Hang Gliding Archives | Kitty Hawk Kites

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What to Book for Your Outer Banks Vacation: Activities, Tours & Experiences

Shop for Travel Day at Kitty Hawk Kites Plan, browse, and pre-book your Outer Banks adventures This is your shopping guide for Outer Banks recreation—built for travelers who…

Published

January 13, 2026

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Why Dune Hang Gliding with Kitty Hawk Kites Should Be On Your Bucket List!

Looking for unforgettable things to do in Nags Head or ready to cross hang gliding in the Outer Banks off your bucket list? There’s no better place…

Published

October 13, 2025

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14+ Outer Bank Fall Activities with Kitty Hawk Kites!

Although summer has come to a close and the crisp air of fall is rolling in, that doesn’t mean the fun is over on the Outer Banks! In…

Published

October 2, 2025

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Things to Do in Nags Head, North Carolina: Family Fun, Festivals & More

If you're planning a trip to Nags Head this summer, you’re in for a memorable experience. From one-of-a-kind festivals and breathtaking sunsets to iconic landmarks and exciting family-friendly…

Published

June 23, 2025

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Hang Gliding as a Family Tradition

We’re here to share amazing stories about Hang Gliding as a family tradition. Recently, we got to sit down and chat with 2 Hang Gliding Dads, and their kids who have followed in their footsteps at Kitty Hawk Kites.

Published

June 15, 2023

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50th Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular

The Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding Spectacular is the longest running hang gliding event in the world! This year, the Kitty Hawk Kites Flight School is proud to…

Published

May 19, 2022

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49th Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular Recap

This past May 13th-16th, we hosted the 49th Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular at Jockey’s Ridge State Park and the Cotton Gin in Jarvisburg, NC. Pilots from across the…

Published

May 27, 2021

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Happy Birthday, Francis Rogallo!

Francis Rogallo was born on January 27th, 1912. The NASA aeronautical engineer is widely known as the father of modern hang gliding. He eventually celebrated 97 birthdays, but one in particular stands out, in 1974.

Published

January 27, 2021

Billy Vaughn flying a Wills Wing Sport 3 at the Aerotow Hang Gliding competition

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A Spectacular Hang Gliding Competition

This past weekend, something amazing happened. Against all odds, the 48th Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular Competition took place on October 25-27. The Spectacular is the longest continually running…

Published

September 30, 2020

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Kitty Hawk Kites Instructor: ‘Why I love teaching hang gliding’

Very simply, I love teaching hang gliding because I love watching someone’s life change right in front of me. We have all sorts of students; there are those…

Published

August 13, 2020

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What to Bring on Your Hang Gliding Lesson

So you want to learn how to fly. Great! But before you head out to the dunes, there are a few things that we recommend you bring with you on your hang gliding lesson.

Published

July 20, 2020

John Harris hang gliding at Grandfather Mountain

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The 46th Anniversary of Hang Gliding at Grandfather Mountain

On this day 46 years ago, July 13, 1974, Kitty Hawk Kites founder John Harris became the first person to hang glide at Grandfather Mountain.

Published

July 13, 2020

A kid smiling during hang gliding lessons

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Have You Been Hang Gliding Yet?

https://vimeo.com/431846177 When people think of the Outer Banks, one of the first things they think of is flight. As home to the Wright Brother's National Memorial and boasting…

Published

June 23, 2020

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Free Flight: Staying Current

Our OBX hang gliding school assistant manager, Billy Vaughn welcomed paragliding pilot Joe Seitz to our bi-weekly zoom discussion and Q&A. We covered the topic of staying current.

Published

June 18, 2020

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How Much Does Hang Gliding Really Cost?

The most important costs when it comes to Hang Gliding, are also often the most expensive. There are also some hidden costs to consider.

Published

June 11, 2020

Foot launching at the El Peñón Classic Race.

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Gearing Up

Learn what you type of gear you need to have for safe, fun hang gliding and paragliding flights.

Published

June 4, 2020

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New 2020 Event Dates

We look forward every year to hosting outstanding events for our Outer Banks guests. This year our events will look a little different in order to keep everyone…

Published

May 21, 2020

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Flight Planning

How to Thoughtfully Anticipate and Manage Risk On Friday, May 8th we held a Zoom call to present tips and advice on flight planning for Hang Gliding and…

Published

May 12, 2020

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Anniversary of Wright Brothers Dec. 17 Flight

The scene from the replica of the Wright Brothers 1902 Glider when in flight. When Orville Wright took his place at the controls of the aircraft he and…

Published

December 18, 2019

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KHK Celebrates Amazing Women in Aviation

Behind every good man, there's a great woman. So who's behind every great woman? Women’s History Month (March), International Women’s Day (March 8), and Women of Aviation Worldwide…

Published

December 16, 2019

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Teaching The World To Fly For Over 45 Years

Kitty Hawk Kites has celebrated its 45th anniversary this year. Since then, our mission has been teaching the world to fly! But have you ever wondered how it all started? So we asked John Harris, founder and president of Kitty Hawk Kites, to give us in his words how he started this great company.

Published

October 22, 2019

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A Hang Gliding Flight in Mexico

In February 2019, I ventured to Valle de Bravo, Mexico to participate in the legendary El Peñón Classic Race, a hang gliding competition known for attracting the fiercest sport class competitors in the world.

Published

March 27, 2019

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A First Flight Story

hang gliding launch My name is Sara, and I’m a competitive hang glider pilot. I’ve been obsessed with free flight since my first lessons in 2013. And suspect…

Published

December 19, 2018

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How Hang Gliding Mirrors Life

Launching Henson's Gap, April 2017.Photo by Dave Aldrich As my second year on the hang gliding competition circuit ends, I find myself constantly reflecting on how far I’ve…

Published

October 25, 2018

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Dave’s Journey to His Hang 1

The Outer Banks have always been special to me and my family. I vacationed there as a child and, when Dave and I took our first vacation together,…

Published

September 28, 2018

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How Learning to Fly at Kitty Hawk Kites Made Me into a Better Competition Pilot

In 2013, I began my first summer as a hang gliding instructor at Kitty Hawk Kites. It was here that I first learned to fly. My fellow instructors…

Published

August 20, 2018

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Earning Your Hang 1 at Kitty Hawk Kites

If you’re ready to take adventure to a whole new level, then it’s time to earn your Hang 1 certification at Kitty Hawk Kites. So if you’re looking…

Published

August 7, 2018

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Fun Things To Do on the OBX

want more than the beach? kitty hawk kites has you covered! The majority of visitors to the Outer Banks typically book their week-long vacation in advance in anticipation…

Published

June 14, 2018

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A Quadriplegic Gets His Wings

I wish I could bottle up Randall Dickman’s attitude and sell it at a Kitty Hawk Kites location near you. The results would be impressive and the world…

Published

June 1, 2018

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From Dune Instructor to Comp Pilot

How my brain ever chose to be a comp hang glider pilot I will never understand. But this is my genesis story.

Published

May 31, 2018

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