Frequently Asked Questions

What is hang gliding?
Hang Gliding is the sport of flying through the air while hanging in a harness from a
kite-like aircraft.  
Francis Rogallo, a NASA engineer, is thought to be the inventor of hang gliding in the
1960's.  But history shows even Leonardo Da Vinci had the flying bug.  Da Vinci is
responsible for many early hang glider designs.

Is it possible for a person who has no experience to fly?
Absolutely.  Tandem Hang gliding is the best way for someone without training to
experience the freedom of flying.  Our well-qualified instructors will be by your side
throughout the entire flight.  It's fun, safe, and there's no need for more than a few
moments of instruction before take off.

What is aero-towing?
While many pilots choose to launch their gliders off of mountains and cliffs, others,
like Hang Glide Costa Rica, choose to use an ultra-light airplane especially designed
for towing hang gliders to the pilots' desired altitude.
The benefits are many, including:
Accessible - We take off on a well-kept grass runway which means no hiking or
traveling up and down a mountain between flights.
Easy for the passenger -The two place, or "tandem" hang glider is equipped with
wheels, so take-off and landing is very smooth.
And ...it's really cool.

Where do you fly?
We take off from our runway in Quebrada Amarilla, a small farming community
located just 10 minutes south of Jaco and 40 minutes to the north of Quepos.
Hang gliding flights stay an easy glide away from the runway, but the views of ocean
and mountainside are outstanding.
Our "Air Cam" flights take off from the same location, and can then go anywhere. Up
and down the pacific coast, into the mountains and farmland, check out rivers and
canyons.

When can we fly?
For safety's sake we take passengers for hang gliding flights in the mornings and in
the evenings.  Between 6 and 9 in the morning and from 3:30 till sundown in the
afternoon. This is when the air is naturally smoother making for an enjoyable, safe
flight.
The Air Cam however, is safe and fun for flying all day.
We encourage reservations. Drop-ins are welcome but availability may be hit or miss.

Are there any age limits or requirements?
We have taken passengers from 5 to 80 years old.  

What should I wear?
Dress comfortably. We don't recommend skirts, and hats should be removed before
take off.  Footwear is optional.  It won't be cold up there; it'll feel refreshingly cool.  

Is it scary?
Most people expect a roller coaster-like ride.  But the truth is, hang gliding is much
more serene and smooth than most anticipate.  It's a magic carpet ride, really.