[Aero165]

Ignore the subject...

Check out this piece of misinformation at http://www.paraglide.com.au/Australian_Paragliding_Centre/FAQ_and_Advice.html .

About halfway down "What is the difference between a paraglider and a hang glider"

I don't know where this clown gets 45Kgs from but he should check his facts

[Jason]

[lostgriz]

It is one thing to highlight the differences, it is another to distort the truth and lie.

I actually think someone ought to have a talk with those guys on the wording, and maybe that guy is me.

I will be contacting them in this regard.........

[fly,surf,&ski]

Are you sure that's not from the TPG website?

[Aero165]

Link works now

[relate2]

I have sent a friendly email regarding the blatant lie of hang gliders weighing over 45Kgs. An Airborne Fun 160 only weighs 19kgs for a start.

We will see how he replies and I will keep it cordial unless he wants to ignore me or ignore the facts.

[remmoore]

Here's another piece of stellar reporting from the SLC Tribune.

http://www.sltrib.com/southvalley/ci_12727719

The reporter gets her "facts" about the differences between HG and PG from a PG instructor:

Unlike hang gliding, paragliding can be much more forgiving because the paragliding has a slower flying speed.

The difference between paragliding and hang gliding lies in the configuration of the wings. Paragliders are soft wing structures, reminiscent of a traditional parachute. The much heavier hang gliders are made from an aluminum or composite frame with a fabric wing.

I've heard stories of PG instructors spreading BS about the relative safety of PG's over HG's to potential students, but hadn't seen it for myself until now.

RM

[tokyoDirk]

I like how the text is one big image so you can't search. thats awesome.

they win at the internets.

[Dawson]

From my understaning of the Trade Practices act, this falls into the category of Misleading and Deceptive Conduct http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/815335.

Interestingly, I was taught that anyone is able to sue a company for misleading and deceptive conduct, not just someone who has lost money from that conduct.

I also vaguely recall this coming up either here, or on the OR forum some time ago.

Dawson

[Aero165]

I've sent him a email too. Politely asking them to get their facts straight.

I've flown paragliders before and enjoyed it thoroughly. I think paragliders have enough pros they shouldn't need to create lies about hang gliding to sell the sport!

[Love2Glide]

Maybe they are referring to a Moyes Xtralite.....

[fly,surf,&ski]

The only way to really to see if a flight school is pitching heat(misrepresenting) the difference between HG and PG is to call them and act like a wuffo.

There's some good stories about such phone calls out there.
Don't forget to tape record if you do it!

[Jake 526]

His website states that "Hang gliding is a dieing sport"...

It's supposed to be "dying sport".

Dumb 'Jellyfish'

[lostgriz]

Per my post above, I had to contact these guys regarding their claims. I will let you know if they reply. My email is pasted below.

To My Fellow Pilots:

I hope this email finds you all enjoying long safe flights. My name is Matt Christensen and I am a hang glider and paraglider pilot from the US. I learned to paraglide over 16 years ago at the Point of the Mountain in Utah, with Chris Santacroche. I had logged hundreds of safe flights before I quit keeping my log book up to date around 10 years ago. Shortly after learning to paraglide, I made the decision to fly hang gliders as well. As a pilot that has enjoyed the different aspects of flying both PGs and HGs for many years now, I am well aware of the differences between the two.

While I am sure it is probably inadvertent, the description that you have posted on your website explaining the differences between the two, really misrepresents hang gliding.

-The weight of a typical intermediate hang glider is around 28kgs, not 45 kgs.

-The landing speed is higher, but varies depending on the glider. The typical novice glider that would be flown by an entry level pilot lands much slower than you imply.

-To say that hang glider landings often result in injuries, is the equivalent of saying that paragliders often collapse and fall out of the sky often resulting in injuries; or that paraglder pilots regularly throw their reserves and fall out of the sky uncontrollably, often resulting in injuries.

-Hang gliding is certainly not a "dieing sport". There are passionate hang glider pilots the world over and new pilots are enjoying this form of flight every day. Some of these new pilots also fly paragliders. Hang gliding is alive and well!

-You have stated "paragliders are safer," as both a hang glider and paraglider pilot, I am not biased in this regard; but I have never seen any valid statistical analysis to substantiate this claim.

There is no question that the growth of paragliding has been exponential, while the sport of hang gliding suffers from some gross misconceptions by the public at large. I assume that the intent of your explanation of the differences between paragliders and hang gliders had no malicious intent, unfortunately the perception of hang gliding that is conveyed to a potential pilot is very negative and unnecessarily offensive to your fellow pilots. The sport of paragliding can stand on its own without perpetuating misconceptions about your foot launching brethren. I would respectfully implore you to reconsider your explanation of these differences to include only the fundamental facts and let people make their decision accordingly. There are plenty of valid reasons to consider paragliding without stepping on the sport that in many ways, paved the way for the success of modern paragliding.


Sincerely,

Matt Christensen

[danG]

Matt, you need to work in international relations! Brilliantly diplomatic (and hopefully effective) letter. Bravo, and thanks!

[SpiNNeR]

makes for interesting reading - like my bloods about to boil . our last annual report shows 27 PG accidents to 3 HG accidents in the last year - factor in the ratio of say 2 to 1 in numbers and that makes HG still a safer sport in my opinion - but hey each unto their own right

[fly,surf,&ski]

Great Job!!

[lostgriz]

[bobk]

[old newbie]

Wow you guys need to fly more! What does your harness, reserve, helmet , vario weigh? So he did not pick he lightest setup describing hang gliding, he also did not describe the lightest paraglider setup. I see paraglider pilots hiking up to launches all the time, only once have I ever seen a hang glider hiked to launch(a Finstwalder short pack). When your are done with the paraglider industry you can start working on auto , beer and other advertising.

Why do hang forums fixate on paragliding, paraglider forums don't spend time being critical of hang gliding?

Steve Forslund