FAQ
- What is paragliding?
- Are paragliders the same as parasails?
- What are the differences between Hang Gliding and Paragliding?
- Convenience: Paragliding or Hang Gliding?
- Safety: Paragliding or Hang Gliding?
- Are there any age restrictions?
- What certifications do I need to fly?
- What will it cost me?
- Can I find used equipment?
- How do I get started?
- How long will the course take?
- Why learn at Torrey Pines?
Q: What is paragliding?
A: Paragliding (not to be confused with parasailing, see next question) is as close to being a bird as you will ever get. It is free flight (non-powered) in its purest form. A paraglider is a foot launched flying wing. Paragliders are very convenient gliders due to their ease of packing (you can carry them on your back) and quick setup time. On a good day, you can arive at your site and be flying in 5-10minutes (of course after following the rules for the site and your regular pre-flight check).
The paraglider wing is constructed of nylon and coated with silicone for UV protection. The pilot is suspended from this wing on incredibly strong dynema or kevlar lines. The pilot flies in a harness that positions him in a reclining position for maximum comfort while in the air. While flying you actually soar like a bird taking advantage of rising air in the form of thermals or the rising air of ridge winds.
Q: Are paragliders the same as parasails?
A: Many people have the tendency to confuse paragliding with parasailing. Parasails are large parachutes generally pulled behind a boat at the beach or at a lake. Paragliders are actual gliding wings (with a glide ratio and all) and the pilot has full steering control of a paraglider. Paragliders are launched from hills, mountains, cliffs, or via tow winches. Dynamically, paragliders are more akin to the winds of a 747 than to a parachute. A parachutes purpose is to bring you down to the ground slowly. The purpose of a paraglider is to go up higher in the air utilizing the upward movement of air allowing you to fly for hours at a time, covering miles of terrain.
Q: What are the differences between Hang Gliding and Paragliding?
A: The major difference lies in the wing shape and design. Hang gliders have solid wing structures utilizing an aluminum frame to create a V-shaped wing that resembles a stealth bomber. Paragliders have soft wing structures (no internal frame) that once inflated have an elliptical shape. Aerodynamically they both fly the same, utilizing the Bernoulli Principle to get the best lift possible. Due to their heavier weight, hang gliders tend to have faster flying speeds but need more winds to stay aloft. Paragliders typically have slower flying speeds, but since the pilot is suspended from the wing, he can use his pendular momentum to perform some stunning air maneuvers(aerobatics). Due to their lower flying speed, paragliders are much more forgiving and thus generally have a lower learning curve.
Q: Convenience: Paragliding or Hang Gliding?
A: Paragliders fold up into small bags and the total weight of the paraglider, harness, reserve chute, and helmet typically run from about 35-40lbs. This means they can accompany you as acceptable stored luggage on aircraft when you go visit out of country and you could fly foreign sites! Hang gliders roll up into a bag that is about 15ft long and weighs about 70-100lbs. Thus, vehicles need special racks to transport hang gliders. Paragliders are carried in large backpacks that can simply be thrown into your back seat or trunk. Thus, paragliders are certainly more convenient of the two sports. However, both sports offer truly unique and wonderful flying.
Q: Safety: Paragliding or Hang Gliding?
A: Central to pilot safety in either of these sports is pilot attitude. There is a saying in the flying community, "There are a lot of old pilots, and there are a lot of bold pilots, but there are not a lot of old bold pilots." The bottom line is that accidents occur due to pilot error. Very rarely do we see equipment failures. The majority of accidents occur because pilots fly in weather conditions that are too extreme, or doing dangerous maneuvers close to the ground. As instructors at Torrey Pines Gliderport, our main concern in your training is safety. We can teach you how to judge meteorological conditions, physical terrain dangers, weather changes, etc., but it is up to you the pilot to judge weather the conditions are safe for you to fly in.
Q: Are there any age restrictions?
A: There is no age limit for our Paragliding Tandem Flights. Minors under 18 years of age simply need their parents or gaurdians to fill out the paperwork to allow them to fly tandem with one of our instructors.
As for learning the sport of Paragliding yourself; Paragliding is about peace and serenity. The instructors at Torrey Pines have a joke about the "Zen of Paragliding", which is making yourself one with the wing and the air. But for an honest answer, you should ask Mr. Fred Jenkins, one of our previous students. At 83 years young he will attest that the only restrictions to who can paraglide are those that are self-induced. Paragliding does not require a large amount of physical strength, but does require a good bit of physical and mental alertness. Thus, many people can enjoy the sport for hours on end.
Q: What certifications do I need to fly?
A: Yes, paragliding works on a certification system. Pilots receive ratings throughout their flying career that should reflect their skill level. The ratings are as such:
- Para 1: Beginner Pilot - Student can fly, but is required to stay under constant instructor supervision and radio contact.
- Para 2: Novice Pilot - Student is now considered a full fledged pilot and can fly solo at nearly 75% of our flying sites nationally.
- Para 3: Intermediate Pilot - Student has now passed a number of flight requirements and has amassed many logged hours. At this point you are considered a competent pilot and can fly almost every site safely.
- Para 4: Advanced Pilot - This requirement is met only by logging hours, flights, and acquiring a good deal of knowledge regarding FAA regulations. At this point you may enroll in a certification course to receive your instructor rating and your tandem rating.
- Para 5: Master Pilot - Only a handful of them in the United States, this is the most prestigious rating to be acquired. There are less than 20 in the U.S.A.
Q: What will it cost me?
A: The training will be the first call that you incur. Here at Torrey Pines it costs $1,095.00 for your P1 rating, $1,175.00 for your P2 rating, and $895.00 for your P3 rating. You use our gear while enrolled in the P1 program. You are required to purchase your own gear once you receive your P1, and move into the P2 program. An estimate for an entire set of brand new gear is about $5,500. This includes a paragliding wing ($3,000 - $4,200), a harness ($700-$900), a new reserve chute ($700-$800), and a new flight helmet ($230-$270). If properly maintained the wing can last you for about 4 years. Once you have your ratings and gear, the only costs you have are possible club membership fees, USHPA annual membership fee, and possible wing inspections, and reserve repacks.
Q: Can I find used equipment?
A: Used equipment is available from a number of different sources. The problem that we have (and most instructors would agree) is that it is hard to tell if used equipment is safe. The number one factor that damages paragliders is UV exposure. It breaks down the glider coating and allows air to escape from the canopy reducing the internal pressure and making the canopy more prone to collapse. It is hard to tell how much UV exposure a glider has received. Pilots will tell you it only has eighty hours of flight time on it, but how many hundreds of hours was it sitting in the sun?
As new pilots you are still learning and thinking a lot while you are in the air. Our recommendation is to buy new equipment the first time around. After all, it is your life riding under the canopy. A thousand dollars saved on new equipment is not worth a trip to the emergency room. Wait on purchasing used equipment until you have been flying for a couple years, have developed relationships with other pilots, and know the people that are selling gliders second hand.
Q: How do I get started?
A: The best way to start is to take a tandem flight here at Torrey Pines. The tandem introductory flight includes about 5-10minutes of ground training while they hook you up into the gear, and then a 20-25min flight in the air with an instructor. This allows you to experience the sensation of flying. If you enjoy the flight, sign up for instruction.
Q: How long will the course take?
A: The P-2 Program at Torrey Pines Gliderport generally takes about 10-16 flyable days to complete, dependent of course on the students personal learning curve. Because Torrey has more instructors than any other school in the United States, we can work around your schedule. This is also beneficial because you will have the opportunity to receive a wide range of knowledge from many different instructors with over 100 years combined free flight experience.
Q: Why learn at Torrey Pines?
A: The instruction at Torrey Pines is unsurpassed by any other school in the United States. Currently we have several full time instructors that teach our students on a daily basis. These instructors are world class pilots, several with Master ratings and have held world titles and national titles. The largest paragliding manufacturer in the world formerly employed two of our instructors as glider designers and headed large research and development teams. These guys are the gentlemen who designed the gliders that other schools teach you to fly in.
Torrey Pines has long been known as one of the best flying sites in the world and was the first established hang gliding and paragliding site in the United States. We also have ideal flying conditions year round.
