Frequently Asked Questions

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The size of a paraglider wing is chosen primarily based on the all-up weight (Total Flight Weight), which is your body weight plus the weight of your harness, your reserve parachute, your clothing, and your onboard gear (water supply, camera, etc.). Each Supair wing is available in several sizes, each covering a certified all-up weight range. Flying in the lower range provides a smoother, more secure ride; flying in the upper range makes handling more dynamic and high-performance. It is recommended that you consult with an instructor or a specialized retailer to determine the optimal size for your flying style.

all-up weight, or Total Weight in Flight, is the sum of all weights present under the wing at takeoff: the weight of the pilot, the harness, the reserve parachute, clothing, helmet, flight instruments, and any onboard equipment. It is the reference value used to select the correct wing size and ensure that you remain within the certified range. Flying outside the all-up weight range specified by the manufacturer voids the certification and poses safety risks. At Supair, each product sheet clearly indicates the all-up weight range for each available wing size.

EN certifications (European standards) classify paraglider wings based on their level of passive safety and their behavior in the event of an incident:

• EN-A: The safest gliders, designed for beginners. They reopen automatically without any action on the pilot's part.
• EN-B: Versatile gliders for pilots who have mastered the basics. Minor corrections are needed in the event of an incident.
• EN-C: gliders for experienced pilots; they offer better performance but require quick reactions.
• EN-D: high-performance gliders for expert pilots, requiring a high level of active piloting.

Supair offers gliders in each of these categories, from the Birdy (EN-A) to the Wild 2 (EN-D), to support pilots at every stage of their progress.

Our gliders are developed and fine-tuned in conjunction with our harnesses—and vice versa—so we can be sure they’re compatible. Our gliders are certified for use with our harnesses, as is the case with most manufacturers that offer both gliders and harnesses in their product lines. However, there’s nothing stopping you from flying with a glider and a harness from different brands.

Supair launched its first paraglider in 2014 with the SORA tandem glider, a model that was quickly adopted by flight schools and professional instructors. The solo glider lineup followed in 2015 with the EONA (EN-A), the LEAF (EN-B), and the EIKO (mountain glider). In 2017, Supair acquired the Gradient brand, strengthening its expertise in performance wings. Today, the lineup includes wings for all skill levels from EN-A to EN-D, as well as tandem wings.

Choosing a harness depends on three criteria. First, the type of flying: school flights, local flying, cross-country, hike & fly, acro, or tandem flying all have different requirements. Next, skill level: a beginner pilot will prefer a stable harness that’s easy to adjust and offers good protection, such as the Access 3; an experienced pilot will look for better performance or lighter weight. Finally, the weight-to-comfort trade-off: a hike & fly harness like the Strike 3 (about 2 kg) or the reversible Altirando Lite 2 is easy to carry, while a cross-country harness like the Delight 5 offers more support for long flights. Supair offers a guide at supair.com/trouver-votre-equipement to help you identify the model best suited to your profile.

It’s helpful to have good back support (without the side adjustments getting in the way under your arms), so you should choose the largest size… But the seat shouldn’t be too wide either, because that causes destabilizing wobble!

Proper adjustment is essential for flying comfortably and safely. The main adjustments involve the shoulder straps, the backrest angle, the lumbar support, the waist strap—which controls the harness’s stability—and, on cocoon-style harnesses, the length of the speedbag. Initial adjustments are made on the ground, while suspended from a frame, at a retailer, or with an instructor. Every Supair harness comes with an instruction manual that details these adjustments.

MOUSSE-BAGs (called BUMP’AIR by SUPAIR) are used to improve aerodynamics (the harness is thinner while providing the same level of cushioning as an AIRBAG). Whenever light weight and reduced bulk are important, the AIRBAG is the way to go!

It’s very important to check this (every 50 flights or once a year) because it could be broken without you even noticing! This could damage the harness’s structural straps. – If the plate is broken or damaged, it must be replaced. – If the straps are damaged, you must contact your dealer before using your harness again.

BUMPAIR 's protection must be inspected after every significant impact. We recommend replacing the BUMPAIR after 3 significant impacts or 5 years of use.

The range is extensive to meet as many needs as possible. There are various trade-offs, and depending on your activity (and your budget!), it might be a good idea to have several harnesses!

Once you’ve taken off, don’t try to transition to a seated position; stay braced against the belly strap and hook the “ Speedbag ” with your heel. Use the back of the “ Speedbag ” for support to transition to a seated position.
If you were unable to hook the Speedbag before transitioning to a seated position, move to an area of calm air, hold both controls in one hand, and grab the Speedbag with your free hand to bring it down to your feet.

When traveling—especially by plane—the main considerations are weight and size. An “ reversible harness ” likethe Altirando Lite 2, which converts into a backpack, or a very lightweight harness like the Radical 4 helps minimize bulk. The Strike 3, weighing around 2 kg, is a good compromise if you want to keep a “cocoon” for cross-country flying. Also consider a lightweight reserve parachute , such as the X-Lite, to keep your gear set cohesive.

It’s true that harness-style harnesses are often more stable because they don’t have a seat plate; the center of gravity is therefore lower, which raises the attachment points. But that’s not the only factor affecting stability—the ABS system and the height of the chest strap are also important.

To clean a harness and remove dirt stains, do not use detergent, as it could damage it. The safest approach is to use only soap and water and gently scrub with a sponge or washcloth.

If, despite proper harness adjustments, you still have difficulty getting into the seated position, you can use the footrest by sliding it between your legs during takeoff.

This is most likely due to an asymmetry in the lengths of thespeed bar lines, not a poor harness adjustment. You should also practice accelerating by placing your foot in the center of the bar so that you can push it symmetrically.

A cross-country harness is designed for comfort and stability on long flights: it features a snug, wraparound design, substantial back protection, plenty of storage, and adjustments that can be made in flight. It is heavier and bulkier: the Delight 5, for example, weighs between 3.23 and 3.8 kg, depending on the size.

A hike & fly harness is designed to be carried on foot to the takeoff point: it is lighter and more compact. At Supair, the Strike 3 (weighing 2.02 to 2.28 kg) and the reversible Altirando Lite 2 represent this category, and the Radical 4 takes lightweight design even further.

To get started, you need a stable harness that’s easy to adjust, with good back protection and a smooth transition from standing to sitting. At Supair, that’s wherethe Access 3 comes in—the training and progression harness, available with either airbag or foam protection BUMPAIR. Once they’re flying independently, many pilots switch to a recreational or cross-country harness: the Delight 5, for example, is a great first cross-country harness. Always have your instructor check your choice and settings.

We recommend airing out and folding—or having someone else fold—the reserve parachute at least once a year.

There are three main types of reserve parachutes. The round one is simple and reliable, but it oscillates a bit more during descent. The square one, which is the most common today, is more stable and often descends more slowly under the same load; it cannot be steered. The Rogallo, on the other hand, is steerable and allows you to avoid obstacles, but it requires practice. The most important thing is to choose the right size based on your all-up weight and to check compatibility with your harness. Supair offers round parachutes (Start, Shine) and square parachutes (Fluid, Fluid Light Evo).

The size of the reserve parachute is chosen based on the all-up weight (Total Flight Weight), just as with a paraglider. Each Supair parachute model is available in several sizes covering specific all-up weight ranges, as indicated on the product sheet and in the certification document. It is essential to stay within the certified range: a parachute that is too small for your all-up weight would not slow your descent sufficiently, with serious consequences upon landing. If in doubt, it is always better to choose the next larger size. A specialized retailer or Supair customer service can help you select the size that is appropriate for your complete setup.

Supair recommends having your reserve parachute inspected annually by a certified technician, regardless of how many times it has been used. This inspection includes a visual examination of the canopy, lines, and container, as well as repacking according to certified procedures. Regarding maximum service life, Supair recommends replacing the parachute 10 years after the date of manufacture, even if it has never been used—textile materials age and lose their mechanical properties over time. If the parachute has actually been deployed, it must be sent in for a complete overhaul before any further use. All information on maintenance and overhauls is available at supair.com/securite.

The weight of the paraglider is not included in the load of a parachute because it is not attached to the parachute when it is deployed.

Performing a " reserve parachute " is an emergency procedure that must be learned and practiced regularly in order to be executed effectively under stress. The general procedure recommended by trainers and manufacturers is as follows.

Decide early: The number one factor in a successful launch is making a quick decision. The longer you wait, the less altitude you have available. When in doubt, launch.

Locate the handle: Depending on your harness, the reserve parachute handle is located on the right or left side of the harness. Practice finding it with your eyes closed, under real-world conditions, before each season.

Grip the container firmly: with the hand opposite the handle, grasp the parachute container from the outside to secure it. Then grasp the handle with your whole hand—not just your fingers.

Remove it with a broad, decisive motion: pull the handle with a strong, continuous motion until your arm is fully extended, moving the container away from your body.

Deploy the parachute: Once the container is out, throw it away from you into an open area—away from the canopy if possible—to help it open.

Control the main canopy: Once the reserve has deployed, pull up the risers of the main canopy to prevent it from interfering with the reserve’s descent.

These steps serve as a general reminder. There is no substitute for hands-on training with a qualified instructor. Supair strongly recommends participating in piloting and active safety courses organized by certified schools, which include emergency parachute deployment drills under real-world conditions (over water or in a simulator). For more information on flight safety, visit supair.com/securite.

The SIV (In-Flight Incident Simulation) course is a hands-on training program during which pilots learn to induce, recognize, and manage the most common emergency situations in paragliding—asymmetric collapses, stalls, spins, and deep turns—in a controlled environment, typically over a lake with rescue boats nearby.

Why is it essential?

The vast majority of serious paragliding accidents occur not because of the incident itself, but because of the pilot’s inappropriate reaction to it. SIV training helps pilots overcome natural reflexes—such as pulling the brakes suddenly during a collapse—and replace them with automatic and effective responses.

What you’ll learn in practice: handling symmetrical and asymmetrical collapses, recovering from a stall, recovering from a spin, performing a “ reserve parachute ” maneuver under realistic conditions, and interpreting the wing’s behavior under extreme conditions.

Who is it intended for?

The SIV is recommended for all independent pilots, starting at the EN-B level. It is particularly recommended when changing gliders, advancing to a higher category, or before engaging in demanding activities such as cross-country flying in thermal conditions or mountain flying.

Supair recommends that all its pilots complete at least one SIV course per year, ideally at the start of the season. Information about partner courses is available from your Supair dealer or at supair.com/conseils-et-aventures.

Paragliding carabiners are lubricated with silicone during assembly. This is no longer necessary afterward, unless they become contaminated with sand or other debris. If this happens, wash them with detergent, rinse, dry, and lubricate with a light oil (as you would for mountaineering carabiners), but do not use grease! Check the carabiners regularly to ensure they are working properly!

The lifespan of a paragliding carabiner depends on several factors: frequency of use, environmental conditions (moisture, UV rays, salt, sand), and the absence of impacts or visible deformation.

General rules to follow:

Most manufacturers and certification bodies recommend replacing carabiners every 5 years at most, even if they appear to be in good condition—metals undergo invisible fatigue over time. In the event of a violent impact (hard landing, fall), the carabiner must be replaced immediately, even if there is no visible deformation, because its internal strength may be compromised.

Signs that indicate the need for immediate replacement: any visible deformation, a door that no longer closes with a firm click, deep corrosion marks, significant scratches on load-bearing areas, or abnormal play in the locking mechanism.

Daily maintenance: After each flight in wet conditions or near the ocean, rinse your carabiners with clean water and let them air dry. Applying a small amount of lubricant to the moving parts will extend their lifespan and ensure they open and close reliably.

At Supair, hardware (quick links, carabiners, buckles) is selected based on strict strength and reliability criteria and is available as replacement parts on supair.com. If you have any doubts about the condition of a carabiner, consult your authorized dealer or Supair Customer Service—never skimp on safety equipment to save money.