Jeff Nicolay, Morningside Flight Park,

Today at about 11:15 AM on July 6, 2008 Phil Haynes died. Several days short of his 78th birthday Phil leaves us with his dream for Morningside complete. To turn his farm into a flying site.

Morningside’s inventor and hang gliding icon Phil Haynes died from a fall he took and a subsequent coma which he never awoke from. Phil was in late stage Alzheimer’s disease, and while walking down the hill at the flight park, apparently fell and hit his head. He was discovered by a pilot who was coming up the hill with his glider on an ATV, and 911 was called, and first aid was administered to open his airway, and wait for EMS.

Phil’s death will hit all of us who have known him and flown with him very hard. His passing represents the end of an era of flying history, those early years when each sled ride brought tears of joy to our eyes.

Phil has given more for hang gliding and paragliding than most of us will ever be able to match. He is survived by his wife Barbara, sons Dan and Steve, and daughter Sandy. He also had many grand children.

His eldest son Dan, a missionary in Bali, Africa is trying to get home to his service. Details for his Memorial Service will be posted when they are identified.