Helmet cam is set on the side of my helmet so you see the riser a more than the pilot (me) actually does. Nice thing about the Rev is that the short cord means I can also look above the wing and this is very helpful in high banked turns in busy air. Not that this video demonstrates that.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/vIyLLxDU58Y[/youtube] _________________ Member of the old farts brigade: Simply sublime supine and peace of mind.
1980 - Present: McDonald Eagle 5,Moyes:- Mega 2, Meteor, GT, GTR, Xtralite, Lightspeed, Malibu.
Extassy, Airwave Magic III, Vision 5
Airborne:- trikes x 2, C4. Currently flying a REV.
Plus a whole bunch of Paragliders 2008 - 2011
Member: Canungra Hang Gliding Club - Gold Coast, Australia.
Have you settled on a good landing technique that works from the supine position on a prone-rigged control frame? _________________ Happy landings,
Dan Moser
Saturn 167, Predator 158, HES Cocoon, Bright Star SWIFT #37
Flying HGs (off & on) since 1975
I've had three great (Stick the keel) landings in a row now. One of them on 3/4 VG after the rope jammed.
The advantage of the paragliding harness is that you are vertical (Slightly forward) when you come in to land.
Things I've worked out:
1/ Get up vertical and begin cross controlling early (downwind leg). I've got lots of pull-in from this position as I use a speed bar with extra depth. I can pull in and get the glider whistling with air speed as I approach the ground. Once vertical, I hang perhaps 3" lower than I would in my old prone harness. I have long arms so this is not an issue. Being lower I also have more roll authority. However, to achieve this I have my leg loops Very tight. This is comfortable for launch and for flying as I don't notice it. It is a little painful to land with (cutting into the crotch) so I've learnt to stay semi-seated (but vertical) until final.
2/ Flare is totally normal and it is only that I'm somewhat rusty that I've been a little late flaring on some of my earlier landings. I've now learnt to trust that the Rev will stop on a dime if I fully commit to the flare and hold it. (Again a big thanks to Jim Rooney and others for the long discussions on good landing technique.)
3/ I've twice come down hard on the keel after flaring and my old legs have given out trying to catch the weight of the glider, so I crumple and go with the flow (martial arts training when I was young). I have a bit of a smile when this happens as the paragliding harness (Gin Genie Race 2) has maximum back support and seat protection so it's a bit like landing on a mattress!
4/ I mistimed one flare late and found myself smoothly on my wheels, in a normal prone position and only had grass stains on my knees and some weeds in my instruments to show for it. It rolled nicely so thanks to Whosh for the effective 8" wheels. BTW, I have the holes in my wheels taped over with clear tape to reduce drag a tad.
All my landings have been in nil or very light wind including one very light tail wind landing. It should (feel) easier when I get to land into some wind as the biggest 'fear factor' is flaring when the ground speed still feels fast. Remember, I've just returned to hang gliding after 4 years of paragliding, so I'd grown accustomed to soft, slow, floaty PG landings.
I must say, I've always loved the buzz of landing a HG. It's one of the moments in every flight that I really look forward to. When you land a hang glider you are 100% in the moment and one with your wing - like a bird.
Jerry _________________ Member of the old farts brigade: Simply sublime supine and peace of mind.
1980 - Present: McDonald Eagle 5,Moyes:- Mega 2, Meteor, GT, GTR, Xtralite, Lightspeed, Malibu.
Extassy, Airwave Magic III, Vision 5
Airborne:- trikes x 2, C4. Currently flying a REV.
Plus a whole bunch of Paragliders 2008 - 2011
Member: Canungra Hang Gliding Club - Gold Coast, Australia.
I'd really like to look into a supine setup, does anyone sell the spreader etc, or does one have to make it from scratch?
Thanks for posting!
You can buy a semicircular spreader bar off the shelf (sorry I don't know where).
It's very easy to make one yourself if you have a few skills.
I used an old broken aerofoil upright (kindly given to me by Jonny Durand Snr) and cut it to size.
It needs to be as narrow as possible so it fits inside the A frame, but it needs to be wide enough to 'just' fit your shoulders through.
I cut slots in it with a grinder, then I thread some strong webbing through it.
To prevent the webbing from being cut on the metal, I use several layers of fibreglass tape on the slot edges. Pre-flight involves always checking the webbing for possible wear and tear.
My back up is mountain climbing rope independent of the slot. It's overkill, but I never like to worry about little things once I'm in the air.
Jerry _________________ Member of the old farts brigade: Simply sublime supine and peace of mind.
1980 - Present: McDonald Eagle 5,Moyes:- Mega 2, Meteor, GT, GTR, Xtralite, Lightspeed, Malibu.
Extassy, Airwave Magic III, Vision 5
Airborne:- trikes x 2, C4. Currently flying a REV.
Plus a whole bunch of Paragliders 2008 - 2011
Member: Canungra Hang Gliding Club - Gold Coast, Australia.
At 7:35 you will see the launch of my REV in supine.
Very straight forward and immediately into my harness once I clear the launch.
This is some great mid winter flying here in Australia. Gold Coast, Queensland. _________________ Member of the old farts brigade: Simply sublime supine and peace of mind.
1980 - Present: McDonald Eagle 5,Moyes:- Mega 2, Meteor, GT, GTR, Xtralite, Lightspeed, Malibu.
Extassy, Airwave Magic III, Vision 5
Airborne:- trikes x 2, C4. Currently flying a REV.
Plus a whole bunch of Paragliders 2008 - 2011
Member: Canungra Hang Gliding Club - Gold Coast, Australia.
Very nice Jerry. Imagine it took some getting use to, at first.
Fun looking coastal site Bob. How often does it get soarable? _________________ H-4 (1976) UP Saturn 147 & UP Axis 13
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