Electra Glide in Blue

Another popular wing first produced in 1977 was the Electra Flyer Olympus.

In 1977-8 the hang glider emergency parachute became operational. You don't 'jump out'. The parachute is deployed from its container on the front of the harness. Pilot and glider descend under the parachute.

The Fledgling (usually abbreviated to 'Fledge') started life in 1975 and gained a reputation as a high performance hang glider throughout the 1970s. The Fledge gave rise to the Pterodactyl branch of powered ultralighting's evolutionary tree.

The prone harness had evolved to a level of simplicity, lightness, comfort, and strength that was improved upon only with the advent of the first 'pod' harnesses in the 1980s.

Next, a leap in flex-wing performance springing from the mind of a practical genius prepared to buck convention.