Tandem Paragliding: Launch Videos

The following short videos show what it is like to do a tandem paragliding launch. (Click on pictures to show videos.)

Tip: You may want to set the video size to 200% (In Windows Media Player - View, Video Size, 200%).


The first video shows launching in a very strong wind, the strongest I ever launch tandem. Another tandem pilot assists by holding the passenger to help stabilize her and keep her from being dragged backwards during the launch. You can see that we are lifted off immediately. (1.3 meg. file, but worth the download!), video courtesy of Stan Harryman and BackFlash Video Services.

The next video shows launching in a fairly strong wind. Although less windy than the first example, the launch is still rather dynamic: the passenger is at first pulled backwards, and we are lifted off almost immediately after starting to run forwards. When the wind is lighter, the launch is less dynamic, but we have to run more. (1.2 meg. file), video courtesy of Leslie Sawyer.

This video shows a launch done in less windy conditions. The launch is less dynamic, and the passenger is not pulled backwards when I bring up the glider. However, we have to run faster to get airborne. (650k file), video and sound track courtesy of Stan Harryman and BackFlash Video Services.

Here is a launch done in medium wind with a fairly light passenger. The launch is not very dynamic, and we get airborne quickly. (1.3 meg. file), video courtesy of Leslie Sawyer.

This shows a launch done in medium wind with a heavy passenger. Because the strong, athletic, 250+ pound former football player ran hard, we became airborne quickly even with the glider loaded to its maximum weight. (700k file), video courtesy of Stan Harryman and BackFlash Video Services.

Whereas all the previous launches are "reverse launches" in which the pilot faces the glider during the pull-up, this video shows a "forward" launch in which both the pilot and the passenger always face down the hill. We use forward launches in light winds. This video shows how we must pull hard and run hard. (1.2 meg. file, but worth the download!), video courtesy of Stan Harryman and BackFlash Video Services.

Here is another forward launch. Again notice how we must pull hard and run hard. (800k file), video courtesy of Stan Harryman and BackFlash Video Services.

Additional Launch Photographs (not videos):

Launch sequence (3 photos) for an evening glass-off flight, Cliffside flying site, Columbia River Gorge.