Information on Flying Tandem in a Paraglider

• Boots or shoes with ankle support and traction are required. I have some Loaners, but it is preferable that you bring your own for the best fit. I have the following sizes (Ladies 7, Mens 7, 9, 10.5, 12) If you do not have boots, let me know and I can bring the proper pair for you.
• Wear layered clothing and wear full pants (no shorts), the coast can be in the high 50s when other parts of the Bay Area are in the 80s.
• Fluids to drink and a brown bag lunch are a good idea (especially when there are multiple sign ups). If you have your own bike helmet, please bring it and this will give you a perfect fit and eliminate sizing issues.
• Cameras can be brought for in flight pictures. A teather is recommended for your personal camera to your harness.
• If you bring a pet, a leash and person to watch are required while you are in the air.

You will need to follow the instructions of the Tandem Pilot. Do not grab any of the lines or webbing above your head unless the Pilot is guiding you in flight lessons. Make sure you are clear on the instructions for how to transition from the launch position to the flying position and visa versa for landing.

How a Paraglider Launches and Lands:
A Paraglider is a parafoil wing. It launches similar to how a kite is launched. In light winds, Pilots normally do a "Forward Launch", and in strong winds, pilots do a "Reverse Launch". In either launch technique, the pilot and passenger accelerate together to reach a good flying speed for take off.

Forward Launch: The Pilot and Passenger are lined up under the wing both facing forward. The Paraglider wing is layed out behind in a horeshoe shape. When the wind is right and the Tandem Pilot decides to take off, both the Pilot and Passenger must run forward together. At first, as the wing climbs overhead, the wing will not allow much forward progress. But, as the wing gets fully overhead, the Pilot and Passenger will be able to accelerate together down the hill. They must run efficiently together until the glider is well clear of the ground. Somtimes the wind can gust abit during the run and then die slightly. This is why it is important to keep running until well clear of the ground.

After launching the passenger will need to do two things. One is sliding their arms under the tandem spreader bars (I show people how this works at the site). After this is done, the passenger will also need to get seated in their harness. When the take off occurrs, the pilot and passenger are both securely in their harnesses via their leg straps. To get fully into the harness, it is necessary to pull the bottom of the harness underneath the seat area. I show the passengers where to grab the harness for this.

Reverse Launch: When there is wind above about 8 or 10 MPH, reverse launches are generally preferred. This is always the case for Cliff / Ridge Soaring flights. In a reverse launch, the pilot will turn to face the wing, but the passenger will be facing the cliff or launch point. The reason the pilot faces the wing is to have more leverage for pulling the wing overhead. When the pull-up begins, the passenger will try to aid the pilot in pulling the wing up, by bending their waist, leaning forward and using their legs to drive forward. If the wind is stronger, as the wing comes up, both the Pilot and Passenger may get pulled a few steps backward. Both are trying to resist this and maintain their position. Once the wing is overhead, the backwards pull will stop. The Pilot will then rotate back to facing forward. The passenger can now slip their arms under the tandem spreader bars (I show people how this works at the site). Both the Pilot and Passenger can proceed to run off of the Launch. Because of the wind, running is difficult and the take off will normally occur at a fast trot as the cliff is reached. It is important to keep the legs moving and ready to move until well clear of the ground.

During the launch, I will sometimes need to have the passenger move slightly to the left or right. During the entire process of the launch, for communication, forward is defined as straight toward the cliff or launch point. "Left", is facing forward to the left. "Right", is facing foward to the right.

Landings: Prior to landings, the passenger must drop back into their leg straps.. This is the oposite of pulling the bottom of the harness under the seat. It is accomplished by simply straightening the legs and torso to a vertical position. This is necessary because in the normal seated position, running and landing are not going to work. I will remind them to drop into the leg straps during the landing approach

A Paraglider will land into the wind. The pilot will pull the Brakes down on the glider to slow the descent and forward speed as much as needed just above the ground. In light winds, running is sometimes necessary. In stronger winds, landing rarely require running, but on every landing the Pilot and Passenger need to be prepared to run.

How speed and steering is controlled in a Paraglider:  
Both speed and steering of a Paraglider is controlled mainly through the brake lines. Brake lines are lines that go up from the control (aka. brake) handles and cascade up to the back edge of the wing. By pulling the brakes down, the speed of the Paraglider is reduced. If one brake is pulled down and the other is left up, the Paraglider will turn in the direction of the brake pulled down. Steering can be further enhanced by leaning the body in combination with use of the brakes. When you go tandem, you should not grab or pull on any of the risers or lines.

The Reserve Chute:
Paraglider pilots have reserve parachutes usually attached at the rear of the harness. A reserve chute is used only if there is some form of failure that would make the Paraglider unflyable. A reserve chute is designed to save a pilot, or in a Tandem, the pilot and passenger's lives. The reserve parachute is normally mounted on the side of the pilot's harness near the hip. The reserve is deployed via a strong throw from the pilot. FYI, I have never had to deploy a reserve parachute ever in single or tandem flight. If the reserve was deployed in a Tandem Paraglider, both the pilot and passenger would descent together. With some systems, the passenger would hang from the pilot, in other systems, both would be supported below both or one of the spreader bars.

Paragliding, Glider Certification and the FAA:
The FAA does not normally allow dual place flying for crafts such as Hang Gliders and Paraglider. However, the FAA has granted the United States Hang Gliding an exemption from this. Under this exemption, USHGA self regulates Tandem flights. Part of this exemption is that the FAA does not certify the airworthiness of Paragliders. Gliders are certified by the Hang Glider Manufacturers Association HGMA, ACPULS, DHV or SHV. Most of these are European based bodies that have a series of tests for glider certification.