Instruction

Beginner P1 Course
The Beginner P1 Course includes the following:

• Instruction, tandem and training flights (approx. 3 days) towards completion of the Beginner (P1) rating.
• Use of necessary equipment during the course (glider, harness, helmet, radio & reserve)
• Use of flight manual
• Log book
• $300 discount towards purchase of glider package, (glider, harness, reserve, etc.)

The Beginner & Novice courses are highly intensive courses covering the fundamentals of paragliding. Separated into four main areas (tandem flights, ground handling, training hill and classroom sessions) students are gradually prepared for solo flight.

In-flight skills are the primary concentration during instructional tandem flights such as glider response, coordinating turns, determining flight path, landing approaches and flare timing. The ground handling portion of the course is the "hands on" preparation for the student that includes proper pre-flight procedure, glider terminology, glider inflation and control while the student performs simulated launches. Training hill sessions give students their first taste of solo flight. The focus is to sharpen launch and landing skills. The required reading and classroom sessions include basic wing theory, aerodynamics, meteorology, safety equipment, recommended operation limitations, FAA regulations, written tests and video teaching aids.

During solo flights, the student will be given specific tasks and receive instructions via radio. Prior to each flight, a flight plan is discussed so the student has a clear idea as to the skills that need to be demonstrated. With each successive flight, there will be less radio input from the instructor so the student gradually becomes comfortable flying truly "solo". Throughout the course, a logbook is maintained and flights are documented for fulfilling the requirements needed for USHPA pilot certification. Back.

Novice P2 Course
The Novice P2 Course includes the following:

• Instruction, tandem and training flights through the completion of the Novice (P2) rating.
• Use of necessary equipment during the course (glider, harness, helmet, radio & reserve)
• Use of flight manual
• Log book
• $300 discount towards purchase of glider package, (glider, harness, reserve, etc.)

The Beginner & Novice courses are highly intensive courses covering the fundamentals of paragliding. Separated into four main areas (tandem flights, ground handling, training hill and classroom sessions) students are gradually prepared for solo flight.

In-flight skills are the primary concentration during instructional tandem flights such as glider response, coordinating turns, determining flight path, landing approaches and flare timing. The ground handling portion of the course is the "hands on" preparation for the student that includes proper pre-flight procedure, glider terminology, glider inflation and control while the student performs simulated launches. Training hill sessions give students their first taste of solo flight. The focus is to sharpen launch and landing skills. The required reading and classroom sessions include basic wing theory, aerodynamics, meteorology, safety equipment, recommended operation limitations, FAA regulations, written tests and video teaching aids.

During solo flights, the student will be given specific tasks and receive instructions via radio. Prior to each flight, a flight plan is discussed so the student has a clear idea as to the skills that need to be demonstrated. With each successive flight, there will be less radio input from the instructor so the student gradually becomes comfortable flying truly "solo". Throughout the course, a logbook is maintained and flights are documented for fulfilling the requirements needed for USHPA pilot certification. Back.

Active Flying Clinic
This clinic is designed to give pilots the chance to improve their handling and corrective skills, increase their "feel" and knowledge of the air and wing, and also explore the other intangibles known as "active flying." The purpose is to expand the experience, knowledge and skill level of the participants. Hence, not only helping a pilot technically, but also make them safer pilots. To achieve this goal, four main areas will be the focus:

• Anticipation of air and glider movement.
• Recognition of the onset of undesirable modes of flight.
• Prevention of such modes.
• Recovery of certain modes of flight.

It is these areas combined with the understanding and application of specific descent techniques, ground handling, aerodynamics, harness fitting and alternative steering methods, that shall comprise the main content of this clinic. In essence this is a hybrid of thermal, maneuvers, and ground handing clinics, including an analysis, critique and "tune up" of each pilots flight skills. Back.

Pilot Refresher Clinic
For when a change in locale or family and work commitments has had priority. Pilots that have prior flying experience but have been inactive would benefit from this custom tailored private course. The main emphasis is to increase the pilot's comfort level and confidence before they attempt to fly after a long recess. While each course will vary according to the requirements of each student, every course will include a tandem flight to re-familiarize the student with the aerial control of the glider. Ground handling sessions and a review of classroom work are designed to rekindle the skills and knowledge the pilot has not used during their absence. As with beginner courses, during solo flights the student will be in constant radio contact with the instructors. As an added feature, an inspection of the student's equipment and repack of reserve parachute is included. Back.

Mountain/Thermal/XC Clinic
The purpose of this clinic is to improve a parapilot's overall knowledge and skill of mountain thermal flying. Site reading and analysis, micrometeorology, XC preparation, thermal visualization and associated dangers are some of the subjects covered in detail. Instructors will observe and critique each student's technique and recommend how to exploit their personal strengths and correct potentially bad habits. Special attention is devoted to how a pilot can safely prepare and begin flying cross-country. Harness fitting, pilot body posture, understanding glider feedback and methods to increase control sensitivity are discussed as well. Back.

Advanced Maneuvers Clinic (SIV)
This clinic gives parapilots the chance to explore different modes of flight and non-flight in a controlled setting with supervision. By exposing the participants to such radical modes of flight, the purpose is to expand the technical skill level and increase the response time of each pilot. The "window of opportunity" available when such modes of flight inadvertently occur is discussed in detail. The main concentration of the clinic is:

• How the pilot may properly induce and recover from such modes of flight
• How to, and perhaps most importantly, recognize the onset of such modes of flight

The exercises to be studied are asymmetrics, full frontal collapse, front horseshoe, B-Line stall, big ears, front & rear riser control, spiral dive, negative spin, full stall, deep stall (searching w/ B, C, D risers and brakes) and reserve deployment.
The details of each maneuver will be discussed prior to its performance, including the potential times for inadvertent entry. The characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and application of each descent method will also be covered. Other potential problems such as over controlling, harness twist, cravattes, etc. will be discussed. All maneuvers will be conducted only with the mutual agreement of the participant and instructors.
Special attention will be given to asymmetrics of all percentages. This will by far be the major concentration of the clinic as; asymmetrics are the root cause of most in-flight accidents. Back.