Kelli Hicks - Hang Gliding and Paragliding

Otto Lilienthal, a German aviation pioneer, was the first to make successful flights on a glider. He stated, To invent an airplane is nothing. To build one is something. But to fly is everything. While working with his brother, he made more than 2,000 glider flights. A glider crash was ultimately the cause of his death. His work inspired the Wright brothers in their studies of aviation.

Otto Lilienthal

Otto Lilienthal studied a variety of birds, especially storks, and modeled the wings of his glider on them. Because the glider attached to his shoulders, it was difficult to control the craft.

Orville Wright and his brother, Wilbur, opened a bicycle repair shop to fund their interest in flying. Their first designs were for gliders based on the Lilienthal designs. They later added an engine and received credit for creating the first airplanes.

With the many technological advances in flight and the addition of engine power, many people forgot about hang gliding. However, in the 1970s, designers decided to revisit the previous work and try to rejuvenate the sport.

The Wright brothers revised Otto Lilienthals glider designs by adding a rudder to the tail and changing the shape of the wings. These modifications improved the length and quality of the flight.

The frame of the hang glider is made of aluminum or

In the early days of the sport, a pilot could only launch down hills and travel for limited distances. Todays gliders provide more options for pilots. A pilot can launch in one of three ways.

During a foot launch, a pilot faces into the wind and runs down a slope to become airborne.

A towing launch is suitable for flat regions. A vehicle or boat tows the glider until it reaches the desired altitude, then the pilot releases the tow rope.

During an aerotow, a small airplane called an tows the glider up 1,000-3,000 feet (305-915 meters) and releases it into the air.

A glider pilot needs to be aware of wind speed and lift changes during a foot launch.

A glider flight can last for several hours. Pilots are able to maintain their altitude by using rising air to continue to glide. There are several different methods for maintaining .

Thermals are the most popular source of lift. The energy from the Sun heats the ground. The heat from the ground then heats the air. The warm air rises and lifts the wings into the air.

When the wind meets a mountain, cliff, or hill, the air pushes into the face of the mountain causing a ridge lift.

Convergence occurs when air masses meet and are forced upwards.