Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 20:42:33 -0400
From: Matthew Redsell
Reply-To: marske@continuo.com, Organization: Marske Flying Wings
To: stewart@midwintercanada.com
Thought I should let you know that Matt Kollman Raptor designer has successfully flown his new version of his rigid wing hang glider.
He has done ground hops to 30 ft, completed one aerotow to 5000 ft and soared from a 350 ft autotow. His wing tip rudders are activated by movement of the control bar.
This Raptor is a swept back wing similar to the new Marske Monarch G.
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Marske Flying Wings 1-800-231-2489, Phone outside North America 1-740-375-8080
Marske Flying wings
Windrose Website
From: Hybrid wing Owners Group Sent: Monday, August 10, 1998 11:18 PM To: airHOG-archives@ThinAirDesigns.com Subject: Raptor Update (Mark Stump)
Just an update to the readers...on the weekend of 7/24-7/26 98, Matt Kollman brought the latest version of the Raptor to Arkansas to see the glider foot launched and landed and to get some direct comparison to the Exxtacy. I have been flying the first two proto types for over a year.
This latest wing has the original airfoil, Dick Cheney sail, carbon fibre ribs and it's topless. Based on the three flights that I had and some in flight comparison next to the Exxtacy the Raptor thermals and sinks right along with the Exxtacy. It appeared to be able to maintain as good or somewhat better sink rate in a steeper banked turn. At speeds up to 35 mph they maintain the same glide. Beyond 40 mph the Exxtacy ran away from this glider because of excessive pitch bar pressure. This is a result of the excessive reflex in the aft section of the airfoil that was put there to ensure a very positive pitch moment. The next step is to modify the first 3 ribs from the root to reduce this pitch pressure. To be able to spend some time in the same air as the Exxtacy and see these kind of results is very encouraging. We are getting closer! I want to thank Mark Poustichian, Exxtacy pilot extraordinare who was kind enough to hang around the hill so we could see what our wing will do.