Template:Comparison of sailplanes hang gliders and paragliders

Paragliders Hang gliders Gliders/Sailplanes
Undercarriage pilot's legs used for take-off and landing pilot's legs used for take-off and landing aircraft takes off and lands using a wheeled undercarriage or skids
Wing structure entirely flexible, with shape maintained purely by the pressure of air flowing into and over the wing in flight and the tension of the lines generally flexible but supported on a rigid frame which determines its shape (note that rigid-wing hang gliders also exist) rigid wing surface which totally encases wing structure
Pilot position sitting in a harness usually lying prone in a cocoon-like harness suspended from the wing; seated and supine are also possible sitting in a seat with a harness, surrounded by a crash-resistant structure
Speed range
(stall speed – max speed)
slowest – typically 25 to 60 km/h for recreational gliders (over 50 km/h requires use of speed bar),[1] hence easier to launch and fly in light winds; least wind penetration; pitch variation can be achieved with the controls faster than paragliders, slower than gliders/sailplaines maximum speed up to about 280 km/h (170 mph);[2] stall speed typically 65 km/h (40 mph);[2] able to fly in windier turbulent conditions and can outrun bad weather; good penetration into a headwind
Maximum glide ratio about 10, relatively poor glide performance makes long distance flights more difficult; current (as of May 2017) world record is 564 kilometres (350 mi)[3] about 17, with up to 20 for rigid wings open class sailplanes – typically around 60:1, but in more common 15–18 meter span aircraft, glide ratios are between 38:1 and 52:1;[4] high glide performance enabling long distance flight, with 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) being current (as of November 2010) record[5]
Turn radius tightest turn radius[citation needed] somewhat larger turn radius than paragliders, tigher than gliders/sailplanes[citation needed] widest turn radius but still able to circle tightly in thermals[6]
Landing smallest space needed to land, offering more landing options from cross-country flights; also easiest to pack up and carry like a bag to the nearest road 15 m to 60 m length flat area required; can be derigged by one person and carried to the nearest road landings can be performed in ~250 m length field. Aerial retrieve may be possible but if not, specialized trailer needed to retrieve by road. Some sailplanes have engines that remove the need for an out-landing, if successfully started on time
Learning simplest and quickest to learn teaching is done in single and two-seat hang gliders teaching is done in a two-seat glider with dual controls
Convenience packs smaller (easier to transport and store) more awkward to transport and store; longer to rig and de-rig; often transported on the roof of a car often stored and transported in purpose-built trailers about 9 metres long, from which they are rigged. Although rigging aids allow a single person to rig a glider, usually the rigging involves 2 or 3 people. Some frequently used sailplanes are stored already rigged in hangars.
Cost cost of new is €1500 and up,[7] cheapest but shortest lasting (around 500 hours flying time, depending on treatment), active second-hand market[8] cost of new glider very high (top of the range 18 m turbo with instruments and trailer €250,000) but it is long lasting (up to several decades), so active second-hand market; typical cost is from €2,000 to €145,000[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Technical data for Advance Omega 8". Advance AG. Archived from the original on 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
  2. ^ a b Flight Manual of Scheicher ASW27b. Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 2003.
  3. ^ "FAI Paragliding record". Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Archived from the original on 2011-05-09. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  4. ^ "Handicap list 2008" (PDF). Deutsche Meisterschaft im Streckensegelflug. Deutscher Aero Club. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-02-24. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  5. ^ "FAI records". Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Archived from the original on 2011-09-11. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  6. ^ Stewart, Ken (1994). The Glider Pilot's Manual. Airlife Publishing Ltd. p. 257. ISBN 1-85310-504-X.
  7. ^ "Brochures Ozone". Ozone France. Archived from the original on 2013-10-27. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  8. ^ "Typical set of classified ads for paragliders". Archived from the original on 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
  9. ^ "Typical set of classified ads for gliders". Archived from the original on 2010-12-06. Retrieved 2011-01-18.