Passive Reflective Devices

"henkelize" wrote in message
...
Hi everybody

I would like to gather some information about a passive reflective device
which could be used to increase the visibility of a glider. It was
described to me as follows, during one of those typical launch point
chats:

It takes the shape of small sphere, mounted just behind the canopy on
the turtle deck
The surface is covered with faceted mirrors, like a disco mirror ball

Apparently this little ball will sparkle as light from the sun is
reflected
to the observer, thus making the glider more visible. Now my questions
are
as follows:

Has anybody ever seen or heard of such a device?
If yes, how can one obtain these little do-hickeys, i.e. price and
point
of sale.
Do they actually work?

Any other suggestions for passive reflective devices will also be
appreciated. Suggestions and thoughts on active devices, i.e. strobes
will
also be handy.

Regards

Henk Stander

A number of years ago, some hang glider pilots in the Owens Valley were
using golf-ball sized or tennis-ball sized "mirrored disco balls" attached
to the kingpost. You'd get a bright flash occasionally, and it tended to
draw the eye. I think it did help some with visibility.
Nowadays, the kingposts are mostly gone, and I imagine so are the disco
balls.
And I'm still not much help, because I don't know where the people that had
them, got them.

Tim Ward

A number of years ago, some hang glider pilots in the Owens Valley were
using golf-ball sized or tennis-ball sized "mirrored disco balls" attached
to the kingpost. You'd get a bright flash occasionally, and it tended to
draw the eye. I think it did help some with visibility.
Nowadays, the kingposts are mostly gone, and I imagine so are the disco
balls.
And I'm still not much help, because I don't know where the people that had
them, got them.

Tim Ward

I remember those little disco balls (abour the size of a tennis ball)
and I remember that at more than 300 meters or so the flash given off
was no longer discernable, probably because of the very small faceted
surfaces on them.

Mike Z