JB Life Summer Vol. 3

FEATURE STORY
Is paragliding difficult?
It can be, but not really. Taking off certainly can be difficult,
as when you unpack your glider there is a dizzying
amount of lines and cords to organize. In strong winds
the glider can manhandle you on the ground, but once in
the air you feel at one with the glider, and generally it is
just left and right. That’s a very simplified analysis of it,
but it’s true. In low winds it can be challenging to keep
altitude in the air. If you can’t keep your altitude, then
you have to make a decision when to land. The earlier
this decision is made the better. When landing, you need
spatial awareness to judge your descent, which can be
difficult, but it is certainly easier than taking off.
Is paragliding dangerous?
It can be, but if you are respectful of the elements you
can certainly minimise the risk.
When I first started paragliding, it took me roughly
my first forty flights to trust the equipment, which is of
course safe. It is very unlikely that the equipment will let
you down. It is also worth noting that at the Gyeonggaksan
location, there has only been one paragliding fatality,
and that was due to a pilot taking off and not clipping
himself in.
If the wind is strong, I don’t enjoy it anyway, as you get
knocked around in the air and it’s generally stressful. If
it too is windy, just don’t take off. A friend told me this
wise advice: It’s better to be on the ground wishing you
were in the air than be in the air wishing you were on the
ground.
What equipment is needed, and is it expensive?
You need a paragliding sail, a harness, a helmet, and a
vario (an electronic piece of equipment which tells you
if you are ascending/descending in height as well as your
altitude). If you buy all your kit second-hand, you can
pick it up for 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 won.
What wind speed is needed?
You can do a sled run with zero wind speed. You need
a wind speed of at least 8 km/hr to float (stay in the air).
Maximum wind speeds paragliders should fly in:
- Beginner Pilot: 15 km/hr (20 km/hr for a mini wing)
- Intermediate Pilot: 22 km/hr (30 km/hr for a miniwing)
- Expert Pilot: 25 km/hr (40 km/hr for a mini wing)
Paragliders weigh about 14 to 20 kg, give or take. In
the air at trim speed, they fly at about 30 km/hr (40 km/hr
for a miniwing), but with a speed bar can fly up to about
50 km/hr.
Any other facts about paragliding in Korea?
I have been very lucky to be mentored by Mr. Ha, an
excellent local pilot. When conditions are right, he, along
with other local pilots on occasion, flies all the way to
Namwon, Osu, or Imsil. This takes about 2 hours in the
air and is about 50km from Jeonju. On one occasion, a local
pilot even flew to Gimcheon-si - which is near Daegu
- and this happens to be the Korean paragliding distance
record!
If you are interested in having a tandem flight organised
for you with a local Korean pilot, they charge 70,000 to
100,000Won depending on the club and the pilot.
LEFT: Taking off is generally the most difficult
part of the sport.
BELOW: A map of the nearby paragliding
site. [Photos courtesy of LYNDON CAPON]
Best Flying Sites in Korea
(with Jeonju coming in at 4th!)
#1 - Dangyang
#2 - Yangoyeong (near Seoul)
#3 - Boryeong (Okmasan)
#4 - Jeonju (Gyeonggaksan)
#5 - Pyeongchang-gun (Jangamsan in Gangwon-do)
#6 - Yongin (Jungkwang, which is near Everland)
#7 - Mungyeong (north east of Daejon)
OTHER FLYING SITES IN KOREA
- Bibongsan near Jecheon (northeast of Daejon, north of
Mungyeong)
- Pohang (north of Ulsan)
- Mt. Gwaebang in Gangneung-si, (south of Sokcho)
- Bongrae (Byeolmaro Observatory, Yeongwol)
- Sokcho
OTHER FLYING SITES NEAR JEONJU
- Hwangbangsan (in actual Jeonju itself)
- Mireuksan (between Jeonju and Iksan)
- Oseoungsan (near Gunsan)
- Mabongsan Mountain / Nongae Flying Park (near
Jangsu)
- Bibongsan / Pyeongsa-ri Camping Ground (near Gurye
/ Jirisan)
10
Gui
Reservoir
Landing
Area
Take-off
Area
Flight Path (Typical)
Jeonbuk Life 11