Michael 182 wrote:
I'm taking lessons next week. Anyone here try it? Is being a pilot
any
advantage at all?

Michael

I used to teach paragliding and have some not-so-positive opinions on
the subject...

1. You are under a wing that can and does collapse. In fact, in any
sort of thermally conditions you *will* experience a partial to full
deflation.

2. Check out the flying envelope---stall at around 25, fastest cruise
at around 35. Flying range is only about 10 or 15.

The forward motion keeps the wing inflated. Two problems with this: A
reversal of air (due to a gust, for example) causes the wing to
deflate. And Two, the necessity for a greater forward speed, say to get
down out of excessive lift, is almost non-existant. This has caused
paraglider pilots to use marginal techniques to penetrate excessive
forward winds.(intentional partial deflations, for example).

3. Paragliders are not designed to take terminal velocities like
parachutes. If you collapse and then fall a distance, the lines could
rip right out of the canopy (or snap themselves).

4. Pargliders that are used for training are often not well maintained.
Fabric is worn from UV light exposure and leaks air. This causes the
paraglider to loose lift and stall at a higher than normal speed. Lines
stretch over time and cause the aerodynamics of the canopy to change.

Ok...that's the bad news. On the plus side is:

If you fly in laminar air--say at the beach--where there is no thermal
activity and the winds are fairly predictable, and you fly with newer
equipment under a competent instructor you have a great chance of
having some great fun.

Sorry about the warnings but I watched a few people die on these things
and just thought you'd like to go into it with your eyes open.

Have you considered Hang-gliding? It's much safer!


Antonio