Skyward

I've heard that hang gliding is the purest form of flight attainable by a human.

Once you have tasted flight you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you long to return.

- Leonardo DaVinci

From the moment this opportunity landed in my lap, to buying the t-shirt, this felt so natural and right.

A couple months ago, I joined a conversation with a couple of people remarking about a skydiving certificate that was decorating (an unoccupied) cubicle next to mine, because I have skydived before. Someone brought up hang gliding, and it occurred to me that I had also wanted to try that for a long time, although I hadn’t thought about it in a few years. I only had enough free time in my workday to determine that the closest place I could learn was in Maryland. On my way out of the office THAT DAY, I stopped to ask someone a question about tennis, which led to a spontaneous invitation to go hang gliding in Maryland on Labor Day. If I hesitated at all in answering it was because I was stunned at the coincidence

For as long as I can remember, I've been interested in flying. I've had several "one-off" adventures, such as taking the yoke of a 4-seater prop, skydiving, and bungee jumping, but hang gliding was the best so far.

Once I made it successfully to Highland Aerosports that Monday morning (thanks to Tom for giving me directions over the cell phone after I got lost somehow), I felt like I belonged, despite it being my first time there, without knowing anyone. I had no expectations as I met up with a friend who was there with another group. After filling out a couple pages of legal forms, I calmly waited and watched other people being towed up in their gliders, flying, and landing, and hearing about their experiences.

I was last in the group to fly, and my instructor, Adam, explained some of the basics before we climbed into the harnesses. Once we were secured, he went over flight control basics before taking off. Once the “tug” (ultralight plane that tows the glider) began to take flight, I didn’t feel strange or even excited. I was in the moment, watching the distance grow between me and Earth. When we were at about 2500 feet, Adam released the towline. The noise stopped. The wind stopped. We stopped…or it seemed.

We were free. Free to feel the air, go this way or that, and be. Although I was inexperienced, controlling the glider felt very natural, and it was easy to maneuver. Adam let me stall the glider (with direction), and gave me some “targets” to fly toward. Near the end of the flight, he offered to do some aerobatics and we climbed, dove, and banked. After the smooth landing, he asked me if I had any questions, and I had one: “Can I go again?” I’m scheduled to continue my lessons in October, but that will probably be the last time before the close for the season in mid-November.

(more hang gliding pics)