6. I've seen some equipment advertised in the local paper, and I'm thinking of buying now and bringing it on the course. Is this a good idea?
13. The "Learn to Fly" course is advertised as two weekends. What if I can't attend one of the weekends?
1. I spoke to another school and they told me that winching is very dangerous. Is this true?
This is certainly not true. Winching is the safest and most reliable way of training. Some of the advantages of winching are:
This is certainly not true. Winching is the safest and most reliable way of training. Some of the advantages of winching are:
· The student takes off and lands on flat grassy ground.
· Winching provides a very controlled training environment.
· No rocks to fall over, no trees to avoid and no power lines to watch out for.
· No complicated mountain weather conditions.
· We can fly in stronger winds on flat ground than on the mountains.
· No climbing back up the hill once you have flown down to the bottom.
· We can fly with any wind direction as the winch can always be positioned into the wind.
· 80% chance of flying on any given day.
· No excessive driving back and forth to the mountains, normally at least a 3 hour drive.
· Reduced expenses both from reduced driving and by avoiding mountain accommodation costs.
· Accelerated learning curve due to high flights from the beginning.
· Our students can achieve their Basic License after 2 months. Other schools can take up to a year.
So the question that needs to be asked is why another school would say that winching was dangerous (beside the obvious lack of professional ethics). The main reason would be that they find it difficult to compete with our winching operation and the only way that they can convince a potential student to join their school is to scare the student off our school.
Click here for some references from some of students.
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2. I've always wanted to do Hang-gliding. How does it differ from Paragliding?
They are essentially the same sport. There is one association looking after both disciplines, namely the South African Hang-gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA). Paragliding is much easier to learn and much less physical. With Paragliding it is easy to set up, fly down the mountain, pack up quickly, pile 6 gliders with pilots into a LDV, drive back up and fly down again. Because of the long set up, de-rigging time, and the bulkiness of a hang-glider this is not possible. The one advantage of a hang-glider is its high air speed, allowing it to be flown in strong winds. However this can also become a disadvantage when it comes to a high speed no wind landing. SAHPA has almost 1000 members. Of these at least 800 members are Paragliding pilots.
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3. Do you supply all the equipment during the training period?
Yes we do. You do not need to purchase ANY equipment to start. All you need to bring with you is a sense of humor and preferably some good hiking boots to give you some ankle support.
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4. What are the Paragliding minimum age limits?
The minimum age for paragliding is 14 years. Licenses may be issued to persons under the age of 16 on the proviso that they will -
i) only be allowed to fly under direct supervision of a Sports or Advanced licensed pilot or Instructor who is over 21 years of age and who is stationery on the take off or landing site (i.e. not flying at the same time);
ii) be in radio contact and direct line of sight from the supervisor at all times;
iii) only be allowed to fly under good weather conditions;
iv) not be allowed to fly cross country
v) not be allowed to take part in any competition.
Persons under the age of 18 must submit written consent from their parents or legal guardians with their license application documents.
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5. Are there any limits to the weight of the pilot?
Yes, the minimum weight of the pilot must be around 45kg and the maximum weight not more than 180kg.
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6. I've seen some equipment advertised in the local paper and I'm thinking of buying now and bringing it on the course. Is this a good idea?
No, this is not a good idea, for the following reasons:
Click here for some references from some of students.
Back to the top
2. I've always wanted to do Hang-gliding. How does it differ from Paragliding?
They are essentially the same sport. There is one association looking after both disciplines, namely the South African Hang-gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA). Paragliding is much easier to learn and much less physical. With Paragliding it is easy to set up, fly down the mountain, pack up quickly, pile 6 gliders with pilots into a LDV, drive back up and fly down again. Because of the long set up, de-rigging time, and the bulkiness of a hang-glider this is not possible. The one advantage of a hang-glider is its high air speed, allowing it to be flown in strong winds. However this can also become a disadvantage when it comes to a high speed no wind landing. SAHPA has almost 1000 members. Of these at least 800 members are Paragliding pilots.
Back to the top
3. Do you supply all the equipment during the training period?
Yes we do. You do not need to purchase ANY equipment to start. All you need to bring with you is a sense of humor and preferably some good hiking boots to give you some ankle support.
Back to the top
4. What are the Paragliding minimum age limits?
The minimum age for paragliding is 14 years. Licenses may be issued to persons under the age of 16 on the proviso that they will -
i) only be allowed to fly under direct supervision of a Sports or Advanced licensed pilot or Instructor who is over 21 years of age and who is stationery on the take off or landing site (i.e. not flying at the same time);
ii) be in radio contact and direct line of sight from the supervisor at all times;
iii) only be allowed to fly under good weather conditions;
iv) not be allowed to fly cross country
v) not be allowed to take part in any competition.
Persons under the age of 18 must submit written consent from their parents or legal guardians with their license application documents.
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5. Are there any limits to the weight of the pilot?
Yes, the minimum weight of the pilot must be around 45kg and the maximum weight not more than 180kg.
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6. I've seen some equipment advertised in the local paper and I'm thinking of buying now and bringing it on the course. Is this a good idea?
No, this is not a good idea, for the following reasons:
· Every glider has a 20kg weight range. You cannot fly a glider outside of this weight range, and the weight range is calculated differently for every make.
· Gliders are like motor cars, you get a Porsche 911 version and a City Golf version. The Porches 911 version requires tremendous skill to fly and would be very dangerous to a beginner pilot.
· The glider could easily not be airworthy and will require testing to ensure airworthiness.
· Certain locally manufactured gliders, available second hand, have been banned by SAHPA for safety reasons and may not be purchased new. The second hand market is not regulated. A reputable paragliding school will sell you equipment that is right for you.
· One of the SAHPA rules is that a glider MUST NOT be sold to any person that doesn't hold a valid SAHPA license. Many people choose to ignore this rule and will try to sell you their old glider. (sold as is….have fun!)
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7. Do you rent equipment once the training is completed?
Yes we do. The cost of rental is R120 per day. This equipment can only be used on the days that the school is training. In other words the equipment cannot be taken away from the school.
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8. If I don't buy any equipment and only rent, will I manage to continue flying?
For a while yes, but we have found that pilots that don't buy their own equipment, eventually stop flying. The rental option is good, but if all your friends are going to fly one of the mountain sites this weekend, you can't go with them unless either the school is there, or you have your own equipment.
Back to the top
9. When is a good time to buy my own equipment?
When you are sure that Paragliding is for you. Any time from 10 flights onwards. The advantage of this is that you can finish the training on your own equipment and get thoroughly used to it in a controlled environment. The other obvious advantage is that you don't need to share equipment with other pilots when it is the best time to fly.
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10. What is the cost of buying all the equipment?
If you are buying the equipment new then around R25000.00 to R30000.00 will give you a good start. (Excluding the 4x4 to drive up the mountain). It is recommended that you buy a good harness when you start. A good harness will last you 2 or 3 gliders.
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11. What equipment is available second hand?
We do get good second hand gliders in from time to time. A new glider sells for roughly R25000. A good second hand glider will sell for between R6000 and R9000. Make sure that the glider has been thoroughly checked by a competent person. Remember, the same pitfalls apply to buying a second hand car, except that when your car breaks down you end up stuck at the side of the road, BUT when your glider breaks down you don't have the option of pulling over to the side of the road.
Back to the top
12. How long will a glider last?
This largely depends on the cloth the glider is manufactured from and how you look after it. APCO gliders, for example, come with a 5 year / 300 hour factory warranty. If you fly every single weekend for a year you will probably clock up between 100 and 150 hours on your glider. If you do this much flying you will probably outgrow your current glider, and start looking for more performance. You can then bring it back to us and we will offer you a good trade-in on your next glider.
Back to the top
13. The "Learn to Fly" course is advertised as two weekends. What if I can't attend one of the weekends?
It is pretty essential that you attend the first weekend in full. Thereafter it is pretty much up to you when you come and fly, as long as you complete your first 8 flights in one month. The best thing is always to come regularly, as this ensures a steady build up in your skill levels. To big a gap, means that we might have to start training you from the beginning.
Back to the top
14. If I want to get my license can I skip the "Learn to Fly" course?
No you cannot. We effectively offer one course with two payments. The "Learn to Fly" course is designed to give you a feel for what is involved with Paragliding without a large financial layout. Once you have had a few flights you are in a better position to decide if you want to carry on and get the license. Only then do you need to pay the second part of the course. The training you receive as part of the "Learn to Fly" course is very complete and comprehensive, in fact we are training you with the assumption that you will continue onto your license. There is also nothing to stop you paying both amounts at the start of your training.
Back to the top
15. How long do I have to complete the "Learn to Fly" training?
You have one month from the date you started. We can be flexible on this month provided you have shown commitment to the training, but have been unable to fly due to bad weather. This one month limit is to prevent people starting on one weekend, doing a couple of flights and only coming back months later and wanting to do some more flights. The problem that we have with this is that we will have to start training this pilot again from scratch. If your month has expired you can continue the training by upgrading to the Basic License course.
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16. How long can it take to get my Basic License?
It takes the average pilot 2 to 3 months to achieve their Basic License. This is achieved with a reasonable effort, coming out on most of the days we are training, but not every day. If you were to come out every day that we trained, you would probably get your license in 4 to 6 weeks.
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17. How long do I have to complete all the training?
We allow 5 months from the date you started for you to complete your training. If your 5 months expires you can re-new for another 6 months, and if you still don't complete the training you can re-new for a further 6 months. See our Terms & Conditions for the costs involved.
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18. How many flights are covered by the course?
A total of 35 flights. This includes all winching and mountain flights.
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19. What happens if I have used up all my course flights and I still don't have my license?
Once you reach 35 flights you will be required to rent the equipment and pay for your winches. Our current rental price is R120 per day equipment hire and R50 per winch.
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20. What happens if I'm a very slow learner?
You will have to continue training until we are happy with your skills. We have had pilots only get their license after more than 60 flights. Provided you are willing to persevere we are willing help you get there.
Back to the top
21. I have had some training with another Paragliding School. Can I get credit for this?
We have found, from experience, that many students that come from other schools don't have the minimum skills that we require, and that most of the time we have to re-train these students from scratch. If you believe that you have these minimum skills, we are prepared to assess these skills and credit you accordingly.
Back to the top
22. At what point can I start the mountain flying?
As soon as you have done at least 2 flights on the winch, and have certain basic skills as determined by the instructor. Check with your instructor if you are not sure. You will also be required to pay the upgrade to the Basic License course.
Back to the top
23. Do I have to fly in the mountains to get my license?
Yes. We require you to fly at least two different mountain sites on different days, so that you are exposed to a variety of flying conditions. And besides, flying in the mountains is great fun!
Back to the top
24. Please describe a typical first weekend of training?
We start on Saturday morning at 8:00 AM (9:00 AM in winter) with some introductory lectures. This is followed by basic ground handling skills. Ground handling is the control of the glider on the ground prior to take-off. The ground handling skills are practiced throughout the day and can be fairly physical. All of the theory for your first flights is discussed during your rest periods. This is followed by a Harness Hanging Session. This is where we sit you in a flying harness on our simulator, and simulate your first flight completely. Around 4:00 PM on the Saturday day afternoon you will get ready for your first flight. By this time you will know exactly what expected of you and what you can expect throughout the first flight. The first flight is then carried out by remote control. That is to say that you will be equipped with a 2-way radio and the instructor will talk you through the first flight from take-off all the way down to the landing. This is normally followed by a second flight, time permitting.
Should you be back on Sunday morning you can have another 2 flights before it becomes too turbulent and probably another 2 that afternoon. It is not unconceivable to have 5 or 6 flights at the end of a good weather weekend.
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25. When is the best time to learn Paragliding, winter or summer?
Any time of the year is a good time to start. The only things that stops us flying are strong winds and rain, and both summer and winter have their share of these from time to time.
Back to the top
26. How safe is paragliding?
Safety in Paragliding comes down to flying in conditions that suit your equipment and abilities. If you choose to fly in crazy conditions, then you are pushing the envelope and you might get yourself hurt. While you are training Paragliding is very safe. The reason for this is that we (the instructors) decide when and where you can fly. Once you have your license then you will need to be making those decisions. We encourage you to stay with the school once you have your license and we can help you with these decisions. It is also a good idea to join the local club, (you are a guest member whilst our student) and go flying with pilots with a lot more experience than you, and take and ask for advice all the time. A good analogy is the following: - You have just learnt to ride a motor bike, and you buy a high performance super bike, and decide to do Durban in 3 hours, and you leave in a thick Gauteng thunderstorm. It is highly unlikely that you will get to Heidelberg in one piece.
Back to the top
27. I'm afraid of heights. Will this be a problem?
What we have found is that if you can fly in any airplane and look out of the window, without any fear, then you will not have a problem with paragliding. Many pilots can't stand on a high building and look down, but as soon as there is no physical connection between their feet and the ground (as they take-off) all these fears disappear.
Back to the top
28. How official is the Paragliding License and is it valid internationally?
The Paragliding License is issued by the South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA). SAHPA falls under the Aeroclub of South Africa. The Aeroclub looks after all sport aviation in South Africa and the Aeroclub in turn falls under the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). SAHPA is a member of the Commission Internationale de Vol Libre (CIVL), which is the international controlling body under the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI). The FAI is the sole international sporting authority to make and enforce rules to encourage and control aviation sporting events and records throughout the world, and is based in Paris, France. Our licenses are recognized world wide via our affiliation with the FAI.
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29. How long is the Paragliding License valid for?
The Paragliding License is valid for one year from date of issue. The requirements for renewal are a minimum of 20 logged flights or 5 hours airtime. Failing to achieve this you will be required to do a simple “skills test” under the supervision of an instructor and he/she will re license you.
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30. How much does the Paragliding License cost and how much is the cost of renewal?
The cost of the license is R 850 made up of R 800 for the license and R 50 for the radio license fee. The annual renewal is the same amount.
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31. What do I get as a licensed member of SAHPA?
7. Do you rent equipment once the training is completed?
Yes we do. The cost of rental is R120 per day. This equipment can only be used on the days that the school is training. In other words the equipment cannot be taken away from the school.
Back to the top
8. If I don't buy any equipment and only rent, will I manage to continue flying?
For a while yes, but we have found that pilots that don't buy their own equipment, eventually stop flying. The rental option is good, but if all your friends are going to fly one of the mountain sites this weekend, you can't go with them unless either the school is there, or you have your own equipment.
Back to the top
9. When is a good time to buy my own equipment?
When you are sure that Paragliding is for you. Any time from 10 flights onwards. The advantage of this is that you can finish the training on your own equipment and get thoroughly used to it in a controlled environment. The other obvious advantage is that you don't need to share equipment with other pilots when it is the best time to fly.
Back to the top
10. What is the cost of buying all the equipment?
If you are buying the equipment new then around R25000.00 to R30000.00 will give you a good start. (Excluding the 4x4 to drive up the mountain). It is recommended that you buy a good harness when you start. A good harness will last you 2 or 3 gliders.
Back to the top
11. What equipment is available second hand?
We do get good second hand gliders in from time to time. A new glider sells for roughly R25000. A good second hand glider will sell for between R6000 and R9000. Make sure that the glider has been thoroughly checked by a competent person. Remember, the same pitfalls apply to buying a second hand car, except that when your car breaks down you end up stuck at the side of the road, BUT when your glider breaks down you don't have the option of pulling over to the side of the road.
Back to the top
12. How long will a glider last?
This largely depends on the cloth the glider is manufactured from and how you look after it. APCO gliders, for example, come with a 5 year / 300 hour factory warranty. If you fly every single weekend for a year you will probably clock up between 100 and 150 hours on your glider. If you do this much flying you will probably outgrow your current glider, and start looking for more performance. You can then bring it back to us and we will offer you a good trade-in on your next glider.
Back to the top
13. The "Learn to Fly" course is advertised as two weekends. What if I can't attend one of the weekends?
It is pretty essential that you attend the first weekend in full. Thereafter it is pretty much up to you when you come and fly, as long as you complete your first 8 flights in one month. The best thing is always to come regularly, as this ensures a steady build up in your skill levels. To big a gap, means that we might have to start training you from the beginning.
Back to the top
14. If I want to get my license can I skip the "Learn to Fly" course?
No you cannot. We effectively offer one course with two payments. The "Learn to Fly" course is designed to give you a feel for what is involved with Paragliding without a large financial layout. Once you have had a few flights you are in a better position to decide if you want to carry on and get the license. Only then do you need to pay the second part of the course. The training you receive as part of the "Learn to Fly" course is very complete and comprehensive, in fact we are training you with the assumption that you will continue onto your license. There is also nothing to stop you paying both amounts at the start of your training.
Back to the top
15. How long do I have to complete the "Learn to Fly" training?
You have one month from the date you started. We can be flexible on this month provided you have shown commitment to the training, but have been unable to fly due to bad weather. This one month limit is to prevent people starting on one weekend, doing a couple of flights and only coming back months later and wanting to do some more flights. The problem that we have with this is that we will have to start training this pilot again from scratch. If your month has expired you can continue the training by upgrading to the Basic License course.
Back to the top
16. How long can it take to get my Basic License?
It takes the average pilot 2 to 3 months to achieve their Basic License. This is achieved with a reasonable effort, coming out on most of the days we are training, but not every day. If you were to come out every day that we trained, you would probably get your license in 4 to 6 weeks.
Back to the top
17. How long do I have to complete all the training?
We allow 5 months from the date you started for you to complete your training. If your 5 months expires you can re-new for another 6 months, and if you still don't complete the training you can re-new for a further 6 months. See our Terms & Conditions for the costs involved.
Back to the top
18. How many flights are covered by the course?
A total of 35 flights. This includes all winching and mountain flights.
Back to the top
19. What happens if I have used up all my course flights and I still don't have my license?
Once you reach 35 flights you will be required to rent the equipment and pay for your winches. Our current rental price is R120 per day equipment hire and R50 per winch.
Back to the top
20. What happens if I'm a very slow learner?
You will have to continue training until we are happy with your skills. We have had pilots only get their license after more than 60 flights. Provided you are willing to persevere we are willing help you get there.
Back to the top
21. I have had some training with another Paragliding School. Can I get credit for this?
We have found, from experience, that many students that come from other schools don't have the minimum skills that we require, and that most of the time we have to re-train these students from scratch. If you believe that you have these minimum skills, we are prepared to assess these skills and credit you accordingly.
Back to the top
22. At what point can I start the mountain flying?
As soon as you have done at least 2 flights on the winch, and have certain basic skills as determined by the instructor. Check with your instructor if you are not sure. You will also be required to pay the upgrade to the Basic License course.
Back to the top
23. Do I have to fly in the mountains to get my license?
Yes. We require you to fly at least two different mountain sites on different days, so that you are exposed to a variety of flying conditions. And besides, flying in the mountains is great fun!
Back to the top
24. Please describe a typical first weekend of training?
We start on Saturday morning at 8:00 AM (9:00 AM in winter) with some introductory lectures. This is followed by basic ground handling skills. Ground handling is the control of the glider on the ground prior to take-off. The ground handling skills are practiced throughout the day and can be fairly physical. All of the theory for your first flights is discussed during your rest periods. This is followed by a Harness Hanging Session. This is where we sit you in a flying harness on our simulator, and simulate your first flight completely. Around 4:00 PM on the Saturday day afternoon you will get ready for your first flight. By this time you will know exactly what expected of you and what you can expect throughout the first flight. The first flight is then carried out by remote control. That is to say that you will be equipped with a 2-way radio and the instructor will talk you through the first flight from take-off all the way down to the landing. This is normally followed by a second flight, time permitting.
Should you be back on Sunday morning you can have another 2 flights before it becomes too turbulent and probably another 2 that afternoon. It is not unconceivable to have 5 or 6 flights at the end of a good weather weekend.
Back to the top
25. When is the best time to learn Paragliding, winter or summer?
Any time of the year is a good time to start. The only things that stops us flying are strong winds and rain, and both summer and winter have their share of these from time to time.
Back to the top
26. How safe is paragliding?
Safety in Paragliding comes down to flying in conditions that suit your equipment and abilities. If you choose to fly in crazy conditions, then you are pushing the envelope and you might get yourself hurt. While you are training Paragliding is very safe. The reason for this is that we (the instructors) decide when and where you can fly. Once you have your license then you will need to be making those decisions. We encourage you to stay with the school once you have your license and we can help you with these decisions. It is also a good idea to join the local club, (you are a guest member whilst our student) and go flying with pilots with a lot more experience than you, and take and ask for advice all the time. A good analogy is the following: - You have just learnt to ride a motor bike, and you buy a high performance super bike, and decide to do Durban in 3 hours, and you leave in a thick Gauteng thunderstorm. It is highly unlikely that you will get to Heidelberg in one piece.
Back to the top
27. I'm afraid of heights. Will this be a problem?
What we have found is that if you can fly in any airplane and look out of the window, without any fear, then you will not have a problem with paragliding. Many pilots can't stand on a high building and look down, but as soon as there is no physical connection between their feet and the ground (as they take-off) all these fears disappear.
Back to the top
28. How official is the Paragliding License and is it valid internationally?
The Paragliding License is issued by the South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA). SAHPA falls under the Aeroclub of South Africa. The Aeroclub looks after all sport aviation in South Africa and the Aeroclub in turn falls under the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). SAHPA is a member of the Commission Internationale de Vol Libre (CIVL), which is the international controlling body under the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI). The FAI is the sole international sporting authority to make and enforce rules to encourage and control aviation sporting events and records throughout the world, and is based in Paris, France. Our licenses are recognized world wide via our affiliation with the FAI.
Back to the top
29. How long is the Paragliding License valid for?
The Paragliding License is valid for one year from date of issue. The requirements for renewal are a minimum of 20 logged flights or 5 hours airtime. Failing to achieve this you will be required to do a simple “skills test” under the supervision of an instructor and he/she will re license you.
Back to the top
30. How much does the Paragliding License cost and how much is the cost of renewal?
The cost of the license is R 850 made up of R 800 for the license and R 50 for the radio license fee. The annual renewal is the same amount.
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31. What do I get as a licensed member of SAHPA?
· Aviation third party insurance up to R300,000
· Medical rescue insurance (Casevac) with Netcare 911
· SAHPA News
· A SAHPA Membership card which indicates your license grade, year of validity and FAI License (Competition License)
· The blue Aero Club Membership card. This entitles you to Car Rental discounts, SAA reduced fares, and other benefits negotiated from time to time.
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32. I have a PPL (Private Pilot's License). Do I get any credit for the hours flown?
Paragliding is completely different from any other form of aviation, so there is no credit.
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33. Does the Paragliding License count as credit towards any other aviation license?
No, there are no credits for a Paragliding License.
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34. I have done parachuting. Does this count towards paragliding?
Besides confirming that you are not afraid of heights, parachuting is normally a disadvantage to learning Paragliding. The main problem is that the parachutists tend to be very heavy and aggressive on the controls. A Paraglider is an aircraft, and to fly efficiently needs smooth gentle input into the controls.
Back to the top
35. What do I do and where can I fly once I have my Paragliding License?
We then encourage you to continue flying with the school, so that you can continue learning in a controlled environment. You should also join one of the clubs in the area. They organize regular flying trips. There are also dozens of places to fly throughout the country and around
Back to the top
32. I have a PPL (Private Pilot's License). Do I get any credit for the hours flown?
Paragliding is completely different from any other form of aviation, so there is no credit.
Back to the top
33. Does the Paragliding License count as credit towards any other aviation license?
No, there are no credits for a Paragliding License.
Back to the top
34. I have done parachuting. Does this count towards paragliding?
Besides confirming that you are not afraid of heights, parachuting is normally a disadvantage to learning Paragliding. The main problem is that the parachutists tend to be very heavy and aggressive on the controls. A Paraglider is an aircraft, and to fly efficiently needs smooth gentle input into the controls.
Back to the top
35. What do I do and where can I fly once I have my Paragliding License?
We then encourage you to continue flying with the school, so that you can continue learning in a controlled environment. You should also join one of the clubs in the area. They organize regular flying trips. There are also dozens of places to fly throughout the country and around
Back to the top