Hang gliding is a thrilling and exhilarating sport that allows you to soar like a bird in the sky. However, it is also a challenging and risky activity that requires proper training, equipment and weather conditions. If you are interested in hang gliding, but don’t have the opportunity or the resources to do it in real life, you can try to simulate it with flight simulators.

Flight simulators are computer programs that recreate aviation activities in a virtual way. They can be used for entertainment, education or training purposes. Flight simulators can simulate various types of aircraft, such as airplanes, helicopters, jets or gliders. They can also simulate different environments, such as terrain, weather, traffic or physics.

However, not all flight simulators are suitable for hang gliding simulation. Hang gliding is a very specific and unique form of flying that requires a high level of realism and accuracy in the simulation. In this blog post, we will discuss what features a flight simulator must provide to simulate hang gliding effectively, what features would be nice to have but do not exist yet, and how one project called The Hang Gliding Files has solved these issues for MSFS 2020.

What Must a Flight Simulator Provide to Simulate Hang Gliding?

To simulate hang gliding realistically and accurately, a flight simulator must provide at least the following features:

A hang glider model: A hang glider is a type of aircraft that consists of a wing made of fabric and a rigid frame. The pilot hangs below the wing in a harness and controls the glider by shifting their weight. A flight simulator must have a hang glider model that replicates the shape, size, weight and aerodynamics of a real hang glider. The model must also respond to the pilot’s input and the environmental factors realistically.
A launch and landing system: A hang glider can be launched and landed in different ways depending on the site and the conditions. The most common methods are foot launch and foot landing, where the pilot runs down a slope to take off and lands on their feet. Another method is aerotow launch and landing, where the hang glider is towed by another aircraft to gain altitude and then released. A flight simulator must have a launch and landing system that allows the pilot to choose the method and execute it realistically.
A realistic environment: A hang glider relies on natural forces such as wind, thermals and ridge lift to stay aloft and maneuver. A flight simulator must have a realistic environment that simulates these forces accurately and dynamically. The environment must also include realistic terrain features such as mountains, valleys, cliffs or water bodies that affect the airflow and create opportunities or challenges for the pilot.
A VR headset: A VR headset is a device that creates an immersive 3D experience for the user by displaying stereoscopic images and tracking their head movements. A VR headset is essential for hang gliding simulation because it provides a realistic sense of depth, motion and perspective for the pilot. It also enhances the feeling of presence and immersion in the virtual world.

What Features Would Be Nice to Have But Do Not Exist Yet?

While some flight simulators provide the basic features mentioned above, there are still some features that would be nice to have but do not exist yet. These features include:

More hang glider models: Currently, there are no hang glider models available for flight simulators! This true was until The Hang Gliding files created one. These models will ultimately represent the variety of designs, sizes and performance levels of real hang gliders. It would be nice to have more hang glider models that reflect the diversity of the sport and allow the pilot to choose their preferred one.
A ground handling system: Ground handling is an important skill for hang gliding pilots that involves controlling the glider on the ground before launching or after landing. Ground handling helps the pilot to check the equipment, adjust the settings, practice the take-off run and prepare for different situations. It would be nice to have a ground handling system that allows the pilot to interact with the glider on the ground realistically.
A foot launch and landing system: As mentioned earlier, foot launch and landing are common methods for hang gliding pilots. However, most flight simulators do not have a foot launch and landing system that simulates these methods realistically. It would be nice to have a foot launch and landing system that allows the pilot to run down or up a slope with their own legs using motion sensors or controllers.

How The Hang Gliding Files Has Solved These Issues for MSFS 2020

MSFS 2020 is the latest version of the popular Microsoft Flight Simulator series. It is a flight simulator that offers stunning graphics, realistic physics and a vast world to explore. However, it does not have any hang glider models or features by default.

That’s where The Hang Gliding Files comes in. The Hang Gliding Files is a project that aims to provide a single source of digital products that can make virtual hang gliding happen in MSFS 2020. It includes applications, site configurations, weather, gliders and anything else that can help you with your hang gliding adventures.

The Hang Gliding Files has solved the issues of hang gliding simulation in MSFS 2020 by offering the following products:

The Hang Gliding Files App: This is a free application that allows you to fly a hang glider in MSFS 2020. It works by replacing the default aircraft model with a hang glider model and modifying the flight dynamics and controls accordingly. It also adds a launch and landing system that lets you choose between aerotow or foot launch and landing. The app is compatible with VR headsets and can be customized to suit your preferences.
The Hang Gliding Files Ground Handling App: This is a free application that allows you to ground handle your hang glider in MSFS 2020. It works by adding a ground handling mode to the hang glider model and enabling you to interact with the glider using your mouse or controllers. You can check the equipment, adjust the settings, practice the take-off run and prepare for different situations.
The Hang Gliding Files Site Configurations: These are downloadable files that contain site-specific information and settings for various hang gliding sites around the world. They include terrain data, weather data, launch and landing locations, wind direction and speed, thermals and ridge lift. You can use these files to fly at some of the most spectacular hang gliding sites in the world.
The Hang Gliding Files Glider Models: These are downloadable files that contain different hang glider models for MSFS 2020. They include different designs, sizes and performance levels of real hang gliders. You can use these files to choose your preferred hang glider and fly it in MSFS 2020.

The Hang Gliding Files is a project that is constantly evolving and improving. It is created by passionate hang gliding enthusiasts who want to share their love for the sport with others. If you are interested in virtual hang gliding, you can visit their website at https://thehangglidingfiles.com/ and download their products for free.

Conclusion

Hang gliding is a sport that offers an unparalleled sense of freedom and adventure. However, it is also a sport that requires a lot of preparation, training and resources. If you want to experience hang gliding without leaving your home, you can try to simulate it with flight simulators.

Flight simulators are computer programs that recreate aviation activities in a virtual way. They can simulate various types of aircraft, environments and scenarios. However, not all flight simulators are suitable for hang gliding simulation. To simulate hang gliding realistically and accurately, a flight simulator must provide at least a hang glider model, a launch and landing system, a realistic environment and a VR headset.

There are also some features that would be nice to have but do not exist yet for hang gliding simulation. These features include more hang glider models, a ground handling system and a foot launch and landing system.

Fortunately, there is one project that has solved these issues for MSFS 2020, which is one of the most advanced and popular flight simulators available today. The project is called The Hang Gliding Files and it provides a single source of digital products that can make virtual hang gliding happen in MSFS 2020. It includes applications, site configurations, weather, gliders and anything else that can help you with your hang gliding adventures.

If you are interested in virtual hang gliding, you should check out The Hang Gliding Files website at https://thehangglidingfiles.com/ and download their products for free. You will be amazed by how realistic and fun virtual hang gliding can be.