Editing Paragliding (section)

=== Launching ===
[[File:Paraglider towed launch.jpg|thumb|left|Paraglider towed launch, [[Mirosławice, Lower Silesian Voivodeship|Mirosławice]], Poland]]

As with all aircraft, launching and landing are done into wind. The wing is placed into an airstream, either by running or being pulled, or an existing wind. The wing moves up over the pilot into a position in which it can carry the passenger. The pilot is then lifted from the ground and, after a safety period, can sit down into his harness. Unlike skydivers, paragliders, like hang gliders, do not jump at any time during this process. There are two launching techniques used on higher ground<ref>{{cite web|author1=Peter Cröniger|title=Aufziehen Kontrollieren Starten|publisher=DHV|access-date=5 December 2014|url=http://www.dhv.de/web/fileadmin/user_upload/files/2014/sicherheit/Croe_Artikel/artikel_aufziehen_kontrollieren_starten.pdf|pages=41–42|language=de|date=July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209042632/http://www.dhv.de/web/fileadmin/user_upload/files/2014/sicherheit/Croe_Artikel/artikel_aufziehen_kontrollieren_starten.pdf|archive-date=9 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> and one assisted launch technique used in flatland areas:

==== Forward launch ====
In low winds, the wing is inflated with a forward launch, where the pilot runs forward with the wing behind so that the air pressure generated by the forward movement inflates the wing.

[[File:Paraglider landing.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Powered paragliding|paramotor]] at Azheekkod beach, India]]

It is often easier, because the pilot only has to run forward, but the pilot cannot see his wing until it is above him, where he has to check it in a very short time for correct inflation and untangled lines before the launch.

==== Reverse launch ====
In higher winds, a reverse launch is used, with the pilot facing the wing to bring it up into a flying position, then turning around under the wing and running to complete the launch.

Reverse launches have a number of advantages over a forward launch. It is more straightforward to inspect the wing and check if the lines are free as it leaves the ground. In the presence of wind, the pilot can be tugged toward the wing, and facing the wing makes it easier to resist this force and safer in case the pilot slips (as opposed to being dragged backwards). However, the movement pattern is more complex than forward launch, and the pilot has to hold the brakes in a correct way and turn to the correct side so he does not tangle the lines. These launches are normally attempted with a reasonable wind speed, making the ground speed required to pressurise the wing much lower.

[[File:Paraglider launch Mam Tor.webm|thumbtime=3|thumb|left|Paraglider reverse launch, [[Mam Tor]], England]]

The launch is initiated by the hands raising the leading edge with the As. As it rises the wing is controlled more by centring the feet than by use of the brakes or Cs. With mid level wings (EN C and D) the wing may try to "overshoot" the pilot as it nears the top. This is checked with  Cs or brakes. The wing becomes increasingly sensitive to the Cs and brakes as its internal air pressure rises. This is usually felt from increasing lift of the wing applying harness pressure to the [[seat of the pants]]. That pressure indicates that the wing is likely to remain stable when the pilot pirouettes to face the wind.

The next step in the launch is to bring the wing into the lift zone. There are two techniques for accomplishing this depending on wind conditions. In light wind this is usually done after turning to the front, steering with the feet towards the low wing tip, and applying light brakes in a natural sense to keep the wing horizontal. In stronger wind conditions it is often found to be easier to remain facing downwind while moving slowly and steadily backwards into the wind.

Knees bent to load the wing, foot adjustments to remain central and minimum use of Cs or Brakes to keep the wing horizontal. Pirouette when the feet are close to lifting. This option has two distinct advantages. a) The pilot can see the wing centre marker (an aid to centring the feet) and, if necessary, b) the pilot can move briskly towards the wing to assist with an emergency deflation.

With either method it is essential to check "traffic" across the launch face before committing to flight.

The A's and C's technique described above is well suited to low-hours pilots, on standard wings, in wind strengths up to 10 knots. It is particularly recommended for kiting. As wind speed increases (above ten knots), especially on steep ridges, the use of the C's introduces the potential to be lifted before the wing is overhead due to the increased angle of attack. That type of premature lift often results in the pilot's weight swinging downwind rapidly, resulting in a frontal tuck (due to excess A line loads). In that situation the pilot commonly drops vertically and injuries are not uncommon. In ridge soaring situations above ten knots it is almost always better to lift the wing with A's only and use the brakes to  stop any potential overshoot. The brakes do not usually increase the angle of attack as much C's. As wind strength increases it becomes more important than ever for the pilot to keep the wing loaded by bending the knees and pushing the shoulders forward. Most pilots will find that when their hands are vertically under the brake line pulleys they are able reduce trailing edge drag to the absolute minimum. That is not so easy for most, when the arms are thrust rearwards.

==== Towed launch ====
[[File:Parapente.ogg|thumb|right|Paraglider launching in [[Araxá]], Brazil]]

In flatter countryside, pilots can also be launched with a tow. Once at full height (towing can launch pilots up to {{Convert|3000|ft}} altitude), the pilot pulls a release cord, and the towline falls away. This requires separate training, as flying on a winch has quite different characteristics from free flying. There are two major ways to tow: pay-in and pay-out towing. Pay-in towing involves a stationary winch that winds in the towline and thereby pulls the pilot in the air. The distance between winch and pilot at the start is around {{Convert|500|m}} or more. Pay-out towing involves a moving object, like a car or a boat, that pays out line slower than the speed of the object, thereby pulling the pilot up in the air. In both cases, it is very important to have a gauge indicating line tension to avoid pulling the pilot out of the air. Another form of towing is static line towing. This involves a moving object, like a car or a boat, attached to a paraglider or hang glider with a fixed-length line. This can be very dangerous, because now the forces on the line have to be controlled by the moving object itself, which is almost impossible to do, unless stretchy rope and a pressure/tension meter (dynamometer) is used. Static line towing with stretchy rope and a load cell as a tension meter has been used in Poland, Ukraine, Russia, and other Eastern European countries for over 20 years (under the name ''Malinka'') with about the same safety record as other forms of towing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://paraplan.ru/forum/topic/49704 |title=Малинка. Суть процесса и принцип организации буксировки. :: Форумы |trans-title=Malinka. The essence of the process and the principle of organizing towing. :: Forums |website=Paraplan.Ru |language=ru}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=February 2023}}

[[File:Mussel Rock Gliding Bluffs - Pacifica, California.webm|left|thumb|A paragliding flight over the Mussel Rock Gliding Bluffs in [[Pacifica, California]]]]
[[File:A paraglider flies above Lac Leman and Geneva with the Jet DEau seen.jpg|thumb|A paraglider flies above Lac Leman and Geneva with the [[Jet d'Eau]] seen]]
One more form of towing is hand towing. This is where 1−3 people pull a paraglider using a tow rope of up to {{Convert|500|ft}}. The stronger the wind, the fewer people are needed for a successful hand tow.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7X6CSZk8ng |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211108/Z7X6CSZk8ng |archive-date=8 November 2021 |url-status=live |title=15-second hand-tow launch |last=Greg Flymeister |date=3 June 2014 |via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Tows up to {{Convert|300|ft}} have been accomplished, allowing the pilot to get into a lift band of a nearby ridge or row of buildings and ridge-soar in the lift the same way as with a regular foot launch.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW3JLP_2MrI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211108/XW3JLP_2MrI |archive-date=8 November 2021 |url-status=live |title=One Flew Over Florida Coast II |last=Greg Flymeister |date=11 January 2014 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>