Actually Fred, your question is interesting to us at Freedoms Wings Canada
www.freedomswings.ca, where we are indeed looking to design a glider control
system utilizing a 'joystick' to control servos (from autopilots) driving
the control surfaces. This would enable a larger population of pilots with
disabilities to fly, providing control to paraplegics and some higher
functioning quadriplegics who have limited strength in their arms and
wrists.

We also envision a second phase where we will supplement the foregoing with
a microelectric gyro for yaw control, and thereby enable a 'sip 'n puff'
control for the glider in flight. A Professor of biomedical engineering at
the University of Toronto, and the folks at Barry Aviation
www.barryaviation.com, believe this can be done, even with a limited budget.

I can't begin to describe how exciting this would be for someone who can at
present drive only a sip 'n puff wheelchair.


wrote in message
oups.com...

I note that some gliders are controlle with a joystick which
makes me curious as to how the control surfaces are powered.

Assuming these are useable by people who lack the forearms of
a truck driver, how are they powered?

Do these systems use electric servos with a battery recharged
on the ground? Do they use vaccumm assist from a venturi?

Just asking?

--

FF