New Zealand Paragliding Adventure - Sky Is The Limit
Paragliding (also known as parapenting) is a high adventure aerial sport.
A paraglider is a foot launched aerial device which consists of a fabric wing that gets inflated by air entering through a series of vents located in the front of the wing at the time it is launched.
The paraglider wings range in area between 25 and 35 square metres with a span of 8 to 12 metres.
Innovation in design has led to paragliders weighing between 12 ad 18 kg including the weight of the harness, the wing, the equipment and helmet. Paragliders can achieves peeds of upto 52 kmph.
The pilot sits in a harness that is suspended below the wing at the glider's centre of gravity. The seat is comfortable and comes with a back rest.
The harness consists of a set of four cascading lines. The extreme lines on either side held by the pilot serve as the brakes, the major function being control of the glider in terms of adjustment of speed.
In addition, the pilot must also shift his/her bodyweight to steer the glider. There is also an accelerator in the form of a foot control that is connected to the harness through a line and it is used to increase the speed by adjusting the wing's angle between the glider wing and the wind direction.
There are two sources of rising air that keeps the glider in flight. When the sun heats features on the ground, it produces rising columns of air called thermals. Mountainous landscapes produce thermals making it a fun experience for gliding enthusiasts.
When the wind hits a ridge in the landscape, it produces upward rising column of air and provides ridge lift. Hilly regions produce lot of ridge lifts.
Experienced gliders exploit thermals to their advantage and go cross country flying (also called XC flying).
Paragliders can be launched by running down a slope. Landing will be at a gentle forward run under normal conditions.
In the late 1980s, paragliding in New Zealand started becoming popular. The governing body for this sport is the New Zealand Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association which coordinates the activities of the numerous paragliding associations and conducts competitions.
To paraglide in New Zealand, you have to be a member of this association. The association also rates gliders depending on whether they are beginners, instructors or tandem gliders. Apart from this, training schools affiliated to the national association can assist you in your paragliding adventure.
The best place to learn paragliding in New Zealand is at Wanaka near Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand. After a half day instruction, one can undertake limited solo flights.
As a beginner, your safest bet would be to go on a tandem paragliding adventure where you are strapped to an experienced paragliding instructor. Another advantage is that there is no age or fitness limit for tandem paragliding.
Some of the best tandem gliding experiences are available at Queenstown from a gondola top and also at Te Mata Peak in Hawke's Bay.
Points to note:
- Do not ever attempt to be a self taught guru when it comes to paragliding. It is the most dangerous thing to do.
- Learn from a fully qualified instructor. Better, join a registered paragliding club which provides quality instruction.
- Do not attempt to do what other experienced pilots may be doing. Be aware of your limitations.
- Paragliders are rated according to the skill set of the pilot. For example, as a beginner and a club member, one will be given a paraglider that is suitable for beginners.
- Paragliding equipment consists of the wing, harness, flight suit, boots, navigational instruments and helmet.
- Check the weather conditions before you embark on a trip.
- Plan at length before the flight.
- If you are attempting to fly in weather conditions unfamiliar to you, then resi
