A parakite is an innovative hybrid wing that combines the stability and control of a kite with the performance and safety of a modern paraglider. It’s designed for dynamic low-altitude flying, slope soaring, and proximity (terrain) flying, offering easy maneuverability even at higher speeds.

Unlike traditional paragliders, parakites use a unique riser system instead of standard brakes. Rather than pulling the trailing edge of the wing, pilots control the angle of attack of the entire wing by pulling steering handles connected via a pulley system to the risers. This changes the wing’s pitch, allowing for precise speed and altitude control.

Parakites also feature a reflex airfoil profile, which keeps the wing highly stable and resistant to frontal collapses—even at high speeds and low angles of attack.

Parakites are designed for pilots seeking fast, dynamic, and playful flight. This type of wing is perfect for:

• Proximity and terrain flyers: Pilots who want to experience dynamic, low-altitude carving close to the ground, slopes, and contours.
• High-wind enthusiasts: Anyone who wants to fly safely and comfortably in stronger wind conditions where regular paragliders are unusable.
• Dune and winter sports riders: Those looking to soar along coastal sand dunes in a fresh sea breeze or fly down snowy mountain slopes on skis or a snowboard.

Although both share some design similarities, a parakite and a kite serve very different purposes.

• Purpose: Kites are designed to generate traction – pulling a rider across water, snow, or land on a board, skis, or buggy. A parakite is designed for free flight – lifting the pilot off the ground for dynamic, low-altitude soaring and proximity flying.
• Control System: Kites use a control bar with fixed lines and a depower system to manage pull. Parakites use a harness and riser system similar to paragliding, giving the pilot full 3D control over the wing in flight.
• Wing Loading & Profile: Kites are smaller, heavily loaded, and optimized for maximum pull at ground level. Parakites are larger, use a reflex airfoil profile, and are designed to carry the pilot’s full weight in the air – offering true glide, lift, and sustained flight.
• Freedom of Movement: With a kite, the rider stays on the surface and is connected to the ground or water. With a parakite, the pilot leaves the ground entirely, flying freely through the air along slopes, dunes, and ridges.

In short: a kite pulls you across the surface, while a parakite takes you into the air for real flight.

While a parakite may look similar to a paraglider at first glance, the piloting system and purpose are fundamentally different.

A Parakite provides full 3D steering to pilot, while paraglider can be controlled only in
horizontal pane (right – left turns) plus very limited braking-acceleration authority.

• Control System: Traditional paragliders use brakes that pull down the trailing edge of the wing to slow down and steer. Parakites use a handle system that changes the wing’s angle of attack, allowing direct control over speed and pitch.
• Speed & Wind Range: Paragliders are optimized for slow flight and catching thermals to gain altitude. Parakites are built for a much wider speed range and perform best in stronger wind conditions, where standard paragliders would struggle or become unusable.
• Flying Style: Paragliders are generally used for cross-country soaring at higher altitudes. Parakites are designed for dynamic, low-altitude proximity flying—carving along dunes, ridges, and slopes—as well as skiing down mountains in winter.

Because parakites are fast, dynamic, and flown close to the ground, absolute beginners should always take a training course with a qualified instructor before attempting to fly independently.

Absolutely. Many pilots use Parakites to develop better canopy control and confidence on the air.

Yes, parakites are specifically designed to handle stronger wind conditions than traditional paragliders. Thanks to their reflex airfoil profile and unique angle-of-attack control system, parakites remain highly stable and resistant to collapses even in gusty or turbulent air. Their compact, more heavily loaded wing design allows them to hold position and perform well in winds that would typically push a standard paraglider backward.

That said, flying in strong winds still requires proper skill and experience it’s recommended to build confidence in moderate conditions first before progressing to stronger wind flying.

One very important clarification: a parakite is not a traction kite. It will not pull you along flat ground, you cannot use it to kite standing still on a flat beach or flat snow field.

What it is absolutely perfect for is:

• Dynamic proximity flying down snow slopes on skis or snowboard
• Carving and flying centimetres above sand dunes in steady sea breeze
• Soaring along the crest of dunes and snow ridges for hours at a time
• These are also exactly the conditions that are usually far too strong and turbulent to safely fly a regular paraglider, which makes parakites the ideal tool for this.