Thermaling Tips for Paraglider Pilots (Part 1 of 4)

Join Flybubble Paragliding some thermaling tips for paraglider pilots. In this series, Nancy Elliott and Carlo Borsattino from Flybubble provide in-flight commentary as they climb out on their paragliders, get to cloudbase, plan ahead, identify good cumulus, use the ground to identify lift patterns, wait at cloudbase, avoid other gliders and regroup to fly XC together.
In this first episode, fresh from a week in the beautiful Colombian sky, Nancy Elliott shares her advice on circling techniques, finding the core, catching surges, going on glide, staying calm, using instruments, clouds, weightshift turns and harness control.
Fresh from a week in the beautiful Colombian sky, Nancy Elliott shares her advice on circling techniques, finding the core, catching surges, going on glide, staying calm, using instruments, clouds, weightshift turns and harness control.
Enjoy some thermaling tips at a relaxed pace ... take your time and soak up the views!
Nancy demonstrates the calm control you need to optimise your climbs in weak conditions, combined with a continuous lookout for other pilots and signs of lift. This state of 'peaceful vigilance' is what you should aim for when trying to master thermaling. It comes partly from practice, partly from having equipment that matches your ability, so you are in tune with your aircraft and can focus on finding and feeling out the lift.
#thermaling #paraglidingtips #howtothermal
Watch the whole series to learn more:
1. Nancy, circling, coring and control • Thermaling Tips for Pa...
2. Carlo, how to climb out and get up: • Thermaling tips for pa...
3. Carlo, looking for signs of lift: • Thermaling tips for pa...
4. Carlo, cloudbase and planning ahead: • Thermaling tips for pa...
Gear list
Wing: Phi TENOR light - review: • Phi TENOR light paragl...
Harness: Advance LIGHTNESS 3 - review: • Advance Lightness 3 Re...
Vario: Naviter OUDIE 4 - reviews: bit.ly/2GXn1Qt
Vario: Skytraxx 3.0 - reviews: bit.ly/2GXjPUS
You might also like:
How to fly Cross Country (on a paraglider)
• How To Fly Cross Count...
Paragliding Safety: How to avoid the rotor
• Paragliding Safety: Ho...
How to Choose the Right Paraglider
• How to Choose the Righ...
Paraglider Control (Strong Wind Launching)
• Paraglider Control: St...
The Flybubble Paragliding Channel aims to help you fly better. We produce regular instructional videos and reviews.
Subscribe at / flybubbleparagliding
Get behind the channel on / flybubble
Want to see more? There’s no better way to support our efforts than buying from us over on www.flybubble.com. We’ll ensure you get great service! Choose from our huge range AND enable us to produce more videos and articles to benefit the freeflight community.
For free tips and reviews, subscribe to our newsletter at flybubble.com/b...
For latest news, follow us on / flybubble.paragliding

[@flybubbleparagliding]

Thermaling Tips for Paraglider Pilots Part 1 of 4: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGrbmoaNe7N5iM0 Thermaling Tips for Paraglider Pilots Part 2 of 4: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4eZdad6i9ypgJI Thermaling Tips for Paraglider Pilots Part 3 of 4: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4vJqKtolqyHi9E Thermaling Tips for Paraglider Pilots Part 4 of 4: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6nVlqqQq7WHhZY

[@blakegoeman]

This was the first video I’ve watched from Flybubble and this was an absolute fantastic tutorial. From other comments I see it’s a first from Nancy and I can’t believe that. More please!

[@climb315]

Thank you, Love the video!! When you are flying...how do you know where to fly? Do you make a plan? You go with the lift? Or wind direction? Thank you

[@BariFPV]

I did my first glide 3 weeks ago and I can't wait to soar 😁 I just can't wait. Going to download this episode so I can burn it in me head 🤭

[@petern5565]

YES!!! I have very much enjoyed flying with you and the whole team because you at flybubble help keeping paragliding SAFE!!!!

[@clubsnapperuk]

Fantastic video Nancy. I see gregs been teaching you. Hope to see more of you this year. 10/10

[@thermalflyer3601]

Nice one Nancy. Let’s have more videos from you please!

[@gabiciaba]

Awsome video Nancy. Flybubble’s video’s are always on point, no matter who’s flying and where✌️🤘

[@barrywebber100]

Very interesting thank you, didn't like the grey clouds or the occasional turbulence! But apart from that what an experience!

[@horaciorivara1240]

Thanks you, Nancy. Great fly!

[@pepelegal333]

Thanks a lot for this, really gives you teh feeling of being there. I prefer when there is no music playing (maybe I'm too old;)

[@seriallyscott]

Great video! Where is this?

[@gmejiabotero]

I think that is Piedechinche spot, maybe the best spot in Colombia.

[@safranpollen]

Nancy why skytraxx and naviter together ? you wanna compare the 2 companies top products? Forget all, the new skytraxx 2,1 flarm & fanet is the breaking gps. one top feature of a lots more, you can connect it with the fantastic maps auf XC track :-))

[@shawnbroman]

Hello Nancy ...great video for thermal searching , what are you using for a mic/recorder sounds so clear 😀

[@muellerkurtmathias]

When do you drop the Epsilon 9 review?

[@flybubblecarlo]

When it's ready! Please send us good thermic conditions!

[@prignony]

Nice one :) Thanks you, what wing is it ?

[@flybubblecarlo]

Phi TENOR light - see our review kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGfXhaCtlL2ghKc

[@SteveHofsaess]

what part of Colombia,, I am taking lesson at Santa Elena , Colombia

[@AviationSports1978]

What's everyone's thoughts on her karabiners facing the same direction as where the riser is tending to pull towards the gate? Pros and cons

[@VLADParagliding]

According to my experience, it's easier to mount a camera clamp on the carabiner if they are in this direction

[@jesse2006]

Do you worry about getting sucked up in a cloud and take it too high that's kind of scares me

[@made_in_kalinovka]

4:00 speedbar+brakes. What pros/cons of this technique?

[@danilomoura6906]

I friend of mine took a front colapse for doing this.

[@pjm204]

She really didn't have any brake pressure on bar but I'd go to C's.

[@flybubblecarlo]

Hi Eugenue. Generally best to avoid using speedbar+brakes, mainly because it's inefficient. On the other hand if you feel the wing suddenly losing pressure and about to collapse then it's best to react on the brakes immediately to prevent or minimise the collapse whilst being careful not to overreact. In case of encountering sudden strong turbulence, using the brakes for 'active flying' is in most cases the best--and often only--way to prevent collapses.

[@flybubblecarlo]

You'll notice in the bit of the video you link to that when Nancy decides to use the speed system she says: "... bit of speed bar, lift up on my brakes..." but then shortly after this she flies through some turbulence "... little bit of bumpiness on the glide... " and so she automatically adds a bit of brake* and then shortly after this comes off the speed system after she enters the climb. *If I was to being picky then I'd say that in this particular situation, where the turbulence clearly wasn't bad enough to case a collapse, it would have been 'better practice' to have eased off the speed system first then applied the brake soon after (if this was even required at all), almost in the same motion, so as to minimise any potential negative effect on the distribution of pressure across the wing whilst at the same time flying 'actively'.

[@MAGApepe]

:)),, have you ever reviewed a bgd adam wing? any input ?

[@Invalourrr-vb3xo]

What is that beeping for?

[@algarveparagliding5695]

where is your harenss video girl?? CAn't find it. Please advice. Thank youuu... and greetings from the Algarve Coast..

[@flybubblecarlo]

I guess you mean this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5uXoJ6vbMSgiqM

[@troy4219]

I'm not a paragliding pilot just watching out of pure curiosity. Can someone explain to me what about this video a whole lotta people don't like? Is there something I should know or understand?

[@benjienys3543]

Question please 🙏, it's so cloudy... So where did thermals come?

[@hanggman]

What helmet is this?

[@NancyElliottFlybubble]

Hi hangman, I fly with the Icaro 4fight Cut Integral, see the options here: flybubble.com/icaro-4fight-cut-integral

[@brettnaysmith3949]

would have been quite a good video if you had actually pointed the camera at what you were talking about instead of your face.

[@CuteFoksie]

Wanted to say the same thing. Otherwise very good.

[@joshs1uk]

is that a camera bag round your neck nancy??