When selecting a school for hang gliding instruction, first make sure that the instructors are certified by the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA). Things to look for include: What USHPA ratings do the instructors have, how much do they teach and fly themselves? How many different instructors will you have lessons with, what is the student to instructor ratio? Are the flights radio supervised? Will the training proceed gradually up progressively higher hills? What is the safety record of the school and of the instructors? How many students has the school taught, how many of its students receive certification each year? How will they help you advance as a pilot once your training is complete? Does the school operate full-time to fit your schedule? You may call the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association at 719-632-8300 for the names of instructors you may want to interview. You may also visit their web site at www.ushpa.org.