TandemParagliding.Org

Tandem Instructional Flights - San Francisco Bay Area - Northern California - USA

TandemParagliding.Org
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
United States
ph: 408-677-6509
craig@TandemParagliding.Org

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an age limit?
How much will it cost?
Is the short video clip included in the price?
Are there any additional fees?
What if it rains, what happens then?
Do your prices cover "Everything"?
Should I tip my instructor?
Do I need a reservation?
How long will this take?
Do you have gift certificates?
How experienced is/are your instructor(s)?
Can all of us in our group fly at the same time?
Is there a weight limit?
What is the reason for the weight limit?
Do I need to bring anything?
How safe is a paraglider?
Can I bring my own camera while flying?
Should I eat?
Can my family and friends watch?
Can I bring a picnic?
Can I bring wine or beer?
Does your insurance cover student injuries?
Have you had any injuries (pilot or student)?
Are refunds available?
How do I get to the flying sites?
How does it compare to skydiving?

1. Is there an age limit?

No..., however, we suggest your children are at least 7 years old. Also, when you are under 18 years old, you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. For you eternal teenagers, there is no upper age limit. We've taken people well into their 80s. We do request a doctor's note if you are over 60. (call us and ask on this one if you have further questions).

2. How much will it cost?

Pricing for TandemParagliding.Org, can be found on our "Services" page. Unless otherwise stated all prices are per person and include tax.

3. Is the short video clip included in the price?

Yes, it's included, for we will take a short video clip of your launch and flight. However, this is an experience you'll want to show and tell others about, so, bring your camera, with a 12"-18" tether, to take your own pictures. If there are others within your group, have them take lots of pictures.

4. Are there any additional fees?

Are you referring to Re-Scheduling or Bad Weather Insurance, or Flying site Fee(s). The answer is NO! There are no additional fees.

5. What if it rains, what happens then?

If we are not able to fly because of weather (i.e., rain, high winds, gusty winds, wrong wind direction, etc.), we will reschedule your flight for another day at no additional cost.

6. Do your prices cover "Everything"?

We hear this a lot. "Everything" is a pretty all encompassing word. So you are still responsible for those usual day to day expenses, but our prices cover all the Tandem Paragliding related expenses, unless other wise stated, Also see Questions 2 - 4.

7. Should I tip my Instructor?

Tipping is appreciated by the instructors, but that is totally up to you.

8. Do I need a reservation?

Reservations are required in order for us to provide you with the best customer service. People without reservations may or may not be accepted, it all depends upon our time available and the weather.

9. How long will this take?

For a tandem paragliding lesson and flight, we ask that you allow at least 4 hours for your adventure. Also, add an hour for each additional person within your group (i.e., 2 people = 5 hours; 3 people = 6 hours).

10. Do you have gift certificates?

Yes, gift certificates are available (go to our "Services" page) with any PayPal receipt from TandemParagliding.Org. However, they must be redeemed within one year from purchase.

11. How experienced is/are your instructor(s)?

Our main instructor, Craig Gamma, has an "Advanced" paragliding pilot rating and is a "Certified Tandem Instructor" and an "Observer" through United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA Member No: 82045). All of our instructors (meaning others we use when having large groups) have well over a 1,000 flights.

12. Can all of us in our group fly at the same time?

We can only fly one student/passenger at a time. For larger groups (> 5), we elicit the help of 1 or 2 more tandem instructors. Thus, we may have 2 or 3 pilot/instructors, each flying one student/passenger, in the air at the same time.

13. Is there a weight limit?

Yes, the tandem passenger weight limit is 250 lbs. (113.4 kg).

14. What is the reason for the weight limit?

The equipment is tested and rated to a maximum allowable weight called the "maximum exit weight". This limit is dictated by the manufacturer of the equipment and is in compliance with FAA standards. The exit weight includes you, your passenger harness and the clothing you wear plus the instructor, tandem paraglider, pilot's harness, reserve parachute and the clothing they wear.

15. Do I need to bring anything?

You'll need to bring a valid ID, wear comfortable layered clothing, long sleeve shirt/blouse, long pants, warm gloves, windbreaker jacket, protective footwear with ankle support (avoid high platform shoes and open toes shoes), sunglasses, sunscreen, camera with a long tether, small lunch/snack, water and a spirit of adventure. If you wear glasses, you might want to think about a sports retainer for them.

16. How safe is a paraglider?

Each sheath covered kevlar line from the canopy to the harnesses has a breaking strength over 400 lbs. or 182 kg and we have a total of 32 lines. The wing is made of ripstop nylon which has a high tear resistance. The wing is visually inspected before and after each flight. A formal annual inspection is provided by a qualified professional which tests line length, strength and canopy porosity, tearing resistance and flight characteristics. Note, these wings are designed to self recover from collapses (which only occurs during turbulent weather conditions that we don't fly in), however, we could fly safely on 1/2 of the current wing span if need be. Not to mention, that I replace all equipment every couple of years with new equipment.

17. Can I bring my own camera while flying?

Yes! The cameras we use in tandem paragliding are bolted to the pilot's helmet and only used in the video mode. Thus, having your own camera allows the versatility of beautiful still shots. However, it needs to have a tether (12"-18" long) to prevent it from falling to the ground, if dropped accidently.

18. Should I eat?

Yes, please do; otherwise you'll be hungry! Seriously, eat something light, you'll enjoy yourself more.

19. Can my family and friends watch?

This wouldn't be much fun if you did it alone, so by all means, bring as many people to watch you as you'd like. However, please remember, these are highly regulated flying sites (meaning waivers will need to be filled out and signed by all traveling up the mountain), the equipment is expensive, small children will need to stay near the landing zone and be supervised, and smoking and pets are not allowed.

20. Can I bring a picnic?

Yes, please do, many people bring out picnics and watch the paragliders land all day, and even stick around after the day is over to talk with the pilots and staff!

21. Can I bring wine or beer?

You cannot drink before paragliding. We strictly adhere to FAA regulations for safety reasons. Alcohol is not allowed at the flying sites and drugs are not allowed period. However, after we are done for the day, you are welcome to join us for lunch or dinner, at a local restaurant, and have a cold one with us!

22. Does your insurance cover student injuries?

No, for the USHPA organization's insurance covers only 3rd party injuries and property damage. In other words, if during our paragliding operations (i.e., launching, flying or landing) we hit a person, animal or someone's personal property, our insurance will cover their injuries and/or property damage and not that of our own. Thus, it's prudent that everyone carries their own medical insurance.

23. Have you had any injuries (pilot or student)?

No, for we pride ourselves in making intelligent judgements and decisions from a very conservative approach. As firefighter for over 30 years, I have practical experience in making safe decisions under extreme emergency conditions. However, as an "Advanced" rated paraglider pilot, I am always going to make decisions that do not put my advance pilot skills to the test, especially while carrying a student passenger.

As a Tandem Instructor, the only thing I don't have control over is the weather. Thus, I do extensive weather forcast research and gather current weather trends/conditions which have to fit into strict protocols before subjecting myself and most importantly, others, to the whims of the sky. Flying near borderline weather limitations (average wind speeds exceeding 15 mph and/or gust differentials exceeding 5 mph) for a paraglider is not an option. We always choose to reschedule for another day that provides a broader safety margin.

24. Are refunds available?

Tandem lessons must be paid in advance (PayPal via M/C or Visa).
All tandem packet and briefing sales are final, no cash refunds. However, under the discretion of the owner, we may have "PayPal" credit back a "Partial" or the "Full" purchase price to the original purchaser's credit card.
"Partial" or "Full" refund conditions: It's within 60 days of purchased date and; no flight apt. made yet or it was cancelled with at least 48 hours notice or bad weather prevented a scheduled flight.
Using the Security Deposit method of payment (see last PayPal link on the "Services" page) allows a $60 payment to secure a reservation, lesson and flight appointment with full payment not due until just prior to your tandem lesson.
*Bad weather option. Tandem flight appointments that have been cancelled due to weather may be re-scheduled as many times as necessary, within the 30-day membership period, until success is achieved.
Lessons/flights cancelled due to weather will be rescheduled at no extra charge.
Tandem lesson packages must be used within one year of purchase date; after that they expire.
Tandem lessons are by reservation only.
Payment must be received to confirm a reservation.
Tandem lessons may be cancelled with no penalty with 24 or more hours' notice.
Penalty for cancelling with less than 24 hours notice will be $60 for each person.
No-Shows will be charged for the full tandem lesson & forfeit their flight.