Editing Paragliding (section)

==Related activities==

===Sky diving===
[[Parachute]]s have the most resemblance with paragliders but the sports are very different. Whereas with [[sky diving]] the parachute is a tool to safely return to earth after free fall, the paraglider allows longer flights and the use of thermals.

===Hang gliding===
[[Hang gliding]] is a close cousin, and hang glider and paraglider launches are often found in proximity to one another.<ref>{{citation | url=http://federation.ffvl.fr/pages/rechercher-un-site-vol| title=French Sites Guide|publisher=FFVL| language=fr}}</ref> Despite the considerable difference in equipment,<ref>{{citation | url=https://paraglidecapetown.com/difference-between-paragliding-and-hang-gliding/| title=Paraglide Cape Town| date=28 May 2024|publisher=PGCT| language=en}}</ref> the two activities offer similar pleasures, and some pilots are involved in both sports.

===Powered hang glider===

[[Powered hang glider|Foot-launched powered hang gliders]] are powered by an engine and propeller in pusher configuration. An ordinary hang glider is used for its wing and control frame, and the pilot can foot-launch from a hill or from flat ground.

===Powered paragliding===
[[Powered paragliding]] is the flying of paragliders with a small engine known as a [[paramotor]] attached. Powered paragliding is known as paramotoring and requires extra training alongside regular paragliding training. It is often recommended to become competent in paragliding prior to learning to paramotor in order to know fully what one is doing.

===Speed flying===
[[Speed flying]], or ''speed riding'', is the separate sport of flying paragliders of a reduced size. These wings have increased speed, though they are not normally capable of [[#Soaring|soaring]] flight. The sport involves taking off on [[skis]] or on foot and swooping rapidly down in close proximity to a slope, even periodically touching it if skis are used. These smaller wings are also sometimes used where wind speeds are too high for a full-sized paraglider, although this is invariably at coastal sites where the wind is [[Laminar flow|laminar]] and not subject to as much mechanical turbulence as inland sites.

===Gliding===
[[File:Dual Paragliding.jpg|thumb|right|Winter paragliding]]

Just like [[Glider (sailplane)|sailplanes]] and hang gliders, paragliders use thermals to extend the time in the air. Air speed, glide ratio and flight distances are superior to the ones achieved by paragliders. Paragliders on the other hand are able to also facilitate thermals that are too small (because of the much larger turn radius) or too weak for [[gliding]].

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Paragliding can be of local importance as a commercial activity.<ref>{{citation | url=http://www.drdjs-rhone-alpes.jeunesse-sports.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Fiche_synthetique_BAssin_Annecien.pdf| access-date=October 30, 2011| publisher=DRDJS Rhone Alpes| title= Paragliding in the Annecy Basin|language=fr| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203090604/http://www.drdjs-rhone-alpes.jeunesse-sports.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Fiche_synthetique_BAssin_Annecien.pdf |archive-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{citation | last=Kohli|first=M.S.|title=Mountains of India: Tourism, Adventure, Pilgrimage| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GIs4zv17HHwC&pg=PA290| year=2004| publisher=Indus Publishing| isbn=978-81-7387-135-1| pages=289–90}}</ref>  Paid accompanied tandem flights are available in many mountainous regions, both in the winter and in the summer. In addition, there are many schools offering courses<ref>{{citation| url=http://www.bhpa.co.uk/bhpa/schools/index.php| title=British Schools| publisher=BHPA| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004161617/http://www.bhpa.co.uk/bhpa/schools/index.php| archive-date=2011-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oludeniz - Fly Infinity |url=https://www.flyinfinity.com.tr/en/ba_locations/oludeniz-mt-babadag/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref> and guides who lead groups of more experienced pilots exploring an area. Finally, there are the manufacturers and the associated repair and after-sales services. Paraglider-like wings also find other uses, for example, in ship propulsion and wind energy exploitation, and are related to some forms of [[power kite]].  [[Kite skiing]] uses equipment similar to paragliding sails.