Paragliding is a very accessible sport, so students typically start taking short hops very quickly. Yet, the learning never stops...Paragliding offers a lifetime of challenges.

The Right Stuff: Our Teaching Approach.
Different people learn differently. Air Addiction’s experienced and certified instructors utilize a full range of teaching techniques, including experiential learning with the equipment, tandem flying with an instructor, video, participative lecture, plus illustration and demonstration to ensure the most effective communication. Further, we utilize extensive testing to verify the result. And throughout, we maintain our strong commitment to safety.

Paragliding is the most elemental and emotive form of flight. As fun as paragliding is, your body is up in the air, and because there is this thing called "gravity," learning to paraglide is serious business. Some schools will tell you that you can learn to fly safely after a couple of dozen flights lasting only a few seconds each. We don't think that approach is safe. Our program typically includes those little training hill hops, but also repeated high flights under radio instruction where the student practices coordinated and sequenced turns, setting up landing approaches, intermediate descent techniques, and how to properly respond to dynamic air currents. Moreover, on the ground students will typically spend 10-15 hours in the classroom studying topics including aerodynamics, equipment airworthiness, inspection and selection, emergency procedures, airspace rules, flying etiquette, and weather forecasting for enhanced fun and safety. Air Addiction's program is unusually thorough because we think learning to fly any sort of aircraft deserves to be taken quite seriously.

The Right Stuff: Your Part.
You don’t have to be a star athlete by any means, but learning to paraglide does involve some running and coordination. Handling the glider is more physically demanding at first, until you learn to finesse the glider and utilize the wind to do the work for you. Even with acquired skill, paragliding is still an outdoorsy sport. People ranging from teenagers to people in their seventies who still feel like teenagers have learned to paraglide. However, the obese and frail typically do not fare very well. All students will need to have a frank discussion with your instructor about these considerations before we mutually commit to the training. Air Addiction does not train minors.

Your Objective: Novice (Para-2) Rating.
The Novice (Para-2) Rating is your ticket to fly solo. Your mileage may vary, but it normally takes about 14 full training days to become certified. If you have to string the training out

over a period of months, we have to spend a lot of extra time reviewing. That's not a very effective use of your time or ours, so we accept only applicants who are able to commit fully to the process. So, you should ask yourself whether you truly have the time to learn to fly. The cost to get into paragliding is less than any other flying sport. The costs there are, however, are front-loaded. Unlike most other types of aviation where you have to rent an expensive aircraft and pay for fuel, once you’ve made the initial investment the cost to fly is incredibly low. Air Addiction provides your equipment while you’re in training, plus student your manuals, instructional videos and logbook. During the learning process, you will gradually migrate onto your own flying gear, so buying equipment is part of the learning process. Students should budget about $7,500 to become a Novice rated pilot, including all lessons and gear. Equipment sales are part of what makes the instruction economics work out, so we ask that you buy your gear from Air Addiction when you learn from us.

Classes are formed as demand warrants, and class sizes are kept quite limited to ensure a mutually productive student/instructor ratio. Contact Air Addiction to get the latest scheduling information.

Come Check it Out!
The best first step to learn more about paragliding and discover whether this terrific sport might be for you is to come out and watch. We generally go out to fly or teach whenever the flying weather is good. The best flying in Texas occurs from May through October, so we're more active during those months. However, we do fly and teach all year. Based on demand, we also schedule informal introductory rap sessions to give interested people interested an overview of the sport and answer questions, usually over breakfast or brunch before we head out to fly.

Tandem Flights.
We primarily use tandem flights with an instructor as part of our Novice (Para-2) training, as needed to provide quality training. Occasionally, tandem flights for persons not enrolled in the Novice (Para-2) training may be made available. Prices range from $150-$200 per person depending on the season and circumstances.

Your Lessons or Tandem Flight: What to Bring and Where to Go.
Welcome to the world of paragliding! – Great call! You should bring/consider water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and suitable clothing. Suitable clothing includes boots with ankle protection (if you don't have hiking boots then tennis shoes are a distant second choice, but sandals, loafers, etc. just won't cut it). Also, long pants and layered clothing appropriate for the day's weather (clothes that you don't mind getting dusty). Work gloves that provide some protection without impeding dexterity are strongly recommended. We break for lunch, but consider bringing snacks for an energy boost.

Our meeting times and locations vary somewhat depending on the weather and the time of year. You’ll receive a confirmation email and driving directions within 48 hours of your lesson. If you have any questions or scheduling issues, contact Air Addiction.