OUTER BANKS, NC - Francis Rogallo, inventor of the flexible wing passed away September 1st in Southern Shores, NC next to Kitty Hawk, NC. Francis and Gertrude Rogallo invented the flexible or Rogallo wing in 1948 which led to a genie's bottle of flying machines and allowed millions of people around the world to experience the joy of flight. The invention led to the development of the hang glider, paraglider, ultra lights (light sport aircraft), sport parachutes, delta kites, stunt kites, parafoil kites, sport parachutes, and kiteboarding kites.

Francis Rogallo was born in Sanger, California on January 27, 1912. He graduated from Stanford with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics in 1935 during what is called the Golden Age of Aviation. He joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics...