|
|
Paragliding Photo A Bulgarian paraglider walks up the hill before taking off during a Bulgarian Aero Battle, a first competition of the Bulgarian National Paragliding League at Vitosha mountain, some 20 km south of Sofia. Inside this article:
1. Introduction to Paragliding 2. Paragliding Equipment 3. Paragliding Controls 4. Paragliding Competitions 5. Powered Paragliding The essential elements for paragliding include paragliders, harnesses, reserve parachutes, carabiners, helmets, speed systems and a variety of radio and navigational equipment such as GPS, altimeters and variometers. Additional gear, such as stuff sacks, cockpits and specialized clothing, is also readily available to help maximize the comfort and security for gliders. All together, this equipment should range anywhere from 30-40 lbs., giving the pilot the necessary mobility to get to wherever he or she needs to go to launch. A paraglider consists of a wing, rigging lines, risers and the harness. The wing is a parachute-like canopy made from two layers of material that are sewn together with a gap remaining between the two. The gap is supported by vertical “ribs,” which are situated perpendicular to the canopy to maintain structural integrity, and between each rib are “cells” that fill up with air. The ribs are also equipped with vents that allow the air pressure to be evenly distributed between the cells for greater balance. These vents run along the front or leading edge of the paraglider, while the back side, the trailing edge, remains closed to trap the air in the cells. The distance between the wingtips is called the span, while the projected span is defined as the horizontal distance between the wingtips when the wing is filled with air and its tips are hanging down. The distance between the leading edge and the trailing edge is known as the chord, but for measurement purposes is usually defined by the “average chord,” or the length of a chord between the tip of the wing and its midpoint. Multiplying the projected span by the average chord renders the projected wing area, a standard specification used to delineate relative size between canopies. Over the past twenty years, wings have continued to expand in relative size and the leading edge has continued to become more flat and less convex. Wings are also available in a variety of designs, depending on the manufacturer, but can usually be classified as either standard, performance or competition wings. These classifications are drawn from the French AFNOR standards, while a smaller portion of paragliders are classified by the German DHV system, which uses ascending numerical ratings to indicate increasing skill level. It's imperative that novice pilots begin by using standard wings and only advance to performance or competition wings after accruing experience from numerous flights. The standard or beginning level wings tend to be lighter, offer greater maneuverability and are more forgiving in the event of turbulence or unexpected incidence. Performance and competition wings by contrast are heavier and suited to higher speeds and/or experienced pilots, who wish to travel longer and farther on “cross-country” runs. Wings are also broken down by their weight limits. The sizes, usually denoted as small, medium or large, are relative to the weight of the pilot and his equipment, collectively known as total flight weight. A greater total flight weight requires a larger wing area to create a balance between speed and control. Put simply, too much weight means too much speed, while not enough weight causes a lack of control. The wings tend to be made of light-weight materials such as polyester, Nylon, Mylar or other synthetics. Pilots should choose materials based on weight, cost and their resistance to both UV rays and wear and tear. Exposure to the elements, such as UV rays from the sun as well as nearly any source of water, can be very damaging to a paraglider wing. Most pilots agree that wings are effective for up to 300 hours of paragliding in direct sunlight before they succumb to stretching, tearing or some other form of decomposition. Careful packing and storage can help to add years to a wing's lifespan, while it's also beneficial to choose light colors that absorb less sunlight, further reducing the potential damage to the canopy. Three to four rigging lines are attached to the underside each of the canopy's wingtips and stream down, where they come together and are secured as a bunch on both sides of the pilot. These lines, once grouped together, are referred to as risers and are used to manipulate the lateral direction of the paraglider or to slow the paraglider down, in which case they are referred to as the brakes. For instance, pulling hard on the right set of risers will force the paraglider into a rightward tailspin descent. Manufacturers take special care in designing high-quality, lightweight lines to ensure the least amount of stretching and shrinking as possible and to prevent any loss of balance resulting from pulling on lines of different lengths. Synthetic materials like Kevlar, Dyneema and Spectra are often considered for their toughness, while each fabric also minimizes a paraglider's total weight. Each line is referred to by a letter from the alphabet, beginning with A, moving backward from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wing. In addition to connecting to the lines from the canopy itself, the risers also are affixed to carabiners, which lock into the pilot's harness. The harness is much like a camping chair with multiple straps to be used for the pilot's safety. The harness needs to be firmly strapped to the pilot to prevent any possible mishaps, even if that results in slight discomfort for the pilot. However, in recent years, advancements in technology have helped to make harnesses much more comfortable than they once were. Many harnesses are now outfitted with foam and/or air cushions to ease the stress on the back, in particular the lumbar. Many pilots also choose to employ some form of speed bar or speed system to maximize velocity while gliding. Speed systems are a very crude mechanism that attach to the A lines through a pulley system that runs through the lower part of the harness.
Lastly, all experienced pilots ensure that paragliding is carried out under the safest conditions possible and to do so many require specialized apparel and gadgetry. Basic items like helmets and reserve parachutes are essential as are radios for communicating with a base or for use in an emergency situation. GPS devices are also extremely popular and can act as beacons if necessary. Less technical but often more important navigational equipment like altimeters or variometers are also a must. Altimeters simply denote the altitude, either above sea-level or a preset base, while variometers indicate the rate and distance of a fall or climb. Some pilots also choose to bring a cell phone in the event that their radio might go out. Paragliders are also tuned in to what is the most appropriate attire for that long, seven-hour haul under the sky. Most recommend wearing some form of wind suit in combination with sweatshirts and sweatpants. Also important are hats, gloves, warm socks and boots to keep the cold winds at bay. Finally because of the heavy exposure to sun and wind, paragliders rely heavily on sunscreen and lip balm to protect their skin from the harsh elements attacking them from all sides. Related Links |
advertisement
|
