Learning to Hang Glide
Learning to Hang Glide
Learn to Fly offers introductory tandem flights so that you can get a feel for hang gliding and discover for yourself the joys of free flying.
We don't offer complete courses to obtain your EPC (Elementary Pilot Certificate) or CPC (Club Pilot Certificate), but we can certainly point you in the right direction if you want to train further.
But you will not find a better way of seeing what hang gliding is all about than by taking a tandem flight with an experienced and qualified 'air experience' BHPA instructor!
What the British Hang gliding and Paragliding (BHPA) say:
"Gliding is a gentle art, a game of aerial chess with a superb bird's eye view, suitable for the thinking outdoor's type. A first day's hang gliding is great fun for anyone without too much physical effort, but to continue a course you must be reasonably fit and active. You must be over 18, and accept that 'adventure sports' carry an element of risk. However, if you receive proper instruction and follow the rules and sensible guidelines that have been established over many years, the risk is quite acceptable and the pros of flying far outweigh the cons."
There are 3 methods of learning: Hill, Winch, Aerotow.
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+)
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.
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 governed 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.
Your EPC (elementary) & CPC (club pilot) certificates are BHPA ratings you need 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. See below for costs. Equipment is not generally rented in hang gliding.
What will it cost once I have an EPC?
After getting your EPC you will have to buy your first glider. Good second hand gliders are obtainable for as little as £800, newer models around £3000. An intermediate glider is required when you start hang gliding, before you build some hours and move onto faster wings.
You will also need a harness and a helmet and a vario (tells you if you are going up or down) and a parachute. Prices vary depending on buying new or 2nd hand.
There is a good second hand market for hang gliders and as a buyer you will be sure to track something down that is both affordable and safe. But talk to your instructor or school before making any purchasing decision. We don't recommend buying on Ebay!
