This flying season I'm going to do my best to get my mind and body in great flying shape before the XC season. Typically in the spring when the conditions are good, I just start flying. Slowly my body tunes in to what's demanded of it, and by summer if there's enough flying, I'm in reasonable shape. I talked with a personal trainer at my gym and described the different elements where specific physical demand is required as a hang glider pilot. Take-offs and landings are the most physically demanding aspect of hang gliding, and in certain conditions flying in and of itself can be physically challenging. The personal trainer gave me a series of exercises designed to address several deficiencies in my hang gliding fitness.
On a warm summer day at altitude in light wind conditions, a pilot might be required to accelerate his body and a 70 lb. glider from 0 to 10 mph in less than four seconds. Most of the time if there is a light wind coming up slope, launching is more about technique than physical training. However, there is an occasional launch in which a pilot will benefit from muscle-specific strength training. Landings tend to be the most physical aspect of hang gliding by a good margin. Having a strong core and a developed lower body could be the difference between landing successfully in no wind conditions and giving up prematurely, resulting in a hard landing.
More later.
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