43 years ago Rod Fuller flew a weight-shift flex-wing hang glider across the Clarence River at the 1963 Jacaranda Festival at Grafton, New South Wales.
The glider, the forerunner of all flex-wing hang gliders ever since, was designed and built by Australian John Dickenson, a figure often overlooked in the history of the sport. October 28th this year saw the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the location of the 1963 launch. A non-flying mock-up of the Dickenson wing has been built for the celebrations and there are plans to make a flying version. Local hang glider enthusiast Graeme Henderson built the wing with help from Rod Fuller and original tow-boat pilot Pat Crowe. "Hopefully the media will realise that this is Australia's greatest aviation achievement ever," says Graeme. John Dickenson, Pat Crowe, Rod Fuller, early experimenter Mike Burns and Bill Moyes were all scheduled to attend the Grafton unveiling.
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Light Aircraft 
