Introductory Ground-School Class

This is a session of about an hour comprising the fitting of harness and helmet, simulator-based control technique training, watching of training videos, and discussion of any and all topics regarding hang gliding including the student’s aspirations in and expectations of the sport of hang gliding. (no fee)

Training Hill Lessons

A typical training hill session consists of three to four hours of making short, low flights on a shallow slope. I will do my best to carry the glider back up the hill after each flight to help conserve your energy in an effort to get you the most flights (hence experience) possible during the session.

I define a training hill flight as a take-off run and a landing. There might or might not be a short (several seconds) period of feet-off-the-ground flight in between. The objective of these flights is to learn how to do a proper take-off and a proper landing. This is not the time for flight enjoyment. This is a period of work to learn how to launch and land safely, so you can enjoy the real flying later.

But do not think of it as all hard work. Though we will concentrate on learning, it is impossible to make these short flights without tasting the unequalled thrill of simple human flight. I remember my training hill days in 1978 as one of the great experiences of my life. You can get a sense of it by watching videos, but nothing prepares you for the feeling of being lifted, up into the air by a light-weight wing as you run down a slope.

Typically you will make 15 to 25 flights in a training hill session. The “cooperation” of the wind (direction, speed, and smoothness) determines how many flights we will get on a given day. My record is 50 flights for a student in one session. On that day I carried the glider back up 41 times.

As a general rule I like to see a student make one hundred or more take-offs and landings on the training hill before he/she takes the first high-altitude flight off a mountain. The reason for the repetition is to inculcate you with correct techniques that will help you make controlled launches and landings in all kinds of conditions throughout your many years of hang gliding in the future.

As with any endeavor, there is no substitute for a good foundation. If you scrimp on the fundamentals, you are likely to pay for it later. Most accidents happen during a take-off or a landing. It is best to take the time to learn how to launch and land correctly in a variety of conditions (light wind, cross wind, no wind, turbulence and strong wind). Doctors charge much more for their services than do hang gliding instructors. You will save money in the long run.

When you are standing at launch on a 2000 ft mountain ready to take your first high-altitude flight, you will be glad you have a hundred takeoffs and landings under your belt. With that kind of competence and confidence in your launch and landing technique, you will be free to think of all the new things that will occupy your attention on this first high flight, rather than wondering if you can take-off and land safely.

Once you have demonstrated that you can maintain heading and keep the wing level in roll on the training hill, you can start taking flights off the slightly higher launch on the training hill. From this launch point you will be making flights of 10 to 15 seconds duration and 10 to 15 feet above the ground. On these flights you will be making necessary turn corrections to maintain heading into the wind.

Dual Instruction

Usually students can learn to control the glider on the training hill and on their first high-altitude flights. I feel that tandem instruction is not always needed.

If we are unable to resolve directional control problems on the training hill, we can make a tandem flight. You will fly with me on a big glider built to carry two people. We will go to Torrey Pines or a mountain site on a soaring day and take a flight together. On this flight we will have plenty of air-time so you can learn turn and speed control of the glider. I will do the take-off and the landing. You can fly the glider while we are up high.

High Altitude Flight

This is the reward you have been waiting for after all your training hill work. This will be your first flight of any real duration. The mountain I use is about 3700 feet above sea level. The elevation difference between launch and the landing zone (LZ) is about 2200 feet. This will give you a flight of about 10 minutes if there is no lift. Often this mountain is soarable in the late afternoon. If there is sufficient lift your flight can be extended.

I will send you off in the smooth conditions of the last hour of daylight for your first few high flights. Sometimes the air in front of the mountain gets very buoyant creating a wide band of ridge lift. These conditions are known as “evening glass-off “ or “wonder wind”. This can be a perfect situation for a new mountain pilot. It is often possible to fly back and forth a safe distance away from the ridge and gain altitude.

As your ability to control the wing improves, you can launch earlier in the day to experience thermal lift which is often accompanied by some turbulence. I will have a radio on you for these flights incase you need some advice. This can greatly reduce the time it takes to learn how to work thermals. From the launch area I can tell you when to turn and in which direction as you encounter thermals.

Among my most important functions during this phase of your training are judging conditions and explaining the characteristics of the soaring site. Once you understand the workings of a particular site and you have learned to judge the conditions for yourself you are ready to go flying on your own.

For the next months you should make flights at a familiar site in the mellower late afternoon, light-wind conditions. As you gain experience you can launch earlier in the day to find better soaring conditions. The idea is to increase your soaring experience gradually while avoiding getting into strong, turbulent conditions before you are ready. Turbulence can cause you to lose control close to terrain which is one of the most hazardous things about flying.

At the appropriate points during your training you will earn ratings according to the U. S. Hang Gliding Association's Pilot Profiency Program.

The exceptional experience of flying through the air with only the minor encumbrance of a lightweight personal wing can inhibit one's recognition of the serious and demanding nature of this sport aviation activity known as hang gliding. The safe operation of any device that has the capability of flight requires a mature and responsible attitude. To be able to some day reminisce about your long, enjoyable hang gliding history, you must now exercise extreme attentiveness, discipline and judgment in your ongoing obligation to your own bodily safety.