Paraglider doesn't clear his turn

OP · Post by OP » Sun Jun 23, 2013 7:20 am

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6GRUp_3nZo[/youtube]

dhmartens · Post by **dhmartens** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:15 am

The lower glider has the right-a-way but the height of the paraglider makes it both the higher and lower glider so I am unclear as who should yield. The hang glider looked to me to have had 8 or 9 seconds to react but was also in a group of about 5 paragliders. The shadow on the hangglider wing shows one was above him too. The general rule for a head on is to break right to avoid it. I think this took place in Australia.

OP · Post by OP » Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:10 pm

That GoPro is set on wide mode, it makes things look far away and slow. Like the objects in your side mirror. I think it happened quickly and closely to the camera.

My take: Everyone is making right turns in proximity. HGlider looks away from the action. PG makes a solid counter rotating turn into traffic.

Word from the news article was: HG pilot threw his chute. PG didn't. They landed in some tall trees that had spiky vines growing up them. Rescue took a while to reach them down the hill.

Link:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/quee ... 6668009568

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 5:59 pm

It will be great, if an accident report with the testimony of the two most intimate witnesses is ever filed. Fortunately, both were unscathed.

I know that Opie has more knowledge of the video and lens mechanics but it sure looked to me as if the HG pilot was flying with his eyes closed.

OP · Post by OP » Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:33 pm

I'm a radical empiricist, so I don't want to make any conclusions without seeing all the evidence.

However, in this case, we can just "be real" and obviously conclude on the title alone; the PG is at fault. No need to consider anymore evidence or watch the video either.

Here is a photo that I've doctored with my opinion before seeing the other video:

Both other PGs and the HG in question had cameras, so I hear.

OP · Post by OP » Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:44 pm

PG camera man has a youtube video of him breaking 4 vertebrate on a golf course. Doesn't look fun. I thought breaking an arm was bad. Second time wasn't as bad, maybe I'm used to it.

dhmartens · Post by **dhmartens** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:04 pm

I've been analyzing the white and yellow para-glider's role in all this.
1) Fails to yield right-away causing female pilot to avoid head on.
2) Para-glider shadow flashes hang glider wing causing him to locate source and cause distraction.
Add the 2 together could explain the zero reaction time to avoid collision.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:49 pm

Y'all are so gall darn smart... I can tell y'all got it figured out jes' right. I defer to yer interlectualness.

JD · Post by JD » Thu Jun 27, 2013 2:27 am

Jim wrote:Y'all are so gall darn smart... I can tell y'all got it figured out jes' right. I defer to yer interlectualness.

Darryl?

dhmartens · Post by **dhmartens** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:54 am

Butterflies seem to easily avoid mid-air contact.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBCMM85QMGY[/youtube]

gregangsten · Post by **gregangsten** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:35 am

No reaction at all from that hang glider.

TomS · Post by **TomS** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 6:22 pm

Hang glider pilot in the wrong for two reasons:
1.flying in close proximity to so many jellyfish in the first place (should have his head examined)
2. Flying with his eyes closed, as noted by Jim.
My two cents ( but they're those rare, uncirculated wheat pennies, making my 2 cents a bit more valuable than the average 2 cents. You're welcome.)

jimshaw · Post by **jimshaw** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:04 am

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! Jim, DeeQue and Tom, you all made my day!

OP · Post by OP » Sat Jun 29, 2013 8:24 am

Another PG breaking his back. Is this a common injury? Is that why they have gigantic butt pads?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... -SpU#t=31s

And another:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... LErA#t=22s

dhmartens · Post by **dhmartens** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 8:47 pm

OP, the paraglider harnesses are a bit off topic with their giant butt pads but they seem dangerous and should be redesigned for safety. Why land on your ass when you have no chute? You should land on your feet.

To me the harnesses look like ejection seats that are designed to only work if a chute opens.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1cnvJO1TF8[/youtube]

Cats land on their feet to avoid injury.
** Please do not try this at home with any cats **
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2OCwQJSHZM[/youtube]

dhmartens · Post by **dhmartens** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 7:45 pm

Examples of Paragliders in nature are not Jellyfish as much as they are 'Flying Seeds"

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BssE2CrAb8[/youtube]

dhmartens · Post by **dhmartens** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:03 am

I had one final animal video(applause)

Double Surface hang gliders are more like bird wings, but Single Surface hang gliders are more like Bat Wings.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FK9tWT5pA4[/youtube]

dhmartens · Post by **dhmartens** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 7:52 am

In designing a safer paraglider harness I ran across the Niviuk Drifter Cross Country harness.

It looks to have superior upright landing performance as well as Alexander Lippisch fairing and low drag profile without modification using a box cutter and sewing machine.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-FCSUa8 ... 1_hqh3gc7g[/youtube]

Video user manual
http://vimeo.com/49557348