[Free]

It's tough to fly in the flatlands so I've invested in a stationary winch for Kansas City area pilots.


Jim Gaar recently wrote about using his own personal funds to help move USHPA headquarters.
A noble gesture, indeed.

Blindrodie:
A nationally recognized Free Flight Center would help if not hinge our future. I could care less if I ever get to see the place. What is important to me NOW is that there is a future for our sport and I feel this kind of move would benefit the chances for our survival. This is about all of us as pilots and not about individuals. It's about doing the right thing.

Hell I would be all for a one time payment or donation to the Org that would be used as a down payment or whatever. I'm hoping good ol' Jayne will risk personal evisceration and post some of her ideas that were seemingly ignored during her time as ED.

Sam I just feel it's time for me to step up and put my energy into the future of our sport. Pay it forward while I still can. This is NOT an impossible task! There are others that can and will play their part. I'm just trying to help where I can. If that means a little cross posting and some cash that I can do. It's all I have as one member. If I can get others to join in, well then we have a better chance.

Moving USHPA headquarters probably isn't going to do anything to promote and improve hang gliding in the Kansas City area. It's very doubtful that Kansas City will be on Davis Straub's short list of possibilities.

Perhaps my old ex-partner's generous offer to "pay it forward" would be better spent in our own backyard.
At present, negotiations are being conducted in transporting the winch from North Carolina to Kansas City. Any help would be appreciated in that endeavor. If someone in the KC area might be planning on travel to the North Carolina area in the near future please let me know if you might be able to pull a small 2 wheel trailer/winch on your way back?

Suggestions and ideas welcome.
Thanks in advance,
Warren

[Bob Kuczewski]

I think the future of hang gliding will depend on grass roots efforts to keep the sport alive at our local sites.

Depending on USHPA for growing our sport is like depending on the federal government for growing our food - even with the best of intentions, it's not a smart idea.

Hang gliding originally grew and took off because people loved the sport and wanted to share it. It didn't need a national organization for that. It still doesn't.

I'd love to see the Kansas City Hawks. If you'd like to start a chapter, please let me know. I'll set up a forum right away. I'd really like to see a forum (and a club) where you and Jim can work together for your area. That would be a huge accomplishment, and I'd like to help any way I can.

Think globally - act locally.