Hang Gliding

• What it is: you fly under a rigid wing on a frame, lying face down in a harness next to a certified instructor who does the flying. Most first flights in the U.S. are tandem, so you need no experience.
• How you launch: from a hill, by tow behind a small plane or vehicle, or, at some operators, on a powered hang glider that takes off from an airport. Hang Gliding Tahoe flies a powered hang glider from Carson City Airport in Nevada.
• Price: check with the operator; the one school here with a website doesn't publish prices on its homepage.
• Best season: weather decides, and seasons vary by operator. Expect weather to cancel some flights wherever you go.
• Who it's for: adults and older teens within the operator's weight and age limits who want to fly without learning to pilot first. Check with the operator for its limits.

What flying feels like

Hang gliding is about as close as people get to flying like a bird. You lie flat in a harness under the wing, with your instructor beside you holding the control bar. Once you're airborne, the noise drops away and you feel the wing lift and turn with the air. Many people say the takeoff is the scariest moment, and that it turns calm almost right away.

How you get into the air depends on the operator. On a hill launch, you and your instructor run a few steps down a slope until the wing lifts you. On an aerotow, a small plane pulls you up and releases you. On a powered hang glider, a motor gets you off a runway. Each gives a different start to the same feeling of open-air flight.

Quick picks

• A powered flight over Tahoe: Hang Gliding Tahoe at Carson City Airport, with a flight suit and boots provided.

Real details, by operator

Hang Gliding Tahoe (Carson City, NV)

You fly a powered hang glider over Tahoe from the Sport Aviation Center at Carson City Airport. A flight suit and boots are provided, plus heated clothing, boots and gloves for cold-weather flights. Call before you go for prices and packages.

Prices, hours and rules change, so confirm the latest on each operator's Seeking Adrenaline page, linked from its name, or on each operator's website.

For cost ranges, see How much does hang gliding cost?.

What to check before you go

• Weight limits. Every operator sets its own, based on its glider and launch. See Hang gliding weight limits.
• Age limits. Minimum ages vary, and minors need a parent's consent. See Hang gliding age requirements.
• Weather. Wind, rain and storms cancel flights. Ask how the operator reschedules or refunds. See Hang gliding weather.
• Launch type. Ask whether it's a hill launch, a tow or a powered flight, because the experience is different.
• Time on site. Plan for more than the flight itself, with check-in, a briefing and waiting for the right conditions. See How long does hang gliding take?.

Who it's right for

Hang gliding suits people who want to feel real flight, not just a ride, and who are happy to let an instructor fly. It's a good choice if you've already done a zip line or skydive and want something calmer and longer in the air. See Can anyone go hang gliding?.

Not the right fit if...

You're outside the operator's weight or age limits, or your plans can't move if the weather turns. If you'd prefer a softer, fabric wing that launches from a hillside, read Hang gliding vs paragliding. If you'd rather fly sitting in a cabin, see Glider vs hang gliding vs helicopter.

FAQ

Do I need experience to go hang gliding?

Not for a tandem flight. Your instructor flies the glider, and you get a briefing first. See First-time hang gliding questions.

Is hang gliding safe?

Ask the operator about its instructors, equipment and weather rules before you go. See Is hang gliding safe?.

Is hang gliding scary?

The takeoff is the most intense part for most people. In the air, it usually feels calm. See Is hang gliding scary?.

What's the difference between hang gliding and paragliding?

A hang glider has a rigid frame, and you lie face down. A paraglider is a soft fabric wing, and you sit in a harness. See Hang gliding vs paragliding.

Can I give a hang gliding flight as a gift?

Many operators offer gift certificates. See Hang gliding gift certificates.