How to Tandem Hang Glide

Extreme sports push people to the limits, giving them an adrenaline rush and memories to last a lifetime. Sports like water rafting, skydiving and bungee jumping are done every year, but along with those, you can also hang glide. If you have never hand glided before, then you will probably not want to go on your own. A great way to experience and learn about the fun extreme sport is by going on a tandem hang gliding trip with a professional.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Pre-Flight

1. Reserve your day to hang glide. Try to keep your options flexible, though, because trips can get canceled at any moment due to bad weather or even high humidity. Call ahead the day before to see the weather conditions.

2. Wear comfortable clothes. The hang glider is already equipped with the harness that will strap you in, so wear something comfortable for your flight. If you have flip flops or sandals, be prepared to take the trip barefoot.

3. Arrive a little early. You have to sign safety waiver forms, and the quicker that process gets done, the quicker your trip will happen.

4. Walk down to the launch site. An employee will explain the process that you will go through.

5. Watch as the hang glider is towed to the runway area. The professional will then attach a rope to the front of the hang glider so that the other end can attach to a small plane.

6. Secure anything in your pockets so it does not accidentally fall out in the middle of a flight. Put the safety helmet on.

Taking Flight

7. Step into the safety harness. Place both hands on the bar in front of you, and lie back so that your body is now hanging about a foot in the air. Relax as the pilot straps himself into the hang glider.

8. Hang onto the two straps on the side and back of the instructor. He will then give the go ahead to pilot in the tug plane.

9. Feel a slight jolt as the hang glider is quickly pulled across the grass. About five seconds after you are pulled through the grass, the hang glider will take flight, lifting into the air.

10. Watch as you rapidly gain height in the hang glider. Because you are still attached to the plane, you will feel a couple of bumpy spots, but they are perfectly normal.

11. Release the tug line from the plane when the hang glider has reached around 3,000 feet in the sky. The pilot will release the line, and you will feel a slight drop as the momentum from the plane disappears.

12. Take the reigns as the pilot lets you grab the bar and actually steer the hang glider. Pull the bar to speed up and move your body in the opposite direction that you want to steer.

13. Let the pilot take over to bring you to a safe landing about 10 minutes later.

Resources

• Tandem Hang Gliding in New Hampshire

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