Flying High On Ecological Aircraft

The following article examines the new sport/art of hang gliding. The sport has caught on quickly in Michigan, because of the dunes and ridges along Michigan's west coast, and the low cost once a glider is built. Over the summer, several small stores have opened in A2 to teach people about hang gliding. This piece was written by John Volk, one of the co-owners of Eco-Flight systems, the first such store in Ann Arbor. 

As long as the birds have flown and people have watched them do it, some of us have dreamed of soaring through the air in the same seemingly way and natural manner. Not enclosed in some ponderous metal machine, stuffed with bulkheads and switches and dials and electronic gear, shoved away from the earth by raucous internal combustion engines or screaming jet power plants. Not at all.

What we are talking about is flying...lifting yourself up on fine, light, feathery wings...skimming across the air's invisible currents...wheeling and hanging motionless like some human hawk. Sweet, pure, natural flight...buoyed up sky the energy of your own muscles, the atmosphere and the sun. Eco-flight, if you will...a whole mind/body/spirit trip-Lifestyles Magazines #3.

Ironically, an offshoot from our super technical society brought about the sport/art called hang gliding. About four years ago, a few creative people were experimenting with a person-carrying Rogallo wing glider on the dunes of California. The Rogallo was developed by NASA as a device for space capsule reentry at the cost of millions of dollars. The inventor lacked any premonition about its use an ultralight foot-launched glider, and lost out on more than $300 from patent rights. As luck had it, the design found its way into the hands of some home builders, designers and flyers, and hang gliding was born.

What is a hang glider? It's an aircraft launched by the pilot running, usually off a slope or cliff, into the breeze. These aircrafts do not contain engines, but can remain aloft for considerable periods of time by staying in updrafts of air (like many soaring birds). Most of these gliders are Rogallo wings or modifications of the same. Others are monoplanes, biplanes, or flying wings. The Rogallo wings are controlled by the pilot (suspended by seat or harness) shifting his-her weight from 30-100 pounds. Most can easily be transported on a car top carrier, and are hand carried up the slope to initiate a launch. Believe it or not, backpacking versions are even being developed. Although a good deal of proficiency must be obtained to fly these gliders safely, they require no unusual amount of physical strength or athletic ability, and virtually anyone with the desire can build and fly and hang glider.

Compared to other types of aircraft activity, the cost is astronomically low. In the earlier days of hang gliding, crafts were built for as low as $20. These were made of bamboo, bailing wire and polyethylene, and were used primarily for "ground skimming"-flying close to the ground.

(On one occasion, I saw a bamboo glider fall apart in the air.) Now that gliding is reaching its high potentials, this type is rarely seen, for flights of many hours at many thousands of feet of altitude are becoming more prevalent as pilot skills improve.

An aircraft quality hang glider can be built for $200-$300, depending on scrounging ability and tool availability. Commercial Rogallo wing kits run from $300-$500, and complete ready to fly gliders $400-$700. These are made primarily of aluminum tubing, aircraft hardware, and are covered by sails made of dacron or nylon. Do some research before buying a kit or glider, for profit margin varies as much as quality at the present time. The more sophisticated gliders are considerably more expensive, harder to build and not recommended for the novice pilot.

What is the use of hang gliding? Like many of the arts/sports we can't find many practical applications. Although cross-country flights are being made, the bicycle seems a bit more practical as a device for nonpolluting transportation. To me, hang gliding and other forms of eco flight-person-powered flight-are a means of experiencing a new medium, air. Through sensitizing the body to air and its movements, one develops an environmental consciousness, for unlike other aircraft, the body and wing are truly integrated. As the sailor, the hang glider pilot develops a deep respect for the wind and air currents. On some gusty days hang gliders can be easily thrown out of control and to the mercy of the wind. On other days, steady wind will enable graceful and often soaring flight.

The hang glider pilot must recognize these and an infinite variety of other meteorological conditions which can only be achieved by experience and environmental consciousness. This type of activity often brings about a deeper respect and understanding of the natural process of the weather.

Another fascinating aspect related to the area of design. Low speed aerodynamics and been completely overlooked by the super technological scientific community. There is much to be learned and it is quite feasible that a creative individual or group could develop very interesting and/or radically designed hang gliders or person-powered aircraft at minimal cost. 

Hang gliding can be quite safe if good judgment is used in all aspects. Serious injury and death have resulted from hang glider activity. Be wise in pursuing this sport/art. On the lighter side, Michigan's west coast harbor's hundreds of miles of excellent hang glider sites, including some of the finest ridge soaring spots in the country.

-John Volk