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 Photo Credit: Marcio Callegari
A hang glider is launched primarily in one in three methods, a slope launch, a cliff launch, or a tow launch. Although not as common, a hang glider is capable of being launched from the back of a moving vehicle or by being pulled by a horse.
In a slope launch, the pilot runs down a hill until the glider gains enough airspeed to lift the pilot. Numerous flight parks use this method to train pilots.
During a cliff launch, the pilot dives off a cliff. The airspeed to control the glider is gained during the dive. A cliff launch is considered an advance technique and is seldom used during training.
There are two primary methods of towing a hang glider aloft, either by a winch or by ultralight. Both methods are commonly used to train new students.
In winch towing, the pilot is attached to a ground winch with a cable. The cable is extended to full length and attached to the harness of the pilot. A motor on the winch is used to retract the cable that causes the forward motion of the glider and upward lift. Once the pilot has reached an altitude of a few hundred feet or more, the pilot releases the cable.
In ultralight towing, the pilot attaches a cable to their harness with the other end of the cable attached to an ultralight aircraft. As the ultralight accelerates, the pilot becomes airborne along with the ultralight. Ultralights have been known to tow pilots to elevations of 18,000 feet (5500 meters) or more but normally an ultralight tow consists of elevation gains of 2,000 feet (600 meters). Once a certain elevation is reached, the pilot releases the tow line.
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While hang gliding, the pilot is suspended in a prone position from the aircraft by a harness that is attached to the keel. The pilot turns the glider using weight shift techniques.
A body shift to the right will cause the glider to turn to the right. A body shift to the left will cause the glider to turn to the left.
Vertical elevation changes are made by the pilot shifting body weight backward and forward. A backward shift of the body will cause the glider to nose up and climb. A forward shift of the body will cause the glider to nose down and dive.
Shifting weight is accomplished by applying pressure to the base tube.
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Landings are most desirable in large open flat areas that are free from obstacles such as trees, fences, utility poles, and power lines.
As with all types of aircraft, the pilot seeks to land the glider into a headwind. Flying into a headwind reduces ground speed while maintaining air speed. This gives the pilot a shorter required landing zone. A downwind landing may cause the pilot to miss the landing zone.
When approaching the landing zone, the pilot may use a drag chute to increase air resistance and slow the glider. The drag chute is a small chute that is deployed on the final leg of the landing. The effect of the drag chute is similar to the chute deployed when the space shuttle lands or when a dragster deploys a chute after finishing a drag race. Rigid wing pilots whose aircraft requires a longer landing strip most often use drag chutes.
Once the pilot is within a couple of feet of the ground, the pilot will flare the glider to bleed off excess speed. The flare is accomplished by pushing forward on the control bar, which causes the glider to nose up and stall. The stall decreases the forward momentum of the glider.
Timing the flare at the right elevation is essential in executing the flare correctly. If done right, the pilot will need to take no steps or only a few running steps to land the glider. Flaring to late or failing to flare at all may cause the pilot to land with the nose of the glider hitting the ground. This is better known as a whack and is caused by having to much ground speed during landing.
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