Paragliding FAQs - Frequently asked questions about
Paragliding
What is paragliding?
Paragliding
is the closest humans can get to the feeling of flying like a
bird. It is a fun, safe way to experience flight in its simplest
form. You simply lay out a wing on a hillside or mountain, inflate
it over your head like a kite, run a few steps and before you
know it you've stepped off into the sky! Once in the air, a pilot
is able to maintain and even gain altitude using lifting air
currents and thermals. Landing a paraglider is extremely easy.
A pilot simply steers it into the landing area, and glides down
for a very gentle touch down back on to earth.
Is Paragliding for me?
Just about anyone
can learn to paraglide. Training classes are not very strenuous,
and it doesn't take any unusual strength or skill to learn
to fly. In fact it requires about the same effort as you need
to learn driving or cycling. But the pleasure of flying is
to be experienced to be believed.
People of both sexes and
all ages can take up the sport. All you need is a good pair of
high ankle boots; we'll supply the rest. You don't have to be
super-fit but you probably won't enjoy it if you are really unfit.
There will be a fair amount of walking uphill and ground-handling
calls for some exertion especially in the early days.
What exactly is a paraglider?
Paragliders
are an advanced evolutionary aircraft that can go places and
do things unlike any other vehicle. The equipment is non -
rigid fabric construction. High-performance fabrics coupled
with a growing comprehension of our micro-metrology have permitted
the development of our incredible sport. The entire paragliding
set (wing, harness, helmet) up weighs less than twenty kilos
and easily fits into a backpack.
How does it fly?
Paraglider's are aircrafts,
which fly by the same aerodynamic principles that keep Boeings
in the sky. However, unlike Boeings, paragliders are delightfully
slow aircraft, with a very small speed range. You can inflate
it in nil wind, stabilize it overhead with a touch of the brakes,
launch it at a steady trot, and yet it will also fly forward
in quite a strong breeze. It turns with a gentle pull on a
single handle, or will fly straight, with a little more than
an occasional shift of your shoulders. It is far easier to
handle a paraglider in the air than on the ground.
Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit,
but it's important to have the maturity to respect the hazards.
Participant ages range from students in their teens to seasoned
pilots in their 70's. The bulk of the active pilots seem to
be a little under 30 through a bit over 50.
Paragliding - is it scary?
A question most
people ask, and the answer has to be "NO".
Floating gently under your canopy you feel totally at ease,
knowing that you have more or less complete control over where
you are going. It is a gentle adventure, once airborne the
experience can be serene, quiet and peaceful. There is an element
of potential risk involved, but if you are prepared to learn
paragliding properly, stick to the rules, respect the elements
and understand your own limitations the risk involved is very
small indeed.
Is Paragliding safe?
Paragliding is an outdoor
sport in which you are trying to harmonize with the forces
of nature. Like any other adventure sport it is exciting because
of that little element of risk but no more than climbing or
swimming. Personal judgment and attitude are of fundamental
importance. Gain pilot attitude, obey instructions and use
of safe equipment. If these conditions are met the slow speeds
and inherent stability of paragliders can provide a safe and
exhilarating way to experience the realization of mankind's
oldest and greatest dream: personal flight
Do you have to jump off a cliff?
No, you
don't jump off anything. Paragliders are usually launched by
running off moderate slopes with the glider inflated, until
it lifts you off your feet. If the glider does not inflate
properly, the take off is aborted
What equipment/gear will I need?
We provide
the paraglider, harness, helmet and radios during the lessons.
No special clothing is required although we do suggest that
you wear full-length pants and comfortable running shoes with
ankle support.
What is the difference between a Paraglider and a
hang glider?
Paragliding is often confused with
Hang Gliding.
Paragliders are non-powered aircraft weighing
around 12 to 15 kgs, and can be carried in a backpack to any
flyable site. It is made of double layer Rib stop Nylon cloth
(reinforced and polyurethane coated to make it non porous) with
no rigid parts whatsoever. It is Inflated and maintained purely
by the movement of air across its surface. The pilot 'sits' below
the wing, in a harness that is connected to the wing by suspension
lines made of Kevlar or De enema. He steers by pulling on one
of two lines, known as brake lines.
Hang Gliders too are non-powered
aircraft weighing more and being bulkier need 2 people to carry
them. They are fixed wing aircraft and take more time to rig-up
and dismantle and are physically more demanding while training.
Being bulky they cannot be carried by one person or put into
the boot of a car but need to be strapped onto the roof of a
vehicle. The pilot lies in a prone position and maneuvers with
the help of a bar that he holds onto in-flight. Hang Gliders
have more speed than paragliders and being rigid can consequently
take off in stronger wind conditions.
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