If you're a paraglider pilot considering hang gliding, or simply curious about the other sport, you'll quickly notice that pre-flight checklists are not interchangeable. While both sports share a love for the sky and a need for thorough safety checks, the equipment and procedures differ significantly. This guide highlights the key differences in pre-flight checklists to help you transition safely and confidently.
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- Equipment Inspection: Paraglider vs Hang Glider When you're used to inspecting a paraglider, a hang glider can look intimidatingly complex. For a paraglider, your pre-flight inspection focuses on the canopy, lines, risers, mailion, and speed system. You check for tears, line tangles, and secure connections. For a hang glider, you inspect the sail for tears, check that all battens are in place and secure, examine the control bar and cables for wear, and ensure the kingpost is tight. Common to both: always check your reserve parachute (if equipped) and harness, and wear a helmet.
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- Harness and Hook-In Procedures Paraglider pilots are familiar with sit harnesses, leg loops, chest strap, and carabiners. The hook-in process involves attaching both carabiners to the risers and double-checking. In hang gliding, you use a prone harness that attaches via a single hang strap and carabiner. The adjustment is critical for comfort and control. Before launch, both require a positive 'hook-in check' – often with a buddy or mirror – to ensure you are securely attached. Never skip this step.
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- Control System Checks In a paraglider, you check brake lines for symmetry, ensure toggles are secure, and test the speed bar. For a hang glider, you must verify that the control bar moves freely, cables are tensioned correctly, and that pitch and roll inputs produce the expected response. A common pre-flight practice is to simulate control movements while on the ground to ensure nothing is binding or loose.
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- Weather and Site Assessment Weather assessment is critical in both sports, but launch requirements differ. Paragliders typically launch in lighter winds (10-20 km/h), while hang gliders often need stronger winds (15-30 km/h) for a safe launch. Turbulence affects both, but a hang glider's rigid structure handles rough air differently than a paraglider's flexible wing. Always check local forecasts and site guidelines.
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- Launch and Landing Preparation Paraglider pre-flight includes checking the inflation technique (forward or reverse), A-riser grip, and running direction. For hang gliding, you must position the control bar correctly, practice running with the glider, and understand the release technique. Landing also differs: paragliders flare by pulling down both brakes, while hang gliders flare by pushing out the control bar. Practice these differences on a simulator or with an instructor.
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- Using Your Audio Variometer in Both Sports Your audio variometer is a valuable tool in both paragliding and hang gliding. The principles of interpreting tones for lift and sink are identical. However, mounting differs: in paragliding, you might mount it on your helmet or riser; in hang gliding, it's often attached to the control bar or your harness. Wind noise is greater in hang gliding, so you may need to increase volume or use headphones. Adjust sensitivity settings as usual for weak or strong lift.
Conclusion
Transitioning between paragliding and hang gliding is an exciting step, but it requires a fresh approach to pre-flight safety. By understanding the key differences in equipment, harness, controls, weather assessment, and launch/landing procedures, you can adapt your checklist and fly safely. Always seek proper instruction and never assume that what works for one sport applies to the other. Your audio variometer remains a constant companion – just adjust its mounting and volume for your new flying machine.