A hang glider, sudden unexpected lift to 25,000 feet altitude, what could do this? The Next CEO of Stack OverflowAt great altitude, what conditions are needed to support a human community?Reducing atmospheric pressure on Snowball EarthWhat would the weather on this continent be like?What could cause a sudden dip in magnetosphere?What would be the major weather patterns on this map?What could make a planet have regular extreme weather?What could cause sudden localized atmospheric pressure change?Could I get some guidance on this map in progress?How high in altitude could a fog reasonably exist?At what altitudes would clouds form to produce rain on this world and with what general severity?Is this sudden global cooling scenario plausible?Could this planet exist?

Direct Implications Between USA and UK in Event of No-Deal Brexit

What did the word "leisure" mean in late 18th Century usage?

Prodigo = pro + ago?

What happens if you break a law in another country outside of that country?

My ex-girlfriend uses my Apple ID to login to her iPad, do I have to give her my Apple ID password to reset it?

Why did the Drakh emissary look so blurred in S04:E11 "Lines of Communication"?

Traveling with my 5 year old daughter (as the father) without the mother from Germany to Mexico

Man transported from Alternate World into ours by a Neutrino Detector

Car headlights in a world without electricity

Read/write a pipe-delimited file line by line with some simple text manipulation

How can I separate the number from the unit in argument?

Does the Idaho Potato Commission associate potato skins with healthy eating?

Raspberry pi 3 B with Ubuntu 18.04 server arm64: what pi version

Early programmable calculators with RS-232

How can I prove that a state of equilibrium is unstable?

Can I cast Thunderwave and be at the center of its bottom face, but not be affected by it?

Would a grinding machine be a simple and workable propulsion system for an interplanetary spacecraft?

Why can't we say "I have been having a dog"?

Calculating discount not working

Does int main() need a declaration on C++?

Is the offspring between a demon and a celestial possible? If so what is it called and is it in a book somewhere?

How to unfasten electrical subpanel attached with ramset

Compilation of a 2d array and a 1d array

Gauss' Posthumous Publications?



A hang glider, sudden unexpected lift to 25,000 feet altitude, what could do this?



The Next CEO of Stack OverflowAt great altitude, what conditions are needed to support a human community?Reducing atmospheric pressure on Snowball EarthWhat would the weather on this continent be like?What could cause a sudden dip in magnetosphere?What would be the major weather patterns on this map?What could make a planet have regular extreme weather?What could cause sudden localized atmospheric pressure change?Could I get some guidance on this map in progress?How high in altitude could a fog reasonably exist?At what altitudes would clouds form to produce rain on this world and with what general severity?Is this sudden global cooling scenario plausible?Could this planet exist?










4












$begingroup$


This is the third in a series of 5 (at this point) questions. It's not relevant to this question, but for anyone who's curious this was the first, this the second.



Conditions for this question are:



  • Earth-normal atmospheric pressure/content. (Or close)


  • I'm aware that over 38,000 feet has been achieved by exploiting thermals. This slow and steady way is not what I need.


  • I need the ascent to be sudden and unexpected (for an arguably inexperienced pilot), be it; meteorological, geothermal or by some other (not fantasy) means.


  • It should not kill the pilot - if you can plausably argue a volcanic erruption - then fine but the pilot must survive (unconsciousness is just fine though).


Any landscape type can be specified in supporting arguments within the answer, sea nearby, desert, mountains, geisers, volcanoes, icefields - anything that could feasably contribute to the desired sudden lift.



A hang glider, the pilot taken by surprise, there is a sudden unexpected lift to 25,000 feet altitude, what could do this?










share|improve this question









$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    I'd swear I read an article several years ago about someone over Australia having something like this happen.
    $endgroup$
    – Michael Richardson
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Nevermind. Chasly's answer mentions this right away.
    $endgroup$
    – Michael Richardson
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    Gliding altitude records are not set using thermals, but by "wave riding" the airflow over mountain ranges. Just like an airfoil, the profile of a line of hills affects the air flow up to 10 times the height of the hills themselves. In the right weather conditions these flows can remain stable for several days, and nights (unlike thermals which only exist during the day). Even in the UK with hills of only a few thousand feet, altitudes of 20,000ft are not difficult to achieve - except for the problem of keeping out of commercial controlled airspace.
    $endgroup$
    – alephzero
    13 mins ago















4












$begingroup$


This is the third in a series of 5 (at this point) questions. It's not relevant to this question, but for anyone who's curious this was the first, this the second.



Conditions for this question are:



  • Earth-normal atmospheric pressure/content. (Or close)


  • I'm aware that over 38,000 feet has been achieved by exploiting thermals. This slow and steady way is not what I need.


  • I need the ascent to be sudden and unexpected (for an arguably inexperienced pilot), be it; meteorological, geothermal or by some other (not fantasy) means.


  • It should not kill the pilot - if you can plausably argue a volcanic erruption - then fine but the pilot must survive (unconsciousness is just fine though).


Any landscape type can be specified in supporting arguments within the answer, sea nearby, desert, mountains, geisers, volcanoes, icefields - anything that could feasably contribute to the desired sudden lift.



A hang glider, the pilot taken by surprise, there is a sudden unexpected lift to 25,000 feet altitude, what could do this?










share|improve this question









$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    I'd swear I read an article several years ago about someone over Australia having something like this happen.
    $endgroup$
    – Michael Richardson
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Nevermind. Chasly's answer mentions this right away.
    $endgroup$
    – Michael Richardson
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    Gliding altitude records are not set using thermals, but by "wave riding" the airflow over mountain ranges. Just like an airfoil, the profile of a line of hills affects the air flow up to 10 times the height of the hills themselves. In the right weather conditions these flows can remain stable for several days, and nights (unlike thermals which only exist during the day). Even in the UK with hills of only a few thousand feet, altitudes of 20,000ft are not difficult to achieve - except for the problem of keeping out of commercial controlled airspace.
    $endgroup$
    – alephzero
    13 mins ago













4












4








4





$begingroup$


This is the third in a series of 5 (at this point) questions. It's not relevant to this question, but for anyone who's curious this was the first, this the second.



Conditions for this question are:



  • Earth-normal atmospheric pressure/content. (Or close)


  • I'm aware that over 38,000 feet has been achieved by exploiting thermals. This slow and steady way is not what I need.


  • I need the ascent to be sudden and unexpected (for an arguably inexperienced pilot), be it; meteorological, geothermal or by some other (not fantasy) means.


  • It should not kill the pilot - if you can plausably argue a volcanic erruption - then fine but the pilot must survive (unconsciousness is just fine though).


Any landscape type can be specified in supporting arguments within the answer, sea nearby, desert, mountains, geisers, volcanoes, icefields - anything that could feasably contribute to the desired sudden lift.



A hang glider, the pilot taken by surprise, there is a sudden unexpected lift to 25,000 feet altitude, what could do this?










share|improve this question









$endgroup$




This is the third in a series of 5 (at this point) questions. It's not relevant to this question, but for anyone who's curious this was the first, this the second.



Conditions for this question are:



  • Earth-normal atmospheric pressure/content. (Or close)


  • I'm aware that over 38,000 feet has been achieved by exploiting thermals. This slow and steady way is not what I need.


  • I need the ascent to be sudden and unexpected (for an arguably inexperienced pilot), be it; meteorological, geothermal or by some other (not fantasy) means.


  • It should not kill the pilot - if you can plausably argue a volcanic erruption - then fine but the pilot must survive (unconsciousness is just fine though).


Any landscape type can be specified in supporting arguments within the answer, sea nearby, desert, mountains, geisers, volcanoes, icefields - anything that could feasably contribute to the desired sudden lift.



A hang glider, the pilot taken by surprise, there is a sudden unexpected lift to 25,000 feet altitude, what could do this?







science-based geology weather volcanoes






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 3 hours ago









AgrajagAgrajag

6,27411143




6,27411143











  • $begingroup$
    I'd swear I read an article several years ago about someone over Australia having something like this happen.
    $endgroup$
    – Michael Richardson
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Nevermind. Chasly's answer mentions this right away.
    $endgroup$
    – Michael Richardson
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    Gliding altitude records are not set using thermals, but by "wave riding" the airflow over mountain ranges. Just like an airfoil, the profile of a line of hills affects the air flow up to 10 times the height of the hills themselves. In the right weather conditions these flows can remain stable for several days, and nights (unlike thermals which only exist during the day). Even in the UK with hills of only a few thousand feet, altitudes of 20,000ft are not difficult to achieve - except for the problem of keeping out of commercial controlled airspace.
    $endgroup$
    – alephzero
    13 mins ago
















  • $begingroup$
    I'd swear I read an article several years ago about someone over Australia having something like this happen.
    $endgroup$
    – Michael Richardson
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Nevermind. Chasly's answer mentions this right away.
    $endgroup$
    – Michael Richardson
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    Gliding altitude records are not set using thermals, but by "wave riding" the airflow over mountain ranges. Just like an airfoil, the profile of a line of hills affects the air flow up to 10 times the height of the hills themselves. In the right weather conditions these flows can remain stable for several days, and nights (unlike thermals which only exist during the day). Even in the UK with hills of only a few thousand feet, altitudes of 20,000ft are not difficult to achieve - except for the problem of keeping out of commercial controlled airspace.
    $endgroup$
    – alephzero
    13 mins ago















$begingroup$
I'd swear I read an article several years ago about someone over Australia having something like this happen.
$endgroup$
– Michael Richardson
2 hours ago




$begingroup$
I'd swear I read an article several years ago about someone over Australia having something like this happen.
$endgroup$
– Michael Richardson
2 hours ago












$begingroup$
Nevermind. Chasly's answer mentions this right away.
$endgroup$
– Michael Richardson
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
Nevermind. Chasly's answer mentions this right away.
$endgroup$
– Michael Richardson
1 hour ago












$begingroup$
Gliding altitude records are not set using thermals, but by "wave riding" the airflow over mountain ranges. Just like an airfoil, the profile of a line of hills affects the air flow up to 10 times the height of the hills themselves. In the right weather conditions these flows can remain stable for several days, and nights (unlike thermals which only exist during the day). Even in the UK with hills of only a few thousand feet, altitudes of 20,000ft are not difficult to achieve - except for the problem of keeping out of commercial controlled airspace.
$endgroup$
– alephzero
13 mins ago




$begingroup$
Gliding altitude records are not set using thermals, but by "wave riding" the airflow over mountain ranges. Just like an airfoil, the profile of a line of hills affects the air flow up to 10 times the height of the hills themselves. In the right weather conditions these flows can remain stable for several days, and nights (unlike thermals which only exist during the day). Even in the UK with hills of only a few thousand feet, altitudes of 20,000ft are not difficult to achieve - except for the problem of keeping out of commercial controlled airspace.
$endgroup$
– alephzero
13 mins ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















11












$begingroup$

Getting caught in a thunderstorm is the most likely cause. This can happen even to experts if they are incautious enough to take risks with the weather.



Here's an example with a paraglider. (I'll see what I can find for a hang-glider)




Ewa Wisnierska was sucked into a powerful thunderstorm while training
for the world paragliding championships in Australia. She was carried,
unconscious and wearing a layer of ice, to an altitude of more than
32,000 feet into the eye of the storm. https://youtu.be/IXLdsnB5VBw





Here's another - this is a good one because it is videoed with a live commentary from the pilot who escaped the updraft before it was too late.




Caught in Cloud Suck! - Life lesson from 3Km above sea level
https://youtu.be/FdoGtqCQ2ZY





Some science



Hang-gliders are likely to find it easier to escape a storm because their forward speed can be much greater that that of a paraglider. They should be able fly out of it provided they can keep a sense of direction.



Hang-glider Beginner wing 14 mph to 45 mph. Advanced wing - 16 mph, to over 100 mph which has been clocked in speed gliding competitions
http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding



Paraglider Beginner wing 13mph to 22mph. Advanced wing - 14 mph to 35mph
http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding




EDIT (from the same source)



See under Wind penetration where my above suggestion is supported.



http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding



Here is a claim that it can happen to hang-gliders as well but there is no reference to back it up.




In one reported incident, two hang gliders were caught in cloud suck
by the same storm clouds. Both gliders lost consciousness above 30,000
feet, one, happily, was released by the storm, and regained lucidity
before crashing into the ground. The other glider was not so
fortunate. His frozen body was discovered later and returned to his
family.
https://www.toysperiod.com/blog/extreme-sports/hang-gliders-in-the-sky/





Cloud suck



If you want to know how people get trapped and about emergency procedures for escape, then I suggest you Google "cloud suck".




Cloud suck is a phenomenon commonly known in paragliding, hang
gliding, and sailplane flying where pilots experience significant lift
due to a thermal under the base of cumulus clouds, especially towering
cumulus and cumulonimbus. The vertical extent of a cumulus cloud is a
good indicator of the strength of lift beneath it, and the potential
for cloud suck. Cloud suck most commonly occurs in low pressure
weather and in humid conditions.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_suck







share|improve this answer











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Ok, I'd no idea it was that easy for even the experienced pilot, I need to improve my research methodology. Good answer. +1
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    3 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Agrajag - I've done a bit of paragliding and hang-gliding!
    $endgroup$
    – chasly from UK
    3 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Agrajag - Does it have to be a hang-glider or could it be a paraglider? I've yet to find any evidence of the former being trapped in a storm cloud. Probably due to the difference in forward speed (see edit to my answer).
    $endgroup$
    – chasly from UK
    3 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    I wasn't going to be specific 'till I'd decided. I'm just going with hang glider beginner, but keeping an open mind regarding the actual tech. I'll take it all in and use the ideas, or something different that springs from them.
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    3 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    This is definitive answer to the question. +1.
    $endgroup$
    – AlexP
    2 hours ago


















2












$begingroup$

Let me add one more...



Wind Shear




Wind shear (or windshear), sometimes referred to as wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed or direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere. Atmospheric wind shear is normally described as either vertical or horizontal wind shear. Vertical wind shear is a change in wind speed or direction with change in altitude. Horizontal wind shear is a change in wind speed with change in lateral position for a given altitude.[1]



Wind shear is a microscale meteorological phenomenon occurring over a very small distance, but it can be associated with mesoscale or synoptic scale weather features such as squall lines and cold fronts. It is commonly observed near microbursts and downbursts caused by thunderstorms, fronts, areas of locally higher low-level winds referred to as low level jets, near mountains, radiation inversions that occur due to clear skies and calm winds, buildings, wind turbines, and sailboats. Wind shear has significant effects on control of an aircraft, and it has been a sole or contributing cause of many aircraft accidents. (Source)




Basically, (and specifically considering vertical wind shear) wind shear is a very sudden column of high-speed air. It has the habit of flipping big airplanes on their sides. And when they say "short distance," they mean it. It can affect a single wing. They're fairly common at Denver International Airport, which was developing radar specifically for detecting wind shear when I was graduating as an EE. I almost elected to intern at DIA and use the development process for my senior thesis.



If it's strong enough to flip a 767 ninety degrees, it's strong enough to lift a hang glider.



It might actually be too strong. These gusts might tear a hang glider apart. But, what's a story without a crisis, right?






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$













    Your Answer





    StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function ()
    return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function ()
    StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix)
    StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
    );
    );
    , "mathjax-editing");

    StackExchange.ready(function()
    var channelOptions =
    tags: "".split(" "),
    id: "579"
    ;
    initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

    StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
    // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
    if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
    StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
    createEditor();
    );

    else
    createEditor();

    );

    function createEditor()
    StackExchange.prepareEditor(
    heartbeatType: 'answer',
    autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
    convertImagesToLinks: false,
    noModals: true,
    showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
    reputationToPostImages: null,
    bindNavPrevention: true,
    postfix: "",
    imageUploader:
    brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
    contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
    allowUrls: true
    ,
    noCode: true, onDemand: true,
    discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
    ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
    );



    );













    draft saved

    draft discarded


















    StackExchange.ready(
    function ()
    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f142973%2fa-hang-glider-sudden-unexpected-lift-to-25-000-feet-altitude-what-could-do-thi%23new-answer', 'question_page');

    );

    Post as a guest















    Required, but never shown

























    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    11












    $begingroup$

    Getting caught in a thunderstorm is the most likely cause. This can happen even to experts if they are incautious enough to take risks with the weather.



    Here's an example with a paraglider. (I'll see what I can find for a hang-glider)




    Ewa Wisnierska was sucked into a powerful thunderstorm while training
    for the world paragliding championships in Australia. She was carried,
    unconscious and wearing a layer of ice, to an altitude of more than
    32,000 feet into the eye of the storm. https://youtu.be/IXLdsnB5VBw





    Here's another - this is a good one because it is videoed with a live commentary from the pilot who escaped the updraft before it was too late.




    Caught in Cloud Suck! - Life lesson from 3Km above sea level
    https://youtu.be/FdoGtqCQ2ZY





    Some science



    Hang-gliders are likely to find it easier to escape a storm because their forward speed can be much greater that that of a paraglider. They should be able fly out of it provided they can keep a sense of direction.



    Hang-glider Beginner wing 14 mph to 45 mph. Advanced wing - 16 mph, to over 100 mph which has been clocked in speed gliding competitions
    http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding



    Paraglider Beginner wing 13mph to 22mph. Advanced wing - 14 mph to 35mph
    http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding




    EDIT (from the same source)



    See under Wind penetration where my above suggestion is supported.



    http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding



    Here is a claim that it can happen to hang-gliders as well but there is no reference to back it up.




    In one reported incident, two hang gliders were caught in cloud suck
    by the same storm clouds. Both gliders lost consciousness above 30,000
    feet, one, happily, was released by the storm, and regained lucidity
    before crashing into the ground. The other glider was not so
    fortunate. His frozen body was discovered later and returned to his
    family.
    https://www.toysperiod.com/blog/extreme-sports/hang-gliders-in-the-sky/





    Cloud suck



    If you want to know how people get trapped and about emergency procedures for escape, then I suggest you Google "cloud suck".




    Cloud suck is a phenomenon commonly known in paragliding, hang
    gliding, and sailplane flying where pilots experience significant lift
    due to a thermal under the base of cumulus clouds, especially towering
    cumulus and cumulonimbus. The vertical extent of a cumulus cloud is a
    good indicator of the strength of lift beneath it, and the potential
    for cloud suck. Cloud suck most commonly occurs in low pressure
    weather and in humid conditions.



    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_suck







    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$












    • $begingroup$
      Ok, I'd no idea it was that easy for even the experienced pilot, I need to improve my research methodology. Good answer. +1
      $endgroup$
      – Agrajag
      3 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @Agrajag - I've done a bit of paragliding and hang-gliding!
      $endgroup$
      – chasly from UK
      3 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @Agrajag - Does it have to be a hang-glider or could it be a paraglider? I've yet to find any evidence of the former being trapped in a storm cloud. Probably due to the difference in forward speed (see edit to my answer).
      $endgroup$
      – chasly from UK
      3 hours ago











    • $begingroup$
      I wasn't going to be specific 'till I'd decided. I'm just going with hang glider beginner, but keeping an open mind regarding the actual tech. I'll take it all in and use the ideas, or something different that springs from them.
      $endgroup$
      – Agrajag
      3 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      This is definitive answer to the question. +1.
      $endgroup$
      – AlexP
      2 hours ago















    11












    $begingroup$

    Getting caught in a thunderstorm is the most likely cause. This can happen even to experts if they are incautious enough to take risks with the weather.



    Here's an example with a paraglider. (I'll see what I can find for a hang-glider)




    Ewa Wisnierska was sucked into a powerful thunderstorm while training
    for the world paragliding championships in Australia. She was carried,
    unconscious and wearing a layer of ice, to an altitude of more than
    32,000 feet into the eye of the storm. https://youtu.be/IXLdsnB5VBw





    Here's another - this is a good one because it is videoed with a live commentary from the pilot who escaped the updraft before it was too late.




    Caught in Cloud Suck! - Life lesson from 3Km above sea level
    https://youtu.be/FdoGtqCQ2ZY





    Some science



    Hang-gliders are likely to find it easier to escape a storm because their forward speed can be much greater that that of a paraglider. They should be able fly out of it provided they can keep a sense of direction.



    Hang-glider Beginner wing 14 mph to 45 mph. Advanced wing - 16 mph, to over 100 mph which has been clocked in speed gliding competitions
    http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding



    Paraglider Beginner wing 13mph to 22mph. Advanced wing - 14 mph to 35mph
    http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding




    EDIT (from the same source)



    See under Wind penetration where my above suggestion is supported.



    http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding



    Here is a claim that it can happen to hang-gliders as well but there is no reference to back it up.




    In one reported incident, two hang gliders were caught in cloud suck
    by the same storm clouds. Both gliders lost consciousness above 30,000
    feet, one, happily, was released by the storm, and regained lucidity
    before crashing into the ground. The other glider was not so
    fortunate. His frozen body was discovered later and returned to his
    family.
    https://www.toysperiod.com/blog/extreme-sports/hang-gliders-in-the-sky/





    Cloud suck



    If you want to know how people get trapped and about emergency procedures for escape, then I suggest you Google "cloud suck".




    Cloud suck is a phenomenon commonly known in paragliding, hang
    gliding, and sailplane flying where pilots experience significant lift
    due to a thermal under the base of cumulus clouds, especially towering
    cumulus and cumulonimbus. The vertical extent of a cumulus cloud is a
    good indicator of the strength of lift beneath it, and the potential
    for cloud suck. Cloud suck most commonly occurs in low pressure
    weather and in humid conditions.



    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_suck







    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$












    • $begingroup$
      Ok, I'd no idea it was that easy for even the experienced pilot, I need to improve my research methodology. Good answer. +1
      $endgroup$
      – Agrajag
      3 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @Agrajag - I've done a bit of paragliding and hang-gliding!
      $endgroup$
      – chasly from UK
      3 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @Agrajag - Does it have to be a hang-glider or could it be a paraglider? I've yet to find any evidence of the former being trapped in a storm cloud. Probably due to the difference in forward speed (see edit to my answer).
      $endgroup$
      – chasly from UK
      3 hours ago











    • $begingroup$
      I wasn't going to be specific 'till I'd decided. I'm just going with hang glider beginner, but keeping an open mind regarding the actual tech. I'll take it all in and use the ideas, or something different that springs from them.
      $endgroup$
      – Agrajag
      3 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      This is definitive answer to the question. +1.
      $endgroup$
      – AlexP
      2 hours ago













    11












    11








    11





    $begingroup$

    Getting caught in a thunderstorm is the most likely cause. This can happen even to experts if they are incautious enough to take risks with the weather.



    Here's an example with a paraglider. (I'll see what I can find for a hang-glider)




    Ewa Wisnierska was sucked into a powerful thunderstorm while training
    for the world paragliding championships in Australia. She was carried,
    unconscious and wearing a layer of ice, to an altitude of more than
    32,000 feet into the eye of the storm. https://youtu.be/IXLdsnB5VBw





    Here's another - this is a good one because it is videoed with a live commentary from the pilot who escaped the updraft before it was too late.




    Caught in Cloud Suck! - Life lesson from 3Km above sea level
    https://youtu.be/FdoGtqCQ2ZY





    Some science



    Hang-gliders are likely to find it easier to escape a storm because their forward speed can be much greater that that of a paraglider. They should be able fly out of it provided they can keep a sense of direction.



    Hang-glider Beginner wing 14 mph to 45 mph. Advanced wing - 16 mph, to over 100 mph which has been clocked in speed gliding competitions
    http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding



    Paraglider Beginner wing 13mph to 22mph. Advanced wing - 14 mph to 35mph
    http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding




    EDIT (from the same source)



    See under Wind penetration where my above suggestion is supported.



    http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding



    Here is a claim that it can happen to hang-gliders as well but there is no reference to back it up.




    In one reported incident, two hang gliders were caught in cloud suck
    by the same storm clouds. Both gliders lost consciousness above 30,000
    feet, one, happily, was released by the storm, and regained lucidity
    before crashing into the ground. The other glider was not so
    fortunate. His frozen body was discovered later and returned to his
    family.
    https://www.toysperiod.com/blog/extreme-sports/hang-gliders-in-the-sky/





    Cloud suck



    If you want to know how people get trapped and about emergency procedures for escape, then I suggest you Google "cloud suck".




    Cloud suck is a phenomenon commonly known in paragliding, hang
    gliding, and sailplane flying where pilots experience significant lift
    due to a thermal under the base of cumulus clouds, especially towering
    cumulus and cumulonimbus. The vertical extent of a cumulus cloud is a
    good indicator of the strength of lift beneath it, and the potential
    for cloud suck. Cloud suck most commonly occurs in low pressure
    weather and in humid conditions.



    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_suck







    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$



    Getting caught in a thunderstorm is the most likely cause. This can happen even to experts if they are incautious enough to take risks with the weather.



    Here's an example with a paraglider. (I'll see what I can find for a hang-glider)




    Ewa Wisnierska was sucked into a powerful thunderstorm while training
    for the world paragliding championships in Australia. She was carried,
    unconscious and wearing a layer of ice, to an altitude of more than
    32,000 feet into the eye of the storm. https://youtu.be/IXLdsnB5VBw





    Here's another - this is a good one because it is videoed with a live commentary from the pilot who escaped the updraft before it was too late.




    Caught in Cloud Suck! - Life lesson from 3Km above sea level
    https://youtu.be/FdoGtqCQ2ZY





    Some science



    Hang-gliders are likely to find it easier to escape a storm because their forward speed can be much greater that that of a paraglider. They should be able fly out of it provided they can keep a sense of direction.



    Hang-glider Beginner wing 14 mph to 45 mph. Advanced wing - 16 mph, to over 100 mph which has been clocked in speed gliding competitions
    http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding



    Paraglider Beginner wing 13mph to 22mph. Advanced wing - 14 mph to 35mph
    http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding




    EDIT (from the same source)



    See under Wind penetration where my above suggestion is supported.



    http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Hang_Gliding_to_Paragliding



    Here is a claim that it can happen to hang-gliders as well but there is no reference to back it up.




    In one reported incident, two hang gliders were caught in cloud suck
    by the same storm clouds. Both gliders lost consciousness above 30,000
    feet, one, happily, was released by the storm, and regained lucidity
    before crashing into the ground. The other glider was not so
    fortunate. His frozen body was discovered later and returned to his
    family.
    https://www.toysperiod.com/blog/extreme-sports/hang-gliders-in-the-sky/





    Cloud suck



    If you want to know how people get trapped and about emergency procedures for escape, then I suggest you Google "cloud suck".




    Cloud suck is a phenomenon commonly known in paragliding, hang
    gliding, and sailplane flying where pilots experience significant lift
    due to a thermal under the base of cumulus clouds, especially towering
    cumulus and cumulonimbus. The vertical extent of a cumulus cloud is a
    good indicator of the strength of lift beneath it, and the potential
    for cloud suck. Cloud suck most commonly occurs in low pressure
    weather and in humid conditions.



    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_suck








    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 2 hours ago

























    answered 3 hours ago









    chasly from UKchasly from UK

    19.4k882173




    19.4k882173











    • $begingroup$
      Ok, I'd no idea it was that easy for even the experienced pilot, I need to improve my research methodology. Good answer. +1
      $endgroup$
      – Agrajag
      3 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @Agrajag - I've done a bit of paragliding and hang-gliding!
      $endgroup$
      – chasly from UK
      3 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @Agrajag - Does it have to be a hang-glider or could it be a paraglider? I've yet to find any evidence of the former being trapped in a storm cloud. Probably due to the difference in forward speed (see edit to my answer).
      $endgroup$
      – chasly from UK
      3 hours ago











    • $begingroup$
      I wasn't going to be specific 'till I'd decided. I'm just going with hang glider beginner, but keeping an open mind regarding the actual tech. I'll take it all in and use the ideas, or something different that springs from them.
      $endgroup$
      – Agrajag
      3 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      This is definitive answer to the question. +1.
      $endgroup$
      – AlexP
      2 hours ago
















    • $begingroup$
      Ok, I'd no idea it was that easy for even the experienced pilot, I need to improve my research methodology. Good answer. +1
      $endgroup$
      – Agrajag
      3 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @Agrajag - I've done a bit of paragliding and hang-gliding!
      $endgroup$
      – chasly from UK
      3 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @Agrajag - Does it have to be a hang-glider or could it be a paraglider? I've yet to find any evidence of the former being trapped in a storm cloud. Probably due to the difference in forward speed (see edit to my answer).
      $endgroup$
      – chasly from UK
      3 hours ago











    • $begingroup$
      I wasn't going to be specific 'till I'd decided. I'm just going with hang glider beginner, but keeping an open mind regarding the actual tech. I'll take it all in and use the ideas, or something different that springs from them.
      $endgroup$
      – Agrajag
      3 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      This is definitive answer to the question. +1.
      $endgroup$
      – AlexP
      2 hours ago















    $begingroup$
    Ok, I'd no idea it was that easy for even the experienced pilot, I need to improve my research methodology. Good answer. +1
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    3 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    Ok, I'd no idea it was that easy for even the experienced pilot, I need to improve my research methodology. Good answer. +1
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    3 hours ago












    $begingroup$
    @Agrajag - I've done a bit of paragliding and hang-gliding!
    $endgroup$
    – chasly from UK
    3 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    @Agrajag - I've done a bit of paragliding and hang-gliding!
    $endgroup$
    – chasly from UK
    3 hours ago












    $begingroup$
    @Agrajag - Does it have to be a hang-glider or could it be a paraglider? I've yet to find any evidence of the former being trapped in a storm cloud. Probably due to the difference in forward speed (see edit to my answer).
    $endgroup$
    – chasly from UK
    3 hours ago





    $begingroup$
    @Agrajag - Does it have to be a hang-glider or could it be a paraglider? I've yet to find any evidence of the former being trapped in a storm cloud. Probably due to the difference in forward speed (see edit to my answer).
    $endgroup$
    – chasly from UK
    3 hours ago













    $begingroup$
    I wasn't going to be specific 'till I'd decided. I'm just going with hang glider beginner, but keeping an open mind regarding the actual tech. I'll take it all in and use the ideas, or something different that springs from them.
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    3 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    I wasn't going to be specific 'till I'd decided. I'm just going with hang glider beginner, but keeping an open mind regarding the actual tech. I'll take it all in and use the ideas, or something different that springs from them.
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    3 hours ago












    $begingroup$
    This is definitive answer to the question. +1.
    $endgroup$
    – AlexP
    2 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    This is definitive answer to the question. +1.
    $endgroup$
    – AlexP
    2 hours ago











    2












    $begingroup$

    Let me add one more...



    Wind Shear




    Wind shear (or windshear), sometimes referred to as wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed or direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere. Atmospheric wind shear is normally described as either vertical or horizontal wind shear. Vertical wind shear is a change in wind speed or direction with change in altitude. Horizontal wind shear is a change in wind speed with change in lateral position for a given altitude.[1]



    Wind shear is a microscale meteorological phenomenon occurring over a very small distance, but it can be associated with mesoscale or synoptic scale weather features such as squall lines and cold fronts. It is commonly observed near microbursts and downbursts caused by thunderstorms, fronts, areas of locally higher low-level winds referred to as low level jets, near mountains, radiation inversions that occur due to clear skies and calm winds, buildings, wind turbines, and sailboats. Wind shear has significant effects on control of an aircraft, and it has been a sole or contributing cause of many aircraft accidents. (Source)




    Basically, (and specifically considering vertical wind shear) wind shear is a very sudden column of high-speed air. It has the habit of flipping big airplanes on their sides. And when they say "short distance," they mean it. It can affect a single wing. They're fairly common at Denver International Airport, which was developing radar specifically for detecting wind shear when I was graduating as an EE. I almost elected to intern at DIA and use the development process for my senior thesis.



    If it's strong enough to flip a 767 ninety degrees, it's strong enough to lift a hang glider.



    It might actually be too strong. These gusts might tear a hang glider apart. But, what's a story without a crisis, right?






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$

















      2












      $begingroup$

      Let me add one more...



      Wind Shear




      Wind shear (or windshear), sometimes referred to as wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed or direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere. Atmospheric wind shear is normally described as either vertical or horizontal wind shear. Vertical wind shear is a change in wind speed or direction with change in altitude. Horizontal wind shear is a change in wind speed with change in lateral position for a given altitude.[1]



      Wind shear is a microscale meteorological phenomenon occurring over a very small distance, but it can be associated with mesoscale or synoptic scale weather features such as squall lines and cold fronts. It is commonly observed near microbursts and downbursts caused by thunderstorms, fronts, areas of locally higher low-level winds referred to as low level jets, near mountains, radiation inversions that occur due to clear skies and calm winds, buildings, wind turbines, and sailboats. Wind shear has significant effects on control of an aircraft, and it has been a sole or contributing cause of many aircraft accidents. (Source)




      Basically, (and specifically considering vertical wind shear) wind shear is a very sudden column of high-speed air. It has the habit of flipping big airplanes on their sides. And when they say "short distance," they mean it. It can affect a single wing. They're fairly common at Denver International Airport, which was developing radar specifically for detecting wind shear when I was graduating as an EE. I almost elected to intern at DIA and use the development process for my senior thesis.



      If it's strong enough to flip a 767 ninety degrees, it's strong enough to lift a hang glider.



      It might actually be too strong. These gusts might tear a hang glider apart. But, what's a story without a crisis, right?






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$















        2












        2








        2





        $begingroup$

        Let me add one more...



        Wind Shear




        Wind shear (or windshear), sometimes referred to as wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed or direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere. Atmospheric wind shear is normally described as either vertical or horizontal wind shear. Vertical wind shear is a change in wind speed or direction with change in altitude. Horizontal wind shear is a change in wind speed with change in lateral position for a given altitude.[1]



        Wind shear is a microscale meteorological phenomenon occurring over a very small distance, but it can be associated with mesoscale or synoptic scale weather features such as squall lines and cold fronts. It is commonly observed near microbursts and downbursts caused by thunderstorms, fronts, areas of locally higher low-level winds referred to as low level jets, near mountains, radiation inversions that occur due to clear skies and calm winds, buildings, wind turbines, and sailboats. Wind shear has significant effects on control of an aircraft, and it has been a sole or contributing cause of many aircraft accidents. (Source)




        Basically, (and specifically considering vertical wind shear) wind shear is a very sudden column of high-speed air. It has the habit of flipping big airplanes on their sides. And when they say "short distance," they mean it. It can affect a single wing. They're fairly common at Denver International Airport, which was developing radar specifically for detecting wind shear when I was graduating as an EE. I almost elected to intern at DIA and use the development process for my senior thesis.



        If it's strong enough to flip a 767 ninety degrees, it's strong enough to lift a hang glider.



        It might actually be too strong. These gusts might tear a hang glider apart. But, what's a story without a crisis, right?






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$



        Let me add one more...



        Wind Shear




        Wind shear (or windshear), sometimes referred to as wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed or direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere. Atmospheric wind shear is normally described as either vertical or horizontal wind shear. Vertical wind shear is a change in wind speed or direction with change in altitude. Horizontal wind shear is a change in wind speed with change in lateral position for a given altitude.[1]



        Wind shear is a microscale meteorological phenomenon occurring over a very small distance, but it can be associated with mesoscale or synoptic scale weather features such as squall lines and cold fronts. It is commonly observed near microbursts and downbursts caused by thunderstorms, fronts, areas of locally higher low-level winds referred to as low level jets, near mountains, radiation inversions that occur due to clear skies and calm winds, buildings, wind turbines, and sailboats. Wind shear has significant effects on control of an aircraft, and it has been a sole or contributing cause of many aircraft accidents. (Source)




        Basically, (and specifically considering vertical wind shear) wind shear is a very sudden column of high-speed air. It has the habit of flipping big airplanes on their sides. And when they say "short distance," they mean it. It can affect a single wing. They're fairly common at Denver International Airport, which was developing radar specifically for detecting wind shear when I was graduating as an EE. I almost elected to intern at DIA and use the development process for my senior thesis.



        If it's strong enough to flip a 767 ninety degrees, it's strong enough to lift a hang glider.



        It might actually be too strong. These gusts might tear a hang glider apart. But, what's a story without a crisis, right?







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 54 mins ago









        JBHJBH

        47.5k699222




        47.5k699222



























            draft saved

            draft discarded
















































            Thanks for contributing an answer to Worldbuilding Stack Exchange!


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid


            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.

            Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




            draft saved


            draft discarded














            StackExchange.ready(
            function ()
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f142973%2fa-hang-glider-sudden-unexpected-lift-to-25-000-feet-altitude-what-could-do-thi%23new-answer', 'question_page');

            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown





















































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown

































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown







            Popular posts from this blog

            Oświęcim Innehåll Historia | Källor | Externa länkar | Navigeringsmeny50°2′18″N 19°13′17″Ö / 50.03833°N 19.22139°Ö / 50.03833; 19.2213950°2′18″N 19°13′17″Ö / 50.03833°N 19.22139°Ö / 50.03833; 19.221393089658Nordisk familjebok, AuschwitzInsidan tro och existensJewish Community i OświęcimAuschwitz Jewish Center: MuseumAuschwitz Jewish Center

            Valle di Casies Indice Geografia fisica | Origini del nome | Storia | Società | Amministrazione | Sport | Note | Bibliografia | Voci correlate | Altri progetti | Collegamenti esterni | Menu di navigazione46°46′N 12°11′E / 46.766667°N 12.183333°E46.766667; 12.183333 (Valle di Casies)46°46′N 12°11′E / 46.766667°N 12.183333°E46.766667; 12.183333 (Valle di Casies)Sito istituzionaleAstat Censimento della popolazione 2011 - Determinazione della consistenza dei tre gruppi linguistici della Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano-Alto Adige - giugno 2012Numeri e fattiValle di CasiesDato IstatTabella dei gradi/giorno dei Comuni italiani raggruppati per Regione e Provincia26 agosto 1993, n. 412Heraldry of the World: GsiesStatistiche I.StatValCasies.comWikimedia CommonsWikimedia CommonsValle di CasiesSito ufficialeValle di CasiesMM14870458910042978-6

            Typsetting diagram chases (with TikZ?) Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)How to define the default vertical distance between nodes?Draw edge on arcNumerical conditional within tikz keys?TikZ: Drawing an arc from an intersection to an intersectionDrawing rectilinear curves in Tikz, aka an Etch-a-Sketch drawingLine up nested tikz enviroments or how to get rid of themHow to place nodes in an absolute coordinate system in tikzCommutative diagram with curve connecting between nodesTikz with standalone: pinning tikz coordinates to page cmDrawing a Decision Diagram with Tikz and layout manager