I flew Arizona’s thermals and evening ridge line glassoffs avidly for almost 10 years and agree 100% that hang gliding is The Most Exciting, Rewarding, Satisfying, Pure form of flight extant. 73 miles was my farthest XC. I remember when you set your record and your magazine cover!! Not to take anything away from cable-launched records but launching from a mountain is far more satisfying than any form of towing and owning the mountain-launch XC distance is in some ways, more relevant than one set by towing. These days I own, maintain and fly my own sport airplane. It’s more practical but nowhere near the thrill of hang gliding. So glad you posted this 😎🎩♠️💙
@myronchristopherson672 Жыл бұрын
I Still have my copy of Hang Gliding Magazine with the Article that Kevin Wrote, (Myron Christopherson)....super FAN of another of my Super Nephews!
@ericoschmitt Жыл бұрын
That is an awesome flight, and I'm happy to know he's still going strong and flying! :) Hang gliding is indeed a magical way of flying and I absolutely love it!
@cameronmccreary4758 Жыл бұрын
287 miles; congratulations. I never knew that was possible.
@NightHiker72 Жыл бұрын
Very Very Cool!! You Rock Kevin!! Hello From Northern Ohio!!
@pgnewfoundland Жыл бұрын
I started flying hang gliders in 1996 and still love it I wish the sport was a bit more popular but like you said the moments are great and it's nice to share it 🙂I might fly a paraglider a lot these days but like I said to people I feel like I'm cheating on my girlfriend when I do because hang gliding is still my first love😁❤
@flytavo Жыл бұрын
Greatful to see this. Every detail that you describe is the exact the way I feel but I never found the words to describe it. Thank you
@davidgunnar8569 Жыл бұрын
Jonny Durand has flown 500km from Beechmont,SE QLD foot launched more than once
@ericoschmitt Жыл бұрын
And that has been beaten too, by Andre Wolf, then Eduardo Fernandes, then currently with Glauco Pinto at 620km
@chrisdrake7849 Жыл бұрын
I remember your flight, I think your mom was your hang driver.
@donkeller1233 Жыл бұрын
Awesome dude! I remember when you did this. I always considered towing to be a separate category. I'm glad to hear that your record still stands. What make/model of glider were you flying on that day? A super accomplishment!
@ericoschmitt Жыл бұрын
It doesn't anymore, beaten a few times by brazilian pilots. Andre Wolf got it once, taking off in south Brazil and landing in Argentina, had trouble for 2 or 3 days explaining his way out of the country after an undeclared entrance. I think it was just under 500km. Some time later Dudu DF made some 590km. Then Andre Wolf again with Glauco Pinto did 612km. Then Glauco Pinto in 2019 flew 620km from Tacima (north east Brazil), also taking the record for longest flight to a declared goal, flying a Laminar by Icaro2000
@jsimo1431 Жыл бұрын
pretty cool how he saw an eagle to get his last thermal
@peboblank437 Жыл бұрын
Great flights "back in the day" - but I think that Jonny Durand has since done a longer (foot-launched) flight from a hill in SE Queensland Australia: - about 500km? - close to 300 miles. (Of course, his was on a topless glider)..
@ericoschmitt Жыл бұрын
The current foot launched record is 620km by Glauco Pinto from Tacima (NE Brazil). Previous holders include Andre Wolf and Eduardo Fernandes