Source: http://letsgoparagliding.com/category/safety/
Timestamp: 2017-05-28 10:36:26
Document Index: 14942455

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 103', '§91', '§91', '§91', '§91', '§91']

Safety Archives - Letsgoparagliding - Paragliding School | Online store (917) 359 6449
August 15, 2016 in Safety Paragliding or paramotoring (PPG) ?
March 2, 2016 in Paragliding general questions , Paragliding lessons , powered paragliding , Regulations , Safety FAR PART 103
Sec. 103.1
Sec. 103.3
Sec. 103.5
Sec. 103.7
Subpart B — Operating Rules
Sec. 103.9
Sec. 103.11
Daylight operations.
Sec. 103.13
Operation near aircraft; right-of-way rules.
(c) Powered ultralights shall yield the right-of-way to unpowered ultralights
Sec. 103.15
Operations over congested areas.
Sec. 103.17
No person may operate an ultralight vehicle within Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization
from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.
Sec. 103.19
Operations in prohibited or restricted areas.
Sec. 103.20
Flight restrictions in the proximity of certain areas designated by notice to airmen.
No person may operate an ultralight vehicle in areas designated in a Notice to Airmen under [§91.137, §91.138, §91.141, §91.143, or §91.145 of this chapter, unless authorized by:
Amdt. 103-6, Eff. 10/11/2001
Sec. 103.21
Visual reference with the surface.
Sec. 103.23
Flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements.
January 27, 2016 in Regulations , Safety Reserve parachute
Reserve parachutesWhile flying a paraglider or a paramotor, we usually carry a reserve parachute, for emergency situations.While flying a paraglider or a paramotor, we usually carry a reserve parachute for Paraglider reserve parachutes are very different from ones intended for skydiving. A paraglider one is designed to open as fast as possible to stop the pilot's fall, whereas a skydiving one is designed to open gradually to slow down the skydiver from a high-speed fall. Its use, packing, and maintenance are different but it's your responsibility to make sure you are doing it (or are having it done by a professional) every six months.A regular maintenance will affect the opening time and the performance of the parachute in the long run (according to manufacturers, a reserve parachute should serve its purpose for about ten years if the maintenance was done on a regular basis, i.e., at least, every six months to every year). It’s a good idea to practice a reserve extraction by hooking yourself up to a simulator before your season starts.(You don't need to have the parachute fully extracted which would require a repack. What you can do is extract the reserve still in its bag and throw it in somebody's hands close to you while hooked to the simulator.)The benefits of simulating an extraction are:- Making sure you can move fluidly.- Finding the reserve handle easily without looking.- Confirming that the extraction requires little effort and is working properly.- Having the opportunity to practice re-installing the reserve in the harness container.-Closing the container pins correctly (it’s possible that when you arrive on launch, you find that one of your pins is out of its loop, so it's always good to know how to put it back properly).- Installing the handle properly followed by a quick review of your pref-light check.There are three main different styles at the moment1) The round ones are more basic and simpler to use and repack. They come in "regular" or "light" versions. The lighter version is about half the size when packed (so it’s easier to put in the harness but most importantly to extract. They also weigh half as much as other ones so they’re more popular, especially with those who like to hike and fly.
The reserve parachute Swing Escape is light and offer a fast opening with an amazing sink rate.
2) The square ones are pretty much a recent evolution of the round ones which mean newer technology. The square shape results in a more stable reserve, faster opening, and better/slower sink rate.
The SWING Orange Cross offer a fster opening, more stability and a better sink rate .
3) Finally, the Rogallo style like the Beamer can be directional after opening. The main advantage is its ability to fly away from a dangerous obstacle like power lines while descending. While being directional is a great advantage, it also means there are more tasks to perform after opening it. It’s recommended to practice the reserve extraction during maneuver training over water to master its use.
The Beamer 3’s special shape and particular folding technique help it open up to 50% faster than normal round canopies; the Beamer 3 is setting EN Test records.
Overall, you need to evaluate all aspects properly when you are ready to purchase your reserve. But it’s also imperative to understand that your reserve parachute requires a repack every six months to properly function when needed. Posted by admin
January 13, 2016 in Paragliding gear , Safety As a novice pilot when should I start using variometer?
What we try to explain to our students is based on what we have seen at Let’s Go Paragliding over the last 15 years of teaching on a daily basis. We see a lot more students, before P2 completion or just after, fully geared up with high-end electronics. Sometimes with cockpits that would impress a competition pilot :-).
We just believe that it’s too much, unnecessary, and at the beginning simpler is better.
As an example, we’ve had students that cannot afford a full set of new gear and then pass on the variometer, flying sometimes one or two seasons without. We have observed that often, those students outperform, by their skills and senses, those that fly right away with a variometer. They are not as dependent on the variometer to give them information/feedback about what’s happening as a pilot who uses a variometer right out of the gate. So we often recommend that our students stage their use of a variometer.
All that said, each pilot has his/her own philosophy, and should use the tools available in the way that is most effective for them.
January 6, 2016 in Paragliding gear , Safety What are the different levels of Wings or Gliders?
What are the different levels of Wings or Gliders?
Safety of pilots is of highest priority in the sport of Paragliding and reputed organizations and the ambassadors of the sport take every necessary step to ensure the same.
In this scheme of things, the performance and the quality of the wing/canopy/ glider is of high importance.
No glider ever makes it to the large scale production site without getting rated and certified by standard organizations. This happens only after the glider clears some prerequisite tests conducted on it. The rating of the glider is a way to measure its performance and stability.
The most trusted and accepted glider ratings are given by the ‘European Committee for Standardization’- CEN or in short EN and the ‘Deutscher Hangegleiter Verband’- DHV, the German Handgliding and Paragliding Organizations which has changed its name to LTF from DHV.
The EN rates the gliders in the decreasing order of stability as A, B, C and D and the LTF rates the gliders in the same way as 1,1-2, 2 ,2-3 and competition glider or 3.
The A or 1 rating is meant for a Beginner pilot, B or 1-2 for Intermediate, C or 2 for Advanced and D or 2-3 for Master pilots. The glider of rating 3 is generally meant for the extremely skillful gliders with years of experience behind their back and it isn’t something that the EN or LTF certifies.
These ratings are conducted by licensed agencies and are mainly meant to ensure two main aspects for the pilots-
1. That the performance and stability of the glider match with the level and skill sets of the pilots that it is intended for.
2. That the glider has undergone proper testing before it’s used for flying.
The testing of the Paragliders.
The ratings are the results of tests which are conducted under run time conditions. Sophisticated and highly precise measuring instruments are used to record accurate measurements during the tests which are only conducted by experienced pilots.
Among other things, these tests measure the time it takes for the glider to re-inflate itself and get back to stable condition without any input from the pilot after it has collapsed during the flight.
The faster the glider responds to such scenarios the lower it’s rating will be.
Generally, beginner level gliders are more stable and re-inflate themselves within 3-5 seconds, whereas gliders with higher rating can take an added 3 or 5 seconds to get back to stability. Precision cameras provide run time information about the inflationary times and also the angle the wing turned during the inflation stage.
It is always advisable to choose such wings which are intended for your level of expertise in flying.
Respect the sport and follow the standards, you will sure fly safe!
January 6, 2016 in Paragliding gear , Safety How can I make a safe choice for my first paraglider ?
How do I choose my first wing?
One of the biggest mistakes that new pilots make occurs in purchasing their first wing.
Gliders must first pass a test to be placed into one of the following letter categories:
– A for Beginner,
– B for Intermediate,
– C for Advanced, or
You can see an example of paragliding test results here: Paragliding test results
You will see that each maneuver is assigned a letter depending on the behavior of the glider, giving you more details about the wing and what to expect.
Where this can get confusing is that an A paraglider like the Ozone Element 2 can be an A glider in all sizes except XS, which is categorized as a B as well as the Gin Carrera—and those two gliders are definitely designed for completely different pilots. The Gin Carrera is designed for XC pilots who already have good skills and reflexes to handle the less forgiving behavior of the wing, whereas the Ozone Element is a great wing that we use in school because of its very forgiving behavior.
Choosing your first wing can be tricky and the right wing can make the difference between a happy and relaxed pilot who enjoys a long, injury-free flying career and a stressed-out pilot who is much more likely to give up the sport. This begs the question: which wing is the best one for me? It’s very simple: you will not fly better because you purchase a more advanced, high-performance wing. You will fly better, faster, and farther if you are relaxed and totally confident under your wing.
So, here are a few things you should keep in mind before making a choice:
1) Your technique level:
– Can you take off in a safe and totally controlled manner when the wind is cross and variable?
– Do you have good control in all axes of your wing (pitch, yaw, roll)?
– Do you have a good, balanced sitting position in your harness in all conditions?
– Do you handle collapses and slow speeds quickly?
2) How many times you fly per year:
It’s no secret that you need to fly regularly and kite weekly to be safe and well-acquainted with your glider.
– How many times per week will you fly?
– How many hours of kiting can you fit in per week?
3) Your understanding of the air mass:
– What is your knowledge about the air?
– Where are the turbulences?
– Where should you fly in relation to your site and the time of the day, and where should you not?
The idea is that when you purchase your wing, you want to be relaxed and be able to use it to its full potential.
If you fly under a wing that is too demanding:
– You’ll be more stressed while flying,
– You’ll get tired faster, have shorter flights, and possibly make wrong decisions, and
– You won’t be able to take advantage of the best conditions, such as avoiding strong thermals.
For these reasons, any pilot will have less efficient results under a too-demanding wing, and will feel less safe than a pilot who is relaxed under an easier glider with which he won’t hesitate to use the full speed bar and won’t have any problems handling or preventing collapses, etc. In the end, choose your first glider for safety and fun. Enjoy the learning experience. You’ll get to the performance part eventually once you acquire strong skills and sharp reflexes.
January 6, 2016 in Paragliding gear , Safety How to become a paraglider pilot.
Paragliding is a well regulated sport; it functions under the USHPA- United States Hand Gliding and Paragliding Association. USHPA certifies pilots by rating them according to their skill and expertise in the sport of Paragliding. It rates pilots from P0 to P5 in the order of student, beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Master Pilots.
Pilots generally start their journey as a beginner with a P0 certificate and make their way through the different levels and reach the P5 level by mastering the art of Paragliding.
The ratings are issued to reflect the completion of certain tasks by the students which are witnessed and observed by officials and licensed instructors. The ratings are also meant to regulate the pilot to fly in only such sites which are meant for his level of expertise as flying sites are labeled according to the approximate skill level required to fly there safely.
The tasks that the pilot has to go do may require keen attention to detail and very high precision. A good amount of training in these has been always beneficial. That is why it is advisable for wannabe pilots to enroll in a Paragliding school.
The Process of becoming a Pilot:
Student and Beginner certificate P0-P1:
Student P0 Pilot: This pilot has the basic knowledge required to understand and accept the risks of flying as a tandem passenger on a Paraglider.
Beginner P1 pilot:
A Beginner pilot has the knowledge and basic skills necessary to fly and practice under direct instructor supervision and within significant operating limitations.
The pilot understands the USHPA Paragliding rating systems and recommended operating limitations.
Students enrolled with us generally start off their training with the Introduction Day. This program is designed for those students who wish to get a feel for the sport and in the process learn the basic skills and kiting by making their first flight on the training hill.
This program also serves as a way to remove any doubt and hesitation in the mind of the students about Paragliding and in a way persuades them to take up training for acquiring the P2 pilot certificate. Once the students are convinced to take up the training program and enrolls for the P2 program, he is giving the P0 and P1 certificates together by the instructor.
Novice P2 certificate:
The P2 pilot is all that a P1 pilot is with a good judgment and has a level of maturity commensurate with the rating. Pilots must demonstrate Beginner level skills and knowledge before obtaining the Novice rating.
To acquire the P2 certificate the pilot has to complete few witnessed tasks with a minimum of 8 hours of ground school theory. The pilot should have learnt basics about the forecasting the weather, basics in launching, Understanding danger signs, landing and site orientation etc.
Once the pilot finishes the P2 program he will have the necessary skills to inflate, ground handle and control the glider. P2 certificate also lets the pilot to fly solo with glider under certain restrictions.
Intermediate P3 pilot:
The pilot has the knowledge and skills to fly most sites in mild to moderate soaring conditions, and to judge when the site and conditions are within the pilot’s skill, knowledge, and experience level.
To receive the P3 certificate the pilot should have logged in a minimum of 30 flying days, at least 90 flights and also a minimum of 20 hours of solo airtime. The P3 pilot shows exceptional abilities of flying with sound knowledge in Airspeed control, turbulence, collapse and recoveries.
The detailed report for the requirements to become an Intermediate pilot is given in the USHPA website.
Advanced Pilot P4:
The pilot has the knowledge and skills to fly technically demanding sites in strong soaring conditions, and to judge when the site and conditions are within the pilot’s skill, knowledge, and experience level.
The pilot understands the USHPA Paragliding rating system and recommended operating limitations, and the FARs and other flying rules applicable to his/her flying. To get the Advanced pilot certificate the pilot should have had a minimum of 250 flights, with a minimum of 80 flights, days, must have flown in all the 5 P3 flying sites 5 times each.
The P4 pilot will display elite skills and expertise in the art of flying as given in the report by USHPA.
Master pilot P5:
For pilots who wish to further diversify their skills in the sport of Paragliding, and to recognize the achievement of the expert skilled pilot who has experience beyond the Advanced level, there is a designation of Master Pilot.
No site will be designated as requiring Master skills. The pilot will fly using good judgment and have a level of maturity commensurate with the rating. The P5 pilot will display exceptional skills and expertise in the art of flying as given in the report by USHPA.
For most recreational and occasional flyers, being an Intermediate Pilot or even a Novice pilot will be sufficient to fly at most flight parks. As mentioned above, it is always advisable to enroll for Paragliding training to hone your skills.
At Letsgoparagliding, we nurture the hidden talents in all of our students. Come fly with us!
January 6, 2016 in Paragliding general questions , Safety A Great Paragliding School Can Make A Big Difference – We Can Help
January 6, 2016 in Paragliding lessons , Safety What we offer
January 6, 2016 in Paragliding general questions , Paragliding lessons , Safety 1