Hang Gliding and Paragliding Volume 44 / Issue 12:December 2014 | Page 7

I

FLIGHT PLAN
T

sat at lunch with Ken Grubbs recently
during the annual fall United States Hang
Gliding and Paragliding Association’s board
meeting, talking about flying for the long haul
or a flying career. I marveled at Grubbs, who
has logged thousands of hours over his career,
almost exclusively in the Rocky Mountain
West. We traded stories about flying in
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and possible lines
through parts of the country we both knew.
A salient point resonated when Grubbs
discussed the risk involved in each flight and
the vigilance needed to fend off a real danger—
complacency. Even after countless flights and
over 25 years of flying, Ken cautioned me to
remember that each flight, no matter how experienced one may be, is just as consequential
as the first flight. Unlike skiing, a sport where
one can pull over and regroup during a bad
run, we cannot put our sport on “pause.” Once
a pilot’s feet leave the ground, the consequences
for not succeeding are exactly the same for one’s
second flight as for the thousandth.
Many of us dodge bullets from time to time
when we become complacent, thinking our experience can carry us through any unforeseen
circumstances. But Grubbs contends that to
have a long and healthy career, one must not let
experience mitigate risk but must teach one to
engage in considered action at every decision.
If you can fly every flight with the vigilance
and concentration of your first flights and
focus on a long flying career without meteoric
highs and lows, you will be well on your way
to taking one of the most dangerous factors—
complacency—out of free flight and headed
to as many blissful hours in the air as Ken
Grubbs.

left From front to back - Dave Miller, Rex Lisle, Brain

Patrick (pilot,) and “Mongo” himself at Lookout Mountain
Flight Park | photo by Adam Bain.

he December issue begins with a piece
submitted by a new staff contributor,
Adam Bain. Adam sends in a profile of
Corey Barnwell, a rising star who describes the
metamorphosis he has undergone as a result
of his enthusiasm for hang gliding and reveals
what has contributed to his success.
Jamie Shelden reports on the participation of the Women’s US Team at the World
Championships in Annecy, France, this year,
while Andy Pag updates us with an account of
flying hang gliders in Laragne, France, which
was the site of recent hang gliding World
Championships.
Shad Coulson recently returned from a
whirlwind trip, flying classic routes in the Alps.
He reports that his having saved for years to
have the opportunity to experience the Alps
was well worth the wait. If you haven’t had a
chance to fly in Europe, start saving!
Ryan Voight and Dennis Pagen once again
provide us with valuable information in their
educational columns. This is the last installment in Voight’s master class on flying hang
gliders, but he will return with other features
to inspire and educate.
Patrick Joyce sends in a report regarding
the Cloudbase Foundation’s projects involving support of the Morton Teen Center in
Morton, Washington, and KEEN shoes.
Keen is partnering with pilots from all over
the world who wish to recycle their old wings
by making them into backpacks which will be
sold to benefit the Foundation. The Cloudbase
Foundation is a non-profit created for all hang
glider and paraglider pilots to encourage them
to work with communities that surround our
flying areas. Check out www.thecbf.org if you
would like to apply for a grant or partner with
the organization.
Finally, check out C.J. Sturtevant’s article
on the new Accident committee chairs and the
new accident report format that USHPA will
publish for the benefit of the members.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

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