Engineer Otto Lilienthal, the father of aviation and of hang gliding. Germany, 1891.

Brothers Chris and Bob Wills flying the Bamboo Butterfly. California, USA. 1972

Hang glider launch. Brasil, 2005

Hang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a very light foot-launchable glider aircraft known as a hang glider. Most hang gliders are made of an aluminum -or composite- framed fabric wing which lacks of moving control surfaces. In general, the pilot is mounted on a harness hanging from the airframe and exercises control by shifting his body weight. Image File history File links More_otho_flying. ... Image File history File links More_otho_flying. ... Otto Lilienthal Otto Lilienthal (23 May 1848 – 10 August 1896), the German Glider King, was a pioneer of human aviation. ... Hang gliding is one of the windsports. ... For other uses, see Brazil (disambiguation). ... Hang gliding is one of the windsports. ... For other uses, see Wing (disambiguation). ... Airframe means the mechanical structure of an aircraft[1] and as generally used does not include the engines. ...

The first recorded controlled flights in a hang glider were by German engineer Otto Lilienthal who published all of his research in 1889. The hang glider resurfaced briefly during the 1920s in Europe and North America, where glider designers invented and tested several wing concepts such as the tailless flying wing and the pendulum weight shift control system. Otto Lilienthal Otto Lilienthal (23 May 1848 – 10 August 1896), the German Glider King, was a pioneer of human aviation. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... North American redirects here. ... A Northrop YB-49 flying wing. ...

On 1948, aeronautical engineer Francis Rogallo invented a self-inflating wing which he called the flexible wing, also known as the Rogallo wing. The flexible wing was tested by NASA as a steerable parachute for space capsules' return to Earth and some images of these tests (Paresev and Fleep) were published in the early 1960s by NASA and some aviation magazines. The Rogallo wing did not go unnoticed by glider enthusiasts, who soon adapted and configured the Rogallo airfoil as a hang glider. The sudden commercial availability of flexible wing hang gliders in 1969 in California, USA caused a significant increase in their popularity world wide, while supported by the international distribution of specialized American magazines. In the 1960s and 1970s, Francis Rogallo at NASA, designed the Rogallo wing, which found its greatest success in hang gliders and kites. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... For other uses, see NASA (disambiguation). ... The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) was an test vehicle based upon the kite-parachute studies by NACA Langley engineer Francis M. Rogallo. ... Fleep Dust (or other particles), which cannot be swept up by a dustpan and brush. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... For the kite, see foil kite. ... For other uses, see California (disambiguation). ...

At the beginning of the 21st century, the sport remains popular and experimental hang glider research and development continues.

Early history

Otto Lilienthal, First documented controlled flights. Germany, 1891.

Octave Chanute's biplane hang glider. USA, 1896.[94].

Jan Lavezzari's double-sail hang glider. Berck beach, France, Feb/15/1904.

Engineer Alexander M. Lippisch delta biplane hang glider. Germany, c1920.

Hans Richter launching his glider. Germany, early 1920s.

The sleek high performance jets, sailplanes and hang gliders of today have a heritage that dates back to man’s first attempts at flight. With no understanding of aerodynamics, few adequate materials and no available engines, aviation enthusiasts had to be content with using crude gliders that used the force of gravity and a slope to become airborne. These flights were short and often ended in a less than elegant arrival but it was flying nonetheless. Arab and American historians have found at least two accounts indicating attempts at flight by a Moorish chemist, polymath and inventor named Abbas Ibn Firnas near Cordoba, Spain in the 9th century. (Ibn Firnas crater on the Moon is named in his honor.) His first attempt was a successful parachute fall made in the year 852 using a huge wing-like cloak to break his fall. His second attempt was in 875, when he made the first attempt at controlled flight and flew on a rudimentary wing-like glider, but his landing was unsuccessful.^[1][2] It is possible that word of Ibn Firnas' wing-like parachute reached England to a monk called Eilmer of Malmesbury,^[3] who studied mathematics and astrology. A fellow monk and historian -William of Malmesbury- reported years later that Eilmer flew off the roof of an Abbey in Malmsbury, England sometime between the years 1000 and 1010 gliding about 200 m (220 yards) and crashed breaking a leg. Image File history File links Otto_flying. ... Image File history File links Otto_flying. ... Otto Lilienthal Otto Lilienthal (23 May 1848 – 10 August 1896), the German Glider King, was a pioneer of human aviation. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Hang gliding is one of the windsports. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Jan Lavezzari testing his double sail glider. ... The human dream of flight: Utopian flying machines from the 18th Century (illustration from the late 19th Century). ... For other uses, see Arab (disambiguation). ... Alchemy in Islam differs from the general alchemy in certain ways, one of which is that Muslim alchemists didnt believe in the creation of life in the laboratory. ... Leonardo da Vinci, a polymath, is seen as the epitome of the related term, Renaissance Man A polymath (Greek polymathÄ“s, πολυμαθής, having learned much)[1][2] is a person with encyclopedic, broad, or varied knowledge or learning. ... A significant number of inventions were produced in the Muslim world, many of them with direct implications for Fiqh related issues. ... Abbas Ibn Firnas, or Abbas Qasim Ibn Firnas (Unknown- 887 A.D.) was a Spanish-Arab humanitarian, technologist, and chemist. ... See Córdoba for other places with the same name. ... Ibn Firnas is a lunar impact crater on the far side of the Moon. ... This article is about the device. ... Events Boris I Michael succeeds the duumvirate of Malamir and Presian as monarch of Bulgaria. ... Events December 29 - Charles the Bald, king of west Danes capture Lindisfarne and arrive in Cambridge. ... Aircraft flight controls allow a pilot to adjust and control the aircrafts flight attitude. ... Stained glass window showing Eilmer, installed in Malmesbury Abbey in 1920 in memory of Rev. ... William of Malmesbury (c. ... Europe in 1000 The year 1000 of the Gregorian Calendar was the last year of the 10th century as well as the last year of the first millennium. ... Events The Ly Dynasty in Vietnam is established (or 1009). ...

In 1638, Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi took flight from from the 66 m (183 feet) tall Galata Tower near the Bosphorus River in Istanbul. It is reported that his flight was successful and Celebi landed on the opposite side of the Bosphorus River, about 500 meters away.^[4][5] Events March 29 - Swedish colonists establish first settlement in Delaware, called New Sweden. ... Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi (Turkish: Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi), who lived in the 17th century in Istanbul in the Ottoman Empire, is one of the first aviators to have succeeded in flying with artificial wings. ... Galata Tower, Istanbul View from Galata Tower The Galata Tower (Turkish: Galata Kulesi) is located in Istanbul in Turkey to the north of the Golden Horn, at , . One of the citys most striking landmarks, it is a huge, cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline on the Galata side... Istanbul (Turkish: , Greek: , historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see other names) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. ...

The Kraków Museum of Ethnography in Poland claims that in 1866, painter and carpenter Jan Wnęk completed construction of an ash wood glider frame which he covered with linen impregnated with varnish and that Wnęk was firmly strapped to the glider by the chest and hips. It is claimed -but not verified- that Jan Wnęk made several public flights from the local church tower between 1866 - 1869. 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Model of Jan WnÄ™ks glider. ... Species See text European Ash in flower Narrow-leafed Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) shoot with leaves Closeup of European Ash seeds 19th century illustration of Manna Ash (Fraxinus ornus) An ash can be any of four different tree genera from four very distinct families (see end of page for disambiguation), but... Torn linen cloth, recovered from the Dead Sea Linen is a material made from the fibers of the flax plant. ... Varnish is a transparent, hard, protective finish or film primarily used in wood finishing but also for other materials. ... 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... 1869 (MDCCCLXIX) is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ...

Starting in the 1880s advancements were made in aerodynamics and construction that led to the first truly practical gliders; This information was often shared and published by early aviators and inventors, building a long series of incremental achievements. Through the 1880’s several aviation pioneers emerged in different countries around the world all perusing glider designs with varying degrees of success. Chief among these were Otto Lilienthal in Berlin, Germany, Lawrence Hargrave in Sydney, Australia, Percy Pilcher in the United Kingdom, John J. Montgomery at Wheeler Hill near San Diego, Octave Chanute and his team in Gary, Indiana in the USA., just to name a few. For the Daft Punk song, see Aerodynamic (song). ... For other uses, see Glider (disambiguation). ... Otto Lilienthal Otto Lilienthal (23 May 1848 – 10 August 1896), the German Glider King, was a pioneer of human aviation. ... Percy Sinclair Pilcher (January 1866 — 2 October 1899) was a British inventor and pioneer aviator who, in one of the big what if events of history, could well have become the first person to achieve controlled, powered, heavier-than-air flight well before the Wright brothers had he not been... Octave Chanute Octave Chanute (18 February 1832 - November 23, 1910) was a French-born American railroad engineer and aviation pioneer. ...

Otto Lilienthal duplicated some of his contemporaries' work and greatly expanded on it from 1874, publishing all of his research in 1889.^[6] He also produced a series of ever-better gliders, and in 1891 was able to make flights of 25 meters or more routinely, as well as some soaring flights. He rigorously documented his work, influencing later designers; For this reason he is one of the best known and influential of the early aviation pioneers. His type of aircraft is now known as a hang glider. By 1896 he had made about 2000 flights on a number of designs when he crashed from a height of roughly 17 m (56 ft) fracturing his spine. Percy Pilcher took a growing interest in aviation and built a glider called The Bat which he flew for the first time in 1895. Later that year Pilcher met and consulted with Otto Lilienthal, who was the leading expert in gliding; These discussions led to Pilcher building two more hang gliders, The Beetle and The Gull.^[7] Based on the work of his mentor Otto Lilienthal, in 1897 Pilcher built a third hang glider called The Hawk with which he broke the world distance record when he flew 250 m (820 feet).^[8] Otto Lilienthal Otto Lilienthal (23 May 1848 – 10 August 1896), the German Glider King, was a pioneer of human aviation. ... Hang gliding is one of the windsports. ... Percy Sinclair Pilcher (January 1866 — 2 October 1899) was a British inventor and pioneer aviator who, in one of the big what if events of history, could well have become the first person to achieve controlled, powered, heavier-than-air flight well before the Wright brothers had he not been... Year 1895 (MDCCCXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Wasserkuppe

Gottlob Espenlaub's first hang gliding competition at Wasserkuppe, Germany, 1921.

The hang glider lost some importance through the introduction of wing warping in 1902 by the Wright brothers and subsequently of aileron control by the French, but when the World War I ended in 1918, the Treaty of Versailles practically ended engine driven flights in Germany. Thus, in the 1920s and 1930s, while aviators and aircraft makers in the rest of the world were working to improve the performance of powered aircraft, the Germans were designing, developing and flying ever more efficient gliders and discovering ways of using the natural forces in the atmosphere to make them fly farther and faster, undergoing a "renaissance" of gliding aviation thus soaring became an organized sport at Wasserkuppe, Germany. Many of these gliders flown in 1920 were hang gliders in that they were controlled by the pilot's weight shift alone.^[9][10] The first Wasserkuppe glider competition was held in 1920. Over the next decade, the contest grew in popularity. As many as 70 glider clubs from Europe sent their best gliders and pilots to compete for duration, altitude and distance prizes, the most coveted prize was that donated by President von Hindenburg. As many as 60,000 spectators dotted the mountain slopes to watch these events.^[11] Virtually every European aeronautical engineer of the time tested and modified their aircraft there and reports were generated.^[12] Some competing hang glider designers were Alfried Gymnich,^[13] Gottlob Espenlaub,^[14] Alexander Lippisch,^[15] Heinz Schneider,^[16] Francis Chardon,^[17] Willi Pelzner,^[18] Hans Richter ^[19] and Segelflieger Peltzner,^[20] while engineer Henri Mignet was busy in France^[21] and Czesław Tański was busy in Turkey.^[22] The Wasserkuppe The Wasserkuppe (German: water peak) is a high plateau (elevation 950 m or 3100 ft), the highest peak in the Rhön Mountains within the German state of Hessen. ... The Wright brothers, Orville (August 19, 1871–January 30, 1948) and Wilbur (April 16, 1867–May 30, 1912), were two Americans generally credited with building the worlds first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and heavier-than-air human flight on December 17, 1903. ... For the band with a similar name, see The Ailerons Ailerons are hinged control surfaces attached to the trailing edge of the wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... This article is about the Treaty of Versailles of June 28, 1919, which ended World War I. For other uses, see Treaty of Versailles (disambiguation) . The Treaty of Versailles (1919) was a peace treaty that officially ended World War I between the Allied and Associated Powers and Germany. ... The Wasserkuppe The Wasserkuppe (German: water peak) is a high plateau (elevation 950 m or 3100 ft), the highest peak in the Rhön Mountains within the German state of Hessen. ... Alexander Lippisch earned his PhD in 1943 at the University of Heidelberg. ... Henri Mignet, (October 19, 1893 in Charente-Maritime – August 31, 1965 in Ain Harronda in Morocco), was a well known French designer of aircraft and an avid builder, creator of the formula Flying Flea. ...

Invention of the Flexible Wing

NASA's Paresev glider in flight with tow cable [95].

On 1948 aeronautical engineer Francis Rogallo invented a self-inflating wing which he patented on March 20, 1951 ^[23][24][25] as the Flexible wing,^[26] also known as Rogallo wing. Rogallo's patent proclaims, “We believe that the principle described herein may be applied to man carrying devices, such as airplanes, parachutes and gliders". F. Rogallo had first proposed his flexible wing concept to the Langley Research Center in the late 1940s as a simple, inexpensive approach to recreational flying, but the idea was not accepted as a project.^[27] Rogallo wing used by NASA Dryden to research ways of returning a spacecraft to earth. ... Rogallo wing used by NASA Dryden to research ways of returning a spacecraft to earth. ... The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) was an test vehicle based upon the kite-parachute studies by NACA Langley engineer Francis M. Rogallo. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... In the 1960s and 1970s, Francis Rogallo at NASA, designed the Rogallo wing, which found its greatest success in hang gliders and kites. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... Langley Research Center NASA Langley 14 x 22 foot Subsonic Wind Tunnel. ...

It was on October 4, 1957 when the Russian satellite Sputnik shocked the United States and the space race caught the imagination of its government, causing major increases in U.S. government spending on scientific research, education and on the immediate creation of NASA. Rogallo was in position to seize the opportunity and with his help at the wind tunnels, NASA began a series of experiments testing Rogallo's flexible wing -which got renamed Parawing- in order to evaluate it as a recovery system for the project Gemini space capsules.^[28] Rogallo designed his flexible wing to allow the astronauts to deploy it like a parachute at subsonic speeds during reentry, then glide their capsule to a specified touchdown point.^[29] F. Rogallo's team collaborated with at least two American aircraft companies, Ryan Aeronautical Company and North American Aviation, as there was potential for gliders, dirigible parachutes, and other new types of manned aircraft; This mainly involved stabilizing the leading edges with compressed air beams or rigid structures like aluminium tubes. By 1961 NASA had already made test flights of an experimental STOL 'aerial utility aircraft' called Ryan XV-8 (the Flying Jeep or Fleep)^[30][31] and by March 1962, of a weight-shift glider called Paresev in which NASA engineers, under direction of Charles Richard, integrated a single-point hanging-of-pilot-hold subassembly, weight-shift control, and wing folding for ease of storage, transport, assembly and repair; the 1B wing was top-less (no kingpost), had scalloped sail of Dacron, and had battens for anti-luffing. Sputnik 1 The Sputnik program was a series of unmanned space missions launched by the Soviet Union in the late 1950s to demonstrate the viability of artificial satellites. ... For other uses, see NASA (disambiguation). ... Project Gemini was the second human spaceflight program of the United States of America. ... The Ryan Aeronautical Company was founded by T. Claude Ryan in San Diego, California, USA in 1934. ... North American Aviation was a major US aircraft manufacturer. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The V-8 designation was re-used by the U.S.Military to refer to the AV-8 Harrier. ... The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) was an test vehicle based upon the kite-parachute studies by NACA Langley engineer Francis M. Rogallo. ...

Flexible Wing hang glider

Aeronautical engineer Barry Hill Palmer. First hang glider based on Rogallo's flexible wing. USA, 1961. (Video:[96]).

First flights of Richard Miller's Bamboo Butterfly hang glider. Vista Del Mar. California, 1966.

The Paresev and other flexible wing projects such as the Fleep stopped being funded by NASA on 1965 as they were not in the business of applying Rogallo's family of airfoils to personal aircraft such as kites, hang gliders, and powered light aircraft. But Rogallo's wing simplicity, ease of construction, capability of slow flight and its gentle landing characteristics did not go unnoticed by hang glider and ultralight glider enthusiasts. The challenge then became to build a Rogallo wing with an appropriate airframe in order to be used as a hang glider. Image File history File links Barry_Palmer. ... Image File history File links Barry_Palmer. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Image File history File links Richard_Miller. ... Image File history File links Richard_Miller. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) was an test vehicle based upon the kite-parachute studies by NACA Langley engineer Francis M. Rogallo. ... The V-8 designation was re-used by the U.S.Military to refer to the AV-8 Harrier. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... Hang gliding is one of the windsports. ... Huntair Pathfinder Mark 1 ultralight During the late 1970s and early 1980s, many people sought to be able to fly affordably. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... Airframe means the mechanical structure of an aircraft[1] and as generally used does not include the engines. ...

On August 1961, aeronautical enineer Barry Hill Palmer saw a photo of the Fleep and using the flexible wing concept, he invented and flew the first foot-launched Rogallo wing hang glider.^[32] This took place near Latrobe, east of Sacramento, California.^[33] He used aluminum tubing and no wires for construction as he did fear kinking during assembly. Most flights were performed with just a set of inclined parallel bars that split his weight between his underarms and hands and he demonstrated that the Rogallo wing -used as a hang glider- could also be controlled by shifting weight alone. The last of Palmer's foot-launched hang gliders flew in the summer of 1962 and like the Paresev, it had a ski-lift type of seat mounted to the keel with a universal joint for pendulum weight-shift control; A single control stick was projected down from the wing. During the period from 1961 to 1963 Barry Palmer made tens of flights using the Rogallo wing concept. His longest flight ranged in length up to 180 meters (590 ft), at altitudes up to 24 meters (80 ft), and had an overall glide ratio of 4.5 to 1. Palmer's wing was heavy and not particularly portable. Palmer relates that he had a good aerospace job and was flying for fun and did not attempt to modernize or market the flexible wing hang glider^[34][35] but shared all details with anybody interested. The V-8 designation was re-used by the U.S.Military to refer to the AV-8 Harrier. ... Sacramento redirects here. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) was an test vehicle based upon the kite-parachute studies by NACA Langley engineer Francis M. Rogallo. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... Glide ratio is an aviation term that refers to the distance an aircraft will move forward for any given amount of lost altitude (the cotangent of the downward angle). ...

Palmer corresponded Richard Miller, who in 1964 developed the Bamboo Butterfly,^[36] followed by Tara Kiceniuk's Batso. the plans of these hang gliders circulated in some magazines in the mid 1960s. ^[37]

Parallel developments

• Tony Prentice designed and flew several novel hang gliders in England During the 1960s, including an intriguing 'split wing'. ^[38] He built a number of non-Rogallo gliders which got progressively larger, ^[39] the leading and trailing edges of the sail had preformed airfoil. There was no solid frame beneath the glider and the support was a rope beneath his underarms as this gave pendulum stability to the aircraft. Limited on budget, his designs were never developed further.

• Jack Lambie^[40][41] from Bellflower, California, designed in 1971 the popular Hang Loose Chanute hang glider.^[42]

• Yves Rousseau was recipient of the 2005 FAI "Paul Tissandier Diploma" for his work on human-powered ornithopter flight, including implementation of flapping wings on a hang glider and on a Vector ultralight.^[43]

For the kite, see foil kite. ... Yves Rousseau (France) is credited with some ultralight aircraft FAI world records and has received international recognition for his 13 years of work on human-powered ornithopter flight. ... Fédération Aéronautique Internationale The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is a standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. ... An ornithopter (from Greek ornithos bird and pteron wing) is an aircraft that flies by flapping its wings. ...

Modern flexible wing hang glider

'Standard Rogallo' hang glider. The Paresev radial structure for fold-up and other refinements made by many innovators, are visible. 1975.

Modern hang glider's triangle control frame from Otto Lilienthal to 2008.

The crucial developments by Francis Rogallo and NASA lead Barry Hill Palmer, an aerodynamic engineer to explore in seven to eight versions four distinct control airframes for hang gliding. Publicity from the Fleep^[44] and the Paresev tests sparked interest in the design among several tinkerers. Barry Palmer in 1960 was inspired by the Fleep. Bill Moyes had become aware of the Rogallo wing in the Mike Burns' Ski Plane before he became aware of a project by John Dickenson, a ski-club member, to build a water ski glider that could be released at altitude for a glide to a safe landing. In 1963, after only a glimpse of a Rogallo airfoil on a magazine, Dickenson designed the manned ski kite he called the Ski Wing,^[45] a model based on the 'flexible wing' principle including suspending the pilot with a single hang point (Paresev 1B hung pilot holder assembly from a single point in 1961) on an A-frame (Spratt so hung pilot in 1929). [101]^[46] Dickenson fashioned a water ski kite triangle control frame on a Rogallo airfoil ^[47][48][49] where the pilot sat on a swinging seat while the control frame and wire bracing distributed the load to the wing as well as giving a frame to push/pull for weight-shift control.^[50] Dickenson's Ski Wing turned out to be stable and controllable,^[51] unlike the flat manned kites used at water ski shows. The Ski Wing was first flown in public at the 'Grafton Jacaranda Festival' in September of 1963 by Rod Fuller while towed behind a motorboat. His ski kite was lightweight and portable^[52] The Paresev and Fleep wing provided a template to build many Rogallo wing hang gliders, eventually of many various nose angles. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1455x1190, 104 KB) Summary Back view of an early hang glider on a relaxed glide above the clouds. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1455x1190, 104 KB) Summary Back view of an early hang glider on a relaxed glide above the clouds. ... The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) was an test vehicle based upon the kite-parachute studies by NACA Langley engineer Francis M. Rogallo. ... In the 1960s and 1970s, Francis Rogallo at NASA, designed the Rogallo wing, which found its greatest success in hang gliders and kites. ... The V-8 designation was re-used by the U.S.Military to refer to the AV-8 Harrier. ... The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) was an test vehicle based upon the kite-parachute studies by NACA Langley engineer Francis M. Rogallo. ... Fleep Dust (or other particles), which cannot be swept up by a dustpan and brush. ... For other uses, see 1963 (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Kite (disambiguation). ... For the kite, see foil kite. ... For other uses, see Kite (disambiguation). ... // Water skiing began in 1922 when Ralph Samuelson strapped two boards to his feet and rigged a clothesline up to his boat on Lake Pepin in Lake City, Minnesota. ... For other uses, see 1963 (disambiguation). ... A 1962 Rebel. A wooden speedboat with an outboard engine. ... The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) was an test vehicle based upon the kite-parachute studies by NACA Langley engineer Francis M. Rogallo. ... Fleep Dust (or other particles), which cannot be swept up by a dustpan and brush. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ...

Today, refinements and enhancements continue to be made to modern flexible wing hang gliders, as the Rogallo wing can be redesigned to improve performance far more easily than a rigid wing can be designed for portability. Bill Moyes advanced harnesses for much more control during launch off land and maneuvers during flight. Modifications done to the flex-wing in order to improve performance while remaining light and portable: Trailing luff (anti-dive) lines. 1974 - 1976: Increased nose angle. Deflexor cables mounted on the leading edges to stiffen and curve the wing for better flying performance and increased stability. 1977 - 1979: Multiple deflexors. 1978 - 1980: Enclosed keel and tip rods. 1980 - 1997: Preformed battens to shape wing camber. Floating cross bar. Cross bar enclosed within double surface (upper and lower wing skins). Variable wing geometry (VG). 1997 - to date: Topless (without king post). However, it is to be noted that already in 1961 and 1962, the hanging pilots of the Paresev were kiting and gliding under a stiffenened Rogallo wing that had no kingpost, had foldabability, light weight for the wing, had dacron sails with battens and scalloped anti-luffing battens. The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) was an test vehicle based upon the kite-parachute studies by NACA Langley engineer Francis M. Rogallo. ...

Modern rigid wing hang glider

Exxtacy rigid wing glider, showing flaps and spoilerons, flairs for a smooth landing; 2001.

There have been several rigid wing hang gliders flown since Otto Lilienthal took his first flights in the 1890s, but two high performing modern hang gliders were the Mitchell Wing and the Icarus. Otto Lilienthal Otto Lilienthal (23 May 1848 – 10 August 1896), the German Glider King, was a pioneer of human aviation. ...

On 1971 and 1972 the Icarus I and Icarus II were built, respectively.^[53] These were rigid biplane flying wing designs by Taras Kiceniuk, Jr. The Icarus V was essentially a monoplane version of the previous Icarus designs. All of the hang gliders in the Icarus series had hand-controlled rudders and the pilot flew in a reclining position (rather than a prone position as with other hang gliders). Although many Icarus II and Icarus V gliders were built from plans sold by Kiceniuk, they were never commercially produced. Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar, known as the year of cyclohexanol. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Soaring Magazine, January 1972, showing an artists conception (Actual photograph) of Kiceniuk flying Icarus I. The pilot flew in the shown position only during takeoff and landing. ... The Kiceniuk Icarus II was the second in a series of hang gliders designed by Taras Kiceniuk, Jr. ... Taras Kiceniuk, Jr (c. ... The Kiceniuk Icarus V was the fifth designed and third built in a series of hang gliders designed by Taras Kiceniuk, Jr. ... The Kiceniuk Icarus II was the second in a series of hang gliders designed by Taras Kiceniuk, Jr. ... The Kiceniuk Icarus V was the fifth designed and third built in a series of hang gliders designed by Taras Kiceniuk, Jr. ... Taras Kiceniuk, Jr (c. ...

In the early 1940s Don Mitchell (Scotland), an aeronautical engineer, first became involved with flying wing glider design and construction. But WWII interrupted his research and experiments. Then in 1974, with the advent of hang glider mania, adventurers were experimenting with design and exploring records worldwide, when Mitchell's flying wing resurfaced. Dr. Howard Long took an interest and asked Don Mitchell to make him a refined 'flying wing' hang glider. The result was the foot-launched Mitchell Wing. When the foot-launched Mitchell Wing B-10 flew in the 1977 USA Nationals, the hang gliding world was completely astounded. The Mitchell Wing then went on to set and hold every world record in its class. In 1980, George Worthington soared to 17,000 feet high and glided 105 miles, setting two new rigid-wing records. The Mitchell Wing had a single built-up "D" spar with aircraft birch plywood torsion proof leading edge and 3-axes control.^[54] Foam ribs placed every 4.5 inches hold the D shape. The built-up truss ribs aft of the spar are covered with fabric. This structural design is simple, extremely strong and light (under 80 Lbs). This article is about the country. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

In the early 1990s, the Exxtacy (designer: Felix Ruehle) and then, the IXBO became the first two rigid wing hang gliders on the market with a leading edge of carbon fiber. These were followed in 1999 by the ATOS (designer: Felix Ruehle). The nose angle and wing span of modern rigid wings are a little larger than flexible wings and the sail is rather stiff. A.I.R.(AERONAUTIC INNOVATION RÜHLE) Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Carbon fiber composite is a strong, light and very expensive material. ... This article is about the year. ...

Popularity

PhotoFly meet. Norco, California. 1971.

The extreme nature of foot-launched hang gliding appealed to the freewheeling culture of the late 1960s across America more as an expression of freedom than an air sport.^[55] The flights and Rogallo wing plans by Dave Kilbourne and Richard Miller added greatly to the presence of Rogallo wings in California in various formats and the sudden commercial availability of water ski hang gliders in 1969 by manufacturers like Bill Bennett^[56] (Delta Wing) and Bill Moyes^[57][58] (Moyes Gliders) added to the Rogallo wing's popularity, which began to rise world-wide as a full fledged sport by the distribution of specialized international publications such as the Low & Slow magazine founded in 1971, Hang Glider Weekly^[59] and Ground Skimmer in 1972^[60] and Glider Rider in 1975.^[61] Hang gliding was simultaneously promoted by major international publications such as Popular Mechanics,^[62] Popular Science magazines^[63] and the Life magazine,^[64] all three magazines distributed world-wide in 1971; The Sky Raiders hang gliding movie was released in 1976^[65][66] with a powerful effect. The British SkyWings magazine has been published monthly since 1975^[67] and Cross Country, the first truly international hang gliding magazine began publication in 1988.^[68] This article is about the U.S. state. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... Also: 1969 (number) 1969 (movie) 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... The adolescent Internet. ... This article is not about the magazine, Popular Science Popular science is interpretation of science intended for a general audience, rather than for other scientists or students. ... Philippe Halsmans famous portrait of Marilyn Monroe Life generally refers to two American magazines: A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936; A publication created by Time founder Henry Luce in 1936, with a strong emphasis on photojournalism. ...

Free hang gliding took longer to catch on in Australia, where hang gliding was a water skiing sport and part of the New South Wales Water-Skiing Association. In fact, Dickenson's Ski Wing was competing in the NSWWSA kite-flying section against the polygonal Japanese-style flat kites.^[69] The first recorded foot-launched flight in Australia occurred in 1972 and the Australian Self Soaring Association was formed by foot-launched pilots in 1974. The first foot-launched Australian Championships were held in 1976.^[70] Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

First flights from Mt. Kilimanjaro in the 1970s and Caril Ridley’s historic flights in India met with headlines and that age-old dream of human flight captured public imagination. On 1973, the ZDF German Television produced a 30 min documentary on Mike Harker's world record hang glider flight from Mt. Zugspitze in Germany; This TV documentary helped promote the development of modern hang gliding in Europe. Harker also produced other hang gliding documentaries in the mid 1970s which were presented in TV by 16 countries.^[71] Kilimanjaro is a mountain in northeastern Tanzania. ... The Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany. ...

Although by the early 1970s many rigid wings were developed, none sold terribly well, while dozens of flexible wing hang glider companies were springing up all over the world. The mid 1970s underwent significant improvements in hang glider design as manufacturers were bringing out new and improved models at a fast rate. From the simple structures of the early 1970s, the aspect ratio of the gliders increased dramatically, sails became tighter, battens became the rule, and the gliders became safer. In the late 1970s pre-formed aluminum battens became common and in 1980, the Comet ^[72] took the industry by storm and popularized the free-floating internalized crossbar and double-surface sail construction that has since become the standard.

High performance hang glider launch, 2006.

As usual, essentially parallel developments can be difficult to sort out and serialize, but in fact, the modern flexible wing hang glider started with the publicized Rogallo's Paresev and Fleep concept, followed by John Dickenson's adaptation and the aggressive entrepreneurial energies of Bill Bennett, Bill Moyes, Joe Faust, Dick Eipper, Mike Riggs, the Wills brothers^[73] and the massive enthusiasm of thousands of people wanting to self-soar began what is now an estimated $50 million USD annual industry.^[74] Ironically, Dickenson never made any money name=^[75] and Francis Rogallo never claimed the rights to the patent he held, thus allowing his flexible wing airfoil to be used royalty free.^[76][77] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2379x2274, 338 KB) Summary Photographed by and copyright of (c) David Corby (User:Miskatonic, uploader) 2006 Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Hang gliding User:Miskatonic ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2379x2274, 338 KB) Summary Photographed by and copyright of (c) David Corby (User:Miskatonic, uploader) 2006 Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Hang gliding User:Miskatonic ... The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) was an test vehicle based upon the kite-parachute studies by NACA Langley engineer Francis M. Rogallo. ... Fleep Dust (or other particles), which cannot be swept up by a dustpan and brush. ... For the kite, see foil kite. ...

It is certain that many people from many countries, made contributions to the development of the modern flexible wing hang glider, and in the aviation context of 'first flights' and recreational vs. commercial developments it must be noted that new and old inventions often complement in synergy, and it is in this evolutionary and social context that the crucial developments put together by Francis Rogallo, Dr. George A. Spratt, Charles Richards, Barry Palmer, Richard Miller, Mike Burns, John Dickenson, Bill Moyes, Bill Bennett, Dave Cronk, and Roy Haggard were the ones that were most successful and influential on the evolution of the modern flexible wing hang glider. Synergy (from the Greek synergos, συνεργός meaning working together, circa 1660) refers to the phenomenon in which two or more discrete influences or agents acting together create an effect greater than that predicted by knowing only the separate effects of the individual agents. ... In the 1960s and 1970s, Francis Rogallo at NASA, designed the Rogallo wing, which found its greatest success in hang gliders and kites. ...

Timeline

Otto Lilienthal. First documented controlled flights. Germany, 1891.

Willi Pelzner ready to launch. Wasserkupee, Germany, 1920.

Rodderberg prepares his hang glider for takeoff. Germany, 1922.

Hans Richter. Germany, 1923.

Biplane hang glider under tow. Philadelphia, USA, 1920s.

Dr. George A. Spratt towed his hang glider on floats using a motorboat. USA, 1929. [97][98].

Dr. George A. Spratt. USA, 1929.

Volmer Jensen's hang glider, c. 1940s. [99][100]

• 1804. Sir George Cayley built several gliders, distinguished between lift and drag, formulated the concepts of vertical tail surfaces, steering rudders and rear elevators.

• 1891. First controlled flights, Germany. Otto Lilienthal. His gliders have many features in common with modern hang gliders; They may have been foot-launched and controlled by displacing the center of gravity, referred to as 'weight-shift'.

• 1891- 1896. First soaring flights. Germany, near Berlin at Gross Lichterfelde. Otto Lilienthal.

• 1904, February 15th. Jan Lavezzari flew a double lateen sail hang glider off Berck beach, France.

• 1908. George A. Spratt (M.D.) demonstrated the use of the triangular contol frame for hang glider pendulum weight-shift control. [102]. Later in the 1930s he invented the Control Wing aircraft.

• 1920. Soaring becomes organized sport at Wasserkuppe, Germany as the World War I Versailles treaty outlaws flying powered aircraft in Germany.

• 1921. Dr. Wolfgang Klemperer breaks the Wright Brothers 1911 soaring record with a 13 minute flight in Germany. Both flights used ridge lift.

• 1921. Gottlob Espenlaub demonstrates triangle control frame (TCF) for hang gliders in Rhon, Germany.

• 1923. Platz Glider. Not foot-launchable by the pilot alone. Controlled by the pilot directly deforming the front canard wings. In this sense it is not a weight-shift hang glider but it was simple enough to be folded into a single length to be carried by Platz while riding a bicycle.^[78]

• 1928. Austrian Robert Kronfeld proved that thermal lift could be used by a sailplane to gain altitude by making a short out and return flight.

• 1929. Aero towing becomes popular, the three forms of lift are becoming well known.

• 1933. Wave lift was discovered by Wolf Hirth and one of his students in Germany.

• 1948. Francis Rogallo invents the flexible wing (Rogallo wing).^[79]

• 1956. Aeronautical engineer Paul MacCready invents the MacCready Speed Ring, used by glider pilots the world over to select optimum flight speed.

• 1957, October. Francis Rogallo released the flexible wing patent to the USA government and NASA, producing the Parawing, to be used as a deployable space capsule parachute/glider.

• 1960. Paresev (a.k.a: Parawing Research Vehicle, Paraglider Research Vehicle.) This experimental spacecraft re-entry kite/glider made use of the Rogallo wing; Design and manufacture by NASA at Dryden Flight Research Center, flight tests made in early 1962 and became quickly the template for modern delta-winged Rogallo hang gliders.

• 1961. Fleep. Flexible wing aircraft design & manufacture begins.

• 1961-1962. First documented foot-launch with a Rogallo flex wing hang glider: Barry Hill Palmer, California, USA. Hang glider inspired from a photo of NASA's Fleep.^{[80] [81][82][83]}

• 1961. Engineer Thomas Purcell builds a 16 ft (4.9 m) wide Rogallo wing glider with an aluminum frame, wheels, a seat and basic control rods.^[84]

• 1962. Ryan Aeronautical Company publicize images of the Fleep flexible wing aircraft.

• 1962. Mike Burns and Dick Swinbourne from Aerostructures, Sydney, Australia, design the Skiplane glider based on the Rogallo wing. It used weight-shift control and floats.

• 1963. John Dickenson, Australia. Making of the Ski Wing, an influential control system to flexible wing hang gliders. Designed a foldable airframe encompassing a control frame and used a weight-shift control.^[85][86]

• 1963, September. First flight of the Ski Wing, towed behind a motor boat. The kite/glider was piloted by Rod Fuller and then John Dickenson. Australia, NSW, Grafton. ^[87]

• 1963. First release and land of a Ski Wing. Grafton, Australia. Pilot: John Dickenson.

• 1960s England. Tony Prentice designed and flew several non-Rogallo hang gliders.^[88]

• 1966. Mike Burns and Dick Swinbourne (Aerostructures) begin commercial production of the Dickenson Wing, built to aircraft standards. Wing is designated the Mark V model.

• 1966. Early Rogallo flex wing hang glider, Vista Del Mar. California, USA by Richard Miller. His gliders, based on Barry Palmer's hang glider, were named Batso and Bamboo Butterfly. Their photos and plans were published in a few magazines during the '60s. (See the Popularity section.)

• 1966. Irvin Industries start marketing a commercial version of the Rogallo Wing to sport parachuting enthusiasts.^[89]

• 1967, March. Bill Moyes and Bill Bennett taught to fly the Dickenson Wing by Mike Burns and John Dickenson.

• 1967. First foot-launch of a Dickenson wing without auxiliary power (no towing). Launched from a snowed mountain with snow skis.- Bill Moyes. Australia, NSW, Mt Crackenback.^[90] Hang Glider: Mark V Dickenson Wing purchased from Aerostructures.

• 1969. Initial tether into headwind then released onto ridge to soar (32 minutes). Bill Moyes. Australia, NSW, Sydney, La Perouse. ^[91]

• 1969. Tony Prentice. First Rogallo flex wing foot-launch in the United Kingdom.

• 1971, September. Foot-launch and soar in ridge and thermal (1 hour). Dave Kilbourne. USA, California, Fremont, Mission Peak. This would seem to be the first foot launch of a Dickenson Wing not using skis.

• 1971 Alfio Caronti, first flexible wing launched in Italy.^[92]

• 1972 Rick Poynter and Murray Sargeson introduce hang gliding to New Zealand at the 'Fly a Kite Day' in Auckland. The New Zealand Hang Gliding Association is formed as a result of this.

• 1973 Rock Poynter starts Pacific Sails in Auckland, New Zealand, manufacturing U.S. and Australian Hang Glider designs under license (Seagull III, Stinger), and developing competitive indigenous designs (Falcon, Lancer I, II, IV).

• 1974. Caril Ridley conducted high altitude flights soaring from a Maharaja's lookout tower near Sonar Hot Springs, India. The event got world wide coverage.

• 1976. Rudy Kishazy performs the first loop and series of loops. Location: Grands Montets, France.^[93]

• 1977. Jerry Katz first to soar 100 miles.

• 1978. Terry DeLore (NZ) is crowned first World Hang Gliding Champion.

Otto Lilienthal Otto Lilienthal (23 May 1848 – 10 August 1896), the German Glider King, was a pioneer of human aviation. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... 1804 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Otto Lilienthal Otto Lilienthal (23 May 1848 – 10 August 1896), the German Glider King, was a pioneer of human aviation. ... Hang gliding is one of the windsports. ... Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar). ... Otto Lilienthal Otto Lilienthal (23 May 1848 – 10 August 1896), the German Glider King, was a pioneer of human aviation. ... 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... Jan Lavezzari testing his double sail glider. ... Year 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... Ridge lift (or slope lift) is created when a prevailing wind strikes a geologic obstacle that is large and steep enough to deflect the wind upward. ... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... In the 1960s and 1970s, Francis Rogallo at NASA, designed the Rogallo wing, which found its greatest success in hang gliders and kites. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... A car from 1956 Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... In the 1960s and 1970s, Francis Rogallo at NASA, designed the Rogallo wing, which found its greatest success in hang gliders and kites. ... For other uses, see NASA (disambiguation). ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) was an test vehicle based upon the kite-parachute studies by NACA Langley engineer Francis M. Rogallo. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... Dryden Flight Research Centers fleet of aircraft in 1993. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The V-8 designation was re-used by the U.S.Military to refer to the AV-8 Harrier. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... The V-8 designation was re-used by the U.S.Military to refer to the AV-8 Harrier. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Ryan Aeronautical Company was founded by T. Claude Ryan in San Diego, California, USA in 1934. ... The V-8 designation was re-used by the U.S.Military to refer to the AV-8 Harrier. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... For other uses, see 1963 (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see 1963 (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see 1963 (disambiguation). ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... Skydiver redirects here. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1969 (number) 1969 (movie) 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... Also: 1969 (number) 1969 (movie) 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar, known as the year of cyclohexanol. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar, known as the year of cyclohexanol. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ...

Production Era

A basic but modern flexible wing glider flying over the Alps, 2006.

High performance flexible wing hang glider. 2006

The following generations follow the classification from the British Hang Gliding Museum's Hang Gliding History: Development in Britain of the Flexwing hang glider. [103] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (980 × 653 pixel, file size: 120 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Hang glider flying in the alps. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (980 × 653 pixel, file size: 120 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Hang glider flying in the alps. ...

• 1971 - 1975. First Generation - Interest in the sport grew worldwide; Development of hang gliders on a commercial scale.

• 1974 - 1976. Second Generation - Increased nose angle, deflexors.

• 1977 - 1979. Third Generation - Multiple deflexors.

• 1978 - 1980. Fourth Generation- Enclosed keel and tip rods.
• 1978. The Atlas (La Mouette) entered the market. It resembled Icarus V but had a flexible wing and no rudders. The pilot also flew in a prone position. The Atlas had all of the safety elements that can still be found today.

• 1980 - 1997. Fifth Generation - Preformed battens. Floating cross bar. Cross bar enclosed in double surface. Hang glider performance then increased rapidly. The first truly successful "double surface" hang gliders were Tom Peghiny's Kestrel and later the UP "Comet" designed by Roy Haggard (1980). Virtually all hang gliders over the next decade were refinements of the Comet. The first fifth generation hang gliders to dispense with a raised keel pocket were the Wills Wing "HP" in the USA and Enterprise Wings "Foil" in Australia (1984). Bob Trampenau of Seedwings introduced the VG (variable geometry), which was copied on most other hang gliders.

• 1997 - Present. Sixth Generation - Topless. While kingpost-less gliders had been experimented with in the past using struts or cantilever nose plates, in the late 1990s the use of strong carbon fiber crossbars allowed the kingpost on top of the wing to be more conveniently removed to further increase performance by reducing drag.

Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar, known as the year of cyclohexanol. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... The Kiceniuk Icarus V was the fifth designed and third built in a series of hang gliders designed by Taras Kiceniuk, Jr. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Carbon fiber composite is a strong, light and very expensive material. ...

See also

• Hang gliding
• Paragliding
• Glider
• Rogallo wing
• Aviation history
• Timeline of aviation
• First flying machine
• Powered hang glider
• A-frame for hang gliders, trikes, and ultralights
• The Oz Report - Worldwide Hang Gliding eZine and blog
• http://www.twitt.org/adpage.htm
• Horten flying wing, beginning of high-performance modern hang gliders.
• The Wing Is The Thing (TWITT)
• Flying Wing. See modern hang gliders from 1954 with flying wing and pilot-in-wing.
• Nurflugel

Hang gliding is one of the windsports. ... Paragliding is a recreational and competitive flying sport. ... For other uses, see Glider (disambiguation). ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... Leonardo da Vincis Ornithopter body. ... This is a timeline of aviation history. ... There are conflicting views as to what was the first flying machine. ... Foot-Launched Powered Hang Glider. ...

References

Lynn Townsend White, Jr. ... Saudi Aramco World is a bi-motnhly magazine published by Saudi Aramco, the national oil company of Saudi Arabia. ... Alexander Lippisch earned his PhD in 1943 at the University of Heidelberg. ... Staged combustion rocket cycle. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... John Leonard Jack Swigert, Jr. ... Original crew photo. ... The V-8 designation was re-used by the U.S.Military to refer to the AV-8 Harrier. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Rogallo flexible wing is a self-inflating system that was tested for the Gemini space capsule recovery. ... For other uses, see NASA (disambiguation). ... The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) was an test vehicle based upon the kite-parachute studies by NACA Langley engineer Francis M. Rogallo. ... The adolescent Internet. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Web and News

1. Rogallos of old. The Oz Report, Volume 6, Number 218 8 PM Monday, October 22nd, 2002. Retrieved on 2006-10-24. Picture of Lavezzari Glider.
2. The Flying Prentice's. Homepage Stephan Nitsch > Links > Tony Prentice > Pictures. Retrieved on 2006-01-01.
3. Patent of Rogallos Flexible Kite (1948). Retrieved on 2005-12-27.
4. Dick Cheney, Aircraft Designer/Builder. Published in October 1993 HANG GLIDING Magazine by John Heiney (1993). Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
5. Hang Gliding and the Ultralight Trike. Barry Palmer's Web Site. Retrieved on 2006-10-17.
6. Chanute glider of 1896. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved on 2007-12-15.
7. "Grafton's Ski Wing", The Daily Examiner, 1963-10-21. 
8. George, Negus. "Hang Gliders", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2004-10-25 18:30. 
9. Video of Francis Rogallo, John Dickenson, and Bill Moyes together. ? (?). Retrieved on 2006-10-28. 88 MB.
10. Paresev (Parawing Research Vehicle). NASA Dryden Photo Collections. Retrieved on 2005-12-27.
11. Hang Gliding History: Development in Britain of the Flexwing hang glider. British Hang Gliding Museum. Retrieved on 2005-12-26.

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (362nd in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 83rd day of the year (84th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 290th day of the year (291st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1963 (disambiguation). ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (362nd in leap years). ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 360th day of the year (361st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Print

• Lilienthal, Otto (1891), "Über meine diesjährigen Flugversuche (English translation)", Zeitschrift für Luftschiffahrt (no. 12): 286-291, <http://www.lilienthal-museum.de/olma/el2026.htm>. Retrieved on 2005-12-27.
• Lilienthal, Otto (1895), "Fliegesport und Fliegepraxis", Prometheus, Illustrirte Wochenschrift über die Fortschritte in Gewerbe, Industrie und Wissenschaft 7 (322), <http://www.lilienthal-museum.de/olma/el2058.htm>. Retrieved on 2005-12-27 (no. 322. vol. VII, 4. XII)
• Markowski (1977), The Hang Glider's Bible, <http://olivercowdery.com/texts/1851Trn1.htm#turn1851>
• HGPAMag (2005), "April 2005 Issue", Hang Gliding and Paragliding Magazine (USHGPA).

Otto Lilienthal Otto Lilienthal (23 May 1848 – 10 August 1896), the German Glider King, was a pioneer of human aviation. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (362nd in leap years). ... Otto Lilienthal Otto Lilienthal (23 May 1848 – 10 August 1896), the German Glider King, was a pioneer of human aviation. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (362nd in leap years). ...

Articles

• Mark Woodhams (2004-05). Who invented the flex wing hang glider?. Newsletter of the British Columbia Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Volume 2 Issue 2. Retrieved on 2006-10-24.

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Books

• Martin Hunt and David Hunn, Contribution by Dan Poynter. (1977), Hang Gliding.
• Stéphane Malbos and Noel Whittall (2005), And the World Could Fly, FAI Hang Gliding and Paragliding Commission (CIVL), <http://www.fai.org/hang_gliding/And_The_World_Could_Fly>

Video

• Video of Francis Rogallo, John Dickenson, and Bill Moyes interviewed together. Retrieved on 2006-10-28. 88 MB.