Paragliding

Just started to learn paragliding this summer. I'm terrified of heights and figured this would be a good way to help with that. Though, I learned to SCUBA dive to help with my fear of water and I'm still terrified of going in the ocean... Just 18 flights in and I'm still nervous every time.

Any other paragliders here?

 

Not paragliders, but hang gliders:



My wing:



Long story, but the summary is that I haven't flown in a few years. And yes, I am nervous every time I go up. I'm an H2.

 

Hang gliding is our sister sport. Our club in Eastern WA is comprised primarily of paragliders, but the few hang gliders out here are included as members. Similar sports, but definitely more intensity to hang gliding.

 

Never done paragliding, just parachuting. I'm at 11 o'clock in the black, yellow and orange:

 

I fly my Air Command Gyrocopter but even that feels sketchy sometimes.

 

Paging @FlyingWolfe

 

I hang glide and fly powered aircrafts (25 years now). I did PG about five years ago briefly so I dont think that counts.

 

Yeah, but your love for flying might help OP with the nerves.

 

Thats fair.
Im terrified of heights, husband is a pilot and is also afraid of heights, as well as 90% of the pilots we’re friends with. The biggest thing that helps is to trust your gear, know that you have a reserve and practice deployments hanging in your harness so you know where your handle is without thinking about it, and never stop learning. Kite often and practice forwards and reverses as much as possible. I watched a full collapse and failed reserve throw because the dude hadnt repacked in several years, he landed hard in the trees but walked away.. REPACK AND MAINTAIN YOUR CHUTE.

 

A little fun over Chicago...

 

Stand up! Hook up! Count off! Shuffle!
Miss the Army days

 

Finally got to take my own glider out. Sadly haven't had many opportunities due to unfavorable wind conditions in my area.

 



 



 

I think I'm done with gyro's, may buy a Kit Fox

 

Were you a Black Knight?

 

No, sir!!!

I was teaching an Air Support class at a K9 conference in Chicago and happened to run into a pilot for the Black Team in an elevator at my hotel. We got to chatting, and he was saying they were there for an air show that weekend. I was kinda joking around w/him (as I didn't think it was something they'd entertain) but I asked if they ever allow civilians to tandem jump w/them at events.. and if so, would there be any way I could go up w/them for a jump??

Surprisingly, he said that it's quite common for them to have a civilian jump w/them at those events... But, it was his understanding, they already had a dignitary from the City (of Chicago) scheduled for that day. I ended up handing him my business card w/contact info and just told him on the off chance if they have room for a second or if the other guy cancels, I'd love to go up w/them. I get a call a couple of hours later, and he basically tells me that he can't guarantee a jump, but at a minimum, if I could find my way to the airport (they were flying out of Gary, IN) the next morning, I'd be able to spend some time w/the team at the hangar and go up as a passenger for a 'fly-along'...

Unfortunately, the other dude showed up, so I couldn't jump... But, I spent a few hours w/those dudes and some of their family at the hangar, got to go up w/them for their first jump that day, and was able to spend some time with them in the air during their first exhibition.

I had a great time, and have to say it was a really great group of dudes. They were extremely professional, humble, and just seemed very 'welcoming' in nature. Getting to hang out with them for a short period was one of the highlights of my trip