How do hang gliders work?
Well, for a start, a hang glider is a lifting wing. It produces lift from the forward motion (or relative forward motion) through the air. But it is only a wing, there are no moveable controls like in an aircraft. It is shaped so no rear tail surfaces are required, the wing and all other stabilisation is through its shaping (the big “V” shape). The pilot is suspended near (perhaps slightly forward of) a point called the centre of lift (of the wing). He is in a harness hanging from a single point, so is able to move his body weight by pushing, pulling, or sideways movement, while holding onto a bar rigidly mounted to the wing in front of him. To start flying, the pilot will either run into the wind, or angle the wing into the prevailing wind, if it is sufficiently strong to produce lift by the wing. When safely flying, he will usually raise his legs and push them into a harness or sack- like arrangement behind him, which is also suspended from the same point as his body. This minimises
