BIG SIZES
FLIGHTS IN HAND GLIDER IN AUVERGNE
The diversity of sporting activities offered in the different regions of France is also a way to discover them from a different perspective and what could be more appealing
than discover the departments of Haute Loire, Cantal and Puy de Dôme located in the AUVERGNE RHONE ALPES region through hang gliding flights which will give you the opportunity to admire their radiant and sumptuous landscapes.
Hang gliding, an active sport by excellence, is an activity that consists of flying aboard a light single- or two-seater weight-shift control aircraft with a delta-shaped wing the original creation of which dates back to the years 1800 with
the invention by Albrecht Ludwig Berblinger of the very first hang glider in 1811, followed by many more years late by
Otto Lilienthal in the 1890s but it was only towards the end of the 1950s that the engineer Francis Rogallo worked on
a wing which at the time was primarily intended to equip space capsules for atmospheric reentry.
Organized by the International Aeronautical Federation and in France by the French Federation of Free Flight ( FFVL ) Hand gliding in its
current practice in our region is recent.
with the first prototype built in early 1973 by Christian Paul Depasse in parallel with the first hang glider flight carried out the same year by Rudy Kishazy from the Aiguille du Midi in the Mont Blanc massif with a basic design including a wing made of Delta-shaped, self stabilizing in flight complemented by pendulum
style piloting where the pilot lies prone with their head to the wind in a streamlined full-body harness attached to the wing's solid support at the attachment point located in the middle of the wing. This trapeze incorporating two uprights and a control bar, allows the pilot, through arm movements, to move laterally and forwards and backwards, enabling them to position themselves relative to the center of gravity lift of the Delta wing in parallel with the consequent
actions generated by the wings to perform either a turn or an acceleration.
Mostly composed of 2 types of wings called "Flexible" or "Rigid" Hang gliding also includes an important specificity which is the take-off from a high point such as a hill, a mountain or a dune, some of which are equipped with launch ramps facilitating the take-off operation. Hang gliding is also practiced on plains depending on the regions and their geographical configurations thanks to the help of a specially adapted winch. In the same way, one can also take off from a cliff be towed by a light aircraft or towed by an ultralight aircraft, or be dropped in flight from a hot air balloon.
A Pleasant Adrenaline Rush
Comprising approximately 1060 members across 4 departmental committees, 8 schools, and 22 clubs affiliated with the FFVL (French Federation of Free Flight) that also practice paragliding, hang gliding in the Auvergne region is enjoying
great success based on average and adjustable flight times ranging from 30 to 40 minutes and beyond, on a basis of 60
minutes and more and this depending on local circuits and routes, available and operational aircraft models, and the
The chosen packages whether single-seater or tandem, accompanied by an instructor or experienced pilot are complemented by standard clothing such as sportswear and sunglasses, in addition to the flight suits, helmets, and gloves provided by the clubs, which are necessary for the flights. Once boarded and airborne, the moment arrives when
one feels a pleasant adrenaline rush often sought after by pilots and
Those who enjoy this type of sport, and taking into account the diversity of locations and landscapes in the departments concerned within the Auvergne region, will appreciate the views from the air on a clear day. Whether flying above Les Estables in Haute Loire along Mont Chouvé
near the town of Ambert, or over the Puy Mary or the Jordanne Valley in Cantal, passing over the top of the radiant summit of the Puy de Dôme, the experiences are sublime and unforgettable. with sensations of total freedom giving a
slightly optical illusion dominating the landscapes that unfold before you and contemplating the Auvergne region from the air is an original way to discover it, encompassing both the beauty of its natural landscapes and its wild spaces
the richness of its heritage and this type of off-the- beaten-path aerial getaway that never ceases to developing it is
also a tremendous asset for discovering our shimmering territories from a different perspective.
Report by: Gabriel PAGE
Photos credit: Gabriel PAGE / Getty Images
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