Paragliding

A Paraglider is a non-rigid inflatable airfoil, resembling a large parachute. Pilots are suspended by a cavalcade of Kevlar / amarid lines, and steer the “wing” with the use of brake toggles. The brakes are connected to the trailing edge of each side of the wing, and turn the craft by inducing drag on the side you pull from. Paragliders are a portable, gentle way to soar above mountains, cliffs, or flatlands.

Advantages Compared with Hang Gliding:

  • Due to their reduced ground speed, paragliders need far less room to land than hang-gliders. While a medium sized field is recommended for beginners, any small clearing is a potential landing field for a highly skilled pilot.

  • Paragliders are extremely portable. A conventional kit consisting of wing, harness, reserve, and helmet can easily fit into a 180L backpack. This makes paragliders very easy to travel with. Pilots that specialize in hike-&-fly type paragliding can purchase even lighter kits that allow for easy walks to launch.

  • Paragliders are very easy to set up when compared to hang gliders. While you should never take shortcuts with your pre-flight routine, a paraglider can be set up in as little as 5 minutes.

Disadvantages Compared with Hang Gliding:

  • Paragliders are far slower than their hang-gliding cousins. This makes it more difficult to penetrate in headwinds, and forces paragliding pilots to be very conscious of their glide angle relative to the next available climb. Paragliders are non-rigid, and therefore are prone to full or partial collapses. A key stage in any paraglider pilot’s development is gaining the skills to mitigate against potential collapses, and to manage them properly when they occur.

  • Paragliders have a smaller “window of suitable conditions” when compared to hang gliders. Their slower ground speed prevents safe flying when winds reach a certain threshold. You may show up to the ridge on a particularly windy day, and find yourself watching the hang gliders with the air all to themselves.

Which is Safer?

  • All forms of aviation are inherently risky. That said, both hang gliding and paragliding can be practiced with a great deal of safety if the pilot exercises good judgement before, during, and
    after every single flight. Hang gliding and paragliding both present a unique set of risks. If your decision on which type of wing to learn is based on safety, consider for yourself which environment you would feel less comfortable in. If you are more averse to turbulence and instability, the steady nature of a hang glider can be your friend. If speed makes you uneasy, the gentle nature of a paraglider might be more appealing. Ultimately, Alberta is an excellent place to safely learn and develop your skills with either hobby (or both!)

Paragliding in Alberta Today

Paragliding continues to grow all across the province. A group of dedicated hike-and-fly pilots make their home in Canmore, trudging up and flying down the various surrounding peaks. In and around Edmonton there is a healthy group of pilots that spend their time being towed up above the prairies, or soaring the ridge above Dried Meat Lake. The majority of Alberta pilots live in the Calgary area, and make the annual pilgrimage to southeast B.C. where the Rocky Mountain Trench offers amazing XC opportunities. No matter where you live in the province, you should be able to find a local community of pilots and mentors. Contact one of us if you’d like to get in touch with other local pilots.

Paragliding Schools in Alberta

If you think paragliding is for you, there are two qualified schools in Alberta that can start you on your free flight journey.

Northern Alberta

Southern Alberta

Regional Flying Sites