It seems the two horses that live next door to Kealakekua launch have been roaming free and depositing aromatic deposits on the lawn. Enter Gene Dursin who really knows how to “spread the manure”!

He can also be seen landing in a large clearing makai….

Also, Shawn Baker launching the Ozone Addict (Blue wing).

Scotty had an ecstatic local resident tandem passenger, nice to have goodwill in the Valley! Good fun was had by all.

Neil

Thanks to Christopher Langan we have been flying some great demo wings. An Ozone Buzz Lower DHV-1-2, An Ozone Rush Upper DHV-1-2, A Gin Zulu DHV-1-2, and an Ozone Addict DHV-2. Scotty and Neil flew all of these wings and frankly we were impressed with all of them as appropriate for various pilot skill levels. Neil liked being well weighted in the 80 to 100 KG addict in bullet thermals and threatened to add it to his arsenal. Neil

These small but feisty critters have torn multiple pant legs over the last few years. Seems like we make their day as they bound down the yard acting like they want to fly. First time one grabs a stirrup and goes for a ride will be its last….Neil

Charlie, Scotty, Moku and Sir James getting ready for a day of flying.

Charlie and Gene under the Christmasberry planning their flights.

Last Saturday I visited Oahu, bringing my wing and free harness as luggage from the Big Island. As mostly a powered paraglider pilot, I was excited at the prospect of prolonged soaring in silence. I could hardly sleep with anticipation and awoke early. After a hearty breakfast I drove over to Makapuu in my rental.

Light easterly trades, mostly clear skies, plenty of sunshine. Perfect! Jetflap was just launching from “Crazymans” upon my arrival. A couple of other guys were to follow. This particular launch is steep, with powerlines directly above, located on a very steep slope just below the highway right above the beach, thus a bit intimidating. I decided to walk down the road and up the trail to the “Juice” launch. This launch is just big enough to layout your wing on a steep slope but seemed less challenging. Light trades made a reverse launch easy, one step and away I flew, turning South toward the lighthouse along the powerlines. I was pleasantly surprised as the lift was almost immediate and gentle. My variometer was beeping at 250 feet per minute lift. A few passes along the cliff and I was soon above the ridge.

For the next four hours I relaxed and enjoyed the ride as other pilots launched and sometimes landed. Head out to the ocean toward Rabbit Island and decent is possible, but just glide back to the cliff face above Sea Life Park and rise in the elevator lift back above the ridge.

Great fun, and I can’t wait to do it again. All of the Oahu pilots were great and showed me Aloha.

Major Nick Johnson, who just happens to fly the identical orange and black medium sky Atis wing took photos of the day and can be veiwed by cutting and pasting the following link to your web browser.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22527841@N00/sets/72157594300338796

Onomea Eric

We had some great flying last weekend in Kealakekua. Charlie Crocker flew from launch to Honaunau Elementary school where he landed on the grass playing field. He then calmly proceeded to fulfill his citizen’s duty by casting his vote in the primary elections! I wonder how many paraglider pilots nationwide did that?!!!! Sunday we had “clear air thermals” with just the tops of the clouds popping like anti-aircraft fire at about 3,200 feet. I made it as far north as the Manago Hotel but hit sink and had to return to our valley. Missed putting sunsceen on a spot on my nose and fried it!

Neillybird

It wasn’t the best of conditions.. but we did what we could..

The day started off as Charlie, Neil, Yeti, Daran and myself (James) made our journey to Puu Loa for the second official club spraying day of the year. In high spirits we kicked off the day with Neil leading the charge and going to the top of Puu Loa while the rest of us went to work on the access road. We had made our way down past the stand of Koa trees before the weather really started to move in and were forced to call the day a bit early.

for all you undecided voters out there…
GET OUT AND VOTE!

Attention all BISA members,

The gorse spraying day # 2 has been pushed back a week. The new date is Sept 16th. Please meet at 8am in the parking lot near the junction of Saddle road and the Observatory Access Road. Contact Yeti or Eric for more details. Bring 5 gallons of water each, a back pack sprayer, food and water for your self and a mask and rubber gloves.

Thanks for your support.

John Ivey

Eric and Yeti met with Mike Robinson on Tuesday (9/5/06) to discuss the temporary closing of Puu Loa for cattle removal. The Kookomo site was discussed again but Mike is still against it as he feels that it may distract drivers heading up Mauna Kea. Yeti suggested scheduling a day with Mike to have several pilots test fly it to see if this is really an issue. Mike is checking to see if we can fly at Loa Loa in the meantime.

 

Neil has recieved a letter from the Puu Anahulu Association stating that they have no objections to us flying in the area. Puu Anahulu Community Association Letter