Guide to Gliding Equipment

Find reliable, high-performance hang gliding equipment and paragliding equipment

By Margaret Haerens

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Air gliding is a popular sport that attracts adventurous people and requires durable and high-quality gliding equipment.

There are two main types of air gliding: hang gliding and paragliding. Hang gliding equipment includes a glider, shaped by a rigid aluminum frame and a harness, with the pilot lying prone and shifting body weight in order to change direction. Paragliding utilizes a fabric wing and a harness, with the pilot sitting supine and attached by a series of strings.

Both hang gliding and paragliding have become competitive sports and are popular recreational activities around the world. If you are opening a hang gliding or paragliding school or a resort that will offer either or both sports, you must have the proper equipment and provide the proper training on safety procedures.

For your business to be successful, you will have to:

Be knowledgeable about brands, styles, new technology, and fit of air gliding equipment
Offer a wide range of hang gliding and paragliding equipment
Provide training for beginners as well as instruction in the newest techniques, technology and equipment for advanced pilots

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hang gliders need a durable and easy-to-use hang glider and harness

Hang gliders should be lightweight, simple to setup and pack up, easy to launch and land and exhilarating to fly. Gliders should also fit the type of flying the pilot has in mind, whether it be sand dune flying, inland XC flying or floating off coastal cliffs.

I recommend: Moyes Delta Gliders Pty. offers a world-class selection of hang gliders, harnesses and accessories. Wills Wing Inc. manufactures a series of high-performance hang gliders, harnesses, and other accessories. They also have a wealth of instructional and safety information and a list of schools by area. North Wing Design carries not only some high-performance hang gliders, harnesses, and other hang gliding equipment, but also a motorized trike. Avian is one of the top manufacturers of hang gliders and hang gliding equipment.

Lightweight and reliable paragliding equipment is vital to maximize a pilot's performance

Paragliders will demand durable, high-performance paragliders, harnesses and safety equipment that will fit every class from beginners to competitive gliders. Provide an impressive range of brands and styles that will fit every customer's specifications.

I recommend: Aeros Company designs and manufactures a series of cutting-edge paragliders, speedgliders, trikes and kites. Nova International carries a line of well-designed and highly respected paragliders and paragliding equipment. Another top manufacturer of paragliding equipment, Firebird, offers easy-to-use paragliders, harnesses, and safety equipment.

Pilots demand a wide range of high quality safety glider equipment

Helmets, goggles, emergency reserve parachutes, and instruments like variometers and GPS are key to a safe gliding experience. Offer a range of easy-to-use products that will ensure a pilot's safety and peace of mind.

I recommend: Advance AG is not only a top manufacturer of paragliders and harnesses, but also carries emergency reserve parachutes, flight instruments and other paragliding accessories. Another paraglider manufacturer, Mac Para Technology, offers helmets as well as emergency parachutes and rescue equipment kits. Blue Sky Avionics produces top-quality flight instruments for hang gliding and paragliding.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Hang gliders have their first experience on a tandem flight with a certified instructor. Your business should provide tandem flights and subsequent training for these beginners to encourage business.
Although there is not a law requiring official certification to operate a hang glider, most approved launch sites require a certification by the United States Hang Gliding Association (USHGA). Be ready to provide comprehensive training to prospective pilots or refer them to qualified training centers.
Paragliding is also a self-regulated sport under the auspices of the United States Hang Gliding Association (USHGA). Like hang gliding, pilots and instructors adhere to the policies and guidelines of the USHGA. Local flying regulations may require the pilot to have certain USHGA certified ratings, such as Intermediate (Para 3) in order to fly a particular site. When selling equipment, a responsible dealer will always require some proof of certification.

The official source of Gliding Equipment is the Gliding Equipment page at Business.com

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