PARAGLIDING GUIDE
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PARAGLIDING
Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate paraglider, here you'll find all the little guides from Air et Aventure, the paragliding equipment specialist, to help you equip yourself for paragliding, help you choose a paragliding course or simply give you advice on paragliding.
Paragliding equipment
The paraglider wing is the essential piece of equipment that allows you to fly. Highly technical to manufacture, these products undergo many months of development and testing before being released onto the market. Available in several passive safety categories, there are paragliders for beginners, intermediate pilots and expert pilots. Connected to the harness by a set of lines attached to the risers, a paraglider wing should be chosen according to your skill level, your all-up weight and the type of flying you intend to practise.
An essential piece of equipment for flying, the paragliding harness is the seat in which the pilot is comfortably positioned throughout the flight. Several types of harnesses are available, including lightweight harnesses designed for Hike & Fly, versatile reversible harnesses for pilots looking for an all-round solution, and cocoon harnesses that provide extra warmth, comfort and aerodynamic performance. Whatever your style of flying, there is always a paragliding harness perfectly suited to your needs.
A paragliding reserve parachute is an essential piece of safety equipment. As its name suggests, it is designed to be used only in an emergency, but when that moment comes, it must perform flawlessly. Choosing the right reserve parachute depends on your all-up weight, the size of your harness reserve container, and the balance you wish to achieve between light weight and maximum safety. Let one of our specialists help you select the reserve parachute best suited to your needs.
In paragliding, two main categories of accessories stand out. Flight instruments provide valuable information throughout your flight. They allow you to monitor essential flight data, record your route with GPS tracking and even share your real-time position with friends and family.
The second essential accessory is the flight radio. Used from your very first day at paragliding school, it allows you to stay in contact with your instructor or fellow pilots throughout your flight. As an important safety device, the radio also enables you to contact emergency services should you or another pilot require assistance.
An essential piece of equipment for carrying your paraglider wing, harness and all the accessories you may need during your flight, paragliding bags are available in a variety of sizes and designs to ensure you find the perfect bag for your style of flying.
The most important criteria to consider are capacity, weight, carrying comfort and available features such as pockets, ice axe holders or trekking pole attachments. Before choosing your bag, remember that it should match the equipment you intend to carry. Depending on your gear and flying activities, you may find it useful to own several paragliding backpacks.
As you progress in paragliding, you will discover a wide range of accessories designed to make your flying experience safer and more enjoyable. These include reserve parachute containers for using ultra-light harnesses without compromising safety, speed bars to improve performance, and Ripstop repair tape for fixing small tears in your paraglider wing.
Like every paraglider pilot, sooner or later you will need accessories specifically designed for paragliding. Discover our dedicated guide to learn everything you need to know!
Paragliding material
Like any other outdoor sport, paragliding requires appropriate clothing for safe and comfortable flying. With the exception of paragliding gloves, most of the clothing you already use for hiking, bivouacking or other outdoor activities will be perfectly suitable. Choosing the right gloves, however, is more challenging, as paragliding exposes pilots to air masses with varying temperatures during the same flight. Selecting the right pair of paragliding gloves is therefore essential for both comfort and safety.
Paragliding Clothing
An essential piece of safety equipment, the paragliding helmet is mandatory in FFVL (French Free Flight Federation) certified schools and is strongly recommended throughout your paragliding and free flight progression. Whether featuring an In-Mold or ABS shell, paragliding helmets comply with the EN 966 certification standard. Some models also carry additional certifications, allowing them to be used for other sports such as skiing or mountaineering.
Learn Paragliding
If you are planning to discover paragliding, there are two main options available. The first is a tandem flight. What is a paragliding tandem flight? It is a flight shared with a qualified instructor who will pilot the paraglider while you simply enjoy the experience.
The paragliding school where you book your tandem paragliding flight will take care of everything from start to finish, including transportation to the take-off site, the flight itself and the return from the landing area.
For those looking for a greater challenge, a paragliding course will teach you how to fly on your own and experience the thrill of free flight. Supervised by experienced instructors, you will learn the fundamentals of flying, and much more. Our courses are designed for paraglider pilots of all levels, whether you are learning, improving your skills or looking to take your flying to the next level.
Discover all of our guides about paragliding courses!
Improving your paragliding skills requires a structured learning approach that a professional paragliding school can provide. After completing a beginner paragliding course, where you will discover the sport and make your first solo flights, you can continue your training through a range of courses designed to meet different goals.
Some courses focus on learning how to thermal soar, discovering new flying sites, or further developing your paragliding knowledge, flying techniques and overall pilot skills.
Paragliding and Paramotoring Flights
Flying a paraglider consists of taking off from an elevated launch site with a fabric wing and landing a few minutes—or even several hours—later. Thanks to thermal lift, you can easily gain altitude and climb several hundred metres above your take-off point. When weather conditions are favourable, flights can last even longer.
Paragliding is often misunderstood and underestimated. Yet whether your goal is to fly hundreds of kilometres, launch from a mountain summit or perform spectacular aerobatic manoeuvres, free flight offers virtually limitless possibilities.
Flying a paramotor involves using a paraglider wing powered by a petrol or electric engine carried on the pilot's back. Thanks to this propulsion system, you can take off from almost any flat field, with the engine providing the thrust needed to gain altitude. In calm wind conditions, it becomes possible to explore a wide variety of landscapes for hours at a time.
Paramotoring is a particularly accessible discipline, appreciated for the incredible freedom it offers. Whether you want to enjoy low-level flying in complete safety, travel long distances or capture stunning aerial photographs, this true "bicycle of the sky" opens up unique possibilities.
Paramotor Flight
Paragliding FAQ
Discover our FAQ on paragliding flight and find answers to the most frequencies asked by our cients!
If necessary, you can contact Air et Aventure via our online form to ask us all your questions!