There are 2 types of gliding. One is paragliding and the other is hang gliding. Although these two air sports adventures seem similar but there is a huge difference between the two. And before you try them out you should get the difference between the two. To fly high in the sky, then Paragliding VS Hang Gliding the difference in them will help you to know which one is the correct one for you to choose. Hang gliding and paragliding are like siblings. However, the two of them have a lot many differences. To find out the changes between the two sports, kindly go through our guide which will help you decide which sport is the right one for you.
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Key Differences or Paragliding VS Hang Gliding
One of the pivotal differences between the hang gliders and Paragliders is that they differ in two things. One is the construction and the other is the bulk. Hang gliders will always use an iron which will have a weighty fabric material that covers the whole of the edge, which will, in turn, produce a just unbending airfoil. On the contrary, Paragliders will have no such unbending outline – the canopy of the parachute works as an extension. It is made of cells of material with front openings. The openings permit the material to expand through the movement with the help of the air, which is known as one kind of aerial effect. The reason is that the hang gliders are having substance and they will weigh more than the Paragliders.
Then next are the takeoff styles. Now, Paragliding VS Hang Gliding would mean infinite possibilities and a few selections. Hang gliding will give you launch techniques of all styles and kinds. The launching options comprises different kinds of launch like some are from mountains, some are from hills and some are from the ground, and some launching also comprises launching from the boat. There are also other kinds of take-off techniques which have been introduced such as air balloon fall from a great height. You will have to use the method of stretching here in which you will have to stretch your hands. And while flying you have to see that you keep your arms stretched as much as possible.
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You can also do an additional type of converse launch, which is one of the latest and best techniques. It is much better rather than the straight introduction method technique. In this method, you can easily identify masses or problems before you touch the air flows. No matter whether you launch a Paraglider or hang glider, one of the most pivotal basic rules that are applicable to you is that you should remain alert at that minute and promote properly. Especially, during strong winds, if you make any mistake then it can prove to be fatal.
Quickness –
When you start doing the hang gliding, you can come at astounding speeds, starting with up to 180 mph. And due to this reason, you can touch the ground in a less quantity of time. Now with the help of this quality, you will get the capacity to fly in the stormy wind conditions, which will help you to overcome the ruthless weather. But in Paragliding, it has less trouble. In this, you can reach 50 mph up to maximum. It is also very much easy if you take off and soar in the winds which are light. Paraglider will offer you more of the ability to move and make a movement. It will, in turn, make it easy for you to hold on the arc tightly and reach high than the hang glider.
And lastly, the Paragliders do not have a secure extension, so the canopy of the Paragliders can adjust easily and become smooth when it comes in contact with turbulent winds. Paragliding will give you more sense of nimbleness whereas; hang gliding gives you the need for swiftness.
Differences in the Gear – Paragliding VS Hang Gliding –
One of the major differences which you can find between – Paragliding VS Hang Gliding is the gear. When you do the hang gliding you will stick on to the bar with a triangular shape which is connected to the wings. The wings have an unbend able and hard structure- which is more unbend able than the ones which are on Paragliding. The gear for hang gliding has a straightforward construction with only fewer cords. On the other side when; you do Para glide, you will be stuck with a parachute type structure. And the construction of that is more solid and also strong apart from other regular parachutes. However, when it is compared with the hang gliding, the construction of the Paragliding wings is more round and has many cords. And when it comes to doing and undoing (when travelling), the hang glider gear is easier to handle and arrange.
In hang gliders, you must have taken a note that the hang gliding gear is attached to the triangle shape bar, which is attached with the wings. There is also another great difference between the hang gliding and Paragliding gear especially when it comes to how the gear requires the user to fly it. When hang gliding; the unbendable construction requires the users to fly in a position which is similar to that of the batman. But, the construction of the Paraglider is so relaxed that it allows the users to fly in a position where you have to sit.
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Paragliding VS Hang Gliding – Flying Position
Then, another difference comes in the flying position. For regular users the flying position may seem common- but it is not the same for the users. In hang gliding, the user’s position needs to be like that of a batman with wings spread. It is because of the rock hard and unbend able structure and the fact that the user needs to hold on to the bar, the user should be attached in the perfect position like that of batman. On the contrary, in paragliding, the user will have to fly by sitting in an upright position. The flying position if you compare Paragliding VS Hang Gliding, then Paragliding position is more relaxed than in hang gliding.
Another difference is that hang gliding and Paragliding requires users to fly off in high altitude areas and also glide through the winds, but the way the users do it is a bit different. Since the user (pilot) is strapped to the wing-like a batman position, in hang gliding the users are required to shift their weight of the body to change the direction. In the entire flying session, the hang gliders have to move around, but Paragliders just have to simply sit and pull cords. And they can also change the direction by simply pulling the cord which is attached to the paragliding wing.
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Both sports have certain similarities and also have certain kinds of differences more than having similarities. Both of them will require a launching platform, and the platform is most of the time located in high altitude areas. It will also allow users to glide and go down. However, you should do it in a different method. In hang gliding, the users will be strapped to the bar structure. They need to shift their body weights when then have to change the direction of the hang glider. In Paragliding, however, the user doesn’t need to do anything. The users just have to sit and change the cords which are connected to the wings. So, whenever the user will pull a string gently, they will change the shape of the wings and the rest of the flying is taken care of by the winds by shifting of the wings in separate directions. These are the differences between the Paragliding and Hang gliding.
Hang gliders move at a much faster speed than the Paragliders. This is mainly because of the position in which the user will fly and also the general structure of their gear. The greenhorn hang gliders can fly anywhere between 15mph to 50 mph, and progressive hang gliders will usually go anywhere from 17mph to over 99 mph. 99 mph is extremely fast on the land, so you can imagine what it can feel like in the air. Paragliding is less than this.
The greenhorn Paragliders can fly anywhere from 14mph to 24 mph, and an advanced Para glider tends to go fly anywhere between 15 mph to 39 mph. In fact, it is very dangerous for any Paraglider to go above 36 mph. But again, there are some Paragliders who go up to such an extent to fly the gliders.
Now, let’s move to the factor of sink rates of Paragliding vs. Hang gliding, in the hang gliders they have much better sink rates than the Paragliders. The sink rate is the rate at which the user (pilot) will glide down in the still air. Sink rates are measured in FPM i.e. feet per minute. A greenhorn hang glider can have a sink rate from 199 to 210 FPM, and experienced hang glider can have sink rate from 150 to 170 FPM. Similarly, an inexperienced Paraglider can have a sink rate from 210 to 230 FPM. So, you can tell that after studying that hang gliding sink rates are far way best than the Paragliding sink rates.
Differences in the Rate – Paragliding VS Hang Gliding
Rates are another important factor which again makes a huge difference. The rates if you compare – Paragliding vs. Hang gliding, then hang glider gear is cheaper than the Paraglider gear. Hang glider gear will last longer than the Paragliding gear. The major difference which comes here is that hang gliding gear is specially designed for longer and more experienced flying conditions. Whereas, Paragliding equipment (gear) is designed for a short and easier flying condition. So, hang gliding gear is more durable than Paragliding. So, if you need a sport which is also cheaper and fun and you don’t have to keep on buying the new gear of the gliders then choose to hang glide instead of Paraglide.
You should not take that fact out of your mind that when this guide speaks about the gear (equipment), it’s also speaking about the cost/price. Hang gliding gear is cheaper than Paragliding gear. Hang gliding material is generally stronger and also long-lasting for use. It has a stronger construction and also design. The gear of the hang glider is made for a lengthier and more progressive flying condition. It is strong and also durable.
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Concluding Remark –
In the comparative study of Paragliding VS Hang Gliding, let me tell you there is no such thing as which one is the best and which one stands on the top. They both have a certain kind of similarities and also have a certain kind of difference. Now, if you have to choose anyone from out of the two, then you will have to check into your choices and see what kind of person are you? Whether you are a person who is very much into relaxing? Whether you are a robust person and can handle any sort of activity etc. Other facts to be considered are your learning ability etc. You have to think about all these factors and then choose and decide on your own which one to choose.
Although hang gliding and Paragliding seems to be a very easy and similar thing, there are certain differences also. For example, in hang gliding, you have to hang and move your body for changing direction. But in Paragliding, you simply have to sit and pull the strings. So, you have to decide whether you are comfortable moving your body in the air. Is it possible for you to move your body or you just want to relax and enjoy the gliding in a sitting position? If you are a person who is not confident about moving your body in the air and have doubts, then it is advisable that you go with Paragliding. And Paragliding is also easier to learn and master.
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