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JUNE 2012 -
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flights.
How much do they cost?
Paragliders are not cheap, although
they represent one of the least ex-
pensive ways to get into the air. A
new paraglider suitable for a recently
trained pilot will cost up to around $
4,000; secondhand canopies can
be obtained for much less. Training
to the level at which you can fly your
own canopy in a club environment
costs around $ 2,000; introductory
courses cost around half that. Apart
from a glider, you need a harness,
helmet, flight suit and boots; later in
your flying career, you may choose
to buy instruments and other useful
accessories.
Paragliding is a great community.
You‘ll often find championship-winning
pilots comparing notes with novices;
both know that theirs is perhaps the
simplest and most intuitive way of fly-
ing yet devised. If you want to enjoy
the challenges that only being truly at
one with the elements can provide,
book a training course today!
Learning to fly a paraglider
Expect a full course take around ten
days of flyable weather.
Training is usually conducted on
a gentle slope. Your instructor will
explain how the canopy is laid out,
inflated and controlled by its brake
lines; you‘ll then take it in turns with
other members of your group to have
your first short training hops.
When you‘ve become adept at
ground handling, controlling airspeed
and making gentle turns, you‘ll prob-
ably go to a higher hill for longer
flights. The instructor may even take
you up dual on a special canopy to
demonstrate an exercise. As things
fall into place you‘ll learn to soar - to
stay up in favorable winds and make
longer flights.
Suggested paragliding equipment
PARAGLIDER
use paragliders, which can stay aloft
in good lift conditions and, with
experience, be flown on cross-country