Hang Gliding and Paragliding Volume 44 / Issue 2: February 2014 | Page 60

CALENDAR ITEMS will not be listed if only tentative. Please include exact information (event, date, contact name and phone number). Items should be received no later than six weeks prior to the event. We request two months lead time for regional and national meets. For more complete information on the events listed, see our Calendar of Events at: www.USHPA.aero CLINICS & TOURS will not be listed if only tentative. Please include exact information (event, date, contact name and phone number). Items should be received no later than six weeks prior. For more complete information on the Clinics & Tours listed, see our Calendar of Events at: www.USHPA.aero CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES - The rate for classified advertising is $10.00 for 25 words and $1.00 per word after 25. MINIMUM AD CHARGE $10.00. AD DEADLINES: All ad copy, instructions, changes, additions & cancellations must be received in writing 2 months preceding the cover date, i.e. September 15th is the deadline for the November issue. All classifieds are prepaid. If paying by check, please include the following with your payment: name, address, phone, category, how many months you want the ad to run and the classified ad. Please make checks payable to USHPA, P.O. Box 1330, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330. If paying with credit card, you may email the previous information and classified to [email protected]. For security reasons, please call your Visa/MC or Amex info to the office. No refunds will be given on ads cancelled that are scheduled to run multiple months. [phone]. Fax [phone] HANG GLIDING ADVISORY: Used hang glid- ers should always be disassembled before flying for the first time and inspected carefully for fatigued, bent or dented downtubes, ruined bushings, bent bolts (especially the heart bolt), reused Nyloc nuts, loose thimbles, frayed or rusted cables, tangs with non-circular holes, and on flex wings, sails badly torn or torn loose from their anchor points front and back on the keel and leading edges. PARAGLIDING ADVISORY: Used paragliders should always be thoroughly inspected before flying for the first time. Annual inspections on paragliders should include sailcloth strength tests. Simply performing a porosity check isn’t sufficient. Some gliders pass porosity yet have very weak sailcloth. If in doubt, many hang gliding and paragliding businesses will be happy to give an objective opinion on the condition of equipment you bring them to inspect. BUYERS SHOULD SELECT EQUIPMENT THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR SKILL LEVEL OR RATING. NEW PILOTS SHOULD SEEK PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION FROM A USHPA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR. 60 HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE CALENDAR SANCTIONED COMPETITION MAY 18-24 > Souther Field, Americus, GA. Fly- tec Americus Cup. More Information: Jamie Shelden 831-261-1544  [email protected], orflytecamericuscup.com. JUNE 1-7 > Highland Aerosports, Ridgely, MD. East Coast Hang Gliding Championship. Open fields as far as you can see; free camping; competitive sport class; and a great social atmosphere. More information: Adam Elchin 410634-2700  [email protected], or  www. aerosports.net. JUNE 22-28 > Woodrat Mtn, Ruch, OR. 2014 Rat Race/Sprint Paragliding Competition. Twelfth Annual Rat Race/Sprint Paragliding Competition. June 22 - 28th, 2014. Practice Day June 21st. Two parties, daily lunches, retrieve and mentoring provided. Join the experience, travel southern Oregon, bring your family and see why the Rat Race is more than the largest paragliding festival in the USA. Go here and see what southern Oregon has to offer:  http://southernoregon.org. Registration opens Feb 15, 2014 - $450.00 until 4/15/2014. Sign up at  MPHSports.com. More Information: Mike and Gail Haley 1-541-702-2111,  [email protected], or www.mphsports.com. JULY 12-19 > Chelan Butte, Chelan, WA. Chel- an Flats Nationals. 2014 US Paragliding Nationals, Race-to-goal, Chelan, WA More information: Kimberly Phinney, 707-508-5431,  [email protected], or whiteowlpg.com. AUGUST 3-9 > Big Spring, TX. Big Spring Nationals. Strongest, smoothest, most consistent conditions of any US competition. Air-conditioned pilot lounge, hangar, paved runways, ice cream, water, all facilities. More information: Belinda Boulter and Davis Straub, 1-863-2067707,  [email protected], or  http://ozreport.com/2014BigSpring. SEPTEMBER 14-20 > Francisco Grande Golf Resort, Casa Grande, AZ. Santa Cruz Flats. More Information: Jamie Shelden [email protected], or  santacruzflatsrace. blogspot.com. clinics & tours THROUGH MARCH 15 > Valle de Bravo, Mexico. Daily hang gliding and paragliding at the winter flying paradise in Central Mexico—Valle de Bravo. Base packages $895 PG, $1195 HG. Sunday to Sunday includes airport transportation, lodging, flying transportation and guiding. 20 years of providing service. FlyMexico! More information: Jeffrey Hunt, 512-467-2529, jeff@flymexico. com, or http://www.flymexico.com. FEBRUARY 1-7 & 22-28, MARCH 15-21 & 22-28 > Costa Rica. Come fly over the tropical forest of Costa Rica! For the 8th year advanced paragliding Nick Crane will be leading paragliding tours for pilots of all levels. We have pioneered and have unique access to many of the best sites in the country, some of the most beautiful sites anywhere. Transportation, rooms, guiding and coaching for all levels, from P-1 to P-4. Prices are $1295 for one week, with discounts for couples or two-week tours. More information: Nick Crane 541-840-8587 [email protected], or www. paracrane.com. February 8-14 & MARCH 8-14 > Costa Rica. Come fly over the tropical forest of Costa Rica! For the 8th year advanced paragliding instructor Nick Crane will be leading paragliding tours for pilots of all levels. We have pioneered and have unique access to many of the best sites in the country, some of the most beautiful sites anywhere. Transportation, rooms, guiding and coaching for all levels, from P-1 to P-4. Prices are $1295 for one week, with