Here are our answers to the questions that are asked by most spectators.

Why aren't you taking off now?

We're either waiting for some sign that conditions are good enough to keep us in the air, or we are waiting for it to be safe to take off. The wind needs to be blowing up the hill for us to launch safely.

How high/far do you go?

In Australia we're allowed to fly at up to 10000 ft, but above our sites we are restricted to 7500 ft. The longest flight in Australia with a hang glider has been from our Beechmont site, and was 500km to out past Roma, and took about 9 hours. Most flights last between 1-3 hours, and up to about 6000ft. For paragliders, the local record is 162km, also achieved from Beechmont.

Where do you land?

If conditions aren't right then we land a designated paddock at the bottom of the hill known as the bombout paddock. Otherwise we can land at any suitable paddock on our route.

How do you climb?

We use thermals, which are columns of warm rising air. We circle in these and use them to gain height, similar to eagles.

Can you steer it?

Yes. Hang gliders and paragliders are very manoeuverable and can be steered like any other aircraft.

What the difference between a Hang Glider and a Paraglider?

A paraglider looks a bit like a parachute and relies on air pressure to keep the wing inflated. A hang glider has an aluminium frame to support the wing.

Are they dangerous?

All forms of aviation have risks, but hang gliders and paragliders have had many years of development and now have many safety features not available when the sport was young. Many hours are flown each week inAustralia, and serious injuries are quite rare.

Which is safer, a hang glider or paraglider?

Each craft has their advantages. To get a good understanding of these we recommend you talk to pilots/instructors of both type of craft.

Which is better, a hang glider or paraglider?

Hang gliders fly faster, and have a better glide angle. Paragliders are more convenient to transport and rig up, and can land in smaller areas. Pilots will prefer their own type of wing!

How much do they cost?

You can pay anywhere from $1000 for a second hand beginners wing.

Are they hard to fly?

They are easy to fly, but difficult to fly well. Not many pilots can fly the extremely long distances that the champions can.

Are they heavy?

A hang glider can weigh up to 38kg, and the harness about 10kg. A paraglider all up can weigh 25kg. But once you're in the air the weight doesn't affect you.

What are those things on the frame? (HG) What's in your pouch? (PG)

One will be a altimeter/variometer which tells us how high we are and how fast we're going up (or down). The other will be a GPS, which is used for scoring in our competitions, as well as pointing the direction to goal.

Do you have a parachute?

Yes, almost all pilots carry parachutes for the extremely rare event of a structural failure (HG), or for the less rare event of sufficiently bad trouble (PG).

What happens if the wind stops?

This won't effect our flying and can even improve the thermals we use for lift. However, no wind can make launching more difficult as we have to run faster down the hill.

Can I do a tandem?

Yes, we have several pilots that will take you on a tandem flight. Please contact one of our instructors for further information.

How can I learn?

Please contact one of our instructors for further information.