| It has never been easier to fly than today. And if | | | | usually an airplane, helicopter or even a balloon - |
| you only dream flying and don't do it, that could be | | | | which to raise you to about 4,000 meters attitude. |
| just because you don't know how to start. | | | | The specific and exciting moment in skydiving which |
| Of course flying is not the cheapest hobby you may | | | | is driving so many people to it is the free fall for |
| have, but it's not that expensive that many people | | | | 1,000 - 2,000 meters before opening the parachute. |
| think. Today there are options for everyone to fly, | | | | Skydiving is rather safe activity and most incidents |
| no matter of their wallet size, location or age. | | | | are due to lack of experience when performing |
| Let's explore the opportunities which allow the | | | | advanced techniques. |
| ordinary person to start flying without too much | | | | Because you need an aircraft to raise you up, the |
| efforts or too high expenses. | | | | price of skydiving raises with each jump you make. |
| Paragliders | | | | The equipment is not very expensive and can be |
| One of the most popular flying activity and sport | | | | hired, but the cost of the jumps is raising all the time |
| today is paragliding. Paragliding is relatively cheap and | | | | because of the growing fuel prices. |
| fairly safe. The average fatality rate per thousands | | | | Ultralight Gliders |
| USHGA members per year for the last 15 years is | | | | If you are looking for more advanced fly you may |
| only 0.88. | | | | want to try ultralight gliding. The ultralight gliders are |
| There is no license required for flying a paraglider, but | | | | unpowever airplanes which can soar for hours and |
| if you have no experience at all, it's recommended to | | | | have basic control systems. Unlike the hang gliders, |
| attend some education in any of the thousands | | | | the pilot's body here is seated and there could be |
| paragliding clubs all over the world. | | | | even a cockpit, although that's not always the case. |
| A new paraglider costs about GBP 2,000 while a | | | | The main disadvantage of the ultralight gliders is that |
| second hand can be found for much less. Professional | | | | you need a powered airplane or a tower-winch |
| fly training typically costs between GBP 500 and GBP | | | | system to help you start flying. |
| 1,000. | | | | The costs of the gliders and their support is much |
| There are motor paragliders who are probably the | | | | higher - starts from about USD 10,000 and sky is the |
| simplest powered flying machine. The motor | | | | limit for the top prices. |
| paragliders (paramotors) let you start flying from the | | | | Training can be obtained at the gliding clubs all over |
| ground without the need of hills or winches. | | | | the world and it's also more expensive. |
| Hang Gliders | | | | Ultralight Aircrafts |
| Hand gliding is much elder sport. The first hang gliders | | | | Finally, if you are really keen on being a pilot, don't |
| have been invented at the end of 19th century. The | | | | want to depend on hills, mountains, winches or other |
| main difference between the hang gliders and the | | | | aircrafts, you may want to think about flying your |
| paragliders is that the former have hard fixed wing. | | | | own ultralight aircraft. |
| Modern hang gliders give you the ability to soar for | | | | The ultralight aircrafts are fully functional powered |
| hours and fly over large distances. | | | | airplanes, helicopters or autogyros. They don't need |
| The hang gliders are more appropriate for performing | | | | help to start flying and can be used not only as a |
| aerobatics than the paragliders. The hang gliders are | | | | tool for leisure and sport, but also for practical |
| also capable of flying at much higher speed. | | | | purposes. |
| Hang gliding is considered a bit more advanced | | | | Unfortunately you need a license to fly an ultralight |
| activity, but the cost of equipment and training is | | | | aircraft. Depending on where you live, you may need |
| almost the same or slightly higher than paragliding's. | | | | an LSA license or license for ultralight/microlight pilot. |
| Skydiving | | | | The training costs several thousands GBP. |
| Skydiving is not exactly flying, but is also a very | | | | Flying ultralight aircraft can be quite expensive, but |
| popular sport. It's also known as parachuting. | | | | there are many options to cut down the costs and |
| For a typical skydiving jump you need an aircraft - | | | | complexity and enjoy this wonderful activity. |