Hang gliding is unpowered flight in its simplest form: a large fabric wing on a lightweight frame, with the pilot hanging in a harness underneath and steering by shifting weight against a control bar. Gliders launch by running off a hill or mountain slope into the wind, or are towed into the air behind a light aircraft or a winch, then stay up by riding rising air. A first flight may last only minutes, while experienced pilots can soar for hours.

Everyone starts with a certified instructor. The usual first step is a tandem flight, where you're harnessed in next to an instructor who handles the launch and landing, and you may get to take the bar for a while. Beginner lessons on a gentle training hill teach ground handling and short, low glides, and becoming a solo pilot takes a series of lessons and ratings. In the US, look for schools whose instructors are certified through the US Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA).

The Date Activity

A tandem flight makes a big, memorable date for an adventurous couple, the kind of story you'll still be telling years later. Tandems carry one passenger at a time, so one of you flies while the other waits at the landing area with a camera, then you trade places. Many flight parks sell photo or video packages. Treat it as a full day: flights depend on the weather, and waiting is part of the deal.

If you both catch the bug, signing up for beginner lessons together gives you a shared project with real milestones. For a gentler way to see the world from above, try a hot air balloon ride, or look into paragliding, hang gliding's soft-winged cousin.

On Your Own / With Friends

Flight parks can schedule tandem flights for a group, and the time between flights turns into a picnic on the hillside while everyone cheers each landing. Call well ahead, since tandem slots are limited. On your own, hang gliding can grow into a lifelong hobby, and flying sites tend to have close-knit communities of pilots who are happy to share advice with newcomers.

Good to Know

Tandem flights have weight limits, often both a minimum and a maximum, along with age requirements, and you'll sign a waiver, so confirm the details when you book. Wear closed-toe athletic shoes, long pants and layers, since it's cooler in the air. Wind and weather decide whether anyone flies, so keep your schedule flexible and expect the occasional reschedule. Tell the school about back, neck or heart problems or pregnancy before you go. Fly only with a certified instructor at an established school, and listen closely to the briefing.