Thank you Dan for the heads up on the nprm.

My initial read on it had me looking at the class D shelf over redlands meaning flights to the brewery would have to go a mile or more east or south of the brewery staying above 3700′ msl and then descending to below 2600′ msl and using the last 1000′ agl to go under the class D shelf  to the brewery.

But I was then far more interested in the proposed class E extension where they were replacing class G with E to surface. I believe such a designation would make it illegal for part 103 operations.

When I plugged in the points outlining the class E to surface, it showed a large area making flights to the dam or brewery within the surface E airspace.

Someone please double check my interpretation of class E to surface (part 103) and the proposed boundary in the nprm.

For reference, the little black x in the first image is roughly “the dam”. The blue line is the lateral boundary of the surface E. The second image is from part 103.

I wonder too how often the “surface E” would be active. Always?

Thank you Len. This gift is the greatest act of generosity and benevolence I have seen in my 50 years in the sport. Its scope and impact on the future security of the Andy Jackson Airpark is breathtaking.

Humbly, I thank you for your faith in the current, and the many future board members of the Len Szafaryn Free Flight Conservancy to protect the Andy Jackson Airpark in perpetuity.

Rob McKenzie

When I taught HG at the 20′ sand dune at Pepper Ave (1980-1999) I saw a positive benefit when a student failed to hook in. Yes they were explained the values of a hang check, and picking up the glider high enough to feel leg straps. But soon the flights were seeming easier with fast reflights and a student might start getting complacent as their confidence grew.

I might  even provide distractions to see if I could lead the student into a fail to hook in just to make a point about distractions. It wasn’t dangerous as it usually only resulted in jogging down the hill with basetube rising to chest height. I could tell a student 100 times that failure to hookin is a real and dangerous possibility but them actually doing it was a better learning experience than being told the 100 times.

One day a student failed to hookin after having done at least 20 very nice flights on this sand dune. He walked back up and asked “what happened, why didn’t it fly?”. He didn’t realize he wasn’t connected. I responded “you need to have a very loose grip on the glider like perhaps just a thumb and index finger”, hoping the glider might rise up and leave his hold on it. He ran unconnected again and even a third time still not realizing he isn’t connected. I recall it was his 4th flight when he picked up the glider he suddenly realized he hasn’t been connected the 3 prior runs.

I remember that I had a growing curiosity as to how long it might take for the student to realize that he wasn’t connecting. I was concerned that there was a disconnect in the thought process and not just the hang loop. I recall the personal dilemma. I prefer a student to develop thinking skills and not just be spoon fed everything. But sheesh,  when he would jog down the dune with thumb and index finger holding the base tube 18″ above his head and he still isn’t figuring out that he’s not hooked in? I think I said after his third flight that he needs an even looser grip even if it means the glider flies away on its own. 30 seconds later (4th flight) was when he suddenly realized what was happening.

Thank you Ken, Mario, Tim.

My heart breaks as I think of Steve. But I am so very grateful to have had him as a close friend all these years.

Fly high and far dear friend.

Thanks for the report Dan.

Ya. Bad combo of inability to access the reserve, and launching with a line over. But luck intervened.

Oh. And if the ranch was sold, I suspect the new owners would require the club tractor, it’s fuel trailer, the shuttle vans and the 4by4 rangers all be parked at the LZ leaving them far more vulnerable to theft and vandalism.