Old Guy Paragliding-Flying the Advance Lightness 3 pod harness

[@Bob_just_Bob]

Thanks for posting this. I'm also an Old Guy. Who gave up (retired) from a career of flying helicopters, but to keep myself in the air I took up paragliding around the beginning of the Pandemic and really love it. I too have been in the Advance camp from the start. Now on my Epsilon 9 and Success 5 But now after starting XC last October with a guided trip in Bir Billing, India, I feel it is time to get into a pod harness. I tried one for an afternoon last summer and really enjoyed it so recently I started looking at the same ones you mentioned. The Weightless and the Lightness. For the same reason, I'm thinking the Weightness, as nice as it is, might be a mistake so I am also considering the Lightness 4 which is due out next month. I've a couple of friends flying the Weightless and they both love it. And for one of them, it stood up quite well on a tree landing without any damage so it might be tougher than you think. I'm just thinking the Lightness will have a bit more safety padding for that 1 kg of extra weight it's sporting. Your video is making me think the Lightness 4 will be the correct decision. Thanks

[@loums52]

I’m wondering how the Lightness 4 will be different. Perhaps the weightless would have been fine but I really have been enjoying the Lightness 3. I know you won’t be disappointed either way. Thanks for your comments and watching! 🪂

[@pgnewfoundland]

Great review of what to think about going to a pod.

[@loums52]

Thanks for watching!🪂

[@demosthene51]

I'm following your footsteps from the other side of the pond. Easiness, now with an Epsilon DLS. And eyeing at the Lightness 3 as my first pod.

[@loums52]

I was really surprised on how much I enjoyed flying this harness from the moment I launched. I still have my Easiness 3 and Boundless (and will keep both) but for now I can’t wait to fly the pod. I also love the new DLS series from Advance. Best wishes and thanks for watching!🪂

[@SkywalkerPaul]

I can't wait for the Airdesign Sock harness Test 😊

[@loums52]

It does look interesting!

[@janismateuss]

Nicely set up pod harness will also give a noticeable advantage when gliding, similar to stepping up a class of wing. So it's free performance, in terms of safety risk, unlike changing wing class.

[@loums52]

Thanks!

[@SkywalkerPaul]

Truth!

[@YankeeinSC1]

Hey Lou, nice review. I recently added a pod to my gear stack too, but wow is my "kit", as the Britts say, heavy. It's taken me right to 100% loading on 30m wings that I own. Anyhow after a recent trip to S.A. it took a few days to make peace with adjustments beyond simulator hanging. Getting in without standing on bar and learning the more subtle nuances of how the pod flys vs. my open harness was a pretty steep learning curve. It all paid off on the final day with a crush of previous personal bests... altitude gained, distance flown and time aloft. I see that my MacPara Haven (also a carbon plate seat pod) weight is almost 2kg more!!!! Pluss side? it's like sitting in the cross between an F1 McLaren and an oversize Lazyboy lounge chair.

[@loums52]

I do love the reclined feeling and felt very comfortable right away but the true test will be on more thermal days with some turbulence. Glad your harness came through for you and as soon as it stops raining here (a week of rain!), I’ll be out and hoping for my own personal bests! If I had one wish, it would be to test all the great products out there…Thanks for watching and the feedback…🪂

[@HeyItsPM]

😮 is that La Jolla? i'd recognize that shoreline anywhere! i'm out by the cove. had no idea there was paragliding out of what looks like Torrey Pines? thanks for sharing! subscribed 😊 P.S. oh haha you did mention where you were flying out of, just got to the point where you captioned "Torrey Pines Gliderport" 😅. how cool. definitely have to check that out soon.

[@loums52]

Yes…Torrey Pines Gliderport. There used to be even sailplanes years ago and one could soar the ridge all the way to Del Mar and even north of there depending on the winds. The powers that be don’t allow that anymore. It’s quite the “flying circus” when the tandem pilots are giving rides during the weekends. Thanks for watching!

[@theflyinggauntlet]

Great review. I have literally upgraded from my Progress 3 and Alpha 6 to an Epsilon DLS and Lightness 3. I am interested in seeing where you connected the shock cord to assist with getting in your harness.

[@loums52]

It’s interesting that the Lightweight speed bag already has a cord attached but it’s optional for the standard speed bag. I attached it to the left front part of the footboard and the end of the strap attached to the outside left portion of my shoe (this seems to be how the manual illustrates it). There is no separate attachment strap but I used the strap where another line was attached. There are separate attachment straps in the back part of the footboard but attaching it here did not work for me and I’m not sure why there are separate straps at these locations? Perhaps you have insights for this. So far I love the harness but unfortunately our area has had rain over the last 2 weeks! Can’t wait to get out again. Thanks for watching.

[@theflyinggauntlet]

@loums52 Thanks Lou. Yup, rained out here in the UK too. I was supposed to be in Colombia but had to cancel due to issues at home. Still, I am off to Algeria in April and Annecy in May. Also planning to Fly in South Africa in early November.

[@loums52]

@@theflyinggauntlet have great flying trip!

[@lukegleeson5899]

Hi, which harness your lightness 3 or progress 3 would you say has better weight shifting?

[@loums52]

The lightness 3 seems better at weight shifting for me. Being a pod harness, it seems to carve through the turns better and I have more feel for it. In thermal conditions I also feel more comfortable in bumpy conditions. I thought the pod would take longer to get used to but I really liked it right off the bat. The Advance Boundless that I have also weight shifts very well with its seat board. It really depends what you’re looking for as both the Progress and Boundless are traditional reversible upright harnesses and the Lightness 3 is a hammock style pod. Thanks for watching!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Be careful on landing - the foam protector on this harness (and many other lightweight pod harnesses) is not very effective (gets a pretty bad 45G on certification), and this is compounded by having the rescue in the back, forming an ideal hard point to shatter a vertebra. I unfortunately know from experience with this harness, landing in rotor at the end of an XC flight (my fault), and having a not-so-hard impact yet burst vertebra requiring surgery and bolts and rods. Impact point was on the rescue in the back. Be extra careful with your landings!

[@loums52]

Thanks for the info and heads up! 👍

[@KevinMasao]

Do you plan on keeping your Boundless harness?

[@loums52]

Yes I do…there are definitely times when I want to keep things simple or want to go for a true hike and fly on non-thermal days. The Boundless also allows me to really lighten things up and remove the backpack portion but still keep the reserve in place. I would love to do some dune flying and it would work well this way. It’s also great for kiting! Thanks for watching!🪂

[@ripmanridin7092]

Boy...........you don't stop buying stuff!

[@loums52]

Yeah...can't help myself...having too much fun!

[@ripmanridin7092]

@@loums52 🤣

[@SkywalkerPaul]

Dolce Vita 😎✌️

[@CoIoneIPanic]

Hey old guy im so glas you dont paramotor anymore. So noisy and disturbing to the peace and quiet.

[@loums52]

It is noisy but still a wonderful way to get some altitude and then shut off the engine and just soar and glide down to a quiet landing. Best to fly where there is plenty of open space and not annoy anyone. Thanks for watching.