Dear EFers,

My husband and I are passionate about paragliding (it's how we met) and we like to go out flying as often as possible...

What we've noticed since having a little one, however, is that we can't get out together anymore - one of us always has to stay with the little one.

One idea we came up with is to go with another paragliding couple and their little one/s. That way everyone gets some fun family-time, air-time, and make new friends.

So, with Spring around the corner, is there anyone else out there who's interested in giving it a go? We could meet up for coffee or something to get to know eachother first...

Cheers,
Puddycat

How old is little one? If you have a tandem licence and your child is 3, then you could get this:



http://www.supair.com/products/en/se...oustic-81.html

Then you could all go as a family!

I suggested this to my wife and she said, No! No! No!

(I still can't fly here as I need to sort my Swiss licence out so it's not an immediate problem).

To answer your question - I don't know of any couples here that fly.

Excellent idea - I love it when parents 'think outside the box' to find positive solutions. We used to do this with friends when we used to be very keen windsurfers. Bravo. Sorry I can't help as I am too far away- but just wanted to say 'bravo' and hope it works.

Thanks for the tips Tom1234. My husband has a tandem licence and I'm due to sit mine next time I go back to NZ. Our little one is 2, but as big as an average 3 yr old. As much as we'd both love to take her up, we both agree we'd like to wait until she expresses the interest first. I'm all for getting her in to it as soon as possible, but we'll see how she responds to it this season, where she's more expressive about her desires.

For us it's about getting out and doing what we love doing and having our little one enjoy her time out too - For her it would be fun paddling in the stream by the landing paddock and playing with the kids from the other family. Then we could just take turns going for a fly while one keeps an eye out on the sprogs. Then after the kids are in bed, we can cook BBQs and drink beer or whatever by the lake. Doesn't get much better than that

Thanks for the support anyways guys. Why don't you get your woman into paragliding??!!

See you @ cloudbase
Puddy

I note that Tom1234 had posted many useful pieces of advice (Thanks Tom) so normally I don't chip in, but on the subject of tandem flights you need to be aware that no foreign license is valid for tandem flights in switzerland. Also if you live here (as does Tom) you need to convert your foreign licence. For the solo license, this means sitting the theory test (in english) and the practical test (in english). If you are IPPI4 or 5, neither should be a problem. For the tandem it get tough: there are 2 tandem licenses (i) to take a pilot as a passenger and (ii) to take a non pilot. For (ii) you essentially have to complete the instructor training (as a solo) AND have a second tandem test. Please note, the consequences of flying without a valid license in Switzerland are serious (invalidation of insurance for one), but just contact my old school (www.paraworld.ch) and they will help you get quickly into the swiss system.

Thanks for your help Globalnomad.

I've been flying for 11 years now and I know the ropes. I have my licence fully converted to a Swiss one; as does my husband.

CU @ cloudbase

Puddy

If you don't mind the travel, there is a popular paragliding point here in Adliswil, between the Felsenegg and Uetliberg. I've seen as many as 15 in the air at a time. Perhaps, if you establish a relationship with a large group like this, then there will be someone you can trust with your little one while you're airborne.

Ahh... the Uetliberg site: Zurich's only real start place. Excellent in NE (Bise) wind. Give me a should if you are thinking of flying there and I will hook you up with some of my Zuricher buddies, who will be happy to help you get to the start and landing, and give you some tips about the bit in between.