Aerotowing Towing behind a microlight, typically to 2000 feet side by side with your instructor. You learn the basics of hang gliding quickly as you have many minutes on each flight in which to master the art of flying. Generally 15 - 20 tows will get you to a standard where you can convert to a solo glider which will take another couple of days. Your EPC (elementary) & CPC (club pilot) certificates are ratings you need to aquire after which you can join the local towing club. After CPC you will need to purchase your first glider and harness, including a parachute and vario.

Hill Training Training starts with a first day introduction, where you learn about the sport and make several tethered flights where ropes are used to limit any excessive inputs you might make. The instructor and your fellow students will help you glide with small hops down a shallow gradient hill. Once you have mastered the basics of weight shift control, the instructor allows you to fly from higher on up the hill, until you have full control of take-offs, turns and landings. You are now ready to go solo! This will normally be on day 4 or 5, where you can obtain your Elementary Pilot Certificate. Progressing from EPC to Club Pilot Certificate will take a further 2 / 3 days where you will learn to handle your new glider and equipment. You will then be ready for a top to bottom in still or light wind conditions, from one of the local clubs higher sites (600 ft+)

Winch Training Another method is to use a static winch with the winch operator sitting at the far end of a big field. As the winch is reeled in at a speed goverened by the winchman, the glider is pulled into the air. Carefully controlled hops with the instructor running side by side with the glider, the student gets to learn to control the glider at low level before being towed higher and higher. Usually the instructor will be in radio communication (one way) with the student as he / she climbs higher with each tow.