Paragliding Skills: REFRESH Your Launches

[@peterelliott2914]

My tip for getting back to flying would be watching Fly with Greg lol. 2nd thing, be really happy to walk up the hill, then walk back down if it's not a really good day for flying. 3rd, if you can't ground handle for 10 minutes on the launch site, don't bother flying, it's too dodgy. Leave the days when you get sucked straight up for next month. Thanks for the channel Greg! You've always been my favourite.

[@FlyWithGreg]

Good tips Peter. I'll go kite for 10 minutes but then i really hope to go straight up to base ... as in today's video!

[@peterelliott2914]

@@FlyWithGreg Yes! We got out of lockdown yesterday and can fly. But getting into winter down here now lol. No thermals until September now... I was meaning that if you can't keep your feet on the ground when the wing gets up then it's not going to be that safe after 6 weeks with your feet on the ground. 10 knots or even just a plummet is ok for now. Save the 20 knot launches for next month :)

[@brenthollady]

Always clear out your brake lines!!!!! I launched last night cleared my As and had a small tangle in my R brake line... no problem I thought, it will sort itself out like always... not this time! I took off a immediately felt a pull to my R, looked up and sure enough that tangle was about 3" pull on the R trailing edge. I'm on a Spyder 3 so I was able to counter with weight shift and landed... I laid the wing out... no crossed lines no twists in the risers just a tangle that would not come out in flight. Lesson learned. I will always kite my wing on layout before launching now. Always clear your brake lines! Thanks for the great content Greg! Fly safe!

[@airgraham3569]

Great to see you “launching” the new channel !

[@FlyWithGreg]

Great to see you #1 commenter on #1 video! Yeah I thought I'd ease everyone back into the swing of things. Putting up an epic flight would just make everyone sad if they lived in locked down lands.

[@EARAISED]

If you had a trauma or long pause, strart with the first steps, with the basics. Don't try to go into strong and/or thermal conditions. It's ok to do a lot of ground-handling or just flying from up to down a lot of times. It's better to remind your reflexes, instead of feeling stressed in serious conditions

[@attilab.1061]

You make anyone love paragliding like you love it. I ´m a Big Fan! Looking forward to more Learning Videos!

[@FlyWithGreg]

More to come!

[@xistsixt]

One thing I really love to do in groundhandling training is taking the wing up in reverse. Brakes locked in the magnets, hold brakes lines (gloves!!!) on the outside, running backwards and play with the brakes between wing pulling back and point of overshoot and running speed, if it is a little gusty and everything is matching perfectly in the sweet spot, short flights until 5-6m heights in flat fields are very possible. (do not jump) If practiced good do kiting sideways, lean in, get speed, let you pull and again in the sweet spot turn with a short pull into the wind and off you go. Until 40m flight lengths on a field are possible. I have learned a lot doing this, especially by seeing the wing and what it does, balancing the flight, getting thrust and confidence. And somehow it grew my abs too... 😊

[@uhadonejob]

I think that would be a very cool video. Haven't seen anyone do that. Are you actually hooked in reversed or are the risers twisted (I have trouble imagining that working).

[@YankeeinSC1]

My good buddy Ripman Ridin pointed out that I was braking too much and too early on my nil wind inflations because I'd flown a lot recently in strong wind where a surge check was needed.. It is so helpful to have (qualified) observers or video of yourself for critique.

[@SelfproclaimedDCSdebriefer]

Nice to see you up and running Greg. Keeping us honest on day one! Bring on the adventures!

[@ExplorerErnest]

That was really helpful, thanks Greg

[@juandiegohenaohernandez5972]

Excelent instructor.. thanks Greg.

[@ratfor19]

What a lovely playground you've got there! Amazing videos Greg, congrats!!

[@yazdankhah]

When I watch your videos, I feel that paraglider and other tools you have are part of your body. :)

[@steveg8522]

hi Greg (great vids, thx) I´m coming off long a layoff following a heart op which was then extended due to the lockdown so, a refresher is a great help. This works for me... 1. a few days ground-handling before going in to the mountains (I fly in Apenzell in Switzerland) 2. reverse launch: when you´re ready to turn, step back and push your chin down to the shoulder in the direction of your turn. Your body naturally follows your head, stops the potential ´arched back´ and keeps you in unhurried control 3. don´t go solo, go out with a group from your local flying club Steve

[@JohnHendos]

Maybe a discussion on the pros and cons of the A’s and brakes vs the A’s and C’s technique?

[@andyk.4238]

Using brakes causes more uplift. In stronger conditions i prefer As and Cs (mitsos launch). Not all wings can steered good with Cs on ground (c bridges).

[@jeffsinason4336]

Great kickoff to the new channel. Thank you Greg.

[@FlyWithGreg]

You're welcome Jeff! Good to see you.

[@englischdude]

tip: partner check, regardless how experienced one may be! Congrats on the new channel. Regards from Austria

[@clauderousseau3305]

Thank you very much, Greg!

[@arkadiuszdabrowski7658]

Thanks for Great lesson man

[@mariocranks]

As always the best instructional videos out there. A mix between relaxing and learning :)

[@jphdxb]

I love your videos Greg, you make it look so easy, while motivating me to put more focus on my practice.

[@pierrealcayna8126]

Good luck with your new channel. I would like to see a video about going from threeliner to twoliner.

[@CineSoar]

Thanks, just what I needed!

[@AddictionHappiness]

Great to see video like that in these days! 🙏 Also congratzz on 1K Greg! 🚀

[@FlyWithGreg]

Thanks Aljaz! Wish I lived where you do: keep sharing your adventures too, it helps us all stay sane :-)

[@paragliding66]

thanks Greg 🙏your videos are always very useful and important you are very good at explaining and making it clear that safety and training are the number one rule👍

[@anam.gonzalez268]

gracias!!

[@sunglee2048]

Thank you for the refresher. I'm doing my P2 at the moment and this helped.

[@FlyWithGreg]

Glad it was helpful!

[@harunsivasl4983]

Thank you for the video, its very helpful. Thumbs UP!

[@FlyWithGreg]

Glad to hear that! I know it's kinda simple, but for many pilots right now, simple is a good way to start.

[@nickluck3790]

Thanks Greg - just a great video for pilots like myself just coming back into flying - really useful!!

[@darrenbaldwin5540]

Love your videos. Can we have one on how deal with fear of rough air 😁. I'm starting to lose the urge to fly in anything thermic. LAT.

[@DarioushAryan]

great

[@FreedomQuestAdventures]

HeyGreg, thanks for this. Great content and well presented

[@flipexit1]

Having a number of checks 10,15 or whatever. Ensure you reach your same number each time before attempting to launch eg 1- leg straps 2 - chest strap 3 - helmet 4 - carabiners. Not right then count again. 👌

[@FlyWithGreg]

good idea Josh, I like to just move systematically from my toes upwards then outwards, but having specific points to hit and check off can be helpful as well!

[@khalilsaade2200]

You make it look so easy ! Thanks for those videos :)

[@yogatsea]

Great videos! Thanks for all the good instructions.

[@siluc415]

Fantastic! Thanks

[@richardsylvester5264]

great Video Geg

[@malikmuhammadomermansoor1170]

Greg in the region of Himalayas after almost an year of lockdown, things have changed drastically... the global warming and elnino effect is ruining all your plannings using any weather app... its just like you spreading the wing... keep a deep eye on wind sock especially tailwinds and crosswinds as they appear just with a blink of an eye... and then launch... we are trying to do group practice sessions or group flying activities so at least we have someone on the radio all the time and trying to fly with the best attention we could..

[@arnekvinge6073]

I try to get 3-6 flights in the beginner slope every vinter / spring and 2-3 hours of ground handeling. Then i feel ready for the mountain start.

[@albertokcarlos110]

In my opinion, if you go too long without flying, you should do some ground controls

[@sonotu8510]

many thanks for your video best great from teheran iran. please tell me what shoul i do after i realse the A-Line (in german ) and hold the breaks in the hand to start . just try to take the feeds in the air ?

[@candidoalcantara6718]

hi ewre are you teaching / I like how you explaning.

[@sundownsolutions2]

Hi Greg, Just been out for the first time with my new mini wing. Ground handling only! The wind was quite strong but ok when the wing was above my head. When its on the floor what is the best way to control the wing? Have you any videos on this subject? Very tricky getting it out of the bag, clipping in etc. Ok once its up. Some tips would be great. Thanks for all the great vids. Cheers

[@FlyRusty]

Might like to touch upon consideration of. others in "light wind" conditions. Sometimes Pilots after a long break are too focussed on getting into the air?

[@bulentkamali]

What is the advantage of having a reserve located in front of you?

[@albertokcarlos110]

Hello Greg, I see that you use your hands inside the brake handle, to me, this has always seemed a little complicated at the time of a major collapse. Maybe you can give me your take on this. Thank you

[@bertiekennedy6906]

I am curious as to why you and many others use the 'arms back, some brake applied' launch technique. That is bound to restrict the ability to achieve faster airspeed for lift off. I recall an article by Bruce Goldsmith some time ago - in Cross Country magazine I think - stating that modern paragliders are also more pitch stable and have better sink rate with brakes off. So it would seem to follow that it is not advisable to try to take off in a potentially unstable wing with restriction of airspeed due to arms back and some brake applied technique. I use an 'elbows pointing forward, hands up near the pulleys, lean hard into the harness for acceleration' technique that works especially when I see others struggling to make forward progress in their take-off runs. Have you any comments?

[@FlyWithGreg]

because elbows forward, hands near pulleys gives you terrible lack of control when you get a hit on the nose. Pilots who do this also tend to run upright like a paramotor pilot, and get tipped offbalance when lifted. Try get to full brakes position fast, while running with your elbows forward, and see what I mean. better sink rate with brakes off is questionable, it's at least the same at quarter brakes on most polar curves. Forward pitch stability is better with a touch of brakes. Trust me, I've supervised thousands of launches, and it's always the pilots who totter off with no brake contact that get the frontals. On launch you want a wing that is flying near minimum effective launch speed, to reduce mad dash run speed. It's not necessary to be a human torpedo. It's necessary to reach flying speed, which is slower than trim. Having a little contact with the brakes is remarkably effective at stopping a pitch, and catching unloading due to slope angle changes. I'm sure you'll see, if you look closely at the trailing edge of the wing, that the launches I demonstrate have very little brakes applied. This is what you'll see from most pilots with a smooth launch technique.

[@RopeAccesspainter7]

Another vid that I need, new to flying so more like these please Greg, passed my CP last year in Sept, only had about 5mins air time since. Thanks Greg. Where in SA you from?

[@FlyWithGreg]

Cape Town!

[@groggyhd190]

What flying spot is that, looks really fun and optimal to learn new skills like toplanding and soring.

[@jeancoetzer4980]

I love you videos.... Just how fast is light wind to you... Like 5km/h or 10km/p hore... I'm out in the drakenberg and I've been youtube training for a while with you and got my ground handeling under hand. I've also done sort gildes but I'm scared for taking of and turn into wind...... And yes I have tried to get to instructors but the whether never plays out right..... So its me and you and my wing...lol

[@prepond]

Can you please make some video about: what to do when you need to the toilet :P ? What do u use?

[@patrickbinet8096]

Hello Greg i look at your videos and you give many secrets for the people who want to learn seriously. Do you have a school in Englang and if it is the case where are you ? I am french and i pactice since five years in the south of France near Avignon. If you don't have a school of paraglider can tell me a good school in England for me. Thank you for your lessons. Patrick

[@FlyWithGreg]

Thanks Patrick. I only offer limited training flights for local pilots on my tandem, and strong wind launch control clinics. It is not possible to book in from far away because I do not run courses on fixed dates, due to poor British weather. But I am available in my online academy. Your best option would be to book a week somewhere that is regularly flyable ... try zero gravity or passion paragliding in spain.

[@bryantuffnell3387]

Greg, can you recommend a 'go-to' method of reverse launching? I see that you use A's and brakes here, which seems fine in light winds. I understand that using brakes is not ideal in stronger winds. My wing (Hook 5, low B) can't be persuaded to lift from the ground without pulling on the A's, which seems to leave a choice of A's-and-C's or A's-and-brakes as the only options. We often fly in strong winds here. I've seen a video in which you launch with C's in a decent blow, and this option doesn't seem to work with my wing (the wing lifts a little, turns itself inside out, then throws itself headfirst at Mother Earth). So, A's and C's in stronger winds, or s there a better alternative? Thanks!!!

[@FlyWithGreg]

Runback, primarily. Aim to launch, not hold wing down. I mostly use A's and brakes, launching from bunched. There's a comprehensive video on my website, along with flywithgreg.com/programs/groundcontrol-ac

[@bryantuffnell3387]

@@FlyWithGreg Thanks, tried it today - much appreciated!

[@dqz666]

Where is that flying site? Im david From Colombia, paraglider Pilot!

[@bravooz852]

How do I get higher up when I have bad but somewhat wind for fly for a while I can do like 1 min then I go down I wanna get higher up.

[@FlyWithGreg]

when you are in lift, turn, and only do your turns in lift. Try that for a bit.

[@bravooz852]

@@FlyWithGreg Against the wind or what?

[@FlyWithGreg]

There is no 'against the wind'. Watch my video 'airspeed groundspeed windspeed' on the Flybubble channel

[@girlskywalker]

Launching without breaks in hands creates questions

[@danielkluckner8984]

Try this with an older wing, with this brand new its easy haha

[@andreassklorz932]

Machst Suppper ,weiter so nur beim Starten kontolliers ständig mit dem Blick wie der Rasen wächst,statt Luftraum um Rechtzeitig Startabbruch zu leiten