Paragliding Launch Preparation: Site, Checks and Instruction

Workflow

1. 1

   Receive the site and exercise briefing

   As required by the briefing or review

   Confirm permission, the intended exercise, the supervision arrangement, communications and the instructor’s stop procedure. Walk through the launch area and landing options with qualified local guidance. Keep other people and activity boundaries in the briefing; a successful previous launch does not describe today’s conditions.

   Show tips (1)
2. 2

   Record the actual terrain and wind reference

   As required by the briefing or review

   Identify the launch-facing direction and relevant changes in slope, surface and obstructions. Use measured rise and horizontal run only to document geometry. Resolve the observed wind direction and its variation against the same site reference; local turbulence and airflow still require direct assessment.

   Slope Geometry: Angle, Grade and LengthWind Components: Bearings and Variable Sectors
3. 3

   Complete the equipment and communication checks

   As required by the briefing or review

   Use the actual wing, harness and reserve manuals and the instructor-taught preflight sequence. Resolve line, connection, fit or condition issues before the exercise. Confirm the communication method and what to do if it fails. A mass or service result is one record within this preparation.

   Wing Loading and Complete Flying MassParagliding Equipment Service Planner
4. 4

   Practise only the instructed control sequence

   As required by the briefing or review

   Follow the demonstrated ground-handling and launch progression for the equipment and conditions. Rehearse the taught abort procedure before committing to the exercise. Do not improvise a universal release, brake or reset action from an online checklist; the correct response depends on the situation and training.

5. 5

   Separate completed flight from ground practice

   As required by the briefing or review

   After the lesson, record which exercises were completed and the specific instructor feedback. Enter only actual airborne intervals in the flight log. Include relevant conditions, equipment and a concise debrief so the next discussion can focus on a particular skill or unresolved concern.

   Paragliding Flight Log and Equipment Hours
6. 6

   Review the next supervised objective

   As required by the briefing or review

   Agree what should be repeated, changed or checked before the next session. Retain the briefing and source observations with the guide plan. A longer flight log is not a substitute for the instructor’s assessment of the next exercise.

   Paragliding Flight Log and Equipment Hours

Tools Used

• Slope Geometry: Angle, Grade and Length
  Primary

  Document average terrain angle without assigning launch difficulty.

• Wind Components: Bearings and Variable Sectors
  Supporting

  Resolve the observed wind and its variable sector against the launch reference.

• Wing Loading and Complete Flying Mass
  Primary

  Review a changed carried configuration against its documented range.

• Paragliding Equipment Service Planner
  Supporting

  Review any service interval or equipment follow-up that is due.

• Paragliding Flight Log and Equipment Hours
  Primary

  Record completed takeoff-to-landing intervals with wing identity and a debrief. · Review the sequence of actual flights and prior feedback before the next lesson.

Reference Materials

• Use a shared site reference

  Identify the same north reference and launch direction when comparing wind observations.

• Debrief the specific event

  Record what happened and what the instructor asked you to practise next.

Related Scenarios

• Paragliding Weather: Evidence, Wind and Local Conditions
  ParaglidingIntermediate6 tools
• Paragliding Landing Practice: Planning and Debrief
  ParaglidingIntermediate5 tools
• Paragliding Safety Review: Pilot, Equipment and Decisions
  ParaglidingBeginner4 tools