International Hand Launch Glider Festival June 3-4, 2001
Introduction  The idea behind this technical report is to provide information on a very exciting hand launch glider contest.  Over the years, the following is often not covered in contest reports: 1)  Only a flew planes are shown in the magazine articles. 2)  Little, if any, technical information on the planes and pilots is provided for those interested and who were unable to attend the contest. 3)  The authors often cover limited areas, mainly due to space limitations in the magazine. 4)  The coverage only addresses those pilots and planes which are popular.. 5)   Little if any information is provided so those pilots who are designers can see what is happening.  6)  And more.... Personally, I want to be competitive with my current designs.  In order to look at all the planes, since I can't remember everything, I started to take a lot of pictures.  Like with the use of the gyro, any way to launch higher, glide longer, search farther will aid in developing the skills required to challenge the best.   This reports hopes to address many of these areas.  As they say, pictures are worth thousand words, so this CD compiles a number of pictures.  It was not possible to photograph every pilot and plane.  Indeed, each pilot has one or more hand launch gliders, and often they were of different design and manufacturers.  It was difficult to tell many planes apart.  There may have been many Raptors, so a general page of a high placing Raptor was chosen.  The pilots were very cooperative with permitting me to gather data and take pictures.  For all of the readers of this CD, please take time to thank the pilots for allowing me to present what is shown here.  We also need to thank the sponsors and volunteers of the contests.  Without their support and exhaustive work, the rest of the pilots could not devote their time to flying. Approach How did we approach gathering the data?  The author designed a form which was filled in as the information was gathered.  The topics to cover were diverse.  We all want to know which airfoils were used, and  wing designs.  For the builders, how were the fuselages made, how were the wings layed up in the bag, what were the approaches to the designs, how did they mount the radio gear, stabs, or wings?  An what about launches?  How did people mount the wing pegs in the wings.  Were there other design concerns?  How about travel and shipping?  How far away did pilots come  and how did they prevent their ships from being damaged?  What else could we think of?  If you have any suggestions please let us know?  Do you want to see more CD's of this type? In the works we have a CD on molding and bagging techniques.  So let us know more! CD Design This is my first time trying to prepare a technical report on HLG, or other soaring related technology.  I am working on a new CD covering technical information on my experiences with composite construction.  This CD is not perfect.  I have compromised on many things to get this to you.  As a modeler, designer, and flyer, I know a presentation like this is something I would like to see and I hope you enjoy it also.  Please do not copy this CD for your friends.  The price of this CD does not in any way cover the time spent to prepare the pages, pictures or scans.  If you like this CD please let me know using the contact page.  If you want your flying friends to use this CD please have them order one.  This will permit me to put together another.   The contents of this CD are copyrighted.  If you would like to use any of this information, please let me know and provide the appropriate acknowledgements of the source.  The author reserves all right to this CD and its contents.
©2001 Crawford-Adams Enterprises All Right Reserved. Permission to use any of the pictures and information on this CD is Required.