Start . . . .
By Matt Saucier
Outline:
• • • • • • History Flight Comparison Hang-Glider Materials How it Flies Construction FAQ’s
History
• Otto Lilienthal
• Inventor of first Hang-Glider • First man to produce sustained and replicable flights in 1881 • Photographs of his flights were famous worldwide
History….. (cont.)
• Lilienthal provided the push needed to get airplane designers serious • The first of his gliders were tailless • They were really no more than a pair of wings strapped to his arms • He designed eighteen more gliders over the next 5 years. • Fifteen of them were monoplanes • The other three were biplanes
History…. (cont.)
• He got serious and built a conical hill in his back yard to test the gliders • All his gliders were by controlled the pilot shifting their weight • He built a few for individual sale • The rest of his gliders are now in museums such as the Smithsonian • Lilienthal died due to injuries in a Hanggliding accident in 1896.
History….
How we got from there…to Here
• First rebirth in Germany after WW I (due to the treaty of Versailles, “no powered aircraft)
• Then in the 1960’s was the second rebirth with the invention of the Rogallo wing. ( see construction) -This made it possible for everyone to to have one, by making it simpler and inexpensive.
Comparison Flight
Then
• Few minutes flight of time • Only a few 100 ft • Had to be launched by running down a hill • Very heavy materials
Now
• Hours of flight time • Over a hundred miles • Launched by hill, any precipice, towed by truck, boat, car • Very sturdy light weight materials
Hang-Glider Materials
Ribbing
Frame
• Seamless cold drawn Aluminum alloy, HT30tf to T351471
- corrosion resistant in
damp marine env. • 7075 T6 aircraft aluminum
Hang-Glider Materials…(cont.)
Center Lever Spars
• Made in three parts:
Conical, Inner, and Outer Center Lever
• Made out of carbon fibers, and high strength resin
Hang-Glider Materials…(cont.)
Sails
• • • • Made of Mylar Made of Dacron Made of Nylon Coated with polyester Sails
Hang-Glider Materials…(cont.)
Misc.. Parts
• Stainless steel nuts and bolts • Nylon Cord • Plastic pulleys • Injection molded parts (corner sections)
How it Flies
• Hang-Gliders work on a very simple principle, Bernoulli's Principle • Bernoulli's Principle states whenever there is a moving fluid it creates an area of low pressure • Air is a fluid (See next page)
How it Flies… (cont.)
Air flow Low Pressure
Wing
How it Flies… (cont.)
Air flow
Low Pressure
High pressure
Lift
How it Flies… (cont.)
• Flight path controlled by the pilot shifting his or her weight to either side of the glider. • Lean/ pull left and the Glider will turn left
• Lean/ pull right and the Glider will turn right
Construction
Wing/ Sails
• Constructed out of
Mylar, Dacron Sheeting
Internal wing
• Designed like an airplane wing
• Has internal Velcro ribbing
External sail
Construction…(cont.)
Regallo Spar and frame
• Triple layer Carbon fiber • High strength Aluminum • High strength resin
Aluminum frame Steering bar
Regallo Spar
FAQ's
1) how do you steer? - the pilot steers by shifting their body weight 2) How high/ far can a Hang-Glider go? -on average a good pilot can fly 100 miles at anywhere from 5 to 10,000 ft 3) How long do flights last? - any where from a few minutes to a few hours, its up to the pilot and conditions
FAQ's…(cont.)
4) What if the wind stops? - a glider does not depend on “relative wind” it only depends on the air movement over the wings for lift 5) Do you need a license? - No and yes, hang gliders come with an FAA book that says you do not need a license. Although the FAA does have a pilot rank system for skill which you do need to fly at some parks.
FAQ's…(cont.)
6) Is it physically demanding? - Any one can fly one if you can jog while balancing 50-70 lbs. on your shoulders - Once flying strength is not demanding, the pilot is strapped in, all you need is to pull a little with your arms. 7) How much does it cost? - To go through the whole process of going to a school and then getting the equipment, anywhere from 1 to 6 thousand dollars
FAQ's…(cont.)
Price List
• • • • • Training through novice level $400 - $1000 Training Glider 400-1500 (used) 2000-3000 (new) Harness $50- $300 (used) $150- $600 (new) Parachute $200- $300 (used) $350- $400 (new) Helmet $80- $300 (new)
Hang-glider Specifications
Average
Sail Area Sq.. Ft Certified pilot weight 170 Sq.. Ft 130- 225 lbs.
Wing span
No. Battens
31 Ft
16
Overall Length 19 Ft
Breakdown Length
Weight 54 lbs.
12 Ft
Summary:
• History • Flight comparison • Materials used
• How it Flies
• Construction
• FAQ’s