What is Paragliding?

In the world of Flying, Paragliding is one of the newest sports. Paraglider (also called as canopy or wing) is aerodynamic arc of cloth wing made up of nylon, designed to fly through air. Paraglider is not same as parasailing which is a round parachute with vents and towed by car or a boat, or Para jumping/ Base jumping where a similar resembling wing is used (wing size is smaller than a paraglider and less glide ratio). The canopy is made up of polyester ripstop nylon. The suspension lines attached to the canopy surface integrate and are attached to the harness (it is a seat in which pilot seats) for the Pilot, that’s you.

The wing is spread on a mountain slope with safe open area. The lines are checked for tangles and then the canopy is attached to the harness. Then Pilot goes through pre flight checks and then began with running down the slope. The canopy is inflated and comes overhead and in few more steps with a touch of brakes, the Pilot is air born. The glider is controlled by pulling down the control lines, one at a time to turn and both brakes for landing.