Thanks to Jim Payne for providing his SSA 2012 presentation for publication in the Café—Ed.
Jim has compiled a truly extraordinary record of achievement in soaring. He is the recipient of many SSA awards, including, in 2003, the Warren E. Eaton Trophy, which is the SSA’s highest award, and, in 2001, the FAI Lilienthal Medal—the pinnacle of awards in the sport of soaring. In 2008, Jim was inducted into the U. S. Soaring Hall of Fame.
Jim has served as U. S. Team Captain in five World Gliding Championships and on the SSA Board of Directors as Director for Region 12 (Southern California). He and his wife, Jackie received the SSA Exceptional Service Award on at least two occasions.
Since 1984, Jim has set over 70 U.S. national records, and 13 world records. In 2009 alone, he set eight U. S. and world records in the ultralight glider class. Those record flights were made in the SparrowHawk, designed and manufactured in the U. S. by Windward Performance of Bend, Oregon.
| US | General | Free Triangle Distance | 329.41mi | 6/28/2009 |
| US | General | Triangle Distance | 315.21mi | 6/28/2009 |
| US | General | Triangle Speed 500km | 64.19mph | 6/28/2009 |
| US | General | Triangle Speed 100km | 71.18mph | 6/27/2009 |
| US | General | Free Out and Return Dist. | 392.914mi | 5/17/2009 |
| US | General | Out and Return Distance | 386.77mi | 5/17/2009 |
| US | General | Out & Return Speed 500km | 57.1322mph | 5/17/2009 |
| US | General | Free 3-Turnpoint Distance | 612.6641mi | 4/24/2009 |
Jim has been a formidable competitor in the Aerokurier Online Contest (OLC). He ranked first in the U. S. in 2007, 2008, and 2009 and 2nd in 2010 and 2011. In 2008, he won the worldwide OLC and placed 2nd and 3rd in the world OLC competition in 2009 and 2011, respectively. He has been world champion in the OLC speed competition in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011.
SSA 2012—Gordon Boettger and Jim Payne_2nd and 3rd in world OLC ranking
Few pilots in the world are as experienced as Jim in flying the Sierra mountain wave. In his presentation, Jim describes the hazards of long wave flights, the equipment needed to make these flights safely, and how to adequately prepare for and plan long flights in the Sierra wave. He also recounts several of his many successful flights.
