ANN has learned of a couple of late breaking items that will be happening at the World Powered Parachute Championship at the Greenville Airport in Greenville, IL this weekend, 19-22 August, 2004.

In keeping with the theme of the motorcycle show on Saturday, one PPC maker will be bringing a powered parachute machine that is powered by a Harley-Davidson engine. This machine flies just like any other powered parachute, but it has the unique sound that you can only get from a Harley engine.

The Harley Engines being used for aircraft are developed in Southern Illinois, too. Hog Air out of West Frankfort, Illinois modifies the Harley Davidson engine for aviation use. The engine has been put on several different airplanes, but the Chute-Out will have the first parachute powered by one.

Even noisier than a Harley is a jet engine. And yes, the Chute-Out will also have a jet engine powered parachute. Final paperwork is in progress and the organizers hope that the very first flying debut of the jet powered parachute will take place at Greenville. Even if the machine doesn't fly, there are planned run-ups on the ground for demonstration purposes.

Golfers have the opportunity to win up to $25,000 in our first-annual golfing contest. Preliminary rounds will be held on Friday and Saturday. For a $1 a ball, golfers will get a chance to hit the ball as close as they can to the hole which is 165 yards away. The top 20 people that get closest to the hole will be able to shoot for the $25,000 cash prize on Sunday. In fact, if anyone makes a hole in one on Friday or Saturday, not only do they get prequalified for the Sunday finals, they also get $100 on the spot.

On Sunday, the top 20 golfers will each get 4 chances to make a hole in one for the $25,000 prize. If two or more golfers make a hole-in-one on Sunday, they will share the $25,000 equally.

This is all in addition to the World Powered Parachute Championship itself. This fifth annual event brings competitors in this aviation sport together to compete for the biggest prizes in ultralight aviation.

Powered parachutes are light one and two person aircraft used mostly for recreational flying. Their wing is a parachute similar to those used by skydivers. However, unlike skydiving rigs, these machines are powered which enables them to take off, fly, and maneuver in very tight areas.

Pilots of these machines will be flying a series of precision tasks to determine the top pilot. Events include a series of precision landing events, taxing maneuvers, and flying pylon runs. Unlike other aviation sports, this competition takes place in an event area in full, close-up view of spectators on the ground.

Even better, this contest is designed to be fun for spectators of all ages. Besides the flying competition, a festival is scheduled during the four days. Hot air balloons, games, pony rides, a motorcycle show, a hole-in-one contest and food are among the activities planned.

Last year the World Champion was John Wilson from Waynesville, MO. He is a two-time World Champion who is returning to keep his status as top in the sport. He will have to compete with Americans from as far away as Florida, Washington, and California and with international competitors from as far away as Melbourne, Australia.

FMI: www.chute-out.com