Stefan wrote:
Anto=F1io wrote:

Sorry my friend, but if you think thermaling in the alps is "safe"
you
may be dead wrong some day.

Paragliding is not less safe than other aviation activities. There is

still a risk in everything you do, of course.


Interesting that this should come up today. I was watching a show
on TLC last night with a video shot from a paraglider that crashed. I
wasn't aware of their susceptability to turbulence. At the beginning,
the pilot and ground crew seemed concerned because the previous day
there had been turbulence that caused some scary moments. Right after
the pilot reported that conditions seemed better, he hit some
turbulence. It appeared that one side of the canopy collapse, sending
him into a hard spiral from which he could not recover. Eventually,
he had to cut away the canopy and deploy a reserve. He ended up
crashing into a tree. Funny part : Right after he told his buddy that
he was in a tree and would probably break his leg if he fell, the lines
gave way and down he went. He didn't break his leg.

Overall, I was surprised that the canopy could collapse so easily
because of turbulent air. I've skydived several times (similar
looking system) and have never heard about this. Here in Central AZ,
skydivers are always jumping, even when the 110F+ temps are creating
some nasty convective turbulence. What is it about paragliding that's
so different. All I've noticed is that the paraglider canopy looks
thinner and is often pointed at the ends.

Just wondering,

John Galban=3D=3D=3D=3D=3DN4BQ (PA28-180)