For those that don't know already... I've taken to the sport of Powered Paragliding -- flying with a parachute (technically an inflatable wing) and a backpack engine. It's the coolest form of aviation I've ever participated in -- permitting takeoff/landing from just about anywhere and the equipment is small enough to travel in a suitcase! Checkout my new Swing Arcus Paraglider at http://www.willswing.com and my new ParaLite Sky Cruiser Top 80 Paramotor at http://www.paraliteusa.com.

These pictures are from one early Spring afternoon when the weather was absolutely beautiful -- clear, sunny and 65 degrees -- when I packed-up the family, a lunch and my new paraglider for some fun practicing "kiting" (or ground handling) at the local park.

NOTE: These pictures were actually shot on and captured from video on the digital camcorder -- so I apologize for the low resolution and interlaced images. But they still accurately capture the moment. Let me know if you'd like to see the video -- I can provide it on VCD, SVCD or DVD.

As I'm just beginning the sport, I put in alot of time just practing handling the paraglider from the ground in light (6-12 MPH) winds -- also known as: "kiting", "ground handling" or "discovering unused muscles in the back". In this picture (and the one above), you'll see me preparing for "kiting" -- detangling and straightening the lines. I'm strapped-into my ground handling harness and the raisers of the "wing" firmly attached at the hips -- so, wherever the paraglider goes... I GO! As you might imagine... you've got to be in complete control of the wing (at all times) or you're going for an unexpected "flight" or "butt slide". Note the helmet and gloves.

In light to moderate winds (and for learning the paragliders characteristics) we inflate/launch the wing backwards -- back to the wind and facing the wing. In this configuration, it's important to note that the controls are backwards too -- the left brake controls the right side of the wing and vice versa (as if handling this huge sheet of fabric in the wind wasn't hard enough). In this picture, I'm gently inflating the wing into the wind to form what we effectionately refer to as "the wall" (below).

For optimum inflation and launching of the wing (in light/moderate winds), we inflate the wing into the "wall" (pictured here) -- a cresent or half-moon shape with the tip of the wing standing upright into the upwind. This wing is now ready to go flying with one solid pull on the "A" (front) risers (pictured below).

Remember I mentioned that you discover new back muscles when first starting ground handling? Here's why: leaning back into the wind and pulling the wing up into the air with the "A" risers.

Up comes the wing. You'd be surprised (maybe even scared) at how much lifting force, resistance and energy you begin to feel at this moment with about 29.5 square meters of fabric lifting into the air.

This shot should provide you with some respect of the wing size... BIG!!! Lot's of energy tugging at your harness attach points at this moment. Did I mention that kiting provides lots of fun, excitement (hopefully not by surprise), newfound respect for weather and plenty of physical exercise? Trust me on these points.

Almost perfectly inflated overhead. You can't see it in a still picture like this, but at this moment, my hands are probably a blur as they quickly move from the front risers to the brakes, to the rear risers -- a contant input of control correcting for wind.

I'm also shifting my position left, right, forward and back to stay directly underneath. All the while, making constand corrections with the lines. And that constant lifting tug at your harness beckoning you into the air. Ahhhhhhh... the kiting "dance" -- it's more fun than you can imagine.

WHOOHOO!!! The wing PERFECTLY inflated overhead -- who is this professional pilot anyway? If only I had my engine... I probably couldn't have resisted the temptation to takeoff in such perfect conditions. But, regrettably, it's time to gently bring it back down to the ground, rinse and repeat!