flying at altitude, providing position information to allow restricted airspace to be avoided and identifying one’s location to aid the retrieval teams after landing out in unfamiliar territory. Flying Techniques There are different ways of flying as with all the aircrafts, launching and landing are done into wind. Paragliders, like hang gliders do not ‘jump’ at any time. There is one assisted launch technique used in flatland areas and two launching techniques used on the higher ground.
. Forward launch: In low winds, the wing is inflated with a forward launch, where the pilot runs forward with the wing behind so that the air pressure generated by the forward movement inflates the wing. . Reverse launch: In higher winds, a reverse launch is used, with the pilot facing the wing to bring it up into a flying position, then turning around under the wing and running to complete the launch.
Reverse launches have a number of advantages over the forward launch. Landing Landing a paraglider, as with all unpowered aircrafts which cannot abort a landing, involves some specific techniques and traffic patterns. Paragliding pilots most commonly lose their height by flying a figure of in over landing zone until the correct height is achieved, then line up into the wind and give the glider full speed. Once the correct height (about a meter above ground) is achieved the pilot will ‘stall’ (pause) the glider in order to land.
Control through Speed Bar Mechanism Paraglider can be controlled with the help of breaks and accelerator attached with the paraglider. These are the speed bar mechanism called control breaks, which are held in pilot’s hand. Breaks are used to adjust the speed of the glider. Types of Competitions .
Cross-country flying is the classical form of paragliding competitions with championships in club, regional, national and international levels. . Aerobatic competitions demand the participants to perform certain manoeuvres. Competitions are held for individual pilots as well as for pairs that show synchronous performances.
This form is the most spectacular for spectators on the ground to watch. . In Bivouac flying competitions,