Hang Gliding Versus Paragliding

There are many differences between hang gliding are paragliding, as well as similarities. Instead of just jumping from a cliff, tall hill or out of a plane and falling, they want to stay in the air as long as possible, riding the air currents. Instead of the thrill of the free fall, these enthusiasts use the currents to keep going as far and as high as possible before having to come down.

One of the main differences between hang gliding and paragliding is the way you stay in the air. With a hang glider, there are wings in the shape of a V, and have a solid wing structure with a sturdy frame. There are many problems here. One of the biggest is that these gliders are heavy, bulky and take assembly before you can use them. A paraglider is mostly just a modified version of a parachute, which is lightweight, can be packed up in a simple daypack, and even brought on a plane. A hang glider can weigh up to 100 pounds or more, while a paraglider weighs just a few pounds. Hang gliders may have speed over paragliders, but they also rely more on the surrounding environmental conditions than paraglider pilots. Paragliders are more maneuverable, and can be steered a lot easier. Because they are lighter, you can go higher and for longer periods of time before gravity takes hold.

Paragliders can also turn in much narrower than a hang glider, and this can make them more efficient when it comes to narrow, but strong thermals, or smaller cores that a hang glider. They can also climb higher that hang gliders can in most cases. They are more portable, easier to conceal, and instead of having to walk back down a mountain, you can simply jump off and deploy your paraglider, instead of having to plan, use some kind of transportation to get your hang glider to a launch site, etc. Because the paraglider doesn't have a fixed wing, the canopy can adapt much faster and easier to air turbulence without the pilot, unlike with a hang glider. If something happens in the air, a paraglider can close and open. If something major happens while hang gliding, you run the risk of your glider breaking, which can cause major injury and even death.

There are other differences as well. You can buy a paraglider much cheaper than a hang glider. The instruction courses are much easier, because paragliders are slower. The learning curve is different, and the costs are comparable, but the equipment is cheaper and more readily available.

As far as the safety issues go, these are pretty much the same between the two, and in many cases, equipment is not the reason for accidents. How the person who is piloting the equipment is in many cases the biggest factor. Not really getting a feel for the conditions, being too risky, all these can contribute to problems, not just for the pilot themselves, but also for anyone else that is around them.

Paragliding gives you the ability to be more spontaneous that with hang gliding. You simply pack your paraglider in your backpack, and take it with you wherever you want to go. It can be something you can bring with you on a hike with your friends, take on an airplane when you go to visit someone, or whatever. In the end, it is up to you to decide which of these sports is right for you.

Resources:

http://www.paraglidingsanfrancisco.com/

http://www.pier55.com/sports-recreation/extreme/hang-gliding-vs-paragliding/

http://tekflight.tripod.com/allabout.html

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?p=6032

http://www.atlantaparagliding.com/about/sky-diving-compared.html