Hang gliding flight park and school

Beginners and tourists wanting a first flight, students taking multi-day courses, and local pilots who pay for site access, rentals and gear.

Lesson and course fees, tandem or intro flights, equipment rental and sales, and site or tow fees from visiting pilots.

• Instructor-level hang gliding experience
• Teaching and safety management
• Running a small seasonal business with staff or contractors

• Zoning, land use permits and neighbor or noise issues, so check with your county and city before committing to land
• Specialist liability insurance and your site's lease terms can make or break the plan, so get written quotes first
• Check your state's rules on adventure activities, any required operator permits, and workers' compensation once you hire instructors
• Tandem flights and towing need extra ratings and equipment, and you should verify what USHPA and your insurer require
• Revenue is seasonal and weather-dependent, and injuries or accidents can seriously affect the business

Estimates typically run around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on whether you buy or lease land, the gear you stock, and your insurance. Get written quotes for insurance and lease terms before you commit to a site.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on lesson volume, rentals, gear sales and the weather. Revenue is seasonal and weather-dependent, so plan for slower months.

Check zoning, land use permits and neighbor or noise issues with your county and city. Also check your state's adventure activity rules, operator permits and workers' compensation, plus what USHPA and your insurer require for tandem flights and towing.