Operation near aircraft; right-of-way rules.
from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.
Operations in prohibited or restricted areas.
Flight restrictions in the proximity of certain areas designated by notice to airmen.
Flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements.
Less than 10,000 feet MSL. 3 statute miles 500 feet below.
At or above 10,000 feet MSL. 5 statute miles 1,000 feet below.
1,200 feet or less above the surface (regardless of MSL altitude). 1 statute mile Clear of clouds.
More than 1,200 feet above the surface but less than 10,000 feet MSL. 1 statute mile 500 feet below.
More than 1,200 feet above the surface and at or above 10,000 feet MSL. 5 statute miles 1,000 feet below.
While flying a paraglider or a paramotor, we usually carry a reserve parachute, for emergency situations.
Paraglider reserve parachutes are very different from ones intended for skydiving. A paraglider one is designed to open as fast as possible to stop the pilot's fall, whereas a skydiving one is designed to open gradually to slow down the skydiver from a high-speed fall.
Its use, packing, and maintenance are different but it's your responsibility to make sure you are doing it (or are having it done by a professional) every six months.
A regular maintenance will affect the opening time and the performance of the parachute in the long run (according to manufacturers, a reserve parachute should serve its purpose for about ten years if the maintenance was done on a regular basis, i.e., at least, every six months to every year). It's a good idea to practice a reserve extraction by hooking yourself up to a simulator before your season starts.
- Making sure you can move fluidly.
- Finding the reserve handle easily without looking.
- Confirming that the extraction requires little effort and is working properly.
- Having the opportunity to practice re-installing the reserve in the harness container.
-Closing the container pins correctly (it's possible that when you arrive on launch, you find that one of your pins is out of its loop, so it's always good to know how to put it back properly).
- Installing the handle properly followed by a quick review of your pref-light check.
1) The round ones are more basic and simpler to use and repack. They come in "regular" or "light" versions. The lighter version is about half the size when packed (so it's easier to put in the harness but most importantly to extract. They also weigh half as much as other ones so they're more popular, especially with those who like to hike and fly.
The reserve parachute Swing Escape is light and offer a fast opening with an amazing sink rate.
2) The square ones are pretty much a recent evolution of the round ones which mean newer technology. The square shape results in a more stable reserve, faster opening, and better/slower sink rate.
The SWING Orange Cross offer a fster opening, more stability and a better sink rate .
3) Finally, the Rogallo style like the Beamer can be directional after opening. The main advantage is its ability to fly away from a dangerous obstacle like power lines while descending. While being directional is a great advantage, it also means there are more tasks to perform after opening it. It's recommended to practice the reserve extraction during maneuver training over water to master its use.
The Beamer 3's special shape and particular folding technique help it open up to 50% faster than normal round canopies; the Beamer 3 is setting EN Test records.
Overall, you need to evaluate all aspects properly when you are ready to purchase your reserve. But it's also imperative to understand that your reserve parachute requires a repack every six months to properly function when needed.
What are the different levels of Wings or Gliders?
Safety of pilots is of highest priority in the sport of Paragliding and reputed organizations and the ambassadors of the sport take every necessary step to ensure the same.
In this scheme of things, the performance and the quality of the wing/canopy/ glider is of high importance.
No glider ever makes it to the large scale production site without getting rated and certified by standard organizations. This happens only after the glider clears some prerequisite tests conducted on it. The rating of the glider is a way to measure its performance and stability.
The most trusted and accepted glider ratings are given by the 'European Committee for Standardization'- CEN or in short EN and the 'Deutscher Hangegleiter Verband'- DHV, the German Handgliding and Paragliding Organizations which has changed its name to LTF from DHV.
The EN rates the gliders in the decreasing order of stability as A, B, C and D and the LTF rates the gliders in the same way as 1,1-2, 2 ,2-3 and competition glider or 3.
The A or 1 rating is meant for a Beginner pilot, B or 1-2 for Intermediate, C or 2 for Advanced and D or 2-3 for Master pilots. The glider of rating 3 is generally meant for the extremely skillful gliders with years of experience behind their back and it isn't something that the EN or LTF certifies.
1. That the performance and stability of the glider match with the level and skill sets of the pilots that it is intended for.
2. That the glider has undergone proper testing before it's used for flying.
The testing of the Paragliders.
The ratings are the results of tests which are conducted under run time conditions. Sophisticated and highly precise measuring instruments are used to record accurate measurements during the tests which are only conducted by experienced pilots.
Among other things, these tests measure the time it takes for the glider to re-inflate itself and get back to stable condition without any input from the pilot after it has collapsed during the flight.
The faster the glider responds to such scenarios the lower it's rating will be.
Generally, beginner level gliders are more stable and re-inflate themselves within 3-5 seconds, whereas gliders with higher rating can take an added 3 or 5 seconds to get back to stability. Precision cameras provide run time information about the inflationary times and also the angle the wing turned during the inflation stage.
It is always advisable to choose such wings which are intended for your level of expertise in flying.
Respect the sport and follow the standards, you will sure fly safe!
How to become a paraglider pilot.
Paragliding is a well regulated sport; it functions under the USHPA- United States Hand Gliding and Paragliding Association. USHPA certifies pilots by rating them according to their skill and expertise in the sport of Paragliding. It rates pilots from P0 to P5 in the order of student, beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Master Pilots.
Pilots generally start their journey as a beginner with a P0 certificate and make their way through the different levels and reach the P5 level by mastering the art of Paragliding.
The ratings are issued to reflect the completion of certain tasks by the students which are witnessed and observed by officials and licensed instructors. The ratings are also meant to regulate the pilot to fly in only such sites which are meant for his level of expertise as flying sites are labeled according to the approximate skill level required to fly there safely.
The tasks that the pilot has to go do may require keen attention to detail and very high precision. A good amount of training in these has been always beneficial. That is why it is advisable for wannabe pilots to enroll in a Paragliding school.
Student P0 Pilot: This pilot has the basic knowledge required to understand and accept the risks of flying as a tandem passenger on a Paraglider.
A Beginner pilot has the knowledge and basic skills necessary to fly and practice under direct instructor supervision and within significant operating limitations.
The pilot understands the USHPA Paragliding rating systems and recommended operating limitations.
Students enrolled with us generally start off their training with the Introduction Day. This program is designed for those students who wish to get a feel for the sport and in the process learn the basic skills and kiting by making their first flight on the training hill.
This program also serves as a way to remove any doubt and hesitation in the mind of the students about Paragliding and in a way persuades them to take up training for acquiring the P2 pilot certificate. Once the students are convinced to take up the training program and enrolls for the P2 program, he is giving the P0 and P1 certificates together by the instructor.
The P2 pilot is all that a P1 pilot is with a good judgment and has a level of maturity commensurate with the rating. Pilots must demonstrate Beginner level skills and knowledge before obtaining the Novice rating.
To acquire the P2 certificate the pilot has to complete few witnessed tasks with a minimum of 8 hours of ground school theory. The pilot should have learnt basics about the forecasting the weather, basics in launching, Understanding danger signs, landing and site orientation etc.
Once the pilot finishes the P2 program he will have the necessary skills to inflate, ground handle and control the glider. P2 certificate also lets the pilot to fly solo with glider under certain restrictions.
The pilot has the knowledge and skills to fly most sites in mild to moderate soaring conditions, and to judge when the site and conditions are within the pilot's skill, knowledge, and experience level.
To receive the P3 certificate the pilot should have logged in a minimum of 30 flying days, at least 90 flights and also a minimum of 20 hours of solo airtime. The P3 pilot shows exceptional abilities of flying with sound knowledge in Airspeed control, turbulence, collapse and recoveries.
The detailed report for the requirements to become an Intermediate pilot is given in the USHPA website.
The pilot has the knowledge and skills to fly technically demanding sites in strong soaring conditions, and to judge when the site and conditions are within the pilot's skill, knowledge, and experience level.
The pilot understands the USHPA Paragliding rating system and recommended operating limitations, and the FARs and other flying rules applicable to his/her flying. To get the Advanced pilot certificate the pilot should have had a minimum of 250 flights, with a minimum of 80 flights, days, must have flown in all the 5 P3 flying sites 5 times each.
The P4 pilot will display elite skills and expertise in the art of flying as given in the report by USHPA.
For pilots who wish to further diversify their skills in the sport of Paragliding, and to recognize the achievement of the expert skilled pilot who has experience beyond the Advanced level, there is a designation of Master Pilot.
No site will be designated as requiring Master skills. The pilot will fly using good judgment and have a level of maturity commensurate with the rating. The P5 pilot will display exceptional skills and expertise in the art of flying as given in the report by USHPA.
For most recreational and occasional flyers, being an Intermediate Pilot or even a Novice pilot will be sufficient to fly at most flight parks. As mentioned above, it is always advisable to enroll for Paragliding training to hone your skills.
At Letsgoparagliding, we nurture the hidden talents in all of our students. Come fly with us!