Many
people ask us what the best way to experience paragliding is, tandem
or solo? We absolutely feel that you will come away from the first day
solo lesson with so much more for these reasons:
First of all, you are the pilot! You will
learn to inflate, kite, run, launch fly and land the paraglider wing
yourself. In a tandem, all the work is being done for you, and you are
just along as a passenger. For some, this may be OK, but the overwhelming
response to the first day lesson is "WOW, I can't believe it was
so easy to fly!"
The First Day
We arrive at Elings Park at around 10 am in the morning, and get a
wing and harness that fits your body weight. If you don't have your
own helmet (bicycle or skateboard is OK), then we will fit you with
one of ours. We will then determine if there is any wind, and lay the
canopy out on the ground facing the direction the wind is coming. Once
we attach the harness to the risers and put our helmets on, we will
hook ourselves into the harness and do a preflight check.
Usually, your instructor will demonstrate
a forward inflation, so
you can see how the wing is brought overhead for inspection before launching.
Running along the ground with the wing overhead, you will see how we
control the wing's direction with the brake toggles. When it is time
to bring the wing down, you will see them turn to face the glider and
pull the brake handles down to their seat, making the wing stop and
return to the ground.
We will then demonstrate how to gather the paraglider
into a mushroom shaped ball, ready for carrying. This is how we walk
with the glider so we don't drag the wing on the ground. You will also
be able to ride in the van with the wing like this back to the top of
the hill when you're ready, and there's no need to disattach or fold
up each time you fly.
Now it's Your Turn!
After
the brief demonstration, it's time to get started! Start with your helmet,
we want this on securely before we get into the harness. Putting the
harness on is like putting on a vest, just lift by the shoulder straps
and put your arms through the straps. Secure the two leg straps and
the chest strap, and adjust the legs to be just in contact with your
legs, not too tight, you'll need to be able to run.
We will preflight your setup, then help
you put the brake handles in the correct hands. Scooping your arms under
the risers from behind, we'll place the "A" risers in your
hands in preparation for your first inflation. We'll help you center
yourself in front of your wing, then it's time for action! On our command,
you'll run forward aggressively, pushing against the chest strap and
lifting the "A" risers to inflate and bring the wing overhead.
Once it's up, we will say "Contact!"
This is when you will slide your hands off of the "A" risers
and make contact with the wing. You must continue to run, or the wing
will lose pressure and fall back to the ground. Turning control is made
using the brake toggles, and you will begin to balance the wing overhead.
The Bunny Hill
Now
that you have an idea of the forward inflation technique, we are going
to make it easier for you. We are going to go up the hill a little and
let you run downhill. Not enough to fly yet, we want to see that you
are developing good habits first. These first inflations on the lower
slopes will allow you to start to feel the lift created by the wing
as you run with it. As we work our way a little higher each time, we
get closer to our first flight, as the hill slope and our glide slope
are almost the same.
When you can consistently bring the glider
overhead, "contact" the wing using the brakes, and control
the direction of travel while running forward into the wind, you will
be rewarded by being lifted gently off the ground as the wing glides
down the slope. This is where it is very important that you do not overcontrol
the wing. Gentle input using the brakes to effect your direction of
travel will be the safest approach for now. Deep, aggressive input will
stop the wing, and you will not fly.
You must also remember to keep running!
Many times, students are so effected by the sensation of being lifted
off the ground, that they simply stop running and sit down. The flight
is usually over very quickly when this happens, with you sitting on
the ground and the wing surging over your head. Let's launch (and land)
with our landing gear down and rolling!
Landing is done by doing what we call
a "flare" just before our feet touch the ground again. As
you approach the ground (about 3 feet), you will pull the brakes all
the way down to your sides, slowing the wing down to set you gently
back on Mother Earth.
Top of the Hill
When you can show us that you have good habits on the lower slope,
we'll take you to the top of the 200 foot hill, where you will really
know you are flying! Your instructor has been evaluating the weather
all morning, and will determine whether it is appropriate for you to
fly. After a breifing of the launch, review of your flight planand
discussion of the approach and landing, it's time to set up for your
flight.
This is where the real magic starts, although
I must admit that on my first flight, I was terrified! It wasn't until
I returned to the top of the hill for a second flight that I realized
that this really does work, and that I could fly safely and easily from
the top of a hill with no power. On my second flight, I looked around,
looked up at my wing, then looked up and down the coast from the viewpoint
of flying and I was exhilirated!
You may want to have someone come along
to take pictures of you before and after these first few flights, we've
seen some pretty big smiles and bright eyes when we pick you up at the
bottom of the hill! It will be an experience you will never forget!
By the end of the first lesson, most of our students get two or three
flights from the top of the hill, allowing them to really feel what
paragliding is like from a first-hand point of view.
-Chad Bastian
"When once
you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes
turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long
to return."
- Leonardo
da Vinci
and
discussion of the approach and landing, it's time to set up for your
flight.
