Product Lines – April 2004

St. Paul, Minn. — You’ll probably be amazed to hear that Wallaby Ranch and Quest
have merged. Yes, unbelievably, the two rivals flight parks signed an agreement
to become as one. This stunning development comes just
after Wills Wing purchased Moyes “for a song” crooned WW president, Rob Kells.
“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” he added. How much more shocking news can
you withstand? Well, in keeping with a few fun items elsewhere in this magazine,
the above is pure April Fools fiction. I’ll leave more inventive humor to others
and return to what this column does best.
Amid all the excitement, I completely forgot to blow my own horn| Yup, with the February
2004 issue, “Product Lines” finished 25 years of continuous publishing. In
all that time, the column never missed an issue. As I am working to post all
these columns on my long-in-development Web site, someday you’ll be able to scan
through a lot of hang gliding history presented in a familiar format. Thanks to many
of you who have written to say you truly enjoy “Product Lines,” often making it one
of the first things you read (most folks say they “go to the back of the book” after
reviewing the cover and centerfold). But, enough about me|
The flight park billing itself as the “country’s oldest” was near a
sale as this issue went to press. On February 17th, founder Brad Kushner reported
that he and a buyer “reached an agreement on the sale of Raven Sky Sports,
Inc. and all associated property.” Brad indicated that the intention was to reopen
Raven on a target date of April 1st. (This is not an April Fools joke.)
However, the contract for sale was not completed as this issue went to press and
it is not certain that the sale will take place. I have spoken to Brad and the prospective
buyer and both expressed a positive attitude about the sale going forward. Each of
them sent announcements by email to a number of interested parties. However, even
slightly after the deadline for this issue, it could not be fully determined if Raven
Sky Sports will be open for the 2004 season. Regardless, Brad wished to express special
thanks to Terry Kramer and John Gamble, who worked behind the scenes
as liaisons between the prospective buyer and seller. Those who want an update may
contact Brad at (262) 473-8800 or 903-8800 or Brad@hanggliding.com
Even while Raven is currently closed for the winter, plans are underway. “We still
plan to hold the Seventh Annual Betty Pfeiffer Safety & Parachute Clinic,”
Brad said with only a couple weeks to go. It was scheduled for the March 13-14 weekend.
On a related note, Betty, owner of High Energy Sports,
made a couple of Midwestern trips. She and I spoke before the Illinois Ultralight
Safety Seminar which attracted over 400 participants. It’s powered ultralight stuff
but Betty’s knowledge is valuable to both groups. The ultralight folks heard her
speak on the subject of weather. One final note on this
arrangement. It turns out Raven will probably change names. An ultralight company,
run by a lawyer, has warned Brad that they own the name SkySports and he should
cease using it. Brad and his attorney think they might win the battle but legal fees
make fighting it a losing proposition. Ironically, the other outfit originally bought
the name from SkySports hang gliders. The Connecticut company behind the Kestrel
among other gliders, at one time with Tom Peghiny as its teen-aged designer, sold
the brand to previous owners of the ultralight company. SkySports is a mail-order
operation that no longer does any business with hang glider pilots. Nonetheless,
a name change is imminent and you could be the one who renames it. Brad said
that a pilot supplying the name the flight park will use in the future could win
a prize. Hopefully, I’ll have more on Raven Sky Sports next month.
Another new development involves a powered product leading to a hang glider product.
Ken Brown of Moyes America writes, “After the introduction of the Bug 2 Suprone Motor
Harness, a number of pilots expressed an interest in a non-motorized soaring
harness.” You get what you ask for in this case as Ken adds, “We now offer the Supine
Flyer.” The new harness is based on the powered unit design and incorporates
weight displacement of the pilot for prone-rigged gliders. “The Supine Flyer has
all the comfort and stability of the Bug 2 for those that want to foot launch or
tow up with a Suprone harness,” reports Brown. According
to developer FlyLight, the Bug 2 powered harness has evolved from the original
DoodleBug to provide even better touring and soaring performance. FlyLight reports,
“Stowage volume has been significantly increased to easily accommodate the essential
camping gear for real bivouac flying while the frontal area has been reduced for
improved aerodynamics and soaring ability.” Bug 2 sells for $5,895 including
electric start, prop brake and other accessories. FMI: sportwings@aol.com
or (530) 888-8622.
Still on suprone flying, I wish to report, somewhat late, that famed British hang
glider pilot, Colin Lark, succumbed to cancer last fall. While the UK copes
with the loss of a former “living legend,” his name came to me as he had been promoting
a suprone harness before his demise. This harness
style had a renaissance back in the 1980s but faded then as it had before. Now, however,
as hang glider pilots age, add power, and consider rigs like Michael Riggs’ Pod Racer,
the suprone concept may be getting a new burnish. The idea of sit-down flying was
pooh-poohed by many pilots who prefer the lean aerodynamics of superman-style prone
posture. Indeed, the overwhelming majority of pilots fly this way – at least if you
fail to count our paragliding brothers who fly seated. The Supine Flyer from Ken
Brown’s shop and other projects indicate this posture has not died along with Mr.
Lark.
Still on sit-down flying, Alan Chuculate’s SlowTow project continues. Alan,
you may recall from previous “Product Lines” columns, is developing a special trike
tug purposed with aerotowing of paragliders. While this has been done before, the
concept needed further development and Chuculate jumped into the fray. Next month,
I’ll have a further update on his efforts.
So, got news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Messages or fax
to 651-450-0930. E-mail to News@ByDanJohnson.com or CumulusMan@aol.com. THANKS!