Hola Winter

After the warmest November I can recall we settled into December and got pounded by A Ton O Snow. My good friend BJ offered me a job at the Arizona Snowbowl and I accepted. Its been fun and rewarding to just work untill the day is done.

Adios Summer

As Laura and I raked leaves and cut back dead flowers this past weekend I couldn't help but think back over the last six months and what has transpired. The summer started out hot and kept me working long days which kept me safe and sound on the ground. I rode my motorcycle quite a lot and had some really memorable rides and a high speed very close encounter with a tree that made my life pass before my eyes. I got to paddle a handful of times and I flew less than ever. Don't get me wrong all in all it was a great summer loaded with memories to last a lifetime. I spent more time with loved ones and family than usual and spent a lot more days hanging out at home or at the shop doing things that make a difference in overall performance. I've learned to get back to what got me where I am. The concrete business is my true money maker and passion I am always working towards bettering my service and craftsmanship while getting it done in a timely manner. I have noticed a downward trend in my ability to do this while teaching paragliding and have fought to keep some sort of balance and happiness. I'll physically and mentally strain my self all week to be able to teach all weekend. I have learned that this is a very unhealthy trend as I am helping no one when I am worn down. Would I like to quit teaching? No. I would like to teach less and slowly remove myself from the scene and fly for myself more. Sounds simple yet with new instructors that have substandard curiculum, por site knowledge and a complete lack of respect for local people and the hill itself I find a reason to keep my presence if just to help the locals and students that I have taught keep this place alive and stop any wrong doings that I see. It is very difficult for me to stay at the craters when I see this happening and anger will sometimes make me go somewhere else to fly. Yet I refuse to fold and let these guy's come in and cost the entire flying comunity a great site. I may not teach as much in the future however you can count on me fighting to keep the craters a safe, fun and hopefully uncrowded place for years to come.
Tanner

Great Success

It was a great weekend for those that attended the Dixon White Memorial Fly In. Under a blue Northern Arizona sky people from all over the country got to see what this place can give. We started out with a great morning session. Many pilots had light thermal flights and others ridge soaring on Sheba's east side. Every one got a couple flights and was OK to take a break in some windy midday conditions. We met back up in the early afternoon to get some of the best soaring conditions I have seen in a while. The typical soaring on the east side of Sheba most times scratchy and has a small lift band that is not suitable for a large group of pilots. We were bless by the gods and the lift band was huge and smooth. I don't know how many toplandings I managed or any of the other pilots that where comfortable with it but then again you never had to land it was a magical time that everyone got to share. Dixon's wife Debra was there to watch the show and saw as many as 18 pilots in the air at once all flying, laughing and smiling as they passed through the sky in front and above her. At sunset the show wasn't over as the sun painted the high desert sky with oranges and blues that had many pilots raving for hours. We wrapped up with a BBQ at the shop that lasted well into the night with beverages, movies and live music. A windy forcast sent many home early but as I read all your emails telling me what a magical experience it was even if only for a day I'm reminded of how important it is to dwell only on the good as there will alway be bad and if we let that bring us down then we are wasting precious time. I have been inspired by everyone who came. We closed with a feast on Saturday that again lasted into the late hours of the night. My fingers are still sore from all the music we played. Good food, good people, good times.
Thank you all for sharing a really special event with the Crater Locals!
See you next year!

FLY IN

Its that time again folks! Time to head back to the Craters for another fun filled weekend of flying and fun. This year looks to be the best Dixon White Fly-In yet. We plan on having more parties, Glider demo's, the finest instructor supervision in the US with Rob Sporrer, Marty Devietti, Brad Gunnuscio and Tanner Patty, with talks and demo's and a lot more fun.

Please notify me if you are coming!
WHEN: OCTOBER 19-21
WHERE: MERRIAM AND SHEBA CRATERS
COST: $80
CONTACT: Tanner Patty
928-699-2636
tannerpatty@msn.com

TO GET THERE ON DAY ONE

Meeting time will be at 8:00 a.m. at T BOWS 2 BAR 3.
To get there:
Head east of Flagstaff on I-40 to the Winona exit 211. Get off and go left you will be heading north northwest. Stay on this main road a couple miles untill you come to a right hand turn Leupp Rd. Turn right and after approx one half mile you will see T Bows on your right. We will caravan to the hill from there. If you are late and miss the 8:00 meeting continue north on Leupp road another 10 miles until you see the flying site you will see Merriam on your left and Sheba on your right.

The normal frequency is 151.505 if your late this may be your best bet as cell service is spotty in the area. Instructors if you are bringing students and plan on teaching please use another frequency to reduce chatter and make things safer for all involved.

Camping is allowed at the hill and in the National Forest nearby.
The City of Flagstaff is also full of Hotels.

Motorized flying is allowed, however motor pilots must be briefed before flying to avoid disturbing land owners.

All participants must be current USHPA members!
Hang pilots are welcome but must provide their own vehicle with rack.

You can pay in advance by Check or money order made payable to:
Tanner Patty
515 Beal rd
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Proceeds got to making this event happen, road mantainance and property taxes. Any questions should be directed to:
Tanner Patty
928-699-2636
tannerpatty@msn.com

Road Trip

Sorry for the delay. All work and no play makes quite a jack@ss . I finally got to escape 90 degree Flagstaff, AZ and head north to 100 degree Salmon, ID. My good friend Chris had some concrete for me to pour and a river trip I had to go on. So load up the toys and tools and off we went, Ben Perry had some time off so he came along for the beer drinking contest, OOOP's I mean journey. After the work and paddling was done we got to go explore the mountains around Salmon for the flying potetial. All I can say is what you can't get to by road makes for some of the best hike and huck you could ask for. I'll leave names of sites out for now to protect landowners from thousands of pilots crushing down their fields for now. Heres some shots from a couple drive up sites we found. The potetial is huge. T

At Last A Good Day Comes

After a month of super strong winds and cold fronts we finally got to fly. Last night 7 Flag locals got a magical 2 hour flight. Chris top and Brent below get treated to an amazing sunset.

Low Cloud Bases and National Park Chases

Today with a challenging wind direction and a lot of no mans land to fly over I eeeaaakked out an amazing 15 mile flight. I got the low save at Meriam and worked back up to 9300 and headed northwest over a cunk of land that is not easy to travel through even when on the ground. BJ somehow found his way through the maze of juniper trees and hit the pavement just in time to save me from a Sunset Crater, Wapatki National Park ranger. She had quite a few questions for me yet I knew I was out of the park and answered them all correctly. It felt wonderful to go XC after a long rest.

Almost done!

The shop is almost complete. All I need are a couple overhead doors a coat of paint and roofing!

A tough day at the office.

Another tough day at the office.

Working with AZ's next pilot Jesse!

Day Off

I live in a really special place. When I can't work, fly, ski or go boating my motorcycle takes me to some pretty amazing places!

Kiting Is Fun

Spring is coming!

Spring is around the corner! Hip, Hip, O Boy, Holly Cow, I just can't help but ask myself if I am prepared. The spring brings us, yes thermals and cross country flights. Yet it brings insane lapse rates that correlate into huge gust differential's due to super cold air aloft and superheated puddles of energy on the ground. Here are some good guide lines I live by and feel they've kept me safe.

1. If your rusty like most of us, fly early in the day and fly later in the day.

2. If there is wind in the forcast, say 10-20 mph on the surface its probable a good day to stay out of the sky.

3. March and early April can bring great conditions to northern Arizona for some intermediate and advanced pilots, yet the middle of the day should be avoided for the average novice.

4. One thing that has fooled even seasoned vets. is the LCR inversion (this can happen in any valley). On a hot day with stong winds aloft you may find that there are light winds at The Craters when you arrive. Don't be suprised that seconds after you launch all hell brakes loose and you want nothing more than to land but find yourself in strong SCARY lift. Good luck! (see #9)

5. DO NOT KITE MID-DAY you will get hurt. I can site tons of examples of people getting hurled into the air and dumped on their butt or into the parked vehicle or into someone else.

6. If your going to launch don't dilly dally. Lay out your stuff and get off the hill. Standing on the top of the hill midday with your glider laid out on top of the biggest thermal trigger for miles around is like taking a nap on the railroad tracks.

7. Repack your reserve.

8. Check for wear on that harness you've had for years, equipment failures kill! An $800 investment could save your life and keep you out of the ER. If your unsure have your instuctor check it out or send it to Bill Anderson www.risingair.biz Bill is the man when it comes to repaires and inspections.

9. Go to a manuevers Clinic.

10. If you don't think it feels good don't fly! A lot of instructors call this, "Checking the weather inside." If you cannot focus on flying and have baggage from other things in life you shouldn't be in the air either.

Most of the injuries I've witnessed have happened in the spring. I could go on and on but you get the picture, just be prepared, listen to the locals and have a good attitude.

T

Welcome back Greg!

2 years ago during a spring mid-day flight my good friend Greg Smith encountered a bit of turbulence at low altititude. The resulting crash broke his back. After a long break to heal and start his family Greg came back to the hill on Sunday for some ground handling and a couple sledders. His passion for the sport shined through with tears in his eyes in the LZ and many congrats from his fellow pilots. Welcome back Greg we've missed you!

Come on up,

With winter sending cold air into the Little Colorado River Valley or LCR where our wonderful cinder cones reside, each day we are blessed with an inversion of freezing still air. This air mass makes for some tough launching and if we fly they are very short flights. This year we've taken to towing and are reaping the reward of high flights & awsome vista's. Being towed thousands of feet into the air and releasing to enjoy our own quality time. Tired of the winter sledder come on out and change your weekend from 10 3 minute flights to 4 or 5 high flights over the painted desert. contact. me to schedule a day of high flights. tannerpatty@msn.com

towing & snowing

This has been a busy year for the two bussiness's I have. This year seems to look just as exciting. With my trusty wonderwinch http://wonderwinch.blogspot.com/ I have been getting students and friends off the ground and on their way. I have opted to stay home this year and miss the first competition of the year in Mexico. Kind of a bummer however it has been snowing and I can go ski. Feb. Looks to be a great month with students booked and the shop (currently under construction) should be complete by then! Here's shot of BJ and Chris flying to the shop after an amazing Merriam session. I'll keep everyone posted when the building is done. Soon we'll have an AZPG HQ!