GROUND CONTROLLING OF PARAGLIDERS -

TRAINING PROGRAM

Number of days of training program : 4 days

Venue : Hadapsar (Ramtekdi), Hills around hadapsar

Fees : Rs 6,500/- ( Foreigners Rs. 7,000/-)

Additional Practice : Rs. 1500/- per day.

Note: After completing the basic course, some people feel the need to practice more on the ground handling techniques. This course is specially designed for such people.This course can be done on your convenient days. It is not necessary to complete the course in one stretch of four days. The students are required to have at least a two wheeler, to reach the training site. For out-station students conveyance arrangements could be made accordingly.

Soon after the completion of the “Basic winch launched and hill flying paragliding course”, you will be required to sign up for the 4 day “Ground-handling training program”
It is not within the scope of the basic paragliding training program to teach you the various techniques of Ground controlling of Paragliders. It takes a long time to develop good skills to control the glider while on the ground i.e just before take off and just after landing. If ground handling is weak, you will require the assistance of Instructors or pilots to help you to take-off. Sometimes it could prove to be dangerous to depend on someone else for take-offs. However you will not know the various methods of controlling unless you have undergone a structured course. It is important that you learn to take off all by yourself and be independent of helpers. Good ground controlling skills will ensure safety when you are manovuring the glider on the ground, especially in strong wind, unfriendly small take off and landing areas.

Wings and Flights offers a four-day course on Ground handling techniques. The necessary equipment will be provided. You will be under the supervision of one Instructor or Asst. Instructor all the while. The best time for ground-handling is either in the morning up to 11am or in the evening after 4:30 pm. The brief day wise syllabus is as below:

Day 1.

Forward launching technique:
Inspection of Paraglider
Laying of the glider for launch & harnessing
Pre-flight checks
Forward launch lift off technique
Directional control and pressure maintenance
Using of control lines to correct direction
Body shifting and centralising under the canopy
Collapsing the canopy and mushrooming of the glider
Repeat forward launching a number of times
Basic theory on ground handling.

Day 2
Reverse launching technique
Inspection of Paraglider
Laying of the glider for launch & harnessing
Pre-flight checks
Reverse launch lift of technique with cross brake method
Building a wall unassisted
Directional control using of control lines facing the glider
Body shifting and centralising under the canopy
Turning around for forward take-off
Turning from reverse to forward and forward to reverse
Collapsing the canopy
Repeat of reverse launching a number of times
Reverse launch and controlling in strong winds

Day 3

Forward launch technique on a hill in presence of lifting winds
Inspection of Paraglider
Laying of the glider for launch & harnessing
Pre-flight checks
Forward launch Take off technique
Directional control while running on the slope
Using of control lines and body shift to correct direction
Use of body weight for take off
Cross wind take offs
Repeat for practice
Aborting the flight just before lift off at the edge of the hill
Repeat forward launching a number of times
Take-off and home landing

Day 4

Reverse launch technique on a hill in presence of lifting winds

Inspection and pre-flight checks
Building a wall and final checks
Lifting of the glider facing reverse with cross brakes
Body centralising and use of control lines to keep the glider over head
Turning around for forward for take-off
Turning from reverse to forward and forward to reverse
Repeat for practice
Collapsing the canopy with ‘C’ risers
Repeat of reverse launching a number of times
Reverse launch and controlling in strong winds
Take off and home landing
Turning around and controlling the glider after the touch down.
Theory of ground controlling on hills

By the end of this course you will be able to take off all by your-self unassisted. You would have gained substantial expertise on various ground-handling techniques.

If you require any additional day for self-practice the equipment will be made available for a fees of Rs.800/- per day. Please inform the field Instructor in advance so that necessary arrangements could be made.

Our contact nos.

ERIC MENEZES,
Chief Paragliding Instructor
Ph. 020- 9371033226
Mobile : +91 9822023790
E-mail : uipa@eth.net

MANGESH DIGHE
Paragliding Instructor
Ph. 09923445733
E-mail : paragliding@eth.net