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Paragliding
Paragliding take-off
Paragliding
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Paragliding (known in some countries as parapenting or parapente) is a recreational and competitive flying sport. A paraglider is a free-flying, foot-launched aircraft. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing, its shape formed by the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing. The sport is closely related to Hang gliding, but quite different from parasailing/parascending - which doesn’t involve free flight.
The paraglider wing or ‘canopy’ is a self-inflating structure consisting of a row of inflatable cells, joined together side by side. The cells form an aerofoil cross-section to produce lift, just like an airplane wing.
The pilot is supported underneath the wing from a set of lines which are attached to strap-like risers that are attached to the pilot's harness. Controls held in the pilot’s hands, which pull down the trailing edge of the wing, are used to control speed and turn.
The pilot is strapped into a bucket-seat harness, which holds a reserve parachute, and includes a ‘speed system’ which pulls down the leading edge for maximum flying speed. All recreational harnesses have a foam or air-bag back protector. |
In non-powered flight, rising air is needed to keep a glider aloft. This rising air can come from either thermals currents or ridge lift. Once the skills of using thermals to gain altitude have been mastered, pilots can glide from one thermal to the next to go ‘cross-country’. As with all aircraft, launching and landing are done into wind (though in mountain flying, it is possible to launch in no wind and glide out to the first thermal). In flatter countryside, pilots can also be launched with a tow.
It is important that Paragliding participants receive training from experienced instructors. Use the Your Leisure Time Quick Search to find Paragliding training centres in the UK.
Featured Paragliding web sites