Paraglider Trimming

Keeping your paraglider in shape, as designed by the factory

Every paraglider is planned by the factory's designer with a certain format. This shape includes the thickness of the airfoil, the airfoil curvature and the internal pressure distributed through the interior of the airfoil. All these shape characteristics are provided for by the airfoil profiles, the cell closing strips (fabric), the length of the lines and the positioning of the line anchors on the airfoil, which distribute the load supported by the airfoil and help in the effective formation of the shape .

Well, of course the whole ensemble stays in a certain shape mainly based on the measurements of the suspension lines that hold the pilot to the airfoil. The lines are distributed in planned positions across the airfoil, and are calculated in length and thickness to give the final shape to the canopy and remain as originally planned for as long as possible.

There are several materials from which the lines are produced: kevlar, aramid, dyneema, polyester and vectran, among others. Each of them has strengths and weaknesses, but all manufacturers are looking for materials that can meet the designers' specifications, keep the shape stable, and last with few deformations.

Anyway, with time of use (load/traction) and exposure to sun and heat, the lines ends up suffering impacts and deforming. The lines in galleries A and B tends to lengthen and those in gallery C tends to shorten. Additionally, when the pilot has the addiction to turn, far more, to one side only, this deformation occurs asymmetrically between the sides and galleries.

The interesting thing about trimming a paraglider is that, when the pilot buys his brand new zero km paraglider, it doesn't arrive in its ideal shape yet. It takes approximately 10 hours of flight for the paraglider to finally reach its ideal setting and, after approximately 20 hours, some manufacturers recommends a line check to verify trim and symmetry.

Paragliding maintenance centers across Brazil are all able to assist the pilot in this maintenance plan and to make the necessary adjustments to return your paraglider to its ideal planned shape. Many pilots, many even, fly their paragliders for years without even experiencing what it was really designed to deliver. Their paragliders are slow, tends to one side, lose efficiency in transitions etc.

Have you been flying your paraglider for about 1 year and never sent it for review? Did you buy your secondhand paraglider and never sent it for an overhaul? You have no idea of how much efficiency your paraglider might be losing... and maybe even safety.

Sometimes you read my posts talking about trim adjustments of some of my paragliders and it is important to explain the following: I have the knowledge for this operation and I know very well what i do expect as the result. DON'T RUN EXPERIENCES BY YOURSELF! Each paraglider ends up having a design that works well with a given wing load and not so well below or above this ideal load. In my case, specifically, I fly a very light paraglider for hike and fly (3.7kg) and I opted to take a canopy with a little bigger size (24m2 from 85kg to 105kg and take off with 92kg). This paraglider works fine with around 102kg of takeoff load. So what I'm doing is modifying the paraglider's trim so that it gives me the handling and performance of 102kg load taking off with the only 92kg that I'm configured for the hike and fly. Well, stay tuned and use the maintenance centers to check and adjust your paraglider's trim. You will see it is an investment that worths every penny. Good and long flights (in shape) to you all guys,

CB