Techniques and Skills

Helping you fly better with expert advice

Understanding Chile's Coastal XC

Understanding Chile’s Coastal XC

Honza Rejmanek explains how it'sactually possible to free-fly 200km without ever getting higher than 1,200m ASL, while in the marine layer
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paraglider in stall

Brake Dynamics

Knowing the subtleties of when and how to use the brakes on a paraglider is an important factor in what separates a good pilot from the crowd. Bruce Goldsmith walks us through some of the finer details
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How-to-thermal

How to find the core of a thermal

Thermalling well is all about mental mapping, staying alert to new information and exploration within the thermal. And lots of flying is the only way to collect the pieces of this jigsaw puzzle.
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How-to-thermal-3

How to thermal a paraglider, part 2

Bob Drury picks up some tips from some of the best paraglider and hang glider pilots in the world about how they thermal, in the final part of Cross Country magazine's definitive guide to thermalling
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How-to-thermal-Air-Design

How to thermal a paraglider, part 1

How to Thermal better: Cross Country Magazine's definitive guide to flying hang gliders and paragliders in thermals.
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Cumulus building into a big cell on an unstable day

Understanding air stability

We explain what effect inversions, airmasses and high and low pressure systems can have on your day's paragliding or hang gliding.
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How to fly low on a paramotor

Many paramotor pilots enjoy risky flying close to the ground. Racing between trees feels much faster than it is because the ground is going past so quickly
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Microbursts

Meteorology: Understanding Microbursts

There are two types of microbursts – Honza Rejmanek explains how the can affect pilots
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Instruments

Which flight instrument is right for you? In-depth review

Which flight instrument is right for you? What's the best vario? Buying a flight instrument can be a minefield – we're here to help
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Flying from the coast

Flying from the Coast – sea thermals and XC

Anthony Moore investigates sea thermals and going XC from the beach. Think again about what you think you know – because anything is possible…
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