tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201104142010-03-11T00:57:51.575-10:00Online Newsletter of the Hawaii Paragliding AssociationAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.comBlogger550125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-74740198299405200072010-03-06T23:18:00.005-10:002010-03-09T18:35:47.116-10:00

Our cruel overlords at NOAA threw us an unexpected bone today. After a week of gale force gustiness, fourteen air-starved pilots staggered out to Kahana to feast for hours on the spicy north conditions. Maui Doug led the charge across the bay in his alien probe, with six pilots beaming to Kualoa and back by the end of the day. Thank you for your benevolent gift, most merciful rulers! Maui Doug,

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-10814235988509089182010-02-28T05:23:00.008-10:002010-03-01T21:55:45.812-10:00

When you think of February and the northwest, you likely have an image of scraping ice off windows, braving 20 degree temperatures, and blowing snow, but if you are in eastern Washington, that couldn't be further from the truth. The last two weeks we have had some GREAT flying weather, and the spring thermals have arrived early. Week before last, the family was invited to attend and fly

Dougnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-61225427200861915442010-02-27T02:13:00.001-10:002010-02-27T02:19:28.694-10:00

Four pilots flew Kahana today, and against all odds, in the lightest of conditions, we made it work out there. Three of us went downrange, one to Pounders and two to Hauula. The day started out nuking and very east, but it gradually got lighter, while remaining pretty east. Larry called me from the Kahana boat ramp and said he saw swirly dark patches on the water - that's a good sign that it's

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-48447044192576793442010-02-25T22:10:00.000-10:002010-02-25T22:10:07.406-10:00

Fifteen pilots showed up to fly over the course of the day at Kahana today. It turned out to be one of those days that rewards an early start. The forecast had augured increasing trades, but the day started out beautiful and sunny with a light north breeze, so I ran out early to see about some bay crossing. And I have to say I was pretty excited to try out my new wing. Ken was already in the

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-12270320768875139132010-02-24T22:50:00.005-10:002010-02-24T23:38:30.699-10:00

Dehydrated pilot found at Cactus launch waiting for the north wind that was reported to be on its way. It appeared to be another first, solo air space flight, no one was around … hmm … wonder why? Mad Dog had scored 3 flights, 3 sites in 2 days while the rest of us, the monkeys that is, looked on or sledded, so I thought, well maybe I will get a flight today. When I got to Cactus, it felt ok,

Thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07508629374134042936HDInspections@gmail.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-6418409963008774702010-02-23T20:17:00.011-10:002010-02-24T09:23:48.713-10:00

A beautiful day to chase it in Hawaii! We had southeast wind and sun to start us off at my old launch above Kalama Valley, the one we used to call Mad Dog's. Thomas, Scot, the Japanese contingent and I all went up for a look see, and we all thought it was good and doable, but they all gave me the "looks good, you go first" theory. Since it was my old site from 14 years ago, I agreed. After my

Mad Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744828556358847923noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-47496309451204149812010-02-21T06:03:00.007-10:002010-02-21T22:44:17.572-10:00

The family of the Oahu Flying Monkeys is growing, and the regular LZs are getting lonely. On Saturday we celebrated so many firsts that Reaper had to stop counting them just to save his liver. I got to Kahana for the afternoon session and several pilots were already flying their quota. But a barrel of monkeys were on East Launch waiting for some lift. Please add to the following list of firsts

Thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07508629374134042936HDInspections@gmail.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-50495021892717788522010-02-18T21:49:00.013-10:002010-02-20T01:33:50.541-10:00

It started out to be a very windy north day at Kahana, but as the day wore on, the winds calmed a bit. It is sometimes a challenge to get around the rhino horn from north launch and into the lift (for me at least), and it was the rattiest air I've been in for a while - I almost turned to the beach for safety. On my fourth attempt, I made it around and into the lift, as it was getting lighter, but

Mad Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744828556358847923noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-85695865991917535232010-02-18T21:48:00.003-10:002010-03-08T11:34:16.864-10:00

A dozen pilots met at Kahana today, in super north conditions, under a dark blanket of clouds, and out of the five pilots that managed to get up, all of them made it across the bay. But it sure wasn't easy to get up - the wind was switchy and gusty and hard to bend to our will today. Also it was chilly at sea level, so you can imagine how it felt at three grand with a 20 mph breeze. Brrrr! Mad

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-81379825063250601722010-02-18T13:04:00.001-10:002010-03-11T00:57:51.755-10:00

On Monday, February 22 at 8:30 a.m., we will be doing the second phase of work at Makapuu Beach Park. Kawika Eckhart and the lifeguards, the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board, other volunteers and Hawaii Paragliding Association members will finish clearing the naupaka plants and painting, along with minor roof repairs on the lifeguard shack. Last time the paragliders made a strong showing and

firedavenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-90130338426040270982010-02-16T00:37:00.002-10:002010-02-16T01:05:41.143-10:00

On the way back from Logan's orchestra rehearsal in town, we stopped at Kahana to find Matt folding up to run back up the hill. Conditions looked really light but sweet, with super high clouds. He said Yama-san and company were all on launch, and Reaper, Bonnie and students were on their way. I went home to get some work done, but I just couldn't bear the thought of all that sweet flying

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-31285213069707182162010-02-15T11:24:00.004-10:002010-02-16T17:05:45.398-10:00

25 pilots flew at Kahana yesterday, in light north thermic conditions like the day before. Many pilots went to the beach during the lighter cycles, and most of them made it. By the end of the day many had soared high and long, and five made it across the bay. Congratulations to John on his first soaring flight at Kahana! Congrats on first Kahana flights also to Hickham Mark and Carlos. Congrats

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-66884273241095526682010-02-14T00:32:00.002-10:002010-02-15T08:17:55.173-10:00

Twenty pilots flew Kahana in the light north breeze all day today, including five visitors from Japan and Bill from BC. Conditions were challenging, and many pilots sank out. But out of the lucky ones that made it up, five made it across the bay, two of us twice, one for the first time ever, and three of us went to Kualoa and back. I got to try the Ozone Swift for one bay crossing, and handed it

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-70253449931592917452010-02-12T12:53:00.003-10:002010-02-12T23:02:19.171-10:00

I will bring the USHPA Radio Authorization Test and Applications to the meeting in case anyone wants to get their Radio rating. Or you can download the full PDF file here. INTRODUCTION The Federal Communications Commission on March 16, 2001 granted to the United States Hang Gliding Association, a radio station license in the IB business radio service for an unlimited number of vehicular and

Gravitynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-41642668614256814572010-02-11T10:42:00.004-10:002010-03-08T11:47:00.456-10:00

Dear online flight log: I spent quite a few fun hours at the end of the day with the Slacker twins, Don and Thom, at Kahana yesterday, just trying to get up and soar in the lightest and northest conditions ever. Of course I nursed a secret wish to get across the bay. And my wish finally did come true, but not until the sun had already sunk low behind the mountains, and my buddies were already

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-81808035126219483972010-02-10T00:02:00.008-10:002010-02-10T00:31:31.230-10:00

Well… I did it again. This time, I wasn’t blown OTB (thank God)! I couldn’t wait to fly again. Other than a dozen scooter tows in the previous two weeks and a sled ride at Koko Crater the day prior, it had been a few weeks since I had a nice flight. I was ready. I was desperate. I was determined. After work I called Reaper to see where he was headed and whether or not it was flyable. He was

Bon Bonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155571378588177332noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-67636438209412941072010-02-08T22:01:00.003-10:002010-02-08T23:10:23.312-10:00

Just the thought of north winds and bay crossings brought Jim out early from work, myself cancelling all my errands for the day, and Scot, Hillbilly, Larry, Maui Doug, Alex and Scrappy all bailing on their lives to chase it to the clouds. As I arrived, I clambered up the hill to high launch, watching Scot and Alex trying a bay crossing. They made it to and above Crouching Lion for a short stint

Mad Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744828556358847923noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-58442763228403267112010-02-08T07:44:00.005-10:002010-02-08T23:09:36.463-10:00

Nervous - like a weird feeling in the pit of your stomach… Nervous - like doing an eight ball off of the bumper of a parked police car… Nervous - like, is the pregnancy test positive???… Nervous - like doing Crazyman launches as your first ever free flight!! Yeah, that kind of nervous… So, I met up with Reaper, Bonita, Maui Doug, Ginny, Matt, Courtney, Jeff Mc, JJ, Andrew, Berndt, Nick, and a

Dreamybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274518106482632672spiceduck@gmail.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-72951013171035405962010-02-05T10:13:00.007-10:002010-02-05T11:47:22.445-10:00

I had a couple of interesting chilly flights at Kahana yesterday with visitor JJ from the Bay Area. I knew the wind was still blowing pretty northerly in the wake of the last front, and I had high hopes for a bay crossing before the easterly trades set in. We hiked up around lunchtime under a steely grey overcast sky. The sensor at Punaluu was swinging between 25 and 78 degrees, and there were

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-88153658292343555792010-01-30T22:35:00.005-10:002010-02-05T11:44:02.174-10:00

Finally got a little air time at MPU. Donna & Maile cheered me on at launch, but I was taunted by the other Monkeys present, Jim & Frank, to go downrange. Still not ready for that but did add a new set of flying instructions. Glad to be back in the Saddle. All for now, hope to fly down range real soon!

Thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07508629374134042936HDInspections@gmail.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-32213866610627141252010-01-29T08:26:00.006-10:002010-02-05T11:41:54.853-10:00

Please join us for our first quarterly meeting and party of the year on Saturday, February 13th, at 6 pm. We are returning to one of our old familiar haunts, the HTMC clubhouse in Waimanalo. We encourage everyone to bring refreshments or pupus or something for the barbecue, as well as $3 each for the clubhouse usage fee. Cross your fingers for a good flying day at Makapuu beforehand. It was

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-54041904104953606892010-01-25T22:09:00.010-10:002010-01-25T22:52:13.609-10:00

While these pesky frontal passages force us to chase our tails in circles here, sniffing for little scraps of flying time at our Kona wind flying sites, two of our best local XC hounds are hunting big game at the Monarca Open Competition in Valle De Bravo, Mexico. Fireman Dave and Jorge are spending the week south of the border playing with the big dogs, including many top US and world comp

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-48975652368556628902010-01-20T07:29:00.006-10:002010-01-20T21:53:47.984-10:00

This will not be a typical funny story, but one that you should read and think about the next time you consider going downrange. I have only been flying for a year, but I have had the privilege of being tutored by some of the best pilots we have. Books and words can only give you the knowledge, but oftentimes you have to experience situations to really make them stick. Injuries are the usual

Thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07508629374134042936HDInspections@gmail.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-83392696025323972182010-01-19T21:32:00.002-10:002010-01-19T21:56:13.385-10:00

After waiting all afternoon for wind, it finally turned on at the last hour before dark, and I followed Jayson and the Canadians up for a nice north session at Kahana and a late bay crossing as the sun disappeared and the lights started to come on.Canadians Charlie and Lee got stinking high over Sacred Falls and flew to Pounders in the morning while I was trying to get work done. It's hard to get

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-27015061717167346302010-01-18T23:26:00.013-10:002010-01-21T21:30:05.467-10:00

Jeff is out of town for a few days, so I thought I'd post a quick story to reassure him about how boring our sled rides were on MLK Day. Not to mention how many poor slobs had to hike down because of the incessant squalls that kept blowing through to dampen our wings and our spirits. Jeff, don't click the "read more" link, it's just more of the same sad story...Psssst! Don't tell Jeff, but seven

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249789335111913420noreply@blogger.com3