History:
– 1966: Canadian Domina Jalbert patented multi-cell wing type aerial device
– 1954: Walter Neumark predicted launching by running over a cliff
– 1961: French engineer Pierre Lemongine improved parachute designs leading to Para-Commander
– Domina Jalbert invented the parafoil with sectioned cells
– 1978: Jean-Claude Bétemps, André Bohn, and Gérard Bosson launched parapente in France
Equipment – Wing:
– Paraglider wing is a ram-air airfoil with two layers of fabric
– Modern wings made of high-performance materials like ripstop nylon
– Most wings follow a sharknose design for stability
– Semi-flexible rods give extra stability to the wing profile
– Suspension lines support the pilot underneath the wing
Equipment – Harness:
– The pilot is supported by a network of suspension lines
– Risers made of strong webbing are attached to the harness
– Lines are attached to fabric loops on the wing
– Rows of lines are categorized as A, B, C, and D lines
– Paraglider lines are usually made from UHMW polythene or aramid
Equipment – Reserve Parachute:
– Reserve parachutes are mandatory for paragliding pilots
– They are packed in a deployment bag attached to the harness
– Reserve parachutes are manually deployed in case of emergencies
– Regular inspections and repacking are required for safety
– Reserve parachutes have a quick-opening mechanism for rapid deployment
Techniques – Launching:
– Paragliders launch by running off a slope or cliff edge
– Forward launch involves running downhill to inflate the wing
– Reverse launch involves inflating the wing overhead before takeoff
– Tandem launching is common for beginners with an instructor
– Wind direction and speed are crucial factors for a successful launch
Safety – Weather Conditions:
– Pilots must consider wind speed, direction, and turbulence
– Thermals, ridge lift, and convergence zones affect flying conditions
– Cloud development can indicate potential lift or approaching storms
– Flying in rain, snow, or strong winds is dangerous and should be avoided
– Monitoring weather forecasts and conditions is essential for safe flying
Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness or in a cocoon-like 'pod' suspended below a fabric wing. Wing shape is maintained by the suspension lines, the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing, and the aerodynamic forces of the air flowing over the outside.
 Paragliding in Turkey (Advance canopy) | |
| Highest governing body | Fédération Aéronautique Internationale |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | No |
| Mixed-sex | Yes |
| Type | Air sports |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Worldwide |
| Olympic | No |
| World Games | 2013 |
Despite not using an engine, paraglider flights can last many hours and cover many hundreds of kilometres, though flights of one to five hours and covering some tens of kilometres are more the norm. By skillful exploitation of sources of lift, the pilot may gain height, often climbing to altitudes of a few thousand metres.