New pilot

[niquya]

Hi !

I'm Yannick, I arrived recently in Washington DC from Europe. Love it here ! I'm a paraglider, still not that much experience though (dynamic flights on the coast of Portugal, and about 10 thermal flights in the Alps and southern Spain). I'm looking forward to fly around here, and some company would be great (and necessary too !). I've quickly seen in the forum that I'll need to convert my European pilot license, once this is done I'd be happy to go along, discover the sites, their characteristics, and fly !!!

Just quickly about me, I'm 31, french originally, but spent a lot of time in Portugal. I came here to do some research about forest and climate change, to sail on the bay, fly in the mountains and hike in the forests !

See you soon, I'll keep an eye on the forum and may ask to join if you have a spare seat,
Thanks, take care
Yannick

[markc]

Welcome Yannick to the mid-Atlantic!

(Oh ,there's a limerick in there I'm sure: "There once was a pilot named Yannick, who flew sites in the Mid-Atlantic...... )

We've got lots of PG and HG pilots flying our area sites, and a fair number who are bi-wingual. So hopefully you will get some
good advice and suggestions in these forums. It's great to hear that you have experience in Spain and Portugal; those experiences
will be a plus as you explore what's available locally. I hope to see you in the skies sometime soon!

MarkC

[mingram]

Bon noiche, Yannick! Our mountains are beautiful and we'll be happy to help you get to know and love them. Sometimes they require hiking to go flying! We also have a few sailors in our group - myself included. Where do you sail?

Peter Humes is a local instructor who can help you convert your license. You can find him on the USHPA website. Then join the CHGPA and start flying with us. The paragliders don't always post a message on this forum when going to fly, but we try to fly most weekends. If it looks flyable on the weekend be assertive and post a message looking for Observers to fly with and we'll get you in the air.

Matt Ingram
804.399.5155

[Matthew]

Welcome Yannick-- PG Observers include me, Ellis, Lazlo, Tom C. and Jim K. Our contact info is listed on the USHPA web site at:

http://www.ushpa.aero/observe.asp

Just click on the map for Maryland and Virginia.

Matthew

[pink_albatross]

Yeah, and be assertive
-- ellis

[niquya]

Wao, thank you all so much for the welcoming messages and advice ! I really appreciate !
I'm gonna get the USHPA membership right now, convert my license, and we'll soon be flying together !
Matt I've just sailed once by now, on the Potomac with the Washington sailing club on the other side of the river, but I'm impatient to get to the bay !

Have a great week end, see you soon !
Yannick