Paragliding: Revised and Updated; The Complete Guide [Paperback]

Noel Whittall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

The leading handbook on the exciting sport of paragliding, now revised and updated.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Paragliding emerged as a sport in the early eighties after a few courageous pioneers leaped off the Alps using converted parachutes. Easier and more accessible than hang gliding due to its lightweight equipment, paragliding can be enjoyed by people of all ages and all over the world. Paragliding is the essential guide to this fast-growing, thrilling sport, taking the reader from an introduction to the basic techniques, through the rules of the sport and the equipment necessary for the ultimate experience of 'flying.' This fully illustrated handbook includes chapters on piloting, weather, wind and lift, advanced equipment, safety, rules and laws, and airspace. (71/4 X 93/4, 200 pages, color photos, b&w photos, diagrams, charts)

About the Author

An enthusiastic pilot, NOEL WHITTALL is Secretary of the Hang Gliding and Paragliding Commission of the FAI--the governing body responsible for both sports throughout the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585741035
• ISBN-13: 978-1585741038
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,500,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good pre-training book, January 30, 2001

By 

J. Morris "photo_jeff" (Englewood, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paragliding: Revised and Updated; The Complete Guide (Paperback)

Since I'm going to learn how to paraglide this spring, I decided to buy a book to help initiate me. Mr. Whittall obviously knows his sport and knows how to dumb it down a bit for us beginners. He tells you what you can expect your first times launching and landing, the importance of a serious attitude toward this specialized aviation, and all sorts of tidbits about weather and finding lift. Although the book as a whole could have used better organization and proofing before publication, it is nevertheless an enjoyable and informative read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for budding paraglider pilots, March 3, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Paragliding: The Complete Guide (Paperback)

Noel Whittall has written an excellent introduction to the art of paragliding. An experienced hang- and paraglider pilot, Whittall knows his subject well. The book is geared towards the novice, and experienced pilots won't benefit that much from the book. It is very well illustrated, with lots of colorful photographs. The book deals with all aspects of flying, from rules and regulations to meteorology, while stressing the importance of professional instruction. If you are thinking of starting paragliding or if you are a novice pilot, this is definately a must-have. If you have logged a few hours of air time, you already know most of what is covered here

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely helpful, July 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Paragliding: The Complete Guide (Hardcover)

From reading this book one can understand the passion the author has for his subject.I have just started on my own paragliding journey and already my copy has proven to be an invaluable source of information on all aspects on the sport especially on meteorology ,canopy collapses and cross country.

The book is well written , easily understood,and typicall of an Englishman -with a sense of humour!

On a critic's note , I feel that maybe an addendum should soon be included due to technological advances that have been made , some areas are slightly outdated . I also feel that he could have included a section on maybe a few overseas countries ,flying sites , conditions to be expected and dangers to look out for etc.

All in all , a fantastic buy and one I thoroughly enjoyed and still learning from.