By Dustin Martin on
12/22/2009 10:02 PM
On Thursday I set the new Puerto Rican distance record as I passed the 52 mile mark, over the west end of Ponce - a town named after the first governor of the island (de Leon) - elected just barely 500 years before my overflight.
After meeting a local Puerto Rican pilot in the process of buying a Dragonfly, I decided to go and help out with the set up of his new flight park. He decided I needed to break the long-standing XC record to maximize publicity of the grand opening.
Just about five hours after getting off a plane and taking a nap, we were on the morning sports radio show speaking prophetically of my still unflown record. It seemed like dangerous shit talk to me, considering the extremely small chance of encountering the necessary conditions to complete the task. For the rest of the week the station would advertise our upcoming event - and air my shit talk.
Five days later, after sorting the tandem glider, tug, accessories, potential tow sites, etc - a couple of locals felt like flying Cubuy and I figured I should give it a try. After all, if I flew a record that day I wouldn't have to worry about it on the weekend of the grand opening.
We headed up a little late to the sweet grassy launch overlooking the east shore. Clouds were streeting and it was definitely go time if I wanted to make the west coast before sunset. Conditions were (apparently) epic, because 3.5 hours later with little trouble I was in a farm field a short distance from the southwestern corner of the island, with 84 miles in the bag. It felt about like an 84 mile comp task normally feels - about a dozen thermals from 3-600 up, long flat glides, and great clouds.
Below is the photo-tour, tracklog coming..
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By Zac 'Zippy' Majors on
12/21/2009 12:04 AM
So I battled Friday traffic through the middle of LA; it was grueling. I thought I'd timed it right, but I'm not sure that's actually possible in LA. I made it down to Wills Wing in time to score a free plate of food from their Christmas party. I'll drive a long way for free food... but that wasn't the only reason I was there.
Wills Wings Skunk Works department had finally processed the glydetonium for my new wing. It was nice to see the crew and wish them a Merry Christmas. Unfortunately, while on my rack, the glydetonium didn't do anything for my car, so I was back stuck in traffic again.
Saturday, my girlfriend Erin gave me a ride up to the Alternator launch in Santa Barbara. As I unfurled the sail and began stuffing battens, plenty of things were getting stiffer.
 
I went up to launch sure it would only be a sled ride, but some paragliders showed there was at least a little lift to be found. US PG team member Matt Beechinor and Nick Greece of USHPA magazine were floating around in some little bubbles and were kind enough to share the air. We would gain every so often, but mostly we were sinking 50fpm. They had their cameras out so hopefully they'll share those photos soon.
The glider handled better than I would expect for the first flight. Roll was quick tip to tip, and very predictable. There's something to be said for how nice the VG pulls on a new glider. With the sail tightened up like a drum the base tube came back about 6" and we were soon speeding along (I'm glad there's no cops or radar up there!). Doesn't make sense that a glider with great handling would also track exceptionally straight at high speed, but I'm not going to argue. I pulled a few wing-overs, to help seat the sail ;) and then set up my approach into the "T" LZ.
Here is a video shot on a phone from the LZ:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_ZZgGIg6ww
I'm in love again! Thank you to everyone at Wills Wing for a work of art. I hope I can fly it with the skills it deserves.
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By Jeff O'Brien on
12/18/2009 11:19 AM
LINK HERE
Details of the flight to follow.
Also - CHECK OUT Wills Wing on Facebook:
Wills Wing Facebook
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By Jeff O'Brien on
12/17/2009 1:15 PM
VIDEO HERE
Mt Eire from Beck on Vimeo.
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By Jeff O'Brien on
12/13/2009 8:03 PM
JJ Lamarche has had a 35 year career of experience in the hang gliding scene - going from sewing sails and teaching new students in the 1970's to 14,000ft. drops in a friend's hot air balloon, to passing on the love of HG to his son Justin.
JJ on his Falcon 225.
Justin and his brother had their first tandems with their dad at age 3. Justin is 19 now, and his dad says, "I couldn't prevent him from flying if I tried." Justin has become a solid H4 level pilot, won this years Ellenville fun meet, and is flying a WW Sport 2. He had started on a 140 Falcon and took his 1st solo mountain flight at 15.
We have 5 second generation pilots from this area, 3 of them very avid, and actively promoting the sport with the enthusiasm and energy of their youth.
Going into my 35th year of hang gliding, I now divide my flying time between a rigid wing and my 225 Falcon, for ease of setup and breakdown, stress-free flight and landing characteristics, and fun mixing in with the higher performance gliders.
By the time I was 14 I started taking lessons (would have been earlier but I was too light for the glider) and at 15 was off the mountain. Over the next few years I flew my 140 falcon every time I was out of school and it was blowing in. None of me friends understood exactly what it was or why I seemed to love it so much. They still don't but they've learned to accept it and a few are even interested in trying it.
Justin Lamarche
I am now 19, fly a 155 sport 2 (that I love) and continue to fly every chance I get. More recently I have become obsessed with aerobatics and can almost always be found doing wingovers above the LZ. I also got the chance to fly a U2 and a T2C. I had great flight on both of them and regret ever laying eyes on the T2C only because now I have to get one.
Justin spot landing at a competition.
I always took my time progressing through gliders. I flew my Falcon for almost 4 years before moving on to the Sport 2. I've had the Sport 2 for a year and a half now and have about 60 hours on it. It has been very good to me, its super easy to handle and I'm still able to keep up with any other glider in lift. At full VG it moves pretty good too (I fly it there most of the time) and has plenty of energy to pull wingovers.
I felt comfortable on the U2 and T2 and had no problems handling them, however the S2 keeps me more than happy.
Justin diving on his Sport 2.
This past summer I became an instructor for Fly High Hang Gliding here in NY and am currently teaching my younger brother to fly. I was also able to enter 2 competitions, placing 8th at the Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding Spectacular, and winning 1st place at our local Ellenville Fun Meet. I look forward to doing more next year and plan on continuing flying for the rest of my life.
Nice job boys. Thanks.
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