Tree Landing Practice and the Art of Great Friends!

I want everyone to know that it was my fault. I decided to fly and probably do a sled ride to the LZ. Who would have known that my sled wouldn't inflate upon my forward launch. I noticed the cravat right after takeoff, so I decided to make a bee line to the LZ. As luck would have it, I wasn't able to make the LZ. On my way there it became apparent that I wouldn't make it.

I heard Bonnie on the radio: "Ken, head to the LZ -- your wing is not inflated." I had noticed the cravat immediately after the forward launch, and decided I could fly to the LZ instead of top landing. The wing seemed to be tracking normally, and the sink rate didn't actually feel different. As I approached the beach I soon realized I wouldn't make it. I then had to decide where to land: the water or the boat ramp were my choices.

I then noticed people fishing along the wall at the boat ramp, and cars all over the place. I decided to try and make it over the tree on the corner of the boat ramp, and bypass the sign poles and fishing poles along the water's edge. The only problem was I didn't actually clear the tree. I came in feet first, and whammo, I stopped. My wing was draped over the tree, and I was hanging there, dangling upside down. A quick checklist ran through my mind: I am alive, I am not hurt, and I am hanging upside down, 20 ft in the air. Within a few minutes my fellow paraglider pilots started showing up to rescue me, and that they did.

Bonnie ran until she was out of breath, Alex came and was scaring me by pulling the wing out of the tree with his one good arm. Thom ran up, scoping out the situation, and then ran back to get his ladder off his truck to retrieve me from my upside down position 20 ft in the air. By this time, I couldn't hold on too much longer. I started getting dizzy from hanging upside down; my biceps were getting tired and I couldn't hold on much longer. I then tried to move my legs over nearby small branches, and found I could release the pressure on my arms without worrying about falling to the ground. That was a big relief. By that time my newfound paragliding buddy Allan C. was up the tree yelling commands: get a line, so I can tie his harness off to the tree; don't move, you will break the branches and possibly fall and get hurt. So I did as he said. I soon thought, hey, if he was right next to me in the tree, maybe I can change my position and climb down myself. Of course, we called the fire department by this time and they were on their way. I then made it down and we went into retrieval mode.

I want to thank everyone for helping, but again Thom was at the forefront and made every effort to free the glider. To all that helped, my heartfelt thanks! Harvey, I have to say that was the best tasting "beverage" I have had in a long time. It took the edge off the situation as well. Alan C. charged the tree, and was the first one on the scene. He started barking off commands almost immediately after checking that I was okay: get a line so he doesn't fall, call 911, are you alright? Hey Allan, again, my heartfelt thanks -- it's good to know I have friends like you looking out for me.

When I look back at the incident, I see I failed myself on several accounts. The first sign that something was wrong was when Thom, an experienced pilot, called out on the radio, "This is too strange -- I am heading in." At first glance, he kited his wing and then off he went. We all thought that there wasn't enough lift -- we were hearing 4 ENE, and whammo, he was off planet earth with lift. Next was Harvey, no problem, skyed out. Then Bonnie took off -- again, no problem. Before I had set up my wing for takeoff, I could see Bonnie and Harvey scratching down low again after they had already skyed out … symptom 2.

By the time I was able to take off, Bonnie had called on the radio: it's too light, I am heading in. I then had to decide if it would be a hike down or a sled ride. After several aborted low wind reverse launches, I repositioned the wing for a forward launch, higher up on high launch, and figured I would make a bee line for the beach. In retrospect, I should have done the sound thing and hiked down, waiting for the next day to fly. Now I have to send my wing off island, for at best a repair job, and most likely a replacement, which are all good lessons. But when all is said and done, I thank the higher powers that be for all the great friends I have on mother earth. Again, Thom, Bonnie, Alex, Allan C. and Harvey: thanks for retrieving my poor soul! I look forward to flying with you all soon.