US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

In 1969, I founded Seagull Aircraft, and during the following nine years the company became one of the largest and most innovative hang glider manufacturers of the time. For years now, I have wanted to return to the best flying there is, and in a way that would reflect well on the Seagull Aircraft of the past. The new company is called Seagull Aerosports to more properly describe what the company is all about. For the past three years I have been designing and engineering what I believe to be the ultimate soaring trike. It will be available in both self-launch and tow launch versions. I have degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Industrial Design, and I have been relentlessly applying these two disciplines to this project. The trikes and their components use the lightest materials and minimalist engineering to achieve my design goals. As the project has evolved, I have continuously improved it by “knocking myself off” as someone else might if they were to copy the products. All design is in AUTOCAD.

The trikes are fully composite using foam sandwich construction of PVC, and graphite prepreg materials. They are vacuum bag molded and oven cured for minimum weight and maximum strength. The complete lower shell and main structural bulkhead weigh only fourteen pounds out of the mold. The landing gear legs are filament wound graphite. The retracting mechanism uses a lot of racing catamaran hardware, and is really slick. The mast is a streamlined tapered composite structure. There is no forward compression strut. The powered version uses the 25 horsepower CORS-AIR M-21Y. The propeller is three-blade folding.

The pilot is fully enclosed in a streamlined pod. The canopy is molded acrylic with graphite frames. The control bar passes through a slot at the fuselage/canopy joint. The slot is large enough to allow complete movement of the bar and the pilot’s arms and elbows, and it is covered with split neoprene to maintain the streamline shape of the pod. The pilot flies in a very supine position, but not as flat as a sailplane pilot. The seat is of trampoline mesh supported and shaped by bent aluminum tubes on each side of the pod. This material allows stretch for comfort and shock absorption and air circulation so the pilot will not stick to it when hot. It weighs nearly nothing. Four-point restraint is standard.

The pods are small, light and efficient. The total drag is a little more than that of a perfectly prone

arms tucked pilot. However, the total drag of the pod over a given flight will be considerably less than the prone pilot because it will always be streamlined. An exposed pilot’s movement is all over the inside the control bar. His arms are usually exposed to airflow, and he might need to rotate vertically to stretch or wake up legs that have gone to sleep.

Safety has been a major concern. The bottom of the pod is dead flat so that if an out landing is necessary, and the terrain does not encourage the use of the gear, a belly landing can be made. The shape of the nose will prevent shoveling and possible flip. There is a foam crush zone forward of and under the pilot. The engine mount is designed to collapse without the engine going through the bulkhead. A BRS rocket deployed parachute is mounted on the rear of the main structural bulkhead and fires through a hatch on the side. The Kevlar strap is buried in the tear away trailing edge of the mast. The rear side of the main bulkhead is covered with anechoic foam to keep it quieter for the pilot while under power.

There are other innovations involved, but I have patent work in process and need to keep them under wraps for now. The trade marking of the names is under way.

The tow launch version is the POD RACER.

The self-launch version is the ESCAPE POD.

The mock-up made from prototype tooling was shown at the Experimental Aircraft Association fly in last summer. The response from the flying public was very good, and the first deposit was taken. I had planned to have them finished earlier, but even though they are just trikes, there are complexities, and I want the fit and finish to rival any German sailplane. They will be flown at several events this summer. The ESCAPE PODS will be seen with and demonstrated with the Moyes Lightspeed 5, and the Northwing Stratus. Experienced pilots will make the high performance connection of the PODS with two of the most efficient and well-respected gliders available today.

Response to the PODS has been very good, and I am quite enthusiastic about their potential. Several hang gliding dealers and schools are eager to represent them.

Michael Riggs, President Seagull Aerosports

Michael Riggs is President and Founder of Seagull Aerosports. He holds degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Industrial Design. His experience includes 25 years in consumer product development with annual line responsibilities reaching more than $400 million. He has achieved executive management at the vice president level. He has designed, built and flown several aircraft. In 1969, he founded and operated for nine years what became one of the largest international manufacturers of hang gliders and accessory equipment.

In 1981 Riggs designed, built and flew an aircraft prototype intended to fit the then new FAA Part 103 Ultralight Rules. He is a founding member of the United States Hang Gliding Association, and he has served as a director of that organization. He is also the co-founder of the United States Hang Glider Manufacturers Association (HGMA), responsible for establishing aerodynamic and structural standards for hang glider aircraft.

He is a highly decorated Army gunship pilot with two Vietnam tours.

LinkedIn has his notes:
Experience
Seagull Aerosports
Owner
Company Name
Seagull Aerosports
Tonka Toys
Design Manager

Company
Name Tonka Toys
Dates Employed1982 – 1988
Employment Duration 6 yrs

San Marino High
Dates attended or expected graduation1958 – 1961

Everard wrote:Here is a 'related topics menu' on my hang gliding history web site:
Seagull Aircraft of Santa Monica, California