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Hang Gliding in Lake Elsinore started in the early 70's. One of the early pioneers in this area was Rich Piccirilli (right). The gliders were of the old Rogallo style without kingposts and the pilots were bold to say the least.
Barb and Tom Sheahan were gracious enough to allow pilots to launch from The Lookout Restaurant parkinglot. Ted Webster (far left) made the very first flight from The Lookout on November 21'st 1972. Rich was second. A good flight in those days was about 45 seconds in duration and and started with a downwind keel assist from across Highway 74.
Over the years the gliders became safer to fly and the pilots grew in numbers. Ultralight Products, a major glider manufacturure, was located in nearby Temecula and all the hot pilots worked there. The REALLY HOT PILOTS worked the night shift in order to be able to fly during the day. For some reason that even I can't remember, they soon became known as "The Elsinore Sky Apes". Instead of the infamous "claw" that is used for a greeting amongst pilots in Elsinore today, the sound of an ape along with the physical imitations was the greeting of the time.
At some point, the "Sky Apes" metamorphosed into the "E TEAM". World famous Mitch McAleer had much to do with this change. Competition led to the forming of an all Elsinore pilot team and thus the name. It stuck.
The "Claw" became the new greeting. This gesture it seems, was created by Jamie Lasser. What it REALLY meant was "Give me a beer dammit". Many say that it was created from the sign of an eagle claw and this debate has gone on for years. No matter who started it, the "CLAW" is known to all who have flown Elsinore.