Powered
Paragliding
@ OSH
Aug 4,
2002
Our sport was well represented this year at
the world's largest airshow in Oshkosh, WI.
Many flights were made with a variety of
equipment on most flyable days. Pictured right is John Magdic awaiting the go
signal while Jeff Baumgartener sets up. Our membership was also well
represented...all but one of the pilots who flew were USPPA members.
Forum
 Jeff Goin gave a presentation in the
Ultralight Tent on Powered Paragliding regaling stories, places and
information on the sport in general. Emphasis was placed on the need to get good
training. The slide show was surprisingly easy to see given the outdoor
locale...credit to the volunteer who donated a very high quality projector.
Back in February, Don Grunloh (pictured left) saw
the presentation in Springfield and asked for it here. In spite of the heat
there was a good turnout and the tent nearly filled by the time it was over.
There were several motors displayed including a
Sky Cruiser, Vortex, Fly 70 and Bandit to demonstrate different design goals and
philosophies.
 The
Morning Brief
As with most large gatherings there is a required
pilot brief and given the early nature of our good air it's always before God
gets up. Pilots must attend it in order to fly and must be registered before the
0630 start time. Pictured right, Jeff Baumgartner puts his Sky Cruiser together
before the sun arose.
This operation was first class all around. The
brief was just that...brief. They went over what pattern was in use for the day,
reinforced a few points then dismissed those who had already had the full
briefing in previous days. The new guys stayed to receive the full monty. It was
thorough and well thought out. While there were certainly strict rules on what
to avoid, a surprising amount of freedom was granted and they allowed for our
unique capabilities.
 Vendors
No PPG vendor actually rented space although
Grant Smith and Arnon piggy-backed with the GCS Hawk folks and displayed their
Vortex unit (Pictured left with Grant on the left). They also represented the
new Reflex wing which they let others try.
This show is more about licensed aircraft but the
leadership running things tried their best to accommodate us and make life
easier. Likely the expense of travel and employee time makes it hard for
manufacturers to justify the commitment. It was good though that we had pilots
representing various machines show up to fly the equipment.
PPG People
There were at least 9 PPG pilots who attended and
let the presence be known including Jeff Thompson and Terry Alford of the
Parastars. It was a friendly lot and and made the Ultralight barn somewhat the
center of our visit.
   
1. John Magdic represented the "Dukes". Here he has just arisen as
Grant,
Arnon and I waked by with a new Reflex wing.
2. A Mottly crew L to R: Jeff Goin, John Magdic, Jeff Baumgartner, Lenny and
Jeff B's son, Justin.
3. Lenny is a new addition to the Chicago area crew...he showed
up at 0-dark hundred to see the action.
4. Jeff Baumgartner and his son Justin, who is learning to kite
arrived along with Jeff Goin's "Enterprise".
Airshow
  Military
hardware and exotic civilian craft made noise, smoke and speed most of the
afternoon. The center of attention was a good half-mile away from the ultralight
area but good viewing could still be had.
One of the more impressive operations is the
Harrier which was originally designed to disable an enemy through sound...it
also flies. What's so incredible is that at lighter weights it is able to hover.
Jeff B is pictured with a Harrier hovering in the background. Next is the food
building in front of the Ultralight barn...a four-formation zooms by behind.
The Flight Line
  Behind
the fence they watched...lots of folks who had likely never seen one of
our machines up close, let alone fly.
It was a bit nerve-racking having all those
curious eyes but we just did our thing. According to Frank Beagle, the
announcer, it was one of the highlights of the ultralight section.
Operations personnel would asses the pattern and
give a thumbs up for takeoff. It worked quite well to have other eyes. Even
though they stressed that the Pilot made the final go decision and not to feel
rushed it was a challenge. Others waited their turn and a certain amount of
pressure was un-avoidable.
Occasionally other ultralights would taxi by but
fortunately managed to avoid waking our wings with prop blast.
We represented the sport well and there were no
mishaps.
Flying
From our perspective these big shows are
not known for their flying. The time is short and conditions sometimes
challenging. But the people running this did make us feel welcome and
understood our unique launch requirements.
On Wednesday Arnon wound up getting a bit wet
along with a bunch of powered parachutes when a rain storm let loose on things.
He handled it well and no harm was done.
Jeff Thompson and Terry Alford flew on Thursday
morning and landed to applause as they touched down with their American Flag
wings.
   
1. John Magdic took off just before me and
cruises out the prescribed pattern.
2. Jeff Baumgartner westbound with the event sprawled out behind him
3. We were flying with powered parachutes but the patter was huge and there was
no problem avoiding their significant wake.
4. Jeff B is passed by a powered parachute well to the West.
  
1 & 2 Jeff Baumgartner and I flew one lap around the pattern together
allowing me several good pictures. He is on a Sky Cruiser flying an Independence
Dragon wing.
3. Arnon scoots by me with the new Reflex pushed along with their Vortex motor.
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