Gregg Ludwig <<GreggLudwig>>
writes:

The Flying Launch Cart

Several pilots here in Texas have expressed an interest in a hang glider on
wheels. I started this project several months ago with the following goals:

- have it ready for show in April for a trip to Florida

- suitable for aerotowing solo gliders (tandem glider options already well
developed)

- well engineered and suitable for production (not just a "one off" design)

- have a system to make aerotowing look and feel easy for new pilots

- allow a safe option for pilots with knee or shoulder issues that simply cannot
afford a bad landing or desire an easier way to fly

My original design worked very well by using the popular tandem wheel kit but
those wheels are much more than what are desired for solo flight. Several
revisions along the way, including different caster forks, brings me up to
revision five now. Pictures are from revision three and four.

The short report is that they work great! The suspension forks use a "hinge"
design encapsulating a high energy-absorbing polyurethane cylinder. The cylinder
will flex to absorb the force of bumps from grass runways and on pavement the
ride is even smoother. The casters provide up to three inches of arch travel
that makes for smooth landings too.

The tailboom was another part of the puzzle to make it all work. The tail wheel
runs on bearings to allow for long taxi's often required at airports and flight
parks. The forward end of the tailboom attaches with a special fitting that
clamps around the keel without having to drill holes. The tailboom wire tension
can be adjusted by simply sliding the forward fitting as needed. Revision six
uses a Light Stream tailboom with a polished aluminum wheel option that looks
very cool.

I hope to have a couple of gliders flying around Florida in early April to
stimulate some interest. I am very close to the final design and working on
pricing and distribution next.

I intend to fly these at Wallaby/WW demo, arriving April 4th. They are really
fun to fly with. Notice also how the wheels are forward to minimize/eliminate
nose over tendency. These wheels have no shimmy.

Lightstream tailboom.

There is no welding required to produce this product.

The Salsa stems are 6061 aluminum. The casters are mounted on a vertical 1/2
inch bolt with 2 heavy duty brass bushings pressed into an aluminum sleeve that
all fits inside the Salsa stem. The casters rotate easily where a tight friction
adjustment is not required to prevent shimmy. The vertical links (that go to the
downtube) are bent with a portable hydraulic tubing bender that allows the bend
to be easily duplicated. The wheels run on a heavy duty 7/16 axle with roller
bearings and 50 psi tires. Revision five has control bar type rubber grips
installed over the vertical links. The assembly requires no painting or welding.
The caster forks are available in silver (I call aluminum color) or black as
pictured, I will have both with me.