'Feet Wet' paragliding flying fun East Scotland

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Comment by Murray Hay on November 17, 2008 at 3:58pm

Don't worry! The only other club member to attempt this level of technical launch is Alan Coffin.

By the end of a year taining with a certain well known 'sporting association' (during which he booked into a B&B so he could train on both Sat & Sun) he had a couple of hours airtime and hadseen enough accidents/close calls to decide that certain PG training was unsafe..... a couple of years ago he started re-training with me, averaging THREE & a HALF hours airtime per training day... he now flys over 100hrs per year and has 3 gliders ranging from a 1-2 to a 2/3...

You may find it informative to look at the tandem & student / re-trained members video clips on ParaVideo 'dot' co 'dot' uk

Comment by Jon M Bishop on November 17, 2008 at 3:42pm

I have a long way to go to join you on such launching adventures!

Comment by Murray Hay on November 17, 2008 at 3:35pm

Hi Jon, it certainly shows how easy it is to launch in any location/situation provided the pilot understands the physics of PG aerodynamics :-)

One of our cliff launches has 'restricted' space avaliable at the top of the 200+ft cliff... so the only way to launch from the cliff top is to lay the wing just behind (about 2ft) the cliff... while I stand in land from the cliff next the fence/path... using the 'rotor' to build the wall....

My standard X-Brake Double Bouncing Reverse Launch sees the wing flying up overhead... while a tiny touch of right brake has the wing spinning 140* to face into the wind 25ft above the cliff top.....

Then a slow 'gentle tip toe' forward and pick the perfect moment to launch off the cliff...

Comment by Jon M Bishop on November 17, 2008 at 3:21pm

one of the more creative launch techniques I've seen!