Great Video with an Old Sound Bite

Those who know me well, know I'm an Alan Watts fan.  His writings are fundamental to my outlook on life -

This is a great video interpretation of his well known "Fullfillment" speech.

Fulfilment from Terry Stubbs Jnr on Vimeo.

Fly Safe - Fly high. Tim

Video with the Swann FreestyleHD

UPDATE - April 2013 - 
I've shot a number of hours of video with the Swann Freestyle HD camera.  These videos have been from an RC glider platform, a paraglider inflight, and hand-held.  It's my opinion that the color quality and general video sharpness are not up to the quality levels of the new Go-Pro HD 3 line.  I still find the quality to be as good or better than the GoProHD (the last generation) and certainly, for the money, a good camera for the price (as low as $150).  If you want the best, you will have to pay for it (as much as $650 for the GoPro Black).
T.O.


As I wrote previously, the Swann FreestyleHD is a small format action sports video cam that rivals many of its competitors with regard to pricing.  If the durability and video quality are comparable this is quite a find.

The durability is yet to be demonstrated since I've flown with this camera for less than 3 hours.  The video quality does have some noticeable variance from the GoPro standard however.  As you can see in my video below, there is a noticeable darkening in the corners of the frame - it's not overly distracting, but it is there.  I've also noticed an occasional vertical line through the frame caused by something unknown.  Please note that I'm no video expert in either the editing nor filming areas, so your mileage may vary.

Does this variance in quality change my decision to purchase this camera?  No.  It fits my needs and was within my price justification zone.  Is it as "good" as the new GoPro White?  Probably not.  But for half the price it is a product to consider when shopping for an action sports camera.

Tim

Flying the Dark Side of the Hill* from Tim O'Neill on Vimeo.
 

   

What flying feels like

This video from Jean-Baptiste Chandelier captures the freedom and unstructured joy that a day of flying at the beach offers.  The beginning shot, of the shoes leaving the tarmac, is perfect. . . 

YouTube Link

Elemental Freedom

Here is a brief video that I found recently.
Nice.

Elemental Freedom from Terry Stubbs Jnr on Vimeo.
"Paragliding will never lose its soul or spirit. The contentment it instils in the heard is too profound."
Pilots - Terry Stubbs Jnr & Zebur Mercan
Location - Bishops Hill, Scotland
Camera - Lumix G10 lens 14-42mm lens
www.terry-stubbs.com

Is there life after X-Alps?

I've been worthless for the last few days, due to my addiction to the X-Alps - and I wasn't alone.  The most active thread on the Paragliding Forum was the X-Alps thread, with many posters supplying play-by-play and local weather info.  XC Mag seemed to take point in getting information to the masses.  The XC Mag  videos and interviews gave us access to the athletes in their glory and pain.

It was, up to now, the best use of technology and imagery; allowing this amazing race to be viewed by thousands.   Chrigel Maurer absolutely dominated the field.  Even after taking a 24 hour penalty he was almost 48 hours ahead of 2nd place (and only other competitor to make it to the raft) Romanian, Toma Coconea.  The last hour race between Coconea and 3rd place Austrian Paul Guschlbauer was riveting, as Toma went into ultramarathon mode and literally ran the last 80km. while Guschlbauer flew most of the distance.  The tortoise won this race though, as Guschlbauer was left 9 km short of goal when the 48 hours expired.  American Honza Rejmanek was able to take 10th spot in the last 5 minutes.  Big respect for all the athletes for their commitment in the last year of training, and their fortitude in attacking the 864km. course from Salzburg to Monaco.

The 2011 Red Bull X-Alps video looks like it will be amazing.   I've already ordered a copy and the early teasers indicate that the production values will be fantastic this year.  They used helicopters and personal HD cameras to provide POV of the athletes, their helpers, and inflight views of the spectacular scenery.

I would appreciate it if you ordered it by clicking through to the XC  Shop by clicking one of the ads at the bottom of this site, or THIS LINK so I get credit for the sale.  

Fly Safe -
Tim

PWC Korea

Big Congratulations go out to Jack Brown, who won the PWC last week in Korea. His consistency allowed him to top the results in the two-task event.

Jack has really put a lot of effort and time into his flying in the last two years and the results speak for themselves. Jack(USA #3) joins USA #1 Brad Gunnuscio, #2 Josh Cohn, and U.S. Female pilot Melanie Pfister to make up the US World Team. Unfortunately #4 Nick Greece, won't make it since only 3 + 1 spots were available this year.

The above was edited after the straight scoop was provided by Nick Greece

Here's a great video about the Korean PWC event -

To donate to the US World Team Fund please visit http://usparaglidingteam.org/

Here's another great video showing the views and experience of high-performance paragliding -

Vol test Cam Annecy avril from Jean-Mi ARA on Vimeo.

Fly Safe -
Tim

Cuesta Flight 4/8/11

Driving past Cayucos at 11 am

The XC Skies forecast models all said Friday might be sporty so I headed up to Cuesta for some rodeo action.  On the way to the mountain I snapped a couple of shots along the coast.

The development was already fairly active by 10:30 so I knew it wasn't a question IF it would overdevelop, but WHEN.    

Ready for aviation on launch at Cuesta

The conditions at the hill were looking good, with nice strong cycles blowing up launch, but cloudbase was only about 1500' over launch.  The clouds in the gap across the grade were even lower.  I talked myself into thinking the base would go up when the temps increased and proceeded to set up my gear.   Today I used all the goodies - hand warmers, good gloves, balaclava, and I was still cold.

The flight wasn't spectacular but it was quite interesting as I negotiated my way along course (up wind since that route was clearer) around and often through graupel.

Some might say that today would have been a good day to stay on the hill - If my timing hadn't been what it was, I might agree, but today was all about timing.  I was there early enough to get in the air before life got complicated with dark cells over the launch.  I also was in the air before it got gusty on the ridge.  Visibility was good and the big clouds weren't an issue until later in the flight, when I flew into a large bit of precipitation that covered me and my gear with graupel.  Other than that bit-o-fun the flight was enjoyable and interesting.

Today was my first experiment with my Helmet Hero HD camera and the imovie software that came with  my new Apple MacBook Pro.  I hope you enjoy the bit of perspective that a half mile of altitude and very little protection from the elements can provide.  The 90 minute flight has been trimmed to a little less than 11 minutes.
 
Cuesta flight from Tim O'Neill on Vimeo.
A chilly flight with some overdevelopment and precip. It was more fun than it looks!


EDIT - Here's my flight track - http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/430033

Tim

Ask me why I fly . . . I dare ya.

The perspectives available, when flying close to otherwise unviewable landscapes, at slow speed, and hanging from a virtually noiseless machine . . . Sometimes they take my breath away. 

Watch this video and then ask me why I fly paragliders.

VERTIGE from Stéphane Boulenger on Vimeo.

When Things Go Bad - Part 3

In prior posts I went through a few scenarios and recommended some possible solutions and procedures to consider when faced with these abnormal situations.  The main thing we are after, in looking at these situations is the ability to think and fly while working through the problem to it's safest outcome.  As mentioned before, all of these equipment and grey-matter failures can be avoided if you are conscientious with your gear, preparation, and anticipation of potential danger. 

SCENARIO 8 - Brake Handle Separation 

You huck off the hill with your brakes held in your normal way; When you pull the right brake, the handle separates from the brake-line, and your brake-line trails 10 feet behind you as you fly along.

No Problem.  You will still have plenty of control to safely get on the ground.  As your instructor (probably) told you during training, you can use your rear risers to control the wing.  Because you want similar control pressures, I recommend using both rear risers rather than using one brake and the opposite riser.  Be careful since the force required to control the wing may be different than that normally experienced while using brakes - consider the possibility of stall/spin, if over controlling.

Practice rear-riser-flying your wing every once in a while to familiarize yourself with the flying characteristics and control pressures associated with using the rear risers for control.

When you tie your brake line knots I recommend using the knot shown in the graphic here.  Click on the graphic for a larger version.

SCENARIO 9 - Tow Boat Disabled

You are attending your first SIV course, held at a local lake.  The instructor is a well respected acro pilot who gets right to the description of how/what/where you are going to do the maneuvers.  You excitedly hook into the tow-line and are soon airborne.  The boat tows you to about 200', when you feel the line go slack and you see the boat slowing until it's dead in the water. 

This may sound a bit far-fetched, but I've seen a variation of this happen at three different towing events. Any time you combine a boat, a winch, a long towing line, and a wing, you add innumerable complex failure points and something is bound to happen.  This means you need to be prepared and all parties need to have a plan.

When on tow, and the line goes very slack, (you realize something is ending the tow prematurely) your first thought should be to disconnect from the tow-line.  You may need two hands to accomplish this task since the force has been removed from the line.  Your priority should be to clear yourself from the tow-line.  Then steer towards a suitable landing spot while considering the wind.  If you are in a position where landing in the water is the best or only option, get as close to another boat or shore as possible.  If your safety boat has been disabled you may be in the water for a while.

You should be wearing a good life vest.  You should have removed the padding from your harness so you float face-up. You should have a hook knife readily available.  And you should have a plan if you hit the water without the aid of a rescue boat; because. . .

The very reason you are heading for the water, may be the reason the rescue boat won't be coming to your aid!  If you are fouled in your lines, you are in serious danger, since no rescue boat is coming.

 Scenario 7 covered some of the things to consider, and preparations to make, when landing in the water.  You may think that the water is your friend since the whole reason for the course being held at the lake is so you will land in the water if the wing gets out of sorts - but the hazards of the water are as real as any other time.

So - Here's the way to preemptively avoid the above situation.  If your acro-god instructor doesn't brief you (and the boat driver) about the tow pattern and the importance of a path that allows for a landing on shore if a low rope-break or boat malfunction occurs, you need to take responsibility for your safety, and do the briefing with them.  If, as is the case most of the time, your tow-boat is also the safety boat, there is a gap in safety if the boat is disabled due to engine or winch problems. You shouldn't be exposed to a water landing for any longer than necessary, early in the tow.  The best-case scenario is for you to be towed along a landable shoreline until you are high enough to return to a designated LZ.   If you find yourself headed for the water then all the caveats mentioned in Scenario 7 apply.

For some very sobering information, see this excellent study done by the DHV. It is obvious, from this study, that a timely arrival of the safety boat is imperative to a safely run SIV course.

SIV courses are very important in advancing your flying through increased familiarity and confidence in your ability to handle your wing in all situations - I value my time over the water greatly - but be aware that it is essential that your SIV is conducted by professionals who have good equipment and good procedures.

Fly Safe -
Tim

When Things Go Bad - Part 1

What to do when things go bad

This is Part ONE of THREE in this series - Links to the next part are at the end of this page.

I’ve spent much of my life in simulators; often practicing “worst case scenarios.”  While practicing the handling of these types of situations, I work with my crew to utilize the procedures that have been practiced and designed to ensure the proper response.   We also discuss alternative courses of action.  It’s not pessimism that drives this behavior – it’s a healthy respect for the value of mental preparation.   I believe that a similar mindset is valuable in our flying of paragliders.

Even if you never leave your home site, and never land anywhere but your own LZ, “dry flying”  - thinking abnormal scenarios through, can be good practice.

All of the scenarios in this post are situations that are best avoided in the first place.  Use proper preparation and judgment, and you will eliminate the need to deal with these situations.  It is still of value, however, to consider what you would do, to avoid panic and brain-lock, should you encounter them.

Rule number one is KEEP YOUR HEAD.  Don’t stop thinking just because you are confronted with an abnormal situation.  There is a way to handle the situation to minimize your peril and maximize a positive outcome.  Rule number two is TAKE YOUR TIME.  Often the time for ‘immediate action’ has passed – Now you need to make a considered reaction to ensure a safe outcome.

SCENARIO 1 – Parked.

You are soaring at 100 meters (300’) over launch, along your ridge site when the wind picks up suddenly.  You realize you are parked and unable to penetrate into the wind.  What to do?

Assuming that your normal LZ is upwind and below launch, your first course should be to increase your speed to penetrate into the wind.  Use of your speedbar will achieve added ground speed.  If the air is rough, you may not be able to use your speedbar to its full extension, but use as much as you safely can to achieve a visible groundspeed into the wind.  As you get in front of the ridge you will often leave the lift band that can increase the velocity of the wind as it is compressed over the ridge.  You will soon note an increase in your groundspeed.

If you are still parked while accelerated, or unable to use speedbar due to rough air, then you need to explore your other, less attractive options.  You might want to consider descending to the level of the slope in front of launch and side-hill landing.  You may need to land using big-ears to pull this off.  It is often possible (since the wind may be slightly less than 90°  to the ridge) to creep along, parallel to the ridge, so as to get to the end of the ridge and get to an alternative LZ next to the ridge and/or downwind of the ridge.

It also may be a viable alternative to fly over the back to land downwind of the ridge.  You must take into consideration that there may be sink and rotor caused by the wind flowing over the ridge.  You can increase the viability of this choice by utilizing lift on the ridge to get high and choosing your spot to go back carefully, to maximize the distance from the ridge of your landing.  Generally landing as far downwind as possible is your best bet.  Why not take the next thermal over the back and embark on a cross-country flight?  This is a far better choice than panicking and rushing the reaction, or attempting to get to your normal LZ in a vain attempt against the wind. 

You get the idea?  We need to consider these options so they come to mind when you realize you’re in a pickle.

SCENARIO 2 –  High Wind Landing

You have had a great flight and are landing in a stronger wind than expected or comfortable.  

First, plan to land in a LZ with sufficient room to allow for downwind drift, should it be encountered.  Next, plan to land in the upwind 1/3 of the LZ if this has clear air.  When dealing with a lot of wind near the ground, consider any obstructions that may create rotor turbulence.  Make an approach to the LZ that allows you to maneuver without turning away (downwind) from the LZ.  Your approach should be made with the minimum necessary speedbar.  If speedbar is used, then plan to touchdown with minimal bar and then kill the wing by pulling down on your “B” or “C” risers.  An optimum way to achieve a nice high-wind landing is to lean forward slightly, with legs extended and risers ready to pull, so a PLF may be achieved or a quick turn may be made while pulling the “C” risers to kill all lift.   A video of such a landing can be viewed below.  I opted to make the approach and landing without speed-bar since none was necessary.  If speed had been required, I would have landed on the beach since it afforded a bit more space. 

High Wind Landing from Tim O'Neill on Vimeo.

An alternative procedure that I have not employed, but I’ve heard can be successful, is to twist 180° and land while facing backwards so any downwind drift may be handled by running backwards while killing the wing.

SCENARIO 3 – Cloud Suck

You are thermalling up in a nice thermal, when suddenly you realize that you are in rapidly increasing lift and may be sucked into the cloud above, soon. 

As the thermal rises, and the air reaches its dew-point, the increased energy of the thermal can reach a point that causes a climb much faster than intended and anticipated.  Prior to being lifted into the cloud you should attempt to exit the area of lift.  The best way to do this is to roll-out and fly in the direction of the closest edge of the cloud (and the adjacent clear area).  You should have noted the nearest clear area while well below cloud-base since you will not be able to see which direction is best while close to the cloud.  If necessary, use speed-bar and big-ears to increase your speed and sink rate, to evade the lift.  If you have a compass or GPS, use them to provide heading information.  If not, then use the sun as a reference and hold your heading relative to the sun, if possible.  It may be best to hold this heading even if you are lifted into cloud since horizontal escape of the lift is the best method.

Alternative methods are to use descent techniques prior to reaching the cloud.  Big-Ears + Speed-bar, Spirals, and B-Line Stalls are often employed to decrease the effect of the lift.  When exiting these configurations however, you may find yourself climbing in the lift again.  That is why I recommend the first technique.
   

If you find yourself in cloud, do not panic.  It is disorienting and vertigo may be experienced, but you are not in trouble unless you just flew into a 35,000’ thunderstorm.  Just remember that a paraglider has more inherent stability than most flying machines so a hands off approach will suffice to allow you to exit the cloud.  If you can safely fly with some speed-bar, then I recommend you use it to expedite your exit from the cloud.  Be patient – when you get into the sink, you will soon exit the cloud.

A note about spirals - Spirals are a very effective descent technique, but need to be practiced.  I recommend you get with your instructor, or better yet, an SIV coach, to practice ‘throttling’ your spirals so you can effectively modulate the G forces and descent rate.

Part 2 is located HERE.  If you have any suggestions, drop me a note.
Tim

5 minutes of fun - Cuesta Today April 2010

60 minutes of driving, 35 minutes of hiking, and 90 minutes of parawaiting - For 6 minutes of flying? 

It's that good ;-)

Tim

Cuesta April 2010 from Tim O'Neill on Vimeo.

Video of our trip to Dunlap

Patrick edited some video of our Dunlap trip -
I'm on the green Boomerang 5

Youtube link

Cayucos today

Jack called me early and it was a beautiful day.  Maybe the nicest day for awhile since some weather is headed this way on Friday/Saturday.  I was up for a hike-n-huck later in the day -

I spent 30 minutes in the driveway with the Avax XC2 rearranging my lines.  My friend Jug helped me replace all my lines last week and all was well, except that some of the lines terminated at the mallions in a way that twisted the individual risers.  It was easy to fix and I was ready to fly with my new harness & a newly-lined-retrimmed wing.

The new harness is a Woody Valley X-Rated 5, and I'm loving it.  The fit & finish of the harness and pod is good and I find it very comfortable.

After hiking to the top, and waiting for the ocean breeze to blow through,  a friend and fellow UAL pilot stopped by and, later, took the video below.  Scotty is a kick-ass kite boarder and I hope to see him under a paraglider soon.   The harness looks good and the Avax feels like a new wing again . . . I REALLY like this wing.

Tim

Flyby at Cayucos from Tim O'Neill on Vimeo.

Dreaming

The weather has been a bit "Easty" lately, so I haven't been flying much.  I find that I think about flying a lot when I go through a dry spell, like this.  I even had a paraglider dream last night - which never happens when I'm flying regularly.  Here's a video that describes what I'm going through very well.

It's title is "Rush Hour Dream."


While I'm at it, the PPic widget (lower right of this blog) had one of the most serene and beautiful shots recently. . . Click on photo for larger version.

Photo by Raphael Neuhaus

I put videos I create on Vimeo. You can see my profile.

Tim

Flying Pirates

I got to fly a new site today. I've heard about some of the flights at Pirates Cove, so today when Patrick called me, I gladly hiked up to launch. The view was striking and the weather very nice. We flew for an hour or so.

Here's a short video of the fun.

Flying Pirates from Tim O'Neill on Vimeo.

A fun day with Patrick flying Pirates Cove.

Have fun & fly safe -
Tim

Simple things

Point a video camera at the sky, the horizon, hilltops, a bay; allow the world to go by in real time, but record it in 'lapse' time. It sounds simple - and it is; but it accentuates the visual vividness that we all could, simply, experience when seeing.

Another Cloud Reel... from Delrious on Vimeo.

Tim

U.S. Nat's Video

Here's a video I put together that shows what it's like when thermalling with 70 other pilots before the start of the task. The video also has shots of many of the competitors and podium shots of the winners. Thanks to Aaron Beck and Dean Stratton for sharing their photos.

For the best quality version you can right-click and save the .WMV file at the bottom right corner of the Vimeo Page.

2009 U.S. Paragliding Nats - Dunlap, CA from Tim O'Neill on Vimeo.

Another fun day at Cayucos

Today was another glorious day at Cayucos. I really prefer higher flights, but it's hard not to appreciate the chance to fly over such spectacular beauty on such a great day with my friends.


Another Beautiful Day to Paraglide at Cayucos from Tim O'Neill on Vimeo.

Tim

Flying MDO today

Today I met a few friends for some fickle but fun flying at the bluffs.
I've gotten a bit more comfortable with my video editing software & here's my latest.

Paragliding at Montana de Oro 08 Feb 09 from Tim O'Neill on Vimeo.

Cuesta Today

Today I met Patrick, Jesse, and Eric for a quick flight at the Cuesta Grade. The air felt good and the cycles were nicely rolling up the hill so we all got airborne before 1 P.M. and flew a few flights with top landings in between. I was able to get up high enough to head over to the TV towers and look closely at the guy-wires.


First Flight at Cuesta 2009 from Tim O'Neill on Vimeo.

This is my first flight using the Helmet Hero camera.

The video isn't riveting, but it was a fun flight.

Tim