Hall Vector 1

[1] The Vector 1 was intended to take advantage of the US informal rules for hang gliders at the time of its development that in 1982 became the FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles regulations.

The Vector 1 was designed with the goal of building a foot-launchable glider with cross country performance.

With an empty weight of 150 lb (68 kg), the design qualifies as a hang glider and thus does not need to be registered or have a Certificate of Airworthiness.

[4] As a result of the extra weight, more wind was required for successful foot-launching of the Vector 1.

As a result, Hall modified the prototype so that it could be auto towed for initial test flights.

The test flights exposed the center of gravity issues and showed that with the extra weight the Vector 1 simply flew too fast for safe foot launching.

Hall constructed a canopy to try to smooth airflow over the wing center section and thus reduce the stall speed to bring the Vector 1 back down to foot-launching speeds but eventually he lost interest in the project and never flew it again.

As to my permitting someone else to fly her, I’m afraid my requirements for sailplane experience would find few candidates.