Types of paragliders. Buying a paraglider: what to look for. Dynamic upstream - speaker

Paraglider - non-powered manned aircraft with a fixed wing, a glider with a soft one- or two-shell wing, which is inflated through the air intakes by the oncoming air flow. It is available to almost every healthy person. The total weight of the paraglider is from 6 to 20 kg, when assembled, it fits in an average backpack, and preparation for the flight takes only 5 minutes. You can take off on it from any hill, sit on very limited sites.

Paragliding gives an indescribable feeling of free flight, without obstacles in the form of a cockpit, portholes or canopy glass. Using updrafts, a paraglider can fly for hours under the clouds, covering tens and hundreds of kilometers without a single drop of fuel. And in combination with a paramotor, the paraglider becomes a small plane that fits in the trunk, and can take off from any glade. Paragliding is the simplest and most democratic, but still real aviation.

In addition, paragliding is an opportunity to see new countries, places, meet new people, escape from the plane of gray everyday life and break into the world of new vivid impressions, into the world of free flight!

Specifications

The paraglider is the slowest of the heavier-than-air aircraft. Typical flight speeds relative to air are 20-70 km / h. Due to the low speed, the tendency of training models to independently enter stationary gliding modes and the minimum requirements for an emergency landing site, the glider is easy to learn and forgives some pilot mistakes.

However, the paraglider has relatively low flight characteristics, which severely limits its capabilities in terms of weather conditions. The paraglider is the lightest (5-7 kg) and the most affordable (from 1000 euros) among manned aircraft. The low weight of the paraglider in comparison with gliders and hang gliders is due to the fact that all its structural elements work only in tension and, accordingly, are made of fabric materials.

Design

The paraglider consists of a wing (canopy), to which a harness is attached through slings and free ends. The lift force arises due to the counter-flow of air flowing around the wing profile. All the elements of the paraglider work in tension, which makes it possible to avoid the use of rigid elements in its construction. Modern paragliders, especially those designed for competition, often have additional rigid structural elements designed to maintain the shape of the wing at high speeds flight.

Paragliding canopy

Made of special, airtight durable fabric. It consists of an upper and lower surface, which are connected by jumpers - ribs. The ribs have a specific shape (aerodynamic profile) and divide the wing into many sections - caissons. On the leading edge of the wing, the upper and lower surfaces are not connected. A gap is formed - the air intake. Through it, the wing is filled with air and becomes rigid due to the internal air pressure. In order for air to fill closed sections, it must circulate freely through the paraglider. For this, overflow holes are made in the ribs. To maintain the shape of the air intake, the nose of the ribs is reinforced with a patch (stiffness) made of dense fabric. On the lower part of the rib, loops are sewn for attaching the lines. In these places, the rib is also reinforced with stiffness. Various seam options are used to connect ribs and surfaces. The main requirement is strength and durability.

The outermost 3-5 sections on each side of the canopy are closed, that is, they do not have air intakes, and serve to shape the wing and improve its aerodynamic qualities. Paragliders call them "ears".

Paragliding line system

It is built on the principle of branching and consists of several rows and tiers. Control lines are attached to the trailing edge. For the manufacture of a sling system, braided slings with tensile strengths of 80, 120, 200 and 250 kg are used. On sport paragliders, microstrops without braiding are used. When designing, the principle of equal strength is observed, therefore, more durable slings are placed on the lower tiers. The slings are fastened along the edges and connected with a "noose". The lower tier is attached to the free ends.

Loose ends

Made of durable tape. The tape forms three or four rows, to which slings are attached through the locks - connectors. For convenience, each row has a name: first A, second B, third C, fourth D.

The control stick of the paraglider is called the toggle. The paraglider has two of them - left and right. When pulling on one of the brakes, the trailing edge on the corresponding side bends down and slows down and the canopy unfolds. Pull the right one, turn it to the right, pull the left one - to the left. If the pilot pulls both brakes, he will reduce the horizontal and vertical speed of the canopy, which is often used. Strong tension results in wing stall and tail stall. The design of some risers allows you to change the geometry of the line system using an accelerator or trim tabs. These devices allow the pilot to change the wing alignment angles and balancing airspeed.

Suspension system

In which the pilot sits during the flight, it is made of strong tapes and fabrics and is attached to the paraglider with carabiners. The basis of the harness is a power strip, to which the risers are attached and the pilot's seat rests. Leg, shoulder, waist loops and chest strap are connected with detachable locks. Currently, there are many harness options with an integrated reserve parachute, shock absorbers and protectors. It is very important that the harness is properly centered, has good stability and controllability, and that it provides comfort and safety in flight.

Reserve parachute

As you know, he is the spare and the last one. That is why reliability comes first in this case. In the manufacture of a reserve parachute, strong synthetic lines and a special fabric that does not stick together or electrify are used. Almost all reserve parachutes are based on a round canopy with a retracted top. This arrangement provides minimal opening times and high system resistivity. The downside is the wobbling tendency. They fight with it using special holes, petals, etc. The parachute is packed in a container and placed in the harness. A handle is sewn to the container - a ring for which the pilot takes it out of the harness. The shorter the handle, the more comfortable it is to throw the container and the less chance it will get tangled. One should not forget about the correct operation and timely re-packing of the reserve parachute.

Classification

Paragliders are divided into 3 groups: Standard class, Performance class and Competition class.

Standard paragliders do not have the best flight qualities, but they are highly stable and forgive the pilot's gross mistakes. They are designed for beginners and pilots who want to fly without stress.
Performance class paragliders are transitional models. They have a fairly high flight performance with moderate stability.
Competition, on the other hand, are paragliders for experienced athletes, usually designed for competition.

Depending on the purpose, the following types of paragliders can be distinguished:

training ("school") - intended for the initial training of pilots. Such a paraglider can be provided by a paragliding school during training.
"Acro" - designed for aerobatics (aerobatics);
tandem - two-seater paragliders (usually for flights of an experienced instructor with a person who does not have special training);
for motorized flights (paragliders with motors).

Paragliding control

To control the aircraft, control lines are used, which are connected to the trailing edge of the wing and at the ends of which special loops are made to hold them in the hands - toggles. When the brakes are released, the glider flies directly at the so-called balance speed. To turn, pull one brake, the corresponding edge of the wing is bent down, the resistance of this part of the wing increases, and it starts to move slower than the other - the turn begins.

You can also turn by moving the center of gravity of the pilot in the harness towards the turn. To reduce airspeed (and sink rate), both brakes are tightened simultaneously, thus increasing the wing's angle of attack and increasing drag and lift. To increase the flight speed, a so-called accelerator (accelerator) is used - a device that allows you to pull down the front rows of lines, thereby reducing the angle of attack of the wing. To enter the paraglider into special flight modes or control in emergency situations, other lines can also be used.

How is a paraglider different from a parachute?

Outwardly, the paraglider, of course, looks like a wing-type parachute, but the parachute has a rectangular shape, and the paraglider is elliptical. The paraglider is much longer than the parachute, that is, it has a much greater elongation of the canopy. The glider has a smooth aerodynamically clean surface with few thin lines, and the parachute consists of a small number of sections and therefore does not have such a smooth surface. The area of the paraglider is larger than the area of the parachute.

The parachute is designed for jumping from an airplane, slowing down the speed of the fall and landing softly on the ground. The glider is not designed for free fall, so lighter and stiffer materials are used to give it cleaner aerodynamic shapes.

A paraglider with its aerodynamic qualities is rather similar to a glider and hang glider, and the start takes place from a mountain or hill. The glider really flies and does not fall down. The descent speed of modern paragliders is less than 1 m / s, and per meter of descent, the paraglider will fly 7-10 meters in the horizontal plane, that is, it has an aerodynamic quality of 7-10 units. At the same time, a parachute has a quality of 2-4 units and a minimum descent speed of at least 4 m / s.

A paraglider is a soar. This means that under favorable weather conditions (the presence of updrafts), the pilot can stay in the air for hours, gain altitude, and make cross-country flights. Paragliding is the younger brother of gliding and hang gliding, so it is more appropriate to compare it with them.

This is dangerous?

It would be wrong to claim that paragliding is as safe for your health as a sport like playing chess. Anyone intending to engage in aerial sports should understand that the potential energy of height, under some circumstances, can easily be converted into kinetic energy of impact on the ground. But, nevertheless, it would also be wrong to declare all paragliders as some kind of super extreme.

In paragliding, there are two main groups of injuries: sports injuries and injuries of "difficult age".

Sports injuries- these are injuries of competitive flights. They happen to athletes who are carried away by the race for points and have forgotten about their own safety in this race. These injuries are sometimes referred to as "spectacle disease". They do not threaten novice pilots.

Injuries of "difficult age" for beginners are more relevant. Such injuries are understood as injuries of yesterday's cadets, who barely escaped from the care of the instructor. The overwhelming majority of them follow the most primitive scheme. After completing the "Young Fighter Course", the beginner begins to fly independently. He succeeds in everything, he is proud of his successes and is happy with the freedom from the instructor's dictatorship that has fallen on his head (don't do this, don't go there, don't fly here ...). He knows about the possible dangers (he was told in theoretical classes), perhaps he even knows about cases of other pilots falling, but the person is sincerely convinced that he is already smart, that nothing bad can happen to him (smart). Gradually, the beginner loses caution and it begins to seem to him that in the air you can do whatever he pleases.

Everyone who is going to explore the fifth ocean must learn:

With Heaven you can only be on "you." For being familiar with itself, Heaven punishes. Punishes quickly and very harshly. Therefore, it is impossible to communicate with Heaven on "you" never, to anyone and under any circumstances.
All advisors remain on the ground; in flight, the pilot is responsible for everything that happens. The pilot flies himself. Falling, in case of mistakes, he will also blame for the fall, except himself, he will have no one. Therefore, you need to prepare for flights and remember that there are no trifles in aviation.

Can I sew a paraglider myself?

If you want to open a paragliding company and start sewing paragliders in series, there is no other way. However, if you need a paraglider exclusively for your own flying and you want to save money on buying it, it is better not to get involved in such an adventure. It will be easier, cheaper and safer to buy a serial sample. In principle, of course, you can, but before you prepare a sewing machine and buy fabric, you need to understand what your most important task is.

If you are seriously thinking about how to sew a paraglider yourself, keep in mind the following: you will spend money on materials, you will spend time on sewing and it is not at all a fact that what comes out from under your sewing machine can be immediately fly normally. Therefore, when calculating the total costs, immediately put in them some probability of failure and the fact that in order to make your first more or less decently flying paraglider, you will most likely have to sew and fly around several experimental models.

Flights in Moscow and St. Petersburg

The residents of the capital have a wide choice of paradrome, there are about a dozen of them in the Moscow region. The largest not only in the region, but also in Russia, is a club located near the village of Chismena in the direction of Volokolamsk. It is also worth noting one of the oldest paragliding clubs in the capital, MAS, located 40 km from the Moscow Ring Road along Pyatnitskoye Highway.

Paragliding flights are carried out throughout the year in the presence of appropriate weather conditions, that is, the absence of precipitation and the presence of wind. Summer is considered the best time to fly.

In St. Petersburg, the most popular places for paragliding are considered to be the Mozhaisky deltadrome behind Krasnoe Selo, the Sumino parade and the Kukkuzi in Finnish paradrome, which allows you to fly not only over the ground, but also over the cold waters of the Gulf of Finland. In contrast to Moscow, winter is considered the most summer time here.

The best skiing spots in Russia

Of course, paragliding is a pleasure in any case, but in Moscow and St. Petersburg you will not see the beauties for which paragliding is famous. To fully enjoy the views opening from a respectable height, you need to go to the mountains. And here are the three main places that all lovers of free flights tend to visit:

Deltadrome "Yutsa" in Pyatigorsk on Mount Dzhutsa1. This deltadrome is the most popular in the entire post-Soviet space, and both novice pilots and experienced athletes fly here. For more than 10 years in a row, this is where the Russian Paragliding Championship was held in July every year.
Deltadrome "Planerskoe" in the Crimea. Back in the 30s of the last century, Soviet glider pilots learned to fly on this deltadrome, located near the city of Feodosia on Mount Klementyev. Until now, this place is visited by thousands of fans of free flights, since Crimea is one of the few places in Russia where you can admire both the mountains and the sea from a height.
Kurai, mountainous Altai. The place that took away from Pyatigorsk the right to host the Russian paragliding championship. One of the few mountainous places in Russia where flying is not only beautiful, but also safe. Experienced paragliders climb here to a height of up to 3 thousand meters.

What is the price

Don't think paragliding is insanely expensive. In fact, this is quite an affordable pleasure, especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Here the cost of a single flight starts from 1,800 rubles for 15 minutes, and a flight for two starts from 3,400 rubles. For video filming, you will have to pay another 500-800 rubles. During the peak season, prices can increase, and quite dramatically. The master class, where you can try to steer the paraglider yourself, will cost more - from 6 to 10 thousand rubles per lesson.

In the mountains, paragliding will cost much more. In Crimea, the average cost of a flight for one person is about 5 thousand rubles. Moreover, the cost directly depends on the height of the mountain. So, flights from the highest point of Crimea, Ai-Petri peak, cost as much as 8 thousand rubles. In the Caucasus and Gorny Altai, a 20-minute flight over the mountains in tandem with an instructor will also cost an average of 5 thousand rubles.

What is a paraglider?

A paraglider is an ultralight aircraft, a flying wing that allows you to glide in air currents like a bird. On a paraglider, you can fly tens, and sometimes hundreds of kilometers at a speed of up to 50 km / h or more.
The paraglider is a unique aircraft. Born thanks to the latest technology, it is the lightest, most compact, the most accessible device for piloting, allowing a person to get off the ground and fly almost like a bird. With a paraglider, a person is completely autonomous and independent. With a small backpack on your back, you can fly to the nearest hill or go to the other end of the Earth, and everywhere the paraglider will give you a feeling of joy and knowledge of the world in a new perspective for you.

How is a paraglider different from a parachute?

Outwardly, a paraglider is very similar to a wing parachute, and many do not see the difference. However, look: the parachute is rectangular and the paraglider is elliptical. The paraglider is much longer than the parachute with the same wing area.
The parachute is primarily intended for jumping from an airplane, slowing down the speed of a person's fall and softly delivering him to the ground. A paraglider with its aerodynamic qualities is rather similar to a glider or hang glider. The glider really flies and does not fall down. The descent speed of modern paragliders is less than 1 m / s, and for one meter of height loss, the paraglider flies 7-8 meters in the horizontal plane. A paraglider is a soar. This means that under favorable weather conditions (the presence of updrafts), the pilot can stay in the air for hours, gain altitude, and make cross-country flights.
The paraglider is designed for personal enjoyment of flying. You can carry it in the trunk of your car or carry it behind your back in your backpack. It takes less than 5 minutes to get it ready for flight, and you can start from any mountain or hill. At any time, you can fill it with wind and soar into the sky. Once in the air, the paraglider tries, to the best of his ability, to use the ascending air currents. Therefore, the flight largely depends on the weather conditions. It can last 20 seconds, maybe 5 hours. And if we talk about records, then this is more than 35 hours of continuous flight, and the distance is more than 300 km!
Another observation is that a paraglider rarely causes fear of heights. Paragliding is a feeling of unlimited freedom, not the fear of falling.
In general, a paraglider is a kind of pass to the world of the "fifth ocean". If you decide that you need it, go for it. You will have to study a lot, all your flight life, but this study is very informative and interesting. The ocean is huge and powerful. To feel confident in him, you will have to treat him with respect and respect. But it's worth it.

How to learn to fly a paraglider?
At the instructor, at the school. And only so! You will spend several days in the training field to learn how to "feel" the wing, control it, take off and land. You will get acquainted with the theory - the basics of aerology, meteorology and aerodynamics. You can watch breathtaking vivid videos. Fly several times in tandem with an instructor. And only then will the euphoria of long flights come, where you will be left alone with the blue sky, accompanied only by the encouraging voice of the instructor from the radio. It is necessary to make more than a dozen flights under a friendly and vigilant instructor's eye before gaining full autonomy.

Paragliding is possible only using the energy of ascending air currents. Such currents are formed due to convection of warm air from a plot of land heated by the sun or when the wind bends around an obstacle (usually a mountain slope). If it is necessary to start from the plain, the paraglider is "pulled" by the winch. Is it possible to take off on a paraglider in complete calm? It turns out you can. There are several types of such aircraft. Namely: a motorized paraglider, a paralet and an aerochute.

A simpler option - a motorized paraglider

For flying on a motorized paraglider, the pilot uses a small motor, the thrust of which is sufficient for takeoff and maintaining the aircraft in the air. The presence of the motor increases the weight of the entire system, so a wing with increased lift is used.

To start on a motorized paraglider you do not need special conditions in the form of a hill or an updraft. You can take off from a flat surface without assistance.
Motoparagliding flights are carried out at a speed of 25 - 70 km / h at an altitude of up to 5.5 km. Due to the low speed, it is impossible to fly in strong winds, turbulence or intense thermal activity.

The knapsack engine, which is mounted on the pilot's back, has another name - paramotor... Its weight is from 20 to 40 kg. With such a "load" it is quite possible to take off and land on your feet without the use of additional devices. After a short run (usually about 3 meters), the wing spreads out and lifts the pilot along with the engine. After takeoff, the pilot settles into the seat and controls the flight using toggle and engine control handles(RUD).

The toggles are the handles to which the control lines of the paraglider are attached. Almost all control of the paragliding wing is done with the left and right toggles. In addition, the pilot can "steer" slightly by shifting in the harness and changing the center of gravity.

As a paramotor, two-stroke internal combustion engines with a capacity of 14 to 29 hp are most often used. Also, enthusiasts are exploring the possibility of using electric motors. In the video at the end of the article, you can see a paramotor with an electric motor in action.

A paralet and an aerochute - what's the difference?

This type of aircraft differs from a motorized paraglider by the presence of a "cart", which consists of a frame, landing gear, pilot's seat and other equipment. The pilot no longer needs to start off his feet and carry a heavy power plant. In fact, the cart is a simplified module of a deltapet.

To lift such a wing structure, a conventional paraglider is no longer enough. Therefore, a tandem paraglider or a wing specially designed for such devices is used.

The use of a cart not only saves the pilot from carrying heavy equipment, but also allows him to carry more fuel and additional cargo with him. However, for the takeoff and landing of the paralet, a flat area without strong irregularities is needed, at least 30 meters long.

Originally words paralet and aerochute meant the same thing. But over time, these terms were assigned to different classes of technology.

There are several main differences between the paralet and the airchute. The paralet uses a less powerful power point and, most often, a tandem paraglider wing. The wing is controlled by hands (toggles). The paralet has a higher aerodynamic quality and keeps well in the air with the engine off. It is also more maneuverable, but requires more pilot qualifications.

A more powerful engine is installed on the airchute, and the wing control is brought to its feet. An enlarged parachute is used as a wing. It is more stable and easier to fly.

"Empty" weight of the apparatus is 90-150kg. In terms of flight characteristics, paralets and aerochutes do not differ much from a motorized paraglider. Speed 40-60km / h (25-35m / s). The altitude is up to 5500 meters, but most of the flights in paralet and airchute take place at an altitude of 150-500 meters.

Do you already have a sleeping bag? it is described in detail how to choose it correctly when buying.

At what price can you buy a paraglider with a motor

If you have decided that paragliding is your world and want to buy a paraglider with a motor, we recommend that you first study more materials on the theory of paragliding. Find information about flying clubs in your area. They are definitely there and, most likely, not one. In the flying club, you can not only see the aircraft you are interested in. Very often they offer services in the form of a paralet or airchute flight. The price for such an adventure is relatively low and starts from 1000 rubles for a 10-minute flight. Usually there you will be offered to undergo training in paragliding and paragliding.

In addition, you will meet experienced people who will help you thoroughly understand any issue. Ultralight pilots are usually open and good-natured people. Feel free to ask questions.

Prices for a complete set of paragliders (fender, suspension and motor) start at $ 6,000. If you can't afford the expense, it's worth trying to find used gear. Many craftsmen buy everything separately and assemble a paraglider or paralet with their own hands. This way you can save about half the amount. When buying a paraglider, paralet or airchute, be sure to consult with a professional. Especially when buying a used paraglider. Only an experienced eye can assess the condition of the wing on which your safety depends.

Finally, watch the promised video about a motorized paraglider with an electric motor

Paragliding(from the words: PARACHUTE PLANING) - a non-motorized aircraft, a glider with a soft double-shell wing, inflated through the air intakes by the incoming air stream. Lift force is created due to the counter-flow of air flowing around the wing profile. It is she who maintains a certain speed relative to the air (the vector of the lift force can be directed not only up, but also forward). This airspeed is limited only by the complex drag force (wing, lines, pilot), for the constant overcoming of which the stored altitude is spent. Therefore, in order to fly, the paraglider continuously spends altitude (gliding).

To gain altitude, the paraglider must enter a dynamic flow (flow around a hill or hill) or a thermal (thermal flow or thermal bubble). Due to the presence of thermals (mainly in the warm season, it became possible to gain altitude up to the border of the atmospheric inversion (usually the cloud base passes along this border). There is another - "mixed" type of flows: "thermodynamics." In Thermodynamics, a paraglider flies near a slope but at a higher altitude In Thermodynamics and Thermal, the air is often turbulized and the dome has to be constantly "caught" - to compensate for the pecks.

To date, the paraglider is the lightest aircraft from the ULM (Super Light Aviation).

Paragliding classification

There are hundreds of different versions of paragliders, but they are all divided into four classes.

Paragliding class standard

It is intended for the first year of training or for the first 100 flights. This class of paragliders is the simplest and safest, forgiving piloting mistakes and self-stabilizing after folding or so-called "collapse" of the canopy. Paragliders of this class are easy to fly, but do not have such high flying qualities as sports models. Used by pilots who occasionally fly for fun.

Paragliding class performance

This class is intermediate. It requires some flying experience. But at the same time it does not yet possess the flying qualities of sports paragliders. In the case of partial or complete "collapse" of this type of domes are able to restore their shape independently or as a result of one, only correct action the pilot. Paragliders of this class are more difficult to fly and their price is higher. They are mainly used by pilots who are regularly paragliding.

Paragliding class competition

For professionals and athletes. These paragliders have the highest flight characteristics and allow you to fly long and long distances, which is necessary for competitive flights. This class of paragliders requires high skill and a whole set of sequential actions of the pilot in case of emergency situations during flights.

Paragliding class biplace

A class with a harness for two-person flights. These paragliders are characterized by increased shell areas, capable of carrying double the weight load. The pilots of such paragliders can only be instructors who have sufficient experience to fly with untrained passengers.

One more, additional, paragliding class - motorized.

It is a combination of a soft wing and a light engine with a propeller, allowing together to obtain an ultralight aircraft with unique flight characteristics. However, not every canopy is suitable for motor traction - stable wings of the class will be the most optimal. " Standard". On a paraglider with a motor, you can start literally from a patch of land and fly for more than three hours (until the gasoline runs out), and then continue the flight with the engine off. By the way, at any time you can turn off the engine and enjoy a free flight in silence, and if necessary, restart the engine in the air.

This class is sometimes divided by 2: paramotors and paralets.

Paramotor- a paraglider with a motor that is attached behind the back of the paraglider. It uses a push screw in a mesh cage. The motor is usually turned on for takeoff or climb while flying.

Paralet- a lightweight single trolley with a motor and a pusher propeller. Has increased comfort for the pilot during long flights. Paralet is very common as it requires a runway.

Paraplan.ru - the largest Russian forum about paragliding
Paraglidingteam - Site of the Russian paragliding team

Choosing the perfect glider for each pilot depends on many factors. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced pilot, there is no clear cut which is best. Each of them has pros and cons. The key is figuring out what's important to you.

For a beginner, wing safety is a key consideration. To buy a paraglider at first, without having all the available information, is not worth it. The usual advice for beginners is to get trained in a paragliding school. Under the guidance of an experienced instructor, you will save your health, time, money, and also fill your hand.

If you already have experience and you confidently keep yourself in a spiral, then before making a choice, you should carefully weigh the following parameters:

Wing category based on your experience
Paraglider size
Weighing fork
"Useful" flight performance (LTH)
The question of "controllability" of the wings
Issue price

It is important here to avoid serious mistakes and avoid pitfalls.
Which one to prefer? How to make an informed choice?

Step 1. Find out your category

Where to start choosing? First, it makes sense to familiarize yourself with the certification systems for paragliders. There are two certification systems, namely LTF (officially called DHV) and the EN system. The systems have a lot in common:

DHV1 - ENA - wings used by paragliding schools for training. They provide the highest safety for the pilot, forgive most of the mistakes. Resolve dangerous flight situations such as wing folding on their own. Also, it is the wing of this class that is licensed for the installation of the motor.

DHV1-2 - ENB. Better flight performance, faster speed, maneuverability - a good choice for those continuing their studies. It is also possible for beginners to fly with an eye to the future. Also high safety class, self-recovering after folding. Mistakes are forgiven, except for direct holding in the wrong position. This class also produces wings certified for flying with a motor, which are much safer than special reflex wings.

DHV2 - ENC. According to Toby Colomb, world record holder in tandem paragliding, half of the ENC (LTF2 / LTFC) pilots should not rush to upgrade to higher class wings. The fact is that with an increase in sensitivity, maneuverability and speed, wings of this class can be considered even safer than the previous class 1-2. Only on the condition of regular flying, 70 hours a year, and excellent piloting skills, can we assume that safety will be in good hands when moving to the next level.

DHV2-3 - END - wings for experienced athletes who can quickly and adequately respond to wing folding. To restore such a wing after folding, it is required to perform a number of clear movements.

DHV3 - ENE - no certification - wings for top-class athletes, and that says it all, designed for competitive flying of the highest level. The wings, which provide the maximum possible flying qualities, are restored after folding only with the correct action of the pilot.

When moving to the next glider class, it will be useful to:

Go to the websites of paraglider manufacturers (not dealers!). What purposes are their wings designed for. What is their reputation: is there any feedback. How many pilots have flown 100 km or more from one start, for example. Changing a pilot's wing, by itself, rarely results in an increase in range. Experience does.
Enjoy aerodynamic performance. Over the past three years, the quality of some wings has been increased in certain classes. An increase in quality improves flight characteristics wing, but high quality requires more "skill" from the pilot. Different qualities require a different approach to management! For example, the Gradient XC2 wing, belongs to the ENC category and attracts pilots due to the high quality of 6.4! The XC2 is classified as a "safe" wing, but due to its quality it will outperform the EN-D and LTF2 / 3 class.
Talk to experienced pilots who can give you good advice - it is better if it is not your “flying companion” and certainly not your local dealer.

Step 2. Know your size

"Size matters", and in paragliding what else. The size of the wing you choose will determine how it will fly. A large paraglider for heavy pilots, a small paraglider for light pilots weighing at least 40 kilograms. Suitable size calculated by the formula: the ratio of the total flight weight (pilot plus canopy plus suspension) divided by the wing area corresponds to the value of the load acting on the wing, and is expressed in kg / m. The optimal value is considered to be about 3.1 kg / m. sq. More precisely, the correspondence between the size of the dome and the weight can be obtained from a specific manufacturer.

Step 3. Weighing fork

Fenders are sold in different sizes based on gross take-off weight. Since the take-off weight with which wings are tested for safety usually exceeds this value, pilots are often faced with the choice of how to select the right fork. The scale fork on each model is usually around 25 kg. If the pilot is in the upper end of the range, the wing will have a higher "load".

The more loaded a given wing is, the faster it will fly and the safer it will be. The wing will also recover faster after folding. The angle of attack depends little on the wing loading (provided that the porosity is low, when the wing is in good condition). A heavier wing is also easier to launch in high wind conditions, easier for the pilot to fold and, most importantly, the wing is more responsive and responsive, making it more enjoyable to fly.

The usual advice when choosing a surebet is to try to hit the middle. If there is a lack of weight, it is possible to use water ballast, but not more than 10 kg.

Step 4. Flight performance

The main aspects of flight performance are speed and aerodynamic quality. Speed is needed to get to the place faster, and quality is needed to get there with a large headroom.

The differences in flight performance are most noticeable when comparing wings of different classes:

And within a class, the differences between models are usually very minor. So for most pilots, the difference in flight characteristics of the wings of the LTF1-2 class and even the LTF 2 (a wing of a modern design and in good condition) is practically not noticeable inside the class. At this level, quality is more influenced by the wing loading (the position of the weight inside the fork) and possibly the line profile. The difference in flight performance (LTH) becomes more significant when using the accelerator. On low-grade wings, using an accelerator in still air can significantly degrade performance. The higher the wing rating, the less loss in quality with increasing speed. Unfortunately, manufacturers rarely, if ever, publish the dependence of quality on the operation of the accelerator (and even if they publish often it is very doubtful)

The above published data cannot be called “useful performance characteristics”. What do they mean when they talk about useful flying qualities? An increase in speed or an increase in quality is irrelevant if the wing cannot be deployed or the wing is pecking down all the time. There are three factors to consider when it comes to useful performance characteristics:

Soaring. When it comes to cross-country flights, a significant amount of time is spent hovering. The important thing here is how easy it is to deploy the wing? How does it enter the stream? How easy is it to manage in different types of threads?
Using an accelerator. If the wing cannot be fully accelerated, due to the tendency to collapse, then what is the use of the so-called maximum speeds? How well does it accelerate in a turbulent flow?
Flying in a turbulent stream. Can you afford to relax or do you need to steer the glider all the time? Manufacturers often claim performance that can only be achieved in still air. Turbulence, regardless of its magnitude, will always reduce the quality of the wing. Changes in turbulence performance are even more difficult to measure!

Step 5. How to control the wing

Is it worth taking a wing with high flying qualities if it turns badly, strives to fold all the time, behaves like an animal and plays on your nerves. What is the pleasure of such a flight?

Pleasure and safety are also two of the most important factors that will influence your progress and development as a pilot. So choose the wing that you like to control. When it comes to choosing a car, you may prefer one brand over the other. There are no right or wrong decisions. Just a place for a taste. The same is true when it comes to wing selection. The problem arises when it comes to choosing a wing without enough experience. If you want to develop your skills as a taster, you know to drink plenty! The same can be said for the wings. What should you look for when evaluating wing handling?

Have fun and never stop learning.

Step 6. Issue price

The average lifespan of a paraglider is 5 years, there are some examples that fly up to 8 years. Although, if desired, the paraglider can be worn out in six months. The Paragliding Federation has repeatedly brought up such cases with a disastrous end for discussion, as a rule, the reason was that the wing did not have a passport and guarantees. Therefore, when buying a paraglider, you must first of all pay attention to:

Availability of documents
used paragliders should be checked carefully before purchasing. Not everyone is ready to save on their safety, but the savings are substantial. They start at $ 300, but safety comes first.

A new high-quality paraglider of European production costs from 2.5 to 5 thousand dollars. Domestic - 1.5-2. The difference in flight performance is insignificant.

Summary

So, the main advice when choosing a wing is to choose the one that won't scare you off.

Be honest with yourself about your current skill level. Maybe your current wing is fine for you, and your money is better spent on additional training courses?
Don't be tempted to think too much about performance. Instead, focus your attention on the fork weight and handling.
If the decision to change is made, then fly around 3 or 4 wings (if more, then you can get confused), if you do not have the experience and time, then contact reputable pilots for advice.
All that is left is to choose a chic color, make sure you are satisfied with the package and enjoy!

We wish you good luck and happy landings.

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