Take a quick stroll down the Sand Ladder Trail in the steep southern dunes of Fort Funston and you will notice a remarkable sprawl of tectonic layers weaving their way up shear cliffs that look out over a blue ocean of eternity. Warped under relentless pressure from constant meteorological conditions, this long set of coastal ridges not only supplies some San Francisco's most gorgeous sceneries, but is home to one of the premiere hang gliding sites in the world.

"Flying is like being in heaven...and this is the best place to do it," said advanced glider pilot Rafael Lavin. I stay here longer than I do at my own house, and my wife is ok with that...it's because I love this sport...I love it up there in the clouds."

Lavin is a member of the Fellow Feathers of Fort Funston, a hang gliding crew that operates daily out of a shoreline clubhouse just seconds from the launching site.

"You park your car, set up, fly, land and hang-out with your buddies all at the same place. What's better than that?! There are not too many sites (gliding) in the world you can enjoy all those facets of flying culture in a matter of a few feet...we have a close bond and monitor this site so that its very safe and very fun!," continued Lavin.

Fort Funston's world renowned launching-site benefits from a consistent weather pattern combining a delicate balance of wind and direction that provides its pilots a reliable set of conditions to fly throughout the year.

"A perfect day for flying for me are thermals or ridge lifts coming in from the south so I can get a good lift, pushing about 10 to 13mph and the sun shining that's a beautiful day for flying," said first-year hang-three glider pilot Walter Whiteside.

"I've been dreaming about doing this for years and I'm so glad it's not too late. To get out here and experience all that is possible up there and around here with these guys means
a lot, it means everything," continued Whiteside.

Soaring techniques, flying etiquette, landing altitudes, approaches and spots are attempted and practiced at this popular headlands locale. Fort Funston is an advanced gliding location that requires at the very least a hang-three (intermediate) pilot rating to launch off its famous precipice. Recognized by the United States Hang Gliding Association, pilot ratings are earned through accredited classes and air-time among various sites and altitudes.