From Hang Gliding Wiki
While Hang Gliding is almost certainly the least expensive form of aviation, it still requires some expenditures.
Tom Sterner offers this suggestion:
Something to keep in mind if one is money strapped:
- Most instructors do not have a problem with on lookers, at least if you stay out of the way. I hung out frequently listening to the instructor train people, to the point I eventually voluntarily worked for my training. You can learn just as much watching people make mistakes, and listen to debriefs of the instructor.
- As I worked for the airfield more and more, the more aka: free training I got.
- After watching beginners make mistakes, it came to me much faster how to avoid making the same mistakes.
- After investing my time I ended up getting trained as a reward for the work I had done.
- This is not going to happen everywhere, but making relationships with instructors and proving that you want to be a part of the growth and development of the sport: this will get you much further than thinking about doing it or even blaming someone else for your non involvement in the sport.
Tom Sterner (Tizeagle)
Others have some notes
- Use the bus to transport yourself and your hang glider to launch sites and from landing sites.
- Clean launch sites and landing zones. Find dropped coins, recyclables, and other valuables.
- Ever fly so that you do no injury to anyone or self or to any property.
- Build your own hang glider from discarded materials. Study crafting to the point where this activity becomes fully successful and safe. (NOTE: This practice is generally considered unsafe, especially for beginners.)
- Become a driver-to-launch and retriever-from-XC flights. Receive tips for such service sometimes; use their cars and trucks, not yours (you go without a car or truck).
- Prepare questions from studying. Look for answers far and near.
- Teach some speciality hang gliding topic in ground school.