We are already well into 2011 and have a number of exciting plans
for ABLE Pilot this Spring and Summer. But first, here’s a brief 2010 recap.
The Phoenix I prototype was completed via a University of Utah/ABLE Pilot
collaboration. This was no small feat. Dr. Blowswick and his team of talented
engineering students certainly rose to the occasion with the resultant being the
best designed, built and performing adaptive paragliding equipment in the world!
I feel very confident making this statement after hitting the road this past
summer with the Phoenix I for some demanding field trials. Several pilots flew
the Phoenix in its tandem and single pilot configuration. We have significant
video and pictures of these first flights and will be studying them closely;
however, I’m happy to report that all test flights were successful. The launches
were easier than expected, even under challenging conditions, and all landings
were surprisingly smooth. We intentionally made several landings that were
downright ugly and others in rough terrain. The Phoenix I absorbed the landing
shock and terrain well. Several of the test pilots commented that they felt more
secure landing in the Phoenix I than they would have on their own feet in some
of these test flights. The Phoenix I was test flown by able-bodied pilots as
well as people with spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions. It
passed all tests and is nearing the point where it can be introduced to the
paragliding instructional community.
ABLE Pilot also worked out some of the kinks in our instructional protocol this
past year. We determined that early instruction for students with a spinal cord
injury and paralysis is greatly enhanced through measured scooter towing –
simulating what happens on the training hill but under controlled conditions.
Through the introduction of measured scooter towing ABLE Pilot is able to
provide a completely individualized training plan - tailored for the specific
strengths and needs of each student. We are hoping our revised training protocol
will help us accommodate a greater number of student pilots in 2011.
Our work did not go unnoticed. The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding
Association named ABLE Pilot USHPA 2010 Chapter of the Year! We are looking
forward to carrying this momentum into 2011.
If you have a few minutes scroll through a video of a Phoenix I test flight .
The pilot is tandem Zen master Walter Neser. The conditions were very windy on
launch. The landing was dead air. His passenger/student (Aaron Priester) has
very little motor control – he can smile and move his head and can provide
direction to his tandem instructor. This video was prepared for and has been
shown many times to his envious classmates at school. His mother had no idea her
son could fly, that’s apparent by her reaction upon his landing.
2011 ABLE Pilot Goals Although 2010 was successful by many measures, we need to
get more people with spinal cord injuries and paralysis under instruction and
flying on their own or with the least amount of input from others as possible.
Our 2011 goals make this a priority while continuing to develop the equipment
and infrastructure to keep the program going long into the future. Here’s a
summary of how we intend to make this a reality in 2011:
· So far ABLE Pilot is supported by sweat equity, donations and grants (thanks
Foundation for Free Flight, Dr. Don Bloswick, and Neuroworx!!!). We are hoping
that our recent accomplishments will strengthen the grant applications we have
already, and will continue to, submit for funding critical to our R&D and
program services. We have already submitted two grant applications in 2011 – one
to the Paralyzed Veterans of America and one to the Christopher and Dana Reeves
Foundation. These grants seek funding for two intensive paragliding camps for
veterans with spinal cord injuries and paralysis. If these grants are funded the
camps will be offered through the Sun Valley Adaptive Sports Program and Higher
Ground www.hgvets.org. In addition, we have been talking to a New York Times
reporter who wants to do a story on ABLE Pilot and the students under
instruction. If this happens we anticipate getting much needed national exposure
– keep your fingers crossed.
· We hope the Phoenix II will emerge from the lab in 2011. It looks like Bryon
Densley may be taking what we learned by designing, building and testing the
Phoenix I and improving upon it while pursuing his Masters Degree in Mechanical
Engineering at the University of Utah! Seems as if the University of Utah is
emerging as a center of excellence in adaptive paragliding. We are hoping to
have a simpler lighter airframe, one that will ultimately be less expensive to
manufacture and easier to get into the hands of instructors nationwide. We are
also looking to improve the Phoenix’s stability on the ground while reducing its
dimensions slightly. We also have a few exciting improvements in store for the
Phoenix project that are still secret.
· We hope to procure a scooter tow in 2011. We have been gracious of the loaners
we used in 2010, but we think safety will be improved if we can rely on the
continuity and familiarity of our own equipment . We also hope to increase the
number of instruction days by increasing our towing capacity.
· When an organization relies upon volunteers to keep the lights on certain
important tasks tend to fall through the cracks. Sitting down and solidifying
the administrative aspects of ABLE Pilot is one goal we hope to give
considerable attention to in 2011. The services of several potential Board of
Director members have been solicited to help us achieve this goal. As a result,
we hope to see improvements in our administrative structure in 2011. This
includes achieving 501(c)3 status for ABLE Pilot.
· Finally, ABLE Pilot is doing good stuff for inspirational people. The ABLE
Pilot web site ( www.ABLEPilot.com ) is the best way to communicate what we are doing to our
friends. We have been remiss in keeping this web site up to date. We are sitting
on pictures, videos and stories that are remarkable to say the least. We want to
bring you the stories of our successes and description of our challenges.
Finding the time and personnel to show off our inspirational progress will be
prioritized in 2011!
