If you have already completed pilot training, then you will want to buy your own aircraft. The paragliding market is represented by a large number of manufacturers. To make the right choice, read the literature, study catalogs, ask other pilots while observing the flight of individual models. Take your time in the created conditions, when supply clearly exceeds demand, heed practical advice.
Instructions
Step 1
Pay attention to the class of the glider. All reputable manufacturers test and certify paragliding models in specially created organizations in Western Europe. Companies use two certification systems: German DHV and French AFNOR. The firm sends two identical paragliders for testing. One sample is tested for strength, and test pilots work with the second. The French test system has 16 tests and is considered to be more gentle. The German system is more complicated and much more expensive, so the brands of Austria, Corey and Israel certify their domes based on the results of both tests. Most of the less prestigious companies only certify paragliders for AFNOR.
Step 2
Choose the size you need. Each line of paragliders comes in several sizes to accommodate pilots with different weights. The manufacturer is obliged to indicate the fork of the weights, that is, the values of the minimum permissible net weight of the pilot, the weight of the hook, the gross take-off weight, which is calculated as the sum of the pilot's weight and 17 kg. Ideal if your weight fits in the middle of the fork.
Step 3
Getting closer to the bottom of the fork will give you a slower sink rate, more difficult handling. The pilot who reaches the maximum line of the weight fork will lose in the rate of descent, but will gain in the speed of flight. If you are in doubt about the choice of two adjoining models, then give preference to the smaller paraglider. Please note that if your weight is outside of the scale fork, then by default you are flying a canopy without certification, therefore the glider is tested only by the pilot of the corresponding weight.
Step 4
Follow special recommendations if you are faced with a choice of a used model. Look at what material the canopy is made of, because when exposed to ultraviolet sunlight, the paraglider burns out, destroys its strength and airtightness. Determine wear by the degree of burnout of the fabric, its tensile strength. Ask the owner for permission beforehand.
Step 5
Check the breathability of the material by sucking air through the fabric with your mouth. Do this on the top of the glider from the front. A lift is created here, therefore, the higher the permeability of the material, the greater the thickness of the boundary layer of air. In flight, such a paraglider will “come out” badly at the start, unexpectedly break down or line up in parachuting mode.
