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Paragliding...

Wow this looks like amazing fun.
 
1962siia said:
Wow this looks like amazing fun.
Click to expand...

Once the world returns to normal you should come on out, check out the scene and we could hook you up to a glider and show you how to kite it on the ground, or talk James into taking you tandem. We also do a lot of camping trips to the mountains in the summer and someone willing to drive retrieves is always very popular. Fun way to get to know people and learn about flying.

I had an amazing month flying Columbia this winter that got me 60 hours and a 1000km total in a few weeks of flying. Roldanillo is an amazing spot. Have barely flown since then but a new toy arrived today, 22.5m Xenus, just got back from kiting it in Point Richmond.

I also just got voted onto the Wings Of Rogallo board, so am now responsible for a bunch of our local flying sites.

Hoping this summer is good to make up for the lost spring, didn't want to fly the last month despite amazing conditions, but starting to feel like some conservative flying would be ok.
 
bpw said:
I also just got voted onto the Wings Of Rogallo board, so am now responsible for a bunch of our local flying sites.
Click to expand...

Congrats sucka! I voted for you. :) Thank you for volunteering. I think WOR is going to look a bit different in the upcoming year or 2. The wings are blending more and more.

I am earning brownie points towards a Columbia trip. The wife will give in at some point. Need the kids to get a little older. In the mean time, she is open to the idea of Alicante or Annecy. She is more comfortable with the idea of Europe for some reason... Time will tell.

Looking forward to hearing about the Xenus. That is a really interesting design.

James
 
Entoptic said:
Absolutely amazing. What is the entry cost for something like this?
Click to expand...

It's a sport very similar to motorcycles, except that we are self regulated. With that in mind, I will answer with a generic response:

We are blessed with very good instructors here in the Bay Area. They offer training that is tailored to a person, with zero knowledge of free flight, and will coach you up to obtaining a P2 rating. Most of them include all the gear rental and teaching time for a flat rate of ~$1700-1900. The initial cost may seem high, but something to keep in mind; when you sign up for a program, they rarely put a time constraint on it. I have seen some people get their rating in about 6 days on the hill. Others take months and the instructors make the commitment to continue training.

At some point, when you are ready, they are the best to set you up with your first set of gear. The kit is pretty complex and it simplifies the first couple years. That kit includes everything you will need to continue learning and progressing. Ballpark, depending on any options - $5500-6000.

For about $7500, you can enter into a sport completely naive, and be flying P2 rated launches and landing zones. Most sites, around the world, require a P3 rating. That is mainly accruing enough flights, and demonstrating skills. My instructor included future ratings in the initial training. I have been working, flying, and traveling with him since 2014.

After some time, you lose your mind and start collecting harnesses, wings, and exploring different styles of flying. Very much like motorcycles, where you may start riding dirt, then expand into street bikes, then may venture off into adventure riding, or distance, or cruisers, etc.

A lot of the instructors will do introductory classes. A morning on the training hill. They will strap you up to wing and show you the basics. First one is free, basically.

* The above example isn't the only way I have seen pilots get into the sport and get going, but it is the text book answer.

James
 
Since this topic got started up again...

Yesterday evening I saw two powered paragliders fly by out my back window. It's all farm land back there. That's what I originally wanted to do, but not sure I'm willing to spend what it takes to get there. It's roughly the same as buying a new motorcycle.
 
ScottRNelson said:
Since this topic got started up again...

Yesterday evening I saw two powered paragliders fly by out my back window. It's all farm land back there. That's what I originally wanted to do, but not sure I'm willing to spend what it takes to get there. It's roughly the same as buying a new motorcycle.
Click to expand...


An interesting tid bit: in the USA, you have to be rated to launch from regulated sites with a paraglider. There is no rating for powered paragliding. Anyone can strap on a lawnmower to their backs, and fly. You just have to maintain FAA air space restrictions.
 
So last year I studied paragliding, read a whole book on the subject. Haven't figured out who to contact in my area to take lessons though. I know of several companies in Utah that can get you certified.

I think I finally came to the conclusion that once I feel like I'm spending too much time riding motorcycles, then it's time to look into something else like paragliding.
 
I have heard good things about Horseshoe Bend Paragliding, and they aren't far from Meridian.

As Warren Miller put it: If you don't do it this year, you'll just be a year older when you do. :)
 
James said:
I have heard good things about Horseshoe Bend Paragliding, and they aren't far from Meridian.

As Warren Miller put it: If you don't do it this year, you'll just be a year older when you do. :)
Click to expand...
I rode through Horseshoe Bend just yesterday. Didn't stop or visit the hill where they fly, though. I'll be curious when they'll be able to start classes.
 
I am interested in the parameter thing mostly because where I am there aren't too many places to launch a paraglider.
Are they basically the same thing aside from the obvious differences?
 
DrSwade said:
I am interested in the parameter thing mostly because where I am there aren't too many places to launch a paraglider.
Are they basically the same thing aside from the obvious differences?
Click to expand...
You meant "paramotor", right?

Theoretically you can get good at powered paragliders without bothering to learn how to fly a regular paraglider. But if you go through all of the wind powered courses first you'll have better skills at dealing with stalls and various wing collapse issues. All of this information comes from my reading, I've never actually touched either one.

There are lots of videos on YouTube that will help you generate more enthusiasm for that form of flying. I got a book from the library about regular paragliding that went through most of the important stuff. I wanted to understand all of the things that could go wrong and what kinds of skills are most valuable.

There's a school on the east side of the Central Valley that you should check out if you're serious.
 
DrSwade said:
I am interested in the parameter thing mostly because where I am there aren't too many places to launch a paraglider.
Are they basically the same thing aside from the obvious differences?
Click to expand...

Where do you live? You might be surprised.

I have never done any paramotor, so can't give much guidance on that.
 
James said:
It's a sport very similar to motorcycles, except that we are self regulated. With that in mind, I will answer with a generic response:

We are blessed with very good instructors here in the Bay Area. They offer training that is tailored to a person, with zero knowledge of free flight, and will coach you up to obtaining a P2 rating. Most of them include all the gear rental and teaching time for a flat rate of ~$1700-1900. The initial cost may seem high, but something to keep in mind; when you sign up for a program, they rarely put a time constraint on it. I have seen some people get their rating in about 6 days on the hill. Others take months and the instructors make the commitment to continue training.

At some point, when you are ready, they are the best to set you up with your first set of gear. The kit is pretty complex and it simplifies the first couple years. That kit includes everything you will need to continue learning and progressing. Ballpark, depending on any options - $5500-6000.

For about $7500, you can enter into a sport completely naive, and be flying P2 rated launches and landing zones. Most sites, around the world, require a P3 rating. That is mainly accruing enough flights, and demonstrating skills. My instructor included future ratings in the initial training. I have been working, flying, and traveling with him since 2014.

After some time, you lose your mind and start collecting harnesses, wings, and exploring different styles of flying. Very much like motorcycles, where you may start riding dirt, then expand into street bikes, then may venture off into adventure riding, or distance, or cruisers, etc.

A lot of the instructors will do introductory classes. A morning on the training hill. They will strap you up to wing and show you the basics. First one is free, basically.

* The above example isn't the only way I have seen pilots get into the sport and get going, but it is the text book answer.

James
Click to expand...

James thank you for the info. We may meet one day on a mountain. I’ve always wanted to fly ;)
 
With the new SIP order allowing outdoor business my instructor friend Rob Black (Penguin Paragliding) will be starting back up teaching in Vallejo. Maybe some of you want to learn something new while the world is closed?
 
Whoa, What's up with Mt Vaca? Is it a big spring time launch? Who administers it? I need to check it out. I like the different approach to cruising the 5!
 
James said:
Whoa, What's up with Mt Vaca? Is it a big spring time launch? Who administers it? I need to check it out. I like the different approach to cruising the 5!
Click to expand...

Unregulated, launch is owned by the friend of a local pilot and he lets us fly. Excellent start for xc flying but if you don't climb out the landing options are not very good, need to be confident landing in a small space as the "LZ" is a fire road on top of a small knob.

I would argue it may be the best xc site in the bay area, only have to make it about 10km north and you hook into the convergence that develops most summer days east of lake berryessa. I think site record is Josh Cohn going ~160km to Hull Mountain.
 
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