September 15, 2002 - Grunloh Takes National Championships Crown

Trike Pilot Dan Grunloh captured the Gold Medal for his performance in the combined single seat class at the 7th U.S. National Microlight Championships in Springfield, Kentucky. He beat out five other pilots who came from four different regions of the country for the coveted honor. Fellow trike pilot Don Cooney took Silver. Paul Wells, the highest placing fixed wing pilot, took the Bronze.

Championships organizer David Hempy called eight tasks over a three-day period challenging pilots in navigation, economy and precision flight. Increasingly inclement weather into the weekend hampered the number of tasks but enough were flown for national steward Jack McCornack to declare the championships valid.

For the first time in sanctioned U.S. microlight competition, Global Position System (GPS) flight recorders were used to track flight paths for the purpose of scoring.

Look for detailed U.S. National Championships coverage in coming issues of Ultralight Flying!

Medal winners, left to right: Paul Wells, Bronze; Dan Grunloh, Gold; Don Cooney, Silver (Click photo to view full sized image)