Product Lines – February 04

ST. PAUL, MINN. — More news seems to surround power and hang gliders or paragliders.
Why? Well| first, it’s winter. Less flying occurs, at least in the northern latitudes.
So pilots are talking about gear and powered harnesses and nanotrikes
are part of the discussion. Secondly, expressions of interest by soaring pilots may
be a result of USHGA gaining member approval for adding these machines to the mix
(nanotrikes are not presently included; only foot launched aircraft). Add one more
fact, the steadily-increasing age of HG&PG pilots, and no one should be
surprised that discussion includes power (and wheels). With that in mind, I like
to dispense with one item right now.
Corrections Dept.: In August last year, I wrote about some spectacularly high
flights accomplished by Minnesota pilots using powered harnesses for their initial
launch into huge thermals. I also said, because that’s what I understood, that all
four pilots reaching 10,000 feet AGL used NRG Mosquito harnesses sold by Bill
Fifer of Traverse City Hang Gliders. In fact, only my reporter, Bruce Bolles,
used that brand. The other three pilots, Ralph Karsten, Paul Kilstofte, and Bill
Manual, flew Airtime Products (of Australia) Explorer powered harnesses. My
apologies to Airtime for this error. While Bruce corrected my information he also
wanted to observe two things. The Mosquito is powered by the Radne Rocket engine
and so is the Explorer. Some owners feel the Mosquito is a more refined product while
the simpler Explorer offers a good cost savings (current price differential may be
even greater with the euro soaring high compared to the dollar).
Airtime also makes a nanotrike. I wrote about the Powerlite a few months ago
and the down-under company continues to develop their products. The 88-pound
nanotrike is a low-slung affair which gives it a better center of gravity
during ground operations). Airtime is now offering a new pod and new wheelpants for
their Powerlite. The cleaning up of nanotrikes is underway by several manufacturers
and is leading toward a new class of powered machines with much lower drag. FMI:
info@airtimeproducts.com
North Wing announced late-stage development of a new, as-yet unnamed nanotrike,
downsized from their ATF (Air Time Fix) very light trike. Proprietor and designer,
Kamron Blevins says the new machine will weigh 70 pounds and will offer
a zip-up fairing, kind of a refashioned “suprone harness,” explained Kamron. It will
feature electric starting, retractable aft main gear, will pack down to only 4.5
feet and can be carried on your shoulder in its bag. The
trike chassis is well along; Kamron was flying it in late December. A specially-designed
wing will follow in February and the entire nanotrike ought to be ready by April.
FMI: (509) 886-4605 or northwing.com
It isn’t just companies that are developing trikes. I’ve heard from two individuals.
“For the past four years, I’ve been on exodus from hang
gliding, but have recently got permission to get back into the sport,” writes Paul
Donahue. He’s flown with auxiliary power system on hang gliders for some time,
so it was logical to again pursue that direction. “Cliff launching is the ultimate
for me, but it is very tough to beat the independence of a power system.” He reentered
the sport too late to vote for the inclusion of power in USHGA but is obviously pleased
it went that way. He’s working on a minimal power system that he says is “a cross
between a Minimum and a Mosquito.” He’s not ready to announce anything but he let
me in on some details and it sounds intriguing. If his plans flesh out as expected,
it may be another fetching entry in the powered harness/nanotrike segment.
Robert Crowell is another home inventor. I’ve followed his efforts for some
years and he continues to refine a basic approach to a faired light trike. He started
with a Foxbat, a lighter powered trike harking back to the old Manta days so naturally
it has a Fledge’ wing doing the lifting. In late 2003 he was flying with his “bubble
pod” which fully encloses him in see-through plastic. A tiny opaque fabric nose
pod extends under the belly but all the remaining fairing offers a clear view. He
enjoys staying warm during wintertime flying in Boone, NC and said speed range
increased better than 10%. “All I had to do was remove the pod for one flight
to really notice the performance difference,” says Crowell who notes he also got
much colder. When he’s done flying the Lexan sheet can lay flat under his trike in
the bed of his truck. Two ties and four bolts allow reattachment to the Foxbat in
six minutes, Robert reports. Interesting stuff and I wonder what continued developments
we’ll see in the next couple years.
Mid-Winter Rumor Dept.: Last fall some rumors surfaced about this magazine’s
former editor. As I knew him quite well, I wanted to verify their accuracy and give
some feedback to readers as appropriate. Gossip suggested Gil Dodgen was very
unhappy with the way he parted company with USHGA. Given a rather abrupt departure
after 25 years, who could blame him? However, gossip is often unreliable and, in
fact, Gil’s doing very well. He writes, “I’m working for an aerospace research company
designing flight-computer software for a precision-guided airdrop system. It is extremely
interesting, rewarding and intellectually stimulating work, and I’m working with
a very talented and motivated team of aeronautical, mechanical, electrical and software
engineers.” Now, it turns out many readers should know some of Gil’s work mates.
Several have come from the hang gliding ranks. Roy Haggard, Tom Price, Dave
Cronk, Roger McCracken| know any of these guys? You should if you think you know
anything of hang gliding history. Gil preferred I didn’t publish his work address,
but anyone who wishes to contact him may do so at GilDodgen@cox.net
Well, that’s it for chilly February. So, got news or opinions?
Send ’em to: 8 Dorset, St. Paul MN 55118. Messages or fax to 651-450-0930. E-mail
to Dan@ByDanJohnson.com or CumulusMan@aol.com. THANKS!