Hang Gliding - FAQ - What's needed?
Old gliders found on eBay or at yard sales usually are NOT airworthy. Do not risk your life (or your money) on any old glider, unless a HG instructor AND the local HG pilots all agree that it is safe for you. There -are- good, used gliders available. Do not buy any equipment, without some good advice from expert HG pilots. See below for more.
And it all starts with a personal note, to your good health:
You should always be willing to learn from the mistakes of others. As in all previous aviation development, you can not expect to make the same old mistakes, and expect results any different from those before you. Isolation, and the resulting lack of current common knowledge from the HG community, are the ingredients for a personal disaster. You should not wish to reject the fellowship of experienced aviators. Nobody here wants to see you go it alone; we do know it's just too dangerous that way. We -all- share your dream. Association with your fellow pilots will yield many benefits to you. Safety, savvy, new abilities, and even fair prices are only parts of the picture. You can make new and lifelong friends among us. The knowledge that you gain here, and later from your instructors and fellow HG pilots, can keep you happy and healthy.
A good friend and flying buddy reminded me to include this old and important bit of flying wisdom:
Never combine two unknowns in a single flight. Any new place or new gear is one unknown. Each flight should consist of many known items: the launching area, the landing area, the glider, the harness, the helmet, an instrument, a camera, a radio, clothing, et c. If you change any one thing for a newer or different version, that is usually okay. Do NOT change two or more such items, however, such as trying a new harness at a new flying site, or a new radio with a new helmet. Give yourself a fair chance to become familiar with each new addition, without trying to keep several new items straight, at the same time. Once any new piece of gear is becoming comfortable and familiar, then it is safe to add the next new piece.
These topics are just my humble opinions here, and there are no guarantees.
Please feel free to get second or third opinions, on any material presented here.
Okay, now you have almost completed flying lessons. You know (MORE)