1970s Hang Gliding

[@mikekelsey6777]

I started flying in 1973 with Free Flight Systems standard hang glider. I am now 69 and sold my last hang glider after my final flight in Oklahoma. There were health issues that I could no longer ignore that could indeed interfere with flight safety. No regrets. Many great adventures starting in Southern Cal and ending in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Never had an injury in all those years. Still remains the greatest sport as far as I am concerned.

[@ChancetheCanine]

Thanks for sharing, I built a VJ-23 in 1974, never realized my location wasn’t suited for it.😊

[@garym2213]

Loved this video. I built my 1st glider in 1974 in my driveway. Flew for 16 more years. You brought back some memories I had forgotten. Thanks

[@mattcolver1]

My 1st glider was a bamboo Butterfly built in 1971. We took it to the 1st hang glider meet held on Lilienthal's birthday.

[@johnhall7475]

Thanks for the memories!

[@leifvejby8023]

Thanks for sharing! It is a few years before I started - I flew Cloudbase and Bobcat, and a few yeas later a delightful Super Scorpion.

[@RMJTOOLS]

Lots of memories. My first glider was an 18’ Eipper standard.

[@christoomey9890]

Thanks for sharing this piece of history with us.

[@alpintourer]

1970-ish I built a "Batso" from plans listed in The Whole Earth Catalog. Bamboo and plastic drop cloth. A whole lot of cheap fun. Later went on to skydiving, ballooning, paragliding and then airships. Tried a Rogallo Trike once but didn't like the constant noise. I'm 73 now and no longer fly, but enjoyed the pioneering days of personal aviation.

[@mattcolver1]

After I had kids I stopped flying hang gliders. I built a one man hot air balloon based on hang glider technology that I could take off and land using my feet. Here's some photos: www.flickr.com/photos/185055346@N07/albums/72177720315599771

[@grandmamichelle6753]

I thought that was Escape Country. Good memories, but I am so thankful that today’s gliders have more safety built in.

[@debravanwassenhove1472]

Are used to live in a bus at Escape Country first place I ever flew. Then on to lake Elsinore. went to Sarah, Gordo and Yosemite to help film with Japanese. Awesome time in my life.

[@christophergagliano2051]

Great music good video I've flown gliders and gliders RC gliders perfect way to go

[@watrski]

This is great,I had a gull wing in the 70,s and 80,s,towed it with my boat

[@user-mi2ng3xr1r]

Amazing.

[@GlideLA]

Loved seeing the sail wing in action. I hope Frank is well.

[@mattcolver1]

He's doing great. Check out my latest video. I joined him in Utah and we're scrambling along a rock wall to see some petroglyphs. He's 86. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ona7p36Za6egp9E

[@TomOBrien-wu2ze]

The 500' hill launch at Escape Country. If you don't run your ass off, it hurts!

[@danfitzgerald5515]

I probably made the tangs on that Flexi-Floater kit!

[@alcourtines4707]

Outstanding!

[@johntucker469]

i started with a Easy Riser in 77

[@christheother9088]

Pictures?

[@Hovermaster]

Started my career on a Pliable Moose in Iowa

[@olsonspeed]

Flashbacks to how it all started, back when gliders had spars.

[@RMJTOOLS]

And kingposts and deflexors.

[@olsonspeed]

@@RMJTOOLS And control bars!

[@penrynbigbird]

Good ol' Escape Country :) Thanks for sharing!! Who is that with the SST looking wing? I knew that rigid looked familiar! I've seen the small scale of it in you dad's hands at gatherings at Dockweiler! My first vario was of course a Colver :)

[@mattcolver1]

That's my Dad face planting in his SST almost on the concrete walkway.

[@christheother9088]

@@mattcolver1 When I switched to prone my takeoffs immediately got a lot better and I didn't get those "nose pops"(like what your Dad did here) that happened when I flew seated.

[@joaochriste6095]

Minhas primeiras aulas de voo foram numa asa destas.

[@penrynbigbird]

Lots of old standard footage KZbin @ H5-Phil

[@cosmowerkstapes]

nice.

[@christiaanbielen3974]

Nice