Oz Report

15/11/2022

Fixing Carbon Fiber Base Tubes

Haven't heard if Wills Wing is selling them any more.

I had a crack in my Wills Wing T3 carbon base tube so I had Gregg Ludwig take it in to The Frame Doctor for me as he lives right near by and was hauling it back to Florida for me from Casa Grande, Arizona and the Santa Cruz Flats Race.

https://www.facebook.com/FrameDoctor911/

Joey Robison is the Frame Doctor:

09/11/2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCK4lJLQHU

Doug McLean, retired Boeing Technical Fellow, discusses several examples of erroneous ways of looking at phenomena in aerodynamics, that have either taken ho...

26/10/2022

14/10/2022

2022 USHPA BOD election
A follow up
Charles Allen writes:
Before starting though I’d like to note that we are grateful for the extremely hard work of both current and past board members. It’s a volunteer job and anyone that’s currently running or maybe elected is doing so not for financial gain or to be self-serving but rather to support a sport we’re all passionate about.

Now to address a few comments, with respect to experience, I’ve sat on numerous boards including public and private companies, and have seen what works, and what doesn’t. I have years of experience collaborating with others, listing to ideas, building consensus, compromising, and getting things done. The fact that my board experience is with for-profit companies is a positive as I’ll look at things through a slightly different lens and I believe that viewpoint will be beneficial to both the board and all USHPA members. The mechanics of how non-profit and for-profit boards work are nearly identical (for-profit companies also use committees) the main difference is that public company board members have a fiduciary duty to do what’s in the best interest of their shareholders and non-profit board members have a duty to do what’s in the best interest of their members and the mission. Most public companies also maintain a director skill matrix to ensure that in addition to diversity directors have the right skills and bring different views. To my knowledge, the USHPA has no skill matrix so suggesting that prior USHPA board service makes you experienced is not a comprehensive approach. For example, if someone wants to be treasurer they should have prior financial accounting and reporting experience, while they could learn that on the job bringing someone on who has that experience is ideal. I would note the candidate questionnaire did have a question on accounting which was positive to see and indicates the board is thinking about and discussing ways to improve transparency such that members can elect the most qualified individuals.

Despite the claims we have no intention of derailing the hard work of past board members or creating a toxic environment. Speaking from first-hand experience boards with toxic environments are ineffective. If elected Nick, Stephan, and I have no intention of creating such an environment or sucking the oxygen out, but rather reenergizing efforts.

One of the three pillars we’ve pointed out that should be a focus is strengthening the USHPA’s balance sheet by implementing a modern development function, not raising dues. This is not some “Big New” crazy idea that will blow up the organization, but rather a low-risk proposition and a key function of any successful non-profit that to my knowledge hasn’t been implemented by the USHPA.

Having new board members that will look at things through a different lens is not a bad thing but rather an important part of any organization’s evolution. In summary Nick, Stephan and I have no plan to derail things, we do have the experience, and while we can make no promises that the ideas we bring will be implemented if elected we will seek to implement positive change for all hang glider and paraglider pilots alike.

12/10/2022

Monroe Utah Hang Gliding Competition, 2023

Foot launched competition

"Tim Delaney" writes:
Planning is underway for a category 2 sanctioned hang gliding competition June 18 - 24, 2023. The goal is to provide a fun, safe, competitive, and affordable foot launched competition in one of the premier mountain sites in the western United States.

The reputation for excellent conditions in this area is well deserved. Expect to see cloud base between 16,000’ and 20,000’ most days. Cloud streets and convergence lines are common. Anticipate tasks of 100 miles and more with race to goal, triangles, and out and back options. Tasking is possible in all directions but typically north and south along the Wasatch and Sevier Plateaus. Several flights over 100 miles have been flown in the last two years by hang glider and paraglider pilots. Safe landing fields are abundant in the surrounding farming communities and retrieval is generally convenient with good highway and road access.

Two launches on public land are accessed by improved dirt roads. Four wheel drive is recommended. The lower Cove launch, (8,800’ msl), is a 45 min drive and is more commonly utilized. The higher launch on Monroe Peak, (11,200’ msl), is a 1:15 hour drive. These launches can accommodate north, west, and south winds.

The town of Monroe is friendly and welcomes hang glider pilots. Monroe has a dedicated LZ with a shade shelter and bathroom facility. An RV park is one block from the LZ. The bigger town of Richfield is 20 minutes away on highway 70 and offers several hotels, restaurants, and most amenities.

Pilots with experience flying in the mountains and strong foot launching skills are invited to attend. Oxygen and satellite tracking systems are highly recommended.

If you are interested in attending, the meet organizers would like to hear from you. Please email [email protected].

Tell us how likely you are to attend, if you might want to assist or volunteer, or what you would like to see to make this a quality competition.

We are very fortunate to have Jamie Sheldon, Ric Caylor, and Andrea Wilson take a leadership role in planning and administering this competition. Several others have committed to assist them to make this happen. We look forward to seeing you in Utah next summer.

A future article in USHPA Pilot magazine will provide more details.