- Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:43 pm
#361301
So I was in Beppu Japan about 10 years ago and there was a beautiful hanglider launch ramp (really well built and somewhat radial as I recall) on the mountain behind the city. Mount Tsurumi was the site of the 1981 FAI World Hangliding Championships and there is a tramway to the top with lots of nice facilities up there (and a killer view) at 4,500 feet. The next time I visited the ramp was ripped out and I heard from a local that hangliding was banned due to an accident. Well I was just there a few weeks ago and there was paragliders boating around up there. Just as they have an agreement with Crystal Mountain in WA state (that doesn't include us) I think when it comes to ropeways trams ect resorts and the like will find it easier to accommodate paraglider pilots for obvious reasons. I know there have been a few threads on a "hikeable" designs that haven't changed since the early 80's (Finsterwalder) and a possible (?) hikeable ATOS in the works. I also know that this is more of an issue for Europeans and people who live with smaller apartments and houses (Japan) and use public transport more often.
I'll add that speaking for myself I would pay 6 or $7,000 for a truly hikeable HG, one that sets up in less than 20 minutes and weighs 40-50 pounds. With carbon fiber and other advances there should be a way, and globally at least a market for them too.
I stumbled into this patent that appears to be from the early 90's, but it's hard to make sense of. The PDF has pictures. I cant post a link but just search Sumobrain foldable hanglider. Any thoughts? (sorry for the rambling)
I'll add that speaking for myself I would pay 6 or $7,000 for a truly hikeable HG, one that sets up in less than 20 minutes and weighs 40-50 pounds. With carbon fiber and other advances there should be a way, and globally at least a market for them too.
I stumbled into this patent that appears to be from the early 90's, but it's hard to make sense of. The PDF has pictures. I cant post a link but just search Sumobrain foldable hanglider. Any thoughts? (sorry for the rambling)