Sky-High Essentials: Gear That Elevates Your Paragliding
Let's talk about gear! The accessories that make the difference. The following links are from my Amazon Associate account. If you use the link and purchase, you have my thanks and i'll buy you a coffee when we fly together!
Here's some things I like... a lot... (by category)
In the Air
I like to carry 1-2 liters of water. For a regular day's flying, 1L does just fine for me although I do have a tendency to put Liquid IV in my water. My preference is to use the Platypus systems. I like that there is only 1 hole so the last a decent amount of time and I have not yet had one leak on me. I do like to weave the drinking tube through and leave it in my gear to make the bladder more portable. If you try some household items, you'll find a watertight cap that fits. It's a pretty common size. Or if you purchase one of the bottle types, that cap will fit all of them.
LINK: Ballcap Style Helmet
To go with the helmet, I prefer a balaclava. The combination of ears out and the balaclava for cover works well and you can hear the wind and your glider. Remember that sound is another sense you can use for flight. These lightweight balaclavas are great for summertime! 9 seems like a lot but if you fly often, its nice to have spares. I got mine in all black but suit yourself on the color.
LINK: Lightweight Balaclavas
That should do it for the first round of items. With the exception of the Yaesu radio, all the items are inexpensive additions to your kit. It doesn't take much to make the difference. A few tried and true components make flight more comfortable for sure!
Radios are an important part of communication. There are more and less expensive radios. You seem to get what you pay for in the radio department.
LINK: Yaesu Radio
I'll list also this very inexpensive radio. They are not near the quality listed above. Note that there is some adversity to the use of this radio, especially if you travel. These are fine for around town but once you start doing XC flights and need more reliable communication, it is worth stepping up to something more reliable.
LINK: Baofeng Radio
Pee Tubes (ewww gross!) are a long flight necessity. I use these and I like that they have sizes. So far, I have not had any issues with them. Cut the tube off the bag and don't use the bag of course.
LINK: Pee Tubes
On the Ground
First is a good wind sock. These are inexpensive and work just fine. I like how orange they are and the larger 40" sock is more visible than the smaller from a distance. Both work fine. Keep the post simple. I have mine mounted on an antenna with a spring base on the roof rack of my vehicle. The easiest and most versatile mount is to use PVC pipe and a 12" (30cm) piece of rebar. pound the rebar half into the ground and slide the pipe over it. If the PVC is too long for your vehicle, use some couplings so it can break down. This system is flexible and durable even in strong wind. Attach the windsock with a short piece of extra line and a hole drilled through the top an inch (3cm) or so down. Works fantastic!
LINK: Windsocks
Next is a decent anemometer. Once you're skilled enough to feel it out you'll have a good idea but a good instrument to determine the wind speed is essential when you're new! Remember, when you're new, do it by the numbers. one of these and 3 minutes in the wind will help you get the feeling of what is and is not too windy!
LINK: Anemometer
Last on the basics list is a hanging scale. I have this mounted in the shop and it is the instrument that gets the most use. Always good to know what your gear weighs. We hike and fly so a few lbs/kgs makes a huge difference.
LINK: Hanging Scale
Thanks for reading - come fly with us!!
