Glider Flight Testing and Tuning
You can find a .pdf of this article at /assets/uploads/pdf/Hang_Glider_Tuning_and_Test_Flying.pdf In order to be able to effectively tune your glider and evaluate tuning changes, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of flight test methodology and to conduct a … Continued
Valley of the Brave
Ahhh, Valle De Bravo. What can I say about that place. It’s a free flight paradise, basically. I was lucky enough to be invited to compete in this amazing venue by “the man”, local, HG instructor and tandem pilot, Rudy … Continued
Dustin Back in the Shop
Dustin is again at the Shapiro Skunk Works and, is helping me get a list of new Coverts done (and out the door) before I fly out to Valle De Bravo for the Mexican Nationals. Always great having him in … Continued
Zapata 2009 Archives
Digging through receipts while doing taxes, I re-discovered a notepad I had forgotten. Good times. I like LIFT! I like the abrupt ending – Hwy 20, 816pm, 5 miles E (of Big Spring)… then silence. I was almost at base, … Continued
Cool Stuff for Sale
Cleaning out the closet and trying to fund the upcoming comps. Here’s what I’ve got: One brand new over/under tandem harness. All black, 600 denier outer, antron inner, 1/4″ volara padding. Continuous webbing construction, Austri Alpin quick disconnect buckles on … Continued
The Last 3 Weeks
Winter break is traditionally a time for me to dig in work hard to fund the upcoming season. This holiday I was adopted by the Pearsons and spent every waking moment at the Wills factory while all their employees were … Continued
Adventure in China
China was a unique and enriching experience. It has definitely lit a fire within me to continue exploring new cultures, meeting interesting people along the way, and to try to allow my technical and mental limits to evolve while climbing … Continued
Mold surgery
Things were going so well.. After buffing the mold halves to a fine shine, I layed up the first part. Anxiety was relieved when it practically jumped out of the mold the next morning. The first thing I did was … Continued
Opening the Mold
After repeating the process for the back half of the mold, this morning I went out to the shop and separated the mold halves to see if I was successful. The anxiety with molds, especially multi-part molds, is the investment … Continued
Mold Making Part II
The front mold half is finished and being prepared for the layup of the second this weekend. Stabilizing boards were added to prevent warping and curving. Attached with bondo first to insulate them from the glass itself and prevent resin … Continued
New Instrument Pod
The mold for the new 6030/garmin 76 pod is cruising along. The new pod features a pressure fit for the 76 just like my Geko pod (except the 76 has a slot for securing a safety cord). The 6030 slot als... Continued
Santa Cruz Flats 5.0 Day 7
SCF 5.0 Day 7 Continued
Santa Cruz Flats 5.0 Day 6
SCF 5.0 Day 6 Continued
Santa Cruz Flats 5.0 Day 5
SCF 5.0 Day 5 Continued
Santa Cruz Flats 5.0 Day 4
SCF 5.0 Day 4 Continued
Santa Cruz Flats 5.0 Day 3
SCF 5.0 Day 3 Continued
Santa Cruz 5.0
SCF 5.0 Day 1 Continued
2011 wrap-up + 5th edition of the Santa Cruz Flats!
After a season of intense windshield time and some.. questionable comp conditions abroad… I finally stumbled onto one of the few decent events of the year – Brasilia. The comp was scheduled from Augus... Continued
Worlds Etc
Day one of the worlds – cancelled due to wind. Continued
Covert Parachute installation process
Chute installation; Continued
Rob Kells Memorial
It was that time of the year again to leave the remains of Montana winter and to head toward Florida for two of the most competitive US Hang Gliding comps of the season. The thought of walking bare fo... Continued
2011 Fabric Options
New sailcloth options and recommended configurations Continued
Video testing a dangle mount
It’s always fun to try to capture our sport on film. We know it’s beautiful and cool, but how do we share it best? Get lots of angles, so guys like Aaron Swepston made mounts like this one. Of course,... Continued
Sylmar Spring Air Festival
This weekend Sylmar Hang Gliding Association had its annual Spring Air Festival. Expecting Friday traffic around LA, I was pleasantly surprised to make it to the Flight Park in under an hour and half ... Continued
Fun flying XC with a California Condor
This morning even the National Weather Service was in the spirit talking about the April Fool’s storm (the forecast was way off). North winds still looked a bit questionable, but I figured if I dragge... Continued
No Excuses!
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 fr... Continued
Tandem for birds
In the spring, I had donated a couple gift certificates for tandem flights to the Ojai Raptor Center (http://www.ojairaptorcenter.org/). The center rehabilitates and releases sick and injured birds of... Continued
Catching up…
So this last flying season has been amazing. In Florida I had a great time with my friends and was excited to have finished 2nd in the Flytec Race and Rally against such a talented group of pilots. Th... Continued
Swiss Nationals, Day 1
Flew over to Zurich from LA with Jeff Shapiro on the 4th of July. Swiss Nic and Steve Blinkensop picked us up at the airport and we headed to Nic’s home in Baden (originally a Roman town). Upon unpack... Continued
What’s new on the T2C?
The most frequent question from customers asks what changes are planned for our products. Aside from issues of marketing and product development secrecy, it’s difficult to predict with any certainty w... Continued