FAQs

Paragliding: You launch from a hill or mountain using a lightweight, foot-launched glider. You can soar for hours using wind and thermals, steering with brake handles. It's quiet, graceful, and can feel like you're floating.

Parasailing: You're towed behind a boat while attached to a parachute. You don’t steer; it’s more of a passive ride. It’s typically done over water at beach resorts.

Hang Gliding: Similar to paragliding in that you launch from hills or mountains and use natural lift to stay in the air. The glider is rigid and triangular, and you steer by shifting your body weight. It's faster and more physical than paragliding.

Skydiving: You jump from an airplane with a parachute. It starts with a fast freefall, then you open your chute and glide down. The entire experience is short and adrenaline-packed.

Paramotor: Similar to paragliding but with a small engine and propeller worn like a backpack. You can launch from flat ground and don’t need wind or a hill. It's notably louder and can be a fun experience but often less peaceful.

This is very weather dependent and we usually get a good idea of what may be a good launch site to check out about 3 days in advance. (This can vary to the day of). 

One of our favorites is in the Columbia Gorge/Washington just beyond Maryhill. 

The Oregon Coast also has a number of great launches, Oceanside being one of the crowd favorites.  

A Tandem experience can be the best way to get an educational briefing on how paragliding works, what to expect if you want to learn to fly solo, and the reality of the dangers

“Am I going to fall out of the sky or the harness?”

No — that’s one of the biggest fears, but it’s not how tandem paragliding works. The harness is like a secure, padded seat with multiple safety buckles, and you’re firmly attached to both the wing and the pilot. Once you're clipped in, there's no way to “fall out.”

The wing itself doesn’t just fall either — it’s a carefully designed airfoil that stays inflated by moving through the air, just like an airplane wing. Tandem pilots fly in safe weather and use highly stable wings designed specifically for carrying passengers. We also fly with a reserve parachute as a further precaution. 

The real risks?
The main safety factors are:

• Flying in poor weather – good pilots won’t launch unless conditions are right. (Pilot judgement is very important here)

• Takeoff and landing – where coordination matters most, but your pilot will guide you step by step.

With a trained professional and proper conditions, tandem paragliding is a very safe and unforgettable experience.

A typical tandem flight lasts anywhere from 6 to 15 minutes, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the flight. In calm conditions, you’ll enjoy a smooth glide from launch to landing (often called a “sled ride”). If conditions are good and there’s lift, your pilot may extend the flight for more airtime and altitude.

The entire experience — including briefing, gearing up, and transportation — usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Hey, this is a real question — and you’re definitely not the first person to wonder. But the answer is no — no alcohol or drugs before flying.

It’s not just a safety thing (though that’s a big part of it). Flying under the influence is strictly prohibited:

• It’s clearly stated in the waiver you’ll sign,
  
  

• And federal regulations (FAA Part 103) also apply — even for unpowered flight like paragliding.
  
  

Your pilot needs to know you’re alert, clear-headed, and able to follow instructions, especially during takeoff and landing. Save the celebration for after your feet are back on the ground.