Paraglider

File:Gleitschirm 1988.jpg

A paraglider from 1988.

File:Parapente - 166.jpg

A paraglider is a free-flying, foot-launched aircraft.

Overview

In mountain areas, pilots usually take off from great height to fly down to the valley. In flat areas, a winch is used to tow the paraglider to a height of up to 400 meters before it is released. It is also possible to soar on the coast in laminar sea breeze. Some more advanced pilots also launch from hot air balloons or helicopters.

Paraglider Media

• Governador Valadares, Brazil is known internationally for the World Paragliding Championships that has been held at Ibituruna Peak (1,123 m; 3,684 ft)

• PARAGLIDING2019.jpg

  Paragliding with instructor at approximately 3,000 m (9,800 ft) over Lake Sils, St. Moritz (2018)

• Paraglider Golden Gardens 07.jpg

  Land-based practice: Kiting

• Paraglider.svg

  Transverse cross section showing parts of a paraglider:

  1. upper surface
  2. lower surface
  3. rib
  4. diagonal rib
  5. upper line cascade
  6. middle line cascade
  7. lower line cascade
  8. risers
• Parapente3D.svg

  3d CAD drawing of a paraglider showing the upper surface in green, the lower surface in blue and the leading edge openings in pink. Only the left half of the suspension cone is shown.

• Gurtzeug (Gleitschirm).jpg

  A pilot with harness (light blue), performing a reverse launch

• A paraglider gets ready to depart from Mont Saleve over Lac Leman and Geneve.jpg

  A paraglider gets ready to depart from Mont Saleve over Lake Geneva and Geneva

• Paraglider towed launch, Mirosławice, Poland

• Paraglider landing.jpg

  A paramotor at Azheekkod beach, India

• Paraglider launch Mam Tor.webm

  Paraglider reverse launch, Mam Tor, England

• Parapente.ogg

  Paraglider launching in Araxá, Brazil

• Mussel Rock Gliding Bluffs - Pacifica, California.webm

  A paragliding flight over the Mussel Rock Gliding Bluffs in Pacifica, California

• Decolagemparapente.ogg

  Paraglider launch video in Araxá, Brazil