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Fright or flight: For Triad ultralight pilots, serenity of soaring outweighs fear of falling

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

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Fright or flight: For Triad ultralight pilots, serenity of soaring outweighs fear of falling

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REIDSVILLE — As water filled his lungs, Cledith Blackwell decided he would trim his wingspan by 27 feet.

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Rare air: James Sutherland piloting his powered paraglider around 2020. He says he’s not a “adrenaline junkie,” but rather a “calm junkie’’ who finds serenity at higher altitudes.

JAMES SUTHERLAND, Special to the News & Record

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Wing and a prayer: Cledith Blackwell, right, watches his ultralight get pulled from a Reidsville lake. “I figured I didn’t have much choice. I thought the water would be a little bit softer than the trees, so I cut right to avoid the power line and dove in. It was a split-second decision.’’

SUSIE C. SPEAR, Staff Reporter

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Wing men: Flying buddies James Sutherland and Scott Watford do a “wing touch” in midair several years ago with their powered paragliders.

JAMES SUTHERLAND, Special to the News & Record

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sspear@rockinghamnow.com

(336) 349-4331, ext. 6140

@SpearSusie_RCN

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Sutherland

Rare air: James Sutherland piloting his powered paraglider around 2020. He says he’s not a “adrenaline junkie,” but rather a “calm junkie’’ who finds serenity at higher altitudes.

Wing and a prayer: Cledith Blackwell, right, watches his ultralight get pulled from a Reidsville lake. “I figured I didn’t have much choice. I thought the water would be a little bit softer than the trees, so I cut right to avoid the power line and dove in. It was a split-second decision.’’

Wing men: Flying buddies James Sutherland and Scott Watford do a “wing touch” in midair several years ago with their powered paragliders.

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