Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 08:00:04 -0700, Eric Greenwell
wrote:


I know! A trained flock of small soaring birds that you release when
desperate. They spread out over the area, circling when they find lift.
Once you start climbing, they return to the glider and crawl back
inside, ready for the next time you need their assistance.


A month or so ago there was a nice piece on BBC Radio 4 about a hang
glider pilot who had a hen harrier that was trained to fly with him
and even to sit on a perch on his glider. He said that when lift was
strong he'd launch and gain height before letting his raptor fly with
him, but in weak, dodgy conditions the bird was flown first. He'd
launch and join her once she'd found a thermal.

That sounds better than the flock of small birds: one smart bird would
be easier to handle. Of course, you'd want one with sufficient top speed
to catch the glider and crawl back inside. Maybe a motorglider with the
motor removed, so there would be hatch on the fuselage for the bird to
travel in.

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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA