MetaFilter posts tagged with Paragliding

When you’re lost, ask someone who knows the way.

quin — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 08:59:41 -0800

Parahawking in Nepal: beautiful footage of paragliders working with raptors to find thermals. “Parahawking is an activity that combines paragliding with falconry. Birds of prey are trained to fly with paragliders, guiding them to thermals for in-flight rewards and performing aerobatic manoeuvres.” [previously]

You'll be sucked right in.

unSane — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 05:12:41 -0800

On July 25th 1997, Davor Jordas and a group friends turned up at Raspadalica to take part in the first ever Croation powered paragliding competition. The day was fine, with warm sunshine and scattered puffy clouds. The only sign of what was to come was a dark cloud over the beautiful mountains of Ucka. But it was twenty miles away, and downwind, so the paragliders took to the air. To put it mildly, that turned out to be a mistake. Bonus link: the story of USAF pilot William Rankin, who ejected in the middle of a thunderstorm and survived to write a book about it.

Just Don't Catch a Ski on a Tree

bwg — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:09:18 -0800

Speedflying in Wengen 2010. After watching it, it seems these guys really like crack. If you want to give it a go, learn how. Previously on MeFi; Speedflying the Eiger.

Parahawking

homunculus — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:47:23 -0800

Hawkman of the Himalayas. British falconer Scott Mason and friends have combined paragliding and falconry into the art of parahawking. [Via]

Man and eagle soar over the French Alps

homunculus — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:52:51 -0800

L'homme et l'oiseau au Mont-Blanc. Falconer Jacques-Olivier Travers runs the Aigles du Léman park on Lake Geneva where he teaches eagles raised in captivity how to fly. Here he is paragliding down the Alps with his student Sherkan.