Bend, Oregon (KTVZ) — Bend Operations Astro Paraglider is affiliated with Project air time We offer free tandem paragliding flights for people with disabilities, giving them the chance to explore a fun sport and the amazing scenery that comes with it.
Harrison Ruffin, owner and operator of Astro Paragliding, spoke about what the sport means to him.
“I think it’s probably the most addicting thing I’ve ever done,” he said. I love you.”
Free tandem paragliding and lessons are not restricted to any particular disability.
Harrison said Project Airtime “supports a range of disabilities, not necessarily paraplegic, quadriplegic, or wheelchair.”
Tandem Paragliding is done by two people, an instructor and a passenger. Both sit in their own harnesses attached together and an instructor controls the paraglider.
“We’ve been teaching one-legged players. I think one-armed players. So we have to change the equipment a bit,” he said. “But it works for everyone. And I think everyone is having a really good time.”
Changing the process is called adaptive paragliding and is a practice that more people are aware of.
Luke Menasco has cerebral palsy and was able to tandem paraglide for free through Project Airtime. He described his experience on his first Adaptive He launch off Pine His Mountain east of Bend.
My wife came home and said, “Hey, Harrison is doing adaptive paragliding, is that what you want to do?” And I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going on an adventure! “
“There are two guys on the side of this device and Harrison in the back, right?
“And then everybody started pushing. The two guys on the sides started pushing and Harrison on the back started pushing. rice field”
“Once up in the sky, it was awesome. It was so peaceful, so quiet. It was so much fun. Just the idea that someone with running difficulties could have access to something like that, I could run and do a traditional tandem launch.” It’s so cool to do.”
