Oz Report

Tin Cup

(This topic is in: <-- Apr.10 Apr.9 Apr.8 Apr.7 Apr.4 Apr.3 Apr.2 --> )

The East coast flying (LA, CA, USA)

The tin cup is a beggar's device.  We have to beg as we make so little off the Oz Report that it has to be a labor of love (just like hang gliding in general).  Oz Report readers provide us with about $2,000 to $3,000 a year each.  It costs about $2,000 in dedicated hosting costs (and we are thinking about a more powerful server as ours seems to be bogged down a bit).  My brother laughed at me when he found out what the Oz Report does for income.

I sure hope that Scare makes some money doing other things as I can't pay him what he's worth.  He gets a portion of the advertising income and we share the meager income from Google (don't rely on Google ads to make you a million dollars).

Thanks to all of you who have been so generous in your support.

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Payable to:

Davis Straub (Not to the Oz Report)
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These are our supporters (if you are not on the list and have donated to the Oz Report, email me and I'll make sure that you are recognized): http://ozreport.com/supporters.php.  Some of you who I've missed in the past did write to me and made sure I knew just how important the Oz Report was to them.  If I've missed you, please do tell me.

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Discuss Tin Cup at the Oz Report forum   link»

Combined Competition at Tater Hill

Floaters and paragliders competing against each other (Tater Hill, NC)

http://www.flytaterhill.com/

Last year we had a tremendous amount of interest from both Hang and Para Pilots wanting a fun competition, one that would still test and improve upon XC skills.  We had almost no interest from comp pilots in need of a sanctioned meet.  So we listened to you.

This year will be a true open competition.  We will allow low performing hang gliders to compete with the paragliders with the same scoring, no sliding scale.  We will supply rides to launch and do our best to retrieve for everyone but Hang Glider pilots may find it beneficial to provide their own transport.  Last year we had some great XC clinics by Luis Rosenkjer at Atlanta Paragliding and we hope to do the same this year.  We will focus on the new XC pilots who want to improve, but we'd also like to see some big miles flown on the big days.  The weather this time of year is normally light winds with cloud base around 8000 MSL.

One other change is that Paul Pearce, paraglider pilot from Rock Hill SC, participant in the previous Tater Hill meets and a local at Tater Hill will be co-organizer along with Beth this year.  General questions can go to his e-mail; <paul>.  As usual you can reach Bubba on his cell phone 828-773-9433.  Fees are the same as last year, $275.  We will be updating the website as we get further along in the planning so check back again soon.

Discuss Tater at the Oz Report forum   link»

Wills Wing Demo Days - the pictures, part 3

(This topic is in: Apr.7 Apr.4 Apr.3 Mar.19 --> )

Wheels on the horizon (Wallaby Ranch, Florida, USA)

Mike Meier <Mike> sends:

Malcolm briefs a demo pilot before takeoff:

Ron Gleason <xcflying> writes:

The pilot looks be Tom Lanning, first flight since breaking his arm, details at http://skyout.blogspot.com/.  Also notice that Wallaby has adapted the ‘rubber hose’ grips for that cart.  Hope they have implemented this great safety device on all their carts

Discuss Wills Demo Days at the Oz Report forum   link»

Tracking

Verizon makes it more main stream to broadcast where you are

Verizon

Thanks to David Glover.  I hope to have a lot more to say about tracking for hang gliding (something that we have worked with for years) in upcoming issues.

Discuss Tracking at the Oz Report forum   link»

Correction re glider prices in France

VAT is 19.5% not 17.5% (La Terrasse, France)

http://www.ulteam-vol-libre.com/ulteam-ailes-Moyes-vol-libre.htm

Moyes RS - 7500 € TTC or $11,550.  (I assume that this includes the VAT, $9665 without VAT at 19.5%.)

http://www.ulteam-vol-libre.com/ulteam-ailes-airborne-vol-libre.htm

Airborne C4 -  7500 € TTC or $11,550.

http://www.ulteam-vol-libre.com/ulteam-ailes-icaro-2000-vol-libre.htm

Icaro Z9 - 7280 € TTC (This is the same price for the "basic" Z9 as on the Icaro web site, including VAT.)

http://www.ulteam-vol-libre.com/ulteam-ailes-aeros-vol-libre.htm

Aeros Combat L - 6390 € TTC ($8196 without VAT)

No word about the options if any included in these prices, but I assume that these are all for the basic model.  Notice how different they are from US prices, where the Z9 is much more expensive than the gliders from Australia and the Ukraine.  Combats are popular with the French national team as are Litespeeds.

The US price for the basic Aeros Combat L is $7101.  The Moyes RS, $6995.  The Airborne C4, $7288.

Again, tell me why the Euro is worth so much?  It sure isn't in term of Moyes RS gliders.  Here is it worth about $1.11, not $1.54.  In terms of Aeros gliders, it is $1.33.

Steve Uzochukwu <steveu3> in addition to telling me the French VAT rate writes:

UK=Avian; France=La Mouette/Helite, Tecma; Germany=Guggenmoss, Bautek, AIR; Austria=Seedwings Europe; Italy=Icaro 2000; Ukraine=Aeros.

Discuss Glider prices in France at the Oz Report forum   link»

More Forbes Aerotowing

It's great out there in the flats in the fall (Forbes airfield)

Steve & Anet McCarthy <tuglowview> writes:

We all had a great weekend last at Forbes with plenty of thermals making for easy cross country flying.  I was playing tow and retrieve.  That is tow with the Dragon Fly and retrieve the very, very excited boys by car.

There is no better place for cross country at this time of the year with abundant thermals and great landing paddocks.  There's even country pubs with landing paddocks for those who develop a thirst whilst awaiting the pick up.  The story I got from the pilots both days was that they could have gone a lot further but the lure of these great pubs got the better of them.  No complaints from me, easy pickup, excellent beer and the meals were superb.  What a great way to end a perfect day.

The next aerotow will be the 19th and 20th April to allow us a bit of time to build up brownie points so we can get away without feeling guilty for having so much FUN.

Those interested in attending should have an aerotow endorsement and contact me to advise numbers as they will be limited.

An extra day either side to make a long weekend is possible if we get enough interest.

Discuss Forbes at the Oz Report forum   link»

Hang Gliding Art

Fine art from a fine avocation (Virginia Beach, VA)

Windward Gallery

http://rcwindward.googlepages.com/gallery

Discuss Art at the Oz Report forum   link»