An ultralight trike or paratrike is a type of powered hang glider where flight control is by weight-shift. These aircraft have a fabric flex-wing from which is suspended a tricycle fuselage pod driven by a pusher propeller. The pod accommodates either a solo pilot, or a pilot and a single passenger. Trikes grant affordable, accessible, and exciting flying, and have been popular since the 1980s.
AirBorne XT912 Tourer
Ultralight trike in Prokhorovka, Belgorod Oblast
'Dr. George A. Spratt towed his hang glider on floats using a motorboat. USA, 1929
First towing tests of NASA's Paresev glider (Para Wing Research Vehicle), March 1962.
Hang gliding is an air sport or recreational activity in which a pilot flies a light, non-motorised, heavier-than-air aircraft called a hang glider. Most modern hang gliders are made of an aluminium alloy or composite frame covered with synthetic sailcloth to form a wing. Typically the pilot is in a harness suspended from the airframe, and controls the aircraft by shifting body weight in opposition to a control frame.
Hang glider just after launch from Salève, France
Otto Lilienthal in flight
Jan Lavezzari with a double sail glider
NASA's Paresev glider in flight with tow cable [1].