KA5PIU
01-29-2011, 04:08 AM
Hello.
As you are aware, I am impressed by gliders and ultra light aircraft.
But actual human powered flight is the sizzle.
Think of it as a bicycle that can fly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossamer_Albatross
But I like to fly a glider that follows more of the rules provided by birds.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Lilienthal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hang_gliding
What I do is very much a "cheat" in that I use the "thermals" provided by larger cooling towers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooling_tower
The design I have is pretty much peaked for low speed operation.
Absolute maximum speed is around 60 MPH but 15 is more normal.
I have gone to 1 mile with a tow line. :yes:
My maximum range so far, unpowered, is around 300 miles, depending on how high a launch I have, powered launch.
At a simple foot launch I can easily hit 60 to 70 feet provided the wind is just right.
I can stay in the air up to the endurance of my body, 11, 12 hours?
So, the question now is, who else is doing this?
I do not mean simply flying a glider, but anything along the lines of this?
As you are aware, I am impressed by gliders and ultra light aircraft.
But actual human powered flight is the sizzle.
Think of it as a bicycle that can fly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossamer_Albatross
But I like to fly a glider that follows more of the rules provided by birds.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Lilienthal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hang_gliding
What I do is very much a "cheat" in that I use the "thermals" provided by larger cooling towers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooling_tower
The design I have is pretty much peaked for low speed operation.
Absolute maximum speed is around 60 MPH but 15 is more normal.
I have gone to 1 mile with a tow line. :yes:
My maximum range so far, unpowered, is around 300 miles, depending on how high a launch I have, powered launch.
At a simple foot launch I can easily hit 60 to 70 feet provided the wind is just right.
I can stay in the air up to the endurance of my body, 11, 12 hours?
So, the question now is, who else is doing this?
I do not mean simply flying a glider, but anything along the lines of this?