Introductory Hang Gliding Lesson - Bay Area California - Reserve Online

Hang Gliding Introductory Lesson - Full Introduction to Piloting and Hang Gliding

Price Includes:

1 Flying Lesson
1 Ground School
All flying gear supplied
4-5 hours of training on the hill

For those who want to try a lesson before deciding to become a pilot, we offer the Single Lesson for $160. This includes the pre-lesson orientation a flight lesson on the training hill, and a follow-up Thursday evening ground school. This is a full introduction to piloting and hang gliding. An evening ground school is included, covering the theory behind the fun.

The Mission Soaring Hang Gliding School provides professional training on state-of-the-art equipment at our dedicated training site near Hollister, California, just south of San Jose in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Mission Soaring Training Program is a model for schools across the country. Owner Pat Denevan is a leader in the development of modern training standards and the USHGA Instructor Certification Program. You will train with experienced, USHGA Certified Instructors. We offer a complete, flexible program, beginner to advanced skills, tailored to your individual rate of progress. Our small classes provide plenty of personal attention. We provide all necessary equipment. We use modern gliders with training wheels and MSC designed custom training harnesses. Instruction is available by reservation all year round.

The Mission Soaring Hang Gliding School provides professional training on state-of-the-art equipment at our dedicated training site near Hollister, California, just south of the San Jose/ San Francisco Bay Area. All your future pilot needs are supplied by our complete Sales/Service facility in Milpitas, California. Our wide range of hang gliders can handle new and advanced pilots of different sizes ranging from 90 to 290 pounds. When the wind is calm, we use a special slow flying hang glider for an easy introduction to hang gliding. We are ready to help you become a pilot today!

Sample Training Day

11:00 AM: Student Meets at 1116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas 95035 for 1 Hour Orientation
12:00 Noon: Student leaves orientation and starts driving to flying site in Tres Pinos, CA
2:30 PM: Students lesson starts in Tres Pinos, CA
4-5 hours later: Lesson is completed and student departs.

©2006 Mission Soaring

©2006 Mission Soaring

TAKING LESSONS

Where do I start? Do I need to be really fit? How heavy is a glider? How long will it take? Do I need my own equipment?

The fastest and most effective way to learn to fly is to work with a good instructor. And the mark of a good instructor is a well-organized lesson program. The right program is a carefully structured progression of skill learning. Like building blocks, basic skills are formed until flying seems as natural as walking. Our task, as your instructor, is to introduce the information you will need for each step in the learning process in a timely and organized fashion. In that way you are not overwhelmed with details. This page is a first step in that process.

Before you go to the training hill for your first lesson, you will attend an orientation ground school at our shop which includes a special video which demonstrates what your first lessons will cover. This introduction helps your first day on the training hill feel more familiar to you. You will also spend some time in a real training harness in our simulator. The simulator has a glider control frame on which you will practice basic control movements. This is just one of the ways we break the learning process into small, easy-to-digest steps that make learning successful. Every activity, whether it is playing the violin or riding a bike requires that you learn special movements and practice them until they become second nature. You then have a set of tools you can use instantly to make the violin, bike ...or hang glider do exactly what you want it to. Remember the first time you rode a bike? You likely swayed all over the road; probably even fell off more than once. As you learned the correct actions, and when to use them, your riding became much more steady and natural. Learning to sense subtle feedback from the bike allows you to apply small corrective movements quickly, before you are completely unbalanced. Pretty soon you aren't even aware of the corrections you make. You just go where you want to.

Hanging in the glider simulator, you can start learning the right movements. You can concentrate on the moves, without worrying about "falling over". You will also hear a regular refrain, "look out ahead" or "eyes on course". We are teaching what is called situational awareness". If you ride a mountain bike or ski, you have a great head start, because you already use this principle. By keeping your focus well out ahead along the path you are taking, you have lots of warning before you need to make a move. You have situational awareness. You have enough time to respond. If you are looking at your feet, you won't know what's coming. We don't want that to happen, so from the first time you put on a harness, we will have you concentrating on the big picture.

©2006 Mission Soaring

ON THE TRAINING HILL

I'm getting a handle on the theory. When do I fly? I'm ready to feel the wing in my hands, the wind in my face, the grass under my feet!

Thoroughly primed, it's time to meet a real glider on the training hill. We have chosen a unique field, that has hills of just the right height and slope to make training easy. Just like skiing, we use a "bunny hill" for our first lessons that isn't too high or too steep. Our training field has a long flat landing area where we can use our custom-built towing system (more on this unique training aid in a moment).

Hang Gliding is a little different from other types of aviation. An instructor can't just hop in the back seat and say, "don't worry, I'll take over if necessary." You "solo" on your first flight. Instead of practicing with an instructor at altitude, you first learn to fly the glider with your feet firmly on the ground. You learn the takeoff run and landing. You learn what the glider feels like, floating over your head as you run along. And you begin to learn how to control its actions. When you and the wing begin to understand each other, it's time to move onto the slope, and really do it! FLY! The flights are short at first, to keep everything under control. But those few seconds will feel like minutes. They are so exciting.

As your skills improve, you will make longer and higher flights. You will start with short flights near the bottom of the hill. You will also use our special winch system which allows you to fly hundreds of feet across the flat training field, while remaining only a few feet off the ground. These longer flights allow you to really focus on your flying skills. The instructor controls the winch and can instantly stop the flight, if necessary. You will settle quickly to a gentle landing. When your skills are solid after practice low on the hill, or on our winch tow, you can fly from the higher levels with control and confidence.

New pilots spend anywhere from four to ten days at the training hill learning and practicing their basic hang gliding skills. Each day is designed to build on the last as you move from simple to complex tasks. The program is tailored to each student; the instructor will advance you at a pace that suits your needs. We use special skill record cards, so you know exactly where you stand in your training program. Your first big milestone is marked by achieving a Beginner Pilot rating. You have demonstrated that you can control a glider with skill and confidence. You are ready for the next step: graduation to a Novice level program.

Bay Area Introductory Hangliding Lesson
Available Saturday or Sunday - 1 Hour Orientation and 4 -5 Hours Training Time

Departure Dates:

Saturday or Sunday - Closed Christmas and New Years Day

Lesson Time:

Orientation and Lessons start at 11:00 AM All guests must call 24 hours prior to flight date to reconfirm your lesson time. Please call between 10 AM and 5:30 PM Pacific Time.

Departure Point:

The Mission Soaring Hang Gliding school provides professional training on state-of-the-art equipment at our dedicated training site near Hollister, California, just south of the San Jose/ San Francisco Bay Area.

Meeting Location for 1 Hour Orientation

Map of 1116 Wrigley Way Milpitas, CA 95035-5418

Tres Pinos Flight Training Location

Map of Flight Area on Quien Sabe Road at Hwy 25 Hollister, CA

Payment:

Your credit card will be charged the total amount of products and services selected at time of booking. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card.

Confirmation & Travel Voucher

For every confirmed booking you will receive an e-mail with a link to your E-Ticket Voucher. Print vouchers on your home/ office printer. Please present this E-Ticket voucher at the start of your lesson. Only one voucher will be created per tour or activity for all travelers.

For TourCorp terms, conditions and F.A.Q. please follow this link

©2006 Mission Soaring

This activity must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of your travel date. Your confirmation for this product will be received within 12- 24 hours subject to availability.

Cancellation and No Show Policy

Once you make your reservation and are booked in for a specific day, in order to change your booking you must give us no less than 48 hours notice. Anything less than 48 hours notice and your flight is forfeited. However, as long as you give us a minimum of 48 hours notice, you can change your booking as much as necessary!

Weight Restrictions: 90 to 290 pounds. Recommended for all flights: Be sure to wear rubber-soled shoes, such as tennis shoes, hiking shoes with good ankle support, running shoes. No sandals, flip flops or high heels, please. Also, we suggest bringing layers, as it can be hard to predict if it will be hot or cold. Bring water if you want.

Weather: Flight route or activity may be changed depending on local weather conditions.

Meals, Gratuities and Souvenirs are not included.

Mission Soaring Hang Gliding School and TourCorp Inc. assume no responsibility for delays caused by accidents, breakdown, bad conditions of roads, trails, bays, ocean, harbors, and any other conditions beyond control, in addition to insufficient numbers of passengers. Not responsible for loss or damage to property.

All company policies can be found at http://www.tourcorp.com and are part of this tour or activity purchase.