The addition of a small 120 cc engine to the standard hang gliding harness has given us the freedom to takeoff from flat fields and allows us much more opportunity to fly on days when there is very little wind or lift. I've recently gotten into powered flight with a Wasp powered harness and I'm keeping a diary of the flights for anyone who's interested in getting involved in foot launched powered hang gliding. There are several manufacturers who make powered harnesses. All of them use the same engine, the Radne Raket 120 which is made specifically for aviation use.

Climb rate is around 300 feet per minute but figures will of course vary with pilot weight, air density, humidity, glider type etc... Manufacturers often claim 400 ft per minute but I think you can take this with a large dose of salt. As with glide angles and sink rates on gliders, manufacturers always give very rosy figures to enhance their products.
I get about 250ft per minute on average using a Wasp and a K4.

The fuel tank holds 5 litres and this will give between 1.5 and 2 hours of flight time, depending on how you use the throttle. In still air with no lift and frugal use of the throttle you should get around 50 miles of flight out of one tank. If you fly into wind you will get much less mileage to the litre. Using two tanks will give you a range of around 100 miles in nil wind or much more if you fly downwind.

The handling of your glider is affected by the extra weight of the powered harness. The stall speed is increased and the base bar is further back than normal. Other than that it's much the same as flying unpowered. The advantage is that you don't need a hill or rising air and you can fly places that you couldn't possibly have gone without power.

If you go to the summary you will find my overall impression of powered hang gliding

So to the powered harnesses themselves:

 

WASP
	The Wasp. Designed and built in the UK by Wasp Systems An articulated front entry powered hang gliding harness made to custom specifications. The harness incorporates quick release buckles and front mounted chute. A wasp inovation is the use of a foot operated throttle. Options include, wood or carbon fibre prop, folding prop, electric start, wide colour scheme.

MOSQUITO

The Mosquito. By Swedish Aerosport. The original power harness and the blueprint for all the others. The 'mozzie' as it's generally known, has been around since 1990 and about 800 of them are in use around the world. The new NRG model has a very streamlined front entry harness made by Woody Valley, a world renowned harness maker and all the controls are integrated into the harness. Options include a folding carbon prop, electric start, dual fuel tanks and two colours, blue and grey.

BOOSTER

The Booster: built in the UK by Pegasus Aviation . This power unit is actually attached to the harness by a couple of bolts and can be used with different harnesses allowing you to use your own, if it fits the unit. The fuel tank is enclosed within this unit and it comes complete with folding prop. The unit itself is made from a composite material and the pilot and his harness slot into it in flight.

DOODLEBUG

The Doodlebug by Flylight The bug as it's known to it's friends is the only powered harness to allow you to sit up. As you can see from the photo it is a very comfortable looking way to fly. You do pay a drag penalty for this though as you present a bigger area to the oncoming airflow. The bug has the fuel tank stowed behind the pilot and has room to carry some extras in this space. This is more like a mini microlight than hang gliding but for those who prefer to fly in this position then this is the one for you. Throttle control is by mouth throttle for take-off and once in flight, by small levers at the side of the seat. Options include electric start and a full range of colours.

EXPLORER

The Explorer by Airtime Products This harness is built in Australia and features all the same options as found on the mosquito. Electric start, folding prop, dual fuel tanks, and comes in at a very moderate price compared to all the others above. Many of these harnesses are in use both in Australia and in the USA and pilots have reported similar performance and climb rate to the Mosquito. The harness features two pockets on the top and front mounted chute. There is also a wide colour range

SOMETHING COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS

This is the ridiculous fantasy presented by a newspaper in England of a suicide attack on Israel by a Palestinian hang glider pilot who is flying a powered glider. The idea that anyone could possibly steer a glider whilst holding a machine gun is plainly ludicrous. It's bad enough trying to hold a camera to take pictures whilst steering the thing never mind a heavy machine gun. These 'journalists' need to get real.

For the rules regarding Foot Launched Powered Hang Gliding in the UK, go here