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Step 1
Research hang gliding. Search for information online. Read books. Subscribe to magazines. The best way to learn about the sport is to read about it. Learning the basics, the lingo and about the equipment will help you in the beginning stages of learning to hang glide. Basic information is available online by doing a search on hang gliding. There are various articles in many adventure magazines. A book to look for is "Hang Gliding for Beginner Pilots" by Peter Cheney.
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Step 2
Locate an instructor or school. Hang gliding is not a sport that you can or should learn individually. It requires skill and knowledge, which are gained by experience. Search online for instructors or schools that offer lessons. Get references and check them out. Ask them for their safety rating. Two schools are Lookout Mountain Flight Park and Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding Flight Park.
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Step 3
Observe other hang gliders. By watching, you can learn a lot. Take note of their technique, the way they move, what they do to maneuver their hang glider and other aspects of their hang gliding flights. Talk to them afterward. When you visit the school for your lesson, watch how they take off and land. When you do your tandem flight, pay very close attention to your instructor and his/her movements.
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Step 4
Ask questions. The only stupid question is the one not asked. Use the advantage of others' knowledge to better prepare yourself for your first experience. Ask them how it feels, what they have to do and how the weather affects flying.
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Step 5
Fly. Once you've located a school or instructor, sign up for a tandem flight. This is the best way to tell if the sport is something you want to pursue. The sport is not a cheap one, so if you don't like it, you won't want to have a lot of money already invested in it. Your first flight will be a tandem flight with a licensed instructor. Ahead of time, let them know you're interested in learning to fly.
