Tracing its roots back to the 1960s, the paraglider emerged from a military need to train paratroopers in safe landings. Originally, paratroopers were towed to heights by trucks using ropes. After reaching the necessary altitude, the tow rope was released, allowing them to practice landings. Intrigued by the hovering experience more than the landing itself, many skydivers started launching themselves from hills, discovering ways to utilize air currents to extend their flight time.
This pursuit of prolonged flight evolved into a sport, significantly boosted by the invention of the parafoil. In 1964, Domina Jalbert revolutionized the design with a parachute that opened from incoming air, forming a wing or dome divided into cells. These cells, once filled with air, allowed the wing to glide further.
Today's paragliders, considered ultralight aircraft, have undergone remarkable transformations. Modern equipment, weighing between 8 to 20 kg, enables pilots to achieve speeds of 20 to 70 km/h with a glide ratio of 10:1. Advanced design and performance enhancements now allow for extended flights, with pilots staying airborne for hours and covering hundreds of kilometers in a single journey.