Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!ira.uka.de!fauern!NewsServ!sunmanager!uh311ae
From: uh311ae@sunmanager.lrz-muenchen.de (Henrik Klagges)
Subject: Re: Differences between parachutes and paraglider
Message-ID: <uh311ae.674474623@sunmanager>
Sender: news@Informatik.TU-Muenchen.DE
Organization: Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Germany
References: <2894.282E866D@ehsnet.fidonet.org>
Date: Fri, 17 May 1991 10:03:43 GMT
Lines: 29

Hi,
1. There is a US paraglider association. You get member forms at every
   hanglider location. A small fee + insurance is required.
2. Paragliders are in different performance regions: 
   - Glide finess in best serial chute (UP Flash): 7.76  (!)
   - minimum sinking 1.3 m/s
   - maximum speed 48 km/h 
3. They really differ in the design:
   - Aspect ratio of the (usually elliptic) wing up to 5.3 (ITV Saphir)
   - many individual chambers, frequently > 30, sometimes > 50
   - performance chutes are long-liners (6m)
   - optional 'wing-tilt'- steering, i.e. aerodynamic steering without
     brake lines possible (very smooth)
4. Dangerous flight conditions usually not reached by chutes, but by gliders:
   - Full stall
   - partial emptying of chambers
   - 'Sackflug' (can't translate 8(), which is rapid descending without la-
     minar air flow, but with open chute

You can avoid 4. by carefully selecting a non-super-hoopey glider and the 
right weather conditions. Nevertheless, I always have an emergency parachute
with me (in case of collisions, material failure, etc.).
With modern gear, you can stay in the air for hours and even cover reasonable
distances (record 150km). The hardliners do fullstall-free fall-opening for 
fun ...

Yours, Henrik Klagges
U of Munich