21st Annual Easter Fly-In
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| Thanks to Geri Heathman, and her gift of Photography. All the photographs above were taken by Geri. | |
Last Year's T-shirt Design - Stay tuned for this years design
Hi!
The Local paper picked up our fly-in, but the link is no longer active.
Here is the text from the story:
Let the good times fly;
Paragliders converge on valley for 21st annual Easter Fly-In
Byline: Eric Barker
Geri Heathman, of
Anatone stands on top of Asotin Hill with a paraglider sprawled out behind her.
Testing the wind, her Husband Tom throws a few blades of grass in the air.
When it's just right she takes a step forward and her turquoise wing snaps to
life.
Heathman sprints down hill about 30 yards before air currents gently lift her
off the ground and she floats out over the Snake River. "It's amazing times we
live in when you can get a bag of air and fly with it," Ken Goods of Clarkston
says while watching Heathman disappear over the edge of the hill.
The three were among the 20 or so pilots who converged on the Lewiston
Clarkston valley for the 21st annual Easter Fly-In.
The event was hosted by local foot launch pilots and attracted paragliders
from across the northwest.
The daring souls made several flights over the weekend and took part in a
number of pilot games. There was a spot landing contest where pilots tried to
make precision landings and a bomb dropping contest where they tried to hit a
target with plastic baggies filled with flour.
"We don't have to worry about being drafted over to Yugoslavia," said Tom
Heathman. "We were way off our targets.
Goods say people who always wanted to fly are attracted to the growing sport.
The Lewiston Clarkston valley has a number of ideal launch sites that the
pilots struggle to keep open. Many are on private land and land owners sometimes
fear they will be sued if someone is injured.
However according to pilots Aaron Frizzell and Eric Endicott, both of
Clarkston, that won't happen.
"We take a very dim view of anybody who believes in suing," says Endicott.
"That would kill our sport."
Suing violates spoken and unspoken rules of the sport. Pilots pledge not to
sue landowners for any injuries when they join the United States Hang Gliding
Association. Membership also includes $1 million of liability insurance.
Frizzel says they work hard to maintain good relationships with landowners and
often offer to do chores, like fixing fences, to stay in their good graces. He
says they always clean up after themselves.
"About the only thing we leave is foot steps."
Paragliding can be a hurry up and wait sport. Conditions have to be right for
flight, and pilots watch weather forecasts religiously.
"When they say partly cloudy that's when your ears perk up," says Frizzell.
The pilots are looking for instability in the atmosphere. Good, clear days
associated with high pressure may be coveted by many outdoor recreationalists
but not foot launch pilots.
A good day for them starts clear and warms up fast with cumulous clouds
forming by late morning or early afternoon.
"We just look at beautiful days with different eyes," says Frizzell.
The front-page Monday photograph was of three out of town pilots flying from the Asotin
Hill. It was a great event. We actually unofficially started the flying
Thursday afternoon. We soared the Asotin Hill on the West, North and East faces, as
the wind kept switching on four of the local pilots (including me). After the final
blow-out, which caught three of us in the air, we decided that the fly-in had started.
Friday afternoon, Tom & Geri Heathman greeted Carlos and Kathleen, as well as Bill,
all out of town pilots. Bill decided to join the main body of the body of the pilots
at the 'C', across town. Bruce, Dave and Leslie, from the north central WA area, and
Lee, from the Seattle area, joined in the second ride to the top of the C. I was
extremely impressed with the flying abilities of all who decided to fly the 'C'.
Every pilot mentioned, including Paul, a local with his first thermal flight, all
got above launch. We decided Paul got the flight of the day, as he is the newest
pilot of the group, as the first off launch the second run, and found the first
thermal which the rest of the group worked, some for over 1 1/2 hours. Scott got the
highest vertically, over 2500 ft, I think.
Saturday morning looked very bad, as it had surprise showered on the valley. We
weren't expecting rain until Saturday afternoon, so the day started later than expected.
Finally, around 10:30 am, I launched to be the wind dummy, and drop the first
flour bomb at the spot. As Tom mentions in the article, we don't think we will be
drafted for any bomb runs in Kosovo. I was over 100 ft. from the mark!!! Bruce
Tracey won the event, 'dropping his load' a mere 15 ft. from the spot. Good Job,
Bruce. Bruce received a certificate later in the evening for his efforts.
Later, we disbanded into a large group who trekked across the valley in a caravan to fly
the 'C' again. Conditions didn't look very promising, so I offered to baby-sit
Carlo's and Kathleen's baby girl, so that they could both fly. The first group to
arrive at launch had a good turn around, and got two flights off the hill with no
significant altitude gains (were there any?) Bruce and Leslie, who launched last
with the first group, started their anticipated sled run, but found lift at the house
thermal, and worked it to above launch, hanging out for a while, basking in their
achievement. What a wonderful sight. By this time, conditions actually started
to improve, and flights by the large second group were had again, but duties
kept me from staying (I had to go SHOPPING!!) I returned Brianna to her happy
parents and hit the road.
Saturday evening, the pig made it to launch to many hungry, cold pilots! The firewood and
keg didn't arrive for another half hour, at which time, we were about to string John (the
late pilot with the goods) to the cross located just down the road. Luckily, we were
feeling a bit fat and lazy from the SPECTACULAR Vittles, and John escaped unscathed.
Dave, or hang gliding buddy from Joseph, OR, brought out a bag full of instruments,
including and Indian and regular flute, two recorders, bells, many forms of maraca's, a
piece of leather with seed pods, and two tuned bongo type drums....We have a jam session,
with all 30 of us getting a chance to make music. The other Dave told the worst joke
of the weekend....it took about five minutes to get everybody quiet so he could tell
this joke. We all took him very seriously until he neared the punch line, at which
point we all lined up to douse him with punch....
I left around 11 pm, but the party apparently continued long after my departure.
Sunday morning brought a time change which many pilots, including myself, missed.
The 9:30 meet turned out to be around 10:15. Bruce, Leslie and Dave left
around 10:45, as they had quite a trip ahead of them. Carlos, Kathleen and Brianna
arrived and said their good byes shortly thereafter. I missed the time change for the
second time that day, and had to leave abruptly for a while. I missed Bill and Lee,
but found Lee later that afternoon after he landed from taking another sled run
from the Asotin Hill.
In summary, we had the best fly-in in quite a while. It was a lot of work. but well
worth the effort. I want to thank all the pilots from out of town who joined us to
make this fly-in a success. For those of you in other areas of the country who were
not able to attend, I invite you to join us next year, or later on this year. Just
phone us, and we will get together to fly! I may have failed to mention the fact
that we live in the Banana Belt. It did get down to around 38 degrees in the
evening, but we enjoyed temperatures in the 50's during the event, and there was only a
brush of snow on the 'C' for about two hours Saturday morning. By the time we
prepared to launch, the snow was gone, and the grass was dry.
We are going to make 22 bigger and better than ever, so please mark your calendars for
next years event.
Aaron Frizzell
NWSPA
PO Box 2065
Clarkston, WA 99403
509-751-0383
nwspa@northwestoutdoors.com
Hi, All:
A pilot pointed out that they were not aware of meet locations for Friday
morning, April 2, at the Asotin Hill, in Asotin, Washington (did I cover
it??? - I could give GPS locations as well....). Sorry about that. Eric
Endicott & I are planning on being at the Asotin Hill (see previous email
or http://www.NORTHWESTOUTDOORS.COM/nwspa/21st_annual_easter_fly.htm
for
driving directions) between 9 am to noon on Friday. We are also planning
on taking a flight from the Clarkston 'C' at 1:00 pm, so get your radio's
out. The primary frequency we use in our valley is 146.420, but we will be
monitoring the other USHGA frequencies, 151.925 & 151.625 that weekend.
To reach a pilot in the valley in case of major forest fire, closed passes,
tornado or thunderstorm please detail the following numbers:
Aaron Frizzell 509-751-0383
Scott Johnson 509-243-4988
Eric Endicott 509-758-6345
Gerri & Tom Heathman 509-256-3304
Call us and leave a message. Between the four of us, we should be able to
find you, should you find yourself lost somewhere in Asotin, Clarkston or
Lewiston, Friday afternoon.
Briefly, if you wish to fly the 'C' with us Friday afternoon, please get
into town early Friday morning (by 9am) and call Scott to make arrangements
for meet location. We can give you directions to the 'C' landing zone via
email. This is a highly visible flying site from the Lewis-Clark Valley,
so if you look north and find the 'C' and the 'L' on the hill, look between
them for gliders in the air...
Have a safe drive from where you come, and we'll see you next weekend.
Aaron Frizzell
NWSPA
509-751-0383
http://northwestoutdoors.com/nwspa/
nwspa@northwestoutdoors.com or spaztic@digisys.net
Aaron Frizzell
Spaztic Consulting
PO Box 2065
Clarkston, WA 99403 USA
509-751-0383
afrizzell@ntx.com
Update Sent via e-mail, Thursday March 215, 1999;
Hi, All:
There is going to be a Pig Roast Saturday evening, April 3, starting at 6pm, high atop the
Asotin Hill. Dave Dorian is going to pick up a fairly large hog and cook it at his place.
He also was gracious enough to offer his place at 3 Mile Inn, should the weather be bad
for Saturday evening. I asked him to have the pig ready by 6 pm. Dinner will be a Potluck
type - I am bringing the Potato Salad. Anybody else want to volunteer anything so we have
a "Menu?" For those of you who have already pledged support to offset the cost
of the pig- THANKS!!! For those interested in donating, please find me Saturday evening as
you are sampling the vittles.
The Bomb Drop will take place Saturday morning, at 9 am, pending everybody shows up that
early. I mentioned 8 am, and I believe I heard 'boo's" from the gallery.
Rules for the Bomb Drop are as follows:
1. Flour baggies will be used for impact locators. Hopefully, flights will be staggered
enough. Scream your name as you release, so the judge on the ground will know who you are.
(Water was voted out due to it's moist nature, so handle your ordnance gingerly)
2. In order to make the drop official, you must land in the designated LZ. For pilots not
familiar with this LZ, we will go over it in some detail before any major flying begins.
Anybody landing in another LZ will have their drop disqualified. This rule is intended to
keep your mind on the flying and the LZ, not doing wingovers and loops to get into
position for the drop. Everybody should have PLENTY of altitude to make their drop AND
make the LZ wihout problem. Remember, the most important thing to remember is STAY SAFE!
3. Target will be on the ENE side of the Asotin Hill. It will be clearly marked with a
bullseye and wind streamers. Point system will be 10 points for inner circle, 5 points for
outer circle, 2 points anywhere in the same county, providing you make the LZ, [ 0 points
if we have to call out Asotin's Finest for emergency services :-) ]
Pretty simple, Huh?
Spot Landing Contest
"Controlled Landing On Feet" Carefully chosen words. The Judge has the ultimate
say if your landing is Controlled or not. The Judges Word is FINAL.
Same point system as above- 10 points for inner circle, 5 points for outer circle, 2
points anywhere in the same county, providing you come down and land at all.
The Spot Landing Contest is probably the scariest. I have noticed that people will do
things they normally would not do in an attempt to hit the Bulls Eye. In order to try to
remove this type of competition (and for lack of a sponsor for prizes), the winner of the
contest will receive a Certificate of Merit from the NWSPA. Sorry, but I can't have it
weigh on my conscience if anybody were to wreck trying to make the spot. Please impress
your fellow pilots with your good judgement and anticipation of conditions, rather than
how low and steep you can turn. The winner will be recognized for good judgement AND
skill.
So far I have not heard any long term forecasts, however, the Lewis-Clark area pilots have
already posted some SPECTACULAR flights in this area, and there is REALLY good lift this
year. It hasn't rained in a few days, so if the pattern continues, we will have at least
one good day of great flying.
Any questions, please write. Hope to see you all soon, and drive safely from where you
come.
Aaron Frizzell
NWSPA
Announcement sent via e-mail, Sunday March 14, 1999:
The Northwest Sport Pilot
Association is proud to announce:
The 21st Annual Easter Fly-in "Soaring Toward A New Millennium"
We are led to believe we have one of the longest running annual Hangglider/Paraglider
fly-in events in the Pacific Northwest, and quite possibly the country. Come join your
friends and co-pilots in celebrating foot-launched flight in the site rich Lewis-Clark
Valley of Southeast Washington State.
We are blessed with numerous flying sites in the Lewis-Clark Valley. Perhaps you have read
some of the recent flight updates involving Puffer's Butte "Carnage in the
Blues."... The Asotin Hill, where we base our weekend of fun activities, The
Clarkston 'C' (where just the other day, Eric Endicott and I found lift equal to 1380
fpm), the Lewiston 'L', Hatwai Ridge, Bad Mountain, Steptoe Butte, Tekoa Ridge - plus many
other locations which have no names. Sites face every wind direction, if only you are in
the right place at the right time. This year, pilots in the valley have already recorded
lift above 1300 fpm, with flights of over 2 hours! This is going to be a great year of
flying in the Lewis-Clark Valley. Most of the sites are P2 rated sites, depending on
conditions.
We are notifying the Lewiston Morning Tribune (www.lmtribune.com) for possible coverage of
the event. We hope they will come celebrate with us.
This year, we are going to include activities such as a Spot Landing Contest and water
balloon target drops. The Easter Egg hunt is always fun for the kids. Paramotor pilots are
certainly welcome, and will have massive amounts of fun (given) :-)
There is no Fee for the fly-in. T-shirts will be available to commemorate this annual
event. Bring your camper/trailer/tent, BBQ'r - Evenings are normally around a bonfire
swapping stories.
Last year, Bill Anderson from Edel Sky Sports & Jeffrey Farrell from Firebird USA
attended the event. They brought "Truck Full-O-Goodies" from their respective
companies filled with stunt kites, stickers & wind streamers, and most importantly,
Demo Equipment. Each company has been invited again this year. At this time, we have a
tentative confirmation from Edel Sky Sports. We are waiting to hear from Firebird USA.
We invite pilots, friend and family from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond to attend
this wonderful annual event and help us celebrate sport flying. Hope to see you here.
For the past few years, there has been an Easter Morning religious service on the top of
the Asotin Hill, for those who might be interested.
Directions from around the Northwest:
From I-90 to Spokane, take 195 South to Lewiston/Boise. After coming down the Lewiston
Grade, get on business loop 12 through Lewiston. The road will follow the levee system of
Lewiston, wrapping around to the South. Continue under drawbridge on 12 to the Stop sign.
Turn right, toward Hell's Gate State Park. After 1 stoplight, prepare to enter Washington
over the bridge marked Clarkston. Continue past the Clarkston exit to Asotin exit. You are
now on 129 south. Continue past Asotin Market and football field in Asotin, following 129
toward Anatone. Go up the grade. Once on top of the grade, take the first Left at the top
of the grade. Drive until you see the activity. Generally, one of the local pilots is on
launch Friday.
Aaron Frizzell
Northwest Sport Pilot Association
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Annual Easter Fly-in | 21st Annual
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| USHGA Pilot Liability Insurance
20th Annual Easter Fly-in Write-up &
Photographs
NWSPA
PO Box 563
Asotin, WA 99402
tomski@tds.net
