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The Complete Guide to Hang Gliding
What it really costs, what you really need, and exactly how to decide if this sport is for you
by Alumigogo Books
Chapter 1: What Is Hang Gliding and Why People Love It
The first thing to know: this is not what you think it is
When most people hear "hang gliding," they picture a single adult strapped into a huge, flimsy kite, flinging themselves off a cliff and praying to physics. The images that show up on your screen are all steep slopes, dramatic silhouettes, and a sense that the pilot is either insane or invincible. I get it. I thought the same thing before I did my first tandem flight. But the reality, when you get to the flying site, is surprisingly different. It's quieter. It's more methodical. And the part that hooks you isn't the thrill of falling — it's the feeling of becoming part of the air itself.
Let me give you a concrete picture of what a normal hang gliding session actually looks like, because that's what nobody tells you. You'll get ready at a training hill, which is usually a very gentle slope — think the kind of hill you could roll down without hurting yourself, not a cliff. The glider itself is a big aluminum-framed wing, covered in heavy sailcloth, and it weighs around 60 to 70 pounds (27 to 32 kg) for a typical beginner model. You'll carry it from your car to the setup area by lifting one wingtip and letting the far wing rest on your shoulder. It's awkward at first, like carrying a large, floppy ladder in the wind, but you'll