Message from an Old-timer

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:36 pm

George Copeland.

Anybody recognize this guy? He Emailed me and I told him I'd pass along his name and see if we ring any bells.
____________________________
I was a member in the 1970's. Richard Jones was the President before his death at "A" Mountain. I flew a Jobe, then moved to a Seagull 3 and finally a Dragonfly. Are there any members from that far back ?

Mahalo,
George Copeland

Eric · Post by **Eric** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 3:11 pm

I think the only guy`s left around from that far back that I still see,Tony Allergo and I. I only see Tony to get welding done, he does not fly any more.
I remember George and Jimmie, Jack, Allen and Ron. All flying the A, from both sides North and south- sled rides mostly.That would have been 1973 or 74. Tony and I were just starting to fly the Seagull III.
Tony always called me by my nick name -Jack., not to be confused with Jack Davis, who is still in town and Jimmie Mock as well as Jim Austin.

Eric

cowg · Post by **cowg** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 3:30 pm

My names Al Litzow and I was one of the first 20
members. I've been monitoring this site for years
trying to talk myself into a paraglider. I had over
2000 parachute jumps,but I don't know if this helps
or hinders.
Any way my best buddy was Bill Allen and his wife
Mary and until recently I used to see Charlie Lutz
regularly. The really old guys almost all had a Seagull III
so did I, but Charlie had the IV, the one with the big
actually movable rudder.
I also had a Larry Neuman made ship that we rigged
wrong and almost killed me at the A. Also had an Icarus II
fixed wing that I finished except for the covering and Allen
completed. More modern ones followed. I still love the HG's
the best but got my lower back busted in a car accident and
I just can't swivel around with A HG on launch. It's been
so many years that the names are fuzzy 'till I see a picture.

Eric · Post by **Eric** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:49 am

Hi Al,

I remember you, and Bill and Mary and Charley Van Meter and Charley Lutz,(instructor),there were several Ron`s? Galen Williams,Jimmie Mock,Jimmie Austen,Jack Davis,James Baker (the other instructor, wrote the book about local flying sites),Tom Chreche built his own gliders at first,Rick Seville,Mark Axon,Tom Patterson, Don Cassidy...Bill Hamilton I still have his Seagull IV,Dale Trongo- local designer/builder..

I can`t give any advice about PG as I have only done it once, from the Mustangs, 1000ft sled ride! The local instructor Scott hucked me off. In the right conditions it is a gas. Many people on this forum can give advice, just ask! Their safety record looks a little like our`s from the 70`s. The level of performance is sure improved and most local pilots enjoy the glass offs at Box and the Mustangs. They are definetly challenged by conditions locally- they are far more prone than HG to being blown out.

Eric

morey · Post by **morey** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:29 pm

I can't argue with Eric's comments about PG. Overall, to do it takes less skill and more judgement than hang gliding. They do suffer from a lack of forward velocity and structural rigidity, but PG pilots enjoy the convenience of rolling up their wing in a backpack, hiking up a hill and landing back by your car. Nice. I go both ways and enjoy flying both kinds of wings. HG's fly much better, but PGs are way more convenient.

The current crop of easy to fly advanced beginner rated wings will get 8.5:1 L/D and cruise at 23mph. Top speed- less than 30mph.

cowg · Post by **cowg** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 12:17 pm

Thanks for the replies. Eric if you didn't have an old log book in front
of you when you rattled off all those names then you've got one heck of
a spectacular memory. It brought back good feelings and memories.
I'm getting closer and closer to to doing this. Think I'll come to
a meeting next month, is there going to be a July gathering at the
pizza place?

hangwind · Post by **hangwind** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 1:36 pm

Al, I am amazed at reading your entries.

I hope you do get back to it and I truly think you are the tip of the iceberg. There are a lot more guys like you out there...

I'm hoping that the July meeting will come to fruition. I will drive down from Phoenix to make it. Expect a beer from me.

Also, soon enough, I am going to detail a project that I have been wanting to do for quite some time, a book on Arizona Hang Gliding, from the old days and beyond. I do hope you will contribute to it. This will be a non-profit book and any proceeds will go back to the community. I highly doubt it will be a money thing, it will simply be something that we make for us.

Anyway, I am very happy to see your writing here, fantastic.

jlowery · Post by **jlowery** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:13 pm

Al,

There will be no July meeting. The next meeting is Tuesday, August 11th at 7 PM, at the Pizza Hut on N. Campbell Ave.

John

cowg · Post by **cowg** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:32 pm

Thanks for the heads up on the meeting. The reason I asked is that in the
OLD days there was almost never an August meeting.
I just want to say that every day I'm getting closer to doing this again.

Message from an Old-timer

Re: July meeting