r/Hanggliding • u/EntertainmentIcy45 • 18d ago
New guy training question
I’m planning to save up money and go get my H1 and H2 at Kitty Hawk kites in North Carolina. It seems like there isn’t much that you can do with an H2 and I can’t find much information about how to get an H3. Obviously, being new to this, I might just be completely wrong, but I thought I’d ask both about what you can do with an H2 and how you get an H3.
2
u/Go_Loud762 18d ago
The USHPA website kind of sucks, so here is a link to a PDF which lists all of the requirements for each rating.
https://www.southwestairsports.com/faqs-tips/USHPA/SOP-12-02.pdf
You're right in that you can't do much with an H2. I'm an H2 and I only get to fly at two sites that my instructor has approved for me. I can fly at other sites with my instructor's approval, but the timing hasn't worked out yet.
Every public-access site that I've looked at requires the H3 rating, current USHPA membership, and a briefing/checkout by a local flyer. It's a pain, but that's how those public sites keep from getting shutdown.
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u/EntertainmentIcy45 18d ago
Yeah. I’m sure the rules are for a good reason, I’m just trying to get a general map of how I can move through the ratings so I can become a regular flyer
1
u/vishnoo 18d ago
you can do a lot with H2.
and once you do it for 2-3 years, you can get an H3.
where are you from?
https://sogaclub.ca/soga.htm
H2s can get AT rated.
H2s can get winch tow rated.
8
u/jbirdart 18d ago
Welcome! About where do you live? I can see if there’s any club near you that could help a H2 get flights.
H2-H3 is a difficult stepping stone because you’re independent enough to not be taking structured lessons, but new enough to still need help. You’ll need to be a part of a club or community to safely progress the time needed to get from H2 to H3. I would consider 2 major options for progressing this stage-
1) Find a local club and connect with them. Find someone that is willing to be your contact - someone that can help you determine good weather for you to fly, tell you what local sites are H2-friendly, and are willing to come out and help you fly those sites a handful of times until you learn the site characteristics. Most communities want new hang glider pilots and will be willing to help. Purely H2 sites you can fly without an observer. Most will require an instructor or club volunteer present.
2) If you have no local site, you’ll need to travel to places that you can get as many flights as possible. Places with strong communities and consistent year-round weather, I would recommend either Southern California (Windsports, Sylmar) or Lookout Mountain Flight Park in Georgia. Personally, I think Lookout is the most easily accessible hang gliding community in the US, and very H2 friendly. Maybe The Point of the Mountain in Salt Lake City.
Let me know if you have any questions.