And what if a beach suddenly started to fill up with “wings”, chairs and trainees, instead of bathers with towels? No worry, it is Inatel’s first course in paragliding. For the first time, paragliding and learning to paraglide have become easier in the Algarve. Inatel has linked up with a private school called “Wind” to teach all those who are interested over the age of 12.
The course is given by the flying instructor José Rosado and will enable learners to reach training level 3, that is going from being a beginner to getting a licence as an autonomous pilot.
The final phase leads to the completion of a written exam administered by the Portuguese Federation of Free Flight, in which students must gain a pass.
At the end of the course “candidates” to be pilots should know how to fly in dynamic lift, remain in flight using the lift coming from a slope, cliff or dune, at a comfortable distance from the ground, obstacles and air traffic.
The other objective of the course is the acquisition of knowledge in the areas of meteorology, aerodynamics, first aid, materials, legislation and rules of flying. People who are interested can later advance to two higher levels, 4 and 5.
The course will preferably operate at weekends, with lessons in theory on Thursdays and will last for about 3 months.
The places for practical training are usually Praia da Falésia in Vilamoura, and Cerro de Vale de Câmara, near the Loulé railway station in.
Equipment is provided by the school and the total cost of the course is 800 euros.
Ricardo Massano, of the Inatel branch in Faro, told the Algarve Observer that at present they have six trainees but that they would like to increase this number and encourage people to get involved in this sport in the Algarve.
Flying through the skies of the Algarve, enjoying the views and the silence with, literally a bird’s eye view, is an opportunity not to be missed, at least by people who are not afraid of heights ….
There is more information on the Inatel blog
http://www.inatelfaro.blogspot.com.
source: algarve observer
