Pre-Flight Briefing for Tandem Paragliding from Sarangkot
A short Nepali dialogue with a Sarangkot tandem paragliding pilot — harness tightening, the RUN-LEGS-UP-STOP signals, abort procedure, and the mid-flight 'fly lower' request.
The situation
Sarangkot launch, 9:30 am. The wind is steady. Your tandem pilot — a Pokhara local with 2,000+ flights — buckles you into the harness and reviews the launch sequence. You've never paraglided. This is the briefing that decides whether your first ten seconds go well.
The dialogue
Pilot
Welcome. Please tighten the leg straps yourself — pull this strap.
। — ।
Swāgat chha. Kripayā khuṭṭāko paṭṭī āphai̱ kasnuhos — yo tānera.
Tourist
Please tighten my harness — is it correct?
— ?
Kripayā mero harness kasnuhos — ke yo ṭhīk chha?
Pilot
Yes, perfect. When I say RUN, run forward. When I say LEGS UP, sit back. When I say STOP, brake.
, । '' , । ' ' , । '' , ।
Ho, milyo. Jab ma 'RUN' bhanchhu, agāḍi dauḍnuhos. Jab ma 'LEGS UP' bhanchhu, pachhāḍi basnuhos. Jab ma 'STOP' bhanchhu, brake lagāunuhos.
Tourist
What is the signal if I want to land?
?
Malāī avataraṇ garnuparyo bhane ke saṅket ho?
Pilot
Tap my arm twice — and I'll start the landing approach.
— ।
Mero hātmā dui paṭak thapthapāunuhos — ma avataraṇ suru garchhu.
Tourist
I am afraid — can we fly lower?
— ?
Malāī ḍar lāgyo — ke hāmī tala uḍna sakchhau̱?
Pilot
Yes, sister. Breathe slowly. We will land in ten minutes.
, । । ।
Hunchha, didi. Bistārai sās phernuhos. Das minetmā hāmī avataraṇ garchhau̱.
Comprehension check
Three quick questions to test what you heard. No pressure, no streaks.
Cultural notes
Launch failure usually means the pilot calls STOP mid-run — sit immediately, do not keep running. Restart from the back of the launch zone.
RUN-LEGS-UP-STOP is the universal tandem launch sequence — pilots use it in English regardless of language. Confirm the words before launch.
Mid-flight discomfort: ask for lower altitude, slower turns, or early landing. Tandem pilots are trained for it — Sarangkot operators have ~99.7% incident-free safety records.
Sarangkot tandem flights NPR 8,500–14,000 including transport, 25–45 minute flight, and the photo-video memory card. GoPro footage extra.
Phrases from this dialogue
Each phrase as a stand-alone reference — open for the full pronunciation and cultural context.
कृपया मेरो ह्यार्नेस कस्नुहोस्
Please tighten my harness
Kripayā mero harness kasnuhos
मलाई अवतरण गर्नुपर्यो भने के संकेत हो?
What is the signal if I want to land?
Malāī avataraṇ garnuparyo bhane ke saṅket ho?
मलाई डर लाग्यो — के हामी तल उड्न सक्छौं?
I am afraid — can we fly lower?
Malāī ḍar lāgyo — ke hāmī tala uḍna sakchhau̱?
सराङ्कोट सूर्योदय यात्रा कति बजे हो?
What time is the Sarangkot sunrise tour?
Sāraṅkoṭ sūryoday yātrā kati baje ho?
Photo: Unsplash
मलाई थकाइ लाग्यो
I am tired
Malai thakai laagyo