[Free]

On a positive note: Your recent thread topic about Hang Gliding Gypsies grabbed my curiosity. I started flying in 1975 but was trying to fly (with a "bamboo butterfly" of my own design) starting in 1974. So, I know about the basic, simple attraction (and accessibility?) of hang gliding in those days (as compared to today). But I've been waiting for you to get to your point in the Gypsy thread related to your concluding idea/concept.

I'm fairly confident that I know where you are headed, but until you get there I'm not ready to (disrespectfully?) assume your ultimate point/conclusion. I'm also seeing you acting as a "teacher" waiting for the "bright" student(s) to raise their hand and deliver the realized point of the lesson. Thing is, you can make your point straight out. That would save us all a lot of time - and would likely be appreciated.

You've already been given permission in this thread to suggest the obvious conclusion.
The teacher may be giving the class a test but the student gets to grade and correct their own papers.
That's fair and reasonable.

Expecting me to finish it now, with Bob K. trying to boot me from his club, is out of the question.
The tracks of communication have been eroded. Big effort to repair, or just abandon the tracks?
Who decides?

[Free]

02/10/15
Hi Everyone. I want to start out by saying thanks for all of the insights and feedback posted in these forums. I feel it is important to collect both positive and reconstructive thoughts, and thankfully the flying community never has a lackthereof. javascript:emoticon('Very Happy') I also want to say a special thanks to Davis for making all of this possible through the network. (I enjoyed flying with you some last February and March at Quest and was grateful for getting to know you slightly while collecting palm tree shavings to help clean up around the land. I'll be back to Quest again for the month of March this year.)

Now to the topic at hand… The Flying Gypsies… I think I can speak for my friends, who also have equally as much effervescence for flying as a sugar glider, when I say the idea behind the Flying Gypsies is not intended to be obtrusive nor portray a negative image on collecting donations. The primary goal is simply to help raise more positive awareness to the sport and provide the opportunity for ambitious pilots to gain valuable experience. Very Happy Although the collaboration might seem premature, or even bold to some degree, it is a necessary step in order to begin developing better goals for the future. This isn't due to a lack of work but merely the productivity of time. We all uphold jobs as either instructors or maintain other miscellaneous work to help further our careers within the flying community. I hope that I was able to shed a little bit of light on the subject. - Rich Westmoreland

[Free]

Hang gliding sell out, Mark G. Forbes wants more money so U$hPA can give even more of your money they already have to bolster profit margins of selected/connected private hang gliding operators and operations.

All money collected, less handling fees, (Tim Herr and related costs) to be paid directly and indirectly to existing U$hPA ~licensed~ participant$ that need money given to them in order to offset cost of for-profit hang gliding pecker measuring contests.

In the real world this could be construed as crony capitalism, bail out or Quantitive Easing for jet-set globe trotters.
Tax avoidance Corporations, (U$hPA) may call this Team Building.*

*Not applicable in the State of Iowa or to new or prospective pilots

PostPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 8:16 pm Post subject: Hang gliding team for sale, 50% off!

Always wanted to own a sports team, but didn't have the money? Now you're in luck! For a limited time, USHPA is running a 50% off sale on the US national hang gliding and paragliding teams. From now until the end of March, you can make a donation to support our world competition teams, and USHPA will match that amount up to $500 per individual member.

USHPA has offered a donation matching program at membership renewal for many years. What's different right now is that we're trying to help out the teams competing on the world stage this spring. To do that, we're matching ALL donations to the teams for a limited time, whether or not it's time for your membership renewal.

The offer is open until the end of March. Sooner would be good, to give the team an idea of how much financial support they can expect. They'll be awarded however much accrues in the team account through the end of March. After that, fundraising will start for the 2017 team.

Every donation helps, no matter the size. Let's give them a hand with the finances, so they can focus on flying well. Thanks for your support!
The donation page is here:
http://ushpa.aero/donation_usteam_form.asp

MGF