As an “old” hang glider pilot of the early 70’s, hang gliding was in its infancy. Regallos were the “thing”, and as the term “aspect ratios” was learned by us waffos, gliders became more flyable than simply a sled ride to the bottom of the hill. Then came battoned wings and double surfaces. I ended up with a Fledge 2 which was a bitch to rig, a bitch to ground handle. It didn’t fly any better and I went back to my trusted rag wing. Looking at today’s gliders, I can only marvel at the evolution of performance achieved in wing design. The use of cameras is utterly amazing. If we wanted to film ourselves in the air it was with a 35mm camera mounted on the wing tip with a cable release ending up on the A frame. You could take one shot! Go pro’s were way into the future. The same with varios. I had a Ball variometer from a sailplane which worked very well. The new audio varios were just starting to appear. The world distance record at the time was held by a South African (where I lived), his name is Tim James who flew a staggering 40 miles whilst ridge soaring the length of the Magaliesberg range. His achievement was published in the then “Glider Rider” newspaper format magazine as the new world record! How times have changed. I’m 70 now and can only marvel at the sport which has evolved to be the perfect sky sport. Paragliding? Now that looks dangerous!
If hang gliders had been invented when I was his age, I would have been flying much sooner than 17, when I started. I didn't even know they existed until Bill Armstrong (VP of USHGA at the time) came to my high school and gave a presentation w/ his flying Moose stretched across the stage. After the hang gliding video montage, both my sister and I were shocked when we were the only two people to talk w/ him and grab waivers for our folks to sign. We were flying within two weeks and never looked back, w/ over 2K hours clocked in hang gliders and several hundred in para sails. Sky out!
Ethan is one of the best pilots at Lookout Mountain. He will be a #1 xc pilot in the world before he is old enough to legally drink an alcoholic beverage.
Judging by many of the comments, they think that this might be his first flight. Very doubtful. Schools are available all around the world with certified hang gliding flight instructors providing excellent training programs and equipment. Starts out with teaching about flight, aerodynamics and all aspects of how to safely fly a hang glider. First actual flights might indeed be tandem with an experienced hang glider pilot/instructor. Once in the air, the instructor can turn over the control to the student. First solo flights are off of gentle slopes on special training gliders that fly slower and are easier to control. Safety equipment including gloves and helmet. With much practice they eventually can work up to larger hills and steeper slopes. I was 20 years old when I started flying. Still flying to this day at the age of 68. This young man found a sport that he will indeed enjoy his whole life.
Never touch the tail tube during start or carrying a glider.... NEVER EVER. It is the worst thing I have experienced - when I wanna lift the glider up with a certain attitude and somebody holds the tube. Unbelievably wrong for pilot. And as we expected, and of course, consequently of this, the start was not good at all, however it is clearly seen that the kid is well taught any way. He would have done much better than this without so much enthusiastic support. Guys, physics is not a matter of faith.
That's why you are still alive. Saw too many deaths over the past 30 years of my gliding history. Stopped it when my son born. Still love it, but prefer to watch it on YT now. There's nothing wrong with you hill gliding.
@@szobione Thats why i prefer microlight/ultralight aircraft , bit expensive to take license and renting but at least i can go home safely and fly it next weekend
Very nice! 0:30 He's very much in control of the situation. And that's not a beginner's glider! As for "danger", don't forget GIRLS of that age are doing equine competitions which are probably more dangerous, such as cross-country in eventing. Here, sound knowledge, good training and wise support make for a controllable, predictable experience, whereas horse riding is inherently less so.
Lol. I'm 16 and that's the minimum age to take lessons here. Not that I'm thinking my parents can afford this sport, or that they have time to drive me around Europe (because we don't have any hills/mountains in the Netherlands), while I have two other brothers.
+Cretium In België mag het vanaf 14 jaar. Slepen met Dragon Fly en trekken met de lier wordt hier veel gedaan en dat lukt blijkbaar ook, al is het wel moeilijker.
Dan zou dat in België ook wel eens kunnen zijn. Les volgen en alleen vliegen is inderdaad een groot verschil. Ik ga alvast les volgen, het is nu beslist. Ik weet niet of ik daar nu in de herfst/winter mee moet starten. Ik ben 49 en heb minder tijd over dan jij . . .
as long as he received enough training on the hill, he will be as good (if not better) than any adult. kids learn much faster and develop better motoric skills when young. The most import element is the size of the glider, because if the kid is too light for it, the glider will be difficult to steer
I would not let my 13yo glide alone either, exactly because I was hang gliding myself and so was my father back in the 80's. I saw too many deaths of his friends. My father had a crash himself with my sister and they almost died. I love hang gliding, but since my kid was born, I stopped. This is the only responsible option, imho.
@@szobione Just out of curiosity. What were the causes of the fatalities? I have studied every report for the last 10 years and there really aren't that many respectively. Don't get me wrong, I hang glide with the most regard for safety, even though I know it is not 100%, but there are certain factors where you can make it very reasonable.
Hebatnya akal manusia bisa terbang seperti burung,akan ada lagi kemajuan teknologi yg akan membuat manusia mengujudkan hayalanya,itulah hebatnya akal manusia yg di berikan oleh Allah
Akser log sarf haquk ALLAH ka khyal rakta hy jbka akser sarf haquk EBBAD ka khyal rakta hy lakn jb tk duno teek na ho aur sabka amel ke b talife na ke ho tb tk zandage ma sukon nahe ata.
