The Pacific Airwave Hang Glider is an unpowered recreational aircraft in which the pilot suspends from the airframe and controls it by shifting his body weight. Hang gliders must have air movement in order to remain airborne. In the late 1980s, Pacific Windcraft of Salinas, California merged with Airwave Gliders of the UK to form Pacific Airwave. It became the second largest hang glider manufacturer in the United States before ceasing operations in 1996.

It is called a “hang” glider because the pilot “hangs” or is suspended from the glider’s center of mass. When the pilot shifts his or her weight, it changes the center of mass and the glider turns.

Pilots have to run down a hill in order to launch. This moves air across the wing, which generates lift, which counters the weight of the glider and pilot.

Our hang glider is a high performance Pacific Airwave glider made between 1988-1995. Attached to the center is a pod harness. The boot of the pod trails behind while the pilot runs to launch. Once airborne, he/she tucks legs into the pod and zips it shut with an attached rope. Currently, our Pacific Airwave hang glider hangs over the children’s play area in the Museum.