paraglider

Equipment made up of a flexible canopy attached to a harness; it is used to take off from a height and gain altitude on lifting air currents.

stabilizer

Fabric triangle attached to the sides of the canopy; it is used primarily to stabilize the paraglider.

suspension line

Cables that connect the canopy to the risers; they are arranged in rows on the risers according to the point where they attach to the canopy.

trailing edge

Back edge of the canopy where the suspension lines connected to the brake loops are attached.

leading edge

Front edge of the canopy where the half cells open; during liftoff, the leading edge faces into the wind so the canopy fills with air.

half cell

The fabric compartments that fill with air to give the canopy its shape.

canopy

Structure of fabric cells that, when filled with air, forms an elliptical surface with the aerodynamic properties of an airplane wing.