"Fun Day" at Dockweiler yesterday

[Frank Colver]

I had a fun-day at Dockweiler setting up my new Wills Alpha 210 and watching Joe F and Bob K fly it numerous times. I didn't fly because of light and variable wind conditions. I didn't want to chance a bad launch on my return to hang gliding after many years (I had two nice flights on a Condor in May).

We drove to Sylmar to pick up the glider and I got to see that flight park for the first time. It's a lot different than the Sylmar site of 40 years ago!

Can't make the next two 3rd "Sunday Fundays" at Dockweiler, so I'll have to find other days to get back there. Too many other activities between now and November!

Frank

[Frank Colver]

Here I am checking my hang height (way too high) and ground handling. Note the slack sail showing light wind conditions.

Borrowing a hang strap from Windsports made it possible for adjustment.

Me checking hang height.jpg (413.57 KiB) Viewed 6042 times

Frank

[SamKellner]

Go for it Frank

[JoeF]

Frank made our day. Wills Wing made and tested the Alpha 210. The Colver new wings were shipped to Sylmar. Bob K and Frank fetched the wings. To have on record proper open flight, the wings (port and starboard joined wings : ) were given a proper Dockweiler gliding exploration. Careful assembly without wrenches! Three experienced Otto members peering over every inch of the fresh-and-crispy bird brought a thumbs up Preflight was extra well done; are the locknuts firmly in place EVERYWHERE? Were caps on where they should be? All cables unkinked? Good tubes? All terminals look fit? Symmetry? Batten check? Port matches starboard? Keel rib on nub? Ahh, Frank's new wing. What a privilege to demonstrate that his wing would glide Bob K and myself!
The Windsport's stock WW Alpha 210: I flew that and then a couple of minutes later flew Frank's spanking-new bird. I could feel the slightly cleaner glide of Frank's bird over the slightly worn bird.

Else on Funday yesterday:
== Grace, Angela, Cyndia, Greg, Hector, Frank, Joe F., Bob K., six first-time students, and hundreds of beach goers (who tended to get near operations!). Wonderful feast was graced by U. S. Hawks to honor the first official third-Sunday Funday seeded tradition at Dockweiler. Grace had several flights in an Alpha 210. Joe F and Bob K ached for some hand traction on the downtubes during carryback; moist hands and slipping grip! Perhaps some FDGS gripping light gloves worn just for the carryback?

== I was privileged to clean the LZ some. In so doing I found many treasures. One: a full kite system (wing, line, reel). Another: some nice kite spars. A robust tent anchor with bungee that will be used for kite-system anchor.

==Frank and Bob took photos of my introduction to them of a "MMHG" or micro-moment hang glide on the slope of the site. Aeronautical engineer U. S. Hawks Bob Kuczewski voiced the fine physics involved in the dynamics of the hang glide.

== I demonstrated to HGP Angela B. the "Joy Kite" which was solely made from a Windsports' advertising card with only flying thread added; the Joy Kite is a traverse-to-wind tumbling-wing. The version shown had no sticks, no glue, no tape, no welding ... one of the most simple kited wings on earth; it was flown at the Dockweiler Beach Hang Gliding Flight Center monument in mile breeze; this was my first official public showing the such most-simple versions. Congratulations Windsports!

The six students enjoyed the feast provided by visiting U. S. Hawks president. Perhaps directly FDGS could continue such tradition of thanksgiving as modeled by the U. S. Hawks. At least, perhaps, cold water! Maybe more. On Sepulveda Blvd. just east of the site by about 2 miles is a large Ralph's supermarket. On the way to the site, some provisions could be purchased. Buns, meat, water, ice (for cooler), bananas, ... ? Hydration is key. The fun of takeoffs, landings, and many carrybacks bless; but water is foundational.

[SamKellner]

Frank,

Explain the lines attached to the shoulder tow loops?

Thanks,
Sam

[Frank Colver]

Hi Sam. I posted a video in another subject in the forum that explains it.

The sound isn't very good but if you turn up the volume you should be able to get the explanation of what I was experimenting with.

The idea is: I'm not going to go prone in short beach flights so I wanted the harness to hold me in a vertical or near vertical position. The tow loops worked for this by giving me a forward, near the shoulders, attachment for the ropes that normally go to the lower rear of the shoulder straps.

Here is the link to the video: www.vimeo.com/134146094

Frank

[SamKellner]

Dang, I musta missed the other post.

Are you saying there's too much ballast in the front?

I mean, the harness looks like it fits reasonably well.

It's designed as a 1st day agenda harness. Not for prone.

[Frank Colver]

Definitely that! However, I have shed 10 lbs in the past couple of months and still working on it.

When Mike Meier brought the shop Alpha to Dockweiler last month he tried to demonstrate launching hands off in a good breeze up the hill. I noticed that right after his feet left the ground he had to grab the uprights even though the glider was stable. He was in my harness but I had not moved those ropes and it looked to me like he started to rotate toward prone as soon as he wasn't touching the ground. With his hands off the control bar and feet off the ground, there would be nothing to hold him upright. I'm guessing that if he tried that now, with the way I've got the harness rigged, he would make a successful hands off launch under the same wind conditions.

Frank

BTW - That link should work now by just clicking on it.