Hang-Gliding Schools

Learn to fly like a bird!

Hang-Gliding Flight Training

Most of the hang gliding and paragliding training is similar. Recreational Flight offers you the possibility to learn how to fly and to obtain your novice, intermediate or advanced level from the Hang gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada that will allow you to fly anywhere in the world. The hang gliding training is divided into several steps and takes place either as private lessons with an instructor or in small groups. This has the advantage of being able to adapt the training to the abilities and availability of each person and to progress faster and safely toward autonomy. To begin a course, there is no fixed schedule. You just have to call us and make an appointment.

During your first lesson, you will discover the material needed. You will get to know the wing and how to handle it on the ground and in the wind. This step is relatively short compared to the rest of the training, but is essential. The first step generally takes place on a flat ground. You will learn to assemble and disassemble the wing. You will make a few runs on the ground in order to learn to maneuver it. A one-hour lesson is usually enough for this step.

The following steps are a part of practicing the takeoff and the landing stages. At the school, we are lucky to have a school hill specifically adapted to the learning of paragliding and hang gliding. Because of its 60-foot height and the conical shape of the grass school hill, your progression will be secure and you will be able to face the wind direction most of the time. The Hang-glider handling on your shoulders, your takeoff runs, the hang glider pitch yaw and roll control in flight and the landing are the important points of this stage. For hang gliding training, you will need approximately five one-hour lessons on the school hill.

At the same time, during the school hill practice, tandem flights on a motorized hang glider (ULA or trike) with an instructor can be given in order to assimilate altitude flying techniques and landing approaches. Three lessons of 30 minutes are generally needed to bring you to the following steps of your mountain solo flights training.

A static winch towing system will can be used for your first flights. This system will allow progressive gain of altitude from the ground. In all flights, the student pilots will receive radio instructions from the instructor.

The next step, the mountain flights, are generally the most awaited moment for the students. It is now the time to implement what was learned previously. Your first mountain flight from the top takes place during the evening because of the still air in order to make the flight safe and very pleasant. There are two instructors that will assist you: one at the takeoff on top of the mountain and the other at the bottom of the mountain, both radio-linked with the student. They will guide him through the takeoff, the flight and the landing. Once the flight maneuvers are assimilated in still air, the students can therefore think about flying midday, into turbulent air.

The last step is the most gratifying. The student under his instructor's supervision will make his/her first thermal flight. The aim of those flights is to learn how to use the thermal lift to fly as high and far as possible. You will learn how to control the wing in order to extend the flight duration and pleasure and eventually go cross-country flying. As soon as the student is able to fly in different air conditions, he/she is declared self-sufficient by the school instructor that authorizes him/her to fly alone without supervision.

In total, you will need around 30-instructor supervised hang-gliding flights to gain full autonomy. The first flights (around 15) happen during the evening when the air is still. The next flights will take place during the afternoon or evening in conditions adapted to the student level.

Although most of the hang-gliding training is practical, some theory will be taught during the practical training. In addition, an eight-hour theory class is part of the beginner pilot's training. This course will cover different subjects such as: meteorology, flight theory, flights regulations, air safety, aerodynamics, etc.

For budget purpose, a full hang gliding training program costs approximately $3000. The price may vary depending on various factors such as the individual progression or weather conditions.

All the equipment is furnished during your course. If you want to keep on flying with your own wing afterwards, we can advise you on the best choice of equipment and offer you our products.

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