Have you ever wanted to fly like a bird? Read this article for an overview of hang gliding, and what is required to pursue this sport.
Hang gliding is a truly amazing sport. No other altitude performance sport allows the athlete to hang in the air for hours at a time, land like a bird and control air movement. Read this article for a brief first lesson into hang gliding for the beginner.
The first amazing thing about hang gliding is the heights which gliders can go. Flights of 20,000 ft have been recorded, although most are under 10,000 feet. Flyers reaching these altitudes can fly for over 100 miles in one direction, if wind speeds are good enough. Flights can also last hours at a time, and a glider doesn't have to come down until sunset on a good day. Steering in a hang gliders is controlled by the motion of the pilot's body. A harness is attached to the frame of the glider, and the pilot is strapped in. When the pilot moves forward, backward, sideways or over, the glider moves with him.
Hang gliders don't need much to take off. When air speed reaches 15 to twenty miles an hour, a pilot can run into the wind down a steep slope and take off into the air. Sometimes trucks can be used to fling a glider into the air as well. If wind speeds are above 30 miles per hour, a glider cannot take off safely. Once in the air, speed is of little importance, so if the glider can take off in winds less than 30 miles per hour, the flight should be a good one. A glider can land in tight conditions. A glider only needs a space about 50 by 200 feet to land. If the terrain you are landing in is rough, you'll generally need a larger space. In the air, many fliers experience colder temperatures, even at low altitudes of 100 feet. Every 1000 feet a glider rises in the air, the temperature drops about 4 degrees. It is not unusual for flier to wear heavy clothing, even in the summer.
One of the most interesting things about hang gliders is the way that they rise in the air. To fly a glider, a pilot has to have a good idea of where to find rising air. Air usually rises when it is heated, or when it hits an obstruction on the ground. For this reason, many gliders seek out ridges and ranges in the air that are likely to deflect air upwards. Once this area is found, pilots generally fly in circles and lines around it, so that they can lift themselves if need be. During summer, and places where heat is prevalent, it is easier to find heated air drafts that can bring you very high in the air.
Now, for the real question. Who can fly hang gliders? There is really no requirement for flying, except a clear head and a good sense of balance. Flying is not restricted to men or women, because strength is not the first requirement. Upper body strength can be acquired easily in the small training period it takes to become a pilot. Generally, it is good for the hang gliders pilot to weigh between 100 and 250 pounds, although gliders do exist for fliers that are heavier than this. Also, fliers are generally between 5 and 6.5 feet tall. Gliders larger than this are generally a little higher in price.
In order to fly, students must first be trained by an instructor certified in the hang gliding field. A licensing program is administered by the U.S.Hang Gliding Association, which recommends that young fliers stay below 100 feet, intermediate fliers stay between 500 and 1000 feet. Young fliers should also remain under the instruction of a certified instructor until they pass their intermediate level. Hang gliding is generally a very safe sport, because of these strict regulations. Gliders are now certified by the Hang Gliders Manufacturer's Association, which also checks helmets, harnesses and flying suits. Parachutes are a must on all flights, and some pilots carry an extra parachute in case the first one fails. Of the 12,000 active fliers in the U.S., only about 90 get in accidents each year. Most are due to poor judgement and unexpected health problems in the air.
Despite all of the necessary certifications, hang gliding is not that expensive to pursue. A glider typically costs about a thousand dollars, a harness one hundred dollars, a helmet one hundred dollars and a parachute two hundred dollars. Lessons may cost a thousand dollars in total. It is not recommended that you get used equipment, unless it is thoroughly inspected by a safety instructor first.
So there you have it. Hang gliding is fun, safe and possible for anyone with a clear head and a tendency towards safety in the air. Instructors can be found in almost any area, although it typically takes a car to get to secluded training areas. Good luck, and have fun!
