US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

Pilgrim, it's good to see you posting here.

While trying "pilot connect" feature on ushpa.aero, your name was not in the active member list for Reg11.

What is the status of your membership?

We plan to platform tow this weekend. Tomorrow might be blown-out. Sunday looks better, right down the runway. SE ~15 to 18.

Sam,
SWTHG
US Hawks Chapter #4
USHPA Chapter #285

Howdy Sam,
I am running undercover for now as all this US Hawks stuff is new to me. I am a USHPA member with an H4 and lots of skills sign offs. Larry Bond, Gary Chaney, Charlie Porter, Heff, Burns, TC, Stack and a few other old schoolers taught me to platform tow back in the eighties. However, Platform tow is about the only skill sign off I do not have. I have an AT rating and you always had great tug pilots at the Texas Open. Are ya'll towing off of the Leakey International Runway?
Pilgrim

Pilgrim,

I must have my wires crossed. Well, that makes it even better that you are posting here. There's a couple of us senior Reg11 on the member list.

BobK, forum owner, got my attention and won respect for his efforts to achieve fairness on the Torrey Pines committee that deals with the City of San Diego.

Also for his efforts as Region 3 Director to make USHPA decisions more transparent.

Bob is Both-4 rated. Some new pics of a 4hr flight lately. Not just a keyboard junkie. He has visited us in Southwest Texas and is a founding member of our USHPA chapter.

As you probably read on here, IMO, the US Hawks is primarily a US HG assn., but not opposed to PG or USHPA.

IMO, USHPA is on a definate upward trend now. However, haven't heard much from Martin lately, but did read that the magazine editor was negotiating with CIVL on the new PG recommendations.

PL is my most recent sign-off. Those years I spent in Reg3 when towing was

We have a super platform payout winch. Premature release is the big with platform. Just be ready. PL is our main method to get in the air at this time.
Yes, we tow at Real Co. 49R. That runway is 3,975ft. We also us a 3,100ft turf field, 3mi north of town.

Thanks for the compliment about the fly-in. Yep, the tug pilots are largely responsible for the near perfect safety record. The HG/PG pilots did a great job too. Never did have to call EMS.
Russell, and many others, were disappointed that we were unable to get the go-ahead for this year. Next year is looking up!

Thanks for contributing to the Hawks forum. Post more Preflight & Hangcheck.

Sam
SWTHG
US Hawks Chapter #4
USHPA Chapter #285

I knew Eric and considered him a friend.
I was there when the accident happened.
I met Eric's dad at Pack to help spread Eric's ashes.
Eric was a very talented and special young man.
I miss Eric and think of him often even until this very day.
May God Bless Eric.
Pilgrim

Pilgrim,

That is a sad tale of events, first I've heard of it. That was in the >10yr period when I was not active in the sport.

After moving back to Tx, from Reg3, most of the reason for my inactivity was because of hearing how dangerous towing could be. There was only one not so convenient, FL site in Reg11, so I quit for a while.

But hey, I am a living example to how dangerous FL can be also.

One thing that is true about the early bias is that there are more things that can go wrong when using launch devices. But that hasn't stoppod our sport from useing the different towing methods.

For myself, the best way to manage the risks involved, is fly frequently.

Southwest Texas Hang Gliders is ushpa chapter #285. We are also US Hawks chapter #4. We are needing members, no fees.

Thanks for contributing on this forum.

Sam
SWTHG

Well there is a new pilot that is going out with Jeffo Eduardo Fonseca, I have not met him yet, hell I ain't going out in this hot a** sun too damn hot out there, I'll go to Pac where I can hide in the trees for shade, but not in no open feild with no trees around, Last time I went with Jeffo on the boat I was burned up bad for a week.... It was so hot I had to jump in the lake at LBJ, no way I ain't going out to open feilds if there is no trees not till this heat wave passes I'll come out and play

Have fun in the sun

Oh, Sam what ever happen to that R. Rodriguez guy I think he is out of Austin of San Marcos, Tx what was his name RR or someting like that Not too good with names. I met him once at Hearne, he was thinking about getting back in to hang gliding he has been out for some time now. you all still thinking about flying? Martin has to work and wants to tow at a longer feild to tow at. So he can get some altitude

Tad,

Please keep your posts off Southwest Texas forum.

You are doing more harm than good.

Go fly.

Tad,

Sam has welcomed you and I believe he's treated you with reasonable respect. In my experience, Sam has always supported openness ("sunlight"), and I believe you are out of line with your comments here. But that's not the purpose of my post.

When I came up with the idea for club forums within the US Hawks, I decided that each club needed full control over their sections of the forum. The SWTHG club is Sam's club. He's the President. That means that I will honor whatever Sam wants to do with his club's forum. It has to be that way or clubs will not embrace the shared forum model.

My only job in this regard (as forum administrator) is to figure out how to carry out Sam's wishes on this forum. That's what I've done by creating a new group that restricts you from posting to the SWTHG club's forum. This will be in effect until I hear otherwise from Sam.

Bob Kuczewski