Paragliding vs. Hang Gliding

Both Come from Europe

Both paragliding and hang gliding offer the one seemingly impossible thing that man has always tried to do – the ability to fly and see the worlds most amazing views. Both are air sports that involve the usage of a foot launcher. Paragliding and hang gliding were both invented in Europe and are most popular in that place though a lot of paragliders and hang gliders are now from all parts of the globe.

What is Hang Gliding?

Hang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a light and non-motorized foot-launchable aircraft called a hang glider or also known as Delta plane. Most commercially available hang gliders today are composed of an aluminum alloy or composite-framed fabric wing. The pilot is then attached to a harness suspended from the airframe, and controls the hang glider by shifting his body weight in opposition to a control frame.

Hang Gliding Launch

There are different ways in which you are launched in hang gliding. One technique is the most common one which is the foot-launching from a hill, it can also be by tow-launching using a ground-based tow system; aero-towing done behind a powered aircraft; or being towed in a boat. Other techniques that are relatively more exotic have also been used successfully, such as hot air balloon drops for very high altitude.

What is Paragliding?

Similarly, paragliding is also a flying sport that allows an individual to fly through the use of a non-motorized, foot-launched inflatable wing called as paraglider. Such wings are comprised of two coatings of fabric which are attached to an internal support material in such a way as to form a row of cells. By keeping most of the cells open only at the leading edge, the incoming air keeps the wings inflated, thus maintaining its shape. And just like in hang gliding, paragliding also has different way of launching.

Paragliding Launch

Launching can be done through a forward launch where the pilot moves forward in a slightly great speed so that the pressure produced by the advancing movement will inflate the wing. This type of launch is often used in times of low winds. In higher winds, however, a reverse launch is used. In this launch, the pilot will be facing the wing in order to bring it up into a flying position then turning under the wing to complete the launch. In comparison to the forward launch, the reverse launch has more advantages.

It is more straight-forward in inspecting the wing and in checking if the lines are free as it leaves the ground. In the presence of wind, the pilot can be pulled toward the wing and facing the wing makes it easier to resist this force, and safer in situations when the pilot slips. Another launching technique is the towed launch. It is often performed in flatter countryside. Once at full height, the pilot pulls a release cord and the towline falls away.

Comparing the Two

Comparing the two air sports, paragliding is much easier to learn than hang gliding because of the paraglider’s slower forward speed and more forgiving design. In paragliding your launches are not “committed”; if you want to stop your launch, you just stop running and the canopy floats down behind you. By contrast, once you start your launch in a hang glider, which weighs anywhere from 60 to 100 pounds, you are committed.

The paraglider folds up into a 30 pound backpack in about five minutes and can be easily transported. The hang glider, on the other hand, due to its weight and rigid frame, must be transported on a vehicle with a roof rack and requires about 30 minutes to set up and again to take down.

Since hang gliders fly faster, they can cover greater distances more easily. However, paragliders, which have advanced rapidly over the last few years, can now cover distances almost as great, and due to their tighter turning radius, can often stay aloft in light lift when hang gliders can’t.

Though paragliding and hang gliding have a lot of differences, it is no question that safety is one common concern of those people who want to learn these sports. It is said that due to the creation of modern equipment, the paraphernalia used in both sports is now created as completely safe. However, it would always be to your advantage if you take proper lessons and training regarding paragliding and hang gliding.