Paragliding Course Descriptions--2005

Full Certification Flight Package--$1400*

The Full Certification Flight Package, our most popular package, is designed specifically for the serious pilot who wants to learn paragliding in the most effective manner possible. With this program, we take you all the way through your advanced rating (USHGA PARA 4) and provide the skills and flight time needed for you to fly just about every site around the US and World. We are flexible with scheduling and can do both weekend and mid-week days as both our calendars allow. We are unique in that we offer instruction in both Western and Central Washington, as well as various other national &  international tour destinations, which gives you a broader view of paragliding, various sites, and the weather conditions that go along with these areas. Which paragliding site we choose will depend on the weather conditions and our current learning objectives.

Initially, our goal will be to work toward, and complete, your USHGA PARA 1 & 2 certification in addition to infusing you with as much comfort and knowledge as possible. During your first few session, the classes will be very small, even private one-on-one, while we work on the basics and build a strong foundation for your future. After the first few sessions, we will introduce you to other pilots, both more and  less experienced, so you can also learn from observing & working with them in addition to building friendships and camaraderie with pilots you will fly with for years to come. Straight flights, turns, special seminars, safety clinics, launch and landing techniques, kiting, and soaring are a few of the things we will concentrate on at this stage.

For the best information retention, we ask that you complete the PARA 2 portion of your program within six months and don't go more than four weeks without scheduling a session. If this is not possible, extra charges may apply. Through your PARA 2 portion of the program, we also provide most of the transportation on higher flights. At some sites, there may occasionally, not often, be a $5-$15 shuttle fee for a secondary operator not affiliated with NAPI.

Once you have your PARA 2 rating we will continue to coach, teach, and guide you throughout your flying career even though much of your flying may not be under our direct supervision. At this stage you are certified to fly many sites on your own without the direct supervision of your instructor (never ALONE), and we encourage you to do so. You are welcome to fly with us at any time our mutual schedules allow in order to work more on speeds to fly and ridge & thermal soaring, speed bar, riser tweaking, and other speed enhancements, big ears, wing tips, more precise spot landings, top and side hill landings, FAA sectionals, and more. This will move you toward your PARA 3 and PARA 4 ratings.

*The effective price of our program is $1400, after the $1000 credit toward a new gear package (XiX Smile, Harness, Reserve, Helmet, Radio) purchased  within the first two sessions. If you choose to wait on your purchase, rental gear will continue to be provided through the first 25 solo and/or tandem flights (one of the minimum requirements for a USHGA PARA 2 rating) . This discount is not applicable on used, sale items, close-out merchandise, or able to be combined with any other offer.

You will need to sign up for full membership in the USHGA in order to complete your training and gain a USHGA rating, although any specific USHGA rating will depend on the individual pilots proficiency. We ask that you provide at least three days notice if you need to cancel, else we may need to charge you for those days you have signed up for. Special rates on future instruction, domestic and international paragliding tours, and a variety of equipment may apply.

Currently, all tandem referrals from a Full Certification Student will receive a 20% discount, off the normally priced tandem, taking their cost to US$120. Just have them mention your name and ask for it!

Introductory Lesson--$600

This introductory  lesson is designed to give you a good taste of paragliding. We will do theory and ground handling in addition to providing at least four flights (solo and/or tandem) over the course of two to three sessions. Many pilots obtain their USHGA PARA 1 rating, in addition to many flights, during this lesson A paragliding tee shirt and log book are included in this program. We provide all technical gear required. 50% of this course cost may apply toward our Full Certification Program.

Tandem Lesson--$150

This is a great way to experience the beauty of flight with minimal commitment on your part. We will hook you in with one of our qualified tandem instructors for a fun-filled flight and great learning experience. This is a great gift idea too!

Additional flights done that day, if our schedules allow, will be discounted to only $75. Additional flights done within 30 days (while your temporary USHGA membership is still valid) will be discounted to $100. 50% of your first tandem flight cost may apply to either our Full Certification Program or our Introductory Lesson.

Have a group? For groups of four or more, the costs of a tandem flight is only $125/person, eight or more is only $100/person. 

Full Cert Student? If you are a full certification student and have a family member who wishes to try out your sport with a tandem flight, the cost for them is only $100. Just mention this Web Special when signing up!

If you wish to pay for your Tandem Certificate using PayPal or your credit card, please click the Buy Now button on the left and then email us your name, address you want the certificate sent to, and the name you wish to have as the recipient on the certificate. We will send your certificates via First Class mail to the address you provided. These tandem certificates are valid for one year from the time of purchase and make excellent gifts for your loved ones. Although you are welcome to pick specific dates when you purchase the certificate, we recommend you leave the date up to the recipient and us to choose so we can work around their schedule and any weather considerations.

Para 3 Certification Program--$200-$600

The cost of our program is $600, however, there is a $400 discount for any of our former Full Certification Pilots (those who may have signed up prior to our current all inclusive package) currently flying a glider purchased new from us. You may begin working on your PARA 3 any time after you receive your PARA 2 rating. You are required to be a full member of USHGA and have all your gear. We will provide witnessing of the required tasks, coaching, and the administration of the exam. We do not provide full time and/or exclusive instruction like we do while you are working on your earlier ratings. This program is already included in our 2005 Full Certification Program above.

Para 4 Certification Program--$200

We will review your logbook, provide coaching on problem areas, do an exam review, and administer the USHGA P4 Exam over the course of one or two sessions. This program is already included in our 2005 Full Certification Program above.

Other Lesson Options

For those of you who may be interested in private one-on-one lessons, we offer these, by appointment, for $600/session for one person or $700/session for two.

For those wanting to do standard small group lessons and pay on a session-by-session basis, the cost is $500 for the first day with the cost descending by $50/day to a low of $150.

Instructor Ratings

For those of you interested in gaining your instructor rating, you will be happy to learn that Mike Eberle is a fully certified Administrator for USHGA. Mike is the only Instructor Certification Program Administrator in Washington State and is qualified to teach others to teach, administer the Instructor exams, and qualify all instructors at all levels. Courses and prices vary, so please call for more information.

Rescheduling/Refunds

For most sessions, we ask that you provide us with at least three days notice if you are unable to attend, else we may need to charge you for that session. For instruction past the Para 2 level, more notice is appreciated...please call for specifics on your course. We are sorry, but no refunds are available.

Some Important Notes

Depending on the type of lesson you have signed up for, you should call our home office at 206-320-9010 after 9pm the night prior to your lesson. We will reconfirm the course meeting time, meeting location and if the weather will be appropriate. If for some reason the conditions are inappropriate, we may adjust the meeting time and/or location for your course, or we may reschedule at a mutually convenient time. 

Payment must be received to secure your lesson. We accept cash, personal checks, business checks, bank checks, money orders, or credit card checks. Note, we are not set up to take credit cards. Thank you for your understanding.

Things to Bring--you should bring most of these items. They are listed in order of importance.