to lift the canopy up and over. You need to be reasonably strong for this. as the drag on around 200 square feet of fabric is considerable.
We were also taught ‘reverse inflation‘ where you stand facing the canopy as you pull it up. a bit like launching a large and very floppy kite. then turn around for take-off. The second technique is for launches off hill-tops— ifevery take-off involved charging hell-for-leather towards a precipice. paragliders and paragliding would long since be extinct.
The canopy is controlled by right and left brake lines attached to the rear edge. These tug the back of the canopy down. increasing resistance on one side and causing it to turn. Once you can control the inflated canopy on the ground. you progress to actual flying. This does not. you‘ll be glad to hear. involve climbing a steep hill and jumping offthe top. Instead. you're attached by a very long rope to a winch at the far end of the field and you communicate with the winch operator by walkie—talkie.
Once you‘ve completed all the safety checks (buckles secure. lines untangled. helmet on) and your instructor has given the all-clear. you call ‘Take up slack‘. the rope is pulled taut and you start your run for forward inflation. When the canopy is up and level. you call ‘All out‘. the winch speeds up. and suddenly you‘re being lifted into the air.
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It‘s a fantastic sensation — close to what flying feels like in dreams. The motion is swift and smooth. and very stable; you don‘t feel in any danger ofdropping from the sky. . Everything seems to happen extremely quickly. as you concentrate on steering straight and keeping the canopy level. But you feel as though you‘re flying— you are flying. All too soon. the rope goes slack and you drift downward again.
Although you’re taught parachute landing falls in case things go wrong (hence the rolling about in the mud earlier on). canopies are designed to give you a soft landing— l was able to land (and stay) on my feet the first time. As you approach the ground. you pull down hard on both brake
lines. slowing the canopy right down.
so you touch down at low speed.
After a few flights on the winch. the next stage is releasing the rope in mid-air and landing untethered; from there you progress to launching off hills. The Sky and Air centre has its own private training hill. so flight routes have been well tested. During the beginners‘ course you‘ll learn refinements ofeontrol. launch and landing as you accumulate the required number of flights.
So if. like me. you‘ve always wanted to be able to fly. or if you‘re just looking for an unusual and exciting way to spend a short break. why not try paragliding — ‘the sport that gets you high‘.
Preparing lor takeoll t k dependenton weather . What to Ta 9 conditions.andis ' lytm shouttt wearwatm, impossible when it‘s wetor Getting There unrestrictive outdoor WlfldY- , . . . clothes andtakea costs I Sky and Air IS Situated in waterproo'. 0" you, teat. "'8 Village 010mm by you need something with IAone-day ‘taster' costs Kinross in File. By car. you good grip and preterably 250; the toumtay 90 "9"“! M90. leave 3' anttte suppomwattttng beginners‘ course is £180.
Junction 6 tor Kinross and
boots are line. You'll also
Fees include Training
Iakzlaggilflfalgine BlTigge need a packed tunch_ Membership ol the British roa to rum. e . Association at Paragliding centre islairlyinaccessible ACCOIIIIIIOUGIIOII Clubs, with personal and by transport I Many people attend on a party insurance COVBI'.
although some StAndrews buses stop at Kinross. and you could take a laxito Drum (about live miles). It is olten possible to arrange Iilts with other people who are driving up on the same day- ask about this when you phone to book.
daily basis. and courses can be taken on consecutive or separate days (the centre operates seven days a week). It you have lotravel some distance. bed and breakfast is available lor £12 pernight. Bear in mind
i that llylng is always
Trained pilots can hire canopieslor£25 per day.
Sky and Air Scouand
I For more details. contact Sky and AirScotland. Drum
by Kinross. File. KY13 7P8. 0577 4415.
413,8“
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LONDON TO:
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.xy ATHENS
'4.
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. ‘ R USA & CANADA
FROM O/W £179
BARCELONA BILBAO
t3; MADRID
MILAN OME
GLASGOW TO: NEW YORK
MANCHESTER TO: NEW YORK TORONTO
LONDON TO: NEW YORK TORONTO
GLOBE WITH CAMPUS TRAVEL
TERRIFIC EUROPEAN FARES FROM O/W
£89 £69 £69 £69 £49 £59
£179 £166
£179 £151
CROSS THE .. 4
£358 £331
£358
GREEK SPECIAL
ONE WEEK IN ATHENS INCLUDING FLIGHT AND ACCOMMODATION
ONLY £199
TWO WEEKS IN ATHENS INCLUDING FLIGHT AND ACCOMMODATION
ONLY £209
ROUND THE WORLD
WE CAN GIVE TAILOR-MADE QUOTATIONS TO SUIT YOUR REQUIREMENTS FOR ROUND THE WORLD JOURNEYS. PRICES START FROM £850
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL
CAMPUS TRAVEL 5 NICOLSON SQUARE EDINBURGH EH8 98H TEL: 031 668 3303
CAMPUS TRAVEL STUDENTS ASSOC. 90 JOHN STREET
TEL: 041 552 2867
CAMPUS TRAVEL THE HUB HILLHEAD STREET GLASGOW Gi
TFI ° M1 .157 MGR
‘ SOME AGESTATUS RESTRICITONS MAY APPLY
GLASGOW Gi
_ J
The List l3 — 35 July lWl 77