First-timer question (Maui)

I'm reasonably sure I am going to try hang gliding for the first time next month, but I'd like to get whatever opinions any of you want to share. I'm going to Maui at the end of next month, and I found the web site for Maui Hanggliding (http://www.maui.net/~hangmaui/). Hang gliding is something I've always wanted to do, but I always assumed I'd start by going to the HG school in Kitty Hawk, NC where you learn on the sand dunes (the only school I'd heard of until the other day) or someplace like that. But, the tandem HG on Maui sounds so incredibly cool, possibly one of the coolest things I've ever done (I'm sure I won't get much argument on this newsgroup), and who knows when or if I'll get back to Maui... I'm really considering doing it. (I know there's a PG school on Maui too, but I'm more interested in HG.)

Is it a mistake to begin a hang gliding hobby by running off the top of a 10,000 foot volcano? I know it's a tandem, and the pilot is really doing all the important work, but is this something appropriate for a first flight? I called the pilot I'd be flying with last night (not the guy who's listed at Maui Hanggliding, he won't be there when I'm there, but someone he recommended), and he said it was fine, but I thought I'd get a collective second opinion here. I'm comfortable with him after the conversation, although I have a lot more questions for him now. I learned a lot about HG this morning by reading most of the 1200 or so messages from this newsgroup that were on my server. (Don't tell my boss how I spent the morning!)

I do have some fear of heights, although I don't have any problem flying. I think I'll be okay, but we're planning on taking a helicopter tour of Maui the day we get there, so if I have a problem with that, I'll know to cancel the HG flight. I might ask about taking a short flight down a bunny slope first, but that would no doubt cost me an extra $100 (and more importantly might mean using up another day for HG and another 2+ hour drive from where we're staying, which would really annoy my wife) and might not make any difference.

Anyway, I'll shut up now. Any opinions / advice / encouragement / discouragement would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

You won't stop smilin for weeks man!!!

My first flight was at Wallaby Ranch in Orlando. They have no mountains so they aerotow you up to around 2500'. Although this is quite different than what your doing in most respects, they have one critical similarity. The first time you hang glide will be at altitude. You get a much better feel for what you will experience later on than you would on some bunny slope.

Tandem instruction is far better than weeks of running down a hill. My first day of instruction I logged over an hour of airtime. Try that on a bunny slope! Also if your fear of heights bothers you there is someone their to safely land the glider.

I say take advantage of the incredible scenery and enjoy the tandem flight. Let us know how it went!

(LET THE FLAMES BEGIN)

Greg,

Taking an initial flight (tandom) will give you the feeling of flying and let you know if this is what you really want to do.

Hawaii is a perty expensive place to visit long enough to learn how to HangGlide. I would suggest that you go to www.ushga.org and lookup your closest instructor, from where you live.

Learning to HangGlide is not an instant process. You will be spending a lot of time with your instructor in a class room, on a bunny hill, and at one or more altitude sites.

R. Williams

Greg,

A tandem flight in Maui would be a superb way to start hang gliding. You sound like you already know that you might not like the height and are ready to deal with it by taking the copter flight - just wanted to let you know that flying a glider isn't like flying anything else: quiet and because the wing is above you, you'll forget it's not just YOU flying. I think I would be more nervous on the chopper what with all the racket and shaking.

Also, keep in mind that if you do go to Kitty Hawk for further lessons when you get back that they also offer aerotowing and truck towing so that you'll be able to get more tandems. You will need to do some dune work to get your ground handling and foot launch skills down, but a lot of your flying skills will come from the tandem.

Best of luck,

Brent Harsh Cary, NC

I got my start in hang gliding by doing a tandem at Lookout Mtn Flight Park in GA. It was the best thing I ever did. I now have been cliff launching solo for over a year and just two days ago I finished my aerotow training. Hang gliding changes your outlook on life. You appreciate nature more. You view the world and the sky differently. After your tandem you will understand this more. This past summer my mother took a tandem flight. She said 'now I know why you like this'. Be prepared to take lessons. One tandem will get you hooked. Hope to see you in the air someday soon. Susan M.