ST PAUL, MINN — According to several newspapers across the USA, Eric Raymond has finally flown his solar-powered ultralight motorglider from San Diego to Kitty Hawk… well, almost. He reportedly called it quits nine miles short. I find this a fascinating project but can’t figure why Eric didn’t talk about it to the aviation press, in whose rags nary a word has been seen. Raymond once told me the project was “secret.” Even the San Diego HGA’s newsletter, the Flier, had to adapt the news from the LA Times ||| The bird looks sleek, with a shape surprisingly similar to Advanced Aviation’s Sierra (see earlier “Product Lines”), and has Sanyo sponsorship, using their new solar cells with a power-to-weight ratio ten times higher than conventional cells. The 57 foot span machine weighs 198 pounds and can cruise about 40 mph. Eric, you talkin’ yet? ||| Mr. Test Rig, Mark West, has a newer yet version to use in dynamically testing hang gliders.
Archives for February 2005
Product Lines – September 1990
ST. PAUL, MINN — September ’90 begins year #2 for this column in Hang Gliding magazine… thanks for your enthusiastic readership. This is also the month that Prez George Bush has declared to be Sport Aviation Month (thanks to a lengthy effort by the NAA). Does this mean we’ve arrived? ||| Aero towing development continues to complement the successful truck tow method initiated by ATOL. Florida designer, Bobby Bailey, has returned from a couple months in Australia helping Bill Moyes develop a prototype aero tug based on Bailey’s work for Advanced Aviation. Bailey reports the plane flies well. After further changes stall was seen at only 18 mph. Plans call for Bailey to return to Australia next year to assist with intitial production. ||| Why is Moyes so keen on this idea (that he’d spend considerably to hire and transport Bailey plus equipment costs)? A veteran towing enthusiast like Moyes may just be expanding his understanding of the art.
Product Lines – August 1990
ST. PAUL, MINN — New-age harnesses have arrived. They feature several innovations, but perhaps the most salient is the integral BRS rocket (to deploy the ‘chute of course). Don Quackenbush of Sylmar produces the Mantis harness, a beautiful example of the harness-maker’s art. The rocket is almost entirely tucked inside the harness with only a few inches of the launch tube showing. This with BRS designers’ blessing. Pilots seem excited about the harness, “…can’t stop talking about the comfort, easy pitch control, and flashy fluorescent colors.” Dial Don at 818/367-6050. ||| Another is Jeff Williams’ Avsac harness, a second harness designed with integral BRS rocket. Jeff uses a different style but achieves similar rave reviews from Region 2 flyers. Jeff is also sail loft manager for Pacific Airwave so you can reach him at 408/422-2299. ||| Speaking of BRS, the rocket maker has three new products. One is advertised in this issue: their Cordless model.
Product Lines – July 1990
ST PAUL, MINN — Several recent calls and letters referred to rigid wings presented here. Are we experiencing an upsurge of real interest? Or just another bubble of enthusiasm that will burst with the announcement of some new hotter-than-ever rag wing? No one knows. ||| Meanwhile in response to several inquiries, you can contact the Owens Composites Swift people at 10000 Trumbull SE, Albuquerque NM 87123. Their February Swift News announced work on an article for Hang Gliding. Watch for it. ||| Two other projects bear mention here: Advanced’s Sierra and the Cloud Dancer ||| The ultralight company Advanced Aviation, is flying their second prototype Sierra ultralight sailplane (42 foot span and greatly cleaned up). I saw #2 flown by towplane designer Bobby Bailey — who is also the principal designer of this bird — and I flew the #1 machine some months ago. The original prototype had promise which the successor significantly reveals.
Product Lines – June 1990
ST. PAUL, MINN — With this issue, “Product Lines” begins its twelfth year. I thank each of you for your loyal readership. Every year, “Product Lines” sets a new record for a continuous run of any hang gliding column… it literally couldn’t have been done without your interest. ||| Let’s look south to the new, improved Florida towing scene. The main attraction is the “elephant aileron”-equipped Bobby Bailey aerotug (also see Barbara and Steve Flynn’s story in the February ’90 Hang Gliding). After the kickoff Sun ‘n’ Fun airshow in Lakeland, Florida, the Dragonflyers club had an Easter weekend cross country contest at Lake Wales. The close dates allowed a number of out-of-staters to get some air behind the King Cobra ultralight. Bailey has been the pivotal designer, but he’s had active “consultants” like Campbell Bowen, a longtime kingpin of Florida hang gliding. Bobby himself towed me to 6,600 feet above flat Florida.
Product Lines – May 1990
ST. PAUL, MINN — As you read this, the spring board of directors meeting is history. Prior to the assembly of regional leaders, a storm of information was mailed by our new, more businesslike headquarters. In the deluge were stats on our sport: the results of the fall director ballot and its member survey. Of our 11/89 member base of 7,496, 1,157 of you responded (15.4%), a high “confidence rating” number. Like most tables of figures, these don’t make fascinating reading (unless you’re in the business perhaps). What I’ll focus on here are two areas: glider brand market share and interest in paragliding. ||| It should surprise no one that Wills is the leading U.S. builder of gliders. At 34.1% nationally, they lead by ten points over second place Pacific Airwave (24.7%). PA’s rank may also not surprise you, but it proves the Salinas bunch–now with majority foreign ownership–has come a long way in just a few years.
Product Lines – March 1990
ST. PAUL, MINN — Easily the biggest news in American hang gliding is Bill Bennett leaving glider manufacturing. After Delta Wing celebrated their 20th Anniversary last year this would come as a shock! But, “It’s nonsense!” replies Bill. True, UP International will now be building Uncle Bill’s successful Dream series. Also true, he stopped his ads. But Bennett reports he and old crony Dick Boone have recently collaborated on a new high performance design. It just flew at Torrey; they’re pleased. Before the unfortunate loss of his wife Paulette, due to cancer, Bill wanted to eliminate some obligations to dedicate more time to his ailing spouse. Licensing the Dream to UP for 3 years was part of this effort. Delta Wing may next move to smaller quarters. ||| Bill was also considering a bid on the beach operation up near Monterey, a site currently served by Jim Johns’ Western Hang Gliders.
Product Lines – February 1990
ST. PAUL, MN — Used to writing “1990” on your checks and letters yet? A new decade begins to unfold… against a backdrop of the most astounding political changes of modern history. The effects of the so-called “democratization” of eastern Europe may have profound influence even on lil’ ol’ hang gliding. USHGA Boss Jerry Bruning sent along a copy of a FAX to Prez Russ Locke. The letter from General Director Kakurin of Interaero requests info on the U.S. competition schedule for 1990. It seems Soviet pilots may plan to attend some contests. Interaero’s duties for the Soviet HG Federation also include the inviting and receiving of foreign teams to its own competitions. Most notably Comrade Kakurin suggests the “Peace Cup” and the USSR Championships. The Peace Cup is in May; the Championships in July. ||| Also in the month of May, Brian Milton (remember him?) will kick off his Superleague.
Product Lines – January 1990
ST. PAUL, MINN — Hey! Welcome to the ’90s… beginning of the third full decade for our sport. Oh god: “thirtysomething!” The final leg of the century (and millennia). Glad to have you along for the read. Thanks for a continuing stream of notes or calls. Y-O-U help write this column! ||| First, in the “Bet You Didn’t Know This Dept,” HGM editor Gil Dodgen had every piece of his nearly-new, high-tech desktop publishing gear stolen from his office last month. Luckily, his insurance replaced everything. Notice any delay? Extra effort on Gil’s part kept HGM mostly on schedule. ||| The heat is on… for Mexican flying tours. I’m amazed at the interest pilots are showing to be chauffeured around our neighbor to the south. Other SoCal shops offer tours, but the primary forces are Paul Burns’ Windgypsy (714/678-5418) and John Olson’s Safari Mexico (702/786-3944). Windgypsy offers two 8 day/7 night tours (differing sites) and provides bilingual guides, hotel, drinking water, ground transportation, and site refreshments.
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