Temple Pilots P1 Notes Page 1

PARAGLI DI NG
TEMPLEPiLOTS
Begi nner (P1)
Pi lot Trai ni ng Manual
Revised and Updated
Picture courtesy: Darren Waring (Club Pilot) Flying Site: Candidasa, Bali, Indonesia
Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 2
READ THIS FIRST
Paragliding is a form of aviation, with all of the inherent and potential dangers that
are involved in aviation. No form of aviation is without risk. Injuries and death can and
do occur in paragliding, even to trained pilots using proper equipment. No claim is
made or implied that all sources of potential danger to the pilot have or can be
identied. No one should participate in paragliding who does not recognize and wish
to personally assume the associated risks.
The training manual is intended to be used as one part of a professional and
instructional course. It is intended to be used in combination with personal ight
instructions by a qualied paragliding instructor. No one should attempt to teach
himself/herself to y.
SYLLABUS FOR P1
LEVEL 1: Site & wind assessment,
equipment know-how, canopy layout,
pre ight checks, ination, deation
and ground handling.
LEVEL 2: Take off and landing
techniques, direction control (Hops),
Solo clearance.
LEVEL 3: Solo ights under supervision
Note:
You will graduate to the next level only after
you have acquired the necessary skill and
knowledge to the satisfaction of your
Instructor.
Welcome to the Skies
The world of free flight
This journey is fun, fascinating and rewarding. Let's lay the groundwork
so your skyward quest is made easier through understanding.
The useful attributes are good judgment, a concern for personal safety,
the ability to make reasonable decisions, a positive attitude and the will
or desire to y.
Skill development: We will always emphasize the gradual approach and
we strive to ensure safety through good judgment.
1. Site and wind assessment: You will begin your introductory
lesson on at ground and gradually work your way higher as you
progress. Your instructor will guide you in assessing wind
conditions that are appropriate for your level and in understanding
your limitations.
2. Equipment introduction: Knowing the paragliding lingo let's you
understand and communicate the technique.
In the beginning many of your decisions will be made for you by your
instructor, but gradually you will begin to take charge. If you already have
goods decision making skills, ne. If not, they will be developed in the
training program along with your judgment of ying skills.
Over condence is a decit in aviation.
Fear is natural. If you have no fear whatsoever, it may create fear in
your Instructor. How we deal with fear is the important thing. Fear is
manageable. Discuss your fears with your instructor.
Remember: Knowledge dispels fear
Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 1
Visualization
Technique
Pro Tip: Use visualization.
Imagine what you want to do, and
then imagine your success. This
will train your body's responses
more readily.
VMR (Visual Motor
Rehearsal)When you visualize,
then you materialize. Heres an
interesting thing about the mind:
Some Olympic athletes were made
to run their event only in their
mind, and were then hooked up to
sophisticated bio-feedback
equipment. Incredibly, the same
muscles red in the same
sequence when they were running
the race in their mind, as when
they were running it on the track.
How could this be ? Because the
mind cant distinguish whether you
are really doing it or its just a
practice. If youve been there in
the mind, youll go there in the
body. Whatever the mind can
conceive, it can achieve.
Use the imaging technique
throughout all your ying and it will
make you a better pilot.
LEVEL 1
Getting Started
Learn the basics well and be thorough in everything you do; this
is laying a solid foundation for becoming a safe & competent
pilot.
Unpacking, laying out and packing the canopy
Putting on the harness and helmet
Assessing the wind direction and clearing the area for
spreading your canopy
Canopy layout perpendicular to the wind,
horse shoe shape, clearing the lines and connecting
the risers to your harness
Your Objective
To learn how to prepare your glider and your position for forward
ination (alpine launch).
Pre-Flight Checks
After equipment inspection and having connected yourself to the
glider, just prior to launch:
The Checklist
Make sure you learn them by heart, from Day 1.
Start from below (leg straps) making your way up:
Leg straps locked & secure
Safety belt locked & secure
Carabiners locked & secure
Risers not twisted
Control (brake) lines clear, untangled, free
Shoulder straps locked & secure
Helmet strap locked & secure
Checks before launch:
Canopy layout last look over the shoulder for alpine launch
Area in front & above clear for take off
Check wind-strength and direction
Launch
Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 2
Safety Tip
Finding and
connecting an
equipment problem
on the ground is
infinitely better
than doing so in
the air.
Leading Edge
Trailing Edge
Left steering of
control line
Right steering of
control line
Pilot
Harness
Suspension
Lines
Preflight Requirements
Thoroughness (in detail), organized (systematic manner), uninterrupted
process and correcting the deciencies. Take your time and make sure
you miss out nothing.
Develop habits for Safety from NOW.
Nothing is worth compromising safety!
Inflation (Alpine)
Make sure that canopy is laid out exactly perpendicular to the wind
direction and then pulled up from the center to give it a horseshoe shape
to ease ination.
That you are standing in the center and square to the canopy
That you are not stepping on any lines
That you are holding the risers properly, correctly
Good arm position so that you apply equal & even pressure on both
the risers
A smooth and continuous run
Release the risers in timely fashion your instructor will demonstrate the
technique to you and you learn a lot by observing other students.
Look up to check the canopy
Note: For an even ination you need an even wind and an even pull on
both sides.
Your Objective
To learn how to inate consistently in various conditions while facing
forward.
In very light winds, take one step back to slacken the lines, this helps
you gain momentum for a forward launch.
In calm or light winds your run supplies the canopy
airspeed. Don't slow down or stop during ination or
launch
Common Mistakes
Non centered start
Uneven jerks or improper hand position
Early or late released risers or pulling down of risers
Stopping the run when checking the canopy.
Skill Check
To see how well you can inate the canopy. Keep a tally of how
many attempts are successes. When you are scoring 9 out of 10 you are
quite adept. Now work on the tenth one.
Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 3
Caution: Never
unfasten your leg
straps once you
are in your
harness until you
are ready to take
off the harness.
Ground handling
Ground handing skill is the key to expert piloting skill
Ground handling indeed prepares you for your entire ying career. The
more adept you are at controlling your canopy on the ground, the better
you will be able to launch and the more sensitive you will be to the feel of
the glider in the air.
Your Objective
To learn how to control the glider on the ground in relation to the wind.
Note: Practice in both smooth and varying conditions. Practice turning
forward and backwards while maintaining the canopy stable.
Kiting Skills (Side-to-Side controls)
This involves using the controls asymmetrically. The ability to perform
these controls correctly is extremely important for handling turbulence
and varying wind during launch. Also, you will be beginning to learn the
proper controls for turning.
Controlling the canopy on ground is actually more difcult than it is
in the air.
Pull the control on the side opposite to the direction in which the canopy
is pulling and move towards the canopy. Always maintaining the forward
momentum.
Remember
Steer left, step right
Steer right, step left
Stay below the canopy
Always keep the glider loaded using your body weight and forward
motion
Most accidents in paragliding happen on ground
(either on takeoff or landing). Thus the importance of
ground handling should be thoroughly realized. It is
your glider that will give you the confidence to enjoy
flying.
Summary
By now you should have a real feel for the canopy and how it obeys your
every command - even if your commands are incorrect! But never fear,
continued practice at ination and ground handling will soon have you
making all controls automatically, timely and precisely.
Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 4
Pro Tip : To feel how your
canopy is heading, sense
the pressure i n the
controls. The mark of a
good pilot is his or her ability to know
what the canopy is doing without
constantly looking at it. This is sensed
through the forces in the control lines
and the pull' of the harness on you
true seat of the pants flying.
Skill Check - Level 1
Site and wind assessment
Proper canopy layout, connection
and setup
Pre ight checks
Forward ination run - consistency
Good canopy control -
pendulum & directional control
Canopy Deation
Understanding canopy packing,
storage & care
Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 5
How does a paraglider y?
When inated, the canopy of the paraglider creates an aerofoil
The canopy is inated by air entering the open cells on the leading
edge, which are closed on the trailing edge
This is achieved at launch in two ways: Alpine/Forward Launch and
Reverse Launch
Because of the shape of an aerofoil, air that passes over the top has to
travel a greater distance than air which passes under. The air that passes over the
top of an aerofoil creates a lower pressure than that which passes underneath
The higher pressure air underneath wants to equalize the lower pressure on the top thus forcing the canopy up and
creating lift
The paraglider is designed to descend. It will go up only in lifting air; like in ascending air over a ridge or thermals.
Basic paraglider control movements
A paraglider is controlled by moving the control lines with your hands, independently or together, to alter the
prole of the wing above your head and thereby alter the amount of lift and drag created by different areas of
the wing
The glider responds by changing its airspeed or by turning.
Of the three axes of movement - pitch, roll and yaw - the pilot can normally only control pitch by moving
controls together, and yaw (i.e. left or right change of heading) by moving controls differentially. In a turn, roll
(banking to the left or right) develops automatically when the glider is turned.
Developing Lift
Airflow past a wing
Stalled wing
Longitudinal Axis
Vertical Axis
Lateral Axis
Vertical Axis
Lateral Axis
Longitudinal Axis
LEVEL 2
Take Off and
Landing (Hops)
People of all ages (from very young to very old)
and body types (form couch potatoes to body builders) have successfully
learned to y paragliders.
Early on paragliding is about 90% physical and 10% mental effort. Soon
this changes to 10% physical and 90% mental.
Your Objective
To learn consistent, smooth take-off's including smooth transitions from
ground to air and smooth landings on feet and into wind.
Pre Launch Check
Proper air conditions, proper glider setup and proper mental
preparations.
Launch
Remember to lean forward and crouch in your initial run. This posture
helps pull against the backward pull of the glider, keeps your feet under
you. This also allows you to maintain contact with the ground longer.
Remember - Shorter steps initially and after the canopy is over head
(after release) longer strides to accelerate.
Do not slow down and do not sit.
Keep running until your feet are no longer touching the terrain.
You're ying !
Your Objective
To perform a smooth, straight ight without changes in airspeed from
take off and landing, then learning careful, intentional speed control.
Sitting Down Develop the habit from your rst ight of remaining in
launch position (legs down) until you are well clear of the terrain.
Flight - Never lock your arms, but keep them loose and oating, maintain
an even pressure (3-5 kg's) depending on how slow you want to y.
Never hold the risers or even touch them. Feel the amount of force on
the control lines and feel the wind on your face.
All control inputs should be smooth and gentle.
Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 6
Angle of attack is the
angle between the
chord line of the wing
and the direction of
flight through the air.
With brakes off, the
paraglider flies at a
relatively low angle of
attack
When the brakes are
pul l ed down, the
trailing edge of the
canopy is depressed,
which rotates the
chord line upward
and raises the angle
of attack. As a result
of the higher angle of attack, the canopy
slows down. If the angle of attack is
raised too high, the airflow over the top
of the canopy separates, the wing stalls
and the canopy collapses
Chord line
Chord line
Flight Direction
Flight Direction
High angle
of attack
Low angle
of attack
Common Launch mistakes and cures
Slowing down the run once the glider begins lifting. Avoid this
tendency by focusing on a point well ahead and visualize running to
that point.
Sitting down too soon. Resolve to run into the air and keep your
feet under you for an imminent landing.
Over-controlling. Make all controls slow and gradual. It's better to
under control than over control at this point
Landing During Hops
The most important rule about
landing is to always land into
wind. Flying into wind gives you
your slowest speed over the
ground, and this makes your
landing easier and safer.
You will need a greater and quicker
application of brakes in zero or
light winds, and less if there is
more wind.
Once you have your height
judgement fully developed, the
ideal landing are is a smooth
application from 0% brakes (or
whatever your initial brake setting
is) to 100 % brakes over a period
of about 2 seconds, beginning
when your feet are about 5 to 8
feet off the ground.
STRONG WINDS
Remember that in strong winds, the canopy will want to inate harder and
faster, and may inate unexpectedly. Pay attention all the time, keep a
rm grasp on the C risers and use them to keep the canopy on the
ground until you are ready to perform the ination.
Strong Wind Emergency Procedure
The single line save your life (and dignity) maneuver:
In strong winds, when handling the canopy on the ground, you may get
into a situation where controls of the canopy have gotten away from you,
you have been or are about to be dragged off your feet, and are trying to
avoid being dragged across the ground. In this case, grab one line
(whatever you can get yours hands on) and reel it in hand over hand as
you run towards the canopy until you have canopy cloth in your hand. In
this mode, the canopy cannot inate and drag you.
Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 7
Skill Check - Level 2
Unassisted ination & run
(pendulum & direction control)
Smooth transition from ground to air
Direction control in the air
Ability to judge and maintain heading
into wind for landing
Controlled touchdown on feet Into the wind
Canopy deation & immobilization
LEVEL 3
Preparing For Your
First Solo
Pre - Take Off
Know where you are going to land. Check the wind strength and
direction at take off for consistency over ten minutes, before and
then during setting up the glider.
Take Off - Remember the sequence :
Inflation, Control, Speed
Ination: Once the canopy is inated in the overhead position, some
brakes should have been applied to stop the canopy from over-ying
you.
Control: If something does not feel right, or the canopy is out of
control ABORT, before it is too late (be decisive)
Speed: Airspeed means safety, therefore, you should create a sufcient
margin of airspeed before you leave the ground. Provided you have
reached sufcient airspeed, the glider will begin to lift you. A touch of
brakes at this stage will take you off your feet.
DO NOT JUMP. Shufe back into your
harness without pulling on or letting
go of the brakes.
Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 8
IN THE AIR : Congratulations you are flying !!
Follow your flight plan. For the time being, all you need to
worry about is speed to fly, steering (direction control),
and landing
Flying the paraglider at trim speed. Raising
the control handles from this position
increases airspeed
Lowering the controls handles decreases
airspeed
Steering
All steering inputs should be smooth and gradual
To turn left / right, gently pull on the left / right brake and ease up
gently on the right / left brake, leaning into the turn.
Clear your turns and turn in time to make good your landing area.
Do not delay your turns.
Landing
Only takeoffs are optional, landings are mandatory !
Keeping an eye on the wind sock and landing eld, align yourself on
your landing approach.
If you need to lose some height, do so by making S turns, but not
too tight.
Once you are on landing approach (30 feet. approx.) you should not
be turning and should not be ying with much brake fast is safe.
On nal approach (10-15 feet) apply some brakes to slow down
your descent rate and forward speed. Make sure you're heading into
the wind.
At this time your legs should be out and you should be sitting
forward on the edge of your seat.
Now depending on your descent rate and forward speed (between
5-8 feet) Pull both brakes smoothly (are) to arrest your descent
rate and forward motion to make a soft touch down.
The Key :
Stay relaxed and follow instructions
Common mistakes
Not landing into wind: Will cause side travel and higher landing
speeds.
Early Flare: You will drop whatever remaining distance you are
from the ground because your glider is no longer ying, so don't
are too high.
Late Flare: Will result in higher descent rate and higher landing
speeds.
Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 9
Skill Check - Level 3
Consistency in unassisted and committed launch
Ability to make corrections on t/o run
Ability to be decisive and abort when
necessary
Ability to y straight, make turns &
align into wind for landing
Ability to time are for smooth landing
on feet into wind
Proper ight planning and condent
of ying solo
Proper post ight procedures
Pulling down hard on the control handles
to flare the glider for landing
Initiating a left turn Initiating a right turn
Remember to always land on your feet and
into wind.
A perfectly timed flare will result in practically
no forward motion and no significant drop but
a smooth and soft landing.
Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 10
All rights reserved.
No part of this manual may be reproduced
in any manner without the consent of the
author.
Originally introduced in 2001
Revised and updated over the years
Recent edition 2007
Author: Amarjit Malik (Avi)
Chief Flying Instructor,
Temple Pilots
This training manual will be
retained by the school.
Please try and maintain it in good
condition for usage by future student
pilots
TeMple Pilots
Associate Member,
Indian Parachuting Foundation
Cell: 9823384654
y@templepilots.com
www.templepilots.com