Requirements for the safe training of pilots

updated June 26, 2026

Physical Requirements for foot-launched PG and PPG

  1. AGE: Minimum age required to train is 18.  With the written approval of both biological parents, we may allow students younger than 18 to train.  If you are 46 or older, we recommend that you consult with your doctor whether it is safe for you to fly a foot-launched aircraft.  There is no maximum age limit.
  2. *ABILITY TO RUN: You must be able to run (30) yards in (6) seconds or less.  Have someone assist you in completing this test.  If you cannot do this, you will eventually run into trouble in a foot launched aircraft.
  3. *ABILITY TO ENDURE A MODEST FALL:  Part of your training includes learning how to fall without injury.  There will be times, though not often, when a pilot will land with some force which typically is the same as a 3' fall.
  4. *WEIGHT: Student pilot weight minimum is 105 lb., maximum is 200 lb.  If you are over this weight and under 6' tall, this sport is not for you.  Many of those wishing to train have lost the weight necessary.  Being overweight greatly increases your risk of injury while flying a paraglider.  However, if you are over 6' tall, we can make an exception to the upper weight limit.  Heavier pilots require larger gliders, harnesses, and put added strain on peripherals.
  5. VISION: If you can legally operate a motor vehicle, you can fly a paraglider.  If you need glasses, be sure to wear sports-type eyewear that will not accidently fall off while flying.
  6. LEFT-RIGHT DETERMINATION: If you have difficulty determining which is your right or left, have someone drill you and see whether you can train yourself to instantly recognize which side is which.  It may take some time.  Getting your right or left side/hand confused can be hazardous while paragliding.

*We can waive these (3) requirements for those who are training for wheeled powered paragliding.

Mental Requirements

Mental stability while paragliding is necessary.  Panic, loss of self control, or anything similar can lead to injury or death.  People do not think about task saturation but it happens more often than we like, as in this video.  How will you respond to some urgent matter when you are in the air?  It is worth thinking about.  Those who have had military experience will likely have had the mental training necessary.  Most people have the necessary mental stability to paraglide.  If you can do six things at the same time (like flying a helicopter) training will be easier.  This is NOT the activity where you want to learn how you do mentally or physically.  Experience in skydiving, rock climbing, vertical caving, kite or wind surfing, or mountaineering requires the same mental skills as paragliding.  If you have done any of these extreme sports without problems, you will be OK for paragliding.  Many years of training pilots has demonstrated to us that almost all people have the necessary mental ability to paraglide.

Fear of heights can be overcome with time and should never be a barrier to a pilot's desire to learn how to fly.

vulture