P3 Test – Study Guide

Know what USHPA’s official recommendations are for reserve chutes.
Study the USHPA part 104 and know the recommended operating limitations for Intermediate pilots. Know what is required, what is recommended. Full Set of Rating Criteria is here…

C. Recommended Operating Limitations for Intermediate Paraglider Pilots

Maximum base wind of 15 m.p.h.
Maximum peak gusts to 18 m.p.h.
Maximum gust rate of 5 m.p.h. in 5 seconds.
Avoid steep turns close to the ground.
Avoid application of either brake beyond 3/4 of the way from full off to stall position.
Limit turns to bank angles recommended by the manufacturer, limit speed in turns to 2 times the straight line, brakes off, cruise speed, and smoothly exit any spiral turn that shows a tendency to steepen or accelerate.
Should initiate downwind turns only with 300′ of clearance outward from the hill or ridge in winds above 15 m.p.h., and 200′ of clearance in winds above 10 m.p.h.
Should not fly in thermals where peak climb rates exceed 500 fpm or where significant vertical cloud development exists.
Upon mastering the above skills, an Intermediate Paragliding Pilot should pursue new maneuvers, sites, and conditions with the guidance of a USHPA Certified Advanced Paragliding Instructor or Observer.

Be familiar with air traffic rules and FAR Part 103.
- Know the standard flight elevations that air traffic stays at under IFR “Instrument Flight Rules” .
- Know how to read a sectional and the importance of this relating to XC flying.
- Know numeric symbols on a Sectional and what they mean.
- Know how areas are denoted on sectionals – colors, hash marks etc.
Know Wind Gradients and the danger of understimating the wind.
Know the following terms and have a full grasp of concepts around such (Article about critical flying situations may help):
- Deep or Constant Stall
- Full Stalls
- Spins
- Spirals and Locked in Spirals
- Asymetric Collapses
- Full Frontal Collapses
- Water Landings