MIDLAND PARAGLIDING

History of Paragliding

Paragliding began with skydivers who were curious enough to try to fly their parachutes from high mountainous areas, it worked alright but the glide angle was very poor. In the 1980s in Europe, mainly in the Alps, a small group of pilots carrying their ram air parachutes over their shoulders joined the local Hangglider pilots.

These parachutes had a glide ratio of about 2:1 and were very porous as they were designed for skydiving and needed to allow for the initial shock when deployed at 10,000 ft, as a non porous material would explode once deployed in those circumstances.

Pilots soon discovered that non-porous material was the way to go and this pointed to success. A paraglider is a soft wing and is not to be confused with a parachute. A paraglider allows us to glide through the air and not descend vertically in the way a parachute does.The paraglider is controlled by pilot input only and is based mainly on pilot skill to stay airborne. Soon paraglider manufacturers started to pop-up here and there and the sport finally got off the ground.

IPPHA Pilot Rating System

The IPPHA Pilot Rating System (BHPA mirrored) is a structured training programme designed to help you to develop your personal flying skills. It also provides a quick and simple means of indicating your proficiency level to others.

Elementary Pilot [EP]

A student rating normally awarded half way through an ab-initio training course at an IPPHA registered school. This associates closely with stage 2 of the FAI (PG) Para Pro Scheme. - Elementary Pilot Guide PDF

Club Pilot [CP]

The minimum rating required to fly unsupervised within UK & Irish Clubs. This is equivalent to stage 3 of the FAI (PG) Para Pro Scheme.

Safety and Skills

We run most of our training courses in the Comeragh Mountains in the Clonmel/Waterford area. We provide all your Flying equipment; you need to bring strong walking boots with good ankle support and clothing for the weather conditions. You will also require a packed lunch and plenty of water.

As with any skilled, risk sport there are a vast number of potential dangers hidden to the novice. When paragliding first started, many of us learned by trial and error.

Relative to today, our progress was slow and we used low performance paragliders. Now you can quickly gain access to higher performance paragliders which give you longer more exciting flying. These paragliders are generally less forgiving and rapidly force you into a range of situations that require you to act forewarned to enable you to fly safely.

Our detailed record system of your progress will highlight any inexperience requiring attention and take you right up to Club Pilot rating.

Tandem Paragliding

Prepare for a new adventure

Fly like a bird in the Irish countryside and experience the thrills of free flight in the company of a very experienced pilot who will guide you through all the steps necessary for a very enjoyable and memorable experience.

Tandem paragliding is a good way to check out the sport. An introductory tandem flight lets you experience high-flying without having to spend several days preparing at the training hill.

We use a larger canopy designed for two, the passenger is seated in front of the instructor in a very comfortable harness. This allows full unobstructed views of the flight, and access to all flight controls. The passenger may even get to fly the glider themselves. see Courses

Paragliding Holidays

Midland paragliding has been running flying holidays abroad since 2003. Our holidays usually accommodate non-flying partners or friends and all are included in the groups activities.

We have flown at sites for every level of pilot; for example in Spain with Parapente Tropical. Their private and very safe sites are a perfect environment for your first few hops. Followed by great banqueting every evening after fun packed days.

Or come along to the Coupe Icare which is great annual international free flying event, packed with creative, inspiring, fantastic events with loads of colour and laughter… not to mention great flying.