Success!
Robert M. Barry, Ph.D.
At 5:30 AM Saturday, May 3rd, I received a call from Lily (Remy's mom) reporting that she was at the helicopter on the Pacific side of the isthmus awaiting takeoff. The flyers had already reported to her that the weather was good at their location across the isthmus on the Atlantic side. This was good news indeed as the previous day's weather could best be described as "crappy".
Gladys and I readied ourselves and prepared our dogs for a day without us as we embarked on our hour-plus drive to the Pedro Miguel Locks on the south side of the Puente Centenario (Centennial Bridge). While en route, Lily called again to advise that the group of 8 international flyers had successfully taken off at 7:30 AM. (Note: For those who may not know, the Panama Canal runs north-south, because the country of Panama is oriented basically east-west. And believe it or not, this enables us to watch sunrises over the Pacific and sunsets over the Atlantic! No joke.. come and see for yourself.)
We were comfortably in place at our observation point at Pedro Miguel by 8:30 AM. At approximately 8:50 AM, Gladys spotted the first 3 flyers as they were passing the Puente Centenario (Centennial Bridge) and coming our way. It was a spectacular sight… seeing their colorful "wings" flying in formation as they made their way southward. In another instant another 2 "wings" appeared following suit. But then… nothing! A quick call was placed to Lily who was aboard the support helicopter. No answer! Uh-oh, our hearts quickened a bit. After an anxious 15 minutes, the final 3 appeared.
We learned later that one of the flyers experienced engine trouble and had to land in a clearing, make some mechanical adjustments and then take off again. Two other flyers circled overhead to mark his location until he was safely airborne and then the 3 continued in formation.
Following the successful landings of all at the designated landing site on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the group was taken to the nearby Miraflores Visitor Center (Miraflores Locks) where they were treated to a VIP tour of the locks. There was time for media interviews and photos prior to a reception with sponsors, supporters, and well-wishers. As George Peppard (of A-team fame) was fond of saying… "I love it when a plan comes together."
The plan had indeed "come together". Money was raised for FANLYC and a group of international flyers did something that no one else had done (or will be permitted to do in the future) - they made an ocean to ocean, trans isthmus PPG flight following the course of the Panama Canal.
And in my mind, that spells "S-U-C-C-E-S-S" in capital letters! This success was due to the cooperative efforts of many… particularly the ACP, logistical supporters, the flyers, sponsors, collaborators, our donors (for FANLYC), and many, many others. I, for one, say "thank you" to all involved.
Kudos to the ACP!
Robert M. Barry,Ph.D.
By now, many of you know of the May 3rd world-record powered paragliding event to benefit the Foundation of Friends of Children with Leukemia and Cancer (FANLYC) here in Panama.
An international group of 8 individuals will attempt to cross the isthmus from the Atlantic to the Pacific using aerial craft known as "powered parragliders" (PPG).
When we began planning the event, we realized very quickly that we could not do it alone. First and foremost out of the mountain of details to be addressed, we needed the permission of the ACP to fly through the secure air space of the Panama Canal.
Dealing with any large, bureaucratic agency can be daunting. Can you imagine our surprise when we not only secured their permission for the flight, but began receiving their suggestions on efficiency, operations, safety, logistics, and more! We were shuffled from one office to another and found the ACP personnel to be extremely professional, helpful and courteous. The Operations folks, the Security folks, the Meteorology folks, and others were terrific. Even Administrator Alberto Aleman Zubieta has become personally involved and pledged use of a helicopter and cameramen to participate in documenting the event. His administration is also lending professional publicity personnel to assist with promotion.
We have received unbelievable support from the Panamanian community in putting this event together. But special kudos go to the ACP for their involvement and assistance in orchestrating a successful event to benefit FANLYC.
The countdown has started…
Robert M. Barry, Ph.D.
"It is T minus 30 (days) and counting." (As of April 3, 2008.)
I just love using that lingo. This takes me back to a time of sharp eyesight, clear mind, virility and marathons. (Yes, this old fart ran marathons.)
I lived in a small community on the east coast of Florida next to a large area of land jutting out into the Atlantic. This formation was known as Cape Canaveral. Our community was named Satellite Beach. Part of that geographic cape had been renamed "Cape Kennedy" in the early 60's so I'm sure that you can guess the etiology of our community's name.
One of my most thrilling memories is of standing on the shore of the Indian River in the pre-dawn December darkness and seeing night turn to day as the huge Saturn propulsion system lifted the first manned Apollo lunar mission skyward. The darkness of night was instantly changed to daylight upon ignition and a few seconds later the ground trembled beneath our feet even though I, along with a 100,000 other observers, were 5 miles from the launch pad. As you may recall, the first manned lunar flight circled the moon, but did not land. The landing was to come a year and a half later.
So I, along with most of the population of central Florida identified closely with the space program well into the mid/late 70's. W knew the propulsion systems, the vehicles, the astronauts, the launch schedules and tons of space trivia.
A month prior to a significant launch, large scoreboard-like clocks would appear along the roadside near the Cape. The images of those roadside countdown clocks bring me to today, and the anticipation of the projected takeoff May 3rd of an international team of powered paragliders (PPGs). They are attempting a world record flight in order to benefit the Fundacion de Amigos del Nino con Leukemia y Cancer (FANLYC).
Each day, I find myself looking at the calendar and I can see those clocks from yesteryear prominently displaying "T minus 30 (days) and counting". Here and now in Panama… 1500+ miles to the south and 30+ years later, it is once again, "T minus 30 (days) and counting"
We invite you to follow the progress of the countdown on this website, and hope that you will be standing on the shore of the Panama Canal when the PPGs make history and pass southward through Culebra Cut and over the Centenial Bridge. From there they will approach the Pedro Miguel Locks and continue on to the Locks at the Miraflores Visitor Center. The final leg will take them over the Bridge of the Americas and to the nearby landing site at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.
It ain't the moon, but it is a "first" and the ACP (Panama Canal Authority) has assured us that permission will not be granted to anyone else requesting to overfly the Panama Canal regardless of vehicle or purpose.
Come join us and be a part of history being made. And please support our cause by clicking on the "Donation" button found in several locations on this website. No amount is too small.
The Movers and Shakers (literally) of a New Sport
Robert M. Barry,Ph.D.
Moveover scuba diving, surfing, whitewater rafting, cycling, rock climbing, treeclimbing and other sports for which Panama is known. There is yet another exciting sport for whichPanamaoffers world class settings… Powered Paragliding.
Just what is Powered Paragliding you ask…
JeffGoin (who is coming to Panamafor the event discussed below) very aptly describes it this way… "Poweredparagliding, also known as paramotoring, is a form of ultralight aviation wherethe pilot wears a small motor on his/her back (a paramotor) and runs into theair with lift from a paraglider wing. In many countries, including the United States, it is minimally regulated andrequires no license. The low and slowflying capability, "open" feel, portability, low equipment andmaintenance costs, and safety aspects for this type of flying are consideredits greatest merits."
Accordingto the U.S. Powered Paragliders Association, the craft are capable of flyingbetween 15 and 45 mph at altitudes ranging up to 18,000 feet, although mostflying is done under 500 feet.
Wikipedia(encyclopedia) adds that the paramotor, weighs from 45 to 80 pounds and issupported by the pilot during takeoff but, after a brief run, the wing liftsthe motor then its harnessed pilot. After takeoff, the pilot kicks out a seat and sits back comfortablysuspended beneath the inflated paraglider wing. Fine control is available using the brake toggles in each hand and ahand-held throttle.
The gentle tropical breezes of Panamafacilitate easy launches; and desertedbeaches of 25, 50, or even 100 miles provide hours of scenic flight time forthe PPG enthusiast.
As a matter of fact, the increasing popularity of the sport precipitated a vision by one of the Panamanian enthusiasts. PPG "pilot" Remy Swaab conceived the idea of flying trans-isthmus, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean as a "different thing to do". Upon checking with The World Air Sports Federation, it was determined that such a flight, if successful, would qualify as a World Record. Thus,a series of wheels were put into motion. The cogs of the wheels have meshed with the final product being an attempt to establish a world record via a PPG event in Panama.
A select, small group of 8-10 Powered Paraglider pilots from 4 different countries will assemble in Panamain early May 2008 for an attempt at establishing a world record by paramotoringfrom the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean,crossing the Continental Divide of Panama along the way.
For those of us here in Panama, when we see this group suspended in their harnesses moving forward in mid air and shaking from the vibration of enginesstapped to their backs, we can be assured that we are seeing the "moversand shakers" of a bold new Panamanian sport.
10 Obstacles to Achieving PPG World Record
Robert M. Barry,Ph.D.
I was sitting at my desk pondering the "challenges" of pulling off the world record of a Powered Paraglider ocean-to-ocean flight and, in true David Letterman style, the following thoughts crossed my mind…
1) Pilot no-show. (Panama is like many other Central American countries in that there are no existing road maps for much of it; and even so, there are very few street or highway markers.)
2) Inclement weather. (We have 2 seasons per year… dry season and rainy season. The rainy season begins around May 1st. Can you say, "tropical deluge"?)
3) Mechanical problems. (ranging from "It won't start" to "Oh s_ _ t! My engine stopped!)
4) Crocodiles in Panama Canal. (This is related to "…my engine stopped!")
5) Alligators in Panama Canal. (Same as #4.)
6) Caiman in Panama Canal. (Same as #4.)
7) Overzealous security personnel patrolling the Panama Canal. (Known for having BIG guns and not reading memos of upcoming events.)
8) Crocodiles in Panama Canal. (Same as #4… repeated due to large numbers)
9) Alligators in Panama Canal. (Same as #5… repeated due to enormous sizes.)
10) Caiman in Panama Canal. (Same as #6… repeated due to their quickness.)
Winning Friends and Influencing People
Robert M. Barry, Ph.D.
On Wednesday, February 13th, the brainstorming father of this Event, Remy Swaab, and I met with the head of the Securities Division, ACP (Panama Canal Authority) to discuss the impending Event. Now I'm just an old "Florida Cracker", and as such, not accustomed to hob-knobbing with these "James Bond types". Remy, on the other hand, appeared undaunted and unimpressed with the discussion of security issues, high tech surveillance, weapons and firepower, high-speed patrol boats, and the like. But somehow, we came away from the meeting with what we feel is their wholehearted support of the Event and a willingness to lend a hand if needed.
Prior to the meeting, we had fears that this group of tetosterone-charged, macho, muchachos/-as would "tolerate" us much as one "tolerates" one of the local parasitic worms. We had figured that their idea of cooperation might be along the lines of sitting in a patrol boat counting the number of crocs or gators swimming around a downed paraglider in the event someone has to actually ditch into the canal.
We now believe that we have strong and talented allies on whom we can depend to help get us out of tight spots should any develop within the scope of their operation. Needless to say, this gives us a warm and fuzzy feeling. (A feeling not to be confused with the occurrence of those pesky parasitic worms!)
My "take" on this positive demonstration of budding interpersonal relationships is that the keystone of cooperation garnered from these guys, and others, boils down to 6 letters - the acronym FANLYC (Foundation of Friends of Children with Leukemia and Cancer). Although this Event is attempting to do something never done before, and admittedly, it will be fun… we are seeking monetary donations from those of you who believe in our Event and believe in helping cancer-stricken children in Panama. ALL monies donated go to FANLYC. Actually, these tax-deductible donations are to be made directly to FANLYC. Not one single penny is going to the administration of this Event. For those of you not familiar with FANLYC, it is one of the most highly regarded charitable organizations in Panama. As luck would have it, the ACP is a strong supporter of FANLYC. But for specific details on the mechanics of gifting, please send an email to Remy at: info@vueloporlavida.org. I guarantee that we can make it easy to send donations from anywhere in the world. So please send a donation.
If I must grovel, then grovel I will… Please, please help us make a difference in the lives of some of these kids and their families. Come to Panama and I will personally escort you to see what your donation is supporting.
And obviously, we invite you to come to Panama for the Event! A little bird mentioned to me a neat vacation rental (www.VillaSanchezBarry.com) that you may want to consider during your Panama stay.