2ND QTR 2010 - RainierParaglidingClub

The Rainier Paragliding Club
Newsletter
Promoting Paragliding Fun, Safety, and Education
Second Quarter 2010: Jibber Jabber, Fort Flagler Approved, Flagler Rules, Torpedo Launch,
Spring Fling, Misc. jokes Puzzles and fun.
Fort Flagler Approved
By Chris King
Signs are up at Flagler. Chris King and Randy Sprague put up the temporary signs on the two north bluff and
eastern launch sites. Photo by team effort of Randy and Chris (auto timer setting)
Fort Flagler State parks is now open to the public for the sport of paragliding. It has taken an
almost three year period of time and lots of meetings and efforts. It endured a few slowdowns
because of staff changes, departmental changes, rules and procedure changes, and just plain old
##1
stalls in the process as it moved ahead with full public support.
Consistent efforts from the Rainier Paragliding Club were Instrumental in the collective efforts
and process of keeping it in motion. Two of the pilots, Chris King and Jim Harmon handled
most of the heads up information that kept everyone on alert for what to do next.
Most important we have to recognize the efforts of our local park rangers especially the
assistance and work of Mike Zimmerman. This was a historical event in the history of our State
Parks System. Actually in two ways. We got to test the new guidelines for accepting new
activities thought a system called the CAMP process, and the processing of a sport activity that
really took everyone by surprise. Paragliding. Mike has made park history and will be know as
the ranger who initiated a groundbreaking activity, perhaps leading to others successes
throughout our beautiful state
Mike’s goal was to get the local pilots into the air as quickly as possible. He set a date of
accomplishing that objective by February 15 of this year. Using the magic of persistence he
realized that goal ahead of schedule and has asked that we honor a few minor requests until the
permanent signs can be posted. These will be summarized below.
What is very important to remember at this time is that this effort has won the approval for a two
year conditional use sport activity. The parks plan to watch how this works out. The biggest
concerns is that paragliding is a newly approved sport and they will be measuring the ease of
managing the pilots and activities surrounding it. They will also be watching to be sure pilots
properly care for and uphold the park rules, have respect for other pilots and observers who come
to watch pilots fly.
Right now any pilot may fly. Club member or not. Just be careful. For the immediate future
Mike wanted the locals up in the air as soon as possible so from now until the actual approved
park signs are up he has asked that we:
 restrict our broadly publicizing it outside of club members
 request that those that do fly be really sensitive to the temporary approval activity.
 check in and out of the main park office every time we fly. (they have to know we are not in
a tree needing help)
 they want to make the public announcement for its opening
Flying activity is restricted to non-powered paragliding only. Radio controlled devices, motor
paragliding are hang gliding are vehemently and emotionally forbidden.
The rules, site guidelines and site liaisons are listed below in the rules pages.
(Editors Note: Fort Flagler did receive it’s final approval papers on April 23, 2010 shortly after
this article was submitted.)
##2
Kicking heals, Jim Harmon Flies Flagler on a fine easterly wind. He actually hailed Mary!
She was walking the dog just off of the bluff.
Photo by Chris King
Thanks to everyone who helped install the temp signage. I just talked with Lori at FF.
We are good to go at the Fort. Pls check in w the office (or leave a note if no one is there). We'll
have sign-ins eventually. And please fly safely... This is a provisional period for us. Thanks,
Mike Z.!
Jim H.
How about a big round of applause for Jim and Chris. It has been a three year project and
required a TON of patience but, I guess, it is now official. Thanks guys. You done good.
Steve
Great job Chris & Jim, I think openning a new site at a state park is a milestore and you guys
deserve an award, or at least a round at the PT Brewery.
Thanks for your hard work,
Paul
Ditto-- and I'd be happy to buy the round.
KenS
##3
Ditto. Can't wait to give her a go. Thanks again, guys.
Griz
Ditto Steve, I also will buy a round, though for Chris it's got to be root beer. Do ya have a
favorite Chris & one or two for Gavin as well? And for Jim, well, you can pick your favorite
brew & I'll buy you two of 'em, and they don't even have to be Hamms. Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap
(heart felt applause, as requested by Steve).........
Mike
Got to get my two cents worth in. I just don't have the patience for
what you've done, but I'm sure glad you do! Ditto on the beers from
this end too. Let's go fly Flagler. That might make a good t
shirt...Fly Flagler. Bravo Bravo and well done lads. Who knows what
might be next. Joe
I'll second that to the 10th power!!!!!!! Thank you Jim and Chris!!!!
The word will spread quickly to non RPC pilots. I propose that someone write an official
announcement for nwparagliding forum, explaining what is expected of us when flying at
Flagler.
Also making sure that the whole nw flying community is made aware of the efforts of Chris and
Jim.
Someone with good communications skills. That lets me out. Any ideas on this matter??
I'm hoping to get over there in the very near future to try and fly especially the east site. Since we
don't believe in two censorship, my opinion would fall into line with Steve. Be proactive in an
announcement that emphasizes the milestone aspect of the long awaited approval, and the fact
that we are indeed in a probationary period. A third point would also be that the sites are more
geared toward more advanced pilots with well honed kiting skills. Let's leave out the accolades
for those responsible; we know who they are and can best reward them in our own ways both
collectively and individually. Also downplay the whole thing as far as inciting the mob to come
and have at "er. Include the check in with the ranger as a prerequisite to flying. It's a bit strong
today for it, but I plan on checking it out real soon. Let's FLY THE FLAG boys. Joe
I wish to add my thank you to Jim and Chris and other club members who pitched in to get this
site. I'm in so cal now, but there has been much happening at Torrey.
Steve
I'm with you Randy. I've yet to fly the flag yet but am looking very forward to some of that SE
sweet stuff streaming thru. Let's look to connect and maybe fly the flag. Oh boy! Joe
I got out there early, around 9:30am, laid out & in the pretty strong rotory wind inflated & flew
after many inflation attempts. It was strong cross out of the south, I didn't get too high, & the
downwind leg was really really fast so I landed at the parking lot after only a couple of minutes.
Packed up, went up & Wayne arrived, so we laid out again to less cross and milder wind. Getting
up this time was a lot easier, and I was able to stay up there a lot higher as Griz arrived. Wayne
##4
launched then as I landed again in the parking lot after maybe twenty minutes in the air. Then
Griz launched & the two of them played around at will, landing at the parking lot only for a potty
break. I then left to spend a little time with Arliss in town, but Griz & Wayne stuck around at
least till Doug got there in early to mid afternoon. All flew I'm guessing pretty much at will, so it
could be said that it was on most all of the day. Nobody reported it as too
strong, but it was about as cross as it could be & still remain flyable. A park visitor drove by as I
was packing up & asked for an address to send some pictures. I gave him mine, so if he follows
through I'll post them when I get 'em.
Mike
Yep. It was good most of the day. Got in about 2 hrs, hard to say really, and three flights. It was
still going strong as I drove away. Great day. Thanks for the call this morning, Mike. I would
have missed it otherwise.
Griz
For me it was also short, short and sweet. After landing Wayne imparts much valued words of
wisdom and yes, of course, saw my launch. I hope I related my gratitude for the two flying
another half hour. The wind remained favorable and beaconed as we departed. Oh, and yes, my
"hall passes" are all but gone.
-doug
***********************************
These are possibly the 5 best sentences you'll ever read:
1) You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the
Wealthy out of prosperity.
2) What one person receives without working for, another person must
Work for without receiving.
3) The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government
Does not first take from somebody else.
4) When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work
Because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other
Half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is
Going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning
Of the end of any nation.
5) You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.
Another local pilot flying East Bluffs of Flagler
##5
My Little Buddy. A little fuzzy but...this is Jim Harmon and Gavin King coming back from a sledder at Fort
Flagler.
Photo by Chris King
#
Joe Waldon Wing under control and off of Fort Flagler’s North #3 launch. North #3 launch is still a tricky yet, the
least temperamental of the three launches on the north side.
##6
#Jim Harmon Getting set up on east Launch of Fort Flagler
Photo by Chris King
Flight Rules for Paragliding at Fort Flagler
Registration:
Pilots are required to comply with the registration process at the park office, and will make their
USHPA registration cards available to the Parks staff upon request.
Observe all applicable rules and regulations for paragliding at Fort Flagler:
All pilots must read and abide by all applicable laws and regulations for our state parks, as well
as those specific rules for paragliding within Fort Flagler State Park. These include the
following:
1. Do not disturb or destroy park facilities, natural features, or historical or archeological
resources.
2. Be thoughtful and courteous to other visitors; do not interfere with other recreational activities
3. Comply with basic safety regulations, including:
a. Follow all site-specific operational rules that are posted.
b. Fly in a manner consistent with the pilot rating held.
c. Preplanned landings should be made in defined areas (see map).
##7
d. Perform preflight checks of weather, equipment, and site conditions.
e. Observe flight rules and regulations as outlined in Part 103; Federal Aviation
Regulations for Ultralight Vehicles. Pilots at Fort Flagler observe standard ridge-soaring rules as
outlined.
f. Use proper safety equipment, including helmet and radio. Utilize other equipment as
appropriate for conditions (reserve parachute, floatation gear etc.)
g. Fly in a manner that does not create a hazard for other persons or property.
h. Fly only during daylight (no more than 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after
sunset).
i. Do not fly over congested areas or open-air assemblies of persons.
j. Fly only in designated areas.
k. Fly with visual reference to the ground surface at all times.
l. Do not fly while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Site Orientation
All visiting pilots are encouraged to obtain a site orientation before flying at Fort Flagler.
Specific site information, as well as a list of site liaisons is available the park office, or you can
find it online at "http://www.rainierparaglidingclub.org/"
Launch and Landing Sites
 Pilots must launch only in the specific locations approved for paragliding (see map).
 Be advised, the North Bluff launch areas are overhung, cliff launches. Do not walk out to
the edge.
 Conditions can change quickly. Do not fly if conditions, or skill level, could jeopardize
your ability to land in a designated LZ. Be courteous. Give the “right of way” and
maintain minimum safe distances to ensure the safety of other pilots, as well as nonflying visitors to the park.
Paragliding at Fort Flagler State Park is a privilege, not a right. It has been granted
on a conditional-use basis. Abuse it and we'll lose it.
##8
Jim Wrestles with rotor after set up on Fort Flagler’s east launch. Gavin King taking a picture.
Photo By Chris King
Paragliding Site Liaisons
for Fort Flagler State Park
Please contact the following pilots for site orientations:
Mike McIntyre
360.302.1326
Wayne Maxwell
360.385.4767
Steve Messman
360.580.8843
Site Notes, January 2010
Paragliding at Fort Flagler has been approved with a specific set of guidelines, developed jointly
by the park staff and members of the Rainier Paragliding Club. Those guidelines are posted at 3
kiosks. Please become acquainted with them, and encourage your fellow pilots to learn and
follow them as well.
Those kiosks are located at the three recognized, and approved, launches. The north bluff has
two. The most eastward one, called North Bluff Launch Site #1, and the westward one, called
##9
North Bluff Launch Site #3.
The North Bluff Launch Site #1 has several hundred feet of usable bluff. All of that launch is
severely rotored, and VERY difficult. The cliff there is vertical almost all the way down, and
undercut in places. On days with sufficient wind to soar, the rotor extends a long way up and a
long way back.
The North Bluff Launch Site #3 is relatively easy and faces a little more into the prevailing
NNW wind direction.
The third launch site is the east bluff, south of the Marrowstone Point lighthouse. The rotor there
is a little more than expected, but manageable.
The following are not permitted
* hang gliding
* motor paragliding or aircraft
* powered or non-powered Radio Controlled flying devices.
Jim Launches then lands on the beach...
Photo’s by Chris King
We will be on probationary status for a year,
sooooo,
act accordingly.
##10
##11
Jibber Jabber
Un-Edited notes from club members and their winter travels
Photo contributed by Wayne Maxwell
One of the whale watch boats Nancy and I drive in Friday Harbor is a
27’ rigid hull inflatable (think “Zodiak”). ...We saw gray whales, several groups of
Dolphins, and the usual assortment of sea lions, seals, and sea birds. Sweet! Back ashore, I called
Torrey Pines and learned they were already flying....and in perfect conditions logged four flights
and more than an hour of airtime. Sweeter yet...dinner at a micro brew / pizza joint?
Pete & Nancy
On the Edwards launch at noon. Not sure how high I got, but at one point, after a good thermal,
I could see the Pacific and Santa Catalina island to the west and snow capped peaks to the north
and east... a total of 50 minutes. Thanks to Barb for driving.
On launch at 1:30...Amazingly good thermals considering the cloud cover. I caught a nice fat one
right off launch and took it to 5400,1400 over launch... after an hour and twenty minutes, I had
enough and got out to the lz with a couple of thousand feet to play in. Looks like its gonna be a
##12
great weekend here! Wayne
Hola Amigos
Paul, Ben, Le, and I plus some local pilots flew on Tues and Wed. I landed in the fields near the
Policia on Tues and bombed out with a local pilot on Wed. Paul was able to go further landing at
or near the airstrip both days. We all meet up later for beers and dinner.
Thur ... we all decided to take a "tourista day" and head up to the beautiful town of Comala.
Fri was also predicted to be overcast, and it was. At 200 over I hit a thermal and decided to
cautiously take a turn, and another, and another...... for nearly 20 minutes. Once over launch it
filled in and rocketed me to 3000' over. I was on my own now. With the thin overcast and no
Cu's to guide the way, I found another thermal that brought me back above 5000'. Both birds and
I rode the light thermals bumbles for 45 minutes drifting NW maintaining 2500 - 3000' . I hit my
next thermal directly over the Bull Fighting Ring which brought me back to 6000' . I decided to
land just N of Comala, about 15+ miles from launch. I hitched a ride to Comala, then took a bus
to Colima, and cab to hotel, beer, Kim and friends. Do I have to go home???? Can't I just stay
here???? Pleeeaassee??
Griz
Launched Crestline ...Got to 6300, did two short top landings and one touch and go at Marshall
peak. Thought I was a gonner for an hour, while scratching around in small weak thermals
700/800 over the lz. Super Day. Wish ya couda been here.
Conejo Mountain A.K.A. "the grade" put out really well saturday and sunday.
Saturday was a little more thermic, it was a little bumpy & I left the hill after only half an hour
and about 700 over. Today was less thermic and more straight in, got 900 over right to the peak
... then climbed to the top of the mountain again. Hands got cold after an hour and a half, so
came out & landed. Mike
Barb drove Paul, JR, and myself up about noon. 100%, high thin haze. Coming in 2 to 7 mph.
I launch first and catch a good one immediately. It was so big, it was difficult to find the edge.
Took me to 5300....so top landed after 40 minutes to warm up and put that on. JR topped also.
Barb and I went out for pizza with Rob and Dianne.
After 3 days of pouring (warm) rain here in Colima the sun is back and we hope to be flying
again tomorrow. I am glad the road to launch is cobblestones, unlike Valle where it is still
raining and I heard the road could be a mess for a while. Paul
Barb was the driver for 3 bags and 2 hangs. She hiked in from the highway.
Our only hope is for cloud suck, which we get. Two top landings and 1:40 flying.
Wayne
I arrived at the Gliderport about 2 PM . Off I went. Staying up was not a problem, getting down
required some work – how sweet is that? After three flights and an hour and a half in the air, I
headed for a beer. Cheers Pete
##13
Thinking it was blown out everywhere, I was resigned to staying home, when one of my winter
time pals, Simon, calls to say that a small group might drive up Oat, near Filmore. I found it
easy, cause the launch is perfect for paragliders........A terrific day for me. How does it get better
than that? Maybe I'll keep it after all. 45 minutes for me. Mike
Barb drove for us. On launch at 1... it was almost too easy to be fun. That allowed for a bit of
whanging it around, and going back up and doing it all over again.
One top landing, and a max altitude of 5500, right at cloud base at that time and place.
The on-shore breeze filled in at about 1 PM so we headed to the gliderport I logged over an hour
with several touch and goes and one longer break. Nancy arrived as I landed for the last time and
we headed out for pizza and beer. Cheers Pete
Photos contributed by Wayne Maxwell
Another cloud suck and mixed thermal day. Hollywood stunt man Paul and I were 300 to 400
feet apart, at 5100 feet, in the whispies, when we lost sight of one another. Some whanging it
around to get down from moderately strong suck. After an hour and 10, one of my whanging
episodes took me so low, I couldn't get back up, and sank out. Well, it was pretty cold anyway.
Wayne
I arrived at the grade launch first, laid out & launched...one pass, then up the bowl & to the top
of the mountain like a rocketship. Get to around 2000' over then find some sink out front & rip
off a couple of spirals to get low enough to buzz my buddy as he launches. Then right back to the
top. ... I had a little more than an hour, & flew frequently close to some vultures & little redtails.
One vulture plays a little chicken with me before taking evasive action about 30' away. Hey, I'm
a lot bigger & he's a bird so whaddya expect. Land right at the truck, as usual. Mike
Hi everyone, I'm still here in Colima, flying when the weather allows. Wed was a great day with
cloud street to Comala and beyond. I got to cloud base just off launch in on thermal, 2400 over,
then headed north. I got 4 more climbs to cb then dirted just before Comala. 1hr, 10 miles, then
refreshments and lunch ... Sat. I got about 7 miles and 1hr 55min, I stayed around La Cumbre for
45 min or so just to lengthen my air time before heading out. The weather is here, I wish you
##14
were beautiful Paul
Have fun working hard just to stay up, till I get a good one high enough to join Tom for a top
landing at Marshal. Soooo, there was a pretty good audience for a spectacularly bungled landing
by me. Nothing like getting a good humbling.
I got my stuff out, cause a sledder down would be faster than drivin down. Marcus started
putting his topless hanglider together. Launched into 2 mph sunshine at 3:30, and had a 2 minute
sledder. Is it possible to make a 2 minute sledder into a longer story????
About a thousand over, around an hour apiece, & landed cause we wanted too.
We've seen a couple of snakes, one of which struck & bit my buddies pant leg, but missed the
leg. Whew! The other one showed up when a relatively small redtail did a straight down dive
from right by me, then flapped around weirdly right at ground level. As he flapped laboriously
back up I could glimse the snake wriggling around in one talon. Good on ya, redtail.......Mike
Thermals were powerful and plentiful. Some so big, if you got tired of turning the same way on
your way up, you just started turning the other way, and never fell out. Got up to 6100 once,
2100 over Marshall Peak, without trying too hard. Launched Crestline at 11 and landed at 2:30
while there was still plenty of lift. Some didn't land till after 4. Did 3 top landings at Marshall.
With the lift being so abundant and easy, the only way to fight off boredom, was to thermal up,
whang it around and down, and repeat, over and over. Wayne
I launch first and head out over the flats to get in the cloud suck like the last 2 similar days.
Didn't work this time, and I slowly sank out. The air was a rowdy mix of thermal, dynamic, and
cloud suck. Being scared sure makes the time go fast. Wayne
Wayne and Barb took a little road trip today and stopped in to see us in Carlsbad. We caught up
over coffee and scones and then a quick call to Torrey confirmed good flying conditions.
After a few turns on the north bluff I headed for the golf course and soon lost track of Wayne.
Nancy and Barb showed up a few minutes later. They reported seeing very few naked people
along Black's Beach (I couldn't tell if they were disappointed). It was a perfect SoCal day with
great flying and good friends. Cheers
Friday I wouldn't have gone to the grade on account of the weather forcastsSo the wind was
steady 10, gusting 20, and cross at 90 degrees about 20 feet above launch. Any warning signs
yet? Two of the most experienced pilots launch in the fleeting windows of opportunity, and make
it look like 90% luck. One newer pilot attempts it & bounces off three separate rocks. No
immediately apparent injury, though some bruises & scrapes. After digging him out of the
bushes, I, the remaining pilot, and he hike down. On the way down we see the last flier land
backwards in the lz with no trouble. Clearly a case of poor judgement on everybodys
part....except maybe for the hike down...The bailout is covered with mechanical rotor, and all
these pilots have a bad time, including one foot injury (possibly a broken ankle...his is the first
time I've shared a thermal with a hang (tandem)& it works out really well, especially since
during the couple 360's I quickly climb above him & he heads down ridge. About 45 minutes for
me to a really fast face plant landing at Parma. Mike
##15
Too windy for me at Torrey yesterday (Sunday), but it was fun to sit with the other high-wind
weeny pilots and watch the brave get dragged all over the place.
It was supposed to be windy all day so Nancy and I planned a few errands for the afternoon. We
stopped for some duck tacos -- that's right, "duck tacos" and they were fantastic -- in Cardiff By
the Sea. As we were eating I could make out wings flying at Torrey Pines. Nance relented and
we drove down the coast for a "quick flight". I geared up, flew for 30 minutes, packed up, and
then wecontinued with the errands. Sweet!
Cheers
Weather predictions called for cross SW winds so we planned a tandem bicycle ride up to San
Clemente for breakfast. We returned at about 1 PM, after a 66-mile ride, to find a nice westerly
breeze. I was tired but I couldn’t pass up going to the Gliderport. It was just about perfect,
coming straight in at 10 to 12 and, being a weekday, there were only about 12 to 15 wings in the
air at any time. I flew for 50 minutes before calling it quits. They were still flying as I drove
away.
Cheers
Predicted to be the last dry day around here for a while, so I decide to go for a farewell walk up
the grade. The forecast calls for light & west, so I don't expect anything but a walk up & a walk
back. At the lz, the light breeze is exactly the wrong direction, but because there is often an
onshore flow that develops in the afternoon, I go up anyway....a nice walk. Halfway up I feel the
breeze start to blow up the hill in fits & starts, so I'm beginning to think I won't have to walk
down after all. Arriving at launch our barbie doll head is looking straight out to the channel
islands......a good sign. After about 15 minutes it's coming steady at around 10 mph, so I saddle
up. Easy inflation & launch, the thermal component is perfect and after ten minutes easy working
it I top out at around 1200 over (1800 asl), fly out into the valley to the next ridge over, & hit a
little lift. I don't trust it, though, and don't want to mar my last flight
in Southern Cal with a dodgy landing someplace that might scare me, so I go back to the
mountain & arrive only a couple hundred feet lower than I left it. Flew all over the mountain, and
after about 45 minutes or so, the westerly component starts intermingling with the thermals
coming up the south side, and it gets some turbulent, making it a little less enjoyable, so I come
out & land, this time remembering to take a double wrap for a gentle unexciting spot in the
triangle. A good way to end my winter time flying experiences, & I'm ready to come back north
to see what you guys are doing.
Mike
Five pilots and Carol showed up late morning at Flag. SE 8-10 when I first arrived, but died soon
after. Hung out telling lies for a couple of hrs before deciding to pack it up and head home.
Packing the glider was all it took for the wind to pick up SE 8, maybe 10. Unpacked, hooked in,
inflated a couple of times in the rotor, and off I went for the shortest flight of my carrier. Landed
in the parking lot by the lighthouse 2 mins later for the only flight of the day.
The past few days have been great. On Sunday (February 28), I hooked up with Steve Torgesen
at the Gliderport. He wasn’t flying (still mending from wrist surgery) so we sat around watching
##16
the action for a while. Eventually I geared up and had a nice 45-minute flight. Monday was
looking good too. I launched shortly after arriving but the wind was fading and after a few
circuits on the north bluff, I headed back and top landed just before the wind and lift went away.
I
was happy not to end up on the beach -- just hung out for the rest of the afternoon. Tuesday, our
last flying day in SoCal, was perfect. Nancy and I got to the field before noon and conditions
were already great. I spent the first 35 minutes flying a new Paratech P45 (1-2)
demo wing, then sat around for an hour or so. In the air again after lunch, conditions were
fantastic, even at low tide the lift band extended out to the surf break. After flying for over an
hour, it was time to wrap it up and so another SoCal adventure ends. From here, we head to
Arizona for a week or so, and then back to Washington. Hope to see you soon.
Cheers
Randy, Wayne, Steve Messman, Joel & myself showed up at different times for the north bluff at
Flagler. Flying conditions were nearly perfect all day, with all of us flying as long as we wanted,
sometimes coming down to warm up our hands. Launching conditions were again difficult, with
the problem being inflation in the rotor. Most of us had several aborted inflations. I had my best
luck again to the east side of launch, inflating in a cross coming through the trees, then kiting it
out towards launch. In my two flights I never made the launching slot, being lifted off well
before & over the rose hips on the lip.
Congratulations to Wayne for making his first top landing there. Very tricky, so waytago Wayne.
We had a bit of a mishap after everybody was on the ground, though. My glider got hung up on
slanting tree that I hadn't seen while landing on the beach. In helping Randy & me to get it down
again, Joel climbed out on a limb that then broke, and he fell to the sand with hopefully only
bruising & muscle strain. He reports by phone tonight that he's ok, considering. We'll stay in
touch & hope it's not any worse than it seems to be now. Thanks, Joel & we're pullin' for ya.
Mike
##17
Rainier paragliding club on a fine Saturday morning.
Photo by Chris King
Well, I finally managed to be at Flagler when it was flyable. As Mike already reported, we had a
terrific day for flying. As a low-time pilot, I like the fact that we now have a local site that offers
fairly smooth flying conditions (when the wind is working). Even though the wind was gusting a
bit yesterday the lift was very smooth and stable. I can see this as a great site for me to get the
chance to work on my flying skills without always having to worry whether I can stay up or not.
Plus, it is way cool flying with the eagles right there with you!
Thanks to Wayne and Mike for helping me learn this new site.
It seems that our club's batting average for snagging trees with our wings is a bit too high. Some
of those trees really stick out from the bank as Mike found out yesterday. Fortunately, it was low
enough on the bank that Mike was able to land safely before the wing was snagged. If he had
caught a similar tree up a bit higher it could have been trouble. Too bad Joel's bravery in
climbing out on that tree ended in a mishap. Joel, I hope you are all right. On the positive side, I
think your fall was far enough that you can log it as another flight!
Hi Guys,
Hey from what I see this afternoon at Flagler North bluff sould be soarble. Then Saturday
towards the afternoon may be east bluff however may be too cross.
hope this helps.
Chris
Current forcast is is indicating a 16 MPH wind to the north but the ferry weather (actual
observations) is saying mixed and light.
2 good flts so far. Heading up for a 3rd. But winds are building. Wish you were here!
Jim H.
Great day with the Harmon men at Crystal Mtn. good snow, good wind, but cold on the fingers.
Lots o air time --- 3 flights, approx. 2hrs. total. I didn't have a vario but spent a lot of time 200300 feet over the top of the ski area. all from ridge lift. started snowing at 2, so I switched back
to skis. We hope to make it back at least one more time before Crystal closes on April 17. My
goal is to top land next to the Summit house with my UP Summit.
FortF would be cool-- I really enjoyed hanging with/watching Wade/Derrik the last time.
I'm locked into going to Selah today and through Tue or Wed. I've got a call into David
Norwood. However, as this storm wanes, I'm not yet sure what the E. WA flying possibilities
will be. I'll post/report again asap.
kens
Got there early around 9:30. Very east & pretty strong, but I kited a little, then had a nice little
short hop & top landing down towards the houses. Joe was there & kited some. I took off again,
maybe got a little too high, maybe the wind strengthened a couple of minutes after take off. It
was unexpectedly turbulent out front, I got parked, then blown back going up. Hit speed first,
then added ears & sidled off to the north to land uneventfully in the parking lot by the light
house. Glad to be down. There were another six or so pilots there but nobody else flew or kited,
as it got even stronger. Mike
##18
Another Saturday event for the RPC at Flagler’s east launch.
Photo by Chris King
Part of being a club is Developing friends who can crash each others
party and successfully add in the joy of the day.
Well, The picture is a little less clear this morning, though there is another updated run of the
MM5 due at around 9am.
A thing to take into consideration is that low tide is at around 10am this morning, and high tide is
aournd 3:30 this afternoon. When the tide is high there won't be any beach to land on, so flying
would be recommended for this morning especially for north beach, and I'll still probably be out
there around 10am if not earlier.
The ferry winds at 7:30 showed pretty much n to ne around 10 to 15 knots.
So I think I'll just go out there for 10am & not worry to much about the update. Though there
may be some increasing east in it, I think we'll find ourselves on the north bluff.
Mike
Carol and I are planning on making use of the dry weather tomorrow and packing the RV and
heading to Flagler for the weekend. We will be there Saturday morning and leave sometime
Sunday. Right now, it looks like one of the two bluffs will be flyable all weekend. Could be a
good time. Steve and Carol Messman
Steve,
What a great idea! I was planning to drive up tomorrow morning, but I think I'll take our boat up
this evening instead. I'll be tied to one of the park buoys there on the north-west side of the
island. I'll bring my day kayak with me so if the winds are too light I can join you for a paddle. I
##19
assume you are bringing your kayak?
Wendy might come with me. She has a commitment on Sunday so if she comes with me we will
have to leave early Saturday evening. If she doesn't come with me I'll likely spend the night
Saturday as well. Can I crash your bon-fire?
Cheers, Randy
Of course, you can crash the bonfire. You, and anyone else that might come. Also, I am NOT
bringing the kayak. I know. That sucks. I am too new into the RV thing and have not yet figured
out all the ins and outs. Bringing kayaks is of the ins I haven’t figured out yet. No extra trailer.
No rack on the RV. Not bringing the car. etc.
Steve
Well then! Barb and I intend to crash your bonfire!
Wayne
The forecasts are a little conflicting, but I think Pete and I are going to take a stab at Flagler this
evening (Fri). We'll see as the day progresses.
I'm stuck in a meeting all day Sat. Damn... Have fun.
Griz
##20
##21
Bruce is thinking he might bring his new tent trailer over tomorrow as well… can I crash the
bonfire?
Wayne & I showed up at 10am for the north bluff. Randy was already in the air. Steve M., Ken,
Bruce, Wade & Cody came along soon after. All of us got to fly, most twice, Wade & Cody who
can top land the cliff countless times. They (& me now too) also kite the launch which is really
good practice & pretty safe in this steady cliff breeze. You could get high, fly with the eagles &
gulls, & get cold too. I counted six gliders in the air at one time.
Joel & Cindy showed up in the afternoon just as the bulk of us were leaving. I don't know how or
if an afternoon session happened. At least three RPC'rs, with wives, decided to make a weekend
of it & camped in the campground.
Mike
A bit cold yes but no rain resulting in over an hour of flying w/ the eagles off the North Bluff!
And that's not all... Wade's precision flying.... but wait, there was also great company with Steve
& Carol, Wayne & Barb, Bruce & Nan, Mike, and Randy & Wendy, and a sunset/nice camp fire
as well. Thanks all, KenS
Talk about awesome!!!! The RV adventure was the coolest. I think, I am pretty sure, I am almost
certain that my tent camping days are long gone. There’s just something about waking up in a
comfortable bed with the furnace running and the coffee maker doing its thing, then still being
able to sit at the picnic table with the water on two sides, or watching a beautiful, water-bound
sunset or spreading good will over a nice campfire with lots of friends.
Sooo, speaking of flying, that was great too. Personally, I got 4 flights, about 3 hours of airtime,
two landings very close to the RV and one on top of the north bluff. Not being one of the local
sky gods, that one top landing took about 30 minutes or more of hard work. I started to get pretty
good at wingovers and flying over the water to come back to the cliff with the top of the wing
barely peeking over the bushes. Even then, I still had to coax it down.
Saturday, we had a gathering that included too many to count without missing someone, and
today (Sunday) we had another nice gathering. Griz and Kim, Pete, Wayne and Barb, Wade and
Jenny with baby Cielo (sp?), and Steve T showed up to join those of us camped there, but the lift
disappeared pretty early on. I am not sure of those who actually flew. I know that Wayne got one
or two top landings, then he and Griz both ended up on the beach. The lift disappeared pretty
early on, and I am not sure if anyone flew after that.
In all, A WONDERFUL weekend at Flagler doing my favorite pastime and spending time with
some wonderful folks. GOT to do that again. Steve
Wish I could’ve been there. Sounds like y'all had the spring event! Way to go.
I, too, had a great weekend. Flagler is turning out to be a lot of fun! With so many wings in the
air yesterday, I was bummed I hadn't brought my camera. So today I made sure I had it along.
For awhile it didn't look like were going to get to fly today. Bruce, Steve, and I sat around this
morning on the east ridge throwing dead grass up in the air. It looked like it was going to fill in
from the east like the weather guys had predicted. It would blow from the east, then the north,
then the east again. Finally, it was clear the north wind was going to win out. So we packed up
##22
our gear and headed out to the north launch. It was only doing about 6 MPH when we got to the
launch around 12:45 PM, but by the time I set up to do some practice kiting, the lift was on. My
kiting was short lived as I decided to just go ahead and launch. The lift was great, even better
than yesterday morning.
I took a bunch of pictures while Steve and Bruce got set up to go. Bruce succeeded in setting a
new speed record for the fastest flight to the beach. Either that, or he created the new sport of
parasliding. See the pictures in the link below.
Here's a link to the pictures I took today.
"http://picasaweb.google.com/RandallSprague/FlaglerApril11" \l ""
There are way too many of Steve, but he was the only one in the air with me for much of the
time. Once Wayne and Griz arrived I did manage to get a couple of Wayne in flight.
Unfortunately for Griz the lift was shutting down about the time he launched. As a result he
quickly ended up on the beach so I didn't get any pictures of him.
One of the many nice things about flying Flagler is that the wind patterns on the water give you a
pretty good clue as to what the next 5 minutes are going to be like. With Griz on the beach and
the waves on the water getting smaller, it was clear it was time to end my 90 minute flight. The
campground was pretty empty with most everyone already having left for the weekend, so I
landed on the big grass field in terrifically smooth air.
What A great weekend! I packed up my gear, walked over to my dinghy tethered on the beach,
and motored out to my trawler. The 2 hour cruise home was a great end to a terrific weekend.
I enjoyed flying with everyone this weekend. I'll be sure to bring my camera from now one. I
hope to eventually get good shots of everyone in the club!
Cheers, Randy
The Torpedo Launch.
Adapted from an article published by Jeff Greenbaum see end of article. Some changes have
##23
been made to the original writings.
Chris King launching, using the Torpedo method, at Blanchard, Washington.
Photo by Mike McIntyre
Back in the late 80s to early to mid 90s there was no such thing as a torpedo launch. Paragliding
launches were performed by using the common methods of today known as a forward launch.
Everyone launched with their “A” risers in front of the shoulders and just leaned into them as the
wing ascended. Following this, the pilots would run down the hill with a slight forward lean to
the body, keeping the brakes as high as possible. Pilots would look much like a chimpanzee
struggling to run for the first time. Shortly, the reverse inflation was developed however, the
same methods of running down the hill until launch remained the same as the forward launch.
Hands held in the front, up high to shorten brake lines and a slow wind dance allowed pilots to
work their way into the wind cycles for launches.
Running without a torpedo has tradeoffs. It is hard to lean forward and keep the brakes up all the
way. Without the lean, there is not as much power to accelerate.
It doesn’t seem that there was ever a first “discovery” of the torpedo position. Like most things
techniques developed because of experimentation and others observing begin to adopt the style
##24
that looked like they would work well for them.
The original author of this article stated, “My first perception of the torpedo position was that it
seemed unnecessary. I thought, since you are running down a hill and can do long strides
anyway, what good would this position do to help you run faster. Gravity should do most of the
work, I thought. I was stubborn in my perception of this for several years. Then, at an instructor
clinic several years ago, the torpedo launch technique was thoroughly introduced to me. With
this introduction and practice, I soon learned the many reasons why this technique is so much
better than the old style launches.”
The goals of the torpedo style launch are:




To get the upper torso in front of your legs so that the legs can better power and accelerate
the body during the running portion of a launch.
Keep the wing loaded. A loaded wing gives more positive input so the pilot can be sensitive
to changes in the wing during the launch sequence.
To have the brakes in a position that will allow no pull during the launch run. With the upper
body leaning radically forward, it becomes extremely difficult to keep the brakes near the
pulleys with the standard position. That is, arms up and above or near the head. In the
torpedo, the swept back arm position is much better.
To keep the body's center of gravity close to the ground. This allows the legs to be fully
loaded and improve a pilot's ability to put power into the run during the launch.
After a forward inflation or turn transition in a running reverse launch prior to dropping into the
torpedo, check the wing. Make sure that it is not off to the side and is pitch stable. That is, not
too far forward or back. You can continue to steer and make minor adjustments in the torpedo,
but it is better to make primary adjustments prior to dropping into the full torpedo position.
When you are ready to drop into the torpedo, you need to transition your arms from a standard
flying position to them being above and behind your back. To do this, try to keep your hands up
and roll your elbows out as you bend your torso forward.
To get the full benefits from a torpedo, you have to really lean forward at the waist. This position
is a bit uncomfortable, especially at first. Your belly leans over the waist belt of the harness and
should be placing most of your weight on the equipment. The goal here is to fully load the glider
and keep your upper torso closer to the ground so that you can run longer to gain more speed.
##25
It's important to get your weight, by crouching almost foot ball tackle style, closer to the ground
during as you initiate the torpedo launch. Otherwise, when the wing begins lifting, it will be very
##26
##27
difficult to run at the end when acceleration is paramount. It is also important to bend fully at the
waist in order to assure that the arms will be high enough and behind. This helps eliminate
unnecessary brake pressure that could otherwise disable the wing during launch.
Hand positioning can be done a couple different ways for doing a torpedo launch. Some prefer to
turn their hands upward so that the fingers hold the brake toggles up. This allows easier access
for keeping the brakes higher for light brake pressure. They have also found that in this position,
they can bend their elbows slightly to accomplish this. Once you get comfortable with the body
position, you can play with your hand positions to see what works best for you.
The reason the torpedo works is really quite simple. Physics dictates that to push a mass, you
must have leverage to do so. Having the upper body in front of the legs is how this is achieved
by using the torpedo position. Take a bowling ball and hold it straight above your head and try to
accelerate. This will demonstrate to you that you need to have leverage to move a mass.
##28
Kiting practice will provide pilots an excellent opportunity to refine torpedo techniques which
can range in use for high wind kiting, top landings and high wind control as you enter into a fast
##29
moving lift band winds. Practical application of the torpedo launch, works when trying to get to
the cliff edge when it is windy. Many have watched pilots that basically get stuck on a windy
day and sometimes can’t make it forward to off the cliff. In this situation, they have little weight
on their feet so the combination of no weight and no leverage add up to failure to be able to
move forward. This situation is perfect to practice the torpedo position. It can pretty much be
guaranteed that in the torpedo, you will be able to go forward much more easily than trying to do
so in a standard, non-torpedo stance. Of course, your kiting has to be good already before trying
this.
Once in the air following a torpedo launch, especially in soft sloping launch areas, remain in the
torpedo position to be ready to run again should you come back down and make contact with the
terrain.
'The Torpedo Launch' was modified and adapted from information gathered in an original article
'Torpedo Launches for Paragliding' by Jeff Greenbaum.
##30
##31
##32
##33
##34
##35
##36
##37
##38