20 Winter 2012 Applegater
pIlOtS
last. Before launch, Dave Palmer gave me
a crash course (no pun intended) on the
evolution of hang gliding from his first
standard Rogallo, developed in the early
1970s, to the topless he flies today. Wow,
what a difference. Preparing for launch
with two pioneers of free flight was very
exciting, but even more exciting was
thermalling 2,000 feet over launch with
a hang glider in such close proximity. My
valley never looked so small and peaceful
CONtINUed FROm pAGe 1
than it did in that hour of soaring above
the beautiful landscape.
Thank you all sincerely.
Andy Pallotta
541-227-4426
noteaparties2@hotmail.com
NOTE: In addition to being a supporter
of the international Rat Race Paragliding
Competition, Dave Palmer (see photo,
page 1) and his wife Pam own Jacksonville
Vineyards and Fiasco
Andy Pallotta and Mike Haley soaring over Applegate Valley.
Winery.
Here is some
information from their
website about them:
Natives of Grants
Pass, Oregon, Dave and
Pamela Palmer are the
owners of Jacksonville
Vineyards and Fiasco
Winer y. Before this
wonderful life of farming
and wine-making, they
lived completely different
lives as most winery
owners did. Dave’s early
passion for flying hang
gliders (1976) led him
to a career as an US
Air Force fighter pilot
training others to fly jets.
At retirement he moved
on to cargo planes as
an international airline
pilot, which sent him
around the globe for two
weeks of each month.
The Palmer’s travels
led them around the
world and opened many
doors (not to mention
their eyes) to some awesome sights, smells
they’ll never forget, and an appreciation
for their own country. Pamela received a
degree in dental hygiene while living in
Lubbock, Texas. While in the Philippines
she volunteered to spend many hours in the
jungles, with the monkeys swinging from
the trees as she would line up eager patients
and assist in extracting teeth of natives
in pain. The SMART reading program,
Craterian Theatre, Susan G. Komen for
the Cure and other foundations are among
her other passions.
“Look who’s reading
the Gater” will return
next issue.
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