Not all paragliders are the same! There are many types of paragliders, with the main points of difference being the wing, closely followed by the lines and harness. Different paraglider configurations can affect speed, handling, stability, gliding ability, comfort and ability to regain control.
Types of Paraglider Wings – What is an EN Rating?
The various types of paraglider wings can be distinguished by the EN Paraglider Certification (EN is short for European Norm). This system was developed by a group of paragliding experts from several European countries, with the aim of developing a clear system to help the consumers, retailers and manufacturers. The creation of a four-level wing certification system (EN Rating A, EN Rating B, EN Rating C and EN Rating D) which helps consumers to pick the right wing for their needs and skill level, and helps retailers and manufacturers to sell the right product to the right person.
The introduction of the EN Paraglider Certification has also led to improvements in wing safety and flight characteristics (the likelihood of losing control and ease of which control can be recovered).
To quickly determine which type of paraglider wing is best for you, consider the following points:
- You’re a beginner – EN Rating A
- You’re an occasional flyer – EN Rating A
- You’re looking for your first upgrade – EN Rating B
- You’re looking for greater control and manoeuvrability over various conditions – XC Wing (EN Rating B or C)
- You mostly fly in thermic conditions – Sports (En-Rating C)
- Your an intermediate pilot looking for you’re first speed wing – Performance (EN-Rating C)
- Your a highly experienced pilot who flies regularly and enters competitions – Competition (EN-Rating D)
Below we discuss key attributes of each wing and why they are suitable for certain types of pilots.
EN-A Certified Paragliders
EN-A certified paragliders are designed for all pilots, and are the safest and most recommended choice for beginners or occasional pilots. They have the highest level of passive safety and are the most forgiving to minor pilot errors or sudden changes in thermal conditions or weather.
While these are designed to be beginner friendly, there’s absolutely no shame in flying one of these long term. If you only paraglide a handful of times per year, an EN-A wing will make you feel safer and provide the best value. You’ll still reach decent speeds and can enjoy a great paragliding experience.
EN-B Certified Paragliders
EN-B certified paragliders are in many cases, a beginner pilot’s first upgrade. These allow a pilot to reach slightly higher speeds, while still being an easier wing to maintain stability and control. Some of these wings include XC wings which enable sharper turning, and a small number of sports wings which allow greater manoeuvrability when thermalling.
Some beginner pilots are tempted to splurge and purchase an EN-B wing to avoid having to upgrade in the future, but for most people it’s recommended to start on the En-A and wait until you’re ready. A good benchmark to wait for is 30 hours of flight time in various conditions with at least 10 hours in thermic conditions. Flying regularly is important to maintain and develop your flying skills, so if you fly less than 50 hours per year you might feel safer with an EN-A paraglider.
EN-C Certified Paragliders
En-C certified paragliders are a step up from the En-B’s and are intended to offer intermediate level pilots the ability to perform sharper turns or glide at higher speeds across various conditions.
To fly an En-C paraglider, it’s important for pilots to have excellent recovery skills, as the dynamic abilities of these wings are less forgiving for inexperienced pilots. Pilots should also fly at least 10 hours per week to maintain and develop their paragliding abilities.
Types of En-C paragliders include sports paragliders and XC wings with excellent manoeuvrability and control, and some performance paragliders which are designed for long glides over long distances at high speeds.
EN-D Certified Paragliders
E-D Paragliders are for the absolute most advanced pilots with years of experience and are mostly used in competition. These paragliders are very fast and can perform long, smooth glides, however they’re also very unforgiving to pilot error or turbulence and require precise handling and active flying abilities.
Pilots wishing to progress to an EN-D paraglider should fly at least 200 hours per year; regularly in strong, challenging conditions.
Other Key Differences in Paraglider Types
Aspect ratio
Aspect ratio refers to the wing span squared divided by the wing area. The higher the aspect ratio the higher the speed, however this also results in less manoeuvrability. Most advanced pilots will be comfortable controlling a fast paraglider with a high aspect ratio of 6 to over 7, however beginner pilots will find this to be difficult to control and will be more comfortable with an aspect ratio of less than 6.
Projected span
When shopping for a paraglider wing, it’s important to know that the projected wingspan will be different than the actual wingspan. The projected wingspan refers to the distance between the lowest and furthest point of the paraglider wing while it is fully inflated and in an arc curve. This will give you an idea of it’s manoeuvrability and gliding ability.
The actual wingspan refers to the wingspan while the wing is lying flat on the ground. This doesn’t always indicate the wingspan and wing curve or aspect ratio and makes it harder to determine what to expect when flying this wing.
Wing Cells
Typically, wings with more cells have better stability and overall performance. It costs more to produce a wing with more cells, so you’ll generally pay more for a wing with a greater cell count.
Some top-end wings have the addition of cloth diagonal cells in addition to their regular cells. Diagonals further improve the performance and stability of a paraglider, however the extra weight can slow-down reinflation times after a collapse, making it not ideal for beginners.
Paraglider Line Length
Line length has a significant impact as it creates distance between you and the wing. It also can affect the level of wing curvature. The longer the length between pilot and wing, the more evenly the load is spread of the wing. This means that longer lines offer greater comfort and stability but shorter lines allow for quicker reactions and greater energy retention.
Types of Paraglider Harnesses
Common types of paragliding harnesses include:
Sky Harness
These are lightweight and easy to fold up and store, which is especially useful when travelling or if you have to hike to the launch site. These are more of a hammock style and don’t have a solid back or sides. By carefully positioning yourself in the harness, your weight will be distributed correctly and you’ll feel safe and comfortable. A reserve parachute can be fitted to the bottom of the harness. A Sky Harness is suitable for pilots of all abilities.
Pod Harness
A pod harness is like an aerodynamic cocoon which when in flight, covers your entire body except for your head and arms. This can be great for longer flights and competition where it’s important to reduce drag and wind resistance, and the extra weight can give you a little more speed. They’re also great for keeping warm in cold, windy conditions. However, pod harnesses are more expensive and are not beginner-friendly, especially when taking off.
Gin Harness
The Gin Harness is fast becoming a popular choice amongst paragliding enthusiasts and for good reason. It’s similar to the pod harness where it offers support and shelter from the weather, however it’s lighter and easier to use for those with less experience. These can be easily adjusted to make pilots feel comfortable and safe.
Which Type of Paraglider is right for you?
If you’re a beginner or still fairly new to paragliding, a paraglider with great stability and ease of control is the best option. Depending on your experience and flying frequency, an EN-A rated wing with a Sky Harness will do just find. As you progress there are many options depending on your flying frequency and the type of conditions you enjoy flying in.
