:::::FLYING IN GENERAL::::: Most things that fly are pretty cool.  I think we can all agree on that.  I bought the World Directory of Leisure Aviation last year, and it's managed to stay in my "current magazine" section (a.k.a. on the back of the toilet) for the entire year! The WDOLA is a cross between an overlarge magazine and a catalog of toy flying things for grown-ups.  It's filled with everything from paragliders and hang gliders, to ultralight sailplanes, to home built airplanes and helicoptors, all the way up to certified general avaition aircraft. I tell you this because I think most people have dreamed of flying, but the idea of getting a pilots license seems daunting, expensive, and really doesn't sound like a lot of fun.  The WDOLA tells you this... you can fly!  And, you can do it without going through the extremely restrictive process of getting your pilots license. Consider this... For less than the cost of a pilots license, you can purchase a powered paraglider, and complete all the training needed to fly over a weekend or two, and bada-bing... you're a pilot.  You're flying. A little secret for you... Most people who actually get their pilots license are completely dissatisfied with the flying experience once they are actually licensed.  Why?  Because flying a general aviation aircraft is equivalent to operating an "air car."  Rental airplanes are loud and uncomfortable.  The airspace is restrictive.  You spend the entire time leaning out the mixture on your fuel flow and talking to air traffic control in short, unfriendly communications.  And yet, when you ask the public about flying, they seem to think that getting a pilots license is the only option. The point I want to illustrate is that there are many forms of recreational aviation, but there doesn't seem to be one clear form that is significantly "better" than the others.  But it probably can be said that most forms of light weight powered or soaring craft provide a more satisfying piloting experience than a general aviation aircraft. Ask yourself some questions about what you want from your piloting experience.  Do you want to travel great distances at high speed or is local recreational flying more preferable?  Does noise matter?  Would you rather fly in a jet helicopter or a paraglider?  What is your budget?  For the price of a pilots license you can own an entire paraglider or hang glider rig, and fly it for years.  For the price of helicopter lessons you can own an ultralight, light sailplane, or a rigid wing hang glider, and again, fly it for years with virtually zero recurring costs.  Do you want to travel in your airplane?  Or, how would you like to take your aircraft to europe with you on vacation.  Choosing the right craft, you might be able to check it as baggage.  Engine too! It might surprise you to find out that joining a soaring club and flying sailplanes for a year will probably cost you less than if you were to fly radio controlled sailplanes for that same year. HANG GLIDING Gwen and I began hang gliding in 2002.  We mostly fly from Crestline and Marshall peak in San Bernardino, and also ocassionally Lake Elsinore. People always say I'm crazy, being a hang glider pilot.  My response is "you're crazy not to."  Mankind (and flightless bird alike) have dreamed for eons about flying, and hang gliding fulfills that dream.  And it's safe.  Or as safe as you choose to make it.  My personal mantra is "fly high, and fly conservatively." A question I get asked all of the time is "Do you sky dive too."  Short answer... hell no!  Are you nuts!  When I compare hang gliding to another sport, the one sport that it most closely resembles is scuba diving, not sky diving.  Let me explain.  When you're flying a hang glider, you're high above the ground, and moving pretty slowly.  You explore a three dimensional "liquid" space, where birds, other hang gliders and paragliders are above and below you.  It's the "above and below you" part that really makes the experience like scuba diving.  We even call paragliders jellyfish. I highly encourage you to persue hang gliding or paragliding.  If you are interested in learning to fly or just experiencing the freedom of soaring once, you can take a tandem hang glider or paraglider introductory flight from High Adventure. There are two picture pages on my site.  If you want to check them out, they are here and here.  There's also a picture from my highest flight ever here.		:::::THE LINKS::::: High Adventure Wills Wing Crestline Soaring Society Oz Report Lite Touch Films High Energy Sports Moyes Icaro Cessna Pilatus WDOLA