In 1853, George Cayley invented a slope-launched, piloted glider. Most early glider designs did not ensure safe flight; the problem was that early flight pioneers did not sufficiently … See more

Due to the poor safety record of early hang gliding pioneers, the sport has traditionally been considered unsafe. Advances in pilot training and glider construction have led … See more

Launch techniques include launching from a hill/cliff/mountain/sand dune/any raised terrain on foot, tow-launching from a ground-based tow … See more

With each generation of materials and with the improvements in aerodynamics, the performance of hang gliders has increased. One measure of performance is the glide ratio. For example, a ratio of 12:1 means that in smooth air a glider can travel forward 12 … See more

Hang glider sailcloth
Hang glider sailcloth is normally made from woven or laminated fiber, such as dacron or mylar, respectively.
Woven polyester … See more

A glider in flight is continuously descending, so to achieve an extended flight, the pilot must seek air currents rising faster than the sink … See more

Because hang gliders are most often used for recreational flying, a premium is placed on gentle behaviour, especially at the stall and natural pitch stability. The wing loading must be very … See more