instructors and other qualified pilot fiends

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.chgpa.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6676
Sad News from Ridgely

John Dullahan - 2015/06/21 22:10:03 UTC

Yesterday, Ridgely had its first hang gliding fatality in 16 years of operation.

Ignoring, of course, Keavy Nenninger - 2011/07/23...




...whom nobody wants to talk about. And you get to skip Highland Aerosport's cofounder Chad Elchin - 2003/04/11 - 'cause he went down in flames on HIS Dragonfly...



...at Quest.

And Paul Vernon - 2012/06/06 - still had his brain working at five percent of what it used to be last I heard so he doesn't make the grade. Wasn't actually at Ridgely either.

10-12926
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2919/14039022660_d24ac7c976_o.png



XC two and a half miles to the north of the runway so it's not really a Ridgely issue.

John Claytor - 2014/06/02. Guess he's fine now, I'm sure we'd have heard something if he weren't.

Bertrand decided to take a short flight prior to the Highland Challenge pilot's meeting at 11:00.

Meaning a sled run? Which would also mean sled landing conditions.

Just as the meeting was to begin, Bob came in and said to hold off because Bertrand had a hard landing in the car park alongside Racetrack Road and that it might be serious.

Oh, that was across the road. So not really a Ridgely fatality either.

Witnesses said Bertrand did not appear to be in control of the glider and spiraled in all the way to impact.

The fact that he went down across the road should've been something of a tipoff. Something seriously wrong with his glider. (And parachute.)

There were paramedics at the vintage car show taking place at the park so they were on the scene almost immediately. They performed CPR to no avail.

Somebody tell me about all the times CPR has been used to avail after hang glider crashes. Red Cross First Aid and CPR certification required for Instructor certification... Load o' crap. Spend the time and energy getting trained on how to teach students how not to crash.

I had just introduced JoAnn to both Bertrand and Sammi just before he took his flight, so all of us who knew both Bertrand and Sammi are in shock. Adam and Sunny shut down flight operations immediately.

'Cept, of course, for tandems.

Local newspaper report here:

http://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/article_e2aff723-fac2-55e9-9911-33cf291ad0fa.html
Man dies in hang gliding accident - The Star Democrat - Easton, Maryland: Local

http://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/article_e2aff723-fac2-55e9-9911-33cf291ad0fa.html
Man dies in hang gliding accident - The Star Democrat - Easton, Maryland: Local[/quote]

Sgt. Frank Stanco of the Maryland State Police was the duty officer at the Easton barracks at the time. He said the aircraft appeared to be for recreational purposes.

Any updates on the Maryland State Police investigation? Have we confirmed that the aircraft was for recreational purposes? That the cause of the crash was shit happens? That the pilot was wearing a typical helmet and the cause of death was the suffering of fatal injuries?

John Dullahan - 2015/06/21 23:16:03 UTC

Betrand was an unassuming, affluent...

Yeah, he was. But don't you mean "affable"?

...outgoing, and vivacious guy who lived life to the full. He loved Sammi, his pug, vintage and modern Porsches, and flying hang gliders. He also loved flying at Highland, and spent so much time there that he recently bought a house in the vicinity.

Funny we haven't heard anything from any of the Highland Tandem Thrill Rides Corporation assholes about him, donchya think?

He and Sammi treated fellow pilots to many delicious cooked meals at Highland, including at least one during the last ECC. Many pilots asserted their gourmet hamburgers were the most delectable they ever tasted. Bertrand was a very popular guy among all who knew him and will be sorely missed.

Whereas nobody batted an eye when nasty ol' Tad - who'd been a very active member of the DC area hang gliding scene for over a quarter century, CHGA Secretary for over four years, had worked his ass off developing equipment to make towing safe, sane, and legal - got suspended for three months for life from your shitty Rooney dominated forum and banished for life from Highland for making noises about the shitty illegal practices of the aerotow cartel.

Here's an interview by Melike Ayan, a TV reporter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VARWBa8Wfu4

Brian Vant-Hull - 2015/06/22 01:58:15 UTC
Manhattan

I think most people who knew him are still too stunned to write. Once I moved to New York my flying had dropped off, and some of the magic seemed to have worn off.

Fer me to. ALL of it.

Bertrand and Sami saved me from that, re-igniting my love of flying with their joint enthusiasm. We'd go on road trips to Morningside, Greylock, Hyner, the Pulpit and Ridgely. We'd meet at his art galleries in New York, and I was sad to see them move to Ridgely though I was excited for their new life. I never got to visit their new house, where art was stored in waiting for gallery shows. Bertrand was such a generous soul, full of life and humor. He was part of my life. What I'm feeling now is emptiness and shock.

Fuck you, Brian.

Mark Cavanaugh - 2015/06/22 03:28:26 UTC

Bertrand and Sammi (and Hugo!) have been a huge part of the flying scene at Highland.

The Torrey Pines of the East.

This simply fucking sucks.

I got suspended for three months for life for saying that on your fucking sucky forum, Mister Moderator. So how come it's OK for you?

Mark Cavanaugh - 2015/06/22 04:32:59 UTC

Ah.... sorry. Getting angry doesn't do Bertrand justice.

Bertrand is/was a bon-vivant in the truest sense. He loved flying...

Like I used to?

...he loved travelling with Sammi to all kinds of flying sites, and they enjoyed the air together many times all over the US. Bertrand was the instigator of feasts and revelry at Highland. I remember the first time that I happened to be around for one of those feasts, and it was all about "Hey, join-in my friend, welcome!". And this was while putting on a spread for like twenty pilots, on just an ' average' weekend. I felt embarrassed because I wasn't contributing anything... But it wasn't about that, it was about the fact that you were a fellow pilot-in-arms.

One of the APPROVED fellow pilots-in-arms.

Bertrand was an excellent pilot, staying up when many succumb to gravity's call.

Yeah? What weak link was he using as the focal point of his safe towing system on his final lift and what were his expectations for that particular flavor of fishing line? And who was his driver? Long track record Jim Keen-Intellect Rooney?

He loved his T2C and flew the hell out of it.

Is that the glider that spiraled out of the sky with him?

Argh! I'm getting angry again.

And Bertrand and Sammi just kept the good times going. I remember one time when I walked into the kitchen area in the blockhouse, and it was like, WAY clean and shiny! I'm the last person to notice that sort of thing, or even practice anything comparable at home.... But wow, it was clear that a top-chef-class kinda guy had decided that Highland was going to be 'home'!

Fuck Highland.

And that's what it was, even to the extent that Bertrand and Sammi bought a house that's literally minutes from the flight park. When I heard about that, I was like "Wow, they'll be local, major good times ahead!". And they had all sorts of plans for his art dealership and NYC galleries.

I simply can't wrap my head around the fact that all those plans have been cut short.

Tim Bowen - 2015/06/22 17:07:10 UTC
Finksburg, Maryland

Let me first say.....tragic loss. I did not make it out to Ridgely this weekend due to family commitments, but I got a call from one of the pilots there about the accident. My heart just sunk. I am not sure I could have handled the emotions of the day.

Bertrand was one of the most likable pilots there. He would give the shirt off his back to help you. His and Sammi's generosity to everyone there was unconditional. He made a hell of a hamburger! He/they were the epitome of life. He will be sorely missed.

RIP Brother.

Guess the Ridgely guys are all still too broken up to say anything.

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=33040
Another Brother Lost - Bertrand Delacroix R.I.P.

Knut Ryerson - 2015/06/21 22:31:33 UTC
Virginia

While at Highland yesterday, a dear friend of ours, Bertrand, had a accident. Although we do not know actually what happened...

Then how do we know it was an accident?

...we do know that he will be greatly missed. He has touched so many of our lives in stories, food and laughter. That said, please keep his girlfriend Sammi and his family in your prayers.

Fer sure. Nothing like keeping girlfriends, families, friends in prayers while u$hPa gets to the bottom of things to get to the bottom of things.

Tom Low - 2015/06/22 05:13:02 UTC
Belmont, California

I am heartbroken by this news. My heart goes out to Sammi, his lady friend and fellow pilot who he has left behind. Bertrand was a very skilled flier and I'm having a hard time imagining how this happened.

If he was a very skilled flyer and towed up OK then, in sled conditions, missed the airport and spiraled in we can probably rule out skill.

I will miss you brother, as will all of us that have had the privilege to share the skies with you.

My condolences to his family and friends at Highland, Sunny and Adam are great guys and run a tight operation.

The best. Taught Jim Keen-Intellect Rooney - Pilot In Command of every glider he's ever pulled, unflagging enemy of homemade gear and test pilots, strongest advocate and enforcer of he weakest weak link in the history of aviation, friend of Davis Dead-On Straub who's been at an around all this plenty long enough to understand what's what and who's who, staunch defender of the very very reliable bent pin release which makes it easy for us to connect to thick ropes without weak links, tandem thrill ride unhooked launch survivor - everything he knows.

Sorry they have to endure the loss of one of their own.

Yeah, they're still to broken up about the loss to tell anybody either how broken up about the loss or anything about why it happened.
If he was one of their own then he'd be doing exactly what they are so then fuck him.

Jonathan Boarini - 2015/06/23 22:56:49 UTC
Las Vegas

Any information on the circumstances of the accident?

Yes.

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=28581
How to get banned from kitestrings.org ((tad drama)lol)

Tom Emery - 2013/03/12 21:57:06 UTC
San Diego

Sonora Wings, located south of Phoenix, Arizona was where I bought my Wills Wing Ultra Sport. I found Mark to be an honest, intelligent, concerned individual. I am choosy about who gets to influence my control over my life. I would have no reservations learning aero tow from him. "

How 'bout Kelly Harrison? Is there ANYBODY who doesn't find him to be an honest, intelligent, concerned individual? Any reason for anyone not to choose Kelly to influence his control over his life? Any reservations about learning to platform tow from him?

Una Bomber". Funny thing, that is what went through my mind when I went over to "Kite Strings" and read some posts. Never met the guy. No disrespect intended, but there seem to be a fair amount of bats circling inside that belfry.

Any idea how many students he's killed to date?

What impressions did you come away with when you checked out Kelly's website and got his takes on towing procedures and equipment, driver qualifications, fatal crashes, u$hPa SOPs, fixing problems in the sport, assholes to stay the fuck away from?

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=30534
Training in Phoenix

Tom Emery - 2013/12/24 15:49:48 UTC
San Diego

Bought a hang glider from Mark at Sonora Wings. He was selling it for someone else. The glider had a frayed wire at the King post pulley. Had I not spotted this upon inspection he would have sold me the glider with an obvious problem.
He agreed to order a new wire (at no cost). Six weeks went by. I called him several times. He finally got the wire. Guess what? He ordered the wrong wire.
I'd had enough. I had Rob (High Adventure) order the right wire. It was ordered and installed in under a week. Then I had an issue with reimbursement from Mark. Altogether not a very professional relationship. If he flys with as little attention as he showed me, watch out.

Apparently he does (did). So what happened to you finding him to be an honest, intelligent, concerned individual from whom you'd have no reservations about learning to aerotow?

Mark Knight - 2013/12/26 18:06:32 UTC

Tom, I just wrote and deleted my reply to you. I'm not going to comment on someone like you. You are not worth it.

So long, Mark.



Been fun.

http://www.crestlinesoaring.org/node/1095
Las Vegas Accident | Crestline Soaring Society

Tom Emery - 2015/03/30 20:28

Instead of focusing on the blame, let's respect the fact that a tragic event has left two people dead. Regardless of the "why"....and regardless of what you have heard...two of our flying community are no longer with us. Focus on that. Say a prayer. Pay your respects to the families. Be grateful for you and yours. Please.

And T** at K*** S****** seem to have a fair amount of bats circling inside HIS belfry?

Thomas Emery - San Diego - 91744 - H2 - 2012/09/20 - Rob McKenzie - FL FSL

Fuckin' under three year Rob McKenzie Hang Two with shit in the way of merit badges - two that could've been and probably WERE scored at Dockweiler on Day One, Flight One - spewing all this wisdom all over the web for the benefit of one and all.

TOTAL disrespect intended, Tom. Count on it being permanent. And take your prayers and shove 'em up your ass - Aussie Methodist douchebag.

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/article_e2aff723-fac2-55e9-9911-33cf291ad0fa.html
Man dies in hang gliding accident - The Star Democrat - Easton, Maryland: Local

2015/06/20 20:00 - Posted
2015/06/21 03:52 - Updated

Katie Willis - kwillis@stardem.com

RIDGELY - A New York man died as the result of a hang gliding accident at 11:44 a.m. Saturday, June 20, in a field next to Ridgely Airpark.

Any idea where he took off from? How he got airborne?

In a new release, Maryland State Police identified the hang glider as Bertrand Nicholas Delacroix, 49, of New York.

What information was given in the old release?

Delacroix lost control of the hang glider from the Ridgely Airpark that he was operating and crashed into the ground, according to police.

Lost control? Crashed into the ground? We got independent verification of those?
No photographs of the wreckage? Not a big enough news story to merit that sorta thing?

Chief Lou Hayes of the Ridgely Volunteer Fire Department said his department was the first to arrive on the scene and that paramedics with the Caroline County Emergency Medical Services pronounced Delacroix dead at the scene.

Hayes said the investigation was turned over to the Maryland State Police upon their arrival, which he described as instantaneous, due to Denton's Temple Lodge 128 AF & AM Masonic Lodge Car Show...

So if I'm gonna be held up at gunpoint, Denton's Temple Lodge 128 AF & AM Masonic Lodge Car Show would be a good event for it to happen because the Maryland State Police response will be instantaneous? Any other recommendations?

...which was taking place at the Ridgely Industrial Park, across the street.

Across the "street" from WHAT? Where did the fuckin' glider come down?

Sgt. Frank Stanco of the Maryland State Police was the duty officer at the Easton barracks at the time. He said the aircraft appeared to be for recreational purposes.

Any follow-up on that? Any other government agencies feel that the aircraft appeared to be for recreational purposes?

Stanco said he called the National Transportation Safety Board and alerted it to the accident, per Maryland State Police protocol, but was told it would not respond due to the aircraft not having a tail number.

- Anybody alert Highland Aerosports? Get their opinion on whether or not the aircraft appeared to be for recreational purposes? See if they might respond due to the aircraft not having a tail number? Maybe have a thought or two on an investigation?

- Did anybody ask the NSTB how they're coming on the investigation of the 2011/07/23...

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25656
The young girl who died hang gliding solo

Jim Rooney - 2012/03/06 18:34:14 UTC

ND's onto it.

No one ever wants to wait for the accident investigation... they want to know "NOW DAMNIT!" and there's always a lot of self-serving arguments surrounding it.

And it's always the same.
The same damn arguments get drug up every time. And they're all just as pointless every time.

We have a system in place.
It works.
Let it work.

Our procedures are well established at this point in time and there are no gaping hidden holes that need to be addressed immediately.

RR asked what the status was.
ND's provided the answer (thank you).

Please take a deep breath. And wait.
Accident investigations involving fatalities take a long time. And by long, I mean they can take years.
(yes, years, I'm not kidding)

The sky is not falling.

...Keavy Nenninger crash?

The tail number is an aircraft's registration number and is a unique set of numbers and letters used to identify civil aircraft.

Anybody know why there was no unique set of numbers and letters used to identify aircraft on this aircraft's tail?

Typically, hang glider pilots are secured by a harness, which is attached to the mechanical structure of the glider. The pilot then glides through the air, as the mechanical structure acts like wings for the pilot. Pilots typically use body weight to move, shift and direct the glider.

Ooh! Look, Mark!

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=32681
Tandem crash in LV (speculation thread)

Mark G. Forbes - 2015/03/30 23:29:59 UTC

Meanwhile, please refrain from offering speculation or opinion on what might have happened, what might have been theoretically done to prevent it and so on. Emotions are raw, people are hurting, and uninformed speculation doesn't help anybody. News reports are of little use since they're written by people who have no idea how our sport works or what is typical.

These news reports actually ARE of significant use as they're written by people who DO have an idea how our sport works and what is TYPICAL.

Stanco said further information was not available and that the cause of the accident had not been determined.

So when can we expect it to be DETERMINED? If this aircraft appeared to be for recreational purposes did anybody think to talk to any sources familiar with aircraft that appear to be for recreational purposes?

Mark G. Forbes - 2015/03/30 23:29:59 UTC

Hi folks,

I understand the interest in learning the cause of this, but could we please not speculate on the forum? We have a very experienced tow administrator (Mitch Shipley) headed to Las Vegas to do an accident investigation, and when we learn what really happened we'll convey that information to our members. He'll be working with two of the local instructors there to get to the truth.

Hey Mark... We got our very experienced tow administrator (Mitch Shipley) headed to Ridgely to do an accident investigation, work with any local instructors there to get to the truth? Or do you just use him to cover up child murders?

How 'bout...

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22660
What can be learned from this "scooter" towing accident?

Mitch Shipley - 2011/01/31 15:22:59 UTC

Enjoy your posts, as always, and find your comments solid, based on hundreds of hours / tows of experience and backed up by a keen intellect/knowledge of the issues when it comes to most things in general and hang gliding AT/Towing in particular. Wanted to go on record in case anyone reading wanted to know one persons comments they should give weight to.

...Jim Keen-Intellect Rooney? Looks like he'd be an even better choice, according to our very experienced tow administrator (Mitch Shipley), anyway. Where's he hangin' these days? Queenstown? Wouldn't it be worth it to fly him to Ridgely to get to the truth of this one?

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30971
Zach Marzec

Jim Rooney - 2013/02/03 10:57:17 UTC

I hate getting "that" phone call. I got it this morning.
I'm considering becoming an asshole. With all the nice people dying, it just seems safer. So kiss my ass.

I met Zach up at Morningside.
Zach was hard not to like... and hard not to like instantly.

He will be sorely missed.

Or did he just get too many of "those" phone calls and finally decide to become an asshole?

That newspaper report STINKS of cover-up.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2009/jan/05/hang-glider-86-dies-dade/202463/
Hang glider, 86, dies in Dade | Local News | Times Free Press

Staff Report - 2009/01/05

An 86-year-old veteran hang glider from Battle Creek, Mich., was killed Sunday afternoon in Dade County, according to Sgt. Matt Cole of the Dade County Sheriff's Office.

Jonas Blanton was attempting a landing in a field at 1836 Creek Road about 4 p.m. when he hit a tree and was killed instantly, Mr. Cole said.

The flight was reportedly part of Mr. Blanton's annual hang-gliding trip to Tennessee, and he had completed a tandem flight earlier in the day, Mr. Cole said.

Anybody having any trouble seeing the pattern?



Elephant?



What elephant?

[Tad Eareckson]

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42997
Binoculars + Aron Ralston

Janica Lee - 2015/06/26 13:56:04 UTC

That's probably not how he spells his name, Jaanica.

Pilots,

On The Davis Show? Get real.

Please consider putting binoculars in your car and/or permanently on launch (helpful mostly at coastal sites)...

Good luck.

...+ remember to tell someone when/where you are going flying.

A H4 with decades of experience crashed at Westlake yesterday + went unconscious. We noticed his absence after a while but could not see him or his glider anywhere from launch or from the air at Funston. It was too light to make it to Westlake to check.

But with a really good pair of binoculars...

Luckily a pedestrian found him upside down mangled on the rocks.

Did the aircraft appear to have been for recreational purposes?

It is unknown how long he was there but it was definitely over an hour. He is in surgery now.

My prayers for a full and speedy recovery. (u$hPa regulations require me to say that.)

Learn a lesson from Aron Ralston - Don't fly alone.

So much for XC and long ridge runs.

If you must, tell someone where/when you fly and when you expect to be back + call that person to let them know you are ok.

How many people are you expecting to modify their behavior in response to this advice?

Being a good pilot starts way before you hook into your wing.

But ends after...

http://www.chgpa.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1152
Bill Priday's death

Cragin Shelton - 2005/10/03 15:13:27 UTC

You are not hooked in until after the hang check.

...you've done a hang check.

*Please* fly responsibly for the sake of your friends and family.

Always use a two-string surface tow release system and typical appropriate weak link with a finished length of 1.5 inches or less and do a typical foot landing on a typical old Frisbee in the typical middle of a typical LZ.

So what do you think happened? Asymmetrical wire crew?

If it was too light to make it to Westlake he probably wasn't doing an Eric Mies rerun. Maybe scratching and experienced a typical stall inconvenience.
---
2015/06/26 21:00:00 UTC

Oh...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Ralston
THAT guy. Spelled right. Thought that was the name of the guy who crashed.
So we have a guy who three quarters killed himself down the beach from Funston yesterday - and he doesn't have a name.

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.mynews4.com/news/local/story/Pilot-of-downed-hang-glider-on-Slide-Mountain/aUG4-cfZOkuL12lTCRJoUQ.cspx
Pilot of downed hang glider on Slide Mountain found dead - My News 4 - KRNV, Reno, NV

Pilot of downed hang glider on Slide Mountain found dead

2015/06/26 13:48 - Published
2015/06/26 16:46 - Updated
2015/06/26 18:05 - Updated

RENO, Nev. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) -- According to Bob Harmon -- Public Information Officer for the Washoe County Sheriff's Office -- the pilot of a downed hang glider reported Friday afternoon has been found dead.

Around 1:30 this afternoon, authorities say Washoe County Dispatch received report of a hang glider down in the area Slide Mountain.

Washoe County Sheriff's deputies responded to the call, along with the Truckee Meadows Fire Department, Lake Tahoe Fire Department, and the Hasty team, as well as Search and Rescue crews, and RAVEN.

Through the use of RAVEN, officials say they were able to get a rescue team out to the victim.

The fire department was able to access the hand glider by use of ATVs, officials said.

Crews say they have located the victim and he is deceased; at this point, efforts turn to recovering the body and furthering the investigation.

Authorities say is a very popular area for hand gliders; many of hand gliders who recreate in this area are very experienced and there is a lot of steep, difficult terrain.

Just after 4:30 this afternoon, RAVEN left the parking lot of the Mount Rose Ski Area in an attempt to recover the body and transported it to the medical examiner for identification.

Starts out as a hang glider, morphs to a hand glider. Great job, update people. (Try reading the fuckin' headline next time.)

RENO, Nev. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) -- Crews are responding to a report of a downed hang glider on the south side of Slide Mountain.

The call came in about 1:40 p.m. Friday.
Crews have not reached the hang glider yet, Washoe county Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Iacoboni said.
Rescuers include the county's Hasty Team and its Search and Rescue Team.
Initial reports are that another glider - in the air at the time - contacted authorities via cellphone to help the other hang glider, Iacoboni said.
Further details are not immediately known, including injuries.
A News 4 crew is on the scene waiting for more information as to the status of the hang glider.

Any word yet on whether the aircraft appeared to be for recreational purposes? Anybody able to get a tail number?

http://www.mynews4.com/media/lib/167/f/6/3/f63d1968-f39b-4b71-965e-f0b6a853d14e/Original.jpg

http://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2808/33528003105_b6d316837f_o.jpg

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=33069
Fatality @ Slide Mountain Nevada

kjj3dan - 2015/06/27 04:21:15 UTC
Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Well, I was one of the three of us up at Slide today. The incident pilot launched first in very light southeast conditions. He was seen scratching along the spine and finally around the corner to the rocky slide area where we often go to find lift. But when you're low there the people on launch no longer have a visual on you; such was the case here. I helped my friend Steve (Grattan) over the rail, he launched and got ready myself. Before I could get going he radioed to me that he saw the glider down and no movement. At that point I called 911. As I said conditions were light and we only can speculate that he was scratching and got low and either caught a tip on a tree or somehow impacted on the rocks, he was right at the tree line in the rocky area at 7800. I can tell you this: he was very experienced, flying a T2 and he was a Top Gun fighter pilot instructor out at Fallon. My condolences to his family.

But when you're low there the people on launch no longer have a visual on you...

Even with binoculars?

As I said conditions were light and we only can speculate...

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30971
Zach Marzec

Jim Rooney - 2013/02/28 01:17:55 UTC

Well said Billo
I'm a bit sick of all the armchair experts telling me how my friend died.

Ah but hg'ers get so uppity when you tell them not to speculate.

Jim Rooney - 2013/03/07 18:24:58 UTC

You're the one speculating on Zack's death... not me.
Hell, you've even already come to your conclusions... you've made up your mind and you "know" what happened and what to do about.
It's disgusting and you need to stop.

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=32681
Tandem crash in LV (speculation thread)

Mark G. Forbes - 2015/03/30 23:29:59 UTC

Hi folks,

I understand the interest in learning the cause of this, but could we please not speculate on the forum? We have a very experienced tow administrator (Mitch Shipley) headed to Las Vegas to do an accident investigation, and when we learn what really happened we'll convey that information to our members. He'll be working with two of the local instructors there to get to the truth.

Meanwhile, please refrain from offering speculation or opinion on what might have happened, what might have been theoretically done to prevent it and so on. Emotions are raw, people are hurting, and uninformed speculation doesn't help anybody. News reports are of little use since they're written by people who have no idea how our sport works or what is typical.

Thanks for your understanding and patience.

Just kidding, Dan. It's only when u$hPa pigfuckers are desperate to BURY the truth about what happened that speculation is disgusting.

I can tell you this: he was very experienced, flying a T2 and he was a Top Gun fighter pilot instructor out at Fallon.

And where and how does he die.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1563
Platform Launching (PL) Draft suggestions needed

Bob Kuczewski - 2014/06/06 17:21:51 UTC

I also like that this discussion emphasizes that breaking a weak link is something that can be practiced - just like we practice stalls - so we understand how to handle them and to not be afraid of them. I had a terrifying stall experience with my instructor when I was learning to fly airplanes back in the 70s. For a long time I feared getting close to stall. As long as I feared stalls, I was not spending much time getting comfortable with them, and that didn't make me a better pilot. So there's a lot to be said for safely learning to handle the inevitable rather than trying to come up with some way to avoid the inevitable.
Nice job Bill !!!!

Is this a great sport or what!

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=33069
Fatality @ Slide Mountain Nevada

Jonathan Boarini - 2015/06/27 03:01:11 UTC
Las Vegas

Rest in Peace. This has been the worst year for the sport in my memory.

- Your memory ain't all that long.

- In terms of what? Fatalities? Serious injuries? Quality of accident reporting? Centralized control of the sport? Tandem thrill ride industry influence? Erosion of respect for free speech? Ascent of tyranny? Forum IQ? Global warming catastrophes?

Erik Boehm - 2015/06/27 16:41:11 UTC

It didn't seem that long ago that we had a Zero fatality year (or maybe it was 0 in the US, 1 in the world).... now... how many is that this year?

What has changed?

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=14312
Tow Park accidents

Jack Axaopoulos - 2009/11/12 14:49:58 UTC

gasdive,

One of the stated goals of this site is to promote HG. MOST views on this site are NOT from members but from visitors, they have no ignore button.

Having Tad run around every day giving the impression that there is a massive weekly slaughter of pilots at tow parks due to their horribly dangerous devices surely doesnt promote HG. Especially when the safety records are quite excellent.

Like Jim said, theyve gone a decade with no fatalities at their tow park. Pretty damn good I say.

Yet listening to Tad, you would think guys were dying all over the place
He's been nothing but misleading and negative and ignored multiple warnings from me. So He's GONE

Fewer people encouraged to re-read the excellent article by Mike Meier, "Why Can't We Get a Handle On This Safety Thing?".

NMERider - 2015/06/27 17:14:19 UTC

Nothing has changed and that is the crux of the problem.

The crux of the problem is optimism - people perpetually doing the same thing over and over and never ceasing to hope for better results.

Re-read Mike Meier's safety article. It's sadly and exactly on point.

Re-read Steve Pearson's excellent article on our Numero Uno generator of serious crashes and injuries and one of our top killers (think Joe Julik - 2014/09/29):

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27086
Steve Pearson on landings

Steve Pearson - 2012/03/28 23:26:05 UTC

I can't control the glider in strong air with my hands at shoulder or ear height and I'd rather land on my belly with my hands on the basetube than get turned downwind.

What percentage of landings are we seeing in which people are NOT coming in with their hands at shoulder or ear height?

This Maverick fatality Friday afternoon was a variation of that theme - slow near terrain in mildly choppy air.

Re-read:

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=31781
Another hang check lesson

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7916/31540774647_f71ed7cd5e_o.png
http://www.energykitesystems.net/Lift/hgh/TadEareckson/FTHI.pdf

Show me some videos of foot launches preceded by hook-in checks.

---
'Lift and Tug' before you get off!

Name one person who's done one hook-in check as a result of reading your newish tag line or having followed your example in the field. As long as we've got total fuckin' assholes like Tom Galvin out there pumping out students he's taught to skip hook-in checks because they give a false sense of security and total fuckin' assholes like Jack, Davis, Bob, Loopy banning people for pushing the message we won't be seeing any measurable change.

Jonathan Boarini - 2015/06/27 19:41:44 UTC

Yep, it's a great read.

Awesome. Name ONE crash it's prevented. Tell me ONE flight decision you've made that's been influenced by that article. "Well, I could PROBABLY make that next field. But if I don't... And having recently re-read Mike's great article..."

If that motherfucker actually gave a tiny fraction of a rat's ass about risk reduction he'd have done something really bold like mentioning hook-in checks and wheel landings in his owners manuals or telling us what the fuck an appropriate weak link actually is.

Dan Moser - 2015/06/28 04:49:00 UTC
Sandy, Utah

Scratching to find lift is flying near the terrain at minimum sink .. that results in minimal airspeed & altitude margin .. one bubble of unexpected air current can drill you into terra firma in the blink of an eye.
My scariest flying moments have been in that situation.

What? You didn't re-read the excellent article by Mike Meier, "Why Can't We Get a Handle On This Safety Thing?"
(http://www.willswing.com/why-cant-we-get-a-handle-on-this-safety-thing/)?

I'm very sorry for the pilot & his family & friends.

And to think... They haven't even been notified yet! I feel REALLY sorry for them.

Let's fly with some extra safety margin, shall we? please??

Here's a thought. Rig a little block-and-tackle setup in the boot of your harness to a single loop of 130 pound Greenspot. If you hit that one bubble of unexpected air current just push back on your stirrup and blow it. Instead of getting drilled into terra firma in the blink of an eye you'll be able to pull in, recover, go upright for a clean landing, give it another go. Convert a catastrophe to an inconvenience.

zamuro - 2015/06/28 05:59:20 UTC

I didn't know this pilot but my deepest condolences to his friends and family.

They don't know either. He hasn't been identified and they haven't been notified.

One thing that I wonder nowadays is age. The HG demographics getting older and older and our reflexes and abilities are not what they used to be, even if we refute to accept it. I hope this would not become a cause for more accidents
Fly safe

Bullshit.
- This guy was a fucking Top Gun instructor. He didn't slam in 'cause of Righteous Stuff Deficiency Disease.
- You show me a video of one of us geezers reacting to a situation perceptibly slower and/or less effectively because his reduced fitness.

People crash because of incompetence, stupidity, and/or dice rolling exercises. Work on those then get back to me.

[Tad Eareckson]

http://sonomawingsbb.yuku.com/topic/5764/Fatality-at-Slide
Fatality at Slide in General Discussion Forum

Glen Archer - 2015/06/27 07:59:01 UTC

Hi John,

The fatality was a good friend of mine. Since this is a public site and the family is still being contacted, I don't feel free to release the name. I was supposed to be there but couldn't because of work and was getting ready to head to Nevada when my good friend Steve Grattan texted me saying that our friend had crashed into the Slide bowl and his condition was unknown. About ten minutes later, Steve called me to tell me that it was confirmed that the victim was dead and that it appeared that he had died on impact. Steve had launched a few minutes after our friend did and flew down to the Slide bowl and found our friend's glider had crashed into the bowl just above tree line. He flew back and forth a bit and couldn't see any movement and was successful in calling emergency on his cell phone. He then went out and landed at the Slide LZ and got a ride back up to his truck. It took a while for the helicopter and rescue crews to get to the body and this process was still going on when Steve got back to his truck at launch and called me. It was only after crews reached the victim that it was discovered he was dead. I'll call Steve in a bit to see what the latest is but this has been a devastating experience. I have information regarding what may have contributed to the accident but I will not share it here.

Glen Archer - 2015/06/27 07:59:01 UTC

Glen Archer - 72764 - H3 - 2000/05/04 - Steve Bickford - FL FSL TUR

The fatality was a good friend of mine.

Then he was probably a major dickhead too and I'll be able to spare myself a lot of emotional turmoil.

Since this is a public site and the family is still being contacted, I don't feel free to release the name.

Yeah, the family might be cruising hang gliding sites in hopes of getting some clues as to where their family member might be, see his name posted here, and get a really nasty shock.

I was supposed to be there but couldn't because of work...

Bummer. Maybe if you'd been there you could've launched first and checked out the scratching conditions.

...and was getting ready to head to Nevada when my good friend Steve Grattan...

Must be really good to have all these good friends.

Steven Grattan - Nevada - 71912 - 2014/07/31 - H4 - William Cuddy - FL AWCL CL FSL RLF TUR XC - Exp: 2010/06/18

I'll call Steve in a bit to see what the latest is but this has been a devastating experience.

Any thoughts on whether or not the crash towards the bottom end the state three months ago was a devastating experience for Arys and his family? I didn't see any comments from anybody in this crowd - with the possible exception of your late Maverick buddy.

I have information regarding what may have contributed to the accident but I will not share it here.

So where WILL you share it? What pilots have you determined are worthy of this privileged information decimation? Just the ones who will suck your dick?

What happens if it goes public? The sterling image we now have of your Maverick buddy as an ace hang glider pilot will become irreparably tarnished?

Fuck you, buddy. Fuck anyone and everyone who sits on ANY crash information for ANY reason for ANY length of time beyond that evening.

John Blacet - 2015/06/27 09:33:16 UTC

Sorry to see this happen and having it be a friend.

This friendship thing you guys have going is really wonderful.

I hope the cause can be eventually shared if it would be cautionary to other pilots.

What's "eventually" mean? In hang gliding "eventually" is pretty much a synonym for "never".
Motherfucker can "share" ("privilege" the hang gliding "community" with) it right now. He CHOOSES not to.

Glen Archer - 2015/06/27 15:30:34 UTC

Correction regarding call.

Just communicated again with Steve and he clarified that I misunderstood regarding the cell phone call to authorities. On the radio, he called another pilot that was still on launch and he is the one who actually placed the cell phone call.

WHOA! Glad we got THAT cleared up.

Steve has word from a woman who was part of the team on the helicopter when the deceased pilot's body was retrieved that it was obvious that he died from a broken neck.

- Bullshit. It was a hang or para glider crash, right? He suffered fatal injuries.

- Good thing the Bob Kuczewski Mandatory Helmet At All Times While Hooked Into A Glider Regulation was in effect. No telling how serious the fatal injuries he suffered would've been otherwise.

Steve also said that while flying back and forth over the crashed glider yesterday that it was apparent that it had struck a tree near the left wing tip.

15-728
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/15310143540_63017b3361_o.png


Fuckin' Democrats and their fuckin' trees.

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=33069
Fatality @ Slide Mountain Nevada

Steve Corbin - 2015/06/28 14:09:47 UTC

Precisely why I've mellowed out. I USED to get in there and scratch with the best of 'em, but nowadays I'm launching late enough in the day to catch the gentler thermals, not scratching in quite so close, and flying a floater SS Harrier rather than a topless blade.

And that's all because you've gotten older and no longer have the reflexes and abilities to handle the kind of circumstances a younger Top Gun Maverick kinda guy can - not, of course, because you've gotten smarter.

So many accidents lately.

Oh. You know of some recent ACCIDENTS? Got any links?

I pray that this will influence everyone to maybe put the brakes on a little (or a lot).

I'll just hafta do some extra praying for the opposite then.

My heart breaks everytime this topic shows up. Almost wanna unplug the computer, I just hearing/reading about this stuff.

Might as well. I sure don't see you doing anything of any substance in a positive direction.

Please don't scratch in mid day thermals. The wind can shift suddenly, one second you're windward, the next you're lee side of that spine. Give terrain a wide berth.

And always use an appropriate weak link with a finished length of 1.5 inches or less.

Davis Straub - 2015/06/28 15:59:58 UTC

Flatland flying:
http://ozreport.com/2015BigSpringNationals.php

http://ozreport.com/rules.php
2015 Big Spring Nationals at Big Spring, Texas

2.0 EQUIPMENT

Appropriate aerotow bridles

Competitors must use appropriate aerotow bridles as determined by the Meet Director and Safety Director and their designated officials. Bridles must include secondary releases (as determined by the Safety Director). Bridles must be able to be connected to the tow line within two seconds. The only appropriate bridles can be found here:

http://OzReport.com/9.039#0
ProTow

and:
http://ozreport.com/9.041#2
More Protows



Pilots who have not already had their bridles inspected during the practice days must bring their bridles to the mandatory pilot safety briefing and have them reviewed. Pilots with inappropriate bridles may purchase appropriate bridles from the meet organizer.

And make sure you only use the really great appropriate aerotow bridles that Davis sells.


http://ozreport.com/pub/images/fingerlakesaccident2.jpg
http://ozreport.com/pub/images/fingerlakesaccident3.jpg


And make sure those really great appropriate bridles that Davis sells include really great appropriate secondary releases that Davis sells...

05-215

07-300

08-301

09-304

11-311

15-413


You absolutely need a really great appropriate Plan B that Davis sells in case the really great appropriate Plan A that Davis sells doesn't work.

If you don't have any of this really great appropriate stuff that Davis sells don't worry. He'll be more than happy to sell it to you at the special Big Spring competition price.

And make sure you only use...

Weaklinks

Pilots must use weaklinks provided by the meet organizers and in a manner approved by the meet organizers. All weaklinks will be checked and use of inappropriate weaklinks will require the pilot to go to the end of the launch line to change the weaklink.

Weaklinks should be placed at one end of a shoulder bridle. The tow forces on the weaklink will be roughly divided in half by this placement. Pilots will be shown how to tie the weaklink so that it more likely breaks at its rating breaking strength.

...the really great appropriate weak links provided by the meet organizers and in the manner approved by the meet organizers.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bRrpHNa68iY/UQ6Pv9gRZyI/AAAAAAAAjTg/Hc22bx5122Q/s2048/20943781_BG1.jpg


They'll show you how to tie them so that they more likely break at their rating breaking strength. And having a hang glider weak link that more likely breaks at its rating breaking strength is more likely critical...

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42848
USHPA releases accident report

Davis Straub - 2015/06/18 18:57:51 UTC

The purpose of a hang glider weaklink is to reduce your risk of bad consequences.

...to its purpose of reducing your risk of bad consequences.

Any of you motherfuckers stupid enough to hand his status as Pilot In Command of his aircraft and balls over to Davis and the other total fucking douchebags running that show deserves anything and everything that happens to him - and I'll be nothing short of ECSTATIC *WHEN* it does - AGAIN.

Anybody who would submit to crap like that deserves to have his rating immediately and permanently revoked.

2015/06/28 16:15:07 UTC - Sink This! -- Paul Hurless
2015/06/28 18:47:16 UTC - Sink This! -- gluesniffer
2015/06/28 19:05:10 UTC - Sink This! -- NMERider
2015/06/29 00:19:16 UTC - Sink This! -- chetwynd

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=33069
Fatality @ Slide Mountain Nevada

Michael Grisham -2015/06/28 18:33:16 UTC
Las Vegas

Big Spring, TX - May 5, 2015

Where ever you fly, be careful.

And always use an appropriate weak link with a finished length of 1.5 inches or less to reduce your risk of bad consequences. Only precision fishing line has the ability to evaluate your range of consequences and make the best decision in the interest of your safety. Which is a bit ironic given that the manufacturer's purpose is to maximize the probability and severity of bad consequences for the fish.

2015/06/28 19:05:30 UTC - Sink This! -- NMERider
2015/06/28 20:23:15 UTC - Sink This! -- Paul Hurless

gluesniffer - 2015/06/28 18:36:58 UTC

Magenta and strub. This is the wrong thread to be posting ads. Have some respect
Edit: 2015/06/28 20:33:40 - sorry magenta, didn't know that was a link. I'm colorblind. I took my thumbs down back.

Oh. THAT's what "NA" means.

I rarely use them.

Prayers to our...

...still unidentified...

...fallen sky brother...

2015/06/28 19:05:21 UTC - 3 thumbs up - NMERider

Michael Grisham - 2015/06/28 19:33:43 UTC

No ads from me. Just pointing out the dangers of flat land flying verses mountain flying (open the link). Towing scares me.

But the thought of foot launching unhooked... No problem.

I only offer we should all be careful no matter what and where we fly.

We don't actually hafta be competent, following solid procedures, properly equipped, shit like that... Just careful.

I know when I am in the air under a Hang Glider, that is the most alive I feel.

And thank you so very much for all the work you've done on my behalf to preserve the opportunities for experiencing that feeling.

Nature's laws and the elements are unforgiving.

That's why we have great folk like Davis Dead-On Straub and Jim Keen-Intellect Rooney making all our important decisions for us. They're all that stand between us and reality.

I don't feel free. I feel alive. There are risks in what we do...

Primarily having great folk like Davis Dead-On Straub and Jim Keen-Intellect Rooney making all our important decisions for us.

...but that is the price of being alive and living.

On behalf of everyone on the planet I thank you for defining those terms.

I do offer my condolences to family and friends...

Keep it down a bit, dude. The family hasn't been notified yet and only the very best of his friends know his identity.

...keep on living and continue to be alive and fly.

Why don't you get a seat on the Bob Show Fake Board of Directors and put in a word or two on my behalf during my Expulsion Fake Review.

I just lost my first sister two weeks ago, so I know the grief. It was out of the blue.

Tad-O-Link? Straight pin release? Ground a sidewire into a sharp rock doing a preflight load test? Lifted her wing into the turbulent jet stream just prior to launch? Clipped the fence doing a low turn onto final? Stayed prone and flew headfirst into a boulder?

The first week I was in denial. The second week I kept asking myself "why did it have to happen". I'm going to keep on living. My poor parents in their late eighties just lost their first child and their youngest a week later is out Hang Gliding. In those flights I was making good decisions. I went eye to eye with a Golden Eagle thirty feet off my wing tip flying straight with me. He rolled his head to eye ball me, checking me out. He then dove ahead, turned in front to cross my path, then disappeared above me. Fly like an eagle.

Butch Peachy had a young one kill himself on his wing in a similar encounter at Blossom.

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=32964
Hawk Harassment Turbulence Bad Bailout
2015/06/06 03:47:52 UTC

Keep Living, but be careful.

And thanks again for all the work you've done protecting the rights of the people who've dedicated their flying careers to minimizing the catastrophes and maximizing the airtime and positive experiences.

2015/06/28 20:34:53 UTC - 3 thumbs up - gluesniffer