Paragliding

[N918KT]

Just wondering, has anyone on this forum ever flown a paraglider before? If so, what was the experience like? Fun, adrenaline pumping, nerve wracking, etc? Would you say if paragliding is more fun than flying a GA airplane or the other way around?

 

[Florida Cracker]

Just wondering, has anyone on this forum ever flown a paraglider before? If so, what was the experience like? Fun, adrenaline pumping, nerve wracking, etc? Would you say if paragliding is more fun than flying a GA airplane or the other way around?

I flew a bunch of weight shift trikes, years ago and loved it. Never hang glided because I like having an engine to get home.

With the trike, you are outside, in the wind, holding onto a metal bar, just like a hang glider, pushed along by small engine, that has way more power than you need and lets you go where you want, at about 60 - 80 mph.

Winds near the ground are not a big problem because the trike only has the wing and turns into the wind, almost automatically.

 

[ClimbnSink]

Just wondering, has anyone on this forum ever flown a paraglider before? If so, what was the experience like? Fun, adrenaline pumping, nerve wracking, etc? Would you say if paragliding is more fun than flying a GA airplane or the other way around?

Paragliders(and speedgliders) are the only thing I fly now. IMO way more fun then vanilla GA. My flying experience is former CFI in gliders and helicopters, PPSEL and SES, former pro skydiver and basejumper. I'm a bit biased obviously never cared much for regular GA airplane flying.
If you don't like soaring and the unknowns of fickle weather dependent flying you probably aren't going to like paragliding. I just got back from the beach(45 minute drive, 15 minute hike) forecast said 17-22 mph perfect for speedwing, reality was 30-35mph. Such is life.
Flying a paraglider can be relaxing in light air sled rides, or light wind easy soaring days at the beach to quite frightening, on windy and strong thermal days. Most of the time you get to pick which kind of flight you are going to have but occasionally the gods decide for you.
Where you live matters alot as well, some places have easy consistent conditions, here in New England it can be unflyable for months on end. As with all soaring having a flexible schedule helps tremendously, also helps that paragliders are self launching no tow pilot or plane required.

 

[N918KT]

Paragliders(and speedgliders) are the only thing I fly now. IMO way more fun then vanilla GA. My flying experience is former CFI in gliders and helicopters, PPSEL and SES, former pro skydiver and basejumper. I'm a bit biased obviously never cared much for regular GA airplane flying.
If you don't like soaring and the unknowns of fickle weather dependent flying you probably aren't going to like paragliding. I just got back from the beach(45 minute drive, 15 minute hike) forecast said 17-22 mph perfect for speedwing, reality was 30-35mph. Such is life.
Flying a paraglider can be relaxing in light air sled rides, or light wind easy soaring days at the beach to quite frightening, on windy and strong thermal days. Most of the time you get to pick which kind of flight you are going to have but occasionally the gods decide for you.
Where you live matters alot as well, some places have easy consistent conditions, here in New England it can be unflyable for months on end. As with all soaring having a flexible schedule helps tremendously, also helps that paragliders are self launching no tow pilot or plane required.

Wow, thanks for the reply about your experience Greg! Too be honest I always wondered what is like to soar in a glider (sailplane), hang glider, or paraglider.

 

[Bill]

also helps that paragliders are self launching no tow pilot or plane required.

How do most folks handle transpo between the launch site and the LZ? Is it common for folks to toss each other keys to cars to shuttle people and gear?

 

[ClimbnSink]

How do most folks handle transpo between the launch site and the LZ? Is it common for folks to toss each other keys to cars to shuttle people and gear?

Exactly. Depends on the site, and how much hiking is involved or if it is 4WD access only. We hide keys in the usual places and cram in one car or truck. Little trickier for hangglider pilots as they need racks but means there is likely a hangglider pilots truck going where you need to go.

 

[Bill]

Exactly. Depends on the site, and how much hiking is involved or if it is 4WD access only. We hide keys in the usual places and cram in one car or truck. Little trickier for hangglider pilots as they need racks but means there is likely a hangglider pilots truck going where you need to go.

Cool, thanks! Another few weeks and I think I'm going for my first ride.

 

[ClimbnSink]

Wow, thanks for the reply about your experience Greg! Too be honest I always wondered what is like to soar in a glider (sailplane), hang glider, or paraglider.

Soaring is funny in that pilots either seem to absolutely love it or be ambivalent. If you fall into the first group motor flying will never be as interesting for you.