AIRTHUG wrote:What hang gliding needs now more than ever! Ive been brainstorming this idea for the last year. What is the Achilles heel of a hang glider? Falling into the keel, collapsing the glider.
I have to respectfully disagree. Falling into the keel and breaking the glider is not a design flaw in the aircraft that is need need of solution. It actually happens VERY rarely. But besides that, it's not something that just happens to people. If I could use the word always, I'd say it's always from failed aerobatics. If there were any exception to that, it would be flying in turbulent conditions that exceed the stability of our aircraft...
Both of these things are STUPIDLY-SIMPLE to solve, via avoidance. Speaking from very personal experience, it is extremely reasonable and possible to "train your tricks" and work up to looping, so that by the time the pilot is performing loops there is a very, very high expectation of success. Like near-certainty. No gambling allowed.
Now... if you could solve the HUMAN condition, which is to seek adventure, always wanting more... but at the same time to not be willing to put the time and work in to build (and follow) a multi-year progression and training regime. Essentially, ACCEPTING risk taking rather than exercising the much harder practice of risk MITIGATION.
So- again I'm very sorry- but I don't think people falling into and breaking their gliders is a design flaw in the gliders, it's the effect side of a cause/effect relationship... that follows the real problem... people trying things they aren't ready for, don't fully understand or possess the skill for, and basically accepting the uncertainty in how their "attempt" will turn out... maybe even being SURPRISED when it *does* work out?! (so they do it again, and again?! LOL!)
Cheers,
RV
sorry, I'm reposting this twice. Don't pm me to b---- about my thread. This guy is case number 1: I start a thread titled innovation just taking a stab at an idea I've had that someone could make better regarding tumble protection. He decides to pm me his problems instead of include them in the forum constructively. He starts off with an apologetic tone and subject (clever title *eye roll*) in NO vation, then gets into his groove of "this is teaching poor piloting" not, hey bikes have training wheels, motocross have foam pits, this could save lives!!! Wake up, this is part of innovation and learning. I'm duplicating this for one reason. To show the arrogant elitist attitude that some jerkoffs portray.. Seriously, f--- this guy. Especially the insincere very sorry, aura like he is teaching me how hang gliders work as if I'm 10. His argument is generic bullshit. To say that a collapse is always caused by a loop failure is nonsense. More times than not, the pilot had no intention to perform aerobatics. Yeah they made a mistake, clearly, but does that mean that they don't deserve the best chance to try it again? I'm trying to grow the sport by helping make it accessible. If a mistake is made, maybe the glider will self correct and save a life. Not just Darwin splatter the guy that gets tangled in his parachute. Lastly, take a long look in the mirror air thug. You are the problem, you passive aggressive, arrogant moose knuckle. Sorry but there's a couple club pilots that this sounds like and I need to vent. Cheers ;)