Hang gliding is fun

[@jimfcarroll]

Wow. A high performance falcon ... or at least you make it look like one.

[@johnhall7475]

Compared to the 16' 'standard' glider I started with in 1976 (no battens!), my Falcon 195 is a supership.

[@aerozg]

Mine's orange. I love it.

[@engscott78]

Some of the coolest shit humans can do. Nothing compares to free flight.

[@cloudsurfer3948]

wow. I've been watching HG videos on YT for many many years - 4k, wide format, multi-angle, you name it - the footage here beats them all - loved watching this - please do more!

[@alanmydland5210]

Well done all around don't biff it

[@redmtn]

I had a friend who was a world class HG pilot. He died doing high speed ground skimming. Be safe. Growing old is pretty OK in my experience.

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

Agreed. I'm already old, but wouldn't mind getting older.

[@georgehunter2813]

High speed ground skimming is not dangerous if you know what you're doing and do it often...the same way. High comp pilots die doing off specialty stuff not in their regular regimen in wild celebrations. If you're not a regular terrain tracer don't race down summertime ski runs in the Alps because you recently placed high in a XC comp.

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

@@georgehunter2813 I'm hesitant to argue with a safety minded comment like Darcy's, but I agree with you that what I'm doing at my local hill isn't extremely dangerous. I'm just a Hang 3 flying "fast" and low on my Falcon. Notice there aren't any clips of low level Sport 3 skimming. I'm in the process of learning how to fly a double surface and I keep that beast away from the terrain.

[@georgehunter2813]

@@marlinfitzwater7898 I wanted to hangglide since 1978. In 1980 I diverted to learning to fly radio control slope gliders. In 1989 I went on to HG, got my Hang III. I'm a Funston pilot. I love nap of the earth cliff edge air hockey flight in marginal conditions. As you know, aggressive firm positive control is the only way to go. All my experience in doing the same technique with a slope aerobatic RC model in the 80's keeps me on the right side of safety. I've only been surprised three times by the unexpected and unforeseen. I fly the tiny Aeros topless with 109 square feet. Speed is my friend. We play the same game.

[@redmtn]

@Marlin Fitzwater and @George Hunter. I just love conversing you fellow HG pilots who are humble and introspective and care about safety. When I made that comment I half expected to get flamed for it - yet you are so cool about it. I genuinely see all my risk sports differently as I get older.. I cherish the experiences but especially the people - and feel sad for the ones that were seriously injured or lost along the way.. I flew HG and PG recreationally for 30 years all over the world and I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything - including the tough “safety first” decisions that needed to be made. Marlin you are making some beautiful vids that make me feel like I’m up there with you - maybe inspiring me dust off the old gear ! George maybe I’ll drop by Funston someday for my comeback tour :). Carpe diem guys. Yes I agree speed is your friend :)

[@ericoschmitt]

Wow! You make the falcon go twice as fast! Wwooooooshhhh That one over the truck was super cool! Have you made the luff lines longer or something? How much do you weight and which size you fly? Fun to see the whole glider fluttering.

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

No modifications. It's a Falcon 4 170 and I weigh 155 lbs. I'm glad you liked the truck swoop. Had a little (cross) tailwind when I started that dive which helped the Falcon pick up some speed. I also fly a Sport 3 135 and just ordered a Falcon 4 145 with the speed battens - hoping that will reduce some of that flutter.

[@ericoschmitt]

@@marlinfitzwater7898 I'm 145 but probably clip about the same with a competition harness, somehow you just go faster! Well I fly a Litesport now, that one does go fast. Smaller wing can help with your style! But didn't you consider something that might have been a bit faster for those windy days? Such as a Piuma, Northwind Freedom, Airfex (60% double) etc Or just go with your S3? Is that about easy setup and easy handling for launching alone..?

[@ericoschmitt]

@@marlinfitzwater7898 ohh as for speed battens you could test with taping some to your current Falcon. Or put pairs of strong magnets right in the middle of each batten pair. If that works sew the pokets in it. I got my litesport used and it had flutter at high speeds, so I added the pokets along the trailing edge. I think S3 and falcon usually have the small ones transversal to the trailing edge, for that small metal stick. But for your hardcoreness level, you would be better with a fiber plate along the trailing edge. Just buy some glass or carbon fiber, make a big square and cut to shape afterwards. Try taping first for testing. If good, sew the pockets. Tiny weights glued in the middle of the plates will help further.

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

Erico!! Hows the world treating you? Good I hope. I took delivery of my Falcon 4 145 a couple of weeks ago. Only 3 flights on it so far, but DAYUM!!! Super fun!!!!!

[@ericoschmitt]

@@marlinfitzwater7898 Lovely! Keep wooshing around. Have you looked into fixing that flutter on the old one? Sail is gonna last much longer :)

[@seaoftranquility7228]

Man your videos are the best, low, fast passes with driving, funky 70’s music and some humor thrown into the mix. Winning formula right there.

[@treykropp9356]

Lake, no lake.. nice flying

[@TheClimberbob1]

where do you fly? Ever fly in the Owen's Valley, CA?

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

Kern Valley CA. There's a short clip in this video at around the 2:20 mark flying my Sport 3 getting my wires slapped by a thermal near the Walt's launch. I've got about 30 flights in the Owens- which is nothing. My buddies named the LZ out front of the launch after me because I always land there. Dubious honor...

[@sizwenzama-ch5bd]

I want to become a hang glider how someone plz how

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

Save up some $$$$$$. Buy some knee pads, and find a good instructor. Then be patient. Takes awhile to learn how to fly without a motor.

[@gbmuthukumargobi5195]

I tried at my 80 years in usa . But a good glider Sports3 170 is very costly. If I try in india some where near Air force station Fighter jets will zoom over your glider and force you to land.All fun lost . In india it is still not a developed sports.And Air force and civil aviation should earmark the areas for cross country flight like owans valley California and Idaho .

[@Barshski]

HG is FUN !! If your crew ever near Fresno, CA come up to Dunlap and Get-U- Sum 🦅

[@garrykennedy5484]

Now that was a fun video. Love the way you handle that Falcon! I need to try that on mine. Though it's a 2 225. It's kinda draggy. I've never tried to see how much speed I can get out of it. Need to dust off my floating ball speedometer and see if I can make that ball pop out the top!!!!! LOL

[@Johnny-rj9on]

When you tuck and dive.... oooooh boy that looks like fun!

[@santhoshkotheril4240]

Superb landing 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@barrysoetoro7835]

Now that. Is some cool shit.

[@justhangin7186]

Sure is 👌

[@minecraftminecraft3580]

now give them guns

[@Adui13]

I just wish I could afford the equipment and training. I live in the Phoenix Metro area. There are literally a dozen or more sites within a 2 hour drive! Keep flying! the most freedom you can get.

[@kostashellas]

nice 🤙 🤙 🤙 🤙

[@hoppy6663]

Sweet !

[@paraflyingnews]

Very cool video! What is the name of the open harness?

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

WillsWing Flylite Cocoon

[@pacofreeadventure]

very topgun

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

I'm old, and short, and acting like I'm a pilot, so...yeah

[@pacofreeadventure]

@@marlinfitzwater7898 fantastic pilot.

[@jonaspeters8648]

propably one of the best hang gliding videos ... like it

[@georgehunter2813]

Excellent choice of music bro. Fits you.

[@SVSky]

Super hot flying

[@eneshzal5767]

Stunning edits, keep it coming

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

Thanks!!

[@jacksaloman9513]

being rich is even better

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

Yeah, that ain’t bad either.

[@wadestewart5790]

Is that Utah or where are you?

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

Lake Isabella California

[@HGAviator]

@@marlinfitzwater7898 I had no idea you could fly there. 😳 🙂👍

[@engscott78]

@@HGAviator you can fly anywhere

[@marcioalvares6483]

Arriscado

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

@@marcioalvares6483 obrigado

[@oneflyinggirl]

Nice flying!

[@alanaldpal950]

Fun, indeed

[@alanaldpal950]

Looks like……. Fun

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

Do you fly?

[@alanaldpal950]

@@marlinfitzwater7898 yes, HG, Sailplanes, GA airplanes. Ultralight gliders, used to fly PG…. I know fun when I see it 🙃

[@joserivera3223]

Hola donde es eso

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

Hola. Lake Isabella California

[@joserivera3223]

Gracias saludos todavia sigues practicando ese bonito deporte si es así podrías invitarme a una de tus próximos vuelos o reuniones gracias

[@heikowalter8239]

@@marlinfitzwater7898 Nice Spot and a lot oft Space !👍

[@LoveconQuersall73]

Falcon cries mercy

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

I make everyone/thing cry.

[@LoveconQuersall73]

@@marlinfitzwater7898 want to try my fusion or my lights speed

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

Dude, I’d never heard of the fusion. That thing looks bad ass

[@LoveconQuersall73]

@@marlinfitzwater7898 in the north east you can fly whatever I got

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

@@LoveconQuersall73 I wouldn't want to crash your stuff hahaha. I'm still pretty new to flying. I have a Sport 3 135 and I love it, but probably bad idea for me to get it close to the ground. So I stay up higher in that thing, fun flying, boring video...

[@u171098atgmail]

Marlin, what's the location?

[@marlinfitzwater7898]

Lake Isabella Ca

[@u171098atgmail]

@@marlinfitzwater7898 thanks

[@Paiadakine]

@@marlinfitzwater7898weldon?