Even if you aren’t trained in the use of all the components, you’d have them for someone else to use. A worthy idea, I think. ••• Well, diver fans, we’re outta room again. So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930, or E-mail: CumulusMan@aol.com THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — Up here (too) near the arctic circle, it’s clear that winter is just ahead. It didn’t appear that way in Orlando, Florida at the end of October when You-shga’s board of directors got together for another of their twice-a-year meetings. In addition to the business of the association, many directors took flights at one of the two airparks near Orlando. For some of these leaders, the operations provided their first chance to see aero towing happening in an enthusiastic way. For others it was their first chance to be aerotowed. ••• The Quest Air bunch at Groveland Airport (just west of Orlando) hosted the Thursday night "Ice Breaker" party that forms the first assembly of the board. Many directors arrived early enough to tow from behind three Dragonfly tugs present. (One is operated by Quest Air, and the airport is the new home of Bobby Bailey’s Dragonfly building enterprise.) After sundown, Quest Air and friends put out a superb Mexican Buffet and served beverages in their newly remodeled clubhouse. Everyone enjoyed this great way to end a day of flying. ••• On Saturday, Wallaby Ranch hosted a second party for the directors and Ranch pilots. A band entertained while everyone present scooped up free catered food and beverages. Earlier in the day, those directors whose committee work was done were able to take a few flights. During the party, everyone enjoyed the "body suit show…" ask your director for an explanation. ••• In a different use of the Ranch, Wills Wing president, Rob Kells, held a demo days opportunity to fly the company’s line of gliders. It been years since I recall Rob touring around demoing divers, but he certainly hasn’t forgotten how to do a smooth and professional job. He was enthused by the sheer volume of demos flights he was able to offer, thanks to the continuous tug operation at Wallaby. "We had well over 40 demo flights in a weekend. In the past it’s taken three weekends to get that much done," reported Rob. Ranch hands also noted that Kells only needed to do one setup of each glider. Pilots flew the Cross Country in several sizes and many sky gods even took enjoyable flights in WW’s Falcon series. (Heck, managed to get a couple hours myself in the single surface model; reminded me why I enjoyed "the old days.") ••• The towing wasn’t all aero towing. Jim Zeiset and Robert Combs (and Jim’s son, Zack) brought Pendulum Sports’ specially-built towing boat. Done in Zeiset’s usual first-class style the boat and system worked well, giving tandem flights to a number of directors and others. Tows to better than 2,000 feet went quite smoothly and the slick deck system in back makes retrieving the glider very easy. ••• Towing is a tool to one group that wasn’t in Florida. The Blue Sky Gang in Salt Lake City uses a Dragonfly tug for design work and test flights (a technique other builders might contemplate …it allows work away from the prying eyes of customers and competitors). Blue Sky didn’t attend the Orlando gathering as production is beginning for their new Predator. This latest entry has been a long time in development, but "it was time well spent," says John Heiney, Blue Sky consulting engineer. ••• The new glider boasts several new features and I won’t comment on all of them. Blue Sky has a lengthy, detailed description I’m sure they’ll send if you call: 801-876-3003. My focus was on three things. • First, the glider has a speedy setup system that is genuinely exciting early buyers. Blue Sky calls it an "industry first," referring to a system that eliminates the need to connect any top rigging. Even the king post erects when the glider is tensioned and control bar corner hardware is said to "forever eliminate the possibility of a kinked side wire." • Second, the Predator uses vortex generators, "small angled strips just aft of the leading edge near the tip, that create small vortices that keep the airflow ‘attached’ through a higher angle of attack." This may sound like Star Trek double-talk, but in fact it is a common practice within general aviation. Although used on much higher speed aircraft than hang gliders, the technique is widely accepted as a means of keeping the separation point further aft. This brings a lower stall speed. • Third, the Predator offers an upgrade path (to borrow computer terminology) for TRX owners. Since the Predator uses the same carbon fiber airframe as the older model, owners can convert their TRXs to the Predator for an undisclosed sum. Regardless of the cost, this is the first such offer I’m aware of in hang gliding and fulfills a promise to TRX buyers (that their airframes would last beyond the sail). Designers are pleased with performance and handling of the Predator and some customers have proclaimed them right. To date several dozen pilots have flown the glider. Glowing reviews appeared on the Internet. One of these is from Heiner Biesel, who ended his upbeat report with "I’m not involved with Blue Sky Aircraft in any way, and paid for the glider out of my own pocket." Testimonials like that don’t hurt a bit. ••• With the passing of UP International USA, I’m pleased to see the Utah team staying in the game. Associating with Heiney are well-known master sail maker, Dick Cheney; highly ranked competition pilot and shop operator, Dave Sharp; and 21-year veteran HG pilot and airline pilot, Dave Chapman. ••• Outta room again. So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930, or send E-mail to: CumulusMan@aol.com THANKS!
mulusMan@aol.com THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — Taking a break from towing this month, we’re back to diving down hills. And I do mean diving, and I do mean down. As in fast. As in speed gliding. The first Official Speed Gliding Contest in Washoe Valley — near Carson City, Nevada — is history. • Speed Gliding: I think UK developer, Murray Rose, has encouraged a means of showcasing hang gliding which is one of the most exciting ideas to come along in years. Such a venue might help hang gliding earn an entry to the Olympics or another world-class event. I acknowledge that such vast media attention may not be an universally-desired objective. Many hang glider pilots may not want the growth that comes with promotion. Nonetheless, the activity is so promising that I’m tickled to see a speed gliding event held so we begin to learn how it all works. ••• According to Ray Leonard, "The racing was fun and exciting." The event took place at the Washoe State Park (at the foot of Slide and McClellan mountain launches). "The state park has recently been designated an official Flight Park. Rangers have offered a beautiful LZ with a newly graded road to the launches," reported Leonard. That qualifies as some dandy site news; congratulations Ray and the Sierra Skysurfers. ••• Their "Awesome Fly-In" took place the end of September. Says Ray, "The first Official Speed Gliding Contest in Washoe Valley was most notably unofficial." Maybe so and pilot numbers were low, however, a couple national pilots challenged experienced locals. Dave Sharp flew his new Predator while Ken Brown of course flew a Klassic. Also "performing" were an Xtralite (Leonard), RamAir (Pat Bowen), Sensor (Mike Voorhis) and another Klassic (John Kerry). ••• The results were inconclusive, naturally, since so few pilots flew too few runs. Leonard admitted, "It was more pilot skill than pure speed." However, he couldn’t resist adding, "But speed sure is fun!" On the first day, they flew a 3.2 mile, 2,200 foot vertical. Sharp won on his Predator 142. The second day on the same course but with one, two, or three gates depending on your choice, Ken Brown won on his Klassic 144 with winglets. Again that day but on a different course, Mike Voorhis won with his Sensor. It all proves nothing but it was fun and maybe Speed Gliding will become something. Ray ended his report saying the meet wasn’t exactly scientific. "When the pilots sent the meet director off launch first and then changed the course, it added to the fun, but didn’t seem too accurate." Good fun! Call Ray at 702-883-7070 and about next year’s "dash for cash." In fact, if you have any cash, they’d really like to see you. ••• Clear across this vast country, your regional director was recently earning his keep at the just-ended USHGA Board of Directors fall meeting. The high-paying job got even more glamorous this time. The Directors are always made to feel welcome by a host club. But this time, they were actively solicited. No surprise, really, as the greater Orlando area is a hotbed of activity. A couple of weeks before leaving to the meeting, I received the third — count ’em, one, two, three — invitation to a nearby aero towing site. • New Quest Air was to hold the customary pre-meeting "ice breaker" party at their airport site near Groveland, Florida. • Wallaby Ranch was to throw a special Saturday night party for the Directors and the Ranch’s usual throng of visiting or local pilots. • Plus, Gregg and Diana McNamee welcomed flyers to their operation 15 minutes south of Silver Springs. "This area of Florida is horse and cattle country. You can experience native Florida in this wide open, laid back country environment," states their literature. Only one hour and 15 minutes north of Orlando, "the landowners are friendly and the landing zones are forgiving to any skill level pilot." ••• As long as we’re in Florida, might as well head all the way south… to Miami where Jose Casaudoumecq is running Bräuniger USA. Can you guess what he does? Natch, he sells the line of instruments, but Jose is also involved with selling and distributing La Mouette’s Paramotor plus giving lessons. For those who’ve missed this, the French company’s gizmo is a power pack for paragliders. Yeah, dark memories of "Fan Man," but this device has now been on the market for four years and has received it’s share of refinement including a two place model. Even more amazing is a little teeny, tiny "trike" to use with your Paramotor and paraglider. I shouldn’t be surprised. After all we are all involved in what some call "alternative aviation." ••• The Bräuniger alti/vario is a nice device that can match many features with the Afro, Digifly, and Ball offerings. Like Afro, Bräuniger uses three models to fill its line: the Basis SP basic model, the Classic, and the Competition. The latter two are very similar complete with total energy compensation and FAI-approved barograph. The Comp’ model adds a Speed-to-fly calculator among other sophistication. The Basis is more ordinary in every way. It doesn’t have TE compensation, a speed probe, or the same power (e.g., altimeter only to 16,500 feet not 30,000). But for only $490 with clamp, bag, and even a battery, what more do you really need? Call Jose at 305-639-3330. ••• Hey! Done again. So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930. You can E-mail to: CumulusMan@aol.com THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — Fall is here and your soaring will soon take place over a sea of colorful foliage. A lot of this may take place thanks to towing. True, "Product Lines" has focused on towing a lot lately, because I’m hearing plenty about it. Now this can be a self-fulfilling "prophecy," I realize. I write about towing and those with an interest in towing respond with information so I have still more to report. A cozy little circle. Yet in fact, I submit to you that I’m hearing about more towing because more towing is happening. If that’s true, then towing is indeed a subject worthy of more ink. I don’t portray this as supplanting mountain foot launching. Not at all, in fact, I’d say one complements the other. My opinion isn’t important, but if my perception is correct about towing occurring on a more consistent basis, then it deserves the coverage. ••• While I’ve looked at aerotowing a lot, the majority is still ground-based towing. Aerotowing demands a tug and a competent pilot, plus an airpark from which to fly. A glider dolly is useful as is a launch assistant. Ground-based towing needs a vehicle, winch, competent driver, and a long, uncluttered stretch of road or turf. An observer can be valuable. Supplying the ground based towing enthusiasts are two main outfits: TLS and TBT. ••• TLS is about to complete its sixth year in business, a fairly long time in the hang gliding industry. With over 50 systems in use, TLS has supplied U.S. tow operators as well those in ten foreign countries. TLS says it is "under sub-contract to NASA and Drydan Research Facility." Besides hang gliders, TLS systems have towed aloft paragliders and light sailplanes. Two new units were available for 1995. One system is "a completely automatic payout and line level rewind hydraulic winch, which includes a stainless steel line leveling drive." The unit can hold 3,000 feet of tow line and sells for under $2,000. The second unit is specifically designed to hold 2,000 feet of Spectra Tow Line and sells for only $1,395. It features the same automatic payout hydraulic system. Contact TLS at 210-824-1803. ••• TBT claims it is the "number one selling tow system of the market." Regardless of market shares, both companies are enjoying successes. The TBT is also a very slick-looking system built in a compact manner. TBT also offers an auto level wind set up ($2,295) plus a manual line leveling model for a lower cost ($1995). Neither are offered with line, which can be a mere $80 for 3,000 feet of Ultraline (3/16"-900 lbs. tensile). Or, you can choose the much costlier Kevlar, Spectra, or Spectron lines. The more exotic choices run from .075 inch to 3/32, 7/64, or 1/8 inch at strengths from 750 pounds tensile to 1,000, 1,200, or 1,500 pounds. TBT can sell you the extras you need such as line-saving recovery parachutes, three-"string" releases, weak links, and hook knives. Call 913-764-2991. ••• Not to be outmarketed, aerotowing and its suppliers continue to develop. John Dunham’s Air Creation America has a "Special Offer for Clubs." His import of aircraft now includes a bargain tug from French giant Air Création (arguably the world’s largest producer of ultralights… all trikes). For a limited time ACA is offering a Fun Racer 503 Tug for only $12,550. The ready-to-fly trike is Air Création’s basic single place trike fitted with a beefy 52-horse Rotax 503 engine. With tug releases — directly through the prop hub for better flight dynamics — the Fun Racer can provide low operating costs as a tug. The price compares well to the popular Dragonfly which approaches $20,000. Aside from its tug potential, the Fun Racer is a quality machine with many standard features. It also happens to be quite a blast for solo flight (without towing), as I found out at last spring’s Sun ‘n Fun airshow. Get an info sheet by calling ACA at 702-882-6046. ••• Though it’s not new, Texan Dave Broyles revived his old Pterodactyl ultralight and refitted it with the Jack McCornack tow system. (McCornack is concurrently "re"-developing the Ptug, the same idea only done new and with more horsepower.) Broyles has a long interest in towing and his recent acquisition of a SuperFloater dealership has him stoked about aerotowing in particular. Besides the ultralight sailplane, Dave figures to tow hang gliders and paragliders. He says, "a little more horsepower is desirable, but lots of choices are available." Broyles is now using a 35-hp Cuyuna, but has his eye on a 50-hp AMW/Cuyuna, the same as McCornack, he says. He’s excited, feeling the ‘Dac is "going to be quite a towplane, perhaps better than trikes." FMI: 214-727-3588. ••• Winches and tugs aren’t all you need, and some other suppliers are stepping in to help. Appropriate Engineering has a towline parachute available using the tried and true parafoil shape. Says developer, Barry Steele, "…it won’t accidentally open if the towline goes slack, yet it automatically opens when you release or break a wink link." A parafoil won’t spin even "at high rewind speeds," claims Steele. Sold complete and ready-to-use, the Parafoil Line Recovery System sells for $59.95 (4,000 foot Spectra line model) or $79.95 (larger or longer tow line model). Call 803-885-0949 ••• Wallaby Ranch has a tow release system, proven at their busy aerotow operation. For $99 you can obtain their ready-to-use, welded spinnaker release complete with a Finsterwalder base tube attachment. Wallaby is promoting their release as "a deluxe, well crafted model." For info, call 813-424-0070. Or, for you netsurfers, Wallaby has just initiated a Home Page on the World Wide Web. Though the online address is typically awkward, the "page" is nicely crafted and has hypertext content that allows you to jump to more areas for detailed info or explanations. I enjoyed looking at it and easily sent Wallaby some E-mail following my site visit. Address: "http://azazel.sdsc.edu/wallaby/wallaby.html. (If you can swallow the dang address, you might have a good time.) Hey, we’re outta room again! ••• So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612-450-0930. (or… New!) E-mail to: CumulusMan@aol.com THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — As I write this, the U.S. Nationals are underway and the ’95 World Meet in Spain has just concluded. ••• One wonders if a new "dynasty" is beginning? More to the point, will anyone ever beat Tomas Suchanek? Unprecedented in world hang gliding competitions, Suchanek won his third-in-a-row World Meet! A stunning accomplishment, I’m sure all hang glider pilots will join me in congratulating Tomas for winning the 1995 edition in Spain. Through eleven days of world-class flying by 190 pilots from 36 countries, Suchanek prevailed. After his again-repeat performance, it may appear all a contestant can hope for is Second Place. ••• Moyes Delta Glider is understandably pleased with the results, quickly sending out a mailer that heralds Suchanek’s and their accomplishment. While it’s Suchanek’s third World Championship title, Moyes brand can now claim five titles and even their Xtralite glider has two. Moyes had the most gliders represented in the top 50 finishing pilots. Their 16 Xtralites (32%) doubled that of the closest competitor, Airwave. • Wills had five gliders in the top 50* and was the only U.S. brand in the elite top quartile. *40th finisher, Canadian Chris Muller, was presumed to fly Wills (not identified in the news release). • High flying Jim Lee was the top-placing Yankee, finishing in 10th place on his Wills, trailed by Mark Gibson (Airwave) in 23rd, Brad Koji (Moyes) in 25th, Larry Tudor (Wills) in 33rd, Nelson Howe (Airborne) in 41st, and Mark Bennett (Airwave) in 43rd place. • Italy’s Icaro brand (once a Moyes licensee) managed third place with six of their Laminar 14s flying. The French brand, Tecma, tied for 4th with five F1s… matching Wills’ five XCs. Though French La Mouette brand is best known internationally, Tecma is a rising star and trounced La Mouette, who only earned two slots in the top 50. • As a country, Australia dominated the top quarter with 42% of all glider brands (Moyes 32%, Enterprise 6%, and Airborne 4%). England was second with 18%, followed by France with 14%. Italy had 12% and the USA came in fifth at 10% of the top 50. ••• Speaking of inter-national competitions… our representative to the FAI/CIVL (world body for hang gliding), writer Dennis Pagen, reported that the World Hang Gliding Series (WHGS) has been officially adopted and Pagen will serve on the committee that overseas its development along with Blue Sky looper John Heiney, Speed Gliding developer Murray Rose, and Joe Hayler. The contest will employ three task disciplines: Cross Country, Aerobatics, and Speed Gliding. Bids for this exciting venue are actively being solicited. Pagen indicated the planned Speed Gliding World Meet has been canceled. While it may sound like bad news, it’s actually good news. Organizer Rose has been able to secure a "major contract with the Reuters news agency" (a widely known, large, international news outfit). Pagen continued, "[Reuters] wanted a long-term contract under one format so we couldn’t have a World Meet that switched to a World Series." Pagen promised more information on this subject. The combination of cross country, aerobatics, and speed gliding seems to me to offer broad spectator appeal and Rose’s success at signing Rueters could bring massive coverage to our sport. I’ll try to keep you posted. ••• Jeff Greenbaum, owner of Airtime of San Francisco, brought not one but two new harness designs to the market. The first is his LaZer which features a "flexible back frame." The other is the Jetstream, a "competition version with full back frame." Both designs are built by Miguel Ochoa, whom Greenbaum promotes as having "20+ years of sewing experience and sewing loft management skills." Airtime plans to expand their harness manufacturing and will offer dealer pricing in the future. A unique feature of these harnesses is that "the body and main suspension system of each [harness] is the same." Greenbaum explained, "This means we will be able to convert any harness from one design to the other," ostensibly giving buyers more flexibility (or less, I guess, if moving from the more easily stowed flexible-back frame to the more supportive back-frame model). For more info, call Jeff at 415/759-1177. ••• Though they’ve been around for years now, it appears the marketing of electronic flight decks is becoming invigorated with new gizmos. U.S. distributor of the Afro line — Ikaros Sport Aviation of New York — announced two new instruments. In the Afro way, each is available in either the Cumulus shape most pilots recognize or the Micropanel shape, a larger screen with controls that appear somewhat more intuitive. The new boxes are called the Afro Easy and the Afro GPS. The Easy is an entry level model with the Cumulus cover offering variometer and altimeter for the low price of $339 with a few going for only $299. The Afro GPS, still in development, will also use the Cumulus shape and can "radio transmit all data to a Cumulus 3 or Micropanel 3" (which are top-end units; models are numbered 1, 2, and 3, each increasing in capability… and cost, of course). The Afro GPS could be carried in your harness or elsewhere. • Afro 2 models (either shape) can now be fitted with speed to fly software for a slight price increase. Call for literature: 718-777-7000. ••• After getting comments from fellow [Inter]"Netters," Danny Stephens has announced new control bar gloves, Grippies. Not mere bar mitts, Grippies are designed around a secure grip while not sacrificing feel. "Using the gloves can allow you to keep grip tape off your control bar, which may save your sail from abrasion while your glider is folded," says Stephens. Grippies can be washed and are available in S-M-L and XL sizes. Contact Angle of Attack at 209/529-9911 or, if you’re among the computer cognoscente, E-mail to DannyS12@aol.com. ••• Outta room, once again. So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930, (or… New…!) E-mail: CumulusMan@aol.com. THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — In this summer edition of "PL," I want to add a few more places you can fly in what I view to be a subtly but surely changing landscape. Once you leave the big mountains and big air of the west, towing takes on more impact in delivering flight to hang glider pilots. However, towing is also moving west as trikes catch on as tugs and as ultralight sailplanes add dimension to areas formerly occupied only by flex wings. ••• This month, I’ll touch on five more sites where you can pursue towing. In the east but not in Florida or Texas (where towing is well established), we find two Midwest centers, one north, one south. • Well known to hang gliding pilots around the world is Matt Taber’s Lookout Mountain. Matt is well into his second decade running one of the largest and most developed sites in the country. The flight park’s hang gliding presence is well documented but fliers far away may not know of Lookout’s involvement in towing. They have one stock Dragonfly now. And with his strong mechanical abilities, Taber and a staff are working on a more powerful engine on a modified airframe. Their work, like that of Campbell Bowen and Russ Brown of Florida, could lead to a new round of more potent tugs that might better handle the workhorse duty of hang glider towing. For more info, call Lookout at 706/398-3541 • Up in Wisconsin, and tapping the massive Chicago market successfully, is Brad Kushner’s Raven Sky Sports. He operates out of Whitewater, Wisconsin (not far west of Milwaukee) with a Dragonfly. Kushner filled a void created by a reasonable pilot population that had not been well supported by a hang gliding business. To fulfill mountain launching desires, Kushner’s takes students on tour to the Tennessee mountains. For more info, call 414/473-8800. Alright, so the east isn’t a surprising place for towing to exist, what with the lack of high mountains. • Now let’s move west a bit, and back south, to where a newly energized Dave Broyles is preparing a Pterodactyl (Fledgling-winged ultralight) for towing duty. Broyles is a longtime tow pilot and a past USHGA president. He plans to tow the new SuperFloater he has begun dealing. His enthusiasm has brought back Pterodactyl developer, Jack McCornack, who has long been out of manufacturing. Believing "I was the first person to tow a hang glider with an ultralight" (back in 1980!), McCornack will work with the current ‘Dac manufacturer to reinvigorate the aircraft’s tug potential. Call Broyles at 214/727-3588. • More western activity is found near Second Chantz, as the ballistic ‘chute builder takes on two new activities. Proprietor John Dunham will become a distributor for the Air Creation line of trikes. The French builder, arguably the world’s largest manufacturer of ultralight aircraft, has several models that can perform tug duties. Dunham plans to base this activity at an airfield near Reno, Nevada where he will also deal in the SuperFloater and provide towing services. Call Dunham (at Second Chantz) by dialing 702/829-2077. • Our final stop on this month’s tour takes us up to the northwest U.S., to the southeast corner of Washington state. Here we find the base for Scott Johnson’s AirEscape WindSports, seller of Airborne trikes and Airborne hang gliders. Johnson has teamed up with partner Larry Cochrane and the duo will begin a flight park operation offering towing of hang gliders and more. The two have ordered a SuperFloater and will be dealing the ultralight sailplane along with the rest of their line. Airborne tugs are robust pieces of equipment that not only do the job but carry Australian certification, passing a very tough program. Call Johnson or Cochrane at 509/743-7156 or 509/243-4988. (By the way, Air Creation trikes carry British certification, another difficult series of tests.) • Now let’s change topics completely. ••• The indistinct line between Class I and II gliders got a little clearer in recent months, following the early-’90s emergence of the Swift, trailed by more recent introductions of the Apex and SuperFloater. This mid-’90s version of the rigid wing movement suffered its first setback with a fatality on a Swift flying at Lookout Mountain Flight Park. Regretfully, Lookout Dragonfly tug pilot Jim Hook lost his life at the end of May. A fuller report will surely follow when all the details are sorted out, but an Internet report posted by Hook’s friend, David Futrell, says, "Conditions were mellow… Jim began to perform loops. He had done several, all perfectly round, exquisitely executed loops… At about 600 feet AGL, he attempted a seventh loop." Other witnesses said the last loop dive brought a high rate of speed, which was followed by a structural failure. A ‘chute deployment never happened (though one was installed as a standard factory item). My condolences to those close to Hook. We will all be interested to read further analysis. My personal experience with the Swift tells me it is a fine design, but all aircraft have their limits. ••• To close on a lighter note, the nation’s newspapers picked up on a story about New Mexico Governor, Gary Johnson, going tandem to kick off the Sandia Peak meet near Albuquerque. The civic leader flew from the 10,400 foot site on a fifteen minute flight which ended with a perfect landing, the reports said. It was positive coverage; I’m glad to see it. ••• So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930. THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — The season is hot and the flying is sizzling… even here in Minnesota, where at the beginning of May Gerry Uchytil got nearly 100 miles in his quest for 200 in the state. About the feat fellow pilot Bruce Bolles says, "Oh, he’ll do it; he’s obsessed… and good." Way south, Wallaby Ranch reports many 50-mile flights and a 100-miler. I’ve got more news of active shops, but first some glider updates. ••• The Ram Air is gone and the XC is… back. Back!? Well, only in that the sail underside reads, "XC." Many of you can remember Bob Wills and his XC, a glider many of us flew quite successfully. Wills endured the last year as a "tough one for us all," and has now released their new bird, the Cross Country, complete with numerous enhancements. Their dealer bulletin also says, "This is the first time we have ever had a glider without a scoop that beat the Ram Air at gliding speeds." Certified with and without winglets — still being evaluated by master designer, Steve Pearson — Wills says the Cross Country had a measurable gliding advantage at 25 [mph], and a slight advantage the rest of the way through the speed range, all the way to 65 mph!" The new top-of-the-line Wills sells for $4,700. ••• In other Wills Wing notes, their ProLine (accessory division) has lowered the price on the Digifly vario VL-100 to only $475, quite a bargain. Call ProLine at 714/998-0647. ••• Air-Sports International (ASI) has reorganized and changed names. Now called AirSports Inc., the company will continue to produce the Dream series, formerly of Bennett’s Delta Wing. Their services include parts for all products once sold by Delta Wing. In addition AirSports says it will produce the Vector line of "high performance recreational flex wings," and will continue to supply wings for powered trike ultralight builders. ••• In restructuring, AirSports set up a new division — U.S. AirSports — run by veteran Paul Burns. Operating from his home area of Lake Elsinore, Burns will conduct the manufacturing of AirSports gliders. President Teddy Mack and AirSports, Inc., are based in Cloverdale, California. Call 1-800/444-4359 for a dealer in your area. For technical questions, call Burns at 909/678-5075. ••• Longtime sailmaker, Dick Cheney, has announced the formation of a new glider company, called Blue Sky Aircraft. With right-hand man, John Heiney, the two plan to offer an entire new line of gliders. Blue Sky will operate from Mountain Green airport in Morgan, Utah where UP replacement parts can be obtained. Cheney is well known for his sailwork, dating back to and before the Fledgling. He also makes sail sets for many ultralight aircraft, and is the principal of Wind Walker Aircraft, the redesigner and manufacturer of the SuperFloater, sold through U.S. Aviation. Blue Sky did not announce details, prices, or descriptions of their gliders, but this information will be released in a reasonable time frame, says Cheney. An experienced manufacturing staff is employed by the company at this time. Most pilots are familiar with the Blue Sky team members and are invited to call 801/876-3003 during normal business hours. ••• Several shops are gearing up for good seasons. In June’s "PL," I covered a number of Florida operations. This month, we range wider. Let’s start way west in the Hawaiian Islands. ••• Well-known photographer, Gerry Charlebois, announced the opening of his Birds of Paradise Airpark in mid-April. He’ll use an Airborne Edge Trike as a tug from his 750-foot airstrip. I’ve flown the excellent Edge and it should snatch a glider from the field easily enough. Charlebois will tow you to the main range, above 5,500 foot Mt. Waialeale. He says, "You can soar the beautiful cascading waterfalls filmed in Jurassic Park. Birds of Paradise is located on the island of Kauai where he can boast 300-days-per-year tradewinds. If they aren’t cooperating, "a 14,000 foot aerotow will make for a helluva sled ride!" With gliders for rent and an on-site Bed & Breakfast, you’ll want to call 808/822-5309 or 639-1067. ••• Back on the mainland, competition pilot, Dave Sharp is running The Soaring Center. Made months ago, the decision to drop the UP from their name proved foresighted. Based at the foot of Utah’s famous Point of the Mountain site, The Soaring Center was founded in 1991. Since last fall, Sharp has been the store’s manager and he’s not only brought in other hang glider brands, but added paragliders, and recently, the SuperFloater. TSC offers lessons for both hang gliding and paragliding as well as sales for all types of equipment. Though he laments his air time has been cut — a situation any shop owner understands — Sharp is excited about the potential he sees for TSC. Call 801/576-6460. ••• Mountain Wings in New York has jumped into paragliding, adding dimension to their active hang gliding operation at the Ellenville site. Proprietors Greg and Judy Black have linked up with Lars Linde to provide paragliding services. A highly experienced instructor from Sweden, Linde has teaching credentials from three countries. With the Blacks he formed the Eastcoast Paragliding Center (EPC). Linde’s experience includes over 10,000 tows of paragliders, "…the only way they did it over there," says Greg Black. Mountain Wings distributes the Swift and new SuperFloater, and the shop offers several glider lines, recently adding Wills Wing intermediate models to the list. On top of this activity, Black has secured approval to run a tow operation at the local airport in Ellenville. Call 914/647-3377 for more info. ••• Saying he will be "the only aerotowing facility in Canada," Armand Accttione bought a Dragonfly tug in the fall of 1993. Accttione serves as H.P.A.C. liaison to Transport Canada. For this season he’s started a hang gliding school called The Hang Gliding Shop. Open every day from May 1 to October 23, the HGS will offer tandem instruction, towing, and glider sales. Accttione hopes that because of the weaker Canadian dollar, U.S. pilots may want to come north and fly the Toronto, Ontario area. Fax to 905/833-3547 or call Armand’s cellular at 416/518-0111. ••• In closing, an error correction. I stated the price of the Ball M19e electronic flight deck to be $495. The correct retail is $450. Hopefully my error didn’t inconvenience anyone. ••• So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Leave a message at, or fax to: 612/450-0930. THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — In April, USHGA continued what is now something of a tradition by having a strong presence at the massive Sun ‘n Fun airshow, one of the ways we can reach out to other potential new members. The Florida extravaganza has been closing on the world’s largest airshow — Oshkosh — and in 1995 nearly tied the big Wisconsin event for attendance. These conventions are the largest gatherings of pilots in the world, and I think it’s terrific hang gliding is represented. Even if you’re one of those who don’t desire growth, we need to be recognized among the greater community of pilots, if for no other reason than having some clout and contacts when one of our flying sites is threatened. ••• As if to show the effort is paying off, UNpowered ultralights were recognized in several significant ways this year. • A window was created daily to allow one hour of solely unpowered flying. The sky filled up with hang gliders, Swifts, and the new SuperFloater. Four trike brands did tug chores: Air Creation (French), Airborne (Australian), Cosmos (French), and Mountaineer (American). They were joined by a couple Dragonfly tugs and Steve Flynn’s new Arrow Tug. • New USHGA prez’ Bill Bryden and yours truly got the announcer’s microphone for this hour and promoted hang gliding and ultralight soaring till we became hoarse. • USHGA had a prominent location for its big tent, which housed a display for GW Meadows’ Just Fly. Right at the main entrance to Sun ‘n Fun, the ultralight area has nearly 100 exhibitors plus nearly continuous flying, so it draws a good percentage of the 750,000 visitors to Sun ‘n Fun. Where else can you replicate that kind of outreach? • Finally, for the second year running, an UNpowered ultralight won the Outstanding New Design award. Last year it was the beautiful Swift. This year it was US Aviation’s SuperFloater. Look for their new ad in this issue. In a field packed with motorheads, it raised some eyebrows that a glider won again. Congratulations to the development team at Wind Walker, builders of the 1995 SuperFloater. ••• Hang gliding’s own Bruce Hawk — the Windsok Man — increased his presence, running a booth at each end of the big show. He’s selling those hang gliding wind indicators to spam can drivers… Go Bruce! ••• Ken Brown represented his hang gliding company at Sun ‘n Fun since two exhibiting trike builders use his wings for their aircraft. It was neat to see the Airwave name in big letters in a few places in the display area. ••• As if all the action at Sun ‘n Fun wasn’t enough, I stayed a few extra days and toured around the Sunshine State. Florida is some kinda aviation heaven. In truth, I never ventured out of central Florida and in two weeks I ran out of time to see it all. ••• Besides Sun ‘n Fun, you can find several hang gliding aero tow operations, some of the world’s largest sky diving drop zones, several kitplane, ultralight, and general aviation manufacturers. Airports and residential airparks dot the countryside regularly. Disney often hires hang glider and ultralight pilots for shows to entertain their guests. Now, millionaire aviation enthusiast, Kermit Weeks, is preparing to open Fantasy of Flight, billed as "Florida’s Premier Aviation Themed Attraction." (…more on that below). ••• The busiest diver park is Wallaby Ranch, which though attracting lots of pilots and tandem students, is tightly run for safety and fun. On my visit, proprietor Malcolm Jones bought his fourth (yep, count ’em!) aerotowing tug, this one a trike. One evening, working with only one tug, you had to watch yourself or you’d be in the way of a couple dozen tandem aero launches. The pace was brisk, the action exciting, all safely and smoothly performed. Earlier in the day, two tugs snatched pilots as fast as they wanted to be launched. Early starters hung it up after a couple tows to hit the pool and refreshments. They’ve got a fun newsletter to send that’ll tell more. Call 813/424-0070. ••• Wallaby’s success has helped spawn other aero tow operations. I visited Russell Brown and Campbell Bowen at their Groveland, Florida operation. Operating off a longtime grass airport, the duo resurrected a nearly-defunct facility and begun renewing it. Twenty miles northwest of Wallaby, it’s a great little place with cross runways and their three-cylinder, 90-horsepower Dragonfly tug which can deliver a very swift lift to altitude. Call 904/429-0213 or leave a message at 407/644-2151. ••• Gregg McNamee and his wife Diane have also entered the business, under the name Gray Bird Airsports. Gregg bought the original Bobby Bailey Dragonfly tug and went over it in detail. As he’s a Tandem Instructor, Gregg will be doing training as well as towing. Fifty miles north of Wallaby, in Summerfield Florida, call the McNamees for more info at 904/245-8263. ••• Finally, a fourth operation is that of Steve & Barb Flynn, a USHGA Regional Director. Steve recently completed his Arrow Tug. Although essentially a Dragonfly, Steve has added his own refinements. Meanwhile Barb has taken three axis training so she can fly at either end of the rope. The Flynns run Central Florida Flyers and operate at several area sites. Call them at 407/894-5715. ••• Orlando is the site of the next USHGA board meeting. One of the places directors may want to visit is Fantasy of Flight… a dazzling and sophisticated project executed professionally enough to compete with the big Orlando attractions like Disney. Three theme areas will artfully showcase many of Week’s 300(!) vintage aircraft. His collection is the largest such in the world and I could hardly believe either the sheer amount of aviation gear or the enormous investment involved. Thanks to Richard Johnson, a private tour of FoF brought eight of us to sensory overload, so extensive is Weeks’ accumulation of aviation memorabilia. Be sure: he’s spending big and it’s gonna be great when it opens this summer. Among all the vintage planes are new ultralights… Weeks likes flying them, too. Call for info: 941/984-3500. ••• We’re outta room again. So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Voice mail or fax to: 612/450-0930. THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — With this issue of Hang Gliding, "Product Lines" celebrates its 16th birthday and enters year no. 17! Thinking back to its start in May of 1979, I can scarcely believe this column has endured so long. Thanks for your loyal readership! ••• This also happens to be column number 150. The first seven years of "Product Lines," were found in Whole Air which published bimonthly. By 1986 it appeared monthly… since 1989 in Hang Gliding magazine. ••• Thanks again to Bill Allen, whose back-of-the-book "Flying Bull" column inspired "Product Lines." In his unique, entertaining way, Allen developed a strong interest in a folksy, gossipy style of reporting. My twist on the theme is to stick with product-related news and info, hence the column’s name (admittedly, I stray from that mission once in a while). When Allen decided to quit the column, he called for replacements. Since none came forward, I adapted the idea for Whole Air. So, thanks, Bill! Well, enough of this… on with product news. ••• I promised news on Ball Vario’s tiny M19e electronic flight deck. Little did I know Ball staffers would attend an open house at USHGA’s offices during the spring board of directors meeting. While I’m still awaiting a loaner for further reporting here, Mark gave me a brief review of the instrument. Sure, I know a number of these gizmos are on the market, and most appear to be slick, worthy replacements for such as my Ball 652 flight deck. Once state-of-the-art but now growing obsolete, my trusty 652 is bulkier, heavier, costlier, and less durable than the new devices. I’ve used the Flytec and toyed with the Afro and Davron decks. With the similar Brauniger and Picolo, pilots have a luscious number of choices and that’s good. They may seem awfully similar, but here’s a distinction: Ball is made in the USA. Ball Vario’s Mark expressed frustration at being hampered in European sales due to prohibitive tariffs imposed. The U.S. does not penalize its citizens when they (you!) select a European-made deck, so the playing field isn’t level. Those naughty European tariffs make the Ball more expensive that it ought to be. ••• Fortunately, you can buy any brand you want without our government artificially boosting the price. And here at home, the M19e can keep up with the best. Priced at only $495, it is highly competitive if not lots cheaper than the imported boxes. When you buy a Ball, you’re not only buying Yankee — if you care about such things — but you’re buying a quality device from a company that has long served American soaring pilots with respected gear. ••• A subsequent "PL" will you more about the M19e and how it faired in my evaluation. ••• In a related story, Ball will soon release yet another terribly cool example of technology at work for hang glider and paraglider pilots. A total info source, their new not-yet-released unit has what’s called a GPS interface, meaning that you link it to a GPS unit and it gives you more airborne info to monitor a cross country flight than you ever imagined. Ball is just preparing info, so you’ll hear more about it soon. ••• In the meantime, you might consider equipping your diver today with a most attractively priced GPS made available by GW Meadow’s Just Fly enterprise. GW again shows a creative streak by snapping up the American distribution rights to the Garmin GPS 40. The tiny hand-held model 40 distinguishes itself in two major ways: (1) it has a moving map display, and (2) GW has aggressively priced it at only $375, a bargain and a half. I paid more than twice that for my Trimble Flightmate and except for the Trimble’s aviation database, the Garmin 40 does more… lots more. GW’s promised a loaner, so when you read about the Ball M19e, you’ll probably also hear my thoughts on the Garmin. ••• The price alone should convince you but it can’t hurt to know it features three main screens: (1) the "position page" which shows, among other things, your compass heading, track in degrees, speed, coordinate location, altitude, the temperature and time; (2) the "moving map page" which records your movements as a tack plot while displaying nearby waypoints that you can program; and (3) the "navigation page" which provides steering guidance to your destination on a graphic highway. ••• With 250 user-marked waypoints, you can designate turn points, goals, and many other features in permanent storage. The Garmin 40 will also permit up to 30 points along your route to accurately guide your path. Add to all that a battery life of 20 hours (my Trimble can barely make 6 hours), and I can’t figure why you’re not calling Just Fly already. More on this wonderful toy in a future "PL." ••• Dennis Pagen can help assure you can efficiently use your M19e or Garmin 40 if you buy his latest book, called the "Hang Gliding Training Manual." Sure, you’re already a sky god, but if you think you can’t learn any more, watch out! Pagen’s lucid style can surely help you become even better, and his knowledge is deeply respected by top pilots all over the world. ••• Finally, I want to give you a bit of news about Green Team pilot and talented photographer, Gerry Charlebois’s new Hawaiian flight park. Based on towed flight, Gerry will offer tows to impossible beautiful sites that can’t be reached any other way as well as tandem flight experiences for those hordes of Hawaiian tourists. Now you’ve got a way to do so without the hassles of bringing your own glider and hiking up some mountain you’ve never flown. ••• Wow! Outta room for the 150th time. So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset Rd, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930. THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — As happens every fall, you filled out Director ballots and survey forms in ’94. Office staffer, Greg Huller, laboriously went through 1,509 forms — a LOT of work, I know — compiling your responses to many questions. His review appears in the "USHGA Reports" section of this issue. However, I usually examine the numbers for product related info and this year is no exception. So, here we go… ••• The main topic of interest is glider brand market share. These days such analysis must include paragliders as well, though their brands are largely not American made. ••• In hang gliding, Wills Wing continues their dominance of the field, with 42.7%, up a skootch from 1993 (42.0%). Wills peaked in 1991 (at 43.1%) but is very solidly the number one producer. • PacAir jumped two points in the last year, up to 29.6% from 27.6% of the market. In the six years of my tracking of these numbers, this is a peak for PacAir and I cannot explain the spurt. (Congrats, PacAir’ers!) • In third place, UP slipped from 10.7% to 7.3% (possibly because new gliders have been in development for a long time… we’ll watch next year’s numbers closely). • Moyes continued a slow but steady climb to 7.1%, up from 6.3% last year, which was up from the year previous. • Seedwings dropped again, though modestly, from 3.7% to 3.6%. Recent resumption of advertising may help boost their share. • Delta Wing held tenaciously to 3.7%, actually up two tenths of a point from 1993 (possibly due to ASI’s manufacture of the Dream for tandem or towing; for 1995, this may change). • The "other" brands category held very steady (at 5.5% or a few over 500 gliders nationally) as it has for the last six years. Evidently some pilots will always choose "something different." ••• Regional market share differences are also interesting to note. National leader, Wills, has strength which has a distinctive western slant (WW is #1 in Regions 1-8) while PacAir is very strong in the east, winning regions 9-13 by solid margins. UP does their best in Regions 4, 7, 9, and 11. It might be called home-turf advantage, except for PacAir’s eastern strength. ••• We don’t know how all the above statistics will be affected by changing demographics of USHGA. With paragliding now well past 20% of the membership at large — defying earlier predictions — the mix is changing. ••• In the paragliding market share, Edel has become the clear leader, up almost two points from last year (22.9% of the market from 21.0%). • Pro Design, a sure second, slipped to 16.6% from 19.0% in 1993. • Wills-branded paragliders were in a solid third, but slipped from 11.0% in 1993 to 8.9% last year. • Another American, UP, also slipped a bit from 5.0% to 4.6% to tie in the 8th spot. Paragliders are served by more brands which probably explains why several top brands can all drop share points; more choices have arrived. ••• I make it a regular practice to examine statistics from other aviation activities. Such reviews tell me that paragliding is alone with sailplanes in American aviation where more imported than domestic aircraft are bought. American brands overwhelmingly dominate all other categories, both at home and abroad. ••• Hand-deploy parachutes took back some market share lost earlier to ballistic systems. Added complexity of ballistic units which leads to potential installation errors may have contributed to the decline. Cost is surely another factor. • Parachute repacking remained at about 60%, leaving me to wonder why 40% don’t follow the recommendations of their manufacturer. • Only one in eight had their ballistic system serviced. Most such devices don’t require annual service so 12.5% may not be low. However, since the longest service life is six years, the likelihood is many pilots are ignoring the manufacturer’s advice. The number obtaining service dropped 25% from a sixth to an eighth of reporting members. ••• Towing holds steady at a little over 20% of all launches, with ultralight tugs of various kinds increasing their share of total tow launches (23.5%, up from 18% in ’93). Platform launching from ground vehicles is still the most common, at 54% being more than double aero tow launches. ••• Concluding my review of Yoo-shga statistics, over a quarter of you say you’ll buy a different glider in 1995 with about a sixth of all pilots saying they’ll buy new and about one in ten choosing used. • The "new" purchase estimate is down from last year. Last year I calculated about 2,000 new glider sales. This 1994 survey suggests under 1,600 gliders may be bought new meaning industry sales could drop to $8 million from $10 million. Please be advised these are only rough forecasts which may have significant error. • The number of gliders owned by each member inched up 6% to 1.8 per member from 1.7 last year. ••• USHGA Regions continue to resize slowly. Region 2, including Central California and the Bay Area, remains largest at 17% of all members. Somewhat surprising, though, is the third largest Region 10 (Tennessee, Florida, etc.). Contrary to popular belief, the SE U.S. is only half a percentage point behind Southern California. ••• Well, nearly outta room again. Next month I’ll have news on Gerry Charlebois’s tandem/towing airpark in Hawaii; Dennis Pagen’s new book, "Hang Gliding Training Manual;" Ball’s 1995 version of the inexpensive M19e flight deck; and more. ••• So, diver fans, got news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930. THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — Does hang gliding need to reach out for new enthusiasts? The question raises bothersome issues about declining and aging memberships, but is nonetheless a valid concern. ••• Industry leader, Wills Wing, is doing something about it by starting a new "division." They call it ProLine and its their vehicle to sell certain accessory items. Nothing new about this, you say? True, but Wills expects to do more than sell varios to their WW-brand customers. "It is our intention to use ProLine to develop products that can be marketed OUTSIDE the hang gliding industry", says a recent statement in their dealer newsletter. Naturally, they expect to raise their revenues but they further hope to increase hang gliding exposure to the public. They plan to advertise "in high circulation action sports pubications" once they have a "well developed product line." Each ProLine shipment will eventually have the USHGA color flier as well as the name of the closest WW dealer school. Good luck, Wills! I believe we need this type of outreach. ••• In other WW news, the company recently bought the patent to the Paraswivel from designer, Kurt Rohr. The glider maker will become the sole supplier of the popular device once current distributor Golden West sells their inventory. Wills plans to lower the retail to $69.50. Most parachute makers support the product, and several bridle wind-up incidents have propelled more and more pilots to add the item. ••• In a buying mood, evidently, Wills also purchased Mark West’s computer test gear for their certification work. They say the digital equipment — which will replace their analog rig — will "help to bring new gliders to market more quickly." ••• Some changes afoot with Aussie AirBorne’s Edge trike tug. In response to requests, the Down-Under builder made several refinements to the aircraft: improved handling of the wing; decreased the load on the nosewheel by changing trike geometry; offered Rotax’s new electric start system; and made the seat more comfortable as well as adjustable (fore and aft). For those attending the huge Florida airshow, Sun ‘n Fun, the Edge will be on display in the ultralight area known as "Paradise City." ••• As AirBorne continues work to establish a U.S. hang gliding market presence, the Aussie builder has restructured… Kevin Kernohan has ceased being the distributor. That job now falls to Scott Johnson, who formerly sold only the Edge trike. He says, "I’ll have hang gliders in stock to be sent out on request to dealers and pilots in the U.S. I will also have spare parts for the AirBorne products." Johnson has enlisted Tony Barton to handle Blade hang glider sales in the southwest U.S. and Tony Covelli will handle the New York area. ••• In addition to attending Sun ‘n Fun, Johnson’s business, AirEscape, will be touring this summer to show their equipment. Since AirEscape relocated away from the Owens Valley to southeastern Washington state, interested pilots should call 509/243-4988, or fax to 509/243-4935. ••• Something old has returned… in all-new form. Remember Klaus Hill’s SuperFloater? It’s back! Manufacturer of the soon-ready Cumulus ultralight motorglider, US Aviation, says it is now accepting delivery position orders for the 1995 remake of the early 1970s SuperFloater. The aircraft has been completely redesigned by original co-designer, Larry Hall, and by Dick Cheney with help from Kent Anderson, among others. You may recognize these names and associate them with UP hang gliders. Although related, the SuperFloater venture is organized under the name Wind Walker Aircraft Co., Inc., with US Aviation holding the worldwide marketing rights to the new aircraft. ••• Critical specs: 38 foot span; area 168 squares; aspect 8.44:1; Vne 60; stall 23; weight 179 pounds (making it Part 103 legal with its BRS rocket ‘chute); useful load 220 pounds. Perhaps best of all is the reasonable price tag of $5,995 fully built and test flown. The ‘chute is sold for the BRS factory-direct price of only $1,095. ••• The SuperFloater is said to offer a 180 fpm sink rate, though early flight trials have demonstrated calm-air sink rates of 120 fpm. Recently Dave Chapman took the SuperFloater prototype up to 12,500 MSL in wave lift north of Salt Lake City (where Wind Walker and UP are located). Glide is listed at 15:1 — a 20-25% margin over top flex-wings — but Cheney says, "The SuperFloater isn’t a competition aircraft; it’s for fun soaring." For that, superior sink rate, easy handling, and good glide may be just what the market wants, says US Aviation. The company believes some hang glider pilots will find the the SuperFloater a good alternative. The glider should begin manufacturing by April. For literature, write 265 Echo Ln., South St. Paul MN 55075 or dial 612/450-0930 and leave an address. ••• Our last new "product" this month is Aloft, a new bimonthly paragliding magazine. Publisher Steve Roti mailed his premier issue in January 1995. He has also approached the USHGA about bidding for the contract to supply a PG mag for those members of Yoo-shga. The 32-page first edition isn’t as colorful as PG the Mag, but from my former publisher’s viewpoint, it’s a very good first effort. Articles are packed top to bottom with information and the book ends with a page that looks almost exactly like this one. (I guess I’m flattered.) If you fly PGs, you’ll want to look at a copy and since the issue has no subscription price nor order form, I’ll bet they’ll send you one for a look-see. Contact Roti and Aloft at P.O. Box 8989, Portland OR 97207. Call 503/284-0998. ••• Outta space… So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to: 612/450-0930 THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — Though winter is far from over here in the north country, spring is beginning to happen in more moderate climates. As I contemplate shoveling snow, it warms me to think of the soaring season soon approaching. ••• To help get their dealership network all tuned up for the new season, Pacific Airwave will host a national Dealer Meeting in early April (no foolin’). The company reports, "We will be introducing new products, new reference manuals, and new sales programs at this meeting." Good support for their dealers should translate to better service to end customers. ••• No doubt they’ll also promote their relativey new FLY2 tandem-purpose glider. Says the factory, "The sink rate performance has been proven to exceed that of the Double Vision while the handling characteristics and coordination make it an ideal instructional tool." However, they go on with an important addition regarding landing characteristics, "The flare window has been increased to provide the tandem instructor the highest probability of nailing their landings, everytime." Given the widespread apprehension over landing today’s gliders, this should be a welcome development for the increasing number of operations using tandem instruction as a premier method of training. Get more info from your local PacAir dealer or call 408/422-2299. ••• Training appears to be getting more respect these days… Wills Wing reports their Falcon sales are doing well. At the end of ’94, they introduced a new Falcon 170 model (complimenting the 195 already out). The 170 weighs a mere 45 pounds, a number I don’t recall hearing for… well, years. Pilot weights covered are 130-200 with your harness and gear. Price is a moderate $2,695. ••• Going both ways with Falcon development, WW designer, Steve Pearson, has been flying a Falcon 215 with his wife. However, "Handling was so light and responsive" that he’s shelved the 215 and begun work on a 225 model. For their Japanese market, Pearson is also considering a 140 Falcon. ••• To blunt the usual questions this time of year, Wills admits, "We are always working on something new." They go on to say, "We’ll have a new gider when the prototype development turns up a noticeable improvement in handling, performance, or both." That’s sufficiently vague that WW fans will still be wondering, however, they add, "It will not be based on a graphite airframe, and will not look like a Swift." Guess that narrows it a bit… we’ll see. ••• Spring may be coming, but it ain’t here yet, so keep those hands warm with totally new hand fairings from Chris Smith’s Cloudbase company. The longtime Tennessee-based harness maker has prepared some interesting prototypes. Using that miracle insulation, Thinsulate, Smith’s Ultra Mitts also employ Polartec fleece (the warm stuff inside many sweatshirts). They’re used selectively to give the greatest protection — like Thinsulate around the grip of your cold aluminum basetube. The list of features goes on… amazing for what seems such a simple product. Smith also has a zippered port to allow you to vent too-warm hands, rather than taking them out hot and sweaty only to get supercooled. The zipper is a form of thermostat. A see-thru map pocket can be added to the upper side and finally Ultra Mitts will have a removable wrist cuff to prevent heat loss during the coldest weather. Get all the options and they’ll cost about $65. If you don’t need all the tricks, the basic mitts start at $35. Get the latest poop by calling 706/398-3964. ••• In other novel ideas, HG art gallery owner, Terry Ferrer, is offering original "SkyRiders" movie posters. The 1976 movie showed hang gliding as a central subject with flying by Bob Wills among others. Now, you can buy a piece of movie history by grabbing one of several sizes of twenty year old posters that were used by movie theaters. Ferrer took special pains to professionally flatten folded posters, after which he rated their condition according to industry standards. The "SkyRiders" posters sell for $40-300 depending on size and quality. One will hang prominently in my den; how about you? Call West Wings Gallery at 510/527-5895. ••• HG Video Czar, Paul Hamilton has yet another video in his growing collection. Number 5 in his Cloudbase series covers the Women’s World Contest in Chelan last year. The 30-minute tape is just the right length for your club meeting or HG party. His coverage of the 46 worldwide competitors is engaging and the Washington state site affords a beautiful setting. Priced at $34.95, it’s a worthy addition to any pilot’s video library. Call/fax: 702/849-9672. ••• I’ll close this month with some fun news from Charlie Baughman (nicknamed the "human vario" for his uncanny thermal sensing ability). Baughman flew his Desire for an series of ads to promote ESPN II. This new cable channel is devoted to "wilder" sports such as mountain biking, sky surfing, and hang gliding, among other so-called thrill sports. If you read Sports Illustrated, check the 12/26/94 or later issues for a view of Baughman launching at sunrise from Dead Horse Point. ••• Outta room once again… So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930. THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — In what indeed seems like the dead of winter (at least up here in the southern Tundra), goin’ flyin’ is something more to talk about than do. Hopefully YOU live in some sunny area where you’re still soarin’… if so, enjoy. Hang Talkin’ might be aided by this column, in which I’m going to focus on some hang gliding trends and information. The data come from three sources: our reader survey card stapled in the October ’94 issue; from the USHGA office review of their member records; and from a couple outside sources. Information is power. Here we go. ••• According to USHGA offices, paragliding continues a slow but steady climb in the ratio of total association members. As of September 30th last year, 73% of all members were hang gliding pilots, 21% were paragliding pilots, and 5% carry dual memberships. Executive Director, Phil Bachman, told the board of directors, "We’re gaining an average of 40 paragliding members a month and losing 10 hang gliding members a month, when you review the last four years." ••• This change may be identified in results coming from the Hang Gliding Reader Survey of last October. The last question on that survey card asked you, "Which do you believe appeals more to the non-flying public?" The choices included hang gliders (20%); paragliders (29%); ultralights (17%); and conventional aircraft (31%). Paragliders not only soundly beat hang gliding, but many wrote comments in the margin, often pointing to one of two reasons why. "Paragliders are seen as safer, friendlier," and "They look easier to learn." ••• Another survey card question dealt with your interest in soaring aircraft other than hang gliders, with the Swift being given as one example. The results surprised me not so much for the direction of responses but in their vigor. Rating your interest on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the strongest interest, 31% said "Strong Interest" for the Swift and its relatives. Another 20% wrote in "4," so that 51% of magazine readers say they are "Very" or "Strongly Interested" in these machines. "Not At All Interested" responses totaled 16%. Even when added to the "Not-too Interested" response, less than a third (31%) answered as hang gliding or paragliding purists. I have little trend information, so don’t know which way this interest is going. However, interest in "rigid wings," while always steady, was a much smaller share so I presume more pilots are examining alternative soaring choices. ••• Earlier surveys have shown that hang glider pilots do fly other types of aircraft, and this trend continues though at a modestly slowing pace. Half of you now say you fly sailplanes, conventional aircraft, or ultralights, with "Conventional" accounting for 44% of these pilots or 15% of all hang glider pilots. About 10% of all members also fly ultralights and 9% sailplanes. Perhaps those with other inclinations account for the strong "Swift response" of the previous question. ••• Members were somewhat ambivalent about competition. Asked about your strength of interest either as a competitor or for the benefits you feel it brings, 30% voted the middle choice. A slim majority (37%) voted in the two more positive choices about competition while a third (33%) voted in the two more negative choices. While hardly a mandate for competition support among members, it certainly indicates a strong overall faith in the value of contest flying. ••• Let’s stray away from the nest a bit and see how we compare to the "outside." Business people in hang gliding recognize that they compete with other aviation segments but to a far greater degree with all the other choices consumers can make. A German polling company asked Europeans about the trendiest sport in the summer of ’94. That high-brow research magazine, Playboy, reported the results. Mountain biking was first (30%), followed by beach volleyball (9%), and paragliding (6%), followed by body surfing and rollerblading. As my source, UK’s BHPA Skywings magazine, said, "Hang gliding, it appears, is not considered glamorous." ••• Since we’ve entered yet another new year, this last item seems timely. In the last USHGA survey/ballot (run in the fall of ’93; new results will be released soon), we found that the average age of hang glider pilots has climbed to 38.6. By now, it’s not unreasonable to believe it passed 39. Rejoice that it’s still not fortysomething. However, a recent Wall Street Journal story indicated that the average age of golfers has now dropped to 39. Omigod! Hang glider pilots — on average — may be older than the average golfer. Are we becoming a bunch of cliff-jumpin’ duffers? Makes you think, eh? Makes me laugh, too. ••• …Welcome to 1995! Let’s make it a great year for our favorite way to fly. So… Got news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930. THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — About now, the Holidays are demanding lots of time. To help, this "Product Lines" focuses on gifts. ••• At the board meeting in Lake Tahoe, directors got a preview of USHGA’s 1995 calendar. It’s a beaut’. Slightly wider than last year, a right column text area gives details about the photo, including camera equipment used. Learn from this and next year one of the stunning pictures of hang gliding/paragliding could be yours. See the color ad in this issue and order a few. We all know hang gliding "shows well," so you can buy these calendars for friends or family who don’t fly. ••• HG entrepreneur, GW Meadows and his Just Fly organization have a whole bunch of nifty Christmas notions. GW’s got something else, too: a promise to ship items as late as December 23rd (a Friday), so you can get them in time for Sunday gift opening. With that and a toll-free number, how can you go wrong? Listen to this partial list of fun low-priced gifts: T-shirts (unique designs), polo shirts (excellent quality), hats (sharp colors), HG mugs, license plate frames ("My other vehicle is a… HG or PG"), bumperstickers, dingle balls (el-cheapo strobe light… a cool idea), and all kinds of stuff with the Just Fly logo. Items start at a paltry $4.95. Get some things for yourself and get some more for gifts. GW has exhibited at Sun ‘n Fun and Oshkosh to find great sales potential, so his stuff makes for welcome gifts. I know this because my wife, Randee, helped examine the items Just Fly sent. She quickly grabbed a tee shirt with a hand-drawn eagle. (In truth, she’s also a pilot, but looks at gifts with more of a "normal" shopper’s eye.) Call Just Fly at 800/546-3596. ••• Speaking of shirts, Sky Wear, Inc., sent one called "Moon Shadow." A striking looking design, it features a purple and blue Earth with a silhouetted shadow of a hang glider. When I tried it out at work, several of my associates remarked what a nice design it was. Produced by Mary Clor of fly-town, Chattanooga (nearby Signal Mtn., actually), her new Sky Wear company promotes the "Null-G Sports" logo. Available in short or long sleeves ($15 or $17), the black shirts are a heavy cloth that should last. Call 615/886-7093. ••• With over 400 sold and three years of experience, Mallettec is enjoying a good response to their Mini Vario. Weighing only 1.6 ounces and measuring less than two inches square and an inch deep, this may be the smallest vario you can buy. Mallettec suggests you mount the vario near the pilot’s ear. A tiny audio-only vario, the Mini secures to your helmet, an unobtrusive mount. A "heavy duty clip attaches to anything." Getting it off the control bar may save instrument damage as well. With a 200-hour battery life, the fact that it can zero itself in-flight (in case you forgot at launch), and a price tag of only $169, the Mini seems a good investment. Call 714/541-2625. ••• For those wishing to spend a few dollars less, try the Hall Bros., Mini-Wheels for your control bar. These aren’t the same clunky old wheels you had as a student. They’re ’90s-style wheels complete with a VG line pass-thru hole and priced in the gift range at only $20. Since many pilots feel their new glider can be challenging to land, installing inconspicuous wheels may reduce the whack-factor. Call Hall at 801/829-3232. ••• But if whacks are what make your life worth living, then you’ll need Paul Voigt’s Whack Tape. A compendium of whack after whack, you’ll have to act quickly to obtain one of the last available. I’ve seen it; it’s a chuckler. The best news? The price is reduced to clear the inventory, just $20. Call Voigt’er at 914/744-3317. ••• Today, most pilots at least experiment with cross country. Whenever you head out, you know you might land out. Carrying your heavy factory bag adds weight, so many pilots also own an XC bag. Gunnison Gliders makes a light one (200 denier fabric) with the zipper on the side. This makes it foldable. Indeed the sample Rusty sent rolled up to 12 inches long by four inches in diameter. Postpaid the XC bag sells for $65. If you want a matching harness bag, add $25. Gunnison has other choices, too, with good ideas like multiple-fabric bags to keep moisture out and to prevent zipper rash while on the rack. Write 1549 County Road 17, Gunnison CO 81230. ••• In the same price range, expatriated Aussie David Adams is promoting Ezy-Eye flight sun glasses. Bragging a high-tech lens to improve vision in bright conditions, the Ezy Eye glasses have a durable frame with rubber hinges. Called, "thermal seeking" and "bulletproof," maybe it’s no surprise the Aussie HG team uses them exclusively. Call 213/243-5363. ••• Let’s go way into Giftland with a couple closing items. First is a small collection of hang gliding ceramics. These are hand made items that can be finished as a pin, ornament, or magnet. The stylized artwork can be personalized to reflect your hang glider’s actual colors. Your name and likeness (e.g., hair color) can be added as well. For $15 and another two bucks for personalization, your driver or eternally-patient spouse might like to have one. Call 310/377-6435. ••• At the end of a day of soaring, many pilots like to tell tales over a brew. If this means you, try Cumulus Cream Ale, the "first in a series of home brew kits for the sky minded from BevArt Inc." Designed by a pilot for pilots, you make your own batch of five gallons of "medium-bodied, full-flavored ale with a long lasting frothy head." Other blends are coming, to be named Blown-Out Stout, Wonder Wind Wheat, and Cliff Launch Lager. Two kits sell for $27 or $68 postpaid. One is ingredients only; the other includes everything except the bottles and a boiling pot. Interested? Get a free catalog by calling 312/BEER-579. Ask for Greg. ••• That’s it for ’94. So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to 8 Dorset Rd., St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930. Happy Holidays To All! THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — Ready or not, another holiday season is upon us. We’ll look at some gift ideas… which means you should be sure those who buy gifts for YOU know about the nifty things you want. Face it. Many spouses feel hang glider pilots are hard to buy for; they only want expensive stuff. In the next couple issues of "Product Lines," I’ll try to highlight some more gift-priced items. But first… ••• Some results have been tabulated from the survey card that came in your October issue. Over 300 cards arrived in a short period, a large enough sample to get reliable information. • Asked if you believe hang gliding has a growth period ahead, a split response resulted. Slightly more than half (54%) feel it can grow, but 46% apparently see obstacles. • When asked if you desire to see hang gliding grow, an overwhelming 86% answered yes, with 14% not inviting growth. This is an unmistakable indication that most pilots are pro-growth and may be a strong enough answer to suggest some pilots could become growth activists. • The question about glider prices invited some to express frustration over gliders approaching the $5,000 mark. However, a very solid 69% said they believed gliders are priced right for the value you receive. Just under a third (31%) say prices are too high. Many feeling this way added notes in the margins. • Finally, when consulted about whether you believe hang glider design can make performance leaps, 61% said yes, while a large group of 39% said no. A few notes indicated that some considered aircraft like the Swift a leap of design for hang gliders. At best this question brought an uncertain answer, yet designers should take heart that well over half the community still believes they can achieve great new things with hang glider design. I’ll have more from this survey in future columns. Now, to some gift ideas. ••• From Tek Flight Products comes a very lightweight camera mount and remote shutter. While you can buy fancy rigs from the camera companies, you’ll spend a lot and gain unneeded weight. Tek Flight’s system is simple, weighs barely a pound, and costs only $39 which includes shipping. You don’t need to buy a remote-capable camera, because Tek Flight also has a simple remote shutter that should work on most 35 mm cameras (an auto winder is required, but these are common). All components are very basic items but it appears to be an effective mount for the smaller cameras. Call for info and delivery at 203/379-1668. ••• Jim Lee is one of our best-known competition pilots. Yet not everyone knows he makes and sells a composite rescue toboggan called the Jetsled. Used for over-the-snow transport of injured skiers, it’s given his company — Wingover Composites — experience in making light, strong structures from exotic materials. Wingover has introduced a HG helmet line that Jim says will pass the rigid DOT motorcycle standards even while weighing only 1.5 pounds. Their Arc model features a well-considered movable chin guard that works like a full-face helmet. However, by a clever design, Wingover’s chin protector can be swiveled up to create better vision and communication for the pilot during preflight. In flight, you can cool off a bit by raising the chin guard. Testing employed such rude-sounding devices as an anvil and a pointed, weighted striker which Lee says resulted in "various [prototype] helmets lying around here with holes punched through them." After several changes of the plys of carbon and Kevlar, Wingover is ready to be DOT tested. Prices run $300 for the Arc. Wingover will also sell their ZD-7 carbon harness, though Lee admits, "Most pilots don’t like the $3,000 price tag." Call 505/758-0526 for more info on these and other products from Wingover. ••• Though our choices here are getting expensive, I’m intrigued with the SST or super-slick transport. Made from what the company calls "space-age materials," the glider transport will comfortably protect two or more gliders plus gear in a ready-to-use, roof-mounted container. A low-drag shape is standard along with a key lock system and rear entry loading. The SST intro price of $1,500 (a $300 savings) isn’t cheap but it should last through several gliders. Options include custom paint, side doors, insulation, and mounting racks. Call 307/672-6715. ••• To get additional choices at more affordable prices, get a copy of Mojo’s Gear catalog, kind of a Sharper Image for flyers. Done in full color, the 32-page catalog features hundreds of products for pilots. Produced by Hill Country Paragliding of Austin, Texas, Mojo’s Gear catalog lists many items hang glider pilots would like to own. I was impressed with the broad range of items as well as a professional layout. Many items are priced $20-50. You can also find a few deals like the FlightMate Pro GPS for $785. Call or fax toll-free at 800/664-1160 or 800/261-MOJO (fax). ••• If you sell items of a gift nature, let me know soon! So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930. THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — Told you last month I had new info on Dick Boone’s unusual Climax experimental design. I say "experimental" as that seems appropriate, it being a test bed. Nobody is planning to produce it yet, but perhaps Climax ideas will appear elsewhere or on a new hybrid design from Boone. After all, Dick has something a reputation for contributing notable achievements to hang glider design. ••• His work is continuing. Some expert pilots who’ve taken a flight on the Climax said they felt completely out of control, partly owing to its joystick linkage and lack of centering mechanism. The net effect apparently was that virtually every control input became an overcontrol. A cable controlling the twist — attached to the rear spar, where you’d expect to find the crossbar — runs through the control bar base tube. As Boone acknowledges, "If the cable is centered the glider will fly straight. If the cable is off centered, either to the right or left, the glider will turn to the side that is creating the most twist… there is no aerodynamic force keeping this cable centered." You had to use some force to return the joystick control to center. Dick adds, "Very small amounts of input were needed to put the glider into a turn but a great amount was needed to pull the glider out of the same turn. The cable never wanted to be in the middle position." ••• Eureka! Boone has installed a new system. He explains, "It is a very simple device that has two opposite cams (one for each wire) that creates additional cable tension on the side to which the glider is turning. This change gives the glider a roll stability. Boone has spent time releasing the stick and flying via weight shift. "All seems to be going well," he said, indicating some hardware is being changed to facilitate the new idea. I’ll keep you posted as best I can. ••• Back to what you can buy today… Wills Wing announced a new size of their Falcon, the 195 model for pilots hooking in at 150 to 275 pounds. Though they’ve upgraded the airframe and added larger wires, they’ve still kept the weight down to only 50 pounds. It’s priced at $2,695 which sounds pretty reasonable. Certification was earned in August and production has started. ••• One speculative benefit of the Climax is reduced glider price, a worthy goal. Reviewing Will Wing’s latest price schedule reminds me of the way autos are sold. Falcons, for example, sell for a "base price" ($2,695) but you can add options, many of which you probably think you can’t fly without. If you add all the good stuff — choice of colors, streamlined legs, and folding speed bar — you’ll ramp the price up 23% to $3315. Similarly equipped Spectrums go from $2,995 to $3,615. Super Sports and RamAirs are sold as fully equipped ($3,895 and $4,495 respectively). ••• Wills Wing is increasing its presence in accessory items. WW’s Pro Line has become the U.S. Distributor for the Avocet pilot watch (introduced to HG pilots by Owens Valley Soaring). In addition to supporting their dealer network, Pro Line will also sell direct at retail prices. Such direct-sale products are limited to T-shirts, videos, books, and instruments. Gliders, harnesses, and parts will be sold only through dealers. Besides the Avocet, Wills is also distributing the Digifly VL-100 vario. I’ve looked over Digifly’s powered ultralight instrument and found it laden with features (enough so that you’ll have to read the manual to learn it all). The VL-100 is a vario with three altimeters, three audio levels, a timer, and a thermal averager which runs 200 hours on 2 AA batteries. With a one year warranty, it retails for $575. Pro Line will also sell the Flightmate Pro GPS unit for $995. I use one of these and they’re just great. When the day’s flying is over you can carry it around with you and pretend you’re Jordi from Star Trek holding a tri-corder. ••• Putting flight gear prices into perspective, one only need look at Drachenflieger magazine from Germany. Their comprehensive annual market review lists gliders from 28 hang glider manufacturers and 32 paraglider builders. Consumers can choose from over 300 different brands, models, and sizes of paragliders with fewer choices on the hang glider end. And… you think Yankee prices are high? In Europe the RamAir tops the list at the equivalent of $6,175, followed by the TRX at $5,700 and the Klassic at $5,600. Be glad you live in the US of A. The cheapest glider was the VK 3 Rebel from Wujasin for a mere $2,195. Never heard of it? Neither had I, but the German DHV certified it under their rigorous program. ••• Outta room this month. In November, I’ll have some more statistics for you and I’ll begin looking at goodies suitable for Christmas giving. If you sell something that fits, let me hear from you. Better yet, just send your literature and a sample if appropriate (evaluation items are only returned if requested). So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930. THANKS!

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ST. PAUL, MINN. — Flyin’ high over Telluride. Early reports trumpeted spectacular flying at the mile-high site of the largest hang gliding event in the nation (world?). Reminded me of those altimeter ads from more than a decade ago when one advertiser teased pilots who had not yet equipped themselves. The ad featured a geeky-looking pilot saying, "I gained… er, …gobs of altitude." Remember? It was funny and meant to goad us into buying their wrist altimeter so we’d actually know the altitude we gained. Now, I compare that to modern reports of great flying days. No one wants to state any number of MSL feet above 17,999. Anyway, suffice it to say, Telluriders gained, er… gobs of altitude. Thanks to Gerry Charlebois. ••• Speaking of getting high, Moyes announced new prices for their gliders. Many businessmen would agree that when sales are good is the proper time to raise prices and indeed Moyes has said sales were never better. The top-of-the-line Xtralite with Scrim now lists for $4,850. You can increase this with Mylar to five bucks short of five grand. Phew! But look at whatcha get. This is a very well built, successful machine of the mid-’90s. To keep things in perspective, the company has a trainer (the XL series) that starts at $2,795. ••• Moyes has used their success with the Xtralite and Tom Suchanek in a new video tape production done for them by Czech Television (what a multinational type outfit, Moyes). The 15-minute feature is done very differently than most HG company promo tapes. It shows nothing of the factory or glider detail, instead chronicling a winning period for the Xtralite. You’ll see lots of great flying scenes from Australian beach sites to the mighty Owens Valley at the ’93 Worlds. Very watchable indeed. Nothing is perfect, and one part of the tape drove me nuts. A voiceover murmurs "Moyes" in a man-from-Mars echo sound. Once or twice wouldn’t be so bad, but the noise repeats throughout the tape in some attempt to carry a theme. On whole though, this tape is a must-see. Call Moyes California at 818/887-3361 or fax to 702-0612. ••• While doing some video review, I also watched the Wills tape. A very short three-minute production by HG video impresario, Paul Hamilton, the WW edition is a thorough, methodical review of Wills, the company and its people. You tour the factory, see the employees and dealers, and watch a flying machine company in action. Wills is hugely staffed with talent and experience, so the 100% diologue-free effort still tells a powerful story of professionalism and success. Short enough to show non-flyers. Call any dealer to see it. ••• At the Sun ‘n Fun ’94 airshow, I had the distinct pleasure to fly the powered Swift. These days, such flying tends to be about all I can fit in, but at the Florida airshow, I get to do a lot of flying. The Sunshine State was wildly soarable everyday… except the day I flew the Swift. What a shame. Nonetheless, I know what to do with a motorglider. I shut off the electric-start engine every chance I could. In an hour and a half, I managed about 45 minutes of gliding with a few teeny bumps, but those minutes were excellent! What a neat aircraft! I expected a very pitch sensitive machine with sluggish roll rate. I got neither. Pitch was quite easy to control and roll was reasonably brisk. Even more important in places like the Owens is the control authority which is very positive. For landings, flaps pull on by a string like hang glider VGs. It feels odd to an ultralight pilot but hang glider pilots will quickly comprehend. HG pilots will also accept the anhedral look that is uncommon on powered aircraft. Here’s the best news for HG pilots considering the Swift: it switches between powered and unpowered in 30 minutes, so you can have it your way. I’m told it foot launches quite well in winds above five mph. Yeah, it’s pricey, but consider that it will last for many years and with solid 24:1 performance, you won’t need to buy another wing for a long time. My one complaint: lateral visibility is poor with your head between the flaps. The unpowered hang cage looks better in this area. Brightstar also has a Swift video. I suggest your club get a copy. Call 707/576-7627. ••• Ballistic ‘chute system maker, BRS, is a finalist in the 1994 Discover magazine Technical Innovations Awards. Reps from company will be brought to Disney World in Florida for a grand ceremony presentation of the winners in each of seven categories. BRS is one of five finalists in the Aviation/Aerospace category (out of 4,000 total entries!). The opportunity will provide exposure in the magazine following an introduction written by VP Al Gore. The Disney Channel will have extensive coverage; EPCOT has a summer exhibit titled, "Innoventions," specifically highlighting the achievements of the 35 finalists. CBS gave event and product coverage on their news show, CBS This Morning. The opportunity came after BRS won FAA approval for rocket ‘chute systems on certified aircraft and the saving of 78 lives to-date. ••• Next time: an update on that unusual test-bed hang glider, the Climax. So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Fax or V-mail to 612/450-0930. THANKS!

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