[JoeF]

HGs of very low aspect ratio have probably not been explored as deeply as very low aspect ratio paper hand-toss gliders. Design trends went the other direction for HGs for some good reasons. But VLARHG may yet have some play for recreational hang gliding. Cayley's glider https://disciplesofflight.com/the-fathe ... aeroplane/ was fairly low in aspect ratio. But one may easily envision gliders of every less aspect ratio than Cayley's glider.

Maybe explore a HG that has a span of 8 ft while having a chord of 20 ft. A.R.: 8/20= 0.4 What glide ratio might we obtain from a judicious design? Drag coefficients will be critical.

Here is a video regarding "lifting bodies" of low aspect


This topic thread could discuss and maybe forward VLARHG. Is there a fun future for VLARHG? Not sure.
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some study tease: https://aerodyn.org/larw/
Keyword: stubby gliders

[Frank Colver]

My Puffin, basic HG trainer, design may not be as low aspect ratio as you are thinking of but it is quite low compared to what is being flown today.

In addition to being an easy to handle and easy launch/land glider because of its low aspect ration I had also mentioned that it would be ideal for small hill ridge soaring and "dune gooning" at the coast with very tight turning ability.

Sad that i had to drop the project because of a lack of a sail maker for it.

Here's the 1/5 scale model self soaring the Dockweiler bluff.

Soaring the bluff.jpg (248.34 KiB) Viewed 466 times

Frank