I've just bought a paraglider for ground handling practise and will be starting my EP course soon.

Any other paragliders on PF?

 

Did this tandem when i was in turkey a few years ago, one of the best things ive ever done, an awesome feeling running off the edge of a cliff 8,000 ft up, then just sit back, relax and enjoy the view, then the bastard did a spiral dive on me, awesome feeling but scary none the less, dropping about 2 thousand feet in seconds, would easily do it again though. My ex's dad does it as a hobby, goes up to all the peak districts etc, have fun mate

 

nope but its something ive always wanted a bash at! how much do they cost?

 

Had a days taster and loved it. If i had more time i'd be going regular.

 

A new setup will cost you between 2-3k.

Second hand ones can be had for much much less.

A weekend course with equipment supplied that could see you soaring to 400 ft by the end is Ł270.

 

Someone I know who just passed his EP course had a bad crash in France and broke his back. He is also self employed, so is fucked for the 12-18months he will need to make a recovery.

BE CAREFUL!

 

Fills me full of confidence

Any details on why he crashed?

 

Inexperience - only passed the course the month before. Got into a spin and lost control.

 

i guess its the same with all types of aircraft, its all about experience!

im into helicopters at the mo, such intresting machines!

 

The way i see it its got to be safer than haring round the countryside like a loon on my R1.

 

Either of them can be pretty terminal if you get it wrong .

If you're looking for something reasonable safe to placate the wife, might I suggest model helicopters .

 

Don't fancy helicopters but there is some guys that run a model airplane club on the field next to the ind est near me and they have jets that will do 300 mph! They sound awesome when they come over!

 

model helicopters are ment to be boring! try the real thing!

 

model helicopters are a bit cheaper though lol - and less expensive when you crash.

im hoping santa brings me an RC Airwolf this christmas lol - chances?

The feeling from Paraglding must be awesome though. If i had the balls, this is something i'd love to do...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmZyB_ghpa0

 

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=p8t41avFuCc

 

his fingers control must be out of this world!

would love to see a robinson r22 do that

 

Mike why dont you put all your money in your pension fund and sit wrapped in cotton wool waiting untill your old enough to use it


Gararge19- Go buy a paraglider, go take a risk, go scare yourself, why not

 

Because he has wife and child who rely on him, so you have to be a LITTLE bit sensible .

He's been riding for years, so IMO, that is MUCH safer than a paraglider . Old age, experience and maturity counts for quite a lot in "danger" sports .

 

Unfortunatly Mike is right, not just me to think about now.

Would hate my boy to grow up with out a dad.

I would like to be around to teach him to ride bikes and paraglide!

NB. Just to mention his his mother rides horses all day which i consider far more dangerous!

 

Paraglider should be here by end of week so i will post some pics of my first hops!

 

I bet she doesn't though?

 

The statistics say it is.

You should see the body armour she wears for cross country. it all gets covered by a shirt, waistcoat and jacket

Horses... 1.5 tons with a pea brain!

 

My father-in-law is 48 and still throwing him self of cliffs, falling of motorbikes and doing stupidly dangerous stunts in his aeroplane.

I think it boils down to if your afraid of death. Once you get over that fear, life is so much more fun

 

You're grown up and can support yourself now .

I'm not saying be afraid, I suggesting being careful (if you have young children) .

As an example, I have a full bike license, but I would not consider riding the Nurburgring, as I can weigh up the odds and I consider the risks too high, as I don't want to miss seeing my daughter grow up etc .

 

yeh fair comment, i can totally understand that.

 

only done it tandem, but loved it

this is me over interlaken in switzerland









as for hurting yourself, make sure you have adequate insurance (both life insurance and personal accident cover) if you have a family to support