These were tossed by the hand full to the ground, for various effects including to discourage pursuit. Actually it’s nearly identical in shape to an ancient Ninja weapon made of metal.
The thistle is a nasty multi-prong thorn looking something like a pointed pick-up jack. Okay, the true story huh? If you hang glide in Southern Oregon you are likely far too familiar already with the plant we call starthistle. (Which, by the way, was a collaborative effort with input from and approval of the club, but specifically designed and put to paper by Steve Bissett.) By Any Other Name That, after all, is the reason for the clasped hands in the logo. However, it is quite clear to me that it is that very same spirit (even after all these years) that lives on today in the notable camaraderie of the RVHGA. It resulted in a bond among the Rogue Valley pilots, of that time, that I’ve yet to see the equal of anywhere since. They set the example with a committed spirit, that turned out to be contagious. Clearly, these two together were the spearhead of organization, instruction, safety, direction and alliance. Then to some of us, they were the greatest of friends. To all of us, they were our flying partners. Quite unlike the prior experiences that a few of us had.įor many of us, Doug and Jeff were our mentors. This created, for us early pilots, a dependable and safe environment in which to learn to fly, hone our skills, and acquire knowledge. While Doug’s insightful maturity helped us organize, and find our direction. Clockwise from front- Tom Anderson’s Dragon Fly, Paul Nichol’s SST, Bill Shaw’s Firefly, Steve Bissett’s Firefly, Doug Hildreth’s Cirrus 3, Leonard Leslie’s Olympus.Īs the first RVHGA president, and operator of “Superfly Hang Gliding”, Jeff Van Datta was the first and only certified instructor in the valley. The slot launch at Woodrat’s “official” opening on April 8, 1978. (Well, okay, maybe someone would have eventually discovered it… but then again…) These two might not have been the first to fly hang gliders in the Rogue Valley, (we’re still researching that) but any other way you look at it, Jeff Van Datta and Doug Hildreth would unequivocally have to be considered the “Fathers of Southern Oregon Hang Gliding”. So the word is out, and the gathering is on! The Fearless Leadersīefore we continue any further, I am compelled here to mention two men, who, without their dedication, leadership, and example, there simply would not be a Starthistle Meet, an RVHGA, or even a Woodrat flying site. So what better time for a reunion, a “GATHERING”, of the original Rogue Valley Hang Gliding Pioneers. And man, have things changed! In fact, all of us originals, (but one) some how fell out of hang gliding, (How the blazes did that happen?) However, recently, a few of us have been returning. After all these years, some of the faces, occupations, locations and partners are sure to have changed. The TRUE Starthistle / Woodrat StoryĪrticle & Photos by Bill Shaw The Gathering Photo taken at top launch in March 2001 from the location of the old knoll that had been quarried away over 25 years.įor a quarter of a century, foot launch aviators have been flocking to Southern Oregon to partake in the flying, fun, and fellowship of the Rogue Valley Hang Gliding Association’s Annual Starthistle Meet / Fly-in. The stories and photos below tell some of the early history of flying at RVHPA now stewards two world-class flying sites, Woodrat Mountain near Ruch, Oregon and The Whaleback near Weed, California. The club, now named the Rogue Valley Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, is composed predominantly of paraglider pilots and remains a close-knit and inportant organization for free-flying in Southern Oregon and Northern California. Woodrat Mountain wasn’t flown until 1978 and it took several years for it to catch on as a popular flying site. The small group of local pilots that formed the club put on the first Starthisle Fly-in in the spring of 1977 at the primary flying site of the day, Medford Baldy. RVHPA began in 1977 as RVHGA, the Rogue Valley Hang Gliding Association. top launch viewed from the old knoll before quarrying lowered it to the elevation of the current top launch. RVHPA and Woodrat Mountain History Early Woodrat Mtn.