Pick a Spot 

1. Traveling domestically? Check out the sites that have received grants from The Foundation for Free Flight. (You can find a list on the Foundation's Success Stories page.) The Foundation works to preserve American flying sites for future generations of pilots, using tax-deductible donations and the tireless efforts of an all-volunteer staff to make it happen. The Foundation makes land purchases, upgrades facilities, grooms launch and landing zones and generally comes to the rescue of wonderful sites -- some, on the brink of extinction -- that you otherwise might not have the opportunity to fly.
2. If you're in the mood for an overseas adventure, peek at the United States Hang-Gliding and Paragliding Association calendar. USHPA comprises of over 100 local chapters and clubs, and the association lists events that span the planet. At these events, the biggest pressures of overseas flying adventures are minimized: there will certainly be other English-speaking pilots around to hang out with, review site details and explore launches alongside.

1. If you already have your tickets booked, browse Paragliding Earth to find flying sites nearby. While lots of the listed sites require more in-depth research than what the site presents, many do not -- and the pinpoints offer an excellent reference point for experienced pilots to do their own exploring.

Get Your Paperwork in Order

1. If you're traveling with your paraglider or speed wing, bring the card that proves you're an USHPA member in good standing. As well as vetting the holder's licensed status, the USHPA card demonstrates third party and participant liability insurance coverage which is almost always required at developed sites.
2. Scan the front and back of your airsports membership cards -- USHPA, the US Parachute Association, your BASE number card and any others you may carry -- and upload them to your preferred cloud storage solution. This will make them easier to replace if lost and give you easy access to emergency numbers and insurance information.
3. Get in-date. If you need an inspection or a repack, make plans to do so before you leave your trusted rigger behind.
4. An important note: USHPA membership may not be everything you need to fly. Before you travel, check to see if you'll need to purchase a club membership or sign a waiver before you land at your destination site. In a great many cases, local clubs rely on these fees to keep their sites open and flyable. It's disrespectful and irresponsible to dodge them.

Travel Smart With Your Paragliding Equipment

1. Don't put a note on your reserve handle that says "do not pull." If you do, you're begging airport security to yank it as hard as they can. They will likely oblige you.
2. Double-bag your paragliding backpack.Throw your expensive, custom paragliding backpack in an inexpensive duffel bag to prevent its straps from being ripped off by a conveyor belt or luggage truck.
3. Make your luggage as waterproof as possible. More than a few paragliding holidays in France, Spain and Italy have ended in nylon tragedy when a red wine bottle in someone else's bag broke, soaking through the stack of luggage and right into their wing. Get a dry bag or some other waterproofing sheath for your gear.
4. Take your helmet as a carry-on. If you check it in your paragliding backpack, it may be crushed in transit.
5. Sort the rest of your equipment by checked/non-checked status long before you arrive at the airport. As much as possible, stash valuable electronic gadgets in your hand luggage. However, don't forget to put tools like your Swiss Army knife, hook knife, Leatherman or multitool in your checked bag. If you decide to carry your 2-meter radio on the plane, keep your radio license handy to demonstrate to security or it may be confiscated.
6. Think about international customs taxes before they sneak up and surprise you. International paragliding expeditions should begin at the airport customs office before check-in. Have the office register your gear, accessories and electronics. If you are not provided with a matching registration card, ask for a printout of the file copy. That paperwork will bear your equipment's serial numbers, which might just save you from paying tax -- again -- on all your gear.