The Spokesman newspaper article describes this guy as a hang glider pilot. But nothing seems to indicate that he flew anything but PGs or powered PGs. Considering that, I sent to reporter the following note:
Hello Chad,
All information I have found indicates that this unfortunate older gentleman was involved with paragliders, not hang gliders. Also, he seemed to mostly do powered paragliding.
The hang gliding community does not like it when our sport is mistakenly associated with a paragliding fatality. A fatality should be accredited to the proper sport so that the public can understand which sport is which, and which one is actually more dangerous (i.e, paragliders).
Paragliders, both non-powered and powered are more dangerous than hang gliders. This is true since hang gliders have solid aircraft grade aluminum air frames while paragliders (complicated ram air parachutes) are simply thin nylon airfoils inflated by air flowing into and around the canopy. Paragliders have no air frame to keep them aerodynamic in "rough" air, or more specifically, turbulence. Paragliders are also less stable and/or controllable in "gusty" conditions - particularly during take off attempts. This sounds like the situation in this case.
If you could contact the "friend" who is mentioned in the report, he or she could probably give an accurate description of the equipment being used.
Thank you for your time.PS - The reporter got back to me fairly quickly. Here's his reply -
Chad Sokol wrote:On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, 2:22:59 PM EDT, Chad Sokol <ChadSo@SPOKESMAN.com> wrote:
Hi - I understand the difference between a hang glider and paraglider. Several others have contacted me about this. I've asked the sheriff, who provided the information for the story, to look into it. I don't have the name of the friend who talked to the sheriff's deputies. We'll issue a correction if need be.
Chad
Home
