Hi Janusz,

I'm actively "biwingual" (sailplane,435 hrs and paraglider,31 hrs).
Both aircraft require a high level of risk management but, for me, the
paraglider requires more. I've only been "scared" in paraglider one
time and I used it as a learning experience (it's also the reason I
fly a DHV 1 paraglider intended for novices). I can't say that I've
really been "scared" in the sailplane but have had moments of anxiety
from time to time.

I like the slow flying speed and convenience of the paraglider.
Yesterday, I decided to fly the paraglider - drove 10 minutes from my
house to the launch site and was in the air after a total of 20
minutes from leaving my house. The sailplane takes a bit more time to
get airborne.
Cu skies,
Steve
Tehachapi, CA

PS: Ian, I'm not sure that HG and PG are "booming" in the US. I don't
have the latest memebership statistics at hand but I recently heard
someone bemoaning the small membership numbers of USHGA. However, in
2002, membership increased 1,000 over the previous year to a total of
11,200 members.

"Janusz Kesik" wrote in message ...
Uzytkownik "Ian Johnston" napisal w
wiadomosci
...

On the other hand, traditional soaring is dying all over the world
while hang/paragliding are booming.

Ian

I have tried paragliding once, and I know: never again. Too scary experience
as for me. In a glider, I sit in a cockpit, and feel without any doubt much
safer.
If it comes to hanggliding, seems to be safer, but I have seen enough
accidents to think a lot until I'll give it a try, however recently I have
started to compare the costs of beginning to learn hang-gliding and staying
here as a glider pilot.

Regards,