Welcome to El Paso Paragliding LLC!  Call: (915) 726-2698  Email: info@elpasoparagliding.com

Our training is by USHPA and USPPA certified instructors.  Our emphasis is on learning to fly a paraglider safely.  We use a reflex stationary winch to tow pilots up into the air.

For details on PARAGLIDING (PG) instruction go here

For details on POWERED PARAGLIDING (PPG) instruction go here

To schedule training and arrange payment, please call (915) 726-2698 or contact us.  Read the information below if you are considering training. 

WHAT IS PARAGLIDING? -- For a complete explanation and definitions, go here.  To print out a (1) page brochure of what we offer, go here (Adobe Reader is required).  Click here for info on our PG training manual and here for info on our PPG training manual.

Which type of instruction should I take?  PG or PPG?  If after reading the material below you have no idea of what to do, we suggest that you either take a tandem skydive flight with Sky Dive El Paso or complete a day lesson with us.  Prospective pilots taking the day lesson will have a better idea of what paragliding is all about but it costs much more than a tandem sky dive flight.  Before you do anything else, please be sure you meet the physical and mental requirements for paragliding.  You cannot have a safe and enjoyable time as a foot launched paragliding pilot (PG or PPG) unless you meet these requirements.  This is an extreme sport!

What if I am afraid of heights?  It depends on how serious your anxiety is.  Most people are naturally afraid of heights but can overcome that fear.  If you have ever sky dived, engaged in mountaineering, caving, and the like, you will have some idea of how you react to being suspended off the ground.  If you are not sure how you might react, go to a gym that has a climbing wall and see how you do 30' off the floor suspended by a rope.  Can you go over the edge without panic?  If so, you are probably OK if you take up paragliding.  Mental stability and control under pressure are important qualities to have if you wish to successfully pursue training in this sport.  The good news is that most people can train to obtain these qualities at a gym, for example.  Note: Paragliding is not the best venue to acquire these mental skills because you will be at significant risk to your safety.

Denae Nemanic comes in for a safe landing at the sod farm after a training flight.

PG is the more difficult to learn as a pilot must launch from a hill or mountain or be towed up.  Once in the air, he must find air that is going up and stay in it.  He cannot chose as easily where he wants to go nor where he may land.  Thankfully all paragliders can land just about anywhere safely but it can be inconvenient.  Free flying, however, is the most rewarding because it requires great skill to stay up for hours in the air.  Free flyers ordinarily get as high as possible so that they can glide long distances in order to find other air which is going up.  Flights are always full of adventure.  It is quiet and peaceful.  The pilot carries the least amount of weight and wears a simple harness.  This makes PG a far more agile type of flight and is, therefore, much closer to flying like a bird.  Free flying consumes no fossil fuels.  It does not annoy people on the ground because there is no sound of a motor running.  The downside?  The pilot must often hike to a suitable mountain launch site and if the air is calm or there is no air going up anywhere, he has to stay on the ground unless he can find some way of being towed up.  This means that the PG pilot must launch when the atmosphere is active (some hours after sunrise and before sunset).  He often flies in thermals -- and can get tossed around by them.  We are an ultra light aircraft.  "Ultra light" means what is says:  We are like leaves in the air.  The air is king and we respect it highly in order to fly safely.  This is why thorough training and discipline are essential.

Below a pilot begins his flight via tow.  The orange drogue and tow line are just visible in front of the pilot.  The turn around pulley through which the tow line runs is mounted on a truck over 1/4 mile away.  What a place to train -- it is safe and easy to land anywhere.  Photo by Daniel Dominguez.

PPG has the advantage of allowing the pilot to launch, for example, from a field in still air.  He can fly for many miles just ten feet "off the deck" -- something a PG pilot cannot do.  PPG pilots do not have to become experts in meteorological conditions in order to fly safely -- they can stay out of active air completely.  Some  prefer not to hike to a launch site.  Some do not like being more than 500' off the ground.  (For a discussion why this gives a false sense of security, go here.)  Others just like powered flight and want the convenience of launching, flying, and landing when and where they desire.  Pilots endure the fuel expense, routine maintenance, the noise, and the extra weight and encumbrance for these advantages.

Nonetheless, there are some pilots who happily do both.  When PG is not possible because of the wind conditions (too strong, wrong direction, or not enough wind), or towing is not available, it is still better doing PPG rather than not fly at all.  PPG is generally done early in the morning or late in the day outside the time when thermals can be strong and when the possibility of turbulence exists.

TOWING -- For a complete explanation of how towing pilots into the air works, go here. (Courtesy of the Hang Gliding/Paragliding Association of Canada).  For an explanation of why we tow, go here.  To see a short video of a pilot being towed into the air, go here.

TYPICAL PG SETUP -- go here. 

TYPICAL PPG SETUP -- go here.

Flying near cloud base at Valle de Bravo, Mexico -- a world class PG and
HG site that is closer (from El Paso) and less expensive than going to
California.  Wouldn't you rather be flying than doing anything else?                     Soaring at dusk in the dunes on the west rim of the Rio Grande valley.
                 

Radio Instruction for PG Pilots

It is essential that all PG pilots know how to safely and properly communicate with a two-way radio. Any student seeking P2 certification and above must demonstrate this ability and earn the PA authorization from USHPA. Students wishing to fly at sites in this region must have a radio at all times when flying. Your instructor can help guide you in choosing the best radio for what kind of flying you intend to do.  VHF two-way radios are inexpensive and reliable.  Our head instructor has many decades of experience in two way radio as an Amateur Radio Operator (K3FQE).  We have properly modified radios for sale.  Our experience and skill in this area can help prevent cascading events which often lead to injury and worse.

Equipment Purchases

The time spent on the training hill or towing will give both the student and instructor the opportunity to choose a wing that is best suited to the student's abilities and intended use. It is your instructor's job to help you select your first wing.  Different paragliders have different characteristics and require different skill levels.  The guidance of a trusted instructor will ensure that you choose a glider that will give you many hours of safe and fun flight.  New and used equipment are available from El Paso Paragliding.  For typical setups for paragliding go here for PG and here for PPG.

Kiting Practice

Kiting is learning to control the glider while you are on the ground – how to inflate it, keep it overhead, and bring it safely down.  Pilots who become expert kiters are the safest and best pilots.  This is because the same skills used in kiting are necessary in order to launch, fly, and land your glider safely.  It also helps the student to start experiencing the sensation of becoming one with the glider – it becomes an extension of your hands and arms.  You can greatly advance your early skills by practicing kiting.  It can be done almost anywhere, such as a local park, field, or other open space.  Remember:  You must always wear a helmet when you are attached to a wing.  You can suddenly – without warning – be lifted off the ground by a gust so you must always be prepared.  You can use a simple bicycle helmet that is available for under $20 at Wal-Mart.

New student, Cybele Christine, being coached by instructor Had Robinson on how to handle a glider on the ground.  This is the secret to being a safe pilot in the air.
 

Pilots who wish to continue their training and become P2's or greater should purchase their wing after completing their P1 so that they can practice kiting.  By now, the student (and instructor) will have a good idea of what type of wing is best.

If a pilot does not have the funds to buy a new glider at this time, he might be able to find an inexpensive used "kiting only" glider that is no longer safe to fly but is useful for kiting on the ground.  The disadvantage is that the glider will be substantially different than a new glider and will, therefore, handle much differently.  Used wings can be found on eBay for a few hundred dollars or less.  We occasionally might have one in stock.  Remember:  Do NOT launch from a hill or other site with a glider that is not safe to fly.  A simple harness can be made out of a rock climbing harness for under $30.  Enterprising students can make a harness out of nylon webbing for a few $$$.  To the hand-made harness, just add two 6" loops where your hips are.  It's not as comfortable as a full harness but it will do the job.  DO NOT KITE ANY WING IN CONDITIONS WHERE IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS FOR YOU TO FLY!  For example, do not kite during the mid-day in summer.  Dust devils are invisible over anything but dirt and you could be picked up by one, flung high in the air, and go "bonk." 

Legal Details

All training is subject to weather conditions at the training site and can be canceled at any time and rescheduled.

There are no refunds of student fees as a result of lessons being canceled due to weather conditions. Lessons canceled as a result of weather will be rescheduled.  If we are unable to complete a program due to an operational shutdown, we will pro-rate a refund or merchandise exchange. There are no refunds or exchanges for students who terminate their training program with us.  Programs are not transferable to another individual. A surcharge may be applied if a student has missed training for more than 12 weeks unless it is our fault.  Reservations for training are required and are not confirmed until the full tuition fee for the program is paid. El Paso Paragliding, LLC reserves the right to modify, change, or delete any aspect of the training programs or fees at any time. All previous editions of this web page are obsolete.  Any form of aviation, including paragliding, is inherently dangerous and can result in death or serious injury to the pilot.  Extreme caution must be observed at all times.

Paragliding is not a casual sport that you can safely do once in a while, such as with most other sports.  It is an extreme sport.  Your long term safety depends on regular practice and training. Those who paraglide assume significant risk to their life and safety.

So why do it?  There is no other sport in the world where a human being can come as close to being a soaring bird as with paragliding.  Long term practice and training allows the pilot to become one with the glider - there is no other experience in the world like this.  The glider becomes an extension of your hands and arms -- you become a hawk, an eagle, or a Zopilote.  We can teach you how!

Any form of paragliding, especially foot launched paragliding, is an extreme sport.  If you tend towards panic or get disoriented easily, consider something else to do.  Could you rappel off the side of a 300' cliff without gripping fear?  If you cannot, this sport is likely not for you.  Do you think you could remain calm enough to fly your glider if you suddenly encountered rowdy air?  If you are unsure how you would like being up in the air in a paraglider, arrange for a tandem flight with us.  This sport has many dangers and requires steady nerves to do it safely.  It is unwise to try this sport if your friend/spouse thinks you should and you want to be a "team player."  STOP!  It is not worth the risk!

Take up this sport if you think you would love the prospect of being a soaring bird flying high above the world and are willing to assume the risks.  It is not unnatural to sometimes have modest anxiety while flying a paraglider -- it is a good attitude to have as it helps promote proper respect for the air.

We fly because we love paragliding as there is nothing in the entire world like it.  On the other hand, some can get frightened or disoriented while paragliding.  This can lead to injury or worse.  Please contact us -- we can help you decide. We want what is best for you.

We reserve the right to refuse training or service to anyone we consider unqualified to participate in this sport -- for his safety and ours.  Please remember that this is an extreme sport.  Thank you!