1978 photo of Russ hanging out at Big Sur in his big blue Delta Wing hang glider.

The popular hang gliding launch is about 3 miles inland from a beach landing site at 

Big Sur's Pacific Valley along the beautiful Central California coast line.

Russ's dad would often help with driving and setting up the gliders.

This day looked good but a fog bank moved in over  the landing zone while Russ

was flying, he had a CB radio and was talked down through the cloud bank for

a non visual approach to the landing zone.  As he came out of the cloud bank just

above the ground he was met by a throng of spectators with cameras waiting for the

shot but some were ducking and dodging as Russ came out of the low cloud.

His first IFR approach.

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