This is the part of paragliding they call para-waiting. But here at the launch site, paragliders are sprawled like teenagers in a suburban basement, some wrapped in their tissue-thin glider fabric for warmth. Chatter bounces between dirty jokes and meteorological nerdery. Most of us would call this a partly sunny, decent Northwest day; Briller reads the air currents and proclaims it so-so for flight. Pilots gain lift from thermals, or small, warm pockets of air that drift upward from the ground.
Clouds taller than they are wide are a sign of atmospheric instability, which is a good thing, but today too many are as flat as underbaked cookies. Briller, who performs MRIs at UW Medical Centers by day, tracks dew points and air pressure before every flight, even consulting models constructed by a UW atmospheric science supercomputer.
Today he points out one cloud that could suck a pilot up into a whiteout—not only dangerous but, by Federal Aviation Administration visual flight rules, illegal. In a tandem flight, the newbie goes out in front of the experienced pilot, both strapped to harnesses that fit like backpacks with built-in seats. Our flight is remarkably stable, more like a Ferris wheel ride than a roller coaster. A hawk eyes us suspiciously as we pass. The sensation is more vivid than flying in a small plane and more serene than peeking over a precipice.
This is a sport, if one defines sport as something active one does for fun. If you want us to load your unattended gear for you, make sure you have paid and your name is on your wing.
The Northwest Paragliding Club is based in Issaquah, Washington and is one of the oldest and largest paragliding clubs in the United States. Issaquah is also home to Tiger Mountain, one of the most popular flying sites in the country. Local Sites. MENU Home. Tiger Shuttle. Rainier, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, along with Puget Sound and the lakes and cities of the greater metropolitan area.
The views, along with the easy access to launch, and great consistent flying have made Tiger Mountain one of the most popular flying sites in the United States. Extensive work has been done at Tiger by the paragliding community, Northwest paragliding club and Team Chirico over the last 15 years.
Trees have been cleared in cooperation with DNR , grass planted, bathrooms installed, and more artificial turf laid on north launch to support an upper and lower launch, as well as a new 80' weather tower providing conditions every 5 minutes. The club also worked with DNR to build an access road for the shuttle service which eliminates a yd hike through the woods to transfer into a 2nd shuttle, instead allowing the shuttle to drive from the LZ directly to launch.
The city of Issaquah officially lists paragliding at Tiger Mountain as a community treasure. Tiger is flyable with winds from the south, west and, preferably, the north. During peak season, Tiger Mt. More advanced pilots will find ample cross country potential at Tiger. Rainier, and East through Snoqualmie pass into eastern Washington. A soaring flight over launch provides spectacular views of Mt.
Rainier to the south, Mt. With extended daylight hours in the summer the last flights typically land around 9pm. If timed correctly one can launch, catch the glass off, and watch the sunset from the air. Complimenting the great flying are the many pilots who hang out at Tiger.
Local pilots often gather for good flying, post flying BBQs, and good company. The popularity of the site can make for somewhat crowded conditions on launch and in the air.
Standard ridge rules apply at Tiger: Pilot with the ridge on the right has the right of way.
0コメント