[Spitfire]

Sorry for starting another HG vs PG thread. This is not my intention and I don't want this thread to turn into a debate about the merits of each craft. But....don't you think the whole safety debate is to a large extent irrelevant as your choice of craft depends on where you live?

My first solo flight was at Avenue S in Palmdale. I was launched by a couple of PG pilots (one bi-wingual) who had spent the day sat on launch as it was too windy and they ultimately didn't launch. Avenue S can be tough somedays in a SS glider, so PGs have a very limited launch window on a typical flyable day. If that was my main site I would never take up PG.

Here in Los Angeles, Sylmar has a bigger launch window for HGs that for PGs due to the typically strong winds on launch. There's been one day me and my trusty Falcon barely made the LZ, and the PG pilot I spoke to when I landed was just glad he made the LZ and didn't sink out due to the strong winds.

However, if I lived in San Diego, Torrey seems like a much more flyable site for PGs. I'm not familiar with too many PG sites, but I assume if you're in a place where the winds are light, you need to hike to the LZ, or some other limiting factor, you would take up PG.

There are some sites which work well for both craft (Crestline and POTM come to mind), but for most of us, doesn't our choice of wing depend more on our choice of sites?

I may be totally wrong about this as I'm just an H2 who has flown about 6 sites, but that's the impression I get.

[relate2]

I don't know about other sites but at Stanwell one of the instructors told me for every 10 days the tandems get to fly paras get maybe 1 or 2. I know many a day when I am happily having fun on my Malibu in 15 knots the paras are sitting on the hill.

This may be improving with the newer speed wings, but I think you need a fair bit of experience before you step up to a speed wing. Also from what I have seen of the speed wings flying in 15 knots + the just buzz around in ridge lift, not doing much.

[CAL]

i think most sites are ok for both, unless of coarse you need to hike for a ways, they both have there safety issues, if you want to get in a quick flight a pg works well but if it is strong or turbulent better have your hg on your truck, i think it is great to know about both, the more i fly with them the more i enjoy flying with them and get into thermals with them, i think that conditions mark more what glider to use rather than the site, on light days the pgs work well because if you do have a sledder just pack it up and and do it again, though you can do the same with an HG you are going to be 40 minutes longer setting up and taking down, which is also convinient if you want some air and you need to be somewhere, on my hg there are times i don't set up thinking the conditions won't get good and miss the window where a pg just grabs their bag and poof their in the air

[BBJCaptain]

NO!!

[AIRTHUG]

In my experience, yes sites do play a roll. Most sites are good for both, but most sites will also be more favorable toward one or the other.

The skills needed to fly a paraglider in smooth air is minimal. So sites like Torrey or Point of the Mountain that offer that make it a great place to fly PG's.

Flying paragliders in "active" thermic air requires a LOT more skill and training (I'm thinking probably years). Some sites offer smooth conditions to build that experience slowly... some do not.

Most sites are great for either/both... if you know what you are doing. The sites favorable for LEARNING are more limited...

[ChattaroyMan]

Wouldn't surprise me if a hang or para pilot's choice of craft was greatly dependent on which, hang or para, they first saw flying - what first got them hooked on giving either a go. Next decider I'll bet is due to how you live as opposed to where. By how I mean - do you already own a rig suited for mtn. roads, have a place to keep a hang, etc. The convenience of paras is alluring. A para buddy and I went flying (Steptoe Butte) this past Thurs. after work. He was in the air for 30 minutes before I launched (set up time). Since we were up against the wall with sunset we both landed at the same time. If I'd have been flying a para I would have gotten 30 more minutes in. That being the Ying, the Yang of things is when I'm launching in stronger winds that he can't. Then there's the access issues too. I'm not about to pack my hang into places I know I'd head to if I had a para. Hard telling if I'll ever fly a para. Our area is experiencing a bit of a flying rebirth and those of us who fly hangs or paras (or both) are getting together to fly more often. As such we get to know one another's sport better. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if we began learning each other's sport and swapping equipment around. Right now more para pilots are contemplating getting a hang than vice versa. I figure I'll at least be hang-only for 2-3 years before even thinking about flying a para. Then, if I do the conditions will determine which craft I fly. If it is mid-day thermals I'm sticking with a hang. If it is smoother ridge soaring with a smaller time window to get away - maybe then I'll opt for a para.

[FormerFF]

Also remember for a lot of pilots, it's not an "either-or", it's a "both". I think it's mostly a matter of personal preference. Myself, if the wing I flew ever collapsed, even if it was at altitude and it reinflated itself.with no input, I'm immediately fly it to a landing and put it up for sale. Collapses are a dealbreaker for me. I wouldn't be surprised if there are PG pilots who feel the same way about flying fast close to the LZ.

[NMERider]

[Spitfire]

[Nicos]

I chose HG because that's what fell into my lap (I knew nothing about free flying). I knew nothing about penetration or canopy collapse.

Now after some years of flying HG and having seen plenty of PG carnage, it's clear that they require much more active piloting in anything but velvet coastal air. To me, that would mean nervous flying in comparison with HG... which doesn't sound too relaxing. Little gusts of wind would also make me nervous in the air, that would suck.

I just like being in the air. I'm keen to get a PG for those days playing in dunes where it's difficult to access with HG, but I don't live on the coast so there's no great rush.

[aqua]

I kinda like the company of pg'ers sometimes....

probably likes to hand glide, too...