History of Free Flight in WA
The 70's
This photo very much defines the early days of hang gliding. Home built from plans, early hang gliders were truly an aircraft for the brave at heart.
There was very little understanding of aerodynamics, of construction materials and methods, let alone the actual vagaries of the wind and weather!
Unfortunately it was also a period of peak carnage for the sport, without proper systems of instruction. It was from this period that the 'dare-devil' stunt-man reputation was born. High profile crashes didn't help either (Bill Moyes crashing in front of thousands of fans, for example).
Some of the early pioneers are no longer with us. Luckily, the Pilot in this photo is still very much with us and flying today.
You can often see him flying at Cottesloe.
Thanks to Sam Blight at Rangs Graphics for his photo. This is him bravely preparing to launch near York WA in 1974. Gotta love that wing!
This photo very much defines the early days of hang gliding. Home built from plans, early hang gliders were truly an aircraft for the brave at heart.
There was very little understanding of aerodynamics, of construction materials and methods, let alone the actual vagaries of the wind and weather!
Unfortunately it was also a period of peak carnage for the sport, without proper systems of instruction. It was from this period that the 'dare-devil' stunt-man reputation was born. High profile crashes didn't help either (Bill Moyes crashing in front of thousands of fans, for example).
Some of the early pioneers are no longer with us. Luckily, the Pilot in this photo is still very much with us and flying today.
You can often see him flying at Cottesloe.
Thanks to Sam Blight at Rangs Graphics for his photo. This is him bravely preparing to launch near York WA in 1974. Gotta love that wing!
The 80's
Hang glider wings experienced major changes in the early 1980s.
The design had rapidly developed to include new safety features, and most gliders were no longer home-made.
Still, Pilots learnt how to fly for themselves through trial and error.
Wal, already an experienced Pilot from the eastern states, started flying in the north west. He also taught others how to fly but later decided that the conditions in the north-west to too gnarly for inexperienced Pilots. He continued to fly, and others who learnt from Wal are still actively flying throughout WA.
The mid to later 80's saw massive improvements in equipment and training.
The 1980's were the peak of public interest and fascination in hang gliding.
A paraglider going somewhere "cross-country"
Wal Reeves in 1980, launching the 10KP ridge near Wickham, WA.
Hang glider wings experienced major changes in the early 1980s.
The design had rapidly developed to include new safety features, and most gliders were no longer home-made.
Still, Pilots learnt how to fly for themselves through trial and error.
Wal, already an experienced Pilot from the eastern states, started flying in the north west. He also taught others how to fly but later decided that the conditions in the north-west to too gnarly for inexperienced Pilots. He continued to fly, and others who learnt from Wal are still actively flying throughout WA.
The mid to later 80's saw massive improvements in equipment and training.
The 1980's were the peak of public interest and fascination in hang gliding.
A paraglider going somewhere "cross-country"
Wal Reeves in 1980, launching the 10KP ridge near Wickham, WA.
The 90's
The nineties saw rapid development in hang glider technology, especially in terms of performance. Top-less gliders made their first appearance, providing less drag and far greater gliding speeds without sacrificing handling (debatable for the first generation of Moyes' CSX) ;o)
Paragliding made its first appearance, started by parachutists trying to achieve gliding flight by foot launching from hills. Due to the steep glide (like a brick) of the parachutes, pilots needed very steep hills and nerves of steel. Eventually the glide performance has improved to where the best performing paragliders now match the least performing hangliders in terms of glide angle and speed. Being slower gives paragliders a few advantages, such as being able to turn tighter inside thermals, and creating a feeling of increased security due to the slower landing approach speeds (not like a parachute!).
Slower approach speeds do offer an advantage; paragliders can land in places a hang glider could only dream of (unless they're a guru). Paragliders are typically seen as more serene, although they are also perfectly capable of extreme aerobatics.
The nineties saw rapid development in hang glider technology, especially in terms of performance. Top-less gliders made their first appearance, providing less drag and far greater gliding speeds without sacrificing handling (debatable for the first generation of Moyes' CSX) ;o)
Paragliding made its first appearance, started by parachutists trying to achieve gliding flight by foot launching from hills. Due to the steep glide (like a brick) of the parachutes, pilots needed very steep hills and nerves of steel. Eventually the glide performance has improved to where the best performing paragliders now match the least performing hangliders in terms of glide angle and speed. Being slower gives paragliders a few advantages, such as being able to turn tighter inside thermals, and creating a feeling of increased security due to the slower landing approach speeds (not like a parachute!).
Slower approach speeds do offer an advantage; paragliders can land in places a hang glider could only dream of (unless they're a guru). Paragliders are typically seen as more serene, although they are also perfectly capable of extreme aerobatics.