Questions

Answers

1.

How a paraglider fly in air?

Paragliders fly in air on same principal as aeroplanes. They are made of special chemical quoted windproof cloth. A double layer of cloth is stitched in a way that it is wide from the front and narrow towards the back with more than 150 small cords to tether the pilot and passenger. From the front it is kept open to let air enter into the cells on take off. When we run down the hill with wind blowing from opposite direction, then all the cells of paraglider are filled with air. Once it is full of air, when no more air can enter into the cells, the air start to apply pressure to its top and bottom causing lift.

2.

Do we need to jump from a hill?

No, we only need to run down a slope with paraglider against the wind direction on a gradient between 30 to 70 degree.

3.

What is the distance between pilot and passenger?

Normally, pilot and passengers are around one feet away from each other. Pilot have to hold the break line which is coming from the back of the paraglider to control the movement of a glider. Both the hands of a passengers are free and can be used to take photograph from the air.

4.

Is it possible for a pilot to change the direction of a glider?

Yes, pilot can always change the direction of a glider. The pilot control the direction of flight through cords coming from the back of a paraglider and by pulling a cord on the left can move a glider to left and vice versa.

5.

Is it possible for a pilot to land his glider at any place?

Yes, during a flight, a pilot can bring his paraglider down slowly and he can land at a place of his choice. The only requirement is that the specified place should be clear from trees and other obstacles.

6.

What should we do during landing?

Most of the people forget that they also have to land, so pilot always reminds when they are going to land. Pilot can judge the condition of landing and passenger should ask the pilot for position of landing during the flight itself. We land in the same opposite wind condition as we need for take off.

7.

If it is so easy, can we fly on our own?

Generally, after taking a ride or just watching a flight, people start to think that it is very easy to take off and fly a glider on their own. Actually it is not so easy, as one mistake in air can cause accident. A tandem pilot before starting to take passengers needs at least one to two years training and experience.

8.

Can we fell down, if wind is not blowing after take off?

Every glider have its own ratio of flying descent. This ratio is called glide ratio. So the wind condition have very little effect after take off. Generally after take off is accomplished, it flies a certain minimum distance on its specified glide ratio.

9.

What will happen if glider collapse in air?

Generally, there are very little chances of total collapse of paraglider, because of the weight of passenger and pilot and use of air in its glide ratio. Therefore all the air from a glider can never get released during flight. Sometimes, it collapse from the sides due to change in wind direction, but it is very easy for an experienced pilot to open these sides again.

10.

When it don't use any fuel, then why a flight is so expensive?

The biggest reason for an expensive flight is that the glider is very expensive and it have very short kife span. One tandem paraglider cost Rs. 1,50,000/- (US $ 3800/-) or more and its life is only around 90 flying hours. After 90 hours, its glide ratio deteriorates and it can't take the passenger to a specified destination. Also this sport is dependant on weather and wind condition, which makes it more expensive as we can't fly very much in a day and there are many days in a month with bad weather.