2012 Comp winners and recognized members

SPP at the Tater Hill Open 2010

Relaxing after a day of flying at the 2009 Fly In

2010 Annual get together at APE

Who we are

Southern ParaPilots is a club for paraglider pilots in the South Eastern United States who love to participate in the art of free flight. We mainly fly in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina but can be found all over the world.

Southern Para Pilots maintains a yahoo discussion group which is open to members and non-members and is the best way to “make contact” if you have questions, want to find out where we are flying, or just interested in free flight. The discussion board requires approval from a moderator before you can read or post, but the approval process is quick and keeps out spammers. Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SouthernParaPilots.

Board Members

Fred MacDowell - President

Got interested in paragliding in 2006 when I saw a paraglider on the Internet searching for kite
boarding wings. Five hours later I was training with Luis Rosenkjer who maintains a world class
school here in Atlanta. While I mostly enjoy flying locally, I have been to Chile, Costa Rica, and
Europe to fly. Currently rated P3 and flying a Gradient Golden 3.

Fred Flying

Neil Treadgold - Vice-President

I learned to fly in May 2007 on a Gradient Bright 3 at Atlanta Paragliding under the instruction of Luis Rosenjker. Became a member of Southern Para Pilots a month later upon receipt of my P2.
Have flown the local sites in GA and NC. Completed an SIV in Texas at Lake Sommerville with Luis and Bud Wruck in July 2008. I did try to fly in the UK June 2009 but the typical English weather stopped that one. Placed 1st in the 2008 Tater Hill Open (handicapped to allow new pilots be on a
level playing field with experienced ones). Passed my P3 late 2008. Currently living for the weekend and trying to spend as much time as I can at Cloud base on an Axis Comet
(I hate work).

Hynek Cibula - Safety Officer

Started flying in 2000 under the supervision of Petr Kanuk; an expert instructor from Czech Republic. I got my P2 in 2001 from Chris Bowles and after being contacted by Luis Rosenkjer in 2006; I passed my P4 test and started basic instruction. Shortly after I also received
my tandem instructor rating (T3).

Currently I'm actively flying an Axis Vega III. It is a DHV1-2 Gradient Bi-Golden that I'm using for truly amazing experience of tandem flying and trying to increase my flying experience as much as my time allows me to.

Mike Raza - Treasurer

I was always interested in aviation and started paragliding in 2009 when a Google search lead me to Atlanta Paragliding and Luis Rosenkjer. I fly as often as my schedule allows and really enjoy the year round flying we have in Georgia and the beautiful SPP sites. Currently rated P4 and flying the Gradient Aspen 4.

Nancy Gormally - Secretary

I stumbled upon some paragliders one Saturday at Pigeon Mountain while walking my dog. One thing led to another and I began training back in March of 2010 and finally completed my P2 certification under the instruction of Luis at Atlanta Paragliding on the first of August 2010.
Competed in the 2009 Tater Hill open, as a professional ballast bag for Hynek Cibula's tandem wing. Looking forward to getting to cloud base, solo....and flying the local sites...and taking some cool pics along the way....

	Fred MacDowell - President Got interested in paragliding in 2006 when I saw a paraglider on the Internet searching for kite boarding wings. Five hours later I was training with Luis Rosenkjer who maintains a world class school here in Atlanta. While I mostly enjoy flying locally, I have been to Chile, Costa Rica, and Europe to fly. Currently rated P3 and flying a Gradient Golden 3.

	Neil Treadgold - Vice-President I learned to fly in May 2007 on a Gradient Bright 3 at Atlanta Paragliding under the instruction of Luis Rosenjker. Became a member of Southern Para Pilots a month later upon receipt of my P2. Have flown the local sites in GA and NC. Completed an SIV in Texas at Lake Sommerville with Luis and Bud Wruck in July 2008. I did try to fly in the UK June 2009 but the typical English weather stopped that one. Placed 1st in the 2008 Tater Hill Open (handicapped to allow new pilots be on a level playing field with experienced ones). Passed my P3 late 2008. Currently living for the weekend and trying to spend as much time as I can at Cloud base on an Axis Comet (I hate work).

	Hynek Cibula - Safety Officer Started flying in 2000 under the supervision of Petr Kanuk; an expert instructor from Czech Republic. I got my P2 in 2001 from Chris Bowles and after being contacted by Luis Rosenkjer in 2006; I passed my P4 test and started basic instruction. Shortly after I also received my tandem instructor rating (T3). Currently I'm actively flying an Axis Vega III. It is a DHV1-2 Gradient Bi-Golden that I'm using for truly amazing experience of tandem flying and trying to increase my flying experience as much as my time allows me to.

	Mike Raza - Treasurer I was always interested in aviation and started paragliding in 2009 when a Google search lead me to Atlanta Paragliding and Luis Rosenkjer. I fly as often as my schedule allows and really enjoy the year round flying we have in Georgia and the beautiful SPP sites. Currently rated P4 and flying the Gradient Aspen 4.

	Nancy Gormally - Secretary I stumbled upon some paragliders one Saturday at Pigeon Mountain while walking my dog. One thing led to another and I began training back in March of 2010 and finally completed my P2 certification under the instruction of Luis at Atlanta Paragliding on the first of August 2010. Competed in the 2009 Tater Hill open, as a professional ballast bag for Hynek Cibula's tandem wing. Looking forward to getting to cloud base, solo....and flying the local sites...and taking some cool pics along the way....