This is a great chance to get become a powered paragliding pilot!
The location is between Orlando and Tampa, FL. The site is a gorgeous ultra
light airport. Chris Santacroce, along with some factory reps and industry
experts will provide the instruction. Each participant will engage in a
thoughtful progression toward making multiple radio assisted motor flights.
Participants will leave the session competent powered paraglider pilots. Chris
Santacroce is a USPPA certified instructor capable of issuing PPG ratings.
The cost is $100 per day. Some participants
will be teaming up to share vehicles and hotel rooms.
The dates have been changes to April 5-10 so that participants can also enjoy
the Parastars Convention being held on April 11-14. The convention is the
largest powered paragliding event of the year. The schedule is full of
informative sessions, demonstrations, record attempts, group cross countries and
a fly by at the nearby Sun and Fun air show.
Please let us know if your schedule will allow. A credit card deposit will hold
your spot. Space is very limited. More details are available on request.
Map
Lodging and The Paralite factory are in Plant City. The training fields are
slightly to the East of Thonotosassa.
Schedule
April 5/ 6 arrive Tampa or Orlando (Airport Pickup Available)
April 6 PM ground school/ ground handling/
distribute syllabus
April 7 AM training in the field/ PM visit to
Paralite factory
April 8 AM training in the field/ Mid day theory/
PM Training/ Test flying
NOTE: because of the Sun and Fun Airshow,
rooms are scarce; call at once to reserve your
Days Inn
301 S Frontage Rd, Plant City, FL
Phone:813-752-0570
Hwy/Exit:4/13
Phil Smith found this one, looks great.
$49 .95 2/1/2002 thru 4/30/2002
1-2 per room
Masters Inn Tampa East - Seffner
6010 CR 579, Seffner, FL 33584
Smoking rooms only available
Tel: 813-621-4681 hlcjaxap@inetmail.att.net
$54 one $58 for two, $4 off for AAA (travelers guide coupon
rate $37) Travelers Discount Guide Coupon / Shawni Thomas Group Sales
Holiday Inn Express
2102 North Park Road
Plant City, FL 33566
Tel: 813 719 3800 psmileyguy@yahoo.com
Full
Comfort Inn
2003 South Frontage Rd
Plant City, FL 33566
Tel: (813) 707-6000 PlantCityCI@tharaldson.com
$69 1-4 $125 5 and 6 and $69 again from 7-10 (10% discount
available)
Regarding the record attempt that I keep
mentioning. The current record is 54(last year at Parastars) The goal is 100
this year. Here are the rules that they have outlined for the moment. We ought
to be able to get everyone ready to participate without too much trouble.
1. FRS Radios would be preferred to be used, the
flight leaders would be at least required to have one.
2. Attendance at the safety briefing would be mandatory.
3. 4 flight leaders minimum, they would determine the size of the pattern and be
in constant contact with Eric and safety committee members.
4. There should be some minimum experience requirements for pilots- a suggestion
was at least 10 flights.
5. Pilots of low experience levels should stay at higher altitudes, about 1,000
ft.. Pilots with more experience can stay at lower 300 and 500 ft. heights.
Camera pilot recording the event will be at 2,000 ft.
6. Before takeoff, pilots need to:
-have gas tank full
-have motor in good running condition
-have safety-checked harness, motor, risers, lines and wing
-have attended safety briefing and record attempt briefing
-look at schedule of times for set up, run up and launch
-have a working FRS radio that can at the least receive transmissions
7. Those not flying in the attempt should do what they can to assist those that
are attempting to launch.
8. There will be no other flying in the area while the record attempt is in
progress.
9. On landing after the record attempt, pilots should shut off their engine, and
kick their legs in a "scissors action" to indicate they will be landing.
10. All pilots must fly with registration numbers attached to their wings for
identification purposes.
Also, it sounds like the Parastars are organizing
a fly by at the Sun n Fun airshow. I may be mistaken, but I think that the
Parastars Convention is close enough to Sun and Fun for the group to fly to Sun
and Fun and fly back. Sun and Fun is a huge airshow. This will be great for the
sport and would be a lot of fun. I will keep you posted.
To all PPG pilots and their guests,
The Parastars World Convention 2002 registration page is now up and
ready to take your information. Here are a few tips on using the
registration form that will make it easier for you:
-Have your club membership cards with you(EAA, USHGA, ASC, USPPA,
etc.), for info. purposes it is asked in one of the sections. If you
are uncomfortable about it and don't want to fill it out, that's fine.
-Know whether you will be having a guest, such as a wife, kids, or
friends attending and being at the banquet. It will be asked on the
second section of the form.
-There is a section asking what biographical information you can
provide. We're not trying to pry into your personal life, we just
wanted some information for when a person is seen taking off or
flying over. The PA announcer (Bruce Erion) can use this to identify
you as a unique person. If you have military experience, flight
experience, an unusual hobby or profession, list it. As it says,
feel free to write a paragraph or two about your PPG and other life
experiences.
- Take your time filling out the section on the last page that deals
with the payment. Do you have a guest attending? Are you a member of
EAA? Don't forget to include everyone. The basic pilot charge is
$96 for non-EAA members, and $69 if you are a current paid-up member
of EAA for the entire 2002 year. We are required by Fantasy of Flight
to ask all vendors to register as pilots.
-If you are wondering what on earth your money is paying for, take a
close look at the explanation of the registration fee. We're not in
this for profit, but we have to cover the extensive costs of the
rental of the property, trash, port-o-lets, insurance, portable
showers, food and beverage, etc., etc., etc.. We have many members
that are using money from their own pockets until they are reimbursed
after the convention for their expenditures. When you see the
excellent facilities, you'll understand why we had to have a slight
increase in fees over last year. Don't forget, your fee also
includes entry into one of the finest personal aircraft museums in
the world. Take advantage of it. Clinic and workshop speakers are
not paid, they are doing this for the love of the sport. Enjoy them,
thank them, and appreciate the information they are imparting. The
vendors have offered some terrific gifts again this year, the raffle
winners will be announced at the banquet.
- The basic rules are everyone MUST have a helmet when flying, and
must attend the safety briefing before flying to become aware of the
flying and ground rules. Safety committee rulings will be final. We
STRONGLY suggest each pilot have a FRS radio with headset so that
important emergency information can be given when they are airborne.
Please, no voice-activated microphones.
-To register, go to www.parastars.com , then click on the picture at
the top of the page. You will be paying by PayPal, a credit card
online service. It is encripted and safe. Have your credit card
ready for registration if you are a first-time PayPal user.
-That's it. I encourage you to register as soon as you can. The
first 200 pilots registering will be given a raffle ticket to be
eligible to win a Piper Cherokee airplane that will be raffled off by
the EAA soon. Cost of buying the raffle tickets are compliments of
the Parastars Flying Club. As another bonus, the first 150 pilots to
attend the convention will receive an EAA T-Shirt. So, stop dreaming
and start getting your rig ready to fly in the warm Florida sunshine!
Powered Paragliding Conversion Course 2002