Hang Gliding
Hang gliding is a type of air sport in which the rider flies a non-motorized aircraft which is called a hang glider. Most of the hang gliders now are made of aluminum alloy which is covered with sailcloth. The pilot is concealed in a harness. The pilot can control the hang glider by shifting the body weight in opposition to a control frame.
The hang gliding competitions back in the days were flying as long as possible and spot landings. Now, cross-country flying is done. There are two or four waypoints which the pilots need to pass with a landing at goal. There is a world championship held every two years.
There are three classes of hang gliding for competitions. Class is the flexible wing hang glider; the flight is controlled by the wing. There’s class 5, the rigid wing hang glider, in which the flight is controlled by spoilers. The 3rd one is class 2, in which the pilot is integrated into the wing.
Similar Sports
- Paragliding — riders using para-gliders perform cross country or acrobatic maneuvers.
- Gliding — an air sport in which pilots use an unpowered aircraft
- Wingsuit Flying — a variety of skydiving, where a person will fly in the air using a special jumpsuit called the wingsuit.
- Parachuting — Also known as skydiving, involving jumping from an aircraft with just a parachute.
Related Pages
- About Air Sports
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports
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