Ride the Wind Day

Ride the Wind Day is an annual celebration that takes place on August 23rd. The day is dedicated to the power of wind and the fun it can provide. It was established to pay tribute to the anniversary of the first flight that won the prestigious Kremer Award. The award was established by Henry Kremer in 1959 for unpowered aircraft controlled solely by the pilot’s muscular strength. The main condition for receiving the award was the flight range – at least a mile at a certain height, along the trajectory of the eight, while twice it was required to fly over a ten-foot pillar.

History

The date of August 23rd was chosen for Ride the Wind Day because it was on this day in 1977 that the Gossamer Condor 2 flew for the first time in history, covering a distance of 2162 meters at a speed of 11 miles per hour, as established by the Royal Aeronautical Society. The historic flight took place at Minter Field in Shafter, California. The designer of the Gossamer Condor 2 was Dr. Paul B. MacCready and it was piloted by hang glider and amateur cyclist Bryan Allen. Today, this aircraft is on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum.

Interesting facts

• In 1979, Bryan Allen set a new record by flying across the English Channel on a new model of the Gossamer Albatross experimental aircraft. He also set records for range and duration of flight on the small airship White Dwarf.
• The Gossamer Condor 2’s successful flight marked a significant milestone in human-powered aviation.
• Human-powered aircraft require the pilot to generate all the energy needed for the flight through pedaling, making the achievement of these flights a remarkable feat of endurance and engineering.

How to take part

• To celebrate Ride the Wind Day, book a glider, paraglider, or hang glider flight, or even fly with an instructor.
• Other options to experience the feeling of flying include planes, helicopters, hot air balloons, skydiving, and windsurfing.
• Visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, see the famous Gossamer Condor 2, and explore other interesting aircraft-related exhibits. The museum also offers excellent online exhibitions.

When is Ride the Wind Day in 2024?

Ride the Wind Day is observed on August 23 each year.

Observations