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Paragliding
What is Paragliding? (briefly)
Paragliding is basically like flying a square style parachute except there is no
free-fall for deployment, the paraglider sinks much more slowly, and the
pilot comfortably sits back in in a soft chair style harness while flying.
Paragliders typically don't have a motor, so they usually launch from a hill. More
sophisticated methods of getting airborne include using a tow cable or a motor attached to
the back of the harness. However, in no case does the paraglider pilot ever jump
off a cliff or other high place. The paraglider is fully inflated and flying above the
pilot's head before his feet ever leave the ground.
Because of the very low descent rate, the paraglider acts more like an airplane than a
parachute. Once in the air, flying can be sustained by seeking out and flying in air that
is rising faster than the paraglider is descending. The most consistent source of rising
air is when a prevailing wind blows directly against a hill. This causes the air to rise
up in order to flow over the hill. The paraglider pilot will fly within this rising air
and enjoy flying indefinitely (or until the wind or the sunlight runs out).
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