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Frequently Asked Questions
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[Click
here for more details about paragliding.]
What is a paraglider?
A paraglider is a foot-launched, ram-air, aerofoil (wing), designed to be
flown and landed with no other energy requirements than the wind, thermals
and gravity.
What are
the main component parts of a paraglider?
A paraglider is a ram-air wing, and it comes with lines attached at various
points of the wing. The lines are gathered together at the risers, and are
attached to carabiners, which are attached to a harness… the harness is what
the pilot sits in.
What is
the difference between a paraglider and a hang glider?
The paraglider canopy shape is maintained by air pressure, and the pilot is
suspended in a sitting (usually semi-reclined) or supine position. A hang
glider, on the other hand, has a rigid frame maintaining the shape of the
wing with metal cables and bars, with the pilot usually flying in a
lying-face-down or prone position. Paragliders generally fly at slower
speeds than hang gliders and thus require less speed (and thus distance) for
both launch and landing. This is a critical point in tight launch and
landing zones.
What’s the difference between a paraglider and a parachute?
A paraglider is actually a wing, a ram-air inflated wing. Paragliders are
similar to a modern, steerable skydiving canopy in that they can be steered.
However, there are several important differences. Paragliders are designed
for foot-launch and tow-launch versus being inflated due to high-velocity
winds like a parachute. Thus, there is no "drogue" 'chute or "slider" that a
parachute needs to withstand the sudden shock of opening at high velocities.
Paragliders therefore generally have a lighter construction than parachutes.
Paragliders usually have more cells and thinner risers than parachutes.
What’s the difference between a paraglider and a parasail?
A paraglider is a wing, a parasail is a parachute.
What happens if the paraglider loses its flight characteristics while in
flight?
Most all paraglider pilots carry a ‘reserve’… a parachute. (Most pilots
don’t ever have to use them either.)
How safe are
paragliders?
As safe as the person
flying them. Like any form of sport aviation, paragliding can be dangerous
if pursued carelessly. Paragliders are rated for airworthiness by a German
company... they earn a "DHV Rating." These ratings begin at 1 (most stable
and best for new pilots) and increase by level of performance and difficulty
to fly and recover from... let's call them 'flight situations'. Competition
pilots often use a higher rated wing because they generally fly faster; but,
they can be less stable, thus increasing the demands of the pilot during
flight. Advancements in wing design continue to provide higher rated wings
with greater stability, thus making paragliding flight more and more safe as
the years go by. Also, the national organization certifies instructors, thus
providing new pilots with basic and somewhat standardized knowledge of
paraglider flight no matter where you train.
However, it must be
known by all who get involved in the sport that accidents, even death, can
still and does occur. With this said, pilots can fly for a lifetime without
any injury... it depends on the pilot and the decisions made regarding
paraglider flight -- "hmmm... should I launch now, or even at all today?"
What happens when the wind stops blowing while I’m flying?
You’ll learn during
your instruction that paragliders fly at approximately 20 mph… this is
‘airspeed’, not wind speed. As far as the wing is concerned, wind speed
isn’t a factor and it therefore does not stop blowing. If you are ON THE GROUND
and YOU feel the wind stop blowing against YOU (i.e. the wind speed), the
wing STILL flies at 20 mph… ‘airspeed’. So, if you want to launch in a
no-wind situation, you have to run 20 mph to create a 20-mph ‘airspeed’ for
the wing. When there is ‘no wind’ at ground level, you have to run faster to
launch and land, because the wing still flies at approximately 20 mph
‘airspeed’. Generally, ideal winds for launching and landing are from 5 to
12 mph wind speed. Thus, you will not have to run as fast to create a 20-mph
‘airspeed’ for the wing.
How do paragliders
gain altitude?
The two most commonly
used methods of lift used by paraglider pilots are ‘ridge lift’ and ‘thermal
lift’. Ridge lift occurs when horizontal wind hits an obstruction (like a
hill or ‘ridge’) and is compressed (causes the wind to speed up) and
deflected upward. Thermal lift occurs when terrain is heated by the sun and
transfers this heat to the surrounding air, which rises through the
neighboring cooler air. Typically ridge lift exists in a "lift band" on the
windward side of a ridge, and pilots fly back and forth in the lift band
to remain aloft and/or increase altitude. Thermal lift usually starts at
some "trigger point" on the ground and rises as a column or bubble of air.
Pilots typically circle inside the column of rising air to remain aloft
and/or increase altitude.
What
temperatures are encountered during flight?
Paragliders are flown
in sub-zero conditions and in the highest heats of deserts. The air
temperature falls approximately 3-5 degrees (F) for every 1000 foot gained
in altitude. Thus a pilot launching in 100F could encounter temperatures in
the 60s at altitude.
Is
paragliding physically demanding?
Most anyone who can run
a block carrying a 50lb backpack on their back can fly a paraglider. While
flying does not require great strength, long-duration flights and/or
turbulent conditions may require a moderate degree of abdominal and upper
body endurance.
Do pilots need to be of a certain age, gender, weight
or size range?
No. However…
physically, the more in-shape and agile the pilot, the easier it is for the
pilot to incur and deal with the forces encountered during launch, flight
and landing. Mentally, the more mature the pilot, the safer the pilot in
general. Note that ‘maturity’ may not necessarily be age-dependent…
Equipment is partially designed based on the overall size, weight, and
comfort needs of the pilot. This allows people of many sizes to become
pilots.
Do
pilots need to be licensed to fly paragliders?
Not really, but a
program analogous to FAA licensing exists and is administered by USHPA
(United States Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association). This program
consists of a specific set of flying skills corresponding to a series of
pilot proficiency ratings (Beginner through Master) each of which carries a
set of recommended operating limitations. While these ratings don't carry
the force of law in quite the same way FAA pilot's licenses do, the majority
of flying sites in the U.S. require pilots hold some specific USHPA rating
or higher in order to fly that location.
How do you steer a paraglider?
By shifting the pilot's
weight with respect to the wing (altering the center of gravity) and/or by
pulling on a brake/toggle (altering the shape of the wing and thus the lift
produced by the wing). Paraglider pilots are suspended from the wing via
lines, risers, and carabiners which connect to the pilot's harness.
How high & far can a paraglider go?
It depends... the
weather, atmospheric conditions, capability of the pilot, capability of the
wing system. The latest distance record is in excess of 260 miles in one
day. Sometimes, pilots need to carry oxygen because they can get above
12,000 feet MSL. More typically, pilots in the summer in the western US will
frequently achieve altitudes of 3,000 to 8,000 feet AGL.
How long do flights
last in a paraglider?
It depends... the
weather, atmospheric conditions, capability of the pilot, capability of the
wing system. However, flights (at any altitude) often last one to several
hours in duration. On good days, pilots don't have to land until the sun
goes down. And if they are 'ridge soaring', they can stay in the lift band
as long as it exists... which could well be all day long.
How long does it take to set up and break down a paraglider?
A paraglider pilot can
literally set up and be flying within a few minutes of arriving at a launch
location… and the same for break down after landing. A paraglider fits into
an oversized backpack and is light enough to be hiked for miles.
Where can paragliders launch?
Foot launch...
Most any slope facing
into the wind that is relatively free from obstructions. Slope depends on
the wind speed and the performance level of the wing and pilot. The
pilot simply runs down the slope until separated from the hill... the air
speed will reach the wing's flying speed of approximately 20 mph.
Towing...
Launch via tow can be
accomplished using a tow winch system attached to a vehicle (including
boats). Typical systems are usually on a separate trailer, or mounted on or
in a vehicle. Some winch systems are moved forward during tow operations
while others are stationary. 'Pay-in' systems are designed to 'pull' the
pilot towards the winch system, while 'pay-out' systems are designed so that
the winch system and the pilot pull away from each other (relatively
speaking). Some tow winch systems are designed to do either (one or the
other at any given time), and some are designed to dynamically switch from
pay-in to pay-out and visa versa as needed throughout the tow operation
(these generally make for the smoothest ride for the pilot).
Where can paragliders land?
Anywhere. But there's a
lot more to that answer! Landing in a tree is landing, but not in the best
interest of the pilot, the equipment, the rescue team (which are probably
other pilots that don't get to fly because you're in a tree). So... "where
can paragliders land safely, easily, et al" is probably the better question.
Into the wind and in an area clear of obstacles and turbulence is what
paraglider pilots look for... open fields, along a water's edge, et al. They
steer clear of power lines, trees, water, buildings, and the like. One key
issue paraglider pilots need to be aware of is the 'shadow' area of trees,
buildings and the like. These areas produce turbulence which can negatively
affect flight characteristics close to the ground... which is the worst
place for that to happen.
How do
I learn to fly?
USHPA certifies
paragliding instructors and schools. Anyone learning to fly a paragliding
should learn from a USHPA certified instructor through a school listed on
the USHPA web site (www.ushga.org). Lists of certified instructors and schools are listed on the USHPA
and other paraglider web sites.
How much does a
paraglider cost?
This varies between
makers, models, and countries, but a pilot can expect to pay $3,500 for a
new paraglider and $600 for a new harness. Plus, there are other costs
associated with flying… helmet, radio, clothing, et al… depending on pilot
desires and flying location ‘rules’… that can be imposed by the flying club
managing the location or by good ‘ol Mother Nature.
How long does a
paraglider last?
Exposure to
ultra-violet light has the most effect on the useful life of a paraglider.
Useful life is also limited somewhat due to general use. The more the pilot
protects the wing from the sun’s rays and the wear and tear of flying, the
longer the wing will last. Generally, the lifespan of a canopy is in the
range of 200 to 300 hours of airtime.
Sources: USHPA & Paraglide Texas
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