Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness or lies supine in a coccoon-like 'speed bag' suspended below a fabric wing. Wing shape is maintained by the suspension lines, the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing, and the aerodynamic forces of the air flowing over the outside.
Powered paragliding, also known as paramotoring or PPG, is a form of ultralight aviation where the pilot wears a back-mounted motor which provides enough thrust to take off using a paraglider. It can be launched in still air, and on level ground, by the pilot alone — no assistance is required.
Paramotor is the generic name for the harness and propulsive portion of a powered paraglider ("PPG"). There are two basic types of paramotors: foot launch and wheel launch.
A glider is a fixed-wing aircraft that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its lifting surfaces, and whose free flight does not depend on an engine. Most gliders do not have an engine, although motor-gliders have small engines for extending their flight when necessary by sustaining the altitude with some being powerful enough to take off self-launch.
Paraavis Company is a Russian aircraft manufacturer based in Moscow and founded in 1992. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of paramotors, paragliders, parachutes, powered parachutes and parafoil kites for kitesurfing, in the form of ready-to-fly aircraft for the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules and the European Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category.
Paramania LLC is a British aircraft manufacturer based in London. The company was founded by powered paraglider competition pilot Mike Campbell-Jones in Le Chillou, France in about 2002 and later relocated to the UK. It specializes in the design and manufacture of wings for powered paragliding and at one time produced paramotors for the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules and the European microlight category.
Edel Paragliders was a South Korean aircraft manufacturer based in Gwangju and headed by Sung Heon Song. The company specialized in the design and manufacture of paragliders and paramotor wings in the form of ready-to-fly aircraft.
Firebird USA LLC is a German/American parachute and former aircraft manufacturer initially based in Füssen and Bitburg, but now located in Eloy, Arizona. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of parachutes and at one time also constructed paragliders and parafoil kites.
Nervures is a French aircraft manufacturer based in Soulom. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of paragliders and paramotor wings in the form of ready-to-fly aircraft, plus paragliding accessories.
The Ozone Atom is a French single-place paraglider that was designed by hang gliding and paragliding world champion pilot Robbie Whittall and produced by Ozone Gliders of Le Bar-sur-Loup. It remained in production as the Ozone 3 in 2016.
The Ozone Mac Daddy Bi is a French two-place paraglider that was designed by hang gliding and paragliding world champion pilot Robbie Whittall and produced by Ozone Gliders of Le Bar-sur-Loup. It is no longer in production.
The Ozone Peak is a French single-place paraglider that was designed by hang gliding and paragliding world champion pilot Robbie Whittall and produced by Ozone Gliders of Le Bar-sur-Loup. It is no longer in production.
The Ozone Proton is a French single-place paraglider that was designed by hang gliding and paragliding world champion pilot Robbie Whittall and produced by Ozone Gliders of Le Bar-sur-Loup. It is no longer in production.
The Ozone Vibe is a French single-place paraglider that was designed by hang gliding and paragliding world champion pilot Robbie Whittall and produced by Ozone Gliders of Le Bar-sur-Loup. It is no longer in production.
The Ozone Vulcan is a French single-place paraglider that was designed by hang gliding and paragliding world champion pilot Robbie Whittall and produced by Ozone Gliders of Le Bar-sur-Loup. It is no longer in production.
Pegas 2000 SRO is a Czech aircraft manufacturer based in Prague. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of paragliders in the form of ready-to-fly aircraft. The company also builds powered paragliding wings and parafoil kites.
The PRS Peak is a German single-place paraglider that was designed by Pilots Right Stuff (PRS) in conjunction with Robbie Whittall and Ozone Gliders and produced by Pilots Right Stuff of Brannenburg. It is now out of production.
Pilots Right Stuff was a German aircraft manufacturer based in Brannenburg and founded by Hans Bausenwein. The company specialized in the design and manufacture of paragliders in the form of ready-to-fly aircraft.
Skywalk GmbH & Co. KG is a German aircraft manufacturer based in Marquartstein, Bavaria. Founded by Manfred Kistler and Thomas Allertseder in 2001, the company specializes in the design and manufacture of paragliders in the form of ready-to-fly aircraft as well as paragliding harnesses. The company also makes kite surfing wings and promotional tents.
Fly Air Limited is a Bulgarian aircraft manufacturer based in Trudovec, headed by Simeon Simeonov. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of ultralight aircraft, including ultralight trikes, powered parachutes and powered paragliders. The company was originally located in Pravets.
