In Switzerland, most schools require their students to use only EN-A paragliders. But how to choose it to start an activity that we do not yet know?
One can consider that this first paraglider will be intended only for the learning period. It is the simplest and wisest option because it is difficult to know what will please us and suit us at the end of our training.
We can also consider that it is the ‘paraglider of his life’ because it is specially versatile, light, efficient or just pretty. And that you will use it for a long time.
It’s like a first love! Those who are at least on the second one (love or paraglider!) will understand well what that means…
Paraglider new?
Benefits
- Excellent condition. It is obviously in excellent conditions, but the dealer must have made the effort to perform a real flight test!
More info > HERE
Would you buy a new car if the mechanic doesn’t bother to check the oil, the tyre pressure and take a little turn to check that it starts, drives and brakes?
- Recent school paraglider design.
There has been little progress in the development of school paragliders intended for learning to fly.
Today’s beginners are the same as those of yesterday!
School paragliders are specifically designed to forgive pilot mistakes and also to reassure instructors!
Recent design of the EN-A + (PLUS) paragliders.
This type of paraglider approaches the EN-B. Evolution is mainly “penetration” in turbulent conditions. The canopy tips less when it encounters turbulence and flies much better. The actual L/D is much better than that of a school paraglider.
- Lighter. In their standard version, recent paragliders are about 500 g lighter than those a few years old.
The Light version is even 1.500 kg lighter! The lightweight fabric makes it easier to inflate and reduces the volume of the folded paraglider.
- Cheaper than renting. In addition, you don’t need to get used to a different paraglider on each day of flying.
- Choice of version (Light or Standard).
More info > HERE
- Choice of colour.
- Second-hand resale. Paragliders for beginners are those that can be resold best.
Disadvantages
- More expensive than used.
- A hindrance to progression? At the end of training, given the investment already made, there will be a reluctance to quickly move on to an intermediate EN-B paraglider, which is designed 100% for the pilot’s pleasure!
Used paragliders
Benefits
- Aussi sûr et performant qu’un parapente neuf, à condition qu’il ait été contrôlé récemment.
More info > HERE
Would you buy a new car if the mechanic didn’t bother to check the oil, tyre pressure, and take it for a short drive to check that it starts, runs, and brakes?
- Cheaper than new.
- Cheaper than renting. In addition, you don’t need to get used to a different paraglider on each day of flying.
- Second-hand resale. Paragliders for beginners are those that can be resold best.
- A hindrance to progression? At the end of training, given the investment already made, there will be a reluctance to quickly move on to an intermediate EN-B paraglider, which is designed 100% for the pilot’s pleasure!
Disadvantages
- Ancient design. However, it must be said that there has been little progress in the development of paragliders intended for learning to fly: today’s beginners are similar to those of yesterday!
The school paragliders are specifically designed to forgive pilot mistakes and also to reassure instructors!
- Heavier. Paragliders a few years old are about 500 g heavier than recent ones.
- No choice of color.
- No choice of version (Light or Standard).
More info > HERE
Which size of paraglider to choose? It depends on your total flying weight.
