Flighthearted

So true! That phase where confidence outpaces experience can be a dangerous one. I broke my ankle in my first month flying, so I became a conservative pilot pretty quickly 😂. What helped you stay aware of it when you were newer?

A paraglider pilot in a yellow jacket kites their wing in a lush green field, kiting under a bright blue sky. Other pilots practice in the background, their colorful wings contrasting against the rolling hills. A wind flag flutters nearby, signaling windy spring conditions for flying Point of the Mountain in Utah.

Spring is coming—thermal season is on the way! 🌞💨 A reminder to shake off the winter rust: work on active piloting, revisit weather analysis, and don’t let excitement override good decision-making. #pilotlife #paragliding

Dozens of paragliders soaring above a golden hillside under a vibrant blue sky with scattered clouds. A windsock in the foreground flutters gently, marking the launch site. The scene is filled with colorful wings, pilots launching, and the expansive Utah landscape stretching into the distance.

What’s one piece of advice you wish you could give your past self when you were learning to fly? #paragliding #freeflight

Makes sense! My friends who just got back from Costa Rica were not happy campers when they discovered the car rental prices. They are not big planners. I should have told them to go get some affordable dental work 😂.

I’ve never been good at math. Just gotta develop an eye and feel for it over time.

Final glide calculations: Actual math or pure vibes? #paragliding #freeflight

Sounds like paradise! 😎 Definitely moving Jaco higher up on my must-fly list. Any local tips for a first-time visit?

Looks like they had a super nice flight! 🪂

Yep, that’s literally how towing works 😂 I once got towed up from a winch in a Subaru with a roof cutout! A bit sketch, but it worked!

Stunning shot! Some friends of mine just got back from flying in Costa Rica, and they couldn’t stop raving about it. Looks like an incredible place to soar! 🪂

Point of the Mountain—gotta go with my home site. I’m biased, but where else can you fly sunrise and sunset with such consistency?

You can only fly one site for the rest of your life. Where are you picking and why? #paragliding #hanggliding

Don’t laugh at someone blowing a takeoff unless you want to be next. Paragliding karma doesn’t mess around.

Name a paragliding superstition you definitely don’t believe in but still respect… just in case. #paragliding #pilotlife

It’s one of those videos that just never gets old! And My Silver Lining is such a perfect soundtrack for it. Hard to watch without wanting to go fly immediately! 😆🪂

Oof, that’s a rough way to earn your P2! I broke my ankle my first month of flying... but I kept going after I healed up. Guess we’re all a little too committed to the cause 😂.

What an awesome way to celebrate his 18th! 🎉 A birthday flight in Queenstown is hard to beat. Hope it was an unforgettable one for both of you!

Dang, that’s a perfectly timed shot! Hope they got back on course after that 😂🔥

Iconic video, iconic song. Jean-Baptiste makes it look effortless, but the skill in this is next level. A solid yeehaw pick. 🤙

Beautiful shots! You captured the magic of flying in the Alps so well.

A paraglider soars above a golden grassy hill under a bright blue sky with wispy clouds. A bird glides nearby in the distance. Rolling mountains stretch across the horizon. #paragliding #freeflight

Wind dummy duty: An honor, a death sentence, or just an unpaid internship for your friends? #paragliding #freeflight

At my local ridge-soaring site, it’s finding that perfect lift halfway down the hill that lets me smoothly fly back up to the top. The low save is so satisfying.

What’s the most satisfying part of a perfect flight? The launch, the thermaling, the XC adventure, or that smooth-as-butter landing? #paragliding #freeflight

That makes sense! Sounds like Hawkswick Ridge is the spot for getting more airtime. Looks nice!

Hah, I met a slackliner who came to learn to fly, and watching him untangle wings like it was nothing was the most frustrating thing ever. Meanwhile, the rest of us are over here in a full-on battle with our lines in the beginning. 😅

For me, it was wing choice. Your first glider’s size, color, or newness doesn’t matter as much as you think. Just get a solid beginner wing, kite and fly the hell out of it, and progress when your instructor says you’re ready.

What’s something that seemed like a big deal when you first started flying but ended up being totally fine? #paragliding #freeflight

Just here to second paragliding!

Absolutely stunning! Those summer greens really pop from the air. Is Kettlewell one of your favorite sites to fly? 🪂✨

Wilbur had it right. Skill, knowledge, and a bit of trust in the air—nothing quite like it. Beautiful shot! Where was this taken? 🤙🪂