SlatonAirSports 0 #1 October 24, 2004 News from www.canopypiloting.com: Ground Launch Camp #1 is full, below is the info on camp #2... GROUND LAUNCH CAMP #2 The Ground Launch Center® in California is organizing ground launch camp #2. The camp will offer pilots the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of launching and negotiate level I, II, III and IIII launch sites. The Ground Launch Center® will issue a GLC certification for successful completion of the camp. The certification can be used for entry into future GLX Expeditions® and BladeRunning® competitions. The camp will be lead by Jim Slaton and other GLC staff. CAMP DATES & PRICE Feb 17-20, 2005 (Thursday thru Sunday) The package price for this four day camp is $500. Package includes ground training, daily one on one coaching, video, transportation between Bakersfield airport & GLC, ground transportation at the GLC and any necessary gear rental from the GLC. WHERE IS THE GROUND LAUNCH CENTER The Ground Launch Center® is located in Lake Isabella, California in the incredible Sequoia National Forest. It is the gateway to the giant Redwood trees, Red Rock Canyon, King Canyon and Yosemite National Park. WHAT IS THE CLOSEST AIRPORT TO THE GLC Bakersfield Municipal Airport (BFL)-Most major airlines fly into Bakersfield and its only 30 minute drive from the Ground Launch Center®. WHAT CAN I EXPECT You will get initial ground instruction and watch video footage of launching & flying techniques. You will then go to "Storm" hill to get some hands on "kiting" instruction and then over to "Pioneer" hill to practice some basic level I launches. Next day you will move to level II launches and learn how to set up/launch from a static position. On day three we will move on and learn high wind kiting techniques and ridge soaring. Some pilots will get the opportunity to try some basic BladeRunning® on this day. On the final day everyone is taken to a level IIII launch site where pilots get to choose their flights based on their experience and comfort level. WHAT KIND OF GEAR WILL I NEED It is possible to use a normal skydiving rig and harness but not ideal. You will not need to pack but just stuff the canopy in a container for your next launch. Some pilots get by with using B.A.S.E. rigs with external stuff sacks to carry up the mountain. Here at the GLC we use Ground Launch Harnesses designed for the sport. These harnesses have packs on the back to stuff the canopy so you just have to pull it out at the launch site and you’re ready to go...no pins, velcro or external flaps. The Ground Launch Center® keeps a few harnesses available for use by clients on a first come, first serve basis. You will need a canopy that you can fly at about 1.2-1.5 loading. Those pilots currently skydiving with non-high performance canopies will enjoy launching canopies like a Safire, Sabre or Spectra. Pilots currently skydiving with high performance canopies will enjoy starting out with canopies like a Crossfire, Stilleto, Kantana or Rage. Our average pilot at the GLC weighs about 175lbs and uses canopies between 104-140sqf. The canopies most used at the center are GLX 130, GLX 104, VX 111, FX 135, Crossfire 119, Space 130, Safire 129 and Sabre 135. You will need a hard helmet and good tennis shoes or hiking boots. Also recommended...digital altimeter with clock, sunglasses, camelback (or similar hydration system), front pack and small two way radio (wal-mart brand O.K.). WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE The weather is almost perfect 365 days a year at the GLC. The average high temperature in November is 70° F and the low at night can reach 38° F. The annual rainfall in Lake Isabella, Ca is less than eight inches! Nestled in the mountains at only 2,600 feet above sea level, Lake Isabella has very mild winters for a mountainous area. There is rarely snow in the valley. Dry, clear and invigorating, Lake Isabella combines the cool breezes of the mountains with the no-humidity environment of the high desert. ACCOMINDATIONS There are some free slots available at the base camp house for the first 5-6 pilots who register for the camp. In addition, Lake Isabella has alot of affordable hotels/motels local to the GLC. Contact us for more info. WHO CAN JOIN Pilots must have at least 500 ram-air parachutes jumps or 300 ram-air parachute jumps with paragliding experience. Pilots must be in reasonable condition and able to climb a variety of hills ranging from 300ft to 1,700ft (2,000 to 6,000ft MSL). Pilots must be motivated and ready to have some serious fun! Would you like to join the camp? Click on www.canopypiloting.com/GLCcampform.htm and fill out an online registration form. For more information on the camp please contact us CanopyPiloting.com (W/Forum) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freebird185 0 #2 October 26, 2004 Can you give a description of how the different wing loadings affects the flight? i.e. why can't you go up to 1.8 wing loading? Is it because higher speeds are harder to generate with low level flying, or is it more safety related do to the fact that one has to negotiate obstacles.If we trained monkeys to pack, would you jump their pack jobs? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SlatonAirSports 0 #3 October 26, 2004 www.canopypiloting.com The short answer would simply be both...but you probably want a better answer so here you go. First if you have the experience you can launch and fly what you want as long as you have the correct slope angle, wind and landing area. Also, it depends on what type of flying you want to do after the launch. There a three basic types of flying we do these days when ground launching. We do what we call S.O.A.R. where we launch and try to ridge fly and hover for as long possible. We do Bladerunning where we launch and traverse the slope back and fourth to the bottom. We also conduct parabatics where we launch and try to get as much altitude as possible to perform manuvers before landing. With an 1.3 to 1.4 loading you have a slightly easier time and learn MUCH faster. You can do a little of it all with the lower loading where a higher loading restricts you to mostly Bladerunning. In the camps/GL school you have to show proficency before moving on to more complicated manuvers where injury is more likely. Besides, when you climb 6,000 feet a day you want the flight to be a little longer sometimes. Hope this helps...Jim CanopyPiloting.com (W/Forum) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freebird185 0 #4 October 27, 2004 Beautiful description. I've got a 136 Sam at 1.52 wingloading, but take away reserve and Wings container and it'll be somewhat lower. I'm definitely interested in learning this. It seems like a great way to fly the canopy in other aspects besides the swoop. Swooping though, it's tough to beat If we trained monkeys to pack, would you jump their pack jobs? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
