Published Reviews of International HLG and Customer Comments A review of IHLG by Mike Garton, Model Avaition Magazine Soaring Columnist. 2-21-01 “The International HLG Festival is held every year in Poway California and is hosted by the Torrey Pines Gulls. Paul Naton of Radio Carbon Art filmed this event for a video. Paul is the creator of the classic Endless Lift 1 & 2 videos. His videos are a level above the home brew type. They are digitally edited and have music sound tracks. Everything about the production and distribution are very professional. The International HLG is a “must buy” if you fly HLG. You get to see highlights of the largest and most competitive HLG contest in the world without having to attend it. Joe Wurts talks about his new HLG designs in the video. You also get to see some side-arm launches and mid-airs. Some of the footage was taken with a mic on the pilot so that you know what he and his timer are doing in the round. I give this video five stars for each category, quality, content, and value.” More Comments. . . . "Just got my copy of the video produced by Paul Naton and filmed by Dave Reese for Radio Carbon Art at this year's IHLGF. I had to get on the exchange and make note of how great a job they have done with their latest production. There is excellent footage and interesting audio from all the top pilots (and even some not-so-top and WAY outta shape pilots! How I got in there, I don't know, but thanks a bunch Paul and Dave, my kids loved it!) Great video of the best launch techniques from conventional overhand to discus and sidearm. Interesting commentary by the world's best pilots as they fly the tasks. Cool intro and summary video work. Slick music score, too. I believe they captured true the flavor of the best HL event I have attended. "Two thumbs up!" -Jim Carlton - Ohio "I watched International HLG last night. It really captures the spirit of the event. With excellent video quality and a great soundtrack, it was very easy to drift back to June in Poway and re-live the weekend. The "clip on mike" segments are very funny. Both Tim Cone and Jim Carlton are wired for sound during some demanding rounds, and both give an excellent account of the intensity of the action. Yes, I know it is a toy glider, but when you are out there working you are taking it much more seriously then anyone wants to admit. Jim was huffing and puffing and Tim was, well, saying what was on his mind. Naton says he had to edit some of Tim's comments which could be my only criticism of the video. If anyone has been around Tim, you don't want any of his comments edited. Anyway, a R-rated glider video could send sales through the roof. There is quite a bit of close up investigation of the new gliders, which is one of the great aspects of the IHLGF. Werner Stark of Austria had a very cool sidearm launch plane that had a lot of bells and whistles. He flew it very well, and as I recall, had it working ala The Road Warrior, with about a dozen mid-airs that he always seemed to come out ahead on. There is a small segment during the fly off when Joe says to Gordon "he is just trying to avoid getting hit". See, yet another pearl of wisdom from the champion. Next year will people pioneer all by themselves, or join the furball with sharpened carbon fiber on the leading edge of the wings? There is a lot of subtlety to hand launch, and a lot of challenge, and this video does a great job in presenting it all. I like one segment where Buzz T. of Japan is flying by himself at the front edge of the field, and he hooks a good thermal while everyone around him is flailing. He has a look in his eyes that is a combination of intensity, awe, and relief as the glider goes up. My daughter was watching the end of the tape and she saw me during the awards presentation. This was a big moment in the Erickson household, and she said "Dad, will this video be at Blockbuster?" Yeah, I'm THAT famous now around here." -John R. Erickson, AIA Erickson Architects "Outstanding! The image quality is very high, commentary unique in any soaring tape that I have experienced, and the interviews relating to new designs of great interest. This tape is a must for hlg enthusiasts as well for anyone who has a passion for soaring. Your best effort to date, Paul." -Tom Gressman, HLG fanatic