Slope Flying Basics
#1: Find a good beginner's slope. A good beginners slope consists of a nice steady wind (not too hard, and not to soft), a nice open landing area, and the ability to get to the plane if it crashes anywhere. Also, try to go where there aren't many people flying so you don't crash into one of their planes. Air traffic can get pretty scary at some sites.
#2: Make sure your plane is flyable before you throw it off the edge of a cliff. If the balance is off (especially if the center of gravity is behind where it's supposed to be) the plane can be really hard to control. It's a good idea to bring some lead weights to your first flight to adjust the balance. Be SURE to call out your frequency before turning on you radio! Also check the controls to make sure they're going in the right directions and travelling freely. Finally, be sure your batteries are charged.
#3: Make a good throw into the wind and heading slightly downward. If there are other flyers there, ask them if there's a particularly good spot to toss it. A harder toss is usually better. Make sure your radio and receiver are turned on. I've seen more planes go down because people forgot to turn the stuff on.
#4: Find the flight envelop and fly parallel to the cliff within the boundaries. If you're at a slope with other people, watch carefully and pay attention to where the best lift is and the boundaries the other flyers stay within. If you're at a new slope without people to watch, stay near the middle and work your way side to side, ranging farther and farther until you find the flight envelop.
#5: Turn into the wind. Unless you're far enough out there, and you know what you're in for, it's usually better to turn into the wind.
#6: Don't try to fly behind the slope. It's safe to fly pretty far ahead of the slope, but once you get behind the cliff, it starts to get kind of hairy. A good rule for beginners is to only go behind the cliff when you're ready to land, and make sure you're in the right landing area. Some slope sights have very turbulent winds behind the cliff, so check beforehand to find out what areas you don't want to fly in. I've experienced downdrafts that have made my plane fall like a rock.
#7: Find the best thermals (uprising air currents) and use them well. Gaining altitude efficiently is a skill that can take a while to learn. It just takes lots of practice before you can do it well. Some slopes have more lift than others, so gaining altitude may or may not be a problem depending on where you fly.
#8: Keep your eyes open. When there are other planes flying with you, use your periferal vision to avoid unwanted mid-air collisions. Fly smoothly while in traffic if you don't want to crash.. Unpredictable pilots end up crashing with other planes way too often. Fly as crazily as you want when there's no one nearby.
#9: Plan your landing beforehand. Ask other flyers what your landing approach should be for that particular slope. If no one's there to help you out, pick the biggest, flattest, softest part of ground around. If you're landing there for the first time, it's best to start the approach pretty high up to test air currents and to give yourself room to maneouver