HPAC/ACVL

Fred Wilson

It was 40, 30, 20... Years Ago Today

For Stories from the early daze, see:
1. Back in the day story. (We did not know what we were doing)
2. Hang Glider History and... Any Thread started by Joe Faust. (OzReport Forum Subscriptions are Free, a Spam Counter-Measure only.)

For Foreign stories, see:
1. The thread started at: http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?p=247592
2. British Hang Gliding History
________________

It was 40 years ago that Willi Muller first made his mark on Hang Gliding here in Canada.

"In 1971, Willi Muller was skiing at Lake Louise and watched Les Oitz [then the Area Manager] fly his Jobe Kite down the Men's Downhill. As Les folded his kite at the bottom of the downhill run, Willi took his ski pole and measured the kite. At that time he was the Area Manager of a small ski hill in Calgary with a large day lodge. Back in Calgary he found a sailmaker and gave him a rough diagram, bought tubing and built the frame in the day lodge. First test flights were down the ski hill - but the kite wouldn't fly, even when Willi went of the ski jump built by fledgling freestyle skiers!

Willi soon realized that he had been 1 ski pole length short in his measurements. The Jobe kite was 13' 6" [winglength] and Willi's was only 11 foot! Back to the drawingboard to build a new kite. The new model was a massive 15', the sail was 3oz nylon [bigger and heavier will always be better].

He attached a broken ski tip on a hinge on the nose [in case of a less than perfect landing]and went back to the ski slope to try it out. It flew! Next day he went up to Mt. Norquay Ski Hill in Banff, took his kite to the ski jump and tried it out. It flew down and over the ski lift to land in front of the ski lodge. Next, up to the top of the Lone Pine Ski Run [1300']. Skiers lined the run to watch him take off. Local photographer took photos which were sent around the world on the wire service. It was quite spectacular to see the kite [no kingpost and very narrow controlbar] with the snowcapped Rocky Mountains in the background. This was March, 1971."

... cont. at: http://www.mullerwindsports.com/slides/endless.html

Fred Wilson

Cont...

In 1973 Willi and Vincene Muller purchased land on Cochrane Hill which is now the Cochrane Flying Site. At that time the few local pilots were using the site and were told by the realtor to buy it soon otherwise it would be developed for housing. There are many stories of dealings with municipalities and government that the Muller's have had to contend with over the years to keep the flying site open.

<SNIP>
Due to the many ski areas allowing kite flying in the early '70's, Willi formed the Alberta Hang Gliding Association in 1973 in order to get insurance. He started the school in 1973 also. Transport Canada approached him and said that they would like a National body to deal with and the Hang Gliding Assocation of Canada was formed. Willi was founding president for both organizations. In 1975 he was part of a group of instructors who met at Todd Mountain Ski Hill to write up recommendations for Instructors Standards.

In 1978 he imported the first Soarmaster Powerpacks. At that time Transport Canada were interested in hang gliding and the new powered hang gliding. At a meeting in Calgary, a demonstration was put on at the Cochrane Flying Site. Shortly after that Transport Canada came out with regulations for powered hang gliders but allowed the sport of unpowered hang gliding to remain self-regulated.

cont... again at: http://www.mullerwindsports.com/slides/endless.html

Fred Wilson

Hang Gliding from 36 years ago.

Canadian, Blair Trenholm and Jeff Campbell of Telluride, CO star in the 1975 movie called "Off the Edge" http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/off-the-edge-1976 which was also shown on a TV series called "Living Dangerously."
The photography is amazing, and the story was told well, and is a classic of early hang gliding adventure.

It is the story of these two friends, both excellent skiers, who planned this adventure together to fly off of Mt. Cook in New Zealand. The film runs for about 45 minutes or so, and includes skiing scenes on the mountain, and glacier explorations, a storm which trapped them in the cabin on top, the helicopter trip to take the gliders up (I believe they are Seagull standards from the distinctive curved leading edges), and the flight itself, filmed from many angles, including an avalanche beneath them, and worry as to whether they'd make it out to safety. It's an amazing story of the early days of hang gliding, and is quite thrilling and well told.

See also http://www.facebook.com/LastParadiseFilm

and http://lastparadisefilm.com/

A wonderful Yahoo Film Clip from the movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXZspKCquJc&feature=player_embedded#at=61

Fred Wilson · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 10:04 am Post subject:

The 1981-01 AIR Magazine Edition (Pdf) carried stories by Jan Cameron's, Vincene Muller's and Andrew Barber-Starkey's (Team Leader) about the 3rd annual American Cup International Hang Gliding Team Championship held in Chattanooga Tennessee Oct 1980.

For more stories see:

The New Yorker Magazine "The Sporting Scene" September 1981

The BHPA Hang Gliding History about Bob England.

This led up to us hosting the very memorable 1986 event at Invermere.

Fred Wilson · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 12:04 am Post subject:

Once upon a time, in 1998, Quebec Competition Organizers made the necessary arrangements to send XC Tasks across the border into the USA!!!

Wow stuff. That would, for sure, have been a blast. Talk about proactive event management! Fun, fun stuff.

(The Creston Fly-In in BC had done that too, copying the Quebec precedence... way back in the 1980's.)

So enjoy reading this terrific Quebec initiative on the part of Jacques Fontaine

"US Immigration and Naruralization Services 1986 prerequisites for Cross Border SC Flights."

Enjoy this four part article! (See next posts.) It sure would be fun to be able do this again!

NOTE:
(A US pilot reputedly flew into Canada from Chelan a couple of years ago,
then drove back across the border without telling anyone... or so goes the legend.)

Fred Wilson · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 12:09 am Post subject:

Part 1 of 4 (re: XC Flights across the US Border in 1998.)

Montreal, January 21st, 1998

Mr. Noël Induni
Naturalisation Service
P.O. Box 238 St-Alban, Vermont, 05478 U.S.A.

Subject : Border crossing by hang gliders in cross-country flight

Dear Sir :
I am presently requesting the authorisation to fly above the U.S. Canada border during our two annual competitions
taking place on May 16th, 17th and 18th 1998 (or the following week-end in case of bad weather RE : May 23-24),
as well as on June 20th and 21st, 1998 (or June 27th and 28th in case of bad weather).

I am also requesting permission to allow the few pilots who would eventually fly across the border to land in the U.S.A.

The probabilities that a Canadian pilot would make it across the border during one of those two competitions are very small.
You have to understand the conditions under which we fly.

Hang gliders have no motors and rely on updrafts & thermals to gain altitude somethimes as high as 8000’ ASL.
The blowing wind determines which direction our cross-country flight will take.

In order for us to be able to fly across the Canadian-USA border we would require thermal conditions with a wind blowing from the north (which is quite rare!).

The Quebec Hang Gliding Association has about 30 pilots, that are considered experts, that
would like to fly over the border during the period between April 15 and October 15.
These pilots would leave from the Yamaska Mount (near Granby in the province of Quebec) only
when the winds would be northern and when the thermal conditions would be good.
That may happen only during afternoons, approximately 5 to 6 times during one season.
The longest flight ever done by one of our experts was 120 miles long.
So, we estimate that a pilot should not land farther than 60 miles from the custom offices.

Here is what I suggest we do :
The competition director would advise you the morning of the flight by phone that we would be
flying the border and land in the United States. Each pilot calls as soon as he lands in the U.S.A.
to indicate his location and report to the custom office.

A team from Canada would come to pick the pilot up by car on the same day.

In order to assure good security and also to let you know whom you are dealing with, we can provide you with
all the necessary information about the pilots before they have the permission to land in your country.
Therefore, we could send you their names, address, phone number, a proof that the pilot does not have any
criminal records, a proof of his Canadian pilot licenses and certificates as well as the radio permit and liability insurance.

Also for your information about the sport and about other agreements that were made in the past between the two countries, you will find included:

þ A letter from the Alberta Soaring Council addressed to the U.S. Customs in Montana.
þ A Memorandum from the United States Customs Service.
þ A letter from the U.S. Customs Service addressed to the Alberta Soaring Council.
þ A letter from Mr. Randy Adams of the United States Hang Gliding Association.
þ The Hang Gliding Magazine, a publication of the United States Hang Gliding Association.
þ The national Newsletter, an official publication of the Hang Gliding and Paragliding of Canada.

Hoping all this information will be helpful in order for you to reach a decision, please do not hesitate to contact me at one of the numbers mentionned below, should you need more information. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Best regards,
Jacques Fontaine
Competition director for Club Yamaska
Quebec Hang Gliding Association
12530, Voltaire Montreal (Quebec) H1C 2C2 Canada
Home phone : (514) 881-9674 Office phone : (514) 644-1412

Encl.
CC: Mr. Timothy G. Moran
Department of the Treasury
U.S. Customs Service

Fred Wilson · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 12:17 am Post subject:

Part 2 of 4 - Repeated successful application in 2001 (re: XC Flights across the US Border.)

Québec Hangliding Association inc.
Montreal, May 12th, 2001

Mr. James.E. Mc Millan
Area Port Director U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Immigration & Naturalization Service
482 Welcome Centre rd Highgate springs Vermont 05488 U.S.A.

Subject: Border crossing by hang gliders in cross-country flight during the annual competition of May 19,20, 21, 2001

Dear Sir :
I am presently requesting the authorization to fly above the U.S. Canada border during our two annual competitions
taking place on May 19th, 20th and 21th 2001 (or the following week-end in case of bad weather RE : May 26-27),
as well as on June 23th and 24th, 2000 (or June 30th and July 1th in case of bad weather).

I am also requesting permission to allow the few pilots who would eventually fly across the border to land in the U.S.A.

The probabilities that a Canadian pilot would make it across the border during one of those two competitions are very small. You have to understand the conditions under which we fly.

Hang gliders have no motors and rely on updrafts & thermals to gain altitude sometimes as high as 8000’ ASL.
The blowing wind determines which direction our cross-country flight will take.

In order for us to be able to fly across the Canadian-USA border we would require thermal conditions with a wind blowing from the north (which is quite rare!).

The Quebec Hang Gliding Association has about 30 pilots, that are considered experts, that would like to fly over the border during these event.
These pilots would leave from the Yamaska Mount (near Granby in the province of Quebec) only when the winds would be northern and when the thermal conditions would be good.
That may happen only during afternoons, approximately 5 to 6 times during one season.
The longest flight ever done by one of our experts was 120 miles long.
So, we estimate that a pilot should not land farther than 60 miles from the custom offices.

Here is what I suggest we do:

The competition director would advise you the morning of the flight by phone that we would be flying the border and land in the United States.
Each pilot calls as soon as he lands in the U.S.A. to indicate his location and report to the custom office.

A team from Canada would come to pick the pilot up by car on the same day.
In order to assure good security and also to let you know whom you are dealing with, we can provide you
with all the necessary information about the pilots before they have the permission to land in your country.

Therefore, we could send you by e-mail their names, address, phone number, date of birth, place of birth a
proof of his Canadian pilot licenses and certificates as well as the radio permit and liability insurance.

Hoping all this information will be helpful in order for you to reach a decision, please do not hesitate to
contact me at one of the numbers mentioned below, should you need more information.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Best regards,
Jacques Fontaine
Competition director for Club Yamaska
Quebec Hang Gliding Association
12530, Voltaire Montreal (Quebec) H1C 2C2 Canada
Home phone : (514) 881-9674 Office phone : (514) 237-0614

Fred Wilson · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 12:22 am Post subject:

Part 3 of 4 - (re: XC Flights across the US Border in 1998 - 2001.)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Immigration and Naturalization Service
Highgate Springs Port of Entry
482 welcome Ctr. Rd. Highgate Springs, VT 05488

May 17, 2001

70/20

Mr. Jacques Fontaine
Quebec Hang Gliding Association
12530, Voltaire
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H1C 2C2

Dear Mr. Fontaine:
I have received your letter of May 12, 2001 with your request for consideration for this years two competitions of the Quebec Hang Gliding Association.

As with last year’s events, I can foresee no major difficulties with the two (2) events you have scheduled for our area during 2001.
Your letter references event dates of May 19th, 20th, and 21st 2001 (or the following week-end in case of bad weather re: May 26-27),
as well as on June 23rd and 24th, 2001 (or June 30th and July 1st in case of bad weather).”

As was the case with the events of the past three (3) years, we would expect that you provide us with certain information,
which we would require prior to the day of the event.

This will not only allow for better security, but will also help to expedite the processing of those who end up crossing into the United States.
This information would include:
Full Name
Date of Birth
Country of Citizenship

As I had mentioned last year, you might want to advise participants that if they have ever had any difficulties with the police or courts,
either in the United States or any other country, they may wish to contact a United States Immigration Office
prior to the day of the event, in order to determine whether or not their difficulties might pose problems for
them with regards to being admissible to the United States.

As you indicate in your letter, flyers should report in per the guidelines you suggest once they land.

In reviewing your roster for the May event I notice that all participants this year are, once again, citizens of Canada.

Should any additional participants be added to the list please be certain that we are notified as soon as possible
with the same information that you have provided for the current participants.

Since both your events will be starting at Mount Yamaska again this year, you should contact
Mannette Guilmette, supervisor at Richford, Vermont port of entry should you have any changes,
additions or deletions to your final roster, as well as any specific questions you might have prior to the dates of your events.
She can be reached at the following number (802 848-7766 or FAX 802 848-3707).

I am forwarding a copy of this to Mr. Craig Jehle, Area Port Director for the United States Customs Service,
with jurisdictional authority over the same area as myself, as well as Mr. Raymond Gaudreau,
Patrol Agent-in-Charge for the Richford Border Patrol station.

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully,
James E. McMillan
Area Port Director

Fred Wilson · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 12:24 am Post subject:

Part 4 of 4 - (re: XC Flights across the US Border in 1998 - 2001.)

Wednesday, May 13, 1998

Mr. Daniel Boudreault
U.S. BORDER OFFICER
Richford, Vermont, U.S. Fax : (802) 848-3707

Object: 18th Hang gliding competition of Yamaska Club

Sir:

As per our discussion, please find enclosed the correpondance for the organization of the 18th Hang gliding competition of Yamaska Club.

We did obtain from Mr. James E. McMillan the authorization to fly over the U.S. border and land in U.S. during this event.

The retreval crew will pick up the pilot by car in U.S. and each pilot will stop to the border office on the way back to declare his entrea in U.S. the same day.

A complete list of the competition will be fax to you by tommorow to let you check if each of the registrated pilot as allow to enter in U.S.

For futher information, do not hesitate to contact me at :
Office : (514) 644-1412
Home : (514) 881-9674
Pager : (514) 854-1495

Best regards,

Jacques Fontaine
Competition director
Yamaska Hand gliding Club

Fred Wilson · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 05:51 am Post subject:

Rick Miller's blog: http://whatsupwithrickmiller.blogspot.ca/2012_11_01_archive.html
_________________

Davis Staub 's fourteen chapter book Cloudsuck has now being converted to pdf for free distribution.
- Or buy the e-book here: http://ozreport.com/cloudsuck.php

Cloudsuck Prologue and Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8 - my (Fred Wilson's) favorite: the Manilla Australia Site Record Flight
(I helped open and log the site in 1992… and was honored with the first launch ever off Borah, and it was a 100 miler.
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Epilogue (Pdf's)

Fred Wilson · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 07:48 am Post subject:

The American Cup Event History -

From: http://www.lakesideevent.com/history.html

"1986 The American Cup was in the valley. The cup had the 6 best teams from the previous World championships with 6 man teams (36 pilots) from Canada, US, Australia, Great Britain, Germany and Brazil. We decided to hold the Lakeside Event on the August long weekend to include these world class pilots. Spectators still talk about the formation aerobatic display put on by the Aussies."

I was one of the meet organizers... and honestly do NOT remember any Auzzie Aerobatics, but I did miss an afternoon
- doing S&R for Glenn Koenig's brother, who landed out way up a locked road up heading up a draw near Radium.

1986 Brazil Air Force Aerobatics Display.
BUT, for sure, what was very, very memorable was the Aerobatics Display put on by the Brazil Air Force "Smoke Squadron" Aerobatics Team flying their Embraer EMB-312 Tucano Turboprop Aerobatic Aircraft - developed in Brazil.
See their "Smoke Squadron" Website at: http://www.esquadrilhadafumaca.com.br/
Their support team's huge Transport Cargo Aircraft flew up all of the Brazil Hang Gliding Team members up here with them, along with their gliders. Pretty cool! Wowzer stuff for sure!

To avoid airspace conflicts with the competition, the Brazil Air Force Aerobatics Team was stationed at the Fairmont Airport.

They put on displays - one each and every day, other than one weathered out day.
One each in Kimberley, Fairmont, Inveremere and Golden.
- There may also have been a display day at Canal Flats. Can't recall for sure.

It was a phenomenal bit of PR work on the part of Brazil.
- A historical highlight marking such noteworthy support for a Hang Gliding Team on the part of their National Government.

Pedro Paulo "Pepe" Lopes from Brazil had one herioc, memorable out and return flight from Fairmont Ski Hill Launch to Golden and return to the Invermere Stampede Grounds / Baseball Park south of the airport.
By the time he got back to Radium he was totally exhausted, flying well out in the middle of the valley,
hanging vertical with his legs out of his harness, kicking to get the blood flowing in them again, his arms hanging at his side, too tuckered out to even hold onto the down tubes.
He glided straight into the LZ, and with one last great, superhuman effort, turned the glider to land safely and win the day.

He may also have won the event. (Can't recall.)

See the FAI / CIVL The Pepe Lopes Medal: http://www.fai.org/civl-awards/civl-individual-disciplines

1986 American Cup Memories:

Aussies win 1986 American Cup: http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1986_258890/sports-briefs.html

INVERMERE, British Columbia

- Australia finished with 16,068.3 points Saturday to take first place in the six-team American Cup invitational hang gliding event.

The United States placed second with 15,754.5 while Canada was third with 14,865.3.

PS and FYI:
John Aldridge stated that The American Cup Continentals Trophy sits in the BHPA Office wall display case in England.
- since the Brits won it last time, rules are they are to be invited again, and given the chance to win it back (again…)

Yours:
Fred Wilson Dec 2012

Fred Wilson · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 07:49 am Post subject:

Side Note / Question:

Three decades ago BC hosted the American Cup (what would be an FAI Cat 1 Event nowadays) at Fairmont Hotspring's Ski Hill.
1986's event saw successful out and return flights to Golden! Very Happy

See: http://www.lakesideevent.com/history.html

Any chance that is still a flying site or could become one again? Especially for big events?
- If the Willi were to be adversely affected by consistent South Winds, maybe the meet could be moved to Fairmont day by day.
(We do have precedence working for us, as we are flying at several Ski Hills including Panorama, Sun Peaks, Grouse...)

Fairmont Hotsprings, (Immediately south of Inveremere, last "intermediate XC pilot LZ" heading south) is one of the best, most breathtaking Hot Springs on Planet Earth.

- You can drop (you or) the better half and kids off there at 10:00 AM and have them kicking and screaming mad when you pick them up at 10:00 PM.
Criminally good scenery - looking up at the Ski Hill / old Hang Gliding Competition Launch above.

- With a Diving Pool that is the Hot Pool. Shocked

What a rush!!!!

Just a fantastic family getaway destination.
- The Columbia River Valley is the Biggest / Longest Migratory Bird Sanction Area in the World. A United Nations Registered World Heritage Site.
Enjoy!

http://www.britishcolumbia.com/regions/towns/?townID=3711

http://www.hellobc.com/kootenay-rockies/things-to-do.aspx