Tandem Flights

Have you ever stood at the top of a hill overlooking the valley below and wondered what it would be like to fly? Now you can experience the joy of personal, foot-launched flight in its purest form - on a paraglider!

	Gilbert's Great Tandem Flight! PHOTOS BY INES

     For a modest fee, you can soar with the hawks in warm thermal air currents rising from the earth. Or fly the cool ocean breeze at the Wilcox property while redtails watch you! (like Gilbert did!).
     Tandem flights are the easiest and safest way to experience the thrill of soaring. Tandem flights require only a 20 minute briefing before you are in the air for the first time! The flight will last between 10 minutes and 1 hour depending on weather conditions. Some passengers may just want a thrilling flight, and we can do that also. Just ask for an extreme flight, and if it is safe to do so, your flight instructor will give you an acrobatic experience you will never forget! Fly Above All's professional pilots have flown hundreds of tandem flights without injury. Anyone under 275 pounds can fly tandem, you only need to be able to jog about 50 feet.
     Tandem flight is a good way to check out the sport. Students in the Novice Program are working towards extended thermal flights in the mountains. An introductory tandem flight lets you fly the mountains right away without having to spend several days preparing at the training hill.
     Tandem is also instructionally useful for many phases of training from the novice program through various levels of intermediate cross country technique and advanced conceptual demonstration. We use a larger canopy designed to carry the weight of two people. Each pilot has their own harness and the two pilots are connected together by spreader bars.The passenger is seated in front of the flight instructor in a very comfortable padded harness. This allows a full unobstructed view of the flight, and access to all flight controls. The passenger can even fly the aircraft themselves if they like! By the end of the flight most passengers will have a basic understanding of how paragliders operate and fly.
     Most flights end in smooth landings, however, we prepare for the worst and plan for the best. Note that the student passenger is flying from the front seat exposed to the wind. The temperature at altitude may be quite cold even though the surface temperature is warm. Your instructor can brief you on the expected temperature at altitude the morning of the flight.
     The following clothing is recommended:

You may bring a compact camera if you wish. We also have room for a limited amount of luggage (a small day pack). Snacks are ok if we're expecting a long flight.
     A helmet and flight suit is provided by the school. Please let me know your approximate head size (S. M. L. or XL).
     There is a potential for air sickness. It's best to be well rested and avoid a big greasy breakfast. If you start to get queasy let me know right away so we can get you back on the ground before it gets worse. It may take 10 to 15 minutes to get down if we're up at altitude.
      We need to spend about 20 minutes on paperwork and preflight instruction. It takes about a half hour to reach the Skyport by paved road from the beach. The best time for thermal activity is between 11 am and 2:30 depending on the day's weather. The length of your flight may vary from a 15 minute sled run to an extended soaring flight. It's usually soarable in the middle of the day.
     There is no age limitation but minors need to be accompanied by a parent. We can carry student passengers up to about 275 pounds, but we need better launch conditions with the heavier student. In addition to the mountain flights we fly tandem in the smooth coastal ridge lift at the bluffs. The flying is at tree top level and gives a birdlike sense of 3 dimensional motion. We fly the ridge mostly in the afternoon when the inland regions heat up, drawing the cool ocean air towards the montains.
     Our ability to launch and

10 Photo Tandem Tour Click each photo to go to the next!

fly safely is dependent on the weather. We might need to reschedule your flight due to conditions. We look forward to sharing your first paragliding flight with you.
     Please call to schedule a tandem flight with one of our local tandem pilots.

Some of the Tandem Experiences include:

 

Cross-Country Mountain Tandem Flight Tandem Flight in Coastal Ridge Lift Introductory Tandem Flight at Elings Park

For more Information about Tandem Flights, CLICK HERE.