- Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:34 pm
#406116
Thanks, that's interesting information. I probably never saw these designs since I quit flying hang gliders in 1979 but I have always read the HG magazine "religiously" over all the years since then.
It would be good to know what he was working on when he died. One of the reasons that I'm describing my design thoughts here as a open source project is so that all is known and could be picked up by someone if I kick the bucket (I'm almost 84 so it has to be considered). I've said before that I have zero interest in making any money from this, if I manage to build one it will be the only one and anybody is welcome to pick up the ball and run with it ( I would like credit for any ideas of mine used).
< Its main drawback was a lack of glide at speed and a low top speed, but these wouldn't be factors in the glider you're envisioning.>
My HGBT design will also have both of those drawbacks. Nobody would ever set a cross country record with my basic trainer.
Red's suggestion of the name "Puffin" for this glider I like and I'm now referring to it as the Puffin.
BTW - Something I should have mentioned in my recap of the thoughts behind this is, that all through aviation history people have begun training in low aspect ratio, larger wing area (light loading), craft. There is a reason, those usually make for a docil, easy to fly, slower more forgiving aircraft. Exactly why the Puffin is low aspect ratio with large area.
Frank
It would be good to know what he was working on when he died. One of the reasons that I'm describing my design thoughts here as a open source project is so that all is known and could be picked up by someone if I kick the bucket (I'm almost 84 so it has to be considered). I've said before that I have zero interest in making any money from this, if I manage to build one it will be the only one and anybody is welcome to pick up the ball and run with it ( I would like credit for any ideas of mine used).
< Its main drawback was a lack of glide at speed and a low top speed, but these wouldn't be factors in the glider you're envisioning.>
My HGBT design will also have both of those drawbacks. Nobody would ever set a cross country record with my basic trainer.
Red's suggestion of the name "Puffin" for this glider I like and I'm now referring to it as the Puffin.
BTW - Something I should have mentioned in my recap of the thoughts behind this is, that all through aviation history people have begun training in low aspect ratio, larger wing area (light loading), craft. There is a reason, those usually make for a docil, easy to fly, slower more forgiving aircraft. Exactly why the Puffin is low aspect ratio with large area.
Frank
FRANK COLVER, Peninsula Hang glider club #7, SCHGA #7, USHGA #7, USHPA #7
Colver Skysail (ridged wing)
Colver Soaring Instruments variometer ("Colver vario")
Eipperformance FlexiFloater 19 (standard Rogallo)
Wills Wing Swallowtail
Wills Wing SST
Wills Wing Alpha 210
Wills Wing Condor 225
Wills Wing Condor 330
Wills Wing Alpha 235
Colver Skysail (ridged wing)
Colver Soaring Instruments variometer ("Colver vario")
Eipperformance FlexiFloater 19 (standard Rogallo)
Wills Wing Swallowtail
Wills Wing SST
Wills Wing Alpha 210
Wills Wing Condor 225
Wills Wing Condor 330
Wills Wing Alpha 235