Pre-Flight Meetings and Read—And Responded To- ORLANDO—Amidst All Their Work —Reams of Paperwork
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Vol. 40, No. 11 A Publication of the Capital Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association November, 2002 David Glover arranged for tugs to come from other What Dave and Tom Did This Summer parts of the country (as far away as Quest). In all, we (by Tom McGowan) had 6 tugs and 1 trike for 30 pilots. Just as impor- After a very successful trip to the Quest Air/FlyTec tantly, Bruce Engen earned a lifetime of good karma Meet in Florida in April, Dave and I decided to take for volunteering at the meet, including retrieval driv- our chances in Big Spring, Texas. ing for us. We couldn’t have done The local legend was that a pilot Bruce Engen earned a it without his help. flew 287 miles there back in 1987, lifetime of good karma for and with the World Record En- volunteering at the meet Dave and I got started the big drive campment pilots flying over Big at 1:00 Thursday afternoon and ar- Spring on their way to set distance records, Big Spring rived in Abilene, Texas (about 100 miles from Big sounded like the ticket for some great flying. There Spring) around 10:00 Friday night. The meet started isn’t an airpark there (or any local pilots it seemed), so (See SUMMER on page 2) Ralph Sickinger USHGA Presents Awards (excerpted from USHGA press release) USHGA members to fly our gliders. Joe has endured endless bureaucratic Pre-Flight meetings and read—and responded to- ORLANDO—Amidst all their work —reams of paperwork. In short, he has during the long weekend of meetings, done what few could—he effectively Fall is almost over, but ya know, it's the USHGA Board of Directors made been a really nice month. I've gotten worked the political and bureaucratic sure to recognize the valuable work of processes. some really good flying in, and the fall others in the organization. colors were absolutely fantastic! I saw . my first bald eagle, and attended some Several outstanding individuals and Three pilots were singled out for groups were singled out as recipients of USHGA Board Commendations for the great parties too! Now we're deep in USHGA’s Annual Awards. outstanding contributions to the promo- . to November, and Thanksgiving is . tion of safe, enjoyable flight, and for right around the corner. Before the . their volunteer work with their local Joe Gregor, of the Capital Hang Glid- clubs and the national association. holiday season starts, I want to take a ing and Paragliding Association, was moment to give thanks... Those pilots receiving the USHGA honored with an USHGA Exceptional Commendation are: Service Citation. This award is given I am thankful for the friends that I to a member in recognition of out- Matthew Graham of the Capital Hang have within the hang gliding commu- standing contributions to the Associa- Gliding Association. Matthew is a di- tion over the last year. Joe has helped rect-at-large on the CHGA leadership nity; you have all added so much to keep all hang glider and paraglider roster, and as such, promotes the sport my life in the past year, through diffi- pilots in the air through his exceptional to the general public, and helps bring cult times and fun times. work on the FAA’s Sport Pilot NRPM new pilots into the fold. (Notice of Proposed Rule Making). Joe helped draft USHGA’s response to . I am thankful for my health, which USHGA Awards are presented annu- the Federal Aviation Administration’s ally at the Fall Board of Directors allows me to continue to enjoy life, proposed Sport Pilot (SP) and Light meeting. To find award criteria and doing all of the things that I love to do. Sport Aircraft (LSA) rules, helping to nomination information, visit preserve and protect the rights of (See PRE-FLIGHT on page 7) www.ushga.org. Page 2 Capital Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association Skyline (SUMMER, continued from page 1) angle to the east and north. It Joe Brauch on Sunday, but we had heard sure looked like an easy 100 that tugs were available if we mile day, but we had to fight Prez-Sez wanted to have a practice day. our way into a quartering head- Saturday turned out very much wind for 22 miles to the first like the rest of the week. Beau- turnpoint. That took several Happy Fall! I beamed out in a 1,200 up thermal I guess no news is good news on the flying and started the long struggle to the front, although a few more flyable days this first turnpoint with Dave. month would always be nice. I met a couple that just got back from Point of the Moun- tain. (I think that is what it is called) They tiful cummies, strong lift, and low saves and 2 ½ hours, but I were reminiscing about top landing, brain- moderate winds aloft from the made it! The downwind leg to dead launching and soaring, and choosing SE. I flew for 2 ½ hours doing the second turnpoint went more when to fly and land. The only complaints an 11 mile out and back into the quickly, but I still managed to they had were setting up camp out of the strong wind. Lift was 600 up get low and blown downwind wind and the long drive to Utah. They did and base was 8k agl, or 11,000 of the course line. After 3 ½ have perfect “calm” wind launches from the msl. Remembering the hours in hours I was beat, and the last Pulpit, and from what I could see from the air in Florida, Dave took a leg was straight up wind. It launch, flawless landings. I would love to shorter flight so he would be proved to be too much for me. have enough time to do what they were do- fresh for the meet. However, I did get 64 miles and ing. I know they are having fun. I am glad 4 hours of airtime. that we were there at “our” site to make it The meet was held at an old Air available for visiting pilots. Although they Force base covering a couple of Monday, Day 2: Another trian- just sledded they still logged another safe thousand acres. It was essen- gle, 71 miles to the south and flight in another new site. tially unused, except for the west. This was a tough task, prisons, one of which was ½ straight in to a 15 mph head- It is hard to be an east-coast pilot. I hear sto- mile downwind of our hangar. wind. I beamed out in a 1,200 ries from west-coast pilots and dream of Oh, did I mention that David up thermal and started the long endless days of soaring perfect ridges in Glover had arranged for us to struggle to the first turnpoint cloudless skies above beautiful valleys. set up in a hangar, so we not with Dave. Unlike the day be- Then, I remember that I am an east-coast only stayed out of the sun, but fore, we pretty much stayed pilot. What we do here is requires a little we had an air conditioned pilot together on this flight, espe- more “heart” than those “easy” conditions lounge to hang out in. cially on the first leg. After out west. It takes quite a bit of effort to be- gliding and drifting back while come an east-coast hang glider mountain Sunday, Day 1: A 76 mile tri- (See SUMMER on page 4) pilot. Capital Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association It starts with those training hill flights. It is CHGPA represents hang glider and paraglider pilots from the Washington, DC mid-Atlantic 90 degrees and the cow pies are about as region. We are committed to the safety, growth and solidarity of hang gliding and paragliding. fragrant as the knee hanger harness. (Which Board of Directors: President: Joe Brauch [email protected] is usually a little too tight around the VP-Treasurer: Cragin Shelton [email protected] USHGA Chapter #33 crotch.) After what seems like endless Secretary: Thom Besch [email protected] 15914B Shady Grove Rd. Flight Director: Chris McKee [email protected] #L-197 ground-skimming flights we get that one Director at Large: Matthew Graham [email protected] Gaithersburg, MD flight that gently lifts us to maybe 50 feet off 20877-1315 Skyline Editor: Ralph Sickinger [email protected] Telephone: 202.393.2854 the ground and we are hooked. We have heaved a heavier than air contraption of alu- Web Master: Mark Cavanaugh [email protected] minum and Dacron down a steep hill and got www.chgpa.org the thing to carry us skyward. Following Volume 40, Issue 11 Capital Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association Page 3 Schools, Dealers and Flight Parks Blue Sky—Steve Wendt 540.432.6557 Cell: 804.241.4324 www.blueskyhg.com/ bluesky/index.htm Quality hang gliding instruction, towing lessons, custom sewing for sails and harnesses. Dealer for Wills Wing, US Aeros, Moyes, Mosquito Motor Har- ness, High Energy Sports, Ball Instruments and more. Get your Glider Savers and protect your investment. Still in the Shenandoah Valley, and now a full flight park near Richmond. Highland Flight Park 410.634.2700 www.aerosports.net Offers tandem instruction, solo aerotows, and equipment sales and service for Aeros, Airwave, Moyes, Wills Wing, High Energy, Flytec, Brauniger and more. For more information, please visit our website. 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