Introduction

In the world of Flying, Paragliding is one of the newest sports. Paraglider (also called as canopy or wing) is aerodynamic arc of cloth wing made up of nylon, designed to fly through air. Paraglider is not same as parasailing which is a round parachute with vents and towed by car or a boat, or Para jumping/ Base jumping where a similar resembling wing is used (wing size is smaller than a paraglider and less glide ratio). The canopy is made up of polyester ripstop nylon. The suspension lines attached to the canopy surface integrate and are attached to the harness (it is a seat in which pilot seats) for the Pilot, that’s you.

The wing is spread on a mountain slope with safe open area. The lines are checked for tangles and then the canopy is attached to the harness. Then Pilot goes through pre flight checks and then began with running down the slope. The canopy is inflated and comes overhead and in few more steps with a touch of brakes, the Pilot is air born. The glider is controlled by pulling down the control lines, one at a time to turn and both brakes for landing

Paragliding Equipments

The essential equipment consists of a glider, which when inflated offers resistance to the thermal currents and retards the rate of descent, a harness that attaches the paraglider firmly and safely to the pilot. It is so designed that it can be released quickly to avoid injury, by dragging the pilot over the ground after landing.

A helmet and a reserve parachute are for the pilot's safety and a variometer to gauge the ascent or descent of the glider. For those who cannot afford the equipment cost or do not have the time to learn flying, there is an alternative. One can sit alongwith an experienced pilot in a Tandem Glider, a two-seater and while the pilot manoeuvers the glider, one can sit back and enjoy the thrill of nonpowered flying. Similar to any other adventure sport, there is a risk factor involved in paragliding, but in recent years, improved equipment and techniques have created an amazing safety record for the sport.

Major Paragliding Sites In India

Paragliding in Himachal Pradesh:

Billing in Himachal is a renowned Paragliding site and to check out the panoramic views of the Dhauladhar ranges. Solang makes a good beginner site in Paragliding. Bijli Mahadev is an excellent site for hill launching and has ideal conditions for thermal soaring. This ridge site can be approached fom Kullu and landing can be made at the Bhuntar airport. Another popular site in Bandla ridge, near Bilaspur at a height of 2, 600ft. Some other paragliding sites are located in the Trans-Himalayan region of Himachal, that is Lahaul & Spiti, Arhaul-Anu near Rohru and Garhalla Talab in Chopal in Shimal district.

Paragliding in Uttaranchal:

Garhwal makes para gliders paradise, with the Great Himalayas in North and the plains of Terai region in the south. The unique topography makes Garhwal an excellent destination for both experinced and beginner para gliders. Joy rides as well as trauining courses are also availabe for Paragliding in Garhwal. While joy rides are ususally tandem flights, accompained by a trained flier, training are for those who are new to paragliding and para sailing. Some ideal gliding sites include Naukutchiyatal in Nainital, Dayara Bugyal, Pratap Nagar, Dhanolti Ridge in Garhwal and Bedni Bugyal in Kumaon.

Paragliding in Rajasthan:

The open countryside of Rajasthan also offers gliding oppurtunites that can prove remarkable, and with permission from civil aviation authorities, these may be organised in several cities of Rajasthan where there are runways and strips available. These include Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bikaner and Kota.

Paragliding In Maharashtra:

The flying in Maharashtra is almost entirely on the Western Ghat hill range, which run in an almost unbroken line from Gujarat in the north, to the Nilgiri Hills on the southern tip of India. Flying tends to be centred on the affluent region around Mumbai and Pune, but there is plenty of potential elsewhere in the state for pilots who are prepared to explore. Popular flying areas, include the hill stations and fort sights of Maharashtra: Matheran, Deolali, Mahabaleshwar, Singhgad and Panchgani.