Hi, I wish saying that among all the pilots I’ve being observing on Youtube, you're definitely my favorite. I’m always impressed by the precision and confidence shown in your maneuvers. And well, I always enjoy the glove-signature of your videos! :))
A picture of the powered version of the Sigma can be found on the British Hang Gliding History web site. The You Tube comments system seems to restrict adding the web site reference but it can be found easily enough if you do a search.
Found it ,thanks. It has more double surface than the Sigma. The early Sigma's only had flexible plastic battens but on later models they were preformed aluminium. Do you know the weight and wing area of the Stratus?
The Sigma also has the same rigging wires and probably the Gryphon too. I used the Sigma for power flying on a trike. Additional sleeving and double lower wing wires were added for additional strength. I was looking at the wing in your video and it does look very solid. Please try filming it in comparison with a more modern glider. The 12m Sigma has about 187 sg ft and can thermal well.
I assume this is a bow sprit type glider? In the UK we had the Wasp Gryphon and Southdown Sigma with similar layout in the late 70's early 80's. Neat trick with the gloves at the end.
@PioneerAviation Yes, the Stratus is (was) a bowsprit glider. One thing a little different from some of the other bowsprits was that it had double wires to the wings; instead of one bottom side per wing, it had two bottom sides per wing, same with the front sweep wires (two per side) and the same on the top. So it had a LOT of cables, but the result was a very rigidly supported airframe. That allowed for a no bend leading edge, and very little induced twist at high speeds or higher G loads.
That was really neat!!! Now I want to get a GoPro out there far enough to get all the glider in view.
altairtime 2 months ago
@altairtime Yeah, me too! As soon as the weather turns warmer again, I'll do a lot more angles with the Stratus. :-)
tontar 2 months ago
4:08 - May the Force be with you.
pdutube 3 months ago
Hi, I wish saying that among all the pilots I’ve being observing on Youtube, you're definitely my favorite. I’m always impressed by the precision and confidence shown in your maneuvers. And well, I always enjoy the glove-signature of your videos! :))
eliade66 3 months ago
Does remind me of my Gryphon, and the Sigmas I built when I worked at Southdown...
bloke264 3 months ago
A picture of the powered version of the Sigma can be found on the British Hang Gliding History web site. The You Tube comments system seems to restrict adding the web site reference but it can be found easily enough if you do a search.
PioneerAviation 3 months ago
Found it ,thanks. It has more double surface than the Sigma. The early Sigma's only had flexible plastic battens but on later models they were preformed aluminium. Do you know the weight and wing area of the Stratus?
PioneerAviation 3 months ago
Sorry, Cannot see where the link is?
Don Liddard has many photos of British hang gliders on his web site.
PioneerAviation 3 months ago
@PioneerAviation Click the dropdown above, "more info" and you will find the link at the bottom...
tontar 3 months ago
The Sigma also has the same rigging wires and probably the Gryphon too. I used the Sigma for power flying on a trike. Additional sleeving and double lower wing wires were added for additional strength. I was looking at the wing in your video and it does look very solid. Please try filming it in comparison with a more modern glider. The 12m Sigma has about 187 sg ft and can thermal well.
PioneerAviation 3 months ago
@PioneerAviation I just put a link to some photos of the glider so you can see the planform.
tontar 3 months ago
I assume this is a bow sprit type glider? In the UK we had the Wasp Gryphon and Southdown Sigma with similar layout in the late 70's early 80's. Neat trick with the gloves at the end.
PioneerAviation 3 months ago
@PioneerAviation Yes, the Stratus is (was) a bowsprit glider. One thing a little different from some of the other bowsprits was that it had double wires to the wings; instead of one bottom side per wing, it had two bottom sides per wing, same with the front sweep wires (two per side) and the same on the top. So it had a LOT of cables, but the result was a very rigidly supported airframe. That allowed for a no bend leading edge, and very little induced twist at high speeds or higher G loads.
tontar 3 months ago
Brings fond memories of watching Dan Racanelli fly his Stratus. Thanks for uploading video of this beautiful and historic glider!
zappr5 4 months ago
Very cool for a thirty year old glider.
steviewonderwind 4 months ago