This #freecadfriday I've been working on the winglets again. Finally got a nice 3D printed core structure, designed in @freecad printed on my Prusa XL. It clicks together really nicely and is featherlight. I bond it into the carbon skins using strips of UD […] [Original post on mstdn.business]

Great news, there's a new UK school able to take people at any level. There's more about it in this video; it's an interesting method of teaching which combines the benefits of aerotow training (having an instructor next to you in the glider and getting lots of airtime) and of winch training (to […]

Winglets are really great! I love the way the glider handles with them and especially how it looks with them. They also (when designed properly, which ours our, both by analysis and by testing) add a bit to performance, particularly low speed and min sink. However they also have some downsides […]

Avian uses mostly Open Source Software for all critical functions, if you're living in the UK please consider writing to your MP to support this bill UK Digital Sovereignty Strategy https://action.openrightsgroup.org/protect-britain%E2%80%99s-digital-backbone-%E2%80%94-ask-your-mp-act

Odd message on my parents computer, Firefox popped up with a warning that it was running low on disk space and to clear stored data to free up space. The computer in question has a 500GB drive which is about 1/2 full, but Firefox thinks that it had somehow got […] [Original post on mstdn.business]

I have a Carver, it's a 3 wheel electric vehicle that tilts as it goes round corners, feels a bit like flying at ground level. I'd like a Head Up Display to show me things like power use/regen, battery level and also an artificial horizon, just because! […] [Original post on mstdn.business]

A lot of engineering design is about trade-offs, and hang gliders are no exception. Sometimes though, it is possible to do things differently and better. We're really pleased to announce the Dynamic Cross Link (DXL) concept, the Puma is set to be the first glider to benefit, but more will follow […]

This #freecadfriday I've been finding @freecad useful for designing a logo for our new Dynamic Cross Link (DXL) system. I know something like #blender would probably be a more suitable tool for this sort of thing, but I'm so much more competent in FreeCAD that […] [Original post on mstdn.business]

Continuing my series of posts on the development work we've been doing so far, this one is about the frame and how it works to give good handling: https://www.patreon.com/posts/149280801

This is effectively a government backed advertising campaign for Big Tech for a product that doesn't work properly.

A big thank you to everyone that's sponsoring my development efforts through Patreon (www.patreon.com/hgdev). We're making progress, so I'm writing up a summary of what we've achieved so far, the first section is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/hows-it-going-1-147742037

Used @FreeCAD to design the moulds for the winglet. So printing the patterns (Prusa XL) to make moulds from which eventually the carbon parts will be made from. There's a pair of winglets, each mould is in 2 halves (plus some small loose pieces), the pattern […] [Original post on mstdn.business]

I've been using @FreeCAD for some time for design and analysis. For my latest video I also used it for visualisations. Using a 3D mouse like a joystick I could swoop the aircraft around on the screen to demonstrate the possible instability modes! #freecadfriday […]

My latest video! Gets into the detail of how directional and lateral stability and how it feeds into things like high siding and Pilot Induced Oscillations (PIO). It also explains why I've been experimenting with winglets or fins recently. https://youtu.be/HEoTw4ZTryA

Am I right in thinking that on Mstdn there's no way to sort your feed other than chronological? I understand one of the attractions of Mstdn is not having a blackbox algorithmic feed but I can't help think that some simple form of algorithm to sort the feed would be useful. Eg I would prioritise […]

And here's the same launch from onboard.

Here's a launch at the Kennedy site near the Cote d'Azur in the south of France. Flew on 8 out of the 9 days I was there, had some thermic conditions, in November! Could probably have squeezed in a top to bottom on the other day as well if I'd been desperate!

Winglets design optimised using #openvsp , final design with @FreeCAD then the prototypes were (very sparse!) 3D printed and skinned with carbon (production versions will be full carbon mouldings). Now flight tested (will tweak the optimiser a little to avoid […] [Original post on mstdn.business]

I've been modifying the hang glider frame to make it easier to turn (more on that in future), but also I want it to be easier to fly straight. For that, the winglets really work. I'm not an experienced aerotow pilot, I've only every towed a few times and not since 2022 so I was pretty nervous […]

Out on Mam Tor test flying with winglets. They were designed using an aerodynamic optimisation process described in the link below. They worked! https://youtu.be/s1RVOelmva4 https://www.patreon.com/posts/winglet-135459661

After getting it easier to turn now need to add stability. 2 flights today test flying ways to improve yaw stability. First tried a fin, then the winglets. Both worked, the fin was a bit too effective, very easy to go straight but reduced the easy turning, the […] [Original post on mstdn.business]

Looking forward to #freecad 1.1 Lots of good new user friendly tweaks are on our way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az2Yegw6ojE #3dprinting

Our latest video is out now. If you've wondered why the dimples are on golf balls, then this covers it, or more likely given my audience, if you know full well why dimples are on golf balls but have ever wondered if you can use the same effect to reduce the drag on a glider then find out here! […]

The Baba Yaga licence https://smallandnearlysilent.com/baba-yaga/LICENSE.txt <- I like this. I like the style, the language, and the concept. I wonder if it qualifies as a Free Software or open source licence?

Using an Open Source tool chain (OpenVSP/VSPAERO, Python/SciPy, @FreeCAD) to design and optimise a winglet for a hang glider. https://www.patreon.com/posts/winglet-135459661

Got a new run around! Carver S+, electric tricycle, it banks into corners, it's really good fun to drive! Gets me to and from work using about half a charge (working out around 3p/mile for electricity) including some sizable hills. It would be nice if it had a […] [Original post on mstdn.business]

Anyone here know anything about radios, specifically Bluetooth headsets? I'm after a set up for hang gliding, really I want a wireless headset in my helmet. I got an Ailiuance HD2 and a Cardo Spirit, thinking this would do me, but the Spirit has no PTT button, making the whole thing basically […]

My latest video is from some testing earlier in the year, using the wind tunnel in the University of Sheffield Department of Aerospace Engineering. We were getting values for the parasitic drag of various control frame components. https://youtu.be/_QORomLE76A

I won't be flying in the last day of the World's, I don't feel well enough. I have long running complications from my lymphoma and the treatment which means I have to ration my energy levels. I find I can do a day or 2 at high intensity close to my old level but then I need a few days of taking […]

I about a week I'll be flying in a World Championship event in Laverno, Italy. You'll be able to follow the action live online, I've made an explainer video to describe how a hang gliding comp works: https://youtu.be/YpL_GjXdpFo

My latest video on hang glider design, also a description of induced drag and what made the Spitfire so good, so hopefully of interest to non hangies too https://youtu.be/gvhW9JgZ1JQ?si=RTX0LLaCu5HhT045

I hear often the argument that we have lost the knowledge in the EU to be independent from the US. That is disinformation of big tech. All of their "innovation" is based on open source software, often written by public research institutions. When you visit #fosdem, you are literally at the […]

Old and new tech complimenting each other perfectly! Using a 100 year old Singer that was bought by my great grandmother (repairing clothws, not hanggliders!), unfortunately the Bakelite pulley on the motor let go. No problem, 10 minutes designing in #freecad […] [Original post on mstdn.business]

I've been thinking again about whether you could create engineering designs inside VR. I can see some benefits, it should be possible to have a simpler, more efficient workflow. However, although I don't get motion sick, I do find I get a headache after much time in VR (with a Quest 2), but […]

Our new prototype is starting to take shape! But what should it be called? Vote here! https://www.patreon.com/posts/119939776

Does anyone know about monetization on Youtube? My channel cleared the bar to start earning me cash in Sept. It was ticking up slowly until November, when it stopped on about £25. I can't work out why. It says I'll need to verify my identity, but I can't do that until it reaches £60, but it's […]

All our production parts are CNC machined, but for one off prototypes then it's time to fire up the trusty old manual machines and go back to old school machining. It's also very satisfying turning aluminium into dust (and part!). https://youtube.com/shorts/hwI7sr_XyJU?feature=share

Spent the day making moulds for parts for the new prototype with polyester resin and fibreglass. Man, that stuff stinks! Doing it in the garage (so it doesn't stink out the factory!) next to an open door with all the windows open. I still keep imagining I can smell styrene.

Avian is now also on Bluesky. Thanks to bridging by @bsky.brid.gy this feed should now also be appearing on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/avian.mstdn.business.ap.brid.gy