pauls
Since 20 Jun 2005
564 Posts
Northern Portugal
Addicted
Sun Sep 13, 09 6:30 pm
Does this take more time + money to learn than hang gliding? Did some hang gliding back in Wales back in the late 70's but got fed up with lugging 60lbs of wing up mountains and then sitting around for hours waiting for perfect conditions. Plus people kept dying....hope things have got safer 30 years on sounds like you have regulations and stuff now.
sleestack
Since 07 Dec 2006
184 Posts
Land of the Lost
Stoked
Wed Oct 14, 09 11:31 ammusic for your trip to Cashmere
Does this take more time + money to learn than hang gliding? Did some hang gliding back in Wales back in the late 70's but got fed up with lugging 60lbs of wing up mountains and then sitting around for hours waiting for perfect conditions. Plus people kept dying....hope things have got safer 30 years on sounds like you have regulations and stuff now.
Well its all how you look at it. The positive way to look at it is they say its safer then riding a horse. The negative side is shit still and always will happen and YES people still to this day die and get seriously injured.
Paragliding is a magical sport with some serious risks. If it looks easy its not. a commited jump on a kite is followed by a few seconds before impact. A commited jump on a paraglider means you follow through until you come to the ground SAFELY.
(paragliders hate the word jump)
Anyway its a debate that can't be finished. as 90% or more of injuries and deaths are pilot error. Will you be ready when the shit hits the fan?
Its all about training, practicing, and taking it very seriously.
The lull of paragliding growing and hang slowing. Is what you said. gear is HEAVY. 60#s of hang equipment sounds light. 45-50 is about what a paraglider is on your back. it fits in your car vs. a 20 foot sack on a custom built hanger for your truck.
hangs must drive to fly. Paragliders go anywhere.
Paragliders can be setup in literally minutes. Hangs are at 30minutes
Paragliders are essetially foil kites thus collapses are a fact of life you must learn to deal with.
Hangs are fixed using aluminum and other alloys to acomplish a frame on fabric setup.
Hangs also fly faster like 40-50mph vs 20-25mph. Hangs hate no wind days paragliders no problem.
Conditions are NUMBER1 behind safety and everything else. its better to be on the ground wishing you were flying then being in the air wishing you were on the ground.
The rewards are only what you experience up there. Unbelievable views and first hand experience to that of a bird.
Training is unlike kiting if you rush it the consequeces WILL BE DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY. Not knowing FULLY of what you are doing and how to HANDLE your glider WILL KILL YOU. Rushing training and flying in either unknown or knowingly wrong conditions WILL KILL you.
It can be safe it can be deadly. Some fly a lifetime some fly for a short time and leave loved ones behind. This sport is up to only one person to make it happen correctly THAT IS YOU!!
Mark
Since 20 Jun 2005
3678 Posts
I need my fix because I'm a
Naishaholic
Wed Oct 14, 09 2:54 pm
Well said. You are always learning.
My new wing just showed up. I hope finally get use to one wing. Come join us for the fun! _________________ Cleverly disguised as an adult...
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