[JoeF]

There seems to be a tensegrity HG that might enter tiny-packed hang glider design. A BEF (basic experimental frame). I've not yet a name for the BEF involved. But this note introduces the BEF being explored. If novel, perhaps a name: Faust Ellipse-Keel Tensegrity BEF for HG; we will search for some better name

Have an ellipse that can be called an ellipse spar. Then have a keel spar. Have no other spars. Have the keel spar be approximately normal to the plane that holds the ellipse spar. To form the meta tensegrity base of the HG, have tendons between the keel spar and the ellipse spar. The ellipse spar would play several roles at once: queenposting, kingposting, control bar, staying camber of sail, staying reflex of sail, base for High Hat, base for Low Hat. There is no common kingpost, no common queen post; the functions of such are supplied by the tensegrity involved in this new BEF.

For tiny packing, the ellipse spar would be segmented and the keel spar would be segmented. Perhaps the segments could be airfoil shaped or teardrop shapped. Think also of captive arch for the upper and lower arches of the ellipse spar.

Tendons from ellipse spar may go to keel spar as well as to sail as well as to itself. Close: spoked wheel where spokes go from ellipse spar (rig of wheel) to the axle shaft (equivalent topologically to the HG keel). But then add lines or tendons to sail and other lines that go from ellipse spar to keel.

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[Chris McKeon]

LZ's, Roads, Pulling Rabbits out of a Hat, and Tremendousness
\

Ok I am feeling sortove ;ike am Hasbeen, Out Cast.

So Maybe My Days of Going for Broke, Dam the Retrieval type of Flying are behind Me. But I want to, and I hope that i will still be able to figure MY xc routes by looking up at CLOUDS. SEEING THE WAY THE clouds line up as the prime indicators odf what direction I choose to Fly My future XC routes. In the Past Ptoviding I had traditional Thermal Indicators such as High Ground, a large Green Field that was parallel to Fields of Brown tilled Earth. I would knowing that I had a number of Miles where I had to cross [No Mans Land]. No Mans Land being where no Man should land, for it would nesciat one long hike to a road. In fact, the Longest that I ever had to pack My Predator upon My Shoulder, then walk to a road was about Two, Maybe Three Miles. Knowing that in My Future providing that I return to Flying, Flying Xc. This is why I have showed interest in the idea of being able to short Pack My Predator. Because I must be a realist. The day will come when I encounter that horrific Four letter Vulgar Word. Yes, I will [SINK-OUT] and be forced to land way father than Two or Three Miles. I said in a previous post; "I can not be the Only One.

i was talking to Zack Majors Yesterday. So We were talking about the Predator. Well Zack had a Predator. He said at one Point; Zack said to Me; "THe Predator has such a tremendous Sink Rate". Ye Zack the Predor does indeed have a Tremendous Sink Rate. I would gamble doing the Do or Die, Get hook a Thermal and thus be able to continue on so many times. Now that I have lost One Hundred Plus Pounds. I really wonder how well I will be able to work Marginal lift?





So how about others who like I were forced to either decide to go For It., Or play the other Flight Cardm, We all know that Card. It is where You make ythe terrible Decision to do that other FOUR LETTER WORD; {LAND} I will be talking to John about the Feasibility Short Packing My Predator.

I have been Quite low out over NO-MAN'S LAND. Yet By Hook or By Crook I was always able to get back enough altitude with which I was able to extend My Horizon. I mean; I Mean; Just How many times will I be able to Pull a Rabbit out of a Hat?

[JoeF]

Apologies: this note is so rough-draft and not baked at all, but is what I received at nap waking today:
"...tapered blocks tensionally captured for spar making; use nestable tapered blocks"
So, perhaps more later on this as it grows in me.

[JoeF]

Some advance in drop-stitch constructions might interest some designers of tiny- packing HGs:

[JoeF]

When one site is intended for HG play:

Another half-baked program where tote is tiny: Tote sail and lines and webbing, perhaps, and two king posts and two queen posts (have the king posts fit inside the queen posts. Have at site buried blocks of innocent foam. Tensionally hold the blocks to form a main wide spar. Dress the spar to make wing. Flight check. Test. Fly.

What positive utility could at-site foam blocks play when not used as wing-spar basis? Benches for people to enjoy? Sand-movement blocks? Chairs? If someone takes the blocks: no wing! Fencing? Sign holders? Blockades to direct traffic? Pleasant sculpture?

Have the blocks of foam be hollowed judiciously so the resultant block still takes the pressures of flight. Maybe have the blocks surfaced smartly on the flight-load compressed face. Maybe have full-span one block that serves as a fence or bench, say 30-ft long. Then


The liability of placing private blocks on public property could bury this half-baked scheme.
=====
This seems like a cousin to hiding HG spars at a site; arrive with other key parts via a tiny tote affair; join with the hidden spars: fly.
But note the similar liabilities! Maybe gift a special fence to the site; give up ownership of the fence. But, then for some moments dismantle the fence and have at framing a HG; after flight, put the fence back together again. Or flag poles or windsock poles or message poles; give a flag pole for state, country, county, sport, etc. Have secret anchor release of the poles to discourage theft. Then use those poles for HG frame when visiting the site for flight play. By gifting (with proper reception) liabilities can be reduced with the burden on the site owner. [ ]

[Chris McKeon]

This being able to Short Pack My Predator. Yes to be able to short Pack My Predator and Head out. This could be so cool. It could open Doors of opportunity.

Ok I will Mention a type of Flying that will receive Push-Back here on the Hawks Website. What I want to say is this. in the Past While Flying Cross Country I would be quite a Few Miles from the nearest Road I could be gett way too low. But I would shift into My; {SINKING OUT IS NOT AN OPTION| Well somehow I would be able to scratch Myself back up to where I could continue on on My XC adventure. I always tended to be standing on the side of a Road that Border a Field. when My Driver showed up to retrieve Me. Being able to Short-Pack M\My Predator this will allow Me to reduce stress on Future Flights Flying My Predator Cross Country.

Yes having the option of being abbe to Short Pack My Predator and then Continue om would be major Cool. But the Length or those Spars might be a Problem though. I want to hear what John says about this short packing deal.

Thec Predator has an unreal ability to Climb. I am not the only Pilot to know about the Predators ability to Climb Ib was talking to Zack Majors last night, Zack said this about the Predator; "The Predator has a Phenomenal Sink Rate" I know this to be true. But I am a realist at Heart, after all. Sooner or later I will sink out Miles from a road.

So being able to Short-Pack My Predator, and have a Manageable Hike, This would be so COOL!

[JoeF]

Assuming two compact packs for the hang glider (HG) parts and a third consisting of pilot-worn items:
During hiking mode on sidewalks and roads, I envision that the two packs will be stackable and equipped with four small, silent wheels. These wheels could be inserted into some of the HG's tubes to form a makeshift wagon. Pulling the wheeled stack could be the method of transportation on sidewalks or roads.

The pilot would wear things in various ways making up a third pack during hiking, bus rides, train journeys, or hitchhiking. At times, the other two packs could be carried in a balanced manner, one held in each hand. On a city bus, the two packs would be strategically placed, perhaps stacked lengthwise if standing, or one placed horizontally on the floor beneath a seat while the other rests on the pilot's lap set vertically. Other options may also be available.

The packs would be neat, clean, and have pleasant colors. Pack #1 and Pack #2 might have a length of one meter. The pull line could be integrated into the hang glider's rigging lines, while the wraps for Pack #1 and Pack #2 could be part of the hang glider's sail assembly.

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,

[JoeF]

Testing some spar designs:
Harvard Model Bridge Testing! Trusses and Beams

[Chris McKeon]

Ok I am a realist after All. For Here I am after Thirteen Years since My last Flight. I truly do not know if, or when I might Fly again. heck; I want to in the worst Way. But I find Myself thinking about Flying on an on going Basis. So this deal of Short Packing One's Glider really has caught My Interest. I will be getting together with John this Sumeer. John will be giving My Predator an IRAN, and a Test Flight. So I will bend John's Ear with Questions regarding Short-Packing My Predator, with it's Carbon Spars and all.

[JoeF]

The Joe Sock for handling resistance to insertion of telescopic segments has been experiencing some simplifications. Though the most simple probably won't get used much, but it is core to express the design: Take a segment of cord and melt flange its two ends.