[BigBird]

New to this forum, HG pilot originally from Redding, CA. (first 21 years of flying), followed my career to Placer County in 1995, now retired. I owned and operated the Hang Gliding Connection in Redding from 1980 to 1995.

I'm a H-5 currently flying a 163 Sport and a Freedom 220.


Phil Sergent
USH"P"A #7722
http://www.hatcreek.info

[SamKellner]

Welcome Phil,



How does it feel to be a part of a United States hang gliding Assn? US Hawks!

[Bob Kuczewski]

Hello Phil!!

Welcome to the US Hawks!!!       

We're not the biggest hang gliding forum around, but we've set our sights on a higher goal. We're working to be a real hang gliding organization looking out for pilots.

We've already broken new ground by integrating local club forums into a single national forum. That's something that USHPA should have done years ago. But they can't do that because then the members might expect the USHPA leaders to actually answer their questions.    They'll never put themselves in that position, so that gives us an edge right off the bat.

If you know of any local clubs in your area, please suggest that they join us. It costs nothing to be a US Hawks Chapter, and we have had several local clubs who are both US Hawks and USHPA Chapters. Please let me know if you need any help with presenting the idea to your clubs. If the timing is right, I might be able to attend your local meeting myself to answer any questions.

Either way     ...     WELCOME AGAIN TO THE US HAWKS!!!!

[BigBird]

Hi Sam,

I should fit right in - I just happen to have a USHGA sticker on my truck right now USHGA has a certain sound to it that brings back some very good memories.

Phil

Welcome Phil,



How does it feel to be a part of a United States hang gliding Assn? US Hawks!

[BigBird]

Bob,

I happen to know of a USH"P"A chapter that is oping out of that organization at the end of the year. I'll let them know about the US Hawks. My HG roots were born in a very small Northern California club, the Shasta Sky Sailors. It was founded in Redding in 1974. Despite being a small group, we managed to open some great sites.

Hat Creek Rim (near Mt. Lassen) is the shining example of what a handful of determined pilots can accomplish. Carved by hand and developed by us over the decades, it now hosts 3 LZs, 2 launches, expansive setup area, miles of ridge and thermal soaring, and great roads. Until we dumped our Special Use Permit this last July (a decision we made partly due to our disappointment with the USH"P"A) we had nice windsocks in every LZ and launches and a toilet at the main launch and in the most popular LZ.

I'm a firm believer that motivated pilots working with integrity on goals that actually benefit flying sites, pilots and our future, trump size. I read somewhere in this site something about "leaving your ego behind". Bingo, egos should never be the motivating factor in any action or decision.

Phil

Hello Phil!!

Welcome to the US Hawks!!!       

We're not the biggest hang gliding forum around, but we've set our sights on a higher goal. We're working to be a real hang gliding organization looking out for pilots.

We've already broken new ground by integrating local club forums into a single national forum. That's something that USHPA should have done years ago. But they can't do that because then the members might expect the USHPA leaders to actually answer their questions.    They'll never put themselves in that position, so that gives us an edge right off the bat.

If you know of any local clubs in your area, please suggest that they join us. It costs nothing to be a US Hawks Chapter, and we have had several local clubs who are both US Hawks and USHPA Chapters. Please let me know if you need any help with presenting the idea to your clubs. If the timing is right, I might be able to attend your local meeting myself to answer any questions.

Either way     ...     WELCOME AGAIN TO THE US HAWKS!!!!

[Bob Kuczewski]

I happen to know of a USH"P"A chapter that is oping out of that organization at the end of the year. I'll let them know about the US Hawks. My HG roots were born in a very small Northern California club, the Shasta Sky Sailors. It was founded in Redding in 1974. Despite being a small group, we managed to open some great sites.

That would be super!!!!

We're building the US Hawks on a club-based model. That's why each club has its own forum here on the US Hawks. The clubs themselves make the decisions regarding their forums. They choose the color schemes, they choose the sub-forum layout. They set the rules of their forum and I just carry them out. That's something that USHPA should be doing, but they're afraid of pilots actually speaking out. Hasn't it always seemed a little strange that there's no "USHPA Forum" in the electronic era?

Also, we've had (and still have) several clubs who have been both US Hawks Chapters and USHPA Chapters. So there's no conflict. It's like a buffet. You can get your insurance through USHPA and your free speech through US Hawks. As we grow, I'm hoping someday we'll be able to provide insurance as well. Then we'll actually have competition in the marketplace, and that will be good for everyone.

I'm a firm believer that motivated pilots working with integrity on goals that actually benefit flying sites, pilots and our future, trump size. I read somewhere in this site something about "leaving your ego behind". Bingo, egos should never be the motivating factor in any action or decision.

That's exactly the kind of attitude we want to foster here at the US Hawks!!! Thanks for joining us.

By the way, we'd love to hear the story behind that avatar. Can you tell us more about it?

[BigBird]

The avatar...

That's me launching the 1974 Otto Lilienthal meet in Sylmar. I was living in Redding at the time and was invited down by my HG instructor. It was one of the most memorable times in my life. I'd never seen that many glider in one place before. All the BIG names in the sport at that time were there and I rode up in a truck with Bob and Chris Wills - it was pure nirvana.

Phil

I happen to know of a USH"P"A chapter that is oping out of that organization at the end of the year. I'll let them know about the US Hawks. My HG roots were born in a very small Northern California club, the Shasta Sky Sailors. It was founded in Redding in 1974. Despite being a small group, we managed to open some great sites.

That would be super!!!!

We're building the US Hawks on a club-based model. That's why each club has its own forum here on the US Hawks. The clubs themselves make the decisions regarding their forums. They choose the color schemes, they choose the sub-forum layout. They set the rules of their forum and I just carry them out. That's something that USHPA should be doing, but they're afraid of pilots actually speaking out. Hasn't it always seemed a little strange that there's no "USHPA Forum" in the electronic era?

Also, we've had (and still have) several clubs who have been both US Hawks Chapters and USHPA Chapters. So there's no conflict. It's like a buffet. You can get your insurance through USHPA and your free speech through US Hawks. As we grow, I'm hoping someday we'll be able to provide insurance as well. Then we'll actually have competition in the marketplace, and that will be good for everyone.

I'm a firm believer that motivated pilots working with integrity on goals that actually benefit flying sites, pilots and our future, trump size. I read somewhere in this site something about "leaving your ego behind". Bingo, egos should never be the motivating factor in any action or decision.

That's exactly the kind of attitude we want to foster here at the US Hawks!!! Thanks for joining us.

By the way, we'd love to hear the story behind that avatar. Can you tell us more about it?