1ST QTR 2010 - RainierParaglidingClub

The Rainier Paragliding Club
Newsletter
Promoting Paragliding Fun, Safety, and Education
First Quarter 2010: Ski and Fly, Critical Flying Situations, Which Paragliding Hook Knife
Should I Use?, Can a Paraglider be Detected by Airport Radar?, Jibber Jabber ( lots this time)
Fort Flagler Getting Closer, Let’s get Personal, Valle de Bravo, Valle de Bravo 2, Misc. jokes
Puzzles and fun.
SKI-N-FLY
Crystal Mountain, a Flurry of Fun!
Story and Photos by Jim Harmon
The view south from launch. You can see from Mt. Baker to Mt. Adams. Elevation 7000’.
Last year I had a serious flying drought from November through February. Sure, a few sledders
off Tiger Mountain—when it wasn’t blowing east. Not much to satisfy the itch. We
reeeeeeaaaaallllly need some more options for local winter flying. Not all of us can head to
SoCal every winter to fly and socialize with the Maxwells!
##1
I was pondering this dilemma last month as I drove my boys up to Crystal Mountain for their
first ski day. I wasn’t thrilled about the early season conditions we could expect. November
skiing in the Pacific Northwest = Rain and rocks. The weather looked better for flying than
skiing. Then I remembered that others had flown at Crystal. So while my boys loaded up on the
lift, I went to visit the ski patrol. Turns out that Crystal Mountain allows both paragliding and
speed flying. You need an orientation, and ski patrol keeps a notebook with the info and rating of
all pilots (P-3 minimum). I’ve launched off the top of the Rainier Express lift three times so far,
including two beautiful flights on Christmas Eve. Ski in the morning... Fly from 12-2 p.m…
Then ski again until 4. Seriously, is there a better way to spend the day? I haven’t really soared
yet; although I did get above launch for about a minute on my last flight. The air was smooth,
and I arrived over the LZ (between daycare and the church at the base) with plenty of altitude,
and was able to perform my first spirals on my new wing. Pretty sweet.
My kids were there to witness the launches, and there were a LOT of spectators as you can
imagine... my wing was laid out in front of the restaurant windows. But I’d love to have some
company in the air. Weather is hard to predict, and it would be a shame to drive all the way up
there (80 miles from Seattle) only to be grounded. But if you want to ski, and maybe fly too,
Crystal Mountain is a great location. Check in with ski patrol, and please FLY SAFELY! There
are about 20 other NW pilots who want Crystal to remain a paraglider-friendly ski area. P.S. lift
tickets are $60 / day. More info can be found here:
"http://www.skicrystal.com/The-Mountain/Trail-Map"
Daniel, Ben, Jim, and our friend Ryan
##2
Rachel, Daniel and Ben blocking the launch west to Rainier.
Ben helping to lay out the wing
##3
Setting up. Narrow opening, crosswind, slippery slope. Not for the faint-hearted.
Time to go!
More photos available on Picasa. Link through my name on
"http://www.rainierparaglidingclub.org"
##4
Critical Flying Situations
The following are flight situations where correct reactions are critical. There are sometimes
compounding issues, but the basics remain the same. Most of these events are included in
questions on the P2 exam, so these descriptions should cover the basic concepts of dealing with
these critical flight occurrences.
All student pilots are recommended to attend a maneuvers clinic to learn these techniques
directly. There is no substitute for experience and practice to help a pilot's ability to react
correctly when such situations occur in the real world.
Situation and Primary Reaction
Asymmetric Collapse
Maintain direction with weight shift and or opposite brake, then use a slight pull on collapsed
side brake to clear collapse.
Discussion
We have long used the saying for this - "Steer, then Clear". "Steer" means pull enough brake
and/or use enough weight shift to maintain direction. "Clear" means help eliminate the collapse.
The reason to steer first is to control direction. This is important because the wing will tend to
turn toward the collapsed side as a result of drag created on the collapsed side. If the wing does
begin turning toward a collapse, it can generally increase into a very dangerous spiral. Often,
##5
after direction has been maintained, the clearing will often happen on its own. If it does not, then
a light pull on the collapsed side will help to reinflate it.
Asymmetric Collapse with a Cravatte
Same as above, but normally requires stronger weight shift to maintain direction. Sometimes a
bad cravatte might require extra techniques to remove.
Discussion
The primary dictate is still the same: Steer, then Clear! With directional control achieved, then
there are a couple of ways to help a cravatte come out. One possible technique is to use the
stabillo line to pull the tip down and help remove it. Another is to use the split A to reinduce a
collapse on the same side. Advanced and experienced pilots have also intentionally induced full
stalls to fix a cravat, but this is an extreme maneuver and one must be an expert with such to try!
If a glider enters a spiral with a cravat and is unable to fix such, this would be a time to consider
throwing the reserve.
Blowback
You are high above a ridge or mountain and begin to realize that you are either moving
backwards or not forward at trim. You need to immediately use your speed bar fully to penetrate
forward and away from the ridge. If you are going forward and still ascending, you need to add
big ears. A full article discusses the preferable goal of preventing this with management and
more depth to the solutions.
Discussion
Keep in mind that the top speed you can get is achieved with full speed bar. If you can penetrate
forward, upwind of the lift, you should be able to descend below as you move upwind of the
ridge lift. Adding big ears actually reduces the top speed, but increases the descent rate enough to
counteract the lift. In wind gradients, getting lower equals moving into less wind, and as a result,
increasing your ability to penetrate upwind.
Deep Stall, or Constant Stall
Release brakes to full up position and lower angel of attack with speed bar or by leaning
on/pulling downward on the A risers.
##6
Discussion
The cure for a wing that has entered a deep (aka constant stall) is to lower the angle of attack.
Most modern wings will rarely enter this, but if they do, lowering the angle of attack will help
increase the air speed and this will help the laminar flow reattach to the top of the wing. This can
be done by pushing the speed bar or if this is not possible leaning on, pulling outward or slightly
down on the A risers.
Frontal Collapse, Symmetrical
Normally, full frontal collapses fix themselves. If the leading edge remains tucked under, pull the
brakes deep enough to open the center cells and the wing should re-inflate.
Discussion
When the leading edge tucks under as the result of a frontal collapse, the wing loses most of its
forward velocity and lift. It then descends and this will usually re-inflate the wing. If a frontal
happens with the speed bar pushed, it can be more aggressive. If a frontal happens with the speed
bar pushed, release pressure from the speed bar, the pull the brakes enough to help the cells
reopen.
Glider has entered a SPIN
Unstall the wing by making sure both brakes are not pulled (up to pulley)
Discussion
Spins occur because one side of the wing has been stalled. Normally spins are almost always
induced when a pilot has been flying too slowly or has over-pulled one brake. By letting both
brakes up, gliders will normally exit the spin on their own.
In a spin, the glider generally stays above the pilot and rotates around an axis within the span of
the wing. Spins do not have the high rate of descent that is seen in a spiral, but resultant riser
wraps and disorientation can be considerable.
Glider is in a SPIRAL
Let inside hand up smoothly and remove any inward weight shift.
Discussion
Normally a spiral happens with inside weight shift and lots of inside braking. By removing both
##7
of these smoothly the glider should exit a spiral. Gliders will tend to surge a bit on the exit from
a spiral. It is best to exit slowly and the surge will not be strong. If the surge is strong, use active
flying to manage.
Tree Landing
If you have no choice but to land in a tree, it is best to use the tree to prevent yourself from
falling to the ground. Bushy trees, try to land in the top center to get the glider to catch and hang
on the top.
Discussion
The best real advice for this is to plan well and never face this situation. However, if you end up
with this as the only choice, your decisions will be situational.
With bushy trees, you might be able to flair into the top and center of the tree and then release
the flair to drape the wing over the tree.
With pointy trees, you will have to make decisions based on your ability and how much room is
between the trees. If you do try to land between trees, if some of the wing hits the tree, you might
fall or spiral to the ground. If possible to fly into, possibly flair and catch some branches, this
might be the best you can do.
Water Landings
If you have somehow landed in or even near water, the first thing to do is to free yourself from
the harness and get clear of the lines. If you are in moving water, also try to swim upstream of
the lines. Make sure that your hook knife is always on your harness, ready for use and is attached
to the sheath or harness with a lanyard.
Discussion
Water landings can cause drowning. Still water like a lake is much less hazardous than surf or
streams or rivers, but line entanglement and the harness can make swimming extremely difficult.
Many harnesses will also tend to force a pilot onto their front side because they float behind the
pilot. Getting free of the harness and glider lines is the immediate plan should you land in water.
I have taught next to the Pacific Ocean for many years. I use the expression, "It is better to crash
downwind into the beach or cliff, than to land calf deep in the water". Rescuers can get a crashed
pilot off the cliff, but may not be able to assist a glider in the water.
If you are in a situation where you know you will be landing in water, you can prepare yourself
by doing the following:
##8
* Unbuckle one leg strap, your chest strap and even your waist strap.
* Be ready to use your hook knife to cut risers or lines to clear yourself from your glider
should you be unable to unbuckle all necessary fasteners.
Steve Messman taking care to properly fold his wing. Keeping the wing in good operational condition improves
inflations and assures long wear with wing materials.
Photo by Chris King: 2 Bear, Brinnon Washington
******************************************************************************
Which Paraglider Hook Knife Should I Use?
(From Paragliding Tales and Reviews. Edited and condensed and added to from original story.)
##9
So you've been told you need a paraglider hook knife, in case worst comes to worst and you end
up getting dragged across the ground in strong wind, or find yourself swinging from a tree.
Another rare but scary situation would be if the release failed during a winch tow. Yes, it's a
good idea to carry one while flying, and within easy reach of course!
Pilots tend to either buy a bunch of cheap ones or just one really good one that never corrodes in
the sea air. One last scenario, you'll need a paraglider hook knife if there is any chance of a water
landing.
Here is some specific advice on how to carry a hook knife with you, from the people who make
the Jack the Ripper paraglider hook knife.
―Hook knives can be sewn to the paraglider harness, mounted on a front ballast bag or front
mount reserve container, or stowed in a radio harness. There is a belt loop as well to attach to
your harness strap or pants.‖
Here are a few recognized choices.
Many are available at most well-stocked outdoor stores.
 Mobility Lab produces a hook knife for commercial use. It's a heavy-duty all-metal knife
which makes short work of webbing, parachute lines or ropes. Comes with a replacement
metal blade. Not explicitly designed as a paraglider hook knife, but worth checking out.
http://www.mobilitylab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=49
 Square One claims to be the largest manufacturer of hook knives on the planet. They have
released their 4 Inch Plastic Hook Knife for $7. Available in colors.
http://www.square1.com/manufacturers/square1/p1155.asp
 Dakine Hook Knife featuring a guillotine-like blade. Quite cheap, at around $10, or less if
it's on sale. http://www.dakine.com/kite/accessories/kite-accessories/hook-knife/
 British Parachuting Association distributes a hook knife that comes with a black Cordura
pouch, and a white knife strap. http://www.bpa.org.uk/
 The Little Ripper Hook Knife is an inexpensive little plastic knife from the same company
that produces the Jack the Ripper Hook Knife. It's 11.4 cm (4.5 inches) long, with a protected
blade like any paraglider hook knife. It comes with a pouch which can be sewn onto your
harness or hooked on clothing. Priced around $10.00.
http://www.flyaboveall.com/hook_knife.htm
 Carbon Black Captain Knife. Just like the Captain Hook Knife described further down, but
made with Carbon Fiber. Priced at $13, but quantity discounts are available. Also, $1 less per
unit if purchased without the pouch.
http://www.paragear.com/templates/parachutes.asp?group=6&level=1
 Jack the Ripper Hook Knife. It costs $20.
http://www.paragliders.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=704
 MoJo's Hook Knife. http://www.mojosgear.com/mojos/outdoors-knivestools-c-4_49.html
 Pro-Design Hook Knife. They come with a sheath and a lanyard, that's about all I know.
http://www.flyawayparagliding.com/resources/products.php
 The Captain Hook Knife is advertised as heavy duty. Aaaarrrr arrr me hearties. Do you
remember seeing a Captain Hook pantomime as a kid? This paraglider hook knife has a
double-blade design; they form an acute V shape where the cutting occurs. Priced at $30 last
##10

I saw, it's not cheap. Sometimes on sale for a few dollars less though.
http://www.kitesurfari.com/store/hookknife.html
Model 5 Rescue Hook Knife, worth $30 except when offered on sale for a few dollars less.
Will double as a paraglider hook knife, no problem.
http://www.knivesplus.com/benchmadekniferescue-bm-5blk.html
*****************************************
Question: (From the Paragliding Forum. Unedited.)
Can a paraglider pilot be detected by airport radar?
Answers:
Although paragliders are invisible to secondary radar (transponder and filter etc) it is still
possible to have a slight return on primary radar. Normal long range radar would have limitations
purely due to the crap that the RF has to pass through (clouds, rain etc) but very localized radar
using higher frequencies may be able to show some return albeit very low. No aircraft (B2
included) is really 100 percent stealth and so other techniques are used such as skirting the edge
of the radar stations coverage etc. The secret is to be in an area where the radars power is
reduced therefore reducing the return signature. If a paraglider had zero metal content
(carabiners, harness buckles etc) then its signature would be further reduced. The use of
carbon/graphite foam placed at the correct angles would further reduce the signature to levels
barely detectable even by advanced radar systems.
*************
A standard marine radar can pick up individual birds from a mile or more. Some entomological
radars (which, when I used to work on them, were based on modified X-band marine radars)
could pick up individual aphids at 200m. I would think an ATC radar could detect something as
large as human body fairly easily. Wings using aluminium-coated cloth probably show up very
well indeed. Of course, the signature may well be filtered out as clutter and not shown on the
screen.
************
Not sure about other radars but the ones at airport do detect our position. During my last flight on
Sunday I had to choose if to be electrocuted by an approaching Nimbo or escape over the plain
area in charge of the local airport field (activity closed on Sunday). I managed to remain on the
border and not to be lightened up, but in case I should pass the invisible line they would ring for
sure..... so I guess they saw us quite well.
##11
For on board radar I guess not. They do not, and by the way the airplanes are not equipped with
one.
********************
Just for Fun
2-d palindrome. Not a puzzle just for interest. Words or phrases that read the same
forward as they do backwards.
Other palindromes.
# Do geese see God?
# Was it Eliot's toilet I saw?
# Murder for a jar of red rum.
# Some men interpret nine memos.
# Never odd or even.
Tongue Twisters
Unique New York
Many an anemone sees an enemy anemone
Freshly-fried flying fish.
She stood on the balcony, inexplicably mimicking him hiccoughing, and amicably welcoming
him home.
Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.
A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk, but the stump thunk the skunk stunk.
Jibber Jabber (Wayne’s report)
(Unedited reports from pilots all over)
We do not stop playing because we grow old;
We grow old because we stop playing.
Never Be The First To Get Old!!!!
We intended to stay a week or more in Santa Barbara, but after three non flying days ( one was flyable but I missed
it, long story), we made the 2 and 1/4 hour drive to Marshall (San Bernardino), where it had been flyable all the
time. Duh, are we slow or what?
I had so much fun at Marshall, it musta been illegal. My face still hurts from all the grinnin. Maybe 30 pilots, half
hangs, half bags over the whole day. Lots of socializing with old and new friends at the shade structure afterwards.
Out for steak dinner with 3 other couples later. Man, I love this place.
Now for the flight report. On launch at 11. Smog about 300 feet below the 4000 ft launch. 40 percent high thin cloud
cover. Maybe 70 degrees. Coming in already at 2 to 6 mph. I launch first and find small weak thermals right away.
They got larger and stronger as the day progressed.
##12
I made four top landings and flew as long as I wanted, as did almost everyone. I only got to 5300, but some got to
6400.
For any interested new members, there should be an article about Marshall, Santa Barbara, and Elsinore, in three
different newsletters from about two years ago.
Would love to have shared this day with ya'll.
Hey Wayne. We finally got a newer camper for the truck and will come down sometime after the first of the new
year. Was wondering if you'd made it down there yet; thanks for the report, Joe
On launch at 11:30. Wind was strong over the back. We had waffled all morning about going to Elsinore instead,
where the north wind might allow some good flying...We did get into the convergence, or something, and all got up
to about 5300, where it was pretty rowdy. Conditions slowly mellowed and became more thermic.
I started sinking out below my high flying buddies, and thought I was a gonner, when I found a small weak one at
about 2600,(the lz is 1700), I was able to stay in it as it became stronger and bigger. Rode that one thermal all the
way up to 5985! One of my best saves ever at Marshall.
Top landed after an hour and 20 minutes or so, and my buddies Gene, Tom, and Dusty soon followed. We warmed
up for 15 minutes or so, and took off again.
It was kinda tough for a half hour or so, then there seemed to be lift everywhere, as in a glassoff. I soon had enough ,
and headed out to burn off 3000 feet or so, practicing assemetric 360's.
Then, one of the best parts of the day. Beer drinkin, and bull*** under the shade structure, while watching others
land.
Handle every stressful situation like a dog.
Pee on it and walk away
On launch at 1 pm. Blue sky, maybe 65 degrees. coming in cross left at 2 to 6 mph. Barb drove for me and Gene,
and his 16 year old daughter, who has never seen him fly.
> Dusty and I launch, and find kinda hard edged thermals. He takes a big frontal collapse over at Cloud Peak and
beats a hasty retreat Gene gets up high enough to go back to Crestline. I get up to 6300 once, and get a little cold and
bale out for another top landing. Could fly as long as I wanted again. Only 7 of us today.
> Looks like tomorrow should be good too. Wish you were here.
Three cheers for Wayne and Barb. It's amazing the significance of your daily reports has on our rain and chilly
winterbound mindsets. It really is a bright spot in my day and allows me to recreate it all in my mind and memory.
Thanks for being there and submitting your reports to this hungry flyer. Joe
Ya... what Joe said! (Bruce)
Well, I didn't get all the flyin I wanted Tuesday.....Sunk out after 1:45 minutes and one top landing. The soaring
forecast wasn't very good, but it was WRONG! Lots of big fat thermals. As it was so warm, spent most of my time
up around 6000 feet. Got to 6700 once.
A hang pilot on his fourth solo flight, was air lifted from launch, after crashing right after launch. Don't know the
extent of his injuries.
Landed a little after 4:30. The sun was gettin pretty low, but it was so warm, I wanted a little more.
Then, there was the hanging out with the other pilots till well after dark.
Thanks to Barb for driving. I think the helecopter extraction right in front of her was interesting to her, but sad for
the pilot.
GOOD FRIENDS ARE L IKE STARS . YOU DON'T
ALWAYS SEE THEM, BUT YOU ALWAYS KNOW THEY ARE THERE!!!!!!
Our 44th anniversary. Lots of dynamic lift, (paraglider) with the occasional thermal. Very easy to stay up. (again the
paraglider) Could easily have been more. Mostly hangies out today because of the high winds. Maybe 25 pilots total.
##13
Four bags and four hangs on launch at 1:30. Coming in 6 to 10 mph. One hundred percent, heavy cloud cover,
maybe 2000 over launch. I hang out 25/200 over launch for a half hour or so, with two hangs, in mostly dynamic lift
with the occasional small weak thermal. Wow!!! Thats six consecutive days of flyin as much as I wanted. I sure feel
blessed.
Just like last year, I can't believe how jealous I am. It's so wet here, Ican't even get my now finished kayak in the
water--unless the gigantic (nearly lake-sized) puddles in my driveway count. Fly on!!!
Steve
Ditto for Iquique, Chile. We are flying as much as we want. People are setting personal X-country records. Lots of
thermals.. Glass off every evening until sunset which is here about 8:00. Also lots of great local food, beer, wine,
and of course meeting and making new friens from around the country. USA and Chile.
Steve T
I’m Not launching First!
Jim and Gail Baldo showed up late yesterday, just in time to experience the Santa Anna winds last night.
An hour and a half for me in nice smooth thermals. Never more than 500 over launch.
Mike, Jim, and I all sunk out about the same time, but sky god John flew another hour.
Barb and Gail took Jim and myself up to Crestline for a morning sledder. On launch (5200 feet) at 10. Clear blue
sky, kinda cold, coming straight in at about 12 mph.
Jim says he thought it was dynamic lift, and left the thermal producing area, and quickly sunk out to the lz. I hang on
in the very turbulent air and get up another 400 feet, where I've had enough and head out for a landing. A little more
than a sledder, about 40 minutes.
At Marshall launch at 1:30, with 11 other pilots.Clear blue sky, maybe 75 degrees, coming in 2 to 6 mph. I launch
first and go right up to 800 over, and noone else has launched, so I go down for a
top landing. After 10 minutes on the ground, only 3 hangs have launched and the other four bags are still sitting
around talking. I Relaunch and the lift isn't so good any more. Work hard to stay up for and hour and 10 minutes,
gettin as high as 5400 once. Life is good.
We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural
order of things.'
So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a
choice:
##14
Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those
opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?
A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate
amongst them.
Jim B and I drove down to Elsinore. Everyday Mike, Jim, and myself on the E launch at 11:30. Clear blue sky,
maybe 75 degrees, coming in 0 to 3 mph. Mike launches and sleds to the lz immediately. Jim launches and its not
lookin so good for him, so I elect to drive down to save a retrieve. Today should be good at Marshall.
Jim and I are on launch early, 11:30, as he is doing a last flight, and leaving for home immediately. Yesterday, he
said the 5 consecutive he already had, were a record for him. Today will make six.
We quickly launch and find abundant lift, up to about 600 over where the north south wind battle, or something,
makes it very rowdy, and neither of us want up there again.
After the social hour or two at the shelter, its off with 5 others for the steak special.
Looks like four days of Santa Anna winds coming.
last wed. The sun poked through the overcast and it was good for a couple of extendo sledders w/David Norwood
and Co.-- good for low to no wind launch practice and spot landings.
Ken Sinclair
Overall, I'm feeling pretty blessed lately.... I flew Friday at Tiger, Sunday at Crystal, then again at Tiger today.
Pretty good for late Nov / Early Dec. (and the hiking feels good, too). 4 flights now on my new wing. it takes
slightly more oomph to get it inflated, but once it's up, the rest is easy. turns happen quickly, and speed bar actually
adds speed... what a concept. Hoping for a soaring flight one of these days, to try some climbing. If you have even a
remote possibility of flying during the next 4-5 days of clear weather - get out there! and call me!
Jim H.
I drive up with Bellingham pilot Rodger, Las Vagas pilot Larry, and North Bend pilots George an C J Sturdavent.
Barb and Kathy are doin the 2 hour plus hike up and car retrieval.
About 30 pilots out for the day. Plenty of landings to watch, while doin the social thing at the shelter.
I had reserved today for flying. but canceled due to high wind forecast. Doug P. called and said he had set the day
aside as well, and he was willing to go take a look anyway. so we went. arrived Flagler at noon. checked in, then
went to King launch. winds looked nice. walked to Harmon launch, and winds seemed okay. if you haven't flown
there, the hard part is the winds on launch are not the same winds you'll find in the air. lots of rotor, but right at the
edge it was coming in at 12-15. no white caps on the water, but you could see wind lines. after 30 minutes the eagles
were flying. I hooked in, but took too long. still not much wind on launch, but if I threw grass off the bluff it rose
and flew back quickly. whitecaps appeared, then you could feel it coming straight in. too strong. so we hiked out to
the west and I showed doug the campground kiting area. we kited briefly, got dragged back, bunched up our wings,
left them there, and hiked back to get the car. left at 3:30. It probably calmed down later, but we were on the road
home. beautiful day at Flagler, but no flying for us. Or pictures for Mike Z.
Jim H.
On launch at noon 30. Comin in 15 to 22 mph. Barb is driving for Tom, George, CJ, and myself. I launch first in a
little lull, and find plenty of lift, dynamic and cloud suck. The higher I go, the more lift and less penetration. My
speed drops to 2 mph for a while. After about 10 minutes I top land to watch 2 more carloads arrive and set up.
After watching a couple of launch failures and a couple of less than elegant launches, CJ elects to drive down with
Barb.
My second flight finds plenty of lift still. Everyone who flys is taking some kind of evasive maneuvers to avoid
going into the clouds. This kind of day allows me to whang it around pretty good, and then get right back up to do it
all over again. One hangie tells me he had the bar pulled all the way in, and he was still going up.
We all had as much air time as we could stand, some more than they wanted, as getting down was a problem for
some.
##15
Marshall, Thursday, 12-10-09
By Ken Howells at 2009-12-10 16:52
Light S-SW breeze at Marshall, inversion at eye level. Launched my Falcon 225 at 13:05 into a little cycle but didn't
want to crank and bank so close to the hill right away. Soon was west of the 750 about 300 feet above it. Scratched a
core for all I was worth as it snaked slowly up to the west side of Cloud Peak. Felt like 10 or 15 minutes of circles
1/2 to 2/3 in 100 FPM up. Fun but I sure wished the thermal(s) would coalesce and widen. Went looking at
Regionals and SW down the spine, but nothing. A few disappearing bumps. Good landing at 13:30 into S 0 to 1/2
MPH.
Rode up with eight other pilots and there were 3 or 4 when we got there. Shiloh The Wonderdog took Rebar Dan
tandem.
C.J. and George Sturtevant had flown PGs earlier. Aaron Swepston and his buddy Rob went back up for second
flights (HG). All were to be heading back to the PacNW shortly.
Hey Chris,
Thanks for the xmas greeting the other day. We're in Yuma, Arizona, & sometimes in Mexico across the border.
That's where I was when your call came in, so missed it because we leave our cell phones behind when we go over.
Also saw your posts to the club this morning, so glad you're going out for some kiting.
I haven't done much with the glider yet, due to various excursions with Aliss. Pretty soon though.
On the 29th, after her last appointment, we'll head on out to Ventura, possibly by way of Marshall or Soboba, where
we'll stay more or less till the end of February, then home. I'm planning a 10 day stay in Valle de Bravo with Steve
Messman in mid to last of January. Merry xmas, Mike
I want you to know that Wayne made me do this. You know how it pains me so.
Today was a typical SoCal day. Warm, 58 to 60 or so--in the shade. winds blowing right up the hill. Nice thermals.
We had to drive to Lake Elsinore to get in any flying. The winds were 13 to 18 or so, right up the hill. Everyone
launched. Wayne and I got to work nice thermals that were gentle at 3 to 400 up at times, and more thrilling from
800 to 1000 up at other times. The strong winds on launch were not that evident int he air. Could penetrate without
too much trouble. Smooth air, long flight times, big lift abounded. Wayne and I topped out the group with 13 to
1500 over, and both getting about an hour or a little less of air time.
Both landed next to the local bar. Both got so hot packing up we had to move to the shade to finish the job.
When we got back to Wayne’s camp, Barb had been there all day cooking a GREAT ham dinner for Christmas,
complete with salad, wine, potatoes, and the absolute best brownie I have ever eaten anywhere--and that includes
my moms.
A perfect Christmas day.
Steve
Thanks for the report, and Merry Christmas to our SoCal contingent!
I skied with all 3 of my kids yesterday at Crystal Mountain. It was a b-e-a-u-tiful day there. I also got two flights, off
the top of the Rainier Express lift... next to the restaurant. Lots o folks watching as my wing came up crooked the
first time (Winds were very cross, and the opening is narrow... better to abort and set up again). Ben helped me reset, then i had a smooth launch. briefly over the crowd, then down, down, down. great way to spend Christmas eve.
Spiraled over the base on my second flight. Pretty cool. Hope you all had happy Holidays!
Jim H.
Nancy and I arrived in our RV at the Marshall LZ mid-afternoon Monday to find Wayne and Barb waiting for
improving flying conditions, expected on Tuesday. After a nice dinner and visit at their RV, we
all went to bed with visions of thermals dancing in our heads. Today (Tuesday) looked good for flying. Wayne
convinced me that we could have a great early ―sledder‖ from Crestline so we headed up at 09:00, Nancy doing the
driving. The wind was about 8 to 12 and Wayne assured me we would have no difficulty making it over the terrain
between Crestline launch and the LZ. As usual, he was right and we cleared the ridge with plenty of altitude to
spare. We both worked the thermals on the south side of the ridge and, to no one’s surprise, Wayne won the day,
although I was very pleased to have spent a few moments above him. My ―sledder‖ was 25 minutes and Wayne
came in at about ten minutes later. Tom joined us for a mid-day launch at Marshall, compliments of driver Barb. We
##16
all boated around Marshall for a while then headed off to Cloud Peak where I was able to hold my own for while
then I dropped out while Wayne and Tom headed for thinner air. My flight was about 30 minutes long. Nancy was
hustling me back up to Marshall launch while the bird men flew on. My third flight, another 40 minutes, was spent
riding the thermal elevator up and down below launch and was capped by a perfect approach which ended in a faceplant landing . . . no damage done – pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again . . .
tomorrow. Cheers. Pete!
North breezes today meant no flying a Marshall but Wayne stopped by our RV at about 08:30 to say Elsinore might
be working today. Wade and family had arrived yesterday so the three of us, Wayne, Wade and I, met Mike
McIntyre, Every Day Mike, and Josh, a visiting pilot from
Oregon, in Elsinore. We all loaded into Mike's truck for the ride to launch, where the winds proved to be pretty
light. Wayne went first, followed by Mike, who promised to join Wayne at the LZ if it was a sledder -- which it was.
I was third and lucky enough to be off just as it was filling in. Conditions continued to improve over the next hour
and soon everyone was in the air, including Wayne and Mike who connected with rides back to launch in record
time.
This was the first time for me to be in the air with Wade and it was great to see him doing a helicopter while Wayne
was pulling wing-overs right next door. Those two and Every Day Mike were busy doing top landings while Josh
and I boated around in the buoyant air. Mike
McIntyre headed off south along the ridge, where he saw another paraglider, thinking it was one or our group -- it
makes sense, "if he can go there, I can go there", but that pilot was off a different launch and the lift gave out for
Mike. I eventually topped out at 600' above launch. Josh and I gave it up at the same time and arrived at the LZ at
1000' over, landing after more than hour and a half in the air. We all hooked up with Mike who had managed to
purchase a box of Tecate before our arrival. Now there's a guy with his head on right. Cheers
Wade, Mike M, myself, 10 other bags, and maybe 5 hangs at Skyport launch at 11. 60% high cloud cover. Blowing
over the back at 6/8 mph. We injoy the view and talk for over an hour, and then the sun popped out. Right away
THE THERMAL BLOCK happened. The cycles started coming in at 0 to 4 mph, and pilots started launching.
It wasn't so good and most of us only had sledders. Wade and a couple of others were above launch for a while.
Wade top landed the hang launch adjacent to Skyport.
We enjoyed the rest of the day with Wade, Jenny and Cielo, in beautiful Santa Barbara.
Wade, myself and 8 other bags at the Alternator launch at 11. Clear sunny sky. Coming in 2 to 5 mph.
We all launch quickly, and find light lift immediately. Four of us get 200 to 300 feet over launch and boat around for
a while.
When Chad, a local sky god heads out, I make the mistake of following and find very little after that. Wade stays in
the launch area, and fly's as long as he wants, while I get low, and need to head out for the long glide to the lz.
Barb and I hang out on the beach with Wade, Jenny, and Cielo. A carousel ride for Barb, Jenny and Cielo. Barb and
Jenny go to the local farmers market, where some local exotic fruits are found.
An outside, after dark, dinner on Sterns Wharf ends a super day.
A warm t-shirts & shorts day in Camarillo, so I decide the grade is for me. Much as I remembered it, the first
hike/climb up is an attitude changer. I dawdle a little to catch my breath at the top, & think the cycles might get a
little stronger, though they never do. A couple of other pilots show up and then we all individually launch into a
pretty severe but light cross and scratch for extended, extended sledders of maybe 20 minutes each. The most
experienced one of us got maybe 100 over briefly. Gonna do it again tomorrow.
An other group thought they might go to the alternator, but I don't know how that turned out, or if Wayne went with
them or just plain left town.
Wade, myself, and 5 other pilots on Alternator launch at 11. 30% high, thin cloud cover. Weak cycles of 0 to 4 mph.
I launch first and find only small weak thermals. Turn in 2 of them and lose altitude in both, so remove hands from
toggles and relax for long glide out to the T. Thats 3 consecutive days of flying here.
Seeing my performance, the others wait for a half hour or so, hoping for improvements. The waiting does not pay
off and sledders for all. One pilot didn't make it to the lz and did a safe landing out in the boonies.
We hang out on the beach with Wade, Jenny, and Cielo, for their last day here. They leave for home about 8 pm.
##17
Looks like no flyin here today, so maybe we'll head for Soboba. Darryl Wood called me yesterday, and said they
were signing the papers for an additional 35 acres. I think that makes like 120 acres there. Soboba is the only place I
know of where the local club owns both the launch and the lz. It is a great place to fly. Darryl made all that possible
in just the last 6 months. He will be remembered, with Rob McKenzie, by foot launched pilots forever.
On launch at 11.30, thanks to Barb. 40% cloud cover, but its all way off to the south. Rain expected in the pm. Clear
overhead. Coming in at 6 to 10. Plenty of lift, about half dynamic. Thermal for a half hour or so, then top land.
Cloud now overhead, and coming in steady at 10 to 12. .This makes for very good top landing conditions, so I hang
out over launch, buzzing back and forth over all the pilots getting ready, and make 6 top landings. About 2:30 I head
out to the lz. On the way I do the first ever top landing at the new Embrey Launch. I had made 3 previous attempts.
Many sticks, rocks, and almost no wind make for very difficult relaunch conditions, so I bag it and hike down. Starts
to rain just as I reach the moho.
Did I mention? "The grade always works"...and today was no exception. I, and a new buddy, decided to hike it &
launch around 12:30 into pretty much perfect cycles, straight in. We alternated flying above & below one another,
taking turns leading a path. Scratching the rocks again though.........for a little more than an hour, when I decided to
land, & so did he. We agreed that it was a terrific and relaxing day, even though the lift topped out about 4 to 500
over, so not quite enough to attempt any dippsy didos. Great practice & we both thought about top landing, but
didn't.....he because he thought the cycles had gone weaker & he didn't want to have to hike down, me because it's a
skill I don't have in great abundance if at all, and there are lots of pointy rocks & spires in close to launch and all up
and down the hill.
Mike
Barb drove us up to Crestline at 11. 60% high thin cloud cover. Coming in 10 to 14 mph. I launch first and easily
ridge soar and do a few wingovers, while watching the others launch. After a half hour or so, I became worried
about what kind of wind the lenticular clouds might forebode, and anyway, the sun was coming out and that should
make for some thermals. I get out to Cloud peak with more altitude than ever before. The thermals I find are small
and broken, so I slowly sink down to Regionals height. A top landing there to wait for better conditions and a little
fluid management. After relaunching, I still find only small broken thermals and slowly sink out to the lz. The talk in
the lz is mostly about what a great day it was, and how abundant the lift was. What happened to me?? I'm pretty
disappointed in myself, but still had well over an hour of airtime.
I got to Valle this morning in time to unload my gear and catch a taxi to launch. Arrived about 10:30 to find 60-70
pilots set up ready and waiting. The first round started launching at 11 and seamed to be doing well, some getting
2000 over out front. As I was seting up someone said "looks like a flush has started" and the hole gagle was sinking
out. I pulled off launch to wait will about 30 pilots sank to the piano, some not even making it there. 15 mins later it
turned on again and I launched, eventually getting 1500 above launch and flying over the back. I got to the Penitas
low and scratched there for 10 min. or so then went out to land at the soccor field. Total flight 1 hr. First thermaling
flight with new wing. They sat it was the best day they have had here in many. Hope it continues to improve.
Paul
SoCal has been sunny and warm since our arrival on January 1, but with light and variable winds there has been no
soaring at Torrey Pines. Wednesday dawned with overcast and showers -- another lost day? Partial clearing in the
early afternoon gave some hope so Nancy and I ventured to the Gliderport to find about a dozen pilots sitting
around, watching whales offshore, kicking a soccer ball around, and waiting for the flyable but SW cross wind to get
a bit more west. Over the next couple of hours it gradually swung through west to northwest with intensity waffling
between 8 and 15 mph. I got in two short flights, the first ending on the beach after about 10 minutes, when a lowintensity waffle caught me in a poor location on the bluff. The wind was a bit more consistent for the second flight,
which ended on top, saving me another hike up from the beach.
Its gusting to 45 at the Marshall lz, and had been gusting to 50 earlier at Elsinore, when Darrel calls and says it
coming in at 4 to 5 mph at Soboba! Only 40 miles away, and not far from half way between Marshall and Elsinore?
Sometimes its scary to think about flying at places and times like that. Barb decides to stay home. When I get down
there, turns out I'm gonna be the only one to fly. Darrel takes me and my gear up there on the quad. A pretty
frightening ride with the very narrow trail and sharp switchbacks. On launch at 1 pm. Clear blue sky, maybe 70
degrees. Coming in at 4 to 6 mph. Darrel says I won't have any trouble benching up to the mountain top, and leaves.
##18
I'm thinkin, do I wanna bench up to the top, where somewhere up there, those strong winds are howling? By the
time I'm all laid out and hooked in, the cycles are down to 0 to 3 mph. I'm dressed pretty warm, for gettin high, and
soon get impatient and launch into a 3 mph cycle. Just a 5 minute sledder! Darrel says I shouda waited for a better
cycle, but it never got any better, and soon there was no wind. Back at the Marshall lz about 4, and its still howling,
but only about 30 in the gusts. More Santa Anna tomorrow, but Saturday looks good. sea ya wayne
Arrive on Launch about noon. Six or seven bags sitting around waiting for ? Also 5 or 6 hangs setting up. 20% high
thin cloud cover. Maybe 60 degrees. Comin in way cross left at 10 to 14. I launch first, followed quickly by one
other bag. The way cross left wind means not much dynamic lift, and the 10 to 14 mph wind blowing along the
mountain means shredded thermals. Its a struggle to keep the wing inflated and remain 200 to 400 over launch for
the next 40 minutes. I considered top landing a time or two, but the fact that no one else had launched, made me
think maybe the wind had increased ( the wind sock had blown away in the last Santa Anna), and anyway the
shredded thermals made it seem kinda dangerous to me. Some hangs are now beginning to launch, but the hang
lineup is growing kinda long, as the cross wind makes it difficult for them. Lots more pilots have arrived and there is
lots of activity on launch. Finally some bags begin to launch and soon the sky is full of gliders. After a total of an
hour and a half of never getting more than 600 over, and the constant concern of taking a thermal too far behind the
ridge, I decide to head out and land. About 800 over the lz, I stumble into the best thermal of the day, and quickly
ride it to 6600 feet, or 2600 over launch. Now I head out to the lz again, and arrive with maybe 4000 feet to play in
before landing. Lots of fun whanging it around, and the landing after an hour and 50 minutes. I think there must
have been 40 pilots out for the first really good day in a couple of weeks. Some who didn't do too well on their first
flight made another trip up, and I know at least one bag who made 3 flights. Having a beer and watching all the
landings was also fun. The conditions just seemed to get better and better as I saw several paragliders pull big ears
just to get down.
Hey all. Well, Mike, Jim and I are having a wonderful time in Mexico. We are getting here at the same time as a
weather change, and the air has been quite turbulent, but quite lifty. All of us have gone over the back of Penion on
both days. Mike is the exception, and he did today and got farther than the other two of us. Yesterday was the most
turbulent. Today was better as far as turbulence but not as far as lift. All of us are enjoying the heck out of the day.
the good part is that we are sitting here after a day of good flying in shorts and t-shirts on the veranda having beer
and chips with the rest of the crowd. Life is good. Steve
Hey all. I am terribly remis and apologize to Paul profusely for not mentioning the fact that he is here in Mexico
also. Paul is on his own travels, but came to Valle as well for a few days. We got to enjoy his company for two days.
I only saw him briefly on the hill yesterday at Penon, and I think he is gone now, but I wanted to send a thank you
for that intro to Taco alley and those very special tequilas. Safe travels Paul. Steve
It has definitely been a trip of highs and lows. The high being about 10900 feet and the lows being about launch at
7600 feet. Mike, Jim and I have been having a ball, and when we were with Paul, he was too. All of us are flying our
tushes off--every day. The first "goal" here is to fly from El Peñon to the Valle Lake. It is a pretty technical flight of
about 10 miles, though I am not certain of the exact distance. Mike and Jim made it yesterday, and I made it today.
Jim will tell you he didn't make it, but he came within a couple kilometers at least, and could have. He was ON!
Looking forward to tomorrow. The weather is holding, but it is turning very blue up there, and that means high
pressure. Not sure what happens here under those circumstances, but we will find out.
After five days of heavy rain and strong winds, it was nice to be on the Torrey bluffs for the first sunny afternoon in
a while. With about 20 pilots on hand, conditions were light but flyable. It was good to see ―Every Day‖ Mike from
Lake Elsinore. I had met Mike through Wayne and had flown with him a few weeks ago. Mike was boating around
on a tandem wing. I was a bit apprehensive about the light conditions because the beach didn’t offer much if I sank
out. The storm had left a nasty surf and the high tide reduced the beach to a skinny band, littered with kelp and
muddy run-off. A couple of pilots did end up on the beach but luckily, I was in the air when the air was good and
managed three flights without going to the beach.
After 5 days of rain, finally some sun and warmth. Marshall road is closed, and chains are required for Crestline.
Soboba road/trail is closed to all but hiking. Lookin like a bust for the day.
##19
A lot of pilots show up anyway, and some of us are offered a ride to Crestline. On launch at 3. Snow about a foot
deep except in drifts and wind scoured areas,( 60 mph winds at times over the last few days). 70% cloud cover,
cloud base about 5400, 200 over launch. Coming in at 2 to 4 mph. Sled out to the front of cloud, where several of us
find lots of mild cloud suck, and get back up to 4700 or so, and boat around as long as we want. Its so easy, it’s a
little boring, and after about 45 minutes, I whang it around till landing. Lots of socializing in the lz.
On launch at 1, with 8 bags and 3 hangs. Still lots of snow at this 5200 foot site, from the recent 5 days of precip.
Coming in at 0 to 4. Clear blue sky, maybe 45 degrees. Lay the wing out on the snow again. Put the snowmobile suit
on, and launch first. Find some pretty good thermals to the west at billboard, and twice get up to 5700 and go back
and buzz launch. My third attempt at Billboard didn't fare so well, so I headed out across the valley to Cloud Peak.
Don't find much except right above Cloud, where there is something very reliable going off, up to 4800 feet. After
an hour and a 20 minutes, and watching all the other bags land, I've had enough and head out to the lz, with about
2300 feet to play in. Thanks to Barb for driving. She enjoyed the snow, and later did a hike to the 750 with Dianne.
I took today off from flying. Mike is out there now, probably just about ready to launch. It is our last day here, and I
need to get ready to come home. The trip has been great, and for those who have never been here, I highly
recommend it. The people are great, for the most part, and the flying is wonderful. I didn't set any records except
one (I think) and that is that I have flown every day for he past 9 or 10 days. I have been as high as 11,400 feet or so,
and flown maybe 10 miles in straight line distance on a couple of flights. I have flown in a nice convergence, and
landed twice at the lake--an accomplishment that several pilots I have talked to have tried for years and not
accomplishd. My most cherished flying accomplishment is that not once did I have to land in the normal LZ (except
for an evening glass-off flight). Every daytime flight was over the back and somewhere between a short and a
reasonable XC.
I learned a lot about the Mexican culture in Valle, with so much yet to learn. I learned about the town, their mode of
business, the food, their social networks, and much more. Next, I need to learn the darned language!!! which I am
inspired to do--again.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) the plane heads stateside. As much as I miss home, I will miss this place, too.
See you all soon.
Muchas gracias for the update, Steve. I had a great time flying and traveling with you, Mike, and Carson. I hope to
have more time to write/edit memories about this trip. Jim H.
Well, we had another opportunity today. I broke away from the visiting relatives for a couple of hours and a hopeful
trip to Torrey. I got lucky. Light conditions but definitely flyable when I arrived, so off I went (compared to a couple
of days ago, the tide was low so plenty of beach was available). After a short flight, I top
landed to say hello to visiting friends, who stopped by to watch. Off again, but this time I got caught in a lull and
after 15 minutes of scratching I joined a couple of other pilots on the beach. Oh well, whatcha gonna do? Cheers
Pete
Hola Amigos
After spending several days hanging out with friends on the beaches Tenacatita, Kim and I arrived Saterday in
Colima sunburnt and exhausted. We opted for a rest day on Sunday to take in the sites of this beautiful historical
city. On Mon I was ready to get into the air after a 4 month dry spell. The day was already starting to look good by
10am. Paul, Ellie, Ben, I and 2 local pilots jumped in the taxi and arrived on launch around noon, which was a bit
late. Launch conditions were great but building rapidly. We all managed to launch in the lulls before things blew
out. I quickly found a climb to 1000' over, near cloudbase, and headed out for some XC with Paul. It was a lovely
day to be thermal flying. Lots of nice Cu's to mark the way with fat thermals below them. I quickly shook off the 4
month old cobwebs and settled into the flying. Paul saved us from the first transition with a good climb. We flew
wingtip to wingtip all the way to cloudbase. What a thrill! Paul lead out again, but decided to follow a different line.
All I hit was massive sink, while Paul found the good stuff. By the time I got over to him, the boat had left leaving
me stranded with nothing but a few scraps to grovel in. I hung on to whatever I could find for 15-20 mins figuring a
thermal would release there again. And, it did, rocketing me back up to base directly over the city of Colima. Now I
##20
had some decisions to make. Everywere around me the valley was shaded by all the developing clouds, so I figured
this was my last climb. Heading down wind and flying over the city was way too scary even though I probably had
enough alt it do it. So, I headed out crosswind landing in a dirt field about 8-10 miles out after a long glide. Paul
ended up crossing over town and landing several miles NW of me. Ben and Ellie landed below launch. Great day!
Tomorrw is looking good, too.
Griz
Two Great Names of Powerless Flight Have Passed Away.
Rogallo, inventor of the flexible wing and considered the Father of Paragliding, passed
away on September 1st, 2009. He was 97, and had taken his last flight on a hang-glider for
his 80th birthday. Millions of people around the world have enjoyed flight as a result of
Rogallo’s invention of the Flexible Wing in 1948, which led to a genie’s bottle of flying
machines, including hang gliders, paragliders, ultra lights, delta kites, stunt kites, parafoil
kites, sport parachutes, and kite boarding kites.
David Barish, a Developer of the Paraglider, Is Dead at 88
Mr. Barish, who was once referred to as the forgotten father of paragliding, invented a
single-surface airfoil that, along with a similar version by another designer, evolved into
the paraglider of today. He died on Dec. 15 at the age of 88 in Manhattan, where he lived.
##21
Fort Flagler Getting Closer
Wade Maxwell (in the wing) Chris King, two Volunteers, and Mike Zimmerman
As the season drew to a close and everyone’s hopes were high the powers that be have drug their
feet into our agreement eating up precious flying time and opportunities. We are now 6 months
into our two year trial for flying and other than a couple of invitational flights have not had it
opened yet to public flying. The best thing we can do is outwait the wait and be patient.
Government is not fast as we all have experienced. The exciting news, though, is that because of
persistence and keeping on top of things we are winning. We were just given one more positive
indication by an announcement from Jim Harmon on the 14th of January. We have been
approved for caring for the sites. The announcement was handed down to us by e-mail. In Jim’s
words:
Wade Maxwell And Derik flying Flagler during our first invitational flights
I received today the signed agreement from the state parks. The RPC is an official volunteer
##22
group at Fort Flagler. We have signed on to perform at least two service projects per year. Our
adopted area is listed as “paragliding sites”…… which is reassuring for our impending
approval. Yeehaaa!
Thanks everyone for being patient! We should be flying very soon.
Happy Holidays
A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary.
Every word out of the bird's' mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the
bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to
'clean up' the bird's vocabulary.
Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got
angrier and even more rude. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For
a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed.
Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard
for over a minute.
Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto
John's outstretched arms and said "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm
sincerely remorseful for my transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and
unforgivable behavior."
John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude.
As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird spoke-up, very
softly, "May I ask what the turkey did?"
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Contributed by Griz
##23
Upcoming exploratory sites are always in our sights. Here is one possibility that sprung up due
to local logging. Gotta love clear cuts!
Photo by Steve Messman
Let’s get Personal
A Profile of One of Our Newest Pilots.
Joel and His Wife Cindy
Flying history
1-18-2010
##24
Joel Bedient
My introduction to flying began in 1974. I grew up in Darby, Montana and was out of high
school for a couple years. I saw a picture in the local newspaper of a man named Bill Johnson
who landed his hang glider on the field house at the University of Montana. It was obviously an
emergency landing but it caught my attention and I discussed it with friends who were also
interested in flight.
Our first attempt at flying came from making a rogallo type wing from sprinkler pipe and black
plastic. It actually flew and came apart before anyone got hurt. But I was interested enough to
pursue Bill Johnson and find out how to get into the sport. I bought a kit for a Quicksilver and
built it and began flying in the late summer of 1974. On my 5th flight I had an accident and got
knocked out as well as a bolt taking a core sample out of my arm. I had taken a 17 year old girl
Cindy with me who is now my wife of 33 years. When I asked her to trim the hanging flesh from
my arm with a pair of scissors she declined and I had to do it myself. The next day I was back on
the hill in a more safe location and my flying experiences took off from there. The best flight I
ever had was off Tekoa mountain in eastern Washington. Cindy launched me being 7 months
pregnant with our first child. That was 1977 and I flew very little until the last flight in 1983
when we moved to Gig Harbor. The Quicksilver was stored in a barn never to be flown again.
Although I had given up flying to raise a family I had never given up the desire to fly and by
1999, as my children were graduating from high school, the desire began to grow again. I and a
friend bought a powered paraglider and began to fly it with and without the motor.
At this point my experience began to turn negative. After flying for 4 years I discovered that I
was addicted to flying. As surely as a person can be addicted to alcohol, drugs, gambling or
pornography I was addicted to flying. It was all I thought about and it came before God, family
and work. No matter how much I flew and how great of a flight I had, it was never enough and
my only thought was the next fix. My addiction became painfully aware to me by 2003 and I
decided the only thing for me to do was to get my priorities straightened out. So I got rid of all
my equipment and left the sport for 4 years. Breaking real addictions are not easy but with the
help of God and Cindy it happened. For those who think deep you will quickly recognize that my
addiction was really just an indicator of a deeper issue in my life. I was also refereeing soccer at
the time and I was just about as addicted to that as well.
Joel flying his Quicksilver
##25
By 2007 the dependency was broken and with Cindy's approval I got back into the sport by
taking lessons at Aerial Paragliding in Cashmere. This was an important step for me as I had
taught myself before and had developed some unsafe flying habits. Doug Stroop at The Ranch
was more than willing to teach me the right way to approach flying and also the sport.
So I am a man with a new love for flying and the beauty of creation that our sport takes us to.
Standing on the top of mountain is always a peaceful encounter with our Creator and being
thankful for such a wonderful sport of flying in the wind which is ever changing and challenging.
But my greatest appreciation goes to a wife who has stood by me while I made some very big
mistakes and has helped me to get flying and other adventures in life in a more proper balance.
Thank you Cindy.
Valle de Bravo
by Steve Messman
It began with Jim Harmon wanting to go to Valle and doing some work to pave the way. Mike
picked it up when Jim decided not to go. And I did my normal thing of tagging along for the
ride. Believe me. The ride has been wonderful. I don’t even think I will write about the
flying—except for a little. The mountain launch begins in the neighborhood of 7600 feet. The
thermal are huge. The gaggles are even huger, probably 100 to 150 pilots in the air at one time.
The lift can be phenomenal and even a little wing shattering. The distance flying can be bigger
than you have ever experienced in our part of the northwest, and each view is nothing less than a
spiritual awakening. The last thing I will say about flying is that this week has been one big SIV
course for me. I have flown everything from 50% collapses to accidental spirals to full stalls to,
one time, considering throwing my chute before the wing recovered. For me, it has been a flying
experience of a lifetime.
More than that, it has been a life experience of a lifetime. I spent a great deal of time just
walking and sitting in the square. I walked the Mercado several times. I took note of the fact
that anyone with a blue tarp and some sticks can set up a business. Several didn’t even have that.
One man had a stack of hats and his feet. Another had a wheelbarrow full of nuts and a stool.
That was ―shop.‖ Most of the businesses here are not much larger than my pantry. Every 10foot by 10-foot cubical becomes a place to sell something. Almost every shop has a specialty.
There are shops that sell only t-shirts, telephones, teddy bears, wooden toys, chips and cokes,
underwear, shoes. The food markets were the best, though I would be very wary of eating
especially the leafy vegetables because of the way they are watered and fertilized. That said, the
variety of fresh fruits and veggies, though, is remarkable. I noticed that social activities are
extremely important. And, especially, I noticed that they are truly social. The people here spend
time with each other: not with video games, not with their noses poked into a cell phone, not
with ear buds plugged into iPods, not surrounded by television sets, but with each other: talking,
laughing, giggling, smiling, joking, having fun.
Valle is not a small place. It is about 60,000 people. It is also a Mexican tourist town in the
sense that the rich of Mexico come here to play. There are shacks and hovels and very few
people who beg, and there are mansions and people that drive Dodge 2500’s and Mercedes.
There are huge and clearly obvious contrasts! Paraglider and hang glider pilots also come here
to play. As I write this, about 150 pilots are about to launch in a competition called Monarco
(after the butterflies that winter here.) The flying season is peaking right now (end of January) so
for two or three months, there are a few hundred more people walking the streets. Do we (pilots)
add a lot to the economy? Probably. We fill the cheaper hotels. We provide a huge profit for a
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couple of restaurants. We spend a little on trinkets, jewelry for wives, and t-shirts. But we only
do it for a few months out of the year. What would happen if pilots were not here? I don’t
know. But I would guess that these people would continue living, continue selling their wares,
and continue being with each other to talk, laugh, giggle, smile, joke, and have fun.
Valle de Bravo 2
By Mike McIntyre
The draw of a big name and the chance to get out of the rain was enough for Steve Messman,
Jim Harmon, and myself to take the plunge and sign up for a guided trip with Seattle instructor
Stephen Mitrovich, to Valle de Bravo in the middle of this last January. It added a lot to the
experience to be going as a group of pilots who know each other, and a day after we got there, a
pilot from Leavenworth, who I know only as "Carson" joined up with us. He was also very
appreciative of being in a little smaller group, amongst the huge crowd of pilots from
everywhere.
Of course the culture and general ambiance of this delightful little Mexican city was great for us
every afternoon/night after flying. It was also terrific to see a lot of the pilots we know from the
northwest. Breakfast at the hotel where we stayed was included, and had lots of papaya,
pineapples, and kiwi fruits, as well as ham & eggs or cereal, whatever anybody might want.
However, we were there to fly, we flew every day, and this is what this article is about.
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Day one, and about a dozen pilots from the hotel we're in get on a van from one of the schools, &
head on up. Some take taxi cabs. Launch is about ten miles from the town, so the trip takes
roughly 45 minutes, and we did this or some variation for the entire trip. Arriving at launch, there
are already maybe fifty pilots there. A little later there will be an additional hundred or so (see
picture). Yikes!!!!, Especially for a crowd "aphobe" like me. This crowded condition happened
every day, though some days were lighter than others, especially the day the comp started. While
I'm/we're waiting for thermals to start kicking a little, other pilots including many students start
launching. In addition to just being crowded, watching many of these launches isn't for the faint
of heart!!! Blown here, blown there, collapses on the take off run. This settled down substantially
later in the week, but while it was going on didn't do much for settling my nerves. I set my first
goals of getting off the really easy, except for the crowd, launch alive and landing somewhere
safe, but imagine this group of pilots of all skill levels getting out in front and flying in the
relatively limited airspace of a couple of thermals.
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And so it was, in the house thermal(s) in front of launch, pilots to the left, pilots to the right,
pilots below, above, in front of, & behind. All of us yelled off a potential mid-air at least once.
Though I found this to be especially stressful, all pilots of all levels agreed that there was no
enjoyment to be had in the gaggle, and the whole goal was to get up and through it with enough
altitude to go somewhere else where it wasn't so crowded. Though after getting into the upper
half, the pilots seemed a lot more consistent, and the stress level diminished substantially. This is
a place where cross country is the just about only game in town, as there's not room to do much
of anything else.
Though most days were very similar, our third day was partly cloudy and my very best day. With
the help of a few cloud streets, four or five thermals, and a convergence zone, I made some lucky
decisions & flew all the way to the lake lz, a distance of about 9.3 miles, and a personal best. The
gaggle thins immediately upon leaving launch so this was a very enjoyable experience, and it
turns out a rare one for me. Many pilots go for a year or several before achieving the lake.
On the fourth and all following days, a high pressure system set in allowing sky gods on comp
wings to fly the distance, but those of us with less knowledge and 1-2s had to settle for landing
short in a variety of fields. With the launch altitude of 7700 feet, I often landed at about that
altitude, and on one day had to land on the Mesa actually higher than launch. Then a surprisingly
pleasant 4 mile hike out to the highway. (all down hill).
All the factors, my personal friends, the reliable thermals, a few really great xc tips from
Stephen, the newness of the site and the great Mexican townspeople contributed to a once in a
lifetime and truly enjoyable experience. I would absolutely recommend this trip to all pilots with
intermediate skills and above. The only pictures I took were on the first day from launch, and
one showing the volcano from my solitary landing on the Mesa, but Jims & Steves pictures cover
it far better than I could anyway. Pretty much all of my time was occupied with hanging onto my
toggles & focused on trying to figure out how to go somewhere and pick a good landing spot.
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Joe’s Picture and Comments
Moon over a northern sky! No Frost.
(Doctored up by Chris)
Finally got one. Woke up to frost on the ground and a full moon in my
face. Crystal clear skies and all the mountains looking mighty close
and covered with snow. Had a load of plants to plant, but Evie likes
the morning to play her flute and the winds were coming in perfect and
the birds were out there taking advantage. So I says to myself;
self.... this might be an opportune intersection with some of that
invisible but perceivable fun stuff, so , in determined sweet
anticipation, I dug out my heavy ski gloves and
headed out to the lot on the other side of my neighbor. Might not have
been my prettiest launch but good enough to elevate me to SkyGod
status and I climbed out smiling to greet the new day. Even practiced
a top landing in an adjoining field and, tho I did pull it off, it
most definitely wasn't anywhere close to being my prettiest. But here
I am to tell the tale and have a beer and count my blessings once
again for the exquisite privilege of hooking into the present moment
in the highest of ways. There it is boys; read 'em and smile.
Joe
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