Hang gliding is one of the simplest forms of human flight. A hang glider is a non-motorized, foot-launched wing. A Hang glider has a rigid frame maintaining the shape of the wing, with the pilot usually flying in a prone position. The hang glider wing is constructed of rip-stop nylon or mylar over an aluminum frame. Hang gliders are controlled by shifting the pilot's weight with respect to the glider.

Almost anyone can fly a hang glider. If you can jog while balancing a 50 - 70 lb. weight on your shoulders you can learn to fly. While flying does not require great strength (since the straps not the pilot's arms - hold the pilot up) long duration flights in turbulent conditions require a moderate degree of upper body endurance. This typically develops as the pilot progresses through training to these longer flights.

You can experience flight on your first try by taking a tandem flight. In the Maryland/DC/PA/VA area, you can go to Highland Aerosports. For foot launch instruction, The Maryland School of Hang Gliding has the best reputation on the east coast. More links are available on my main hang gliding page.

There are lots of authoritative places to learn about hang gliding, but we recommend the web site of The United States Hang Gliding Association: www.ushga.org. Tandem Sky Rides Lessons and Solo Flights Open to the Public Fridays through Mondays sun-up to sun-down. First Timers Call For Appoitment.

Paragliding and hang gliding are very similar in terms of pure, uninhibited flight. There are aspects that make each a little easier in some situations and more difficult in others.

Although accidents are rare these days, respecting the dangers of aviation is one prerequisite of safe flight. Over the past 32 years, our school has averaged fewer than one broken bone for every 10,000 flights. We have taught people as young as 14 years old and as old as 75. Those under the age of 18 must have parental approval.

Almost anyone can fly a hang glider. If someone can jog while balancing a 45 - 90 lb weight on their shoulders they can learn to fly. While flying does not require great strength (since the straps not the pilot's arms - hold the pilot up) long duration flights in turbulent conditions require a moderate degree of upper body endurance. This typically develops as the pilot progresses through training to these longer flights.

Almost anyone can fly a hang glider. While flying does not require great strength (since the straps, not the pilot's arms - hold the pilot up) long duration flights in turbulent conditions require a moderate degree of upper body endurance. This typically develops as the pilot progresses through training to these longer flights.

Hang gliders are designed to soar. The duration record is over 11 hours and the distance record is over 300 kilometers. In training you will start out just skimming the ground. As you progress and become more skilled and confident you will probably want to go higher and use the wing for its designed purpose -- soaring! Average recreational pilots, utilizing thermal and ridge lift, routinely stay aloft for 3 hours or more, soar to altitudes of 15,000' and travel cross-country for great distances.

Our modern light weight training gliders weigh about 50 pounds and with just a little bit of wind, they weigh nothing at all.

There are a number of ways, but they include using a static line, a payout winch, a stationary winch or aerotow.

A paraglider can fly from all location where a hang-glider can take off but not vice-versa. A hang-glider has a rigid frame, which maintains the shape of the wing, and the pilot usually flies in a prone position. A paraglider's canopy shape is maintained by air pres-sure and the pilot is suspended in a sitting position. The hang-glider is capable of flying at much higher speeds than a paraglider.

This depends a lot on the conditions in which it is flown, but flights in excess of 300 miles in length and altitudes of well over 20,000 ft. MSL have been recorded. More typically, pilots in the summer frequently achieve altitudes of 5,000 to 10,000 ft AGL and fly for over 100 miles.

Yes, there is a hang gliding club that welcomes foreigners. For info check our Organizatoins section.

Like most adventure sports, there is an element of risk, but in general the sport is as safe or as dangerous as you make it. Correct instruction from a BHPA registered school, learning to "read" the prevailing conditions, and flying a wing appropriate for your own level of experience all help to reduce the risks, and maximise your enjoyment. Never be afraid to seek advice from more experience pilots, and never be tempted to show off in front of your mates.

No, it is not the same as parasailing. Parasailing is what you do at a beach. You are in a modified parachute tied to a boat. You get dragged around the harbor by the boat. You do not "pilot" a parasail. No, it is not the same as parachuting. Parachutes are designed to be deployed during free-fall from an airplane and to then descend to the ground. By contrast, the hang glider is designed to be foot-launched from a gentle hillside.

A Hang glider has a rigid frame maintaining the shape of the wing, with the pilot usually flying in a prone position. The Paraglider canopy shape is maintained only by air pressure and the pilot is suspended in a sitting or supine position. The Hang glider has a "cleaner" aerodynamic profile and generally is capable of flying at much higher speeds than a Paraglider. The paraglider folds up into a 30 lbs.