[Free]

brian scharp
PostPosted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 12:02 pm Post subject: Reply with quote #52
In '73 ,when 15 years old, I built a 16' standard with no kingpost and a JimDandy swingset seat for a harness. $360 bought aircraft tubing, cables and a state of the art dacron sail from D. Cheney.Also included flying instruction, as I would tag along with D. Cheney and Kieth Hall any chance I got while saving the money. The glider was beautiful, not a wrinkle in the sail.I flew it at Point of the Mountain and Centerville Utah. I would do it again in a heart beat. Although, I would add a kingpost, parachute and helmet 2nd time around.
Brian

[brianscharp]

Thanks Free. That does bring back memories.

[Free]

I just stumbled across it looking for something else.
It made me smile and thought I'd save it somewhere.
This looked like a good spot.

I technically started in early 70's in Kansas City, Kansas.
It was a poor place for two California pilots to start a business.
They didn't last long in spite of too many students to get a shot in the harness
for a twenty foot sled ride.

[Bob Kuczewski]

 ============== Moderation Report ============== 

Report reason: Off-topic

I see no purpose for this thread. In connection with other Off Topic threads by Free, it seems to amount to a form of SPAM in the "Active Topics" area.

 ============== Moderation Report Response ============== 

I'm still getting used to the moderator's job (we haven't had many requests for moderation until recently), so I'm sorry I didn't get to this report until today.

Since we still haven't implemented a "jury of our peers" to make moderation decisions, I'm going to rule on this one myself.

From what I can tell, this topic/post appears to be the recounting of nice little bit of hang gliding history. I think this is the kind of history that our historians (Joe and Neil) would like to accumulate here, and so I'm happy to allow it to stay. Since this was posted to the "Hang Gliding Historical Committee" Forum, I'll defer to either Joe or Neil if they should express a contrary opinion.

Finally, I want to thank the person submitting the report. I've decided to handle reports by quoting the report in the topic where the report was filed without the reporting person's name. So if you want to file a report without me posting all of it, please let me know that in the report itself. We don't have a post rating system installed here at this time, and I hope we can do without one. I encourage people to use the "Report" button to let me know about any topic that you feel needs moderation. We may disagree on the result, but disagreements happen even when people are working together toward the same goal. So please don't let my decision in any one case affect your willingness to report anything that you think might improve the US Hawks for our members.

[brianscharp]

I see no purpose for this thread.

...preserving and celebrating the rich history of hang gliding.

Introduction and Purpose of this Forum
Postby bobk » Tue May 24, 2011 10:55 am

The Hang Gliding Historical Committee is tasked with preserving and celebrating the rich history of hang gliding. Anyone interested in participating in this effort is welcome to post to this forum. Please feel free to introduce yourself in this topic.

[JoeF]

Any HG detail surrounding the D. Cheney flow may help solve some nagging questions about early Rogallo HG renaissance. Dick Cheney has a date claim that has been historically interesting.
A start on examining the Cheney HG flow:
http://www.energykitesystems.net/DickCheney/index.html

[brianscharp]

Hi Joe,

I haven't had any contact with Dick Cheney since '74-'75. When I met him in '73, it was at a house in Kayesville. He had an industrial sewing machine set up in the basement and had built a very large platform around it for sail making. He was using 3.8 oz. dacron and turning out beautiful sails. I'm afraid I can't confirm any earlier date claims. If I return to Utah I am willing to look him up and see if I could get any more information. But I doubt there'd be more than what John Heiney presented.

[Merlin]

When I met him in '73, it was at a house in Kayesville. He had an industrial sewing machine...

Wow, to be setup with an industrial sewing machine in '73 with the best of hang gliding ahead of you? Seriously would fire up the way-back machine for that.

[Rick Masters]

Hang Gliding Is Gaining In Popularity In State
The Daily Herald, 17 Apr 1973, Tue, Page 19

[JoeF]

Cheney: age 12 from age 24 point in 1973 puts him at about 1961 in the realm of Prentice, Hobson, Palmer, John Worth, Purcell and others ....before the GH's JD boy. More careful calculation on date for Dick Cheney from Dick would be neat.

Dick Cheney has been a holder of the
Flex-Wing Hang Glider Gold Air Award from the World Hang Gliding Association.

Thanks for research, Rick M.