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 Wanna Be a Tandem Pilot?
Realistically, what it takes to safely be a Tandem Pilot |
Tandem
Training Process | Tandem Overview
A lot of people want to take their friends up. So what does it take?
Well first, there's a lot more than meets the eye. You see a skilled pilot flying tandem and
it can look easy. Flying solo in good conditions looks easy and can be
mastered to a PPG2 level in as little as 25 flights (the minimum) with most
pilots becoming pretty comfortable at around 100 flights. But going tandem is another animal.
Understand, too, that we can't legally fly tandem with wheels (more
details here) under any exemption. To do so requires a sport pilot license,
leaving us with only the dramatically more challenging foot launch option.
The most important aspect of this is that you're now responsible for
another life. This must be taken seriously. The exemptions that allow
tandem instruction requires pilots to be highly experienced for a very good reason. To
do it with any degree of safety you must not just be able to manage the
paraglider well, but must do it while handling large paraglider and
powerful motor all while dealing with a passenger who may not
react the way you expect. Instructors hear it frequently from those who
want to buy tandem-capable gear then find out the reality that it requires
much more experience than they thought. And it's not something you want to
push.
By far your best bet is to plan on really mastering solo foot launch
then, if you're still interested in tandem flying, get the PPG 3 rating
which has all the flying skills necessary to become an instructor, then go
for the instructor and tandem ratings. Tandem flying in our sport is only
intended as a training tool, not a recreational endeavor. You will also carry
the responsibility of maintaining our waiver of exemption from the FAA.
Ultralights are meant for sole occupants and tandem operations are allowed
under our waiver only for training. We want to preserve that and undoubtedly
you want it preserved as well.
For USHPA members
The USPPA program was based on USHPA's who, as of 2011, have has no
interest in accommodating power of any kind beyond towing of gliders. But it
is significantly easier for USHPA tandem pilots to become USPPA tandem
instructors if they also have significant motor experience. Contrary to what
you may see on the internet, there are a number of significant differences
between motor flying and paragliding as evidenced by the dramatically
different causes of accidents. If you don't believe that, please consult our
Incident Database and contrast it with USHPA's.
The USPPA does not charge for becoming a Tandem Instructor beyond what
the Instructor/Admin may charge. In fact, for a limited time, instructors
can actually get a small training reimbursement for gaining USPPA advanced
ratings.
Be careful and have fun! |
