The Bob Show

[Tad Eareckson]

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/11/17 07:57:20 UTC
Re: reply

Tad,

You never answered my question...
Do you really consider your forum to be a place for:
"honest, civilized, respectful, rational discussion about hang gliding issues and problems" ?
Is that what you really think you have at KiteStrings?

Bob

Here's your first note uninterrupted by my responses:

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/11/12 10:30:03 UTC

Re: Java Program: Window1.java

Hi Tad,

In your forum, you wrote this regarding someone else who'd joined KiteStrings:

What was your purpose for registering on Kite Strings? To have an honest, civilized, respectful, rational discussion about hang gliding issues and problems? I rather doubt it 'cause I've never seen you participate in any of the critical discussions on any of the mainstream forums.

I think you misspelled "participate".

But aside from that, I don't think too many people would go to KiteStrings for "rational" discussions, and they CERTAINLY wouldn't go there for "civilized, respectful" discussions. Really, what were you thinking when you wrote that?

I missed any parts where you asked me either:

Do you really consider your forum to be a place for:

"honest, civilized, respectful, rational discussion about hang gliding issues and problems" ?

or:

Is that what you really think you have at KiteStrings?

Maybe you could point them out for me.

The question *I* saw that you asked me was:

Is that what you really think you have at KiteStrings?

What part of my response were you having the most trouble understanding?

Want me to answer the new crap?

- What the fuck do you care? You don't read it and have zero interest in the issues we deal with.

- Goddam right I do.

- That's what I bloody well KNOW *WE* have at Kite Strings. Here's the proof:

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24846
Is this a joke ?

Kinsley Sykes - 2011/08/31 11:35:36 UTC

Well actually he didn't. But if you don't want to listen to the folks that actually know what they are talking about, go ahead.
Feel free to go the the tow park that Tad runs...

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

Kinsley Sykes - 2013/02/09 23:49:42 UTC

I have the greatest respect of Paul and Mark and their willingness to share what they know. I have zero respect for those who are using a tragedy to advocate a particular position, particularly when there is no proven link between their point and this accident.

Kinsley Sykes - 2013/02/11 17:46:12 UTC

Because this has been beaten to death - google Tad Eareckson and try to read the mind-numbing BS. Most of the folks who have been towing for decades have worked this stuff out.

The reason for the vehemence of the response is they pile on to any AT accident, with no knowledge of the cause, and trot out the, if only he had a strong weaklink, nothing would have happened.

It's fine to want to work on better solutions to make us all safer by improving technology, it's ugly and inhuman to use the death of a really nice guy to advance your point... in case it wasn't obvious I agree with Bart and Jim, and no it's not a lack of english comprehension - he said there would have been a different outcome with a stronger weaklink.

Kinsley Sykes - 2013/02/17 16:04:16 UTC

Deltaman and Zach seem to be jumping on Jim for not using facts.. while not using RELEVANT facts to make their case.. When these guys agree with themselves on a forum where they all talk to each other, (http://www.kitestrings.org/forum2.html) no big deal, but I worry that folks will read the lack of response as some sort of endorsement of these positions. Actually, if you are on the fence, but think maybe these "strong weaklink" guys have a point, please go to that forum and read through it. Then see if you want to trust your life to their theories..

Kinsley Sykes - 2013/02/18 14:32:01 UTC

Overall this actually makes some sense...

We fuckin' demolished Jim Keen-Intellect Rooney and all the slimeballs in his camp in February and March.

And who the fuck are you to complain about not answering questions? Any time YOU get asked a question after you've painted yourself into a corner you go deaf as a post and stay that way. I asked you half a dozen questions in my previous post that you totally ignored - of necessity. You don't have the integrity or balls to respond to my stuff.

Now... Either these two guys on your forum:

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=727
Input from Tad please.

Bill Cummings - 2011/07/30 18:52:14 UTC

If pilots only read as far as this it will undoubtedly prevent and injury and possibly a towing death. (So read on.)

Thank you, Tad, for taking the time to answer my question. My plan will be to read and re-read the links on your post.

Thank you, Bob K., for setting up this message board. Tad's posts address many other problematic towing issues and comes up with well thought out solutions.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=745
Scooter Tow Crash

Bill Cummings - 2011/08/06 19:59:36 UTC

Bob,

I've spent a good bit of time studying Tad's links some of which can be found on:

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=727
Input from Tad please.

I've seen a lot of towing ideas and equipment over my 33 years of towing hang gliders and being towed in hang gliders.

The procedures and equipment that Tad advocates, to me, look to be the best.

Anyone that has a sharp eye for safety will take some time to study his posts.

It took me a while to go over his "message" because as a "messenger" I was reluctant to put up with the aggravation, angst, contentiousness, leaving me in a complete state of pissedawcity. (NEW WORD I JUST ADDED TO MY SPELL CHECKER!)

My least favorite method of towing is Aero Towing! My most favorite way of towing is Platform Towing.

Hooking myself to any kind of bridle that requires it to unthread to separate me from the towline leaves me with the least amount of joy of all forms of towing!

If you put a gun to my head and said, "Aero Tow!" I would want Tad's gear.

Not the mandatory bent barrel pins and green spot weaklinks at most of the Aero Tow parks.

But Hey! That's just me!

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=929
Training Manual Comments / Contribution

Warren Narron - 2012/01/06 18:55:32 UTC

Going against the grain here, but someone has to point out that the probable best candidate to write a training manual has been banned from this site.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=929
Training Manual Comments / Contribution

Bill Cummings - 2012/01/10 14:04:59 UTC

Tad's procedures for Aero towing should become part of any training manual.
Tad must have put hour upon hour of gathering together his written procedure.
I come very close to total agreement with Tad's procedure and we are not far apart on weaklink strength.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=992
Continuing Saga of Weak Link and Release Mechanism Failures

Warren Narron - 2012/03/04 16:03:16 UTC

No one wants to admit they are wrong and Tad Eareckson, is right.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=992
Continuing Saga of Weak Link and Release Mechanism Failures

Warren Narron - 2012/03/06 02:26:04 UTC

Tad, used to post about as nice as anyone, and nicer than some. Remember?

Blowback... You put in a thousand plus hour$, tooling, te$ting and documenting safety issues for the masses and have it ignored and suppressed by people, for whatever reason, and you would get testy too.
You're fairly snarky as it is, and you haven't done the work...

And you may be correct about the footnote... but today's footnotes are now hyperlinks...

There is a good chance that from now on, for every incident and fatality caused by insufficient weaklinks or sub-standard release mechanisms, a hyperlink trail will lead back to Tadtriedtowarnyou.com ... where all the evidence can be found.

A further link could then go to a list of all the people and the role they played in the suppression of those safety issues...
Who would like to be on that list?
How many are already on it?

...are on target or this scummy piece of shit:

http://www.shga.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=3840
[TIL] About Tad Eareckson

Orion Price - 2013/03/14 02:30:05 UTC

Yea, someone else pointed that out to me. That's some weird stuff. A window into the mind of a madman. In 80+ page colored ASCII texts he starts calling other designs and people "insane." I noticed on his tow treatise he keeps mentioning the word "strength." And referred to the "G" rating of weak links and ropes.

And I was all:



Might of has well mention the number in inches of water in of gallon, or how many volts are in a pound. A clear demonstration of ignorance involving simple concepts.

Some times, in life, you get left with the short end of the stick. And sometimes, in Tad Earecson's case, holding an empty sack. Literally. The man has no testicles.

with your buddy Joe Greblo's name on his card is. And you aligned yourself with and gave aid and comfort from that vile lying little punk. And then you've got the fuckin' GALL to make smartass cracks about the civility of Kite Strings.

GAWD it took me a long time to see through your crap and size you up for what you really are. You did a pretty good job of draining off a pretty fair chunk of this part of my life. But I DID learn my lesson from that one but good - and nobody's ever gonna get away with a milligram's worth of that crap with me ever again.

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=929
Training Manual Comments / Contribution

Nobody - 2012/01/13 06:31:22 UTC

http://energykitesystems.net/Lift/hgh/TadEareckson/ATGuidelines.pdf

Have you ever written anything like this Bob?

Bob Kuczewski - 2012/01/13 06:41:31 UTC

I've been working as a professional engineer since 1983. What do you think?

I think you're totally full of shit. That document was a set of operational guidelines for aerotowing - much of it taken or adopted from previous USHGA documents - and didn't have shit to do with engineering.

So your response was essentially a lie. You were implying that you had at least given it a skim and that you've been writing stuff of similar quality for the better part of three decades - while, of course, being very careful to not actually answer the question so as not to open yourself up to a clear cut perjury charge.

And furthermore...

There've a lot of contributions to hang gliding, good, bad, neutral, by the regular weekend warrior types - for whom your despicable Rooney buddy always expresses so much contempt - who had ideas, put them together in basements, garages, and kitchens, and got them into the air. The Brooks and Lake Bridles and launch dollies were real biggies in this department.

You've got this ROT:

What will keep the US Hawks from becoming another USHPA or HGAA?

You will ... hopefully. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Everyone has to do their part once in a while. If you see something that's not being done correctly, then it's your duty to speak out. One big difference between the US Hawks and other organizations is that the US Hawks really does honor the free speech of its members.

on your website. And since 2013/06/15 there have been two atrocities at Mission Soaring Center - one a lucky escape from a near fatality and another a young student seriously injured. And in the discussions it was revealed/discovered that the operation was so shoddy that even a lot of Jack Show assholes were outraged and spoke out in no uncertain terms.

So if you've been working as a professional engineer since 1983 have you seen absolutely NOTHING being done incorrectly enough to have a duty to be speaking out about? Rooney Links, Birrenators, bicycle brake levers velcroed onto downtubes, bent pin backup releases, carabiners reversed for aerotowing, elastic towlines, backup loops, Wills Wing nose attachments which fall off in the course of ground handling.

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=17603
Some [maybe old] thoughts about Failure to Hook In

Bob Kuczewski - 2010/06/09 21:24:48 UTC

Lots of good thoughts. I suspect you may be a newer pilot because that's the perspective that asks the simplest question: "Why not?".

It's also a coincidence because I've had some similar thoughts. I gave some serious thinking to a simple battery/LED circuit that would go through a jumper that could only be shorted by a little tiny connector attached to your harness. So the only way to complete that circuit (and light the LED) was to have that connector attached. The launch rule is very simple. You don't launch unless the LED is lit. In the simplest configuration, the LED just stays on throughout the flight, but if battery drain is an issue, you could have a way to disconnect the jumper after launch. For a few pennies more you could even have it on an electronic timer (555 or similar) so it goes out after 10 minutes. The basic system would cost less than $5 and just be an LED, resistor, batteries, wire, jumper, jumper pins, and tape. The timer system might cost another $5 at most. There are lots of variations that include a switch on the harness or some other means to turn it on and off.

How many of those gizmos have you built and put into circulation in the past three years? There've been a bunch of unhooked launches including a couple of fatals since then.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1157
Accident information please.

Warren Narron - 2013/02/12 02:41:34 UTC

This is not really an accident

Bob Buxton accident
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2oeb0nNIKs
Scott Buxton - 2013/02/10
dead
http://www.kitestrings.org/post5902.html#p5902
016-04308
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/13746342624_c9b015f814_o.png


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/13746340634_a74b33d285_o.png
022-04610

This is hard to watch.
Who is the winch operator?

Warren Narron - 2013/02/12 03:09:12 UTC

This happened early October and has been kept quiet till now?

Bob may try to take all the blame for this but that's not the way I see it.
Bob knew he was in trouble long before the 'safety' man in the truck knew it.
If he had a release that would have worked without taking his hands off the control bar, he could have saved himself. I can't imagine how long it must have seemed waiting for the safety man to cut him some slack...

Warren Narron - 2013/02/13 02:19:21 UTC

Ok, I'm walking back my previous knee jerk comment. I regret and am sorry for pointing fingers of blame as it's now come out that these were build partners of a new system and the winch man wasn't any more experienced than Bob. I was reading into the story that Bob was getting instruction from an established operator. This was a horrible mistake and ultimately Bob the pic, paid the price. I wish him the best in recovery. There, but for the grace of God, go I.

I'm sticking with my other comments about the obvious piece of crap release Bob was using. If he could have released without taking his hands off the basetube, this disaster could have been averted.

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/02/13 05:15:02 UTC

I agree with you Warren. This is one of the areas where Tad is on the right track.

Was developing a truck tow release that could be blown with both hands on the basetube beyond your capabilities or not worth your time? If you had put five percent of the time and effort into developing such a release that you did in attempting to undermine, marginalize, and humiliate me could you have come up with something that would've kept that guy's life from being destroyed?

If we move the clock back to the Dickenson wing and populate hang gliding development entirely with Bob Kuczewski clones... ...what would the sport look like? If we took all of your engineering contributions to hang gliding and multiplied their evolutionary value by a couple thousand where would we be?

I'm guessing we'd be lucky to have stripped twigs to use for extracting termite snacks from their mounds 'cause each Bob clone would be totally focused on grabbing as much power as possible by undermining and fucking over all the other Bob clones.

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/02/13 05:15:02 UTC

I agree with you Warren. This is one of the areas where Tad is on the right track.

1. That wasn't just a right track. I actually adapted, invented, built, made plans available for equipment and got it into circulation.

2. What are the other areas, Bob?

3. Name some other people - outside of Tad's Hole in the Ground - who are making significant contributions to the sport's technology and conduct.

[Tad Eareckson]

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/12/04 07:35:04 UTC

Re: reply

Hi Tad,

Hi Bob.

I've read some of your recent posts...

Good. I read - or at least skim - ALL of your posts. For example... I read your posts in threads like:

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1385
Bob Kuczewski Speaks up for Pilot Oversight at Torrey Pines

and I briefly drop my guard enough to think: "Good job, Bob. You're doing with San Diego and the Torrey Pines Gliderport what I'm doing with the FAA, USHGA, and the aerotow industry - standing up to grotesquely corrupt commercial interests who've hijacked control of flying and flying opportunities from the recreational hang glider pilot."

But then my brain kicks back in, I run the math, and I realize that THE ONE THING that would unite you and your Jebb and Marien buddies would be Yours Truly showing up to make a few runs along the sacred cliff. Y'all would be the best of friends for the ten minutes it would take you to figure out some way to have me eliminated to make the park "a safe place for people of varying ages to visit".

...and I'm sorry you're so bitter about what's happened.

I'm not so bitter about "WHAT'S HAPPENED" - I'm so bitter about WHAT *YOU* DID - and continue to do at every opportunity:

http://www.shga.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=3840
[TIL] About Tad Eareckson

And, trust me dude, I understand what you did and continue to do to me and why a lot better than you understand what you did and continue to do to me and why.

The only thing I can offer is that I tried my best to make it come out better for you...

Really?

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=883
What will keep the US Hawks from becoming another USHPA or HGAA?

Bob Kuczewski - 2012/03/14 15:15:03 UTC

There are lots of things to learn from Tad's case. I am not convinced that I did the best thing and I think it's good to talk about other alternatives.

Are you SURE?

Try your best to make something come out as crappy as possible for me. See how that works out.

...but you refused.

That's OK, Bob. I did what was necessary to make things come out for me as best as they were going to - given who/what I was dealing with. I've had TONS of experience playing that game and I'm WAY better at it than you'll ever hope to be.

I'm glad you're happy on KiteStrings...

Where the fuck did you get the impression that I'm "happy" on Kite Strings - or anywhere else? I haven't been in any state remotely resembling happiness for over 27 years. And I loved hang gliding and active participation in it half a dozen times a year - but that too was taken away from me four and a half years ago by sleazebags such as yourself using the same despicable and transparent tactics. So now I'm REALLY ostracized, isolated, lonely, depressed, miserable.

...and maybe that's working out for the best anyway.

For you and Sam, fer sure. For Terry...

http://www.theleakeystaronline.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/uncleTerry3.jpg


...not so much. The guy was totally clueless but he wasn't evil and didn't deserve to have that happen to him - not that you actually give a rat's ass.

As I've said many times (and you're welcome to quote me yet again)...

I'm welcome to quote anybody on anything as many times as I want.

...I think you have some good ideas...

You THINK *I* have some good IDEAS?

Bob Buxton accident
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2oeb0nNIKs
Scott Buxton - 2013/02/10
dead
http://www.kitestrings.org/post5902.html#p5902
016-04308
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/13746342624_c9b015f814_o.png


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/13746340634_a74b33d285_o.png
022-04610

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1157
Accident information please.

Warren Narron - 2013/02/13 02:19:21 UTC

I'm sticking with my other comments about the obvious piece of crap release Bob was using.
If he could have released without taking his hands off the basetube, this disaster could have been averted.

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/02/13 05:15:02 UTC

I agree with you Warren. This is one of the areas where Tad is on the right track.

1. You THINK that in emergency situations you actually need TWO hands continuously on the basetube to maximize control of the glider and that a release actuator that requires one of them to come off might as well be on the moon? That with Pagen endorsed equipment the best you can do is resist the lockout as much as possible and wait for the inevitable impact?

I got news for ya', Bob... Very little of the nuts and bolts stuff on Kite Strings can be categorized as MY *IDEAS*. Most of it...

Manned Kiting
The Basic Handbook of Tow Launched Hang Gliding
Daniel F. Poynter
1974

"Never take your hands off the bar." - Tom Peghiny
"The greatest dangers are a rope break or a premature release." - Richard Johnson
"A bad flyer won't hurt a pin man but a bad pin man can kill a flyer." - Bill Bennett

...dates back to years before my entry into the sport. Hell, most of it is ten year old kid common sense stuff.

And you think it's an accident or product of progressive evolution that prior to 1981 virtually one hundred percent of release actuators were basetube mounted, well engineered, and one hundred percent reliable and since 1991 - right after the introduction of the Dragonfly - they've been commercially nonexistent in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and that there's no real safety advantage to having them as such because your fishing line will break before you can get into too much trouble?

2. Tell me just how much the sport of hang gliding has benefitted from what you have to offer...

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=929
Training Manual Comments / Contribution

Bob Kuczewski - 2012/01/13 06:41:31 UTC

I've been working as a professional engineer since 1983. What do you think?

...by virtue of your aeronautical engineer degree and ability to run Navier-Stokes equations. Do ever feel the tiniest bit of remorse for not having done shit to help get into circulation the two hundred bucks worth of hardware it would've taken to prevent that poor ol' guy's brain from being mushed? Just kidding.

...but you poison them with your bitterness.

1. The few people who wanna do something positive for this sport don't give flying fucks about my bitterness.

2. The totally vile shit that you pulled on me over the course of most of 2011 and beyond didn't do a whole helluva lot to diminish my level of bitterness.

3. It's a pretty good bet that anybody who starts wading into this war against establishment hang gliding scum like Dennis Pagen, Matt Taber, Trisa Tilletti, Davis Straub, Adam Elchin, Jim Rooney, Peter Birren, Mark Dale is gonna become increasingly bitter.

4. You worried about my bitterness? Try reducing the frequency with which you refer to me as "an unrepentant child molester" and minding your own fucking business.

Whether you like it or not we're in a state of war - not 'cause you're worth bothering with individually but because of what you represent - that's gonna end no sooner than the point at which I either die or deteriorate to around Sam level with the ravages of Alzheimer's. BUT... I'm not gonna fight dirty - the way you do.

You either understand - or are fully capable of understanding - the physics of hang gliding. Both of us are capable of explaining to Zack why Ryan is full of shit on the issue of how camera mounting affects glider trim...

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=821
Fatal hang gliding accident

...and you can illustrate it better than I can.

You make statements like:

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=463
Davis Straub's "Oz Report" Conflict of Interest

2011/02/18 03:17:00 UTC

Tad, you're very prolific, and you make lots of good points. I'm not surprised that anyone who disagrees with you would want to ban you ... rather than actually debate you. That's the price of being too competent.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=463
Davis Straub's "Oz Report" Conflict of Interest

2011/02/24 16:08:00 UTC

Actually, your writing, comprehension, logic, and questioning is excellent as well (in my opinion).

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=646
Failure to Hook In

2011/04/28 15:29:19 UTC

I've been having a good discussion with Tad Eareckson about hook in failures. The discussion has been mostly over the phone. Tad has some solid ideas about verifying hook in just prior to launch, and they're worth reading. Here's a link to some of his discussions on "KiteStrings":

http://kitestrings.prophpbb.com/topic9.html

Thanks for your work, Tad.

But you go over to Grebloville and ally/align yourself with a Davis wannabe piece o' shit like Orion Price and sit happily by while it makes statements like:

http://www.shga.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=3840
[TIL] About Tad Eareckson

Orion Price - 2013/03/11 15:12:28 UTC

He is a self proclaimed "engineer" and inventor of Rube Goldberg tow bridles. As you can see his elegant designs are a huge commercial success sweeping the industry. His explanation of how his bridles work indicated he doesn't have any education on the subject.

Orion Price - 2013/03/13 05:52:48 UTC

Tad really has no testicles. He says he had one surgically removed. However we all know they took both out.

I really don't give a shit about anybody's testicles or assholes like that who have them as primary assets but I wouldn't tolerate anybody making allegations that you were incapable of doing the math. UNWILLING - fer sure. But not INCAPABLE.

Ever hear the "a man is known by the company he keeps" thing, Bob? Keep on palling up with your OPs, Peter Birrens, and Sam Kellners. See where it gets you.

Also...

I'm not gonna allow you to sabotage discussions the way you did on your forum and the way you were doing here when I permanently pulled your plug. BUT... I'm gonna continue to meet every attack you make on me wherever and not ignore inconvenient points and questions the way you always have and always will.

This thread here has 223 posts and fifteen hits shy of fourteen thousand as of this one. How many times have you quoted me or addressed any of my points on you're little perpetual-dictatorship-posing-as-a-democracy in the nearly two years since you made it a safe place for people of varying ages to visit?

And...

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=821
Fatal hang gliding accident

Bob Kuczewski - 2011/11/13 15:34:27 UTC

Look "Nobody", I've coddled Tad for nearly a year now, and he's still a loose cannon. He's probably one of the biggest reasons that this site hasn't been embraced by many of the pilots who want to see a better version of USHPA. I'm beginning to think that I've wasted my time with Tad and that I'm wasting my time with you as well.

How's that been going? Were you able to handle the huge influx of pilots who rushed to embrace your site to help it become a better version of USHPA? At the rate of growth you've been experiencing since you tossed the loose cannon overboard and made The Bob Show a safe place for people of varying ages to visit how many more months do you think it's gonna take you to surpass USHPA's membership - or at least establish an elected board?

Kite Strings is pretty much a stated dictatorship but it's always been a lot less of one than The Bob Show is ever likely to be.

[Tad Eareckson]

Hey Bob...

Around 16:10 local here in the East I got a call on the landline IDed only as "California". Figured it was spam and copied it down for a Google search. Then the cell phone lit up with the same number. And when I googled it I found out - as you know - it was you.

Sorry, but I don't wanna talk to you on the phone. And that's not out spite or to be extra nasty but primarily because I can't afford to have an unrecorded conversation with you.

You've distorted, misrepresented, taken out of context statements I've made in print left and right in the past and done the same thing with phone conversations. When you do that with the print stuff it's a real time costly pain in the ass but I can defend myself and keep the record straight - for anybody with the interest and ability to read it (which excludes all the members of your fan club). With the phone conversation - I've got nothing.

You wanna talk... fine. You got something new and/or honest to say, I'll address it. But it's gotta be in print - e-mail or on your forum.

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1
Hello US Hawks!!

korbetfly - 2013/05/30 05:35:25 UTC

Hi My name is Kory I'm a active Pilot from the Portland Oregon area. I have only been flying hang gliders for 3 years now and fly every chance I get. I have to thank Roger H for having the US hawks link as his sig line on a local hg list or I might not have found this place.

Now that you've found it what are you planning on doing with it?

Any way thank for starting this page and Good Air to all!

Not much, apparently. That was your first and last post.

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/05/30 06:02:20 UTC

Welcome to the US Hawks Kory!!!

We're not the biggest hang gliding forum on the web, but we do try harder!!

1. Who's "WE", Bob?
2. Yeah, to become the biggest hang gliding forum on the web - and nothing else.

If you look around, you'll find lots of experience and some very good people on this forum.

Top notch chaps like Charles Schneider, Sam Kellner, Peter Birren.

Please feel free to post any questions or comments any time. You'll find us happy to help.

We don't have a fuckin' clue what we're doing or talking about but we'll be happy to help. And if that doesn't work out...



One of these totally awesome dudes will put a personalized license plate with YOUR NAME on it on a scooter tow trailer!

I also want to give a BIG THANKS to Rodger for putting that link in his signature line!!!

Way to go Rodger!!!

Bill Cummings - 2013/05/30 17:20:18 UTC

Welcome aboard Kory

To a forum which is a safe place for people of varying ages - except, of course, for 66 - to visit.

groundeffect - 2013/06/19 22:43:12 UTC

Hello all,
Bob thanks for allowing me onboard.

For ALLOWING you on board? If Bob had a soul he'd sell it to bump the registrants list up one notch.

I'm a re-born HG pilot. I started in the 70's with a Seagull and a prayer and quit after one year. I started back a few years ago. Trained at LMFP and now fly a Horizon 180.

Richard

Sam Kellner - 2013/06/20 01:36:44 UTC

A big welcome to Kory and Richard

Please participate in the forum discussions and post your flying activities.

And for the love o' Jesus don't post anything about restricting the rights of USHGA, manufacturers, flight parks, schools, instructors, clubs, individual flyers to violate all the guidelines, standards, requirements, regulations they feel like and kill anyone they choose with no accountability whatsoever.

Hey! Richard "a Seagull and a prayer" right, me too.

With a big emphasis on the prayer - 'cause rational thought processes are way out of his league.

LMFP

Lockout Mountain Flight Park - 2009/07/12

GT Manufacturing Inc. (GT) and Lookout Mountain Flight Park Inc. (LMFP) make no claim of serviceability of this tow equipment. There is no product liability insurance covering this gear and we do not warrant this gear as suitable for towing anything.

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=22540
LMFP release dysfunction

Diev Hart - 2011/07/14 17:19:12 UTC

I have had issues with them releasing under load. So I don't try to release it under a lot of load now.

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=20756
How is Zach Etheridge doing?

Bob Flynn - 2011/02/04 11:26:34 UTC

Lookout keeps this kind of stuff under their hat. You never hear of accidents there. But every time I go there, I hear about quite a few. Blown launches, tree landings, etc.

What area are you in at this time?

Smilieville.

Again Welcome,
Sam Kellner

groundeffect - 2013/06/20 14:23:16 UTC

Sam,

I'm stuck in Dothan, Alabama at present time. I drive five and a half hours to do what I love. Wish there was somewhere closer.

I wish there were some place safe, competent, and ethical.

Quest in Florida is about the same distance but I prefer the mountains.

I prefer places where towing into a powerful thermal at a hundred feet isn't a death sentence, hook-in checks regulations are taught and adhered to, students aren't forced to fly upright and foot land, and the people running the shows aren't total sleazebags.

Joe Faust - 2013/06/20 14:40:37 UTC

groundeffect,
Fellow early 70s Seagull III boy here. That 5.5 hr there and back for 11 hours? Do you camp overnight?
Do you enjoy the takeoff?
Do you enjoy the landing?
Are you pretty smooth on your feet for the wing running?
Consider closer-to-home mimi-mini slope that just lets the take-off and the landing to occur.

That'll acclimate you to flying aerotow with Rooney Links.

But have Safe-Splat going that really works. Even the best of runners and wing runners ...given enough time will have stumble; one stumble without Safe-Splat can ruin years of readiness. Tissue cost.

If you stay prone with both hands on the basetube it's physically impossible to stumble, right?

Welcome to USHAWKS community!

Cult.

groundeffect - 2013/06/20 14:57:20 UTC

Hi Joe,

I loved that Seagull. I put myself in the trees with it once. I got down with no help and no damage to me or glider. That's not why I stopped flying though.

I have never camped at LMFP but I try to stay on the LZ where all the action is.

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=18777
Accident - Broken Jaw - Full Face HG Helmet

Keith Skiles - 2010/08/28 05:20:01 UTC

Last year, at LMFP I saw an incident in aerotow that resulted in a very significant impact with the ground on the chest and face. Resulted in a jaw broken in several places and IIRC some tears in the shoulder.

Lookout's ramp is great, I have no problems on takeoffs...

Steve Davy - 2013/09/28 21:53:37 UTC

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=30003
Low Save

Paul Edwards - 2013/09/26 13:11:14 UTC

I hooked in to launch at about 1:30. Just then it started tailing a little bit. I waited a good fifteen minutes for the wind to go calm. As soon as I felt a brief flow coming up the ramp I launched.

http://vimeo.com/74791555

00:22 - launch
00:24 - Hook-in check

...and you have lots of room for landings.

And no need whatsoever to make any of them on foot.

Bill Cummings - 2013/06/20 15:02:22 UTC

Rich,
Do you have any tow roads for static towing?
When I lived in Minnesota I was five and a half hours from any good soarable rim.
I was one hour away from a tow road due to the trees everywhere in the northern part of the state. My closest towing was on the lake about two miles from my home so I did a lot of boat and snowmobile towing on the lake.

When was the last time you did any boat or snowmobile towing, Bill? When was the last time ANYBODY did any snowmobile towing?

groundeffect - 2013/06/20 15:23:04 UTC

Bill,

I'm sure I could find such a road for static tow, not sure who I would trust to do the driving though.

Anybody.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7462005802_bbc0ac66ac_o.jpg


A little over three decades ago the hang gliding industry figured out that it could virtually eliminate liability issues if everything that happened to a glider on tow was the fault of the guy underneath it - especially if he used a stronglink.

I've considered FLPHG but it's a little pricey. I have started aerotow training but still nothing closer for even that.

I one hundred percent guarantee you that you won't get real aerotow training at any US operation - especially not where there's a Dragonfly anywhere around.

Hey, I don't mind the drive to get to fly.

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1
Hello US Hawks!!

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/06/20 17:19:13 UTC

Hello Richard!!

Welcome to the US Hawks Hang Gliding Association!!!

Yeah, Richard. It's an ASSOCIATION. Where:

- you can further the sport of hang gliding - as long as Bob approves of what you're doing

- you need not fear it being overtaken by those who would concentrate power and shun opposing viewpoints - 'cause Bob's been in total control of things since Day One and opposing viewpoints aren't permitted

- you have the duty to speak out if you see something that's not being done correctly - as long as it's something other than what Bob and lackeys are doing incorrectly, especially if it involves manslaughter

- your freedom of speech of members is really honored - and when it's not something Bob feels like honoring you can count on him using whatever sleazy, despicable, transparent justification for he can for silencing and eliminating the member

- member pilots have choices - as long as none of those choices involves being pulled up by a tug with a safe legal weak link configuration because Tea Party Bob becomes physically ill at the mere thought of the Dragonfly drivers we pay not being able to do whatever the fuck they feel like with no accountability whatsoever

- Bob wants pilots to have choices - between the totally corrupt cartel USHGA degenerated into decades ago and tiny Stalinist cult he controls

- the totally corrupt cartel USHGA degenerated into decades ago and tiny Stalinist cult he controls will have positive relations - in brutally suppressing every hint of an effort to reform anything in the interest of the pilot

- pilots will be afforded more local control and greater participation in Bob's decision making - as long as they're totally on board with all the decisions Bob had made at age eight.

- members believe that good decisions sometimes require a significant effort to dig into the facts - and that after Sam has made a good decision in the interest of Terry Mason's safety and told everybody they don't get a fatality report the digging should abruptly cease

- heated arguments are not anything to be feared or rejected - except, of course, when Tad wins them and it becomes necessary to run experiments locking him down in The Basement, attempt to blackmail him into silence, and ban him to make The Bob Show a safe place for people of varying ages, particularly Bob's.

- Bob takes The Bob Show in the direction he believes is right for year after year after year until he's created enough clones of himself to create a Board of Directors with identical Tea Party beliefs so that he can more efficiently silence anyone not thrilled with the idea of sticking his nose up Bob's ass

- anybody not entirely happy with Bob's dictatorship can go fuck himself

- you should post as often as you can - as long as Bob approves of what you're saying

Ya know, Bob... I am SUCH AN *IDIOT*. That's ALWAYS been there in the "FAQs" (FAQs are virtually always lies in and of themselves because nobody's Frequently Asking these Questions) and it's so OBVIOUS that the author is a megalomaniacal predatory psychopath. What a sucker I am for people pretending to be nice to me.

Thirteen of those suckers, Bob. Sure hope you were wearing a condom while you were clicking them into existence.

FYI, Bill is one of the early water tow pilots, and I'd trust his judgement in anything related to towing.

REALLY?

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=903
The hole in Tx's arm where all the $$ goes

Bob Kuczewski - 2011/12/22 02:13:47 UTC

I also hate to see the loss of any sites. I especially hate to see the loss of any foot-launch sites since I've still got a queasy feeling about towing.

So how come you've got a queasy feeling about towing? Bill was one of the early water tow pilots so what could he POSSIBLY have wrong?

Bobby Fucking-Genius Bailey undoubtedly has about ten thousand times more towing experience than Bill and, if I'm not mistaken, goes back to Cypress Gardens, probably farther back than Bill. And a bit shy of nine years ago he towed a Norwegian national champion - with a tug, tug release system, and glider release system he designed - to his instant death. Bobby's scared shitless of solos using double loops of 130 pound Greenspot but thinks nothing of pulling tandems with the same weak link. But shouldn't you trust his judgment in anything related to towing at least a thousand times more than Bill's?

Lessee...

Bob Kuczewski - 2011/12/31 07:34:26 UTC

But if you want to talk numbers and logic, then start by explaining the laws of physics in terms of differential equations and not your simple 2+2=4 "logic" if you want my respect. Go ahead and explain the first quarter of Newtonian physics for us and see how far you get. We'll let you work your way up to the Navier-Stokes equations.

You don't respect me because I don't use calculus to explain to the hang gliding industry that two plus two does not equal three, five, or whatever Jim Keen-Intellect Rooney feels like saying it is but...

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1186
D. Straub's Politics=Gun Grabbing, Constitution/Baby Killing

Bill Cummings - 2013/02/19 02:43:00 UTC

No one should confuse me with someone that has been exposed to higher education. I avoided that style of incarceration like the plague.

Someone who thinks you can make a Rooney Link safer or more dangerous - depending on your opinion - by lengthening a one point aerotow bridle you'd defer to across the board.

Bill's judgment is that the stuff I've developed is better than anything he...

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=745
Scooter Tow Crash

Bill Cummings - 2011/08/06 19:59:36 UTC

I've spent a good bit of time studying Tad's links, some of which can be found on:

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=727
Input from Tad please.

I've seen a lot of towing ideas and equipment over my 33 years of towing hang gliders and being towed in hang gliders.

The procedures and equipment that Tad advocates, to me, look to be the best.

Anyone that has a sharp eye for safety will take some time to study his posts.

...or anyone else has developed. So how come you need to sic sleazy USHGA assholes like Dennis Pagen...

http://www.shga.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=3840
[TIL] About Tad Eareckson

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/03/10 18:20:34 UTC

I first learned about Tad Eareckson when I was Regional Director and the USHPA Board circulated a letter he had written (with intention to send?) to the FAA about some dangerous practices in hang gliding. The Board's knee-jerk response was to try to take some kind of legal action to silence Tad. I indicated that I thought we shouldn't be sending our lawyers in as our first response and that maybe we should have someone talk with him first. So Dennis Pagen volunteered, and I believe the matter was settled without any serious damage to the sport.

...and scumbag corporate lawyers like Tim Herr on me to prevent me from doing serious damage to the sport?

If you'd trust Bill's judgment in anything related to towing and Bill's judgment is that...

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=929
Training Manual Comments / Contribution

Bill Cummings - 2012/01/10 14:04:59 UTC

Tad's procedures for aerotowing should become part of any training manual.

...my procedures for aerotowing should become part of any training manual then how come my procedures for aerotowing aren't part of The Bob Show training manual?

Here's Bill helping NMERider get airborne at the 2011 Santa Davis Flats Race:

001-00000
http://live.staticflickr.com/3913/14422546880_2578fda087_o.png


Here's Jonathan right after scoring another eight seconds of Dragonfly launched airtime bliss:

047-03703
http://live.staticflickr.com/5529/14422573378_5385a9a99a_o.png


But you'd still trust his judgement in anything related to towing and have no suggestions on how to get a little more satisfying experience out of that launch.

Here's the quote, Bob:

FYI, Bill is one of the early water tow pilots, and I'd trust his judgement in anything related to towing.

"I'd" trust his judgment. "I'd" is a contraction of "I would". I would is conditional. I *WOULD* trust his judgment IF *WHAT*? I would trust his judgment if somebody had a gun to my head and I were forced to choose between him and Sam?

REAL *PILOTS* don't trust other people's judgment.

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=30412
Good flying advice

AndRand - 2013/12/06 22:13:47 UTC
Poland

IMHO the main authority in flying is - the almighty physics.

No matter who tells anything - if it is not according to MY understanding of physics, I would say: "maaan, that's crap!" or otherwise "that's perfectly right".
Furthermore, it is the only thing I can rely my decisions in flight, because there is no other authority.

REAL *PILOTS* learn, understand, and trust the PHYSICS of flying. And REAL INSTRUCTORS bring their students to the point at which they can do that and don't sign them off otherwise.

And anybody who advises anybody to trust ANYBODY'S *JUDGMENT* is Rooney caliber SCUM.

I'd trust Bill enough to tow me. No fuckin' way in hell would I trust him to equip me or teach towing to anyone 'cause he's totally incapable of understanding what a weak link is - and isn't.

Also, check out the Tennessee TreeToppers club (http://www.tennesseetreetoppers.org) as another flying site about the same distance as Lookout Mountain. They're a great club and their membership fees are very reasonable.

Have they ever been sued for running an event without establishing or enforcing procedures to guard against unhooked launches?

I think they're both great sites...

Unless you factor in the issue that Matt hangs out at one of them.

...so if you want a little variety, you might alternate between them.

Mostly, thanks for signing up to the US Hawks. We're trying to build a national hang gliding association that's really run by the pilots (all of us). Every post helps grow our site ... so thanks for posting!!

Bullshit. You've built a site on a foundation of totally bogus stated principles and maintained a death grip as sole controller for well over three years.

Here on Kite Strings there eleven registered members with post counts in the double digits.

- Of the top three posters - Zack is in ultimate control, I'm an Administrator, and Steve Davy has my password.

- Of the remaining eight I'd be totally OK sharing control on an equal footing with seven.

- You make up the difference and I banned you - without the slightest hint of disapproval from anyone - because you're a pathological liar who repeatedly violated the stated and simple rules and principles of this forum in ways and to magnitudes I still find almost unimaginable.

Kite Strings is pretty much a stated dictatorship but it's way more of an association with shared power than The Bob Show will ever be because its focus is on educating and empowering the individual pilot. And that's all physics based and universal so people capable of thinking for themselves are all gonna wind up on the same page. And your focus is on...

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/faq.php
US Hawks Hang Gliding Association - Frequently Asked Questions

I'm going to take the US Hawks in the direction that I believe is right.

...taking the US Hawks in the direction that YOU *BELIEVE* is right. And you're too terrified that people who doesn't fall into the line you've established are gonna do to you what you'd do to them.

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1
Hello US Hawks!!

groundeffect - 2013/06/27 00:51:31 UTC

Thanks all,

If I make it to retirement I'm going to move somewhere close to hang gliding.

Peter Birren - 2013/12/05 22:15:35 UTC

It's been a fair amount of time since I've posted here due to family and health issues.

It's been a fair amount of time since I've posted to either the Bob or Peter Shows due to the fact that you two cowardly sleazebags banned me.

My note to you, GE, is that you can bring HG close to you with static line or payout winch towing. Check out:

http://www.birrendesign.com/rhgpa_home.html

for some info. Done right --

What the fuck would an asshole like you know about doing things right?

...and driving isn't that difficult -- static towing can be safer than mountain/cliff/ramp launching.

And payout towing is very obviously safer than static. So why aren't you doing that?

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/12/06 07:09:51 UTC

Thanks all the more for taking the time to stop by and post.

And not saying anything of much substance. Bob doesn't handle stuff like that very well.

We've got a fair number of towing enthusiasts on the site.

1. Just not the...

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=929
Training Manual Comments / Contribution

Warren Narron - 2012/01/06 18:55:32 UTC

Going against the grain here, but someone has to point out that the probable best candidate to write a training manual has been banned from this site.

...Extremist One Percent.

2. One less than you had a year and a half ago.

Any input is always welcome and helpful!!

Yes, Bob. ANY input is ALWAYS welcome - and predetermined to be HELPFUL.

It's a great sport, and I am so glad to be alive at a time when man has wings.

Any comment on Terry? Just kidding.

I checked out your site, and you've also got a link to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/rhgpa/info
Reel Hang Glider Pilots discussion area.

What did you think about it? Oh, right. It's restricted so you can't read anything on it without Peter's permission.

Is that a club of any sort?

If it's anything like skysailingtowing it would be more of a cult.

If so, we're always happy to welcome hang gliding clubs into the US Hawks family.

After, of course, doing background checks on everyone to make certain The Bob Show will remain a safe place for people of varying ages to visit.

Thanks to Bill's help, the RGSA is testing the waters here. Please let me know if the RHGPA is interested.

Mostly, thanks for taking the time to answer the call and stop by for a post. Best wishes to you, Peter, and please don't be a stranger.

Fuck you, Bob.

Peter Birren - 2013/12/06 10:21:25 UTC

The RHGPA is (or was) the Reel HG Pilots Association. It was originally formed as the XCTPA - Cross Country Tow Pilots Association - in 1985 but was toned down to attract more pilots, hence the tongue-in-cheek "Reel Pilots" moniker. We started static line towing at Bong Park in SE Wisconsin on their 2.6 mile almost-was-a-runway road. From '86 to '96, we hosted the Region 7 Memorial Day Competition which attracted regulars such as Bill Bryden...

Coauthor of the excellent book, Towing Aloft, by Dennis Pagen and Bill Bryden.

...Rich Sacher, Nelson Howe, the Minnesota guys, a few from Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alabama and Florida, all eager to practice what Donnell Hewett had developed;

Without bothering to question any of its legitimacy.

Don himself came up for the last one in '96 which was cancelled due to weather.

The RHGPA exists today only as a yahoo group, where the occasional flying-related post is submitted, and the website you saw that provides some measure of advice to those interested in foot-launched ground-based towing.

And having Peter's permission to receive such advice.

But there are quite a few pilots here in the Chicago area who are mostly aerotowing at Enjoy Field south of Kankakee and I still maintain close contact with them, in fact this coming February will be my 29th (?) Annual Parachute Clinic for the locals.

1. Maybe because aerotowing is the most effective way to got a glider off of flat ground and into a workable thermal.
2. What percentage of them are:
- using Linknives?
- having their non Linknife release mechanisms fail when actuation tension is delivered to them?
- being crashed by two point bridle wraps?
- having the safety of their towing operations increased by Hewett Links?

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/12/06 20:27:04 UTC

Do you known Bill Cummings? I think he's from Minnesota, but he lives in Las Cruces now. He's been helping the Rio Grande Soaring Association (RGSA) get onto the US Hawks forum (check out there Chapter's subform here).

Thanks for that information.

I believe the sport of hang gliding is far more fractured than it should be.

I don't believe it's anywhere near fractured enough.

We have clubs all over the country that have very little connection to one another.

They're all rabidly opposed to:
- people doing hook-in checks
- aerotowing with anything heavier than 130 pound Greenspot
- Yours Truly

That's why the US Hawks is committed to uniting clubs through a common forum.

1. Who's US Hawks, Bob?
2. How many members authorized you to speak on their behalf?

If you check out the Chapter forums, you'll see that they mostly have their own distinctive look and feel. They're also completely controlled by their club's leadership. I work for them when it comes to decisions on their forums. If they want a color changed, I change it. If they want to establish a posting policy, I enforce it.

1. Enthusiastically when it's something on the order of banning Tad Eareckson and Steve Davy and purging all their posts without cause.
2. If they want Tad Eareckson reinstated you tell them to go fuck themselves.

As the forum (and forum software) matures, I anticipate that they will have direct control of their forums.

And I anticipate Hell freezing over and pigs flying.

But while each club's forum is controlled by their leadership, the fact that all forums exist under one umbrella helps bring us together.

1. Who's "US", Bob?
2. Together for what purpose? To support and defend the Bob Show Mission Statement?

For example, you can quickly see the latest posts across all forums to keep up to date.

On really important issues like the Terry Mason and Zack Marzec fatalities and the Robert Burgis unhooked launch.

You can search across all forums to find information. I think this will help all of us work better together, and it will help us bring resources together to better protect our existing sites and open new ones.

And keep everybody free from issues of accountability.

If you'd like to try it out for the "Reel Pilots", I'd be happy to set up a demonstration forum (as I have with other clubs) and you can see how it works. Please let me know!!!

Thanks again for posting and for all your efforts in the sport.

Fuck you, Bob. Peter's effort's in the sport have been primarily geared towards...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skysailingtowing/message/7066
AT SOPs - proposed revisions

Peter Birren - 2009/05/10 01:33:31 UTC

If you want a truly foolproof release, it's got to be one that eliminates the pilot from the equation with a release that operates automatically.

...eliminating the pilot from the equation - as have yours.

P.S. Here's the message that I posted to the RGSA forum when they were just getting started (you can find it in the "About the RGSA" topic in their forum). I think this explains our philosophy regarding integration of local and national chapters pretty well.

Hello RGSA Members!!

Thanks to Bill, Hadley, and the RGSA leadership for your interest in the US Hawks forum. The US Hawks is an experiment to see if we can use on-line tools (like this forum) to do a better job of connecting our pilots and our chapters and a national association. We'll see how it works.

The forum is divided into national and local sections. The national sections are controlled by the national association (currently that's me until we can form a national Board of Directors).

What's stopping "us", Bob? You've had well over three years at this point. How much progress have you made?

The local sections are controlled by each local Chapter. I want to emphasize this, because it's important. Local Chapters MUST have the final say regarding their forums.

And MUST be totally free at all times to piss all over the stated principles of The Bob Show just as much as Bob does - because the freedom to deprive unpopular, conscientious, principled people of their freedoms without so much as a farce of due process is the most important and fundamental freedom of all.

They decide themes and color schemes (check out Torrey Hawks and Tooele Hawks for example). They decide posting policies (club members or all US Hawks members). They decide discipline issues like banning.

1. Lessee... Our top three priorities are:
- themes and color schemes
- preventing nonmembers from posting
- banning people

2. Yes Bob, banning from hang gliding forums is typically a measure for enforcing the discipline, rules, principles of an organization. And I'm quite sure you can cite many clear examples.

They pretty much decide everything. My only role with regard to Chapter forums is to carry out the will of the Chapter's elected officers.

Is there anything in the Bob Show bylaws that mandate that Chapter officers be elected or rules governing elections?

So I work for your Board with regard to your club's forum.

As I said above, the US Hawks is an experiment to see if integrating national and local clubs can benefit our sport.

And locking Tad down in The Basement was an experiment to determine if Bob Show participation would benefit from pissing all over stated principles and individual rights and freedoms at the whim of its sleazy dictator.

I believe it can...

Jim Rooney believes that a loop of 130 pound test fishing line that dumps gliders into fatal whipstalls increases the safety of the towing operation.

...and my goal with the US Hawks is to do what I can to make that happen.

Yeah, Bob. Anything and everything you can.

I hope the RGSA leadership will give it a try, and I look forward to seeing an active forum for your club.

Best wishes, and fly safe!!

Since when did you start giving a rat's ass...

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=795
AL's Flight At Packsaddle 10-04-11

Bob Kuczewski - 2011/10/07 15:02:39 UTC

!!! Yahooooo Al !!!

That was an excellent write-up of your flight!!!
I felt like I was right there with you!!

Oh, yea ... nice flight too!!

...about anyone flying safe?

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1
Hello US Hawks!!

Peter Birren - 2013/12/06 21:33:37 UTC

Do you known Bill Cummings?

Not sure. I read here that he's from Minnesota but don't know if he made it to any of our comps. If he was flying at that time, he'd know "Seismic" Sam, Greg Ballentine, and a bunch of other guys whose names I've forgotten (but could dig up if it was important).

If you're such a big fan of Donnell's you should know Bill's name 'cause he was pretty visible in the Skyting newsletters.

And if you gave a rat's ass what happens out in the real world outside of your stone age static tow cult he's been pretty prominent in a bunch of the Davis Show discussions.

If you'd like to try it out for the "Reel Pilots"...

Thanks for the invite but it probably wouldn't be worth either of our time (and would piss off the pig meaning the loss of a considerable percentage of the current yahoogroup members, especially those who are computer challenged, if'n ya know what I mean.

Yeah, Peter. I sure know what you mean about the assholes who hang out in your turf.

The RHGPA yahoogroup has been around since 2000 and I also own the world Tow Group (skysailingtowing) and "worldhg" (though that's been dead for some time).

Zack Marzec has been dead for some time now. Any comment on that one? How 'bout the Brad Anderson and Eric Aasletten Birrenator fatalities back in 1990?

All that said, I agree that the fracturing -- in many different areas -- is what will ultimately bring the sport down farther.

'Cept, of course, for T** at K*** S******. EVERYBODY agrees on that one.

If there was any need of proof, just look at the bygone printed newsletter. They were more work but they kept club members more together than email ever can...

Goddam right. That series of Skyting newsletters - 1981/10 to 1986/10 - got the entire fucking planet together on inaccessible release actuators and Hewett Link pitch and lockout protectors and has kept it that way for over three decades.

...except that with instant online contact, plans can be made on very short notice.

What did you think of Dr. Trisa Tilletti's article on weak links in the 2012/06 issue of the magazine?

Thanks again for posting and for all your efforts in the sport.

Thanks!

Aren't you gonna thank Bob for all his efforts in the sport?

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/12/06 22:05:54 UTC

I've attached the Pilot Profile that featured Bill for last year's newsletter...

Should've read that before I got this far.

...in case you find anything in common.

Yeah, they're pretty close on Hewett Links.

Thanks Bill!

Thanks for the invite...

Now that I've put up quite a few forums, it's getting easier and easier on my part. I'd be happy to put it up on a trial basis (like the RGSA) or even as a "hidden" forum (another club is currently testing it that way).

...and would piss off the pig...

I think Bill came to our forum after considerable frustration with recent "improvements" at Yahoo.

I don't think I'm the bottom ten percent of internet surfers but I find those "improvements" to be total nightmares - and I was WAY south of happy with the old stuff.

But more importantly, it's not and "either or" choice. The RGSA simply added the US Hawks forum as an option for their members. They didn't change a single line on their existing web site (although I'm expecting that they'll be posting a link to the forum at some point). We could similarly add the Reel Pilots without changing anything regarding your existing Yahoo Group. That's pretty painless for you.

C'mon, Bob. I'm trying to inflict as much pain on that motherfucker as possible. Ditto with respect to you.

All that said, I agree that the fracturing -- in many different areas -- is what will ultimately bring the sport down farther.

The only thing that matters now ... is what we do about it.

Who's "WE", Bob? Assholes like you and Peter?

I love the sport of hang gliding, and that's why I've built the US Hawks.

You and The Bob Show are blights on the sport of hang gliding.

Come join us and let's see what we can accomplish together!!

What, Terry wasn't enough for you?

[Tad Eareckson]

Hey Warren...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skysailingtowing/message/7152
AT SOPs - proposed revisions

Peter Birren - 2009/05/18 02:53:30 UTC

For the most part, his fuel line's been cut.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=646‎
Failure to Hook In

Bob Kuczewski - 2011/07/22 03:53:29 UTC

Tad, I'll be happy to carry on with this discussion, but I'd much rather allow Pilgrim's comments be the last word.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=756
2011 US Nationals, Big Spring, Texas
Discussion with Tad about Towing / Foot Launch

Tad Eareckson - 2011/12/22 07:12:16 UTC

The fact that with a Dragonfly there's another aircraft involved is a concern pretty much only for the person flying the Dragonfly. I don't really care all that much what's at the other end of the string. All I need to worry about is that the string is tensioned and pulling forward. If there's a weld failure of a aileron activator crank that's almost never gonna be a big problem for me (and there aren't a whole lot of Dragonfly drivers that I'm gonna get too choked up about).

Charlie Schneider (Pilgrim) - 2011/08/12 12:15:45 UTC

I think this pretty much sums things up. What kind of person thinks like this? Absolutely no one I would ever respect, honor or have anything to do with. What a looser. This attitude alone undoes every single thing that guy ever tried to do that was worh while. So what do you have left? Worthlessness with worthless advice. Un f'_cking believable.

Pilgrim

PS: I apologize in advance to the other folks on this site for the 14 page rant that is to come trying to rationalize this unbelievable statement. Good luck because I will not be buying that crap. HHPA was right on to dump this guy. He ain't no good for anything but screwing the pooch.

Zack C - 2011/08/12 13:09:22 UTC

You don't need to respect or honor someone to learn from him. Your statement reminds me of some of the things people have posted in the HHPA group, including

I have no interest in learning from a guy who bashes, insults and put down other people just to deliver his own message.

and more recently

we can always learn from pilots like yourself who always have a positive approach and intentions.

These statements baffle me. I judge someone's ideas by their own merit, not my assessment of his character. I'd rather have the best hang gliding instructor in the world than the nicest, even if the best was a total d*ck.

HHPA was right on to dump this guy.

So much for "the suppression of free speach cannot and should not be allowed"...

Charlie Schneider - 2011/08/12 13:16:26 UTC

You should brush up on your constitutional law Zack. Free speech does not cover the kind of hate this guy spews.
That you are baffled by these concepts speaks volumes.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=607
Understanding Tow Releases

Peter Birren - 2011/09/18 22:27:52 UTC

Uh, sorry Tad. "TadErcksn@aol.com" is still a member of the Towing List. I did bounce Warren and one other guy but not you. Guess it must be easy to think you're ridiculing someone else when you do it to yourself so easily.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=808
Forum Moderation Information

Bob Kuczewski - 2011/10/20 07:06:57 UTC

The administrative decisions for this forum are made by the elected leaders of the South West Texas Hang Gliders (SWTHG) club. All moderation is done under their direct authorization.

Note that the following users have been banned from this forum by direction of the SWTHG leadership:

- TadEareckson
- Nobody (Steve Davy)

All posts from these users have been moved to the "Free Speech Zone" forum under the topic "Banned Posts from SWTHG Forum".

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=818
Peter (Linknife) Birren

Peter Birren - 2011/11/26 01:19:11 UTC

Bob, unfortunately I am compelled to reply to both Warren and Tad in this particular instance.

Warren, unless you can provide a shred of proof that I bitched out WS, the above continuation of previous statements, despite my history review and clarification, would constitute slander. The last part about you signing up to one of my lists is merely a little white lie because you were signed onto the Towing List until I kicked you off due to your very personal rants with Jim Garr... you just couldn't behave yourself.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=795
AL's Flight At Packsaddle 10-04-11

Terry Mason - 2011/12/01 19:55:00 UTC

Thanks to Sam for limiting Our forum to FLYERS. See you soon Bob

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=884
The Bob Show

Bob Kuczewski - 2011/12/13 05:55:39 UTC

This has not been easy or fun. This has been a sad realization for me that some people are so pathological that they cannot interact reasonably with others. That's why so many societies have jails (or death penalties). At some point, they've realized that the costs of interacting with pathological people is too high to be paid. We're reaching that point.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skysailingtowing/message/8176
Tad

Peter Birren - 2012/05/17 03:47:00 UTC

Like I care, Tad. I've got a gig now that takes me away from home for 12 hours a day. To friggin bad if your email doesn't get approved until I get home. Suck it up and tough it out.

Peter Birren - 2012/05/17 14:53:03 UTC

Games

Tad,

I deleted your last note to the Towing List. Far too long and off topic.

Make me work too much and I'll be deleting you as well. Your rants and bullying attempts will not be tolerated. (Save that line for later use to prove how persecuted you are.)

Keep it on topic and readable, no problem.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skysailingtowing/message/8180
Tad's gone

Peter Birren - 2012/05/17 15:41:19 UTC

For those of you who know Tad from before his recent notes, sorry to say but he's gone... and banned from this list (not really sorry but it's polite to say). I deleted a note from earlier this morning -- typically Tad: long-winded and way off topic, mostly insulting me, Stu and anyone who dares disagree with him or who offers an alternate (usually experienced) opinion -- and told him privately that bullying will not be tolerated. His 2-word response got him the boot.

Austin Free Flight Association (Demo)
http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=1455
Dawn of a new Day

Charlie Schneider (cascpa) - 2013/12/12 02:00 UTC

Hello,
There seems to a SW US movement a foot here. RGSA, Sam, and now some Central Texas Folks. We are glad to be here and look forward to the US Hawks doing lots of good things.
Charlie Schneider, President
Austin Free Flight Associaton

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/12/12 02:16 UTC

Hello Charlie!!!

Welcome to the US Hawks!!!

I'm still customizing your forum (which takes a little time). Do you have a club logo of any kind that you'd like to use here? It doesn't have to be permanent, just anything that would be different from our default hawk picture. Please post anything you might want to use or email it to me directly. Thanks!

Also, if you've seen any forum styles that you like, please let me know. This is your clubs (demo) forum, so it should look the way you want it to look (within technical limitations of course).

I hope your club has a happy landing here at the US Hawks!!

Sam Kellner - 2013/12/12 02:29 UTC


Welcome Charlie. Is this an official AFFA decision?

Bill Cummings - 2013/12/12 04:40 UTC

Hey Charlie, Bill Cummings here from the RGSA Rio Grande Soaring Association.
I'm hoping our club will adopt the US Hawks Forum for our home base. I've been here for a little over two years (I think) and I like it here.
We will probably make a decision during our January meeting as to landing here or somewhere else for a forum.

Click around. I'm sure you will like it here.

Charlie Schneider - 2013/12/12 15:13 UTC

Hi Sam and Bill,
I have just brought the idea of moving here to our members. We plan on having discussions at our January meeting. Obviously, I like the idea. Now just need to educate and inform our members and see what they think.

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/12/12 17:07 UTC

Hello Charlie, Sam, and Bill,

I just want to say that seeing the three of you from different clubs all posting on the same forum and sharing ideas is exactly what the US Hawks is about. We want to unite chapters through a common forum so we can strengthen our sport both nationally and locally.

Indeed, this might be the "Dawn of a new Day".

Best wishes to all,
Bob Kuczewski

So now Bob US-Hawks-Really-Does-Honor-The-Free-Speech-Of-Its-Members Kuczewski is entering into more incestuous relationships with other assholes who only honor the speech of people who limit it to whatever the "moderator" and/or "community" is OK / on board with.

Peter's a sleazy USHGA piece of shit who banned both of us for not playing nice with him and his other sleazy USHGA pieces of shit like Jim Gaar.

Charlie Schneider would like to see me locked up for five to ten for not sobbing uncontrollably for twenty minutes or so after some slimeball like Rooney or Bo slams in a little harder than last time.

Sam... Do I really need to say anything?

Bob would LOVE to be able to get me certified as a dangerous subhuman and thrown in solitary for life or, preferably, lethally injected. And I'm one hundred percent totally serious about that. If he ever achieved the political power to make that happen he'd do it in a New York minute.

I don't know what the fuck you're doing over there while all this is happening. Bob's a dangerous, power hungry sociopath and pathological liar. The stated principles are total shams and all he wants to do is build another USHGA with himself in total control.

NAIL PETER.

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=818
Peter (Link Knife) Birren

Warren Narron - 2011/11/27 16:52:45 UTC

Now that Birren has argued his way into a corner, he is given a free pass to skip merrily down the road past the very bodies he can now refuse to talk about?

Let Peter Birren, answer the questions.
He came here looking for a fight, let him fight.

If he knows something in contrast to the politically expedient story that we have heard, then he needs to say it. Come out of the box Peter, and answer the questions.

Ask him:

- why he's participating on the Jeremiah Thompson whitewash

- about banning Yours Truly after posting all that crap my freedom to post a couple springs ago

- how much better Bob Buxton would've been on a Linknife than he was on a three-string

- if Zack Marzec would've been just fine towing with an Infallible Hewett Link static towing behind a truck at Bong and why he wasn't when static towing behind a Dragonfly at Quest

- why on skysailingtowing - "THE TOWING LIST for all towed gliders" - there wasn't a single comment on either the Bob Buxton catastrophe or the Zack Marzec fatality and what it was he and his pet assholes had better to talk about

- if he would be so good as to get Tracy Tillman's
-- perspective on the Zack Marzec fatality and explain it in the context of his "Cone of Safety" and weak link articles in the magazine
-- explanation of why all of the guidelines covering aerotow equipment were deleted from the USHGA AT SOPs within five days of the crash

Don't worry about creating any friction between you and Bob or suffering from any retaliatory actions. He fully understands that:

- in order to keep the US Hawks from becoming another USHPA or HGAA the same demolition of freedoms from happening to its members that they need to exercise eternal vigilance

- everyone has to do his part once in a while

- if one sees something that's not being done correctly, then it's his duty to speak out

One big difference between The Bob Show and other organizations is that the Bob really does honor the free speech of his members.

P.S. Some of the documentation on what was going on leading to Peter pulling my microphone:

http://www.kitestrings.org/post1953.html#p1953
http://www.kitestrings.org/post1954.html#p1954
http://www.kitestrings.org/post1957.html#p1957
http://www.kitestrings.org/post1958.html#p1958
http://www.kitestrings.org/post1989.html#p1989
http://www.kitestrings.org/post1991.html#p1991
http://www.kitestrings.org/post2140.html#p2140

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=1455
Dawn of a new Day

Bob Kuczewski - 2013/12/23 18:48 UTC

As Charlie said, this may be the dawning of a new day ... and maybe even a new era ... for our sports.

Fer sure, Bob. Whenever policy decision is made or an action is taken everybody will know EXACTLY how every member of the Board Of Directors voted on it and thus will be able to make well informed decisions when selecting their representatives in future elections. Total transparency - the absolute antithesis of the way USHGA operates!!!

And I don't think anybody's very worried about that changing anytime soon.