U.S. Hang Gliding Pilots




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 Post subject: Matt Colver
PostPosted: Fri Mar 28, 2025 12:37 pm 
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Matt Colver was USHGA number 8. He was in line behind his father Frank Colver (USHGA #7) when they signed up together. Both attended the original Otto Meet.

This is a picture of Ernest Feher (left), Matt Colver (center), and Joe Faust (right) during a recent Otto Meet reunion at Dockweiler:

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Every human at every point in history has an opportunity to choose courage over cowardice. Look around and you will find that opportunity in your own time.


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 Post subject: Re: Matt Colver
PostPosted: Fri Mar 28, 2025 2:04 pm 
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https://www.facebook.com/matt.colver.96/videos/3972862226162668
His flight; we do not see him in the video. We see his wedding ring. Condolences to his wife, Sandi, and to his family and friends!
The video audio: " Yah, I feel confident." The late era Matt stuck his landing at Dockweiler in recent years.

He blessed hang gliding world in many ways.
Thank you, Matt, for you.

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Different photo of younger Matt Colver ... Site: Norco, California
Image

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70's Anne Green Springs
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Early homemade Flexi, Matt using dad's original Colver Variometer
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In 1973 Matt flew his dad-designed-made Colver SkySail at the Third Otto Meet:
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He made the cover of the June issue of Ground Skimmer, photo by William A. Allen (Bill Allen).
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Matt Colver in Colver Skysail. 1973. Photograph by Frank Colver is seen
on page: http://www.energykitesystems.net/Lift/2 ... LIFT1.html
but here linked:
Image

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Matt posted in his Facebook the caption of a photo there of his irrigation pipe hang glider:
"This was my hang glider built in 1972 from 2 inch aluminum irrigation pipe bought at "Rain For Rent" in Perris, Ca. and a polyethylene sail."
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Matt Colver posted in his Facebook realm. Easy to find.
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Join a National Hang Gliding Organization: US Hawks at ushawks.org

View pilots' hang gliding rating at: US Hang Gliding Rating System


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 Post subject: Re: Matt Colver
PostPosted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 1:28 pm 
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Thanks for the link Joe. This is one of Matt's flights on May 23, 2021:



And here's a photo of 5 original Otto Meet attendees 50 years later (Matt is second from the right):

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From Matt's YouTube channel titled "1970s Hang Gliding" posted on September 5, 2021:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qenoxUFkQ44

"Hang Gliding at Torrance Beach, Escape Country, and Dockweiler Beach in the 70s. Trying to fly my father's rigid wing with the parallel bars too far back resulting in stalls. Also some footage of my father's 19 foot Eipper being built. He's shown later flying it at Escape Country."


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Join a National Hang Gliding Organization: US Hawks at ushawks.org
View my rating at: US Hang Gliding Rating System
Every human at every point in history has an opportunity to choose courage over cowardice. Look around and you will find that opportunity in your own time.


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 Post subject: Re: Matt Colver
PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2025 12:35 pm 
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Systems Engineer at United Launch Alliance
ULA
Matt Colver wrote:
I grew up in Orange County, SoCal. I now reside in Castle Rock, Colorado. In the 70s I flew hang gliders. In the 80s I flew hot air balloons. In the 90s I focused on my career as a manufacturing engineer at McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, working on Delta II, III, & IV rockets. I was a workaholic. In the early 2000s I slowed to a better work-life balance. I finished my career and retired from ULA in 2016. For the last 20 years my interests have been white water rafting and world travel.
More info

Quote:
Experience
United Launch Alliance (ULA)
Systems Engineer

Systems Engineer 5
ULA - United Launch Alliance - Lockheed Martin & Boeing ULA
Lockheed Martin & Boeing 1979 - Present · 46 yrs 4 mos

Partner
Inflatable Promotions 1982 - 1988 · 6 yrs 1982 to 1988 · 6 yrs

Education
Long Beach State
B.S., Business Administration, Marketing 1979 - 1982

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Join a National Hang Gliding Organization: US Hawks at ushawks.org

View pilots' hang gliding rating at: US Hang Gliding Rating System


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