What makes a good virtual hang gliding site?

If you are a hang glider enthusiast and you want to share your favorite flying sites with other pilots, you might be interested in our site sharing site. This is a platform where you can upload and download information about different hang gliding sites around the world. You can also rate and review the sites you have visited and see what others have to say about them.

But before you start uploading your sites, there are some guidelines you need to follow. We want to make sure that the sites we host are realistic, immersive and safe for hang gliding. Here are some of the criteria we use to evaluate the sites:

  • It is a real place. You cannot make up a fictional location or use a fantasy world. The site has to exist somewhere on Earth and be recognizable by other pilots. You can use Google Maps or other sources to verify the location of your site.
  • It is soarable. This means that the site has suitable wind conditions, terrain features and thermal activity for hang gliding. You don’t have to provide detailed weather data or flight analysis, but you should give a general description of how the site works and when it is flyable. For example, you can mention the prevailing wind direction, the slope angle, the ridge length, the thermal triggers, etc.
  • It has easy access. You should be able to reach the launch and landing areas by road, with a vehicle and a glider. It doesn’t matter if the road is rough or unpaved, as long as it is possible to drive on it. You should also indicate how far the launch and landing areas are from each other and from the nearest town or city.

These are the main criteria we use to accept or reject a site submission. Of course, there are some exceptions and special cases that we will consider on an individual basis. For example, we don’t care about land ownership, airspace restrictions, legal issues or other factors that might prevent you from flying in real life. If you find a cool site in Area 51 or North Korea, go ahead and upload it! We just want to have fun and explore new places virtually.

So, what are you waiting for? Start searching for your next hang gliding adventure and share it with us on our site sharing site!

If you know of a hang glider site that is not in our database, you can submit a new site by filling out a form on our website. You will need to provide the following information:

  • Site name: The official or common name of the site.
  • State: The state where the site is located.
  • Region: The region or area where the site is located.
  • Site type: The type of site, such as coastal, inland, mountain, or flatland.
  • Difficulty level: The difficulty level of the site, such as beginner, intermediate, advanced, or expert.
  • Wind direction: The wind direction that is suitable for flying at the site, such as N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, or NW.
  • Launch type: The type of launch at the site, such as foot launch, tow launch, or winch launch.
  • Landing type: The type of landing at the site, such as open field, beach, road, or water.
  • Site status: The status of the site, such as open, closed, restricted, or seasonal.
  • Site description: A brief overview of the site’s features, history, and attractions.
  • Location: A map showing the exact location of the site, along with GPS coordinates and directions on how to get there by car or public transport.
  • Launch: A description of the launch area, including its elevation, slope, orientation, surface, clearance, and hazards. Also include tips on how to launch safely and effectively.
  • Flight: A description of the typical flight conditions at the site, including the wind speed and direction, thermals, turbulence, lift sources, and cross-country potential. Also include tips on how to fly safely and enjoyably.
  • Landing: A description of the landing area, including its size, shape, orientation, surface, obstacles, and hazards. Also include tips on how to land safely and smoothly.
  • Facilities: A list of the facilities available at or near the site, such as toilets, water, parking, camping, accommodation, food, and shops.
  • Rules and regulations: A list of the rules and regulations that apply to the site, such as membership requirements, fees, permits, insurance, airspace restrictions, radio frequencies, and emergency contacts.
  • Site contacts: A list of the local hang gliding clubs or associations that manage or maintain the site, along with their contact details and websites.

You can also upload photos or videos of the site to illustrate its features and conditions. Please make sure that you have permission to use any media that you upload.

Once you submit your form, our team will review it and verify the information. If your submission meets our quality standards and criteria, we will add it to our database and notify you by email. You will also receive credit for your contribution on our website.

Thank you for helping us grow our database and share your knowledge with other hang gliding enthusiasts! We appreciate your input and feedback.