Thermal Warm-up Weekend

There are two kinds of flying in the paragliding world. There's Hawaii flying, characterized by the world's smoothest air and laziest bums, and then there's the other kind: thermal flying. Hawaii flying is the kind where you never have to check the weather, or drive far, or hike, or worry about staying up, or about turbulence. Thermal flying is where you pore over the weather reports, drive around the island, hike your butt off, and even then you don't know if you'll stay up, or if you'll even want to. You might wonder why anyone would choose thermal flying over Hawaii flying. A handful of us were wondering that after our second drive and hike on Friday. But at the end of the day, and then again on Saturday, a lucky few of us got a happy reminder of what makes it worthwhile.

Nuking at Nanakuli

On Friday, a handful of us headed out to Nanakuli to try our luck with the thermals out there. Despite the forecast of thunderstorms, and the huge black cloud that was swallowing the windward side as I drove away from there, it seemed like a great day on the west side: sunny, with a light onshore breeze. But the strong cycles at the trailhead should have tipped us off to what we'd find at low launch: the cycles up there were consistently exceeding 20 mph from the north. Oops. It still took us awhile to admit the obvious and hike down. After that little setback, we were still jonesing for rising air, so we followed Dave's advice to head out to Dillingham to see if the northerly flow would be working out there.

Death March at Dillingham

When we got there, it was nice and sunny, and the direction was great, but it was a bit light. Hard to believe it was on the same island as Nanakuli. But Dave and Gavin obviously thought the conditions were promising, so they ran up the Kealia trail behind the gliderport to reach the thousand foot overlook and show us how good it was. The rest of us, already feeling the pain from our little Nanakuli adventure, reluctantly forced ourselves to make the hour's march up the interminable switchbacks. It was pretty rough going for us - Sandy left her gear halfway and proceeded without it.

At the top, we found Dave and Gavin still trying to get into the air from the snaggy little launch spot up there. Working with infrequent light crosswind cycles and a six foot runway over a precipitous drop all the way to sea level, they both made multiple exciting attempts to launch before they both finally got up and away. They didn't fly long, since Gavin had a plane to catch, but they enjoyed the best of the day's lift.

This was Ray's first time out there, and after a few brave attempts he managed to get airborne just as the other two were landing. But the thermals were already starting to shut down for the day. Greg followed with a perfect forward launch on his first try, and I finished up with a lucky first try at a reverse launch. By then there was hardly any rising air left to keep us up, but I managed to milk the lightest of puffs to stay up about a half hour, as Sandy began to make her way back down the trail.

We finished up the day with a nice dinner at Pizza Bob's in Haleiwa. Not to mention long baths after we got home. What a long and exciting day. I heard that the Makapuu Cruising Coalition also enjoyed some nice afternoon flying in the north conditions.

Nanakuli Revisited

On Saturday the light SW conditions seemed to offer a better chance for Nanakuli thermals, so I convinced Bob and Sandy and the Germans to head out there with me, followed later on by Ray and Doug. Cloudbase wasn't very high, maybe 2500 feet or so, but a gentle breeze was blowing and there was plenty of blue sky available, so it definitely seemed worth a hike. The cycles turned out to be coming up nicely from the dump side, and Sandy and Peter set up at low launch, while Wolfgang, Martina, Bob and I hiked to mid launch for a bit more of a guarantee.

After a couple of heart-stopping attempts, Wolfgang got off first, and reported that the thermals were on the sparse side, but he got up easily enough anyway. Bob launched next, followed by me and Sandy and Peter. I found the air to be quite punchy, with strong thermals and many small collapses and weightless moments. Bob's heart wasn't quite in it and he landed early, but the rest of us worked hard to keep our wings over our heads and make the most of the thermals. Wolfgang shouted "Rock and Roll" at one point as he caught a thousand foot per minute rocket up through a cloud to his max height of three grand or so. Later he reported the air to be quite smooth compared to the strong alpine thermals he's used to. Wow. Good thing I'm out there practicing I guess.

I flew out towards Maile Point and also across Nanakuli Valley, but there were no thermals to speak of in either direction, so I landed soon afterwards, followed shortly by Wolfgang and Sandy. Doug and Ray hiked up as we were folding up, along with Bob for a second attempt, but by the time they got to low launch the high clouds were moving in and the cycles were shutting down for the day, leaving the latecomers with nothing more than scratchy sledders to the dump. Except for Bob, who managed to shoot the saddle gap for a spectacular roadside landing near our cars.

We finished the day with some cold refreshments and a gorgeous sunset view from the soccer field in Nanakuli Beach Park. Speaking of soccer fields, the guys at Mariner's reported some great thermal flying of their own on Saturday, and I heard they provided some exciting half-time and end-of-game entertainment to the kids as they came in for landings in the soccer field.

Three days of weather guessing, driving, hiking and flying, rewarded by flights at three of Oahu's best thermal sites. The conditions were not epic, but we certainly made the most of them, and it was a good warm-up weekend for the coming winter thermal season. I can't wait!

2006 Kahana Flyathlon Soars

Sunday was the 2006 Kahana Flyathlon and Tree Decorating Contest. It was a great day of ups and downs, and possibly our best fly-in to date, rivalling the original Makapuu event. 24 pilots flew, and almost as many friends and family members helped us celebrate the day.

The day started out grim and dreary, the windward side was socked in with misty rain and the wind sensors were averaging high teens with 20+ mph gusts, hardly a day to get everyone flying. I had already called it a go the day before, so there was no stopping the gathering. At 10am everyone was arriving and it was looking like a better day for a bbq.

After a little stalling, everyone started heading up to launch to give the slightly improving conditions a go. Ken Berry and Jetflap Jeff took the role of wind dummies and launched into fairly strong conditions. Ray and I grabbed our little wings and headed up to have some fun. As more pilots launched conditions seemed to be rapidly improving, wind slackening and the sun shining. Pilots started climbing higher and flying deeper into the peak. Jetflap Jeff recorded 2830' for the highest altitude of the day right about that time. Worth $20.

As some 15 pilots filled the sky, Alex proposed that we run the downranger to Pounders after all, and about 10 pilots took up the challenge. At this point I would like to indulge myself and report the race from my perspective.

Since I had committed myself to flying my little acro glider I felt somewhat handicapped for some racing. Climbing in that little glider was noticably slower than the other gliders so I figured I needed to tank up on altitude before the start to have any chance at getting there. The race started and Gavin from Australia is racing away on lots of speedbar, I step in the loop and apply a little speed to keep up in the smooth conditions. We both look for some good lift at the first ridge and quickly commit to the second big ridge by Alex's house with the iron cross on it. I turn into some lift and fairly strong winds and Gavin and (fast arriving) Alex in the Magic4 start climbing above me. They settle down from the drag race over and climb higher and deeper toward Sacred Falls. I manage about 300' altitude gain and take a chance that at 1200' and downwind I can reach Pounders. I turn and burn before the others have a chance to react and arrive at Pounders Beach with a couple hundred feet to spare and land in the windy conditions. Gavin drops in next with Alex on top of him for third.

Sandy drops back a little far and lands a quarter mile short on the other side of the point, great job. Thomas lands next for fourth place, Bob lands next and finally Wolfgang from Germany, who rather than quickly dropping his glider in the stong wind, puts on an impromptu Mike Kungish kiting display, excellent.

Nick arrives in my van for the retrieve and we pick-up Sandy, Johan and Peter (from Germany) on the road back to Kahana.

We arrive back at Kahana to even more pilots coming and going, Treeslayer has found his second tree of the day unfortunately, and we fuel up at base camp on the far side of the venturi. It amazes me that we have never used this venue before since you can easily watch the flying from the shade of the trees. We have the spot and the bomb drop setup nearby for all the spectators to enjoy.

I would like to thank all the friends and families that hung out, cooked, swam and laughed with us to make it more special. The number of visiting pilots was amazing considering that they knew nothing about the days plans.

The spot landing was too easy or our pilots too good because Frank straddled the bucket, Jetflap stood on the bucket as did Greg the Treeslayer.

The bomb drop proved more difficult with Frank holding the lead for most of the day until Bob risked life and "limb" to put one down right on top and an inch closer than Frank's sandbag for the win. But the glory was short lived as he "greeted" some foliage on landing.

We had all sorts of pilots, old and new, come out and show us their stuff, tandem flights were flown, a little acro went down.

Alex, the master of memory, (and apparently lists) compiled a list of who was there, we apologize if we missed anyone.

42 people attended.

24 pilots flew in one day.

I think I heard there were 15 in the air at one point.

Dave, Bob, Greg, Ray (Noell, Melissa, Nikki), Alex (Dorothy, Logan, Amelia), Jimmy, Stefanie (Florian), Thomas, Nick, Jeff, Frank (Linda), Rich, Ken, Doug (Caroline, Kylie, Noah, Matt, 2 passengers), Wayne (Lori), Scot, Russell, Sandy, Peter, Hillery, Johan
Local total: 21 pilots (19 flew), plus 15 supporters

Visitors:
Australia: Gavin, Adam+Kirsten
Germany: Wolfgang (Martina) Peter
Visiting total: 5 pilots, plus 1 supporter

Don, Reaper, and Mad Dog were all out of the country. And a few other familiar faces couldn't make it out.

The festivities lasted long after dark and the day magically went from ugly to perfect. I want to thank everyone for making it the day that it was. Next time.

2006 RESULTS

Maximum Altitude:
"Jetflap" Jeff Forrest 2830'

XC race Kahana to Pounders Beach:
1) Dave Taratko aka "Fireman"
2) Gavin Zahner from Australia
3) Alex "King" Colby
4) Thomas Ku
5) Bob Johnson
6) Wolfgang from Germany
7) Sandy "Sportyslice" (nearly 4th place)
8) Johan Hakansson
9) Peter from Germany

Bomb Drop:
1) Bob Johnson
2) Frank Highsmith
3) Brazilian Ray

Spot Landing: (3 way tie!)
1) Greg Yount
1) Jetflap Jeff Forrest
1) Frank Highsmith

We welcome anyone who would care to share a story or experience with the rest of us. Here are the commemorative photo albums we're aware of so far:

Alex's pictures
Bob's pictures
Sandy's pictures
Ray's pictures
Your pictures...?

Links to prior years' events on the old website:

Makapuu Air Games @ Kahana 2005
Kahana Air Raid 2004
Kahana Air Raid @ Makapuu 2003

Tree Landings: Incidents, Karma, or Tree-venge?

When flying in Hawai'i, it is not a matter of if you will land in a tree, it's when you will land in a tree. Ask any of the veteran pilots, we've all been there: that revelation that comes just before the tickle of the first leaf on your face; that poking feeling in uncomfortable places that develops while you are discovering the differences between a rubber tree and a kiawe tree; that knowledge that you will be spending the next forty-five minutes breaking branches and sweating like a madman while your friends are tracing beautiful circles in the sky. If you're not familiar with these sensations, just wait . . . you will be.

Fortunately, tree landings, especially those that happen to involve rubber trees, are usually non-injurious; both pilot and equipment tend to escape with, at most, only minor damage (mostly to pilot ego).

Usually, there aren't many tree landings in one week. In fact, more than two in a month is a note-worthy occurrence. But . . . the tide has turned . . . war is on our doorstep.

Hear me out!

Most of the members of the HPA are pretty "Green." We care about the beauty and majesty of Nature. We seek to work with Nature and never do anything to harm Her flora and fauna which make up the many amazing places we've flown; both at home and abroad.

And, for showing such respect, Nature has richly rewarded us with some of the most spectacular vistas and marvelous experiences in human history. Our lives border not only on the insane, but also on the fantastic; Icarus, each of us.

Paragliding is the fullfillment of humankind's oldest desire: The dream of flight; realized.

But . . . Nature is ever vigilant.

Someone has angered Her; a price had to be paid.

For decades, a beautiful rubber tree has been minding its own rubber-tree-business at the base of the Low Launch. Many of us, myself included, have lain it its soft, leafy embrace. Its leaves have adorned many a canopy and decorated many a D-line. It has served as both obstacle course and reference point. It has restrained the eroding soil and served as a home for bugs and birds. On one occasion, it even prevented this author's backpack from tumbling hundreds of feet down the face of the mountain; my own private catcher's mitt.

It was part of the paragliding community.

I keep writing in the past tenses of the English language; not because I am unable to conjugate verbs in the present tenses, but because the present tenses no longer apply.

Someone has taken a saw to that beloved Ficus Elastica. All that remains are some scarred stumps and broken twigs.

I'm guessing it was a "well-meaning" paraglider pilot. The path is now clear. No more pulling DHV 1-2's out of the foliage.

However, this is one area modification that DID NOT have to happen. HPA has been flying this site for years without chopping down that tree. Nature has left us alone, because we haven't been hurting Her. You know . . . "Do unto others," and all that other "Karma-Kine" stuff.

Come-on people!!! . . . you've seen The Lord of the Rings! Remember when Treebeard saw what the White Wizard had done to his forest!!! You don't just go cutt'n down trees without starting a war you can't win!!! Trees are BIG and POWERFUL!!! If you make them angry . . . they will seek revenge!!!

Now . . . take a look at what happened at the Flyathlon: Four . . . that's right, count'em . . . four tree landings in one day!!! . . . all experienced pilots.

You're just fly'n along and suddenly . . . without warning . . . Wham!!! Crack!!! Thwack!!!. . . a tree reaches out and plucks you out of the sky!!!

Luckily, although some of the events were absolutely SPECTACULAR, no one was seriously injured and no equipment was lost.

But . . . mark my word . . . these bruised egos were only a warning; a little nudge; a sap-speckled shot across our bow.

Please don't test the ire of the trees. Peace can still be maintained. Keep your saws in their sheaths unless you need to escape the embrace of an amorous arbor; then cut only as little as possible.

Let's try to keep the peace with our loveable leafy friends . . . please.

I'm just say'n.

The Kahana Flyathlon 2006 is on for tomorrow!

Pack up the gliders and coolers and head to Kahana Bay tomorrow for the Flyathlon. Conditions are shaping up to be brisk but plenty safe for our day of flying fun. We are looking at meeting at the beach at about 10am, with the first event, the XC Challenge, having an airborne start about 11:30am.

Remember to charge up your radio batteries, and if you have a spare radio bring it along for the support crew.

If anyone is interested in being support crew or a chase driver, let me know, or just show up and be ready for some action.

Be there or be square. Sorry Slacker!

Kahana Flyathlon 2006 this Sunday

Fill those coolers, stuff those glider bags and make your way to Kahana Bay this Sunday, August 20th, for the 2006 Kahana Flyathlon (rhymes with Triathlon). The games start at 10:00am and admission is free, Wow!

Bring the wife, kids, friends and family and celebrate a day of all things flying. Don't forget the sunscreen, chairs, coolers, snacks and sense of humor.

This year's events include:

1) Max Altitude. (Vario or GPS required, no futzing around!)
2) Downwind XC Race: Distance or declared goal (11am or so).
3) Spot Landing (with optional Bomb Drop).

PRIZES AWARDED? Maybe!

LAUGHS: Guaranteed!

We will make updates on day or location as needed here.

Comments or assistance can be sent to Alex (223-0144) or Dave (382-0568), or posted here or on the chatterbox.

Be there!

Super light days at Kahana

Dave met me out at Kahana Monday with plans to join me on the XC trip that I wished I'd flown Sunday. Sunday was a light day that saw six pilots out at Kahana, but only four that flew, and only two that soared.

We knew it was going to be on the light side again on Monday, but it seemed just strong enough for a nice XC. I launched into a good cycle on my first launch, and got high over Puu Piei without too much trouble, as a bunch of low clouds wafted in. Meanwhile Dave was setting up to launch. To kill some time, I crossed the bay, and made it past the lion, but I couldn't find much lift over there, so I came back to top land just as Dave was hiking back up from low launch (where he had toplanded to avoid bombing out).

Over the course of the afternoon, we both did a dozen more desperate flights as we hoped for the wind to fill in: we launched, scratched, and top landed to avoid bombing out, sometimes at high launch but mostly at low launch. This was turning out to be a lot harder work than we had hoped.

Before calling it a day, I was lucky enough to get up for one more little squeaker of a high flight, by following a friendly group of frigatebirds into the only decent thermal to be found. Then after trying in vain to break 1500 feet or so, I finally gave up and went to land in a grassy field in Punaluu. Gotta keep my new wing sand-free as long as I can. So I guess that was an XC flight, although certainly not the best effort to distance ratio. Thanks to Dave for being a good sport and for buying beer too.

Meeting & Party at 6 pm on Saturday, August 12th

All of our local pilots and friends are invited to join us for our third quarterly meeting and party of the year, at 6 pm on Saturday the 12th, at Bob's shop in Halawa. This time Peter and Ray have volunteered to provide meat to grill - please remember to bring a small cash donation to help defray their expense, or feel free to bring your own meat. We encourage everyone to bring side dishes as well as liquid refreshments to share. If you want to coordinate what to bring, please leave a comment here or call me. Contact us with any questions or agenda suggestions. See you there!