There is a new website just for the BirdGlider. Go visit it here: www.birdglider.net
The pilot is sitting in a harness, designed and build by a professional paraglider harness manufacturor. It is allowing him to run when foot launching. To get the balance right, a easy system places the pilot at the right position depending on his weight. The two tubes and the strap in front of the pilot will hardly block any forward view. A Swift Light has more tubes in front of the pilot.
The landing gear is just a central wheel and two skids. This choice was made to keep the structure light. Also it serves as a check to see that the glider is not tail-heavy in balance. Tail-heavy is bad for the stability in the air.
At this moment there is no streamlined cockpit cover. But ...that one will arrive after the first test flights with the "open air" cockpit.
It was my intent to create something small. Small dimensions will be a help for glider clubs who have little place for a new glider. And ...it makes it possible to transport this glider on the road on the top of your car.
A beginners airplane. Yes, that is what i wanted. Something that is stable, so it will be forgiving enough. Even for a beginner. The design team of Predrag Devic made a bunch of simulations to get the stability right. And yes ...it will be a gentle airplane. Even for beginners.
From day 1 i wanted something that would be a asset for the flying world. Something that might help to get more people in the air. But ...a flying brick does not attract people. So i wanted something that flew better than most beginner hanggliders.
We set our goal on glide ratio 15. And ...we think we can succeed to get it. Maybe not with the open cockpit edition, but surely with the edition with the fairing around the pilot. Time will tell.
To follow the construction, please, use the links at the left of this frame. You can also follow the build-up of the prototype on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/738751632870183/