First flight just complete.
Standing in the landing field.
Utterly jacked.
Conveniently forgetting the butterflies that swarmed your stomach on launch not even twenty minutes before.
Enthusiastically you demand of the instructor, "MOAR!"
Instructor replies, "VISA!"
Financial caution is thrown to the wind as animal spirits take over, seeking to repeat the same rush of adrenaline and endorphin.
With lessons, I can only offer this advice - find the best lessons you can afford* and complete the lessons in as continuous a timeframe as possible (fly every day back to back vs once or twice a month). You should finish with the ability to consistently launch, land, and soar in novice appropriate conditions. As well, you should be able to judge what is a novice appropriate site and what novice appropriate conditions are. If you feel you cannot accomplish these things upon award of a license, discuss with your instructor what remedial lessons are needed to correct this before flying on your own.
More on the economics of lessons can be found under Paragliding Economics 102: Lessons
A school that allows you to rent means you have less risk of deciding prematurely. Pragmatically, a rental wing means you are causing typical beginner wear and tear (and it is ALOT of wear and tear) on a schools wing rather than your own.
The school should carry a number of trade in wings that pilots grew out of as their flying progressed (I am on my fourth). If the school can provide an objective inspection of the wing (including a porosity test), then you will have some idea of the remaining lifespan and potential resale value when upgrade time arrives.
Keep in mind that wings depreciate rapidly in their first year post purchase and again in their third year post release to market. The first year is the transition from 'new' to 'used' and the third year is typically when a manufacturer will deprecate the model in favour of a new design. These two times present great opportunities for purchase of used product.
In terms of resale, lower rated wings will retain resale much better than higher rated. Likewise more popular brands will retain value over those that are obscure.
If it is late in the season or the deals are simply not there, rent (if you can).
Why?
When I have sold used wings in the past, it appears a 20 to 25 % reduction of residual value per year was needed to get the wing to move. I see wings that try to sell for more sitting for months, with weekly BTT posts trying to drum up interest.
So taking the $6000 worst case new purchase price (see School B in Paragliding Economics 102: Lessons) , an assumed 20% annual depreciation, and a $50 / day rental rate (see School A) - let's have a look at the numbers:
If you are like myself and work a 9-5/M-F job, 24 flying days in a year (let alone my first year) would be absolutely amazing. That would be 1 day a weekend for 6 months (those that can do both days a weekend have a flying partner, are single, or quickly will be).
Happy hunting.
Oh and remember - *EVERYTHING* is negotiable. Paragliding is a want, the money you have is a need. You want the lessons and gear, the school/gear vendor needs your money. Keep that in mind when it comes time to discuss price.
* caveat - just because a school charges less (or more) does not mean the quality is lower (or higher). Different schools run on different business models - some sacrifice margin for volume, others may charge less for lessons and look to make up the money in gear sales. Ask questions, a lot of them - if the price is significantly higher or lower than the local average, find out why.
Standing in the landing field.
Utterly jacked.
Conveniently forgetting the butterflies that swarmed your stomach on launch not even twenty minutes before.
Enthusiastically you demand of the instructor, "MOAR!"
Instructor replies, "VISA!"
Financial caution is thrown to the wind as animal spirits take over, seeking to repeat the same rush of adrenaline and endorphin.
A quick word on lessons.
The lessons are pricey - but worth it. The quality and quantity of instruction will have a direct bearing on our safety (and enjoyment) moving forward. There is little excuse to be self taught in this day and age, especially when it could fast track one to the emergency room (or morgue).With lessons, I can only offer this advice - find the best lessons you can afford* and complete the lessons in as continuous a timeframe as possible (fly every day back to back vs once or twice a month). You should finish with the ability to consistently launch, land, and soar in novice appropriate conditions. As well, you should be able to judge what is a novice appropriate site and what novice appropriate conditions are. If you feel you cannot accomplish these things upon award of a license, discuss with your instructor what remedial lessons are needed to correct this before flying on your own.
More on the economics of lessons can be found under Paragliding Economics 102: Lessons
Wing for student training? Rent.
A wing suitable for someone with a few flights under their belt is typically not the same wing they will want to fly upon graduation. As beginners, none of us understand what our flying style will be when we graduate or what wing 'personality' we would feel most at ease with. The process of learning is not only about learning how to fly, but learning what sort of pilot we will be. Different ratings, makes and models of wings present a very wide swath of potential choices. A school that carries multiple brands presents a chance to try the various flavours of beginner oriented wings over your learning experience.A school that allows you to rent means you have less risk of deciding prematurely. Pragmatically, a rental wing means you are causing typical beginner wear and tear (and it is ALOT of wear and tear) on a schools wing rather than your own.
Graduated with license in hand? Buy used, unless...
When it comes time to make the first purchase post graduation, buy used.The school should carry a number of trade in wings that pilots grew out of as their flying progressed (I am on my fourth). If the school can provide an objective inspection of the wing (including a porosity test), then you will have some idea of the remaining lifespan and potential resale value when upgrade time arrives.
Keep in mind that wings depreciate rapidly in their first year post purchase and again in their third year post release to market. The first year is the transition from 'new' to 'used' and the third year is typically when a manufacturer will deprecate the model in favour of a new design. These two times present great opportunities for purchase of used product.
In terms of resale, lower rated wings will retain resale much better than higher rated. Likewise more popular brands will retain value over those that are obscure.
... you can continue to rent, if it is available.
If you can find a killer deal on a used wing as you approach graduation and it is still early in the season, go for it.If it is late in the season or the deals are simply not there, rent (if you can).
Why?
When I have sold used wings in the past, it appears a 20 to 25 % reduction of residual value per year was needed to get the wing to move. I see wings that try to sell for more sitting for months, with weekly BTT posts trying to drum up interest.
So taking the $6000 worst case new purchase price (see School B in Paragliding Economics 102: Lessons) , an assumed 20% annual depreciation, and a $50 / day rental rate (see School A) - let's have a look at the numbers:
| Year | Equipment value @ start | Depreciation @ 20% | Rental days @ $50 / day |
| 1 | $6000 | $1200 | 24 |
| 2 | $4800 | $960 | 19 |
| 3 | $3840 | $768 | 15 |
If you are like myself and work a 9-5/M-F job, 24 flying days in a year (let alone my first year) would be absolutely amazing. That would be 1 day a weekend for 6 months (those that can do both days a weekend have a flying partner, are single, or quickly will be).
Happy hunting.
Oh and remember - *EVERYTHING* is negotiable. Paragliding is a want, the money you have is a need. You want the lessons and gear, the school/gear vendor needs your money. Keep that in mind when it comes time to discuss price.
* caveat - just because a school charges less (or more) does not mean the quality is lower (or higher). Different schools run on different business models - some sacrifice margin for volume, others may charge less for lessons and look to make up the money in gear sales. Ask questions, a lot of them - if the price is significantly higher or lower than the local average, find out why.
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