Meet the Instructor

Pete Hammer

Although I am based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area now, my hang gliding journey started in 1976, when I went for a hike with my dad in the hills behind our house.  We lived in Kailua on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.  When we reached the top, we spotted little specks in the air 20 miles away over Waimanalo. 

I had heard of hang gliding, but this was the first I'd ever seen.  I was so excited I talked my dad into driving to check it out.

I vowed then I'd hang glide someday.

I finally tried hang gliding at Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head, NC in 1980. My dad even took that first lesson with me. I went back a few times, but since I had to drive 5 hours from the DC area, I didn't get serious.

Oddly enough, it took moving to the flatlands of Dallas in 1990, and the relatively new technique of platform towing, to hook me for good. Thermalling with a Redtail hawk a mile over the earth changes you...

I've been flying for 12 years now, and hold an Advanced rating and both Basic and Tandem Instructor ratings. I have been President, Vice-President, and award-winning Editor of the North Texas Hang/Para Gliding Association. I have competed locally, regionally, and nationally, and flown all over the US and Europe.

I believe that hang gliding is perhaps the most sublime sport a human can do.  It enriches you physically, mentally, and spiritually.

And now, it can be learned quickly and safely using modern tandem instruction.

E-mail us at hangdog@earthlink.net or call for info today!

972-345-7229