by Jeff Goin | Jun 6, 2021 | 19: Risk & Safety, 26: The Wing, Recent
We’ve covered small wings, because that’s been a trend for some years, but what about larger wings? Is it dangerous to fly big wings? This is really about wing loading: all-up weight per square meter of flat wing are. The chart in that article shows the...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 3, 2021 | 26: The Wing, Educational
See also Paraglider Certification | Why for Paramotoring? | Paramotor Certification DGAC (Direction Generale de l’Aviation Civile) is the French FAA. They don’t actually certify ultralights, but rather require manufacturers attest that their wing behaves...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 24, 2020 | 13: Flying Cross Country, 22: Aerodynamics, 23: Motor & Propeller, 26: The Wing, 27: The Motor Unit
Here is how to maximize range for the current wind conditions. For crosswinds, see below. First, a few comments about the problem. It’s covered briefly in the PPG Bible but here is more detail. As the book says, use best glide speed in calm wind, fly faster in a...
by Jeff Goin | May 9, 2020 | 03 Handling the Wing, 26: The Wing, Mx: Paraglider
Nearly all newer paragliders have nylon rods in their leading edges to improve inflation characteristics and hold shape better during low-pressure events (near collapses). Some have them in the trailing edge. Those rods don’t handle sharp bends so special...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 3, 2019 | 26: The Wing, Mx: Paraglider
Lightweight gliders area a dream to launch. What started out as gear for “hike and fly” free flyers has migrated into every niche of paragliding including paramotor. Over the past few years, they’ve entered nearly every maker’s lineup,...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 30, 2019 | 26: The Wing, Mx: Paraglider
I talked with a representative from line maker cousin-trestec, asking for tips on paraglider line care. Here was his response. Avoid getting the lines wet. If they do, allow air drying as quickly as possible out of sunlight to the degree possible. Avoid high heat. As...
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | 26: The Wing, Reviews
All about the care and feeding of your lift-giving wing. Longtime paramotor instructor Michelle Daniele retired from teaching in 2007. She now devotes time to do paraglider inspections and simple repairs. Both during teaching and now doing glider inspections, she has...
by Jeff Goin | May 8, 2019 | 26: The Wing, Reviews: Paragliders
It was a sad day when this easy database of paragliders, Para2000.org, went dark. I don’t know the story but the owner just let it die. At this point the best we have is an archived version of it as it was in September, 2018 which, for now at least, is...
by Jeff Goin | May 7, 2019 | 20: Competition, 26: The Wing
I plan on selling two of my competition wings, A 2016 Doberman 19 and a 2012 Viper 18, but that got me thinking, who would I sell them to? And is flying them more dangerous? Do they take more skill? It’s complicated, but the short answer is “no” with...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 26: The Wing
See also: Paraglider Certification This may help understand what led up to creation of the short-lived DMSV. In 2008 Paramania wanted to get their gliders certified for sale in Germany. The main certification body said they must be certified as regular paragliders...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 01 Training, 19: Risk & Safety, 26: The Wing
Wanna Learn Powered Paragliding Safely? Get a wing that won’t kill you. After analyzing student accidents, including two fatalities, I’ve changed the way I look at beginner wings. This is important: the wrong wing can kill you (here are tips to the perfect...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 29, 2019 | 26: The Wing
See also DGAC | DMSV | Why Use Certified Wings For Paramotor We recommend new pilots fly certified gliders since they’re not equipped to be test pilots. Even though the motor may change a wing’s handling, and certification is not done with a motor,...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 29, 2019 | 26: The Wing
Condensed version of a DHV article by Michael Nesler | Click here for his detailed original Plastic rods in paragliders have become ubiquitous. Is it hype or do they help as much as they seem to? DHV pilot Michael Nesler sheds some light. There are different types of...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 29, 2019 | 01 Training, 26: The Wing
This question comes up frequently, especially when someone buys a wing that claims to be certified but later finds out it’s not. If there’s no label describing its certification, it’s almost certainly not certified in that size. Some wing sellers say...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 29, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, 22: Aerodynamics, 23: Motor & Propeller, 26: The Wing, Advanced Launching
Some wings, when combined with some motors, will oscillate. You swing back and forth in shallow little banks with no pilot input. It’s caused by a variation of Loaded Riser Twist where one riser has more load than the other–a fleeting condition that...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 21, 2019 | 01 Training, 26: The Wing
I get frequent questions about what glider is best for beginners. Training accidents show this to be a critical choice. Several trainees have died in accidents that would not have happened had they been flying benign, appropriately sized school wings. A good...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 21, 2019 | 16: Precision Flying, 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety, 26: The Wing
It seems that wings are getting smaller so I thought it might time to explore their behaviors, risks and benefits. I, too, have come to love flying smaller sizes but there are, as always, tradeoffs. What we’re really talking about is flying heavily loaded. After...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2019 | 12: Maintenance, 26: The Wing
A brake toggle entangling the prop can be fatal. Two fatalities have been caused by it, one captured on video. It’s most likely to happen right after launch, when thrust is pushing the motor towards the riser, and you let go of the brakes. It’s far more...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | 26: The Wing, Reviews: Paragliders
More than any other purchase, you should consult with a qualified instructor about a wing. It is probably your most important decision, right behind picking a good instructor. Also, there is a very good reason for choosing a beginner glider, it’s safer! The...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 22: Aerodynamics, 26: The Wing
Wing Loading See also Surviving Training: Beginner Wing, Weight & Speed, Flying Large Wings, Flying Small Wings, Risk of Small Wings Wing loading is a key metric for many reasons. It is how much weight is carried per square meter of wing. By convention, it’s...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 14, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, 26: The Wing, 27: The Motor Unit
I get questions. They are commonly about equipment—what’s the best, what’s the most reliable, etc., but recently one had a twist that made me think. It was essentially: “I’m looking into paramotoring but want to know what the best, safest motor...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 14, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, 26: The Wing
I love small wings and it’s tempting to keep going smaller but know the risks and tradeoffs. I’ve flown an 11 meter wing which was, not surprisingly, remarkably responsive. What happens after a motor failure? If it happens just after takeoff, you’ll...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 14, 2019 | 22: Aerodynamics, 26: The Wing
Given the same wing size, heavier pilots go faster, how much faster? We all know that more weight means more speed but how much? My wing reviews are obviously done with my 150 pound self so I’m unable to see what happens at real high wing loadings since they...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 14, 2019 | 22: Aerodynamics, 26: The Wing
Differences between reflex paragliders and “regular” paragliders | See also Origins & Understanding of Reflex Gliders There are some basic differences between reflex and “regular” paragliders that revolve around their airfoil shape (right)...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2012 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety, 22: Aerodynamics, 26: The Wing, Accident Reports
A Skilled Pilot Piles In, What Can We Learn For more on wings, see Chapter 26: Choosing A Wing | and Overview of Reflex Wings | Pylon Race Collapse Accident All wings are more dangerous with the speedbar fully engaged. Reflex wings, however, are only dangerous in that...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 28, 2008 | 22: Aerodynamics, 26: The Wing, 27: The Motor Unit
Which wing will require more power to stay up? I’m not concerned with covering miles, just staying airborne. First, to stay up the longest on any given wing, fly at the speed that gives the lowest sink rate when power off. For paragliders, that’s usually...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 19, 2008 | 26: The Wing, Accident Reports
Thermally conditions combine with large wing Preliminary reports are frequently wrong. This is a preliminary report. We certainly hope the pilot recovers from this. This report was received 02/18/2008 and updated 2/19. An experienced paramotor instructor was seriously...
by Jeff Goin | Jan 24, 2008 | 22: Aerodynamics, 26: The Wing
Based on an article from Ozone PPG. Reflex technology was developed well before paragliders came along. Sailplane pilots have been using it, in the form of negative flaps, since the 1970’s. Michael Campbell Jones was the first to try it on paragliders with his...
by Jeff Goin | Sep 14, 2007 | 26: The Wing
Here is some clarification on DULV paraglider testing. Thanks to Pons Lars of Swing and German pilot Stefan Obenauer. First, tests are flown using a paramotor as opposed to free flight without a motor. They are flown at the wing makers listed maximum take-off weight...
