US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

Rob McKenzie wrote:
Yesterday while folding after my last tandem of the day at the Andy Jackson Airpark a local pilot friend asked if it was true that Dianne and I were closing our business. I confirmed it and the target date of May 31st 2019. When she asked about how it would close and would it be taken over by another instructor I stated we were just going to cut it up and sell off the pieces. She was shocked and encouraged me to sell it as a business package since it would be worth more (I disagree) plus it would be better for hang gliding as a sport to continue the school (I agree).

I believe that it is likely worth more in pieces because a business like this requires the talent(s) of an individual or partners and without such talent and dedication, even a fully running business would soon fail. And anyone with such required talent needs only some basic equipment and can build it up the way they like, much like Dianne and I did over those 37 years. But to follow through on that promise to her, and at least give it a chance to sell in a way that helps the sport below is what a package might roughly look like.

I am therefore entertaining the idea of recruiting a new owner until Jan 1st 2019 with a qualified buyer taking over on about June 1st 2019. So after January 1st 2019 if we don't see a qualified (talented and dedicated) buyer, I plan to begin chopping up the pieces and selling them off with the last pieces becoming available on June 1st 2019. The items to be sold are listed here with an approximate value as an individual piece:

• 1,300 sq ft house in San Bernardino 10 minutes from the Andy Jackson Airpark. 4231 Sepulveda Ave., San Bernardino, 92404. Current market value ~$300K.
  
• 2001 Ford Econoline 15 passenger Van with racks for 8 glider s non-stacked with 90,000 miles, $4K.
  
• Custom storage container with 22' length and racks inside to hold up to 48 gliders. $3K.
  
• About 20 gliders of which 8 are Falcons, Freedom, EZ, Eagle, Spectrums, others, $15K.
  
• 15 harnesses and 15 chutes, $9K.
  
• Down tube stock of about 50 tubes, various brackets, frame parts, fasteners, wheels, simulator, radios, varios $4K.
  
• FLYTANDEM.COM domain, unknown value.

The entire package if the business is continued locally here would be let go for $300K (no realtor needed and we won't finance) which is about like saying, buy the house at $300K and get everything hang gliding that we own (~$35K) included in the deal.

It was been a wonderful experience with Dianne and I starting the business together in 1981. It began with a single tandem glider which I purchased using the profits from hosting the Socal Regionals, and as profits from tandems were made, we reinvested to grow our inventory and sales volume expanding into full instruction. Now after 37 years it has allowed us to realize over a million in net worth, and all just from full time hang gliding.

I really am skeptical that it could be continued which is why I believe that selling off the pieces is the only viable exit ramp. But that choice will come Jan 1st. Contact through http://flytandem.com if you have a proposal or suggestion. Note: the local flying site requires operating with PASA Certification and either SBFS or LBFS insurance.

a business like this requires the talent(s) of an individual or partners and without such talent and dedication, even a fully running business would soon fail.

Laughing and crying at the same time…
What a HUGE influence these two people have had on my life, and what else…oh yeah-- HANG GLIDING!!!!!!!!!.