“Its is possible to fly without motor but not without knowledge and skills.”
I have always wanted to experience how it feels to fly. I guess when we were still young, we pretend to be super heroes that can fly. However, I have fear of heights. I have tested myself many times already by climbing a tall tree or a big rock formation and being on top of a light house but I still feel uncomfortable and scared that I might fall.
Paragliding has been a part of my bucket list not only to experience flying but to conquer my fear of heights. A long time goal but did not have the opportunity due to my triathlon training and unawareness of the location where you can do the flight.
How to get to Carmona, Cavite
By Public Transport
From LRT Buendia, you can ride a bus going to Biñan, Laguna for php52. Once you reach Biñan, you can drop through Carmona exit, then ride a jeep going to Jollibee Carmona. You will need to ride a tricycle going to Sugar Road and tell the driver that you are going to the Paragliding site.
By Private Transport
From Manila, you can pass along SLEX going to Southwoods Exit with toll fee of php152. From Southwoods exit, take the Carmona short cut route behind the Southwoods Village then will lead you to Jollibee Carmona.
Paragliding
This a recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing comprising a large number of interconnected baffled cells. Wing shape is maintained by the suspension lines, the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing, and the aerodynamic forces of the air flowing over the outside.
Flight location at Carmona, Cavite
Tandem Paragliding
This is designed to carry the pilot and one passenger, are larger but otherwise similar. They usually fly faster with higher trim speeds, are more resistant to collapse, and have a slightly higher sink rate compared to solo paragliders.
Meet my pilot
Micheal Vincent
- FlyXtreme Adventure Philippines Founder
- Competitor Pilot
- FAI (Federal Aeronautics International) License
- Contact: (0906) 322 5304
- Price: 2,500php weekdays
- Price: 3,500php weekends
- Flight Months: November- May (thermal)
Equipment
The paraglider wing or canopy is usually what is known in aeronautical engineering as a “ram-air airfoil”. Such wings comprise two layers of fabric that are connected to internal supporting material in such a way as to form a row of cells. By leaving most of the cells open only at the leading edge, incoming air keeps the wing inflated, thus maintaining its shape. When inflated, the wing’s cross-section has the typical teardrop aerofoil shape. Modern paraglider wings are made of high-performance non-porous materials such as ripstop polyester or nylon fabric.
Harness
The pilot is loosely and comfortably buckled into a harness, which offers support in both the standing and sitting positions. Most harnesses have foam or airbag protectors underneath the seat and behind the back to reduce the impact on failed launches or landings.
Tip:
- Make sure to be ready physically and mentally before you do paragliding.
- Trust you Pilot. He knows what he is doing.
- Observe Parawaiting. The launch depends on the weather.
- Focus on the horizon instead of looking down.
- Do not panic. Majority of the paragliding accidents are due to human error.
- Enjoy the flight. #YOLO
Launching
The wing is placed into an airstream, either by running or being pulled, or an existing wind. The wing moves up over the pilot into a position in which it can carry the passenger. The pilot is then lifted from the ground and, after a safety period, can sit down into his harness.
Forward launch
The wing is inflated with a forward launch, where the pilot runs forward with the wing behind so that the air pressure generated by the forward movement inflates the wing. It is often easier, because the pilot only has to run forward, but the pilot cannot see his wing until it is above him, where he has to check it in a very short time for correct inflation and untangled lines before the launch.
Soaring Flight or Ridge Soaring
Soaring flight is achieved by utilizing wind directed upwards by a fixed object such as a dune or ridge. In slope soaring, pilots fly along the length of a slope feature in the landscape, relying on the lift provided by the air, which is forced up as it passes over the slope.
Thermal Flying or Thermal Flight
When the sun warms the ground, it will warm some features more than others (such as rock faces or large buildings), and these set off thermals which rise through the air.
Sometimes these may be a simple rising column of air; more often, they are blown sideways in the wind and will break off from the source, with a new thermal forming later.
My paragliding experience was fun and exciting and a big check in my bucket list.
Technical Information Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paragliding
“Way back high school days, I was asked by my 4th year English teacher “give 3 things you wish to do in your life” one of my answers was “I want to see the world from above” It’s a childish dream, envying the birds, and be able to see the world in their unique perspective.”
June 26, 2016, I’ve tried this paragliding by FlyXtreme Adventure Club and Paragliding School.
“It’ll always be a special feeling to fly, It’s an all new world, a paradise. It’s what a bird feels, the touch of clouds, the endless horizon, the freedom of the sky. And at the very moment of flying, I told myself “It’s best to see the world from above” – Jun Zoleta
The Broken Hearted Traveller 