@RosssRoyce I've tried them before. Many pieces that can fail. This is a very basic item that has been tried and true and is not failed me yet. Considering a Bluetooth one...... we will aee

@cloudstreets1396 no. From the pilots I've spoke to you though it would have been a good option. I have generally large LZs but they also mentioned it's great for escaping clouds which I tend to get a little close to on some days

@ when I order mine I’m getting the spoilers for sure. Leave the flaps in a thermal setting for a nice slow flare and use the spoilers for glide path control. All sounds great now, but we will see how it goes. 😜

@michaelbigelow3255 it all depends on the options you choose and the model that you choose. You'll have to contact your local dealer.

@@MikeBomstad Can you give me a ballpark figure, normal options ??? Just trying to get a general idea of the cost as I have no idea...

Thanks

Beako bxgear.com/

Hi, The Havana is the easiest harness to get upright that I've flown. You dont need to keep your feet in to help get it rotated. It just rotates when you want it to. You can also adjust the limiter rope so that when you are upright you can hit the butt lever and have it hold at the max upright angle. (I haven't done that, but I know others that have and like it) It also zips up so much easier. I have 1100 hrs in 3 different Matrix. 300 hrs with 2 Rotor Havana's. I am happy I made the change. For me, the Rotor fits better, holds the pitch angle I want. With the flex wing and the Matrix, had to have the dorsal rope very tight so it didn't change with flying fast. (Made getting upright more difficult) There is no "right" harness, just the right harness for you. Let me know if you have any more questions. Example of how upright you can be kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoOmn3SYpLSYr6ssi=sZdU4s_kYNh4oYQl&t=5

Oh it does fly as well as designed! You dont get bullied in thermals. Light pitch pressure on glide. And max performance at all times since there is no VG to pull on / off. I tried wheels on my first Atos, the span and certain launches made it too difficult. Most fly with carbon skids. keeps the BT off the ground, helps if you need it and you can hold the glider easier when need be. It truly is amazing to fly!

Hi, That's great to hear. Nice to know you enjoyed it. The first Atos was in 1998-1999. They have been refining them ever since. In Europe they are much more common than in the states. (they are made in Germany) They are one of the best gliders to fly. In the air they handle so very well, and the performance is far superior than the best topless flex wing. Let me know if you have any more questions

@@MikeBomstad Hey Mike. Thanks for the info on the Atos. The closest I got to hang gliding was my brother. He started out on one of those beginner v shaped gliders, and then progressed up to a more advanced glider over time. But that was late 80s and early 90s, and nothing looked like the Atos. So I am 20 years behind the times lol, but it really does look beautiful. I would imagine that the tail gives additional stability that allows for a narrower wing and higher performance...?

@owlmuso I gotcha. Yes the tail ads a lot of pitch stability. Allows the glider to have less sweep, giving better performance. The tail also pitches up and down in conjunction with the flaps for trim the speed of the glider. Normal flexing gliders have a fair amount of pitch pressure when gliding. The tail and flaps allows little to no bar pressure. Less fatigue on Long Glides.

@@MikeBomstad Ok, that makes sense. Thank you. The reduction in fatigue must be amazing for cross country flights. I must say that for a long time Paragliding was on my bucket list, but the Atos is making me revise that list, haha. There was another question I had... I noticed you landed at an airfield. Isn't that a bit dicey considering you would be in close proximity to manned aviation? Besides being better protected i assume get right of way...?

@@owlmuso You can do both! I started out PG, then went to HG primarily. (I still PG some days) My longest flight was 7:18 min so far on an Atos. I could not have dont that on any other glider. I would have been way to tired. Thats a non towered airport, with little to no traffic. I set up close where aircraft would not be while I have a look for them. I am landing next to it so theoretically, we could both land at the same time if that ever needed to happen. Its my responsibility to "see and avoid"

Well, lets hope it was. We cant go back...... the memories live on. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

Make money, get back in the air

We all make mistakes. I have made plenty but we live on. Hang gliding certainly provides a therapeutic escape too. Never to late to start flying again. Go to the Wilderness( Johan is there) or Cape Town)Lennox is there) or Durban( Noel) ....all those instructors can get you in the air when you are ready :)

@@richardwallinger1683 I will make a video next time I setup

@wanderleyapparecidovieira2282 it's a how to set up and disassemble the Atos hang glider video.

@@BruleWanderer Near Chewelah wa, USA

Kool, thanks

@BruleWanderer you're welcome. We get a lot of fun days here sometimes when the conditions are right like anywhere else LOL

Yes! The same thought I have as well! It is late in the day when we land.... but you never know!

@@MikeBomstad Back in the day we routinely flew a site up above Shasta Dam. The LZ was below Shasta Dam and was brown dirt and directly adjacent the Sacramento River. The LZ had 3 different directions of air flow and no real prevailing wind. When thermals were breaking off it was a real handful. It was local to our Redding group and we learned to 'read' landing conditions. We did have a few visiting pilots that said oh, Hell No!! One of the main reasons I retired from the sport was the former instructor in me reminded me that I didn't fly enough to maintain the H-5 skills I once had... Forty-nine years was a good run...

@@penrynbigbird Ahhh sounds like you had a hell of a good run! Funny how when you know an LZ it feels "not so bad" then someone new sees it and say "oh hell no!" 😁 For those days when its tough to read the wind, I have smoke with me. (Alone with 3 @ 14' metallic streamers. weighted ens is 7' red, then 7' sliver. Dont land to the red! Smoke and streamers work very well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/faLNk2iQf7mfr7c

You can't put a price on Freedom! 😉

Ever see someone put a modern topless flex wing hang glider together? About the same time and complication. In the air, it is a dream to fly! So worth any time and effort 😁

Yes. Very fortunate to be a pilot and have these available.

@@carledinger3422 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHKaq6t8esdjps0si=tCgcThyp1N7nJ0ZB

Thanks! Glad to share the fun, Its very rare to have conditions like that, Here is one other with similar fun kzbin.info/www/bejne/j565aXabZpWrh68

@@gerbanren9890 what is your question?

@@Ion-d7e 😁

@richardwallinger1683 you all were test pilots back then! Things have really come so far. Compared to those back then.... wow. Glad to know you survived. It truly is a fun thing to do

Nice. This isn't like the old days though. Training and equipment have come a long way. Dying really isn't a part of it. Bottomless pocket, not required. Everything is more expensive these days. The added safety and performance of this glider, is worth the additional cost over the top performance flex wing.

@sherwoodski Thank you. The spars, the ribs and the Keel are also all carbon fiber. It has flaps spoilerons and the tail moves in conjunction with the flaps. They even have an option for Speed brakes. Incredible it all packs down into two separate bags and can be transported on any vehicle with padded racks on top

I have never jumped from a plane, I find this all I need for flying. It has changed my life. It is all I want to do. I cant get enough.

При свободном падении , ты можешь управлять своим телом и делать акробатические трюки уже после 30 прыжков . но это длится всего несколько десятков секунд ... Но выброс адреналина сумасшедший ! Ура!​@@MikeBomstad

Thats does sound like a fun time!

Так ради этого и стоит жить!​@@MikeBomstad

Agreed!!!!

@antd8667 Less parts than a topless Flex wing

😊

@@trnbrn21 😀

Thanks! Glad you liked it. I will definitely make more!!😁

@airgaborpara3824 Thank you. Yes. I usually run out my landings. Helps lower the stall speed and helps me to have more room for timing error. (and if I do need to really run, Im ready) kzbin.info/www/bejne/f56omGmNh9irmdk

Yes! It is a great pleasure to fly.

@@MikeBomstad but its a superexpensive kit, I guess.

@@airgaborpara3824 It is the top of the line, best performing hang glider 🙂

👍

This Atos model is 20:1 Sailplanes range from 25:1 - 60:1

@@MikeBomstad is it trading that for speed? Must be awesome!

@pauloalmeida4492 yes, the atos can fly much slower than a sailplane. Depending on your wing loading, for me it's around 18 -19 mph stall speed. The Atos flies very similar to a Flex Wing hang glider. Except it is much easier as it has control surfaces, flaps and a tail that moves with the flaps. See the setup breakdown video. It separates into two halves and is transported on top of any vehicle. Assembly is roughly 20 to 30 minutes depending on how fast you are

@pauloalmeida4492 yes to answer your question, it is awesome!! I've had some truly amazing flights on this type of glider.

Thank you. Nice to hear you enjoyed it. Appreciate the comment.

More than a topless flexwing, less than a sailplane!

More than a topless flexwing, less than a sailplane! (Ask a local dealer, your price may vary)

@danbroyles1167 it's just east of Chelan, east of Mansfield west of Simms corner is where we take off. Yes they call it moondust. And if you walk through a freshly plowed field you're taking soil sample with you LOL your socks will never be the same

I can setup / break down as fast as my topless. Only when drinking beer and talking does it take a long time 😊😁😁😎👍

Ha! Martin took off on a VR, then I took off. He was the other glider in frame around 3:16. (I will add some text on the next one to make it less confusing) Watch the very beginning you see the VR setting up, and the VQ race

Any time! It was my pleasure 🙂

@mikeswift7527 thanks mike! There's some pretty good triangle possibilities at Tekoa as well. We'll have to get together and try sometime

@chantereaudominique8855 thanks! It is one of the best ways😎😁

Thanks! There is no better place for them. Some days they look so powerful and you get near them and nothing. Always have your guard up because you just never know which one has the monster 😉

Absolutely!!!

Hell yeah! Wait till the VR takes a run at it😁

Thanks! glad you liked it. Take off is near Mansfield WA USA, then flew down SE of Wilson Creek WA, the NE past Wilber WA, and back to take off. There is a link to the flight detail in the video description

It has evolved so far. So easy to setup.

😎👍

@Aerocrvalley thanks. Glad to take you along

@@vimocam it is a really good feeling! Especially when it doesn't kick your ass😉😁

@lessainsbury8508 thanks. Glad you enjoyed. I tried to get them in there without overdoing it. They were actually at the very top of the smoke. You could see the smoke line going up to them. Guessing they must have popped up through the general top of lift. Thick Smoke like that definitely adds a layer of confusion some days as to what the air is doing and why. Glad we get to experience it