Glider Storage

Unless you're going to be renting your glider from a flight park, you'll have to have a place to store it. A hang glider folds up into a bag that is between 9 and 16 inches in diameter (24-40 cm) and 15 to 18 feet long (5-6 m). Many flight parks and some clubs have glider storage available for somewhere between $50 or $100 US dollars per year.

Storage Tubes

If you don't have access to a garage or basement, but do have some space outdoors, you can use a large plastic tube, such as a drainage pipe. This will need to be kept above the ground, and you will have to make sure that moisture cannot collect inside of it, and that bugs, birds, and rodents stay out of it.

For storage tubes there are two types of commercial pipe. These are HDPE (high density polyethylene) pipe and standard Schedule 40 PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plumbing pipe. HDPE is the black corrugated stuff seen in irrigation and drainage installations. PVC is the smooth light grey pipe commonly seen in small diameters (1/2 inch to 5 inch) at hardware stores Both HDPE and PVC are available in lengths of 20 feet, and in either 12 inch or 15 inch inner diameter.

HDPE is preferable to PVC because it is usually half the weight and half the cost of PVC. It can be a little more difficult to find, so call around to commercial plumbing suppliers. Using 12 inch tubing is fine for a first glider like a Falcon, Target, Mark IV, Pulse, Horizon, et cetera. However, consider going with 15" for future options. Newer and higher performance wings like WW UltraSport, Sport 2, U2, are VERY tight in 12 inch tube. Also, using 15 inch tubing leaves room for air to circulate in the tube - helpful for moisture control.

Next - HDPE is available as either single wall or double wall. Both are corrugated on the outside. Get double wall. The inner part is smooth tubing - much easier sliding the glider in and out. With single wall pipe, you have to slide the glider over all those corrugation ridges (use carpet scraps if you face this situation).

Conclusion: Optimum storage tube selection is 20 feet of 15 inch inner diameter double wall HDPE.

As for end caps - talk to the pipe supplier. For stationary tube at home, you can use flexible sheets and bungee cords. For stationary storage, it is only necessary to keep out moisture, rain, and small critters. Thus heavy duty end caps are not essential. If you plan to use the tube for vehicle carry, get heavy duty end caps from the supplier. You need the strength against road wind.

Be wary of moisture. For home storage, it is not essential to drill drainage holes. However, if you do not have drainage holes, be scrupulous about allowing the glider and bag to dry before placing in the tube. For vehicle carry tubes, you should allow for drainage. If you are thinking about drainage holes for your home storage tube, remember that holes can let water out, but also let critters in. Mice have been known to nest in winter-stored gliders, using the sail material for nest padding; that is, they gnaw holes in the sail.

TUBE STORAGE WARNING Please note that current (2008) glider manuals from Wills Wing specifically recommend against using plastic storage tubes for glider transport. According to WW, the small movements of a glider inside a tube, caused by road bumps and vehicle vibration, cause the glider to rub on the inner wall and suffer premature wear and damage due to the friction. This friction problem applies to static storage at home, too. In fact, when sliding the glider into and out of a storage tube, the friction of just a half dozen events can wear a hole in the newer, lighter weight glider bags. To protect against burning small holes in the end of the bag, place a carpet scrap or folded towel under the end of the bag as it enters the tube. Then slowly slide the glider in, keeping the glider on that sliding pad,so that the glider bag itself is not rubbing on the tube.

Waterproof Bag

If you are going to be storing your glider in a place where some moisture could get it, you might want to consider one of these Waterproof Hang Gliding Bags. Again. make sure that if any water gets in the bag, that you get the glider dry before it can corrode and mildew.

Examples

Hoist in a Garage

If you have a garage or basement available, that is an obvious place to store your glider. If you don't have room along a wall, you can use a canoe hoist to pull your glider up to the ceiing: