Frequently ask questions about paragliding
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These questions are frequently asked by paragliding tandem students. If your question isn't answered on this page, send an email to epicairtandems@gmail.com or contact Michael at 541-941-5400.
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Physical condition for paragliding
Is there any age restrictions when paragliding?
There is not an age restriction however minors need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in signing a liability waiver.
Is there any weight restrictions when paragliding?
Yes, my paraglider can support between anyone between 45LBs and 265LBS.
How hard and far do I have to run?
Initially, as you start to run forward, you will feel a pull. As the wing is brought up overhead, running will become much easier. How much you have to run really depends on conditions. During soarable conditions, you may run no more than four steps. In lighter winds, may have to run up twenty steps before leaving the ground. It is important to never stop running until we are safely away from the launch and the pilot tells you to stop.
Preparing for paragliding
How should I dress for paragliding?
I recommend wearing long pants to protect the legs from any landings that aren't on your feet. Bring a jacket, sweater, or windbreaker as the higher we go the cooler it can become. The temperature typically drops 5 degrees for everything 1000 feet. It will be 10 degrees cooler on launch than where we meet. Be sure to wear shoes that are securely attached such as hiking or running shoes. Don't wear slippers or sandals as they don't make good landing gear and may come off in flight. You may also want to bring gloves to protect your hands and keep them warm. You may bring your favorite helmet, if not one will be provided for you. Other important things to consider are wearing sun block and bringing water to stay hydrated.
What else should I bring paragliding?
You may also want to bring gloves to protect your hands and keep them warm. You may bring your favorite helmet, if not one will be provided for you. I recommend wearing sunblock there is not a lot of cover on launch and you don't want to get a sunburn waiting to launch. Staying hydrated is important, I would also recommend bringing a bottle of water. You may also want to bring some snacks. The whole paragliding experience is between one and half to three hours long.
How can avoid getting motion sick paragliding?
Avoid heavy meals, eat a light meal before paragliding, but do eat. Take a non-drowsy dramamine or eat some candied ginger to avoid getting air sick. Inform your tandem instructor that you are susceptible to motion sickness. When flying, keep your eyes on the horizon to avoid feeling motion sick. If you feel the slightest bit queezy during your flight inform the tandem instructor immediately. It may take a while to land the paraglider and the feeling never goes away it always gets worse.
Should I eat before I fly?
Yes, eating a light meal an hour before your flight should be okay. But eating something heavy right before you fly probably isn't a good idea especially if your susceptible to motion sickness. If you get motion sick easily please let me know.
What kind of vehicle should I drive?
If you are bringing someone else and they are planning on driving up to launch to watch, I would recommend bringing a vehicle that has a medium to high terrain clearance like a small pickup or SUV. The roads up to launch are graveled but there are some bigger rocks you may have to drive over and serveral pot holes. If you only have a vehicle with lower clearance you will just have to drive slower but the drive up to launch is still doable.
Can I bring someone to watch me paraglide?
Absolutely, please bring your friends and family! If they are planning on watching you launch they will need to drive their own vehicle. A vehicle with higher terrain clearance is recommended. When launching, they will need to remain behind the cement barriers for safety reasons.
Paragliding expectations
Is there a dropping sensation like skying diving?
No, there isn't a dropping sensation like skydiving. When launching, as we run we begin to glide and feel the wing support our weight as we leave the hill. Often while launching, our feet will leave the ground before we've left the launch. It is important to not stop running in case we touch back down before leaving the hill .
How long is the flight?
The length of the flight is depends on the weather and your preference. I offer a guarantee of at least 15 minutes for afternoon and evening flights. Morning flights are typically between 8-12 minutes long.
If I feel panic or anxiety how long would I be in the air before we could land?
I will do everything I can do to get you down as quickly as possible if your having an anxiety or panic attack, however our safety is the first priority and being in the air it's important that we continue to fly the glider and find a place to land safely.
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Paragliding Terminology
I thought it was called parasailing. What is the difference?
Parasailing is conducted over the water. The passengers and parachute are tethered to a boat. The parachute is round and isn't steerable. Paragliding like hang gliding is conducted from the tops of mountains. We run off a sloped launch and ascend to elevations higher than from where we launched in updrafts called thermals. The wing is elliptical and steerable.
What is paragliding and how is it different from hang gliding?
Paragliding is a recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders, a lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a hollow fabric wing whose elliptical shape is formed by its suspension lines, the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing and the aerodynamic forces of the air flowing over the outside.
Hang gliders have solid wing structures utilizing an aluminum frame to create a V-shaped wing. Due to their heavier weight, hang gliders tend to have faster flying speeds but need more winds to stay aloft. Paragliding is a much newer sport which has grown in popularity quickly over the last several years. It's advantages are: easily transportable, easy to learn, fly, and land, and flyable in much lighter wind conditions than hang gliders. Hang Gliding has been around much longer than paragliding. It is based on an internally-supported, rigid wing with a control bar that gives the pilot very direct and immediate control over the flying surface. It is a more active style of flying since the pilot must also be handling the wing. The prone position (lying down) is more exhilarating for some, compared to the seated position that paragliding pilots have. Why are you called a tandem instructor?
Paragliding flights with passengers are only allowed by the FAA by a means of instruction. As a result, when you take a tandem flight, you become a temporary USHPA student pilot.
What is the difference between a tandem instructor and a advanced instructor?
A tandem instructor provides instructional tandem flights like me. An advanced instructor teaches students how to fly their own paragliding wing.
Other Information
Where are the closest gas stations?
Where can I grab a bite to eat?
Can you describe the process of launching? |