Flying a
hang glider gives an unparalleled sense of freedom, feeling the movements
of the air across your body by using only the wind's force to stay aloft.
For 15 minutes Experience the pure flying sensation,
that is hang-gliding........
Hang Gliding is a daytime flying mountain activity this means
that Hang Gliding can only operate when the weather conditions are right
for flying and during ski lift opening and closing times. The first
flight is around 0930hrs allowing time to catch the first lift in order
to get to the departure site on time. With the last flight around 1600hrs
allowing enough time to get back to Meribel
after the flight has finished.
From La ChaudanneMeribel's main
lift area you will need to travel up the Burgin Saulire
bubble lift (cable car) to the top station. Once out of the bubble you
will walk down the the rubber matted slope to
where everyone puts their skis on. From here you will need to put your
skis or snowboard on to ski the ridge between the Saulire
and La Vizelle. You will see La Vizelle by looking directly in front of you - it is
the mountain with two chair lift stations and
one bubble station on the top.
Hire a
Whitetracks Host to ski with you for ½ or a full day,
they will meet you at a pre-prescribed meeting point at the time
requested. They will ski with you taking you to some of the best snow and
runs in the MeribelValley
or even the three valleys and will make sure that you get to the activity
on time. Whitetracks Host
.
Hang Gliding - OPERATION / LEVELS
/ DURATION / format
5-10 minutes sorting equipment and
returning to takeoff point via lift
.
You should arrive to meet the pilot 5-10 minutes before the
requested time. The pilot might keep you waiting but PLEASE do not keep
them waiting. If you need to catch lifts to in order to get to the
meeting point please allow time for lift queues and time to travel up on
the lift.
.
When you first arrive the pilot will provide you with the
harness, he will then put it on you making sure that it is all fitted
correctly. Once you are in the harness he will collect the Hang Glider
and place it in its take off position on the edge of the run next to the
steep slope, he will then call you over. Carrying your skis or snow board
he will put you in the correct position you will then need to put your
skis or snowboard on. The pilot will then attach your harness to his and
the Hang Glider ready for takeoff.
.
After a
short brief you put your left arm around the waist of the pilot and put
your right hand across your body holding onto the pilots
right elbow. The pilot will then pick up the Hang Glider, when ready you
will both edge forward until you start heading down the steep slope in
front of you. After a few meters traveled you
and the Hang Glider will lift off the ground and will be airborne.
.
Once airborne, the pilot holds the base bar and controls the
glider by moving his body weight relative to the glider. Moving to the
left initiates a left hand turn and vice-versa. Speed is varied by
pulling the pilot's weight forwards to go faster and backwards to slow
down. The pilot will cater the flight to the passenger needs providing a
gentle flight for the nervous client and an exciting flight for the
thrill seekers amongst you.
.
When
landing, the pilot will push forward on the base bar which in turn moves
both of your bodies weight backwards opening up
the glider above you forcing it to push against the wind causing the hang
glider to be slowed to the point where it comes to a complete stop as the
pilot reaches the ground.
epilepsy, fits, Heart deficiencies , Vertebral
problems or Pregnant women
.
The pilot will adapt each flight to the excitement threshold
of each individual passenger. If you are confident the pilot may perform
some aerobatics - if not just ask.
The Hang Gliding pilot / instructor will supply a harness and
will make sure that it is fitted correctly for you before you take part
in the Hang Gliding activity. For some reason you are not supplied with a
helmet - If you wish to wear one PLEASE bring a ski helmet with you to
take part.
Due to the Hang Gliding being a daytime mountain activity you
should already be correctly dressed to take part. Unfortunately if you
are on skis you will need to leave your poles at the top of the mountain
at the takeoff point. If you are skiing with friends and don't wish to
come back up the mountain to collect your poles it is advisable to get a
friend to ski down to the bottom with your poles. If a friend takes your poles to the bottom you will be free to continue
skiing from where you landed without the need to go back to the takeoff
site this gives you the flexibility to be able to ski somewhere different
for the rest of the day.
Tandem Hang Gliders are only able to carry one passenger at a
time. Unfortunately, there is only one available pilot / instructor in Meribel or the three valleys. If there is a small
group of you wishing to take part in the activity at the same time it is
impossible. For a small group to take part we would need you to go one
after the other.
Base bar: the
bar which the pilot holds in flight.
Battens: aluminum "ribs" inserted into the hang
glider sail to give shape to the wing.
Flare: the
manoeuvre performed to land a hang glider when the wing is
deliberately stalled to halt all forward motion as the pilot reaches
the ground.
Variometer/Vario: instrument measuring rate of
climb or descent. It has a visual display, but also an audio
function so the pilot does not need to see the dial. The pitch of
the tone increases with the climb rate.
Wave: this
phenomenon occurs only in certain conditions when the wind is forced
upwards over a hill or mountain and is then amplified by the next
mountain setting up a standing wave. Large height gains are possible
in wave conditions.
.
A hang glider allows the pilot to fly around in ridge lift on
a hill, take the occasional thermal to gain height or leave the hill and
fly cross-country. A hang glider's speed and performance allow many hours
of air time and big distances to be flown.
