Flying a 50+ Year Old “Hang Loose“ Hang Glider Design Behind a Car!

Flying a 50 year old modified “Hang Loose“ hang glider design behind a car. This glider was built by our Canadian family, the Smiths. They all grew up learning to fly it. My brother Harry and I had fun flying it around the field while visiting our uncles in Canada. The glider was initially designed and built by Jack Lambie in the summer of 1970. Called the “Hang Loose“, it is often credited with launching the hang-gliding movement in the USA. Plans were advertised in Soaring magazine and our Grandfather Elvie Smith, with help from our uncles David Smith and Ronald Smith, built the modified “Hang Loose“ during the winter of 1970-1971. Elvie Smith designed the seat, flight controls and landing gear (ski), hence this glider is a modified “Hang Loose“. Other than an incident caused by a CG issue on the first flight (summer 1971), the Smith’s “Hang Loose“ has been flying uneventfully for 52 years. Filmed by: @jacksmitharthur Follow us on Instagram for more aviation content: @ Our Website: