Affordable Aviation

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Since you’re reading this in early December, the holiday season is soon upon us. Because we all end up doing that gift thing, I thought I’d present a number of smaller, flight-oriented items that you might consider. If you like ’em, you might show this column to those buying for you […]

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Even as fall colors dominate the landscape in much of America, hang gliding businesses are working hard on various new products. I’ve a few to pass along… ••• Bob Trampenau announced a novel concept for hang gliders, at least the flex wing, Class 1 variety. Though most rigid wing entries in […]

ST. PAUL, MINN — World Team fever is finally slowing, though most hang glider pilots I’ve spoken to feel good about TEAM USA’s achievement. We now turn to the fall season, a great time for soaring at many sites around the country. ••• One of the possibilities might be had when you and the family […]

ST. PAUL, MINN. — The 1993 Worlds is history and Team USA brought home the gold for the first time ever. Hearty congratulations to the Team and all support members. ••• A number of calls or faxes arrived after the mention last month of new rigid wing developments. While rigids have yet to make a […]

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Unusually, we’ve got lots of glider news this month. Also, lots of action in rigid wings, with recent developments on the Tim Morley/Jeff Harlan acquisition of Don Mitchell’s final design, the Stealth II, plus certification work on Glider Sports’ Apex by Danny Howell. A few accessory items also remain in the […]

ST. PAUL — The ole "PL" news basket is overflowing again, so let’s get right into the fun stuff… Some accessory items were left over from last month. More will appear next month. ••• Chris Smith’s Cloudbase company has a new harness. A modern design called the Flex, it differentiates itself with a multiple-part rigid […]

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Having just returned from the scene of the East Coast Championships (ECC), I feel safe in declaring the cross country season "Open." The ECC, hosted each year by Sequatchie Valley Soaring Supply in Dunlap, Tennessee, was a success with four solid rounds. The 450-point meet was won by Butch Peachy in […]

ST. PAUL, MINN. — May is always a special time of year for me. You see, each May I start another year in the "Product Lines" logbook. I appreciate your loyal readership as I conclude 14 years and begin No. 15 of writing this lil’ ole column. My "THANKS!" at the end of each column […]

ST. PAUL, MINN. — April means spring flying just about anywhere in the USA! In this year of the American-hosted World Meet, let’s pray the weather gods see fit to send us abundant thermals. ••• As we enter THE SEASON our attention turns from the new gliders and other major equipment to accessories and other […]

ST. PAUL, MINN — For those concerned about the outcome of the 1993 World Meet, the first one ever in the USA… oh, you didn’t know it was in trouble? After Tom Kreyche’s surprising last-minute withdrawal as the meet organizer, this important biannual international event was in jeopardy. (Not exactly a fitting way for America […]