The nearest thing we humans can come to flight, pure flight, is hang gliding. Hand’s down. If you’ve ever wanted to get the hang of this species of unfettered flight this country abounds with places to earn your figurative wings. Here are three:
Lookout Mountain Flight Park in far northwestern Georgia is certainly scenic. It bills itself as “the largest and most successful full-time hang gliding school in the United States.” Lookout Mountain’s instructors are certified and insured by the USHPA, the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. Learn to fly amidst 55 acres of pastureland. This company has been teaching folks to fly since 1978 on its gently sloping training hills.
Kitty Hawk Kites introduces you to the visceral, subtle art of hang gliding on the North Carolina coastal dunes – in Nags Head to be precise. Dunes provide a great platform for beginners. Kitty Hawk has been teaching people to fly out here for 25 years. Just like the Wright Brothers over a century ago, these dunes are superb launch points. Depending on your weight and skill you’ll travel anywhere from 30 to 100 yards-plus, and do so at an altitude of five to 15 feet. Again, sort of like the Wrights.
San Francisco Hang Gliding Center is one of the most picturesque places around to learn the texture and tone of the winds, to soar with the seagulls. This company launches special tandem gliders (replete with instructor) from Mount Tamalpias, a state park 10 miles north of San Francisco. The gliders touch down on the north end of Stinson beach after a journey of nearly two miles.
After some solid instruction, get a grip on things (notably the control bar) and leave earthly cares behind. Beats almost any pursuit we can conceive of.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Images: Kiwi-Wings, ToddonFlickr)
