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Become a Hang Gliding Pilot

Adventure

Become a Hang Gliding Pilot

How to Become a Hang Gliding Pilot brings together Kitty Hawk Kites adventures in the Outer Banks. Hang Gliding - Become a Pilot Want to become a pilot?

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Overview Experiences Promotions
Become a Hang Gliding Pilot

Starting At

$849 +6% Online Convenience Fee

Experiences

Advanced Hang Gliding Lesson, Hang 1 Training Package, Hang 1 Camp, Unlimited Hang Gliding Package, Accelerated Hang II Package

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Adventure Overview

Become a Hang Glider Pilot

Want to become a pilot? With 40 years of experience, Kitty Hawk Kites specializes in developing new pilots for the Hang Gliding and Paragliding communities.

Whether you have zero experience or you need to work on your spot landings, the instructors at Kitty Hawk Kites can help you achieve your goal. Kitty Hawk Kites boasts training facilities ideal locations in North Carolina and New Hampshire for becoming a pilot.
Adventure Promotion Recreation

$5 OFF!

Save $5 person when you book for Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday

Adventure Promotion Recreation

$5 OFF!

Mention the offer when booking by phone or apply the discount online during checkout. It’s the perfect way to fly high and save.

Call 1-877-FLY-THIS (359-8447) for booking assistance.
Discount subject to availability. Valid at participating locations only.

Experiences

Explore Available Experiences

Advanced Hang Gliding Lesson

Become a Hang Gliding Pilot

Advanced Hang Gliding Lesson

Starting At

$199 +6% Online Convenience Fee

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Adventure Option

Advanced Hang Gliding Lesson

This Hang Gliding Lesson focuses on developing and refining the skills necessary to meet the requirements for the Hang 1 rating. 7 flights are guaranteed and the student to instructor ratio is reduced to 4:1 with one of our Lead Instructors. These lessons are available year round at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, NC.
Hang 1 Training Package

Become a Hang Gliding Pilot

Hang 1 Training Package

Starting At

$849 +6% Online Convenience Fee

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Adventure Option

Hang 1 Training Package

Adventure types: Air and Hang Gliding. Typical duration: 6 Lessons. Locations: Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School. Areas: Nags Head, NC. Displayed pricing: $849. Package Breakdown 1 Beginner Dune Lesson 5 Adv. Beginner Dune Lessons $1, 000+ Value with $165 in savings!
Hang 1 Camp

Become a Hang Gliding Pilot

Hang 1 Camp

Starting At

$1299 +6% Online Convenience Fee

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Adventure Option

Hang 1 Camp

Weekly Unlimited Package $999
7-nights Accommodations $300

Hang 1 Training is available all year, but we also offer 3 weeks of Hang 1 specific training in a “Camp” setting. These Camps include 7 nights accommodations at a local beach house, where you would share the residence with your fellow campers.

  • April 19-26, 2026
  • September 20-27, 2026
  • October 11-18, 2026
Unlimited Hang Gliding Package

Become a Hang Gliding Pilot

Unlimited Hang Gliding Package

Starting At

$999 +6% Online Convenience Fee

Call to Book
Adventure Option

Unlimited Hang Gliding Package

Winter $999
Weekly $999
Camp w/ Lodging $1299

By the spring you’ll be that much closer to soloing your hang glider 2,000′ above the ground! Please note, ratings are never guaranteed. The student must demonstrate skills and knowledge commensurate with the USHPA rating to be signed off.
Accelerated Hang II Package

Become a Hang Gliding Pilot

Accelerated Hang II Package

Starting At

$2750 +6% Online Convenience Fee

Call to Book
Adventure Option

Accelerated Hang II Package

If your ultimate goal is to fly at altitude solo, the Hang II Rating should be your first goal for becoming a Hang Glider Pilot. Kitty Hawk Kites has designed an accelerated Hang Gliding Lesson curriculum to help get you there if you don’t have any experience. The focus will be on Tandem Aerotowing Lessons from the Cotton Gin, but you’ll also be able to complete your footlaunch requirements at our Hang Gliding School at Jockeys Ridge State Park.

Here’s what’s included in this package:

  • Personalized Attention – both the Flight Park & the Hang Gliding School
  • Foot Launch Instruction – complete this requirement at Jockey’s Ridge State Park
  • 20 Tandem Aerotow Lessons – you’ll concentrate your training at altitude with our seasoned instructors
  • 2 Solo Flights – complete your training at the flight park with two solo tows
  • New Glider Credit – Once you complete this package we’ll give you a $500 credit toward a new glider purchase!

The Goal: “Hang I”

  • Starter Packages Available
  • Comprehensive Hang 1 Training Packages Available
  • Hang 1 Camps with Lodging Available

Aero-towing Training & Hang II Certification

Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, NC offers consistent winds and safe training conditions year-round. The soft sand provides a forgiving environment, which is ideal for practicing your launches and landings. With a temperate climate, your training begins when it’s convenient for you! Kitty Hawk Kites also conducts concentrated week-long Hang 1 Camps for students that want to condense that training. You may be surprised how achievable a Hang 1 or a Para 1 rating actually can be…it’s definitely within your grasp!

The Goal: “Hang II” with an aero-tow rating

  • 3-Lesson Starter Package Available
  • 15-Lesson Aero-tow Package Available
  • Accelerated Hang 2 Package Available

Continue your progress to becoming a full-fledged hang gliding pilot with our state of the art aero-towing program. After mastering your launches and landings at the Dunes your instruction transitions to altitude training. Our instructors tow up with you in a tandem hang glider behind a lite-sport aircraft called a Dragonfly. Your instructor teaches you 1 on 1 while you master your understanding and proficiency of altitude flying. We will teach you how to coordinate turns, fly efficiently, and set up your downwind, base, and final approach among other topics.

Reservations Policy

Adventure Reservations Policies

We try to be as flexible as we possibly can to make your experience great, but please be mindful that we do have some policies that should be reviewed.

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Reservations Policy

Adventure Reservations Policies

Our activities tend to fill up, so we encourage you to make your reservation early, especially if you plan to come in June, July, August, September, or during a holiday. While walk-ins are welcome, there is no guarantee that space will be available without a reservation.

Payment

Full payment is required to book your reservation. Kitty Hawk Kites does not hold spots without payment. Your card will be charged when you click “Accept” on the confirmation page. We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover. If you want to pay by cash or gift card, you must make your reservation at one of our retail stores or activity sites. If you are unsure of where the nearest reservations facility is, please call or text 252-251-4314.
Prices are subject to change, so confirm the rates at time of reservation.

Weather Related Cancellations and Refunds

Weather changes frequently and unexpectedly in coastal areas, and many weather forecasts are inaccurate. Due to these factors, weather related cancellations will likely not occur until very close to time of the scheduled reservation. Should Kitty Hawk Kites cancel your scheduled activity due to unsafe weather conditions, you will be offered the chance to reschedule your activity or Kitty Hawk Kites can either issue you a **wind check** (for Hang Gliding, Paragliding, Kayaking, Kiteboarding, Paddleboarding and Surfing) or provide you with a refund for the portion of the activity you were unable to complete.

For instance, in the case of Demo and Beginner Dune Hang Gliding Lessons the first portion (“Ground School”) of your lesson will not be cancelled and is non-refundable within 48 hours. The ground school is pro-rated at $39 per student.
Note: if you were booked on one of our packages, and part of your activities are cancelled due to weather, and you opt for a refund, you will be charged regular price for the activities you completed.

Customer Related Cancellations & Rescheduling

Should the purchasing customer request a refund, Kitty Hawk Kites will provide a full refund for any request that is made at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled activity. No refunds will be given for customer cancellations made within the 48 hours before the scheduled activity. If the reservation is made within the 48 hours before the activity time, the reservation is non-refundable at the time of the booking.

Fishing Trips scheduled on the Carolina Blue and the Southern Run require a weeks notice to cancel for a full refund.  Any cancellations made within a week of your fishing trip will be charged full cost of the trip.

Reschedules

Customers may request to reschedule or wind check their scheduled activity to a future time or date at any time up until the day preceding their scheduled activity. Same day rescheduling shall not be permitted.

Late Arrivals & No Show Policy

NO REFUNDS or reschedules will be given if you fail to show up for your activity. Please contact Kitty Hawk Kites 24 hours prior to your scheduled activity if you need to reschedule.

Waivers

For activities that require a liability waiver to be completed, each participant of that activity must complete a waiver to participate in that activity. Minor participants (anyone under 18 years old) must have their waiver completed by their parent or legal guardian in order for the minor participant to take part in the scheduled activity. If you have any questions concerning whether the scheduled activity requires a waiver or how to obtain a waiver for a minor not traveling with their parent or legal guardian, please call 1-877-FLY-THIS to speak to a Kitty Hawk Kites reservations associate.

**Wind Checks**

A wind check is a non expiring voucher which allows you to schedule your activity (Hang Gliding, Paragliding, Kayaking, Kiteboarding, Paddleboarding and Surfing) for a future date if you are unable to complete your scheduled activity and cannot reschedule during your stay on the Outer Banks. Wind checks do not have to be used by the person to whom they were issued – so don’t lose them. Kitty Hawk Kites is not responsible for lost or stolen wind checks. If you have a wind check and would like to schedule your activity, simply call reservations at 1-877-FLY-THIS and them know you are redeeming a wind check to begin the scheduling process.

Accessibility

We are committed to making our activities as accessible as possible. While some activities may have limitations, we’re happy to work with you to explore accommodations. For assistance or questions, please contact us at (252) 441-4124.