Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ: "So what's wrong with brakes?"
Response: "Paraglider brakes, at least the brakes of current models, are designed to do just that: BRAKE. It is not really accurate to compare them to ailerons; it would even be more accurate to compare them with spoilers, when talking about turning a sailplane vs. turning a paraglider, if the spoilers were available in a differential configuration (left and right side independently activated). Then it could be said that these two types of "brake-to -turn" controls would have basically the same effect: The sailplane, upon activating a left only spoiler, would destroy lift of part of the left wing, causing the glider to tilt down to the left, effectively starting a roll. But that's a fairly inefficient way to turn a sailplane! The paraglider brake is designed to drag the side deployed, back in a yaw motion, and because of the "plumb-bob" inertia of the pilot weight which by inertia continues on its forward motion, a roll is INDUCED. (Think that through in 3-D, if you will...) Thus, after a fashion, these two comparable control surfaces, nothing to do with ailerons, bring about: a turn in the same direction. It could also be noted that, one of the unfortunate side effects of brakes, on paragliders which are not made with relatively straight trailing edges to exploit efficiently the BRAKING effect (like on the Advance brand wings); one of the side effects of brakes, is that if you give just a little, progressively and not sharply, the result can be a change in the center of lift of the wing, with the annoying effect of the wing seeking another trim, that is: changing its position over your head, with adverse results from what you are seeking. Which calls for complex piloting skills, to properly steer a paraglider. "