Hangglider with stick control
When flying a hangglider in rough winds demands real arm power to keep the glider in control. When you use a stick you really are more at ease. You use just little power to steer the glider. So you can use your energy to focus on the flight.
The BirdGlider has two control sticks. And that is a bit unique in hangglider world. The right one is for control of elevator (steers you up and down) and ailerons (steers you rolling left or rights). The left one has the same function as the pedals. So it steers the rudder (steers your nose left or right). It becomes handy when you are standing up on a hill top and you want to keep the glider under control while waiting for the ideal wind to start running and take off.
You steer more relaxed. You can enjoy the flight more. You stay more at ease.
Landing on a wheel
Normal hanggliders land on their feet. And many accidents happen in that moment. If you don't have any frontal wind and your flaring was not done right, you need to run. Run fast! Landing on grass fields with a uneven surface can become very tricky that way. Stumbling is easily done with 30-40 kg on your back. Many hangglider pilots hurt themselves this way.
BirdGlider lands on its wheel. If you have a rough surface to land on, you get some bounces, but ...your legs will not have the same fate as stumbling when landing on your feet.
You land more relaxed. More at ease.
Seated instead of lying on belly
Many pilots will say that the perfect position to feel like a bird is laying on your belly. They are probably right. But ...this position really makes your neck muscle tired after some time. Several hangglider pilots i know, stop flying after two hours just to avoid that pain.
Seated in the BirdGlider, you feel like sitting in your couch. You are relaxed. No need to use your muscles extra. Due to the open cockpit you still will see enough to enjoy the view on the landscapes and the clouds.
You have to use less muscles. You are more relaxed. You are more at ease. Hmm ...didn't i use this sentence before??
Can be used by wheelchair users ! ! !
Like i said in the first chapter here: in the BirdGlider full handcontrol is possible. So ...don't let that wheelchair chain you to the ground. Snake yourself through the cables and tubes into the cockpit and become a pilot.
If you are disabled and you see that this glider still needs minor adjustments to be better for disabled persons, contact me and tell me how i can make it better. I really want to see this glider accessible to disabled youth.
No need to be a jet pilot
My engineer team, lead by Predrag Devic, not only designed this glider to fit in a small space, but he also designed it so it would be a forgiving glider. No jet experience needed.
Fast airplanes can encounter fast, life-threatening situations after a steering error. There is something that is called the edge of the envelop, the edge of aviation. The things at the wrong side of this edge are called "Stalls" and "Spins". Really, you don't want to encounter them unintended.
Avoiding stalls and spins
The art of aviation is to be able to react to those situations. If it all happens very quick, you are in a bad situation.
BirdGlider is designed to help you with these things. If you ever make a pilot error and you get into a stall, the wing of the BirdGlider will give you a soft stall. One you can react to. The wings are designed that way.
To prevent a spin you need your ailerons (those control surfaces at the end of your wing) to stay in clean air flow. The BirdGlider flap system that helps you to avoid spins during your landing approaches.
