Frequently Asked Questions

  
What is paragliding?

Paragliding is the simplest and most serene way to fulfill your dream of free flight. A paraglider is an inflatable fabric wing. It is easy to transport, easy to launch, and easy to land. The pilot sits in a comfortable harness suspended by Kevlar lines from the canopy and steers the glider with two controls. With a paraglider, you can fly like a bird, soaring upwards on currents of air. Paragliders often stay aloft for hours, climb to cloudbase, and may go cross-country.
By contrast, parasailing is done in a modified parachute tied to a boat. You get dragged around and do not "pilot" a parasail. Parachutes on the other hand are designed to be deployed during free-fall from an airplane and to then descend to the ground while a paraglider is designed to be launched with the canopy already opened for flight and to stay aloft for an extended time.

What is the difference between paragliding and hang gliding?

The paraglider canopy shape is maintained only by air pressure and the pilot is suspended in a sitting position. A hang glider has a rigid frame maintaining the V-shape of the wing, with the pilot usually flying in a prone position. A hang glider has a 'cleaner' aerodynamic profile and flies at higher speeds than a paraglider and therefore needs more space to land. The paraglider folds up into a 15 Kg (30 lbs) backpack in about five minutes and can be easily transported. The hang glider, due to its weight and rigid frame, needs to be transported on a vehicle.

Is paragliding safe?

You can make paragliding, like most adventure sports, as safe or as dangerous as you want. Paragliding is an outdoor sport and therefore wind is a big consideration. Ways you can make it safe are to receive instruction from a certified professional and use safe equipment. The primary safety factors are personal judgment and attitude. You must be willing to learn gradually and use good judgment and have an appropriate attitude. If you don’t, then you can get injured or killed; if you do, then you can paraglide until you’re 90.
You do not free-fall or jump off of a cliff. Your launches and landings are slow and gentle and, once in the air, you will probably be surprised by how quiet and peaceful the experience is. Even if you have a fear of heights, it will rarely be a factor, since there is no sensation of falling.

Who can do paragliding?
Paragliding is about finesse and serenity, not strength and adrenaline. Women often do much better than men because they don’t try to muscle the paraglider around. However, you want to be in good physical condition as the learning process in a tropical climate requires quite a bit of stamina due to heat and sweat. Besides good physical condition, being physically and mentally alert is important. To be a successful paragliding student and pilot, you need to be able to think clearly and to listen well.
How long does it take to learn to paraglide?
From your first steps of 'groundhandling' to altitude flights from the Skyline site it will take 20 to 30 lessons. Whether you complete your training in consecutive weekends or spread it out over a year is up to you, although the more concentrated your training, the better. If you have the means to learn abroad it will most likely take less time, but cost you much more.

How much does a paraglider cost?
A new paragliding set (incl. wing, harness and reserve parachute) is available from US$3,500. I give my students substantial discounts on Airwave & Skyline equipment.
After 300+ hours of exposure to sunlight, a wing may need to be replaced. Of course this varies with how you care for your wing. Harnesses should last almost indefinitely with good care. Good second-hand equipment may be available for less than half price, though it will have a shorter life-span.
How to get started?

It's best to come out to the UTECH sports field on weekends and watch us flying from Skyline. You can talk with the pilots and make an appointment with Jurgen, the instructor (cel 366.5265), to schedule a first groundhandling introductory session. This will give you a feel for the dynamics of the wing.
To start the training course we need you to fill in an application form and to sign a liability waiver.
After groundhandling, the next step is towed flights under radio supervision from the Caymanas polo field. Once you accomplish simple manoevers and are able to steer the glider safely to landing, its time to do your first radio-controlled flight from the Malvern Hill (St. Elizabeth). The last stage of training is a flight from Skyline and certain manoevers to show that a student is able to control the glider properly. After passing the written USHPA exam, a P2 license will be granted. Course fees (incl. all equipment) are currently the equivalent of US$499 - US$649 (check for details on application form).