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

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

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

An exciting new powered parachute publication specifically designed and written for current and prospective ppc pilots hits the “stands” today.  Subscribe today The Powered Parachuter

Mike Lersbak, Sport Pilot Academy creator, has designed, and published the new “journal” style publication. Mike launched the publication with several goals in mind, including:

• Provide a publication that is all about powered parachute flying and not mixed with or competing with other forms of aviation.
• Use the journal to enhance education, training and ongoing proficiency in powered parachutes.
• Make the publication fun!
• Provide the journal in a traditional printed subscription form as well as a less expensive and downloadable format.

While the Powered Parachuter will no doubt have a national and even international appeal you will find that it has a distinctive “Western Flavor”.  You will not find a ppc publication anywhre with this much information specifically relevant to the sport that you are involved in, or considering becoming involved in.

Mike is providing opportunities for our N.W. businesses to support this effort through “article style” and traditional advertising.  Contact Mike directly at mikel@sportpilotu.com for a copy of the Powered Parachute Media Guide.

We encourage everyone to support the sport and the publication by getting your subscrption today.  You won’t be sorry! Subscribe to the Powered Parachuter.

August 2009

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:

•         It is the Best of Times. It is the Worst of Times
•        Training Calendar
•           Event Calendar
  •    Brownsville Rally
  •    PPC Caravan
•         Training Corner
•        Resources

FEATURE

Sport Pilot Academy

www.sportpilotacademy.com

Published by Western Powered Parachute Association LLC

westernppa@comcast.net

Doug Maas 360 771-4047

Maas0755@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.

 IT IS THE BEST OF TIMES…IT IS THE WORST OF TIMES

 The Powered Parachute season is in full swing in the Pacific Northwest.  From most views it is one “The Best of Times” in the sport.  We enjoyed one of the most successful Memorial Day club rallies ever at Twin Firs Turf Farm in Quincy, Washington.  The Arlington Air show brought more club members than ever to what has traditionally been a vendor show. Our available instructors have been booked solid through the summer with a cast of new students lining up.  We added to our FAA Examiner roster with Mike Lersbak’s successful completion of his authorization Checkride at Arlington.  Garey and Joann have lined up another awesome rally plan for Brownsville, Oregon.  And to cap off our season, Vie’s PPC Caravan is going to cruise through the Pacific Northwest stopping at most of our key flying locations. Its been a fast paced and action filled year so far.

 In the midst of one of the best seasons ever though we were struck with a real tragedy.  Robbie Whitesell, the FAA supervisor for our Pacific Northwest Examiners was killed in a light sport airplane crash in Alaska.  Robbie had just completed his second “tour” with us at the Arlington Air show where he completed seven re-authorizations of examiner status.  He flew with Doug Maas, Jim Groebner, Mike Lersbak, Bill Dotter, Dennis Stanley and two airplane examiners.  He died during a flight with another examiner just a day after Arlington.  Robbie was known to us a thoroughly professional, hard working, and always…always fun to work with.  He always had a smile on his face.  This is not only a difficult one for all of us who knew him, but also a blow to sport pilot.  Robbie was one of only a couple FAA supervisors qualified in and actively supervising the powered parachute side of sport pilot. We’re not sure how this will impact support from AFS 610, but regardless the personal loss here is just very difficult to deal with.

 Now that said, Robbie loved what he was doing.  He loved that he was flying in various category light sport aircraft and expressed his enthusiasm in travelling across the U.S. and working with a variety of us.

 Condolences and memories can be sent to:

In Memory of Robbie Whitesell

423 West Branches Way

Mustang, Oklahoma, 73064

 The Training Calendar

BEGINNING POWERED PARACHUTING

Our first ever “Beginning Powered Parachuting” Class is scheduled for August 15 at Twin Firs Turf Farm, Quincy Washington on August 15^th. Sponsored and organized by Tim Vedder of Central Washington Powered Parachutes, this is a unique approach to recruiting new prospective pilots to the sport.  Class participants will spend a morning with our CFI team of Mike Lersbak and Doug Maas and will participate in a discovery flight lesson, a one-hour classroom session introducing powered parachutes and training requirements, and then join us for a barbecue lunch provided by the Boy Scouts of America.  Participants will also receive a course completion certificate and a “low and slow” T Shirt.  This first session was limited to 12 participants and was full within 48 Hrs. of posting information on the class!  If you know of others who would like to experience a similar class, ask them to read about the course at http://sixchuterwest.com/?p=856 or contact Doug Maas at maas0755@comcast.net .  Based on the success of this session we will plan more in the future at this location and others around the Pacific Northwest.

ACCELERATED FLIGHT TRAINING

Our 4 day student pilot or ultralight pilot course has been our most popular this year.  We have graduated over a dozen thus far and continue to have folks sign up.  This course is made more popular because we are hosting it with the help of Central Washington Powered Parachutes in Quincy, Washington, as well as at our primary accelerated training location at Arlington.  As the training season nears end of summer we will increasingly be “stretched” to accommodate the training load in this class.  If you have folks who are interested in signing up for the course have them contact Doug at maas0755@comcast.net ASAP.

The Event Calendar

BROWNSVILLE, OREGON CLUB RALLY

 > Hello Everyone,
> >
> > Just wanted to remind you of the Brownville fly-in August 26-30th. The field should be in better condition this year. Frank Kelley has volunteered to mow all 160 acres, with scissors if necessary.
> >
> > The golf course will be set up again. Trap shooting with fun and games at Frank’s place. We will be adding a volleyball net this year for those interested. Custom embroidery will be on sight – thank you for the support last year. We’re planning on a food vendor, hopefully the same one as last year, but not confirmed. If you have any contacts, please let us know.
> >
> > Because of the increase in pilots this year, we are planning on at least three port-a-poties. As most of you know the Caravan will be joining us. We expect that to add 10-20 flyers. I have also had contact with a California club that may have as many as 6 pilots join us. Should be a good exciting group.

We will be doing patches for this years fly-in again. Those who are interested, please let me know by contacting me at gareyjoann@AOL.com There will be a limited number available – first come, first served.

I’ll post more info about the fly-in shortly. But if you have any direct questions, just contact me at the AOL address.

Thanks,
Garey Cosentino
(503) 371-0408
 GareyJoAnn@aol.com

Location: Go to google map and enter sunset Dr. Brownsville, Oregon. It’s the field to the West of sunset.

 Watch the club site for ongoing and additional information http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nwpoweredparachutecoalition/

THE PPC CARAVAN 

The Northwest Powered Parachute Coalition, EAA UL Chapter 127 is helping welcome…host, the 2009 Powered Parachute Caravan.  Bill Vietti (Vie) is organizing and leading the trip.  The official website is http://ppcpilot.com/CARAVANS/I/PPCCaravanInfo2.htm. The PPC Coalition is coordinating with Vie to make this one of the best caravans ever.  We have plotted an initial course that starts at Bonneville Skybase (south end of the Great Salt Lake), routes through Northern Nevada and California and joins the coalition at the annual rally at Brownsville, Oregon. The suggested route then stops on the Oregon Coast at Tillamook and continues to the Puget Sound area at the Seattle Powerchutes Flight Center, Arlington, Washington.  The trip will then continue over the Cascade Mountains with a planned stop at the Camp Ranch in Lacrosse, Washington then off towards home through Idaho.  We are hoping that a good number of Coalition members will join us at least for the Oregon and Washington route. Contact Vie (a.k.a. Bill) eyesbydrvie-1@yahoo.com or Mike Bird (Activities Coordinator for EAA UL Chapter 127) at flynlownslo@yahoo.com. All caravanners are encouraged to join the N.W. PPC Coalition and the coalition is offering this membership for 2009 as complimentary.  Contact Doug Maas at maas0755@comcast.net for membership information.

 The PPC Caravan, from Host Perspective

You are going to enjoy maybe a too close kept secret regarding the awesome flying in the Pacific Northwest. Now this is a “no money back guarantee” so take it for what its worth! (free)

•  Bonneville Skybase with Lew (Hook) Ershler and Dennis Stanley.  We did one of our Memorial Day rallies at this location and have awesome memories.  When you drive into “Bonneville Seabase-Skybase”, we thought the “sea base” thing was a joke.  I mean you will be on a salt flat with the only sea in sight being the Great Salt Lake.  As you pull right in you will find that this is the location of the primo scuba diving training location in Utah.  “Who woulda thunk it”?  You will find a huge man made lake on site with even sharks in it!  Believe me.  The location is rimmed with incredible snow capped peaks and as soon as you launch you will see the Great Salt Lake. You will meet some wonderful folks who just love flying.
• Winnemucca, NV.  Ok…confess I have been through and only know that Vie and Mike Bird have had great reception from their contacts.  This should be interesting area to fly and if you get bored, well heck you can maybe win enough to pay for your gas on this trip!
• Madras, OR. As you drive up into Central Oregon I think you will first kill any myth you have that the Pacific Northwest is only about rain!  This is more desert than anything else.  You will be coming up the east side of the Pacific Cascade Mountains the entire trip.  The airport at Madras is ppc friendly and wait until you see the views!  You will be able to stand in one area, or even better fly and see Mt. Hood to the Northwest, Mt. Baker to the South and the “Three Sisters” in between.  I suspect that this will be unlike any area you may have flown if you have only done the “middle-U.S.”.  Mike Bird, our PPC Coalition Event host will meet you here and begin to guide you and introduce you to the Pacific Northwest.
• Brownsville Oregon is the location of one of the largest Pacific Northwest PPC rallies.  This is kind of our “season closer”, even though it’s not really end of the season. You will get there by driving through the Cascade Mountains and arrive in the beautiful Willamette Valley. Garey and Joanne Cosentino are the hosts and have developed this into one of the most enjoyable rallies you could ever expect to attend.  You will meet likely 50 or more of our members, enjoy the food, camaraderie, and some VERY unique actives including skeet shooting, and bowling ball bomb drops. You will be “formally” welcomed here…and heck who knows maybe even get a special thing from the club here.
• McMinnville Oregon is your next stop with a short drive from Brownsville.  Mike Bird has really worked hard to make this a great stop.  You will be camped right across from the Air Museum that contains the “Spruce Goose”, Howard Hughes incredible flying machine.  McMinnville is located in the heart of the Oregon wine country for those who might find that “refreshing”.  The flying should provide you with open farm field and vineyard views just south of Portland Oregon.
• Arlington Washington with Rick Gutierrez and Mike Lersbak will be another incredible stop.  Getting there will take you through Portland Oregon and Seattle Washington.  Rick, who we dub as the “pied piper of ppcs in Puget sound” is an incredible host.  We don’t know what he has planned, but it’ll be good!  You will be flying from an airport that has a dedicated “ultralight area” and I think you will be impressed with Seattle Powerchutes set up there.  And the flying?  Fifteen minutes and you will be over Puget Sound, with views to the East of the Cascade Mounts, to the South, Mt. Rainier, and just wide open incredibly beautiful territory everywhere.
• Lacrosse, Washington is the final formal connection with the Northwest Powered Parachute Coalition.  You will be greeted by Steve and Becky Camp who own a dry wheat farm where you will camp and fly.  The highlight of this stop will be Steve and Becky.  The scenery is incredible too and very different than flying the west side of “the mountains”. 
• Kamiah Idaho. Ok I confess no knowledge here either, but know that our event coordinator Mike Bird took the time to drive through Idaho to find just the perfect exit point for the caravan. 

Bottom line…awesome territory to fly and a bunch of new friends!

Training Corner

This article was posted by CFI, DPE James Groebner (aka Grubby) for training purposes.  Lesson- -Can happen to the absolute best of us!  Thanks Grubby for openly sharing.

Posting this just as a reminder – happens to all of us at one time or another. Pilot error in this case but got lucky enough to pull it back out and have a safe flight home. I had a line wrap partial over the left end cell with the Chiron today – on take-off from the Fantasy Field fly-in. (With any luck, Rambo got it on film.)

Of course – pilot error! I looked at it on take-off at least twice and didn’t see it – Marnel was in the back seat. At lift-off, we banked left probably 45 degrees and scared the crap out of both of us as we were headed into trees and the runway “rough”. Full right steering bar did next to nothing – but with my right hand, I grabbed the steering line right at the riser attachment and pull in as much as I could.  With full pull, I could level it out – but lots of pressure on the hand and arm.

I was scanning the machine looking for the problem – thinking line wrap on the outrigger, on the passenger foot peg, etc. and also looked at the chute. Never saw it – until Marnel said it was the left side of the chute. When I looked at it again, you could see it. It was tough to see because the chute still looked inflated – it just had a tight pressure knot like one of those blow up long balloons the kids like.

Good news was the Chiron kept climbing as long as I could hold it – bad news was I couldn’t do that full-time and everytime I gave my hand/arm a break, we banked hard left and pitched over. Other good news is the Buckeye throttle was in the center and I could handle it with my left hand – otherwise I’m sure we would have went in.

As it was, we came closer than we ever wanted to several trees as we left the airfield climbing and banking. I managed to get us over Rambo’s mom’s open field and then landed it – not the smoothest but not bad considering the condition we were in. The big concern was coming in “flat” rather than banked to keep from slamming in and rolling.

Laid the chute out again – double/triple checked it and took off and flew home. Flight home was an hour of heavy rock-and-roll like I haven’t seen in some time and I don’t thing Marnel has ever seen. Winds shifting, thermals up and down
and lots of pitching. Landed – put it away – and will take a break for a day or two. Scary – pilot error – should have seen it before we left the ground. I looked at it at least twice on each side and never saw it. Lesson for the future: Keep looking and make sure you’re not just glancing at it and assuming it’s clean!

And Marnel says I’m getting a “big fu$%ing mirror” for my Buckeye! (And hopefully she’ll fly with me again!)

 Watch at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRqtQXbZrQw&fmt=18

Grubby

 Road Map to Staying Connected

 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 http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=301  

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

 ALERT: To continue to receive the Western Powered Parachute Newsletter please go to http://sixchuterwest.com/ and fill out the Newsletter form on the lower right hand side of the home page. We remain in the process of consolidating a number of our websites and the method we use to distribute news.  The Six Chuter West website will become our sole location for articles and training bulletins.  This change is being made to increase Internet security on your end and ours and to make the process of production and distribution easier.  If you have any questions or concerns about how to sign up to continue to receive this news, email me at maas0755@comcast.net

Robbie Whitesell (center) listing to another Rambo story with club member Duane Rice listening in

Parties On the Green Quincy, WA

Discover Powered Parachuting at Twin Firs Turf Farm

Quincy, Washington Saturday August 15^th 6:00 A.M.-Noon

Course Schedule:

• A :20 Introductory Flight with a qualified FAA Flight Instructor
• One-Hour forum with the instructors on the safety of the sport, the training and how to get involved
• A “first flight” certificate suitable for framing
• A souvenir First Flight T Shirt
• Coffee and Pastries in the morning followed by barbecue hamburgers and drinks after the flights are completed.

At the end of this experience you will have enjoyed a thrill of a lifetime and you will understand how to take the next steps if you are interested in becoming a powered parachute pilot.

Learn More at www.sixchuterwest.com

• Flights will be scheduled from 6:00 A.M. on Saturday the 15^th of August until approximately 9:00 A.M.
• Beginning Powered Parachuting Forum 9:00 A.M.-10:30 A.M.
• Coffee and pastries throughout the morning.
• Barbecue from 11:00 A.M.-Noon

Course Cost:

• This course is limited to a maximum of 12 participants (not including your family and friend specatators). $149.95 for course participants. $5 for non participants barbecue

How:  Sign up early by contacting Tim Vedder sixchuterwest@genext.net 509 885-8444

Location:  7737 Road L.5 NW Quincy, WA 98848