Skypuppy Hang Gliding

Steve Rodrigues, Hang Gliding Mentor at Fort Funston

Mentoring for USHPA Intermediate (H3) rated hang glider pilots who are members of:

The Fellow Feathers of Fort Funston Hang Gliding Club

Discover the unique attributes and idiosyncrasies of Fort Funston!

It all begins with a comprehensive site introduction (Pre-requisite for getting a Funston sticker).

Further mentoring may include:

Launching


  • Reading the wind: knowing when to launch and when not to!
  • Finding the best spot to launch
  • Base bar launch technique for strong winds

Flying


  • How/where to find the best lift
  • Soaring etiquette & ridge rules
  • The Funston Merry-Go-Round
  • Westlake overview
  • The Fort Funston Shear/Convergence




Landing


  • Learn the best landing approaches for various wind directions
  • How to avoid the infamous Bush Rotor
  • Preserving the flying site

Please email Steve to discuss mentoring or to schedule a site intro: steve [at] skypuppy [dot] us

*Scroll down for local hang gliding schools and other links*

Steve Rodrigues

Master Rated (H5)

Hang Glider Pilot

USHPA # 30605


HG Milestones

1980: Beginner Rating (H1)

1990: Basic Instructor Certification

1994: Tandem Rating (T1)

1996: Advanced Instructor Certification (retired).

1996: Tandem Instructor Certification (retired).

2003: Master Rating (H5)

2008: USHPA Commendation Award for Contributions to the Sport


Flying the Fort since 1989!

The Freedom of Free-Flight

In my experience, nothing beats flying a hang glider!

I took one lesson and was hooked and ordered a brand-new Wills Wing Raven the very next day!

Hang gliding is such an incredible experience and has added so much to my life, it is truly my pleasure to share it with others and help them achieve their goals.

-Steve

Some of Steve's Hang Gliding Videos

Aerobatics: https://youtu.be/PZLNGt9EWi0

Hover landing 1: https://youtu.be/iwgCsP6T8lo

Hover landing 2: https://youtube.com/shorts/3Bk8lIUCx6c?feature=share

Tandem for Good Morning America: https://youtu.be/Zw0vq_3y8vE

Tandem for Gone With the Wynns: https://player.vimeo.com/video/28268149

Local Hang Gliding Schools

Disclaimer: Skypuppy Hang Gliding is not associated or affiliated with any of the following individuals or companies in the School Listings or the Bay Area Fledglings Group. The following listings are not a recommendation or endorsement of their services. This listing includes Schools and Instructors that may not be Verified or Approved for instruction at the time of reading. It also may be incomplete or out of date and is a short list just to get you started in knowing and researching the cast of players.

Norcal Hang Gliding

Instructor: Mike Briganti

Mission Soaring Center

Instructor: Pat Denevan

Bay Area Fledglings

HG Expeditions, Mentoring and Camaraderie!

The Bay Area Fledglings is not a formal school, but rather a self-organized group of pilots dedicated to supporting new, intermediate, and experienced pilots in achieving their flying goals during their lifelong journey of flight.