Paragliding Tips for EURO PILOTS

[@PhilippeLarcher]

Coming back from col rodella, 1 tip for american pilots in the alps: stop broadcasting, adjust your voice to the minimum necessary to be understood by your interlocutor (please :D)

[@NunchakuPete]

"Broadcasting" war gut! 😁

[@dymanoid]

I hate this! Experienced so many times: a very crowded launch, the best time for taking off, and then he comes, the man in his 50s, most probably German (no offence folks, I'm from Germany too), with an EN-A or a low EN-B wing, the pilot unpacks and extends his wing right in the middle of the takeoff, indeed not connected, puts his stuff around, and starts to make phone calls / pack his rucksack / open his snacks / sort his lines / 10 times connect and disconnect the wing / forget to connect the speed bar and start over the whole procedure from the beginning / mess up with lines / forget to close his 20 year old harness' zippers / and so on and so on. Bassano, Greifenburg, Col Rodella, Kössen, Andelsbuch - the most crowded takeoffs, you will always find those people there!

[@timothee.gigout-magiorani]

He was at La Forclaz the other day :p

[@nickolaymerkin248]

OH YES! They like, no, LIKE, LOVE, ADORE to prepare themselves on the launch site. I don't know why. Maybe there is some evil German school with instructors from the hell, who teach them do this way. Bassano, Oludeniz, everywhere. (No offence folks, but people from other countries are less likely to do that). BTW, did you learn in Russia or in Germany? Don't you know what is the root of this evil? Maybe in other countries people are less polite. Not "uhmm, well, a newbie, let's don't interfere and just silently observe... sir-or-mam, maybe I could help you to prepare a bit faster...", but "hey guy, could you check your stuff off the takeoff area... please!"

[@smurfsky101]

You sbould really adjust the title, its ignorant to think your sampling / experiences in that part of europe represent all europeans . Probably just germans / austrians...

[@nickolaymerkin248]

Third tip. Check your radio. It is not enough to ensure that it is on. You must hear others and others must hear you. Sometimes your headset or tangent may break. You will know about that with some indirect signs - why nobody speaks to me? Sometimes it may happen during flight. Thus, it is good idea to store your radio in direct access to your hands. You will detach the jack and use your radio with its embedded pushbutton and its embedded microphone and speaker. If your radio is in the backsack, you will be in trouble.

[@mraffifpv1685]

As a German I was taught all of this (except the leaving the wing connected thing) during inital training, I'd guess you won't reach the pilots you are talking to on youtube (the type of pilot flying one or two weeks every year, not caring about flying during the other 50 weeks). You will mostly meet them at popular spots in the alps as thats were they know to go. About the leaving the wing connected thing: I sometimes do it sometimes not, mostly during comps and specific trips, in day to day flying I'm switching around gear often so staying connected doesn't help, also a cleanly packed wing doesn't need to be laid out completely to connect, just expose the center A-Line on each side, so about a meter in width is enough. Also I think learning to connect the wing is crucial for beginners so I see no harm in them doing it for every flight. (Altough not on takeoff, people who do this deserve the worst)

[@nickolaymerkin248]

One more tip - about sitting into your harness. Use foot rope. (As your pre-launch checklist does not include "my foot rope", you don't use it). A pod harness has (or can have) a small elastic rope connected to its tip, - to a footrest plate, and ending with a small ball or a knot. Attach the other end of this rope to your shoe, and you will easily catch the tip of your pod with feet. A seat harness can have a footrest bar, - like a speedbar. Often the speedbar is connected to it with a rubber band. Put the footrest between your legs, - one is behind (inside) and another is before (outside). After launching you will easily find the footrest - not somewhere far below and behind the harness, but immediately next to your legs. Push it with an outer foot - and you will sit. During flight, the rubber connection between the footrest and the speedbar helps to find the speedbar with feet. If you do not have original foot rope or footrest bar, it is very easy to make it. Half a meter of elastic band for underwear, and a meter of wide nylon stripe, a question of fifty cents. And so much more comfortable.

[@nickolaymerkin248]

So. My pre-launch checklist - from the bottom to the top. 1. Foot rope - attached. (Or footreest bar - between legs). 2. Main belts - locked and have not entangled with any lines (accelerator and the pod strings). 3. Pod locks - locked. 4. Breast belt - locked. 5. Radio - on AND WORKS. Just one-two-three-anybody-hear-me?-yes-sounds-good!-roger. 6. Helmet - on and locked. Glasses - on. 7. Flight instruments in front of you - on. Immediately on launch: 8. Accelerator - attached, not wrapped around. 9. Brakes - not wrapped around or entangled. 10. A-lines - free. Wingtips - free. 11. In case of backward launch - your turn direction is proper. Then let's go.

[@ThibaultROHMER]

As an european (french) pilot & competitor, I do agree with everything here. Although, being able to use the correct side each time you do a reverse launch (less turn) is a plus.

[@AriintheAir]

@@ThibaultROHMER absolutely brother! The opposite side turn is a good trick to have, but I would say it’s pretty high level and i use it rarely, almost always in a context where im kiting and landing a lot, like wagga. Thanks for chiming in!

[@MaticHrovat]

Ari, a man that brought a spoon to Europe.

[@frederlendrundhaug2989]

I don’t understand the comments about not checking the wing and lines when leaving the wing connected. I never disconnect and will always check the wing/lines. When connected the raiser will never get dragged or rotated after the check, the risk of line overs is also reduced

[@AriintheAir]

@@frederlendrundhaug2989 I know man, as if wings tangle themselves!

[@Chobotification]

@@AriintheAir Whil I agree with you attitude and agree that especially Austria is full of what we call "lemmings" here is a few remarks: For begginers which both start and land in nil winds the "disconnect every time" is the way and therefore that's why it is learned that way. There is several reasons for that: 1. when there is nill wind spreading your wing perfectly from rosary while being already in the harnes might be impossible, novice pilot cannot asses what level of spreading is good enough especially for front start. 2. When you land in nill wind and you are novice pilot the wing often goes over your head so you get trough the lines and you need to sort them out. 3. Dust devils - if you don't know what to do in case you meet one it is better to spend least amount of time possible connected to harness. 4. In Europe it is very popular sport with lots of low airtime pilots (going flying 2x -4x per year). 5. I guess you must have met at least once school pilots, in Europe typical school pilot is not sporty youngster but 50something guy 5. Speaking about Eruropean flight culture while you've been in maybe three countries for two weeks can be considered lets say rude and a bit silly.

[@NunchakuPete]

Yeah you know when paragliding came here to europe 2 years ago nobody could suspect that it would develope so fast and think we´re doin´ a good job but it´s you know it´s still developing you know... give us some time... please... .. . 🤗

[@__AMM__]

Are you afraid of falling rocks during thight proximity cliff soaring or what is the reason for wearing a climbing helmet when paragliding?

[@sarmaoverkarma5053]

Is to prevent injuries on launch and landing mostly

[@AriintheAir]

I wear a climbing helmet cause it is light!

[@wanderflieger]

Could you show how you pack your gilder connected to the harness? Thanks a lot!

[@AriintheAir]

@@wanderflieger i just made this! Its called How to Pack Your XC Wing or something

[@Toffen62]

I agree in all aspects. One think I don’t like is your camera at the helmet and the risk of lines get trapped - what do you think?

[@AriintheAir]

@@Toffen62 definitely a hazard and I think that most people should avoid it. I have 3000 flight hours and filmmaking is important to me, so I do it sometimes but not always

[@PhilippeLarcher]

@@AriintheAir velcro + leash doesnt work for you?

[@nickolaymerkin248]

Oh yes, second tip. ALWAYS PREPARE AND CHECK YOUR ACCELERATOR SYSTEM. Brummel hooks can disconnect while you moved your wing. To prevent that, you can wrap them with a special tubes of elastic fabric (I've made them with my favorite elastic band for underwear), or just with pieces of ductape or medical plaster. Cheap and robust solution. Some people prefer kite locks instead of brummel hooks. Cheaper and robuster, but not for all wings or harnesses (where the hooks are sewn on the ends). Anyway, if you prefer naked brummels, check them immediately before flight. They may disconnect, and they do disconnect. Some people like to fly without speedbar. And some seat harnesses have special utility to hold the speedbar attached to the seat under the pilot's knees. Maybe the reason is "the bar would mess me while I am launching", I don't know. Very bad habit. When you will experience a need in acceleration, you will spend time to release the bar, to catch it with feet, and to ensure that its lines connected to your wing properly. (Or get confused if they are not). You can entangle the lines of the accelerator while you put your harness on. This may result in catastrophe. Please always check - how you put and lock all your belts. It is unbelieveably easy to put the accelerator line under the belt. And after taking off you will not be able to fix it! And you will fly with asymmetric control.

[@jens41600]

those who's flying in Dolomites, have you read NOTAM for the area?

[@anto2699]

Well clearly there is bias on your arguments. Im not shure that you visit all the country in Europe. And the culture in our continent is not a monobloc Italian people are not behaving the same way the German and swiss or French. And I don't talk about Eastern country that I don't know the culture but I'm shure it's also different. Then you cant ask people to behave the same way people do in you country. Some people don't like to talk to much to each other . And may be on the take off they got a ritual that they want to keep to theme self . So yes that a preaty imperial what to think . "Ya mate its better our way and not there's". Apart of that I agree never disconnect you gliders 💪

[@dominicbrown5733]

Did you see people reverse launching with the brakes in the wrong hands, and swapping over as they go to run off/ while running off launch? 🙈

[@dymanoid]

I observe this from time to time. Mostly Austrian and German pilots who learned paragliding like 15-20 years ago. It was kinda the "right" way at that time, so many pilots stick to that behavior. It's dangerous and ugly though.

[@AriintheAir]

@@dominicbrown5733 i did!

[@DrAElemayo]

@@dymanoid What was the reason that this was taught back then?

[@osmera_pg]

@DrAElemayo I think the reasoning behind it was: "you can see the left part of the wing doing something, so use your left hand to correct it" I don't understand that either, because even in the beginning I had no problem to correct with left hand the right part of the wing (yes, I had problems, but not related to left/right problem). The problem with this type of mostly German pilots is, that they not only switch the brakes in the most dangerous part, but they even release both brakes at the same time and then try to catch them again (so they often catch only one brake or when some gust of wind takes them into the air, they fly even completly without brakes. When I was learning PG and my instructor would have seen such behavior he would not have given me a license to fly.

[@PhilippeLarcher]

does euro mean german? :p

[@osmera_pg]

As a European I agree with most of your points, but I think these problems are global. Probably only the Germans and Austrians are a bit lazy, because they have a lot of very wide and nice grass starting places, and they lauch only in almost nil wind, so they don't need to learn everything properly. Even a lot of alpine pilots don't know how to start in the reverse position, they only know how to start facing forward (they even call it "alpine start"

[@vstuhlen]

thanks Ari the wise

[@dutzan]

Well, Europe is very diverse, so i dont think there is an Euro pilot. Besides the different cultures there are also generational differences. In school i also learned to disconnect every time (Switzerland), but changed afterwards to the other way, called by many as "french-style", because its more efficient and has many advantages for hike & fly and alpine environments. but besides i think it is important to always stay open to learn more and improve ones techniques.

[@andrewgridley2693]

Great video! Addressed almost all my pet hates. If you ever fly in the UK you’ll find we don’t follow the European habit of disconnecting the wing. Ironically I was taught by an American USHPA instructor who advocated the disconnection after every flight 😮. Look forward to your next video

[@AriintheAir]

@@andrewgridley2693 hahahaha! Im bad at stereotyping

[@PhilippeLarcher]

UK is windy. I bet southern france would not disconnect either.

[@kristinadegreef7068]

I'm smiling!

[@davidcassells2777]

AMERICA!!!

[@anto2699]

Not so many European's. Juste the swiss and German people are disconnecting the wing Ahah your video is all ready provocative I like it 😂

[@AceMcMoron]

Hahaha, I am not sure about the Swiss, but the Germans do like to take their time hogging the middle of the take-off spots for ages..

[@AriintheAir]

😂 hahaha its true! The swiss and germans have bad reputations in Italy

[@AriintheAir]

Bro most of the italians I see disconnect the glider too. It is a silly habit. In america it is windier on launch and trying to connect it is a dangerous hassle.

[@dutchcondor]

Also in a lot of Dutch schools teach you this way, even teaching you to connect only after first putting on the harness and facing the wing as in reverse launch. See it happen so often people connected risers with a twist because of this.

[@nicolapoco1561]

@@AriintheAir completly true.. they teach to disconnect the glider in school, you get punished if you store it attached. I think the idea behind is that as a beginner you can make mistakes while packing/unpacking. Anyway you see so many people doing it 🙆‍♀

[@bsdjd2408]

jeha we need a amarican guy to tell us how to do it how arrogant you can be

[@AriintheAir]

@@bsdjd2408 jeha brother, jeha on you

[@seosiappa]

👍

[@Itsallgoodtogo]

As an european pilot. I dissagree with the leave your glider connected to your harness. Its always good to inspect your wing before you connect it to the harness as already having it connected to the harness makes it easy to get lazy about it. I know many awsome pilots who leave their gliders connected but I also know many who don't. Guess which ones are top landing back to fix some issiues with their glider more often... Its not the ones who are disconnecting their gliders. Brake handles twisted around the riser ... Yeah. Guilty. Still hapens sometimes on busy launches. People letting go of their brakes to get into the harness is only done by the bad pilots(those can be found anywhere not just europe) AND NOW THE BIGGEST BLUNDER IN ARIs JUDGMENT. Telling an european to smile more.

[@AriintheAir]

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!! The euros are so cold! 🥶 😂

[@bastian230]

I would agree that it should be up to yourself if you want to disconnect your glider or not. I don‘t for many good reasons. So the habit of preparing everything on the launch is what shouldn‘t be done. Even that I leave my glider connected I do prepare aside of the launch and get to launch all geared up and checked. So that I don‘t block other that are already prepared.

[@PhilippeLarcher]

@@AriintheAir the ameros are so loud

[@tomo9908]

People are allowed to take their time before they jump of a mountain. The sentiment that people should launch in a certain way, in which they're not familiar with, such that they can save up maybe 30 seconds of your time, is moronic. Launching is not something you need to rush. If you're all such great pilots, how about YOU go jump of of less crowded/unknown sites instead.

[@AriintheAir]

Oh come on. We're not rushing anyone. When pilots are ready to launch and are laid out, we are patient and affording. You're proving my point precisely, that those who are laid out on launch have the priority, and those not intending to launch should set up out of the way to give people ample space and time to launch safely.

[@SkywalkerPaul]

What?! Here in Germany we learn to disconnect the glider every time. By having to connect your glider every time you go automatically trough all the check steps thus inspecting that everything is ok.

[@Itsallgoodtogo]

100% agree. It also helps with storing your wing. I alway keep my wings seperate from the harness if I'm not sitting in the transport van up the mountain or higking out. I prefere my equipment to not be deformed.

[@anto2699]

@@SkywalkerPaul I'm actually not ok with this . When you disconnect your wing it alow mistake when you put it back on. And a gliders almost never entangle when it's trill on the harness. It's also make the preflight faster. For race and hike and fly competition you never see unattached gliders

[@SkywalkerPaul]

@@anto2699 Competitions are a bad example for correct paragliding. They fly there against all rules.

[@anto2699]

@@SkywalkerPaul actually following the rules is mandatory in competition or your disqualified.

[@SkywalkerPaul]

@@anto2699 Would you launch in those conditions? Did you watch the last X-alps?.

[@Random-es7yo]

I disconnected my wing once. The guide said there are only two types of people disconnect their wing. Gays and Germans. And you are not a German. Probably best he does not get out in public much nowadays TBH. He would be lynched.

[@nickolaymerkin248]

My friend and teacher always disconnects, while I never do. He has twenty five years of experience, I have nine years. And both of us have reasons. So it's not a question, "are you gay or just merry people of Sherwood". Disconnection requires more precise work with risers, you need to preven entangling them (very simple, just connect the risers one to another). It takes time. But it gives some guarantee that you don't roll your harness and therefore don't twist your lines. And you can put your risers into the concertino's pocket, instead of dancing with your harness around packed wing. Connection saves your time... untill you twist. Untwisting would be a bit complicated (what direction to turn? oh no, now they twisted twice). And maybe you will just disconnect, fix, and connect back.

[@BIBIWCICC]

Please stay in America.