========================================================================================
I'd like to aim for 100 flights in a day at Dockweiler without one carryback, but only via low-stress returns. Ideas are sought from others for low-stress returns at Dockweiler.
Definitions for this note:
== Let a wing return from landing area to launch zone be referred to as a return. There are various ways to return a wing from the landing area to the the launch area. Some means may be very rough or hard on some people's lower back. Seek means that do not overwork a pilot's lower back.
== Let a carrying back upslope of a hang glider wing be called a carryback. Distinguish carryback from other means of returning a wing to launch area.
My 30 carrybacks yesterday made it very difficult to get out bed this morning; my lower back had experienced injury from the 30 carrybacks. I aim to avoid the compression injury arriving from Dockweiler carrybacks; effective resolution will permit more flights. CHALLENGE: Carrybacks in low wind could have the carrying person or pilot be carrying 40 to 100 lb (estimated) on one's lower back. When the wing rotates during the carry or/and is gusted, then the forces may increase on the lower back. These forces are carried by the lower back in many arrangements.
Additionally yesterday: Retrieved wing from garage storage solo; carried wing to truck solo; lifted wing to truck's wing rack. At site: lift wing down from truck's wing rack. Carry wing from truck to assembly zone in launch area. After flight session: Carry wing back to truck solo; lift wing up to truck's wing rack. The work on the lower back for these operations was in addition to the 30 flights' carrybacks. I aim to design a way to lift and lower the wing to the rack without compressing the lower back. I aim also to use dollies or sleds or a wheeled sled to move the wing between the truck and the assembly zone; a wheeled sleigh might become a solution; the wheels would work on the asphalt and concrete sections of the way; then lift wheels away and use the sleigh part for moving over the sand area.
Additionally: Decompression postured rests were not taken during the day's flight session. Grunting go-ahead without respecting what was happening to my lower back resulted in some injury. Such a session should not be repeated. Healing is needed. Mitigation of the forces on the lower back are sought. I won't be doing the anticipated hang gliding today; when solutions to carrybacks and lifts are in place, then such a delay cost won't be needed.
Decompressing the lower back:
== Slope-set blanket. Anchor feet. Hang upside down for some time between carrybacks. Or use a fence and an incline. Or hang from a fence or pole. Best would be to avoid carrybacks.
== Hang from high bar rigged at the truck.
== Hang from the triangle control frame; latch feet high and tense the lower back.
== Use a chair that has raised side rails or arm rests; do back hangs by doing push ups on the chairs armrests.
== Swim in the ocean.
== Rest in bed horizontally.
== Set up a string kite system; latch the tether to the feet; grab a ground anchor by hands or a latching of shoulders. Let the tension of the flown kite system give tension to the lower back. Added this note to the airbornewindenergy forum: Message23359
Quote:
Want to decompress one's body's spine?
Consider using a kite system for human-body spine tensioning and decompression.
Let a kite system's tether tension provide tension to the spine.
Harness the legs to the kite system's tether. Harness one's shoulders or hands to a ground anchor.
Take care of the implied safety matters. Have a main tether be continuous to its anchor. Rig the body harnessing and anchor on top of the main kite system's tether and breakaway lines.
=============================
Aim to avoid carrybacks; aim to return of the wing by some other means. .
Avoid carrybacks by one or more of the following methods:
== Top landing
== Have others assist. Let them do the carryback.
== Use wheels and wind. The challenge of sinking-in-sand wheels and insufficient wind is significant. Maybe attach a long and wide sleigh; fix the angle of attack of the wing. Drag the sleigh across the sand and up the sandy slope. == == Maybe a sheet of steel or aluminum featuring safety siding?
== Drag wheeled wing. There is here significant challenge of wind and orientation of the wing so that mishaps do not occur. Explore reversing the direction of the wing and having perhaps some assist lines to effect the dragging; the wheel or skids will roll or slide on the sand. Have assistance while exploring procedures.
== When there is adequate wind, then a wing might be kited back to the launch zone. Kiting may be done by adept use of the front flying wires.
== Rail?
== Zip line?
== At some sites other than Dockweiler, a motored vehicle may turn the wing; mount wing on the vehicle; drive the vehicle with wing to the launch zone. Pay the driver of the vehicle.
== Some returns at some sites have been achieved by truck carries or dolly carries.
=================================
Further: The harness that grabs upper legs and hips for hanging in upright position seems to be compressing the lower back during flights; such would add to the lower back challenge. Consider parallel-bar hanging; consider harnessing only the upper body so that flight-time hanging has no lower-back compressing. I will explore these options. Thoracic harnessing?
