Ed Ewing has some advice for newly qualified pilots about what to look for when buying your first paraglider.
Most paraglider pilots train on an EN-A paraglider. These are the simplest and safest paragliders on the market. As well as being safe they must also be robust enough to withstand the groundhandling field and durable enough to be bundled up, thrown over a shoulder and carried back up the hill several times a day, every day, all season.
These wings are therefore designed and built to last, while in the air they launch easily, fly predictably and land simply.
Regardless of manufacturer, paragliders for beginners all feature similar attributes. They have a low aspect ratio, typically 4.5-4.9; colour-coded lines and risers with visual cues on...