skymedic 0 #1 March 17, 2002 Hey yall, I was curious if anyone on here has taken hang gliding up..I am thinking of trying this out some time.(just what I need, another expensive hobby other than the horse,skydiving, and formation flying).......any info would be helpfull and any info on chicago area clubs would be sweet too..thanks...marcBSBD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #2 March 17, 2002 This is one thing I will commit to. I will go if you do the research... _AmICQ: 5578907MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #3 March 17, 2002 Sounds like a plan....marcBSBD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #4 March 17, 2002 I just saw some hang gliding on TV, does that look like fun!!! Go for it, and let us know how it is!J Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #5 March 17, 2002 I found a few good reviews of this place:http://www.hangglidechicago.com/Tandem First flight courses cost $125. And no, there is not "AFF equivalent".I just wonder if they'll let you base jump it?Here's a list of "aeroparks" - I guess the hang-gliding equivalent of DZ's: http://www.birrendesign.com/rhgpa_sites.htmlConveniently, there appears to be hangliding at Rantoul, but they don't have a website._AmICQ: 5578907MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #6 March 17, 2002 SkyMedic,I forgot to thank you for the beer offer. If you get to Lost Prairie next summer I'll buy you one. I did try hang gliding once. We were on snow skiis and a calm day. I went about 20 or 30 feet and came back down. The hill we were on wasn't steep enough and I kind of stalled it out. I think it would be more dangerous than skydiving though. Would like to try it again some day. I know what you mean about having too many expensive hobbies. I've got a couple of horses I should get rid of, but my daughters can't part with them. Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #7 March 17, 2002 Hey SkyMedic, Hang-gliding was my previous sport. I did it out here in CA. I gave it up because I kept getting hurt. Can't PLF with a big kite attached to you. I recommend going and doing a tandem as the barrier of entry is high. Not so much $$$ as physical torture. Draggin the kite up and down the bunny hill for 4-6 hours is pure hell. And you have to do that many days many times prior to going off anything that gives you any real flying time. As Steve1 said, it is much more dangerous than skydiving although it appears safer on the surface. My personal opinion is it takes even more of a commitment than does skydiving just to be reasonably safe. At thsi point, I don't think that I would go back to it. chopchopPD makes canopies all day long, you only have one life, when in doubt, cut away... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #8 March 17, 2002 ***As Steve1 said, it is much more dangerous than skydiving although it appears safer on the surface.{/quote]Yes I definately know it is more dangerous, but then again I am a BASE jumper so danger is all relative right??Thanks for the info though...I called the hangglide chicago place and they have a tandem progression...where they teach you to solo all from tow's..(we dont have to many hills out this way)..another question....are kites like parachutes in that the smaller the squarefootage and pounds per square foot=faster speed???But I am gonna do it, after talking to this guy it definately sounds like fun....marcBSBD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #9 March 17, 2002 *** are kites like parachutes in that the smaller the squarefootage and pounds per square foot=faster speed??? {/quote]yep, - and towing sounds like a great way to learn - much less traumatic than the bunny hills....Have fun and be safe.chopchopPD makes canopies all day long, you only have one life, when in doubt, cut away... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #10 March 17, 2002 Thanks Roy...gonna try it next month when this god for saken tundra here in chicago gets over 60......I miss FL so bad....marcBSBD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #11 March 17, 2002 QuoteThanks Roy...gonna try it next month when this god for saken tundra here in chicago gets over 60......I miss FL so bad....Oh quit yer moanin! It was a beautiful weekend.I'm definately in for hang gliding. I tried calling them earlier and nobody picked up._AmICQ: 5578907MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #12 March 17, 2002 QuoteIt was a beautiful weekendthat I was working...so not a beautiful weekend...marcBSBD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bill2 0 #13 March 18, 2002 Hi Marc, I did some hanglidng back in the 80's. I got my hang level 1 certification. As has been pointed out here, there is no AFF type training. You just train until you get a level 1/2/3/4 (4 being advanced). Sites are regulated by the level it is necessary to have to fly them. It can be expensive, depending on how many lessons it takes to progress. Also, the hang glider, at that time, cost me $2500. I had to pay $30.00/month to store it in the hang glide shop since it was too long to store in my garage. Also, that post about the dragging up and down hills was right, that was a bitch. I find skydiving to be more fun. Also, here in the bay area in CA several sites were closed due to lawsuits, or people being afraid of lawsuits. something else to consider when taking up the sport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #14 March 18, 2002 Bill2 - the spot we've found tow's two three grand, then lets you glide down tandem style. This is out of nececity. Illinois is rather flat. Cost is $150. They tell us it lasts about 20 minutes.They also say we can use their gear as long as we want, if we choose to go through with the training.Like skydiving, once you get certified it gets quite cheap. In bulk, lifts cost $15.http://www.hangglidechicago.com/ICQ: 5578907MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfeYahoo IM: ametcalf_1999 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bill2 0 #15 March 18, 2002 sounds like a better deal than what I sent through. good luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #16 March 18, 2002 Hey, you really "peaked" my interest in hang gliding. Then the other night on 'The Amazing Race' they had tandem hang gliding. I never knew they had tandems, what a great way to experience this sport. I've been on the internet looking for someplace local, and we have one very close to me!!! Now, I'm thinking......this would be fun! No one around me thought I should skydive either, wait until they hear about this!J"Catch your dreams, go skydiving"! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #17 March 18, 2002 exactly why i am doing it....they thought I was nuts when I skydived...thought I was really out of it when I went BASE jumpiong...now they will definately think I lost my mind now!!!!marcBSBD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #18 March 19, 2002 Back when I didn't know much about hang-gliding or skydiving, my perception was that skydiving was MUCH more dangerous.I suspect my friends and family will react with indiference._AmICQ: 5578907MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfeYahoo IM: ametcalf_1999 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #19 March 19, 2002 Oh...I'm not even sure most of my family or friends would even know that hang gliding is more dangerous than skydiving! The thought of jumping out of plane is what they can't 'get over'! Everybody has this 'impression of me' as some quiet little person, and I surprised them all when I did a skydive! Now BASE jumping, that has got to be a major RUSH!J"The only things you'll ever regret are the ones you were too afraid to try". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #20 March 19, 2002 I was on a site that explained the difference between Hang- gliding and Paragliding. I think I might be interested in the Paragliding! Fun!J Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
