The “Illusion” of Design and Purpose?

To see a display of color that can rival the leaves on a sunny autumn day, visit a gathering of hang glider pilots as they unfurl their wings to prepare them for a day of flying.  Some sail colors are subdued, but most are bright and symmetrical, and it’s typically rare to see identical patterns from one kite to the next.  Other variations exist in the sizes and types of gliders.  Beginner wings typically have a lower “aspect ratio” with noticeably wider square footage nose to tail.  Higher performance kites are thinner, and the structure of the wing may be more rigid, imitating the wing design found on fixed wing airplanes.