US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

History and Future
of Triangle Control Frame or A-Frame for Hang Gliders

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Have an aspect of the triangle control frame or A-frame that interests you? Here is a topic home for such. Have an idea for a mod or special enhancement?

Past, present, and future? History, examples, failure modes, challenges, solutions, mods, add-ons, multiple uses of, sizes, plans, parts, ... and more. Trace early examples of 1800s, 1900-1910 examples, later examples, 1950s' examples, 1960 examples, 1961 examples, 1962 examples, 1963 examples, 1970s' examples, 1980s' examples, 1990s' examples, 2000's examples, present products, futurisms, etc. Surfaces of parts? Interior of parts? Design of parts? Streamlining solutions? Displays? Storage? Safe-Splat foundations? Sound? Light? Heat? Energy production? Communications? Food? Water? Fuel? Energy storage? Placards? Reminders? Sensors? Actuators? Harry Martin glances? Incidents? Stories?
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Click image to see full drawing:

Neil Larson holds copyright on photo that was detail clipped for this study in this post.
Dick Eipper barefooted at Dockweiler in 1972 is shown with a TCF where the root of the flying wires is up on the legs away from the base beam of the TCT. Recall that the base beam or basebar or base bar is in tension during normal flight loads; some people have installed a redundant cable inside the bar connected to the flight-wire assemble; such would be hidden from view. The connection point shown would tend to pull the leg out of column; perhaps an interior sleeve could bolster the arrangement. The position of the connection puts the flying lines up away from grass and shrubs somewhat. Some mid-60's ski kites had the connection of flying lines up away from the basebar on the leg approximately as shown.
Before the ski-kites, John Worth connected flying lines sometimes to a base up a substantial distance; on some of his hang gliders he would use two TCF between which would be a platform for holding payload; other versions the payload would be mechanically the base to which he would connected flying lines where the base would complete the triangle, even if payload object was elongated from fore to aft. W. Simon in 1908 had the flying wires go to the junction of the leg with base bar on his A-frame or TCF. Some strut-braced TCF have the struts going to the junction of the legs with base bar.



I am not sure where the lines were connected to Mike Burns' 1962-and-following project with float-enhanced hang glider's TCF:

John Worth in NASA-contract circles preceded Burns in use of TCF for Rogallo-Wing framed hang gliders.
For others in 1962, see the topic post for 1962.
Later in September of 1963, a tinkerer on a ski-kite would also use the TCF cable-stayed TCF (as we know such was used in 1908 on a foot-launched hang glider by W. Simon at a sport hang gliding meet).=
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An option by Seagull Aircraft in early 1970s

John Worth, one of many configurations of flying lines going to a base to form a triange; here the payload formed the base:

On a different John Worth project he had the side flying lines connected to a point above the base:

JohnWorthSideFlyingLinesToPointAboveBase.jpg (16.51 KiB) Viewed 9784 times

Shown project used a second TCF to ease the handling of the payload.
Year 1961. Francis Rogallo physically witnessed close-up of such in 1961 at flying field.

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Al Bowers photo ? Caption? Looks like early Seafull III at Dockweiler before bike path was moved up behind flight park hang glider launch area.

Seven Strut Control Frame
No lower wires


Lower interior space of the seven elements might be filled with stored electricity.

The seven elements may be streamlined.

Vertical Double TCF options



http://www.fliegerweb.com/inhalte/Geschichte/Flugzeuge/GradeEindecker/KunstflugmaschineGrade_.jpg

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Operated at Dockweiler in 1962



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As published in FLIGHT International on publication date of August 1, 1963.
Thus craft occurred before that publication date.
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A book:
Principles of the Aeroplane, 1911
Click above line for the full book.

Uses in training ...
Uses in wing running ...

WHGA logo

TCF art.
Framing a community ... Buddy System

The TCF takes center attention by Sam K.

Re: the topic of PIO
Post by SamKellner » Mon Mar 07, 2016 7:34 am

BobK, At the time, Dec. '15, I thought starting a new topic was the correct thing to do. Maybe these topics should be combined?

And here is more on PIO.

Read what BillC says.

Here's what I think helps. Keep your hands on the basebar in a diagonal position wider than your shoulders

Thus creating opposing TCF for stability Southwest Texas Hang Gliders
US Hawks Hang Gliding Assn.
Chapter #4