Beginner Hang Gliding Lesson
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
this is one of the closest ways to experience what the Wright Brother's experienced over 100 years ago as they trying to conquer the mystery of flight ... and only a few miles away from where they actually took their first flights!
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Your lesson will begin with "Ground School", which is a 30 minute interactive introductory class. Once you have completed your Ground School class, you will have a short period to collect your things, use the bathroom and gear up for the flight portion of your lesson. Each student will receive a helmet and harness, which they will carry out to the sand dunes. After gearing up, the entire class will walk out to Jockey's Ridge for the flight portion of your lesson. Each student shall receive 5 training flights per person over the next 2 hours. Once we have completed each student's flights, we will all return to the Hang Gliding School to wrap up and review what you've learned during your lesson. NOTE: weight limit for this activity is 235 lbs
What‘s Included
Hang Glider, Helmet, Harness
Bottled water
sun protection
Options
Beginner Hang Gliding Lesson
Reviews
77 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
What an AMAZING experience!
Tour36820778514,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My 17 year old son and I had such a great time! Our Instructors, K and C, were terrific; knowledgeable, kind and went the extra mile to ensure that my autistic son had the absolute best time of his life!
Great experience for the whole family
melanief960,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My family had a great time. As first timers, we felt safe and confident after the short training we were given beforehand. Our instructors were super friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this experience! Just be prepared for a decent walk out to the dunes.
Newbies loved it
Lisa F,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The hike to the location can be strenuous over lose sand, and the hill to position yourself between glides was pretty steep, but the two gentleman we had, Larson and Brad, were excellent.
The Highlight of Our Trip
Olivia L,Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was the highlight of our trip! Ben & Legs are excellent instructors! Our family (age 16 to 60s) all had successful flights. We will definitely do this again next time we are in OBX.
Beginner Hang Gliding - Kitty Hawk
OnAir437532,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome experience. Our instructors did a great job and were friendly and patient. t We somehow got perfect wind conditions - it was incredible!
I didn't care for Drake
ShannaMoo,Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We purchased our beginner hang gliding lesson from Stephanie at the Kitty Hawk Kites located across from Jockey’s Ridge. She was friendly and helpful. The day of our lesson we arrived 15 minutes early. I’m glad we didn’t arrive much earlier because our instructor, Drake, didn’t start the orientation until at least 15 minutes or more after our start time. When we arrived I asked a few questions and felt the employees, one being Drake, treated my questions as more of a nuisance. I wondered if this was how my questions were being treated now, how would my hang gliding questions be answered. After the orientation we received our harnesses & helmets and assigned instructors. Of course one of mine was Drake and the other Rhodey. We walked out to the dunes, left our shoes at the end of the boardwalk, and met the other instructors at the top of the dune with the kites. Kareem was a joker and I would have enjoyed being in his group more. My husband and I were the only 2 adults in the child/adult group while the parents of the children we were with were in the adult only group. The children weren’t a problem but this seemed odd. When I inquired why the kid free adults were with the children and not their parents, I was told that was that’s just how the numbers fell. There were multiple children who participated that parents did not. The parents or families hung out at the top of the dune. I felt I was rushed to take off before I was comfortable to go. Throughout my entire lesson I felt Drake was super unprofessional and condescending. Rhodey was more patient and understanding. It’s like Drake forgets what it’s like to be a beginner. Almost anytime I asked a question about positioning during hang gliding, Drake’s response would come with a you should have been listening. Like I wasn’t listening at any point during his orientation. By my fifth flight I had to take deep breaths to not go off on Drake. Drake made my lesson unpleasant. My husband had a different experience since he did well. You will be covered in sand. You are able to take a whatever you need with you and leave at the top of the dune during your lesson. There is little to no shade so plan for it to be hot and take enough water. I would suggest this activity but not Drake. We would like to try the tandem lesson.
Great experience! Great instructor!
Brandis1914,Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had an amazing time at the hang gliding lesson. There was a brief lesson at the school prior to heading to the dunes that was very helpful. Once I got to the dune I was super nervous, but my instructor, Burton, went over everything and I went for it. Holy cow! It was so much fun and so much easier than I anticipated. Not scary at all. I did 5 flights and wish I could have done 10 more!
Glide low
Bobby A,Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00It was really fun. Though, it wasn’t quite as expected, in that, we thought we would glide higher and for longer, without being tethered to the ground. Aside from that, it was a fun experience as the instructors were all nice and enthusiastic, and the dune area was pretty fun and interesting.
You need to be in fairly...
Marsha T,Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00You need to be in fairly decent shape to walk over the dunes and then to run with the speed that you have to have. Luckily, I had success. But it’s a great experience. Thanks to a great cool day with good wind.
Such a cool experience
mikayled2025,Sep 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome experience! Our 2 instructors, Brad and Kareem were great! They were super enthusiastic, patient, professional, and gave straight forward commands that were easy to follow in the air. Only wish the dunes were higher so we could’ve gotten more air and had longer flights!!! 10/10 recommend
From US$149.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Kitty Hawk Kites