BRIEF ABOUT AERO SPORTS EQUIPMENT

Paramotor/Paraplane

A Paramotor is a powered Para Glider. A small engine weighing 17 k.g and strapped on the human back provides the necessary thrust.  It is also known as a Paraplane when the engine is mounted on a trike instead of being strapped on the human back.

Para Gliding

Para glider is an elliptical shaped ram air canopy with a harness.  It is a mix of parachuting & hang gliding. It offers to you the fun of flying in a parachute without actually going up in an aircraft and gathering the courage to jump off. It helps you soar like a hang glider but has certain advantages over hang gliding. First, the para glider weighs just 6-8 Kgs and fold up into a back pack. A hang glider on the other hand weighs about 25 Kgs and is carried in a 15-20 feet long container. The portability of the para glider viz a viz the hang glider has been a primary cause for its quick popularity.  A para glider is essentially a “wing”.  It is also known as “aerofoil”.  It is made of either nylon or dacron and is non-rigid structure.  The wing behaves in accordance with the theories of aerodynamics.  Actually, it is an aircraft in a backpack.  The wing is connected to a harness by a series of nylon lines.  This harness is worn by the pilot and he thus connected to the wing.  The para glider also has a few control lines which help the pilot steer it.

The requirement of the sport , apart from the para glider, are protective clothing for the pilot, a hill with gentle slopes, a steady breeze and a small flat area for landing.  To fly off a hill, the pilot straps himself onto the glider, lets the breeze inflate it and runs into the wind.  This helps the glider produce a lift and as a result the pilot is airborne. Once a pilot is air borne, the para glider does not merely glide on the earth but also uses the thermals and winds that deflect it upwards after striking the hill, to soar higher and higher.  In the absence of para gliding sites, pilot gets airborne with the help of a hydraulic winch at any paved fields.  Paragliding can be done solo as well as tandem with a trained Instructor.  It is very popular at tourist places where one can pay and have joy rides.        

Hang Glider

Hang Gliding is carried out from hills with the help of trikes.  Trikes are made of Aluminum in solid frames and the wings are made of Decoran fabrics. 

Here the sports person flies the trikes, that is Hang Glider by shifting his body weight.   One can soar for hours using thermals like gliding and then land at predetermined target safely.  They are available in Solo as well as Tandem models.  It can be practiced with the help of winch also.

Hang Gliding is a very specialist sport and is  very dominating in terms of  professional ability.

Powered Hang Glider

The concept and technique is more or less the same as Hang Gliding, using a kite shape wing with a weight shift mechanism control.  The powered version, like the  name suggests has an engine to take-off and gain altitudes.  One sits in tandem with the pilot.  There is no cockpit, just a lapstrap.

Powered Glider : 

Powered Glider is a conventional glider fitted with an engine to accommodate one or two persons. This is the main difference between a glider and a powered glider.  Unlike glider, powered glider does not require a winch for launching as the engine is used to launch the powered glider. By virtue of having an engine, powered glider has greater operational flexibility in terms of operation and ground facilities.  The envelope of operation of a powered glider is much larger than a conventional glider and also it enhances the safety factor.  Under normal circumstances the engine is used only for launching the glider and on attaining suitable height the engine is shut down and the powered glider soars like a conventional glider.  However, whenever a pilot desires to attain extra distance or height in the absence of thermals (suitable weather conditions) the engine is re-started.  In a nut shell a powered glider is a bridge between a glider and a basic trainer aircraft and besides being used in the sports facilities it can also be used effectively in initiating orientation courses. 

Hot Air Balloon

Hot Air Ballooning (HAB) is a very exciting and enjoyable adventure sport, but it is not very popular in our country.  It  works on the principle that, the balloon gains height due to heating by gas-burners mounted under the balloon, where as, it is propelled forward depending on the wind speed/direction. 

HAB is a group activity and involves minimum four to six persons.  While even a single Pilot (aircrew) can fly the balloon, assistance of ground crew is mandatory for pre-flight and post-flight activities. 

 The main HAB equipment is as follows :-

 (a)  Balloon -  The balloons come in varying sizes, depending upon the requirement.  The upper portion is made up of synthetic, waterproof material, whereas the bottom or mouth of the balloon is made up of fire-proof material.

(b) Basket -  The baskets are also of varying sizes, suitable for 2-8 persons.  The sides are made of woven cane and the bottom is of marine plywood.  The top and bottom edges are bound with cowhide leather.

(c)  Burners -  These vary from single burner to six burners and are vertical spiral tubing burners with self ignition and emergency lamp, mounted on stainless – steel tubular frame.

(d) Mounting Rods -  These are flexible Teflon/nylon rods used for mounting burner onto the basket.  These are further strengthened by steel slings.

(e)  Misc. Equipment  -  RT Set, GPS, Gas Lighter,  Binoculars, gloves, goggles, first-aid kit, water flask, tether rope etc.

Pre-flight activity mainly involves inspection of equipment for wear & tear or damages, repair/replacement as and when required, assembling the equipment and preparing for the flight.  Flight plan should be filed with ATC in advance and time slot should be obtained.  The main PF checks are as follows :-

(a)  Burner check including emergency lamp and tubular frame.

(b) Cylinder check for adequate pressure of gas & proper working of valves, levers, gauges.

(c)  Inspection of basket, strapping belts and steel slings.

(d) Mounting of burner on to the basket.

(e)  Laying the balloon.

(f)   Inspection of balloon for tears, bums, ripping or weakening of material.

(g)  Proper working of vent and control cords.

(h) Attaching the balloon to the basket/burner.

(i)  Tethering the balloon.

(j)  Cold inflation with fans.

(k)  Hot inflation.

(l)   Check functioning of RT set and GPS.

(m) Establish contact with ATC and CHASE vehicle/party.

(n)  Obtain permission and Met-briefing from ATC.

(o) Secure all cords and TAKE-OFF.

Post flight activities mainly involve holding/securing the basket to the ground, deflating the balloon, dismantling the equipment, packing in the bags and loading onto the chase vehicle.

Ground support is provided by Chase party, which follows the balloon in a vehicle suitable as per terrain and for loading of equipment.  Space equipment, fans, gas cylinders and other emergency items are also carried in the Chase vehicle.  The balloon should always be in RT contact and, as far as possible, also in visual contact.

HAB expeditions require meticulous advance planning, depending mainly on weather conditions.  Route-recee is mandatory for determining the flying height, enroute hazards, enroute landing sites etc.  It is not advisable to undertake HAB activity during hot or rainy seasons.  Strong winds are also dangerous.  Winter season is the most suitable period for HAB.

Winch (for launching Paraglider)

A specially designed winch used for launching Hang Glider, Paraglider etc at places having paucity of suitable paragliding/hang gliding sites.

Parachute Systems (Skydiving Equipments)

Skydiving is an advanced form of parachuting which is carried out using a Parachute system from higher heights which can be gained using a helicopter, aeroplane, Hot Air Balloon or so.  In skydiving the skydiver takes a leap from the skies at a higher height such as 12000 ft and falls free till about 3000 ft. and then opens his Parachute himself, glides the canopy and lands at a pre-determined target on ground. Skydiving is always done using two parachutes one main and one for emergency attached to a single harness.  ACI had already procured qty.04 Parachute Systems during the previous plan but to enhance national standards the following equipments are also required :-

a)     Basic Skydiving Parachutes

b)    Intermediate Skydiving Parachute

c)     Advanced Skydiving Parachute

     d)Tandem Skydiving Parachute

Parasails :

Parasailing is the simplest and safest of all the aerosports. Parasailing is done by using an ascending parachute canopy. The parasail is a lifting or ascending parachute that may be towed aloft in much the same manner as a kite. As speed increases, the parachute ascends. When towing slows or stops, the para sail descends to earth, just like a conventional parachute. By controlling the speed of the tow vehicle, it is possible to fly the para sail at any altitude permitted by the length of the tow rope. Maximum altitude is approximately 70 % of the tow line length.

The Para Sail canopy consists of 16 gores and suspension lines and two center lines which retract the apex. Air vents in the rear of the canopy create aerodynamic lift and left and right stabilizer panels provide directional stability in tow. The front of the canopy, identified by an arrow mark, is attached to the left and right front (upper) risers and the rear of the canopy is attached to the rear (lower) risers. The front risers are connected to the tow line by means of a permanently attached yoke.

Place the canopy on the ground with the arrow centered and facing upward. Unchain the suspension lines and extend the lines on the ground in the direction of flight (into the wind). Spread the canopy outward from each side of the arrow mark, placing it flat on the ground with the stabilizer panels outermost. Standing near the arrow mark, grasp line  1 with the right hand , line 16 with the left hand and walk towards the risers, working any twists or tangles toward the risers and removing them there. The lines are in proper order only when lines 1 and 16 can be traced from arrow mark to the inside of the front (upper) risers without interference and with no twist in the risers. If the canopy and lines are tangled, have another crew member hold the risers and turn them as required, while you trace lines 1 and 16 down from the arrow mark.

A jeep, gypsy or a boat, are used as prime mover. The parasailer is attached using a rope from the prime mover to the para sailing canopy. As the prime mover moves forward the parasailer is expected to run and within a few steps he is likely to take off. Depending upon the wind it takes 10 to 100 steps for getting airborne. The parasailer attains the height of 100 feet to 500 feet depending upon the rope and the area available for prime mover to move. As the prime mover slows down, the parasail starts descending, the instructor gives a soft touch landing by using his proficiency to make the parasailer do a walk up landing. This sport can be picked up by any volunteer who can run about 50 mts, and can jump from the height of a study table.

The launch area/ ground must allow take off directly into the wind and should be enough to allow 50 feet of running room after the canopy is stretched out and inflated. A 7 mph wind will allow almost immediate take off, while low or no wind conditions may require short run before take off. The launch area must be clear of trees, power lines or other obstructions for a minimum width of 100 feet ( 50 feet on either side ). A change in wind direction during launch may cause the canopy to travel to the left or right before it begins to ascend. The flight area should be an open ground with a minimum dimension (length or width) of 10 times the tow line length: in areas where no turns are planned, a minimum dimension of 05 times the tow line length is acceptable. Larger grounds will permit longer, more leisure flights. There should be no trees, power lines or other hazards which could interfere with safe flight. The standard 300 feet tow line may be shortened to as little as 100 feet for smaller ground / launching area. If you shortened the tow line, tape the ends to prevent fraying.

This sport is most popular in the country today but only on land. Rest of the world  parasailing is more popular on water  called aqua sailing which is done with the help of a boat. The total time required for briefing and training for a joy ride will be about 15 mts and for one to become professional parasail instructor, a training of one to two week is considered adequate.

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