US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

Fledge


Fledgling 2
Fledgling 3
... and the like.

This topic thread could discuss Fledgling matters ...


http://www.delta-club-82.com/bible/f67en-manta-products.htm

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The 22nd Fledge Meeting
Fledge meeting 2010

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Miller flying his Fledge at LMFP


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Fledge 2 .. Owner's Manual
or
same:

Joe,

You are welcome to try my 2A on the bunny hill.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1072812379396467&set=a.417181638292881.106404.100000031445322&type=3&theater
[I am not sure non-Facebook clicks will reach the link. Harry, may I copy the photo and get it in the forum directly here? Thanks for offer; I'd like to compare it to what I am building now for the conservative Dockweiler scene. ]

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December 6, 2015 Harry Martin at his Facebook page wrote:Another blast from the past. Flying my Fledge 2A over Sylmar, CA. I spent over 20 years flying that site. I recall in the early 80s that the smog was so bad with the inversion layer, that after a day of flying, my lungs would burn for hours after getting home. When laws were passed to phase out leaded fuels, the atmosphere improved greatly. There were flying days where the sky was orange from the air pollution emitted by automobiles.

Harry, it looks like the lower basebar could be an axial for a full-across roller (very wide wheel).

Profile for the wheel could be flat for low drag during most of the flight; then when wanted, release the compression that would permit elastic pop-up to full circular cross section for rolling. RWW :: Roller When Wanted which would be a cousin to WWW :: Wheel When Wanted.
RWW rolls right over the gopher holes that Rob B. has not filled yet at Sylmar LZ.

A roller looks like a good idea, but I wouldn't use it as it looks to be extra weight and drag.

Actually, I'm considering narrow wheels at the bottom of the base tubes as they are quite practical.
In reality, belly landings in soft grass are very forgiving, and of course, not recommended. The geometry of the control bar and tail allow for slow controlled uneventful belly landings.

The few belly landings I ever had over the years resulted in no damage other than a few scratches on the lower base tube. The control bar is far enough forward, that there's near zero leverage to flip the glider over. Of course, rocks, stumps, boulders, cars, and other objects don't work out as well.

One RWW concept direction is high-pressure bladder. The RWW would be teardrop small hidden; then explosive pressurization by gas cartridge or slower inflation by pilot power at just before entering approach sequence.

We gotta do this in the state's
I'd love it

howie wrote:We gotta do this in the state's
I'd love it

Howie, If all goes well, I may be taking possesion of a red Fledge 2B in about a week. I've heard it may have less than 10 hours of air time on it.
If I find it to be air worthy, I plan to fly it all season this year.

Harry wrote:Howie, If all goes well, I may be taking possesion of a red Fledge 2B in about a week. I've heard it may have less than 10 hours of air time on it.
If I find it to be air worthy, I plan to fly it all season this year.

If the logistics work out, it would be great to see you and your Fledge 2B at the 45th Otto Lilienthal meet on May 22nd at Dockweiler.   

bobk wrote:If the logistics work out, it would be great to see you and your Fledge 2B at the 45th Otto Lilienthal meet on May 22nd at Dockweiler.   

I have marked my calendar. Hmmmmm...sounds like a good excuse for a t-shirt design.