Hang Gliding & Paragliding Terms you need to know about!

|A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O |
| P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

A

Aerobatics
Radical flight maneuvers such as loops, wingovers, and spins. Exciting to watch and do, these maneuvers require flying a glider beyond the airspeed and pitch & roll angle limits for which it has been tested and certified. This is known as "going outside the envelope" of safety. A loop involves diving for airspeed then pushing out rapidly to climb up and over, with centrifugal force overcoming gravity and keeping the pilot's "weight" pulling "down" relative to the wing so that normal control is retained. If there is insufficient airspeed to complete the loop the glider may stall upside down and tumble. A wingover is similar to a loop, except that the pilot adds some bank while pushing out, so that the glider goes over the top at less than 180 degrees from normal horizontal flight. A spin is a turn where the pilot intentionally causes the inside wing to stall, so that the glider pivots rapidly about a point inboard of the inside wingtip. Wingovers and spins are far less risky than loops.

AGL or Above Ground Level
Way to express altitude.Knowing AGL altitude allows one to guess how far he can glide.

C

Chase crews
are essential to pilots flying XC or cross country. Going XC is usually a one way trip and it's real nice to have someone following to help you navigate and pick you up at the end of the flight. Also known as drivers these people are highly regarded and are treated very well by all members of the flying community. Being a driver is an excellent way to become acquainted with the sport and make lots of friends. Some XC competitions even offer prizes and recognition to skillful drivers and chase crews.

F

Flare
Action taken by a pilot to complete the landing of the glider. A hang glider pilot skims along the ground until just above stall speed then pushes out hard on the downtubes. This action rotates the nose of the glider up very rapidly causing the last remnants of forward energy to be converted into a very small amount of vertical motion and allowing the pilot to come to a full stop, standing up. A paraglider pulls down hard on the brakes to achieve the same effect. Mistiming the flare usually results in a whack.

H

Hang Glider
A wing consisting of an aluminum (and/or graphite) frame covered with dacron fabric which comprises the airfoil; usually there are aluminum ribs inserted in the sail to help provide the proper airfoil shape. The pilot hangs from the frame in a harness and grasps the control bar, which is a triangle of tubing below the wing that is bolted to the frame and has steel cables attaching it to various points on the frame. The pilot shifts his or her body weight forward or backward and side to side to control airspeed and to turn. Syn: Diver, Bladewing, Plumber, Lawn Dart

Hang gliding harness
is constructed of ballistic nylon and military spec webbing and hardware and supports the pilot's body while he is flying the hang glider, usually in the prone position. The pod harness fully encloses the pilot's body and legs while allowing full range motion for the arms and head. It zips open in the front so the pilot's legs are free for launch and landing and enclosed in flight. Pods are very warm and comfortable when properly adjusted. The coccoon harness is similar to the pod and just as comfortable, except that it is open in the back, so it is not quite as warm, but it can be simpler to use and is often lighter than a pod. The harness also contains the pilot's reserve parachute and usually has storage pockets for radios, gear, and equipment bags.

I

Inversion
Atmospheric condition where a layer of warm air lies above a layer of cooler air. When there is no inversion the air temperature drops steadily with altitude due to the drop in air pressure. Thermals also cool as they rise, but they tend to stay warmer than the surrounding air, so they just keep going higher and higher. When an inversion is present however, the thermal encounters air that is not so cool realtive to itself, and so it stops rising. This limits the altitude a pilot can reach by thermalling. The inversion layer in Southern California, which is the result of cool air off the ocean pushing inland and sliding under the earth-warmed air in the valleys, is also what keeps the infamous smog from rising and dissipating.

M

MSL or Mean Sea Level
Iindicates an altitude expressed relative to sea level. Knowing MSL altitudes allows pilots to make assumptions about air temperature, density, oxygen levels, and likelihood of encountering powered aircraft, among other things.

P

Paraglider
A wing consisting strong but light cloth sewn to form cells which are open in the front and are inflated by the pressure created as the wing moves through the air, quite similarly to a ram-air sport parachute. The key difference from a parachute is that the paraglider forms a functioning airfoil when inflated and thus provides aerodynamic lift. The pilot hangs from the wing seated in a harness suspended by hundreds of high tensile strength lines. The pilot steers the glider mainly by pulling brake lines attached to either side of the trailing edge of the wing, and also may apply weight shift to enhance turning. Syn: Panty (FR parapente), Bagwing, Dope-on-a-rope, Dopechute

Paragliding harness
Constructed of ballistic nylon and military spec webbing and hardware and supports the pilot's body while she is flying the glider, usually in the seated position. The harness is similar to a sling chair and has webbing straps across the front to keep the pilot in the harness while the legs hang free. Harnesses often incorporate some kind of reinforcing plates in the seat and back areas to help reduce injury in case of an impact with the ground. The harness also contains the pilot's reserve parachute and has storage pockets for radios, gear, and equipment bags.

R

Reserve parachute
Essential piece of equipment for any HG or PG pilot. These 'chutes are a backup in the rare event that the wing stops flying, for whatever reason. Most 'chutes are set for a hand deployment, where the pilot pulls a handle and throws the packed-up 'chute into the air. Some pilots have ballistically deployed chutes, powered either by air pressure or combustion, which can get the canopy out and open in as little as 2 seconds (appx. 6 seconds for hand deploy). The deploying pilot does not "bail out" of the glider but stays attached to the glider, which usually helps slow the descent and perhaps even protects those below. This parachute deployment was due to a tumble brought about by failed aerobatics

Radios
Very popular item among pilots. Most pilots who use them carry FM transcievers which operate in the HAM 2-meter band (142 to 146 MHz), so many pilots are also licensed HAM radio oerators. These radios offer clear communications with other pilots and chase crews on the ground and can transmit over long distances with very little power (1-5 Watts). There are also radios which operate in the Business Band (appx. 150 MHz) on frequencies set aside for USHGA use, but these are less useful in densely populated areas due to higher traffic. CB radios have fallen out of favor due to crowding and poor quality.

Ridge Soaring
When a pilot flies in upward moving air which results from wind blowing into a steep ridge or cliff. As long as the air is going up faster than the glider's sink rate (gliders are always sinking relative to the air they are in) the pilot can remain above the ridge. A pilot's vario helps identify the rising air. The soarable envelope extends a distance above and in front of the ridge proportional to the strength of the wind. Ridge soaring can provide many hours of relatively easy flying. cf. Thermal Soaring

S

Sled ride
A flight in non-soaring conditions. Though usually brief (5-15 minutes) sled rides are by definition flights through very smooth air and thus are excellent for beginners. They can also be very peaceful and relaxing for those used to flying in rougher air. Early morning and late in the day are the most common times for sled rides.

Soaring
When a glider remains aloft by flying in rising air, usually either in thermals or above a ridge. Soaring is the goal of virtually all hang glider and paraglider pilots.

T

Thermal
Rising bubble or column of air which is warmer than the surrounding air. A pilot stays in a thermal by turning in circles. A pilot's vario helps identify the rising air. As long as the thermal is going up faster than the glider's sink rate (gliders are always sinking relative to the air they are in) the pilot can keep climbing. Thermals can rise thousands of feet, stopping only when and if they encounter an inversion. Thermalling takes skill, but it allows pilots to cover large distances (XC)which would otherwise be unattainable. cf. Ridge Soaring

Tumble
When a hang glider rolls tail-over-nose, rotating about an axis parallel to the wings. It is an unusual event, usually the result of failed aerobatics or extreme turbulence. Once started it is very hard to stop, usually ending only when a wing breaks and/or the pilot deploys his reserve parachute. Making gliders "tumble-proof" has proven elusive, but modern HG designs are quite resistant to tumbles.

V

Vario or variometer
A instrument which a pilot uses to tell when he is climbing. The vario senses slight changes in air pressure (pressure decreases with altitude) and indicates climbing with a tone and/or a disply. Varios are often incorporated into instruments which also include altimeters and airspeed indicators.

W

Whack
When a hang glider pilot fails to properly time the landing flare such that the glider's nose impacts with the ground. Observing pilots are usually quite gracious about yelling "WHAAAAACK!" when this happens, in case the the erring pilot has doubts about what just happened. Also applies to when a paraglider pilot accidentally lets his canopy drop to the ground in front of him on landing. Syn: Beak, Bonk

X

XC or cross country flying
The domain of experienced pilots and the focus of serious competitions. Pilots venturing away from the vicinity of the launch site and designated LZ have to be able to accurately judge flying conditions, their glider's capabilities, and suitable landing areas, all while paying attention to flying the glider. Highly challenging but also highly rewarding, XC is considered by most to be the true test of a pilot. Some sites are more suitable than others for XC, with California's Owens Valley being world renowned for it's cross country potential. The current HG distance record of 308 miles is held by Larry Tudor.