Instruction Options

For those that would first like to see if they are going to be comfortable enough in the sky to make a true commitment to learning this incredible sport, a tandem introductory flight is the best place to start. You and your instructor will be towed by an ultralight to anywhere from 2,000 to 5,280 feet, one mile high. There you will release the tow line and realize free flight. The instructor will handle the more technical aspects of the launch, tow and landing. Ideally, you will be pilot in command for as much of the flight down as your over stimulated nervous system will allow.
At this point you are going to be in one of two states of mind. You are either going to be thinking, "Man, what a kick that was and now I'm off to my next, unrelated adventure." With that we say, Thank you for sharing the air and an exciting time of your life with us." Or, you are thinking, "I am Arizona's newest and some day greatest Air Junky!" Our job then is to help you select the appropriate training package.

Aerotow is a technique by which a hang glider is towed to altitude by a powerful ultralight aircraft. The hang glider pilot eventually releases the tow line and glides down leisurely or radically or looks for thermal lift which will carry the pilot higher and farther.
Through multiple tandem aerotows in the AT1 program, you will eventually gain the expertise that enables you to be "Pilot in Command" during the entire flight including launching and landing. When you consistently demonstrate the ability to launch smoothly, keep a straight line on the tug and hit your spot on landing, you will earn the right to aerotow solo under radio supervision in the AT2 program or sign up for a foot launch class. After multiple solo flights demonstrating safe, consistent piloting skills and good judgment, you will receive your aerotow sign-off, which gives you the right to come out and tow unsupervised.

Now that you have learned to fly like a bird, it is time you learn to launch like one. Bet you never saw an eagle towing a hawk into the sky. To develop the skills necessary to safely hurl your newly bewinged body from a windy cliff face 4,000 feet above the valley floor, you must first survive a foot launch ground school. In an open field you will learn and practice your ground handling and launch technique on flat ground where you are not faced with the distraction of becoming airborne. If you actually do take flight, it is because are giving a very good run, probably enjoying a bit of a headwind and are listening and responding well to the instructions given over your radio. The wing may in fact pick you up a few feet at which time you will pull in the control bar and hit the ground running again. This is an exercise we call "moon walking" which will instill in you a dozen or so reflexes we need to observe before you are considered eligible for flight training in the mountains.

    Okay, so you have worn most of the tread off of a perfectly good pair of sneakers with all that running. But, in so doing, you have earned the right to attend your first mountain class. You have developed the skills necessary to hang glide via foot launch safely and aggressively.
   The hang gliding sites we utilize are a pair of volcano shield cones located on the edge of the painted desert near Flagstaff, Arizona. Sheba Crater rises to 780 feet above the landing zone, Merriam Crater tops at 1,230 feet above the LZ. The wind gods have much to say about which crater we use, but between the two we have 360 degree launch capability. The craters are notorious for conditions that vary throughout the day. Anything from glass smooth ridge lift to screaming Arizona thermals that can carry XC (cross country) hang glider pilots on flights of well over 100 miles. These are very forgiving sites for developing your ridge soaring, spot landing, thermalling and XC skills.
   Your mountain adventure is more thoroughly enjoyed if approached with a full weekend of commitment. We typically caravan out Friday evening and return Sunday evening as early as possible allowing for having to get you people to quit babbling and giggling and get your birds loaded for the drive home.

There are mountains and then there are mountains. Welcome to the "Mingus Monster." Launching from an altitude of almost 8,000 feet, the vertical drop to the primary landing zone at the Cottonwood Airport is almost 4,000 feet. From this site, experienced pilots may terminate their flights at the Sedona Airport, Flagstaff or beyond. Together, we walk the primary LZ as well as the "Bailout Zone", discuss landing approach strategy, flight plan, airport rules, etc.

Along with the use of Miller Canyon south of Tucson and other high mountain sites, you are able to further develop your thermalling skills as well as learn that all important cliff launch technique. On these weekend hang gliding excursions, you will earn additional skills sign-offs that help you earn the highest ratings in our sport. These ratings allow you to proudly approach any launch site in America and receive the well deserved clearance to fly that site. Here too is where you begin compiling your own collection of, "And there I was..." hang gliding stories. Very useful later around the campfire and/or local Arizona pub.

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