David Shields injured when landing at speed. It would seem he was still prone when the A frame contacted the ground. A case where a base bar ski arrangement may have helped prevent the fast deceleration rate.
Thanks, ARP. Any video on his landing? ======================================
http://gerrypez.com/hg/safety.html The guide has some holes in it, but is a fine effort. The holes? Discuss. My preference, so far, is that one is never "expert" enough to fly a hang glider sans Safe-Splat. Another hole: the guide noted "wheels" without guiding to the challenges of wheels.
Consider basebar of triangle control frame (TCF) that is complexed by have turn-out skis or wide hollow spoked wheels. The skis are hidden as basebar part until skis are wanted at takeoff and landing; skis are open at takeoff; then skis turn into to be fuller basebar during most of the flight. Prep for landing by turning out the skis; a modified basebar remains for basebar function. Upon turning out the skis, there is a locking position for the skis. Consider the nose of the ski conforming with the opposing side upright approximately (but with a rounding design at the joint of the basebar and upright.
Similarly very wide tread wheels could be turned out or rotated for use; during most of the flight the hollow of the wheels face the apparent wind; during landing or takeoff the wide tread is facing the apparent wind.
Be aware of options about wheels, skids, skis, rollers, and other safe-splat devices. There are some challenges about wheels that remain being studied. The following photo is not recommending--but recording--part of the larger safe-splat realm:
===================WARNING: ==================== EDIT: ARP reports that the "water landing" video is a HOAX. See his post two posts lower in this topic. ================================================
Trace and study wingsuit flight landings without parachutes ... actual and plans for the same. ==========================================================================
== Cardboard box stacks =========== Gary Connery
== Water ================== Raphael Dumont of Chamonix
???? ???? ====================== My idea notes: ? Land on snow on incline prepared for such landing; land down; then the incline rounds out to flat or an upslope. ? Land into large aerial net designed for the special landing. ? Land on diving aircraft that matches flight path. ? Fly to catch a long kite line designed to take the impact with the "give" needed. Gradually increase the hold to the line. ? Fill a canyon or the like with fluffed chicken feathers. ? Fill a canyon or the like with ping pong balls ?
Extrapolations from any sport or play incident may inform safe-splat for hang gliding. Odd movement, inattention, new motions, new places, surprises, adjacency of unexpected objects, overconfidence, failing to plan, etc.
How about a grappling hook on a bungie cord? (Harry could have some fun with this one.) It's done all the time, by the way, by jet fighters on carriers.
The water landing video is an irresponsible hoax which will hopefully not result in anyone trying it for real. It is in much the same vain as the skydive video through a hole in a factory roof onto a giant trampoline.