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RichardInVA
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Joined: 06 Nov 2009
Posts: 2
Location: Virginia
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 Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:13 am Post subject: Absolute Beginner Question |
 #1 |
I've been wanting to learn to hang glide for a long time, and only recently found out there is a hang gliding instructor nearby (Blue Sky in Manquin VA). I would like to start taking lessons as soon as possible, but I don't want to take a couple of lessons and then have to drop it because of winter.
My question is - is it a good idea to start lessons now, or should I wait until spring? My main concern is that the winds will be too rough for a beginner to take lessons during the winter. Would that be the case?
Any help would be appreciated!
Richard |
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AIRTHUG
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Joined: 09 Aug 2007
Posts: 6159
Location: Point of the Mountain, Draper, UT
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:15 am Post subject: |
#2 |
Your best bet is to call Steve Wendt (owner/operator of BlueSky) and ask about winter conditions...
Some schools only operate during summer, others are year-round... some sites actually have the best conditions in the winter! 
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wilburleft
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Joined: 16 Sep 2006
Posts: 785
Location: FL
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:18 am Post subject: |
#3 |
| I say start now. Winter is a good time to learn...not hot & sweaty, air is dense & crisp, fewer students means more attention to you & more airtime in shorter period. Plus, you'll be ready for the great thermals in the spring. Don' analyze...just GO FOR IT! Have a great time! |
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David W. Johnson
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Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 417
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:36 am Post subject: |
#4 |
If you put it off, you will find more and more reasons to put it off. Just get started any way you can.
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pjwings
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Joined: 20 Aug 2009
Posts: 2006
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:41 am Post subject: |
#5 |
Don't wait. Winter is a fine time to fly and you won't die of heat stroke on the training hills!
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Windlord
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Location: Montana
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red
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Joined: 13 Aug 2007
Posts: 2740
Location: Utah, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sol III
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:44 am Post subject: Re: Absolute Beginner Question |
#7 |
| RichardInVA wrote: |
My question is - is it a good idea to start lessons now, or should I wait until spring? My main concern is that the winds will be too rough for a beginner to take lessons during the winter. Would that be the case?
Any help would be appreciated!
Richard |
Richard,
As long as snow is not an issue, and you do not mind dressing like a skier (that is, a cross-country skier, lightweight and warm), I'd say GO FOR IT! 
Local HG pilots can tell you more about the practical issues of wind conditions, and weather patterns. Try to listen carefully, because you may only hear the parts that you want to hear. 
If winter is going to block your progress, seriously, just a few lessons now will not help you much, come springtime. A teasing taste of flight now may also make your winter a long and trying ordeal of waiting and wishing. If winter will shut down your flying there, it might be better to read up for the winter, and start flying in the spring. Otherwise, before spring, you might find yourself booking an airliner to the Florida HG tow-parks, or something...
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........Red.........................
Pssst! New pilot? Free advice, maybe worth the price,
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H4, Moyes X2, Falcon Tandem, HES Tracer, Quantum |
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RichardInVA
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Joined: 06 Nov 2009
Posts: 2
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 12:12 pm Post subject: |
#8 |
Thanks for the replies!
I will sign up for my first lesson immediately. I haven't been this excited about anything for a long time! |
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$!><
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Joined: 07 May 2009
Posts: 1037
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 12:14 pm Post subject: |
#9 |
Wait till your feet leave the ground the first time. They will need to hose you down!! 
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jimrooney
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Joined: 23 Feb 2008
Posts: 1713
Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 12:20 pm Post subject: |
#10 |
Steve's far enough South that snow isn't really a problem. (I'm not even sure if he gets snow)
He's got training hills, scooter tows, a truck tow and even a dragonfly.
I'm not sure if he operates the dragonfly through the winter (it's hard to keep those engines warm enough). The other things don't have that problem.
Just give him a call, he'll give you very honest answers.
He's a fantastic guy.
Jim |
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FlyMyU2
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Joined: 18 Feb 2008
Posts: 443
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:51 pm Post subject: |
#11 |
From their web site:
The Eastern Shore Hang Gliding Center operates March through October on the rural and scenic Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Blue Sky is a great place to learn. Do it now. If Blue Sky doesn't operate in the winter you'll find any way possible to feed your addiction by heading south to LMFP on long weekends before spring. |
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Fletcher
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Joined: 13 Oct 2009
Posts: 351
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:06 pm Post subject: |
#12 |
[quote] I will sign up for my first lesson immediately. I haven't been this excited about anything for a long time![/quote]
How many of us started just this way?
Welcome aboard Enjoy the ride
Fletcher |
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TomGalvin
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Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 3547
Location: ............... Pagosa Springs, Colorado
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Absolute Beginner Question |
#13 |
| RichardInVA wrote: |
| My question is - is it a good idea to start lessons now, or should I wait until spring? |
Are you mortal? Do it now.
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Real freedom lies in wildness, not in civilization.
Charles Lindbergh |
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Jake 526
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Joined: 22 Feb 2007
Posts: 208
Location: Atlanta, GA US.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:34 pm Post subject: Re: Absolute Beginner Question |
#14 |
| RichardInVA wrote: |
My main concern is that the winds will be too rough for a beginner to take lessons during the winter. Would that be the case?
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I would argue that the opposite is true. Start now!! .....wear gloves |
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Redbeard
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Joined: 07 Jul 2007
Posts: 1291
Location: Santa Shoes, California
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:42 pm Post subject: |
#15 |
i had some of the smoothest flights ever in the snow.
<<<check the avatar...a day on the training hill
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Dennis D
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Joined: 25 Jul 2009
Posts: 367
Location: Crestline, CA.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:52 am Post subject: |
#16 |
| RichardInVA wrote: |
Thanks for the replies!
I will sign up for my first lesson immediately. I haven't been this excited about anything for a long time! |
Richard,
I am really glad to hear that. IMHO, there is no time like RIGHT NOW to start your lessons, and there should be flyable days in between crappy weather.
I am just now finishing my "lessons" (Formal lessons that is) (Off radio today) It's been a life changing experience. You've made the decision, stick to your guns and do it. When summer hits, you will already have a boat load of launches and landings under your belt, this will be a good thing.
Enjoy your lecture, your bunny hill flights (LOG EVERY ONE, trust me, documentate), tandems are fun and you learn some good stuff, and the solo is quite thrilling.
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