In this article, you will learn about what factors effect wing performance. This knowledge will help you choose a wing today, and lend perspective on how you may transition to different wings in the future.

Source of the data
All the data in the chart is from an independent source that collects specs on every glider ever made. You can visit the site yourself at Para2000.org. These specs are accurate and unbiased.

Year Introduced
This is the year that the glider became available to the public. This data is important for two reasons. Over the years, paraglider technology has improved dramatically. New materials and design techniques have increased wing performance and safety. Therefore, in order to compare apples to apples, it is important to compare gliders designed no more than a few years apart.

Most importantly, a few older designs are still on the market today, and although they are in new condition, they are not the latest technology. These gliders have less performance and safety than new designs. The Power Altas and the Silex are exampless of old technology still being sold . There are others. Before buying a wing, check Para2000.org to see what year the paraglider was introduced.

Aspect Ratio
Aspect Ratio is the ratio of the wing span divided by the cord of the wing. So if the wing span is 30 feet and the cord is 6 feet, then the aspect ratio is 5.

Aspect Ratio effects glider performance and characteristics more than any other factor. As aspect ratio increases, gliders become more efficient, have a faster top speed, and can be more responsive in flight and on the ground. The trade off is safety. As aspect ratio increases, gliders become more prone to collapse in turbulence, and recovery is not as smooth as with lower aspect ratio gliders. Higher aspect ratio gliders also require a more sensative touch on ground and in the air, making them more challenging for beginners.

Aspect Ratio: Flat versus Projected
Flat Aspect ratio is measured when the wing is laying flat. Projected aspect ratio is equivelent to the wing's shadow on the ground when inflated. The relivance of flat versus projected aspect ratio is subtle, and too long to cover here. We'll go over this interesting relationship in more depth in a future article.

Number of Cells
As with aspect ratio, increasing the number of cells in a paraglider increases the efficiency and speed of a paraglider. And just like aspect ratio, the trade off with more cells is a greater tendency to collapse and a more complex recovery.

It is important to note that over the years, improvements in technology have allowed us to increase both aspect ratio and the number cells while actually decreasing the likelyhood of a collapse and improving the recovery characteristics. Newer designs are safer and perform better. That's why it is important to compare wings designed around the same year.

Minimum Sink, Glide Ratio
The two most common indicators of glider efficiency are minimum sink rate and glide ratio. Minimum sink is the glider's slowest rate of descent, with the power off. Glide ratio is the gliders best glide angle with power off. For example, a glide ratio of 8 means the glider will progress 800 feet forward for every 100 feet it descends.

The glide ratios in the chart are based on flying with a clean paraglider harness. Because paramotors have a lot more drag, count on a PPG glide of around 15% less.

Efficient gliders have longer range, better endurance, and usually more responsive handling in the air and on the ground. Efficient gliders can be flown at higher wing loadings, increasing top speed and stability in turbulence.

As stated above, efficiency is increased by increasing aspect ratio and the number of cells. Looking at the chart, this trend is clear. It also follows that efficient gliders are more prone to collapse and have a more complicated recovery process.