The park was already awake when we entered at 8:00 am. H1 Pilots were setting up their gliders for foot launch near landing area. H2 gliders and training to be H3's were setting up on the 300' and 600' hill launch areas. Some guys started trekking for the 300' hill for launching their para gliders. It was so inspiring and a wonderful feeling to start off the new sport.
Glider Setup and Pre-Flight Inspection
Our lesson began with setup of the two Condors. The setup is easy, but its very difficult to get the setup wrong as most people describe it. We spent more time on understanding about the safety measures and performing pre-flight inspection of the glider. We got familiar with the harness. You can check the length of harness by hanging from the glider hook. The distance of your chest from the control bar should be between 3 to 6 inches.
Ground Handling
The glider nose needs to be aimed into the wind while carrying it, so that wind does not act on the glider. It is easy to carry the glider if it is balanced, since equal wind pressure is applied to both wings. Generally the nose needs to be pulled down, so that the glider does not produce lift and is easy to maneuver. While parking the glider always park it with the tail in the direction of the wind or at least one wing into the wind. It is always easier to handle the glider by holding the nose on a windy hill. You must push the glider by the nose while you take it up the hill during your initial training sessions.
Balancing the Glider
When the glider is balanced its nose is pointing into the wind, and equal wind pressure is applied to both the wings. In case the wind is changing direction, it will exert more pressure on one of the wing and will raise it more than the other. You need to rotate the nose towards the lifted wing (yaw motion) until the gilder is balanced again.
Just to add emphasis; its very important to balance the glider before launch and landing, otherwise the glider will take a turn and you will never have a good launch or landing.
Walk, Jog, Fly Exercise
Once we practice balancing the glider, we learn how to run with the glider for foot launch. This is called the walk, walk, run, run exercise. Start with taking small steps, then jogging while the wind picks up the glider. The glider is now flying - tow the glider with your harness, and keep very light control of the control bar with your hands. Now you must slow down so that the glider is back into the hands. Perform this exercise until you are very comfortable and can feel the glider fly.
First Flight
Now you are ready for the first flight. In the first flight we need to foot launch, fly at level and finally land. During launch make sure you are hooked onto the glider. Then perform harness hook checks by lifting up the glider and feeling the pull on your shoulders. Check the angle of nose to make sure you are at the right pitch, balance the glider, and finally shout clear so that other pilots know you are now launching.
Pull the control bar a little bit to lower pitch, so that you can run longer and gain more speed before the glider lifts you. After achieving enough speed be light on the control bar and push it a little bit to fly off the ground. At this time the glider will lift you. This is the most amazing feeling - the feeling of flying! In order to fly straight always look up towards your target landing spot. If you are fortunate enough to be in air for some time you will get a chance to steer the glider. In case your glider is moving out of the straight flight path, correct it by adjusting your weight to the left or right.
Finally, push the control bar to raise the nose a little bit. This pitch movement will create drag slowing down the glider and will try to lift it up. This acts like air brakes. When the glider stops lifting extend your arms to stall the glider to a complete stop. You are good if you can land on your feet. I could do it only once out of my 4 flights, but the other 3 times I just landed on my knees : )
Happy Flying!
Beginner Hang Gliding Rating H1 Requirements
For information about getting started with Hang Gliding Check: Get Started Guide!
If you are a pilot check this video you will like it Birds!
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