The most important part of flying safely is landing safely.  Landing safely requires:

• Low sink rate
• Low ground speed
• Accurate positioning

This means when you touch down you must be coming down slowly, moving forward slowly and landing where you intended.  Number one keeps you from hitting the ground hard.  Number two keeps you from bouncing and from hitting obstructions on the ground after landing.  Number three puts your landing in a safe place.

The primary purpose of this section of the training program is to teach you to land safely without damaging yourself or your aircraft while you learn.

Apparel

1. A helmet is required.  A full protection helmet is recommended.  It will help muffle engine noise and improve your concentration.  Get one that’s comfortable. You’ll be spending a great deal of time in it.
2. Hearing protection is necessary for preserving your concentration not to mention your eardrums.
3. Eye protection is recommended.
4. A lap belt and shoulder harness is required.  One is standard equipment on your powered parachute.  A lap belt and shoulder harness is an effective safety device, only when worn properly.
5. Clothing.  Gloves and boots are recommended, heavy pants and a heavy long sleeved shirt are recommended.  Floppy clothes and jewelry must not be worn.  Otherwise dress in accordance with weather and fashion.  If you have long hair, wear a hair restraint under your helmet.

Training Site

The ideal site is a big open field covered with short grass.  The minimum is any reasonable smooth ground 50’ wide and 500’ long, longer is better.  If you can find a couple thousand feet it will make training much easier.  More width helps too.  Don’t learn on asphalt.  It is most unforgiving.  The best choice is short grass.

As you look for your site, keep an eye on prevailing winds.  Your first lessons call for no wind or light breeze coming straight down the runway with a maximum wind of five mph.  The wider your field, the easier it is to face the wind.  (You will always take off and land into the wind).  The site must not be surrounded by power lines, trees or buildings.

The site should be off the beaten track enough to avoid crowds.  You’ll be under enough pressure without having to perform in front of an audience.

Last but not least, if it’s somebody else’s land you’ll need permission to use it.  Don’t be afraid to ask.  The worst they can say is no.  The learning experience is going to take some time.  Don’t think you won’t be noticed.  People are generally agreeable when asked and generally disagreeable when they catch you doing something behind their back.

Assistants

You will need two assistants.  Leave the spectators behind.  There will be plenty of opportunity to show your skills after you have some to show.

The best assistant is an experienced Powered Parachute instructor who is familiar with you and your aircraft.

You are now ready to start your training.  Read the entire flight manual before beginning Lesson 1.

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