I do paraglide and hang glide and concur to most said here. Feeling safer in flight with the hang glider is a big one. Landing more easily and smaller spots with the paraglider is a big point also. The practicality of paraglider wins more often. The negatives of hang gliding are the landing speed and LZ size needed, and the carrying, especially after a distance flight. The negatives of paragliding are the launch, the danger of collapse in flight, and the higher risk of injury in case of crash. I crashed the hang glider many times without getting hurt (some damage in gliders saving my bones). I crashed with a paraglider less times and got a concussion (could have broke my back), and broke an ankle. I was scared in flight more often with the paraglider with collapses.
The Best Way to convert to Hang gliders is via dual instruction in a powered hang glider. Almost every flight skill listed in the rating system can be quickly and comprehensively covered by a competent instructor in an aircraft slightly more complicated to fly than a typical glider. Eg the 1st manoeuvre should be 360 degree turns. Carried out in a machine that effectively changes trim depending on power setting. Straight line flights, setting and and executing multiple landings from 3000' is repeated, repeated, repeated. The joy of watching a beginner do repeated perfect landing approaches, into wind, wings level is a great thing. A beginner HG pilot was so accurate after just 3 hours of dual, they could repeatedly straddle lines in the sand on landing. As a conversion for experienced PG pilots, I can't imagine a better real world method.
Fully agree, my hang glider experience is 35 years back, today I do paragliding and I think your last point regarding transport and assembling was the reason why the great sport went down and paragliding became the new trend.
Cracking video Tiam, lovely footage of both sports and a thoughtful review of the pros and cons of each, acknowleding both sports are great!!! And the right conclusion also!! 🥳
I don't do much soaring, but what you said holds from a thermal flyers perspective. Luckily it doesn't need to be 'vs.', but can be an 'and'. For all the people eager to learn and asking themselves that question: You don't get a straight answer because in the end it is subjective. We fly for fun and the numbers don't really matter. And the similarities are often larger than the differences. Plus, you can't possibly know what aspect of flying you will enjoy most before you try. Both are great sports! And if you can, give the other one a shot even if it means going back to being a beginner. I personally am a HG pilot at heart, but I had to know what it is like flying a PG and I don't want to miss either.
Both can be great and I considered PG before starting, for the convenience. Ultimately I knew I would like the flying characteristics of HG a lot more, plus I favor speed and glide, so I went for HG. I'm absolutely happiest with this decision. Most places I fly can be reached with car anyway. I might get a PG too at some point but I had a few flights and wasn't impressed. I also feel a lot safer on hg. A friend here learned HG after 10 years of PG and loved it. After a while got himself a Gecko (intermediate wing). He flies both 50/50% now. For thermal sites he does HG more often now, and lazy days it is PG, also for a coastal site with a restricted LZ. For these sites I just use a slower wing though
Really nicely done video and great comparison Tiam! Something I've wondered about for a while. I'd love to learn to fly hang gliders if I can pull myself away from PGs :)
A friend here learned HG after 10 years of PG and loved it. After a while got himself a Gecko (intermediate wing). He flies both 50/50% now. For thermal sites he does HG more often now, and lazy days it is PG, also for a coastal site with a restricted LZ. I'm still HG only though, tried PG but wasnt impressed
spoke with Adre' Bucher early 1991 when he was in California working for UP paragliding, doing a demo tour with the Katana, Stellar. He tried both hang gliding and paragliding and thought the base bar ruined the free feeling, mentioned when the pilot leans forward in a paragliding harness, there's nothing....
So you confirmed in the video that you don't actually fly paragliders, but rather parakites kind of wings (Moustache, Mullet, Mouette and what not). So you should rename your video to "parakites vs hang gliding" and not confuse people. Paragliding is a completely different story, and there are so many more aspects of it, not just waga-waga over a sea shore.
I like this comment because I couldn’t agree more, that kite wings are not paraglides. However I did need to get my paragliding license pg4 and speed wing to do so… I think to non flyers especially they are paraglides. I definitely know nothing much about XC in a Paraglider. I believe that you could teach people how to fly a kite wings without the need to even touch a traditional Paraglider. I also believe that the kite wings fly much more like a hang glider than they do a Paraglider.
@@tindaltarranI’m not familiar with Australian pg certifications, but I read that you need atleast 5 thermal hours to get a pg4, is that accurate? So you have at least had 2-3 good days thermaling?
I think he knows his material for both disciplines. Most HG vs PG videos and articles are mostly biased favoring PG. They all skip the inconvenient part - non-rigid nature of it. So yeah this is a very honest review in my opinion. PS. No disrespect to PGs, I’m glad we get to share the sky and we do need each other. IMO
@@alexmark1982 He doesn't talk about PG. He talks about kitewings, and they are NOT PG. They are similar in design and shape, but fly differently and have different properties.
Fascinating breakdown of the differences. I imagine the kite wings still have similar tendencies to collapse as normal paragliders do (at least when flying in turbulent conditions), correct? That's been my biggest fear of paragliding.
You would think that, and definitely every wing has it’s limitations, but the reflex profile of these new kite wings are really amazing in rotor, we barely see any of them collapse in very fresh conditions, but the confidence they give you, is why they are more dangerous, in my experience
The problem is most people don’t know what a kite wing is, I agree it isn’t really a Paraglider, however is is classified as one, most people are flying kites and not paragliders now at the sites I fly, they are the costal evolution of the Paraglider
Just Fly.... you should have two hang gliders, I have moyes Malibu, ww Ramair, and I'm picking up a mustache this spring. Be ready to fly any location and conditions. For me, big air hang gliding . Coastal soaring Malibu or mustache.
I really enjoyed your video and flew hang gliders for 20 years, including in inland competition events. I am now learning to paraglide and the most dangerous aspect of PG,s is the chance of collapse close to the ground. This has almost been eliminated by the RAST technology which effectively creates a spar within the wing, and in fact, Swing had trouble certifying it, because they couldn't get it to collapse in SIV testing. I feel if most PG designers used this technology, Paragliding would be a lot safer. This video explains how it works. ruclips.net/video/acJV8_0pv80/видео.htmlsi=I1WSmhf24o1Lb-WB
I feel hang gliders are good at one thing only.. paragliders can do xc, hike and fly, soaring, wagga, acro...and are just easier to transport and overall handling
World record paraglide xc is 612 km, versus hang glide xc record at 764 km. Both in Texas. Hang gliders also definitely do acrobatic stuff. I was flying a week ago with a guy doing wingovers. It was amazing stuff. Of all the pilots I know who fly both, I have been told by all of them that flying is better in a hang glider. I do agree with you on the hike and flys and ease of transportation. I don't mind the transportation part. But the only reason I am considering getting into paragliding is for hike and flys.
I do paraglide and hang glide and concur to most said here. Feeling safer in flight with the hang glider is a big one. Landing more easily and smaller spots with the paraglider is a big point also. The practicality of paraglider wins more often. The negatives of hang gliding are the landing speed and LZ size needed, and the carrying, especially after a distance flight. The negatives of paragliding are the launch, the danger of collapse in flight, and the higher risk of injury in case of crash. I crashed the hang glider many times without getting hurt (some damage in gliders saving my bones). I crashed with a paraglider less times and got a concussion (could have broke my back), and broke an ankle. I was scared in flight more often with the paraglider with collapses.
The Best Way to convert to Hang gliders is via dual instruction in a powered hang glider. Almost every flight skill listed in the rating system can be quickly and comprehensively covered by a competent instructor in an aircraft slightly more complicated to fly than a typical glider. Eg the 1st manoeuvre should be 360 degree turns. Carried out in a machine that effectively changes trim depending on power setting. Straight line flights, setting and and executing multiple landings from 3000' is repeated, repeated, repeated. The joy of watching a beginner do repeated perfect landing approaches, into wind, wings level is a great thing. A beginner HG pilot was so accurate after just 3 hours of dual, they could repeatedly straddle lines in the sand on landing. As a conversion for experienced PG pilots, I can't imagine a better real world method.
Nicely put together mate, love ya work! Nice to see you back here, looking forward to more ❤
❤
Fully agree, my hang glider experience is 35 years back, today I do paragliding and I think your last point regarding transport and assembling was the reason why the great sport went down and paragliding became the new trend.
Cracking video Tiam, lovely footage of both sports and a thoughtful review of the pros and cons of each, acknowleding both sports are great!!! And the right conclusion also!! 🥳
Love the feed Back , cheers from Washington DC flying Club , couldn’t agree more 😊
thanks for sharing your thoughts bro
cheers from hungary
I don't do much soaring, but what you said holds from a thermal flyers perspective. Luckily it doesn't need to be 'vs.', but can be an 'and'. For all the people eager to learn and asking themselves that question: You don't get a straight answer because in the end it is subjective. We fly for fun and the numbers don't really matter. And the similarities are often larger than the differences. Plus, you can't possibly know what aspect of flying you will enjoy most before you try. Both are great sports! And if you can, give the other one a shot even if it means going back to being a beginner. I personally am a HG pilot at heart, but I had to know what it is like flying a PG and I don't want to miss either.
Both can be great and I considered PG before starting, for the convenience. Ultimately I knew I would like the flying characteristics of HG a lot more, plus I favor speed and glide, so I went for HG. I'm absolutely happiest with this decision. Most places I fly can be reached with car anyway. I might get a PG too at some point but I had a few flights and wasn't impressed. I also feel a lot safer on hg.
A friend here learned HG after 10 years of PG and loved it. After a while got himself a Gecko (intermediate wing). He flies both 50/50% now. For thermal sites he does HG more often now, and lazy days it is PG, also for a coastal site with a restricted LZ. For these sites I just use a slower wing though
everything is better with a paraglider. except flying.
That is a brilliant statement and sums it up perfectly
Do acro???
Really nicely done video and great comparison Tiam! Something I've wondered about for a while. I'd love to learn to fly hang gliders if I can pull myself away from PGs :)
I think you would love to try man, I’ll take you for a tandem, next time at rainbow
A friend here learned HG after 10 years of PG and loved it. After a while got himself a Gecko (intermediate wing). He flies both 50/50% now. For thermal sites he does HG more often now, and lazy days it is PG, also for a coastal site with a restricted LZ. I'm still HG only though, tried PG but wasnt impressed
@@tindaltarran let’s do it mate! I’m keen!
spoke with Adre' Bucher early 1991 when he was in California working for UP paragliding, doing a demo tour with the Katana, Stellar. He tried both hang gliding and paragliding and thought the base bar ruined the free feeling, mentioned when the pilot leans forward in a paragliding harness, there's nothing....
So you confirmed in the video that you don't actually fly paragliders, but rather parakites kind of wings (Moustache, Mullet, Mouette and what not). So you should rename your video to "parakites vs hang gliding" and not confuse people. Paragliding is a completely different story, and there are so many more aspects of it, not just waga-waga over a sea shore.
Couldn’t agree more. Nice vid though and confirms that I do want to get under a hang glider one day.
I like this comment because I couldn’t agree more, that kite wings are not paraglides. However I did need to get my paragliding license pg4 and speed wing to do so… I think to non flyers especially they are paraglides. I definitely know nothing much about XC in a Paraglider. I believe that you could teach people how to fly a kite wings without the need to even touch a traditional Paraglider. I also believe that the kite wings fly much more like a hang glider than they do a Paraglider.
@@tindaltarranI’m not familiar with Australian pg certifications, but I read that you need atleast 5 thermal hours to get a pg4, is that accurate? So you have at least had 2-3 good days thermaling?
I think he knows his material for both disciplines. Most HG vs PG videos and articles are mostly biased favoring PG. They all skip the inconvenient part - non-rigid nature of it. So yeah this is a very honest review in my opinion.
PS. No disrespect to PGs, I’m glad we get to share the sky and we do need each other. IMO
@@alexmark1982 He doesn't talk about PG. He talks about kitewings, and they are NOT PG. They are similar in design and shape, but fly differently and have different properties.
As far as I've seen, the limited statistics on both sports show an accident and death rate about 30% higher on paragliders (per participant)
But you haven't done any pg flights?
If kite wings are not paraglides why do I need a paragliding license to do it? Great point
Fascinating breakdown of the differences. I imagine the kite wings still have similar tendencies to collapse as normal paragliders do (at least when flying in turbulent conditions), correct? That's been my biggest fear of paragliding.
You would think that, and definitely every wing has it’s limitations, but the reflex profile of these new kite wings are really amazing in rotor, we barely see any of them collapse in very fresh conditions, but the confidence they give you, is why they are more dangerous, in my experience
Makes me want to try the hangy! Nice vid man 🤘
After an SIV, collapses are the smallest thing to worry about! They are only dangerous near the ground, solution.. stay away from the ground!
You should change the title, it's like clickbait to any paraglider pilot... You said it yourself, your not flying ("classic") paragliders
The problem is most people don’t know what a kite wing is, I agree it isn’t really a Paraglider, however is is classified as one, most people are flying kites and not paragliders now at the sites I fly, they are the costal evolution of the Paraglider
@ they are the same. I didn’t get a kite wing license. Great point
I'll do both ❤
Just Fly.... you should have two hang gliders, I have moyes Malibu, ww Ramair, and I'm picking up a mustache this spring. Be ready to fly any location and conditions. For me, big air hang gliding . Coastal soaring Malibu or mustache.
Point Cartright in the mix.
I really enjoyed your video and flew hang gliders for 20 years, including in inland competition events. I am now learning to paraglide and the most dangerous aspect of PG,s is the chance of collapse close to the ground. This has almost been eliminated by the RAST technology which effectively creates a spar within the wing, and in fact, Swing had trouble certifying it, because they couldn't get it to collapse in SIV testing. I feel if most PG designers used this technology, Paragliding would be a lot safer. This video explains how it works. ruclips.net/video/acJV8_0pv80/видео.htmlsi=I1WSmhf24o1Lb-WB
Or just fly your hang glider seated 😁
Fly both. Why compromise..😂
I feel hang gliders are good at one thing only.. paragliders can do xc, hike and fly, soaring, wagga, acro...and are just easier to transport and overall handling
World record paraglide xc is 612 km, versus hang glide xc record at 764 km. Both in Texas.
Hang gliders also definitely do acrobatic stuff. I was flying a week ago with a guy doing wingovers. It was amazing stuff.
Of all the pilots I know who fly both, I have been told by all of them that flying is better in a hang glider.
I do agree with you on the hike and flys and ease of transportation. I don't mind the transportation part. But the only reason I am considering getting into paragliding is for hike and flys.
If you want to go far, fly a sailplane. The world record is over 1600 kilometers.
Awesome video mate
Really enjoyed the comparisons.
You answered a lot of my curiosities i had about hang gliders compared to pg 👊
Don’t try this on the Israeli border…
I you don't know statistics - find out. Don't make Douchebag comments.