In paragliding, the All-In Weight or Total Flying Weight plays a crucial role in the wing's behaviour and response. So it's important to understand what it is, how to calculate it and how to buy the ideal equipment without making a mistake.
What is my paragliding weight range ?
The TWA (Total Flying Weight) is a crucial factor in paragliding. It represents the weight of the equipped pilot, the paraglider and all the onboard equipment. Calculating your glider's total weight rating will help you choose the right wing and anticipate how it will behave in flight, both in a straight line and in a turn.
Weight of rider and equipment
The easiest way to accurately determine your GVW is to weigh yourself on a scale with all your flying equipment: clothes, paraglider, water bottle, food...
If you don't have your paraglider yet, or if you're planning to change your equipment (wing, harness or reserve parachute), you can weigh yourself fully clothed and add to this weight the weight of the theoretical equipment, which you can easily find on the web. In fact, each manufacturer accurately indicates the weight of all the components for each size available.
The importance of PTV when choosing a wing
The PTV plays a key role in selecting the right wing for your level. The right wing speed guarantees better control of the glider and optimises performance in flight.
Flying with an inadequate RWP can affect the wing's stability and responsiveness. A PTV that is too low makes the wing less responsive and more sensitive to turbulence, while a PTV that is too high increases speed but can compromise handling.
When choosing a wing, pay particular attention to the following points:
- The PTV range recommended by the manufacturer
- Your level of experience and your flight objectives
- The usual aerological conditions at your practice sites
A well-evaluated PTV will enable you to get the most out of your equipment and ride in complete safety.
How do you calculate your PTV accurately?
The T.F.W. (Total Flying Weight) is simply the sum of the weight of the following components:
- Your net weight on the scales
- The weight of your clothes
- The weight of your accessories: helmet, goggles or mask, vario gps, tablet, radio, water bag, food, camera, gopro, rucksack, etc.
- The weight of the paraglider
- The weight of the harness
- The weight of the rescue parachute
PTV ranges: low, medium and high
Paraglider manufacturers design wings that are tested and approved in the different sizes on offer. For each size, the brand indicates a recommended maximum and minimum weight range. As long as the pilot stays within this range, the wing remains certified and behaves well in the air. However, if the pilot leaves the range, the glider may react differently, which could lead to flying incidents.
Example of PTV range on an Advance Alpha 7 glider:
| Size | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended gross vehicle weight (GVW in kg) | 50-70 | 60-80 | 70-95 | 85-110 | 100-130 |
Flying low: advantages and limitations
Flying at the bottom of the range specific characteristics for the pilot. The wing becomes more damped and less reactive, which suits beginners or pilots who prefer to take it easy. The sink rate has improved slightly, making it easier to exploit weak lift.
However, this configuration reduces speed and air penetration, making it more difficult to fly into the wind. Manoeuvrability is also reduced, requiring greater input from the controls.
In turbulent conditions, the wing becomes more sensitive to collapses, although these are generally less violent than at the top of the range. This configuration requires a good piloting technique, particularly for landings which require more precision and anticipation.
The middle of PTV: the ideal balance?
The mid-range is an interesting target because not only does the wing retain all its approved characteristics (sink rate, speed, responsiveness) but it also allows you to have a margin of comfort in relation to your own weight or the weight of the equipment on board. This means you can fly lighter in summer or for short local flights, or fly with a little more weight in winter or during long-distance cross-country flights.
The mid-range PTV represents the best compromise between speed, finesse, cornering precision and safety.
Top of the range: performance and precautions
Flying at the top end of the PTV range offers significant advantages in terms of performance. This configuration improves straight-line air penetration, making it easier to progress upwind. On the other hand, the glide ratio of the wing deteriorates significantly and in light conditions it will be more difficult to zero-in on low-yield sites.
However, this configuration requires extra vigilance. The wing's greater responsiveness requires more subtle and precise control inputs. In narrow ascents, the pilot benefits from a greater ability to exploit updrafts.
To take advantage of these benefits while minimising the risks, we recommend :
- Regularly practise active piloting exercises
- Better anticipation of air movements
- Adapt your technique to the specific characteristics of the wing being loaded
Wing loading: understanding its impact
The wing loading, the result of dividing the wing loading by the surface area of the wing, has a direct influence on the glider's performance. A high wing loading increases flight speed and improves air penetration, particularly useful in strong winds.
This translates into greater responsiveness on the controls, but requires more precise piloting. Conversely, a low wing loading favours a reduced sink rate, ideal for exploiting weak thermals.
The impact on take-off is also significant: a high wing loading requires a more dynamic run, while a light loading facilitates take-off in light winds. Choosing the optimum wing loading therefore depends on the pilot's usual flying conditions and objectives.
When all is said and done, what trim weight should you choose for a paraglider?
If you're just starting out or if you're looking for maximum versatility, we advise you to aim for the middle of the PTV range indicated by the manufacturer when choosing the size of your paraglider.
If you can't find what you're looking for in the middle of the range for a given sail, don't worry. Different manufacturers often offer different ranges, either between their own models or between manufacturers. So it's often just a matter of changing brands to find a 10kg difference in GVW ranges.
If you want to buy a second-hand glider: check the T.P.V. before you buy
Whether you want to buy a new sail or all second-hand equipment, the method remains the same. The PTV remains essential information for flying safely with a glider that meets the certification tests perfectly.
If you have any doubts about buying a new paraglider, don't hesitate to ask us for advice.
