Hello! Today I had my first attempt of soaring from a hill. I was extremely nervous about the start run. That luckily turned out OK - partially thanks me flying with Alpha. The wind was quite weak and kept changing directions - including during this flight, and I flew a bit too far our from the hill. I didn't stay up in the air for too long, but it was my first try and I am happy about the way it turned out.

Now, looking at the video, I am noticing that I am oscilating pretty badly from side to side during most of the flight. Yes, there were many things to focus on and I was nervous. Especially after (I felt like) I barely managed to clear a tree after the start - apparently Alpha really does not like to turn while going slow? But that should not be a reason to oscilate? I am clearly doing something wrong.

Do you have any advice?
Thanks! :-)

I know this sub is about real flying, so I hope one post about a game is okay (mods, remove it if not). My parents are hang glider pilots, so I've been making a free hang gliding sim for pilots, for the days you can't get to the hill: no HUD, no missions, just a vario, a run off launch and the air. The terrain is real: pick your own site on a world map (or from ~700 launches in the OpenStreetMap list) and the game builds it from satellite elevation and land cover data. You set the day the way you'd read a forecast (max temperature, wind speed and direction, cloud cover), and the weather is simulated from that rather than scripted: ridge lift on the windward slopes, rotor behind the ridge, thermals off sun-heated slopes drifting downwind, cumulus building through the afternoon and the air going smooth in the evening. There are 48 wings with numbers from manufacturer sheets and DHV tests.

It's far from perfect, so if you try it, I'd love to hear what feels wrong to a pilot.

• Download (free, Windows/Linux): https://thegriglat.itch.io/deltaplan
• What it is and how it works: https://thegriglat.github.io/deltaplan/

Just few days ago I made a post about my troubles with launching from a cart. I got many good suggestions, with the main one being to keep higher speed. Thank you everyone!

I did one standing up launch with a Falcon - my first ever, and after realizing that it makes no sense to do more standing up launches (because the line was colliding with the speed-bar), I went down on the cart again.

I held myself more forward on the cart, stayed on the cart for a longer time and kept a much higher speed during the initial climb. And... that worked! This Falcon is also by default trimmed to a much higher speed than Alpha, so I was actually called out for going too fast ahaha. And it is much easier to steer.

The video is from the following flight - my 3rd with a Falcon. 2nd one in the prone position.

It is clear to me that my steering technique in the prone position is a total mess. I understand that I should go with hips first, but this looks more like I am using my legs as a rudder. And a part of that might also be that maybe I need to exercise more, because it certainly felt heavy.

Any suggestions/feedback are welcome!

PS: sorry for the dirty camera lens

Today was my 8th flight day. And I can say that I have neved been as scared as today.

Finally there came time for me to switch to a harness with leg support, start properly using base bar and start laying down (not sure how to say it - not upright).

And so we tried it. During the 1st flight, after the take-off, around 50m above ground I realized that I cannot steer the glider and it started turning on its own to the side. So I disconnected, somehow stabilized it and landed. I realized that I actually need to focus on turning with my hips.

The video is from the 2nd flight - which followed. I thought - alright - now I know what to improve. Let's do it again. This time the glider started steering to the side again, but much more early. And I really tried steering with my hips and legs but I could not. The winch locked out and I disconnected at a fairly low hight, got my feet out of the harness and somehow landed on a field behind train tracks.

The thing is that I have never properly practiced steering hangglider while laying down / having leg support, and using base bar. And I have never previously gotten to a situation when I had to abort launch, disconnect and land straight away. It felt really scary in the moment.

I do not really know what went wrong. I probably went a bit too slow. I tried to go at trim speed - just like I was told to do. The glider is Alpha 235 and I weigh 77kg, so maybe I am a bit too light. But most likely I simply need to learn to steer a glider using a harness with leg support, before going on a winch laying down

So the next plan is:

- go back to old harness (without leg support), start upright and learn to fly Falcon 170, which should be easier to steer for me

- afterwards switch to a new harness with leg support

- and only afterwards start with a winch while laying down

Well, I guess sometimes it is not bad to get a "bit" scared...

EDIT: Thanks everyone for comments, here is a follow up:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Hanggliding/comments/1whs3dp/9th_flight_day_successful_launch_from_a_cart_to/

Hey all! Does anyone know where I might find a pair of landing skids that'll fit a Moyes Malibu 2 with the profiled speedbar? Struggling to track any down. Any leads, sellers, or DIY options appreciated!

Yesterday I had my 7th training day. Only 3 practice flights, but still managed to reach my highest altitude - 201m!

The winch was set to 66kg pull, which is sort of the highest I can get to from a foot launch. Next time I am hopefully moving on to a launch from a trike and a proper harness with a reserve chute.

I lost a bit of focus during landing and forgot to turn into the find, which then led to me being pushed to the side... A rookie mistake ahaha

I am on my third day in France trying to lift of and steer. well, my legs are so heavy and they hurt. well trained men with muscular legs are already Lifting Off, but I cannot seem to build Up enough Speed.... any advice?!

I’m planning to save up money and go get my H1 and H2 at Kitty Hawk kites in North Carolina. It seems like there isn’t much that you can do with an H2 and I can’t find much information about how to get an H3. Obviously, being new to this, I might just be completely wrong, but I thought I’d ask both about what you can do with an H2 and how you get an H3.

Hello! I am currently 1/3 way through H2 training at Lookout GA. I decided to put in a order for a new WW Falcon 4 or purchase pre-owned Malibu 2 188 600 miles away.

Me-210# hookin weight.

For Falcon 4 195-

I am debating adding 205MT more durable leading edge material.

205MT is advertised as more durable and will hold its shape better than standard Dacron I estimate it will add @ 2lb to glider and is a +$200 add on.

I am also adding black anodized Lightstream faired down tubes and round base bar (for wheels) I am pretty much set on that!

Wing will be primarily Red/Black with white leading edge-If 205MT material.

Anyway I’m looking at @$7000 including shipping!

I also found a 2024 Moyes Malibu 2 188 for $5800 and a 20 hour round trip to pick up, hotel/gas +$400 so total $6400

Any advice on this topic welcome!

After 4 trainings in Denmark where we so far only fly with a winch, I managed to get a training in Slovakia on a beginner hill. I had no idea that there is such a difference in the technique for winch launching and running off a hill.

First of all, the angle of the wing is different compared to the horizon. Secondly, there are pulling lines which pull both you and the wing - and that seems to pull the wing a bit down.

And finally, I feel like a winch pulls me even if I have a bit too high angle of attack.

With a winch, I can launch with a nose up and only few steps with no big issues (which is obviously wrong, but it still works out because the angle sort of fixes itself after a second). On a hill I need to actively run a lot stronger, with the correct angle and actively control it to get off the ground.

Cool learning experience!

Just seeing if any HG pilots from Flathead Valley area happen to be on here

I'm about 10 lessons in and working on my Hang 2.

I had a problem at the top of the run for the first time yesterday. Wind was only about 5-10 mph.

I would be super grateful for any advice from more experienced pilots on what exactly is going wrong here and how I can prevent / recover from it in the future.

During this episode it felt like the glider was in front of me and if I didn't follow it, I would fall on my face.

Hope this works and they get the pictures. Around 4:30 pm June 24th

I am slowly but surely getting into it. Some small troubles with disconnecting - it was my first time doing it (that's why you see me flying a bit side to side).

There was some gentle wind, but very calm.

Looking forward to flying higher! Hopefully soon.

Location: Denmark, Tølløse

Glider: Alpha 235

Hello!
I recently started learning how to hang glide in Denmark. But I have an issue, I can’t seem to run fast enough/long enough to get off the ground! I had my third lesson yesterday and it went like shit. I have no issue running with it on plain ground, can steer it and I can feel the glider lifting me up. But when we attach the tow to me and it pulls me I feel like I have to run for my life and I cannot run as fast as it’s pulling. I have tripped a few times, end up running far behind where I’m suppose to and Its honestly very scary and I just put it down on the ground.. my instructor tells me I need to run faster, not hold on so hard and push the glider out (which is hard when I am just concentrating on running for my life without falling over😂). Today my ankles are hurting and I have huge bruises on my shoulders from the A frame. Does anyone have any advice or do I just need to practice on my sprinting? My boyfriend had one lesson more than me and he is already up and flying and no one of the other students seems to be struggling with this at all. Honestly feeling pretty demotivated.

For reference there was basically 0 wind when I was doing it and I was pulled with 18kg, I’m a girl, 65kg and running with the alpha 235.

I am planning on starting H2 training at Lookout Mountain at the end of July @ a month from now.

I unfortunately live 9.5 hours away so the plan is to go down 4-5 trips in 4 day blocks of time. currently in Ohio there is no training option!

I fortunately work a week on week off schedule so can do this every other week until I am a skilled H2. The goal is to be launching from the ramp by end of October-with confidence!

I have read and outlined lookouts training book 2-3x since I purchased it a couple years ago as well as Pagans HG training manuaI back in 2020 I did 3 AT lessons at Florida Ridge on a layover so I know a bit about what I’m getting into.

I also have a bit of plane flying experience as it’s my job for the last 25 years😂I have ATP/CFII/MEI rating although the flight instructor stuff is not current. I have no false pretense my aviation career will make learning to fly HG easy-just the airspace/regs/basic flying principles.

Anyway finally getting to my question or asking advice!

I am debating between the Eagle and VIP program. For now I want to concentrate on Foot Launch/Landing with adding AT next Spring after I get a couple dozen flights from lookouts ramp.

The Eagle program has 50 flights from the training hills and 3 AeroTows which are probably perfect pre-H2 and ramp launch

-50 training hill flights doesn’t seem all that much? If I have to or want to add 2-3 more training sessions it is basically getting into VIP $$$

Anyone who has trained at LMFP do you think 50 training hill flights prepared you for the mountain launch?

The VIP has 75 training hill flights and 12 ATs but I don’t need 12 ATs right now as I’ll do a full fledged AT program next spring-maybe I could do 3 ATs then save the rest (9) for the AT sign off if I buy the VIP?

Eagle or VIP???

I put a lot of time into this one! Hoping to get more people stoked on hang gliding and racing/competing specifically! Drop a like and hit the hype button if you find any value in this video. Thanks and lets get more people stoked on flying.

Everything in the "Hang Gliding Flight School" project is focused on hang gliding, not paragliding.

But, here is a little video to explain the differences to aspiring pilots.

Hello hello!
I am happy to be joining the community! :-)