Where to learn HG in Pacific Northwest?
Many Washington and Oregon HG pilots get their trainings done through Oregon Hang Gliding School in Corvallis, OR. You'll be learning from a qualified US Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USPHA) instructor John Matylonek. The training hill location will either be at Lebanon, Oregon, or Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City, Oregon. John is a really good instructor, but doesn't operate year around due to the bad weather here in PNW. So it might take a bit longer to get the Novice H2 rating.
Another idea, and maybe a faster route is to consider heading to Northern Cali, to get your H1 & H2 rating. Spend few weeks there (approx 15 plus lesson days) and some schools might even provide lodging. The weather there is much more consistent with more training hills, and you might be able to get your H2 rating within couple week of accelerated intense training courses. Once you have your H-2 rating, you can start shopping around for your equipments (used or new). Once you're set with the basics, you'll be able to fly a few H2 sites near Portland and Seattle. Myself and other local pilots will be happy to sponsor you to fly those sites when you've obtained your H2 rating.
I've few listed contacts below that'll provide all the info to help get you started. (Jun 29th18 updated)
Flying sites in Pacific Northwest:
http://pdxhanggliding.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-live-in-portlandor-and-do-fly.html
US Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association :
https://www.ushpa.org/page/learn-to-fly-overview
https://www.ushpa.org/page/how-do-i-learn-to-fly
Another idea, and maybe a faster route is to consider heading to Northern Cali, to get your H1 & H2 rating. Spend few weeks there (approx 15 plus lesson days) and some schools might even provide lodging. The weather there is much more consistent with more training hills, and you might be able to get your H2 rating within couple week of accelerated intense training courses. Once you have your H-2 rating, you can start shopping around for your equipments (used or new). Once you're set with the basics, you'll be able to fly a few H2 sites near Portland and Seattle. Myself and other local pilots will be happy to sponsor you to fly those sites when you've obtained your H2 rating.
I've few listed contacts below that'll provide all the info to help get you started. (Jun 29th18 updated)
Corvallis, OR
John Matylonek (541) 913 1339
Oregon Hang Gliding School here. Thanks for the information Rick. I point to you as a model hang glider pilot to emulate with all my students. I'd like to clarify the timing of training. One must differentiate the number of lesson days required to become basically competent - which is very consistent around the world (15 lesson days) - to the pace at which must take those 15 days to experience all the weather/site conditions one needs to be able handle different situations. The personal pace at which people need to address varying physical, intellectual and physical skills varies quite abit too. So, when money and time are not an issue then one guy will finish his hang two in 4 months (and that is the exception!) and another guy will take about 6 months (an average if he is available and money is not the issue) and many many take more than a one year. That is all okay. We all have different lifestyles. But, here is a good barometer. If it does take you more than a one year from the OHGS perspective, it's because you have decided to use a hodge podge of learning sources that did not consistently drive you forward to the end, or because something in your life distracted you to following the curriculum on regular, consistent basis. We are very blessed in the pacific northwest with the very best places to learn. Weather has nothing to do it because we are expected to fly this weather pattern not some foreign site. Your ability to read the weather and change your schedule according to it in the program of instruction readies you to do the same thing when you are an independent pilot. Becoming a pilot is more than just physical skills. It's also intellectual and emotional skills. Thanks for reading.
Eric Ollikainen
Glenoma, Washington
PM me for Eric contact
Oregon Hang Gliding School here. Thanks for the information Rick. I point to you as a model hang glider pilot to emulate with all my students. I'd like to clarify the timing of training. One must differentiate the number of lesson days required to become basically competent - which is very consistent around the world (15 lesson days) - to the pace at which must take those 15 days to experience all the weather/site conditions one needs to be able handle different situations. The personal pace at which people need to address varying physical, intellectual and physical skills varies quite abit too. So, when money and time are not an issue then one guy will finish his hang two in 4 months (and that is the exception!) and another guy will take about 6 months (an average if he is available and money is not the issue) and many many take more than a one year. That is all okay. We all have different lifestyles. But, here is a good barometer. If it does take you more than a one year from the OHGS perspective, it's because you have decided to use a hodge podge of learning sources that did not consistently drive you forward to the end, or because something in your life distracted you to following the curriculum on regular, consistent basis. We are very blessed in the pacific northwest with the very best places to learn. Weather has nothing to do it because we are expected to fly this weather pattern not some foreign site. Your ability to read the weather and change your schedule according to it in the program of instruction readies you to do the same thing when you are an independent pilot. Becoming a pilot is more than just physical skills. It's also intellectual and emotional skills. Thanks for reading.
Eric Ollikainen
Glenoma, Washington
PM me for Eric contact
Medford, OR
Jim Tibbs 541-772-2915
Missoula, MT
Paul Roys 406-203-2695
8 hrs drive from Seattle
Freedom Flight Park
Lumby BC
Randy Rauck 250 307 7553
6.5 hrs drive from Seattle
Freedom Flight Park
Lumby BC
Randy Rauck 250 307 7553
6.5 hrs drive from Seattle
Santa Barbara,CA
Willy Dydo (802) 558-6350
Mission Soaring center (Northern Calif)
Milpitas, CA 95035. Instructor & Owner
Pat Denevan (408) 262-1055
Hang Gliding Academy / Bay Area and Portland
Zac Majors (415)-715-4757
Windsports Hang Gliding (Southern Calif)
Sylmar, CA 91342. Instructor & Owner
Joe Greblo (818) 367-2430
Flying sites in Pacific Northwest:
http://pdxhanggliding.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-live-in-portlandor-and-do-fly.html
US Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association :
https://www.ushpa.org/page/learn-to-fly-overview
https://www.ushpa.org/page/how-do-i-learn-to-fly
