Speed Flying - Steve was having fun this past winter

[Kenny]

Steve probably never mentioned this sport to us because it probably takes loads of paragliding and/or skydiving experience. Here is a link to the sport that I dreamed of doing ever since I began skiing. Imagine going down the hill and rising up above the slope at your whim and coming down again hundreds of yards down the hill.

http://www.speedflyingusa.com

[windzup]

It is a sweet crossover, mixing parachuting, paragliding, kiting and skiing. I think the raddest thing is the size of the wings, just like our average snowkites, the 'speed flying' wings are only 10m, 12m & 14 meter in size.

You may be able to get rid of your big kites yet Kenny! This summer the design and test team were flying the 12 and 14 meter sizes when regular paragliders were flying at the point of the mountain in regular light conditions.

Ozone's developed a range of the new gliders called the Bullet, and we plan to offer demos and lessons at Skyline this winter....the short steep slopes are ideal for learning (minor avy danger). We'll finally be able to really make use of the steep cornice slopes and light wind days up there.

Its too bad that it won't be available at most resorts in the US like it is all over Europe now. After only 3 days at the end of this season SNowbird shut it down. So like kiting we'll be forced into the backcountry with the downhill gliders, and likely have to hike or sled in for good runs.

The true crossover will be when they make a 'Speed Fly" wing with longer lines like a kite. Maybe like a Frenzy on 10meter lines. Than you can pendulum the kite for uphill riding, but still have more direct control while in flight.

oh yeah...just waiting for winter still....

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

[Kenny]

Brian,

Thank for the update. I bought the big kites so I could do jump, glide combinations. The speedflyer looks like a great way to go down the mountain. It is coming closer to our dream - ride up, fly down.

Do you need to be a fully certified paraglider pilot to buy a bullet glider? What do you reckon the learning curve is for a non-paraglider? The concept looks fairly simple. I imagine the most important part is understanding all of the safety issues.

I agree that a wing on short lines would be an ideal solution. I think speedflying down the ridge makes the most sense at Skyline because you can catch a car lift back up to the top. It will be the perfect place to learn on the no-wind days or while waiting for the wind. I can't wait for the winter and it is only late July.

Kenny

[lesvierra]

Sick, sick siiiick! That video was cool. I'm in if the learning curve is short if you dont have to spending hours of lessons at the point of the mountain. I should take the lessons anyways because paramotoring looks cool for crusing around up here around pineview.

Snowbasins downhill course would be perfect and some of the shots off the run. Forest service land. as long as you get down before the runs open, I think it is ok. Only 2hr skin up to the top.

I had a dream last night. I was talking with Gary Nate, one of warren millers local filmers. I told him he, they, had to get snow kiting in one of their films. Kiters are doing some amazing stuff. He couldnt say anything about it, but he gave a smile and a nodd. this might be the year to see kiting on the big screen.

[MikE mAy]

all i can say is SIIICK! Steve or Brian- count me in! i'm already excited for winter kiting, but i think kenny is right- maybe we aren't that far off from the dream of riding up and then flying down. count me in for sure.

P.S.- Steve- that wasn't Bonous' old 4X4 van you have at the shop is it? i've got lots of good memories of traveling the intermountain range in that van. any of the Snowbird guys into kiting?

[windzup]

Truth is 'speed flying' is yet to be developed completely. Like Snowkiting, we had designs and products long before most of us new what we could really do with them.

The Speed Flying trend is built mostly on a crossover from Skydivers, that started with the idea of 'ground-launching' parachutes off of steep hills. The parachutes would follow the slopes on their 3:1 glide. Using skiis with the gliders allows for high speed launches off of slopes and increased air time. Having snow under neath also makes it a slight bit safer. Either way it was all about hauling ass down a mountain.

The current 'speed fly' wings are very dynamic and require a lot of paragliding and or skydiving experience. The Bullets that Ozone are developing are supposed to be more forgiving and offer a better glide ratio than other speed wings. Instead of bombing straight down, Ozone wants a wing that has a better glide and lift for softer landings.....and to make it funner to fly.

My thoughts are that a kiting background is as solid of a pre-requisite for speed-flying as paragliding or skydiving......as long as you start slow on the bunny hill! Training at Skyline will be relatively safe on the moderate slopes (likely never leaving Earth). Just like kiting down with the wing over head, one can practice making runs and getting comfortable with the wings controls before leaving the slope (similar to our paragliding courses).
You should only attempt steep slopes and big air once you have logged a lot of time with a Bullet, as once you leave the ground you enter a new world of skills and technique.

I feel that the sport will adapt from its current 'hill bombing' phase, into a more well rounded piece of equipment.....perhaps one day replacing all my kites, parachutes & paragliders with one burly rig (12 meters I hope!)
The equipment will also evolve to be more user friendly for a wider audience, not just experienced pilots.
Until then I am looking forward to exploring the possibilities....and Utah is likely the best testing grounds.

Hey Kenny....I just like giving a hard time about big kites!! You are totally correct tho, a big kite is needed for kiting and flying in light winds, as big wings equal big lift. With these speed fly wings they are small and fast and unless its windy they go straight down. One would of course need a larger wing for more float, but then you are paragliding.

hmmm...I guess its all good.....just add wind.

Maybe change the name from 'speed-flying' to something more umm, PC? Speed flying sounds like something a truck driver does while under the influence on a Nascar track. The good names are already taken tho, or else I'd vote for Curling!! Cause theres gonna be a lot of kiters curling into a ball as they hit the bottom of the slopes at high speeds, ha!


Windzup,
Brian Schenck

[Kenny]

Brian,

I did some internet searching and I saw one site where it appeared that some guys using the GIN speedflyers to go uphill. Basically, they put the wing in front of them instead of directly overhead. I think that slightly longer lines would be beneficial to allow you to sine or "park" the wing to get up the hill. However, I realize that this will affect the control of the wing while gliding down. I think it could work on 10-15 meter lines. If not, going up-hill would be similar to wind-surfing. You would need to pump the sail frequently to get back up the hill.

I like the direction that Ozone is taking with this project. Bombing down the mountain in order to fly relegates the sport to a narrow niche as you would need both wide open spaces and no people around. I would like to see a wing that we could use in light wind that would allow for low contolled glides and allow us to go back up the hill. A big wing is probably necessary (or I just need to lose some weight).

How soon will the bullet be available? I am so stoked for winter.

Kenny

[Kenny]

Brian,

I did some internet searching and I saw one site where it appeared that some guys using the GIN speedflyers to go uphill. Basically, they put the wing in front of them instead of directly overhead. I think that slightly longer lines would be beneficial to allow you to sine or "park" the wing to get up the hill. However, I realize that this will affect the control of the wing while gliding down. I think it could work on 10-15 meter lines. If not, going up-hill would be similar to wind-surfing. You would need to pump the sail frequently to get back up the hill.

I like the direction that Ozone is taking with this project. Bombing down the mountain in order to fly relegates the sport to a narrow niche as you would need both wide open spaces and no people around. I would like to see a wing that we could use in light wind that would allow for low contolled glides and allow us to go back up the hill. A big wing is probably necessary (or I just need to lose some weight).

How soon will the bullet be available? I am so stoked for winter.

Kenny