SWTHG club winch

[SamKellner]

Fellow Hawks,

We added 2,000ft of spectra to the spool yesterday. Creating a larger diameter reduced the payout rpm and also reduced brake fade problem we have been experiencing with this winch. It's from Mojo's gear. Not an ATOL.
Today the climb rate while on tow was much better than before. The wind was ~45* cross so we only did one test flight, but obviously better results.

[SamKellner]

Some of the pioneers in platform towing call it "truck jumpin' ".

[Bob Kuczewski]

Great photos Sam!!!

Do you have any video of people launching with it?

[SamKellner]

Naw, no video yet. If we had more members we might have a videographer.

All our launches have been very smooth, nothin' sudden.

Will try to get some video next time we're out.

I designed and built all the sub assys.

The nose release is a Switzer, operated with a choke cable pull knob, mounted on an adjustable arm. It works great, without having to remove your hand from the basebar.

[SamKellner]

Here's the nose release

[Bob Kuczewski]

I was looking at your local terrain ...

Leakey Texas

Leakey_Map.jpg (47.11 KiB) Viewed 8951 times

Some of those hills look like they're over 400 feet high. Is there any possibility of foot launching at all?

[Bob Kuczewski]

If we had more members we might have a videographer.

So how many members do you have now? It takes 5 to make a USHPA Chapter, and you can count me in if you like. Who else do you have so far?

Also, it looks like there are three other clubs in Texas:

North Texas Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club (Allen Texas): http://www.nthpa.org/
Austin Free Flight Association (Austin Texas): http://www.austinfreeflight.org/
Houston Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (Jersey Village Texas): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hhpa/

None of them are in San Antonio, so that might be a good sized city to start drawing members.

[SamKellner]

Well, that is one big problem here since it's almost 100% privately owned. ~No BLM, Forest Service, etc. UShPA Foundation is geared for lifetime easements.

One recent development though. Last month the Texas Parks and Wildlife Svcs. purchased land adjacent to Garner State Park, 10mi South of Leakey. The new property has a 600ft hill/ridge that would launch north or south, Old Baldy. I bandet launched there when I'uz younger.

I know the concessionaire at the park and he has aviaton savvy and very open minded to adding activities. Also the Park Superintendant seems receptive, but I have not seriously persued negotiations. With my lack of diplomacy and clumbsy speech, I might get my foot in the door, when the right person would walk right in and nail down a real footlaunch that would last, since it IS on state property.

I'm not sure if there is a road all the way to the top, but there are maintained established hiking trails.. PG might like it more, which is ok by me.

I helped David Prentice launch off one of the 450ft agl in the area. He went 162mi. and 145mi. But for the vast majority of flyers that are not looking to XC, the best scenery in the state is right here.

If we could get a flying site opened up at Garner, it would be a milestone for US HG/PG.

Thanks,
Sam
Hawks Chapter #4
SW Texas Hang Gliders

[SamKellner]

We have two ushpa members in Leakey, pop. 485. Already have 3 ushpa members fron San Antonio that want to call SWTHG their local. But we would be honored to have you as a member, Bob.

Vacation/tourism is what keeps the place alive these days. Kayak and toobing on the Frio River and hundreds of motorcyclist every weekend touring the scenic hillside hwys. Really cought on as a vacation destination in the last 3 years.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Garner State Park looks promising ...

Garner State Park

Garner_State_Park.jpg (59.43 KiB) Viewed 8945 times

It might be helpful to get your ducks in order before approaching them. I think being an official USHPA Chapter (as well as a US Hawks Chapter) might help. Then you could also offer to purchase insurance through USHPA (I think it's only about $250 per year) when you meet with the Parks people.

If you've got 5 members (6 with me!) then you can file for USHPA Chapter status right now (without requesting insurance). There's a very small one-time processing fee (around $25) to become a Chapter, and Chapter renewal is free after that. You can find the application packet and related information at: http://ushpa.aero/forms.asp. It has a section titled "Chapter Information" and it contains these two items:

- Chapter Application Packet
- Chapter Requirements (SOP 06-01)

Here are some important quotes:

... Chapters are member-controlled organizations approved by the USHPA. Chapters must maintain at least five members and a certain percentage of their members as (current) USHPA members. The percentage of (current) USHPA members is the same as the percentage required to amend the organization’s bylaws, but not less than 70%. Chapters remain autonomous organizations, financially independent from the USHPA, and are self-governing.

USHPA chapter status requires written application by an officer of the organization requesting chapter status. The officer should indicate intent to maintain the Chapter qualification requirements. Chapter applications are available at the USHPA office. Required paperwork includes the following items:

1. A list of current officers including names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses if available.
   
2. A membership roster including the names and addresses of all members of the organization. (Indicate which members are USHPA members and provide their membership numbers and expiration dates.)
   
3. A copy of the organization's bylaws.
   
4. A copy of the organization's membership application form. (The organization’s membership application must have space for the applicant's USHPA number and expiration date.)
   
5. The application should also include the names and addresses of two magazine subscription recipients. (The local library or the accommodating landowners are two possibilities.)

I can help with the bylaws and application form. I think you should get it in as soon as possible. When we were starting the Torrey Hawks, one of our local Regional Directors (Brad Hall) tried to amend the SOP to require a Regional Director's signature for all new chapters. He dropped his amendment when he found that we'd already become a Chapter. But it wouldn't surprise me if they tried it again, so you might want to get your application in before this next Board meeting!! The Board meeting is October 21-23, so I think you should try to get it in by the end of this week if possible.