Paramotoring low altitude danger after takeoff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDOjr...eature=related

That is a low altitude paragliding (no motor) fatal crash.

Strangely IMO there is a paramotoring (powered paragliding)
instructional video that condones releasing the cords and
repositioning yourself shortly after takeoff. Reminds me of that
low altitude paragliding disaster video. Maybe they should at
least caution about potential trouble.

Looks to me like the sport could use air bags

On Aug 15, 9:03*pm, John Doe wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDOjr...eature=related

That is a low altitude paragliding (no motor) fatal crash.

Strangely IMO there is a paramotoring (powered paragliding)
instructional video that condones releasing the cords and
repositioning yourself shortly after takeoff. Reminds me of that
low altitude paragliding disaster video. Maybe they should at
least caution about potential trouble.

Looks to me like the sport could use air bags *

I have a friend who recently got into paragliding. During a sabbatical
he went out west, trained and got his endorsement, then traveled the
west for a couple of weeks hitting all the popular spots.

I recently introduced him to some locals who pay-out winch off a pick-
up truck and fly flatland.

Knowing I am a soaring pilot and kite skier, he keeps trying to get me
to take lessons and join him. Each time I kindly pass, stating that
the fact that the canopy can collapse is reason enough for me to take
pause. I've seen that scary video of the fellow who tops out in a
thermal, collapses the canopy, and then spins into the trees 500'
below.

The other day that exact scenario happened to him at 150' agl in a
rough thermal. He started to spin in and had to throw his reserve.
Luckily he was fine...if shaken.

Since then he has been asking a lot of questions about soaring!

/Adam