PARAGLIDING
PLANET’S HIMALAYAN ADVENTURES
Himalayan region of India is a store house of all types of hilly adventure games. However such an adventures have not so for had exploited. The company with the name and style of Planet Infra Pvt. Ltd. with its headquarters at Solan has envisaged a project of Planet Himalayan Adventures which primarily includes Paragliding Institute, picnic spot, old age meditation huts, hotel, hostels, and allied activities. The most suitable place for such activities chosen by the company is Dhauladhar range of Himalayan region. Two spots selected for such activities are at Joginder Nagar and Dharmshala in the Dhauladhar range of Hills. The temperature, weather conditions, hills slops and environment at these places are most suitable for Indian Adventurists in general & foreign adventurists in particular. The activities to be undertaken by the company are described in detail.
PARAGLIDING
Paragliding in Hills
Paragliding is the simplest form of human flight. A paraglider is non-motorized, foot launched inflammable wing. It is easy transport, easy to launch and easy to land. The paraglider consists of a canopy i.e. wing constructed of rip-stop nylon from which the pilot is suspended by sturdy kevlar lines called the risers and a harness. In addition, the break cords provides speed and direction control and carabineers are used to connect the risers and the harness together. The pilot sits in a harness for his maximum comfort. With a Paraglider you can fly like a bird, soaring upwards currents of air. Paragliders routinely stay aloft for 3 yards or more, climb to elevations of 15000 feet and go cross-country for vast distances.
HISTORY OF PARAGLIDING
In 1952 Domina Jalbert Advance Governable parachutes with multi-cells and
Pierre lemoigne produced an improved parachute design which leads to the para-commander, which had cut-outs at the rears and sides that enabled it to be towed into the air and steered leading to Paragling. In 1963 the Para foil which had sectioned cells in an aerofoil shape, an open leading edge and a closed trailing edge, inflated by passage through the air. In 1965 Mr. David Barish promoted slopes soaring as a summer activity for ski resorts. Paragliding was first used in 1970’s to describe foot-launching of gliding parachutes. Any other authors and contributors for Paragliding develop lot of para-meters for improving Para gliders in different sky conditions and topography. Since 1980’s it has been a story of constantly improving equipment and ever greater numbers of paragliding pilots. The first World Championship was held in Kossen Austria in 1989.
EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED FOR PARAGLIDING
1. Wing: - A Paragliding wing canopy is known in aeronautical engineering as a ram-air, airfoil or Para foil. Such wings comprise two layers of fabric which are connected to internal supporting material in such a way as to form a row of cells. By leaving most of the cells open only at the leading edge, in coming air (ram-air pressure) keeps the wing inflated, thus maintaining its shape. When inflated, the wings cross-section has the typical tear-drop aero shapes. In a modern Paragliders the leading edge of a paragliding wing is in fact generally closed and so does not rely on ‘ram air’ during flight, rather it is the flow of air passed the outside surface of the wing. Due to the difference in static pressure inside/ outside of the wing membrane gives rigidity to the Paraglider in flight.
The pilot is supported underneath the wing by a network of lines. The lines are gathered into two sets as left and right risers. The risers collect the lines in rows from the front to back in either three or four rows, distributing load in a whippletree. The risers are connected to the pilots harness by two carabineers. Paraglider wings typically having area of 20-35 sq. meters with a span of 8-12 meters and weigh 3-7 Kg. Combined weight of the wing, harness, reserve, instruments, helmet etc. is round 12-18 kilograms. The glide ratio of Paraglider ranges from 8:1 for recreational wings to about 11:1 for modern competition models. The speed range of Paragliders is typically 20-60 Km/hour from stall speed to maximum speed. For a beginner, wings will be in the lower part of the range, high performance wings are in the upper part of range. The range for safe line will be somewhat smaller. Modern Paraglider wings are made of high performance non-porous fabrics. For storage and carrying the wings these are actually folded into a bag which can then be stowed in a large bag pack along-with the harness.
Wing and Harness
2. Harness: - The pilot is loosely and comfortably buckled into a harness which offers support in both the standing and sitting positions. Modern harnesses are designed to be as comfortable as a lounge chair in the sitting position. Many harnesses even have adjustability. A reserve parachute is also typically connected to a paragliding harness. Parachutes are generally designed for descending i.e. jumping from the aircraft or for dropping cargo. While paragliders design purpose is for ascending and these are categorized as ascending parachutes worldwide and are thus designed for free flying. However, in areas without high launch points paragliders may be towed aloft by a ground vehicle after which they are released, creating much the same height as mountain launch. In such a way, Paraglider pilot gets a higher starting point then even in case of mountains offering similar opportunities of free flying. As a free flight, Paragliding requires a significant skill and training just as aircraft control, aeronautical theory, meteorological knowledge and forecasting, personal safety considerations and knowledge of equipment care and maintenance.
3. INSTRUMENTS:-
Variometer
Instruments-Variometer: - Pilots of Paragliding mostly used variometers and radios when flying. Birds are highly sensitive to atmospheric pressure and can tell when they are rising or sinking. But the human beings cannot detect the difference between constant rising air and constant sinking air. And thus we need technology of detect such changes in air. Modern variometers are capable of detecting rates of climb or sink up to the range of 1 cm/ sec. A variometer indicates climb rate or sink rate with audio signals (beeps which increase in pitch and tempo as you accelerate upward and a droning sound which gets deeper as your descent rate increases). It also shows altitude i.e. flight level while flying with a glider. The main purpose of variometer is in helping a pilot to maximize its height gain and conversely indicating when he or she is in sinking air or needs to find rising air. The more advanced variometers have an Integrated Global Positioning System (GPS). This is not only more convenient but also allows recording the flight in three dimensions. The track of the flight is digitally signed, stored and can be downloaded after landing. Digitally signed tracks can be used as proof for record claims.
Radio
Radio: - Pilots used radio for training purposes for communicating with other pilots in air particularly when traveling together on cross-country flights and for reporting the location of landing. Usually a micro-phone is incorporated in the helmet of the pilot.
4. CONTROLS:-
1. Break: - Breaks-control is held in each of the pilot hand connect to the trailing edge of the left and right side of the wing. These controls are called breaks and provide the primary and most general means of control in a Paraglider. The breaks are used to adjust the speed, to steer, flair and during landing.
2. Weight Shift: - In addition to manipulating the breaks a Paraglider must also lean to steer properly. Such weight shifting can also be used for more limited steering when use of break is unavoidable.
3. Speed Bar: - This is a kind of control called the Speed Bar attaches to the Paragliding harness and connects to the leading edge of the paraglider wing, usually through a system of at least two pulley’s. This control is used to increase speed and does so by decreasing the wing’s angle of attack. This control is necessary because the breaks can only slow the wing from trim speed.
5. FLYING
Launching of flying as with all aircrafts there is launching and landing is there. In mountain, flying is possible to launch in nil wind and glide out to the first thermal launches are as follows:-
a) Forward Launch: - In low winds, the wing is inflated with a forward launch where the pilot runs forward so that the air pressure generated by the forward movement inflates the wing.
Launching on plain-ground in hills
b) Reverse Launch: - In higher winds, particularly ridge soaring; a reverse launch is used with the pilot facing the wing to bring it up into a flying position then turning under the wing to complete the launch.
Reverse Launch
Reverse launches had a number of advantages over a forward launch. It is more state forward to inspect the wing and check the lines are free as it leaves the ground. In the presence of wind, the pilot can be tugged toward the wing and facing the wing makes it easier to resist this force and it is also safer in case the pilot slips. These launches are normally attempted with a reasonable wind speed making the ground speed required to pressurize the wing at much lower position.
Towed Launch
c) Towed Launch: - In flatter country-side pilots can also be launched with a tow. Once at full height the pilot pulls a release cord and the tow line falls away. This requires separate training as flying has a quite different characteristics from free flying. In many countries only towing from a stationery winch is permitted i.e. static towing with fixed length tow line attach to a car is far more dangerous.
Landing
Landing involves lining up for an approach into wind and just before touching down wing is flared to minimize vertical speed. In light winds some minor running of the pilot is common. In moderate to medium head winds the landing can be without forward speed.
Ridge Soaring
Ridge Soaring: - In ridge soaring, pilots fly along the length of a ridge feature in the landscape, relying on the lift provided by the air which is forced up as it passes over the ridge. Ridge soaring is highly dependent on a steady wind within a defined range. Suitable range depends on the performance of the wing and the skills of the pilot. Too little wind gives insufficient lift to the pilot to stay in the air. Sometimes the pilot ends up scratching on the slope. With more wind, gliders can fly well above and forward of the ridge but too much wind is harmful for the pilot to start gliding.
Thermal flying: - When the sun warms the ground some features such as rock faces and large buildings will warm more than others and these set-off thermals which rise through the air. Sometimes these may be a simple rising column of air, more often they are blown side-ways in the wind and will break-off from the source (warm rock faces and large buildings). And ultimately there will be new thermal system in the air. Thermal flying is thus most complicated because core thermal column tends to keep the glider within its core and thus sometimes it is very dangerous. Actually good thermal flying needs a skill which takes time to learn.
Cross-Country Flying
Cross-country Flying: - Once the skill of using thermals to gain altitude have been mastered, pilots can glide from one thermal area to the next to go cross-country. Having gained altitude in a thermal, a pilot can glide down to the next available thermal. Potential thermals can be identified by land features which typically generate thermals or by cumulus clouds which mark the top of a rising column of warm humid air as it reaches the dew point and condenses to form a cloud. In many flying areas, cross-country pilots also need and intimate familiarity with laws of air, flying regulations and aviation maps indicating a restricted space etc.
In-Flight Wing Deflation (Collapse):-
In turbulent air there is a possibility of deflation of wing although in the modern recreational wing such deflation normally recovers them without pilot intervention. In the event of a severe deflation the experience of a pilot can create recovery from such a deflation. So pilot training and practice in correct response to deflations is necessary. Although when there is no possibility of recovery of deflation another threatening situations such as a spin, the pilots carry an emergency parachute. Thus there is utmost necessity of choosing a place for paragliding along-with appropriate weather condition.
Sports/ Competitive Flying
Sports/ Competitive Flying: - Some pilots like themselves beyond a recreational flying. There are many such competitive disciplines for paragliding:-
1. Cross-Country Competitions.
2. Competitive flying based around competing a number of tasks such as flying around set-way points.
3. Spot landing competition where pilots land on targets with a 3 cm centre spot out to a full 10 metres circle.
4. Aero-acrobatic maneuvers and stunt flying, heart stopping tricks such as helicopters, wing-over, synchro-spirals infinity tumbles and so on.
Safety: -
Paragliding is perhaps often view as a higher risk sport than actually it is. Although, there is a great potential for injury for the reckless or ill-prepared pilots. The safety of the sport is directly proportional to the skill and sense of the pilot. It is important to note that almost all para-gliding accidents are the result of pilot error. The paragliding equipment is very well built with advance techniques if property cared for will never fail. Following are the general safety measures for the pilots:-
1. The pilots should not fly at site that poses an unreasonable challenge to his/ her lying skills.
2. Pilots should not be influenced by the possibly negative examples set by others.
3. The pilot should fly on days in which the weather is conducive to safe flight.
4. Turbulence of air in all forms should be avoided i.e. there should be a safe weather condition.
The following weather is to be avoided:-
1. Excessive wind speed i.e. 15 miles per hour is considered windy for a paraglider. In such cases where wind speed is more there will be a possibility of wing collapse while in flight.
2. A wind direction that will not allow to take-off or landing should be avoided. At-least tail-wind take-offs are to be avoided at all costs.
3. Rain or snow is to be avoided because a paraglider wing is made from fabric and it has the ability to absorb moisture thereby increased the weight of the glider which is dangerous. Moreover, a wet wing is also less controllable, less stable and tendency to recover into normal flight.
Learning to Fly:-
Most popular Paragliding regions have a number of schools generally registered/ organized by National Associations. Certification is also different among countries.
There are several key components to a paragliding pilot certification instruction programme. Initial training for beginner pilots usually begins with some amount of ground school to discuss the basic structure and operation of the Paraglider.
Students then learn how to control the glider on the ground, practicing take-offs and controlling the wing ‘over-head. Low, gentle hills are next where students get their first short flights; flying at very low altitude will give a practice to the candidate to get used to the handling of the wind over varied terrain. Special winches can be used to tow the glider to low altitudes in areas that have no hills readily available.
As their skill progress, students move on to steeper/ higher hills, making longer flights, learning to turn the glider, control the gliders speed, then moving on to 360◦ turns, spot landings to increase the rate of descent for the Paraglider and other more advanced techniques. Training instructions re often provided to the student via radio during the fist flights.
A key component to complete Paragliding instructional programme provides substantial background in the key areas meteorically, aviation law and general flight areas.
To give prospective pilots a chance to determine if they would like to proceed with a full pilot training program. Most schools offer tandem flights in which an experienced instructor pilots the Paraglider with the prospective pilot as a passenger. Schools often offer pilots a family and friends the opportunity to fly tandem and sometimes sell tandem pleasure flights at holiday resorts.
Most recognized courses lead to a National license and an internationally recognized “International pilot proficiency information/ identification (IPPI) card” which is valid through out the world.
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