What Hang Gliding Lessons Does Mission Soaring Offer?

Updated

Mission Soaring LLC (hang-gliding.com) offers hang gliding instruction at its private training site in Tres Pinos, near Hollister, California — about one hour south of San Jose. Lessons are taught on school-supplied equipment, and the school describes small classes with instruction tailored to each student. The main options are solo hillside lessons, advanced high-altitude tow lessons for pilot ratings, and group classes. Two listed options — tandem flights and the Adventure Package — are marked "Not Currently Available."

Lesson and program options

Program What it involves Availability
Solo hillside lesson First solo flying lesson at the Tres Pinos training site Listed as available
Advanced Flying – High Altitude Tow Lessons Training toward a Novice (H2) or Intermediate (H3) rating, with the knowledge and skills to fly most sites Listed as available
Group classes A flying day for friends, family, or coworkers, with a special group rate on request Listed as available
Tandem flight Towed up to 1,000 ft over the practice hills with a USHPA-certified tandem pilot Not currently available
Adventure Package A solo hillside lesson plus a tandem flight on the same day Not currently available

What to know before you book

  • Equipment is provided. The school supplies all equipment for hang gliding lessons, so you don't need your own gear to start.
  • The training site is private. Lessons take place at the dedicated Tres Pinos site rather than a public flying location.
  • Class sizes are small. The school states that small classes allow personal attention and instruction tailored to each student.
  • Ratings are the goal of the advanced track. The high-altitude tow program is aimed at earning an H2 (Novice) or H3 (Intermediate) rating.
  • Group rates require contact. Group classes are arranged by contacting the school rather than through a standard sign-up.
  • Check current availability. Tandem flights and the Adventure Package are both listed as not currently available, so confirm status before planning around them.

How to book

The site provides a "Book a Class" entry under its Lessons section, along with a "Book Now" call to action on the learn-to-fly panels. A cancellation policy is also published under Lessons, so review it before committing to a date.

Practical notes

  • The school has operated in the Northern California hang gliding community since 1973.
  • Mission Soaring is an authorized dealer for Wills Wing, Moyes, North Wing, and A-I-R, and sells new and checked-out used equipment through its Milpitas, California sales and service facility — relevant if you continue past lessons and want your own gear.
  • Weather information for the Tres Pinos site, including NOAA hourly data, is published on the site, which is useful for judging conditions around a scheduled lesson.