How to choose the right paraglider? The instructors' opinion.
Way was born within the Rid'Air store and the famous French paragliding school: the Center Ecole du Markstein.
Over the course of many years of advice and pilot training, we have acquired the experience to best guide pilots in their choice of equipment.
Here are some tips for choosing a wing. For the rest of the equipment, you will find what you are looking for in the storewww.ridair.com
The progress of the driver on the Way range
Lacy - IN A
Cozy - EN B
Ruby - IN B+
After that ?
The pilot has just completed training and is autonomous on a known site in calm conditions. With this first wing he learned to master grounding on new sites, he discovered soaring and rolled up his first thermals with serenity.
The pilot begins to get bored under his first wing, he wants more speed using the accelerator. It's time to take your pilot's license. An EN B sail from the Cozy range will provide more precision in control, more responsiveness and more power in rolling.
Thermal flight is now mastered. The pilot is now looking for performance and gliding at higher speeds. A fast wing designed to be pushed hard then becomes necessary to enlarge its triangles and discover the competition. It's time to upgrade to the Ruby range.
The number of hours of annual practice will define your wing category, as well as your piloting level. Pilots flying more than 50 hours per year will choose a C-approved wing or higher. These pilots represent a minority.
We advise the following recommendations for experienced pilots:
Less than 10 hours per year: Lacy range
10-30 hours per year: Cozy range
30-50 hours per year: Ruby range
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It can be tempting to move up a wing category too quickly. We advise postponing this moment as long as possible. In fact, consumption will not make you a better pilot, and you may even slow down your progress.
Likewise, if your practice becomes less frequent, it is appropriate to go down a category. There's no shame in that, since the main thing is to be in the air. Remember: a good pilot is an old pilot.
Choosing a lightweight wing
High-end paragliders
01
A more compact and lightweight bag
Each wing in the Way Gliders HF range uses thinner materials and dyneema links. This results in a bag that is MUCH more compact and lighter by an average of one kilogram.
02
Easy inflation
One kilogram less to lift when inflating the wing is really noticeable. The pleasure of takeoff is increased and the sensation of becoming one with the wing is increased tenfold.
03
Increased maneuverability
Lightweight materials are used on competition wings. One reason is achieving more lively behavior. The HF range offers reduced wing inertia and more pleasant piloting.
04
Reduced durability
This is the only negative point in the overall weight reduction of the material: it will last less.
Our overhaul workshop estimates the following lifespans:
Light paragliding: 200-250h
Classic paragliding: 300-350h
These values are indicative, some wings "die" earlier, especially when doing a lot of inflation and on abrasive terrain. Others have a lifespan extended by pilots who care little about the craft they fly under.