PARAGLIDERS are inflatable wings. Air enters the cell openings in the leading edge of the wing and inflates the wing. Ribs between the top and bottom surfaces of the wing provide the aerofoil shape necessary to produce lift.

The pilot sits in a harness suspended below the wing by 4 to 5 rows of lines. The last row of lines is called the brake lines, The brake lines are attached to the trailing edge of the wing and to the brake handles.

The pilot holds the brake handles and controls the wing by pulling the brakes down. Pulling the left brake down will cause the wing to turn left; pulling the right brake down causes the wing to turn right. Pulling both brakes down at the same time is normally done only to slow down when landing.

Inter-cell vents allow air in one side of the wing to move freely to the other side ensuring even pressure over the whole wing. The top and bottom surfaces of the wing are made from material that does not allow air to pass through. The lines have an inner core of non-stretch material that is protected by an outer sheath. The risers are connected to the lines by stainless steel mallions and to the harness by self-locking carabiners.

Paragliding Harnesses

Modern paraglider harnesses such as this Genie 3 are equipped with self-locking carabiners, quick release buckles, many adjustment points and most importantly a thick foam or air-bag back protector.

Soaring Flight

When a paraglider is able to stay aloft because it is gliding down through air that is blowing up a hill, then it is said to be soaring. The main soaring site for paragliding in Christchurch is Taylors Mistake. 25 minutes from the center of town it offers a large take-off and top landing area and a large bottom landing area behind the beach. The majority of paraglider pilot training takes place at Taylors. Close by are the Scarborough cliffs with a small advanced take-off site and top landing site. There are two other recognised soaring sites accessible in less than 30 minutes, Allandale and Montgomery Spur.

Flying Thermals

When a bubble of warm air breaks away from the earths surface it rises in a column. This column is called a thermal. If a paraglider is flying down through the thermal and the thermal is rising at about 1 meter per second then the paraglider will not lose height. If the thermal is rising at more than 1M/s then the paraglider will gain height. The main thermal flying site in Christchurch is 30 minutes from the city center at Castle Rock in the Heathcote Valley. On days when there is insufficient wind to soar at Taylors Mistake there are often thermals to fly and long flights may be had around the crater rim and across Lyttleton harbour.

The Mountains

For the experienced paraglider pilot the mountains of the Southern Alps are only 1.75 hours away. Here long flights of up to 5 hours may be made riding the strong and turbulent mountain thermals along the Craigieburn range. With height gains of over 2000M possible from the 1200M take-off its possible to fly along the main 2000M ridge enjoying the awesome view back on to the main divide.

Competitions

Paragliding competitions generally involve racing from take-off to a designated goal, (anywhere from 10 to 200km away). The pilot that flies to goal in the shortest time wins. Occasionally an open distance task will be set and then the pilot that flies the furthest wins. Competitions are a great way for less experienced pilots to extend their boundaries.

Australia

Sydney is a 3 hour flight from Christchurch and then its a 7 hour drive to Manilla, the mecca for paraglider pilots who want to fly long distances across country. Godfrey Wenness, owner of
Mt Borah held the world record for distance flown on a paraglider at 335km until it was extended to 502km in South Africa.

Tandem Paragliding

Tandem paraglider flights are a safe and enjoyable alternative for those wanting to experience the thrill of free flying without going through the learning process. The passenger and pilot each sit in their own harness and are attached to each other and to the paraglider by spreader bars.