Oregon Hang Gliding School

"John is a remarkable teacher and strong advocate for safe hang gliding in the NW. If you want to learn right, Oregon Hang Gliding School is definitely the way to go, his passion for the sport really shows. My wife and I are absolutely going to continue lessons with John after we pay off a few debts. He is a very popular teacher and after our ground school this weekend I understand why. Shannon and I both are now more excited than ever to get our certifications, safely in the Northwests varied conditions (a much better way to learn than fair weather schools). Patrick and Shannon M. Salem, Oregon"

"I have had such an amazing experience learning to Hang Glide from John. I am 100% convinced that I could not have gotten better instruction anywhere else, and in a sport with so many variables, good instruction and guidance is what keeps it safe. I live nearly 7 hours away from where John teaches, so naturally I tried calling every instructor that lived closer- to the ones that I actually got in contact with (which were very few) I was either told they weren't teaching anymore, or was given the run around and told to ask them again at a different time. It wasn't until one of them had the kindness to recommend John to me that I decided to call him. After waiting over 4 months on these other instructors, John was able to schedule me a lesson within a week after my first call to him. John's instruction is far beyond anyone else's that I could have gotten- he developed a fully online curriculum that walks students through the academics of hang gliding (remember this is learning how to fly, not how to play tennis), and makes it a point to teach all of his students in all the different methods and conditions that they will be presented with throughout their flying careers (training hill, pulley system, foot launch, high wind, low wind, smooth air, turbulent air) so that they will know how to effectively handle each one. John is also one of the most generous and kindest individuals I've ever met. He'll join in the laborious work of carrying the glider back up the training hill for you when your tired, use his whole day to wait for conditions to be right for your flight if need be, and drive all over Oregon at whatever time fits your schedule to get a lesson in for you. Because of the distance, I would always stay through the weekends for lessons- I probably saved nearly a thousand dollars on lodging and food because John would let me sleep for free at any of his three locations and would always cook up and share dinner after a long day out training, and breakfasts' before we'd head out in the morning for the next days lesson. Oregon Hang Gliding School is by far the best place there is if you want to learn and fully grasp how to hang glide. Just give John a call and you'll be flying with the rest of us in no time!"

"Look at it this way. At new years, someone asks you "what's the highlight of your year?", you can say, "I went for a sunny vacation" or you can say "I became a hang glider pilot and I fly most weekends". Hang gliding is an art, a sport and a science. OHGS is a one stop shop for gear, instruction, and knowledge of flying the northwest. I've been taking lessons from OHGS for a little over a year, and I have had some flights that lasted over an hour, with bald eagles alongside in flight. (I have dreamt of flying all my life and this was still better than expected) There have been times when I found hang gliding tough, and times when I was over enthusiastic and reckless. My instructor was there keeping me safe, teaching me and encouraging me, offering varied equipment to advance my skills. OHGS is great value for money, and provides some of the most thorough training you can get anywhere with online tutorials and tests to ensure understanding in key areas. HIGHLY recommended."

"Oregon Hang Gliding School offers a comprehensive learning environment that helped give me the education I needed to safely and confidently learn to fly. They are the only school in the region to offer lessons during the cold muddy months in the off season and have nice accommodations available for students (including a summer beach house!). All in person training is complimented by an amazing set of articles, lectures and classes on the school's website. John is an extremely patient instructor that goes the extra mile to help you during the learning process. If you plan on flying the unique Pacific Northwest conditions then you owe it to yourself to learn locally from the only full time committed school in the region. They will build a solid and safe foundation of flying skills needed to enter this amazing sport!"

"There is only one way to learn this sport safely, John & Oregon Hang Gliding School (OHGS) are the only way to go. John is the only hang gliding school with a fully integrated online syllabus that provides vital knowledge of weather & techniques for flying sites all over Oregon. John's curriculum teaches students to become lifetime hang glider pilots with comprehensive, in-depth instruction for flying different training sites in the Willamette Valley as well as on the Oregon Coast. With the multitude of training sites & the acquired knowledge gained through experiencing different flying conditions in different places, the transition to more experienced Mountain flying sites all over Oregon, Washington & California is seamless. OHGS demographic encompasses the entire Pacific Northwest & John has plenty of places to stay, from the bunk house in Pacific City to his couch in Corvallis, he definitely goes the extra mile to ensure that his students are comfortable & have a place to sleep at the end of a long day of training. I would highly recommend OHGS to anyone interested in pursuing foot launched aviation."