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Q. What is paragliding, what is a paraglider? Q. What is paragliding, what is a paraglider? A. Paragliding is one of the simplest forms of non-motorized human flight. It is easy to transport, easy to launch, and easy to land. A Paraglider consists of a nylon canopy and a riser system (a set of Kevlar lines) that takes the shape of a wing (airfoil) when wind fills its cells. The pilot attaches a paragliding-specific harness to the risers and is ready to fly. One launches a Paraglider by running down a slope into a breeze, inflating the canopy and flying (NOT Jumping) off the side of a mountain; the pilot then gently glides down to a landing zone. As a pilot's skills improve, it is possible to fly for hours at a time, fly above the height of the nearest mountain and go cross country (XC) for vast distances. Pilots have flown over Mt. Everest, have landed on the Top of Mont Blanc, and have recorded flights of hundreds of miles. Their achievements are endless.
Q. Is paragliding the same as parasailing or parachuting? A. Errrrrr NO! Most people recognize parasailing as a circular parachute towed behind a boat. Parasailers are passengers not pilots. When you parasail, you experience a pleasant view from an uncomfortable harness, and have no control over your height above the water or where you are going. Once deployed and descending, a parachute could be easily confused as a Paraglider. Modern Parachutes have a similar canopy shape, but the similarity ends there. A Parachute is designed to withstand enormous strain at the point of canopy deployment, or the transition from free-fall to descending under a canopy, and they are meant to descend and never ascend. Paragliders are designed to be aerodynamic and have more wing characteristics which enables them to climb, and to climb higher and fly further than a parachute.
Q. What is the difference between Paragliding and Hanggliding? A. A Paraglider is a large nylon canopy with lines, weighs about 35 lbs, and fits into a large back pack. This makes the Paraglider very easy to transport・Pilots frequently hike up mountains and travel around the globe with their own equipment to fly・ Hanggliders are fixed wings supported by metal. They are much heavier, considerably larger, and generally transported on car racks, so hanggliding pilots tend to drive to their flying destinations, or borrow / rent equipment when they travel. Paragliders are simple to set up and can be launched anywhere there is space to lay out and inflate the glider. Paraglider pilots have flown off many famous mountains, including Mt. Everest・Hanggliders can fly from narrower launches, and as a result, don't need as much space to take off. Both Paragliders and Hanggliders take off from a standing position, and Paragliding pilots then sit in their harness while they fly, while Hanggliding pilots lie prone in their harness during flight. Paragliders fly at slower speeds than Hanggliders. This means that in lighter conditions with less strong winds, the Paraglider has the flying advantage and can launch and stay airborne. In stronger winds, however, the Hangglider has the advantage, and the Paraglider pilot may not be able to launch at all. It is possible to tow both Paragliders and Hangliders: Hanggliders have the advantage as they can be towed by motorized ultralights which helps them get higher faster! When it comes to learning to fly, paragliding tends to be easier to learn, but harder to master. Paragliding and Hanggliding have similar safety records.
Q. What can I do with a paraglider? Paragliders are designed to fly! Pilots develop the skills to soar mountain ridges and sand dunes, search for thermals (lifting air), and climb thousands of feet. It is possible to fly for hours and travel cross country hundreds of kilometers at a time. Paragliders have been flown off almost every major peak in the United States and Europe, as well as off Mt. Everest.
A. Adventure or "extreme" sports all have risks associated with them, and paragliding - like all sport flying - is not immune to the dangers associated to those risks. People can and do get hurt or killed paragliding. To minimize those risks, it is vital to receive instruction from a certified professional and to use equipment appropriate to the pilot's skill level. The primary safety factors are personal judgment and attitude. Learning in a professional school will help you develop those skills and keep your flying career a long, safe and happy experience.
A. Most people would tell you, "Absolutely! I would never leaping off a cliff, suspended by inflatable nylon, string and canvas and attached to the nylon and strings by two little metal clips called carabiners!" Fortunately, we don't leap off cliffs or jump off bridges・At least not at the start. Launches are smooth and controlled・Landings are slow and gentle. People who are afraid of heights tend to think that paragliding must be terrifying. This is natural. If you walk to the edge of any building or cliff and look over the side, most people experience a hint of vertigo or a fear of falling (to varying degrees). While flying with a paraglider, however, you feel fully supported and there is no sensation of falling. The feeling of flying in a paraglider, because you are supported by the harness and are seated, is similar to sitting in a chairlift with the safety bar down at an average ski area or sitting in a single engine plane - without the noise of the engine! Most people's reaction to their first flight is exhilaration and excitement・Every pilot remembers his or her first flight!
A. Being flexible and agile are important for any participant in sports, but no special skill is required to learn to fly. Paragliding is an active sport, so you should be in good health and reasonably good shape. People of all ages learn to fly. Launches tend to be at the top of a hill or mountain and generally require a short hike to access them. You should feel comfortable hiking 15 to 20 minutes.
Q. What equipment do I need to fly, and how much does a Paraglider cost? A. As a student taking instructing through the school, the school provides all of the necessary equipment. However there will come a time when you will need to purchase your own equipment. A basic paragliding set-up should include:
A complete, new setup may cost between $4,000 and $6,000 depending on the brand and exchange rates (most of the equipment is imported from European Manufacturers). Paragliders tend to last 3 to 4 years depending on the amount of use and abuse. The sun (UV) degrades the fabric of the Paraglider, which affects the "porosity" of the fabric and eventually changes the flying characteristics of a wing. Harnesses and reserves have a longer life span. Used equipment is also available, but generally has a shorter life span.
Q. What do I need to know when purchasing my first paraglider? A. First, you need to know how to fly. No would-be pilot should purchase a wing before learning at least the basics of paragliding. It is your instructor's job to help you select your first wing. Different Paragliders have different characteristics and require different skill levels; your instructor will match the glider to your particular interests, strengths, weaknesses, and skill level. Develop a solid relationship with an instructor you trust before purchasing equipment. "Good deals" on the internet or in the parking lot generally end up costing the naive new pilot a great deal of money. Most instructors rely on referrals and repeat business, so they are determined to help you make the right decisions.
Q. Do I need a license to fly? A. Paragliders are regulated under Section 103 of the regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration, and, a license is therefore not required to paraglide. In essence, paragliding is a self-regulated sport under the auspices of the United States Hang Gliding Association ("USHGA"). To keep it self-regulated, pilots and instructors alike adhere to the policies and guidelines of the USHGA. Local flying regulations may require the pilot to have certain USHGA certified ratings, such as Novice (Para 2) or Intermediate (Para 3) in order to fly a particular site. When purchasing equipment, a responsible dealer will always require some proof of the pilot's certified rating.
Q. How long does it take to learn to fly? A. Weather permitting, you will be flying solo during your first day of paragliding instruction. You won't fly very high, and the flight won't be very long, but you will experience the thrill and exhilaration of free flight! In order to acquire the basic skills necessary to fly on your own without instructor supervision, you need to take a Novice (Para 2) Certification Course, which generally takes an average of 7 to 10 days and requires a minimum of 25 flights. Some people need more time, others less・ During such a course, you will complete the USHGA-mandated amount of ground-school time, flights, and flying days, and will learn about high altitude flight, advanced maneuvers and reserve parachute deployment. Students can complete their training in consecutive days or spread out over several months. As with any sport, practice provides for improvement and the more concentrated the training, the quicker and better the results.
This is what many people think of when they want to go for a ride in a paraglider. A qualified instructor and a student fly together in a 2 place glider. They usually launch by running from a slope near the top of a mountain. The flight lasts anywhere from 5-15 minutes, depending upon the height of the launch site and the wind conditions, and fly several hundred to a couple thousand feet above the ground. The glider is then landed in an open field near the base of the mountain. E-Ville Outfitters currently does NOT offer Introductory (one time) Tandem Flight Lessons. Sometimes we do tandem flights as an additional training option for students in our Eagle Package program, as another tool to help them in their goal of becoming solo rated paraglider pilots.
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