006. Safety In Gliding

Danger and risk are inherent to all human actions. Every step you take, and every move you make, have a chance of terrible consequences. Of course, some activities are much more dangerous than others. But on the other hand, some experiences are much more valuable than other ones.

How should we decide if a certain activity is worth the associated risk?

Danger, risk and accidents have been part of gliding since the very beginning. After decades of observing birds, contemplation and experimenting, Otto Lilienthal made his first flight in mid-1891 from the Windmühlenberg near Berlin. In the years that followed he made over 2,000 flights. His well-documented progress enabled the advent of aviation.

Sadly, after becoming the first glider pilot in history, he also became the first person who died in a glider accident. On the 9th of August 1896 he broke his neck after his glider stalled and crashed into the ground. He died in the hospital a day later. The picture in the banner shows the wreckage of his fateful last flight.

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