I have been working on such a device for Freedom's Wings International. One prototype used tire inner tubes...later, better prototype uses a clear plastic 5 gallon water container....really cheap...works great with compressed air from a tank...lifts you easily 9"...brings the butt about level with the gunwales of the Grob 103...AB people can then just wing the legs over and down to the ground...and almost in standing position..


Cookie



On Thursday, June 5, 2014 9:14:26 AM UTC-4, son_of_flubber wrote:
I understand that the post is focused on hand controls, and those are of course a great thing to implement, but the issue of adaptation to disabilities in soaring is in fact a much broader and bigger issue.



For example, the disability that is on the rise in the present growing-older/weaker/heavier USA glider pilot population is simply the inability to get into and out of the glider.



I know older rowers who quit sculling because they cannot get into or out of their boats any more. I know some glider pilots who can barely get out of their gliders and it would be a shame if they quit. Has anyone started to use a hoist to get pilots into their gliders?



Has anyone done some simple modifications that make it easier to get in and out of the glider? A sky-hook would come in handy lots of days.