Frequently asked questions

Paragliding

A paraglider is an aircraft constructed only of fabric and ropes with which it is possible to take off and land on foot (without wheels). The bell has the shape of a wing, with the same profile as those of airplanes, and, like those of these, it provides lift from a certain speed. Open, the wing has a surface area of nearly 30 square meters. Folded, you can put it together with the accessories (boots, helmet, coat, etc.) inside a big backpack.

What is the difference between a paraglider and a parachute?

The essential difference is the use for which it is intended: the paraglider is for flying from a mountain, or towed by a cable, and flying as long and as far as possible. The parachute is to open it after a while of free fall and descend as quickly as possible (within limits, of course!) to the landing field to be able to make another jump.
This essential difference in their intended use has meant that, from a common origin, the paraglider and the parachute have evolved to become completely different devices. If we tried to open a paraglider to stop a free fall it would burst. On the other hand, a parachute would not allow us to make the flights that can be made in a paraglider, because just as a paraglider has a planing ratio of 7:1 (it advances seven meters for every meter it falls), parachutes barely reach 3:1.

How do I go about directing it?

You hold two rings in your hands that are attached to the back of the wing (the trailing edge). When the left hand is lowered, the left side of the trailing edge is lowered. This causes the left side of the wing to brake and turn to the left. By pulling both rings at the same time you brake, and by raising your hands again you accelerate.
The paraglider has a special property that it does not share with any other aircraft: when you let go of the controls, it immediately straightens up and flies in a straight line. This makes it the easiest aircraft to pilot, as it does not require as much sensitivity to the controls as, for example, a hang glider or a small plane.

In the Pyrenees it is common to fly at an altitude of 3,500 or 4,000 meters. In the Sierra Nevada they have reached 5,500. In some areas of flight in South Africa it is common to reach 6,000 meters.
But the real goal of the pilots, and the reason why they bother to gain these astronomical heights (with the cold weather there!), is to fly far and make great distances. The Catalan distance record is held by Josep Antòn Solís with a flight of 142 km. from Àger (near Balaguer) to Molló (near Camprodon). The world record passes 500 km.
Obviously, to achieve these distances you need skill and experience. Beginner flights, always downhill, hardly exceed the five or six kilometers that can separate departure from landing.

How long is a flight?

The record for staying over 24 hours, and the International Aeronautical Federation (the body in charge of these affairs) no longer accepts records in this category.
Good pilots fly between two and eight hours every good summer day. Beginner flights usually last no longer than twelve minutes.

Where can I take off and land?

It is possible to get out of almost any inclined place free of obstacles. Almost all the peaks of the Pyrenees, for example, are ‘flyable’.
Landing in a paraglider is, due to its low speed, much easier than in a hang glider or glider. A good pilot can easily land in a space of 15×30 meters, as long as there are not too many obstacles around.

And is this safe?

Safety in paragliding depends on the good training of the pilot and the suitability of the wing and weather conditions for his level. Flying with insufficient training, with a wing that is too difficult, or in conditions that are beyond you can be very dangerous.
Accidents at school have been practically eliminated in recent years thanks to the professionalization of instructors. School flights, carried out under easy-to-pilot wings and always in calm air conditions, involve minimal danger. The quality of training, and some control of pilots fresh out of school thanks to a qualification system, mean that accidents among beginners have decreased in recent years to very low levels, although the possibility of an accident obviously still exists.
Another thing is the flight preferred by high-level pilots and competitors, in thermal and turbulent conditions. The paraglider does not perform particularly well in these conditions and a lot of experience and expertise is required to control certain situations. Always maintaining a safe height (100 meters or more) will ensure our safety, but flying low in these conditions can be really dangerous. Each year, approximately 2% of active competitors suffer an accident requiring medical assistance. As in other risky sports, such as motorcycling or climbing, the athlete chooses the risk he is willing to take.

Weather conditions for paragliding. Does it have to be very windy?

On the contrary, it is better not to do too much. A wind of up to 15 km/h helps us get out. Between 15 and 30 km/h can pose some problems for beginners, but it is still possible to fly without a problem. From 30 km/h the departure becomes difficult, and when the wind exceeds the maximum speed of the paraglider (between 35 and 55 Km/h depending on the models), you must think about landing immediately, because the flight can become really dangerous .
It is important that the wind blows us more or less towards the exit. If it blows on the nape of our neck, bad luck, because we will have to run a lot to get the wing to have enough speed to fly. With more than 5 km/h of tail wind it is almost impossible to fly.

What do I do if the wind changes while I’m flying?

At school you will learn to anticipate the arrival of fronts and storms, which can bring sudden changes in wind so strong that you can lose control of the wing. Outside of these situations, sudden changes in wind are perceived as turbulence, which the flexible structure of the paraglider absorbs without problems, apart from an occasional fold.
Folds, which are losses of the shape of the wing caused by turbulence, can become dangerous if we do not know how to control the folded paraglider. That is why it is essential to go through the school and make your first flights under the strict supervision of an instructor, until you gain enough experience in piloting to be able to face a situation of this type alone.
On the other hand, once you know how to control them, creases are no longer a problem. On flights in turbulent conditions, such as those encountered at midday in summer, folds are common, and pilots perfectly control the paraglider as long as they maintain a safe distance from the mountain (100 meters or more).

How do I upload?

Like gliders, hang gliders, and vultures, you can gain altitude by flying within updrafts. These air currents can be caused by the wind blowing against a mountain and being forced to climb to overcome it, or by hot air bubbles that rise within a colder ambient air.

Is it very cold up there?

The temperature drops approximately one degree for every 300 meters of height. This, together with a flight speed of around 40 km/h, makes it necessary to keep warm even in summer.

Requirements for paragliding. Do you have to be very strong?

Only learning needs a certain fitness, and not too much either. If you can carry a 10kg backpack and run a bit, you can go paragliding.

Do riders have to be a certain age, gender, weight or size?

According to the Catalan Aviation Federation, children under the age of 14 should not fly, as they do not yet have the maturity necessary to assess the risks and make decisions with sufficient prudence. Apart from that, there are paragliders of all ages, even octogenarians.
Paragliding is a sport that does not require strength, and therefore women practice it in total equality with men. In fact, it is common to see women ranked first in international competitions, and two women have been champions of England and France.
Weight and size are no problem either. Very small people (less than 45 Kg) will have fewer options when choosing a paraglider, as most manufacturers do not, for market reasons, make such small paragliders. Very old people (over 110 kg) will have to fly with a two-seater paraglider.

Do you need a license to fly?

Not really. The law does not require it. In any case, it is irresponsible to fly without a sufficiently good accident and liability insurance. That is why it is advisable to always have the federal license up to date. And if you think it’s expensive, stop and think about what you pay for the compulsory accident insurance of your car. By having the federative license, you also contribute to maintaining the federative structure, which is dedicated to progressing the sport in all its aspects.
Note: this is the current situation in Catalonia. In other countries it may be different (and in fact it usually is).

How can I learn to fly?

There is only one answer: go to a school. Paragliding is very easy, but doing it without the necessary knowledge, supervision and assistance can be very dangerous. Remember: aviation is no joke. Require the school to be recognized by your country’s federation. Look for a school with a good club behind it. An active club is not only a guarantee of a good reception once you have finished your course. In addition, it is an indicator of a good school, because usually the clubs have been formed from the students who have left the school.

Delta wing

What is a hang glider and how does it work? What is a hang glider?

A hang glider is an aircraft, built of tubes and fabric, that flies without an engine from a mountain or towed by a cable. The distinctive feature of the hang glider compared to gliders is the ability to fly on foot, without the need for wheels. Once folded, the hang glider is reduced to a package between four and six meters long and about 30 cm. diameter that can be easily transported on the trunk of a car.

How do I manage it?

You hang from the center point of the wing. Holding onto the triangle, you can move your body left and right, forward and backward. In doing so, the wing’s center of gravity wobbles, and the wing tilts to that corner: by pulling the body to the right, you turn to the right; pulling your body to the left, you turn to the left; by pulling the body forward (pulling the triangle), you accelerate; and by pulling it back (pushing the triangle), you brake.

Can I fly very high? And very far?

Flying in favorable weather conditions, you usually reach 3,000 or 3,500 meters high, or even four thousand, in the Pyrenees. In the south of the Iberian Peninsula (Sierra Nevada) it has reached 5,500. In some flight areas in Africa and the United States, it is common to fly at 6,000 or 7,000 meters of altitude, making the use of oxygen necessary.
But the real goal of a hang-glider pilot is not to climb very high, but to make great distances. Experienced riders routinely make round trips of over 100 km. In Catalonia, the longest flight was made by Quico Vinyas, from Àger (which is less than 10 km from the border with Aragon) to Figueres. The world record is held by the American pilot Larry Tudor, with a flight of more than 500 km.
Obviously, to make this kind of flights, you need knowledge and experience. In the first beginner flights you will never fly more than 6 or 7 kilometers.

How long is a flight?

The current record is over 24 hours, and the International Aeronautical Federation, the body in charge of these affairs, no longer accepts any more records in this category.
Good pilots fly four to six hours in a typical day. Again, you need to acquire the necessary knowledge to achieve this, and at first you will hardly fly for more than twenty minutes.

Where can I take off and land?

It is possible to get out of any inclined place (it doesn’t have to be much) and free of obstacles. Simply run downhill until the wing has enough wind to support you (between 25 and 35 km/h). A little headwind always helps to avoid having to run a marathon, but it’s not essential.
Where you can or can’t land depends on the skill of the pilot. An experienced pilot can land on any more or less flat space that is at least 15 x 60 m, if there are not too many obstacles. Beginners need large, obstacle-free fields to ensure a smooth landing.

And is this safe?

Like everything in aviation, hang gliding can be dangerous if you are not careful. That said, hang gliding can be a very safe sport. The wings pass certifications (HGMA in the United States, DHV in Germany, ACPUL in France,…) that guarantee structural strength and aerodynamic stability in all tests. Wing builders are no longer simple hobbyists, but have become true professionals in aeronautical construction. In addition, safety parachutes are carried which have proven to be of great help on the rare occasions when a loss of control occurs.
In any case, the main factor in favor of safety remains the training of the pilot. In a good school you will not only learn how to fly the wing correctly, but you will also learn to assess the weather conditions, to contrast them with your piloting abilities and accordingly decide to fly or not to fly. You will learn which maneuvers can be dangerous and which places you should not enter.
Misjudgment in piloting remains the main cause of accidents. In any given year, approximately one in every hundred active pilots suffers an accident requiring medical assistance.

Weather conditions for hang gliding. Does it have to be very windy?

You can take off, fly and land hang gliding in winds between zero and 45 km/h. With winds over 60 km/h, the associated turbulence makes the flight quite uncomfortable. The ideal wind for taking off and landing is between 10 and 35 km/h. During flight, the wind is less important, because the pilot always controls the speed of the wing relative to the air, regardless of the wind.

What do I do if the wind changes while I’m flying?

Sudden wind changes are perceived as more or less uncomfortable turbulence depending on the magnitude of the wind change. Delta wings are aerodynamically very stable, and adapt easily to any turbulence or change without further consequences. Only the extremely strong changes found within a storm can break your wing or cause you to lose control. That’s why it’s important to learn to predict the formation of storms, and avoid them like the plague.

How do I upload?

Air, in addition to moving horizontally (we call it wind) also moves vertically. In some places it goes up and in others it goes down. The secret is knowing how to find the places where you climb and stay there in order to gain height.
These climbs are usually on the windward side of the mountains: the wind ‘bites’ against the mountain and is forced to climb to overcome the obstacle. Logically, this ancestry will be accompanied by a comparable descent on the other side of the mountain (leeward). We will often see hang gliders coming and going along a cliff: they are taking advantage of this lift, which will not take them very high but will allow them to fly for quite a while.
We can also find updrafts caused by hot air masses that rise within the colder air that surrounds them. These ascents, called “thermal”, are found mainly during the summer, at noon, in any place where the nature of the terrain causes a higher heating than the surroundings (stone, sand, dry fields,…). Hang-glider pilots take advantage of these climbs by circling within the rising air column until reaching altitudes that can reach 3,000 meters or more.

Is it very cold up there?

The temperature drops approximately one degree for every 300 m of height. This, together with the constant wind of 30 km/h or more, makes it necessary to warm up well even in the middle of summer, if you hope to reach heights above 2,000 or 2,500 meters.

Requirements to fly a hang glider. Do you have to be very strong?

Not particularly. The most demanding moment is learning, during which you will have to run with the 20-25 kg that a school wing weighs on your shoulders. During the flight it is not tiring at all. However, a flight of several hours in turbulent conditions requires some arm strength. You will develop this endurance during the learning journey that will allow you to make these long flights.

Do riders have to be a certain age, gender, weight or size?

There are hang gliders of all ages, from teenagers to octogenarians. The limit is more mental than physical. If you are mature enough to make decisions that may affect your safety and have enough reflexes to execute those decisions quickly, you are at an appropriate age to fly. The Federación Española de Deportes Aéreos considers 14 as the minimum age to fly.
For hang gliding, balance and endurance are more important than brute strength. That is why women are just as good pilots as men once they have passed the learning phase, which is a little more physically demanding.
The size of the wings should be proportional to the weight of the pilot. Naturally, all manufacturers have wings for the most common weights (50-90 kg), but only some make sizes for fatter or lighter people. Therefore, if you weigh less than 50 km or more than 90, the possibilities of choosing a wing model when buying will be quite limited. You may also have difficulty finding a suitable second-hand wing for you. Another possibility for VERY heavy people is to use two-seater wings.
Regarding the size, the restriction is on the sizes of the harnesses. Very small or very old people should have the harness made to measure or have one adjusted. Tailored harnesses are common even among ‘standard’ size riders, so this is no problem.

Do you need a license to fly?

How can I learn to fly?

There are three ways to learn hang gliding:
1. Buying a hang glider and flying down the mountain with it. Although it is the method used by some of the pioneers at the end of the 70s, it is very ill-advised.
2. Looking for a pilot friend to teach you. It is better than the previous one, but in any case it is not advisable, because your friend will certainly not have teaching experience, he will not have the right material and he will not have a tested and polished teaching method ready. All this will entail a certain risk during learning and, even worse, poor training that inevitably represents danger.
3. Go to a school. Require it to be a school recognized by your country’s federation. Talk to them, let them explain their method. Find out if they have a good club behind them. A large club is often the best guarantee of a good school, because usually the club has been built from students who have left the school.
The Albatros hang gliding school is recognized by the Spanish Air Federation

Paramotor

Why are paramotors interesting?

The concept of an airplane that can be transported in the trunk of the car is enough of an argument to make it interesting and reaches the maximum expression of “ultralight” airplane. Also because of the fact that we can take off with our feet, which makes it an all-terrain aircraft.
Because it has a very small turning radius and its minimum flight speed, it can land almost anywhere.
A lot of possibilities open up for paraglider pilots as they don’t have to travel hundreds of km. to find a slope, to cross a river, to fly over mountains from which they cannot take off, to fly above the clouds or with a layer of fog stuck 50 meters above the ground.
Ecologically speaking, it is always worse the harm done with the gasoline we spend to drive 300 km. to go flying to a certain mountain, than the 5 liters we spend flying two hours with a paramotor.

What is a paramotor?

It is a motorized paraglider. We carry on the back a small engine (usually two-stroke), which pushes the paraglider to increase its lift and allow it to gain height.

Do you need a pilot’s license?

No, but it is necessary to have completed the paragliding course and another specific paramotor course. What is a good idea is to be federated (to have accident and civil liability insurance).

How is the paraglider inflated?

We spread it on the ground, and thanks to a forward impulse (as we would do on the mountain), helped by the impulse of the propeller, the paraglider is placed on top and it is only necessary to accelerate to the maximum to go up gently

What is the maximum wind to be able to fly?

Up to about 15 km/h of gentle wind for beginners and up to 25 km for experienced riders. Taking off without wind is a little more difficult, but perfectly possible.

is it dangerous

As with all air sports, there is an element of risk. But, when carrying a paraglider we do not depend on the reliability of the engine, since if it stops nothing happens.

How is it used?

As with the paraglider, using the brakes. We also use the gas control, to control the cup up and down.

What kind of gasoline do you use?

Super with 2% or 3% synthetic oil mixed. Similar to any two-stroke engine.

What is the approximate consumption?

It depends on the size of the propeller and the type of engine, but you can consider about 3 liters per hour. If we carry 8 liters in the tank, we can fly up to 3 hours.

What is the range of flight speeds?

It depends on the paraglider we use, the flight load and its accelerator system, but usually about 45 km/h maximum and 22 km/h minimum. By accelerating more, we climb more but the horizontal speed does not increase.

What is the maximum height we can reach?

Up to 3,500 meters normally, anyway it is best to fly at a low altitude, as it is less cold and you can see the landscape better.

Is it possible to make two-seat flights?

Yes, but we need a more powerful engine and good coordination and help when taking off.

What happens if the engine stops?

Well, the paramotor becomes a normal paraglider. If we always ensure an accessible landing with the engine stopped nothing will happen if the engine stops.

How long does a paramotor last?

The engines used are for agricultural use, and are designed to last hundreds of hours with almost no maintenance.

Who can fly in a paramotor?

Almost everyone. It is only necessary to run a few meters with 20 kg. load on the back.

How much does the engine weigh?

It depends on the manufacturer and the size, but between 18 and 25 kg. It’s normal. To this we must add the kilos of petrol, the emergency parachute and the flight instruments.

Are there any competitions?

There is a World Championship, a European Championship and trials and championships at national level.
The tests consist of navigation, landing accuracy and consumption.

What is the "motor torque" effect?

The propeller creates lift when turning, but it also creates resistance. The motor and propeller make the paramotor try to rotate around the propeller. As the paramotor accelerates, it tends to turn to the right. The direction of rotation depends on the placement of the motor and the direction of its rotation, by using the motor only in inverted position (the most common), the right side is loaded more and lowers little, causing it to start a small turn to the right. Paramotors incorporate different solutions to alleviate this effect: displaced motorcycle anchors, one harness tape is longer than the other, asymmetrical use of the trim and even counter-rotating propellers to cancel the effect of the other

How much power is needed?

The finesse (ratio between what goes forward and what falls) of the paraglider defines the necessary relationship between the weight and power of the engine. It must be taken into account that the weight and volume of the motor will reduce the finesse of the paraglider
For a normal flying weight of 120kg with a basic 6:1 finness paraglider, 20kg of force will be required to maintain level flight (120kg/6 = 20kg). But with the influence of altitude, humidity and pressure, this calculation is not entirely accurate. In addition, more power is needed than is simply necessary for level flight, since before we have to take off, climb and we can maintain level flight even in aerologies with descents. Therefore, a force between 35 and 70 kg would be most appropriate. The necessary power that conditions the choice of the size and power of the paramotor depends on the weight of the pilot and the height at which we normally take off.

Which paraglider should we choose?

The most important thing is that it inflates easily. Many people mistakenly think that a larger paraglider is needed than the one we would use without a motor. This is false, since a sail should be used that is suitable for the weight that we would have without the engine load.
We do not have to worry about the resistance of the paraglider, as they are designed and approved with sufficient margins. A small paraglider is better controlled on the ground and flies faster and farther (as in all powered activities, where speed and power are everything). You can also opt for a specific paraglider designed by the paramotor

Where can we fly with a paramotor?

The main problem is the noise, not for the pilot, but for the neighbors. With that in mind, we can fly anywhere, as long as we don’t disturb.

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