Paragliding course - 25-29.Jun.2005

Hi All,

For a long time I waited to have enough money for this... and it never happened... (it is expensive)
Then I realized, that if i just wait, it will never happen... so i took a loan from the bank.
And at last, I signed up for a Paragliding course (Austrian license) and thought, it would be great to do it with fellow TT'ers.
The school is Fly For Fun in Munich - http://www.flyforfun.com
The dates I picked are 11.06.05 - 15.06.05. (edit: dates have now changed, see later in this thread)
Its a 5 day course (in a row),two are weekend and 3 are the next work days.
(The one before that overlaps with the Luxembourg weekend...)
I decided to go for the Austrian license to start with, since its cheaper, and you get the license quicker.
And since we are in the Munich area, flying in Austria is not really a restriction.
Besides, upgrading to an international license costs only the price difference between the two courses.
(But I am still thinking about doing the international one from the start...)
All the information you need can be found on their site.

So, if the flying bug is itching you - come and join me! :-)
I hope, that there will be enough people here who will be interested, so later we can go flying together.
Also, we might form an English speaking class...

So far two (one is a couple) TT'ers contacted me.

Use this thread to say if you would like to join, or PM me.

Hope to hear from many of you!

Cheers
Dani.

Crosslink by admin: TT readers interested in paragliding

oh WAAAAH. i really wanted to join up with you guys for this but i'll be in boston during the june course. any chance ya'll want to wait till july?

how much does it cost?

Assuming it's the "basic course" and the Austrian license, it's €500 from what I can see.

I would love to join you guys. However, I cannot make it during those days. If you can even postpone it by a week or two, I am in.

Izabella,xaragon - and the rest with date problems:
There is another course in June 25.06.05 - 29.06.05 - will you be able to make that one?
In general, I would like to start early, to have as much summer as possible for upgrading the license and for flying...
So for me personally, the 25.6 is a stretch but still ok, if it means more TT'ers can come. (my original plan was to go on the 26.05.05 - 31.05.05, but it overlaps with the Luxembourg TT weekend which I am going to as well)
Lets see how many will show interest, then it will be easier to see which dates come in question... ok?
(if really a lot of us like... 10? will team up - maybe we can negotiate a class and dates (prices?) - I dont know - but I would think this could be possible - should I ask at the school?)
So any one who wants to join, list your selves up here - even if you have problem with the dates.
We'll then see how to go next.

showem
Correct.
Its the "combo" course, but as far as I can see, the combo course is just both courses one after the other, and those who signed only to one leave or join at the beginning of each course.
And yes, the this combo course costs 500EU.
I would however advise, to think about later...
Doing this course makes little sense if you dont plan to practice the sport later on.
In which case, buying your own equipment is the only logical thing to do - from the economical point of view...
And gear COSTS!
That is why I took the loan from the bank...
So guys, when you think about it - consider that as well...

P.S
If nothing else helps to have everyone in one course - I guess smaller teams can get together for dates that suit them.
Going even with one more person is better then alone!
So list up!

25th June, I am in! Plus, I am sure they will give us a group discount, if there are quite a few of us! We should definitely negotiate on the prices.

Xargon

P.S: How much does buying the gear cost?

Don't quote me on this, but as far as I could google for it, basic equipment will not be less then 1500EU...
But I will call the school tomorrow, and ask.

Cool. Probably it is better to look around for deals and all too.

Xargon

Daniel34 and Xargon,
DO NOT BUY GEAR FROM OTHER SOURCES, OTHER THAN FROM THE ACCREDITED SCHOOL THAT YOU ARE TRAINING AT UNTIL YOU KNOW THE PARAMETERS!! There are too many variables and you could very well get stuck with gear that is worse than illegal!
hope this helps.
take care,
tracy

Daniel34~ my husband is out of town right now, i will check with him on dates as soon as I can. oooo...this is going to be fun.

space: Now that i think about it, you are absolutely right. Not worth it when you would be dangling thousands of feet from it!

those dates work great for me but i have to check with ze boy on his availability

Ok.
I spoke with the school and here is the "zusammenfassung":
As a thumb rule, groups get about 10% discount, this depends on whether it is with accommodation or not and "things like that"...
The size of the group should be 5 to 10 people.
As a group, it IS possible to have our own dates!!
If you plan to buy equipment:
They offer both used and new.
Used is on "availability basis", I gathered its not much and not all the time.
The prices for used equipment, certified and checked by the school, starts at about 1500EU.
Used equipment is about 3 years old at most.
New equipment prices start at about 3000EU... (here EU should be read as oi...)
You can count on discounts on equipment, but not more then 15% max.
"Equipment" here, stands for everything one needs to fly - but no extra accessories.

English speaking teachers are available, as well as a "translation service" for the theoretical exam.

Did I miss anything?

But probably we need some security and communication equipment and that would be extra.

English speaking teachers would be definitely a big plus! I am definitely game if we begin on the 25th of June.

I did a bit of gliding years ago. Would love to take it up but have a family now. Must be honest I flew in some dodgy conditions but my gear was cheap but safe.

Goodluck with flying. Recommend Dennis Pagen's Walking on Air as the bible for gliding.

Do you mean - during the course?
Its all included in the course price (equipment and radio comm.) - see on their web page.

Hi again,

Something came up, and I wont be able to make the course on the 11.06.05 - 15.06.05.
And not at all during June.
So for me the next possibility is only the course between 09.07.05 - 13.07.05.
Sorry about the mess.
I suggest we drop the timing issue for now, and first see how many are interested in general.
If we are enough, we can then decide on a date that suits the most/all of us.
If not - we'll have to do one of the predefined dates.
We have about a month to organize - so lets see in which direction the wind blows... :-)

Cheers
Dani.

I am definitely in.

did we nail down final dates & group for this? i'd love to get going on it while we still have most of the summer ahead of us... start date of june 25th works great for me

I can't take a week off this summer (am having August off to renovate my house) but am up for the "Schnupperwochenende", the weekend trips... anyone else?

No we didn't yet.
I signed in for the 11-15th as stated in the beginning of this thread, but now I am not sure I will be able to make it for that date, as some things came up for me to do during June...
But this is also not 100% sure, so I might be able to make it after all (during June)...
Other then that, my motivation to do it ASAP is the same as your Izabella...
The key question is - how many of us are in for sure, if the date suits everyone?
If we are more then 5, the date is flexible, and we can choose a date that suits most/all of us.
If we are less, we have to go for the predefined dates.
So everyone who is 100% in if the date is no problem, PM me or post here, as soon as you can, so we can know better how to proceed - ok?

So far the "in"s are:
Izabella
xargon
mybutterfly
Daniel34

Correct me on this please.

Cheers
Dani.

So where do we stand on this? Any proposals?

Good news! (for me at least)
If there are no more surprises, I WILL be doing the the 11-15 June course as planned.
I think we chatted this to death - time for action.
Please let me know ASAP who is definitively in (you still didn't confirmed the list I posted two posts up, shame on you!), so we can know how to proceed (i.e are we enough to make a better date, English speaking course etc, or not.)
List closes on Monday, as the school requires payment 7 days prior to course start. (and Monday is 5 days already)
If you still decide you are 'in' after that, let me know, I guess the school wont object - as long as you pay .
(note however this might be subject to number of people etc)
You should all register at the school through their online registration form.
(let me know if you have problems with that)
Post here or PM me.
Hope to see many of you there!

Lets fly people!

Ok, after reading the thread again, I have the feeing most will have less problems with the course that starts on the 25th.
If this is true, then team up for that date, I can't say at the moment (but I will during this week) if I can make it for that one.
But I need more coherent feedback from you lot...

Is it possible to add a poll to an existing thread?

11-15 June is not possible for me

Ok pips.
PLEASE answer the poll so we can know how many we are.
If none of the dates are suitable for you, but you are 100% coming when it can suit you, please check the last option, in case we are enough, we can have our own date.
And please do it quickly, we are out of time.

Please answer the poll here ASAP

Cheers
Dani.

Shit, I would *love* to try that!! Bit costly though
For those who want a cheaper option, we were last week in Hohenschwangau to see Neuschwanstein castle. There are flying schools there that charge only €110 for a tandem flight. I watched them running off the cliff and am not quite sure if I could do it as I have a slight fear of heights LOL :} The scenery is absolutely gorgeous too - highly recommended.

http://www.flugschule-aktiv.de/

There are also many other activites you could enjoy in this area:

Camel Rides, Fa. Rent-a-Camel, Seeg, Hack 228,
Tel. 08369/910640

(Didn't know they had camels in Bavaria! LOL)

Hot-air Balloons: Bavaria Ballonfahrten GmbH, Seeg, Tel. 08364/986068

Ok.
After a very enthusiastic poll participation (NOT), and after having more information about my own schedule,
here is the closing post I'll do on the subject, unless there are news.
I am taking the 25.06.05 - 29.06.05 course.
Who ever wants to join me is more then welcome - just PM me (no point posting here as its obviously not working).
Too bad really...

Cheers
Dani.

Hi again,

Just a reminder, this Saturday the current course begins.
So if any of yous still in to it, this is the time.
Hope to see at least some of you there.

Cheers
Dani.

Hi,

Got back yesterday from the first part of the course, meaning, I did the beginners and Ö license (all though I don't hold the Ö license since I am doing the full A license),

and I thought to inform you on some things which might interest you:

1. The first thing which you should consider, is, that the Ö license is NOT a license.
With the Ö license you can fly only along with a paragliding school, and in practice it will always be the school with which you started, since no other school will take responsibility over you.
Also, the Ö license is good for 3 years and then it expires, no matter how much you flew during these 3 years.

2. Although the Ö course costs 500€, you have to add the room and food costs, which are not cheep - if you get a single room as I did, you pay 45€ (breakfast and dinner), add to that lunch which you pay, drinks...
It costed me 266€ for 5 days (4 nights).

3: The Ö course is 5 days, at which end, you should have made 5 high altitude flights.
But since this sport is VERY weather dependent, we could only do one high altitude flight, which means, the ones doing the Ö license will have to come at least once more to complete the 5 flights.
So better find someone to share a room with, this gets to be somewhat cheaper (or should I say less expensive), 38€ for person as above.

I am now in search of other guest houses in that area (there are many) and see if I can find anything cheaper.

So my point is, if you know this is a sport you like, and will practice, then the Ö license makes no sense, unless you consider it (the course) as a one time 'active' vacation.
It will cost you (bottom line) at least about 800€, and you get nothing really at the end, other then the experience it self.

Oh yes, the first 4 days are basic course and 50m flights.
This is done on a hill side, which you have to climb each time.
This is VERY physically demanding - so be prepared to sweat a lot, for 4 days, and fly really little.

The 5th day is THE day, and the high altitude flight is something that makes up for the whole ordeal of the days before. If the weather plays along that is...

Oh yeah, if your German is really bad, you will have trouble, since the theory and test are in German - but I was told by the school, that a group of more then 5 persons can determine language (i.e English) and dates for it self.

The test and question catalog for the A license are available in several languages, English ofcourse is one of them!

Bottom line - this demands good consideration, and a financial and physical ability.

Ask me if you would like to know more.

P.S

Since I did only my first high jump (out of 40) I will be still going there a lot during this summer.
So if any of you still considers the Ö or A license, we could team up, be more fun and cheaper to go and stay...

Cheeree'o

Dani.

Attached is a pic of yours truly during one of the 50m jumps