https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=scp64TOZtik&t=2s45 years gone by. The "playfull", spirit has subsided a bit, but the "older" pilots (and in their "retiring" years) are still at the core of "hang gliding". One of which I'll point out here
https://vimeo.com/286965017 (and i think by 85, Frank will be flying prone, with a steep "base to final" (and the crowd goes wild) a nice "flare", to a two step landing). These early gliders...... (but they were already 5 years old at the time of this "original" video) (which is like 35 years in hang gliding years, and by 1980 they were in their "prime" at 70) .....were performing their "ballet" skills in front of many enthusiastic spectators, who For the most part in awe of what they were watching. By 1980, in comparison, gliding was "state of the art" and not so much a spectator sport any more.
The invasion of cheep foreign para gliders vs. The hang glider industry has put a severe damper on things, and brought "easy fliers" into the sport, who "get tugged" into the air at step 4. There will never again be the "awe" that these "old school heros"
instilled in so many of us. This is one of my favorite videos because I for one, am still in awe. From the first day at Torrance Beach, in 1970, to 13,500' in 1972, on a mountain top, high above Tellude Co. I new that things didn't need to be any better, by 1980 watching a glider do 6 full loops over my house, the "awe" turned into even more incredible respect. Now in 2020 watching this video, it only strengthens that respect for these old timers.
They need support from
all of us to keep "hang gliding" from fading away.
Call them up once and awhile and show them our strength. "Through thick and thin". And take some time to listen to some favorite music and watch these old videos, to recapture this "spirit" almost lost.
Craig[/quote]
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by Craig Muhonen » Thu Jan 02, 2020 4:07 pm 
