US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

Stationary rope soaring (kiting) preambling hang gliding
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May we collect the good, poor, rich, bad, possible regarding stationary-tether hang kiting for itself and as preamble to hang gliding and hang soaring free flight!
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Bill Moyes and Bill Cummings have had some unique experiences in stationary tethered soaring (kiting). Those matters may be collected and gathered here and perhaps expanded. Other related manned kiting may be brought here with intent to explore possibilities for free-flight hang gliding. Add-ons and drop-offs may be explored to enhance safety. Careful procedures might be developed and shared. Etc.

Is there a grand future for flatland hang gliding from stationary-anchored tethered manned kiting for free-flight hang gliding? That is, could such realm compete with conventional AT, PL, active winching, etc.? Ambient-wind kiting launch with stationary anchored tethered kiting?

Stationary anchor at sea? Stationary anchor on land? Fixed tether length?

I actually kited the Skysail before I ever flew it in free flight. The glider did not have a king post and when I hit the ground one time the negative G's broke the joiner between the wing halves. this prompted me to put a kingpost on the design before the first flight test.

If my Basic Trainer (Puffin) ever gets built, I may try kiting it first, if Dockweiler has enough wind. At the very least there will be a lot of ground handling in wind before the first launch. This will check out roll response and CG location / pitch.

Frank

JoeF wrote:... and Bill Cummings have had some unique experiences in stationary tethered soaring (kiting). Those matters may be collected and gathered here and perhaps expanded.

It would be great to get Bill's first-hand description of this manned kiting activity:

JoeF wrote: Stationary rope soaring (kiting) preambling hang gliding
====================================================================
May we collect the good, poor, rich, bad, possible regarding stationary-tether hang kiting for itself and as preamble to hang gliding and hang soaring free flight!
=====================================================================
Bill Moyes and Bill Cummings have had some unique experiences in stationary tethered soaring (kiting). Those matters may be collected and gathered here and perhaps expanded. Other related manned kiting may be brought here with intent to explore possibilities for free-flight hang gliding. Add-ons and drop-offs may be explored to enhance safety. Careful procedures might be developed and shared. Etc.

Is there a grand future for flatland hang gliding from stationary-anchored tethered manned kiting for free-flight hang gliding? That is, could such realm compete with conventional AT, PL, active winching, etc.? Ambient-wind kiting launch with stationary anchored tethered kiting?

Stationary anchor at sea? Stationary anchor on land? Fixed tether length?

Joe, We have discussed this in the past and a system developed by Cody with a static line supported by a train of 'lifter' kites could be the way to go. The line is then used by the hang glider to kite up on a pulley until sufficient height is reached for release into free flight. Cody was able to use his system to raise an observer to a considerable height on a 'carrier' kite but did not release. With more efficient kites and wings, it might be feasible to operate in lower wind speeds than Cody required?

https://design-technology.org/cody2.htm

Much thanks, ARP. Posted Cody link to energy kite group.
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The kiting in energy kite systems community may well lead to effective kiting for hang gliding.
= perhaps even lifted platforms that are inclined to the wind; regular foot launching of hang glider from a kited incline?
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http://kitemill.com/article/85/The_Spark_kite_produces_power_in_tests/tags:25