[MozHeart]

Since I'm from Wisconsin, I was looking into Hang Gliding lessons at Whitewater, where I found this link:

http://www.whitewaterhangglidingclub.com/Learn_to_Fly.shtml

[quote]The cost for lessons will typically be around $2500 or so with a combination of scooter tow and aero-tow lessons as needed.[/quote]

Is this price typical for hang gliding lessons?

[peanuts]

i've noticed a wide disparity in lesson pricing usually dependant upon location and competition. one thing that the school you indicated did point out was that not everybody learns at the same rate, and therefor that number (2500) was an estimate. some students, due to athleticism, prior experiences and knowledge gained elsewhere, are extremely quick studies, and some (a whole lot more in this category) seem, shall we say, a bit slow to learn.

[krizz9]

Seems really pricey to me. Lookout mountain charges $1350 for the aerotow training. I didn't do that though I did the foot launch package for $600. If I were you I'd take a week off and get your training at Lookout, you can make a vacation of it since there are a lot of fun things to do around Chattanooga.

[davisstraub]

http://questairhanggliding.com/?page_id=14

Call and talk to Mitch or Mark about scooter towing.

[ChattaroyMan]

I just wrote a lengthly bunch of stuff but at the end boiled down to ....... you get what you pay for. ...... .

To make sure that you do get what you pay for - not only talk with the instructor(s) @ the $2500 program but see if you can chat with current and past students. Find out how much experience the outfit has. It is hard to put a high enough value on the experience and knowledge that you'll gain in a decent hang gliding instructional program. Hang gliding is dangerous to the extent that being under-educated can put you in a world of hurt. One way to look at it is this.... what sort of instruction would you want your very best pal on the planet to take - a person you really wanted to keep safe. You're that person for someone. A big bite out of the wallet now is a relatively small percentage of what you'll have invested in flying if you stick with it. And, good instruction will add value to everything in the sport that you do invest in.

Good luck with your journey!

[miguel]

Before you spend any money, go to the closest flying site and hang out for a couple days. Offer to drive, if drivers are needed. Ask questions. Watch the action and ask more questions. You might luck up on some used equipment and a mentor to help you along. If you opt for lessons, you will be much more familiar with the sport and should progress quicker.

[Windman2509]

Do not waste time and money on scooter tow.
Tandems first, hill , then maybe scooter tow after you know what you doing.

[Qi]

I have been training at Quest and even though training may seem expensive, once you get started the value is clear. I firgure 2G is cheap since my instructor spent a couple decades to collect the experience he is attempting to pass on to me, not to mention all the equipment and facilities involved. I have never had more fun learning anything in my life and it is the best investment I have ever made. If you have half the fun and adventure I have found you will be pleased with the return on your investment....Up Up & Away

[soarass]

Note: I did NOT pay any where near 2500 (maybe half). That included the rental glider, harness, and radio for my solos. I don't regret a penny of it, my instructor is one of the best, and I concluded the information gained was worth far more, once I considered what serious hospital bills run. That consideration on the part of my instructor also made me buy two new gliders through him, continuing to reap his wisdom as a side benefit. Move to SoCal, bro. It probably helped that I built and flew RC models, and we built our own primitive Rogallo years ago and flew it in high school, and understand some basic aerodynamics. Hang tough.

[tom emery]

My first instructor quoted me 600.00. After racking up 900.00 worth of lessons without ever leaving the ground except for a tandem sled ride, I quit him and went on to train with Rob at Crestline. I've got 600.00 invested with him at this point. Money well spent. I figure another 300.00 to 600.00 depending on my ability to nail the tough approach at AJX and I am done. Oh yeah, new glider about 3,000, harness, 600, parachute, 400, vario, 500...it isn't cheap, but way less than a Lear Jet.

[gold2125]

Check out a web site:

wisconsinhanggliding dot com

[J Fritsche]

I'm surprised that that website claimed $2500 as typical. I'm pretty familiar with the instruction scene at the Whitewater site (airport), and I don't think most pilots paid that much to get to the point of solo aerotowing. Unless you're a real slow learner, I bet it will cost you closer to $1500. Have a chat with Paul Olson, owner of Scooter Tow Hang Gliding School which operates at Whitewater. He's a very friendly, chatty guy who will give you an honest estimate.