Paragliding is a gentle adventure and by far the easiest way to achieve man's age old quest for free flight. Just about any one can learn this sport, no previous experience is necessary to make your dreams come true.
Paragliding is the closest humans can get to the feeling of flying like a bird. It is a fun, safe way to experience flight in its simplest form. You simply lay out a wing on a hillside or mountain, inflate it over your head like a kite, run a few steps and before you know it you've stepped off into the sky! Once in the air, a pilot is able to maintain and even gain altitude using lifting air currents and thermals. Landing a paraglider is extremely easy. A pilot simply steers it into the landing area, and glides down for a very gentle touch down back on to earth.
What exactly is a paraglider?
A
paraglider is a foot-launched, ram-air, airfoil canopy,
flown and landed with no other energy than the wind, gravity,
and the pilot's muscle power. It gets lift from the wind
and sun, providing a way to soar along a ridge or to rise
in the warm air of invisible, thermal currents.
Paragliders are an advanced evolutionary aircraft that can
go places and do things unlike any other vehicle. The equipment
is non – rigid fabric construction. High-performance
fabrics coupled with a growing comprehension of our micro-metrology
have permitted the development of this incredible sport.
The entire paragliding set (wing, harness, helmet) up weighs
less than twenty kilos and easily fits into a backpack.
How does it fly?
Paraglider's
are aircraft which fly by the same aerodynamic principles
that keep Boeings in the sky. However, unlike Boeings, paragliders
are delightfully slow aircraft, with a very small speed
range. You can inflate it in nil wind, stabilize it overhead
with a touch of the brakes, launch it at a steady trot,
and yet it will also fly forward in quite a strong breeze.
It turns with a gentle pull on a single handle, or will
fly straight, with a little more than an occasional shift
of your shoulders. It is far easier to handle a paraglider
in the air than on the ground.
How high / far can
a paraglider fly?
Paragliders are restricted from flying above 18,000
feet. (Oxygen is normally used above 10,000.) Paragliders
have been launched from the highest mountains of the world
including Everest.
What is Free Flight?
Quite simply it is the ability to fly freely like
a bird. No machines…
Other names for free flight - foot launched flight, human
aviation
Paragliding and Hang Gliding are two aviation sports that
come under this category of foot launched, free flight.
Just about anyone can learn to paraglide. Training
classes are not very strenuous, and it doesn't take any
unusual strength or skill to learn to fly (the most physical
part of training is walking up the hill for another flight!).
In fact it requires about the same effort as you need to
learn driving or cycling. But the pleasure of flying is
to be experienced to be believed. You don't have to be super-fit
but you probably won't enjoy it if you are really unfit.
There will be a fair amount of walking uphill and ground-handling
calls for some exertion especially in the early days.
Is it easy to learn
?
Learning to fly is a gentle step by step process.
Lessons begin on flat ground with your instructor reassuringly
by your side. You will be strapped into the equipment (harness,
helmet and wing) and learn how to inflate the wing and kite
it overhead. As you get familiar with the controls and gain
confidence you will be moved up to gentle slopes for small
skimming flights where you learn to launch and land before
attempting high flights. Once you master the basics you
will be longing to go in attempt higher and longer.
Is Paragliding safe?
Paragliding is a new form of sport aviation, and
no claim is made or implied herein that all sources of potential
danger to the pilot have or can be identified. No one should
participate in paragliding who does not recognize and wish
to personally assume the associated risks.
Paragliding is an outdoor sport in which you are trying
to harmonize with the forces of nature. Like any other adventure
sport it is exciting because of that little element of risk
but no more than climbing or swimming. Personal judgment
and attitude are of fundamental importance. Gain pilot attitude,
obey instructions and use of safe equipment. If these conditions
are met the slow speeds and inherent stability of paragliders
can provide a safe and exhilarating way to experience the
realization of mankind's oldest and greatest dream : personal
flight.
Paragliding - is it
scary?
A question most people ask……and the
answer has to be "NO". Floating gently under your
canopy you feel totally at ease, knowing that you have more
or less complete control over where you are going. It is
a gentle adventure, once airborne the experience can be
serene, quiet and peaceful. There is an element of potential
risk involved, but if you are prepared to learn paragliding
properly, stick to the rules, respect the elements and understand
your own limitations the risk involved is very small indeed.
Do you have to jump
off a cliff?
No, you don't jump off anything. Paragliders are
usually launched by running off moderate slopes with the
glider inflated, until it lifts you off your feet. If the
glider does not inflate properly, the take off is aborted.
Do I have to be an
athlete?
General athletic ability seems to help as it requires
a little hiking but once airborne the physical effort is
minimal. Being overweight and out of shape will put you
at a disadvantage when hiking or executing a hard landing,
but airborne there is an efficiency of scale and it is good
to be heavy.
How high do you fly?
In training you will start out just skimming the
ground. As you progress and become more skilled and confident
you will probably want to go higher. Paragliders have reached
over 18000 feet above sea level.
Is there an age limit?
There
is no age limit, but it's important to have the maturity
to respect the hazards. Participant ages range from students
in their teens to seasoned pilots in their 70's. The bulk
of the active pilots seem to be a little under 30 through
a bit over 50.
What is a tandem
flight?
If
you are interested in experiencing the joys of a high paragliding
flight, without having the bother of learning try a tandem
flight. The Tandem flights use a wing large enough to hold
two people, a pilot and passenger. Each person has their
own harness, which are attached together, with the passenger
in front, and the pilot right behind. This is a great way
to experience what it is like to fly an un-powered craft.
Difference between paraglider
and other similar crafts
The difference between
a Paraglider and a hang glider?
Paragliding is often confused with Hang Gliding.
Paragliders
are non powered aircraft weighing around 12 to 15 kgs.,
and can be carried in a back pack to any flyable site. It
is made of double layer Ribstop Nylon cloth (reinforced
and polyurethane coated to make it non porous) with no rigid
parts whatsoever. It is Inflated and maintained purely by
the movement of air across its surface. The pilot 'sits'
below the wing, in a harness that is connected to the wing
by suspension lines made of kevlar or De enema. He steers
by pulling on one of two lines, known as brake lines.
Hang
Gliders too are non-powered aircraft weighing more
and bulkier. They are fixed wing aircraft and take more
time to rig-up and dismantle and are physically more demanding
while training. Being bulky they cannot be carried by one
person or put into the boot of a car but need to be strapped
onto the roof of a vehicle. The pilot lies in a prone position
and manoeuvres with the help of a bar that he holds onto
in-flight. Hang Gliders have more speed than paragliders
and being rigid can consequently take off in stronger wind
conditions.
Is a Paraglider different
from a parachute?
A
paraglider is similar to a modern SKYDIVING canopy, but
differs in several important ways. The paraglider is foot-launched
from the ground either by running down a hill or being towed
into the air. The construction is generally much lighter,
as it doesn't have it withstand the sudden shock of opening
at high velocities.
Is Paragliding like
BASE Jumping?
Paragliders launch from hillsides with their glider already
opened for flight. If the glider isn't flying properly the
launch can be aborted before leaving the ground.
BASE jumpers open their parachutes to land after they free-fall
from bridges, cliffs, or buildings.
What's a Parasail?
That's
what you ride at the beach. It's a modified parachute connected
by a rope to a boat. The driver of the boat determines where
you go and where you land. Paragliders fly free. In a parasail
you're a passenger, in a paraglider you are a PILOT.
Although paragliding can be taught on flat topography if
there are no hills with the help of towing gear, to enjoy
the full essence and continue the sport one has to head
for the hills. In India most of the training happens in
the hills.
Nirvana Adventures is a paragliding school permanently located
in the Western Ghats, 110 km out of Mumbai City running
Paragliding courses,
offering paragliding joyrides and organizing paragliding
and other adventure holidays on a full time basis from their
base at Native
Place a unique guesthouse in Kamshet.
What equipment/gear
will I need?
When you sign up for a course with Nirvana Adventures we
provide you with a paraglider that is suitable for you weight
range and skill level, a harness, helmet and radios during
the lessons. No special clothing is required although we
do suggest that you wear full length pants and shirts as
well as comfortable running shoes with ankle support. We
recommend you buy your own gear once you are well entrenched
in the CP course.
How to get started
in a course program?
The best way to start is with our Elementary Pilot Course
(EP) designed to give you a taste of real flying. Under
radio supervision, you will fly solo from the training hill
and progress to higher flights, all in a few days as the
basic techniques of paragliding - launching, turning, landing
are fairly easy to learn. If after your Beginner flights,
you want to continue with paragliding, the next step is
to enroll in our Club Pilot Course (CP) which will teach
you about different launch styles, flying techniques, site
assessment, weather, safety procedures, etc. enabling you
to fly without direct instructor supervision.
If it is a one off solo flying experience that you are looking
for our 3 day Achieving free flight program is what you
need.
Although you begin low level flights by day two of your
paragliding course, to acquire the basic skills necessary
to fly on your own without instructor supervision, you need
to take Elementary Pilot Course (EP) and a Club Pilot Course
(CP) amounting to a total of 10 days and a minimum of 25
flights. During this (EP & CP) course period, you will
complete the mandated amount of ground-school time, flights,
and flying days, and will learn about high altitude flight
and advanced manoeuvres. We offer you the option to complete
your training in consecutive days or spread out over weekends.
How high will I fly?
In training you will start out just skimming the
ground. As you progress and become more skilled and confident
you will learn how to go higher and stay up for longer durations.
After the course,
then what?
Once you join our courses, you automatically become a part
of our club. We help you continue with the sport by offering
you subsidized rates on glider rental & flight supervision
that no other school can match, as well as accommodation
at Native Place our guesthouse on the lake.
We give you advice on & help you purchase a wing suited
to your need. Our website and periodic newsletters will
keep you informed about the weather, who’s visiting,
interesting developments in the sport and flying trips within
the country and overseas.
Nirvana Adventures has created a community atmosphere and
a sense of camaraderie among our students and pilots. You
will find that we are always around and willing to lend
an extra hand or go flying with you once you have completed
your P2. We fly as a group almost every weekend, and take
former students on trips to new flying sites.
If I do a course
here can I fly else where in the country or abroad?
Across the world paragliding is regulated by associations
of pilots, schools & clubs who have taken active part
in development of standards in areas such as safety, training
procedure & practice, equipment certification &
testing, governing of sites and pilot ratings. Licenses
are issued by the relevant association through the local
clubs and insurance can only be procured if one has a valid
license. In India we do not yet have a regulatory body and
licenses are not needed.
Nirvana Adventures follows a training pattern that is compatible
with international systems we have a system in place to
facilitate our students (Indian and foreign) to get their
memberships and licenses when they choose to fly abroad
/ want to pursue the sport back in their home country.
State of the art gear would cost around 1.50 Lakh Indian
Rupees, this is for a brand new paraglider & harness.
One also requires a reserve parachute, a good helmet, ankle
length boots as well as gloves.
Besides this a pilot investing in his own gear would like
to own a variometer, an instrument which gives you the Altitude
, rate of sink / lift, a two way radio and later a GPS when
he / she is ready to leave the ridge attempt cross country
flights.
Nirvana Adventures is a dealer for several quality equipment
manufacturers and are always willing to help you choose
equipment that is suitable for your flying needs.
How long does a paraglider
last?
A glider's life is calculated by the number of
hours it spends out in the sun as UV deteriorates the fabric
making it porous thereby loosing its flying characteristics
so depending on how and where it is used 300 to 500 hours
of exposure is considered an average life. In tropical countries
such as India the sun’s effect on the wing can be
pretty harsh this is why new types of fabric are being introduced
that are harder wearing. Canopies are routinely tested for
strength. Long before they become unsafe their flying performance
will indicate the need for replacement.
How do you buy your
first glider?
At Nirvana Adventures we encourage you to think about buying
a wing only when you are properly entrenched in your course
program. First, you need to know how to fly. We are dealers
for a variety of reputed brands and guide you in your choices
keeping your flying needs in mind. Paragliders are rated
by performance and safety factors. New pilots should fly
only basic gliders until they gain experience and judgment.
A
paraglider is a foot-launched, ram-air, airfoil canopy,
flown and landed with no other energy than the wind, gravity,
and the pilot's muscle power. It gets lift from the wind
and sun, providing a way to soar along a ridge or to rise
in the warm air of invisible, thermal currents.
Paraglider's
are aircraft which fly by the same aerodynamic principles
that keep Boeings in the sky. However, unlike Boeings, paragliders
are delightfully slow aircraft, with a very small speed
range. You can inflate it in nil wind, stabilize it overhead
with a touch of the brakes, launch it at a steady trot,
and yet it will also fly forward in quite a strong breeze.
It turns with a gentle pull on a single handle, or will
fly straight, with a little more than an occasional shift
of your shoulders. It is far easier to handle a paraglider
in the air than on the ground.
There
is no age limit, but it's important to have the maturity
to respect the hazards. Participant ages range from students
in their teens to seasoned pilots in their 70's. The bulk
of the active pilots seem to be a little under 30 through
a bit over 50.
If
you are interested in experiencing the joys of a high paragliding
flight, without having the bother of learning try a tandem
flight. The Tandem flights use a wing large enough to hold
two people, a pilot and passenger. Each person has their
own harness, which are attached together, with the passenger
in front, and the pilot right behind. This is a great way
to experience what it is like to fly an un-powered craft.
Paragliders
are non powered aircraft weighing around 12 to 15 kgs.,
and can be carried in a back pack to any flyable site. It
is made of double layer Ribstop Nylon cloth (reinforced
and polyurethane coated to make it non porous) with no rigid
parts whatsoever. It is Inflated and maintained purely by
the movement of air across its surface. The pilot 'sits'
below the wing, in a harness that is connected to the wing
by suspension lines made of kevlar or De enema. He steers
by pulling on one of two lines, known as brake lines.
Hang
Gliders too are non-powered aircraft weighing more
and bulkier. They are fixed wing aircraft and take more
time to rig-up and dismantle and are physically more demanding
while training. Being bulky they cannot be carried by one
person or put into the boot of a car but need to be strapped
onto the roof of a vehicle. The pilot lies in a prone position
and manoeuvres with the help of a bar that he holds onto
in-flight. Hang Gliders have more speed than paragliders
and being rigid can consequently take off in stronger wind
conditions.
A
paraglider is similar to a modern SKYDIVING canopy, but
differs in several important ways. The paraglider is foot-launched
from the ground either by running down a hill or being towed
into the air. The construction is generally much lighter,
as it doesn't have it withstand the sudden shock of opening
at high velocities.
Paragliders launch from hillsides with their glider already
opened for flight. If the glider isn't flying properly the
launch can be aborted before leaving the ground.
That's
what you ride at the beach. It's a modified parachute connected
by a rope to a boat. The driver of the boat determines where
you go and where you land. Paragliders fly free. In a parasail
you're a passenger, in a paraglider you are a PILOT.