By Eric Laforge, on 25 May 2025
Recent evolution of the paragliding checks that we have been doing since the beginning of the activity, 40 years ago.
At ASAGIRI SA, we control paragliders of all brands and types. The progress in performance, ease and lightness has been enormous. This has consequences on the maintenance of our beautiful machines that have only a distant relation with the 7 or 8 cells «parachutes» in spinaker fabric of 1985!
Periodicity of maintenance
The maintenance frequency recommended by paragliding manufacturers is most often 2 years (same as it was 30 years ago!). This is no longer suitable for recent models due to several reasons discussed below.
Impact
One can very well have a paraglider that no longer corresponds to the certification of the model well before 2 years!
Explanations
Some manufacturers already recommend a trim measurement during the first year, especially for high-performance models. It is tricky for a manufacturer to indicate a shorter maintenance interval than its competitors, as this would be frowned upon by customers…
Remedy
Have your glider tested at least partially during the first year!
Porosity
Porosity is an important criterion for the navigability of paragliders. We are increasingly encountering large disparities in our measurements according to the location, reference, color and roll of the fabric.
If the porosity is high on a large part of the leading edge, this can make the paraglider unsuitable for flight. This can happen before the first maintenance deadline usually recommended by manufacturers (1 or 2 years)!
Impact
Strong porosity at the leading edge can cause deep stall with the brakes or when “big ears” are made.
Explanations
Manufacturers have optimized their choice of fabric to reduce the weight of the wings. We now find models built with more than 5 different fabrics and multiple colors! Variations in the quality of tissue coating may occur.
Remedy
Measure the porosity to detect dangerously out-of-specs paragliders!
We are proud to offer porosity tests free-of-charge as a safety mesure for everyone.
More info > https://asagiri.ch/en/porosity-safety-measure/
Trim
Recent paragliders can have a non-certified trim after a few dozen hours of flight.
Impact
This slows down the speed by a few km/h of course, but can also affect negatively the roll stability or other valuable features of our beautiful paragliders.
Explanations
Paragliders today are highly optimized with a decrease in the number of lines.
With the high performance profiles and high quality of the sail, even a slight lengthening or shortening of the lines can have a significant impact on performance and flight behaviour!!
Remedy
Have the trim measured during the first year ideally after a few tens of hours of flight!
More info > https://asagiri.ch/en/trimming/
Brake length
We find more and more paragliders with brakes too short 5, 10 or even 15 cm!
Impact
This makes the glider unstable in pitch, which is unpleasant and causes more collapses. It is also very dangerous when out of the stall with an increased risk of “falling into the canopy”.
Explanations
The brake lines are very lightly loaded (5 to 10 kg per handle for 10 or 12 lines attached to the wing). In addition, they are often in contact with the soil and its possible moisture.
Depending on the materials used, the lines shorten enormously! We observe this mainly on paragliders equipped with very thin lines.
Remedy
A) Check in flight that there is a guard, that is to say that the brakes can be pulled at least 5 cm before the trailing edge begins to deform.
B) Have the trim measured!
The measurement of brakes is always done during the trim measurement.
More info > https://asagiri.ch/en/brakes-the-right-setting/
Conclusion
To safely enjoy your new paraglider, have the porosity checked (it’s free!) and the trim checked during the first year.
Good flights and take care of yourself and your equipment!
Eric Laforge
I have developed many paragliding models and participated in the development of certification standards… My colleagues and I have been checking and repairing all paragliding equipment for over 30 years with the same passion!
