How to start hang gliding in the UK
How a beginner starts hang gliding in the UK, at a registered school, with a short tethered flight.
In this guide
A beginner starts at a BHPA registered school. The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association covers hang gliding and paragliding, and it says the first training in either must be at one of its registered schools. A club can encourage you, but those first lessons are at a school.
A hang glider is a wing of aluminium tubes and sail fabric. You hang under it in a harness, and you steer by moving your weight against the control bar, the bar in front of you.
A first session
You do not need to have flown before. You should be fit and active, with good co-ordination and an alert, reasoning mind.
First you learn to control the glider on the ground. That is harder than it looks. After that, you are taught how to take off and how to land.
The first flights are in a straight line, only a few feet above the ground. If you are learning to fly a hang glider, those flights are tethered. A rope is attached, and the instructor can control the glider with it.
Before that short flight, the instructor shows you how to rig the glider, which means setting it up, and how to inspect it. The flight is down a gentle slope. For the first day or two the ropes stay on, while you learn to steer and to control your speed through the air by moving your weight.
If you are not sure about a full course, most schools offer a one day taster.
Sport England names the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association for hang gliding and paragliding.
What to take
Wear layers of light but warm clothes, with a windproof on top. Take a waterproof jacket you can put on over everything. An overall, waterproof overalls, or a one-piece ski suit is a good idea.
In cooler weather, warm gloves are essential, even if you take them off to fly. For hang gliding they should be leather, or another material that will not slip on the control bar.
Wear flexible hill-walking or jump boots, without lacing hooks. Hooks can snag suspension lines, and they can catch in rigging wires and harnesses. In summer, trainers with ankle support are often worn.
Bring something to eat and drink. Training is usually a long way from a cafe.
Our club map shows some UK hang gliding clubs, and it is a starting point rather than a full list.
If you would like help finding a coach, ESP can match you. The fee is £29.99. Nothing is charged when you send the form. The coach's own fees are separate. We refund the fee if we cannot provide a coach, or if your health means you cannot train. If the student is under 18, we need a guardian's consent, we contact that guardian, and the guardian travels with them.
