Paragliding: A Pilot's Training Manual

The new edition of the paragliding manual by Mike Meier, Mark Stucky and Tim Meehan that's already sold 10,000 copies.

Now including a bonus DVD* with 80 minutes of instructional footage.

Originally written by Mike Meier, and first published in 1991, Paragliding - A Pilot's Training Manual has sold more than ten thousand copies and has been a standard reference text for new paraglider pilots.

A paragliding instructor characterized Paragliding - A Pilot's Training Manual as: “Probably about the simplest layout of the concepts of gliding flight ever written. A terrific reference book and training supplement for the beginner through intermediate pilot.”

While Paragliding - A Pilot's Training Manual has been updated over the years to reflect changes in the sport, this new edition represents a major expansion in the scope and content of the manual. Wills Wing has brought onboard paraglider pilots Mark Stucky and Tim Meehan (USHGA art director) to create a complete revision with an entirely new look, additional subject matter and new illustrations.

Newly covered subjects include specialized soaring topics such as convergence, dynamic, and microlift soaring techniques; speed-to-fly theory, and soarcasting.

New chapters now cover towing, competition basics, and an introduction to paramotoring. The focus is on presenting technical subject matter in a manner that is easy for the average pilot to comprehend without the need for complex theory or equations.

The authors emphasize safety throughout with techniques for risk management and dealing with common emergency scenarios.

The companion DVD* allows the pilot to see the specific techniques described in the manual actually being demonstrated, and to review the demonstrations as often as desired to enhance the learning process. The introductory section of the DVD* is also a great way to introduce your friends and family to the great sport of paragliding.

ISBN-13: 978-0975446515

* Please note that the DVD supplied is NTSC format only which will only work in North America.

Review by Mike Masterson

Mike Masterson is a paragliding instructor in the United States of America.

Brilliant! The DVD* works as a great companion to the book (NTSC format only which will only work in North America).

Full of entertaining scenes and valuable info.

Showed plenty of footage of how to do things right and some dramatic footage of when things go wrong. The book presents the technical info in a progressive and organized manner that is not geeky, boring or intimidating. I bought 5 of them to see if students like the book and DVD* as much as I do.

In the past, I have given students training books and said: Don't read this part, ignore this, this is wrong, don't worry about this. Not with this book and DVD*. It will inspire the student to get with their instructor and practice all the things they read and watched.

It doesn't pull any punches on the potential danger of the sport. The DVD* even shows that famous crash footage of a pilot launching in high winds, jamming the speed bar, getting a violent and huge asymmetric with 180 rotation and surge to impact, plus the footage of the time that the pilot had the huge asymmetric, near stall, then massive surge where he was slung over the top of the wing and flew on.

This book is how a training manual should be... Full of information, not boring and not an insult to instructors.