Paragliding glossary: terms every pilot should know
Paragliding has its own vocabulary. Use this list to decode forums, forecasts and pilot briefings.
A-risers / B-risers. Sets of risers connected to the front or middle of the wing. Used for launch and certain descent techniques.
AGL / AMSL. Altitude above ground level / above mean sea level.
Asymmetric collapse. One side of the wing folds in turbulence. A normal exercise in SIV training.
Big ears. A descent technique folding the wing tips to increase sink rate.
Brakes (toggles). Handles that steer and slow the wing.
Cascade. A chain reaction where one problem triggers another, for example a collapse followed by a spin.
Cloudbase. The height at which cumulus clouds form; often the practical ceiling for thermal flying.
Cravatte. A wing tip stuck in the lines after a collapse.
EN/LTF class. Certification categories A to D describing a wing’s handling and passive safety.
Flare. Pulling the brakes at landing to reduce speed.
Ground handling. Controlling the wing on the ground to practise inflation and control.
Hike and fly. Climbing a mountain to launch rather than using a lift.
Lee side. The sheltered side of a ridge, where air may be turbulent (rotor) or sinking.
Lift. Rising air that gains altitude: thermal lift, ridge lift or wave.
Pitch. Forward and backward oscillation of the wing.
PLF. Parachute landing fall; a technique to reduce injury in a hard landing.
Reserve. The emergency parachute.
Ridge soaring. Flying along a slope using wind deflected upward.
Rotor. Turbulent, rolling air on the lee of an obstacle.
SIV. Simulation of incidents in flight: training over water to practise recovery from collapses and stalls.
Sink. Descending air.
Speedbar (accelerator). A foot-operated control that increases speed.
Thermal. A rising mass of warm air.
Trim speed. The speed of the wing with no brake input.
Vario. An instrument showing climb and sink rate.
Wing loading. Weight carried per square metre of wing area; affects speed and handling.
XC. Cross-country: flying a distance by linking lift.