Beginner Hang Gliding Rating (H-1)

A Beginner pilot needs to have basic skills necessary for ground handling and flying with in significant operating limitations. The most updated information can be downloaded from the USPHA website. This is a summary of skills required for H1 hang glider rating.

H1 Rating Required Witness Tasks

1. Set up and pre-flight of glider and harness

2. Demonstrate proper ground handling of equipment

3. With each flight, demonstrate method(s) of establishing that pilot is hooked in

4. Launch unassisted showing smooth transition to flying with correct angle of attack and direction control

5. Airspeed recognition and control

6. Two flights, predetermined to show:

• Constant airspeed
• Smooth straight flight towards a pre-selected target
• Safe, smooth landing, on feet, into wind.

7. Two flights, predetermined to show:

• Confident, slight variation in airspeed showing awareness and control of airspeed envelope
• Smoothly increasing airspeed, smoothly slowing airspeed showing good control, familiarity, and anticipation of safe envelope, without losing control. Airspeed to remain well above stall speed.
• Safe, smooth landing, on feet, into wind.

8. Shows ability to recognize and understand how different wind conditions at this site will affect their flights.

• Wind direction
• Wind velocity
• Terrain Shape
• Obstructions

Finally pilot must pass USHPA Hang Gliding Beginner written exam.

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Interesting "Birds" Advertisement

This is a very creative cute advertisement for Washington Lottery's "Birds" edited by Fischer Edit. Mandelake pointed it out today morning in HangGliding forum.

Washington Lottery's "Birds" edited by Fischer Edit from Fischer Edit on Vimeo.

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Flexible Wings: Birth of Hang Gliding

Birth of Hang Gliding

Humans from the beginning have longed to fly like a Bird. Many tales and ancient sketching portray man's dream to fly like birds. The development and progress of aviation was too fast for the increasing interest in powered flight. Most people like the Wright Brothers learned flying skills on hang gliders, but aimed their focus on powered flight to fulfill their desire for human flight. Hang gliding therefore did not emerge until the 1960's.

The development of Francis Rogallo's "Rogallo wing" was a NASA project for a possible recovery system for spacecraft. Rogallo started working on his design called Flexible Wings back in 1940's to fulfill his desire to fly with a low cost vehicle that anyone could use to fly. Here's a interview put forward on YouTube by NASA Destination Tomorrow:



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