Hang Gliding Tandem Flight at Lookout Mountain: Learn to Fly

You grip the control bar and feel the thermals lift the glider higher than the ridge itself.

Tandem hang gliding at Lookout Mountain pairs you with a certified instructor who tows you aloft in a specially designed ultralight, then hands you the controls to steer the glider yourself while soaring over the surrounding valleys. The flight lasts 30 minutes. You choose whether you want smooth, gentle flight or dynamic maneuvers. No prior experience is required, and the operator accommodates most physical needs with advance notice.

The experience

The tow plane pulls you skyward until the engine cuts and you're alone with the glider, the instructor, and the ridge below. Once aloft, your certified instructor shows you how to work the control bar: how pressure and angle shift the glider's path through the air. The world goes quiet at 1,500 feet. You're not watching the landscape pass. You're flying it, reading the air itself, feeling the thermals that lift the wing. If you want to carve turns or hunt for lift, the instructor talks you through it. If you want to float smooth and level, that works too.

Dress for the temperature at altitude: athletic clothing, shoes with backs, sunglasses if you have them (safety glasses are provided). The flight takes about 30 minutes total, though the actual time in the air depends on conditions and how the thermals cooperate. Weight limit is 250 pounds. Minimum age is 14. The operator has flown passengers well into their 90s and regularly accommodates paraplegic and other special-needs fliers, so if you have questions about your own situation, call ahead to confirm you're eligible.

What’s included

• Use of the hang glider and a certified instructor for the full flight.
• instruction on how to control the glider once airborne.
• the choice between smooth flight or dynamic maneuvers.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday and WednesdayDepartures at 09:45, 11:00 and 16:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (14 to 17 years) · Under 14: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 14 · max 4 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Lookout Mountain Flight Park

Is this one for you?You fly the glider yourself under the instructor's guidance, so this suits anyone who wants to actively steer rather than sit as a passenger. The 30-minute flight and hands-on control make it ideal if you want to feel the mechanics of flight, not just the view.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (14 to 17 years). Under 14: they can't be included in the booking.

What does the instructor do while I'm flying the glider?

Your certified instructor sits beside you the entire flight, guiding you through the controls and helping you steer. They handle the tow-up and the landing, and they can take over at any moment if needed, but the goal is to let you feel what flying actually is.

Can I choose how intense the flight is, or is it the same for everyone?

You set the tone. Ask for smooth, gentle flight and the instructor will keep the glider level and steady. Ask to surf the sky and they'll show you how to work the thermals and carve turns. The instructor adapts to what you want.

What's the weight and age requirement?

You must be at least 14 years old and weigh no more than 250 pounds. The operator accommodates most disabilities and medical conditions with advance notice, so if you have concerns, call to discuss whether you're eligible.

How high does the glider go?

The tow plane pulls you to 1,500 feet (or higher if conditions allow). At that altitude, the temperature feels like driving with the windows down on the highway.

What should I wear for the flight?

Wear comfortable athletic clothing suited to the day's temperature: no skirts or dresses. Shoes must have backs (no flip-flops). Bring sunglasses if you have them. Safety glasses are available if you need them.