Hang gliding is a popular air sport where the pilot flies a super-light wing called a hang glider made of a composite or aluminium frame with fabric that covers the actual wings.
The pilot "hangs" in a harness that's suspended below the frame. The pilot controls the glider by shifting his body weight from side to side, in the opposite direction of the control frame.
The sport's beginnings go back to the late 1800's when pilots would slowly fly down gentle hills. The gliders themselves were nowhere near as solid and sophisticated as today's glider.
Currently, gliders allow pilots the capability to climb and fly for multiple hours, at thousands of feet in altitude and travel up to hundreds of miles in one flight.
The main organizational body in the United States is the USHGA, (United States Hang Gliding Association). The USHGA sets the regs on getting certified as instructor and pilot as most gliding parks will not let you fly if you're not certified. The organization is a sort of clearinghouse for information on the sport as well, and is the best place to start your search for a great instructor in your area.
Safety
Hang gliding is considered unsafe by the uninformed. Although early gliders were unsturdy and could be dangerous, modern hang gliders are extremely reliable when constructed according to certified standards. Deaths are very few and entire years have gone by without even a single death in a glider accident.
All newer gliders have integrated dive recovery mechanisms for inflight corrections. Helmets are worn by most pilots in case of rough landings and pilots can even choose to carry a built-in parachute should they get into trouble, the chute will carry the pilot and glider to the ground and safety
Launching - You can launch your glider several ways including:
- Foot launching from a hill or steep dropoff .
- Tow launching behind another aircraft - usually an ultralight or tow launching from ground based winch.
- Tow launching from behind a boat.
Training
The USHGA controls some of the aspects of hang gliding in the US including training for instructors and certifying students.
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