Land Sailing Events 2010

A new club called The Pacific Northwest blokart Association has been recently incorporated in the State of Washington.  The purpose of the club will be to promote blokart landsailing.  One of the reasons we have formed up this private non-profit corporation is to link with the national blokart USA organization and gain access to insurance for our members.

This organization is also working in concert with other wind sport organizations to help effect changes to the Washington State Administrative code to clearly open access to Washington State beaches.

We encourage all blokart enthusiasts, current or prospective to join the club.  To do so, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PNWBA/ and request access.  We will clear you into the club forum and will followup later with a membership application.

Contact Tim Vedder II, President of the club at Tim Vedder (sixchuterwest@genext.net) for more information.

July 2010

This is a regular informational bulletin published by the Western Powered Parachute Association, LLC, devoted to promoting the sport of powered parachuting through education, communications and participation.  If you would like to be removed from the mailing list go directly to the distribution site email maas0755@comcast.net   

“The mission of the Western Powered Parachute Association is to promote the sport of powered parachuting in the Western United States through Education, Participation and Resources.”

 In This Issue:

• ·          Monsoon Season Over?
• ·          Places to Fly-2010 Calendar
• ·          The Training Roster
• ·          Resources

Published by Western Powered Parachute Association LLC westernppa@comcast.net Doug Maas 360 771-4047Maas0755@comcast.net

Website: http://westernppa.org Newsletter Distribution Group Site: http://sixchuterwest.com 

Sign up to receive this monthly bulletin at www.sixchuterwest.com Just fill out the news request form on the front page. While you are on the Six Chuter West website, explore the many other “articles” in several categories.  These articles are published weekly and are archived in the various categories.

 MONSOON SEASON OVER?!

 This has been an unusually wet Spring for sure, but it looks like summer may be arriving in the Pacific N.W….as early as next week!  While we managed to get some early season training accomplished even in January and February, March through June has been a near washout in Western Washington. That is not to say that there hasn’t been some great flying going on.  The Memorial Day club rally at Twin Firs allowed us to fly every day.  And we have managed several successful accelerated classes out of Arlington and Twin Firs already this year. And we want to congratulate Don Oliver and Mark Martin for successful completion of their sport pilot flight instructor practical tests.  This brings us to a total of nine powered parachute instructors in the Pacific Northwest!

 But the challenge of weather, equipment and instructor availability, matched with a longer list of active students and potential new students has continued to stress our capacity. So if you are currently on the training list or trying to get our attention we just ask you to hang in there. We are doing our best.

 Be sure to check out the 2010 calendar below for opportunities to fly and to train.  And if you are on the training list, please stay in direct contact with your assigned instructor to schedule time and equipment.

EAA UL Chapter 127 has continued to expand, boosted recently by the inclusion of a number of weight shift pilots in the Pacific Northwest.  We will be working closely with the club to help continued expansion and you can look forward to more events and expanded training opportunities that include other categories of aircraft. If you are not a member of the chapter, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eaaulchapter127/ and sign in to request membership.

SPEAKING OF THE BEST IS IN THE WEST (Places to Fly) 2010 Calendar

 We have certainly been blessed with discovering some of the best places to train and fly in the entire U.S.  And we still have a lot of activity planned for 2010.  The following table lists various events and training activities remaining in 2010 (Not all of them).  Be sure and check out the EAA UL Chapter 127 forum at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eaaulchapter127/ for routine discussion and posting of all Pacific N.W. events.

 THE TRAINING SCHEDULE

 The following is our most up to date data on students, instructors and pending tests.  Please coordinate directly with your assigned instructor to schedule your training sessions. If you are having difficulty scheduling or require a reassignment of location or instructor, please email me at maas0755@comcast.net Instructors please forward me updates as necessary.

 GETTING AND STAYING CONNECTED

 THE POWERED PARACHUTER This is a new print or digital magazine created by Mike Lersbak of Sport Pilot Academy. The digital download version of the “ppcer” is about $2 a month!  Just go to https://1spa.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp?view=1&i=13&navicat=13 to subscribe.

• SPORT PILOT ACADEMY is the most unique on line training site for powered parachutes anywhere.  Another creation of Mike Lersbak, this site provides everything from full supervised or non supervised ground school to an ongoing pilot proficiency program. Go to http://www.sportpilotu.com/ to sign up!

• WPPA BULLETIN If you want to receive regular information about the sport, events, training and news on the West Coast, you will receive this bulletin.  If you have someone who would like to join this bulletin list steer him or her directly to http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=259.  You will find a page to download the most current training catalogue and a “news” form on the lower right hand side of the page.  Fill that out to automatically receive the monthly news.
•  EAA ULTRALIGHT CHAPTER 127 If you want to network directly with other Light Sport enthusiasts in the Northwest, check out the N.W. Powered Parachute Coalition and N.W. Trike Coalition at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nwpoweredparachutecoalition/
•  EASTERN WASHINGTON PPC FORUM If you fly powered parachutes in Central or Eastern Washington, Michael Clouse has opened a great new free forum.  Find this at http://pnwpoweredparachute.forumotion.com/index.htm
•  SIX CHUTER OWNERS If you own a Six Chuter powered parachute join the Six Chuter Owner’s Website at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sixchuterowners/ Just go to the site and “request to join”.  This site provides an exclusive site where Six Chuter owners can access resources specific to their powered parachutes, and exchange ideas among other owners.
•  If you want to receive free regular information on Six Chuter Inc. powered parachutes you may receive a monthly free E-bulletin from Six Chuter.  If you are not receiving this bulletin already go to this site and sign the “news” form on lower right hand side of the page. http://sixchuterwest.com/
•  PPC SALES If you are in the market for a new or used powered parachute and would like to review monthly classifieds and other information about aircraft and support services check out http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=8 
•  PPC ACCESSORIES If you are shopping for powered parachute accessories up to and including canopies, go to https://1spa.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp
•  MAINTENANCE If you need service on your Rotax engine there are three authorized Rotax service stations in the region:
• • Portland-Vancouver Vancouver Ultralight Services, Rolando Santiago 360 904 8766 http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=294
  • Eastern Washington-Oregon Freedom Aerosports LLC, Steve Camp, sbcamp@wildblue.net 5095493321 www.freedomaerosports.com
  • Puget Sound- http://www.rainierultralightengines.com/ Clyde Poser Phone: 253-447-4398 Tech support: tech@rainierultralightengines.com Information: info@rainierultralightengines.com
  • Portland-Vancouver Perry Robertson, CFI, Repairman, Troutdale, OR 503 913-8536 perrobertson@comcast.net HTTP://www.p3-sports.com

SPORT PILOT TRAINING AND TESTING

If you are not receiving the monthly Student-Testing supplement from WPPA and would like to, email Doug Maas at westernppa@comcast.net  this report tracks our students, our testing schedule and instructor assignments. If you would like to receive a copy of “Sport Pilot Maneuvers” you can request a copy from the same email address or download from the “files” section of the club website.  Go to the WPPA website www.westernppa.org to download the current year training catalogue and find other resources.

THE BEST IS IN THE WEST

If you are looking for a place to become involved in the sport of powered parachuting, or already involved, there really isn’t any better place than in the Pacific Northwest.  A common discussion on aviation forums is how sport pilot has “killed” powered parachuting, and how many folks either don’t get involved now, or flat give up because of lack of resources in other areas of the country.  The Pacific Northwest seems to be a total contrast to most other areas of the United States when it comes to powered parachuting.

Fact:  We have the largest EAA Powered Parachute Chapter in the U.S. with over 130 active members now.

Fact:  The Western Powered Parachute Association has over sixty folks “in the queue” waiting for some level of training.

Fact:  There is an average of six powered parachute rallies now each year just in Oregon and Washington alone.

I have had a discussion numerous times with other powered parachute leaders and folks in “hot spots” in the U.S. to try to understand why the sport flourishes in some areas and is virtually non existent in others.  The formula for success seems to match what has happened in our region:

1. Training Resources:  The Western Powered Parachute Association now has seven FAA certified flight instructors and three FAA pilot and instructor examiners.  And this is barely enough to keep up with the demand.
2. Other Professional Resources:  Other affiliates and support in the Pacific Northwest include a Designated Airworthiness Examiner and two FAA certified Repairman with Maintenance and Inspection ratings.
3. Other Business Support:  The Pacific Northwest seems to have attracted the entrepreneur crowd to the Sport.  We have numerous small businesses that take care of powered parachute sales, services, accessories, maintenance and repairs. This includes four primary training and maintenance centers (Portland, Vancouver, Arlington, and Quincy)
4. Social Network:  As mentioned above we have the largest EAA powered parachute chapter in the U.S.  Under the leadership of Art Smith, President of EAA UL Chapter 127 “Northwest Powered Parachute Coalition”, the club has grown from five members in 2002 to 130 members in 2010.
5. Places to Fly:  The Pacific Northwest has some of the most beautiful and diverse areas friendly to powered parachuting in the world.  These range from the oceans, mountains and valleys in Western Oregon and Washington, to the open farm lands and even desert like terrain of Central and Eastern Oregon and Washington.
6. Communications: Keeping this all knit together is a network of communications including owner forums, club forums, websites with articles and news and even a dedicated magazine “The Powered Parachuter”.
7. Leadership:  Last, or first and not least is that we have been blessed with dozens of folks who have stepped up to leadership.  This includes club leaders, instructors, business owners and scores of others.  The leadership of the sport in the Pacific Northwest helps maintain the energy, enthusiasm and resources required to keep the sport more than alive and well!

Six Chuters Flying Near Bend Oregon

It is hard to believe we are half way through the season on this 4th of July weekend!  We have had a wet Spring that has slowed activity some, however, we have lots of great flying and events ahead.

This Year We are Joined by Pacific N.W. Weight Shift Coalition

Check out our updated Flying Events 2010 page for more specific information on upcoming club rallies and training in 2010.

Land Sailing Events 2010

Six Chuter West LLC

Sports and Adventures

blokart News June 2010

EVENTS

The 20^th Annual Memorial Day Rally has to this point been all about powered parachuting.  Last year as we added blokart land sails to our array of adventures and we started sailing out of Twin Firs Turf Farm in Quincy, Washington.  The sailing turns out to be quite compatible with the sport of powered parachuting, as we fly in the mornings when the winds are calm, and the get out the sails in the afternoons when typically the wind begins to howl.

Twin Firs consists of several 40 acre turf circles.  Usually at least one of these is bare providing a hard surface to sail on.  The owners love to have us sail at this location because it enhances their activity of mainly “watching the grass grow”. 

The weather at this year’s event was erratic at best.  We experienced everything from sun to total deluge of rain, and calm days to howling gusty 25 knot winds.  But we were indeed able to break out the blokarts for a couple of fun afternoon sailing sessions.

blokart vs. manta at the farm

For more information on Twin Firs Turf Farm, check out their website at

http://www.partiesonthegreen.com/Parties_On_The_Green/Home.html .  If you would like to sail this location, contact Tim Vedder sixchuterwest@genext.net 509 885-8444.

Oops! Watch those gusts!

 

Our next “show” event will be the Arlington EAA Northwest Air Show, Arlington Washington.  This is primarily a “vendor” event like last year, but we will be setting up a small demonstration race course on the ultralight runway each afternoon for a couple of hours.  And we will be training and demonstrating to serious potential customers during that same period of time.

blokart and Powered Parachutes Arlington 2009

Contact Doug Maas

maas0755@comcast.net 360 771-4047 if you would like to join us during this show.

ON THE ACTION FRONT

During the Memorial Day Rally we partnered up with Jeff Earl, Big Kid Kites, and Evans Fletcher. These guys are kite buggy enthusiasts and are on the lead in working with Washington State Parks for a series of events on the beach.  Their strategy is to gain formal authorization for wind sports organizations with insurance to gain open access to sailing the beaches in Washington State.  Tim and I are coordinating with them to provide information on blokart USA, initiating a Pacific N.W. club, and attaining insurance for our customers.

RESOURCES

blokart USA. Blokart International has opened a new website specifically for North American blokart enthusiasts.  Check it out at http://www.blokartusa.com/

The Six Chuter West website for blokart is found at http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=87 Stop there and download the catalogue. This form will also initiate routine bulletins about development of the sport in the Pacific N.W.

INVENTORY

Six Chuter West still has a small standing inventory of 2009 Sports at our center in Wenatchee.  Call us for special pricing on these brand new, still in the box, units. Maas0755@comcast.net

Blokart Display at N.W. PPC Coalition Memorial Day Rally

We have made a few scheduling changes to the Memorial Day Rally to adjust to the crowd. 

If you have not preregistered, but are considering attending this rally, please take a few minutes to go to www.sixchuterwest.com find the Memorial Day 2010 page http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=547 and fill out the preregistration form.  No cost…just helps with planning efforts.

A few notes:

1. Wednesday is set up day for volunteers.  Please no early arrivals without checking with me first at maas0755@comcast.net We are not prepared that day to register and manage campground camping etc.
2. Registration will generally be open each morning and then again in the early evening.  You must register and attend a flight briefing (held each morning 6 a.m., and evening 5 p.m., BEFORE YOU FLY. If you arrive after the briefing it will likely be the next briefing before you will be able to fly.
3. If you arrive at the site in the evening after registration is closed….or we are ALL Sleeping…, we encourage you to park on the grass parallel to the entrance road until you are contacted by parking volunteer or registration.  We will have signs indicating where to park or stop. We do not want you trying to locate a parking spot after dark.  Too many sprinklers and potential hazards to do that safely.
4. When you arrive we will have signs at where to STOP and pull over…until you are contacted by parking volunteer.  DON’T pull in all the way to the registration tent.  This just “gums” up center stage and makes it difficult if we have to back you up.
5. Registration is FREE to EAA UL Chapter 127 members who are current on their dues.  Non-Club members will be charged $35 for the event.  Non-club members will have the option of course to join the chapter for $35 which makes them eligible to attend ALL chapter events free for the rest of the year.  Each registration also provides for TWO free potluck tickets (for the grilled stuff).  If you have additional guests, the cost for the grill is $5 each.
6. The event has been extended one full day so that we actually are there on Memorial Day!  The raffle and closing ceremony will be Sunday morning, after our morning lanuch, but the field will remain open until noon on Memorial Day.
7. Note that the Saturday wine country tour is full.  We have still had no takers for the Sunday one.
8. Note that the EAA UL Chapter 127 meeting will be Saturday at 3 p.m.  This is an important meeting as we will be discussing, among other things, the expansion of the club with our weight shift coalition.
9. Note that the club “potluck” will be Saturday at around 5 p.m.  The vendor will do the grilling and then we supplement our meal by encouraging everyone to bring a favorite salad, casserole dish or other item to supplement.

10.  Note on the forum schedule that Friday at noon to 1 p.m. will be GROUND TRAINING session for all those who require Flight Review.  Due to the numbers we have who need flight review we are going to try to do the ground portion as a group in forum style.  From 1 p.m.-2 p.m., Friday, after the Flight Review ground training will be the safety seminar.  This seminar also qualifies as ground training for those who will be taking flight review.  Be SURE and attend these sessions if you expect a current Flight Review.

1. We are still seeking any and all donations of cools stuff for the club raffle. Proceeds from the raffle go right back to the community.  Email me at maas0755@comcast.net if you have something to contribute to the cause.

Education and Forum Schedule

The Northwest Powered Parachute Classifieds have been recently updated (April 21, 2010).  Check out the great deals on new and used powered parachutes! The Six Chuter dealer network has the largest inventory of new and used, quality aircraft anywhere in the U.S.  Why “risk” one of those other internet deals when you can meet face to face with experienced representatives who know these aircraft “inside and out”.  We only sell aircraft where we can verify the service background and know that the aircraft has been properly cared for.

If you don’t find quite what you are looking for, email us at maas0755@comcast.net and let us know what you need.  You can be assured that we will search for and find the very best aircraft that meets your needs and budget.  And you will be connected with the most professional training and service network anywhere in the U.S.

Check out these two particularly great deals this month:

Mike Locklings "rocket ship" Single Seat with 582Art Smith's "Patriot" Spirit

Art Smith's "Patriot" Spirit

April 2010

This is a regular informational bulletin published by the Western Powered Parachute Association, LLC, devoted to promoting the sport of powered parachuting through education, communications and participation.  If you would like to be removed from the mailing list go directly to the distribution site email maas0755@comcast.net   

“The mission of the Western Powered Parachute Association is to promote the sport of powered parachuting in the Western United States through Education, Participation and Resources.”

 In This Issue:

• ·          The Best is in the West
• ·          The Season is Here
• ·          Places to Fly
• ·          Training & Event Schedule
• ·          Resources

Published by Western Powered Parachute Association LLC westernppa@comcast.net Doug Maas 360 771-4047Maas0755@comcast.net

Website: http://westernppa.org Newsletter Distribution Group Site: http://sixchuterwest.com 

Sign up to receive this monthly bulletin at www.sixchuterwest.com Just fill out the news request form on the front page. While you are on the Six Chuter West website, explore the many other “articles” in several categories.  These articles are published weekly and are archived in the various categories.

 THE BEST IS IN THE WEST!

 If you are looking for a place to become involved in the sport of powered parachuting, or already involved, there really isn’t any better place than in the Pacific Northwest.  A common discussion on aviation forums is how sport pilot has “killed” powered parachuting, and how many folks either don’t get involved now, or flat give up because of lack of resources in other areas of the country.  The Pacific Northwest seems to be a total contrast to most other areas of the United States when it comes to powered parachuting.

 Fact:  We have the largest EAA Powered Parachute Chapter in the U.S. with over 130 active members now.

Fact:  The Western Powered Parachute Association has over sixty folks “in the queue” waiting for some level of training.

Fact:  There is an average of six powered parachute rallies now each year just in Oregon and Washington alone.

I have had a discussion numerous times with other powered parachute leaders and folks in “hot spots” in the U.S. to try to understand why the sport flourishes in some areas and is virtually non existent in others.  The formula for success seems to match what has happened in our region:

1.  Training Resources:  The Western Powered Parachute Association now has seven FAA certified flight instructors and three FAA pilot and instructor examiners.  And this is barely enough to keep up with the demand.
2. Other Professional Resources:  Other affiliates and support in the Pacific Northwest include a Designated Airworthiness Examiner and two FAA certified Repairman with Maintenance and Inspection ratings.
3. Other Business Support:  The Pacific Northwest seems to have attracted the entrepreneur crowd to the Sport.  We have numerous small businesses that take care of powered parachute sales, services, accessories, maintenance and repairs. This includes four primary training and maintenance centers (Portland, Vancouver, Arlington, and Quincy)
4. Social Network:  As mentioned above we have the largest EAA powered parachute chapter in the U.S.  Under the leadership of Art Smith, President of EAA UL Chapter 127 “Northwest Powered Parachute Coalition”, the club has grown from five members in 2002 to 130 members in 2010.
5. Places to Fly:  The Pacific Northwest has some of the most beautiful and diverse areas friendly to powered parachuting in the world.  These range from the oceans, mountains and valleys in Western Oregon and Washington, to the open farm lands and even desert like terrain of Central and Eastern Oregon and Washington.
6. Communications: Keeping this all knit together is a network of communications including owner forums, club forums, websites with articles and news and even a dedicated magazine “The Powered Parachuter”.
7. Leadership:  Last, or first and not least is that we have been blessed with dozens of folks who have stepped up to leadership.  This includes club leaders, instructors, business owners and scores of others.  The leadership of the sport in the Pacific Northwest helps maintain the energy, enthusiasm and resources required to keep the sport more than alive and well!

 THE SEASON IS HERE

 We have had a relatively mild winter and that has helped us to make some progress early in the season with our training “back log”.  We have already had two training sessions at our Quincy, Washington Flight Training Center.  And flying and training are active early at Arlington, Lenhardt and Camas Grove Field. 

So far March has been wetter and colder than the winter, but things will moderate soon.  We have new students signed up out of our Arlington, Portland-Vancouver, and Quincy Flight Training Centers.

I will be supervising an accelerated UL pilot course at Twin Firs Farm, April 15-18^th and Mike and I will be co-supervising accelerated solo courses at Twin Firs Farm May 13^th-16^th.  Contact Doug at maas0755@comcast.net if you would like to join either of those sessions.

We are just weeks away from the 20^th Anniversary Memorial Day Powered Parachute Rally that will again be held at Twin Firs Turf Farm, Quincy, Washington. Read about the background of this event at http://sixchuterwest.com/?p=1337 If you are thinking of attending, learn more and “pre-register” (no fee necessary) at http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=547 We expect at least 60 powered parachute pilots a dozen “trike pilots” and families.  This will be one of the best opportunities of the season to learn about the sport, meet others and fly with us.

 SPEAKING OF THE BEST IS IN THE WEST (Places to Fly)

 We have certainly been blessed with discovering one of the best places to train and fly in the entire U.S.  That is twin firs turf farm located in Quincy, Washington.  Thanks to Tim Vedder, owner of Central Washington Powered Parachutes and Kim and Kent Bacon, owners of the farm, we have been allowed to routinely train at this location and have now been invited back for Memorial Day.

The field(s) we fly from here are like a groomed golf course.  The surrounding areas is predominantly open farm fields, but with plenty of interesting spots to see such as the Columbia River, and foothills of the Cascade Mountains.

 To Learn more about the location go to http://www.partiesonthegreen.com If you want to train and fly from this location you must coordinate with Tim Vedder sixchuterwest@genext.net 509 885-8444. Daily use fee $5. Field and pilot waivers required.

THE TRAINING SCHEDULE

 The following is our most up to date data on students, instructors and pending tests.  Please coordinate directly with your assigned instructor to schedule your training sessions. If you are having difficulty scheduling or require a reassignment of location or instructor, please email me at maas0755@comcast.net Instructors please forward me updates as necessary.

  EVENT CALENDAR

GETTING AND STAYING CONNECTED

•  THE POWERED PARACHUTER This is a new print or digital magazine created by Mike Lersbak of Sport Pilot Academy. The digital download version of the “ppcer” is about $2 a month!  Just go to https://1spa.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp?view=1&i=13&navicat=13 to subscribe.
•  SPORT PILOT ACADEMY is the most unique on line training site for powered parachutes anywhere.  Another creation of Mike Lersbak, this site provides everything from full supervised or non supervised ground school to an ongoing pilot proficiency program. Go to http://www.sportpilotu.com/ to sign up!
•  WPPA BULLETIN If you want to receive regular information about the sport, events, training and news on the West Coast, you will receive this bulletin.  If you have someone who would like to join this bulletin list steer him or her directly to http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=259.  You will find a page to download the most current training catalogue and a “news” form on the lower right hand side of the page.  Fill that out to automatically receive the monthly news.
•  EAA ULTRALIGHT CHAPTER 127 If you want to network directly with other PPC enthusiasts in the Northwest, check out the N.W. Powered Parachute Coalition at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nwpoweredparachutecoalition/
•  SIX CHUTER OWNERS If you own a Six Chuter powered parachute join the Six Chuter Owner’s Website at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sixchuterowners/ Just go to the site and “request to join”.  This site provides an exclusive site where Six Chuter owners can access resources specific to their powered parachutes, and exchange ideas among other owners.
•  If you want to receive free regular information on Six Chuter Inc. powered parachutes you may receive a monthly free E-bulletin from Six Chuter.  If you are not receiving this bulletin already go to this site and sign the “news” form on lower right hand side of the page. http://sixchuterwest.com/  
•  PPC SALES If you are in the market for a new or used powered parachute and would like to review monthly classifieds and other information about aircraft and support services check out http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=8 
•  PPC ACCESSORIES If you are shopping for powered parachute accessories up to and including canopies, go to https://1spa.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp  
•  MAINTENANCE If you need service on your Rotax engine there are three authorized Rotax service stations in the region:
• • Portland-Vancouver Vancouver Ultralight Services, Rolando Santiago 360 904 8766 http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=294
  • Eastern Washington-Oregon Freedom Aerosports LLC, Steve Camp, sbcamp@wildblue.net 5095493321 www.freedomaerosports.com
  • Puget Sound- http://www.rainierultralightengines.com/ Clyde Poser Phone: 253-447-4398 Tech support: tech@rainierultralightengines.com Information: info@rainierultralightengines.com
  • Portland-Vancouver Perry Robertson, CFI, Repairman, Troutdale, OR 503 913-8536 perrobertson@comcast.net HTTP://www.p3-sports.com

SPORT PILOT TRAINING AND TESTING

If you are not receiving the monthly Student-Testing supplement from WPPA and would like to, email Doug Maas at westernppa@comcast.net  this report tracks our students, our testing schedule and instructor assignments. If you would like to receive a copy of “Sport Pilot Maneuvers” you can request a copy from the same email address or download from the “files” section of the club website.  Go to the WPPA website www.westernppa.org to download the current year training catalogue and find other resources.

Joe Charlton Pilot and Buzz Kleemeyer after first solo flights, Lenhardt Field, Hubbard Oregon

Land Sailing Events 2010

blokart International has just opened a new website dedicated to blokart land sailing in the United States.  Check it out at blokartusa.com  This is an awesome new resource that will begin to list all the cool locations to land sail and will also provide quick links to all our representatives.

Also be sure and check out the 2010 Memorial Day Rally and preregister if you plan on attending.  This is the 20th anniversary powered parachute rally by Six Chuter Inc. powered parachutes.  This rally is held at Twin Firs Turf Farm, Quincy, Washington the location of Six Chuter West’s blokart rental and training center.  And we will have the blokarts out and sailing during the days at the rally.

The Pacific N.W. Powered Parachute Classifieds have been updated 3.16.2010.  We carry the largest inventory of new and used powered parachutes anywhere in the U.S.  Our dealer network has a large inventory of new and used powered parachutes.

We sell only aircraft that we have either assembled and serviced ourselves, or when we can verify the maintenance history of a used aircraft.

We also have the largest training and support network for powered parachutes anywhere in the USA and can package any sale with professional training and ongoing support.

The Spring season is upon us and there is no better time to make a commitment and fullfill your dream of flying a powered parachute.

Contact us at maas0755@comcast.net with questions or if you are looking for something that we don’t have in our inventory.

20^th Annual Memorial Day

Powered Parachute Rally

Best of the Best!

Memorial Day 2010 marks the 20^th consecutive year for one of the most popular powered parachute rallies in the U.S. This Pacific Northwest event also mirrors the evolution of the sport in the region, and this year promises to be the best ever.

The Pacific Northwest Memorial Day Powered Parachute Rally was born by Six Chuter Powered Parachute’s Dan Bailey in 1991 near their factory on the outskirts of Yakima Washington. The flying event was staged from a leased open field and provided open flying in some of the most beautiful countryside anywhere.   And the event was probably the first of its kind in this region, catering only to the small, but growing flock of powered parachute pilots.

By year 2000 the participation was starting to overcrowd the field.  And after nearly ten years other organizations such as the Western Powered Parachute Association and the Northwest Powered Parachute Coalition emerged to help support the expanding event. The Northwest Powered Parachute Coalition is now the largest EAA powered parachute chapter in the United States, partly thanks to the networking that occurred through the years at the Six Chuter Memorial Day Rally.

Six Chuter lost access to the field and leadership in the club decided to try to move the popular rally around the Northwest to various locations.  The idea was to provide club members with the opportunity to fly and enjoy other locales in the Pacific Northwest.  For several years we enjoyed the hospitality of Basin Sod farm owners just north of Pasco Washington.  We also moved the rally for one year to the Madras Airport.

In 2009 thanks to Tim Vedder of Central Washington Powered Parachutes we discovered Twin Firs Turf Farm in Quincy, Washington.  Owners of this incredible turf farm Kim and Kent Bacon were gracious in allowing us to stage the event at their location without charging the club anything for that privilege.  We discovered that Kim and Kent are extremely community oriented and their only condition on use was that we allow the community to be involved.  That worked well because that is a core interest and value of the club.

The farm is located just east of George Washington near the Columbia River.  The location provides wide open and safe flying over open farm country, along with some incredible views of the Cascade Mountains and rugged country near Wenatchee Washington.  The 2009 event worked so well for the club and the owners that we have been invited back in 2010.

The Powered Parachute Coalition manages several rallies each year now.  The Memorial Day Rally is considered the “season opener” and as such is usually results in one of the largest turnouts.  This year we can expect sixty or more pilots and their families.

Because this is the opener each year it is also the most structured event for the club.  In addition to open flying there will be hosted cross country flights and perhaps some fun type competitions.  Forums for club members usually consume afternoons when the winds can exceed our safe limits.  The forums cover a variety of topics including safety, pilot proficiency and aircraft maintenance.  Last year the club provided over seventy five “discovery flights” to the general public.  Public participation was also enhanced with the addition of a “kite” rally for families and the kids.  In 2010 we will expand forms to include topics for the general public, focused on introducing them to the sport.

Hanging out under the tent with Kim Bacon, Owner, Parties on the Green

The club holds a general membership meeting and hosts a potluck and barbecue on the Saturday afternoon of the event.  We will repeat an ever popular raffle that raises money that is contributed to the property owners for community support. And we are adding a hosted wine country tour for club members to participate in.

The event this year, by popular demand, will be extended through Memorial Day.  The event is free to members of The Powered Parachute Coalition or $35 for non club members.  Dry camping is available on site. We will have a food vendor on site again this year throughout the event.  We will have a nightly “gathering” around the fire pit and invite the musically inclined to bring your instruments and entertain!

Watch for the latest information on this year’s event at www.sixchuterwest.com and on the coalition club form http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nwpoweredparachutecoalition/ or contact the event flight lead Doug Maas at maas0755@comcast.net 360 771-4047. Check out more about the location at Parties on the Green www.partiesonthegreen.com . If you plan to book a hotel in Quincy or nearby Ephrata you need to do that soon.  These rooms book up Memorial Day weekend because this is also the opening of the Gorge at George Amphitheatre. Search for rooms at http://local.yahoo.com/WA/Quincy/Travel+Lodging/Hotels+Lodging/Hotels+Motels