Paragliding gear

THIS PAGE HAS ERRORS. IT WAS PASTED FROM MY OLD BLOG.

Wings

The most useful resource in helping me choose the right wing was DHV SafetyClass

To search DHV database, follow this link and use the modify search and new search links, right under the “number of items per page” drop down.

There’s also this search, but it’s not as easy to use.

Another great resource for gear reviews is Ziad Bassil and his Dust of the universe blog. He’s become so well known, that equipment manufacturers send their gear to him for feedback and reviews.

My priority was safety, and forgiving nature, which is likely what everyone’s looking for for their first wing. But, I also wanted a wing that flies well.

I used DVH SafetyClass to compile a list of wings that I was intersted in, and in the end, chose the Nova ION4 - turns out, it was a very good choice!

Harnesses

DVH SafetyClass has a section on harnesses, testing methodology, etc. There’s tons of information, but it’s not always easy to find what you’re looking for.

I didn’t find any recents tests, but here is a DHV link that has useful testing information.

My research led me to believe that Advance makes fine quality products, and that Advance Success 4 was the safest harness to surround my novice butt with, and that too was a great choice. The quality is great, but also getting into, and out of the harness is remarkably easy.

Now that I’m a P2, and I’m considering some hikes, I’m looking into the Advance Progress 3. It’s very similar in design to the Success 4, but reversible.

Advance Progress 3 Safety Notice

Reserve parachutes

Flybubble make great instructional and gear review videos, but their article on selecting the right reserve is the best I’ve come across so far.

Here is a video on the subject worth watching. If German’s a problem, turn on CC/translation.

I got the Advance SQR Companion. It fits my harness really well, it’s lightweight, and it has no sideway tracking tendencies.

It looks like Rogallo’s even better, but I’m concerned that it wouldn’t get re/packed properly, so it’s actually a bigger liability.

While on the subject, how about some PLF?

Why did I get a variometer ASAP?

I knew that it was going to be a while before my flights would benefit from having a variometer. But, I also knew that having an electronic logbook was going to be indespensible for me, since I’m not big on writing flights into my logbook “analog style” after each flight.

My priorities are having an IGC logbook (so that all my flights are recorded), the ability to connect w/ a phone app using bluetooth, and having a built-in barometric altimeter, and GPS (that way my phone battery will last longer).

I’ve found all those things, and more, in a relatively affordable vario made by SkyBean. The model is SkyDrop, and it also has a super easy to use configurator

Once you have a vario, and some IGC files, upload them to Paragliding Logbook site for some analysis, well, and to update your flight log.

2m VHF radio

The easiest way to configure a radio these days is using your computer. If that statement sounds reasonable, I’d suggesting getting a Baofeng F8HP. If you want something waterproof (SIV), take a look at Yaesu FT-270R.

I went with the Baofeng F8-HP. Don’t forget to also purchase the speaker microphone so that you can wire it into your harness, and a computer programming cable <- that one works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, so hightly recommended.

To program the radio, use the Chirp software. It also runs everywhere, and while it doesn’t look amazing, it just works, and it’s free.

Tip: Connect the radio to the computer using the above USB cable. Don’t forget to turn the volume on the radio all the way up. It’s required for good transmission signal.

As far as what frequencies should you have programmed in your radio: