Read any books you can get your hands on, watch all the YouTube videos you can manage, talk to pilots, email schools, reach out in any way that you can. Most pilots and instructors are happy to talk about the sport with other eager pilots or just interested people. 

Do your homework and be ready when your training starts. The more prepared you are as a student, the quicker your skills will develop and the sooner you will be flying.
 

Most schools have gear available for the training process and its use is included in the cost of your P2 training course. If not, it is wise to carefully consider what gear will be best suited for your initial beginner skill level as well as what kind of flying you intend to do. 

Almost all paragliding wing manufacturers make several quality beginner level gliders. Current options that any instructor would recommend include: Ozone, Gin, Nova, Advance, Skywalk, Niviuk, and the list goes on. Talk with your instructor about gear purchase options, if you are limited to a certain budget there is a good chance that decent used gear can be found. 

Everything you need for your training will be provided, so don't feel obligated to get anything ahead of time. 

***The best instructors give you all the tools, skills, tricks, and every last bit of helpful information they can. Be wary of any instructor that claims one way is best or one piece of gear is best.***

In recent years there have been many changes to the way schools, sites, clubs, and events are afforded insurance to cover the inherent risks with this sport. As a result, school and instructor options have become more limited and expensive.

With this in mind it is paramount that you do your homework when researching where to do your training. Ask lots of questions, talk to someone at the school, talk to former students, look for instructors who have received the USHPA Instructor of the Year Award, and above all else: go meet with the instructor(s) you will be working with. Some schools even allow a day of training for free to determine if you will be a good fit with the system and approach that the school uses. 

Regardless, be sure to look at as many options as you can before spending any money. Some of the best schools offer credit towards gear purchases when you do your P2 training with them - and you will definitely be needing gear as soon as you finish your training, if not before.

 

The educational material contained in this guide is in NO WAY meant to replace the hands-on experience an individual can get from a school, facility, or trained instructor. Please use this information as a companion to your daily training and more practice only. The intent of this guide is to enhance the student experience and help create a more consistent standard of education in the P2 training process for pilots in the United States.
 

A paraglider is officially an aircraft and you are the pilot in command of your aircraft. It is the instructor’s responsibility to guide and advise you during the beginning phase of your paragliding training, however as the pilot in command of your aircraft you need to pay attention at all times. The entry level gliders that you will be flying during your training are very forgiving, but they are still potentially dangerous without the right focus and attention. You need to be prepared to start learning how to give the proper input at the appropriate time. 

You will have a radio during your flights so the instructor can actively guide you through various procedures such as getting comfortable in the seat, making turns, and setting up for landing. These procedures can be challenging at first, so give yourself time to relax and be patient. It is easy to get frustrated with the glider, the conditions, etc... but the goal is for you to learn how to fly safely, confidently, and intelligently for many years to come. So be patient with yourself, everyone learns at their own pace and no one can learn for you. 

During the early stages of the training process the inputs required to control the glider may seem counterintuitive. Your instructor is there to help guide you through developing a whole new set of instincts. Keep in mind that it is OK to feel a little apprehensive - it is completely normal. A positive attitude will help you and the instructor stay motivated and excited throughout the training process. Remember that you are outside, not working, and doing something that very few people in the world ever experience. Keep things in perspective and have a good time! 

Simulator 

Before you take your first flight, and usually before you ever connect to a glider, you will be fitted with a harness and given an opportunity to clip it to a simulator to ensure a proper fit and function. There are many different simulator designs out there and all serve the same basic function: to simulate being connected to a paraglider in flight. 

Some instructors utilize the simulator to help new students get a sense for what flying a paraglider feels like once you leave the ground. At busy sites and schools, simulators are used on a regular basis to help pilots of all levels better understand transitioning from standing to sitting, demonstrating proper body posture and weight shift, practicing reserve tosses, and fine tuning the fit of a new harness. 

Log Book 

Be sure to log all of your flights - no matter how short they might be. Log books will help you keep track of the number of flights you have completed, the hours you have accumulated, and skills you have learned. Any log book you keep current will be useful when working toward a new rating or skill sign-off. It is up to you to keep track of all your flights, hours, and skills. If you have no record of your accomplishments you will have to do them again. Feel free to use an official USHPA log book, a log book app, a simple notebook, or anything that you can keep handy and with your paraglider gear. Carry it with you any time you plan to go flying so you can make a note of your flights they happen. 

Some pilots choose to also keep a wing log - they may own several paragliders, a used paraglider, or plan to sell their gear at some point in the future. With that in mind, it is best to have an accurate count of the hours the glider has been flown. A paraglider can change hands many times before it is no longer airworthy, so having a log dedicated to a specific wing can help keep track of how much life it has left in it. 

Interacting With Your Instructor 

Not every school or instructor is a perfect fit for every student. The best instructors will understand this fact and make every effort to find the best way to teach you to fly safely. If you feel like you aren’t getting the best quality of instruction, don’t be afraid to talk to your Instructor about your concerns. Effective communication between you and your instructor is critical for your success as a paraglider pilot-in-training. Be honest and be prepared to listen with an open mind. 

Hands On 

Now that you have some of the basics, its time to get your hands dirty and start kiting a glider - so bring gloves! There are lots of different tips and tricks for developing solid ground handling skills, but all come from lots of time spent with the glider. Nothing replaces spending time kiting your glider, the best pilots in the world have the most impressive ground handling skills. 

Listen to your instructor!! The sooner they see you handling the glider with confidence, the sooner they will get you in the sky. 

Bring water and food! You will be outside exerting yourself, so keep that in mind when getting supplies ready for your day. Sunscreen is usually a good idea too. 

Skill Development 

• Laying out the wing 

• Clipping in to the harness 

• Identifying the “A” risers, rear risers, brakes 

• Forward Inflations 

• Reverse Inflations 

• Turning to face the glider, turning to face forward 

• Maintaining good control of the glider

 

The most important part of your first week of training is learning how to control the glider on the ground. 

YOU WILL NOT FLY SOLO until you demonstrate solid ground handling/kiting skills both in the reverse and forward position. The sooner you “get it” and learn how to feel the glider and respond with the proper inputs, the sooner you will leave the ground. 

Ground handling - also called kiting - will allow you to develop an intuitive understanding of the glider. In the air, gravity and your weight do most of the work for you. On the ground, you have to move with and control the glider in order to stay centered beneath it. If you don’t stay centered under your glider, it may rotate quickly off to one side. Practicing your ground handling will help you feel where the glider is without having to look at it. When you have the “feel” of the glider, you can anticipate what it is going to do and make an input before the glider gets too far off center. These skills translate directly to launching and landing and will make you a better pilot. It is easy to only want to fly once you get your rating but practicing ground handling is essential for a long and safe flying career. Your ability to control the glider in a variety of conditions and situations will add to your range of appropriate launching and flying conditions as well as increase your comfort level. 

The Paraglider 

Familiarize yourself with the parts of the paraglider. Take time to visually inspect any glider you plan on flying. What does the fabric feel like? Does it have that “still crispy” sound? Are there any visible signs of wear on the lines or risers? You are trusting your life with this piece of gear, don't be afraid to get up close and personal with it. 

Key terms:

- Leading Edge, Trailing Edge - front and rear edges of the glider 

- Risers - the heavy nylon webbing that connects glider to harness with carabiners -A, B, C, & Brake lines - each set of lines is connected to the quick links on the upper end of the risers -Cell Openings - the gap in fabric at the leading edge of the glider 

- Cascades - the points along each set of lines where they split

- Big Ears line - the outermost A line that is isolated on most gliders and both sides are pulled simultaneously to create “Big Ears” 

- Stabilo line - the outermost B line that is usually a different color and connects to the outer tip of the glider. 

- Chord - the width of the glider from leading edge to trailing edge -Span - the length of the glider from tip to tip -Aspect Ratio - The ratio of the Chord divided by the Span 

The Harness 

This is the first piece of gear you will interact with before every flight. Being comfortable in your harness - both standing and sitting - is an important part of getting started. 

There are many different harness manufacturers with lots of different styles of harness out there and most make a solid product. Regardless of which company’s gear you choose to buy, be sure to understand its advantages and disadvantages for the kind of flying you plan to do. 

The most important parts to be aware of for training purposes are the buckle system, the speed system, if there is a stirrup, and the location of the reserve handle. Take a close look at the harness you will be using each day (it may be different) and be sure to ask questions if anything looks out of place.