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.