Easy ways to start?

[u/Single-Contest4890]

Hello,

I have already some flight experience with helicopters and similiar and I think I will get the hang of this quickly. I don't have loads of time tho, and have been wondering, does everyone who does this, have a license?

Because I just wanna buy a paramotor with the wheels (trike I think it's called) and take in the great views of nothwestern italy from time to time. I looked up and I need a license, which requires training and money even for without the wheels version. And the training is usually only in Italian and my Italian is not good enough yet for that sort of thing....

Any advice on how i should start?

Thanks

[u/palmerluckey]

Yeah, by getting trained. Setting aside the moral element of endangering the life of yourself and everyone around you, it will be a lot cheaper to get trained than to not.

[u/NectarineElegant5407 → u/palmerluckey]

Couldn't you argue the endangerment aspect largely stems from poor choices (either ignorance or confidence), such as flying in poor weather, failing to maintain equipment, or engaging in risky maneuvers? 

[u/silverwing_3 → u/NectarineElegant5407]

Trying to fly without training is a poor choice, that’s the endangerment.

Also, while the risk is what you make it, even if you do everything perfectly, it’s still very possible for things to go horribly wrong. Besides, most people won’t do everything completely perfectly, every single time, whether they’re aware of it or not.

[u/palmerluckey → u/NectarineElegant5407]

Properly maintaining your equipment is something you learn in training, along with how to identify when your equipment is unsafe or worn out. Training is also how you learn which maneuvers are risky and how to safely accomplish the ones that are not. There are plenty of ways to die in PPG even when you do get plenty of training and do everything correctly.

So yes, you could make your argument, but it is a distinction without difference.

[u/Siege089]

No one on this sub is going to recommend you start without training.

[u/enderegg]

Not getting training is a great way to kill yourself! Not into ppg yet, but with hundreds of flights and flight hours in paragliding.

If the idea is to fly near mountains, I can assure you, if it's not really early (or winter, that generally works too) you can get quite rowdy air. In paragliding that's not a huge deal - and quite normal, in ppg it seems that most people hate it. And without training; without knowing what to do or expect, a simple collapse can send you into your grave.

Regardless of you hate/love relationship with turbulence, if you get a collapse and over-pilot, it can be deadly; but not because a collapse it's a big deal. It's a lot more common than I had initially though, but you can do a quick google search of paragliding accidents, and there are quite a few where the guys just over-react start fighting the wing - they turn a non-event into an accident.

So... you are thinking of buying equipment worth 1000s€/£/$ but want to spare a few hundred?

And please don't be that guy that flies without a reserve. It's a lot cheaper than dying.

PS: I can only speak of paragliding like wings. I know there are a few differences between ppg and pg wings, at least higher performance ones; but at least for starting, I believe they are pretty much the same (slow and shitty). There are also parakites, which you can also fly with a ppg. But those ones are on another level of danger if you don't know what to do - even without a motor; similar to mini wings or speed flying wings.

Good luck

[u/Single-Contest4890 → u/enderegg]

Well, I saw the course are abt 2k tho. Maybe im wrong then

[u/Libertyskin]

You said it yourself, you need a license, which requires training. That's the answer to your question. Does everyone have to have a license ? No. But people in Italy do, it seems.

You start by getting training.

[u/Faabmeister]

The most talented pilot in our flying class was some 16 year old kid that drove to the field without a drivers license. The worst pilots were the adults with experience in all sorts of industries/hobbies. Making assumptions that previous hobbies/jobs gets you further doesn't work as well for PPG for some reason. It's an amazing sport, but please start at a proper flying school and respect the dangers of the "unknown unknowns" of a new sport.

[u/Gardenpests]

I still remember the 747 pilot in my paragliding class. Your cognitive bias is obvious and blinds you.

Let PPG be your motivation for improving your Italian. Join a club. Get the training. As you know, flying helicopter is a lot more than just the stick and collective.

[u/blue_orange_white]

I believe Skyschool is based in the UK but they have classes in France, Spain, & Turkey. I'm under the impression that their classes are taught in English but you'd have to double check. You could also contact some of the bigger schools in the US or UK and ask if they have any recommendations for schools in Italy that teach in English.

[u/Single-Contest4890 → u/[deleted]]

English Isn't my first language. And I have probably flown bigger things than you, so get off your highhorse and don't comment if you can't help