Birds Eye View: Learning how to Paraglide

2010-04-28T06:39:00.000-07:00

The training hill

The paraglider can be bunched up for easier travel without having to be rolled up completely

(Before)

The ends are pulled out and this is what your left with. From here you can build a wall and launch.

(After)

helmet cam video of a flight

2010-04-27T22:43:00.000-07:00

flying at last...

2010-04-27T22:32:00.000-07:00

The first days in Santa Barbara were filled with bad weather, thus, I was un able to partake in any flying my first couple days here. While waiting for the weather to clear, I knocked out 5 hours of ground school and explored Santa Barbara and the area around it. Once the weather began to cooperate, I made my way over to Elings Park to start paragliding. I started out with a paragliding simulator. I went through all the main tasks that I would need to know without any risks. Afterwards, I got out my glider and went through the preflight steps. Everything was a little confusing at first, but it all began to sink in after a while.

Soon enough, I was getting ready for my first flight. I ran the steps through:

1. A-risers in my right, C-risers in my left and brake in both hands

2. Build a wall

3. Full inflate and let go of the risers

4. Go to contact

5. Turn around and lean forward

6. Steady acceleration while keeping the wing level using the brakes

7. Start running faster

8. lift off and start flying.

The first couple flights were a sensory overload, but I began feeling more and more comfortable in the air. Flying is an indescribable feeling, especially when flying something like a paraglider. In a paraglider, it’s only you, you gear and the wind. I love how hours of fun can be attained without using any other recourses other than the wind.

2010-02-24T08:58:00.000-08:00

My project

2010-02-22T14:08:00.000-08:00

I had just finished stuffing my face with food, but it was time to send my 11 year old self on a unforgettable journey. I hopped in my mom's van and continued to drive to our local ski mountain, Baldy, that consists of 3,000 vertical feet. Normally I don’t pay too much attention to the huge mountain located right next to town, and I especially don't pay attention to it when it's summer and there is no snow to be skied. However, on this day, my parents were allowing their son, fresh out of fifth grade, to go paragliding off Baldy.

It didn't occur to me then what paragliding was exactly, but being raised and taught to seek any kind of adrenaline rush from a young age, I was enticed to try out a "new thing." With high spirits, I climbed into a truck that would take me up to the top of the mountain. Once at the top, the pilot that I would be flying tandem with set up the sail. Before I knew it, I was running off the slopes that I usually ski on with a paragliding sail strapped on to me. I saw my feet slowly lift up from the ground, and before I knew it, I was flying.

I was having the time of my life up in the air; however, I started to feel slightly sick. I quickly told my instructor that I wasn't feeling well, but my motion sickness had kicked into full effect, and acting quickly, I leaned forward and began to throw up. My flying time was cut short in order to get me out of the air and back to the safety of the ground.

However, that was the past. Now that I'm 18, I've chosen to go down to Santa Barbara for 2 weeks to learn how to paraglide by myself for my senior project. It's a daring project, but I feel that I will be able to succeed in it.

Success

2010-02-10T21:17:00.000-08:00

i have created a blog -_-