Were did it all start...
While living in Austria, working at a Paragliding exhibition for Airwave Paragliders and when we had an idea! “Build an exceptional cross country site in South Africa”.
Living in Austria was great but the long winters were not. We were working in the Paragliding industry and we noticed a niche' market, one that would benefit from the local South African climate.
Paragliding Pilots wanted weather conditions that were conducive to cross country flying, but good cross country flying, not you average flying site - the further Pilots could fly, the better. We studied a few years weather reports and other data and ´De Aar` stood out for a few reasons – weather, road networks & uncontrolled airspace.
However, the site would take time and money. We needed an income, something to sustain us, until we could develop and promote the site to the Paragliding market. ‘Potties B&B’ was for sale, small enough that we could afford it and in De Aar. So decided – De Aar it was!
As the flying market grew, so did the guesthouse, which is now called, FlyDeAar Guesthouse, but due to our marketing the guesthouse also grew outside of the 'flying season'. We offered a unique Paragliding experience, not only to the flying community but also to other potential tourist visiting the Northern Cape. We are the only registered Paragliding operation in the Northern Cape region.
Paragliding Pilots come here to fly far, enjoy the vast open space and breath-taking scenery that is unique to the Karoo. Non-Pilots can also enjoy this unique experience, through our Paragliding School. We offer training for non licensed individuals and advance courses for basic licensed pilots. We also run a Paragliding tour operation for pilots who would like a stress free opportunity to fly sites through out the country.
So if its accommodation you require when passing through De Aar or a thrill of Paragliding adventure, we offer either or both. We offer clean, affordable accommodation with a fun, exciting atmosphere.
Arnold & Desiree’ Pansi
While living in Austria, working at a Paragliding exhibition for Airwave Paragliders and when we had an idea! “Build an exceptional cross country site in South Africa”.
Living in Austria was great but the long winters were not. We were working in the Paragliding industry and we noticed a niche' market, one that would benefit from the local South African climate.
Paragliding Pilots wanted weather conditions that were conducive to cross country flying, but good cross country flying, not you average flying site - the further Pilots could fly, the better. We studied a few years weather reports and other data and ´De Aar` stood out for a few reasons – weather, road networks & uncontrolled airspace.
However, the site would take time and money. We needed an income, something to sustain us, until we could develop and promote the site to the Paragliding market. ‘Potties B&B’ was for sale, small enough that we could afford it and in De Aar. So decided – De Aar it was!
As the flying market grew, so did the guesthouse, which is now called, FlyDeAar Guesthouse, but due to our marketing the guesthouse also grew outside of the 'flying season'. We offered a unique Paragliding experience, not only to the flying community but also to other potential tourist visiting the Northern Cape. We are the only registered Paragliding operation in the Northern Cape region.
Paragliding Pilots come here to fly far, enjoy the vast open space and breath-taking scenery that is unique to the Karoo. Non-Pilots can also enjoy this unique experience, through our Paragliding School. We offer training for non licensed individuals and advance courses for basic licensed pilots. We also run a Paragliding tour operation for pilots who would like a stress free opportunity to fly sites through out the country.
So if its accommodation you require when passing through De Aar or a thrill of Paragliding adventure, we offer either or both. We offer clean, affordable accommodation with a fun, exciting atmosphere.
Arnold & Desiree’ Pansi
Paragliding School
Established in 2001, the school is the only SAHPA registered training facility in the Northern Cape & Free State regions. Arnold & Desiree' have both been flying since 1995. Des was the SA Ladies Champion in 2007 & 2008. She was awarded her Protea colors in 2009 & attended the World Paragliding Championships in Mexico 2009. She has also broken the SA Ladies Open distance record 3 times & is still the current record holder. Arnold is also Tandem pilot. They are both SAHPA licensed instructors & FAI Observors.
To legally fly in South Africa, a Basic Paragliding license is required. This can only be issued by a SAHPA affiliated school. The requirements to obtain a Basic Paragliding License are:
1.) A min. of 35 flights of 60 seconds each. In these 35 flights - 20 must be higher than 100m above ground. Winch trained pilots must have at least 5 from a mountain over a min. of 2 days.
1 must be more than 20 minutes long. 2 - 10 minutes flights in thermic conditions. 1 must have been in ridge lift & sharing the ridge with several other pilots.
2.) The pilot must demonstrate good, unassisted forward take-offs in wind strengths of 0-10 km/h, good reverse pull-up and take off technique with cross brake method. Demonstrate good flying technique,
S turns or figure 8's, 180 degree turns, left and right. 360 degree turns, left and right. Demonstrate a flight and landing with back risers, a flight with Big Ears. Demonstrate landing accuracy, 3 out of 3 attempts in 50m diameter circle. Demonstrate good layout, daily inspection and pre-flight checks (5 point check). Demonstrate good unassisted pull-ups/inflations and ground control & hold the canopy inflated directly overhead in sufficient wind. Demonstrate & understand a PLF.
3.) Must have a total of at least 4 hours air time & fly a min. of 2 different sites (1 x winch site, 1 x mountain site for winch trained pilots).
Our Coursers available are:
BASIC PARAGLIDING LICENCE COURSE
WINCH CONVERSION COURSE
CROSS COUNTRY INTRO & CROSS COUNTRY ADVANCED COURSE’S
30 Hoop Street De Aar 7000, Northern Cape, SA
Tel.: +27(0)53 631-1555 Fax: +27(0)86 610-9011
Cell: Arnold: +27(0)82 340-0477 OR Desiree’: +27(0)84 690-1804
email: [email protected] OR [email protected]
web: www.flydeaar.co.za
Established in 2001, the school is the only SAHPA registered training facility in the Northern Cape & Free State regions. Arnold & Desiree' have both been flying since 1995. Des was the SA Ladies Champion in 2007 & 2008. She was awarded her Protea colors in 2009 & attended the World Paragliding Championships in Mexico 2009. She has also broken the SA Ladies Open distance record 3 times & is still the current record holder. Arnold is also Tandem pilot. They are both SAHPA licensed instructors & FAI Observors.
To legally fly in South Africa, a Basic Paragliding license is required. This can only be issued by a SAHPA affiliated school. The requirements to obtain a Basic Paragliding License are:
1.) A min. of 35 flights of 60 seconds each. In these 35 flights - 20 must be higher than 100m above ground. Winch trained pilots must have at least 5 from a mountain over a min. of 2 days.
1 must be more than 20 minutes long. 2 - 10 minutes flights in thermic conditions. 1 must have been in ridge lift & sharing the ridge with several other pilots.
2.) The pilot must demonstrate good, unassisted forward take-offs in wind strengths of 0-10 km/h, good reverse pull-up and take off technique with cross brake method. Demonstrate good flying technique,
S turns or figure 8's, 180 degree turns, left and right. 360 degree turns, left and right. Demonstrate a flight and landing with back risers, a flight with Big Ears. Demonstrate landing accuracy, 3 out of 3 attempts in 50m diameter circle. Demonstrate good layout, daily inspection and pre-flight checks (5 point check). Demonstrate good unassisted pull-ups/inflations and ground control & hold the canopy inflated directly overhead in sufficient wind. Demonstrate & understand a PLF.
3.) Must have a total of at least 4 hours air time & fly a min. of 2 different sites (1 x winch site, 1 x mountain site for winch trained pilots).
Our Coursers available are:
BASIC PARAGLIDING LICENCE COURSE
WINCH CONVERSION COURSE
CROSS COUNTRY INTRO & CROSS COUNTRY ADVANCED COURSE’S
30 Hoop Street De Aar 7000, Northern Cape, SA
Tel.: +27(0)53 631-1555 Fax: +27(0)86 610-9011
Cell: Arnold: +27(0)82 340-0477 OR Desiree’: +27(0)84 690-1804
email: [email protected] OR [email protected]
web: www.flydeaar.co.za