The trip was sponsored largely by Duckhams Oil. It took David just over an hour to fly from Walmer Castle, Kent, to a spot just south-west of Calais.įor this accomplishment, Cook was awarded the ‘Medal of Aviation Achievement’ by Prince Charles at the Royal Aero Club, and the hang-glider was acquired by the Manchester Air and Space Museum, which joined with the Museum of Science and Industry in 1985. He travelled with about 10 litres of fuel in order to keep the glider as light as possible, and used all of it in the 25 mile journey. He also made his own speedometer, as he would need to carefully keep track of his speed to ensure he didn’t run out of fuel. The glider itself was not manufactured with an engine, but was modified by David Cook to include an engine taken from a 125cc go-kart, giving an output of just 9 horsepower (for reference, that’s relying on an engine with less output than a standard ride-on lawn mower). This was a record-setting trip not only because this was the first time someone had crossed the Channel in a hang-glider, but it was powered by the smallest engine that had been used on any aircraft crossing the Channel.

© Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester / SSPL. This is the Volmer VJ 23E powered hang-glider, and today marks the 40th anniversary since aviator David Cook used this glider, powered by a go-kart engine, to cross the English Channel in 1978. But if you’ve not had the chance to check out this hang-glider you’ve been missing out, because it’s by no means any less important than the giant jets that take your breath away. It’s possible you’ve wandered past a small hang-glider while heading to see inside the Bristol Belvedere Helicopter, or going to try out the flight simulators. It can be difficult to tear your eyes away from some of the massive aircraft that you can see when you’re walking around our Air and Space Hall. Please note: The Air and Space Hall is now permanently closed.

The hang-glider is now part of our collection here at the museum, and to mark the occasion, Assistant Curator Lewis Pollard spoke to David about his historic journey. Today marks the 40th anniversary since aviator David Cook used his modified Volmer VJ 23E hang-glider, powered by a go-kart engine, to cross the English Channel in 1978.

Motorized hang glider with chair