DC Kite Festival March 28th

[mingram]

The CHGPA is planning to attend the National Cherry Blossom Kite Festival again this year on Saturday March 28th. Hopefully it will be warm, windy, and dry. We will have a table setup with information and I'm hoping to have a hang glider displayed. This is the one day a year we're allowed to kite paragliders anywhere on the mall, but we may also have a roped off section for kiting paragliders this year.

http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestiva ... estival-3/

[Dan T]

This is a great event and is well worth attending even if it means missing a day of flying. I've attended it off and on for nearly two decades now. It gives us a chance to show our sport to hundreds of people on a single day, some of whom could be LZ land owners, politicians, or potential pilots.

In the past a couple of the HG pilots have set up gliders and given the kids simulation rides by hooking them in then pulling the nose down so they are hanging above the ground. This has been very popular with the children. What we have never done to my knowledge is put up a video of an actual flight in front of the 'simulator'. I've seen a lot of terrific videos produced in the past year or so. Is there any interest in doing something like this?

[mingram]

Is anyone willing to volunteer with static display of a hang glider?

[andybalkphysics]

Matt,

I could bring mine. It's pink, yellow, and white, so it should be pretty eye-catching. Is the event rain or shine?

-Andy

[mingram]

Nice! Thanks! Yes, the event is rain or shine, but last year it was so rainy/wet that we didn't show.

[CraginS]

I believe that Mark Cavanaugh now has possession of the kid's size red harness for setting up the swing and "fly" photo op. Andy, it should work great with your glider.
Thanks.

[markc]

Just checked the closet, and I *do* have that kid's harness. Phew, thought it might be lost!

Happy to coordinate with those who will be volunteering this year, just send me a text/voice-mail/call .

MarkC

[andybalkphysics]

Mark, Craigns,

Oh, great, thanks. Mark, I'll arrange with you to pick it up this week.

-Andy

[mingram]

Load-in/load-out info is attached. We're supposed to be setup by 9:30.

Forecast is for good wind. It's gonna be cold, but sunny.

Andy, is there something you can bring to help tie-down your glider? I can help you unload/load.

[andybalkphysics]

Matt,

Allright, thanks for the info. Yeah, I can bring tie-down stakes or something. I'll be sure to be there around 8:00.

-Andy

[mingram]

No need to get there that early. I'll probably arrive at 9:00.

[markc]

I'm in the Bethesda/Rockville area Andy. If you are anywhere close by, I can arrange to meet you for the harness handoff, just say the word...

[mcelrah]

I am leaning toward participating - anything to get Sallie to do some kiting. I can also bring "The Claw", a beefy 3-point tie-down device for powered aircraft.
- Hugh

[Matthew]

Karen and I plan to be there in the morning with our PGs.

If it doesn't snow, and the forecast doesn't change AGAIN, and it's not too f***ing COLD, we hope to then head up to High Rock for a late afternoon flight.

Otherwise, we are going to a cocktails and single malt Whiskey Tasting at Magruder's in the afternoon.

Anyone else???

Matthew

[andybalkphysics]

Mark,

Oh thanks, yeah, OK if I come by tomorrow afternoon/evening around 7:00? I'm also in Bethesda.

Oh and Hugh, yeah, that would be useful for me, are you going to be there in the morning?

-Andy

[mcelrah]

Ya, I can bring you The Claw and do some kiting. - Hugh

[mcelrah]

Karen - George left your helmet and radio with me. - Hugh

[markc]

Give me a call Andy, 301-807-5414 . We'll coordinate....

[mingram]

Huge thanks to everyone who braved the cold and the wind! It was a fun day even though we didn't get much kiting. The wind was cranking all day, but died down a bit at the end. Got to meet some pilots new to the area. Had lots of fun playing with Syrus''s inflatable kite. Extra thanks to superstar Andy with his hang glider who made sure we were visible.

[mingram]

.

[andybalkphysics]

As Matt said it went great! We had a bunch of people stop by and ask the standard questions, and new pilots Tom and Mike came by too. The kids harness was a big hit..I think my glider saw more new "pilots" yesterday than the entire rest of its life. Thanks to Hugh for the claw (I have it in my car, and can return it anytime, Hugh).

-Andy

[mcelrah]

Believe it or not, this was my first time to the kite festival - what fun! Maybe we should practice man towing so we could demonstrate it. It was fun kiting Krista and her paraglider - I was at full extension of my arms assisting her, so I figure she was 8 feet in the air or so - commited foot-launched unpowered aviation inside the Flight Restricted Zone and a quarter mile from the White House! Thanks to all who came out.
- Hugh

[Matthew]

Kudos to Matt and Andy for organizing and manning the CHGPA station at the Kite Festival all day.

Karen and I ran into Knut, his son and his son's friend when we got there. Big turn out from the PG community, But other than Hugh, me and Karen and Knut (and, of course, Andy) the HG community was nowhere to be found. And it was the perfect day to be down on the mall promoting hang gliding at the only event that the club regularly attends.

I am deeply saddened by the lack of participation by the HG community.

Matthew

[A.Lloyd]

I was there from 12 to 3:30 representing the HG Crew. Good times!

[Matthew]

Thanks Anthony.

I don't know how I missed seeing you there.

I am now only partially saddened.



Matthew