The Rebirth of Hang Gliding and Ultralight Sport Aviation

Ultralight aircraft provide thousands of participants an inexpensive avenue to fly recreationally. The aircraft are manufactured in a viable industry using technology developed to optimize performance at low cost. Many pioneering aircraft of the 1890-1930 timeframe were hang gliders and ultralight aircraft. Examples include the hang gliders of Otto Lilienthal and Octave Chanute, the famous gliders of the Wright brothers, and Santos Dumont's famous Demoisille ultralight airplane of 1909. Powered flight rapidly evolved into heaviel faster, and more sophisticated aircraft to serve the multitude of military and commercial roles they do today. In the early 1970's a rebirth of sorts occurred with the adaptation of Francis Rogallo's flexible wing into a viable weight-shift controlled hang glider. These "Standard Rogallo" wings offered recreational flight to an ordinary person at an affordable price, though with some dangerous flight characteristics. Hang gliding as a sport evolved rapidly during ttire 1970's and 1980's with the advent of better, safer gliders and improved pilot skills. In the USA, the FAA allowed self-regulation by not requiring licensing of pilots or certification of gliders. The United States Hang Gliding Association (USHGA) standardizes training, rates pilots, and promotes the sport. Hang gliders are currently certified privately through limited testing to Hang Glider Manufacturing Association (HGMA) standards. In the mid 1970's pilots began adding small two-cycle engines to hang gliders, and the rebirth of ultralight aviation began in earnest. A burst of creativity resulted in many new designs, many with dangerous flight characteristics. Several groups offered training and certification of pilots. Safer designs evolved into several basic types, including conventional looking designs, trikes, and powered parachutes. Paragliding began during the 1980's with the advent of foot-launched gliding parachut-like aircraft. Powered paragliders soon followed. Likewise, several footlaunched sailplane designs also evolved during the 1980's, and ultralight sailplanes have emerged as another new exciting sport aviation discipline. Current hang gliding technology includes rigid winged designs offering greatly improved performance.