Australia’s First Glider

Bruce Hearn
On 2nd December, 1909, George Taylor, Secretary of the Aerial League of Australia, made the first Australian man-carrying glider flight on the sandhills of Narrabeen beach NSW.
On that auspicious day about 100 spectators observed a total of 29 flights. Initially the glider was tethered using ropes attached to each wing tip however, as the day progressed, the guide ropes were released. A distance of 110 yards was recorded for George Taylor’s first free flight.
George Taylor, Charles Schultz and Edward Hallstrom all made successful flights. At least one flight was made by George’s wife, Florence, who thus staked her claim for an Australian aviation first. Another flight was made by Charles Schultz’s wife Emma. In later life, Edward Hallstrom became a well known Sydney philanthropist and was knighted.
The Taylor glider was a 28ft wingspan, cotton covered, wire braced biplane with a chord of four feet six inches, a box kite tail and an empty weight of 103 pounds. Control was carried out by a movement of the pilot’s body to achieve weight shift. A later version of the glider had a moveable canard mounted in front of the pilot.
George Taylor had constant contact with one of Australia’s aviation pioneers, Lawrence Hargrave, and regularly paid tribute to Hargrave. The wire braced box kite wing construction can be directly attributed to the earlier work of Hargrave who, on the 12th November 1894 was credited with being lifted above the ground using a train of four box kites at Stanwell Park.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary, the committee of the Australian Gliding Museum has decided to construct a full size replica of the George Taylor glider.
Its completion will coincide with the Centenary of Australia’s first man-carrying glider flight and will give the Museum and the Australian public a rare exhibit which will supplement and put into context the Museum’s existing collection of historic gliders.
David Craddock, an aeronautical engineer and member of the Royal Australian Historical Society, the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Vintage Gliders Australia, has researched and published books on a range of early Australian gliders. Of particular relevance is David’s book titled “Feeling the Air” which records famous names and colourful personalities who pioneered Australia’s first flights. This book contains much detail associated with the George Taylor glider. The Australian Gliding Museum has a copy of this book which is available on loan to members.
Using photos and research, David has produced a set of detailed drawings which will be used as the basis for construction of the Museum’s replica.
Any members who would like to be involved in this project, eg the manufacture of simple mild steel fittings or wood items, should contact Bruce Hearn on 0407680741 or speak to any member of the Committee. The Museum is also interested in obtaining sponsors for this project. If you have any suggestions, please contact Bruce Hearn. The museum can be contacted on  www.gfa.org.au/Museum