by Jeff Goin | May 9, 2020 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety, Reserve Parachute
I’m a huge fan of evidence-based understanding of reality. Evidence comes in levels of quality and knowledge in degrees of certainty. In science, we go where the evidence leads–a trait that has led to the most reliable knowledge in every endeavor. That...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 16: Precision Flying, 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety
When the “ship” hist the fan, don’t have a cow. Lest say you’re flying along in light chop when, out of nowhere, wham! You get whacked by some nasty piece of wild air. Feeling like a helpless marionette under a mischievous puppeteer, you...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety
It looks dangerous for a reason! Phil Russman and I fly powered paragliders (and just paragliders) together a lot. We’ve become rather comfortable working in close proximity—to the point where we can do it consistently and smoothly. It started with camera work...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety
Second only to water, doing steep maneuvering, especially low to the ground, is our sports most dangerous engagement. For many pilots, once they get some time under their belts, it’s fun to explore what’s possible with a powered paraglider. But the risk...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 21, 2019 | 16: Precision Flying, 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety, 26: The Wing
It seems that wings are getting smaller so I thought it might time to explore their behaviors, risks and benefits. I, too, have come to love flying smaller sizes but there are, as always, tradeoffs. What we’re really talking about is flying heavily loaded. After...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 11, 2017 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety
Fatalities | Steep Maneuvering Risk Article | Condolences to the family and friends of a fallen pilot. For the third time this year, a paramotorist has died doing steep maneuvering, making paramotoring as risky as paragliding. This reminds me of the effect speedflying...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2012 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety, 22: Aerodynamics, 26: The Wing, Accident Reports
A Skilled Pilot Piles In, What Can We Learn For more on wings, see Chapter 26: Choosing A Wing | and Overview of Reflex Wings | Pylon Race Collapse Accident All wings are more dangerous with the speedbar fully engaged. Reflex wings, however, are only dangerous in that...
by Jeff Goin | May 30, 2007 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, Accident Reports
Wires claim a paragliding pilot after a wind increase In May, 2007, a pilot died in a paragliding accident during a maneuvers clinic. She flew into high tension wires after increasing winds prevented a return to the planned LZ. This tragedy falls heaviest on the...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2007 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers
Powered Paragliding Pilots “throw down.” In February of this year, while synchro spiraling with Phil Russman, I flew through his wake—a wake strengthened by the 2 G’s we were pulling. My wing surged below me and took a minor collapse. Even though I...
by Jeff Goin | May 13, 2007 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers
I finally did it and took the MacPara Spice 22 (see Review) paraglider through a maneuvers clinic put on by Chris Santacroce. Probably the most important bit to know is how dangerous this stuff is outside of a well-run over water clinic. My guts were nearly handed to...
