On March 11, the "Press Briefing" for the 2015 CPL China Paragliding League — "Paragliding Takes You on a Joyride" event was held in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere at idag Café (Beijing Baiziwan Branch), the first cross-sector crowdfunding café in China’s media industry.
Once the paraglider lifts off the slope, it is important to relax the brake control lines, raise both arms straight up, and the paraglider will then enter optimal gliding mode for straight-line forward flight.
The English name for a paraglider is “PARA-GLIDER,” which shows that it is a sport combining “PARA” (from parachuting) and “GLIDER” (gliding). Paragliding originated in the mid-1980s in the European Alps. Some mountaineers, tired of the exhausting descent after climbing, began looking for a quicker way down the mountain. It is unclear who first used a modified square parachute to descend a slope, but in 1984, French mountaineer Louis-François Frigon successfully flew down Mont Blanc using a modified square parachute. From then on, the sport quickly gained popularity. Initially, mountaineers modified high-altitude parachutes for the purpose, but later, specialized manufacturers began producing dedicated models. Since then, this aerial sport, combining adventure, challenge, and leisure, gradually evolved into a new activity — “paragliding.”
When you unfold your colorful paraglider, relying on the wind and speed, and take off from a mountain several hundred or even thousands of meters high, you can take in sweeping views of the landscapes below. With a gentle breeze brushing past your ears, any tension instantly turns into tranquility. The person and the wing seem to merge as one, ascending and circling at your command, delivering the thrill and satisfaction of mastering your own flight between heaven and earth.
A paraglider consists of the canopy, lines, and harness. The canopy is typically made of nylon or polyester, with the upper and lower surfaces sewn together with intermediate ribs to form an airfoil shape. The front edge of the canopy has air inlets, while the rear edge is sealed, allowing the canopy to inflate and form an aerodynamic profile. The lines are mostly made of KEVLAR or DYNEEMA materials. Hundreds of lines of varying thicknesses maintain the airfoil shape and support the weight. Usually, a line as thin as a matchstick is strong enough to hold an adult. The harness connects the person to the paraglider, offering the pilot a comfortable seated position and good body protection. A good harness also provides additional control capabilities. Additionally, the harness usually has multiple small pockets for carrying miscellaneous items. A reserve parachute is also attached to the harness, serving as our final safety net in emergencies.
Flying is a science. Only by correctly mastering the relevant aviation theories and control techniques, and fully understanding oneself, can one fly freely in the sky. Nowadays, all clubs provide beginners with ample training and guidance, helping more people who love flying to grow their own wings.