1.  “Some Ideas of Vortex Lift”, by Witold A. Kasper, Engineering Consultant, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., Warrendale, PA, Paper # 750547, no date, pp. 12.  Abstract - In tests on a glider designed for experimenting with vortex generated lift, the author experienced an unknown phenomenon which kept the glider afloat at half the usual sink rate and stalling speed.  After study it was realized that a huge vortex had been forming after the stall which explained the presence of additional lift at high angles of attack and low speeds.  The implications that this discovery has in terms of improving the slow speed characteristics of airplanes are explained in the paper in addition to a detailed study of the characteristics of this vortex.  (See below for ordering information.)

2.  “A Wind Tunnel Investigation of the Kaper Vortex Concept”, by Edward W. Kruppa, University of Washington, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., 1977, Paper # 115704, pp. 10.  Abstract - A model of the Kasper vortex lift wing was constructed and tested in a small scale wind tunnel in an effort to verify the inventor’s high lift and low drag predictions.  Not one of the vortex configurations tested performed as well as a conventional clean airfoil.  Flow visualization studies using tufts indicated fundamental differences from Kasper’s predictions, including both the direction of vorticity and the number of vortices present.

3.  “A Brief Wind Tunnel Test of the Kasper Airfoil”,  by Daniel Walton, Soaring, November 1974, pp. 26-27.

4.  Kasper, Witold A., ed. H. Joe Meheen, The Kasper Wing, Meheen Engineering, 1562 S. Parker Road, #228, Denver, CO 80231-2720, (303) 337-4040, 1979, pp. 55. Foreward (by Agne Lundgren) - Currently available technical data on the behavior of flying wings are fairly old, most of it dating back to the early 1930’s.  I am very grateful to my friend Witold Kasper that is willing and generous enough to share with aviation enthusiasts his discoveries of slow flight with safety.  His explanations of controlled flight in deep stall by aerodynamic means and independent of forward speed, and his theory of stability are alone worthy of acceptance by the aeronautical community.  Every student, every pilot and every aircraft designer will benefit from this.  The road is now open for the advent of a safe air vehicle.  Cost: About $10 from publisher noted above.

5.  “Boy, I Don’t Know”, by Glayr Leitzke, Ultralight, date unknown, page 9.  Personal account of the first flights in a Kasperwing ultralight at Cascade Ultralights in Issaquah, WA.

6.  The Daily Mush, Newsletter of the Kasperwing Klub of America, Fairbanks, Alaska, April 1992, pp. 3. (Unknown if still being published.)

7.  Information Brochure, Cascade Ultralights, Inc., Fairfield, IA, pages 8, date unknown.  (Unknown if company still active.)

8.  “The World According to Kasper”, by Thomas A. Horne, AOPA Pilot, May 1981, pp.  61-70.  Overview of Kasper’s work over the years.

9.  “Remarkable L/D Achieved by Short-Span Tailless Sailplane”, by Peter Bowers, Air Progress HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT, Spring/Summer 1966, pp. 62-98.  Canada’s loss is our gain as one of the truly unique sailplane designs crossed the border to find a home near Seattle.  A good deal of the technical info that has been collected on Kasper’s BKB-1 will be of interest to all amateur designers.  AP’s N.W. editor tells how it flys.

10.  “Flying the Vertical Mush”, by Jan W. Steenbilk, GLIDER RIDER, June 1983, pp. 49-51.  Short article on flying the Kasperwing in the mush mode.

11.  United States Patent, # 3,438,597, April 15, 1969, W. A. Kasper Aircraft, Witold A. Kasper, Non-Powered Gliding Aircraft Specifications.

12.  United States Patent, # 3,831,885, August 27, 1974, Aircraft Wing With Vortex Generation, Inventor Witold A. Kasper, 4 claims, 22 drawing figures.

13.  United States Patent, # 4,781,341, November 1, 1988, Flying Wing Aircraft, Witold A. Kasper, 3 claims, 2 drawing sheets.  Patent for Kasperwing ultralight.

14.  “The Revolutionary Kasper Wing”, by Jack Cox, SPORT AVIATION, July 1973, pp. 10-15.  Article on the high-wing, single-place, all-metal powered flying wing.

15.  “Flight Testing the Bekas N”, by Witold Kasper, Soaring, November 1969, pp. 12-14.

16.  “What Happened to the Kasper Wing?”, by L. D. Sunderland, SPORT AVIATION, January 1976, pp. 30-35.  Follow-up article on the aircraft reported in item #14. above.

17.  “An Antique Grand Champion Ultralight”, by Mary Jones, SPORT AVIATION, January 1996, pp.  81-84.  Steve Pinkham’s Kasperwing celebrates ultralighting’s early days.

18.  Several pages of general discussion about Kasper’s aircraft capabilities and related stories.  Contributors included Russell Lee of the Smithsonian, Al Bowers of NASA Dryden, and Jan Hinote.

  ORDERING INFORMATION:  All the items above (except for #4) are available as a package from TWITT.  Make cash, checks or money orders payable to TWITT and send to: P.O. Box 20430, El Cajon, CA 92021.  Total package:

$15.00 postage paid US mailing
$20.00 US dollars postage paid for foreign deliveries.

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