Hang gliders use gravity as their means of propulsion, meaning that the craft is always flying downward from its starting point. However, by locating and flying into thermal updrafts, gliders can stay aloft for extended periods of time, even hours, before landing. In 1999, the world-record flight distance for a hang glider came in at 308 miles. International hang gliding is overseen by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which organizes many world championships for hang gliders. American hang gliding activities are overseen by the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA). ![]() The modern version of hang gliding emerged in the 1960s, replacing Lilienthal’s biplane design with a more aerodynamic, delta-shaped sail, inspired by the kite designs of Francis and Gertrude Rogallo. Initially, these gliders were used to glide down the coastal dunes of California beaches or towed behind speedboats in Australia, similar to paragliding. The modern hang glider was invented by John Dickenson, an Australian, who added a swing seat to the Rogallo kite design. Hang gliding quickly rose in popularity throughout the United States in the 1970s, and continual improvements to the sport have been made since then. In 1891, German aviator Otto Lilienthal began a series of thousands of successful flights using a glider before perishing in a fatal glider accident in 1896. Lilienthal’s glider was known for its repeated, successful flights, and before his death, his designs were published, along with kits for others to make their own gliders. These early gliders were biplanes, meaning that they had two sets of wings and were controlled by a pilot hanging from a parallel bar beneath the craft by the armpits. Gliders are wide, delta-shaped sails that use gravity and thermal updrafts to maintain flight. Hang gliding was first invented in the 1890s by some of the pioneers of air travel. Hang gliding is an aerial sport where pilots fly a lightweight, non-motorized aircraft known as a glider. Highest Governing Body: Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) Typically, when flying a hang glider, unless were in lifting air, we tend to descend at around, say, 300 feet per minute.Founded By: Otto Lilienthal, John Dickenson.Invented: First invented in 1891 modern sport emerged in the 1960s.
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