It is possible to learn to hang gliding by yourself but it is greatly discouraged by many because self-training presents additional dangers on top of the common ones the sport presents. You can get a picture of what’s it like to fly a hang glider in your mind once you read a couple of books and it might seem like it’s not such a difficult activity. However, what goes on up there when you’re thousands of feet away from the ground is very different from what you think so it’s best if you acquire proper training.
Is Hang Gliding Easy or Hard?
It can be very difficult especially if you’re just new to the sport. However, just like with any other sport, be it extreme or not, it will take you a couple of tries before you get the hang of flying a hang glider. Hang gliding is somewhat similar to balancing a bicycle and you will get it dialed in after you spend quite some time practicing.
Most participants of the sport would agree that the most difficult thing about hang gliding is not being able to do it. If you are someone who is interested to try hang gliding but is hesitant to do so because of its level of difficulty, there is nothing to be scared of because nothing is too hard to learn provided that you are really determined. It is an extremely fun and exciting sport filled with lots of adventures that will surely give you a unique flying experience.
How Do You Become a Hang Glider?
It is highly recommended by the majority to begin by enrolling in a good and reliable hang gliding school to obtain proper training. Learning and educating yourself about the sport is crucially important before you take to the skies. You will be taughst about the basics of hang gliding such as how to set up your hang glider, launch properly, stay aloft, and land safely so it will be very beneficial and helpful for you if you acquire proper training at the very start.
You must keep in mind to be very careful in choosing a hang gliding school to teach you about the sport. Hang gliding schools play a big role in determining how easy or hard it will be for you to learn to hang glide. It is very important for your training to be as easy, fun, and effective as possible because a minor error when you’re high up in the sky could result in a serious injury.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Hang Gliding?
The average time it takes for you to learn hang gliding ranges from 3 to 6 months, but this of course varies considerably depending on your capability and level of determination. You will advance slightly faster than others if you are fully invested in learning the sport. Putting in double the time and effort will greatly help and you will be able of flying on your own faster than 3 to 6 months.
A hang gliding school will usually have approximately 5 to 10 lessons for the student. It is also important to remember that the time needed before someone learns to hang glide differs from one student to another. Some students will progress a bit quicker than others based on their inherent skills and degree of competence.
How Much Do Hang Gliding Lessons Cost?
Learning how to fly and operate a hang glider properly can cost around $5000 or more if a student enrolls in a certified hang gliding school located in a densely populated area and buys brand new equipment. Even though this is the case, the price needed for hang gliding lessons widely changes depending on where you plan to enroll. In addition, there are also quite a number of ways in which you could save some money if you’re within a budget but would still like to acquire the same hang gliding equipment and lessons.
The most popular and common thing many would do is purchase secondhand equipment from other hang gliding pilots. Buying used equipment from others will drop the cost significantly and save you a lot of money. However, it is of crucial importance that the used equipment is examined in detail by a knowledgeable and professional hang gliding pilot to avoid any kind of accident when you’re flying in the sky.
