It all happened in Grafton, Australia, when John Dickenson, an electronic engineer and a member of Grafton Water Ski Club, while inventing a kite for the Annual Jacaranda Festival created an absolutely new type of wing.įrom childhood John was obsessed with flying objects and, of course, he carefully studied the research work made by his ancestors. The glider was robust, able to withstand many crashes and still fly, easy to transport and store. The sport of hang gliding really began in only in 1963 when John Dickenson invented the modern hang glider. This will be its only exhibition in Grafton, or indeed anywhere, outside of a suitable museum. This aircraft has been taken out of its bag just once, in 2009 for the purposes of verification since its last flight at S tradbroke Island in 1972. This is the oldest modern hang glider in existence, in the world, the third glider that John Dickenson built in Grafton and the first glider that he sold. The first public exhibition of the 1964 Mark 3a Dickenson Wing will also take place. The ceremony in Grafton, NSW, Australia, will see the FAI Hang Gliding and Paragliding Diploma given to Pat Crowe, the driver of the boat that towed to celebrity the first ever working model of the hang gliders we know so well. On the 8th of September 2018 we will be celebrating the 55th anniversary of the invention of the modern hang glider. Voting Guidelines and Meeting Administration.

FAI Medico-Physiological Commission (CIMP).FAI Microlight and Paramotor Commission (CIMA).FAI Hang Gliding and Paragliding Commission (CIVL).FAI Astronautic Records Commission (ICARE).FAI Amateur-Built and Experimental Aircraft Commission (CIACA).FAI General Air Sports Commission (CASI).Amateur-Built and Experimental Aircraft (CIACA).Amateur Built and Experimental Aircraft.

Homebuilt hang glider plans