Learning to Hang Glide: The Process
First Day of Training!
Your training will begin at the “South Hill” training hill. Here you’ll learn the fundamentals of launching and landing a hang glider. These are absolutely the most important aspects of flying a hang glider. Good technique takes practice! You’ll launch from this site many times before you’re ready for the next larger training hill.
Get Your Hang-1 Rating
By now you’re confident launching and landing, and you have a good understanding of the dynamics of hang gliding. You understand some of the basics like flaring, pitch control, ground speed vs. air speed and much more. When we think you’re ready, we’ll have you take the written H1 test and get your Hang 1 rating.
“West Hill”
This is very similar to South Hill, just bigger. Here you’ll focus on applying and developing the basic maneuvers. Practice, Practice, Practice! You’ll rack up many flights here continuing to increase your experience and confidence as a pilot.
La Bajada
By now you’re pretty confident, but you’ve still got a lot of hours to rack up before you’re really solid.
It’s a lot easier to rack up hours when your flights last longer. This launch site is at a considerably higher altitude above ground level, which means longer flights. From top to bottom, a typical flight lasts three to five minutes here. That’s a huge improvement, but it’s still not very long. So, you’ll want to try Ridge Soaring as soon as you’re ready. With ridge soaring, you can launch once and fly all afternoon!
Get Your Hang-2 Rating
The H2 test consists of a written portion, and an observed flight.
Your H2 rating is like a driver’s permit, it means you can fly without instructor supervision.
Your H2 rating is like a driver’s permit, it means you can fly without instructor supervision.
Ridge Soaring
By now you understand the concept of Ridge Soaring, but it’s time to actually try it out! La Bajada is the perfect location for ridge soaring. When you’ve got the hang of it, your flights can last hours! Now you’re on the fast track to becoming an expert. At this point, it’s really about racking up your hours. As you gain hours you can continue to increase your Hang Rating. You’ve already got your Hang-2, might as well go for your H3, and H4.
Sandia Launch
You’ve got your H3 rating and you’re ready for the Sandia’s!
Towering, five thousand feet into the sky, the Sandia’s are formidable. We have two launch ramps, one on the Sandia Crest, and another near the tram house. Both ramps are well maintained.
Towering, five thousand feet into the sky, the Sandia’s are formidable. We have two launch ramps, one on the Sandia Crest, and another near the tram house. Both ramps are well maintained.
Congratulations, you’re an expert!
You can fly anywhere in the wold. An H4 rating grants access to most launch sites in the world. Explaining, however, that you’ve flown the Sandias, will grant you access to damn near anywhere.
“ There is no sport equal to that which aviators enjoy while being carried through the air on great white wings. ”
~ Wilbur Wright
Requisites & What You'll Need
Hang Gliding for Beginner Pilots.
It’s not necessary, but we’d like you to read the first two chapters if you’re so inclined.
It’s not necessary, but we’d like you to read the first two chapters if you’re so inclined.
You’ll need to bring a helmet and long pants.
A bicycle helmet or similar is fine. We provide the glider and the harness.
A bicycle helmet or similar is fine. We provide the glider and the harness.
Pricing
Hang Gliding Training: H2
$1,998
Best Value!
An H2 Rating is not equal to a pilots license, but more like a Solo rating from instructor allowing new pilot to proceed without constant supervision. More practice and skills are required for advanced flying sites.
We provide all equipment needed for your lessons, including an H2 rating for continuing students. All paid lessons are applied towards your Hang 2 rating.
A typical class includes basic ground school, how it flies, and several of your first attempts at flight. At the end of this training process, the student is usually flying from moderate altitudes (several hundred to a few thousand ft) in relative mild conditions.
Partial list of knowledge and skills acquired:
We provide all equipment needed for your lessons, including an H2 rating for continuing students. All paid lessons are applied towards your Hang 2 rating.
A typical class includes basic ground school, how it flies, and several of your first attempts at flight. At the end of this training process, the student is usually flying from moderate altitudes (several hundred to a few thousand ft) in relative mild conditions.
Partial list of knowledge and skills acquired:
- Ability to fly and practice without direct instructor supervision (with significant limitations).
- Completion of 8 hours of ground school theory.
- Ability to set up equipment, perform preflight check, and evaluate conditions of the site and self.
- Ability to perform successful, confident launches on a shallow slope with less than 6 mph wind.
- Ability to fly comfortably and smoothly along a planned path, including 180° and "S" turns in both directions, at various speeds and bank angles.
- Ability to perform safe, successful landings on feet within 100 ft of a target.
- Experience and knowledge sufficient to pass the USHPA Novice Hang Gliding Written Exam.
Hang Gliding Training: H3
$750
Hang 3 Intermediate - continued training from your Hang 2.
Hang Gliding Training: Single Day
$175/day
Not ready to pull the trigger yet?
Go lesson by lesson for as long as you like. And, you're always welcome to come kick back and watch the action (no cost, obviously).
All equipment is provided.
Single day lesson lasts between 3 & 4 hours.
Go lesson by lesson for as long as you like. And, you're always welcome to come kick back and watch the action (no cost, obviously).
All equipment is provided.
Single day lesson lasts between 3 & 4 hours.
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Call us Today!
We'll get you on the schedule, and in the air as quickly as possible!
We'll get you on the schedule, and in the air as quickly as possible!