Rolling launches from a slope, or from level ground with an aero tow assist, are almost trivially easy, with no need to lift and balance the glider, and no need to run. Landings are equally easy - just round out after approach, let the glider go to trim, and allow it to touch down and roll out on the wheels.
Re: Quotes
Posted: 2017/10/13 23:20:04 UTC
by Tad Eareckson
This is STUNNING.
Gil Dodgen - 1995/01
All of this reminds me of a comment Mike Meier made when he was learning to fly sailplanes. He mentioned how easy it was to land a sailplane (with spoilers for glide-path control and wheels), and then said, "If other aircraft were as difficult to land as hang gliders no one would fly them."
This is the the most important and revolutionary quote in the entire world history of the sport from the point at which hang gliders had control frames on. Total game changer.
Re: Quotes
Posted: 2017/10/14 15:35:33 UTC
by miguel
Tad Eareckson wrote:This is STUNNING.
Gil Dodgen - 1995/01
All of this reminds me of a comment Mike Meier made when he was learning to fly sailplanes. He mentioned how easy it was to land a sailplane (with spoilers for glide-path control and wheels), and then said, "If other aircraft were as difficult to land as hang gliders no one would fly them."
This is the the most important and revolutionary quote in the entire world history of the sport from the point at which hang gliders had control frames on. Total game changer.
My first 5 years of hg, I never gave a thought about any difficulty in landing a hg. Later, I took a few sailplane lessons. Yes, the sailplane seemed a tad easier to land. A hg can land in the brush and boulders. A sailplane cannot.
I see nothing important or revolutionary in the above statements.
Re: Quotes
Posted: 2017/10/14 16:06:43 UTC
by Tad Eareckson
My first 5 years of hg, I never gave a thought about any difficulty in landing a hg.
I'll bet Jeff Craig, Richard Seymour, Joe Julik never did either.
Later, I took a few sailplane lessons. Yes,the sailplane seemed a tad easier to land. A hg can land in the brush and boulders. A sailplane cannot.
Anything can land in brush and boulders - at least once. And I'm sure a few sailplane pilots have survived landing in brush and boulders in way better shape than tons of hang glider pilots practicing in Happy Acres putting greens for landings in brush and boulders.
I see nothing important or revolutionary in the above statements.
Depends a lot on who's making them and what their reasons are. Gearing up to start a dedicated topic.
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P.S. - 2017/10/14 16:20:00 UTC
I was referring to the quote Steve put up - not the near 23 year old one from the magazine I've beaten to death here I provided for context.
Yep, his Quallaby Link definitely broke before he could get into too much trouble. And it's hard to argue that you've committed aviation before you've reached a point at which you can get into too much trouble. So I think he's well in the clear for that one.
I've been away from hang gliding for a few years, so I'm planning to spend one or two weekend days with Pat Denevan in Tres Pinos after our 3/11 chute repack clinic.