How to Paraglide

Last Updated: June 6, 2022

Paragliding is an extreme sport in which pilots fly propelled only by wind and gravity. Paragliding is not a sport that you can learn independently. You must learn how to paraglide under the direct supervision of a certified instructor. Throughout the process of learning how to paraglide, you will work towards achieving different ratings. The five ratings include a Student Paragliding Rating (P-0), a Beginner Paragliding Rating (P-1), a Novice Paragliding Rating (P-2), an Intermediate Paragliding Rating (P-3), and an Advanced Paragliding Rating (P-4).^{[1]
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Part 1

Part 1 of 5:

Acquiring a Student Paragliding Rating (P-0)

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Fly tandem with a certified instructor. The first step towards mastering the sport of paragliding is to fly tandem with a certified instructor. A successful tandem flying experience qualifies you to receive your Student Paragliding P-0 rating. This rating allows you to fly solo under the direct supervision of a certified instructor.^{[2]
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Research source} To schedule a tandem flight, contact a qualified paragliding school.
- You do not any prior experience to embark on a tandem flight.
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Acquire and demonstrate a basic understanding of paragliding. To obtain a P-0 rating, you must demonstrate to your instructor that you have acquired a basic understanding of paragliding equipment, techniques, and skills. These include:
- Understanding and accepting the risks of tandem paragliding.
- Understanding the acts of launching, flying, and landing.
- Understanding the mechanics of brakes and risers.
- Understanding the deployment of a backup parachute.^{[3]
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Demonstrate your ability to listen to and work with your instructor. When flying tandem, it is imperative that you cooperate with your instructor. To obtain a P-0 rating, you must:
- Follow the instructions and commands of your instructor.
- Only touch the paraglider in the areas indicated by the instructor.
- Demonstrate that you understand that you must run with your instructor to launch the paraglider.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 5:

Acquiring a Beginner Paragliding Rating (P-1)

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Attend a basic ground school and pass a written exam. In order to receive a Beginner Paragliding Rating (P-1), you must enroll in a basic ground school. These courses are offered by certified paragliding schools. While attending this school, you will acquire the knowledge necessary to pass a Beginner Paragliding written exam, such as the skills required to assess weather and wind conditions.^{[5]
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Demonstrate basic skills and knowledge of the canopy. To obtain a p-1 rating, you must demonstrate your ability to master the canopy, or sail. The skills you must master include:
- The ability to properly layout a canopy and harness preflight.
- The ability to launch a canopy under control.^{[6]
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- The ability to remain connected to the canopy while remaining clear of lines and risers (the points at which the lines attach to the harness) prior to inflation.^{[7]
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- The ability to deflate, immobilize, disconnect, and remove the canopy.
- The ability to properly pack, store, and care for the canopy.^{[8]
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Launch, fly, and land independently under the direct supervision of a certified instructor. To obtain your P-1 rating, you must also demonstrate your ability to launch, fly, and land a paraglider solo.
- When launching, your inflation run must be smooth and exhibit your confidence. You must maintain directional control and control of the pendulum. Your transition from running to flying must be smooth.^{[9]
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- You must complete two flights that exhibit your ability to maintain a constant airspeed, fly smoothly and straight towards a predetermined target, and land safely into the wind.
- You must complete two flights that exhibit your ability to handle variations in airspeed and land safely into the wind.^{[10]
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Receive a P-1 rating. When you have completed all the beginner tasks, you will receive a P-1 rating. This rating permits you to fly under the direct supervision of a certified instructor in winds of 12 MPH or less. Your flights paths must be straight and relatively free of obstructions.^{[11]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 5:

Acquiring a Novice Paragliding Rating (P-2)

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Attend at least eight hours of ground school theory courses. To obtain your Novice Paragliding Rating (P-2), you must enroll in a complete at least 8 hours of ground school theory courses. These courses prepare you to take the written Novice exam. In these courses, you will acquire theoretical and practical information on the following subjects:
- Weather—observing and monitoring local weather.
- Launches—considering air density, slope, wind factors, and angles of attack.
- Danger signs—identifying high winds, dust storms, smoke, and shifting wind directions.
- Landing—considering air density, wind directions, and various approach techniques.
- Equipment—understanding the importance of packing food, water, and wind instruments.
- Site orientation—learning how to familiarize yourself with the protocols and layout of a site.
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Present a log of at least 25 flights. In order to receive your P-2 rating, you must demonstrate that you are capable of lowering your canopy between flights. Your log will serve as proof of your ability to do so. Present your certified instructor with a log of your flights that contains at least 25 separate entries.^{[12]
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Demonstrate your mastery of 26 individual skills. To obtain your P-2 rating, you must demonstrate your ability to complete 26 distinct skills. The skills include, but are not limited to:
- Providing an accurate analysis of general site conditions, flight plans, and potential obstacles.
- Demonstrate 5 consecutive forward inflations and 5 consecutive backwards inflations.
- Complete 180° turns in each direction.
- Complete 5 landings within 25 feet of a predetermined target.
- Explaining proper canopy maintenance, adapting a flight path, and the rules of traffic.^{[13]
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Receive a P-2 rating. Following your completion of all the requirements, you will receive a P-2 rating. This rating permits you to fly without the direct supervision of a certified instructor. However, you must observe strict operating limitations. These limitations include:
- You must maintain visual contact with the landing zone.
- You may not fly when base winds exceed 12 MPH.
- You may not fly when peak gusts exceed 15 MPH.
- You may not fly when the maximum gust rate reaches 5 MPH within 5 second.^{[14]
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Part 4

Part 4 of 5:

Acquiring an Intermediate Paragliding Rating (P-3)

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Meet the log requirements. To obtain an Intermediate Paragliding Rating (P-3), your long must contain the following:
- At least 30 logged flying days
- At least 90 flights
- At least 20 hours of solo airtime^{[15]
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Demonstrate your mastery of paragliding theories and skills. To receive a P-3 rating you must be proficient in several paragliding protocols, theories, and skills. In addition to demonstrating your abilities, you must also pass the Intermediate Paragliding written exam. These theories and skills you must master include, but are not limited to:
- The ability to analyze and explain the conditions of your site and flight plan.
- The ability to maintain complete control during inflations of the canopy, launches, and landings.
- The ability to complete 360° turns in each direction.
- The ability to vary and control your airspeed at different wind rates.^{[16]
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Receive your P-3 rating. After completing all the requirements, you will receive your P-3 rating. This rating signifies that you are capable of assessing sites and determining whether your training has equipped you to fly. This rating still subjects you to adhering to operating limitations, such as avoiding steep turns near the ground.^{[17]
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Part 5

Part 5 of 5:

Acquiring an Advanced Paragliding Rating (P-4)

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Meet the log requirements. To obtain an Advanced Paragliding Rating (P-4), which permits you to fly technically challenging flights, you must meet the following log requirements:
- 250 logged flights
- 5 intermediate level flights at 5 distinct sites, 3 of which must be inland flights
- At least 80 logged flying days
- At least three intermediate level 1 hour flights from 2 distinct locations in thermal lift without sustaining ridge lift.
- At least one intermediate level 1 hour flight in ridge lift without sustaining thermal lift
- At least 75 hours of logged airtime
- Flown at least 5 different canopies^{[18]
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Demonstrate your mastery of advanced skills. To obtain your P-4 rating, you must pass the Advanced Paragliding written examine and sign waiver assuming the risk for advanced paragliding. You must also exhibit mastery of these advanced skills:
- The ability to prepare your harness, canopy, and backup reserve parachute.
- The ability to analyze and report conditions.
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The ability to create and execute a flight plan.
- The ability to remain connected to the paraglider while remaining clear of lines and risers.
- The ability to maintain control over all inflations and launches.
- The ability to complete smooth and safe landings on your feet.
- The ability to complete figure 8 turns.
- The ability to land within 10 feet of a target at least 3 times.
- The ability to complete and reverse 360° turns at various wind speeds.
- The ability to collapse the wings up to 50% while maintaining directional control.
- The ability to prove to an instructor that you are not a risk to spectators, other pilots, or the site.^{[19]
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Receive your P-4 rating. After completing all the necessary requirements, you will receive your P-4 rating. This rating signifies that you have the skills and knowledge to assess and fly technically demanding sites. The operating limits for a P-4 pilot include remaining 30 feet away from another glider in smooth air conditions and 100 feet from another glider in turbulent air conditions.^{[20]
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Community Q&A

Question

Why do USHPA ratings require so much training? Most people can get a sport or private pilot's license in twenty-five hours. The student solo certificate in fifteen to twenty hours.

Community Answer

For paragliding in the U.S., you can get a USHPA P-2 rating with 30-45 flights depending on opportunities to demonstrate required skills. During this time, a flight could be what is called a sled ride and last as little as 3 minutes, or if one is lucky last a 1-2 hours. It took me about 40 flights (approx 6.5 hours of actual flying time) before I received a P-2 rating. Once you have a P-2 rating, you can fly without supervision but to ensure safety at this level one should fly in conditions recommended for this rating. Also you are really soloing from the 1st flight (Unless the first flight is a tandem), so really it's easier to be a paraglider pilot if you live in certain areas.

Warnings

DO NOT wear hiking boots with lace hooks as they can snag on the lines of the paraglider - eyelets, D-rings and webbing for laces are better.

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