

We followed the pilot of the plane into the office building, where we talked with the staff for a while about what to expect on the flight, we discussed the basic safety rules, how hang gliders work, and more. Both the giver and the receiver of the present were generous in letting me take the ride instead, so it was a win-win.Īfter carpooling to the airfield, we got out and looked around at the flat, green stretch of land surrounded by the thick, Florida forest, and watched as an ultralight plane in the sky made some loop-de-loop moves, and eventually landed on the grassy landing strip. In this case, it turned out that the “giftee” was completely surprised and totally unprepared to take this kind of flight, which has no seat belt around your waist and no tray table in front of you.Īnd so, being the generous brother that I am, I volunteered to accept the gift instead (you know, in order not to waste it). Of course, this was a thoughtful and generous gift… but it is also the kind of gift where you might want to ask the recipient, “Does that sound interesting to you? Would you actually want to go on a hang glider?” before you do it. My brother had decided that, for this Christmas, he would give, as a Christmas present, a ride on a hang glider to one of my siblings.

Here’s some background: about five miles from my parent’s house, there’s a small airfield where people fly ultralight planes, or take flying lessons and rides in various types of aircraft like helicopters, hang gliders, and more. On this particular trip, one of my brothers decided to give a gift to a family member that turned out to be a bit more complicated than he expected.
#Hang glider ride free
Needing travel inspiration? Check out these free resources:Ĭheck back frequently as these resources are updated often! Some years, my siblings and I who live across the USA go to their house to spend some time celebrating Christmas a week or two before the actual holiday. (Since my parents moved to Florida several years ago, their house has been the “home base” for family get-togethers).

In the middle of December, I flew from Colorado to Florida to spend an “early Christmas” with my parents and siblings.
