Alejandro Isaza, <email>, <email>, http://soaringflight1.tripod.com/ writes:

After seeing this photograph of two Guatemalan pilots “flying” the Little girl, it occurred to me that something similar could be done, to allow people to experience what a hang gliding flight is, in a very safe and controlled way.

I have seen videos before of pilots “flying” kids and students, and I guess it could be done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RgyBbPd2LA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5zrsZFbhFc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4AwbBWOtJY&NR=1

So I retouched the photograph to draw and explain this idea.

The idea is to tow a glider (single surface preferably) with a scooter tow, that has two lines each one attached to the wing of the glider at the point where the crossbar joins the leading edge, and this two lines are attached to a cable or rail on the ground moving along with the glider as it is being towed, and preventing the glider from turning to the side, controlling it with the help of the tension of the tow in a straight and very low flight. The pilot will have some pitch control, but this control could be minimal if the tow line is attached both to pilot and hang glider, always pulling with the same angle of attack.

I have never try this system and don't know if it can be done or how safe it is. It is just a idea I want to share with Oz Report readers, but I figure it can be use for learning in the very first flights of the students, and also to allow people (students and other people) experience the flight of a hang glider with little or no risk at all.

Some precautions should be taken in case of strong or changing winds, that to the discretion of the people running it.

It can be use at aerial festivals, schools and tourist areas to introduce people to hang gliders and experience how it flies.