Hang Gliding and Paragliding Volume 44 / Issue 2: February 2014 | Page 7

FLIGHT PLAN
T

he February issue, like a perfect day
of free flight, is filled with a variety of
topics. We strive to replicate thisdiversity in the USHPA magazine, which serves
as a communal fireplace or firepit? for our
members. Now is the time to consider
what tales you want to tell next fall when
we reminisce about shared experiences of
the 2013 flying season.
This issue starts with an article by Andy
Pag and Dick Heckman alerting us to an
upcoming foe in the sky—the unmanned
drone—a potential threat that could spell
trouble for flying the “friendly” skies.
Gene Gleason reports, in retrospect,
on mistakes that were made in a botched
landing, and Loren Cox recountsthe wildly
successful first annual Full Moon Fly-In
at Randolph Ridge, organized by Becca
Brederhoft and Cade Palmer.
Christina Ammon interviews a number
of couples in the free flight world to uncover what keeps them chasing air together
year-after-year. It is not easy to fly with a
spouse, or girlfriend/boyfriend, but here are
examples of those who seem (mostly) to revel
in their togetherness.
Katrina Mohr describes a time when
USHPA offered members the opportunity
to buy-in for life! 32 members spent 250
dollars each, when membership dues were

normally ten dollars a year. For those still
flying, it was a “Yahtzee” decision!
Ryan Voight sends in his monthly column
on advanced flying techniques, and Dawn
Westrum relates a great travel account from
a tour to Chile, where airtime abounds over
the long North American winter months.
Lenny Baron reports and sends in the
results from the longest running bi-wingual
competition in the USA—The Chelan XC
Classic. Set in one of the best flatland sites
on the planet, this fun and competitive event
is not to be missed.
Pagen is back with his monthly academic
installment. Over the years he has created
a deep catalogue of educational and entertaining works to help improve the free flight
community. He is the best in the world at
this, and weare honored and lucky to have
such a mind willing to divulge so much on
our staff.
And, finally, Henry Baker writes in with
his tale for the newest section of the magazine—The 1. Baker explains what it is like
to unknowingly glide into goal so far ahead
of the others that he thought he had gone to
the wrong spot.
Think about what is on tap for you next
year. And when we are gathered around the
USHPA magazine fire-pit after this flying
season, what tales you will tell.

Evening session over Curtis Canyon, Jackson,
Wyoming | photo by Drew Rush.

left

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

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