Paragliding

Abstract

Paragliding is a recreational and competitive flying sport. It is defined as a sport using a single seater, nonmotorized, foot-launched flexible aircraft which is steered aerodynamically and able to start from ground level without requiring a free-fall phase. The paraglider, an advanced form of the parachute, consists of an upper and lower sail, with ribs dividing it into numerous separate compartments that are stabilized by air pressure. Accurate maneuvers are enabled using two steering lines attached to the rear corners of the parachute. Despite not having an engine, paraglider flights performed by experience pilot can last many hours and cover large distances (up to many hundreds of kilometers). The paraglider pilot also has the ability to gain altitude, using air thermals, often climbing few kilometers over the surrounding countryside/geographic surface.