Hang Glider Extracted From Tree at Own Expense

An unidentified hang glider found himself in a rather precarious position on 5/13, and in the end, only a $10,000 ride in a Santa Barbara County fire department helicopter could get him out. A particularly strong downdraft forced the glider to make an emergency landing in the trees below Cathedral Peak. After attempting to climb down, the wayward pilot radioed for help; shortly thereafter, a helicopter responded, with the hang glider footing the bill.