There is no fixed age for paragliding. What truly matters is the child’s desire to experience flying and their parents’ approval. A curious, motivated, and ready child will have a much more enjoyable and enriching experience.
However, material and technical constraints also come into play. Each tandem wing has a total flying weight (TFW) range, which includes the pilot’s weight, the passenger’s weight, and the equipment. Respecting these weight ranges is essential to ensure both safety and optimal flight performance.
Standard tandem wings (42 m²): Widely used, these wings have a TFW range of 120 to 220 kg.
Smaller tandem wings (39 m²): Some pilots use wings suited to lighter TFWs, for example, between 90 and 190 kg.
Thus, a light pilot with a large wing can take heavier passengers but not very light ones. Conversely, a heavier pilot with a smaller wing can take lighter passengers but not heavier ones.
Passenger height is also an important factor. Most standard harnesses fit individuals between 150 cm and 2 m tall, but in our association, some pilots have specific harnesses designed for children under 135 cm.
Based on these criteria:
- Some pilots accept children starting at 7 years old and 25 kg.
- Others prefer passengers of at least 30 kg (around 8 years old) or even 40 kg, depending on their equipment.
Over time, our association has been gradually acquiring equipment to expand the range of passenger weights we can accommodate. Our goal is to make the skies accessible to as many people as possible by adapting our gear to welcome a more diverse range of passengers.
In summary, the possibilities depend on the pilot, their equipment, and the flying conditions. We invite you to contact us to discuss options tailored to your child, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and memorable flight.