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In year1960: hybrid kite glider
Tony Prentice enters elite history at age 13.

 

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• The term "PG" came into use for gliding parachutes with flexible tether lines from the pilot to the flexible wing. In 2010, we have "paraglider" for the low-boned or low-rigid-frame gliding parachute. But in 1960-1 the term "paraglider" was used for the boned Rogallo-promoted kite gliders and hang glider being made in models and manned versions, especially at NASA, etc.  So, "paraglider" as a term has gone through large changes since 1960.     JpF   30 March 2010                     Also, distinguish "parawing" of the c.1960.
   
• Building from the sketch design must have some safety disclaimers. We present this for historical purposes. Any duplication would be done with full recognition of the experimental aspects of the project.   Helmet?   I will build and fly one with sensible cautions, Tony. Thanks.    JpF     30 March 2010

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• 1958 =>
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• In 1960 Francis Rogallo, et al, had already demonstrated flexible tethers up to framed flexible wing glider. One demonstration is pictured on Internet where Francis had a man-doll hung for a glide inside a hangar..   But in 1960, there might not have yet been a framed kite glider with flexible bridle as the lower "airframe" with a live boy lifted off the ground beyond your experience, Tony; such--as intentional--might have a competition with some conjectured unintentional hanging from kite tether from released-mooring manned kiting incidents for which I have no reference for at the moment  Though Leonardo da Vinci had the square framed pyramidal parachute  (others had similar schemes) with flexible hang lines that was so symmetrical that the glide was not at all intended as the glide would have been extremely tiny.  So, just maybe your aircraft was a kind of first hybrid, and with a flexible triangle control frame with "frame" here flexible. Today, we look at the interesting Paramontante morph from flexible to rigid control framing beneath shroud lines for partly upper-framed ram-air paraglider hang glider.  See: Parachute.   Theoretically, it is nearly impossible to have a zero L/D in a "parachute" and thus almost all parachutes are hang gliders at one end of the "framing" spectrum.   JpF  30 March 2010
   

• Note on early century image to the right:  If the pilot simply moved hand asymmetrically or operated legs asymmetrically, then he could control some gliding and affecting the path downwards off vertical and thus obtaining a positive L/D. Indeed, the drawing have some asymmetry on the hand placement. ===============>
   

• Indeed, contemporary hang gliders (using the at-least-by-1908 rigid triangle control frame (TCF) stayed by flexible lines and with pilot behind the TCF) have the basebar in tension replaceable by a non-rigid line (though some advantages would be set aside).        JpF 30 March 2010   
   

• http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19660017784_1966017784.pdf

• http://www.energykitesystems.net/Rogallo/FrancisRogoallo1954IntroFlexibility.pdf

• http://www.energykitesystems.net/Rogallo/RogalloResearchOnFlexibleWings.pdf

• http://www.energykitesystems.net/Rogallo/AnnotateBiblioParaglidersJan1963pub.pdf

• http://www.energykitesystems.net/Rogallo/MannedSpaceFlight239to242.pdf

• Filed in January 17, 1964. Notice that severe work for two decades had preceded this by Francis Rogallo toward unframed and framed flexible wings: Tony, you had the "tether-control-flexible "frame"" in 1960 for lift-off by a 13-year old self footing for rise.

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  For Taylor's presentation in April of 1960, work for such had been done before that time. Flexible gliders
  
  Author(s): Taylor, R. T.; Judd, J. H.; Hewes, D. E.
  Abstract: No Abstract Available
  NASA Center: Langley Research Center
  Publication Year: 1960
  Added to NTRS: 2004-11-03
  Accession Number: 72N70976; Document ID: 19720063104

• Filed Nov. 16, 1967
   
• Notice in 1945 Jalbert's flexible wing joined to an inflated keel body:
  
  
  Just hang from the tethers and glide and soar with
  cable leading edge flexible-wing glider and inflated keel?  
  
  Notice that very many years later, Domina still had some interest in the direction of his 1945 flexible wing by going all the way into a full balloon that gives some echo to his 1945 patent:
  This is not flexible wing but it echoes his flexible wing of 1945.
   
• Jalbert earlier played with the fully flexible double-surface delta and decided to file for patent in Jan. 10, 1963:
   
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• Domina Jalbert had flexible wing for decades and then furthered improvements in Patent number: 3749337
  Filing date: May 27, 1970
  
        Commentary by JpF  30 March 2010

        Further comments and links are invited related
to Tony Prentice's   1960 kite-glider.