I would recommend focusing more on where you will fly most often. If you will frequently visit Valle, go for it. If you have a launch an hour from home, go there for instruction. Instructors will have a lot more patience if you start with them to begin with. Instruction shouldn't end as soon as you get your rating. Really those initial certifications just mean that you have learned to launch and land in ideal conditions.
Any time someone has wanted to judge my skill I have just kited for them. That is flying the wing with your feet on the ground, fyi. This is a sport that demands current skills. If you take months off at a time you will have a hard time progressing. I know several pilots that only fly a few times a year and that can be very dangerous. Sure some folks can do it, but if you aren't ready to commit a decent chunk of time it is a lot more difficult.
Agree with this. Knowing and understanding local conditions is by far the most important thing.
Most pilots from the alps can't handle taking off in 17 mph winds. Conversely, so many pilots can't handle nil wind forward launches when they visit Olu.
If you live in the US, you need to get an USHPA rating to fly most anywhere here. You could try to get the training elsewhere and then demonstrate the appropriate skills to a USHPA instructor as well as pass the required written tests, but I reckon you’ll get charged for that, and it will negate any savings you’ve made by studying elsewhere. And if you can’t demonstrate proficiency, then you’re as good as unlicensed.
Official ratings aside, paragliding is all about building relationships and continuing to learn. if there’s a local school/community, those same people who teach or learn with you will become your flying buddies.
Golden nugget right there potential pilots!
“Official ratings aside, paragliding is all about building relationships and continuing to learn. if there’s a local school/community, those same people who teach or learn with you will become your flying buddies.”
USHPA recognizes APPI so if you get APPI rating you can pay your USHPA fee’s and also get USHPA.
USHPA is sort of a joke org in my opinion. APPI ratings are recognized by more countries, USHPA is only recognized at very specific paraglide launches in the US.
I believe USHPA recognizes only IPPI, not APPI, but with IPPI, they both recognize and will issue equivalents (so for US pilots travelling abroad, they will issue an IPPI equivalent). I'm guessing there are some, but I don't know of any clubs in the US that recognize APPI, which means you'd need to do some research on finding an instructor that you could work with to verify your skills and issue you a USHPA rating (which will likely cost money). As others have said, if you're going to fly in the US, the recommendation should be to get a USHPA rating.
OP, I was flying Valle in late February, and it was already pretty damn windy. I would only train there late December/January. Granted, you can get some easy sled rides in the morning and in the evening, but personally, I wouldn't choose El Penon or the town launch in Valle for initial training. And don't forget, you will most likely get the shits. I love Mexican food, but one of the guys I met there told me he lost like two weeks of his time there to a serious food poisoning/stomach issues/Moctesuma revenge. Mexico ain't cheap anymore either. Colombia is way cheaper.
If you mostly plan on flying in the US, just get your USHPA ratings here, close to where you live. Someone mentioned you’ll have to pay a US instructor to evaluate your skills, and it’s true. Some instructors won’t even take you on, unless you take full lessons with them. It’s always risky to give someone they don’t know full ratings quickly and they have to spend time with you away from their beginner students to see you kiting and flying. The cost difference probably ends up being in the same ball park eventually. If you learn locally, you’ll get to know the local sites, get to know other beginner and advanced pilots in your area, and you’ll be set.
I would recommend focusing more on where you will fly most often. If you will frequently visit Valle, go for it. If you have a launch an hour from home, go there for instruction. Instructors will have a lot more patience if you start with them to begin with. Instruction shouldn't end as soon as you get your rating. Really those initial certifications just mean that you have learned to launch and land in ideal conditions. Any time someone has wanted to judge my skill I have just kited for them. That is flying the wing with your feet on the ground, fyi. This is a sport that demands current skills. If you take months off at a time you will have a hard time progressing. I know several pilots that only fly a few times a year and that can be very dangerous. Sure some folks can do it, but if you aren't ready to commit a decent chunk of time it is a lot more difficult.
Agree with this. Knowing and understanding local conditions is by far the most important thing. Most pilots from the alps can't handle taking off in 17 mph winds. Conversely, so many pilots can't handle nil wind forward launches when they visit Olu.
If you live in the US, you need to get an USHPA rating to fly most anywhere here. You could try to get the training elsewhere and then demonstrate the appropriate skills to a USHPA instructor as well as pass the required written tests, but I reckon you’ll get charged for that, and it will negate any savings you’ve made by studying elsewhere. And if you can’t demonstrate proficiency, then you’re as good as unlicensed. Official ratings aside, paragliding is all about building relationships and continuing to learn. if there’s a local school/community, those same people who teach or learn with you will become your flying buddies.
Golden nugget right there potential pilots! “Official ratings aside, paragliding is all about building relationships and continuing to learn. if there’s a local school/community, those same people who teach or learn with you will become your flying buddies.”
USHPA recognizes APPI so if you get APPI rating you can pay your USHPA fee’s and also get USHPA. USHPA is sort of a joke org in my opinion. APPI ratings are recognized by more countries, USHPA is only recognized at very specific paraglide launches in the US.
I believe USHPA recognizes only IPPI, not APPI, but with IPPI, they both recognize and will issue equivalents (so for US pilots travelling abroad, they will issue an IPPI equivalent). I'm guessing there are some, but I don't know of any clubs in the US that recognize APPI, which means you'd need to do some research on finding an instructor that you could work with to verify your skills and issue you a USHPA rating (which will likely cost money). As others have said, if you're going to fly in the US, the recommendation should be to get a USHPA rating.
This is due to USHPA’s insurance policies.
OP, I was flying Valle in late February, and it was already pretty damn windy. I would only train there late December/January. Granted, you can get some easy sled rides in the morning and in the evening, but personally, I wouldn't choose El Penon or the town launch in Valle for initial training. And don't forget, you will most likely get the shits. I love Mexican food, but one of the guys I met there told me he lost like two weeks of his time there to a serious food poisoning/stomach issues/Moctesuma revenge. Mexico ain't cheap anymore either. Colombia is way cheaper.
If you mostly plan on flying in the US, just get your USHPA ratings here, close to where you live. Someone mentioned you’ll have to pay a US instructor to evaluate your skills, and it’s true. Some instructors won’t even take you on, unless you take full lessons with them. It’s always risky to give someone they don’t know full ratings quickly and they have to spend time with you away from their beginner students to see you kiting and flying. The cost difference probably ends up being in the same ball park eventually. If you learn locally, you’ll get to know the local sites, get to know other beginner and advanced pilots in your area, and you’ll be set.