## What is the Paraglider Speedbar?
The paraglider speedbar is a device that is used to increase the speed of a paraglider. It is a simple system that consists of a footplate that is attached to the pilot’s harness and a set of pulleys that are connected to the paraglider’s lines. When the pilot steps on the footplate, the pulleys pull on the lines and cause the paraglider to fly faster.
## How Does the Paraglider Speedbar Work?
The paraglider speedbar works by increasing the angle of attack of the paraglider. The angle of attack is the angle at which the paraglider’s leading edge meets the oncoming air. When the angle of attack is increased, the paraglider flies faster.
The speedbar increases the angle of attack by pulling on the lines that are attached to the paraglider’s trailing edge. This causes the trailing edge to move down and the leading edge to move up. The increased angle of attack results in an increase in speed.
## How to Use the Paraglider Speedbar
To use the paraglider speedbar, the pilot simply steps on the footplate. The footplate is typically located in the center of the pilot’s harness. When the pilot steps on the footplate, the pulleys pull on the lines and the paraglider flies faster.
The amount of speed that is added by the speedbar depends on how hard the pilot steps on the footplate. The harder the pilot steps, the more the lines are pulled and the faster the paraglider flies.
## Benefits of Using the Paraglider Speedbar
There are several benefits to using the paraglider speedbar. These benefits include:
Increased speed: The speedbar can increase the speed of a paraglider by up to 10 mph. This can be helpful for covering long distances or for flying in strong winds.
Improved glide performance: The speedbar can improve the glide performance of a paraglider by increasing the angle of attack. This allows the paraglider to fly further without losing altitude.
Increased maneuverability: The speedbar can increase the maneuverability of a paraglider by making it more responsive to pilot input. This can be helpful for flying in turbulent conditions or for performing aerobatic maneuvers.
## Risks of Using the Paraglider Speedbar
There are also some risks associated with using the paraglider speedbar. These risks include:
Stall: If the pilot steps on the speedbar too hard, the paraglider can stall. A stall is a sudden loss of lift that can cause the paraglider to drop out of the sky.
Over-speeding: If the pilot flies the paraglider too fast, it can over-speed. Over-speeding can damage the paraglider and can be dangerous.
Dive: If the pilot steps on the speedbar too quickly, the paraglider can dive. A dive is a rapid descent that can be difficult to control.
## Conclusion
The paraglider speedbar is a useful device that can be used to increase the speed, glide performance, and maneuverability of a paraglider. However, it is important to use the speedbar safely and to be aware of the risks involved.