Hang Gliding - FAQ - What's needed?
I'm gonna do this! What is the best way to start?
Safety is not the absence of danger; it is the absence of ignorance. (- a quote from Vol Libre: The journal of the Soaring Association of Canada 3/98 June/July)
Lots of people wish that they could fly like a bird. Flying HG fills that desire like nothing else can, but learning HG safely takes a bit of time, and decent equipment can cost money. Should you spend the time and money on something that you might not like? :-)
Hey, the bad old days are gone! Now, even before you are a beginner wannabe HG pilot, you can get a tandem tow ride with a qualified instructor. This may be done with a pay-out winch, motorized winch, foot-launched, or aero-towed by an ultralight. In the USA, the USHGA issues credentials to tandem-qualified HG instructor pilots, so you will know in advance that your HG instructor has good experience. You can even do some hands-on HG flying, once you get some altitude with your instructor. One or two HG tandem rides probably won't break the bank... Dreams are great; flying like your dreams is even better, IMHO. Here is an in-flight tandem video, and they even demonstrate the gentle art of no-hands flying, here (click the full-screen button)
Today, Gone Flyin' (on YouTube)
For solo, personal flight, though, you will need the dream to fly free, and some money, or maybe just friends with money :-) Seriously, you can plan on about US$3000-$4500 to make a nice start. You do not need that much, all at once. You will need:
Lessons from a good instructor ~US$900+ (all gear is supplied by instructor, DON'T BUY ANYTHING, YET!). An Introductory lesson package might help get you started nicely, for maybe half of that price, but certainly, do not assume that an Intro course is enough. An Intro course can be a great start, but nobody (sane) enters the Indy 500 after a few "driver's ed" classes. The sky will not merely fine you for ignorance; the sky simply does NOT respect willpower, courage, "I am responsible!", or quick wits. Your safety is only assured by your knowledge *and* your skills. Learn all that you can, and never stop learning, once lessons are done. One too many lessons will be 'way better than one too few. HG lessons will put hawk-wings in your shoulders, for the rest of your life - how much would you expect to pay, for that dream-come-true?
Helmet - US$100 to US$600+ new. I do not recommend that you buy *any* damaged or repainted helmet, but if a used helmet really is "like new", -and- if the fit is excellent, it may be worth considering. Don't count on finding one used, though; that would be a rare deal.
There are some excellent new helmet technologies out there now. About the best, IMHO, is the 6D ATR-1 Stealth Helmet. It is pricey times two, but the video shows a "field test" that must be seen to be believed.
You'd remove the sunshade, of course, and maybe add a clear visor for the coldest air, but I doubt there is anything that will protect the brain any better. Now being realistic, most new pilots are not going to spend that much money on a helmet, and it certainly is not necessary, either. Most good helmets are good enough, but there are some better technologies being developed. May you never need *any* helmet, and have the best, if or when you do need one.
Harness - US$600 to $1200 new. If you buy used gear, a good used harness can be half of that, and it may include a reserve parachute. The harness needs to be in very good condition, and maybe you will still want the main support webs replaced; then a good harness-maker could make a good price into an excellent buy for you. How good a deal is that used reserve parachute? That will be a separate, serious consideration.
Reserve Parachute - US$500 to $800 new. A "pre-owned" (not necessarily "used") reserve might cost less, but if you do go that route, first, you will need excellent advice; even then, I would recommend a new umbilical (bridle) line for it. Many older parachutes have "tubular" webbing for a bridle line. Please plan on having that tubular webbing replaced, if you find this stuff on any "pre-owned" parachute. Parachutes are out there that are fifteen years old now, and that's just -too- old; do not buy any old *junk*. Remember, this item will be your best life insurance. If it really is a "state of the art" reserve, -and- the experts agree about its' condition, it can be a good deal. As with helmets, though, this would be a lucky find, so don't count on pinching pennies here.
Certified, good used glider ~$(maybe all the rest). If you have the bucks, you can even buy a new glider. Your wallet, and maybe your mate, will help with that decision. There *IS* a good used market of safe, airworthy gliders available, also. Do not expect to find anything airworthy in a pawnshop, or on eBay, or at a yard sale. Sail material weakens after prolonged exposure to sunlight. Cables and hardware are subject to corrosion, and it may be internal (invisible). Even aluminum can corrode, in ways that the average guy might miss. Fabricating new parts for very old gliders will quickly add up to more money than a decent, recent model will cost. Newer gliders out-perform the ancient designs in almost every way. In my experience, very old gliders can be a total waste of money, for a glider that nobody else would buy. The real savings, in HG costs, will come when you can sell your present glider for most of what you paid for it. Then the costs per day of ownership become quite reasonable. This will not be true if you have to eat the entire cost of your present glider because nobody will buy it, at any price. Do not bet your life that some old "bargain" is still safe to fly. Get good advice from expert HG pilots, and do not buy anything, sight unseen. Don't be tempted to think that an old junker may be okay on the beginners' hills, either, because I know you better than that. You *will* fly it much higher than you are willing to fall, so let's not kid ourselves. Buy yourself a really airworthy glider, okay? See the section on buying a glider here, also.
My costs, buying and selling gliders in my 30 years of flying HG, have been less than US$0.50 cents per day. Correct that for inflation, and of course, Your Mileage May Vary. Remember; the lessons, harness, reserve 'chute, and helmet will all transfer easily to your future gliders. The ongoing costs for gliders and gear should be fairly reasonable, after the initial investment.
These are fairly realistic prices, for anybody who shops a bit. If money is really tight for you, don't despair; I have a suggestion for financially challenged pilots, like me. Having friends in the HG community may reduce these prices, and maybe by a lot. It's usually not too hard to make friends with HG pilots. Most of us need another retrieval driver, and volunteering to drive is a great way to become popular in any HG club.
I know, you will feel like an outsider there at first, but every HG pilot that I know needs another chase-vehicle driver. If somebody drives for me, and they really want to fly, I would beat the bushes to find them decent gear, at the best prices. It is hard to ignore the dedicated driver who finds me after some personal-best distance flying, who sees me at my best, and makes the adventure a pure joy. "Driving" can be an all-day enterprise, and it may tax your patience, initiative, map skills, and persistence. Bring a book, a picnic lunch, and/or other amusements for yourself, because there may be a few hours when everybody is up, and you are not doing very much. The Driver gets the best seat in the truck, and usually, a free restaurant meal with the pilots at the end of the day. I can't guarantee that driving will be great fun, but it will get you in with good pilots, and it won't last long. Talk to everybody. I believe that the right pilots will be happy to help. The more pilots you meet, the sooner good things can happen for you. Don't let any one HG pilot, or any three HG pilots, monopolize your driving talents, either. :-)
Driving can also have another good benefit for you. Sure, you will meet more pilots, but you can hear and ask questions, about all aspects of HG flying. Weather alone is a complex subject; the local HG pilots will have knowledge of forecasts, and what they might mean for you as a pilot on any given day. You can gain good knowledge on a wide variety of flying topics, that is really not available for purchase at any commercial source.
WHEELS: All hang gliders used to teach flying MUST have wheels. This is not a subject for debate; walk away . . . (MORE)