It is based on lightweight but durable material and slings. In appearance, this aircraft is very similar to a parachute in the form of a wing. Of course, it was he who formed the basis for the creation of a paraglider. The design of the paraglider consists of a fabric wing, which consists of two panels, and a line system. It is the last element that is responsible for maintaining the necessary shape of the entire structure.

A little history

Do you think that the paraglider is a modern invention? This opinion is shattered by numerous references to similar aircraft that are found in ancient documents. Even if their design only vaguely resembles a modern hang glider, the essence remains the same - a person flies like a bird, catching rising air currents, thanks to which one can stay for a long time.

Scientists had to work hard to create the paraglider that we are all accustomed to. Initially, a parachute was created, which formed the basis for the creation of a paraglider.

In the 12th century, European scientists tried to create a flying vehicle that would allow humans to fly like birds. Many developments did not bring the expected results and even claimed many lives.

It is unknown how much longer everything could have continued like this if it were not for Otto Lilienthal, who became a key figure in the work on the creation of a modern aircraft. His invention had similar features to modern hang gliders. For his work, Otto used willow twigs, cotton and leather. More than two thousand successful flights were made on this aircraft.

Parachutes were actively used for the safety of pilots, and at the same time they were actively modernized in order to create an aircraft. The parachute with a number of holes in the canopy area was controllable. Later, parachutes with two shells appeared, which can already be called a paraglider. In Europe, the birth of paragliding occurred in 1983, and in Russia the first models of these aircraft appeared in the 90s of the last century.

Design Features

The word "paraglider" is created based on two words: parachute and gliding. Despite the common roots between a paraglider and a parachute, there are not many external similarities. And the purpose of these aircraft is completely different. A parachute is used to rescue airplane passengers and gently lower cargo to the ground. A paraglider is used like a hang glider or a glider, which indicates the ability to rise from land into the air.

The design features of this aircraft are as follows:

• many sections;
• the wing has the shape of an ellipse;
• a large number of thin slings;
• the pilot is at a distance of 7–8 meters from the lower edge of the paraglider.

When flying a paraglider, the pilot descends at a speed of only a meter per second.

An important point on which all further operation of the aircraft depends is the ability of the material not to allow air to pass through. As soon as this parameter decreases, you can seriously think about buying a new paraglider. The fabric used is special, very light, but dense. The material weighs half as much as regular A4 paper. Its creation is based on a special ripstop technology.

No less important are the slings. Their thickness is only 1 mm, but they can withstand a weight of 50 kg. The ability to stretch is at a minimum level.

The dome has a double structure, which consists of upper and lower panels. They are connected to the transverse components of the dome, which are called ribs. These elements form a profile. In order for the paraglider to quickly fill with air in all compartments, special holes are located in the ribs, thanks to which the free movement of air flows becomes possible. internal space wing

Paragliding

The most interesting thing remains - paragliding. This is the most amazing opportunity that opens up to modern man. What could be more beautiful than free flight like a bird, which can last for several hours. One of man's cherished fantasies has come true - he can fly.

A paraglider opens up many possibilities for a person:

• long flights;
• overcoming long distances;
• participation in competitions;
• performing acrobatic stunts;
• use of additional elements (paramotor, cart for group planning).

Common Questions

1. A common mistake is that a paraglider is equated with a parachute. The first device is designed for a long flight with the ability to gain altitude, and the second one is designed for a slow fall.
2. can be carried out at the height that can be gained. It’s still not worth exceeding 4 thousand km due to the lack of oxygen at such an altitude.
3. The paraglider can independently regulate the duration of the flight, guided by weather conditions, finding rising air currents and relying on his skills. One flight can last five hours or more.
4. There are no restrictions for paragliding. Even children can be seen under the dome. But for absolute beginners, it is strongly recommended to contact an instructor and complete a simple and relatively short training course.

Modern people have enormous opportunities for active recreation and getting a fair dose of adrenaline. Paragliding is the best thing that humanity could come up with.

Paragliding is only possible using the energy of rising air currents. Such flows are formed due to the convection of warm air from a piece of land heated by the sun or when the wind bends around an obstacle (usually a mountain slope). If it is necessary to launch from the plain, the paraglider is “pulled in” with a winch. Is it possible to take off on a paraglider in complete calm? It turns out it is possible. There are several types of such aircraft. Namely: a motorized paraglider, a paraglider and an aerochute.

A simpler option - a motor paraglider

To fly a motor paraglider, the pilot uses a small motor, the thrust of which is sufficient to take off and maintain the device in the air. The presence of a motor increases the weight of the entire system, so a wing with increased lift is used.

To start on a motorized paraglider you do not need special conditions in the form of a hill or an upward flow. You can take off from a flat surface without assistance.
Flights on a motorized paraglider take place at speeds of 25 – 70 km/h at an altitude of up to 5.5 km. Due to the low speed, it is impossible to fly in high winds, turbulence or intense thermal activity.

The backpack engine, which is mounted on the pilot’s back, has another name - paramotor. Its weight is from 20 to 40 kg. With such a “load” it is quite possible to take off and land on your feet without the use of additional devices. After a short run (usually about 3 meters), the wing straightens and lifts the pilot along with the engine. After takeoff, the pilot settles into the seat and controls the flight using brake And engine control handles(RUD).

Brakes are handles to which the control lines of a paraglider are attached. Almost all control of the paragliding wing is carried out by the left and right brakes. In addition, the pilot can “steer” by slightly shifting the suspension and changing the center of gravity.

Two-stroke internal combustion engines with power from 14 to 29 hp are most often used as a paramotor. Enthusiasts are also exploring the possibility of using electric motors. In the video at the end of the article you can see a paraglider with an electric motor in action.

Paralet and aerochute - what's the difference?

This type of aircraft differs from a motor paraglider in the presence of a “cart”, which consists of a frame, landing gear, pilot’s seat and other equipment. The pilot no longer needs to take off from his feet and carry a heavy power plant. In essence, the cart is a simplified hang-glider module.

To lift such a wing design, a conventional paraglider is no longer sufficient. Therefore, a tandem paraglider or a wing specially designed for such devices is used.

Using a cart not only eliminates the need for the pilot to carry heavy equipment, but also allows the pilot to carry more fuel and additional cargo. However, to take off and land a parachute, you need a flat area without strong unevenness, at least 30 meters long.

Initially the words paralet And aerochute meant the same thing. But over time, these terms were assigned to different classes of equipment.

There are several main differences between a parachute and an aerochute. The parallet uses a less powerful power point and, most often, the wing of a tandem paraglider. The wing is controlled by hands (brakes). The paralet has a higher aerodynamic quality and stays well in the air with the engine turned off. It is also more maneuverable, but requires greater pilot qualifications.

A more powerful engine is installed on the aerochute, and the wing control is brought to the feet. A parachute of increased area is used as a wing. It is more stable and easier to pilot.

The “empty” weight of the device is 90-150 kg. In terms of flight characteristics, a paraglider and an aerochute are not very different from a motorized paraglider. Speed ​​40-60km/h (25-35m/s). The altitude is up to 5500 meters, but most paragliding and aerochute flights take place at an altitude of 150-500 meters.

Already have a sleeping bag? describes in detail how to choose it correctly when purchasing.

At what price can you buy a paraglider with a motor?

If you have decided that paragliding is your world and want to buy a paraglider with a motor, we recommend that you first study more materials on the theory of paragliding flight. Find information about flying clubs in your area. They definitely exist and, most likely, more than one. At the flying club you can not only see the aircraft you are interested in in person. Very often they offer services in the form of a paraglider or aerochute flight. The price for such an adventure is relatively small and starts from 1000 rubles for a 10-minute flight. Usually there you will be offered training in paragliding and motorized paragliding.

In addition, you will meet experienced people who will help you thoroughly understand any issue. Microlight pilots are usually open and good-natured people. Feel free to ask questions.

Prices for a complete set of motor paragliders (wing, suspension and motor) start at $6,000. If you can't afford the expense, it's worth trying to find used gear. Many craftsmen buy everything separately and assemble a motor paraglider or paraglider with their own hands. This way you can save about half the amount. When purchasing a motorized paraglider, paraglider or aerochute, be sure to consult with professionals. Especially when buying a used paraglider. Only an experienced eye can assess the condition of the wing on which your safety depends.

Finally, watch the promised video about a paraglider with an electric motor

1. Learn by yourself. A very expensive way for the student’s health, and ultimately in terms of money (treatment, recovery from injuries, loss of working time). Some selfeducation Still, it is possible, for some it even goes away without injury. You need to be very persistent, very thoughtful, have a lot of free time, a minimum of complexes and a sufficient amount of literature. You also need to have your own paraglider, which may not be safe enough for training, and you don’t even know it. There are a lot of nuances in paragliding that need to be experienced. If you develop the wrong skills, you will always put your health at risk without even knowing it. Then, having learned to jump down from a hill, you will not know how to soar safely, and trying to do the same as everyone else, you will put the paraglider into dangerous modes, or “hang” on trees. Don't teach yourself! It is very dangerous!

2. Learn from a friend. You are lucky if your friend is a qualified instructor. And if not? Is your friend a qualified pilot? What if he, having learned to fly on his own or from a similar friend, does something wrong, thereby putting himself and you at risk? You yourself cannot determine this, but he is confident that he is right. If you don't see any other way out, consider a few important points:

Ask your friend how long he has been flying and how many hours he has flown. He will answer the first question immediately (1 year, 5 years), but the second may make it difficult for him. If he hasn’t flown even a dozen hours in 5 years, think about it. Ask about soaring flights. Can he fly dynamically? How often does he do this relative to others? If he tells you that he “can’t handle it,” this is a bad sign. Most likely, this is not what “doesn’t hold” him, but he simply does not know how to stay in the upward flow. Therefore, he is unlikely to teach you this either. If your friend is good at soaring on a slope, knows how to handle thermal currents, and has flown more than one cross-country flight, maybe you can trust him.

Ask a friend about the class of his paraglider. If a friend has been flying well for a long time, he may have an EN C or EN D class aircraft, i.e. a paraglider with good aerodynamic qualities, but not stable, unforgiving of the mistakes of a novice pilot and not very suitable for training.

Even if your friend is an experienced pilot and has a wing suitable for training, he may be careless about flying. If you arrive at the slide and he lets you fly without really explaining anything, without a helmet, in shorts and slippers, don’t trust him with your training.

3. Study at a paragliding school or club. Of course, this is the best and most reliable way. It's always better to trust the professionals. Before choosing a school, take a closer look, talk to the students, find out if they are happy. Be sure to inquire about the qualifications of the instructors. See if the school has enough training paragliders (you won't have to wait in line for half a day). The training program should not be less than four days.

Paraglider(from the words: gliding PARACHUTE) - a non-motorized aircraft, a glider with a soft double-shell wing, inflated through the air intakes by the incoming air flow. The lift is created by the flow of counter-current air around the wing profile. It is she who maintains a certain speed relative to the air (vector lift, can be directed not only upward, but also forward). This airspeed is limited only by the complex resistance force (wing, lines, pilot), which requires the stored altitude to constantly overcome. Therefore, in order to fly, a paraglider continuously consumes altitude (gliding).

To gain altitude, the paraglider must enter a dynamic flow (flow around a hill or slide) or a thermal (thermal flow or thermal bubble). Thanks to the presence of thermals (mainly in the warm season), it has become possible to gain altitude right up to the boundary of the atmospheric inversion (usually the base of the clouds runs along this boundary). There is another “mixed” type of flow: “thermodynamics”. In Thermodynamics, the paraglider flies near the slope , but at a higher altitude.In Thermodynamics and thermals, the air is often turbulized and the dome has to be constantly “caught” - to compensate for the dive.

Today, the paraglider is the lightest aircraft from the ULA (Ultra-Light Aviation).

Classification of paragliders

There are hundreds of different modifications of paragliders, but they are all divided into four classes.

Paraglider class standard

It is intended for the first year of training or the first 100 flights. This class of paragliders is the simplest and safest, forgiving of piloting errors and self-stabilizing after folding or so-called “collapse” of the canopy. Paragliders of this class are easy to control, but do not have such high flight performance as sports models. Used by pilots who occasionally fly for pleasure.

Paraglider class performance

This class is intermediate. It requires some piloting experience. But at the same time it does not yet have the flight qualities of sports paragliders. In the event of partial or complete “collapse,” canopies of this type are capable of restoring their shape independently or as a result of one, only correct action of the pilot. Paragliders of this class are more difficult to control and their price is higher. They are mainly used by pilots who regularly engage in paragliding.

Paraglider class competition

For professionals and athletes. These paragliders have the highest flight characteristics and allow you to fly for a long time and over long distances, which is necessary for competitive flights. This class of paragliders requires high skill and a whole set of consistent actions by the pilot in case of emergency situations during flights.

Paraglider class biplace

A class with a harness for two-person flights. These paragliders are distinguished by increased shell areas capable of carrying a double weight load. Pilots of such paragliders can only be instructors who have sufficient experience to fly with untrained passengers.

One more, additional paraglider class - motorized.

It is a combination of a soft wing and a light engine with a propeller, which together make it possible to obtain an ultra-light aircraft with unique flight characteristics. However, not just any canopy is suitable for motor traction; the most optimal ones will be stable wings of the "class" Standard"On a paraglider with a motor, you can literally take off from a patch of land and fly for more than three hours (until the gas runs out), and then continue the flight with the engine turned off. By the way, at any time you can turn off the engine and enjoy a free flight in silence, and if necessary, restart the engine in the air.

This class is sometimes divided into 2: paramotors And paralets.

Paramotor- a paraglider with a motor that is attached behind the back of the paraglider. Uses a push screw in a mesh protective frame. The motor is usually turned on for takeoff or climb during flights.

Paralet- a lightweight single-seat trolley with a motor and a pusher propeller. Has increased comfort for the pilot during long flights. Parallet is very common because it requires a runway.

Paraplan.ru - the largest Russian forum about paragliding
Paraglidingteam - Website of the Russian paragliding team

Paraglider or hang glider – what to choose?

Paraglider in most of the most important flight qualities it is much inferior to a hang glider. Below is a rather provocative and somewhat controversial article two young people, which proves it.

Comparison of characteristics and subjective feelings.

Over the past 10 years, the popularity of paragliders has increased significantly, and the former fame of hang gliders has faded in comparison. Are there objective reasons for this or is it just a fashion trend and the best advertising policy of commercial paragliding schools? In this article we will try to identify the objective advantages and disadvantages of both aircraft. Let me note that we fly both hang gliding and paragliding and, despite the fact that we fly much better on a hang glider, we do not at all encourage you to fly on just one thing. But it seems to us that hang gliders are unreasonably “disadvantaged” and very often the generally known information about them is biased, and the idea “in general” remains at the level of the 80s, although hang gliders have advanced in their development no less than paragliders, if not more .

So what paraglider better

Which flies better?

The answer to this question is clear - a hang glider. And no matter what paragliding adherents think or say about this, there is objective evidence. The aerodynamic quality of modern hang gliders is 17-18, paragliders are 8-9. And if they tell you that paragliders have a quality of 12, don’t believe it, because this is nonsense in order to increase sales of a certain paraglider manufacturer.

Aerodynamic quality is, speaking in simple language, the ability to fly N kilometers (for example, 17) from a height of 1000 m. That is, a coefficient reflecting the gliding range in relation to the altitude used. The hang glider flies further. In addition, they fly much faster - maximum speed of a modern hang glider - 130 km/h, a paraglider barely reaches 70 km/h and at the same time becomes very dangerous - its leading edge is constantly trying to tuck in (that is, it is trying to fold).

Perhaps you would assume that paragliders gain height better because they are lighter? No, that's not true. The ability to gain altitude depends on only one thing - the minimum descent of the aircraft. In this respect, a paraglider and a hang glider are equal (modern hang gliders have a minimum rate of descent = 0.7 m/s, good paragliders have about the same).

There is an opinion that paragliders have a smaller spiral radius due to lower flight speeds, and they are able to handle narrower flows. This is not true. Unfortunately, many paragliders have very little knowledge of aerodynamics. And they forget that the radius of the spiral depends not only on the speed, but also on the roll angle. A hang glider needs a larger roll to “fit” into the radius of the paraglider’s spiral, but if on a hang glider at this roll angle the rate of descent is the same as on a paraglider with a lower roll, then tell me, in what way will it lose? Proof of this are countless examples where a hang glider and a paraglider climb in the same flow “in antiphase” (opposite each other in a spiral).

So what is the advantage of a paraglider over a hang glider in the air? In terms of flight characteristics - nothing. A paraglider in the air is inferior to a hang glider in most important parameters. And the glider, despite the fact that it is much heavier than both a paraglider and a hang glider, greatly surpasses both of them in flight performance.

Which is safer?

First of all, you need to understand that safety depends not on the type of aircraft, but on the pilot himself, on how soberly he assesses his capabilities and the capabilities of his aircraft. Another question is which type of aircraft provides more opportunities and which has a larger range of permissible weather conditions. The hang glider is clearly in the lead here.

Since a hang glider (which is more glider-like in design), unlike a paraglider (which is more like a parachute in design), has a rigid wing that does not fold in turbulent conditions, hang gliders are more stable in the air and less susceptible to " external environmental influences." In addition, hang gliders fly faster, which increases the upper limit on wind speed.

Paragliders have one significant drawback - they have a completely flexible wing (there is not a single rigid element), which leads to the fact that in conditions of strong turbulence the paraglider wing folds and does not fly further, but falls. But to justify modern paragliders, it should be noted that they can not only fold, but also unfold in the air. That is, with skillful actions (sometimes without them), the paraglider pilot can again “unfold” the wing and continue the flight. But this requires a headroom. If the altitude/time is insufficient, the ground may be reached before the pilot has time to deploy the glider.

This is not to say that you can do anything you want in the air with hang gliders. In the end, with the proper persistence, a hang glider can simply be broken in the air. But this requires such “harsh” conditions and thermonuclear turbulence that paragliders do not fly in such weather in principle.

What is easier and faster to learn?

The question is controversial. The initial stage is easier and faster with a paraglider because it is lighter and easier to carry uphill during training flights. Further training is easier and faster on a hang glider, because a hang glider, while being more stable and predictable in the air, requires less refined piloting technique when flying in more difficult conditions.

Subjectively, learning on a paraglider seems faster because the student is launched almost immediately from a high altitude, while on a hang glider the altitude increases gradually as motor skills are consolidated and as one becomes accustomed to it.

There is nothing good about such “express training” in paragliding. Even if a person can actually land alive when he is released from the very top of the mountain on the very first day, still, in such a short overall training period, a person cannot fully understand the behavior of the wing and the surrounding air and be prepared for correct actions in an emergency situation. In our opinion, this is very risky.

And what’s even worse is that the newly minted pilot himself is not aware of how little he knows and can do, which very quickly leads him to physical or mental injury if there are no more experienced comrades nearby. The reason for such a short period of training is banal - money. In many paragliding schools, training is “on stream” and every extra day for the school is only additional costs for the same price.

In hang gliding, training is more “monumental.” No one will immediately “push” a student from the very top. Everything happens in stages as skills are consolidated. As a rule, training takes place in a hang gliding club or school, and when a person completes the initial course, he joins the club and actually continues his improvement under the supervision of instructors and more experienced comrades.

For some reason, many people think that learning to fly a hang glider is super difficult and takes years. It is not true. The duration of initial training is quite comparable to that in paragliding schools - 10-15 flight days, while in a paraglider - 5-7 days. And an extra week in this case is more beneficial than harmful. What's the hurry? It’s better to study a little longer, but then fly more confidently.

Training on a hang glider is physically more difficult because a hang glider weighs more (35 kg for a hang glider, and 10 kg for a paraglider). But, firstly, this period does not last long enough to be taken into account in the “global” life plan when choosing the type of aircraft, and secondly, for physically weak people(for example, for very weak girls) you can simply find an assistant to carry the hang glider for these 10-15 days.

Subjective feelings.

We can only express our opinion on this matter, our feelings from hang gliding and paragliding. What you like and don’t like about both. In any case, these are subjective feelings.

What we really like about paragliding is the approach to popularizing paragliding. Unfortunately, hang gliding schools do not have the finances and capabilities to advertise so aggressively. For the most part, hang gliding clubs are non-profit in nature, and they simply do not have the money to “promote” this sport to the masses.

Another advantage of a paraglider is, perhaps, the ability to perform more varied and spectacular aerobatics.

The paraglider is also lighter and more mobile. You can put it on your shoulders and go flying relatively “light”. Hang gliders are heavier. But, on the other hand, there is no need to carry a hang glider on yourself (only at the stage of the very initial training, when using the machine does not make sense), it can be placed on top of the roof of the car and taken up the mountain. It can be quite funny to watch out of breath paragliders dragging their backpacks up the mountain while passing by in a car with a hang glider on the roof. One is involuntarily perplexed - so what is easier in the end - a hang glider on the roof or a paraglider on your back? Now our fellow paragliders will begin to argue that a paraglider can be stuffed into a car, which they often do - they agree, which was what needed to be proven - there is no difference, carrying 10 kg in a car. or 35 kg.

10 lost illusions of a paraglider

Below are answers to the most FAQ paragliders about hang gliders. Let fellow paragliders not be embarrassed by a certain amount of banter and irony in the answers. In the end, we all fly in the same sky and are friends on the wing, no matter how hard it is. Therefore, we can allow ourselves to mock each other a little :-)

1. Paragliders fly better because they are lighter!
Learn aerodynamics. Wing weight does not affect flight performance. In this case, gliders cannot fly at all, because they weigh 20-30 times more than a hang glider.

2. Paragliders are lighter and more mobile!
Place a paraglider and hang glider on the roof of a car and feel the difference in weight and mobility. Don't you feel it? That's because it doesn't exist. Yes, it’s problematic to stuff a hang glider into a bus or minibus (although it’s possible), but the question is, why put it there?

3. Paragliders are safer because they fly slower!
Speed ​​is not an enemy, but a friend. It provides additional dynamics and additional capabilities in extreme situations. Besides, we personally don’t like hanging in one place sitting on a “stool” and calling it flying. And such a “deficit” of maneuverability is much more dangerous.

4. Hang gliders are more difficult at the start, you have to run for a long time!
I would like to hear this from a paraglider when he removes his canopy from the bushes after trying to take off in strong winds. In a calm hang glider you need to run, but it is better to run in a calm than to play “gone with the wind” even in a light wind.

5. The paraglider can land on any limited area!
Hang gliders have this thing called a brake parachute. When using it, the glide path of the most sophisticated hang glider is almost equal to the glide path of a paraglider, and you can land even on a very limited area.

6. A hang glider can break in the air!
Maybe. But these are very rare cases, and a hang glider is no different from a paraglider torn in the air - both fall down and you need to throw in “reserves”. Only paragliders can still fold and fall intact.

7. Hang gliders take a long time to assemble their devices. I came to the start and flew.
We assemble our devices in 15 minutes. And if someone takes a long time to collect them, it is only because they are in no hurry at the moment.

8. Yes, it’s scary to look at you, scary designs and “ragged” pilots.
What they usually see (want to see) is nothing more than educational apparatus at the stage of initial training. For some reason, no one wants to notice modern high-tech flying cars. But this is not surprising, because modern hang gliders with modern pilots are difficult to notice - they leave the visibility zone under the clouds so quickly that a paraglider hanging in one place in the dynamics does not notice them, but notices the training devices on the slope below him.

9. Hang gliding is more expensive than paragliding!
This is probably some kind of joke. In any case, if you look at paragliders dressed in fashionable, beautiful overalls, with fashionable instruments, on expensive canopies and in expensive aerodynamic-like suspensions, you get the feeling that they are very rich people, since they pay money for things that are often meaningless to them ;-). But seriously, hang gliding is no more expensive than paragliding. The cost of hang gliders varies from 400 to 4000 euros. It's the same with paragliders. The overhead costs of flights are exactly the same and depend, first of all, on where, how and what to fly. And when paragliders go just to fly somewhere in India for the weekend, you get the feeling that the pilots of the Russian team, who with difficulty and battle make it to foreign competitions, still have time to grow and grow in terms of wealth to “ordinary” domestic paragliders.

10. Hang gliding is dying out!
Nonsense. We, the authors of this treatise, are 26 and 23 years old. Most of our hang gliding friends are no older than 30. You'll be tired of waiting until we finally go extinct :-). In the meantime, our number is slowly but steadily growing. Young guys are coming into the sport who are smart enough to understand that hang gliding, like gliding, will never die out. It’s just that it was and remains an elite sport, and the reason for its comparative paucity is the lack of information about it among the masses (and sometimes just misinformation due to basic illiteracy; people don’t even know how to spell the word “hang glider”).

Philosophical afterword

Of course, you can say that we are hang gliders, so we “praise our swamp.” But don't forget that we also fly paragliders. And ask yourself why we prefer to hang glider, being able to do both. Also ask how many paragliders know how to fly a hang glider - I think only a few, but 50% of hang gliders also know how to fly a paraglider, but they do it very reluctantly. In order to talk about both types of aircraft, you need to have an idea of ​​both. Ask your paragliding instructor if he knows how to hang glider before you listen to everything he says about something he doesn't know just to keep you from hang gliding. Although a smart instructor will not do this.

We do not want to infringe on the paraglider in any way; on the contrary, we often admire the courage and skill of these people, who, in order to achieve what is so easily given to us, are forced to go through the harsh school of survival.

Well, a little more emotions. No matter what and no matter how paragliding adherents say, no matter what unimaginable improvements in paragliders they promise, we don’t want to fly sitting down or flying feet first. It's not natural. Birds fly head first with their wings spread wide. The paraglider doesn't look like a bird, it's more like a newfangled parachute.

There is no point in arguing which is better. Because these are different things. When we want to fly “seriously”, far and fast, we fly on a hang glider. When we just want to hang out and cool off in the evening breeze by the slope in calm, mild weather, we fly on a paraglider. We do not encourage you to make a choice. On the contrary, we encourage you to expand your horizons and be able to fly a paraglider, a hang glider, and even a glider.

home » How to earn » Paragliding is a sport or not. What is the price. When can you fly?