The 23rd Dave Purdin Fly-In for powered paragliders at Earl Thomas Conley Park in West Portsmouth went well as 170 pilots of the approximate 200 registered arrived from more than 15 states —and Canada — away to set sail into the Ohio Valley skies.
“The topography with the mountains, waterways, eagles, and farmland are gorgeous,” Dave Purdin said of his choice to hold the event in West Portsmouth. Purdin founded the event and is a long-time Adams County resident and businessman. Purdin’s wife Amy enjoys tandem rides with her husband and now helps organize.
The inaugural event was held at Brush Creek Motor Sports in Adams County. It has been held at various locations and Earl Thomas Conly Park for the last four years.
Purdin said events for powered paragliders (PPGs) are held all over the country in more than 30 states. He said he enjoys the event camaraderie, showing off the Ohio Valley scenery, and watching the enjoyment of the other PPG pilots.
First-year attendee Audra Watts Gorospe said she had a blast, and there were also some powered parachutes.
“Powered parachutes are larger and look more like a side-by-side ATV hooked to a parachute, and you steer with your feet instead of your hands,” she said.
Gorospe said the PPGs like she and her husband, Ramon, fly are pretty small and can be launched on foot or a wheeled trike.
The Gorospes are also career medevac aviators — Ramon is a pilot, and Audra is a medevac nurse.
Audra Watts Gorospe said several local people attended and were able to try it in tandem with some of the instructors.
People see the powered paragliders and parachuters and become curious.
“I was in West Union and saw someone lift off, fly around and then land,” Purdin said. “I thought, ‘he isn’t going to be alive long.'”
Purdin said it turns out it was a friend and that paragliding is one of the safest forms of aviation — you do not have to have a pilot’s license. However, it requires proper training and equipment.
He said each pilot in attendance takes off approximately seven times during the event.
“Out of the (approximate) 1400 flights over the weekend, we had zero incidents or accidents,” Purdin said. “And this fly-in has seen zero in the last 23 years.”
Purdin said that PPG accidents are rare, but if they happen, it is usually a human error.
He said the sport is a very slow, relaxing, and safe form of aviation, allowing the pilot or tandem passenger to enjoy the sights along the way.
When asked to describe the sport, he said, “I have to say it (feels like) a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I get to do as much as I want. I love it.”
The Purdins plan to host the event in the same place next Labor Day Weekend. Amy Purdin said, “It is free for the public to come, watch, and take in the sights.”
