Equipment for New PG Student

I recently began paragliding lessons with a very good instructor/dealer. I know that soon I will need to buy my own equipment. As a courtesy to my instructor, I would like to buy a completely new DHV-1 setup through him. But, budget being the way it is, I feel pulled toward trying to find a low-time used outfit for a lower price. I am a pretty big guy, 250 lbs, so I was wondering if anyone out there had suggestions on new vs used and any brand/model recommendations. Thanks.

Bill Andrews

The problem (I also weigh almost 250lb) is finding a wing big enough. You will need a wing rated at about 290lb (after taking harness, reserve and other equipment into account), and there are few of these around. This is about 120-140kg, by the way (I figure I am at 130kg). I have not seen any used wings in this range on the net or in Paraglider magazine, so you may very well end up buying a new wing and used harness, etc.

Look around the www - all of the manufacturers are there, I think almost any DHV 1 or 1-2 wing of at least 125kg capacity would be fine - even down to 115kg would be acceptable. You would be at the top of the weight range, which is generally acknowledged to be better than at the light end, especially for beginning pilots

Floyd Rogers

I've only ever bought one new PG and I regretted it. I bought several 2nd hand and they've all been good. Ask you instructor if he's got any demo wings, they're usually cheaper, if not if he's decent he'll check out any 2nd hand wing for you, if not, dump him, find someone who will. My advice re what to buy, is to buy a well known make, a DHV -1 from one of these will be good, keep it's value, last, and will be resellable. Try a Nova, Edel, Airwave, Advance, or Firebird, they all make good wings. Nova wings in particular keep their value, the Phocus has achieved legendary status with me, they are still good performers several years on, and safe.

Personally I fly an Advance canopy, the build quality is superb.

How come?

The repair service is good too... having shredded quite a few lines on my canopy, I just checked out Mike Millwood's replacements: very neatly done.

like many people I confused ability and ambition, I bought a glider that I could fly, indeed I did fly it, and I never had a bad flight on it, but it was a competition wing and I just spent the whole time worrying about it, I ended up selling it at a MASSIVE loss...

I'm sticking to 2nd hand non comp wings from now on.