A paraglider is a foot-launched, ram-air, aerofoil canopy, designed to be flown and landed with no other energy requirements than the wind and gravity.

A canopy (the actual “wing”), risers (the cords by which the pilot is suspended below the canopy) and a harness. In addition, the brake cords provide speed and directional control and carabiners are used to connect the risers and the harness together.

Pilots usually fly from a hill or mountain sites that are managed by the site’s recreational club and there are plenty of flying sites throughout Malaysia. The emphasis is usually on hill flying, but tow operations can also be found in the flatland areas of the country. 

• Yes, as all the airspace in Malaysia is regulated and controlled by Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (formerly known as Department of Civil Aviation/DCA Malaysia)

• Please refer to ”TATACARA PELAKSANAAN TAHAP PENTAULIAHAN PARALUNCUR MALAYSIA”   for license rating and application procedure. 

• This varies between makers, models, certification classes and countries of origin but for a beginner or novice level, it will normally cost somewhere in the range of RM8,000 to RM10,000 for a complete starter set. 

• A new competition paraglider is likely to cost more than RM10,000 but a paraglider that is suitable for a recently trained pilot is more likely to cost between RM6,000 to RM7,000. There are however, used canopies can be obtained for much less but it is strongly advised to check with the instructors for its safety and suitability before purchasing them online/offline.

• You will also need other essential equipment such as the harness and helmet.

General wear and tear (especially the latter) and deterioration from exposure to ultra-violet usually limit the useful lifetime of a canopy to somewhere in the region of 200 to 300 hours of airtime. This obviously depends strongly on how it is being used.