Upcoming Events

      Ohio Fly-In
      Public Relations Days
      Parachute Repack Clinic



Ohio Fly-In

Greetings from down under. First, I apologize if you receive this in error. Second, please repost to other pilots in the region.

As it stands now the fly-in will be held between August 29 through September 2, 2002 at Farview Airfield in Hiram township, OH. Rain dates are Sept. 5 through 8. Two tugs will be available so far.

There will be distance tasks (called depending on conditions), duration tasks, bomb drop and spot landing tasks.Pilots must sign up for specific tasks. To compete in distance tasks you must have a GPS. To compete in all tasks you must have an AT rating. Pay as you tow at a rate of $10.00/1K with a 2K ceiling.

The fee is $50.00 if registered before May 1st and $55.00 after that. Fee includes daily field use fee for the farmer, port-a-potty rental, and last day party/trophies. Register with yours truly (address below). There is free camping available on the premises without amenities. More civilized camping is available nearby at Camp Hi.

I still need a laptop and gps software/connections. Also, I need a ground crew, so if you don't plan to compete, think about helping.

Hopefully this will prove to be a fun event that can be held at different places troughout the region over the years. Please send comments or questions to my email address. Registration fees can be sent via check or money order to:

Felipe Amunátegui
3122 Huntington Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120

May you and your loved ones have a new year filled with joy, prosperity and safe landings. I have to go for my evening flight now.

Bye,
Felipe Amunátegui
Region 9 Director



Public Relations Days

We have two opportunities for public relations days for hang gliding this coming March. We'll be looking for volunteers for both days.

Sunday, March 3 - Vienna Wireless Society's Winterfest - National Capital Area Ham Radio Fair. Annandale Campus, Northern Virginia Community College

This is a chance to give some support to the HAM community, and let a lot of them know about our niche usage in their world. Coordinator for this event is Cragin Shelton, 703-922-6472. We hope to have one glider on display outside the building, plus a display table in the lobby. We'll use many of the same materials as for the Kite Festival, but add information about ham radio use in hang gliding.Also, Vienna Wireless will be holding ham exams there at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 2.

Saturday, March 23 - Smithsonian KiteFestival.
Washington Monument Grounds, The Mall.

We have had a display there for several years, and have always had a good time. This year our coordinator will be Brian Vant-Hull. Joe Gregor is in training for a marathon that same weekend, so he must step down as Kite Day organizer for the clubs. Contact Brian if you can work the festival (301-434-1146).

For both days we'll need folks to help carry stuff in and set up, as well as tables, gliders, and pilots who like to talk about what we do!



Parachute Repack Clinic

Brian Vant-Hull deserves kudos for arranging our Parachute Repack Clinic. More information is to follow. If you cannot get the information in time for the repack, please don't hesitate to contact editor or board members.

The parachute repack will be on Saturday February 23, at the Westminster/Taneytown site, from 5 to 9 pm. Cost: $10 for the first parachute, $5 for each additional chute. We will repack our own following printed guidelines and past experience. Any truly experienced people who show up will not be asked to pack anyone else's, only clarify theinstructions given and offer suggestions. It's very likely we will have a grill going with food at cost ($2-$3 per person).

This site is about an hour's drive from the pulpit, so you could fly first then come to the repack, though we all highly recommend you throw and air out your chute before repacking it. Still working on a way to do that at the site. I will put together a web page with directions, as well as an email.

Westminster has a surprisingly active nightlife, if anyone isinterested.

Of course, after setting this in stone due to the cost, I found out that CHGA has about $15,000 in savings with $500/year interst income. Well hell. We could run this at the close but expensive site free of charge for 50 years. Maybe next year if we decide well ahead of time that we are willing to risk a loss of maybe $100 to hold a repack ina perfect location, I can set it up without any monetary worries. Or we could spring to have Betty Pfeiffer back.

brian.