Andy Hediger is a paragliding enthusiast born in Switzerland. He contributed to designing paragliding as we know it today during the mid-80s. At that time, a group of Swiss, German, French and Austrian enthusiasts joined forces to work on the research and development of this aircraft.
For 10 years, he worked on developing and perfecting paragliding wings (or canopies), which he tested himself. Testing aircraft isn't an easy job - it's often dangerous. You have to subject the equipment to the worst possible weather conditions to determine their reaction and find ways to improve them.
This undoubtedly helped him refine his piloting skills.
In 2000, Andy became paragliding world champion. According to him, paragliding is the easiest, most direct and freest way to fly, but it also requires great discipline and self-criticism to limit dangers.
He can perform any kind of manoeuvre with his paraglider, leaving spectators speechless when they're lucky enough to see him fly. He has a gift for doing what seems impossible to most other pilots. Yet when he performs his tricks, everything looks simple, and his flights resemble aerial ballets.
He remembers with horror his first experience at age 8, when his father took him up in an acrobatic tandem aircraft. He describes it as quite a traumatic experience that deeply marked him and made him take a break from pursuing his passion. But he undoubtedly had this passion in his blood, as he loved drawing all types of model aircraft gliders in his workshop, which he would break and rebuild in the Swiss countryside.
When advising people learning to pilot a paraglider, he gives these 10 tips:
1) Be mentally prepared: Like all sports, extreme or not, never neglect mental preparation, as it's a crucial element.
2) Eat sufficiently, but not too much: It seems obvious, but you shouldn't fly on an empty stomach nor with a full one.
3) Learn to decode bird behaviour: Birds' behaviour gives good indications about current weather conditions.
4) Have your equipment in good condition: There should be no doubt about your gear preparation. Everything must be perfectly in order before takeoff. Forgetfulness isn't advised...
5) Know the day's weather: It's important to check the day's weather data.
6) Listen to your body: Watch for fatigue especially. Try to be in good shape to absorb all information and advice from people around you.
7) Relax: To avoid missing important points before flying, you need to relax a minimum before takeoff. Even if paragliding practice can sometimes serve as an outlet, you need to control your emotions as in any sport.
8) Stay focused before flight: It's important not to get carried away with activities that might distract you during equipment preparation. No chatting at the same time - for your safety, your mind mustn't wander.
9) Go to the toilet: People not yet accustomed to flying might sometimes forget this important detail. Holding it in during the entire flight isn't necessarily ideal for enjoying the experience - think about it beforehand!
10) Take off gently: Takeoff is the key step. A bad start means taking unnecessary risks.
Andy now lives in Argentina, where he continues practising his passion and takes up anyone who asks. You can watch him in person in the following video.
He recently won the pre-PWC (Pre-Paragliding World Cup) in Mendoza in December 2011, in his adopted country.
This experience is a message to all aerial sports enthusiasts: always push your limits further, stay humble, and live your passion to the fullest.
If you ever want to learn to fly near you, you can take your first flight and look for paragliding schools in your area.
In the meantime, don't hesitate to ask any questions in our paragliding community!
