One of the questions we’re asked most often is, “What’s the weight limit for tandem paragliding?”
The short answer is that our usual limit is 90kg. If you’re taller or have a larger build, we can often fly up to 95kg. In the right conditions, we may even be able to take guests weighing up to 100kg.
So why isn’t there one simple answer?
Because paragliding isn’t like riding a rollercoaster. Every flight is influenced by a combination of factors, and as pilots, it’s our job to assess those factors and make the safest decision for every single take-off.
One of those factors is the paraglider itself. Every wing has a certified weight range, and the combined weight of the pilot, passenger and equipment must stay within those limits.
But that’s only part of the story.
A successful take-off depends on the conditions on the day, particularly the amount of headwind. A nice breeze blowing up the take-off slope helps the wing inflate and lift more easily. On days with stronger headwinds, we have more flexibility with heavier passengers. On still days, the margins become smaller.
This is also why we often have a little more leeway during the summer months than in winter, and why, if you’re close to our upper limit, we’ll usually recommend avoiding the first or last flights of the day, when the wind is often lighter.
Your height and build also matter. Two people who both weigh 95kg can be very different. A tall, athletic person carries that weight differently from someone much shorter, and that affects how comfortably and safely we can fly together.
Fitness plays a part too. Tandem paragliding doesn’t require you to be an athlete, but it does require a committed run for take-off. If someone weighing close to 100kg isn’t able to keep running, or sits down before we’re airborne, they can end up directly in front of the pilot. That makes controlling the wing much more difficult and creates unnecessary risk for both of us.
Our take-off field is one of the reasons we’re able to offer such consistently enjoyable flights, as it’s spacious and reliable; but it’s still an Alpine field with an uneven, sloping surface. If someone trips during take-off, the consequences of 100kg falling over are naturally greater than those of a lighter person. That’s another reason why we assess every flight individually instead of relying on a single number.
You may notice that some companies, here or abroad, advertise higher weight limits. Often, that’s because they fly from different sites. At Airtime Paragliding, we do not fly from Birg or the Schilthorn because, in our opinion, those launches don’t meet the safety standards we’ve set for our tandem operations.
It’s important to understand that there isn’t special equipment for heavier passengers. We don’t have a “heavy-duty harness” hidden away in the office – the equipment is essentially the same. What differs is the assessment of acceptable risk and the safety margins pilots are prepared to work within.
For us, those margins matter.
If you’re close to our weight limit, don’t rule yourself out. Get in touch, tell us your height, weight and general fitness, and we’ll give you an honest assessment. If we think it’s safe to fly, we’ll do everything we can to make it happen, always. And if we don’t, it’s simply because we’d rather disappoint you with a “not today” than compromise on safety.
