gPARAGLIDING  Paragliding
is very easy to learn but may take some time fully to master. Paragliding
is weather dependant, it needs to be dry and the wind less than 15 miles
an hour. When learning you first work through a series of exercises which
teach you how to fly, much like you would do if you were learning to fly
a plane. The second stage is the club pilot course which teaches you to
stay up and judge conditions for yourself. Equipment is provided by the
school but during training most pilots purchase their own paraglider so
they can get used to flying it in a school environment. Once qualified
you join one of the many local club’s to fly with more experienced
pilots.
The big attraction of paragliding is that you simply carry your paraglider
in a rucksack up a hill, unroll it and step forward into the wind. A wing
will form above your head and you will be airborne! The canopy shape is
maintained solely by air pressure and you circle up in air currents centering
on the strongest core of the thermal.
Scotland has many beautiful flying sites and many good clubs. If you are
learning there are three schools in Scotland – The terrain in Scotland
is ideal for learning but the weather can sometimes keep our feet on the
ground - so its good to take a holiday and be prepared to enjoy doing other
activities!
If you have always dreamed of flying then try the elementary pilots course
which takes 4 to 5 days. You can also try a tandem flight or a fun day
with friends, where you learn the basic controls starting at the bottom
of the hill having small solo flights which are extended higher as confidence
and ability grow. With tandem flights you go up with an instructor which
lets you feel the thrill of flight with someone experienced at the controls.
Flying Fever are based on the Isle of Arran and offer a tandem flight with
an instructor at a cost of £55 which includes Insurance. Week long
courses are also available costing £375 which involves pre and post
flight routines, low level flights and controlled turns and landings
Links:
TOURIST BOARD
www.visitscotland.com/adventure
SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL TOURIST BOARD
ORGANISATIONS
www.bhpa.co.uk BRITISH HANG GLIDING
& PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION
www.flyingscot.f9.co.uk SCOTTISH
HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION
PARAGLIDING COMPANY’S
www.flyingfever.net FLYING FEVER
www.cloudbusters.co.uk CLOUDBUSTERS
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