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BEGINNING LESSONS
Beginning lessons start with an hour of video tape instruction on how
and why the paraglider flies. During the video, the instructor engages the student
in a discussion of basic aerodynamics and meteorology to assure an adequate understanding
of the paraglider before the student takes the glider out of the bag.
Next, the student learns how to "inflate" the paraglider and
control it. This can be done on flat ground or on a very gentle slope.
At Cobble Hill, students run down a gentle grassy slope while they
demonstrate control of the glider, turning it right or left toward a set of concentric
circles mowed into the grass (target landing zone). As the student demonstrates proper
control of the glider, he/she slowly moves up the slope until ground skimming flights only
five to ten feet above the ground are achieved.
Once the student has demonstrated mastery of these ground skimming
flights, he/she is ready to move up to a 75 foot launch site.
We like to see three good flights from the 75 foot launch next.
Once this is accomplished, the student is ready to move up to a 150 foot launch. From the
150 foot launch, the student learns to turn the glider (45°and 90° turns first, and then
180° turns). Once the student can do a 180° turn, he/she is ready to progress to the top
of the hill, 300 feet above the landing zone.
Students will be invited to go higher on the hill by the instructor only
after they have demonstrated appropriate skills at the lower levels. Weather conditions
must be appropriate to permit this advancement. The student makes the ultimate
decision to advance to a higher level, remain at the current launch site, or terminate the
lesson.
DURATION AND NUMBER OF FLIGHTS DURING LESSONS
Flights from the 75 foot launch are usually 15 to 20 seconds in
duration.
Flights from the 150 foot level are usually 20 to 40. seconds.
Flights from the 300 foot launch are usually one to two minutes in
duration, although longer "soaring" flights are possible from the top for more
experienced pilots under appropriate conditions.
Most students get three to ten flights in during a lesson from 8 to 11:30
am or 3:30 pm until dusk. One of our students got 15 flights in during one lesson. The
number of flights achieved depends upon the progress of the student, weather conditions
and the student's stamina (ability to hike back up the hill between flights without
becoming overly fatigued). About half of our students get all the way to the top of the
hill during their first lesson.
SUBSEQUENT LESSONS
In subsequent lessons, the student practices launches, landing
approaches and spot landings in varying wind conditions until he or she is able to
demonstrate precise flying skills in conditions from no wind to soarable (15 mph winds).
Basic maneuvers such as "big ears", rear riser control and air
speed recognition are practiced.
Cross wind launches, soaring skills, side hill landings and a host of
other paragliding skills are practiced until the pilot is ready to take a written exam to
get a Para 2 (solo) rating.
RATINGS
The Para 1 (student) rating is achieved by most students on their first
day of lessons. The Para 1 rating requires a considerable knowledge about the paraglider,
how and why it flies, and two successful launches and flights with landings under control
into the wind with a written exam. Para 1 students must be under supervised instruction
until they achieve their Para 2 rating.
The Para 2 (solo) rating requires a minimum of five days of flying, 25
flights in different wind conditions, 5 spot landings, successful completion of basic
maneuvers, and a written exam. Para 2 rated pilots are ready to fly paragliders without
instructor supervision. Most pilots buy their own equipment upon achieving of their Para 2
rating.
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