Hang-gliders Kite control systems

1 hang-gliders

1.1 unpowered short-tethered hang-gliders
1.2 powered short-tethered hang-gliders
1.3 under tow airplane
1.4 under static-line tow
1.5 under non-static-line tow
1.6 under bungee-line launch

hang-gliders
unpowered short-tethered hang-gliders

unlike long-lined power kites used in extreme kiting sport, focus in section short-lined framed large kite. kite line or hang line best controlling flight of hang glider kite needs lengthed; line splits two, three, or 4 main tethers connect hung kite operator s or pilot s harness. mike meier, respected kite glider author wrote how right hang height nasa used mass-shifting in paresev hung-pilot aircraft stiffened-frame kite; hang tether stiffened; differently, in sport hang gliding kite systems using short hang line, hang loop or first section of hanging kite line flexible webbing; main lines harness cords , webbing flexible. control of attitude of kite s wing achieved pilot s grabbing kite s stiffened airframe part called control frame , pushing or pulling kite s airframe left or right or forward , aft in various combinations; control system commonly called weight-shifting although mechanically situation altering positions of mass alter center of gravity of entire system relative aerodynamic center of pressure in order effect leveraging moments control flight.

the place on kite airframe tether tied important in kites; such connection or bridling takes consideration aerodynamic center of pressure , system s center of gravity. key article mike meier pitch stability & center of mass location mike meier focuses on concern of control.

while flying kite hang glider, there times during flight instruction instructors have student release holding triangle control frame , , hang. hanging (gravity pulls student s body downwards , results in tensional tugging of kite s wing) student experiences bridled , trimmed wing fly stably. however, since gusts occur, student learns hands-off flying not normal status—rather kite pilot handling control frame. light bar pressure.

powered short-tethered hang-gliders

here unpowered kite tethered pilot arranges have harness attached thrusting prime moving engine or motor; total system [powered hang glider|powered aircraft] while kite remains unpowered (very differently when engine mounted on wing). control system includes control system of similar system pilot not thrusted harnessed prime moving engine or motor, in controlling flight, adjustments center of mass respected. further, while pilot s thrust on, pilot positions kite s kite line angled tugging of wing accomplished in familiar kiting manner kite line begins upwind , angles upward downwind (relative wind wind in attention here).

under tow airplane














under static-line tow

here tug kite line stays same length during kiting operation. static line towing here ground vehicle driver has special control duties; kited hang glider person controls kite in ways different other tow methods; careful distinctions learned in professional instruction. controlling things when unexpected events occur large part of instructions.

under non-static-line tow

hang glider tow stationary winch in 1987; pilot: manfred laudahn in clausthal-zellerfeld, germany. red item on long kite line line parachute soften fall of released kite line. after release, human hang short hang line tug kite hang glider wing; moves triangle control frame control attitudes of kite s wing. fall of pilot s mass provides tension fly wing.

the complex control system includes operator of winch. length of line starts long , gets shorter winch reels tug line; alters control decisions kited hang glider pilot. instruction controls available new winch operators , hang glider pilots want kited. distinguish method static-line (tug line stays same length during tow). control system shortening-the-tug-line method of kiting different.

under bungee-line launch

bungee launch control systems kited hang gliders has own special details. tug kite line elastic; when tensed, line long; during use launch, kite line shortens. controlling kite s wing attitudes piilot hung short kite line while controlling triangle control frame or other airframe part or aerodynamic surface controls. professional instruction highly recommended. inelastic portion of bungee assembly used guard against can happen if bungee breaks , snaps toward pilot; tug-line parachute can used lower speed released bungee fall. bungee launch used launch off slopes when free-foot-launch not easy (site structure or pilots have not use of legs), or flatland short-flight demonstrations. hang gliding - bungee launch