I’ve been hang gliding for three weeks now at Dockweiler. So I’m going to try and sum up what the last three weeks, the last three lessons, all entailed. I thought I would be a natural in hang gliding but that wasn’t quite the case. With me it took a bit before I learned that hang gliding isn’t about muscling the glider to make it go where you want. It’s all about finesse.

Crow Hops

I took my first three flights during the beach party that the SHGA put on September 9th. At $10 a flight I couldn’t resist. It also was a good way to find out whether or not I really wanted to get in to the sport. I didn’t know all the instructors yet. I met Joe at the office and had a two hour talk with him about the sport. I met Paul the Sunday before at Dockweiler and sat in a class for a good part of the day.

Joe and Max helped me with the first flight I took. Every journey begins with a few precious steps. Mine began with four and then my feet left the ground. The wind was pretty good that day and walking off the hill was all it took to get the glider off the ground. Both Joe and Max were running beside me. My feet were around eight to ten feet off the ground and the glider was flying on its own. I didn’t have to do anything really. I was petrified though and my grip on the down tubes was as solid as stone. I was trying to muscle the glider. I still landed ok on my feet. I’d tell you of the other two but they were pretty much the same but slightly more improved.

The next day I was back at Dockweiler and took my first full hang gliding lesson. The lesson set in stone that this is something that I truly wanted to do. I’m not going in to every flight I did that day. I did over twelve of them. Each flight better than the next. It was like when I learned how to ride a bike, except that this was an aircraft and it left the ground. My main problem was trusting the equipment and relaxing.

My second lesson was a breakthrough lesson. I learned to relax and trust the equipment. I wanted more height but Paul wouldn’t let me. I still had some kinks to work out. I wasn’t consistent enough. It wasn’t untill the the last few he saw what he wanted to see that he started giving me boosts as I took off to gain height. Then he started thinking about taking me off the training glider, a Condor 330, and put me on a Falcon 225. At my weight, a whopping 227 pounds and some change. It’s perfect for me.

My third lesson was even better. All in all so far I got more than 20 flights in. This lesson I got 7 or so flights on the Condor. Then Paul decided it was time. I was being put on the 225. I didn’t want to show it, I was apprehensive, but to do that would hold back information that the instructor needs. So I notified Paul about my apprehension. He was ok with that and he started me off with a warm up flight. The only difference between the 225 and 330 is that the 330 is bigger and the 225 offers more controll. That’s all. I liked the 225 better and soon Paul was giving boosts again. I like the 225 much better. It was an excellent day for flying that day. The wind was strong.

Each lesson I stayed longer than I was required to. I learned how to set up and break down the gliders. How to do preflights, which is required learning. How to do hang checks, which are a must before each flight. But the best treat of them all was at the end of the day, sunset. You just can’t beat learning hang gliding on a beach and being able to watch the sun set in the evening. This is a sport I highly recommend. It’s not for everyone though. You do need to try it to see if it’s for you.

Next …

Paul went through some ground school and the homework he gave me. Yes, there will be written homework. You thought it would be all fun and games right? Think again. Windsports follows a strict regimen in teaching their future pilots. It’s for your safety and knowing this information will not only help you but it could mean the difference between whether you live or die in an emergency situation, should one occur. I was told that I needed to complete the first test that the USHGA gives for their beginner rank, Hang 1. Next lesson, I have a good chance of getting my beginner rating and I can be considered a pilot. I’m looking forward to it.