Paragliding Glossary
A comprehensive guide to paragliding terminology, equipment, and weather concepts.
A
Angle of attack
The angle between the wing chord and the oncoming airflow. Increasing it increases lift, but past a critical value the airflow separates and the wing stalls.
Asymmetric collapse
One side of the wing folding under, usually from turbulence. The pilot first stops the turn with the opposite brake, then works the collapsed side back open.
B
Brake (toggle)
The control line attached to the trailing edge, used to steer, to control speed and to flare on landing.
C
Cross-country (XC)
Flying a distance away from the launch site, using thermals and wind. It calls for route planning and a working knowledge of meteorology.
E
EN certification
The European standard that grades wings from A to D by passive safety. EN-A is the safest class and the one used for training.
F
Flare
The last stage of a landing: pulling both brakes down firmly close to the ground to kill the horizontal speed and touch down softly.
G
Glide ratio
How far the wing travels horizontally for every metre of height lost. A ratio of 9:1 means nine metres forward for one metre down.
Ground handling
Handling the wing on the ground — inflating it, holding it overhead and killing it. The foundation skill that makes launching safe.
H
Harness
The seat the pilot sits in, connected to the wing by carabiners. It holds the back protector and usually the reserve parachute container.
I
IPPI card
An international document issued by the FAI that confirms a pilot proficiency level in other countries.
K
Kiting
Holding the wing steady overhead on the ground using the wind. It trains pitch and roll control.
R
Reserve parachute
The emergency canopy carried in the harness, thrown by hand when the main wing can no longer be controlled.
Ridge soaring
Staying up in the band of air deflected upwards by a slope. Every turn is made away from the ridge.
Rotor
Chaotic turbulence on the sheltered side of an obstacle. It is extremely rough air and strictly off limits for beginners.
S
SIV course
A course flown over water where the pilot deliberately induces and recovers dangerous situations under controlled conditions.
Speed bar (accelerator)
A foot-operated system that lowers the angle of attack and increases speed. Using it in rough air raises the risk of a collapse.
Stall
The state where, after the brakes are pulled too deep, the airflow separates from the wing and it loses lift.
T
Tandem flight
A flight on a two-seat wing with a certified tandem pilot. The passenger needs no prior training.
Thermal
A column of sun-warmed air rising from the ground. Pilots circle inside it to gain height.
V
Variometer
A vertical-speed instrument that tells the pilot by an audible tone whether they are climbing or sinking.
Venturi effect
A sharp rise in wind speed where the terrain narrows — a valley or a pass. It can leave a pilot unable to make headway.
W
Wind window
The range of wind speed and direction within which launching from a given site is safe. Outside it, the flight does not start.
Wing loading
Total flying weight divided by wing area (kg/m²). Higher loading means more speed and solidity, but sharper reactions.