Landings

A discussion restricted to the topic of hang gliding.
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NMERider
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Post by NMERider »

Note: It will save time and frustration to use the embedded links rather than the embedded videos. These are queued up to start the at the landing approaches.
JohnFritsche wrote:Very nice landings. The only problem I have with that ground-skimming low enough to drag my toes is that all of me is closer to the ground, and I imagine there's a higher possibility of smashing my face into the ground if something were to go wrong.
Thanks John. The paradox of ground-skimming low enough to drag our toes is that by being reasonably close to the ground, there may be a lower probability of smashing our faces into the ground if something goes wrong such as sudden wind shift, turbulence or vertical airflow. Our feet are right there and it may surprise you how fast you can get them planted.

There are of course alternatives that work along the same lines.

Landing on wheels is one. I even made a wheel-landing video to post on Tad's forum: https://youtu.be/QBdxeZo8EPo I'd need Tundra wheels to safely land some of the places I set down so it's only an option for groomed surfaces.
Run-out and moon-walk landings are another option. But again it's for groomed surfaces primarily. I broke a toe on a river rock trying to do one of these in Big-T Wash.
I've even discovered how to use the apron of my cocoon harness as a giant padded skid! https://youtu.be/SR27mYgBIQE?t=4m49s
I have over-sized Delrin skids because I know I'm a klutz.

Isn't it true that with all landings is that there is a period of time in which we must go through MCA (Minimum Controllable Airspeed)? Greblo was the first to bring this to my attention and it is the genesis of his advocacy of the moon-walk. I think we all want to minimize the amount of time that our gliders are at MCA near the ground so we don't get turned downwind or ground-loop due to loss of lateral control. An interesting aspect of the moon-walk is that as the wind becomes stronger and more turbulent the technique takes on greater significance as in this landing by Hangar 24 Craft Brewery near Redlands. https://youtu.be/-KOb4fvPH6Y?t=27m59s

So I have a few other options at my disposal aside from 'the curb-feeler technique' that I can pull out of my quiver in a pinch. I own several sets of wheels and also over-sized skids. I've even looked into buying some abrasion-resistant motorcycle racing suit fabric to add to my cocoon harness in the event of another inadvertent or even a planned belly-side landing.

Anyhow, I will continue to practice with my terrain-following, tactile radar (TFTR) and report back on further developments and progress.

For now, here's an example of a situation from a recent, botched X/C flight where coming in too high and too slow could have been really ugly and my TFTR came in real handy for me: https://youtu.be/enmpgwOFfok?t=3m13s
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NMERider
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Post by NMERider »

Here's Wednesday's 'curb-feeler' landing. I'm really liking this as a remedial method of retraining myself to get into a proper skim. As long as I have access to a groomed surface I'll keep using it. When I come in over bad terrain and can't safely leave my toes hanging down I should at least be able to imitate my landings from when I was 'curb-feeling' over groomed terrain. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4MhP7J8bS8
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Pudpud
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Post by Pudpud »

NMERider wrote:Here's Wednesday's 'curb-feeler' landing. I'm really liking this as a remedial method of retraining myself to get into a proper skim. As long as I have access to a groomed surface I'll keep using it. When I come in over bad terrain and can't safely leave my toes hanging down I should at least be able to imitate my landings from when I was 'curb-feeling' over groomed terrain. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4MhP7J8bS8
I particularly like the euphoric sigh of relief somehow compulsory after any physical effort once past the age of 50 :)
Back in the day you could spot someone with one of those new double surface gliders by their scuffed toecaps due to foot dangling, the recommended landing method at the time.
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NMERider
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Post by NMERider »

Pudpud wrote:...I particularly like the euphoric sigh of relief somehow compulsory after any physical effort once past the age of 50 :)
Back in the day you could spot someone with one of those new double surface gliders by their scuffed toecaps due to foot dangling, the recommended landing method at the time.
That's very true, Mike. At 57-YO and 2-1/2 hours of mostly turbulent mid-day flying yesterday I was pretty well beat to heck and grunted my relief.
Gone from 1982 through 2008, I missed out on double-surface and topless growing pains. I guess that includes Fred Flintstone style braking systems.

I've tried to drag my toes hard enough to brake my forward momentum on a few occasions where I was loathing an overshoot.
In hindsight I really don't think the foot dragging made any measurable difference in where the glider came to a full stop.
What it did do is get me low and well-positioned to flare nicely and have a decent landing. So it got me to thinking...

I have thought about calling the 'curb-feeler [ground proximity sensing] technique' 'The Tactile Terrain-Testing Telemetry Technique' or 6T for short since it won't be long before I belong to that hallowed age group.

My toes barely even touch the tips of the grass and so my shoes are free of wear and grass stains over the toe ox.
I wear Merrell barefoot trail running shoes with open mesh uppers and minimal toe protection.
I don't know what my toes are sensing but it's getting me down where I need to be and that's my aim.
Maybe I'll mount a GoPro to a corner bracket extension and it point it at my toes to see what going during round-out and skim.
Cheers, Jonathan
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Bill C.
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Post by Bill C. »

NMERider,
During the winters in Minnesota before moving to New Mexico I was forced (FORCED I TELL YA) to tow on the frozen lakes behind a snow machine if I wanted air time.
Flying over a layer of ice first, resting on the water, and then 6 to 10 inches of snow on top of the ice - depth perception on a overcast day made for an intense final approach in a hang glider.

Without any snow machine or people tracks in the snow judging your height above the estimated and non-explicit surface would give rise to a mental state of, doubt, befuddlement, fear of heights and panic.
To make matters worse and breaking up the continuity, (interspersed) would be flashes of cockiness and unfounded bravado.

Following the standard procedure of performing a downwind, base, and final landing pattern approach only served to use up precious time in which to come up with a better idea.

If you live you learn.

The remedy I settled on was to hold the control frame in to about the best glide position with one foot and toes stretching downward.
As soon as I could feel the snow against my foot I would blast the control frame out enough to stop my decent but not yet flare.
Carrying on enough energy (airspeed) I would ease myself lower until I could feel the snow against my foot constantly. When the control frame was at trim position I would then flare.

All seriousness aside, hang gliding pilots flying over a frozen lake and the moment they go blind should use this landing procedure.
Hangrob
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Landings

Post by Hangrob »

Is the $100 fee for technique landing , per day or all week?
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Davis
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Post by Davis »

All week, but basically it is for 5 to 10 video critiqued landings.
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UnTuckable
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Post by UnTuckable »

https://vimeo.com/255835496

a 'landing'

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/25583549 ... portrait=0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="1" mozallowfullscreen="1" allowfullscreen="1"></iframe>
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Rsoares
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Post by Rsoares »

First I apologize if this isn't appropriate Forum etiquette...new to the forum scene. Just give me a gentle "don't do this again"

BUT, I am looking for some feedback on some bad habits I have developed in my landing. I'll take any help from those willing to point out my fatal mistakes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7Em_e ... e=youtu.be

Thank you!
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Bill C.
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Post by Bill C. »

Good enough.
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