You are getting into paragliding to realize a life long dream, right? The dream of flight. You expect to be flying paragliders for many years to come. Don't you deserve the very best school, education, and quality of instruction available. Don't settle for a part time instructor or a school that operates out of a garage.

Finding the best training available is not always an easy task. As with anything else a lot of hype and surrounds the sport of paragliding. How do you cut through all of this? Aside from the obvious questions, how long have you done this, have you ever been hurt, etc.

Ask yourself and your potential instructor candidates the following questions:

1. Does this school / instructor offer full time training - 7 days a week?
2. Does this school / instructor staff several instructors, each of which will give me different insights into the sport and a more comprehensive knowledge than one person alone?
3. Does this school / instructor offer safe and reliable student training equipment or are they requiring me to buy equipment immediately?
4. Is this student training equipment top of the line and complete including padded harnesses, full face helmets, reserve parachutes, radios, etc.?
5. Does this school / instructor offer a dedicated flying site that is 100% usable by students, 12 months out of the year?
6. Does this school / instructor also teach students at different sites which include all aspects of flying like coastal, thermic, mountain, desert, tow, etc.?
7. Has this school / instructor ever had a student injured while under instructor supervision?
8. Does this school / instructor stock new equipment inventory from multiple manufacturers that I can demo before I purchase new gear?
9. Does this school instructor offer continual education programs including advanced training, tours, special skills sign offs, tandem training, etc.?
10. Do I trust my life in the hands of this school / instructor?

If the answer to any of the above questions is No perhaps you should rethink your choice of school and instructor. Paragliding is an incredibly safe sport if learned in the right environment. Many schools over look some of the important basics of the sport including weather knowledge, basic aerodynamics, importance of ground handling the glider, site analysis, flight planning, etc. Given a strong understanding of the basic blocks of paragliding and a strong foundation you will be 100% safe. If you have any questions regarding curriculum, basic knowledge, advanced knowledge, etc. please feel free to contact us at info@flytorrey.com .

United States Hang Gliding (Paragliding) Association requirements vs. Torrey Pines requirements for P2 Novice certification.

Most of our students are about half way to their P3 rating by the time they have completed our basic certification program. From that time on we continue to work with them towards their P3.