Ben, that was an epic flight. Very interested to hear about how you plan the XC’s and do your weather predictions planning too. Maybe you could do a separate video on the technical planning aspect for all us beginners ?
Absolutely great video, some of the most enjoyable paragliding content out there. I like the introduction of the retrospective / interview style additions, really adds something. Keep 'em coming!
Epic scenery, epic flight, and epic editing as usual. You have such an incredible place to fly, can’t say I’m not envious, but i still enjoy my Sierra Nevada mountains, even though they aren’t as beautiful lol.
Great instruction in that flight. I've spent a bit of time climbing those peaks around Aspiring. The view you had I could only dream of. Hope you didn't get abandoned in Twizel too long as well!
Fantastic to see you on TH-cam Ben, and great to learn about the technicals of paragliding whilst listening to your New Zealand accent 😉 Thanks for sharing your passion with us great video, hope you are well.
I live in the heart of the Rockies here in Canada and then f lying here is spectacular, but man do I love your mountains. The river valleys are beautiful. I don’t fly pg much these days but boy would I love to fly my motor where you are!!! Awesome flight and vid as always
So fun to watch your flight Ben! Keep 'em coming. Can I ask what app or software you're using to visualize your flight tracks? Love the way the tracks follow the topography and list your track points.
Wow Ben! You've been getting some amazing long flights in. Great to see you making it all the way from Coronet to Cook Village in one go. What's the total distance on this one?
@@BenjaminKellett You're a (FREAK) in mazing mate!! Can't wait for more exploits. I continue to spread the word to the rest of the flying world for you.
Nice flying brother. I've been thinking of visiting NZ for some big alpine XC and this epic video has just moved the NZ trip up the list. When's the best time of year to come over weather wise?
Came across your videos via the Facebook Shorts/Reels as it was just came up. I'm curious what inspired you to take up the hobby/sport? How do you deal with aircraft should you encounter any thinking helicopters/light aircraft or even large birds? What is that device that is beeping that I hear in your videos is it like an altimeter or some other device? Is it a hard hobby to learn? Guessing for the long flights you need places with lots of big mountains like Western Canada/US, Europe(Alps), NZ, South America(Andes), Nepal as a few I can think of or can you fly in places with more hilly(big) terrain as well? With your arms up for such a long time do you have tricks to stretch them out or give them a short break? (sorry for all the questions btw)
Thank you! Yeah ahah thats a lot to talk about! I'll try answer as best i can. I started flying because where I live lots of people fly and I decided to give it a go, dealing with other airspace users relies on "Visual Flight Rules" put simply, look where you're going. The beeping noise is called a variometer, it has some barometers and accelerometers inside that are super sensitive to air pressure change. Basically it beeps when you go up, the frequency and tone changes depending on your rate of climb. They’re for helping to find lifting air and gaining altitude. If you want to just glide down from top to bottom in easy conditions you can learn this in a few days. Getting your full license that is recognized internationally can take anywhere between 3 weeks and 3 months depending on the individual, level of commitment and weather conditions. To gain the skills to fly long distances crossing mountain ranges covering over 100km in a day involves a deeper understanding of meteorology, advance strategical decision making, risk analysis and flying stamina. Normally this takes people at least few years but it’s also very subjective to the individual and their level of commitment. You don't NEED mountains, its also possible to fly across the flats, you just need a small hill or a which to launch. No your arms don't generally get tired, because you're hanging off brakes.
@@BenjaminKellett Another great video! I too wonder about how you can hold your arms up for so long. If you're always hanging off the brakes doesn't that mean you're always applying them a little and creating drag?
![New Zealand [Unofficial] FAI Record | Paragliding XC](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EXC2nqzI9l0/mqdefault.jpg)
![New Zealand [Unofficial] FAI Record | Paragliding XC](/img/tr.png)
Luv the 3D flight tracks and smooth edits.
Ben, that was an epic flight. Very interested to hear about how you plan the XC’s and do your weather predictions planning too. Maybe you could do a separate video on the technical planning aspect for all us beginners ?
Absolutely great video, some of the most enjoyable paragliding content out there. I like the introduction of the retrospective / interview style additions, really adds something. Keep 'em coming!
Great presentation and info on this exciting sport… well done.
Thanks!!
loving your content Ben, you've taken it up a notch or two with this one.
Cheers mate!! 🤓
Epic scenery, epic flight, and epic editing as usual. You have such an incredible place to fly, can’t say I’m not envious, but i still enjoy my Sierra Nevada mountains, even though they aren’t as beautiful lol.
Just watched your last vid, flying with the eagle is pretty epic too bro. Good flying
That looked amazing with some amazing scenery too. Well done and thanks for sharing it with us.
Cheers Mick!!
What a legend !
🤩awesome flight and beautiful scenery
Thanks! Not a bad spot eh.
Kunorsum man! When it's on ya gotta give it a go eh!
Great work. Thanks for sharing.
No worries mate!
like #100 thanks for this great video... you are an inspiration
🙏 super appreciated mate!
You're livin' the dream Ben!
Thanks mate!
Wonderful content mate. Very inspiring!
Thanks mate!! 😁
Epic flight. What an unreal place to fly. brilliant
Thanks!! It's an epic place to fly eh!
Very good video editing, I like your style of filming. Keep the good work.
Thanks very much!!
Awesome! Loved the scenery
Your video editing skills are on another level 👍👍👍
Great instruction in that flight. I've spent a bit of time climbing those peaks around Aspiring. The view you had I could only dream of. Hope you didn't get abandoned in Twizel too long as well!
Cheers mate! Funny actually, I was in Twizel for about 3 hours 🤣 that was the worst I’ve ever had it!
Fantastic to see you on TH-cam Ben, and great to learn about the technicals of paragliding whilst listening to your New Zealand accent 😉 Thanks for sharing your passion with us great video, hope you are well.
Thanks mate! Yeah bit of a mongrel now I guess! Hope you're all good mate!
I live in the heart of the Rockies here in Canada and then f lying here is spectacular, but man do I love your mountains. The river valleys are beautiful. I don’t fly pg much these days but boy would I love to fly my motor where you are!!! Awesome flight and vid as always
Awesome, I'd love to fly there one day! Thanks very much!
Awesome video as per. Like the interview style. Funny as im 99% sure you are just interviewing yourself. Brilliant.
hahaha so many people have said that! I should've included a question, I actually had my flatmate interview me 😆
Insane my brother!
Thanks mate! 😁
this was sick!
Bro great videos thank you for those!! Inspirational ✌️ I fly aswell love watching your adventures!
Cheers mate!
🔥🔥🔥
Awesome flight mate!
Thanks a lot!
So fun to watch your flight Ben! Keep 'em coming. Can I ask what app or software you're using to visualize your flight tracks? Love the way the tracks follow the topography and list your track points.
Thanks mate!! I use Google earth studio and Adobe After effects. I quite enjoy playing around with that actually
Wow Ben! You've been getting some amazing long flights in. Great to see you making it all the way from Coronet to Cook Village in one go. What's the total distance on this one?
Thanks mate! Yeah was a great summer, enjoying going through the footage now! That one was 168km.
@@BenjaminKellett You're a (FREAK) in mazing mate!! Can't wait for more exploits. I continue to spread the word to the rest of the flying world for you.
Fabulous back country. You're gonna be responsible for a Euro invasion every summer ☺
Hopefully!!
Nice flying brother. I've been thinking of visiting NZ for some big alpine XC and this epic video has just moved the NZ trip up the list. When's the best time of year to come over weather wise?
Hey Ben! Awesome video ❤ what's the helmet you've got on? ;)
Great Flying Ben, Just a question is cloud base always super low through those mountains or are there higher days ?
Came across your videos via the Facebook Shorts/Reels as it was just came up. I'm curious what inspired you to take up the hobby/sport? How do you deal with aircraft should you encounter any thinking helicopters/light aircraft or even large birds? What is that device that is beeping that I hear in your videos is it like an altimeter or some other device? Is it a hard hobby to learn? Guessing for the long flights you need places with lots of big mountains like Western Canada/US, Europe(Alps), NZ, South America(Andes), Nepal as a few I can think of or can you fly in places with more hilly(big) terrain as well? With your arms up for such a long time do you have tricks to stretch them out or give them a short break? (sorry for all the questions btw)
Thank you! Yeah ahah thats a lot to talk about! I'll try answer as best i can. I started flying because where I live lots of people fly and I decided to give it a go, dealing with other airspace users relies on "Visual Flight Rules" put simply, look where you're going. The beeping noise is called a variometer, it has some barometers and accelerometers inside that are super sensitive to air pressure change. Basically it beeps when you go up, the frequency and tone changes depending on your rate of climb. They’re for helping to find lifting air and gaining altitude. If you want to just glide down from top to bottom in easy conditions you can learn this in a few days. Getting your full license that is recognized internationally can take anywhere between 3 weeks and 3 months depending on the individual, level of commitment and weather conditions. To gain the skills to fly long distances crossing mountain ranges covering over 100km in a day involves a deeper understanding of meteorology, advance strategical decision making, risk analysis and flying stamina. Normally this takes people at least few years but it’s also very subjective to the individual and their level of commitment. You don't NEED mountains, its also possible to fly across the flats, you just need a small hill or a which to launch. No your arms don't generally get tired, because you're hanging off brakes.
@@BenjaminKellett Another great video! I too wonder about how you can hold your arms up for so long. If you're always hanging off the brakes doesn't that mean you're always applying them a little and creating drag?
It is too bad what happened to this guy.
???