Our user-friendly theory progression, both in the classroom at a choice of many flying sites, will keep your growth and interest at its peak.

We will continue offering the very highest quality professional flight instruction for you, the discerning individual.

USHGA Advanced Certified Instructor, Mike Eberle, has over 10 years of experience instructing paragliding and will be your instructor throughout your paragliding certification. Mike's user-friendly theory progression, both in the classroom and at their flying sites, will keep your growth and interest at its peak.

Mike feels that a solid foundation of knowledge and a smooth learning curve blend to create both maximum safety and the most enjoyable flying experience. Mike is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced instructors in the world. He was one of the United States first paragliding pilots and has been instructing paragliding longer than any other pilot in the Northwest. He is dedicated to providing his students with a fun and safe experience. Mike is unique to the paragliding community because he provides insightful meteorological perspectives from which both fledgling and experienced pilots benefit. A big part of paragliding is reading, analyzing, and maximizing the ever-changing sky to obtain the best flying experience possible. Mike is the best, most accurate, and most articulate in the field.

Mike's interest in paragliding blossomed in 1987 after years of climbing and guiding rock & ice in his home, The Cascade Mountains of Washington State. By 1988, Mike was instructing paragliding in addition to climbing. To better reflect his stronger interests and dedication in paragliding, in 1990 Mike created North American Paragliding, Inc. from his already established climbing business. Since the late 80's, Mike has been dedicated to providing the entire paragliding community with the best possible instruction, equipment and service available anywhere.

We'll focus on pilot personal safety, such as understanding and following "rules of the ridge", ground-handling techniques, and equipment maintenance and repair.

The use of an outstanding Flight Design paraglider is included during your training, as well as transportation from Ellensburg to the flying sites. You are certain to have an unforgettable experience as you begin your flying career.

North American Paragliding, Inc. is dedicated to taking you beyond USHGA standards to develop the skills and confidence of a safe pilot.

Advanced Courses - Para II Rating: In our advanced courses you will become a self-sufficient pilot. You will learn micro meteorology and how to fully control your glider. You will become proficient with safety maneuvers such as big ears , reverse inflations, surge control, wingovers (shown below), speeds to fly, and rules of the ridge. We will take you a variety of flying sites for a well-rounded education. Our goal is for student pilots to feel comfortable - students are encouraged to "tag along" with our classes until they feel comfortable on their own.

To complete a Para III Rating with North American Paragliding you must:

1) Have had a PARA 2 for at least 4 months
2) Have logged 30 days of flying
3) Have logged 90 flights or more
4) Have logged 20 hours or more
5) Complete a review of intermediate flight tasks including but not limited to:

• Ridge and thermal soaring
• Right of way rules
• Speed bar use
• Big ears
• Wing tip collapse
• Speed to fly/surge control
• log three 10-foot spot landings
• Competent launch and landing skills
• Top and side-hill landings
• Equipment preflight

For completion of these tasks, we welcome you to tag along on any of our scheduled classes so you are able to fly with us as much as possible. Please call the Flight Shop for scheduled classes and when to schedule your review, take your exam, and discuss any questions that stem from the exam. If the weather for flying is good however, the exam can be done at a later time (we know our priorities)!

We have the perfect paraglider for any pilot. Our exclusive double coat process used on all our paragliders, combined with the strongest lines available make Flight Design the longest lasting, highest quality paragliders you can get, period.

Our paragliders are not only certified with the SHV standard rating for stability, but are also specifically certified for motoring. We have a large inventory and overnight delivery is available. Email us or call us for more details.

The Flight Shop is a full service retail outlet with everything you'll need to get the most out of flying. We stock helmets, harnesses, reserves, various, and much more.

We also inspect and repair paragliders and equipment. Stop by and see us.

• Our exceptional safety record
• Our outstanding reputation
• We have the BEST and most experienced instructors
• We provide the newest equipment
• We inspect our equipment regularly (we are the only paragliding inspection shop in the northwest)
• Our classes are small
• We are the only full time school in Washington
• We provide the most diverse flying experience with access to over 12 sites
• Our primary site is a 2000 foot flying hill that is 20 miles long - it is great for all levels of flying!
• We provide advanced certification
• We care about our student's development, comfort level, and progression
• We love to fly and love to teach