One of the most appealing things about Milan is the fact that there are many different activities available within a radius of 100 km, such as sailing on sea or lakes, skiing, hillwalking, Alpine climbing, fishing, goldpanning… and hang gliding. A quick review of the history of the latter sport reveals that, as far as Italy is concerned, it started here, or at least on lake Como, about forty minutes drive away. Laveno, on Lake Maggiore, is just 70 km from Milan, and it offers the essential ingredients necessary for practical, safe and enjoyable hang gliding: a launch site and a landing field with a sufficient difference in altitude, a recognised school, and a good club. There are many other excellent hang gliding locations in the Alps from Piedmont in the west to Veneto in the east.

The purpose of these web pages is to provide an overview of a sport that has changed enormously over the course of its brief history. Advances in hang glider technology have been accompanied by changed attitudes to safety. The extraordinary emotions that flying a hang glider can offer – probably the nearest thing to flying like a bird that exists – can now be enjoyed in conditions of safety comparable to many other sports. The texts are by myself, definitely a novice pilot – first mountain launches in 2004 – and so they are based above all on enthusiasm, and not on experience.

Luckily, experience is provided by a section of the site featuring articles written by Christian Ciech. Christian is world-famous in hang gliding circles, Class V (rigid wing) world champion twice running, and current Italian champion. His articles transmit the fascination and excitement of the sport, as well as providing a wealth of valuable information and advice.

Texts in these web pages © J. Henry Neuteboom unless otherwise stated.