On Sep 20, 7:47*am, "Vaughn Simon"
wrote:


For several reasons, I don't think primary gliders should have any role in
initial flight training (a good subject for another thread)
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Dear Vaughn,

Thank you for posting the URL of the strut-braced primary glider.
This is nearly an exact copy of the primary whose drawings I will
post... as soon as I find them :-)

But my view of who should be flying the thing is diametrically opposed
to yours. I want to get youngsters into the air as early -- and as
often -- as possible. By using ballast weights we should be able to
launch everyone, right down to nine year olds. With foot restraints,
shoulder harness and a hard-hat, there's virtually no combination of
attitude & altitude that could result in injury to the pilot. Indeed,
I would like to see a 'work-up' system, where the builders earn
'Flying Points' by working on the construction of the glider. In the
same way, once it its built, the 'Bungee Crew' earns 'Flying Points'
by stretching-out the bungees. Points may also be earned by returning
the glider to the launch point and doing maintenance. (I was allowed
to wash & wax wings. Didja know Primary Gliders have HUGE wings? :-)

Give a kid a task, you'd be surprised how well they do WITHOUT any
intervention from us know-it-all adults.

-R.S. Hoover