The passing of a local towing pioneer-Brad Wines

[Richard Hays]

Not sure if this is the "proper" place to post this but...it just came to my attention that an old flying buddy passed away. I don't have all the details; I just know that he passed away and I feel compelled to say something about him.

Brad Wines was involved with flying and "casual" instruction during 1973-77. His company was called Aqua-Flight. He flew a Seagull 3 Z and a Seagull Seahawk. He was also an accomplished piano player and actually made his living singing and playing at upscale piano bars around town. Brad was a free spirit. Tan, prematurely gray and loved life to its fullest. Often seen at Oregon Ridge training would be pilots....back in 1976....using a bull horn for commands. Good idea actually...before the age of compact radios.

But my memories of Brad Wines are his adventures with towing. Brad had his speedboat rigged up for towing his Seagull gliders behind it. The old fashion way. Static line with the industry standard chrome molley control bar with bicycle release. And of course....flying seated in a swingseat harness. Parachute? Helmet? Yeah; right.

Brads' favorite tow location was the location now known as Hart/Miller Island and Pleasure Island, near Millers Island in Baltimore County. We'd launch from the beach, tow up to about 500-700+feet and then release. The glider had floats on the keel and control bar corners. Once off of tow, we'd do a 180 and head back to the island for a hopefull landing on terra firma. If not, then...splash!! LOL. Local boaters would pull up and watch the antics. It was amazingly good fun. Scary as hell and I thought I was going to die on almost every tow...but once off the line, it was magic !

* two interesting events happened while towing his Seagulls. Brad had a picture of himself UPSIDE DOWN after having released at two high a speed. The glider whip-stalled and flipped him upside down. Neither the glider or the pilot were injured. For those of you doubting this....go look at a Seagull wing sometime. They were extremely well built and bullet-proof wings for their era.

** While towing in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, Brad released and attempted to make it to one of the open spaces which "then" surrounded the harbor. As the story goes...a sailboat pulled up and with its mast blocked his safe glide to the spot he intended on landing upon. He crashed. And of course got front page coverage of the either the Baltimore Sun or the News American. Should be able to retrieve that from the archives.

But since towing hanggliders was involved, Brad eventually acquired a parasail and began towing anyone and everyone behind his boat with it. Much safer.

So....to is credit, I do believe Brad Wines was the first person to tow in bay area, or at least one of the first. The Williamsons' probably actually hold that title. But he was one of the first and quite a nice guy to boot. I hate the thought of him not being around anymore. He was a Baltimore icon for his music and his flying adventures.

He is survived by his wife Kay and as far as I know his son Chipper too.

Richard Hays

[Danny Brotto]

Brad was a good guy and very "colorful" guy. He would cart that Seahawk around in a top-down convertable! I Parasailed with him and Kay many years ago.

Thanks for the words, Richard. Sorry to hear of his passing.

Danny Brotto

[Flying Lobster]

Nice homage, Rich.

marc