paragliders
Recreational soaring wings
Paragliders are lightweight, free-flying aircraft consisting of a fabric wing and harness, launched by running off a slope or cliff.
The pilot hangs beneath the canopy and steers by shifting weight and pulling brake toggles.
Unlike parachutes, paragliders are designed for sustained flight rather than descent: Paragliders circled in the thermal updrafts above the ridge.
The word also refers to the pilots themselves.
Warm air columns
- soaringRising effortlessly upward
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- launchSet into motion
landing · airspeed · turbulence · ridge lift · cross-country · airtime
Overhead protective covering
- harnessStraps controlling an animal
- risersUpright stair sections
- linesStrokes connecting two points
- carabinersSpring-gate metal loops
reserve · variometer · helmet · wing · stuff sack · flight deck · instruments · altimeter
thermals
Warm air columns
- soaringRising effortlessly upward
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
launch · landing · airspeed · turbulence · ridge lift · cross-country · airtime
canopy
Overhead protective covering
carabiners · reserve · variometer · helmet · wing · stuff sack · flight deck · instruments · altimeter · radio
pilots
Those who fly aircraft
- tandemSequential two-person arrangement
- soloPerformance by one
- certificationAttestation of qualification
training · schools · competitions · records · sites · community · clubs · festivals · bivouac · World Cup
Alps
European mountain system
- InterlakenSwiss lakeside resort town
- ChamonixMountain town in France
- MedellinMajor Colombian highland city
Cape Town · Queenstown · takeoff · LZ · mountain · coastal · desert · volcano · cliffs · valleys
paraglidersjet planes
Turbine-propelled flying vehicles
jets · fighter jets · rocket planes · airplanes · helicopters
paraglidersairplanes
Powered flying vehicles
gliders · jets · hang gliders · sailplanes · helicopters
paraglidersjumbo jets
Large commercial passenger aircraft
Boeing 747 · military aircraft · Airbus A380 · transport planes · cargo planes