Student Pilot...Paragliding an experience

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Sanjay Rao

‘Student Pilot’ - a first hand account by Anita Deshpande

Day 1: My first day of the basic course. We get to know what a paraglider is. How you’re supposed to fly it. Maybe even get to see a few flights. We learn the different parts of the glider, types of wings, leading edge, trailing edge, brakes, lines, harness, etc. How to attach the glider to the harness, very important! Every thing is very new. The feel of the wing, the language used (very technical it may seem), but then you look around and see quite a few faces with the same confused/excited look. If I’m confused and everyone else is with me, we should make a hell of a team. Then ground handling begins, this is basically practising on the ground. The golden rule we learn is , don’t try to fight the movement of the wing. Instead go with it instead. This sport is not about strength you’re told, it’s about finesse.Day 2: Today we begin with one hell of a sore shoulder. But the bug has gotten to us. Your heart wants to fly and your body just follows. So you go through the whole practice routine once more. Forward launch procedures, running ahead with the lines of the wing straining at your back. You run straight into the wind direction and the wing rises. May not happen on your first try but hey! no problem, you get lots of cheers

for your attempts from your fellow batch mates anyway. They all join in to help mushroom the wing after every attempt. Then help spread it out for you. There are a whole lot of encouraging words being shouted back and forth. You feel happy to be a part of this team. That is what keeps you going. The spirit is so alive. Folding the canopy is also very important. - ‘you take care of the wing and the wing will take care of you’.

Day 3: Now you’re going to try what are called hops. No it’s not a joke. It means you get on to a gentle slope and do a forward launch. You’re not at a great height, but you get a few seconds off the ground. To actually get used to the feeling of leaving the ground and being suspended in the air for a few seconds is really enthralling. That’s when you realise that ground handling is far more difficult than actual flying. ‘Better you are at ground handling the better you are at flying’.

Day 4: So today is the day you might get to fly. You’re heart’s racing and it’s not just because of the climb uphill (200 ft approximately). You strap on the harness and go through a checklist that has been drilled into your head. Put on your helmet, gloves; check wind direction, confirm your flying circuit with the instructor and then, finally - you’re ready to take-off. I think myself very lucky to have had my first flight straight into a sunset. Colours running riot in the sky, reflections of the sun in the clouds and cool breeze in your face. It still feels like a dream……… Ran hard and took off. Wow! What a feeling. It’s so breathtaking, you forget to be scared. Then you hear the instructor’s voice in your earphones - immediately your brain takes over. Apply right brake, then left and before you know it the ground is rushing to you. You apply brakes and land gently on your feet and feel the wing settle peacefully behind you. A good landing, a good flight. My first taste of freedom. I’m hooked !!!.

Day 5: Get to learn more about site assessment. Every day we have been having

theory sessions. Each of us studies from the manual. We continuously discuss each others flights and learn from each others mistakes. From the birds too! It’s fun watching the birds flying and figuring out flying conditions from them. This is what it must mean to be in harmony with Mother Nature. At the end of the day you are exhausted, but feeling tired never felt so good.

The beauty of this sport is that its so easy to learn, and with the right attitude it can become a very fulfilling experience. I could never imagine being able to fly after just a few days of instruction, high above the mountain ridges, all by myself, so tranquil yet so thrilling. This is what I love about flying, to feel the wind in my face and soar with the birds. It’s one helluva feeling.

Having finished my basic course I’m now a ‘student pilot’ - looking forward to flying at other sites and having a lot of fun!!!

Anita Deshpande is a marketing executive living in Mumbai. She completed her basic paragliding course in Feburary 1998 and has been flying ever since with Nirvana Adventures. ( e-mail : anita_deshpande@hotmail.com)

Nirvana Adventures Web Site : http://www.india-pulse.com/nirvana

E-mail : srao@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in

Tel/Fax : 91-22-6493110