Primarygliders are a category ofaircraft that enjoyed worldwide popularity during the 1920s and 1930s as people strove for simple and inexpensive ways to learn to fly.[1]
Constructed ofwood,metal cables andcloth, primary gliders were very light and easy to fly. They generally had nocockpit and no instruments.[1]
Primary gliders were generally launched bybungee cord, whereby a rubber rope was arranged in a "V" with the glider at the apex. The ends of the rope were pulled by hand to launch the glider from a slope. Primaries were also launched byauto-tow and auto-bungee tow. Ramp launching from cliffs was also attempted successfully.[1]
Modern versions of primary gliders are still built, but, while they are much like the originals in appearance, they are usually constructed withcomposites and safety enhancements.
Examples include:
