You might not know that right in our backyard is what's touted as the world's 1st full-time aerotow hang gliding park.

"If you have a 'fear of heights,' as people call it, it's really not relevant," said Malcolm Jones, Wallaby Ranch owner.

Jones has been the tandem man since 1991, even flying with Kate Hudson in her 2011 film, "A Little Bit of Heaven."

But now -- it's your turn.

"It's very surreal and gentle and quiet," he said during our recent early morning visit to the ranch. "It's not scary and traumatic and busy."

 

Before our three flights that morning, Jones explained the mechanics of the hang glider. There are few. It doesn't have a motor. It doesn't have a steering wheel.

Instead, the expert tandem flyer shifts his body during flight to steer the direction of the glider.

Since Florida barely has hills, a towplane lifts the hang glider up to 2,000 feet. When the instructor grips a handlebar, the cord is released and towless flight begins

"Everything's out of your mind [during flight]," he said. "It's impossible to think about anything else."

Each flight lasts about 20 minutes. Although there's a bar in front of the two horizontal flyers, the instructor shows how gripping it is not necessary. That leads to an "I'm flying!" Superman-like position. Guests can even learn how to steer once they're good and comfy.

Wallaby Ranch is located at 1805 Deen Still Rd., Davenport. It's best to fly in the mornings when the air is less disturbed.

PRICE LIST

Tandem Discovery Flight (All inclusive): $175
GoPro Movie of Your Hang Gliding Flight: $30

Standard Tandem Instruction Flight (All inclusive) $175
3 Lesson Package $400
10 Lesson Package $1,200
20 Lesson Package $2,000
Advanced Tandem Thermal Instruction $30