Techniques and Skills

Helping you fly better with expert advice

The three stages of pitch. Photo montage: Marcus King / Fifty Ways to Fly Better

Understanding Pitch on a Paraglider

Pitch on a paraglider: when you fly your paraglider, you sit in your harness at least seven metres below the wing – maybe as much as ten...
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How clouds form, from the Met Office

Finding, tracking and flying thermals in mountains

Predicting where a thermal will travel after releasing isn't a skill that requires a missile guidance system, some simple 3D terrain analysis is enough
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GPS altitude and barometric altitude

GPS versus barometric altitude: the definitive answer

What's the difference between GPS altitude and barometric altitude? Mark Graham explains
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Perfect wingovers by Raul Rodriguez

Wingovers on a paraglider look simple but are not easy to master. Here are some tips to get good, with acro master Raul Rodriguez
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Preparing to launch from Mont Blanc

How to Hike-and-Fly from Mont Blanc, 4,810m

Charlie King explains how to prepare for an alpine hike-and-fly from the summit of Western Europe's highest peak, Mont Blanc
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What-Is-a-Hang-Glider. Photo: Antoine Boisselier

Hang gliding: A beginner’s guide

Hang gliding and hang gliders explained in this easy-to-read beginner's guide to the sport of free flight
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The difference between spins and spirals on a paraglider

Former Paragliding World Champion Bruce Goldsmith explains the difference between a spin and a spiral on a paraglider.
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Red Bull X-Alps: Blood, Sweat and Fear

What was it like to compete in the Red Bull X-Alps more than a decade ago? We round up some archive interviews with athletes
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How to break a hang gliding record

Hang gliding guru Christian Ciech takes a look at the strategies involved in breaking records
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How to choose a paraglider: The honest choice

Paragliding and hang gliding world champion Rob Whittall on what should influence you when choosing a new paraglider
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