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I didn't get to go this year because of work obligations but have
committed to helping out next year. It's a great gathering of pilots
where stakeholders in ultralight land can share information to improve
the sport. Every branch is represented from rotorcraft to paramotors
and, in fact, paramotors had the biggest presence of displayers there
with two machines. Jeff Stienkamp had his homemade trike and a Paratoys
dealer was showing off the latest quad.
The basic intent is to provide useful and entertaining information to
both participants and those interested in ultralight flying. The state
of IL is producing a professional video of the seminars. Contact
Roy Beisswenger for a copy or
how to obtain one.
Thanks to Jeff for his write-up about the event, included below.
Overview
by
Jeff Steinkamp
The Illinois
Ultralight Advisory Council (IUAC), the Illinois Department of
Transportation, Division of Aeronautics, and the Federal Aviation
Administration, Springfield FSDO held their 30th Annual IUAC Ultralight/Lightplane
Safety Seminar on Saturday, February 27, 2010 in Springfield, IL. This
gathering of over 200+ registered ultralight/lightplane pilots as well
spectators was held on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in the Illinois
Building.
I had the opportunity to display some my powered paragliding
equipment including my new home built trike design and to show some PPG
videos to many interested people. I answered lots of questions and
handed out over 75 USPPA Brochures. I seemed to have more interest in
the display this year than in the past 5 years that I have attended this
event. I believe this is the case because I was showing a wheeled launch
version of powered paragliding. Since most of the participants in this
seminar are of the more “mature” age, like me, I believe they gravitated
more to the wheeled launching than foot launching. Also, I had several
pilots looking to transition from the powered parachute world to the
powered paragliding venue due to increased FAA regulation and cost of
purchasing and owning a powered parachute.
Some of the other people in attendance were:
Susan Shea, Director of the Illinois Department of Transportation,
Division of Aeronautics. I met Ms. Shea in 2005 and have worked with her
on various projects when I was the Airport Director at the Quincy,
Illinois Regional Airport (UIN). She is a tireless advocate for all
forms of aviation activity in the State of Illinois.
Roy Beisswenger, one of the organizers of this event and a strong
supporter of the PPG community. Roy was the key person that helped set
up and run the recent World Air Games PPG Qualifying Competition at the
Greenville, IL Airport in July of 2008.
Michael Mixer, a new Paratoys Dealer from near Quincy, IL, was also
there
displaying a Low Boy Quad and canopy. He was kept busy discussing
equipment and training.
Overall, this Safety Seminar is a well organized and informational event
and I would like to see more of the PPG community participate in the
future, especially my Illinois brethren. |
1. There is a place for vendors to set up. Here the IL paratoys dealer
is talking to an interested audience.
2. Susan Shea and Jeff Steinkamp next to Jeff's homebuilt trike.
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