| Instructional Courses | |||||||
| Learn by Flying Tandem | The Complete Beginner | Novice | Intermediate | Private Lessons | Instructor Certification Course | Guiding | 2006 Course Schedule |
Pegasus Paragliding, located near Parrsboro, N.S. is in the heart of the best flying sites in the Maritimes.
The beautiful Cobequid Mountains, combined with the steady sea breezes off the magnificent Bay of Fundy, provide the student with an excellent environment in which to develop his/her skills. No matter what the wind direction we have an instructional site to match.
Pegasus takes advantage of any number of the 14 or so launches in the Parrsboro area to develop your skills . However, remember that progression to a more advanced flying site will only be accomplished after you are comfortable with your skill level at the present site. No scary, bite the bullet techniques, are used here!
Instruction begins early in May as soon as the ice is off the training hills and the ground has dried out enough. It continues into October. If you are considering taking either the Complete Beginner or the Novice Course the best time to do that is May through to the end of September. October in Nova Scotia can be pretty unpredictable. the winds then are beginning to take on their harsher winter time tendencies.
To see who were are please visit the School page.
Please go to the Schedule page to find out when the course you want to take will be given or contact Michael at Pegasus
Pegasus offers a number of courses designed to fit your flying dreams.
At Pegasus the emphasis is on safety and progression of the student at his or her comfort level. Each student progresses at their own pace. Progress is the result of understanding issues of safety and the accumulation of skills. The principle that is applied is simple; to methodically develop the skills of the student pilot through repetition, timely presentation of tasks and information, testing and demonstration. This process allows the student to gradually accept the responsibility for their own safety and fun.
The aim of The Tandem Flight is to give the student a feel for the incredible sensation of free flight. This course is a pre-requisite to The Complete Beginner so that both student and instructor can come to an understanding of the disciplines and personality needed in order to fly safely and effectively. The goal of The Complete Beginner is to provide the student an opportunity to attain soaring flight through development of his/her skills. If a pilots wishes to develop his or her skills further in order to fly more skillfully and to attain a National Certification they can take the Novice Certification Course.
Maximum Student /Instructor ratio is 4:1
All Equipment is provided for the entry level courses.
Please see Course Schedules page for when the various course will be given.
So you think you want to learn how to fly !
Try a Tandem Flight and find out!!
The best way to figure it all out before committing yourself to the power of free flight is to take a Tandem Flight with an experienced pilot and Instructor. Under his guidance you will learn the basic procedure of launching, soaring and landing while experiencing the fabulous sensation of flying free without experiencing all the hard work ! If you like it and can't wait to get started then dive right in and take the Complete Beginner course. This is a great way to see what it's all about.
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| Launching Remember to keep the momentum going forward |
Soaring |
Landing |
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Content
The Tandem Flight is designed to give the student/passenger an opportunity to learn during the entire process from assessing conditions through the layout and explanation of the equipment, the proper procedure for hooking and launching, aerial explanation of conditions/techniques, landing and post flight debrief. Flights, depending on conditions and number of students, last from fifteen minutes upwards. Some lucky students have grabbed an hour or more!
What to Bring
- Sturdy boots with good ankle support
- Gloves - line burn can hurt
- Good humour and patience are essential
- Full water bottle and a lunch
- Sun block - hat - sunglasses
Cost - $100 + hst (group rate for four or more)
a 20% deposit at the time of booking is required
This course is designed for those with a desire to attain soaring flight. When completed, the student will be able to enter the sport with a Student Rating.
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| Hungry Hill - Home to the beginning pilot | Tim launching at Hungy Hill |
Course Content
Course emphasis is on safety and methodical progression to the point where the student can attain soaring flight and have a basic understanding of the techniques and safety principles necessary to participate in the sport at an entry level.
Ground School
Ground School Topics include flight techniques, aerodynamics and meteorology.
Practical Instruction
Practical Instruction takes place on the training hill and at the ground handling field where the student will hone their skills in ground handling. The student will learn the ground handling techniques necessary to achieve confident controlled launches under varying conditions and at a minimum of three different launch sites. The increase in a students confidence level and therefore in their overall ability to fly well increases dramatically with their ability to ground handle skilfully. We practice this a lot.
The student will focus on techniques in launching and landing. Getting into the air and getting out of it safely is a good thing. The earth is hard. We practice this a lot.
Detailed attention is given to achieving accurate, confidant, air manoeuvres which include weight shift steering, air speed control, techniques to stay in ridge lift and different landing approaches. In order to pass the course and attain your student rating the student will be expected to demonstrate a proper flight plan and fly to it and to demonstrate excellent decision making in order to securely launch, fly and land without instructor intervention.
After demonstrating the necessary skills the student will enjoy a flight from an intermediate launch or a soaring flight on the coast.
Upon completion of the course students will have attained their Student Rating as determined by the Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada (HPAC). Completion of the course does not guarantee that you will attain a rating or school certification. The reasons for this have to be serious but can include failure to comprehend and execute basic manouvers and failure to adhere to safety guidelines. After completing this course students will be ready to purchase their own equipment.
Time: Six or seven good flying days.
Cost - $750+ hst
a 20% deposit at the time of booking is required
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Mike St. Louis enjoys his graduation soaring flight from Hidden Fall.s |
Andrew Letourneau launches form Hungry Hill. Note the wind direction and strength |
The Novice course is designed for those students who wish to proceed to a greater degree of flying expertise. The course is intended to develop the skills necessary to safely enjoy a greater variety of flying conditions than he/she presently can fly in given the limitations implied by the Student or Beginner rating. Students must have secured the Complete Beginner Course before undertaking this course.
The student will be in radio contact at all times during instruction.
This course is dependent on good soarable conditions as much of the flight skills development sector is done in soaring conditions.
Upon completion of the course the pilot will be ready to take their Novice Flight Test and write their Novice Exam. Successful completion of this course qualifies the pilot for the HPAC Novice Rating
Class size is limited to 4 students per instructor
Content
In depth ground schooling covering flight techniques, safety, meteorology, flight planning, Canadian Flight Rules and aerodynamics.
Advanced ground handling techniques.We practice this a lot.
Decision making
Working safely in stronger conditions
Soaring in dynamic and thermal conditions
Descent manoeuvres
Time - The course should be completed within 5 to 7 flying days, conditions permitting. Ground schooling, theory and exams are in addition to this as we try to accomodate this part of your training on non flying days!
Cost:
$750 + hst with own equipment --------$1,000 + hst with school equipment
a 20% deposit at the time of booking is required
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| Novices Soaring Fox River | Did I mention ground handling? |
INTERMEDIATE
INSTRUCTION
leading to intermediate certification
Course
Intent
In the intermediate course the student will be encouraged to refine
his or her skills to the point where cross country flights can be undertaken
with confidence and understanding. Upon completion of the ocurse the student
will write the exam as administered by the Department of Transport. A successful
grade will result in the student acquiring the HAGAR certification which is
required by Transport Canada for any pilot flying through controlled air space.
Cross country and Hagar go together for the serious pilot.
Content
Ground School - Here the student will study advanced maneuvers theory, cover topics leading to the writing of the HAGAR exam including Canadian Air Regulations and VFR chart reading, meteorology and radio protocol in preparation for the Dept. of Transport radio test.
Flight School - Most of the course will be spent in the air refining piloting skills including the identification and coreing of thermals (ie continuous 360's in either direction), effective use of flight instruments, identification of thermal generators, application of xc theory, rapid descent maneuvers, side hill landings and exaggeration ( the art of telling a tall tale)
Flight
guarantees* - We will guarantee that you will achieve the flights
necessary to satisfy the requirements for the HPAC Intermediate rating.
This means prolonged high altitude flights in thermal conditions in which
cross country maneuvers are put into play and achieved.
* Pegasus will not be held responsible for bad conditions
or seasonal unpredictability.
Equipment Requirement
Wing
Comfortable, protective harness
Reserve
Flight Instrument ( variometer/altimeter)
Radio with inflight microphone
Time - The course should be completed within 5 to 7 flying days, conditions permitting. Ground schooling, theory and exams are in addition to this as we try to accomodate this part of your training on non flying days!
Cost - $750 + hst with own equipment
a 20% deposit at the time of booking is required
Thermal Soaring at Economy Mountain
photos: Oliver Guernay
Class instruction is available for students wishing further instruction or an individualized curriculum.
Cost: - $100/ half day minimum
a 20% deposit at the time of booking is required
Did I mention that we practice ground handling A LOT!