What's a paraglider?
The USHGA says "A paraglider is a foot-launched, ram-air, airfoil
canopy, designed to be flown and landed with no other energy requirements
than the wind and gravity." Translation: A paraglider is an
unpowered ultralight with no rigid structural member that looks like
this:
The pilot sits in a harness like a Lay-Z-Boy recliner and the whole
thing goes in a backpack that you can hike up a hill with. Everything you
need to fly weighs around 50 lbs. The usable speed range on a modern
paraglider is 10-30 mph.
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What's a hang glider?
A hang glider is an unpowered ultralight with a rigid structure. [See above photo, image at
right.]
The pilot
usually lays prone like superman but some people fly supine. A hang glider
weighs 45-75 lbs. and the harness weighs another 15-30 lbs. The glider
folds up into a 17' long tube and you don't want to carry it very far.
The usable speed range on a modern hang glider is 20-50 mph.
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What's a paramotor?
A paraglider with a motor strapped on the pilot's back, generally foot
launched, but some people put wheels underneath. Check out David Cook's
paramotor site for cool photos and more info.
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What's a trike or microlight?
A hang glider with a motor and three wheeled cockpit for the pilot.
Check out Arizona's own Sabre Trikes for cool photos and more info.
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Is paragliding dangerous?
Hell yes! You can be the best trained, most conservative, safety conscious
pilot in the world and despite your best efforts and constant vigilance,
die a horrible, painful death.
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How much does it cost to paraglide?
Alas de Arizona is currently charging $1,200 for paragliding lessons.
Plan on spending $1200-$5000 on paragliding equipment.
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How long does it take to learn to paraglide?
Some students get their P2 rating in a couple of weeks, others take many
months. If you are fit and active and have good body awareness, you'll
probably do pretty well. If you're overweight and have spent the last 20
years sitting behind a desk, it could take a while.
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Is paragliding difficult?
Paragliding is quite easy once you get the hang of it. Initially it
can be frustrating.
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Is paragliding scary?
Most every pilot has experienced moments of terror in flight so it is
reasonable to assume that you will experience fear in varying degrees as you
progress. Some people are so gripped by fear that they are unable to
enjoy the most pleasant flying experience while other people remain calm and
relaxed even as their wings collapse and they plummet to the earth.
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Where can I learn?
Alas de Arizona is Tucson's paragliding school. You can learn to hang glide in
Tucson from Eric Smith at Arizona Airfoils
and H.L. Cooper
runs a motorized ultralight school (520) 682-7504.
If you live outside of Tucson, check out the USHGA's list for your closest
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What is Alas' paragliding training program?
Here is our training syllabus.[top]
Do I have to buy equipment?
Initially Alas will provide all the equipment you will need to train. As you
progress to flying at altitude, you will want to buy your own equipment.
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What exactly does Alas de Arizona do?
See Alas' Mission Statement.
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Do I need a special license?
Legally no. Practically yes. If you live out in the sticks, chances are you
can fly most anywhere without showing any documentation of your training or
skill level. But, you'll probably want to fly with other people and sooner
or later you'll want to fly a site that is insured by the USHGA. At that
time you will have to produce your USHGA rating card. Besides, you're a
reasonable person and you want to get the best training you can so you'll
go to a USHGA instructor for your training and rating anyway.
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