Ask any fan of paragliding why he enjoys it and you will probably get an answer like, “It’s the closest thing there is to being able to fly like a bird.” People have longed to soar with the eagles almost since the beginning of time and the sport of paragliding comes close to making the dream a reality. While paragliding, a pilot can stay in the air for as long as three hours and climb to altitudes of 15,000 feet. He or she learns to make use of air currents to travel long distances in much the same way as migratory birds. A paraglider canopy is a portable, inflatable wing made from durable nylon that requires no motor. It is constructed from two layers of fabric stitched together to form a series of pockets. Most of these pockets are left open along the leading edge of the wing, which keeps them inflated. Lines made of Kevlar suspend the pilot in his harness in a sitting position beneath the wing. The lines are gathered into two sets to control the left and right sides of the canopy. The apparatus is usually launched from a hillside when it is fully open and ready for flight.
History No one knows exactly when paragliding began, but it probably grew out of the sport of parachuting. One pioneer in the field was an American parachutist named Pierre Lemoigne who worked at modifying his chutes in the early 1960’s. He found that by cutting slits in his parachute to allow some air to flow through it, he could change the lift-to-drag ratio and steer his chute much more accurately. Other gliders experimented with different shapes and sizes of canopies and by the 1970’s there were many pilots launching from the French Alps with great success. In 1979 Gerard Bosson introduced a paraglider at the World Hang Gliding Championships and the sport’s popularity has increased ever since. Paragliders V. Hang Gliders Hang glider wings are similar to paragliders in regards to the way they feel in flight, and many enthusiasts learn to use both types of equipment. A hang glider, however, is more rigid and much heavier than a paraglider, and requires the use of a roof rack for transportation. Learning the Sport There are now paragliding schools and suppliers in every part of the world. You can learn the basics of piloting during a course that lasts four to five days. You can also get a taste of flying during a tandem flight done with an instructor. Lessons begin with short flights launched from near the bottom of a hill, and go higher as the pupil’s confidence increases. Most students use equipment supplied by the school when they start their lessons, but many folks purchase their own canopy once they decide the sport suits them. It is beneficial to have some training by experts on the same wing that the student will be using later. Almost anyone can learn to paraglide because the sport does not require a lot of strength or high levels of fitness. Pilots who want to hike up tall peaks carrying their 35-pound chute for a launch will need to be in good shape, but there are also plenty of popular gliding locations Safety Like any other sport, paragliding can be practiced safely or carelessly. Helmets and protective clothing should be worn for every flight and the pilot should never fly without letting someone know where he is going. All pilots need to understand that their sport is dependent on the weather and use good judgment when flying. A person who has been trained by a certified instructor and keeps his equipment in good condition should experience years of trouble-free gliding. There is nothing quite like the sensation of flying like a bird, and paragliding can be a hobby that brings enjoyment to many.
Paragliding equipment, on the other hand, can be carried in a backpack allowing pilots to launch from the tops of rugged peaks that would be difficult to reach with a hang glider. Paragliders often check their canopies as baggage on airlines, or carry them in the trunk of a car. A paraglide pilot has the option of aborting a launch if conditions don’t seem favorable. His wing will simply fold up behind him when he stops running. But a person who is hang gliding does not have that choice. A hang glider can be launched in more wind, though, and flies a little faster and farther, so the two methods each have advantages and disadvantages. 
that can be reached by car. Successful pilots have been trained who range in age from 10 all the way into their 80’s. The most important qualities for a prospective pilot to have are an alert mind and willingness to learn.
