[Bob Kuczewski]

I think messages will stay in your out box until they are read. I've sent messages to:

    h4guy
    h3anon
    mary947

and they're still unread to this day.

[dutinske]

Long time recreational Hang Glider pilot (1977) and still flying. Was lucky enough to have flown may places around the world including Korea, Japan, and all over Europe and of course both the West and East Coast of the US. Home flying site is Dog Mountain in the PNW and I call Gig Harbor, WA my home. I'm just returning from Kuwait with an undetermined stop in Indianapolis, IN before finally going back home.

I started flying Electra Flyer gliders where I weighed 140 pounds and the gliders were 200 squares. Now I weigh 200+ and the gliders are 145 - 160 squares; strange turn of events. Look forward to being part of this exclusive group and hoping to contribute intelligent and wise comments every now and then.

Best and Kind Regards,

Dan Utinske
#27145

[JoeF]

Dan,
Welcome!!!!
You have stories! Congrats on good long-term flight!
Best of lift to you and yours,
JoeF
Does this show you or no?

[SamKellner]

Dan,

Hello, welcome . to USHHGA.

Sam
SWTHG
US Hawks Chapter 4

[Bob Kuczewski]

Welcome Dan!!      It's an honor to have you as a member!!!   

[Bill Cummings]

Hey Dan, Aloha from way east of Hawaii in Las Cruces, NM--- I know, I know but I’m way deep into happy hour so I won’t be making sense until tomorrow.

[soar8hours]

Hello from North Carolina. Started HG'n in 1971. Joined USHGA July 6th, 1973 #2531
I was one of 28 who obtained a LIFE MEMBER status too. Currently fly a 195 Falcon.
After 40 years hang gliding is still in my blood. I flew 5 states and 6 sites in 2011.
Even though I have a private pilot certificate and airplane, HG'n is still the most fun

Tommy Thompson
Sauratown Mountain Pilot

[SamKellner]

Tommy,

I'm jealous. What a airhog. And a cornerstone.

195 Falcon is what I need.

Bob must not be on here right now. I'll welcome you for sure.

Sam Kellner
SWTHG

[Bob Kuczewski]

Welcome aboard Tommy!!

I checked out your web site at http://www.theorderoftheraven.blogspot.com/, and you've got some cool stuff there. I wanted to copy it all here as an introduction, but I decided that the polite thing was to just take the "Bio" section and let everyone else visit your site to check it out.

Here's the Bio for Mr. Thompson borrowed from http://www.theorderoftheraven.blogspot.com/:

Bio:
Self taught on the hills starting in 1971.
First mountain flight: Fancy Gap, Virginia on March 14th, 1973
USHPA #2531 member since July 6th, 1973 ($5 yearly dues)
LIFE MEMBER since May 5th 1980 > a $250 FEE ... Only 28 signed up for this
because yearly dues were only $10 & you needed to fly 25 years to break even.
But dues increased & the long term benefits out weighed the initial cost quickly.
Charter Member April 5th 1991
Advanced HG rated since Nov 27, 1979
Intermediate PG rated since Feb 15, 1995
Veteran U.S. ARMY 82nd Airborne Paratrooper
Currently own a two seater airplane, a Private Pilot rating
and a FAA light sport airplane repairman certificate

It's an honor to have you join us at the US Hawks!!

[Free]

Hi Tommy,
Glad you signed up, old timer!

I went to your web site and saw the post about your exciting flight at Grandfather Mountain. I never flew there but was there during the Reunion get together September 8-9 of 2001. A makeshift ramp was set up and only old timers got to fly. It really is a beautiful place and the timing of that reunion leaves a bittersweet memory. It was good to see guys reuniting after so many years. It sure was a long drive back home on September 11.

You mentioned Bob Black, and I hate to tell you that he recently passed away. I heard about it the day after the funeral and also that there weren't many hang glider pilots there. Bob had been ill for a few years and I'm ashamed that I didn't make the effort to see what I might have done to help out. Its a shame that we get so divided in our own issues..

Anyway Bob was good people. He gave me my H3 at Hensons Gap in the 90's (I think) and I always enjoyed flying with Bob. He was an excellent pilot and tough as nails. I remenber him once carrying up his set up Sensor back to launch, probably a mile or so up roads and steep hollers, because it would be as quick as breaking down and setting up again. It was very hot and I don't think I could have done it. Bob didn't get flushed very often and if I remember correctly he was rewarded with a good re-flight.

Bob Black had been a sheet metal A&P for TWA for many years. His illness was alzheimer related that in my estimation was probably related to all the aluminum he soaked up through his skin over those years.
Bob was a wirey-smallish guy and I remember him talking about being the go-to guy for working in tight spaces.
He spent a lot of time inside the wings of DC3's in Saudia Arabia, in 120 degree heat. He was making good money but all that aluminum exposure probably shortened his life.

Anyway, sorry to bring that news. Let it serve as warning for those that handle a lot of bare aluminum.
Welcome to this band of misfits, Tommy.

Warren
51351

Welcome aboard Tommy!!

I checked out your web site at http://www.theorderoftheraven.blogspot.com/, and you've got some cool stuff there. I wanted to copy it all here as an introduction, but I decided that the polite thing was to just take the "Bio" section and let everyone else visit your site to check it out.

Here's the Bio for Mr. Thompson borrowed from http://www.theorderoftheraven.blogspot.com/:

Bio:
Self taught on the hills starting in 1971.
First mountain flight: Fancy Gap, Virginia on March 14th, 1973
USHPA #2531 member since July 6th, 1973 ($5 yearly dues)
LIFE MEMBER since May 5th 1980 > a $250 FEE ... Only 28 signed up for this
because yearly dues were only $10 & you needed to fly 25 years to break even.
But dues increased & the long term benefits out weighed the initial cost quickly.
Charter Member April 5th 1991
Advanced HG rated since Nov 27, 1979
Intermediate PG rated since Feb 15, 1995
Veteran U.S. ARMY 82nd Airborne Paratrooper
Currently own a two seater airplane, a Private Pilot rating
and a FAA light sport airplane repairman certificate

It's an honor to have you join us at the US Hawks!!