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Hang gliding
Oct. 20th, 2010 06:06 pmHang gliding induces the most intense mental flow state I've encountered in a long time. The instructors at Mission Soaring have also found a method of instruction that provides a smooth challenge ramp that makes it easy and safe to start. It's a good combination. My best flight from my first day:
Also, I think taking videos is a really useful learning tool, and I'd recommend it for other sports. My gliding partner and I took turns videoing each other.
Furthermore, if you think I'm gambling with my life, please read this report by the USHGA (summary: 1-2 deaths a year in the US since the late 1990s) and take into account that the hang gliding community includes people who fly with no harness on rough currents close to the ground and people who do acrobatics that their glider was not meant to do. This means that the risk for relatively risk-averse people is substantially lower. The USHGA is good about having a strict rating system and not certifying pilots who cannot pass specific tests.
Also, I think taking videos is a really useful learning tool, and I'd recommend it for other sports. My gliding partner and I took turns videoing each other.
Furthermore, if you think I'm gambling with my life, please read this report by the USHGA (summary: 1-2 deaths a year in the US since the late 1990s) and take into account that the hang gliding community includes people who fly with no harness on rough currents close to the ground and people who do acrobatics that their glider was not meant to do. This means that the risk for relatively risk-averse people is substantially lower. The USHGA is good about having a strict rating system and not certifying pilots who cannot pass specific tests.
