Hook-In Alarm
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:41 pm
Back in 1992, I wrote an article for Hang Gliding Magazine about my hook-In alarm that I created for myself. I'm happy to report that it still works. After all these years, it finally gave out when the Lithium battery finally wore out. Which reminds me, I need to replace the battery before I go flying again.
For those interested in how it works, it consists of a level sensor, metal contacts sewn into the hang strap, a 9V lithium battery, buzzer, and an arming pin. It attaches to the keel and remains on the glider when put away.
When armed, if the glider is lifted up without the pilot being hooked in, the alarm emits an obnoxious sound. As soon as the carabiner is detected in the strap, the alarm is disabled.
The alarm was not accepted by the hang gliding community. I actually met another pilot who managed to invent his own and spent thousands of dollars getting it patented. It never made it to market.
I'm probably the only pilot in the world with this gadget.
For those interested in how it works, it consists of a level sensor, metal contacts sewn into the hang strap, a 9V lithium battery, buzzer, and an arming pin. It attaches to the keel and remains on the glider when put away.
When armed, if the glider is lifted up without the pilot being hooked in, the alarm emits an obnoxious sound. As soon as the carabiner is detected in the strap, the alarm is disabled.
The alarm was not accepted by the hang gliding community. I actually met another pilot who managed to invent his own and spent thousands of dollars getting it patented. It never made it to market.
I'm probably the only pilot in the world with this gadget.