#28 Brandon | Paragliding pilot in New Zealand

前言: 係較早前嘅紐西蘭之旅我用左儲左好耐嘅勇氣玩左人生第一次滑翔傘，其中一個令我心安嘅係我嘅教練 Brandon，難得飛左上天，我決定要訪問下呢位空中飛人嘅故事。

1. How long have you been paragliding?

I have been paragliding for about 20 years and I have been working as a pilot for 16 years.

K: How many flights do you have per day in general?

3-4 per day, depending on the weather condition.

2. Why did you start paragliding?

I have friends doing it and that’s how I had my first paragliding experience. I then studied at the aviation school to become a pilot. To become a pilot, we have to study, followed by 40 flights under instruction. The last step is to fly for 4 years to get the license.

3. Why did you choose pilot as your job?

I think it’s good fun. In fact I work as a builder as well but paragliding is an easier job in terms of fitness so I choose to work as a pilot.

K: What is the best part of this job?

I get to meet lots of people and I can enjoy the sunshine. Usually the people I meet are happy as they are on holiday.

4. Is there any unforgettable experience during your flight?

I was once caught in the wind. The wind came faster than I expected and then I had to change the direction and flew over another ridge and landed in another valley.

K: How did the passenger respond?

The passenger didn’t know about the situation.

5. Will you take paragliding pilot as a life long job?

I don’t think so. I guess I will only work for 5 more years. By then I will be about 50 years old.

K: Why 50?

As you get older, your fitness level may decline and it’s all about the body. We pilots have to be confident about the flight but as we get old we may have a lower confidence because of the change in body.

K: Do you know if there is any pilot who is over 50 but is still working?

Yes. There is a pilot who is 60 and is still working. It maybe better for him as he doesn’t have to climb up the mountain and save the walk uphill. (P.S. one have to get to the peak to do paragliding)

後記: Brandon 有提及睇過香港龍脊滑翔傘片段，佢話呢個位絕對唔容易玩滑翔傘。滑翔傘教練基本上同機師無分別，既要細心留意環境變化，亦掌管住人命，Brandon 由出發前著裝備，同每一細步都有仔細講清楚，令我呢個細膽嘅人安心好多，慶幸我嘅第一次遇到呢位好嘅機師。