History of Hang Gliding & Paragliding

Easy Riser

[ Link to a picture page about the Hiway Cloudbase ] During 1976 flying prone for less drag (and greater pitch control) became the norm.

[ Link to a picture page of the Icarus II ]

The photo linked to at right, being slightly larger than most on this web site, takes longer to down-load.

The tail-less biplane Icarus II was later manufactured under the name Easy Riser. 'Risers' were used by a number of powered ultralight pioneers.

The summer of 1976 saw brush fires consuming large areas of the Wessex region. Flying conditions inland were poor.

[ Link to Kimmeridge Khmer Rouge ]
During 1976 Wessex club member Dave Lewis went out with his camera. Kimmeridge Khmer Rouge, two pages linked to by the image at left, contain some of his photographs: Martin Orr's home-built swallowtail, dual flying, and an Icarus V rigid wing.

[ Link to two pages about Skyhook Sailwings ]

British hang glider manufacturers succeeded in improving the state of the art -- by copying the latest developments in the USA. Yet some were already ahead. The photo above right links to two pages about Skyhook Sailwings of Oldham, Lancashire, and its chief engineer Len Gabriels.

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The 1976 UP Spyder.

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The 1977 Phoenix 8 featured optional transparent sail panels to improve upward visibility; not helped by the prone flying position.


In the late 1970s a life-saving invention came in a container to be stitched to the front of your harness.


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