Pictures once again will tell the story. Charlie is still a little sore from rolling stumps around, Neillybird missed all this action the previous week, but made three attempts at toplanding last Saturday. Scotty toplanded twice. All pilots please note: Mr. Windsock out there 24/7 in summer sun, wind, and acid rain was not even 4 months old. Inspect your gear, and most importantly don’t fly IN acid rain. I have not gotten my new wing wet in the past year flying in voggy conditions and it seems ok…. Neillybird

Many thanks to Bill Brodbeck for allowing a group of local paraglider pilots to purchase the Kealakekua launch property. Bill had gracefully allowed local and visitor pilots to run off his front lawn for at least 11 years. So now it was retirement time for Bill and he gave first choice to the local paraglider pilots. A hui of dedicated pilots rearranged their finances and have acquired the property. This is truly historic. This only happened because it was meant to be. Kealakekua “just may be the most consistently flyable site in the Pacific”. Certainly in Hawaii. Launch clean up photos tell part of the story. Neillybird 

On Saturday April 5th, Gene and Neil went up to launch carrying a visiting pilot (Scot)and his new wife to do a tandem. On the ride up Gene said it didn’t look so promising, and Neil (me) said the wind was so strong blowing north over the Kohala Mountains that it might be wise to not fly today. However, when we got to launch Roger Simons was up over Honaunau Elementary asking about about a dragon thermal he was encountering. He asked the elevation of the school, I gave him a low estimate 800 feet (it is more like 1200). I suggested he grab the thermal, which he did. He worked his way back to launch and proceeded to go out over the Pali and then the ocean. Meanwhile the rest of us launch. It was sporty air with 1,000 feet per minute lift surrounded by 1100 feet per minute sink! After flying around for well over an hour we all flew over the ocean.

Three pictures will tell the story of looking at City of Refuge from above Kealia, South Kona. HOO LELE, Neil

At our meeting duly held on January 19, 2008 the following officers were elected:

President, Kirk (Yeti) Deffebach 987 0773

Vice President, Eugene Dursin  328 8514

Secretary, Moku Busch 896 2118

Treasurer, Neil Morriss 895 1048

Safety Officer, Scott Gee 854 1994

As always, annual dues of $20.00 are payable to BISA:

PO Box 1328 Kamuela, HI 96743

Charlie gets a new gradient, Moku says “it looks pink in the air”.

Aloha Members:
  Club meeting Ahhh Paradise 
LZ Saturday September 8th  1 pm after flying. Club should buy some 
drinks and pupus . This meeting will be to elect club officers for 
2008 . We have some great new people that are going to make a 
difference in the coming years . I hope to see all club members , 
come early and fly , Aloha  Charlie 938-9825

Many thanks to the hearty volunteers who drove up to Puuloa to herbicide the Gorse. It was hot and dry and windy. But that didn’t stop us from our determined efforts to erradicate the evil plant. Mike Robinson helped direct us into some kind of organized approach. Darren, Jeff and I worked on the lower back and right side. Neil made the hike to the top with at least two tank fulls. Yeti and Charlie (Darth-Crocker) worked the lower plants that refuse to be killed. Bobby supervised and provided humor. Greg worked the power sprayer. Sorry if I forgot anyone, but again, Mahalo, as this volunteer effort helps preserve one of our precious few launch sites.

Onomea Eric