The word ‘Adventure’, in all probability originated from the two words, ‘Adverse’, and ‘Venture’. Adversity of a venture is what would qualify an act as adventurous. This, no doubt, quite aptly seems to sum up the essence of the all that ‘Adventure’ stands for.

Adventure sports involving the third dimension are many and increasing in variety day by day. Knowing which aerosport involves what activity, is increasingly difficult to understand from the name of the sport itself. As an example, the difference between Parasailing and Paragliding may not be very clear to many except those who are in the sport. Read on to know the difference!

Aerosports.

This word covers that entire spectrum of activities consisting of Parasailing, Wet (Para)Sailing, Paragliding, Paramotoring, Paraplaning/Powerchuting, Para jumping, Sky Diving, Hang gliding, Powered Hang gliding, Hot Air Ballooning and Microlight Flying. Some would consider Bungy Jumping as an aerosport, but I have deliberately left it out since it is a debatable ‘aerosport’.

Parasailing & Wet (Para) Sailing.

This sport is undoubtedly the simplest way to get airborne. It involves the para sailor being strapped into the harness of a specially modified parachute and being towed aloft by a jeep (or a Motor boat in the case of Wet Sailing) over distances of over several hundred feet at a height of the length of the towing rope. The height attained would vary according to the weight of the Para sailor, power of the vehicle/boat and make of the canopy.

Paragliding.

The purest form of flying, it involves use of a ram-air parachute which is rectangular in shape and which can be steered by the use of toggles which are connected to the trailing edge of the parachute. The take-off is from a hillside with a slope facing the wind, by running into the wind with the canopy laid out on the ground behind the pilot. As he runs, air fills into the ‘cells’ of the canopy and it inflates and swings over the head of the pilot. The pilot keeps on running downhill and the canopy attains the requisite lift till the pilot gets air borne. Further ascent is by catching ‘thermals’ or updrafts formed by columns of hot air rising above the surface of the air. Paragliding can also be done at the places which do not have a suitable height with the means of a winch. In this a mechanical winch is used to tow the pilot aloft in the absence of a suitable high ground from which to launch from.

Paramotoring.

This is a relatively new entrant in the world of aerosports in the country. This involves the use of a standard paraglider with certain modifications and a petrol driven back-pack strap-on motor with propellers. The motor serves to thrust the pilot forward while the canopy is inflated in the same manner as a glider by running into a headwind. Once the glider is overhead, the thrust of the motor pushes the pilot thereby getting the pilot airborne.

Paraplaning/Power Chuting.

Like a paramotor this too essentially uses  a paraglider with modifications and a motor which is mounted on a tri-cycle/go-kart like superstructure. The pilot sits on the structure instead of running and takes off and lands in a similar manner. Useful for people who do not want to run to take off.

Hang gliding.

Hang gliding is done using a stiff ‘delta’ shaped wing made by stretching a strong fabric over a metal structure/frame shaped like a wing. Like a paraglider the launch is from a steep hillside and the pilot in this case lies under the hang glider, suspended from it, face downwards. The control is using a bar connected to the structure which changes direction and ascent is using ‘thermals’ as in paragliding.

Powered Hang gliding(PHG).

PHG is the motorized equivalent of Hang gliding, something akin to paramotoring. However due to the stiff nature of the wing, the aerodynamics is more similar to that of a standard aircraft. The PHG requires a runway like an aircraft and takes off and lands in a similar fashion.

Microlight Flying.

The weight of an aircraft determines its inclusion in the category of microlights. An aircraft with a weight of less than 450 Kgs classifies as a Microlight, though this would vary from country to country. These are also called Ultralights. Only for the financially well endowed.

Hot Air Ballooning (HAB).

Hot Air Ballooning is visually imposing sport because of the large size of the HAB, in comparison to the other aerosports. However HAB is also one of the most difficult aircrafts to fly because of the complete dependence on winds and meteorology for propulsion and navigation. The only thing the ‘hot air’ achieves is the lift and there after the altitude is controlled by the increasing/decreasing the quantum of hot air in the balloon. The lateral movement is totally at the mercy of the winds. It is not unusual for the balloonist to land several kilometers away from the intended point and hence the importance of a good rescue and backup team cannot be over emphasized. Hence, during exhibitions and functions, hot air balloons are tethered and raised and lowered, giving free ‘rides’ to all and sundry.

Gliding.

Gliding is done by using a glider which is a wooden air craft without an engine. This air craft is hoisted into the air either by towing aloft using another powered aircraft or by using a mechanical winch. Once aloft the flight continues using the principles of thermals or even with a small motor. Also known as ‘Soaring’, there are several gliding clubs all over the world.