Search Results for : Flight Design

ST. PAUL, MINN. — In April, USHGA continued what is now something of a tradition by having a strong presence at the massive Sun ‘n Fun airshow, one of the ways we can reach out to other potential new members. The Florida extravaganza has been closing on the world’s largest airshow — Oshkosh — and in 1995 nearly tied the big Wisconsin event for attendance. These conventions are the largest gatherings of pilots in the world, and I think it’s terrific hang gliding is represented. Even if you’re one of those who don’t desire growth, we need to be recognized among the greater community of pilots, if for no other reason than having some clout and contacts when one of our flying sites is threatened. ••• As if to show the effort is paying off, UNpowered ultralights were recognized in several significant ways this year. • A window was created daily to allow one hour of solely unpowered flying.

ST. PAUL, MINN. — With this issue of Hang Gliding, "Product Lines" celebrates its 16th birthday and enters year no. 17! Thinking back to its start in May of 1979, I can scarcely believe this column has endured so long. Thanks for your loyal readership! ••• This also happens to be column number 150. The first seven years of "Product Lines," were found in Whole Air which published bimonthly. By 1986 it appeared monthly… since 1989 in Hang Gliding magazine. ••• Thanks again to Bill Allen, whose back-of-the-book "Flying Bull" column inspired "Product Lines." In his unique, entertaining way, Allen developed a strong interest in a folksy, gossipy style of reporting. My twist on the theme is to stick with product-related news and info, hence the column’s name (admittedly, I stray from that mission once in a while). When Allen decided to quit the column, he called for replacements. Since none came forward, I adapted the idea for Whole Air.

ST. PAUL, MINN. — As happens every fall, you filled out Director ballots and survey forms in ’94. Office staffer, Greg Huller, laboriously went through 1,509 forms — a LOT of work, I know — compiling your responses to many questions. His review appears in the "USHGA Reports" section of this issue. However, I usually examine the numbers for product related info and this year is no exception. So, here we go… ••• The main topic of interest is glider brand market share. These days such analysis must include paragliders as well, though their brands are largely not American made. ••• In hang gliding, Wills Wing continues their dominance of the field, with 42.7%, up a skootch from 1993 (42.0%). Wills peaked in 1991 (at 43.1%) but is very solidly the number one producer. • PacAir jumped two points in the last year, up to 29.6% from 27.6% of the market.

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Does hang gliding need to reach out for new enthusiasts? The question raises bothersome issues about declining and aging memberships, but is nonetheless a valid concern. ••• Industry leader, Wills Wing, is doing something about it by starting a new "division." They call it ProLine and its their vehicle to sell certain accessory items. Nothing new about this, you say? True, but Wills expects to do more than sell varios to their WW-brand customers. "It is our intention to use ProLine to develop products that can be marketed OUTSIDE the hang gliding industry", says a recent statement in their dealer newsletter. Naturally, they expect to raise their revenues but they further hope to increase hang gliding exposure to the public. They plan to advertise "in high circulation action sports pubications" once they have a "well developed product line." Each ProLine shipment will eventually have the USHGA color flier as well as the name of the closest WW dealer school.

ST. PAUL, MINN. — About now, the Holidays are demanding lots of time. To help, this "Product Lines" focuses on gifts. ••• At the board meeting in Lake Tahoe, directors got a preview of USHGA’s 1995 calendar. It’s a beaut’. Slightly wider than last year, a right column text area gives details about the photo, including camera equipment used. Learn from this and next year one of the stunning pictures of hang gliding/paragliding could be yours. See the color ad in this issue and order a few. We all know hang gliding "shows well," so you can buy these calendars for friends or family who don’t fly. ••• HG entrepreneur, GW Meadows and his Just Fly organization have a whole bunch of nifty Christmas notions. GW’s got something else, too: a promise to ship items as late as December 23rd (a Friday), so you can get them in time for Sunday gift opening.

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Ready or not, another holiday season is upon us. We’ll look at some gift ideas… which means you should be sure those who buy gifts for YOU know about the nifty things you want. Face it. Many spouses feel hang glider pilots are hard to buy for; they only want expensive stuff. In the next couple issues of "Product Lines," I’ll try to highlight some more gift-priced items. But first… ••• Some results have been tabulated from the survey card that came in your October issue. Over 300 cards arrived in a short period, a large enough sample to get reliable information. • Asked if you believe hang gliding has a growth period ahead, a split response resulted. Slightly more than half (54%) feel it can grow, but 46% apparently see obstacles. • When asked if you desire to see hang gliding grow, an overwhelming 86% answered yes, with 14% not inviting growth.

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Told you last month I had new info on Dick Boone’s unusual Climax experimental design. I say "experimental" as that seems appropriate, it being a test bed. Nobody is planning to produce it yet, but perhaps Climax ideas will appear elsewhere or on a new hybrid design from Boone. After all, Dick has something a reputation for contributing notable achievements to hang glider design. ••• His work is continuing. Some expert pilots who’ve taken a flight on the Climax said they felt completely out of control, partly owing to its joystick linkage and lack of centering mechanism. The net effect apparently was that virtually every control input became an overcontrol. A cable controlling the twist — attached to the rear spar, where you’d expect to find the crossbar — runs through the control bar base tube. As Boone acknowledges, "If the cable is centered the glider will fly straight.

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Spring has nearly arrived marking the start of a new season. ••• Last time I mentioned a new gizmo from Japan competition-bound Chris Arai… in the Orient on assignment for Wills Wing. Named the Tangent Flight Computer, Arai calls it a "radical departure" from standard instruments, coming closer to what sailplane pilots have on board. After three years of development Arai flew with the TFC in the ’93 Owens Worlds. Since he came in Second, you might imagine it augmented his skills. The Tangent includes all the regular vario/deck features such as airspeed, altitude, rate of climb, and barograph. However, its specialty is implementing speed-to-fly theory (which mystifies many of us). Using audio tones — instead of clumsy speed rings — the pilot is told to speed up or slow down (no need to look at a dial). You won’t need math theory to run the Tangent.

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Even as fall colors dominate the landscape in much of America, hang gliding businesses are working hard on various new products. I’ve a few to pass along… ••• Bob Trampenau announced a novel concept for hang gliders, at least the flex wing, Class 1 variety. Though most rigid wing entries in production (Swift) or development (Apex, Stealth II) use controllable surfaces, they haven’t found acceptance on rag wings. True, other experiments have employed similar ideas before. Bob says his latest notion was tried by both Eric Raymond and Roy Haggard. Now, Trampenau has announced flaps for his Sensors. He says he’ll generate an article for the magazine on this subject so here you’ll merely get a sneak preview. Trampenau voiced his opinion that wing loadings will continue to increase on modern flex wings. After years of hovering around 1.5 lbs/ft2, he feels designs are now moving toward 2.0 lbs/ft2.

ST. PAUL, MINN — World Team fever is finally slowing, though most hang glider pilots I’ve spoken to feel good about TEAM USA’s achievement. We now turn to the fall season, a great time for soaring at many sites around the country. ••• One of the possibilities might be had when you and the family travel to Disney World in Florida. No, they won’t let you fly right at the big theme park; but only a scant seven miles south, a brand new site has opened. It’s also opened its arms to pilots (unlike Disney). Welcome to Dragonfly Park! Steven Speilberg has nothing to do with this park. I’ve been there and I’m excited to have a warm destination for wintertime flying as chill permeates the air way up here in Minnesota. Bill Moyes and Orlando-resident Malcolm Jones have formed a partnership to purchase a 50-acre farm which they’ve converted to an Air Park.