How long does it take to have your first flight?
You can usually fly within the first hour, weather permitting.
What happens on the first day of training?
We start you out with the basics of flight, some ground handling (getting the canopy in the air, simulated launches from flat ground), once we feel you have the skill to strap a motor on your back, we will have you kite with the added weight, until eventually you start running and take off.
Can I do this everyday?
Absolutely not, the wind speed, wind direction and turbulence restrict our activities. On average you can expect 4-5 days per week flyable
What do I need to paraglide?
You will need a harness, a minimum and a helmet, but we provide all the equipment needed during your training, unless you purchase your own equipment.
How much does this equipment cost?
Brand new paragliders range from $ 2825 to $ 4300, a Harness from $ 200 to $ 550. Backpack Powered units range $ 6500 to $ 8300.
How long does it take to get my P2 or PPG2 rating?
Five flying days and 25 flights are required to obtain your P2/PPG2 rating. If you progress quickly, you may finish in five days. However, weather doesn't’t always cooperate and some people catch on more quickly than others, so we allow up to seven days to complete your training.
Do I need to get certified?
Paragliding is a self-regulated sport, so technically you are not required by law to be a certified pilot. However, most of you would not dream of flying an airplane without training. Paragliding is easy to learn, but this also makes it more likely for an untrained pilot to get into trouble.
Can I come on a daily basis?
Yes, you can. Our rate for one day of lessons is $ 200.
Do I need to have special knowledge or experience?
No. We will cover everything from aerodynamics to meteorology.
Is this sport only for youngsters?
No way. Paragliding is a lifetime sport . It can be learned by all ages. What you need is to be fit, both physically and mentally. If you haven’t had any physical activity in a while, it would be a good idea to start some walking and stretching and running Think about jumping from the lowered tailgate of a pickup truck. Do you think you could do it? This simulates a hard landing in a paraglider. Your training will be the most strenuous part of your paragliding career. It’s all about technique, not strength. It really helps to be fit and you should be able to run fast. Please make sure you are in good shape before signing up for a course.
How do I dress and should I bring any personal items?
Blue jeans and a T-shirt for the summer or warm pants and a jacket for the winter are what we recommend for training. You should bring a long sleeved shirt, gloves if you have them, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. You will need plenty of of liquids, so be sure to bring something to drink. The most important item is a good pair of shoes. We recommend strong ankle support, like good hiking boots that lace up over the ankle. The most common injury in paragliding is a sprained ankle. You can find a small selection of specially designed Paragliding boots in our store.
How long will it take until I can solo a motor unit?
You will learn to fly the Glider without the motor first, so it will be at least 3 days until we can add the motor. To be proficient on the motor 5 to 10 training sessions are recommended
How do I learn the motorized Paragliding?
That's a good and important question. We ask that you learn how to fly the Glider without the motor first, that will take at least 3 days before we can introduce the motor unit. Why? Because we consider it much safer that way. If you allow extra time you can be sure that you will have sufficient skills and will be a safe pilot. Check with other schools and find out how they train.
What is a paraglider or powered paraglider?
Paragliding is the simplest form of flight no plane no windows just you floating on air. A paraglider is a foot-launched inflatable wing. It is easy to transport, easy to launch, and easy to land. The paraglider itself has no rigid structure and the pilot is suspended by lines. The pilot is clipped into a harness, which is quite comfortable. The motor is a backpack with a prop to give thrust to allow you to climb and fly level at your own will.
If the motor shut off unintentionally, would you fall out of the sky and come crashing to earth?
Absolutely NOT! The loss of power only limits your ability to maintain altitude. The glider will slowly descend at 7:1 glide ratio. That means you could fly approximately 7000 feet while only losing 1000 feet of altitude.
How long can I fly on a tank of gas?
Motor-on flight time can easily exceed 3 hours based upon mild throttle usage. Periods of extended full-throttle will burn fuel at a faster rate or with an up down throttle.
What is this P rating?
Paragliding works on a certification system. Pilots receive ratings throughout their flying career that should reflect the pilot skill level. The ratings are as such: Para 1: Beginner Pilot - Student can fly but is required to stay under constant instructor supervision and instructor radio contact. Para 2: Novice Pilot - Student is now considered a full-fledged pilot and can fly solo at nearly 90% of our flying sites nationally. Para 3: Intermediate Pilot - Student has now past a number of flight requirements and has amassed many logged hours. At this point you are considered a competent pilot and can fly almost every site safely. Para 4: Advanced Pilot - This requirement is met only by logging hours and flights, also acquiring a good deal of knowledge regarding FAA. From this point you also may enroll in a certification course to receive your instructor rating and your tandem rating. Para 5: Master Pilot - Only a handful of them in the United States, this is the most prestigious rating to be acquired. Still less than 20 in the USA.
How high can I fly?
As high as 18000 feet if not restricted by Airspace. Most of the time powered paragliders are flown between 50 to 2000 feet. The world record however is in excess of 18000 feet.
Is Powered Paragliding safe?
You can make Powered Paragliding, like most adventure sports, as safe or dangerous, as you want. Powered paragliding has a very good safety record amongst pilots that have been properly trained by a professional. It is of course crucial that you receive instruction from a certified professional and use safe equipment. Paragliding is an outdoor sport and the weather is unpredictable. A thorough understanding of the air, and the dynamics of flight makes a trained pilot much safer than an untrained pilot. The primary safety factors are personal judgment and attitude. You must be willing to learn gradually and to think with your head not with your ego. If you do not, then you can get injured or killed; if you do, then you can paraglide well into your life.
What do I need to Powered Paraglide?
You will need a Backpack Unit(PPG), a Wing(canopy), a helmet. How much does this equipment cost? / How much is a Powered Paraglider? Brand new up to date complete setup about $ 7500 - $ 9500. Good used equipment runs from $ 3000 to $ 4500 for wing and motor combo (make sure your size and skill ...ASK!) Brand new paragliders range from $ 2200 to $ 3200 (Style and design play a big part here beginner wings are usually on the lower end of this scale) Harness from $ 200 to $ 550 (for ground handling and tows your motor harness may be able to do this job) New Backpack Powered units range $ 4700 to $ 6500. Helmets from $ 170 to $ 355
What is the speed of the paraglider?
23 to 25 miles per hour at trim. By applying brake, the paraglider can be slowed to a fast walking pace for landing. By applying speed bar or letting out trimmers you can get up in to the 30's more or less depending on your wing.
What is the USHGA?
It stands for the United States Hang gliding Association. The USHGA Administers pilot rating programs and instructor certification. They provide insurance, publish both the Hang gliding and Paragliding magazine and support the flying community. Many free flying sites in the United States require a USHGA PG pilot rating.
How far do you have to run to get airborne?
Just a few steps will be necessary in a 5-10 breeze. However, in a calm wind condition, 10 to 50 steps may be necessary. If you motor unit has more power = less steps
How noisy are they?
The noise level, varies between different paramotors, props, mufflers, and intakes. On average they are comparable to a large lawnmower. Think about a 2x4 spinning in the air at 2000 rpm and the air hitting it, and then put an engine on your back and add its noise. (We use helmets with ear pads built in.) (FB motors are very quiet in comparison to some out there)
Is this sport only for youngsters? / Do I need to be fit?
Paragliding is an ageless sport. It can be learned by all ages. Most importantly is a good attitude ,willingness to listen, and some time to spend learning. You'll need shoes with ankle support and the ability to run aggressively for at least ten or twelve strides. Your body should be able to withstand jumping down two or three feet. You need to be able, both physically and mentally. If you haven’t had any physical activity in a while, it would be a good idea to start some walking and stretching. Your training will be the most strenuous part of your paragliding career. It’s all about technique, not strength.
How is a paraglider different from a skydiving parachute?
A Paraglider is similar in construction to a modern, steerable ram air skydiving canopy, but different in several important ways. A paraglider is a foot-launched wing without the "terminal velocity deployment" of a parachute. Consequently a paraglider is designed to have a descent rate of about 3 feet/sec while a parachute descends at 9 f/s to 18 f/s and is made much heavier to survive the loads of opening. A paraglider also has a more elongated rectangular or elliptical shape than a parachute and, with more cells, which increases its gliding performance. Ie... paragliders fly like a wing and parachutes get you down at a survivable speed.
Are paragliders the same as parasails?
Most people have a tendency to confuse paragliding with parasailing. Parasails are large round parachutes generally pulled behind a boat at the beach or at a lake. Paragliders are launched from hills, mountains, cliffs, from tow winches, or with your motor. Paragliders dynamically are closer akin to the wings of a airplane wing than to a parachute. A parachutes purpose is to bring you down to the ground slowly. The purpose of a paraglider is to go up higher into the air.
Can the lines of my paraglider break?
Paragliders are constructed from nylon (a very strong material used in ropes and fishing line) and coated with silicone (UV protection). The pilot is suspended from incredibly strong mylar or kevlar lines. One or two of the lines could most likely hold your dead weight the gliders are tested to 8 g's meaning that you could hang a 1600 lbs block from it (for a wing for a 200 lbs man) and it would hold meaning you could put even more stress on it yet beyond the rating ... are you going to break it ... No. Note: age and sunlight will weaken you glider used glider buyer beware.