Neverlandparagliding reviews

1530662975

Stephen King

google

I am sincerely sorry your experience learning to fly was less than exceptional, but I would like to respond to a few points made here. I do believe in customizing the lessons to the students. People show up with differing levels of previous aviation experience and/or knowledge, athleticism, aptitude and desires. The curiously common theme of asking what you guys want to focus on as your skills progress and your understanding of whats needed to be a paramotor pilot, is just that, customizing it to your specific learning curve. You mentioned my hesitation in putting you on a motor after your normal student struggles. Absolutely! Again, customizing to your specific situation. I didnt think you guys were ready for the added complications the motor brings. You insisted you came for the motor and at least wanted a taste of the motor as that was your primary purpose of taking the course. I agreed that we could at least get you fitted, go over some basics such as site selection, startup, taxiing, kiting and maybe even some flying if all goes well. As far as the site selection. The site we normally fly motors, the beach, has had some local drama with the powers that be. I didnt want to involve you in any of that so I opted for a different location. I didnt see any no trespassing signs, let alone posted everywhere. Granted its not an actual airport, just a flat dirt field, but it is ideal for beginners. No turbulence inducing obstacles, no hazards to crash into. Not pretty, but rather ideal for beginners. As for putting the motor together and the hang check. This is standard operating procedure. Most people learning to fly motors want to at least see how the cage goes together and every pilot should do a hang check when flying any motor for the first time. This is absolutely standard operating procedure. This is also why we were meeting at 1530. You knew from the previous days, that we dont fly that early around here due to dust devils and the like. The call time factored in the assembly and setup time. We were way early for the proper conditions. As for the motors condition. Its a carbon scout, and does have some repairs on the carbon frame holding the netting. It had been repaired and does have some gaffers tape on some of the cage, over the repairs. It looks a lot worse than it is, and I had the same thoughts at first sight, until I examined the pieces and realized they are actually quite sturdy after said repairs. Its also why I said I completely understand any hesitation, I just asked you wait for it to be put together to see for yourself. The repairs are actually cosmetic. The cage is quite strong and the motor just flew a 275lb man without incident, even took a couple hard landings. Yes, its not new, but I wasnt about to put you on a brand new motor with your experience level. The scout is a top of the line motor. This one is beat up but completely airworthy. Though its not necessary to fly a pg before a motor. I do think its wise. Much like learning to ride a bicycle before riding a motorcycle. Again, not absolutely critical, as you mentioned, many people learn this way, but I stand by my opinion that its a smarter path. You mentioned your long drive, and I also had some serious commuting to do to get there. Thats why I too got a little frustrated when you rejected the motor at first sight, before I had a chance to assemble it. My frustration likely leaked into my voice, but at no time were voices raised, so I am surprised that it came off as demeaning, or childish. Like the trespassing signs everywhere claim, I believe you may be exaggerating a bit, but if I hurt your feelings, I do apologize. Again. I am sorry your experience wasnt what you expected it to be. I appreciate the feedback, and will apply what I can to improve the experience for others.

1530660544

1

In a few words.. unstructured, unprofessional, unsafe. A fellow pilot and myself traveled 4 hours and stayed 4 days from home to take part in the journey of adding POWERED paragliders (PPG) to our list (all others all fixed wing). The basic training was supposed to follow a kiting-gliding-power sequence over the course of 4-5 days all with instructor Stephen Nowak. Nowak, although extremely skilled and knowledgeable about paragliding and weather phenomena, seemed to be severely lacking in basic instructor pilot fundamental skills, deep understanding of aerodynamics and airspace, and mission planning/preparation, as well as experience and confidence in powered paramotoring (the entire reason for going). Within the first three days, from what I think anyone would consider normal student struggle.. we were able to eventually launch from over 2000' above the landing zone and hit it uneventfully. However when we were asked what we wanted to do, (a curiously common theme throughout training showing lack of planning, syllabus discipline, and instructor guidance) and requested to use the motor.. we were met with immediate hesitation. After a little coaxing, the instructor agreed to teach us paramotor basics.. suspiciously difficult considering my initial training inquiry was specifically for PPG. Per usual, he was late to the agreed arrival time at 1530 because he didn't have enough gas in the paramotor and wasn't familiar with the area. Stephen had selected a new training site located on some private property with "no trespassing" signs posted everywhere, based on his friends suggestion the night prior. He didn't have enough equipment for all three students to use for training and borrowed a motor from Troy Hartman of Aerial Antics/Soboba Paragliding. The equipment wasnt fitted correctly for the students ahead of time, or even put together. He decided we needed to hang the motor and harness from structural beams INSIDE A NEARBY STRANGERS CARPORT! who didn't seem to be home at the time to find the correct hang points. During assembly of the motor and harness he admitted to never having used this specific motor and "wasn't [immediately] sure how to put it together". It was then that I noticed several instances of damage to the carbon fiber frame that was "fixed" with bonding and covered up with electrical tape. I called knock-it-off immediately, said thanks for the opportunity and that I wasn't comfortable flying. I was not going to put my life in the hands of an instructor unfamiliar with the location and equipment he's supposed to be instructing how to use, or equipment in such poor condition. After politely refusing to fly, we were met immediately with aggressive assurance that it was structurally sound, criticism of our inexperience and lack of paraGLIDING skill, and was told that we should need at least a YEAR of gliding experience before using a motor.. a ridiculous and obviously defensive response considering the many successful and reputable PPG schools located far from any gliding terrain. Stephen then went on to argue that we wasted HIS time that day despite the fact that once the motor would have been hung, and all three students fitted, there would still have been less than an hour per student of stick time before sunset. Throughout all of my formal aviation training, NEVER have I been talked down to and insulted in such a way by expressing my concerns regarding safety of flight. The level of unprofessionalism, childishness, disregard for student safety, and outright false advertising that this company and its instructor allows is truly staggering. Edit: -Picture posted of one instance of "No trespassing" signs..more were visible due to the construction. -I understand the SOP for hanging the motor to test the hang points..The issue was with how consistently late and unprepared you were. -If in your professional opinion, you thought that students weren't ready to use a motor, why give us the option? -Those fins counter torque and don't just hold a net...

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Micah Weller

google

5

I'm not even his student, but Stephen has helped me tremendously in my flying by pointing out what he observes me doing at the LZ and gives excellent feedback. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him as an instructor, and although I have already paid for unlimited lessons from another instructor I plan to consult with Stephen and utilize him in my growth as a pilot in the future. He truly cares about transmitting his knowledge in flying to his students (and even not his students, such as myself) and it really shows. If you want to get better and can handle the critiquing, he'll help you excel rapidly.

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Zach Vasnick

google

5

Super high quality instruction. Shows confidence in students without letting them "get away with it." Everything you need. Steve is a legend!!!!

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Stan Barankiewicz

google

5

Stephen is such a talented paraglider and paramotoring instructor. I first met Stephen about a year and half ago when I decided to get my P-2 rating. I found him to be extremely knowledgeable and genuinely concerned about my safety. While many others are quick to move up to advanced gliders, Stephen preaches that you can accomplish the same results with proper technique, while staying safe. That's why I bought a A-rated wing, the Mojo 5. Another of Stephen's students, Jeremy, has the same A-rated wing and is now shredding the skies with monster wing overs, barrel rolls, and SATs. Stephen takes the time to understand his students' needs, but does rightly push back when a student (meaning me) tries to push too quickly. I have total confidence in his assessment of my skills and value all of his input, even when it stings a bit. I know he genuinely wants me to succeed, but he will not compromise safely. I trust his skills and decision-making to the point that we fly acro in tandem. I take comfort in knowing that he is ready to identify and correct any error I commit. His comprehension of acro aerodynamics, proper techniques, and pitfalls are unrivaled. Stephen pushes the boundaries of what can be accomplished with such flair. Yet, I have never seen such a safety conscious mind. When throwing acro he himself has a three-reserve system! When we paramotored together at the Salton Sea, he did acro moves that no one would attempt. Im so glad he is my acro and P-3 instructor! Total confidence and respect. I can't say enough good things about him.

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Andriy Panov

google

5

In short - I highly recommend NeverLand Paragliding School! Stephen is very experienced and knowledgable instructor with refined sense of humor. He likes to teach and he does it very well. Stephen could point you out what was right or wrong in small details, something that could be unnoticed for other pilots. He is a good person with his own character, which I respect. Apart from paragliding Stephen is very passionate about healthy lifestyle and I appreciate him a ton for all information he gave me.