[JoeF]

Hang glider E-Help motor harness, New Zealand



In U.S. : ultralight vehicle, F.A.R. 103.
Not needed: craft certification, pilot certification, insurance, pilot medical clearance, schooling, 3PL, ground school, club membership, cowing to Forbes Fiasco, tandem training, even participation.
However: It would be neat to have a good attitude, knowledge of weather, understanding of the physics of flight and of eHG flight, safe-splat, knowledge of one's gear, awareness of one's limitation, respect for people and property, respect for the rescue industry, gear able to well withstand the flight planned, flight plan, identification, communications, mentoring, and more.

[Frank Colver]

Being an admitted electric propulsion junkie - I love it!

However, I wonder if it really ran that long or did they copy and "splice" some of the footage? The battery looks pretty small.

Frank C.

[Rick Masters]

Perhaps Neil is giving instruction now. Let me check my database...

I don't care much for these powered harnesses.
I would like to see a very small electric pusher propulsion system - less than 20 pounds and less than $1,000 - developed for zero sink only.
Such a system would increase the number of flyable sites in my area by a factor of 1000 or more.
The nearest small hill would do.

This setup would have the folding prop mounted above the keel with the battery pack or motor opposite of the cg to balance out.
Additional battery packs or supercaps could be carried by the pilot in a harness pocket like ballast.
The pitch aggravation problem caused by props mounted above the wing could be regulated by computer control over a defined range of attitude, although this may not be a significant issue with low-powered thrust.

Some interesting aspects would be
1) No insurance requirements.
2) The ability to fly to more distant locations to thermal or ridge-soar.
3) A wider range of landing areas.

On cross country attempts
1) the unit would allow you to fly faster through sinking air, spending less time in it.
2) With a reversible motor, you could choose smaller landing areas by using the prop like a spoiler
3) and you could provide regenerative charging of the battery pack in strong conditions.

Another possibility is a new FAI competition format where pilots launch with a depleted battery and go XC, charging it up along the way.
Paul MacReady used this concept with the Aerovironment Bionic Bat in his attempt for the Kremer Prize.

I've mentioned in the past that a small electric motor/prop moves a hang glider into the ultralight class under FAR 103.
Goodbye USHPA.
It doesn't even have to be zero-sink capable.
I think a balsa wood rubber band powered toy airplane would easily qualify but it wouldn't be nearly as much fun as the real deal.

[howie]

Like this my home built

[JoeF]

http://www.flying-directory.com/0809/im ... glider.pdf

eHG into Torrey lift zone from off-site and then soar out to off-site for landing?