Expand Your Horizons

Tandem

Get a taste of what hang gliding is all about without having to do a thing! Come for a tandem where you go two-in-a-glider and all you have to do is relax and enjoy the view.

How do you get tandems in the air?

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We use a Dragonfly Ultralight airplane to tow us up. The aircraft is designed specifically to tow hang gliders. It's how we tow up the tandem flights as well as how certified pilots get in the air (in flat-ground areas).

The hang glider starts on a three-wheeled dolly that the pilot hangs onto while the Dragonfly starts to pull you to the proper airspeed. Then the pilot lets go of the dolly and you leave the ground at the same time as the Dragonfly.
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Can I be in control of the glider?

Your tandem pilot needs to be pilot-in-command while taking off and landing but once you get to altitude, if you're up for it, the controls can be handed over to you and you can experience first hand how to control the hang glider. Your tandem pilot is right there to teach and correct your mistakes.

When do you do tandems?

Weather & time permitting. None of us do this full-time but we get out there as often as we can. Any nice weekend, we're there. Any fantastic week-day and you can at least find solo pilots flying. It's best to coordinate with Steve directly (our tandem pilot) and be sure to subscribe to our Tandem Notifications in case we zip out at the last minute and you wish to join us.

Or season starts as soon as the snow melts and the fields are dry. And the season goes until it's too cold to fly (usually October or sometimes into November).

How high do we get going tandem?

Tows are usually about 2500' above-ground-level....that's something like twice the height of the CN Tower! That will give you about a 15-20 minute flight including the tow up to your release altitude. Flights are extended if the conditions bring thermal lift strong enough for the tandem to stay airborne.

What do I need to bring/wear?

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You need to bring:

  • sturdy shoes, preferably hiking boots
  • sunscreen
  • water & food
  • payment (exact cash on location or prepay with Paypal)
  • jacket - even in the summer it gets cool up at altitude...at least bring a wind-breaker to keep the wind off of your arms

We provide:

  • all the gear - helmet, harness, glider, etc
  • all the fun you can handle!

How strong do you have to be?

You don't need any physical strength at all to do a tandem. You're strapped in your own harness suspended to the glider right along-side your tandem pilot in charge. You wrap your arms around the pilot (just so you move along with the pilot, not to stay in/on the glider!) and enjoy the ride!

How old do you have to be?

Minors (under the age of 18) need parental consent. It usually more of a question of weight and maturity.

How old do you have to be?

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Hang gliding is for the kid in all of us! From 8 to 88!

For kids, it's more of an issue of size (over 100lbs), maturity and if they are under 18, they'll need their parent present to sign consent.

For the 'older-kids'...all you have to do is lie there and enjoy the ride. As long as you are healthy and willing, come on out! You even take-off and land on wheels so you don't have to worry about running a step!