What is hang gliding?

Hang gliding is an active aerial pursuit that sees a pilot fly a motorless, lightweight glider through the open air. Hang gliders are generally launched when the pilot runs quickly with his or her craft, before taking off from a hilltop or peak.

Once elevated, the glider is reliant upon rising air masses to remain in the sky. The glider literally floats on pockets of air, called ‘thermals’, with the pilot steering the craft by shifting his or her weight appropriately. The pilot is harnessed to the glider’s flexible wing, hanging under it with the aid of straps (hence the name ‘hang gliding’).

Although often viewed as a complex hobby to get into, hang gliding only requires 10 days of airborne tuition before the pilot is truly capable of flying solo. With the aid of modern technology and lighter, more versatile materials, hang gliders are now able to rise high above sea level, with thermal updrafts giving them a huge lift. Pilots can also glide cross-country, covering long distances over many hours, or performing acrobatic manoeuvres in the sky.

Health benefits of hang gliding

Although not demanding too much physical movement, hang gliding still boasts a number of key health and fitness benefits that include the following ...

• Strengthening arm muscles through hang gliding — Hang gliding clearly places a lot of stress on the arms, with the pilot holding onto the wing above him. Over time this builds up the strength of arm muscles as they adapt to the demands of gliding.
• Improving mental alertness through hang gliding — Although it’s easy to get carried away by the view offered by an afternoon flight, hang gliding does require immense concentration to keep you safe in the sky. So if you’re looking to boost your general mental alertness, hang gliding may well be the sport for you.
• Reducing stress through hang gliding — If you want to rid yourself of daily mental stress, hang gliding could really help you out, with blasts of fresh air blowing cobwebs away.

Basic hang gliding equipment

Hang gliding is certainly not a cheap sport to get into, with short-term costs and lesson fees potentially proving sky high. Nevertheless, its benefits will shine through over time, freeing your mind from the distractions of everyday life and offering truly breathtaking experiences ...

• Hang glider — It’s vital that you don’t cut corners when buying a hang glider as it could literally be a case of life or death. Although gliders tend to be made from aluminum, carbon-fiber and flexible sail fabrics, the scope of quality can be great. Top-range models are very expensive when purchased new but the investment should pay for itself after a few unforgettable trips out in the open air.

Hang gliding tracking equipment

Once you’ve sorted out the basic hang gliding gear, it might be an idea to invest in some tracking equipment to measure your pace and distance ...

• Radio — Hang gliding pilots often use a radio to communicate their position with other fliers, or people guiding them from the ground. A microphone can be incorporated into the pilot’s helmet, allowing for quick and easy communication.
• Variometer — This device gauges vertical speed, charting the velocity of a glider’s climb or fall with a beeping sound that quickens — or slows down — depending on acceleration. They may appear a noisy way of measuring speed but variometers can prove invaluable to pilots, advising them on when to land.
• GPS — A GPS device enables the pilot to track an aerial route whilst monitoring their flight technique. A GPS can also be useful for people on the ground, allowing them to check on a pilot’s progress through the air.

Learning to hang glide

The best way to start is with a tandem introductory flight, so that you get a feel for hang gliding and decide whether it’s for you. If you enjoy it you can then sign up for an introductory course to get the basics before moving onto a novice certification course to hone your skills and teach you different flying techniques. These courses combined will run around a week and then you will be ready to fly solo. There is no official form of licensing for hang gliding in the US. It is essentially a self-regulated sport. The USHGA awards proficiency ratings to all pilots, from beginner through to master. Certain local regulations will dictate that pilots are rated to certain level by the USHGA before they are allowed to fly at a particular site.

Where to find more hang gliding information ...

Any questions you may have relating to hang gliding techniques, equipment or training courses should be left with the USHPA.

U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association

http://www.ushpa.aero/

P.O. Box 1330
Colorado Springs
CO, 80901

Phone: 719 632 8300