Hang Gliding

A Hang Glider is a semi-rigid (or in some cases, rigid) unpowered triangular aerofoil. The pilot is suspended beneath in a planar position beneath the wing, and steers by manipulating the “control bar.” In short, it’s a sleek aircraft that you hang under to fly far, and fast.

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Advantages Compared to Paragliding

  • Compared to paragliders, hang-gliders have a much faster ground speed. This allows them to glide further distances between thermals, and have longer overall flights.

  • Due to their semi-rigid nature, hang-gliders are more stable in flight than their paragliding cousins. They cannot collapse in flight, and are generally less susceptible to turbulence

  • Hang gliders have a larger “window of suitable conditions” when compared to paragliders. They are able to fly safely at higher wind speeds relative to their non-rigid cousins. That said, don’t use a “more stable aircraft” to fly in conditions that you shouldn’t be flying in.

Disadvantages Compared with Paragliding:

  • Due to their greater ground speed, hang-gliders need require more space to land than a paraglider. While high-wind / low-speed landings are possible, hang gliders typically require either a medium sized field or a runway in which to land.

  • Hang gliders are less portable than paragliders. Whereas a paraglider can fit into a backpack, a hang glider must be packed up in a large linear bag. This makes transport (both on the ground and overseas) much more difficult with a hang glider.

  • Hang gliders take more time to set up than paragliders. Safely assembling a hang glider for launch will take approximately 15-20 minutes. A paraglider can be set up for launch in as little as 5 minutes comparatively.

Which is Safer?

  • All forms of aviation are inherently risky. That said, both hang gliding and paragliding can be practiced with a great deal of safety if the pilot exercises good judgement before, during, and after every single flight. Hang gliding and paragliding both present a unique set of risks. If your decision on which type of wing to learn is based on safety, consider for yourself which environment you would feel less comfortable in. If you are more averse to turbulence and instability, the steady nature of a hang glider can be your friend. If speed makes you uneasy, the gentle nature of a paraglider might be more appealing. Ultimately, Alberta is an excellent place to safely learn and develop your skills with either hobby (or both!)

The History of Hang Gliding in Alberta

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Willi Muller brought Hang Gliding to Alberta (and Canada) back in 1971. After witnessing a kite fly down Lake Louise, Willi went back to his shop in Calgary to fashion a kite of his own making. The first flights (if you could call them that) were made in Calgary’s Happy Valley ski resort, overlooking the bow river. The following summer Willi discovered ridge soaring in the bluffs above Cochrane. This southwest facing ridge would soon become the center for all Alberta free flight, the now-historic Muller Windsports.

Hang gliding in Alberta progressed from its humble beginnings above the Bow River to the Rocky Mountains towering above Canmore, Banff, and Jasper. Flights were fast, steep, and a spectacle to say the least. Meanwhile, a flatland scene was taking its first steps in and around Edmonton. After learning from the Australian Birdman Bill Moyes, Terry Jones brought flatland tow flying to the prairies of Alberta.

Flying in the province continued to develop under the guidance of Willi, Terry, and various other flying pioneers. For further information, you can visit either the HPAC/AVCL website, or the Canadian Hang gliding and Paragliding History Blog

Hang Gliding in Alberta Today

With free flight no longer allowed in the Parks, Hang Gliding in Alberta today has turned its gaze mainly towards the flatlands. The thermic air of the prairies provides willing pilots with hundreds of kilometers of XC opportunities. The annual “Miles in May” contest outside Camrose brings together the talents of pilots from Alberta, and beyond.

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Those pilots looking to soar in the mountain thermals can take the short drive from Calgary to Golden, British Columbia. The Rocky Mountain Trench, as it’s known, provides hang gliders with endless peaks and landing zones all the way from the launch at Mount Seven to the American Border.

Places to Learn Hang Gliding in Alberta

If you think hang gliding is for you, there are two fantastic schools in the province to learn
the basics, and develop your skills.

Northern & Central Alberta

Southern Alberta

Regional Hang Gliding Sites