US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

With an eye toward inflated hang gliders, this topic invites study of any inflated aircraft. Construction methods? Challenges?
Particular inflated aircraft might received their own dedicated topic thread for deep exploration of such.
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Start:
http://fly.historicwings.com/2013/03/the-inflatable-plane/

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See a dedicated discussion on the Taylor McDaniel glider: HERE

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Deserving a dedicated topic thread:
M. L. Aviation Company and its adventures with inflatable aircraft; development beginning in 1955.
See: http://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/2008/06/weekend-wings-20-inflatable-aircraft.html

The second prototype cruised at 50 mph, with a maximum speed of 58 mph. Its endurance at cruising speed was 2½ hours. It could carry a total of 400 pounds, typically comprising a pilot and passenger. The wingspan was 35 feet, with a length of just over 23 feet, and it stood 10½ feet tall. The wing was inflated to only ½ psi pressure. An electrical air pump in the gondola could be used as needed to reinflate it.

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Pneuwing
Foldaway Wing

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Goodyear Aircraft Corp
Inflatable wing with variable camber
https://www.google.com/patents/US2979287

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Wilfred Thomas
Pneumatic airfoil
https://www.google.com/patents/US2616509

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Leo B Blocker
Light weight pneumatic airplane
https://www.google.com/patents/US2886265
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Pneumatic tubular construction
Richard R Chutter
https://www.google.com/patents/US3473761

Inflated wings for kites .... with an eye for inflated kite hang gliders
http://www.globekites.com/GK-kite-Construction-Overview

Wayne A. Sebrell
https://www.google.com/patents/US3957232

Consider going beyond Sebrell by having each chamber be itself a splinted encased airbeam.

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HG pioneer Roy Haggard:

https://www.google.com/patents/US6082667

Roy Haggard, an early Otto Member of Self-Soar Association wrote:An inflatable wing is taught by McDaniel, U.S. Pat. No. 1,905,298. McDaniel includes multiple tubular spars and a flexible skin. However, his teaching does not include adequate means to support the skin in a smooth, accurate airfoil contour. The improvements of this invention include (1) the use of open cell foam with its ability to inflate to a smooth, specific contour under pressure and (2) the foam used in combination with high pressure tubular spars. The optimal use of a pressurized tube as a control-surface-actuating torque tube is also an improvement.

Note: Roy's teaching for the inflated spar included an urge of 50 psi which is consistent with a dependency on the simple non-tensairity beaming. In splinted cable air beams using compression elements firmed to the cased bladder, the inflation air pressure may be much reduced.

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I asked the psychic adviser what the designer had for lunch:
Ruffles with ridges


Candy Corn



Criss cut carrots

Fun Woopy poetry!

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One of the many avatar names for Brett Snellgrove was Michealvalentinsmith. R.I.P., Brett.
See is inflatable aircraft notes in HomebuiltAirplanes.com forum along with other posters' comments.
Topic there: Inflatable wings (low aspect/light weight) .
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Someone wrote:To operate 3W, simply attach 3W manifold into intelligent blower/compressor unit, flip the switch, stand back and watch as your HG inflates without the assistance of any operators.

Let 3W be the "Wing When Wanted" enterprise. Check; hook in. Check. Run. Fly. Land. Repeat.

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Joseph F. Forehand filed on Nov. 27, 1964: http://www.google.com.au/patents/US3275271
Flexible Wing Aircraft

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R.A. Pohl
http://www.google.com.au/patents/US3093354
Inflatable Kite
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John D Sutliff, Cecil E Craigo, Harry E Rollins
28 May 1962 filing: Method of deploying flexible wing glider

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Ryan Aeronautical Co.
http://www.google.com.au/patents/US3141640

With eye toward inflated HGs, pick up ideas and tips from other inflated aircraft.
The following videos and narrations have some matter that could tip HG designers a bit. Bit by bit.
Detail the words and form issues for study. "If you are going to do a lot of crashing ..."
Substitute "HG" for the word "kite" ... and then question matters.






One's hybrid hang glider will have specific challenges teased by names found in various texts in similarity cases.
The full history of various inflated aircraft may inform those designing, building, and using inflated or hybrid-inflated hang gliders.

Airship inflated using also inflated struts:

http://www.google.com/patents/US1308291

The struts did not employ the splinted method
http://www.tensairitysolutions.com/