

You can probably pick up a second hand variometer (vario) and combined air-speed indicator / stall alarm for a reasonable price here in Ireland. In fact, they will only distract and confuse you until you become comfortable and proficient in the air. Instruments - You do not need any instruments while you are training.One make that has proved its worth time and again in competition and recreational flying is the Metamorfosi Conair. There are many reserve parachutes available some for hand gliding and some for paragliding. It must be correctly sized to match your all-up flying weight (your weight + clothes + harness + glider) if it is to return you to Earth in one piece. Like your helmet, this is one item that you should buy NEW. Except when you are on the training slopes, NEVER fly without a reserve parachute. Parachute - If you can fly high enough to throw your reserve parachute, you are flying high enough for it to save your life.Like the glider, your life depends on it. If you intend to buy a second hand harness, have your instructor or a senoir pilot thoroughly inspect it first. Harnesses are personal items and it is important that you get one that fits your particular body shape and is comfortable in flight. Harness - You can probably pick up a second hand harness in Ireland if you search around, but you would be just as well to look for one while you are abroad training.

There are several manufacturers in the UK and Europe, but the cheapest appears to be Skywears in Pakistan! Dispite the distance, they have proved to be reliable and reasonably fast.
