1. Loss of Control and Extreme Turbulence

Strong wind is rarely smooth. It flows over hills, trees, and buildings, creating mechanical turbulence.

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• Rotor: This is the most feared type of turbulence. As wind flows over an obstacle (like a ridge or a building), it creates a rotating, chaotic, and violent circulation of air on the downwind side (the "lee side"). Flying into a rotor can cause the paraglider's wing to collapse violently and uncontrollably, leading to a rapid fall.

• Gusts: Strong wind is often gusty, meaning its speed changes rapidly. A sudden increase in wind speed can pitch the pilot back, while a sudden decrease (flying into a "lull") can cause the wing to surge forward and potentially collapse. Constant, active piloting is required to manage this, which is physically and mentally exhausting.

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2. Being Blown Backwards (Lack of Penetration)

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This is a fundamental concept of airspeed vs. ground speed.

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• Airspeed: This is the speed of the wing through the air. A typical paraglider might have a trim airspeed of around 38 km/h (23 mph).

• Ground Speed: This is the speed of the pilot over the ground.

The formula is simple: Ground Speed = Airspeed - Headwind Speed

The Danger: If the headwind speed is greater than your wing's maximum airspeed, your ground speed becomes negative. You will start flying backwards, no matter which way you are facing. This is incredibly dangerous because you can be blown into the hazardous "lee side" of a mountain, into power lines, or out to sea with no way to get back to land.

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3. Dangerous Launches

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Getting the wing overhead and taking off requires control. In strong winds, this becomes a battle.

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• Violent Inflation: The wing can inflate extremely quickly and powerfully, yanking the pilot off their feet and dragging them across the ground before they are ready to launch. This can cause serious injuries from being dragged into rocks, trees, or other obstacles.

• Premature Lift: The wing can generate enough lift to pluck the pilot into the air before they have fully established control, often in a chaotic and unstable state.

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4. Hazardous Landings

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Landing a paraglider requires flying slowly and gently flaring to a stop. Strong wind makes this nearly impossible.

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• High Ground Speed: If you land with the wind (a downwind landing), your ground speed will be your airspeed plus the wind speed. This results in a dangerously fast landing, equivalent to jumping out of a moving car.

• Being Dragged: Even when landing into the wind, the moment your feet touch the ground, the wing can re-inflate and act like a giant sail. The pilot can be dragged across the landing zone at high speed, leading to broken bones and other severe injuries until they can disable the wing.

• Overshooting: It can be very difficult to reach your intended landing zone. The strong wind can keep you airborne longer than you want, forcing you to land in a less suitable, potentially hazardous area.

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5. Wing Collapses

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A wing collapse is when a portion of the fabric wing deflates due to turbulence. While small collapses are common and manageable in normal conditions, in strong, turbulent wind:

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• Collapses are larger and more violent.

• Recovery is much more difficult. A violent collapse can lead to a rapid dive or spin that can be difficult or impossible to recover from, especially at low altitudes.

• The risk of a "cravat" increases. This is when a wingtip gets tangled in the lines, creating a persistent and dangerous turning situation that is very difficult to clear.

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What is "Too Strong"?

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"Strong wind" is relative and depends on three main factors:

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1. Pilot Skill: A seasoned professional can handle conditions that would be lethal for a student.

2. Wing Rating: Beginner wings (EN-A) are more stable but have lower top speeds, making them more susceptible to being blown backward. High-performance wings are faster but much less forgiving of turbulence.

3. Location: 25 km/h (15 mph) of gusty, turbulent wind in the mountains is far more dangerous than 35 km/h (22 mph) of smooth, laminar wind at a coastal soaring site.

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In conclusion, paragliding is about finesse and working with the weather, not fighting it. Strong wind removes the pilot's control and turns a graceful flying machine into a ragdoll at the mercy of chaotic, powerful forces. The wisest pilots are often the ones on the ground, choosing to wait for better, safer conditions.

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