The Oz Report, a near-daily, world wide hang gliding news ezine, with reports on competitions, pilot rankings, political issues, fly-ins, the latest technology, ultralight sailplanes, reader feedback and anything else from within the global HG community worthy of coverage. Hang gliding, paragliding, hang gliders, paragliders, aerotowing, hang glide, paraglide, platform towing, competitions, fly-ins. Hang gliding and paragliding news from around the world, by Davis Straub.

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Here is the most recent posting from each of the 103 blogs being scanned:

Southern Ontario Parasport ClubSat, 06 Sep 2008 11:35:00 +0000

Looks a bit soggy this morning

I'll be at the field by 11:30 or 12:00.
This afternoon looks flyable so far.
See you there?
Eric (link)

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Life, Work, and Hang glidingSat, 06 Sep 2008 10:39:00 +0000

SNOW - September 1st

In the 10 years that I've lived in Utah, October 1st was the earliest I'd ever seen snow on the mountains. I now have a new earliest date for snow, by a full month.


(link)

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Ray HelmanSat, 06 Sep 2008 04:58:00 +0000

John & Dale Stokes, owners of S.O.A.R. here at Lookout Mountain, put on 3 shows a day for the people that visit Rock City, Monday thru Friday's. They have a great blogspot also, and they are listed in my index to the right, Save our American Raptors. They did me a huge favor when Wendy's folks where in town for a visit, so to repay them I took some picture for them. I am still editing,cropping,etc... to make them the best that I can so that they may use some of them for their show. During the time that they are not here, they are very busy going all over the country doing shows for Schools, and other community activities. If you know of a school that needs something very entertaining, and a educational presentation,,, their show can't be beat !
Here are a couple of pictures of their bird friends.
Can you count the number of thermals that you have shared with this birds brothers & sisters? The red-tailed hawk is very hard to keep up with !
This picture is VERY deceitful. Looks like a normal Bald Eagle at first glance, huh?! !
Well, Atsa Yazhi is not. I really hope that the hunters that did this,,,,,is prosecuted to the full extent of the law(if not worse!) This is positively the saddest looking picture that I have ever taken. This is the second Eagle that I know of, that this has happened to. The first one that they had, Osceola, is now doing the shows at Dollywood. You should really read about that bird(Google it!). John even had a harness made for her, and took her hang gliding sometimes. Now that is a great sight to see !
They allowed me to hold her for a little while that day. What a majestic being. It was the first time for me to be this close to one of these great soaring machines. I have thermalled with a couple of them, just to be left in a puff of wispy cloud dust. Of course, their wing-loading is a little better than mine, so I have an excuse(not).
There was a little bit of clarity, and kinship while I was watching the show. It was quite windy that day, and partly cloudy, with cummies everywhere. I caught the hawk & the eagle doing exactly what I had been doing most of the morning. I had been looking at the sky and feeling the wind. I like to think that during those brief moments, we were of one mind. We were both wanting to Touch the Sky ! I have NO doubt that Di Vinci was correct.
Unfortunately, none of them will ever be able to feel free flight again.
I guess if I had one word that describes me best, it would have to be~~ birdwannabe !
While holding this beautiful creature,,one thought kept creeping into my head,,wonder if it's going to bite my face off? & I think my nose is bigger than his, gessshhhh

The next couple of days looks like it is going to be stellar, if it doesn't OD tomorrow afternoon. With it forecasting 51% humidity on Saturday, and 40% on Sunday,,,imho, it won't happen(keeping fingers crossed).
Saturday looks like a Lookout day (330 degrees, about 8 on the surface), and Sunday looks like a Henson's day (360 degrees, about 10-15).
Saturday should be a great day to stay in the fishbowl and play for a while. I need to get use to this new GT race harness. I just stepped up from an High Energy, which I've had for almost 15 years. Thank goodness for Dennis Pagan and his informative articles. You can always count on that guy to publish something for every need in our great sport. The article that he just had in the magazine about stepping up to a higher performance harness was right on time ! Thanks!
Sunday looks like a great day to try the run from Henson's back to Lookout, down the beautiful Sequatchie Valley ! I've never made it the whole way, who knows,,,,maybe on Sunday. 1st for everything.
News at 11 (link)

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Linda Salamone2008-09-05T14:53:10.429-04:00

Labor Day Weekend Update
Saturday, August 30thIt began cloudy and rainy, but the forecast promised clearing (and lift) later. Mario Luppa was back in town for some XC experience, so after a trip to the Public Market, we all headed to Hammondsport. There was quite a crowd when we arrived. The Canadian paragliding AND HANGGLIDING contingent was well represented, and soon more regular RAF members turned up. The launch was beginning to like the Hammondsport launch of old...
I think Mark launched first, then Katrin and Karl, then Mario, then maybe some PGs while I was putting Mario's video camera in the car, then I launched. Mark's launch was scary, Mario's looked good- and I caught it on video to prove I have actually taught him something (more on that later)- and my launch was pretty good, too. Karl and Mark were getting high in one big thermal and that had me scrambling to get going. But now that I was scratching with the rest of them, it seemed they took the last ticket out of there. At just 70- 150 meters over for the first hour of the flight, I thought mine and Mario's chances of going XC were totally shot. I was duking it out with a Canadian PG in front of launch, Mario was behind the church REALLY low, Mark was stuck under a big cu with Karl. Finally, I get something solid to get up in and I see Mario doing well now too. The PG and I were really getting in each other's way as the two of us clung desperately to this first, and maybe only, big climb. But eventually it got big enough for the two of us to give each other room and get high. When I searched the west ridge for Mario, I couldn't find him so I called on the radio. He reports that he is setting up for a top landing and when I comment he asks for silence so he can concentrate. Well, I considered the flight to be just beginning, but after having a long look at the LZ by the church, Mario was determined not to land there (can't blame him!) and he took advantage of his newly aquired altitude to land in a better field.
I decided to try to hook up with Mark and see what he was up to. He said he was around 3300' at cloudbase and pretty soon I was nearby but he was in some shoulder pain so even he decided to land. That left me, and my PG buddy to share the air (at a huge distance from each other now) so I just started to cruise around. When I got back to the main ridge at one point, I saw a glider in the trees just north of launch. In the same place from where I have dug other gliders out. Obviously a blown launch. Mark confirmed it was Joe, and that he was okay and had help. The air way above was getting nicer and nicer and the lift more widespread. No handed flying... climbing at 1-2m/s... so sweet. Since Mario was no longer in the air to go XC, and at 1200m over launch I was getting cold, I scanned the ridge for some company. I assumed no one else was launching because they were getting Joe's glider unstuck but soon more gliders got into the air. I waited a while for this one unfamiliar topless glider to find something to get up high in, and finally Jim Ramsden was in the ozone with me in his T2. He chased me around for a while and then I figured I should go land after 3 hours in the air. Mario and Mark were waiting at the airport for me anyhow. I had to search for sink (isn't that how it always is?) and even though it was a less than stellar landing, it was likely better than what I could have done at the church LZ. I have been pretty stressed about landing lately.
On the way home we happened upon the Dansville Balloon festival- 50 hot air balloons all began launching just as we were going through town.... Oh wait, that's a different bag of hot air.... (actually it's Jim Rizzo introducing me to his girlfriend...)Okay here are the balloons...
and one that was really strange (The Purple People Eater...) but I couldn't get a shot of it's face... The evening was capped off at a Ribs Contest in Caledonia, hosted by the Genesee Sun...

So really a great flying day, no XC but still a lot of fun.

Airtime: 2:58

Alt2: 1250m

Sunday August 31-

We all head to Hammondsport again but knowing it will probably be cross from the north, we don't even take the gliders off the car. A Canadian HG pilot was struggling in a strong cross so we headed to Mossy Banks. It was a bit strong when we arrived and the launch needed some trimming anyhow. By the time it was clear and we were set up, it was blowing in pretty sweet. Karl got in the slot and waited through way too many nice cycles- hawks and kestrels soaring just out front. But that launch is so intimidating I could hardly blame him. Finally he backed off when it was just about dead, and Mario stepped up to the cliff. I told him that the glider wouldn't be flying for some time after leaving the cliff, so he would have to have the glider in a perfect flying attitude, with a little extra speed, while shoving off the launch. He executed it well (maybe a bit too pulled in) and dove significantly low away from the ridge. He scratched valiantly for maybe 4 passes then headed for a near perfect landing below. A PG had also managed a launch out of that tiny notch in the woods...

I got up to the launch as people were packing up to go back to Hammondsport. Now the cycles were decidedly cross from the NW, but I waited. And waited. And waited some more. Everyone was gone or almost gone when a cycle that was pretty straight started up the bottom of the valley. I tucked my glider's nose down a bit more and yelled CLEAR much to the surprise of anyone that was still on launch. My launch was sweet! and I headed right towards the overlook and I was going UP!!! A few passes just a hundred feet or so over but it was so nice!!! The other pilots were back at their cars at the overlook- surprised too to see me over their heads. It was great, but very short-lived, and a slight turn in my glider was scaring me out of scratching much. I landed with Mario and packed up.

On the way home we passed Dansville AGAIN while the balloons were launching, but we didn't stop since Karl, Katrin and Paul were joining us for dinner. A big feast ensued and many tales were told... But I had the Mossy flight of the day at 6 minutes 33 seconds so I kept my mouth shut for a change...

Monday, Labor Day, September 1st- Indian Cliffs

Nice forecast, except it looks like it might be really light. Up top, it's dead. I begin to set up, well just because I like to be ready for anything, and I know for sure it's not going to be blowing in anywhere else. By the time I am done, it is coming in NICE! Mario is ready, so he launches right after Scott, who is getting above the ridge nicely in his Falcon. Mario's launch was a little slow, but he recovered and pulled away from the slot with good speed. The rest of us ran for our gliders, and I was just pulling my speed sleeves on when I looked up and saw Mario way behind the launch just above the trees- NOT a good place to be. It looked like he was going to get out of there twice, but then we heard the all-too-familiar sound of glider hitting tree branches and watched as he put it in (conveniently) right next to the launch slot. He yelled that he was okay. Everyone ran the 15 yds over to where he was suspended, about 15-20 feet off the ground, right next to a pretty easy climbing tree. I shimmied up the tree and someone handed me a rope to attach to the dental floss he threw to me. The extraction of the pilot was more difficult than the glider extraction, but everything was down and unhurt in less than an hour.... which coincidentally is about how long the wind blew into the ridge that day. We left Mario to pack up the intact -looking glider and I got into my harness. Bill launched before me, and Doug in his PG, but it was very light now, and they were not getting high, until we saw a bald eagle climbing just below. I flung myself out at it and started climbing right away. Doug and I had our own little piece of the thermal but he left meat of it to me. The eagle showed me just where it was and soon I was 500 meters over and much happier than I had been up a tree. The wind was almost completely dead, so my track was straight up mostly. As I ran around the area when that thermal died, I found the wind was sometimes a light NW- that would explain why no one was launching. Doug had landed, Bill before I had even launched, so now I had the whole valley to myself. Well, just me and a couple of sailplanes. I tried to pimp off one that was turning behind Harris Hill, but when I got out there, I found only broken lift and he promptly left (must be he heard about me corkscrewing up through Jim Rizzo last weekend....). I went back to the east ridge and played around there til I finally sank out. My landing was perfect for a change- maybe because Doug was giving me the wind direction in the LZ- and I packed my glider and got back up in time for it NOT to wonder. A few sledders, but mostly everyone else packed up.

Airtime: 0:52

Alt2: 480 meters

So... what did we learn? Be ready, make sure your student is ready (already knew that). Launch like you mean it, and make sure your student does ( knew that too). Know what the wind is doing in the LZ (knew that, he knows that but he didn't need to know it on this flight!). Flare hard in no wind (check). Give your student ALL the information he needs to stay safe and have a successful flight (knew that too, but wasn't thorough....) After much discussion from- I mean WITH Mario, it seems he thought being closer to the trees was better for getting lift. Yes, well, up to a point to stay in the lift band. But he tested the point of wind gradient. For a tow park pilot, that isn't something he would normally deal with. Wind gradient near the ground, yes, of course. But I neglected to tell him the specific danger after seeing how well he handled scratching a ridge in July and again this past Saturday. I assumed he knew. So the thing I learned most is NEVER ASSUME. We also had a nice discussion about Intermediate Syndrome...

So we learned a very valuable lesson at a very low cost. A hang strap or two, an ego, maybe a bent batten, some flying, but all in all, it was cheap. And I have heard that there are 'pilots who have been in the trees, and pilots who WILL be in the trees' and now that Mario has joined the ranks of the former, he doesn't need to revisit that on some other occasion. For me, that adventure lies ahead, if the adage is true...

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Corinna Schwiegershausen2008-09-05T16:02:16.982+03:00

Real people in every Timezone!

Walking through Manhattan, we had a lot of fun - but why keep people asking me for the way? Happened three times on this trip ;) do I look like a local?
Here on broadway a young guy walked past me and asked "Corinna? Bist Du Corinna Schwiegershausen?" I was stunned - out of all the 20 odd million people in Manhattan, I met a German pilot who said he knows me from the magazines and his friend who flies the competitions. Sometimes the world is small.
Now we are off to Frankfurt, then to Orlando to film on board and also hopefully at Quest if Hanna is fast and Ike is slow... Im not too keen on thermalling in the torandos of a hurricane!

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Life on the Lee-SideFri, 05 Sep 2008 07:06:00 +0000

Crankworx Terrain Park on the Superfly

CCrankworx Colorado came to Winter Park back in August. I raced in the cross country race and my Mom, Jo and I watched the some of the qualifiers for the slopestyle event. If your too lazy to scroll, you can read about it Here. There's a great video of the Slopestyle Finals Here.
After the King of the Rockies race last weekend John and I rode up to explore what was left of the Crankworx Colorado terrain park. The Superfly is not the ideal bike to ride on a terrain park. It's carbon 29er race bike which is made to roll over things not huck off them. Nor am I the ideal rider, if I jump higher than 3 feet I go unstable and usually crash. Plus, it hurts more and takes longer to heal these days. Basically I've turned into a giant weenie!
As a result I decided to abort riding down the 20 foot drop leading into the first jump. Looking down from the top I was able to feel the full grasp of how big those guys in Crankworx were going. John is an expert snowboarder and skateboarder who is used to dropping on things and even he thought it was pretty insane. We stood on the rock looking down and imagined how it would feel the first time you committed to the jump.




After deciding to pass on the huge drops and jumps we moved on to the walls. The first one is a 6 foot high 180 degree wall that is used in a few of the Winter Park race courses including the King of the Rockies last weekend. During races I've always picked a medium line it at top speed. It's great because it allows you to carry a ton of speed into what would normally be just a switchback, but the G's compressing you into your seat can catch you off guard. We rode it a couple times and it was fun to just to take it easy and not worry about crashing.


The second wall is at the bottom of the huge drop first jump we stood on earlier. It's a menacing 270 degree turn into a ladder bridge that leads into the slopestyle course. I merged this series of pictures that John took into one shot. I didn't really get that high, but it looks cool!


Subscribe (link)

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Bjørn HammerWed, 03 Sep 2008 18:59:02 +0000

Tip wand installation and haulback tip

Jeff O’Brian has published these two videos with rigging-derigging tips for Wills Wing gliders. Tip wand installation and removal. I use the same technique for installing the tip wand, but I have not had the “cup” facing down but backwards. This has made it difficult to fit the cup over the end of the wand. But I [...] (link)

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Will GaddWed, 03 Sep 2008 15:08:00 +0000

Canadian Sport Climbing

Yesterday I learned a few things about being a sport climber in Canada. That's what I am right now in terms of climbing; I go clip bolts. And I'm totally into it. My tendons are creaking, my feet are completely jacked from stuffing them into frozen shoes and my fingertips are raw like pounded beef. In Red Rocks or some other areas I can climb up to ten decently hard routes every other day and still have some skin, but Rockies limestone makes my skin feel pretty much like it did after I accidentally ran my fingers instead of a ski through the base grinder I worked with during college. But I have no complaints, it's right where I want to be. Sport climbing in Canada is mega, especially now that we have great fall temps. There were at least one or two hours this summer where it was almost too warm to climb, thank god those days are behind us. We're in the sending season now!
A friend at the crag yesterday suggested we write an article about being a sport climber in Canada, but it's more fun to blog about it 'cause, well, I can write whatever I want. Here is a list of things the crew at Acephale came up with yesterday:
You know you're a Canadian sport climber when:
1. The current temperature is zero and the forecast high is 12, but you still head to a high, windswept north-facing cliff anyhow 'cause that's where your project is, and conditions will be "perfect!"
2. You smell like a hippie tree planter despite living in an apartment. And you would rather breathe smoke while climbing than freeze while resting.
3. You heat small rocks near the fire to put in your chalkbag, and are happy to trade the weight for the warmth.
4. You change the metric units on the forecast into imperial units 'cause a high of "50" sounds so much better than "10." And -2C is depressing, but how bad can "28" be? Might even be too warm!
5. You scrape frost from the car in the morning but are excited when the car seat is slightly heated from the sun. Never mind that you're going someplace that never sees sun, and is 1500 feet higher than your car.
6. Even though the overnight low was -3 and the forecast high is 10 you still go to the shady crag 'cause you're saving the sunny crags, "Until it gets really cold."
7. You suddenly realize that the temps are really warm compared to what you normally mixed climb in, and this convoluted reasoning somehow cheers you up.
8. You break a sweat on a route despite the near-freezing temps and then seriously complain about the "humidity."
9. You're thankful that the wet pocket on your project is just wet; you were worried on the hike up that there would be ice in it, which is harder to get rid of.
10. You take the fact that most of the snow on the sunny approach has melted off as somehow indicative that conditions are "improving."
10. You ponder heading south to Rifle or someplace, but don't want to miss the "crisp fall conditions!" at home.
11. You rip a huge flapper off your finger but keep climbing to the top of the pitch despite leaving a trail of blood like a wounded rabbit. It just doesn't matter 'cause your hands are numb anyhow, and the rock is cold enough to act as an antiseptic.
12. You seriously eye the "climbing cut" of a huge insulated jacket.
13. Bacon, eggs, steak, beer and bowls of pasta bigger than your head are absolutely part of a high-performance sport climbing diet. You'll need the calories to stay warm.
14. You confuse the gender of other climbers at the crag due to all the clothing, then wonder if you're gay.
15. You breathe in and out of your climbing shoes to warm them up before putting them on. This is something you would ordinarily only do after losing a bet.
16. The most dangerous part of the day is gathering dead wood for the fire.
17. "Warming up" takes most of the day, but "cooling down" is taken care of on the lower off the route.
18. You don't want to go mountain biking or hiking 'cause it will be too cold, but climbing seems like a good idea.
And, despite nothing in the forecast that indicates pleasurable temps or even good weather in the foreseeable future, you've still got plans to go climbing every chance you can for the next two weeks. And will go.
Thanks to the Acephale crew for a fun afternoon, let's do it again Thursday. The forecast looks pretty good, a high of 50! It'll be tropical, we might want to go early to beat the heat. (link)

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Alpine ParaglidingWed, 03 Sep 2008 11:36:00 +0000

'08 - Great flying Season

Though the weather has been mixed throughout many parts of Europe there can be no doubting the quality of the XC flights undertaken by Adventure Extreme Students. Several flights of 50k plus have been acheived by Pilots who previously have only flown 10-12k. CP qualifications have also been gained by more students than last year a testament to the settled periods of good flying weather. We are now into September with things looking good for the reaminder of the season. November and December will find us back in the Himalayas for expedition flying and a new trip - the Post CP hour builder at Pokhara. Full details from our website at www.adventure-x.com (link)

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Jamie Shelden2008-09-02T18:42:52.747-05:00

Far Have I Traveled and Much Have I Seen....

....dark, distant mountains, with valleys of green.
Spent a great fun weekend with the Kynastons down in Wales. The sun was shining and the flying was lovely if you don't mind dodging a few paragliders.




Miles made a tasty paella and we listened to everyone play, tried a few silly games and even had a crazy dip in the pond at 2am.


I really do love the people here...everyone has been so nice and so much fun and they don't even seem to mind that I'm American ;-) I hope I get to come back soon.


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Cragin's flight (b)logTue, 02 Sep 2008 07:03:00 +0000

Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory! Labor Day at Hyner View PA

Hang Gliding at Hyner View, Labor Day 2008 from Cragin S on Vimeo.
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory! Labor Day at Hyner View PA.
After about ten years of urging from John M and others, I finally got my tail in gear and hit the road for a holiday weekend at Hyner View. Very glad I went; sorry I took so long to do it. Hyner View is indeed a free flight national treasure. Kudos for the (link)

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Tim's Paragliding BlogTue, 02 Sep 2008 00:10:00 +0000

I've had enough

Ok, I know this has nothing to do with paragliding, but I'm fed up with all the hoopla about the Presidential candidates. I don't believe either of them to be the new messiah or the moral executive that I can respect. So sign me up for the "Noneoftheabove" party.
It may get in the way of some paragliding activities, but I've decided to run for President. My platform is one that promises "Free lifts to Launch" and "Beer at Goal."
Please visit my campaign website for further info:
Timo's Presidential Run
Thank you for your support.
Tim (link)

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Tommy ThompsonMon, 01 Sep 2008 12:48:00 +0000

NEWS

(link)

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Matt's Basic Life & Occasional AdventureSun, 31 Aug 2008 14:05:00 +0000

Heber XC!

Saturday was looking like a good late August, pre-frontal cross-country kind of flyin' day. Cody called early, and the consensus was that Heber would be our best chance for BIG air and BIG miles. We picked up Bruce H. and Greg B. in Park City, and headed up to launch via the backside Deer Valley ski areas.
Steve R. was already at launch. *(Pic. by Bruce, H.)
Heber is a shallow, flat slope launch (8,850' MSL) at the head of a 3.5 mile-long south-facing canyon, which begins near Midway, UT, about 3,100' below. In lighter winds it requires a strong, sometimes extended launch run. In higher winds it can be a bit rowdy, as some brush on the hillside in front of and below launch can create some turbulence soon after takeoff.
Once you get away from launch, there is a spine to the left with a series of peaks which can be soared in search of thermals to allow a climb-out high enough to go over the back and on your way! In August of last year Jeff O'Brien launched here and set the current Utah State record of 220 miles, flying NE to somewhere near Lander, WY!
The potential of the day ahead of us, along with my second flight on my new U2 and a nice breeze blowing straight in at 15 mph had my anticipation level rapidly rising! I did, however, keep my excitement in check, as Cody helpfully walked me through the U2 setup and pre-flight.



Today, one by one, (Bruce first!) we launched between 2 and 2:30 into very nice, building conditions, although a layer of high cirrus clouds seemed to be suppressing very much cumulus development. I worked a number of different thermals until I found one to take me to 16,850' directly over launch. The view over launch is breathtakingly spectacular in all directions, including Mt. Timpanogas, Jordanelle Reservoir, the backside of the Wasatch Mountains, and all of the Park City & Deer Valley ski areas, including some Winter Olympic venues. After topping out, I headed over the back in a north, northeasterly direction. A few miles out, I found myself down to 8,000' feet, looking for a place to land by Silver Creek Junction. I still had 1,000' altitude, so I came in over the big shopping area, hoping to catch a thermal releasing from the parking lots. Sure enough, I hooked a good one that eventually took me to 15,000', allowing me to continue on toward Rockport Reservoir. After getting no response from my radio traffic, I realized that my batteries were dying. I had to decide if it was worth it to try to change out batteries while in-flight and lose precious altitude, or just push on with no radio contact. I decided that communication was key, and attempted the change while in 500 fpm lift at about 14,000' over Rockport Reservoir - which required removing my gloves and ignoring my flying for about 5 minutes! The change was successful, and I was still over 14K! I was back in the game, now able to talk to Dorothy in-chase and everyone else still in the air - but not for long...

Greg and Steve were ahead of everyone, but they got low and had to land near Hoytsville, about 22 miles out from launch - not a state record, but very respectable, and safe flights! By now Bruce was between Coalville and Evanston, WY, and Cody and I were going East up Chalk Creek - after Cody had an awesome low save, just before unzipping to land by Greg & Steve! Being unfamiliar with the route, I made a tactical error a few miles up Chalk Creek. I turned NE at Upton on Huff Creek Road, thinking it was Chalk Creek, but the road below turned into a trail, and I didn't think I was high enough to safely cross some un-retrievable area between there and I-80 to the north. Cody showed me the right way to go, but in order to get back on track and stay within glide of good LZ's, I had to fight a cross-wind route, which burned all of my altitude, bringing me in about 150' over the East Chalk Creek Refinery,

which sits exactly where the UT border makes a 90 degree corner. I tried to make a low save as I drifted just into Wyoming, but soon crossed back into Utah for a nice landing just south of the refinery, about 18 miles south of Evanston and 36.8 miles out from launch. I quickly broke down in the fenced & posted field, and Dorothy and Greg arrived about 30 minutes later to pick me up. I was slightly dissapointed that I didn't go farther,

*(Pic. by Bruce H.) but very happy about the fun, safe flight - and way excited about how this U2 flies!

The last radio traffic we heard, Cody was just passing Evanston near 15,000', and Bruce was near 18,000' going toward Kemmerer! Sometimes there can be a half hour or more between radio transmissions, due to the need to focus on staying in the lift of an elusive thermal. Once you get some basic cross-country hang gliding skills, the difference between flying 20 miles or flying 100+, can come down to one or two key decisions regarding route, lift, strategy or flying speed - especially on a day with marginal lift. Anything which causes you to lose concentration (radio, batteries, camera, cold fingers, hypoxia, etc...) can be the difference in landing early or going far.
Before we came to Evanston, we made phone contact with Cody and found out he had landed on highway 189, just past the wind farms, about 71 miles out from Heber, as the approaching cloud cover put an early end to the lift. Nice flyin', Cody!

"No s*%#! - There I was!"

We then found out that Bruce had landed by the Diamondville Chevron, but we weren't sure if he had broken 100 miles. I watched my GPS count the miles as we got closer,

but he was half a thermal short, landing at 95.6 miles out, but still an awesome, flight of the day!

Way to go, Bruce - you get the gold star for the day -or at least the Cody Cup! (Check out Bruce's 'blog at this link: http://hibbyblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/83008-xc.html) Overall it was a great flyin' day adventure, each one of us getting some nice airtime and some hard-earned XC miles and experience. Thanks for the great day, guys, and thanks for your excellent hang-driving Dorothy!

Airtime: 2 hours 30 minutes. Miles: 36.8!

(link)

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Andrew Beevers' paragliding blogTue, 26 Aug 2008 11:52:29 +0000

Curbar: farewell Finningley

The best (and the most frustrating) thing about flying XC in the UK is the constant challenge of the rapidly changing weather. On Saturday 23 August, a transient ridge of high pressure presented a narrow window of opportunity between weather systems. With bad air downwind to the east and a front approaching rapidly from the west, I was delighted to get another 50K out of the day.

Approaching base, Sheffield in the background Photo of me thanks to Mike Miller

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Freeflying in TaiwanMon, 25 Aug 2008 12:16:00 +0000

Made in Japan

This was my first glider. I paid NT$ 20 000 (US$ 600)
for it - second hand of course. It was made in Japan about
15 years ago. I've taken her up to 1350m. Flying her for
longer than an hour is tiring.
I flew her again the other day. What an experience! (link)

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Matjaz Tolmin, SloveniaSun, 24 Aug 2008 10:40:00 +0000

My home valley from above

Here are some pictures from Tolmin valley.

Starting place Kobala

Small villiage Most na Soči with a lake beside

View up the valley to Kobarid

Higher mountains
(link)

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Terry from TorontoAugust 23/08 Had a grand time at "Tracey - Stock"   ---    Jerry Tracey's backyard birthday bash.   Great fun.

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Warren WindsportsFri, 22 Aug 2008 16:32:54 +0000

Stanwell Tops & Hill 60 deliver last week

Last week we scored four days in a row. -Three days at Stanwell and one bonus day at Hill 60, Port Kembla.

PHOTO BELOW: Here's my co-pilot Leon (from Sydney), on his birthday flight, at the controls as we're looking back at Bald Hill. This time I put the Ricoh GX100 camera on the interval timer (my preferred way to shoot) so we could focus on the flying. -what a concept...

Stanwell-Tops-Sydney-tandem-Hang-Gliding.jpg

Stanwell-Park-Sydney-Hang-Gliding.jpg

ABOVE: Yash, age 15, getting ready for his first introductory hang gliding flight, again from Stanwell.

read more

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Jonny DurandMon, 18 Aug 2008 13:37:00 +0000

Brasilla Sky's are here.

Well the day after the comp we finally get to see the real Brasillia skies. Here is a picture I took from my hotel yesterday afternoon.
(link)

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Tom Lanning2008-08-12T10:23:29.493-04:00

Scrounging

Like starving children from a Charles Dickens novel, scrounging for the tiniest morsel of food, we're off to the Trail today.

Rodger's post to the local forum captures our desperation after months of water-torture here in New England. Once again a relatively new pilot, Jeff, convinced me to attempt a day of flying. Although the predicted lift was weak, the wind on the ridge measly, the sky overdeveloped, the ground saturated, and we faced a chance of rain, the forecast was the best in the past week and probably in the next week as well. Rodger, Jeff, and I loaded up at my place and we stopped in Gardner to pick up Mark A on the way to the Mohawk Trail in North Adams, Massachusetts.
After we showed Mark the dry place to land in the bail-out LZ, we drove up to launch. We met Brooks in the parking lot and Cliff, Gary, and Mike at launch. The wind was blowing in nicely but some of the clouds were already starting their daily launch into the heavens. The weather forecasters claimed a sliver of high pressure would pass overhead during the afternoon and it would limit shower and thunderstorm development. After a few clouds exploded and sent debris all over the sky, development settled down and we did have a dry afternoon.
Gary stepped up to launch first. (I was acting as observer / mentor for Jeff and Mark so I had to launch after they did). It was blowing in nicely most of the time, but Gary wasn't convinced it was soarable. (Launch is only about 750 feet, 228 m, above the valley). After watching for a long time he backed off as the sky turned blue overhead. A while later Brooks launched and maintained at launch level for a few passes before slowly sinking out. Watching a very good local pilot sink out wasn't exactly encouraging the remaining pilots to launch. Cliff eventually launched next and, like Brooks, bounced around in front of launch before floating into the LZ for a nice landing. We returned to eating blueberries and watching the sky.
I started actively encouraging Mark and Jeff to launch so I could give it a try. Besides, the day was slipping away. Mark stepped up next, launched into a strong cycle, and immediately got above launch. As he made several passes overhead I suggested that Jeff suit up and move to launch. By the time Jeff got to launch the cycle was dying and Mark joined the others in the LZ with a nice approach and landing. Once again we waited. It was now approaching 4:30 pm and the day was dying. Mark L showed up with his glider even as some pilots were talking about breaking down and hiking out. Jeff took off in the next thermal that came through and worked his way above launch. As I started suiting up, Rodger borrowed my camera and took pictures of Jeff passing back and forth in front. By the time I got to launch Jeff was sinking on each pass and was soon in the LZ.

Gary held my nose wires as he, Mike, and I watched for signs of life in the tree leaves below as Rodger answered questions posed by two hikers and Mark L setup his glider. I finally saw some rustling in the leaves below around 5:30 pm did my best height-conserving launch. (Rodger said I should have run harder and lowered my nose some). Like the others I went back and forth in front of launch like a duck in a shooting gallery before I got high enough to start circling. Once I started circling I settled into a 250 fpm (1.3 m/s) climb to cloud base at 4600 feet (1400 m).
I played around at cloud base working upwind to wisps forming over the valley below. I watched Mark L launch and fight to maintain at ridge height. Meanwhile Gary, Mike, and Rodger were breaking down. I wanted to keep working upwind and fly the western "backside" of Mount Greylock.

However when I saw someone doing aerobatics over the airport, I thought I should stay in my own valley. I only got a picture of the white smoke, but the pilot also used red smoke that looked cool against the setting sun. (You can see a tiny loop of white smoke in the upper left center).

I flew back over the pilots in the LZ, the pilots hiking out from launch, and Mark L who was heading north along the ridge. I decided to turn south to play along the ridge there and eventually land at the golf range across the valley since they have ice cream. I took a lame video while I was flying along the ridge with one hand; there is really not much to see except for trees and a few rocks!

I chased a few birds around as the day faded away and watch the cars on the roads below as I crossed the valley in buttery smooth air. I was a bit shocked when I looked down at my LZ at The Range and saw a reflection of the sky broken by patches of green. Yuck. Water, water, everywhere. I would guess only 30% of the surface was green. I did my usual buzzing approach and had a sweet no-wind landing on a dry island. However, my shoes were soaked by the time I splashed my way to the high ground along the road.
After the gang helped me load the glider on the truck we stopped for dinner at the Freight Yard Pub before heading home.
Flights: 1, Time: 1:27, Distance: -, Rain: 0

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David Glover - 2007 World Hang Gliding ChampionshipsSun, 10 Aug 2008 16:32:00 +0000

Final Day and Awards

(link)

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Rob ReynoldsSat, 09 Aug 2008 21:59:00 +0000

Back in the States

Well, shortly after getting to Tannheim yesterday Michelle called to tell me my Grandfather had passed away. So I'm back in the states (Philly airport) to attended to somethings and help my family out.
On the flying front, the boys had an "epic day" (their words) today at Tannheim. Tomorrow looks to be even better but there is rain in the forecast for mid week. I'm debating flying back over on Wed to finish out the final 4 days of the trip and try to get some flying in Depends on how I feel once I get things settled with the family. I've spend 27 of the past 48 hours on airplanes or trains, so I'm exhausted and still have a 2 hr flight home. ugh.http://feeds.feedburner.com/GliderGearBlog (link)

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Brett HardinTue, 05 Aug 2008 00:29:00 +0000

Task 3 - Chelan Open

The last task of the 2008 Chelan Open was a huge triangle - 73 miles (118 km) to be exact. Conditions were really good, light wind, Cu at 11,000 ft, and it was cold aloft, 35 F...
Dean Stratton won the day, completing the course in 3:48. That put his average speed at 30.5 km/hour, that is fast! My flight was a little slower (way slower) it took me 5 hours and 42 minutes to get home... and I was really lucky on course, 2 very low saves and for the final glide, we had to cross over the rim of the Columbia gorge, which I cleared by a mere 25 feet... and then had to ridge soar with tons of bar to get across the river and to goal at the soccer field.
I was way under-dressed and spent a lot of the day shivering like mad. This flight was the biggest triangle I've ever done, and the longest I've been aloft - 7 hours.
So we only had 3 tasks, but they were all good ones. Chelan is a great place for XC when it's on, and it was on for the last day.
Results are here
Over and Out! (link)

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Norwegian hang glidingFri, 25 Jul 2008 20:24:35 +0000

Vaagaa Open 2008, Day 4

Another blue morning, but earlier cumulus clouds than yesterday. We went up to Salknappen because it’s a higher takeoff that should make it easier to get up in stable conditions. We got a shorter task than yesterday, there was some overdevelopment on the original long task that was planned.

The conditions seemed a bit slow on takeoff, but it was soarable most of the time. The start gate was at 15:30, and I got ready to take off when the first pilots started taking off 40 minutes before the start gate.

I got stuck with one pilot in front of me and crosswind at takeoff. We stood there for 20 minutes before we had a brief period with launchable conditions. So that was it, I lost the start gate with 15-20 minutes.

From the start gate I had a long and very lonely glide to Otta where I got low, but finally found a strong and turbulent thermal that took me up to 2300 meters again to take the first TP. I met up with Jens Krotseng at Otta, but he went for a detour before crossing over Kvam to the second TP. At the turnpoint at Kvam I took out the camera while thermalling up under a nice cloud.

Towards Rondande, nice clouds.

Looking ahead towards Otta, Heidal and Vågå.

I had a OK run towards Goal, and I think I got in at 4. place. I would have been happier with a better start, but I guess I flew pretty fast. We’ll see tomorrow on the results. Tomorrow is the last day in the comp, forecast is good, and I guess we will get a semi-local task to get pilots back in time to the party.

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Keith MacCulloughFri, 25 Jul 2008 05:50:00 +0000

Chelan

I am off tomorrow for the Canadian Paragliding Nationals in Chelan. I will be taking my girlfriend Caroline along for this adventure as after it wraps up we will be taking two weeks holiday on Vancouver Island. I feel as though I am ready for a great meet after the summer has not allowed for many long flights. I will hopefully be using my SPOT locator some days but the batteries are lithiums so very expensive the link to follow me is http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?&glId=0QnTjoYYNEq9Fu8JuDoV2aAexa2FdM2Cu .
So give it a try.
I will be using the Boom 5 from Gin Gliders for this meet so it will not be my equipment holding me back.
Hopefully I will be able to Blog while there but if not I will write when i get to my Mom's after the meet.
Cheers
Keith (link)

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Flying across the UKThu, 17 Jul 2008 13:57:00 +0000

Hang Glider Flying Video Mendlesham Suffolk England UK

A short video of hang gliding at the suffolk coastal floaters hang gliding club airfield in Mendlesham suffolk.
The video was shot in June 2008, about a year after my last hang glider flight there.
Hang Glider Video from Suffolk coastal floaters flying club (link)

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Darren Darsey2008-07-08T18:08:59.114-07:00

Happy Birthday


I had the pleasure of having my dad with me for the whole week during the Chelan Classic. He provided me with support, motivation and acted as our unofficial photo documentarian. Thanks Dad! BTW, no one believes me when I tell them you'll be turning 83 this month.
Happy Birthday!
Dad getting a better vantage point to capture the action
He has an eye for beauty...Stella and Katie watching the pilots launch.

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Dustin MartinThu, 26 Jun 2008 02:33:00 +0000

Long Landscaping Revival


I have a good feeling about Zapata this year.
I was there the first year when we were static lining behind Davis's truck. When Dave Sharp flew the first 300 miler on a crappy blue day, I was in awe. I knew it was on.
I kept trying for years and forgave the place for it's many disappointments because I had seen the impossible. After just a little practice, several of us were cracking a hundred miles before noon....the place is amazing, but the mornings are when the magic happens. The over running is the hidden gem that looks so unassuming at first glance it's no wonder it went unnoticed all those years.
I don't even want the record, I want 500 miles and I know they are there for the taking. I'm obsessing over it. I know I will throw away some good days trying to ace the early start but I know that's what it will take to turn any sub-perfect day into the day. That and it needs to be blowing the earth sideways all day.
This time I have the glider for the job, a super clean harness, a radio that works, a driver and vehicle, and years of Arizona summers to think of when Zapata does it's best impression of 'hot'. (link)

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Chris SantacroceThu, 19 Jun 2008 04:03:00 +0000

Baby Girl Santacroce 6 pounds 15 ounces born on 6/16/08

(link)

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Shola Ogunlokun's Hang Gliding PhotosWed, 28 May 2008 17:42:00 +0000

Peter - The hang glider Flyer

Peter a hang glider pilot does a bit of hang waiting with his java hang glider at Mendlesham, Suffolk coastal floaters hang gliding club.
Hang glider waiting. (link)

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Brett HazlettWed, 21 May 2008 02:45:00 +0000

Bernie


Bernard was married to Moon this weekend. Don Glass came all the way from Iowa to attend the wedding. It was a great time!

B&M (link)

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Chris PageTue, 29 Apr 2008 03:25:00 +0000

Krasnogorski ITW Screening & Closing Ceremonies

Photos...
1. ITW screening crowd
2. Closing ceremony performance
3. Festival Participants & Film groupies
4. Chris & Dave with honorable mention plaque
5. Chris & Julia (Festival Curator)



Our screening was moved from Wednesday afternoon to Friday afternoon. We had a good showing with a nice crowd to see "Into the Wind", (photo of crowd in the cinema lobby). We were approached by several people after the screening to shake hands and comment about the movie. A couple of very well known Russian directors pulled me aside and told me how much they liked the movie, and how beautiful the footage was.
Later Friday evening was the closing ceremonies for the festival. About 30 of us boarded a large bus outside our hotel at 4:00 pm. The evening festivities were to begin at 7:00 pm in a convention center located about one hour away traveling by bus. About two hours later, we were still in the bus and were no where near the destination. (Moscow traffic is a bitch!) We were told by someone that the weekends are time to get away to a country house and most of the population of Moscow was headed out of town. We got to the convention center at about 9:00 pm! The bus ride from hell for sure. (no bar, and no bathroom on the bus = no good).
The festival people herd us into the auditorium and it is set up really nice. There were two emcees, guy and gal, who spoke in Russian (of course, hey we're in Russia after all!)The evening was full of awards, speeches, musical performers, singers, and the most memorable rendition of "Strangers in the night" by the female emcee, (in English) including the "dooby dooby doo" part. This was not a joke performance, totally serious. Dave & I will be breaking into the "dooby dooby doo" lyric for the rest of our lives with a wink and a smile remembering this evening. Not like a typical American festival for sure.
ITW got an honorable mention, and I was called on stage to accept the plaque with all the other award winners. Two Russian male singers rushed out and sang the official festival song, very popular with the Russian festival goers, all singing along.
Afterwards, back to the bus, (only an hour to get back!) and over to the "Golden Fish" restaurant / bar for a late meal and some cold Piva's (beer's for you that haven't been paying attention). A long day for sure, I think the clock read 3:00 am when I hit the pillow. (link)

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Scott GravelleSun, 27 Apr 2008 16:05:00 +0000

Last day




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Cielito lindoMon, 14 Apr 2008 21:37:00 +0000

Defi levant


Jeannot au glacier d'Aletsch

Defi levant est l'aventure la plus folle que le delta ait pu inventer. Un fantasme, né de l'imagination fertile de Jean Souviron, un soir de fiesta un peu arrosée du coté de Montauban, dit-on...
Ni plus, ni moins que le tour de la terre par étapes en delta...
Un machin qui finit par passer aux oubliettes au fil du temps, pensez-vous ! Que nenni, c'est mal connaitre l'enthousiasme communicatif de Jean et la passion de l'équipe qui s'est soudée autour du projet.
Onze ans que ça dure, direction plein est, aprés un départ humide dans le marais niortais, en bord de mer, bon an, mal an, le défi avance.
Traversée de la France, avec les décollages dans des champs incertains en remorqué, arrivée dans les Alpes et les décollages à pied, passage en Suisse par Chamonix, puis plein pot vers l'Autriche, aujourd'hui presque franchie.Tout cela en vol en équipe, avec un réglement hyper élaboré, contrastant avec le régime souvironien à base de biere-madeleines,voitures de fortune, route de nuit et camping très sauvage et les salades aux herbes sauvages de Noel Ansel...
Et qui l'eut cru, l'arc alpin est presque vaincu, deux trois jours si la météo sourit, et nous basculons dans les plaines de la Hongrie. La logistique se complique, on doit faire suivre l'Ulm et son pilote cette année, mais la motivation est au top, et il y aura du monde pour l'entrée dans un monde nouveau pour nous, l'Europe de l'est...
Pour ceux que cette utopie interesse, Marc Souviron a bossé pour remettre en ligne un site Defi levant: http://www.defilevant.org/

Philippe Chelles y croit, l'Ukraine nous tend les bras. (link)

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Chris SmithSat, 22 Mar 2008 01:39:00 +0000

Please support me too!

I saw that Jeff was selling a poster to raise money for the comp season... I think that is a great idea and I have decided to do the same thing.
The photo below can be purchased for $2.00 OBO.
(link)

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flightblog@wonderwindsFri, 29 Feb 2008 01:37:46 +0000

Arizona XC Contest

http://ahga.org/azxc08.php

An all-year contest more or less. It'll end at the end of the Labor Day Fly-In at Mingus. XC and out-and-back flights rack up points, and points turn into chances to win a vario. 30 bucks to register, and registration gets you a custom event tee shirt. All flights from any site in Arizona count.

I did the code :DD

(link)

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Powered Paragliding/Paramotor Instruction, SalesSat, 19 Jan 2008 01:17:00 +0000

Advanced Air Technology: P.O. Box 797, Mountain View, Hi. 96771
808 895 9772
Home Images Paragliding
Visa, Mastercard, American Express and paypal accepted
Worldwide shipping
Trade ins welcome, ask for prices on new gliders.
808 895 9772
flyaglider@yahoo.com
Free test flight and inspection. 10 day return policy.
Testimonial:" received the glider yesterday and was able to fly it today.
It seems to be well taken care of and is in good shape."
"I am grateful for all your input in getting me back in the air and am much obliged for your involvement."
"Thanks a million"
”Flew the Octane. Looks real good. Thanks for hooking me up with a nice wing at a fair price. “Gus

Posted by FlyHawaii at 7:25 PM 7 comments Links to this post

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Western Victorian Hang Gliding ClubWed, 26 Dec 2007 09:31:13 +1100

Ben Nevis BOM Weather Station - NOW LIVE

After the Lookout hill weather station was removed, we contacted the BOM to see if they had plans for one on Nevis, thier answer was YES.

It has taken a long time but they have come through with the goods and just in time for a Christmas present from the BOM we now have weather info from the Nevis tower. Over the Next few months we will check the readings vs what we have on launch to give us a guide for any difference between the two.

The direct link to the Nevis Obs - http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDV60801/IDV60801.94835.shtml

(link)

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Brazilian TeamSat, 18 Aug 2007 20:35:00 +0000

Attila Bertok, Campeão Mundial 2007


Attila Bertok (Hungria) - Campeão Mundial 2007
Apesar do tempo começar a melhorar em Big Spring, a comissão técnica decidiu pelo cancelamento da última prova da competição e com isto o húngaro Atila Bertok sagrou-se o novo campeão mundial de vôo livre, nesta décima sexta edição do FAI World Hang Gliding Championship.
Parabéns também à equipe inglesa, que conseguiu trazer para Big Spring uma equipe nova, muito coesa, e levaram o título de campeões por equipe. Apesar de não ter nenhum membro da equipe no pódium no campeonato, não deram chance para nenhuma outra equipe. Os europeus demonstraram que estão na vanguarda do vôo livre, conquistando as seis primeiras colocações por equipe.

A equipe brasileira, em reunião, fez uma avaliação do seu desempenho e chegaram a conclusão que o principal erro da equipe foi começar a competição muito confiante em resultados e na primeira prova decidir por voarem juntos para tentar fazer a diferença. Não contaram com o outro lado da moeda e ao colocar todos os ovos no mesmo cesto, não imaginaram a possibilidade do cesto cair. O cesto caiu e os ovos quebraram. Começaram a competição no último lugar. Porém, após os dois primeiros dias de competição os pilotos brasileiros conseguiram recuperar a auto-estima e foram gradativamente subindo posições, com destaque para o Nenê, que terminou em 16 lugar na competição e o André Wolf que chegou em segundo na última prova, quase conquistando o chapéu de cowboy, prêmio para os vencedores de provas.

Foi um resultado muito aquém do que todos esperavam mas a equipe está de parabéns por ter sabido encarar esta situação adversa e lutar até o final por melhor resultado. Pena que as duas últimas provas não aconteceram, porque a equipe estava em total ascensão e precisando levantar a moral dos nossos pilotos.

Esta competição serviu de experiência para todos verem que para ser campeão, principalmente no vôo live, que depende de algumas variáveis além de equipamento e técnica, é necessário muita concentração e decisões rápidas, sem poder errar.

Agora é seguir em frente e continuar treinando e buscando resultados. Início de setembro já é a etapa final do Campeonato Brasileiro, em Brasília, e esta mesma equipe estará lá, agora como concorrentes, disputando o título nacional de 2007.

O próximo Mundial será realizado em junho de 2009, em Laragne, na França.

Obrigado e bons ventos,

Haroldo Castro Neves
Team Leader

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Simon KayThu, 02 Aug 2007 14:55:36 GMT

Me landing in Annecy

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Jeffrey FarrellJune 11, 2007

Finally!!

I finally got to the mountains for some XC flying. A cold front passed through Utah on Thursday and second day post frontal is usually THE day for good XC conditions. Peter, Bill, Cliff, myself and about 30 other pilots showed up on Inspo launch in Provo. This was the biggest contingent of pilots I had seen on Inspo at one time since we had the US Nationals there several years ago. Obviously, everyone else thought it was going to be a stellar day also.

I arrived pretty early to huck some mountain newbies off early but they decided that the restricted LZs were a little too much for them. Good call. After an hour of waiting boredom set in and I had to do something so Peter and I flew off tandem. We didn't hit a single piece of rising air all the way to the LZ. Not a good sign. The inversion layer was just above launch and our flight confirmed that it was going to be a pretty stable day.

The boys arrived in the LZ and we hitched a ride back up to launch. When we arrived the thermal cycles were building and I got ready quick. I launched into a good cycle at 2PM and grabbed a steady but choppy 300' up thermal that took me to the top of the inversion layer at 8,500'. I bounced off of that for 15 minutes or so and decided to drift North and see if anything was happening across Provo Canyon. Down to 6,200' and I found another 400' climb that was drifting quickly to the North. Back up to 8,500' I drifted over to Mahogany and found a long stretch of zero sink and I hit the speed and kept heading North.