Electric motors on Hang gliders; a love story - 4k

A Unique new way to power a hang-gliders with minimal interference of normal flight characteristics and handling, as well as much improved safety during ground operations.
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For more details of the of the motors, please see the description in "Why do girls prefer hang-glider pilots" on the same channel.
For people interested in learning to fly in Western Australia check out hangglidingwa....

[@johngill5175]

Lithium batteries have changed the world. Full stop.

[@avianhanggliders1985]

The early hang glider power units in the late 70s (like the Soarmaster) were fitted to the frame. However if you get into a negative g situation (straps go loose, so the pilot no longer has pitch control) then the high thrust line will push the glider over into a tumble. It's much safer to attach the power unit to the hanging mass, i.e the pilot. This is why they stopped making them like this and Mosquito, Wasp, Doodlebug etc, as well as every weight shift microlight trike always has the thrust on the pilot (or trike), not on the wing. The e-help is a great modern example of an electric power unit on the pilot. With low amounts of thrust and smooth coastal air then you'll get away with this like they did in the late 70s, but if you get tempted to start putting more thrust on it or flying it in spicier air then it could get dangerous.

[@robertberndes7878]

We are aware of these old dangerous configurations with heavy powerful motors and we have tried many different configurations over many years, for example: one motor on the nose, two motors either side of the pilot, etc. but we were thrilled when we tried the motor at the current position because for the first time we found no change in pitch control, on a low performance HG, once flying. This is due to the line of thrust being opposite to the centre of drag for low performance hang gliders (look at the billow, dihedral, and angle of attack, at trim, for low performance hang gliders). Also, these units are generally very low power and just extend to abilities of a low performance hang glider to act more like a high performance hang glider in so far as its ability to jump from hill to hill along the coast, for example and also to fly in conditions that are too light for normal flight. Also, the position of the prop is very safe and the static balance is perfect. We love them and have been using them for many years now.

[@avianhanggliders1985]

@@robertberndes7878 as long as you're aware then I agree that sounds reasonable. It's just that it's always tempting to add bigger motors and more power and start using in more situations! At some point that would become dangerous. Although with electric there is the possibility to have a system using accelerometers to automatically kill the power if the wing becomes unloaded, which wasn't an option for those early pioneers. Although if you start to rely on that as a safety critical feature then it would need a really high level of reliability.

[@lessainsbury8508]

@@robertberndes7878 I can see this useful in situations to get launched in areas where access to a launch has been lost , or due to terrain that makes difficulty launching. Simply launching on the beach and flying up to the lift, might be preferable to a multi person wire launch on a precarious cliff edge. I was skeptical about the high thrust line , but given low power applications , and using in smooth marine air, I think it could be used safely.

[@dempart5558]

there could be a easy solutions to fix this conundrum. I have several ideas that could revolutionize hanggliding. I'm trying to contact different manufacturers for a collab.

[@dempart5558]

you could simply put a motor on each side strut (instead of side wires). Side struts instead of side wires should be generalized in free flight hanggliding by now. The philosophical design approach to current HG is not the correct one. Sure light weight is important, but it needs to be put in context of other considerations.

[@peterk2455]

One of the best things about gliding? The QUIET. Getting away from all the noise, from traffic, neighbours, HP ringtones and crap labelled as music

[@kostashellas]

where do you store the batteries and what's the specs for the batteries, motor and propeller?

[@robertberndes7878]

In a pouch on the chest or for the big motor a safety break away board mounted on the outside of the chest

[@cadcad4974]

I would like to watch your channel; however, your choice of music (hip-hop/rap) is like hearing fingernails on a chalkboard.

[@robertberndes7878]

Check out new, more specific, details about the motors, in the description of our other video "Why do girls prefer Hang-glider pilots - 4k" 😀

[@LarsLarsen77]

You'll want a pusher prop at your feet. So the harness is like a power pod.

[@etienne7774]

Why mix trash demonic rap music with God's creation?

[@BikingVikingHH]

I can’t stand being outside without sunglasses, and wear really well fitting safety glasses when I’m on my motorcycle to keep the wind out of my eyes. How you are out there flying around in the bright sky, wind blasting in your face and no eye protection baffles me. Love the concept though! I am a remote control pilot and love slope soaring , I have a few powered gliders too.

[@homienat3374]

Great vid of design and flight of hang gliding crap song

[@defender714]

helicopter pilot says, very cool, guys o/

[@Gornflyin]

any thoughts about how this might be used along with a ballistic parachute? Very cool project, and the filming was great. I miss WA coastline.

[@robertberndes7878]

Should be no problem. Leaves the parachute pouch free for batteries too.

[@LaurenMartins]

Hi, I'm very light 56kg and I fly a Finsterwalder packable HG. This little motor could easily lift me up. I'm interested in buying please. Best wishes Lauren

[@darrylcivin6818]

Looks awesome- tons of fun and locally too, great videos!

[@I_AM_ALL_THAT_WAS]

The script you’re reading is written in the music you listen to. It’s not your heart.

[@bigfoot8586]

If your going to put a motor on it make it big enough to take off with otherwise you get tired of messing around with it.

[@robertberndes7878]

My original thoughts as well! - before we made the small ones - but we think differently now. For more of our thoughts and experiences on the subject please see the description in "Why do girls prefer hang-glider pilots" on the same channel

[@bigfoot8586]

@@robertberndes7878 Your trying to pump your channel sending me to "Why do girls prefer hang-glider pilots" just proves your full of bull sh#t.

[@foxlake6750]

Run two motors, one behind the other, same foot print

[@mr22jk2]

A sustainer motor is not a bad thing either

[@bmwlane8834]

Thank God for mute!

[@paulb9769]

Great vid horrid music

[@sarcasmo57]

Very cool.

[@Йер-л8я]

more videos, more experiments, more motor performance 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💫💫💫💫💫💫

[@AlexandrGubanov]

Cool!

[@---td6gu]

GOOD

[@RudolfIppisch]

🙂🙂🙂

[@jerryhoward7910]

Ok. Go ahead. Take my money ….I’m in. Where can I get one???

[@robertberndes7878]

Hi Jerry, Please write us on: [e-mail] if you are interested in making/buying a motor.

[@Yeshua73732]

Hey Whats the name of the first song? Thanks

[@robertberndes7878]

soundcloud.com/jacksonbrown

[@giterdunpete]

you guys look like you are straight out of the 70's, when i used to fly....around Sydney.

[@robertberndes7878]

Oldies but goodies :)

[@downpatmusic]

I've flown in my dreams for years. But you guys fly in the daylight! Looks fun.

[@evanbarnes9984]

I can't suggest paragliding strongly enough! I want to fly hang gliders too one day, but I my paraglider harness serves double duty as a backpack for the wing, so I just keep the whole thing in the trunk of my car and fly after work! Seagulls are totally fine sharing the air with me over the ocean cliffs. It's the least expensive form of aviation! Just look up a school and get good training. I dreamed of flying paragliders for 20 years before I finally did it, and it's better than I imagined. I want everyone to fly!

[@johngalt97]

Lucid dreaming unaided gliding FTW!

[@dronepronashville6355]

Thought for second you couldn't get back up wind. I fly wills wing Falcon 4 , been trying to figure out a way to do this. Off the king post... brilliant.

[@matoko123]

I used to fly a Wasp Falcon 4 in '79 :) I'm guessing yours is a newer version?

[@choppergirl]

All these Weight Shift Gliders Are A Bad Idea. That's Why Volmer Jensen Designed The Easy To Build In Your Garage Vj-24w. I Bought One Off Ebay For $38. He's The Same Guy That Designed The Star Ship Enterprise, And Was Into Gliders Pretty Much Alone In The United States Until All These Rogalo Punks Came Along. Interestingly, an inflatable Rogalo was designed by a husband and wife as a pitch to Nasa as an alternative parachute to return the Apollo capsules on reentry. We have better ways to fly today. Learn to fly in a sim, spend a couple of thosand hours, then if you still enjoy it, build a flying robot. Keep your feet on the ground and your view in teh sky. A lot more portable to transport and store, adn far cheaper, safer, and just lain more fun. Man handling a hang glider around in no wind is a PITA, and in the wind it's a down right fight. I've got three 40 ft planes, and I don't move them ever around. Where they end up is where htey stay put.

[@ShobhaVarmaprince]

😮😮😮😮😢

[@jimwolfe2862]

Very Kool Rob, love the latest design nice video mate👍

[@moler1964]

BEEN FLYING RC OFF THE BEACH FOR 40 YEARS! SMOOTH AIR WHEN OFF THE OCEAN OR DOWN THE BEACH!, STARTING FLYING ELECTRIC IN 1988! THANKS FOR SHARING. HAD THREE HANG GLIDERS AND NEVER FLEW THEM. MY LOSS.

[@layne331]

Interesting, but hard to watch because of the lousy music.

[@larifari4371]

I can turn on my music by myself. But sadly Ihave no E-glider to listen (let alone a bunch of them to compare). It would be helpful to hear them without music. THX

[@robertberndes7878]

Will will try to upload a video at some point so you can hear the mtors without music. For more details of the motors please see the description in "Why do girls prefer hang-glider pilots" on the same channel.

[@robertberndes7878]

Please see "Using motor to fly in conditions too light to sustain flight" for raw flight footage.

[@jasonford7216]

The music made me not want to watch this...

[@ericbrazau6533]

Let us hear the flight - the wind

[@ljprep6250]

Excellent, guys! I built a working hang glider when I was going to tech school in Phoenix, AZ back in '72. Bedsheets, bamboo carpet poles, and nylon twine. Drew it on a napkin and built it once I had the materials. It got me off the ground for about a minute before a gust told it to fold on me. School got busier about then and I never did go back to it. Fond memories seeing you fly them so easily. xox Curious of the cost nowadays, especially for a powered version.

[@robertberndes7878]

That's great mate. You are a legend! It's great when people bring their dreams to life.

[@FirstLast-tx3yj]

​@@robertberndes7878 did the motor position pitch the glider downwards?? The mosquito motor kit puts the motor next to the feet to avoid pitching the glider but i want to know if you had any problems with this position of the motor

[@VTSifuSteve]

Did the same thing, in the same place, at about the same time! Got scrap bamboo from carpet shops, plastic sheet and reinforced strapping tape. Drove over towards Tempe and flew it off those little buttes just north of the Salt River. Our kite lasted for about one afternoon of ground skimming. Almost set my butt down on a barrel cactus. Latter I bought a old style "Lark" rogallo wing for about $500 and would drive up to fly the cinder cones east of Flag. God, even today's lowest-performance gliders would have been freakin' amazing back then!

[@mosiprop]

Aussies are Aus-some! :D

[@LaurenMartins]

There is so much potential on this, it's insane! Install a self stick solar film on the back of the Hangglider and you have a fully solar powered Glider. Look at the SunSeeker solar sail plane, much heavier, smaller square meter, still works. I want it so bad.

[@robertberndes7878]

Cool idea :)

[@JT-cf7dq]

Watts from solar panel on wings? One would need very large wings, like 10,000 ft^2.

[@jetztisfeierabend]

​​@@JT-cf7dq1m2 will bring about 20W average. With direct sun lot more. Foils bring up to 10%. How much area does a glider have? Lets say 7m2. Thats about 140W. Not much but the battery wont dry up so fast. If the solar foil doesnt bring a negative effect to areodynamics that idea could work. Over time the material will be better. Maybe in 5-10years it will be practical, maybe sooner maybe even today. Who will find out and make a cool youtube video about it?

[@PinkeySuavo]

Any data how much it costs to fly for example 100 kms? Regarding electricity to charge battery? It would be awesome to get to work in such thing, lol

[@budipirang2694]

very nice

[@kendixon6437]

Does anyone know how much something like this cost especially the one with the electric motor?

[@robertberndes7878]

We think somewhere around 1500 USD but we are still working it out. In the For a more detailed description of the motors please see the description in "Why do girls prefer hang-glider pilots" on the same channel.

[@robertberndes7878]

Please write us on: [e-mail] if you are interested in making/buying a motor

[@ryanedwards7741]

I am so interested in this. When will this be more widely available.?

[@robertberndes7878]

We are thinking about it.... :) For a more detailed description of the motors please see the description in "Why do girls prefer hang-glider pilots" on the same channel.

[@robertberndes7878]

Please write us on: [e-mail] if you are interested in making/buying a motor.

[@kunoknollenbuddler2167]

Personal freedom ends at the tip of one's neighbour's nos. In this case: One Egoist have Fun at the Beach with his noisy ultralight Aircraft. But all the others suffers from that Noise and the Aspect, that this flights don't look safe.

[@fathy31]

E' possibile avere un link per contattare chi produce questo motore elettrico, per favore grazie a chi risponderà ,cieli blu ❤

[@massimotronci9389]

Mi sono iscritto! Ciao from Sardinia! 😁👋👋👋

[@Wolf-xu1fj]

I just found out about this, why isn’t every hang glider electric?

[@malibu188]

Very creative design.

[@robertberndes7878]

Thanks a lot

[@CapnSchep]

Very cool ..!

[@tube-guard3400]

what kind of electric motor did you. use? brand? thanks for input

[@hughbert03]

This could be the answer for Teewah!

[@davidevery4434]

This video would be much better without the man on the backing track reciting very bad poetry

[@danizweifler6061]

19 kg thrust...... = might safe your ass inflight as a sustainer engine...; no more, no less.... // still: I do love your work and thinking // regards

[@robertberndes7878]

Thanks Dani :) Please see the above threads. For a more details of the motors please see description in "Why do girls prefer hang-glider pilots" on the same channel

[@offshoretinker]

Excuse me, but what does dune gooning have to do with electric power? Useless.

[@RBWARNER]

exceptional.

[@markgiles8527]

WA?

[@robertberndes7878]

Yep!

[@786ALHAQ]

for more thrust, fix a tapered duct on the upright around the propelers

[@anatolehudson2636]

u guys make it look so easy

[@robertberndes7878]

We love it :)

[@paulbeukers2800]

This system should be banned.As an experienced pioneer of powered hanggliding I know that the people from avian are quite right about this,but the alternatives are also not very satisfying for various reasons.I have designed and built 2 alternatives which might be more succesful on conventional,mast-less and rigidwing hanggliders.However,I'm at the moment hopefully,recovering from cancer and I have other projects to attend to.In my active flying career I used to have good contacts with the british.(birdman sports)If anybody is interested,let me know.

[@ЛевЖувагин]

Мне очень интересно!!!...напишите пожалуйста мне ..

[@sibylvane7581]

Maybe a metal panel under propeller rotation could be good to prevent problems in case of prop failures . Probably that brushless has low rpm but those props are big enough to penetrate the wing

[@robertberndes7878]

Yeah, we like the idea of a Kevlar patch glued to the top of the sail. Easy enough to do.

[@GettingToHeaven]

Pretty unique

[@davids3181]

That wa incredible... God job... Well done...

[@johnc7144]

Just that little extra lift at the right time would greatly extend most flights. A missed thermal on a cross country flight results in a lot of walking and difficulty.

[@nritonga3874]

❤ amazing How much power does the motor on this plane have?

[@oldtimer2192]

What is that music? Can it be stopped?

[@johnturnbull7723]

I want to buy one or have the plans and with the the right type components to purchase then to construct

[@robertberndes7878]

@@johnturnbull7723 Hi John, Please write us on: [e-mail] if you are interested in making/buying a motor.

[@friarrodneyburnap8680]

Can you fly a Hangglider with a paramotor motor?

[@andyinnes2178]

Had to stop watching because of the crap music.

[@trustenbaker8766]

There should be commentary on this, not a f rap song!

[@RussellT-ml6xp]

Is that Ole breariton doin the rap at the beginning of the film

[@eduardof.8117]

Que música horrível!!! Como pode ser voador com um gosto desses.

[@meme-wo6ok]

Music sucks for such a beautiful experience

[@charliehoward9005]

looks great fun

[@seanjarvie9737]

Who is the music first and last clips

[@lalitpant6408]

O dear friend I haven't mony But want live like you Plz make a trip for me God bless you 🇮🇳india

[@robertberndes7878]

I will be thinking of you next time I fly my friend.

[@squashduos1258]

From a risk mitigation pov you need to put a circular frame around the propeller….let’s say one of the props dislodges and cuts through the sail…game over….just saying….

[@robertberndes7878]

the props have VERY low mass but we do like the idea of a Kevlar pad glued under it on top surface of the sail.

[@PaulFurber]

I agree with Avian's comment below - this needs some kind of cutoff so that if the AoA goes below the horizontal it cuts out no matter what.

[@robertberndes7878]

Food for thought...

[@lllPlatinumlll]

I dislike due to the assault on my ears.

[@davidbryant85]

I think it requires about a 12hp motor which gives about the 19kg of the first example to float about forever. What is important is that the distance from the hangpoint where all the tubes meet is as small as possible. It is at this point where crossbars keel hangpoint meet that all the aerodynamics are worked out by the glider and you keep flying or not. You are putting 100kg of weight about 2 meters hanging below so 20kg pushing 50cm above is probably just about ok. The glider dose not care where the push comes from it is up to us to keep this safe so it does not prevent your fundamental control skills being overwhelmed by the motor. I have a paramotor which gives up to 70Kg thrust but with a Propellor whose center is 50cm from my back and it works fine. Before I instructed on powered trikes with maybe 100kg thrust but then you have a fixed distace bar seperating you from the hangpoint and everything has now changed from hangliding to an aeroplane david

[@robertberndes7878]

Thanks David, That's a nice description of forces and distances

[@robertberndes7878]

I think the other thing we have discovered is that the motor should be situated close to the centre of DRAG. The kingpost mount seems to be pretty close to that.

[@whoanelly737-8]

Very cool!

[@Tinker1950]

The ghetto music made sure I turned it off

[@CoryZuber]

The song is dope. Don't let the other commenters say different.

[@robertberndes7878]

Thank you! We have had a lot of negative comments but looking at the number of views, it must appeal to a lot people. The song writer is a friend of ours. A young Aussie dude from the country.

[@dooleyged]

Cool!

[@mohammadaswal4761]

Brilliant idea

[@ОлегЗаг-о3ю]

Why did you choose hang gliding instead of paragliding?

[@robertberndes7878]

Statistically safer and also much more versatile

[@freddycastro2712]

where can I get one of this hang glider

[@pobinr]

Leave out the intrusive needless music. Instead you could be telling us about battery amp hours, motor power etc Bye

[@robertberndes7878]

For information on the motors and associated system, please read the description in "Why do girls prefer Hangglider pilots"

[@robd1859]

God I can't stand rap Music!

[@valienterf]

amazing

[@globalnomad4074]

wow ,, where can I get one

[@robertberndes7878]

email us on: [e-mail]

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

So my take away. The 19kg is maginal for self launch on flat. The others seem like a get out jail free card if get to far from a safe landing area. Winch stuff is pretty cool, either they overloading the winch, or not getting enough AOA on launch for a big climb out.

[@robertberndes7878]

Yeah, that's pretty accurate although we still have to test the 19lb again we don't know if we are just in ground effect in a nil lift situation. We have increased the thrust by going with slightly higher voltage and may be around the 23lb mark now. Still have to try again on level ground, no lift situation.

[@robertberndes7878]

19kg 23kg not lb! Sorry

[@polka23dot70]

The propeller is noisy.

[@davids3181]

Wheres the battery

[@robertberndes7878]

For more details of the of the motors please see the description in "Why do girls prefer hang-glider pilots" on the same channel.

[@robertberndes7878]

In one model the batteries are in the pod itself with a manual disconnect. For the others the batteries are on the chest for easy access.

[@davids3181]

@@robertberndes7878 thanks matey...

[@AnthonyWilliams-ri1dg]

Crap sound track

[@biagiobertino3233]

Good morning Robert, Is It possibile to buy this Electric motor? Thanks

[@robertberndes7878]

We are still working it out but hope to have more info out soon. For a more details of the motors please see description in "Why do girls prefer hang-glider pilots" on the same channel

[@robertberndes7878]

Hi Biagio, Please write us on: [e-mail] if you are interested in making/buying a motor

[@johnlsesay1]

y r we still using cars?

[@raymondo162]

duh

[@dj-flights7376]

How much does the more powerful one weigh? Does it have enough power to take off on flat land?

[@robertberndes7878]

Very light... The batteries are the heavy bit. How ever many of them you want to carry... The motor weighs less than a kg. We have only been in ground effect continuously but have now upped the power by increasing the voltage and going for 3 props over two but we haven't yet tested the new configuration. There will be a video as soon as we do :) The next video will show the original two motor configuration which took off from the ground and climbed straight up with plenty of power. Look out for that one :)

[@MrDIAMONDCOR]

Seriously that motor wont even power a kite, never mind a glider with pilot😎

[@robertberndes7878]

Wait till the next video of the original set-up. 40KG thrust powering a glider straight into the sky from a flat park in no wind!

[@v.e.7236]

Have you experimented w/ mounting positions and thrust direction? I'm thinking a reversed (pusher) thrust mounted on the keel boom might be a better position. You seem to have experienced no control issues. Electric propulsion is certainly the future of motive power, we just need battery tech to up its game and we could be flying quietly into said future.

[@kamalakrsna]

Wow .. i'd like 2 try that ... low altitude flying along the sandy sea coast... tnx 4 incl. the kangaroos scene... trippy