Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Paragliders' design



That's when paragliding design comes in. To save lives of pilots who have lesser skills than others to fly.

This was put on You-tube with very offensive, off the topic remarks. And of course some 'top-pilots', found it necessary to mock at the pilot. Sad. I even strongly oppose to the insulting titel of the film. ( note - meanwhile the title has been changed, whoevers' movie it is, whoever changed it, it is much appreciated)

When I look at that video, and I see these things in real life quite often do you mind, I think differently. I see a very well behaving, forgiving glider. A glider that actually would suit lots of pilots.
And of course the pilot is not piloting his wing well, of course it looks like he wants to stall it. But do you laugh at him ? Mock ?
NO.

You don't know the pilot. Maybe he lacks practice. Maybe too early to have him in the air.

You talk to the guy. Talk and listen, check if this is the sport he wants to do, if this is the sport he should be doing.
Remember our schooldays, there were always kids who couldn't handle a ball, but they were best in running, and vice versa. Same for flying, some of us are made for flying, some of us are not. I don't say the pilot on the video is not made for flying. But if he isn't, well maybe he can outswim all of us. Respect.

Maybe paragliding schools should approach their students more that way. See if it is really the sport the person should do, screen their students better.

Flying is so much more than business.

And on the side, hats off for the designers, not only making hot wings, but also these fantastic forgiving wings. Hats off, chapeau !






1 comment:

Ivan said...

Hi Nick!

Looking at it, it looks that the breakes lines are quite long, dont you think? The flap of the wing is pretty small in regard with hughe amount of brakes. I don't think this is a Gin factory set-up. It's always a pleasure to read you. Cheers from belgium. Ivan