A paraglider is an ultralight flying machine, descended from a parachute, weighing from two kilograms, which can be flown a considerable distance using rising air currents. David Barrish, an American engineer, was the first person to invent the paraglider. It happened in the early 60s of the XX century. He developed descent parachutes for NASA's reusable spacecraft. Then he tried to offer his SailWing to ski resorts as a summer activity when lifts were idle.
Although a paraglider is similar to a parachute, they have different purposes. The task of the second one is to quickly and safely lower a person or cargo to the ground. Whereas a paraglider aims to fly further. Yes, it descends under the influence of gravity, but before contact with the surface will make a greater distance horizontally. By the way, the world record for paragliding range is 564 kilometres. This principle of motion is used in hang gliding and planning. In both cases - it is a heavy and rigid structure. A paraglider is lighter and more compact. It can be stowed in a rucksack and lifted uphill. There are tourist kits weighing a couple of kilos. And so the most important thing for a paraglider is the rising air currents. Streams can be different: Dynamic - the wind moves into the slope, reflecting off the natural terrain, rising. Small hills are also great for first flights. They can be found in any region. On the dynamic flow it is possible to rise above the highest point of the relief. And the duration of a paragliding flight is determined by the pilot's skill. Thermal air streams aspire from the heated ground upwards. It is more difficult to manage such flows, so without sufficient experience it is better not to give yourself to them. It is possible to rise on heated air even above the clouds.
Professional paragliders come to Oludeniz from all over the world to practise the most difficult tricks or take part in the annual Air Games Festival. And beginners are thrilled by the marvellous view of the mountains, forests and the protected Blue Lagoon. It is said that from the top of Babadag, where flights start, in good weather you can even see the Greek island of Rhodes.
With mountains on both sides and a river and a cosy alpine town underfoot, a 15-minute flight is clearly not enough. It's not for nothing that the locals say Interlaken is one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland. The town is tucked between lakes, securely sheltered by high mountains and scented with pine forests. If you speed up a bit more, you'll burst straight into an Alpine postcard!
The Lord of the Rings was filmed in mountainous Queenstown, so residents of the town are fabulously lucky to wake up in Middle-earth every morning. Luckily, you don't have to be a bearded wizard riding an eagle to soar above the wooded hills and clear Lake Huakatipu. Paragliding flights start from Coronet Peak, located just 20 minutes from the city centre.
Although Machhapuchare is not the highest mountain in the Himalayas, no human has ever set foot on its summit. The peak is considered sacred, and the only way to get close to it is to catch the air current, as eagles do. Soaring with the huge birds against the backdrop of glittering hulks, you realise how insignificant all problems are.
For most people, Annecy is a cosy little town from an Alpine postcard, but you can't see the Alps behind the ancient roofs. But once you get above the doll's houses, instead of narrow streets you see a 15-kilometre long lake and the smell of croissants is replaced by the freshness of the mountains.