Project:
Design and construct the sail (airfoil) for a hang glider based upon a modified Rogallo wing design. This is a basic sail design with an emphasis on safety and flight characteristics. The sail construction material must consist of a minimum (weight basis) of 80% natural wood cellulose fiber that is evenly distributed throughout the sail. Layered or extruded construction is not allowed. Sails containing more than 80% natural wood cellulose will be more favorably scored. Functional coatings are allowed on the surfaces of the sail. Sail battens are allowed, however, they must also conform to the 80% natural wood cellulose fiber requirement. Competing teams will receive a template for the sail from the Energy Challenge 2003 staff. This competition is being held in concert with the First Flight Centennial Programs scheduled around the United States in 2003 to commemorate the Wright brother's first flight in 1903. The Energy Challenge 2003 Competition will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2003 at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Those who are new to this sport are strongly encouraged to consult the publications of Dennis Pagen to become familiar with the basics. We will fund all pilots to obtain a "Hang One" Designation.

Hang Glider Performance:
The hang glider sail will be scored on the factors of weight (including battens), conformance to the required sail area of 191 square feet, sail tear strength, sail tensile strength, sail moisture resistance, sail recycle content and sail aesthetics and novelty as judged by a United States Hang Gliding Association (USHGA) certified instructor-pilot. The glider framing will be provided by the Energy Challenge 2003 staff.

Hang Gliding Competition:
As the final segment of the competition, teams will fly their hang gliders from a dune (approximately 80 feet high) at Kitty Hawk, NC under the cooperative direction of Kitty Hawk Kites, Incorporated. All glider pilots will be USHGA certified and will comply with all USHGA safety protocol. Energy Challenge 2003 will sponsor one pilot from each team (airfare or mileage, lodging, per diem and course registration fee) to travel to Kitty Hawk, NC to obtain a "Hang One" course designation. Four persons (including one pilot and one faculty person) will be funded to attend the competition. The competition will take the form of a distance, not soaring, event. Each team will be allowed three flights. The cumulative distance of the three flights will be the basis for determining the flying competition winner. Our advisors from Kitty Hawk Kites have indicated that a typical distance flown on a calm day from an 80 ft. dune is in the range of 50 to 75 yards.