Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

I spoke with the homicide detective yesterday and they feel certain that there was no foul play, but they still have no idea who he is or how he got there. It would be helpful if those flying Kagel will search the hillsides for a possible vehicle over the side. Just in case.

I agree with Janyce that something is very odd here. It's very clear that one could easily die of exposure up there as the winds were gusting up to 60 mph at camp 9 for many hours, temps were down into the 20's, and there was rain and snow on launch. On the other hand, his socks didn't show the kind...

I've been given the number of the Watch Commander and told to call him in the morning. I'll post my findings on the Windsports Kagel Kam page before 9 am in the morning.

Law enforcement has removed our lock and is preventing access to the crime scene. I hope our lock will be returned tonight so we can fly tomorrow if it becomes flyable.

I'd swear that photo of the guy stealing the video camera looks just like me.
I hope I have a good alibi that night.

Doug; I've been looking at these things for about 6 months now and they're almost good enough to purchase for our purposes. Only the most expensive one on the market is likely to work due to the need to eliminate the red infrared light, video capabilities, long battery life, viewing range, and invis...

On Monday, Dec. 1st. Andy Beem notified me that all the gate locks had been vandalized. I went up and changed our lock so you'll need to check the "members only" section of this website for the new combination or call Windsports. Take photos of any offroaders you see and email me the pics ...

Thanks for the heads up Craig.
When you going to come out and fly with us?
Joe

It's really quite simple. The pilot was flying at a high angle of attack (near stall angle) when he deployed his drag chute. What happens next is exactly what the drag chute is designed to do; steepen the flight path. But the moment the flight path steepens, the direction of the relative wind is now...

Once the FAA lifts the TFR, we'll still need the ok from the Forest Service to access both the Kagel and Towers launches. They're keeping us out of the way of their men and equipment. This could be several more days. How about a trip to Marshall if Kagel doesn't open on the weekend?

On Friday night, Mike Hayden, Jim Heaton, Jim Mercandante, Darryl Weaver, Erwin, and myself moved every glider out of the Windsports garage and backyard and put them in the Kagel L/Z to escape the fire that again threatened the homes to the west. Mike Hayden and I then spent the night putting out wi...

Fred Ballard and I managed to get the locks on the gate replaced from the recent vandals and the combination is the same as before if you simply eliminate the first digit of the 5 digit combination. This lock has four digits. You can find the combinatin on the members only page of the club web site....

Thanks Bill;
I think it is voluntary and based upon interest. The SHGA will provide matching funds up to 1/2 the total cost or $300.

I'm in for $20 bucks (even though it doesn't work for Nextel phones).

Joe

Now that it's in and working fine, Malury and Sebas are going to make the installation more permanent. All that's left is for the club members to remember to contribute to the project. I'd hate to see Sebastian have to go into the hole while trying to help the rest of us. Please put your contributio...

pretty cool but my computer's running to slow to see it smoothly. I'll run it on my Macbook Pro and see if it runs better.
I like the mix of graphics and video.
It looks to me like your ascent rate on the downwind portion of each turn is about the same as on the upwind portion. Is it?

Although I like DG a lot, I agree that it's tougher to contain and when compacted properly, it's almost as hard on the knees as concrete. Try as hard as I can and still can't find a workable solution other than wood chips or some form of vegetation ground cover. Wood chips may become the best option...

Then are you saying that grass is out of the question?
John Wickham is recommending a native (perhaps Yarrow). As much as grass is unpopular these days, we may owe a smooth, soft surface to our topless, wheeled, and tandem pilots. They seem to need it.

What say you?

jesse;
Isn't sod ready for use after installation?

Glen, check out http:www/rubbermats.com
Bridgeguard 50 runners

I love it!

Very good.
The 6 foot wide idea was to begin grass as lower cost beginning step. It would also very highly motivate pilots to be accurate on their landings. Everyone would try to land on the grass strip and the narrower it is, the better they would get at it.