Avian Hang Gliders
@avian.mstdn.business.ap.brid.gy
The UK's only hang glider manufacturer. We build hang gliders from sky floaters to high performance competition wings and wings for sub-70 nanolight trikes.
To […]
[bridged from https://mstdn.business/@avian on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/ ]
To […]
[bridged from https://mstdn.business/@avian on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/ ]
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 […]
Original post on mstdn.business
mstdn.business
December 19, 2025 at 12:13 PM
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
https://youtu.be/HEoTw4ZTryA
December 14, 2025 at 1:53 PM
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
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 […]
Original post on mstdn.business
mstdn.business
November 23, 2025 at 8:23 AM
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.
[Video] Original post on mstdn.business
mstdn.business
November 14, 2025 at 7:13 PM
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!
November 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
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]
[Original post on mstdn.business]
November 14, 2025 at 12:29 PM
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]
[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 […]
Original post on mstdn.business
mstdn.business
October 16, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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
https://youtu.be/s1RVOelmva4
https://www.patreon.com/posts/winglet-135459661
September 27, 2025 at 5:12 PM
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
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]
[Original post on mstdn.business]
September 25, 2025 at 7:21 PM
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]
[Original post on mstdn.business]
Reposted by Avian Hang Gliders
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
Lots of good new user friendly tweaks are on our way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az2Yegw6ojE
#3dprinting
September 18, 2025 at 2:34 AM
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
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! […]
Original post on mstdn.business
mstdn.business
September 7, 2025 at 1:35 PM
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! […]
Reposted by Avian Hang Gliders
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?
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?
Baba Yaga License
Comments
smallandnearlysilent.com
September 2, 2025 at 2:59 PM
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?
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
https://www.patreon.com/posts/winglet-135459661
August 1, 2025 at 1:09 PM
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
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]
[Original post on mstdn.business]
July 27, 2025 at 11:38 AM
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]
[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 […]
Original post on mstdn.business
mstdn.business
July 6, 2025 at 5:04 PM
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
https://youtu.be/_QORomLE76A
July 6, 2025 at 11:26 AM
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
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 […]
Original post on mstdn.business
mstdn.business
June 13, 2025 at 7:12 AM
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
https://youtu.be/YpL_GjXdpFo
May 26, 2025 at 7:40 AM
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
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
https://youtu.be/gvhW9JgZ1JQ?si=RTX0LLaCu5HhT045
April 5, 2025 at 2:03 PM
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
https://youtu.be/gvhW9JgZ1JQ?si=RTX0LLaCu5HhT045
Reposted by Avian Hang Gliders
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 […]
Original post on mastodon.nl
mastodon.nl
February 15, 2025 at 7:52 AM
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]
[Original post on mstdn.business]
February 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM
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]
[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 […]
Original post on mstdn.business
mstdn.business
February 4, 2025 at 4:18 PM
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
https://www.patreon.com/posts/119939776
January 13, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Our new prototype is starting to take shape! But what should it be called? Vote here!
https://www.patreon.com/posts/119939776
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 […]
Original post on mstdn.business
mstdn.business
January 11, 2025 at 6:08 PM
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 […]