
Learning to fly a hang glider is an incredible experience and an amazing adventure.
It comes very highly recommended!
The course takes an average of 10 to 15 days to complete, depending on weather conditions and individual ability. Training begins with ground handling on flat and gently sloped areas, where you learn to control and fly the glider at low elevations. You’ll also cover essential theory, including aerodynamics, basic meteorology, and the fundamentals of take-off, flight, and landing, knowledge you’ll soon put into practice.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you progress to longer ground-skimming flights, followed by flights with higher ground clearance, all under the close supervision of your instructor. After a few days of practice flights, you should be ready to move on to high flights. Throughout your course, we also keep an eye on the weather to fit in a tandem flight or two whenever possible.
To complete your training, you’ll need to successfully perform a minimum of five high flights and pass a series of practical tests. You will also write an exam as part of your Novice licence requirements.
Along the way, you’ll make new friends, perhaps even lifelong ones, and develop a sharp awareness of your surroundings. Even everyday driving will feel different as you find yourself “hang driving,” gliding from one intersection to the next. And don’t be surprised if you catch yourself looking up at the sky more often, wearing that unmistakable pilot’s grin. Only a pilot knows that feeling.
Course Duration
10–15 Days to Complete (Weather & Ability Dependent)
High Flight Requirement
Minimum of 5 High Flights
Training Stages
4 Main Stages (Ground Handling → Slope Flights → Ground Skimming → High Flights)
HG Course Information
Communication Tools
Two-way radios used
Simulated Training
Ground-based simulator (HG)
Insurance Coverage
Third-party liability cover
Introductory Flights
Tandem flights (times and weather permitting)
Flexible Training Options
Full-time and part-time training
Complete Equipment Provided
Provision of all training gear
Official Membership
SAHPA training membership
Comprehensive Tuition
From novice to competition standards
Glider Rentals & Excursions
For visiting pilots
Learning Materials & Certification
Provision of all lecture notes, course manuals, and certificates
HG: Novice Pilot Rating (IPPI level 2)
Price: R25000 - Duration: 10-14 days
This course can be completed in an intensive week (Saturday to Sunday), though two weeks is recommended to get the most from your training. The Novice Rating takes you from no experience to meeting SAHPA's minimum criteria for a Novice Pilot.
You will master the basics, fly safely under mild conditions at Novice sites, and benefit from senior pilot guidance. Minimum requirements include at least five high flights of one minute and 100 meters altitude, after multiple practice flights from dunes and lower hills.
By the end, you will be able to launch and land, recognise flying speeds, handle stalls, and perform proper landing approaches.


HG: A licensed Pilot - IPPI level 3
Price: R 12000 - Duration: 5 -10 days
This course is all about airtime! No longer do we just glide to the bottom but work on gaining altitude and remaining airborne for some time! From the Novice Rating we guide you to progress to a stage of Ridge soaring and an introduction to thermaling. You have mastered the basics of piloting a hang glider so we can now start concentrating on mastering the art of using available lift. No more straight flights to the bottom of the hill! You learn how to actually remain airborne! Guided radio controlled flights to help you excel when things really count. This course includes a minimum of 5 hours airtime. (If you can handle it!)
Some of Our Flight Adventures







