Question 1

Is there an age limit to learn to fly?

Accepted Answer

There is no age limit to learn. You must be 16 years old to hold a pilots licence but nothing stops you beginning your training earlier than this. However, in practical terms you need to be big enough to fit a harness and heavy enough to fit the glider. About 1.5m and about 40kg. Also, you need to be under the supervision of an instructor until you have a licence which could get a little expensive if you begin too soon. On the upper limit I have trained students at 70 years old. So if you're fit, active, upwardly mobile and have the tenacity to get the job done. Older age is really not a limiting factor.

Question 2

How long does it take to learn?

Accepted Answer

It takes a minimum of 8 days practical training and 5 hours of flight time. However, the actual calendar time will vary from person to person due to natural talent, and the weather. Some will take a couple of weeks while others can take longer. If not on a full time course it can take up to a year or more. The more consecutive days you are able to train, the faster you will progress.

Question 3

Is it ok to learn on used equipment?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, you will normally sacrifice some performance and ease of learning. But it's definitely possible. You do however need to make sure that the glider you purchase is suitable to learn on given your personal attributes and the applicable equipment standards. It is highly recommended to train on the best glider and harness that you can afford and choose the safety category and style of glider/harness to suit you and your flying objectives. Your first glider is by far the most important equipment decision you will make in your flying journey, especially given that it's the most safety critical time. Consult with your instructor to make sure you get it right.

Question 4

What safety rating should my glider be?

Accepted Answer

In New Zealand you can legally train on an enA or enB rated paraglider. However, most responsible instructors will not advocate that a student train on an enB glider as the risk vs reward equations doesn't balance from either persons perspective. The choice is usually between what style of enA glider should you train on. Low, Mid or High enA? The higher the rating the less safe they are.
The decision depends on an honest assessment of 3 personal categories. 
The first is: Your natural talent. Are you a highly physically capable person that learns fast and has excellent coordination?
The second is: Your risk aversion. Are you risk averse and value safety above all else or more of a risk taker, with a tendency to go hard and learn on the fly?
The third is: Your training ambition. Are you keen to learn as fast as possible or take your time.

A careful consideration or these three categories will make glider safety rating selection a breeze. So talk to your instructor with these categories in mind.

Question 5

Is paying extra for instructional tandems worth the investment.

Accepted Answer

In almost any situation an instructional tandem is highly valuable and definately worth the extra investment. It becomes more valuable if you are wanting to perfect a particularly difficult skill like top landing or are struggling in a certain area. Learning how a highly skilled pilot flys from an 'in air' perspective is extremely beneficial.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is there an age limit to learn to fly?

How long does it take to learn?

Is it ok to learn on used equipment?

What safety rating should my glider be?

Is paying extra for instructional tandems worth the investment.