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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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.