Tony's personal experience of hang gliding
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Head in the Clouds Part 2
Three grey windy days after I tried the micro light the conditions are suitable for a tandem hang glider flight. Judy is going to be my pilot for this adventure, she was sorry about the delay but with the wind being as gusty as it had been the previous days she didn’t think the landing would have been injury free.
Another safety briefing, and an explanation about what was about to happen.
Because the airfield was on flat ground we were going to be towed up to the base of the clouds (about 2000 ft again) and then released to glide back down again.
Off we go to the other side of the Airfield, but its not too bad in the chair as there is a concrete road around the perimeter. No difficult side transfer this time just a very polite “can you fall out of the chair and lie on the ground please”. I am about to be strapped into what can only be called a very close fitting sleeping bag, inside the bag is a harness and total back support and as always I was gently fitted into this. Then I was rolled onto my front and told to keep my head down while the hang glider was rolled over me. With all the helpers you could want I was then lifted and connected by securing straps and safety straps to the hang glider. I have now got time to hang about and wait for Judy to get into her harness, so naturally I looked around and there was no sign of an aeroplane to tow us – hope they have booked one.
Now Judy is connected to the hang glider and joins me looking down at the ground, a tow rope is attached to us and Judy told me to put my arm around her and to hold her harness, keeping us cuddled very close so that we move as one, I do hope the wife is not looking. Suddenly in front of us my friendly Micro light appears and the tow rope is attached to it. Our noses are only inches from the grass as the micro light takes up the slack and we speed across the airfield it seems like we are going at 100 miles an hour but we are not, now we are circling the airfield getting higher and higher our heads are in the clouds again, the tow is released.
Now the whole sensation changes from being noisy and bustling to one of quiet serenity with only the sound of the wind and the material of the hang glider flapping slightly. The views once again are amazing and then Judy tells me to try flying and how to turn, climb and dive, and once again if you want to find out you will have to try yourself. As we approach for the landing Judy takes control and we spy my empty wheelchair Judy makes the comment “That’s what I like to see …empty wheelchairs on the airfield ”. We touch down, the grass whizzes by our noses and we stop. It is all over but what memories!
Which did I prefer Micro light or Hang gliding? That’s unimportant, what is important is that you give both a go and decide for yourself.
Tony Packer July 2008
For part one of Tony's account check out Microlighting.