[JoeF]

WPGA announces a reversal:

WPGA is now discouraging the use of paragliders for recreational flight

[JoeF]

Rick Masters shared some notes:

Four soaring parachutists were killed last September 14, 16, 17 and the 28th in apparent collapse incidents on flights from Col Rodella in the Italian Dolomite Range.

What drives them to take such lemming-like risks?

This fantastic GPS video by Fred Forcher provides a detailed examination of paragliding XC in the Dolomites from Col Rodella.

https://youtu.be/xzv-LJB5mes

Wait 'till they find out that hang gliders don't collapse!

Oh, they're dead?

Nevermind.

POV https://youtu.be/B2mJ82rTSKk

[dhmartens]

Such beautiful sites in the Dolomites and a total shame four foot launched pilots has to die when these accidents are totally avoidable for only a few hundred dollars in upgrades and flight techniques.

First: upgrade your vario with an electro magnetic(UFO)detector.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ufo+detector
https://www.amazon.com/UFO-Detector-mag ... 424&sr=8-2
It has come to my attention that UFOs may be secret Russian aircraft capable of waking paragliders and killing their pilots for sport all while remaining undetectable.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics ... on-russia/

Second: Fly with a companion drone to detect turbulence when flying below 300feet/100 meters agl.
This is commonly referred to on the site as the Dead Man's Curve. I refer to it as an area of heightened awareness or heightened risk.

In hang gliding we call it a "Wind Dummy". The first pilot to launch, or test the air in a close by area.
Store the drone on top of your helmet when higher than 300" or 100 meters Agl. Otherwise release the drone to detect turbulence.

Doug

[JoeF]

A new milestone - but not a milestone anyone wants to see

Hi Joe,
My research has reached a new milestone, but not the kind anyone wants to see.

As you know, I used the sinking of the HMS Titanic as a comparison to the horrible paragliding attrition since the sport's inception in 1986.
1,514 souls were lost when the passenger liner struck that iceberg.

It's hard to believe that paragliding reached that mark with 1,514 global free-flight fatalities back on May 22, 2016, by my incomplete count.
But a lot more have been lost in over three years since then, including 111 in this year of 2019.

This tally does not take into account powered paragliding.
But powered paragliding fatalities are increasing rapidly, reaching 331 by my latest incomplete count.

Adding all the fatalities under a paragliding canopy that I know of today, the total comes to 2,233.
This number is seven more than were on the Titanic when it left Liverpool.
We are now counting toward a second Titanic!

Rick Masters
http://www.ushga.aero/masters/

[Craig Muhonen]

Lawyers prepare to move on paragliding; target passenger flights.

Skydiving and Paragliding Accidents and Injuries
Because of the dangerous nature of aerial sports, injuries from skydiving and paragliding accidents are almost always serious and are often fatal. Adrenaline junkies are at the mercy of the equipment and training they receive for their high flying excursions; and when the equipment is faulty or the training is inadequate, the results are often deadly. Instructors, equipment manufacturers, employees, and recreation companies may be legally responsible for accidents that occur when a skydiver or paraglider uses their services.

COMMON SKYDIVING AND PARAGLIDING INJURIES
Broken bones
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Spinal cord injuries
Paralysis
Death

SKYDIVING AND PARACHUTING
Skydiving and parachuting accidents caused 21 deaths in the United States in 2010 (dropzone.com) One aspect that many of these accidents have in common is that the victims were often experienced skydivers. These fatal accidents were most often caused by:
Product defects
Equipment malfunction
Improper packing
Cord defects
Harness failure
Defective steering handles

PARASAILING AND PARAGLIDING
Parasailing and paragliding accidents are different from skydiving and parachuting accidents in that the passengers are often inexperienced and the sport is not regulated at the federal, state, or county level. They count on operators, instructors, boat drivers, and other officials to guide them in their sailing/gliding excursions. When these trained officials fail to properly do their job, the results can be devastating for victims. Common causes of accidents include:
Faulty/worn equipment
Bad weather
Poor training
Improper maintenance of boats
http://thomasjhenrylaw.com/practice-areas/skydiving-accidents/
__________________________

No mention of hang gliding.
Hang glider pilots who wish to contribute financially to the defense of parachuting (paragliding) should remain in the U$hPa.
They will, of course, say it is in defense of free-flight.
But I would like hang glider pilots to make a differentiation.
Hang gliders are the simplest form of sailplanes.
Paragliders are the most complicated form of parachutes.
They are not even remotely the same.

Every time that we can bring to the forefront, these true statements, the freedom to choose wisely is enhanced for the upcoming "pilots". (Only if it made available during ground school classes) . U$hpa And it's hang glider supporters do constantly distract everyone by saying "look at us.... we're so cool, and safe"

We should all keep the truth about the dangers of paragliding as a "hot topic"
Give kids a better choice of "foils".

Craig Muhonen

[JoeF]

http://www.energykitesystems.net/Airbor ... iding.html
holds an Aug 23, 2020, quote by top researcher Rick Masters.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Hi Joe,

At this time, I have verified 1920 free-flight paragliding fatalities worldwide by Jan 1, 2020.

In my opinion, that represents 90% or less of the actual number.

Okay to share.

Rick Masters
rickmas@ushga.aero

Thanks for that timely quote Joe.

[eagle]

Another Paraglider Accident
Crestline Pilot Speaks Out: 1st responder
See Video: https://youtu.be/NVXMspO4nxg

Para pilot philosophy
The Wrong Reasons to Step Up
See Vidieo: https://youtu.be/HAoxIENQgtE

Crestline.jpg (65.85 KiB) Viewed 10199 times

General Site Guidlines ~ Crestline Soaring Society
See Link: https://images.app.goo.gl/tMvErAJzjaoWyoMS6

[Bob Kuczewski]

https://youtu.be/HAoxIENQgtE



He makes a key statement at 8:20:

"We're all trying to make emotional needs met through paragliding."

That's what they're selling at Torrey and at USHPA. They're not selling flying. They're selling emotion.

One of the greatest human needs is to be part of the "in crowd", and that's what they prey upon. They're selling membership in the "in crowd", and that's what's getting people injured and killed.

[JoeF]

Thanks, Joe,

I often delivered diesel fuel to Round Mountain in supertrains and triple tankers in the late 1980s. Sure, it could be a good launch site, but I never even thought about flying a hang glider from there. It made much more sense fo fly from the Owens Valley, where you could launch way before noon and be on your way to big XC mileage.

Thanks for the link to James Oroc's disappearance. I can't say I'm surprised. The air out there is really rough, not a place for paragliders. An awful lot of people still don't understand that you need an airframe to survive in turbulent air. Paragliders aren't hang gliders. They are parachutes. Utterly deficient, they collapse in turbulence and kill their pilots. RIP James Oroc. He asked for it.

Okay to share.
Rick Masters

On 08/27/2020 15:45, Joe Faust wrote:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/arti ... d=12359879
Search continues in US for missing Kiwi paraglider James 'Kiwi' Oroc
27 Aug, 2020 7:02pm