Experience has shown that the challenge is not so simple. One wants to fly free. A low-cost launch that results in safe free-flight is the target, even if one chooses for the free-flight to last but a moment.  Actually some people really enjoy the launching sector as much or more than some extended free-flight session; yes, just the launching can be full of adventures, thrills, and challenges for mastery and creative innovation.  

Hundreds of things can ruin a good day during the launching of a hang glider; injury to the pilot and others can occur, even death, because of launching problems. It is paramount to launch safely; instruction from professionals is part of the program for safe launching.

Study is part of the program. Practice in the parts and in the whole of a chosen launching method is key. Maintaining and respecting the parameters of a launching situation is important. Is each part ready for the launch?   A fun way to proceed is to keep a logbook while taking tiny experience steps; have fun learning the little things about your chosen launching method. And know that any change of launching method will entail new special challenges; be ready to be a newbie when making some change; talk up the change in your diary logbook; talk the matter over with instructors and others in some group forum.

• Wind and air conditions (speed, gustiness, predictability, humidity, temperature, indicators, upwind indicators, etc.  EnterData+ )
• Wing surface conditions (dry, damp, ice, dirt, loose, tight, clean, age, etc. EnterData+ )
• Environment (ground, obstacles, vegetation, upwind air current modifiers, airspace, humidity, temperature, altitude ASL, permissions, etc.    EnterData+ )
• Hang glider and its parts  Full mechanical check of all parts?
• Pilot (health, awareness, freshness, vision, hearing, communications, clothing, harnessing, toilet, plan, experience, etc.  EnterData+)
• People (upwind, downwind, lateral positions, helpers, spectators, owners, etc. )
• Chosen method of launching (see)
• Checking method (How does one make a check that all things are ready for launch? Program? Instrument? Earphone? Proofing program? EnterData+)
• What are answers to all the pertinent "What if...." questions?
• What is the total cost of a launching?   $$??  Effort?  Time?
• What is the "green factor" of a launch?
• ?  EnterData+

Launching methods (LM) vary greatly:

• Flatland
  • Short glides by foot-launching. Intent is to glide in ground-effect for the free-flight portion of the flight. This can be done outdoors or indoors in a gymnasium. Contests can be sporting here. Standardize the wing. Have pilot-weight divisions. Who can launch by a launch line with a specified run distance and touch ground or floor at the most far point? Who can clear a certain bar height and land safely? Here we are not considering enhanced flying (stored power, solar-powered, motor, engine, towing, rockets, slinging, catapulting, pushes, floor-dropping, balloon-drops, self-kiting, etc. EnterData+ This is a wing-assisted long-jumping or high-jumping form of flying. This is a great running exercise. Yet the challenges to extend the flight are ever there for intelligent and creative action.  Some skill in this method of launching is recommended as preparation for other launching methods. One very well may need skills obtained herein for other situations. There are some serious hazards and challenges in this form of launching. Wheels and skis are to be considered. Adjustments to harnesses and hang lines are important. Careful fitting of tether length is key. Consider the serious circumstance of abrupt stops and "beaking" ---what will happen to the pendulumed pilot? Is there a limiting line to the pilot's feet or hips? Is the ground clear for wheeled rolling or for skid skiing? What wear is occurring on the hang glider involved? Are these flights being recorded with notes and comments?
     
  • Long glides via artificial rising-air systems for short or long-distance travel at low altitude or high altitude depending on the artificial system and weather conditions.
  • Launching into fence or wall soaring systems in Flatland.
  • Launching into special large-kite-system lift environments. Or kytoon systems. EnterData+
  • Launching into severe artificial thermals from Flatland.
  • See the OZreport brainstorm on port-a-slopes and artificial lifting systems.  EnterData+ 
     
• Low mounds, small dunes, small building tops    EnterData+
• Hills    EnterData+
• Mountains    EnterData+
• Directly launching off water surfaces (lakes, ponds, oceans, rivers)    EnterData+
• Tall buildings     EnterData+
• Bridges   EnterData+
• Release from a main rocket   EnterData+
• Toss by buddies   EnterData+
• Balloon-drop     EnterData+
• Kite the hang glider; then climb up to the hang glider; then release.    EnterData+
• Aircraft drop     EnterData+
• Cannon a pod that morphs to your hang glider   EnterData+
• Towing to altitude (by friends, horses, cars, trucks, drogue in river, motorboat, microlight, ultralight, powered aircraft, self-kiting with static line, self-kiting with remote control payout programs, etc. EnterData+                    Linknife    
• Sling-shot    EnterData+
• One-pulley at distance with scooter or golf-kart or other tug near launch start of towing action. EnterData+
• Remote-control systems of launching vs. live-buddy operators of system. EnterData+
• Catapult    EnterData+
• Rocket    EnterData+
• Electric engine (batteries, conversion from microwave, conversion from laser, real-time solar energy conversion)    EnterData+
• Liquid-fuel motor    EnterData+
• Rubber-band stored energy    EnterData+
• Kite-system drop    EnterData+
• Drop from an initial tandem hang glider     EnterData+
• Drop from an initial tandem parachute flight    EnterData+
• Re-entry from spacecraft releasing     EnterData+
• Delayed opening of hang glider after leaping out of an airplane or building or kite or balloon   EnterData+
• Mag-lev-slung pod where the pod morphs to be your hang glider.   EnterData+
• EnterData+    ???