Power Kite Forum

Paragliding

power - 29-1-2010 at 10:11 PM

Anyone on here want to show me the ropes? Please don't say, go to a paragliding forum because I'll do that anyways.

BeamerBob - 29-1-2010 at 10:39 PM

Then they will tell you to go to a school and get your certifications. I'm just guessin. That's serious business that you don't want to be asking questions about while you are hovering off the ground. But yes it would sure be a rush.

Maven454 - 30-1-2010 at 06:20 AM

Yeah, school is the only way to go on that one.

P.S. And you think kites are pricey?

stetson05 - 31-1-2010 at 12:40 AM

www.usairnet.com has some links to schools. It also has some decent forecasts if you go to the aviation forcast. http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi

arkay - 31-1-2010 at 02:36 AM

http://www.discoverparagliding.com/

Bladerunner - 31-1-2010 at 08:26 AM

Solaris just got her instructors level !:thumbup: :thumbup:

She is a fantastic rep for SkyCountry . Very good with her time and willing to introduce us to the sport learning to kite them in our park.

This is one sport that getting lessons is a MUST ! But you already know that.

I would paraglide ( and skydive ) in a heartbeat if I could afford to !

power - 31-1-2010 at 09:01 AM

Between lessons and gear, how much would everything cost?

Maven454 - 31-1-2010 at 09:07 AM

More than all your kiting equipment put together I suspect...

Maven454 - 31-1-2010 at 09:10 AM

The cheapest Ozone Glider (which is for foot/ski launch and is a speed wing) is still $1500 and is for intermediate use. And that doesn't count the helmet, harness, or the multiple lessons required to get the certification that you'll likely need.

Which glider is right for you.

The normal beginner paraglider is around $3000.

Maven454 - 31-1-2010 at 09:12 AM

Here is the association responsible for it in the US. [EDIT]The site isn't currently loading.[/EDIT]

power - 31-1-2010 at 04:33 PM

Can't you do tandem on these?

Maven454 - 31-1-2010 at 05:00 PM

No idea.

indigo_wolf - 31-1-2010 at 05:44 PM

Yes, you can do tandem with a paraglider. I believe a while back Eli posted pictures/video of flying with his pup, so it doesn't matter if you partner normally runs on two or four legs.

Was there a second part to that question?

ATB,
Sam

power - 31-1-2010 at 05:50 PM

God can someone take me tandem? I'm hoping to get into paragliding by the time I'm in college or before...

Knolee - 31-1-2010 at 05:56 PM

Make sure you offer the opportunity to me too.

indigo_wolf - 31-1-2010 at 08:04 PM

You might have to make some new friends....

Paragliding sites in the Roanoke area:
http://www.sage-technology.com/paraglide/

Forum for the Capital Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association
http://www.chgpa.org/forums/

ATB,
Sam

stetson05 - 31-1-2010 at 08:19 PM

I did a tandem flight with Discover Paragliding. It was amazing! It cost me a little more than $100.00. The flight wasn't very long but I wouldn't take it back. It was a great experience. Next time I have $1000.00 laying around I will do the training course to allow me to fly by myself.

Knolee - 31-1-2010 at 08:45 PM

Is the training course a long term thing?

power - 31-1-2010 at 10:05 PM

I sent ozone a paraglider demo request. They said they're sending me the mantra 3 to try out for the month and I'll keep it if I like it.

stetson05 - 31-1-2010 at 10:12 PM

training course is 3-5 days I think.

indigo_wolf - 31-1-2010 at 10:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by power
They said they're sending me the mantra 3 to try out for the month and I'll keep it if I like it.


$4300?!?!? Yikes!! :o

ATB,
Sam

SCREWYFITS - 1-2-2010 at 12:28 AM

I did a class on my 40th bday and I can tell you it was so F'N sweet here is a link of one of my flights... I must of got 18-20 flights just like this that day... not bad for my first time eeeah!!!

Link sorry I was trying to embed it but no luck...

Also, FYI, VERY VERY addicting and a lot more expensive, but worth every penny...:roll:

power - 1-2-2010 at 05:13 AM

How long did it take you to get to that point? It just looks so easy but I'm sure its not. And I was kidding about the mantra 3:frog:

Maven454 - 1-2-2010 at 05:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by power
I sent ozone a paraglider demo request. They said they're sending me the mantra 3 to try out for the month and I'll keep it if I like it.


That's kinda scary, since that's one of their high end, expert paraglider. Would seem disturbing if they just ship those out for demo to people with no experience...

rocfighter - 1-2-2010 at 05:36 AM

Hey Maven did you see the post right before yours?
Sorry man just had to do it!!:frog: I know you were typing at the same time!

Maven454 - 1-2-2010 at 05:37 AM

Actually, I hadn't seen his new post, even after I submitted mine. I'm glad to know that he was kidding, because that would have been frightening.

power - 1-2-2010 at 09:17 AM

I'm going to try to work out a good job this summer, and start putting some money towards paragliding instead of kites considering I've finally filled out my quiver. Are there any age restrictions on the certification courses?

ragden - 1-2-2010 at 10:17 AM

While paraglading looks amazing, I think I'll stick with what I have for now. I've got enough expensive hobbies to last me for awhile. I also know that I'll never have a "full quiver". There is always another kite around the corner to pick up. Not to mention all the different things I still would like to do with kiting. I know I have some stuff to learn and do.
:)

Stan-TheMan - 6-2-2010 at 02:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ragden
While paraglading looks amazing, I think I'll stick with what I have for now. I've got enough expensive hobbies to last me for awhile. I also know that I'll never have a "full quiver". There is always another kite around the corner to pick up. Not to mention all the different things I still would like to do with kiting. I know I have some stuff to learn and do.
:)


*************************
I'm with you, Ragden. I asked many questions and viewed many videos, and this forum helped advise me, as well. My conclusion was, that regardless of my love for the air, and barring all equipment expense, I still could never prepare enough for an "off day" when wind conditions and impact exceed my body tolerances.

After viewing various YouTube crashes, I had to ask myself the Dirty Harry question... "Well, Punk..." I could just hear his words being transposed to the howling of the wind... "Go ahead, make my day!" Confuscious say, "Much easier for a man to take off than know where he is going to land." I have to admit, the mind is there, but the flesh is weak. I envy those who succeed and live to tell about it. Instead, I'm going to try the depower route and find ways to stay happy with kiting.

SCREWYFITS - 6-2-2010 at 04:45 AM

I was flying the first day within 2 hrs... I think I'm the exception to the rule though, the instructor was blown away and said most take 6hrs to get to where I was after 2hrs... I think the kiting helped me some also...

stetson05 - 6-2-2010 at 10:45 PM

Eli told me once his kiting skills helped him a lot when he started paragliding. I wondered about using a paraglider for those low wind days but it seems they need about 8mph to be able to kite them. Still it would be crazy to have that big of a kite up. How big do you suppose the bar would need to be? I wonder if Powerzone is up to the challenge of converting a paraglider to a depower kite.

lad - 6-2-2010 at 10:49 PM

I think only certain models can be adapted to a practical "kite" - otherwise the design/glide ratio or something or other isn't appropriate.

stetson05 - 6-2-2010 at 10:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lad
I think only certain models can be adapted to a practical "kite" - otherwise the design/glide ratio or something or other isn't appropriate.


Probably is true. I know that practicing on the ground with no intent of flying is called kiting. That is what I am doing in the pic. I just kind of assumed that they would fly like a kite too. That is as far as I have gotten. I won't try and fly without the training.

SCREWYFITS - 7-2-2010 at 04:25 AM

Here is a guy using a Kite as a paraglider/kite
Link #1
Link #2

I think this is the same gut but I'm unsure if its a kite or paraglider, seems like a flysurfer to me
link #3

:wee:

Kamikuza - 7-2-2010 at 06:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by stetson05
Eli told me once his kiting skills helped him a lot when he started paragliding. I wondered about using a paraglider for those low wind days but it seems they need about 8mph to be able to kite them. Still it would be crazy to have that big of a kite up. How big do you suppose the bar would need to be? I wonder if Powerzone is up to the challenge of converting a paraglider to a depower kite.



If Adam was a crappy old parachute, what do we call these new paraglider kites? Jesus? :lol:

XdisasterXdrewX - 7-2-2010 at 07:41 AM

My dad is a paraglider and he was trained by this guy named kurt.
Go to www.flightjunkies.com
Like I said the guys name is Kurt and he trains for free, you pay for his plane ticket and he will train you for a weekend or however long.
He's a REALLY cool guy and he has a group of people which he calls the Flight Junkies (I know, go figure), and this year the whole group went on a cruise in Florida and went flying at a field that he bought down there.
He organizes fly-ins all the time.
People in the group are from all around the U.S and it ALOT of fun.
You should definitely check it out.


If you have any questions send me a U2U.


EDIT: Also im about 99% sure that he can get you certified, so you don't have to go to a school.

erratic winds - 7-2-2010 at 10:03 AM

Seen some crazy paragliding videos lately. http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=70c_1265509961 paraglider tricks? Awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZn_gliSMhQ parahawking. Using trained birds of prey to lead them to thermals.