Product Lines – November 2004

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Just as the October “Product Lines” was headed to press a last-minute
update was inserted into the column by USHGA’s alert art director, Tim Meehan. At
the end of last month’s column I was writing about Alan Chuculate’s paraglider
aerotow trike, the SlowTow. A week after the deadline, Alan wrote, “The SlowTow
project suffered a major setback on Wednesday when Floyd Fronius crashed
in the trike and crushed a vertebrae and his heel. It was a classic case of a low
altitude aerotow problem resulting in the towplane pilot getting pitched down and
not releasing early enough. Both trike and glider were airborne at approximately
150 feet AGL.” Alan reports that Floyd thought the glider had released because the
towline was slack. He began to descend and turned left to reconnect and try again.
“But as he turned left the towline tightened rapidly, the glider climbed dramatically,
and the trike was slowed and pitched nose down.” Perhaps Floyd should have released
at the first sign of the problem, but it takes a short time to comprehend the situation
and he didn’t have those precious seconds. Neither did Floyd have time to hand deploy
the reserve parachute that was part of the SlowTow’s equipment list.
Alan supposes, “If he had more altitude he would have fully pulled out of the dive,
but instead impacted between a 45-degree and a 60-degree descent angle.” The good
news is that surgery on his L3 vertebrae was a complete success and he is expected
to fully recover in about four months with the exception of some titanium preventing
flexure between L2 and L4. Were it not for his broken heel he could be standing today,
Alan says. His heel will be operated by next week and is expected to take three months
to heal. The airframe appears to have sustained little
damage based on a superficial inspection. About the project, Alan reports, “The SlowTow
project will probably continue but possibly using a different configuration than
a trike. We may abandon use of the trike because of it’s inherent limitation of liftoff
speed being significantly faster than stall speed.” He expects Floyd will continue
participation in the project after he recovers. For those
who’d like to help out while Floyd is unable to operate his business, you
can send donations through a fund made available at Lite Touch Films, the Website
of friend and pilot Phil Russman: www.litetouchfilms.com/floydfund.html.
Phone calls to Floyd at home are encouraged: 619-238-0835 or cellphone 619-283-2336.
Best wishes to Floyd as he recovers.
Paul Hamilton is known to many hang glider and paraglider pilots as the “video
guy” who produces more DVDs than anyone I know in our favorite segment of aviation
(he reports producing over 40 films!). Some years ago, he branched out into powered
aviation and today, he is taking steps to be part of the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport
Aircraft explosion. His Hamilton Training System is catching the attention
of organizations like NAFI, the National Association of Flight Instructors.
NAFI held its first of several symposia to educate the general aviation community
of certified flight instructors on the business potential of Sport Pilot. The premiere
event took place in Sebring, Florida at the end of October when that city hosted
the first-ever U.S. Sport Aviation Expo. Paul was one of the speakers. He
also worked with the NAFI at the summertime airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. FMI:
www.sport-pilot-training.com/hts.htm
Another guy reaching out to alternative flying groups is Mr. Moyes USA, Ken Brown.
Many in HG and PG seem focused so tightly on our favorite way to fly that we forget
to go beyond our borders. Yet all human endeavors require growth for the health of
an organization, business, or activity like soaring flight. I commend people like
Paul and Kenny for marketing their goods and services to the wider group of aviators
or non-pilots. To that goal, Kenny is promoting participation
in the Soaring Society of America’s Airsports Expo coming up in Ontario, California
over February 10-12, 2005. Ken writes, “SSA is very excited about the inclusion of
our Part 103 ultralights to the mix. As a supporter of the Expo I have taken on the
task of building up the participation of vendors in the Part 103 end of the flight
spectrum.” He continues, enthusiastically, “No where on the west coast will you find
more aviation enthusiasts gathered. Sailplanes, motorgliders, sport planes, hang
gliders, paragliders, motor harnesses and accessories will be on display in the main
hall. Manufacturers, distributors, dealers, school and flight park owners will be
on hand with the latest gear and info.” You can also attend
lectures by experts in various soaring fields. Brown says topics will include
performance flying to how to crash confidently. He advises you can go to www.SSA.org
for information and the speaker schedule. Vendor info is available from Gaynell@ssa.org.
If USHGA or other groups wish to meet at the event, Ken
promises, “A room is being provided free of charge to our group as a result of our
participation if we can pull together a cohesive group. I will be proposing to the
HGMA that we hold a general meeting open to all professionals to hammer out a future
marketing strategy.” I applaud Kenny’s efforts to push hang gliding businessmen
to work harder at reaching out to other groups. FMI: flyamoyes@aol.com or 530-888-8622.
So, got
news or opinions? Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Messages or fax to 651-450-0930.
E-mail to Dan@ByDanJohnson.com. THANKS!