(A system I photographed while driving through New Mexico)
As a Desert Wind Paraglider you will be studying and appreciating weather on a whole new level. I will be giving you insights and knowledge about weather throughout all my courses.
I cannot stress the importance of finding an instructor who enjoys and understands the importance of teaching you the vital basics of weather, not just wind speed and direction, and how crucial it is to having a life full of safe flying.
During your initial instruction it is absolutely vital to learn about weather in a manner that you immediately gain respect for Mother Natures elements, how to recognize your operating limitations and the subtle hints that they will be changing.
This is done by learning with someone who has experience and enjoys teaching the challenges of predicting and understanding the weather, not only the flying part. That way you learn the appropriate attitude to minimize the risks everyday to a safe level so Paragliding will always be the incredibly fun, exciting and rewarding sport it is.
As a Desert Wind Paraglider you will learn to know where the jet stream is, what the upper winds are doing, what systems are present, pre, and or post, the pressure, the thermal index, temps, dew point, inversions, forecast temps and surface winds and quite a bit more before you head to the hill all in 20 minutes on your computer or by calling the weather briefer. And it actually wont be boring because you will be learning how it relates to you flying up in it with the soaring Red Tail Hawks, Golden Eagles and more here in the awesome Southwest.
Some of the time wind and Thermals are invisible, and some of the time objects, birds and more give them away for us.With me you will learn to notice temperature, speed, directions, gust differentials, scent, sound and more of the wind. You will be understanding altitude density appreciation, the different types of turbulence and shears and more will be discussed at briefings before and after our flying sessions and also at specifically set aside times for weather (WX) and Ground School classes. You will be learning to Paraglide with someone who understands that being taught how to respect and understand more than just a quick briefing on wind speed and direction is an absolute necessity to you having a safe and rewarding flying career.
You will look at the clouds differently and you will never see a flyable hill the same again.
Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place, with respect to variables such as temperature, moisture, wind velocity, and barometric pressure.
But to us it is oh so much more........
The study of Weather and our connection to it on a global and micro level, is a vital part of a Paragliders daily thinking and becomes more and more a working part of his body and mind. We learn to feel the effects of the Sun on this earth and harness the thermic energy with our wings and soar up from the ground to cloud base. Sometimes for hours on end and for miles and miles. Awareness of the surrounding weather and the subtle messages it give us is a wonderful and challenging part of our lives. The daily study of weather will help you see and understand this Earth in a way you didn't before. You will be taught to see and feel it's messages and you will begin to learn its language so you can indulge into the happenings of nature in a whole new light. Not to mention you will impress your family and friends by predicting the weather and saving the day by changing plans for the better.
I wont sign your P2 until you know the weather enough to relate it to your operating limitations and feel that you will respect it. It's just not that hard to do.
I suggest the book "Understanding the Sky" by Dennis Pagen to all interested. This is one of the books included in my course.
Here are just a few of the weather (WX) links we use.
More updates coming.
National Weather Service
Noaa
USairnet
XC Skies
I strongly recommend xcskies to all free flight pilots.
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