How to do it -
First,you need to acquaint yourself with the glider,how to handle it... clip the harsness in places strapped around body and shoulders,heltmet on your head and learn how to land on your feet. Then, begin a short run for the take-off a plane taxiing on the runway. Suddenly there's a slight tug as the paraglider lifts from the ground. Slowly,but surely you start to soar in the sky. A few moments later,you reach the end of the 400m stretch and start to descend. The canopy slowly glides down like a parachute. Touch down-it is essential to run a few meters to regain your balance. A few may tumble ,but mildly. The flight is over. The fright has disappeared.
"The feeling is great,majestic-like an eagle soaring high up in the sky,completely at eas with the elements," said D'silva,who also takes aerial photographs for industrial houses. The training can take as long as a month ,a basic beginner's course could last from seven to ten days depending on how fast you can master the paraglider. Although amateur pilots do not require any license,the flier should have a good knowledge about first aid,air-right rules, how to avoid collisions,air and wind patterns and their behaviour and emergency procedures. Also,one must be bery careful in voiding all kinds of restricted zones-unless one wants to get into trouble with the power that be.
Paragliding must be undertaken only when the weather is perfect. There should only be a gentle breeze,no strong winds. One can also fly dual.While takig off you run along with the instructor to ensure a smooth take-off. Once you get the hang of it,you are confident to venture on your own.
To go professional,one needs to fly for year to gain the experience. One can however,learn basics in a few hours. "This is probably the only form of aviation where the pilot can take his first solo flight on day one,"said Vijay Naravate,a paragliding enthusiast. There are two methods of learning paragliding. One is winch based and the other is hill flying."
|
