Equipment

Wing, harness, and instruments

The paraglider wing or canopy is usually what is known in engineering as a ram-air airfoil. Such wings comprise two layers of fabric that are connected to internal supporting material in such a way as to form a row of cells. By leaving most of the cells open only at the leading edge, incoming air keeps the wing inflated, thus maintaining its shape. When inflated, the wing’s cross-section has the typical teardrop aerofoil shape. Modern paraglider wings are made of high-performance non-porous materials such as ripstop nylon.

Structure of paraglidider

In most modern paragliders (from the 1990s onwards), some of the cells of the leading edge are closed to form a cleaner aerodynamic profile. Holes in the internal ribs allow a free flow of air from the open cells to these closed cells to inflate them, and also to the wingtips, which are also closed. Almost all modern paragliders follow a sharknose design of the leading edge, by which the inflation opening is not at the front of the wing, but slightly backwards on the underside of the wing, and following a concave shape. This design, resembling the nose of a shark, increases wing stability and stall resistance. In modern paragliders, semi-flexible rods made out of plastic or nitinol are used to give extra stability to the profile of the wing. In high-performance paragliders, these rods extend through most of the length of the upper wing.

Sharknose design

The pilot is supported underneath the wing by a network of suspension lines. These start with two sets of risers made of short (40 cm (16 in)) lengths of strong webbing. Each set is attached to the harness by a carabiner, one on each side of the pilot, and each riser of a set is generally attached to lines from only one row of its side of wing. At the end of each riser of the set, there is a small delta maillon with a number (2–5) of lines attached, forming a fan. These are typically 4–5 m (13–16 ft) long, with the end attached to 2–4 further lines of around 2 m (6.6 ft) m, which are again joined to a group of smaller, thinner lines. In some cases this is repeated for a fourth cascade.

Speed range of paraglider

The top of each line is attached to small fabric loops sewn into the structure of the wing, which are generally arranged in rows running span-wise (i.e., side to side). The row of lines nearest the front are known as the A lines, the next row back the B lines, and so on. A typical wing will have A, B, C and D lines, but recently, there has been a tendency to reduce the rows of lines to three, or even two (and experimentally to one), to reduce drag.

Line structure

Paraglider lines are usually made from UHMW polythene or aramid. Although they look rather slender, these materials are strong and subject to load testing requirements. For example, a single 0.66 mm-diameter line (about the thinnest used) can have a breaking strength of 56 kgf (550 N).

Paraglider wings typically have an area of 20–35 square metres (220–380 sq ft) with a span of 8–12 metres (26–39 ft) and weigh 3–7 kilograms (6.6–15.4 lb). Combined weight of wing, harness, reserve, instruments, helmet, etc. is around 12–22 kilograms (26–49 lb).

The glide ratio of paragliders ranges from 9.3 for recreational wings to about 11.3 for modern competition models, reaching in some cases up to 13. For comparison, a typical skydiving parachute will achieve about 3:1 glide. A hang glider ranges from 9.5 for recreational wings to about 16.5 for modern competition models. An idling (gliding) Cessna 152 light aircraft will achieve 9:1. Some sailplanes can achieve a glide ratio of up to 72:1.

The speed range of paragliders is typically 22–55 kilometres per hour (14–34 mph), from stall speed to maximum speed. Achieving maximum speed requires the use of speedbar, or trimmers. Without these, and without applying brakes, a paraglider is at its trim speed, which is typically 32–40 kilometres per hour (20–25 mph) and often at the best glide ratio, too. High-performance paragliders meant for competitions may achieve faster accelerated flight, as do speedwings, due to their small size and different profile.

For storage and carrying, the wing is usually folded into a stuffsack (bag), which can then be stowed in a large backpack along with the harness. Some modern harnesses include the ability to turn the harness inside out such that it becomes a backpack, saving weight and space.

Paragliders are unique among human-carrying aircraft in being easily portable. The complete equipment packs into a rucksack and can be carried easily on the pilot’s back, in a car, or on public transport. In comparison with other air sports, this substantially simplifies travel to a suitable takeoff spot, the selection of a landing place and return travel.

Tandem paragliders, designed to carry the pilot and one passenger, are larger but otherwise similar. They usually fly faster with higher trim speeds, are more resistant to collapse, and have a slightly higher sink rate compared to solo paragliders.

Harness

The pilot is loosely and comfortably buckled into a harness, which offers support in both the standing and sitting positions. Most harnesses have protectors made out of foam or other materials underneath the seat and behind the back to reduce the impact on failed launches or landings. Modern harnesses are designed to be as comfortable as a lounge chair in the sitting or reclining position. Many harnesses even have an adjustable lumbar support. A reserve parachute is also typically connected to a paragliding harness.

Beginner harness

Harnesses also vary according to the need of the pilot, and thereby come in a range of designs, mostly:

open harnesses, ranging from training harness for beginners to all-round harnesses

pod harnesses for long-distance cross-country flights

competition harnesses, which are pod harnesses with the capacity to carry two reserve parachutes

acro harnesses, a type of open harness, designed for acrobatic paragliding, with the capacity for two or three reserve parachutes

hike&fly harnesses, which are designed to be lightweight and compact when folded away for hiking

harnesses for tandem pilots and passangers

kids tandem harnesses are also now available with special child-proof locks

Expert harness for Cross country flying

Harnesses have a substantial influence on the flying characteristics; for instance, acro harnesses lead to more agile handling, which is desirable for flying acrobatics, but may be unsuitable for beginners or XC pilots looking for more stability in flight. While pod harnesses offer more stability and aerodynamic properties, they increase the risk of riser twist, and are hence not suitable for beginners. The standard harness is an open harness, which features a sitting, slightly reclined body position.

Instruments in paragliding

Most pilots use variometers, radios, and, increasingly, GNSS units when they are flying.Variometer

Variometer

The main purpose of a variometer is in helping a pilot find and stay in the “core” of a thermal to maximise height gain and, conversely, to indicate when a pilot is in sinking air and needs to find rising air. Humans can sense the acceleration when they first hit a thermal, but cannot detect the difference between constant rising air and constant sinking air. Modern variometers are capable of detecting rates of climb or sink of 1 cm per second. A variometer indicates climb rate (or sink-rate) with short audio signals (beeps, which increase in pitch and tempo during ascent, and a droning sound, which gets deeper as the rate of descent increases) and/or a visual display. It also shows altitude: either above takeoff, above sea level, or (at higher altitudes) flight level.

Various variometer for paragliding and hanggliding

Radio

Radio communications are used in training, to communicate with other pilots, and to report where and when they intend to land. These radios normally operate on a range of frequencies in different countries—some authorised, some illegal but tolerated locally. Some local authorities (e.g., flight clubs) offer periodic automated weather updates on these frequencies. In rare cases, pilots use radios to talk to airport control towers or air traffic controllers. Many pilots carry a cell phone so they can call for pickup should they land away from their intended point of destination.

Various radios

GNSS

GNSS is a necessary accessory when flying competitions, where it has to be demonstrated that way-points have been correctly passed. The recorded GNSS track of a flight can be used to analyze flying technique or can be shared with other pilots. GNSS is also used to determine drift due to the prevailing wind when flying at altitude, providing position information to allow restricted airspace to be avoided and identifying one’s location for retrieval teams after landing out in unfamiliar territory. GNSS is integrated with some models of variometer. This is not only more convenient, but also allows for a three-dimensional record of the flight. The flight track can be used as proof for record claims, replacing the old method of photo documentation.

Increasingly, smart phones are used as the primary means of navigation and flight logging, with several applications available to assist in air navigation. They are also used to co-ordinate tasks in competitive paragliding and facilitate retrieval of pilots returning to their point of launch. External variometers are typically used to assist in accurate altitude information.

One of GNSS for competition

Working towards your first pilot rating will be an exciting and memorable part of your journey into free flight. Everything is new and even the smallest flights will be immense accomplishments. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably dreamed the dream and are ready to get started.

The most important thing is choosing your school and instructor. There are many instructors who have no license and experience here in the Philippines.

FAI & PPHGA licensed or aproved Instructor in the Philippines
Check the instructor’s experiences and English capability
Check the training field and flying site instructor own or managing
Check the club members the instructor established
Check any available accommodation and restaurants near site

After choosing an instructor/school you would like to learn from, talk with your instructor to see when is the best time and day to begin your adventures into training / free-flight. The most important items you’ll need to bring are sturdy ankle supporting boots that you can also run in, and mud. Whether you choose to fly a hang glider, a paraglider, or a speedwing you’ll begin with learning vocabulary important for the training and flying process. This new vocabulary will help you and your instructor over the coming weeks, months, and years. Your first days, depending on weather, are usually focused on ground handling the glider.

Ground handling on the field in Carmona Cavite / Student(Matt) with Instructor(Max Lee)

With a paraglider, this means a lot of time spent learning how to kite the glider, or controlling it while you are hooked into the wing. Kiting is the most important building block for developing as a pilot and while initially a bit frustrating; it does click and becomes extremely fun and athletic. Everything that you do on the ground directly correlates to how the wing will react in the air. So, it is possible to have a very good understanding of wing dynamics before your feet ever leave the ground.

In a hang glider you will spend the first days learning how to set up the glider, and get comfortable carrying it and getting ready to run with it to simulate a launch. Once you get comfortable with it on your shoulders and feel good in the harness you’ll being running hooked into it down a gentle hill under direct instructor supervision. If you are learning at a school that uses aerotowing (towing a hang glider behind an ultra-light aircraft) as an instruction technique you will take tandem flights with your instructor. Foot-launch instruction also utilizes tandem flights for training purposes later in their curriculum. The small first flights that result from your early days at the training hill will be some of the most memorable of your career.

During the training period you will be under the radio guidance of professional instructors. As you proceed through the course you will hear less and less of them on the radio, until eventually the radio will be silent until after you land when you’ll hear heartfelt congratulations!

Succesful kiting / Matt

In your early days of flight you will attend ground school, theory classes, and be asked to perform various witnessed flying tasks. The tasks range from successful launches in a variety of wind conditions to consecutive spot landings within 100 feet of a defined target, to name a few. This training program, which has been implemented by Max Lee for the last 30 years, is designed to give the student the tools to safely and confidently navigate the early stages of their flight career. A full list of what else is mandatory to achieve the various ratings is located here.

Mattew’s first flight in Carmona Cavite in Sep 2023

Regardless of what you chose to fly, flight training is exciting, physical, and challenging. Learning a new skill set, vocabulary, and muscle memory can be difficult—but the reward of flying is worth it! The most important aspect of beginning any learning endeavor is to enjoy the process.

Choose a instructor

2. Take lessons

3. Hang out with pilots

4. Buy your equipment

5. Learn about Weather