#212 The Most Important Flight with Marcus King

Marcus King has been flying pretty much full time since 1991. He spent many years with the early Ozone team and has been on the design team with Cross Country Magazine for ages. All those gear and wing reviews you see in the magazine (and a TON of the photos!) are compliments of Marcus. In this chat Marcus shares his background in paragliding, his work in the industry, the rise of the sports class competitions, his involvement in the Red Bull X-Alps, and his passion for flying in the French Alps. And then we switch to a very unfortunate totally benign day back in September when Marcus hit the ground hard. Marcus shares his experience of the accident, the rescue operation, and the injuries he sustained and of course the 20-20 hindsights that are always a part of the forensics of making mistakes. He emphasizes the importance of wearing proper safety gear such as an EN certified flying helmet; always communicating with folks before you head out so people know where you are; having all your emergency gear even for the “easy” flights; and the need to respect the risks involved in paragliding with every single flight you take. Marcus discusses his rehabilitation and recovery process, highlighting the mental challenges and coping strategies he employed. Marcus also explores the impact of the accident on his family and the decision to fly again. Important lessons for everyone to hear. Enjoy!Takeaways* Wearing proper safety gear, such as an EN certified flying helmet, is crucial in minimizing the risk of injuries during paragliding accidents.

* Rehabilitation and recovery from paragliding injuries require patience, mental strength, and taking one day at a time.

* The paragliding community provides valuable support and inspiration for pilots recovering from accidents.

* Respecting the risks involved in paragliding and maintaining a cautious mindset is essential for safe flying.Chapters00:00Introduction and Background07:21Flying in the French Alps15:35Wing Testing and Gear Reviews20:06The Rise of Sports Class Competitions25:13The Red Bull X-Alps Experience32:38The Accident and Rescue37:37The Accident and Rescue39:05The Importance of Proper Safety Gear40:02Injuries and Hospitalization44:20Rehabilitation and Recovery45:02Mental Challenges and Coping Strategies46:24Lessons Learned and Safety Precautions49:12Guilt and Support from Family50:59The Decision to Fly Again52:23Prognosis and Recovery53:37Previous Accidents and Lessons54:17Mixed Emotions about Returning to Flying56:11Finding Hope and Inspiration from Other Pilots01:01:13The Importance of Respecting the Risks01:04:49The Desensitization to Accidents in the Paragliding Community01:06:24The Illusion of Safety in Familiar Environments01:09:07The Flow State and Risk Management01:12:18The Importance of Tracking Devices