Helmets, Varios, and Wheels, OH MY!

On the yellow brick road to becoming a expert hang glider pilot the wizard is replaced by Mr. Gearhead. Although, technically - you could fly a hang glider without these accessories. The question is who, in their right mind, would want to. Not only do these accessories make your flying safer but they provide the level confidence, trust, and performance that keeps acheivement in the forefront, not survival.

Helmets

Anything worth doing requires a helmet, right? So, obiviously hang gliding requires the use of some major head protection. Afterall, we are barreling head first into space, sometimes close to the terrain or other gliders. Hang gliding helmets are designed to do one thing - absorb shock for the head to varying degrees. An ancillary purpose is to provide a platform for a speaker and mic for radio communication - in itself a safety function. Helmets come in full-face protection designs and open face. Although some level of sight and sound may be restricted by a full-face helmet, the safety benefits probably out-weighs any slight lowering of situational awareness. Helmets are only as good as their shock absorbtion capabilities. You can read more about the standards of helmets here

Wheels

Sometimes all the technique in the world, can't control the landing zone burble of air that messes up with our perfect no-step flare timing. Besides our egos, downtubes on the control frame suffer the most - along with out wallets in replacing them. Wheels can make what would otherwise be a financial and time expense into just another learning step along the way to perfect landings.

Variometers

Learning how to soar is much easier and more fun when you know you are rising or falling or just maintaining. Knowing how high you can be very pertinent information in getting to the landing zone. All in all, a vario makes flying safer and more interesting.

Car Racks

Protecting your investment from the rigors of transport with a proper vehicle rack is smart. A rack that allows other gliders to be transported also shows your willingness to rotate the responsibility of shuttling to and from the mountain launch sites.