Hang gliding/Paragliding

[Guest gosk8ing]

I know its not part of RAA but it is recreational flying so I thought I would ask.

 

Im interested in getting into hang gliding or paragliding.

 

Just wondering if anyone knows where I can post this question to get the best response or if people here can answer my question.

 

Ive looked at a couple of schools on the web.

 

My main worry is losing interest. I can do the 9 day courses they have but after I get my certificate I think it will be to much of a hassle.

 

I live in melbourne so driving out to the flying spots would take a while. It seems like the main places are apollo bay, bright and a place just to the west of ballarat.

 

Does anyone have stories of learning to hang glide/paraglide??

 

 

[Guest Cloudsuck]

G’day I came up through Paragliding and have about 300 hours odd. Hang Gliding and Paragliding is the most amazing experience ever. To unpack your aircraft on the side of a mountain, lob off and climb to 10,000 feet and fly 70 or 80 klms (or 100’s of klms) in five hours without an engine is fantastic. There is nothing quite like it. Even just ridge soaring at a coastal site is quite fun.

 

On the other hand, it is the most disappointing, gut wrenching sport. When you spend all day on the mountain waiting for the right conditions and going home without a fly. Or you lob off the hill only to bombout four minutes later. While you are packing up in the bombout, you see all your mates getting away in ‘the thermal of the day’ and heading off cross country.

 

If you are interested, give it a go. Have a look at the HGFA website for details of schools in your area.

 

 

[bushpilot]

I endorse the comments by Cloudsuck.. Both HG and PG are the most pure forms of flight - with foot launch, no power plants and basic direct input controls.

 

I came out of hang gliding (700 hours logged) and it really does teach you the first principles of flying. The most obvious areas are basic aerodynamics and the affects of general weather, wind, turbulence and topography.

 

HGFA is a good place to start - and they publish a very good magazine..

 

Cheers,

 

Chris

 

 

[Guest gosk8ing]

Now which one should I choose.

 

What are the pros and cons of hang gliding vs paragliding?

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Inland or coastal both are a bit seasonal you have to be able to read weather maps plan your flying a week in advance. a bit like surfing you are always waiting for 'Big Wendsday" HGs are a bit of a hassell transport and set up times compared to PGs that just can live in the boot of your car and can be airboune in minutes. To have a bit of fun after work you can have a ball hotdogging on a small hill in light winds. take your time and find a good instructor i tend to stay away from the masses and grab some airtime at a private site at a friends place same place i fly my Lazair from. I go to Italy once a year to do some serious flying in between work commitments there. things have come a long way since i first flew HGs in 76.

 

HGFA fees are a bit expensive compared to RAAus plus they tend to insist on local club membership. It is now costing me over 500 bucks a year in association memberships RAAus, HGFA (if i remember) plus italian club fees and now again APF and club fees for jumping. wish all these associations would roll over into one and i could just pay one fee and just go aviate. like the posts above it is very pure form of flight that requires a good wide understanding of your environment it makes you a better all round aviator.

 

ozzie

 

 

[eastmeg2]

It is now costing me over 500 bucks a year in association memberships RAAus, HGFA

I hear you there Oz. I have both memberships just so I can fly any trike whether it be HGFA or RAAus registered. CAO 95.32 applies to both but apparently it comes down to insurance, and you know how insurance companies love to over insure . . . thumb_down

 

 

[Dayble]

Hi,

 

Rohan at Dynamic Flight, Australias Leading Hang Gliding School / Official Home Page is the best for HG in Vic, if not OZ.

 

He is not only an expert, but can also teach it.

 

He does a range of courses, so you could even just try an intro course.

 

Also does trikes.