Come Fly With Us
Since the 1970's, the Rochester Area Flyers has been operating our all-volunteer training program and safely helping aspiring pilots learn to fly. The RAF New Pilot Development Program consists of hands-on training and ground school under the mentorship of USHPA certified instructors at our training hill in Farmington, NY (near Victor).
By the end of the program, most New Pilot Members qualify for the Novice (H2) rating from our national organization USHPA (United States Hang gliding and Paragliding Association). For more information about learning to fly visit ushpa.org. Training begins in April with the Check-it-out program and continues until July. To attend training, students must join the club as New Pilot Members.
The cost is $750 and includes the following benefits:
An RAF New Pilot Membership for one year
Participation in our Check it Out program
Participation in RAF’s H2 Hang Gliding New Pilot Development Program
Use of club training equipment (gliders and harnesses) until you are ready for your 1st high flight
A training helmet… yours to keep!
Training materials
HG Information Handouts
Book - Hang Gliding for Beginners
Access to training websites and materials
Log Book to keep track of your flights
Eligibility
Proof of health insurance is required at the beginning of the training season.
Students must be over the age of 18.
Students over the age of 16 may enroll with permission from a legal parent or guardian.
Interested? Call the RAF Training Contact - Moritz Wagner 585-955-3784 . He will be happy to talk about this thrilling sport of hang gliding!
Check It Out Program for Potential Pilots
We hold an annual Check it Out program at our training hill each Spring. Contact us if you are interested at (585) 955-3784 to get on the list or click on the Check it Out link for upcoming dates and the online sign up form.
New Pilot Development Program (H2)
Ground School
The RAF Hang Gliding Program (usually) begins mid-April with a 3-hour ground school. This session deals with basic aspects of the sport such as aerodynamics, weather factors and safety. Attendance is required for the training program. Ground school is provided for all New Pilot Members, and is also available to any prospective non-members pilots. Following ground school, RAF New Pilot Members are given instructional books, study materials and access to instructional videos.
On the Hill
On-the-hill training (usually) begins around the end of April and continues to the beginning of July. We meet 6 days a week, weather permitting. Our sessions are Saturday mornings from 9am until noon, and weekday evenings from 6pm until dusk. All sessions are under the supervision of a USHPA certified instructor with special emphasis on perfecting basic flying skills, developing good judgment and safe flying practices.
The program starts on flat ground and progresses to higher levels on the training hill. The rate of progression is highly individual depending on the each pilot’s comfort level, demonstrated skills and safety judgments. On the ground, the new pilots learn about glider hardware, assembly, acceleration and deceleration. The New Pilots actually feel the glider's lift, interplay with the wind, the power of wind, and even launch and landing technique before commitment to flying off the hill. At the base of the hill the same movement patterns reward the New Pilots with their 1st multi-seconds flight. Control and confidence are enhanced with each launch as flights become longer and boundaries of safe demonstrated flights are expanded. Soon, the New Pilot is at the top of our 100 ft. hill enjoying 20 second "sled rides". Later they are turning and maneuvering the glider to land near a spot and handle varied wind conditions.
It is work, but it's also fun. You will lose weight, you will sweat, your muscles will get sore at times and you will become physically stronger. You will also be enlightened with a heightened awareness of the sun, the clouds, and the wind. You will learn that running at top speed down a hillside will be rewarded by a launch that floats your body pleasantly over a grassy field, over cheering friends and deposits you on your feet in a swirl of cool air. What a flight!
The Hang Glider
A hang glider is a highly engineered aircraft that weighs between 45 and 75+ pounds, is launched by foot and is controlled by altering its center of gravity. The pilot is suspended beneath the glider in a harness and initiates turns and controls airspeed solely by shifting their body. Experienced pilots can make use of rising pockets of air (thermals) to regularly attain altitudes of over 4,000 feet and stay aloft for hours.
Safety and Judgment
Like any form of aviation, hang gliding requires specific skills and good judgment in order to be enjoyed safely. The Western New York hang gliding community has an exceptionally safe record that spans nearly 40 years. Insurance company statistics indicate that hang gliding is as safe as scuba diving, sail planes, and safer than general aviation or motocross on a participation basis. Never the less, aviation can be an unforgiving sport for those who take safety lightly. For this reason, beginning pilots are all strongly encouraged to develop their skills both through mentored sessions and through the Pilot Proficiency Program; the official skills development and testing program of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA). Good physical fitness is recommended to assure a rapid and injury free progression.
For More Information
The RAF Pilot Development Program is available to new pilot members at no additional cost. See RAF Membership information. This includes all the equipment you will need for training, current calendar year membership in the RAF, USHPA membership for the current training period, access to instructional videos, and a helmet, log book and Beginning Hang Gliding Book..