Early examples of hang gliders

• I was looking for some trailer dimensions for one of my Microlights when I stumbled on some early examples of hang gliders made from simple aluminium tubing and polyethylene sheeting and drafting tape!

 

• Wikipedia “Author: Barry Palmer (1961) This is possibly the predecessor of the earliest example of a modern hang glider. It is one of 7 or 8 gliders built by engineer Barry Palmer. The first, which was built of salvaged aluminium tubing, polyethylene sheeting and drafting tape, had an out of pocket expense of $10.89. The spars and keel were 22 feet in length, so launches of the 40 lb aircraft could be accomplished easily even in no wind. Flights got up to 600 feet in length and as high as 80 feet. The last of the series flew in the summer of 1962, and had a swinging seat, which expanded the flying capability and control well beyond the "true hang" armpit supports. The triangle control frame begun in 1891 for hang gliders,at least, was incorporated in at least one of the photographed hang gliders by Barry Hill Palmer”

Model citation jet

• Nicely flown model plane. Considering the wind, that was a cool bit of flying. Mind you, a little bit of wind will make it that bit more stable on landing providing there is not too much low level turbulence

AA - pilots busy using their laptops!

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• Apparently the American Airlines pilots who over flew their intended destination were busy on their laptops!
• Well when I’m flying, my hands are firmly on the controls and my mind is fully on the job in hand

Fly-by – now that’s low

• This guy was risking the biscuit somewhat! The camera man flinched, for sure. The noise of a jet low-level can just about shake your brains out, having seen a Phantom do a low pass over 14 squadron, RAF Brüggen myself, I can vouch for that experience! Then again standing under a Vulcan with four Olympus engines roaring at max dry-heat (no after-burner) is louder, so loud in fact your fillings will probably fall out. I lost partial hearing in one ear due to that experience, even with a headset on

 

• Look carefully and you’ll see the aircraft has it’s airbrake extended (under the belly)