What is Hang gliding and Paragliding.
Both are forms of foot launched aviation.
Both Hang gliding and Paragliding pilots aim to catch rising currents of air which take them up to Ten thousand ft or higher.
Both forms of aviation attract different types of pilots.
Some are interested in aerobatic flying (acro).
Competition pilots who like to fly cross country for 100"s of km.
Recreational pilots just aiming for a flight from the top to the bottom of the mountain safely and progressively improving their flight and piloting skills.
Learning either method of free flight involves starting on a small hill and gradually moving higher and higher.
Once the high flights begin and a pilot begins to feel more confident they can move to more challenging sites and fly in more challenging weather conditions.
The BCHPA recommends everyone get professional training or help before attempting any type of aviation or buying any used equipment.
The Hang glider is a dacron sail stretched across an aluminium frame with battens inserted to give it an airfoil shape.
The pilot hangs prone below the sail in a pod type harness connected to a hang strap with a carabineer which is in turn connected to either the keel or kingpost of the hang glider.
The pilot controls the glider by moving within the triangular a-frame, forward and back for speed and angle of attack. Side to side to turn or correct rollovers started by unstable air.
There are many ranges of hang gliders from slow beginner single surface gliders to fast rigid wing gliders with amazing glide ratios.
The Paraglider has no airfoil shape until the pilot lifts it into the wind, which is called inflating the glider and it is the air which gives the paraglider an airfoil shape.
It has many lines or (strings) attached to the sail which all meet down below at the "risers". These are straps the pilot uses during launch and flight, to control the wing. The Brake handles also meet here and are used to control speed and angle of attack. The pilot is suspended below in a seated type harness connected to the risers by two carabineers, one on each side..
Paragliders are rated with DHV ratings one being the novice and four being advanced for cross country, competitions or acrobatics.
What is the difference between Hang gliders and Paragliders in flight.
Paragliders are lighter, smaller and easier to transport than hang gliders
The learning curve with Paragliding is faster
Launches are easier to abort in a paraglider
Hang gliders fly at a faster speed than paragliders.
The Hang gliding pilot is hanging very closely to the glider and so their control inputs are very direct and feedback from the glider is felt through the A-frame.
The paraglider pilot is hanging further away from the wing and feedback is felt through the brake handles and risers and seat of the harness.
A high performance paraglider can glide as far and as fast as a beginner hang glider.
Hang gliding wings can fly in higher wind conditions and more turbulent air than paragliders.
Paragliding wings do much better in light conditions where a hang glider might not have enough lift.
Paragliding wings can be manipulated to make more aerobatic(acro) movements.
Both Paragliding and Hang gliding require a different set of pilot skills. Both types of pilots carry a reserve chute and wear helmets.
The BCHPA recommends everyone get professional training or help before attempting any type of aviation or buying used equipment.
