[VSKYLABS Newsletter] issued 6 Dec 2016
Book reading recommendation: "Hang Gliding, The Natural High of self launched personal flight” by Peter L.Dixon
Found this book earlier this year (2016), at a used bookstore in California called Point Reyes Books. At the time (in the light of the development of the VSKYLABS ‘Powered Hang Glider Project’ for X-Plane flight simulator) I was deeply immersed in research on hang gliding, searching for authentic materials and writings from the 1960s and 1970s. I wanted to better understand what I had experienced as a kid, observing those triangular gliders on the beach and along the coast-line in the early '80s.
The book is an authentic, almost documentary-like piece of reading material from the past, originally printed in 1977. Its content is wide-ranging, covering everything from hang gliding history to weather flying, safety, flying techniques, and even considerations for choosing a hang gliding school. It begins with a fascinating overview of aviation history, leading up to the modern hang-gliding sport, and continues with a detailed introduction to the hang glider itself.
Reading this book feels like listening to a captivating mentor in the world of hang gliding. The author speaks in the first person, diving into the finer details of the sport with thorough explanations and authentic, personal testimonials. Oh, and there are plenty of drawings and original photos, complete with useful commentary.
In conclusion, I would say this book transports its readers back to the magical era of the wild and innocent days of early hang gliding.
Here is a short sample, one of many amazing testimonials and flying stories within the book:
"Then the kite popped upside down, nose first, and the aluminum crinkled and tore. I said, "Oh no," and then I was under it again. Next, I was snapped into a violent spin, and I couldn't find any control bar to hold onto. I tried to reach the cross bar, but I couldn't get my hands above my face because of the G's. I couldn't even recognize my kite....I knew I was dead when the aluminum broke. I guess that I got rather involved with how long I had. I was spinning so fast that I couldn't tell how high I was. Then there was brief hindsight; 'You shouldn't have taken off, you dumb shit; I wish that I hadn't put all of my marbles into one bag; why don't I have parachute?' That's all the time I spent kicking myself. Down below I could see greenery everywhere, but in the middle of the trees was a very large rock - no hope at all. All I could think was, 'O.K., if this is what you've gotten yourself into, it's alright.' If you transgress the rules of the element you're in, then you'll have to make payment. I found myself resigned to this. 'It's alright.' I said out loud three times to try and fortify myself. In a way, I became detached; I got bored with being so helpless. I thought about disengaging myself, so I'd be flung out into the bushes or trees, but I still couldn't tell how high I was. Then I began to make out details in the rock that I was going to crash into."
A must read for aviation history and hang gliders enthusiasts.
Huss - VSKYLABS.
*attached a few pages samples. Book has B&W as well as colored photos.
