Learning to fly in Gran Canaria
Welcome back to the Beginner Paragliding Course in Gran Canaria! After three exciting days of preparation, practice, and groundwork, today marks a significant milestone—our first real glides through the sky. There’s nothing like the sensation of that first lift-off, feeling the ground slip away and the wind catch your wing, giving you the sensation of true flight. Let’s dive into the details of Day 4 and how this step transforms the whole learning experience!
The Build-up: Day 1 to 3 Recap
Before we get into the highlights of Day 4, let’s take a brief look back at the journey so far. In Day 1, we focused on getting familiar with the equipment, understanding safety protocols, and mastering the fundamentals of canopy control. By Day 2, we were learning how to inflate the canopy and maintain balance while keeping the wing overhead, while Day 3 brought us to ground-handling exercises and a few short, controlled hops. Those short lifts from the ground were our first taste of flight, but today was a whole new level!
Stepping Up: Day 4, The First Real Glides
Day 4 is the day where it all starts to come together. With the basics now ingrained in muscle memory, the focus shifts to gaining confidence during longer glides. Our students moved from short flights that last a few seconds to sustained glides that give a true taste of flying.
The excitement in the air was palpable as each student prepared for their first extended flights. The key here is staying calm and trusting the techniques we’ve been honing over the past few days. It’s one thing to practice take-offs on the ground, but it’s entirely different to lift off and feel the wind beneath your wings for longer stretches.
Here’s what happens on Day 4:
- Pre-flight briefing: Safety is always our priority. Before the glides begin, there’s a detailed session where we go over the weather conditions, the flight plan, and individual goals for each student. The instructors give feedback on everyone’s ground-handling and control from previous days, setting specific focus points for each person.
- Equipment check: Although we’ve already become familiar with the equipment, today’s longer flights require extra diligence. The harness, helmet, and canopy are checked meticulously to ensure everything is in perfect working order.
- First Glides: One by one, students take to the skies for their first sustained glides. The feeling is exhilarating. These glides are longer, smoother, and higher than anything we’ve done before. Watching each participant rise into the air and gracefully soar through the sky for the first time is as exciting for the instructors as it is for the students. There’s a beautiful moment when they realize—they’re flying!
The Learning Experience of Longer Glides
The key focus of Day 4 is learning to manage time in the air. Gliding for longer periods offers new challenges, like adjusting body position, understanding how to use the air currents effectively, and preparing for a smooth landing. Here are some of the lessons that stood out during our first real glides:
- Managing nerves: Many beginners feel a rush of adrenaline when they first take off, which can lead to overreacting or making sudden movements. A big part of the day is teaching students how to stay calm and let the wing do most of the work. The wing is designed to fly, and the trick is not to fight it but to guide it with gentle, confident inputs.
- Steering and control: Once in the air, steering becomes more intuitive, but it’s crucial to remember the techniques we practiced on the ground. Small, steady movements control direction, and shifting weight in the harness makes turns smoother.
- Altitude awareness: For the first time, students must also start thinking about altitude—maintaining a good sense of how high they are above the ground and planning for landing far in advance.
The Thrill of the First Landings
Every flight, no matter how long, must end with a landing. Day 4 introduces more advanced landing techniques. The instructors are there to guide and help adjust any issues on approach, ensuring that every student lands safely and smoothly. While the first few landings might feel tricky, it’s all part of the learning process. By the end of the day, everyone had improved significantly, with more controlled landings and even more confidence.
What’s Next?
As we wrap up Day 4, the students are starting to feel like real pilots. The first glides are an unforgettable experience, but they’re just the beginning. Over the next few days, we’ll be refining our techniques, introducing more advanced maneuvers, and gradually extending our flight times.
Don’t miss out on the adventure! If you’re curious about what it’s like to take your first real steps into the world of paragliding, check out the video from Day 4 below.
🎥 Watch the full experience here:
First Glides in Paragliding
Stay tuned for the next update as we continue our journey to becoming confident, skilled paragliders!
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