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This file was most recently edited on Saturday March 26, 2011   

Scenario #4  How about slingshot launching the skydiver the way you do RC gliders.
It would be an exciting ride.    ~ ChrisC        M3251

Note: [ ]  Distinguish this in some way from Scenario #1. [ ] Does the suggested method intend to use the kiting principle with opened wing?  Just linear momentum slinging does not dominantly  use the kiting principle; however a slight interpretation of the aerodynamics surrounding the slung element might provide an allowance of kiting with very low lift and very high proportionate drag.  We explore meanings of "slingshot" and then focus on those that involve kiting the skydiver or the skydiver with a kited wing during the slingshot process. Whether or not the glider is to be radio controlled (RC) seems an aside to the slinging; however, this brings to mind RC of the entire operation, even with the envisioned launch of a skydiver.   Notes are welcome.
Preliminaries:  Just what kiting methods do model gliders use (RC or not)?   There are several methods. One method involves "high start" single tether kiting of an RC model glider; such is branched to a tether that is all bungee, partial bungee, or no bungee sector.   Then there is the "V" or double-tether that also branches in method to all bungee, partial bungee, or no bungee with just hard line.  Then the methods branch to whether or not ground human pilots or assistants do the tether tugging or winches, moving vehicles, etc.  The method that is all bungee brings to mind the hand-held Y shooting "slingshot" tool; but the one-rubber sling is also in mind.   There is also the slinging by way of catapults or also trebuchet. We will probably split methods hereabout as kiting is clarified with respect to "slingshot" direction invited by ChrisC.  Wing open or closed during the slinging increases or decreases the amount of kiting principle involved.   

Some "sling" methods do not use the kite principle, but the methods still very well may play a function in kiting, like slinging a compressed packed kite through a small clearing in a forest into the sky only to open aloft to begin the kiting principle operation.  Also, a packed set of kite elements might blossom by sling from a lifted system to provide a coterie of lifting-working elements.

  • Still in preliminaries:
    • http://www.redstoneprojects.com/trebuchetstore/sling.html
    • US Pat. 4605183   Swing Wing Glider by Albert L. Gabriel. Filed date: Mar 22, 1984. Issued: Aug 12, 1986.
       
    • http://www.slingwing.com/
       
    • Steve Corbin       dayhead    Folding Wing Toy Glider by Steven K. Corbin.  Patent number: US 4836817.   Steve is a hang glider pilot also and has shown some interest in kite energy.   Filed: Apr 28, 1988.  Issued: Jun 6, 1989.   Here, the rubber band launching does not use the kiting principle, except partially in the fine-tuned interpretation (see above on this page). The compacted wings of the glider get separated from the rubber band sling and continues traveling along through the air until aerodynamic forces allow the wings to open to glider mode.
       
    • Glider High Start Tutorial.mp4
    • Wing suiting the skydiver during direct slinging might bring in more kiting of the wingsuit during some modes of slinging.

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Yeah, a super fast tow similar to a bungee launch would be a great way to go. The jump plane could be similar to a WWII troop glider, but far hotter, capable of being accelerated to several hundred miles an hour for a final ballistic climb phase. You want to be able to put eight jumpers at about 12,000 ft (3657 m) to replicate an average drop zone (DZ) capability.   ~DaveS    March 25, 2011