This is How We Float
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- I'm as guilty as anyone; We get caught up in trying to get higher, go farther, and faster. We're scrutinizing over reducing drag, and increasing glide performance. Perpetually studying where to find and how to maximize lifting air.
And all of that is fun. Damn fun! But it's not all there is to flying, and that path can take us farther and deeper down the rabbit hole, distancing us ever more from hang gliding's roots.
This special day, flying the South Side of Point of the Mountain in Utah, was without doubt some of the MOST FUN I HAVE EVER HAD in a hang glider. And, if you don't know me, let me just say... I have had a lot of fun in hang gliders! ;-)
I hope you enjoy the video: This is How We Float!
Pilot: Ryan Voight
Glider: Wills Wing Falcon 4, 195 sq. ft.
Harness: Wills Wing Flylite 3
Site: Point of the Mountain South Side Flight Park (Lehi, Utah)
Went the performance route after hang gliding. Sailplanes, power, etc. Not flying anymore. It's funny, when driving past a field even now I'm immediately looking at landing options based on wind/terrain/obstructions. My wife who drove for me and friends all those years, chasing us on Ham radio (yes, she did just that, thru BS backroads and restrictions I can't imagine) asking what I'm looking at. I play kinda dumb, but she knows EXACTLY what I'm looking at. To me the most fun was simply soaring with a low enough wing loading to make it work. Thanks for the video!
It is so amazing that your Falcon 4 has better performance than ANY hang glider from 1983. I want a Falcon 4 or a moyes Malibu 2!!!
Just goes to show that you don't need to b e launching off a big mountain and catching a thermal to cloud base to have a blast hang gliding. What fun!
Man, what a sweet film. Great job Ryan. Did you ever fly with one winglet to see if there was a difference?
Thank you so much! I have not flown with only one, but I know a couple people who have and there were mixed reports. Some said there was no noticeable difference, but some said the glider had a slight turn TOWARD the tip with the winglet installed. Can't argue with that data, but interpreting isn't simple: If the wing with the winglet made more lift the glider would turn away from that side... but that's not really what winglets do (make lift)... they are primarily meant to reduce drag. In hang gliders yaw and roll have an inverse relationship due to slight dihedral in the designs, which allows us to turn with weight shift- so if the winglet side had less drag the glider would yaw AWAY from the winglet, inducing roll TOWARD the winglet side. Complicated stuff, but most people agree they look cool at least (and help with being visible to other pilots).
Hey Ryan I'm curious if you have tried your Falcon with only one winglet on? I've always wanted to try this with my winglets on my Fusion but was afraid of a turn causing landing issues.....but on a Falcon it should be more manageable and should really show if it's more or less efficient with the winglets depending on the roll/yaw that it creates. What do you think? Thanks for the awesome video too. I'm about to buy a Falcon and was already wondering if my winglets could be added :-)
Nice.
Pretty good for such a non-elite pilot!
What were the conditions that day? Awesome video!
Robin Jakobsson South wind, maybe 16 or 18 mph, pretty constant with very little gust differential or variation in direction.
who's making a winglet for the falcon, or did you adapt something? Looks like the winglet I had for my Airwave Klassic..
They are the old Wills Wing winglets, like from the XC and Fusion
timeframe... they more or less fit on my Falcon 4 (after I added some
velcro in the sail)
thanks..
................................. 👍🔦🎓🌷💨
What are the winglet deals all about?
www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/how-things-work-winglets-2468375/?no-ist